Valves for personal care devices

Abstract

Dual valves are described herein. The dual valves have a plurality of lumens disposed within a unitary body. The dual valves can be used, for example, in personal care products such as toothbrushes and razors to dispense fluids such as dentifrice and shaving aids.

1 . A razor, the razor comprising;
 a body, constructed to be held by a user, including two or more passageways through which fluids can flow,   a head, extending from the body, wherein the head includes an outlet in fluid communication with the passageways, through which the fluids can be dispensed to the skin of a user, and a blade unit comprising a housing having a front portion, a rear portion and two side surfaces extending from the front portion to the rear portion, and one or more shaving blades positioned between the front portion and the rear portion; and   disposed within the outlet to control fluid flow therefrom, a single, unitary valve body defining a plurality of lumens, each lumen being in fluid communication with one of the passageways and terminating in a valve.   
   
   
       2 . The razor of  claim 1 , wherein the blade unit further comprises a guard member. 
   
   
       3 . The razor of  claim 2 , wherein the outlet is positioned within the guard member. 
   
   
       4 . The razor of  claim 2 , wherein the guard member includes an opening through which the valve body extends. 
   
   
       5 . The razor of  claim 1 , wherein the blade unit further comprises a cap. 
   
   
       6 . The razor of  claim 5 , comprising a lubricating strip mounted on the cap. 
   
   
       7 . The razor of  claim 5 , wherein the outlet is positioned within the cap. 
   
   
       8 . The razor of  claim 1 , further comprising reservoirs in communication with the passageways, each reservoir being configured to contain a supply of one of the fluids. 
   
   
       9 . The razor of  claim 1 , wherein the valve body comprises tapered lumens. 
   
   
       10 . The razor of  claim 1 , wherein the valves comprise at least one of a slit valve or duckbill valve. 
   
   
       11 . The razor of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the valve body is substantially cylindrical. 
   
   
       12 . A razor comprising:
 a body, constructed to be held by a user, including two or more passageways through which fluids can flow,   a head, extending from the body, wherein the head includes an outlet in fluid communication with the passageways, through which the fluids can be dispensed to the skin of a user, and a blade unit comprising a cutting mechanism;   an outlet positioned on the head; and   a shearing member rotabably attached proximate the outlet, said shearing member configured to engage a fluid stream exiting the outlet.   
   
   
       13 . The razor of  claim 12 , wherein the shearing member comprises;
 an inner cylindrical member; and   an outer cylindrical member, wherein said outer member comprises a plurality of openings, and wherein the inner and outer cylindrical members are configured to rotate relative to each other, co-acting to engage the fluid stream to distribute the fluid through the openings.   
   
   
       14 . The razor of  claim 12 , wherein the openings are slots extending parallel to an axis of rotation of the cylinder, which distribute fluid through the slots in a radial direction. 
   
   
       15 . The razor of  claim 12 , wherein the openings are substantially circular. 
   
   
       16 . The razor of  claim 12 , further comprising a cap positioned over the inner and outer cylindrical members. 
   
   
       17 . The razor of  claim 12 , wherein the shearing member comprises openings positioned over the outlet, and wherein the fluid passes axially through the openings. 
   
   
       18 . The razor of  claim 12 , wherein the shearing member comprises a plurality of radially extending elongated members having openings positioned there between. 
   
   
       19 . The razor of  claim 12 , wherein the cutting mechanism comprises a housing having a front portion, a rear portion and two side surfaces extending from the front portion to the rear portion, and one or more shaving blades positioned between the front portion and the rear portion 
   
   
       20 . A razor comprising;
 a body, constructed to be held by a user, including two or more passageways through which fluids can flow,   a head, extending from the body, wherein the head includes an outlet in fluid communication with the passageways, through which the fluids can be dispensed to the skin of a user, and a cutting mechanism;   an outlet positioned on the head; and   a shearing means rotatably attached proximate the outlet for mixing a fluid exiting the outlet.