FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a hair removal device for the effective removal of hair
from the sensitive pubic (or bikini) region of the body especially for female consumers,
whilst minimizing the associated post hair removal irritation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Products for the removal of unwanted hair from the body have been commercially available
for many years. These products have focused primarily on facial, underarm and leg
hair removal. There is however a growing desire from consumers for removal of hair
for other areas of the body including intimate areas such as the pubic areas including
the bikini area. Whilst a number of products are commercially available for hair removal
at the bikini area, they are not particularly satisfactory and consumers still tend
to use hair removal products designed for the removal of hair from traditional areas
such as axilla and legs.
[0003] The removal of hair from the pubic area creates a number of challenges to the manufacturer
of such products. In particular, the ability to fully remove all pubic hair to skin
level without irritation remains a key unmet need for male and female shavers. The
complex anatomical curves in the pubic area also present a specific challenge, in
addition to the skin mobility in this area. Moreover, the nature of the hair in this
area, also differs to that in other body sites, in terms of elevation angle, fiber
shape and diameter. Therefore hair removal devices available for the legs and underams
are not particularly effective at removal of pubic hair.
[0004] The primary benefit of a pubic or bikini product is to cut hairs to or below skin
level with minimal insult and subsequent side-effects to the surrounding skin. However,
women indicate that they continue to experience significant side-effects when shaving
in this area such as irritation, in the form of redness (erythema), bumps, ingrown
hairs, itchiness and soreness. These side effect may also manifest themselves immediately
after shaving and or hours or even days after the shaving event has occurred.
[0005] Commercially available products do not address these particular needs and typically
are often simply provided as a generally smaller product to aid ease of handling of
the device in the restricted bikini area.
[0006] WO2012/061343 describes a razor cartridge wherein the angle between the primary blade and the blade
plane is greater than the angle between the final blade and the blade plane of the
blade array to improve the balance between closeness and comfort of a shave.
[0007] There is thus still a need to provide a hair removal device for the pubic hair area,
which effectively cuts the hair type in this area in a safe, easy and efficient manner
such that the user of the device is confident during use and thereby ensures improved
hair removal end result whilst reducing any associated irritation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention relates to a shaving razor (10) comprising a cartridge (12) comprising
a housing (16) having a front portion (18) and a rear portion (20), a guard (30) at
the front portion (18)of said housing (16) and a cap (32) at the rear portion (20)
of the housing (16) and a blade array (26) located in-between the guard (30) and cap
(32), wherein the blade array (26) comprises at least two blades, a primary blade
(40)and a final blade (44), each blade (26) having a blade edge (48, 50) that extends
parallel to the housing (16); having a blade plane x tangential to the primary blade
edge (48) and the final blade edge (50), wherein each angle between each blade (26)
and the blade plane x is 30° or greater; and wherein said cartridge (12) has a skin
contacting surface foot print of from 600mm
2 to 800mm
2, preferably from 620mm
2 to 750mm
2.
[0009] The invention also relates to the use of a razor cartridge as claimed, for the removal
of hair from the pubic area, preferably the bikini area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010]
Figure 1a & 1b are perspective views of a first embodiment of the invention
Figure 2 is a back view of the first embodiment of figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front view of the first embodiment of figure 1
Figure 4 is a side view of the first embodiment of figure 1.
Figure 5 is a schematic view of a blade from an embodiment of the invention
Figure 6 is a schematic cross sectional view of the cartridge of an embodiment of
the invention
Figure 7 is a schematic cross section view of a blade tip cutting a hair
Figure 8 showing a top view of a cartridge of the first embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hair Removal Head
[0011] The present invention relates to a shaving razor cartridge which may be replaceable
or permanently attached to a handle. The cartridge may be pivotally connected via
a cartridge connecting structure to the handle or in a fixed position. In some embodiments,
the cartridge connecting structure includes at least one arm to releasably engage
the cartridge.
[0012] The cartridge typically comprises 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 elongated blades edges usually
positioned between a first and second end, said one or more elongated blade edges
comprising a tip extending towards said first end. Additionally, the razor cartridge
may include a guard as well as a skin engaging member and one or more lubricating
members. A variety of razor cartridges can be used in accordance with the present
invention.
[0013] In some embodiments, at least one lubricating member is located on the portion of
the cartridge that contacts skin during the hair removal process, forward and/or aft
of the blades. A feature "forward" of the one or more elongated edges, for example,
is positioned so that the surface to be treated with by the hair removal device encounters
the feature before it encounters the elongated edges. A feature "aft" of the elongated
edge is positioned so that the surface to be treated by the hair removal device encounters
the feature after it encounters the elongated edges. Where more than one lubricating
member is provided on the hair removal device, they can be the same (identical) or
different, in terms of physical shape/structure and/or chemical composition.
[0014] In some particular embodiments, a plurality (e.g. 2, a first and second) of lubricating
members may be provided on the cartridge, with the first skin engaging member comprising
the same composition or different. These lubricating members may be placed collectively
(for example adjacent to one another) ahead of or behind the elongated edges (e.g.
blades on a razor cartridge), including side by side, or separately with one ahead
of the elongated edges and the other behind.
[0015] The lubricating member may be free standing utilizing a suitable attachment means
such as adhesive or may be contained at least partially within a container.
[0016] In some embodiments, the cartridge comprises a guard comprising at least one elongated
flexible protrusion to engage a user's skin. The at least one flexible protrusion
may comprise flexible fins generally parallel to said one or more elongated edges.
Said at least one flexible protrusion may additionally or alternatively comprise flexible
fins comprising at least one portion which is not generally parallel to said one or
more elongated edges. Non-limiting examples of suitable guards include those used
in current razor blades and include those disclosed in
U.S. Patent Nos. 7,607,230 and
7,024,776; (disclosing elastomeric / flexible fin bars);
2008/0034590 (disclosing curved guard fins);
2009/0049695A1 (disclosing an elastomeric guard having guard forming at least one passage extending
between an upper surface and a lower surface). In some embodiments, said lubricating
member is positioned on the cartridge aft of the guard and forward of said elongated
edge. In another embodiment, the lubricating member is positioned on the cartridge
forward of the guard.
[0017] FIG. 1a and 1b show a wet shaving razor 10 formed of a razor cartridge 12 attached
to a handle 14. The razor cartridge is formed of a housing 16 having a front 18, a
rear 20 and first and second opposing side walls 22, 24 disposed transverse to and
between the front wall and rear wall. Two or more blades 26 with sharp cutting edges
28 are mounted within the housing 16 and extend between the first and second opposing
side walls 22, 24. In embodiments, the razor cartridge 12 has a first skin contact
point, typically a guard 30, located ahead of the blades and a second skin contact
point, typically a cap 32, located behind the blades. In the embodiment shown, the
guard is disposed at the front of the housing and the cap is disposed at the rear
of the housing. However, it will be appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment,
the respective positioning of the guard and cap may be reversed or the guard may be
formed separately to the housing and mounted directly to the razor handle. Lubricating
members (54) are located forward and aft of the blades.
[0018] FIG. 1a & 1b show an arrangement of blades in a cartridge having five blades 26.
While this figure is shown with five blades, it will be appreciated that the cartridge
could have fewer or more blades. FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-section through a
cartridge shown in FIG. 1a. A primary blade 40 is located adjacent the guard 30 at
the front end 18 of the cartridge and a final blade 44 is located adjacent the cap
32 at the rear end 20 of the cartridge. Each of the blades has a respective blade
edge (e.g. the primary blade edge 48 and final blade edge 50) that extends in parallel
to the length of the cartridge. The blade edges lie on a blade plane x that is tangential
to the primary blade edge 48 and the final blade edge 50. The blades 40, 44 extend
away from the front end 18 of the cartridge at an angle α beneath the blade plane
x.
[0019] A span δs is defined between each pair of adjacent blade edges, and a total span
δts is defined between the primary blade edge 48 and the final blade edge 50. The
span between adjacent blade edges may be the same for each pair of blades in a cartridge,
or the span between adjacent blade edges may vary at different points in the cartridge.
For example, in a three-blade cartridge having a primary, second and final blade,
the span between the primary and second blade edges may be less than, equal to or
greater than the span between the second and final blade edges.
[0020] Each of the blades 40, 44 extends away from the blade plane x at an angle αp relative
to the blade plane x. The present inventors have found that by providing the blades
at an angle of at least 30°, it is possible to further improve the balance between
reduced irritation and closeness for the removal of pubic hair.
[0021] A typical blade edge is shown in FIG. 5, having a sharp tip 60 and facets 62 that
extend away from the sharp tip into a body 64 of the blade. While shaving pubic (bikini)
hair, a user is likely to experience varying degrees of comfort/discomfort depending
on how much of the blade edge is presented to the skin. As the angle α is increased,
the surface area of the blade presented to the skin decreases and thus the pressure
on the skin increases, leading to an increase in discomfort experienced by a user.
As the angle α is decreased, more of the facet 62 is presented to the surface of the
skin, increasing the surface area of the blade presented to the skin and a user experiences
less discomfort.
[0022] However, as explained above, there is a trade-off between the increase in comfort
and a decrease in efficiency and closeness of a shave. In this respect, as the angle
α is decreased, there is a greater likelihood that contact between a blade edge and
a hair will result in a "skive-cut". A skive-cut occurs when the resultant angle of
the cut hair tip is greater than 45° to the normal of the hair fibre (66), as shown
in FIG. 7 leaving one side of the hair longer than the other side. By not cutting
a hair cleanly, a user may need to shave more frequently, or increase the number of
shaving strokes. In contrast, as the blade angle α is increased, there is less chance
that contact between a blade edge and hair will result in a skive-cut. This is of
particular importance in the pubic (bikini) area where hairs are more likely to grow
at a low elevation angle in relation to the skin, and are thus more likely to lay
flat to the skin, especially considering the anatomical skin folding in this body
site, and the wearing of close fitting undergarments. Such skive cut hairs have a
fine and pointed tip shape and are thus more prone to cause sensory irritation (tickle,
itch) and also are more likely to re-penetrate the skin resulting in inflammation
or irritation response, when lying flat to skin.
[0023] The present inventors have found that increasing the blade angle to an angle of at
least 30°, preferably between about 30° and 60° for all blades in a cartridge, ensures
both the desired comfort in use, and a reduction in proportion of skive cut hairs.
This results in a decrease in irritation occurring post shaving for pubic hair removal.
[0024] The primary blade and all additional blades are independently positioned at an angle
αp of from about 30° or about 35° or about 36° or about 45° or about 50° or about
55°. Preferably the blades are all at a blade angle, preferably of between about 35°
and about 50°, more preferably from about 35° and about 45°, even more preferably
between about 36° and about 43° and most preferably between about 37° to about 42.5°.
In one embodiment all blades have the same blade angle.
[0025] Whilst not being bound by theory, the Applicants believe that redness, bumps and
ingrown hairs are related (at least in part) to low lying hairs being cut so that
they have a resultant angled tip shape. An angled hair tip shape can be compared in
dimension to the tip of a microneedle, a device specifically designed to puncture
the skin. The relationship between insertion force and tip shape (in the context of
microneedles) is such that an angled tip shape can be inserted into the skin with
much lower force than a blunt tip shape.
[0026] Applying this analogy to hair tip shapes, the Applicant believes that hairs with
a blunt tip shape require significantly more insertion force to re-enter the skin
post shaving, and therefore are less able to do so and hence less likely to trigger
the associated cycle of irritation. The Applicant has found that bikini hair can be
cut to form a blunt hair tip by the use of blade edges inclined at a higher angle
to the skin, versus the standard angle in common commercially available razor cartridges.
[0027] FIG 6 shows a skin contact plane y which is tangential to skin engaging surfaces
of the guard 30 and cap 32. "Exposure" of a blade is defined as the distance, p, of
the blade edge 28 from the exposure plane. Where a blade edge lies beneath the exposure
plane, this is classified as a "negative exposure". If the blade lies above the exposure
plane, this is classified as a "positive exposure". If the blade edge lies in the
exposure plane, the blade edge has zero exposure.
[0028] In one embodiment not shown, the primary blade 40 has negative exposure, the final
blade 44 has positive exposure and the exposure of any additional blades between the
primary and final blades have progressively increasing exposure from the front to
rear of the cartridge. This form of progressive geometry is described in detail in
EP 0 722 379. Variation in blade exposure across a cartridge results in a varied load distribution
across the blades of a cartridge. The load on respective blades reduces as the exposure
is reduced. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, least load is applied to the primary
blade during shaving while most load is applied to the final blade. This is a result
of the pressure applied to skin by the blades during shaving - where the blade protrudes
more relative to the exposure plane, effectively the skin contact plane, while shaving,
the blade protrudes further into skin.
[0029] The blades of the present invention may be secured to the housing in any known way,
for example, the blades may be attached to blade supports, or they may be bent blades
that are secured directly to the housing. In embodiments of the present invention,
the housing has a blade retaining member having a plurality of slots for receiving
either the blade supports or, where bent blades are used, the blades. The angle of
the respective blades relative to the blade plane x can be determined by an angle
in the blade support, where blade supports are used, or by a bend in a blade where
bent blades are used. Alternatively, the angle of bend in the respective blade supports
or bent blades may be kept the same, and the angle of the respective slots in the
blade retaining member may be varied to result in blade edges at varying angles to
the blade plane x.
[0030] In typical cartridges, the blades are usually carried by the housing, which is generally
a molded plastic frame, either independently of each other or in unison under forces
imparted on the blades by the skin during shaving. In one embodiment of support within
the housing, the blades are mounted fixedly within slots in a blade retaining member.
In most instances, there will be one or more rigid blade retaining member disposed
along a length of the housing to provide adequate and immovable support for the blades
disposed therein. In another instance, the blades may be floatably mounted within
the housing. Here, the plurality of blades is supported by one or more spring loaded
blade retaining member where the blades are permitted to respond to the forces encountered
during shaving.
Razor Cartridge
[0031] The Applicant has further found that the overall hair removal performance of the
blades as discussed hereinabove, is not effective if contact between the skin and
blade is not achieved and maintained during the shaving process. The pubic area unlike
the face and legs for example is not however fully and readily visible to the consumer
conducting the hair removal process. Consequently, the consumer is more reliant on
tactile responses in order to try and achieve the desired hair removal result without
causing injury.
[0032] The Applicant has surprisingly found that the overall size and dimensions of the
cartridge hereinafter referred to as the cartridge footprint can improve cartridge
fit and also improve contact in the bikini area particularly with regard to skin mobility.
This aids greater precision and efficiency of hair removal in this area and importantly
ensures the appropriate blade contact with the skin. Whilst not bound by theory, the
Applicant also believes that the footprint allows consumers to achieve the desired
hair removal in fewer strokes and or overstrokes, thus reducing the extent of skin
insult and the associated irritation.
[0033] The footprint or skin contacting surface is define by the peripheral edge of the
housing (34). The cartridge may have a skin contact surface area or footprint of from
about 600mm
2 to 800mm
2, preferably from about 620mm
2 to 750mm
2, more preferably from between about 635mm and 650mm
2 or from about 725mm
2 to 745mm
2. The cartridge may have a maximum length (c
1) of from about 30mm to 60mm, preferably from about 35mm to about 50mm, more preferably
from about 40mm to 45mm. The cartridge may have a maximum width (c
w) of from about 15mm to 25mm, preferably from about 20mm to 25mm.
[0034] The cartridge may be provided in a generally regular rectangular or oval shape. However,
in one embodiment the cartridge may be provided such that the front portion of the
cartridge is shorter than the rear portion of the cartridge as shown in FIG. 8. The
front and rear portions of the cartridge are defined by the cartridge housing. In
such embodiments the front and rear portions are preferably joined by curved side
walls. The shorter front portion is typically centered. In one embodiment the aspect
ratio of the front and rear portions is from 2 to 1. Whilst not being bound by theory
it is believed that having a shorter front portion aids in the smooth flow of the
cartridge across the mobile skin present in the pubic area.
[0035] Whilst not being bound by theory, the Applicant has found that the size and dimensions
of the cartridge may judiciously mitigate the discomfort arising from the increase
blade tip pressure when blades are present at an elevated angle. The smaller footprint
size increases the ratio of housing materials to lubricant in contact with skin during
a shaving stroke, resulting in a reduction in perceived dragging which can cause discomfort.
Moreover, the preferred footprint also readily conforms and fits the curves of the
bikini body site and thereby enables hairs to be captured efficiently and comfortably
with the increased blade angles.
Handle
[0036] The Applicant has also found that the handle can also improve the overall shaving
performance in the bikini area in combination with high blade angle geometry. In addition
to providing its key role to ensure a secure grip, the Applicant has found that the
relative length and width of the handle enables the user to be confident in locating
the cartridge appropriately and maintaining control without further restricting the
visibility of the area to be shaved by the user's hand.
[0037] The handle length has been found to be an important vector with regard to consumer
ease, comfort and control of use in the bikini area. Traditional razor handles have
been found to be too long, whereas smaller travel products for example have been found
to have a handle which is too short and or too wide for effective use in the pubic
area.
[0038] Moreover it has been found that the traditional long and thin handle shapes do not
enable a safe, easy and complete hair removal process in the bikini area. This is
believed to be due to the hold ergonomics and the necessary stroke directions required
to remove hair from this particular area.
[0039] The handle suitable for use with the invention may have a length (h
l) of from about 55mm to 90mm; preferably from about 60mm to 80mm, more preferably
from about 70mm to 80mm. The handle may have a maximum width (h
w) of from about 45mm to25mm, preferably from about 40mm to 30mm, more preferably from
about 33mm to about 37mm. In one embodiment the handle has an aspect ratio of 2. The
handle may have a maximum depth (h
d) of from about 20mm to 30mm, preferably 22mm to 36mm, more preferably about 24mm.
[0040] It has also further been found that in order to ensure a safe, easy and complete
hair removal process, the handle should preferably exhibit a degree of flexibility
in use and is preferably resiliently deformable. In one embodiment the handle material
may have a Shore hardness in the range of from about 15 to 85 Shore A, preferably
from about 15 to 45 Shore A, more preferably from about 15 to 25A, most preferably
about 20 Shore A).
[0041] The handle has a body (70) which may be provided as a solid body or it may be provided
as a body having a hollow body having a central void or gap (76|). The overall shape
of the handle may be for example generally oval or a partial tear drop shape or a
U shape. The void or gap (76) may be enclosed or open from at least one side (88,
90) of the handle as shown in FIGS.1a, 1b and 4 for example. The provision of a hollow
readily enables the deformation of the handle material upon application of force by
the user.
[0042] The handle typically has a front surface (72) and a rear surface (74). In one embodiment
the handle has a hollow or gap (76) between at least a portion of the front (72) and
rear (74) surfaces of the handle to thereby form a hollow (76) in the body. The front
(72) and rear (74) surfaces are preferably connected to one another at least at the
distal (84) and proximal ends (86) of the handle. The front (72) and rear (74) surfaces
are not typically substantially connected along their respective side edges (88, 90)
but only at the distal (84) and proximal ends (86).
[0043] In one embodiment, the handle is in the form of a loop or U shape as shown in FIGS
1A, 1B and 4 whereby the front (72) and rear surfaces (74) form a central void or
gap (76) in-between at least a portion of the surfaces and is contained thereby. The
gap (76) may have a maximum length of from about 30mm to 65mm, preferably from about
40mm to 60mm, more preferably from about 50mm to 60mm. The aspect ratio of the handle
length and the gap length is form about 1 to 2, preferably from about 1.2 to 1.3.
The gap may have a maximum width of about 5mm to 30mm, preferably from about 10mm
to about 20mm. The front (72) and rear surfaces (74) of the handle each have a respective
inner surface (73, 75) adjacent the gap (76). The width of the front surface (72)
and inner surface (73) and rear surface (74) and inner surface (75) is from about
10mm to 20mm, preferably between about 12mm and 16mm.
[0044] The provision of a gap in-between the front and rear surfaces readily enables the
handle to be flexed by the user during use to apply pressure to the skin surface as
and when necessary. Moreover, the flexibility enables the handle to be peeled away
from the skin when the cartridge is in contact with the skin to enable visibility
by the user during use
[0045] In another embodiment at least a portion of the front and or rear surfaces (72, 74)
are independently from one another flexible and deformable, preferably resiliently
deformable so as to flex upon the application of pressure by the user.
[0046] In one embodiment at least a portion of the handle is at least partially, preferably
substantially transparent. The peripheral edge (80) of the handle may be transparent
or the centre of the handle may be transparent or the entire handle may be transparent.
The transparent portions may also be coloured.
[0047] In one embodiment the handle may be provided in contrasting colours; for example
the peripheral edge may be provided in one colour and the centre portion may be provided
in a different colour.
[0048] The handle may be manufactured from any suitable material known in the art such as
for example thermoplastics such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene,
high impact polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyphenylene ether/polystyrene blend, impact
modified styrene acrylic copolymer, and/ or mixtures thereof using standard manufacturing
techniques. Suitable methods include injection moulding and die casting and optionally
'additive or subtractive manufacturing' techniques and or co-molding techniques.
[0049] In one embodiment the peripheral edge (80) of the handle may be formed from a material
or mixture of materials selected for their strength, low density and ease of processing
as a mold. In such embodiments the peripheral edge (80) is not deformable or flexible
and thereby provides a rigid framework for the handle. A suitable material is impact
modified styrene acylic copolymer (available as Zylar 960 from INEOS Styrolutions).
[0050] The front and rear surfaces (72, 74) of this embodiment may be formed by co-molding
the peripheral edge material (80) with a deformable material, such as a thermoplastic
elastomer. In one embodiment the deformable material may have a shore hardness in
the range of 15 to 85 Shore A, preferably 20 to 45 Shore A, thereby allowing the front
and rear surfaces of the handle to touch under a palmer pinch grip, and return to
the original non deformed shape under normal usage. Such materials are chosen for
their strong adhesion to the peripheral edge framework. These materials also permit
a translucent finish and facilitate ease of manufacture in moulding or vacuum casting.
[0051] The front and or rear surfaces (72, 74) may further be provided with a tactile surface
(82) to provide improved grip to the user during use. This may assist in providing
reassurance to the user of a secure grip when the product is used in a wet and slippery
environment.
[0052] In one embodiment the tactile surface (82) is provided in the centre portion of the
front and or rear surface of the handle. Suitable tactile surfaces include raised
portions in the form of bumps, ridges, dips etc. The tactile surface may in addition
also provide a visual cue or a logo or branding on the front and or rear surface.
[0053] In one embodiment the tactile surface (82) is provided on the front surface (72)
to provide a finger rest (92) and or may be located on a raised portion of the front
surface (72), preferably at the proximal end (84) to form a finger rest. The finger
rest (92) ensures the finger does not slip onto the back of the cartridge. Additional
grip may be provided from an extruded logo located on the rear surface (74) of the
handle. Another tactile surface (82) providing a gripping portion may be provided
at the distal end (86) of the handle.
[0054] Tactile surface (82) maybe be provided by the material of the handle itself or it
may be provided as a separate layer. The tactile surface maybe coloured differently
from the front and rear surface to provide a visual cue to users.
[0055] Whilst not being bound by theory, the Applicant believes that the deformable nature
of the handle may help to reduce and balance the blade load by acting as a suspension
system, cushioning the load transferred to the cartridge from the handle and therefore
the discomfort which can be associated with high blade angles. The smaller handle
size enables the user to have a large amount of control over the razor which is needed
when using blades which may cause discomfort. This also improves the safety of high
blade angle embodiments.
1. A shaving razor (10) comprising a cartridge (12) comprising a housing (16) having
a front portion (18) and a rear portion (20), a guard (30) at the front portion (18)of
said housing (16) and a cap (32) at the rear portion (20) of the housing (16) and
a blade array (26) located in-between the guard (30) and cap (32), wherein the blade
array (26) comprises at least two blades, a primary blade (40)and a final blade (44),
each blade (26) having a blade edge (48, 50) that extends parallel to the housing
(16); having a blade plane x tangential to the primary blade edge (48) and the final
blade edge (50), wherein each angle between each blade (26) and the blade plane x
is 30° or greater; and wherein said cartridge (12) has a skin contacting surface footprint
of from 600mm2 to 800mm2, preferably from 620mm2 to 750mm2.
2. The use of a razor cartridge according to claim 1, for the removal of hair from the
pubic area, preferably the bikini area.
3. A shaving razor according to claim 1, wherein each blade has an angle of from 30°
to 60°, preferably from 35° to 45°.
4. A shaving razor according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein said front
portion of said housing is shorter than said rear portion of said housing.
5. A shaving razor according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the aspect
ratio of said front and rear portions is from 2 to 1.
6. A shaving razor according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein said cartridge
has a generally oval shape.
7. A shaving razor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cartridge
comprises at least one lubricating member (54).
8. A shaving razor according to any one of the proceeding claims, further comprising
a handle (14) permanently or releasably connected to said cartridge (12).
9. A shaving razor according to claim 8, wherein said handle is flexible, preferably
resiliently deformable.
10. A shaving razor according to claim 8, wherein said handle has a length of from about
55mm to 90mm, preferably 60mm to 80mm and a maximum width of from about 45mm to 25mm.
11. A shaving razor according to claim 8, wherein said handle has a Shore A hardness of
about 15 to 85.
12. A shaving razor according to claim 8, wherein said handle has a body having a gap
(76).
13. A shaving razor according to claim 12, wherein said handle has a front surface (72)
and a rear surface (74), wherein said gap (76) is between said front and rear surfaces.
14. A shaving razor according to claim 8 and 13, wherein said handle has a rigid peripheral
edge (80).