WO1996030176A1

WO1996030176A1 - Improved closeness razor blades

Info

Publication number: WO1996030176A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/001139
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Althaus
Original assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
Priority date: 1995-03-31
Filing date: 1996-01-24
Publication date: 1996-10-03
Also published as: ZA962549B; IL116870A0; AU4771296A

Abstract

A razor head (1) which may be attached to the front end of a handle, in particular the razor blade unit (12) of a wet razor, which comprises a guardbar (3) forming a front edge and a single or double razor blade (5, 5'), wherein a row of wires (7) extends across the cutting edge(s) of the razor blade(s) essentially parallel to the direction of shaving and at a distance from each other. Advantageously, the razor head of the present invention allows for simple mounting, mass production and low manufacturing cost. Further, the razor head may be used without a long acclimation stage, with little effort on the part of the user and with very good shaving results, in particular an improvement in thoroughness and smoothness of shaving, and offers the possibility of improving the adaptability of the cutting edges to the contour of the surfaces to be shaved, it is proposed that the razor blade(s) are movable lying in the blade plane.

Description

IMPROVED CLOSENESS RAZOR BLADES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to razor blade units which are to be attached to the front end of a handle, and in particular razor blade units of a wet razor which comprise at a front edge a guardbar and a single or double razor blade, wherein a row of wires extend across the cutting edge(s) of the razor blade(s) essentially parallel to the direction of shaving and at a distance from each other.

Generic razor razor heads having a row of wires extending across the cutting edge of the blade or blades are known in the art. Generally, a razor head or razor blade unit is formed from a plastic housing, comprises a razor blade assembly arranged therein and is designed to be placed on a razor handle. In the case of a permanent connection between handle and razor head, the head can consist exclusively of a razor blade assembly. If, however, the razor head can be separated from the handle, the razor head includes both plastic housing elements and a razor blade assembly connected thereto. In either case, the razor blade assembly includes the single or double razor blade. Generic razor heads of a wet razor are for example known from EP-A-0 509 129, EP-A-0 559 130 or EP-A-0 560 239. Generic razor heads are mass-produced articles which are being further developed so that they may be manufactured as economically as possible and provide a maximum level of shaving comfort. The wires extending essentially parallel to the direction of shaving and at a distance from each other across the cutting edge of the razor blade have made a substantial contribution to an increase in safety when using prior art razor heads, and have allowed for improved smooth, safe and efficient shaving. Due to the layout of the wires, extremely sharp blades can be used without the user injuring himself with them. The front guardbar which is well known in generic razor heads serves in an ancillary capacity to tighten the skin before the cutting edge of the razor blade moves over it, as a result of which the shaving quality is further improved.

The prior art razor heads have the drawback that a comparatively strong force must be applied during shaving in order to bring the cutting edge, which is shielded by the wires, as close as possible to the skin. This force requirement initially causes an acclimation stage, during which the results of shaving are constantly improved until a user has fully adapted to the operating requirements of the novel razor heads. Another drawback of prior art razor heads is the comparatively elaborate layout of the wires in that the whole front of the razor head which comes into contact with the skin is provided with wires. Another drawback lies in that conventional razor heads offer no possibility of making the blade position flexibly adaptable with respect to the contour of the surface to be shaved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to develop a razor head which is capable of simple mounting on a handle and suitable for mass production and low manufacturing cost. Further, the razor head of the present invention can be used without a long acclimation stage, with little effort on the part of the user and with very good shaving results. In addition, the razor head offers improved adaptability of the cutting edges to the contour of the surfaces to be shaved.

Specifically, the razor head of the present invention includes razor blades which are arranged movably in the blade plane. Due to this arrangement, it is possible that the blades will be displaced while lying in the plane, whether straight or crookedly. The blade moves either about a vertical axis, that is, it is displaced in the plane, in which case however the cutting edge leaves its cutting plane, following a different contour, or the blade is displaced straight, that is, simply from front to rear, in which case the cutting edge also leaves its cutting plane, but is displaced parallel to itself.

It is further proposed that the razor blade and the wires arranged in the region of its cutting edges are combined with at least one plastic carrier element to form a unit. Advantageously a razor blade assembly can be formed from two razor blades spaced apart with a spacer. This razor blade assembly allows geometric fixing of the cutting edges and simplified mounting of the razor blade assembly in a plastic housing forming the razor head. ith the present invention it is proposed that the razor blade assembly is arranged movably in the plastic housing and, in a particularly advantageous manner, spring-loaded. Due to this measure the ability of the cutting edges to follow the contour of the surface to be shaved is improved considerably. Compared with the arrangement of razor blades which are movable independently relative to the blade unit and to the housing, the razor blade assembly which is pivotable as a whole for example in the plane formed by the cutting edges is of particular advantage for following the contour of the surface being shaved, while at the same time the geometry of shaving is maintained.

Advantageously it is proposed that the wires are wound around the razor blade, with winding around the whole unit being possible in the case of a razor blade assembly. Alternatively it is proposed that the wires are constructed as a grid or mesh which is attached to the blade unit. According to another alternative the wires can be formed by individual wire cores which are directly connected rigidly to the blade unit.

Due to the arrangement of the razor blade relative to the guardbar according to the invention, the latter as a mounting unit is also independent with respect to geometry and can be provided with the protective wires in the manner described. For instance the razor blades can be provided with a spacer which allows wire winding and fixing. Furthermore base elements may also complement the unit, in case of using meshes, these can be wound integrally around the blade unit. Also it is possible to weld the individual wires to the surface of the blade or blades. Basically, metal or other suitable hard materials are possible as the materials for the wires, wherein the wires can also be formed like a string of pearls from weld deposit or adhesive on the surface of the blade or blades. The blade unit consists of the razor blade or blades and the necessary spacers, plastic supporting elements, protective wires and the like which can be arranged in a plastic housing, in which case easy positioning relative to the guardbar is possible. Advantageously wires are spaced apart by at least one millimetre and have a thickness of at least 0.05 mm.

Advantageously it is proposed that the guardbar and the razor blade closest to it are associated with each other, maintaining a distance which forms a gap and which is not spanned by the wires.

The ability of the blade to move in the cutting edge plane according to the invention brings about a considerable improvement in smoothness of shaving. Maintaining a distance which forms a gap in front of the front cutting edge of the razor blades brings about a considerable improvement in thoroughness of shaving.

Due to the design according to the present invention, in front of the cutting edge which is closest to the guardbar and which is in turn protected by the wires extending across it there remains a gap which is not spanned by protective wires and directly follows the guardbar. Due to this measure the cutting edge closest to the guardbar can be moved very much closer and more easily to the skin to be shaved, as a result of which the effort required for shaving is considerably reduced.

Due to the fact that the cutting edge provided with wires is arranged with a certain tolerance margin, forming a gap relative to the guardbar, there is also a possibility of simplified and independent production and simplified mounting. Finally by the design according to the invention it is made possible to achieve adaptation to contours independently of the guardbar and cutting angle geometry.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the guardbar is formed at the front edge of a plastic housing. A plastic housing of this kind can be used to receive on the one hand the razor blade and on the other hand the guardbar which is spaced apart from it and to allow arrangement of the razor head at the front end of a handle.

The arrangement of the razor blade assembly in the plastic housing can be such that enough openings are left to be able to wash out foam residues, hairs and the like trapped by shaving. Further the housing can be constructed in such a way that shaving aids can be provided. In this case it can be provided that the guardbar is in turn made from a medium forming a shaving aid. Also a shaving aid can be arranged in the region of an upper housing cap, for example in the form of a strip of lubricant. The housing may consist of upper and lower halves.

Further advantages and characteristics of the invention are apparent from the description below with the aid of the figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is schematic perspective view of a razor head of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a razor head of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a view of a razor blade assembly of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a front view of the razor blade assembly as shown in Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in Fig. 1, the razor head 1 includes a housing 2 with a guardbar 3 and a rear edge 4 which are connected to each other by side walls 9. In the housing 2 are inserted razor blades 5, 5' between which is arranged a spacer 6, so that a predefined shaving geometry is ensured. The cutting edges of the razor blades 5, 5' are covered by wires 7 which are arranged at a distance from each other in the range of from about 0.5 mm to about 5.0 mm., and preferably in the range or from about 2.0 to about 3.0 mm. and extending essentially in the direction of shaving. The thickness of the wires may be in the range of from about 0.05 mm to about 1.0 mm., with a preferred thickness of about 0.15 mm. In further embodiments of the invention, the wires may comprise a grid or mesh or may be formed as individual wire cores which are directly connected to the blade unit. Between the cutting edge of the razor blade 5' closest to the guardbar 3 and the guardbar 3 is formed a wireless gap 8 which is not spanned by wires 7. The width of the wireless gap may be in the range of about 0.5 mm. to about 2.5 mm, with a preferred width in the range of from about 1.0 mm. to about 1.5 mm. Due to this wireless gap, the razor blades can be moved very much closer to the skin to be shaved without requiring special force.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 the razor blades 5, 5' are combined with a spacer 6 and a base element to form a razor blade assembly, wherein the wires 7 are inserted in corresponding holding slots or wound by means of thicker fixing points. The rear edge 4 of the housing 2 is provided with a lubricating shaving aid 11, wherein alternatively or additionally the guardbar 3 can be formed from a corresponding shaving aid or coated with one.

Figures 3 and 4 show a razor blade assembly 12 in which a wire is wound around corresponding projections 14, 15 of a base element 13 and thus extends across the cutting edge of the razor blades 5, 5'. Such a razor blade assembly can then be arranged in a corresponding plastic housing, the most varied possible ways of fixing being available. The razor blade assembly in its simplest form consists of a base plate, a spacer and the two razor blades provided. The wires can be wound, clamped, welded, glued or otherwise fixed relative to the blades in the manner shown. This mounting unit called a razor blade assembly can then be fixed in the housing in the manner desired. As shown by the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the razor blade assembly may be placed movably in the housing and biassed by spring elements into a preset position. The spring elements can be formed from metal, plastic or some other suitable material and may include flat springs, spiral springs, ordinary foam elements or the like. By this measure the capacity of the razor head to adapt to the contour of the surface to be shaved is considerably improved, which has the effect of an improvement in the results of shaving. Accordingly, the wires on the one hand provide protection during use, and on the other hand also act as sensor elements in order to ensure sliding along the skin, optimum adjustment of the razor blade assembly to the surface and to the contour of the surface to be shaved.

The embodiments shown also show the wash-out channels which can easily be formed due to the possibility of simplified mounting. The invention allows movement or elasticity of the razor blades in the blade plane and thus achieves a further improvement in smoothness of shaving.

hile 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

I claim:

1. A razor head for attachment to a razor handle, the razor head having at least one movable blade and a front guardbar, wherein a plurality of wires spaced at a distance from each other extend across the cutting edge of the at least one blade essentially parallel to the direction of shaving, and wherein a wireless gap exists between the guardbar and the at least one blade.

2. A razor head according to claim 1, wherein the at least one movable blade comprises two razor blades parallel to each other and wherein a spacer is located between the blades.

3. A razor head according to claim 2, wherein the razor blades are formed with the wires in a razor assembly unit which may be movably inserted in a housing.

4. A razor head according to claim 3, wherein the wires are wound around the razor blades.

5. A razor head according to claim 4, wherein the width of the wireless gap is in the range of from about 0.5 mm. to about 2.5 mm.

6. A razor head according to claim 5, wherein the width of the wireless gap is in the range of from about 1.0 to about 1.5 mm.

7. A razor head according to claim 6, wherein the wires are are spaced apart from each other at a distance in the range of from about 0.5 mm. to 5.0 mm.

8. A razor head according to claim 7, wherein the wires have a thickness in the range of from about 0.05 mm. to about 1.0 mm.

9. A razor head according to claim 8, wherein the wires are spaced apart from each other at a distance in the range of from about 2.0 mm. to about 3.0 mm.

10. A razor head according to claim 9, wherein the wires have a thickness of about 0.15 mm.

11. A razor head according to claim 10, wherein the wires are constructed as a grid or mesh which is attached to the blade assembly.

12. A razor head according to claim 10, wherein the wires are formed by individual wire cores which are directly connected to the blade assembly.

13. A razor head according to claim 10, wherein the housing contains wash-out channels.

14. A razor head according to claim 10, wherein the razor blade assembly is spring loaded.

15. A razor head according to claim 10, wherein a shaving aid is located on the housing.