Patent Application
20240023692
This disclosure relates to a razor component and corresponding storage methods.
Cartridge razor architecture has become very popular for consumers due to its ease of use for both shaving and replacing a cartridge when a fresh blade is needed. For example, one type of razor may include a handle structure that attaches to a cartridge at one end, the cartridge housing a blade. When in use, the blade is drawn over a user's skin surface in order to shave the targeted area. The cartridge is detachable from the handle such that the cartridge may be stored separately from the handle. Also, when the user wishes to replace the blade, the cartridge may be removed from the handle and replaced with a new cartridge, including a new blade.
Today, a common practice in the industry is to manufacture containers of replacement razor cartridges from injection molded plastic in three-dimensional forms into which the cartridges nest. These parts require a significant amount of plastic to produce, and while the plastic may be recyclable, many users often end up throwing this packaging away instead of recycling it properly. Additionally, in many countries, the infrastructure for recycling is either not fully developed or falls short of what many consumers may hope for, so that items that even a well-intentioned user tries to recycle do not actually end up being recycled. This is especially true of developing countries that may not even have the option to recycle and can only throw away items. A clear need exists for a method of cartridge packaging that uses much less volume of raw material and that can either be recycled or is biodegradable.
In one example, a storage system for a razor or razor cartridge is described, the razor or razor cartridge containing at least one exposed sharp edge of a blade. The system of this example may include a blade cover component that may attach to the razor or razor cartridge such that the at least one exposed sharp edge of the blade is covered, protecting the user from unwanted contact with the blade.
The storage system may also include a container and an insert, the insert being removably placed within the container or attached to the container. The insert may include at least one slot that may be fitted to at least a portion of the razor or razor cartridge. Also, the insert may be shaped such that the size, shape, or dimensions of the insert may correspond to the size, shape, or dimensions of the container.
In another example, the razor or razor cartridge may contain a storage connection component that may be fitted to the size/shape of the slot of the insert. In this way, the razor cartridge may be stabilized by inserting the storage connection component of the razor cartridge into the slot.
Also, the container, insert, or blade cover component may be constructed
using recycled or biodegradable material.
Component 203 may be removably affixed to Razor Cartridge 101. In this example, Blade Cover Component 203 is affixed to Razor Cartridge 101 such that Blade Cover Component 203 covers the sharp edge of the at least one Blade 103 (not shown). In this way, a user is not at risk of accidental contact with the sharp edge of the at least one Blade 103. Blade Cover Component 203 may be constructed with any desired material. For example, as non-limiting examples, Blade Cover Component 203 may be made of paper, plastic, cardboard, woven material, etc. In addition, Blade Cover Component 203 may be removably affixed to Razor Cartridge 101 in any way. For example, Blade Cover Component 203 may be made of a thin, smooth plastic material and may adhere to Razor Cartridge 101 by static electricity or may be constructed of a paper or cardboard material and may adhere to Razor Cartridge 101 via a thin adhesive applied to the opposing face(s) of either the surface of Razor Cartridge 101 or the surface of the blade cover component or both. Any desired affixing method may be used.
Container 401 for packaging of Razor Cartridge 101 may further include Razor Cartridge Insert 402 for stabilizing Razor Cartridge 101 while stored within Container 401. In this example, Razor Cartridge Insert 402 includes Slot 403 that may be used to stabilize the at least one Razor Cartridge 101 within Container 401 such that movement and shifting of the at least one Razor Cartridge 101 within Container 401 is minimized or even eliminated. As one non-limiting example, Razor Cartridge 101 may include a storage connection component 102 that extends from at least one aspect of the razor cartridge. The size, shape, or dimensions of Storage Connection Component 102 may correspond to the size/shape/dimensions of Slot 403 such that Storage Connection Component 102 of Razor Cartridge 101 may be inserted into Slot 403 of Razor Cartridge Insert 402 of Container 401. If the size and dimensions of both Slot 403 and Storage Connection Component 102 align, Razor Cartridge 101 may be held firmly within slot 403 of Razor Cartridge Insert 402.
Razor Cartridge Insert 402 may further be stabilized within Container 401 in any desired way. For example, the size, shape, or dimensions of Razor Cartridge Insert 402 may correspond to the size, shape, or dimensions of the container. When Razor Cartridge Insert 402 is placed within Container 401, at least one edge of Razor Cartridge Insert 402 may fit against the side(s) of Container 401 and may prevent unwanted movement of Razor Cartridge Insert 402 (and, hence, movement of Razor Cartridge 101). Alternatively, Razor Cartridge Insert 402 may be attached to the container itself. Any desired stabilization method may be used if desired.
Also, any portion of the packaging, such as Container 401 or Razor Cartridge Insert 402, may be constructed with reclaimed or recycled material and may further be constructed with biodegradable material. For example, any of Container 401 or Razor Cartridge Insert 402 may be made of paper, cardboard, or recyclable plastic, to name a few.
While the detailed description above has been expressed in terms of specific examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other configurations could be used. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that various equivalent modifications of the above-described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
