Abstract: In a self-sharpening blade having a cutting edge, the combination comprising a layered structure, the structure including a relatively harder first layer with relatively higher wear resistance extending to the blade cutting edge, and the structure also including a second layer characterized by relatively lesser hardness and lesser wear resistance and located at one side of the first layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to razor blade cutting edges which exhibit an improvement in the first shave. Conventional razor blade cutting edges exhibit surprisingly high initial cutting forces. Razor blades produced according to the present process exhibit significantly lower initial cutting forces which correlates with a more comfortable first shave. Improved blades according to the present invention involve treating conventional razor blade cutting edges having an adherent polyfluorocarbon coating with a solvent to partially remove some of the coating. Preferred solvents include perfluoroalkanes, perfluorocycloalkanes, perfluoropolyethers having a critical temperature or boiling point above the dissolution temperature for the polyfluorocarbon in the solvent. The present invention also relates to the method of producing these razor blade cutting edges.

Abstract: A method for forming a blade having circular apertures with sharpened edges. As opposed to the traditional grinding and deburring method, the present invention utilizes electrochemical machining, electrical discharge machining, electrolytic machining, laser-beam machining, electron-beam machining, photochemical machining, ultrasonic machining, and other non-traditional methods to sharpen and form the blade edges. These manufacturing methods lend themselves to produce unlimited razor blade designs and structures.

Abstract: Improved razors and razor blades and processes for producing razor blades or similar cutting tools with sharp and durable cutting edges, by hard-carbon coating of blades with amorphous diamond, preferably using a filtered cathodic arc plasma source. A coating of amorphous diamond having at least 40 percent sp3 carbon bonding, a hardness of at least 45 gigapascals and a modulus of at least 400 gigapascals is applied to the sharpened edge of a substrate. The substrate may be mechanically honed, and there is no interlayer between the substrate and the amorphous diamond coating. The coating imparts stiffness and rigidity to a thin blade while maintaining a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: Knife blades having exceptionally sharp cutting edges are formed from wafers of monocrystalline silicon using known semiconductor processing technology. In one embodiment, an elongated ridge having a flat top covered by an etchant mask is etched to undercut the mask and to shape the ridge side walls to inwardly converge towards the ridge tip. The mask is removed and a sharp ridge apex is provided by a series of oxide forming and oxide stripping processes. Individual knife blades of silicon, each comprising a ridge having a sharp cutting edge, are shaped from the wafer. In another embodiment, the silicon wafer is etched entirely through between top and bottom surfaces to form a tapered etched wall intersecting the bottom wall at a highly acute edge. The edge is sharpened by the oxide forming and oxide stripping process to form a cutting edge in the completed blade. In both embodiments, various etch masks and etching procedures are used for providing blades of various shapes.

Abstract: Improved razors and razor blades and processes for producing razor blades or similar cutting tools with sharp and durable cutting edges, by hard-carbon coating of blades with amorphous diamond, preferably using a filtered cathodic arc plasma source. A coating of amorphous diamond having at least 40 percent sp3 carbon bonding, a hardness of at least 45 gigapascals and a modulus of at least 400 gigapascals is applied to the sharpened edge of a substrate. The substrate may be mechanically honed, and there is no interlayer between the substrate and the amorphous diamond coating. The coating imparts stiffness and rigidity to a thin blade while maintaining a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: A safety razor blade tool includes a substantially rectangular safety razor blade having a cutting edge and an opposing non-cutting edge, and a rubberized thermoplastic protective cover fixedly attached to the non-cutting edge. The protective cover has an extruded substantially rigid inner layer of thermoplastic material and a coextruded thermoplastic rubber outer layer.

Abstract: A razor blade construction is manufactured of a thin element of blade stock forming the cutting edge portion which is welded or otherwise attached to a more rigid support member. A plurality of support members are produced from a coil of flat sheet material by a cutting and forming process, each of the supports being retained at its edge to an adjacent support to provide a coil of blade supports. The coil of supports is then fed into a device for severing each support from the coil and registering it with a blade element for attachment thereto.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing razor blades from a continuous strip of metal stock by stamping a plurality of openings in the strip for precise registry of the blade edge when employed in the razor and then running the stock through a device which partially slits the strip along lines which are precisely located with respect to the edges of the stock and the openings. The strip is then heat treated after which it is run through a device which splits the stock along the previously slit lines to form a plurality of continuous strands containing interconnected blades disposed end to end.

Abstract: A hair-cutting apparatus has a toothed cutting device comprising a stationary cutter with a row of cutter teeth and a reciprocable cutter with a row of cutter teeth, the cutter teeth of at least one of the two cutters are rounded at their distal ends except for the area of their shearing faces and in addition are wholly rounded over their entire tooth depth into the proximal tooth area except for the area of their shearing faces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a razor blade is disclosed wherein a polymer material is coated onto the blade edge. The polymer material is applied to the blade edge in a coating solution after which the blade is heated to melt the polymer via a radio frequency source, preferably a microwave source.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing razor blades from a continuous strip of metal stock by stamping a plurality of openings in the strip for precise registry of the blade edge when employed in the razor and then running the stock through a device which partially slits the strip along lines which are precisely located with respect to the edges of the stock and the openings. The strip is then heat treated after which it is run through a device which splits the stock along the previously slit lines to form a plurality of continuous strands containing interconnected blades disposed end to end.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for opening slits of uneven lengths in the concentric circular shaving sections of an external cutting member that is used in an electric razor using a rotary cutter that cuts the shaving sections of the external cutting member in radial directions as the external cutting member is rotated around its axis by a predetermined angle with a use of an index device. The differences in the length of the slit are obtained by changing the cutting angle of the rotary cutter relative to the external cutting member.

Abstract: A process for shaping a blade edge and coating the: blade edge to improve the properties thereof is provided. The process includes an ion etching step using a collimated beam to reduce microcracks and an ion assisted processing step wherein ions are used to enhance the properties of a coating. The blade can then be sharpened again. The blade can be made from materials such as metal, ceramic of glass-ceramic.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to cutting instruments employing wedge-shaped cutting edges such as axes, knives, chisels and especially razor blades, said cutting edges being formed of diamond which has been shaped by contacting it with a moving, diamond surface under conditions of pressure and velocity sufficient to thermally convert a portion of the diamond on the cutting edge to softer forms of carbon.

Abstract: A shaving system that includes a holder and a blade meber secured to the holder. The blade member has an aperture that defines an annular sharpened edge with main facet portions that converge at an angle of less than 30.degree. and supplemental facet portions that are extensions of the main facet portions and define an ultimate tip defining portion that has an included angle of less than 30.degree.. The supplemental facet portions are offset in the same direction from the main facet portions each at an angle of less than 175.degree., the outer main facet portion defines a shaving plane, the ultimate tip is disposed above the shaving plane less than 0.1 millimeter, and the bisector of the included angle defined by the supplementary facets is disposed at an angle to the shaving plane in the range of 15.degree.-35.degree..

Abstract: A razor blade includes a substrate with a wedge-shaped edge, a layer of molybdenum on the tip and flanks of the wedge-shaped edge, the thickness of the molybdenum layer preferably being in the range of about 50-500 angstroms, and a layer of diamond or diamond-like material on the molybdenum layer that preferably has a thickness of about 200-1,500 angstroms and that defines a tip radius of less than about 1000 angstroms.

Abstract: A shaving razor has a blade provided with a sputtered hard coating of the boron carbide and with a fluoropolymer lubricant coating overlying the boron carbide coating and adhering directly thereto. The razor provides good durability and good shave performance.

Abstract: A process for forming a razor blade includes the steps of providing a polycrystalline ceramic substrate of less than two micrometer grain size, mechanically abrading an edge of the polycrystalline ceramic substrate to form a sharpened edge thereon that has an included angle of less than twenty degrees; and sputter-etching the sharpened edge to reduce the tip radius to less than 300 Angstroms and form a cutting edge. The resulting blades exhibit excellent shaving properties.

Abstract: Improved razor blades and methods for producing the blades. The cutting edge regions of the blades include a solid adherent coating which is the residue of a heated mixture of a fluorocarbon polymer and a silane. The mixture is applied to the cutting edge regions of the blade and heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the fluorocarbon. The coatings achieved in the practice of the invention provide blades having improved shaving performance characteristics for the blade.

Abstract: A shaving razor has a blade provided with a sputtered hard coating of the boron carbide and with a fluoropolymer lubricant coating overlying the boron carbide coating and adhering directly thereto. The razor provides good durability and good shave performance.

Abstract: A process for forming a razor blade includes the steps of providing a ceramic substrate, mechanically abrading an edge of the ceramic substrate to form a sharpened edge thereon with facets that have an included angle of less than thirty degrees; thermally processing the mechanically abraded edge to reduce surface raggedness and subsurface defects; and sputter-sharpening the sharpened edge to provide supplemental facets that have an included angle of more than forty degrees and define a tip radius of less than five hundred angstroms. The resulting blade exhibit excellent shaving properties.

Abstract: A blade for use in a safety razor is manufactured by providing a block of green or uncured ceramic material. The block is in the form of a honeycomb structure having a plurality of substantially parallel cells formed therein and a portion is sliced and removed from the block forming at least one surface on the portion intersecting the parallel cells at an angle. The portion is cured, and the surface ground and polished to provide a plurality of cutting edges.

Abstract: Razors for care of hair are improved by providing the razor with a cutting edge having a series of uniformly spaced imperfections or dents extending across said cutting edge, the dents dulling from 20 to 75 percent of the normal cutting edge of the razor. The normal razor cutting edge is transformed into the edge of this invention by use of a dulling tool. The dented edge razor permits the user, e.g., barber or beautician, to more effectively sculpture a head of hair with greater safety to the user and patron.

Abstract: A razor (10, 10') is formed entirely of an inexpensive glass material. In one embodiment the razor (10) is formed as a single piece of material which includes a handle portion (14), a blade portion (16) and an arcuate intermediate portion (18) interconnecting the handle and blade portions, with the blade portion being provided with a sharp cutting edge (24). In another embodiment the razor (10') includes a handle (14') and an essentially cylindrical blade (16') received between clamping jaws (26) at one end of the handle, with the blade being provided with opposed cutting edges (24').

Abstract: A plastic cartridge body having an elongated slot for receiving a U-shaped blade having two cutting edges where the blade is fabricated in continuous chain-like fashion, shaped, separated into individual blades, and inserted into the body slot.

Abstract: A double edged strip of blade metal is parted along a center line and cropped to form two strips each containing a series of spaced apart blades connected by webs to an elongate backing strip of blade metal. Each strip is fed into a moulding machine in which a razor, or a shaving unit, or a blade-containing component of a shaving unit is moulded directly on to each individual blade. Each web is then parted to release the moulded razor, shaving unit, or shaving unit component, from the backing strip.

Abstract: Method of attaching a stainless steel blade member to a support member of cold deformable material, wherein the imperforate blade member (5) is located in a die cavity adjacent a die surface having a through hole (10), the support member (6) is located in the cavity over the blade member (5), and is impacted to effect piercing of the blade member. The slug (7) of blade material displaced into the through hole remains attached by a radial tab (8) to the remainder of the blade, and then the slug is impacted to form a rivet head from the support material which has pierced the blade.

Abstract: A razor blade having a fluorinated polymer coating over its cutting edge and a method for its preparation. A hydrocarbon polymer is disposed on the cutting edge, which polymer after appropriate sintering is brought into contact with a fluorine-rich atmosphere resulting in replacement of a plurality of hydrogen atoms by fluorine atoms creating a multiplicity of (--CF.sub.2 --CF.sub.2 --) groups.

Abstract: A glass blade is produced from a preform of insoluble glass having a sharp edge encased in soluble glass. The encased preform is heated and drawn to the reduced cross-sectional size desired of the glass blade, cut transversely to length and leached for removal of the soluble glass and exposure of its sharp edge.