Hinged Sponge Flap for Back Shaver Blade Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional back shavers with elongated handles lack an improved configuration for applicators combined with razor blades, making it difficult to effectively shave hard-to-reach areas like the backside efficiently and safely.

Innovation Solution

A foldable sponge flap with a 270-degree hinge mechanism and securing buckles integrated into a fabric sleeve that surrounds the shaver handle, allowing the sponge to cover blade cartridges for safety and act as a foundation for shaving, while also providing a surface for applying lotion or soap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an elongated handle with blade is used for back shaving, then reachability to backside areas is improved, but safety and shaving efficiency are worsened due to lack of integrated applicator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereachability to backside areasVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the applicator (sponge) and blade into a single integrated back shaver unit. The sponge flap is positioned to cover the blade cartridges, creating a unified device that provides both application and shaving functions, thereby improving safety while maintaining reachability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The back shaver is designed as a multi-functional device that can both apply lotion/soap and perform shaving operations. The sponge flap serves dual purposes: as an applicator surface and as a protective cover for the blades, enabling the device to perform multiple functions safely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If an elongated handle with blade is used for back shaving, then reachability to backside areas is improved, but shaving efficiency is worsened due to lack of integrated applicator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereachability to backside areasVSAvoidshaving efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator and shaving functions are merged into one device, allowing the user to perform both skin preparation and shaving in a single operation, thereby improving shaving efficiency while maintaining the elongated handle design for backside reachability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sponge flap is positioned to cover the blade cartridges and can be used to apply lotion or soap before shaving. This preliminary action of skin preparation is integrated into the same device that performs shaving, streamlining the process and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If blade cartridges are exposed for shaving, then shaving functionality is improved, but safety is worsened due to risk of cuts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaving functionalityVSAvoidrisk of cuts

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sponge flap acts as an intermediary between the user and the blade cartridges. It can be used to apply lotion/soap before shaving and serves as a protective cover when the blades are not in use, reducing the risk of cuts while maintaining shaving functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful aspect (exposed blades) is separated from the useful aspect (shaving function) by using the sponge flap as a removable cover. The blades remain in the cartridge for shaving when needed, but can be protected by the sponge flap when not in use, extracting the hazard while preserving functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If sponge flap is added to cover blade cartridges, then safety is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sponge flap is designed to serve multiple functions: as an applicator for lotion/soap and as a protective cover for the blade cartridges. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural element, as it provides safety benefits without requiring separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

5Reliability

If sponge flap with hinge mechanism is added, then safety and functionality are improved, but ease of manufacture is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism allows the sponge flap to be flexible and movable, enabling it to cover the blade cartridges effectively while remaining easy to attach and remove. This dynamic design simplifies the attachment process compared to permanent fixation methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10252431B2Sponge flap for razor

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 BAKBLADE LTD

AI summary

A shaver accessory hinges over a sharp edge of a razor blade of a shaver and comprises an outwardly facing sponge. A substantially planar flap has the sponge and a hinge at one end. The hinge is configured to attach to the shaver with the sponge facing at least outwardly when the flap is hinged over the sharp edge of the razor blade of the shaver. A securing mechanism coupled to another end opposite the one end is configured to variably attach the another end of the substantially planar flap to the shaver when the hinge rotates at least 270 degrees about the end of the shaver handle in either a closed position or an open position. A neoprene fabric sleeve fits over an outer end of a shaver handle to secure the hinge to the shaver.