Razor With Microstructured Abrasion Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wet shaving razors either lack the effectiveness of razor blades or abrasive materials, failing to provide a truly close shave, and none combine both elements effectively for enhanced exfoliation and hair removal.

Innovation Solution

A wet shaving razor design incorporating a plurality of razor blades with an abrasion material comprising geometric, three-dimensional microstructures adjacent to the blades, which exfoliate the skin and uplift hair, using a base substrate and coating that can wear away and release skin benefits, and a guard bar for enhanced uplift and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional razor blades are used alone, then hair cutting is achieved, but exfoliation and skin smoothing are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshave qualityVSAvoidexfoliation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines razor blades with an abrasion material layer containing geometric microstructures into a single integrated cartridge assembly. The abrasion material is positioned adjacent to and forward of the blades, allowing simultaneous exfoliation and hair cutting during a single shaving pass, thereby resolving the contradiction between hair cutting effectiveness and exfoliation quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If abrasive material is used alone, then exfoliation is achieved, but hair cutting effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexfoliation effectivenessVSAvoidhair removal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates both abrasion material and razor blades within the same cartridge housing, positioning them to work in sequence during shaving. The abrasion material first exfoliates the skin surface, followed by the blades that cut hair at the skin level, thereby achieving both effective exfoliation and superior hair removal in a single device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If abrasion material is placed forward of blades, then exfoliation occurs before shaving, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshave qualityVSAvoidcartridge structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a multi-functional cartridge assembly where a single housing structure supports both the abrasion material layer and the razor blade assembly. The guard bar structure serves dual purposes: protecting the abrasion material and guiding hair toward the blades. This integrated design achieves multiple functions (exfoliation, hair lifting, cutting, and protection) without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 combination of razor blades and microstructured abrasion material provides a closer, more comfortable shave by effectively removing dead skin cells and hair, reducing post-shave discomfort, and indicating when the razor needs replacement through dulling or structural collapse.

Implementation Method 1

a particularly well-suited abrasion material... comprises a plurality of geometric, three-dimensional, microstructures... exfoliate the skin and uplift hair

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP2276611B1Razor comprising a three dimensional, microstructured abrasion material
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 THE GILLETTE CO
  • EP2276611B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2276611B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2276611B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wet shaving razor comprising a handle having a proximate and distal end, a razor cartridge mounted at the proximate end of the handle. The cartridge further includes 1) a housing having a front wall, a rear wall, and opposing side walls joining said front and rear walls; 2) a plurality of razor blades, each blade having a sharpened cutting edge and wherein said blades are disposed in a parallel arrangement extending between said side walls; and 3) an abrasion material comprising a plurality of geometric, three-dimensional, microstructures wherein said material is disposed adjacent to said front wall and forward of said blades.