Abstract:
A disposable safety razor having an integral shaving conditioner dispenser includes a neck to which a blade cartridge is affixed at a top end thereof and a handle extends downwardly therefrom. The handle is ergonomically shaped and has an exterior wall that defines a pressure cavity therein for receiving a shaving conditioning compound and a pressurized dispensing gas. The handle has an opening at its bottom and a valve received in the opening. The valve is configured to dispense the shaving conditioning compound down-wardly through the valve with the razor held upright. A dispensing cap covers the valve and is engaged therewith such that movement of the dispensing cap causes release of the shaving conditioning compound downwardly through the valve and out from a discharge opening in the cap while holding the razor upright with the blade cartridge and neck positioned higher than the handle bottom and dispensing cap.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to safety razors and, more particularly, to safety razors that dispense a shave product such as shave cream, gel or lotion. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In the late eighteenth century a Frenchman, Jean-Jacques Perret, invented the safety razor. A safety razor protects the skin of the person being shaved from all but the very edge of the blade. Subsequent to Perret&#39;s invention, the first safety razor with disposable blades was released in the U.S. in the early 20th century. Shaving has now been primarily transformed into a personal hygiene activity utilizing safety razors that are either totally or partially disposable. 
         [0005]    Evolution of the safety razor has now progressed such that they now have one or more parallel blades that are encapsulated in a molded cartridge. This molded cartridge presents the blades at an optimum angle to closely remove the desired whiskers or hair, while leaving the skin smooth and uncut. The cartridge may be permanently affixed to a disposable handle such that the entire razor, handle and blade cartridge is discarded once the blades become dull. Alternatively, a disposable cartridge is removably attached to a reusable handle, wherein only the cartridge is discarded when the blades become dull and is then replaced with a new cartridge. As discovered with those first safety razors, the user&#39;s skin and whiskers must be moistened and lubricated prior to shaving in order to obtain a close, smooth shave with minimal cuts and irritation to the skin. Thus, the process of wet shaving (i.e. using a safety razor in combination with water and a shaving cream or gel to moisturize and lubricate the skin surface) has become commonplace. 
         [0006]    Today&#39;s society is increasingly mobile and many times a person has a need for carrying personal hygiene items to different locations. This need might manifest itself in a short trip to the local gym or on a longer business trip. In these instances, the traveler must often carry an entire personal care kit that becomes bulky with many personal hygiene items. Carrying both a razor and a pressurized container of shave cream can be inconvenient. Moreover, current airline travel restrictions imposed by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) limit the size of containers that can be packed in carry-on luggage, specifically containers holding liquids, gels, creams and paste are limited in size to 3 ounces or less when carried by the passenger on the aircraft. Thus, smaller containers (3 ounces or less) for shaving creams, lotions and gels are much more desirable for travel. 
         [0007]    Most shave cream and gel products are packaged in an aluminum can, under pressure, along with a propellant agent to promote discharge upon operation of a valve button. As noted above, the need to carry a separate container of shave cream is inconvenient when traveling, especially on commercial airlines. Additional problems associated with metal shave cream containers include the inconvenience of having to handle two separate items (i.e., a razor and a shave cream dispensing container) when shaving, as well as the added space needed in one&#39;s medicine cabinet to place both the razor and shave cream container. And, because the metal shave cream can is constantly exposed to water and moisture when shaving, the metal can eventually begins to rust. This results in the shaving cream can leaving unsightly rust stains (i.e. rings) on the vanity counter surface and/or shelves in the medicine cabinet. 
         [0008]    One safety razor that attempts to alleviate the problems of a separate shave cream container provides an integrated shaving cream dispenser in its handle. However, in order to use the handle dispenser, the razor must be inverted, whereupon the shaving cream is dispensed into the user&#39;s opposite hand with the blade cartridge facing down and the blades close to the hand that is holding the razor. The razor must then be turned upright in the user&#39;s hand in order to shave. Such a procedure can be awkward and clumsy, especially when the user&#39;s hands are wet and covered with shave cream. 
         [0009]    Ideally, what is desired is a readily accessible, convenient, and ergonomic shave product containment system integrated with a safety razor that can dispense the shave product downwardly from the lower end of the razor handle when the razor is held in the normal upright shaving position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is directed to a disposable safety razor with a shaving conditioning compound (e.g., shave cream or shave gel) stored in the razor handle that satisfies the need to minimize the bulk of storing a can of shaving cream in areas having limited storage space. The disposable safety razor includes a neck to which a blade cartridge is affixed at a top end thereof. A handle from a bottom end of the neck and has an exterior wall that defines a pressure cavity for receiving a shaving conditioning compound and a pressureized dispensing gas. The handle has an opening at its bottom and a valve received in the opening. The valve is configured to dispense the shaving conditioning compound downwardly through the valve with the razor held upright (i.e., with the neck and blade cartridge held higher than the bottom end of the handle.) A dispensing cap covers the valve and is engaged therewith such that movement of the dispensing cap causes release of the shaving conditioning compound downwardly through the valve and out from an opening in the dispensing cap. The dispensing cap may include a locking mechanism to prevent accidental dispensing of the shaving conditioning compound. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the present invention is a disposable safety razor having an integral shaving conditioner dispenser that includes a neck and a blade cartridge affixed to a top end of the neck. A handle ergonomically shaped to fit the inner contour of a human hand extends from a bottom end of the neck. The handle has an exterior wall that defines a pressure cavity therein for receiving a shaving conditioning compound and a pressurized dispensing gas. The handle further defines an opening at a bottom thereof that receives a valve therein. The opening is configured to dispense the shaving conditioning compound downwardly through the valve. A dispensing cap covers the valve and is engaged therewith such that movement of the dispensing cap causes release of the shaving conditioning compound downwardly through the valve and out from a discharge opening in the cap. An actuator is affixed to a side of the handle and a transfer mechanism interconnects the actuator with the dispenser cap. This may be conveniently accomplished by pressing the bottom end of the handle (i.e., the dispensing cap) against the palm of the user&#39;s hand, or other surface, wherein an upward force of the dispensing cap against the valve serves to open the valve and release the shaving conditioning compound. 
         [0012]    Other aspects of the present invention include configuring the actuator as either a slidable button or as a pivotable lever. The transfer mechanism can be configured as a flexible ribbon slidably housed in a channel defined in the handle wall, wherein a first end of the ribbon is affixed to the actuator and a second end of the ribbon is affixed to the dispenser cap. Further, the dispenser cap can be configured to dispense the shaving conditioning compound either directly downward through a port at the bottom apex of the cap or radially from the side of the cap. 
         [0013]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a disposable safety razor embodying the present invention, wherein the handle of the safety razor also functions as a shaving cream dispenser; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a elevational cross-section view of the dispenser handle of the safety razor of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the finger actuator area shown in  FIG. 2  and denoted by line  3 ,  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the actuator area of  FIG. 1  and denoted by line  4 ,  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an alternate embodiment of the safety razor of  FIG. 1  illustrating an alternate finger operated actuator; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an alternate embodiment of the safety razor of  FIG. 1  illustrating an alternate actuation mechanism and dispenser port. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, one will also recognize that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0023]    Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a disposable safety razor  20  including an integral dispenser  26  which is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and illustrates its various components. The dispenser  26  is used for dispensing a shaving conditioning compound  34 , such as shaving cream, shaving gel, or a shaving lotion. 
         [0024]    The construction of a first embodiment of disposable razor  20  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . Since safety razor  20  is typically disposable, razor  20  has a blade cartridge  22  pivotally affixed to a neck  24  at a top portion thereof. A handle  28  extends from a bottom of neck  24  to form an integral unit. Handle  28  has an outer form factor  29  that is ergonomically shaped overall size compared to a conventional razor handle and is preferably formed of a moldable resin, such as plastic. Handle  28  has a wall structure  30  that surrounds a hollow interior defining a pressure cavity  32 . Pressure cavity  32  is within the portion of handle  28  that contains the shaving conditioning compound  34  combined with a volume of pressurized gas for forcing the compound  34  out of dispenser  26  during use. 
         [0025]    Handle  28  has a bottom opening  36  within which is received a valve  38 . Valve  38  is secured within opening  36  with a crimped metal cap  66  that withstands the pressure of the contents in cavity  32 . Valve  38  is of a type well known in the art, wherein a hollow valve stem  40  extends through valve  38  and further has a portion that extends downwardly from valve  38 . Valve  38  normally functions to maintain valve stem  40  in a closed state, such that fluid and gas cannot pass therethrough, and further seals the pressurized contents of cavity  32  within handle  28 . When valve stem  40  is either laterally or axially displaced, valve  38  is opened to allow fluids such as shaving conditioning compound  34  to pass through valve stem  40  and out therefrom. An upper valve stem portion  41  extends minimally into cavity  32  for directing compound  34  through valve  38  and into valve stem  40  when valve  38  is open. The minimal protrusion of portion  41  facilitates the upright usage of dispenser  26  to collect the maximum amount of compound  34  at the bottom of cavity  32  as the cavity nears depletion of compound  34 . 
         [0026]    A dispenser cap  42  covers valve  38 . An upper edge  48  of cap  42  registers proximately with the bottom portion of handle  28 . A dispensing duct  44  extends through the bottom apex  50  of cap  42  and is sleeved over valve stem  40  of valve  38  in an interfering manner to retain cap  42  on dispenser  26 . Lateral or vertical movement of dispenser cap  42  results in a similar movement of valve stem  40  such that movement of dispenser cap  42  will cause valve  38  to open and provide fluidic communication between cavity  32  and dispensing duct  44 . Dispensing duct  44  directs the released compound  34  from hollow valve stem  40  to exit dispenser  26  through dispenser port  46  into a user&#39;s hand. 
         [0027]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an actuator  54  is positioned proximate to the top of handle  28  and is interconnected to dispensing cap  42  with a transfer mechanism  60 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 , actuator  54  is a slidable button  56  that includes at least one protrusion  57  to facilitate tactile feedback when touched by a user&#39;s finger. In such a manner, the user can locate button  56  by feel without need to visibly see button  56 . Protrusion  57  also provides a surface for the user&#39;s finger to push against when attempting to slide button  56 . Transfer mechanism  60  comprises a flexible ribbon  62  typically fabricated from a semi-rigid plastic and is slidably housed in a channel  64  formed in exterior wall  30  of handle  28 . Flexible ribbon  62  has an upper end attached to slidable button  56  and a bottom end affixed to upper edge  48  of dispenser cap  42 . When slidable button  56  is translated, ribbon  62  is translated in like manner and by reason of its attachment to upper edge  48  of dispenser cap  42 , dispenser cap is caused to move either laterally or vertically, thereby causing shaving conditioning compound  34  to be released through valve  38 . The dispenser cap may be structured to include a locking feature to prevent unwanted dispensing of the shaving conditioning compound between use, such as when the razor is carried in a travel bag or suitcase. Those practiced in the art will readily recognize that other actuator configurations known in the art can be readily used in place of slidable button  56 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a second embodiment of a disposable safety razor  120  is illustrated. Features similar to the features of safety razor  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  are identified with a like reference number preceded by the number “1”. Safety razor  120  has a blade cartridge  122  affixed to neck  124  which is integrally formed with handle  128  extending downwardly therefrom. Handle  128  forms pressure cavity  132 . A valve  138  is retained in a bottom portion of handle  128  with crimped metal cap  166 . Hollow valve stem  140  extends downwardly from valve  138  and is received in a top portion of dispensing duct  144 . Dispensing cap  142  further includes a shoulder  180  that bears against hollow valve stem  140 . 
         [0029]    Actuator  154  is configured differently than that of safety razor  20 . A pivotable arm  190   a  has a top end thereof pivotably affixed to handle  128 . A bottom end of pivotable arm  190   a  is affixed to a top end of flexible ribbon  162 . A second pivotable arm  190   a  is affixed in like manner to a second flexible ribbon  162 , substantially diametrically opposite from the first arm  190   a  and ribbon  162 . Each arm can be covered with a flexible membrane  196 . 
         [0030]    In use, the user presses each membrane  196  in a squeezing like manner. The squeezing motion transitions arms  190   a  and  190   b  from a first position  192 , where valve  138  is closed, to a second position  194 , wherein arms  190   a ,  190   b  are forced into recesses  198  thereby causing arms  190   a ,  190   b  to pivot. The pivoting motion of arms  190   a ,  190   b  further causes ribbons  162  to translate upwardly and, by reason of their attachment to upper edge  148  of dispenser cap  142 , cap  142  is also urged upwardly. The upward force imparted to cap  142  is translated to shoulder  180  which in turn urges valve stem  140  upwardly causing the shaving conditioning compound  134  be dispensed therethrough. When a desired amount of compound  134  is dispensed, the user releases the grip on arms  190   a ,  190   b  allowing them to return to first position  192 , thus closing valve  138  and ceasing the dispensing of compound  134 . 
         [0031]    Yet another embodiment of a safety razor is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Features similar to the features of safety razor  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  are identified with a like reference number preceded by the number “2”. Razor  220  is similarly configured with a blade cartridge  222 , neck  224 , and ergonomically configured handle  228  that defines a pressure cavity  232  for retaining the shaving conditioning compound  234 . A valve  238  is affixed to the bottom of handle  228  to complete the sealing of cavity  232 . Valve  238  has a hollow valve stem  240  which is received in an interfering manner in dispensing duct  244 . An end of valve stem  240  bears against a shoulder  280  in like manner as shoulder  180  in  FIG. 5 . Razor  220  does not include a separate actuator or transfer mechanism. Instead, compound  234  is dispensed by placing bottom apex  250  of dispensing cap  242  in the palm of one of the user&#39;s hands. The user grasps the handle  228  with the other hand and presses the razor  220  against the palm in which bottom apex  250  rests. This pressing force is translated via shoulder  280  to valve stem  240 , thereby vertically displacing valve stem  240  and releasing compound  234  into the user&#39;s palm. Once a desired quantity of compound  234  has been dispensed, the pressing action is relieved and valve  238  again closes. The dispensing cap  242  may be structured to include a locking mechanism to prevent accidental dispensing of the shaving conditioning compound between use. 
         [0032]    The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.