Field

Embodiments described herein relate to a handle for a safety razor.

Background

Safety razors are typically composed of a blade unit (cartridge) connected, either detachably or fixedly (permanently fixed or integrated), to a handle. A safety razor with a detachable and disposable blade unit is known as a safety razor system. Blade units are known which have one or more parallel blades perpendicular to the shaving direction and thus to the handle, each defining a cutting edge, with blade unit elements positioned in front of and behind (rear of) the cutting edge(s) (referred to as a "guard" and a "cap", respectively) in a shaving direction. A shaving aid, such as a thin lubricating strip, is often incorporated into one or both of these blade unit elements to improve shaving performance and lubricating treatment of the user's skin. Typically, the handle is a simple elongated structure and it would be desirable to provide alternative handle designs.

Brief Summary

One embodiment provides a handle of a safety razor, the handle comprising: a band of material forming a permanent endless loop of elongate form; one end of the loop being a blade-unit loop end to be attached to a blade unit; and the other end of the loop being a distal end to form the distal end of the handle (at the other end from the blade unit); wherein the loop is smoothly curved to leave a wider gap between the sides of the loop at the ends, than/and a narrower gap (or no gap) between the sides of the loop away from the ends.

The loop shaped handle can be easily held in the palm of the user's hand for ergonomic use of the safety razor. Moreover, the handle is feature light for ease of use and flexible, so that it conforms to the human hand. Also, the elongate endless loop shape (with no free ends, but with a larger effective width at the ends) is well suited for hanging on a hook, for example. !n one embodiment, the handle further comprise a body housed at least partially within the loop at the blade-unit loop end, the body comprising attachment means for attachment to the blade unit. The body forms a more solid part of the handle to which the blade unit may be attached, it can also support the shape of the loop at the blade- unit loop end. However the body may include cut-outs for a lighter weight. The attachment means may comprise a handle connecting structure that is configured to be brought into engagement with a blade unit connecting structure of the blade unit. This may be carried out during manufacture of the safety razor. Thus, the handle connecting structure and the blade unit connecting structure may be engaged in a fixed manner in which case they cannot be disengaged (or disengaged using a tool such as a screwdriver). However, the handle connecting structure and the blade unit connecting structure may be engaged in a releasable manner in which case they can be disengaged from the handle by means of, for example, a release button. In one embodiment, the body comprises a finger rest facing away from the skin of the user and above or within the blade-unit loop end. The finger rest may be inside the loop, or above the loop but within the loop perimeter. The finger rest may be attached to a rib that is provided at the blade unit end of the loop. Such a rib may span from one side of the loop to the other opposite side of the loop.

In one embodiment, the attachment means for attachment to the blade unit allow relative movement, such as pivoting movement, between the handle and the blade unit. For example, the attachment means itself may be flexible or its attachment to a corresponding part of the blade unit may include some play, or the corresponding part may be flexible. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise a blade unit connecting structure having a pair of arms that allows the blade unit to pivot. A sliding plunger in the handle connecting structure may be biased against an upper surface of the blade unit by a biasing mechanism such as a spring to provide a restoring force to return the blade unit to an initial position.

In one embodiment, one or both ends of the loop are curved in a substantially semicircular form. In one embodiment, the handle further comprises a disc housed within the distal end of the loop, the inner edge of the loop fitting around the disc. The disc may include a logo or simply be provided to give a more rigid feel to the end of the handle and thus better manoeuvrability. The disc may be attached to a rib that is provided at the distal end of the loop. Such a rib may span from one side of the loop to the other opposite side of the loop.

In one embodiment, the loop is tilted, so that the outer edge of the loop is closer towards the skin of a user than the inner edge in use. This three dimensional shape fits comfortably into the human hand. It can be visualised as a curved surface between two adjacent contour lines on a hill.

In one embodiment, the body housed at least partially within the blade-unit loop end has a frustoconical surface fitted to the tilted shape of the loop.

In one embodiment, the loop is translucent or transparent. This, in addition to the gap between the loop sides, allows an improved shaving experience of the user by providing visual information which is otherwise obscured. In one embodiment, the loop is sufficiently flexible away from the ends to be deformable by the human hands. Flexibility in the loop itself (for example to allow the sides of the loop to be gripped) is helpful for the user feel of the handle.

In one embodiment, the band has a uniform thickness, preferably of between 0.5mm and 5mm, more preferably of between 1 mm and 4mm. Thus it can be formed by bending of a flat sheet.

In one embodiment, the band has a uniform width, preferably of between 2mm and 30mm, more preferably of between 3mm and 30mm. The notional total length of the band (if split and straightened) may be between 200mm and 300mm.

One embodiment provides a safety razor comprising a handle according to any of the aforementioned embodiments, and a blade unit. In one embodiment the safety razor further comprises a lubrapad. For example, a lubrapad body may be provided adjacent to the blade unit, and extend along a guard of the blade unit and in front of the guard in use. The lubrapad body may have a greatest width and/or depth in the blade direction at the guard, the body width and/or depth reducing in a smooth convex curve away from the guard to a curved front portion of the body.

In one embodiment the lubrapad body and blade unit are provided separately and comprise attachment means to attach them together whilst allowing relative movement, such as flexible projections from a front surface of the guard, which are to be housed in recesses in a surface portion of the lubrapad body which is directly facing the guard front surface.

The composition of the lubrapad can include a gliding agent. Materials which may be selected as the gliding agent are: PEG-400/1 ,4-Butanediol/SMDI Copolymer, PEG- 115M, PEG 45M, and PEG-5M, or a combination thereof. The composition of the lubrapad can include an antioxidant agent, for example Tocopherol. The composition of the lubrapad can include an anti-inflammatory agent, for example aloe barbadensis leaf juice. The composition of the lubrapad can include a backbone structure. Materials which may be selected as the backbone structure are: styrenic block copolymers and polystyrene, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the lubrapad body and blade unit comprise attachment means to attach them together whilst allowing relative movement, such as flexible projections from a front surface of the guard, which are to be housed in recesses in a surface portion of the lubrapad body which is directly facing the guard front surface.

The above indicated aspects and embodiments may be combined with each other to achieve the advantageous effects as described above. Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Description of Figures

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety razor from the top according to an embodiment; Figure 2 is a side view of the safety razor shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a view of the safety razor shown in Figure 1 from the top (user side); Figure 4 is a view of the safety razor shown in Figure 1 from underneath (skin side);

Figure 5 is a front view (looking in the direction of shaving) of the safety razor shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a rear view (looking in a direction opposite to the direction of shaving) of the safety razor shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is a perspective view from underneath of a blade unit and lubrapad;

Figure 8 is a perspective view from underneath of a safety razor including the blade unit and lubrapad shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view from above of another safety razor;

Figure 0 is a side view of a safety razor with a handle shown in Figures 1 to 9 held by a user;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a safety razor from the top according to another embodiment; Figure 12 is a side view of the safety razor shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a view of the safety razor shown in Figure 11 from the top (user side); Figure 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the safety razor along line A-A of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the interconnection between the handle and the blade unit of the safety razor shown in area B of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a rear view (looking in a direction opposite to the direction of shaving) of the safety razor shown in Figure 11 ;

Figure 17 is another side view of the safety razor shown in Figure 11 ; Figure 18 is a cross-sectional top view of the safety razor along line D-D of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a detailed cross-sectional top view of the handle connecting structure shown in area E of Figure 18; Figure 20 is an exploded view of the safety razor shown in Figure 11 ;

Figure 21 is a perspective top view of the handle of the safety razor shown in Figure 11 ; Figure 22 is a side view of the handle of the safety razor shown in Figure 11 ;

Figure 23 is a view of the handle of the safety razor shown in Figure 11 from the top (user side); and Figure 24 is a rear view (looking in a direction opposite to the direction of shaving) of the handle of the safety razor shown in Figure 11. Detailei ^' ~ sription of Embodiments

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that illustrate exemplary embodiments consistent with this invention. Other embodiments are possible, and modifications can be made to the embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the detailed description is not meant to limit the invention.

The term "underneath" is used to describe features of the blade unit or lubrapad that are positioned on the skin-contacting side of the blade unit or lubrapad (i.e., on a shaving-side or underneath of the blade unit or lubrapad), and the term "top" is used to describe features of the blade unit or lubrapad that are positioned on a side opposite the skin-contacting side of the blade unit or lubrapad (i.e., on a user side or on top of the blade unit or lubrapad). The terms "front", "rear", and "side(s)" are used herein with reference to the shaving direction, i.e., the direction in which the blade unit and lubrapad are intended to be moved during shaving. In particular, the term "front" means facing the shaving direction, "rear" means facing away to the shaving direction, and "side(s)" mean to either side in the shaving direction.

Reference will now be made to Figures 1 to 10, which are which are views of a safety razor or safety razor system including a handle, according to embodiments.

The safety razor 60 shown in Figures 1 to 8 includes a handle 50, a blade unit 10, and a lubrapad 12. The blade unit 10 includes a guard 18, a cap 20, and rounded portions 42 that together define a blade housing 14 within which a plurality of blades 16 are disposed. The number of blades 16 can be, for example, four or five, though it can be fewer or more than this. The guard 18 is in front of the blades 16 and the cap 20 is to the rear of the blades 16.

As shown in these figures, the lubrapad 12 is provided separately from the blade unit 10. The lubrapad 12 comprises a lubrapad body 22 comprising solid lubricating material. The lubrapad body 22 has a first surface portion 38 which directly faces a front surface 40 of the quard 18. a second (bottom, aiidina or skin-contactina surface portion 44 adjacent to the skin-contacting side of the blade unit 10, and a third (top) surface portion 46 generally opposite the second surface portion 44. In use, the second surface portion 44 lubricates the skin of a user and the third surface portion 46 is directed away from the skin of the user towards the handle 50. The first, second and third surface portions 38, 44, 46 of the lubrapad body 22 generally define a wedge having a curved front portion (semi-circular or partially semi-circular edge) 24 with the second surface portion 44 curving towards the curved front portion 24. The second surface portion 44 can be continuously curved toward the front portion 24 or can include a flat portion before curving towards the front portion 24. The greatest length of the third surface portion 46 in the shaving direction can be at least twice or three or four times the height of the first surface portion 38 in a direction perpendicular to the shaving plane.

The handle 50 comprises a band of material forming a permanent endless loop 52 (in that it has no free ends) of elongate form and thus with two looped ends. One end of the loop 52 is a blade-unit loop end that is proximal to the blade unit 10, with the other end of the loop 52 being distal from the blade unit 10. The two ends of the loop 52 form a blade unit end 53 and a distal end 54 of the handle 50, respectively. The loop is smoothly curved to leave a wider gap between the sides of the loop at the ends, and a narrower gap (or no gap) between the sides of the loop away from the ends 53, 54. A body 51 for connecting the handle 50 to the blade unit 10 and lubrapad 12 is housed at least partially within the loop 51 at its blade-unit loop end, i.e., at the blade unit end 53 of the handle 50. Here, the body 51 is constructed as a part-spherical (frame) structure with cut-out portions. The body 51 can be configured to allow pivoting and/or rotating movement of the blade unit 11 and lubrapad 12 relative to the handle 50. The connecting body 51 can include a finger rest (not shown) at the top of the (part-) spherical structure facing away from the skin of the user and above or within the blade- unit loop end. Figure 9 shows a safety razor 60 which generally has the same construction as that shown in Figures 1 to 8 (with like reference numbers denoting like features), except that the body 51 is a (part-)spherical structure with no cut-out portions. Furthermore, the body 51 comprises a finger rest 56 facing away from the skin of the user within the blade-unit loop end 52. Alternatively, the finger rest 56 could be flush with the blade unit end 53 of the handle 50 or even above the blade unit end 53.

Figure 10 schematically shows how a safety razor 60 with the handle 50 can be gripped ergonomically by a user.

Reference will now be made to Figures 11 to 24, which are views of a safety razor system and a handle of the safety razor system, according to further embodiments. In these figures, like reference numbers to those in Figures 1 to 10 indicate like or similar elements, and so will not be described again here.

As shown in Figures 11 to 20, the safety razor 60 comprises a handle 50 that is connected to a blade unit 61 having a guard 18, a cap 20, and a plurality of blades 16 between the guard 18 and the cap 20. (A different reference number is used for the blade unit 61 to draw attention to the fact that the shaving aid is provided on the blade unit 61 in the form of lubricating strips (lubrastrips) 12 rather than separately from the blade unit.) In this particular case they are. The connection (attachment means) between the handle 50 and the blade unit 61 is provided by a blade unit connecting structure 64 that is engaged to a handle connecting structure 66. In particular, the blade unit connecting structure 64 has an open housing 65 that is configured to receive to an extended body 67 of the handle connecting structure 66. The blade unit connecting structure 64 also has a pair of arms that allow the blade unit 61 to pivot relative to the blade unit connecting structure 64. In this particular embodiment, the blade unit connecting structure 64 is fixedly attached to the handle connecting structure 66 by a snap-fit connection 70. An indent 73 is provided in the handle connecting structure 66 so that the snap-fit connection 70 can be disengaged with a tool such as a screwdriver. Alternatively the handle connecting structure 66 may be provided with a release button to disengage the snap-fit connection 70. As noted above, the blade unit 61 can pivot (upwards) to follow the contours of the skin during shaving. As can be seen in Figures 14, 15, and 18-20, the handle connecting structure 65 has a plunger 69 which is biased against an upper surface 74 of the blade unit 61 by a spring 72. The plunger 69 provides a (downward) restoring force on the upper surface 74 of the blade unit 61 to return the blade unit 61 to its oriainal Dosition. The plunger 89 is retained within the body 67 of the handle connecting structure 66 by a pair of hooks 71.

Referring now also to Figures 21 to 24, the finger rest 58 at the blade unit end 53 of the loop 52 and the disc 57 at the distal end 54 of the loop 52 can be attached to respective ribs 68 that span across the opposite sides of the loop 52. The ribs 68 can stiffen the loop 52 to prevent, or at least minimise, deformation (e.g., twisting) during use of the safety razor 60. The ribs 68 can also prevent, or at least minimise, warpage during cooling after moulding of the handle 50. Furthermore, visually unattractive features resulting from manufacturing of the handle 50, such as injection mould points, can be hidden underneath the finger rest 56 and disc 57. The ribs 68 can be used to attach the finger rest 56, disc 57, and handle connecting structure 66 to the handle 50 (i.e., the loop 52) in any suitable manner such as gluing, welding, snap fitting, screwing, or moulding (e.g., insert moulding or multiple component moulding).

The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventors), and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way. The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Reference numbers

10 blade unit

12 lubrapad or lubrastrip

14 blade housing

16 blades

18 guard

20 cap

22 lubrapad body

42 side portions

38 first surface portion (of lubrapad)

40 front surface (of quard) side portions (of blade unit) second surface portion (of lubrapad)

third surface portion (of lubrapad)

handle

connecting body

loop

blade unit end

distal end

finger rest

disc

safety razor

blade unit

interconnection assembly

blade unit connecting structure

open housing (of blade unit connecting structure) handle connecting structure

extended body (of handle connecting structure) ribs

plunger

snap-fit connection

plunger hooks

biasing spring

indent

upper surface (of blade unit)