Razor Cartridge Skin Support Geometry for Reduced Irritation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaving razors cause discomfort and skin issues such as nicks, cuts, irritation, acne, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and razor bumps due to nerve stimulation and hair re-entry into the skin during shaving.

Innovation Solution

A razor cartridge design featuring a skin support element affixed to each blade assembly, extending towards the blade tip, with specific dimensions and openings to enhance comfort and debris removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple blades are used in a razor cartridge, then the closeness of shave is improved, but skin irritation and discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecloseness of shaveVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A skin support element is introduced as an intermediary component between multiple blades. This element extends toward the blade tip of a trailing blade assembly, creating additional spacing that reduces nerve stimulation and skin irritation while preserving the close shave capability of multi-blade cartridges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If blades are positioned close together, then hair cutting precision is improved, but nerve stimulation and discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair cutting precisionVSAvoidcomfort during shaving

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The skin support element acts as a mediator that increases the effective spacing between blades without compromising hair cutting precision. By extending toward the trailing blade tip, it creates a physical buffer that reduces nerve stimulation while allowing blades to remain positioned for precise hair cutting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional multi-blade geometry is used, then shaving efficiency is improved, but skin issues such as pseudofolliculitis barbae increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaving efficiencyVSAvoidskin infections

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The skin support element serves as a protective intermediary that modifies the interaction between blades and skin. It reduces the risk of pseudofolliculitis barbae and skin infections by minimizing nerve stimulation and preventing hair re-entry, while allowing efficient shaving to continue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12623365B2Razor cartridge with one or more skin support elements

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 THE GILLETTE CO

AI summary

A razor cartridge including a housing; a trailing blade assembly mounted to the housing and including a trailing blade with a blade tip; a leading blade assembly mounted to the housing in front of the trailing blade assembly and including a leading blade with a blade tip; and a skin support element affixed to the leading blade assembly and extending towards the blade tip of the trailing blade assembly. A horizontal length of the skin support element may be greater than a distance from a trailing part of the skin support element to the blade tip of the trailing blade assembly.