Cutlery – Razors – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-05
2001-02-06
Watts, Douglas D. (Department: 3724)
Cutlery
Razors
Combined
C030S050000, C030S082000, C030S083000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182365
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved skin engaging member for use in razor blade cartridge assemblies or shaving systems of the wet shave type. The present invention resides broadly in providing a skin engaging cap and/or guard surfaces with configurations or textures designed to promote pleasant tactile sensations, in use of the razors, which tend to mask the sensations caused by contact of the blade edge(s) with the skin and more significantly with the facial hairs as they are severed. This invention also relates to a novel method of manufacturing the skin engaging member of the present invention
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
It is known in the prior art to provide a razor blade assembly which may be connected to and used in conjunction with a razor handle to facilitate shaving operations. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,070, issued Apr. 3, 1973, in the name of Francis W. Dorion, Jr., there is shown a blade assembly in which blade means are held between the blade assembly surfaces adapted to engage the surface being shaved in front of and behind, respectively, cutting edge portions of the blade means. Such surfaces are generally referred to in the prior art as “guard” and “cap” surfaces.
In various blade assemblies shown in the prior art the guard, cap and blade means have been disclosed in various forms. In order to increase shaving efficiency, in some instances, the individual components have been designed to move in response to forces encountered during shaving. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,571, issued Sep. 25, 1979, in the name of John F. Francis, there is shown a blade assembly in which the guard, cap and blade means are each movable independently of each other in dynamic fashion. U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,268, issued Jun. 2, 1981, in the name of Chester F. Jacobson, shows a blade assembly in which the guard and blade means are independently movable. Various other patents show a combination of guard, blade. and cap arrangements which are known, for instance U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,268, U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,357, U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,024, U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,025, U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,235, U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,916, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,266, U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,255, U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,634, U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,729, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,424, all issued in the name of Chester F. Jacobson and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
Further, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,712 issued Mar. 9, 1993, in the name of Crook et al. there is disclosed a molded skin engaging guard surface to be employed in the manner of guard surfaces disclosed in the above-referenced patents, which is designed to promote pleasant tactile sensations in the use of the razor and which tend to mask the sensations caused by contact of the blade edges with the skin and more significantly the facial hairs as they are severed. In the various embodiments of the referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,712, the skin engaging surfaces are provided, in one form or another with projections, arrayed in a substantial number so that forces between projections and the skin are widely distributed among the projections. In some embodiments, the surface configurations are provided by discrete filaments, fins or upstanding walls which are yieldable in use because of their inherent flexibility. In the manufacture of the guard surface, it is therefore essential that a material be employed which is capable of providing the flexibility in the projecting elements to product the proper yielding under usage.
Still further, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,361 issued Oct. 5, 1993, Apprille et al disclose a two-part, molded “guard” structure having an upper skin engaging portion of elastomeric material with a plurality of upwardly projecting protrusions formed thereon and a lower base portion of rigid plastic material having a downwardly projecting V-shaped cross-sectional portion. A pair of upwardly projecting elements are disposed in spaced relation forming a recess on the blade cartridge structure for receiving the V-shaped base portion there between and a latch means disposed in the recess retains the guard member in the assembled position. Molded articles of this kind require a large capital investment to provide 2-component mold tools for their manufacture.
While the construction of the guard surface containing the flexible elements may be accomplished by the proper choice of material to produce the yieldable members, it is also necessary that the guard be mounted onto the razor blade body structure, whether it be a one-piece razor, disposable razor, replaceable cartridge. In that the material chosen for the yieldable elements is not generally such that it would be possible to form the guard as an integral part of the razor blade body structure. It is preferable that the guard be constructed as a separate unit. Further, as a separate unit, the yieldable material is not adaptable to attachment into the razor blade body structure, in its elongated form, without providing substantial support to produce proper positioning of the guard during usage of the razor blade body structure and for permanent retention of the guard within the razor blade body structure.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a skin engaging member to be employed in a razor blade body structure which is simple to manufacture and supplies ease of permanent installation into the razor blade body structure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a skin engaging member to be employed in a razor blade body structure which exhibits sufficient rigidity to endure the rigors of high speed razor assembly operations and still retain the surface stability required to produce effective skin engagement.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a high speed process for manufacturing a skin engaging member which requires a low capital investment, and low maintenance costs.
These and other objects of the present invention will be evident from the following:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a skin engaging member for use in a razor blade cartridge assembly or shaving system of the wet shave type comprising an elongated flexible sheath region and at least one elongated, rigid core region. The core region is surrounded by the sheath such that the outer surface of the core does not intersect the outer surface of the sheath. Generally, the core or cores extend axially throughout the sheath.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5249361 (1993-10-01), Apprille et al.
patent: 2119747 (1993-01-01), None
Apprille Domenic
Porcaro Alfred
Sweeney Philip J.
Tseng Mingchih M.
Fish & Richardson P.C.
The Gillette Company
Watts Douglas D.
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