Caps Patents (Class 30/84)
  • Patent number: 11919183
    Abstract: A cartridge for a razor comprises at least one blade and a first blade support configured to attach the at least one blade to the cartridge. The first blade support includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, a first optical feature provided on one or more of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion. The first optical feature is selected from one or more of a color, a coating, a texture, a perforation, a transparency of the blade support, a light emitting source, a protrusion and a sticker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: BIC Violex Single Member S.A., SOCIETE BIC
    Inventors: Charalampos Schizas, Nikolaos Chatzigrigoriou, Maria Petratou, Christos Ampatis, Dimitris Sioulas, Maria Mitzelou, Nikolaos Ovvadias, Vasileios Papachristos, George Kanakaris, Thomas Brette, Alexander Nicholas Bourque, Nikolaos Chrysanthakopoulos
  • Patent number: 8499459
    Abstract: A shaving blade unit having a housing that includes a primary cap, a primary guard, an upper face, and a rear face. The shaving blade unit also includes a first primary blade located between the primary cap and the primary guard and extending at said the upper face, a first spacer stacked with the first primary blade, and a trimming blade extending at the rear face of the housing where the trimming blade is unreleasably fixed to the first spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: BIC-Violex SA
    Inventors: Dimitris Efthimiadis, Spiros Gratsias, Ioannis Bozikis
  • Patent number: 8407900
    Abstract: Shaving cartridges intended for mounting on razor handles such that a shaving razors are formed. These cartridges include a frame on which a wing is disposed wherein a majority of the wing comprises elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Robert Harold Johnson
  • Patent number: 8381406
    Abstract: A replacement blade razor including a holder having a head portion, a razor head supported by the head portion of the holder, and a blade member removably mounted in the razor head is provided. The head portion of the holder or the razor head includes a holding mechanism that assists in mounting of the blade member in the razor head by attracting or adhering to the blade member and thus causing the razor head to hold the blade member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kai R&D Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8359751
    Abstract: A shaving blade unit having a housing that includes a primary cap, a primary guard, an upper face, and a rear face. The shaving blade unit also includes at least one primary blade located between the primary cap and the primary guard and extending at the upper face, at least one trimming blade extending at the rear face of the housing, and a trimming blade protector that is able to selectively cover and uncover at least the at least one trimming blade. The trimming blade protector is movably mounted on the housing between a closed position where it covers the at least one trimming blade and an open position where the at least one trimming blade is usable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bic-Violex SA
    Inventors: Dimitris Efthimiadis, Spiros Gratsias, Ioannis Bozikis
  • Patent number: 8359752
    Abstract: A wet shaving cartridge comprising with a housing having a guard, a cap, and a pair of spaced apart interior walls between the cap and the guard. A blade retention bump is positioned on at least one of the spaced apart interior walls. At least one resilient blade retention member extends laterally from one of the interior walls toward the other interior wall. At least one clip mounted to the housing. At least one blade is positioned between the resilient blade retention member and at least one of the interior walls. The blade is rigidly fixed in a first direction between the clip and the blade retention bumps and retained in a second direction between the resilient blade retention members and at least one of the interior walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Kelly Daniel Bridges
  • Publication number: 20120192431
    Abstract: A shaving cartridge with a housing having a guard and a cap that define a shaving plane tangential thereto. The housing has a first blade with a blade edge positioned between the guard and the cap. A second blade has a blade edge positioned between the cap and the blade edge of the first blade. The first blade defines a plurality of rinse-through openings positioned between the blade edge of the first blade and the blade edge of the second blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Kevin James Wain
  • Publication number: 20120096718
    Abstract: A shaving razor that improves stability, corresponding user control and offers a closer shave is provided. The shaving razor can include a razor handle configuration that reduces the propensity for the shaving razor to roll in a user's hand and improves the maneuverability of the razor cartridge during shaving. In addition, the shaving razor can include a biasing pivoting member producing a progressively increasing return torque on the razor cartridge that forces the cartridge into flat contact with the skin thus improving glide and shaving closeness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Daren Mark Howell, David John O'Callaghan, Andrew Martin Whittingham
  • Publication number: 20110314678
    Abstract: A razor blade manufactured by the process of cutting a strip of blade steel into discrete blanks each having an elongated edge and an elongated support portion extending between a pair of lateral end faces generally transverse to the elongated edge. The elongated edges are sharpened to form a cutting edge. The discrete blanks are deformed to form a bent portion. The lateral end faces are treated to remove cracks prior to being deformed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Peterson
  • Publication number: 20110308089
    Abstract: A wet shaving cartridge comprising with a housing having a guard, a cap, and a pair of spaced apart interior walls between the cap and the guard. A blade retention bump is positioned on at least one of the spaced apart interior walls. At least one resilient blade retention member extends laterally from one of the interior walls toward the other interior wall. At least one clip mounted to the housing. At least one blade is positioned between the resilient blade retention member and at least one of the interior walls. The blade is rigidly fixed in a first direction between the clip and the blade retention bumps and retained in a second direction between the resilient blade retention members and at least one of the interior walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Kelly Daniel Bridges
  • Publication number: 20110225828
    Abstract: A shaving system has a cap, a skin-engaging member, at least one blade between the skin engaging member and the cap, and a guard bar between the skin engaging member and the blade. The guard bar has a first set of spaced apart projections offset from a second set of spaced apart projections in a first direction parallel to the blade and in a second direction transverse to the blade. The first set of projections and the second set of projections define a plurality of open channels extending transverse to the blade. The open channels have a width of about 0.20 mm to about 0.50 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Hal Bruno
  • Publication number: 20110203113
    Abstract: A razor cartridge having blades and a cap structure in back of the blades where the cap structure extending across the length of the blades includes at least one skin engaging element and at least one shaving aid portion. The skin engaging element may comprise fin elements, elongated protrusions, bumps, nubs, or any combination thereof, and may be flexible to engage the user's skin in back of the blades for a comfortable shave. The shaving aid portion serves to deliver at least one shaving aid material (e.g., lubricant) to the skin. The shaving aid portion may be a lubricating strip, a soap/solid, a foam or sponge filled with shaving aid material or any combination thereof. The cap structure provides a synergy between the skin engaging element and the shaving aid portion. A percentage contact to a user's skin of the skin engaging element is from about 20% to about 90%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Xiandong Wang
  • Publication number: 20110162209
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Kevin James Wain
  • Publication number: 20110162208
    Abstract: A shaving cartridge with a housing having a guard and a cap that define a shaving plane tangential thereto. The housing has a first blade with a blade edge positioned between the guard and the cap. A second blade has a blade edge positioned between the cap and the blade edge of the first blade. The first blade defines a plurality of rinse-through openings positioned between the blade edge of the first blade and the blade edge of the second blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Kevin James Wain
  • Publication number: 20110126413
    Abstract: A novel razor cartridge is disclosed where the cartridge comprises at least one indicium incorporated onto an exterior surface of at least one component of the razor cartridge. The indicia may include functional and/or aesthetic benefits communicated or obtained to the user before, during or after use the razor product. In one embodiment, the indicia are water droplets recessed into the lube ring of the razor cartridge, conveying the benefits of the lube ring and/or razor product to the consumer such as skin moisturization and/or the release of lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew Anthony Szczepanowski, Jennifer Ruth Kinard, Robert Harold Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110094108
    Abstract: A razor cartridge is provided having a first lateral end portion, a second lateral end portion, a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion has a back end wall. At least one blade is mounted to the housing, wherein the blade has a length extending from the first lateral end portion to the second lateral end portion. A guard is positioned at the front of the housing, and extends from the first lateral end portion to the second lateral end portion. A cap is positioned at the rear portion of the housing and has a length extending from the first lateral end portion to the second lateral end portion. The cap has a plurality of ribs generally transverse to the blade which define a plurality of channels that extend from the rear portion of the housing to at least along a portion of the rear wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Kevin James Wain
  • Patent number: 7913393
    Abstract: A safety razor blade unit mounted for pivotal movement relative to a razor handle about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to a blade mounted in the blade unit. The blade unit is biased to a rest position by a magnetic return force generated by a set of magnetic elements. The set of magnetic elements are so disposed that the return force increases as the pivotal displacement of the blade unit from the rest position increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Terence Gordon Royle, Edward Neill Forsdike
  • Publication number: 20100313426
    Abstract: A safety razor including a handle having a grip portion and a connection portion secured to the grip portion. The connection portion rotates with respect to the grip portion about a rotational axis. The blade unit is mounted to the connection portion by a connection member. The blade unit has a guard, a cap and at least one blade positioned between the guard and the cap. The blade unit pivots with respect to the connection member about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the at least one blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Terence Gordon Royle
  • Publication number: 20100299928
    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 are positioned between the primary guard and the primary cap. A trimming blade is mounted at the back of the housing and has a cutting edge. A trimming comb guard is located at the back of the housing. The trimming comb guard has a plurality of projections along a length of the trimming comb guard defining a plurality of open slots extending generally perpendicular to the cutting edge. The open slots have a minimum width of about 0.20 mm to about 0.49 mm for allowing the free passage of hair during shaving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Sean P. Clarke, Paul Leslie Warrick, Trevor John Whelan
  • Publication number: 20100281694
    Abstract: A blade unit (110) for a razor including a guard element (35) , first and second cap elements (36,37) on opposite sides of the guard element, a plurality of blades (32) with cutting edges (33) disposed between the guard element and the first cap element and facing towards the guard element. At least one blade with a cutting edge is disposed between the guard element and the second cap element and faces towards the guard element. The first cap element, guard element and second cap element are circumscribed by an arc of a circle (46) . A first plane (47) extends between positions at which the circumscribing arc meets a first surface (35a) on the guard element and a surface on the first cap element. A second plane (48) extends between positions at which the circumscribing arc meets a second surface (35b) on the guard element and a surface (37b) on the second cap element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Terence Gordon Royle
  • Publication number: 20100175265
    Abstract: A razor blade unit having a frame and blades movably mounted in the frame, each blade being elastically biased toward a rest position where the upper face of each blade bears against upper stop portions of the frame, the upper face of each blade being parallel to the corresponding upper stop portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: DIC-VIOLEX SA
    Inventors: Ioannis Bozikis, Dimitris Efthimiadis, Spiros Gratsias
  • Publication number: 20100122464
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a razor cartridge including a guard, a cap and a plurality of blades each with sharpened edges located between the guard and the cap. The cap includes a cap edge positioned nearest the blades and an erodible skin engaging member. A cap blade is positioned nearest the cap and an adjacent blade is positioned immediately adjacent to the cap blade and between the cap blade and the guard. The skin engaging member includes at least one upper layer and a base layer positioned below the upper layer. The upper layer erodes during shaving exposing the upper surface of the base layer which is positioned relative to the cap edge such that when the upper layer has eroded the cap blade edge has a final exposure defined by the adjacent blade edge, the cap edge and the upper surface of the base layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Thilivhali Tshikovhi Ndou, Neville Sonnenberg
  • Patent number: 7714803
    Abstract: This invention describes procedures for writing data to a spatial light modulator (SLM) to achieve the purpose of “sub-frame method”, i.e. increasing effective frame rate of the SLM, without the need of additional color switching means or modulation at illumination source. The purpose is to improve the resolution of V3D displays based on projectors. The method divides the pixels of the SLM into a number of groups and defines each group as a sub-panel. Frames of image data are then written in sequence to each of the sub-panels in a fixed order. An image frame written to a sub-panel is called a “sub-frame” when displayed on the sub-panel. The method then displays one sub-frame on one sub-panel at a time, with the rest sub-panels displaying blank (black). If the SLM has no memory buffer and image is displayed when it is written, then all data on the SLM must be erased after a sub-panel is being displayed and before the next sub-panel is written.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Che-Chih Tsao
  • Publication number: 20100083505
    Abstract: A safety razor blade unit mounted for pivotal movement relative to a razor handle about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to a blade mounted in the blade unit. The blade unit is biased to a rest position by a magnetic return force generated by a set of magnetic elements. The set of magnetic elements are so disposed that the return force increases as the pivotal displacement of the blade unit from the rest position increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Terence Gordon Royle, Edward Neill Forsdike
  • Publication number: 20100077618
    Abstract: A razor cartridge comprising a housing, a guard disposed toward a front portion of the housing, a cap disposed toward a rear portion of the housing, a plurality of bent blade assemblies, wherein at least one of the blade assemblies comprises one or more perforations along a length of the assembly. In another embodiment, a razor cartridge comprising a housing, a guard disposed toward a front portion of the housing, a cap disposed toward a rear portion of the housing, a plurality of integrally formed bent blade assemblies, wherein each of the blade assemblies comprises one or more perforations along a length of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: MARK PETERSON
  • Publication number: 20100011583
    Abstract: A shaving blade unit having a housing that includes a primary cap, a primary guard, an upper face, and a rear face. The shaving blade unit also includes at least one primary blade located between the primary cap and the primary guard and extending at the upper face, at least one trimming blade extending at the rear face of the housing, and a trimming blade protector that is able to selectively cover and uncover at least the at least one trimming blade. The trimming blade protector is movably mounted on the housing between a closed position where it covers the at least one trimming blade and an open position where the at least one trimming blade is usable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Dimitris Efthimiadis, Spiros Gratsias, Ioannis Bozikis
  • Patent number: 7610683
    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 about 60 mm, e.g., 40 to 45 mm. The skin contacting surface has a footprint area of at least 450 mm2, e.g., 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 a three point contact with an imaginary circumscribing circle with a radius of 15 to 70 mm, e.g., 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: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Frank Edward Brown, Brian Oldroyd
  • Publication number: 20090235530
    Abstract: A safety razor having a blade cartridge attached to a neck and a replaceable dispenser cartridge adapted for removable attachment to the razor to thereby form a portion of the razor handle or, alternatively, the entire razor handle. The cartridge includes and interior chamber for containing a shaving conditioning compound (e.g., shave cream or shave gel) and a pressurized dispensing gas. A bottom end of the dispensing cartridge, defining a bottom end of the razor handle, is fitted with a valve to control release of the shaving conditioning compound from the cartridge. An actuator assembly controls operation of the valve to selectively dispense a desired amount of the shaving conditioning compound from the bottom end of the razor handle while the razor is held upright in the normal shaving position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Louis D. Tomassetti
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20080196251
    Abstract: A support structure (3) for a safety razor blade assembly (2) that is capable of flexing along its length to follow convex or concave curvatures includes a subframe (15) and end mounts (17) for attachment to the blade assembly at opposite ends thereof coupled to the subframe by respective suspension arm structures (16) each having two arms (21, 22) interconnected by a first pivotal connection (21) and connected to the subframe by a second pivotal connection (23). A restraining device, such as a pin (26) arranged between the blade assembly and the subframe (15) or a torsion bar connected between the subframe (15) and one of the end mounts (17), may be provided to prevent longitudinal displacement of the blade assembly (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Terence G. Royle
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20020189103
    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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: THE GILLETTE COMPANY
    Inventors: Frank Edward Brown, Brian Oldroyd
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6430818
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: American Safety Razor Company
    Inventor: Jeff Wonderley
  • Publication number: 20020092175
    Abstract: A shaving article for sensitive surfaces and curved body areas includes an elongate handle having one free end and an opposite end from which a shank or neck portion integrally depends, the shank and handle defining an aggregate effective lever arm. The article includes a shaving head assembly transversely dependent from the neck portion, the assembly having a blade housing including means for holding and positioning of a blade having a length in a range of about 17 to about 23 millimeters, the blade defining a rotated arm of the lever arm in which a ratio of length of the lever arm to the rotated arm defines a range of between about 3.5:1 to about 5.5:1. The preferred length of the blade, within said range, is about 20 millimeters (0.75 inches).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Debra A. Kameka
  • 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: 20010003870
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a dry shaving apparatus with an electric drive mechanism (A) provided in a housing (1) and a housing part (G) in which a removable frame (WR) equipped with at least one cutter element (S) is held by at least one detent mechanism (R), wherein upon release of the removable frame (WR) by the detent mechanism (R) the removable frame (WR) is movably held in a holding position by a retaining device (HV), wherein in said holding position provision is made for at least one distance (W, W1) between a wall of the removable frame (WR) and a wall of the housing part (G), and the removable frame (WR) is adapted to be set in motion by the drive mechanism (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold Eichhorn, Michael Harms, Sebastian Hottenrott, Peter Junk, Michael Odemer, Jens Storkel, Jurgen Wolf
  • 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: 6164290
    Abstract: In-line manual razor blade shaving devices feature an elongated frame having an elongated front cutter support portion arranged in-line with an elongated handle portion. The cutter support portion has first and second opposed sides upon which elongated razor blade structures, such as dual razor blade cartridges, are mounted. The elongated razor blade structures each feature at least one razor blade strip spaced from and arranged generally parallel to elongated front and rear guard portions. The guards define a working plane into which the razor blade edges of the razor blade structure project. The new in-line safety straight razors of the present invention may be utilized in a manner very much like the old unguarded in-line straight razor devices long used by barbers, except that front and rear guard portions help shield the exposed razor-sharp edges so as to minimize the occurrence of minor cuts, nicks and scrapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Edward A. Andrews
  • Patent number: 5934291
    Abstract: Several small-size mustache shaving devices, each grippable between a user's forefinger and thumb, for enabling the user to precisely shave and edge his own mustache to a desired shape, and related trimming accessories, are disclosed. Each device ?10! is lightweight and has as an elongated narrow body having a forward head portion ?11! and an integral offset rear fingertip-grip portion ?12!. Each device has a small elongated razor blade strip ?16! mounted upon the head portion ?11!. The blade's razor sharp edge ?17!, which in some designs is straight and in other designs is curved, extends laterally outwardly from the head portion ?11!. The razor-sharp blade edge ?17! of the device is placed by the user against his skin adjacent the periphery of the desired mustache line and then, through fingertip movement, shaves and shapes the hairs of the user's mustache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Edward A. Andrews
  • Patent number: 5551153
    Abstract: A twin-blade assembly is formed from two blade steel members (A, B) shaped to have rear mounting legs (3A/B), spring arms (9A, 9B) at opposite ends of the unit, downturned legs (2A, 2B) for reinforcing the members and sharpened blade edges (1A, 1B) on blade strips or margins (5A, 5B). The spring arms can flex to permit relative displacement of the strips (5A, 5B). The assembly may also incorporate a lubricating strip (M), the whole unit and strip being discardable and replaceable as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Graham J. Simms
  • Patent number: 5479950
    Abstract: A small-size lightweight mustache shaving device, grippable between a user's forefinger and thumb, for enabling the user to precisely shave and edge his own mustache to a desired shape. The device is formed as an elongated flat narrow body having a forward head portion and an integral offset rear fingertip-grip portion. A small elongated flat razor blade strip is mounted upon the head portion and has its razor sharp edge extending laterally outwardly from the head portion. The razor-sharp blade edge of the device is placed by the user against his skin and/or mustache adjacent the periphery of the desired mustache line and then manually moved under fingertip control to shave and shape the hairs of the user's mustache. Several embodiments of the device are disclosed, including guarded, blunted and assembled blade designs, and all-metal designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: Edward A. Andrews