CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/315,217, filed on March 1, 2022, the content of which is incorporated herein for reference in its entirety.

Background:

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to safety' razors in general and, more particularly, to a razor for delivering a fluid to the skin of a user and a replaceable fluid container for the razor.

[0004] 2. Background

[0005] There have been many proposals in the patent literature for safety razors adapted to deliver a fluid e.g. a shaving aid fluid to a skin surface of a user during a shaving operation. Some of these proposals disclose replaceable fluid containers or reservoirs that can be removed after they are exhausted and replaced by a new reservoir. These proposals disclose methods to perform such a replacement operation. U.S. patents number 8,220,156, 10,800,058, 10,865,641 and 11,052,556 and U. S. patent application publication 2013/0145624 are representative of such devices.

Summary

[0006] The present disclosure has for its objective to substantially alleviate the limitations of the prior art fluid-delivering razors by providing an improved razor handle whereby manipulation of a reservoir by a user is minimized and any opportunity for fluid spillage is minimized. The handle has a grip portion having a thin-walled upper housing and a thin-walled lower housing defining therebetween a cavity. Each of the upper and lower housing have a respective upper and lower connector projecting from an interface surface and at least one of the connectors has a locking tab projecting radially outward from the connector at the end of the connector opposite the interface surface. The connectors define therebetween circumferential spaces. A reservoir adapted to contain a portion of a shaving aid fluid is received in the cavity. The reservoir has a collapsible bag with a reservoir connector sealed to the bag, the reservoir connector has mounted within a spring actuated plunger biased by a spring to provide an openable seal between the reservoir connector and the plunger to seal the fluid contents of the reservoir within the reservoir. The reservoir connector has outwardly extending wings that are individually received in a respective circumferential space of the grip portion to rotational secure the reservoir to the grip portion. A head portion of the handle has a thin-walled upper housing and a thin-walled lower housing, each of the upper and lower housing terminating in an end wall, and each end wall having a portion of a head portion interface surface that mates with the interface surface of the grip portion. A hollow spigot of the head portion engages a bore of the reservoir connector and an outer end of the spigot displaces the plunger of the reservoir to open the seal to pennit the fluid to flow from the reservoir through the spigot only when the grip portion is connected to the head portion. The end walls have a free space provided at an interior side of the end walls to accommodate the locking tabs to secure the grip portion to the head portion.

[0007] In some aspects of the present disclosure at least one grip portion one connector is in the shape of a circumferential portion of less than one half of a cylindrical tube, oriented with an axis of the cylinder perpendicular to the interface surface. [0008] In some aspects of the present disclosure the end walls of the head portion housings defined therebetween slots sized to receive the locking tabs of the grip portion during a connection operation of the grip portion to the head portion.

[0009] Further aspects of the present lie in a method of user-assembling a fluid- deliverable handle for a safety razor. A grip portion of the handle is provided, the grip portion having a thin-walled upper housing and a thin-walled lower housing having therebetween a cavity. Each of the upper and lower housing has a respective upper and lower connector projecting from an interface surface, at least one of the connectors has a locking tab projecting radially outward from the connector at the end of the connector opposite the interface surface, and the connectors have circumferential spaces between them. A reservoir for containing a portion of a shaving aid fluid is inserted into in the cavity. The reservoir has a collapsible bag with a reservoir connector sealed to the bag. The reservoir connector contains a spring actuated plunger biased by spring to provide an openable seal between the reservoir connector and the plunger to seal the fluid contents within the reservoir. The reservoir connector also has outwardly extending wings that are individually received in a respective circumferential space of the grip portion connectors to rotational secure the reservoir to the grip portion. The grip portion containing the reservoir is assembled to a head portion of the handle. The head portion has a thin- walled upper housing and a thin- walled lower housing, each housing terminating in an end wall. Each end wall has a portion of a head portion interface surface that mates with the interface surface of the grip portion. The head portion includes a hollow spigot to engage a bore of the reservoir connector that an end of the spigot displaces the plunger of the reservoir to open the seal to permit the fluid to flow from the reservoir through the spigot only when the grip portion is connected to the head portion. The end walls have a free space provided at an interior side of the end walls to accommodate the locking tab(s) to secure the grip portion to the head portion.

[0010] The above features and advantages will be more fully understood with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a safety razor handle of the present disclosure;

[0012] Fig. 2 is an exploded side view of the grip portion of the handle;

[0013] Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a reservoir;

[0014] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the reservoir;

[0015] Figs. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sectional views of the grip portion;

[0016] Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the combined connector end of the grip portion of the handle;

[0017] Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the interface surface end of the head portion of the handle;

[0018] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the handle, with the grip portion relatively rotated; and

[0019] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the complete handle.

Detailed Description [0020] Referring now to the drawings, a handle 20 for a safety razor is depicted. The handle 20 is adapted to deliver a fluid from a reservoir to a skin surface of a user during a shaving operation. The fluid can have any combination of pre-, intra-, or post-shave benefits. Delivery from the reservoir can be through diverse manifolds directly (from the handle 20) to the skin surface, e.g. adjacent to a razor cartridge (not shown) attached to the handle 20, or optionally additionally through the razor cartridge to the skin surface.

[0021] Referring now to fig. 1 , a perspective view of a handle 20 is depicted. The handle 20 comprises a head portion 30 and a grip portion 40 that can be connected together, and selectively separated, e.g. by a user of the safety razor. A razor cartridge (not shown) can be attached (e.g. removably attached) to the head portion 30 by suitable structure. As depicted in fig. 1, the head portion 30 is shown separated from the grip portion 40 as will be an arrangement of the handle 20 when a user separates the grip portion 40 from the head portion 30 to replace a reservoir 100, as described later. In use for shaving, the two portions 30, 40 are connected at a common interface defined by respective mating surfaces 50a and 50b of the two portions 30, 40. The head portion 30 can be provided with a manually operable control 60 that may operate a pump or valve (e.g. a start / stop, “on/off’ valve) to provide or control fluid flow from the reservoir 100 (described later) when the handle 20 is in use.

[0022] Referring additionally to fig. 2, an exploded side view of the grip portion 40 is depicted. This is shown exploded for benefits of depiction of its component parts. The grip portion 40 comprises a thin-walled upper housing 70 and a thin-walled lower housing 80. In the fully assembled condition (see e.g. fig. 5) the two housings 70, 80 are secured to one another by suitable means, such as by suitable adhesive, by welding (e.g. ultrasonic welding), or (as depicted) by snap fit tabs 90 of one housing (the lower housing 80) engaging accommodating recesses (not seen in this view, see fig. 5) of the other housing (the upper housing 70).

[0023] One or both of the upper and lower housing 70, 80 can be provided with an elastomeric portion 74, 84 for haptic benefits for the user. Both of the upper and lower housing 70, 80 are preferably manufactured by injection molding, e.g. two- or multi-shot injection molding. A first, relatively rigid portion 72, 82, has a respective elastomeric portion 74, 84 co-molded to the rigid portion 72, 82. The rigid portion can be molded from polypropylene for benefits including chemical resistance to substances typically found in use. A suitable polypropylene is MOPLEN RP344RK provided by LYONDELLBASELL NV. Other materials such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) also have utility. A suitable material for the elastomeric portion 74, 84 is SANTOPRENE 8211-35 provided by EXXON MOBIL.

[0024] Each of the upper and lower housing 70, 80 have a respective upper and lower connector 76, 86 projecting from the interface surface 50b. Each connector 76, 86 is preferably generally in the shape of a portion of less than one half of a cylindrical tube, oriented with the axis of the cylinder generally along the length of the grip portion 40, and perpendicularly to surface 50b. E.g. the portion of the tube can angularly extend as a 150 degree portion of the entire cylindrical circumference of the tube. Each connector 76, 86 can also be generally in the shape of a portion of less than one half of a frustoconical tube, similarly oriented and tapering in a direction away from the interface surface 50b, and similarly circumferentially angularly extending. One or both connectors 76, 86 has a respective locking tab 78, 88 projecting radially from the connector 76, 86, at the end of the connector opposite the interface surface 50b, and in opposed directions. Alternatively, one connector 76, 86 can circumferentially extend 180 degrees and the other connector 86, 76 can extend substantially less than 180 degrees in order that adequate spaces 44, 46 (see fig. 7 and as described later in the present disclosure) are provided.

[0025] A reservoir 100 adapted to contain a portion of the fluid mentioned previously can be inserted by a user into a cavity 42 (see fig. 5) defined between the upper and lower housings 70, 80.

[0026] Referring additionally to figs 3 and 4, a longitudinal sectional view of the reservoir 100 and an exploded perspective view of the reservoir are respectively depicted. The reservoir 100 includes a collapsible bag 150. The bag 150 can comprise a first single layer 110 of a film material, folded on itself and partially peripherally sealed at flange 114, or the bag 150 can comprise two layers (the first and then a second layer) 110, 112 of film, again partially peripherally sealed at flange 114. A suitable film material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), preferably biaxially- oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) which has benefits of chemical resistance and barrier resistance to a fluid (and its ingredients) stored in the reservoir 100. The reservoir 100 has a reservoir connector 120 sealed to an open (i.e. not peripherally sealed) end of the bag 150. The reservoir connector 120 is preferably injection molded from a material (weldably) compatible with the bag film for benefits of providing a leak-free joint between the reservoir connector 120 and bag 150. The reservoir connector 120 has a spring actuated plunger 130, biased by spring 140 to provide an openable surface-to-surface seal 132 between (a surface of) the reservoir connector 120 and (a surface of) the plunger 130 to seal the fluid content of the reservoir 100 within the reservoir 100 until the seal 132 is actuated. The seal 132 is openable by displacement of the plunger 130 against bias forces of the spring 140, in a direction along a general length axis of the plunger 130 away from the sealing surface of the reservoir connector. [0027] In an alternative embodiment, the bag 150 can have a rigid wall. In this embodiment the handle system should additionally be provided with a vent valve (not shown) in a wall of the bag 150, and a dip tube (not shown) in order that substantially complete evacuation of the fluid from the reservoir 100 can be achieved and any partial vacuum within the reservoir 100 can be relieved.

[0028] Referring additionally to figs. 5 and 6, longitudinal sectional views of the grip portion 40 are depicted. The grip portion 40 comprises upper and lower housings 70, 80 as previously described, and therebetween a cavity 42 defined between the upper and lower housings 70, 80. The connectors 76, 86 in combination are adapted to be received in the head portion 30, as described later in the present disclosure. In fig. 5 the reservoir 100 is depicted partially inserted into the cavity 42, and in fig. 6 the reservoir 100 is fully inserted in the cavity 42.

[0029] Referring additionally to fig. 7, depicted therein is an enlarged detail perspective view of the combined connector end of the grip portion 40 with a reservoir 100 fully inserted - the condition as shown in fig. 6. The connectors 76, 86 in combination (e.g. when the upper and lower housings 70, 80 of the grip portion 40 are joined together) define circumferential spaces 44, 46 therebetween. The reservoir connector 120 includes outwardly extending wings 122, 124, that are respectively individually received in the spaces 44, 46 of the combined connectors 76, 86. The reservoir 100 is thus rotationally secured relative to the grip portion 40 when inserted in the cavity 42.

[0030] Referring additionally to fig. 8, an enlarged detail perspective view of the interface surface 50a end of the head portion 30 of the handle 20 is shown. The head portion 30 includes a hollow spigot 238 adapted to engage bore 126 (see figs. 3 and 7) of the reservoir connector 120 of the reservoir 100, and to open the openable seal 132 by an outer end of the spigot 238 displacing the plunger 130 against the bias force of its spring 140 when the grip portion 40 is connected to the head portion 30 and interface surfaces 50a 50b are mated. When the seal 132 is opened, fluid from the reservoir 100 can flow into the head portion 30 through this spigot 238. One of the spigot 238 and bore 126 can be provided with a seal 240, e.g. an O-ring as depicted, to prevent leakage of the fluid at this spigot-to-bore connection. As shown in fig. 8, the spigot 238 bears the seal 240.

[0031] In a similar manner to the construction of the grip portion 40 (as previously described), the head portion 30 can comprise a thin-walled upper housing 170 and a thin-walled lower housing 180., manufactured and assembled similarly to the housings 70, 80 of the grip portion 40. Each of the upper and lower housing 170, 180 terminate in an end wall 220, 222 each having a portion of interface surface 50a. In combination (i.e. when the upper and lower housings 170, 180 are connected) the end walls 220, 222 defined slots 232, 234 sized to receive locking tabs 78, 88 of the grip portion 40, and positioned to receive the locking tabs 78, 88 when the grip portion 40 is aligned with the head portion 30 as shown in fig. 9. The locking tabs 78, 88 are able to pass through the thickness of the end walls 220, 222 and free space 236 is provided at the interior side of the end walls 220, 222 to accommodate the locking tabs 78, 88, when the grip portion 40 is rotated relative to the head portion 30. One or both slots 232, 234 can be provided with a lip or other suitable blocking structure (not shown) at one side of the interior side of the end walls 220, 222 so that the grip portion 40 can only be rotated in one direction (see sequence of figs. 9 to 10) relative to the head portion 30, i.e. the blocking structure prevents rotation in an incorrect direction.

[0032] Referring now to figs. 9 and 10, perspective views of the handle 20 are shown. In fig. 9 the grip portion 40 is abutted the head portion 30 with the interface surfaces 50a and 50b in contact. The grip portion 40 is shown rotated relative to the head portion 30 e.g. rotated anti- clockwise 45-90 degrees relative to the head portion 30 about an axis generally along the length of the head portion 30 or more specifically normal to the interface surface 50a of the head portion 30. In fig. 10 the grip portion 40 is shown rotated (clockwise relative to fig. 9) to align the head and grip portions 30, 40 to provide the completed handle 20 ready for use. When a user wishes to separate the handle portions 30, 40 to replace a reservoir 100, the ‘twist and lock’ grip portion 40 rotation is reversed (e.g. to the position of fig. 9 ) to enable the grip portion 40 to be fully separated from the head portion 30 to provide access to exchange the reservoir 100.

[0033] In operation, starting from a condition where the head portion and grip portion 40 are separated, a user inserts a (new) reservoir 100, with its seal 132 closed, into the cavity 42 of the grip portion 40 and locates the outwardly extending wings 122, 124 of the reservoir connector 120 in the respective spaces 44, 46 of the combined connectors 76, 86 of the housings 70, 80 of the grip portion 40. The reservoir 100 is then rotationally secured relative to the grip portion 40. The grip portion 40 (with reservoir 100) is offered to the head portion 30 in the orientation of fig. 9. The locking tabs 78, 88 of the grip portion 40 are received in the slots 232, 234 of the head portion 30 and pass through the thickness of the end walls 220, 222. The grip portion 40 can beneficially be unidirectionally rotated relative the head portion 30 such that the locking tabs 78, 88 are received in the free space 236 at the interior side of the end walls 220, 222 to yield thus a completed handle 20 ready for use since, simultaneously, the end of the spigot 238 displaces the spring-biased plunger 130 and opens the seal 132 of the reservoir. The user is required to minimally handle the reservoir 100. The reservoir 100 can have small dimensions; the collapsible bag 150 of the reservoir can have little rigidity, especially when the fluid content is exhausted; and a suitable leak-free fluid connection to the reservoir can require some force/torque to engage the connection. Since the spigot 238 engaging the plunger 130 opens the seal 132 of the reservoir 100, the user is not required to handle an unsealed reservoir and risk of spillage is reduced. When a user separates the grip portion 40 from the head portion, e.g. to exchange a reservoir 100, separation of the spigot 238 from the plunger closes the seal 132 and obviates spillage of any residual fluid in the reservoir 100.

[0034] While various embodiments have been described above it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. For instance, modifications or changes as can be made within the scope of the attached claims and features disclosed in connection with any one embodiment can be used alone or in combination with each feature of the respective other embodiments. Thus, the breadth and scope of any embodiment 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.