US3176392A - Glide agent dispenser for electric dry shaver - Google Patents

Description

April 6, 1965 R. P/GWINN 3,

GLIDE AGENT DISPENSER FOR ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER Filed Jan. 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 6, 1965 R. P. GWINN 3,176,392

GLIDE AGENT DISPENSER FOR ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER Filed Jan. 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 gg Z7 2 P mvgsmom I April 6, 1965 R. P. GWINN GLIDE AGENT DISPENSER FOR ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER Filed Jan. 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet '5 GLIDE AGENT DISPENSER FOR ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER Filed Jan. 21, 1963 INVENTOR: 25 0M PM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 R. P. GWINN April 6, 1965 BY J EM United States Patent 3,176,392 GLIDE AGENT DISFENSER FOR ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER Robert P. Gwinn, Riverside, Ill., assignor to Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 252,663 2 Claims. ((Il. 3tl41) The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing friction reducing substance adjacent the cutting portion of an electric shaver, and more particularly to dispensing what might be termed a glide agent adjacent the cutting surface of an electric shaver during the shaving operation to reduce the friction between such surface and the skin of the user from which hair is being removed.

The so-called electric dry shaver has been extensively used for many years and the popularity thereof is increas ing constantly. This is primarily due to the fact that shaving with an electric dry shaver is simple, clean, and can be accomplished when the user is fully dressed. T 0- day it is not even necessary that an electric power source be available, for electric shavers may be battery powered. This is in contrast to the conventional Wet type razor where it is necessary to use lather, towels, water, etc. Obviously shaving with a razor of the wet type cannot be conveniently accomplished where the user is fully dressed.

Some users of electric dry shavers have complained because of the friction between the cutting head and the skin of the user. It would be desirable to provide an improved shaving arrangement in an electric dry shaver whereby the friction between the cutting head and, for example, the face of the user is substantially reduced. It has been suggested that the user of an electric dry shaver wet his face before starting to shave. Unfortunately, Water or other liquids used for this purpose dry quickly and any advantage thus disappears before the shaving operation is hardly started. Consequently, it would be desirable to provide an electric dry shaver with means for dispensing some sort of glide or friction reducing agent to the face of the user continuously or as desired during the shaving operation.

Accordingly, it is an obect of the present invention to provide an electric dry shaver with means for dispensing liquid at the cutting head during the shaving operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric dry shaver having a reservoir for a suitable glide agent preferably in the form of a liquid under pressure which can be automatically dispensed at the will of the user at the cutting surface during the shaving operation.

Yet another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an electric dry shaver with a built-in reservoir for a glide agent, such as a liquid of some sort, with ready means to refill such reservoir from a suitable source of liquid under pressure.

Still another object of the present invention resides in an electric dry shaver having a reservoir for containing a glide agent to be dispensed at the cutting head at the will of the user, which reservoir does not substantially increase the sizeof the electric dry shaver and which reservoir may readily be recharged or refilled with a minimum of delay.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric dry shaver of the reciprocating type illustrating one modification of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 to illustrate a detail of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 2, assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view illustrating another modification of the present invention applied to an electric dry shaver of the type having an oscillating cutter instead of a reciprocating cutter;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of FIG. 9 taken substantially longitudinally through the cutting head thereof;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 1111 of FIG. 10, assuming that FIG. 10 shows the complete structure;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view, with certain portions cut away, of an oscillating type electric dry shaver illustrating still another modification of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

Briefly, the present invention is concerned with providing electric dry shavers, regardless of whether the shaver is of the reciprocating, oscillating or rotary type, with apparatus for dispensing a suitable glide agent at the cutting surface thereof. Any liquid that provides a slippery condition between the shaving head and the face could be satisfactory. For a reciprocating type shaver the liquid is dispensed from between the heads of a multihead shaver toward the face of the user. For an oscillating type shaver the liquid is dispensed to the outside of the comb through the holes in the comb or against the inside surface of the comb where it is picked up and distributed by the blades or through tubes directly against the skin through openings provided in the comb. The fluid flow may be controlled by various means such as an On-Off valve, a variable flow control means, or a metering device which delivers a known quantity each time the metering device is actuated. Moreover, automatic flow control means may be employed, such as by actuating the valve in response to pressure on a roller associated with the shaver. The liquid may be stored in reservoirs under pressure, such as an aerosol type reservoir, or it may be stored with pump means for discharging the same. Additionally, a gas under pressure, such as a C0 capsule, may be used to force the liquid from the reservoir to the shaving head. Also, a remote reservoir may be employed, which remote reservoir may be under pressure or may be elevated so that a gravity head is utilized.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings, there is illustrated an embodiment of the present invention as applied to a reciprocating type shaver. Asthere illustrated, an electric dry shaver, generally indicated at 20, is provided which may be substantially identical to the reciproeating shaver disclosed in copending Jepson application Serial No. 848,102, filed October 22, 1959, now Patent No. 3,090,119, assigned to the same assigne'e as the instant application. As in the above-mentioned Jepson patent, the shaver 20 comprises a casing, generally designated at 21,.having attached thereto one or more cutting units As'illustrated,-the head 22 is a multiple cuttinghead comprising generally identical cutting units designated in FIG. 2 of the drawings as 22a, 22b and 22c, joined together to form the cutting'hea'd 22. Y Each'cutting unit comprises a .stationary comb 13 anda reciprocally movable cutter 14.

The multiple cutting head 22 comprising the substantially identical individual units 22a, 22b and 22c is arranged as a unitary structure presenting a largecutting surface of somewhat convex configuration,- which head may be 22a, 22b and 220 are secured. The cutting head 22 including combv bracket 25 are preferably identical to that disclosed in.the above mentioned Iepson, patent.

In view of the.somewhatarcuatenature ofthe cornb' bracket 25, the space between the combs adjacent'the. upper cutting surface is greater than thespaced adjacent the comb bracket. Preferably the space between the cutting heads 22a, and,22b and the spacebetween; cutting heads 22b and 220 is filled by a suitable comb spacer des'ig 1 nated as 27. As best shown in FIG. 5; of the drawings, the comb spacer27 comprises a U-shaped member having curved flanges 27a and 27b at the ends'ofthe legs ofthe f Ufshaped member, which flanges provide curved spacing members between the combs,as best shown in FIGS..2 of

the drawings. -.The comb spacer 27 is'secured to the bracket 25'by the same means securing cuttingunit 22b thereto. Y

- 7 In order tocause the.cutters 14 of thethree cutting heads to reciprocate relative to the stationary combs-13, there is provided within the. casing 21 a suitable prime mover in the. form of an electric motor, generally desig-.' nated at 28, which motor is preferably identicalwith' that disclosed in the above-mentioned 'Jep'son patent; This motor 28. isillustrated as of the so-called impulse type and no further. description thereof is includedlhereinr The motor includes a-rotor connectedto drive a shaft 30. supporting eccentric'31. As in the, above-mentioned lepson patent, the motor'l28 is suitably secured within a motor chamber 33 defined in the casing 21, which chamber is" below a ledge 21a integrally formed with the casing 21. The casing 21, rnoreover, includes integral upwardly'extending wall portions 21b disposed above ledge 21a defining a cutting chamber 34 therebetween for receiving cutting head 22. The ledge 2lardefiries the periphery 'of an opening 32interconnectingthe motor chamber 33 and cutting chamber 34. a

the reciprocating cutters 14, there is provided an oscillating ingly connected to the eccentric 31 in the manner fully disclosed in the above-mentioned Jepson patent. The other end of the oscillating arm 35.,is provided witha plurality, of driving arms 'designated as 35a, 35b,and 35gfwhic h 2 extend into. the cutter chamber 34 through the-opening 1 j 32 and drivingly engage the respective cutter 14'ofthe cutting units 22a, 22b and 220, respectively, in a manner well-understood by' those skilled in the art. Suitable seal- E- ing means are provided, generally designatedat 38, through whichth'e arms. 35a, 35b and 350 project, which sealing means prevent hair clippings from entering the. The sealing means and the, associated means for holding the. sealing? means in position and. for'simultaneously securing the" multiple cutting head 22 in cutting position forms no'part of the present invention and may be identicalwith that dismotor chamber. 34 through opening 32.

closed in thev above-mentioned Jepson patent}! For the'purpose of dispensing a suitable glideagent at the cutting surface of the cuttinghead 22, there is provided, in accordance-with the present invention, a casing extension 40 which defines a reservoir 41 therein for con- 5 taining a suitable material such as a liquid or the like substantiallyincrease the size. of the shavers Suitable. fastening means, such as 42, are provided torelate the shaver'casing 2 l'and the casing extension 40 as a unitary structure. It should be understood that instead of defining W 7 V thereservoir'41 within the casing extension 40 it could removed as a unit. This is accomplished'by virtue of the. comb bracket'25 to which theindividual cutting units" be formed within-casing 21. Moreover,-casing extension 7 40 might ,be made readily'rern ovable from casing 21 so themultiple cutting head 22. 7 It should be. understood that the present invention contemplateseither, a removable reservoir or a reservoir built as an integral part of the shaver. An important feature of the invention,however, is aqreservoir of such size'that it will not materially increase the size of the shaving implement and hence will- I not interfere with the easeof operation. The reservoir '41 is preferably a fluid-tight chamber in which the glide agent may be stored, preferably under pressure, for release at the shavinghead, as described hereinafter.

3 The particular fiuid'or-liquid-stQred in the reservoir 41 may vary widely, andany liquid that providesa slippery condition between the shavinghead and the surface of the bodybeing shaved, such asthe face, is satisfactory. The liquid is. to be applied during the shaving-operation-and hence does not"remain on the facelong enough to pro- 'duce any conditioning of the'bea'rd. Consequently, the liquid need not-have any long-term lubricating characteristics. 7 The liquid, for example, may comprise the material disclose'd andclaimed'in a 'copending application 10f Frederick Morawetz andFrederick D; Timinons, 11;, w 'SerialNo. 181,777, filed March 22,, 1962, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Actually, liquids comprising alcohol type shaving lotions, plain soap and water, hand lotions,;as well as aerosol type "shaving soaps have been found towork satisfactorily.

The principal objection to using a soapy type of liquid 7 is that it'tends to become too frothy. It is contemplated by the present invention to cover any material which reduces the. friction between the .head and the face, and

iwhich is generally characterized 'as a glide agent.

So .that liquid under pressurehoused in reservoir 41 maybe dispensed selectively at the. cutting surface of V 7 7 7 7 7 the cutting head 22, there is preferably housed within the For the purpose of drivin'gly relating the motor 28 and v casing 2 1a suitable manifold and valve member 44 defining a manifold 45 anda-valve chamber47 interconarm or bell'crank, generally designated at 35, which is:

pivotally mounted as indicated at 36-to the field'structure of the motor 28. One end of the'oscillating armis drive" nected, by a passageway .48. The valve chamber 47 is connected to, the re'servoirj41 jby suitable.conduit 49 which preferably extends 'eloseito thebottornof. reservoir a 41; @In accordance: with the present-inventionthe flow 010f fluid from "reservoir 41 to valve' chamber 47 is. controlled byr a suitablereciprocally movable valve member (51 adapted tobeseatedfagainst a valve seat 52in a'converitional manner." iThe' valve "seat '52 is illustrated as defined by a shoulder in the valve; chamber J47. The

the closed position seated'against val've seat52 (FIG. 2).

'75. .As illustrated, the spring 5? is a coiled compression spring concentric with the plunger 54, one end of which engages an enlargement 54a on the plunger 54, while the other end engages a shoulder 69 defined in the valve chamber 47. A suitable Q-ring seal 61 prevents any fluid which is permitted to enter the valve chamber 47 upon opening movement of the valve member 51 from passing into the portion of the valve chamber 47 housing the spring 59.

' To make it easy for the user of theelectric dry shaver 2d to actuate the liquid dispensing valve comprising valve member 51, there is provided a valve actuating lever 62. pivotally mounted as indicated at 63 to projecting ears 23c of the shaver casing 21. The free end of the lever 62, as best shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, engages the projecting end of the plunger 54. This lever 62 preferably extends across the entire shaver casing 2.1 so that the user of the shaver may readily engage it with his thumb or fingers to actuate the liquid dispensing valve.

In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings, fluid under pressure supplied to the manifold chamber 45 upon actuation of the valve member 51 is supplied to dispensing conduits 64a and 64b which are preferably disposed immediately beneath the curved portions 27a and 27b of thecomb spacer 27, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The dispensing conduits 64a and 64.5, as Well as the curved portions 27a. and 27b of the conduit members 27 are provided with suitable aligned openings at so that fluid under pressure supplied to the conduits 64a and 64b will be supplied through these openings to the face of the user. The dispensing conduits 64a and 64b are preferably secured as by spot welding or the like in the position indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings.

For the purpose of supplying the fluid from the manifold 45 to the dispensing conduits 64a and 64b, there are provided conduits 67a and 6711 which are connected at one common end thereof to the manifold 45 by connecting means 68a and 68b, respectively. The other ends of the conduits 67a and 67b are connected to the dispensing conduit 64a and 64b either directly or through intermediate conduits, such as conduits 6% and 69b, respectively. Preferably the conduits 69a and 69b areformed of metal and are suitably spot welded or otherwise secured to the associated dispensing conduit 64a and 64b, respectively, and suitable openings, designated as 76, interconnect the respective conduit 6911 or 6% with its associated dispensing conduit Mr: or 64b, as the case may be, in the manner clearly indicated in H6. 6 of the drawings. If intermediate conduits such as 67a are employed, as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, then these conduits 67a and 67b may be formed of plastic tubing or thelike and connected to the conduits 69a and @912, respectively, by asleeve joint, as clearly indicated in FIGS. 2and 3 of the drawings.

The reservoir 41 has been illustrated as a very small reservoir which Will not appreciably increase the size of the shaver 20. It will be appreciated that means must be provided for periodically filling the reservoir with the desired fluid from a larger container of some sort. Since with the arrangement disclosed it is contemplated that a fluid under pressure is employed, the reservoir 41 is illustrated as being provided with a suitable filler valve mechanism (FIGS. 2, 7 and 8), generally designated as 73 through which fluid under pressure may be supplied but which will prevent such fluid from escaping once it is supplied through this valve mechanism. As best shown in FIGS. 7' and 8 of the drawings, the filler valve mechanism 73 is disposed at one end of the reservoir 41, and to afford a connection between the valve mechanism 73 and the exterior of reservoir 41 a suitable opening 74 is provided in the casing extension 4d. As illustrated, the valve mechanism 73 includes a tubular molded plastic member 75 open at both ends with an integral flange 75a at one end. The flange 75a is provided on the side thereof,-opposite that from which the tubular portion propiects,

with an annular rib 75b. To define a suitable valve seat,

there is provided an annular resilient washer 77 having a small central opening 78 aligned with the opening 74. This washer '77 is clamped between the flange 75a and the end wall of easing extension 46 As illustrated, another gasltet79 is provided on the opposite side of the flange 75a from that where the valve seat defined by washer 77 is located, and suitable means Eli are provided to clamp the valve mechanism 73 in the position best shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. Cooperating with the washer 7.7 and normally closing the opening '78 therein is a valve member 82 continually biased to the closed position by a suitable compression spring 83 housed within tubular member 75. Preferably valve member 32 has an annular valve seating surface 820 of larger diameter than either the opening 78 in washer 77 or the opening 74 in casing extension 4%.

When it is desired to fill reservoir 41 with a suitable glide agent, a suitable rigid conduit associated with the source of fluid under pressure (not shown) is inserted through the aligned openings 74 and 78 to bias the valve member 32 away from the Washer 77, whereupon the fluid under pressure from the source is supplied to the reservoir 41 until the pressures are equalized. Withdrawal of the rigid conduit from the openings 74 and 73 will, of course, permit the spring 83 to bias valve member 32 to the closed position illustrated.

It will be appreciated that with the liquid dispensing means associated with the shaver 2%, as described above, some excess liquid may appear on the outside of casing 21. The conventional dry shaver, such as 20, is commonly provided with a starting wheel protruding through an opening in the casing. It will be appreciated that with the conventional starting wheel disclosed in the abovementioned Iepson patent, when the starting wheel is actuated it is depressed, which, of course, results in the opening in the casing being increased in size and permitting any liquid on the outside of casing 21 to enter therein. The starting wheel mechanism of the present invention, generally designated at 85, is one in which no change in size of the opening occurs upon actuation of the starting wheel and, in fact, a sealed construction against the entrance of moisture is provided. Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the starting wheel mechanism 85 comprises a sleeve 86 rigidly supported within an opening 87 defined in the casing 21. Rotatably and axially mounted within the sleeve 86 is a shaft 88. Secured to the inner end of the shaft 88 within the casing 21 is a friction wheel 89 which is adapted to engage the armature of the motor 28 in a well understood manner to cause it to rotate slightly for starting purposes. Secured to the end of the shaft 88 projecting outside of the housing or casing 21 is an actuating wheel 90. This actuating wheel 90 is provided with a recess on the underside thereof designated as 91. A suitable compression spring 92; concentric with the shaft 88 has one end disposed in the recess and the other end engagingwith a shoulder 93 defined on the casing 21. An O-ring or other suitable sealing member 94 is provided within the sleeve 86 to make sealing engagement with the shaft 88. From the above description it will be apparent that the starting wheel mechanism 85 provides a sealed arrangement for preventing liquid from entering the casing 21 through opening 87. When it is desired to start the motor, the operator depresses and rotates starting wheel 90, which causes the friction wheel 89 to engage and rotate the armature of the motor 28, with the resultant starting of such motor.

In view of the detailed description included above, the operation of the arrangement disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings will readily be understood by those skilled in the art. When it is desired to dispense a suitable glide agent at the cutting surface of the shaver, the operator actuates the lever 62 and the liquid is dispensed through the openings 66 against the face of the user. The openings 66 may cause the liquid to be dispensed directly desired pressure for forcing head.

against the face, in other words, with the stream of liquid which. I

being directed perpendicularly to the surface over-- the shaver is moving or it could be directed at an angle.

As illustrated in FIGS. and 6 of the drawings, one set of openings may direct the liquid directly against the face of the user While other openings direct the liquidatan angle.

Although the control of the. liquid flow has been. illustrated as by a manual On-Oif valve comprising valve 10% and mac. These blades are oscillated in shearing engagement with a suitable perforated comb generally designatedatlliiZ, the comb being of arcuate configuration and secured to the casing by suitable comb locks V the blades, 102.

the cutting head 22, which may be depressible in accordance with the arrangement disclosed in the above-mentioned Jepson patent. If it is desired, the depression of one or both of these rollers 95 may be utilized to actuate a suitable liquid dispensing valve and theamount of liquid dispensed may a be controlled 'by the pressure applied to the cutting surface causing actuation of these rollers. It will be understood, of course; that the motor 28 might be utilized to actuate a suitable pump'so that whenever the motor is energized a predetermined amount is providedlwith a bore 109within the tubular 104 and 105. Suitable spring means 106 bias the cutting blades 102 against the'comb 103 and the hair to be cut enters perforations in this comb and is sheared by In accordance with the present invention, the oscillating cutter shaft 99 is provided at one end with a tubular extension 9% extending through an opening 1%. in end cap 972). Moreover, the cutter shaft extension and extending at leastbeyond the center of this shaft, as best shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings. A suitable sleeve 110 and a sealing gasket 111 preferably surround a portion of the projecting extension 99a of the oscillating shaft 99. The tubular extension may readily be connected with a conduit 113 to a source of glide agent under pressure indicated generally at 114. It will be understood that the source 114 may be one of the wellknown aerosol type dispensers which upon depression of liquid would be supplied at the openings66 by, virtue V of such pump.

In the arrangement described above the glide agent" stored in a reservoir associated with to be dispensed is It should be understood that the the shaver itself. glide agent may be connected. to' the shaver suitable: conduit means. Such an arrangement is disclosed in FIGS. 9 to 11 of the drawings and described stored in a separate container' at' the: desired time by V 'of the member 115 at the upper end thereof will cause liquid to beidispensed under pressure through the con duit 113 andto the hollow bore'109 within the oscillating shaft 99.

In order that liquid supplied under pressure to the bore 109 in the oscillating shaft 99 maybe dispensed atthe cutting surface, a pair of dispensing tubes 116a and .116b are provided which are supported for oscillation with the shaft 99and are connected to the bore 109. These dispensing tubes 116aand 116bpref'erably terminate closely adjacent the inside surface of the comb 103 hereinafter. Furthermore, instead of storing the liquid under pressure in the reservoir fll or a separate reservoir connected to the shaver at the desired time, the'liquid may be inserted in such reservoir and then a charged.

gas, such as a C0 capsule, maybe used to furnish the If desired, the charged "gas, instead of forcing the liquid to the shaving head, may be used in an aspirating type arrangement to draw the liquid to the shaving head .in a manner well understood by those. skilled in' the art. It should also be understood that the reservoir may be elevated so that fluid flow to the shaver is' by 'virtueofgravity. a

Referring now to FIGS. 9 to ll of the drawings, there is illustrated a modificatlon of the present'invention where the liquid dispensing means is associated'with a shaver of the 'oscillating'type. As there illustrated,

the addition of the liquid dispensingmeans, may otherwise beidentical with the. shaver disclosed incope'ndg ing Jepson ,and Schuessler application; Serial No. 109,551, filedMay, 12, 1961, and assigned to the same tween the end ,caps' erally indicated at 98. This cutting headicomprises an oscillating shaft 99.journalled in suitable bearings forming a part of the cutting head 98 andfully described in the; aforementioned .Iepson and Schuessle'r application. The oscillating shaft 99: is suitably 'connected by driving the liquid to the shaving ing tubes 116a and 11 6b. It will be appreciated that there is disclosed an electric shaver96 which, except for J V assignee as the presentapplication; I As disclosed in the above-mentioned Jepsonarid Schue'ssler' application, the" shaver 96 comprises a casing, 97 housing a'suitableelec- 'tric motor (not shown)- The casing '97 comprises-a cup -shapedmembe'r 97a and end caps, 97b-and 9 7c. Be- 7 97b and 97c is ;a cutting head genmanner.

and preferably adjacent elongated openings 11 7. defined I in'the comb so that. the liquidis dispensed against the face of the user, for example, through these openings. In FIG. "9 of the drawings a suitable power cord 118 is illustrated as connecting the shaver 96 to a suitable source of electricpower, such as the conventional elec- ''tric outlet, generally {designated asj119. It will be appreciated that the flexible tube 113 and thepower cord will permit the user to use; the shaver in any desired If desired, the container 114 may be a container disposed at an elevation such that the hydraulic head willcause the liquid to be suppliedto the shaver.

In such case, a suitable valve adjacent theshaver" would be provided to'control the. flow of liquid to the dispensthe 'shaver 96 could be-modified, in the" manner of the shaver illustratedin FIGS. 1 to 8- of'th'e drawings so as to have a built-in reservoir 'and' a control valve' for supplying the liquidto the hollow oscillating shaft 99.

'In such case the extension 99a would terminate inside the casing 97 and connectionthrough' afiexible tubularmember with areservoir within theshaVer could readily be accomplished.

r-InFIGS. 12 and 13 0f the drawings there is illustrated another-embodiment of the present invention wherein liquid di'spensing'means are associated with an oscillating, shaverwhich, again, may be identical with that disclosed in the above-mentioned Jepson and Schuessler application, and the shaver is generally designated by the same ref- "I erence numeral 96. The corresponding parts ofFIGS. 1 ,12. and 13 are designated by the same reference numerals aslin'FIGS. 9 to 11. 1 Instead of supplying the liquid 'through the hollow oscillating shaft, a plurality ofliquid dispensing tubes 120,specifically designated as 120a,120b, f 120c'and 120d,.are secured in spaced relationship to the inside surface ofthe combltBfeachfof these tubes being i curved to conform to the comb shape, as best shown in FIG; 13. It will be appreciated that the blades102 must 'be-p'rovided.with suitable notches so as not 'to interfere with the dispensing tubes 120.1 'As illustrated in FIGS. 12' and- 13 ofthe'drawings, the dispensing tubes 120 are1dissupporting members 10181, 10112, 101a and'101d which} a are provided with suitable aligned slots for supporting posed at 'portions'of the comb where no openings are pro- --vided, andth en suitable dispensing openings121 are provided through both the comb 103 and the walls of tubes 120. In the specific embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings, four dispensing tubes 120 are provided, although fewer than that number may be utilized, as desired. As illustrated, the dispensing tubes extend through openings 122 in comb lock 105 and are connected by tubes 123 with a manifold 127, which in turn may be connected by the tube 113 to a source of fluid under pressure, such as 114 shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings. It will be appreciated that the dispensing tubes 120 could be connected to a reservoir built into the shaver casing 97 rather than connected to an exterior reservoir, in which case the openings 122 in comb lock 105 are unnecessary.

In view of the detailed description included above, it is apparent that there has been provided an arrangement in which a suitable glide agent is dispensed at the cutting surface of an electric dry shaver. Although the application of the present invention to a rotary type dry shaver has not been illustrated, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention could equally well be applied thereto by supplying the fluid through a hollow shaft or the like.

While there have been illustrated and described several embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications will occur, and it is contemplated by the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an electric dry shaver, the combination of a casing, an electric motor mounted in said casing, an armate comb secured to said casing, a cutter shaft journalled in said casing, a cutter blade supported by said shaft for movement in shearing engagement with said comb, means drivingly relating said shaft and said motor to cause oscillation of said shaft and said blade, means comprising a bore in said shaft, a conduit projecting from said shaft and connected to said bore, the end of said conduit remote from said shaft terminating adjacent the inside surface of said comb, said comb being provided with a slot at the terminus of said conduit, and means for supplying a friction reducing substance under pressure to said bore.

2. The electric dry shaver of claim 1 wherein said friction reducing substance is a liquid.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 761,808 6/04 Allen 30-415 1,350,227 8/20 Jones 30-41 2,134,960 11/38 Testi 3041.5 2,371,535 3/45 McGuffin 3041.5 2,688,184 9/54 lepson 30-433 3,103,299 9/63 Werft 30-41 X 3,128,549 4/ 64 Hubbartt et a1 30-415 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. MYRON S. KRUSE, MILTON S. MEHR, Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. IN AN ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER, THE COMBINATION OF A CASING, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR MOUNTED IN SAID CASING, AN ARCUATE COMB SECURED TO SAID CASING, A CUTTER SHAFT JOURNALLED IN SAID CASING, A CUTTER BLADE SUPPORTED BY SAID SHAFT FOR MOVEMENT IN SHEARING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID COMB, MEANS DRIVINGLY RELATING SAID SHAFT AND SAID MOTOR TO CAUSE OSCILLATIONS OF SAID SHAFT AND SAID BLADE, MEANS COMPRISING A BORE IN SAID SHAFT, A CONDUIT PROJECTING FROM SAID SHAFT AND CONNECTED TO SAID BORE, THE END OF SAID CONDUIT REMOTE FROM SAID SHAFT TERMINATING ADJACENT THE INSIDE SURFACE OF SAID COMB, SAID COMB BEING PROVIDED WITH A SLOT AT THE TERMINUS OF SAID CONDUIT, AND MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A FRICTION REDUCING SUBSTANCE UNDER PRESSURE TO SAID BORE.

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