A SHAVING DEVICE

Abstract

A shaving device including a body having an upper surface configured to fit in the palm of a user's hand, the shaving device further including at least one blade mounting portion associated with a lower surface of the body, the blade mounting portion configured to retain one or more cutting blades thereon.

Claims

1.-21. (canceled)

22. A shaving device comprising a body having an upper surface configured to fit in the palm of a user's hand, the shaving device further comprising at least one blade mounting portion associated with a lower surface of the body, the blade mounting portion configured to retain one or more cutting blades thereon.

23. A shaving device according to claim 22 wherein the upper surface of the body is substantially convex over at least a portion of its area.

24. A shaving device according to claim 23 wherein a convex portion of the upper surface is configured to abut the palm of the user's hand when in use.

25. A shaving device according to claim 22 wherein the upper surface is at least partially fabricated of a non-slip material or a material having a relatively high coefficient of friction.

26. A shaving device according to claim 22 wherein the body has a longitudinal axis and a latitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis being longer than the latitudinal axis, and wherein, in use, the longitudinal axis of the body substantially aligns with a longitudinal axis of the user's hand.

27. A shaving device according to claim 22 wherein the upper surface and the lower surface comprise opposing faces of the body.

28. A shaving device according to claim 22 wherein the lower surface of the body is substantially flat or at least partially concave.

29. A shaving device according to claim 22 wherein the blade mounting portion includes one or more attachment members configured to engaged with the one or more cutting blades.

30. A shaving device according to claim 22 wherein, when retained on the at least blade mounting portion, at least a cutting edge of the one or more cutting blades extends outwardly from the lower surface of the body.

31. A shaving device according to claim 30 wherein the cutting blades are oriented substantially transverse to the palm of the user's hand.

32. A shaving device according to claim 22, wherein the lower surface of the body is provided with one or more recesses in, the at least one blade mounting portion being located in the one or more recesses.

33. A shaving device according to claim 22, wherein the blade mounting portion is associated with a release portion.

34. A shaving device according to claim 33 wherein actuation of the release portion releases at least a portion of the blade mounting portion for movement relative to the body.

35. A shaving device according to claim 34, wherein the release portion comprises one or more switches, buttons, pull tabs or catches.

36. A shaving device according to claim 34 wherein blade mounting portion is configured for pivoting movement relative to the body between a use condition and a release condition.

37. A shaving device according to claim 36 wherein, in the release condition, the one or more cutting blades are positioned away from the body by at least a portion of the length of the blade mounting portion.

38. A shaving device according to claim 36 wherein, in the release condition, the blade mounting portion is oriented substantially parallel to the lower surface of the body.

39. A shaving device according to claim 36 wherein, when the blade mounting portion is in the release condition, the one or more cutting blades are able to be disconnected from the blade mounting portion.

40. A shaving device according to claim 22 wherein the device is provided with one or more consumable regions on the lower surface thereof.

41. A shaving device according to claim 40 wherein the consumable regions include a consumable substance.

42. A shaving device comprising a body having an upper surface configured to fit in the palm of a user's hand, the shaving device further comprising at least one cutting blade associated with a lower surface of the body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0045] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a shaving device according to an embodiment of the present invention in the use condition.

[0046] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a shaving device according to an embodiment of the present invention in the use condition.

[0047] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a shaving device according to an embodiment of the present invention in the release condition.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in the form of a shaving device attached to a user's hand.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0050] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0051] FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0052] FIG. 8 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0053] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a shaving device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention in the use condition. The shaving device 10 includes a body 11 having an upper surface 12 that is substantially convex in shape. The convex upper surface 12 of the body 11 is configured to be retained in the palm of a user's hand (not shown) and to abut the palm of the hand when in use.

[0054] The upper surface 12 includes a region or patch 13 of non-slip material thereon. The region or patch 13 is fabricated from PVC and is recessed into the upper surface 12 of the body 11 to provide a user with a comfortable location to place one or more fingers (not shown) when holdings the device 10. Thus, it is envisaged that the user's fingers will be oriented in the same orientation as the region or patch 13 when the device 10 is in use.

[0055] The upper surface 12 is provided with a release portion 14. The release portion 14 is in the form of a button located at an end of the device 10. In use, it is envisaged that the release portion 14 will be positioned adjacent the heel of the user's hand (not shown) so ad to reduce or eliminate the accidental actuation of the release portion 14. The release portion 14 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with indicia 15 to indicate to a user how to actuate the release portion 14.

[0056] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a shaving device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention in the use condition. The shaving device 10 of FIGS. 2A and 2B is identical to that shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0057] In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the device 10 has been turned over so show the lower surface 16 of the body 11. A cartridge 17 including a plurality of cutting blades 18 is associated with the lower surface 16. In use, the lower surface 16 of the device 10 is located against the user's skin so that, as the device 10 is drawn across the user's skin, the cutting blades 18 cut any hair located thereon.

[0058] The cartridge 17 is provided with regions 19 of a consumable substance. In this case, the consumable substance is lubricating substance configured to improve the cutting efficiency of the blades 18 and reduce friction on, and irritation to, the user's skin.

[0059] In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cartridge 17 is located within a recess (obscured) in the lower surface 16 of the body 11. The cartridge 17 is positioned so that the cutting edges of the cutting blades 18 project outwardly from the lower surface 16, thereby allowing the cutting edges of the cutting blades 18 to be brought into contact with a user's skin.

[0060] The lower surface 16 of the body 11 is provided with a plurality of fins 25 therein. The fins 25 may assist in reducing friction against the user's skin when in use.

[0061] In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cutting blades 18 are oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the device 10 (i.e. the axis extending between the release portion 14 and the cartridge 17).

[0062] The cartridge 17 is mounted to a blade mounting portion 20. The blade mounting portion 20 is associated with the release portion 14, such that actuation of the release portion 14 results the movement of the blade mounting portion 20 between the use condition shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and the release condition. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the release portion 14 and the blade mounting portion 20 are formed integrally with one another.

[0063] In the use condition, the blade mounting portion 20 is retained in place within a recess in the lower surface 16 by a retention member 21 extending from the lower surface 16. Actuation of the release portion 14 releases the blade mounting portion 20 from its engagement with the retention member 21 so that the blade mounting portion 20 may move from the use condition to the release condition.

[0064] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a shaving device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention in the release condition. In these Figures, the release portion 14 has been actuated, thereby releasing the blade mounting portion 20 for movement from the use condition to the release condition. Once released from the use condition, the blade mounting portion 20 pivots about a pair of pivot pins 24 to move from the use condition to the release condition (and vice versa).

[0065] In the release condition, the cartridge 17 (and therefore the cutting blades 18) are located spaced away from the body 11. This makes replacing the cartridge 17 quick and easy, and the risk of a user cutting their fingers on the cutting blades 18 is reduced or eliminated. The retention member 21 also retains the blade mounting portion 20 in the release condition, until the user manually returns the blade mounting portion 20 to the use condition (for instance, once a new cartridge has been attached to the blade mounting portion 20).

[0066] In FIG. 3A, the recess 22 in the lower surface 16 within which the blade mounting portion 20 is located in the use condition may be better seen. The recess 22 includes a cartridge receiving portion 23 shaped to house a cartridge 17 therein.

[0067] FIGS. 4 to 8 illustrate a shaving device 100 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The shaving device 100 generally comprises a low profile body 110 moulded from non-slip rubber or plastic comprising a contoured upper surface 120 in a convex profile configured to fit securely into the palm of a user's hand 300 and a grip portion in the form of a finger loop 130 extending from the contoured upper surface 120 via a base 135 through which at least one finger 310 of the user's hand 300 is inserted before use wherein the shaving device 100 also comprises a pair of cutting blades (140), in the form of conventional disposable razor blades (such as quad-blades in a known size) mounted in a convex lower surface (150) of the body (110) wherein the longitudinal axis of the cutting blade (140) is transverse to a long axis of the user's control hand (300). Such conventional disposable razor blades (140) provide safety if picked up inadvertently by children.

[0068] The convex upper surface (120) is configured to facilitate a large surface area of contact with the palm of the user's control hand (300) when gripping the shaving device (100). The body (110) may also comprise at least one grip surface (not shown) positioned on the contoured upper surface (120) to facilitate gripping in the user's control hand (300).

[0069] The finger loop (130) is in the form of a ring with a cut out portion (130A) configured to allow flex in the inner circumference of the finger loop (130) to allow fingers of different diameter to pass through the finger loop (130).

[0070] The convex lower surface (150) is configured to facilitate passing the pair of cutting blades (140) over the skin surface during use. The pair of cutting blades (140A and 140B) are each mounted in the convex lower surface (150) via a cutting blade mount portion in the form of a pocket (145; as shown in FIG. 6) to allow retainment of the cutting blade (140) pair member within the body (100) in a substantially flush position in relation to the convex lower surface (150) and contact a cutting edge of the cutting blade (140) with the skin of the user during use. The cutting blade mount portion comprises at least one release portion such as a button (not shown) configured to release the cutting blade (140) from the body (110) when actuated by the user.

[0071] The shaving device (100) also comprises three moisturising pads (160A, 160B and 160C) mounted in the convex lower surface (150) and configured to allow moisturising of the user's skin during use of the shaving device (100). In this way, it is not necessary to use shave gel or foam during use of the shaving device. Each of the moisturising pads (160A, 160B and 160C) are mounted in the convex lower surface (150) via a moisturising pad mount portion (not shown) configured to allow retainment of the moisturising pads (160A, 160B and 160C) within the body (110) and allow contact of an upper surface of the moisturising pad with the skin of the user during use. The moisturising pads (160A, 160B and 160C) are not envisaged to be removed from the body and would last the lifetime of the shaving device (100).

[0072] The shaving device may also comprise a vibration mechanism in the form of a battery powered motor (not shown) to facilitate vibration of the body (110) during use. In this way, hair on the skin area to be shaved is lifted away from the body before cutting by the at least one cutting blade to provide a closer shave.

[0073] The shaving device (100) may be sold alone or as a kit of parts comprising the shaving device (100) itself and spare cutting blades.

[0074] In use, the shaving device (100) is gripped in the palm of a user's hand (300) and (usually) the index finger (310) is inserted through the finger loop (130). The user's skin is shaved by moving the shaving device (100) in an up and down motion in the direction of longitudinal axis AA (as shown in FIG. 7). Simultaneously, the user can feel the skin area that is being shaved with the fingertips of the control hand (300) to easily gauge whether

[0075] In this way, the shaving device (100) with its compact and low profile shape provides for improved control and comfort, particularly for users which find it painful to grip a handle of a conventional razor (such as those users with rheumatoid arthritis), and improved ease of use to shave curved surfaces such as armpits or heads. The improved efficiency cuts down the time needed to shave (by up to half).

[0076] Therefore the present invention provides a number of advantages over the prior art such as improved control and ease of use when shaving due to the ergonomic palm fit of the shaver body and the ability to simultaneously feel the skin being shaved via the fingertips of the same (control) hand of the user. This improved control provides improved efficiency of shaving and an improved end result.

[0077] 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 present invention. Thus, the appearance 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, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0078] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.