Skin engaging device for a safety razor

#1. Technical Field

#This invention relates generally to wet shaving apparatus, and more specifically to razor cartridges having an improved skin engaging device. The present invention resides broadly in providing skin engaging cap and/or guard surfaces with configurations which deliver a shaving aid as the razor is moved across the skin.

#2. Background Information

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a razor cartridge of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a razor cartridge of the present invention.

#Referring to the drawings, the shaving unit 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes base or platform member 12 molded of ABS or other suitable polymer that includes integral coupling groove structure 14 for attachment to a razor handle and guard structure 16 that defines a transversely extending anterior skin engaging surface 18. On the upper surface of platform 12 are disposed leading razor blade 20 having a cutting edge 22, trailing razor blade 24 having cutting edge 26, and aluminum spacer member 28 that maintains razor blades 20 and 24 in spaced relation. Cap member 30 is also molded of ABS or other suitable polymer and has body portion 32 that defines the posterior skin engaging surface 34 that extends transversely between forwardly projecting end walls 36 and has a front edge 38 that is disposed rearwardly of blade edge 26. Integral rivet portions 40 extend downwardly from transversely extending body portion 32 and pass through holes in blades 20 and 24, spacer 28 and platform 12 to secure cap 30, blades 20, 24 and spacer 28 on platform 12. Adhesively affixed to skin engaging surface 34 is device 42.

#The shaving unit 50 shown in FIG. 3 is of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,255 to Jacobson, incorporated herein by reference, and includes body 52 with front portion 54 and rear portion 56. Guard member 58 can be resiliently or rigidly mounted to the body and can also comprise a plurality of elastomeric fins as is well known in the art. The shaving unit includes leading razor blade 60 mounted to a bent support 61 and trailing razor blade 62 mounted to a bent support 63. One of skill in the art will understand that the shaving unit may comprise one, two or three or more razor blades and the present invention is not limited in this regard. A shaving aid composite in the form of elongated device 64 is frictionally locked in opening 66 of rear portion 56.

#FIGS. 4-6 generally depict variations on the present invention. As used herein, the term “core” refers to an internal portion of a skin engaging member as examined at the cross-section. The core typically runs throughout the skin engaging member along an axis. The axis need not be the central axis. The FIG. 3 designates the core as 70 and the sheath as 72. Embodiments of the present invention have at least one core. As used herein, the term “sheath” refers to an outer coating layer(s) over the core 70. The device 64 comprising the core and sheath is preferably manufactured by a two-component or coextrusion process and cut to length suitable for implant into or onto the body of the razor blade cartridge. The core comprises 50-100% by weight of a solid, water soluble, shaving aid comprising polyethylene oxide. Preferred materials of the sheath are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,558 to Tseng et al. incorporated herein for reference. The skin engaging surface 74 of the sheath has at least one opening 78 to release shaving aid to the skin. Preferably, the device includes from about 3 to about 30 openings 78, most preferably 10-15 openings, preferably evenly distributed along the skin engaging surface 74. The skin engaging surface of the sheath can also comprise a soft layer such as a commercial strip (polyethylene oxide/polystyrene) which will become porous during use. Referring to FIG. 3 the device has an elongated insert member 76. The insert member 76 is designed to frictionally lock in an opening 66 as shown in FIG. 3.