Patent Publication Number: US-2021170616-A1

Title: Razor

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The instant disclosure relates to a razor or similar apparatus, wherein the razor is configured to provide enhanced shaving performance as well as an improved user experience. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are currently several types of razors on the market. Traditional straight razors in which a razor blade is contained within a housing that, in turn, includes a handle that a user manipulates to guide the razor blade against the skin surface have been popular among users. While simple in structure, these razors have been difficult for many to use as they require a certain amount of dexterity to successfully remove hair from the skin surface without injury. After repeated use, the razor blade may need to be replaced. Users traditionally needed to carefully remove the razor blade and replace it with a new razor blade. This activity was considered by many users to be dangerous as the user may sustain injuries through handling the razor blades while changing them. 
     Many users use a disposable razor in which at least one razor blade is contained within a structure that includes a handle, much like the traditional straight razor. However, with the disposable razor, when the user is no longer satisfied with the performance of the razor, the user may discard the razor in its entirety. While considered by some to be convenient, the disposable razor results in increased waste. In addition, many disposable razors are constructed by material that cannot be recycled. This negative impact on the environment has become a deterrent to many users to using this type of razor. Also, disposable razors typically contain a limited number of razor blades which negatively impacts the performance of these razors. 
     Cartridge razors are another type of razor in which at least one razor blade is contained in a housing (the “cartridge”) that is detachable from a handle. The cartridge is connected to the handle via snap features in which the handle contains a tab at one end that inserts into an opening in the cartridge. The user applies pressure to push the tab of the handle into the opening of the cartridge. This pressure activates a mechanical locking mechanism in the cartridge in which a connecting portion moves over the inserted tab to mechanically lock the handle in place. When the user wishes to dispose of the razor blade, the user may detach the cartridge from the handle by pressing a release mechanism that releases the connecting portion of the cartridge by physically opening the connecting portion to mechanically release the handle (or the tab). In this way, the user may replace the cartridge with another (newer) cartridge by reconnecting the newer cartridge to the handle using the same mechanical locking mechanism. In this way, less waste is produced as only the portion of the housing that contains the razor blade is discarded while the handle is preserved and reused. The cartridge razor has various disadvantages, such as excessive stress applied repeatedly to the mechanical locking mechanism causing the mechanism to fail or intricacies of the locking mechanism causing difficulty in proper cleaning of the entire structure, for example. 
     It is desirable to devise a razor that is not only ergonomically designed but also connects a razor blade to a handle in an efficient way that minimizes stress, prolongs the life of the razor, and provides ease in cleaning and maintenance. 
     SUMMARY 
     The technology discussed herein relates to a device for shaving, including a handle and at least one razor blade. In one example, the device comprises a cartridge, the cartridge being removably attachable to a handle component. The cartridge may further contain one or more magnetic components or a plurality of magnetic components. The magnetic components may be arranged in a variety of configurations within the cartridge. For example, the plurality of magnetic components may be situated around the periphery of the cartridge or may be configured in a Halbach array arrangement. 
     The device may further include a handle that may be removably attached to the cartridge. The handle may further include a portion that corresponds in shape with the cartridge. For example, the cartridge and the portion of the handle may be circular, rectangular, ovoid, or loop-shaped. The handle portion may further include at least one magnetic component. The at least one magnetic component may be positioned within the portion of the handle in a similar configuration to the positioning of an at least one ferrous metal component of the cartridge. The handle may further include an alignment structure for connecting to and aligning the positioning of the cartridge. In one example, the alignment structure may distribute applied forces. In one non-limiting example, the alignment structure may include a spring that distributes applied forces in a horizontal orientation relative to the cartridge. 
     The device may also include an insert that may be inserted into a portion of the handle. The insert may further include at least one magnetic component. In one example, the at least one magnetic component may be positioned within the insert in a configuration that corresponds to the configuration of the at least one ferrous metal component in the cartridge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a razor including a handle and at least one razor blade according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a partially assembled view of a razor according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates components of a razor, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a razor according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a potential flow of water or air to assist in cleaning hair from a razor, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another view of a partially assembled razor, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another view of a partially assembled razor, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, specific details are set forth by way of examples. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the instant disclosure is not so limited and that the instant disclosure includes modifications to the specific examples described herein without departing from the spirit and scope. 
     In one example, a razor or similar device is described that may include at least one razor blade or other sharp-edged component. The at least one razor blade may be used to remove hair from a skin surface. The at least one razor blade may be contained within a housing component, such as a cartridge, that attaches to a handle. After attaching the housing component or cartridge to the handle, a user may move the device by holding and moving the handle, thereby moving the attached housing component or cartridge and the razor blade(s) contained therein. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one example of a razor. In this example, a housing component or Cartridge  100  may contain at least one Razor Blade  110 . The at least one Razor Blade  110  may contain a sharp edge on one aspect of Razor Blade  110 , such as a leading edge. The at least one Razor Blade  110  may also contain a sharp edge on another aspect of Razor Blade  110 , such as the trailing edge. Any aspect of Razor Blade  110  may contain a sharp edge. In addition, Cartridge  100  may contain one Razor Blade  110  or may contain a plurality of Razor Blade  110  arranged in a variety of configurations. For example, the device may contain 2, 3, 5, or any number of Razor Blade  110 , which may be oriented with a sharp edge facing a side of Cartridge  100 , for example, the front side of Cartridge  100 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , Cartridge  100  contains multiple Razor Blade  110  arranged in a parallel configuration. One of skill in the art would recognize that Razor Blade  110 , when arranged in a parallel configuration, may be spaced at various distances from each other while maintaining functionality. For example, two adjacent parallel Razor Blade  110  may be positioned 0.5, 0.1, or 0.15 mm apart; however, any separating distance may be used to maintain desired functionality of the razor. 
     In this example, Cartridge  100  may be inserted into Cartridge Receptacle  130 . Cartridge  100  may be of various shapes and configurations and may correspond to a shape or configuration of Cartridge Receptacle  130 . As one non-limiting example, Cartridge  100  may be loop-shaped and may correspond to a loop-shaped portion of Cartridge Receptacle  130 . Thus, loop-shaped Cartridge  100  may be inserted into the loop-shaped Cartridge Receptacle  130 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a partially exploded view of an example of a razor. Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may be fixed to Cartridge Receptacle  130  to removably hold Cartridge  100  in place. Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may be provided that corresponds to a shape of Cartridge Receptacle  130 . For example, if Cartridge Receptacle  130  is loop-shaped, Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may have a corresponding loop-shape such that Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may be inserted and fixed into loop-shaped Cartridge Receptacle  130 . Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may have Alignment Assister  260 , which may help guide Cartridge  100  into a proper position when inserting it into Cartridge Receptacle  130 . Alignment Assister  260  may also have a spring to reduce play when Cartridge  100  is in Cartridge Receptacle  130 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another partially exploded view of an example of a razor. In this example, Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may be inserted into and attached to Cartridge Receptacle  130 . The razor may include Cartridge Receptacle  130  or Magnet Carrier Ring  240  containing one or more Magnets  230  into which Cartridge  100 , that may contain at least one Razor Blade  110 , may be inserted into or attached. In one example, Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may have one or more coupled Magnets  230 . Magnets  230  may comprise one or more magnet(s), positioned in various locations on Magnet Carrier Ring  240 . For example, Magnets  230  may be positioned on an inside surface of Magnet Carrier Ring  240 , an edge of Magnet Carrier Ring  240 , or an outer surface of Magnet Carrier Ring  240 . In another example, Magnets  230  may be placed on a left side of Magnet Carrier Ring  240 , and another Magnets  230  may be placed on a right side of Magnet Carrier Ring  240 . Alternatively, Magnets  230  may be placed on any other surface of Magnet Carrier Ring  240 . In this example, when Magnet Carrier Ring  240  is inserted into Cartridge Receptacle  130 , Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may become secured within Cartridge Receptacle  130 . 
     In yet another example, at least one Magnets  230  may be contained within Cartridge Receptacle  130 . For example, Cartridge Receptacle  130  may contain Magnets  230  on a front or leading side of Cartridge Receptacle  130  or Magnets  230  on a back or trailing side of Cartridge Receptacle  130 . In a further example, Cartridge Receptacle  130  may alternatively or additionally contain Magnets  230  on at least one side edge of Cartridge Receptacle  130 . 
     In another example, Cartridge  100  may contain at least one Magnets  230 . The shape of Cartridge  100  may correspond to a shape of Magnets  230  or Magnet Carrier Ring  240  that may be inserted into Cartridge Receptacle  130 . For example, Cartridge  100  may have a loop-shaped configuration, Cartridge Receptacle  130  may be loop-shaped, and loop-shaped Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may be inserted into Cartridge Receptacle  130 . In this example, Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may be located in a position that corresponds to at least one Ferrous Metal Inserts  250  in Cartridge  100 . For example, Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may be loop-shaped and may further contain a plurality of Magnets  230  arranged around the perimeter of Cartridge  100 . Alternatively, Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may be circular or ovoid in shape and may contain a plurality of magnetic components arranged around the circumference of Cartridge  100 . Alternatively, Magnets  230  may be arranged in a Halbach array configuration; however, any configuration may be used within the scope of the instant disclosure. Further, the shape of Cartridge  100 , Cartridge Receptacle  130 , or Magnet Carrier Ring  240  are not so limited as any shape may be used. Cartridge  100  may comprise several sections, including Cartridge Top Half  280  and Cartridge Bottom Half  270 , which may be fixed together during a manufacturing process. Cartridge Bottom Half  270  may comprise Ferrous Metal Inserts  250 , which may hold Cartridge  100  in place in conjunction with Magnet Carrier Ring  240 . 
     In one example, Cartridge Receptacle  130  may contain Magnets  230  arranged in a Halbach array configuration. This arrangement may provide a strong magnetic force from Magnets  230  while limiting the size of the magnets to a manageable size. Hence, in this example, the size of Handle  120  may be minimized while providing the capability of Handle  120  to house a desired number of Magnets  230  to provide a desired level of magnetic force. Alternatively, Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may contain a plurality of Magnets  230  arranged in a Halbach array configuration, and Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may be inserted into Cartridge Receptacle  130  to provide a desired magnetic force. A corresponding Cartridge  100  may also be provided containing one or more Magnets  230 . The one or more Magnets  230  of Cartridge  100  may further be configured in a Halbach array configuration corresponding to the one or more Magnets  230  of Cartridge Receptacle  130  or Magnet Carrier Ring  240 . 
     In another example, Cartridge  100  may be attached to Handle  120  such that at least one Razor Blade  110  contained therein is configured in a desired orientation. For example, Handle  120  or Magnetic Carrier Ring  240  may include Alignment Assister  260  for receiving Cartridge  100  such that when Cartridge  100  is inserted into Cartridge Receptacle  130 , Razor Blade  110  contained within Cartridge  100  are oriented perpendicular to Handle  120 . In addition to or alternatively, Razor Blade  110  may be angled as desired when Cartridge  100  is inserted via Alignment Assister  260  of Handle  120 . 
     Also, the alignment structure may contain, for example, a component for distributing forces applied to the device during use such that the forces may be distributed in a desired fashion. In one example, Alignment Assister  260  may contain a spring that is subject to forces applied to the device and distributes the applied force in a horizontal direction with respect to Cartridge  100 . Alternatively, Alignment Assister  260  may distribute forces in a vertical orientation or skewed orientation with respect to Cartridge  100 . 
     In yet another example, Cartridge  100  may be disconnected from Handle  120 . For example, pressure may be applied to a front edge of Cartridge  100  to release Cartridge  100  from Handle  120 . Alternatively, pressure may be applied to a back edge or a side edge of Cartridge  100 . In another example, pressure may be applied to a corner aspect of Cartridge  100  to release Cartridge  100  from Handle  120 . 
     The shape of Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may correspond to the shape of Cartridge Receptacle  130  in this example. The Magnet Carrier Ring  240  may contain a plurality of Magnets  230 . In this example, Magnets  230  may be arranged on a side of a loop-shaped Magnet Carrier Ring  240 , which corresponds to a loop-shaped Cartridge Receptacle  130 . 
     The razor may further contain Cartridge Top Half  280  that corresponds in shape to Magnet Carrier Ring  240  and Cartridge Receptacle  130 . Cartridge  100  may further include at least one Magnets  230  arranged around the periphery of Magnet Carrier Ring  240 . At least one Razor Blade  110  may be inserted into Cartridge Top Half  280 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates an example in which Razor Blade  110  is attached to Cartridge Top Half  280  and Cartridge Bottom Half  270  to form Cartridge  100  that may be inserted into Magnet Carrier Ring  240  in Cartridge Receptacle  130 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another example in which a cartridge is inserted into a handle. Handle  120  may contain Alignment Assister  260  that permits proper alignment of Cartridge  100  and the at least one Razor Blade  110 . Alignment Assister  260  may further contain a spring of similar structure to distribute applied forces to the device in a desired orientation, such as in a horizontal orientation with respect to Cartridge  100 . In addition, as the example of  FIG. 4  illustrates, Cartridge  100  may be cleanly attached to the handle in a way that is both functional and secure. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a potential flow of water or air to assist in cleaning hair from a razor, according to one embodiment. There may be a gap between Cartridge  100  and Handle  120  when Cartridge  100  is disposed within Handle  120 , which may allow for rinsing hair or other contaminants out using water or compressed air, for example. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another view of a partially assembled razor, according to one embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another view of a partially assembled razor, according to one embodiment. 
     The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.