Abstract:
A shaving razor of any of the removable-cartridge type, the pivoting tape, the multiple-blade type and/or the disposable type the multiple-blade type is provided with at least one blade having a width greater than approximately 4.30 cm, and/or the ratio of the width of the blade to a length of a handle is greater than approximately 40.0%.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a shaving razor for personal use, such as, for example, a men&#39;s or ladies&#39;shaving razor. 
     Shaving razors for personal use have been known in a variety of forms. One type of shaving razor is the so-called “safety razor” which has a generally cylindrical handle and a head perpendicular to the handle that receives a replaceable double-sided blade. The blade has a single edge on one side, and another single edge on an opposite side. When shaving, the user uses only one or the other blade side during a given stroke. Safety razors suffer the disadvantage that they involve a complex mechanical head to removably hold the blade. Also, the blade is difficult to handle during installation and removal of the blade because it is fully exposed during this handling. 
     Various other shaving razor designs are also known. For example, in so-called “disposable” razors, a plastic handle is non-detachably connected to a plastic razor head that can hold either a single blade or a so-called “multiple blade” (i.e. more than one blade shaving the surface per stroke), such as a “double-blade”. A “double-blade” refers to a razor that has two parallel blades having parallel shaving edges that both shave the skin in a single stroke. The handle and head may be integral to each other, or may have a pivoting connection. 
     Besides the disposable razors, there are also known “cartridge” razors having a handle piece with an attachment means for removable attaching blade cartridges. These blade cartridges are typically plastic assemblies that contain a single-edge blade (having a single blade spanning across); or a multiple blade, such as a double-edge blade (having two parallel blades with parallel shaving edges spanning across, so that both blades shave the surface in a single stroke) or a triple-edge blade (having three parallel blades spanning across with parallel edges so that all three blades shave in a single stroke). The cartridges are removably attached to a handle, avoiding the need to handle the blade itself directly. 
     The exposed width of the blade in the known detachable cartridge, pivoting head, multiple blade, and disposable-integral shaving razors has generally been a width ranging from approximately 3.40 to 4.30 cm. By “width”, is meant the width that is cut by a shaving stroke. This dimension can also be described as the “length” of the blade along its sharp edge. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a shaving razor that provides the advantages of having a relatively wide blade. For example, a wide blade (having a length of the cutting surface longer than in a conventional blade) permits the razor to cover a wider area with each stroke, and therefore shaves more efficiently and much faster than a shorter blade that cuts a narrower width with each stroke. Fewer strokes are required to shave a given area with the invention, so the blade may experience less wear for a given area. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a shaving handle and blade apparatus that is extremely convenient and pleasant to use due to the provision of an advantageous ratio between the width of the blade and the length of the handle. Providing a greater width of the blade relative to handle has been found to provide a more desirable “feel” to the operation of the razor. 
     These objects, and others to be understood from the application, are achieved in one aspect of invention by providing a razor having a handle and a removable blade-holding cartridge, having a blade with a blade width greater than 4.30 cm. 
     The objects are achieved in another aspect of the invention by providing a shaving razor having a pivoting head element pivotally attached to the razor, having a blade with a blade width greater than 4.30 cm. 
     The objects are also achieved in an aspect of the invention by providing a razor having multiple parallel blades, with all the blades having a blade width greater than 4.30 cm. 
     The objects are also achieved in an aspect of the invention by providing a razor having a shaving handle and a non-detachable head for non-removably supporting at least one blade, with the blade having a blade width greater than 4.30 cm. 
     These objects also are achieved in an aspect of invention by providing a razor having a handle and a removable blade-holding cartridge, with a blade having a width that has a dimension that is at least 40% of the magnitude of the length of the handle. 
     The objects are achieved in another aspect of the invention by providing a shaving razor having a pivoting head element pivotally attached to the razor, with a blade having a width that has a dimension that is at least 40% of the magnitude of the length of the handle. 
     The objects are also achieved in an aspect of the invention by providing a razor having multiple parallel blades, with all the blades having a width that has a dimension that is at least 40% of the magnitude of the length of the handle. 
     These objects is achieved in yet another aspect of the invention by providing a razor having a shaving handle and non-detachable head for non-removably supporting at least one blade, with a blade having a width that has a dimension that is at least 40% of the magnitude of the length of the handle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a razor according to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 2 through 8 are plan views of various embodiments of a shaving razor according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention generally relates to a personal shaving razor having a blade with a greater blade width (and hence a greater shaving area width) with each stroke, compared to conventional shaving razors of the detachable-cartridge, pivoting-head, multiple-blade and/or non-detachable head types. Various specific examples are described in detail below, however, it is to be appreciated that the invention can be applied to all other types of detectable-cartridge, pivoting-head, multiple-blade, and/or non-detachable razors. 
     In the description below, the reference numerals L and L 1 -L 8  are used to describe the length of the handle. Specifically, this dimension is intended to relate to a distance from the lower end of the handle seen in the drawings measured in plan view up to the location of the shaving edge of the lowest blade illustrated in the razor. Therefore, this dimension does necessarily not measure to the attachment point of a cartridge to the handle, nor to the overall length of the handle element with no cartridge present, but rather refers to the length of the handle from its lower end up to the location of the first blade edge. The measurement is taken in a plan view (i.e., with the handle lying generally in the plane of the illustration). 
     FIG. 1 schematically depicts a razor  1  according to an embodiment of the invention, having a handle  2 , blade head  10 , blade  11 , and connection area  19 . In some embodiments, the width W of the exposed blade(s) is preferably greater than approximately 4.30 cm (centimeters), and preferably between approximately 4.68 cm and approximately 7.00 cm, and/or the length L measured in plan from the edge of the blade  11  to the lower end  18  of the handle  2  is preferably such that the blade width W of the blade is greater than handle approximately 40% of the length L, preferably with the blade width W being in a range between 40% and 61.4% of the handle length L. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a razor  100  according to the present invention. The razor includes a handle  101  (similar one sold as the GILLETTE MACH III™), and a blade holding cartridge  110  (similar to the cartridge sold as the GILLETTE MACH III™ but with a greater width) that is detachable from the handle  101 . The cartridge  110  includes three parallel blades  111 ,  112 ,  113  mounted in a resilient arrangement in the cartridge  110 . The cartridge also includes a segment  114  with resilient fins, and a strip  115  including lubricating material. The cartridge  110  can be attached to and detached from the handle  101  by means of a manual latch  119 . The cartridge  110  includes a pivot to permit a part of the cartridge  110  holding the blades  111 ,  112 ,  113  to pivot relative to the handle  101 . In a preferred embodiment, the length L 1  of the handle  101  is approximately 12.60 cm. A preferred width W 1  of the blades is approximately 5.10 cm. This width may be varied, and a preferred range of widths W 1  is between approximately 4.68 cm and approximately 5.53 cm, although any width greater than approximately 4.30 cm is also preferred. Accordingly, a preferred ratio of the width W 1  of the blades is approximately 40.5% to the length L 1  of the handle. This ratio may be varied in a preferred range for the width W 1  of the blades, although any ratio greater than approximately 40% is preferred. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a razor  200  according to the present invention. The razor includes a handle  201  (similar to one sold as GILLETTE SENSOR™) and a blade holding cartridge  210  (similar to that sold as GILLETTE SENSOR™ but with a greater width) that is detachable from the handle  201 . The cartridge  210  includes two parallel blades  211 ,  212  mounted in a resilient arrangement in the cartridge  210 . The cartridge also includes a segment  214  with fins, and a strip  215  including lubricating material. The cartridge  210  can be attached and detached relative to the handle  201  by means of a manual latch  219 . The cartridge fits  210  on the latch  219  so that the entire cartridge  210  pivots relative to the handle  201 . In a preferred embodiment, the length L 2  of the handle  201  is approximately 12.0 cm. A preferred width W 2  of the blades is approximately 5.1 cm. This width may be varied, and a preferred range of widths W 2  is between approximately 4.68 cm and approximately 5.53 cm, although any width greater than approximately 4.30 cm is also preferred. Accordingly, a preferred ratio of the width W 2  of the blades is approximately 42.5% to the length L 2  of the handle. This ratio may be varied in a preferred range for the width W 2  of the blades relative to the length L 2  of the handle, although any ratio greater than approximately 40% is preferred. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a razor  300  according to the present invention. The razor includes a handle  301  (similar one sold as GILLETTE ATRA PLUSH™) and a blade holding cartridge  310  (similar to one sold as GILLETTE ATRA PLUS™ but with a greater width), that is detachable from the handle  301 . The cartridge  310  includes two parallel blades  311 ,  312  mounted in the cartridge  110 . The cartridge also includes a strip  315  including lubricating material. The cartridge  310  can be attached and detached relative to the handle  301  by means of a manual latch  319 . The entire cartridge  310  can pivot relative to the handle  301 . In a preferred embodiment, the length L 3  of the handle W 3  is approximately 11.4 cm. A preferred width W 3  of the blades is approximately 5.60 cm. This width may be varied, and a preferred range of widths W 3  is between approximately 5.13 cm and approximately 6.06 cm although any width greater than 4.30 cm is also preferred. Accordingly, a preferred ratio of the width W 3  of the blades is approximately 49.1% to the length L 1  of the handle. This ratio may be varied in a preferred range for the width W 3  of the blades relative to the length L 3  of the handle, although any ratio greater than approximately 40% is preferred. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a razor  400  according to the present invention. The razor includes a handle  401  (similar to one sold as GILLETTE TRAC II PLUS™) and a blade holding cartridge  410  (similar to one sold as GILLETTE TRAC II PLUS™ but with a greater width) that is detachable from the handle  401 . The cartridge  410  includes two parallel blades  411 ,  412  mounted in the cartridge  410 . The cartridge also includes a strip  415  including lubricating material. The cartridge  410  can be attached and detached relative to the handle  401  by means of being slid onto a receiving portion  419  of the handle  401 , and does not pivot. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the handle L 4  is approximately 11.4 cm. A preferred width W 4  of the blades is approximately 5.40 cm. This width may be varied, and a preferred range of widths W 4  is between approximately 4.95 cm and approximately 5.85 cm although any width greater than approximately 4.30 cm is also preferred. Accordingly, a preferred ratio of the width W 4  of the blades is approximately 47.4% to the length L 4  of the handle. This ratio may be varied in a preferred range for the width W 4  of the blade relative to the length L 4  of the handle, although any ratio greater than approximately 40% is preferred. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a razor  500  according to the present invention. The razor includes a handle  501  (similar to one sold as SCHICK FX DIAMOND™) and a blade holding cartridge  510  (similar to one sold as SCHICK FX DIAMOND™ but with a greater width) that is detachable from the handle  501 . The cartridge  510  includes two parallel blades  511 ,  512  mounted in a flexible arrangement in the cartridge  510 . The cartridge also includes a segment  514  with shaped areas and a strip  515  including lubricating material. The cartridge  510  can be attached and detached relative to the handle  501  by means of a manual latch  519 . In a preferred embodiment, the length of the handle L 5  is approximately 12.6 cm. A preferred width L 5  of the blades is approximately 5.40 cm. This width may be varied, and a preferred range of widths W 5  is between approximately 4.95 cm and approximately 5.85 cm although any width greater than approximately 4.30 cm is also preferred. Accordingly, a preferred ratio of the width W 5  of the blades is approximately 42.8% to the length L 1  of the handle. This ratio may be varied in a preferred range for the width W 5  of the blades relative to the length L 5  of the handle, although any ratio greater than approximately 40% is preferred. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a razor  600  according to the present invention. The razor includes a handle  601  (similar to one sold as SCHICK PERSONAL TOUCH™)and a blade holding cartridge  610  (similar to one sold as SCHICK PERSONAL TOUCH™ but with a greater width) that is detachable from the handle  601 . The cartridge  610  includes two parallel blades  611 ,  612  mounted in the cartridge  610 . The cartridge also includes a segment  614  with teeth and a strip  615  including lubricating material. The cartridge  610  can be attached and detached relative to the handle  601  by means of being slid on a receiving portion  619  of the handle. The blade does not pivot relative to the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the handle L 6  is approximately 11.6 cm. A preferred width W 6  of the blade is approximately 5.18 cm. This width may be varied, and a preferred range of widths W 6  is between approximately 4.74 cm and approximately 5.61 cm although any width greater than approximately 4.30 cm is also preferred. Accordingly, a preferred ratio width of the blade is approximately 44.6% to the length L 1  of the handle. This ratio may be varied in a preferred range for the width W 6  of the blade relative to the length L 6  of the handle, although any ratio greater than approximately 40% is preferred. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a razor  700  according to the present invention. The razor includes a handle  701  (similar to one sold as BIC PLUS™) and a head  710  (similar to one sold as BIC PLUS™ but with a greater width) that is integral with the handle  701 . The head  710  includes one blade  711  mounted non-removably in a head  710 . As used herein, “non-removable head element” refers to a head element that is designed not to be removed from the handle by the user, with a blade mounted in the head element so that the blade is designed not to be removed from the head element by the user. Returning to the embodiment of FIG. 8, the head also includes a strip  715  including lubricating material. The head  710  is integral with the handle  701  and does not pivot. In a preferred embodiment, the length L 7  of the handle  701  is approximately 11.0 cm. A preferred width W 7  of the blade is approximately 5.10 cm. This width may be varied, and a preferred range of widths W 1  is between approximately 4.68 cm and approximately 5.53 cm although any width greater than approximately 4.30 cm is also preferred. Accordingly, a preferred ratio width W 7  of the blade is approximately 41.3% to the length L 7  of the handle. This ratio may be varied in a preferred range for the width W 7  of the blade relative to the length L 7  of the handle, although any ratio greater than approximately 40% is preferred. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a razor  810  according to the present invention. The razor includes a handle  801  (similar to one sold as WILKINSON SWORD™) and a blade head  810  (similar to one sold as WILKINSON SWORD™ but with a greater width) that is integral with the handle  801 . The cartridge  810  includes one blade  811  mounted in the head  810 . The cartridge  810  fits in a mounting portion  819  of the handle, and is detachable. The head  810  does not pivot. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the handle L 8  is approximately 10.5 cm. A preferred width W 8  of the blade is approximately 6.45 cm. This width may be varied, and a preferred range of widths W 8  is between approximately 5.91 cm and approximately 6.99 cm, although any width greater than approximately 4.30 cm is also preferred. Accordingly, a preferred ratio width of the blade is approximately 61.4% to the length L 8  of the handle. This ratio may be varied in a preferred range for the width W 8  of the blade relative to the length L 8  of the handle, although any ratio greater than approximately 40% is preferred. 
     Besides the various embodiments detailed described above, many modifications are possible. For example, the handles are shown as being generally elongated, but other handle shapes including wider or flatter handles are possible. 
     It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended with the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.