|
(11) | EP 0 427 889 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | Disposable razor with detachable gel packets |
| (57) A disposable razor assembly and method are provided in which a packet assembly (16)
is releasably secured to the handle (11) of the disposable razor. The packet assembly
(16) includes a plastic packet having a side wall forming a reservoir for single-use
shaving-associated material such as shaving gel and aftershave. The packet includes
a tab connected to the packet by a swedged web including a neck in communication with
the reservoir. The tabs are secured to the exterior of the handle (11) or are grippingly
engaged by a slot in the handle (11). The reservoir is automatically opened as the
plastic packet is torn away from the razor handle (11) even in high humidity environments.
|
FIELD:
[0001] The present invention relates to shaving systems in general, and more particularly to manually operated disposable razors having in combination therewith means for carrying sufficient shaving gels and after shave lotion for single-use application. In accordance with the present invention, one or more plastic packets of shaving gel and/or after shave lotion are removable secured by integral tabs to the disposable razor handle. Using the handle as a stabilizing support, sufficient leverage can be generated even where the users hands are wet to simultaneously release and rupture the plastic packet(s) containing the shaving-associated material (gel or lotion). The system is handy for travel as (i) only the correct amount of pre-measured gel/lotion accompanies the razor and unnecessary excess is kept to a minimum, and (ii) the three key parts of the system (razor, gel, and lotion) are combinable as a unit so that they cannot be overlooked during packaging.
BACKGROUND:
[0002] In conventional hand razors, a razor blade is mounted in the shaving head which is carried at the end of the handle normally grasped by the user's hand. Before shaving, the user conventionally applies shaving-associated materials such as lathers, creams, gels and the like, to the face or body portions to be shaved. Such materials are typically supplied in large, relatively heavy (from a traveller's point of view) multiple serving plastic and/or metallic containers. Since shaving is most often carried out in semi-closed rooms of high humidity (bathrooms and showers), such containers become slippery and difficult to manipulate when the user's hands become wet. Further, no one likes to carry excess weight on a trip. It makes little sense to carry a razor, shaving foam can, and after-shave lotion of weighing on the order of 22-30 ounces on an overnight or 2-day trip. The cans are bulky and difficult to store, especially where luggage space is limited. Cans and lotion bottles can leak in the luggage, especially at lower pressure in airplane baggage compartments.
[0003] Many relatively successful attempts have been made to provide a handle or other means in the razor which incorporates a reservoir for a lather foaming material or for a lotion. Examples of such patents include U.S. 4,129,942 (Denigman) having separate compartments for gels and lotions; U.S. 4,433,483, (Lazarus) incorporating an aerosol spray can in the handle; U.S. 4,562,643, (Cataudalla) showing a renewable housing for the shaving gel; U.S. 4,635,361, (Demars), showing a tube squeezer for shaving lotion; and U.S. 3,985,146, (Allbeck), for a handle formed of a flexible tube which itself constitutes the reservoir of the shaving cream.
[0004] These razors also suffer from several drawbacks. For example: some razors do not provide enough lather, the reservoir having been overly used in prior occasions; another requires the handle to be flexible in order to squeeze out the shaving material, resulting in difficulty and danger in use when the handle becomes too flexible; still others require the handle and the shaving head to be mechanically disengaged before the shave-associated materials can be used. Also, they are complex and can become easily damaged to the point of inoperativeness if dropped, a common occurrence when handled with wet, soapy hands.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a simple, cheap-to-manufacture, single-use, shaving system that is lightweight, disposable, non-bulky, and contains a single package all that is needed for shaving.
THE INVENTION
SUMMARY:
[0006] In accordance with the present shaving system invention, an improved disposable razor assembly is provided having capabilities related to (a) caddy (carry) shaving-associated materials to a remote use site such as a room with high humidity (bathroom and shower), and (b) facilitating shaving operations at such remote site.
[0007] In accordance with apparatus aspects, the present invention comprises an improved disposable razor assembly that includes:
(a) A handle having a first portion attached to and carrying a shaving head thereon suitable for use as a manually operated razor and a second portion normally grasped by users during shaving operations, the second portion of the handle being provided with one or more broad surfaces,
(b) one or more assemblies adapted to be removable secured piggy-back style to or in the surface(s) of the handle, and comprising a releasable connected plastic packet having a rupturable reservoir containing a single-use serving of shaving-associated material such as shaving gel, shaving cream, after shave lotion or the like, and being disposed so that substantially simultaneous release of the packet relative to said handle and rupture of said reservoir can be easily achieved irrespective of humidity at the use site.
[0008] Attachment of the packet assembly to the handle is preferably by heat wherein a base portion of a tab assembly is thermally welded to the handle. In another embodiment, tabs of the shaving gel packet are grippingly secured in a specially adapted slot in the handle. Other techniques may be used to provide the attachment, such as by adhesives. In any event, the shaving-associated material of interest is easily caddied to the use site by the razor without the usual difficulties associated with transport of such toiletries.
[0009] In accordance with method aspects of the present invention, a procedure is provided for causing substantially simultaneous release and rupture of a plastic packet containing the shaving-associated material of interest even in highly humid environments, comprising the steps of:
(a) applying twisting pressure to the packet along a twisting axis to release the packet from the handle while the razor assembly is stabilizingly maintained even in the presence of humid air at the use site, and
(b) almost simultaneously with step (a), causing rupture of a small wall region of the packet, the twisting pressure preventing accidental discharge of the shaving-associated material as the packet is released from the razor handle and ruptured.
[0010] In steps (a) and (b), above, the twisting pressure is applied to the packet only after the user's hand has been placed in non-slip contact with the razor assembly.
[0011] Then, using such handle as a stabilizing support sufficient leverage can be easily generated to simultaneously release and rupture the plastic packet.
[0012] In addition, the shaving-associated material will not be overly expelled from the packet since the severing and rupturing forces acting on the packet are more easily controlled, even if the use site is highly humid.
[0013] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following drawings.
DRAWINGS:
[0014]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first razor assembly in accordance with the present invention in which a conventional disposable razor is provided with a packet assembly releasable secured to the handle thereof, the packet assembly serving as a reservoir for shaving-associated materials;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the razor assembly of Fig. 1 in which two razor assemblies have been placed face-to-face within a plastic container;
Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged detail of a tear-away tab assembly of the packet assembly of Fig. 2 illustrating how the shape of the tab assembly aids in the release of the packet(s) from the razor handle and in the rupturing of the packets along a swedged neck region of a protruding head;
Fig. 4 is a top view of the packet assembly of Fig. 1, prior to attachment to razor handle;
Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4, further illustrating the shape of the tear-away tab assembly and the swedged neck region of the head by which the packet can be releasable secured relative to the razor handle as well as to automatically open the reservoir to the exterior when the packet is detached;
Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the razor assembly on Fig. 1 illustrating a user's finger positions during use of the razor assembly of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is an alternate embodiment of the packet assembly of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;
Figs. 9 and 10 are details of the tear-away tab assembly of Figs. 7 and 8;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a second razor/packet assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a side elevation of razor assemblies in accordance with Fig. 11 illustrating how they may be stacked for easy packaging and/or transport; and
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a third alternate razor/packet assembly in which the packet is carried in a special slot in the handle in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION:
[0015] The following is a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention by way of example only and is not intended to limit its applicable principles. Furthermore, the description will is intended to clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It also included various adaptations, variations, alternatives and different uses of the invention including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.
[0016] Referring to Fig. 1, a first embodiment of a disposable razor assembly 10 is shown that includes a hollow handle 11 connected through a arcuate support housing 12 to a razor head 13. The razor head 13 is of conventional construction and included two spaced apart metallic blades 14 covered by a shield 15. Normally, the razor head 13 will be formed of injection-molded plastics material and the blades 14 will be embedded in the plastics material during the molding operation as a conventional in the art. In this regard, suitable plastics materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and polycarbonates. Thereafter, the handle 11 is subjected to heat so as to receive and secure plastic packet assembly 16 relative to surfaces 17a, 17b thereof. Since the razor head 13 and the handle 11 are of the type employed conventionally in disposable razors, they form no part of the present invention except in combination with the integrally-formed plastic packet assembly 16 of the present invention.
[0017] Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate plastic packet assembly 15 of the present invention in more detail.
[0018] Briefly, packet assembly 16, as seen in Fig. 4, includes an integrally-formed tear-away tab assembly 18 releasable attached to a packet 19. The packet 19 includes a continuous side wall 20. The wall 20 forms interior reservoir 20a filled with a single-use serving of shaving-associated materials, such as shaving lathers, gels, after shave-lotions and the like. Along an edge of wall 20, protuberance 20b is formed adjacent to shoulders 20c. Between shoulders 2oc and protuberance 20b, is reduced neck region 20d.
[0019] Tab assembly 18 includes a base member 21. Base member 21 is foldable along dotted fold lines 22, so as to form a pair of wings 23. The wings 23 flank central region 24. Attachment of tab assembly 18 to the razor handle 11 is as follows: The wings 23 are attached to opposite upright surfaces 17b of the handle 11, while central region 24 extends above broad surface 17b. Attachment is preferably by thermal welding.
[0020] Relative positions of the protuberance 20b, base member 21 and handle 11 is seen best in Fig. 3 in which the wings 23 are thermally welded to upright surfaces 17b of handle 11. The shape of protuberance 20b, however, prevents the central region 24 of base assembly 21 from tightly contacting broad surface 17a as shown in Fig. 3.
[0021] Further features and details of the packet assembly 15 will become more apparent from a brief description of how the various elements can be formed.
[0022] For example, a series of packet assemblies 19 can be serially cut from a long tube (not shown) of either polyethylene, polypropylene, or polycarbonate. Such seals and cuts occur after the tube has been filled with a shaving-associated material in the manner analogous to providing sample packets in the food and shampoo industries.
[0023] In more detail, first the plastic tube can be fitted over an exhaust nozzle of a loading machine, and the shave-associated material in injected throughout the entire length of the tube. Thereafter, a series of packets can be cut and sealed transverse to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the tube analogous to formation of sample packets as previously described. In order to provide the protuberance 20b at the edge of such plastic tube, the wall of the tube must be softened and then reshaped to the proper form under external forces. Note that as the temperature of the percursor plastic tube is elevated as opposed transverse seals as well as protuberance 20b are formed, provides a suitable technique by which neck region 20d is formed.
[0024] Formation of each assembly 18 occurs simultaneously with the formation of the protuberance 20b and the reservoir 20a. Since each tab assembly 18 is formed from the precusor plastic tube in the manner previously described in integral manner, the technique will not be discussed in detail except to say that the winnowing of the excess plastic material to form the tab assembly 18 is such that base member 21 flanks protuberance 20b.
[0025] However, certain elements of integrally-formed, tear-away region 30 (Fig. 3) can be sequentially proved. In this regard, note that the tear-away region 30 includes neck 20d and transverse cuts 34, 35 (Fig . 5) formed in swedged region 36 of the central region 30. Neck 21d and swedged region 36 are formed of excess plastic materials occurring at the transverse edges of the packets as the latter are formed. But usually the neck 20d and swedged regions must be worked, say by the application of tensile forces in the manner previously described, to provide the final configuration. After transverse cuts 34, 35 have been sequentially produced to a given depth within the swedged region 36, such cuts 34, 35 are seen to be aligned with neck 20d along axis B-B. Such alignment defines a common plane intersecting axis A-A handle 11 at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to reservoir 20a.
[0026] Fig. 5 illustrates the positional relationship of traverse cuts 34, 35 and axis B-B in more detail.
[0027] As shown, the axis B-B is coincident with swedged region 36 and bisects neck 20d at the narrow span of the latter. In that way, the neck 20d as well as the transverse cuts 34, 35 are positioned in clear alignment with each other.
[0028] After packet assembly 16 of Fig. 4 is attached piggy-back style to the razor handle 11 at broad surfaces 17a, 17b, the resulting razor assembly 10 can be packaged with another assembly 10′ (Fig. 2) and both housed within plastic container 40 e.g. a poly bag. thereafter, container 40 can be sold to a user in conventional commercial commerce.
[0029] Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5 also illustrate method aspects of the present invention related to how razor assembly 10 of the present invention can be employed even in a highly humid environment.
[0030] Briefly, the packet 19 of Fig. 1 can be simultaneously detached relative to tear-away tab assembly 18 while rupturing reservoir 20a, by the steps of:
(a) applying a twisting force to packet 19 in the direction of arrows 38, 39 along a twisting axis coextensive of the axis A-A of handle 11, while the razor assembly 10 is steadily maintained by the user gripping the handle 11, such stability resulting in part from the large gripping area afforded the user even in the presence of high humidity of the surrounding air,
(b) almost simultaneously, causing release of the packets 19 from the tab assembly 18 wherein such release is along transverse cuts 34, 35 associated with swedged region 36 and thence across neck 20d of protuberance 20b to cause rupture of the protuberance 20b and place the contents of reservoir 20a in open, continuous single-use fluid contact with the exterior of the packet 19.
[0031] Now in more detail, note that separation of the packet 19 from the tab assembly 18, can be enhanced by the use if indicia 37, see Figs. 1 and 6, to indicate desired positions of the user's hand to affect a stabilizing position as the packet 19 is separated. Such separation occurs as a consequence of twisting force applied along arrows 38, 39. Note also that the twisting movement provided the packet 19 by the user is about an axis normal to axis B-B depicted in Figs. 1, 3 and 4-5.
[0032] Fig. 6 illustrates a further capability of the razor assembly of the present invention wherein shaving can occur utilizing shaving head 13 without the packet 19 being detached from the razor handle 11.
[0033] As shown, packet 19 is pivotable about axis B-B. Consequently, space below packet 19 becomes clear for placement of the user's hand (not shown) including finger 41a and thumb 41b of Fig. 6. Hence, the user can manipulate the razor assembly 10 of the present invention to perform shaving even though packet 19 remains attached to the handle 11.
[0034] Use of the shaving assembly 10 of the present invention in the foregoing manner also contemplates employing two or more packet assemblies such as generally indicated at 16 and 16′ in Fig. 1. Under these circumstances, assume the most forward packet 19 (relative to shaving head 13) contains after-shave lotion, while rearwardly positioned packet 19′ contains shaving cream or shaving gel. Thus, after packet 19′ has been detached and the shaving gel applied to the user's face, body, or the like, the razor assembly of the present invention can be easily manipulated by the user using the hand position shown in Fig. 6. Such use can occur, even though the packet 19 remains attached at the handle 11 and does not present unduly difficult manipulative problems to the user.
ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS:
[0035] Figs. 7-10 illustrate an alternate plastic packet assembly 50 in accordance with the present invention.
[0036] In this regard, note that the alternate packet assembly 50 does not have a protuberance 20b as shown in Figs. 3-5 but instead is provided with a rupturable wall region 52 lying along a diagonal plane coincident with line 8-8, Fig. 7, through a corner of packet 51. Note that manufacture of the alternate packet assembly 50 is also less complex from a tooling standpoint since the rupturable wall region 52 as shown in Fig. 8 is merely a portion of the total wall 53 that defines reservoir 54.
[0037] However, the tear-away tab assembly 55 of Fig. 7 is more complex and can be provided (i) separately from packet 51 or (ii) integrally where sufficiently excess material at the edge of the precursor plastic as the packets 51 are formed, is available.
[0038] In more detail as shown, the tear-away assembly 55 is seen to include a base 56, a swedged tear-away region 57 (Fig. 8) and an upright wall 58 (Fig. 9). A slot 59 (Figs. 9 and 10) allows a corner of the packet 51 to be attached as by heat sealing to an upper surface of the base 56 whereby rupturable wall region 52 is placed coincident with the upright wall 58. Note that the swedged region 57 of base 56 (Fig. 8) is still adjacent to its intersection with upright wall 58. Thus, when sufficient pressure is applied to wall 58 in the direction of arrows 63 (see Figs. 7 and 10), the wall 58 is clearly severed from the base 56.
[0039] Note also that wall 58 is in surface contact with the edge of the packet 51 along with the rupturable wall 52. Thus, when the user initiates pressure, say by placing his fingers at indicia 64 on surface 65 of upright wall member 58 of Fig. 9, the packet 51 is easily detached from the razor handle. Simultaneously, the wall region 52 is ruptured without expelling undue amounts of shaving gel and associate materials from the reservoir 54 because severing forces are surface (not point) distributed.
[0040] Figs. 11, 12 and 13 illustrate other alternative embodiments of the razor assembly 10 of the present invention.
[0041] As shown in Fig. 11, first and second packet assemblies generally indicated at 70, are similar to those depicted in solid and phantom line in Fig. 1, except that packets 71, 72 are not supported on or atop the razor handle 11. Instead, the packets 71, 72 flank the handle 11 at a common side. Flanking attachment of the packets 71, 72 and their associative tab assembly 73, 72, respectively, is by heat sealing of the latter with the razor handle 11.
[0042] That is to say, although each tab assembly 73, 74 of Fig. 11 comprises a base member 76, 77 and wings 78, 79, respectively, the latter do not include fold lines. Instead, the base member 76, 77 and the unfolded wings 78, 79, lay in full surface contact with the top broad surface 17a of the handle 11. Note that between wings 78, 79 are reduced swedge sections 85, 86, respectively. Each region 85, 86 also includes spaced apart transverse cuts 87 similar to those depicted in Figs. 3-5.
[0043] In accordance with operational aspects of the present invention, the procedure for separating packets 71, 72 from their respective tab assembly 73, 74 is a consequence of twisting force applied in the direction of arrows 74a, 74b about a twisting axis that transverse to the axis of symmetry A-A of the handle 11 by the steps of:
(a) in applying a twisting force to packet 71 or 72 along the direction of arrows 74a, 74b wherein the twisting axis is transverse to the axis of symmetry A-A of the handle 11, while the razor assembly 70 is stably maintained even though the latter may be slippery due to high humidity of the surrounding air; and
(b) simultaneously causing rupturing with (i) release of the packets 71 or 72 from the tab assembly 73 or 74, respectively, each such release being the transverse cuts 87 associated with swedge region 85 or 86 and (ii) rupture of the protuberance of reservoir 90 in fluid contact with the exterior of packet 71 or 72.
[0044] In more detail, note that the twisting force to release the packet 71, 72 from the handle 11 is about a twisting axis that is opposed to that depicted in Fig. 1. That is to say the twisting axis is transverse to the axis of symmetry A-A of the handle 11.
[0045] Fig. 13 shows another embodiment in which the packet assemblies 16 are secured to the handle 11 at a common side by insertion of the tab assemblies 18 and 18′ of each packet 71 and 72, respectively, into a side slot 100 of the handle 11. The gap width of slot 100 is specially dimensioned to provide a snug fit for the neck portion 88 (20d in Figs. 4 & 5) and adjacent plastic web 89 (see also Figs. 4 & 5) of the packet assemblies 16 so that they remain secured by the handle at all times prior to use. The tab assemblies 18 and 18′ are also specially dimensioned (tab height dimension X) to cooperate with the inner diameter dimension of the hollow handle 11 (dimension Y) in order to align the transverse cuts 87 of each neck portion 88 of each packet assembly 16 with inner (or outer) wall of the side slot 100 of the handle 11 when the packet neck portion 88 is grippingly inserted into the slot. This facilitates opening of the packets by tearing along the transverse cuts 87.
[0046] As above, a user may easily tear open a packet for use by gripping the reservoir portion 90 of the packet 16 (or alternately an upper corner portion of the packet adjacent slot 100) and then applying a twisting motion (e.g. in the direction of arrows 74a and 74b) to the packet until the web 89 and neck 88 portions of the desired packet (lotion or gel) is severed along the partial transverse cut lines 87. Alternately, the packets may be first removed from slot 100 and then opened by shearing the neck portion 88 by any convenient means, e.g. by hand. In this manner, additional packets may be later secured in the slot 100 for multiple uses of the disposable razor assembly 10. It is important to note that the presence of the slot 100, either with or without the insertable packet assemblies 16, does not in any way make the handle 11 unduly flexible or difficult to control during use.
[0047] After the packet assemblies are attached to handle 11 as shown in Figs. 1, 11 and 13, resulting groups of razor assemblies can be packaged together as shown in Fig. 12. As shown, a rubber band or plastic strap 91 may be wound around upright portions 92 of the packet assemblies 70 of the group of razor assemblies. Additional packaging is thus unnecessary. Alternately, they may be packaged in the stacked array of Fig. 12, with or without band 91, in the package of 40 Fig. 2. The razor assemblies may be parallel stacked as in Figs. 2 and 12 or criss-crossed (not shown).
[0048] It should be understood that various modifications within the scope of the invention can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit thereof, the invention to be defined by the scope of the appended claims as the prior art will permit and in view of the specification if need be.
(a) means defining a shaving head,
(b) a handle having a first portion carrying said shaving head suitable to permit said head to be used as a manually operated razor, and a second portion elongated to provide sufficient area to be grasped by the user's hand, said second portion being provided with one or more gripping surfaces,
(c) a packet assembly adapted to be releasably connected piggy-back style to said handle second portion, said packet including a field-rupturable reservoir containing normally confined, single-use shaving-associated material, said reservoir of said packet includes a normally-enclosed, but rupturable tear-away wall region adjacent a neck region of said reservoir;
(d) said packet assembly including an integral tear-away tab assembly secured to said packet by said tear-away wall region for releasable attachment of at least one tab of said tab assembly to an exterior surface of said handle second portion so that release of said packet from said handle substantially simultaneously ruptures said neck region of said reservoir irrespective of high humidity at the release site.
(a) a purality of packets releasably connected to said handle;
and wherein:
(b) at least one packet includes a shaving cream or gel, and a second packet may include aftershave conditioner.
(a) means defining a shaving head,
(b) a handle having a first portion carrying said shaving head suitable to permit said head to be used as a manually operated razor, and a second portion elongated to provide sufficient area to be grasped by the user's hand, said second portion being provided with one or more gripping surfaces and at least one slot in a wall of said handle,
(c) at least one packet assembly adapted to be insertable in and grippingly engaged by said slot of said hollow handle, said packet assemby including a field-rupturable reservoir containing normally confined, single-use shaving associated material, each of said reservoirs of said packets includes a normally-enclosed, but rupturable tear-away wall region adjacent a neck region of said reservoir;
(d) said packet assemblies including an integral tear-away tab assembly secured to said packet by said tear-away wall region and inserted in and grippingly engaged by said slot in said handle second portion so that release of said packet from said handle substantially simultaneously ruptures said neck region of said reservoir irrespective of high humidity at the release site.
(a) a purality of packets releasably connected to said handle;
and wherein:
(b) at least one packet includes a shaving cream or gel, and a second packet may include aftershave conditioner.
(a) providing at least one packet of shaving-associated material releasably connected to the handle of a manual razor having a shaving head at a field use site; said packet having a normally-enclosed but rupturable tear-away wall region permitting release of the contents of said packet;
b) twisting said packet relative to said razor handle to rupture said wall region;
c) expressing the contents of said first packet for shaving use.