Device for cleaning razor blades or razor modules

Abstract

A device for cleaning, in particular for the hygienic removal of residues from razor blades, multi-blade razors, razor heads or razor modules, comprising a substantially planar body which may be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid and has at least one cleaning surface, wherein the cleaning is carried out freehand by placing, tapping, rubbing, stroking, wiping or a comparable contact-based movement, without a cutting edge being guided, aligned, clamped, fixed, inserted into a groove or moved along a predetermined path of movement, and wherein the device in particular does not include a holding, clamping, guiding, receiving, pressing or positioning device for a cutting edge or a razor module, does not provide a defined contact line, material removal and no sharpening, straightening or honing effect and the blade is exclusively planar,The device rests on surfaces either at specific points or diffusely without a defined penetration depth or edge support, and can be used for manual or automated cleaning.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for cleaning razor blades, multi-blade razors, razor heads, or razor modules. It falls within the field of manual cleaning of razor blades, particularly multi-blade system razors, where residues of hair, skin particles, soap scum, limescale, or moisture accumulate during use. The invention specifically relates to devices that enable such cleaning without sharpening, straightening, or material abrasion, and that require neither defined guidance of the cutting edge nor a fixed holder or path of movement. State of the art:

[0002] With conventional razors, cleaning often involves rinsing under running water or tapping them against hard surfaces like sinks or faucets. This regularly leads to damage to both the razor blades and the contact surfaces. Repeated hard impacts can create fine nicks on the cutting edges, significantly shortening the blades' lifespan. Simultaneously, chips or cracks can occur on ceramic or enameled surfaces.

[0003] Furthermore, devices are known that exhibit a sharpening, straightening, or honing effect. These systems have defined contact surfaces, guide grooves, or predetermined angles to achieve targeted material removal at the cutting edge. Some are equipped with abrasive surfaces, belts, or fluid systems that generate a sharpening effect when the razor is pulled through.

[0004] Such systems require precise guidance or positioning of the blade and actively alter the cutting edge. Free, undirected cleaning, where residue is simply loosened through mechanical contact, rubbing, or tapping, is not possible. Furthermore, many existing solutions require a holding device in which the razor must be clamped or fixed. This makes them inflexible and difficult to use, especially in everyday life or when traveling.

[0005] The device differs from known cleaning systems that work by means of liquid flow, ultrasound or brush action in that the cleaning takes place exclusively through direct, surface or impulse-like contact without active liquid or vibration action. The problem underlying the invention:

[0006] When using razor blades, the blades become clogged with hair, skin particles, limescale, or soap residue. Many users tap razors against hard surfaces such as sinks, faucets, tiles, or bathtub edges to loosen the residue and often try to remove it manually with their fingers. This leads to the following problems: • Damage to surfaces and fittings • Reduced lifespan of razor blades due to hard impacts • hygienic disadvantages due to contact with contaminated surfaces • increased risk of injury due to cuts or contamination

[0007] Common cleaning solutions often use holders, guide rails, defined penetration depths, or devices that produce a honing or sharpening effect. Such systems are inflexible in application and interfere with the blade geometry. Solution to the problem:

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a simple, flexible, and manually operated device for removing razor blade residue without sharpening or honing the blade edge and without mechanical guidance, a defined penetration depth, or a rigid holder. Furthermore, it aims to prevent users from tapping razor blades against hard bathroom surfaces, thereby causing damage, and from attempting to remove residue manually with their fingers, which increases the risk of injury.

[0009] The device comprises a substantially planar body, which can be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid and has at least one cleaning surface. Cleaning is performed hands-free by placing, tapping, rubbing, stroking, wiping, or a similar contact-based movement, without any defined guidance, alignment, or fixation of the cutting edge. The razor is placed freely on the cleaning surface or struck against it. This process does not involve any targeted manipulation of the blade, material removal, or sharpening or honing action. The device functions solely through physical contact, impulse transmission, and surface adhesion. The material elasticity and surface structure are selected such that, upon impact of a razor head or shaving module, a portion of the impact energy is absorbed elastically, thereby reducing both the impact force and noise generation.At the same time, the structured or smooth surface reduces the adhesive forces between residue and the blade, making it easier to remove hair, soap scum, or limescale deposits. This combination of impact damping and adhesion reduction measurably protects the blades and ensures hygienic and gentle cleaning without altering the blade geometry.

[0010] A "contact-based movement" refers to any manual or mechanical movement in which the razor comes into contact with the cleaning surface through brief or continuous contact, without the cutting edge engaging a guide, groove, or defined path. The term "without defined penetration depth" means that no fixed or reproducible pressure is applied to the cutting edge, and contact occurs solely through the razor's own weight or the user's manual impulse.

[0011] The flat body can be smooth, textured, or a combination of both, and may feature different zones with varying surface hardness or elasticity. Its elastic and damping properties ensure gentle cleaning without damaging the cutting edge or impact surface. The advantages achieved as a result:

[0012] The device according to the invention enables gentle, non-directional cleaning of razor blades, thus preventing damage and edge deformation. The razor can be used freely, without a predetermined direction, angle, or holder. The cushioning effect of the material prevents hard impacts, protecting sinks, faucets, and other surfaces. Residues such as hair, soap scum, or limescale are removed mechanically without any sharpening or stropping effect. Further advantages: • Extended lifespan of razor blades due to reduced mechanical stress, • Protection of sensitive surfaces and fittings, • Hygienic application without contact with contaminated surfaces, • Compact, mobile and easy-to-clean design, • sustainable use and reusability (“zero waste” approach), • Universal applicability for different razor and module types, • Simple and cost-effective mass production using common methods such as injection molding, pressing or casting. Embodiments of the invention:

[0013] The device may, in particular, have the following features and variants: • Cleaning surface: smooth, textured or combined, with raised areas, depressions, bumps, grooves, dots, lamellae or microstructures; • Multi-zone construction: areas of different hardness or elasticity (e.g., different Shore hardness grades), with abrupt or continuous transitions; • Material: Plastic, silicone, TPU, elastomer, composite or fiber materials, metal, wood, ceramic, textile, foam or non-woven fabric; • Design: stationary, mobile, rollable, reversible or interchangeable, optionally with base, mounting plate or underlay; • Fastening elements: optional suction cups, adhesive pads, micro-adhesive surfaces, magnetic elements or plug-in holders; • Edges / Drip edges: for liquid drainage, optionally hydrophilic or hydrophobic areas for drying or removal of residues; • Use: dry or with liquid, in the sink, shower or travel environment; • Impact protection: elastic and damping effect to protect sensitive surfaces; • Impulse removal function: Residues are removed from the blades by short-term impulse loading (tapping or impact movement) without affecting their geometry.

[0014] The device does not require a defined holder, guide, or angle for the cutting edge. It can be used freely, cleaned, and manufactured in various sizes and shapes. A preferred embodiment features a combined surface with a smooth zone for tapping and a textured zone for wiping away residue. Alternatively, the entire surface can be homogeneously textured to achieve a uniform cleaning effect. Industrial applicability:

[0015] The device can be used in homes, hotels, fitness and wellness facilities, or while traveling. It is suitable for series and mass production and can be manufactured in various sizes, materials, and designs. Therefore, it is industrially applicable within the meaning of Section 5 of the German Patent Act (PatG) and Section 2 of the German Utility Model Act (GebrMG).

Claims

[1] A device for cleaning, in particular for the hygienic removal of residues from razor blades, multi-blade razors, razor heads or razor modules, comprising a substantially planar body which may be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid and which has at least one cleaning surface, wherein the cleaning is carried out freehand by placing, tapping, rubbing, stroking, wiping or a similar contact-based movement, without a cutting edge being guided, aligned, clamped, fixed, inserted into a groove or moved along a predetermined path of movement, and wherein the device in particular does not include a holding, clamping, guiding, receiving, pressing or positioning device for a cutting edge or a razor module, does not provide a defined contact line, material removal and no sharpening, straightening or honing effect and the blade is exclusively planar,The device rests on surfaces either at specific points or diffusely without a defined penetration depth or edge support, and can be used for manual or automated cleaning. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the cleaning surface may be smooth, structured or a combination thereof, wherein the structure may consist of elevations, depressions, grooves, bumps, dots, lamellae, microstructures or combinations thereof and may be produced by processes such as injection molding, embossing, laser processing or compression molding, wherein the structure is designed such that residues are released from the cutting edge by mechanical impulses or adhesion reduction. [3] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the planar body can be designed with one or more zones, whereby areas with different surface structure, hardness or elasticity can be provided, without fixed specifications regarding shape, size or arrangement, wherein the transitions between the zones can be continuous or abrupt, wherein the different areas each serve to adapt to different cleaning movements or types of residue. [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the planar body may consist of plastic, elastomer, composite material, metal, wood, ceramic, textile or fiber-based materials, nonwovens, foams or material composites, or may include combinations of these materials. [5] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the flat body can be stationary, mobile, one-piece, multi-piece, rollable, interchangeable, reversible or flat-lying and may optionally have a base, mounting plate or underlay to allow flexible adaptation to different operating environments. [6] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that optional fastening elements may be provided, selected from suction cups, micro-adhesive surfaces, adhesive pads, magnetic elements, plug-in or retaining elements. [7] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an edge, a drainage channel or a drip edge may be provided for the drainage of liquid and the cleaning surface may be designed wholly or partially to be hydrophilic or hydrophobic in order to facilitate the removal of residues, the drainage of liquid or the drying of the surface. [8] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that residues can be removed by placing, tapping, rubbing, stroking or wiping without defined edge contact and without alignment of the cutting edge. [9] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cleaning surface is designed to loosen residues by means of contact, tapping, rubbing or wiping movements without clamping, straightening or pressing a cutting edge. [10] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cleaning surface has no cutting guide, no groove guide, no retaining groove, no angle specification and no edge support for the cutting edge and allows free, non-directional use of the razor. [11] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat it is designed for tapping off razor blades, razor heads or razor modules to avoid damage to sinks, fittings or other hard surfaces, wherein the tapping takes place without defined edge support and without impact on the cutting edge, wherein the device in particular prevents damage to ceramic or metallic surfaces. [12] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the planar body is designed to be at least partially elastically compliant and / or vibration-damping in order to absorb impact energy occurring during tapping, reduce rebound and enable gentle cleaning of the razor blades, whereby the damping effect is chosen in such a way as to achieve a perceptible reduction of impact noise and impact forces compared to a hard surface. [13] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the cleaning surface is designed in such a way that residues are removed from the blades by a short-term impulse load in the form of a tapping or impact movement, whereby the surface reduces the formation of adhesive bridges between residues and blade and whereby the impulse energy can be generated from manual or mechanical movement. [14] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that cleaning can optionally take place on a smooth zone, a structured zone or a combination of both, each of these variants providing an equivalent cleaning effect without requiring a mandatory combination of both. [15] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by, that it is designed to remove hair, skin particles, soap residue, moisture or limescale deposits from razor blades by placing, tapping, rubbing, stroking or wiping, without sharpening, straightening or stropping action.