WO2012158143A1

WO2012158143A1 - Pivot structure for shaving razor cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2012158143A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/036378
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeffrey Wonderley
Original assignee: Eveready Battery Co Inc
Current assignee: Edgewell Personal Care Brands LLC
Priority date: 2011-05-13
Filing date: 2011-05-13
Publication date: 2012-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-13

Abstract

A razor cartridge assembly is provided with an improved pivot structure. Embodiments include a cartridge housing and an interconnect, the cartridge housing having a cartridge pivot structure, and a cam spaced from the cartridge pivot structure. The cam has a side surface facing the cartridge pivot structure. The interconnect has an interconnect pivot structure facing toward the cartridge pivot structure for pivotally engaging the cartridge pivot structure. The interconnect pivot structure comprises a locking arm extending towards the cam side surface for engaging the cam side surface when the cartridge pivot structure is engaged with the interconnect pivot structure, for maintaining the engagement of the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures.

Description

PIVOT STRUCTURE FOR SHAVING

RAZOR CARTRIDGE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/334,377, filed May 13, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to shaving razors. The present disclosure has particular applicability to shaving razors having pivotable blade-carrying cartridges. BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to safety razors having a blade unit assembly carried by a handle and including at least one blade with a cutting edge which is moved across the surface of the skin being shaved using the handle. The blade unit can be detachably mounted on the razor handle to enable the blade unit to be replaced by a fresh blade unit when the user chooses, e.g. when the blade is perceived to become dull from use, or it can be fixedly attached to the handle with the intention that the entire razor be discarded as the user chooses. Detachable and replaceable blade units are commonly referred to as razor cartridges.

Some conventional detachably mounted razor cartridges include an interconnect member having a pivotal support structure that pivotally supports the cartridge's blade housing, and also has a base structure adapted to be removably and fixedly attached to the head of the razor handle. The base structure typically comprises a latch mechanism which cooperates with a corresponding latch mechanism of the handle to releasably retain the interconnect on one end of the handle. The handle typically includes an ejector mechanism for interacting with the interconnect for facilitating removal of the base structure from the handle when the latch is operated to remove the razor cartridge from the handle.

Additionally, most conventional shaving razor systems have handle heads or interconnects configured to permit rotation of a replaceable razor cartridge about a pivot axis. For example, some arrangements permit free rotation of the razor cartridge through a predetermined range about pins or bearings e.g. shell bearings attached to the head and engaging an underside of the razor cartridge. Some handle heads and/or interconnects spring- load or bias the pivotally mounted razor cartridge toward a neutral or rest position, such as at or near the midpoint of the predetermined range or at one end of the predetermined range, allowing the cartridge to be pivotally displaced away from the neutral position, and to then move back to the neutral position.

Conventional pivoting razor cartridge mounting arrangements using small pins and/or bearings are somewhat fragile, and can break under abnormal use or if subjected to a shock (e.g., from an impact or an accidental drop). Further, such conventional pivoting cartridges are disadvantageously subject to unintentional disconnection from their mating handle or interconnect if subjected to shock. There is a need for a more robust arrangement for pivotably mounting a conventional razor cartridge on a handle or interconnect.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An advantage of the present disclosure is a pivot structure for a shaving razor cartridge and handle, or cartridge and interconnect, which is stronger and more positively engaged than conventional pivot structures.

According to the present disclosure, the foregoing and other advantages are achieved in part by a razor cartridge assembly comprising a cartridge housing having a cartridge pivot structure, and a cam spaced from the cartridge pivot structure. The cam has a side surface facing the cartridge pivot structure. An interconnect has an interconnect pivot structure facing toward the cartridge pivot structure for pivotally engaging the cartridge pivot structure. The interconnect pivot structure comprises a locking arm extending towards the cam side surface for engaging the cam side surface when the cartridge pivot structure is engaged with the interconnect pivot structure, for maintaining the engagement of the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures.

A further advantage of the present disclosure is a razor cartridge assembly comprising a cartridge housing having a cartridge pivot structure, and an interconnect having an interconnect pivot structure facing toward the cartridge pivot structure for pivotally engaging the cartridge pivot structure. The cartridge pivot structure comprises an arcuate protrusion, a pin extending from the protrusion, and a pin extension extending from the pin and from the protrusion to support the pin. The interconnect pivot structure comprises a substantially C- shaped lower bearing section for engaging the pin, and an arc-shaped upper bearing section for engaging the protrusion.

Additional advantages and other features of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or can be learned from the practice of the disclosure. The advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the attached drawings, wherein elements having the same reference numeral designations represent like elements throughout, and wherein:

Figures 1 a-b are perspective views of a cartridge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure lc is a perspective view of the interconnect of Figs, la-b;

Figures ld-e are perspective views of the cartridge of Figs, la-b;

Figures 2a-c are perspective views of a cartridge assembly according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2d is a perspective view of the cartridge of Figs. 2a-c;

Figures 2e-g are perspective views of the interconnect of Figs. 2a-c.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed pivot arrangements for a razor cartridge assembly are generally shown in Figs. la-2g attached hereto. An exemplary razor cartridge, a five -blade women's cartridge that can include and be used with the disclosed pivot arrangement, is shown in Figs. 2a-b. The cartridge 210 of the embodiment shown in Figs. 2a-b is intended as merely exemplary, and not exclusive or limiting in any way. Moreover, the features of one embodiment are intended to be usable by themselves or in combination with features of other embodiments of the disclosed cartridge assemblies. Referring now to Figs. 2a-b, the exemplary cartridge 210 includes a housing 210a (also referred to as a "platform" herein) having a central opening into which a plurality of blade assemblies 211 are inserted. At either end of the opening are ribs 210b and springs (not shown) for supporting the blade assemblies 211 in a desired orientation relative to the housing 210a. The blade assemblies 211 are retained in the cartridge housine 210a by a pair of blade retainers 212 at respective ends of the central opening of the housing 210a, proximal the ribs 210b. The retainers 212 are substantially U- shaped, with a central portion that extends across the blade assemblies 21 1, and a pair of legs that extend into cavities in the top of the housing 210a and engage the housing 210a to keep the retainers 212 in place. The springs bias the blade assemblies 21 1 against the retainers 212, thereby aligning the blade edges in a single plane.

Another exemplary cartridge for use with the disclosed pivot structure is described in detail in copending U.S. Patent Application No. 12/249,700, filed October 10, 2008, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

An embodiment of the disclosed pivot structure will now be described with reference to Figs. la-e. In this embodiment, the underside of the cartridge housing has a pair of semicircular protrusions and a pair of elongated pins extending from the semicircular protrusions, which engage corresponding complementary bearing sections at the distal ends of pair of arms of a Y-shaped interconnect, to allow the cartridge to pivot relative to the interconnect. The pins and protrusions are snapped into place between the interconnect' s bearing sections by a slight flexing of the interconnect arms towards each other. A pair of cantilever springs on the interconnect bear against projections (also called cams) on the bottom of the housing to bias the cartridge to a rest position.

The pins have extensions extending from the pins and the semicircular protrusions to brace the pins, resulting in enhanced pin strength and a smaller chance of pin breakage. Additionally, the cartridge bottom has rounded walls which bear against the cantilever springs when the interconnect is connected to the cartridge, to slightly force the cantilever springs outward. This causes the socket-like bearing sections on the ends of the interconnect interconnect arms to move outward to better hold the cartridge on the interconnect. As shown in Figs, la-e, a razor cartridge assembly 100 according to this embodiment includes a cartridge 110 comprising a cartridge housing 110a having a pair of cartridge pivot structures 110b symmetrically arranged relative to a central portion C of the cartridge 110. An interconnect 150 comprises a pair of arms 150b extending from a central portion 150c, and a pair of interconnect pivot structures 150a disposed at respective distal end portions of the pair of interconnect arms 150b. Interconnect pivot structures 150a face towards the cartridge pivot structures 110b for pivotally engaging the cartridge pivot structures 110b. As best seen in Figs. Id and le, the cartridge pivot structures 110b each comprise an arcuate protrusion 115, a pin 120 extending from the protrusion 115, and a pin extension 125 extending from the pin 120 and from the protrusion 115 to support the pin 120. As best seen in Figs, la-c, each of the interconnect pivot structures 150a comprise a substantially C- shaped lower bearing section 155 for engaging the pin 120, and an arc-shaped upper bearing section 160 for engaging the protrusion 115.

The cartridge housing 110a also comprises a pair of cams 130 spaced from the cartridge pivot structures 110b and symmetrically arranged relative to the cartridge central portion C. Each cam 130 has a side surface 130a facing one of the cartridge pivot structures 110b, and a cam profile surface 130b adjoining the side surface 130a and substantially perpendicular to the side surface 130a. The interconnect 150 further comprises a pair of cantilever springs 165 extending from the interconnect arms 150b towards the cartridge 110 for engaging the cam profile surfaces 130b when the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures 110b, 150a are engaged, to bias the cartridge 110 to a neutral or rest position.

The cartridge housing 110a further comprises a pair of walls 135, each wall 135 adjoining one of the cams 130. Each wall 135 engages one of the cantilever springs 165 when the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures 110b, 150a are engaged, for maintaining the engagement of the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures.

Those of skill in the art will understand that the interconnect 150 is attachable to a razor handle (not shown) via its central portion 150a for use of the cartridge 1 10 for shaving. Alternatively, interconnect 150 is an integral part of a razor handle which thereby directly connects to cartridge 110.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure shown in Figs. 2a-g and discussed in detail herein below, the interconnect has a pair of locking arms extending towards each other from the distal ends of its interconnect arms. The locking arms are for locking or retaining the interconnect onto the pivot pins of the cartridge. Specifically, the locking arms flex during assembly of the cartridge to the interconnect, to allow the interconnect to snap on to the pins of the cartridge. Then the locking arms relax into a position perpendicular to the cams on the cartridge that engage the interconnect 's cantilever springs, thereby preventing the interconnect from deflecting inward and inadvertently disengaging from the cartridge. The cam side surfaces provide surfaces for the locking arms to rest upon and lock the interconnect in place. The pivot structure of this embodiment is otherwise identical to that of the embodiment of Figs. la-e.

Referring now to Figs. 2b-d, a razor cartridge assembly 200 according to this embodiment comprises a cartridge 210 having a cartridge housing 210a with a pair of cartridge pivot structures 210c arranged symmetrical to a central portion C of the cartridge 210, and a pair of cams 215 spaced from the cartridge pivot structures 210c and symmetrically arranged relative to the cartridge central portion C. Each of the cams 215 has a cam side surface 215a facing one of the cartridge pivot structures 210c. An interconnect 250 comprises a pair of arms 250a extending from a central portion 250b, and a pair of interconnect pivot structures 250c disposed at respective distal end portions of the pair of interconnect arms 250a (see Figs. 2e-g). The interconnect pivot structures 250c face toward the cartridge pivot structures 210c for pivotally engaging the cartridge pivot structures 210c, and each comprise a locking arm 255 extending towards a respective cam side surface 215a for engaging the cam side surface 215a when the cartridge pivot structures 210c are engaged with the interconnect pivot structures 250c, for maintaining the engagement of the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures.

The cartridge pivot structures 210c each comprise an arcuate protrusion 220 and a pin 225 extending from the protrusion 220, and the interconnect pivot structures 250c each comprise a substantially C-shaped lower bearing section 260 for engaging one of the pins 225, and an arc-shaped upper bearing section 265 for engaging one of the protrusions 220. i certain embodiments, as shown in Fig. 2d, each cartridge pivot structure 210c further comprises a pin extension 230 extending from its respective pin 225 and from its protrusion 220 to support and strengthen the pin 225.

Each cam 215 further comprises a cam profile surface 215b adjoining the cam side surface 215a and substantially perpendicular to the cam side surface 215a, and the interconnect 250 further comprises a pair of cantilever springs 270 extending from the interconnect arms 250a towards the cartridge 210. The cantilever springs 270 engage the cam profile surfaces 215b when the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures 210c, 250c are engaged, to bias the cartridge 210 to a rest position.

The cartridge housing 210a further comprises a pair of walls 235, each wall adjoining one of the cams 215. Each wall 235 engages one of the cantilever springs 270 when the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures 210c, 250c are engaged, for maintaining the engagement of the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures 210c, 250c.

The present disclosure can be practiced by employing conventional materials, methodology and equipment. Accordingly, the details of such materials, equipment and methodology are not set forth herein in detail, i the previous descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific materials, structures, chemicals, processes, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it should be recognized that the present disclosure can be practiced without resorting to the details specifically set forth. In other instances, well known processing structures have not been described in detail, in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.

Only a few examples of the present disclosure are shown and described herein. It is to be understood that the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concepts as expressed herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A razor cartridge assembly comprising:

a cartridge housing having a cartridge pivot structure, and a cam spaced from the cartridge pivot structure, the cam having a side surface facing the cartridge pivot structure; and

an interconnect having an interconnect pivot structure facing toward the cartridge pivot structure for pivotally engaging the cartridge pivot structure, the interconnect pivot structure comprising a locking arm extending towards the cam side surface for engaging the cam side surface when the cartridge pivot structure is engaged with the interconnect pivot structure, for maintaining the engagement of the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cam further comprises a cam profile surface adjoining the cam side surface and substantially perpendicular to the cam side surface; and the interconnect further comprises a spring for engaging the cam profile surface when the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures are engaged, to bias the cartridge to a rest position.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the cartridge housing comprises a wall adjoining the cam;

wherein the spring is a cantilever spring connected to the interconnect pivot structure; and

wherein the wall engages the cantilever spring when the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures are engaged, for maintaining the engagement of the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cartridge pivot structure comprises an arcuate protrusion and a pin extending from the protrusion, and the interconnect pivot structure comprises a substantially C-shaped lower bearing section for engaging the pin, and an arc-shaped upper bearing section for engaging the protrusion.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the cartridge pivot structure further comprises a pin extension extending from the pin and from the protrusion to support the pin.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , comprising a pair of the cartridge pivot structures and a pair of the cams symmetrically arranged relative to a cartridge central portion, and a corresponding pair of interconnect pivot structures and locking arms.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the interconnect comprises a pair of arms extending from a central portion, and the pair of interconnect pivot structures and locking arms are disposed at respective distal end portions of the pair of interconnect arms.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein each cam further comprises a cam profile surface adjoining the cam side surface and substantially perpendicular to the cam side surface; and the interconnect further comprises a pair of springs for engaging the cam profile surfaces when the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures are engaged, to bias the cartridge to a rest position.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the cartridge housing comprises a pair of walls, each wall adjoining one of the cams and disposed between the cam and the cartridge central portion;

wherein the springs are cantilever springs, and each cantilever spring extends from one of the interconnect arms towards the cartridge; and wherein each wall engages one of the cantilever springs when the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures are engaged, for maintaining the engagement of the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures.

10. A razor cartridge assembly comprising:

a cartridge housing having a cartridge pivot structure; and

an interconnect having an interconnect pivot structure facing toward the cartridge pivot structure for pivotally engaging the cartridge pivot structure;

wherein the cartridge pivot structure comprises an arcuate protrusion, a pin extending from the protrusion, and a pin extension extending from the pin and from the protrusion to support the pin; and

wherein the interconnect pivot structure comprises a substantially C-shaped lower bearing section for engaging the pin, and an arc-shaped upper bearing section for engaging the protrusion.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the cartridge housing comprises a cam spaced from the cartridge pivot structure, the cam having a side surface facing the cartridge pivot structure;

wherein the cam further comprises a cam profile surface adjoining the cam side surface and substantially perpendicular to the cam side surface; and the interconnect further comprises a spring for engaging the cam profile surfaces when the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures are engaged, to bias the cartridge to a rest position.

12. The assembly of claim 1 1, wherein the cartridge housing comprises a wall adjoining the cam;

wherein the spring is a cantilever spring is substantially rigidly connected to the interconnect pivot structure; and wherein the wall engages the cantilever spring when the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures are engaged, for maintaining the engagement of the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures.

13. The assembly of claim 10, comprising a pair of the cartridge pivot structures symmetrically arranged relative to a cartridge central portion, and a corresponding pair of interconnect pivot structures.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the interconnect comprises a pair of arms extending from a central portion, and the pair of interconnect pivot structures are disposed at respective distal end portions of the pair of interconnect arms.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the cartridge housing comprises a pair of cams disposed between the cartridge pivot structures and the cartridge central portion symmetrically arranged relative to the cartridge central portion, each cam having a side surface facing one of the cartridge pivot structures;

wherein each cam further comprises a cam profile surface adjoining the cam side surface and substantially perpendicular to the cam side surface; and

wherein the interconnect further comprises a pair of springs for engaging the cam profile surfaces when the cartridge and interconnect pivot structures are engaged, to bias the cartridge to a rest position.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the cartridge housing comprises a pair of walls, each wall adjoining one of the cams and disposed between the cam and the cartridge central portion;