US6009623A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Razor with in situ sensor
Assignee: Edgewell Personal Care Brands LLC
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Filing: 1997-10-02
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Granted: 2000-01-04
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Expires: 2017-10-02
Abstract
Abstract The present invention discloses a wet shave shaving system which contains an in situ sensor within the razor cartridge or razor handle. The sensor preferably comprises either a piezoelectric or a piezoresistive material which produces an electrical signal or resistance change when it is strained. In an active feedback system, the signal would be transferred from the cartridge to the razor handle where an electronically-active actuator would extend or retract as necessary to position the cartridge to produce a shave with a constant shave force. In a passive feedback system, the signal would be transferred from the cartridge to the handle where an electronically-activated element, such as an indicator light, would be activated to produce an indication to the user that he or she should reposition the razor to produce a constant shave force. In an alternative embodiment, the passive feedback system signal would provide an indication to the user that the blades are worn and the cartridge or razor should be replaced.
Inventors
- 👤 Glennis J. Orloff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:42
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26B; B26B21/00; B26B21/40; B26B21/4081; B26B21/4087; B26B21/405; B26B21/4056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A wet shave razor system comprising a razor head having one or more blades and a handle, wherein the razor head further comprises one or more in situ sensors comprising piezoelectric or piezoresistive material in a non-directly skin-engaging position for producing a feedback signal based on forces encountered during shaving, the handle further comprises one or more receptors for receiving the signal from the one or more in situ sensors, wherein conducting means extend from the one or more in situ sensors to the receptor to provide an electrical circuit between the one or more in situ sensors and the one or more receptors, wherein the one or more receptors comprise a feedback signal processing circuit which receives the feedback signal and the feedback signal processing circuit is connected to an indicator which comprises a light, a light emitting diode, a motion producing device, or any combination thereof which produces an indication in response to the feedback signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A wet shave razor system comprising a razor head having one or more blades and a handle, wherein the razor head further comprises one or more in situ sensors comprising piezoelectric or piezoresistive material in a non-directly skin-engaging position for producing a feedback signal based on forces encountered during shaving, the handle further comprises one or more receptors for receiving the signal from the one or more in situ sensors, wherein conducting means extend from the one or more in situ sensors to the receptor to provide an electrical circuit between the one or more in situ sensors and the one or more receptors, wherein the one or more receptors comprise a feedback signal processing circuit which receives the feedback signal and the feedback signal processing circuit is connected to an indicator which comprises a light, a light emitting diode, a motion producing device, or any combination thereof which produces an indication in response to the feedback signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A razor system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more in situ sensors are in the form of a polymer which is applied to one or more of the one or more blades.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A razor system according to claim 2, wherein the in situ sensors consist of polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A razor system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback signal processing circuit is connected to an actuator and wherein the feedback signal processing circuit produces a response to the feedback signal which drives the actuator to move the razor head or the one or more blades to provide consistent pressure on a surface being shaved.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A razor system according to claim 1, wherein the indicator provides a signal to a user that the one or more blades are worn and need replacement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A razor system according to claim 1, wherein the indicator provides a signal to a user that the user should apply a different pressure to the razor during shaving.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A razor system according to claim 1, wherein the razor head is permanently attached to the handle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A razor system according to claim 1, wherein the razor head is removably attached to the handle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A razor system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more in situ sensors are in the form of a spacer located between one or more of the one or more blades.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A wet shave razor head having one or more blades and one or more in situ sensors comprising piezoelectric or piezoresistive material located in non-directly skin-engaging locations for producing a signal based on forces encountered during shaving.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A wet shave razor head having one or more blades and one or more in situ sensors comprising piezoelectric or piezoresistive material located in non-directly skin-engaging locations for producing a signal based on forces encountered during shaving.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A razor head according to claim 10, wherein the one or more in situ sensors are in the form of a polymer which is applied to one or more of the one or more blades.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A razor head according to claim 11, wherein the in situ sensors consist of polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A razor head according to claim 10, wherein the one or more in situ sensors are in the form of a spacer located between one or more of the one or more blades.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
98 words
A razor handle having one or more receptors for receiving in situ sensor signals from one or more in situ sensors located in non-directly skin-engaging locations responding to forces encountered during shaving, wherein the one or more receptors comprise a signal processing circuit which produces a feedback signal in response to the in situ sensor signal, wherein the receptor comprises a feedback signal processing circuit and an indicator which comprises a light, a light emitting diode, a motion producing device, or any combination thereof which produces a feedback signal in response to the in situ sensor feedback signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
98 words
A razor handle having one or more receptors for receiving in situ sensor signals from one or more in situ sensors located in non-directly skin-engaging locations responding to forces encountered during shaving, wherein the one or more receptors comprise a signal processing circuit which produces a feedback signal in response to the in situ sensor signal, wherein the receptor comprises a feedback signal processing circuit and an indicator which comprises a light, a light emitting diode, a motion producing device, or any combination thereof which produces a feedback signal in response to the in situ sensor feedback signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A razor handle according to claim 14, wherein the indicator provides a signal to a user that the one or more blades are worn and need replacement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A razor handle according to claim 14, wherein the indicator provides a signal to a user that the user should apply a different pressure to the razor during shaving.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A razor handle comprising one or more in situ sensors for producing a signal based on forces encountered during shaving wherein the one or more in situ sensors further comprise a potentiometer or a sliding potentiometer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A razor handle comprising one or more in situ sensors for producing a signal based on forces encountered during shaving wherein the one or more in situ sensors further comprise a potentiometer or a sliding potentiometer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A razor handle according to claim 17, wherein the one or more in situ sensors comprise a piezoresistive or a piezoelectric material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A razor handle according to claim 18, further comprising a piston wherein movement of the piston in response to forces encountered during shaving is translated to the piezoresistive or piezoelectric material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A razor handle according to claim 17, further comprising a piston wherein movement of the piston in response to forces encountered during shaving is translated to the potentiometer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
85 words
A razor handle having one or more receptors for receiving in situ sensor signals from one or more in situ sensors located in non-directly skin-engaging locations responding to the forces encountered during shaving, wherein the one or more receptors comprise a feedback signal processing circuit which produces a feedback signal in response to the in situ sensor signal and wherein the feedback signal processing circuit is connected to an actuator and the feedback signal processing circuit produces a response to the in situ sensor signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
85 words
A razor handle having one or more receptors for receiving in situ sensor signals from one or more in situ sensors located in non-directly skin-engaging locations responding to the forces encountered during shaving, wherein the one or more receptors comprise a feedback signal processing circuit which produces a feedback signal in response to the in situ sensor signal and wherein the feedback signal processing circuit is connected to an actuator and the feedback signal processing circuit produces a response to the in situ sensor signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-03 | 2003-07-05 | 2004-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-07-05 | 2008-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-03 | 2011-07-05 | 2012-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |