Abstract: A razor cartridge includes: a blade housing accommodating a plurality of blades including at least a first blade and a second blade; a first contact member arranged at a front side of the plurality of blades with respect to a shaving direction; and a second contact member arranged at a rear side of the plurality of blades with respect to the shaving direction, each blade including an edge portion and a base, wherein a thickness of a first position of the edge portion of the first blade is less than a thickness of a corresponding second position of the edge portion of the second blade, and wherein a first exposure amount of the first blade with respect to a contact plane defined between the first contact member and the second contact member is less than a second exposure amount of the second blade with respect to the contact plane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an arrangement of blades mounted within a razor cartridge. The razor cartridge includes a blade housing; and a plurality of blades including a first blade and a second blade, wherein a thickness of an edge portion of the first blade is less than a thickness of an edge portion of the second blade, and wherein a first span in front of the first blade is less than a second span in front of the second blade.

Abstract: One embodiment of a dual sided razor comprises a handle and a cartridge attached to the handle, the cartridge further comprising a first shaving side and a second shaving side, the cartridge being switchable relative to the handle between the first and second shaving sides.

Abstract: An adjustable shaving device for shaving includes a housing that is generally cylindrical. The housing has a second end that comprises an orifice. A neck is positioned in the orifice and a first coupler is rotationally coupled to the neck. The device includes a blade assembly comprising a plurality of safety blades, a male cover, a female cover, and a plurality of spacers. The covers and spacers are complimentary to the blades, and the spacers are positionable between the blades. A second coupler, complimentary to the first coupler, is positioned on an exterior face of the female cover. The male cover and the female cover are configured to accept and secure the blades with one spacer between adjacent blades. The first coupler is positioned to couple to the second coupler, securing the blade assembly to the neck and allowing rotational movement of the blade assembly.

Abstract: A razor for shaving and sculpting an area of hair growth has a spaced plurality of blades mounted on a tapered frame that is supported by a handle. The plurality of blades have progressively shorter cutting edges. The cutting edges have ends lying along a converging pair of sides of a triangular region, whose third side is collinear with the longest one of the cutting edges. The shortest one of the cutting edges is closest to a distal vertex formed by the converging pair of sides. The spacing between the longest and the shortest one of the cutting edges exceeds the distance from the shortest one to the distal vertex. The razor is moved across the area of hair growth with the shortest one of the cutting edges in a leading position, while keeping the cutting edges substantially within a triangular facial section having a remote vertex, in order to remove hair from inside the triangular section.

Abstract: A razor cartridge is provided that includes a frame, at least four razor blades, a guard that includes a contact surface, and a cap that includes a contact surface. The razor blades are supported by the frame. The guard is disposed forward of the razor blades and the cap is disposed aft of the razor blades. The razor blades are arranged so that the cutting edge of each razor blade is adjacent a plane that tangentially intersects the contact surfaces of the guard and the cap. As a result, each stroke of the razor exposes the surface being shaved to at least four razor blade cutting edges in succession. A unitary razor assembly that includes a head characterized in the same manner as the above-described cartridge is also provided.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus and method of shaving incorporate a novel, segmented, shaving head comprising multiple razors. In addition, embodiments of the shaving apparatus include an applicator head which provides lubrication and/or hydration while shaving.

Abstract: A manual shaving apparatus comprising plurality of blade stacks. Each said blade stack comprises a plurality of identical blades. Each blade includes at least two cutting edges. The blades in each stack are orientated to be in register with each other. Each blade in a stack is arranged to allow rotation about a common axis and to present a cutting edge of each blade in each stack in a common plane.

Abstract: A shaving cartridge with a housing having a guard and a cap that define a shaving plane tangential thereto. The housing has first blade with a base portion mounted to the housing and a bent portion slanted toward the shaving plane. The base portion is within 25 degrees of being parallel to the shaving plane and the bent portion has an angle relative to the base portion of about 5 degrees to about 25 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention is a razor blade carrier having a base with at least two stepped protrusion extending outwardly therefrom. The stepped protrusion define at least two landing positions that support a portion of the razor blade. The landing surfaces of the stepped protrusions cooperate to define at least two razor blade locations. The razor blade carrier is used in a razor cartridge.

Abstract: A utility blade for use with conventional retractable and fixed blade utility knives comprising a blade body having a generally trapezoidal configuration defined by a cutting edge, an opposite back edge, a pair of opposing side edges and a pair of cutting points defined by the points of intersection between the side edges and the cutting edge. The blade further defines a pair of score lines, each proximate to one of the side edges. The score lines enable the user to remove a dulled or damaged cutting point, which in turn provides the user with two additional cutting points defined by the points of intersection between the score lines and the cutting edge. Further, the blade is configured with one or more notches strategically located on the back edge of the blade, such that each cutting point can extend from the utility knife at approximately the same distance.

Abstract: A razor cutter for hair using a blade having one or two accordion shaped cutting edges to allow a feathered cut of hair strands at different points when the cutting edge of the blade contacts hair. Each cutting edge is made up of a plurality of smaller edge sections in angled engagement. The cutting edges may also be angled diagonally to yield a cutting edge that is both accordion shaped, and has individual cutting edges which alternately angle toward and away from the center of the blade.

Abstract: In a razor cartridge, a frame has an opening defined in part by a leading surface and a trailing surface. Positioned within the opening are a plurality of cutting edges, each cutting edge defined by a blade. In a shaving operation, a hirsute surface contacts in turn the leading surface, cutting edges, and the trailing surface. A contact plane is defined between the leading surface and the trailing surface that provides a reference for determining whether a cutting edge has a neutral, positive, or negative exposure. All of the cutting edges within the razor cartridge have an exposure relative to the contact plane that is one of all positive or all negative.

Abstract: A safety razor with a plurality of blades comprising a head provided with a plurality of vertically adjacent blades, which do not wholly overlap one another, and blade support parts supporting the respective blades apart from one another in order to retain the respective blades at spaces, and wherein non-overlapping portions, which do not overlap one another, are formed on supported portions of the respective blades and the blade support parts are held to the non-overlapping portions of the blades to support the blades. A support structure can be divided into two members to be manufactured and mechanically assembled, metal molds are not so much complicated, and mechanical assembly of blades is made possible to prevent degradation in yield.

Abstract: A razor blade is provided, which achieves improved safety in use and reduced cutting resistance to an object to be cut such as beard and hair, as compared with conventional razor blades. This razor blade can be obtained by using, as a silicon thin sheet, a single crystal silicon material such as Si wafer or a polycrystalline silicon material including relatively large silicon crystal grains, forming at least one opening in the silicon thin sheet by chemical etching, and forming a cutting edge made of silicon single crystal by ion beam etching without machining such that the cutting edge projects into the opening and has a nose radius of 0.5 ?m or less, and preferably 0.1 ?m or less.

Abstract: A razor cartridge is provided that includes a frame, at least four razor blades, a guard that includes a contact surface, and a cap that includes a contact surface. The razor blades are supported by the frame. The guard is disposed forward of the razor blades and the cap is disposed aft of the razor blades. The razor blades are arranged so that the cutting edge of each razor blade is adjacent a plane that tangentially intersects the contact surfaces of the guard and the cap. As a result, each stroke of the razor exposes the surface being shaved to at least four razor blade cutting edges in succession. A unitary razor assembly that includes a head characterized in the same manner as the above-described cartridge is also provided.

Abstract: In a microreplicated shaving element the substrate includes a plurality of microshaving elements projecting outwardly from a surface defined by the substrate. Each microshaving element defines a cutting edge spaced away from the surface and a plurality of guard elements are attached to and also extend outwardly from the substrate. Each guard element is preferably positioned adjacent to at least one of the microshaving elements and includes a non-planar distal end for engaging a user skin during a shaving operation.

Abstract: A microreplicated shaving surface includes a substrate having a plurality of longitudinal micro-shaving element projected outwardly therefrom. The micro-shaving elements are arranged in at least one row with each element being spaced away from approximately parallel to the next successive micro-shaving element. Each of the plurality of micro-shaving elements defines a cutting edge extending longitudinally thereof for cutting hair from a user's skin during a shaving operation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a razor blade. In the method, a razor blade blank is coined to produce a razor blade with a cutting edge. It is preferred that the razor blade blank be unhardened for coining. Additional manufacturing steps that may be performed are hardening of the razor blade at least in the vicinity of the cutting edge, and finishing the cutting edge. The method allows for the cost-effective manufacture of razor blades having both linear and non-linear cutting edges.

Abstract: In a razor cartridge, a housing is provided having first and second razor blade assemblies positioned therein. The first and second razor blade assemblies each include at least one razor blade and an at least partially exposed cutting edge. The razor blades are positioned in the first and second blade assemblies to allow hair to be cut from a user's skin when the razor cartridge is drawn thereover in either of two generally opposite cutting directions. At least one shaving aid outlet is defined by the razor cartridge and positioned between the first and second razor blade assemblies to allow the shaving aid to be dispensed therethrough.

Abstract: In a method for making a microedged shaving surface a substrate is provided having a polymer layer applied on at least one surface thereof. An edge layer of material is applied over the polymer layer and has a hardness sufficient to support a cutting edge. At least one surface of the substrate is coated with a photoresist material that is positioned over the edge layer. The photoresist material is cured to render areal portions thereof substantially impervious to removal by etching. The photoresist material is then etched so that the areas adjacent to the substantially impervious areas create a plurality of re-entrant profiles. Any remaining photoresist material is stripped away and the edge layer is etched to the exposed discrete shaving elements, each having a peripheral edge and a sharpness sufficient to cut hair. The substrate around the discrete shaving elements is also exposed so that the cutting edges are offset from at least one surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A razor blade is provided, which achieves improved safety in use and reduced cutting resistance to an object to be cut such as beard and hair, as compared with conventional razor blades. This razor blade can be obtained by using, as a silicon thin sheet, a single crystal silicon material such as Si wafer or a polycrystalline silicon material including relatively large silicon crystal grains, forming at least one opening in the silicon thin sheet by chemical etching, and forming a cutting edge made of silicon single crystal by ion beam etching without machining such that the cutting edge projects into the opening and has a nose radius of 0.5 &mgr;m or less, and preferably 0.1 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaving head (1) having at least two cutting members, the cutting edge (7)of at least one of the cutting members (5) being situated at a side, remote from the other cutting member (9), of an imaginary center plane (41) of the carrier (31) of the relevant cutting member, and having a tip angle (&agr;1)enclosed by a main side face (37) and a facet surface (43) of the carrier (31). In this manner, the cutting edge of the relevant cutting member has a tip angle (&agr;1) which is asymmetrical relative to the center plane of the carrier. As a result, a space (57), which is present between the carriers (31, 33) of the two cutting members, is divergent, viewed from the skin contact surface (29), and the risk of said space becoming clogged by cut hairs and shaving foam is considerably reduced.

Abstract: Razor heads comprising at least one blade and a plurality of guard elements over the leading edge at a plurality of intermediate portions. According to preferred embodiments, the guard elements are integrally molded with at least one or more of a blade support, spacer element(s), forward guard member and cap member. The use of integrally molded guard elements facilitate efficient, quicker and less expensive manufacturing, provide greater design flexibility, and provide greater blade stability. Additionally, in preferred embodiments, when the molded guard elements are aligned with spacers, these guard elements do not interfere with the rinsability of the razor head. The intermediate guard elements also provide additional sites for the placement of shaving aids and other skin flow control materials such as materials having a relatively high coefficient of friction.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the invention are directed to safety razor heads (120) having intrinsically fenced cutting blades (136, 138) oriented at a high slicing angle to the shaving direction. The razor comprises a plurality of short cutting edges (4) in a spaced relationship across the width of the cutting zone, bounded by leading (112) and trailing guards (104), and oriented at an angle greater than 30 degrees, resulting in enhanced cutting action, improved lubricant and debris flow, and longer life of the cutting edges. Lateral skin tensioning is achieved in one embodiment by the spreading action of left and right oriented cutting edges.

Abstract: A safety razor having a shaving head which includes dual blades with multiple shaving edges having different lengths and/or shapes to provide a selection of shaving edges for various types of hair encountered on the body of a user. Each blade has straight and convex shaving edges on two sides thereof as well as blade extensions having shorter straight and convex shaving edges on two ends thereof. The razor further includes a handle with a conduit located therein in communication with the shaving head whereby water can travel through the handle, into the shaving head and past the blades to dislodge debris. Further, the safety razor is equipped with a slidable plunger which is slidable in the conduit so that oils, creams or liquids can be applied through the shaving head.

Abstract: A blade cartridge including a platform member having a blade seat, and a guard member located forward of and parallel to the blade seat so as to form a longitudinal slot between the blade seat and the guard member. A first blade is disposed on the blade seat such that the cutting edge of the blade is located rearwardly of the guard member. A spacer is located on the upper surface of the first blade. The spacer includes an upper surface having a plurality of protruding members extending therefrom and extending through apertures on a second blade such that the second blade is disposed on the upper surface of the spacer. The first blade has apertures that allow debris to flow between the first and second blades and downward through the aperture in the first blade and out through the platform member. A third blade is disposed on an upper surface of the protruding members of the spacer, thereby forming a gap defined by the second and third blades.

Abstract: A razor head assembly is adapted for grooming of a narrow beard line of uniform width. The assembly includes a razor head supportable of razor blade assemblies. First and second razor blade assemblies are mountable to the head. The razor blade assemblies each include a razor blade having a longitudinal axis. The blade assemblies are mountable such that their longitudinal axes are substantially aligned and such that they are laterally spaced apart by a gap, either fixed, or adjustable, in width. In this manner, a beard of a uniform width can be groomed, the width being defined by the size of the gap.

Abstract: A blade cartridge including three or more blades fixed between a platform member and a cap member. The present invention provides improved triple blade geometry where five contact surfaces with the skin are considered, including the edges of each of the blades, a skin contacting surface on the guard member and a skin contacting surface on the cap member. The five contacting surfaces are oriented at an equal distance from a common axis in order to ensure that the shaving forces normal to the contacting surfaces are shared by all of the contacting surfaces. The arrangement of the present invention provides optimal blade geometry, thereby producing a close and comfortable shave. Additionally, the blades of the present invention are movable to a less aggressive position in response to applied shaving forces.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a safety razor 10 having dual blades 34 with multiple shaving surfaces having different blade lengths and/or blade shapes to provide a selection of shaving surfaces for the various types of hair encountered the body of the user. The present invention 10 includes longer blades 34 being both straight 36 and convex 38. The present invention 10 includes blades on the edges 40 of its head 20 which are both straight 36 and convex 38 and smaller in length for trimming close areas of the body. The handle 18 of the razor 10 has a conduit 17 located therein and traveling throughout the length of the handle 18 connecting to the blade cavity 48 whereby water 16 can travel through the handle 18 to the shaving heads 20 and in and around the shaving heads so that it will dislodge shaving debris from around the blades 34.

Abstract: A safety razor blade unit including a guard, a cap, and a group of first, second, and third blades with parallel sharpened edges located between the guard and cap, the blades being resiliently movably mounted and having an at rest condition in which the first blade defines a blade edge nearest the guard having a negative exposure between about −0.04 mm and about −0.06 mm, the third blade defines a blade edge nearest the cap having a positive exposure between about +0.04 mm and about +0.06 mm, and the second blade defines a blade edge having an exposure of about zero.

Abstract: A novel cutting element in or for a safety razor comprises an elongate member with a series of slots (5), each slot (5) tapering from an open forward end to a substantially closed trailing end, and each slot (5) being confined between a pair of shaped edges (6) for slicing hairs as they move through the slot as the cutting element is moved across the skin. One or more of the cutting elements may be used in a safety razor blade unit, either alone or in combination with a blade having a conventional straight sharpened edge.