Patent Publication Number: US-8533959-B2

Title: Cartridges and razors with trimming wing

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/391,704, filed Oct. 11, 2011. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to cartridges and razors, more particularly to wet shaving cartridges and razors with a trimming blade. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recent advances in shaving razors, such as a 5-bladed razor for wet shaving, may provide for closer, finer, and more comfortable shaving. Increasing the number of blades, however, may also increase the height of the cartridge of the wet shaving razor. Moreover, razors may include a lubrication strip disposed above the blades, which further increases the height of the cartridge. In such razors shaving or trimming in hard-to-reach or tight areas, for example, under the nose or at the edges of the mouth, may be cumbersome and less precise. For instance, when shaving under the nose, the height of the cartridge may be only slightly smaller than the distance between the nose and the mouth. 
     Current approaches to trimming only slightly reduce the height of the cartridge or include an additional blade on the top of the cartridge. Such approaches, however, may provide additional complexities to shaving and to trimming Examples of shaving razors with various approaches to trimming are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2010/0107416 and 2010/0077619 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,540,087, 7,617,607, 7,739,797, and 7,761,999. 
     What is needed, then, is a shaving cartridge and razor, such as a wet shaving razor or a powered wet shaving razor, comprising a portion of narrower height with a trimming blade, such that the trimming blade can trim and shave areas (e.g., hard-to-reach or tight areas) more easily and simply. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention relates to a cartridge for a shaving razor, suitable for wet or dry shaving. The cartridge comprises a housing comprising a front, a rear, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a wing on at least one of the first side and the second side. The cartridge also comprises one or more shaving blades disposed in the housing and at least one trimming blade disposed in the wing. 
     The foregoing aspect can comprise one or more of the following embodiments. The wing can be flexibly attached to at least one of the first side and the second side or the wing can be integrally formed with at least one of the first side and the second side. The wing can comprise a tapered distal end. A height of a front of the wing can be less than a height of the front of the housing, preferably about 10% to about 50% of the height of the front of the housing, and even more preferably about 20% of the height of the front of the housing. The wing and at least one of the first side and the second side adjacent to the wing can be non-coplanar. For example, the wing and at least one of the first side and the second side adjacent to the wing can form an included angle of about 180 degrees to about 270 degrees such that a distal end of the wing can be disposed rearward of the front of the housing. 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to a razor for shaving. The razor comprises a handle and a housing operably connected to the handle. The housing comprises a front, a rear, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a wing on at least one of the first side and the second side. The razor also comprises one or more shaving blades disposed in the housing and at least one trimming blade disposed in the wing. 
     This aspect can comprise one or more of the following embodiments. The housing can be pivotably connected to the handle such that the housing pivots when in contact with a shaving surface. The wing can be flexibly attached to at least one of the first side and the second side. The wing can be removably connected to the handle. For example, the wing can be removably affixed to the handle. The wing can be integrally formed with at least one of the first side and the second side. The wing can comprise a tapered distal end. A height of a front of the wing can be less than a height of the front of the housing, preferably about 10% to about 50% of a height of the front of the housing, and even more preferably about 20% of the height of the front of the housing. The wing and at least one of the first side and the second side adjacent to the wing can be non-coplanar. For example, the wing and at least one of the first side and the second side adjacent to the wing can form an included angle of about 180 degrees to about 270 degrees such that a distal end of the wing can be disposed rearward of the front of the housing. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, a method of trimming a shaving surface using a shaving razor is provided. The method comprises applying one or more shaving blades disposed in the shaving razor along the shaving surface, rotating the shaving razor in only a single axis of rotation less than about 180 degrees such that a trimming blade engages the shaving surface, and applying the trimming blade along the shaving surface. In an embodiment of this aspect, the one or more shaving blades are not in operational engagement with the shaving surface when applying the trimming blade along the shaving surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the invention itself, can be more fully understood from the following description of the various embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a known shaving razor; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective side view of the known shaving razor of  FIG. 1  applying a trimming blade to a shaving surface; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic front view of a shaving cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic top view of the shaving cartridge of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic front view of a shaving cartridge according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of a shaving razor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view of the shaving razor of  FIG. 6  applying a trimming blade applied to the skin. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As used herein, “shaving surface” comprises any part of mammalian skin that includes hair. 
     Except as otherwise noted, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” mean “one or more.” 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a known shaving razor  10  comprises a housing  12  with a top  14 , a front  16 , a rear  18 , a first side  20 , and a second side  22  opposite the first side  20 . The housing  12  comprises shaving blades  24  disposed therein. The shaving blades  24  have a cutting edge exposed on the front  16  of the housing  12 . A trimming blade  26  is disposed on the top  14  of the housing  12  with a cutting edge exposed on the top  14  of the housing  12 . The housing  12  is mounted to a hood  28  of a handle  30 . In operation, the known razor  10  can shave and trim a shaving surface  32  using the shaving blades  24  and the trimming blade  26 , respectively. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  depict an embodiment of a cartridge of the present invention. The cartridge comprises a housing  42  with a front  44 , a rear  46 , a first side  48 , and a second side  50  opposite the first side  48 . One or more shaving blades  52  are disposed in the housing  42  such that each of the shaving blades  52  has a cutting edge exposed on the front  44  of the housing  42 . Additionally or alternatively, a lubrication strip  54  may be disposed above the shaving blades  52  on the front  44  of the housing  42  to hydrate a shaving surface or to provide lubrication during shaving. Examples of lubrication strips are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,454,164, 5,713,131, 6,298,558, 6,298,559, 6,754,958. The housing  42  also comprises a first wing  56  on the first side  48  and a second wing  58  on the second side  50 . There are two wings in this embodiment, but cartridges may have fewer or more than shown. For example, a housing  42  of the present invention may comprise a wing on at least one of the first side  48  and the second side  50 . As used herein, a wing refers to a projection or an extension from the first side or the second side of the housing. The wing comprises a front, a rear, a proximal end to the first side or the second side of the housing, and a distal end opposite the proximal end. Alternatively, the wing can project or extend from any part of the housing such as the front, the rear, etc. One or more dimensions of the wing are smaller than one or more dimensions of the front, the rear, the first side, or the second side of the housing. Examples include, but are not limited to, a height H 1  of the front of the wing can be smaller than a height H 2  of front of the housing, a length of the wing is smaller than a length of the housing between the first side and the second side, etc. In an embodiment, the wing can be integrally formed with or removably attached to the first side or the second side of the housing. 
     The wings  56 ,  58  may be located about a top portion  60  of the first side  48  and a top portion  62  of the second side  50 . In an embodiment, a top of the wings  56 ,  58  may be flush with a top of the first side  48  and a top of the second side  50 . Optionally, the wings  56 ,  58  may be located about a mid-section or a bottom of the first side  48  and the second side  50 . Distal ends  64 ,  66  of the wings  56 ,  58  are tapered. Alternatively, a height of the distal ends  64 ,  66  of the wings  56 ,  58  can be enlarged or about the same height as the proximal ends. In one embodiment, the wings  56 ,  58  comprise trimming blades  68 ,  70  disposed therein, such that at least one trimming blade is disposed in each of the wings. Examples of trimming blades are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,131,202, 7,540,087, 7,617,607, 7,690,122, 7,739,797, and 7,761,999. 
     Each of the trimming blades  68 ,  70  has a cutting edge exposed on a front of the wings  56 ,  58 . In an embodiment, only the cutting edge of the trimming blades  68 ,  70  may be exposed, for example, such that the corners or ends of the trimming blades  68 ,  70  are concealed in the wings  56 ,  58  or covered by a small shield to avoid nicking. For example, in one embodiment, the trimming blades  68 ,  70  can be attached in the wings  56 ,  58  only at the end of the wings  56 ,  58  such that substantially most of a length of the trimming blades  68 ,  70  can be viewed from the front and the rear of the wings  56 ,  58 . In such an embodiment, a user can more easily see placement of the trimming blades  68 ,  70  on the shaving surface, for example, with the aid of a mirror, which can provide for a more precise shave or trim. The length of each of the trimming blades  68 ,  70  may be smaller than a length of the shaving blades  52 . The trimming blades  68 ,  70  may be parallel or coplanar with the shaving blades  52 . Additionally or alternatively, the wings  56 ,  58  may define rinse channels  72 ,  74 , such as apertures, adjacent or substantially adjacent the trimming blades  68 ,  70  so that water can rinse the trimming blades  68 ,  70 . For example, substantially adjacent may be a distance of about 0.001 mm to about 10 mm Lubrication strips may also optionally be disposed on the wings  56 ,  58 , for example, above the trimming blades  68 ,  70  on the front of the wings  56 ,  58 . 
     To enhance trimming, the wings  56 ,  58  may generally have a height H 1  smaller than a height H 2  of the entire housing  42 . A comparatively smaller height H 1  for the wings  56 ,  58  may allow for more easily accessing and manipulating the wings in harder-to-reach or tight shaving areas and also provides for a longer trimming stroke than conventional multi-bladed razors. In embodiments where the wings  56 ,  58  are tapered, the height H 1  of the wings  56 ,  58  is defined to be the height taken at the widest point. The height H 1  of the front of the wings  56 ,  58  may preferably be about 10% to about 50% of the height H 2  of the front  44  of the housing  42 , and even more preferably about 20% of the height H 2  of the front  44  of the housing  42 . Additionally or alternatively, the height of the distal end  64  of the first wing  56  may be equal or unequal to the height of the distal end  66  of the second wing  58 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the distal ends  64 ,  66  of the wings  56 ,  58  are disposed rearward of the front  44  of the housing  42 . For example, the front of each of the wings  56 ,  58  is non-coplanar with respect to the front  44  of the housing  42  or each of the trimming blades  68 ,  70  is non-coplanar with respect to the shaving blades  52 . In this embodiment, the trimming blades  68 ,  70  are not in operational engagement with a shaving surface when the shaving blades  52  are engaged. An included angle  76  formed between one of the wings  56 ,  58  and the housing  42 , e.g., using one of the trimming blades  68 ,  70  and the shaving blades  52  or the front of one of the wings  56 ,  58  and the front  44  of the housing  42  as reference points, can be about 45 degrees to about 180 degrees, preferably about 110 degrees to about 170 degrees, and even more preferably about 150 degrees. The included angle between the first wing  56  and the housing  42  and the included angle between the second wing  58  and the housing  42  may be equal or unequal. 
     The wings  56 ,  58  may be substantially rigid, flexible, resilient, or elastic with respect to the first side  48  and the second side  50  of the housing  42 . In an embodiment in which the wings  56 ,  58  are substantially rigid with respect to the first side  48  and the second side  50  of the housing  42 , manufacturing the housing  42  can be more simply accomplished with less steps and less materials if the housing  42  is made from the same material as the wing and therefore similarly substantially rigid. Additionally or alternatively, the wings  56 ,  58  may be integrally formed with the housing  42 . Suitable methods for forming the housing  42  and the wings  56 ,  58  include molding, such as injection molding. In embodiments in which the wings  56 ,  58  are substantially flexible, resilient, or elastic with respect to the first side  48  and the second side  50  of the housing  42 , the wings  56 ,  58  can be configured to not pivot when the front  44  of the housing  42  pivots when in contact with a shaving surface. This may allow the wings  56 ,  58  to be fixed in position to provide for a controlled trim in harder-to-reach or tight areas while allowing the front  44  of the housing  42  to pivot. For example, the wings  56 ,  58  may be connected to the first side  48  and the second side  50  via a rubber pin, hinge, snap-fit connection, friction-fit connection, male-female engagement, mating of corresponding, complementary shapes, etc. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an embodiment of a cartridge of the present invention is shown. The cartridge comprises a housing  82  with a top  84 , a first side  86  and a second side  88  opposite the first side  86 . One or more shaving blades  90  are disposed in the housing  82 . The housing  82  also comprises a first wing  92  on a top portion  94  of the first side  86  and a second wing  96  on a top portion  98  of the second side  88 . The wings  92 ,  96  comprise trimming blades  100 ,  102 . The wings  92 ,  96  are arranged such that a top of the first wing  92  and a top of the second wing  96  are above (e.g., rise above) the top  84  of the housing  82 . In this embodiment, the trimming blades  100 ,  102  are non-coplanar or not parallel with the shaving blades  92 . Alternatively, the wings  92 ,  96  can be arranged such that the top of the first wing  92  and the top of the second wing  96  are below (e.g., decline below) the top  84  of the housing  82 , or the top of one of the wings is above the top  84  of the housing  82  while the top of the other wing is below the top  84  of the housing  82 . An included angle  104  formed between the top of the first wing  92  or the top of the second wing  96  and the top  84  of the housing  82  can be about 90 degrees to about 270 degrees, preferably about 135 degrees to about 225 degrees, and more preferably about 150 degrees. The included angle between the top of the first wing  92  and the top  84  of the housing  82  and the included angle between the top of the second wing  96  and the top  84  of the housing  82  may be equal or unequal. Additionally or alternatively, the wings  92 ,  96  may define rinse channels  106 ,  108 , such as apertures, adjacent or substantially adjacent the trimming blades  100 ,  102  so that water can rinse the trimming blades  100 ,  102 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts an embodiment of a razor  110  of the present invention. The razor  110  comprises a cartridge according to any of the embodiments described herein, in which a housing  112  of the cartridge comprises wings  114 ,  116 . The housing  112  is connected to a hood  118  of a handle  120 . In an embodiment, the housing  112  is operably and removably connected to the handle  120 , via the hood  118 . For example, the housing  112  can be pivotably connected to the handle  120  such that the housing  112  pivots when in contact with a shaving surface  122 . Optionally, connectors  124 ,  126  (e.g., struts, plates, pins, etc.) may connect the wings  114 ,  116  to the handle  120 , for example, via the hood  118 . The connectors  124 ,  126  may connect to the wings  114 ,  116  along any portion thereof, for example, at distal ends or proximal ends thereof, as well as on a bottom or a rear of the wings  114 ,  116 . In this embodiment, the connectors  124 ,  126  may rigidly fix the wings  114 ,  116  to the handle  120  or the connectors  124 ,  126  may pivotably connect the wings  114 ,  116  to the handle  120 . In an embodiment, the housing  112  can pivot with respect to the handle  120  when the housing  112  contacts the shaving surface  122 , while the wings  114 ,  116  remain in a fixed position with respect to the handle  120 . In this embodiment, one or both of the wings  114 ,  116  may be flexibly attached to a side of the housing  112 . For example, the wings  114 ,  116  may be hingedly attached or foldably attached to a side of the housing  112 . The connectors  124 ,  126  may be rigidly connected to the handle  120  via a snap-fit connection, friction-fit connection, male-female engagement, mating of corresponding, complementary shapes, etc. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the housing  112  and one or more shaving blades  128  disposed therein can be applied to a shaving surface  122  for shaving. To utilize one of the trimming blades  130 ,  132  on the wings  114 ,  116 , a user can rotate the handle  120  in only a single axis of rotation, whereby the rotation is less than about 180 degrees, such that one of the trimming blade  130 ,  132  engages the shaving surface  122  for trimming. In such an embodiment, the user can more easily and simply align and engage one of the trimming blades  130 ,  132  with the shaving surface  122 . Additionally, when one of the trimming blades  130 ,  132  engages the shaving surface  122 , the shaving blades  128  and the other trimming blade are not in operational engagement with the shaving surface  122 . Alternative embodiments for shaving and trimming a shaving surface can include use of any of the embodiments of the cartridge and/or razor described herein. 
     It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification includes every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein. 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.” 
     Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.