U.S. patent application number 11/440393 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for multi-bladed razor cartridge sharpener with aloe vera gel lubricant.
Invention is credited to Andy K. Morita, Robert Y. Nakamura.
Application Number | 20060211346 11/440393 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36316938 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060211346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morita; Andy K. ; et
al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Multi-bladed razor cartridge sharpener with aloe vera gel
lubricant
Abstract
Apparatus for sharpening and or honing a multi-bladed razor
cartridge including a sharpening member, a housing to secure the
sharpening member. An aloe vera or soap solution dispenser provides
a lubricant to the sharpening member to lubricate the razor and a
housing to limit the travel of the razor on the sharpening member.
The sharpening and or honing member is made of a mirrored plate
glass secured in a channel within the housing
Inventors: |
Morita; Andy K.; (Grand
Terrace, CA) ; Nakamura; Robert Y.; (Oakland,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUHLER ASSOCIATES;BUHLER, KIRK A.
1101 CALIFORNIA AVE.
SUITE 208
CORONA
CA
92881
US
|
Family ID: |
36316938 |
Appl. No.: |
11/440393 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10985386 |
Nov 9, 2004 |
|
|
|
11440393 |
May 25, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
451/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24D 15/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/349 |
International
Class: |
B24B 23/00 20060101
B24B023/00 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for sharpening the cutting edges of a multi-bladed
cartridge razor comprising: an elongated, substantially flat bottom
member, said bottom member having a top, bottom, and at least one
side edge inside a housing; at least one side wall of the housing
to allow for constrained movement of a multi-bladed cartridge razor
head; an exposed glass sharpening member being mounted within the
housing having a sharpening surface for sharpening a multi-bladed
cartridge razor positioned to be engaged by the cutting edges of
said multi-bladed cartridge razor head during said movement of said
multi-bladed cartridge head along said sharpening surface; and a
dispensing device for dispensing aloe vera solution on the said
sharpening member that provides lubrication to assist in the honing
process
2. The apparatus from claim 1, wherein the sidewall is around the
exterior of the flat bottom member.
3. The apparatus from claim 1 wherein the sharpening member is
substantially flat or contoured to match the shape of the
blade.
4. The apparatus from claim 1 wherein the movement consists of one
or more longitudinal movements of the multi-bladed cartridge on the
sharpening surface.
5. The apparatus from claim 1 wherein the movement consists of at
least one non-linear stroke.
6. The apparatus from claim 1 further includes at least one
eyelet.
7. The apparatus from claim 1 further includes at least one open
hook for at least temporal attachment within a shower.
8. The apparatus from claim 1 wherein the aloe vera is a gel
consistency.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the substantially
exposed glass sharpening member is a mirror whereby the sharpening
surface can be used both to sharpen the multi-bladed cartridge
razor and as a mirror to aid is viewing oneself while shaving.
10. Apparatus for sharpening the cutting edges of a multi-bladed
cartridge razor comprising: a glass sharpening member having a
sharpening surface for sharpening a multi-bladed cartridge razor
positioned to be engaged by the cutting edges of a multi-bladed
cartridge razor during said movement of said multi-bladed cartridge
along said sharpening surface; and an aloe vera dispensing device
to dispense aloe vera gel on the said sharpening member to provide
a lubricant to assist in the sharpening process.
11. The apparatus from claim 10 wherein the sharpening member is a
mirror.
12. The apparatus from claim 10 wherein the sharpening member is
substantially flat or contoured to match the shape of the
blade.
13. The apparatus claim 10 wherein the engagement consists of one
or more strokes on the glass sharpening member.
14. The apparatus from claim 10 further includes an attachment
mechanism for at least temporary attachment where one shaves.
15. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the substantially
exposed glass sharpening member is a mirror whereby the sharpening
surface can be used both to sharpen the multi-bladed cartridge
razor and as a mirror to aid is viewing oneself while shaving.
16. Apparatus for sharpening the cutting edges of a multi-bladed
cartridge razor comprising: a two sided glass sharpening member
having a first side for sharpening a multi-bladed cartridge razor
positioned to be engaged by the cutting edges of a multi-bladed
cartridge razor during said movement of said multi-bladed cartridge
along said sharpening surface and a second side comprising a mirror
for viewing; and an aloe vera dispensing device to dispense aloe
vera gel on the said sharpening member to provide a lubricant to
assist in the sharpening process.
17. The apparatus from claim 16, further having a sidewall that is
around the exterior of the two sided glass sharpening member.
18. The apparatus from claim 16 wherein the sharpening member is
substantially flat or contoured to match the shape of the
blade.
19. The apparatus from claim 16 wherein the movement consists of
one or more longitudinal movements of the multi-bladed cartridge on
the sharpening surface.
20. The apparatus from claim 1 further includes at least one open
hook for at least temporal attachment within a shower.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Utility patent
application Ser. No. 10/985,386 filed Nov. 9, 2004
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to apparatus for sharpening a
multi-bladed cartridge razor. More specifically, the invention
relates to apparatus for use with to sharpen or hone a multi-bladed
sharpening razor where multiple blades are retained in a single
shaving cartridge. The multi-bladed shaving razor is used for
shaving the face, legs, underarm, and other areas of a body where
unwanted hair is present. A lubricant comprising of aloe vera gel
is utilized to improve the honing process of the blades.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Most safety razors are typically used for shaving the face
and other hairy regions of the human body. The razor, consist of a
metal and/or plastic handle attached to a multi-bladed cartridge
razor head. Generally a multi-bladed razor cartridge is capable of
not more than 5 to 10 close shaves before the shaving edges becomes
dull and the user must dispose of the cartridge. There is a need
for quick and simple means for honing or re-sharpening the blades
in order to extend their useful life.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 1,540,078 issued May 23, 1924 to W. R. Long
discloses a sharpener for a single flat razor blade. With this
invention the user places a single blade in the sharpener, and
slides the blade over a sharpening surface that sharpens the blade.
While this invention sharpens a single blade, it is not intended
for sharpening multiple blades, a cartridge of blades and it
abrades the blade surface in addition to just removing oxidation
from the edge of the blade.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 1,588,322 issued Apr. 4, 1924 to T. McAdoo
discloses a sharpener for a single flat razor blade. With this
invention the user places a single blade in the sharpener, and
slides the blade over a sharpening surface that sharpens the blade.
While this invention sharpens a single blade, it is not intended
for sharpening multiple blades, a cartridge of blades and it
abrades the blade surface in addition to just removing oxidation
from the edge of the blade.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 1,594,246 issued Aug. 28, 1925 to H. W.
Dechert discloses a scraper sharpener. With this invention the user
places a scraper blade in the sharpener, and slides the blade over
the surface of a file to sharpen the edge of the scraper. While
this invention sharpens scraper, it is not intended for sharpening
multiple blades, a cartridge of blades and it abrades the blade
surface in addition to just removing oxidation from the edge of the
scraper.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,458,257 issued Jun. 25, 1946 to A. E.
Donovan discloses a holder and sharpener for a single flat razor
blade. With this invention the user places a single blade in the
holder/sharpener, and slides the blade over a sharpening surface
that sharpens the blade. While this invention sharpens a single
blade, it is not intended for sharpening multiple blades, a
cartridge of blades and it abrades the blade surface in addition to
just removing oxidation from the edge of the blade.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,731 issued Aug. 6, 1991 to Fletcher
discloses a Razor Sharpening Device that sharpens a single razor
blade. With this invention the user places a single blade in the
sharpener, and slides the blade over a honing member that sharpens
the blade. While this invention sharpens a single blade, it is not
intended for sharpening multiple blades, or a cartridge of
blades.
[0009] Published US Patent application 2003/0170198 from Williams
published Sep. 11, 2003 discloses a shaving gel using a number of
ingredients including aloe vera gel for shaving. While this
published application discloses the use of aloe vera gel as a
lubricant for shaving there is no disclosure where the shaving gel
is utilized to sharpen the shaving razor.
[0010] The prior art discloses examples of apparatus for sharpening
blades of a razor, but none providing the combination of features
disclosed and claimed herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] One of the objects of this invention is to provide a new and
improved sharpening device for sharpening the cutting edges of a
multi-bladed cartridge razor. Other objects of this invention are
to provide apparatus that can rapidly sharpen razor blades mounted
in a cartridge, which have no moving parts, is compact and
durable.
[0012] Razor blades in general become dull when oxidation occurs to
the cutting edge. When the oxidation is removed, the cutting edge
can be restored or maintained by first applying a soap or aloe vera
film onto the sharpening surface and secondly removing the
oxidation by sliding the cutting blade edge along a honing or
sharpening surface. When only the oxidation is removed, the cutting
blade edge can be maintained as long as the razor blade edge is not
altered.
[0013] It is another object of this invention to utilize aloe vera
gel to lubricate the glass sharpening surface to remove oxidation
from the edge of the razor. The aloe vera gel allows the blade to
move along the surface of the glass and not bind. The aloe vera
further creates a slurry that spreads along the blade to provide
even sharpening or honing of the blade.
[0014] In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is
proposed for sharpening the cutting edges of a multi-bladed
cartridge razor mounted within a shaving head that is attached to a
handle. A liquid aloe vera or soap-dispensing device provides a
slurry solution to the sharpening surface to provide lubrication.
The sharpening apparatus comprises a housing that holds a
sharpening element. The soap or aloe vera dispensing apparatus is a
plastic housing with a dispensing end with a cap. The housing
includes a substantially elongated flat member. The housing has
grooved sidewalls, and an attachment mechanism located along the
opposite edges of the bottom member.
[0015] It is another object of the invention to keep the glass or
mirror surface exposed to allow the person shaving to utilize the
surface to view their reflection while shaving. This give the
invention a dual purpose of both providing a sharpening surface and
a viewing surface.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, a wire or string is
attached to eyelet screws to provide a means to store the invention
on a showerhead collar or on a wall-mounting bracket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the multi-blade sharpening
apparatus.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view of the multi-blade sharpening
apparatus shown with a blade being sharpened.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a top view of the multi-blade sharpening
apparatus.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side view of the multi-blade sharpening
apparatus as it might hang within a shower.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a simplified version of the multi-blade sharpening
apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown a honing device
for a multi-bladed shaving cartridge. In this figure the housing 10
comprises a bottom wall 12, sidewalls 14 and 16, end walls 18, 20
and top plate 22. Sharpening element 13 as a substantially planar
sharpening surface 15 secured to sidewalls 14 and 16, end walls 18,
and bottom wall 12. The configuration of the housing is shown as a
flat substantially rectangular shape, but various other
configurations of the housing are contemplated including square,
triangular, round, elliptical and other shapes, as long as the
housing allows for a honing surface that allows for the blades of a
multi-bladed cartridge to be honed.
[0023] In the preferred embodiment the honing element 13 is
comprised of a smooth glass mirrored surface. Other honing elements
are contemplated including diamond surfaces, metals, emery paper,
sandpaper, stones, or other surfaces. In the preferred embodiment
the honing or sharpening is flat, but the shape may be another
shape that follows the contour of the blade that is being
sharpened. It is further contemplated that the sharpening element
13 has two sides, where one side is used for sharpening, and the
opposite side is a mirror used for visual reflection. This allows a
person to sharpen the blade(s) on one surface and view themselves
while shaving with the other surface. This two sided embodiment
allows for degradation of the reflective properties of the
sharpening surface without compromising the reflective properties
of the reflective surface. While it has been described that the two
surfaces have different functions, the two sides can both be mirror
surfaces providing twice the number of reflective and sharpening
surfaces.
[0024] The material from which the housing 10 is made is not
critical and it may suitably be made from a material such as steel
or aluminum, wood, or it may be made from plastic. In the preferred
embodiment the housing is molded in a plastic material. The plastic
material will not rust, is simple to manufacture and can be
manufactured with high repeatability with minimal part cost.
[0025] Prior to sharpening, the sharpening process is facilitated
by applying a thin coating of liquid soap or aloe vera solution
onto the surface 15 from a dispenser 27 as shown in FIG. 3. The
aloe vera or soap dispenser can be a variety of liquid dispensers
that can be dry soap, liquid soap, aloe vera, or a spray of a thin
aloe vera or soap and water solution. The multi-bladed cartridge
razor may be honed or re-sharpened by placing the multi-bladed
cartridge razor head within the housing 10 holding handle 26 so the
cutting edges in the multi-bladed cartridge razor head is parallel
to the sharpening surface 15, and moving the cartridge 24 along the
surface 15 pulled toward the end 20. In this figure the lubricant
dispenser is shown as a separate item it is contemplated that the
dispenser is an integrated unit with the blade sharpening
housing.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 4 that shows the blade-honing device
on a wall mounted configuration attached to holder 41 or showerhead
42 mounted methods. The mounting is accomplished with a string, or
wire that is secured to one or two eyelet screw attachments 33 and
34 shown in FIG. 3. Wall mounting can be attached with a
wall-mounting bracket 41. The bracket can be made of plastic or
metal, and secured to a wall with adhesives or anchored to the wall
with a screw or other fastener (not shown). The multi-bladed
cartridge-honing device may have a hook or loop molded onto one or
more sides for attachment or hooking the apparatus onto the head of
a shower or the rail of a shower rod.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 5 that shows the blade-honing device
in its simplified form. In this figure the honing or sharpening
surface 13 is shown as a substantially flat piece of mirror. An
open mounting hook 33 is formed or cut into the mirror. In this
embodiment a user will dispense soap, aloe vera or other lubricant
onto the top surface if the glass. The user will then bring a
multi-bladed cartridge razor in contact with the glass and stroke
the razor on the surface of the glass to remove any oxidation on
the razor and or hone the edges of the razor. This embodiment shows
a simple open hook so the device can be at least temporarily
attached to a showerhead or a shower rod. There are a variety of
configurations and embodiments that are contemplated between the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 and the embodiment shown in FIG.
5.
[0028] Thus, specific embodiments and applications for a
multi-blade sharpening apparatus have been disclosed. It should be
apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more
modifications besides those described are possible without
departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject
matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of
the appended claims
* * * * *