1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to shaving razors in general and, more particularly, to protective covers for razors.
2. Detailed Description
Modern shaving razors include one or more blades disposed within a housing that is coupled to a handle. The housing and the blade or blades is referred to as a razor cartridge. Some handles are reusable and the razor cartridge is releasably coupled thereto and is intended to be disposed of after use. Further shaving razors of this type are additionally provided with an erodable shaving aid body that is further releasably coupled to the reusable handle and may be positioned adjacent to the razor cartridge as is disclosed in published U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/367,255. This shaving aid body, being erodable in use, is also intended to be disposed of after it is exhausted. To enable the user to release a used razor cartridge and shaving aid body, in order to be able to replace one or both, the reusable handle is customarily provided with one or more user operable buttons. These buttons are linked to a mechanism, internally positioned in the reusable handle, which facilitates the coupling and release of the razor cartridge and shaving aid body to and from the handle. Recoupling of a new razor cartridge and shaving aid body is a somewhat complicated operation as both components have to be recoupled in the correct order and correct orientation and the elements for attachment of both to the reusable handle must be simultaneously correctly aligned to the handle. This operation is facilitated for the user by the manufacturer providing the razor cartridge and shaving aid body, correctly oriented and aligned, within a dispensing container. The user simply aligns the reusable handle to the mouth of the dispensing container and brings the reusable handle into contact with the exposed surfaces of the fresh razor cartridge and shaving aid body. The fresh razor cartridge and shaving aid body are coupled to the reusable handle and the user withdraws both, in unison, from the dispensing container.
Currently, the state of the art for these types of shaving razors is for the manufacturer to further provide a protective cover that is removably coupled to the handle. The protective cover protects the razor cartridge and, if provided, the shaving aid body from accidental damage if, for instance, the razor is dropped, or from contact with a foreign object. The protective cover may also protect the razor cartridge and shaving aid body during travel. The protective cover is customarily coupled to the handle by a press fit or removable snap fit.
When a new user is presented with a shaving razor as described previously and for example as disclosed in US Design Pat. No. D 495829 (to Dombrowski et al), the user sees a handle with exposed button or buttons and the outside shell of the protective cover as the protective cover encloses the releasable razor cartridge and, if provided, the shaving aid body. In order for the user to use the shaving razor for shaving, the user's first task is to successfully remove the protective cover. If the new user is unfamiliar with this type of razor, the user's first inclination might be to operate the buttons in a belief that these will release the protective cover. Unfortunately this action will only release the razor cartridge and shaving aid body from the handle, within the confines of the protective cover. As the razor cartridge and shaving aid body are not within their dispensing container, correctly recoupling these to the handle is a somewhat complicated operation.
In the prior art, US Design Pat. No. D 409797 (to Bone) discloses an electric dry shaver having a cover. The cover includes a single ear that houses a brush. When the cover is coupled to the razor the ear of the cover overlays the on/off switch of the razor and would prevent the user turning the razor on when the cover is coupled thereto. The razor has no obviously replaceable elements coupled thereto, and especially a razor cartridge and shaving aid body that might be released by this button and that might in turn be complicated to recouple.
In further prior art, Japanese Patent No 53-36359 (to Iwasaki et al) discloses another electric dry shaver having a cover and a sliding catch designated 8 in FIG. 3 thereof. In operation, the catch may be slid over a hook (designated 3 in FIG. 1 thereof) of the cover. With the catch slid to this position, the catch secures the cover to the razor and will further act as an interlock to prevent the on/off switch from being operated by the user. Again, the razor has no obviously replaceable elements coupled thereto, and especially a razor cartridge and shaving aid body that might be released by this button and that might in turn be complicated to recouple. Furthermore, the catch may be slid to the interlock position independently of the cover being coupled to the razor. The cover with the hook plays no part in the interlocking function.
Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a protective cover for a razor that covers or otherwise interlocks the release buttons of the handle to prevent operation of the release buttons by the user to release the razor cartridge when the protective cover is coupled to the handle.
The protective cover of the present invention comprises a top wall and a side wall. The protective cover is removably coupled to a shaving razor comprising a handle and a razor cartridge. The razor cartridge is releasably coupled to the handle. The razor cartridge comprises one or more razor blades, each razor blade having a cutting edge. The handle has one or more user operable buttons that release the razor cartridge from the handle when operated by the user. When the protective cover is coupled to the shaving razor the top wall of the protective cover substantially overlays the cutting edges of the razor blades to protect the cutting edges from accidental damage. Further, when the protective cover is coupled to the shaving razor the side wall of the protective cover overlays at least one of the user operable buttons to prevent operation of the button by the user.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the shaving razor further comprises an erodable shaving aid body. The shaving aid body is preferably coupled to the razor cartridge and the shaving aid body and razor cartridge are releasable from the handle as a single unit. The shaving aid body has an upper surface and the top wall of the protective cover substantially overlays the cutting edges of the razor blades and the upper surface of the shaving aid body to protect either or both from accidental damage. Further, when the protective cover is coupled to the shaving razor the side wall of the protective cover overlays at least one of the user operable buttons to prevent operation of the button by the user.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the side wall of the protective cover is shaped so that the protective cover can be coupled to the shaving razor in one orientation only.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the side wall and the top wall of the protective cover have inner surfaces that are contiguous to form a cavity. The inner surface of the side wall has one or more ribs, each rib having an end surface. The end surfaces abut the handle when the protective cover is coupled to the handle to space the top wall away from the upper surface of the shaving aid body and the cutting edges of the razor blades.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the protective cover is provided with one or more drain ports. The drain ports permit liquid trapped within the protective cover to drain out when the shaving razor is hung upside down or at rest on a horizontal surface.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the protective cover is coupled to the shaving razor by a snap fit or by a press fit.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the protective cover is a molded thermoplastic.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the release buttons of the handle must be operated in unison to release the razor cartridge.
The above features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular
The protective cover is provided with drain ports 24 at each lengthwise end of the top wall of the protective cover. The protective cover is further provided with a drain port 25 at the front of the protective cover and a drain port 26 at the rear thereof. The drain ports are preferably positioned to permit any liquid trapped within the protective cover to drain out when the protective cover is coupled to a shaving razor and when the shaving razor with coupled protective cover is hung upside down or laid on a horizontal surface in a stable at-rest orientation.
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It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular construction herein disclosed and/or shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the disclosure.