Abstract: According to the present invention, a shaving apparatus handle includes an interior cavity, a housing, and an actuator. The interior cavity has a first end and a second end lengthwise, and is operable to store flowable shaving aid material. The housing is mounted on the handle and includes one or more ports in fluid communication with the contents of the interior cavity. The actuator is disposed within the interior cavity and includes a ratchet mechanism, a button, and a piston. The ratchet mechanism and the button are operable to work in concert to move the piston uni-directionally toward the second end of the interior cavity. The movement of the piston causes the flowable shaving aid material to be dispensed from the handle adjacent a razor cartridge.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a shaving apparatus handle includes an interior cavity, a housing, and an actuator. The interior cavity has a first end and a second end lengthwise, and is operable to store flowable shaving aid material. The housing is mounted on the handle and includes one or more ports in fluid communication with the contents of the interior cavity. The actuator is disposed within the interior cavity and includes a ratchet mechanism, a button, and a piston. The ratchet mechanism and the button are operable to work in concert to move the piston uni-directionally toward the second end of the interior cavity. The movement of the piston causes the flowable shaving aid material to be dispensed from the handle adjacent a razor cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention is a shaving apparatus that includes a razor cartridge having one or more razor blades, a housing, a flexible bladder, and a handle having an interior cavity and an actuator. The housing includes an exterior surface that is adjacent the razor cartridge and includes one or more ports. The housing is attached to an open end of the flexible bladder such that the one or more ports are in fluid communication with the contents of the flexible bladder. The flexible bladder stores a flowable shaving aid material and is disposed within an interior cavity in the handle. The actuator is operable to collapse the flexible bladder, thereby forcing the flowable shaving aid material from the flexible bladder to the one or more ports. Once the flowable shaving aid material exits the ports, it is dispensed on the surface being shaved adjacent the razor cartridge.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus includes a reservoir for storing a shaving aid material, a razor cartridge having at least one razor blade, and a valve selectively actuatable by movement of the razor cartridge between a first position and a second position. In the first position the valve permits passage of a shaving aid material from the reservoir, and in the second position the valve substantially prevents the passage of the shaving aid material from the reservoir.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus is provided that includes a razor cartridge, a shaving aid dispenser, and a reservoir operable to contain a non-solid shaving aid material. The shaving aid dispenser includes one or more valves disposed within a contact panel. The contact panel is disposed adjacent the cutting edges of the one or more razor blades. Each of the valves is selectively operable between an open position and a closed position. The valves are operated by the normal force of the contact surface applied to the surface to be shaved. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the selectively operable valves.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus is provided that is selectively attachable to a handle. The cartridge includes a razor cartridge and a device for dispensing a non-solid shaving aid material. The shaving apparatus attaches to the handle in such a manner that a self-leveling mechanism contained within the handle is not operable to adjust the movement of a first element relative to a second element.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a shaving aid dispensing device for use with a razor cartridge that includes an inner wall and an outer wall that defines at least one reservoir. The inner wall of the dispensing device further defines an aperture sized for passing a shaving cartridge therethrough. A storage medium is disposed in, and substantially fills, the reservoir(s). A shaving aid material is distributed in the shaving aid storage material. A wick substantially covers the reservoir and is operable to draw the shaving aid from the shaving aid storage material by capillary action. The present invention, therefore, provides a user with a shaving aid dispensing device adjacent to a razor cartridge that readily provides a shaving aid material while the user is shaving.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus is provided that includes a handle, a razor cartridge, a plurality of shaving aid material doses, a carrier, and an actuator. The razor cartridge includes one or more razor blades, and is attached to the handle. The shaving aid material doses are each in a substantially dehydrated form. The carrier is disposed within the handle, and is operable to carry the shaving aid material doses within the handle. The actuator is operable to move the carrier to a position within the handle wherein at least one of the shaving aid material doses can be hydrated to produce a flowable shaving aid material.

Abstract: A pivotable and/or flexible razor cartridge is provided. The cartridge may be adapted to flex through a neutral plane which extends through a shaving aid thereof. In an alternate embodiment, the cartridge may be both flexible and pivotable.

Abstract: A shaving assembly operable in dry shaving environments and wet shaving environments is provided that includes a razor assembly and a shaving preparation cake. The razor assembly, which includes a razor cartridge attached to a handle, is operable in dry shaving environments and wet shaving environments. The shaving preparation cake includes an upper surface, a lower surface, one or more side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, and an axial bore extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. The shaving preparation cake is operable in a wet shaving environment, and is selectively attachable to the razor assembly for wet shaving environment applications. When the shaving preparation cake is attached to the razor assembly, the razor cartridge is disposed within the axial bore of the shaving preparation cake. The shaving preparation cake is selectively detachable from the razor assembly to facilitate use of the razor assembly in dry shaving environment applications.

Abstract: Razor heads comprising at least one blade and a plurality of guard elements over the leading edge at a plurality of intermediate portions. According to preferred embodiments, the guard elements are integrally molded with at least one or more of a blade support, spacer element(s), forward guard member and cap member. The use of integrally molded guard elements facilitate efficient, quicker and less expensive manufacturing, provide greater design flexibility, and provide greater blade stability. Additionally, in preferred embodiments, when the molded guard elements are aligned with spacers, these guard elements do not interfere with the rinsability of the razor head. The intermediate guard elements also provide additional sites for the placement of shaving aids and other skin flow control materials such as materials having a relatively high coefficient of friction.

Abstract: An adapter used to mount a single direction pivoting cartridge on a disposable razor. The adapter may be either integral with the handle or a removable adapter. A spring tongue member or spring arm biases the cartridge to its at-rest position and provides a restoring moment when the cartridge is pivoted during use.