Abstract:
A shaving apparatus and method of shaving are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the shaving apparatus incorporate a novel, segmented, shaving head comprising multiple razors. In addition, embodiments of the shaving apparatus include an applicator head which provides lubrication and/or hydration while shaving.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/020,957, filed Jan. 14, 2008, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    This invention relates generally to the field of skin treatment. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of shaving the skin. 
         [0005]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0006]    The act of shaving for the removal of facial hair is a daily personal hygiene process undertaken by men daily. Shaving prevents a build up of oils, contaminants and foreign material that maybe trapped close to the skin by facial hair. Additionally, the removal of facial hair by shaving is done for aesthetic purposes. Women shave legs and underarms as an aesthetic approach to personal hygiene. 
         [0007]    The act of shaving with a manual razor, or bladed razor involves sliding a straight blade along the skin to slice the hair. This act is complicated by the fact that metallic blades are necessarily kept rigid and straight, and do not conform to the curves of the human anatomy. Additionally, the razor head of commercially available products have a limited or negligible range of motion to conform to the skin, requiring reorienting the entire razor to so the blades optimally cut hair. Alternatively, multiple passes with the blade are required to sufficiently remove the hair. This process may result in localized irritation of the skin, razor bumps, or razor burn. Razor bumps (i.e., pseudofolluculitis barbae) are typically presented as small inflamed pustules on the skin. In addition, razor burn is irritation and inflammation of the skin from microtears and cuts caused by a razor during shaving. The blades may cut or nick the skin, opening small wounds to potential infection. Proper shaving techniques may partially alleviate these issues; however the characteristics of the implement increase the likelihood of these side effects. 
         [0008]    Consequently, there is a need for a multi-bladed razor that conforms to the contours of the skin and encourages proper shaving techniques. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0009]    A shaving apparatus and method of shaving are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the shaving apparatus incorporate a novel, segmented, shaving head comprising multiple razors. In addition, embodiments of the shaving apparatus include an applicator head which provides lubrication and/or hydration while shaving. Some other advantages of the disclosed shaving devices include increased cutting surface area, heated lubrication, and contoured shaving. Further aspects and features of the shaving apparatus are described in more detail below. 
         [0010]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a shaving apparatus; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a shaving apparatus; and 
       
    
    
     NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE 
       [0014]    In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . ”. Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct electrical connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    Certain terms are used throughout the following descriptions and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not function. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a multi-blade shaving razor  100 . The razor  100  generally includes a hollow body  103  is either removably or permanently coupled to a shaving head  105 , and an applicator head  107 . The hollow body  103  has a first end  103   a  and a second end  103   b . Disposed at the second end  103   b  are the shaving head  105  and the applicator head  107 . Shaving head  105  is removably and movably coupled to hollow body  103 . The shaving head  107  supports a plurality of razor blades  36  for shaving hair close to the skin. Further, the applicator head  107  is similarly configured, and is also removably connected to the hollow body  103 . One purpose of the applicator head  107  may be to provide and spread lubrication and/or hydration to the skin while shaving. 
         [0017]    In general, hollow body  103  functions as the handle or handheld portion of the razor  100 . In an embodiment, hollow body  103  may be contoured to comfortably fit a user&#39;s hand. For example, hollow body  103  may have a grip and curved aspect. The body  103  includes an upper surface  157  and a lower surface  159 . The hollow body  103  is generally elongate, with a plurality of internal compartments that can be sealed and unsealed from the outside. In some embodiments, hollow body  103  may be planar in geometry and have a length to width ratio of 2:1. That is, the hollow body  103  may be wider than a typical shaving device for further comfort. Furthermore, hollow body  103  may contain a fluid compartment  111  for the storage of fluids such as lubricants, shaving crème, shaving gels, moisturizers, topical skin treatments, lotions, crèmes, creams, salves, emollients, talcs, lubricants, moisturizers, foams, soaps, detergents, gels or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the skin treatment is a gel. 
         [0018]    The fluid compartment  111  is in fluid communication with the applicator head  107 . Disposed on the surface of hollow body  103  is a pump or pump means  117  to move the fluid from the fluid compartment  111  to the applicator head  107 . Pump means  117  may comprise a one way air valve/opening  181  which may be opened or closed to allow pressurize compartment  111 , thereby allowing fluid within compartment  111  to be pumped out. In addition, opening  181  may be open or shut so as to prevent leakage of fluid from compartment. Fluid compartment  111  may hold any suitable amount of fluid. Specifically, fluid compartment may be capable of holding about 10 to about 20 mL of fluid. The fluid within compartment  111  may be pumped or ejected by any means known to one skilled in the art such as an air bulb or a one way valve. Without being limited by theory, the pump  117  inflates a pneumatic bladder with air, such that the bladder inflates and squeezes the topical skin treatment out of the fluid compartment  111  and into the applicator head  107 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pump  117  may be disposed on the lower surface  159  of the body  103 . Alternatively, the pump  117  may be disposed on the upper face  157  of the hollow body  103 . 
         [0019]    Hollow body  103  may also include a power source such as without limitation, a battery  113 . Battery  113  may be used primarily to power heating element  116 . Alternatively, power source may come from AC or DC current from a wall outlet. Generally, heating element  116  is used to warm the fluid before ejection on to the skin. Some fluid compositions may be more effective at a raised temperature. Heating element  116  may comprise an insulated linear device capable of transferring heat such as, but not limited to a wire filament, a braided wire, or a filament heater. The battery  113  may also be coupled to the heating element  116  reversibly so that the electrical power supply in the battery by a controller  115 . The controller  115  allowing the user to define the amount of heat used in the razor  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the control  115  may be disposed on the lower surface  159  of the body  103 . Alternatively, the control  115  may be disposed on the upper face  157  of the body  103 . 
         [0020]    Additionally, the body  103  includes a means to access the internal compartments such as a cap or end piece  119 . The cap  119  is a replaceable or removable member (e.g. cap) disposed at the free end  103   a  of the body. In embodiments, the cap  119  is sealed from the outside environment in a water tight manner. Generally speaking, razors are exposed to water and other liquids during use. Penetration of the body compartments by one of these liquids would have negative effects on the heating element and fluid compartment operations. 
         [0021]    At the second end of the hollow body  103 , the shaving head  105  and the applicator head may be coupled to the hollow body  103  by a pivoting member  109 . The pivoting member  109  may pivot about an axis  150 , which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  155  of the hollow body  103 . The pivoting member allows the applicator head  107  and the razor head  105  to pivot in relation to the handheld body  103  during use about axis  50 . Disposed on the pivoting member  109  is a means for attachment of the applicator head at the second end  107   b . In embodiments, the applicator head  107  may be removable from the pivoting member  109  for replacement, repair or the attachment of alternate heads. The applicator head  107  is disposed on the pivoting member  109  more proximally to the body  103  than the shaving head. Additionally, the applicator head  107  extends in a downward orientation away from the lower surface  159  of the body  103 . When viewed in profile as in  FIG. 2 , applicator head  105  may extends further than shaving head  105  such that applicator head  105  contacts the skin first and forces the user to press down on or angle the shaving head  105  to make contact with the skin. 
         [0022]    Applicator head  107  is in fluid connection with the fluid compartment  111 . The fluid connection may be through vessels or tubes that allow the passage of the topical skin treatment. Openings, or fluid exits  123  in the applicator head  107  allow the skin treatment to be secreted from the internal environment of the body  103 , to the external surface of the applicator head  107 . Applicator head  107  may comprise a single opening (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) or a plurality of openings  123 . One or more troughs or grooves  124  may lead from opening  123  to applicator  127  so as to allow gel and/or lubricant to flow from opening  123  to applicator  127 . An advantage of the disclosed shaving apparatus  100  is the location of applicator head  107  such that lubrication may be provided through openings  123  to the skin before razor blades  136  contact the skin. Openings, or fluid exits  123  may have a cap or other closing means  121  to prevent fluid from leaking out. Or the cap or closing means may be used in case the user desires to shave in a conventional manner (i.e. applying shaving gel/cream to face prior to shaving). For example, lid or slidable member  121  may be disposed on applicator head  107  to close opening  123  to prevent inadvertent leakage of lubricant and/or gel during travel. Alternatively, applicator head  107  may be closed or not have openings. That is, applicator head  107  may solely comprise applicator  107   a  for lubrication. Thus, in such an embodiment, the razor  100  may also be used in conventional manner where shaving gels or creams may be applied by hand to the face first before shaving. 
         [0023]    The openings  123  may be controllable with a sliding switch  125  to open or close openings  123 . In one embodiment, the switch  125  may be disposed on the applicator head  107 . In an alternative embodiment, the switch  125  may be disposed elsewhere on the body  103  such as without limitation, on the lower face  159  of the body. Without being limited by theory, the switch  125  acts in a graduated fashion, so as to open the fluid exits  123  differentially as a means to control the rate of secretion of the topical skin treatment. 
         [0024]    Free end of the applicator head  107   a  may be means to apply the skin treatment to the skin. The free end  107   a  may comprise an applicator  127 . Applicator  127  preferably comprises a spongy, foam-like bar. The applicator  127  may be constructed out of a firm, deformable elastic material so that it follows the contours of the skin closely. Alternatively, applicator  127  itself may be made of a lubricating material, which dissolves or erodes as it is applied to the face. Exemplary materials for the applicator  127  include, but are not limited to urethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, rubber, or combinations thereof. The applicator  127  may be constructed in any shape, so that it slides across the skin smoothly. In further embodiments, the applicator  127  may be cylindrical, and capable of rotating about an axis  157 . 
         [0025]    The applicator head  107  is also constructed such that the heating element  116  passes through the head to the applicator  127 . Heating element  116  may comprise for example, a heating wire. The heating element  116  warms the applicator  127  and the secreted topical skin treatment. The warmth coupled with the fluid increases the flexibility of the skin, the swelling of hair to be shaved and the lubricating effects of liquids on the skin. As the razor  100  is moved across the skin, the applicator  107  contacts the skin to supply the topical skin treatment ahead of the shaving head  105 , acting as a means to pretreat the skin. Without being limited by theory, these positive characteristics increase the comfort of the shave and decrease the likelihood of razor burn, or nicks. 
         [0026]    The shaving head  105  is connected to the pivoting member at the second end  105   b . In embodiments the shaving head  105  is detachable and replaceable on the pivoting member  109 . Disposed on the pivoting member  109  is a means to removably connect and retain the shaving head  105 . The second end of the shaving head  105   b  includes a means to connect to the pivoting member  109 . Examples of such means includes without limitation, snap fit connections, latch connections, and the like. This allows the shaving head  105  to pivot in relation to the body  103 , such that the shaving head  105  can follow the contours of the skin during use. The shaving head  105  provides support for the razor blades  136 . 
         [0027]    Shaving head  105  may comprise any suitable shape. In an embodiment, the shaving head  105  may comprise a fan shape as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, shaving head  105  may comprise a semi-circular head, a rectangular head, a triangular head, or other suitable shapes. The shaving head  105  is made up of at least three portions (e.g. lateral portions and a middle portion) for the support of shaving razor blades  136 . The three portions of shaving head  105  provide flexibility and allow the shaving head  105  to conform to the irregular structure of a user&#39;s face. The razor blades  136  can be constructed of any suitable material. Examples of suitable materials for the razor blades are titanium, stainless steel, steel alloys, etc. Middle shaving portion  133  na lateral portions  145  extend from the pivoting member  109  away from the body  103 . Middle shaving portion  133  may have a trapezoidal configuration such the width of proximal end  105   a  of middle shaving portion  133  is less than the width of the distal end  105   b  of middle shaving portion  133  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Both distal end and proximal end of middle shaving portion  105  has troughs or grooves  130 ,  137  to direct the topical skin treatment away from the body  103  and applicator head  107 , towards the shaving razor blades  136 . The grooves  130 ,  137  may also allow more lubricant to remain on the face after shaving for better lubrication and hydration of the skin. Shaving blades  136  may be angled at any suitable angle to provide for optimal shaving. 
         [0028]    Disposed at both lateral edges or sides of the central or middle shaving portion  133  are the lateral shaving portions  145 . Lateral shaving portions  145  are movably connected to the middle shaving portion  133  such that lateral portion  145  are operable to move with the contours of a user&#39;s face during shaving. In an embodiment, lateral shaving portions  145  may be connected to middle shaving portion  105  by hinge members  142 . Hinged members  142  may keep the lateral shaving portions  145  in close contact with curved portions of the face or body. Hinged members  142  may comprise a piece of elastically deformable plastic which returns the lateral shaving portions  142  to their original conformation. Alternatively, hinge members  142  may comprise a door-hinge type member. In one embodiment, lateral shaving portions  145  may vibrate or move in an up and down motion such that blades on lateral shaving portions  145  tap the skin. The vibration motion may provide for a closer shave. 
         [0029]    Disposed on the shaving head  105  are a plurality of razor blades  136  for shaving. The blades  136  are separated by a distance of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, preferably between about 0.75 mm to about 1.0 mm, in the exemplary embodiment the shaving blades are separated at a distance of about 0.75 mm to about 1.25 mm. The razor blades  146  mounted to the lateral shaving portions  145 , include a pivotable means  148  to align the blades  146  with the direction of the shaving stroke. That is, razor blades  146  may be angled at any suitable angle to provide optimal shaving. Lateral razor blades  146  mounted on lateral shaving portions  145  increase the area shaved by about 15% to about 35%. 
         [0030]    Additionally, it is envisioned that at the distal end  105   b  of the shaving head  105  is a plastic guard  139 . In embodiments the plastic guard  139  has grooves  137 , or ripples at the free end  105   a  of the shaving head  105 . The plastic guard  139  is constructed out of flexible plastic, rubber, or similar material. The grooves  137  function to allow the topical skin treatment to remain on the skin. Additionally, the grooves may act as a means to massage the skin after the passage of the razor blades  136 . In certain instances plastic guard  139  may include additional lubricants. Additional lubricants may be impregnated within the plastic, or alternatively disposed on the surface as a strip. 
         [0031]    While embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the invention. The embodiments described and the examples provided herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the invention disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above, but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. 
         [0032]    The discussion of a reference in the Description of the Related Art is not an admission that it is prior art to the present invention, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, to the extent that they provide exemplary, procedural, or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.