WO1997027030A1

WO1997027030A1 - Razor with reversible blade unit

Info

Publication number: WO1997027030A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/000263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jette Pedersen; Verner Pedersen; Fred Wexler; Robert Lozeau
Original assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
Priority date: 1996-01-24
Filing date: 1997-01-02
Publication date: 1997-07-31
Also published as: AU1359297A

Abstract

The embodiments of the present invention are designed to provide a razor having a razor blade unit (10) which is reversible such that two opposing blades or two sets of opposing blades (12, 13, 12a, 13a) may be used independently of each other. The razor blade unit is rotated by the user in a manner so that one blade or set of blades is in position to shave the skin while the other blade or set of blades is hidden within a housing unit.

Description

RAZOR WITH REVERSIBLE BLADE UNIT

Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to razors and, more particularly, to razors having a reversible blade unit.

Background of the Invention

Disposable razors currently account for a large percentage of total razor usage worldwide. Typically, currently available disposable razors are razors in which the razor head, containing the blade or blades, and the razor handle are fixedly fastened together to form one solid, immovable piece. Such razors are designed to remain effective for a certain number of uses and, once the blades become dulled, are to be discarded in their entirety. Prime advantages to the user of disposable razors are price and convenience. Because disposable razors are designed to be discarded after a certain number of uses, they are constructed of materials less expensive than those used in non-disposable razors designed for permanent use. A disadvantage of disposable razors is that disposal of the entire unit after a certain number of shaves adds to the environmental burden of already cluttered landfills. Likewise, even non-disposable razors inevitably create environmental problems in that the blade units must be discarded after the blades have dulled.

In order to help solve environmental problems associated with cluttered landfills, worldwide reduction of the amount of disposable product being produced and maximization of the life of disposable product are necessary. The present invention will provide a means to aid in controlling worldwide environmental problems resulting from excess disposable products having short useful lives.

It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a disposable razor wherein the razor unit does not have be discarded when one set of blades become dulled. A razor unit having the desirable qualities of a disposable razor but having a blade unit with twice the life of common disposable razors would greatly reduce the environmental problems associated with disposable razors. In addition, a razor unit having a non- disposable handle for use with replaceable blade units which provide twice the life of common blade units would also greatly reduce environmental problems caused by disposal of razor blades. In either event, it would be advantageous to provide a razor blade unit which would provide twice the usable life of currently available blade units without a corresponding increase in materials.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a razor unit, either entirely disposable or with a non-disposable handle, wherein the blade unit is reversible, resulting in extended useful life of the blade unit. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a semi-circular housing having means to receive a blade unit is either permanently or semi-permanently attached to a handle. A blade unit, which may be either permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the housing, is provided and contains one or more blades which provide cutting edges on opposing sides of the blade unit. In an especially preferred embodiment, four blades are located within the unit, with the cutting edges of two blades being placed at substantially a 180° angle to the cutting edges of the other two blades. In another preferred embodiment, two blades are located within the blade unit and the opposing edges of the blades are sharpened.

Means for engaging the blade unit to the housing, such as fingers, are located within the housing. Further, rotational means, such as turning knobs are located at either end of the blade unit. Upon the dulling of the cutting edges on one side of the blade unit, the user turns the rotational means such that the dulled cutting edges are rotated to the rear of the housing and the still sharp, unused cutting edges are rotated such that they are exposed at the front of the housing and are ready for use. Such rotation is especially safe for the user because the user only contacts the rotational means and does not contact the blades. In an especially preferred embodiment, guard members and comfort strips are located adjacent to each of the cutting edges, and one or more spacers are located between the blades. A means for securing the position of the blades is incorporated in the design to ensure the blades are fixed in the proper position for effective shaving and to prevent misplacing the blades in a manner that could cause nicks to a user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the razor head of the present invention.

FIGURE IA is a perspective view of the razor head of the present invention as used.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the razor of the present invention. FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 9 of the razor of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a view of the attachment means between the razor blade unit and housing of the present invention.

FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the housing of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of Figure 9 of the razor blade unit and housing of the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a. cross-sectional view of the razor blade unit as removed from the housing.

FIGURE 8 is a frontal view of the razor blade unit of the present invention.

FIGURE 9 is a top view of the razor blade unit of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The embodiments of the present invention are designed to provide a razor having a razor blade unit which is reversible such that two generally opposing blades or two sets of generally opposing blades may be used independently of each other. The razor blade unit is rotated by the user in a manner so that one blade or set of blades is in position to shave the skin while the other blade or set of blades is hidden within a housing unit.

Figures 1 and IA illustrate the blade unit of the present invention as affixed on a razor handle. Blade unit 10 is affixed to housing 15 which is is affixed to handle 11. While one or more blades may be employed in the blade unit, the preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figures 1 and IA contains a blade unit with four blades, including blades 12 and 13 which are visible in Figures 1 and IA. The blades are sandwiched between two cap portions 17 and 17A and, preferably, a spacer 18 is located between the blades. Guard member 19 is located adjacent to the cutting edge of blade 12. Spring fingers 5 are located around the perimeter of the blade unit in order to aid with the correct placement and alignment of the unit. Rotational means, preferably in the form of turning knobs 14, are located at opposite ends of the blade package. In addition, openings 6 may be provided in the unit to allow for the washthrough of shaving debris.

As illustrated in Figure IA, the user 16 grasps and turns the turning knobs 14 in order to rotate the blade unit 10. Such rotation provides the user with a fresh, sharp set of blades. The user may then use the fresh blades until they are dulled. This is in contrast to currently available razors in which the user either disposes of the entire unit or disposes of the cartridge once the blades become dulled. Consequently, the life of the blade units of the present invention is twice that of the life of blade units of currently available razors. In a preferred embodiment, the blade unit is such that it may be rotated only once. This arrangement allows the user to use both sets of blades, however it also prevents the user from returning to the used blades once they have been rotated away from the position for use. As illustrated in Figures 2 - 5, housing 15 is affixed to handle 11 by one or more attachment means located on the housing and one or more receiving means located on the handle. A preferred embodiment contains alignment protrusion 21 and snap fingers 24 which snap into inlet 22 on the handle. Preferably, means such as tooth 23 are provided on snap fingers 24 to facilitate the fastening of the housing to the handle. In a preferred embodiment, stabilizing means 29 are provided which snap into inlets 25 on the handle to aid the user in properly affixing the housing 15 to the handle. The stabilizing means 29 are preferably off-center to ensure that the blade unit is properly in place and to prevent the housing 15 from movement during shaving. Housing 15 contains side walls.38, each of which is provided with a circular opening 28. The blade unit 10 is affixed to the housing by means of segmented shafts 30 which snap into the circular openings 28. The rotational means, preferably in the form of turning knobs 14 and 14A, extend outside of the side walls 38.

Figure 2 further illustrates the reversible nature of the blade unit. Blades 12 and 13 are aligned so that their respective cutting edges are located in a first perpendicular plane, while blades 12A and 13A are aligned such that their respective cutting edges are in a second perpendicular plane such that the cutting edges of blades 12A and 13A are at an angle of generally diametrically opposed to and substantially 180° from the cutting edges of blades 12 and 13. Generally, the first and second perpendicular planes are separated from each other by the width of the blade unit. Guard bar 19 is located adjacent blades 12 and 13, while guard bar 19A is located adjacent blades 12A and 13A. Rotation of the turning knobs 14 will result in the exposure of blades 12A and 13A, along with guard bar 19A, while blades 12 and 13 and guard bar 19 will be hidden within housing 15. The blade unit may be fastened together by various means, including stakes, adhesives, snap or press fits, or insert molding. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the blade unit is fastened together via a snap fit 26 which extends from cap 17 through openings in all the blades and the spacer and snaps into the opposing cap 17A. In addition, wash through slots may be located in the cap and in the blades to allow for the removal of shaving debris. In a further preferred embodiment, shaving aids 20 and 20A are located on caps 17 and 17A, respectively. In a still further preferred embodiment, means for distinguishing between the two sides of the cartridge may be included. These means may consist of, for example, different coloring or marking on the opposing sides of the blade unit. It should be noted that the preferred blade unit of the present invention comprises two complete shavable entities each comprising a guard bar, blades and a cap. The blade unit has a configuration such that the unit may be placed on a flat surface without damaging the blades. This configuration simplifies handling during manufacture.

Figures 3 - 6 illustrate the blade unit as attached to the handle for use. The cutting edges of one set of blades, 12 and 13, are positioned so as to be in shaving position. Likewise, guard 19 and shaving aid 20 are in shaving position. On the other hand, blades 12A and 13A, along with guard 19A and shaving aid 20A are hidden within housing 15 and are not accessible for shaving purposes. In the illustrated embodiment, blades 12 and 13A are affixed to each other and blades 13 and 12A are likewise affixed to each other. As previously set forth, it is possible to provide one or more blades sharpened on two edges in place of separate blades sharpened on one edge. In order to access blades 12A and 13A, the user rotates the turning knobs 14 which causes blades 12 and 13 to rotate into the housing and blades 12A and 13A to rotate into shaving position. In a preferred embodiment, snap fitting means, preferably in the form of spring fingers 5, are provided to ensure that the blade unit is rotated into the proper position to provide the correct shave position.

As -previously discussed, the present invention may be utilized for two separate forms of razors, disposable and non- disopsable. With the disposable version, the housing and the blade unit would be permanently affixed to the handle and the user would discard the entire unit once both sets of blades have been dulled. With the non-disposable version, two different scenarios are possible. In one scenario, the housing is permanently affixed to the handle and the user merely changes the blade unit once both sets of the blades become dulled. In the other scenario, the housing is not permanently affixed to the handle, and the user may remove the housing and the blade unit, either separately or together. In order to provide the most thorough disclosure, the figures depict a disposable razor wherein the housing is permanently affixed to the handle. With a non-disposable wherein the housing is permanently affixed, or with a disposable, the housing and the handle would most preferably be an integral unit.

Figure 7 illustrates the method by which the blade unit is inserted into and removed from the housing. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, segmented shafts 30 fit into and snap into circular openings 28 in housing 15. The connecting portions are adjacent to the turning knobs 14 and snap into the circular opening in a manner which allows the user to rotate the blade unit to reverse the blades. Upon insertion of the blade unit into the housing, the user may rotate the blade unit until it "catches" in place in the proper shave position. To facilitate this, indents 31 on spring fingers 5 are preferably provided on housing 15 and the the blade unit 10 snap into the indents to lock the blade unit in the shaving position.

Figures 8 and 9 further illustrate the blade unit of one embodiment of the present invention. Blades 12 and 13 are on opposite sides of the blade unit from blades 12A and 13A. Likewise, guard 19 is opposed to guard 19A and shaving aids 20 and 20A are also located on opposite sides of the blade unit. However it is within the scope of the invention to provide a blade unit having different combinations of blades. For example/ either a single blade or double blades may be used wherein cutting edges are located on the opposing sides of the blade or blades. Also, it is possible to provide two blades with each having one cutting edge located at a position substantially 180° from the other cutting edge. This embodiment could provide a single cutting edge in each of the two shaving positions.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a shaving aid is provided on each of caps 17 and 17A. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the shaving aids can be incorporated by several different methods including attaching or embedding the shaving aid to a portion of the razor head. Preferably, the shaving aid comprises a strip which includes polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), such as that disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 5,056,221, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Such a shaving aid is preferable in that it does not have a water soluble element and is therefor preserved in its entirety during use of the other set of blades. In a further, less preferred embodiment, the shaving aid may comprise a water soluble component and a water insoluble component. Exemplary materials constituting the water soluble component of the shaving aid may comprise one or various combinations of the following:

A. A lubricating agent for reducing the frictional forces between the blade unit and the skin, e.g., a microencapsulated silicone oil.

B. An agent which reduces the drag between the razor parts and the skin, e.g., a polyethylene oxide; a non-ionic polyacrylamide; and/or natural polysaccharide derived from plant materials such as "guar gum".

C. An agent which modifies the chemical structure of the hair to allow the razor blade to pass through the whiskers very easily, i.e., a depilatory agent is one example.

D. A cleaning agent which allows the whiskers and skin debris to be washed more easily from the razor parts during shaving, e.g., a silicone polyethylene oxide block copolymer and detergent such as sodium lauryl sulphate. E. A medicinal agent for killing bacteria, or repairing skin damage and abrasions.

F. A cosmetic agent for softening, smoothing, conditioning or improving the skin. G. A blood coagulant for the suppression of the bleeding that occurs from nicks and cuts.

H. An essential oil such as menthol.

As has been mentioned hereinabove, the configuration of the shaving aid, its place of application to the razor, the manner of attachment and/or other means and method of incorporation may vary widely to fit particular requirements.

While there have been described what are presently believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. A blade unit for a razor comprising two or more blades, rotational means, and means for attachment of the blade unit to a razor housing, wherein each blade has at least one cutting edge and at least one cutting edge is substantially diametrically opposed from at least one other cutting edge.

2. A blade unit according to claim 1, wherein the rotational means comprise at least one turning knob.

3. A blade unit according to claim 2, wherein the means for attachment comprise at least one shaft.

4. A blade unit according to claim 1, wherein the two or more blades comprise a first blade and a second blade, wherein each blade has one cutting edge.

5. A blade unit according to claim 4, wherein guard members are located on the blade unit adjacent to the cutting edge of the first blade and the cutting edge of the second blade.

6. A blade unit according to claim 5, wherein the blade unit comprises attachment means for attaching the blade unit to a handle.

7. A blade unit according to claim 1, wherein the blade unit has a first side which is generally adjacent to the cutting edge of the first blade and a second side which is generally adjacent to the cutting edge of the second blade and wherein the first side and the second side are visually different from each other.

8. A blade unit according to claim 7, wherein the first side is of a first color and the second side is of a second, different color.

9. A blade unit according to claim 1, wherein the two or more blades comprise a first blade, a second blade, a third blade and a fourth blade, with each blade having one cutting edge, and wherein the first and second blades are arranged within the blade unit such that the cutting edges of the first and second blades are substantially diametrically opposed to the cutting edges of the third and fourth blades.

10. A blade unit according to claim 9, wherein guard members are located adjacent to the cutting edge of the first blade and the third blade.

11. A blade unit according to claim 4, wherein the two or more blades comprise a first blade and a second blade, with each blade having two cutting edges diametrically opposed to each other.

12. A blade unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one shaving aid is located adjacent to the cutting edge of at least one of the two or more blades.

13. A razor unit comprising a blade unit having two or more blades and rotating means, wherein the blade unit contains two or more sets of cutting edges which are substantially diametrically opposed to each other and the blade unit may be reversed so that either set of substantially diametrically opposed cutting edges may be used independently of the other set of cutting edges for shaving.

14. A razor unit according to claim 13, wherein a housing having attachment means is permanently affixed to the handle and the blade unit is affixed to the housing and wherein the handle has receiving means for connection of the housing to the handle.

15. A razor unit according to claim 13, wherein a housing having attachment means is removably affixed to the handle and the blade unit is affixed to the housing and wherein the handle has receiving means for connection of the housing to the handle.

16. A razor unit according to claim 13, wherein the attachment means of the housing comprise at least one protrusion and the receiving means of the handle comprise an inlet.

17. A razor unit according to claim 13, wherein the housing is semi-circular and contains openings to receive the blade unit.

18. A razor unit according to claim 13, wherein the attachment means further comprises a stabilizing means and said receiving means comprises an inlet for receiving the stabilizing means.

19. A razor unit according to claim 13, wherein at least one shaving aid is located adjacent to at least one set of the cutting edges.

20. A blade unit according to claim 13, wherein the blade unit has a first side which is generally adjacent to the first set of cutting edges and a second side which is generally adjacent to the second set of cutting edges and wherein the first side and the second side are visually different from each other.

21. A blade unit according to claim 20, wherein the first side is of a first color and the second side is of a second, different color.

22. A blade unit for a razor comprising one blade, rotational means, and means for attachment of the blade unit to a razor housing, wherein the blade has two cutting edges substantially diametrically opposed to each other.