Abstract: A razor cartridge has a frame, a razor blade resiliently mounted in the frame, a cartridge retainer disposed around a portion of a periphery of the frame; and a separable lubrication articulately connected to the frame and selectively moveable between a forward position and a locked position. The cartridge retainer has a first portion that includes a surface that defines a skin engaging surface when the separable lubrication is in the locked position and second portions at opposed ends of the first portion that retain the blade in the frame and include means to fixedly attach the cartridge retainer to the frame.

Abstract: A shaving implement which includes a handle. The shaving cartridge includes a frame and a separable lubrication. The separable lubrication includes a shaving aid. The shaving cartridge is pivotable relative to the handle between a neutral position (see e.g., FIG. 1) and a rearward position (see e.g, FIG. 2), and the separable lubrication is pivotable relative to the frame between a forward position (see e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2) and a locked position. During normal shaving, the separable lubrication is rotated toward the forward position and can pivot relative to the handle with the frame. When the separable lubrication is in the locked position, the separable lubrication is located in a position away from the skin during normal shaving and the pivoting of the frame relative to the handle is generally limited, or altogether eliminated.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a lubrication box includes a first portion, a shaving aid material, and a second portion. The first portion of the lubrication box has a skin-engaging surface and at least one sidewall that, together, form a cavity. The skin-engaging surface includes at least two holes therethrough. The shaving aid material, which is optionally distributed in the cavity in a series of layers, is ultrasonically compressed into the cavity. The second portion of the lubrication box is attached to the first portion such that the cavity is substantially closed. A gap exists between in the cavity between the shaving aid and the second portion of the lubrication box to permit the shaving aid material to expand during normal use. The skin-engaging surface is askew relative to the shave plane of the blades.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a razor cartridge includes a plurality of skin-engaging elements disposed on a frame. The skin engaging elements include at least two or more substantially planar blades having a sharpened cutting edge, a first inter-blade guard, and a cap. The two or more blades are disposed on the frame in parallel relation to one another. The first inter-blade guard is disposed on the frame between two (2) blades. A rinse-through gap extends across substantially the entire length of the frame between the first inter-blade guard and the blade aft the first inter-blade guard.

Abstract: A razor assembly is provided that includes a razor cartridge with one or more razor blades, a shaving aid body, a handle, and a linkage pivotally connected to the handle. The linkage is connected to the razor cartridge and the shaving aid body in a manner such that the razor cartridge and the shaving aid body are moveable relative to the handle. Movement of one of the razor cartridge or the shaving aid body in a first direction causes the other of the razor cartridge or the shaving aid body to move in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. As a result, the positions of the shaving aid body and the razor cartridge are continuously adjusted to maintain the contact surface of the shaving aid body approximately co-planar with the cutting edges of the razor blades within the razor cartridge.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a razor cartridge includes a plurality of skin-engaging elements disposed on a frame. The skin engaging elements include at least two or more substantially planar blades having a sharpened cutting edge, a first inter-blade guard, and a cap. The two or more blades are disposed on the frame in parallel relation to one another. The first inter-blade guard is disposed on the frame between two (2) blades. A rinse-through gap extends across substantially the entire length of the frame between the first inter-blade guard and the blade aft the first inter-blade guard.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a shaving implement includes a shaving cartridge and a handle. The shaving cartridge includes a frame and a separable lubrication. The separable lubrication includes a shaving aid. The shaving cartridge is pivotable relative to the handle between a neutral position (see e.g., FIG. 1) and a rearward position (see e.g, FIG. 2), and the separable lubrication is pivotable relative to the frame between a forward position (see e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2) and a locked position. During normal shaving, the separable lubrication is rotated toward the forward position and can pivot relative to the handle with the frame. When the separable lubrication is in the locked position, the separable lubrication is located in a position away from the skin during normal shaving and the pivoting of the frame relative to the handle is generally limited, or altogether eliminated.

Abstract: A razor cartridge has a frame, a razor blade resiliently mounted in the frame, a cartridge retainer disposed around a portion of a periphery of the frame; and a separable lubrication articulately connected to the frame and selectively moveable between a forward position and a locked position. The cartridge retainer has a first portion that includes a surface that defines a skin engaging surface when the separable lubrication is in the locked position and second portions at opposed ends of the first portion that retain the blade in the frame and include means to fixedly attach the cartridge retainer to the frame.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a razor cartridge includes a plurality of skin-engaging elements disposed on a frame. The skin engaging elements include at least two or more substantially blades having a sharpened cutting edge, a first inter-blade guard, and a cap. The two or more blades are disposed on the frame in parallel relation to one another. The first inter-blade guard is disposed on the frame between two (2) blades. A rinse-through gap extends across substantially the entire length of the frame between the first inter-blade guard and the blade aft the first inter-blade guard.

Abstract: A shaving implement includes a handle; a razor cartridge pivotally connected thereto; a biasing member extending from the handle and contacting the razor cartridge; and a bridge pivotally connected to the razor cartridge and slidably connected to the handle. The razor cartridge includes one or more razor blades and a cap located aft of the blades. The razor cartridge is pivotally connected to the handle such that the cartridge pivots about an axis that is generally parallel to and aft of the razor blades, the cartridge being pivotable between a neutral position and a rotated position. The biasing member extending from the handle is in contact with the razor cartridge to urge the cartridge toward the neutral position. The bridge is slidable between a first position when the razor cartridge is in the neutral position and a second position when the cartridge is in the rotated position.

Abstract: A razor assembly is provided that includes a razor cartridge with one or more razor blades, a shaving aid body, a handle, and a linkage pivotally connected to the handle. The linkage is connected to the razor cartridge and the shaving aid body in a manner such that the razor cartridge and the shaving aid body are moveable relative to the handle. Movement of one of the razor cartridge or the shaving aid body in a first direction causes the other of the razor cartridge or the shaving aid body to move in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. As a result, the positions of the shaving aid body and the razor cartridge are continuously adjusted to maintain the contact surface of the shaving aid body approximately co-planar with the cutting edges of the razor blades within the razor cartridge.

Abstract: A safety razor is provided comprising a razor cartridge mounted on pivoting connecting structure of a handle. The razor cartridge has four or more razor blades. The pivot axis of the razor cartridge is rearward of the midpoint of the cartridge width and below a plane tangent to the guard and cap structures of the housing of the razor cartridge.

Abstract: A razor assembly is provided that includes a razor cartridge with one or more razor blades, a shaving aid body, a handle, and a linkage pivotally connected to the handle. The linkage is connected to the razor cartridge and the shaving aid body in a manner such that the razor cartridge and the shaving aid body are moveable relative to the handle. Movement of one of the razor cartridge or the shaving aid body in a first direction causes the other of the razor cartridge or the shaving aid body to move in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. As a result, the positions of the shaving aid body and the razor cartridge are continuously adjusted to maintain the contact surface of the shaving aid body approximately co-planar with the cutting edges of the razor blades within the razor cartridge.

Abstract: A razor assembly is provided that includes a reusable handle and a replaceable cartridge. The reusable handle includes a grip portion pivotally attached to a cartridge seat. The replaceable cartridge includes a frame and one or more razor blades. The replaceable cartridge is fixedly attached to the cartridge seat of the reusable handle. The replaceable cartridge is selectively separable from the cartridge seat to permit removal of the replaceable cartridge from the reusable handle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a razor cartridge is provided that includes the steps of: (a) providing one or more razor blades, each having a length; (b) forming a body attached to the one or more razor blades, wherein the body includes a first channel aft of the one or more razor blades that is open to a contact surface of the body, and a second channel forward of the one or more razor blades that is open to the contact surface, and one or more passages extending between the first channel and the second channel; (c) injecting a shaving aid material through one or more ports into one of the first channel, second channel, or the one or more passages; wherein the one or more passages extending between the first channel and the second channel enables the shaving aid material to travel from one of the first channel, second channel, or the one or more passages into the others of the first channel, second channel, or the one or more passages.

Abstract: A razor cartridge is provided that includes a subframe, a frame, and one or more razor blades attached to the frame. The frame includes a cap, a forward end, and a cap end. The frame is mounted on coengaging bearing surfaces on the frame and the subframe to pivot about an imaginary pivot line that is positioned adjacent the cap, above the bearing surfaces, and aft of the cutting edges of the one or more razor blades. The razor cartridge preferably further includes a spring mechanism that acts between the frame and the subframe.

Abstract: An ergonomic handle for a shaving implement includes a head section and a body portion. The body portion has a width and height with the ratio of the width to the height being approximately 1.1 to approximately 1.4 along a length defined by the body portion.

Abstract: In a razor handle assembly, a first handle section includes a first body portion and a second handle section includes a second body portion, the first and second body portions generally being mirror images of one another. The first and second handle sections are coupled together and cooperate to form a closed end and a generally opposite open end. A head assembly is interposed between the first and second body sections at the open end and includes a retainer for releasably mounting a disposable razor cartridge to a razor handle. A core is positioned between the first and second body portions and has an end adjacent to the dosed end formed by the first and second handle sections.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a razor assembly is provided that includes a handle, a pivot member, and a cartridge. The pivot member is attached to the handle, and includes an exterior contact surface that extends along the length of the cartridge. The cartridge and the pivot member are preferably pivotal relative to one another. The cartridge includes a frame, and one or more razor blades. Each of the one or more razor blades includes a cutting edge, and the cutting edges are positioned contiguous with a shave plane. The pivot member is positioned forward of the one or more razor blades, and positioned such that at least a portion of the exterior contact surface of the pivot member is disposed contiguous with the shave plane.

Abstract: In a shaving implement a razor cartridge is pivotally coupled to a handle for rotational movement about a pivot axis. The razor cartridge includes a leading surface and a trailing surface and at least one blade positioned between the leading and trailing surfaces, the blade defining a cutting edge that is at least partially exposed. The pivot axis is located adjacent to the leading surface so that during a shaving operation, externally applied forces generated by drawing the razor cartridge and thereby the exposed portion of the cutting edge over a hirsute surface, causes the razor cartridge and the cutting edge to rotate into the hirsute surface.