60/096, 192 filed on August 11,1998 entitled LONG HANDLE, FLOW THRU DISPOSABLE RAZOR (Attorney Document Number 44210-065) The content of this Provisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a razor and more specifically, to a disposable razor cartridge/handle arrangement which features a through flow feature and a snap together structure which enables a snug fit and stable mounting.

Description of the Related Art In order to promote better and smoother shaving it has been proposed to provide disposable cartridges with a variety of measures such as multiple blades, resilient blade supporting arrangements, pivotable mounts, and the like. Further, efforts have been made to improve the removal of material which accumulates during shaving to ensure that the blades are sufficiently exposed and not surrounded by debris such as cut beard stubble and skin particles from the upper surface of epidermal layer.

These have included reciprocal members which are arranged to mechanically clear the space between multi-blade type cartridges. However, such arrangements have contributed to the cost and complexity of the cartridge while only being partially effective.

Another shortcoming which has been experienced with disposable cartridges is the rigidity of the connection between the handle and the cartridge. While pivotal arrangements have been proposed they have not particularly caught on with a segment of the public which prefers a more rigid one-piece feel. Nevertheless, with the arrangements which have been proposed in this connection, a problem has arisen in that the connection mechanism which permits the cartridges to be interchanged also tends to permit a small amount of play between the handle and the cartridge which leads to a slightly wobbly connection being perceived by the user. This tends to reduce the level of confidence in the user who is expecting a nice rigid connection so that precise placement of the blades against the area being shaved can be anticipated with a high degree of expectation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is proposed to provide a razor cartridge/handle arrangement which permits the cartridge to be snap connected to the handle in a manner which minimizes play between the handle and the cartridge.

It is also proposed to provide a razor cartridge/handle arrangement wherein the cartridge and the handle are provided with flat surfaces which are arranged to abut/mate with one another when the snap action interconnecting features interlock the cartridge to the handle, and thus inhibit relative movement between the two members.

It is further proposed to provide a razor cartridge/handle arrangement which includes crush features which are deformed upon cartridge-handle connection in a manner which provides an interference fit that improves the firmness of the cartridge- handle interconnection.

It is addition proposed to provide an additional interference fit arrangement using a plurality of ribs which are provided on the cartridge platform and a projection which is provided at the leading edge of the handle head, to augment the effect provided by the above-mentioned crush rib arrangement.

More specifically, a first aspect of the invention resides in a razor comprising : a handle ; and a disposable cartridge. The disposable cartridge has a pair of snap action connection features which are formed in a predetermined spaced relationship on a lower surface of a platform portion of the cartridge, each of the connection features having a projecting connection portion which is oriented toward the other, each of the connection features being separated by essentially flat surface portions which extends from one of the connection features toward the other across the lower surface of the platform. The handle, on the other hand, is formed with : angled projections at the ends of a connection head portion which are adapted to engage the connection portions and deflect the corresponding connection feature as they pass thereby and assume positions wherein flat mating surfaces formed adjacent the angled projections, abut the essentially flat surface portions formed on the lower surface of the platform portion, and engaging surfaces which are respectively formed behind the angle projections for receiving the connection portions of the pair of connection features.

A feature of the above arrangement is that crush ribs are formed on the platform portion of the disposable cartridge. These crush ribs are formed on an underside surface of each of the connection portion so as to engage a snap engaging surface in a manner which deforms the crush ribs and provides an interference fit between each of the connection features of the disposable cartridge and the engaging surfaces of the handle. The snap engaging surface is, in an embodiment, defined by a shoulder which is formed behind the angled projections.

Each of the above mentioned crush ribs has a contact surface which extends at predetermined angle with respect to the contact portion and has an first edge which is unitary with the underside surface of a connection portion and a second edge which is unitary with an inner wall surface of the connection feature which merges with underside surface of the connection portion at a predetermined angle.

In some embodiments, the portion of the platform portion which is located between the connection features is sufficiently flexible as to flex when the angled projections at the ends of a connection head portion engage and deflect the corresponding connection action feature as they pass thereby. In other arrangements each of the snap action features are flexible and flex when the angled projections at the ends of a connection head portion engage and deflect the respective connection feature.

In the above arrangement, the platform portion is formed with openings into which the angled projection are received after passing by the connection portions formed on the connection features. In addition, the handle is provided with abutment members which are respectively located adjacent the angled projections and which have flat front surfaces adapted to abut corresponding flat surface portions which are formed on the platform portion of the cartridge.

The platform portion of the cartridge mentioned above is formed with a plurality of ribs and wherein a leading edge portion of the handle head is formed with a protrusion which engages portions of the ribs in a manner which deforms the ribs and establishes an interference fit.

Another feature of the above arrangement resides in a water passage structure formed in the platform portion ; a first blade mounted directly on the platform section ; a spacer disposed on the first blade ; a second blade disposed on the spacer ; and a flow opening or openings formed in one of the first blade and the spacer which is in flow communication with the water passage structure for permitting water to flow between the first and second blades in a manner which flushes the space therebetween.

A second aspect of the present invention resides in a razor comprising a handle having : angled projections formed on a connection head portion and adapted to engage and deflect connection features formed on a disposable cartridge as the angle projections pass by the connection features ; flat surface portions formed adjacent the angled projections which are adapted to abut essentially flat surface portions on the cartridge, and engaging surfaces which are respectively formed behind the angle projections for receiving connection portions of the connection features of the cartridge.

A third aspect resides in a razor comprising a disposable cartridge having : connection features which are formed in a predetermined spaced relationship on the cartridge, the connection features having barb-like portions which are : a) adapted to be deflected by angled deflecting members formed on a handle adapted for use with the cartridge, and b) arranged to engage shoulder portions formed on the handle in a predetermined spatial relationship with the angled deflecting members ; and flat surface portions which are formed proximate the connection features and which are adapted to abut, in a face-to-face relationship, flat portions formed on the handle.

In the above arrangement, crushable features are associated with the connection features and are arranged to be distorted when the connection features engage the shoulder portions in a manner which produces an interference fit. In addition to this, a passage means is formed in the cartridge for transmitting a flow of water between a plurality of blades supported in the cartridge.

Further, in the above arrangement, a plurality of ribs which engage a protrusion formed on the handle define interference fit means which rigidifies the interconnection between the cartridge and the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly appreciated as a description of the preferred embodiment is made with reference to the appended drawings in which : Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a handle according to an embodiment of the invention ; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the handle shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a side view of the handle shown in Figs. 1 and 2 Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan of the head of the handle shown in Figs. 1-3 showing the features which are used to engage and connect a disposable cartridge thereto in accordance with the present invention ; Fig. 5 is a front view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 ; Fig. 6 is a sectional side view schematically depicting the relationship between the handle and the cartridge as taken along section iine X ! - XI of Fig. 8 ; Fig. 7 is a sectional side view as taken along section iine X ! ! - XII of Fig. 8, depicting the manner in which mating flat surfaces abut one another in accordance with a feature of the present invention ; Fig. 8 is a partially sectioned top plan view of the assembled handle and cartridge showing the interlocking interconnection arrangement which represents an important aspect of the invention ; Fig. 9 is a side sectional view of the handle and full cartridge assembly showing the passage arrangement which enables the through flow cleaning feature which is provided in accordance with an aspect of the invention ; Fig. 10 is a partially sectioned inverted front view of a platform portion of the cartridge showing the arrangement of connection features according to an embodiment of the invention ; Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the cartridge shown in Fig. 10 ; Fig. 12 is a partially sectioned rear view of the cartridge shown in Figs. 10 & 11 ; Fig. 13 is a bottom plan view of the cartridge ; and Figs. 14-16 are respectively sectional view as taken along section lines XIV - XIV, XV - XV and XVI - XVI of Fig. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figs. 1-16 show an embodiment of the present invention. In this arrangement, the fully assembled cartridge 200 which is adapted to be releasably mounted on a suitable handle 100, comprises, as best seen in Fig. 9, a platform 202, flexible blades 203,204 and spacer 206, which separates the blades 203, 204, and a cap member 208 which is rigidly connected to the platform 202 by way of integral fastening rivet portions (not shown) which extend down from a lower surface thereof. The handle 100 in this embodiment is of the long handle type.

A channel structure, generally denoted by the numeral 210, is formed in the cartridge to permit water to flow between the blades 203,204 during a cleaning operation which can be carried out either from time to time during shaving or at the completion thereof. This channel structure includes a passage 212 which is formed in the platform 202, and a series of transfer openings or passages 214 which are, in this instance. formed in lower blade 203. This arrangement permits water to flow either down through the opening defined between the two blades 203,204, and out through the passage 210 or vice versa, or both. This flow (or flows) of course causes the debris (cut beard stubble, flakes of the upper epidermal layer, etc. ) to be flushed away from the blades, ensuring that they remain well exposed for clean shaving and/or adequate removal of the extraneous material after the shaving process has been completed.

This through-flow feature is combined with an engagement arrangement, which, as best seen in Fig. 8, is such as to include a pair of snap action engagement or connection features 216. These features 216 are formed so as to be sufficiently flexible as to enable them to be deflected out of the way as a result of engagement with tapered projections 101 provided on the handle 100 and which pass by the engagement portions during handle/cartridge interconnection.

Alternatively, as the section 202A of the cartridge platform 200 which extends and interconnects the bases of the connection features 216 is relatively thin, the connection features 216 can be rendered relatively inflexible and instead the cartridge 200 can be constructed as to be flexible to the degree that the platform bows as the connection features are driven outwardly by the interaction between the connection features 216 and the tapered projections 101. As a further alternative, a combination of the flexure of the connection features with a small amount of bowing of the cartridge can be used to provide the desired amount of force/displacement, necessary to produce the requisite docking resistance and subsequent snap action interlocking.

The connection features 216 have barb-like engagement members or pawls 218 formed at their free ends while the head of the handle 100, on which the tapered projections 101 are formed, is formed with shoulder portions 102 on which the engagement members 218 can seat once the tapered projections 101 have been forced sufficiently past the rounded head portion of each engagement member 218. As will be appreciated from Fig. 8, the surfaces on the engagement members 218 and the shoulders 102 which are arranged to actually abut one another in a fully interconnected state, are essentially flat.

Abutment members 106 formed at the front of the handle head are, in this embodiment, such as to merge with the inboard edges of the tapered projections 101 and have flat front surfaces 106A which are arranged to abut against flat surface portions located on the cartridge platform 202A at locations just inboard of the openings 220 which are formed immediately adjacent the inboard edges of the connection features 216 and which are adapted to accommodate the tapered projections in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8. This face-to-face abutment between opposed flat surfaces, in combination with the locking action which is achieved between the engagement members 218 and the shoulders 102, is such as to promote a very rigid handle/cartridge interconnection.

To further augment the rigidity of the connection which is provided with the above described structure, this embodiment is addition provided with members which shall be referred to crush ribs 222. In this embodiment, these crush ribs 222 take the form of web-like members which are arranged, as shown in Figs 10 and 12, for example, to interconnect an inner wall portion 216A of an engagement feature 216 with the flat engaging underside surface 218A of the barb-like engagement member 218.

As will be appreciated from Figs. 15 and 16, the thickness of these crush ribs 222 is small and these features can be"crushed"as the interconnection between the shoulders 102 and the engagement members 218 occurs. This crushing action produces an interference fit which tends to eliminate even the smallest amount of play between the handle 100 and the cartridge 200.

The contact surface of the crush rib 222 is arranged to extend at an angle of about 45° in this embodiment while the ribs 222 themselves are arranged normal to the side surface 216A of the connection features and normal to the underside surface 218A of the engagement members 218. However, each of these angles can be changed in order to endow a directional bias on the interference effect when the rib 222 is crushed. In other words, the shape and angling of the crush rib 222 can be used to produce a bias which can apply a pressure between the handle and the cartridge and thus used to compensate/eliminate any play that may be perceived between the two elements.

In addition to the above, the present embodiment features the provision of a protrusion 108 at the leading edge of the head of the handle 100 in the manner depicted in Fig. 6. This protrusion 108 is adapted to engage a plurality of ribs 224 (see Figs. 13 and 16) formed in the cartridge platform 202, in a manner which generates an interference fit as the abutment members 106 enter and seat in channel -like spaces defined between a rib 224 and a projection 226 formed opposite the rib 224 (see Fig.

7).

While the present invention has been described with reference to only one embodiment, when provided with the disclosure of the various concepts/arrangements which are employed in this arrangement, it is deemed readily within the purview of the person skilled in the art of razor design, to conceive of the various changes and modifications of the above-described arrangements which can be implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the engagement members 218 are shown as being oriented inwardly toward one another, it is possible, merely by way of explanation, to reverse this arrangement and arranged for the tapered projections 101 to pass on the outboard sides of the connection features 216 instead of the inboard side.

The scope of the present invention is therefore limited only by the appended claims.