Razor blade sharpener

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for sharpening razor blades using a sharpening means which is in the form of a strip or a bar and has a width which exceeds that of the razor blade and a length which is provided for stripping down the razor blade. According to the invention, the sharpening means is a nonwoven microfiber fabric (3) which can be wound and is strip-shaped or which is stretched out in the form of a strip. During use of the device, the razor blade is passed several times over the nonwoven microfiber fabric (3) with slight pressure and is sharpened in the process. If this procedure is repeated before or after each shave, the razor blade can be used for many months.

Description

[0001] razor blade sharpener

[0002] The invention relates to a device for sharpening razor blades with a sharpening agent which is designed in a strip or bar shape with a width exceeding the razor blade and a length provided for wiping the razor blade, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] The device is used in particular for sharpening disposable razor blades. Devices for sharpening razor blades using various abrasives or flexible materials such as leather are known, the latter also being referred to as "stropping." Furthermore, devices for sharpening razor blades using silicone surfaces are known, but these require the razor blade to be sharpened while wet.

[0004] US Patent 6,062,970 describes a device of this type in which a strip of natural or imitation leather is attached to a strip-shaped support. WO 2012 / 041407 also describes a razor blade sharpener in which a strip-shaped support is coated with a layer of plastic or leather. The sharpening effect is achieved by wiping the razor blade against the plastic or leather coating.

[0005] US Patent 2012 / 0103139 describes a razor blade sharpener in which a strip-shaped support is coated with an elastic material, such as an elastomeric plastic or a thermoplastic elastomer. Specifically, US Patent 2012 / 0103139 suggests, for example, natural or synthetic rubber as the elastic material.

[0006] US Patent 2011 / 0230124 describes a razor blade sharpener consisting of a ridge-shaped carrier coated with a polymeric material onto which a liquid abrasive or cleaning agent is applied. The abrasive or cleaning agent is absorbed by the pores of the polymeric material, for example, a silicone, and forced to the surface when the razor blade is wiped. The abrasive is specified as, for example, a liquid abrasive based on aluminum oxide.

[0007] WO 2020 / 187359 describes a device for sharpening and cleaning razor blades, comprising a base body and a strip-shaped leather section. The base body also includes a compressible reservoir for a cleaning fluid. The razor blade is sharpened over the leather section and cleaned using the cleaning fluid.

[0008] Without resharpening, disposable razor blades quickly become unusable and must be disposed of. This not only incurs costs but also generates waste. The devices described above aim to extend the lifespan of disposable razor blades in order to reduce waste. However, this goal is not satisfactorily achieved by the devices described above because the leather or plastic materials used not only sharpen the razor blade when wiping it, but also damage the plastic backing of the razor blade in disposable razors with repeated use. The plastic backing becomes cracked and unusable, even though the razor blade itself would still be sufficiently sharp. Furthermore, the use of cleaning fluids or sharpening agents in liquid form is disadvantageous because they ultimately pollute wastewater.

[0009] The aim of the invention is therefore to find a more sustainable way to sharpen razor blades, one that protects the plastic blade holders of disposable razors, thus enabling the razor to be used multiple times. Furthermore, the device should allow for dry sharpening and be inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use.

[0010] These objectives are achieved by the present invention. The invention relates to a device for sharpening razor blades with a sharpening agent that is designed in a strip or bar shape with a width exceeding the razor blade and a length intended for wiping the razor blade, wherein, according to the invention, it is proposed that the sharpening agent be a microfiber nonwoven fabric that can be wound into a strip or stretched in a strip shape.

[0011] A nonwoven fabric, according to the standard DIN EN ISO 9092, which defines nonwovens, is fundamentally a structure made of fibers of limited length, continuous fibers (filaments), or cut yarns of any type and origin, which have been joined together to form a web (a layer of fibers) and bonded to one another in some way. Excluded from this definition is the interlacing or entanglement of yarns, as occurs in weaving, knitting, crocheting, or braiding.

[0012] The term microfiber nonwoven fabric is used for a nonwoven fabric in which the fibers of the nonwoven consist of microfibers. Microfiber is a collective term for fibers with a fineness of less than 1 dtex. A microfiber with a theoretical length of 10,000 m thus weighs a maximum of 1 g. The fiber diameters range from 3 to 10 pm, depending on the density. Microfiber nonwovens are used as upholstery fabric, in vehicle interiors, and in the clothing sector. The microfibers are generally spun from polyamide or polyester with an exceptionally fine individual fiber count (between 0.001 and 0.1 dtex). The single-count fiber material, whose individual fibers consist of a bundle of fibrils, is spun into a nonwoven fabric, which therefore has a randomly oriented fiber structure.

[0013] Microfiber nonwovens are sold under the trade name Alcantara or Alcantara imitations, for example. Alcantara is a nonwoven fabric based on ultrafine polyester fibers.

[0014] In accordance with the invention, a microfiber nonwoven fabric is used to sharpen the razor blade by repeatedly wiping it in the opposite direction to the usual shaving motion. If this process is repeated before or after each shave, the razor blade can be used for many months. Furthermore, in the case of a razor with a plastic blade holder, as is common in disposable razors, the microfiber nonwoven fabric does not damage the plastic. The microfiber nonwoven fabric proposed according to the invention thus has the property of sharpening the razor blade while simultaneously protecting the plastic blade holder. Practical tests conducted by the applicants have shown that the same disposable razor can be used for years under normal conditions.This reduces the cost of razors and significantly decreases waste. Furthermore, practical testing shows that disposable razors treated in this way over extended periods are gentler on the skin and cause less irritation than conventional razors. The applicants attribute this effect to the fact that the inventive device not only sharpens but also polishes disposable razors. It is therefore also a device for polishing razor blades.

[0015] One possible design involves a rollable, strip-shaped microfiber nonwoven fabric with a wiping surface for the razor blades and a non-slip surface on the opposite side. The razor blade sharpening device thus consists of only a strip of microfiber nonwoven fabric, which is distributed and stored, for example, wound into a roll. The microfiber nonwoven roll can be attractively finished and, if desired, sold together with a disposable razor.In use, the microfiber nonwoven fabric is unrolled and placed on a surface, for example the washbasin, where, due to the non-slip surface on the side opposite the wiping side, it adheres strongly enough to perform the wiping motion required for sharpening the razor blade.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, a strip-shaped support is provided, onto whose wiping side, intended for wiping the razor blade, the microfiber nonwoven fabric is stretched or can be stretched, and which has a non-slip surface on its side opposite the wiping side. In this embodiment, the microfiber nonwoven fabric is not rolled up, but stretched onto a strip-shaped support. The microfiber nonwoven fabric can also be replaceable, for example, by being detachably attached to the strip-shaped support with a hook-and-loop fastener, so that it can be replaced if necessary. The support itself could be made of plastic; however, in the interest of waste reduction and sustainability, natural and readily biodegradable materials such as wood and the like are preferred, which can be disposed of without concern after many years of use.

[0017] Furthermore, the strip-shaped carrier may be provided with two longitudinal ridges on its edge, extending along the side intended for wiping the razor blade, and the microfiber nonwoven fabric is arranged between these two ridges. The longitudinal direction of the carrier is the wiping direction for the razor blade. The ridges serve to guide the blade and ensure safe handling. The wiping direction can also be indicated on the carrier by a marking or similar feature.

[0018] In order to be able to adjust the device to different razor blade widths, it can also be provided that the distance between the two struts, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the carrier, is adjustable.

[0019] Furthermore, the use of a microfiber nonwoven fabric for sharpening razor blades is proposed. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying figure. This figure shows the

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a possible embodiment of a device according to the invention, and the

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a device according to the invention.

[0022] The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 has a strip-shaped support 1, which is provided with two ribs 2 extending along its edges in the longitudinal direction of the support 1. A microfiber nonwoven fabric 3 is stretched between the two ribs 2. The longitudinal direction of the support 1 runs along the wiping direction for the razor blade, indicated by an arrow in Fig. 1. This wiping direction is opposite to the usual shaving direction of the razor blade. The length of the strip-shaped support 1 is designed to allow the razor blade to be wiped and is sufficiently long for this purpose, for example, with a length of 7–15 cm. The width of the support 1, measured perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, exceeds the width of the razor blade to be sharpened, although sometimes only slightly. The spacing of the ribs 2, on the other hand, corresponds essentially to the width of the razor blade in order to guide it securely during the wiping motion.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows an upper side of the device on which the microfiber nonwoven fabric 3 is stretched. This side is also referred to here as the wiper side. On its side opposite the wiper side, the strip-shaped support 1 can be provided with a non-slip surface 4 to improve its grip on a surface such as the washbasin and the like (not visible in Fig. 1).

[0024] The device of Fig. 1 can be further customized as desired, for example with a fold-out mirror or a holder for the razor, and the like. Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a device according to the invention, in which the microfiber nonwoven fabric 3 is designed to be wound into a strip and has a wiping side intended for wiping the razor blade and a side opposite the wiping side, wherein the side opposite the wiping side has a non-slip surface 4. The length of the strip-shaped microfiber nonwoven fabric 3 is designed to allow wiping of the razor blade and is sufficiently long for this purpose, for example with a length of 7–15 cm.The width of the strip of microfiber nonwoven fabric 3, measured perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, exceeds the width of the razor blade to be sharpened, although sometimes only slightly. In use, the microfiber nonwoven fabric 3 is unrolled and placed on a surface, for example, the washbasin, where, due to its non-slip surface 4 on the side opposite the wiping side, it adheres sufficiently to perform the wiping motion required for sharpening the razor blade.

[0025] During application, the razor blade is repeatedly sharpened by applying light pressure to the microfiber nonwoven fabric 3 with a wiping motion, indicated by an arrow in Fig. 1, which is oriented opposite to the usual shaving direction. If this procedure is repeated before or after each shave, the razor blade can be used for many months. In this way, the cost of razors is reduced and the amount of waste generated is significantly decreased. Furthermore, practical testing shows that disposable razors treated in this way over a longer period are also gentler on the skin and cause less skin irritation than conventional razors. The applicants attribute this effect to the fact that disposable razors are not only sharpened but also polished by the device according to the invention.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Device for sharpening razor blades with a sharpening agent which is designed in a strip or bar shape with a width exceeding the razor blade and a length provided for wiping the razor blade, characterized in that the sharpening agent is a microfiber nonwoven fabric (3) that can be wound into a strip or stretched in a strip shape.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rollable strip-shaped microfiber nonwoven fabric (3) has a wiping side provided for wiping the razor blade and a side opposite the wiping side, wherein the side opposite the wiping side has a non-slip surface (4).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a strip-shaped support (1) is provided, on the stripping side of which the microfiber nonwoven fabric (3) is stretched or can be stretched for wiping the razor blade, and which on its The wiper side has a non-slip surface (4) on the opposite side.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the strip-shaped carrier (1) has two ribs (2) extending along its edge in the longitudinal direction of the carrier (1) on its wiping side provided for wiping the razor blade, and the microfiber nonwoven fabric (3) is arranged between the two edge ribs (2).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the distance between the two webs (2) measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support (1) is adjustable.

6. Use of a microfiber nonwoven fabric (3) for sharpening razor blades.

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