Abstract:
A razor has a handle with an articulable joint intermediate the cutting blade and the portion of the handle grasped by a user. The joint may be made of elastomeric material, may be a relief that locally thins the handle, or may be a resiliently urged mechanical pivot joint.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to personal care utensils, and more particularly, to skin care utensils, such as razors for shaving hair from skin surfaces on the body. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Various known skin care utensils have handles that support a head portion at one end and are adapted to be grasped and manipulated by the hand of a user to manipulate and direct the head portion. Razors are known as having handles that attach to head portions that retain a razor blade therein that may be dragged over a skin surface, such as the face or legs, to cut hair extending from the skin surface. Notwithstanding known designs for personal care utensils, improved and/or alternative designs remain desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The disclosed subject matter relates to a razor handle for use with a razor having a head with at least one blade. The handle has an upper portion capable of connecting to the head and a lower portion capable of being grasped by a hand of a user. The handle has a joint capable of being connected at one end to the upper portion and capable of being connected at the other end to the lower portion. The joint is capable of flexing when subjected to force. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, the joint is made from an elastomeric material. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the upper portion and the lower portion are made of one material and the joint is made from a different material. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the joint is attached to the upper portion and the lower portion by an adhesive. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the joint is removably attached to the upper portion and the lower portion by mechanical engagement. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the joint is attached to the upper portion and the lower portion by plastic welding. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the joint is attached to the upper portion and the lower portion by over-molding. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the joint has an articulable pivot. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the articulable pivot includes a pin extending through a pivot aperture in the upper portion and a pivot aperture in the lower portion, coupling the upper portion and the lower portion together at the articulable pivot. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, further including a resilient member, the resilient member capable of urging the joint to an initial position, the joint capable of being displaced to a displaced position and returning to the initial position under the influence of the resilient member. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the resilient member is a spiral spring with a first arm acting against the upper portion and a second arm acting against the lower portion, the pin extending through a coil portion of the spiral spring. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, one of the upper portion and the lower portion has a forked end with two tines, the tines each having a depression in an interior surface thereof, and the other of the lower portion and the upper portion has a pair of projections capable of being matingly received in the depressions to define the articulable pivot. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, further including a cam element and a resilient element and wherein one of the upper portion and the lower portion has a channel therein capable of receiving the cam element and the resilient element therein, the resilient element capable of urging the cam element in a direction out of the channel and into contact with the other of the lower portion and the upper portion. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the resilient element is a coil spring with an axial hollow and the cam element has a tail capable of being received in the axial hollow to retain the cam element oriented with the spring. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, the joint has at least one undercut into the surface thereof. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the joint has a smooth outer surface. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, the joint is monolithically formed with at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, the joint is monolithically formed with both the upper portion and the lower portion. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, the handle is angled at the joint. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, the upper portion is angled intermediate the joint and the head. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the angle formed by the angled joint is in a range of 95 to 175 degrees. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the angle formed by the angled upper portion is in a range of 95 to 175 degrees. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the handle is curved. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, the handle is non-removably connected to the head. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment, a razor has a head capable of containing at least one blade and a handle capable of connecting to the head and being grasped by a hand of a user. The handle has an upper portion proximate the head, a lower portion distal to the head and a joint intermediate the upper portion and the lower portion. The joint is capable of flexing when subjected to force. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the head is formed monolithically with the handle. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the head is coupled to the upper portion distal to the joint by a pivot joint. 
         [0030]    In another embodiment, indicium on the joint indicates its rigidity. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment, the joint is selectable to provide a desired rigidity. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, a flexible sleeve is disposed about the pivot joint. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, a razor has a head containing at least one blade and a handle connected to the head and capable of being grasped by a hand of a user. The handle has an upper portion proximate the head and a lower portion distal to the head. A joint is interposed and connected to the upper portion and the lower portion and is capable of flexing when subjected to force. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are front and side views, respectively, of a razor in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a portion of the razor of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view like  FIG. 2 , but of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4A  is an enlarged view like  FIG. 2 , but of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0039]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the portion of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0040]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a razor in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0041]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged, partially phantom view of a portion of the razor of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a razor in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0043]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged, partially phantom view of a portion of the razor of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of a portion of the razor of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
           [0045]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are front and side views, respectively, of a razor in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0046]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of a portion of the razor of  FIGS. 10A and 10B . 
           [0047]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged view like  FIG. 11 , but of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0048]      FIG. 13A  is an enlarged view like  FIG. 11 , but of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0049]      FIG. 13B  is a side view of the razor portion of  FIG. 13A . 
           [0050]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of a razor in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0051]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged, partially phantom view of a portion of the razor of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0052]      FIG. 16  is an exploded view of a razor in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0053]      FIG. 17  is an enlarged, partially phantom view of a portion of the razor of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0054]      FIG. 18  is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of a portion of the razor of  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0055]    Personal care utensils that come into contact with the human body, e.g., the skin surface, must be used with care to avoid injury. Such utensils are used frequently, e.g., daily, for a substantial period of time. The foregoing is true of shaving devices, especially those having a sharp razor blade that is passed close to the skin surface to cut hair protruding through the surface of the skin. Due to the sharpness of the blade and the complexity of the shape of the skin surface, e.g., as encountered on a leg or face, it is challenging to hold and dynamically reposition the razor to get a close shave without inadvertently cutting the skin. In shaving with a razor, the blade must be held at a suitable angle relative to the skin surface and pulled across the skin at that angle to cut the hair. The optimal angle of the razor relative to the skin is preferably maintained as the entire surface of the skin is shaved. When the skin surface changes its angular orientation in space, e.g., following the contours of a leg, face or neck, the razor blade must be repositioned in space, e.g., by the person who is shaving changing the angle of the razor blade by changing the angle of the handle. This change of handle angle is typically executed by changing the relative orientation of the handle relative to the fingers, hand, wrist, elbow and arm of the person shaving, as well as changing the position of the skin, e.g., by tilting the head, moving the leg or jutting out the jaw. In addition to the razor angle, there is an optimal down pressure which holds the razor against the skin surface to allow the razor to effectively cut the hair to be shaved. As a result, the person shaving must try to maintain an even, optimal down-pressure while at the same time maintaining an optimal razor angle over a changing surface. The surface to be shaved may have different orientations, e.g., the two sides of the face, requiring repositioning of the handle, fingers, wrist, hand, etc. While the human being is remarkably dexterous and can conduct these tasks with their dominant hand, shaving can result in nicks, cuts, and irritation, can be fatiguing, and may not result in an effective shave. Each person also has a limited range of motion and strength of the wrist, elbow, arm and fingers and that range and strength significantly may be reduced for a person having a condition like arthritis. In addition to the foregoing considerations, shaving may be done by a person shaving another, e.g., in the case of a barber, a health care provider, or a veterinarian. 
         [0056]    An aspect of the present disclosure is the recognition that a handle having a resilient articulated joint may be utilized to intermediate between a non-articulated handle portion and a head portion, e.g., a razor head that holds a razor blade for shaving. Further, the articulable joint may be resiliently biased to an initial, unloaded or start position and be articulable through a range of motion to a variety of displaced positions in response to force exerted by the user on the non-articulable portion of the handle and the counter, responsive force exerted by the skin surface on the head of the razor, as the head is pressed against the skin. Upon unloading the bending force, the articulable joint may resiliently return to the initial position. The articulable joint gives rise to a new dynamic for controlling the razor angle relative to the skin as well as the magnitude of pressure that the razor is pressed against the skin. As shown in the present disclosure, the articulable joint can be executed in a variety of materials and mechanisms and may be utilized in conjunction with a razor head pivotally connected to the handle proximate the end thereof beyond the articulable joint or with a razor head that is rigidly attached to the end of the handle. The articulable joint may be incorporated into handles having a variety of shapes including shapes that are presently used for conventional razors. For example, the articulable joint may be incorporated into razor handles that are straight or curved. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a razor  10  having a head  12  that is adapted to hold one or more razor blades  14 , which may be molded into the head  12  or otherwise held in a conventional manner. A pad  16  and/or the edge  18  may be utilized as reference surfaces for positioning and maintaining the razor blade(s)  14  at a given angle relative to the skin of a user (not shown). The head  12  shown is of the modern, multi-blade type razor head, but other types of razor heads, including, razor heads for the older double-edge or single-edge safety razors could be used. The head  12  is attached to a handle  20 , either by a rigid monolithic molding to an upper portion  22  or may be mechanically coupled/uncoupled to the upper portion via a mechanism, latch system, or slide system commonly used on modern razors to allow for replacement of the head  12  on a handle  20 . In a further alternative, the head  12  may be connected to the upper portion  22 , e.g., by a pivot pin  24  inserted through or monolithically formed on the handle  22  or the head  12 . The pivotal connection of the head  12  and upper portion  22  optionally may be capable of assembly to allow replacing the head  12  with another head. An articulable joint  26  couples to the upper portion  22  at one end distal to the head  12  and to a lower portion  28  at the other end. The articulable joint  26  may be formed from an elastomer or other compliant, resilient material, such as rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material that has elasticity and elastic memory permitting deformation from and return to an initial position. The rigidity of the material of the articulable joint  26  may be selected based upon cost and to provide a given desired rigidity in accordance with consumer preferences. A variety of rigidities may be provided to allow a consumer to choose one that suits them best. The joint  26  may be marked or color coded to identify a given level of rigidity. The joint  28  may be coupled to the upper and lower portions  22 ,  28  of the handle  20  by co-molding, sequential injection molding, adhesives applied at the interface between the joint  26  and the upper and lower portions  22 ,  28 , or by welding, e.g., thermo-plastic or ultra-sonic welding, depending upon the respective materials used for the handle portions  22 ,  28  and the joint  26 . 
         [0058]    The dimensions of the joint  26  also impact the structural rigidity thereof in response to forces, e.g., applied along vectors F 1  and F 2 , which would be examples of a force applied by the fingers/hand of a user (F 1 ) and the counter force (F 2 ) applied by the surface of the skin. As can be appreciated from  FIG. 1A , the front profile of the joint  26  displays a substantially constant width along the length thereof, limiting side-to-side movement in the direction of double-arrow line S. In contrast, the side view of the razor  10  of  FIG. 1B  shows that the joint  26  is significantly tapered from top to bottom and the reduced thickness attributable to the tapered shape, coupled with resilient material used to form the joint  26 , will preferentially induce displacement from initial position IP to displaced position DP in response to force having a component along vector F 2 . In addition, the shape of the joint  26  may comply with or implement an aesthetic design. The razor  10 , in side profile, is primarily straight, but has a slight curve in the handle  20  starting at the joint  26  and extending to the head  12 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 2  shows that the bottom portion  28  may feature a forked end with tines  28 F 1  and  28 F 2  to increase the surface area of contact with the joint  26 , e.g., to distribute an adhesive or weld joint over a larger area and increase the strength of the connection between the joint  26  and the lower portion  28 . The same approach may be utilized at the conjunction of the upper portion  22  and the joint  26  and the joint  26  may similarly be forked to increase connection strength to adjacent handle portions  22 ,  28 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 3  shows an alternative joint  126 , similar to joint  26 , but mechanically connected to an upper portion  122  and a lower portion  128 . The joint  126  may feature tabs  126 T 1  and  126 T 2  that extend from the joint  126  and are received in and engage slots  122 S,  128 S. The tabs  126 T 1  and  126 T 2  may be formed from elastically resilient materials and have inwardly directed teeth that over-ride and then grip a ledge or depression formed in the base of the slots  122 S,  128 S. To disassemble the joint  126  from the upper portion  122  and lower portion  128 , the edge of a fingernail or a knife may be introduced under the tabs  126 T 1 ,  126 T 2  to lift the tabs out of their engagement with the ledge or depression in the slots  122 S,  128 S. Joint  126  may be made of rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material and may be marked or color coded to identify a given level of rigidity to provide a desired rigidity in accordance with consumer preferences and a range of rigidities may be provided to allow a consumer to choose one that suits them best. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a joint  226  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the joint  226  has a undercut  226 U that reduces the front-to-back thickness T of the joint  226  thereby rendering the joint  226  more flexible to more readily assume a displaced position DP (see  FIG. 1B ), when loaded. As in  FIG. 2 , the lower portion  228  may be forked, having fork tines  228 F 1 ,  228 F 2 . In  FIG. 4B , the tines  228 F 1 ,  228 F 2  occupy front and back positions as compared to the side-to-side positions of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , either approach being optional for either embodiment. As noted above with respect to  FIG. 2 , the same approach may be utilized at the conjunction of the upper portion  222  and the joint  226 , and the joint  226  may similarly be forked to increase connection strength to adjacent handle portions  222 ,  228 . In a further alternative, if the upper and lower portions of the handle  222 ,  228  are made from an elastomer or other compliant, resilient material, such as rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material that has elasticity and elastic memory permitting deformation from and return to an initial position, the joint  226  may be made monolithically, the flexibility of the joint  226  being determined by the dimensions of the undercut  226 U and thickness T. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show a razor  310  wherein an articulable joint  326  is defined by the pivotal connection of the upper portion  322  and lower portion  328  of the razor  310  by a pivot pin  330 . The upper portion  322  has a forked extension  322 F, with tines  322 F 1 ,  322 F 2  having apertures  322 A to receive the pivot pin  330  there through. The lower portion  328  has a recess  328 R into which the forked extension  322 F may be inserted and which has apertures  328 A, also capable of accommodating the pivot pin  330 . A torsion spring  332  may be positioned coaxially about the pivot pin  330  and extend into cavities  322 C and  328 C in the upper and lower portions  322 ,  328  to resiliently bias the joint  326  to an initial position IP (See  FIG. 1B ). A flexible sleeve  334 , e.g., made from an elastomer or other compliant, resilient material, such as rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material, may be positioned over the assembled joint to retain the pivot pin  330 , and to obscure the joint  326  for aesthetic reasons and/or to exclude contaminants, water, soap, etc. from the joint  326  and the interior hollows, e.g.,  328 R,  322 C,  328 C of the upper and lower portions  322 ,  328 . 
         [0063]      FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9  show a razor  410  in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. The joint  426  is defined by the pivotal connection of the upper portion  422  and lower portion  428  of the razor  410  by a pivot joint defined by opposed projections  422 P 1 ,  422 P 2  extending from opposed sides of upper portion  422 , which are received in mating depressions  428 D 1 ,  428 D 2  provided on an inside surface of forks  428 F 1 ,  428 F 2 . The lower portion  428  of the razor  410  is made from elastic materials such as rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material, and, thus, the upper portion  422  may be snap-fitted to the bottom portion  428  by the outward bending of the forks  428 F 1 ,  428 F 2  to allow the projections  422 P 1 ,  422 P 2  to enter the depressions  428 D 1 ,  428 D 2  and then snap back to form a pivotal joint. The lower portion  428  has a spring channel  428 C into which a coil spring  432  may be inserted to resiliently bias the joint  426  to an initial position IP (See  FIG. 1B ). A plunger  436  intermediates between the spring  432  and the upper portion  422 . More particularly, the plunger  436  has an upper cam surface  436 C that abuts against a cam surface  422 C on the upper portion. The plunger  436  also features a tail portion  436 T that extends into the internal hollow of the spiral spring  432  to keep the plunger  436  oriented with the axis of the spring  432 . The plunger  436  has a pair of guides  436 G 1 ,  436 G 2  that extend from side surfaces of the plunger  436  and which can bend to enter and engage the spring channel  428 C to stabilize and orient further the plunger  436  relative to the spring channel  428 C. A flexible sleeve  434 , e.g., made from an elastomer or other compliant, resilient material, such as rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material, may be positioned over the assembled joint  426  to obscure the joint  426  for aesthetic reasons and/or to exclude contaminants, water, soap, etc. from the joint  426  and the interior hollows, e.g.,  428 C, of the lower portion  428 . The strength and length of the spring  432  may be selected to achieve a selected degree of preload that maintains the upper portion  422  at a given initial position IP (See  FIG. 1B ), the spring resiliently forcing the plunger  436  and the cam surface  436 C thereof into contact with the cam surface  422 C of the upper portion  422 . When bending forces are encountered, e.g., F 1 , F 2  shown in  FIG. 1B , the head  412  and attached upper portion  422  are pivoted back on projections  422 P 1 ,  422 P 2  and depressions  428 D 1 ,  428 D 2 , encountering the plunger  436  and compressing the spring  432 . When the bending forces are removed, the razor  410  re-assumes the initial position IP. The movement of the joint  426  may be limited, e.g., between the initial position IP and a maximum displaced position by a mechanical stop. For example, the forward edge  422 E may abut surface  428 E in the initial position IP and the rear edge  422 R may abut surface  428 R in a maximally displaced position DP. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  show a razor  510  having a head  512  that is adapted to hold one or more razor blades  514 , which may be molded into the head  512  or otherwise held in a conventional manner, as in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . A pad  516  and/or the edge  518  may be utilized as reference surfaces for positioning and maintaining the razor blade(s)  514  at a given angle relative to the skin of a user (not shown). The head  512  shown is of the modern, multi-blade type razor head, but other types of razor heads, including, razor heads for the older double-edge or single-edge safety razors could be used. The head  512  is attached to a handle  520 , either by a rigid monolithic molding to an upper portion  522  or may be mechanically coupled/uncoupled to the upper portion via a mechanism, latch system, or slide system commonly used on modern razors to allow for replacement of the head  512  on a handle  520 . In a further alternative, the head  512  may be connected to the upper portion  522 , e.g., by a pivot pin  524  inserted through or monolithically formed on the handle  522  or the head  512 . The pivotal connection of the head  512  and upper portion  522  may be permanent or capable of disassembly to allow replacing the head  512  with another. An articulable joint  526  couples to the upper portion  522  at one end distal to the head  512  and to a lower portion  528  at the other end. The articulable joint  526  may be formed from an elastomer or other compliant, resilient material, such as rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material that has elasticity and elastic memory permitting deformation from and return to an initial position. The rigidity of the material of the articulable joint  526  may be selected to provide a given desired rigidity, in accordance with consumer preferences and a range of rigidities may be provided to allow a consumer to choose one that suits them best. The joint  526  may be marked or color coded to identify a given level of rigidity. The joint  526  may be coupled to the upper and lower portions  522 ,  528  of the handle  520  by co-molding, sequential injection molding, adhesives applied at the interface between the joint  526  and the upper and lower portions  522 ,  528 , or by welding, e.g., thermo-plastic or ultra-sonic welding, depending upon the respective materials used for the handle portions  522 ,  528  and the joint  526 . 
         [0065]    The dimensions of the joint  526  impact the structural rigidity thereof in response to forces, e.g., applied along vectors F 1  and F 2 , which would be examples of a force applied by the fingers/hand of a user (F 1 ) and the counter force (F 2 ) applied by the surface of the skin. As can be appreciated from  FIG. 10A , the front profile of the joint  526  reveals side undercuts  526 U 1 ,  526 U 2  that reduce the width of the joint and increase its flexibility. The side view of the razor  510  of  FIG. 10B  shows that the undercuts  526 U 1 ,  526 U 2  have a complex shape that impacts the response of the joint  526  to force along vector F 2  and the displacement from initial position IP to displaced position DP. The depth, shape and placement of the undercuts  526 U 1 ,  526 U 2  may be used to provide a selected response, e.g., to provide a variety of joints  526  with a different stiffness to satisfy different users, which may include a handle  520  that is created by a single piece of molded plastic or similar material, or by multiple pieces of plastic or similar material that are molded, welded, or adhered together. In addition, the shape of the joint  526  may comply with or implement an aesthetic design. The razor  510 , in side profile, has a lower portion that is primarily straight, an upper portion  522  that is straight and a joint  526  that executes a substantial angle α of approximately 95 to 175 degrees, in the initial position IP. 
         [0066]      FIG. 11  shows that the bottom portion  528  may feature a forked end with tines  528 F 1  and  528 F 2  to increase the surface area of contact, e.g., to distribute an adhesive or weld joint over a larger area and increase the strength of the connection between the joint  526  and the lower portion  528 . The same approach may be utilized at the conjunction of the upper portion  522  and the joint  526  and the joint  526  may similarly be forked to increase connection to adjacent handle portions  522 ,  528 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 12  shows an alternative joint  626 , similar to joint  526 , but mechanically connected to an upper portion  622  and a lower portion  628 . The joint  626  may feature tabs  626 T 1  and  626 T 2  that extend from the joint  626  and are received in and engage slots  622 S,  628 S. The tabs  626 T 1  and  626 T 2  may be formed from elastically resilient materials and have inwardly directed teeth that over-ride and then grip a ledge or depression formed in the base of the slots  622 S,  628 S. To disassemble the joint  626  from the upper portion  622  and lower portion  628 , the edge of a fingernail or a knife may be introduced under the tabs  626 T 1 ,  626 T 2  to lift the tabs out of their engagement with the ledge or depression in the slots  622 S,  628 S. Joint  626  may be made of rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material and may be marked or color coded to identify a given level of rigidity to provide a desired rigidity in accordance with consumer preferences and a range of rigidities may be provided to allow a consumer to choose one that suits them best. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  show a joint  726  with a substantial angle α 1  of approximately 95 to 175 degrees, in the initial position IP. The joint  726  has a undercut  726 U that reduces the front-to-back thickness T of the joint  726  thereby rendering the joint  726  more flexible to more readily assume a displaced position DP (see  FIG. 1B  or  10 B) when loaded. As in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 B, and  11 , the lower portion  728  may be forked, having fork tines like  28 F 1  and  28 F 2 ,  228 F 1  and  228 F 2 , and  528 F 1  and  528 F 2 . As noted above with respect to prior embodiments, the joint  726  may be glued or plastic welded to the upper portion  722  and the lower portion  728 . In a further alternative, if the upper and lower portions of the handle  722 ,  728  are made from an elastomer or other compliant, resilient material, such as rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material that has elasticity and elastic memory permitting deformation from and return to an initial position, the joint  726  may be made monolithically, the flexibility of the joint  726  being determined by the dimensions of the undercut  726 U and thickness T. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 14 and 15  show a razor  810  wherein an articulable joint  826  is defined by the pivotal connection of the upper portion  822  and lower portion  828  of the razor  810  by a pivot pin  830 . The upper portion  822  executes an angle α 2  of approximately 95 to 175 degrees between its conjunction with the head  812  and a forked extension  822 F. The forked extension  822 F has tines  822 F 1 ,  822 F 2  with apertures  822 A 1 ,  822 A 2  to receive the pivot pin  830  there through. The lower portion  828  has a recess  828 R into which the forked extension  822 F may be inserted and which has apertures  828 A 1 ,  828 A 2  capable of accommodating the pivot pin  830 . A torsion spring  832  may be positioned coaxially about the pivot pin  830  and extend into cavities  822 C and  828 C in the upper and lower portions  822 ,  828  to resiliently bias the joint  826  to an initial position IP (See  FIG. 1B  or  10 B). A flexible sleeve  834 , e.g., made from an elastomer or other compliant, resilient material, such as rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material, may be positioned over the assembled joint to retain the pivot pin  830 , and to obscure the joint  826  for aesthetic reasons and/or to exclude contaminants, water, soap, etc. from the joint  826  and the interior hollows, e.g.,  828 R,  822 C,  828 C of the upper and lower portions  822 ,  828 . 
         [0070]      FIGS. 16 ,  17  and  18  show a razor  910  in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. The joint  926  is defined by the pivotal connection of the upper portion  922  and lower portion  928  of the razor  910  by a pivot joint including opposed projections  922 P 1 ,  922 P 2  extending from opposed sides of upper portion  922 , which are received in mating depressions  928 D 1 ,  928 D 2  provided on an inside surface of forks  928 F 1 ,  928 F 2 . The upper portion  922  executes an angle α 3  of approximately 95 to 175 degrees between its conjunction with the head  912  and a terminal edge  922 E. The lower portion  928  of the razor  910  is made from elastic materials such as rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material, and, thus, the upper portion  922  may be snap-fitted to the bottom portion  928  by the outward bending of the forks  928 F 1 ,  928 F 2  to allow the projections  922 P 1 ,  922 P 2  to enter the depressions  928 D 1 ,  928 D 2  and then snap back to form a pivotal joint. The lower portion  928  has a spring channel  928 C into which a coil spring  932  may be inserted to resiliently bias the joint  926  to an initial position IP (See  FIG. 1B  or  10 B). A plunger  936  intermediates between the spring and the upper portion  922 . More particularly, the plunger  936  has an upper cam surface  936 C that abuts against a cam surface  922 C on the upper portion  922 . The plunger  936  also features a tail portion  936 T that extends into the internal hollow of the spiral spring  932  to keep the plunger  936  oriented with the axis of the spring  932 . The plunger  936  has a pair of guides  936 G 1 ,  936 G 2  that extend from side surfaces of the plunger  936  and which bend to enter and engage the spring channel  928 C to stabilize and orient further the plunger  936  relative to the spring channel  928 C. A flexible sleeve  934 , e.g., made from an elastomer or other compliant, resilient material, such as rubber, plastic, silicone rubber, or other natural or synthetic flexible material, may be positioned over the assembled joint  926  to obscure the joint  926  for aesthetic reasons and/or to exclude contaminants, water, soap, etc. from the joint  926  and the interior hollows, e.g.,  928 C, of the lower portion  428 . The strength and length of the spring  932  may be selected to achieve a selected degree of preload that maintains the upper portion  922  at a given initial position IP (See  FIGS. 1B and 10B ), the spring resiliently forcing the plunger  936  and the cam surface  936 C thereof into contact with the cam surface  922 C of the upper portion  922 . When bending forces are encountered, e.g., F 1 , F 2  shown in  FIG. 1B , the head  912  and attached upper portion  922  are pivoted back on projections  922 P 1 ,  922 P 2  and depressions  928 D 1 ,  928 D 2 , encountering the plunger  936  and compressing the spring  932 . When the bending forces are removed, the razor  910  re-assumes the initial position IP. The movement of the joint  926  may be limited, e.g., between the initial position IP and a maximum displaced position by a mechanical stop. For example, the forward edge  922 E may abut surface  928 E in the initial position IP and the rear edge  922 R may abut surface  928 R in a maximally displaced position DP. 
         [0071]    It will be understood that the embodiments described herein merely are exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, while this disclosure is directed to a razor and shaving, the articulable handle disclosed may be used to mount a scrubbing device, such as an exfoliating or abrasive block that is passed over the skin to clean or abrade the surface of skin. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.