Modular Personal Care Implement With Interchangeable Treatment Heads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing personal care devices, such as toothbrushes and razors, have complex handle designs that are costly and time-consuming to develop, and consumers often desire customization to accommodate diverse preferences, leading to frequent handle changes.

Innovation Solution

A modular personal care implement with a surface treatment head, extension, sleeve, and end interconnector, allowing for customizable assembly through mechanical, magnetic, or threaded connections, enabling easy replacement and customization of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional multi-component handle designs are used, then the personal care device can provide substantial feel and secure gripping, but the development cost and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping securityVSAvoidhandle design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into separate modular components including a handle body, interchangeable surface treatment heads, and connection mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while reducing overall design complexity through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle body is designed with a universal connection interface that can accommodate multiple types of surface treatment heads (shaving, brushing, exfoliating). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate handle designs for different functions, reducing development costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple handle designs are developed to cater to diverse consumers, then market appeal increases, but development cost and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumer appealVSAvoidassembly method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal handle body design incorporates standardized connection mechanisms that can interface with multiple surface treatment head types. This allows one handle design to serve multiple consumer needs and preferences, eliminating the requirement to develop separate handles for different functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle system allows dynamic reconfiguration by enabling users to interchange surface treatment heads based on changing preferences or needs. This dynamic adaptability provides market versatility without requiring separate handle designs for each use case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If consumers change handles frequently to accommodate new designs, then user preferences are met, but product longevity and sustainability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidhandle usage duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the handle body from the surface treatment heads, the system allows users to replace only the worn or desired component (the head) rather than discarding the entire handle. This extends the overall product lifespan while maintaining customization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design enables users to discard worn surface treatment heads and retain the handle body for continued use. This recovery and reuse approach extends product duration while allowing for periodic updates and customizations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides an ergonomic and customizable handle section that allows users to easily swap components, offering a secure and stable attachment mechanism while reducing production costs and accommodating individual preferences.

Implementation Method 1

a portion of an outer surface of the extension is configured to engage a portion of an inner surface of the end interconnector to form one of a mechanical connection or a magnetic connection that releasably attaches the surface treatment head to the end interconnector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical connection: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic connection: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS20250276461A1Modular personal care implement

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 THE GILLETTE CO

AI summary

A modular personal care implement including a surface treatment head having a first end with an applicator and a second end including an extension; an end interconnector; and a sleeve positioned between the surface treatment head and the end interconnector, in which the extension extends through the sleeve and is received in the end interconnector such that the surface treatment head is releasably attached to the end interconnector. Also provided are a method of providing a modular personal care implement and a kit including a modular personal care implement.