Tuesday, September 12, 2006

US Patent 7103977 - Shaving Using Microfluidics

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7103977.pdf

The same microfabrication methods used in integrated circuit fabrication have been applied in forming microfluidic passages used in applications ranging from biological assays to inkjet printing. This patent extends the range of applications to shaving and provides microfluidic systems to deliver shaving fluid during shaving to consistantly and evenly apply the fluid for a smooth shave. Claim 1 reads:

1. A razor assembly which comprises: a) a razor head having at least one blade; and b) a shaving aid delivery system disposed within the razor head, the shaving aid delivery system including a supply of at least one shaving aid fluid, a microfluidic circuit for communicating the shaving aid fluid from the supply to a plurality of outlet ports along a surface of the shaving aid delivery system, and at least one osmotic pump in a substrate for driving the shaving aid fluid from the supply through the microfluidic circuit.