Shaving heads

The present disclosure relates to a shaving head configured to be moved along a shaving direction relative to skin during shaving of the skin, the shaving head including a housing, one or more blades mounted within the housing, and a hair moving mechanism connected to the housing and arranged in the shaving direction relative to the one or more blades, wherein the hair moving mechanism is configured to move hair relative to the skin in a direction towards the one or more blades during shaving. A shaver including same.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLIACTIONS

This application claims benefit from European patent application EP20199064.5, filed on 29 Sep. 2020, its content being incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of shavers and shaving heads therefor.

BACKGROUND

Shaving performance is frequently evaluated in terms of criteria such as comfort and closeness. Comfort is typically evaluated in terms of sensations perceived by skin as it is being shaved, and/or in terms of sensations perceived by the shaved skin minutes to hours after shaving has been completed. Closeness is typically evaluated in terms of the visual and/or tactile perceptibility of hair beyond the exposed surface of skin immediately after shaving or within the first few (for example twelve or fewer) hours after shaving.

The manner in which a shaver's blade contacts hair and the exposed surface of skin plays a significant role in both comfort (during shaving and afterwards), and closeness.

The document EP3590669A1 discloses a shaving head, including a housing, blades, and a mechanism by which a user may adjust an amount of pressure with which the blades are able to bear on skin during shaving.

The document WO2019141482A1 discloses a shaving head, including a housing, blades, and a mechanism by which a user may adjust angles of the blades.

The document WO2019141488A1 discloses a shaving head, including a housing, a blade, and a mechanism by which a user may actuate the blade in a direction orthogonal to a cutting edge of the blade.

The document EP3444084A1 discloses a shaving head, including a housing, blades, and one or more rollers configured to stretch skin as it is in contact with the shaving head.

The document DE102004020650A1 discloses a shaving head including a housing, blades, and a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the blades.

Although a strand of hair typically extends into a follicle formed in the skin beneath the exposed surface of the skin, the so-called length of a given strand of hair typically refers only to an amount by which the strand is extends away from the follicle, protruding past the exposed surface of the skin. As used herein, a distance measured along the length of a strand of hair should be understood to be measured starting from the exposed surface of the skin. It should also be understood that when a phenomenon or characteristic is described as being present within the first X millimeters of length of a strand of hair, that the strand of hair may very well have a length of less than X millimeters, in which case the description would be applicable for the entire length of the strand of hair.

Long-term changes in the length of a given strand of hair typically occur as a result of natural phenomena such as hair growth. External forces applied to the strand of hair may also affect its length. For example, tension applied to the exposed portion of the strand of hair may cause also cause a short-term increase in the strand's length.

Typically, within the first millimeter, or as much as the first five millimeters of its length, a given strand of hair protrudes from the exposed surface of the skin along a direction that includes both a normal component, which is normal to the exposed surface of the skin, and also, what is referred to herein as a “grain component,” which a component that is parallel/tangent to the exposed surface of the skin. It is possible that two or more adjacent strands of hair may have grain components which are non-parallel to one another.

Typically, during shaving, a blade is able to provide a closer shave when the blade is moved generally opposite to the strand's grain component than when it is moved generally in the same direction as the strand's grain component. However, many users associate such movement with discomfort during the act of shaving itself, and/or with increased irritation (and associated discomfort subsequent to the act of shaving) as compared to movement of the blade in the same direction as the grain component. Although one or more of the above-mentioned shavers may allow a user to adjust parameters of the shaver, such adjustments merely allow a user to improve comfort by reducing closeness until shaving in the opposite direction to the grain component becomes tolerable. There is therefore a need to improve shaving closeness when shaving in the same direction as the grain component of hair.

SUMMARY

According to an example of the present disclosure, a shaving head may be provided which is configured to be moved along a shaving direction relative to skin during shaving of the skin. The shaving head includes a housing, one or more blades mounted within the housing, and a hair moving mechanism connected to the housing. The hair moving mechanism is arranged in the shaving direction relative to the one or more blades, and configured to move hair relative to the skin in a direction towards the one or more blades during shaving.

The hair moving mechanism may include a hair moving surface which is arranged towards the skin during shaving.

The shaving head may include a drive mechanism configured to move the hair moving surface relative to the housing in response to a movement of the skin relative to the housing.

The hair moving surface may include one or more fins configured to sweep the skin during shaving.

The drive mechanism may be configured to convert the movement of the skin relative to the housing into movement of the hair moving surface relative to the housing.

The drive mechanism may include one or more driving wheels arranged to contact the skin.

The drive mechanism may include a drivetrain connecting the one or more driving wheels to the hair moving surface.

At least one of the one or more driving wheels may be located laterally of a shaving area with respect to the shaving direction. The shaving area is an area in which the one or more blades may cut hair during shaving.

The drivetrain may include a gear set linking the driving wheel(s) to the hair moving surface.

The hair moving surface may be provided on a roller mounted rotatably in the housing so as to be rotatable by the drive mechanism.

The roller may be configured to rotate faster than the driving wheel(s).

The roller may be configured to rotate at least twice as fast as the driving wheel(s).

The hair moving surface may be configured to move faster with respect to the housing than the movement of the skin with respect to the housing.

The hair moving surface may be configured to move at least twice as fast with respect to the housing as the movement of the skin with respect to the housing.

The shaving head may include a skin tensioning device arranged in the shaving direction relative to the hair moving mechanism.

The hair moving mechanism may include a polymer-containing material arranged to contact the skin during shaving.

According to an example of the present disclosure, a shaver may be provided, including a shaving head as described earlier herein.

Such a shaving head may provide relative closeness and relative comfort even when the shaving direction is not oriented generally opposite to the grain component.

The term “exemplary” is used in the sense of “example,” rather than “ideal.” While aspects of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular embodiment(s) described. On the contrary, the intention of this disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings. The detailed description and the drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative aspects and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The illustrative aspects depicted are intended only as exemplary.

When an element or feature is referred to herein as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or feature, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or feature, or intervening elements or features may be present. In contrast, when an element or feature is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or feature, there may be no intervening elements or features present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements or features should be interpreted in a like fashion (for example, “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, sections, and/or parameters, these elements, components, regions, layers, sections, and/or parameters should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

As used herein, a so-called length of hair refers to a rough estimate of the average length of the individual strands of hair located within a given area. Such a rough estimate may be accurate to within five millimeters, for example.

The term “grain direction” as used herein refers to a rough estimate of an average orientation of the grain components of the strands of hair within a given area. Such a rough estimate may be accurate to within ninety degrees, for example.

FIG.1shows an exemplary shaver10including an exemplary handle12and an exemplary shaving head20. The handle12may be connected permanently or removably to the shaving head20in any known manner. Although, in the example illustrated here, the handle12extends from the shaving head20generally along a height direction H of the shaving head20, other orientations of the handle12with respect to the shaving head20are contemplated.

The shaving head20includes a housing30, and presents a shaving area40in which the cutting edge of at least one blade50is presented. During shaving, hair moves relative to the shaving head20and enters the shaving area40, where it may be cut by the blade(s)50whose cutting edge(s) is/are presented therein.

Each blade50of the shaving head20whose cutting edge is present in the shaving area40may be connected to the housing30in any known manner, and is arranged such that its cutting edge extends generally in a width direction W of the shaving head20.

In the example illustrated here, the shaving head20includes five blades50whose cutting edges are arranged within the shaving area40. Other quantities are also contemplated, such as two, three, or four blades50, or even six or more blades50.

During shaving, the housing30is brought into contact with skin such that at least one cutting edge located in the shaving area40is also brought into contact with the skin, and may be maneuvered in a shaving direction9with respect to the skin in order to cut hair on the skin. In the example illustrated here, the shaving direction9is generally perpendicular to the width direction W of the shaving head20, and is generally parallel to a length direction L of the shaving head20.

Each blade50whose cutting edge is arranged within the shaving area40may be oriented so as to extend from its cutting edge in a direction which has one component in the height direction H and one component opposite to the shaving direction9.

In the example illustrated here, housing30includes a rear portion31which is arranged in a direction opposite to the shaving direction9with respect to the blade(s)50whose edge(s) is/are presented in the shaving area40, and two lateral portions32,33. The lateral portions32,33are arranged on opposite extremities of the rear portion31, and extend therefrom in the shaving direction9towards a front portion34of the housing30. The front portion34is arranged in the shaving direction9with respect to the blade(s)50whose cutting edges are arranged in the shaving area40.

The blade(s)50whose cutting edge(s) is/are arranged in the shaving area40may be connected to the housing30via the lateral portions32,33. Although, in the example illustrated here, each of the lateral portions32,33includes a core presenting one or more slots, into which is/are inserted the blade(s)50whose cutting edge(s) is/are arranged in the shaving area40, and a retainer35to retain the blade(s)50within the slot(s) (as for example in U.S. Pat. No. 9,539,734), it is contemplated to connect the blade(s)50whose cutting edge(s) are presented in the shaving area40to the lateral portions32,33in any known method for attaching one or more blades to a housing.

The shaving head20includes a hair moving mechanism60which is connected to the housing30so as to be arranged in the shaving direction9with respect to the blades50whose edges are presented in the shaving area40. Such placement may allow movement of the shaving head20on the skin to bring hair extending from the skin into contact with the hair moving mechanism60before bringing it into contact with the blade(s)50whose cutting edge(s) is/are present in the shaving area40. As seen in the example illustrated here, the hair moving mechanism60may be housed within the front portion34of the housing30.

As will be discussed in greater detail with respect toFIG.3-4, the hair moving mechanism60is configured to move hair relative to the skin during shaving, such that the hair is moved towards the cutting edge(s) arranged in the shaving area40. As the hair moving mechanism60moves a given strand of hair, it may temporarily change the strand's grain component, and/or lead to a localized change in grain direction of hair of the portion of skin brought into contact with the shaving area40of the shaving head20. Such changes in strands' grain components, or such a change in the grain direction, may improve ability of the oncoming blades50to provide a close shave.

The hair moving mechanism60may include a polymer-containing material arranged to contact the skin during shaving. Non-limiting examples of the polymer contained in the polymer-containing material include one or more rubbers, one or more thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) one or more plastics (including but not limited to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, also known as “ABS”), or combinations thereof. Each of these polymers is also a non-limiting example of a polymer-containing material. Other non-limiting examples of polymer-containing materials include mixtures of any of these polymers with any other material, regardless of whether said any other material is itself one of these polymers or polymer-containing materials.

In examples, the shaving head20also includes a skin tensioning device140which is arranged in the shaving direction9with respect to the hair moving mechanism60(in this case on the front portion34). Such placement of the skin tensioning device140may allow movement of the shaving head20on the skin to bring the skin into contact with the skin tensioning device140before bringing the skin into contact with the hair moving mechanism60. During shaving, skin and hair which are made to contact the shaving area40of the shaving head may be contacted by the hair moving mechanism60after being contacted by the skin tensioning device140and before being contacted by the blade(s)50whose cutting edge(s) is/are in the shaving area40.

Although the skin tensioning device140illustrated here is represented as a series of three so-called “guard fins,” it is also contemplated to provide as few as one or two guard fins, or even as many as four or more guard fins. Moreover, it is also contemplated, in addition to or as an alternative to one or more guard fins, for the skin tensioning device140to provide a lubricating function. The skin tensioning device140may be provided as any known component for a shaving head that is arranged to contact skin as the skin moves towards the blade(s) thereof.

In examples, the shaving head20also includes a post-shave device150(in this case a lubricating element), which is arranged in an opposite direction to the shaving direction9with respect to the shaving area40(in this case on the rear portion31). The post-shave device150may be configured to contact skin as the skin leaves the shaving area40, for example in order to soothe the skin and/or to apply one or more products thereto. The post-shave device150may be provided as any known component for a shaving head that is arranged to contact skin after the skin has contacted one or more blades of the shaving head.

FIG.2shows a cut view of the shaving head20visible inFIG.1, as taken with respect to cut plane II-II.

In examples, the shaving head20includes a so-called “additional trimming” (or “precision”) blade59, whose cutting edge is outside of the shaving area40. Although the additional trimming blade59seen here is arranged to present its cutting edge on a rear surface of the rear portion31, such a placement is not intended to be limiting, and other placements of the cutting edge outside of the shaving area40are also contemplated for an additional trimming blade59, should one be provided. Moreover, although the example illustrated here includes only one additional trimming blade59, it is also contemplated to provide multiple additional trimming blades.

In the examples, the rear portion31may include a first portion31A and a second portion31B which are assembled together. For example, as seen inFIG.2, the first31A portion may present a slot in which the second portion31B (also called a “cap”) is receivable. Such a configuration may facilitate provision of the additional trimming blade(s)59and/or the post-shave device150, for example, by allowing it to be attached to the second portion31B prior assembly of the second portion31B to the first portion31A. However, it is also contemplated to use any conventional architecture for a rear portion31of a housing30of a shaving head20, regardless of whether a post-shave device150or additional trimming blade(s)59is/are to be provided.

The front portion34and the rear portion31(or at least the first portion31A of the rear portion31, when the rear portion31is composed of multiple portions) may be assembled together, or may be constructed monolithically with one another—as seen in the examples. In the case the front portion34and rear portion31are assembled together, a given lateral portion32,33may be formed monolithically with the front portion34or the (first portion31A of the) rear portion31, or may be formed independently of the front portion34and rear portion31and assembled to each.

The shaving head20includes a connection portion14which is configured to connect to the handle seen inFIG.1. The connection portion14may be provided as any known connector for a shaving head, and may be configured to allow a handle to connect permanently or temporarily to the housing30. Although, in the example illustrated here, the connection portion14and the shaving area40are arranged on opposite sides of the housing30in the height direction H, such an arrangement is not intended to be limiting. As a non-limiting example, the connection portion14may depend from the rear portion31, one or both lateral portions32,33, the front portion34, or any combination thereof.

In the example illustrated here, the hair moving mechanism60includes a hair moving surface80, which is arranged to come into contact with the skin during shaving. As seen in the example illustrated here, the hair moving surface80may be sized in the width direction W so as to extend in the width direction W across the entire shaving area40. A polymer-containing material may be provided in the hair moving surface80. The polymer-containing material provided in the hair moving surface80may for example be selected to provide sweeping of the skin. Non-limiting examples of polymer-containing materials which may be used to provide such a characteristic include one or more rubbers, one or more thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) one or more plastics (including but not limited to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, also known as “ABS”), or combinations thereof. It is also contemplated, however, for the polymer-containing material provided in the hair moving surface80to be any of the exemplary polymer-containing materials detailed earlier herein. Moreover, none of the materials presented for use in the hair moving surface80is intended to be limiting.

Regardless of the composition of the hair moving surface80, the hair moving mechanism60also includes a drive mechanism100. The drive mechanism100is configured to move at least a portion of the hair moving surface80that is in contact with the skin in a direction towards the cutting edge(s) of the blade(s)50whose cutting edges are arranged in the shaving area40. The drive mechanism100may be configured to move the hair moving surface80faster with respect to the housing30than the movement of the skin with respect to the housing30. As a non-limiting example, the drive mechanism100may be configured to move the hair moving surface80at least twice as fast with respect to the housing30as the movement of the skin with respect to the housing30.

As a non-limiting example, the drive mechanism may be provided as a motor that is configured to move the hair moving surface faster than a typical speed at which a shaver is moved across skin during shaving.

The drive mechanism100may be configured to produce movement of the hair moving surface80in response to movement of the skin relative to the housing30. For example, the drive mechanism100may include a motor and a sensor configured to detect movement of the skin relative to the housing30(for example optically). In the example illustrated here, however, the drive mechanism100is configured to convert the movement of the skin relative to the housing30into movement of the hair moving surface80relative to the housing30.

In the example illustrated here, the drive mechanism100includes a drivetrain connecting the hair moving surface80to at least one driving wheel110which is arranged to contact the skin during shaving. Movement of the skin relative to the housing30causes rotation of the driving wheel110, and is converted via the drivetrain into movement of the hair moving surface80.

The driving wheel110presents a contact surface112which is brought into contact with skin during shaving. As seen in the example illustrated here, the contact surface112may be textured in order to limit or avoid slippage of the driving wheel110on the skin. Regardless of whether the contact surface112is textured or not, the driving wheel110may contain a high-friction material for contact with the skin, which is provided in the contact surface112. The high-friction material may be chosen from one or more of the polymer-containing materials detailed earlier herein, though such exemplary materials are not intended to be limiting. Moreover, it is also contemplated to provide a non-polymeric high-friction material.

In examples, the hair moving surface80includes at least one fin90configured to sweep the skin as it comes into contact with it during shaving. As the fin90sweeps the skin in a direction that includes a component oriented opposite to a grain component of a strand of hair growing from the skin, the fin90may lift at least a portion the strand of hair away from the exposed surface of the skin, so as to increase said portion's perpendicularity with respect to the exposed surface of the skin. Increased perpendicularity may increase the closeness by which the blade(s)50in the cutting area40are able to shave the strand.

Although, in the example illustrated here, the hair moving surface80presents ten fins90, it is also contemplated to provide a hair moving surface with nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, or two fins90, or even to provide eleven or more fins90.

In examples, hair moving surface80is provided on a roller70that is mounted rotatably in the housing30so as to be rotatable by the drive mechanism100. The roller70may be configured to rotate faster than the driving wheel110, for example at least twice as fast as the driving wheel110.

The fin(s)90of the hair moving surface80extend(s) radially outwardly from a core of the roller70which connects the hair moving surface80to the housing30. Although the example illustrated here shows the core and the fin(s)90as being formed monolithically with one another of a material common to both the fin(s)90and the core, it is also contemplated for the fin(s)90to be formed using a different material from the core, for example as with a plastic core on which the hair moving surface80is formed by co-injection of rubber thereon.

Whether the fin(s)90(and/or hair moving surface80) is/are formed monolithically with the core of the roller70or not, the hair moving surface80is understood to be provided on the roller70.

The drivetrain may be provided as a gear set linking the driving wheel(s)110to the hair moving surface80(for example to an axle of the roller70). However other drivetrains are contemplated, for example as a belt drive or a chain drive.

The driving wheel110may be provided outside of the shaving area40. In examples, the driving wheel110is provided in the width direction W with respect to the shaving area40. Such an arrangement may reduce likelihood that a strand of hair would be subjected to a force in the shaving direction9by the driving wheel110as the strand of hair enters the shaving area40. In the example shown here, the driving wheel110is arranged in the shaving direction9with respect to the hair moving surface80. Other placements for the driving wheel110are also contemplated, such as in an opposite direction to the shaving direction9with respect to the shaving area40, for example.

FIG.3shows the cut view of the shaving head20visible inFIG.1-2during shaving of skin8, with the shaving direction9oriented generally in the same direction as the grain direction6of the hair7growing from the skin8. With a conventional shaver, such a shaving direction may be associated with reduced shaving closeness, for example due to individual strands' orientations reducing their accessibility to blades.

As seen in the illustrated example however, as the shaving head20moves in the shaving direction9with respect to the skin8and hair7protruding therefrom, the hair moving mechanism60moves the fins90and consequently the hair7with respect to the skin8, and towards the blade(s)50whose cutting edge(s) is/are in the shaving area40. Such movement temporarily alters the grain of the hair7in a vicinity of the hair moving mechanism60, for example by altering the grain direction6of the hair7or by reducing the magnitude of individual strands' grain components. Such an alteration may improve shaving closeness when the shaving direction9is aligned with the grain direction6, or when a path angle between the shaving direction9and the grain direction6is within a certain range.

The path angle is defined by a vertex and two rays extending therefrom: a shaving ray extending from the vertex in the shaving direction9, and a grain ray extending away from the vertex in the grain direction6. The term “path angle” as used herein refers to an angle of 180 degrees or less. A path angle of approximately 180 degrees corresponds to a shaving direction9which is substantially opposite to the grain direction6; a path angle of approximately 0 degrees corresponds to a shaving direction9which is substantially the same as the grain direction6. For a conventional shaving head, a path angle of more than 90 degrees typically corresponds to a closer shave than a path angle of less than 90 degrees. In the shaving head20illustrated here, however, the movement of the hair7relative to the skin8provided by the hair moving mechanism60may improve shaving closeness for a path angle of less than 90 degrees.

As the skin8moves past the housing30with given velocity and a direction opposite to the shaving direction9, the skin8contacts the driving wheel110. Due to contact with the housing30and/or the driving wheel110, the skin8deflects away from the shaving head20in a direction normal to the exposed surface, relative to skin8which is brought into contact with the blade(s)50whose cutting edges are in the shaving area40. Accordingly, inFIG.3, since the exposed surface of the skin8is shown coming into contact with the cutting edges of the blades50in the shaving area, the skin8obscures portions of the housing30and driving wheel110. These obscured portions of the shaving head20are therefore represented here using dashed lines.

FIG.4shows a cut view of the shaving head20visible inFIG.1, as taken with respect to cut plane IV-IV during shaving. Due to contact with the driving wheel110while moving past the housing30, the skin8imparts a tangential velocity to the driving wheel110that is approximately equivalent in magnitude and direction to the velocity of the skin with8with respect to the housing (in other words, its magnitude is approximately equal to the velocity of the shaving head20in the shaving direction9, and its direction with respect to the housing20is approximately opposite to the shaving direction). Under the effect of this tangential velocity, the driving wheel110is made to roll on the skin8and rotate with respect to the housing30. Torque from the driving wheel110is transferred through the drivetrain to the roller70(visible inFIG.3).

Comparison ofFIG.3-4reveals that the roller70rotates relative to the housing30in the same direction as the driving wheel110, as indicated by the arrow109inFIG.4, representing the direction of rotation of the driving wheel110, and the arrow69inFIG.3, representing the direction of rotation of the roller70.

The tangential velocity of the hair moving surface80, as measured at a location of the hair moving surface80in contact with the skin8(for example as measured at an outer radial extremity of a fin90in contact with the skin8) has a direction relative to the housing30that is approximately opposite to the shaving direction. In the example illustrated here, its magnitude as measured relative to the housing30is approximately twice that of the velocity of the shaving head20in the shaving direction9.

Since the speed of the hair moving surface80relative to the skin8during contact therewith is substantially higher than the speed of the housing30relative to the skin8, hair7contacted by the hair moving surface80is moved relative to the skin8towards the blade(s)50whose edge(s) is/are present in the shaving area40.

Additionally, in contrast with the shaving heads known from the documents EP3590669A1, WO2019141482A1, WO2019141488A1, EP3444084A1, and DE102004020650A1, the shaving head20of the present disclosure may (for example through the movement of the hair moving surface80) impart a movement to hair7so as to lift strands away from the exposed surface of the skin8. In other words, the movement of the hair7may include a component which is normal to the exposed surface of the skin8. Such movement may cause a temporary increase in the length of a given strand of hair7, as a portion of the strand which was concealed beneath the exposed surface of the skin8is pulled beyond the exposed surface of the skin8, thereby becoming exposed. Subsequent to this temporary increase in length, the hair7may retract, drawing back at least some of the newly-exposed length of the strand to conceal it beneath the exposed surface of the skin8. This behavior may be used to improve shaving closeness, by temporarily elongating hair8and shaving it before the retraction subsides.

In the example illustrated here, the rotation of the hair moving surface80may allow it to pull hair7away from the exposed surface of the skin8, inducing this temporarily elongation shortly before the hair7is cut by the blade(s)50whose cutting edge(s) is/are in the shaving area40.

Since the roller70is rotating at a speed that moves the hair moving surface80relative to the housing30substantially faster than the skin8moves relative to the housing30, the hair moving surface80is able to apply tension to the hair7as the hair moving surface80slides on the hair7.

The fin(s)90on the hair moving surface80may allow for strands of hair7to be swept gently away from the exposed surface of the skin8, possibly into a position in which they may extend lengthwise into gaps provided between adjacent fins90. In such a position, a fin90may be positioned to tug the strand of hair7away from the exposed surface of the skin8. By bringing the strand of hair7into frequent and repeated contact with the fin(s)90of the hair moving surface80(for example by providing multiple fins90and/or by ensuring a speed of the hair moving surface80which is much higher relative to the housing30than the speed of the skin8relative to the housing30), it may be possible to increase the extent of the temporary elongation of the hair7, and/or delay retraction.

Such pulling and/or sweeping away of a strand of hair7from the exposed surface of skin8may allow the hair to be lifted.

As seen in the illustrated example, when a skin tensioning device140is present, providing the hair moving surface80in an opposite direction to the shaving direction9with respect to the skin tensioning device140may allow the skin tensioning device140to stretch the skin8by pulling it away from the blade(s)50of the shaving area40, while still allowing the hair moving surface80to move hair7towards the blade(s)50of the shaving area40. Moreover, such an arrangement may also reduce the likelihood that the skin8would go slack between the hair moving surface80and the blade(s)50of the shaving area40. The hair moving mechanism60may be configured such that the contact force between the hair moving surface80and the skin8does not exceed the contact force between the skin tensioning device140and the skin8.

Returning now toFIG.1, it can be seen that, in the example illustrated here, the drive mechanism100includes two driving wheels110,110′, located on opposite lateral sides of the housing30such that each is beyond the shaving area40in the width direction W.

Other configurations for converting the movement of the skin relative to the housing30into movement of the hair moving surface80are also contemplated, for example a continuous track device may be provided with wheels thereof arranged in series along the shaving direction9, such that the track thereof may be movable relative to the housing30opposite to the shaving direction9when contacted by skin, and movement of the track is imparted to the wheels for transmission to the hair moving surface80.

Each driving wheel110,110′ (or equivalent) may, as seen in the example illustrated here, be housed in a lateral portion32,33of the housing30, at its intersection with the front portion34of the housing30. It is also contemplated, however, that at least one driving wheel110,110′ may be housed in the front portion34of the housing30, medially of the lateral portions32,33, with the skin tensioning device140(when present) being shaped accordingly to accommodate the driving wheel(s)110,110′. Placing a driving wheel110,110′ medially of the lateral portions may increase reliability of contact between the driving wheel(s) and the skin.

In the case of a continuous track device, it is contemplated that each continuous track device be housed in a lateral portion32,33of the housing30extend from the intersection of the lateral portion32,33with the front portion34to the intersection of the lateral portion32,33with the rear portion31of the housing30. The retainer35(when present) may be shaped so as to not interfere with the continuous track device.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the term “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one” unless otherwise stated. In addition, any range set forth herein, including the claims should be understood as including its end value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific values for described elements should be understood to be within accepted manufacturing or industry tolerances known to one of skill in the art, and any use of the terms “substantially” and/or “approximately” and/or “generally” should be understood to mean falling within such accepted tolerances.

Although the present disclosure herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure.

It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.