Abstract: According to the present invention, a shaving implement includes a handle, a neck, a razor cartridge, and a biasing member. The neck extends from the handle and includes a first connecting member and a guard bar having a skin-engaging surface. The razor cartridge includes a cap positioned aft of the at least one blade. The razor cartridge is attached to the first connecting member of the neck such that the razor cartridge is pivotable relative to the skin-engaging surface of the guard bar between a neutral position and a rotated position. A biasing member urges the razor cartridge toward the neutral position. During use, the frictional forces caused by the surface being shaved passing over the skin-engaging surface of the guard bar are transferred into the handle, and, therefore, have a negligible effect on the pivotal movement of the razor cartridge between the neutral and rotated positions during normal shaving.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a razor cartridge includes at least three parallel razor blades, the three blades including a first blade adjacent a guard that is forward of the blades, a last blade adjacent a cap that is aft of the blades, and at least one middle blade positioned between the first and last blades; wherein the guard includes a skin-stretching member, and a lubricating strip that is located between the skin-stretching member and the blades, the skin-stretching member including a single, continuous protrusion that extends at least part way across the guard.

Abstract: In a razor cartridge a frame is provided and carries at least two discrete cartridge segments each positioned in the frame for individual movement relative thereto. Each of the cartridge segments includes at least one razor blade that defines an at least partially exposed cutting edge.

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: In a razor cartridge a housing defines a guard and a cap portion. At least four razor blades are positioned between the guard and cap portion each having a cutting edge and an overall exposure relative to at least two skin engaging surfaces defined by the razor cartridge. The blades are positioned within a housing such that the overall exposures for the blades do not progressively increase from the first or guard blade to the last, or cap blade. The overall exposure of each of the razor blades is equal to an average of four individual exposures measured along a length defined by the razor blade for which exposure is being sought. The individual exposures are equal to the length of an exposure line extending between the cutting edge of the razor blade for which exposure is being sought and a tangent line, the exposure line being approximately perpendicular to the tangent line.

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 handle includes a shaving head that defines an interior area. An actuator is coupled to the shaving head for movement between a neutral position, and a cartridge ejecting position. The cartridge retainer includes a portion projecting outwardly from the shaving head defining at least one cartridge engaging surface adapted to slidably engage a complimentarily shaped slot that extends longitudinally of a rear surface defined by a razor cartridge mounted to the shaving implement. The razor cartridge is releasably coupled to the cartridge retainer so that it is movable between a non-rotated and a rotated position with the cartridge being urged toward the non-rotated position in response to an externally applied force.

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.

Abstract: A razor cartridge is provided that includes a seat, a cap, one or more razor blades, and a relief centrally located in an aft face of the cap. The relief enables the user to get the cutting edges of the one or more razor blades in closer proximity to a feature (e.g., a nose) than is possible using currently available razor cartridges. In a preferred embodiment of the cartridge, a shaving aid strip is disposed in the contact face, positioned aft of the forward face of the cap and forward of the relief. The shaving aid strip preferably reflects the contour of the aft face of the cartridge that includes the relief.

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 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 one or more razor blades are attached to the frame. The frame is pivotally mounted on the subframe and pivots about a pivot line that is positioned adjacent the cap 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: A razor cartridge is provided that includes a frame, one or more razor blades, a guard having a contact surface, and a plurality of scoop pockets disposed in the contact surface of the guard. The one or more razor blades are attached to the frame, and each has a cutting edge. The guard, which has a length and a width, is disposed forward of the one or more razor blades. Each of the scoop pockets has a base surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface that extend between an open end and an aft end. The open end of each scoop pocket is forward of the respective aft end. Each scoop pocket also includes an aft side surface contiguous with the aft end. The scoop pockets are distributed along the length of the 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: A razor cartridge is provided that includes a seat, a cap, one or more razor blades, and a relief centrally located in an aft face of the cap. The relief enables the user to get the cutting edges of the one or more razor blades in closer proximity to a feature (e.g., a nose) than is possible using currently available razor cartridges. In a preferred embodiment of the cartridge, a shaving aid strip is disposed in the contact face, positioned aft of the forward face of the cap and forward of the relief. The shaving aid strip preferably reflects the contour of the aft face of the cartridge that includes the relief.