DISPOSABLE SELF-SHARPENING SHAVING DEVICE

A shaving device including a handle, a sharpening member, and a cartridge. The sharpening member includes an abrasive material. The cartridge couples to the handle. The cartridge also includes an arrangement of double-sided razor blades. Each of the double-sided razor blades includes a pair of shaving edges. The pair of shaving edges are arranged on opposing faces of the cartridge. When the shaving device is used for shaving with a first set of shaving edges of the pair of shaving edges, a second set of shaving edges of the pair of shaving edges contacts the abrasive material and are thereby sharpened.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to improvements in hand-held shaving devices, and in particular, improvements in disposable self-sharpening razor cartridges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional disposable razors include handles for holding the razors while shaving is performed. Such disposable razors can include shaving cartridges or heads integrated into a handle, or replaceable shaving cartridges or heads that are insertable onto handles that are fitted for receiving corresponding shaving cartridges or heads. Such replaceable shaving cartridges or heads allow the user to replace a shaving cartridge or head that is no long performing well because its blades are getting dull.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a shaving device that includes replaceable razor cartridges as well as a self-sharpening feature. In one embodiment, an exemplary self-sharpening shaving device includes an all-plastic handle and a plastic and metal cartridge with disposable razor blades. The cartridge is insertable onto the handle. The handle includes an arrangement of prongs on a head of the handle that inserts into the cartridge. The head also includes an abrasive material, such as on a flat surface of the head comprising a sharpening member of the head. The sharpening member's abrasive material is positioned to contact shaving edges of dual-sided razor blades contained within the cartridge. The prongs are configured to slide within openings of the razor blades and to contact inner portions of the individual razor blades. The handle and cartridge together form a linear oscillating connection where the action of shaving causes the cartridge to shift up and down against both the spring-like prongs of the handle and the abrasive surface, such that when a user shaves with the shaving device, the cartridge flexes the spring-like prongs and drags the opposite side razor blades of the dual-sided razor blades of the cartridge against the abrasive surface.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an exemplary shaving device includes a handle comprising an attachment end and an abrasive material arranged on a surface of the handle. The shaving device further includes a cartridge comprising an arrangement of double-sided razor blades and configured to attach to the attachment end. Each of the double-sided razor blades includes a pair of opposing shaving edges. The attachment end is configured to flex against the arrangement of double-sided razor blades when the shaving device is used for shaving with a first set of shaving edges of the pair of opposite shaving edges, such that the cartridge moves upwards along the attachment end and a second set of shaving edges of the pair of opposite shaving edges are moved across the abrasive surface and thereby sharpened.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an exemplary shaving device includes a handle, a cartridge, and a wire. The handle includes an attachment end and the cartridge includes an arrangement of double-sided razor blades and attaches to the attachment end. The wire includes a spring end and holds the cartridge in a selected position. Each of the double-sided razor blades includes a pair of shaving edges. The cartridge includes an abrasive material, a knuckle, and a holding frame. The holding frame positions the abrasive material with respect to the cartridge. The knuckle couples the cartridge to the attachment end. The wire couples the cartridge to the knuckle. The spring end of the wire is configured to flex against the cartridge when the shaving device is used for shaving with a first set of shaving edges of the pair of shaving edges, such that the cartridge moves upwards with respect to the sharpening member and a second set of shaving edges of the pair of shaving edges are moved across the abrasive surface and thereby sharpened.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an exemplary shaving device includes a handle comprising a head, which includes an attachment end. The shaving device also includes abrasive material arranged on a surface of the U-shaped head, and a cartridge comprising an arrangement of double-sided razor blades that are captured by the attachment end when the cartridge is inserted onto the attachment end. The attachment end includes prongs arranged on opposite sides of the attachment end. Each of the double-sided razor blades includes a pair of opposing shaving edges and openings on either side of an inner member. The openings define their respective inner member. The prongs are configured to reach or extend across their respective double-sided razor blades to reach or extend to their respective inner members. The prongs are configured to flex against their respective double-sided razor blades as the shaving device is used for shaving with a first set of shaving edges. The cartridge moves upwards towards the head along the attachment end. Thus, a second set of shaving edges opposite the first set of shaving edges are moved across the abrasive surface and thereby sharpened.

In another aspect of the present invention, the cartridge includes an upper cartridge bar, a lower cartridge bar, and an end cap. The arrangement of double-sided razor blades is held in position by the upper cartridge bar and the lower cartridge bar, which are positioned above and below the double-sided razor blades, respectively. The end caps are fitted onto either end of the cartridge to hold the arrangement of upper cartridge bar, lower cartridge bar, and double-sided razor blades together.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the lower cartridge bar includes a support post configured to receive and pass through the arrangement of double-sided razor blades. Each of the double-sided razor blades includes an opening configured to receive a portion of support post. The support post is configured to support the arrangement of double-sided razor blades as they rest upon the support post.

In another aspect of the present invention, the cartridge includes a pair of channels. The attachment end also includes a pair of nubs configured to engage with and move up and down within one of the channels of the cartridge. The channels are arranged on either side of an opening through the upper cartridge bar.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the upper cartridge bar and the lower cartridge bar are plastic.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the arrangement of double-sided razor blades comprises a stack of stamped, stainless steel half-octagon shaped double-sided razor blades that present shaving edges on opposite faces of the cartridge.

In another aspect of the present invention, the handle is an all-plastic handle configured to retain and support the abrasive material.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, each of the double-sided razor blades comprises an inner member with a different width. Each respective inner member is defined by the associated pair of openings. The double-sided razor blades are arranged such that the width of an inner member for a particular double-sided razor blade is wider than the double-sided razor blade above it.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the cartridge includes an opening for receiving and passing the wire through the cartridge. The opening includes a cavity for receiving and retaining the spring end of the wire.

In another aspect of the present invention, the cartridge includes an upper cartridge bar and a lower cartridge bar. The upper and lower cartridge bars hold the arrangement of double-sized razor blades in position between them. The upper and lower cartridge bars are also plastic.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the knuckle includes a rotational channel including a rotational position and a shaving position. The rotational channel guides the wire between the rotational position and the shaving position. When the wire is in the rotational position, the rotational position allows the cartridge to rotate around an axis defined by the wire. When the wire is in the shaving position, the shaving position holds the cartridge in position for shaving.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein numbered elements in the following written description correspond to like-numbered elements in the figures. Embodiments of exemplary shaving devices provide for replaceable razor cartridges that include a self-sharpening feature. The shaving device includes an all-plastic handle and a plastic and metal cartridge. A head of the handle includes multiple spring-like prongs facing towards each other on an end that inserts into the cartridge. The head also includes an abrasive material arranged on a flat surface positioned within the handle as a sharpening member. The abrasive material is positioned to contact the shaving edges of one side of the dual-sided razor blades contained within the cartridge. The cartridge includes a stack of half-octagon stamped razor blades that present sharp shaving edges on opposing faces of the cartridge. The spring-like prongs are configured to slide within openings of the stamped razor blades and to contact inner portions of the individual razor blades with outermost portions of the respective spring-like prongs. Each of the inner portions is defined by a pair of openings. The handle and cartridge together form a linear oscillating connection where the action of shaving causes the cartridge to shift up and down against both the spring-like prongs of the handle and the abrasive surface, such that when a user shaves with the shaving device, the cartridge flexes the spring-like prongs and drags the opposite side of the cartridge against the abrasive surface and thereby sharpening the blades that are opposite the blades being used to shave.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a shaving device100includes a handle110and a cartridge150. The handle110includes an elongated gripping member112by which a user grips the handle110. In one embodiment, the gripping member112is plastic or other similar material(s) (e.g., titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, and resin). The handle110further includes a head120that is mechanically coupled to the gripping member112. Alternatively, the head120is an end portion of the handle110. As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the head120is formed as an upside-down U-shape that ends with an attachment member122for coupling a cartridge150to the head120of the handle110. The attachment member122includes opposing pairs of spring-like prongs128a-darranged on opposite sides of the attachment member122. The attachment member122includes a tapered shape that narrows and ends with a pair of tabs129that fit into matching openings157in a lower cartridge bar156of the cartridge150(seeFIG.3).

The attachment member122also includes a pair of nubs124, each shaped to fit into channels162formed in the opening159of the upper cartridge bar158(seeFIGS.1,1B,4, and5). As illustrated inFIG.3, the upper cartridge bar158and the lower cartridge bar156are arranged above and below, respectively, an arrangement of razor blades152a-d. End caps151are arranged on either side of the cartridge150and are configured to hold the upper cartridge bar158in position with the lower cartridge bar156and thereby sandwiching and holding the arrangement of razor blades152a-dwithin the cartridge150.

The head120further includes a sharpening member126arranged within the head120on the opposite side of the U-shape and opposite the attachment member122(seeFIG.1). The sharpening member126comprises abrasive material (e.g., stone, ceramic, and diamond plate). The sharpening member126is configured such that its abrasive material contacts the shaving edges154of the dual-sided razor blades152a-dcontained within the cartridge150. As discussed herein, the act of a user shaving with the shaving device100causes the cartridge150to linearly oscillate up and down such that the shaving edges154facing the sharpening member126are moved up and down against the sharpening member's abrasive material and thereby sharpened.

FIGS.1A,1B, and1Cillustrate further depictions of the components of the shaving device100.FIG.1Aillustrates another perspective view of the cartridge150ofFIG.1.FIG.1Billustrates a sectional side view of the cartridge150. As illustrated inFIGS.1B and1C,FIG.1Bdepicts the sectional side view of the cartridge150ofFIG.1Cat the section cut A′ ofFIG.1C. Meanwhile,FIG.1Cdepicts a sectional front view of a cartridge150at the section cut B′ ofFIG.1B. Note that the section cut B′ is along a plane parallel with the lengthwise side of the cartridge and along the openings159,157of the upper cartridge bar158and the lower cartridge bar156, respectively.FIG.1Balso illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the upper cartridge bar158, the lower cartridge bar156, and the arrangement of razor blades152a-dsandwiched between the cartridge bars158,156.FIG.1Balso illustrates the channels162in the upper cartridge bar158.

FIG.1Cillustrates the arrangement of the lower openings157in the lower cartridge bar158.FIG.1Calso illustrates the inner members153a-darranged between the openings in the razor blades152a-d(seeFIG.3). As discussed herein, and illustrated inFIGS.3,4A, and5A, the spring-like prongs128a-dextend across the progressively larger openings155a-din the razor blades152a-dto reach the inner members153a-d. As illustrated inFIGS.1C and3, pairs of openings155a-dare arranged on either side of the respective inner members153a-d.FIGS.1C and3also illustrate that as each inner member153a-dhas a different width, each defined by the widths of their corresponding openings155a-d. Edges of the inner members153a-dof the cartridge150are reached by corresponding spring-like prongs128a-dof the handle's attachment member120.FIG.1Calso illustrates the end caps151(seeFIGS.1,1A, and3). As also illustrated inFIGS.1B,3,4B, and5B, the stack of razor blades152a-dcome with opposing pairs of shaving edges154that extend along opposite sides of the razor blades142a-d.

FIG.3illustrates an exemplary exploded view of the cartridge150with respect to a perspective view of the head120.FIG.3illustrates a stack of dual-sided razor blades152a-d, each formed as a stamped half-octagon razor blade152that presents a pair of sharp shaving edges154on opposite faces of the cartridge150. Each of the dual-sided razor blades152a-dincludes a flat upper surface into which the pairs of openings155a-dare stamped. The razor blades152are stamped from stainless steel or other similar materials. The corresponding shaving edges154and vertical end tabs156extend from the sides of the flat upper surface of the razor blades152(seeFIG.3). The dual-sided razor blades152a-dare arranged and stacked one atop the other via their vertical end tabs156that extend down to contact the flat upper surface of the razor blade152below (seeFIG.1B). When the dual-sided razor blades152a-dare stacked, their inner portions153a-dwill form a pyramid shape that is complimentary to the arrangement of spring-like prongs128a-don the attachment member122(seeFIG.1C).

FIG.3also illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary upper cartridge bar158and lower cartridge bar156. The upper cartridge bar158is formed from plastic with a flat upper surface that defines an opening159that extends through the upper cartridge bar158and through which the attachment end122of the head120inserts. The upper cartridge bar158is also formed with pairs of tapered or angled legs160that extend downward at an angle that matches the angle of the shaving edges154of the dual-sided razor blades152. The lower cartridge bar156is also formed from plastic and includes a substantially flat upper surface that includes a pair of rectangular openings157on either end. The rectangular openings157are positioned to receive the tabs129of the attachment end122. The lower cartridge bar156also includes a pair of tampered or angled ends161, each extending upwards at an angle that matches the angle of the shaving edges154of the dual-sided razor blades152. With the dual-sided razor blades152a-dstacked atop the lower cartridge bar156, and the upper cartridge bar158placed atop the topmost dual-sided razor blade152a, a pair of stainless steel end caps151are crimped over and around the ends of the upper cartridge bar158and the lower cartridge bar156and thereby retain and position the set of dual-sided razor blades152a-d.FIGS.1B and1Cillustrate the component arrangement in the cartridge150and the end caps151retaining the arranged components within the cartridge150. With stainless steel razor blades152sandwiched between plastic upper and lower cartridge bars158,156, the stainless-steel end caps151are crimped into the softer plastic material of the upper and lower cartridge bars158,156.

FIGS.4A and5Adepict sectional front views of a cartridge150inserted onto a head120of a handle110at a section cut C′ ofFIG.4Band a section cut D′ ofFIG.5B, respectively.FIGS.4B and5Bdepict sectional side views ofFIGS.4A and5Bat a section cut E′ ofFIG.4Aand section cut F′ ofFIG.5A. Note thatFIGS.4A and5Aillustrate the cartridge150moving up and down on the attachment end122of the head110during the act of shaving.

FIGS.4A and4Billustrate the cartridge150in a “resting state” with respect to the head110, whileFIGS.5A and5Billustrate the cartridge150at the end of a “shaving stroke.” InFIGS.5A and5B, when at the end of the shaving stroke, the inner side of the dual-sided razor blades152a-dhave been dragged across the abrasive material of the sharpening member126. As illustrated inFIGS.4A and4B, when in the resting state, the spring-like prongs128a-dare resting against the inner members152a-d. Note that in the resting state, the nubs124are up against a top portion of the channel162. Meanwhile, when at the end of the shaving stroke, illustrated inFIGS.5A and5B, the spring-like prongs128a-dare flexing against the inner portions153a-dof the dual-sided razor blades152a-d. As also illustrated inFIGS.5A and5B, the nubs124are in a lower portion of the channel162and a portion of the upper cartridge bar158has contacted the inner surface of the U-shaped head110. With respect toFIGS.4B and5B, it is noted that when the prongs128a-dare actively flexed inFIG.5B, that some details visible inFIG.4Bare not visible inFIG.5Bdue to the prong flexion.

With reference toFIGS.6-9, an alternative cartridge650is illustrated that includes a lower cartridge bar156that additionally includes an exemplary support post652formed as a series of stacked cylinders of diminishing diameters (that is, a tiered cylindrical post). As the dual-sided razor blades152a-dare stacked on the lower cartridge bar156(via a series of respective circular openings657,656,655, and654in the dual-sided razor blades152a-d), a series of washers or rings (or stamped plastic or rubber material)662,663,664are arranged on the support post652. As illustrated inFIGS.9A and9B, each washer/ring662,663,664has an inside diameter that matches a diameter of a particular cylinder tier of the support post652. The support post652and the washers/rings662,663,664provide additional support for the stacked dual-sided razor blades152a-d. Because the remaining component parts of the alternative cartridge650are substantially the same as in the cartridge150already described in detail, the remaining and previously described components of the alternative cartridge650will not be described.

FIGS.9A and9Billustrate further depictions of the components of the shaving device100with the alternative cartridge650. As illustrated inFIGS.9A and9B,FIG.9Bdepicts the sectional side view of the alternative cartridge650ofFIG.9Aat the section cut H′ ofFIG.9A. Meanwhile,FIG.9Adepicts a sectional front view of the alternative cartridge650at the section cut G′ ofFIG.9B. Similar to the sectional cuts illustrated inFIGS.1B and1C, note that the section cut G′ is along a plane parallel with the lengthwise side of the cartridge650and along the openings159,157of the upper cartridge bar158and the lower cartridge bar156, respectively, such that only sections of the washers/rings662,663,664are illustrated. Similar toFIGS.4A,4B,5A, and5B,FIGS.7A and8Adepict sectional front views of an exemplary alternative cartridge650inserted onto a head120of a handle110at a section cut I′ ofFIG.7Band a section cut J′ ofFIG.8B, respectively. Meanwhile,FIGS.7B and8Bdepict sectional side views ofFIGS.7A and8Aat a section cut K′ ofFIG.7Aand a section cut L′ ofFIG.8A. Note thatFIGS.7and8, likeFIGS.4and5, illustrate the alternative cartridge650moving up and down on the attachment end122of the head110during the act of shaving.FIGS.7A and7Billustrate the alternative cartridge650in a “resting state” with respect to the head110, whileFIGS.8A and8Billustrate the alternative cartridge650at the end of a “shaving stroke.”

As illustrated inFIGS.6,9A, and9B, the widths of the respective inner members153a-dof the dual-sided razor blades152a-dcorrespond with the diameters of their respective circular openings657,656,655, and654. That is, the inner members153a-dwith larger widths, have circular openings657,656,655, and654with larger diameters (seeFIG.6). As illustrated inFIGS.6,7A,8A,9A, and9B, when the dual-sided razor blades152a-dare arranged on the lower cartridge bar156and the support post652, a set of washers/rings662,663,664are each positioned on the tiers of the support post652to support a corresponding dual-sided razor blade152c,152b, and152a. As illustrated inFIGS.9A and9B, each washer/ring662,663,664has an inside diameter that matches a diameter of a particular cylinder tier of the support post652. A respective inner member153a-cof each of the dual-sided razor blades152a-crests upon a corresponding washer/ring664,663, and662(except for dual-sized razor blade152d, which rests upon the lowest (and widest) cylinder tier of the support post652. As illustrated inFIGS.7A,8A,9A, and9B, the washers/rings664,663,662are each sandwiched between corresponding dual-sized razor blades152.

In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge150includes a metal upper cartridge bar158and a metal lower cartridge bar156for an all-metal cartridge150. Other exemplary materials include, for example, aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel (specifically 316L stainless).

Referring toFIGS.10-12, a further alternative embodiment of a shaving device comprises a handle110and a head200. Similar to the other embodiments discussed herein, the handle110includes an elongated gripping member112by which a user grips the handle110(see, for example,FIG.2). In one embodiment, the handle110(including the gripping member112) is plastic or other similar material(s) (e.g., titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, and resin). The head200is mechanically coupled to the handle110. The head200comprises a cartridge210, a knuckle220positioned under, and mechanically coupled to the cartridge210, and a sharpening member126mechanically coupled to the knuckle220via a fixture frame227. As illustrated inFIGS.10A,10B, and10C, in coupling to the head200, the handle110is mechanically coupled to the knuckle220. A wire/bar230, passing through an opening212through the cartridge210is captured in the knuckle220and thereby mechanically couples the cartridge210to the knuckle220(and the handle110). As illustrated inFIGS.10D and10E(and discussed herein with respect toFIGS.12A-12F), one end of the wire/rod230includes a bent portion232configured to slide into and engage with the knuckle220, while a spring end234on the opposite end of the wire/road230is received and retained by a cavity214formed in the cartridge210.

Referring toFIGS.10D and10E, which are cross-sectional illustrations of the cartridge210at sectional cut M′ ofFIG.12D, the opening212runs vertically through the entire vertical length of the cartridge210for the passage of the wire/rod230. The opening212is formed/defined by an upper cartridge bar218and a lower cartridge bar216. Note that the upper cartridge bar218forms the cavity214for receiving the spring end234of the wire/rod230.

Similar to the other embodiments described herein, the head200includes an arrangement of dual-sided razor blades152a-dthat are sandwiched between the upper cartridge bar218and the lower cartridge bar216. Note that the opening212extends through the dual-sided razor blades152a-d. The arrangement of dual-sided razor blades152a-dand the upper and lower cartridge bars218,216, are held in place by a pair of opposing end caps211(seeFIGS.11A-11E). Note that each razor blade152of the arrangement of dual-sided razor blades152a-dcomprises a pair of shaving edges154(see, for example,FIGS.3and6).

Referring toFIGS.12A-12F and13A-13C, the bent portion232of the wire/rod230is configured to slide into and engage with an entry point222in the knuckle220(positioned below the cartridge210). The knuckle220has several positions or “indents” (which may also be referred to as “openings”) for receiving the wire/rod230. When the wire/rod230is rotated in the knuckle220to a “rotation position”224, the cartridge210is in position to be rotated about the wire/rod230(i.e., the wire/rod230is an axis about which the cartridge210rotates, as illustrated inFIGS.11B and11C). When the wire/rod230is rotated in the knuckle220to a “shaving position”226(seeFIGS.11A,11E; and13A-13C), the cartridge210is in position for shaving and is ready for use.

As illustrated inFIGS.11A and11B, starting from an original position, noted as “view A” inFIG.11A, the wire/rod230rotates downward to “view B” illustrated inFIG.11B. That is, when the cartridge210(within which the wire/rod230is captured) is manually pulled away from the sharpening member126(guided by the wire/rod230as it rotates about the knuckle220), the wire/rod230is rotated from the “shaving position”226to the “rotation position”224(seeFIGS.12B and12C). With the cartridge210(and the wire/rod230) rotated down to the “rotation position” illustrated inFIG.11B(i.e., “view B”), the cartridge210can then be rotated about an axis defined by the wire/rod230. As illustrated inFIGS.11B,11C, and11D, the cartridge210can be rotated in a clockwise direction (i.e., from “view B” inFIG.11B, through “view C” inFIG.11C, and coming to stop at “view D” inFIG.11D) such that the opposite side of the cartridge210has been rotated into place. With the rotation of the cartridge210complete, the cartridge210and wire/rod230can be rotated from the “rotation position”224(with respect to the knuckle220) and back to the shaving position226. For example,FIGS.11D and11E, where the cartridge210and wire/rod230are rotated from the rotation position224(“view D” inFIG.11D) and back to the shaving position226(“view E” inFIG.11E).

Note that the rotation position224and the shaving position226are configured to retain the wire/bar230(and the cartridge210) in their respective positions. That is, once the wire/bar230and cartridge210have been rotated into either position224,226, the wire/bar230will be retained there until a deliberate physical effort is exerted to remove the wire/bar230from its current position224,226(and thereby move the cartridge210). Thus, as illustrated inFIGS.12D,12E, and12F, the positions224,226within the knuckle220are part of a rotational channel228within which the wire/bar230passes when traveling from one position224,226to the other. Note thatFIGS.12E and12Fillustrate cross-sections of the knuckle220at the point of the rotational channel228such that the sectional cut M′ transects the rotational channel228.

Referring toFIGS.13A,13B, and13C, when the wire/rod130is inserted into the knuckle220, the bent end232of the wire/rod230passes through an entry point222which leads to the rotational channel228. That is, once inserted through the entry point222, the wire/rod230will be captured in the rotation channel228and able to rotate between the rotation position224and the shaving position226.FIGS.13B and13Cprovide additional views of the wire/rod230rotating through the rotational channel228between the “rotational position”224(seeFIG.13B) and the “shaving position”226(seeFIG.13C).

Similar to the other embodiments discussed herein, the cartridge210provides for the sharpening of one set of shaving edges154of the dual-sided razor blades152a-dwhile a user is shaving with an opposite set of shaving edges154of the dual-sided razor blades152a-d. That is, the action of shaving with the cartridge210provides for a motion of the cartridge210against a sharpening member126, such that the opposite set of shaving edges154of the dual-sided razor blades152a-dwill be sharpened against the sharpening member126while shaving. Thus, when the cartridge210is positioned for use (i.e., shaving), the cartridge210will be in a “resting position” illustrated inFIG.10A. Note thatFIGS.10A and10Billustrate cross-sectional views of the cartridge210and knuckle220at sectional cut N′ illustrated inFIG.10C. As the cartridge210is used in a shaving stroke, the cartridge210will rise against the tension of the spring end234(i.e., the cartridge's rise against the spring end234puts tension on the spring end234). At the completion of the shaving stroke, the tension against the spring end234is released and the cartridge210, responding to the releasing tension of the spring end234will return to the resting position ofFIG.10A.

Similar to other embodiments, the head200includes a sharpening member126arranged within the head200and coupled to the knuckle220via the frame member227. The sharpening member126comprises abrasive material (e.g., stone, ceramic, and diamond plate). The sharpening member126is configured such that its abrasive material contacts the shaving edges154of the dual-sided razor blades152a-dcontained with the cartridge210.

As illustrated inFIGS.10A and10B, when the head200and handle112are in the “shaving position,” the cartridge210is positioned in front of the sharpening member126, such that while one side of the dual-sided razor blades152a-dis positioned outwardly for shaving, the opposite side of the dual-sided razor blades152a-dis positioned against the sharpening member126. As discussed herein, the act of a user shaving with the shaving device causes the cartridge210to linearly oscillate up and down, such that the shaving edges154facing the sharpening member126are moved up and down against the sharpening member's abrasive material and thereby sharpened.

Thus, an exemplary shaving device100includes replaceable razor blade cartridges as well as providing a self-sharpening feature. Embodiments of the shaving device include an all-plastic handle and a plastic and metal cartridge. A head of the handle includes multiple spring-like prongs facing towards each other on an end that inserts into the cartridge. The head also includes an abrasive material arranged on a flat surface positioned within the handle. The abrasive material is positioned to contact the shaving edges of one side of the dual-sided razor blades contained within the cartridge. The cartridge includes a stack of razor blades that present sharp saving edges on opposing faces of the cartridge. The spring-like prongs are configured to slide within openings of the stamped razor blades and to contact inner portions of the individual razor blades with outermost portions of the respective spring-like prongs. The handle and cartridge together form an linear oscillating connection where the action of shaving causes the cartridge to shift up and down against both the spring-like prongs of the handle and the abrasive surface, such that when a user shaves with the shaving device, the cartridge flexes the spring-like prongs and drags the shaving edges of the opposite side of the cartridge against the abrasive surface and thereby sharpens the shaving edges that are opposite the shaving edges being used to shave.