The present invention relates to shaving razors and particularly to a shaving razor adapter for attaching a disposable shaving razor cartridge to a shaving razor handle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a shaving razor adapter attaching a shaving razor cartridge of a first shaving razor configuration to a shaving razor handle of a second shaving razor configuration. The second shaving razor configuration is different than the first shaving razor configuration.
In recent years shaving razors with various numbers of blades have been proposed in the patent literature and commercialized such as the three-bladed Mach 3™ razor and the five bladed Fusion™ razor by The Gillette Company. In addition to the number of blades, the Mach 3™ shaving razor configuration is significantly different than the Fusion™ shaving razor configuration. For instance, the Fusion™ blade cartridges include a trimmer assembly and a connecting member which will not attach to the shaving razor handle of the Mach 3™ configuration.
The Fusion™ shaving razor design is marketed as a product improvement over the predecessor Mach 3™ shaving razor design due to improved shaving efficiency attributed to the additional blades and also improved functionality resulting from added features such as a trimmer assembly including a trimmer blade for manicuring side burns and other facial hair. Getting consumers to try improved shaving razor product designs is challenge particularly if the change affects the consumer's shaving habits. For instance, a consumer may be comfortable with a particular shaving razor handle design and be reluctant to change if it means using a new shaving razor handle design.
Manufacturers often provide free sample of new product designs to consumers as a means of encouraging them to try the new products. When improvements to the shaving razor design include both the cartridge and the handle, the cost of providing free samples can be excessive. In addition, such samples are often provided with the previous product configuration which complicates packaging. Since the consumer is primarily concerned with the shaving razor cartridge, it would be advantageous to the manufacturer to offer a sample of the new razor cartridge along with the old razor cartridge at the point of sale. Since shipping a new razor handle configuration along with the cartridge increases cost and complicates packaging, it is desirable to provide an adapter along with a new shaving razor cartridge design that enables the consumer to try the new razor cartridge on an old and different shaving razor handle configuration.
In one aspect, the invention features, in general, a shaving razor adapter for attaching a disposable shaving razor cartridge of a first shaving razor configuration to a shaving razor handle of a second shaving razor configuration. The shaving razor cartridge comprises a housing having a front edge and a rear edge with one or more shaving blades disposed therebetween. A cam surface is disposed opposite the one or more shaving blades. The shaving razor cartridge includes a connecting member configured to connect the housing to a connecting end of a shaving razor handle of the first shaving razor configuration. The connecting member includes a deflectable element defining at least a portion of an opening through the connecting member.
The shaving razor adapter comprises a first attachment portion which resembles the connecting end of the shaving razor handle of the first shaving razor configuration. The first attachment portion attaches the adapter to the shaving razor cartridge. The first attachment portion includes a projection sized to be received by the opening extending through the connecting member of the shaving razor cartridge. The projection has an enlarged distal end and angled side surfaces extending from the distal end to a base. The angled side surfaces have a projected apex angle of between 45 and 60 degrees such that the base is smaller than the enlarged distal end. The enlarged distal end of the projection has a dimension greater than a dimension of the opening such that inserting the projection into the opening deflects the deflectable element to secure the connecting member to the first attachment portion. The shaving razor adapter further comprises a second attachment portion opposite the first attachment portion. The second attachment portion of the adapter resembles the connecting member of a shaving razor cartridge of a second shaving razor configuration that interfaces with the connecting end of the handle of the second shaving razor configuration. The second attachment portion of the adapter releasably attaches the adapter to the connecting end of the shaving razor handle of the second shaving razor configuration.
In one embodiment the adapter includes a leaf spring attached to the first attachment portion. The leaf spring extends through the opening in the connecting member of the shaving razor cartridge and interfaces with the cam surface on the housing of the shaving razor cartridge to bias the housing.
In another embodiment, the adapter includes a spring biased plunger attached to the first attachment portion. The spring biased plunger extends through the opening in the connecting member and includes a cam follower surface that interfaces with the cam surface on the housing of the shaving razor cartridge to bias the housing.
In another embodiment, the shaving razor handle of the second shaving razor configuration comprises a cartridge support structure comprising an asymmetrically shaped extension and a spring biased plunger including a cam follower surface extending from the extension. The projection of the first attachment portion includes an aperture through the distal end and a slidable plunger having a first end comprising a cam follower extending through the aperture and a second end slidably mounted to the first attachment portion. The second attachment portion of the adapter comprises a central base structure having an asymmetrically shaped recess configured to interface with the asymmetrically shaped extension of the cartridge support structure. The asymmetrically shaped recess extends through the adapter from the second attachment portion to the first attachment portion. The asymmetrically shaped extension including the spring biased plunger is connected to the recess in the second attachment portion of the adapter such that the cam follower surface of the spring biased plunger interfaces with the second end of the slidable plunger slidably mounted in the first attachment portion. The cam follower surface of the slidable plunger interfaces with the cam surface on the housing of the shaving razor cartridge to bias the housing.
In another embodiment, a shaving razor cartridge packaging kit is provided. The shaving razor cartridge packaging kit comprises a disposable shaving razor cartridge of a first shaving razor configuration and a shaving razor adapter. The shaving razor adapter attaches the disposable shaving razor cartridge of the first shaving razor configuration to a shaving razor handle of a second shaving razor configuration. The shaving razor cartridge and the shaving razor adapter are packaged in a common package.
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 taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
a is a perspective view of the forward end of the adapter according to the present invention.
b is a top view of the shaving razor adapter according to the present invention.
c is a perspective view of the aft side of the shaving razor adapter according to the present invention.
d is a back view of the aft side of the shaving razor adapter according to the present invention.
a and
a and
a and
a is a rear view of the connecting member of the shaving razor cartridge of the first shaving razor configuration.
b is a side view of the connecting member of the shaving razor cartridge of the first shaving razor configuration.
The shaving razor adapter according to the present invention will be described with reference to the following figures which illustrate certain embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention which is broadly applicable in the form of variations and equivalents as may be embraced by the claims appended hereto. Furthermore, features described or illustrated as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the scope of the claims extend to all such variations and equivalents.
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Cartridge support structure 242 includes components providing a spring-biased plunger action for biasing of housing 216 relative to interconnect member 224. It also includes components that provide for ejection of cartridge 214 from handle 212.
Spring-biased plunger 244 is received within recess 249 in extension 226 of cartridge support structure 242. Ejector button 250 is received in an opening on the top surface of support structure 242 that interfaces with a mechanism used to eject the razor cartridge from the support structure 242. These and other features of second shaving razor configuration 210 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,586.
The shaving razor adapter 10 according to the present invention shown in
The first attachment portion 10 includes a projection 22 having distal end 24 and angled side surfaces 32 and 34 extending from the distal end 24 to a base 30 such that the projection 22 has an enlarged distal end 24 and the base 30 is smaller than the distal end 24. The enlarged distal end 24 of the projection 22 has a dimension greater than a dimension of an opening 178 in a connecting member 118 of the disposable shaving razor cartridge 112 of the first configuration shaving razor 110 described below.
Referring to
For embodiments enabling the connecting member 118 to be removed from the first attachment portion 20 of the adapter 10, the adapter 10 can include a spring release mechanism 25 shown in
Referring to
The latches 162 and 164 extend generally along the contour of and integrally from a wall 172 of the body 140 to opposing, free distal ends 174 and 176. Each distal end 174 and 176 forms a portion of an opening 178 extending through wall 172 to receive the projection 22. Referring also to
In the embodiment shown in
In another embodiment, the shaving razor adapter 10 can include a plunger attached to the first attachment portion 20. In the embodiment shown in
Materials for forming the adapter can be selected as desired. Preferably, the adapter 10 is formed of metal, such as a zinc alloy. The adapter can, however, be formed of other materials, including plastics (e.g., plated acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) and plastics with metal inserts. Any suitable method for forming the adapter can be employed including die casting, investment casting and molding. Suitable methods for forming include molding, such as injection molding.
The shaving razor adapter according to the present invention can be included as part of a shaving razor cartridge packaging kit. The shaving razor cartridge packaging kit comprises one or more disposable shaving razor cartridges of the first shaving razor configuration and the shaving razor adapter. The shaving razor adapter attaches the disposable shaving razor cartridge of the first shaving razor configuration to a shaving razor handle of a second shaving razor configuration. The one or more shaving razor cartridges and the shaving razor adapter are packaged in a common package.
For this embodiment, packaging including the shaving razor adapter and one or more shaving razor cartridges of the first shaving razor configuration can be distributed to consumers using the second shaving razor configuration as a promotion to get them to try the shaving razor cartridge of the first shaving razor configuration.
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.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this 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.