Abstract:
Provided is a cartridge for a razor for holding one or more razor blades in a canted orientation including a metal piece formed from sheet metal bent along two or more bend lines running parallel to a longitudinal axis of the metal piece to form a curved top portion, a flat center section, and a curved bottom portion. The cartridge further includes slotted openings cut in linear parallel alignment in the longitudinal direction of the center section of the metal piece and having a sharpened edge such that a razor blade having a first and a second sharpened cutting edge is formed between each set of slotted openings, wherein the slotted openings are canted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the metal piece thereby forming a plurality of canted razor blades. A handle adapted for use with the cartridge is also provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/519,924 entitled “Improved Razor Blade Encasements” filed Jun. 2, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is generally directed to a razor for shaving and, more particularly, to an encasement unit, such as a cartridge, for maintaining a plurality of razor blades in a canted orientation. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    For centuries, the act of removing (shaving) facial hair or body hair has been done by careful chopping motions using implements (e.g. razors) with very sharp edges. This method of shaving still is true today no matter if the razor is a barber&#39;s straight razor, or if a plurality of razor blades are integrated into the latest iteration of multi-blade cartridges. Usually, the razor&#39;s sharp edge(s) is/are brought to bear upon facial hair shafts in a downward (scraping or chopping) motion above the jaw, or an upward or downward (scraping or chopping) motion beneath the jaw such that the longitudinal axis of the razor&#39;s edge(s) contacts the shafts of the facial or body hair at an acute angle to the hair shafts, thus chopping through the hair shafts by virtue of the force applied and the sharpness of the razor&#39;s edge. 
         [0006]    King Camp Gillette patented his safety razor in 1904, giving rise to patents featuring single-edged and double edged razor blades, and the current multi-blade cartridges, all of which place the cutting edges of their blades in a position horizontal relative to the body hair to be cut. 
         [0007]    Experience has taught us that chopping utensils and tools like axes need to be sharpened more often than slicing utensils and tools. Experience also has taught us that it is easier to cut bread or meat by using the sharp edge of a knife in a reciprocating, slicing or sawing motion rather than in a forceful chopping motion. Therefore, there is a need for a razor blade which slices rather than chops off facial or body hair. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Provided herein is a cartridge, razor, and method of use for shaving which slices rather than chops hair by positioning the razor blades in a canted orientation. According to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, canting the razor blades&#39; longitudinal axes 70 degrees or more with reference to the horizontal X-axis, or 20 degrees or less with reference to the vertical Y-axis, makes it possible to slice off facial and body hair rather than chopping it off. This slicing action not only makes it easier to shave off hair, it also minimizes nicks and cuts associated with chopping razor blades, and it prolongs the sharpness of razor cutting edges compared to blades that chop. 
         [0009]    A man shaving facial hair using both the present invention&#39;s canted razor blades and the horizontal razor blades of current razor blade cartridges can literally hear the difference between the two types in the same way that he can “hear” the sounds when he is chewing food in his mouth—especially crunchy food. The chopping of facial hair of horizontal blades affixed in current razor blade cartridges generates a substantially higher intensity of sound compared to the sound of the slicing action of the current invention. This difference in sound intensity demonstrates the ease and efficacy of slicing facial hair off over chopping or scraping it off. 
         [0010]    A vertical chopping motion is described as a forceful motion acting upon a cutting edge of a cutting implement; the forceful motion being simultaneously parallel to the vertical axis and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cutting edge. Upon contact with an object that lends itself to cutting, the cutting edge causes a limited-depth opening or incision in the object, or it may force its way all the way through the object. A chopping cut is accomplished both by the degree of force imparted to the cutting edge of a cutting implement and by the ability of the sharp cutting edge to separate molecules in the object being cut. 
         [0011]    Slicing is a cutting action that can be a unidirectional sliding or a reciprocating motion along the surface of the object being cut. The slicing action can take place more or less in a single plane in directions both parallel to and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cutting edge of a cutting implement while simultaneously cutting into or through an object at acute angles of 0 degrees-90 degrees to the object&#39;s longitudinal axis. 
         [0012]    A dull-edged razor blade will resist cutting facial hair when the razor is used in a chopping manner, whereas that same dull-edged blade will slice facial hair with much less resistance, attesting to the advantage of slicing over chopping. 
         [0013]    Accordingly, the aspects of the claimed invention are as follows. 
         [0014]    1. To provide for the removal of facial or body hair in a slicing action rather than a chopping action. 
         [0015]    2. To provide the necessary means and configurations of razor blade encasements for encasing an encasement support. 
         [0016]    3. To provide encasements that will fit over a provided encasement support that is attached to a generic non-slip handle. 
         [0017]    4. To extend the life of a razor&#39;s cutting edges by providing the means of slicing off facial or body hair rather than chopping off the hair. 
         [0018]    5. To provide a more economical means and configuration of providing multiple blades that are contained on a single piece of metal, or other suitable material, thus saving the time-consuming and expense of manufacturing and assembling a razor unit made from multiple parts. The advantage of providing a plurality of blades, contained on and made from, a single piece of metal or other suitable material, does not preclude the manufacture of a razor blade encasement that contains a plurality of individually-manufactured parts and blades that are to be assembled and canted into the canted configurations as described and shown herein. 
         [0019]    6. To provide an improvement over current razor blades and razor blade cartridges such that the longitudinal axis of the cutting edges are steeply canted from the horizontal axis such that a slicing action of facial or body hair is accomplished. 
         [0020]    7. To provide an improvement over current razor blades and razor blade cartridges by slicing facial or body hair such that the plane of the canted cutting edges are parallel or are within three degrees of being parallel to the skin area being shaved, rather than at angles greater than three degrees as is found on virtually every razor blade cartridge on the market today. 
         [0021]    8. To provide an easier and less painful method of removing body hair in preparation for surgery, since frequently it is necessary to shave off body hair without using soap and water to soften the hair. Although some razor blade manufacturers recommend that one should shave facial beard “with the grain”, meaning in the direction of hair growth, the slicing action of the canted blades facilitates the effortless removal of facial or body hair irrespective of the direction of hair growth. 
         [0022]    9. To provide a razor that is safe to use. 
         [0023]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a razor blade cartridge having one or more canted razor blades includes a metal piece bent to form a housing having a top portion, a flat section, and a curved portion and two or more slotted openings cut in linear parallel alignment in a longitudinal direction of the center section of the metal piece and having a sharpened edge such that a razor blade having a first and a second sharpened cutting edge is formed between each set of slotted openings. The slotted openings are canted with respect to a longitudinal axis of the metal piece. 
         [0024]    In certain configurations, the metal sheet is formed from a rust resistant alloy. In addition, the slotted openings may be canted at an angle of between about 70 and 89 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the metal piece thereby forming a plurality of canted razor blades. The plurality of canted razor blades may be aligned to overlap such that a vertical line running downward from a highest point of a cutting edge of one razor blade will overlap a lower point of the cutting edge of an adjacent razor blade. In addition, the sharpened cutting edge of the razor blade may be hollow-ground sharpened, or wherein the sharpened cutting edge is tapered. 
         [0025]    In certain configurations, the cartridge further includes one or more trimming blocks having a blade running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge for trimming longer hair such as the sideburns of a user. Optionally, the trimming block is brought into contact with the surface to be shaved by placing the top or bottom curved portion of the metal piece on a surface and rotating the cartridge toward an area to be shaved thereby bringing the blade of the trimming block in contact with the area to be shaved. 
         [0026]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a razor and cartridge having one or more canted razor blades includes a cartridge having a metal piece bent to form a housing having a top portion, a flat section, and a curved portion and two or more slotted openings cut in linear parallel alignment in a longitudinal direction of the center section of the metal piece and having a sharpened edge such that a razor blade having a first and a second sharpened cutting edge is formed between each set of slotted openings. The slotted openings are canted with respect to a longitudinal axis of the metal piece thereby forming one or more canted razor blades. The razor further includes an encasement support which is received within a cavity formed by the curved top and curved bottom portions of the metal piece of the cartridge such that the cartridge surrounds and is supported by the encasement support and a handle extending from the encasement support allowing a user to hold and guide the razor while in use. 
         [0027]    In certain configurations, the razor further includes an axle located between the encasement support and the handle for allowing the cartridge to pivot during shaving. The cartridge may be removable from the encasement support. Furthermore, when the cartridge is removable, the cartridge is also capable of being rotated 180 degrees and reinserted to the encasement support in an upside down orientation so that, in use, the second cutting edges of the razor blades are used for shaving. 
         [0028]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a cartridge for holding one or more razor blades in a canted orientation includes a frame having a front face, a rear face, a top end, and a bottom end, and a sunken structure formed within the front face and one or more sets of locating notches on the front face of the frame located adjacent to the sunken structure, wherein each set of two notches is configured to hold a razor blade across the sunken structure in a canted position with respect to a longitudinal axis of the frame. 
         [0029]    In certain configurations, the one or more sets of locating notches are configured to hold the razor blade at an angle of between about 70 and 89 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. Optionally, the one or more sets of locating notches are configured to hold one or more razor blades in parallel and linear alignment forming equidistant spaces between the razor blades. The equidistant spaces between said razor blades may be wider than the width of the razor blades. In addition, the one or more sets of locating notches may be configured to hold the razor blades such that the cutting edge of the razor blade is bent upwards a maximum of one degree or a maximum equal to the thickness of said razor blade. 
         [0030]    In certain configurations, the cartridge further includes one or more razor blades having a top end and a bottom end wherein the top end and bottom end of the razor blade are connected to corresponding locating notches of the frame. The cartridge may also further include a cementing locking piece for holding in a sealing engagement of the one or more razor blades to the locating notches. 
         [0031]    These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various Figures. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments contemplated for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, equivalents, variations, and alternatives, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, variations, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a razor blade encasement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention before bending into an encasement configuration as shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a razor blade encasement in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2A  is a section view of typical blades of the encasement of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3A  is an end view of the razor blade encasement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3B  is an end view of an encasement support with an integral non-slip handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of the encasement support with the integral non-slip handle of  FIG. 3B ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of a slotted opening of the razor blade encasement of  FIG. 1  with a sectional cutting plane; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4B  is a sectional view of a canted razor blade with hollow-ground sharpening in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4C  is a sectional view of a canted razor blade with tapered sharpening in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a razor blade encasement in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is an end view and cross-sectional view of the razor blade encasement of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the encasement framework of the razor blade encasement of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is an end view and cross-sectional view of the encasement framework of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a razor blade in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the razor blade of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 11  is an end view of the razor blade of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 12  is a schematic drawing which illustrates the positioning of the razor blades of  FIG. 9  into locating notches of the razor blade encasement of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 13  is a top view of a locking piece of the razor blade encasement of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 13A  is an end view of the locking piece of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 14  is a tool for removing encasements from the encasement support of  FIG. 3B ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 15  is a schematic drawing which demonstrates the slicing action of the cutting edge of the canted razor blade of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 16  is a schematic drawing that illustrates the distribution of slicing force using a razor blade with a 10 degree cant from vertical; and 
           [0055]      FIG. 17  is a schematic drawing that illustrates the force distribution of chopping using a razor blade with a 60 degree cant from vertical. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0056]    For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing Figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. 
         [0057]    Initially, it is noted that reference numbers  26 ,  33 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38 ,  44 ,  76 ,  99 , and bend lines A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D, E-E, and F-F, refer to similar parts or areas of razor blade encasements  25 ,  25 A, and  125 . Horizontal reference line  20 - 20 , vertical reference line  21 - 21 , and longitudinal axis lines  22 - 22  apply to razor blade encasements  25 ,  25 A, and  125 . 
         [0058]    According to one non-limiting embodiment, razor blade encasements  125 ,  25 , and  25 A are encasements with parallel, canted razor blades  134  and  34  respectively, whose longitudinal axes  22 - 22  can be canted at any angle from vertical reference line  21 - 21  to horizontal reference line  20 - 20 , in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction with reference to vertical reference line  21 - 21 . It is recognized that the canting angle of canted razor blades  34  must deviate, however slightly, from vertical reference line  21 - 21 , or horizontal reference line  20 - 20 , in order to slice body hair. 
         [0059]    Razor blade encasement  125  includes individual canted metal blades  134 . The longitudinal axes of blades  134  can be canted from 1 degree to 89 degrees from horizontal reference line  20 - 20 , shown in the drawings. The preferred range of canting is between 70 degrees and 89 degrees with reference to, and as measured from, horizontal reference line  20 - 20 , shown in  FIG. 1 . The canting can also be measured from vertical reference line  21 - 21 , also shown in  FIG. 1 . The preferred range of deviation from vertical reference line  21 - 21  is from 1 to 20 degrees. 
         [0060]    The assembly and affixation of canted razor blades  134  takes place during a 3-dimensional printing process that uses a hardening-type material such as plastic, or razor blade encasement  125  may be made of individual canted blades  134  that are assembled and affixed mechanically in the same manner of current razor blade cartridges. 
         [0061]    Razor blade encasement  125  is assembled by installing individual razor blades  134  in their snug-fit locating notches  143  on encasement framework  123 . When all blades are installed, the blades are sealed in place by the layering action of a 3-dimensional printer, if that is the method of manufacture, or the blades are sealed in place by gluing or cementing locking piece  131 , which permits a rounded surface, as shown in plan view by  FIG. 5 , and in profile by  FIG. 6 . 
         [0062]    Razor blade encasement  25  preferably is to be made from a single piece of non-rusting alloyed sheet metal, but can be made from unalloyed metal or any other material suitable for making razor blades. The blades may be platinum/chromium coated and coated with performance enhancers such as poly tetra fluoro-ethylene coating or the like. 
         [0063]    History has shown, for instance, that the iron ore from which famed Damascus swords were made unknowingly contained a small percentage—0.02%—of vanadium. Vanadium made the swords rustproof, and accounted for their strength, durability, relatively light weight, and their ability to hold a lasting sharp edge. Currently, vanadium is alloyed with steel in the range of 0.1% to 3.0%. 
         [0064]    If encasement  25  is made from one piece of material, then during, or subsequent to the manufacturing processes, cutting edges  35  optionally may be bent uniformly outwards such that cutting edges protrude slightly towards the area to be shaved by an amount not to exceed the thickness of the blade material. 
         [0065]    Canted razor blades  134  as shown in  FIG. 6  are to be parallel to each other. Canted razor blades  34  are also to be parallel with each other. 
         [0066]    Razor blade encasements  25  and  125  are designed to slide onto or envelop encasement support  23 . Integral with encasement support  23  is non-slip handle  23 A. (See  FIG. 3B ). Razor blade encasement  25 , with encircled numeral  1  upright, (See  FIG. 1 ), slides over the end of encasement support  23 , enveloping the front, top, bottom, and part of the back of encasement support  23 . Encasement  25  then is placed against a face or leg, for instance, in such operative orientation that obverse side  26  touches the skin, causing facial or body hair to protrude through slotted openings  29 . By moving encasement support  23 , with razor blade encasement  25  attached in an operative position, in a direction indicated by directional line  99  (See  FIG. 4B  or  4 C), from top to bottom, cutting edges  35  of canted blades  34  slice off hair shafts where they protrude through slotted openings  29 . The slicing action makes it easier to shave off hair no matter the direction of growth of the hair, and said slicing action also prolongs the sharpness of the razor cutting edges, compared to blades that chop. If cutting edge  35  is viewed as the front edge of any canted blade  34 , then a vertical reference line  21 - 21 , drawn at a right angle to horizontal reference line  20 - 20 , drawn down from the highest point of any cutting edge  35  between bend line B-B and bend line C-C will overlap a lower point of the cutting edge  35  of the adjacent cutting edge  35  in front of it, thus insuring that two cutting edges  35  shave the area to be shaved. (See  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0067]    The same overlap applies to cutting edges  35  when razor blade encasement  25  is removed from encasement support  23 , turned upside down, and reinstalled over encasement support  23 , thus exposing a new set of canted cutting edges  35 , with the encircled number  2  displayed as right-side-up. 
         [0068]    Using razor blade encasement  25  as an example, the purpose of top curve  31  and bottom curve  32 , as well as retainer strips  37  and  38 , (See  FIG. 3A ), are to hold encasement support  23  firmly in place when razor blade encasement  25  is slid over encasement support  23 . The process of bending results in top curve  31 , and bottom curve  32 , and creates a notched configuration between canted razor blades  34  and slotted openings  29 . The curves  31  and  32  also establish cavity  40  between razor blade encasement  25  and encasement support  23 , thus leaving room for body hair to enter slotted openings  29  through bottom curve  32 , prior to being sliced and rinsed off. The notched cavity between canted razor blades  34  and slotted openings  29  can be visualized by viewing the area between dashed lines A-A and B-B, which will become top surface  33  after bending. The same description applies to the area between dashed lines C-C and D-D, which, after bending, becomes bottom surface  36 . (See  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0069]    Razor blade encasement  25  is removed from encasement support  23  with the help of extraction tool  46 , shown in  FIG. 14 . Hook  49  of extraction tool  46  is inserted into either dog hole  44 , in razor blade encasement  25 . The operator&#39;s forefinger and middle finger are bent around finger support  47  attached to handle  48 , which is held in the operator&#39;s hand. Razor blade encasement  25  then is safely pulled off encasement support  23 . Razor blade encasement  25  then can be turned upside down, (bringing encircled number  2  upright), and replaced over encasement support  23 , thus exposing a new set of canted cutting edges  35 B that are thus brought into operative position. This double-duty is possible since the bottom half of razor blade encasement  25  is made as a mirror image of the top half. 
         [0070]    Dog holes  44 , shown in  FIG. 1 , also function as a means of positioning and holding in place razor blade encasement  25  with gripping machine dogs during manufacture. 
         [0071]    As mentioned above, razor blade encasements  125  and  25  are the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are designed to encase encasement support  23 . Encasement support  23  and integral non-slip handle  23 A are molded together as one piece using a sturdy plastic, metal, or other suitable material. Of course, encasement support  23  may be made to pivot on an axle built into the handle. Trimmer blades  23 B and  23 C can be formed and sharpened during manufacture. Trimmer blades  23 B and  23 C can be used to trim a man&#39;s sideburn, for instance. 
         [0072]    Curved surface  24 , as shown in  FIG. 3B , combined with the curved surfaces of retainer strips  37  and  38 , enables a shaver to control the point of contact of trimmer blade  23 B (or trimmer blade  23 C) with the shaver&#39;s sideburn, by “rolling” the curved surfaces  24  and  37  (or  38 ) upward until contact is made at the desired point with the beard of the sideburn. Notch  30 A and notch  30 B allow retainer strips  37  and  38  to fit against encasement support  23  such that the arc of curved surface  24  is continued smoothly by retainer strips  37  and  38 . 
         [0073]    Razor blade encasement  125  is assembled using multiple, individual blades  134 , but its canted configuration is identical to that of razor blade encasements  25  and  25 A. 
         [0074]      FIG. 1  displays a plan view of razor blade encasement  25  as it would appear after being manufactured from one piece of metal, and before bending and shaping into a finished razor blade encasement  25 . A plurality of canted blades  34  is to be configured by manufacturing processes that cut slotted openings  29  without leaving burrs, resulting in clean and smooth slotted openings  29  between canted blades  34  preparatory to blade sharpening, if blade sharpening was not done during the cutting of slotted openings  29 . 
         [0075]    The plan view of  FIG. 1  shows the face side—the obverse side  26 —of the flat piece of metal from which slotted openings  29  are to be cut before bending. Cutting edges  35 A and  35 B of canted blades  34  are to be sharpened from the reverse side  76  of canted blades  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C , towards the obverse side  26 , from the upper part of slotted openings  29  at dashed line B-B to the lower part of slotted openings  29  at dashed line C-C. In that way, cutting edges  35 A and  35 B will be in the same plane as obverse side  26 . Cutting edges  35 A will slice facial or body hair, but cutting edges  35 B will not slice hair unless and until razor blade encasement  25  is pulled off encasement support  23 , is turned upside down, and is replaced over encasement support  23 . Thus, a new set of blades—cutting edges  35 B—will replace cutting edges  35 A when cutting edges  35 A are no longer sharp. 
         [0076]    Dashed line B-B establishes where top curve  31  begins to bend backward from obverse side  26 , and dashed line C-C establishes where bottom curve  32  begins to bend backward from obverse side  26 . See  FIG. 3A  for an end view of top curve  31  and bottom curve  32 . Top surface  33  and bottom surface  36  may be bent approximately 90 degrees backwards from obverse side  26 , but may be bent more than or less than 90 degrees backward from obverse side  26  by an amount to be determined by the manufacturer. Top surface  33  and bottom surface  36  are equal in width and depth. 
         [0077]    During, or subsequent to the manufacturing processes, the cutting edges  35 A and  35 B optionally may be evenly and uniformly bent such that cutting edges  35 A and  35 B protrude slightly towards the area to be shaved by an amount not to exceed the thickness of the blade material. Stated differently, if bent as described in the previous sentence, cutting edges  35 A and  35 B of canted blades  34 , and not the vertical contact surfaces, would be the first part of razor blade encasement  25  to touch body or facial hair that is intended to be sliced off. 
         [0078]    The longitudinal axes  22 - 22  of canted blades  34  as shown in  FIG. 1  are canted acutely downward at an angle of 15 degrees from vertical line  21 - 21 , but can be canted at 10 degrees easily while maintaining the overlap function. 
         [0079]    Successive canted blades  34  in razor blade encasement  25  are parallel to each other. The widths of canted blades  34  are wider than slotted openings  29  to accommodate sharpened edges  35 A and  35 B on both sides of the blades. The canting angle of the canted blades  34  can be less or more from the vertical line than that shown in  FIG. 1 . The less the canting angle is from the vertical line, without becoming vertical, the easier the slicing action becomes. 
         [0080]    The canted, slotted openings  29 , working in concert with top curve  31  and bottom curve  32 , enable an unobstructed, smooth gliding action of cutting edges  35  to slice off facial or body hair, and for the shaved hair to be rinsed away. 
         [0081]    Furthermore, bottom curve  32  acts as a safety guard. When shaving facial or body hair, bottom curve  32  is brought into contact with the operator&#39;s skin without danger of cutting that skin. Only by rolling or rotating obverse side  26  towards the skin do cutting edges  35 A of canted razor blades  34  come in contact with the area to be shaved. The same safety conditions apply when razor blade encasement  25  is removed from encasement support  23 , is turned upside down, and is re-inserted onto encasement support  23  to bring top curve  31  (now assuming the role of bottom curve  32 ) and cutting edges  35 B into an operative position. The more that the canting angle deviates from the vertical line, down to 45 degrees, the more that cutting edges  35  tend to chop rather than slice, although the slicing action still dominates. (See  FIG. 16 ). At 45 degrees, slicing and chopping actions are equal. A deviation greater than forty-five degrees from the vertical line results in more chop than slice. (See  FIG. 17 ). Top curve  31  and bottom curve  32  extend over the full width of the area covered by canted blades  34  and obverse side  26  of razor blade encasement  25 . 
         [0082]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , a front view (the obverse side  26 ) of razor blade encasement  25  is depicted as it would appear after being cut from one piece of flat sheet metal, and before bending and shaping into finished razor blade encasement  25 . A plurality of canted blades  34  is to be configured by manufacturing processes such as laser machining that remove sections of metal, resulting in slotted openings  29  between blades  34 . The thickness of the sheet metal must be such that it will not bend during shaving, and it must be thick enough to be sharpened, resulting in cutting edges  35 A and  35 B 
         [0083]    Alternatively, a razor blade encasement similar to encasement  25  can be assembled using a plurality of individual canted blades  134  and necessary supporting parts, as disclosed by razor blade encasement  125  in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0084]    Cutting edges  35 A and  35 B of canted blades  34  are to be sharpened from reverse side  76  towards the front (the obverse side  26 ), and sharpened from the upper part of slotted openings  29  at dashed line B-B to the lower part of slotted openings  29  at dashed line C-C. (See  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C). 
         [0085]    Dashed lines A-A and D-D are bend lines that define where retainer strips  37  and  38  begin. The function of retainer strips  37  and  38  is to hold encasement support  23  securely in place against top curve  31  and bottom curve  32 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0086]    Top curve  31  and bottom curve  32  create a notched configuration between canted blades  34  and slotted openings  29  when bent, and create cavity  40  between canted blades  34  and encasement support  23 . (See  FIG. 3A  for cavity  40 ). 
         [0087]    Dashed lines E-E and F-F show respectfully where single-hem edges  39 A and  39 B (see  FIG. 3A ) are bent. Single-hem edges  39 A and  39 B facilitate the positioning of razor encasement  25  over encasement support  23 . 
         [0088]    Successive canted blades  34  are parallel to each other. The widths of canted blades  34  are wider than the widths of slotted openings  29  to accommodate sharpened edges  35 A and  35 B. The canting angle of the canted blades  34  can be less or more from the vertical line than that shown in  FIG. 1 , since the smaller the angle from vertical reference line  21 - 21 , the better and easier is the slicing action. 
         [0089]    Dog holes  44  function as a means of removing razor blade encasement  25  from encasement support  23 , using extraction tool  46 . (See  FIG. 14 ). Dog holes  44  also enable the positioning and holding in place of razor blade encasement  25  during manufacture. 
         [0090]    The encircled numbers  1  and  2  (See  FIG. 1 ) are ink stamped or otherwise indicated on the surface of obverse side  26  of razor blade encasement  25  for the convenience of the person who will use razor blade encasement  25  to shave. When a person slides a new razor blade encasement  25  onto encasement support  23 , the encircled number  1  should be upright, thus putting all cutting edges  35 A into operative position for shaving. When it is time to use a new set of blades because of dullness, the person uses extraction tool  46  to remove razor blade encasement  25  from encasement support  23 . That person then turns razor blade encasement  25  upside down, slides encasement  25  onto encasement support  23 , with encircled number  2  right-side up, thus bringing all cutting edges  35 B into operative position. 
         [0091]    Top surface cutout  27  and bottom surface cutout  28  are openings cut out of razor blade encasement  25  during manufacture. They are identical in size, shape, and relative position. Their purpose is to define the size and shape of trimming blades  23 B and  23 C, and to allow the optimum angle by which the trimming blades  23 B,  23 C deviate from the bend angles of retainer strips  37  and  38 . Bottom surface cutout  28  becomes a top surface cutout when razor blade encasement  25  is removed from encasement support  23 , is turned upside down, and is re-inserted on encasement support  23 . As with cutting edges  35 A and  35 B, trimming blades  23 B and  23 C are to be sharpened from the reverse side  76  of razor blade encasement  25  towards the obverse side  26 . 
         [0092]    During the process of shaving, facial or body hair protrudes through slotted openings  29 , thus making possible slicing off facial or body hair by cutting edges  35 A or  35 B. The slicing action makes it easier to shave off hair no matter the direction of growth of the hair, and also prolongs the sharpness of razor cutting edges, compared to blades that chop. 
         [0093]    Vertical reference line  21 - 21  establishes that the top of cutting edges  35 A of canted razor blades  34  overlap the area sliced by the bottom of the cutting edges  35 A in front of the adjacent canted razor blades  34 . The longitudinal axes  22 - 22  of canted blades  34  as shown in  FIG. 1  are canted acutely downward at an angle of 15 degrees from vertical reference line  21 - 21 , but can be canted at a range of many angles while retaining the overlap function. 
         [0094]    Bottom curve  32 , obverse side  26 , and slotted openings  29  enable an unobstructed, smooth gliding action of cutting edges  35 A or  35 B of canted blades  34  to slice off facial or body hair, and for the accumulated shaved hair to be rinsed away from cavity  40 . 
         [0095]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , razor blade encasement  25 A is depicted and is identical to razor blade encasement  25  in  FIG. 1 , except for the blades. Whereas razor blade encasement  25  shows seven double-edged blades  35 A and  35 B, razor blade encasement  25 A shows ten single-edged blades  35 A only. Razor blade encasement  25 A cannot be turned upside down to expose a new set of cutting edges. Metal normally removed to make slotted openings  29  is not completely removed. Rather, that which would become cutting edge  35 B of razor blade encasement  25  is not cut, but is retained, and bent 90 degrees away from obverse side  26  towards reverse side  76 , between bend lines B-B and C-C, thus becoming structural beam  29 A as shown in  FIG. 2A . Structural beam  29 A supports canted blades  34 , preventing flexure when shaving. 
         [0096]    With reference now to  FIG. 2A , a section of blades of razor blade encasement  25 A is depicted and is representative of all canted blades  34  and all cutting edges  35 A of razor blade encasement  25 A. 
         [0097]    With reference now to  FIG. 3A , an end view of razor blade encasement  25  is depicted, made from one piece of metal or other suitable material, as it would appear with bends and curves as specified above, ready for sliding over and enveloping encasement support  23 . A dashed line labeled  29 A shows where structural beams  29 A on each canted razor blade  34  of razor blade encasement  25 A would extend into encasement support  23  when enveloping encasement support  23 . 
         [0098]    This cartridge, shown in  FIG. 3A , is a variation of razor cartridges currently in use, where cartridges are attached to handles by various mechanical means. Single-hem edge  39 A is shown at the end of retainer strip  37 , and single-hem edge  39 B is shown at the end of retainer strip  38 . Single-hem edges  39 A and  39 B, in conjunction with retainer strips  37  and  38 , serve two main purposes: (1) to provide a smooth, curved surface leading to trimmer blade  23 B; and (2) to press encasement support  23  tightly against razor blade encasement  25  at the beginning of top curve  31  and at the beginning of bottom curve  32 . Thus, cavity  40  is formed between obverse surface  26  on razor blade encasement  25 , and a front surface  42  of encasement support  23 . The front surface  42  of encasement support  23  is represented by a dashed vertical line in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0099]    The function of cavity  40  is to accept body hair between razor blade encasement  25  and front surface  42  of encasement support  23 , and to facilitate rinsing away shaved hair. The distance between line B-B and line C-C defines the effective vertical area of the cutting edges  35 A and  35 B. 
         [0100]    Note that top curve  31 , bottom curve  32 , retainer strip  37 , and retainer strip  38  work in concert to keep razor blade encasement  25  fixed in an operative position. Trimmer blades  23 B and  23 C are shown. Note also that canted razor blades  34 , cutting edges  35 A,  35 B, obverse surface  26 , slotted openings  29 , and dog holes  44  are all in the same plane. 
         [0101]    With reference now to  FIG. 3B , a side view of encasement support  23 , non-slip handle  23 A, notches  30 A and  30 B, front surface  42 , and curved surface  24  are depicted. Encasement support  23  is to be used for razor blade encasements  25 ,  25 A, and  125 . Integral non-slip handle  23 A is drawn as a generic handle. Any handle, especially an articulated handle, from expired patents can be used as a handle for encasement support  23 . When cast or molded integrally with encasement support  23 , handle  23 A can be smooth, and covered later with a rubber or plastic tube configured with finger-gripping designs. 
         [0102]    With reference now to  FIG. 3C , a top view of encasement support  23  with integral non-slip handle  23 A is depicted. Also shown is trimmer blade  23 B, and notch  30 A. 
         [0103]    With reference now to  FIG. 4A , a cutting plane  90  cutting a cross-section of canted razor blades  34 , cutting edges  35 A and  35 B, and slotted opening  29  of razor blade encasement  25  are depicted. The cross-section is typical of all canted razor blades  34 , all cutting edges  35 A and  35 B, and all slotted openings  29  of razor blade encasement  25 , with the exceptions of cutting edge  35 A on the left end of obverse side  26 , and cutting edge  35 B on the right end of obverse side  26 , both of which are integral with their appropriate part of obverse side  26 . Razor blade encasement  25 A will have only cutting edges  35 A of canted razor blades  34 . 
         [0104]    With reference now to  FIG. 4B , the cross-section of canted razor blades  34  is depicted. The cross-sections of cutting edges  35 A and  35 B created by cutting plane  90  are also shown. In  FIG. 4B , cutting edges  35 A and  35 B are shown as being hollow-ground sharpened. Note that direction line  99  is pointing in the correct direction for cutting edge  35 A to slice beard or body hair, and that cutting edge  35 B will not slice beard or body hair until razor blade encasement  25  is removed from encasement support  23 , is turned upside down, and is re-inserted onto encasement support  23 , with the encircled numeral  2  on obverse side  26  being then right-side up. 
         [0105]    With reference now to  FIG. 4C , the cross-sections of canted razor blades  34 , the cross-sections of cutting edges  35 A and  35 B created by cutting plane  90  are depicted. In  FIG. 4C , cutting edges  35 A and  35 B are shown as being taper-sharpened. Note that direction line  99  is pointing in the correct direction for cutting edge  35 A to slice beard or body hair, and that cutting edge  35 B will not slice beard or body hair until razor blade encasement  25  is removed from encasement support  23 , is turned upside down, and is re-inserted onto encasement support  23 , with the encircled numeral  2  on obverse side  26  being then right-side up. 
         [0106]    With reference now to  FIG. 5  a front view (obverse side  126 ) of razor blade encasement  125  is shown. The razor blade encasement  125  differs from razor blade encasement  25  in that its configuration of canted blades  134  is built with an assembly of multiple, parallel, individual blades  134 , rather than being made from one flat piece of metal or other suitable material as in razor blade encasement  25 . Razor blade encasement  125 , other than parallel canted blades  134 , is made of plastic or other suitable structural material, which lends itself to manufacture by 3-dimensional printing, as well as, and in addition to, conventional manufacturing methods.  FIG. 5  displays multiple, canted, parallel, individual razor blades  134  that are affixed in place such as are found in current razor blade cartridges, with sharpened edges  135 , and spaces  129  between blades  134 . Spaces  129  and angle of cant of blades  134  are such that the upper parts or tops of sharpened edges  135  overlap the area sliced by the lower parts or bottoms of sharpened edges  135 , to insure full shaving coverage of the area being sliced (shaved) when moving razor blade encasement  125  in the direction of arrow  99  during the act of shaving. Refer to vertical reference line  21 - 21  for visual confirmation of the overlap, and note that vertical reference line  21 - 21  is one line of an angle from which the angle of cant of blades  134  makes with the vertical. 
         [0107]    Line  20 - 20  is a horizontal reference line. Line  22 - 22  designates the longitudinal axis of each razor blade  134 , and is a reference line denoting the angle of cant between longitudinal axis  22 - 22  and vertical reference line  21 - 21 . 
         [0108]    Empty space  127 , positioned on the right and left sides of canted razor blades  134  of encasement  125 , extends between obverse side  126  of razor blade encasement  125  and front surface  42  of encasement support  23 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . Number  142  designates empty space behind and between canted razor blades  134  and front surface  42  of encasement support  23 . (See  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0109]    According to one non-limiting embodiment, encasement  125  further includes a dog hole  44  that enables a razor user to remove razor blade encasement  125  using an extraction tool  46 . See  FIG. 14 . Note that razor blade encasement  125  cannot be removed, turned upside down, and re-inserted on encasement support  23  for shaving, as is the case with razor blade encasement  25 . The configuration of canted blades  134  as drawn prevents such use. Number  99  shows the direction in which to move the razor blade encasement in order to slice off body or facial hair when shaving. 
         [0110]    With reference now to  FIG. 6 , a cross-section CS 1  of razor blade encasement  125  is depicted, as defined by cutting plane CP 1 -CP 1  shown in  FIG. 5 . In this configuration, the entire plastic razor blade encasement, except for the razor blades  134 , has been constructed by a 3-dimension printer, or by conventional manufacturing methods of making plastic parts. 
         [0111]    Identified are razor blade encasement  125 , top curve  136 , top retainer  138 , insertion tab  130 , cutting edge  135 , canted razor blade  134 , dog hole  44  (dashed lines) empty space  142 , bottom retainer  139 , and bottom curve  137 . Front surface  42  of encasement support  23  is further depicted when the razor blade encasement  125  is mounted on encasement support  23 . 
         [0112]    Top retainer  138  and bottom retainer  139 , together with front surface  42  (shown in parentheses) of encasement support  23 , hold razor blade encasement  125  firmly in place on encasement support  23 , requiring extraction tool  46  to safely pull the razor blade encasement off encasement support  23 . Bottom curve  137  allows a smooth transition, when a user is shaving, to safely “roll” the canted razor blades  134  into an operative position. 
         [0113]    The locations of dog holes  44  and empty space  142  relative to other parts of razor blade encasement  125  are also identified. 
         [0114]    Handle  23 A can be cast or 3-dimensionally printed so that razor blade encasement  125  can be made as an integral part of a complete shaving unit without becoming an encasement. 
         [0115]    With reference now to  FIG. 7 , a razor blade encasement framework  123  is depicted, before individual razor blades  135  are inserted into locating notches  143 . Locating notches  143  are located within sunken substructure  124 , which is defined by  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Locating notches  143  are constructed to attain no less than an American Standards Association snug-fit classification (meaning no wiggle room) between them and insertion tabs  130  (See  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) of canted razor blades  134 . After all individual razor blades  134  are inserted into place in notches  143 , 3-dimensional printing deposits finishing material over locating notches  143  in order to lock them into place, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 12 . The depth of razor blades  134  is such as to allow the finishing material to cover locating notches  143 , while allowing sharpened edges  135  to extend beyond the finishing material, a distance sufficient to allow sharpened edges  135  to accomplish the slicing assignment. The finished product appears as a front view in  FIG. 5 . An alternate method of locking canted razor blades  134  in place is to provide the fitted locking piece  131 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 13A , and cement it in place with an appropriate adhesive. 
         [0116]    With reference now to  FIG. 8 , a cross-section CS 2  of razor blade encasement framework  123  is depicted, as defined by cutting plane CP 2 -CP 2 , shown in  FIG. 7 . Cutting plane CP 2  affords both a profile view (See  FIG. 8 ) of razor blade encasement  125 , but also notes the location of its various parts and their relationship to each other. Identified are top curve  136 , top retainer  138 , bottom curve  137 , and bottom retainer  139 . Also shown is the depth of the indentation of sunken substructure  124 , and the depth of the indentations of locating notches  143 . 
         [0117]    With reference to  FIGS. 9-12 , views of razor blade  134  are depicted.  FIG. 9  displays a top view of razor blade  134 . Also shown are cutting edge  135 , and insertion tabs  130 , which are snug-fit into locating notches  143 .  FIG. 10  displays a side view of razor blade  134 , with cutting edge  135 , and insertion tabs  130 .  FIG. 11  displays an end view of razor blade  134 . Cutting edge  135  is also identified. Note that the segment of razor blade  134  containing cutting edge  135  is bent upwards a maximum of one degree, or a maximum equal to the thickness of the blade.  FIG. 12  illustrates the placement of insertion tabs  130  into locating notches  143 , and either the addition of material  80 , or the placement of locking piece  131 . The width of locking piece  131  is equal to the length of the amount of extension that insertion tabs  130  extend outward from the main body of razor blade  134 . 
         [0118]    With reference to  FIGS. 13 and 13A , a top view of locking piece  131  is depicted. Razor blade encasement  125  is located beneath the locking piece  131  and is depicted with the dashed line that locates the right angle as shown in  FIG. 13A .  FIG. 13A  displays an end view of locking piece  131 , which fits into the sunken substructure  124 . (See  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0119]    With reference to  FIG. 14 , the extraction tool  46  is depicted. Razor blade encasements  25 ,  25 A, and  125  may be removed safely from encasement support  23  with the help of extraction tool  46 . Hook  49  at the end of hook support  50  of extraction tool  46  is inserted into dog hole  44 . The operator&#39;s forefinger and middle finger are bent around the flat finger support  47  attached to round handle  48 , which is held by the operator&#39;s hand. Razor blade encasement  25 , or  125 , then is pulled off encasement support  23 . 
         [0120]    With reference to  FIGS. 15-17 , the slicing action of the razor blades  34 ,  134  on facial or body hair is more specifically described. As is shown in  FIG. 15 , cutting edges  35 A and  35 B are located on canted blades  34  of razor blade encasement  25 . Cutting edges  35 A are located on canted razor blades  34  of razor blade encasement  25 A, and cutting edges  135  of canted razor blades  134  on razor blade encasement  125 . Position A shows a cutting edge  35 A, or  135 , in contact with a protruding hair shaft  80 . Arrow  81  indicates the direction of travel of cutting edge  35 A. Position B shows cutting edge  35 A after it has advanced past protruding hair shaft  80 , traveling in the direction of arrow  81 . The circle  82  shown in dashed lines indicates that the protruding hair shaft  80  has been sliced off. 
         [0121]      FIG. 16  illustrates the allocation of slicing/shaving force of cutting edges  35 A and  35 B of canted razor blades  34  of razor blade encasements  25  and  25 A, and cutting edges  135  of razor blade encasement  125 , when the angle θ made by line AB with vertical line AG is 10 degrees. This illustration uses an XY coordinate system. Let line AB represent a canted blade  34 , and L the length of that canted blade  34  such that AB=L. Let L=1. Vertical line AG is parallel to the YY axis. Let vertical line AG represent slicing/shaving force F, moving from A to G. Slicing/shaving force F can be in English or metric units. The projection of AB on OY is represented by y. The projection of AB on OX is represented by x. The angle BAG (θ) deviates from the vertical line AG by 10 degrees. The slicing/shaving force F along L (L=1) is y=L cosine θ=0.9848 units of force. The lateral slicing/shaving force F, representing the amount of chopping force, moving in the direction from D to C, is x=sine θ=0.1637 times units of force. Clearly, much more slicing/shaving force F is directed to slice off facial or body hair than is used to chop the hair. If angle θ were 45 degrees, then the value of both sine θ and cosine θ would be equal at 0.6061 times units of force, which means that the amount of slicing/shaving force would be equal to the amount of chopping force. Conversely, if angle BAG is 10 degrees, then angle GBA is 80 degrees, y=L=sine θ=0.9848 units of force, and x=cosine θ=0.1637 times units of force. 
         [0122]      FIG. 17  illustrates the allocation of slicing/shaving force of cutting edges  35 A and  35 B of canted razor blades  34  of razor blade encasements  25  and  25 A, and cutting edges  135  of razor blade encasement  125 , if the angle θ made by line AB with vertical line AG is greater than 45 degrees. This illustration uses an XY coordinate system in which angle BAG (θ)=60 degrees. Line AB represents a canted blade  34 , and L the length of a canted blade  34  such that AB=L and L=1. Vertical line AG is parallel to the YY axis and represents slicing/shaving force F, moving from A to G. Slicing/shaving force F can be in English or metric units. The projection of AB on OY is represented by y. The projection of AB on OX is represented by x. The angle BAG (θ) deviates from the vertical line AG by 60 degrees. 
         [0123]    The downward slicing/shaving force F along L (L=1) is y=L cosine θ=0.5000 times units of force. The lateral slicing/shaving force F, representing the amount of chopping force, moving in the direction from D to C, is x=sine θ=0.8660 times units of force, resulting in more chopping force than slicing/shaving force F. If angle BAG were 90 degrees, there would be zero percent slicing force and one-hundred percent chopping force exerted on AB, which represents cutting edge  35  or cutting edge  65 . 
         [0124]    Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.