GB2536031A

GB2536031A - The angled blade safety razor

Info

Publication number: GB2536031A
Application number: GB1503710.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Blakey Eric
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-03-05
Filing date: 2015-03-05
Publication date: 2016-09-07
Also published as: GB201503710D0

Abstract

A safety razor with either one or multiple blades 2, where the cutting edges of any blades are at an angle, eg 45 degrees, to the cutting/shaving stroke direction, whilst facing the same way as the cutting/shaving stroke direction, and parallel to the skin, so that when the razor is drawn across the skin, the blade or blades cut through the hairs at an angle, in a slicing motion.

Description

The Angled Blade Safety Razor. Background

Whenever cutting with a single blade, the most effective way is to pass the blade through the material to be cut, in a forward or backward motion, combined with some downward pressure, creating a "slicing" action, for example when cutting through a French-stick loaf of bread.

If you tried to cut straight down through the bread without any forward or backward "slicing" motion, it would take considerable effort, if indeed it could be cut at all without great pressure or high speed.

It is the angle created by the combined forward or backward motion, and the downwards pressure which produces the slicing effect required. A graphic but grisly example of this "slicing" motion in action is in the angled design of the guillotine blade of French Revolution fame.

It follows, therefore, that a razor blade which cuts through a hair at an angle to the cutting/shaving stroke direction, will do so more smoothly, comfortably and more efficiently.

Description

A safety razor with either one or multiple blades, where the cutting edges of any blades are at an angle, eg 45 degrees, to the cutting/shaving stroke direction, whilst facing the same way as the cutting/shaving stroke direction, and parallel to the skin, so that when the razor is drawn across the skin, the blade or blades cut through the hairs at an angle, in a slicing motion.

This is smoother, easier and much more comfortable than conventionally orientated blades which hit the hairs "head-on" at 90 degrees to the cutting/shaving stroke direction. Because less effort is required to cut through the hairs using angled blades, the shaving operation is more efficient, so the cutting edges of the blades will remain sharper for longer, increasing the life of the razor.

There are numerous new ways that blades could be configured to achieve this "slicing" action, a few of which are suggested in the drawings, Figs. 3 and 5, however, angled blade holders could also be designed to utilise standard blade cartridges and still achieve the required "slicing" action, and again an example is shown in the drawing Fig. 4.

There are, of course, many more ways of configuring razor blades which cut the hair at an angle to the cutting / shaving stroke direction than just the few described here, and the cartridges do not need to be confined to the same old size and shape, square or diamond shapes etc could be used.

The only stipulation is that whatever design is adopted, the cutting edges of any blades, single or multiple, are at an angle to the cutting/shaving stroke direction as the razor is drawn across the skin, so that these blades will cut through the hairs at an angle, in a slicing motion.

A very acute angled blade arrangement to the cutting stroke direction would probably be the most comfortable but may be harder to manufacture. Any angle at which the blades hit the hairs would be an improvement to the "head-on at 90 degree" system we have now, but the optimum angle at which the blades should be set will need to be determined after trials, safety, comfort, efficiency, ease and cost of manufacture, and the extended lifespan of the razor have been considered in detail.

Embellishments to razors such as swivel/tilt heads, lubrication strips or safety wires etc have not been mentioned here, as they have nothing to do with the "angled, slicing blade action", which is the basis or foundation of this invention.

Drawings Figure 1 is a trio of drawings, not of the invention, but to indicate the inefficiencies of present day blades which cut hairs head-on at 90 degrees in a "chopping" motion.

(Figure 1, A) Shows a plan view of the underside of a simple, conventional type, multi-blade razor, where part 1 indicates the cutting / shaving stroke direction, part 2 is one of the multi-blades, part 6 denotes a multi-blade cartridge, and part 5 is a simple handle.

(Figure 1, B) Shows the blade-head of the same simple razor, only enlarged. Where part 1 again indicates the cutting / shaving stroke direction, part 2 is one of the multi-blades, part 6 is the multi-blade cartridge, and parts 3 are the hairs in the path of the razor cutting / shaving stroke direction. (Figure 1, C) In this drawing, part 1 is still the cutting /shaving stroke direction, part 2 shows a greatly enlarged view of a single blade, part 3 (shaded) is a greatly enlarged view of a single hair, and part 4 indicates the angle of 90 degrees at which the blade will strike the hair, as it travels along the path of the cutting / shaving stroke direction.

Figure 2 shows how the inventive introduction of angled blades and a slicing action to shaving greatly improves smoothness, comfort and efficiency.

(Figure 2, A) Shows a plan view of the underside of a simple razor, where the head is fitted with multiple blades, (parts no. 2), which are set at acute angles to the cutting / shaving stroke direction, (I). The blades are set in a chevron style orientation, so that half of them are angled to the left of the blade head, and half are angled to the right of the blade head, this is to maintain equal pressure when they are drawn across the skin by a handle, (part 5).

(Figure 2, B) Shows an enlarged view of the razor head which is fitted with angled blades, (parts 2, of which there are ten blades shown, set in a "chevron" pattern with five angled to the left, and five angled to the right side of the razor head). When the razor is moved in the cutting / shaving stroke direction, these angled blades will strike the hairs (3), in a slicing motion, making the entire operation much smoother, more comfortable and more efficient.

(Figure 2, C) Shows an extremely enlarged view of one single, angled blade, (part 2) moving along the cutting / shaving stroke direction, (1), towards single hair, (3), indicating the acute angle, (4), at which the blade will strike the hair, resulting in a smooth slicing motion.

Figure 3 shows some ways that angled blades can be fitted to standard sized cartridges.

There are four blade cartridges (part 6), marked A, B, C and D, and the cutting / shaving stroke direction, (1).

Cartridges A and B are examples which have acutely angled blades, example A being of a "chevron" type configuration, while type B is a more simplistic version with all the blades angled the same way. Both A and B would be very smooth and efficient, but may be more difficult to produce, and therefore more costly.

Cartridges C and D are examples which have blades fitted at more shallow angles, which are not as smooth but still an improvement on the 90 degree " head-on" cartridge.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a holder, (7), incorporating a handle, (5), and an angled receptacle on the top, (8), into which is fitted a standard "cut at 90 degree" type cartridge, (6). When a force is applied to the handle in the cutting / shaving stroke direction, the blade, (2), will cut through any hair with a slicing action, as it is now at an angle to the stroke.

This holder could be adapted to use any "standard" blade to achieve a slicing motion, thanks to the angled receptacle head, and the optimum angle could be determined by trials.

Figure 5 Shows the Arrow-Head (A), Square (B) and the Diamond (C). These are new concepts which are designed solely with "angled blades" and "slicing" technology in mind. These three cartridge shapes I believe would be the best to house these "slicing-action" blades for the following reasons: * The blades, (part 2) on these cartridges, are set at quite an acute angle to the cutting / shaving* stroke direction, (1), so the resulting shave will be really smooth, and efficient.

* The "chevron" style orientation of the blades on Fig 5 A, not only ensures equal cutting pressure on either side of the cartridge, but complements the "Arrow-Head" shape perfectly.

* The pointed top of each cartridge is ideal for shaving awkward or harder to reach places, as it is so much narrower than a standard cartridge.

* The cutting surface areas are substantially larger than that of a standard cartridge, so the shaving operation may take less time.

* The triangular notch on Fig 5,A, (9), at the bottom of the cartridge, serves as a position to fit the handle.

Figs. 5B and 5C would be the easiest to manufacture as all the blades in each cartridge are the same length.

Figure 6 shows the "Arrow-Head" razor complete with a simple handle. Part 6 is the "Arrow-Head" cartridge, parts 2 are the six angled blades, part 9 is the triangular notch where the handle fits, part 5 is a simple handle, and part 1 indicates the razor stroke direction.

Claims

Claims 1. A safety razor with either one or multiple blades, where the cutting edges of any blades are at an angle, eg 45 degrees, to the cutting/shaving stroke direction, whilst facing the same way as the cutting/shaving stroke direction, and parallel to the skin, so that when the razor is drawn across the skin, the blade or blades cut through the hairs at an angle, in a slicing motion.
2. A safety razor as described in claim 1, where the blades are set at an acute angle of less than 45 degrees to the cutting/shaving stroke direction.
3. A safety razor as described in claim 1, where the blades are set at an angle greater than 45 degrees to the cutting / shaving stroke direction, but less than 90 degrees.
4. A safety razor as described in claim 1, where the optimum angle at which the blades should be set in relation to the cutting/shaving stroke direction, will be determined after trials covering safety, comfort, efficiency, ease and cost of manufacture, and the extended lifespan of the razor have been considered in detail.
5. A safety razor as described in claim 1, where the "slicing blade" technology is so efficient that the cutting edges of the slicing blades will remain sharper for longer, increasing the life of the razor.
6. A safety razor as describe in claim 1, with chevron type, or multiple chevron type angled blades, with the point's of the chevron's facing away from the direction of the cutting/shaving stroke, and incorporating a small gap between the ends each left and right hand blade/s to help to prevent clogging.
7. A safety razor as described in claim 1, where the razor head is angled, by design, to the cutting/ shaving stroke direction, so that it will accommodate currently available single, or multi blade cartridges, and still achieve the condition where standard blades are operating at an angle to the cutting/shaving stroke direction.
8. A safety razor as described in claim 1, where the cartridge is shaped like an Arrow-Head, with two or multiples of two, blades set into it in the form of a chevron or chevrons, and incorporating a central notch at the bottom where a handle could be fitted.
9. A safety razor as described in claim 1, where the blade cartridge is square or diamond shaped, with any blades therein being parallel to each other, and following the contours of the edge of the square or diamond, with two diagonally opposed corners of the square or diamond being aligned with the cutting/shaving stroke direction, thereby creating the "slicing-blade" condition.