Outer blade for electric razor, electric razor, and plated multilayer body

Abstract

Provided is an outer blade for an electric razor that makes it possible to easily and reliably remove soilage and rust.　An outer blade 15 according to the present invention comprises a plated multilayer body obtained by layering a plurality of plating layers, which are a first to an Nth layer (35, 36), in order from a reverse surface side which contacts an inner blade 12. At least between the N-1th layer 35 and the Nth layer 36 positioned most toward the surface, a processing film 37 is formed that makes it easier for the Nth layer 36 to release from the N-1th layer 35, thus allowing the Nth layer 36 to easily release from the N-1th layer 35.

Description

Outer blade of electric shaver, electric shaver, and plated laminate

[0001] The present invention relates to an outer blade for an electric shaver, an electric shaver, and a plating laminate.

[0002] It is known that the outer blade of an electric shaver is constructed from a laminate. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an outer blade of an electric shaver that is constructed from a tin-cobalt (Sn—Co) layer formed on the surface of a substrate and a carbon coating formed on the surface of this tin-cobalt (Sn—Co) layer.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-168774

[0004] Generally speaking, when dirt or rust accumulates on the surface of a metal product, deteriorating its appearance, it is not easy to remove the dirt or rust. The same problem applies to the outer blade of an electric shaver. Because an electric shaver is used by moving the outer blade along the skin surface while in contact with the skin, sebum present on the surface of the skin is easily transferred to the outer blade. However, it is not easy to remove the sebum stains that have been transferred and accumulated on the outer blade. Furthermore, if sebum transferred to the outer blade is left for a long period of time, the surface of the outer blade may rust due to oxidation. Removing the rust formed on the outer blade is also not easy. Furthermore, in electric shaver, the sharpness of the outer blade is easily reduced not only by rusting of the outer blade as described above, but also by wear of the edge of the outer blade, and it is not easy to restore the sharpness once it has been reduced.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an outer blade for an electric shaver that can easily and reliably remove dirt and rust, and an electric shaver equipped with such an outer blade. Another object of the present invention is to provide a plating laminate that can easily and reliably remove dirt and rust.

[0006] The present invention relates to an outer blade for an electric shaver, which includes a hair introduction area 20 with multiple hair introduction holes 19 formed therein, and which shears hairs inserted into the hair introduction holes 19 between the hair introduction area 20 and the inner blade 12. The hair introduction area 20 is made of a plating laminate formed by laminating a plurality of plating layers, 1st to Nth layers (35, 36), in order from the back surface side that contacts the inner blade 12. A treatment film 37 that facilitates peeling of the Nth layer 36 from the N-1th layer 35 is formed at least between the Nth layer 36 located on the outermost surface and the N-1th layer 35, thereby enabling the Nth layer 36 to be easily peeled from the N-1th layer 35.

[0007] When the Nth layer 36 is peeled off from the N-1th layer 35, the N-1th layer 35 appears on the surface of the hair introduction area 20, the inner surface of the hair introduction hole 19 is partitioned by the N-1th layer 35, and the N-1th layer 35 appears on the cutting edge 19a relating to the opening edge of the hair introduction hole 19 that contacts the inner blade 12.

[0008] The present invention relates to an electric shaver for shearing hair, which includes a head portion 2 of a main body 1 equipped with an inner cutter 12, and an outer cutter unit 3 attached to the head portion 2. The outer cutter unit 3 includes an outer cutter 15, a cutter holder 16 that supports the outer cutter 15, and a cutter frame 18 that is attached to the cutter holder 16 via an engagement structure 17. The outer cutter 15 includes a hair introduction region 20 with multiple hair introduction holes 19 formed therein, and a support region 22 formed outside the hair introduction region 20. The support region 22 is sandwiched between the cutter frame 18 and the cutter holder 16, thereby integrating the outer cutter 15 with the cutter frame 18 and the cutter holder 16. The hair introduction region 20 and the support region 22 are composed of a plating laminate formed by laminating multiple plating layers, numbered 1 to N (35, 36), in order from the back surface side that contacts the inner cutter 12. Furthermore, a treatment film 37 that facilitates peeling of the Nth layer 36 from the N-1th layer 35 is formed at least between the Nth layer 36 located at the outermost surface and the N-1th layer 35, and is characterized in that the Nth layer 36 is configured to be easily peeled from the N-1th layer 35.

[0009] When the Nth layer 36 is peeled off from the N-1th layer 35, the N-1th layer 35 is exposed on the surfaces of the hair introduction region 20 and the support region 22, the inner surface of the hair introduction hole 19 is partitioned by the N-1th layer 35, and the N-1th layer 35 is exposed at the cutting edge 19a relating to the opening edge of the hair introduction hole 19 that contacts the inner blade 12.

[0010] An elastic body 38 is provided between the cutter frame 18 and the cutter receiving base 16 to absorb the reduction in thickness of the support region 22 caused by peeling the Nth layer 36 from the N-1th layer 35 .

[0011] The outer cutter 15 comprises a hair introduction region 20 formed in a dome shape that bulges upward, and a flange-like support region 22 that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the hair introduction region 20. The blade receiving base 16 comprises a cylindrical main wall 24 and a receiving surface 28 that receives the support region 22. A male thread 27 is formed on the outer periphery of the main wall 24. The blade frame 18 comprises a cylindrical frame wall 30 formed on its inner periphery with a female thread 32 that threadably engages with the male thread 27, and a press wall 31 that protrudes inward from the upper end of the frame wall 30 and presses the support region 22 against the receiving surface 28. The male thread 27 and the female thread 32 form an engagement structure 17. By threading the female thread 32 onto the male thread 27 and moving the blade frame 18 downward relative to the blade receiving base 16, the support region 22 is sandwiched between the press wall 31 and the receiving surface 28 from above and below.

[0012] The outer cutter 15 comprises a hair introduction region 20 formed in a circular dome shape that bulges upward, and a flange-like support region 22 formed and projecting outward from the outer periphery of the hair introduction region 20. The blade receiving base 16 comprises a cylindrical main wall 24 and a receiving surface 28 that receives the support region 22. The cutter frame 18 comprises a cylindrical frame wall 30 and a pressing wall 31 that projects inward from the upper end of the frame wall 30 and presses the support region 22 against the receiving surface 28. An engagement recess 48 provided on the outer surface of the main wall 24 of the blade receiving base 16 and an engagement protrusion 49 provided on the frame wall 30 of the cutter frame 18 constitute an engagement structure 17. When the engagement recess 48 and the engagement protrusion 49 are engaged, the pressing wall 31 is pressed against the receiving surface 28, and the support region 22 is sandwiched between the pressing wall 31 and the receiving surface 28.

[0013] A pin 33 is provided to protrude from the receiving surface 28 or the retaining wall 31, and a groove 34 for receiving the pin 33 is formed in the support region 22.

[0014] The N-1th layer 35 of the outer cutter 15 is insert-molded into the cutter holder 16 made of resin.

[0015] The present invention relates to an electric shaver that shears hair and includes a head portion 2 of a main body 1 equipped with an inner cutter 12, and an outer cutter unit 3 attached to the head portion 2. The outer cutter unit 3 includes an outer cutter 15 disposed at the top end of the head portion 2, a support case 56 fixed to the top end of the head portion 2 to hold the outer cutter 15, and a blade receiving ring 57 attached to the inside of the support case 56. The outer cutter 15 comprises a hair introduction region 20 formed in a dome shape that bulges upward, and a flange-like support region 22 formed and projecting outward from the outer peripheral edge of the hair introduction region 20. The hair introduction region 20 and the support region 22 are composed of a plating laminate formed by laminating multiple plating layers, numbered 1 to N (35, 36), in order from the back surface side that contacts the inner cutter 12. A treatment film 37 that facilitates peeling of the Nth layer 36 from the N-1th layer 35 is formed at least between the Nth layer 36 located on the outermost surface and the N-1th layer 35, so that the Nth layer 36 can be easily peeled from the N-1th layer 35. The support case 56 includes a cylindrical holder wall 58 and a pressing wall 59 formed to protrude inward from the upper end of the holder wall 58, and a fixing structure 63 is provided between the holder wall 58 and the head portion 2 for detachably fixing the support case 56 to the head portion 2. The blade receiving ring 57 is formed in a circular ring shape and comprises a ring body 64 that clamps the support area 22 between itself and the retaining wall 59, a pair of protrusions 65 that protrude from opposite positions on the outer peripheral surface of the ring body 64 and engage with recessed holes 62 formed on the inner surface of the holder wall 58, and an operating piece 66 for deforming the ring body 64 in a direction that reduces the distance between the opposing protrusions 65, and when the outer cutter unit 3 is attached to the head portion 2, the underside of the ring body 64 is supported by the head portion 2. By arranging the support area 22 between the underside of the retaining wall 59 and the upper surface of the ring body 64, and engaging the protrusions 65 of the blade receiving ring 57 with the recessed holes 62 in the holder wall 58 of the support case 56 and attaching the blade receiving ring 57 to the support case 56, the three components of the support case 56, the blade receiving ring 57, and the outer cutter 15 are integrated into one unit, and by operating the operating piece 66 to deform the ring body 64 in a direction in which the protrusions 65 move closer to each other, the engagement between the recessed holes 62 and the protrusions 65 can be released, and the outer cutter 15 and the blade receiving ring 57 can be separated from the support case 56.

[0016] The fixing structure 63 is composed of a female thread portion 61 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the holder wall 58 of the support case 56 and a male thread portion 60 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the head portion 2 and threadably joined to the female thread portion 61. By fastening the support case 56 to the head portion 2, the pressing wall 59 of the support case 56 is pressed against the ring body 64 of the cutter receiving ring 57, thereby clamping the support region 22 of the outer cutter 15.

[0017] When the Nth layer 36 is peeled off from the N-1th layer 35, the N-1th layer 35 is exposed on the surfaces of the hair introduction region 20 and the support region 22, the inner surface of the hair introduction hole 19 is partitioned by the N-1th layer 35, and the N-1th layer 35 is exposed at the cutting edge 19a relating to the opening edge of the hair introduction hole 19 that contacts the inner blade 12.

[0018] An elastic body 38 is provided between the blade receiving ring 57 and the support case 56 to absorb the reduction in thickness of the support region 22 caused by peeling the Nth layer 36 from the N-1th layer 35 .

[0019] The present invention is directed to a plated laminate formed by laminating a plurality of plated layers, 1st to Nth layers (35, 36), in order from the back surface side. A treatment film 37 that facilitates peeling of the Nth layer 36 from the N-1th layer 35 is formed at least between the Nth layer 36 located on the outermost surface and the N-1th layer 35, and is characterized by being configured so that the Nth layer 36 can be easily peeled from the N-1th layer 35.

[0020] As in the outer blade of the electric shaver according to the present invention, a treatment film 37 that facilitates peeling of the Nth layer 36 from the N-1th layer 35 is formed at least between the Nth layer 36 located on the outermost surface and the N-1th layer 35, and the Nth layer 36 is configured to be easily peeled from the N-1th layer 35. In this case, even if sebum adheres to the outermost Nth layer 36, causing dirt to adhere to the Nth layer 36, or if rust occurs on the Nth layer 36, the dirt and rust can be easily and reliably removed along with the Nth layer 36 by peeling and separating the Nth layer 36 from the N-1th layer 35.

[0021] 4 is a longitudinal sectional front view of an outer cutter constituting an electric razor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the schematic configuration of an electric razor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the configuration in the vicinity of the head. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the main parts. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 4. FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the main parts. FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the operation of peeling the second plating layer from the first plating layer. 5(a) to (d) are views for explaining a method of manufacturing the outer cutter of an electric razor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the configuration in the vicinity of the head of an electric razor according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the main parts of an electric razor according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the main parts of an electric razor according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the configuration in the vicinity of the head of an electric razor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the main parts of an electric razor according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a front view showing the schematic configuration of an electric razor according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the configuration in the vicinity of the head. FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the configuration in the vicinity of the head. FIG. 19 is an exploded view of an outer cutter unit. FIG.

[0022] (First Embodiment) Figures 1 to 8 show a first embodiment in which the electric shaver and outer cutter of the present invention are applied to a rotary electric shaver and outer cutter. In this embodiment, the front, rear, left, right, and top and bottom refer to the crossed arrows shown in Figures 2, 4, 5, etc., and the indications near each arrow. As shown in Figure 2, the electric shaver comprises a main body 1 and an outer cutter unit 3 attached to a head 2 provided at the upper end of the main body 1. The main body 1 houses a motor 4, a battery 5, a control circuit (not shown), and other components. As shown in Figure 3, the head 2 is partitioned by an annular wall 6 and an inner bottom 7, forming an inner cutter housing chamber 8 with an opening at the top. An opening 10 is formed in the center of the inner bottom 7, allowing an inner cutter shaft 9 connected to the motor 4 to protrude upward.

[0023] The inner cutter 12, which is rotated by the motor 4 via the inner cutter shaft 9, is composed of a disk-shaped inner cutter holder 13 and a plurality of inner cutter bodies 14 formed at equal intervals around the circumference of the inner cutter holder 13. Each inner cutter body 14 is biased upward by a leaf spring (not shown) attached to the underside of the inner cutter holder 13.

[0024] The outer cutter unit 3 is composed of an outer cutter 15, a cutter holder 16 that supports the outer cutter 15, and a cutter frame 18 that is fitted onto the cutter holder 16 via an engagement structure 17. As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the outer cutter 15 is a metal molded product that is integrally formed with a hair introduction region 20 in which multiple hair introduction holes 19 are formed, a cylindrical circumferential side portion 21 that extends downward from the outer periphery of the hair introduction region 20, and a flange-like support region 22 that extends horizontally outward from the lower end of the circumferential side portion 21. The hair introduction region 20 is formed in an upwardly bulging dome shape, and the cutting edge of the inner cutter body 14 slides against its inner surface.

[0025] As shown in Figure 6, the blade receiving base 16 is a plastic molded product consisting of a cylindrical main wall 24 with an opening in the vertical direction. A female thread 26 is formed on the lower inner peripheral surface of the main wall 24. This female thread 26 is threadedly engaged with a male thread 25 engraved on the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall 6 of the head portion 2. The blade receiving base 16 can be attached to or detached from the head portion 2 by threading or unthreading this female thread 26 onto the male thread 25. The upper outer peripheral surface of the main wall 24 is formed with a male thread 27. This male thread 27 is threadedly engaged with a female thread 32 formed on the blade frame 18. The blade frame 18 can be attached to or detached from the blade receiving base 16 by threading or unthreading this female thread 32 onto the male thread 27. The upper end surface (cylindrical end surface) of the main wall 24 forms a receiving surface 28 that receives the support region 22 of the outer cutter 15. That is, in this embodiment, the upper end surface of the main wall 24 serves as a receiving surface 28 that receives the support region 22 of the outer cutter 15 .

[0026] 6, the blade frame 18 is a plastic molded product including a cylindrical frame wall 30 with openings in the vertical direction and a ring-shaped retaining wall 31 formed by projecting inward from the entire circumference of the upper end of the frame wall 30, and a female threaded portion 32 that screws into the male threaded portion 27 of the blade receiving base 16 as described above is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the frame wall 30. In this embodiment, the male threaded portion 27 of the blade receiving base 16 and the female threaded portion 32 of the blade frame 18 form an engagement structure 17 for connecting the two (the blade receiving base 16 and the blade frame 18) together. Furthermore, with the outer cutter 15 disposed between the cutter receiving base 16 and the cutter frame 18, the female threaded portion 32 is threaded onto the male threaded portion 27, and the cutter frame 18 is moved downward relative to the cutter receiving base 16, whereby the support region 22 of the outer cutter 15 is sandwiched from above and below by the lower surface of the pressing wall 31 and the receiving surface 28 of the main wall 24, thereby fixing the outer cutter 15 between the cutter receiving base 16 and the cutter frame 18. Furthermore, by rotating the cutter frame 18 in the reverse order in a direction that releases the threaded state between the male threaded portion 27 and the female threaded portion 32, the cutter frame 18 is moved upward relative to the cutter receiving base 16, and the cutter frame 18 is separated from the cutter receiving base 16, and the sandwiched state of the support region 22 of the outer cutter 15 by the cutter frame 18 and the cutter receiving base 16 is released, allowing the outer cutter 15 to be separated from the cutter frame 18 and the cutter receiving base 16.

[0027] A rotation prevention mechanism is provided between the blade receiving base 16 and the outer cutter 15 to prevent the outer cutter 15 from accidentally (unintentionally) rotating relative to the blade receiving base 16. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , this rotation prevention mechanism comprises pins (positioning bodies) 33 protruding from two locations on the upper end of the main wall 24 of the blade receiving base 16 and grooves (positioning portions) 34 formed in two locations on the support region 22 of the outer cutter 15 to receive the pins 33. The grooves 34 are recessed inward from the outer periphery. The pins 33 and grooves 34 are formed at opposing positions (180° apart) in the circumferential direction of the main wall 24 and the support region 22. Holes may be used instead of the grooves 34. Furthermore, the pins (positioning bodies) 33 and the grooves or holes (positioning portions) 34 constituting the rotation prevention mechanism may be reversed. That is, the pins may be provided on the underside of the support region 22 of the outer cutter 15, and the grooves or holes may be provided on the upper end of the main wall 24 of the blade receiving base 16.

[0028] In addition, in the electric shaver of this embodiment, the outer cutter 15 is a two-layer plated laminate formed by laminating a lower first plating layer (N-1th layer) 35 and an upper second plating layer (Nth layer) 36, and is configured so that the second plating layer 36 can be easily peeled from the first plating layer 35 (see FIGS. 1 and 7). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a treatment film 37 made of an easy-peel treatment agent that facilitates peeling of the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35 is formed between the lower first plating layer 35 and second plating layer 36, and as shown in FIG. 7, the second plating layer 36 is configured so that it can be easily peeled from the first plating layer 35. Since the second plating layer 36 is configured to be easily peeled from the first plating layer 35, for example, when the surface of the second plating layer 36 becomes dirty due to adhesion of sebum or the like, or when rust occurs on the second plating layer 36, the dirt or rust can be easily and reliably removed by peeling off the second plating layer 36. The first plating layer 35 and the second plating layer 36 are composed of nickel or a nickel-cobalt alloy, for example. The treatment film 37 is composed of potassium dichromate, for example. The thickness of the second plating layer 36 is preferably thinner than that of the first plating layer 35. Furthermore, the thickness of the second plating layer 36 is preferably half or less of the thickness of the first plating layer 35. If the thickness of the second plating layer 36 is less than 5 μm, there is a risk of damage during peeling, so it is more preferable that the thickness of the second plating layer 36 be 5 μm or more.

[0029] 7, when the second plating layer 36 is peeled off from the first plating layer 35, the first plating layer 35 is exposed on the surface of the hair introduction region 20, and the inner circumferential surface of the hair introduction hole 19 is defined by the first plating layer 35. Therefore, by peeling and separating the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35, dirt and rust attached to the surface of the hair introduction region 20 or the inner circumferential surface of the hair introduction hole 19 can be easily and reliably removed along with the second plating layer 36. Furthermore, when the second plating layer 36 is peeled off from the first plating layer 35, the first plating layer 35 is exposed at the cutting edge 19a on the opening edge of the hair introduction hole 19 that contacts the inner blade 12, which restores the edge angle (cutting edge angle) and restores the sharpness of the electric razor. Strictly speaking, when the second plating layer 36 is peeled off, the treatment film 37 appears on the surface of the hair introduction region 20, and the inner circumferential surface of the hair introduction hole 19 is defined by the treatment film 37. However, the treatment film 37 is extremely thin and contributes almost nothing to the structure (framework) of the outer cutter 15. Therefore, as described above, the treatment film 37 is ignored in the description of this embodiment. Note that the treatment film 37 on the first plating layer 35 may be removed after the second plating layer 36 is peeled off.

[0030] 4 and other figures, reference numeral 38 denotes an elastic body that is fixed to the underside of the pressing wall 31 and absorbs the reduction in thickness of the support region 22 that occurs when the second plating layer 36 is peeled off from the first plating layer 35. As shown in Fig. 5, the elastic body 38 is a ring-shaped member made of rubber or the like, and is fixed to the underside of the tip of the pressing wall 31 around its entire periphery. As described above, when the second plating layer 36 is peeled off from the first plating layer 35, the thickness dimension of the outer cutter 15 including the support region 22 is reduced accordingly, and therefore, in principle, it is necessary to change (reduce) the spacing dimension between the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16 that clamp the support region 22. However, when an elastic body 38 is provided between the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16 as in this embodiment, the reduction in thickness dimension of the support region 22 resulting from peeling the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35 can be absorbed by changing the amount of compressive deformation of the elastic body 38 without having to change the distance between the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16. Therefore, there is no need to provide a mechanism for changing the spacing dimension between the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16 as described above, and increases in the cost of the electric shaver can be suppressed.

[0031] FIG. 8 shows a manufacturing method for the outer blade 15, which is made of a plated laminate. First, as shown in FIG. 8( a), a primary blank 43 is prepared by forming a pattern film 41 and a primary electrodeposition layer 42 on the surface of a steel matrix 40. More specifically, a photoresist layer is applied to the surface of the matrix 40 and dried. After that, a pattern film is adhered to the surface of the photoresist layer, followed by baking, developing, and drying processes to form a pattern film 41 having a pattern 41a corresponding to the hair introduction holes 19 on the matrix 40. Next, the matrix 40 with the pattern film 41 formed thereon is immersed in an electrodeposition bath (plating bath), and a primary electrodeposition layer 42 is grown on the surface of the matrix 40 not covered by the pattern film 41, thereby completing the primary blank 43. At this time, electroforming (plating) is continued until the thickness of the primary electrodeposition layer 42 is greater than the thickness of the pattern film 41, and the primary electrodeposition layer 42 overhangs the periphery of the openings in the pattern film 41. The electroformed metal for forming the primary electrodeposited layer 42 may be nickel or a nickel-cobalt alloy.

[0032] Next, as shown in Figure 8(b), the primary blank 43 is immersed in an electrodeposition bath, and a secondary electrodeposition layer 44 is grown on the primary electrodeposition layer 42 to form a secondary blank 45. At this time, the secondary electrodeposition layer 44 grows above the primary electrodeposition layer 42, but a portion of it grows so as to cover the pattern film 41. Next, as shown in Figure 8(c), the secondary blank 45 on which the secondary electrodeposition layer 44 has been formed is immersed in an aqueous potassium dichromate solution to form a treatment film 37 made of an easily peelable treatment agent on the surface of the secondary electrodeposition layer 44, and further, the secondary blank 45 on which the treatment film 37 has been formed is immersed again in the electrodeposition bath to form a tertiary electrodeposition layer 46 on the outer surface of the secondary electrodeposition layer 44 via the treatment film 37. Finally, by peeling off the secondary electrodeposition layer 44, the treatment film 37, and the tertiary electrodeposition layer 46 from the pattern film 41, the primary electrodeposition layer 42, and the master mold 40, an outer blade 15 can be obtained, as shown in Figure 8 (d), which has a first plating layer 35 derived from the secondary electrodeposition layer 44 and a second plating layer 36 derived from the tertiary electrodeposition layer 46, and has a treatment film 37 between the first plating layer 35 and the second plating layer 36.

[0033] As described above, in the outer cutter 15 of the electric shaver of this embodiment, a treatment film 37 made of an easy-peel treatment agent that facilitates peeling of the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35 is formed between the second plating layer 36 located on the outermost surface and the first plating layer 35, thereby making it possible to easily peel the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35. Therefore, even if sebum or the like adheres to the outermost second plating layer 36, causing dirt to adhere to the second plating layer 36 or causing rust to form on the second plating layer 36, the dirt and rust can be easily and reliably removed along with the second plating layer 36 by peeling and separating the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0034] More specifically, when the second plating layer 36 is peeled off from the first plating layer 35, the first plating layer 35 is exposed on the surface of the hair introduction region 20, and the inner circumferential surface of the hair introduction hole 19 is defined by the first plating layer 35. Therefore, by peeling and separating the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35, dirt and rust attached to the surface of the hair introduction region 20 or the inner circumferential surface of the hair introduction hole 19 can be easily and reliably removed along with the second plating layer 36. Furthermore, when the second plating layer 36 is peeled off from the first plating layer 35, the first plating layer 35 is exposed at the cutting edge 19a relating to the opening edge of the hair introduction hole 19 that contacts the inner blade 12, so the edge angle (cutting edge angle) can be restored, restoring the sharpness of the electric razor.

[0035] 3 and 4, the support region 22 is sandwiched between the cutter frame 18 and the cutter receiving base 16, so that the outer cutter 15 is integrated with the cutter frame 18 and the cutter receiving base 16, thereby preventing the second plating layer 36 from accidentally peeling off or separating from the first plating layer 35. In other words, with this type of plating laminate, peeling occurs not from the center but from the outer edge, but by sandwiching the support region 22 located on the outer edge between the cutter frame 18 and the cutter receiving base 16 as in this embodiment, peeling can be effectively prevented from starting from the outer edge, thereby preventing the second plating layer 36 from accidentally peeling off or separating.

[0036] Since an elastic body 38 is provided between the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16, the reduction in thickness of the support area 22 resulting from peeling the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35 can be absorbed without providing a special mechanism for changing the spacing dimension between the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16, and the support area 22 can be securely clamped and fixed between the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16 with a simple structure.

[0037] The blade receiving base 16 has a cylindrical main wall 24, and the blade frame 18 has a cylindrical frame wall 30 and a pressing wall 31. The male threads 27 engraved on the outer peripheral surface of the main wall 24 of the blade receiving base 16 are threadedly engaged with the female threads 32 formed on the frame wall 30 of the blade frame 18. By moving the blade frame 18 relatively downward with respect to the blade receiving base 16, the pressing wall 31 and the main wall 24 hold the support area 22 from above and below. Therefore, when using the electric shaver, by threading the female threads 32 of the blade frame 18 into the male threads 27 of the blade receiving base 16 as described above and moving the blade frame 18 relatively downward with respect to the blade receiving base 16, the support area 22 of the outer cutter 15 is held between the pressing wall 31 and the main wall 24 from above and below, and the three components of the blade frame 18, blade receiving base 16 and outer cutter 15 can be integrated into the outer cutter unit 3. Furthermore, by reversing the procedure described above, the engagement between the male threaded portion 27 of the blade receiving base 16 and the female threaded portion 32 of the blade frame 18 can be released, thereby separating the blade receiving base 16 from the blade frame 18 and releasing the clamping state of the support region 22 between the pressing wall 31 and the main wall 24, thereby separating the outer cutter 15 from the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16. Then, by separating the outer cutter 15 from the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16 in this manner, the second plating layer 36 can be peeled off, as shown in Figure 7.

[0038] A pin 33 is protruded from the main wall 24 and a groove 34 for receiving the pin 33 is formed in the support region 22, so that when the cutter frame 18, the cutter receiving stand 16 and the outer cutter 15 are integrated, the outer cutter 15 can be prevented from rotating unintentionally relative to the cutter receiving stand 16.

[0039] 9 and 10 show a second embodiment of an electric shaver and outer cutter according to the present invention. In this second embodiment, the engagement structure 17 for attaching the blade frame 18 to the blade receiving base 16 differs from the engagement structure 17 of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the engagement structure 17 was formed by a male thread 27 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the main wall 24 of the blade receiving base 16 and a female thread 32 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the frame wall 30 of the blade frame 18. In short, the engagement structure 17 was formed by a screw-fit structure. In contrast, in this second embodiment, the engagement structure 17 is formed by an engagement recess 48 formed on the outer surface of the main wall 24 of the blade receiving base 16 and an engagement protrusion 49 formed on the frame wall 30 of the blade frame 18. In short, the engagement structure 17 is formed by a concave-convex engagement structure.

[0040] As shown in Figure 9, the frame wall 30 of the blade frame 18 is formed in the shape of a flat circular ring. Engagement protrusions 49 are formed at two locations on the opposing circumferential surface of the frame wall 30, and each engagement protrusion 49 is composed of an elastic arm 50 extending downward from the frame wall 30 and an engagement claw 51 provided at the lower end of the elastic arm 50. Engagement recesses 48 are formed as recesses at two locations on the opposing circumferential surface of the outer surface of the main wall 24 of the blade receiving base 16, corresponding to the engagement protrusions 49. Each engagement recess 48 is composed of a groove 52 that receives the elastic arm 50 and a recess 53 formed at the lower end of the groove 52 that receives the engagement claw 51. Other points are similar to those of the first embodiment, so identical components are designated by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0041] In an electric shaver equipped with the engaging structure 17 configured as described above, the engaging claws 51 of the engaging protrusions 49 are engaged with the engaging recesses 48, thereby allowing the blade frame 18 to be inseparably attached and held to the blade receiving base 16. Furthermore, when the blade frame 18 is inseparably attached and held to the blade receiving base 16 in this manner, the pressing wall 31 is pressed against the main wall 24, and the supporting area 22 of the outer cutter 15 can be clamped and fixed from above and below by the pressing wall 31 and the main wall 24.

[0042] (Third Embodiment) Figure 11(a) shows a third embodiment of an electric shaver and outer cutter according to the present invention. This third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the first plating layer 35 of the outer cutter 15 is insert-molded into the resin cutter holder 16. When the first plating layer 35 is insert-molded into the cutter holder 16, the second plating layer 36 can be peeled off while holding the cutter holder 16, making the peeling process easier. Furthermore, as previously described, the outer cutter 15 can be supported non-rotatably relative to the cutter holder 16 without providing the pin 33 and groove 34. Furthermore, when the first plating layer 35 of the outer cutter 15 is insert-molded into the cutter holder 16 as in this embodiment, the outer cutter 15 remains held in the cutter holder 16 when the cutter frame 18 is separated from the cutter holder 16. Therefore, by holding the outer blade 15 together with the blade receiving base 16 and pinching and pulling the second plating layer 36, the work of peeling the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35 can be carried out more easily, making it possible to more easily peel the second plating layer 36.

[0043] 11(b) shows a modification of the third embodiment. In this modification, the second plating layer 36 of the outer cutter 15 is insert-molded into the cutter frame 18. Even in this case, the second plating layer 36 can be peeled off by separating the cutter frame 18 from the cutter holder 16.

[0044] (Fourth embodiment) Figures 12 and 13 show a fourth embodiment of an electric shaver and outer cutter according to the present invention. In this fourth embodiment, the configuration of the outer cutter unit 3 differs from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in Figure 13, the outer cutter unit 3 is composed of an outer cutter 15 disposed at the upper end of the head portion 2, a support case 56 fixed to the upper end of the head portion 2 to hold the outer cutter 15, and a cutter holder ring 57 attached to the inside of the support case 56.

[0045] The outer cutter 15 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. Specifically, the outer cutter 15 is a metal molded product (plated laminate) integrally formed with a hair introduction region 20, which has numerous hair introduction holes 19 formed therein, a cylindrical peripheral portion 21 extending downward from the outer periphery of the hair introduction region 20, and a flange-like support region 22 extending horizontally outward from the lower end of the peripheral portion 21. The hair introduction region 20 is formed in an upwardly bulging circular dome shape, and the cutting edge of the inner cutter body 14 slides against its inner surface. The outer cutter 15 is a two-layer plated laminate (see FIG. 1 ) consisting of a lower first plated layer 35 and an upper second plated layer 36. A treatment film 37 made of an easy-peel treatment agent is formed between the first plated layer 35 and the second plated layer 36, facilitating peeling of the second plated layer 36 from the first plated layer 35. This allows the second plated layer 36 to be easily peeled from the first plated layer 35.

[0046] As shown in Figure 13, the support case 56 is a plastic molded product formed by integrally molding a cylindrical holder wall 58 and a retaining wall 59 formed by projecting inward from the upper end of the holder wall 58. Recessed holes 62, 62 are provided at two left and right locations on the inner surface of the holder wall 58 to receive the tips of protrusions 65 of a cutting edge receiving ring 57, which will be described later. A fixing structure 63 is provided between the holder wall 58 and the head portion 2 to detachably fix the support case 56 to the head portion 2. The fixing structure 63 is composed of a male thread portion 60 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall 6 of the head portion 2 and a female thread portion 61 formed on the inner surface of the lower part of the holder wall 58 of the support case 56 and which screws into the male thread portion 60.

[0047] The blade receiving ring 57 includes a ring body 64 formed in an annular shape and sandwiching the support area 22 of the outer cutter 15 between itself and the retaining wall 59; a pair of left and right protrusions 65, 65 protruding from opposite positions on the outer peripheral surface of the ring body 64 and engaging with recesses 62 formed on the inner surface of the holder wall 58; and a pair of left and right operating pieces 66, 66 protruding downward from the ring body 64 and used to bend and deform the ring body 64 in a direction that reduces the distance between the protrusions 65. The ring body 64 is a molded plastic product formed integrally with the ring body 64, the protrusions 65, and the operating pieces 66. A guide groove 68 is circumferentially engraved on the underside of the ring body 64 to accommodate a guide wall 67 formed circumferentially on the upper end of the annular wall 6 of the head portion 2. A ring-shaped elastic body 38 is provided on the upper surface of the ring body 64. The function of the elastic body 38 is the same as that of the elastic body 38 in the first embodiment.

[0048] In the electric shaver described above, the outer cutter unit 3 can be assembled by arranging the support area 22 of the outer cutter 15 between the underside of the retaining wall 59 of the support case 56 and the upper surface of the ring body 64 of the blade receiving ring 57, engaging the protrusions 65 of the blade receiving ring 57 with the recessed holes 62 of the holder wall 58 of the support case 56, and attaching the blade receiving ring 57 to the support case 56. Attaching the blade receiving ring 57 to the support case 56 in this manner allows the support area 22 of the outer cutter 15 to be sandwiched from above and below by the underside of the retaining wall 59 and the upper surface of the ring body 64 via the elastic body 38. Furthermore, sandwiching the support area 22 of the outer cutter 15 from above and below in this manner prevents the second plating layer 36 from accidentally peeling off from the first plating layer 35, with the support area 22 acting as the peeling starting point. A pin 33 that constitutes a rotation prevention structure is protruded from the lower surface of the retaining wall 59 .

[0049] The outer blade unit 3 assembled as described above is attached to the head 2 by threading the female threads 61 of the holder wall 58 of the support case 56 into the male threads 60 on the annular wall 6 of the head 2. In this attached state, the retaining wall 59 moves downward relative to the blade receiving ring 57 received on the upper end of the head 2, so that the support area 22 is firmly sandwiched from above and below by the lower surface of the holder wall 58 of the support case 56 and the upper surface of the ring body 64 of the blade receiving ring 57, and the outer blade 15 is fixed between them (the holder wall 58 and the ring body 64).

[0050] To peel the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35, first, the male thread 60 of the head 2 is released from the female thread 61 of the support case 56, and the outer cutter unit 3 is separated from the head 2. Next, the operating pieces 66 are operated to bend and deform the cutting edge receiving ring 57 in a direction that brings the protrusions 65 closer to each other. This releases the engagement between the recesses 62 and the protrusions 65, allowing the outer cutter 15 to be separated from the support case 56 and the cutting edge receiving ring 57. Furthermore, by separating the outer cutter 15 from the support case 56 and the cutting edge receiving ring 57 in this way, the second plating layer 36 can be peeled off (see FIG. 7 ).

[0051] As described above, in the electric shaver of this embodiment, the treatment film 37 made of an easy-peel treatment agent that facilitates peeling of the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35 is formed between the second plating layer 36 located on the outermost surface and the first plating layer 35, thereby enabling the second plating layer 36 to be easily peeled from the first plating layer 35. Therefore, even if sebum or the like adheres to the outermost second plating layer 36, causing contamination of the second plating layer 36 or rusting of the second plating layer 36, the second plating layer 36 can be peeled and separated from the first plating layer 35, as shown in Fig. 7, thereby easily and reliably removing the contamination and rust along with the second plating layer 36. The edge angle of the cutting edge 19a can also be restored, restoring the sharpness of the electric shaver. In addition, when the outer blade 15 after peeling off the second plating layer 36 in this manner is assembled to the support case 56 and the blade receiving ring 57, the thickness dimension of the support area 22 decreases, but this is absorbed by changing the amount of compressive deformation of the elastic body 38.

[0052] Fifth Embodiment Figures 14 to 18 show a fifth embodiment in which the electric shaver and outer cutter according to the present invention are applied to a reciprocating electric shaver and outer cutter. As shown in Figure 14, the electric shaver according to this embodiment comprises a main body 1 and an outer cutter unit 3 attached to a head 2 provided at the top end of the main body 1. The main body 1 houses a motor 4, a battery 5, a control circuit (not shown), and other components.

[0053] The inner cutter 12, which is driven to reciprocate by the motor 4, is composed of an inner cutter body 14, which is an inner cutter blank having multiple slit blades bent into an inverted U shape, and an inner cutter holder 13 to which the inner cutter body 14 is fixed. The drive structure that drives the inner cutter 12 to reciprocate is composed of an eccentric cam 72 fixed to the output shaft of the motor 4, a vibrator 73, and a drive shaft 74 that protrudes from the center of the upper part of the vibrator 73. The rotational power of the motor 4 is converted into reciprocating power by the eccentric cam 72 and the vibrator 73 and transmitted to the inner cutter 12 via the drive shaft 74. The inner cutter 12 is pushed up by a spring (not shown) arranged between the vibrator 73 and the inner cutter holder 13, and is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer cutter 15.

[0054] The outer cutter unit 3 is composed of an outer cutter 15, a cutter holder 16 that supports the outer cutter 15, and a cutter frame 18 to which the cutter holder 16 is attached via an engagement structure 17. The outer cutter 15 is a metal molded part that is integrally formed with a hair introduction region 20 in which multiple hair introduction holes 19 are formed, and a support region 22 that is formed to surround the hair introduction region 20. The support region 22 has an engagement hole 76 that receives a fixing pin 90 of the cutter holder 16, which will be described later.

[0055] The layer structure of the outer cutter 15 is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, as shown in Fig. 18, the outer cutter 15 is a two-layer plated laminate consisting of a first lower plated layer 35 and a second upper plated layer 36. In addition, a treatment film 37 made of an easy-to-peel treatment agent that facilitates peeling of the second plated layer 36 from the first plated layer 35 is formed between the first plated layer 35 and the second plated layer 36 (see Fig. 16), so that the second plated layer 36 can be easily peeled from the first plated layer 35.

[0056] The blade frame 18 is formed into a frame shape with open top and bottom faces, and is made up of a pair of left and right side frames 78 formed in a gate shape and a pair of front and rear horizontal frames 79, 79 connecting the lower parts of the side frames 78, 78. A first engagement recess 80 for engaging and mounting the blade receiving base 16 is formed in the center of the inner surface of each of the opposing left and right side frames 78, 78, and a second engagement recess 82 for engaging and capturing with an engagement claw 81 formed on the head portion 2 is formed in the lower part of the inner surface of each of the left and right side frames 78, 78. An elastic body 38 is fixed to the inner surface 83 at the upper end of each horizontal frame 79 to absorb any reduction in thickness of the outer cutter 15 resulting from peeling of the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35.

[0057] The blade receiving base 16 is formed into a frame shape with open top and bottom faces, and is made up of a pair of left and right side frames 86, 86 and a pair of front and rear cross frames 87, 87 connecting the lower parts of the side frames 86, 86. Engagement claws 88 are formed on the outer surfaces of both side frames 86, 86 to engage with the first engagement recesses 80 of the blade frame 18. The engagement structure 17 of this embodiment is composed of the first engagement recesses 80 and the engagement claws 88. A fixing pin 90 is provided on a support surface 89 oriented in the front-rear direction of each side frame 86, which engages with an engagement hole 76 formed in the support region 22 of the outer cutter 15.

[0058] The outer cutter unit 3 can be assembled in the following procedure. First, the outer cutter 15 is attached to the cutter holder 16. Specifically, while deforming the outer cutter 15 into an inverted U-shape, the fixing pin 90 of the cutter holder 16 is inserted into the engagement hole 76 of the outer cutter 15, thereby attaching the outer cutter 15 to the cutter holder 16. Next, the outer cutter 15 and the cutter holder 16 are inserted from below into the cutter frame 18, and the engagement claw 88 of the cutter holder 16 is engaged with the first engagement recess 80 of the cutter frame 18. This inseparably attaches and holds the outer cutter 15 and the cutter holder 16 to the cutter frame 18, thereby obtaining the outer cutter unit 3 in which the outer cutter 15, the cutter holder 16, and the cutter frame 18 are integrated. At this time, the support region 22 of the outer cutter 15 is clamped between the support surface 89 of the cutter holder 16 and the upper inner surface 83 of the cutter frame 18 via the elastic body 38. The outer cutter unit 3 obtained as described above is attached to the head portion 2 by engaging and capturing the second engaging recesses 82 of the cutter frame 18 with the engaging claws 81 formed on the head portion 2 .

[0059] As described above, in the outer cutter 15 of the electric shaver of this embodiment, a treatment film 37 made of an easy-peel treatment agent that facilitates peeling of the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35 is formed between the second plating layer 36 located on the surface and the first plating layer 35, thereby making it possible to easily peel the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35. Therefore, even if sebum or the like adheres to the outermost second plating layer 36, causing dirt to adhere to the second plating layer 36 or causing rust to form on the second plating layer 36, the dirt and rust can be easily and reliably removed along with the second plating layer 36 by peeling and separating the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0060] More specifically, when the second plating layer 36 is peeled off from the first plating layer 35, the first plating layer 35 is exposed on the surface of the hair introduction region 20, and the inner circumferential surface of the hair introduction hole 19 is defined by the first plating layer 35. Therefore, by peeling and separating the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35, dirt and rust attached to the surface of the hair introduction region 20 or the inner circumferential surface of the hair introduction hole 19 can be easily and reliably removed along with the second plating layer 36. Furthermore, when the second plating layer 36 is peeled off from the first plating layer 35, the first plating layer 35 is exposed at the cutting edge 19a relating to the opening edge of the hair introduction hole 19 that contacts the inner blade 12, so the edge angle (cutting edge angle) can be restored, restoring the sharpness of the electric razor.

[0061] By sandwiching the support region 22 between the cutter frame 18 and the cutter receiving base 16, the outer cutter 15 is integrated with the cutter frame 18 and the cutter receiving base 16, which prevents the second plating layer 36 from accidentally peeling off or separating from the first plating layer 35. In other words, with this type of plating laminate, peeling occurs from the outer edge portion rather than the center portion, but by sandwiching the support region 22 located on the outer edge portion between the cutter frame 18 and the cutter receiving base 16 as in this embodiment, peeling can be effectively prevented from starting from the outer edge portion, thereby preventing the second plating layer 36 from accidentally peeling off or separating.

[0062] Since an elastic body 38 is provided between the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16, the reduction in thickness of the support area 22 resulting from peeling the second plating layer 36 from the first plating layer 35 can be absorbed without providing a special mechanism for changing the spacing dimension between the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16, and the support area 22 can be securely clamped and fixed between the blade frame 18 and the blade receiving base 16 with a simple structure.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the plating laminate constituting the outer blade 15 has a two-layer structure consisting of the first plating layer 35 and the second plating layer 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may have a three-layer structure having first through third plating layers, a four-layer structure having first through fourth plating layers, or even a structure with more layers. Furthermore, for example, a plating laminate having first through third plating layers may be configured so that not only the third plating layer but also the second plating layer can be peeled. The treatment film 37 may be formed using an easily peelable treatment agent, or it may be formed by plating reverse current (reverse electrolysis) or an oxide film formed by immersion in water or exposure to air (natural leaving).

[0064] In the first and second embodiments, the pins 33 constituting the anti-rotation structure were formed on the receiving surface 28 of the main wall 24 of the blade receiving base 16, but the pins 33 may be formed on the retaining wall 31 of the blade frame 18. Also, in the first and second embodiments, the number of pins 33 constituting the anti-rotation structure was two, but the number of pins 33 may be three or more. In the second embodiment, two engagement structures 17 were provided (two engagement protrusions 49 and two engagement recesses 48 were provided), but the number of engagement structures 17 may be three or more. In the fifth embodiment, two engagement structures 17 were provided (two first engagement recesses 80 and two engagement claws 88 were provided), but the number of engagement structures 17 may be three or more. In the fifth embodiment, two engagement claws 81 and two second engagement recesses 82 were provided, but three or more of these may be provided.

[0065] The ends of the first plating layer 35 and the second plating layer 36 may be formed to be offset, which makes it easier to peel off the second plating layer 36 by pinching the offset portion of the end of the second plating layer 36.

[0066] The plating laminate of the present invention is not limited to the outer blade of an electric razor, but can also be used, for example, on the exterior of a kitchen sink. When the kitchen sink becomes dirty or rusty, the dirt or rust can be removed by peeling off the second plating layer that forms the surface of the kitchen sink, revealing a new kitchen sink surface (first plating layer). In this case, it is preferable to provide a trigger point for peeling off the second plating layer at a certain location on the kitchen sink, so that the second plating layer can be peeled off using this trigger point. The plating laminate can also be used in other applications such as electric razor switches, taps and levers, bicycle handlebars and bells, key locks, chains, etc.

[0067] The electric shaver outer blade, electric shaver, and plating laminate according to the present invention can contribute to Goal 9 (Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, innovate and foster innovation) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the United Nations.

[0068] (Reference Example) The N-1th layer located below the Nth layer to be peeled off may be a metal plate. Specifically, in the case of an outer blade for an electric shaver, the N-1th layer may be a metal plate with hair introduction holes formed by etching or punching, and the Nth layer (second plating layer) may be formed on this metal plate. Even with this configuration, peeling off the Nth layer (second plating layer) can restore the edge angle (cutting edge angle) of the cutting edge corresponding to the opening edge of the hair introduction hole. In addition, rust and other deposits on the surface of the Nth layer can be removed.

[0069] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric shaver body 2 Electric shaver head 3 Outer cutter unit 12 Inner cutter 15 Outer cutter 16 Cutter holder 17 Engagement structure 18 Cutter frame 19 Hair introduction hole 19a Cutting edge 20 Hair introduction area 22 Support area 24 Main wall 27 Male threaded portion 28 Receiving surface 30 Frame wall 31 Pressing wall 32 Female threaded portion 33 Pin 34 Groove 35 N-1th layer (first plating layer) 36 Nth layer (second plating layer) 37 Treatment film 38 Elastic body 48 Engagement recess 49 Engagement protrusion 56 Support case 57 Cutter holder ring 58 Holder wall 59 Pressing wall 60 Male threaded portion 61 Female threaded portion 62 Recessed hole 63 Fixing structure 64 Ring body 65 Protrusion 66 Operation piece

Claims

1. An outer blade for an electric shaver, which has a hair introduction area (20) with a large number of hair introduction holes (19) formed therein, and which shears hairs inserted into the hair introduction holes (19) between the area and the inner blade (12), wherein the hair introduction area (20) is made of a plated laminate consisting of multiple plated layers, 1st to Nth layers (35, 36), stacked in order from the back side that contacts the inner blade (12), and a treatment film (37) that facilitates peeling of the Nth layer (36) from the N-1th layer (35) is formed at least between the Nth layer (36) located on the outermost surface and the N-1th layer (35), and is configured so that the Nth layer (36) can be easily peeled from the N-1th layer (35).

2. The outer cutter for an electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein when the Nth layer (36) is peeled off from the Nth-1th layer (35), the Nth-1th layer (35) is exposed on the surface of the hair introduction region (20), the inner peripheral surface of the hair introduction hole (19) is defined by the Nth-1th layer (35), and the Nth-1th layer (35) is exposed on the cutting edge (19a) relating to the opening edge of the hair introduction hole (19) that contacts the inner blade (12).

3. An electric shaver for shearing hair, comprising a head (2) of a main body (1) equipped with an inner blade (12), and an outer blade unit (3) attached to the head (2), wherein the outer blade unit (3) comprises an outer blade (15), a blade receiving base (16) that supports the outer blade (15), and a blade frame (18) that is attached to the blade receiving base (16) via an engagement structure (17), wherein the outer blade (15) comprises a hair introduction area (20) formed with a number of hair introduction holes (19) and a support area (22) formed outside the hair introduction area (20), and the support area (22) is sandwiched between the blade frame (18) and the blade receiving base (16), thereby integrating the outer blade (15) with the blade frame (18) and the blade receiving base (16), The hair introduction area (20) and the support area (22) are composed of a plated laminate formed by laminating a plurality of plated layers, 1st to Nth layers (35, 36), in order from the back surface side that contacts the inner blade (12), and a treatment film (37) that makes it easy to peel the Nth layer (36) from the N-1th layer (35) is formed at least between the Nth layer (36) located on the outermost surface and the N-1th layer (35), so that the Nth layer (36) can be easily peeled from the N-1th layer (35).

4. The electric shaver of claim 3, wherein when the Nth layer (36) is peeled off from the Nth-1th layer (35), the Nth-1th layer (35) is exposed on the surfaces of the hair introduction area (20) and the support area (22), the inner peripheral surface of the hair introduction hole (19) is defined by the Nth-1th layer (35), and the Nth-1th layer (35) is exposed on the cutting edge (19a) of the opening edge of the hair introduction hole (19) that contacts the inner cutting edge (12).

5. The electric shaver according to claim 3, wherein an elastic body (38) is provided between the blade frame (18) and the blade receiving base (16) to absorb the reduction in thickness of the support region (22) caused by peeling the Nth layer (36) from the N-1th layer (35).

6. The outer cutter (15) comprises a hair introduction area (20) formed in the shape of a circular dome that bulges upward, and a flange-shaped support area (22) formed and projecting outward from the outer periphery of the hair introduction area (20); the blade holder (16) comprises a cylindrical main wall (24) and a receiving surface (28) that receives the support area (22), and a male thread portion (27) is engraved on the outer periphery of the main wall (24); the blade frame (18) comprises a cylindrical frame wall (30) formed on its inner periphery with a female thread portion (32) that is threadedly joined to the male thread portion (27), and a pressing wall (31) formed and projecting inward from the upper end of the frame wall (30) to press the support area (22) against the receiving surface (28); the male thread portion (27) and the female thread portion (32) form an engagement structure (17); 4. The electric shaver according to claim 3, wherein the female threaded portion (32) is threadedly engaged with the male threaded portion (27), and the blade frame (18) is moved downward relative to the blade receiving base (16), thereby sandwiching the support area (22) from above and below between the holding wall (31) and the receiving surface (28).

7. The outer cutter (15) comprises a hair introduction area (20) formed in the shape of a circular dome that bulges upward, and a flange-shaped support area (22) formed by projecting outward from the outer periphery of the hair introduction area (20); the blade receiving base (16) comprises a cylindrical main wall (24) and a receiving surface (28) that receives the support area (22); the blade frame (18) comprises a cylindrical frame wall (30) and a pressing wall (31) that projects inward from the upper end of the frame wall (30) and presses the support area (22) against the receiving surface (28); the engagement structure (17) is constituted by an engagement recess (48) provided on the outer surface of the main wall (24) of the blade receiving base (16) and an engagement protrusion (49) provided on the frame wall (30) of the blade frame (18); 4. The electric shaver according to claim 3, wherein when the engaging recess (48) and the engaging protrusion (49) are engaged, the pressing wall (31) is pressed against the receiving surface (28), and the pressing wall (31) and the receiving surface (28) sandwich the support area (22) from above and below.

8. An electric shaver according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a pin (33) is protruded from the receiving surface (28) or the holding wall (31), and a groove (34) for receiving the pin (33) is formed in the support area (22).

9. The electric shaver according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the N-1th layer (35) of the outer cutter (15) is insert-molded into the resin cutter holder (16).

10. An electric shaver for shearing hair, comprising a head (2) of a main body (1) equipped with an inner blade (12), and an outer blade unit (3) attached to the head (2), wherein the outer blade unit (3) comprises an outer blade (15) disposed at the upper end of the head (2), a support case (56) fixed to the upper end of the head (2) and holding the outer blade (15), and a blade receiving ring (57) attached to the inside of the support case (56); the outer blade (15) comprises a hair introduction region (20) formed in the shape of a circular dome that bulges upward, and a flange-shaped support region (22) formed by projecting outward from the outer periphery of the hair introduction region (20); the hair introduction region (20) and the support region (22) are composed of a plated laminate comprising a plurality of plated layers, 1st to Nth layers (35, 36), stacked in order from the back surface side that contacts the inner blade (12); a treatment film (37) for facilitating peeling of the Nth layer (36) from the N-1th layer (35) is formed at least between the Nth layer (36) located on the outermost surface and the N-1th layer (35), so that the Nth layer (36) can be easily peeled from the N-1th layer (35); the support case (56) has a cylindrical holder wall (58) and a pressing wall (59) formed by projecting inward from the upper end of the holder wall (58), and a fixing structure (63) for detachably fixing the support case (56) to the head part (2) is provided between the holder wall (58) and the head part (2); The blade receiving ring (57) is formed in an annular shape and includes a ring body (64) that holds the support area (22) between itself and the pressing wall (59), a pair of protrusions (65) that protrude from opposing positions on the outer peripheral surface of the ring body (64) and engage with recesses (62) formed on the inner surface of the holder wall (58), and an operating piece (66) for deforming the ring body (64) in a direction that reduces the distance between the opposing protrusions (65). When the outer cutter unit (3) is attached to the head portion (2), the lower surface of the ring body (64) is supported by the head portion (2).This electric shaver is characterized in that the three components of the support case (56), the blade receiving ring (57), and the outer blade (15) are integrated by attaching the blade receiving ring (57) to the support case (56) by engaging the protrusions (65) of the blade receiving ring (57) with the recessed holes (62) in the holder wall (58) of the support case (56) while arranging a support area (22) between the underside of the pressing wall (59) and the upper surface of the ring body (64), and by operating the operating piece (66) to deform the ring body (64) in a direction in which the protrusions (65) approach each other, the recessed holes (62) and the protrusions (65) are released from engagement, thereby allowing the outer blade (15) and the blade receiving ring (57) to be separated from the support case (56).

11. The electric shaver of claim 10, wherein the fixing structure (63) is comprised of a female threaded portion (61) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the holder wall (58) of the support case (56) and a male threaded portion (60) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the head portion (2) and threadably joined to the female threaded portion (61), and wherein by tightening the support case (56) to the head portion (2), the retaining wall (59) of the support case (56) is pressed against the ring body (64) of the blade receiving ring (57) to clamp the support region (22) of the outer blade (15).

12. The electric shaver of claim 10, wherein when the Nth layer (36) is peeled off from the Nth-1th layer (35), the Nth-1th layer (35) is exposed on the surfaces of the hair introduction region (20) and the support region (22), the inner peripheral surface of the hair introduction hole (19) is defined by the Nth-1th layer (35), and the Nth-1th layer (35) is exposed on the cutting edge (19a) of the opening edge of the hair introduction hole (19) that contacts the inner blade (12).

13. The electric shaver according to claim 10, wherein an elastic body (38) is provided between the blade receiving ring (57) and the support case (56) to absorb the reduction in thickness of the support region (22) caused by peeling the Nth layer (36) from the N-1th layer (35).

14. A plating laminate comprising a plurality of plating layers, 1st to Nth layers (35, 36), stacked in order from the back side, characterized in that a treatment film (37) that facilitates peeling of the Nth layer (36) from the N-1th layer (35) is formed at least between the Nth layer (36) located on the outermost surface and the N-1th layer (35), so that the Nth layer (36) can be easily peeled from the N-1th layer (35).

Images