Colored razor blades

Abstract

Colored razor blades are provided. Methods for manufacturing such blades are also provided, including methods involving depositing an oxide coating prior to heat treatment of the blade material and heat treating under conditions selected to enhance the color of the coating.

1 . A razor blade for use in a wet shaving system, comprising: 
 a blade formed of a metallic sheet material and having a sharpened cutting edge; and    a colored coating disposed on at least a portion of the blade.    
   
   
       2 . The razor blade of  claim 1  wherein said colored coating covers substantially the entire blade.  
   
   
       3 . The razor blade of  claim 1  wherein said coating comprises a metallic oxide, and/or metallic oxynitride.  
   
   
       4 . The razor blade of  claim 2  wherein said oxide consists of titanium oxide, and/or other transition metal oxides including zirconium, aluminum, silicon, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, iron, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The razor blade of  claim 1  wherein said metallic sheet material comprises stainless steel.  
   
   
       6 . The razor blade of  claim 5  wherein said stainless steel comprises martensitic stainless steel.  
   
   
       7 . The razor blade of  claim 1  wherein said coating has a color selected from the group consisting of gold, violet, green and blue.  
   
   
       8 . The razor blade of  claim 1  wherein said coating has a thickness of from about 300 to 10,000 Angstroms.  
   
   
       9 . The razor blade of  claim 8  wherein said coating has a thickness of from about 600 to 2400 Angstroms.  
   
   
       10 . A wet shaving system, comprising: 
 a razor including a blade formed of a metallic sheet material and having a sharpened cutting edge, the blade having a colored coating disposed on at least a portion of the blade.    
   
   
       11 . The shaving system of  claim 12  wherein said colored coating covers substantially the entire blade.  
   
   
       12 . The shaving system of  claim 10  wherein said coating comprises a metallic oxide, and/or metallic oxynitride.  
   
   
       13 . The shaving system of  claim 12  wherein said oxide consists of titanium oxide, and/or other transition metal oxides including zirconium, aluminum, silicon, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, iron, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The shaving system of  claim 10  wherein said metallic sheet material comprises stainless steel.  
   
   
       15 . The shaving system of  claim 14  wherein said stainless steel comprises martensitic stainless steel.  
   
   
       16 . The shaving system of  claim 10  wherein said coating has a color selected from the group consisting of gold, violet, green and blue.  
   
   
       17 . The shaving system of  claim 10  wherein said coating has a thickness of from about 300 to 10,000 Angstroms.  
   
   
       18 . The shaving system of  claim 17  wherein said coating has a thickness of from about 600 to 2400 Angstroms.