Abstract:
A shaver ( 10 ) includes a razor blade ( 20   a   , 20   b ) that cuts hairs coming into contact therewith. A heating element ( 26   a   , 26   b ) is bonded to the razor blade ( 20   a   , 20   b ). The heating element ( 26   a   , 26   b ) generates heat when an electric current is passed therethrough, the generated heat being directly supplied to the razor blade ( 20   a   , 20   b ). A battery ( 32 ) generates electric current, and electrical conductors ( 28, 30, 50, 52 ) route electric current generated by the battery ( 32 ) to the heating element ( 26   a   , 26   b ). A handle ( 16 ) is adapted to be held by a user for manipulation of the shaver ( 10 ). Suitably, the handle ( 16 ) houses the battery ( 32 ), and a head ( 12 ) houses the razor blade ( 20   a   , 20   b ) and heating element ( 26   a   , 26   b ) bonded thereto, the head ( 12 ) being selectively attachable to and detachable from the handle ( 16 ).

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/386,345, filed Jun. 6, 2002, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to shaving devices. It finds particular application in conjunction with a shaving device having heated blades, and will be described with particular reference thereto. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention is also amenable to other like applications.  
           [0003]    In a typical blade shaving process, the cutting edge of the blade is drawn across the skin surface to cut hair that is in the path of the blade. Because hair is more easily cut when it is heated, it is desirable to have a means to heat or otherwise soften hair for ease of cutting. Additionally, a more flexible cutting blade as is achieved when the blade is heated also tends to improve shaving.  
           [0004]    Typically, when a manual or safety razor is used, a hair softening agent, such as, shaving cream or lotion, is applied to the shaving surface. While shaving cream is effective for softening hair, it can be messy, inconvenient, and prone to reduce the advantages of a heated shave.  
           [0005]    Some prior art shaving devices have attempted to heat the blades by heating the entire razor head and relying on thermal conduction to heat the blades. This method is rather inefficient as well as potentially dangerous if the entire razor head is heated to such a temperature that the user may be injured. Further, these conventional razors lack a means to control the heating of the blades. Other prior art devices, such as FR 2721247 to Perolini, have included heated metal parts adjacent to blades in order to conduct heat to the blades. Again, this method is rather inefficient and lacks the means to control blade temperature.  
           [0006]    The present invention contemplates a new and improved heated shaving device which overcomes the above-referenced problems and others.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0007]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a shaver is provided. The shaver includes: a razor blade that cuts hairs coming into contact therewith; a heating element bonded to the razor blade, the heating element generating heat when an electric current is passed therethrough, the heat being supplied to the razor blade; a battery that generates electric current; electrical conductors through which electric current generated by the battery is routed to the heating element; a handle adapted to be held by a user for manipulation of the shaver, said handle housing the battery; and, a head that houses the razor blade and heating element bonded thereto, said head being selectively attachable to and detachable from the handle.  
           [0008]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a shaving device includes: cutting means for cutting hairs coming into contact therewith; heating means for supplying heat to the cutting means when energized; and, powering means for selectively supplying power to the heating means thereby energizing the same.  
           [0009]    One advantage of the present invention is that it optionally provides a heated shave that is generally an improvement over a non-heated shave.  
           [0010]    Another advantage of the present invention is that it optionally provides efficient heating via direct application of heat to the shaver&#39;s cutting element or razor blade.  
           [0011]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it optionally senses and provides temperature feedback which is used to regulate heating so as to substantially maintain the temperature at a set level or within a determined range.  
           [0012]    Still further advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Note, the drawings are not to scale.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a cross-section view of an exemplary heated manual razor in accordance with aspects of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a cross-section view of another embodiment of an exemplary heated manual razor in accordance with aspects of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a view of a head of the heated manual razor illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a cross-section view an exemplary heated manual razor including temperature feedback control in accordance with aspects of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a view of a head of the heated manual razor illustrated in FIG. 4.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a view of an exemplary heated manual razor disposed within a battery charger in accordance with aspects of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration showing an exploded view of an exemplary heated electric shaver in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are made for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates a heated manual razor  10 , which includes a removable razor head  12  attached to one end of a handle  16 . The razor head  12  includes a blade housing  14  having an upper guard bar  18  and a lower guard bar  19 . One or more blades  20   a ,  20   b  are mounted in parallel on the housing  14  between the guard bars  18 ,  19 . Each blade  20   a ,  20   b  includes a cutting edge  22   a ,  22   b  for cutting facial or other body hair.  
         [0022]    As shown in FIG. 3, where like reference numerals refer to like elements, each blade  20   a ,  20   b  includes a heating element  26   a ,  26   b  bonded or otherwise secured thereto. In one embodiment, each heating element is a thin heating element, which is bonded directly to the underside of each blade along substantially the entire length of the blade using an adhesive or epoxy that has properties of good thermal conductivity, while still providing electrical isolation. Alternately, each heating element is bonded or otherwise attached to each blade by means of spot welding, depending upon the choice of heating element. Of course, other alternate methods of direct bonding or fusing as are known may be employed. In another embodiment, the blade itself serves as the heat dissipating element by making the blade from an appropriate composite material. In order to heat the blades, power is supplied to each of the heating elements  26   a ,  26   b  via a pair of electrical conductors  28 ,  30  in electrical contact with the heating elements. As voltage is applied to each of the resistive heating elements, current passes through the heating elements, which results in an increase in temperature of the heating element and blade to which the heating element is bonded. In one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 3 , the heating elements are self-regulated heating elements, such as thermistors and the like. Alternately, as is discussed more fully below, the heating elements are controlled by an electronic power regulator. The heating elements are operative to heat the blades to a temperature within a range of 50-200 degrees Fahrenheit, as desired by an operator. Preferably, the blades are heated to a temperature of 110-125 degrees Fahrenheit for maximum performance and comfort for the operator.  
         [0023]    As discussed above, the razor head  12  is removably attached to the handle  16  via a watertight seal, such as an O-ring or the like. Preferably, the handle  16  is hollow and houses one or more batteries  32  or other sources of power. In one embodiment, the handle includes a positive and negative electrical contact  34 ,  36  which are in electrical contact with a pair of 1.5V dry cell or rechargeable batteries, more commonly known as AA batteries. However, it is to be appreciated that batteries of varying size and voltage as well as other power sources may be employed.  
         [0024]    The razor head  12  includes a neck portion  40 , which houses a plug having a pair of electrical contacts  42 ,  44 . The electrical contacts are detachably engaged to a pair of corresponding electrical contacts within the handle. Accordingly, a new razor head may be conveniently installed once the blades of the prior head become dull and worn. The electrical contacts  42 ,  44  are in electrical communication with the electrical conductors  28 ,  30  within the head and facilitate electrical communication between the head conductors  28 ,  30  and corresponding electrical conductors  50 ,  52  within the handle  16 . Preferably, the handle  16  includes an on/off switch  46  for selectively applying power through electrical conductors  50 ,  52  to the heating elements.  
         [0025]    As shown in FIG. 2, where like reference numerals refer to like elements, in an embodiment in which rechargeable batteries  32  are employed as the power source, the handle  16  includes a pair of battery charging electrical connectors  35 ,  37 . Artisans will appreciate that in this embodiment, the razor  10  may be periodically recharged using a standard battery charger  80  (illustrated in FIG. 6). In one embodiment, the razor includes a battery status indicator, which comprises and indicator light  60 , such as a light emitting diode (LED) and the like, and a resistor  62  or other current limiting means associated with the indicator light  60 . Preferably, the indicator light will remain lit whenever the on/off switch  46  is in the ON position, until the battery voltage is depleted to the point where it can no longer provide sufficient power to maintain the blade(s) within the desired temperature range.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternate embodiment of the heated manual razor  10 . For convenience, elements of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, which are like elements shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and  3  have common reference numerals, while new elements are designated by new reference numerals. As stated above, in one embodiment, the heating elements  26   a ,  26   b  are controlled by a power regulator in communication with a temperature control circuit  70 . More particularly, the razor head  12  includes at least one temperature sensor  72  bonded to at least one of the blades  20   a ,  20   b . The temperature sensor  72  senses the temperature of the blades and transmits this data along an electrical conductor through temperature control contact  74  to the temperature control circuit  70 . The temperature control circuit  70  compares this temperature data to a pre-selected value and adjusts the power supplied to the heating elements  26   a ,  26   b  such that a desired blade temperature is maintained. As discussed above, the heating elements  26   a ,  26   b , under control of the power regulator and temperature control circuit  70 , are operative to heat the blades to a temperature within a range of 100-140 degrees Fahrenheit. Preferably, the blades are heated to a temperature of 110-125 degrees Fahrenheit for maximum performance and comfort for the operator. In one embodiment, the temperature set point is operator selectable by means of a multi-position dial, which allows the operator to select low, medium or high temperatures within the available temperature range.  
         [0027]    With reference now to FIG. 7, in another embodiment, an electric shaver  110  includes a body portion  120 , which, as artisans will appreciate, includes batteries, rechargeable or otherwise, motors, and controls. The shaver includes one or more blade drives  130  for driving one or more rotary or oscillating blades  140 . The rotary blades are housed or otherwise supported by a rotary blade retainer  150 . The rotary blade retainer  150  includes one or more heating elements, which are powered by the shaver battery or power supply via one or more electrical contacts  160 . In this embodiment, the heating elements do not make physical contact with the rotary blades. The heating elements may be self-regulating elements or may be controlled by a power regulator and temperature control circuit. The shaver further includes one or more rotary blade covers  170  and a cutting head cover  180 . In an alternate embodiment, an infrared heat source or other heat source such as a laser may be employed to heat the rotary blades. In one embodiment, the rotary blade retainer  150  houses or otherwise supports a source of usable infrared energy, such as a heating element comprised of Ni-chrome, tungsten or another suitable material. The infrared energy source is suspended over an infrared reflective background suitable for radiating and directing the infrared energy to the rotating blades  140 , thereby heating the blades. Preferably, the underside of the rotating blades  140  includes an infrared-absorbing coating, such as a flat black coating or the like.  
         [0028]    It is to be appreciated that in connection with the particular exemplary embodiments presented herein certain structural and/or function features are described as being incorporated in defined elements and/or components. However, it is contemplated that these features may similarly be incorporated in other elements and/or components. Further, different aspects of the exemplary embodiments may be selectively mixed and matched as appropriate to achieve other alternate embodiments suited for desired applications, the other alternate embodiments thereby realizing the respective advantages of the aspects incorporated therein.  
         [0029]    Additionally, it is to be appreciated that certain elements described herein as incorporated together may under suitable circumstances be stand alone elements or otherwise divided. Similarly, a plurality of particular functions described as being carried out by one particular element may be carried out by a plurality of distinct elements acting independently to carry out individual functions, or certain individual functions may be split-up and carried out by a plurality of distinct elements acting in concert. Alternately, some elements or components otherwise described herein as distinct from one another may be physically or functionally combined where appropriate.  
         [0030]    In short, the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the present specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.