EP0605397A1 - Razor head, particularly a blade unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates a razor head, especially a blade unit (1), which is arranged on the front end of a handle, of a wet razor, in the case of which a single or double blade (3) is fastened in a plastic casing (2) which has a front guide strip (6) and a rear covering cap (7), the razor head having a medium to facilitate shaving which is discharged during shaving, it being possible also to discharge liquid media to facilitate shaving, skin care preparations or the like, as the razor head has a supply device for accommodating a liquid medium to facilitate shaving, a skin care preparation or the like which takes the form of a supply chamber (8), a discharging device for discharging the media during shaving being assigned to this supply unit. The razor head is improved in that there is arranged in the supply chamber (8) a tubular cartridge (22) which can be adjusted in the said chamber (8) and is intended to accommodate the liquid media, the said cartridge having at least one bore (23), which in one adjustment position is situated behind a corresponding aperture (9) in the plastic casing (2) and in the other adjustment position of the cartridge (22) is closed off by the inside wall of the supply chamber (8). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a razor head arranged at the front end of a handle, in particular a razor blade unit of a wet razor, in which a single or double razor blade is fastened in a plastic housing having a front guide strip and a rear cover cap, and in which the razor head is a storage device for receiving a liquid shaving aid , Skin care product or the like. In the form of a storage chamber, this storage device being associated with a dispensing device for dispensing the agent during shaving.

With disposable wet shavers, a single or double razor blade is embedded in the shaver head in a plastic housing. If the razor head is designed separately and can be attached to a handle, for which purpose the handle and the razor head have interlocking devices that correspond to one another, this is referred to as a so-called razor blade unit.

It is known to equip such razor blade units with an additional sliding strip in order to make shaving more comfortable by reducing friction. This sliding strip is provided with a shaving aid that is released during the shave. There are essentially two systems.

The first system is based on a mixture of the water-soluble plastic of the Polyox (PEO) type and the non-water-soluble polystyrene (PS). These PEO / PS slip strips are available in different shapes. You will also post different manufacturing processes. It is the same for all these sliding strips that a certain amount, usually between 1 and 5 milligrams, of the water-soluble plastic is applied during the shave.

A disadvantage of this first system is that the application of the Polyox takes place very inaccurately during shaving and depends strongly on the individual shaving habits. It also shows that with the second and third shave the amount of polyox released decreases, which quickly leads to a noticeable decrease in the comfort of shaving. Another disadvantage of this first system is that, after only a few applications, the sliding strip has a very dirty appearance. In addition, the slide strip is sensitive to moisture, which is particularly present in the bathroom. In addition, in the case of polyox solutions, the viscosity that results during shaving depends strongly on the individual shaving behavior of the user, i.e. how much the glide is wetted with water. If the razor blade unit is not treated evenly, the effects become negative and the user criticizes the "stickiness" of the white glide strip. Finally, in the first system, the water-soluble lubricating film is produced by a plastic, which is classified as dermatologically harmless, but the desired effect cannot be achieved with natural substances. This is because the manufacturing process requires temperatures that would degrade natural products. Due to the manufacturing process, no active ingredient can be added. The temperatures required to manufacture the glide strip are above 200 ° C.

The second system is based on an Ultra Glide-compatible film, which also reduces friction during shaving and thus ensures a more comfortable shave. While clearly detectable and measurable amounts of polyox are applied to the shaving surface in the previously described first system, this is not necessary in the second system to achieve the same effect.

The Ultra Glide-capable film of the second system thus achieves a more comfortable shave without the disadvantages of the first system described above, so that there is no noticeable application of lubricants to the skin that the performance is maintained over a longer period of time and over several shaves, so that in another point there is no unclean appearance during use and so that there is largely insensitivity to air humidity and heat. However, due to the mechanism of action, no liquid, natural shaving aids can be applied, as well as no skin care products and perfumed shaving aids.

US-A-4 850 107 discloses a razor head which is arranged at the front end of a handle and in which case a double razor blade is arranged in a plastic housing having a front guide bar and a rear cover cap. To facilitate shaving, the shaving head has a storage device for receiving a liquid shaving aid, which is associated with a dispensing device for dispensing this liquid shaving aid during shaving. For this purpose, a sponge soaked in the liquid shaving aid is arranged in the upper area of the shaver head. During shaving, the user must press the sponge on the top side, so that the liquid shaving aid is pressed out through openings in the cutting edge region of the razor blades.

This known device has the disadvantage that, on the one hand, the shaving aid must be pressed out by the user with his fingers, and on the other hand the storage device for receiving the liquid shaving aid cannot prevent it from volatilizing. Furthermore, it is impossible to dispense highly fluid shaving aids etc. in a controlled manner with the known device.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to further develop the razor head, in particular the razor blade unit of the type mentioned at the outset, in such a way that liquid shaving aids, skin care products or the like can also be dispensed so that they cannot evaporate when not in use and furthermore a passive, automatic dispensing of the liquid shaving aid is achieved.

As a technical solution , it is stated that a tubular cartridge which can be adjusted in the storage chamber for receiving the liquid medium is arranged in the storage chamber, this cartridge having at least one bore which, in one adjustment position, lies behind a corresponding opening in the plastic housing and in the other Adjustment position of the cartridge is closed by the inner wall of the pantry.

A razor head designed in accordance with this technical teaching, in particular a razor blade unit, has the advantage that it is possible to apply liquid, natural and optionally perfumed shaving aids, as well as skin care products or the like, during the shaving. This is achieved according to the invention in that the razor head has a storage device for these liquid agents, which are then dispensed when necessary during the shave. The storage device was made possible by the development of narrow razor blades, without at the same time creating a disadvantageous enlargement of the razor blade unit for storing the liquid medium. This makes it possible to apply shaving care products or general care products with a constant viscosity. This does not depend on the individual shaving behavior, as is the case for example with the known polyox solutions. The razor blade unit according to the invention is particularly important in that it is particularly suitable for applying natural substances. Natural substances can be more skin-friendly than the plastics previously used, but are sensitive to temperature and light. Temperature and light usually break down the natural molecules and the entry of air can lead to decomposition due to oxygen absorption. All these possible disadvantages of the natural substances are excluded by the storage device according to the invention in the razor head. While in the previously described first system of the prior art between 2 and 5 milligrams of polyox must be applied per shave in order to improve the comfort of the shave, the razor head according to the invention allows the application of shaving aids or the like from approximately 20 milligrams to approximately 700 milligrams, whereby the volume available for the liquid means that sufficient supply can be guaranteed over the duration of the shave.

Characterized in that in the storage chamber an adjustable, tubular cartridge is arranged for receiving the liquid medium, this cartridge has at least one bore which is in one adjustment position behind the corresponding opening of the plastic housing and through in the other adjustment position of the cartridge the inner wall of the storage chamber is closed, the storage chamber can be opened by a corresponding position of the cartridge for shaving, while when the shaver is not in use the cartridge is adjusted in such a way that its bores are closed and thus prevent the shaving aid contained in the cartridge from leaking becomes. This cartridge principle is particularly suitable for thin and quickly volatile substances. The cartridge preferably also consists of a transparent material and forms the outer surface in the rear area of the razor head, so that the user can check the fill level inside the cartridge from the outside.

The cartridge is preferably designed in the manner of a hollow cylinder. This has the advantage that it can be rotatably arranged within the storage chamber, so that two different rotational positions have to be provided for opening and closing the openings.

As an alternative to the rotatable cartridge, it can also be arranged laterally displaceable in the direction of the axis within the storage chamber. In this case, pressure pieces attached to the side are preferably provided, by means of which the cartridge can be moved.

In a further development similar to that of the application roller described above, the cartridge can also preferably be arranged interchangeably in the storage chamber, so that an empty cartridge can be replaced by a full one and thus the supply of the shaving aid is ensured over the entire life of the razor blade.

It is proposed in a further development of the razor head that when not in use it is provided with a cover film preventing the evaporation of the liquid agent. As a result, if the Razors are prevented that the shaving aid evaporates gradually.

The storage device is preferably arranged in the rear region of the razor head, that is to say in the region of the rear cover cap of the razor head. This takes advantage of the narrow design of the razor blades, which leave enough space in the rear area of the razor head to provide the storage device there.

Furthermore, the storage device preferably extends essentially over the entire width of the shaver head, so that the entire shaving width is provided with the shaving aid. The “width” of the razor head is understood to mean the extension of the razor head which extends transversely in the shaving direction.

In an advantageous further development of the storage chamber, it is at least partially formed by a transparent material which at least partially forms the outer surface of the razor head. This has the advantage that the filling level of the liquid shaving aid inside the storage chamber is visible from the outside and can thus be easily checked by the user.

At least one opening formed in the plastic housing is preferably provided as the dispensing device, from which the liquid medium emerges from the storage chamber during shaving. The opening (s) preferably open (s) in the area of the cover cap. Alternatively or in addition, the opening (s) in the double razor blade open (s) in the area between the razor blades. In the latter case, the openings preferably originate from a common feed from the storage chamber. However, the openings are not restricted to the locations described, they can also open at any other location, for example also in front of the razor blades.

The openings can be formed in a variety of ways.

For example, a plurality of separate openings in the form of bores can be provided distributed over the width of the shaver head. The bores preferably have a round cross section. This provides the entire shaving width with the shaving aid. The opening can also be designed as a slot extending parallel to the cutting edge (s) of the razor blade (s). Again, it is possible to evenly distribute several slots across the width of the shaver head. It is also conceivable to arrange several slots one above the other.

In a further development of the opening or openings, these arise when the razor head is held with razor blades directed vertically downward from the base region of the storage chamber. One takes advantage of the fact that the shave is normally started with downward shaving movements. The liquid shaving aid with active ingredient and / or perfume can then exit through the openings formed in this way. This ensures that the shaving aid can be replenished at any time during the downward shaving movements.

In a special constructive embodiment of this concept, the openings are preferably formed by a slot-like channel which extends essentially parallel to the plane (s) of the razor blade (s) towards the front. The slot-like channel (in which case several such slot-like channels can also be provided distributed over the width of the razor head) is preferably formed in the cover cap of the plastic housing.

In a further constructive embodiment, a flap which extends over its width and can be pivoted against a spring force can be arranged on the top of the razor head, which in its basic position automatically closes the opening due to the spring force and during pivoting releases the opening due to the pressure exerted by pivoting and then automatically returns to the closed position when not in use. The flap is thus actuated during the shave and the application openings are opened. Thus, in this embodiment an independent exit of the shaving aid is excluded during the period of non-use.

The flap is preferably made of an elastic material and the pivot axis is fixed on the upper side of the shaver head. The internal tension of the flap thus generates the spring force with which the flap is automatically pivoted into the closed position.

In a further development of this flap principle, the back of the cover cap and the front of the flap which can be pivoted in this area define mutually corresponding contact surfaces, the top of the flap in the pivoted open position forming the rear continuation of the cover cap. This ensures that the openings are securely closed when the wet shaver is not in use.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt durch die Rasierklingeneinheit in Fig. 1 in vergrößertem Maßstab;

Fig. 3

eine hälftige Ansicht von oben auf eine weitere Ausführungsform;

Fig. 4

eine entsprechende Ansicht von vorne der Rasierklingeneinheit in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht der Rasierklingeneinheit in Fig. 3 von rechts;

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie XVIII-XVIII in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie XIX-XIX in Fig. 4.

Exemplary embodiments of a razor head according to the invention in the form of a razor blade unit are described below with reference to the schematic drawings. In these shows:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

a section through the razor blade unit in Figure 1 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3

a half view from above of a further embodiment;

Fig. 4

a corresponding front view of the razor blade unit in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

a side view of the razor blade unit in Figure 3 from the right.

Fig. 6

a section along the line XVIII-XVIII in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7

a section along the line XIX-XIX in Fig. 4th

In the drawings, embodiments of a razor head according to the invention are shown in the form of a so-called razor blade unit 1. In these razor blade units 1, which are attached to the front end of a handle (not shown) by means of a special locking mechanism, a razor blade 3 in the form of a double razor blade is embedded in a plastic housing 2. As can be seen in the sectional views, an L-shaped spacer 4 is provided for this purpose, on one leg of which the two razor blades 3 are fastened on both sides, while the other leg of the spacer 4 is fixed in the plastic housing 2. The razor blades 3 each rest on a blade platform 5 of the plastic housing 2.

Furthermore, all embodiments of the razor blade unit 1 have a front guide bar 6, which extends parallel to the cutting edges of the razor blades 3, and a rear cover cap 7, which lies essentially on the upper razor blade 3 and, together with the front guide bar 6 and the razor blades 3, the cutting geometry Are defined.

In a further common agreement, the razor blade units 1 each have a storage element in the rear area for a liquid shaving aid (which can optionally also be scented), skin care products or the like. Since the razor blades 3 are narrow, there is enough space behind them in the razor blade unit 1 for arranging this storage element without the razor blade unit 1 having to be disadvantageously enlarged.

The first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2) provides for the use of a storage chamber 8 in the rear area of the plastic housing 2 of the razor blade unit 1. The top of the plastic housing 2 has a number of openings 9 in the form of bores parallel to the cutting edges of the razor blades 3, as can be seen in the perspective view according to FIG. 9. It is essential in this embodiment that a tubular cartridge 22 for receiving the liquid shaving aid is arranged within the storage chamber 8, which is closed at the ends and thus forms a self-contained container. The cartridge points Bores 23 distributed over the length of the lateral surface correspond to the openings 9 of the storage chamber 8, in particular with regard to the intermediate distances. Inside, the cartridge 22 has channels 25 formed by extensions 24 which open into the bores 23 on the outer surface of the cartridge 22. It is essential in this embodiment that the cartridge 22 is arranged laterally displaceably within the plastic housing 2. The displacement of the cartridge 22 can be achieved by lateral actuation buttons 26, the actuation direction being indicated by the arrows P ″. Through the lateral displacement of the cartridge 22, the bore-like openings 9 of the plastic housing 2 can be opened and closed by the holes 23 of the cartridge 22 lying exactly behind the openings 9 of the plastic housing 2 in the open position, while in the closed position after the cartridge 22 has been displaced Bores 23 lie behind the partitions between the openings 9 of the plastic housing 2, so that these close the bores 23 of the cartridge 22.

This principle is particularly suitable for thin and quickly volatile substances. The distance and the size of the openings 9 and the bores 23 determine the amount applied during the shave. The application amount can be adapted to the load profile which results from the different load zones of the razor blade unit 1. The load and thus also the need for shaving aids is greatest in the central region of the razor blade 3, while there is a decrease towards the edge.

Finally, the further embodiment (FIGS. 3 to 7) also provides for the use of a storage chamber 8 in the rear area of the plastic housing 2 of the razor blade unit 1, as in the first embodiment. The top of the plastic housing 2 has in the area of the covering cap 7 a series of openings 9 in the form of bores each having a round cross section parallel to the cutting edges of the razor blades 3. It can be seen that in the central region of the razor blade unit 1, the openings 9 follow one another more closely than further out. In addition to these openings 9 in the area of the cap 7, this embodiment has additional openings 9, which are in the rear area between the two Razor blades 3 open out, as can be seen in particular in the sectional view according to FIG. 7. The openings 9 each start from a common supply from the storage chamber 8. However, not every opening 9, which opens in the area of the covering cap 7, is assigned an opening 9, which opens between the two razor blades 3. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, an opening 9 opening into the covering cap 7 is always skipped.

As in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2), in this embodiment too, a tubular cartridge 22 made of transparent material for receiving the liquid shaving aid is arranged inside the storage chamber 8. This cartridge 22 is closed at the ends and thus forms a self-contained container. 6 and 7, the cartridge 22 is inserted into the rear of the plastic housing 2 of the razor blade unit 1 and held therein by barbs 31. The cartridge 22 is thus visible from the outside, so that the level inside the cartridge 22 can be checked due to the transparency of the material.

Furthermore, the cartridge 22 has bores 23 distributed over the length of the lateral surface, which correspond, in particular with regard to the intermediate distances, to the feeds to the openings 9 of the storage chamber 8. It is also essential in this embodiment that the cartridge 22 is arranged laterally displaceably within the plastic housing 2. The displacement of the cartridge 22 can be achieved by lateral actuation buttons 26, the actuation direction being indicated by the arrows P ″. Due to the lateral displacement of the cartridge 22, the bore-like feeds to the openings 9 of the plastic housing 2 can be opened and closed by the bores 23 of the cartridge 22 lying exactly behind the feeds with the openings 9 of the plastic housing 2 in the open position, while in the closed position after the cartridge 22 has been displaced, its bores 23 lie behind the intermediate walls between the feeds to the openings 9 of the plastic housing 2, so that these close the bores 23 of the cartridge 22.

Like the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2), this principle is particularly suitable for low-viscosity and rapidly volatile substances. The distance and the size of the openings 9 and the bores 23 determine the amount applied during the shave. The application amount can be adapted to the load profile which results from the different load zones of the razor blade unit 1. The load and thus also the need for shaving aids is greatest in the central region of the razor blade 3, while there is a decrease towards the edge. For this reason, in this embodiment of the razor blade unit 1, the openings 9 are denser in the central area than in the edge area.

Reference list

1

Razor blade unit

2nd

Plastic housing

3rd

razor blade

4th

Spacers

5

Blade platform

6

Guide bar

7

Cover cap

8th

Pantry

9

opening

22

cartridge

23

drilling

24th

Continuation

25th

channel

26

Control button

31

Barbs

P ''

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Claims (19)

A razor head arranged at the front end of a handle, in particular a razor blade unit (1) of a wet shaver,
in which a single or double razor blade (3) is fastened in a plastic housing (2) which has a front guide bar (6) and a rear cover cap (7),
wherein the razor head comprises a reservoir means for receiving a liquid shaving, skin care agent or the like. in the form of a storage chamber (8), said storage means associated with a dispensing device for delivery of the agent during shaving characterized by
that in the storage chamber (8) an adjustable in this tubular cartridge (22) for receiving the liquid medium is arranged, said cartridge having at least one bore (23) which in the one adjustment position behind a corresponding opening (9) of the plastic housing (2) and which is closed in the other adjustment position of the cartridge (22) by the inner wall of the storage chamber (8). A razor head according to claim 1, characterized in that the cartridge (22) is designed in the manner of a hollow cylinder. A razor head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cartridge (22) is arranged laterally displaceable in the direction of the axis within the storage chamber (8). A razor head according to claim 2, characterized in that the cartridge (22) is rotatably arranged within the storage chamber (8). A razor head according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cartridge (22) is interchangeably arranged in the storage chamber (8). A razor head according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the storage chamber (8) is arranged in the rear region of the razor head. A razor head according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the storage chamber (8) extends essentially over the entire width of the razor head. A razor head according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the storage chamber (8) is at least partially formed by a transparent material which at least partially forms the outer surface of the razor head. A razor head according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the opening (s) (9) opens (open) in the region of the cover cap (7). A razor head according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, in the case of a double razor blade (3), the opening (s) (9) opens (or opens) in the area between the razor blades (3). A razor head according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the openings (9) opening in the area of the cover cap (7) and before that in the area between the razor blades (3) arise from a common supply from the storage chamber (8). A razor head according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a plurality of openings (9) which are separate from one another are provided in the form of bores distributed over the width of the razor head. A razor head according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the opening (9) is designed as a slot extending parallel to the cutting edge (s) of the razor blade (s) (3). A razor head according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the opening (9) arises from the bottom region of the storage chamber (8) when the razor head is held with razor blades (3) directed vertically downwards. A razor head according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the opening (9) is formed by a slot-like channel which extends substantially parallel to the plane (s) of the razor blade (s) (3) towards the front extends. A razor head according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that a flap which extends over its width and can be pivoted against a spring force is arranged on the top of the razor head and, in its basic position, automatically closes the opening (9) due to the spring force and during the Shaving due to the pressure exerted by pivoting releases the opening (9) and then automatically returns to the closed position when not in use. A razor head according to claim 16, characterized in that the flap is made of an elastic material and the pivot axis is fixed on the top of the razor head in a defining manner. A razor head according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the back of the cover cap (7) and the front of the pivotable flap define mutually corresponding contact surfaces and that the top of the flap in the pivotable open position forms the rear continuation of the cover cap (7) . A razor head according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that when not in use it is provided with a cover, in particular a cover film, to prevent evaporation of the liquid agent.

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