HAND-HELD, PORTABLE STEAM RAZOR

Abstract: A hand-held, portable steam shaving device (10) for shaving the skin includes a housing (20), and a liquid reservoir (50) in the housing (20). A steam generator is provided in the housing for converting a liquid to a vapor and for supplying the steam or vapor to the skin surfaces to be shaved.

Description: HAND-HELD. PORTABLE STEAM RAZOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a new shaving apparatus for using the physical and therapeutic properties of steam and vapor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Steam has long been used for treating the body owing to the therapeutic effects of moisture-laden vapor for treating skin and hair. The use of steam in shaving allows the hair fibers to be moistened and facilitates removal of the hair. The use of steam in skin treatment is generally known, such as applied at steam baths for causing perspiration and opening of the pores. The use of steam as a body treatment aids in relaxing muscles, and helps to cleanse the skin through heating of the natural body oils to a more liquified state in which removal of the oils is facilitated as by wiping or washing away the oils. It is also known that many people find it easier to shave after having showered or bathed, as the hair to be removed has swelled and softened owing to the absorption or adsorption of water by the hair. U.S. Patent No. 4,399,349 to Deming et al. discloses an electrically heated facial sauna appliance having a heater such as a ceramic resistance or positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater enclosed in an aluminum case. A thermostat calibrated to about 100° - 110°C is attached to the Deming heater. A fan is used to propel the steam toward the face. No shavers or razors are disclosed, although Deming et al. generally describe putting water or aqueous solutions or emulsions containing medicaments, colognes or perfumes, moisturizers, and the like, into a water tank steam generating chamber. U.S. Patent No. 3,800,810 to Mercer discloses an appliance construction for use as a hair dressing tool and a steam iron that schematically shows a tool or implement which may be a brush, comb, or the like, advantageously formed with passageways (not shown) through the comb back or brush back for passing fluid from the interior of a work head exteriorly thereof. Mercer describes the application of steam to hair for shaping hair in hair-dressing and hair-styling operations; however, no disclosure is made of applying steam to treat facial hair or other unwanted hair to be removed by shaving. U.S. Patent No. 4,596,565 to Ruderian discloses a salve applicator having a vibrating element independently operable for being operated independently of a blower motor. The vibrating element essentially vibrates the casing and thereby facilitates the absorption of a medicant into the pores of a body portion when the salve applicator is in use as a massager. No disclosure is made of shaving attachments. The use of the term "steam" is for convenience only, as all vaporized liquids and medicated solutions that may be vaporized are intended to be within the scope of the invention. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a first object of the invention to provide a compact, hand-held shaving device which has a steam generating chamber and which directs steam at the skin surface. Another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held, portable shaving device which can be used as a facial shaver as well as a whole body shaver. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held, portable device which produces steam, yet which requires no fan for directing steam at the user. Another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held, portable shaving device which avoids the drawbacks of prior art shavers. A still further object is to avoid the presence of electrical components, including wires, in direct contact with a liquid reservoir. A further object of the invention is to eliminate the need for locating an electrical heating element in a fluid reservoir. Another object of the invention is to provide a shaving device which can be used regardless of its orientation. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a shaving device including a steamer with which the steam is generated close to the surfaces of the skin to be treated so as to avoid the temperature drop of steam present in existing devices. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a shaving device using steam and having an improved flow path configuration for both cooling parts of the device which require cooling and for conveying steam to the user's skin for enhanced shaving. A yet further object of the invention is to provide a shaving device which use steam and thereby supplies moisture-laden air directly to the skin for providing natural moisturizing of the skin. It is a yet further object of the invention to provide a shaving device which makes unnecessary the use of pre-shave solutions. Still another feature of the invention is to provide a hand-held steam shaving device having a self-contained liquid reservoir. Another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held, portable steam shaving device having a liquid reservoir which does not leak liquid when the device is in an inverted position while steam shaving. Another object of the invention is to provide a portable steam shaving device including a wick for drawing a liquid from the reservoir to the heating element. Still another object of the invention is to provide a wick which is sufficiently hydrophilic so as to draw up liquid readily, and, at the same time, maintain a high enough flow resistance, in part due to its "wetting angle" to prevent "flooding" when the entire device is held upside down while steam shaving. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a wick which is mechanically stable, even after soaking in water. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held, portable, self-contained steam generation device and shaver which can apply steam to selected areas of the body while simultaneously directly contacting or being spaced from those areas. Still another object of the invention is to provide a compact steam shaving device including a motor which powers both a fan and a razor for efficiency and for providing a compact construction. A yet still further object of the invention is to provide a compact construction of the overall device. A still further object of the invention is to provide a single motor having a common shaft for powering a fan and a razor. Another object of the invention is to enhance the effect of pre-shave, during shave (e.g., shaving lotion which helps hair stand up) , and aftershave lotions. A yet still further object of the invention is to provide for improved shaving by using ambient air or vapor-laden air for enhancing the action of a powered razor and for making the process of shaving more comfortable and efficient. A still further object of the invention is to provide a steamer device which can produce vapor or steam by using a low power and/or voltage level AC or DC power source. In summary, therefore, the invention is directed to body shaving devices which operate directly in contact with the skin or spaced from the skin and use steam to enhance the effectiveness of the shaving device. In one embodiment the shaving device includes a steam generator. Another embodiment of the shaving device is an apparatus which includes a razor attachment which may be stationary or motorized to shave and or remove hair from the skin surface as steam is being applied. The invention will be further described with reference to the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of a portable, hand-held steam shaving device according to the invention; FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1; FIGURE 2A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. i; FIGURE 2B is a view similar to FIG. 2A, of a further preferred embodiment of a valve according to the invention; FIGURE 2C is a schematic view of the manner in which the valve of FIG. 2B is partially open; FIGURE 2D is a schematic view similar to FIG. 2C, showing the valve of FIG. 2B in a further open position; FIGURE 2E is a schematic view similar to FIG. 2C, showing the valve of FIG. 2B in a still further open position; FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment; FIGURE 3A is a perspective view of a modular bottle adaptor according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3B is a cross-sectional view of the modular bottle adaptor of FIG. 3A; FIGURE 3C is a top plan view of the modular model bottle of FIG. 3A; FIGURE 3D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3d-3d of FIG. 3C; FIGURE 4 is a front, elevational view of a powered shaver head according to the invention; FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional view of the powered shaver head of FIG. 4, taken along line 5-5; FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of certain components of the powered shaver head of FIG. 4; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a blade assembly shown in FIGS. 4-6; FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of a further preferred embodiment of a steam shaver according to the invention; and FIGURE 9 is an elevational view of a still further preferred embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one of the preferred embodiments of a steam razor 10 according to the invention. Steam razor 10 includes a housing 20 having a razor blade head 30 attached to an upper end thereof. A heating element 40 heats and vaporizes a liquid supplied by a liquid reservoir 50 defined in housing 20. A battery or other power source 60 energizes heating element 40, as will be explained in detail below. A recharging base 70 functions to both store steam razor 10 at rest and to recharge battery 60. An electric cord 80 extends from recharging base 70 and is connectable to a conventional 115 volt AC electrical outlet, for example. More particularly, steam razor 10 includes a push¬ button 100 connected to a rod 102. A spring 104, preferably encircling and retained by rod 102, normally biases push-button 100 outwardly. A valve 106 regulates the discharge of a liquid from liquid reservoir 50. Valve 106 includes upper and lower sealing elements 108, 109, respectively, and an orifice 110 defined in a wall 112 of reservoir 50. Sealing element 109 blocks orifice 110 when push-button 100 and, hence, rod 102, are in their normal, upwardly biased positions. Heating element 40, which is preferably configured with sloped upper walls 42, is electrically connected to a thermostat 120, which, in turn, is electrically connected to a male adaptor prong 124 receivable in a female receptacle 126. Upper walls 42 are sloped for catching all drops of liquid which are released by valve 106 from reservoir 50. A conventional AC/DC convertor 128 electrically connects female receptacle 126 and AC electric cord 80, for converting standard household alternating current to direct current of the appropriate voltage to recharge battery 60, as will be readily understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. A refill cap 132 is removably received in housing 20 for adding liquid to reservoir 50. A conventional DC motor is provided in housing 20 and is preferably powered by battery 60. A driven shaft 134 powered by DC motor 130 rotates an offset weight or eccentric 136. Eccentric 136 induces vibrations which vibrate housing 20 and, hence, razor blade 30, thereby enhancing the shaving effect. Preferably, heating element 40 is heated up by supplying electricity directly from standard 115V household current through male adaptor prong 124 and thermostat 120. Alternatively, both motor 130 and heating element 40 are powered by battery 60. A vapor passage 140 directs vapor or steam 8 produced by heating element 40. The steam exits housing 20 along vapor passage 140 and through outlet 144 defined in razor blade head 30. Outlet 144 is preferably provided adjacent a fixed razor blade 148. A first baffle 149 cooperates with a second baffle 150 for deflecting steam flow and for preventing inserting of objects into vapor passage 140 and into contact with heating element 40, for example. As best seen in FIG. 2, a protective cover 152 encloses razor blade head 30 when not in use. One or more detents 156 provided on razor blade head 30 engage lips 160 defined on housing 20, so that razor blade head 30 can be readily replaced, as necessary. Preferably, an elongated neck 180 is provided on housing 20 so that the effective length of steam razor 10 is increased. FIG. 2A is a partial view of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale, showing details of valve 106. FIG. 2B is a view similar to FIG. 2A, showing a still further preferred embodiment of a valve 170 according to the invention. Valve 170 includes a spring- loaded, movable rod 172 having a first, elongated, semi¬ circular actuating element or actuator 174 disposed substantially lengthwise thereon. A second elongated actuator element 176 is disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from first actuator element 174, and is preferably somewhat longer than first element 174. A third, elongated actuating element 178 is likewise disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from elongated elements 174 and 176, and is longer than each of those two elements. An O-ring 182 surrounds rod 172 and prevents the discharge of liquid from liquid reservoir 50 when in its normally closed position. FIGS. 2C-2E, schematically show how the O-ring is distorted at one or more places, depending on how many of actuating elements 174, 176, and 178 are contacting O- ring 182, when rod 172 is pushed downwardly during use. Specifically, FIG. 2C schematically shows the configuration of O-ring 182 when rod 172 has been moved partially downwardly and only the lower portion of third element 178 contacts the inner wall of O-ring 182. A deflected area 181, caused by contact of element 178 with O-ring 182 defines elongated passages 182 and 183 directly adjacent thereto and through which a liquid passes. As will readily apparent, it is liquid from reservoir 50, when steam razor 10 is in use in its upright position which will pass through passages 182 and 183 for contacting heating element 40. FIG.2D schematically illustrates the deformation of O-ring 182 when rod 172 has been pushed further downwardly, than as shown in FIG. 2C, and both second element 176 and third element 178 contact respective inside wall portions of O-ring 182. Second element 186 causes a portion of O-ring 182 to deflect and define a deflected portion 185 and adjacent passages 186 and 187 through which a liquid passes, in a manner analogous to the deflection of O-ring 182 illustrated in FIG. 2C. Third element 178 still contacts O-ring 182. Accordingly, more liquid will be allowed to pass from reservoir 50 througt passages 182, 183, 185 and 186, than in the case where passages 182 and 183 are the two openings through which fluid passes (see FIG. 2C) . FIG. 2E schematically shows the manner in which all three elements 174, 176 and 178 are deflecting O-ring 182 simultaneously, in the case where rod 172 is in its furthest, downward position, whereby fluid passes through passages defined adjacent deflected portion 189, and designated 190 and 191 respectively. It is noted that the spacing of the deflected portions 181, 185, and 189 is shown as being about 120° which is a suitable spacing. It is contemplated that different spacings depending on the desired flow rates and size of the actuating element. Turning to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4-7, a second preferred embodiment of a shaving device and a particularly suited shaving head will be described. FIG. 3 shows a portable, hand-held or steam shaving device 220 having a housing 222 made of plastic or of another suitable material. Steamer device 220 includes a lower portion 224 and an upper portion 226; Lower portion 224 is configured for being held in the hand of a user. FIGS. 3A-3D show details of a modular bottle adapter M. A liquid reservoir 228 is disposed in lower portion 224 of housing 222 thanks to its being retained by modular bottle adapter M. Liquid reservoir 228 is formed of a suitable material for retaining liquids such as water and medications. Threads 230 are disposed at a top part of reservoir 228 for releasably attaching reservoir 228 to mating threads 231 of modular bottle adaptor M. As required, an O-ring or gasket can be disposed between the upper part of reservoir 228 and housing 222 for ensuring that undesirable loss of liquid from reservoir 228 is prevented. One or more airflow openings 232 is defined in modular bottle adaptor M. A wick 234 is secured by wick holder 235 of housing 222. Wick 234 may be made of natural fibers suitable for operation at elevated temperature or an appropriately selected synthetic material such as a dimensionally stable fibrous material (e.g., PRYOPEL® supplied by A L International L.P., Mansfield, Massachusetts) which has desired wicking and temperature properties. It is preferred that wick 234 is made of a material having sufficient wicking action to draw a liquid from liquid reservoir 228, while having sufficient flow resistance for preventing excessive flow of liquid from wick 234 when liquid reservoir 228 has been at least partially inverted; e.g., when reservoir 228 is in an orientation in which liquid reservoir 228 is disposed partially above one or both of a condensation collector 238 and a heating element 240 while in use. A fluid passage 239 (FIG. 3D) returns condensate to reservoir 228. Heating element 240 is electrically connected by one or more conductors 241 via a resilient conductor element 243 to a power source (not shown) such as rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, or to a standard AC or DC power source. As best seen in FIGS. 3A and 3C, it is preferred that electrical connection posts 242 be provided for releasably attaching and electrically connecting conductors 241. Heating element 240 can be plugged into or soldered onto posts 242 by means of conductors 241. For connection to an external power source, or for connection to a standard recharger, an adapter 244 is provided which is inserted into and electrically connected with receptacle 246. All electrical connections can be soldered or configured as male/female connectors, as required. Known electrical wires 248 electrically connect receptacle 246 (or the battery power source) with a first printed circuit (PC) board 249. A motor 250, which is preferably a DC motor, is electrically connected to a second printed circuit (PC) board 251 via connector 252. Second PC board 251 is electrically connected by wires 253 to first PC board 249. First PC board 249 is connected, in turn, to a standard multi-position switch 254, the positions of which are selected by, for example, lateral sliding of a slide element 256 relative to housing 222 and, hence, relative to the body of switch 254. Motor 250 is provided with a rear drive shaft 258 and a front drive shaft 260 for powering a drive shaft socket or modular coupling 261. Rear drive shaft 258 drives a fan 262 while concurrently driving the razor attachment shown in FIGS. 4-7 by means of front drive shaft 260 and associated drive shaft coupling 261. Multi-position switch 254 includes an off position in which both motor 250 and heater 240 are off; a fan- only position in which heater 240 is off and motor 250 is on for powering fan 262 and front drive shaft 260; and a motor-plus-vaporizer position in which both motor 250 and heater 240 are on for supplying steam or other vapor to a surface to be treated. The powered razor 300 of FIGS. 4-7, described in greater detail below, is detachably attached to housing 222. A detent 271 is defined in upper portion 226 of housing 222 for detachably holding driven razor 300, as will be described more fully below. Razor 300 is mated with a drive shaft coupling 261 by its driven shaft, described below. Power razor 300 further includes a plurality of steam vent holes or primary vapor passages through which moisturized air and/or steam passes from the inside of housing 222 to the skin surfaces to be treated when razor 300 is in place on device 220. An ambient air inlet 280 is provided in lower portion 224 of housing 222 for introducing air into device 220. Air then passes through air passage 282, follows ambient air flow arrow 283 generally through an air passage 284, after which fan 262 forces the air through both a cooling air inlet 286 and drives air past wick 234 and heating element 240. Air passage 282 is preferably aligned with airflow opening 232. The cooling air continues on through cooling air outlet 288 and cooling air outlet 290, the cooling air finally exiting device 220. The other portion of the ambient air drawn in through air passage 284 follows a path generally shown by ambient air flow arrow 285 thereby becoming moisturized air designated by an arrow 291 after passing wick 234 and heating element 240. Moisturized air 291 continues out through steam vent holes in razor 300 to moisturize the user's face, for example. FIGS. 4-7 illustrate the powered shaver 300 which includes a removable head 302 which is removably retained by a head release actuator 304 outwardly biased by a spring 306. A plurality of blades 308 is provided on an upper part of removable head 302 behind a screen or foil 310 having apertures appropriately sized for hair, such as beard stubble to be shaved, to pass therethrough. Blades 308 are fixedly held by a plastic encasement member 312, the movement of which relative to foil 310 provides for the shearing off of hair; i.e., shaving. A retaining pin 314 is attached to blade pedestal 316. A blade assembly 318 includes blades 308, plastic encasement member 312, pin 314, and blade pedestal 316. Foil 310 can be separately attached to head 302 by means of foil hooks 319. A cammed slider 320 includes a blade support 322 and a snap-in groove 324 defined in blade support 322 for receiving pin 314. A slider 326 is reciprocally movable within a slider groove 328. A driven shaft 340 configured to mate with drive shaft socket 261 of FIG. 3 is rotatably received in bearing 342. A cam 344 is provided for converting the rotational movement of drive shaft 340 into reciprocal, linear movement of slider 326 for reciprocating blade pedestal 316 and, hence, blades 308 relative to foil 310 for shaving, as will be readily appreciated by person having ordinary skill in the art. Primary vapor passages 350 are defined in the lower portion of power shaver 300. Primary vapor passages 350 are fluidly connected with a plurality of secondary vapor passages 352, likewise formed in the lower portion of power shaver 300. Tertiary vapor passages 354 are defined between the plurality of blades 308 by which vapor, such as steam, is exhausted directly adjacent a user's skin surface to be shaved. Projections 362 are configured to engage with detents 271 of the steam shaver embodiment of FIG. 3, as will readily appreciated. Turning to the embodiment of FIG. 8, another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in which a steam generator 460 provides a steady flow of steam through a hose 462 to which a non-moving razor 464 is attached. Razor 464 includes an elongated handle 468 having a base 466 configured for mating with hose 462. Vapor or steam 8 escapes through a vent 470 located, preferably, near the points of skin contact of one or more razor blades 472. In a two blade 472 type razor, the vapor steam 8 is preferably vented between the two blades 472 so that the vapor 8 is directly applied to the skin as the shaving occurs. An electric cord 480 is attached to conventional household current, as will be readily appreciated by a person having ordinary skill in the art. It is also contemplated that a conventional butane heater known in the art be substituted for the heating elements in this embodiment or any of the other preferred embodiments. Furthermore, a driven razor may be substituted for non-moving razor 464, with the addition of appropriate electrical connections, as will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. FIG. 9 shows a further preferred embodiment of a steam razor 500 having a handle 502 connected at a modular connection 504. The operation is substantially the same as the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 3. Handle 502 provides for razor 500 to be used as a "whole body" shaver, where the user may easily shave the legs and the small of the back. OPERATION The hand-held portable steam razor 10 of FIGS. 1 ε -id 2 is used as follows. The user unscrews filler cap 170 and pours the desired liquid into liquid reservoir 50. After replacing filler cap 170, steam razor 10 is placed in recharging base 70. In the case where heating element 40 is powered directly from household current, the device is switched on and heating element 40 is allowed to heat up sufficiently hot to vaporize a liquid released from liquid reservoir 50. The adequate temperature can be indicated by an LED (light-emitting diode) , for example, or can be determined by the user simply depressing push¬ button 100, thereby releasing a drop of liquid from liquid reservoir 50, and checking to see if the liquid has been vaporized by heating element 40, as will be clearly indicated by escaping steam or vapor 8. Once heating element 40 is at the appropriate temperature for vaporization of liquid, the user removes steam razor 10 from base 70. Heating element 40 will comprise a sufficiently large heat sink so that the required heat is maintained for the typical amount of time required to shave. If a large amount of time is required for shaving a particular user, such as when the user desires to shave large parts of his or her body; i.e., shaving the legs, the user will replace steam razor 10 in recharging base 70, as required. In the case where rechargeable battery 60 provides power for one or both of heating element 40 and motor 130, the user simply withdraws steam razor 10 from recharging base 70 when the user wants to shave. A multi-position switch allows the user to either select both steam and vibration, steam alone, or vibration alone. Vibration of housing 20 is achieved by energizing DC motor 130 whereby shaft 134 rotates eccentric 136 which induces the desired vibration. The embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is particularly suited for shaving hard to reach parts of the body, such as the small of a woman's back, owing to its elongated neck 180. To use hand-held steam shaver 220 of FIG. 3, a liquid such as water, a medication, or a combination thereof, is poured into liquid reservoir 228. Liquid reservoir 228 is attached to modular bottle adapter M by engagement with threads 230. If the user desires steam while shaving, then slide element 256 of switch 254 is moved to a "steam on" position. The steam on position electrically connects the power source to motor 250 and to heating element 240. Heating element 240, which is preferably a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor, begins to heat immediately. The PTC thermistor is preferably a temperature-dependent semiconductor resistor having a resistance value which rises sharply with increasing temperature after a defined temperature (reference temperature) has been exceeded. Given this characteristic property, no thermostat for controlling the temperature of heating element 240 is required. No thermostat is required because the PTC thermistor itself operates to avoid undesirable excessive temperatures, even if no liquid remains in liquid reservoir 228. This self regulation is achieved by virtue of the resistance value of the PTC thermistor increasing with increasing temperatures. A PTC thermistor which has been attached to a DC power source and successfully used was consistent with the German Industrial Standard, DIN 44080. When the heating element 240 has reached the temp necessary to vaporize water (e.g., 100°C at sea level), then steam generation in the vicinity of wick 234 occurs. The ambient air which has been drawn through air passages 280, 232, 282 and 284 then picks up vapor or steam, after which vapor-laden or moisturized air 291 continues past wick 234 and exits housing 222 through steam vent holes adjacent to and within a razor. Given that front drive shaft 260 is being driven by motor 250 at the same time as rear drive shaft 258 which powers fan 262, the razor is driven for shaving the skin at the same time moisturized air or steam is being applied to the skin. Standard DC motors in the range of 4000 to 10,000 rp (revolutions per minute) have been successfully used for driving the steam razor. To use the reciprocating blade powered razor head of FIGS. 4-7, one simply attaches powered shaver head 300 to the upper, right portion of the hand-held, portable steamer device of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3. The attachment is achieved by the engagement of projections 362 with detents 271, whereby drive shaft 340 of power shaver 300 engages drive shaft coupling 261. As is apparent, this is best done when multi-position switch 254 is in its off position. If one likes to shave with just ambient air blowing onto the skin surfaces to be shaved, one shifts slide element 256 from the off position of switch 254 into the fan-only position by which heater 240 remains off and motor 250 is energized, so that ambient air is forced by fan 262 through the air flow passages shown in FIG. 3, and through primary vapor passage 350, secondary vapor passages 352, and, finally, tertiary vapor passages 354. Some users find that the drying effect caused by this forced ambient air being exhausted directly adjacent the skin surfaces to be shaved enhances the shaving effect. Other users who want to have steam and air exhausted directly adjacent the skin will shift slide element 256 into the position in which switch 254 is in its motor- plus-vaporizer position whereby motor 250 and heater 240 are energized causing steam or other vapor to be produced and propelled by fan 262, through the same passages as described immediately above, for moisturizing the skin and the hair to be shaved, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the powered shaver. The fan-only position and the motor-plus-vaporizer position of switch 254 each make the user's shave more pleasurable and efficient, as the user's particular skin and hair conditions and personal preferences dictate. It is also contemplated to add a stopper for positively blocking leakage of fluid when the shaving device is off. Suitable materials for housing 222 include synthetic resins and other plastics and materials which are compatible with heat and moisture. Heating element 240 has been successfully used as a ceramic slice having dimensions of about 1.4 mm by 7 mm by 14 mm, extended above and loosely touching the top free end of the wick. The heating element can be imbedded in the wick. Baffles for deflecting the flow of steam and for preventing a user from inserting elongated objects through the vapor passages and into contact with the heating element will be provided as necessary. It has been found that the application of steam generated from water containing a small percentage of aftershave lotions results in the aftershave being accepted into the steamed open pores. Thus, as long as 6-10 hours later the aftershave has been released from the pores at a rate sufficient to be appreciated by another person (i.e., smelled by one near to the user). Accordingly, the use of vaporized, diluted aftershave in the form of steam has resulted in enhanced effect of slow release of the aftershave over time, while a lesser amount of aftershave than normally required has been used. The material of the wick may include felt, glass fibers, and, preferably, a polyi ide structural insulation such as Pyropel MD-18, as described above. The wick may be of any material which will withstand the maximum temperature of the heating element. An appropriate PTC thermistor has its maximum temperature in the range of about 120-180°C. The material of the wick should be hydrophilic, have suitable wicking action to pull the fluid upwardly sufficiently high and quickly enough to at least match the evaporation rate of the vaporization taking place in the vicinity of the heating element; while at the same time, maintaining a sufficiently high flow resistance, in part owing to its "wetting angle" to prevent "flooding" in case the entire steamer device is held upside down. The wick may likewise be made of porous metals or ceramics, and given the inherent heat limitations of the PCT thermistor, fibrous wicks are also possible. The polyimide wicks described above are one of the preferred materials because the polyimide available in the form of PYROPEL® is mechanically stable, even after soaking, is easily cut or formed, and has a void/solid ratio in a desired range. Suitable voltage ranges for a DC power supply to power the motor and the heating element have been in the range of 12-25 volts. The appropriate electrical connections will be readily understood to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The use of a heating element which is a PTC thermistor is explained more fully in "The PTC Thermistor as Heating Element", Siemens Components XVI (1981) . No. 2, pp. 56-59, by Gϋnter Ott, which is incorporated herein by reference. In order to maximize the benefits of PTC thermistor controlled heating in conjunction with the lowest possible Watt input, one must minimize the "heat resistance" of the electrical insulation around the heating element. The steam shaver device will operate preferably at a low voltage, yet it is beneficial to electrically insulate the electrical connections to the heating element in order to prevent any galvanic action in the aqueous/high humidity environment. This is of particular importance with ceramic type elements requiring metallization on opposite planes to make electrical contact, such metallization will rapidly degrade if exposed to galvanic action. One way of avoiding galvanic action is to use the heater "sandwich" described above. The central conductor can be a copper foil bonded to the metallized surfaces (one each per element) of the ceramic heating elements either by appropriate soldering, or by using a suitable high temperature conductive adhesive, e.g., silver filled epoxy. Another way to use PTC heating elements to achieve "surface boiling" of water at the surface of the hydrophilic wick is to use a singular ceramic element, e.g., Siemens Q63100-P430-R800 and coat, after connecting the electrical leads, the entire heating element with a thermally conductive, electrically insulating substance. In order to minimize the heat "gradient" between the PTC element per se and the surrounding water (i.e., the heat load) , such a coating should be as thin as possible and be of high thermal conductivity, e.g., Emerson & Cuming Eccocoat 582 or PARYLENE™ by Union Carbide. It is also possible to electrically bond highly heat conductive ceramic plates, each having one side metallized, to the heating element such that the (inside) metallization of the outer plates provides for electrical connections to the heating element, while the outsides provide electrical insulation, yet provide high heat conductance to the surrounding water. Yet another way to achieve the desired heating is to silk screen or print an electrical conductor with suitable PTC characteristics on an electrically insulating yet thermally conductive ceramic substrate and bond a second (plain) electrically insulating, but thermally conductive plate (e.g., ceramic) on the "printed" side of the first ceramic plate. While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which to invention pertains and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and of the limits of the appended claims.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A steam shaver comprising: a) a housing; b) a blade disposed on said housing; c) a steam source provided in said housing; and d) said steam source being associated with said blade for providing steam adjacent to said blade. 2. A steam shaver as defined in claim 1, wherein: a) said steam source includes: i) a heating element; ii) a liquid reservoir configured for holding a quantity of liquid; and iii) an outlet provided in said reservoir for causing a liquid to exit said reservoir and come sufficiently close to said heating element for causing said heating element to convert the liquid into a vapor. 3. A steam shaver as defined in claim 1, wherein: a) said steam source includes: i) a heater; ii) a water source; iii) a valve disposed between said water source and said heater; and iv) said valve being configured for dripping water onto said heater when said valve is actuated. 4. A steam shaver as defined in claim 1, wherein: a) a motor is provided in said housing; b) an eccentric weight is operatively associated with said motor; and c) said eccentric weight is configured for vibrating said housing when said motor is operated. 5. A steam shaver as defined in claim 1, wherein: a) a detent is provided between said housing and said blade for detachably attaching said blade to said housing. 6. A device, comprising: a) a housing; b) means disposed on said housing for cutting off human hair; and c) means provided in said housing for generating steam. 7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein: a) means is provided in said housing for directing steam supplied by said steam generating means substantially adjacent to said human hair cutting means. 8. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein: a) means is provided in said housing for vibrating said housing and said human hair cutting means. 9. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein: a) said human hair cutting means includes a stationary razor blade. 10. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein: a) said human hair cutting means includes a powered shaver for shaving hair off of human skin. 11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein: a) said powered shaver includes a plurality of reciprocating blades. 12. A hand-held, portable razor, comprising: a) a housing; b) a liquid reservoir provided in said housing; c) a vapor generator disposed in said housing for converting a liquid from said liquid reservoir into a vapor and for causing the vapor to exit said housing at a predetermined location; and d) a razor provided on said housing. 13. A hand-held, portable razor as defined in claim 12, wherein: a) said razor is located adjacent to said predetermined location. 14. A hand-held, portable razor as defined in claim 12, wherein: a) a fan is provided in said housing for propelling vapor from said vapor generator to said predetermined location. 15. A hand-held, portable razor as defined in claim 12, wherein: a) said razor is a powered razor having a plurality of spaced apart blades. 16. A hand-held, portable razor as defined in claim 15, wherein: a) a vapor passage is defined between at least two of said plurality of blades.

Inventors: CLEMENS ANTON H, CLEMENS, ANTON, H.
Applicants: MEHL THOMAS L, MEHL, THOMAS, L.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A61F7
IPC codes: A45D26, A61B18, A61F7, A61H33, A61K8, A61N5, A61Q7, A61Q9, A61Q19, B26B19, B26B21