EP0855256B1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: EP0855256B1
Application number: EP19970201554
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johan Pragt
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 1996-12-23
Filing date: 1997-05-23
Publication date: 1999-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-23
Also published as: EP0855256A1

Description

The invention relates to a shaving head comprising a cutter having a cuttingedge for cutting hairs near the skin and a manipulator adapted to move a hair along thecutting edge.

Such a shaving head is known from US 2,568,047. The known shaving headcomprises a cutter having a cutting edge for cutting hairs near the skin and a roller withV-shaped ribs on its periphery. Each rib extends circumferentially around the roller andsubstantially one-half of its circumference is inclined longitudinally in one direction ofthe axis of the roller and the other half of its circumference is oppositely inclined. Theroller, while it is rotated by the skin during a cutting stroke, is shifted longitudinally ofthe cutting edge by an abutment which is fixed to the shaving head and has a terminalwhich extends between two ribs. The longitudinally moving roller moves the skin andthe hairs along the cutting edge.

It is an object of the invention to provide a shaving head and shaving apparatuswith an improved shaving result in comparison with the known shaving head. To thisend the shaving head according to the invention is characterised in that the manipulatoris adapted to move the hair relative to the skin while the hair is being cut by the cuttingedge.

The load on a hair root depends on the force exerted on the hair by theshaving head. In this respect a distinction is to be made between shear-type shaving heads bywhich a hair is snipped off and knife-type shaving heads by which a hair is sliced off.

When a shear-type shaving head is used a hair is clamped between twoedges which are movable relative to one another and which are subsequently moved towardsone another, thereby subjecting the hair to shearing. Each of the edges exerts a substantialforce on the hair but these forces are directed oppositely, as a result of which the shavinghead exerts substantially no resultant force on the hair and the hair root is subjected to hardlyany load.

When a knife-type shaving head is used a hair is severed in that a sharpedge exerts a force on the hair, without the hair being supported by the shaving head. Whensuch a shaving head is used the force exerted on a hair by the shaving head is at least equal to the force required to move the cutting edge of the razor blade through the hair. Thisforce is comparatively large, as a result of which a substantial load is exerted on the hairroot.

The shaving head in accordance with the invention is a knife-typeshaving head in which a movement of the hairs relative to the skin along the cutting edge is performedduring cutting. As a result of this, the force required on a hair to move the cutting edgethrough the hair is comparatively small and the load to which the hair root is subjected issubstantially smaller.

With the shaving head in accordance with the invention the hairs movepast the cutting edge with a higher speed than the skin so that there is a difference betweenthe cutting action of the cutting edge with respect to the skin and the cutting action of thecutting edge with respect to the hairs. This is because at skin level hairs are movable relativeto the skin. Factors such as the implantation of the hairs in the skin, the viscoelasticity of theskin and the frequency with which the hairs are moved can play a part, individually but alsoin different combinations. Owing to said difference in speed, the load exerted on the hairroots is reduced without an increased risk of skin injury.

The measures in accordance with the invention also ensure that duringshaving the forces exerted on the cutting edge by the hairs in a direction transverse to thecutting edge are substantially smaller than with the known shaving head, which reduces thelikelihood of deformation of the cutting edge. Moreover, a hair is brought into contact withdifferent parts of the cutting edge, as a result of which the forces spread over a larger part ofthe cutting edge. This results in a more uniform wear of the cutting edge. In addition, a lesssharp cutting edge yet provides satisfactory shaving results owing to the improved cuttingaction.

It is to be noted that US 4,118,863 discloses a hair trimmer having amovable blade and a stationary blade. Both blades have teeth to sever hairs caught between atooth of the movable blade and a tooth of the stationary blade.

US 4,159,566 discloses a razor comb intended for hair styling by theindividual. The known razor comb comprises a razor having a cutting edge and covered atboth sides by a comb attachment. Different comb attachments of different lengths can befitted to trim the hair at different lengths. The razor is drivable by an electric drivemechanism in a direction parallel to the cutting edge. The relative speeds of the razor withrespect to the hairs and the skin are in principle equal.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the manipulator is adapted to move hairs to and fro along the cuttingedge. By means of this measure it is achieved, inter alia, that the range of movement of thehair relative to the skin is traversed several times during cutting of the hair, therebyenhancing the afore-mentioned effects.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the shaving head comprises a supporting surface for supporting theshaving head on the skin, the shaving head comprises a frame, and the manipulator ismovable relative to the frame in a tangential direction along the cutting edge. Thisembodiment has the advantage that the shaving head can be of simple construction. The hairscan be moved along the cutting edge by moving the manipulator in the tangential directionand bringing the manipulator into contact with the hairs.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the manipulator has recesses which extend near the cutting edge. A haircaught in one of the recesses will be moved in the tangential direction to some degree. Sincethe recesses extend near the cutting edge, for example disposed just underneath the cuttingedge viewed from the supporting surface, the hair will perform a movement in the tangentialdirection at the instant that it contacts the cutting edge. The manipulator can be constructed,for example, as a foil provided with the recesses.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that in the tangential direction the recesses have a width between 100 and400 micrometers. It has been found that in this range an optimum performance of theshaving head in accordance with the invention is achieved for regular hair thicknesses.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the recesses are formed between teeth. As a result of the position of theteeth, hairs which engage with the cutting edge will at least partly come into contact with oneor more teeth which move in the tangential direction. During this contact the manipulator andthe relevant hairs interengage properly, as a result of which the hairs, when in contact,follow the movement of the manipulator and the relative speed of the hairs with respect tothe cutter is equal to the relative speed of the manipulator with respect to the cutter.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the distance between the ends of the teeth and the cutting edge liesbetween 50 and 1000 micrometers. The teeth should not be too short because otherwise thehairs will not be moved along in the tangential direction. Besides, in the case of too long teeth the hairs tend to disengage from between the teeth, after which they are flattened ontothe skin by the teeth and are not severed or not severed properly. It has been found that thehairs are severed properly when the dimensions are as mentioned above.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that at the location of the cutting edge the teeth have a height smaller than500 micrometers measured in a direction transverse to the supporting surface. It has beenfound that owing to this measure the hairs are less likely to remain caught between the teeth,which counteracts clogging of the recesses between teeth.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the manipulator is movable relative to the frame in a directiontransverse to the tangential direction. By means of this measure it is achieved that the frictionin the tangential direction between the manipulator and the skin is reduced, as a result ofwhich the skin moves less along the cutting edge and, consequently, the risk of nicking ofthe skin is reduced. Moreover, this measure promotes the removal of hair cuttings.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the cutting edge is disposed at the level of the supporting surface andthe manipulator forms at least a part of the supporting surface. As a result of this, hairswhich project only slightly from the skin surface are also moved, so that even the roots ofvery short hairs are subjected to hardly any load. In addition, the cutter and the manipulatoract at the level of the skin surface, as a result of which a smooth shave is obtained.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the shaving head is adapted to provide a weak transmission between themanipulator and the skin. A weak transmission between the manipulator and the skin ensuresthat the manipulator movement is transmitted to the skin to only a small extent, whichreduces the risk of the skin being nicked.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the manipulator is movable in a direction transverse to the supportingsurface. First of all, this reduces the transmission between the manipulator and the skin.Secondly, it ensures that the skin is effectively held at some distance from the cutting edge,which reduces the risk of nicking of the skin. The reduction of this transmission ensures thatthe manipulator movement transmitted to the skin is weak, as a result of which the skin isless likely to be moved in the tangential direction relative to the cutter and, consequently, therisk of nicking of the skin is reduced.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that at its side which faces the supporting surface the manipulator comprisesa material which provides a low coefficient of friction with respect to the skin surface. Forexample, a Teflon coating or any other coating which provides a low friction between themanipulator and a skin is suitable for this purpose. Alternatively, the manipulator can bemade wholly or partly of a material having a low coefficient of friction with respect to askin.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the cutter and the manipulator are flexible in a direction transverse tothe supporting surface. By means of this measure it is achieved that the shaving head iscapable of following contours of the skin to some extent, as a result of which less shavingmovements are required.

An embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the cutting edge has a serrated structure with serrations smaller than 100micrometers. Such a knurled structure further facilitates the severing of hairs. This measureis particularly suited for use in the shaving head in accordance with the invention because thehairs are moved in the tangential direction with respect to the cutting edge while the skin ishardly moved in the tangential direction with respect to the cutting edge, as a result of whichthe risk of skin injury is small.

The invention also relates to a shaving apparatus having a shaving headin accordance with the invention and a drive system for driving the manipulator. By meansof such a shaving apparatus the advantages as described above are obtained.

An embodiment of the shaving apparatus in accordance with theinvention is characterized in that the drive system is adapted to move the manipulator to andfro in the tangential direction. As a result of this step, the hairs are moved to and fro, so thatthe range of movement of the hair relative to the skin is traversed several times duringcutting of the hair and the force required to move the cutting edge through the hair is thusfurther reduced.

An embodiment of the shaving apparatus in accordance with theinvention is characterized in that the drive system is adapted to drive the manipulator with anamplitude of 50 to 250 micrometers in the tangential direction. If the amplitude is too smallit appears that the hairs are not moved adequately. If the amplitude is too large the hairs slipout of the recesses. It has been found that in said range satisfactory shaving results and ahigh shaving comfort are obtained.

An embodiment of the shaving apparatus in accordance with theinvention is characterized in that the drive system is adapted to drive the manipulator with afrequency higher than or equal to 100 Hz. It has been found that satisfactory results areobtained already at 100 Hz. The viscoelasticity of the human skin is such that the skinappears to be less compliant for frequencies above 30 Hz, so that it can be moved less easilyand the risk of nicking of the skin is further reduced at higher frequencies. Moreover, it hasbeen found that at 100 Hz and a normal speed of movement of the shaving head over theskin the manipulator moves a hair to and fro about ten times during cutting. At a frequencyhigher than 100 Hz the results improve because the cutting performance improves furtherwith the same amplitude of the manipulator. Besides, the shaving head can be moved morerapidly over the skin at a higher frequency, yielding the same result and comfort.

An embodiment of the shaving apparatus in accordance with theinvention is characterized in that the drive system comprises a piezoelectric element. Apiezoelectric element is particularly suitable for driving because the manipulator need only bemoved with a small amplitude. Owing to this measure less space is required for the drivesystem and more freedom is obtained for an aesthetically pleasing design of the shaver.

An embodiment of the shaving apparatus in accordance with theinvention is characterized in that the mass of the oscillating parts is more than 10 times assmall as the mass of the shaving apparatus. This precludes a movement of the cutter relativeto the skin in the tangential direction as a result of reaction forces. Preferably, the shavingapparatus comprises a counter-mass which is moved oppositely to the manipulator in order tocounteract reaction forces on the cutter.

The invention also relates to a shaving apparatus comprising a shavinghead in accordance with the invention and an applicator for applying an agent to the skin,which agent reduces the transmission between the manipulator and the skin. By means of thismeasure it is achieved that when the shaving head is repeatedly moved over a part of the skinthis part of the skin can each time be provided with a film of the agent. Thus, with such arepeated application, the transmission between the skin and the manipulator is kept undercontrol, thereby minimizing the risk of skin injury. Even if the agent is water, this providesa substantial reduction of the transmission between the skin and the manipulator because thewater forms a film between the manipulator and the skin. In addition, special emulsions orwater containing friction-reducing and or skin-care additives may further improve the shavingcomfort.

An embodiment of the shaving apparatus in accordance with theinvention is characterized in that the applicator comprises a porous structure. Owing to thismeasure the skin can be moistened by briefly holding the applicator, for example whileattached to the apparatus, under the tap before and, if desired, during shaving. Theapplicator absorbs water when held under the tap and it releases the water again whenbrought into contact with the skin owing to the capillary action of the spaces between theapplicator and the skin.

An embodiment of the shaving apparatus in accordance with theinvention is characterized in that the agent comprises a substance which can be taken up bywater and which is stored in the porous structure. This substance may include skin-careadditives which further improve the shaving comfort.

An embodiment of the shaving apparatus in accordance with theinvention is characterized in that the applicator takes the form of a roller. Owing to thismeasure the applicator can roll over the skin during shaving so that the applicator does nothook behind stubbles and each time another part of the applicator comes into contact with theskin.

An embodiment of the shaving apparatus in accordance with theinvention is characterized in that said applicator comprises a reservoir for holding said agentand further comprises dispenser means for applying the agent to the skin in a controlledamount. This measure enables an agent in liquid form or in powder form to be applied to theskin during shaving. The dispenser means may comprise, for example, a pump or acontrollable valve.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example,with reference to the drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a diagrammatical side view of a first embodiment of theshaving apparatus in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 and Figure 3 are sectional views showing a hair and thecooperation of the shaving head in accordance with the invention with the hair,

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of theshaving apparatus in accordance with the invention,

Figure 5 shows a part of a second embodiment of the shaving head inaccordance with the invention,

Figure 6 shows diagrammatically a third embodiment of the shavingapparatus in accordance with the invention,

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of theshaving apparatus in accordance with the invention, and

Figure 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the shaving apparatus inaccordance with the invention.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view showing a first embodiment of theshaving apparatus in accordance with the invention. Theshaving apparatus 9 comprises abasic part 8 and ashaving head 1 in accordance with the invention. In use theshaving head 1is pressed against askin surface 3 and is moved over theskin surface 3 in a shavingdirection y. The shavinghead 1 serves for severing ahair 2 rooted in theskin 17. Theshavinghead 1 comprises aframe 14 carrying astationary cutter 5. Thecutter 5 forms partof a supporting surface 4 for supporting the shavinghead 1 on theskin surface 3. thecutter5 has acutting edge 6 which, in or near the supporting surface 4, extends in a tangentialdirection x transverse to the shaving direction y. The shavinghead 1 further comprises amanipulator 10 adapted to move hairs which engage thecutting edge 6 relative to theshavinghead 1 in a direction parallel to the tangential direction x. Themanipulator 10 is movablerelative to thecutter 5 in the tangential direction x. Themanipulator 10 further has recess 13(see Fig. 4), in the present case formed betweenteeth 11, for transmitting the movement ofthemanipulator 10 to thehair 2. Theteeth 11 extend just before thecutting edge 6 in adirection transverse to the tangential direction x. Theteeth 11 are so positioned that, as aresult of the movement of the shavinghead 1 in the shaving direction y, ahair 2 engages arecess 13 between twoteeth 11 before it contacts thecutting edge 6 of thecutter 5. Theshavinghead 1 is adapted to produce an oscillating movement of themanipulator 10 bymeans of aguide 12. Thebasic part 8 comprises adrive system 30 for driving themanipulator 10 in the tangential direction x. Thedrive system 30 is adapted to drive themanipulator 10 in a reciprocating fashion with a frequency of 100 Hz. For this purpose, thedrive system 30 comprises anelectric motor 31, which drives an eccentric 32. The eccentric32 engages agroove 15 in themanipulator 10, which groove extends in the shaving directiony. In the tangential direction x thegroove 15 accurately fits around the eccentric 32, so thata rotary movement of the eccentric 32 is converted into a reciprocating movement of themanipulator 10 in the tangential direction x. To power themotor 31 thebasic part 8 comprises abattery 33 and aswitch 34. Instead of therotary motor 31 it is possible to use avibramotor, in which case the eccentric 32 can be dispensed with.

In the embodiment of the shaving head in accordance with the inventionshown in Fig. 1 thecutter 5 and themanipulator 10 each form part of the supporting surface4. As a result of this, ahair 2 can be severed very close to theskin surface 3 and a veryshort hair can also be moved to and fro in the tangential direction x by theteeth 11 of themanipulator 10.

Theteeth 11 are dimensioned in such a way that the distance d betweenthe ends of theteeth 11 and thecutting edge 6, measured in the shaving direction y, isapproximately 250 micrometers. At the location of thecutting edge 6 in the direction ztransverse to the supporting surface 4 theteeth 11 have a dimension h of approximately 300micrometers. Owing to these dimensions hair cuttings readily fall out of the gaps between theteeth 11 and clogging of the gaps between theteeth 11 is avoided. Theteeth 11 and thecutter 5 are slightly flexible in the direction z, thereby enabling skin contours to be followedto some extent.

Figure 2 and Figure 3 both show a sectional view of ahair 2 in afollicle7 in askin 17. Figure 2 shows thehair 2 in a position in which one of theteeth 11 haspressed thehair 2 in a direction opposite to the tangential direction x. Thehair 2 is thenwholly pressed against the left side of thefollicle 7 in theskin 17. It is clearly visible thatthehair 2 has a clearance s in thefollicle 7.

Figure 3 shows thehair 2 in a position in which thehair 2 is whollypressed against the right-hand side of thefollicle 7 in theskin 17 by one of theteeth 11. Ithas been found that the clearance s of the hair relative to thefollicle 7 is of the order ofmagnitude of some hundreds of micrometers. As a result, thehair 2 can be moved to and froby theteeth 11 with a comparatively high speed, while theskin 17 follows the movement ofthehair 2 only partly or not at all. The latter depends particularly on the transmissionbetween theteeth 11 and theskin surface 3 for movements in the tangential direction x. Thistransmission can also be produced via thehair 2. However, it has been found that if thedrive system 30 (see Figure 1) is adapted to drive themanipulator 10 with a frequency of100 Hz and an amplitude between 50 and 250 micrometers in the tangential direction x, thisyields a weak transmission.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of theshaving apparatus in accordance with the invention. Theshaving apparatus 109 comprises ashaving head 101. The shavinghead 101 comprises amanipulator 110 havingteeth 111, the distance w between theteeth 111 being approximately 250 micrometers. At their upper sidestheteeth 111 have acoating 21 for reducing the friction between the skin surface 3 (seeFigure 1) and themanipulator 110. Theshaving apparatus 109 comprises abasic part 108,which accommodates a drive system for driving themanipulator 110. The drive systemcomprises apiezoelectric element 35 driven by anoscillator 36. Theoscillator 36 isenergized by means of abattery 33 and aswitch 34. At its lower side the piezoelectricelement is secured (not shown) in thebasic part 108 and at its upper side it has aprojection37 which engages agroove 15 in themanipulator 110 of the shavinghead 101. When theoscillator 36 is energized thepiezoelectric element 35 performs an oscillating movement inthe tangential direction x. This oscillating movement is transmitted to themanipulator 110via theprojection 37 and thegroove 15.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a part of a second embodiment ofthe shaving head in accordance with the invention. The shavinghead 201 comprise aframe214, amanipulator 210 and a spacer, in the present case formed byridges 23 for reducingthe contact area between themanipulator 210 and the skin (not shown). Theridges 23 aresituated on theteeth 211 and extend in the tangential direction x. The shavinghead 201further comprises aguide 212 for guiding themanipulator 210 relative to theshaving head201. Theguide 212 is such that themanipulator 210 is movable in the tangential direction xand is also movable in adirection 280 having a component in the shaving direction y and acomponent in the direction z transverse to the supporting surface 4. Thecutter 205 has acutting edge 206 with a serrated structure whose serrations are shown to a highly enlargedscale and have a dimension t of approximately 40 micrometers.

Figure 6 shows diagrammatically a third embodiment of the shavingapparatus in accordance with the invention. Theshaving apparatus 209 comprises abasic part8 as shown in Figure 1 and ashaving head 201 in accordance with the second embodiment ofthe invention as shown in Figure 5. Themanipulator 210 has arecess 215 which fits tightlyaround the eccentric 32. When the eccentric 32 is driven by amotor 31 themanipulator 210follows the circular movement of the eccentric 32. As a result of this, the manipulatorperforms both a reciprocating movement in the tangential direction x and a reciprocatingmovement in thedirection 280. The movement in thedirection 280 has a component in thedirection z, so that the skin is held effectively at some distance from thecutting edge 206.Moreover, this reduces the transmission between themanipulator 210 and the skin. Themovement in thedirection 280 also has a component in the shaving direction y. Thispromotes the removal of hair cuttings.

The mass of themanipulator 210 is approximately 20 times as small asthe mass of theshaving apparatus 209. This counteracts a movement of thecutter 205 in thetangential direction x relative to the skin as a result of the reaction forces.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the shavingapparatus in accordance with the invention. Theshaving apparatus 309 comprises ashavinghead 301 and an applicator for applying an agent to the skin during shaving. The shavinghead 301 comprises acutter 305 and amanipulator having teeth 311. Theteeth 311 slightlyconverge towards their ends to promote the capture of hairs between theteeth 311. Theshaving apparatus 309 comprises an applicator formed by a roller-shapedporous element 322arranged in arecess 320 in theshaving apparatus 309. Theroller 322 can be moistened byholding theshaving apparatus 309 in a water jet. Preferably, theroller 322 contains asubstance which can be taken up by water and which has a friction-reducingand/or skin-careeffect. By pulling the shavinghead 301 over the skin in the shaving direction y the skin ismoistened, as a result of which the transmission between theteeth 311 and the skin isreduced.

Figure 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the shaving apparatus inaccordance with the invention. Theshaving apparatus 409 comprises ashaving head 301 asshown in Figure 7. In addition, theshaving apparatus 409 comprises a reservoir 40containing a liquid agent for reducing the transmission between the manipulator and the skin.Theshaving apparatus 409 further comprises dispenser means, in the present case a pump 41comprising a push-button 44, aninlet tube 45 and adispenser channel 42. By regularlypressing the push-button 44 during shaving the agent is pumped from the reservoir 40 tooutlet apertures 43 near the shavinghead 301 via thedispenser channel 42. Thus, the skin ismoistened with the agent and the transmission between theteeth 311 and the skin is reduced.

It is to be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodimentsdescribed hereinbefore. For example, instead of recesses the manipulator can have a surfacewith a high friction relative to the hairs. Alternatively, the manipulator can move the hairs byimparting vibrations to the skin or the air just above the skin. If desired, the hairs can bemoved in the tangential direction by an electrostatic method. Moreover, it is conceivable todrive the manipulator by means of a roller which is applied to the skin and which is drivableby pulling the shaving apparatus over the skin. Furthermore, the shaving head can be adaptedfor use with an exchangeable cutter, so that a cutter can readily be replaced by a new cutter.Besides, the shaving head may comprise an adjustment mechanism to adjust the distancebetween the shaving head and the supporting surface.

Claims

A shaving head (1; 101; 201; 301) comprising a cutter (5; 105; 205; 305)having a cutting edge (6; 206) for cutting hairs (2) near the skin (17) and a manipulator(10; 110; 210) adapted to move a hair along the cutting edge, characterized in that themanipulator is adapted to move the hair (2) relative to the skin while the hair is beingcut by the cutting edge (6; 206).
A shaving head (1; 101; 201; 301) as claimed in Claim 1, characterized inthat the manipulator (10; 110; 210) is adapted to move hairs (2) to and from along thecutting edge (6; 206).
A shaving head (1; 101; 201; 301) as claimed in any one of the precedingClaims, characterized in that the shaving head comprises a supporting surface (4) forsupporting the shaving head on the skin (17), the shaving head comprises a frame (14;214), and the manipulator (10; 210) is movable relative to the frame in a tangentialdirection (x) along the cutting edge (6; 206).
A shaving head (1; 101; 201; 301) as claimed in Claim 3, characterized inthat the manipulator has recesses (13) which extend near the cutting edge (6; 206).
A shaving head (1; 101; 201; 301) as claimed in Claim 4, characterized inthat in the tangential direction (x) the recesses (13) have a width (w) between 100 and400 micrometers.
A shaving head (1; 101; 201; 301) as claimed in Claim 4 or 5,characterized in that the recesses (13) are formed between teeth (111; 211).
A shaving head (1; 101; 201; 301) as claimed in Claim 6, characterized inthat the distance (d) between the ends of the teeth (11) and the cutting edge (6) liesbetween 50 and 1000 micrometers.
A shaving head (1; 101; 201; 301) as claimed in Claim 6 or 7,characterized in that at the location of the cutting edge (6; 206) the teeth (11) have aheight (h) smaller than 500 micrometers measured in a direction (z) transverse to thesupporting surface (4).
A shaving head (201) as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims 3 to8, characterized in that the manipulator (210) is movable relative to the frame (214) in adirection (280) transverse to the tangential direction (x).
A shaving head (1; 101; 201; 301) as claimed in any one of the precedingClaims 3 to 9, characterized in that the cutting edge (6; 206) is disposed at the level ofthe supporting surface (4) and the manipulator (10; 110; 210) forms at least a part ofthe supporting surface.
A shaving head (1; 101; 201; 301) as claimed in any one of the precedingClaims 3 to 10, characterized in that the shaving head is adapted to provide a weaktransmission between the manipulator (10; 110; 210) and the skin (17).
A shaving head (201) as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that themanipulator (210) is movable in a direction (z) transverse to the supporting surface (4).
A shaving head (101) as claimed in Claim 11 or 12, characterized in thatat its side which faces the supporting surface (4) the manipulator (110) comprises amaterial (21) which provides a low coefficient of friction with respect to the skinsurface (3).
A shaving head (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims 3 to13, characterized in that the cutter (5) and the manipulator (10) are flexible in adirection transverse to the supporting surface (4).
A shaving head (201) as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims,characterized in that the cutting edge (6) has a serrated structure (206) with serrationssmaller than 100 micrometers.
A shaving apparatus (9; 109; 209; 309) comprising at least one shavinghead (1; 101; 201; 301)as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims and a drivesystem (30; 35) for driving the manipulator (10).
A shaving apparatus (9; 109; 209; 309) as claimed in Claim 16,characterized in that the drive system (30; 35) is adapted to move the manipulator (10)to and fro in the tangential direction (x).
A shaving apparatus (9; 109; 209; 309) as claimed in Claim 17,characterized in that the drive system (30; 35) is adapted to drive the manipulator (10;110; 210) with an amplitude of 50 to 250 micrometers in the tangential direction (x).
A shaving apparatus (9) as claimed in Claim 17 or 18, characterized inthat the drive system (30) is adapted to drive the manipulator (10) with a frequencyhigher than or equal to 100 Hz.
A shaving apparatus (109) as claimed in Claim 17, 18 or 19,characterized in that the drive system comprises a piezoelectric element (35).
A shaving apparatus (9; 109; 209; 309) as claimed in Claim 17, 18,19 or20, characterized in that the mass of the oscillating parts (10; 110; 210) is more than 10times as small as the mass of the shaving apparatus.
A shaving apparatus (309; 409) as claimed in any one of the precedingClaims 16 to 21, comprising an applicator (322; 40-44) for applying an agent to theskin, which agent reduces the transmission between the manipulator and the skin.
A shaving apparatus (309) as claimed in Claim 22, characterized in thatthe applicator comprises a porous structure (322).
A shaving apparatus (309) as claimed in Claim 23, characterized in thatthe agent comprises a substance which can be taken up by water and which is stored inthe porous structure (322).
A shaving apparatus (309) as claimed in Claim 23 or 24, characterized inthat the applicator (322) takes the form of a roller.
A shaving apparatus (409) as claimed in Claim 22, characterized in thatsaid applicator comprises a reservoir (40) for holding said agent and further comprisesdispenser means (41, 42) for applying the agent to the skin in a controlled amount.