WO2010100634A1

WO2010100634A1 - A razing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2010100634A1
Application number: PCT/IL2009/000252
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yohanan As
Original assignee: Navon, Yoval; Ilyov, Amir
Priority date: 2009-03-05
Filing date: 2009-03-05
Publication date: 2010-09-10

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a razing apparatus, comprising: a blade cartridge; a shape, derived from a sheet, the shape comprising a first group of folding lanes for folding the shape to a handle form of the cartridge, and a second group of folding lanes for folding the shape to a pack form of the apparatus; and a connector, for connecting the cartridge to the shape. The folding lanes may be made of grooves, perforations and so on, or just marked by visual marks. The sheet may be of a flexible material, thereby allowing folding the sheet along non-linear folding lanes. In the event the sheet is made of stiff material, the sheet may be folded only along linear folding lanes.

Description

A RAZING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of razors.

Background of the Invention

The term "razor" refers in the art to a bladed tool used for shaving hair.

The term "safety razor" refers in the art to a razor with a guard in order to protect the skin from deep cuts which can be caused by the blade thereof.

The first safety razor was invented in the late 18^th Century by Jean" Jacques Perret, who was inspired by the joiner's plane. In the late 1820s, a similar razor was produced in Sheffield, England and from the 1870s, a single-edge blade, mounted on a hoe-shaped handle was made available in Britain and Germany. None of these razors are considered to be true safety razors.

Marketed as "the best available shaving method on the market that won't cut a user, like straight steel razors," the first American safety razor was released in 1875 by the Kampfe Brothers. The new razor featured a wire skin guard along the razor's edge. Only one side of the actual blade is used to shave and it must be removed often for sharpening. In 1901, the American inventor King Camp Gillette, with the assistance of William Mickerson, invented a safety razor with disposable blades. Gillette wanted to create a razor blade not requiring sharpening which could be disposed of once it became dull. He invented a razor blade made out of very thin sheet-steel that was placed in a holder to secure the blade. Once the blade grew dull, it was discarded and replaced by a new one, using the same holder.

This has been called the Razor and blades business model, or a "loss leader", and has become a very common practice for a wide variety of products.

In 1903, Gillette manufactured its first razor and began its climb with total sales of 51 razors and 168 blades. In 1904, sales skyrocketed, total sales for the new safety razor reaching 90,000 razors and 123,000 blades. Over the years, multiple packages of razor blades were sold, with the razor handle a one-time purchase. Gillette's thin blade was covered by the razor housing, thus protecting the skin from deep cuts. This enabled the majority of people to safely shave themselves for the first time. Prior to this, shaving was conducted by second parties, namely by family members or barbers. Other razor manufacturers, such as Wilkinson, Ever- Ready and Valet, produced other types of safety razors, enabling sharpening the razor. These used a leather strop or a stropping machine through which the blade was passed.

In 1965 the British company Wilkinson Sword began to sell blades made of stainless-steel which did not rust and could be used repeatedly until blunt. Today blades are made of stainless-steel. Other innovations from the 1960s were the replaceable blade cartridge containing the blade which reduced cutting risk of a user from the unprotected blades employed up until then. These took the form of a cartridge with the blade fixed within a plastic enclosure of the type still in wide use today.

Razors are generally marketed in separate versions for men and women versions? the exact difference between the two varies in color only for most disposable razors to completely different design principles. By and large, men's and women's razor blades and disposable razors are interchangeable? however, there is sometimes a difference in ergonomics; women's razors either have a longer handle for greater reach or a paddle-shaped handle to allow for a lengthwise grip.

The handles of recent safety razors are relatively long, in order to ensure a better grip. These handles have the disadvantage of requiring excess space when stored inside a shower-bag for the purposes of travel. The elongated handle makes the overall length of a razor too awkward to carry within a small bag.

In addition to the safety object, the blade of a razor stored in a bag must be protected from contact with other objects, which may defect the sharpness of the razor's blade.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a razing apparatus, which on the one hand employs a "long" handle, but on the other hand is compact when stored. It is another object of the present invention to provide a razing apparatus whose blade is protected from contact with other objects when stored.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods, which are meant to be merely illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other advantages or improvements.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a razing apparatus, comprising-

- a blade cartridge!

- a shape derived from a sheet, the shape comprising a first group of folding lanes for folding the shape to a handle form of the cartridge, and a second group of folding lanes for folding the shape to a pack form of the apparatus? and

- a connector, for connecting the cartridge to the shape.

The folding lanes thereof may be made of grooves, perforations, and so on, or simply marked visually.

The sheet may be of a flexible material, thereby allowing folding the sheet along non-linear folding lanes.

In the event the sheet is made of stiff material, the sheet may be folded only along linear folding lanes.

The apparatus may further comprise a first clip, for retaining the shape in the handle form thereof. The apparatus may further comprise a second clip, for retaining the shape in the pack form thereof.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first clip and/or second clip is based on a male member that connects to a corresponding female member.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheet is made of, or comprises, plastic.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheet is made of, or comprises, tin.

The connector may be based on a male-female connection mechanism.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the members of the connector are derived from the sheet.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the connectors and clips thereof are derived from the sheet.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the connectors and clips thereof are a part of the sheet.

The apparatus may further comprise a bag, attached to the shape, for storing shaving; gel and the like. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for producing a razing apparatus, the method comprising the steps of

- cutting out one or more shapes from a sheet, wherein each of the shapes is formable to a handle of a razing apparatus by

Papercraft technique;

- attaching a blade cartridge to each of the shapes.

Preferably, each of the shapes is formable (by Papercraft technique) to a pack of a razing apparatus.

The sheet may be of, or comprising, plastic, tin, and folding marks, and so on.

The cutting out may include an operation such as cutting the contour of the shape, marking the folding lanes of the shape, perforating the folding lanes of the shape, and so on.

A bag containing shaving gel may be attached to each of the shapes.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed description. Brief Description of the Drawings

The objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which-

Fig. 1 is a front view of a razor 2 in which shape 16 (which has been derived from a sheet) is folded to a handle 18, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is the back view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a top view which illustrates shape 16 (derived from a sheet) in an unfolded form.

Fig. 4 pictorially illustrates the first step of folding a shape 16 (derived from a sheet) into a pack.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates stages in the process of folding a shape 16 (derived from a sheet) to a pack 30, according to one embodiment of the invention.

It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. Reference numerals may be repeated among the figures in order to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be ' practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail, for the sake of clarity.

Structure

According to embodiments of the present invention, razor 2 is composed of a cartridge 12 (comprising one or more blades 14), and a handle 18. Handle 18 is formed by folding shape 16 (which derived from a sheet) as in Papercraft (a prior art method of crafting three- dimensional objects out of paper). The sheet may be made of plastic, tin, and so on.

Shape 16 (derived from a sheet) comprises two folding lanes- a first folding lane, marked in the figures herein by numeral 6, upon which the sheet is folded to a handle 18 of razor 21 and as a second folding lane, marked in the figures herein by numeral 28, upon which the sheet is foldecl to a pack 30 of cartridge 12 of razor 2.

Thus, the same part, shape 16 (derived from a sheet), is used for both, as handle 18 and as pack 30. The folding lanes 6 and 28 may be grooved (thus providing a lesser thickness of the sheet at the folding lines), perforation, marks remaining from folding the sheet, and so on. The folding lanes may be also merely visual marks with no additional physical change in the sheet, allowing the user to fold the sheet along them.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a razor 2 in which a shape 16 (derived from a sheet) is folded to a handle 18, according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is the back view thereof.

Fig. 4 pictorially illustrates the first step of folding shape 16 (derived from a sheet) into a pack.

As mentioned above, grooves 6 are used for folding shape 16 (derived from a sheet) to a handle 18, and grooves 28 are used for folding shape 16 (derived from a sheet) to a pack 30. Thus, the same sheet is used for both, as a handle, and as a pack.

The operation that forms shape 16 (derived from a sheet) to a handle is folding shape 16 (derived from a sheet) along grooves 61 and the operation that forms shape 16 (derived from a sheet) to a pack is folding shape 16 (derived from a sheet) along grooves 28.

Two clips are used to retain shape 16 (derived from a sheet) in the folded form ■ A first clip which is composed of a male member 20 and a corresponding female member 22 that keeps shape 16 (which derived from a sheet) in its handle form 18; and a second clip which is composed of a male member 32 and a corresponding female member 8 which keeps shape 16 (which derived from a sheet) in its pack form 30. According to this embodiment, member 32 is the end of shape 16 (derived from a sheet), and member 8 is a section in shape 16 (derived from a sheet).

Operation

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates stages in the process of folding shape 16 (derived from a sheet) to a pack 30, according to one embodiment of the invention. As mentioned above, grooves 28 are used for folding shape 16 (derived from a sheet) to a pack.

At the first step, part 16a of shape 16 (derived from a sheet)

(the part to which cartridge 12 is attached) is folded.

At the second step, part 16b of shape 16 (derived from a sheet) (the part comprising male member 32) is folded.

At the third step, end 32 of shape 16 (derived from a sheet) is inserted into slot 8.

Clips and connectors

As mentioned above, the folded shape 16 (derived from a sheet) is held in its folded form, by a "clip". However, it should be noted that the term "clip" refers herein to any mechanism for clipping, connecting, grasping, and so on. A simple and well known clipping mechanism that may be employed for keeping a folded sheet in this desired form is based on a male member connecting to a corresponding female member.

In the examples herein, the clip retaining shape 16 (derived from a sheet) in its handle form comprises the male member 20, and the corresponding female member 22 >^* and the clip that retains shape

16 (derived from a sheet) in its pack form comprises male member 32, and corresponding female member 8.

The advantage of this clipping mechanism is that its members

(20, 22, 32 and 8) are a part of shape 16 (derived from a sheet), or in other words, the clips are produced as a result of cutting shape 16 (derived from a sheet) in a certain form, without additional material or specific manufacturing effort.

An additional clip is used for attaching cartridge 12 to shape 16 (derived from a sheet). As illustrated in Fig. 2, the clip is also designed as a male-female mechanism. In this example, the male member, i.e., dowels 24 of cartridge 12, corresponds to slot 26, which is the female member of the connector.. This clip is referred to herein as "connector", in order to be distinguished from the clips retaining the folded sheet in a certain form.

Of course, other clipping mechanisms and technologies may be used as well. The male-female clipping mechanism has been used in the description and illustrations herein for the sake of brevity. The material of the sheet

Plastic is a generic name for certain synthetic or semisynthetic materials that can be molded or extruded into objects or films or filaments or used for making, e.g., coatings and adhesives. Presently, the use of plastic is very common, and a variety of technologies for molding plastic for different applications are well known. One such is the production of plastic sheets, which are manufactured in almost any desired thickness, length, color, and so on.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, shape 16 is made of is plastic. According to another embodiment of the invention, shape 16 is made of is tin. Of course, a combination of these substances may be employed/ as well as other materials.

Stiffness and flexibility of the sheet

In the examples illustrated in the figures herein the folding lanes are non-linear, thereby allowing producing a relatively appealing form of handle 30. This requires employing a relatively flexible substance.

In the event the folding lanes are linear, the substance of which the sheet is made may be relatively-stiff.

The flexibility characteristics of the plastic comprising shape 16 (derived from a sheet) is made of determines the living period of the formed sheet, since the number of times the sheet can be folded without tearing depends on the flexibility of the substance. On the other hand, the stiffness of the substance determines the stiffness of the handle, i.e., the sheet need not be "too flexible". In designing a razor these facts should be taken in consideration.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the thickness of shape 16 (derived from a sheet) is between 0.2 to 0.7 mm. A "thick" sheet may provide stiffness; however, it may defect the compactness of the packed razor, and also the flexibility of the sheet. On the other hand a "thin" sheet may be "flexible", but may not exhibit the required stiffness.

Man ufacturing a razing appara tus

Producing the cut out shape from a sheet can be carried out by a single step^" pressing a cutting tool (which corresponds to the contour of the shape) against a "raw" sheet placed on a flat surface. A relief press machine may be adapted to produce the cut out shape 16 form a "raw" sheet by adding the cutting tool to one of the pressed surfaces thereof.

Actually, a plurality of handles / packs may be produced from a single "raw" sheet by arranging the forms of the handles / packs such accordingly. Preferably the arrangement is directed to minimize the wasted material.

In the manufacturing process, the edges of the handle / pack shape should be cut off; however, the grooves providing the ability to fold the sheet may be prepared by a perforation (with a corresponding cutting tool) or merely by a pressure which on the one hand doesn't cut the sheet, but on the other hand decreases its thickness at the folding lane.

Since according to embodiments of the present invention, the handle / pack are actually a sheet, the product may be distributed as a pack comprising the sheet and optionally, one or more blade cartridges. This form is very compact, and therefore results in decreased transportation expenses in comparison with prior art razors.

The parts list

In the description, and accompanying figures herein, the following numerals have been mentioned:

numeral 2 denotes a razorJ

- numeral 4 denotes a logo,'

- numeral 6 denotes grooves or perforations for folding the sheet to a handle;

- numeral 8 denotes a female member corresponding to a male member 32 of a connector which retains shape 16 (derived from a sheet) in a pack form;

^■ numeral 10 denotes a bag for shaving gel, soap, and the like;

- numeral 12 denotes the cartridge of blade 14; ' numeral 14 denotes a blade?

^■ numeral 16 denotes a plastic sheet;

numeral 18 denotes the plastic shape 16 (derived from a sheet), when folded as a handle to razor 2;

^■ numeral 20 denotes a male member corresponding to the female member 22 of a connector for keeping shape 16 (derived from a sheet) in a handle form;

numeral 22 denotes a female member corresponding to male member 20;

- numeral 24 denotes a part of cartridge 12 which is the male member in a mechanism for connecting cartridge 12 to shape 16 (derived from a sheet);

- numeral 26 denotes a slot (female member) in shape 16 (derived from a sheet), which is used as a part of a mechanism for connecting cartridge 12 to shape 16 (which derived from a sheet);

- numeral 28 denotes grooves or perforation for folding the sheet to a pack;

- numeral 30 denotes the plastic shape 16 (which derived from a sheet), when folded as a pack to razor 21 " numeral 32 denotes a male member corresponding to a female member 8 of a connector which retains shape 16 (derived from a sheet) in a pack form;

- numeral 34 denotes a connector for connecting the blade cartridge 12 to shape 16 (derived from a sheet);

^■ numeral 36 denotes a clip for retaining shape 16 (derived from a sheet) in its handle form 18; and

^■ numeral 38 denotes a clip for retaining shape 16 (which derived from a sheet) in its pack form 30.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, the invention can be embodied in other forms, ways, modifications, substitutions, changes, equivalents, and so forth. The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A razing apparatus, comprising'- - a blade cartridge;

^■ a shape derived from a sheet, said shape comprising a first group of folding lanes for folding the shape to a handle form of said cartridge, and a second group of folding lanes for folding the shape to a pack form of said apparatus; and

^■ a connector, for connecting said cartridge to said shape.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said folding lanes are made of a member of a group comprising- grooves, perforation, visual marks.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sheet is flexible, thereby allowing folding said sheet along non-linear folding lanes.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sheet is stiff, thereby allowing folding said sheet only along linear folding lanes.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first clip, for retaining said shape in the handle form thereof.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first clip is based on a male member that connects to a corresponding female member.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second clip, for retaining said shape in the pack form thereof.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second clip is based on a male member that connects to a corresponding female member.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sheet comprises plastic.

10.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sheet comprises tin.

11.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connector comprises a male member, and a corresponding female member.

12.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the members of said connector are derived from said sheet.

13.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the connectors and clips thereof are derived from said sheet.

14.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the connectors and clips thereof are a part of said sheet.

15.An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a bag for storing shaving gel.

16. A method for producing a razing apparatus, the method comprising the steps of^:

" cutting out one or more shapes from a sheet, wherein each of said shapes is formable to a handle of a razing apparatus by Papercraft technique?^" attaching a blade cartridge to each of said shapes.

17.A method according to claim 16, wherein each of said shapes is formable to a pack of a razing apparatus by Papercraft technique.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein said sheet is made of a member of a group comprising- plastic, tin, and folding marks.

19.A method according to claim 16, wherein said cutting out includes an operation selected from a group comprising: cutting the contour of said shape, marking the folding lanes of said shape; perforating the folding lanes of said shape.

20.A method according to claim 16, further comprising attaching a bag of shaving gel to each of said shapes.