阅读说明：本技术 剃刀刀片架
(Razor cartridge
) 是由 小V·P·沃尔克 于 2018-06-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种带有外壳的剃刮刀片架,该剃刮刀片架具有在外壳正面的主防护件和在外壳背面的次顶盖。具有主顶盖表面和设置在主防护件和次顶盖之间的次防护表面的桥接构件。桥接构件具有横向于第一刀片的切割刃延伸并限定多个开口的多个间隔开的肋。第一刀片具有切割刃。第一刀片被安装在主防护件和主顶盖表面之间的外壳上。具有在与第一刀片的切割刃相同的方向上延伸的切割刃的第二刀片被安装在次防护表面和次顶盖之间的外壳上。桥接构件的宽度为约2.5mm至约4mm。(A shaving cartridge with a housing having a primary guard at a front face of the housing and a secondary cap at a rear face of the housing is provided. A bridge member having a primary cap surface and a secondary guard surface disposed between the primary guard and the secondary cap. The bridge member has a plurality of spaced apart ribs extending transverse to the cutting edge of the first blade and defining a plurality of openings. The first blade has a cutting edge. A first blade is mounted on the housing between the primary guard and the primary cap surface. A second blade having a cutting edge extending in the same direction as the cutting edge of the first blade is mounted on the housing between the secondary guard surface and the secondary cap. The bridge member has a width of about 2.5mm to about 4 mm.)
1. A razor cartridge (10,100,200) comprising:
a housing (12,102,202) having a primary guard (14,103,203) at a front of the housing and a secondary cap (16,105,205) at a back of the housing;
a bridge member (26,104,204) having a primary cap surface (28,112,208) and a secondary guard surface (30,114,210) disposed between the primary guard and the secondary cap;
a first blade (18) having a cutting edge (22) mounted to the housing between the primary guard and the primary cap surface;
a second blade (20) having a cutting edge (24) extending in the same direction as the cutting edge of the first blade, the second blade being mounted to the housing between the secondary guard surface and the secondary cap, wherein a top surface (32) of the bridge member is positioned independent of the position of the cutting edges (22, 24).
2. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) of claim 1 wherein the top surface (32) of the bridge member (26) is not positioned on the same plane as the cutting edge (22).
3. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the top surface (32) of the bridge member (26) is not positioned on the same plane as the cutting edge (24).
4. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the top surface (32) of the bridge member (26) is positioned on a plane (P3) that is 0.01mm to 0.20mm above a plane (P1) that is tangent to the cutting edge (22) and the cutting edge (24).
5. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) of claim 1 wherein the top surface (32) of the bridge member (26) is positioned on a shaving plane (P1) below a shaving plane (P3) tangent to the cutting edge (22) and the cutting edge (24).
6. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) of claim 5 wherein the plane (P1) is located 0.01mm to 0.15mm below the plane (P3).
7. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bridge member has a width (W2, W3, W5) that is greater than 50% of an inter-blade span (S1) between the cutting edges of the first and second blades.
8. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) of claim 7 wherein the inter-blade span is greater than 3 mm.
9. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bridge member has a width (W2, W3, W5) of 2.5mm to 4 mm.
10. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bridge member (26,104,204) is spaced apart from the blade support member (36) of the first blade (18).
11. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the position of the bridge member (26,104,204) is fixed relative to the housing (12,102,202) and the first blade (18) and the second blade (20) are mounted on a pair of respective spring members (60,62,64,66,124,126,128,130,216,218,220,222) within the housing.
12. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a pair of clips (34a,34b) mounted to the housing (12), wherein the top surface (32,116,212) of the bridge member is positioned on a plane (P1) between the top surface (48a,48b) of the clips and the bottom surface (50a,50b) of the clips.
13. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bridge member (104) comprises a water leachable shaving aid.
14. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bridge member (204) comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs (206) extending transverse to the cutting edge (22) of the first blade (18).
15. The shaving razor cartridge (10,100,200) of claim 14 wherein the bridge member (204) defines a plurality of openings (214).
Technical Field
The present invention relates to shaving razors and more particularly to shaving cartridges having two guards, two caps, and a plurality of blades.
Background
In general, shaving razors of the wet shave type include a cartridge or blade unit having at least one blade with a cutting edge that is moved across the surface of the skin being shaved by means of a handle to which the cartridge or blade unit is attached. The cartridge may be detachably mounted on the handle to enable replacement of the cartridge with a new one when the blade sharpness has diminished to an unsatisfactory level, or it may be permanently attached to the handle (i.e., a disposable razor) if it is desired to discard the entire razor when one or more blades have become dulled. The connection of the cartridge to the handle provides a pivotal securement of the cartridge relative to the handle such that the cartridge is angularly adjusted to conform to the contours of the surface being shaved. In such systems, the cartridge may be biased toward the rest position by the action of a spring-biased plunger (cam follower) carried on the handle and abutting a cam surface on the cartridge housing.
Razor cartridges typically include a guard that contacts the skin in front of one or more blades during shaving and a cap for contacting the skin behind the one or more blades. The cap and guard help to establish a so-called "shaving geometry", i.e., parameters that determine the orientation and position of the blades relative to the skin during shaving, which in turn has a great impact on shaving performance and razor efficacy. The cap and guard can help establish blade exposure. Blade exposure is defined as the vertical distance or height of the blade edge measured relative to a plane tangent to the skin contacting surface of the blade unit element adjacent the front of the blade edge and adjacent the back of the blade edge. Thus, for a three-blade unit, the exposure of the first or primary blade is measured with reference to a plane tangent to the guard and the edge of the second blade, and the exposure of the third or tertiary blade is measured with reference to a plane tangent to the edge of the second blade and the cap.
The minimum acceptable exposure may be affected by other blade unit dimensions, such as the distance from the skin engaging surface of the guard to the blade edge, i.e., the "span" of the primary blade. As referred to herein, "span" refers to the distance from the blade edge to the skin contacting element directly in front of the blade edge as measured along a tangent line extending between the element and the blade edge. The guard may include a substantially rigid guard bar that may be integrally formed with a housing or platform structure that provides support for the blades. The guard may also include a skin stretching element made of various types of elastomeric materials intended to stretch the skin and/or align hair in front of the blades.
Safety razors with cartridges having multiple blades have been sold in large numbers in recent years and are generally believed to provide better shaving quality than single blade razors, particularly in terms of closeness. A blade unit with many blades can produce a closer shave than a similar blade unit with only one or two blades. However, the closeness of the shave obtained is only one parameter in which the razor user is used to judge razor performance. Comfort is another important feature to consider. For example, many consumers describe themselves as having sensitive skin that is susceptible to scratches, cuts and irritation. Discomfort during shaving is often described by the shaver as a "pulling" sensation, which is caused by nerves surrounding the stimulated hair follicles. Such nerve stimulation may occur as a result of moving hair, pulling and/or cutting hair, and may occur as a result of dragging a razor cartridge across the skin surface.
In addition, many consumers suffer from acne and/or pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) which makes shaving uncomfortable. PFB or shaving bumps are an external body inflammatory reaction involving papules and pustules. It is a common skin condition that primarily affects adult males who have natural coarse or tight curly hair, especially those who shave close on a regular basis. The leading edge of a facial hair severed by the veneer re-enters the epidermis of the skin or intersects the follicular wall, which results in a local inflammatory response at the affected site. This process can lead to secondary skin infections and, in severe cases, to the creation of permanent scars. Accordingly, what is needed is a razor cartridge that provides a more comfortable shave and/or reduces skin problems (e.g., PFB, irritation, redness, razor-induced tenting, ingrown hair, acne, etc.) resulting from shaving the face and body.
Disclosure of Invention
In one aspect, the invention features, in general, a shaving cartridge having a housing with a primary guard at a front face of the housing and a secondary cap at a rear face of the housing. A bridge member having a primary cap surface and a secondary guard surface disposed between the primary guard and the secondary cap. The first blade has a cutting edge. A first blade is mounted on the housing between the primary guard and the primary cap surface. A second blade having a cutting edge extending in the same direction as the cutting edge of the first blade is mounted on the housing between the secondary guard surface and the secondary cap. The bridging member has a width greater than 50% of an inter-blade span between the cutting edges of the first and second blades, and the inter-blade span is greater than 3 mm.
In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a shaving cartridge having a housing with a primary guard at a front face of the housing and a second cap at a rear face of the housing. A bridge member having a primary cap surface and a secondary guard surface disposed between the primary guard and the secondary cap. The bridge member has a plurality of spaced apart ribs extending transverse to the cutting edge of the first blade and defining a plurality of openings. The first blade has a cutting edge. A first blade is mounted on the housing between the primary guard and the primary cap surface. A second blade having a cutting edge extending in the same direction as the cutting edge of the first blade is mounted on the housing between the secondary guard surface and the secondary cap. The bridge member has a width of about 2.5mm to about 4 mm.
In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a shaving cartridge having a housing with a primary guard at a front face of the housing and a secondary cap at a rear face of the housing. The bridge member has a primary cap surface and a secondary guard surface disposed between the primary guard and the secondary cap. The first blade has a cutting edge. A first blade is mounted on the housing between the primary guard and the primary cap surface. The second blade has a cutting edge extending in the same direction as the cutting edge of the first blade. The second blade is mounted on the housing between the secondary guard surface and the secondary cap surface. The top surface of the bridge member is positioned independent of the position of the cutting edge.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Drawings
FIG. 1 is a top view of a razor cartridge.
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the razor cartridge taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 2B is a perspective cross-sectional view of the razor cartridge taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
Fig. 3A is an assembly view of the razor cartridge of fig. 1.
FIG. 3B is an assembly view of another possible embodiment of a razor cartridge.
FIG. 3C is an assembly view of another possible embodiment of a razor cartridge.
FIG. 4A is a schematic view of the razor cartridge of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4B is another schematic view of the razor cartridge of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4C is another schematic view of the razor cartridge of FIG. 1.
Detailed Description
Referring to FIG. 1, a top view of a razor cartridge 10 is shown. The razor cartridge 10 may include a housing 12 having a primary guard 14 toward the front of the housing 12 and a secondary cap 16 toward the rear of the housing 12. In certain embodiments, there may be a first blade 18 and a second blade 20 mounted to the housing 12 between the primary guard 14 and the secondary cap 16. Each of the blades 18 and 20 may have a respective cutting edge 22 and 24 facing in the same direction (e.g., toward the primary guard 14). The blades 18 and 20 may be spring loaded within the housing 12 such that the blades 18 and 20 are biased against one or more clamps 34a and 34 b. In certain embodiments, the clips 34a and 34b may allow the blades 18 and 20 to move in an up-and-down direction during a shaving stroke.
The bridge member 26 may be positioned between the first blade 18 and the second blade 20. The bridge member 26 may have a primary cap surface 28 and a secondary guard surface 30. Thus, the primary guard 18 and primary cap surface 28 may establish a shaving plane for the first cutting edge 22. Similarly, the secondary guard surface 30 and the secondary cap 16 may establish a shaving plane for the second cutting edge 24. The primary cap surface 28 and the secondary guard surface 30 may be a unitary member that is integrally molded with the bridge member 26 and the housing 12. The bridge member 26 may have a top surface 32 located between the primary cap surface 28 and the secondary guard surface 30.
As will be explained in greater detail below, the blades 18 and 20 may be secured to the housing 12 using at least one clamp 34a and 34b and may be bent around a portion of the housing 12. While the clips 34a and 34b are shown as two separate pieces that secure the blades 18 and 20 and the bridge member 26 to the housing 12, the clips 34a and 34b may also be of a one-piece design. Further, the clips 34a and 34b may not necessarily be bent or shaped around a portion of the housing 12 to secure the blades 18 and 20 and the bridge member 26 relative to the housing 12. For example, the clips 34a and 34b may be snap-fit, press-fit, glued, or ultrasonically welded to the housing 12. Clamps 34a and 34b may comprise a metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel) or a polymeric material (e.g., Noryl)TM(blends of polyphenylene oxide (PPO) and polystyrene developed by General Electric Plastics, now Sabic Innovative Plastics), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Acetal, Polypropylene, high impact polystyrene, or any combination thereof. The clamps 34a and 34b may contact the cutting edges 22 and 24 of the respective blades 18 and 20. In certain embodiments, the clips 34a and 34b may be spaced apart (i.e., not in contact) with the primary cap surface 28 and/or the secondary guard surface 30. The spacing of the clips 34a and 34b from the bridge member 26 may facilitate proper skin contact by the bridge member 26 and the cutting edges 22 and 24. For example, if the clips 34a and 34b extend over or around the bridge member 26, the clips 34a and 34b may prevent the cutting edges 22 and 24 from properly contacting the skin and hair. In addition, the position of the bridge member 26 will be limited by the bottom surfaces of the clamps 34a and 32 b. In certain embodiments, it may be advantageous for the primary cap surface 28 and the secondary guard surface of the bridge member 26 to be integral with each other30 are positioned in a plane above the cutting edges 22 and 24. The cutting edges may be preloaded against the bottom surfaces of the clamps 34a and 34 b. The positioning of the bridge member 26 above the cutting edges 22 and 24 may allow for a more comfortable shave.
Without being bound by theory, it is believed that it is possible to minimize skin irritation and PFB by cutting hair close to the skin level, but not below the skin surface. Multi-blade razor cartridges take advantage of an effect known as the hysteresis effect. Hysteresis is the metastable extension of hair that occurs after the hair is cut during shaving. In today's razors, the sharp cutting edges of the cartridge engage individual hairs during a shaving stroke, thereby exerting forces on the hairs and causing them to lift off of the hair follicle as the razor is moved across the surface of the skin. Once the hair is cut and the force is removed, the hair retracts back into the skin. However, in a multiple-blade system, the trailing blade (i.e., the second blade) engages the hair and cuts it before the hair can retract back into the skin. This concept of cutting the hair with a subsequent blade before the hair is fully retracted into the skin is referred to as "hysteretic cutting". If the second and subsequent blades also engage and pull the hair while cutting, it is possible to achieve a significantly more close cut than when using a single blade razor.
In razor cartridges having multiple closely spaced blades, it is possible for a single hair to undergo engagement with more than one blade during a single cutting stage, thereby exacerbating nerve irritation and discomfort by many times. Blades that are not spaced too closely together are less likely to engage the same hair in a single cutting stage and are therefore less likely to exacerbate nerve stimulation and discomfort. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that reducing the likelihood of an individual hair engaging multiple blades during cutting performance may reduce uncomfortable nerve stimulation. In addition, reducing the likelihood of an individual hair engaging multiple blades during the cutting phase may also help prevent hairs from being cut too close or below the skin surface, which may limit the re-entry of growing hairs into the epidermis of the skin.
Referring to fig. 2A and 2B, cross-sectional views of the razor cartridge 10 taken generally along line 2-2 of fig. 1 are shown. Fig. 2A shows a side-view cross-section, while fig. 2B shows a perspective cross-section. The blades 18 and 20 may have respective blade support members 36 and 38. The blade support members 36 and 38 may be integral parts of the blades 18 and 20, or alternatively, the blades 18 and 20 may be mounted to the respective blade support members 36 and 38. The blade support members 36 and 38 may be positioned within respective blade slots 40 and 42 of the housing 12. In certain embodiments, the first blade 18 (e.g., the blade support member 36) may be spaced apart from the bridge member 26 to define a rinse channel 44 therebetween (see fig. 2B). Thus, when the second blade 20 engages and cuts hair, there may be less shaving debris, thus resulting in a more effective and comfortable shave.
The primary cap surface 28 and the secondary guard surface 30 may be curved to provide a comfortable skin support surface. A top surface 32 of the bridge construction 26 between the primary cap surface 30 and the secondary guard surface 28 may be flat. It should be understood that while the bridge member 26 is shown as a flat rectangular shape, many other shapes are possible, such as a rounded surface or other shapes. The top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 may be positioned on a plane P1 between the top surface 48b and the bottom surface 50b of the clip 34 b. Although only one clamp 34B is shown in fig. 2A and 2B, it should be understood that clamp 34a may also have corresponding top and bottom surfaces. As will be explained in greater detail below, the bridge member 26 (e.g., the bridge member top surface 32) may be spaced apart from (i.e., not in contact with) the clips 34a and 34b to facilitate proper shaving geometry and minimize obstruction of the clips 34a and 34b on the shaving stroke. Accordingly, the position of the bridge member 26 (e.g., the height of the bridge member 26 relative to the cutting edges 22 and 24 of the blades 18 and 20) may be independent of the clamps 34a and 34 b. For example, the top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 may be positioned above the top surface 48b of the clamp 34b and the cutting edges 22 and 24. It should be appreciated that the top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 may also be positioned above the top surface 48a of the clamp 34a in a similar manner (not shown).
The bridge member 26 may define a cavity 52 below the top surface 32 of the bridge member 26. The cavity 52 may provide improved manufacturability of the housing 12. The position of bridge member 26 may be fixed relative to primary guard 14. For example, the bridge member 26 and primary guard 14 may be integrally formed as part of the housing 12. However, the cutting edges 22 and 24 may be preloaded against the bottom surface 50b of the clamp 34b (and clamp 34a, not shown). Thus, during a shaving stroke, the cutting edges 22 and 24 may float (i.e., toward and away from the clips 34a and 34b in the upward and downward directions) while the position of the bridge member 26 remains fixed. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the combination of floating blades with fixed surfaces (e.g., primary guard 14, primary cap 28, secondary guard surface 30, and secondary cap 16) that establish a shaving plane may provide a more consistent and comfortable shave.
In certain embodiments, the inter-blade span "S1" between the cutting edge 22 of the first blade 18 and the cutting edge 24 of the second blade 20 may be greater than 3.0 mm. For example, the inter-blade span "S1" between the cutting edge 22 of the first blade 18 and the cutting edge 24 of the second blade 20 may be about 3mm to about 6 mm. In certain embodiments, the inter-blade span S1 may be about 4.0mm to about 5 mm. The span "S2" between the primary guard 14 and the cutting edge 20 of the first blade 18 may be about 0.5mm to about 0.8 mm. The span "S3" between the secondary guard surface 28 and the cutting edge 22 of the second blade 20 may be about 0.3mm to about 0.7 mm. The inter-blade span S1 may help minimize double engagement and hysteresis of the hair, which may lead to discomfort and the hair being cut below the skin surface.
The primary guard 14 may have a width "W1" of about 0.35mm to about 0.85 mm. Bridge member 26 may have a width "W2" greater than W1. The width "W2" may be measured (in a front-to-rear direction) as the overall width of the bridge member 26, measured at a plane P2 that is tangent to the cutting edges 22 and 24 (e.g., plane P2 may be located at the bottom surface 50b of the clamp 34 b). In certain embodiments, W2 may be from about 1.75mm to about 4mm, preferably from about 2mm to about 3 mm. The width of the bridge member 26 may facilitate establishing a proper shaving geometry and prevent hairs from being cut beneath the skin surface. For example, the width W2 of the bridge member 26 may facilitate sufficient spacing between the cutting edges 22 and 24 to allow hairs to retract into the hair follicle after being cut by the cutting edge 22 of the first blade 18 and before being engaged by the cutting edge 24 of the second blade 20. In addition, the width and spacing of the bridge members 26 may also reduce double engagement of hairs (e.g., when both cutting edges 22 and 24 engage the same hair at the same time). As the inter-blade span S1 increases (see fig. 2A), the skin bulge between the cutting edges 22 and 24 may also increase, which may result in increased nicks and cuts. The width of the bridge member 26 may provide sufficient skin support to minimize skin bulge, which may lead to lacerations, cuts, and discomfort, particularly as the inter-blade span S1 increases.
In certain embodiments, the width "W2" of the bridge member 26 may be greater than 45% of the inter-edge blade span S1. For example, the width "W2" of the bridge member 26 may be about 50% to about 75% of the inter-edge blade span S1. Thus, if the inter-blade span S1 is 4.0mm, the width W2 of the bridge member 26 may be greater than 2.0 mm. In certain embodiments, the width "W2" of the bridge member 26 may be about 60% to about 70% of the inter-edge blade span S1. The increased width of the bridge member 26 may provide increased skin support, which results in a more comfortable shave by reducing skin bulge, while also minimizing double engagement and hysteresis of the hairs.
Referring to FIG. 3A, an assembly view of razor cartridge 10 is shown. The bridge construction 26 may be integrally molded as part of the housing 12. The blade 18 may be mounted to the housing 12 on a pair of spring members 60 and 62. Similarly, the blade 20 may be mounted to the housing 12 on a pair of spring members 64 and 66. The spring members 60,62,64, and 66 may preload the cutting edges 22 and 24 against the bottom surfaces 50a and 50b of the respective clamps 34a and 34 b. A pair of lateral ends 54 and 56 of the bridge member 26 (e.g., lateral ends of the primary cap 28 and lateral ends of the secondary guard surface 30) may be spaced apart (i.e., not in contact) with the clips 34a and 34 b. Thus, the clips 34a and 34b may be mounted to the housing 12 independently of the depth of the bridge member 26. For example, when the clips 34a and 34b are mounted and secured to the housing 12, the top surfaces 48a and 48b of the clips 34a and 34b may be approximately the same height as the top surface 32 of the bridge member 26, thereby providing a more uniform shaving surface.
The top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 may allow for indicia to be placed on the bridge member 26. For example, in certain embodiments, the emblem or logo 58 may be positioned on the top surface 32 by machining, etching, mold polishing, painting, pad printing, and the like. In certain embodiments, the top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 may have a glossy surface (e.g., a 6000 grit diamond polish to a 1200 grit diamond polish) to improve glide during a shaving stroke. The bridging member 26 may be coated (parylene or PTFE) or plated (e.g., chrome plated) to improve lubricity. Alternatively, the top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 may have a very rough surface to provide skin peeling during a shaving stroke (e.g., 600 grit sandpaper or lower grit sandpaper).
Referring to fig. 3B, an assembly view of a second possible embodiment of a razor cartridge 100 having a housing 102 with a bridge member 104 including a water leachable shaving aid is shown. The bridge member 104 may replace the bridge member 26 in the shaving cartridge 10 of fig. 3A. For example, the bridge member 104 may be integrally molded as part of the housing 102 between the primary guard 103 and the secondary cap 105 on the housing, as previously described for the bridge member 26. The bridge member 104 may include a top surface 106, the top surface 106 defining an opening 110 configured to receive a lubrication member 108. The opening 108 may be a recess or may extend completely through the bridge member 104. However, it should be understood that the lubrication member 110 is optional. For example, in certain embodiments, the opening 108 may remain open to allow for improved flushing and debris removal. The lubricating member 110 may include one or more water leachable shaving aids. The water-leachable shaving aid may be formed by injection molding, extrusion, or thermal/ultrasonic compression manufacturing processes. The bridge member 104 (e.g., the lubrication member 110) may provide a primary cap surface 112 and a secondary guard surface 114. Thus, the lubricating member 110 may provide lubrication behind the first blade 18 and in front of the second blade 20, which may reduce irritation or eliminate the need for shaving preparation. The primary cap surface 112 and/or the secondary guard surface 114 may be curved to provide a comfortable skin support surface. The lubricating member 110 of the bridge member 104 may have a top surface 116 interposed between the primary cap surface 112 and the secondary guard surface 114. As described above, the top surface 116 may allow for branding. For example, logo 118 may be positioned on top surface 116.
When the clips 34a and 34b are secured to the housing 102, the clips 34a and 34b may have substantially the same height as the top surface 116 of the lubricating member 110 and/or the primary cap surface 112 and the secondary guard surface 114, thereby providing a more uniform shaving surface. Similar to razor cartridge 10 of fig. 3A, clips 34a and 34b may be spaced apart from bridge member 104 and/or lubricating member 110. The bridge member 104 may have a width "W3" from the front edge 120 to the rear edge 122, the width "W3" being about 1.5mm to about 4mm from the primary cap surface 112 to the secondary guard surface 114 the lubricating member 110 may have a width "W4" of about 1.5mm to about 4 mm. The width of the bridging member 104 and/or the lubricating member 110 may allow for an appropriate shaving geometry to minimize double engagement of hairs and prevent hairs from being cut beneath the skin surface.
The blades 18 and 20 may each be mounted on a pair of corresponding spring fingers 124,126,128, and 130. As previously described for razor cartridge 10 of FIG. 3A, clips 34a and 34b may be mounted over blades 18 and 20, but not on bridge member 104. The clamps 34a and 34b may then be secured to the housing 102. The spring fingers 124,126,128, and 130 may lift the respective blades 18 and 20 against the clamps 34a and 34 b. The independent movement of the blades 18 and 20 relative to the bridge member 104 may provide a more comfortable shave by providing a more consistent shaving geometry. As previously described and shown in fig. 2B, the blade 20 may be spaced apart from the bridge member 104 to provide improved flushing.
Referring to fig. 3C, an assembly view of a third possible embodiment of a razor cartridge 200 is shown having a housing 202 with a bridge member 204, the bridge member 204 including a plurality of spaced apart parallel ribs 206 extending transverse to the cutting edges 22 and 24 of the blades 18 and 20. The housing 202 may be similar to the housing 12 previously described and shown in fig. 3A, except that the bridge member 204 may be substituted for the bridge member 26. The bridge member 204 may be integrally molded as part of the housing 202 between the primary guard 203 and the secondary cap 205 on the housing 202. Bridge member 204 may provide similar benefits as bridge member 26 described previously. The spaced parallel ribs 206 may provide the additional benefit of aligning the hair in front of the second blade 20 to improve cutting efficiency. A plurality of spaced parallel ribs 206 may provide a primary cap surface 208 and a secondary guard surface 210. The bridge member 204 may have a top surface 212 extending between the primary cap surface 208 and the primary guard surface 210. The bridge member 204 may have a width "W5" of about 1.5mm to about 4mm from the primary cap surface 208 to the secondary guard surface 210. The width of the bridging member 204 may allow for an appropriate shaving geometry to minimize double engagement of hairs and prevent hairs from being cut beneath the skin surface. A plurality of spaced apart parallel ribs 206 may define rinse openings 214 extending through the bridge member 204 to aid in the removal of cut hair and excess shave prep or soap.
The blades 18 and 20 may each be mounted on a pair of corresponding spring fingers 216,218,220, and 222. As previously described for razor cartridge 10 of fig. 3A, clips 34a and 34b may be mounted over blades 18 and 20, but not on bridge member 204. As previously described for other embodiments, the blade 20 may be spaced apart from the bridge member 204 to provide improved flushing. Clamps 34a and 34b may then be secured to housing 12. The spring fingers 216,218,220, and 222 may lift the respective blades 18 and 20 against the clamps 34a and 34 b. The independent movement of the blades 18 and 20 relative to the bridge member 204 may provide a more comfortable shave by providing a more consistent shaving geometry.
Referring to FIG. 4A, a possible schematic view of the razor cartridge 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. Another factor that may affect drag forces associated with the blades (being the blade tangent angle or bta. razor cartridge 10 may have a first shaving plane 70 tangent to primary guard 14 and primary cap surface 28. first shaving plane 70 may intersect the blade plane 72 of first blade 18. razor cartridge 10 may have a second shaving plane 74 tangent to secondary guard surface 30 and secondary cap 16. second shaving plane 74 may intersect the second blade tangent angle β 2 with a second shaving plane 76 of second blade 20. for razor cartridge 10, lower blade tangent angles may result in a more comfortable shave. Razor cartridges 100 and 200 shown in fig. 3B and 3C, respectively, may have the same blade tangent angle as described in fig. 4.
Referring to FIG. 4B, a possible schematic view of the razor cartridge 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. In certain embodiments, the top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 may be positioned independently of the position of the cutting edges 22 and 24 (e.g., the bridge member 26 may not be disposed against the clamps 34a and 34 b). The top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 may not be positioned on the same plane as the cutting edge 22 of the blade 18 and may not be positioned on the same plane as the cutting edge 24 of the second blade 20. For example, the top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 may be positioned within a plane P1 of about 0.01mm to about 0.20mm above the plane P3, while the plane P3 is tangent to the cutting edge of the first blade 18 and tangent to the cutting edge 24 of the second blade 20. Positioning the top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 above the plane P3 may provide improved comfort by reducing the load of the cutting edges 22 and 24 on the skin. However, the top surface 32 may be positioned so as not to be above the plane P3 so that the cutting edges 22 and 24 do not effectively cut hair. Thus, the comfort of shaving may be further increased by reducing the hysteresis effect and reducing the blade load (i.e., the pressure applied to the skin by the cutting edge of the blade). The comfort level of shaving may be controlled entirely independently of the position of the clips 34a and 34b that position the cutting edges 22 and 24. The primary guard 14 and secondary cap 16 may be positioned below the cutting edges 22 and 24 and/or the top surface 32.
Referring to FIG. 4C, a possible schematic view of the razor cartridge 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. The top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 of the razor cartridge 10 may be positioned below a shaving plane P3 that is tangent to the cutting edges 22 and 24 of the first and second blades 18 and 20, respectively. For example, the top surface 32 of the bridge member 26 may be positioned on a plane P1 that is located about 0.01mm below plane P3 to about 0.15mm below plane P3. The top surfaces of the primary guard 14 and the secondary cap 16 may be positioned between the plane P3 and the plane P1. Thus, a shave with very little hysteresis may be provided, but the cutting edges 22 and 24 have increased blade loading on the skin, thus better engaging the hairs for a closer shave.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, 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". Furthermore, the dimensions should not be maintained to a high standard of geometric identity that is not possible, which does not take into account differences due to typical manufacturing tolerances. Thus, the term "about" should be understood to be within typical manufacturing tolerances.
Each document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or patent application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or its benefits, is hereby incorporated 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 any disclosure of the invention or the claims herein or that it alone, or in combination with any one or more of the 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.
