Patent Publication Number: US-2013247393-A1

Title: Disposable Safety Razor

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This utility patent application claims priority to the following patent application that is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety: the provisional patent application titled “SINGLE-EDGE DISPOSABLE SAFETY RAZOR (Ser. No. 61/609,281) that was filed on Mar. 10, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to hand held, single-edge disposable razors and, more particularly to a novel, highly effective single-edge disposable safety razor that due to its narrow head size and narrow razor blade width is very effective and efficient in safely removing unwanted facial hair from specific areas of the face, specifically under the lower lip and chin area allowing the user the ability to safely leave the facial hair they would like to keep. 
     Current conventional disposable razors, due to their wider head size and wider razor blade width are a means of removing unwanted hair over larger surface areas of the face and body where hair is known to grow, that is the user of a conventional disposable safety razor and safety razors in general can remove unwanted facial hair or androgenic hair in the shortest amount of time. 
     One major drawback of conventional single-edge disposable razors, multi-edged razors and razors in general is that they give no consideration, due to their overall width, to men who would like finer detailed bordering or edging between bare skin and facial hair they would like to keep. This current “one blade size fits all” for all facial hair styles approach with conventional single blade and multi-blade disposable razors is that they do not take into consideration specific areas of the face or style of design a person may want to achieve. A man growing out his facial hair has always been a part of him expressing his individuality, masculinity and sense of fashion. Styling of facial hair and the spectrum of thickness is an important part of men&#39;s grooming and seems to be more prevalent than in years past and this invention allows for men to safely remove facial hair while keeping the facial hair they would like to keep in and around the chin area. Unlike full bearded men, many men keep their whiskers trimmed close to the face and allow for stubble to not only grow, but keep it well managed and maintained. This invention solves the problem and limitations that are inherent with conventional disposable safety razors and safety razors in general in use today and simply allows men another personal grooming option. 
     The wider head widths, wider blade widths and awkward handle shapes on conventional disposable razors limit the razors positioning for men who are trying to shave off facial hair around their chin area. Men with these conventional razors may have to resort to awkwardly maneuvering the razor by twisting it and turning it vertically in order to access tighter areas under the lower lip and chin and still not able to achieve the desired result; Not only are they unsuccessful, but frustrated and increase their risk of a facial nick or cut. 
     Furthermore, single blade disposable razors, multi-blade disposable razors and multi-blade razors with replaceable blade units have side borders which encase the side edges of their blades making facial hair detailing unobtainable or at the very least much more difficult as a person would have to overlap the razor&#39;s border into the facial hair they would like to keep which does not allow them the ability to keep the razor flat against their skin. In order for disposable razors and safety razors in general to remain safe the entire razor blade must remain flat against the skin. If the user needs to tilt or lift a portion of their conventional razor off the skin, safety is compromised. Also, the user of a conventional disposable razor cannot see just where the edge of the blade actually is on the face which makes finer detailing a “trial and error” type method and the user can run the risk removing hair they would like to keep. 
     Furthermore, conventional single blade disposable razors, multi blade disposable razors and safety razors with replaceable blades incorporate primary shaped handles such as round or square which can cause awkwardness, discomfort or unwanted slipping or rotation. These handles on conventional disposable safety razors do not take into consideration men with larger hands and larger fingers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide a safe, effective disposable razor that remedies all of short comings listed above with conventional disposable razors and razors in general. 
     In particular an object of the invention is to provide a disposable safety razor having a blade width of only 8 mm which is substantially narrower than that of conventional disposable single-edge safety razors and multi-edge razors with replaceable blade units. 
     Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide a disposable razor free of limiting side borders for that portion of the blade that makes contact with the skin. 
     Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide a disposable safety razor with an ergonomic rigid inner core handle. Said handle is comprised of thermoplastic having a compatible rubber layer coextrudable for enhancing grip, resistance to slipping and giving the user much more control and stability around the chin area. Said handle is resistant to unwanted rotation in all shaving conditions including wet and soapy and is much easier to accommodate a wide range of hand sizes, finger sizes and gripping techniques. 
     The foregoing and other objects are attained in accordance with the invention providing a hand held, disposable razor with a head that comprises: 1) at least one razor blade, 2) a razor blade platform, 3) a razor blade housing, 4) a top cover which covers the blade except that portion that makes contact with the skin, 5) a blade guard which is the front portion of the razor supported on each of the sides by, 6) a left blade guard support arm, 7) a right blade guard support arm. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A better understanding of the invention may be gained from considering the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, in conjunction with the appended figures of the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  Right perspective view of invention 
         FIG. 2  Front side view of invention 
         FIG. 3  Rear side view of invention 
         FIG. 4  Left side view of invention 
         FIG. 5  Right side view of invention 
         FIG. 6  Enlarged head view 
         FIG. 7  Exploded head view of  FIG. 6   
         FIG. 8  Enlarged right side view of head 
         FIG. 9  Section view of  FIG. 6   
     
    
    
     Throughout the Figures of the drawings the same reference numerals or characters are used to denote like components or features of the illustrated razor. 
       10 —disposable safety razor 
       11 —cover plate 
       12 —razor blade 
       14 —razor blade guard 
       15 —razor&#39;s handle 
       16 —right support arm for blade guard 
       17 —razor&#39;s head 
       18 —left support arm for blade guard 
       20 —back side finger rest with rubber layer 
       21 —right side palm rest with rubber layer 
       22 —left side palm rest with rubber layer 
       23 —razor blade alignment pin 
       24 —razor blade platform 
       25 —upper portion of handle right side 
       26 —upper portion of handle left side 
       27 —razor blade retaining walls 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to figure  FIG. 1 , there is shown a right perspective view of an exemplary disposable razor  10  in accordance with the invention made of thermoplastic material. The narrow shaving head  17  is of non conventional dimension carrying one or more non-detachable razor blades  12  which, and at only 7.5 mm wide is much narrower than conventional blades. Also, the blade has no encasing side borders at the skin contact edge and an ergonomic thermoplastic handle with palm rests  21  made of a compatible rubber layer coextrudable. 
     The razor&#39;s handle is of suitable length having a solid thermoplastic inner core giving the razor increased rigidity with the rear side, lower left side and lower right side portions covered by a relatively thin, flexible layer of coextruded thermoplastic rubber covering  20 ,  21 ,  22 . Advantageously, the elongated handle is formed to have these wide palm rests in order to accommodate a wide range of hand sizes and gripping styles in various shaving conditions. The thermoplastic handle must be sufficient to provide substantial rigidity and will depend upon the characteristics of the material. Suitable thermoplastic materials for forming the razor are various and can include polyolefins (including polyethylenes, such as high density polyethylenes, and polypropylene). 
     Turning now to the details of  FIG. 2  which is a front side view of the razor showing the curvature of the front upper portions of the handle  25 , and  26 . Continuing with  FIG. 2 . This also shows the blade safety guard  14  which is the front most part of the razor and keeps the razor blade from penetrating the surface of the skin. The razor blade  12  is fixed into position on the blade platform and within the blade housing with the cover plate (cap)  11  covering the razor blade  12  except for the grind.  FIG. 3  is the rear side view of razor showing the back side of the razor with a wide concave rubber layer finger rest  20  below the razor&#39;s head. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 4 and 5  showing the left and right side profiles. Since the razor&#39;s handle  15  is not round, a diameter cannot be measured. The front to rear measurement changes from top to bottom with the narrowest point measuring 6.62 mm under the razor&#39;s head and measuring 20.10 mm at the razor&#39;s widest point near the bottom of the handle. Once past the razor&#39;s widest point the handle begins to briefly narrow down again approaching the bottom of the handle. 
     The razor&#39;s lower portion of the handle incorporates wide thermoplastic rubberized palm rests on both the left side  22  and right side  21 . This wide surface area at the lower portion of the handle with the rubber layer provides for a twofold purpose. First, providing for a secure palm rest and second, a secure finger pinch hold. The rubber layer on the handle  21 ,  22  which may have any thickness capable of being formed by the coextrusion process provides those portions with a non-slippery feel, even when held by a wet and soapy hand even if the razor is pinched between the thumb and index finger should the user decide to use it in that manner. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the razor in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  the razor has a total top to bottom length of 116 mm (11.6 cm) 
     Turning to  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  FIG. 6  shows an enlarged view of the razor&#39;s head  17 . Details include: the razor blade guard  14  (the forward most part of the razor), the razor blade  12 , the cover plate (cap)  11  covering the razor blade within the housing, the horizontal line on the cap represents a change in pitch sloping downward towards the blade to a point becoming so thin as not to interfere with the effective cutting edge of the blade.  FIG. 7  is an exploded view of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7  shows the actual shape of the entire razor blade  12  including the grind (that portion of the blade that makes contact with the skin), the side semi-circles, the alignment hole measuring 2.45 mm in diameter, the razor blade platform and its shape with alignment pin  23  measuring 2.60 mm  24  (the platform is what the blade sits on top of within the housing). The three retaining walls  27  are at 90° to the blade platform. This 90° angle is to ensure that the razor blade is fixed into position and not allow for the razor blade to cradle within the housing. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  FIG. 8  is an enlarged right side view of the razor&#39;s head  17 . The cap  11  with the blade  12  shows the pitch angle of the cap decreasing towards the front portion of the blade. This gradual change cap thickness tapers towards the front of the blade as not to allow the blade to be hindered or interfered with by the maximum thickness of the cap. Once the blade makes contact with the face the decreasing pitch change provides the grind to be free of a potential obstruction from the cap and allows for the user to gain the maximum effectiveness of the razor.  FIG. 9  is a section view of  FIG. 6 . It shows the solid inner core and specific components of the razor. That portion not having cross section hatching immediately behind the blade guard  14  is the inner side of left blade guard support arm. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of the forgoing specific embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alterations and modifications may be made to the described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.