Shaving component, shaving cartridge, and method of manufacture

A shaving component for a shaving cartridge including at least one cutting member and at least one flexible strip onto which the cutting member is assembled. The flexible strip is able to assume different configurations such as a planar, convex and/or convex configuration while retaining the cutting member in a desired position. The shaving component is configured to be fastened to the shaving cartridge such as a hinged shaving cartridge.

FIELD

The following disclosure relates to shaving components, to shaving cartridges and to methods of manufacturing shaving components. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a cartridge having a flexible strip that allows the cartridge to assume different configurations during shaving.

BACKGROUND

Many conventional shaving cartridge heads are equipped with a plurality of movable blades. These heads are rigid, but operable to permit a small degree of movement of the blades relative to the heads so that the blades can somewhat follow a skin contour to a small degree via an up or down vertical movement of the blades relative to the heads.

The plurality of movable blades is retained within a housing by retaining members, or by an ultrasonic welded cap, or by any other kind of retainers. A conventional retaining member is usually a metal clip. Metal clips on the housing retain the blades in the slots and determine the positions of the cutting edges of the blades in the rest position.

Conventional heads, however, suffer from various limitations. For instance, the blades are only allowed to follow the skin contour towards a shaving motion direction, as illustrated viaFIG. 1A. Further, the blades are secured to the heads in a manner whereby a blade-to-skin angle is not constant, as illustrated viaFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B. These limitations are not advantageous in that they prevent a user from obtaining a close shave, i.e., an ideal shave whereby unwanted hair is severed by the blades as close to the skin as possible without cutting the skin, resulting in nicks and cuts to the skin of the user.

SUMMARY

According to aspects of the disclosure, a shaving component may include a flexible strip that may be able to assume a plurality of configurations while retaining a cutting member in a secured position with respect to the flexible strip. Other aspects may include providing a shaving cartridge with the shaving component. Further aspects may include, a method of manufacturing the shaving component.

More specifically, the disclosure may involve a shaving component for a shaving cartridge that may include at least one cutting member and at least one flexible strip. The at least one cutting member may have a cutting edge and may be assembled onto the flexible strip which may be configured to assume different configurations, while the cutting members may be retained in a secured position with respect to the flexible strip. By “secured position” it is meant that the flexible strip keeps the cutting member placed in a proper sequence, substantially parallel to each other. The different configurations may be convex, concave and/or a planar.

The disclosure may further involve a shaving cartridge that may include a housing having a top and a bottom portion, and a shaving window arranged at the top portion of the housing configured to receive the shaving component such that the cutting members are exposed via the top portion of the housing. The housing may include a plurality of side portions on either side of the housing. The plurality of side portions of the shaving cartridge may be rotatably secured together via connectors. Such shaving cartridge may also be called an “articulated shaving cartridge”. For example, the connector may be a hinge. Also, other types connectors may be used as well. Thus, the shaving cartridge may be called a “hinged shaving cartridge”. The housing may assume different configurations according to the skin contours of the user. The shaving component may be placed within the shaving window together with the connectors, and may allow for the relative pivoting of the shaving cartridge while keeping the cutting members secured within the shaving window. Each of the connectors may be operable to permit the side portions of the shaving cartridge to pivot relative to each other. Upon application of forces applied by the skin during the shaving process on the top portion (also called “top surface”) of the housing and/or one or more of the cutting members, the shaving cartridge may be able to assume a plurality of configurations. The plurality of configurations may include a convex, concave and/or planar configuration. More specifically, the housing may assume the convex configuration when the shaving cartridge may encounter a recess of the skin (a concave skin area) of the user. In other words, the forces acting from the concave skin area may be applied on the top portion of the housing causing the shaving cartridge to assume the convex configuration. The concave configuration of the shaving cartridge may be assumed when the shaving cartridge may encounter a protrusion of the skin (a convex skin area) of the user. In other words, the forces acting from the convex skin area may be applied on the top surface of the housing causing the shaving cartridge to assume the concave configuration. The planar configuration of the shaving cartridge may be assumed when forces acting from a flat skin area (a planar skin area, without protrusion and/or recesses), may be applied on the top surface of the housing.

In some examples, one may also use one or more of the features defined in the dependent claims.

The foregoing is intended to be illustrative and is not meant in a limiting sense. Many features of the examples may be employed with or without reference to other features of any of the examples. Additional aspects, advantages, and/or utilities of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description that follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments have been described in detail in the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only some embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the embodiments are desired to be protected. While said particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure.

I. General Architecture of the Shaving Component

According to aspects, as shown inFIG. 3, a shaving component10may include at least one cutting member2. For example, the shaving component10may include five parallel cutting members2. According to other aspects, the shaving component10may include more or less than five cutting members2. For example, the shaving component may comprise at least one cutting member. The cutting members may be similar to one another. The at least one cutting member2may be at least one blade. The at least one cutting member2may include a cutting edge5extending along a longitudinal axis X-X. The cutting member2may be profiled along the longitudinal axis X-X. This may be true, in particular, in a central portion of the cutting member2. Lateral sides of the cutting member2, opposed along the longitudinal axis X-X, may exhibit a specific functional geometry. For example, the cutting member2may be L-shaped, as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B. The cutting member2may thus include a cutting-edge portion, a bent portion and a base portion. The bent portion may be intermediate to the cutting-edge portion and the base portion. There may typically be an angle of about 105° to 120° between the cutting-edge portion and the base portion. The cutting member2may have different shapes, for example, a “reverse L” (shown onFIG. 7A), and/or a “question mark” shape (shown onFIG. 8A). According to further aspects, other shapes may be possible.

According to some aspects, as detailed inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the cutting member1000may have the “reverse L” shape. By “reverse”, it is meant that, along this orientation, the “L” may be rotated by 180°. The cutting member1000may include a flat cutting portion1002, a bent portion1003and a base portion1004, wherein the cutting member1000may be formed such that at least the bent portion1003and the base portion1004may be made out of one single piece of material.

The flat cutting portion1002may extend in the longitudinal direction, along the longitudinal axis X-X. The flat cutting portion1002may include a front cutting-edge portion1021and a rear end1022opposite to the front cutting-edge portion1021. The flat cutting portion1002may define a cutting portion plane. The flat cutting portion1002may be supported on a support portion1030. The support portion1030may include the base portion1004, the bent portion1003, and a platform portion1031to which the flat cutting portion1002may be mounted. The flat cutting portions1002may be attached to the support portion1030by welding techniques or any other techniques such as gluing or adhesives. The support portion1030may be profiled along the axis X-X. For example, the geometry of the support portion1030may be substantially similar along the axis X-X (shown inFIG. 6A) The platform portion1031may extend between the bent portion1003and the rear end1022of the flat cutting portion, and may extend towards the bent portion1003. The platform portion1031may be connected to the flat cutting portion1002. The platform portion1031may include a tip portion311. The platform portion1031may be made out of one single piece of material with the bent portion1003and the base portion1004. The base portion1004may extend downward from the bent portion1003. The bent portion1003may be intermediate to the platform portion1031and the base portion1004, and may extend between the platform portion1031and the base portion1004. The tip portion311may be arranged such that the tip portion311may be adjacent to the rear end1022of the flat cutting portion. The support portion1030may be made out of various materials, such as metal material(s). The bent portion1003may have an inner radius of curvature R, also called “radius of curvature”, that may be between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. According to some aspects, the radius of curvature R may be between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm, and according to further aspects about 0.2 mm. The platform portion1031may extend at an angle δ of 45° to 90° relative to the base portion1033. According to some aspects, the platform portion1031may extend at an angle δ of 50° to 80°, and according to further aspects at an angle δ of about 70°. The platform portion1031of the support portion may be between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm in length LP from the tip portion311and the bent portion1003. However, according to some aspects, the length LP of the platform portion1021may be about 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm, and according to further aspects about 0.5 mm (shown inFIG. 7A). A thickness T2(illustrated inFIG. 7A) of the flat cutting portion1002of the cutting member may be between 0.04 mm and 0.11 mm. According to some aspects, the thickness T2may be about 0.1 mm. A thickness T1(illustrated inFIG. 7A) of the support portion1030may be between 0.07 mm and 0.18 mm. According to some aspects, the thickness T1may be between 0.10 mm and 0.15 mm and according to further aspects, about 0.12 mm.

According to other aspects, the cutting member1000amay include the flat cutting portion1002a, the bent portion1003a, and the base portion1004a. The flat cutting portion1002amay extend in the longitudinal direction, along the longitudinal axis X-X (axis X-X shown inFIG. 6A). The flat cutting portion1002a, may include the front cutting edge portion210, where the flat cutting portion1002amay define the cutting portion plane. The flat cutting portion1002amay be made out of one single piece of material with the bent portion1003aand the base portion1004a. The base portion1004amay extend downward from the bent portion1003a. The bent portion1003amay be intermediate to the flat cutting portion1002aand the base portion1003a, and may extend between the flat cutting portion1002aand the base portion1003a. The bent portion1003amay be adjacent to the front cutting edge portion210. The bent portion1003amay have the inner radius of curvature R′, also called “radius of curvature”, that may be between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. According to some aspects, the radius of curvature R may be between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm, and according to further aspects, about 0.2 mm. The flat cutting portion1002amay extend at the angle δ′ of 45° to 90° relative to the base portion1004a. However, according to some aspects, the flat cutting portion1002may extend at an angle δ′ of 50° to 80°, and according to further aspects at an angle δ′ of about 70°.

According to other aspects, as detailed inFIGS. 8A and 8B, a cutting member2000may have the “question mark” shape. “The cutting member2000may include a backside B and a front side F opposing the back-side B.

The cutting member2000may include a flat cutting portion2001having a cutting-edge portion2002and an end portion2003opposing the cutting-edge portion2002. The cutting member2000may include a platform portion2004, a first bent portion2005, an intermediate portion2006, a second bent portion2007, and a base portion2008. The cutting-edge portion2002may be opposite to the first bent portion2005. The platform portion2004may include a front end2009adjacent to the cutting-edge portion2002. The platform portion2004may be made out of one single piece of material with the first bent portion2005, the intermediate portion2006, the second bent portion2007and the base portion2008. The flat cutting portion2001may be mounted on the platform portion2004. In other words, the platform portion2004may be configured to carry or to support the flat cutting portion2001. The platform portion2004, the first bent portion2005, the intermediate portion2006, the second bent portion2007and the base portion2008, together, may for the support portion2020. The support portion2020may be made out of for example a plastic material, or any other suitable materials may be used. The flat cutting portions2001may be attached to the platform portion2004by welding techniques or any other techniques such as gluing or adhesives. According to aspects, the flat cutting portion2001may be carried by the platform portion2004. The platform portion2004may extend towards the first bent portion2005. The platform portion2004may be connected to the flat cutting portion2001, and may be configured to support the flat cutting portion2001. The end portion2003of the flat cutting portion may be near/adjacent to the first bent portion2005. The first bent portion2005may be between the platform portion2004and the intermediate portion2006, i.e. the first bent portion2005may extend between the platform portion2004and the intermediate portion2006. The first bent portion2005may be concave on the front side F of the cutting member, i.e. the first bent portion2005may have a concave shape on the front side F. According to some aspects, a concave shape may include a shape that may be curved inward. As viewed from the back-side B of the cutting member, the first bent portion2005may be formed in a convex shape. According to some aspects, a convex shape may be the opposite of the concave shape, i.e. a convex shape may be bulged or curved outward. The intermediate portion2006may extend between the first bent portion2005and the second bent portion2007. A first angle σ, formed between the flat cutting portion2001and the intermediate portion2006, may be between 45° to 80°. According to some aspects, the first angle σ may be between 50° and 70° and according to further aspects, about 52°. The second bent portion2007may be formed between the intermediate portion2006and the base portion2008. The second bent portion2007may be intermediate to the base portion2008and the intermediate portion2006. The second bent portion2007may be formed in the convex shape on the front side F of the cutting member. On the other hand, on the back-side B of the cutting member, the second bent portion2007may assume the concave shape. A second angle σ′, formed between the intermediate portion2006and the base portion2008, may be between 100° and 160°. However, according to some aspects, the second angle σ′ may be between 120° and 140°, and according to further aspects, about 130°, as shown inFIG. 7A. The base portion2008may extend downward from the second bent portion2007. The base portion2008may have a length LB of between 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm. However, according to some aspects, the length LB may be between 0.65 mm to 1.0 mm and according to further aspects about 0.70 mm. A thickness (dimension T) of the single piece of material forming the cutting member2000may be between 0.07 mm and 0.18 mm. According to some aspects, the thickness T may be between 0.10 mm and 0.15 mm, and according to further aspects, around 0.12 mm. A dimension LE may be a distance in mm at which the base portion2008may exceed over the platform portion2004. More particularly, LE may be the distance measured from the front end2009of the platform portion to the front side F of the base portion along the transverse axis Y-Y. The LE may be between the 0.35 mm and 1.00 mm. According to some aspects, when the flat cutting portion2001is not mounted on the platform portion2004, the distance LE may be between 0.5 mm and 0.9 mm; however, according to further aspects the distance LE may be about 0.75 mm. According to other aspects, when the flat cutting portion2001is mounted on the platform portion2004, the distance LE, may be measured from the cutting-edge portion2002of the flat cutting portion to the front side F of the base portion and may be between 0 mm and 0.6 mm. According to some aspects, the distance LE may be between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm and according to further aspects, about 0.40 mm. The first bent portion2005may have a first inner radius of curvature R1, also called “first radius of curvature”, that may be between 0.09 mm and 0.27 mm. However, according to some aspects, the first radius of curvature R1may be between 0.12 mm and 0.24 mm, and according to further aspects, around 0.21 mm. The second bent portion2007may have a second inner radius of curvature R1′ also called “second radius of curvature”, that may be between 0.1 mm and 0.7 mm. According to some aspects, the second radius of curvature R2may be between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm, and according to further aspects, around 0.4 mm. As seen inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the shape of the cutting member2000may resemble a question mark or “S”-shape.

According to further aspects, the flat cutting portion2001′ may be made out of one single piece of material with the first bent portion2005′, the intermediate portion2006′, the second bent portion2007′ and the base portion2008′ to form the cutting member2000′. The flat cutting portion2001′ may extend towards the first bent portion2005′ and may be integral with the first bent portion2005′. The flat cutting portion2001′ may include a cutting-edge portion2002′. The cutting-edge portion2002′ may be opposite to the first bent portion2005′. The flat cutting portion2001′ may extend along the longitudinal axis X-X. The cutting member2000′ may also include a back-side B, and a front side F, a first angle σ and a second angle σ′, a first radius of curvature R1, second radius of curvature R1′, and a dimension LE, as explained in detail, above, in connection with the cutting member2000.

According to further aspects, the shaving component10may include at least one flexible strip1as shown inFIG. 3. The flexible strip1may be arranged such that the flexible strip1may extend along a transverse axis Y-Y. The at least one cutting member2may be assembled or mounted onto the flexible strip1such that the cutting-edge5of the at least one cutting member may be adjacent to the flexible strip1. The flexible strip1may be configured such that the flexible strip1may assume a plurality of configurations while retaining the at least one cutting member2in a secured position with respect to the flexible strip1.

The flexible strip1may include a body6extending along the transverse axis Y-Y between a first end and an opposed second end. The flexible strip1may include at least one leg7extending from the body6along a lateral axis Z-Z transverse to both the longitudinal axis X-X and the transverse axis Y-Y. Further the body6of the at least one flexible strip may include a top face6aand a bottom face6bopposite to said top face6a. The bottom face6bmay be adjacent to the cutting-edge5of the cutting member. The at least one leg7may extend from the bottom face of the body6b.

According to some aspects, the flexible strip1may include two legs7,71, for example, a first leg7and a second leg71. The two legs7,71may be connected together by the body6of the flexible strip1. The body6of the flexible strip may extend between the two legs7,71. Each leg7,71may include a projection8. However, according to some aspects, only one leg may have a projection8. The projection may protrude from the leg7,71, along the transverse axis Y-Y, away from the cutting member2. The leg7may allow the shaving component10, once fastened into a shaving cartridge, to be secured within the shaving cartridge, and may prevent separation of the shaving component10from the shaving cartridge. Furthermore, the risk of unintentionally removing the shaving component10out of the shaving cartridge may be minimized.

According to aspects, the flexible strip1, as shown inFIG. 3, may be in a rest position when it is not subject at any external forces. When the flexible strip1may be in the rest position, the legs7,71may be parallel to each other, and the flexible strip1may assume a planar configuration. The flexible strip1may assume a convex configuration or a concave configuration while being subject to external forces. The flexible strip1may further assume the convex configuration or the concave configuration, when the external forces may be applied on shaving component10. The top face6aof the body of the flexible strip may then assume a concave shape (i.e. the top face of the body may be in the concave configuration), while the bottom face6bmay assume a convex shape (the bottom face of the body may be in the convex configuration). On the other hand, when the flexible strip1may be subject to external forces, the top face6aof the body may assume the convex shape while the bottom face6bmay assume the concave shape. According to some aspects, a concave shape may include a shape that may be curved inward. According to some aspects, a convex shape may be the opposite of the concave shape, i.e. the convex shape may be bulged or curved outward.

The flexible strip1may be made of a formable material, for example, a thin sheet of suitable metal material. However, other materials may be considered. According to further aspects, the flexible strip1may not be metal. As such, the bottom face6bmay be coated on metal or any other anti-corrosive material.

As discussed above, the at least one cutting member2may include a central portion5aand two lateral sides5bas shown inFIG. 3. The at least one lateral side5bof the cutting member may include a connecting mechanism3that may be integral with the support portion2020,1030of the cutting member2. As can be seen inFIG. 9, the connecting mechanism3may include a fixation portion3aand a guiding portion3b. The guiding portion3bmay be connected to the support portion2020,1030of the cutting member2and the fixation portion3amay be attached to the bottom face6bof the body6of the flexible strip1. The fixation portion3aof the connecting mechanism3, when fixed to the bottom face6bof the body6, may be located to be in front or adjacent to the cutting-edge5of the cutting member2. The connecting mechanism3may be configured to attach or fix the cutting member2onto the flexible strip1.

According to further aspects, as depicted inFIG. 4, the body6of the flexible strip1may include at least one strip portion4. The strip portion4may extend from the body6, along the longitudinal axis X-X and may be made of the same material as the body6of the flexible strip1. The strip portion4may further include an end portion4aand a connecting area4b. Further, the strip portion4may have a bottom surface4cand a top surface4d. The end portion4amay be intermediate to the connecting area4band the body6of the flexible strip1, i.e. the end portion4amay be between the connecting area4band the body6of the flexible strip1. The connecting area4bof the strip portion4may be angled with respect to the body6of the flexible strip1. The connecting area4bof the strip portion4may be configured to be attached to the cutting member2. For example, the cutting member2may be an integrally formed cutting member2, as shown inFIGS. 7B and 8B. That is, the flat cutting portion1002a&2001′ may be attached at the bottom surface4cof the strip portion4onto the connecting area4b, such that the end portion4amay be located in front and adjacent to the cutting-edge5of the cutting member2. The above explanation of attaching the integrally formed cutting member2to the body6of the flexible strip1may define the cutting angle of the cutting member2.

According to some aspects, the shaving component10may include a plurality of cutting members2parallel to each other and assembled onto the flexible strip1. According to some aspects, the shaving component10may include another or second flexible strip1onto which the cutting member2may assembled. Hence, one flexible strip1may be present on each lateral side5bof the cutting member2. As such, the strip portion4may extend from one flexible strip1to the other.

II. General Architecture of the Shaving Cartridge

According to some aspects, as detailed inFIGS. 6A-6C, a shaving cartridge100may include a housing101having a front portion101aand a rear portion101bopposing the front portion101a. Each of the portions101a,101bmay include a plurality of side portions101c. Further, the housing101may include a top portion111, and a bottom portion112opposite to the top portion111. The top portion111and the bottom portion112may be parallel to each other. The plurality of side portions101cmay extend between the front portion101aof the housing and the rear portion101bof the housing. The side portions101cmay face each other. The plurality of side portions101cmay include a front abutment80and a rear abutment90. The shaving cartridge100may include a guard bar50adjacent to the front portion101aof the housing101and a cap60adjacent to the rear portion101bof the housing101. The housing101may have a shaving window115which may be a recess or cavity. The shaving window115may be configured to receive the shaving component10. The shaving component10may be arranged between the front portion101aof the housing and the rear portion101bof the housing. When the guard bar50and the cap60may be provided, the shaving component10may be positioned between the guard bar50and the cap60. The at least one cutting member2of the shaving component10may be arranged such that is the at least one cutting member2may be exposed via the top portion111of the housing101. The top portion111of the housing may be a top surface of the housing101. The housing101may be provided with a cavity25extending along the lateral axis Z-Z, from the top portion111of the housing to the bottom portion112. The cavity25may have rectangular shape, a square shape or any other suitable shape. The cavity25may be shaped such that the leg7of the flexible strip1may be inserted into the cavity25. As disclosed above, the leg7may include the projection8extending from said leg7, away from the cutting member2. The cavity25may be shaped such that the cavity25may be able to receive the leg7with the projection8. The projection8may assist with securing the shaving component10within the housing101. Legs7may inhibit movement of the shaving component10relative to the housing101. Therefore, the risk of unintentionally removing the shaving component10from the shaving cartridge may be minimized. In other words, the shape of the leg7of the flexible strip1may cooperate with the cavity25to secure the shaving component10within the housing101. The shaving component10may be placed within the housing101such that the body6of the flexible strip1may be located on the top portion111of the housing101.

Each one of the plurality of side portions101cmay include a connector30that may rotatably secure a front portion101aand a rear portion101btogether so that each of the plurality of side portions101cmay be operable to pivot relative to each other, as illustrated inFIGS. 6A-6C. According to some aspects, “pivot” may be understood that the axis of rotation of the front portion101awith respect to the rear portion101bmay be fixed, or may move if, in addition to the rotation, the side portions101cmay be guided in translation with respect to one another. Such connector30may be a hinge or a living hinge. The connector30may also have the shape of a rivet or a pin and a respective recess, allowing the front portion101ato rotate relative to the rear portion101b. Each of the connectors30may define an axis that may allow the guard bar50to rotate in either direction thereabout as the shaving cartridge100may travel along contours, e.g., convex and/or concave contours, of a shaving surface.

The flexible strip1of the shaving component10may be resilient, thereby (i) allowing each of the plurality of side portions101cto pivot as illustrated byFIGS. 6A and 6C, (ii) defining maximum degrees of pivot of the plurality of side portions101c, and (iii) biasing the plurality of side portions101cto a parallel configuration whereby the top portion111of the housing101may have a substantially planar surface as illustrated byFIG. 6B. The maximum degrees of pivot of the plurality of side portions101cmay also be defined by the front abutment80and said rear abutment90. As such, when the housing101may assume the convex configuration or the concave configuration, the front abutment80and the rear abutment90may come into contact. At this stage, the maximum degrees of pivot may be achieved and no further deflection of the housing101may be allowed.

According to further aspects, the shaving cartridge100may be operable to adapt to, change shape to follow the shaving surface, e.g., skin of the user, and may thereby provide a close shave to the user and an improved shaving experience relative to conventional shaving heads. The close shave that may be provided may allow the user to sever unwanted hair closer to the skin relative to conventional shaving heads and avoid unwanted nicks and cuts, especially in difficult-to-shave spots, e.g., around a chin of the user or behind a knee of the user, etc.

According to aspects, as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the shaving cartridge100may be operable to interact with the skin of the user. More particularly, when the shaving cartridge100may come into contact with a recess of the skin, i.e., the concave skin area, the connectors30may be operable to pivot so that the guard bar50and the cap60may make contact or touch the skin first, which may cause the housing101to assume the convex configuration. While the housing101may assume the convex configuration, the flexible strip1may assume the convex configuration on the top face6aof the body6. The bottom face6bof the body6may assume the concave configuration. According to some aspects, a concave skin area may include a skin area/shaving surface that may be curved inward. In this manner, nicks, cuts, or an “attack” on the skin may be avoided during use of the shaving cartridge100and the improved shaving may be achieved. Likewise, when the shaving cartridge100may come into contact with a protrusion of the skin, i.e., the convex skin area, the connectors30may be operable to pivot so that the housing101may assume the concave configuration (seeFIG. 6A). In other words, the forces acting from the convex skin area during the shaving may be applied on the shaving cartridge100causing the shaving cartridge100to assume the concave configuration. As such, the flexible strip1of the shaving component10may assume, on the top face6aof the body, the concave configuration, while the bottom face of the body may assume the convex shape. According to some aspects, a convex skin area may include a skin area/shaving surface that may bulge or curve outward. In this manner, a smoother cutting-edge contact, thereby providing a close shave without any additional effort from the user may be provided. When the shaving cartridge100may come into contact with the flat/planar skin, the forces acting from the flat skin may cause the shaving cartridge100to assume the planar configuration. According to aspects, a flat/planar skin may include the skin area/shaving surface where no protrusions/recess.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the examples described above without departing from the broad disclosure thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the present disclosure disclosed herein is not limited to the particular examples disclosed and is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

One of skill in the art will recognize that the detailed aspects may not be limited to any particular size. Further, one of skill in the art will recognize that the components of the shaving cartridge10may not be limited to any type of material. According to an aspect, the housing may be formed of a polymer, but may be formed of a variety of different materials including one or more metal materials or the like, or a combination thereof. One skilled in the art will recognize that different diameters, types, and thicknesses of materials may also be utilized when taking into consideration design and stability considerations. A number of manufacturing techniques may be used such as the machining, molding, or casting one or more components of the retainer. An example process of manufacturing the housing101may include the use of an injection-molding machine or other like manufacturing means.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the aspects detailed above without departing from the broad disclosure thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the present disclosure herein is not limited to the particular aspects disclosed and is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

III. Method of Manufacturing a Shaving Component

According to further aspects, a method of manufacturing the shaving component may include at least a step of providing at least one cutting member2having a cutting-edge5extending along a longitudinal axis X-X, a step of providing a flexible strip1extending along a transverse axis Y-Y, and a step of assembling said at least one cutting member2onto the flexible strip1, wherein the flexible strip1may be configured to assume different configurations while retaining the at least one cutting member2in a secured position with respect to the flexible strip1.

According to some aspects, method of manufacturing the shaving component further include one or more of the following features:

providing the at least one flexible strip1having a body6and at least one leg7, the body6having a top face6aand a bottom face6b, wherein the top face6amay be configured to assume the plurality of configurations;

the at least one leg7of the flexible strip may include a projection8protruding from the said leg7along the transverse axis Y-Y away from the cutting member2;

providing the shaving component10with at least one strip portion4extending from the body6of the flexible strip1and being made out of the same material as the body6, and assembling the at least one cutting member onto the strip portion4;

the shaving component10may include a plurality of cutting members2being parallel to each other and being assembled onto the flexible strip1.