Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
"" , . , CA 02397418 2002-08-09
PC11855ARDT -1-
MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE HAIR REMOVAL AND SKIN LUBRICATION
DEVICE
This invention relates generally to a hand-held device that serves
multiple purposes, namely, hair removal, and the applying of lubricant to the
skin or
hair. More particularly this invention relates to a device which also allows
simultaneous operation of both the hair removal means and the applicator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hand-held wet safety razors generally require elongated handles that
are designed to be gripped by the user in operating the razor.
Also available are applicator pads intended to lubricate the skin and/or
the hair to be cut. These applicator pads may or may not require handles, and
may
or may not be used as a preliminary step to step of the actual shaving.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to eliminate the need for both a hand-
held razor and separate lubricant applicator by providing a single hand-held
device
for applying the fluid lubricant and for the hair removal or shaving step.
These
capabilities are provided in a device that can carry out both functions
simultaneously.
The present invention includes a U-shaped applicator body having a size and
shape
such that the device fits into the hand of the user with the legs of the U-
shaped device
engaged by one's thumb and one's index and forefinger respectively.
One leg of the applicator body defines a resiliently deformabie
reservoir for storing a fluid lubricant, and that also includes an applicator
pad of
porous material provided on the end of that leg so that fluid from the
reservoir can be
wicked or squeezed from the reservoir into the applicator pad and thence onto
the
hair or skin of the user.
",. , - CA 02397418 2002-08-09
b-
The other leg of the U-shaped body is designed to support a hair
removal means such as an articulated razor head which allows the hair removal
means to be used separately, or in conjunction with the hair/skin applicator
pad, so
that either of these can be selectively used simply by changing the angle or
orientation of the device relative to the part of the body which is being
treated or can
be used simultaneously.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating use of the device as an
applicator, the device being held in the user's hand between the thumb and/or
the
forefinger and index finger for applying lubricant to one's skin.
FIGURE 2 shows the same device held at a slightly different angle to
the skin surface being treated so that the applicator pad is used in a matter
similar to
FIGURE 1, but so that the hair removal means mounted to the other leg of the U-
shaped device functions in such a manner as to shave or remove hair from that
skin
after application of the lubricant.
FIGURE 3 shows the device of FIGURES 1 and 2, but held in a
configuration and angles relative to the skin surface being treated so that
the
applicator pad is not in contact with the skin, but only the hair removal
means or razor
device is in contact with the skin.
FIGURE 4 is a photo showing the device in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, and referring first to
FIGURE 1, the applicator device of the present invention can be seen to have a
generally U-shape so as to fit within the hand of the user in a configuration
such that
the base 10c of the U is engaged by the palm of the hand, and one leg 10a of
the U
is adapted to be engaged by the user's thumb. The index finger and/or the
forefinger
of the hand are adapted to engage the opposite leg 10b of the U-shaped device
so
... CA 02397418 2002-08-09
-3-
that the device can be held in a convenient manner for use in any of the three
modes
of operation to be described.
The U-shaped body 10 is preferably formed from a resiliently flexible
synthetic material which is molded to define a hollow portion at least in the
one leg
10a engaged by the thumb T so as to define a reservoir that is filled with a
fluid
lubricant. A wicking device or applicator sponge is provided at the end of the
one leg
engaged by the thumb, as indicated generally at 12, and communicates with the
applicator fluid in the reservoir so as to draw fluid from the reservoir
either by capillary
action and/or as aided by gravity as the device is drawn in the direction of
the arrow
in FIGURE 1 to apply fluid lubricant to the skin S or to the hair on the skin.
It is an
important feature of the present invention that the thumb T can be used to put
pressure on the envelope defining the reservoir in this leg of the U-shaped
body so
as to allow the user to meter the fluid lubricant delivered to the applicator
pad 12, and
provided on the skin S.
Preferably, and as shown in FIGURE 4, the U-shaped body has a
width of approximately one to as much as two inches, and the base of the U-
shaped
device fits in the palm of the hand. The portion of the opposed leg 10b
engaged by
the finger F may be used to store a substantial quantity of such fluid
lubricant. By
applying pressure between the thumb and forefinger against the resiliently
deformable U-shaped body one can discharge substantially all of the liquid
lubricant
from the internally defined reservoir in much the same manner as a toothpaste
tube is
squeezed by the user to discharge toothpaste from the tube onto a toothbrush.
With further reference to the opposed or second leg 10b of the U-
shaped body, it will be apparent that the lower portion thereof is formed to
provide a
convenient surface against which the user's finger can act to provide the
wiping
action required of the applicator, as depicted in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 4.
As best shown in FIGURE 2 the opposed leg 10b and more
particularly the end portion thereof is fitted with a hair removal means 14 in
the form
of an articulated razor head, much like that currently provided in a
conventional hand
held razor. The user can orient the device in such a way as to present to the
skin
surface being treated, both the head of the razor 14 and the applicator pad 12
as best
shown in FIGURE 2. The end portion of the opposite leg 10b or the U-shaped
body
is configured to receive a disposable razor head, but the present invention
does not
require such a feature and the present invention can be realized in a device
which is
., CA 02397418 2002-08-09
~- -4-
intended to be disposable once the hair removal means and/or the contents of
the
reservoir have been depleted or otherwise reached the end of their useful
life. Hair
removal means other than the head 14 can be employed at the end of the leg
10b.
Referring next to FIGURE 3, the user is shown as providing the device
in an orientation relative to the surfaces being treated that only the hair
removal
means 14 or shaving head is in contact with the skin. It will be apparent that
the
present invention can therefore be utilized in three different modes of
operation,
without requiring that the user employ a variety of devices to treat the hair
and/or
skin, and remove hair in the process of fulfilling his or her personal hygiene
requirements.
In operation, the U-shaped device 10 can be manually manipulated by
the user as follows. The thumb can be pushed downwardly in the direction of
the
arrow 16 of Figure 4 to avoid any contact between the razor head 14 and the
skin S.
Alternatively, if the thumb is moved upwardly as suggested by the
arrow 18 in Figure 3, only the razor head 14 will contact the user's skin S.
