WO2001065964A2

WO2001065964A2 - A razor

Info

Publication number: WO2001065964A2
Application number: PCT/GB2001/000849
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enda Keaveney
Original assignee: Intellect Highway Limited
Priority date: 2000-03-03
Filing date: 2001-02-28
Publication date: 2001-09-13
Also published as: GB2360479A; AU3579301A; GB0005245D0; WO2001065964A3

Abstract

A razor has a head unit which accommodates at least one blade element (71). The blade element has a portion with opposed ends thereof received within aligned guide slots provided in the head. That portion of the blades carries integral resilient means (74, 75) adapted to bias the blade in predetermined direction. The blade is provided with a cutting edge (77). The blade 'floats' during use of the razor. The preferred razor incorporates an element (95) to contact the skin of a person being shaved in advance of the cutting blade, that element being provided with a lubricant or shaving soap so that, as the razor is drawn across the skin of a person being shaved, the lubricant or shaving soap is applied to the skin from that element before the cutting edge of the blade passes over the skin.

Description

"A RAZOR"

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a razor, and more particularly relates to a razor for use in "wet" shaving.

There have been many types of razor proposed for use in "wet" shaving, and prior proposed razors suffer from various disadvantages.

Many prior proposed razors, apart from so-called "cut-throat" razors, are designed so that, as the razor is moved across the face after the application of shaving cream or foam to the face, the razor tends to sweep shaving cream across the face, as the razor moves. Thus, by the time the razor blade or blades carried by the razor encounter the bristles to be shaved, the shaving foam has already been removed from those bristles.

Many prior proposed razors are provided with heads which are connected, in a pivoting or swivelling manner, to the handle. Such heads may not operate in a totally satisfactoiy manner, since the pivot axis is located extremely close to the blades.

Various proposals have been made for aπangements in which a razor has a head unit which carries blades and which can be releasably connected to a handle. Such connections arc sometimes expensive to fabricate and/or difficult to manipulate. In previous razors relatively complex arrangements have been provided to bias "floating" blades into contact with the skin of the person being shaved. Such arrangements are expensive to fabricate.

Many razors exhibit a high degree of "drag" when the razor is moved across the face of the person being shaved. This is undesirable.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved razor in which the above described disadvantages of prior proposed razors are reduced or obviated.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a razor comprising a handle and a head assembly, the head assembly comprising a head support and a head unit, the head support comprising an elongate arm extending from the handle to the head unit, the elongate arm being pivotally connected to the handle, and being resiliently biased to an initial condition.

Preferably the end of the handle adjacent the support arm defines a planar face, and the end of the support arm adjacent the handle defines a corresponding planar face, each said planar face defining a part-spherical recess, a ball being provided partly received within each part-spherical recess, means being provided resiliently to bias the two planar faces towards each other whilst permitting a pivotal movement of the support aim relative to the handle about a predetermined axis, which axis is off-set from the said part- spherical recesses.

Conveniently a compression spring associated with a bolt, the bolt passing through a bore provided in one of the elements defining one planar face, and engaging a threaded bore provided in the other element defining the other planar face, the bolt defining the predeteimined axis.

Preferably the head support is provided with two support elements, one support element being pivotally receivable within a bore provided on the head unit, and the other element being receivable within at least one snap-fastening provided on the head unit when the head unit is rotated about the axis defined by the bore when the said first element has engaged the bore.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided A razor, the razor comprising a head unit which accommodates at least one blade element, the blade element having a portion having opposed ends thereof received within aligned guide slots provided in the head, that portion carrying integral resilient means adapted to bias the blade in a predeterri ined direction, the blade element being provided with a cutting edge.

Preferably the blade element comprises a support plate, opposed ends of the support plate being received within said co-aligned slots, one edge of the support plate being provide with the integral resilient means in the form of two deflected fingers, the other edge of the support plate carrying said cutting edge.

Conveniently the other edge of the support plate carries an outwardly directed finger, the support plate and the outwardly directed finger effectively forming an elongate element of substantially uuiform cross-section, the finger carrying the cutting edge.

Preferably the cutting edge is formed on a separate cutting element which is mounted on the rest of the blade. Conveniently the resilient means are provided by a tab separated from the lower edge of the support plate by two inwardly directed cuts which do not meet in a central region of the lower edge of the support plate, the resultant tab being deformed to extend in a plane substantially peφendicular to the plane of the support plate, and having the end portions thereof bowed away from the support plate to comprise resilient fingers.

Preferably two said blades are provided, parts of the blades being received in adjacent slots.

Conveniently on opposed sides of the blades rollers are provided.

Advantageously one of the rollers is adapted to permit shaving foam to pass the roller as the roller moves across shaving foam covered skin.

Preferably one roller is provided with alternate regions of relatively large diameter and relatively small diameter enabling the roller to move across shaving foam covered skin, whilst peimitting some shaving foam to remain on the skin as the roller moves over the skin.

Advantageously one roller is provided with at least regions thereof impregnated with shaving soap or lubricant.

Conveniently the shaving soap or lubricant is adapted to be released by immersing the razor in hot water.

Advantageously the shaving soap or lubricant is retained on the roller by means adapted to dissolve when exposed to hot water. Preferably one roller is impregnated with skin conditioner or after-shave material.

Conveniently the head unit comprises a frame carrying the blades, the frame being releasably mountable on the handle assembly.

Preferably the handle assembly is provided with two generally parallel support elements, and the frame is provided with means defining a bore adapted to receive one support element to pivotally connect the frame to the support element, and is provided with at least one snap-fastening means adapted to engage the other support element upon rotation of the frame about the axis defined by the bore and the first element.

Conveniently the support elements are provided on a head support, the head support being pivotally connected to the handle of the razor.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a razor, the razor comprising a handle assembly supporting a head unit, the head unit being provided with two spaced apart rollers adapted to engage the skin of a person being shaved, and at least one blade located between the rollers, resilient means being provided to bias the blade so that a cutting edge carried by the blade is brought into contact with the skin of a person using the razor.

Preferably one roller is provided with regions of relatively large diameter interspersed with regions of relatively small diameter.

Conveniently one roller is provided with at least regions thereof impregnated with shaving soap or oil. Preferably each blade is provided with integral resilient means adapted to bias the blade to a predetermined position.

Advantageously the head unit is adapted to be releasably mounted on the handle assembly.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a razor, the razor comprising a handle assembly caπying a head unit, the head unit incorporating at least one cutting blade, the head unit incoi orating an element adapted to contact the skin of a person being shaved in advance of the cutting blade, the element being provided with a lubricant or shaving soap, the arrangement being such that as the razor is drawn across the skin of a person being shaved, the lubricant or shaving soap is applied to the skin from the said element before the cutting edge of the blade passes over the skin.

Preferably the said element is in the form of a roller.

Advantageously a further roller is provided which is separated from the said roller by the said cutting blade.

Preferably the cutting blade is resiliently biased towards a cutting position.

Conveniently the blade is biased towards the cutting position by means of integral resilient means.

Advantageously two said blades are provided. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a prior proposed razor at the commencement of a shaving stroke,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view of part of the razor of Figure 1 showing the razor during the shaving stroke,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a razor in accordance with the invention illustrating a pivotal connection between a handle and a head assembly, alternate positions of the handle being shown in phantom,

FIGURE 4 is an exploded view illustrating part of the handle and illustrating a head support that forms part of the head assembly,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the head support,

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating part of the handle and part of the head support prior to being inter-connected,

FIGURE 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 showing the said parts when inter-connected,

FIGURE 8 is a side view taken on the line VIII- VIII of Figure 7,

FIGURE 9 is a view corresponding to Figure 7 showing the part of the handle and the part of the head support in an articulated condition, FIGURE 10 is a side view, corresponding to Figure 8, illustrating the said parts when in the articulated condition,

FIGURE 11 is an exploded view illustrating the upper part of the handle and showing the head of the support and a framework that foims part of a head unit, the head support and the head unit together constituting the head assembly,

FIGURE 12 is an end view of the frame of the head unit as shown in Figure 11,

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a blade to be inserted in the frame of the head unit,

FIGURE 14 is an end view of the blade shown in Figure 13,

FIGURE 15 is an elevational view showing the blade of Figures 13 and 14 in position to illustrate the spring effect provided by the blade,

FIGURE 16 is an exploded view of the head unit comprising the frame, as initially illustrated in Figure 11, two blades of the type illustrated in Figures 13 to 15, two rollers and two end caps,

FIGURE 17 is a view corresponding to Figure 12, illustrating the frame and two blades mounted therein, a first position of each blade being shown in solid lines and a second position of each blade being shown in dotted lines, FIGURE 18 is a view illustrating the end caps and the rollers of the end unit as shown in Figure 16,

FIGURE 19 is a perspective view illustrating the end unit when inverted,

FIGURE 20 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the connection between the head support and the head unit,

FIGURE 21 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the action of the rollers of the head unit during shaving,

FIGURE 22 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the shaving action of the head unit,

FIGURE 23 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a cutting blade acting on skin provided for comparison purposes, and

FIGURE 24 is a view corresponding to Figure 18 illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring imtially to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a conventional prior proposed razor 1 is illustrated diagrammatically. The razor comprises a handle 2 to which is affixed a head unit 3. The head unit carries one or more blades which are mounted in a central part of the head unit. The illustrated razor is used for shaving a region of skin, schematically illustrated as the region 4. During the shaving process a shaving cream or foam 5 is applied to the skin, and the head 3 of the razor is then moved across the skin to effect shaving. As can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, as the head unit 3 of the razor 1 moves downwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow 6, the forward-most part of the head unit effectively scrapes the shaving foam 5 from the skin 4. Thus a "dam" 6 of shaving foam is built up in front of the razor. The effect of this is that the shaving foam is removed from the skin 4, and from the bristles present on that skin before the blades of the head units 3 actually come into contact with the bristles. Thus shaving may be uncomfortable.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, a razor 10 in accordance with the invention is illustrated. The razor 10 comprises an elongate handle 11, which is connected to a head assembly 12 which comprises a head support 13 and a head unit 14.

It is to be observed that the handle 11 is connected to the head support 13 by means of a pivotal connection 15, and that pivotal connection 15 will be described hereinafter. The handle 11 may execute a pivotal action relative to the head assembly 12, as shown in Figure 3 or, on an alternative analysis, the head assembly 12 may effect a predetermined pivotal motion relative to the handle 11. The axis of the pivotal connection between the handle 11 and the head assembly is located at a point which is spaced a substantial distance from the actual head unit 14. It is thus believed that the head unit 14 will be able to pivot in a more free or easy manner as compared with prior proposed arrangements in which the head unit is pivotally connected to a fixed part of the handle, or a fixed part of the handle, or a fixed part of a rigid extension to the handle, which is located veiy close to the head unit.

Reference is now made to Figures 4 and 5. A terminal region 20 of the handle 11 is provided with a cut-away region 21, the cut-away region defining a planar face 22 which is parallel with the axis of the handle 11, and a transversely extending arcuate wall 23. A semi-spherical recess 24 is provided within the planar face 22. A bore 25 extends through the handle 11 transversely to the plane of the planai" face 22, the bore emerging through the planar face 22 adjacent the recess 24. The bore is at the centre of curvature of the arcuate wall 23.

The head support 13 comprises an elongate arm 30 carrying a slightly off-set terminal plate 31. The terminal plate 31 is provided with a semi- spherical recess 32 and, in alignment therewith, a threaded bore 33.

The other end of the aim 30 carries a support plate 34, and there is provided, protruding from the support plate 34, two parallel support rods 35, 36, the support rod 36 being longer than the support rod 35. The support rods 35, 36 extend generally perpendicularly to the face of terminal plate 31 extending from the arm 30.

Referring to Figure 4, a bolt 40 is provided adapted to pass through the bore 25, the bolt having a threaded end portion 41 adapted threadingly to engage the threaded bore 33. A helical compression spring 42 is provided which surrounds the bolt and is trapped between the head of the bolt and an outer face of the handle 11. A recess may be provided at the end of the bore 25 which is remote from the planar face 22 to accommodate the spring and the head of the bolt for aesthetic pmposes.

A spherical ball, such the ball bearing 43 is provided dimensioned to be accommodated within the semi-spherical recess 24 and the semi-spherical recess 32.

The head support 13 is connected to the handle 11 by placing the plate 32 adjacent the planar face 22 with the ball 43 aligned with and received within the semi-spherical recesses 24, 32. The bolt 40 is then inserted through the bore 25 and threaded end thereof is engaged with the threaded bore 33.

Figure 6 shows an initial stage in the assembly of the head support 13 to the handle, and Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the arrangement when assembled.

The head assembly 12, as shown in Figure 9, may pivot relative to the handle 11 about the axis defined by the bolt 40. As this pivoting is effected, the compression spring 42 becomes compressed as the ball 43 tends to ride out of one or both of the two semi-spherical recesses 24 and 32. The terminal plate 31, carried on the head support 13 thus becomes slightly separated from the planar face 22 provided on the handle 11, as can be seen in Figure 10.

It is therefore to be appreciated that the head assembly may pivot, relatively freely, relative to the handle 11, and will effect such a pivoting action if any force in excess of a threshold is applied to the head unit 14 of the razor during shaving. This may significantly enhance the comfort of the shaving process. When the force is no longer applied to the head unit 14, the combination of the force provided by the compression spring 42, which tends to draw the terminal plate 31 back into contact with the planar face 22, with the guiding action of the ball 43, as received within the recess 24 and 32, will cause the pivotal connection 15 to resume its initial condition.

It is to be appreciated that the pivotal connection 15 peimits movement of the head assembly in two directions, that is to say both clockwise and anticlockwise, about the axis defined bv the bolt 40. Referring now to Figure 11, the handle 11 and the head support 13 as shown in the assembled state, and the basic framework 50 of the head unit 14 is illustrated.

The framework 50 comprises two relatively long parallel side arms 51, 52 and two relatively short transverse inter-connecting arms 53, 54 which are provided at opposed ends of the relatively long side arms 51, 52.

The side aim 51 carries, in the orientation illustrated in Figure 11, two downwardly directed snap-fastening jaws 55, 56. The jaws 55, 56 are adapted to effect a snap-fastening action with the relatively long support rod 36.

The under-surface of the relatively long arm 52 carries a cylindrical projection 57 which defines an axially extending bore 58. The bore 58 is dimensioned to receive, as a sliding fit, the relatively short support rod 35. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the frame 50 may easily be mounted on and subsequently dismounted from the support rods 35, 36 of the head support 13.

The end wall 53 and the end wall 54 are of the same configuration, being mirror-images of each other. Only one wall will be described in detail.

The end wall 54 comprises three upwardly extending features which will be described below, which features are located towards the outer edge of a relatively small platfoim 59 which extends between the end parts of the relatively long side aims 51, 52 of the frame 50. The upper surface of the platfoim 59 lies generally in the plane of the frame. The end wall 54 of the frame includes a first snap-fastening 60 in alignment with the relatively long side arm 51 of the frame 50, the snap- fastening 60 defining a part cylindrical bore 61 adapted, as will be described, to receive an end part of a first roller. A snap-fastening 60 is separated, by a small gap 62 from a central rectangular block 63. The block 63 is separated, again by a small gap 64, from a second snap-fastening 65 which is equivalent to the snap-fastening 60. The snap-fastening 65 defines a part cylindrical bore 66 and is adapted to receive a second roller, as will be described below in greater detail. The block 63 is thus located mid way between the two snap- fastenings 60 and 65.

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate a blade adapted to be mounted within the frame 50 as described above. The blade 70 comprises an element 71 formed of a material with inherent resilient properties. The material may thus be, for example, spring steel. The element 71 defines an elongate section of substantially uniform cross-section comprising, in the orientation illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, a substantially vertical support plate 72 of elongate form which carries, along its upper edge, an outwardly extending support arm 73, which is again of plate-like form. Thus the support plate 72 and the arm 73 together constitute an elongate member having a cross-section which is in the form of a broad "V" or a rather open "L".

The lower part of the vertical plate 72 is provided with an integrally formed biasing spring. The biasing spring is created by cutting two lines adjacent the lower edge of the support plate 72 from the opposed ends of the support plate 72 towards the centre, without the lines actually meeting each other. The lines serve to define the upper edge of a tab. The tab is then bent to extend at substantially 90° from the support plate 22. The ends of the tab, as defined by the slits, can then be bent downwardly to form the downwardly directed resilient fingers 74, 75.

Whilst the aim 73 may be sharpened to form a cutting edge, if the element 71 is formed of an appropriate material, in the embodiment illustrated the arm 73 caπies a separate cutting element 76 which defines a shaφ cutting edge 77.

It can be seen, therefore, that the blade 70 is provided with an integrally formed biasing arrangement constituted by the two downwardly deflected tabs 74, 75.

Referring now to Figure 15, the blade 70 is illustrated with the ends of the downwardly directed resilient fingers 74, 75 resting on the support platform 78, 79. It is to be appreciated that if a downward force is applied to the blade, as indicated by the arrow 80 in Figure 15, the support member 71 will move downwardly, with a deflection of the downwardly bent resilient fingers 74, 75. The fingers then exert a resilient upward bias, tending to return the support plate 72 of the blade to the initial position.

Such an arrangement is in contrast with many prior proposed razors where the support frame is provided with moulded plastics material resilient springs which bias the cutting blade towards the skin of the person being shaved.

Referring now to Figure 16, the frame 50 of the head unit is again illustrated. Two blades 70 are shown ready to be mounted in position in the support frame. The first blade will be located with the vertical support plate 72 located within the slot 64 provided on the end wall 54, and in the corresponding slot provided on the end wall 53. The downwardly deflected finger 75 will rest on the platform 59 provided adjacent the end wall 54 of the frame. Similarly the downwardly directed finger 74 will rest on the corresponding platform (not visible in Figure 16) provided adjacent the end wall 53. The second blade 70 will be mounted in position in the same way, with the vertical support plate being received within the slot 62 provided on the end wall 54, and also received within the corresponding slot provided in the end wall 53. Again, the downwardly deflected fingers 74, 75 will rest on the platforms provided adjacent the end walls 53, 54. It is to be appreciated, therefore, that both blades are biased upwardly, in the orientation shown in Figure 16 by the effect of the resilient fingers 74, 75.

Figure 16 illustrates two rollers which are to be mounted on the frame 50. The first roller 90 is provided with two terminal tranions 91, 92, and a central portion which comprises a plurality of regions of enlarged diameter 93 interspersed with a plurality of regions of relatively small diameter 94. The tranions 91, 91 are adapted to be received in the snap-fastening 65 provided on the end wall 54, and within the coπesponding snap-fastening provided on the end wall 53.

The roller 90 is so located as to be the roller which, during shaving, passes across the skin of the person to be shaved before the cutting blades 70 pass across the skin of the person to be shaved.

The second roller, roller 95, comprises two tranions 96, 97 and a portion 98 extending between the tranions, having a larger diameter than the tranions and provided with axially extending external ribbing. The tranions 96 and 97 are adapted to be received as a snap-fit within the snap-fastening 60 provided on the end wall 54 and the coπesponding snap-fastening provided on the end wall 53.

It is to be noted that both of the rollers 90 and 95 are free to rotate when mounted in position.

Two end caps 100, 101 are provided which can be urged, as a friction fit, on to the end walls 53 and 54 of the frame 50, and the end caps, when in position, serve to retain the rollers and the blades securely in position.

Figure 17 shows the assembled head unit from one end, illustrating how the blades 70 are initially biased upwardly to an initial position (shown in solid lines) by the resilient fingers 74, 75, but can, in response to a downward force applied to the cutting elements 76, move downwardly to an alternative position (shown in dotted lines).

Figure 19 shows the fully assembled head unit 14 when inverted.

It is to be appreciated that the head unit may be mounted on the head support by initially sliding the relatively short support rod 35 into one end of a bore 58 defined within the protrusion 57. In order to do this, the relatively long rod 36 must be off-set from the axis defined by the two snap-fastenings 55, 56, as shown in Figure 20. However, once the support rod 35 is partially inserted into the bore 58, the head unit 14 is pivotally comiected to the head support 13 and by effecting a relative pivotal motion about the axis defined by the relatively short support rod 35 and the bore 58, the relatively long support rod 36 can be brought into a snap-action engagement with the snap- fasteners 55, 56. It is to be appreciated that the head unit 14 may thus be easily connected to the head support 13. When it is desired to replace the shaving head 14, for example when the cutting edges provided on the cutting elements have become dulled, the head unit may be removed from the head support 13 simply by reversing the process steps described above. A fresh head unit may then readily be mounted in position on the head support 13.

It is to be appreciated, therefore, that the handle, and the head support 13 may be made to be relatively durable, whereas the head unit 14 may be made to be disposable.

Referring now to Figure 21, which is provided for puφoses of explanation, the rollers 90 and 95 are illustrated, but for the sake of simplicity of illustration, the remaining components of the head unit 14, apart from the ends caps 100, 101, have been omitted. The roller 90 is shown traversing an area of skin 110, which is provided with shaving foam 111, in the direction indicated by the arrows 112. It can be seen that as the roller 90 passes over the shaving foam, the relatively large diameter regions 93 of the roller pass through the shaving foam to reach and touch the skin of the person being shaved. However, the regions of relatively small diameter 94 do not touch the skin, and thus shaving foam is left on the skin as the roller 90 passes over the skin in the regions traversed by the relatively small diameter regions 94 of the roller. Thus, as illustrated, discrete strips 113 of shaving foam are left on the skin of the person being shaved after the roller 90 has passed over the skin. This shaving foam is thus available to lubricate the actual shaving process when the cutting edge engages the bristles on the skin. As the cutting edge engages the bristles, the foam will tend to move laterally, to either side, thus providing a lubrication effect which extends substantially along the entire cutting edge of the cutting elements 73. It is believed that the presence of the shaving foam in this way will substantially enhance the shaving process as compared with prior proposed razors. Referring now to Figure 22 of the accompanying drawings, a shaving head 14 of the type discussed above is illustrated when used shaving part of the skin 115 of a person. The razor is being pressed again the skin, so that the rollers 90, 95, firmly engage the skin 115. The presence of the rollers will serve to facilitate the motion of the razor across the skin of the person being shaved. A region 116 of the skin of the person being shaved will actually bulge away from the person in the region between the rollers 90, 95, thus engaging the cutting edges 77 of the cutting elements 76 tending to bias the cutting blade 70 downwardly (in the orientation shown) against the resilient bias provided by the tabs 74, 75. The cutting edges 77 of the cutting elements 76 will thus be firmly brought into engagement with the skin. The skin will be so angled, relative to the cutting edges that a smooth shaving effect will be achieved.

Referring now to Figure 23, which is provided with comparison purposes, it can be seen that if the skin of a person being shaved is not actually "bulged" as in Figure 22, the skin will be substantially flat, as shown at 117, and a cutting edge may then be driven into the skin rather than gliding across the surface of the skin.

It will be understood that the part of the head unit which is behind the cutting elements 76 is open and not obstructed. Thus there is a relatively open path extending through the head unit that can be followed by shaving foam or the like. Thus there is a minimal risk of the razor becoming clogged or blocked with shaving foam, and the razor will easily be rinsed clean when immersed in water. Turning finally to Figure 24, a modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment of the invention the shaving head is provided with end caps 100, 101 as in the previous embodiment, and is also provided with a roller 95 of the type described above. However, the roller 90 of Figure 18 has been replaced by an alternative roller 120. The roller 120 is provided with a plurality of regions 121 impregnated with a shaving lubricant or shaving soap. The lubricant or soap may be adapted to be released after the razor has been immersed in hot water, and thus the lubricant or soap may be encapsulated in a material adapted to dissolve in hot water. Consequently, it is believed that with a razor provided with a roller 120, and having the rest of the features of the head unit 14 as described above, a person using the razor need not apply any lubricant or shaving foam to the skin before effecting shaving. Instead the razor is simply briefly immersed in hot water, in order to activate the shaving soap or lubricant that is impregnated into the roller 120 and then, as the shaving head is drawn across the skin of the person to be shaved, the lubricant or shaving soap is applied, by the roller 120, to the skin of the person being shaved immediately in advance of the cutting edges 74 of the cutting elements 73.

The roller 95 may be impregnated with a skin conditioner or an after-shave material which is thus applied to the skin after the actual shaving of the bristles has been effected. Thus a disposable razor may be provided which has its own integral and automatically-applied, source of shaving lubricant or shaving soap, and which also applies a skin conditioner or after-shave material.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be appreciated that other embodiments may be devised within the scope of the following Claims. Whilst, in various embodiments, rollers have been described, such as the roller 90 or the roller 120, these rollers could, in alternative embodiments of the invention be replaced by fixed "combs". Each comb may have a configuration equivalent to that of the roller but be non-rotatable.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A razor, the razor comprising a head unit which accommodates at least one blade element, the blade element having a portion having opposed ends thereof received within aligned guide slots provided in the head, that portion carrying integral resilient means adapted to bias the blade in a predeteπmned direction, the blade element being provided with a cutting edge.

2. A razor according to Claim 1 wherein the blade element comprises a support plate, opposed ends of the support plate being received within said co- aligned slots, one edge of the support plate being provided with the integral resilient means in the form of two deflected fingers, the other edge of the support plate carrying said cutting edge.

3. A razor according to Claim 2 wherein the other edge of the support plate caπies an outwardly directed finger, the support plate and the outwardly directed finger effectively forming an elongate element of substantially uniform cross-section, the finger carrying the cutting edge.

4. A razor according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the cutting edge is formed on a separate cutting element which is mounted on the rest of the blade.

5. A razor according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the resilient means are provided by a tab separated from the lower edge of the support plate by two inwardly directed cuts which do not meet in a central region of the lower edge of the support plate, the resultant tab being deformed to extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support plate, and having the end portions thereof bowed away from the support plate to comprise resilient fingers.

6. A razor according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein two said blades are provided, parts of the blades being received in adjacent slots.

7. A razor according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein, on opposed sides of the blades rollers are provided.

8. A razor according to Claim 7 wherein one of the rollers is adapted to permit shaving foam to pass the roller as the roller moves across shaving foam covered skin.

9. A razor according to Claims 7 or 8 wherein one roller is provided with alternate regions of relatively large diameter and relatively small diameter enabling the roller to move across shaving foam covered skin, whilst permitting some shavmg foam to remain on the skin as the roller moves over the skin.

10. A razor according to any one of Claims 7 to 9 wherein one roller is provided with at least regions thereof impregnated with shaving soap or lubricant.

11. A razor according to Claim 10 wherein the shaving soap or lubricant is adapted to be released by immersing the razor in hot water.

12. A razor according to Claim 11 wherein the shaving soap or lubricant is retained on the roller by means adapted to dissolve when exposed to hot water.

13. A razor according to any one of Claims 7 to 12 wherein one roller is impregnated with skin conditioner or after-shave material

14. A razor according to any one of Claims 1 to 13 wherein the head unit comprises a frame carrying the blades, the frame being releasably mountable on the handle assembly.

15. A razor according to Claim 14 wherein the handle assembly is provided with two generally parallel support elements, and the frame is provided with means defining a bore adapted to receive one support element to pivotally connect the frame to the support element, and is provided with at least one snap-fastening means adapted to engage the other support element upon rotation of the frame about the axis defined by the bore and the first support element.

16. A razor according to Claim 15 wherein the support elements are provided on a head support, the head support being pivotally connected to the handle of the razor.

17. A razor, the razor comprising a handle assembly caπying a head unit, the head unit incoφorating at least one cutting blade, the head unit incorporating an element adapted to contact the skin of a person being shaved in advance of the cutting blade, the element being provided with a lubricant or shaving soap, the arrangement being such that as the razor is drawn across the skin of a person being shaved, the lubricant or shaving soap is applied to the skin from the said element before the cutting edge of the blade passes over the skin.

18. A razor according to Claim 17 wherein the said element is in the form of a roller.

19. A razor according to Claim 17 wherein the said element is in the form of a comb.

20. A razor according to Claim 18 wherein a further roller is provided which is separated from the said element by the said cutting blade.

21. A razor according to any one of Claims 17 to 20 wherein the cutting blade is resiliently biased towards a cutting position.

22. A razor according to Claim 21 wherein the blade is biased towards the cutting position by means of integral resilient means.

23. A razor according to any one of Claims 17 to 22 wherein two said blades are provided.

24. A razor comprising a handle and a head assembly, the head assembly comprising a head support and a head unit, the head support comprising an elongate arm extending from the handle to the head unit, the elongate arm being pivotally connected to the handle, and being resiliently biased to an initial condition.

25. A razor according to Claim 24 wherein the end of the handle adjacent the support arm defines a planar face, and the end of the sμpport arm adjacent the handle defines a coπesponding planar face, each said planar face defining a part-spherical recess, a ball being provided partly received within each part- spherical recess, means being provided resiliently to bias the two planar faces towards each other whilst permitting a pivotal movement of the support arm relative to the handle about a predetermined axis, which axis is off-set from the said part-spherical recesses.

26. A razor according to Claim 25 wherein the resilient means comprise a compression spring associated with a bolt, the bolt passing through a bore provided in one of the elements defining one planar face, and engaging a threaded bore provided in the other element defining the other planar face, the bolt defining the predetermined axis.

27. A razor according to any one of Claims 24 to 26 wherein the head support is provided with two support elements, one support element being pivotally receivable within a bore provided on the head unit, and the other element being receivable within at least one snap-fastening provided on the head unit when the head unit is rotated about the axis defined by the bore when the said first element has engaged the bore.