Shaving razor cartridge

Abstract

A shaving razor cartridge with a housing having a bottom surface with a pair of guide members. A blade carrier has a first end with a blade platform with a tab extending from the blade platform to a second end. A blade is mounted to the blade platform. The blade platform is mounted to the bottom surface with the tab being unsupported and positioned between the pair of guides members.

Claims

1. A shaving razor cartridge comprising: a housing; a blade carrier assembly mounted to the housing, the blade carrier assembly comprising a blade carrier at a first end of the blade carrier assembly, a tab at a second end of the blade carrier assembly, and a blade platform extending between the blade carrier and the tab, the tab comprising a pair of angled surfaces and a crest defined between the pair of angled surfaces, wherein the blade carrier comprises a slot and a plurality of guards; and a blade positioned within the slot, and wherein the blade comprises a cutting edge positioned against the plurality of guards.

2. The shaving razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the tab and the housing are separated by a distance, wherein the distance is in a range of greater than 0 mm to 5 mm.

3. The shaving razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a pair of guide members and wherein the tab is positioned between the pair of guide members of the housing.

4. The shaving razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the blade platform and the tab are monolithic.

5. The shaving razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the blade carrier assembly comprises metal.

6. The shaving razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing has a pair of opposing lateral side surfaces each having one or more protrusions.

7. The shaving razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the blade carrier extends beyond an edge of the housing by a distance of 0.2 mm to 10 mm.

8. The shaving razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first pair of alignment members, wherein the blade carrier assembly comprises a second pair of alignment members, and the first pair of alignment members engaging the second pair of alignment members.

9. The shaving razor cartridge of claim 8, wherein the first pair of alignment members are protrusions.

10. The shaving razor cartridge of claim 8, wherein the second pair of alignment members are openings defined in the blade platform.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) 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:

(2) FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a shaving razor system according to one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 1B is an assembly view of a handle and a shaving razor cartridge of the shaving razor system of FIG. 1A.

(4) FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the shaving razor system, taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1A.

(5) FIG. 3 is bottom perspective view of a housing and a blade carrier assembly of the shaving razor cartridge of FIG. 1B.

(6) FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the shaving razor cartridge.

(7) FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the shaving razor system, taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1A.

(8) FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the assembly steps for the blade carrier assembly.

(9) FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the cartridge assembly, taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) Referring to FIG. 1A, a perspective view of a shaving razor system 10 is illustrated. The shaving razor system 10 may include a handle 12 having a first end 14, a second end 16 and a gripping portion 15 between the first end 14 and the second end 16. A shaving razor cartridge 18 may be removably mounted to the first end 14. The shaving razor cartridge 18 may include a housing 20 and a blade carrier assembly 22. The housing 20 may be manufactured (e.g., molded) from a polymeric material. The blade carrier assembly 22 may include one or more blades 24 mounted to a blade carrier 26. The blade 24 may have an exposed cutting edge 28. In certain embodiments, the blade carrier 26 may have a plurality of spaced apart guards 30 to protect the skin from the cutting edge 28 during a shaving stroke. As will be explained in greater detail below, the blade carrier 26 may retain the blade 24, as well as facilitate the temporary securement of the shaving razor cartridge 18 to the handle 12.

(11) The shaving razor cartridge 18 may have a first position with the shaving razor cartridge 18 mounted detachably on the handle 12 (as shown in FIG. 1A) to enable the shaving razor cartridge 18 to be replaced by a fresh shaving razor cartridge 18 when the sharpness of the blade 24 has diminished to an unsatisfactory level. Referring to FIG. 1B, a perspective view of a shaving razor system 10 is illustrated with the shaving razor cartridge 18 removed from the handle 12. The first end 14 of the handle 12 may have a top surface 32. As will be explained in greater detail below, the top surface 32 may define a pair of guide surfaces 34 and 36 (e.g., slots) dimensioned to receive corresponding surfaces on the housing 20. The top surface 32 of the handle 12 may also define a recessed surface 38 between the pair of guide surfaces 34 and 36. The housing 20 may have a rear surface 40 opposite the cutting edge 28. The rear surface 40 may include an indicia 42, such as a sign or symbol to indicate to the consumer where and in what direction to push the shaving razor cartridge 18 to remove the shaving razor cartridge 18 from the handle 12. In certain embodiments, the housing 20 may have a pair of opposing lateral side surface 21 and 23 each having one or more protrusions 25 to improve a user's grip on the shaving razor cartridge 18 during attachment and removal of the shaving razor cartridge 18 to the handle 12.

(12) Referring to FIG. 2, a cross sectional view of the shaving razor system 10, taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1A is shown. The blade carrier 26 may have a tab 44 in a first position with a crest 46 of the tab 44 positioned within the recessed surface 38 of the handle 12. The crest 46 may secure the shaving razor cartridge 18 to the handle 12. A user may remove the shaving razor cartridge 18 by pushing against the rear surface 40 of the housing 20 in a direction towards the cutting edge 28. The crest 46 may slide out of a lowermost portion 50 of the recessed surface 38 and along an inclined surface 52 to a generally flat landing 54 of the handle 12. The tab 44 may deflect away from the handle 12 and toward the housing 20 to facilitate the crest 46 to slide out of the recessed surface 38. As the housing 20 is pushed forward the housing 20 may disengage the guide surfaces 34 and 36 (FIG. 1B). Once the crest 46 engages the landing 54, little or no force may be required to remove the shaving razor cartridge 18 from the handle 12.

(13) Referring to FIG. 3, a bottom perspective view of the housing 20 and blade carrier 26 of the shaving razor cartridge 18 is illustrated. The shaving razor cartridge 18 may include the blade carrier assembly 22 mounted to the housing 20. For example, the blade carrier 26 may be mounted to a bottom surface 56 of the housing 20. The bottom surface 56 of the housing 20 may have one or more alignment members 62 and 64, such as protrusions, that engage a corresponding pair of alignment members 58 and 60 on the blade carrier assembly 22 (e.g., openings extending through the blade carrier assembly 22). In certain embodiments, the blade carrier assembly 22 (e.g., the blade carrier 26) may be fixed to the housing 20 by staking, adhesives, ultrasonic welding, insert injection molding, or other assembly methods known in the art. The tab 44 may be positioned between a pair of guide members 84 and 86 of the bottom surface 56 of the housing 20. The position of the tab 44 between the pair of guide members 84 and 86 may help protect the tab 44 from being damaged or excessively bent.

(14) The blade carrier 26 may have a blade platform 66 at a first end 68 that defines a slot 70 configured to receive the blade 24. The slot 70 may be positioned on the same side of the blade carrier 26 as the crest 46 to simply the manufacturing process (e.g., forming and bending of the crest 46 and slot 70. The cutting edge 28 of the blade 24 may be positioned against the spaced apart guards 30. Accordingly, the slot 70 may be closed on one side (i.e., side with the spaced apart guards 30) and open on three sides for easy loading of the blade 24. The blade 24 may be fixed to the blade platform 66 (e.g., using adhesive) or may be removably positioned within the slot 70. The cutting edge 28 and the plurality of guards may extend over a front edge 72 of the housing 20 to provide sufficient cutting and trimming of hair. The tab 44 may extend from the blade platform 66 to a second end 74. The crest 46 may be positioned between a pair angled surfaces 76 and 78. For example, a leading angled surface 76 and a trailing angled surface 78. The blade platform 66 may define a pair of notches 80 and 82 on either side of the tab 44. The notches 80 and 82 may provide the tab 44 with sufficient spring properties to facilitate optimal attachment and detachment to the handle 12 (not shown) over numerous cycles. The blade platform 66 may be fixed to the housing 20 to allow the tab 44 to flex relative to the blade platform and the housing 20 as the shaving razor cartridge 18 is attached to the handle (see FIGS. 1A and 1B).

(15) Referring to FIG. 4, a bottom view of the shaving razor cartridge 18 is illustrated with the blade carrier assembly 22 mounted to the housing 20. The alignment members 58, 60, 62 and 64 may be used to stabilize the blade carrier 26 as it is mounted and/or secured to the housing 20. In certain embodiments, the alignment members 58, 60, 62 and 64 may also be used to fix the blade carrier 26 to the housing 20 (e.g., cold staking process). The alignment members 58 and 62 may be positioned on one side of the centerline “CL” and alignment members 60 and 64 may be positioned on the other side of the centerline “CL”. In certain embodiments, the blade carrier assembly 22 may be removable from the housing 20. Accordingly, the alignment members 58, 60, 62 and 64 may facilitate temporary securement of the blade carrier assembly 22 to the housing 20. For example, the alignment members 58, 60, 62 and 64 may provide a slight press fit or snap fit connection to allow easy removal.

(16) The blade carrier 26 may extend beyond the front edge 72 of the housing 20 by a distance d1 of about 0.2 mm to about 10 mm to provide sufficient view of the cutting edge 28 during shaving. If d1 is too short, the housing 20 may obstruct the view of the user thus interfering with accurate edging of hair (e.g., side burns and beard lines). If d1 is too long, excessive force may be applied the blade carrier assembly causing it to bend or loosen from the housing 20. In certain embodiments, the cutting edge 28 extends a distance of about 0 mm to about 10 mm beyond the front edge of the housing 20 and more preferably about 1 mm to about 5 mm to facilitate sufficient viewing angle of the cutting edge 28 during edging of hair.

(17) The tab 44 may be positioned between a pair of guide members 84 and 86 of the housing 20 and along a centerline “CL” of the of the blade carrier 26. The crest 46 may be spaced apart from the bottom surface 56 of the housing 20 to facilitate proper flexing during the attachment of the shaving razor cartridge 18 to the handle 12. The guide members 84 and 86 may engage the corresponding guide surfaces 34 and 36 on the handle 12 (see FIG. 1B) as the shaving razor cartridge slides onto the handle 12. The guide members 84 and 86 may define an undercut surface 88 of the housing 20 (e.g., a “T” shaped slot) that engages a corresponding feature on the handle 12 to secure the shaving razor cartridge 18 to the handle 12.

(18) The tab 44 may extend a distance “d2” of about 3 mm to about 15 mm from the notches 80 and 82 to the second end 74 (i.e., end of the tab 44) and more preferably about 5 mm to about 10 mm. The distance “d2” may also represent the length that is unsupported (i.e., not touching the bottom surface 56 of the housing 20) The guide members 84 and 86 may extend beyond the tab 44 (i.e., the second end 74) to allow the shaving razor cartridge 18 to easily engage the handle 12 before the tab 44 begins to deflect and exert a force against the handle 12, which may allow for easier loading.

(19) In certain embodiments, the notches 80 and 82 may be incorporated to help define the performance of the tab 44 and also facilitate properly locating the blade carrier 26 during assembly. The abutment surfaces 90 and 92 may facilitate proper positioning of the blade carrier assembly 22 on the housing 20. The notches 80 and 82 may have a respective width “w1” and “w2” of about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The notches 80 and 82 may have a respective length “L1” and “L2” of about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The notches 80 and 82 form a radius with the tab 44 of about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm. The dimensions of the notches 80 and 82 may provide the tab 44 with sufficient flexibility so loading of the shaving razor cartridge 18 to the handle provides sufficient consumer feedback, but is not too difficult.

(20) Referring to FIG. 5, a cross sectional view of the shaving razor system 10, taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1A is shown. The shaving razor cartridge 18 may be securely mounted (i.e., docked position) to the handle 12. In the docked position, the tab 44 may bottom out within the recessed surface 38. Accordingly, force must be applied to the shaving razor cartridge 18 to move the tab 44 (i.e., crest 46) out of the recessed surface 38. The top surface 32 of the handle 12 may include a pair of L shaped arms 94 and 96 dimensioned to engage the undercut surface 88 (e.g., “T” shaped slot) to retain the housing 20 on the handle 12. The recessed surface 38 (FIG. 1B) may be positioned between the pair of L shaped arms 94 and 96. When the shaving razor cartridge 18 is attached to the handle 12, the tab 44 may be positioned between the pair of arms 94 and 96.

(21) The blade carrier 22, such as the blade platform 66 and the tab 44, may be a monolithic unitary member, which may provide for a stronger and simpler construct. In certain embodiments, the blade carrier 22 may be injection molded from a polymeric material, such as polycarbonate, high impact polystyrene, ABS, Nylon, polyoxymethylene, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the blade carrier 22 may be manufactured from metal using various types of metal forming processes. Referring to FIG. 6, a schematic view of one possible assembly method for the blade carrier assembly 22 is illustrated. In a first step 98 of the assembly method, the blade carrier assembly 22 may begin with a single piece of sheet metal 100 having a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm and more preferably about 0.15 mm to about 0.3 mm. The sheet metal 100 may comprise various grades of aluminum and steel.

(22) The sheet metal 100 may be cut (e.g., laser cutting) or stamped to form a blade carrier blank 102 in a second step 104. It is understood that multiple blade carrier blanks 102 may be cut or stamped from a single piece of sheet metal. Accordingly, the sheet metal 100 can have numerous possible lengths and width. The blade carrier blank 102 may include the blade platform 66 and the tab 44 extending from the blade platform 66. The tab 44 may have a width “w3” of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. The tab 44 may have a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm and more preferably about 0.15 mm to about 0.3 mm Other features may also be cut or stamped into the blade carrier blank 102, such as the notches 80 and 82 on either side of the tab 44 and the alignment members 58 and 60. At least one window 106 may be stamped or cut into the piece of sheet metal 100 (e.g., the blade platform 66) between a first end 108 of the blade carrier blank 102 and the tab 44. In certain embodiments, there may be several windows 106 that are spaced apart to form row. Accordingly, the windows 96 may form the plurality of spaced apart guards 30 of the blade carrier 26. Although a plurality of windows 106 are shown it is understood that a single elongated window may alternatively be formed. In certain embodiments, a notch 110 and 112 may be formed (e.g., stamped or cut) into either ends of the window(s) 106 to facilitate bending of the blade carrier blank 102 (e.g., the blade platform 66)

(23) A third step 114 and a fourth step 116 may include one or bending steps. For example, in the third step 114, the tab 44 may be coined or bent to form the crest 46 between the pair of angled surfaces 76 and 78. The blade platform 66 may be bent (e.g., swivel bending or coining) along the window(s) 106 (e.g., along a centerline “CL2” of the window(s) 106 in the a fourth step 116 to form an upper portion 118 and a lower portion 120. The platform 66 may be bent to form an angle from greater than 0 to over 90 degrees. The blade 24 may be mounted to the platform 66 between the upper portion 118 and the lower portion 120 in a fifth step 122. In certain embodiments, an alignment opening 124 may be provided (e.g., in the second step 104) that extends through the blade platform 66. The alignment opening 124 may allow a projection 126 to be inserted into the blade platform 66 to facilitate alignment of the blade 24 against an inner surface 128 of the blade carrier 26.

(24) In a sixth step 130, the upper portion 118 and the lower portion 120 may be clamped together by bending the upper portion 118 and the lower portion 120 towards each other. The bending of the platform to form an angle greater than 90 degrees between the upper portion 118 and the lower portion 120 in the fifth step 122 may facilitate easier and more accurate placement and alignment of the blade 24, as well as facilitating the bending of the upper portion 118 and lower portion 120 towards each other to clamp and secure the blade 24 safely in place. When the blade 24 is secured between the upper portion 118 and the lower portion 120, the plurality of spaced apart windows 106 may form the spaced apart guards 30 of the blade carrier. The upper portion 118 and the lower portion 120 may be then bent towards each other such that the blade 24 contacts both the upper portion 118 and the lower portion 120, as shown in step 128. The upper portion 118 and/or the lower portion 120 may be bent towards each other such that the slot 70 is formed for holding the blade 24. In certain embodiments, the slot 70 may be formed first, then the blade 24 may be inserted into the slot 70. The blade 24 may then be further secured by further clamping the lower portion 120 and/or the upper portion 118 or the blade 24 may be secured by welding or adhesives. Accordingly, the blade 24 is secured (e.g., clamped) on the blade platform 66 between the upper portion 118 and the lower portion 120 with the cutting edge 28 positioned against the window(s) 106 to form the blade carrier assembly 22. In any of the embodiments described, the blade 24 may be secured to the blade platform 66 by welding or adhesives. It is understood that several of the steps may be done together. For example, the second step 104 and the third step 114 may be performed simultaneously.

(25) Referring to FIG. 7, a cross sectional view of the shaving razor cartridge 18 of FIG. 2 is shown with the handle 12 removed for clarity. The crest 46 may be positioned below a plane P1 of the blade 24. The crest 46 may be positioned below a plane P2 of the guide members 84, 86 (e.g., away from the bottom surface 56) when the tab 44 is in a neutral position (e.g., not under load). The tab 44 may flex in the first or second position such that the tab 44 is positioned above the plane P2 of the guide members 84, 86 (i.e., closer to the bottom surface 56). As the shaving razor cartridge 18 is attached to the handle 12 (FIG. 1A), the tab 44 may flex toward the housing 20 then return towards its normal unflexed condition once the crest 46 is seated within the lowermost portion 50 of the recess 38 (FIG. 2). In certain embodiments, the tab 44 may not return completely to its normal resting position. For example, the tab 44 may remain in tension when the shaving razor cartridge 18 is attached to the handle 12, which may provide for more positive engagement between the two components. The second end 74 may be spaced apart from the bottom surface 56 of the housing a vertical distance d3 greater than 0 mm to about 5 mm in the first position, to facilitate the movement (e.g., flexing) of the tab 44 relative to the housing 20, thus allowing removal of the shaving razor cartridge 18. The tab 44 may flex between the first position and a second position during attachment and removal of the shaving razor cartridge 18. The distance d3 may be greater in the first position when the shaving razor cartridge 18 is secured to the handle 12 (FIG. 2) than a second position when the crest 46 disengages from the recessed surface 38 (FIG. 2) of the handle 12 (FIG. 2) during removal of the shaving razor cartridge 18. In certain embodiments, the bottom surface 56 may act as a stop surface to prevent over stressing the tab 44. For example, in the second position, the bottom surface 56 of the housing 20 may contact a bottom surface 130 of the second end 74 during the attachment and detachment of the shaving razor cartridge 18 to the handle 12 (FIG. 1A).

(26) The incorporation of the tab 44 into the blade carrier 26 that holds and provides guarding elements (i.e., spaced apart guards 30) greatly simplifies the design by reducing the number of components because the blade carrier 26 performs multiple functions by aiding in attachment to the handle 12 (FIG. 1A), retaining the blade 24 and protecting a safe shave with the spaced apart guards 30. Furthermore, tolerance stacking of the components is also reduced, thus lowering the level of precision needed during the assembly process. The tab 44 may also help ensure integrity of the shaving razor cartridge 18 by absorbing force if the shaving razor cartridge 18 or the shaving razor system 10 is dropped, which is often problematic for more premium handles which are much heavier. Furthermore, the forming of the blade carrier 22 from a single piece of metal also provides a much more robust design which is cable of lasting longer.

(27) 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.

(28) 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.

(29) 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.