Shaving device in which cutting edges of cooperating cutting members extend at the same level

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shaving device comprising cutting members having cutting edges adapted to cutting through hair when in cooperation with each other; and driving means coupled to at least some of the cutting members, wherein the driving means serve for moving these cutting members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A shaving device as mentioned in the opening paragraph is well-known. For example, a shaving device comprising a rotatably arranged carrier is known, wherein the carrier serves for supporting cutting members which are adapted to cutting through hair, and wherein the cutting members are arranged right behind a shaving head having openings for letting through hair. When the shaving head is moved across a portion of skin to be shaved and the cutting members are moved as well, hair which is caught in the openings of the shaving head gets cut off as a result of an interaction between a cutting edge of a cutting member and a counter cutting edge delimiting an opening of the shaving head.

It is also possible to have two sets of cutting members, wherein the cutting members of each set are arranged at a predetermined mutual distance, and to give a first set of cutting members a vibratory movement with respect to a second set of cutting members, while moving the second set of cutting members across a portion of skin to be shaved. In this way, it is achieved that hair which is caught in the openings between the cutting members of the second set is cut off as soon as the movement of the first set of cutting members causes cutting edges of the cutting members of the two sets to penetrate the hair.

A particular disadvantage of the application of the known shaving devices is that hair gets cut off at a position above skin level, due to the fact that hair gets cut off above a stationary element on the basis of an interaction between cutting edges of this element and cutting edges of an element arranged right behind this element. Hence, a small length of the hair stays behind after a shaving action has taken place. Furthermore, it is necessary that cooperating members are pressed together with a high normal force, in order to avoid pulling

of the hair. A disadvantageous result of the high pressing force is friction, which leads to loss of energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an objective of the present invention to provide a shaving device which is capable of cutting through hair at a position which is closer to the skin than any known shaving device. Furthermore, it is an objective to achieve a lower power consumption than in the case of application of a known shaving device. At least one of these objectives is achieved by a shaving device comprising pairs of cutting members having cutting edges adapted to cutting through hair when in cooperation with each other, wherein the cutting members are movably arranged with respect to each other; and driving means coupled to the cutting members, wherein the driving means serve for making the cutting members of the pairs of cutting members perform a reciprocating movement with respect to each other during operation of the device, during which the cutting edges of the cutting members are continuously moved towards each other and away from each other, so that dimensions of cutting openings between the cutting edges of the cutting members are continuously increased and decreased; wherein the cutting edges of the cutting members of each pair of cutting members extend at substantially the same level, as seen in a direction in which the cutting members are movable. According to the present invention, the cutting edges of the cutting members of each pair of cutting members extend at substantially the same level, as seen in a direction in which the cutting members are movable. By having all cutting edges at substantially the same level, it is achieved that hair may be directly cut off at skin level, in other words, interaction between cutting edges of cutting members of a pair of cutting members may take place directly at skin level. In any case, there is no configuration of elements arranged behind each other in such a manner that the level at which hair is cut off is determined by the height of the element positioned closest to the skin during use.

Preferably, the driving means of the shaving device are adapted to making the cutting members of the pairs of cutting members perform an additional reciprocating movement with respect to each other, in another direction than the reciprocating movement during which the cutting edges of the cutting members are continuously moved towards each other and away from each other. By making the cutting members perform two reciprocating movements with respect to each other, wherein one movement may be a lateral movement

with respect to another movement, it is achieved that a force which is needed for cutting off hair is decreased.

In order to avoid a situation in which the cutting edges of cooperating cutting members strike against each other with a large force, it is advantageous if the shaving device further comprises stops for defining an end of a stroke of the reciprocating movement of the cutting members. By means of the application of stops, it is possible to let the cutting edges of the cutting members only lightly touch each other, while a force acting between the cutting members is absorbed by the stops. An important advantage of avoiding collision between cutting edges is that damage to or bluntness of these cutting edges is far less likely to occur. In a feasible embodiment of the shaving device according to the present invention, the stops comprise a portion of edges of the cutting members which is located outside the area of the cutting edges.

Advantageously, the cutting members are part of a shaving element which is integrally made from a single sheet of material, so that a process of manufacturing the cutting members hardly needs to comprise any more steps than providing a sheet of material and punching this sheet at predetermined places in order to form the cutting members, as desired. A suitable material is metal, for example.

Within the scope of the present invention, it is possible that the shaving element comprises two elongated carriers extending at a distance from each other, wherein each cutting member is connected to both carriers by means of resilient connection members. In such an embodiment, movement of the cutting members with respect to each other can be easily realized, namely by moving the carriers in a longitudinal direction with respect to each other, in opposite directions. Cutting edges of the cutting members may be convexly shaped, so that there is enough space between the cutting members to allow for movement, wherein a cutting opening for catching hair is present at the location of central areas of the convex cutting edges.

The elongated carriers may extend substantially parallel to each other, and in that case, it may be advantageous when the cutting members have a rotated rest position with respect to the carriers, i.e. when an imaginary line intersecting two areas where the cutting member is connected to the carriers extends in another direction than an imaginary line which is perpendicular to the carriers. In such an embodiment, it is easier to have small openings between the cutting members than in an embodiment in which the cutting members extend perpendicularly to the carriers, and it requires a smaller displacement of the carriers to vary the size of the openings.

Within the scope of the present invention, it is also possible that the shaving element is ring-shaped, in which case the elongated carriers are bent in a circular shape, and are concentrically arranged.

In an advantageous design of the shaving element comprising the cutting members and elongated carriers as described in the foregoing, two rows of cutting members are arranged between the carriers, wherein each cutting member is connected to another cutting member at one side and to one of the carriers at another side, and wherein an imaginary line intersecting an area where the cutting member is connected to the other cutting member and an area where the cutting member is connected to the carriers extends in another direction than an imaginary line which is perpendicular to the carriers. In this design, a kind of V-shaped configuration of the cutting members may be obtained, wherein forces acting on the carriers may be kept lower than in a design in which the cutting members extend in a straight line and perpendicularly to the carriers. Furthermore, on the basis of the presence of the two rows of cutting members and the mutually different orientation of the cutting members of the two rows, a complementary function is obtained, wherein a movement of the carriers in opposite directions causes the openings between the cutting members of one row to open and the openings between the cutting members of another row to close at the same time.

The shaving element comprising the cutting members and elongated carriers as described in the foregoing may be driven by a variety of driving means. A relatively simple option is to have a linear drive that is energized by a rotating motor having an eccentric element. However, it is more likely that a linear resonant drive is applied. By connecting masses to the carriers, a mass-spring system is realized, which can be energized by a linear actuator. During operation, a driving frequency is set to be at the resonance frequency, or to be at least close to this frequency. Advantageously, the operation frequency is so high that it is not possible for skin to come between the cutting members.

In case a magnetic actuator with permanent magnets is used, such an actuator can be provided with a sensing coil, which is one of a set of electric coils. From the induced voltage of the sensing coil, and the current through the other coil, which acts as an energizing coil, the actual mechanical stroke of the elongated carriers can be derived. This information can be used for regulating the stroke to a desired set point, so that an accurately controlled movement of the cutting members can be obtained. It is noted that the sensing coil may also be used for the purpose of searching for the resonance frequency.

The present invention further provides a shaving device comprising pairs of cutting members having cutting edges adapted to cutting through hair when acting in cooperation with each other, wherein the cutting members are movably arranged with respect to each other; and driving means coupled to the cutting members, wherein the driving means serve to make the cutting members of the pairs of cutting members perform a reciprocating movement with respect to each other during operation of the device, during which the cutting edges of the cutting members are continuously moved towards each other and away from each other, so that dimensions of cutting openings between the cutting edges of the cutting members are continuously increased and decreased; wherein the cutting members are part of a shaving element which is integrally made from a single sheet of material.

Also, the present invention provides a shaving element which is intended for use in a shaving device, and which comprises a number of pairs of cutting members having cutting edges adapted to cutting through hair when acting in cooperation with each other, wherein the cutting members are movably arranged with respect to each other, and wherein the cutting members are part of a single sheet of material.

An important advantage of the shaving device and the shaving element according to the present invention is that it is very easy to manufacture the shaving element. In particular, this may simply be done by providing a sheet of material, subjecting this sheet to a punching process, wherein portions of the material are removed at predetermined locations, and, if necessary, bending the sheet of material.

It is noted that the shaving element may have any suitable design. For example, the shaving element may comprise two elongated carriers, as described in the foregoing, and one or more rows of cutting members arranged between the carriers, wherein the cutting members may have any suitable orientation with respect to the carriers. Besides a shaving device and a shaving element as mentioned, the present invention provides a shaving head for use in a shaving device. A shaving head of a shaving device is an assembly that is intended to be placed against the skin of a user during application of the shaving device, and that is adapted to actually perform a shaving action. Hence, the shaving head comprises the movably arranged cutting members. In the shaving head according to the present invention, cutting edges of cutting members of pairs of cutting members extend at substantially the same level, as seen in a direction in which the cutting members are movable. Furthermore, the shaving head according to the present invention comprises means which are adapted to support the shaving head by contacting the skin when the shaving head is placed against a portion of skin.

Preferably, the support means of the shaving head are movably arranged with respect to the pairs of cutting members, wherein a direction of movement may be perpendicular to an imaginary plane in which the cutting members are movable, so that it is possible that when the shaving head is placed against a portion of skin, the skin is contacted by the support means first, after which the support means are retracted with respect to the pairs of cutting members when a user exerts a light pressure in a direction towards the skin, so that a situation in which both the support means and the pairs of cutting members contact the skin is obtained. Contact forces acting on the pairs of cutting members as a result of contact to the skin are limited due to the application of the support means. In order to ensure smooth movements of the support means, it is advantageous if the support means are resiliently arranged in the shaving head.

In a practical embodiment, the support means may comprise at least one bar that is arranged at a side of the shaving head where the pairs of cutting members are located. For example, the support means may be a bar that is shaped like a closed loop for surrounding an area where the pairs of cutting elements are located, as seen in a direction perpendicular to the imaginary plane in which the cutting members are movable.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the following description of a number of embodiments of a shaving element according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the Figures, in which equal or similar parts are indicated by the same reference signs, and in which: Figure 1 illustrates a shaving principle of the shaving device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 diagrammatically shows a side view of cutting members of the shaving device according to the present invention, in a position in which a cutting opening between the cutting members is open, and in a position in which the cutting opening is closed;

Figures 3 and 4 diagrammatically show top views of cutting members of the shaving device according to the present invention, in a position in which a cutting opening between the cutting members is open, and in a position in which the cutting opening is closed;

Figure 5 diagrammatically shows a top view of cutting members having stop edges, in a position in which a cutting opening between the cutting members is open, and in a position in which the cutting opening is closed;

Figure 6 diagrammatically shows side views of two cross-sections of the cutting members having the stop edges;

Figure 7 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a shaving element comprising a plurality of cutting members and two elongated carriers, according to a first preferred embodiment;

Figure 8 diagrammatically shows a top view of a portion of the shaving element according to the first preferred embodiment, in two different positions;

Figure 9 diagrammatically shows a top view of a portion of a shaving element according to a second preferred embodiment, in two different positions;

Figure 10 shows a top view of a portion of a shaving element according to a third preferred embodiment; Figure 11 diagrammatically shows a top view of a cutting member and supporting springs connected thereto;

Figure 12 diagrammatically shows a top view of a shaving element according to a fourth preferred embodiment, in a flat condition and in a bent condition;

Figure 13 diagrammatically shows a top view of the shaving element according to the fourth preferred embodiment, in three different positions;

Figure 14 diagrammatically shows a top view of a shaving element according to a fifth preferred embodiment;

Figure 15 diagrammatically shows a side view of a cross-section through the shaving element according to the fifth preferred embodiment; Figure 16 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a shaving element and a support member of a shaving head according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 17 and 18 diagrammatically show a side view of a cross-section of the components of the shaving head shown in Figure 16, in different mutual positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 diagrammatically shows cutting members 10 of the shaving device according to the present invention. It is noted that the shaving device is not shown as a whole in the Figures.

The cutting members 10 are part of a shaving element 11 in which the cutting members 10 are arranged in pairs 12, wherein cutting members 10 of each pair 12 are designed to cooperate with each other for the purpose of cutting off hair 13. In particular, each cutting member 10 comprises a relatively sharp cutting edge 14 which is adapted to cutting through hair 13. Such a cutting edge 14 may comprise a beveled edge portion of the cutting member 10. During operation of the shaving device according to the present invention, the cutting members 10 of the pairs 12 of cutting members 10 are moved with respect to each other, wherein the relative movement is a reciprocating movement, so that the size of cutting openings 15 between cutting members 10 of the pairs 12 of cutting members 10 is continuously increased and decreased.

During operation of the shaving device according to the present invention, the shaving element 11 is positioned close to a portion of skin 16, as diagrammatically shown in Figure 1, wherein the cutting edges 14 of the cutting members 10 are at the same level as seen in the direction of movement of the cutting members 10. When a hair 13 is caught in a cutting opening 15, and the cutting members 10 delimiting that cutting opening 15 are moved towards each other, as diagrammatically indicated by means of arrows in Figure 1 , the cutting edges 14 of these cutting members 10 will penetrate the hair 13, so that the hair 13 is cut off. An important advantage of cutting off hair 13 by applying two cutting edges 14 at an equal level is that the hair 13 may be cut off very close to the skin 16, so that extremely good shaving results are obtained.

For the sake of completeness, it is noted that in all Figures containing arrows, the arrows are used for the purpose of indicating a direction of movement.

For the purpose of realizing the required relative movement of the cutting members 10, the shaving device according to the present invention may comprise any suitable means for driving at least a number of the cutting members 10. Many examples of such means are known in practice, and will not be further discussed here. Figures 2 and 3 serve to illustrate a first possible relative movement of the cutting members 10, and to illustrate how the cutting edges 14 of the cutting members 10 of a pair 12 of cutting members 10 abut against each other. Figure 4 serves to illustrate a second possible relative movement of the cutting members 10. Besides a reciprocating movement in

a direction perpendicular to the cutting edges 14, the cutting members 10 may additionally be given a lateral movement. Due to this, cutting through a hair 13 requires less force.

In order to prevent the cutting edges 14 of the cutting members 10 from getting damaged or blunt as a result of a collision at high force, the cutting members 10 may be provided with one or more stops 17. This option is illustrated by Figure 5. In the shown example, the cutting members 10 comprise stop edges 17. When the relative movement of the cutting members 10 takes place and the cutting openings 15 are closed, the force acting between the cutting members 10 is applied on the stop edges 17, while the cutting edges 14 only touch each other. Figure 6 shows a side view of cross-sections taken at two different positions of a cutting member 10, wherein one cross-section is taken at the position of the stop edge 17, and another cross-section is taken at the position of the cutting edge 14, so that it may be seen that only the cutting edge 14 is a beveled edge portion of the cutting member 10.

In the shaving element 11, it is possible for all cutting members 10 to have the same size and shape, although this is not essential within the scope of the present invention. According to the present invention, a shaving element 11 which is integrally made from a single sheet 18 of material, such as metal, is provided, as shown in Figures 7-14. In particular, the shaving element 11 may comprise at least one row of cutting members 10, wherein cutting edges 14 of the cutting members 10 are located in one and the same imaginary plane, and wherein it is possible to drive the cutting members 10 in such a manner that the size of cutting openings 15 between successive cutting members 10 is continuously varied. In the process, a lateral movement as described in the foregoing may also be carried out, as will now be explained with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In Figure 7, a first preferred embodiment of the shaving element 11 is shown, whereas Figure 8 shows a number of cutting members 10 of the shaving element 11, in two different mutual positions. For the sake of clarity, the first preferred embodiment of the shaving element 11 will hereinafter also be referred to as first shaving element 11.

The first shaving element 11 comprises one row of cutting members 10, wherein each cutting member 10 has a convexly shaped cutting edge 14. In the shown example, the cutting members 10 are more or less shaped like an ellipse, wherein cutting edges 14 are present at the two elongated sides of the ellipse. In the shaving element 11, cutting edges 14 of successive cutting members 10 are directed towards each other, so that small cutting openings 15 are present between these cutting members 10. The first shaving element 11 further comprises two elongated carriers 19 which extend at opposite sides of the

sheet 18, and which are substantially parallel to each other, while the cutting members 10 are arranged between the carriers 19. Each cutting member 10 is connected to both carriers 19 by means of connecting springs 20. Preferably, the carriers 19 are provided in the form of strips, as shown in Figure 7. In view of this, in the following, the elongated carriers 19 will be referred to as rails 19.

It is easy to manufacture the first shaving element 11 as shown in figure 7. In the first place, a sheet 18 of material is provided and subjected to a punching process, during which the cutting members 10, the rails 19 and the connecting springs 20 are formed by removing surrounding portions of material. Subsequently, the sheet 18 is folded along two folding lines at the location of the connection between the cutting members 10 and the connecting springs 20.

In Figure 8, two positions of the cutting members 10 are shown. In the first place, the cutting members 10 are in a rest position with respect to the rails 19. In this position, a longitudinal axis 21 of the cutting members 10 extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis 22 of the rails 19. Starting from this position, the size of the cutting openings 15 between successive cutting members 10 is reduced by moving the rails 19 longitudinally in opposite directions with respect to each other. By doing so, a rotation of the cutting members 10 is obtained, so that it is guaranteed that the cutting members 10 perform both a main movement in a direction in which the size of the cutting openings 15 is varied and an additional, lateral movement. It has already been explained that the additional movement facilitates the process of cutting through hair 13.

By moving the rails 19 periodically forward and backward with respect to each other, the cutting openings 15 between the cutting members 10 will close two times per period, i.e. two times per complete forward and backward relative movement. Due to limits of a punching machine used in the process of manufacturing the shaving element 11, the cutting opening 15 has a minimum size. Figure 9 shows a number of cutting members 10 of a shaving element 11 according to a second preferred embodiment. For the sake of clarity, this shaving element 11 will hereinafter also be referred to as second shaving element 11. In this shaving element 11 , in a rest position, the longitudinal axis 21 of the cutting members 10 extends at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 22 of the rails 19. In this way, it is achieved that the maximum size of the cutting openings 15 is smaller than the minimum size of the cutting openings 15 in the first shaving element 11. Hence, a stroke of the relative movement of the rails 19 may be smaller, whereby stresses in the connecting springs 20 are reduced.

A closed condition of the cutting openings 15 of the second shaving element 11 is also shown in Figure 9. It is noted that in this shaving element 11, the cutting openings 15 are closed only one time per period of the relative movement of the rails 19, wherein the size of the cutting openings 15 increases during one half of the period, and the size of the cutting openings 15 decreases during another half of the period.

Within the scope of the present invention, other suitable options for realizing a sufficiently small minimum size of the cutting openings 15 exist. For example, it is possible to punch a shaving element 11 having the two rails 19 and the cutting members 10 arranged between the rails 19 out of a sheet of metal, and to subsequently decrease the distances between the cutting members 10 by deforming the rails 19 such that the cutting members 10 are moved towards each other. In particular, the rails 19 may be given a corrugated shape, whereby the length of the rails 19 decreases, and also the distances between the cutting members 10 decrease.

Figure 10 shows a portion of a shaving element 11 according to a third preferred embodiment, which will hereinafter be referred to as third shaving element 11. In this shaving element 11, which is also integrally made from a single sheet 18, the cutting members 10 are provided with both cutting edges 14 and stop edges 17, as has already been described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Furthermore, it is noted that in the third shaving element 11, the cutting members 10 comprise straight cutting edges 14. Figure 10 clearly shows that the supporting springs 20 connected to each cutting member 10 have an offset configuration, i.e. do not extend in line with each other. It is advantageous to have another configuration of the cutting member 10 and the supporting springs 20 connected thereto, for example a configuration as shown in Figure 11, in which the supporting springs 20 are in line. As a result of this alternative configuration, side forces in the rails 19 are reduced.

Another alternative is the shaving element 11 according to a fourth preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, which will hereinafter be referred to as fourth shaving element 11. This shaving element 11 comprises two rows of cutting members 10 which extend between the rails 19. In particular, the cutting members 10 of the two rows are connected to each other, so that one side of each cutting member 10 is connected to a cutting member 10 of another row, and another side of each cutting member 10 is connected to a rail 19 by means of a connecting spring 20.

The longitudinal axes 21 of the cutting members 10 of the two rows do not extend in line with each other. Instead, the longitudinal axis 21 of each cutting member 10

extends at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 22 of the rail 19 to which it is connected, so that a V-shaped configuration of the cutting members 10 is obtained. In this configuration, during one half of a period of a relative movement of the rails 19, the size of cutting openings 15 between cutting members 10 of one row is increased, while the size of cutting openings 15 between cutting members 10 of another row is decreased, and during another half of the period of the relative movement of the rails 19, the size of the cutting members 10 of the first-mentioned row is decreased, while the size of the cutting members 10 of the latter row is increased. Hence, the two rows of cutting members have a complementary function. It is noted that Figure 13 shows the fourth shaving element 11 in, successively, a rest position, in a position in which the cutting openings 15 of the row of cutting members 10 shown such as to be at the right-hand side of the shaving element 11 are closed, and in a position in which the cutting openings 15 of the row of cutting members 10 shown such as to be at the left-hand side of the shaving element 11 are closed.

Within the scope of the present invention, in case the shaving element 11 comprises rails 19 as described in the foregoing, it is not necessary that these rails 19 have a straight shape and extend substantially parallel to each other. Figures 14 and 15 show a shaving element 11 according to a fifth preferred embodiment, which will hereinafter be referred to as fifth shaving element 11. This shaving element 11 is shaped like a ring, wherein one rail 19 is located at an inner circumference of the ring, and another rail 19 is located at an outer circumference of the ring. Hence, the rails 19 are located according to a concentric arrangement, wherein the rails 19 are interconnected by combinations of a cutting member 10 and two connecting springs 20.

In the fifth shaving element 11, a desired mutual movement of the cutting members 10 is obtained by rotating the rails 19 with respect to each other. For example, both rails 19 are rotated in the process, and the rotation of the rails 19 takes place in opposite directions of rotation. Means for driving the rails 19 may comprise a rotating vibrating actuator.

Figures 16-18 show components of a shaving head 30, wherein Figures 17 and 18 are cross-sectional drawings. The shaving head 30 is an assembly that is intended for use in a shaving device according to the present invention, and that comprises the cutting members 10. In particular, correct operation of a shaving device having the shaving head 30 involves placing the shaving head 30 against skin 16 for the purpose of cutting off hair 13 (not shown in Figures 16-18).

In the shown example, the shaving head 30 comprises a shaving element 11 that resembles the first shaving element 11 as shown in Figure 7, but that does not alter the fact that the shaving head 30 may comprise another embodiment of the shaving element 11, or even another arrangement of the pairs 12 of cutting members 10, as long as cutting edges 14 of the cutting members 10 of each pair 12 are located in one and the same imaginary plane. Furthermore, the shaving head 30 comprises a skin support member 31, which is mo vably arranged with respect to the shaving element 11 , in a direction perpendicular to the imaginary plane. The skin support member 31 may be connected to one or more other components of the shaving head 30, for example, a housing (not shown) of the shaving head 30, in any suitable manner. An important function of the support member 31 is contacting skin 16 during a shaving action, whereby it is achieved that contact forces acting on the cutting members 10 when the shaving head 30 is applied in a shaving device and the cutting members 10 contact the skin 16 as well are kept limited.

As is diagrammatically shown in Figures 17 and 18, the support member 31 is resiliently arranged in the shaving head 30. In Figure 17, the support member 31 is shown in an initial, unloaded position, in which the support member 31 , or at least a skin contacting portion 32 of the support member 31, projects further from the shaving head 30 than the cutting members 10. In this way it is achieved that when the shaving head 30 is placed against a portion of skin 16, contact between the shaving head 30 and the skin 16 is established exclusively through the support member 31 in a first instance. When the shaving head 30 is pressed somewhat further in the direction of the skin 16, the support member 31 is retracted with respect to the cutting members 10, until the cutting members 10 contact the skin 16 as well. At that point, the cutting members 10 are capable of cutting through hair 13 at skin level, and the support member 31 has the function of taking up most of the contact forces. Figure 18 illustrates the situation in which the skin 16 is contacted by both the support member 31 and the cutting members 10.

The support member 31 may have any suitable shape for contacting the skin 16. In Figure 16, it is shown that the support member 31 may comprise a bar that is shaped like a closed loop, wherein the support member 31 is arranged such as to surround an area where the cutting members 10 are located, as seen in a direction in which the support member 31 is movable. However, it is also possible that the support member 31 comprises two separate bars, for example.

It is possible to have a stop function in the shaving head 30, such that the support member 31 may retract with respect to the cutting members 10 only to a limited

extent. In this way it is possible to limit the contact forces acting on the cutting members 10 when the shaving head 30 is pressed against a portion of skin 16 to a predetermined maximum, as, at a certain point, namely the point where the support member 31 is stopped, a further increase of forces is absorbed exclusively by the support member 31. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims. While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the Figures and the description, such an illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

For the sake of completeness, it is noted that the term "shaving device" as used in this text should be understood such as to cover various types of appliances for shaving portions of skin by cutting off hair close to the skin, including shavers, trimmers, grooming appliances and female depilation appliances.

Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by a person skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the Figures, the description and the attached claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

In the foregoing, among other things, a shaving element 11 which is intended for use in a shaving device has been disclosed. The shaving element 11 comprises cutting members 10, wherein it is possible to drive the cutting members 10 in such a manner that a size of cutting openings 15 between cooperating cutting members 10 is continuously varied. The cutting members 10 are provided with relatively sharp cutting edges 14, so that a hair 13 which is caught in a cutting opening 15 is cut off when the cutting members 10 delimiting the cutting opening 15 are moved towards each other and the cutting opening 15 is closed. The cutting edges 14 are located at the same level, so that it is achieved that cutting off hair takes place at skin level, as a result of which excellent shaving results are obtained.

In various embodiments, the shaving element 11 is manufactured on the basis of a single sheet 18 of material, wherein portions of the sheet 18 have been removed in order to obtain a desired configuration of components of the shaving element 11, for example two

rails 19 extending at opposite sides of the sheet 18, at least one row of cutting members 10 extending between the rails 19, and connecting members such as connecting springs 20 for connecting each cutting member 10 to the rails 19.