Manually Actuated Razor Pump with Converging Flowpath

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid dispensing razors face issues with clogging and microbial growth due to exposure of the liquid to air, leading to performance problems and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A wet shaving razor design featuring a handle with a reservoir and a manually-actuated pump, a connector port with converging flowpaths, and a fluid dispensing member that converges to prevent clogging and microbial growth, allowing for efficient and reliable dispensing of fluid during shaving.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a reservoir is used to convey shaving preparation during shaving, then the convenience of single-product shaving is improved, but clogging and microbial growth problems occur due to liquid exposure to air

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of single-product shavingVSAvoidclogging and microbial growth
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an aerosol can that creates a pressurized environment to dispense shaving preparation. The aerosol propellant displaces air from the reservoir, creating an inert-like atmosphere that prevents microbial growth. The pressurized aerosol system ensures liquid is dispensed without exposure to ambient air, eliminating clogging and contamination issues while maintaining reliable single-product shaving convenience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Ease of operation

If complex inner workings are used to dispense liquid, then dispensing control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing controlVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a disposable aerosol can integrated into the razor handle. The entire liquid dispensing system is contained in a single-use aerosol can that is discarded when depleted. This eliminates the need for complex, expensive mechanical dispensing mechanisms while providing reliable control. The disposable nature ensures consistent performance without requiring maintenance or complex internal components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of repair

If the razor is designed as disposable when blades are dulled, then blade replacement complexity is reduced, but the overall device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade replacement complexityVSAvoidoverall device cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the disposable razor blade cartridge with an integrated aerosol can containing shaving preparation. Both the blade replacement and liquid refilling functions are merged into a single disposable unit. This eliminates the need for separate blade cartridges and liquid reservoirs, simplifying the replacement process while controlling costs through integrated manufacturing of the combined disposable unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The design prevents clogging and microbial growth, ensuring a cost-effective and reliable shaving experience by maintaining fluid flow and reducing bacterial buildup, thus enhancing the overall performance of the razor.

Implementation Method 1

a manually-actuated pump located along the length of the handle between the reservoir and the connector port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectManual pumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

The connector port flowpath includes a converging cross-section, such that the cross-section of the connector port flowpath decreases from the supply end opening to the discharge end opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConverging flow: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3062974B1Manually actuatable liquid dispensing razor
Publication Date: 2017.12.06 THE GILLETTE CO
  • EP3062974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3062974B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3062974B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention features a razor for dispensing a fluid during shaving. The razor includes a handle, a razor cartridge, and a fluid dispensing member joined to the cartridge. The handle includes a cavity for housing a fluid and a manually-actuated pump to displace the fluid from the cavity through a connector port flowpath to an opening at the proximal end of the handle. The razor cartridge includes a cartridge connecting structure attached to the housing and an aperture that extends from the rear surface to the front surface of the housing. The fluid dispensing member is disposed in the cartridge connecting structure and includes a converging flowpath that is in fluid communication with the connector port flowpath and the aperture in the housing.