US3871073A - Shaving system with a fixed edge between the blade edge and the guard - Google Patents

Abstract

A shaving system includes air engaging edge structure fixed in position between a guard member and the cutting edge of a blade member. The hair engaging edge portion has an effective dimension relative to the dimension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke the edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Nissen et a1. Mar. 18, 1975 [54] SHAVING SYSTEM WITH A FIXED EDGE 3,660,893 /1972 Welsh 30/50 BETWEEN T E BL EDGE AND THE 3,703,764 11/1972 Perry 30/47 X 3,768,162 /1973 Perry /50 X GUARD [75] Inventors: Warren 1. Nissen, Topsfield; Roger FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS L. Perry, Lynnfield Center of Germany Mass 1,140,837 12/1962 Germany 30/34.2

[73] Assignee: The Gmeue Company Boston Primary E.\'umincr-Al Lawrence Smith Mass Assistant E.\'aminerGary L. Smith [22} Filed: Nov. 17, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 307,457 [57] ABSTRACT A shaving system includes air engaging edge structure fixed in position between a guard member and the cut- [52] US.Cl 30/34.2, 30/50, 30/75 ting edge of a blade member The hair engaging edge [51] 111K. C1 B261) 21/06, B261) 21/..2 portion has an effective dimension relative to the [58] held of Search mension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the 30/47 course of a normal shaving stroke the edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion [56] References C'ted in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping ef- UNITED STATES PATENTS feet on the individual hair elements which pulls them 1.579.844 4/1926 Smith 30/50 outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving sys- 2.335.547 11/1943 Smith 30/50 tem is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke. 2.361.921 11/1944 Albert 30/50 2.817.146 12/1957 Roberts 30/77 x 14 Clam, 17 Drawmg Flgures mums sum 1 0F 4 PATENTEI] NARI 8 I975 FIGS PATENTEDHAR 1 8ms sum 2 or 4 FIG 6 PATENTED' 3.871 .973

sum u 95 g FIG 9 FIG IO I SHAVING SYSTEM WITH A FIXED EDGE BETWEEN THE BLADE EDGE AND THE GUARD SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates to shaving systems.

Numerous efforts have been made to devise improved shaving systems which provide both a close shave and a safe shave (i.e., a shave with minimal risk of cuts and nicks), and it is a principal object of this invention to provide a novel and improved shaving system having such characteristics. Recently plural edge shaving systems which provide enhanced shaving have become commerically available. It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel and improved shaving system having shaving characteristics comparable to such plural edge systems in which a single edge may be employed.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a shaving system that includes structure for supporting a member that has a cutting edge; structure for positioning the cutting edge member so that its cutting edge is disposed along a predetermined line; and skin engaging structure such as a guard member that is positioned forwardly of and extends parallel to the predetermined line. Supplemental structure positioned between the skin engaging structure and the predetermined line has a hair engaging edge portion disposed parallel to the predetermined line. The hair engaging edge portion has an effective dimension relative to the diameter of hair elements to be shaved, and in the course of a normal shaving stroke, the edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those hair elements. This localized distortion is such that the edge portion exerts a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke. The force exerted on the individual hair elements is less than the pain threshold, that threshold for outward pull on beard hair generally being about 9-10 grams. In preferred embodirnents, the edge of the hair engaging edge portion has an effective radius in the range of 2-50 microns (which may be contrasted with the edge radius ofa new razor blade, a typical value of which is in the order of 0.03-0.05'microns, the diameter and the radius of the conventional guard which is in the order of 1,750 microns). The hair engaging edge portion is spaced from the predetermined line such that in a normal shaving stroke the hair element is pulled out and released prior to engagement by the cutting edge of the blade member.

The supplemental structure is a sturdy member which is made of suitable material such as plastic or metal. It provides a well-defined edge which is interposed between the conventional guard surface of relatively large radius and the platform structure and which projects forwardly (on the skin side) of a plane tangent to the leading edge of the platform and the guard structure. It is positioned between leading and following skin engaging surfaces (e.g., the guard and the blade edge); is preferably spaced forward of the blade edge a distance in the range of about three-quarters to two millimeters; and its perpendicular distance from a reference plane defined by the predetermined line and a tangent to the guard surface is preferably in the range of microns to +50 microns.

The invention provides an efficient shaving system with a single blade edge. In a particular geometry, an exceptionally close shave can be obtained without skin irritation, as the hair engaging element pulls the hair outwardly from the follicle for engagement and subsequent cutting by the blade edge. After the hair is cut, the root end recedes to its original position within the follicle, retracting the cut end so that effectively a closer shave is obtained than with a comparable single blade system.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be seen as the following description of particular embodiments progresses, in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa shaving system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along theline 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged view showing aspects of the geometryof the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic indication of the dynamic operation of the shaving system shown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another shaving system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view, with parts broken away of the cartridge and handle components of the shaving system shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing aspects of the geometry of the shaving system shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of still another shaving system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view with parts broken away of the platform and handle component of the shaving system shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line l lll0 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the structure shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the cap member of the shaving system shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13l3 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the blade elements employed in the shaving system shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 17 is a further enlarged view showing aspects of the geometry of the shaving system shown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS The razor system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes ahandle portion 10 and ahead portion 12 in which a double edged blade B may be clamped for use in shaving.Head portion 12 includesguard structure 14,platform structure 16, and a pair ofswingable cap sections 18 for clamping the blade B against theplatform 16 with its cutting edges in shaving relation with respect toguard 14. Replacement of the blade B is effected by a system of mechanical elements which includes tubular.

handlemember 20 andknob 22. Rotation ofknob 22 moves stem 24 to which is secured aspider 26 on which are pivotally mountedcap sections 18. As thestem 24 andspider 26 moves up, in response to rotation ofknob 22,cap projections 28 engage the under surfaces of theplatform 16 causing thecap sections 18 to swing outwardly to a fully open position. In this position, an old blade may be removed and a new blade may be placed on the razor head, resting onplatform 16. The new blade may be clamped on the platform by imparting reverse rotation toknob 22, loweringstem 24 and causingcap sections 18 to swing inwardly towards each other and into blade clamping position.

The blade B is fixed in position by guide structures carried byspider 26 to position theblade edge 30 in a predetermined position coincident with a predetermined reference line. A hair engagingsupplemental member 32 having a hairengaging edge 34 is fixed in position between eachguard 14 andplatform 16. Theedge 34 extends along a line parallel to theblade edge 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3,member 32 is made of metal and is integral with the guard and platform structure and theedge 34 has a radius of 50 microns. Edge 34 is located so that it is positioned on the skinward side ofplane 36 that extends from the forward edge ofplatform 16 to a tangent to the surface ofguard 14; and inplane 38 that extends fromblade edge 30 to a tangent to the surface ofguard 14. In thisposition edge 34 may be considered to have zero exposure. The center of radius ofedge 34 is positioned about one and one-half millimeters fromedge 30 and about one and one-half millimeters from the tangent line ofplane 38 onguard 14.

In a shaving stroke, the razor is positioned so that surfaces ofguard 14 andcap 18 are in contact with the skin as shown in FIG. 4. As the razor is moved along the skin, the surface ofguard 14 engagesbeard hair 40A and bends it over against the surface of the skin. Due to the relatively large radius of the guard surface, no significant outward force is exerted on thebeard hair 40A. When the interposededge 34 engages a beard hair (e.g., hair 408), however, due to its radius that is the same as the radius of a 100 micron diameter beard hair, it produces localized distortion as indicated diagrammatically at 42 in the nature of a grasping effect, and movement of the razor causes theedge 34 to exert a pulling force on the engaged hair element 408 that moves it outwardly from itshair follicle 44 as indicated byarrow 46. As movement of the razor continues, the beard hair (e.g.,hair 40C) is released byedge 34, and starts to retract as indicated by thearrow 48. Before thebeard hair 40C can return to its original location in its follicle, the movement of the razor causesblade edge 30 to engage thehair element 40C and that movement drives thecutting edge 30 through the beard hair in a severing action. After the beard hair has been severed, the cut end (e.g., of diagrammatically indicated hair element 40D) is further retracted by the action of the hair follicle as indicated by thearrow 50.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. -7. With reference to FIGS 5 and 6, the shaving system there illustrated includes arazor blade cartridge 52 arranged to be secured in ahandle member 54. This razor structure is generally of the type shown in Nissen US. Pat. No. 3,262,198, issued July 26, 1966.

Thecartridge member 52 includes aplatform structure 56 on which a band blade B is disposed. Blade B extends fromsupply chamber 58 acrossplatform 56 and is connected to a takeup arbor which is driven in rotation byhandle 60.Overlying platform 56 are fourprojections 62 which assist in maintaining the blade B on the platform. Guide surfaces 64 at the rear ofplatform 56 provides a reference for positioning theblade edge 66 in a predetermined position. When thecartridge 52 is inserted in thehandle 54,cap portion 68 of the handle clamps the blade B againstplatform 56 as indicated in FIG. 6.

Formed integrally and disposed forwardly ofplatform 56 is aguard structure 70, and disposed betweenplatform 56 andguard structure 70 is asupplemental member 72 which defines at its leading edge a hair engagingedge structure 74 that has an effective edge radius of about thirty microns.Edge structure 74 is supported in spaced relation betweenplatform 56 andguard 70 by spacedribs 76 such thatedge 74 extends parallel to thecutting edge 66 of blade B.

As shown in the diagrammatic view of FIG. 7,edge 74 is located so that it is positioned on the skinward side ofplane 36 that extends from the forward edge ofplatform 56 to a tangent to the surface ofguard 70; and twenty microns above plane 38' that extends fromblade edge 66 to a tangent to the surface ofguard 70. In this position, edge 74 may be considered to have positive exposure with respect to the skin engaging surfaces immediately forward and to the rear of that edge structure. In this embodiment,edge 74 is positioned about one millimeter fromedge 66 and about one millimeter from the tangent line of plane 38' onguard 70. In other embodiments,guard 70 and/orsupplemental structure 72 may be arranged for adjustment over a limited range of positions to vary the geometry of the shaving system. The operation of this shaving system is similar to the operation of the system described above in connection with FIG. 4, edge 74 producing localized distortion of the hair element that it engages and pulling the engaged hair element outwardly from its hair follicle as the shaving system is moved along the skin, and then releasing the hair element prior to cutting byblade edge 66.

Still another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8-17. That razor system includes a base member and acap member 102, each molded of high impact polystyrene. As seen in FIGS. 9-11, the lower portion of the base member forms ahandle portion 104 and the upper portion forms ahead portion 106 which includes two spacedsurfaces 108 and a downwardlycurved surface 110intermediate surfaces 108 which forms a recess or depression. Spaced abovesurface 110 is abridge structure 112, thelower surface 114 of which is curved complementary to surface 110 so that an open area is defined betweensurfaces 110 and 114. Formed inbridge structure 112 are twoinclined platform structures 116 and two associatedsupplemental structures 118. Eachsupplemental member 118 has a width of about threequarter millimeter and itsupper surface 120 is inclined at an angle of 15. Hairelement grasping edge 122, formed betweensurface 120 and the inner vertical wall ofsupplemental member 118, has a radius of about 20 microns. The inner walls ofmembers 118 are spaced about one and one-half millimeters apart and the adjacent edges of the twoblade support platforms 116 are spaced about four millimeters apart.Ribs 124 extend betweenplatform structures 116 and thesupplemental structures 118. There are tworectangular apertures 126 in each platform structure; tworecesses 128 at the rear edge of each platform structure; and alatch recess 130 is formed at either end of each platform.

Thecap component 102, details of which may be seen in FIGS. 12-14, is designed to fit on thebridge structure 112 of the base component. The cap compo- I nent includes a generallyrectangular frame 136 which has twoside members 138 and twoend members 140. Projecting inwardly from eachside member 138 is a cantileveredcap portion 142, which is inclined upwardly at an angle of about 25 and has aclamp surface 144 at its outer end and twoblade aligning webs 146 adjacent at its inner end. Twopins 148 extend downwardly from eachcap 142. Twolatch structures 150 project inwardly from eachend member 140. Each latch structure includes alower camming surface 152 and anupper latch surface 154. Also carried by eachend member 140 are two aligningprojections 156.Frame surface 158 is adapted to seat onsurfaces 108 of the base withpins 148 extending throughapertures 126 when latch surfaces 154 are in cooperating engagement withlatch recess 130 of the base.

Twoblade elements 160 are employed in this shaving system, each of which has a sharpenedblade edge 162, twoapertures 164, and arear blade edge 166, as shown in FIG. 15.

The assembled relationship ofblades 160,base component 100 andcap component 102 may be seen in FIG. 16. In assembly, eachblade 160 is positioned withcap pins 148 extending throughapertures 164 with each end ofablade edge 162 in engagement with aligningprojections 156 and therear edge 166 of each blade resting on theinclined surfaces 168 of aligningwebs 146. Thus the major portion of the body of eachblade 160 is supported clear of thecap 142 so that theblade edge 162 slides forwardly againstalignment projections 156. Thebase 100 is then attached to thecap 102 by insertingpins 148 intoapertures 126 and forcing camming latch surfaces 152 past the cooperating latch recesses 130 of the base to secure the cap and base together. In this position,cap frame surface 158 is seated onbase surfaces 108, as indicated in FIG. 16.

The resulting geometry isindicated in FlG. 17. As there indicated, eachedge 122 is located on the skinward side of theplane 170 that extends fromforward edge 123 of each platform 1 16 to the othersupplemental edge 122; and about 50 microns above theplane 172 that is defined by theblade edge 162 and the other supplemental edge 122 (a slight positive exposure). Eachedge 162 is positioned about 50 microns above theplane 174 defined by the immediately adjacentsupplemental edge 122 and a tangent to cap 142.

The arrangement provides a bi-directional shaving system in which shaving may be effected with a stroke in either of two opposite directions. In each shaving stroke, the leading blade and the leadingsupplemental member 118 function as guard structures which slide over the hair elements. However, theedge 122 of thesupplemental structure 118 closer to theactive blade edge 162 functions to grasp and exert a pulling force on the engaged hair elements to move them outwardly of the hair follicles. The grasped hair elements are released prior to engagement by thecutting edge 162 and are retracting into their follicles when they are engaged by theactive cutting edge 162 which is driven through the hair elements in a severing action. After the hair elements have been severed, their cut ends are retracted by action of their hair follicles. Reversal of the direction of the shaving stroke brings theother cutting edge 162 into action, together with itsadjacent edge structure 122. The spaces between thesupplemental members 118 andplatforms 116 provide flow passages for removal of debris from the shaving area and the large opening between surfaces and 114 facilitate flushing of shaving material from the razor.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and therefore it is not intended that the invention be limited to the disclosed embodiments or to details thereof and departures may be made therefrom within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A shaving system comprising:

molded plastic structure for supporting a cutting edge member that has a cutting edge,

structure for positioning the cutting edge member so that its cutting edge is disposed along a predetermined line,

molded plastic skin engaging structure positioned forwardly of and extending generally parallel to said predetermined line, and

supplemental molded plastic structure integral with said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure fixed in position between said skin engaging structure and said predetermined line; and spaced from both said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure; said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion disposed parallel to said predetermined line, said hair engaging edge portion having an effective radius in the range of 2-50 microns such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke.

2. A shaving system comprising:

molded plastic structure for supporting a cutting edge member that has a cutting edge,

structure for positioning the cutting edge member so that its cutting edge is disposed along a predetermined line,

molded plastic skin engaging structure positioned forwardly of and extending generally parallel to said predetermined line, and

supplemental molded plastic structure integral with said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure fixed in position between said skin engaging structure and said predetermined line; and spaced from both said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure; said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion disposed in the range of about three-quarters to two millimeters from and parallel to said predetermined line, said hair engaging edge portion having an effective dimension relative to the dimension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke.

3. A shaving system comprising:

molded plastic structure for supporting a cutting edge member that has a cutting edge,

structure for positioning the cutting edge member so that its cutting edge is disposed along a predetermined line,

molded plastic skin engaging structure positioned forwardly of and extending generally parallel to said predetermined line, a surface of said skin engaging structure and said predetermined line defining a plane, and

supplemental molded plastic structure integral with said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure fixed in position between said skin engaging structure and said predetermined line; and spaced from both said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure; said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion disposed parallel to said predetermined line, the perpendicular distance of said hair engaging edge portion from said plane being in the range of 20 to +50 microns, said hair engaging edge portion having an effective dimension relative to the dimension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cutting edge member is a blade member that is disposed at an angle in the range of.20-32 to said plane.

5. A shaving system comprising:

a platform member of molded plastic material,

a planar blade member having a forward sharpened cutting edge and a rear edge,

a cap member of molded plastic material, said cap member including a first alignment surface engaging said forward edge of said blade member, said cap member further including a second surface located rearwardly of said first alignment surface,

said rear edge of said blade member resting on said second surface so that the major portion of said blade member between said forward edge and said rear edge is supported clear of said cap member, said second surface being inclined with respect to the plane of said blade and tending to cause said rear edge of said blade member to slide forwardly along said second surface so that said blade member is urged forwardly toward said first surface to move said forward edge into engagement with said first alignment surface, said blade member being clamped between said platform member and said cap member, and means permanently securing said platform member, said blade member and said cap member together as a rigid unit.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said first alignment surface includes a pair of spaced aligning projections and said second surface includes a pair of spaced aligning webs, each having an inclined surface engaging the rear edge of said blade member and 6 a molded plastic member having a platform portion,

a guard portion and supplemental structure integral with said platform portion and said guard portion, fixed in position between and spaced from both said platform portion and said guard portion so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure, a blade member having a forward sharpened cutting edge and a rear edge, a molded plastic cap member, said guard portion being positioned forwardly of said platform portion, said blade member being adapted to be clamped between said platform portion and said cap member so that said cutting edge is spaced from said guard member, said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion disposed in the range of about three-quarters to two millimeters from and parallel to said cutting edge, said hair engaging edge portion having an effective dimension relative to the dimension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produced localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke, and means for securing said platform portion, said blade member and said cap member together as a shaving unit.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein a surface of said skin engaging structure and said cutting edge define a plane and the perpendicular distance of said hair engaging edge portion from said plane is in the range of 20 to microns.

9. The shaving system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the edge of said hair engaging edge portion has an effective radius in the range of 2-50 microns.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said blade member is disposed at an angle in the range of 2032 to said plane.

11. A shaving system comprising:

first and second blade members, each said blade member having a cutting edge;

structure for supporting said first and second blade members in symmetrical, opposed relation so that each cutting edge is disposed along a predetermined line;

supplemental structure integral with said supporting structure, fixed in position between said cutting edges and spaced from said supporting structure so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure;

said supplemental structure having first and second hair engaging edge portions disposed parallel to said cutting edges, each said hair engaging edge portion having an effective dimension relative to the dimension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke,

each said cutting edge and the hair engaging edge portion further from that cutting edge defining a plane,

the hair engaging edge portion nearer that cutting being located in the range of 20 to +Smicrons perpendicular distance from said plane, and each said blade member being disposed at an angle in the range of 2032 to the plane defined by it and the further hair engaging edge portion.

12. A shaving system comprising:

first and second blade members, each said blade member having a forward sharpened cutting edge and a rear edge, a platform member of molded plastic material, said platform member including two spaced blade support portions, said first and second blade members being disposed on respective support portions with their sharpened cutting edges in spaced opposed relation,

supplemental structure integral with and spaced from both'said support portionsand fixed in position between said opposed cutting edges so that an open slot is provided on either side-of said'supplemental structure, said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion associated with each said cutting edge, each said hair engaging edge portion having an effective dimension relative to the dimension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls th'em outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke,

a cap member of molded plastic material, said cap member including first alignment surface means engaging the forward edges of said blade members and inclined alignment surface means, the rear edge of each said blade member resting on said inclined surface means so that the major portion of each said blade member is supported clear of said cap member, said rear edge of said blade member tending to slide forwardly along said inclined surface to urge said blade member into engagement with said first alignment surface, said blade member being clamped between said platform member and said cap member, and means permanently securing said platform member, said blade members 1 and said cap member together as a rigid unit. 13. The shaving system as claimed inclaim 12 wherein the edge of said hair engaging edge portion has an effective radius in the range of 2-50 microns.

14. A shaving system comprising: first and second blade members, each said blade member having a forward sharpened cutting edge and a rear edge, a platform member, a cap member, said blade members being clamped between said platform member and said cap member with their sharpened cutting edges in spaced opposed relation, supplementalstructure integral with said platform member and fixed in position between said 'opposed cutting edges so that an open slot is provided on either sideof said supplemental structure, said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion positioned in the range of about threequarters to two millimeters from each said cutting edge, each said hair engaging edge portion having an effective radius in the range of two to fifty microns such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke, each said cutting edge and the hair engaging edge portion further from that cutting edge defining a plane, 1 the hair engaging'edge portion nearer that cutting being located in the range of 20 to +50 microns perpendicular distance from said plane, and each said blade member being disposed at an angle in the range of 2032 to the plane defined by it an the further hair engaging edge portion.

Claims (14)

1. A shaving system comprising: molded plastic structure for supporting a cutting edge member that has a cutting edge, structure for positioning the cutting edge member so that its cutting edge is disposed along a predetermined line, molded plastic skin engaging structure positioned forwardly of and extending generally parallel to said predetermined line, and supplemental molded plastic structure integral with said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure fixed in position between said skin engaging structure and said predetermined line; and spaced from both said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure; said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion disposed parallel to said predetermined line, said hair engaging edge portion having an effective radius in the range of 2-50 microns such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a graspinG effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke.

2. A shaving system comprising: molded plastic structure for supporting a cutting edge member that has a cutting edge, structure for positioning the cutting edge member so that its cutting edge is disposed along a predetermined line, molded plastic skin engaging structure positioned forwardly of and extending generally parallel to said predetermined line, and supplemental molded plastic structure integral with said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure fixed in position between said skin engaging structure and said predetermined line; and spaced from both said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure; said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion disposed in the range of about three-quarters to two millimeters from and parallel to said predetermined line, said hair engaging edge portion having an effective dimension relative to the dimension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke.

3. A shaving system comprising: molded plastic structure for supporting a cutting edge member that has a cutting edge, structure for positioning the cutting edge member so that its cutting edge is disposed along a predetermined line, molded plastic skin engaging structure positioned forwardly of and extending generally parallel to said predetermined line, a surface of said skin engaging structure and said predetermined line defining a plane, and supplemental molded plastic structure integral with said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure fixed in position between said skin engaging structure and said predetermined line; and spaced from both said supporting structure and said skin engaging structure so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure; said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion disposed parallel to said predetermined line, the perpendicular distance of said hair engaging edge portion from said plane being in the range of -20 to +50 microns, said hair engaging edge portion having an effective dimension relative to the dimension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cutting edge member is a blade member that is disposed at an angle in the range of 20*-32* to said plane.

5. A shaving system comprising: a platform member of molded plastic material, a planar blade member having a forward sharpened cutting edge and a rear edge, a cap member of molded plastic material, said cap member including a first alignment surface engaging said forward edge of said blade member, said cap member further including a second surface located rearwardly of said first alignment surface, said rear edge of said blade member resting on said second surface so that the major portion of said blade member between said forward edge and said rear edge is supported clear of said cap member, said second surface being inclined with respect to the plane of said blade and tending to cause said rear edge of said blade member to slide forwardLy along said second surface so that said blade member is urged forwardly toward said first surface to move said forward edge into engagement with said first alignment surface, said blade member being clamped between said platform member and said cap member, and means permanently securing said platform member, said blade member and said cap member together as a rigid unit.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said first alignment surface includes a pair of spaced aligning projections and said second surface includes a pair of spaced aligning webs, each having an inclined surface engaging the rear edge of said blade member and urging the blade member forwardly so that said cutting edge is in engagement with said aligning projections.

7. A shaving system comprising: a molded plastic member having a platform portion, a guard portion and supplemental structure integral with said platform portion and said guard portion, fixed in position between and spaced from both said platform portion and said guard portion so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure, a blade member having a forward sharpened cutting edge and a rear edge, a molded plastic cap member, said guard portion being positioned forwardly of said platform portion, said blade member being adapted to be clamped between said platform portion and said cap member so that said cutting edge is spaced from said guard member, said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion disposed in the range of about three-quarters to two millimeters from and parallel to said cutting edge, said hair engaging edge portion having an effective dimension relative to the dimension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produced localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke, and means for securing said platform portion, said blade member and said cap member together as a shaving unit.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein a surface of said skin engaging structure and said cutting edge define a plane and the perpendicular distance of said hair engaging edge portion from said plane is in the range of -20 to +50 microns.

9. The shaving system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the edge of said hair engaging edge portion has an effective radius in the range of 2-50 microns.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said blade member is disposed at an angle in the range of 20*-32* to said plane.

11. A shaving system comprising: first and second blade members, each said blade member having a cutting edge; structure for supporting said first and second blade members in symmetrical, opposed relation so that each cutting edge is disposed along a predetermined line; supplemental structure integral with said supporting structure, fixed in position between said cutting edges and spaced from said supporting structure so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure; said supplemental structure having first and second hair engaging edge portions disposed parallel to said cutting edges, each said hair engaging edge portion having an effective dimension relative to the dimension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke, each said cutting edge and the hair engaging edge portion further from that cutting edge defining a plane, the hair engaging edge portion nearer that Cutting being located in the range of -20 to +50 microns perpendicular distance from said plane, and each said blade member being disposed at an angle in the range of 20*-32* to the plane defined by it and the further hair engaging edge portion.

12. A shaving system comprising: first and second blade members, each said blade member having a forward sharpened cutting edge and a rear edge, a platform member of molded plastic material, said platform member including two spaced blade support portions, said first and second blade members being disposed on respective support portions with their sharpened cutting edges in spaced opposed relation, supplemental structure integral with and spaced from both said support portions and fixed in position between said opposed cutting edges so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure, said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion associated with each said cutting edge, each said hair engaging edge portion having an effective dimension relative to the dimension of hair elements to be shaved such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke, a cap member of molded plastic material, said cap member including first alignment surface means engaging the forward edges of said blade members and inclined alignment surface means, the rear edge of each said blade member resting on said inclined surface means so that the major portion of each said blade member is supported clear of said cap member, said rear edge of said blade member tending to slide forwardly along said inclined surface to urge said blade member into engagement with said first alignment surface, said blade member being clamped between said platform member and said cap member, and means permanently securing said platform member, said blade members and said cap member together as a rigid unit.

13. The shaving system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the edge of said hair engaging edge portion has an effective radius in the range of 2-50 microns.

14. A shaving system comprising: first and second blade members, each said blade member having a forward sharpened cutting edge and a rear edge, a platform member, a cap member, said blade members being clamped between said platform member and said cap member with their sharpened cutting edges in spaced opposed relation, supplemental structure integral with said platform member and fixed in position between said opposed cutting edges so that an open slot is provided on either side of said supplemental structure, said supplemental structure having a hair engaging edge portion positioned in the range of about three-quarters to two millimeters from each said cutting edge, each said hair engaging edge portion having an effective radius in the range of two to fifty microns such that in the course of a normal shaving stroke said edge portion engages hair elements and produces localized distortion in those engaged hair elements to exert a grasping effect on the individual engaged hair elements which pulls them outwardly from their hair follicles as the shaving system is moved over the skin surface in a shaving stroke, each said cutting edge and the hair engaging edge portion further from that cutting edge defining a plane, the hair engaging edge portion nearer that cutting being located in the range of -20 to +50 microns perpendicular distance from said plane, and each said blade member being disposed at an angle in the range of 20*-32* to the plane defined by it and the further hair engaging edge portion.

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