Hair cutting appliance and blade set

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hair cutting appliance (10) comprising a blade set (20), and to a blade set (20) of a hair cutting appliance (10). The blade set (20) is arranged to be moved through hair in an assumed moving direction (28) to cut hair. The blade set (20) comprises a stationary blade (22), a movable blade (24), and a lateral protecting element (56). The stationary blade (22) comprises at least one toothed cutting edge (32, 34), a lateral end (30), and a first surface (48) that is arranged, when in use for shaving purposes, as a skin-contacting surface. The movable blade (24) comprises a toothed cutting edge (32, 34). The stationary blade (22) and the movable blade (24) are arranged to be reciprocally moved with respect to each other in a cutting direction (Y) that is basically perpendicular to the assumed moving direction (28). The lateral protecting element (56) is associated with the lateral end (30), thereby defining a lateral end cap of the stationary blade (22), wherein the lateral protecting element (56) laterally shields a lateral edge (40) of the lateral end (30), such that, when in use, skin contact of the lateral edge (40) is prevented. The lateral protecting element (56) and the lateral end (30) cooperate so as to prevent hairs from being trapped therebetween. The stationary blade (22) and the movable blade (24) are at least partially made from steel, and the lateral protecting element (56) is made from plastic material. The blade set (20) configured to pivot or swivel with respect to a housing of the hair cutting appliance (10).

Claims

1. A blade set of a hair cutting appliance, said blade set being arranged to be moved through hair in a moving direction to cut hair, said blade set being configured to pivot or swivel with respect to a housing of the hair cutting appliance, said blade set comprising: a stationary blade comprising at least one toothed cutting edge, a lateral end, and a first surface that is arranged, when in use for shaving purposes, as a skin-contacting surface; and a movable blade comprising a toothed cutting edge, wherein the movable blade is arranged to be reciprocally moved with respect to the stationary blade in a cutting direction (Y) that is substantially perpendicular to the moving direction; and a lateral protecting element associated with the lateral end of the stationary blade, thereby defining a lateral end cap of the stationary blade, wherein the lateral protecting element laterally shields a lateral edge of the lateral end, such that, when in use, contact with skin by the lateral edge is prevented, and wherein the lateral protecting element and the lateral end cooperate so as to prevent hairs from being trapped there between, wherein the stationary blade comprises a substantially flat first wall portion that is arranged, when in use, as a skin-facing wall portion, and a second wall portion facing away from the skin, wherein the movable blade is guided in a guide slot between the first wall portion and the second wall portion such that the stationary blade at least partially encloses the movable blade, and wherein a first thickness of the first wall portion is less than a second thickness of the second wall portion.

2. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral protecting element comprises a smoothed edge transition extending in a longitudinal direction (X) that is substantially perpendicular to the cutting direction (Y), wherein the smoothed edge transition is convexly curved when viewed in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X).

3. The blade set as claimed in claim 2, wherein the smoothed edge transition comprises a rounding.

4. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral protecting element laterally overlaps the lateral end.

5. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral protecting element laterally adjoins the lateral end, wherein a lateral slot defining a maximum clearance between the lateral protecting element and the lateral end is less than a diameter of a hair filament to prevent hair from entering the lateral slot.

6. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral protecting element comprises a lateral edge rounding, at a skin-oriented side thereof, that is greater than an overall height of the stationary blade, including the first wall portion to the second wall portion, at least at the toothed cutting edge thereof.

7. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral protecting element is arranged such that a bottom end surface of the lateral protecting element, facing away from the skin when in use, is offset in a vertical direction (Z) from a respective bottom end surface of the stationary blade, facing away from the skin when in use.

8. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral protecting element comprises a skin-facing end surface that is aligned with or slightly elevated with respect to the first surface of the stationary blade in a vertical direction (Z), wherein an offset dimension in the vertical direction (Z) is in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 0.0 mm.

9. The blade set as claimed in claim 8, wherein the offset dimension in the vertical direction (Z) is in a range of about 0.3 mm to about 0.0 mm.

10. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral protecting element overlaps the stationary blade in a longitudinal direction (X) at the toothed cutting edge, and wherein the lateral protecting element comprises a smoothed longitudinal end transition.

11. The blade set as claimed in claim 10, wherein the smoothed longitudinal end transition comprises a frontal end rounding that is arranged to contact the skin, when in use for shaving purposes.

12. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral protecting element comprises a recess portion, wherein the stationary blade defines a lateral opening at the lateral end, wherein the lateral opening is associated with the guide slot for the movable blade, wherein the recess portion and the lateral opening at least partially overlap each other, and wherein the lateral protecting element comprises, at a skin-facing side thereof, a bar portion adjacent to the recess portion.

13. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stationary blade and the movable blade are at least partially made from steel, and the lateral protecting element is made from plastic material.

14. The blade set as claimed in claim 13, wherein the stationary blade and the movable blade are at least partially made from sheet metal material, and the lateral protecting element is made from thermoplastic, injection-molded material.

15. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral protecting element is form fitted to the stationary blade via a positive-locking feature.

16. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral protecting element is molded to the stationary blade, wherein the lateral protecting element is overmolded to or insert-molded with the stationary blade.

17. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wall portion and the second wall portion are connected at their cutting edge, thereby defining a plurality of longitudinally extending stationary teeth alternating with respective tooth slots, wherein the movable blade is guided in a guide slot between the first wall portion and the second wall portion such that teeth of the movable blade, arranged at the edge thereof, cooperate with the stationary teeth to cut hairs caught in the tooth slots.

18. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge longitudinally spaced from the first cutting edge, wherein the lateral protecting element comprises a longitudinal extension that is adapted to an overall longitudinal extension of the stationary blade.

19. A hair cutting appliance comprising a housing accommodating a motor, and a cutting unit, wherein the cutting unit comprises a blade set as claimed in claim 1.

20. The blade set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thickness at the at least one toothed cutting edge is in a range of about 0.04 mm to about 0.25 mm, and the second thickness at the at least one toothed cutting edge is in a range of about 0.08 mm to about 0.4 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. In the following drawings

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary electric hair cutting appliance fitted with an exemplary embodiment of a cutting unit that may be provided with a blade set in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2a is a partial perspective top view of a blade set of a cutting unit of a hair cutting appliance in accordance with FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 2b is a further partial perspective bottom view corresponding to the view of FIG. 2a, a wall portion of the blade set omitted primarily for illustrative purposes;

(5) FIG. 3 is a broken perspective top view (or skin-side view) of a blade set fitted with a first lateral protecting element and a second lateral protecting element;

(6) FIG. 4 is a partial top view of the blade set shown in FIG. 3, wherein hidden edges are indicated by dashed lines;

(7) FIG. 5 is a broken front view of the blade set shown in FIG. 3;

(8) FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the blade set shown in FIG. 3;

(9) FIG. 7 is a perspective bottom view of a lateral protecting element illustrating an inner lateral side thereof;

(10) FIG. 8 is a further perspective bottom view of the lateral protecting element illustrating an outer lateral side thereof;

(11) FIG. 9 is a partial bottom view of an alternative blade set fitted with an alternative side-protecting element;

(12) FIG. 10 is a partial front view of the blade set shown in FIG. 9;

(13) FIG. 11 is a lateral view of an embodiment of a lateral protecting element; and

(14) FIG. 12 is a further lateral view of another embodiment of a lateral protecting element fitted to a blade set.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates, in a simplified perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of a hair cutting appliance 10, particularly an electric hair cutting appliance 10. The cutting appliance 10 may include a housing 12, a motor indicated by a dashed block 14 in the housing 12, and a drive mechanism indicated by a dashed block 16 in the housing 12. For powering the motor 14, at least in some embodiments of the cutting appliance 10, an electrical battery, indicated by a dashed block 17 in the housing 12, may be provided, such as, for instance, a rechargeable battery, a replaceable battery, etc. However, in some embodiments, the cutting appliance 10 may be provided with a power cable for connecting a power supply. A power supply connector may be provided in addition or in the alternative to the (internal) electric battery 17.

(16) The cutting appliance 10 may further comprise a cutting head or cutting unit 18. At the cutting unit 18, a blade set 20 may be attached to the hair cutting appliance 10. The blade set 20 of the cutting unit 18 may be driven by the motor 14 via the drive mechanism 16 to enable a cutting motion.

(17) The cutting motion may be generally regarded as relative motion between a stationary blade 22 and a movable blade 24 of the blade set 20, see also FIGS. 2a and 2b. Generally, a user may grasp and guide the cutting appliance 10 through hair in a moving direction 28 to cut hair. Furthermore, the blade set 20 can be arranged at the cutting unit 18 in a pivoting manner, refer to the curved double-arrow indicated by reference numeral 26. In some embodiments, the cutting appliance 10, or, more specifically, the cutting unit 18 including the blade set 20, can be passed along skin to cut hair growing at the skin. When cutting hair closely to the skin, basically a shaving operation can be performed aiming at cutting (or chopping) at the level of the skin. However, also clipping (or trimming) operations may be envisaged, wherein the cutting unit 18 comprising a blade set blade set 20 is passed along a path at a desired distance relative to the skin.

(18) When being guided or led through hair, the cutting appliance 10 including the blade set 20 is typically moved along a common moving direction which is indicated by the reference numeral 28 in FIG. 1. It is worth mentioning in this connection that, given that the hair cutting appliance 10 is typically manually guided and moved, the moving direction 28 thus not necessarily has to be construed as a precise geometric reference and having a fixed definition and relation with respect to the orientation of the cutting appliance 10 and its cutting unit 18 fitted with the blade set 20. That is, an overall orientation of the cutting appliance 10 with respect to the to-be-cut hair at the skin may be construed as somewhat unsteady. However, for illustrative purposes, it can be fairly assumed that the (imaginary) moving direction 28 is parallel (or generally parallel) to a main central plane of a coordinate system which may serve in the following as a means for describing structural features of the hair cutting appliance 10.

(19) For ease of reference, coordinate systems are indicated in several of FIGS. 1 to 12. By way of example, a Cartesian coordinate system X-Y-Z is indicated in FIG. 1. An X axis of the respective coordinate system extends in a generally longitudinal direction that is generally associated with length, for the purpose of this disclosure. A Y axis of the coordinate system extends in a lateral (or transverse) direction associated with width, for the purpose of this disclosure. A Z axis of the coordinate system extends in a height (or vertical) direction which may be referred to for illustrative purposes, at least in some embodiments, as a generally vertical direction. It goes without saying that an association of the coordinate system to characteristic features and/or embodiments of the hair cutting appliance 10 is primarily provided for illustrative purposes and shall not be construed in a limiting way. It should be understood that those skilled in the art may readily convert and/or transfer the coordinate system provided herein when being confronted with alternative embodiments, respective Figs. and illustrations including different orientations.

(20) The blade set 20 may further comprise a first lateral end 30a and a second lateral end 30b at the stationary blade 22. The lateral ends 30a, 30b are spaced from each other in the lateral direction Y. The stationary blade 22 defines a guiding slot 36 for the movable blade (cf. FIG. 2b). Furthermore, at at least one of the lateral ends 30a, 30b of the blade set 20, a lateral opening 38 may be provided. In some embodiments, the lateral opening 38 may be regarded as an extension of the guiding slots 36 in the stationary blade 22.

(21) As can be best seen in FIG. 1, the blade set 20 may be regarded, at least in some embodiments, as a somewhat exposed blade set 20. In other words, the blade set 20 may be spaced from a main body of the housing 12 of the hair cutting appliance 10. This may increase the visibility of the blade set 20 during operation and improve the maneuverability of the cutting unit 18. Since the hair cutting appliance 10 is preferably suited for shaving, trimming and styling operations, it is preferred that the blade set 20 is pivotably mounted at the housing 12 (cf. reference numeral 26 in FIG. 1). Consequently, since the blade set 20 is then movable (swiveling or pivoting motion) with respect to the housing 12, the lateral ends 30a, 30b basically cannot be protected or shielded by fixed housing components. It is therefore preferred that lateral shielding or capping is performed by components of the cutting unit 18 that may basically move (pivot or swivel) along with the blade set 20.

(22) FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate a partial detailed view of the blade set 20 of the cutting unit 18 exemplarily shown in FIG. 1. The blade set 20 comprises a stationary blade 22 and a movable blade 24. The blade set 20, or, more specifically, the stationary blade 22 and the movable blade 24 thereof, may comprise a first toothed cutting edge 32 and a second toothed cutting edge 34. The cutting edges 32, 34 are clearly visible and may be guided with significant accuracy, e.g. when cutting (e.g. shaving or trimming), more particularly when styling facial hair in front of a mirror. The cutting edges 32, 34 are spaced from each other in the moving direction 28 that is basically parallel to the longitudinal direction X. The stationary blade 22 and the movable blade 24 may comprise a basically flat shape. It is particularly preferred that the stationary blade 22 is arranged to house and to guide the movable blade 24. In other words, the stationary blade 22 may be regarded as a shell or a cage for the movable blade 24. The stationary blade 22 may comprise a cross-section, viewed in the plane perpendicular to the lateral direction Y, that is, at the at least one cutting edge 32, 34, basically U-shaped. The U-shaped form may comprise a first leg and a second leg. Between the first leg and the second leg a guiding slot for the movable blade 24 may be defined. The movable blade 24 can be housed and guided in the stationary blade 22 for lateral movement with respect to the stationary blade 22. The stationary blade 22 basically encloses the movable blade 24 at the side thereof facing the skin when cutting hair and, at least partially, at the side thereof facing away from the skin when cutting hair. The stationary blade 22 may comprise a plurality of teeth 42. The movable blade 24 may comprise a plurality of teeth 44. The teeth 42 of the stationary blade and the teeth 44 of the movable blade are respectively arranged at the cutting edges 32, 34 to cooperate in a cutting action for cutting hair.

(23) The stationary blade 22, or, more generally, the blade set 20, comprises a bottom end surface 46 that may also be regarded as a surface or side facing away from the skin, when in use. Opposite to the surface 46, a top end surface 48 is provided, that may also be regarded as a surface or side facing the skin or contacting the skin when in use. As used herein, the surface 48 may also be regarded as a first surface of the stationary blade. As used herein, the surface 46 may also be regarded as a second surface of the stationary blade.

(24) This stationary blade may further comprise a first portion or wall portion 52 and a second portion or wall portion 50. The first wall portion 52 comprises a first surface 48. The second wall portion 50 comprises a second surface 46. The first wall portion 52 may also be regarded as skin-facing or skin-contacting wall portion. The second wall portion 50 may also be regarded as the wall portion facing away from the skin, when in use. The second wall portion 50 and the second surface 46 basically face the housing 12 of the hair cutting appliance 10.

(25) So as to suitably adapt the blade set 20 to shaving operations, it is preferred that a general height (or thickness) of the blade set 20, at least at the at least one cutting edge, is relatively small. Particularly, it is preferred that a skin-sided portion of the stationary blade 22 has a thickness that is relatively small. Even more preferably, the thickness of the stationary blade portion facing the skin is significantly smaller than the thickness of the stationary blade portion facing away from the skin, at least at the cutting edge. An exemplary blade set 20 for the hair cutting appliance 10 may comprise an overall height or thickness in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 0.75 mm. The height or thickness of the skin-facing portion of the stationary blade 22, at least at the at least one cutting edge, may be in the range of about 0.04 mm to about 0.25 mm. The height or thickness of the stationary blade portion facing away from the skin may be in the range of about 0.08 mm to about 0.4 mm. The height thickness of the movable blade 24, at least at the least one cutting edge, may be in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm. The height of the movable blade 24 may basically correspond to a height of the guiding slot defined by the stationary blade 22 for the movable blade 24.

(26) At the at least one lateral end 30a, 30b of the stationary blade 22, at least one lateral edge 40, 40a may be provided. As used herein, the at least one lateral edge 40 may be regarded as a basically sharp edge or corner that may cause skin irritation and/or even skin cuts when sliding at the skin during use. Since the stationary blade 22 is preferably particularly thin, when compared with conventional trimmer blades, and since the stationary blade may be basically composed of a first wall portion 52 and a second wall portion 50 that may be connected at the at least one leading edge, not enough thickness or, more generally, material in the vertical direction Z may be provided for sufficiently smoothing (i.e. chamfering and/or rounding) the at least one lateral end 30a, 30b. Furthermore, since at least one lateral opening 38 may be provided that may correspond to a lateral silhouette of the guiding slot 36, even more potentially sharp edges and corners may be provided at the at least one lateral end 30a, 30b.

(27) With particular reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, a preferred arrangement of the blade set 20 is illustrated and further detailed, the blade set 20 being fitted with at least one protecting element 56a, 56b. Preferably, each of the lateral ends 30a, 30b (cf. FIG. 1) is covered or shielded by a respective lateral protecting element 56a, 56b. Potentially sharp lateral edges and corners 40, 40a (cf. FIGS. 2a, 2b) can be covered by the at least one lateral protecting element 56a, 56b. Consequently, apart from the at least one cutting edge 32, 34, no harmful, potentially skin-irritating features can touch the skin, when the appliance 10 is in use.

(28) The at least one lateral protecting element 56a, 56b may be configured for smoothening at least one edge contour of the stationary blade 22 of the blade set 20. To this end, the at least one lateral protecting element may comprise a rounded or smoothened edge transition 62 that is basically extending in the longitudinal direction X. In other words, the rounded edge transition 62 may extend substantially parallel to the at least one lateral end 30 of the blade set 20. The at least one lateral protecting element 56a, 56b may comprise a bottom end surface 58 that may also be referred to as a surface facing away from the skin when in use. The at least one lateral protecting element 56a, 56b may further comprise a top end surface 60 that may also be referred to as skin-facing surface. The first surface 48 of the stationary blade 22 and the top end surface 60 may face the skin when in use. The rounding radius of the rounded edge transition 62 may be significantly greater than a rounding radius that could be provided at any of the lateral edges 40, 40a of the at least one lateral end 30a, 30b of the stationary blade 22 as such.

(29) The at least one lateral protecting element 56a, 56b may further comprise a bottom transition 66, that may be rounded or chamfered as well. A lateral transition between the bottom end surface 58 and the top end surface 60 may be defined by the edge transition 62 and the bottom transition 66. Particularly, the bottom transition 66 and the edge transition 62a are tangentially connected to the bottom end surface 58 and the top end surface 60, respectively.

(30) As can be best seen in FIG. 4, the at least one lateral protecting element 56a, 56b may comprise a longitudinal extension l.sub.lp that is greater than a respective longitudinal dimension l.sub.ls, of the stationary blade 22. It is particularly preferred that the lateral protecting element 56a, 56b longitudinally overlaps the stationary blade 22, particularly the cutting edges 32, 34 thereof. Consequently, a furthermost point of the at least one lateral protecting element 56a, 56b may be (positively) offset from a respective furthermost point of (a tooth tip of) the stationary blade 22. Consequently, the lateral protecting element 56a, 56b may serve as a sliding skid.

(31) Preferably, the lateral protecting element 56a, 56b further comprises at least one (frontal) end radius 64. Preferably, each of the at least one cutting unit 32, 34 is associated with a respective (frontal) end radius 64 of the lateral protecting element 56a, 56b. Furthermore, an inner transition or inner rounding 68 may be present at the lateral protecting element 56a, 56b.

(32) With further reference to FIG. 4, a hidden-edge representation of at least one positive-locking feature 54 is provided. The at least one positive-locking feature 54 may be provided at the lateral protecting element 56a, 56b. The at least one positive-locking feature 54 may fix and secure the lateral protecting element 56a, 56b at the stationary blade 22 of the blade set 20.

(33) Further reference is made to FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrating respective frontal and bottom views of the blade set 20 fitted with the at least one lateral protecting element 56a, 56b. As can be best seen from the broken view of FIG. 5, the blade set 20 or, more particularly, the stationary blade 22 thereof, may comprise an overall extension l.sub.ts in the vertical (or height) dimension Z. Accordingly, the at least one lateral protecting element 56a, 56b may comprise an overall thickness extension l.sub.tp. Generally, the overall thickness of the lateral protecting element 56a, 56b may be greater than the overall thickness of the stationary blade 22 l.sub.ts. It is particularly preferred that the at least one lateral protecting element 56a, 56b tops the stationary blade 22 at the bottom side thereof. In other words, the bottom end surface 58 of the lateral protecting element 56a, 56b and the second surface 46 of the stationary blade 22 may be offset by a (vertical) bottom offset dimension l.sub.ob. Furthermore, the top end surface 60 of the lateral protecting element 56a, 56b and the first surface 48 may be offset by a skin-orientated offset dimension l.sub.os. It is particularly preferred that, if any, the offset of the lateral protecting element 56a, 56b with respect to the stationary blade 22 in the height direction Z is primarily provided at the side that is facing away from the skin when in use. It may be further preferred in some embodiments that the first surface 48 of the stationary blade 22 and the top end surface 60 of the at least one lateral protecting element 56a, 56b are at least substantially aligned, i.e. the dimension l.sub.os is close or equal to zero. It is further preferred that a radius of the smoothened edge transition 62 is greater than the overall thickness l.sub.ts of the stationary blade 22.

(34) With further reference to FIG. 6, a drive engagement slot 70 is illustrated through which the movable blade 24 can be engaged and operated, so as to generate the relative motion between the stationary blade 22 and the movable blade 24. The drive mechanism 16 (cf. FIG. 1) may contact the movable blade 24 via the drive engagement slot 70.

(35) With particular reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, and with further reference to FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of the lateral protecting element is elucidated. The lateral protecting element 56 may be formed in a cap-like manner including at least one mating slot or mating recess 78 at an (inner) lateral side thereof. The at least one mating slot 78 is preferably adapted to the at least one lateral end 30a, 30b in the stationary blade 22 (cf. FIGS. 2a and 2b), such that the lateral protecting element 56 can be mounted thereto. In some embodiments, the lateral protecting element 56 may be form-fitted to the stationary blade 22. In some alternative embodiments, the at least one lateral protecting element 56 may be force-fitted to the stationary blade 22. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the at least one lateral protecting element 56 may be bonded to the stationary blade 22. Bonding may involve overmolding, insert-molding, etc.

(36) As can be best seen in FIG. 7, respective longitudinal ends of the lateral protecting element 56 can be connected (i.e., to each other) via a first wall 74 and a second wall 76 thereof. At the first wall 74, a top end surface (i.e., top end surface 60 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) may be provided. At the second wall 76, the bottom end surface 58 may be provided.

(37) With further reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternative embodiment of a blade set 20a fitted with at least one lateral protecting element 56c is illustrated and further detailed. As can be best seen from FIG. 4, the lateral protecting element 56c is laterally adjoining the respective lateral end 30 of the stationary blade 22. While the lateral protecting element 56 illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is configured for overlapping the at least one lateral end 30 in the lateral direction Y, the lateral protecting element 56c shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is, on the other hand, adapted to abut the respective lateral end 30. In other words, the lateral protecting element 56 of FIGS. 7 and 8 may be shaped in a cap-like manner. The lateral protecting element 56c of FIGS. 9 and 10 is rather defined as a neighboring part. In some embodiments, a relatively small lateral clearance l.sub.cl may be provided between the lateral end 30 of the stationary blade 22 and the lateral protecting element 56. It is particularly preferred that, if any, the lateral clearance l.sub.cl is adapted to an assumed cross-sectional dimension (e.g., diameter) of a hair filament, such that preferably no hair may enter the respective lateral slot 72 between the lateral end 30 and the lateral protecting element 56. The lateral protecting element 56 may be attached to the stationary blade 22, particularly to the second surface 46 thereof, via at least one connecting tap 84 which may be regarded as at least one lateral extension at the inner side of the lateral protecting element 56c.

(38) With further reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, further embodiments of lateral protecting elements 56c, 56d will be elucidated. As can be best seen from FIG. 11, showing a lateral view of the lateral protecting element 56c, the lateral protecting element 56 comprises a shape and extension that exceeds the extension of the at least one lateral end 30 of the stationary blade 22 in the height direction Z and in the longitudinal direction X. Consequently, also a lateral opening 38 in the stationary blade 22 (cf. FIGS. 2a and 2b) can be shielded or covered. However, in some embodiments, it is preferred that the at least one lateral opening 38 is not covered (laterally) by the lateral protecting element 56. In this connection, reference is made to FIG. 12. The lateral protecting element 56d illustrated therein comprises a recess portion 80 that may be shaped as a deepening or a hole portion. For instance, the recess portion 80 may comprise a recess surface 82 that is offset from the bottom end surface 58 of the lateral protecting element 56d in the height dimension Z. Respective ends of the lateral protecting element 56d in the longitudinal direction X are therefore primarily connected by a single wall or first wall 74a (i.e., also referred to herein as a bar portion adjacent to the recess portion 80 at the recess surface 82, when viewing the lateral silhouette of the lateral protecting element 56d as shown in FIG. 12). The first wall 74a basically extends in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the X direction between respective longitudinal ends of the lateral protecting element (and is particularly arranged to cover or shield at least the first wall portion 52 of the stationary blade 22 (cf. FIGS. 2a and 2b in this connection). Consequently, at least a portion of the lateral opening 38 in the stationary blade 22 is accessible (i.e., not covered in the (−Z) direction), such that hairs and beard can be removed therefrom.

(39) Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described above, in part with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the stationary blade, the blade set, etc. according to the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, it is noted that particular features, structures, or characteristics of one or more embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner to form new, not explicitly described embodiments.

(40) In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.