Printed Razor Blade Surface for Skin Bulge Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing razor blades cause excessive nicking and cutting due to inadequate management of skin bulge during shaving, particularly with multiple blades increasing blade drag on the skin, and lack of effective lubrication in uncoated areas.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating printed objects on the razor blade surface using UV curable ink, which form a three-dimensional structure to minimize skin bulge and enhance glide, with a height dimension of 0.04mm to 0.60mm and a blade span of 0.30mm to 1.50mm, acting as a skin guard and improving blade lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple razor blades are used in a cartridge, then shaving coverage and hair removal effectiveness are improved, but blade drag on skin increases causing more nicks and cuts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the blade system: the distal portion of each blade receives a lubricious polymer coating to reduce friction and manage skin bulge, while the proximal portion remains uncoated for effective hair cutting. This local differentiation allows multiple blades to work together with reduced skin drag while maintaining shaving coverage.
2Ease of manufacture
If polymer coating is applied only to the tip of the razor blade, then coating application process is simplified, but frictional resistance remains in uncoated areas causing tug and pull
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the lubricious polymer coating from just the blade tip to include the distal portion of the blade (the portion that contacts skin during shaving). This localized extension ensures that all skin-contacting surfaces have reduced friction, eliminating tug and pull while maintaining simplified coating application processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the razor blade glides smoothly over the skin, then skin protection is improved, but skin bulge management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricious coating on the distal portion of the blade creates a localized low-friction zone that allows the blade to glide smoothly over the skin while the elevated printed object structure manages skin bulge. The coating reduces friction enough to prevent nicks and cuts, while the physical structure of the printed object provides the necessary skin management.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The printed objects reduce the number of nicks and cuts by managing skin bulge and minimizing blade drag, enhancing shaving comfort and safety while maintaining rinsability.
Implementation Method 1
The printed object is inkjet printed
Implementation Method 2
UV curable ink
Implementation Method 3
The printed object has a lubricious interface with a skin surface
Implementation Method 4
the printed object is adapted to elevate a skin surface to minimize a skin bulge between blades
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A razor cartridge, a razor blade, and a process of producing a razor cartridge and razor blade is provided including at least one blade positioned between the guard and the cap where the visible surface of the at least one razor blade includes a printed object wherein the printed object has a height dimension of from about 0.04mm to about 0.60mm. The printed object may extend continuously along the length of the razor blade and/or may have multiple portions having a comb-like structure. The printed object appears as a solid object to a viewer's naked eye. The solid object includes a plurality of printed ink dots not visible to the viewer's naked eye. The printed object of flexible, polymer ink may act as a guard element on the razor blade which helps with glide and to manage a user's skin (e.g., bulge) during shaving.