Razor handle and caddy

A razor caddy receives a razor handle suitable for supporting a razor cartridge. The top and bottom handle surfaces have a continuous index finger profile when gripped on the top surface of the razor handle. The razor handle has a widened portion proximate to a proximate end, and side portions of the razor handle form a concave profile between the proximate end and the distal end. The side portions also form a widened portion at the distal end. The index finger profile of the razor handle defines a detail and a normal shaving position structure in combination with the handle top and bottom surface. First and second elastomeric gripping portions are each positioned on the bottom of the handle. The detail shaving position is achieved by the first gripping portion having a defined thumb engaging area proximate to the proximate end, with the elastomeric material defining correct thumb placement. The second gripping area is positioned near the distal end of the handle. An apex shaped top surface of the razor handle is disposed to fit into the "life line" crease of a user's hand to provide secure gripping and control. The razor caddy has at least two spaced apart depressions suitable to receive the proximate and distal ends of the razor handle. The caddy, together with the razor handle, defines a substantially elliptical opening suitable to receive a user's digits upon the bottom surface of the razor handle.

The present invention relates to wet shaving razor handles and a razor 
caddy, and more particularly to a safety razor handle designed to receive 
a razor cartridge on which a blade assembly is mounted. The handle shape 
is conformed to the user's hand so that the razor handle can define 
multiple control positions. A razor caddy in combination with the razor 
handle is provided which allows multiple user digits to grasp the razor 
handle when removing the razor handle from the caddy. 
In the prior art, various shapes and configurations of wet shaver razor 
handles have been provided for user comfort. Also, for user comfort and 
control, a razor caddy has been provided to store a razor handle for 
packaging and distribution of the razor handle, as well for user 
convenience. U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,887 issued to Kenneth Grange on Oct. 17, 
1995 entitled "HOLDER FOR WET SHAVER" illustrates a holder for a wet 
shaver having a planar body and an upper side with a substantially half 
shell contour. The upper side defines a depression for receiving a wet 
razor handle, with the depression having a depth and contour suitable to 
complement the half shell contour. 
U.S. Design Pat. No. 370,844 issued to J. Shurtleff et al. on Jun. 18, 1996 
entitled RAZOR HOLDER also shows a razor holder suitable to receive a wet 
razor handle and a tray containing razor cartridge. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,551 issued to D. V. Apprille, Jr. on Mar. 12, 1996 
entitled RAZOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY, illustrates a safety razor handle having a 
elastomeric grip portion positioned between a pair of shells forming a 
substantially planar body member. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,319 issued to W. Althaus and K. Grange on Jul. 16, 1991 
entitled WET RAZOR illustrates an "S" shaped razor handle with a rear 
tongue like widened portion. A padding means such as rubber or plastic 
form contact surfaces for the finger digits. 
None of the patents described above provides the important advantages of 
providing an arcuate wet shaver razor handle shaped to complement a users 
finger profile, and having a plurality of elastomeric inserts on the 
underside of the handle to define normal and detail shaving positions. In 
addition, the above patents do not describe a razor caddy having a 
plurality of shaped depressions, which in combination with the razor 
handle, defines an opening to more fully receive a users digits in manner 
suitable to engage the bottom of the razor handle to enable lifting of the 
razor handle from the caddy. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention itself, together with further objects and attendant 
advantages, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed 
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Turning now to FIGS. 14-18 of the drawings, a combination 10 of a razor 
handle 100 and razor caddy 200 for supporting a razor cartridge 300 at one 
end of the razor handle is illustrated. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the razor handle 100 comprises an elongated 
member defining generally concentric convex top and bottom surfaces 
102,104, respectively, each having a continuous arcuate "index finger 
profile" along points "P--P" when gripped with a users digits (not shown) 
on the top surface 102 of the razor handle 100 and a thumb on the bottom 
surface 104. In more detail, the "index finger profile" is a profile of a 
user's hand in a rest position which follows a line along the inner 
surface of the index finger and continuing along the line formed by the 
"life line" crease formed between the thumb and index finger and directed 
towards the wrist. 
One end of the razor handle 100 has a widened "tongue-like" portion 
proximate to a cartridge receiving end 106 (or proximate end). Side 
portions 110,112 of the razor handle 100 form a concave profile between 
the proximate end 106 and a distal end 108 of the razor handle 100. The 
side portions 110,112 also form a widened "tongue-like" portion at the 
distal end 108 of the razor handle 100. 
The "index finger profile" along points "P--P" of the razor handle 100 
defines a detail and a normal shaving position in combination with the top 
surface 102 and the bottom surface 104 of the razor handle 100. First and 
second elastomeric gripping portions 120,122, respectively, such as 
rubber, plastic or the like, are each positioned on the bottom surface 104 
of the razor handle 100. For example, a suitable elastomeric material 
would have a durometer of between about 40 to about 60 on the Shore A 40 
to Shore A 60 scale. 
The detailed shaving position (and structure) is defined by the first 
gripping portion 120 having a defined thumb engaging area of elastomeric 
material proximate to the proximate handle portion 106. The shape of the 
elastomeric material, such as a tear-drop shape or the like, defines the 
correct placement position of the thumb for use in the first detail 
shaving position. The flattened widened portion of the razor handle 
proximate end 106 provides a wide bearing area suitable for engagement of 
a users digits. 
The normal shaving position (and structure) is defined by an "apex" shaped 
top surface near the distal end 108, illustrated by points "X--X" in FIG. 
2, and the second gripping portion 122. The raised fitting "apex" shaped 
portion 130 fits into the "life line" crease formed between the thumb and 
index finger of the user in order to provide secure gripping of the 
handle. This placement of the "fitting" apex portion 130 into the "life 
line" crease of the users hand, along with the second gripping area 122 
having an elastomeric element positioned near the distal end 108 of the 
razor handle to receive the thumb and digits, enhances the security of the 
grip and aids in control. The second gripping area 122 has a hand 
sensitive engagement surface about the distal end 108 shaped to define 
correct engagement of one of the finger digits for use of razor in the 
normal position. 
A razor caddy 200 defines at least two spaced apart depressions 202,204 
suitable to receive the proximate and distal end 106,108 of the razor 
handle 100. The razor caddy 200 together with the razor handle 100 defines 
a substantial "elliptical" opening 210 suitable to receive a users digits 
upon the bottom surface of the razor handle. A razor cartridge tray 220 
having a plurality of positions to receive replacement razor cartridges 
fits into the bottom surface 222 of the razor caddy 200, and engages one 
or more latches 224 formed on bottom of the razor caddy 200 to achieve a 
secure fit. A plurality of razor cartridges 300 are set within the razor 
tray 220. 
A razor cartridge suitable for use with this razor handle is illustrated in 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,571 issued to Frank H. Prochaska entitled MOVABLE 
BLADE SHAVING CARTRIDGE OR THE LIKE, which patent is hereby incorporated 
by reference. 
The combination of the razor handle and caddy may be formed of a suitable 
plastic material providing an appearance to suggest a stone finish, such 
as granite, slate or the like. Also, while an elliptical opening formed 
between the razor handle 100 and caddy 200, other shapes of the opening 
may also used, such as arcuate, curved or the like. 
Of course, it should be understood that a wide range of changes and 
modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment described above. It 
is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be 
understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, 
which are intended to define the scope of this invention.