A PACKAGING STRUCTURE FOR A FIXED BLADE SHAVER AND AN IMPROVED APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROLONGING BLADE SHARPNESS

Abstract: A package (10) for a shaver (13) with a blade portion (14) and handle portion (15). The package (10) includes a display card (20) made of non-magnetically conductive material. A pyramid-shaped housing (11) having a base (22) and an apex (21) extends from the display card (20) and is also made of a non-magnetically conductive material. An aperture (16) is provided to allow the insertion of at least part of the blade portion (14) into the pyramid-shaped housing (11). A permanent magnet (17) resides on the base (22) within the housing (11) so as to position the blade portion (14) in close proximity to the permanent magnet (17). An apparatus, and corresponding method, for prolonging the sharpness of a blade is also disclosed which includes positioning the blade and a permanent magnet in close proximity to each other on the base of, and within, the pyramid-shaped housing.

Description: A PACKAGING STRUCTURE FOR A FIXED BLADE SHAVER AND AN IMPROVED APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROLONGING BLADE SHARPNESS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a packaging structure for a fixed blade shaver and to an improved apparatus and method for prolonging blade sharpness. In one form, the invention has been developed for use in packaging a man's or a woman's shaver having a fixed razor blade. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and is suitable for prolonging the sharpness of many other blade types. As used herein, the phrase "fixed-blade shaver" and the phrase "fixed razor blade" and the like are intended to mean any non-electric. shaver. For example, a fixed-blade shaver might have one or more blades mounted in a plastics moulding that is integral with a handle (ie. disposable shaver) or detachable from a handle (ie. replacement blade cartridge shaver). The blade or blades might be spring-mounted in the moulding, rigidly mounted in the moulding or mounted so as to flex within the moulding for example. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to package fixed-blade shavers with replacement blades under a clear plastic bubble upon a cardboard backing. In such packaging, the handle sits upon the display face of the cardboard backing and the handle and blade fits within the contoured shape of the clear plastic cover together with the replacement blades. It is believed that if a blade is housed within a small pyramid-shaped cover, then the blade will be affected so as to remain sharp for an indefinite period of time. By having the blade reside within a small pyramid-shaped cover during its transit and shelf display time, it is believed that the blade would be sufficiently treated to last indefinitely and therefore replacement blades need not be used and therefore need not be provided with the initial purchase. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to provide an alternate packaging structure for a fixed blade shaver and an improved apparatus and method for prolonging blade sharpness. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a packaging structure for a fixed-blade shaver, the structure including: a backing/display card; a pyramid-shaped housing having a base contiguous with the card or as part of the card and an apex spaced from one side of the card; a permanent magnet fixed to the base of the pyramid-shaped housing within the pyramid-shaped housing; a shaver blade portion positioned on the housing with at least part of the blade portion in the interior of the pyramid-shaped housing so as to position the blade portion in close proximity to the permanent magnet. In one preferred form, the magnet is fixed to the base of the pyramid-shaped housing in front of the blade portion. In another form, the magnet is fixed to the base of the pyramid-shaped housing behind the blade portion. The shaver preferably includes a handle portion and the blade portion and the pyramid- shaped housing has an aperture in its base and the shaver is positioned on the card with the handle portion alongside the card on the side of the card that is remote the pyramid- shaped housing and at least part of the blade portion extends through the aperture into the interior of the pyramid-shaped housing. In one form, the blade portion and the handle portion are integrally formed. In another form, the blade portion is releasably detachable from the handle portion. In an embodiment, the base of the pyramid-shaped housing is contiguous with the card. The base of the pyramid-shaped housing is preferably part of the card and the aperture extends through that part of the card. The packaging is preferably shrink-wrapped in see-through plastics material. The housing is preferably made of a magnetically non-conductive material such as cardboard, paper or plastics. The base of the housing is preferably square. The length of each side of the base of the pyramid-shaped housing is preferably π/2 times the perpendicular height of the apex of the pyramid-shaped housing from the base. The sharp edge(s) of the blade portion are desirably positioned in the centre of the base. The sharp edge(s) of the blade portion are more preferably positioned parallel to two opposed sides of the base. The card preferably also has a hanging aperture spaced from the housing by which the packaging structure can be suspended for display purposes. In a second aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for prolonging the sharpness of a blade, the apparatus including: a pyramid-shaped housing having a base, the pyramid-shaped housing sized to allow positioning of the blade on the base within the pyramid-shaped housing; and a permanent magnet fixed to the base within the pyramid-shaped housing; wherein the blade and the magnet are positioned in close proximity to each other within the pyramid-shaped housing. The housing is preferably made of a magnetically non-conductive material such as cardboard, paper or plastics. The base of the housing is preferably square. The length of each side of the base of the pyramid-shaped housing is preferably π/2 times the perpendicular height of the apex of the pyramid-shaped housing from the base. The sharp edge(s) of the blade are preferably positioned in the centre of the base. The sharp edge(s) of the blade are preferably positioned parallel to two opposed sides of the base. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of prolonging blade sharpness, the method including positioning a blade in close proximity to a permanent magnet within a pyramid-shaped housing, wherein the blade is positioned adjacent, and the magnet is positioned on, the base of the pyramid-shaped housing. The blade is preferably maintained in close proximity to the permanent magnet within a pyramid-shaped housing for a continuous period of at least about one week. The blade is most preferably maintained in close proximity to the permanent magnet within a pyramid- shaped housing for a continuous period of more than about two weeks. The base of the pyramid-shaped housing is desirably square and oriented with its four sides facing North, South, East and West with the sharp edge of the blade facing East or West. The base of the pyramid-shaped housing is desirably square and the shaφ edge(s) of the blade are positioned in the centre of the base. The base of the pyramid-shaped housing is desirably square and the shaφ edge(s) of the blade are positioned parallel to two opposed sides of the base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a package for a shaver according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the package of Figure 1 with the shaver shown in phantom; Figure 3 is a schematic end elevational view of the package of Figure 1 with the shaver shown in phantom; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the pack of the package of Figure 1 and a shaver to be packaged thereby; Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevational view of the package of Figure 1 having a shaver packaged therein; and Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevational view of a second embodiment of a package for a shaver according to the invention and having a shaver packaged therein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figures. 1 to 5 schematically show a first embodiment of a packaging structure or package 10 according to the invention. The package 10 is for sale/display of a replacement cartridge type fixed-blade shaver 13. The package 10 includes a base card or display card 20 made of cardboard, paper, plastics or other non-magnetically conductive material and having formed integrally therewith or attached thereto by glue or fasteners a pyramid-shaped housing 11 also made of magnetically non-conductive material. The pyramid-shaped housing 11 has a square base 22 that is part of the card 20 and an apex 21 spaced from the card 20. In another embodiment (not shown), the base is contiguous with the card. Both the housing 11 and card 20 are typically formed of cardboard and would have the trade mark of the shaver product and other matter printed thereon. The base 22 of the housing 11 has an aperture 16 therethrough. The shaver 13 includes a handle portion 15 which resides alongside the back face of the base card 20 and a detachable blade portion 14 residing within the pyramid-shaped housing 11. As best seen in Figure 5, a permanent magnet 17 (see Figure 5) is adhered to the base 22 of the housing 11 in front of, and in close proximity to, the blade portion 15 of the shaver 13. The position of the magnet 17 with respect to the blade(s) within the blade portion 14 of the shaver is so as to place the blade portion 15 within the magnetic field of the magnet 17. The shaver 13 is positioned such that the blade portion 14 is in the centre of the pyramid and square to the base. The blade(s) of the blade portion 14 are best placed in the centre of the pyramid and parallel with two sides of the base 22. Figure 6 schematically shows a second embodiment of a package 110 according to the invention. The package 110 is identical to the package 10, and has like features denoted with like reference numerals to the package 10, except the magnet 17 is adhered to the base 22 of the housing 11 behind, and in close proximity to, the blade portion 15 of the shaver 13. In either embodiment, both sides of the card 20 and the housing 11 are housed within a clear plastics cover 18. At one end of the card 20 there is provided a hanging aperture 19 by which the package 10 can be suspended from a display bar with other packages for sale pruposes. It is preferred that the pyramid has a square base and four sides with four triangular surfaces meeting at the apex. The length of each side of the base is to be the height of the pyramid (ie. the distance between the apex and the base measured pei endicularly from the base) multiplied by π/2. For example, if the pyramid is 4cm high, the sides of the square base are approximately 6.28cm. The length of each side of the pyramid (as measured from a corner of the base to the apex) is approximately 5.98 cm. It is believed that during the transit and display time of the package 10, the blade(s) will be sufficiently treated by the effects of the Earth's magnetic field, the pyramid and the magnet's magnetic field to a degree sufficient to render the blade sharp, as discussed in more detail below, and therefore useful for a longer period of time compared to an identical blade not so packaged. More particularly, it is known that a sharp edge is a formation of fine crystals and as long as their molecular structure is not disturbed, the edge remains sharp. It is believed that the invention works on the principle that a continuous exposure to the magnetic field of the earth, created by the pyramid and intensified by the inclusion of a permanent magnet, will increase the strength of the crystalline composition of the shaφ edge of the razor to such an extent as to withstand multiple uses without disturbing this fine crystal structure and even to repair itself to a certain degree, thus lasting much longer. For best results, the pyramid is oriented in such a way that each side of the base will face either North, South, East or West with the shaφ edge of the blade(s) of the shaver facing east or west. The shaver stored in this way is exposed to the earth's magnetic field and is in line with that magnetic field. It is believed that a sole continuous exposure of this field for at least one week, preferably for more than two weeks, and the presence of the magnet which intensifies the field, will cause any razor's shaφness to be prolonged at least three months longer than it would otherwise last, depending on the quality of the shaver. It is further believed that longer exposures will significantly prolong the life of any shaver for up to one year and even more. Further, blades treated in accordance with the invention are less prone to corrosion and dirt retention and cause less skin irritation when compared to untreated blades. Although the invention has been described with reference to prefeπed embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. For example, if the packaging structure is used with the blade cartridges only of a replacement cartridge type fixed-blade shaver (ie. without packaging the handle) then the base of the pyramid will not require an aperture to position the blade cartridge(s) within the pyramid-shaped housing. Also, the invention can be used to prolong the blade shaφness of many other types of blades including, but not limited to, knives, saw blades, cutting blades etc, by adjusting the size of the magnet and pyramid to suit.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A packaging structure for a fixed-blade shaver, the structure including: a backing/display card; a pyramid-shaped housing having a base contiguous with the card or as part of the card and an apex spaced from one side of the card; a permanent magnet fixed to the base of the pyramid-shaped housing within the pyramid-shaped housing; a shaver blade portion positioned on the housing with at least part of the blade portion in the interior of the pyramid-shaped housing so as to position the blade portion in close proximity to the permanent magnet. 2. The packaging structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the magnet is fixed to the base of the pyramid-shaped housing in front of the blade portion. 3. The packaging structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the magnet is fixed to the base of the pyramid-shaped housing behind the blade portion. 4. The packaging structure as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the shaver includes a handle portion and the blade portion and the pyramid-shaped housing has an aperture in its base and the shaver is positioned on the card with the handle portion alongside the card on the side of the card that is remote the pyramid-shaped housing and at least part of the blade portion extends through the aperture into the interior of the pyramid-shaped housing. 5. The packaging structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein the blade portion and the handle portion are integrally formed. 6. The packaging structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein the blade portion is releasably detachable from the handle portion. 7. The packaging structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the base of the pyramid-shaped housing is contiguous with the card. 8. The packaging structure as claimed in any one of the claims 4 to 6 wherein the base of the pyramid-shaped housing is part of the card and the aperture extends through that part of the card. 9. The packaging structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the packaging is shrink- wrapped in see-through plastics material. 10. The packaging structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing is made of a magnetically non-conductive material such as cardboard, paper or plastics. 11. The packaging structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the base of the housing is square. 12. The packaging structure as claimed in claim 11 wherein the length of each side of the base of the pyramid-shaped housing is preferably π/2 times the perpendicular height of the apex of the pyramid-shaped housing from the base. 13. The packaging structure as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein the sharp edge(s) of the blade portion are positioned in the centre of the base. 14. The packaging structure as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the sharp edge(s) of the blade portion are positioned parallel to two opposed sides of the base. 15. The packaging structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the card has a hanging aperture spaced from the housing by which the packaging structure can be suspended for display puφoses. 16. An apparatus for prolonging the sharpness of a blade, the apparatus including: a pyramid-shaped housing having a base, the pyramid-shaped housing sized to allow positioning of the blade on the base within the pyramid-shaped housing; and a permanent magnet fixed to the base within the pyramid-shaped housing; wherein the blade and the magnet are positioned in close proximity to each other magnet within the pyramid-shaped housing. 17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the housing is made of a magnetically non-conductive material such as cardboard, paper or plastics. 18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17 wherein the base of the housing is square. 19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the length of each side of the base of the pyramid-shaped housing is preferably π/2 times the perpendicular height of the apex of the pyramid-shaped housing from the base. 20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18 or 19 wherein the sharp edge(s) of the blade are positioned in the centre of the base. 21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein the sharp edge(s) of the blade are positioned parallel to two opposed sides of the base. 22. A method of prolonging blade shaφness, the method including positioning a blade in close proximity to a permanent magnet within a pyramid-shaped housing, wherein the blade is positioned adjacent, and the magnet is positioned on, the base of the pyramid-shaped housing. 23. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the blade is maintained in close proximity to the permanent magnet within a pyramid-shaped housing for a continuous period of at least about one week. 24. The method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the blade is maintained in close proximity to the permanent magnet within a pyramid-shaped housing for a continuous period of more than about two weeks. 25. The method as claimed in claim 22, 23 or 24 wherein the base of the pyramid- shaped housing is square and oriented with its four sides facing North, South, East and West with the shaφ edge of the blade facing East or West. 26. The method as claimed in claim 22, 23 or 24 wherein the base of the pyramid- shaped housing is square and the shaφ edge(s) of the blade are positioned in the centre of the base. 27. The method as claimed in claim 22, 23 or 24 wherein the base of the pyramid- shaped housing is square and the sharp edge(s) of the blade are positioned parallel to two opposed sides of the base. 28. A packaging structure for a fixed-blade shaver, said structure substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings. 29. An apparatus of prolonging blade shaφness, said apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings. 30. A method of prolonging blade shaφness, said method substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: ELLIOTT CLIVE VINCENT, STANFORD DANIEL MILAN, ELLIOTT, CLIVE, VINCENT, STANFORD, DANIEL, MILAN
Applicants: ELLIOTT CLIVE VINCENT, STANFORD DANIEL MILAN, ELLIOTT, CLIVE, VINCENT, STANFORD, DANIEL, MILAN
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B65D81
IPC codes: B24D15