Patent Application
20240293946
The present invention relates to shaving razors and more particularly to, shaving razors that dispense personal care wipes.
Skin care can be of particular importance in improving or enhancing the appearance of men and women. Various products and methods can be used to care for skin. For example, exfoliant scrubs, cleansers, and lotions are sometimes used to maintain healthy-looking skin. Exfoliant scrubs can be used to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, which can give the skin an improved tone. Soaps and other cleansers can be used to remove dirt and excess oil from the skin, which can help prevent clogging of pores. Consequently, acne and other types of skin blemishes can be prevented in some cases. Lotions and various other topical ointments can also be used to deliver nutrients and/or moisturizers to the skin in an effort to improve the appearance and/or the health of the skin. Other types of cosmetic products (e.g., creams and lotions) or drug actives are sometimes used in an attempt to eliminate wrinkling and other signs of aging.
It is generally known that the process of shaving the skin may provide certain skin benefits such as exfoliation and hydration. In general, shaving razors of the wet shave type include a cartridge or blade unit with at least one blade with a cutting edge which is moved across the surface of the skin being shaved by means of a handle to which the cartridge is attached; however, razor assemblies may also include electric foil type shavers. The cartridge may be mounted detachably on the handle to enable the cartridge to be replaced by a fresh cartridge when the blade sharpness has diminished to an unsatisfactory level, or it may be attached permanently to the handle with the intention that the entire razor be discarded when the blade or blades have become dulled (i.e., disposable razor). The connection of the cartridge to the handle provides a pivotal mounting of the cartridge with respect to the handle so that the cartridge angle adjusts to follow the contours of the surface being shaved. In such systems, the cartridge can be biased toward a rest position by the action of a spring-biased plunger (a cam follower) carried on the handle against a cam surface on the cartridge housing.
The shaving process can include several steps. For example, the skin may be first cleansed from dirt and bacteria, followed by the application of a shaving aid material (e.g., shaving cream) to the surface. The skin is then shaved to remove hair followed by an additional step of removing excess shaving cream and cut hair from the skin. Some users will apply a moisturizer as final step. Most consumers find shaving to be a chore and inconvenient because of the need for multiple steps and multiple shaving products, e.g., a wet shaving razor and a skin preparation product, as well as the undesirable necessity for multiple application steps during the wet shaving process. Furthermore, this process can be messy and requires the consumer rinse their hands after applying the shave gel. This multi-step process also results in an overall extended shaving experience which most consumers do not prefer given typical morning hygiene routines. It may, however, be desirable sometimes to apply liquids of other kinds to the skin before, during, or after shaving. It has been found that especially in the case of males who shave facial hair, it is important to provide a shave preparation of some sort prior to shaving to adequately hydrate the coarser facial hairs to allow for an easier and closer shave.
In the past, there have been a number of wet shaving product configurations that include a system for conveying a shaving preparation during shaving, e.g. a lubricating liquid, from a reservoir incorporated in the razor structure or even an aerosol can that acts as a razor handle, to a dispensing location near the head of the razor. Many of these types of razors that are capable of conveying a liquid to the skin surface are unfortunately plagued by a number of problems. For instance, razors that require pump mechanisms add cost and complexity, which can drive up costs for the consumer. In addition, replaceable bottles of shaving lotion or moisturizer are typically made from plastic, which are not very sustainable. Accordingly, it is difficult to incorporate various design features into a shaving razor in a simple, sustainable and cost effective manner.
In one aspect, the invention features, in general a shaving razor system including a handle having a first end defining an opening and a second end. A shaving razor cartridge is mounted to the second end of the handle. A plurality of pre-moistened substrate sheets are positioned within the opening. A cap is mounted to the first end of the handle. The handle defines a slot configured to dispense the pre-moistened substrate sheets.
In another aspect, the invention features, in general a shaving razor kit having a plurality of pre-moistened substrate sheets positioned within a sealed container. A handle defining an opening at a first end configured to receive the pre-moistened substrate sheets. The handle defines a slot configured to dispense the pre-moistened substrate sheets. A shaving razor cartridge configured to mount to a second end of the handle is provided. A cap is provided that is configured to mount to the first end of the handle.
In another aspect, the invention features, in general a shaving razor system with a handle having a first end defining an opening and a second end. A shaving razor cartridge is mounted to the second end of the handle. A plurality of pre-moistened substrate sheets are positioned within the opening. A cap is mounted to the first end of the handle. The cap defines a slot configured to dispense the pre-moistened substrate sheets.
Other features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the invention itself, can be more fully understood from the following description of the various embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
A guard 22 may be positioned toward a front of the housing 20 and a cap 24 may be positioned at a rear portion of the housing 20. The guard 22 may be a unitary elongated member that can be formed of a rigid plastic (e.g., the same material as the housing 22). For example, the guard 22 may be a solid or segmented bar that extends generally parallel to the cap 24 to help support the skin during a shaving stroke. The guard 22 and the cap 24 may define a shaving plane that is tangent to the guard 22 and the cap 24. One or more blade members 26 each having a respective cutting edge may be mounted to the housing 20 between the cap 24 and the guard 22 (i.e., in front of the cap 24 behind the guard 22). Although five blade members 26 are shown, the shaving razor cartridge 18 may have more or fewer blade members 26 depending on the desired performance and cost of the shaving razor cartridge 18. The blade members 26 may be secured to the housing 18 with one or more blade retention members 28, such as clips.
As will be described in greater detail below, the handle 12 may include a body 30 between the first end 14 and the second end 16 that defines a slot 32 configured to dispense one or more pre-moistened substrate sheets 34. The pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 may comprise one or more ingredients, such as water, purified water, alcohol, aloe vera, vitamins, essential oils, fragrances, an aqueous lotion or moisturizer or any combinations thereof to facilitate the moistening of the skin and hair before and/or after shaving. In certain embodiments, the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 may be wetted with a aqueous solution of water soluble or water dispersible ingredients. The pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 may comprise wood pulp fiber, cellulosic fibers and combinations thereof for low cost and biodegradability. For example, paper, air-laid and carded non-woven webs may be used. However, spun-bonded and spun-lace webs may also suitable. For applications where cost and/or biodegradability are not important, alveolar polymeric films, foam and other porous sheets may be employed. Techniques for moistening the wipes are generally in the art and need not be elaborated here.
Although, the slot 32 is shown positioned on a body 30 of the handle 12, it is understood the slot 32 may be positioned on other areas of the handle 12, such as at the first end 14 (e.g., to dispense the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 out the bottom of the handle 12). A removable lid 36 may be attached to the handle 12 to cover the slot 32 and help prevent the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 from drying out. The a removable lid 36 may include a pressure sensitive label. For example, the removable lid 36 may have a first end 38 comprising a first adhesive that facilitates easy attachment and removal of the first end 38 of the removable lid 36 to the handle 12 (e.g., the body 30). A second end 40 of the removable lid 36 may comprise a second adhesive that has a stronger bond than the first adhesive. Accordingly, the bond at the second end 40 of the removable lid 36 may create a more permanent attachment to the body 30 of the handle 12. Alternatively, the removable lid 36 may include rigid structures having features such as snap fits, magnets, hook with loop type fasteners, or zippers that allow the removable lid 36 be temporarily secured to the handle 12 and cover the slot 32 to help keep the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 from drying out.
Referring to
The pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 may be generally rectangular or square in shape with a width of about 30 mm to about 90 mm, and preferably about 50 mm to about 70 mm. The pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 may have a length of about 50 mm to about 110 mm, and preferably about 70 mm to about 80 mm. The size and thickness of the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 may allow or a sufficient number of the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 to be positioned within the handle 12, without negatively impacting the ergonomics of the handle 12. The thickness of the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 may also impact the number of pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 that may fit within the handle. In certain embodiments, the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 may have a thickness of about 0.25 mm to about 2.0 mm and preferably about 0.5 mm to about 0.75 mm.
A cap 52 may be mounted to the first end 14 of the handle 12 to retain the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 within the opening 42. However, it is understood the cap 52 may be hollow and retain a portion of the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34. In certain embodiments, a flexible seal 54 (e.g., an O-ring) may be positioned between the first end 14 of the handle 12 and the cap 52. The cap 52 may have threads 56 that engage corresponding threads 58 on the first end 14 of the handle 12. Although threads 56 and 58 are illustrated as securing the cap 52 to the handle 12, other attachment mechanisms known to those skilled in the art may be used, such as press fit and snap fit designs.
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
A cap 76 may be mounted to the first end 70 of the handle 68 to retain the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34 within the opening 74. The cap 76 may include a body 78 having a hinge 80 connecting a lid 82 to the body 78. The body 76 may define a slot 84 to dispense the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34. The cap 76 may be press fit or snap fit to the first end 70 of the handle 68 to allow easy replacement of the pre-moistened substrate sheets 34.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Furthermore, dimensions should not be held to an impossibly high standard of metaphysical identity that does not allow for discrepancies due to typical manufacturing tolerances. Therefore, the term “about” should be interpreted as being within typical manufacturing tolerances.
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, 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.
