IMPROVED SAFETY RAZOR

Abstract: The safety razor is of the type comprising an elongate handle (3) and an elongate blade (1) held in a blade holder (2) which extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle (3). In order to extend the useful life of the razor, the blade and the handle are so disposed that their general axes lie at an angle between 1 DEG and 30 DEG from the perpendicular direction.

Description: IMPROVED SAFETY RAZOR The present invention relates to improved safety razors. More particularly it relates to safety razors of the type comprising an elongate handle and a blade held in a blade holder which extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Safety razors of this description may be of the type in which blade means can be inserted in a holder or they may be of the type in which the entire razor is a moulded plastics fabrication which can be disposed of once the blade has outlived its usefulness. The usual method of use of such safety razors is to draw the blade across the skin of the user by manual exertion along the line of arrow A (as shown in the Figure). Where the blade is perpendicular to the handle, use according to this method causes the blade to be drawn perpendicularly to that line and to the hairs which it is intended to cut. This results in a dragging action. The effectiveness of a razor blade decreases, in general, with the number of times it is used, although it may reach its peak effectiveness after one or two uses. Notwithstanding the above, the effectiveness decreases and as the blade becomes blunter or less effective, it tends to drag on the hairs being cut and cause soreness or irritation to the user. In the case of a disposable safety razor, the user will usually then discard the razor and commence use with a new razor. In the case of a razor in which the blade is replaceable, he will replace the blade. It is an object of the present invention to provide a safety razor of the type described which obviates the above disadvantages and which will provide the user with a less painful and more effective shave, usually over a longer period of time. According to the present invention there is provided a safety razor of the type comprising an elongate handle and an elongate blade held in a blade holder which extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said handle, wherein the blade and the handle are so disposed that their general axes lie at an angle between 1° and 30° from the perpendicular direction. Preferably the angle is between 10° and 25° . Advantageously the angle is between 15° and 20° . The elongate handle may include a bend of the desired angle so that it connects with the blade holder normally. Alternatively or additionally, the blade holder may be so configured that the blade is held therein at the desired angle, whilst the holder is set at a predetermined angle to the handle. An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing: the single figure of which shows a safety razor embodying the present invention. Referring now to the drawing, the razor comprises a blade 1 held in a blade holder 2. Conventionally it is possible to have more than one blade 1 in the same holder 2, in which case the blades 1 are usually arranged to be parallel one to the other. Such an arrangement is covered by the present invention. Attached to the blade holder 2 is a handle 3. This may be fixedly attached or it may be so attached as to allow the blade holder 2 to pivot such that the angle of attack of the blade may be variable. However, it is usual that the blade holder 2 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle 3 such that use of the razor by a manual pulling motion in the direction of arrow A drags the blade or blades 1 across the area of skin to be shaved. The present invention realises that an angled cut may be more effective, even when the blade 1 is less than perfectly sharp. Such a theory has been applied in the case of guillotines where the object is to sever heads. However, the theory has not been applied to the severance of facial or other hair ie. shaving. It has been found that an otherwise standard razor having its blade angled according to the invention may be useable for a period of up to 20 shaves, whereas existing razors may last only 4 to 7 shaves. The angle of the blade with respect to the perpendicular of direction A is preferably between 15° and 20° , although excellent results have been obtained when the angle has been set between 10° and 25° . At angles a of less than 1° no appreciable benefit has been obtained, and at angles a greater than 30° the benefits are outweighed by the danger of skin laceration. The figure shows the blade holder and blade angled, in use, right-handedly. It would of course be possible to reverse this direction to produce a left-handed razor. In the embodiment shown, the handle 3 is bent in a region adjacent the blade holder 2 such that the two meet and are joined at an angle which is substantially perpendicular. In this case, the handle is bent with respect to the general direction of the handle 3 , as indicated by arrow A, at such an angle to the direction of the joining portion and therefore the general direction of the blade that the blades 1 or the blade holder 2 is angled by angle α to the perpendicular to the general direction indicated by arrow A. According to another embodiment not shown ), the blade holder 2 may remain perpendicular to the handle 3 but may have the blade or blades 1 set therein at the desired angle α.

Claims: C AIMS 1. A safety razor of the type comprising an elongate handle and an elongate blade held in a blade holder which extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said handle, wherein the blade and the handle are so disposed that their general axes lie at an angle between 1° and 30° from a perpendicular direction. 2. A safety razor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle is between 10° and 25° . 3. A safety razor as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the angle is between 15° and 20° . 4. A safety razor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate handle includes a bend of the desired angle so that it connects with the blade holder substantially normally. 5. A safety razor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade holder is so configured that the blade is held therein at the desired angle to me general axis of the handle. 6. A safety razor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade holder is angled from the perpendicular with respect to the general axis of the handle. 7. A safety razor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein more than one blade is held in the same holder with the blades arranged to be substantially parallel one to the other. 8. A safety razor substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Inventors: BENTON CYRIL REGINALD, BENTON, CYRIL, REGINALD
Applicants: BENTON CYRIL REGINALD, BENTON, CYRIL, REGINALD
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B26B21
IPC codes: B26B21