US20160015147A1

US20160015147A1 - Storage and lubrication device for safety razors

Info

Publication number: US20160015147A1
Application number: US14/803,066
Authority: US
Inventors: David G. Lampard; George J. Lampard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-21
Filing date: 2015-07-18
Publication date: 2016-01-21

Abstract

A razor storage device, for storing, lubricating, and protecting a safety razor, can include: a lower piece, including a lower interior cavity, a lower front cutout, a lower retaining ring, a protruding hook, and an upper protruding section; an upper piece, including a lower interior cavity, a lower front cutout, a lower retaining ring, a stability plate, and an extended portion; a hinge; upper and lower lubricating pads, including an inner foam core, an outer core with layers of polypropylene sheets, and an outer cover of a microfiber material, all impregnated with a lubricating oil, including a mineral oil, and optionally treated with an antimicrobial agent. The razor storage device can store a safety razor, thereby lubricating and extending the useful life of razor blades.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/026,960, filed Jul. 21, 2014, which is herewith incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of cases and protector for safety razors, and more particularly to devices and methods for extending the useful life of the blades of a safety razor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Safety razors, in the form of disposable razors and razors with replaceable disposable blade attachments remain very popular for daily shaving use.
In use of safety razors, the useful life of the blades of a safety razor is significant, as it can be cost prohibitive to replace disposable blade attachments or disposable razor on a frequent basis.
As a consequence of the high cost of frequent replacement, many methods and devices for extending the useful life of disposable razors and blade attachment have been proposed in the past.
Such past methods, systems, and devices, include:

- a) Drying of the blade/blades after use;
- b) Storing the razor outside of humid areas, such as bathrooms;
- c) Storing the blade/blades in a cup, jar, or drinking glass with mineral oil or alcohol;
- d) Applying a lubricant of some kind with a cotton swab, Q-Tip; and/or
- e) “Dry shaving”, without the use of water or shaving foam at all.

Cases for safety razors are available, but most are merely plastic containers for storage, which do not provide any function to protect the razor blades from oxidation and other degradation, which causes the blades to become dull.
Additionally, there are containers and cases for submerging or partially submerging a razor in different solutions to prevent oxidation, but most require the ongoing purchase of special liquid solutions from the manufacturer, and may not be convenient to use or transport, due to risk of spillage.
As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods for extending the useful life of safety razors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements are provided to the existing models for storing, protecting, and extending the useful life of a safety razor, by in various aspects and embodiments, providing a device which is low-cost to manufacture and use, simple to operate, and convenient for travel.
In an aspect, a razor storage device, for storing and lubricating a safety razor, can include:

- a) a lower piece, which can further include:
  - i. a lower interior cavity, which is formed as a cavity inside a shell of the lower piece which is accessible through a lower opening;
  - ii. a lower front cutout; and
  - iii. a lower retaining ring, which is an inward protruding ledge connected to an upper edge of the lower piece, such that the lower retaining ring surrounds parts of the lower opening into the lower interior cavity; and
- b) an upper piece, further comprising:
  - i. an upper interior cavity, which is formed as a cavity inside a surface of the upper piece, such that the cavity is accessible through an upper opening;
  - ii. an upper front cutout; and
  - iii. an upper retaining ring, which is an inward protruding ledge connected to a lower edge of the upper piece, such that the upper retaining ring surrounds parts of the lower opening into the upper interior cavity; and
- c) a hinge, such that a rear part of the upper portion is rotationally connected to a rear part of the lower portion, via the hinge;
- d) a lower lubricating pad, which is positioned inside the lower interior cavity of the lower piece, such that the lower retaining ring is configured to secure the lower lubricating pad in position inside the lower interior cavity; and
- e) an upper lubricating pad, which is positioned inside an upper interior cavity of the upper piece;
- such that the razor storage device is configured to contain an upper part of a safety razor, including a razor head, such that a razor handle protrudes from a front of the razor storage device, through a front aperture formed by the lower and upper front cutouts, when the razor storage device is in a closed configuration.

In a related aspect, the lower and upper lubricating pads can be impregnated with a lubricating oil.
In a further related aspect, the lubricating oil can be a mineral oil.
In another related aspect, the upper piece, the lower piece, and the hinge can be made in one piece
In yet another related aspect, the upper piece, the lower piece, and the hinge can be made from a plastic material.
In a related aspect, the upper and lower lubricating pads can each further include:

- a) an inner core, which can be made from a polyurethane foam;
- b) an outer core, which can be made from a polypropylene fine fiber material, configured such that the outer core covers the inner core, or is sandwiched over and under the inner core; and
- c) an outer cover, which can be made from a microfiber fabric, configured such that the outer cover covers the outer core and the inner core.

In another related aspect, the upper and lower lubricating pads can each be treated with an antimicrobial agent.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a razor storage device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a razor storage device with lubricating pads removed from the device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a razor storage device in an open configuration, with a safety razor inserted, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a razor storage device in a closed configuration, with a safety razor inserted, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a razor storage device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a razor storage device in a closed configuration, with a safety razor inserted, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a lubricating pad, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention.
The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.
In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a system for razor storage device 100 with reference to FIG. 1, in such manner that like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification.
In an embodiment a razor storage device 100, as shown in FIG. 1, for storing and lubricating a safety razor, can include:

- a) a lower piece 110, further comprising:
  - i. a lower interior cavity 212, as shown in FIG. 2, which is formed as a cavity inside a shell of the lower piece which is accessible through a lower opening;
  - ii. a lower front cutout 114;
  - iii. a lower retaining ring 115, which can be configured as an inward protruding ledge connected to an upper edge of the lower piece, such that the lower retaining ring 115 surrounds parts of the lower opening into the lower interior cavity 212;
- b) an upper piece 120, further comprising:
  - iv. an upper interior cavity 222, as shown in FIG. 2, which is formed as a cavity inside a surface of the upper piece 120, such that the cavity is accessible through an upper opening;
  - v. an upper front cutout 124;
  - vi. an upper retaining ring 125, which can be configured as an inward protruding ledge connected to a lower edge of the upper piece 120, such that the upper retaining ring 125 surrounds parts of the lower opening into the upper interior cavity 222;
- c) a hinge 130, such that a rear part of the upper portion 120 is rotationally connected to a rear part of the lower portion 110, via the hinge 130;
- d) a lower lubricating pad 142, which is positioned inside the lower interior cavity 212 of the lower piece 110, such that the lower retaining ring 115 is configured to secure the lower lubricating pad 142 in position inside the lower interior cavity 212;
- e) an upper lubricating pad 144, which is positioned inside the upper interior cavity 222 of the upper piece 120, such that the upper retaining ring 125 is configured to secure the upper lubricating pad 144 in position inside the upper interior cavity 222;
- wherein the razor storage device 100 is configured to contain an upper part of a safety razor, including the razor head, such that the razor handle protrudes from a front of the razor storage device 100, when the razor storage device 100 is in a closed configuration, wherein the upper and lower pieces 120 110 have been folded together.

In a related embodiment, FIG. 2 shows the razor storage device 100 with the lower and upper lubricating pads 142 144 removed from the lower and upper interior cavities 212 222, further showing the lower interior cavity 212 and the upper interior cavity 222.
In a related embodiment, the lubricating pads 142 144 can be impregnated with a lubricating oil, such that the lubricating oil coats, lubricates and protects a razor blade of the razor head, after each use of the safety razor, during storage of the safety razor in the razor storage device 100.
In a related embodiment, the lubricating oil can include:

- a) Vegetable oils, which are substantially colorless and odorless, including coconut oil;
- b) Mineral oils, which includes various colorless and odorless, light mixtures of higher alkanes from a non-vegetable (mineral) source, including
  - i. paraffinic oils, based on n-alkanes;
  - ii. naphthenic oils, based on cycloalkanes; and/or
  - iii. aromatic oils, based on aromatic hydrocarbons; and
  - iv. compositions of these;
- c) Other protective and lubricating oils, which are colorless and odorless; and
- d) Combinations of these.

In related embodiments, the lubricating oil can be Johnson's Baby Oil™, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., or other mineral oils with fragrance additives, including other brands or generic versions of perfumed mineral oil, which are well-known generically as baby oils.
In related embodiments, the lubricating oil serves the purpose of extending the useful life of razor blades and cutting edges of the razor blades, by slowing or eliminating corrosive and oxidizing effects of exposure to water and airborne water vapor.
In a related embodiment, the upper and lower pieces 120 110 and the hinge 130 can be manufactured in one piece, which can be injection molded using a plastic material, such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polyvinyl chloride, including unplasticized polyvinyl chloride and post chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. The hinge 130 is in such an embodiment formed as an integral part of the razor storage device 100 at the time of molding, using a well-known method of plastic injection molding for creating hinges between parts.
In a related embodiment, FIG. 3 shows the razor storage device 100 in an open configuration, with the lower and upper lubricating pads 142 144 inserted in the lower and upper interior cavities 212 222, with a safety razor 300 inserted, such that the razor head 302 is resting on the lower lubricating pad 142, and the razor handle 304 is protruding to a front of the razor storage device 100.
A safety razor 300, can include various non-electronic safety razors, normally used for wet shaving, including disposable razors and razors with replaceable disposable blade attachments or cartridges.
In a related embodiment, the lower and upper pieces can each have a depth of approximately three quarters of an inch in depth.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower and upper front cutouts 114 124 combine to form a combined front aperture 404, when the razor storage device is in a closed configuration, such that the razor handle 304 of an inserted safety razor 300, can protrude through the combined front aperture 404.
In a related embodiment, the lower and upper front cutouts 114 124 can each substantially be in the shape of respectively a lower half-circle and an upper half-circle, such that the combined front aperture 404, is substantially circle shaped.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the razor storage device 100 can include a latch mechanism 502, such that:

- a) The upper piece 120 further comprises one or more protruding hooks 128, as shown typically two protruding hooks 128, which are connected to a front of the upper piece, are hook-shaped, and protrude downwards;
- b) The lower piece 110 further comprises a lower rim 116, which can further comprise a recess on an underside of the lower rim 116;
- Such that the protruding hooks 128 are configured to engage with the lower rim 116, when the razor storage device 100 is closed, such that the upper piece 120 is locked in place with the lower piece 110, when the razor storage device 100 is in a closed configuration.

In a further related embodiment, the upper piece 120 can further comprise an upper rim 126, formed in or connected to a front part of the upper piece, such that the protruding hooks 128, are connected to the upper rim 126.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper piece 120 can further include upper protruding sections 529, which are configured to provide additional volume for the upper interior cavity 222, and to provide additional strength, rigidity, and stability of the upper piece 120, according to well-known design principles for plastic parts.
In a related embodiment, the razor storage device 100 can further include an at least one additional small cavity 523 in an upper part of the upper interior cavity 222 of the upper piece 120, which is formed by the upper protruding sections 529, for the purpose of allowing a razors head to easily and gently rest in a pocket or void between the upper and lower lubricating pads 144 142.
In a related embodiment, the lower piece 110 can further include a stability plate 518, on an underside of the lower piece, which is added to provide additional strength, rigidity, and stability, according to well-known design principles for plastic parts, and also to function as a stable resting point for the razor storage device 100, such that it is configured to be positioned on a flat surface, such as a table or countertop.
In a further related embodiment, the lower piece 110 can further comprise an extended portion 119, which protrudes from a front of the bottom of the lower piece 110, for the purpose of providing a grasping point opposite the upper rim 126, such that a user can easily open the razor storage device 100 from the closed and latched position.
In a related embodiment, the lower and upper retaining rings 115 125 can have a width of one quarter of an inch, protruding inwards towards the combined interior of the razor storage device 100, when in a closed configuration. The thickness of the lower and upper retaining rings 115 125 can typically be in a range of 0.5-3 mm, and generally as thin as will be supported by conventional injection molding processes.
In a further related embodiment, the razor storage device 100 can further comprise a rear connection point 150, which can include a connection aperture, such that the rear connection point 150 is connected to a rear of either the upper or lower piece, such that the connection point is configured to attach to a lanyard or other connection component, according to user needs.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an inserted safety razor 300, can be stored in the razor storage device 100 in an upside down position, inverted position, rather than as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in a regular position.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, which illustrates a cross sectional view of a lubricating pad 700, which can be a right or left lubricating pad 142 144, which can include:

- a) a soft foam inner core 702;
- b) an outer core 704, which is configured such that the inner core 702 is sandwiched between an upper layer 744 and a lower layer 742 of the outer core 704; and
- c) an outer cover 706, which is configured such that the outer cover covers both the outer core 704 and the inner core 702.

In an alternative embodiment, the outer core 704 can be configured such that it entirely covers the inner core 702;
In a further related embodiment, the soft foam inner core 702 can have a thickness of approximately 0.5 inches, and can be made from a polyurethane foam, and serves the purpose of allowing a gentle compression formed recess upon enclosing a razor head 302 inside the razor storage device 100. The polyurethane foam can for example be an expanded or extruded, open-cell or closed-cell, flexible polyurethane foam. In general, the soft foam inner core 702 can be made of soft foam material, such as softer versions of upholstery foams.
In a further related embodiment, the outer core 704 can be made of a polypropylene fabric, and can for example be configured as a layer of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, or 28 polypropylene fabric sheets, which are water resistant and oil absorbing, such that the outer core 704 functions as a primary reservoir for the lubricating oil. Such polypropylene fabrics are commonly used for oil spill clean-up in waterways and at sea, as well as for spills occurring on land and in buildings, since they will not retain water, but can absorb large quantities of oil relative to volume and weight of the polypropylene fabric. The number of layers of polypropylene fabric can vary, such that there can be only one layer, or a large number of layers, including over 28 layers, depending on application, and the specific type of polypropylene fabric.
Some examples of polypropylene fabric sheets for use in the outer core 704 include:

- a) PIG™ Oil-Only Absorbent Mat Pad, manufactured by New Pig Corporation;
- b) WY-JH03 oil absorbent roll, and universal spill laminate fabric manufactured by Jiahe™; and
- c) YL-PPO melt-blown oil absorbent fabric manufactured by Yuli™.

In a further related embodiment, the outer cover 706 can be made of a microfiber fabric, including a microfiber polyester and/or polyamide fabric. The outer cover 706 can be sewn together around the outer and inner cores 702 704, or it can be heat bonded together, according to well-known industrial methods.
In related embodiments, the upper and lower lubricating pads 144 142 can be configured to match the shape and size of respectively the upper and lower interior cavities 222 212.
In a related embodiment, the upper and lower lubricating pads 144 142 can be identical, of similar shape, size, and composition.
In a related embodiment, parts of or all of the upper and lower lubricating pads 144 142 can be antimicrobial, for example via treatment with an antimicrobial agent, or via construction from materials that are inherently antimicrobial. This can include treatment with or use of various well-known agents or materials with antibiotic and/or antifungal properties.
In a further related embodiment, the soft foam inner core 702, the outer core 704; and/or the outer cover 706 can be treated with an antimicrobial agent.
In a further related embodiment, the lubricating oil can be treated with an antimicrobial agent, or include an inherently antimicrobial property.
In a related embodiment, the upper and lower lubricating pads 144 142, when impregnated with lubricating oil, function in a manner similar to an ink-pad, such that they can discharge a thin layer of lubricating oil onto a safety razor's 300 blade/blades, when the razor head 302 is gently pushed into the surface of either the upper or lower lubricating pad 144 142, and discharge a thin layer of the lubricating oil onto the blade/blades, for example with a gentle slight pull down of the safety razor 300 handle 304, when the safety razor 300 is inside the razor storage device 100 in a closed configuration.
In a related embodiment, no seals are provided, nor necessary for the purpose of containing the lubricating oil within the confines of the razor storage device 100, as the correct measured amount of lubricating oil applied to the lubricating pads 142 144 is substantially less than the lubricating pads 142 144 are capable of absorbing. This allows for the razor storage device 100 in a closed configuration to be stored when in virtually any position, without leakage of the lubricating oil.
In a related embodiment of a process or method of using the razor storage device 100, after a user has shaved with and then rinsed the safety razor 300, the safety razor 300 need only be blotted on a towel and the blade/blades then nested upon the oiled pad contained within the razor storage device 100, and the case closed. At this point the shaving portion, i.e. head 302, of the safety razor 300 is gently depressed between the upper and lower lubricating pads 144 142, such that the blade/blades are coated with a very thin film of oil. Hereafter, the user may wish to replace the manufacturer's plastic safety clip over the razors head 302, or choose to leave the safety razor 300 inside the case/container, which holds the oil absorbing pads until its next use.
Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the razor storage device 100, and methods related thereto, which can be employed in numerous modes of usage.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent, and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A razor storage device for storing, lubricating, and protecting a safety razor, comprising:

a) a lower piece, further comprising:

a lower interior cavity, which is configured as a cavity inside a shell of the lower piece, such that the lower interior cavity is accessible through a lower opening;

b) an upper piece, further comprising:

an upper interior cavity, configured as a cavity inside a shell of the upper piece, such that the upper interior cavity is accessible through an upper opening;

wherein a rear part of the upper piece is rotationally connected to a rear part of the lower piece; and

c) a lower lubricating pad, which is positioned inside the lower interior cavity;

wherein the razor storage device is configured to accept an upper part of a safety razor, including a razor head, such that a razor handle protrudes from a front of the razor storage device, when the razor storage device is in a closed configuration.

2. The razor storage device of claim 1, wherein the lower piece further comprises a lower front cutout.

3. The razor storage device of claim 2, wherein the upper piece further comprises an upper front cutout, such that the lower and upper front cutouts combine to form a combined front aperture, when the razor storage device is in a closed configuration, such that the razor storage device is configured to allow the razor handle of the safety razor to protrude through the combined front aperture.

4. The razor storage device of claim 3, wherein the lower and upper front cutouts are each shaped as respectively a lower half-circle and an upper half-circle, such that the combined front aperture is circle shaped.

5. The razor storage device of claim 1, wherein the lower piece further comprises a lower retaining ring, which is configured as an inward protruding ledge, which is connected to an upper edge of the lower piece, such that the lower retaining ring surrounds parts of the lower opening into the lower interior cavity, such that the lower retaining ring is configured to secure the lower lubricating pad in position inside the lower interior cavity.

6. The razor storage device of claim 1, wherein the upper piece further comprises an upper retaining ring, which is configured as an inward protruding ledge, which is connected to a lower edge of the upper piece, such that the upper retaining ring surrounds parts of the lower opening into the upper interior cavity, such that the upper retaining ring is configured to secure an upper lubricating pad in position inside the upper interior cavity.

7. The razor storage device of claim 1, further comprising a hinge, such that the rear part of the upper piece is rotationally connected to the rear part of the lower piece, via the hinge.

8. The razor storage device of claim 1, further comprising an upper lubricating pad, which is positioned inside the upper interior cavity.

9. The razor storage device of claim 8, wherein the lower and upper lubricating pads are impregnated with a lubricating oil.

10. The razor storage device of claim 9, wherein the lubricating oil is a mineral oil.

11. The razor storage device of claim 1, wherein the upper piece, the lower piece, and the hinge are made in one piece.

12. The razor storage device of claim 1, wherein the upper piece, the lower piece, and the hinge are made from a plastic material.

13. The razor storage device of claim 1, wherein:

a) the upper piece further comprises at least one protruding hook, which is connected to a front of the upper piece, such that the protruding hook extends downwards; and

b) the lower piece further comprises a lower rim;

such that the at least one protruding hook is configured to engage with the lower rim, when the razor storage device is in a closed configuration, such that the upper piece is locked in place with the lower piece.

14. The razor storage device of claim 1, wherein the upper piece further comprises an upper rim, which is connected to a front part of the upper piece, such that the at least one protruding hook is connected to the upper rim.

15. The razor storage device of claim 1, wherein the upper piece further comprises at least one upper protruding section, which is configured to provide additional volume for the upper interior cavity, and to provide additional strength, rigidity, and stability of the upper piece.

16. The razor storage device of claim 1, wherein the lower piece further comprises a stability plate, which is connected to an underside of the lower piece, such that the stability plate is configured to provide additional strength and rigidity, and to function as a stable resting point for the razor storage device, such that the razor storage device is configured to be positioned on a flat surface.

17. The razor storage device of claim 1, wherein the lower piece further comprises an extended portion, which is connected to the lower piece, such that the extended portion protrudes from a front of a bottom of the lower piece, such that the extended portion is configured to provide a grasping point opposite the upper rim, whereby the razor storage device is configured to allow a user to open the razor storage device from a closed and latched position.

18. The razor storage device of claim 1, wherein the lower lubricating pad further comprises:

a) an inner core, which is made from a polyurethane foam; and

b) an outer core, which is made from a fabric material, which is configured to absorb a lubricating oil;

wherein the inner core is sandwiched between an upper layer and a lower layer of the outer core.

19. The razor storage device of claim 18, wherein the fabric material is a polypropylene fabric material.

20. The razor storage device of claim 18, further comprising:

an outer cover, which is made from a microfiber fabric;

wherein the outer cover is configured to cover both the outer core and the inner core.

21. The razor storage device of claim 18, wherein the outer core is configured as a plurality of polypropylene fabric sheets.

22. The razor storage device of claim 18, wherein the polyurethane foam is a closed cell foam.

23. The razor storage device of claim 8, wherein the lower and upper lubricating pads are treated with an antimicrobial agent.