Abstract:
A washing apparatus for an electric shaver for flushing the shaver head unit of an electric shaver with a washing liquid to wash the shaver head unit, including a washer main body for holding the shaver head unit, a washing liquid tank mounted in the washer main body and storing the washing liquid therein, a pipe provided in the washer main body and conducting the washing liquid from the washing liquid tank to the shaver head unit, a heater for heating the washing liquid passing through the pipe, and a liquid discharger for discharging the used (dirty) washing liquid that has washed the shaver head unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a washing apparatus for electric shavers that uses a washing liquid to wash away hair debris, skin oils and the like that have collected in the shaver head unit of an electric shaver. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Washing apparatuses for shavers have been proposed; and in a typical washing apparatus, the shaver head unit of an electric shaver is held, oriented downward, in a shaver holder, washing liquid is sent from a washing liquid tank to the shaver head unit of the shaver, thus washing the shaver head unit, and then the washing liquid that has washed the shaver head unit is recycled so as to return to the washing liquid in the same washing liquid tank. 
         [0005]    In the washing apparatus disclosed in PCT International Publication No. 2001-512337, the washing liquid at room temperature is circulated between a washing liquid tank and the shaver head unit of a shaver. However, to the outer cutter(s) and inner cutter(s) inside the shaver head unit, skin oils also adhere, together with hair cuttings (“hair debris”), and these fine hair debris is hardened by these oils to a substantially solid form; as a result, such stubborn soiling as this is not easily removed and cleaned when it is merely soaked by room-temperature washing liquid. For this reason, it is necessary to use special washing liquids that have strong washing power, and thus, it becomes necessary for users to purchase specially prepared washing liquids. This is problematic in that, besides being inconvenient, such washing liquids are expensive. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, because the washing liquid is recycled and used repeatedly, foul odors tend to be emitted from the washing liquid, which makes the user disinclined to use the washing apparatus aggressively. Generally, the washing liquid being circulated is passed through a filter(s); however, it is very difficult to adequately remove contaminants dissolved in the washing liquid even when it passes through a filter(s), resulting in that adequate shaver head unit cleaning is unable to be accomplished. This has also been a problem. 
         [0007]    Ordinary water or a liquid mixture of water and a neutral detergent could be used instead of a specially prepared washing liquid. However, it is known that when ordinary water or a liquid mixture of such a detergent and water is conducted into the shaver head unit, the skin oils are actually hardened, making the removal thereof either impossible or extremely inefficient. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, the object of the present invention, devised in view of such circumstances of the conventional washing apparatus, is to provide a washing apparatus for an electric shaver that efficiently removes hair debris, skin oils and the like, without a use of a special washing liquid, so that users no longer need to purchase a special washing liquid, and so that foul odors are not produced, thus promoting aggressive use of the washing apparatus. 
         [0009]    The above object is accomplished by a unique structure of the present invention for a washing apparatus for an electric shaver for flushing the shaver head unit of an electric shaver with a washing liquid to wash the shaver head unit, and this washing apparatus comprises:
       a washer main body for holding the shaver head unit;   a washing liquid tank mounted in the washer main body and storing the washing liquid therein;   a pipe provided in the washer main body and conducting the washing liquid from the washing liquid tank to the shaver head unit;   a heater for heating the washing liquid passing through the pipe; and   a liquid discharge means for discharging the used (dirty) washing liquid that has washed the shaver head unit.       
 
         [0015]    In this washing apparatus for a shaver of the present invention, the washing liquid is heated by the heater and conducted to the head unit of a shaver (“shaver head unit”), so that high-temperature washing liquid heats, softens, and dissolves the adhering skin oils inside the shaver head unit, and such oils can be easily flushed out together with the washing liquid and hair debris. Accordingly, the shaver head unit can be washed very efficiently. Because of such a structure of the present invention as described above, plain water or aqueous solutions of a commonly used neutral detergent can be used as the washing liquid, and the inconvenience and cost of having to purchase a special washing liquid is avoidable. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, the used (dirty) washing liquid is discharged by the liquid discharge means after it has been used to wash the shaver head unit and is not recycled. means after it has been used to wash the shaver head unit and is not recycled. Accordingly, no foul odors are produced from the washing liquid, and aggressive use of the washing apparatus by the user can be promoted. 
         [0017]    In the present invention, the liquid discharge means can a pipe or other passageway for discharging, to the outside, the used washing liquid that has passed through the shaver head unit while washing the shaver head unit. However, the liquid discharge means can be a liquid discharge tank for accumulating used (dirty) washing liquid that has flowed down by gravity from the shaver head unit. In this structure, discharge liquid disposal is done in a simple manner. 
         [0018]    In addition, the liquid discharge tank can be designed so as to be detachable with respect to the washer main body, and this structure is even more convenient to dispose of the discharge water (i.e. the used (dirty) washing liquid). 
         [0019]    So as to have the used washing liquid that has passed through the shaver head unit be collected and to conduct it to the liquid discharge means (inclusive of a liquid discharge tank), the electric shaver is held so that the shaver head unit is oriented downward, and so that the used washing liquid is accumulated in a washing basin that encloses this shaver head unit from below and is then conducted to the liquid discharge means. Such a washing basin can take various shapes including a basket shape, a cup shape and the like, into which the entire shaver head unit is inserted. 
         [0020]    In the washing apparatus of the present invention, it possible to adopt a scheme (hereinafter called “immersion scheme”) in which the washing liquid is introduced into the washing basin up to a certain liquid level, and the shaver head unit is immersed from above. It is also possible to adopt an “interior liquid injection scheme.” In this interior liquid injection scheme, the shaver head unit is formed with a liquid intake opening that allows the interior and exterior of the shaver head unit to be communicated with each other. With this liquid intake opening, fresh clean washing liquid is caused to flow into the interior of the shaver head unit through the liquid intake opening, thus cleaning the interior of the shaver head unit, and the used (dirty) washing liquid is discharged through the hair introduction openings (slits or holes) formed in the outer cutter(s) of the shaver. 
         [0021]    In the above-described immersion scheme, a liquid discharge port is provided in the bottom of the washing basin, and in addition, an overflow port is formed in the washing basin so as to be above the liquid discharge port in order to prevent overflow of the washing liquid from the washing basin. With this structure, the liquid level of the washing liquid is prevented from rising higher than the overflow port. Any washing liquid that overflows from this overflow port is discharged by the liquid discharge means. 
         [0022]    In the present invention, in order to conduct the washing liquid from the washing liquid tank to the shaver head unit, the position of the washing liquid tank is set to be higher than the shaver head unit of the shaver to be cleaned so that the washing liquid is made to flow down by gravity. Instead, it is also possible to provide separately a washing liquid transporting means midway along a pipe that connects the washing liquid tank and the shaver head unit. In this structure that includes the washing liquid transporting means, the heights of the washing liquid tank and shaver head unit can be set freely, increasing the freedom of design choice. 
         [0023]    Such a washing liquid transporting means can be comprised of, for example, a heater and a check valve, in which the heater is for heating the washing liquid at a position that is midway along the pipe and lower than the washing liquid tank, and the check valve is provided upstream (on the washing liquid tank side) of this heater. In this structure, the washing liquid inside the pipe is heated by the heater so that it boils, and the boiled washing liquid is pushed out (sprayed out) to the shaver head unit, while fresh washing liquid will open the check valve, due to the water height differential (difference in the heights of the liquid levels) between the liquid level in the washing liquid tank and the position of the heater, and flow to the heater position. Instead of employing the washing liquid transporting means that uses the heater and the check valve, an electric pump can employed. When an electric pump is used, the washing liquid tank and heater can be set freely height-wise, which increases the freedom of design choice. 
         [0024]    In order to prevent, when either using or not using the washing apparatus, fresh washing liquid from flowing out to the shaver head unit unwantedly or accidentally or to prevent used (dirty) washing liquid from the shaver head unit from flowing back to the washing liquid tank, a part of the pipe (a part of the pipe downstream from the heater, for example) can be bent so that the bent portion of the pipe is located at a position higher than the highest liquid level of the liquid in the washing liquid tank. Furthermore, an on-off valve of an electromagnetic type (solenoid on-off valve), for example, can be provided in the pipe. 
         [0025]    In the present invention, it is preferable that the temperature of the washing liquid heated by the heater and the heater temperature be controlled so that they are held at a target set temperature. For example, the temperature of the washing liquid entering the shaver head unit, or the heater temperature, that is, at least one or the other, is detected by a temperature sensor, and the volume of heat outputted by the heater is controlled so that that temperature becomes a certain temperature (the target set temperature). Furthermore, when the washing liquid transporting means is formed by an electric pump, the temperature of the washing liquid may also be controlled by controlling the discharge volume (liquid delivery volume) of this pump. Moreover, the heat output volume of the heater and the discharge volume of the electric pump can be both controlled. 
         [0026]    In the present invention, a means for drying the shaver head unit after the shaver head unit has been washed can be provided. With this structure, the electric shaver can be used shortly after it is washed, which is convenient. Such a drying means can be a heater that is independently provided for heating the shaver head unit. This drying heater can also double as the heater that heats up the washing liquid. The drying means can a blower that sends out a warm air flow to the washed shaver head unit. This blower sends a warm flow of air which is the air surrounding the heater and is heated by the heater that heats up the washing liquid. 
         [0027]    It is preferable that, when the electric shaver is being washed, the power of the shaver be controlled so that the shaver is turned on for a prescribed period of time and have the shaver head unit of the electric shaver put in an operating condition so that the inner cutter(s) of the shaver is rotated or reciprocated. In this case, since the inner cutter(s) inside the shaver head unit will operate, in other words it (they) either turns (in rotary shavers) or reciprocates (in reciprocating shavers), washing of the shaver head unit is promoted, and the washing time can be shortened. It is preferable that a controller be provided in the washer main body so as to be connectable to the electric shaver, so that it controls not only the electric shaver (that is, it actuates the rotary or reciprocating inner cutter(s)) but also the washing apparatus (that is, it controls the volume of heat outputted by the heater, operating time, and the like). The operating time for the drying means may also be controlled by this controller. 
         [0028]    In the present invention, the washing liquid can be ordinary water; and in this case, the user can use tap water, which is convenient, and disposal of the used (dirty) washing liquid can be easily done. Nevertheless, the washing liquid can also be an aqueous solution in which a detergent such as a neutral detergent is added to water. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a side cross-sectional view of the washing apparatus for shavers according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the washing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the operation thereof with a part of the apparatus omitted; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a simplified schematic diagram showing the electrical connections in the washing apparatus; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is an operational flow chart of the washing apparatus; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the washing apparatus for shavers according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of the washing apparatus for shavers according to still another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of the washing apparatus for shavers according to further still another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of the washing apparatus of  FIG. 7 , showing the manner of setting a shaver in the washing apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]      FIG. 1  shows, in cross-section, one embodiment of the washing apparatus according to the present invention before the start of washing.  FIG. 2  shows, also in cross-section, the washing apparatus during washing with a part thereof omitted.  FIG. 3  is a simplified schematic diagram thereof, and  FIG. 4  is an operational flow chart of the washing apparatus. 
         [0038]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the reference numeral  10  is a main body of the washing apparatus (“washer main body”). The washer main body  10  has an upright section  12  in the vicinity of the central portion thereof. Behind this upright section  12 , a concavity section  16  is formed so that it receives a washing liquid tank  14 . In front of the upright section  12 , a washing basin  20  is disposed so that an electric (rotary or reciprocating) shaver  18  is set in this washing basin  20 . 
         [0039]    The washing liquid tank  14  is provided with a valve  22  in the bottom. When the washing liquid tank  14  is set in the concavity section  16 , the valve  22  opens, making it possible for the washing liquid inside the washing liquid tank  14  to be supplied to the washing basin  20 . When the washing liquid tank  14  is removed from the concavity section  16 , the valve  22  closes, so that the washing liquid is prevented from flowing out of the washing liquid tank  14 . 
         [0040]    The valve  22  is comprised of a valve element  24  and a protrusion  26 . The valve element  24  passes through the bottom surface of the washing liquid tank  14  and ordinarily (when the washing liquid tank  14  is removed from the concavity section  16 ) closes the valve  22  (or closes the bottom opening of the tank  14 ), and the protrusion  26  is provided at the bottom of the concavity section  16  so that the protrusion  26 , when the tank  14  is set in the concavity section  16 , pushes up the valve element  24  and opens the valve  22  (or opens the bottom opening of the tank  14 ). Furthermore, between the opposing surfaces of the concavity section  16  and the bottom of the washing liquid tank  14 , a liquid-tight liquid chamber  28  is formed so as to prevent the washing liquid from leaking out when the valve  22  is open. The washing liquid is conducted to the washing basin  20  from this liquid chamber  28  by a pipe  30 . 
         [0041]    The pipe  30  is made of a metal such as stainless steel. One end of the pipe is connected through a check valve  32  to the liquid chamber  28 ; and from this check valve  32 , the pipe  30  extends out and returns, substantially horizontally, below the washing basin  20 , then rises up inside the upright section  12 , reversing at the upper end  34  so as to form an inverted U-loop and then descending, and finally passes through the wall of the washing basin  20  to communicate with the inside of the washing basin  20 . To the horizontal portion  36  of the pipe  30  that loops out and back below the washing basin  20 , an electric heater  38  is provided. The washing liquid is heated by this heater  38 , and the temperature of the washing liquid heated by this heater  38 , or, alternatively, the temperature of the heat provided by the heater  38 , is detected by a temperature sensor  39  provided near the horizontal portion  36 . 
         [0042]    The electric shaver  18  is inserted from above into the washing basin  20  with the shaver head unit  40  thereof oriented downward, that is, turned upside down. At the bottom of the washing basin  20 , a suitable number of projections  42  are provided for the purpose of positioning the shaver head unit  40  in the washing basin  20 . The electric shaver  18  is one having a rotary inner cutter(s) or one having a reciprocating inner cutter(s) in the shaver head unit  40 . The dimensions and shape of the washing basin  20  will differ so as to correspond to the electric shaver  18  to be washed. 
         [0043]    The washing basin  20  has a liquid discharge port  44  in the bottom. This liquid discharge port  44  extends downward so as to avoid interfering with the horizontal portion  36  of the pipe  30  or with the heater  38  or the like. In the lower part of the washer main body  10 , a liquid discharge tank  46  is provided detachably. This liquid discharge tank  46  can be pulled out in a direction parallel to the bottom surface of the washer main body  10 , and it has an opening  48  in the upper portion so as to face upward below the liquid discharge port  44  of the washing basin  20  when the liquid discharge tank  46  is set in the washer main body  10 . As a consequence, discharge liquid (or used (dirty) washing liquid remaining after washing has finished) passes through the washing basin  20 , the liquid discharge port  44  and the opening  48  to be discharged into the liquid discharge tank  46  and accumulates in the discharge tank  46 . 
         [0044]    The electric shaver  18  has at its lower end (that is, at the end which is opposite from the shaver head unit  40  and is positioned at the upper end in  FIGS. 1 and 2  because the electric shaver is set upside down) an electrically connecting acceptor (plug receptacle)  50 . This acceptor (plug receptacle)  50  is one that receives the charging plug of a charger (not shown) when the battery inside the electric shaver  18  is charged (or one that receives the plug of a power cord when the electric shaver  18  is not a chargeable type). 
         [0045]    When the shaver  18  is set in the washer main body  10 , a plug  52  provided in the washer main body  10  is connected to this acceptor  50 . More specifically, a plug support assembly  54  is provided on the upright section  12  of the washer main body  10  so as to slide up and down (or, alternatively, in the direction of attachment and detachment direction of the plug  52 ), and the plug  52  provided on the plug support assembly  54  is connected to and disconnected from the acceptor  50  of the shaver  18  in conjunction with the up and down movement of the plug support assembly  54 .  FIG. 1  shows the plug  52  of the plug support assembly  54  of the washer main body  10  being separated from the acceptor  50  of the shaver  18 , and in  FIG. 2  the plug  52  is connected to the acceptor  50 . 
         [0046]    Furthermore, a sensor  56  is attached to the upright section  12  of the washer main body  10 . The sensor  56  is, for instance, a micro-switch that, based on the position of movement of the plug support assembly  54 , detects the connection between the plug  52  of the washer main body  10  and the acceptor  50  of the shaver  18 . The sensor  56  works, for example, such that at a position where the plug support assembly  54  has moved downward and the plug  52  is connected to the acceptor  50  of the shaver  18 , a cam  58  provided on the plug support assembly  54  presses the contact of the sensor  56 , thus turning on the sensor  56 . Furthermore, a manual start switch  60  is provided in the top panel of the upright section  12 . It is possible that the connection of the plug  52  with the acceptor  50  be detected electrically by a controller  62  provided in the washer main body  10  instead of by the cam  58  and the sensor  56  combination. 
         [0047]    The controller  62 , shown in  FIG. 1 , comprises a CPU (microcomputer), a power circuit, a heater temperature control circuit constituting a heater controller  63 , and various input/output interfaces, etc. The power circuit is a commercially available power supply, which constitutes a constant voltage power supply for the CPU, a power supply for the heater  38 , and a power supply for the drive of the electric shaver  18 . As seen from  FIG. 3 , the outputs of the start switch  60 , the temperature sensor  39 , and the sensor  56 , and the like are inputted into this controller  62 , and the controller  62  further controls, via the heater controller  63 , the volume of heat produced by the heater  38 . In other words, the controller  62  controls the entirety of the washing apparatus, including the operation of the electric shaver  18  (more specifically, the rotation of the inner cutter(s) of the shaver). 
         [0048]      FIG. 4  is an operational flow chart of an example of the control performed by the controller  62 . 
         [0049]    First, when the start of washing action is detected by the manual start switch  60  being turned on (step S 100  in  FIG. 4 ), the controller  62  starts the operation. The CPU, first of all, determines whether or not the electric shaver  18  is set in the washing basin  20  by the sensor  56  detecting the position of the plug support assembly  54  (step S 102 ); and, if the shaver is properly set, then the controller  62  starts the heater  38  for heating (step S 104 ). 
         [0050]    The CPU of the controller  62  continually monitors the temperature sensor  39 ; and, when the heater temperature or the washing liquid temperature reaches a certain temperature (step S 106 ), the CPU starts the motor of the electric shaver  18  to initiate the rotational or reciprocating action (step S 108 ) of the inner cutter(s). When the heater temperature or washing liquid temperature has risen excessively (into an overheating condition) (step S 110 ), the CPU stops the heating of the heater  38 , or, alternatively, decreases the electrical current to the heater  38  (step S 112 ), and then the CPU waits for the heater temperature to return to within the appropriate range. During the above-described process, the electric shaver  18  continues to be driven. The CPU always continues monitoring the washing time (step S 114 ); and, when the set time period has elapsed, it turns the power supply off and terminates the washing. 
         [0051]    The washing liquid flows down from the washing liquid tank  14  and enters the horizontal portion  36  of the pipe  30  through the check valve  32  by gravity because of the water level differential between the washing liquid level in the washing liquid tank and in the pipe, and the washing liquid thus entered into the pipe  30  is heated by the heater  38 . When the washing liquid boils due to the heating by the heater  38 , the boiled washing water rises to the upper end  34  of the pipe  30  and is sprayed into the interior of the washing basin  20  from the spray nozzle  30 A which is at the tip end of the pipe  30 . When the washing liquid inside the horizontal portion  36  of the pipe  30  decreases, fresh washing water flows through the check valve  32  into the horizontal portion  36  due to the above-described water level differential. Fresh washing liquid thus enters the pipe  30  either continuously or intermittently and is heated to boiling by the heater  38 , and it continues to be injected, either continuously or intermittently, into the washing basin  20 . 
         [0052]    The heated washing liquid inside the washing basin  20  enters the shaver head unit  40  of the electric shaver  18 ; and, while dissolving the skin oils adhering inside the shaver head unit  40  with heat, goes together with hair debris back into the washing basin  20 . This used (dirty) washing liquid is discharged into the liquid discharge tank  46  from the liquid discharge port  44  of the washing basin  20  and is accumulated in the liquid discharge tank  46 . During the washing process as described above, since the motor of the electric shaver  18  is driven, the shaver head unit operates, in other words the inner cutter(s) rotates or reciprocates, and thus the washing off of the contaminants is performed with even greater efficiency. 
         [0053]    Furthermore, because the pipe  30  is bent so that the washing liquid passes through the upper end  34  which is higher than the highest liquid level of the washing liquid in the washing liquid tank  14 , the washing liquid will not flow out to the washing basin  20  from the washing liquid tank  14  due to the water level differential between the washing liquid tank  14  and the washing basin  20  (or the spray nozzle  30 A of the pipe  30 ), and the washing liquid is flows into the washing basin when it is boiled by the heater. Conversely, the used (dirty) washing liquid in the washing basin  20  will also not flow back to the washing liquid tank  14  due to the above-described structure of the pipe  30 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  shows, in lateral cross-section, another embodiment of the washing apparatus according to the present invention. 
         [0055]    In the structure of  FIG. 5 , a blower  70  is provided as a drying means, and a warm air flow is sent, after the washing, to the shaver head unit  40 , so that the shaver head unit  40  is rapidly dried. In this structure, the surrounding air (warm air flow) warmed by the heater  38  is conducted to the blower  70  by a guide panel  72  and then made to flow into the washing basin  20 , thus heating and drying the shaver head unit  40  with the warm or heated air. 
         [0056]    In this structure, a controller  62 A is provided in the washer main body  10 ; and after the shaver head unit  40  has been washed by the washing liquid, the controller  62 A lowers the temperature of the heater  38  or interrupts the power to the heater  38 , so that only the blower  70  operates for a prescribed time period; and then, after the shaver head unit  40  is dried, the controller  62 A terminates all of the washing processes. 
         [0057]    Since the electrical circuitry for the structure of  FIG. 5  is substantially the same as that of the structure shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the blower  70  and the controller  62 A are shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0058]    In the structure of  FIG. 5 , air intake opening  74  is provided in the side panel of the washer main body  10  so that the outside air is sucked into the washer main body  10  and heated by the heater  38 . In  FIG. 5 , parts that are the same as those in  FIG. 1  are indicated by the same reference numerals, and the descriptions thereof are not provided. 
         [0059]      FIG. 6  shows still another embodiment of the washing apparatus of the present invention. 
         [0060]    In the structure of  FIG. 6 , instead of bending the pipe  30  at the upper end  34  which is at a position higher than the highest liquid level in the washing liquid tank  14 , a solenoid on-off valve  80  is provided in the pipe  30 . A controller  62 B ordinarily (when washing is not in progress) closes the solenoid on-off valve  80 ; and it opens the solenoid on-off valve  80 , when washing is being done, and causes the heater  38  to heat the washing liquid. The controller  62 B controls the heater  38  and the entire washing apparatus in the same way as the controllers  62  and  62 A. 
         [0061]    In the washing apparatus of  FIG. 6 , the washing liquid in the pipe  30  is boiled by the heat produced by the heater  38 , and hot water and steam are sprayed into the washing basin  20  for washing. In conjunction with this action, fresh washing liquid flows from the washing liquid tank  14 , through the solenoid on-off valve  80  and the check valve  32 , and into the pipe  30 , so that such action is repeated either continuously or intermittently. When the washing is completed, the solenoid on-off valve  80  is closed. 
         [0062]    In the structure of  FIG. 6 , washing liquid will not flow out of the washing liquid tank  14  to the pipe  30  or washing basin  20 A when no washing is being done, and, conversely, used (dirty) washing liquid will not flow back into the washing liquid tank  14  from the washing basin  20 A. Furthermore, an overflow port  82  is provided in the washing basin  20 A so that it is located at a position higher than the spray nozzle  30 A. As a result, when the washing liquid level inside the washing basin  20 A rises, the used (dirty) washing liquid is conducted to the liquid discharge tank  46  from the overflow port  82 , and the washing liquid will not overflow from the washing basin  20 A. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  shows still another embodiment of the washing apparatus of the present invention, and  FIG. 8  shows the manner of setting an electric shaver in the washing apparatus. 
         [0064]    In the structure of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an electric pump  90  is provided as a washing liquid transporting means. More specifically, the electric pump  90  is provided in the pipe  30  between the washing liquid tank  14  and the heater  38 , and this electric pump  90  is operated only during washing so as to send the washing liquid to the heater  38 , where it is heated, and sending the heated washing liquid to the washing basin  20 . A pump controller  63 A for controlling this electric pump  90  is provided in a controller  62 C. 
         [0065]    In this washing apparatus of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , moreover, the spray nozzle  30 A at the end of the pipe  30  is made to protrude into the washing basin  20 , and a packing  92  is attached to the circumferential edge of this spray nozzle  30 A. Furthermore, in the side wall of the shaver head unit  40  of the electric shaver  18 , a liquid intake opening  94  is provided, which communicates between the interior and the exterior of the shaver head unit  40 , so that when the electric shaver  18  is set in the washing apparatus, the liquid intake opening  94  is connected to and communicates with the spray nozzle  30 A. The packing  92  is for preventing the washing liquid from leaking out to the periphery. 
         [0066]    Furthermore, in this washing apparatus of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a projection  96  is formed at the edge of the opening of the washing basin  20 B so that it is located on the side opposite from the spray nozzle  30 A. As a result, as seen from  FIG. 8 , the shaver  18 , being upside down and tilted, is inserted into the washing basin  20 B, and the upper part of the shaver that is on the opposite end from the shaver head unit  40  is turned to the side (turned to the right in  FIG. 8  as indicated by arrow A) while keeping the upper part of the shaver head unit  40  against the projection  96 ; as a result, the liquid intake opening  94  of the shaver  18  is pressed against the spray nozzle  30 A of the washing apparatus. When the shaver is thus set in the washing basin  20 B, the shaver head unit  40  engages the projections  42  provided at the bottom of the washing basin  20 B and is fixed in position. 
         [0067]    Accordingly, in operation, the washing liquid heated by the heater  38  passes from the spray nozzle  30 A of the pipe  30  and flows into the interior of the shaver head unit  40  through the liquid intake opening  94 , so that the heated washing liquid washes the interior of the shaver head unit  40 , passes out through the hair introduction slits or holes of the outer cutter(s) of the shaver, and then flows out of the shaver head unit into the washing basin  20 B. After the washing, the used (dirty) washing liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge port  44  of the washing basin  20 A and collected in the liquid discharge tank  46 .