Guards Patents (Class 30/77)
  • Publication number: 20090144984
    Abstract: An electric hair removal apparatus includes a housing adapted to be held in the hand, a guard cap mounted on the housing for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, and a control element with which a switch can be activated. The control element is arranged inside an at least locally circular recess of the guard cap. The pivot axis of the guard cap is constructed to be eccentric relative to the recess of the guard cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Roland Ullmann
  • Patent number: 7540088
    Abstract: A safety razor includes a handle and a razor blade unit on top thereof, wherein the razor blade unit has a movable skin contact member, the skin contact member having a leading skin contact part and a trailing skin contact part, and during safety razor use, the leading skin contact part and trailing skin contact part can swing to the front and back with respect to the razor blade body, thereby enabling smooth shaving, whether for a safety razor having no guard part or for a safety razor having a guard part similar to standard safety razors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Kai R & D Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Takeshita
  • Publication number: 20090126196
    Abstract: A safety razor blade unit has two or more blades (19,20,21) with parallel cutting edges (24,25,26) mounted in a frame (10) between guard and cap surfaces so that the average inter-blade span is not greater than 1.25 mm, and the wash through index, a measure of the rinsability obtained by a method defined in the specification, is not less than 0.20. The combination of narrow inter-blade spans and good rinsability enables enhanced comfort levels during shaving to be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Bernard Gilder, Ian Saker
  • Publication number: 20090083982
    Abstract: A safety razor cartridge includes a plurality of elongated blades disposed in a housing between a guard and a cap. The blades have substantially parallel sharp cutting edges. The plurality has first, second, and third consecutively disposed cutting edges. A distance between the first and second cutting edges is greater than a distance between the second and third cutting edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Edward Neill Forsdike
  • Publication number: 20090077809
    Abstract: A shaving razor blade unit including a housing having a primary guard at a front of the housing and a primary cap at an upper surface at a back of the housing, one or more primary shaving blades between the primary guard and the primary cap, a rear wall having a rear exterior surface extending downward from the upper surface at the back of the housing to a terminating surface, and a trimming blade mounted on the rear wall and having a trimming cutting edge extending at least partially beyond the terminating surface inside of an imaginary extension of the rear exterior surface, the rear exterior surface defining a secondary cap for the trimming blade. The back of the housing includes a trimming guard including spaced guard segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Alejandro Lee, Robert Trotta
  • Publication number: 20090071006
    Abstract: A safety razor blade unit is provided. The safety razor blade unit includes at least one elongate blade and a shaving aid member. The shaving aid member extends longitudinally of the blade(s) and has a skin contacting surface exposed for contact with a skin of a user during shaving. The shaving aid member includes a multiplicity of pockets. Each of the pockets open at the skin contacting surface and are defined by side wall portions depending inward from the skin contacting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Hal Bruno
  • Publication number: 20090071007
    Abstract: A safety razor blade unit is provided. The safety razor blade unit includes at least one elongate blade and a shaving aid member. The shaving aid member extends longitudinally of the blade(s) and has a skin contacting surface exposed for contact with a skin of a user during shaving. The shaving aid member includes a multiplicity of protuberances. Each of the protuberances have a base portion at the skin contacting surface and are defined by side wall portions extending away from the skin contacting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Hal Bruno
  • Patent number: 7448135
    Abstract: Multi-blade razors are provided, having blades with differing properties. In one aspect, a razor is provided that includes a safety razor blade unit comprising a guard, a cap, and first, second and third blades with parallel sharpened edges located between the guard and cap with the first blade closest to the cap, the third blade furthest from the cap, and the second blade disposed between the first and third blades, the blades having first, second and third tip radii, respectively, at least two of the three blades having different tip radii, and at least two of the blades having different coefficients of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Andrew Zhuk, Weili Yu, Hoang Mai Trankiem, Neville Sonnenberg, Kevin L. Powell, Yiqian Eric Liu, Robert L. Lescanec, Steve S. Hahn, Joseph A. DePuydt, Alan Crook, Cinzia Simonis Cloke
  • Publication number: 20080229583
    Abstract: A razor cartridge is provided with a skin engaging structure at the cap and/or guard surface of the razor cartridge. The skin engaging structure has an array of closely spaced elongated protrusions integrally formed with a substrate. In use, the protrusions produce a pleasant tactile sensation tending to reduce shaving discomfort. The protrusions are formed by closely packed molded flexible filaments that can be less than 0.25 mm wide and have spacing between adjacent protrusions less than 0.2 mm. The protrusions can have a density greater than 5 protrusions per mm2. The skin engaging structure can be molded from e.g. an olefin polymer. The substrate can be integrally formed with a housing of the razor cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Stephan Fischer, Jochen Thoene
  • Publication number: 20080189953
    Abstract: A safety razor has a blade unit having at least one blade with a sharp cutting edge. A dielectric handle is configured to carry the blade unit and a conductive ground member is disposed within the handle. The safety razor has an electrically operated device. An electrical arrangement having a sensor electrically coupled to the blade unit and the ground member senses skin contact with the blade unit and actuates the device based on the sensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Michael Jessemey, Roy Nicoll, Robert Anthony Hart
  • Publication number: 20080172878
    Abstract: A blade unit for a safety razor has a plurality of blades (7, 8, 9) with cutting edges (10, 11, 12) positioned between first guard and cap surfaces (26, 29) at an upper face of the unit, and a further blade (36) with a cutting edge (37) positioned between guard and cap surfaces (33, 34) at a rear face of the unit. The further blade at the rear face is intended for shaving skin areas, such as directly below the nostrils or in-front of the ears, to which access is restricted. A rinsing passage (35) connects a gap between the cutting edge (37) of the further blade (86) with an opening (38) at the bottom face of the blade unit for clearance of shaving debris and soap from the underside of the further blade (36) to the underside of the blade unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Richard Hart Luxton
  • Patent number: 7197825
    Abstract: A shaving blade unit includes a plastic housing having a front portion and a rear portion and two side surfaces extending from the front portion to the rear portion. The housing has a length extending from one side surface to the other side surface. Positioned between the front and rear surface of the housing are one or more shaving blades having a blade length extending along respective one or more parallel blade axes. A guard at the front portion of the housing includes an elastomeric member that extends along a guard axis that is parallel to the respective one or more blade axes. The elastomeric member has a length along the guard axis that is greater than or equal to the blade length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Vincent P. Walker, Andrew Keene
  • Patent number: 7178243
    Abstract: A razor blade unit for safety razor has optimized shape and dimensions for body shaving, especially the regions of the axillae. The blade unit has an elongate blade with a rectilinear sharpened edge, and a skin contacting surface at which the length is 1 to 4 times the width and not greater than 60 mm, preferably 40 to 45 mm. The skin contacting surface has a footprint area of at least 450 mm2, preferably 600 to 750 mm2, and a circularity which is not less than the lower of (i) 65%, and (ii) the circularity of a rectangle with the same length and width as the skin contacting surface and with corner radii of 30% of the width. In a plane perpendicular to the blade edge the skin contacting surface is convex and shaped to make at least three point contact with an imaginary circumscribing circle with a radius of 15 to 70 mm, preferably 25 mm. Guard cap surfaces in front of and behind the blade edge each have a skin contact area of at least 140 mm2, and their combined area is preferably at least 400 mm2, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Frank Edward Brown, Brian Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 7111401
    Abstract: A detachable razor cartridge has blade seat and at least one blade having a rectilinear cutting edge. An in-line row of integral guard elements project in cantilever position from the blade seat and extend in spaced relation to and beyond the cutting edge of the blade so that the cutting edge of the blade is unobstructed along its entire cutting length. Enlargements at the free ends of the guard elements disposed forward of and in spaced relation to the blade cutting edge may be provided in a variety of configurations and arrangements for smooth skin engagement to control skin flow and limit the degree of blade cutting edge exposure to skin being shaved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Richard
  • Patent number: 7043840
    Abstract: A shaving razor blade unit that has a plurality of blades and a guard that includes two groups of rows of elongated, elastomeric fins arranged generally parallel to the cutting edges of the blades. The first group of fins has tips with generally uniform base to tip heights of a first dimension, and the second group in has tips with generally uniform base to tip heights of a second dimension, the second dimension being less than one fifth of the first dimension. Also disclosed are elastomeric guard fins having base to tip heights less than 0.15 mm, and the fins being the last skin engaging structure contacted by a user's skin before contacting the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Vincent P. Walker, Jr., Stephen C. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 6941659
    Abstract: A guard of a safety razor blade unit has a lubricating strip (24) disposed in front of a backstop (23), and the edge of the backstop which contacts the skin during shaving is castellated to define channels (30) separated by lands (31). The channels (30) enable an effective layer of lubricant to remain on the skin until the blade positioned to the rear of the backstop contacts the skin in the course of a shaving stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Bernard Gilder
  • Patent number: 6889438
    Abstract: A safety shaving assembly for attachment to a razor handle has optimised shape and dimensions for body shaving, especially the regions of the underarm. The shaving assembly has an elongate blade with a linear sharpened edge, and a skin contacting surface whose length is 1 to 4 times the width, preferably 1 to 2.8 times the width, has a large footprint area of at least 450 mm2, preferably at least 600 mm2, and a circularity (as herein defined to relate the area enclosed by the perimeter to the length of the perimeter) of not less than 70%. The shaving assembly is substantially inflexible over a major longitudinal dimension in use. In preferred embodiments the circularity is about 80%. A preferred shape is an oval resembling a rectangle with semi-circular ends. The forward and rearward skin-engaging surfaces in front of and behind the blade edge each can have a skin contact area of at least 140 mm2, and their combined areas is preferably at least 400 mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Frank Edward Brown, Brian Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 6792682
    Abstract: A razor cartridge is provided that includes a seat, a cap, one or more razor blades, and a relief centrally located in an aft face of the cap. The relief enables the user to get the cutting edges of the one or more razor blades in closer proximity to a feature (e.g., a nose) than is possible using currently available razor cartridges. In a preferred embodiment of the cartridge, a shaving aid strip is disposed in the contact face, positioned aft of the forward face of the cap and forward of the relief. The shaving aid strip preferably reflects the contour of the aft face of the cartridge that includes the relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Follo, Paul R. Dansreau
  • Publication number: 20040128835
    Abstract: A blade cartridge for a wet shaving device comprises a housing including a lower housing member and an upper housing member cooperating to define a cavity. First and second blade assemblies are disposed within the cavity. Each of the first and second blade assemblies includes at least one blade defining a cutting edge, wherein the cutting edge of the blade of the first blade assembly generally faces the cutting edge of the blade of the second blade assembly to permit bidirectional shaving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Coffin, Randy Nicolosi, Andrew J. Pennella
  • Publication number: 20040103538
    Abstract: A razor blade cartridge has a movable guide unit including a spacer and a plurality of fingers shaped and sized so that when the guide unit moves frontward between a leading blade and a following blade spaced rearward from the leading blade, the fingers engage skin flowing into space between the leading and following blades to decrease contact between the skin and the cutting edge of the following blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Dansreau, Paul D. Richard, Mark S. Peyser
  • Patent number: 6675479
    Abstract: A shaving razor blade unit that has a plurality of blades and a guard that includes two groups of rows of elongated, elastomeric fins arranged generally parallel to the cutting edges of the blades. The first group of fins has tips with generally uniform base to tip heights of a first dimension, and the second group in has tips with generally uniform base to tip heights of a second dimension, the second dimension being less than one fifth of the first dimension. Also disclosed are elastomeric guard fins having base to tip heights less than 0.15 mm, and the fins being the last skin engaging structure contacted by a user's skin before contacting the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Vincent P. Walker, Jr., Stephen C. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 6655029
    Abstract: A safety razor with a plurality of blade members which are covered by a guard plate. The guard plate is provided with a plurality of blade tip guards which are arranged along the blade tip edges of the blade members, and the blade tip edge of at least one of the plurality of blade members is not in contact with the blade tip guards of the guard plate and exposed between the blade tip guards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Kai R & D Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Saito
  • Publication number: 20030217470
    Abstract: A razor cartridge is provided that includes a frame, one or more razor blades, a guard having a contact surface, and a plurality of scoop pockets disposed in the contact surface of the guard. The one or more razor blades are attached to the frame, and each has a cutting edge. The guard, which has a length and a width, is disposed forward of the one or more razor blades. Each of the scoop pockets has a base surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface that extend between an open end and an aft end. The open end of each scoop pocket is forward of the respective aft end. Each scoop pocket also includes an aft side surface contiguous with the aft end. The scoop pockets are distributed along the length of the guard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Warner-Lambert LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Follo, Paul Donald Richard
  • Patent number: 6651342
    Abstract: A shaving razor blade unit that has a plurality of blades and a guard that includes two groups of rows of elongated, elastomeric fins arranged generally parallel to the cutting edges of the blades. The first group of fins has tips with increasing elevation with respect to a plane passing through the cutting edges, and the second group of fins has tips of generally uniform position relative to the plane. Also disclosed are a guard with at least six rows of elongated, elastomeric fins arranged generally parallel to the cutting edges of the blades; a guard that includes at least five rows of elongated, elastomeric fins that are arranged generally parallel to the cutting edges of the blades and generally increase in elevation with respect to a plane passing through the cutting edges of the blades in going from fins further from the blades to fins closer to the blades; and fins that converge from a base portion to a tip portion at an included angle of less than 14 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Vincent P. Walker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6601303
    Abstract: A safety razor blade unit has a guard structure (5) which includes a strip (10) of elastomeric material e.g. with projections such as fins (12) or tubes (35), and a backstop (13) disposed between the elastomeric strip (10) and the edge (20) of a leading blade (2), the backstop including a rigid wall (15) integrally moulded with the blade unit housing (1) and a resiliently deformable portion (17) integral with the elastomeric strip (10) and adapted to yield under forces experienced during shaving by being compressed against the rigid wall (15) or flexing downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Bernard Gilder, Paul Warrick
  • Patent number: 6568084
    Abstract: A razor blade cartridge is disclosed for wet shaving. The razor blade cartridge includes a platform member having a blade seat and a guard member. A plurality of first guard ribs are disposed on the platform member, and a first blade is disposed on the blade seat. A spacer is disposed on the first blade, and a plurality of second guard ribs is disposed on the spacer. A second blade is disposed on the spacer, and a cap member is disposed on the second blade. A plurality of third guard ribs is disposed on the cap member proximate the skin engaging edge of the second blade. The first, second and third guard ribs are arranged in a number of shapes and positions relative to each other, which assist the shaver in controlling blade exposure and shaving angle. Typically, the blade exposure is positive at the trough portion between the guard ribs, and negative at the tip portion an a shaving plane on skin engaging portion of the guard ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: American Safety Razor Company
    Inventors: Gregory F. McCool, Jeffrey W. Wonderley
  • Patent number: 6550141
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: David F. Rivers, Andrew Pennella, Paul D. Richard
  • Patent number: 6539633
    Abstract: The invention relates to a razor (1) whose head (2) is provided with a protective member (4) in which it engages in removable manner for the purpose of protecting the cutting blade(s) (3) before use and possibly also after use, the razor (1) having at least one tongue (6) fixed either to the head or to the protective member, and engaging respectively either on a portion of the protective member or on the head in such a manner as to be broken on first separation of the protective member (4) and the head (2). The protective member is preferably a cap (4) that engages removably on the head (2) of the razor to protect the cutting blade(s) (3) before and after use, and the tongue (6) is fixed to the head (2) of the razor, engaging a portion of the protective cap during removal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Societe Bic
    Inventor: Jean Bernard Rebaudieres
  • Patent number: 6473970
    Abstract: A blade cartridge including one or more blades fixed between a platform member and a cap member. The blades have apertures that allow lubricants removed from a surface of a shaver by the cutting edge of the blade to be transported through the blade and supplied to the cutting edge of the adjacent blade or to a skin engaging surface of the cap member, whichever the case may be. The apertures in the blades define flow paths that allow lubricants to reach successive cutting edges or skin engaging surfaces, thereby reducing irritation to the shaver. The blades are spaced apart by spacers that are constructed with passages that allow the free flow of lubricant through adjacent flow paths. The cap member includes passages that allow the free flow of lubricating agents through the flow paths to the skin engaging surface of the cap member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: American Safety Razor Company
    Inventor: Frank Prochaska
  • Publication number: 20020157259
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: David C. Coffin
  • Publication number: 20020116822
    Abstract: In a shaving razor using a blade cartridge, the reusable assembly of the razor includes a guard element and the blade cartridge is designed with no parts located in front of the blade edge or edges, and when the blade cartridge is installed in the reusable assembly, the guard element of the reusable assembly becomes located in front of the blade edge or edges of the blade cartridge to cooperate with the blade edges in a customary way to stretch the skin and erect the beard hairs in advance of the cutting edge. The blade cartridge is also movable about two different pivot axes to improve the safety of the razor during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: David C. Coffin
  • Patent number: 6397473
    Abstract: Shaving systems are designed to provide greater uniformity to shaving forces over the skin-engaging portion of the skin-engaging element, such as a blade, guard element or cap member. According to one embodiment, at least one, and preferably a plurality of flexible blades are movably connected to a support by biasing members. One embodiment comprises a razor head comprising a plurality of blades which are movably connected to a flexible support structure in a manner which permits movement of the blades independent of the flexing of the blade(s) or the flexible support. According to another embodiment, at least one and most preferably a plurality of blades are connected to a support block which is movably supported in a “floating” manner within a housing by biasing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: Gregory Clark
  • Patent number: 6378211
    Abstract: A blade cartridge including one or more blades fixed between a platform member and a cap member. The present invention provides a novel blade cartridge including one or more protruding members, or guard ribs, positioned proximate the skin engaging edges of the blades such that a portion of the blade adjacent the guard ribs has a negative exposure. The guard rib preferably has an arcuate contact surface and is narrow in thickness in a direction along the skin engaging edge. Preferably a plurality of guard ribs are evenly positioned along the blade cartridge. In addition to the guard ribs on the platform member, the present invention further includes protruding members, or guard ribs, on the cap member. The guard ribs on the platform member are preferably aligned with and substantially continuous with the guard ribs on the cap member. In a further embodiment, the blade cartridge includes a spacer separating the first blade and a second blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: American Safety Razor Company
    Inventors: Gregory McCool, Jeffrey Wonderley
  • Publication number: 20020046465
    Abstract: A razor blade cartridge is disclosed for wet shaving. The razor blade cartridge includes a platform member having a blade seat and a guard member. A plurality of first guard ribs are disposed on the platform member, and a first blade is disposed on the blade seat. A spacer is disposed on the first blade, and a plurality of second guard ribs is disposed on the spacer. A second blade is disposed on the spacer, and a cap member is disposed on the second blade. A plurality of third guard ribs is disposed on the cap member proximate the skin engaging edge of the second blade. The first, second and third guard ribs are arranged in a number of shapes and positions relative to each other, which assist the shaver in controlling blade exposure and shaving angle. Typically, the blade exposure is positive at the trough portion between the guard ribs, and negative at the tip portion an a shaving plane on skin engaging portion of the guard ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Gregory F. McCool, Jeffrey W. Wonderley
  • Publication number: 20020035786
    Abstract: A safety razor blade unit has a guard structure (5) which includes a strip (10) of elastomeric material e.g. with projections such as fins (12) or tubes (35), and a backstop (13) disposed between the elastomeric strip (10) and the edge (20) of a leading blade (2), the backstop including a rigid wall (15) integrally molded with the blade unit housing (1) and a resiliently deformable portion (17) integral with the elastomeric strip (10) and adapted to yield under forces experienced during shaving by being compressed against the rigid wall (15) or flexing downwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Bernard Gilder, Paul Warrick
  • Publication number: 20020000040
    Abstract: A guard of a safety razor blade unit has a lubricating strip (24) disposed in front of a backstop (23), and the edge of the backstop which contacts the skin during shaving is castellated to define channels (30) separated by lands (31). The channels (30) enable an effective layer of lubricant to remain on the skin until the blade positioned to the rear of the backstop contacts the skin in the course of a shaving stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: THE GILLETTE COMPANY
    Inventor: Bernard Gilder
  • Publication number: 20010054235
    Abstract: A safety razor with a plurality of blade members which are covered by a guard plate. The guard plate is provided with a plurality of blade tip guards which are arranged along the blade tip edges of the blade members, and the blade tip edge of at least one of the plurality of blade members is not in contact with the blade tip guards of the guard plate and exposed between the blade tip guards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: TATSUYA SAITO
  • Patent number: 6263576
    Abstract: My improved hand-held razor ensures smoother hair removal on any human body part and even on furry domestic animals. The angled or precut blade or blades in the razor head result in angled orientations instead of straight across the longitudinal length of the razor head. The angle of the blade(s) provides a slicing motion which is less likely to tear hair roots and make infection of pores more probable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: Joseph Drapak, Paulette Sanders
  • Patent number: 6243951
    Abstract: A safety razor blade unit having a plurality of blades presenting substantially parallel blade edges. The blades are disposed between a guard and a cap. The blades are independently movable and are carried by supports. At least one of the supports has spaced portions projecting forwardly of the associated blade to present skin contacting potions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Brian Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 6212777
    Abstract: A safety razor blade unit including a guard, a cap, and a group of three blades with parallel sharpened edges located between the guard and cap, the first blade defining a blade edge nearest the guard having a negative exposure not less than −0.2 mm, and the third blade defining a blade edge nearest the cap having a positive exposure of not greater than +0.2 mm, the second blade defining a blade edge having an exposure not less than the exposure of the first blade and not greater than the exposure of the third blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Bernard Gilder, John Charles Terry
  • Patent number: 6185823
    Abstract: A razor blade unit for a safety razor has optimised shape and dimensions for body shaving, especially the regions of the axillae. The blade unit has an elongate blade with a rectilinear sharpened edge, and a skin contacting surface at which the length is 1 to 4 times the width and not greater than 60 mm, preferably 40 to 45 mm. The skin contacting surface has a footprint area of at least 450 mm2, preferably 600 to 750 mm2, and a circularity which is not less than the lower of (i) 64%, and (ii) the circularity of a rectangle with the same length and width as the skin contacting surface and with corner radii of 30% of the width. In a plane perpendicular to the blade edge the skin contacting surface is convex and shaped to make at least three point contact with an imaginary circumscribing circle with a radius of 15 to 70 mm, preferably 25 mm. Guard and cap surfaces in front of and behind the blade edge each have a skin contact area of at least 140 mm2, and their combined areas is preferably at least 400 mm2, e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Frank Edward Brown, Brian Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 6167625
    Abstract: A shaving implement, such as a disposable cartridge or razor, comprises a shaving head which includes a skin-contacting element in the form of a series of cavities and projections. The projections are arranged in the cavities in order to provide a unique sensation to the user during shaving. The cavities are arranged so as to meter the amount of shaving cream which is on the surface being shaved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Brian F. King, David C. Coffin, Michael P. O'Malley, Andrew J. Pennella
  • Patent number: 5953819
    Abstract: A skin contacting member for a razor or like shaving device. In use, the skin contacting member is located ahead of a blade or blades of the razor. The skin contacting member has channels formed by stiff wall segments that extend perpendicular to the blade cutting edge for the passage of hairs, and resilient lateral portions that extend into the channel forming narrow regions that engage and pull the hairs passing through the channels in advance of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Graham John Simms, Oliver David Oglesby
  • Patent number: 5903979
    Abstract: A safety razor blade unit (FIG. 1) comprises at least one elongate blade (1, 2) and a skin-engaging member (3) extending longitudinally of the blade or blades (1, 2) and defining a surface (9) exposed for contact with the skin during shaving. A plurality of pockets (10) is provided in the skin-engaging member (3) for holding respective portions of a shaving enhancement product (FIG. 2). The pockets (10) are distributed along the surface (9) and across the width thereof in an array spanning substantially the whole of the area of the skin-contacting surface (9). The pockets (10) can be in communication with reservoir chamber (4) containing the shave enhancement product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Brian Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 5794343
    Abstract: A razor blade assembly includes an elongate platform supporting a pair of blades and an elongate guard member disposed adjacent a forward edge of the platform. The guard member has a plurality of fins each spaced one from the other. In preferred embodiments each fin has its uppermost surface below a rearwardly disposed fin and the uppermost surfaces collectively lie on an outwardly convex arcuate surface, and each successively rearward fin is inclined more towards the leading blade edge than the preceding adjacent fin. The elongate platform is provided with a plurality of apertures extending through the platform between a plurality of webs and the guard member is molded in place onto the platform. Portions of the guard member material flow through the apertures and surround webs during the molding process to maintain the guard member in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Alejandro Lee, William C. Carson, III, Douglas R. Kohring
  • Patent number: 5761814
    Abstract: A razor blade assembly has a body member containing blade means which may be resiliently mounted and biased outwardly from the body member. A wrap-around clip is provided at both sides of the body member, the clip having its ends terminating at the bottom surface of the body member. Means are provided for inhibiting movement of the clip ends relative to the bottom surface upon impact loading of the razor blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Katherine Anderson, Ralph Kenneth Maider, Jr., Paul Nowak, Tzu-Jun Yen
  • Patent number: 5630275
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to razor heads having a plurality of cutting edges wherein the physical characteristics of the cutting edges are different from each other. Among the items which may be varied in the blades are the substrate material, coatings or shape. Preferably, the characteristics of the first blade should be such as to maximize the blade's cutting effect in relation to the skin/beard flow over the guard bar of the razor head. The subsequent blades are such as to maximize the cutting action as the skin flow over the first blade and on to the subsequent blades. In addition, one or more fencing elements may be disposed over discrete, spaced portions of one or both cutting edges to prevent those portions of the cutting edges from contacting the skin being shaved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: Fred C. Wexler
  • Patent number: 5560105
    Abstract: A blade has an edge exposed between a blade rest and a cap. A guard element extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction with respect to the blade contacts with a plurality of points on the edge to define a space between the user's skin and the edge during shaving. The guard element is kept under tension and pressively contacts an upper surface of the edge to apply force acting against the cutting resistance of whiskers to the blade. The guard element has a dent portion under the blade to reduce the distance between the user's skin and the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Feather Safety Razor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Ichiyanagi
  • Patent number: 5456009
    Abstract: Shaving systems having a plurality of cutting edges. At least one fencing element is disposed proximate one cutting edge to prevent a plurality of discrete portions of that first cutting edge from contacting the skin surface being shaved. The other cutting edge is provided with a substantially continuously unobstructed cutting edge. The present invention provides a razor head design permitting skin flow characteristics of shaving to be altered by the fenced blade to affect safety in shaving while the substantially continuously unobstructed cutting edge is exposed to deliver a closeness not obtainable with a totally fenced shaving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: Fred C. Wexler
  • Patent number: RE36816
    Abstract: A razor blade body in the form of a cartridge structure includes a guard member assembled thereon forward of, and extending parallel to, the blade or blades. The guard is of a two part molded structure having an upper portion of elastomeric material with a plurality of upwardly projecting protrusions formed thereon and a lower base portion of rigid plastic material having a downwardly projecting V-shaped cross-sectional portion. A pair of upwardly projecting elements are disposed in spaced relation forming a recess on the blade cartridge structure for receiving the V-shaped base portion therebetween and a latch means disposed in the recess retains the guard member in the assembled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Domenic V. Apprille, Jr., Gary R. Miller, deceased, Frank E. Brown, John B. Taylor