FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective casing for a shaving head and more particularly to a protective casing capable of connecting with other protective casings in multiple orientations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need for protective covers or casings for shaving heads has long been recognized.

Protective casings protect both the user from accidental injury from exposed cutting edges of the blades within the shaving head and protect the shaving heads and blades themselves from nicks and other damage. In general, there are two types of protective casings: a casing for holding an individual shaving head and a tray-type casing for holding multiple shaving heads.

The two types of protective casings have certain advantages and disadvantages. For example, individual protective casings may be simple and less expensive to manufacture; yet they may be inconvenient both to a manufacturer and a user for storing multiple shaving heads together. In another example, while a tray-type protective casing is convenient for storing together multiple shaving heads its flexibility is limited as it can only store a fixed number of shaving heads.

Another type of protective casing allows individual casings to be connected in a side-by- side relationship. While allowing protective casings to be connected in a side-by-side relationship the protecting casings can only be connected together in a single orientation thus creating complexity for assembly.

Thus, there is a desire to overcome the problem associated with prior art protective casings that can only be connected together in a single orientation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective casing for a shaving head. The protective casing comprises a plastic container defining a storage region and having a sealing surface around an entrance to the storage region. The container comprises a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall and a bottom wall extending between the first side wall, the second side wall, the first end wall and the second end wall. The container is sized to contain the shaving head. A first male connection member extends from the first side wall and a first female connection member extends from the first side wall. A second male connection member extends from the second side wall and a second female connection member extends from the second side wall.

The first male connection member is positioned opposite from the second female connection member. The second male connection member is positioned opposite from the first female connection member. The first male connection member is positioned diagonally opposite from the second male connection member. The first female connection member is positioned diagonally opposite from the second female connection member.

The first and second male connection members comprise an enlarged distal end. The first and second female connection members comprise a recess.

A removable film may be sealed to the sealing surface to cover the entrance.

The present invention also relates to a plurality of interconnected protective casings for a shaving head, comprising a first and second protective casing. The first protective casing for a first shaving head comprises a plastic container defining a storage region and having a sealing surface around an entrance to the storage region. The container comprises a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall and a bottom wall extending between the first side wall, the second side wall, the first end wall and the second end wall. The container is sized to contain the first shaving head. A first male connection member extends from the first side wall and a first female connection member extends from the first side wall. A second male connection member extends from the second side wall and a second female connection member extends from the second side wall. The second protective casing for a second shaving head comprises a plastic container defining a storage region and having a sealing surface around an entrance to the storage region. The container comprises a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall and a bottom wall extending between the first side wall, the second side wall, the first end wall and the second end wall. The container is sized to contain the second shaving head. A first male connection member extends from the first side wall and a first female connection member extends from the first side wall. A second male connection member extends from the second side wall and a second female connection member extends from the second side wall. The first male connection member of the first protective casing engages with the second female connection member of the second protective casing and the first female connection member of the first protective casing engages with the second male connection member of the second protective casing.

The first and second male connection members of the first and second protective casings comprise an enlarged distal end. The first and second female connection members of the first and second protective casings comprise a recess. The enlarged distal end engages within the recess. The protective casing may comprise removable film that is sealed to the sealing surface and covers the entrance of the first and second protective casings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a protective casing of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the protective casing of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of the protective casing of Fig. 1 with a shaving head contained within the protective casing.

Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of the protective casing of Fig. 3 with the addition of a removable film.

Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of a plurality of interconnected protective casings.

Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of a plurality of interconnected protective casings.

Fig. 7A is a top perspective view of a plurality of interconnected protective casings.

Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 7b-7b of Fig. 7a.

Fig. 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 7c-7c of Fig. 7a.

Fig. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a protective casing of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a top perspective view of the protective casing of Fig. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a protective casing 20 of the present invention. The protective casing is sized to contain a shaving head, not shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The protective casing 20 comprises a plastic container 22 defining a storage region 24 and having a sealing surface 26 around an entrance 28 to the storage region 24. The container 22 has a first side wall 30, a second side wall 32 opposite the first side wall 30, a first end wall 34, a second end wall 36 opposite the first end wall 34 and a bottom wall 38 extending between the first side wall 30, the second side wall 32, the first end wall 34 and the second end wall 36. The container 22 is sized to contain a shaving head. The container 22 includes a first male connection member 40 extending from the first side wall 30 and a first female connection member 44 extending from the first side wall 30. The container 22 includes a second male connection member 42 extending from the second side wall 32 and a second female connection member 46 extending from the second side wall 32.

The first male connection member 40 is positioned opposite from the second female connection member 46. The second male connection member 42 is positioned opposite from the first female connection member 44. The first male connection member 40 is positioned diagonally opposite from the second male connection member 42. The first female connection member 44 is positioned diagonally opposite from the second female connection member 46.

The first and second male connection members 40 and 42 each comprise an enlarged distal end 41 and 43. The first and second female connection members 44 and 46 each comprise a recess 45 and 47. A gap, space or opening 48 is positioned between first male connection member 40 and first female connection member 44. A gap, space or opening 49 is positioned between second male connection member 42 and second female connection member 46. Gaps 48 and 49 allow two adjacent containers to be positioned next to each other for proper engagement of the male and female connection members.

Referring now to Fig. 3 there is shown a protective casing 20 comprising a plastic container 22 defining a storage region 24 and having a sealing surface 26 around an entrance 28 to the storage region 24. The container 22 is sized to contain a shaving head 50. Shaving head 50 includes a bottom surface 51 and an opposing top surface (not shown). Shaving head 50 includes a plurality of blades 53. Shaving head 50 comprises a pair of handle connecting members 54 for connecting the shaving head 50 to a handle. The handle connecting members 54 are positioned near an edge of shaving head 50.

Referring now to Fig. 4 there is shown a protective casing 20 comprising a plastic container 22 defining a storage region 24 and having a sealing surface 26 around an entrance 28 to the storage region 24. The container 22 is sized to contain a shaving head 50. The protective casing 20 includes a removable film 60 that is sealed to the sealing surface 26 and covers the entrance 28 to the storage region 24. Removable film 60 is sealed to the sealing surface 26 by heat welding. Alternatively, radio frequency sealing or other techniques may be employed. The removable film 60 protects the shaving head 50 prior to use. In addition, the removable film 60 can also assist in containing the shaving head 50 within the container 22 prior to use.

The removable film 60 may be a single layer film or a laminate of multiple layers of film. Preferably, the removable film 60 is a laminate of PET, polyethylene, polyester-urethane and polyethylene-EVA. The polyethylene layers may be high density polyethylene, oriented high density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene.

Referring now to Fig. 5 there is shown a plurality of interconnected protective casings, 120, 220 and 320. Protective casings 120, 220 and 320 are shown with the removable film removed. Protective casings 120, 220 and 320 are connected together such that the shaving heads 150, 250 and 350, respectively, are oriented the same way. This can be seen as the handle connecting members 154, 254 and 354 are all positioned on the same side of protective casings 120, 220 and 320.

Referring now to Fig. 6 there is shown a plurality of interconnected protective casings, 120, 220 and 320. Protective casings 120, 220 and 320 are shown with the removable film removed. Protective casings 120, 220 and 320 are connected together such that the shaving heads 150 and 350 respectively, are oriented the same way while shaving head 250 is oriented in the opposite direction. This can be seen as the handle connecting members 154 and 354 are positioned on the same side of protective casings 120 and 320 while handle connecting members 254 are positioned on the opposite side of protective casing 220.

Referring now to Figs. 7A, 7B and 7C, there is shown a plurality of interconnected protective casings 120 and 220. The protective casing 120 comprises a plastic container 122 defining a storage region 124 and having a sealing surface 126 around an entrance 128 to the storage region 124. The container 122 has a first side wall 130, a second side wall 132 opposite the first side wall 130, a first end wall 134, a second end wall 136 opposite the first end wall 134 and a bottom wall 138 extending between the first side wall 130, the second side wall 132, the first end wall 134 and the second end wall 136. The container 122 is sized to contain a shaving head.

The container 122 includes a first male connection member 140 extending from the first side wall 130 and a first female connection member 144 extending from the first side wall 130. The container 122 includes a second male connection member 142 extending from the second side wall 132 and a second female connection member 146 extending from the second side wall 132.

The first male connection member 140 is positioned opposite from the second female connection member 146. The second male connection member 142 is positioned opposite from the first female connection member 144. The first male connection member 140 is positioned diagonally opposite from the second male connection member 142. The first female connection member 144 is positioned diagonally opposite from the second female connection member 146.

The first and second male connection members 140 and 142 each comprise an enlarged distal end 141 and 143. The first and second female connection members 144 and 146 each comprise a recess 145 and 147.

The protective casing 220 comprises a plastic container 222 defining a storage region 224 and having a sealing surface 226 around an entrance 228 to the storage region 224. The container 222 has a first side wall 230, a second side wall 232 opposite the first side wall 230, a first end wall 234, a second end wall 236 opposite the first end wall 234 and a bottom wall 238 extending between the first side wall 230, the second side wall 232, the first end wall 234 and the second end wall 236. The container 222 is sized to contain a shaving head. The container 222 includes a first male connection member 240 extending from the first side wall 230 and a first female connection member 244 extending from the first side wall 230. The container 222 includes a second male connection member 242 extending from the second side wall 232 and a second female connection member 246 extending from the second side wall 232.

The first male connection member 240 is positioned opposite from the second female connection member 246. The second male connection member 242 is positioned opposite from the first female connection member 244. The first male connection member 240 is positioned diagonally opposite from the second male connection member 242. The first female connection member 244 is positioned diagonally opposite from the second female connection member 246.

The first and second male connection members 240 and 242 each comprise an enlarged distal end 241 and 243. The first and second female connection members 244 and 246 each comprise a recess 245 and 247.

The first male connection member 140 of the first protective casing 120 engages with the second female connection member 246 of the second protective casing 220 and the first female connection member 144 of the first protective casing 120 engages with the second male connection member 242 of the second protective casing 220. In particular, the enlarged distal end 141 of the first male connection member 140 engages within the recess 247 of the second female connection member 246 and recess 145 of the first female connection member 144 engages with the enlarged distal end 143 of the second male connection member 242.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9 there is shown a protective casing 420 of the present invention. The protective casing is sized to contain a shaving head, not shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The protective casing 420 comprises a plastic container 422 defining a storage region 424 and having a sealing surface 426 around an entrance 428 to the storage region 424. The container 422 has a first side wall 430, a second side wall 432 opposite the first side wall 430, a first end wall 434, a second end wall 436 opposite the first end wall 434 and a bottom wall 438 extending between the first side wall 430, the second side wall 432, the first end wall 434 and the second end wall 436. The container 422 is sized to contain a shaving head.

The container 422 includes a first male connection member 440 in the shape of a ball extending from the first side wall 430 and a first female connection member 444 in the shape of a socket extending from the first side wall 430. The container 422 includes a second male connection member 442 in the shape of a ball extending from the second side wall 432 and a second female connection member 446 in the shape of a socket extending from the second side wall 432.

The first male connection member 440 is positioned opposite from the second female connection member 446. The second male connection member 442 is positioned opposite from the first female connection member 444. The first male connection member 440 is positioned diagonally opposite from the second male connection member 442. The first female connection member 444 is positioned diagonally opposite from the second female connection member 446.

The first and second male connection members 440 and 442 each comprise an enlarged distal end 441 and 443. The first and second female connection members 444 and 446 each comprise a recess 445 and 447.

The containers are preferably formed from plastic. The containers may be manufactured from generally translucent or transparent polymers such that consumers can view the shaving heads. Opaque plastics may even be used if transparency is not required for the containers. Examples of transparent or translucent polymers may include, but are not limited to polyolefins (e.g., polypropylene, high density polyethylene or low density polyethylene), polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate), and poly vinyl chloride (PVC). The containers may be produced by thermoforming or other known processing methods such as injection molding, blow molding, cold forming, and injection blow molding. 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 and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, 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.