Patent Grant
10123606
The present invention relates to the field of retainers for retaining a safety razor and with shaving blade cartridge attached to the handle so that the safety razor is in condition for immediate shaving use when it is removed from the container.
The following seven patents and published patent applications are the closest prior art references which were located in a prior art search.
1. U.S. Pat. No. 2,551,859 issued to Marcus C. Thompson on May 8, 1951 for “Razor Supporting Means” (hereafter the “Thompson Patent”);
2. U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,594 issued to Jack M. Cobb on Sep. 18, 1973 for “Method and Apparatus for Storing Cutting Implements” (hereafter the “Cobb Patent”);
3. United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0172958 to John Prudden et al. on Jul. 9, 2009 for “Pivot Inhibiting Razor Storage Case” (hereafter the “Prudden Published Patent Application”);
4. U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,347 issued to Douglas Robert Kohring et al. on Feb. 14, 2012 for “Razor Storage Case Having Mating Closure Members” (hereafter the “Kohring Patent”);
5. U.S. Pat. No. 8,342,322 issued to Darrell R. De′Rennaux on Jan. 1, 2013 for “Razor Bed” (hereafter the “De′Rennaux Patent”);
6. United States Published Patent Application No. 2013/0047860 to Charles Allan Lawhorne on Feb. 28, 2013 for “Anti-Rust Case (ARC)” (hereafter the “Lawhorne Published Patent Application”);
The Thompson Patent discloses a razor supporting means. This primarily is disclosing a razor supporting structure to enable the razor to dry.
The Cobb Patent discloses the general concept of a container where the razorblades are placed against the substance that will prevent them from corroding and otherwise deteriorating.
The Prudden Published Patent Application discloses a pivot inhibiting razor storage case. The patent application discloses a spring loaded case on a living hinge where the shaver and blades are retained within the case and openings within the case so that a wet razorblade can be dried.
The Kohring Patent discloses a razor storage case having mating closure members with the intent of clearly removing moisture from the razorblade that is contained within the container which also presumably is also attached to a safety razor handle.
The De'Rennaux Patent discloses the concept of having a razor saver that includes an absorbent liner and one or more absorbent desiccant gel packs for removing moisture from the razorblade. The patent discloses the concept of having only the desiccant to remove the moisture.
The Lawhome Published Patent Application discloses an anti-rust case. The patent application discloses: a case which contains oxygen and moisture absorbing desiccant. The desiccant, being activated clay, silica gel, and molecular sieve, is contained inside the case along with products that need to remain free of rust. The main object of the case is to prevent rust from forming on the blades of a manual shaver or straight razor. The main components of this product are the case, which restrict air flow, and the desiccant which absorb oxygen and moisture.
The current inventors are also the co-inventors of four issued United States patents. The first issued patent is U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,370 issued on Jun. 24, 2014 for “Retaining Disposable Shaver Blade Cartridges in a Sealed Condition and Simultaneously Retaining the Shaver Handle in a Condition for Immediate Shaving Use”. The second issued patent for which the present inventors are also co-inventors is U.S. Pat. No. 8,770,398 issued on Jul. 8, 2014 for “Retaining Disposable Shaver Blade Cartridges in a Sealed Condition and Simultaneously Retaining the Shaver Handle in a Condition for Immediate Shaving Use” which contains additional information on a desiccant within the container. The third issued patent for which the present inventors are also co-inventors is U.S. Pat. No. 9,380,850 issued on Jul. 5, 2016 for “Safety Razor Holder with Zinc Strip to Reduce Corrosion of the Razor Blades”. The fourth issued patent for which the present inventors are also co-inventors is U.S. Pat. No. 9,581,341 issued on Feb. 28, 2017 for “Safety Razor Holder with Zinc Strip to Reduce Corrosion of the Razor Blades and Interior Leaf Spring to Facilitate Retention of the Razor Blade Cartridge Within the Razor Holder”.
The present invention is an improved safety razor holder that includes a removable flexible zinc strip. The improved razor blade zinc strip is an improvement based on the manner in which the zinc strip is affixed to the housing and the concave shape of the zinc strip that forces more contact with the blade portion of the razor during use and storage of the present invention. Optionally, the zinc strip is also removably affixed to the housing. While a user may not ordinarily remove the zinc strip, the removable feature provides the option of replacing the zinc strip with a fresh zinc strip without having to discard the entire container.
A container retained in a closed condition by an internal spring force. When the container is in a closed condition, a razorblade cartridge containing at least one razorblade having a sharp front edge faces a zinc strip removably retained within an interior chamber of the container. A convex shape of the zinc strip creates an upward orientation of the zinc strip to enhance contact with the razor blade. A central stabilizer is retained in the interior chamber of the container, the central stabilizer having a downwardly extending tab to provide a downward force on a razorblade cartridge. A pair of oppositely disposed wings on the central stabilizer provides an even distribution of the downward force. Optionally, the zinc strip can be removably retained within an interior chamber of the container.
It is an object of the present invention to have a housing affixed within the container that contains a central stabilizer having a left wing and a right wing that assists in retaining multiple shaped and sized razorblades to the zinc strip. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to have a removably affixed housing within the container that contains a central stabilizer having a left wing and a right wing that assists in retaining multiple shaped and sized razorblades to the zinc strip.
The improved safety razor holder is a spring-biased container where the spring keeps the container closed and it is necessary to provide a force that overcomes the spring force to open the container so that the handle and attached razorblade cartridge with at least one razorblade can be removed from the container which then snaps shut due to the closing spring force. When used throughout this patent application, this improved apparatus which provides the closing spring force is generally referred to as a closing force member. The closing force is created by spring members selected from the group consisting of a coil spring assembly and a leaf spring assembly. The safety razor with at least one razorblade with the sharp edge is ready for use.
It is within the spirit and scope of the present invention for improved safety razor holder to retain any multiplicity of razorblades, with each respective razorblade having a sharp edge either forced to be against the zinc metal strip or adjacent the zinc metal strip. The upper housings left wing and a right wing are positioned in the container so that the downward force generated from the spring is applied evenly across the upper surface of the razor blade head to better retain the head in position when the container is in the closed position.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved spring-biased closed container which contains a closing force member, two wings for improved versatility and compatibility with numerous razorblades shapes and sizes, and a removably affixed convex zinc strip.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container which has drain holes that allows the container to not retain water. By not retaining water, the present invention improves safety razor holder will assist in keeping the razor blade dry to minimize corrosion due to moisture during the storage process.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a zinc strip within the interior chamber of the container with a spring biasing force causing the container to remain closed and also forcing the cartridge containing the razorblades to be in contact with or adjacent the zinc strip. In addition, the container retains the razorblade cartridge and attached handle in an in-use condition, so that the safety razor can be used for shaving purposes without having to hand touch the razorblades or the cartridges and accidently cut a finger.
Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings.
Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:
Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.
The first eight figures illustrate the present invention improved safety razor container 10 in the closed condition without a safety razorblade cartridge and handle.
Referring to
The improved safety razor container 10 further comprises a mating bottom section 50 having an exterior appearance which is similar to the top section 20. The lower or bottom section 50 includes an exterior bottom surface 52, a downwardly flared rear end 54 which facilitates grasping the bottom rear end with at least one finger of one hand such as a thumb or forefinger. The downwardly flared rear end 54 of the bottom section 50 is easy to grasp with a thumb or forefinger, eliminating the need to have a finger depression and thereby adding to the attractiveness of the outward appearance of the improved safety razor container 10. The downwardly flared rear end 54 also creates a rear opening 56. The bottom section 50 also includes a front end 58 with an opening 60 which constitutes a bottom half of a total front opening 70. The bottom section 50 also has an upper circumferential rim 62 (see
The flared rear ends 24 and 54 are aligned mirror images of each other with respective rear openings 26 and 56 creating one larger rear opening 80. Referring to
As illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
One unique innovation and improvement over the prior art patents created by the same inventors is a significant improvement in the retention of a zinc metal strip. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,380,850, a safety razor from a razor blade cartridge is forced into contact with or adjacent to the zinc metal strip which reduces oxidation, corrosion and other chemical reactions with the razor blade. The significant improvement in the retention of the zinc metal strip is illustrated in
The vertical wall 410 of zinc carrier strip 400 is press fit retained between the rear surface 236 of lower interior transverse wall 230 and retaining members as described below. The rear horizontal edge of the zinc carrier strip 400 is placed onto interior lower transverse wall 230 adjacent to recessed center ledge 234. The zinc carrier 400 has a vertical wall 410 that is comprised of three sections, carrier left section 416A, carrier middle section 416B, and carrier right section 416C. A first zinc carrier groove 422 is between carrier left section 416A and carrier middle section 416B. A second zinc carrier groove 424 is between carrier middle section 416B and carrier right section 416C. Lower interior transverse wall 230 is fixed in bottom surface 58B and to interior sidewall 58 of lower section 50. Lower interior transverse wall 230 has as upper ledge 232 with a center recessed section 234. Lower interior transverse wall 230 has a rear surface 236 and a front surface 238. The first leg 212 is affixed to lower interior carrier wall rear surface 236 and a spaced apart second leg 224 is affixed to lower interior carrier wall rear surface 236. First zinc carrier groove 422 is aligned with first leg 612 and second zinc carrier groove 424 is aligned with second leg 622. Also affixed to bottom surface 58B at a spaced apart distance from rear surface 236 is first zinc carrier retaining wall 616A with a gap 616AS between the rear surface 236 and first zinc carrier retaining wall 616A. At a spaced apart transverse distance, also affixed to bottom surface 58B at a spaced apart distance from rear surface 236 is second zinc carrier retaining wall 616B with a gap 616BS between the rear surface 236 and the second zinc carrier retaining wall 616B. At a spaced apart transverse distance, also affixed to bottom surface 58B at a spaced apart distance from rear surface 236 is third zinc carrier retaining wall 616C with a gap 616CS between the rear surface 236 and the third zinc carrier retaining wall 616C.
The zinc carrier 400 in the in use condition is removably press fit retained onto lower interior transverse wall 230 by first zinc carrier groove 422 press fit onto first leg 622 and second zinc carrier groove 424 press fit onto second leg 626. The lower end walls are respectively retained between a respective zinc carrier retaining wall 616A, 616B and 616C and rear surface 236. Lower end wall 416A is press fit retained within gap 616AS, lower end wall 416B is press fit retained within gap 616BS and lower end wall 416C is press fit retained within gap 616CS.
As illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
Therefore, zinc strip 600 is bowed upwardly in a convex shape relative to zinc carrier horizontal wall 430. Therefore, zinc strip 600 has a zinc strip center 602 that is slightly higher than each of the ends 604 and 606.
An optional innovation over the present inventors' prior invention is: (i) the zinc strip 600 is removably retained within container 10 so it can be replaced with a new fresh zinc strip; (ii) the zinc strip 600 is bowed upward to bring the shaver blade into closer contact with the zinc strip 600.
Referring to
Distance “D3” is smaller than distance “D2” so the openings are aligned in the following order: 216, 286, 266 and 226. A dowel, retaining bolt or comparable transverse member 300 extends through the four openings 216, 286, 266 and 226 respectively located in four posts 214, 284, 264, and 224. A closing force member such as coil spring 310 is wound around dowel 300 and has spring ends, of which a first spring end 320 rests against the lower blocking member 322 affixed to interior surface 58B of bottom section 50 adjacent rear end 54 and a second spring end 330 rests against blocking member 332 affixed to upper interior surface 34 of top section 20 and adjacent rear end 34.
The closing force member or closing spring force 310 forces the top section 20 and bottom section 50 of the container 10 together so that the container is in the closed position. A squeezing force on the upwardly flared rear end 24 and downwardly flared rear end 54 overcomes the bias spring closing force and forces the top section 20 away from the bottom section 50 with the dowel 300 acting as the fulcrum about which the top section 20 and bottom section 50 rotate.
As previously discussed, the zinc carrier strip 400 retaining the zinc strip 600 is retained within the container 10. In an alternative retaining variation for the zinc carrier 400, referring to
Referring to 13 there is illustrated a bottom rear perspective view of the top section 20 of the container 10. The top section 20 includes an interior top surface 34 with the third retaining boss 240 having a third leg 242 affixed to the interior top surface 34 and upper interior transverse wall 270. The third retaining boss 240 having a rear post 264 having a third opening 266. Referring to
Another key innovation over the previous invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,581,341 by the same two inventors is an improved spring mechanism to provide a downward force on the razor blade cartridge to force a razor blade onto or adjacent to the zinc strip 600. Referring to
Central tab 550, first wing 530, and second wing 540 create a large surface area by which a downward force over that area is exerted when the improved safety razor container 10 is in the closed condition to better retain both smaller and larger razor blades. Central tab 550 has a central tab bottom surface 552, first wing 530 has a bottom first wing surface 532, and second wing 540 has a bottom second wing surface 542. Central tab bottom surface 552, bottom first wing surface 532, and bottom second wing surface 542 form the contacts by which central stabilizer with wings 500 provides a downward force over an increased surface area to better retain large and small razorblade cartridges.
Referring to
Referring to
The central stabilizer with wings 500 are press fit affixed as follows. The interior top transverse wall 270 is press fit retained in groove 518 between interior upper wing wall 520, front wall 510 and rear wall 512. In stabilizer wall, left section 516A is press fit retained in gap 716AS between first wing retaining wall 716A and rear surface 276 of upper interior transverse wall 270. In stabilizer wall, middle section 516B is press fit retained in gap 716BS between second wing retaining wall 716B and rear surface 276 of upper interior transverse wall 270. In stabilizer wall, right section 516C is press fit retained in gap 716CS between Third wing retaining wall 716C and rear surface 276 of upper interior transverse wall 270. First U-shaped groove 522 is press fit retained in gap 287 and rests on leg 282. Second U-shaped groove 524 is press fit retained in gap 246 and rests on leg 286. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention for the central stabilizer with wings 500 to be removably affixed as set forth in this paragraph and also to be press fit affixed as set forth in this paragraph and a combination of both removably press fit affixed to the interior top of the container as discussed in this paragraph.
Referring to
The improved safety razor holder 10 retains the tips 730 of the razorblades 720 in the razorblade cartridge 710 (illustrated in
The improved safety razor holder 10 is opened by a force to overcome the spring biasing closing force as previously described and when the improved safety razor holder 10 is in the opened condition, the safety razor 700 can be quickly removed and is ready for immediate use. The zinc strip 600 assures that the razorblades 720 will remain free of germs. The improved safety razor holder 10 can be made out of material selected from the group consisting of plastic polypropylene and metal.
The improved safety razor holder 10 retains the tips 730 of the razorblades 720 in the razorblade cartridge 710 (illustrated in
Referring to
The improved safety razor holder 10 is opened by a force to overcome the spring biasing closing force as previously described and when the improved safety razor holder 10 is in the opened condition, the safety razor 700 can be quickly removed and is ready for immediate use. The zinc strip 600 assures that the razorblades 720 will remain free of germs. The improved safety razor holder 10 (also referred to as container 10) can be made out of material selected from the group consisting of plastic polypropylene and metal.
Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2551859 | Thompson | May 1951 | A |
| 3759594 | Cobb | Sep 1973 | A |
| 8113347 | Kohring | Feb 2012 | B2 |
| 8342322 | De'Rennaux | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 8757370 | Krok et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8770398 | Krok et al. | Jul 2014 | B1 |
| 9380850 | Krok et al. | Jul 2016 | B1 |
| 9581341 | Krok et al. | Feb 2017 | B1 |
| D791472 | Krok | Jul 2017 | S |
| 20090056151 | Kohring | Mar 2009 | A1 |
| 20090057170 | Kohring | Mar 2009 | A1 |
| 20090172958 | Prudden et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
| 20120125793 | Benvenuto | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20130047860 | Lawhorne | Feb 2013 | A1 |
| 20130213829 | Krok | Aug 2013 | A1 |
| 20160015147 | Lampard | Jan 2016 | A1 |
