Patent Application
20090057170
This invention relates to a wet shaving razor case that is suitable for storage of a razor having a cartridge and adjoining handle.
Over the years, consumers have become more mobile in their daily lives. This becomes even more apparent as the goods that are commonly used by consumers are tailored for improved mobility and easy travel by manufacturers that recognize this behavior change. One consumer area that has followed this trend is wet shaving razors in that a number of razors are intended for a relatively limited number of uses (referred to as “disposable”) while others are in the form of systems that comprise a longer term use handle that is joined to a removably disposable cartridge. With respect to both types of razor products, it is becoming more commonplace for such razors to incorporate some mechanism of shaving aid application to reduce frictional drag of the razor across the skin, soften hair, or condition skin. Typical shaving aid mechanisms incorporated within a razor include lubrication strips, indicator strips, soap wings, shave gel bars, and similar shaving aid as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,848, 5,998,431, 5,906,834, 6,185,822, 6,298,559, 6,301,785, 6,442,839, 6,944,952, 7,069,658; and US Patent Publications US 2006/0143925 A1, 2006/0080838 A1, and 2007/0110703 A1. As manufacturers strive to present consumers with more of these mechanisms, which tend to be water soluble to a certain extent, it is clear that there is a need for a razor case that is suitable for storage of such razors when they are used at home or away from home, e.g., while traveling or even at a gym. In particular, there is a need for a razor storage case that is suitable for 1) storing the razor in a manner that protects a consumer from unintended contact with the cutting edges of the blades during transport, 2) protecting the cutting edges of the blades from dulling by contact with unintended contact during such transport and/or storage, and 3) preserving the remaining shaving aid on the razor cartridge when not in use.
In accordance with the present invention, the wet shaving razor case suitable for storage of a razor wherein the razor includes a cartridge and adjoining handle and wherein the case comprises an upper portion comprising a cartridge hold down member disposed at a periphery of the upper portion and a handle-receiving recess; a lower portion joined to the upper portion wherein the lower portion comprises a engagement member positioned along a periphery of the lower portion; and wherein upon closure of the upper portion onto the lower portion the hold down member both secures the cartridge within the case and engages with the engagement member to maintain closure of the upper portion on the lower portion.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:
Referring to
The front end of the case is indicated by the presence of the forward stabilization guide 34 and the rear of the case merely opposes the front end. In
In
Furthermore, it is also envisioned that the lower spacing member 32 of
The upper portion 20 of the case 10 is joined to the lower portion 30 in the present invention. In the embodiments shown in
Applicant has found that the present invention addresses the need of not only securing a razor cartridge within a storage case but additionally securely closing the case with a combined securing/closing system. This system involves cooperation between a cartridge hold down member 44 that is disposed at a periphery of the upper portion and a engagement member 55 that is positioned along a mating periphery of the lower portion 30. The engagement member 55 has an active restraining surface 56 that engages with a rear notch 49 that comprises a snap surface 57. The cooperation occurs as a razor cartridge is inserted into the lower portion 30. A user then closes the upper portion 20 down upon the lower portion 30 thereby pushing the cartridge hold down member 44 down over an edge (may be a front or rear edge depending on placement of the cartridge hold down member within the interior of the case) of the razor cartridge and locking the cartridge hold down member 44 down upon the cartridge by engagedly slipping over a front notch 45 of the cartridge hold down member 44. A hold down surface 51 comprised within the front notch 45 serves to apply downward pressure to the cartridge. As consistent downward pressure is applied by the user down upon the upper portion 20 or upward pressure from below onto the lower portion 30 to effect closure of the case, the engagement member 55 is forced to engagedly slip into a rear notch 49 on the rear of the cartridge hold down member 44. In the embodiment shown in
Additionally, the case comprises a handle-receiving recess 22 in the upper portion 20. This recess 22 provides an area of clearance for a razor handle that protrudes from the case while a razor cartridge portion of a razor is being stored in the case. When the upper portion 20 is closed upon the lower portion 30, an enclosure 46 is formed by the handle-receiving recess 22 and a handle rest 48, which is disposed toward the rear of the lower portion 30.
The upper portion may comprise an opening tab 50 to facilitate a user in releasing the upper portion from the lower portion in preparation for shaving. The opening tab 50 may be disposed adjacent the handle-receiving recess 22 and may be present on both sides of such recess 22.
In the embodiment of
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.
All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
