Patent Publication Number: US-10786918-B2

Title: Dedicated attachment systems for consumer products

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/877,417, filed Jan. 23, 2018, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/611,652, filed Jun. 1, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,035,276, granted on Jul. 31, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/094,108, filed Apr. 8, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,669,555, granted on Jun. 6, 2017, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/869,535, filed Apr. 24, 2013, now abandoned, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/718,328, filed Oct. 25, 2012, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Some consumer products include portions that are removable, to allow replacement and/or interchangeability. For example, shaving systems often consist of a handle and a replaceable blade unit in which one or more blades are mounted in a plastic housing. After the blades in a blade unit have become dull from use, the blade unit is discarded, and replaced on the handle with a new blade unit. Such systems often include a pivoting attachment between the blade unit and handle, which includes a pusher and follower configured to provide resistance during shaving and return the blade unit to a “rest” position when it is not in contact with the user&#39;s skin. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, the invention features consumer products, e.g., shaving systems and toothbrushes, which have a replaceable portion, e.g., a shaving assembly or a toothbrush head, that is removably mounted on a handle. The consumer products described herein include keyed structures on the handle and replaceable portion, the relative placement of which creates a unique interaction between the two parts. This unique interaction may, for example, be used to provide a dedicated attachment system for each specific customer of the manufacturer of the consumer product. 
     In one aspect, the invention features a shaving system that includes a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, and a shaving assembly configured to removably interface with the handle, in which the distal end of the handle includes a keyed structure and the shaving assembly includes a complementary keyed structure. 
     Some implementations include one or more of the following features. 
     In some cases, the shaving assembly can interact with the handle in only a single predetermined orientation. 
     The complementary keyed structures may comprise male and female structures, e.g., ribs and channels. In some implementations, the handle includes a protrusion and the shaving assembly includes a cavity configured to receive the protrusion, and the keyed structures are provided on the protrusion and within the cavity. In such cases, the complementary keyed structures may include, for example, one or more channels or bores disposed on the protrusion and/or in the cavity, and one or more complementary ribs or pins disposed on the protrusion and/or in the cavity and configured to be received in the channels or bores when the shaving assembly is mounted on the handle. 
     In another aspect, the invention features a method for providing two or more shaving systems, each shaving system having a unique cartridge attachment. The method includes: (a) providing a first shaving system that includes a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, and a shaving assembly configured to removably interface with the handle, wherein the distal end of the handle includes a keyed structure and the shaving assembly includes a complementary keyed structure, the keyed structures having a first configuration; and (b) providing a second shaving system that includes a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, and a shaving assembly configured to removably interface with the handle, wherein the distal end of the handle includes a keyed structure and the shaving assembly includes a complementary keyed structure, the keyed structures having a second configuration different from the first configuration, such that the shaving assembly of the first shaving system cannot be attached to the handle of the second shaving system. 
     Some implementations may include any one or more of the features discussed above with respect to the first aspect of the invention. 
     In yet another aspect, the invention features a method of removably attaching a shaving assembly to a handle. The method includes (a) providing a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, the handle having a keyed structure at its distal end, and (b) mounting on the handle a shaving assembly configured to removably interface with the handle, the shaving assembly having a keyed structure that is complementary with that of the handle. 
     The invention also features methods of shaving utilizing the systems discussed herein. For example, in one aspect the invention features a method of shaving comprising contacting the skin with the shaving assembly of a shaving system, the shaving system comprising a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, and a shaving assembly configured to removably interface with the handle, wherein the distal end of the handle includes a keyed structure and the shaving assembly includes a complementary keyed structure. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view according to one embodiment disassembled. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2A  is a bottom-up view of the handle of one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment disassembled. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment disassembled. 
         FIG. 4A  is a bottom-up view of the handle of an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the incompatibility of the handle of a particular interface configuration with the shaving cartridge of an alternate interface configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating handle rotation with respect to a surface (skin). 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic view of a shaving assembly and the appendage portion of the handle, with the remainder of the handle removed. 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 7  under different conditions. 
         FIG. 9A  is a diagrammatic sectional view of a shaving assembly and the handle. 
         FIG. 9B  is a view similar to  FIG. 9A  under different conditions. 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  under different conditions. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic frontal view of the handle and shaving assembly, with the right hand portion of the shaving assembly removed and the handle interface element translucent. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic representation of the magnetic retention system utilized with a toothbrush. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to consumer products and, in particular, to shaving systems with interchangeable shaving assemblies. In one embodiment, the present disclosure features a reusable consumer product system having an interchangeable pivoting shaving assembly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a shaving system  10  includes a handle  12  and a shaving assembly  13 , which includes a handle interface element  14 , and, mounted on the interface element, a blade unit  16 , which includes a plurality of blades  18 . The handle  12  provides a manner in which the shaving system can be manipulated and leverage can applied to achieve desired shaving results. The shaving assembly  13  would be sold to the user as a complete, replaceable unit. 
     Referring to U.S. Pat. No. 10,035,276, the blade unit  16  is configured with pivots  19  to allow controlled, single-plane articulation. Pivoting of the blade unit  16  is about an axis that is generally parallel to the long axis of the blade unit  16 , allowing the blade unit  16  to follow the contours of a user&#39;s skin during shaving. Preferably, during use the angle of blade unit  16  with respect to handle  12  ranges from approximately 15° to 105° ( FIG. 6 ). The shaving assembly  13  is configured with a return element  15  which could be a pusher and follower type, or any desired type of return element that is configured to provide resistance during shaving and return the blade unit  16  to a “rest” position when it is not in contact with the user&#39;s skin. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A, 2, 2A , the handle interface element  14  is configured with an asymmetrical cavity  28  designed to receive an appendage  24  on the distal end of the handle  12  in a predetermined manner such that only one orientation is possible. 
     An attachment system is provided to allow the shaving assembly to be removably attached to the handle  12 . In the embodiment shown, the handle interface element  14  and handle  12  include corresponding magnetic  26  ( FIG. 2A, 4A ) and ferrous elements  50  ( FIGS. 1A, 2, 3A, 4 ), which interface in the manner discussed in U.S. Ser. No. 61/651,732, filed May 25, 2012, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. If desired, other attachment systems may be used, which will generally include corresponding structures or elements on the handle interface element  14  and appendage  24  of handle  12 , and could be accomplished in a number of manners, such as by a mechanical locking mechanism. 
     The attachment system is complemented by the engagement of keyed structures on the appendage and cavity. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of semi-cylindrical ribs  20  extend inward from surface  27  of cavity  28 . The appendage  24  is configured with a plurality of corresponding channels  22 . Additionally, a channel  130  is configured on surface  27  of cavity  28 , which corresponds to a rib  120  on the appendage  24  of the handle. The channel  130  and rib  120  are optional, and may be omitted if desired. 
     The interaction between the ribs  20  and channels  22 , and the channel  130  and rib  120 , if provided, enhances the ability of the attachment system to resist torsional forces incurred while shaving. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-11 , torsional forces may be applied to the shaving assembly  13  during use, for example during a tapping action performed during cleaning of the shaving assembly  13  or during shaving. These torsional forces may be about different axes, as shown in  FIGS. 8-9  (about the long axis of the blade unit) and  FIGS. 10-11  (about the long axis of the handle). In either case, the torsional force causes the ribs  20  to bind in the channels  22 , due to the relatively small clearance between the ribs and the channels and the length of these structures. This binding action resists displacement of the shaving assembly  13  due to the torsional force.  FIGS. 7, 8, and 10  illustrate the relative positioning of the appendage  24  in the cavity  28  when the system is at rest (FIG.  7 ), subjected to the force shown in  FIGS. 9A-9B  ( FIG. 8 ), and subjected to the force shown in  FIG. 11  ( FIG. 10 ). 
     The clearance between the complementary features in the cavity  28  and the appendage  24  when no force is being applied to the shaving system  10  is preferably sufficiently large that the shaving assembly  13  is not retained in place by the interaction of these features, i.e., the ribs  20  are not press-fit into the channels  22 . Retention is generally provided primarily by the attachment system. 
     An alternate embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 3, 3A, 4, 4A , in which the ribs  20 ,  122  and corresponding channels  22 ,  132  are placed in a different orientation relative to those in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, 2A . This alternative configuration renders the shaving assembly of this embodiment incompatible with the handle of the first embodiment, and vice versa. Thus, the keyed structures of each embodiment create a unique blade unit-handle interaction, providing a dedicated cartridge-handle system for each specific customer of the manufacturer of the shaving systems.  FIG. 5  illustrates the incompatibility of a handle  12  and a shaving assembly  13  based on differing rib  20  and corresponding channel  22  arrangements. 
     The handle  12 , shaving assembly  13 , and other parts of system  10  could be made of any suitable material including, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE), high density (HD) PETE, thermoplastic polymer, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester, high-gloss polyester, metal, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, silicone, nylon, polymer, wood, antibacterial or antimicrobial materials, insulating, thermal, other suitable sustainable or biodegradable materials, or any combination thereof according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
     A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     For example, while a rib and channel embodiment is illustrated, many alternative corresponding shape configurations could be utilized to ensure unique, key-lock interactions between the handle and the shaving cartridge. For example, one alternative configuration could feature pins and bores. Moreover, rather than a plurality of keyed structures on each of the appendage and cavity, the keyed structures could be in the form of a single structure on each of the appendage and cavity, e.g., a single larger pin and a corresponding single receiving bore. Alternatively, the shape of the appendage could be keyed to the shape of the receiving cavity on the interface element. 
     Another embodiment could feature utilization of a combination of similar or dissimilar keyed structures on either the appendage or the cavity. For example, ribs and channels could be configured on the appendage together with their corresponding structures configured on the cavity. In addition, a variety of different keyed structures could be utilized in the same embodiment. 
     Another embodiment could feature alternative placements of the ferrous element and corresponding magnet. For example, while the ferrous element was shown in the cavity of the handle interface element of the shaving assembly, it could be integrated into the handle. Similarly, the magnet could be integrated into the shaving assembly instead of the handle. 
     As another example, while the appendage is on the handle and the cavity is on the interface element in the embodiments described above, in other embodiments the handle may include a cavity and an appendage may be provided on the interface element. 
     Additionally, as discussed above, the keyed structures may be used on other consumer products, for example on a manual or electric toothbrush having a removable head. An example of the use of the keyed structures on a toothbrush is shown in  FIG. 12 . Like the shaving systems discussed above, the toothbrush has an attachment system that includes a magnetic element (in this case two small magnets) and a corresponding ferrous element (a metal strip). Also like the shaving systems, the toothbrush includes an appendage on the handle and a corresponding cavity on the head that is configured to receive the appendage. The cavity and appendage include keyed elements (not shown), which may be arranged in the manner shown for the shaving systems (ribs and channels) or any other desired configuration. As discuss above with regard to the shaving systems, these keyed structures provide a dedicated attachment system for the head and handle, and in some cases may assist the attachment system in resisting disengagement during use. 
     Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.