Abstract: As provided in the present invention, a shaving aid element includes a novel shaving aid holder having one or more “undercut elements” incorporated on its upper surface. These undercut elements provide an interlocking mechanism to retain a shaving aid portion to the shaving aid holder. The interlocking mechanism of the undercut element comprises an interlock area of the shaving aid portion and an interlock area of the shaving aid holder. The undercut elements include one or more protrusions or cavities, in the upper surface of the shaving aid holder, and may be curved hook-like structures or mushroom shaped structures, straight-line structures, or angled structures, in any combination. The shaving aid portion, as not being disposed on a lower surface of the shaving aid holder, provides utility for disposing at least one aesthetic element (e.g., indicia), at least one functional element (e.g., exfoliation) or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel application of standard printed circuit board (PCB) assembly modules, electronic assembly, and/or semiconductor assembly equipment for the assembly of consumer products, such as razor cartridges. In addition, nozzles of the pick/place component placement machine of the present invention may be desirably adapted to operate on type of razor cartridge component (e.g., blade, lubricating strip) disposed on a pallet. The adapted nozzle may include adaptors which may have an elongated portion, an angled portion, a tapered portion, a gripper portion, a curved portion, a rounded portion, a pointed tip, a stamper, a marker, a printer, a guide portion, a spring portion, a moveable leg, or any combination thereof, for operating on a razor cartridge component.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel application of standard printed circuit board (PCB) assembly modules, electronic assembly, and/or semiconductor assembly equipment for the assembly of consumer products, such as razor cartridges. In addition, nozzles of the pick/place component placement machine of the present invention may be desirably adapted to operate on type of razor cartridge component (e.g., blade, lubricating strip) disposed on a pallet. The adapted nozzle may include adaptors which may have an elongated portion, an angled portion, a tapered portion, a gripper portion, a curved portion, a rounded portion, a pointed tip, a stamper, a marker, a printer, a guide portion, a spring portion, a moveable leg, or any combination thereof, for operating on a razor cartridge component.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel one-piece pump or fluid dispensing apparatus having at least one hinge. The hinge allows for a streamlined manufacturing process which provides increased cost effectiveness. In addition, the hinge serves to orient or align the pump elements for easy, economical assembly of the finished device. The hinge may include one or more hinge elements or linkages.

Abstract: As provided in the present invention, a shaving aid element includes a novel shaving aid holder having one or more “undercut elements” incorporated on its upper surface. These undercut elements provide an interlocking mechanism to retain a shaving aid portion to the shaving aid holder. The interlocking mechanism of the undercut element comprises an interlock area of the shaving aid portion and an interlock area of the shaving aid holder. The undercut elements include one or more protrusions or cavities, in the upper surface of the shaving aid holder, and may be curved hook-like structures or mushroom shaped structures, straight-line structures, or angled structures, in any combination. The shaving aid portion, as not being disposed on a lower surface of the shaving aid holder, provides utility for disposing at least one aesthetic element (e.g., indicia), at least one functional element (e.g., exfoliation) or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of molded components including (a) providing a carrier to a manufacturing assembly; (b) forming the molded components on the carrier, the molded components having a sacrificial portion secured to the carrier and being movable along the carrier, and a functional portion extending from the sacrificial portion, adjacent sacrificial portions are spaced from one another by a first distance; (c) winding the carrier in a forward direction onto the uptake device; and (d) unwinding the uptake device in a reverse direction such that the carrier and molded components move toward the source device, one of the molded components contacts the latch preventing the molded components from moving in the reverse direction such that adjacent sacrificial portions are moved closer together to a second distance that is less than the first distance.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel application of standard printed circuit board (PCB) assembly modules, electronic assembly, and/or semiconductor assembly equipment for the assembly of consumer products, such as razor cartridges. In addition, nozzles of the pick/place component placement machine of the present invention may be desirably adapted to operate on type of razor cartridge component (e.g., blade, lubricating strip) disposed on a pallet. The adapted nozzle may include adaptors which may have an elongated portion, an angled portion, a tapered portion, a gripper portion, a curved portion, a rounded portion, a pointed tip, a stamper, a marker, a printer, a guide portion, a spring portion, a moveable leg, or any combination thereof, for operating on a razor cartridge component.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of molded components including (a) providing a carrier to a manufacturing assembly; (b) forming the molded components on the carrier, the molded components having a sacrificial portion secured to the carrier and being movable along the carrier, and a functional portion extending from the sacrificial portion, adjacent sacrificial portions are spaced from one another by a first distance; (c) winding the carrier in a forward direction onto the uptake device; and (d) unwinding the uptake device in a reverse direction such that the carrier and molded components move toward the source device, one of the molded components contacts the latch preventing the molded components from moving in the reverse direction such that adjacent sacrificial portions are moved closer together to a second distance that is less than the first distance.

Abstract: A writing instrument is provided having an elongated shell having a longitudinal axis and an elongated assembly having a writing tip disposed at a first end of the elongated assembly. The elongated assembly is disposed at least partially in the elongated shell. The elongated assembly moves relative to the elongated shell between first and second positions along the longitudinal axis, a surface of the elongated assembly abutting a surface of the elongated shell with the elongated assembly in the first position and the surface of the elongated assembly spaced from the surface of the elongated shell with the elongated assembly in the second position. The writing instrument also includes a flexible bushing having a first end and a second end. The first end of the flexible bushing is secured to the elongated shell and the second end of the flexible bushing secured to the elongated assembly. The flexible bushing biases the elongated assembly toward the second position.

Abstract: A writing instrument is provided having an elongated shell having a longitudinal axis and an elongated assembly having a writing tip disposed at a first end of the elongated assembly. The elongated assembly is disposed at least partially in the elongated shell. The elongated assembly moves relative to the elongated shell between first and second positions along the longitudinal axis, a surface of the elongated assembly abutting a surface of the elongated shell with the elongated assembly in the first position and the surface of the elongated assembly spaced from the surface of the elongated shell with the elongated assembly in the second position. The writing instrument also includes a flexible bushing having a first end and a second end. The first end of the flexible bushing is secured to the elongated shell and the second end of the flexible bushing secured to the elongated assembly. The flexible bushing biases the elongated assembly toward the second position.

Abstract: A dispenser for applying a material to a surface includes a supply spool rotatable about an axis, a quantity of unused tape stored on the supply spool, and an applicator head about which the tape is passed. The head presses the tape against a surface to deposit a transfer layer of the tape onto the surface. A take-up spool stores a backing layer of the tape after the transfer layer has been deposited on the surface. The take-up spool is also rotatable about the axis. A housing surrounds at least a majority of the tape, a substantial portion of the housing being substantially cylindrical in shape. The tape is guided from the supply spool to the head and from the head to the take-up spool. The applicator head is located substantially along the axis, and the spools are movable along the axis. The tape causes movement of the spools along the axis as the spools are rotated about the axis. The-tape is stored on each spool in a plurality of tape layers thick and a plurality of tape widths wide.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine includes a support structure, an articulated arm having a first end pivotally connected to the support structure and a second end that is movable in a horizontal plane. A Z-ram assembly is mounted to the second end of the articulated arm. The Z-ram assembly includes a Z-ram housing and a probe that is vertically movable with respect to the Z-ram housing. The probe is movable within a measurement volume defined by the articulated arm and the Z-ram assembly. The coordinate measuring machine further includes a measuring assembly for determining coordinates of the probe in the measurement volume. The articulated arm preferably includes first and second arm assemblies that have a parallelogram configuration to prevent substantial rotation of the Z-ram assembly as the articulated arm is moved in the horizontal plane. The angles of the articulated arm are preferably measured using a sensor which includes a pattern of parallel, straight grating lines.