DE9304140U1 - Wet shaver - Google Patents

Description

.. _., &ogr;, _n9<fi DIPL.-ING. HEINZ J. RING

Our Zachen: 93 0268 DIPL.-ING. ULRICH CHRISTOPHERSEN

Wilkinson Sword

Limited liability company

SchützenstraSe 110 Date 19 March 1993

5650 Solingen 1

NaO shaver

The invention relates to a wet razor with a handle, at one end of which a razor head is formed. A razor blade unit is arranged on this razor head. A razor blade unit is understood to be an essentially elongated plastic body in which a single or double razor blade is permanently embedded.

Wet razors with a handle, at one end of which a razor blade unit is arranged on a razor head by means of a corresponding fastening mechanism, are known; the handle is usually always designed in the manner of a rod. The razor head at one end of the rod can be widened to accommodate the fastening mechanism. The razor blade unit is usually attached to the handle in such a way that the cutting edges are essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the handle.

If the handle is simply an elongated, straight rod with an essentially uniform cross-section, this is ergonomically unfavourable, as the grip position of the user is not optimal. This makes shaving more difficult due to poor handling of the razor. However, there are solutions known from the state of the art in which the

ergonomic properties have been improved in that the handle is curved in its longitudinal center plane. This essentially S-shaped curvature means that the handle fits easily into the palm of the hand and can be held with a thumb.

However, it has been proven that both with a straight and with an S-shaped curved handle, the user regularly turns the razor around the axis formed by the cutting edges by changing the position of the hand. This happens more or less unconsciously in order to supposedly improve the cutting angle. These compensating movements, which are encouraged by the shape of the handle, have the disadvantage that the shaving results are not always the same, since the cutting angle is constantly changing. It is practically impossible to guide the razor smoothly.

In addition, the optical design options are very limited, since on the one hand a straight, elongated rod can practically only be modified in terms of color, and on the other hand the S-shaped curved handle is limited in its shape by the desire to adapt to the palm of the hand.

Based on this, the invention is based on the object of improving the ergonomic properties of a handle in a wet razor of the generic type in order to achieve a quieter and more uniform guidance of the wet razor.

In addition, the wet razor is to be improved in terms of its optical design options in the area of the handle.

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As a technical solution, the invention proposes that the handle is curved in the direction pointing towards the surface to be shaved in the functional position.

The wet razor designed according to the invention can only be used by the user in a specific grip position. Even slight hand rotations cause the razor blade unit with the cutting edges to be turned away from the skin. The user is therefore encouraged by the shape of the handle to adopt an almost fixed shaving position. This makes shaving considerably smoother.

Compared to an S-shaped razor handle, the wet razor according to the invention is also simpler and therefore more economical to manufacture. ■

In addition, the wet shaver shape according to the invention offers the possibility of further optical design, since it is only defined with regard to its curved shape.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the handle be curved in a uniform arc over its entire length. This uniform design fixes the hand position in a kind of end position, which supports smooth operation of the razor.

According to an alternative advantageous embodiment of the invention, the curvature is such that the radius of curvature becomes smaller in the area of the razor head. This means that the hand has to be turned out even further during use, which makes it even easier to guide the razor smoothly.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the handle on the outside of the curve comprises a substantially widened, flat surface. For example, this can be achieved by oval or rectangular cross-sections, but also by several round profiles. It is important that a wide support surface for the user's fingers is provided in the area of the outside of the curve.

It is also advantageous that the handle has a substantially triangular cross-section, with the tip of the triangle forming the inner edge of the curve. A triangular base thus represents a support for the fingers, while a triangular tip represents the point of contact for the operator's thumb, which presses the handle against the fingers and thus fixes it. Due to the small contact surface for the thumb, the wet razor can be held securely with little force. It is not important that the triangular cross-section has sharp corners; these can also be rounded.

It is also stated as an advantage that the handle has a toggle-like thickening at the rear end. This toggle-like thickening allows the user to place the handle more in the palm of their hand and thus prevent it from tipping sideways even better.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description based on the figures. These show:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a wet shaving apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the wet shaver according to

Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of a wet shaver; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the wet shaver according to

Fig.3.

The embodiments shown according to Fig. 1 to 4 of a wet shaver each have a one-piece handle 1, which can be made of plastic, metal or another suitable material. At the front end of the handle 1, a shaver head 2 is formed, which comprises the mechanical fastening units for a razor blade unit 3. The razor blade unit 3 is fastened to the shaver head 2 in a manner known per se and is essentially an elongated plastic housing into which a single or double razor blade is permanently inserted. These razor blade units 3 are frequently replaced, for which purpose the wet shaver can have a release device in the form of a button or the like. The razor blade units 3 can also be connected to the wet shaver handle 1 via a tongue and groove connection.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the handle 1 has a curvature in the direction in which the handle points in the functional position relative to the surface to be shaved. In the embodiment shown, there is a curvature compression in the area of the razor head, i.e. the radius of curvature is reduced there. The wet razor is used, however, by the user placing his fingers on the top of the razor while he fixes the wet razor with his thumb on the bottom of the handle 1. The hand is then turned so that the razor blade unit 3 can be guided over the surface to be shaved in the functional position. This hand position, which inevitably results from this,

is such that a smooth and even shave can be achieved.

In addition, the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and 2 also has a toggle-like thickening 4, which is formed at the rear end of the handle. The handle according to this embodiment has a substantially oval cross-section.

In contrast, the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 and 4 has a rectangular or triangular cross-section. The handle has a substantially flat upper support surface for the fingers. The handle 1 has an arched curvature 6 that is uniform over the length of the handle. This wet shaver can also be used in the same way as described above and ensures smooth handling.

Furthermore, it is obvious that the correspondingly curved wet razors can be optically designed in almost any way, since the only limitation is the shape of the curvature.

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List of reference symbols

1 handle

2 Shaver head

3 Razor blade unit

4 gag-like thickening

5 Curvature compression

6 arched curvature

Claims (6)

Ans &rgr; r ü c h e 1. Wet razor with a handle (1) which has a razor head (2) at the front end, on which a razor blade unit (3) is arranged, characterized, daG the handle (1) is curved in the direction pointing towards the surface to be shaved in the functional position. 2. Wet shaving apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (1) is curved in a uniform arc shape over its entire length. 3. Wet razor according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (1) in the region of the razor head (2) has a curvature (5) with a reduced radius. 4. Wet shaving apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a widened surface is formed on the outside of the curve. 5. Wet shaving apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (1) has a substantially triangular cross-section, with a tip directed towards the inside of the curve. 6. Wet shaving apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear end of the handle (1) has a toggle-like thickening (4). R/RS/mg