Razor sharpening system

#1. Field

#Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to the field of shaving razors and more particularly to a system incorporating a razor with an extendible blade received within an automated sharpening system having a blade extension armature, a reciprocating sharpening mandrel rotatable between two positions for sharpening both sides of the blade, a stropping system, a positioning sensor system, an ultraviolet disinfecting element and a magnetic blade polarization system.

#2. Background

#FIG. 1 is a perspective partial section side view of a first embodiment of the razor and integrated sharpening system;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective partial section side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the sharpening mandrel and mandrel holder removed for display of remaining components;

#FIGS. 3A and 3B are side section views of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the razor in preparation for insertion and inserted into the integrated sharpening system;

#Embodiments disclosed herein provide a self sharpening razor system incorporating a razor carrying a high quality steel blade, for example stainless or carbon steel with minimum Rockweel hardness of approximately 58, which is extendible from a safety housing for sharpening and an integrated sharpening system in an enclosure receiving the razor. The integrated sharpening system provides a blade extension armature for positioning the razor and/or blade, a reciprocating sharpening mandrel rotatable between two positions for sharpening both sides of the blade, a proximity sensor positioning system an ultraviolet disinfecting element and a magnetic blade polarization system with an internal controller for automated sharpening and preparation of the razor for use.

#Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment for a razor 10 and integrated sharpening system 12. The razor 10 employs a handle 14 which carries a safety housing 16 enclosing a blade 18 which is extendible from the housing. The integrated sharpening system 12 is housed in a case 20 A blade extension armature 22, which removably receives the razor housing and blade on an engagement post 24, is movable from a first position (shown) for insertion of the razor to a second adjustable position for sharpening of the blade indicated by arrow 26 (as will be described in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 4A-4C). A translation motor 28 supports the blade extension armature 22 and provides the desired reciprocating motion.

#Contained within the case 20 is a sharpening mandrel 30 which is removably carried by a mandrel holder 32. The holder is supported on saddles 34 (shown in greater detail in FIG. 2) for rotation, represented by arrow 36, about a longitudinal axis by a mandrel rotation motor 38. The sharpening mandrel 30 incorporates two sharpening surfaces which for the embodiment shown are two sharpening pads 40a and 40b on angularly displaced faces which are positioned for sharpening of opposing sides of the blade 18 of the razor through the rotation of the sharpening mandrel. For an example embodiment, the sharpening pads are an injection molded plastic with a thin coating of Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) dust or diamond dust bonded to its surface to act as a sharpening media. The estimated size of the sharpening dust particles will be between 0.25-2 microns in size. For the embodiment shown, the open angular segment of the mandrel subtends approximately 75° of arc. An oscillating motor 42 attached to the mandrel holder 32 provides lateral oscillation of the sharpening mandrel 30 and associated sharpening pads 40a and 40b as indicated by arrow 44. In the example embodiment, a voice coil motor is employed but alternative motor types may be used in other embodiments.