GB2377367A

GB2377367A - Shaving foam applicator

Info

Publication number: GB2377367A
Application number: GB0113310A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Torry
Original assignee: PLANITIA PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: PLANITIA PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2001-06-01
Filing date: 2001-06-01
Publication date: 2003-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-01
Also published as: GB2377367B; GB0113310D0

Abstract

An aerosol foam applicator nozzle 11 incorporates a brush head 12. The brush head, mounted at ninety degrees to the aerosol canister body 31, is removable to allow replacement. The bristles 23 are mounted in a resin block contained within a collar 25 which has a locking means, in the form of an annular ridge 27 intended to prevent unwanted detachment during use. The applicator is held to the aerosol canister by inwardly directed circumferential tabs located on the distal edge of the annular base portion 13. An adapter ring may be used to reduce the internal diameter of the annular base portion. The brush may be made from badger hair, nylon, natural or synthetic bristles but is preferably hog's hair.

Description

Shaving Foam Applicator This invention relates to a shaving foam applicator, and more particularly it relates to an applicator for attachment to a canister of shaving foam, and including a brush for the direct application of shaving foam to a user's face.

Traditional wet shaving involves a preliminary step of applying shaving soap or cream to the face with a brush so as to form a lather, before using a razor blade to remove unwanted facial hair. The purpose of this practice is to lift the hairs away from the face at a sufficient angle to allow the blade to cut cleanly at the base of the hair, thus providing a close shave.

Despite the efficiency of this traditional wet shaving technique, it has in recent years become unpopular. This is partly due to it being perceived to be messy and time-consuming, and perhaps also due to the increased commercial availability of shaving foams and gels in pressurised canisters, such as can be found on the shelves of any supermarket. These canisters deliver the foam in a convenient, readylathered form into the hands of the user who then applies it to his face, without the use of a brush.

However, when using shaving foam in this way, although the hairs are lifted to a certain extent, they are not raised to the same degree as with traditional shaving brushes, and the subsequent shave is therefore less close. The present invention seeks to address this problem by providing a device which combines the efficiency of

traditional wet shaving techniques with the convenience, speed, and cleanliness of canister-supplied foams.

Although the term"shaving foam"is use herein, it will be appreciated that the present invention may be used with all shaving products supplied in canisters, including foams, gels, creams, and soaps. Furthermore, although the present invention is described herein with particular reference to the removal of men's facial hair, it will be appreciated that the present invention may also be used by women for the removal of unwanted leg or underarm hair.

According to the present invention, there is provided a shaving foam applicator comprising: - a housing having a substantially annular base portion for engaging a cylindrical pressurised shaving foam canister, and a dispensing portion attached to the base portion via a junction, the dispensing portion being capable of restricted movement relative to the base portion, by flexing of the junction; - a socket formed in the dispensing portion of the housing, being disposed generally perpendicular to the axis of the base portion; - a brush head comprising bristles mounted in a resin block, and contained within a collar, said brush head being removably mountable in the socket; - a first duct formed in the dispensing portion and leading to an outlet port located in the socket, from an orifice adapted to receive a valve of the pressurised canister, there being a corresponding second

duct formed axially through the resin block of the brush head, which second duct communicates with the outlet port; - a shoulder situated in the first duct, above the orifice, for engaging the top surface of the valve ; and - an upper surface formed on the dispensing portion, and configured such that in use the upper surface may be pushed down by a finger of the user, causing flexing of the junction, and urging the shoulder against the top surface of the valve, thus activating the valve, and delivering shaving foam through the first and second ducts and onto the bristles.

The brush head is removably mountable on the housing, so as to allow both components to be easily cleaned, and also to enable the brush head to be changed. This may be required, for example, if the bristles of the brush head have become damaged or worn through extensive use, or if it is desired to use a brush head having bristles of a different type. The most common type of bristles used in shaving brushes are so-called"natural bristle", which is comprised of hog hair, and it is currently preferred that the brush head component of the applicator should be of this type. Alternatively, or additionally, brush heads comprising badger hair, nylon bristles, or any other natural or synthetic bristles, may be supplied and/or used in conjunction with the present invention.

The mechanism by which the brush head may be removed and exchanged, relies on the co-operation of the external surface of the

brush head collar with the internal surface of the socket on the dispensing portion of the housing. However, when the applicator is activated by pressing the upper surface, a stream of pressurised shaving foam is released through the first duct and into the brush head, and this pressure can cause the brush head to detach from its engagement within the socket.

Therefore, in an improved embodiment of the present invention, the collar of the brush head is provided with locking means, there being complementary locking means provided on the internal surface of the socket in the dispensing portion, such that in use the brush head may not accidentally become detached from the housing.

The locking means may be of any suitable construction so as to prevent the brush head becoming accidentally detached from the housing. However, it is currently preferred that the locking means should comprise a ridge extending around the circumference of the collar, and a complementary circumferential groove provided in the internal surface of the socket. The user must therefore exert a small amount of force in order to attach the brush head to the housing, and to remove it therefrom.

In order to enhance the grip of the base portion on the canister, the base portion is preferably provided with means for gripping the canister. The gripping means preferably comprise inwardly-directed circumferential tabs provided at spaced intervals around the lower edge of the annular base portion. In use, the applicator according to

the present invention, may thus be"snapped"onto a shaving foam canister by urging the canister between the tabs, such that a rim formed on the canister is engaged thereby.

The applicator as thus far described is entirely satisfactory for use with a canister of a particular given size. However, for economical reasons, it is desirable that a single applicator should be capable of being used with canisters of varying size, so that a user may easily switch between different sized canisters whilst continuing to use the same applicator. For example, in the United Kingdom, shaving foam canisters are currently commercially available in two standard sizes, the smaller having a diameter of substantially 49 mm, and the larger having a diameter of substantially 51 mm.

Therefore, a further improved embodiment of the present invention additionally comprises an adaptor ring, which may be removably held between the inwardly-directed circumferential tabs and a plurality of inwardly-directed axial ribs provided at spaced intervals on the internal surface of the annular base portion. The adaptor, when thus inserted, effectively reduces the internal diameter of the annular base portion, allowing the applicator to be used with a smaller sized canister.

Preferably, the adaptor ring when inserted enables the applicator to engage a canister having a diameter of substantially 49 mm, whilst the applicator without the adaptor ring is capable of engaging a canister having a diameter of substantially 51 mm.

In order that the present invention may better be understood, specific embodiments will now be described in detail, though only by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional exploded view of the components of a shaving foam applicator according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail of locking means in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when mounted on a canister; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, when mounted on a canister of large diameter; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the shaving foam applicator of Figure 4, when mounted on a canister of small diameter, via an adaptor ring.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a shaving foam applicator, generally indicated 10, comprising a housing, generally indicated 11, and a brush head, generally indicated 12.

The housing 11 has a substantially annular base portion 13, and a dispensing portion 14 attached thereto via a junction 15. A socket 16 is formed in the dispensing portion 14 of the housing 11, which socket 16 is disposed generally perpendicularly to the axis of the annular base portion 13.

A first duct 17 extends from an orifice 18, through the dispensing portion 14 of the housing 11, to an outlet port 19 located in the socket 16. A shoulder 21, for engaging the top surface of a canister valve (not shown), is situated above the orifice 18 in the first duct 17. The upper surface 22 of the dispensing portion 14 is configured such that in use, the upper surface 22 may be pushed down by a user's finger, thus causing flexing of the junction 15, and urging the shoulder 21 against the top surface of the canister valve.

The brush head 12 comprises bristles 23 mounted in a resin block 24, and contained within a collar 25. The brush head 12 is removably mountable in the socket 16, and has a second duct 26 extending axially through the resin block 24, such that when the brush head 12 is mounted in the socket 16, the first and second ducts 17, 26, communicate via the outlet port 19.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a preferred construction of locking means, which serve to hold the brush head 12 firmly in place on the housing 11. The locking means comprise a ridge 27 provided around the circumference of the collar 25, and a complementary circumferential groove 28 provided in the internal surface of the socket 16.

To mount the brush head 12 in the socket 16, a user pushes the brush head 12 in the direction of arrow A. The exertion of a small amount of manual force in the same direction will urge the ridge 27, past a lip 29 defining the edge of the socket 16, so that the ridge 27

may engage with the groove 28. Conversely, the removal of the ridge 27 from the groove 28, and hence the removal of the brush head 12 from the socket 16, requires the exertion of a small amount of manual force in the opposite direction.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a preferred embodiment of shaving foam applicator 10, which has been assembled such that the brush head 12 is mounted on the housing 11.

A cylindrical pressurised shaving foam canister 31 is engaged by the annular base portion 13 of the housing 11 by means of inwardly directed circumferential tabs 32 provided at spaced intervals around the lower edge of the base portion 13, which tabs 32 engage a rim 33 formed on the canister 31.

The canister 31 has a valve 34, with a delivery tube 35 extending externally therefrom, and an internal shaving foam reservoir 36. When the rim 33 of the canister 31 is engaged by the tabs 32, the tube 35 is positioned adjacent the orifice 18, immediately below the shoulder 21.

In order to use the applicator 10, a user pushes down the upper surface 22 of the housing 11, such that the junction 15 is flexed. This flexing permits movement of the dispensing portion 14 of the housing 11 relative to the base portion 13, whereby the dispensing portion 14 pivots about the junction 15, such that a rear wall 37 of the dispensing portion 14 is received within a cavity, generally indicated 38, defined by the annular base portion 13.

The movement of the dispensing portion 14 causes the shoulder 21 to be urged against the top surface 39 of the delivery tube 35. This causes the tube 35 to be pushed down, thus opening the valve 34 and allowing shaving foam from the reservoir 36 to be dispensed through the delivery tube 35. The shaving foam enters the first duct 17 in the applicator housing 11 via the orifice 18, before being directed through the outlet port 19, into the second duct 26 in the brush head 12, and ultimately onto the bristles 23 from where it may be applied directly to the user's face.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a further preferred embodiment of shaving foam applicator 10, which is capable of being used in combination with cylindrical canisters 31, 41 having different diameters, a and b, (where a > b). The applicator housing 11 is essentially the same as the embodiment described above with reference to Figure 3, except that the base portion 13 is provided, at spaced intervals around its internal surface, with a plurality of axial ribs 42.

When the applicator 10 is mounted on a canister 31 having a larger diameter a, as shown in Figure 4, the axial ribs 42 are not used, and the rim 33 of the canister 31 is engaged by the circumferential tabs 32 in exactly the same way as described above with reference to Figure 3.

However, in order to mount the applicator 10 on a canister 41 having a smaller diameter b, as shown in Figure 5, an adaptor ring 43

is inserted into the base portion 13 such that said adaptor ring 43 is held between the circumferential tabs 32 and the axial ribs 42. The adaptor ring 43 reduces the effective internal diameter of the annular base portion 13, and may be shaped so as to have a protruding ledge 44 so as to engage the rim 33 of the canister 41.

Whether the applicator 10, is mounted on a canister 31,41 having either a larger or smaller diameter (a, b), the canister 31,41, is always positioned such that the delivery tube 35 is adjacent the orifice 18. The shoulder 21 is thus positioned immediately above the top surface 39 of the delivery tube 35, ready to be urged thereagainst when the upper surface 22 of the housing 11 is pushed down by a finger of the user.

Claims

Claims 1. A shaving foam applicator comprising : - a housing having a substantially annular base portion for engaging a cylindrical pressurised shaving foam canister, and a dispensing portion attached to the base portion via a junction, the dispensing portion being capable of restricted movement relative to the base portion, by flexing of the junction ; - a socket formed in the dispensing portion of the housing, being disposed generally perpendicular to the axis of the base portion ; - a brush head comprising bristles mounted in a resin block, and contained within a collar, said brush head being removably mountable in the socket ; - a first duct formed in the dispensing portion and leading to an outlet port located in the socket, from an orifice adapted to receive a valve of the pressurised canister, there being a corresponding second duct formed axially through the resin block of the brush head, which second duct communicates with the outlet port ; - a shoulder situated in the first duct, above the orifice for engaging the top surface of the valve ; and - an upper surface formed on the dispensing portion, and configured such that in use said upper surface may be pushed down by a finger of the user, causing flexing of the junction, and urging the shoulder against the top surface of the valve, thus activating the valve, and delivering shaving foam through the first and second ducts and

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onto the bristles.
2. A shaving foam applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collar of the brush head is provided with locking means, there being complementary locking means provided on the socket of the dispensing portion, such that in use the brush head may not accidentally become detached from the housing.
3. A shaving foam applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking means comprise a ridge provided around the circumference of the collar, and a complementary circumferential groove provided in the internal surface of the socket.
4. A shaving foam applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion is provided, on its internal surface with means for gripping the shaving foam canister.
5. A shaving foam applicator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the gripping means comprise inwardly-directed circumferential tabs, provided at spaced intervals around the lower edge of the base portion, which tabs are adapted to engage a rim formed on the canister.
6. A shaving foam applicator as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an adaptor ring, removably held between the inwardlydirected circumferential tabs, and a plurality of inwardly-directed axial ribs, provided at spaced intervals on the internal surface of the base portion, thus effectively reducing the internal diameter of the base portion.

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7. A shaving foam applicator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adaptor ring, when inserted, enables the applicator to engage a canister having a diameter of substantially 49 mm, whilst the applicator without the adaptor ring is capable of engaging a canister having a diameter of substantially 51 mm.
8. A shaving foam applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the brush head comprises bristles selected from hog hair, badger hair, nylon, or other natural or synthetic bristles.
9. A shaving foam applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the brush head comprises natural hog hair bristles.
10. A shaving foam applicator, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.