Patent Application
20070074400
The present invention relates generally to the field of electric shavers. More specifically, the present invention pertains to apparatus, kits, and methods for sharpening electric shavers having rotary and reciprocating-type cutting members.
Electric shavers for use in personal hygiene applications generally comprise a rotary or reciprocating drive shaft that drives a movable cutting member against a stationary screen. A spring or other biasing mechanism biases the cutting member against the inner surface of the screen, forcing the cutting member into engagement with the screen. The relative motion of the cutting member against the stationary screen acts as a shear plane, cutting the hair as it is received through several slots or openings formed on the screen. After repeated use, the cutting edges and surfaces of the electric shaver become dull. When this occurs, the efficacy of the electric shaver to obtain a close shave consequently decreases.
Numerous sharpening processes have been proposed as an alternative to replacement of the cutting member and screen. Such processes generally include providing a honing surface such as a disc or plate that can be rotatably engaged against the cutting edges of the movable cutting member. In one such process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,689 to Voll, an apparatus for sharpening a rotary shaver includes a sharpening disc having an abrasive surface that can be brought into contact with the cutting edges of the movable cutting member. Insertion of the sharpening disc requires the operator to manually disassemble the shaver housing prior to sharpening the cutting edges with the disc. Since the sharpening disc sharpens only the cutting edges of the movable cutting member and not the cutting surface formed by the stationary screen, replacement of the screen may still be required to return the electric shaver to its original working condition.
The present invention pertains to sharpening apparatus, kits, and methods for sharpening an electric shaver having rotating and reciprocating-type cutting members. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for sharpening an electric shaver having a housing, a movable cutting member, and a stationary cutting member may include an applicator tray or other applicator means configured to releasably store an abrasive material. The applicator tray may be contoured to fit about any number of shaver models and types, and may include locking means to releasably secure the applicator tray to the electric shaver.
The abrasive material may comprise a compound, paste, slurry, powder or other suitable medium containing abrasive particles that, when placed into contact with the rotating or reciprocating cutting members, mechanically abrade the cutting edges of the electric shaver. In certain embodiments, the abrasive material may comprise a diamond-lapping compound disposed in a water or oil soluble carrier. The size, shape, and hardness of the diamond particles can be selected to impart a particular degree of abrasion, as desired.
The applicator tray may include one or more tubular members, bladders, beaded members or other storage means configured to releasably store the abrasive material. One or more openings permit the abrasive material to be released from the storage means when a sufficient compressive force is applied by the applicator tray against the electric shaver. The storage means may be removably connected to the applicator tray for multiple-use applications, or may be fixedly attached to the tray for single-use applications.
In use, the operator can place the abrasive material in contact with the cutting members of the electric shaver. An applicator tray or other applicator means such as a sponge, pad, gun, spray-can, tube, syringe, stick or user finger can be employed to place the abrasive material in contact with the cutting members. Activation of the electric shaver forces the movable cutting member to move relative to the stationary cutting member, causing the abrasive particles to mechanically abrade and sharpen the cutting edges of the shaver.
The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Although examples of construction, dimensions, and materials are illustrated for the various elements, those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized.
In the exemplary model illustrated in
The top cover 16 is configured in size and shape to attach to the upper surface 24 of the removable housing 18, and includes one or more notches 28 that can be used to releasably secure the top cover 16 to a corresponding one or more grooves 30 located on the base unit 12. The top cover 16 is generally provided with the electric shaver 10 as a protective means to seal the shaver head assembly 14 from contaminants such as moisture, and to prevent collected debris from escaping from the shaver head assembly 14. The top cover 16, while generally provided as a means to seal the shaver head assembly 14, is not essential to the working operation of the device.
The movable cutting member 32 includes a circular disc 42 having a circular array of cutter teeth 44 extending perpendicularly about its outer periphery, and is dimensioned to fit within the stationary cutting member 36 and rotate therein. Each of the cutter teeth 44 includes a cutting edge 46 that, when rotated via the drive shaft 34, cuts the hair as it is received through the slots 38 on the stationary cutting member 36.
A locking hub 48 located on the circular disk 42 connects the drive shaft 34 to the circular disc 42. A flange 50 extending perpendicularly from the circular disc 42 engages a corresponding spacer pin 54 (see
As the cutter teeth 44 are rotated beyond each of the slots 38, the inside edge 52 of the stationary cutting member 36 acts as a shear plane for cutting edge 46, slicing the hair along its width. Once cut, the hair is then stored in the inner chamber 58 formed by the stationary cutting member 36.
After repeated use, the cutting edges 46 on each of the cutter teeth 44 become dull and ineffectual as a result of contact with the stationary cutting member 36 and hair received through each of the slots 38. In addition, the inside edge 52 of the stationary cutting member 36 becomes rough, affecting its ability to shear the hair. As a result, both the movable cutting member 32 and stationary cutting member 36 may require replacement or reconditioning in order to return the electric shaver 10 to its original working condition.
Referring now to
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
The tubular members 64 may be formed of rubber, butadiene-styrene (Buna S), butadiene-acrylonitrile (Buna N), polychloroprene (Neoprene), silicon, or any other suitable material. In certain embodiments, the tubular members 64 may be configured to expand slightly when the abrasive material is loaded therein. The dimensions and material composition of the tubular members 64 can be selected such that when a sufficient compressive force is applied to the wall of the tubular member 64, the abrasive material is ejected through the one or more openings 66 and placed into contact with the cutting members 32, 36.
In some embodiments, the abrasive material may comprise a compound of abrasive particles contained within a liquid, semi-liquid or solid carrier such as water, oil, jelly, gel, cream, paste, or wax. The mixture may be thixotropic in form, becoming fluidic when the tubular members 64 are compressed against the shaver heads 20. The abrasive particles can be interspersed within the carrier medium and placed into communication with the cutting members 32,36 to sharpen the cutting edges 46, 52. Examples of suitable abrasive particles include, but are not limited to, carborundum, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, flint, rouge, and tripoli.
The size, shape, and hardness of the abrasive particles can be selected to impart a particular degree of abrasion. For example, an abrasive material having finely-sized abrasive particles can be utilized to provide a small amount of sharpening, whereas coarsely-sized abrasive particles can be utilized for applications demanding a greater level of abrasion. In one exemplary embodiment, the abrasive material may include a diamond-lapping compound suspended in a water or oil soluble carrier. The size of the compound may range from 0.10 microns to as large as 250 microns, depending on the type of electric shaver used and level of abrasion desired. In certain embodiments, for example, a diamond-lapping compound may include diamond particles in the range of 0.10 to 50 microns. Such compounds are commercially available from the Norton Company of Worcester, Massachusetts, and are sold under the trade name AMPLEX.
The tubular members 64 may be removably connected to the applicator tray 62 for multiple-use applications, or may be fixedly secured to the applicator tray for single-use applications. In a removably connected configuration shown in
As can be further seen from
The bladders 84 may be formed of any number of suitable materials such as rubber, butadiene-styrene (Buna S), butadiene-acrylonitrile (Buna N), polychloroprene (Neoprene), or silicon. A necked-down portion 88 on each bladder 84 terminates at a nozzle 90 configured to release the abrasive material when compressed. Each nozzle 90, in turn, is directed towards a corresponding recessed surface 92 formed on the inner surface of the applicator tray 82. The recessed surfaces 92 are arranged in a triangular array to receive the three shaver heads 20 on the electric shaver 10. In use, the abrasive material released from each of the bladder nozzles 90 is channeled from the recessed surface 92 onto the shaver heads 20. A ridge 94 may be used to ensure proper alignment of the applicator tray 82 with the shaver heads 20, and to prevent the escape of abrasive material from the sides of the applicator tray 82.
In certain embodiments, each beaded member 100 may include several spherically shaped beads 104 interconnected by a wire 106 or other attachment means. The spherically shaped beads 104 are adapted to rupture when compressed, forcing the abrasive material contained therein to flow into a recessed surface 108 formed on the inner surface of the applicator tray 98 and onto the shaver heads 20. The beads 104 can be arranged in a circular manner such that, when applicator tray 98 is secured to housing 18, the beads 104 are located adjacent the slots 38. A ridge 110 may be used to ensure proper alignment of the applicator tray 98 with the shaver heads 20, and to prevent the escape of abrasive material from the sides of the applicator tray 98.
Referring now to
In the exemplary model illustrated, the shaver head assembly 116 includes one or more stationary cutting members 120 that protrude upwardly from a housing 122. Each of the stationary cutting members 120 are formed of a mesh screen having several openings 124 configured to receive hair from the shaving surface. A switch 126 located on the base unit 114 can be activated to drive a motor that moves a movable cutting member (not shown) located underneath the stationary cutting member 120 to engage the shaving surface.
The top cover 118 is configured in size and shape to attach to the base unit 114. One or more grooves 128 formed on the top cover 116 can be used to releasably secure the top cover 118 to a corresponding one or more detents 130 located on the base unit 114. The top cover 118 is provided as a means to seal the shaver head assembly 116, and is not essential to the working operation of the electric shaver 112.
Turning now to
Applicator tray 140 has an inner surface 148, and an outer surface 150. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, applicator tray 140 may include several recesses 152 formed on the inner surface 148 configured to frictionally receive the tubular members 142 therein. The recesses 152 may be dimensioned such that the tubular members 142 can be press-fit at least in part within the inner surface 148. In use, the recesses 152 can be utilized to removably secure the tubular members 142 to the applicator tray 140.
As can be further seen in
The size and shape of the one or more openings 144 can be selected depending on several factors including the type of abrasive material employed, and the type or model of electric shaver to be sharpened. Although the one or more openings 144 illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the applicator tray can be configured to mount to the bottom of the electric shaver, providing a convenient way to store the applicator tray when not in use. As shown in
An abrasive reservoir 176 disposed in a compartment 178 formed within the base unit 160 can be utilized to supply an abrasive material to one or more nozzles 180 located on the top surface of housing 166. The abrasive reservoir 176 is connected via a first tubular member 182 to a push button actuator 184 located on the base unit 160. The push button actuator 184 can be activated (i.e. depressed) to deliver the abrasive material through a second tubular member 186 to the one or more nozzles 180. The one or more nozzles 180 can be configured to spray the abrasive material onto the upper surface of the stationary cutting members 164 when push button actuator 184 is depressed. Activation of the electric shaver 158 via switch 174 forces the abrasive material into contact with the cutting surfaces of the electric shaver 158.
Referring now to
As the applicator tray 62 is brought into contact with the electric shaver 10, the compressive force of the shaver heads 20 against the tubular members 64 causes the abrasive material within inner lumen 78 to eject from the openings 66 and contact the slots 38 on the stationary cutting member 36, as shown in
It should be understood that while the abrasive material may be loaded into any of the aforementioned applicator trays, any number of methods could be used to place the abrasive material in contact with the cutting edges of the electric shaver. For example, in certain embodiments, the abrasive material can be injected directly onto the electric shaver without the use of an applicator tray. A sponge, pad, gun, spray-can, tube, syringe, stick or other applicator means may be used to apply the abrasive material to the electric shaver. In some embodiments, the user may utilize the top cover supplied with the electric shaver to apply the abrasive material. In other embodiments, a cleaning agent such as soap may be utilized as the carrier medium for the abrasive material, allowing the user to clean the electric shaver while sharpening the cutting edges and surfaces.
In addition, while the apparatus, kits, and methods described herein are illustrated and described with respect to rotary and reciprocating-type electric shavers, it should be understood that other types of cutting devices having moving cutting members can be sharpened in accordance with the present invention. Examples of other contemplated devices include electric clippers, beard trimmers, and animal shears.
Having thus described the several embodiments of the present invention, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that other embodiments may be made and used which fall within the scope of the claims attached hereto. Numerous advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/066,909, filed on Feb. 25, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/309,996, filed on Dec. 4, 2002, now abandoned.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11066909 | Feb 2005 | US |
| Child | 11469821 | Sep 2006 | US |
| Parent | 10309996 | Dec 2002 | US |
| Child | 11469821 | Sep 2006 | US |
