Use of printed circuit board, electronic component, and semi-conductor assembly equipment for the assembly of razors and components 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.

1 . A razor cartridge assembly apparatus comprising:
 a pick/place component placement machine operating on at least one razor cartridge component.   
     
     
         2 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pick/place component placement machine further comprises at least one nozzle, said at least one nozzle adapted depending on a type of said at least one razor cartridge component. 
     
     
         3 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 1  or  2  further comprising an adaptor comprising 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 said at least one razor cartridge component. 
     
     
         4 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said adaptor is comprised of metal, plastic, urethane, rubber, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said elongated portion comprises a rigid bar. 
     
     
         6 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one nozzle of said pick/place component placement machine performs at least one operation comprising contacting, picking, placing, holding, snap fitting, articulated inserting, angular inserting, cutting, assembling, clipping, crimping, staking, orienting, transporting, dispensing, inspecting, identifying, cold heading, marking, stamping, printing (e.g., laser or ink), etching, force placement (e.g., pushing, moving, sliding) or other physical action or part movement, or any combination thereof, at least one razor cartridge component, or at least one exterior surface of at least one razor cartridge component and wherein said operation of orienting comprises rotating, pivoting, swiveling, spinning, revolving, tilting, turning, aiming, twisting, pointing, inclining, rolling, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said at least one nozzle utilizes mechanical, electrical, chemical, magnetic, suction or vacuum mechanisms, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said at least one razor cartridge component comprises at least one cartridge housing, frame, or platform, at least one razor blade, at least one cap, at least one guard, at least one over-cap, at least one dispenser, at least one dispenser container, at least one trimmer, at least one trimmer frame, at least one clip, at least one lubricating strip or other chemistry, at least one cartridge connecting structure, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said at least one razor cartridge component is selected from a supply of at least one type of razor cartridge components disposed on at least one pallet. 
     
     
         10 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said at least one nozzle is rotatable about at least one axis, said at least one axis comprising an X axis, a Y axis, a Z axis, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said at least one nozzle is coupled to at least one head, said at least one head rotatable about at least one axis, said at least one axis comprising an X axis, a Y axis, a Z axis, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a quality control system to track said at least one razor cartridge component, to reject or repair a razor cartridge component, a partially assembled razor cartridge, a completed razor cartridge, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The razor cartridge assembly apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a vision system adapted to facilitate at least one operation on said at least one razor cartridge component, wherein said vision system comprises at least one camera wherein said at least one camera is configured to capture an image of said at least one razor cartridge component, a partially assembled razor cartridge, a completed razor cartridge, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An assembly apparatus comprising:
 a pick/place component placement machine comprising at least one nozzle adapted to operate on at least one consumer product component.   
     
     
         20 . The assembly apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said at least one consumer product component is selected from a supply of at least one type of consumer product components disposed on at least one pallet, wherein said at least one consumer product component comprises at least one shaving product, medical product, dental product, or cosmetic product. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said at least one nozzle performs at least one operation comprising contacting, picking, placing, holding, snap fitting, articulated inserting, angular inserting, cutting, assembling, clipping, crimping, staking, orienting, transporting, dispensing, inspecting, identifying, cold heading, marking, stamping, printing (e.g., laser or ink), etching, force placement (e.g., pushing, moving, sliding) or other physical action or part movement, or any combination thereof, on said at least one consumer product component. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said adapted nozzle further comprises an outer member comprising 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 said at least one razor cartridge component.