Razors

Abstract

Razor handles are provided for razors having a battery-powered functionality. Methods of manufacturing such handles are also provided. In one implementation, the handle includes a unitary grip portion constructed to receive a razor head at one end thereof, and a battery cover, mounted on the grip portion. The grip portion and the battery cover, when joined, may together define a water-tight unit prior to mounting of the razor head on the grip portion.

1 . A razor handle for a razor having a battery-powered functionality, the handle comprising: 
 a unitary grip portion constructed to receive a razor head at one end thereof; and    a battery cover, mounted on the grip portion;    wherein the grip portion and the battery cover, when joined, together define a water-tight unit prior to mounting of the razor head on the grip portion.    
     
     
         2 . The razor handle of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of components that provide the battery-powered functionality, wherein all components of the razor that provide the battery-powered functionality are disposed within the grip portion.  
     
     
         3 . The razor handle of  claim 1 , further comprising a razor head, fixedly mounted on the grip portion.  
     
     
         4 . The razor handle of  claim 1  wherein the battery cover is removably mounted on the grip portion.  
     
     
         5 . The razor handle of  claim 4 , further comprising a sealing member disposed at an interface between the battery cover and grip portion to provide a water-tight seal at the interface.  
     
     
         6 . The razor handle of  claim 5  wherein the sealing member comprises an elastomeric seal.  
     
     
         7 . The razor handle of  claim 1  wherein the battery cover is permanently welded to the grip tube.  
     
     
         8 . The razor handle of  claim 1  further comprising a subassembly, disposed within the grip portion, the subassembly comprising a carrier and a switch or electronic components mounted on the carrier.  
     
     
         9 . The razor handle of  claim 8  wherein the carrier includes a portion constructed to receive a battery and provide electrical communication between the battery and electronic components.  
     
     
         10 . The razor handle of  claim 4  wherein the carrier includes a portion constructed to engage a corresponding portion of the battery cover.  
     
     
         11 . The razor handle of  claim 9  further comprising a sleeve, disposed inside the battery-receiving portion of the carrier and surrounding the battery.  
     
     
         12 . A razor handle for a razor having a battery-powered functionality, the handle comprising: 
 a grip portion;    within the grip portion, components configured to provide the battery-powered functionality;    an actuator, mounted on the grip portion and positioned to be depressed by a user of the razor; and    an electronic switch, in electrical communication with the components, positioned to be actuated when the actuator is depressed.    
     
     
         13 . The razor handle of  claim 12  wherein the electronic switch requires an actuation force of at least 4 N applied over about a displacement of about 0.25 mm.  
     
     
         14 . The razor handle of  claim 12  wherein the grip portion includes a resilient membrane that is interposed between the actuator and the electronic switch.  
     
     
         15 . The razor handle of  claim 14  wherein the resilient membrane is configured to exert a restoring force on the actuator after the actuator is depressed and released.  
     
     
         16 . The razor handle of  claim 12  wherein the actuator includes a button and an underlying cantilevered member supporting the button.  
     
     
         17 . The razor handle of  claim 12  wherein the components include a printed circuit board, and the electronic switch is in communication with the printed circuit board and activates circuitry of the printed circuit board.  
     
     
         18 . The razor handle of  claim 12  wherein the actuator comprises a button, and an upper surface of the button is substantially flush with an outer surface of the grip tube.  
     
     
         19 . The razor handle of  claim 1  or  12  further comprising a closing system, including a first component within the battery cover, and a second component secured to the interior wall of the grip portion, the first component being configured to move axially within the battery cover during engagement of the battery cover with the grip portion, and being biased toward a predetermined axial position.  
     
     
         20 . The razor handle of  claim 19  wherein the first and second components are configured to engage each other by rotation of the battery cover relative to the housing.  
     
     
         21 . The razor handle of  claim 19  wherein the first component includes a spring element configured to apply an axial force between the grip portion and battery cover when the first and second components are engaged.  
     
     
         22 . The razor handle of claim  19 .wherein engagement of the first and second components provides an electrical connection between the first and second components.  
     
     
         23 . The razor handle of  claim 8  wherein the electronics are configured to drive a vibrating function of the razor.  
     
     
         24 . The razor handle of  claim 1  or. 12  further comprising, within the grip tube, a pair of battery clamp fingers configured to exert a clamping force against the battery when the battery is in place in the razor.  
     
     
         25 . The razor handle of  claim 1  or  12  wherein the grip tube includes a window, and the razor handle further includes an indicator positioned under the window.  
     
     
         26 . The razor handle of  claim 25  wherein the indicator comprises a light.  
     
     
         27 . A method of manufacturing a razor handle, comprising: 
 forming a unitary grip tube having a closed end configured to receive a razor head;    inserting a battery and a carrier into an open opposite end of the grip tube, the carrier having electronic components mounted thereon;    sealing the open end of the grip tube; and    testing the electronic functionality of the resulting assembly.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising mounting a razor head on the closed end if the testing step results in a determination that the electronics are functional.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the sealing step comprises mounting a removable battery cover on the open end.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein mounting the battery cover on the open end renders the assembly water-tight.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the mounting step comprises fixedly mounting the razor head.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the razor head is configured to receive a disposable razor cartridge.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27  wherein forming the unitary grip tube comprises molding a grip tube preform having a window opening and welding a window into the opening.  
     
     
         34 . A method of forming a plurality of razor products having a battery-powered functionality, the method comprising: 
 forming a plurality of substantially identical razor sub-assemblies, each sub-assembly including (a) a unitary grip tube having a closed end configured to receive a razor head, and (b) a battery and battery-powered components disposed within the grip tube, the grip tube being sealed in a water-tight manner; and    mounting a first razor head on the closed ends of a first sub-set of the razor sub-assemblies to form a first product, and mounting a second, different razor head on the closed ends of a second sub-set of the razor sub-assemblies to form a second, different product.