Patent Publication Number: US-6910274-B1

Title: Shaving apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates to shaving apparatus in general, and to shaving apparatus having a mechanism for providing a flowable shaving aid material in particular. 
   2. Background Information 
   Numerous attempts have been made to combine a razor assembly with a mechanism for dispensing shaving aid material. Some prior art devices (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,726,009 and 1,899,841) disclose a reservoir disposed in the handle of the device for storing shaving aid material. The shaving aid material is propelled from the reservoir to the head of the device through one or more passages extending therebetween. A problem with providing a reservoir within the handle is that it is often necessary to make the handle uncomfortably large to accommodate a desirable amount of shaving aid material. If the handle is kept to a reasonable size, the volume of shaving aid material provided is undesirably small. Another problem with a shaving device having a reservoir containing a liquid or gel material is leakage. 
   Therefore, it is desirable to provide a shaving apparatus that overcomes these known shortcomings in the prior art. 
   DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the present invention, a shaving apparatus includes a handle and a housing. The handle includes an actuator and an interior cavity having a first end and a second end lengthwise, the interior cavity being operable to store flowable shaving aid material. The housing includes one or more ports in fluid communication with at least a portion of the interior cavity. The housing is mounted on the handle. The actuator is disposed within the interior cavity and includes a ratchet mechanism mounted between the first and second ends of the interior cavity, a button disposed between the ratchet mechanism and the first end of the interior cavity, a piston, and a button spring. The piston includes a piston head coupled to a piston body. The button spring is disposed between the button and the ratcheting mechanism and is operable to bias the button towards the first end of the interior cavity. The ratchet mechanism and the button are operable to move the piston toward the second end of the interior cavity through a series of distinct positions, thereby decreasing the volume of the interior cavity where the flowable shaving aid material is stored. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, a shaving apparatus includes a razor cartridge. The razor cartridge includes one or more razor blades mounted to the housing adjacent at least one of the ports disposed within the houisng. 
   An advantage of the present invention shaving apparatus is that flowable shaving aid can be dispensed from the shaving apparatus by pressing a button on the shaving apparatus handle. 
   These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the detailed description of the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a shaving apparatus of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention across line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a blown up view of Area  2 A of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view depicting the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with a depressed button. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a shaving apparatus  10  includes a housing  12  and a handle  14 . The handle  14  includes an interior cavity  16  and an actuator  18 . 
   In some embodiments, the shaving apparatus further includes a razor cartridge  22  that has one or more razor blades  24 . The razor cartridge is pivotally or fixedly attached to the shaving apparatus  10 . A variety of different razor cartridges  22  can be used with the present shaving apparatus  10 , including those that are permanently mounted to the handle  14 , as well as those that are intended to be disposable. The present shaving apparatus  10  is not limited to any particular razor cartridge  22 . In some embodiments, the shaving apparatus handle  10  and razor cartridge are attached to one another in such a manner that the two are not intended to be separated during normal use. In those embodiments, the shaving apparatus  10  may be used for a time and thereafter the shaving apparatus handle  10  and razor cartridge  22  are intended to be disposed of together. 
   The housing  12  includes one or more ports  26  and is positioned adjacent the razor cartridge  22 . The housing  12  includes an exterior surface  28  that may be smooth, or textured. In some embodiments, the housing  12  substantially surrounds the razor cartridge  22 . The housing  12  is fixedly or pivotally attached to the handle  14 . 
   The one or more ports  26  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) in the housing  12  are in fluid communication with at least a portion of the interior cavity  16  (discussed in greater detail infra.) of the handle  14 . Each port  26  is operable to allow a flowable shaving aid material  30  (also discussed infra.) to pass therethrough. Typically, the size of each port  26  is determined by the type of flowable shaving aid material  30  disposed in the interior cavity  16 , the number of ports  26  located on the housing  12 , and the desired rate at which the flowable shaving aid material  30  is dispensed. The one or more ports  26  may be fore and/or aft the razor cartridge  22  during normal use. A port  26  disposed “fore” of the razor cartridge is encountered before the razor cartridge during a stroke of the shaving apparatus. A port  26  disposed “aft” of the razor cartridge is encountered after the razor cartridge during a stroke of the shaving apparatus. In some embodiments, one port  26  may substantially surround the razor cartridge  22 . In these embodiments, the contents (i.e., the flowable shaving aid material  30 ) of the interior cavity  16  will, in part, exit through the razor cartridge  22 . 
   The handle  14  includes an exterior grip portion  32  that may be of any practical shape and size. Preferably, the exterior grip portion  32  is ergonomically contoured to allow it to be gripped comfortably by the user. 
   The interior cavity  16  includes a first end  36  and a second end  38  lengthwise along the handle  14 . In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1–4 , the interior cavity  16  has a cross-sectional shape that accommodates the actuator as will be described below. The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1–4  have a cylindrical cross-sectional shape. Other cavity cross-sectional shapes may be used alternatively. The interior cavity  16  is sized to accommodate at least the actuator  18  and a quantity of flowable shaving aid material  30 . In some embodiments, the interior cavity  16  includes a button retainer  40  near the first end  36  to prevent the button  42  (discussed infra.) from being undesirably expelled from the interior cavity  16 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, a flexible bladder  44  is disposed in the interior cavity  16  of the handle  14  such that the one or more ports  26  are in fluid communication with the contents of the flexible bladder  44 . The flexible bladder  44 , and/or the interior cavity  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , are operable to store a flowable shaving aid material  30 . It is also preferable that the flexible bladder  44 , when filled, has a shape that is complimentary to the interior cavity  16  of the handle  14 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the interior cavity  16  (with or without a flexible bladder  44 ) is operable to store a flowable shaving aid material  30  between the actuator  18  (discussed infra) and the one or more ports  26 . Flowable shaving aid materials  30  include, but are not limited to, lubricating agents, drag reducing agents, depilatory agents, cleaning agents, medicinal agents, and the like, that enhance the shaving process. Common forms of flowable shaving aid materials  30  include liquids, creams, and gels. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2–4 , the actuator  18  is disposed within the handle  14  and is selectively operable to decrease the volume of the interior cavity  16  between the piston head  62  (discussed infra.) and the one or more ports  26 . In embodiments utilizing a flexible bladder  44 , the reduction in volume of the interior cavity  16  will, in turn, reduce the volume of the flexible bladder  44 . The actuator  18  includes a ratchet mechanism  46 , a piston  48 , a button  42 , and a button spring  52 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the ratchet mechanism  46  is mounted in the interior cavity  16  between the first end  36  and the second end  38  and includes an aperture  54  having an inner wall  56 . The ratchet mechanism  46  is operable to advance the piston  48  uni-directionally towards the second end  38  of the interior cavity  16  through a series of distinct positions during normal use. In some embodiments, the inner wall  56  of the aperture  54  includes at least one first ratchet element  58 . For example, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , indicates one acceptable type of ratchet element, often referred to as a ratchet pall. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the piston  48  includes a piston body  60  and a piston head  62 . The piston body  60  includes a first end  64  and a second end  66 . The piston head  62  is coupled to the second end  66  of the piston body  60  and, in some embodiments, may be integral with the piston body  60 . The piston head  62  is typically shaped to mate with the shape of the interior cavity  16 ; e.g., if the interior cavity  16  has a circular cross-sectional shape, then the piston head  62  has a circular cross-sectional shape. A variety of mating shapes can be used and the interior cavity  16  and the piston head  62  are not limited to any particular shape. The piston  48  is operable to be selectively moved uni-directionally towards the second end  38  of the interior cavity  16  through a series of distinct positions by the button  42  and the ratchet mechanism  46  working in concert. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outside surface  68  of the piston body  60  includes a plurality of second ratchet elements  70  that are complimentary to the first ratchet elements  58  on the inner wall  56  of the aperture  54 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . Together, the first ratchet element(s)  58  and the second ratchet elements  70  enable the piston  48  to be selectively moved by a user towards the second end  38  of interior cavity  16  relative to the ratchet mechanism  46 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the piston head  62  is coupled to the second end  66  of the piston body  60 . In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the piston  48  and the piston head  62  are not fixedly attached, but rather are coupled together by a piston spring  74 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the piston spring  74  is a compression spring that is operable to press against the piston head  62  when the button  42  (discussed infra.) is depressed and the piston body  60  is forced towards the second end  38  of the interior cavity  16 . In some embodiments, particularly those embodiments that do not utilize a flexible bladder  44 , the piston head  62  forms a slidable seal with an inside wall  76  of the interior cavity  16 , thereby preventing the flowable shaving aid material  30  from flowing into the actuator  18 . Preferably, the piston  48  is disposed in the interior cavity  16  such that the piston head  62  is positioned between the ratchet mechanism  46  and the second end  38  of the interior cavity  16  and the piston body  60  passes through the aperture  54  in the ratchet mechanism  46 . The first end of the piston body  60  is at least partially inserted into an interior cavity  78  in the button  42 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , the button  42  is movably coupled to the first end  36  of the interior cavity  78 . In some embodiments, the button  42  is integral with the piston body  60 . The button  42  is operable to be selectively moved between a depressed position  84  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), and a rest position  86  (as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). In some embodiments, the button  42  includes a base  88  and a top portion  90 . Typically, the top portion  90  of the button  42  is sized such that the top portion  90  of the button  42  extends through the button retainer  40 , to a position where it is user-accessible. However, the base  88  is typically sized such that it will not pass through the button retainer  40  during normal use, thereby preventing the button  42  from undesirably being expelled from the interior cavity  16  during normal use. For example, in the embodiment in  FIG. 2 , the base  88  is an annular projection having a larger outer diameter  92  than an inner diameter  94  of the button retainer  40  shown. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2–4 , in some embodiments, at least a portion of the button  42  is approximately the same size and shape as the interior cavity  16  of the handle  14  in order to prevent the button  42  from undesirably angling, or tilting when moving within the interior cavity  16 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1–3 , the handle  14  includes a button guard  96  that extends a distance from the handle  14  in order to provide the button  42  with additional protection. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the button spring  52  is a coil spring disposed within the interior cavity  16  of the handle between the button  42  and the ratchet mechanism  46 . The button spring  52  is not, however, limited to a coil-type spring and may alternatively assume other biasing forms; e.g., leaf spring, elastic member, etc. Alternatively, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3 , the button spring  52  may be disposed between the button  42  and a protrusion  98  in the interior cavity  16 . The button spring  52  is operable to provide a constant force against the button  42  generally in the direction of the first end  36  of the interior cavity  16 . 
   In operation, the user depresses the button  42 , thereby causing the piston body  60  and, accordingly, the piston head  62  to move toward the second end  38  of the interior cavity  16 . The first ratchet elements  58  on the inner walls  56  of the aperture  54  of the ratchet mechanism  46  allow the second ratchet elements  70  on the piston body  60  to pass thereby. As the piston body  60  travels towards the second end  38  of the interior cavity  16 , the volume of the portion of the interior cavity  16  in which the flowable shaving aid  30  is stored is reduced. The flowable shaving aid  30  is, therefore, forced from the interior cavity  16 , to the one or more ports  26  where it is dispensed adjacent the razor cartridge  22 . When the pressure on the button  42  is released, the button  42  then returns to the rest position  86  under the force of the button spring  52 . However, the first ratchet elements  58  on the ratchet mechanism  46  engage the second ratchet elements  70  un the piston body  60 , thereby preventing the piston  48  from moving towards the first end  36  of the interior cavity  16 . The flowable shaving aid material  30  is then applied to the surface being shaved adjacent the razor cartridge  22  during shaving. 
   Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.