EP0045879A1

EP0045879A1 - Razor blade assembly

Info

Publication number: EP0045879A1
Application number: EP19810105758
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert Anthony Trotta
Original assignee: Gillette Co LLC
Current assignee: Gillette Co LLC
Priority date: 1980-08-07
Filing date: 1981-07-21
Publication date: 1982-02-17
Also published as: GR74632B; DE3167072D1; BR8105082A; EP0045879B1

Abstract

A razor blade assembly comprising a cap portion (4) and a base portion (2), a guard portion (8) attached to and extending generally parallel to the base portion (2), arm means (22, 24, 26) extending from the base portion toward the guard portion, and blade means (28, 30) disposed on the arm means, the arm means comprising leaf spring-like structures permitting movement of the blade means relative to the base portion, guard portion and cap portion during a shaving operation. The guard portion may be fixed with respect to the base portion or may be supported by further flexible arm means (6) for movement with respect thereto. The blade means may be relatively solid strips or may have substantial apertures (32', 50') therein.

Description

The invention relates to wet shaving implements, and is directed more particularly to a blade assembly in which blade means are permanently secured in a housing having cap and guard portions.

Description of the Prior Art

In U.S. Application Serial No. 101,101, filed December 7, 1979, in the name of Chester A. Jacobson, there is shown and described a blade assembly in which guard and blade portions are mounted for independent movement during a shaving operation. A pair of leaf spring-like arms extend inwardly from either end of the assembly to form a resilient mounting for a guard portion. In like manner, another pair of arms support a first blade member and still another pair of arms support a second blade member. The arms are movable independently of each other, providing an independent dynamic movement facility for each of the guard and blade members responsive to forces encountered during a shaving operation.
While the above-mentioned blade assembly functions well and provides a close shave substantially free of skin nicks and cuts, it is of benefit to simplify its structure and thereby reduce the costs involved in production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a razor blade assembly incorporating a platform, said platform having a longitudinal rear edge defining a base, a longitudinal front edge extending substantially parallel thereto and ends interconnecting said base and front edge, a cap, at least one blade contained between said platform and cap, and blade supporting resilient elements, characterized in that a guard is associated with said platform front edge and in that the blade s_up-porting elements are resilient arms which extend from the base toward the guard.
According to a further aspect of the invention _ there is provided a razor blade assembly incorporating a platform, said platform having a longitudinal rear edge defining a base, a longitudinal front edge extending substantially parallel thereto and ends interconnecting said base and front edge, a cap, blade elements contained between said platform and cap, resilient elements supporting the blade elements and a guard associated with said platform front edge, characterized in that a first blade comprises a first cutting edge strand and a first base strand substantially parallel to and spaced from said first cutting edge strand, said first cutting edge and first base strands being connected to each other by interconnecting strands, said first blade being supported by a set of arms extending from said base and being adapted to flex about the junctures thereof with said base to facilitate arcuate movement of said first cutting edge strand about said base, and a second blade comprises a second cutting edge strand and a second base strand parallel to and spaced from said second cutting edge strand, said second cutting edge and second base strands being connected to each other by interconnecting strands, said second blade being supported by a further set of arms extending from said base to support said second blade and being adapted to flex about the junctures thereof with said base to facilitate arcuate movement of said second cutting edge strand about said

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention from which its novel features and advantages will be apparent.
In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one form of razor blade assembly illustrative of an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2.is a top plan view of a platform portion of the blade assembly;
Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the platform portion; .
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of a cap portion of the blade assembi
Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the blade assembly;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative form of razor blade assembly illustrative of another embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 10 is similar to Fig. 8, but showing the alternative embodiment of Fig. 9; and
Fig. 11 is similar to Figs. 1 and 9, but showing an additional alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the illustrative razor blade assembly includes a platform member 1 having a base portion 2. The platform member 1 is joined to a cap portion 4. First arm means 6 extend from the base portion 2 and are joined to a guard portion 8 extending generally parallel to the base portion. Preferably, the first arm means 6 includ a first set of arms 9, including a first arm 10 proximate a first end 12 of the platform member 1 and a second arm 14 proximate a second end 16 of the platform member, the first arm 10 joining the guard portion 8 proximate a first end 18 of the guard portion and a second arm. 14 joining the guard port proximate a second end 20 of the guard portion. The first set of arms 9 preferably includes additional arms 21 disposed between the first and second arms 10, 14.
The blade assembly further includes a second arm means 22 disposed in-
of the ends of the platform member 1 and extending from the base portion generally toward, and terminating short of, the guard portion.
In the embodiment shown, the second arm means 22 include second and third ets of arms 24, 26. A first blade means 28 is disposed on the second set f arms 24 and a second blade means 30 is disposed on the third set of arms 26.
Preferably, the base portion 2, arm means 6, 22, and guard portion 8 are f molded material and are molded as a single, unitary and integral member. he arm means function as leaf springs, permitting movement of the guard ortion and the blade means relative to the base portion and the cap portion,, nd to each other, during a shaving operation.
As seen in Fig. 1, the first blade means 28 is provided with apertures
through which extend the third set of arms 26, the ends of which support -he second blade means 30.
The cap portion 4 includes downwardly-extending prolrusions 48 which pass through holes 50 in the second blade means 30 and overlie the upper surface of the first blade means 28.
Preferably, the bridge members are molded integrally with the remainde of the platform member 1 and the protrusions 48 are molded portions of the cap 4.
In assembly, the platform and cap portions are molded with means for interconnection. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 4 is provided with end-portions 52 interconnected by a back portion 54. Rivet members 56 depe from the end portions 52 and the back portion 54. The platform portion
provided with holes 58 on its end portions 12, 16 and base portion 2 adapted to receive the rivet members 56. The second blade means 30 is placed on
underside of the cap portion 4, inverted for the assembly operation, with
protrusions 48 extending through the holes 50. The first blade means 28 is then placed over the second blade means 30. The platform portion 1 is
onto the cap portion 4 and over the first blade means 28, the apertures 32 46 and openings 44 permitting the third set of arms 26 and the protrusions 42 to extend through the first blade means. The rivet members 56 are secu, in the platform holes 58 by heading over, bringing the second blade means to rest on the third set of arms 26. The cap portion 4 is formed with a shoulder 60 which bears against the first biade means 28, as seen in Fig.
The guard portion 8 has on either end thereof outwardly extending
62 which, in assembly, are received by recesses 64 in the cap end portions 52. The guard portion 8 is further provided with stop portions 63 on the underside of the guard portion, the stop portions 63 being in alignment wi stop portions 65 upstanding from the frame member 34. Two of the stop portions 65 may comprise portions of the bridge members 36.
Thus, the first blade means 28 rests upon the second set of anns 24 proximate the cutting edge of the first blade means, the rearward edge thereof being loosely held in a pocket 66 (Fig. 8) formed by the cap and platform portions, and particularly the shoulder portion 60 of the cap. The pocket 66 provides sufficient freedom to permit the first blade means to pivot about its rearward edge. The upstanding protrusions 42 prevent the first blade from sliding forwardly or backwardly. In similar manner, the second blade means rests upon the third set of arms 26_; its rearward edge being disposed in a pocket 68 formed by the cap portion and the protrusions 42. The pocket 68 provides sufficient freedom to permit the second blade to pivot about its rearward edge. The second blade means is prevented from sliding forwardly or backwardly by the protrusions 48.
In use, the guard portion 8 is freely movable during a shaving operation by virtue of the spring leaf-like qualities of the arms 10,14. The stop portions 65 of the frame portion 34 and upper surfaces 67 of the recesses 64 limit the movement of the guard portion, the guard stop portions 63 abutting the frame stop portions 65 at the-lower extent of the permissible movement of the guard portion, and the detents 62 abutting the upper surfaces 67 of the recesses 64 at the upper extent of the permissible movement of the guard portion. In like manner, the blade means 28, 30 are each freely and independently movable during a shaving operation by virtue of the spring leaf-like qualities of the arms 24, 26. The cutting edge of the first blade means 28 can be depressed, or moved downwardly and'pivotally about its rear edge, until the first blade means strikes the first protrusion 38. In like manner, the second blade means 30 can be depressed, or moved downwardly and pivotally about its rear edge until the second blade means strikes the seco protrusion 40. During a shaving operation, the guard and blade members may move dynamically in response to forces and pressures acting on the blade assembly during shaving, the guard and blade means being movable in a substantially arcuate path about a rear portion of the blade assembly.
In Figs. 9 and 10, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment in which the first blade means 28' is provided with enlarged apertures 32', greatly reducing the surface area of the first blade means. With the enlarged apertures 32', the first blade means essentially comprises a first cutting edge strand portion 100 of blade material, a first parallel base strand portion 102 of blade material, interconnecting. end strand portions 1 and interconnecting intermediate strand portions 106. In a similar manner, the second blade means 30' is provided with enlarged holes 50¹, substantial reducing the surface area of the second blade means. With the enlarged holes 50', the second blade means essentially comprises a second cutting
strand portion 110 of blade material, a second parallel base strand portion 112 of blade material, interconnecting end strand portions 114 and interconnecting intermediate strand portions 116.
Referring particularly to Fig. 10, it will be seen that the first and second protrusions 38', 40' are provided with flat upper surfaces 118', 120. Similarly, the second and third sets of arms 24', 26' are provided with fla upper surfaces 122, 124. The surfaces 122 engage and support an underside of the first cutting edge strand portion 100, of the first blade means 28'.
The surfaces 124 engage and support an underside of the second cutting edge strand portion 110 of the second blade means 30'. The surface 118 of the first protrusion 38' acts as a stop means for the first blade means 28^t
It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular construction herein disclosed and/or shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the disclosure. For example, suitable attachment means of a different type are shown and described in U. S. Patents Nos. 3,703,764 and 3,832,774. The attach ment means therein described utilize parallel grooves and rails, facilitating a siide attachment between a razor handle and a blade assembly.

Claims

1. A razor blade assembly incorporating a platform (1), said platform having a longitudinal rear edge defining a base (2), a longitudinal front edge extending substantially parallel thereto and ends (12, 16) interconnecting said base and front edge, a cap (4), at least one blade (28,30) contained between said platform and cap, and blade supporting resilient elements (22), characterized in that a guard (8) is associated with said platform front edge and in that the blade supporting elements are resilient arms (22) which extend from the base (2) toward the guard (8).

2. A razor blade assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that both said guard (8) and blades (28,30) are supported by arms (6,24,26) extending forwardly from said base (2).

3. A razor blade assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the arms (6,24,26) are leaf springs.

4. A razor blade assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a first set of arms (6) interconnects said base (2) and said guard (8), a second set of arms (24) supports a first blade (28) and a third set of arms (26) supports a second blade (30).

5. A razor blade assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that said third set of arms (26) extends through apertures (32) in said first blade (28).

₆. A razor blade assembly according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the first and second blades (28,30) are independently arcuately movable about said base and cap during a shaving operation.

₇..A razor blade assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that both said guard (8) and said blades (28,30) are independently arcuately movable about said base and cap during a shaving operation.

8. A razor blade assembly according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that stops (38,40) are provided on the platform (1) to limit movement of said first and second blades (28,30), the stops (40) for limiting movement of the second blade (30) extending through apertures (44) in the first blade (28).

9. A razor blade assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guard (8) is fixed with respect to the platform (1) and in that the or each blade (28,30) is movable with respect to said fixed guard.

10..A razor blade assembly incorporating a platform, said platform having a longitudinal rear edge defining a base, a longitudinal front edge extending substantially parallel thereto and ends interconnecting said base and front edge, a cap, blade elements (28',30') contained between said platform and cap, resilient elements (24',26') supporting the blade elements and a guard associated with said platform front edge, characterized in that a first blade (28') comprises a first cutting edge strand (100) and a first base strand (102) substantially parallel to and spaced from said first cutting edge strand (100), said first cutting edge and first base strands being connected to each other by interconnecting strands (104,106), said first blade (28') being supported by a set of arms (24') extending from said base and being adapted to flex about the junctures thereof with said base to facilitate arcuate movement of said first cutting edge strand (100) about said base, and a second blade (30') comprises a second cutting edge strand (110) and a second base strand (112) parallel to and spaced from said second cutting edge strand, said second cutting edge and second base strands being connected to each other by interconnecting strands (114,116), said second blade (30') being supported by a further set of arms (26') extending from said base to support said second blade and being adapted to flex about the junctures thereof with said base to facilitate arcuate movement of said second cutting edge strand about said base.

11. A razor blade assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that said set of arms (24') are provided with flat surfaces (122) for engagement with said first cutting edge strand (100), and said further set of arms (26') are also provided with flat surfaces (124) for engagement with said second cutting edge strand (110).