Cutting system for an electric shaver and / or trimmer, electric shaver and / or trimmer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cutter system (3) for an electric shaver and / or trimmer (1) and an electric shaver and / or trimmer, the cutter system comprising a pair of cooperating cutting elements (4, 5), the pair of cooperating cutting elements having two rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth (6, 7) at their opposing edges and cutting perforations (8) between the respective rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth, wherein the cutting elements are movably supported relative to each other by a support structure (14). The cutting perforations can be arranged in two separate elongated regions (70, 90) of the perforations, the two separate elongated regions of the perforations being separated from each other by an elongated unperforated central section (80) of the outer cutting element in the cutting element defining the skin contact surface (50), and each comprising at least two rows of perforations extending along the respective rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth. The perforation regions can also be separated from the respective rows of comb-shaped teeth by elongated unperforated side sections (61, 62) of the outer cutting element, wherein the support structure can comprise a pair of flexible or rigid support ribs (19), the pair of flexible or rigid support ribs supporting the inner cutting element in the cutting element below the unperforated side sections along the outer boundary of the perforation regions, wherein the inner cutting element can extend unsupported below the unperforated central section between the perforation regions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to cutting body hair, such as the stubble of a multi-day beard. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cutter system for an electric shaver and / or trimmer, the cutter system comprising a pair of cooperating cutting elements having two rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth at their opposing edges and at least one area of cutting perforations between the respective rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth, wherein the cutting elements are movably supported relative to each other by a support structure. Background Art

[0002] Electric shavers and trimmers utilize various mechanisms to provide a hair cutting function. Some electric shavers include a perforated shear metal sheet that cooperates with a bottom cutter movable relative thereto to cut hair that enters the perforations in the shear metal sheet. Such shear metal sheet type shavers are typically used daily to provide a clean shave, where short beard stubble is cut immediately at the skin surface.

[0003] On the other hand, other cutter systems comprising a pair of cooperating cutting elements having comb-shaped edges are typically used to cut longer beard stubble or problem hair that is difficult to cut due to, for example, growing at a very small angle to the skin or from very elastic skin, the cooperating cutting elements comprising one or more rows of comb-shaped or bevel-shaped cutting teeth that reciprocate or rotate relative to each other. Depending on the type of drive motion, the teeth of such comb-shaped or bevel-shaped cutting elements generally project substantially parallel to each other or substantially radially, and can cut hair that enters the gaps between the cutting teeth, wherein when the cutting teeth of the cooperating elements close the gaps between the finger-shaped cutting teeth and cross each other, cutting or shearing is achieved in a scissor-like manner.

[0004] Such cutter systems for longer hair can be integrated into an electric shaver or trimmer, which can simultaneously be provided with the aforementioned shear metal sheet cutter. For example, the cutting elements can include two rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth arranged at the opposing sides of, for example, the cutting elements and a shear metal sheet-like cutting perforation area between the rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth.

[0005] For example, EP 24 25 938 B1 shows a razor having a pair of long hair trimmers integrated between shearing metal sheet cutters. In addition, EP 27 47 958 B1 and CN 206 287 174 U disclose hair trimmers having two rows of mating cutting teeth arranged at opposite sides of a razor head, wherein the cutting teeth of the upper comb-shaped cutting element are provided with rounded and thickened tips that overhang the tips of the teeth of the lower cutting element in order to prevent the protruding tips from piercing the skin and to prevent skin irritation. A similar cutter system is shown in US 2017 / 0050326 A1, wherein in such a cutter system, the lower comb-shaped cutting element is fixed and the upper comb-shaped cutting element is movable.

[0006] Razors and / or trimmers that combine rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth at the opposing edges and shearing metal sheet-like cutting perforations between the rows of the comb teeth sometimes include a C-shaped outer cutting element whose edges are crimped to form limbs that bend inwardly like the limbs of a C or a U, wherein such crimped limbs are held by a support frame. The transition edge portion connecting the crimped limbs to the central section of the outer cutting element is contoured or configured to form rows of comb teeth for cutting longer stubble, while the central section of the cutting element is provided with at least one perforated area for cutting short hair. The outer cutting element cooperates with an inner cutting element, which may be plate-shaped and may include rows of comb teeth at the opposing edges for mating with the comb teeth of the outer cutting element, and may in addition include at least one area having perforations or other incisions between the comb tooth edges for mating with the perforations in the outer cutting element.

[0007] Thus, shearing metal sheets such as cutting perforations for cutting short hair and comb-shaped cutting teeth for cutting longer hair or stubble can be integrated into the same cutting element, wherein the inner cutting element is typically biased against the outer cutting element by spring means, which may include a pair of flexible spring arms extending from a central base portion of the support structure towards the inner cutting element. The spring arms may have a V-shaped configuration and may contact the inner cutting element at a section between the central area of the perforation and the opposing tooth edge. Due to such biasing of the inner cutting element against the outer cutting element, pulling and tugging of the hair to be cut in the perforations can be avoided, but on the other hand, the friction between the cutting elements is rather high, which results in high energy consumption of the drive unit and, in addition, heating of the cutting elements, which often causes an unpleasant or uncomfortable feeling. Such cutter systems are shown in documents CN 209 478 241 U and US 2018 / 0257248 A1.

[0008] EP 31 31 716 B1 discloses a similar cutter system, in which the support structure includes an outer frame that holds outer cutting elements at its opposite edge portions, and such an outer frame includes a stepped protrusion at its inner surface, which forms a shoulder for supporting an inner cutting element at a toothed comb-like edge. More specifically, the protruding shoulder at the inner surface of the outer support frame defines a gap extending from the shoulder to the outer cutting element, in which the inner cutting element is slidably received, and such a gap provides a vertical gap adapted to the vertical thickness of the inner cutting element. According to the vertical gap between the protruding shoulder and the outer cutting element, friction can be reduced, and the cutter system is easy to pull and tug at the hair to be cut by the cutting perforations. Since the inner cutting element may not be held close enough to the outer cutting element, the hair to be cut may get stuck between the cutting perforations of the outer cutting element and the perforations or incisions of the mating inner cutting element.

[0009] Such beard stubble trimmers and razors need to address very different and divergent functional requirements and performance issues, such as closeness, coarseness, good visibility of the cutting position, efficiency, and a pleasant skin feel, good ergonomics and handling. Closeness refers to short or very short remaining stubble, while coarseness refers to fewer missed hairs, especially in problem areas such as the neck. Efficiency means fewer and faster strokes sufficient to achieve the desired trimming result. A pleasant skin feel depends on the individual user but generally includes less irritation in the form of nicks, cuts, or abrasions and better glide on the skin. Visibility of the cutting position is especially important in the case of a shaped or trimmed profile to achieve hair removal precisely locally.

[0010] Meeting such various performance issues simultaneously is quite difficult. When integrating different types of cutting profiles, such as shear metal flake perforations and comb-like tooth rows, into the same cutting element, such as a C-shaped cutting blade reciprocating relative to each other, meeting such requirements becomes even more difficult because such multifunctional cutter elements may not be specifically adapted for one particular cutting function. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved cutter system that avoids at least one drawback of the prior art and / or further develops existing solutions. A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a close and thorough cutting of hair and longer stubble, including good control of the trimmed profile, while avoiding skin irritation. Another object of the present invention is to reliably and cleanly cut the mating cutting teeth and cutting perforations to avoid pulling and tugging at the hair, without sacrificing the low friction between the cutting elements, the low temperature of the cutting teeth, and the low energy consumption, and thus without sacrificing the long energy storage life.

[0012] According to one aspect, the cutting perforations for cutting short hairs are restricted to the area following the rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth, when the cutter system moves along the skin to be shaved, wherein one of the rows of comb teeth moves forward, while the intermediate part of the skin contact / facing surface defined by the cutting elements between the rows of the opposite comb teeth is not perforated. Such an arrangement of the restricted areas of the perforations separated from each other takes into account that when the cutter system moves along the skin to be shaved in a normal manner, very short hairs are cut by the perforations immediately following or in the vicinity of the comb teeth, i.e., one of the comb-shaped cutting edges in the comb-shaped cutting edges moves forward, while the perforations further away from the front comb-shaped cutting edge are less effective in cutting very short hairs. When observed in a longitudinal section, the perforations extend towards the skin contact / facing surface of the outer cutting element, which ensures skin comfort on the personal skin side and a sharp edge on the inner side of the outer cutting element.

[0013] Due to the elimination of perforations in the area of the skin contact surface, the less effective cutting of very short hairs reduces the friction between the cutting elements without sacrificing the efficiency of cutting very short hairs. The friction is reduced because when the cutting elements move relative to each other, fewer cutting edges with fewer perforations need to cross each other, and thus the cut hair particles or hair dust from the cutting perforations moving forward on the skin to be shaved are no longer cut or ground, and thus the friction loss is reduced.

[0014] More specifically, the cutting perforations can be arranged in two separate elongated areas of the perforations, the two separate elongated areas of the perforations being separated from each other by an elongated unperforated central section of the outer cutting element among the cutting elements that defines the skin contact surface, and each including at least two rows of perforations extending along the rows of the comb-shaped cutting teeth.

[0015] To allow sufficient support of the cutting elements moving relative to each other without hindering the cutting action of the comb teeth and the perforations, the perforation areas can also be separated from the rows of comb teeth by the elongated unperforated side sections of the outer cutting element, wherein the support structure can include a pair of flexible or rigid support ribs that support the inner cutting element among the cutting elements below the unperforated side sections along the outer boundary of the perforation areas.

[0016] To reduce the friction caused by the engagement of the support structure with the moving cutting elements, the inner cutting element can extend unsupported below the unperforated central section between the said areas of the perforations.

[0017] Friction, heat release, and energy consumption can be further reduced, but a clean and reliable cutting action that avoids cutting, perforating, pulling, and tugging on the hair can still be achieved through a specific support structure that clamps one of the cutting elements in a gap of a defined width between the other cutting elements and a support rib, where the support rib can be formed to be rigid and extend from the base portion of the support structure at an angle steeper than the outer frame portion, and where the rigid support edge of the rib supports the inner cutting element along the outer edge of the region of the cutting perforation. When this support rib is rigid, the position of the support edge is precisely maintained and sustained under different load conditions, so that the inner cutting element does not need to be biased against the outer cutting element, but is still precisely held and supported at the desired position at the outer cutting element. When the rib does not flex under the operating load, precise support of the inner cutting element in the desired position can be achieved without significant frictional losses.

[0018] These and other advantages become more apparent from the following description of the reference drawings and possible examples. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 : Perspective view of an electric beard trimmer / razor including a cutting system having a pair of cooperating comb-shaped cutting elements that reciprocate relative to each other, where partial view (a) shows the front side of the electric beard trimmer and partial view (b) shows the beard trimmer operating on the chin,

[0020] Figure 2 : Cross-sectional view of a beard trimmer / razor showing the cooperating comb-shaped cutting elements and a drive system for driving the cutting elements,

[0021] Figure 3 : Perspective view of a cutter system including a pair of cooperating comb-shaped cutting elements and a support structure for supporting the cutting elements relative to each other,

[0022] Figure 4: Cross-sectional view of a cutter system and support structure, where a C-shaped outer cutting element is shown bent or folded around an outer frame portion and an inner cutting element is shown supported by a V-shaped inner support frame having a support rib that extends from the base portion of the support structure at an angle steeper than the outer frame portion, where partial view (a) shows the rigid support rib and view (b) shows the flexible spring-like support rib,

[0023] Figure 5: Exploded perspective view of the elements of a cutter system, the cutter system including an outer cutting element and an inner cutting element, an outer support frame for holding the outer cutting element, a trough-shaped or valley-shaped inner support frame including rigid support ribs for supporting the inner cutting element, a drive element for reciprocating the inner cutting element, and a guide block for guiding the reciprocating drive element,

[0024] Figure 6 : Side view showing that the support structure allows the cutter system to pivot relative to the handle of the razor / trimmer,

[0025] Figure 7 : Side view showing the cutter system pivoting about its pivot axis when following the skin contour,

[0026] Figure 8 : Plan view of the outer cutting element showing its independent perforated areas, and

[0027] Figure 9 : Cross-sectional view of a perforation having a conical or non-cylindrical profile, the perforation expanding towards the skin contact surface to assist in hair entry into the perforation, where the left side view (small and enlarged) is for a planar cutting element and the right side view (small and enlarged) is for a convex / rounded curved cutting element. Detailed Description

[0028] To combine closeness of shave and effective short hair cutting with low friction, reduced heat generation and thus reduced energy consumption, it is proposed to provide cutting perforations only in a limited area of the skin contact surface between opposite rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth, and to provide an unperforated central section between said opposite rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth. More specifically, the cutting perforations for cutting short hair above the comb-shaped cutting teeth can be concentrated in the areas close to the respective rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth.

[0029] According to one aspect, the cutting perforations for cutting short hair are restricted to the area of the skin contact surface or skin-facing surface of the cutting element following the comb-shaped cutting teeth, when the cutter system is moved along the skin to be shaved, where one of the rows of comb teeth moves forward while the intermediate part of the skin contact / facing surface defined by the cutting element between the opposite rows of comb teeth is not perforated.

[0030] Such an arrangement of perforated restricted areas separated from each other takes into account that when the cutter system moves along the skin to be shaved in the usual way, very short hairs are cut by the perforations immediately following or in the vicinity of the comb teeth, i.e., one of the comb cutting edges moves forward, while the perforations further away from the front comb cutting edge are less effective in cutting very short hairs. Since the perforations are eliminated in the area of the skin contact surface, the less effective cutting of very short hairs reduces the friction between the cutting elements without sacrificing the efficiency of cutting very short hairs. The friction is reduced because when the cutting elements move relative to each other, fewer cutting edges with fewer perforations need to cross each other, and thus the already cut hair particles or hair dust from the cutting perforations moving forward on the skin to be shaved are no longer cut or ground, and thus the friction losses are reduced.

[0031] More specifically, the cutting perforations may be arranged in two separate elongated areas of perforations, the two separate elongated areas of perforations being separated from each other by an elongated unperforated central section of the outer cutting element that defines the skin contact surface among the cutting elements, and each including at least two rows of perforations extending along the rows of comb cutting teeth.

[0032] To allow sufficient support for the cutting elements moving relative to each other without impeding the cutting action of the comb teeth and the perforations, the perforation areas may also be separated or spaced from the rows of comb teeth by the elongated unperforated side portions of the outer cutting element, wherein the support structure may include a pair of flexible or rigid support ribs that support the inner cutting element among the cutting elements below the unperforated side portions, the inner cutting element being adjacent to or along the outer boundary of the perforation area.

[0033] To reduce the friction caused by the engagement of the support structure with the moving cutting elements, the inner cutting element may extend unsupported below the unperforated central section between the said areas of perforations.

[0034] The elongated unperforated central section of the skin contact surface defined by the outer cutting element may have a dimension or width greater than the dimension or width of each of the perforation areas in the perforation area. More specifically, the unperforated central section of the skin contact surface may extend over an area within the range of 100% - 250% or 110% - 175% of the area defined by each of the perforation areas in the perforation area.

[0035] More generally, more than 2 / 3 or more than 3 / 4 of the area of the skin contact surface of the cutter element between the comb-shaped cutting teeth may be unperforated. In other words, only 1 / 4 - 2 / 3 of the skin contact surface between the opposing beveled tooth edges of the cutter system may be perforated. Such a limitation of the perforated area can significantly reduce friction when the cutting elements move relative to each other. This friction is not only caused by the cutting edges that have to pass through each other's perforations to effect shaving or cutting of hair, but this friction typically increases when re-cutting minute hair particles or hair debris in a repetitive or continuous cutting action, which is affected by the cutting perforations when such hair debris is trapped in the perforations.

[0036] To ensure the efficiency of short hair cutting, although the area of the perforated region is limited, the skin contact / facing surface defined by the cutter element can be, in a cross-sectional view, from one beveled tooth edge of the plurality of perforated regions protruding to the opposing beveled tooth edge of the cutter element, wherein the aforementioned unperforated central section of the skin contact surface can define a maximum height on a virtual straight baseline passing through the tips of the teeth of each row of comb teeth. In other words, the skin contact surface can be inclined or rise from the comb teeth and thus advance to the rear perforated region. More specifically, the skin contact surface can rise from the forward cutting teeth towards the central section of the skin contact surface and then descend again towards the opposing row of comb-shaped cutting teeth.

[0037] More specifically, when viewed in cross-section, the skin contact surface can be a continuous smooth dome-shaped from one row of comb-shaped cutting teeth to the opposing row of comb teeth over the area of the perforations. Considering the entire skin contact surface, it can have a smooth curved ribbed shape or valley shape, such as a barrel top.

[0038] In an alternative, the skin contact and / or facing surface can be contoured to include one or more flat sections, which can correspond to the unperforated central section and / or unperforated side sections and / or to at least one of the perforated regions in the perforated area.

[0039] To achieve effective short hair cutting with a limited number of rows of perforations, when viewed in the direction of the hole axis and / or perpendicular to the skin contact / facing surface, the perforations can have a non-circular profile including a longer major axis and a shorter minor axis, wherein the non-circular perforations can be oriented such that their longer major axis is transverse to the longitudinal direction of each row of comb-shaped cutting teeth and / or transverse to the reciprocating movement axis of the cutter element. The shorter minor axis of the non-circular perforations can extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of each row of comb-shaped cutting teeth and / or substantially parallel to the reciprocating movement axis.

[0040] The orientation of the longer major axis transverse to the rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth positions the hairs to be cut in the perforations into a well-defined position within the perforations, which can improve the cutting action. More specifically, the transverse orientation of the longer major axis is based on the assumption that, typically, the cutter system is moved along the skin to be shaved in a direction transverse to the rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth, since typically the user pulls or pushes the cutter system along the skin surface with one bevel-shaped cutting edge such that one of the bevel-shaped cutting edges advances. Thus, when considering the conventional direction of movement of the cutter system on the skin surface, this transverse orientation of the longer major axis of the perforations allows the hairs to more easily enter the perforations and, in addition, presses the hairs to extend within the perforations or to extend through the perforations into the rear corners or rear sections of the perforations. Thus, prior to cutting, the hairs are pressed into a well-defined position within the perforations.

[0041] The non-circular perforations can have an elliptical or oval or diamond or rhomboid shape. However, in order to allow for large perforation sizes with small-sized unperforated areas between individual perforations, the perforations can have a hexagonal profile. Such a hexagonal profile allows for a dense arrangement of a high perforation ratio / area of the perforations. Thus, many hairs are enabled to enter the perforations. At the same time, the hexagonal shape provides the aforementioned longer and shorter major axes, where the hexagonal perforations can be oriented such that the longer major axis is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rows of comb teeth.

[0042] The aforementioned separate perforation areas can include perforations of the same number of rows or different numbers of rows. More specifically, each perforation area can include two or three or two to five rows of perforations, where, for example, two or three rows of non-circular or hexagonal perforations can be provided in each area of the perforations, where the longer major axis of the perforations is oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction of the comb-shaped cutting teeth.

[0043] To assist the hairs to be cut in entering the relatively small perforations, the perforations can flare or widen towards the skin contact / facing surface when viewed in a longitudinal section. Depending on the cross-sectional shape of the perforations, this non-cylindrical profile of the perforations can have a flared shape or a conical shape or a pyramidal or truncated pyramidal shape. The profile of the perforations of the outer cutting element can form a cutting edge that is at an acute angle towards the inner (driven) cutting element side. The acute angle is preferably in the range between 25 and 60 degrees. The profile edge of the perforations towards the skin side is set to an obtuse angle and thus increases skin comfort. Similarly, the profile of the cutting edge of the inner cutter is adapted to interact with the cutting edge of the perforations of the outer cutter and thus also has a sharp edge that is at an acute angle towards the side of the outer cutter.

[0044] To achieve a smooth and comfortable cutting action and avoid separation of the cutting elements, it is helpful to prevent the mating comb teeth and / or the mating cutting perforations from separating from each other so as to avoid the hair no longer being cut properly or even being clamped between teeth moving relative to each other or between cutting perforations moving relative to each other. Basically, this can be prevented by pressing the mating cutting elements against each other, for example by spring means that push the teeth of one cutting element against the teeth of another cutting element. Instead of or in addition to this flexible support rib, one of the cutting elements can be clamped between another cutting element and a support element or support structure such as a support frame, which support element or support structure can include a rigid rib or a mesh flange that precisely and rigidly supports and guides the inner cutting element at a predetermined position below the outer cutting element and in sufficient proximity thereto, the rigid support rib and the outer cutting element defining a gap in which the clamped cutting element can be received slidably and / or movably, wherein the gap can be slightly thicker than the clamped cutting element to provide some clearance at least during non-use, thereby reducing friction and heat generation. When the outer cutting element presses against or at least contacts the skin during operation of the razor / trimmer, it can deflect and at least subsequently fit closely against the inner cutting element. Although the clamped cutting element can move relative to the other cutting element without friction or with very low friction, nevertheless it is prevented from flexing even when the thickness of the clamped cutting element is very small.

[0045] Positioning a rigid support edge close to or adjacent to or in proximity to the cutting perforation along the outer edge of the cutting perforation region helps to smoothly cut even very short hairs without pulling and tugging.

[0046] To achieve low friction and at the same time avoid hairs being clamped between the cutting teeth, the thickness of the gap from the end portion of the support rib to the outer cutting element can be greater than the thickness of the clamped cutting element by an amount less than only the thickness of the hair to be cut.

[0047] More specifically, the amount by which the width of the gap exceeds the thickness of the clamped cutting element can be less than 40 µm. For example, it can be in the range of 20 µm to 40 µm. Such a configuration is a good compromise between still being easy to manufacture and having a sufficiently low risk of pulling and tugging on the hair to be cut.

[0048] The skin contact surface defined by the outer cutting element can be substantially planar or flat. In an alternative, when viewed in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the reciprocating motion direction, the skin contact surface defined by the outer cutting element can be slightly convex or slightly domed. When viewed in a cross-sectional plane parallel to the reciprocating motion axis, the skin contact surface can be linear. Thus, in terms of a shallow groove-like or valley-like shape, the skin contact surface can be slightly smoothly convex.

[0049] Both the outer cutting element and the inner cutting element can have such shapes corresponding to the skin contact surface.

[0050] To keep the inner cutting element and the outer cutting element in close fit with each other in the area where the cutting perforations are formed, it may be helpful when the rigid or flexible support ribs extend directly adjacent to their support edges or closely adjacent to the outer boundary of the perforation area. The support ribs and their support edges can contact the inner cutting element immediately along the outermost row of perforations.

[0051] In an alternative, the support edges of the support ribs can contact the inner cutting element along a line spaced apart from the outermost row of perforations. However, the support edges of the support ribs can be positioned closer to the outermost row of perforations and then closer to the cutting teeth at the opposite edge of the cutting element. More specifically, the distance of the support edges of the support ribs from the perforation area can be less than 1 / 3 or 1 / 4 of the distance of the support edges from the comb-shaped cutting teeth.

[0052] To absorb in a balanced manner the skin contact pressure induced in the inner cutting element via the outer cutting element, the support edges of the support ribs facing the inner cutting element can be spaced apart from each other by defining a distance within the range of 35% to 70% or 40% to 60% of the distance between the rows of comb-shaped teeth at the opposite edges of the cutting element. Depending on the user's preference, different parts of the skin contact surface defined by the outer cutting element can press against the skin with different forces, such that different skin pressures can be generated. To balance such different pressures, it is helpful when considering its cross-sectional view that the inner cutting element is supported by the support ribs at about 1 / 3 and about 2 / 3 of the span width of the inner cutting element.

[0053] At the opposite edges of the cutting element, the support ribs and / or their support edges contacting the inner cutting element can extend parallel to the reciprocating motion axis and / or parallel to the rows of comb-shaped teeth.

[0054] The support ribs can be anchored at the base portion of the support structure in different ways. For example, the support ribs can be welded to the base portion or embedded in the material of the base portion. For example, when there are separate support ribs, each of the ribs can be inserted into a slot-like groove in the base portion to hold the support ribs in the desired orientation and position.

[0055] In an alternative, support ribs that are inclined to each other at acute angles can be integrally connected to each other and / or form an integral part of a support rib element. More specifically, the support ribs can be formed by V-shaped limbs of a support frame insert, and the V-shaped limbs can be inserted into and / or attached to a base portion of a support structure of a support cutting element. Such support rib inserts can have a grooved or valley-shaped configuration that includes a strip-shaped bottom portion, from which two support ribs extend at the inclination. Such grooved inserts can be inserted into the support structure and fixedly attached to its base portion. For example, the bottom portion of the insert can be seated on an inner surface of a bottom portion of an outer support frame at its central portion, where the central bottom portion of the outer support frame can form a seat for the support rib insert. Seating the support rib insert on the bottom portion of the outer support frame can absorb support forces and pressures introduced into the support ribs, thereby pressing the support rib insert onto the bottom portion of the outer support frame.

[0056] The inner support frame insert can be fixedly attached to the outer support frame, such as by gluing and / or welding and / or snap-fitting thereto.

[0057] The outer support frame portion that holds the outer cutting element at its opposite edge portions, together with the outer cutting element, can define a cutter head chamber that can be configured as tubular or bevel-shaped with an open end face or a closed end face. In order for hair debris or cut hair stubble to be discharged from such a cutter head chamber, an axial end side of the cutter head chamber can be open.

[0058] More specifically, such a cutter head chamber defined by the outer frame portion and the outer cutting element can be divided into a plurality of sub-chambers by the above-described support ribs of the inner support frame. More specifically, the cutter head chamber can be divided by rigid support ribs into an inner sub-chamber for collecting short hair particles from the cutting perforations and a pair of outer sub-chambers for collecting long hair particles cut by the comb-shaped cutting teeth.

[0059] Each of the inner sub-chamber and the outer sub-chambers can extend from a base portion of the support structure to the inner cutting element, where the pair of outer sub-chambers can together define a volume within a range of 50% to 120% or 66% to 100% of the volume of the inner sub-chamber. In other words, the inner sub-chamber can have a volume larger than that of the outer sub-chambers.

[0060] Hair debris collected in the inner sub-chamber and from the perforations, as well as cut hair stubble collected in the outer sub-chambers, can be discharged from the respective sub-chambers via at least one open end face, where each of the opposite ends of the sub-chambers can be open to enhance cleaning of the sub-chambers and discharge of the collected hair debris therefrom.

[0061] The clamped cutting element can be driven by a driver that is connected to the inner cutting element and coupled to a drive train that transmits the driving action of a drive unit, wherein the aforementioned inner support frame including rigid support ribs and the outer support frame including an outer frame portion that holds the outer cutting element and a base portion that supports the inner support frame can include one or more central elongate or slit-shaped through-holes, and a part of the driver and / or the drive train can be slidably received in the through-holes. In other words, the driver and / or the drive train extends through the through-holes in the inner support frame and the outer support frame and is slidably received therein to allow the driver to reciprocate, and thus allow the clamped cutting element to reciprocate relative to another cutting element.

[0062] The driver can include an elongate rod-shaped portion that is attached to opposite end portions of the inner cutting element and is received in an inner sub-chamber defined between the rigid support ribs and the inner cutting element.

[0063] Depending on the type of driver, the clamped cutting element can be a reciprocating or rotating driven cutting element.

[0064] Basically, each of the cooperating cutting elements can be driven. However, in order to combine a convenient drive system with a safe and soft cutting action, the upper cutting element or the outer cutting element having a skin contact surface can be upright and / or can be non-reciprocating and non-rotating, while the lower cutting element or the inner cutting element that can be the clamped cutting element can reciprocate or rotate oscillate.

[0065] As can be seen from Figure 1 the cutter system 3 can be part of a cutter head 2 that can be attached to the handle 100 of a razor and / or a trimmer 1. More specifically, the razor and / or the trimmer 1 can include an elongate handle 100 that houses electronic and / or electric components such as a control unit, an electric drive motor or a magnetic drive motor, and a drive train for transmitting the driving action of the motor to the cutter system at the cutter head 2, and the cutter head 2 can be positioned at one end of the elongate handle 100, see Figure 1 .

[0066] The cutter system 3 including a pair of cooperating cutting elements 4 and 5 can be the only cutter system of the cutter head 2, as is the case in the example shown in Figure 1 . On the other hand, the cutter system 3 can be incorporated into a razor head 2 having other cutter systems such as a shear metal sheet cutter, wherein, for example, the cutter system 3 having at least one row of cooperating cutting teeth 6, 7 can be positioned between a pair of shear metal sheet cutters, or alternatively, can be positioned in front of such shear metal sheet cutters.

[0067] As Figure 1As shown, the cutter system 3 can include an elongated row of cutting teeth 6 and 7 that can reciprocate relative to each other along a linear path to effect a cutting action by closing the gap between the teeth and passing over each other. On the other hand, the cutter system 3 can also include cutting teeth 6 and 7 that are aligned in a circle and / or arranged radially. Such rotary cutting elements 4 and 5 can have cutting teeth 6 and 7 that project substantially radially, where the cutting elements 4 and 5 can be driven to rotate relative to each other and / or rotate oscillate relative to each other. When rotating and / or rotating oscillating, cyclically closing and reopening the gap between adjacent teeth and passing over each other like scissors, the cutting action is substantially similar to that of a reciprocating cutting element, such as a radially extending tooth.

[0068] As Figure 2 shown, the drive system can include a motor 103 whose shaft can rotate an eccentric drive pin received between the grooved profiles of a driver 18 that is connected via a drive train 109 to one of the cutting elements 4, which is caused to reciprocate due to the engagement of the rotating eccentric drive pin with the profile of the driver 18. The motor 103 is energized by a battery 104 disposed below the motor in the handle housing. There is a control unit 111 (all of which are disposed within the handle housing) proximate the battery 104 for controlling the motor 103 in accordance with an on / off button or other control options.

[0069] As Figure 3 Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the mating cutting elements 4 and 5 can generally have (at least approximately) a plate-shaped configuration, where each of the cutting elements 4 and 5 includes two rows of cutting teeth 6 and 7 that can be disposed at opposite longitudinal sides of the plate-shaped cutting elements 4 and 5, see Figure 4 and Figure 5 . The cutting elements 4 and 5 are supported and positioned such that their flat sides are stacked against each other. More specifically, the cutting teeth 6 and 7 of the cutting elements 4 and 5 contact each other back-to-back like the blades of scissors.

[0070] In addition to such comb-shaped cutting teeth 6 and 7, the mating cutting elements 4 and 5 can also be provided with at least two cutting perforation areas that are arranged between the rows of cutting teeth 6 and 7 in the middle portion of the cutting elements 4 and 5. More specifically, the area of each cutting perforation 8 of the outer cutting element 4 that defines the skin contact surface of the cutter system 3 can include at least two rows of perforations 8 that can be formed as small-sized through-holes having a circular, oval, elliptical or polygonal shape.

[0071] Specifically, such small-sized through-holes forming the perforations 8 can have a hexagonal shape, where the major axis of such hexagonal through-holes, i.e., the axis passing through the opposite corners of the hexagonal shape, can be transverse to the reciprocating motion axis 10 of the cutting elements 4 and 5.

[0072] As can be seen from Figure 9 it, the perforations 8 can extend towards the skin contact / facing surface, i.e., the cross-sectional area of the perforations 8 becomes larger towards the skin contact surface. Such a flared or conical or truncated pyramidal shape helps the hair to enter the perforations, as can be seen from Figure 9 it.

[0073] As can be seen from Figure 8 it, the perforations 8 are not distributed over the entire central section of the skin contact surface, but are only arranged in a limited area. More specifically, the cutting perforations 8 for cutting short hair are restricted to the areas 70, 90 of the skin contact surface or skin-facing surface 50 of the cutting elements 4 that follow the comb-shaped cutting teeth 6, 7. When the cutter system 3 moves along the skin to be shaved, one of the rows of the comb-shaped teeth 6, 7 moves forward, while the intermediate part 80 of the skin contact / facing surface defined by the cutting elements between the rows of the opposite comb-shaped teeth is not perforated.

[0074] Such an arrangement of the restricted areas 70, 90 of the perforations 8 spaced apart from each other takes into account that very short hair is cut by the perforations 8 that follow immediately after the previous one in the bevel-shaped cutting edge, while the perforations further away from the front comb-shaped cutting edge are less effective in cutting very short hair. Since the perforations are eliminated in the area of the skin contact surface 50, the less effective cutting of very short hair reduces the friction between the cutting elements 4, 5 without sacrificing the efficiency of cutting very short hair. The friction is reduced because when the cutting elements move relative to each other, fewer cutting edges with fewer perforations need to cross each other, and thus the already cut hair particles or hair dust from the cutting perforations moving forward on the skin to be shaved are no longer cut or ground, and thus the friction losses are reduced.

[0075] More specifically, the cutting perforations 8 can be arranged in two separate elongated areas 70, 90 of the perforations, the two separate elongated areas of the perforations being separated from each other by the elongated unperforated central section 80 of the outer cutting element in the cutting element 4 that defines the skin contact surface 50, and each including at least two rows of perforations 8 extending along and / or parallel to the rows of the comb-shaped cutting teeth 6, 7.

[0076] To allow sufficient support for the cutting elements moving relative to each other without impeding the cutting action of the comb-shaped teeth 6, 7 and the perforations 8, the perforation areas 70, 90 can also be separated or spaced apart from the rows of the comb-shaped teeth 6, 7 by the elongated unperforated side portions 61, 62 of the outer cutting element, wherein the support structure can include a pair of flexible or rigid support ribs 19 that support the inner cutting element in the cutting element 5 below the unperforated side portions 61, 62, the inner cutting element being adjacent to or along the outer boundary of the perforation areas 70, 90.

[0077] To reduce the friction caused by the engagement of the support structure 14 with the movable cutting element 5, the inner cutting element 5 may extend unsupported below the unperforated central section 80 between the regions 70, 90 of the perforation 8.

[0078] The elongated unperforated central section 80 of the skin contact surface 50 defined by the outer cutting element may have a size or width greater than the size or width of each of the perforation regions 70, 90. More specifically, the unperforated central section of the skin contact surface may extend over an area within the range of 100% - 250% or 110% - 175% of the area defined by each of the perforation regions, see Figure 8 .

[0079] More generally, more than 2 / 3 or more than 3 / 4 of the area of the skin contact surface 50 of the cutter element 4 between the comb-like cutting teeth may be unperforated. In other words, only 1 / 4 - 2 / 3 of the skin contact surface 50 between the opposing beveled tooth edges of the cutter system 3 may be perforated, as Figure 8 shown. Such a limitation of the area of the perforation 8 can significantly reduce the friction when the cutting elements 4, 5 move relative to each other.

[0080] When the cutting elements 4 and 5 reciprocate relative to each other along the reciprocating motion axis 10, such perforations 8 in the outer cutter element 4 may cooperate with the perforations 9 in the inner cutting element 5. The perforations 9 in the inner cutting element 5 may also be formed as small-sized through-holes, the shape of which corresponds to or is different from the shape of the perforations 8 in the outer cutting element 4. However, as can be seen from Figure 5 , the perforations 9 in the inner cutting element 5 do not need to be small-sized through-holes, but may be larger-sized incisions, each incision cooperating with more than one perforation 8 in the other cutting element 4. More specifically, the perforations 9 in the inner cutting element 5 may be formed as longitudinally slotted incisions that extend with their longitudinal axes transverse to the reciprocating motion axis 10. Thus, each elongated transverse perforation 9 in the inner cutting element 5 may cooperate with each row of perforations in the outer cutting element 4.

[0081] The incisions in the inner cutting element 5 overlap with the perforations 8 in the outer cutting element 4 and close the perforations 8 depending on the reciprocating action to effect a shearing action and / or cut the hair introduced into the perforations 8 and 9.

[0082] As can be seen from Figure 3 and Figure 8 , the rows of the perforations 8 may extend substantially parallel to the rows of the comb-like cutting teeth 6 and 7 in a part of the cutting elements 4 and 5 between the rows of the comb-like cutting teeth 6 and 7.

[0083] To support the cutting elements 4 and 5 in the aforementioned positions, the cutting elements are stacked and / or seated back-to-back with each other, but still allow the cutting teeth 6 and 7 and the perforations 8 and 9 to reciprocate relative to each other. The inner cutting element 5 is clamped between the outer cutting element 4 and the support structure 14, which includes an inner frame that supports the inner cutting element 5 and an outer frame 12 that holds the outer cutting element 4. See FIG. 4.

[0084] More specifically, the support structure 14 defines a gap 16 in which the inner cutting element 5 is movable relative to the outer cutting element 4, and in which the inner cutting element 5 is slidably guided.

[0085] More specifically, as can be seen from FIG. 4 and Figure 5 visible, when viewed in cross-section, the outer cutting element 4 may have a substantially C-shaped configuration having crimped edge portions 4a and 4b that curve or bend away from the skin contact surface and form retaining flanges attached to or fixed to the outer frame portion 12 of the support structure 14. The edge portions 4a and 4b may be folded or bent backward around the edge portion of the outer frame 12, as can be seen from FIG. 4. However, in an alternative, the retaining flanges 4a and 4b of the cutting element 4 may also be seated on the inner side of the outer frame 12.

[0086] The cutting element 4 may be rigidly or fixedly fastened to the outer frame portion 12. For example, the cutting element 4 may be welded or glued to the outer frame 12.

[0087] As can be seen from FIG. 4 and Figure 5 visible, the outer frame portion 12 of the support structure 14 may include a pair of diverging legs that form a shallow groove or valley, and the edge portions of the support legs of the outer frame 12 may be provided with slot-shaped incisions 13 that form tooth edges substantially corresponding to the cutting teeth 6 and 7 of the cutting elements 4 and 5. More specifically, the incisions 13 in the edge of the outer frame 12 allow hair to be cut into the teeth 6 and 7 of the cutting elements 4 and 5, but at the same time provide some support to the cutting teeth 6 of the outer cutting element 4.

[0088] The cutting teeth 6 of the outer cutting element 4 may be formed in the transition region between the backward-folded retaining flanges 4a and 4b and the front side of the cutting element 4 that defines the skin contact surface of the cutter system 3.

[0089] The outer cutting element 4 may form a C-shaped plate-like cutting element, the edges of the C-shaped plate-like cutting element being crimped to form legs that bend inwardly like the legs of a C or U, wherein such crimped legs 4a and 4b are held by the outer support frame portion 12. The transition edge portion connecting the crimped legs to the central section of the outer cutting element is contoured or configured to form rows of comb-like teeth 6 for cutting longer stubble, while the central section 4c of the cutting element 4 is provided with areas of the perforations 8 for cutting short hairs.

[0090] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the outer cutting element 4 together with the outer frame 12 of the support structure 14 defines a chamber 17 surrounded by the outer cutting element 4 and the outer frame 12.

[0091] Within such a chamber 17, an inner frame 11 for supporting the inner cutting element 5 is arranged. The inner frame 11 includes at least a pair of support ribs 19 that extend from a base section 20 of the support structure 14 towards the inner cutting element 5, which is stacked back-to-back on the outer cutting element 4.

[0092] More specifically, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the support ribs 19 originate from a central section of the outer frame 12 where the diverging support legs of the outer frame 12 join together. The support ribs 19 of the inner frame 11 may extend from the base section 20 towards the inner cutting element 5 at an angle β that is much steeper than the angle φ between the outer frames 12. As can be seen from Figure 4a FIG., the support ribs 19 of the inner frame 11 may define an angle β between 2 × 20° and 2 × 40° or 2 × 25° and 2 × 30° with each other, wherein the support ribs 19 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to a central plane perpendicular to the skin contact surface and parallel to the reciprocation axis 10.

[0093] To impart sufficient stiffness to the support ribs 19, when observed in a cross-sectional view as Figure 4a shown, the ribs 19 may have a straight longitudinal axis. In other words, the inner and outer surfaces of the support ribs 19 may be planar and flat in order to achieve buckling stiffness. These support ribs 19 may define a V-shaped configuration originating from the base portion 20.

[0094] In an alternative, the ribs 19 may be configured to be flexible and / or elastic in order to bias the inner cutting element 5 onto the outer cutting element 4, as Figure 4b shown. For example, when observed in cross-section, see Figure 4b FIG., the ribs 19 may have a flexed curved profile in order to resiliently press the cutting element 5 against the other cutting element 4.

[0095] As can be seen from Figure 5It can be seen that the support ribs 19 can be part of the support insert and / or integrally formed with each other. More specifically, the inner frame 11 can have a trough-like or valley-like configuration including a strip-shaped bottom portion, and the pair of support ribs 19 extend from the edges of the strip-shaped bottom portion. For example, the inner frame 11 including the support ribs 19 can be formed from a substantially rectangular metal plate, where the strip-shaped edge portions can be bent relative to the intermediate section to form the inclined support ribs 19.

[0096] The inner frame 11 can form an insert that can be inserted into the chamber 17 defined by the outer frame 12 and the outer cutting element 4. More specifically, the insert forming the inner frame 11 can be seated on the base portion 20 of the outer frame 12, and when the cutter system 3 is pressed against the skin to be shaved, the base section 20 bears the forces and pressures induced into the inner frame 11.

[0097] The inner frame 11 is configured such that the aforementioned gap 16 is defined on the one hand between the support edges of the support ribs 19 and on the other hand between the inner sides of the outer cutting elements 4. More specifically, the height of the support ribs 19 is configured such that the gap 16 between the support edges of the ribs 19 and the outer cutting elements 4 substantially corresponds to the thickness of the inner cutting element 5, where the gap 16 can be configured to be slightly wider than the thickness of the plate-shaped cutting element 5 in order to reduce friction and provide some clearance between the inner cutting element 5 and the support ribs 19 and between the inner cutting element 5 and the outer cutting elements 4. Such a gap can be given when the cutter system 3 is unloaded, i.e., not pressed against the skin to be shaved. In the operating state, when the outer cutting element 4 is pressed against the skin to be shaved, such a gap is eliminated, and the cutting elements 4 and 5 fit closely together to achieve smooth cutting of the hair.

[0098] Although such a possible gap is provided by the support structure 14, the support ribs 19 are configured such that the gap 16 exceeds the thickness of the inner cutting element 4 in its width by an amount less than the thickness of the hair to be cut. For example, the width of the gap 16 can be less than the thickness of the sandwiched cutting element 5 by an amount of 40 µm or in the range of 20 µm to 40 µm.

[0099] In an alternative, when the ribs 19 are flexible, as Figure 4b shown, the defined gap 16 can be zero or at least less than the thickness of the cutting blade 5 in order to achieve biasing.

[0100] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the inner cutting element 4 and the outer cutting element 5 can have a slightly convex profile. More specifically, the skin contact surface defined by the outer cutting element 4 can have a slightly convex substantially trough-like configuration. When observed in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the reciprocation axis 10, the outer surface of the outer cutting element 4 can be slightly dome-shaped, see FIG. 4.

[0101] In terms of the slightly convex groove-like shape, the inner cutting element 5 substantially corresponds to the shape of the outer cutting element 4.

[0102] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the support edges of the support ribs 19 facing the inner cutting element 5 can be spaced apart from each other by a distance within the range of about 35% to 70% or 40% to 60% of the distance between the respective comb teeth 6 and 7 at the opposite edges of the outer cutting element 4. Thus, when observed in a cross-section perpendicular to the reciprocation axis 10, the rigid support ribs 19 can support the inner cutting element 4 at about 1 / 3 and about 2 / 3 of its span width. More specifically, the support edges of the ribs 19 can extend directly adjacent to the outer boundary of the region of the perforation 8, where the support ribs 19 can contact the inner cutting element 5 along the outer longitudinal profile of the incision forming the perforation 9 in the inner cutter element 5.

[0103] Since the configuration of the support ribs 19 extends from the base portion 20 of the support structure 14 at a steeper angle than the support legs of the outer frame 12, the chamber 17 defined by the outer frame 12 and the outer cutting element 4 attached thereto is divided by the support ribs 19 into an inner sub-chamber 17i and a pair of outer sub-chambers 17o, see FIG. 4, where the outer sub-chambers 17o together can have a volume substantially corresponding to the volume of the inner sub-chamber 17i.

[0104] The rigid support ribs 19 of the inner frame 11 can extend substantially parallel to the reciprocation axis 10. More specifically, the support edges of the ribs 19 that contact the inner cutting element 5 can extend parallel to the reciprocation axis 10.

[0105] As can be seen from Figure 6 and Figure 7 it can be seen that the cutter head 2 including the cutter system 3 can be pivotally supported relative to the handle of the razor / trimmer 1 about a pivot axis 21 that can extend substantially parallel to the reciprocation axis 10. The pivot axis 21 can be positioned close to the cutting elements 4 and 5 and / or positioned within the chamber 17 surrounded by the outer cutting element 4 and the outer frame 12.

[0106] As can be seen from Figure 5 and Figure 6 it can be seen that the outer frame 12 of the support structure 14 that holds the outer cutting element 4 can include a pair of pivot bearing sections 12a and 12b that can be spaced apart from each other and / or positioned at opposite end faces of the outer frame 12. On the other hand, a pair of support flanges 110 can be provided on the cutter head side of the handle 100, where the pivot bearing flanges 110 can be rotatably connected to the pivot bearing sections 12a and 12b of the outer frame 12 to form the pivot axis 21.

[0107] The spring device 22 may be associated with the pivot axis 21 so as to urge the cutter head 2 in a desired relative pivot position or orientation, which may be an intermediate orientation allowing pivoting in opposite directions, or, in an alternative, an end position or end orientation allowing pivoting in only one direction.

[0108] The spring device 22 may engage, on the one hand, with the support flange 110 of the handle 100 and, on the other hand, with the outer frame 12.

[0109] To drive the cutting elements 4 and 5 relative to each other in a reciprocating manner, the driver 18 may be connected to the inner cutting element 5, wherein such driver 18 may include a rod-shaped drive element attached to opposite end portions of the inner cutting element 5. On the other hand, the driver 18 may include a coupling section 18c that couples to a drive element extending from the handle 100 to the cutter head 2. More specifically, the inner frame 11 and the outer frame 12 of the support structure 14 may include elongated grooves 23 or cutouts extending through the base section 20 of the support structure 14, wherein the aforementioned coupling section 18c of the driver 18 may extend through the elongated cutout 23, see Figure 5 and FIG. 4, to allow coupling to a drive element of a drive train from a motor in the handle 100.

[0110] The driver 18 may be slidably guided at the inner frame 11 and / or the outer frame 12. For example, one or more guide blocks 24 or bearings 24 may be provided at the outer frame 12. For example, such guide blocks 24 may be inserted into a central elongated groove 24 extending in the base portion of the outer frame 12, wherein the guide blocks 24 may include slot-shaped grooves 25 in which the rod-shaped driver 18 may be slidably guided.

[0111] The driver 18 may be received between the rigid support ribs 19 of the inner frame 11. Specifically, the driver 18 may be received within the inner sub-chamber 17i and may thus be surrounded by a trough-shaped insert of the inner frame 11 including the rigid support ribs 19, wherein the coupling section 18c of the driver 18 may extend through a central elongated groove 23 in the bottom portion of the insert forming the inner frame 11.

Claims

1. A cutter system for an electric shaver and / or trimmer, comprising a pair of cooperating cutter elements (4, 5) having an inner cutter element (5) and an outer cutter element (4), said pair of cooperating cutter elements (4, 5) including two rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth (6, 7) at their opposite edges and at least one region of cutting perforations between said rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth (6, 7), wherein said cutter elements (4, 5) are movably supported relative to each other by a support structure (14), wherein said cutting perforations (8) are arranged in two separate elongate regions (70, 90) of the perforations (8), said two separate elongate regions of the perforations being separated from each other by an elongate unperforated central section (80) of the outer cutter element (4) of said cutter elements that defines a skin contact surface, and each including at least two rows of perforations (8) extending along said rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth (6, 7), wherein when viewed in a longitudinal section, said perforations (8) expand towards said skin contact surface of said outer cutter element (4). wherein said separate elongate regions (70, 90) of the perforations (8) are separated from said rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth (6, 7) by elongate unperforated side sections (61, 62) of said outer cutter element (4), and wherein said support structure (14) includes a pair of support ribs (19) that support the inner cutter element (5) of said cutter elements below said unperforated side sections (61, 62) along the outer boundaries of said regions (70, 90) of the perforations, and / or wherein said inner cutter element (5) extends unsupported below said unperforated central section (80) between said regions (70, 90) of the perforations.

2. The cutter system according to claim 1, wherein the width of said elongate unperforated central section (80) is greater than the width of each of said regions (70, 90) of the perforations (8).

3. The cutter system according to claim 2, wherein the width of said elongate unperforated central section (80) is between 100% and 250% of the width of each of said regions (70, 90) of the perforations (8).

4. The cutter system according to claim 2, wherein the width of said elongate unperforated central section (80) is between 110% and 175% of the width of each of said regions (70, 90) of the perforations (8).

5. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein more than 2 / 3 of the area of said skin contact surface of said cutter elements defined between said comb-shaped cutting teeth (6, 7) is unperforated.

6. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the cutting elements (4, 5) define a skin - contacting surface, which in a cross - sectional view is a continuous smooth dome - shaped surface extending from one row of comb - shaped cutting teeth (6) to another row of comb - shaped cutting teeth (7) in the respective rows of comb - shaped cutting teeth over the regions (70, 90) of the perforations (8), and wherein the unperforated central section (80) defines a maximum height on a straight baseline passing through the tips of the teeth of the respective rows of comb - shaped cutting teeth (6, 7).

7. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the perforation (8) has a non - circular profile, the non - circular profile including a longer major axis and a shorter minor axis, and wherein the perforation (8) is oriented such that the longer major axis extends transversely to the respective rows of comb - shaped cutting teeth (6, 7) and the shorter minor axis extends substantially parallel to the respective rows of comb - shaped cutting teeth (6, 7).

8. The cutter system according to claim 7, wherein the non - circular profile is hexagonal.

9. The cutter system according to claim 7, wherein the non - circular profile is oval or elliptical.

10. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein each of the regions (70, 90) of the perforation (8) includes two to five rows of non - circular or hexagonal perforations (8), the longer major axis of the non - circular or hexagonal perforations extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the respective rows of perforations (8).

11. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein each of the regions (70, 90) of the perforation (8) includes two to three rows of non - circular or hexagonal perforations (8), the longer major axis of the non - circular or hexagonal perforations extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the respective rows of perforations (8).

12. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the support structure (14) is configured to sandwich the inner cutting element (5) of the cutting elements between the outer cutting element (4) and the support edge of the support rib (19) of the inner frame portion of the support structure (14) with a gap (16) defined between the inner frame portion and the outer cutting element (4), the inner cutting element (5) being movably received in the gap (16), and wherein the support structure (14) further includes a pair of outer frame portions that hold the outer cutting element (4) at their opposite edge portions, and wherein the support rib extends from the base portion of the support structure (14) and forms the support edge for supporting the inner cutting element along the outer edge of the cutting perforation region.

13. The cutter system according to claim 12, wherein the support rib extends from the base portion (20) of the support structure (14) at an angle (β) of 2×20° to 2×40°.

14. The cutter system according to claim 12, wherein the support ribs extend from the base portion (20) of the support structure (14) at an angle (β) of 2×25° to 2×30°.

15. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the support edges of the support ribs facing the inner cutting element (5) are spaced apart from each other by a distance within the range of 35% to 70% of the distance defining between the respective rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth (6, 7) at the opposite edges of the cutting elements (4, 5).

16. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the support edges of the support ribs facing the inner cutting element (5) are spaced apart from each other by a distance within the range of 40% to 60% of the distance defining between the respective rows of comb-shaped cutting teeth (6, 7) at the opposite edges of the cutting elements (4, 5).

17. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the support ribs (19) are rigid so as not to flex onto the cutting elements (4, 5) under operating loads, and when viewed in cross-section, the support ribs define a V-shaped shape and have a linear profile with flat, substantially parallel side surfaces.

18. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the support structure (14) includes an outer frame portion (12) that holds the outer cutting element (4) at their opposite edge portions, wherein the outer frame portion (12) and the outer cutting element (4) define a cutter head chamber (17) that is divided by the support structure (14) into an inner sub-chamber (17i) for collecting short hair particles from the perforations (8) and a pair of outer sub-chambers (17o) for collecting long hair particles from the comb-shaped cutting teeth (6, 7), wherein the inner sub-chamber (17i) communicates with each of the regions (70, 90) of the perforations (8).

19. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the profile of the perforations of the outer cutting element (4) forms a cutting edge that is acute-angled towards the inner cutting element (5) side.

20. The cutter system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein more than 3 / 4 of the area of the skin contact surface of the cutting elements (4, 5) defined between the comb-shaped cutting teeth (6, 7) is unperforated.

21. The cutter system according to claim 19, wherein the acute angle is within the range of 25 to 60 degrees.

22. An electric razor and / or trimmer, comprising the cutter system according to any one of claims 1-21.

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