Abstract:
In a razor cartridge, a housing is provided having first and second razor blade assemblies positioned therein. The first and second razor blade assemblies each include at least one razor blade and an at least partially exposed cutting edge. The razor blades are positioned in the first and second blade assemblies to allow hair to be cut from a user&#39;s skin when the razor cartridge is drawn thereover in either of two generally opposite cutting directions. At least one shaving aid outlet is defined by the razor cartridge and positioned between the first and second razor blade assemblies to allow the shaving aid to be dispensed therethrough.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    During a wet shaving experience, it is not uncommon for a user&#39;s skin to be irritated as a result of the cutting edges of the razor blades being drawn across the skin. This problem is exacerbated when the shaving implement, as is common today, includes multiple razor blades. In an effort to alleviate shaving discomfort, strips of material impregnated with small amounts of shaving aid, referred to by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains as “comfort strips”, have been incorporated into razor cartridges. As the razor is drawn across a user&#39;s skin, the shaving aid leeches out of the comfort strip onto the skin. However, there are occasions when it would be desirable to be able to apply larger amounts of shaving aid to the skin, or to be able to vary the types of shaving aid applied.  
           [0002]    This is particularly true when using wet shave razors configured to cut hair bidirectionally. Generally, razors configured in this manner incorporate two or more blades, the cutting edges of which are in opposition to one another. Wet shave razors configured in this manner would be able to cut hair by being drawn over a user&#39;s skin in either of two generally opposite directions. Because as one or more blades are drawn over the user&#39;s skin in a cutting direction, other blades are being dragged over the skin in a non-cutting direction, the potential for increased drag, blade chatter, and discomfort is increased. The ability to apply a shaving aid, during a shaving operation, to increase lubricity would reduce or perhaps eliminate any discomfort.  
           [0003]    Based on the foregoing, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a shaving implement that improves upon, or overcomes, the above-described problems associated with the prior art.  
         FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to wet shaving razor blade devices, and more particularly to a wet shaving cartridge capable of exuding a liquid or gel shaving aid.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a blade cartridge for a wet shaving device capable of exuding a liquid shaving aid comprises a housing defining first and second cavities for receiving respective blade assemblies to be mounted in the housing. A centrally located support member included in the housing divides the first and second cavities. A channel is disposed in the support member along the topside of the housing, and at least one conduit extends from the channel through the support member for communication with a shaving aid reservoir.  
           [0006]    Preferably, the shaving aid reservoir is housed within the handle for the shaving device, and permits the user to pump a liquid or gel shaving aid to the channel where it can be applied to the skin of the user during a shaving operation. Each of the blade cartridges preferably include a plurality of blades defining a cutting plane and providing a “closer” shave than otherwise possible with a single blade. The channel is provided with a sufficient amount of shaving aid to be able to apply the shaving aid to the user&#39;s skin as it interacts with the cutting plane.  
           [0007]    The shaving aid may be in the form of a lubricant, whisker softener, razor cleaner, medicinal agent, cosmetic agent or a combination of two or more of the above. Preferably, the shaving aid is located adjacent to the cutting edges of the blades. Upon wetting and stroking of the cutting edges over the skin, the shaving aid is applied directly to the skin, preferably in advance of the cutting stroke. In a shaving device- capable of bi-directional shaving—i.e., with two blade assemblies having blades facing each other—the shaving aid cooperates with both blade assemblies to improve the overall efficiency of the shaving process. As so designed, the shaving device can be used in both the forward and return stroke directions, and further, the shaving device can be used without removing and reapplying the razor to the skin between strokes. The shaving aid provides the advantage of aiding the skin after a forward cutting stroke, while simultaneously preparing the skin for the return stroke.  
           [0008]    In another aspect of the present invention, the housing of the blade cartridge defines a plurality of first drainage channels as part of the first and second cavities extending between the guide ends of the blade cartridge, and a plurality of second drainage channels as part of the first and second cavities extending between longitudinal ends of the blade cartridge in a direction generally perpendicular to that of the first drainage channels to facilitate flushing of debris, including excess shaving aid, that has settled within the cavities. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a blade cartridge including two blade assemblies in opposing relationship with one another.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the blade cartridge of FIG. 1 with the blade assemblies removed.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the blade cartridge of FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0012]    With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a blade cartridge embodying the present invention is designated generally by reference numeral  10 . The blade cartridge  10  comprises a housing  12  preferably including a lower housing member  14  and an upper housing member  16 . A centrally located support member  18  extends within the housing  12  and connects the lower housing member  14  to the upper housing member  16 . The support member  18  may be comprised of a lower portion  20  and an upper portion  22  respectively associated with the lower housing member  14  and the upper housing member  16 , and combining to form the support member  18 , as seen in FIG. 3.  
         [0013]    The housing  12  is shown in FIG. 1 as having a generally rectangular shape, but may be other shapes, such as oval or round, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As shown, the housing  12  has respective first and second longitudinal ends  24  and  26 , as well as respective first and second lateral sides  28  and  30 . The support member  18  typically extends along the housing  12  from the first longitudinal end  24  to the second longitudinal end  26 , and is centrally located between the first and second lateral sides  28  and  30 .  
         [0014]    The lower housing member  14  and the upper housing member  16  cooperate to define a first cavity  32   a  and a second cavity  32   b , as more clearly seen in FIG. 3, positioned on opposed sides of the support member  18 . A first blade assembly  34   a  and a second blade assembly  34   b  are generally resiliently mounted within the first and second cavities  32   a  and  32   b , respectively. The first and second blade assemblies  34   a  and  34   b  have generally the same shape, and are preferably identical to each other. For example, each blade assembly includes a first blade  36  and a second blade  38  mounted on a carrier  40 . Further, the first and second blade assemblies  34   a  and  34   b  are preferably symmetrically positioned within the respective first and second cavities  32   a  and  32   b —i.e., facing each other in mirrored relationship. This arrangement of the blade assemblies  34   a  and  34   b  permits bi-directional shaving (i.e., shaving in both forward and return stroke directions). Although each blade assembly is shown as having two blades, it should be understood that the blade assemblies could have any practical number of blades, such as, for example, one, two, three, four or five blades, without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0015]    Each of the first and second blade assemblies  34   a  and  34   b  preferably further include front abutment surfaces  42  projecting outwardly from a front, lower edge  44  to limit movement of the blade assembly within the housing  12 . The support member  18 , and preferably the upper portion  22  thereof, is provided with first and second forward stop surfaces  46   a  and  46   b  for respectively engaging the front abutment surfaces  42  of the first and second blade assemblies  34   a  and  34   b  to locate the blades  36  and  38  for shaving. Each blade assembly  34   a  and  34   b  is provided with a resilient member (shown in cross-section at  48 ) on its underside. The resilient member  48  is a safety feature which flexes and thereby permits a blade assembly to move generally rearwardly into the housing  12  independently of the other blade assembly when an excessive shaving force is exerted on the blades  36  and  38 . Resilient member  48  further provides a restoring force to the associated blade assembly to return the blade assembly to its proper position in relation to the housing  12  when the excessive shaving force is removed from the blades.  
         [0016]    As shown in FIG. 1, the support member  18  further includes a channel  50  disposed along the longitudinal length thereof. At least one conduit  52  extends from the channel  50  through the support member  18  to the underside of the housing  12 . Preferably, as shown, a plurality of conduits  52  are provided along the length of the channel  50  so as to evenly distribute a shaving aid such as a gel to the channel  50  for application to the skin surface of the user during shaving. In operation, the conduits  52  communicate with a source of such shaving aid, such as a fluid reservoir housed within the razor handle to provide a liquid or gel shaving aid to the channel  50 . The reservoir preferably permits the user to pump shaving aid through the conduits  52  and into the channel  50 , for example, with a pumping mechanism communicating with the reservoir and located in or on the razor handle. From the channel  50 , the shaving aid may be applied to the skin of the user during a shaving operation. The diameters of the conduits  52  and the depth and width of the channel  50  may be varied. Generally, smaller diameters for the conduits  52  facilitate control of the supply of shaving aid to the channel  50 .  
         [0017]    The configuration of the shaving aid, its place of application to the support member  18 , the manner of attachment and /or other means and methods of incorporation may vary as known to fit particular requirements. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 and discussed herein is provided for illustration, and alternative designs for the shaving aid are permitted. For example, the shaving aid need not be a liquid or gel, and instead may be a solid but water-soluble medium. Additionally, the shaving aid may be embedded or dispersed onto the support member  18 , or be outwardly attached thereto. As discussed below, additional shaving aid strips may be provided on other portions of the blade cartridge  10 .  
         [0018]    Exemplary materials constituting shaving aid may comprise one or various combinations of the following:  
         [0019]    A lubricating agent for reducing the frictional forces between the shaving device and the skin—e.g., a micro-encapsulated silicone oil.  
         [0020]    An agent which reduces the drag between the shaving device and the user&#39;s skin—e.g., a polyethylene oxide, a non-ionic polyacrylamide, and/or a natural polysaccharide derived from plant materials such as guar gum.  
         [0021]    An agent which modifies the chemical structure of the hair to allow the blades to pass through the hair very easily—e.g., a depilatory agent.  
         [0022]    A cleaning agent which allows the whisker and skin debris to be washed more easily from the shaving device during shaving—e.g., a silcon polyethylene oxide block copolymer and detergent such as sodium larnyl sulphate.  
         [0023]    A medicinal agent for killing bacteria, or repairing skin damage and abrasions.  
         [0024]    A cosmetic agent for softening, smoothing, conditioning or improving the skin.  
         [0025]    A blood coagulant for the suppression of bleeding that occurs from nicks and cuts.  
         [0026]    Referring to the first and second blade assemblies  34   a  and  34   b  shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first and second blades  36  and  38  on each blade assembly have respective cutting edges  54  and  56  that are generally parallel to each other. As mounted on the carrier  40 , the first and second blades  36  and  38  are separated from one another by one or a plurality of spacers  58  interposed between and spaced along the length of the blades  36  and  38 . As best shown in FIG. 3, the first and second blade assemblies  34   a  and  34   b  are mounted within the respective first and second cavities  32   a  and  32   b  such that the cutting edges  54  and  56  of the first blade assembly  34   a  generally face the cutting edges  54  and  56  of the second blade assembly  34   b . The planar surfaces of the blades  36  and  38  are also slightly inclined with respect to a shaving plane  60  or a plane of contact with the skin of the user. The cutting edges  54  and  56  of the blades in a relaxed position extend slightly beyond the shaving plane  60  a sufficient distance to expose the cutting edges  54  and  56  in order to cut hair from the user&#39;s skin without cutting or otherwise damaging the skin. Preferably, the channel  50  is filled with shaving aid up to at least the level of the shaving plane  60  so that the shaving aid can be applied to the skin during shaving. Because of the centrally located position of the channel  50 , there is no interference with the cutting edges  54  and  56  of the first and second blades  36  and  38 .  
         [0027]    The support member  18  may also include an elastomeric member (not shown) projecting upwardly therefrom into the shaving plane  60  to aid skin stretching and improve shaving closeness. The elastomeric member would be positioned in addition to the channel  50 , and aid in application of shaving aid to the stretched skin.  
         [0028]    The upper housing member  16  may include first and second end caps  62  and  64  along the respective first and second lateral sides  28  and  30  for generally guarding the first and second blade assemblies  34   a  and  34   b , respectively. The upper housing member  16  may also include first and second side shaving aids  66  and  68  positioned generally above first and second caps  62  and  64 , respectively, for applying a shaving aid similar to that distributed through the channel  50 . As so designed, the first and second side shaving aids  66  and  68  work with the centrally located shaving aid in the channel  50 .  
         [0029]    Preferably, the lower housing member  14  and the upper housing member  16  cooperate to define a plurality of first drainage channels  70  as part of the first and second cavities  32   a  and  32   b . The first drainage channels  70  generally extend between the first lateral side  28  and the second lateral side  30  of the blade cartridge  10  in order to facilitate the flushing of debris that has settled within the cavities  32   a  and  32   b . The first drainage channels  70  also facilitate the removal of overflow shaving aid from the channel  50 , which can occur if too much shaving aid is pumped from the reservoir. The overflow shaving aid generally is pushed into the first and second cavities  32   a  and  32   b  through the spaces between the first and second blades  36  and  38 . The lower housing member  14  preferably further defines a plurality of second drainage channels  72  generally extending between the first longitudinal end  24  and the second longitudinal end  26  of the blade cartridge  10  in a normal direction to that of the first drainage channels  70 . The second drainage channels  72  act to further facilitate the flushing of debris from the cavities  32   a  and  32   b , as well as overflow shaving aid from the channel  50 .  
         [0030]    The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the form disclosed. As will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art to which the present invention pertains, numerous changes and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.