Shaver with interchangeable cartridge, cartridge and head and handle assembly for such shaver

A shaver is provided, the shaver includes a handle with an elongated handgrip portion and a mounting portion, a shaver head, the shaver head being attached to the mounting portion, the shaver head having a bottom wall. A removable cartridge is attached to the shaver head through an attaching element provided on the shaver head. An ejection spring provides an ejection force which urges the cartridge away from the shaver head when the cartridge is removed from the shaver head.

This application is a national stage application of International Application No. PCT/EP2012/076798, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a shaver with interchangeable cartridges, and to cartridges and head and handle assembly for such a shaver.

More particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a shaver that includes:

a handle with an elongated body terminating in a mounting portion for retaining a shaver head,

a shaver head adapted to accommodate an interchangeable shaving cartridge,

a lock-and-release mechanism to enable the interchangeable shaving cartridge to be loaded and ejected from the shaver head, and

an interchangeable cartridge containing one or more blades.

Such a shaver enables the user to replace the cartridge once the blade or blades become worn, while the handle and the shaver head can be kept and reused.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The removal from the shaver head of the interchangeable blade cartridges, such as those disclosed in e.g. EP2195145, usually requires the user to press or pull the cartridge to actually displace the cartridge. This means that to replace the cartridge, the user needs to encounter the cartridge by his/her fingers. Therefore the risk of the injury of the user is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this aim, a shaver is provided, the shaver comprises a handle with an elongated handgrip portion and a mounting portion, a shaver head, the shaver head being attached to the mounting portion, the shaver head having a bottom wall, a removable cartridge, the cartridge that includes at least one blade, the cartridge being adapted to be attached to the shaver head and removed from the shaver head, an attaching element, adapted to attach the cartridge to the shaver head, and a spring provided on the shaver head, wherein the spring provides an ejection force which urges the cartridge away from the shaver head when the cartridge is removed from the shaver head.

With these features, when the cartridge is to be removed from the shaver head, it is more easily ejected from the shaver head. The user does not have to push or pull the cartridge and the risk of injury of the user is lowered. Moreover, as only the cartridge is replaced when the blades become worn, instead of replacing the whole shaver head, the costs of such shaver are kept lower. As a matter of fact, only the blades are changed every time the cartridge is replaced. Thus, the extra features of the head, like e.g. the lubricating strip or rubber guard bar, may be kept and reused. Further, as only the cartridge is replaced, the shaver is both easier to manufacture and more environment friendly, as the amount of material to be replaced (and disposed of) is reduced.

In some embodiments, one may also use one or more of the following features:

the shaver head may be attached pivotally to the shaver head,

the shaver head further comprises a bottom wall positioned in front of the at least one blade in the direction of shaving, and the ejection spring is attached to the bottom wall,

the cartridge is ejected in a direction parallel to the direction of shaving,

the shaver head further comprises a bottom wall positioned in front of the at least one blade in the direction of shaving, lateral walls, and a spring, and the spring comprises a holding portion, positioned adjacent the bottom wall of the shaver head, the holding portion being adapted to attach the spring to the shaver head, and a pair of symmetrically positioned ejection springs, the ejection springs being provided as elastic wings, the elastic wings extending from the holding portion in a direction towards the lateral walls,

each of the wings terminates in a bent portion,

the spring is made of metal,

the attaching element and the ejection spring belong to the same elastic metal part, the metal part further that includes an elastic body connecting the attaching element to the at least one ejection spring,

the attaching element and the spring are formed as a one-piece body, and the attaching element and the spring are connected via an elastic body, the elastic body extending from the holding portion of the spring in a direction away from the bottom wall of the shaver head,

the shaver head further comprises a bottom wall, the bottom wall being positioned in front of the at least one blade in the direction of shaving, and a guard member, the guard member being positioned adjacent the bottom wall,

the handle further comprises a slidable button, the button that includes a pusher, the pusher being adapted to encounter the elastic body of the spring and thus release the cartridge,

the cartridge comprises a holder, and wherein the attaching element and the holder cooperate to attach the cartridge to the shaver head,

the shaver head further comprises lateral walls, the lateral walls may comprise guide tracks, the cartridge may further comprise lateral walls, the lateral walls that includes guide tracks, and the guide tracks of the cartridge may cooperate with guide tracks of the shaver head.

In another aspect of the present invention, a cartridge is provided, the cartridge comprises a holder, and the holder has an overall shape of a hook.

One may also use one or more of the following features:

the cartridge comprises at least one blade, the at least one blade is mounted movably,

the cartridge further comprises a top wall and a shaving aid, the shaving aid positioned in the top wall.

In another aspect of the present invention, a head and handle assembly for a shaver as described above may be provided, the assembly that includes: a handle with an elongated handgrip portion and a mounting portion, a shaver head, the shaver head being adapted to receive a cartridge, the shaver head being attached to the mounting portion, an ejection spring provided on the shaver head, and an attaching element adapted to attach a cartridge to the shaver head, wherein the ejection spring provides an ejection force which urges the cartridge away from the shaver head when the cartridge is removed from the shaver head.

In some embodiments of the assembly, one may also use one or more of the following features:

the shaver head may be attached pivotally to the mounting portion,

the shaver head further comprises a bottom wall, and the spring is attached to the bottom wall,

the cartridge is ejected in a direction parallel to the direction of shaving,

the shaver head further comprises a bottom wall and lateral walls, and the spring comprises a holding portion, positioned adjacent the bottom wall of the shaver head, the holding portion being adapted to attach the spring to the shaver head, and a pair of symmetrically positioned elastic wings, the elastic wings extending from the holding portion in a direction towards the lateral walls,

each of the wings terminates in a bent portion,

the spring is made of metal,

the attaching element further comprises an elastic body, and the attaching element is provided as a part of the shaver head,

the attaching element is made of plastic,

the attaching element and the spring are formed as a one-piece body, and the attaching element and the spring are connected via an elastic body,

the attaching element and the spring are formed as a one-piece body, and the attaching element and the spring are connected via an elastic body, the elastic body extending from the holding portion of the spring in a direction away from the bottom wall of the shaver head,

the shaver head further comprises a bottom wall and a guard member, the guard member being positioned adjacent the bottom wall.

On the different Figures, the same reference signs designate like or similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1ato 1cshow an example of a shaver according to the present invention. The shaver comprises a handle20, a shaver head40and a cartridge60, which accommodates one or more blades63. On the example shown on the Figures, there are four blades. However, the cartridge may also use more or less of blades.

The cartridge (FIGS. 3, 5aand5b)60is formed as a frame with a top wall61, two lateral walls62, bottom wall67and a back structure (shown in detail onFIG. 5a). The top wall61and the bottom wall67are elongated and connected by the lateral walls62. The frame of the cartridge60may be molded out of plastic; preferably, the frame is one-piece. The blades63extend between the lateral walls62, parallel to the top wall61and the bottom wall67. The blades63may be made from bent sheet metal, or, preferably, they may be straight and supported with blade supports63A. The blades63and/or the blade supports63A are then accommodated in seats63B provided in the lateral walls62. Moreover, the blades may for instance be placed movably. The lateral walls62may be provided with elastic fingers64, extending towards the insides of the cartridge frame, in a direction parallel to the blades63, and supporting movably the blades63. The blades63may be held in the cartridge by a pair of bent metal strips66, which encircle the ends of the blades63and thus hold them in place. The number of blades may be for example four. In the top wall61, lying generally in a plane defined by the blade edges, a shaving aid61A may be provided. In other embodiments, the blades may be fixed.

The handle20has an elongated handgrip portion (not shown) which may be provided with features that enhance grip of the user and help prevent slipping, such as ribs, pegs, elastomeric parts and the like. The handle20is preferably molded out of a plastic material. The handle20is terminated in two yokes21extending from the handle, as shown onFIG. 2. The yokes21end in a mounting portion, which may be provided in a form of shell bearings22. The shell bearings22then cooperate with complementary depressions41provided on the shaver head40. The shell bearings22and the complementary depressions41together enable the shaver head40to pivot about an axis parallel to the length of the blades63. Alternatively, the shell bearings22may be replaced by hinges, pins or other pivoting means; the shaver head40may also be attached to the handle20without any pivoting means. Here, only the pivoting head will be described.

The yokes21further define a gap23, positioned between the yokes21. The gap23accommodates a cam follower24. The cam follower24has a bifurcated end; the two branches cooperate with a pair of rests43A provided on back wall43of the shaver head40, therefore enabling the shaver head40to be returned to the neutral position. The cam follower24is operated by a coil spring36, which is preferably made of metal.

An example of a shaver head40is shown onFIG. 3FIGS. 4aand 4b. The shaver head comprises a front wall44, a back wall43, a bottom wall46and lateral walls42. The front wall44may include a skin engaging element or a guard (not shown), preferably made in an elastomeric material. The back wall43comprises depressions41, which accommodate shell bearings22, positioned at the end of the handle20. On the back wall43, there is also a pair of rests43A, cooperating with the cam follower24.

The shaver head40forms a seating where the cartridge60can be accommodated (detail of such seating is shown onFIG. 4b). The cartridge60is preferably inserted from the side opposing the bottom wall46, as shown onFIG. 3, generally in a direction of shaving. The lateral walls42include guide tracks42A, formed as grooves on the insides of the lateral walls42. Once the cartridge60is inserted into the shaver head, the guide tracks42A are encountered by guide tracks62A provided as protrusions on the lateral walls62of the cartridge60and the cartridge60is guided to its seating. The risk of wrong insertion of the cartridge60is thus lowered.

Once the cartridge60is inserted into the shaver head40, it encounters an attaching element45A and at least one ejection spring45C. The attaching element45A is adapted to attach the cartridge60to the shaver head40. Preferably, the attaching element45A attaches the cartridge60to the shaver head40by snap-fitting.

In an example shown on the Figures, the attaching element45A is provided as a part of a spring45. The spring45is positioned in the bottom wall46of the shaver head40. The spring is shown onFIGS. 6ato 6c. The attaching element45A takes a form of a snap-fitting portion45A extending from an elastic body45B. The spring45may further comprise an ejection spring45C. The ejection spring45C is preferably provided as a pair of symmetrically positioned elastic wings45C. The spring45also comprises a holding portion45D, which is adapted to hold the spring45in its position. OnFIG. 6b, the elastic body45B is shown to extend from the holding portion45D in a direction away from the bottom wall46. The elastic body45B is bent towards the back wall43of the shaver head40and then back to form a substantially C-shaped strip. The elastic body45B, when assembled in the shaver head40, is preferably positioned so that the C-shaped part protrudes between the pair of the rest portions43A of the shaver head40. On the top of the elastic body45B, there is a snap-fitting portion45A, which forms a small loop that is turned towards the back wall43of the shaver head40. The wings45C extend from the holding portion45D generally in a direction towards the lateral walls42, preferably in an angle that is more than15degrees with respect to the bottom wall46. A small portions of the ends45E of the wings45C are bent towards the bottom wall46, thus simplifying insertion of the bottom wall67of the cartridge60and avoiding its damage.

In one possible embodiment, the attaching element45A, together with the elastic body45B, are provided as a part of the shaver head40. The attaching element45A and the elastic body45B may be made of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material with elastic properties. The attaching element45A and the elastic body45B may be provided molded integrally with the shaver head40. The ejection spring45C may then be provided as a separate component. In such example, the spring45comprises the holding portion45D, and the wings45C. The structure of the holding portion45D, the wings45C, and the position of the holding portion45D and the wings45C with regards to the shaver head40is similar to the example shown in the Figures.

Below, only the embodiment with the spring45being formed integrally with the attaching element45A and the ejection spring45C will be described.

The back structure of the cartridge60is provided with a holder65, which can be encountered by the snap-fitting portion45A of the spring45. The holder65is preferably formed as a pair of small toward-the-blades oriented hooks, as seen onFIGS. 5band 5c; however, other configurations such as only a single hook are also possible.

Once the cartridge60is inserted, the holder65is encountered by the snap-fitting portion45A of the spring45, the snap-fitting portion45A of the spring45is held by the holder65, and thus the cartridge60is retained in its seating in the shaver head40.

The spring45is attached to the bottom wall46of the shaver head40by its holding portion45D by a holding portion46A of the shaver head. The holding portion46A may be for example a screw, a bolt, or the like. The spring45is thus permanently attached to the shaver head40. The spring45is preferably made of metal, therefore being resilient and not easily destroyed, but may be made in any other suitable material, such as plastic or material with elastic properties.

Once the cartridge60is inserted into the shaver head40, the cartridge60preferably does not perform any movements with respect to the shaver head40. The shaver head40is attached pivotally to the handle20; preferably, the pivoting means22,41are provided on the shaver head40and on the handle20, but not on the cartridge60.

The above described mechanism, which uses the spring45provided on the shaver head40and the holder65provided on the cartridge60, brings about several advantages. The only replaced component is the cartridge60, which in itself does not hold any additional features (such as pivoting means and the like). Therefore the price of the cartridge60may be lowered and the manufacturing process thereof may be simplified; as the shaver head40and the handle20are not replaced, they may be manufactured as being more robust while keeping the price reasonable. Especially, the means provided to secure the pivoting attachment of the shaver head40to the handle20, may be made more reliable. Moreover, the snap-fitting mechanism is both easy to manufacture and easy to operate. Since the shaver head40and the cartridge60are provided with guide tracks42A and62A, respectively, the insertion of the cartridge60into the shaver head40is simplified and the risk of wrong insertion of the cartridge60is lowered. The simplified design of the cartridge60may be further beneficial with regards to sustainability, as the cartridge60may be washed with reduced amount of water.

When the cartridge60is attached to the shaver head40, the wings45C of the spring are compressed by the cartridge60. Therefore, the ends45E of the wings45C that are bent are preferably so short as to avoid damage of the bottom wall46of the shaver head40.

The top part of the handle20adjacent the shaver head40is also provided with a button30(seeFIGS. 7ato 7c). The button30has a front end30A and a rear end30B. The button30is slidable in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the handle20. To ensure sliding of the button30, two pair of guides34and37are provided on the part of the button30that is adjacent to the handle20. The guides34,37encounter the guide trails27A,27B provided on the front portion of the handle20; preferably, the guides34,37are provided with a bent lower portions34A,37A so as to ensure that they do not disengage from the respective guide trails27A,27B. In this way, the guides34,37, when in cooperation with guide trails27A,27B, provide the button30with sliding in a direction generally parallel to the length of the handle20, prevents the button30from moving elsewhere, and also prevents the button30from disengaging from the handle20.

The button30comprises a finger receiving region32, provided on the top part of the button30. As can be seen onFIG. 7a, the finger receiving region32may be equipped with features that help to prevent slipping of user's fingers. Once the user encounters the button30with his/her finger, s/he may push the button30in a direction towards the shaver head40. To return the button30to its initial position, the button30is provided with a coil rest35, which is positioned at the rear end30B of the button30, adjacent the handle20. The coil rest35cooperates with the coil spring36. When the button30is pressed by the user, the coil spring36is compressed, and once the button30is released, the coil spring36returns the button30to its original position.

The button30further comprises a pusher31. The pusher31is located in the front end30A of the button, adjacent the shaver head40. The pusher31takes a form of a projection which extends from the button30in a direction of the shaver head40. Preferably, the projection of the pusher31is located between the two branches of the bifurcated end of the cam follower24so that it can easily reach the elastic body45B of the spring45, which is located between the rests43A for the cam follower24. In this way, the cam follower24and the pusher31do not interfere.

Once the user wishes to replace the cartridge60, s/he pushes the button30and the cartridge60is disengaged. More specifically, the pusher31presses the C-shaped part of the elastic body45B of the spring45. The elastic body45B of the spring45is then deformed, thus releasing the snap-fitting portion45A of the spring45from the holder65, and the spring45no longer holds the cartridge60in place. Moreover, the wings45C of the spring45, which are compressed by the cartridge60, tend to return to their initial position. The wings45C of the spring45urge the cartridge60away from its seating, and the cartridge60is ejected. In this way, the user does not have to touch the cartridge60by his/her fingers and the risk of cutting the user's fingers with the blades63is then reduced.

Moreover, as can be seen onFIGS. 7band 7c, the button30comprises a pair of safeguards33. The safeguards33generally take a form of pins protruding downwards from the button30. The handle is adapted to receive these safeguards33in grooves26, carved in the handle20. The safeguards33can slide back and forth in the grooves26, and given the shape of the grooves, they prevent the yokes21from being accidentally moved closer together. When the yokes21cannot be moved closer together, the risk of the yokes accidentally releasing the shaver head as a whole is reduced, thus reducing risk of injury of the user.