Patent Publication Number: US-2011067242-A1

Title: Nose hair trimmer

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a nose hair trimmer having a washable structure. 
     Japanese Patent No. 4203670 describes an example of a nose hair trimmer insertable into a user&#39;s nostril to trim nose hair. Such a nose hair trimmer includes an outer blade (fixed blade), an inner blade (movable blade), and a motor. The outer blade is cylindrical and suitable for insertion into a nostril. The inner blade is rotated inside the outer blade by the motor, which is arranged in a main body of the nose hair trimmer. The nose hair trimmer further includes a receptacle for accommodating the inner blade. The inner blade receptacle is also used to collect nose hair clippings. The user removes the collected nose hair clippings from the main body at an appropriate timing to keep the nose hair trimmer clean. 
     The inner blade and an inner blade support, which is joined with the inner blade, have complicated shapes. This makes it difficult and burdensome to sufficiently remove the nose hair clippings from the inner blade and inner blade support even when using a brush or the like, which is provided as an accessory for the nose hair trimmer. 
     The blades and their peripheral components may be disassembled so that they can be cleaned with a washing liquid such as water. However, the inner blade and inner blade support are sharp and relatively small components. Thus, such components are difficult to handle and causes disassembly and washing to be burdensome. 
     It is thus desirable that a washing liquid such as water be drawn into the nose hair trimmer with the blades left in the nose hair trimmer when cleaning the nose hair trimmer. However, it is still difficult to clean the nose hair trimmer just by pouring water into the nose hair trimmer. Thus, improvements must be made to solve this problem. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a nose hair trimmer that allows for washing with the blades left in the nose hair trimmer while improving the washability of the nose hair trimmer. 
     One aspect of the present invention is a nose hair trimmer including a case, an outer blade, a rotational inner blade body, and a drive source. The outer blade includes an opening and is supported by the case. The rotational inner blade body includes an inner blade, which is accommodated in the outer blade, and an inner blade base, which supports the inner blade. A drive source rotates the rotational inner blade body to clip nose hair between the outer blade and the inner blade. The case includes an interior cavity that accommodates the rotational inner blade body and collects nose hair clippings. A disposal port communicates the interior cavity with the exterior. The inner blade base includes a vane. Rotation of the rotational inner blade body rotates the vane and forms a liquid flow path directed from the opening of the outer blade via the interior cavity and toward the disposal port. Liquid flows so as to arcuately flow around the interior cavity. The case includes a guide wall arranged facing toward the flow of liquid circling the interior cavity and extending from the disposal port at a downstream side of the flow of liquid. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ) are perspective views showing a nose hair trimmer according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view showing a blade unit of the nose hair trimmer; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing the blade unit and its surrounding in the nose hair trimmer; 
         FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ) are explanatory diagrams showing a disposal port of the nose hair cuter; 
         FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ) are explanatory views showing washing examples of the nose hair trimmer; and 
         FIGS. 6(   a ) and  6 ( b ) are explanatory views showing modifications of the disposal port in the nose hair trimmer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A nose hair trimmer  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the drawings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the nose hair trimmer  10 , which is elongated and cylindrical, includes a main body  11  and a blade unit  12 . The main body  11  is formed so as to allow for gripping by a user. The blade unit  12  is arranged on a distal end (one of the longitudinal ends) of the main body  11 . A handle  13  having a form enabling easy gripping is arranged at a basal end (the other one of the longitudinal ends) of the main body  11 . A slide switch  14  is arranged next to the handle  13  at a central part of the main body  11 . The switch  14  is attached to a main body case  15 , which forms an outer shell of the main body  11  and has a waterproof structure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the main body  11  (main body case  15 ) accommodates a drive motor  16 . More specifically, the motor  16  is arranged in the central part of the main body  11  (inward from the switch  14 ) so that a rotary shaft  16   a  of the motor  16  extends in the longitudinal direction of the main body  11 . A battery (not shown) that supplies the drive motor  16  with power is arranged in the handle  13  of the main body  11 . When the switch  14  is turned on, the battery supplies the drive motor  16  with drive power. 
     The rotary shaft  16   a  of the drive motor  6  projects from a distal end of the main body  11  at which the blade unit  12  is arranged. A joint  17  is fitted to and fixed to the rotary shaft  16   a.  The rotary shaft  16   a  is formed from metal, and the joint  17  is formed from resin. The joint  17  has a distal portion on which a rotational inner blade body  23 , which forms part of the blade unit  12 , is attached. The rotational inner blade body  23  is removable from and integrally rotatable with the joint  17 . Referring to FIG.  2 , the blade unit  12  includes an outer blade body  20  and the rotational inner blade body  23 . The outer blade body  20  includes an outer blade frame  22  and an outer blade  21  (fixed blade), which is mounted on the outer blade frame  22 . The inner blade body  23  includes an inner blade base  25  and inner blades  24  (movable blade), which are mounted on the inner blade base  25 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an annular mount  15   a  is formed in the distal part of the main body case  15 . The outer blade frame  22  is fitted onto the mount  15   a.  A pit  15   b  having a depth that is slightly greater than the height of the mount  15   a  is defined inside the mount  15   a.  The pit  15   b  is in communication with an inner blade receptacle  20   a,  which is formed inside the outer blade body  20 , and defines an interior cavity X. The interior cavity X functions as a region in which nose hair clippings are collected. 
     The pit  15   b  has a bottom surface functioning to partition the pit  15   b  from a motor retaining compartment  15   c,  which retains the drive motor  16 . An insertion hole  15   d  extends through the center of the bottom surface to project the rotary shaft  16   a  and the joint  17  into the interior cavity X. An M-shaped seal  18 , which seals a gap between the rotary shaft  16   a  of the drive motor  16  and the main body case  15 , is arranged in the motor retaining compartment  15   c  near the insertion hole  15   d.  The seal  18  prevents foreign matter in the interior cavity X, such as nose hair clippings and washing liquid, from moving toward the rotary shaft  16   a  and the drive motor  16  through the insertion hole  15   d.    
     A disposal port  15   e,  which is in communication with the pit  15   b,  is arranged near the mount  15   a  of the main body case  15 . The disposal port  15   e  is connected with the interior cavity X. Further, the disposal port  15   e  opens outward at a location separated by 180° from the switch  14 . That is, the disposal port  15   e  and the switch  14  are located on opposite sides of the main body case  15 . A lid  19 , which is movable on the outer surface of the main body case  15 , opens and closes the disposal port  15   e.    
     The disposal port  15   e,  which has a tetragonal opening, includes a bottom surface that is flush with the bottom surface of the pit  15   b.  A plan view of the pit  15   b  (refer to  FIG. 4(   a )) shows a guide wall  15   f  extending toward the joint  17  from a side wall of the disposal port  15   e.  The guide wall  15   f  has a height that is about the same as that of the disposal port  15   e.  The guide wall  15   f  is formed so as to connect part of an inner circumferential surface of the mount  15   a  to part of the bottom surface of the pit  15   b.  Further, the guide wall  15   f  extends from an open edge of the disposal port  15   e  to the vicinity of the outer surface of the joint  17 . Thus, the guide wall  15   f  is formed integrally with the side wall of the disposal port  15   e  so that liquid flowing through the pit  15   b  in the clockwise direction, as viewed in  FIG. 4 , is guided to the opening of the disposal port  15   e.  The clockwise direction is the rotation direction of the rotational inner blade body  23  and the direction in which liquid circles the interior cavity X along the inner wall surface of the pit  15   b.  Accordingly, the guide wall  15   f  is flush with the side wall of the disposal port  15   e  and does not include any steps in between. Further, the guide wall  15   f  and the side wall of the disposal port  15   e  are sloped radially outward relative to the clockwise direction as viewed in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the blade unit  12  includes the outer blade body  20  and the rotational inner blade body  23 . The outer blade body  20  includes the outer blade frame  22  and the outer blade  21 , which is mounted on the outer blade frame  22 . The rotational inner blade body  23  includes the inner blade base  25  and the inner blades  24 , which are mounted on the inner blade base  25 . 
     The outer blade  21 , which is cylindrical and suitable for insertion into the user&#39;s nostril, is fixed to the distal portion of the outer blade frame  22 . The basal portion of the outer blade frame  22  is fitted onto the mount  15   a,  which is arranged on the distal portion of the main body  11  (main body case  15 ). Two tabs  22   a,  which are located at opposing positions separated by 180° from each other, are formed on the inner surface in the basal portion of the outer blade frame  22 . Two grooves  15   g  are formed in the outer surface of the mount  15   a  of the main body  11  in correspondence with the two tabs  22   a.  The outer blade frame  22  is rotated to engage the tabs  22   a  with the grooves  15   g.  This mounts the outer blade frame  22  (outer blade body  20 ) onto the mount  15   a  in a removable manner. 
     The outer blade  21  is cylindrical and has a distal end that is bent slightly inward. More specifically, the outer blade  21  includes a plurality of teeth  21   b,  each having a distal end that is bent toward the center of the distal end face of the outer blade  21 . The teeth  21   b  are formed by a plurality of slits  21   a,  or openings, extending radially from the center of the distal end face of the outer blade  21  toward the side surface of the outer blade  21 . The inner side of the outer blade body  20  forms the inner blade receptacle  20   a,  which rotatably retains the rotational inner blade body  23 . 
     The rotational inner blade body  23  includes the inner blade base  25  and two inner blades  24 , which are formed by metal plates and attached to the distal outer surface of the inner blade base  25  at opposing positions separated by 180° from each other. The joint  17  couples the inner blade base  25  to the rotary shaft  16   a  of the motor  16 . The rotational inner blade body  23  is arranged in the inner blade receptacle  20   a  of the outer blade body  20 . A spring  26  produces urging force that presses a cutting edge  24   a  of each inner blade  24  against the inner surface of the outer blade  21 . 
     During use, the switch  14  is turned on to drive the motor  16 . This rotates the rotary shaft  16   a  together with the rotational inner blade body  23  and clips nose hair between the outer blade  21  and the cutting edges  24   a  of the inner blades  24 . Nose hair clippings are collected in the interior cavity X, which is formed by the pit  15   b  and the inner blade receptacle  20   a.  The nose hair trimmer  10  is normally used with its outer blade  21  facing upward. This collects many clippings in the pit  15   b.  During use, the disposal port  15   e  is closed by the lid  19  so that nose hair clippings do not fall out from the disposal port  15   e.    
     The inner blade base  25  includes two holding pieces  25   a,  which are arranged at the basal portion of the inner blade base  25  at opposing positions separated by 180° from each other. Each holding piece  25   a  extends from the basal end of the inner blade base  25  in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the inner blade base  25  (i.e., axial direction of the rotary shaft  16   a ). Thus, the two holding pieces  25   a  extend linearly and radially outward in opposite directions. Each holding piece  25   a  has a tetragonal cross-section. More specifically, the tetragonal cross-section of each holding piece  25   a  is formed by two sides extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotary shaft  16   a  and two sides extending along the axial direction of the rotary shaft  16   a.  The holding pieces  25   a  are each shaped so that a user or a person assembling the nose hair trimmer  10  can easily hold the holding pieces  25   a  with his or her fingers when handling the inner blade base  25  (rotational inner blade body  23 ). 
     The two holding pieces  25   a  arranged on the inner blade base  25  function as vanes when rotated together with the rotational inner blade body  23 . More specifically, when the rotational inner blade body  23  (inner blade base  25 ) is attached to the joint  17 , the holding pieces  25   a  are arranged so that the top surface of the disposal port  15   e  in the main body case  15  is located slightly below the basal end of the holding pieces  25   a.  Due to such a positional relationship between the holding pieces  25   a  and the disposal port  15   e,  rotation of the rotational inner blade body  23  rotates the holding pieces  25   a  and forms a fluid path directed from the slits  21   a  of the outer blade  21  via the interior cavity X and toward the disposal port  15   e.    
     Referring to  FIG. 5(   b ), the lid  19  is operated to open the disposal port  15   e,  which is closed during use. Then, the outer blade  21  is directed upward and washing liquid, for example, tap water W serving as a washing liquid is poured into the outer blade  21 . The water W enters the interior cavity X through the slits  21   a  of the outer blade  21 . This cleans the interior cavity X, and the nose hair clippings collected in the blade unit  12  are disposed of from the disposal port  15   e.  In this state, the nose hair trimmer  10  is driven to rotate the rotational inner blade body  23  while washing the nose hair trimmer  10 . This produces a strong flow of water directed from the slits  21   a  of the outer blade  21  via the interior cavity X and toward the disposal port  15   e.  As a result, nose hair clippings are discharged out of the blade unit  12  in a further preferable manner together with the tap water W. 
     When cleaning the nose hair trimmer  10  while rotating the rotational inner blade body  23 , a strong flow of water is produced in the blade unit  12 . Thus, by directing the outer blade  21  downward as shown in  FIG. 5(   a ), washing liquid (e.g., tap water W) is drawn into the nose hair trimmer  10  and discharged out of the disposal port  15   e  to clean the interior of the blade unit  12 . The washing liquid is not limited to tap water W. For example, a liquid mixed with a chemical agent that is suitable for cleaning may be used as the washing liquid. 
     The nose hair trimmer  10  of the present embodiment has the advantages described below. 
     (1) The main body case  15  of the nose hair trimmer  10  includes the interior cavity X and the disposal port  15   e.  The interior cavity X accommodates the rotational inner blade body  23 , which includes the inner blades  24 , and collects nose hair clippings. The disposal port  15   e  communicates the interior cavity X with the exterior of the nose hair trimmer  10 . The inner blade base  25 , which supports the inner blade  24 , includes the two holding pieces  25   a,  which function as vanes. Rotation of the rotational inner blade body  23  rotates the vanes (holding pieces  25   a ). This produces a flow of the washing liquid (water W) directed from the slits  21   a  of the outer blade  21  via the interior cavity X and toward the disposal port  15   e.  The guide wall  15   f,  which faces toward the flow of water, guides the water to the disposal port  15   e.  As a result, the washing liquid that circles the interior cavity X along the inner surface of the pit  15   b  is efficiently discharged from the disposal port  15   e  together with foreign matter such as nose hair clippings. In this matter, flowing water is not just poured into the nose hair trimmer  10 . Rather, a strong flow of the washing liquid is produced in the nose hair trimmer  10  by the rotation of the vanes (holding pieces  25   a ). Further, the guide wall  15   f  improves the dischargeability from the disposal port  15   e  and, in turn, the washability. 
     (2) The guide wall  15   f,  which faces toward the flow of washing liquid, is formed integrally with and flush with the side wall of the disposal port  15   e.  This reduces the resistance (flow resistance) applied to the washing liquid and improves the washability. 
     (3) Since the guide wall  15   f,  which faces toward the flow of washing liquid, is formed integrally with and flush with the side wall of the disposal port  15   e,  the resistance (flow resistance) applied to the washing liquid is reduced. Further, the guide wall  15   f  and the side wall of the disposal port  15   e  are sloped radially outward with respect to the flow of washing liquid circling the interior cavity X. This further reduces the resistance (flow resistance) applied to the washing liquid and improves the washability. 
     (4) In the present embodiment, the disposal port  15   e  is arranged near the holding pieces  25   a  (vanes), as shown in  FIG. 3 . Thus, the flow of the washing liquid remains strong when discharged out of the nose hair trimmer  10 . This improves the washability. 
     (5) The holding pieces  25   a  of the inner blade base  25  are held with the fingers or the like by a user or a person assembling the nose hair trimmer  10  when handling the rotational inner blade body  23 . In addition, the holding pieces  25   a  also function as vanes. This simplifies the structure and reduces the size of the inner blade base  25  (rotational inner blade body  23 ) thereby contributing to reducing the overall size of the nose hair trimmer  10 . 
     The two holding pieces  25   a  extend radially outward in opposite directions. This allows for a user to easily hold the inner blade base  25  (rotational inner blade body  23 ) with the holding pieces  25   a.  Further, the holding pieces  25   a  efficiently produce a flow of liquid. 
     (6) The main body case  15  includes the lid  19 , which opens and closes the disposal port  15   e.  Thus, by closing the disposal port  15   e  during use, nose hair clippings are prevented from falling out from the disposal port  15   e.    
     (7) The disposal port  15   e  and the switch  14  are arranged on opposite sides of the nose hair trimmer  10 . Thus, when a user operates the switch  14  with his or her fingers to perform washing, the user&#39;s fingers do not touch the washing liquid discharged from the disposal port  15   e.  This facilitates washing. 
     It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in the following forms. 
     Instead of just one disposal port  15   e,  there may be more than one disposal port  15   e.  For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , there may be three disposal ports  15   e  arranged at equal angular intervals. In the example shown in  FIG. 6 , each of the disposal ports  15   e  includes the guide wall  15   f  in the same manner as in the above-discussed embodiment. Further, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the lid  19  for opening and closing the disposal port  15   e  may be eliminated. 
     In the above-discussed embodiment, the disposal port  15   e  and the switch  14  are arranged on opposite sides of the nose hair trimmer  10 . However, the location of the disposal port  15   e  may be changed as required. Further, the location of the disposal port  15   e  in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) is not limited to the position shown in  FIG. 3 . For example, the disposal port  15   e  may be arranged so as to overlap with the holding pieces  25   a,  which function as the vanes, and the disposal port  15   e.    
     The holding pieces  25   a  used to hold the inner blade base  25  (rotational inner blade body  23 ) also function as the vanes. However, the inner blade base  25  may include holding pieces used just to hold the inner blade base  25 . Further, the holding pieces  25   a  may be flap-shaped. 
     The side wall of the disposal port  15   e  does not have to be flush with the guide wall  15   f.  For example, the guide wall  15   f  may be arranged at a position separated from the disposal port  15   e  in the clockwise direction by a predetermined angle (angle smaller than) 180°. Further, the side wall of the disposal port  15   e  and the guide wall  15   f  extend straight along the same plane but may be curved instead. In another example, either one of the side walls of the disposal port  15   e  and the guide wall  15   f  may be sloped. In this case, the disposal port  15   e  extends in the radial direction. The guide wall  15   f  may also be eliminated. 
     Instead of the main body case  15 , the disposal port  15   e  may be formed in the blade unit  12  (outer blade frame  22 ). 
     The lid  19  that opens and closes the disposal port  15   e  is not limited to a type that slides in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) and may be of a rotational type. 
     The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.