Patent Description:
During repeated shaving operations, the razor blades become dulled and need to be replaced. For convenience and cost reasons, some consumers prefer razors having interchangeable blade assemblies so that they do not need to dispose of the handle each time the razor blades are dulled. Additionally, it is desirable to provide a means for interchanging the blade assembly without compromising the pivotability of the blade assembly. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a razor assembly having improved capabilities for selectively attaching and detaching a blade assembly while permitting the blade assembly to pivot relative to the handle. Razor blade assemblies that have an interchangeable blade assembly and/or are rotatable about at least one axis are known in the art.

For example, <CIT> concerns a replaceable shaving cartridge including an interconnect member adapted to be removably and fixedly attached to a handle extension.

<CIT> concerns a razor with a detachable blade cartridge that allows a blade cartridge to be detachably coupled to a holder.

<CIT> concerns a razor having a pivoting mechanism that allows the razor head to pivot.

<CIT> discloses a razor having a pivot sphere upon which the blade cartridge is rotatably mounted.

<CIT> discloses a razor having a ball joint socket and a ball joint head. <CIT> discloses an adapter for connecting a blade assembly to a handle, the adapter comprising an adapter body configured to connect with the handle, the adapter body having a channel therethrough. , said channel being configured to receive a pusher of the handle, the adapter further comprising two arms extending distally from the adapter body, wherein one or more of the distal ends of the arms have a finger that is configured to engage with a respective connecting region of the blade assembly. <CIT> discloses an adapter for connecting a blade assembly to a handle, the adapter being in the form of an arched bearing that is configured to engage a respective connecting region of the blade assembly.

According the invention there is provided an adapter for connecting a blade assembly to a handle, and the blade assembly according to independent claim <NUM> with preferred embodiments forming the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

Due to the configuration of the handle, a pusher can be used in a razor assembly that can allow a blade assembly to rotate relative to the handle and the retaining element can be used to operatively attach or detach the blade assembly from the handle.

The pusher may present a spherical distal end.

The spherical distal end of the pusher facilitates the relative rotative movement of the blade assembly and the handle.

The pusher may be configured to engage an engaging surface of a blade assembly.

This configuration allows the pusher to actively engage the blade assembly such that the blade assembly can be aligned with the handle.

The retaining element may be arranged in a window configured to communicate with the cavity, and the pusher may further include an indentation configured to receive the retaining element.

With this configuration, the window permits the retaining element to interface with the pusher and/or an adapter such that the adapter can be removably fixed to the handle.

The handle may further include a resilient element that is configured to urge the pusher away from the handle body. The resilient element may particularly be a spring. The resilient element may be arranged within the cavity.

The resilient element facilitates the pusher aligning the blade assembly with the handle. Additionally, the resilient element transfers a reactive force to the blade assembly so that the blade assembly can be evenly pressed against a user's skin during a shaving operation which may result in an even shave, thus improving the shaving experience of the user. Furthermore, this reactive and even pressure reduces the risk of skin irritation because it reduces or eliminates the necessity of shaving over the same area of skin multiple times.

The resilient element may be disposed in a gap formed on an inner surface of the cavity.

With this configuration, the handle has a compact arrangement.

The handle may further include a holding pin configured to engage a slot formed at the distal end of the handle body.

The holding pin prevents the pusher from being urged out of the handle body.

The handle may further comprise a button that may be configured to be coupled with the holding pin.

The holding pin also operatively connects the button and the pusher such that it permits a user to control the movement of the pusher by manipulating the button.

The retaining element may be configured to operatively secure an adapter onto the handle.

The retaining element securing the adapter to the handle prevents the adapter and/or blade assembly from being dislodged during a shaving operation.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, an adapter for connecting a blade assembly to a handle is provided. The adapter may comprise an adapter body that may be configured to connect with the handle. The adapter body may have a channel therethrough, said channel may be configured to receive a pusher of the handle. The adapter may also have two arms extending distally from the adapter body, where one or more of the distal ends of the arms may have a finger that may be configured to engage a respective connecting region of the blade assembly.

The adapter facilitates the rotational movement of the blade assembly relative to the handle as well as allowing for the selective attachment of the blade assembly to the handle or adapter.

The channel may have a locking portion that may be configured to engage a retaining element of the handle.

The locking portion of the channel selectively secures the adapter and/or the blade assembly to the handle.

The respective fingers of the adapter may be spring fingers.

The spring fingers help secure the adapter to the blade assembly.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a razor assembly is provided. The razor assembly may comprise the aforementioned handle and adapter, as well as a blade assembly configured to engage with the adapter.

The configuration of this razor assembly provides a blade assembly that is rotatable relative to the handle such that the blade assembly can adapt to the contours of the skin during a shaving operation as well as providing a removable adapter and blade assembly so that a user may replace the blade assembly after the blades have been blunted and need to be replaced.

An interface defined between a distal end of the pusher and an engaging surface of the blade assembly may be a spherical joint thereby allowing rotation of the distal end over the engaging surface.

The spherical joint facilitates the rotational movement of the blade assembly relative to the handle, which permits the blade assembly to adapt to the contours of the skin during a shaving operation. The pusher may be configured to rotate the blade assembly relative to the adapter.

This relative rotation results in an improved shaving experience for the user as it permits the blade assembly to adapt to the contours of the skin during a shaving operation.

The pusher may be configured to align the blade assembly relative to the handle.

The spring transfers a reactive force via the pusher to the blade assembly so that the blade assembly can be evenly pressed against a user's skin during a shaving operation which may result in an even shave, thus improving the shaving experience of the user. Furthermore, this reactive and even pressure reduces the risk of skin irritation because it reduces or eliminates the necessity of shaving over the same area of skin multiple times.

The blade assembly may have one or more connecting regions that may be configured to engage the respective fingers of the adapter.

These connecting regions allow the blade assembly to pivot relative to the adapter and/or handle.

The connecting regions comprise partially spherical recessed surfaces, more specifically a triangular shape, or combinations thereof.

The spherical shape of the recesses facilitates the rotational or pivotable movement of the blade assembly relative to the adapter and/or handle. Furthermore, the triangular shape of the recesses help control the amount of rotation of the blade assembly relative to the adapter.

A proximal face of the blade assembly may include an engaging surface which may form a partially spherical recess; more specifically the engaging surface may be concentric with the connecting regions.

This configuration facilitates the rotational movement of the blade assembly relative to the handle.

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of non-limiting aspects of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG> depict a razor assembly <NUM> that may include a blade assembly <NUM>, an adapter <NUM>, and a handle <NUM>. The blade assembly and adapter <NUM> may be removably attached to the handle <NUM>. The razor assembly <NUM> may be specifically adapted for shaving facial, head, and/or body hair.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the blade assembly <NUM> may be formed in a prism shape having, e.g., a rectangular base. In alternatives, the blade assembly <NUM> may have any other prism shape, for example an oval shape. The blade assembly <NUM> may also include a cap <NUM> and a pair of retainers <NUM> adapted to retain the position of at least one blade (not shown) within the blade assembly <NUM>.

The blade assembly <NUM> may include a plurality of blades <NUM>, however, it is contemplated that the blade assembly <NUM> may have any number of blades (e.g., <NUM> blade, <NUM> blades, <NUM> blades, <NUM> blades, etc.).

On an opposing side or proximal face 10b of the blade assembly <NUM> is an engaging surface <NUM> that may be configured to be engaged by a pusher <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. The engaging surface <NUM> may be formed as a depression on the surface of the blade assembly <NUM>. However, it is envisioned that the engaging surface <NUM> may have any other suitable shape, for example, it may be formed as a protuberance. The circumference of the engaging surface <NUM> may be tear-drop shaped. The surface of the engaging surface <NUM> may be curved. The engaging surface <NUM> may be a spherical recess.

The blade assembly <NUM> may further include a pair of flanges 14a, 14b that are adapted to connect with the adapter <NUM>. The flanges 14a, 14b may be formed as projections. Each of the flanges 14a, 14b may further include a connecting region 15a, 15b where the adapter is configured to connect with the flanges 14a, 14b. The connecting region 15a, 15b may be formed as spherical recesses on the lateral surface of the flanges 14a, 14b, and more specifically, the connection region 15a, 15b may have a triangular shape to facilitate control of the rotational movement of the blade assembly <NUM> when connected with the adapter <NUM>.

Also shown in <FIG> is the adapter <NUM>. The adapter <NUM> may have an adapter body <NUM> having a pair of arms 22a, 22b that extend distally therefrom. Each of the arms 22a, 22b may be curved. The arms 22a, 22b, may be formed to define an arc shape.

As can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the distal ends of each of the arms 22a, 22b may include a finger 24a, 24b, more specifically a spring finger. The spring fingers 24a, 24b may be configured to connect with a respective flange 14a, 14b of the blade assembly <NUM>. In particular, the fingers 24a, 24b may be adapted to snap fit with a respective recess 15a, 15b in the flanges 14a, 14b. In operation, the fingers 24a, 24b may be disposed in a respective vertex of the triangular shaped connection regions 15a,15b when the blade assembly <NUM> is in an at rest position. However, when the blade assembly <NUM> is in a rotated or pivoted position, the respective fingers 24a, 24b may be disposed in another respective vertex of the triangular shaped connection regions 15a, 15b.

As shown in <FIG>, the adapter <NUM> may include a channel <NUM> that extends through the adapter body <NUM> between the arms 22a, 22b. The channel <NUM> may be configured to permit at least a portion of the handle <NUM> to traverse therethrough, in particular the pusher <NUM>.

The interior surface <NUM> of the channel <NUM> may include at least one relief <NUM>. The relief <NUM> may be configured to facilitate connecting the adapter <NUM> with the handle <NUM>. The relief <NUM> may extend through the adapter body <NUM>. However, it is also envisioned that the relief <NUM> may extend through a portion of the adapter body <NUM>.

The interior surface <NUM> of the channel <NUM> may further include a locking portion <NUM>. The locking portion <NUM> may be configured to engage a retaining element <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. The locking portion <NUM> may be configured to secure the adapter <NUM> to the handle <NUM>. The locking portion <NUM> may be formed as an indentation; however the locking portion may be formed as any other suitable shape, e.g. a square.

As shown in <FIG>, the razor assembly <NUM> may further include an elongated handle <NUM>. The handle <NUM> has a distal end 30a and a proximal end 30b. The handle <NUM> may be shaped to adapt to the natural contours of a hand.

The handle <NUM> may have a handle body <NUM> and a cavity <NUM> at the distal end thereof. The handle <NUM> may further include a button <NUM>, a holding pin <NUM>, a pusher <NUM>, and a resilient element <NUM>.

Additionally, the handle <NUM> may include a retaining element <NUM>. The retaining element <NUM> may be selectively engaged with the adapter <NUM>. The retaining element <NUM> may be adapted to secure the adapter <NUM> to the handle <NUM>. The retaining element <NUM> may be configured to be driven by the pusher <NUM>.

Shown in <FIG> is a side view and a cross-section of the handle <NUM> and retaining element <NUM>. As can be seen, button <NUM> may be disposed on the handle <NUM> such that it can be manipulated by a user. The button <NUM> may be connected to and slidable relative to the handle body <NUM>. The button <NUM> may extend into the cavity <NUM>. The button <NUM> may have a pair of legs <NUM> that extend into the cavity <NUM>. Each of the legs <NUM> may include a through hole <NUM>. Each of the through holes <NUM> may be configured to receive the holding pin <NUM> therein.

The holding pin <NUM> may be configured to link the button <NUM> with the pusher <NUM>. The holding pin <NUM> may be configured to move relative to the handle body <NUM>. The handle body <NUM> may further include a slot <NUM>. The slot <NUM> may have a distal end 33a and a proximal end 33b that are configured to stop the holding pin <NUM> from being displaced from the slot <NUM>. The holding pin <NUM> may be configured to slide within slot <NUM> between the distal and proximal ends thereof 33a, 33b. The holding pin <NUM> may be formed in any appropriate shape, more specifically a cylinder.

The handle <NUM> further includes a pusher <NUM>. The pusher <NUM> may be elongate and have a distal end 60a and a proximal end 60b. The distal end 60a of the pusher <NUM> may be adapted to engage the engaging surface <NUM> of the blade assembly <NUM>. The distal end 60a of the pusher <NUM> may be convex. The distal end 60a of the pusher <NUM> may have a spherical shape. The proximal end 60b of the pusher <NUM> may be formed as a shaft. The proximal end 60b of the pusher <NUM> may have a smaller radius than the distal end 60a of the pusher <NUM> such that a wall 60c is formed between the distal and proximal ends 60a, 60b.

The distal end 60b of the pusher may also include a through hole <NUM>. The through hole <NUM> may be configured to receive the holding pin <NUM>.

The pusher <NUM> may be slidable relative to the handle body <NUM>. The pusher <NUM> may be configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The pusher <NUM> may be configured to move between the extended and retracted positions by a user manipulating the button <NUM>.

The pusher <NUM> may also include an indentation <NUM>. The indentation may be configured to receive the retaining element <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may further include a resilient element <NUM>. The resilient element <NUM> may be a coil spring. The resilient element <NUM> may have a distal end 70a and a proximal end 70b. The distal end 70a of the resilient element may be configured to contact the wall 60c formed on the pusher <NUM>. The proximal end 70b of the resilient element <NUM> may be configured to contact the interior surface of the cavity <NUM> formed in the handle <NUM>. The resilient element <NUM> may be disposed within a gap G formed between the proximal end 60b of the pusher and the interior surface of the cavity <NUM>. The resilient element <NUM> may be configured to urge the pusher <NUM> into the extended position.

The handle <NUM> further includes the retaining element <NUM>. The retaining element <NUM> may be at least partially disposed within a window <NUM> formed on the handle body <NUM>. The window <NUM> may extend from the exterior surface of the handle body <NUM> to the cavity <NUM> formed therein. The retaining element <NUM> may be configured to move relative to the handle body <NUM>. The retaining element <NUM> may be configured be received into the indentation <NUM> of the pusher <NUM>. The retaining element <NUM> may be configured to selectively engage the locking portion <NUM> of the adapter <NUM>. The retaining element <NUM> may be formed as a sphere, however any other suitable shape may be used, for example, a cylinder.

Turning to <FIG> which demonstrate how the handle <NUM> causes the blade assembly <NUM> to rotate relative to the handle <NUM> and how the blade assembly <NUM> can be selectively attached to the handle <NUM>.

A longitudinal axis A-A is defined as the center axis of the channel <NUM> of the adapter <NUM>. A shaving plane S-S is defined by a plane at which the shaving is to be performed.

<FIG> shows the razor assembly <NUM> in a rest position. In this position, the pusher <NUM> is in the extended position and the distal end 60a of the pusher <NUM> is engaging the engaging surface <NUM> of the blade assembly <NUM>. This engagement aligns the blade assembly <NUM> with the handle <NUM>. In particular, the pusher <NUM> may position the shaving plane S-S of the blade assembly <NUM> to be at an angle α relative to the longitudinal axis A-A. As can be seen, the holding pin <NUM> is disposed on the distal end 33a of the slot <NUM>. This is due to the resilient element <NUM> urging the distal end 60a of the pusher <NUM> away from the handle body <NUM>. However, the holding pin <NUM> holds the pusher <NUM> within the cavity <NUM> by contacting the distal end 33a of the slot <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, which is a cross-section of <FIG>, when the pusher <NUM> is in the extended state, the retaining element <NUM> is not seated within the indentation <NUM> of the pusher <NUM>. Additionally, the retaining element <NUM> is disposed within the locking portion <NUM> of the adapter <NUM>, thereby securing the adapter <NUM> to the handle <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the razor assembly <NUM> in a transitional state where the pusher <NUM> is between the extended and retracted positions. This is further shown by the location of the holding pin <NUM> within the slot <NUM>. As can be seen, the angle β formed between the longitudinal axis A-A and the shaving plane S-S is smaller than the angle α when the pusher <NUM> is in the extended position. Also, as can be seen, the blade assembly <NUM> has pivoted about its connecting regions 13a, 13b.

<FIG> show the razor assembly <NUM> when a user has manipulated the button <NUM> to move the pusher <NUM> into the retracted position. As seen in <FIG>, this is further demonstrated by the location of the holding pin <NUM>, which is positioned at the proximal end 33b of the slot <NUM>. Furthermore, the blade assembly <NUM> is further pivoted about its connecting regions and having an angle γ formed between the longitudinal axis A-A and the shaving plane S-S which is smaller than the angle α when the pusher <NUM> is in the extended position and angle β when the pusher <NUM> is in a transitional position.

As can be seen in <FIG>, which is a cross-section of <FIG>, the resilient element <NUM> is compressed between the wall 60c of the pusher <NUM> and the interior surface of the cavity <NUM>. When the pusher <NUM> is in the retracted state, the retaining element <NUM> is seated within the indentation <NUM> of the pusher <NUM> and not disposed within the locking portion <NUM> of the adapter <NUM>, thereby allowing the user to remove the adapter <NUM> and blade assembly <NUM> from the handle <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An adapter (<NUM>) for connecting a blade assembly (<NUM>) to a handle (<NUM>), and the blade assembly (<NUM>), the adapter (<NUM>) comprising:
an adapter body (<NUM>) configured to connect with the handle (<NUM>), the adapter body (<NUM>) having a channel (<NUM>) therethrough, said channel (<NUM>) being configured to receive a pusher (<NUM>) of the handle (<NUM>);
the adapter (<NUM>) further comprising two arms (22a, 22b) extending distally from the adapter body (<NUM>), wherein one or more of the distal ends of the arms (22a, 22b) have a finger (24a, 24b) that is configured to engage a respective connecting region (15a, 15b) of the blade assembly (<NUM>), characterised in that the connecting regions (15a, 15b) comprise partially spherical recessed surfaces, and the connecting regions (15a, 15b) allow the blade assembly to pivot relative to the adapter (<NUM>).