This invention relates to a cleaning device for a shaving apparatus.
Cleaning devices for shaving apparatus are used for the removal of particles of hair and other debris adhering in the shaving head section. Such cleaning devices can be manually or electrically operated.
For example, the manually operated cleaning device disclosed by EP 0 743 883 B1 has two containers for a flushing fluid. One container has a variable volume such that the flushing fluid can be pumped between the containers by varying the volume. The shaving unit is arranged in a receptacle between the containers and can be flushed in the current of fluid. The fluid passes through a filter which retains debris.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,172,416 discloses a cleaning device for an electric razor which has a casing with an access opening for receiving the cutter portion of the razor. The casing accommodates a motor-driven fluid impelling assembly for generating a circulating current of a cleaning fluid, and a collector for accumulating hair and other particles. For cleaning, cleaning fluid is flushed through the cutter portion while, at the same time, the razor which is connected to the cleaning device is set in operation.
DE 44 02 238 C2 discloses a cleaning device for the shaving head of a dry shaver. The cleaning device includes a receptacle for the shaving head of the shaving apparatus and at least one cleaning fluid reservoir. The receptacle is disposed above the level of the cleaning fluid and is adapted to be supplied with cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid reservoir by means of a motor-driven pumping device. The receptacle is connected with the cleaning fluid reservoir via an overflow device and/or via at least one outlet opening.
DE 690 21 898 T2 discloses a dry shaving apparatus with a drivable shaving member and a separately drivable vibratory device. The vibratory device serves to dislodge hair particles and other debris adhering to the shaving member or other parts of the shaving apparatus. The vibratory device is put in operation by reversing the direction of rotation of the electric motor of the shaving apparatus compared to the direction of rotation used in shaving mode. During this reversed direction of rotation, a vibrating motion is produced by means of a claw coupling which, during operation of the motor in the normal direction of rotation, drives the shaving member. A polarity-reversing switch for reversing the direction of rotation is provided on the shaving apparatus. It is also possible for the electric motor to be put in operation automatically in the reversed direction of rotation for a short period after the shaving apparatus is switched off. Very good cleaning results are sometimes possible with these cleaning devices. However, they are of relatively elaborate design and/or awkward to operate.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device for a shaving apparatus such that it can be manufactured economically and provides effective cleaning with an acceptable level of user-friendliness.
In one aspect, the cleaning device of the invention for a shaving apparatus has a container for receiving the shaving apparatus. In operation, the container is typically at least partially filled with a cleaning fluid. The cleaning device features a device to limit the immersion depth of the shaving apparatus in the container dependent on the level of the cleaning fluid.
The advantage of this cleaning device is that good cleaning can be achieved at relatively little expense. It is particularly advantageous that no pumping device is needed for the cleaning fluid and also that no other electrical or electronic components are required. The limiting device regulates the level of cleaning fluid which contacts the shaving apparatus, independent of the level of cleaning fluid in the container. A further advantage resides in the easy operation of the cleaning device. Finally, it is also an advantage that operation of the cleaning device of the invention results in only little circulation of the cleaning fluid, thus enabling the particles of hair and other debris dislodged from the shaving apparatus to settle as sediment so that a relatively clean cleaning fluid is available for each cleaning operation.
In a one embodiment, the device for limiting the depth of immersion is constructed as a float arranged in the container. The float is an easy, economical, and reliable way to limit the depth of immersion. The float may be provided with a trough-type well for the shaving apparatus. The well may lead into at least one through-flow opening for the cleaning fluid, the through-flow opening extending all the way through the float. It is particularly advantageous for the deepest point of the well to lead into the through-flow opening or into one of the through-flow openings. This allows the cleaning fluid to flow in and out unimpeded and increases the likelihood that particles of hair or other debris dislodged from the shaving apparatus will, for the most part, exit the well and settle in the container. With a view to the level of fluid developing in its well, the float is preferably dimensioned such that the shaving apparatus is wetted with cleaning fluid up to a predetermined level. Hence, the float can be configured to predetermine which section of the shaving apparatus is to be cleaned. For example, the cleaning device may be constructed such that the level of fluid required for the predetermined level of wetting develops in the well of the float when the float is loaded with the shaving apparatus. Similarly, it is also possible for the required level of fluid to be reached by the dead weight of the float. In this embodiment, the cleaning device of the invention may include a locking device for locking the float in position relative to the container.
The cleaning device may have a holding device capable of holding the shaving apparatus in a fixed position above the container. The holding device may be used for drying the shaving apparatus after the cleaning operation.
In one embodiment, the locking device is activatable by the holding device. For this purpose, the holding device may have a face constructed in the manner of a ramp, for example, which cooperates with a locking element. The holding device may be constructed, for example, to be vertically displaceable between an upper and a lower position and the float may include a device for limiting the downward movement of the holding device.
It is also possible for the cleaning device to be provided with a parking well for the shaving apparatus. It is then possible to dispense with a holding device as a drying stand for the shaving apparatus.
In all embodiments of the cleaning device of the invention, the container may have a viewing window for reading off the level of the cleaning fluid. Such a fluid level indicator can be constructed with little expense and is very reliable and precise.
The invention also relates to a system comprising a shaving apparatus and the cleaning device of the invention for cleaning the shaving apparatus. For example, the shaving apparatus can have an actuating device for activating a cleaning function that puts the shaving apparatus into operation temporarily during the cleaning cycle.
The advantage of the system of the invention is that the shaving apparatus can be equipped with a cleaning program optimally suited for its type of construction and that the expense for implementing the cleaning program on the cleaning device can be avoided. In particular, the cleaning device can make do without any electrical or electronic components as the control function is performed by the shaving apparatus.
The actuating device may be designed for manual operation. It is also possible for the actuating device to be designed for operation via the cleaning device and, hence, for the grip otherwise necessary for operating the actuating device to be dispensed with.
In one method for cleaning a shaving apparatus, the shaving apparatus is immersed in a container which is filled at least partially with a cleaning fluid. The particular feature of this method is that the depth of immersion of the shaving apparatus in the container is limited dependent on the level of the cleaning fluid. Preferably, the shaving apparatus is inserted in a well formed in a float, which well is filled with cleaning fluid up to a predetermined level during the cleaning cycle. The float can be locked either before or while the shaving apparatus is inserted.
The present invention will be explained in the following with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, each embodiment referring to a manual cleaning device. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
Referring to
To perform the cleaning, the shaving apparatus 9 in the cleaning position shown in
Regardless of how it is done in a particular case, putting the shaving apparatus 9 into operation can result in an intensive cleaning effect and particles of hair and other debris can be removed from the section of the shaving head 11. This effect is due to relative movement between the cleaning fluid 3 and the components of the shaving head 11, which is generated with the aid of the drive motor of the shaving apparatus 9. This obviates the need to equip the cleaning device 1 with an electrically driven pumping device for the cleaning fluid 3. The dislodged particles of hair and debris can sink through the through-flow opening 7 to the bottom of the cartridge 2. The cleaning cycle can be optimized with regard to the cleaning result and the time required overall for the cleaning by varying the length of operating times for the shaving apparatus 9 and the soaking times in between.
On completion of the cleaning cycle, the shaving apparatus 9 is removed from the cartridge 2 and fixed to the holding device 10 such that the shaving head 11 is arranged above the receiving opening 8 of the cartridge 2. In this position, it is possible, for example, for any remnants of the cleaning fluid 3 remaining on the shaving head 11 to drip into the cartridge 2. When the shaving apparatus 9 is taken out of the well 6 of the float 5, the depth of immersion of the float 5 decreases in response to the reduced load.
At the same time, a part or, depending on the construction of the float 5, all of the cleaning fluid 3 present in the float flows together with contained particles of hair and debris through the through-flow opening 7 out of the well 6 of the float 5. The particles of hair and debris settle to the bottom of the cartridge 2, with the result that the cleaning fluid 3 is available in relatively clean condition for the next cleaning cycle.
To clean the shaving apparatus 9, the sliding lid 15 is opened by sliding it side-ways. The shaving apparatus 9 is then inserted, with the shaving head 11 to the fore, into the receiving opening 8, and arranged in the well 6 of the float 5. The cleaning operation takes place in a similar manner to that described with reference to the first embodiment shown in
In the drying position shown in
To clean the shaving apparatus 9, it is first held in a fixed position on the holding device 10 in the drying position shown in
As becomes apparent from the foregoing, the float 5 on the third embodiment does not move while the shaving apparatus 9 is transferred from the drying position into the cleaning position and back again. Nevertheless, the float 5 limits the movement of the holding device 10 and hence also the depth of immersion of the shaving apparatus 9 in the cartridge 2 during transfer into the cleaning position dependent on the level of fluid in the cartridge 2. This results from the fact that the vertical position of the float 5 in the non-locked state depends on the level of the cleaning fluid 3 in the cartridge 2 and that the hook 23, by means of which the movement of the holding device 10 is limited, is arranged on the float 5.
The principle of operation of the third embodiment, i.e., the locking of the float 5, which through its dead weight alone provides the immersion depth required for wetting the shaving apparatus 9, may also find application in the second embodiment illustrated in
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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103 15 455.8 | Apr 2003 | DE | national |
Under 35 U.S.C. §120, this application is a continuation and claims the benefit of International application serial no. PCT/EP2004/001387, filed Feb. 13, 2004, which is claims the benefit of a foreign priority application under 35 USC §119(e), filed in Germany, serial number 103 15 455.8, filed Apr. 4, 2003, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/EP04/01387 | Feb 2004 | US |
Child | 11234020 | Sep 2005 | US |