Replaceable Fluid Dispensing Cartridge for Razor Handles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shaving processes require multiple products and steps, making them inconvenient, messy, and time-consuming, especially for men shaving facial hair, due to the need for separate shaving aids and skin preparation products.

Innovation Solution

A replaceable fluid dispensing cartridge for personal-care appliances, featuring a fluid interconnect member with a pivotable support and base member, allowing for easy mounting and secure attachment to a handle, with a fluid applicator for delivering fluids directly to the skin or hair during shaving.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a built-in dispensing unit is provided in the shaving razor, then fluid dispensing function is integrated, but replacement and loading of fluid dispensing cartridge becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid dispensing functionVSAvoidcartridge replacement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shaving device is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable handle and a replaceable cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly further segments the fluid dispensing function (reservoir and applicator) from the shaving function (blade), allowing independent replacement of each component based on its specific consumption rate and function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid dispensing cartridge is extracted as a separate, removable component from the handle. This extraction allows the fluid dispensing system to be replaced independently without replacing the entire razor or blade assembly, simplifying the replacement process and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If multiple shaving products and steps are used, then adequate skin preparation and lubrication is achieved, but the shaving process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin preparation qualityVSAvoidshaving process time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple previously separate functions (shaving aid application, skin preparation, and shaving) are merged into a single integrated cartridge assembly. The cartridge combines the fluid reservoir, applicator mechanism, and blade in one unit that is applied to the skin in a single motion, eliminating the need for separate application steps and reducing total shaving time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it dispenses shaving aid fluid through the applicator, provides skin preparation through the delivered fluid, and performs the actual shaving through the blade. This multi-functionality in a single component eliminates the need for multiple separate products and steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9586330B2Replaceable fluid dispensing cartridge

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 THE GILLETTE CO

AI summary

A replaceable fluid dispensing cartridge for a liquid dispensing razor having a fluid interconnect member with a pivotable support member and a base member with a fluid port and an engagement surface for removably and fixedly mating to a corresponding engagement member of a handle. A cartridge housing is mounted to the pivotable support member. The cartridge housing has a guard, a cap, and at least one blade between the cap and the guard. A fluid applicator defining an opening is fixedly joined to the interconnect member.