Patent ID: 12251847

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The apparatus100of the present application will now be described with reference made toFIGS.1-3M.

The apparatus100comprises an elongated handle having four separate bulges119,121,122,123arranged along its length. The superior-most bulge119on the shaving handle is followed by a connector finger piece120, then a second bulge121, third bulge122, and a fourth bulge123. Ending the handle piece is a flat paddle124at the inferior most end of the apparatus handle. Inside this flat paddle is a hole125that can be used for docking purposes. In between each pair of adjacent bulges (119,121;121,122;122,123), a gap is provided. The finger120, arranged between the first bulge119and second bulge121may be more elongated than the gaps131,132between the other bulges,121,122,123. The bulges119,121,122,123can take various shapes, including for example having peaked or triangular surfaces (shown for example in bulges122,123ofFIGS.1A-2D), having flat surfaces (shown for example on the anterior surface of bulge121inFIG.2D), having rounded surfaces, or a having a combination thereof as shown in the Figures. The apparatus includes an anterior side100ahaving an anterior surface100bthereon, and a posterior side100chaving a posterior surface100dthereon, and lateral sides100e,100f, which are shown generally inFIG.1AandFIG.2A.

In operation, the user will hold the apparatus100as a whole in one hand. To attach the apparatus100to a disposable shaving cartridge130, an attachment member101on an end of the apparatus100opposite the paddle124is inserted into a flexible receptacle on the cartridge. A user can position a hand with a reliable grip using the four separate bulges119,121,122,123, connector finger piece120, and flat paddle124on the handle section of the apparatus100. The specific shape, size and location of the four separate bulges119,121,122,123, connector finger piece120, and flat paddle124allow for this reliable and safe grip during shaving process. Once a successful grip is maintained and the disposable cartridge130is intact shaving process can begin.

Once a successful shaving process is complete, the user may detach the disposable cartridge130. An extending member102of attachment member101is snugly attached into a receptacle on the disposable cartridge130and a spring maintains the attachment. The user can press the finger piece103with his or her finger, to propel forward the extending member102and the spring. The forward motion forces extending member102to extend out, revealing106itself and pushing the receptacle away from the attachment member101. The protruding ridge releases the female divots as the walls flex open enough to release grip. Once the finger piece103is released, the spring will be released to force finger piece103back in home position.

To make the apparatus100of the present application, a mold can be created with an inner core that will shape the razor handle. In addition, the superior inner core has a space that puts in place the mechanism that detaches and attaches the cartridge130. Silicon, plastic, rubber, or a non-slip compound can be poured into the mold, to form the razor blade handle and the attachment member101of the apparatus100. Anterior and posterior gripping elements134a,134bon the surface can be straight ridges, rounded or spiral ridges, collections of bumps, or a combination thereof, as shown in the Figures. In certain embodiments of the apparatus100, some of the elements119-124or gaps between them may comprise gripping elements134a,134bthereon, while others do not, as shown for example inFIGS.2A-2C. A concave section133can be provided on the anterior side100aof the shaving apparatus100in between the attachment member100and the first bulge119. Once that process is complete, additional rubber gripping and grooves can be applied to exterior of the apparatus100to create the maximum no slip grip. Once the apparatus100is created, a disposable cartridge130can be attached to the attachment member101and can be changed at the user's leisure.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus100, the various elements of the handle may have dimensions as follows: the superior-most bulge119can be approximately 14.3 mm at its widest point, 17.0 mm at its longest point, and 11.4 mm at its highest point; the connector finger piece120between the first bulge119and second bulge121can measure approximately 7.0 mm at its widest point, 10.0 mm at its longest point, and 7.7 mm at its highest point; the second bulge121can measure approximately 13.0 mm at its widest, 19.5 mm at its longest, and 22.15 mm at its highest; the third bulge122can measure approximately 16.40 mm at its widest, 24.0 mm at its longest, and 19.8 mm at its highest; the fourth bulge123can measure approximately 6.8 mm at its widest, 12.6 mm at its longest point, and 13.1 mm at its highest; flat paddle124at the inferior-most end of handle can measure approximately 17.75 mm at its widest, 30.0 mm at its longest, and 4.0 mm at its highest; and approximately 8.0 mm from the base of paddle124there is a hole125that measures approx. 5.0 mm. It is to be noted that these dimensions are exemplary, and other dimensions may be provided for in other embodiments of the apparatus100.

The apparatus100of the present application can be used in connection with a disposable shaving cartridge130. The disposable shaving cartridge130comprises a disposable razor head. The cartridge130is the disposable portion of the shaving razor. When the disposable cartridge130is attached, the attachment member101with protruding ridge fits inside of the flexible receptacle and engages the female divots via the protruding ridge. Inside of the large outer attachment member101is an extending member102, that is attached to and controlled by a finger piece103. Once the finger piece103is pressed, the extending member102will reveal itself to proceed with the detachment process. A small spring is also attached and controlled by the finger piece103. The spring is compressed while finger piece103is pressed, and once released the spring returns to a home position and helps assist the finger piece103back to the home position.

It is noted that other connection mechanisms can be provided for the apparatus that differ from that shown inFIGS.3A-4. For example,FIGS.2A-2Cshow an apparatus having an attachment member lacking an extending member, into which a shaving cartridge can snap into place through a plurality of slots in the attachment member. In the apparatus100ofFIG.2D, a horizontal slot is provided into which a disposable cartridge can be inserted. The apparatus100of the present application is not intended to be limited to use with any type or configuration of shaving cartridge, and therefore may be presented in a variety of configurations with different attachment mechanisms to accommodate such shaving cartridges.

The parts mentioned in the above paragraph allow the apparatus to work to its maximum effectiveness, but there may be additional elements, such as the materials used on the disposable razor blade head that may be interchanged (one version catered to a man, another version catered to woman), or a storage mechanism for the whole apparatus.

The placement and arrangement of the bulges119,121,122,123, finger120, and paddle124provide an apparatus100that is advantageous in its use by allowing for many possible hand positions during use. The apparatus100can be held in a number of different ways by the user, so the user can adapt it to different uses or shaving surfaces, or different users can hold it in a different arrangement according to their comfort level. Examples of such hand positions are shown inFIGS.3A-3M.

FIG.3Ashows a first example of a hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's thumb and second digit grip onto the lateral sides of the first bulge119. The user's third digit rests on the posterior side of the connector finger piece120. The user's fourth digit rests in between the posterior side of the second bulge121and the posterior side of the third bulge122. The user's fifth digit rests in between the posterior side of the third bulge122and the posterior side of the fourth bulge123.

FIG.3Bshows a second example of a hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's thumb helps grip on the left lateral side of the apparatus100between the second bulge121and third bulge122. The user's second digit rests on the anterior side of the second bulge121. The user's third digit rests on the right lateral side of the third bulge122. The user's fourth digit wraps around and on posterior side in between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123. The user's fifth digit tests on posterior side of the flat paddle124.

FIG.3Cshows a third example hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's second digit grips the right lateral side of the connector finger piece120, and the user's thumb is on left lateral side of the connector finger piece120. The user's third digit is on the posterior side between the second bulge121and the third bulge122. The user's fourth digit is resting in between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123. The user's fifth digit is resting on the uppermost posterior part of the flat paddle124.

FIG.3Dshows a fourth example of a hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's second digit grips on the posterior side of the connector finger piece120. The user's thumb grips the anterior side of the second bulge121, and the third digit rests on the posterior gap between the second bulge121and the third bulge122. The user's fourth digit wraps around and between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123, and the fifth digit wraps around the flat paddle124.

FIG.3Eshows a fifth example of a hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's thumb grips the left lateral gap between the second bulge121and the third bulge122. The user's second digit wraps around the base of the gap between the second bulge121and the third bulge122. The user's third digit wraps around the base of the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123. The user's fourth and fifth digits wrap around the flat paddle124.

FIG.3Fshows a sixth example of a hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's thumb grips the anterior side gap between the second bulge121and the third bulge122. The user's second digit wraps around the base of the gap between the second bulge121and the third bulge122. The user's third digit wraps around the base of the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123. The user's fourth and fifth digits wrap around the flat paddle124.

FIG.3Gshows a seventh example of a hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's thumb grips the left lateral side between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123. The user's second digit grips the right lateral side between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123, and the user's third digit wraps around the posterior side of the flat paddle124.

FIG.3Hshows an eighth example of a hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's thumb grips the anterior side between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123. The user's second digit wraps around the posterior side between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123. The user's third digit wraps around the flat paddle124.

FIG.3Ishows a ninth example of a hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's second digit rests on the posterior side between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123, and the user's thumb grips the anterior side of the flat paddle124. The user's third digit grips the base of the flat paddle124.

FIG.3Jshows a tenth example hand of a position during use of the apparatus100. The user's fifth digit rests on the anterior side of the connector finger piece120, and the user's fourth digit rests on the anterior side between the second bulge121and the third bulge122. The user's third digit grips the gap between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123anterior side. The user's second digit grips the anterior side of the flat paddle124, and the user's thumb grips the posterior side between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123.

FIG.3Kshows an eleventh example of a hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's second digit rests on the anterior side of the connector finger piece120, and the user's third digit grips the anterior gap between the second bulge121and the third bulge122. The user's thumb grips the posterior side gap between the second bulge121and the third bulge122. The user's fourth digit rests on the gap between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123, and the user's fifth digit rests on the anterior side of the flat paddle124.

FIG.3Lshows a twelfth example of a hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's second digit rests on the interior side of the first bulge119. The user's third digit grips the anterior side of the finger connector piece120. The user's fourth digit rests on the anterior gap between the second bulge121and the third bulge122. The user's fifth digit rests on the anterior gap between the third bulge122and the fourth bulge123, and the user's thumb rests on the posterior side of the connector finger piece120.

FIG.3Mshows a thirteenth example of a hand position during use of the apparatus100. The user's thumb grips the second bulge121, and the user's second digit rests on posterior base gap between second bulge121and the third bulge122. The user's third digit rests on the base of the fourth bulge123, and the user's fifth digit rests on the base of the paddle124.

As used herein, directional or positional terms such as “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., are used for explanatory purposes and are not limiting.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the apparatus and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice.