Patent Publication Number: US-10773402-B2

Title: Shaving razor cartridge

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to shaving razors and more particularly to shaving cartridges having two guards, two caps, and a plurality of blades. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In general, shaving razors of the wet shave type include a cartridge or blade unit with at least one blade with a cutting edge, which is moved across the surface of the skin being shaved by means of a handle to which the cartridge is attached. The cartridge may be mounted detachably on the handle to enable the cartridge to be replaced by a fresh cartridge when the blade sharpness has diminished to an unsatisfactory level, or it may be attached permanently to the handle with the intention that the entire razor be discarded when the blade or blades have become dulled (i.e., disposable razor). The connection of the cartridge to the handle provides a pivotal mounting of the cartridge with respect to the handle so that the cartridge angle adjusts to follow the contours of the surface being shaved. In such systems, the cartridge can be biased toward a rest position by the action of a spring-biased plunger (a cam follower) carried on the handle against a cam surface on the cartridge housing. 
     Razor cartridges usually include a guard which contacts the skin in front of the blade(s) and a cap for contacting the skin behind the blade(s) during shaving. The cap and the guard aid in establishing the so-called “shaving geometry”, i.e., the parameters which determine the blade orientation and position relative to the skin during shaving, which in turn have a strong influence on the shaving performance and efficacy of the razor. The cap and the guard may aid in establishing the exposure of the blades. The blade exposure is defined to be the perpendicular distance or height of the blade edge measured with respect to a plane tangential to the skin contacting surfaces of the blade unit elements next in front of and next behind the edge. Therefore, for a three-bladed blade unit, the exposure of the first or primary blade is measured with reference to a plane tangential to the guard and the edge of the second blade, and the exposure of the third or tertiary blade is measured with reference to a plane tangential to the edge of the second blade and the cap. 
     The minimum acceptable exposure may be influenced by other blade unit dimensions, such as the distance from the skin engaging surface of the guard to the edge, i.e. “the span” of the primary blade. As referred to herein, “the span” means the distance from the blade edge to the skin contacting element immediately in front of that edge as measured along a tangent line extending between the said element and the blade edge. The guard may include a generally rigid guard bar that may be formed integrally with the housing or platform structure, which provides a support for the blades. Guards may also include skin stretching elements made from various types of elastomeric materials that are intended to stretch the skin and/or align hair in front of the blade. 
     Safety razors having cartridges with several blades have in recent years been sold in very large numbers and are generally acknowledged to give a better quality of shave, especially in terms of closeness, than single bladed razors. A blade unit having many blades can produce a closer shave than a similar blade unit with only one or two blades. However, closeness of shave obtained is only one parameter by which razor users judge the performance of a razor. Comfort is another important characteristic to consider. For example, many consumers describe themselves as having sensitive skin, which is prone to nicks, cuts and irritation. Discomfort during a shave, often described by shavers as a “pull &amp; tug” sensation is caused by the nerves around the follicle being stimulated. This nerve stimulation can happen by moving the hairs, pulling and/or cutting the hairs and by dragging the razor cartridge over the surface of the skin. 
     Additionally, many consumers suffer from acne and/or pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) that make shaving uncomfortable. PFB or shaving bumps is a foreign body inflammatory reaction involving papules and pustules. It is a common dermatologic condition principally affecting adult men who have naturally coarse or tightly curling hair, particularly those who shave closely on a regular basis. The leading edge of closely cropped facial hair re-entering the epidermis of the skin or transecting the wall of the hair follicle results in localized inflammatory reactions over the affected site. The process can lead to secondary skin infections and, in severe cases, permanent scarring. Accordingly, what is needed is a shaving razor cartridge that provides a more comfortable shave and/or decrease skin issues caused by shaving the face and body (e.g., PFB, irritation, redness, razor bumps, ingrown hairs, acne etc.). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention features, in general, a shaving cartridge with a housing, having a primary guard at a front of the housing and a secondary cap at a rear of the housing. A bridge member having a primary cap surface and a secondary guard surface is positioned between the primary guard and the secondary cap. A first blade has a cutting edge. The first blade is mounted to the housing between the primary guard and the primary cap surface. A second blade having a cutting edge extending in the same direction as the cutting edge of the first blade is mounted to the housing between the secondary guard surface and the secondary cap. A width of the bridge member is greater than 50% of an interblade span between the cutting edge of the first blade and the cutting edge of the second blade and the interblade span is greater than 3 mm. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a shaving razor cartridge. 
         FIG. 2A  is a section view of the shaving razor cartridge, taken generally along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective section view of the shaving razor cartridge, taken generally along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is an assembly view of the shaving razor cartridge of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3B  is an assembly view of another possible embodiment of a shaving razor cartridge. 
         FIG. 3C  is an assembly view of another possible embodiment of a shaving razor cartridge. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the shaving razor cartridge of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a top view is shown of a shaving razor cartridge  10 . The shaving razor cartridge  10  may include a housing  12  having a primary guard  14  toward a front of the housing  12  and a secondary cap  16  toward a rear of the housing  12 . In certain embodiments, there may be a first blade  18  and a second blade  20  mounted to the housing  12  between the primary guard  14  and the secondary cap  16 . Each of the blades  18  and  20  may have a respective cutting edge  22  and  24  facing in the same direction (e.g., toward the primary guard  14 ). The blades  18  and  20  may be spring loaded within the housing  12  such that the blades  18  and  20  are biased against one or more clips  34   a  and  34   b . In certain embodiments, the clips  34   a  and  34   b  may allow the blades  18  and  20  to move in an up and down direction during a shaving stroke. 
     A bridge member  26  may be positioned between the first blade  18  and the second blade  20 . The bridge member  26  may have a primary cap surface  28  and a secondary guard surface  30 . Accordingly, the primary guard  18  and the primary cap surface  28  may establish a shaving plane for the first cutting edge  22 . Similarly, the secondary guard surface  30  and the secondary cap  16  may establish the shaving plane for the second cutting edge  24 . The primary cap surface  28  and the secondary guard surface  30  may be a unitary member that is molded integrally with the bridge member  26  and the housing  12 . The bridge member  26  may have a top surface  32  between the primary cap surface  28  and the secondary guard surface  30 . 
     As will be explained in greater detail below, the blades  18  and  20  may be secured to the housing  12  with the at least one clip  34   a  and  34   b  may be bent around a portion of the housing  12 . Although the clips  34   a  and  34   b  are shown as two separate components fixing the blades  18  and  20  and bridge member  26  to the housing  12 , the clips  34   a  and  34   b  may also be a single piece construction. In addition, the clips  34   a  and  34   b  may not necessarily be bent or formed around a portion of the housing  12  to secure the blades  18  and  20  and the bridge member  26  relative to the housing  12 . For example, the clips  34   a  and  34   b  may be snapped fit, press fit, glued, or ultrasonically welded to the housing  12 . The clips  34   a  and  34   b  may comprise a metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel) or a polymeric material (e.g., Noryl™ (a blend of polyphenylene oxide (PPO) and polystyrene developed by General Electric Plastics, now SABIC Innovative Plastics), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acetal, polypropylene, high impact polystyrene, or any combinations thereof. The clips  34   a  and  34   b  may contact the cutting edges  22  and  24  of the respective blades  18  and  20 . In certain embodiments, the clips  34   a  and  34   b  may be spaced apart (i.e., not in contact) from the primary cap surface  28  and/or the secondary guard surface  30 . The spacing of the clips  34   a  and  34   b  from the bridge member  26  may facilitate proper skin contact of the bridge member  26  and the cutting edges  22  and  24 . For example, if the clips  34   a  and  34   b  extended over or around the bridge member  26 , then the clips  34   a  and  34   b  may prevent proper skin and hair contact with the cutting edges  22  and  24 . Furthermore, the position of the bridge member  26  would be limited by the bottom surface of the clips  34   a  and  34   b . In certain embodiments, it may be advantageous for the primary cap surface  28  and the secondary guard surface  30  of the bridge member  26  to be positioned on a plane above the cutting edges  22  and  24 . The cutting edges may be preloaded against the bottom surface of the clips  34   a  and  34   b . The positioning of the bridge member  26  above the cutting edges  22  and  24  may allow for a more comfortable shave. 
     It is believed, without being held to theory, that it is possible to minimize skin irritation and PFB by cutting hair close to skin level, but not below the skin&#39;s surface. Multi-blade shaving razor cartridges take advantage of what is known as the hysteresis effect. Hysteresis is the meta-stable extension of hair that occurs after a hair is cut during shaving. In present day razors, sharp cutting edges of the cartridge engage with individual hairs during a shaving stroke, exerting a force on the hairs and causing them to be lifted out of the follicle as the razor is moved across the surface of the skin. Once the hair has been cut and the force is removed, the hair retracts back into the skin. However, in multi-bladed systems, a trailing blade (i.e., second blade) engages the hair and cuts it before the hair is able to retract back into the skin. This concept of consecutive blades cutting hairs before they have fully retracted into the skin is known as “hysteresis cutting”. If the second and consecutive blades also engage and pull hairs while cutting, it becomes possible to get a significantly closer cut than when using a single blade razor. 
     In razor cartridges with multiple, closely spaced blades it is possible that a single hair may be subjected to engagement with more than one blade during a single cutting episode, multiplying the stimulation of the nerve and the sensation of discomfort. Less closely spaced blades are less likely to engage the same hair in a single cutting episode and therefore less likely to exaggerate nerve stimulation, and discomfort. It is believed, without being held to theory, that decreasing the likelihood of single hairs engaging with multiple blades during a cutting episode may reduce uncomfortable nerve stimulation. Furthermore, decreasing the likelihood of single hairs engaging with multiple blades during a cutting episode may help prevent the hair from being cut too close or below the skin&#39;s surface which may limit growing hair from hair re-entering the epidermis of the skin. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , cross section views of the shaving razor cartridge  10  are shown, taken generally along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2A  illustrates the cross section from a side view and  FIG. 2B  illustrates the cross section from a perspective view. The blades  18  and  20  may have a respective blade support member  36  and  38 . The blade support members  36  and  38  may be a unitary part of the blades  18  and  20  or alternatively, the blades  18  and  20  may be mounted to the respective blade support members  36  and  38 . The blade support members  36  and  38  may be positioned within a respective blade slot  40  and  42  in the housing  12 . In certain embodiments, the first blade  18  (e.g., blade support member  36 ) may be spaced apart from the bridge member  26  to define a rinse channel  44  there between (see  FIG. 2B ). Accordingly, less shaving debris may be present when the second blade  20  engages and cuts hair, thus resulting in a more efficient and comfortable shave. 
     The primary cap surface  28  and the secondary guard surface  30  may be arcuate to provide a comfortable skin support surface. The top surface  32  of the bridge member  26  between the primary cap surface  30  and the secondary guard surface  28  may be flat. It is understood that although the bridge member  26  is shown as a flat rectangular shape, numerous other shapes are also possible, such as rounded surfaces or other shapes. The top surface  32  of the bridge member  26  may be positioned on a plane P 1  between a top surface  48   b  and a bottom surface  50   b  of the clip  34   b . Although only one clip  34   b  is shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , it is understood clip  34   a  (not shown) may also have a corresponding top surface and bottom surface. As will be explained in greater detail below, the bridge member  26  (e.g., top surface  32  of the bridge member) may be spaced apart (i.e., not contacting) the clips  34   a  and  34   b  to facilitate proper shaving geometry and minimize the obstruction of the clips  34   a  and  34   b  on a shaving stroke. Accordingly, the position of the bridge member  26  (e.g., height of the bridge member  26  relative to the cutting edges  22  and  24  of the blades  18  and  20 ) may be independent of the clips  34   a  and  34   b . For example, the top surface  32  of the bridge member  26  may be positioned above the top surface  48   b  of the clip  34   b  and the cutting edges  22  and  24 . It is understood, the top surface  32  of the bridge member  26  may also be positioned above the top surface  48   a  of clip  34   a  in a similar manner. 
     The bridge member  26  may define a cavity  52  beneath the top surface  32  of the bridge member  26 . The cavity  52  may provide for improved manufacturability of the housing  12 . The position of the bridge member  26  may be fixed relative to the primary guard  14 . For example, the bridge member  26  and the primary guard  14  may be integrally formed as part of the housing  12 . However, the cutting edges  22  and  24  may be preloaded against the bottom surface  50   b  of the clip  34   b  (and clip  34   a , not shown). Accordingly, the cutting edges  22  and  24  may float (i.e., move in an up and down direction toward and away from the clips  34   a  and  34   b ) during a shaving stroke while the position of the bridge member  26  remains fixed. It is believed, while not being held to theory, the combination of floating blades with fixed surfaces that establish the shaving plane (e.g., the primary guard  14 , the primary cap  28 , the secondary guard surface  30  and the secondary cap  16 ) may provide a more consistent and comfortable shave. 
     In certain embodiments, an interblade span “S 1 ” between the cutting edge  22  of the first blade  18  and the cutting edge  24  of the second blade  20  may be greater than 3.0 mm. For example, the interblade span “S 1 ” between the cutting edge  22  of the first blade  18  and the cutting edge  24  of the second blade  20  may be about 3 mm to about 6 mm. In certain embodiments, the interblade span S 1  may be about 4.0 mm to about 5 mm. A span “S 2 ” between the primary guard  14  and the cutting edge  20  of the first blade  18  may be about 0.5 mm to about 0.8 mm. A span “S 3 ” between the secondary guard surface  28  and the cutting edge  22  of the second blade  20  may be about 0.3 mm to about 0.7 mm. The interblade span S 1  may help minimize double engagement of hair and hysteresis, which may result in discomfort and hairs being cut below the skin surface. 
     The primary guard  14  may have a width “W 1 ” of about 0.35 mm to about 0.85 mm. The bridge member  26  may have a width “W 2 ” that is greater than W 1 . The width “W 2 ” may be measured as an overall width of the bridge member  26  (in a front to rear direction) measured at a plane P 2  tangent to the cuttings edges  22  and  24  (e.g., plane P 2  may be at bottom surface  50   b  of the clip  34   b ). In certain embodiments, W 2  may be about 1.75 mm to about 4 mm, preferably about 2 mm to about 3 mm. The width of the bridge member  26  may facilitate establishing proper shaving geometry and prevent hair from being cut below the skin surface. For example, the width W 2  of the bridge member  26  may facilitate sufficient spacing between the cutting edges  22  and  24  to allow the hairs to retract back into the hair follicle after being cut by the cutting edge  22  of the first blade  18  prior to being engaged by the cutting edge  24  of the second blade  20 . Furthermore, the width and spacing of the bridge member  26  may reduce double engagement of hair (e.g., when both cutting edges  22  and  24  engage the same hair at the same time). As the interblade span S 1  increases (see  FIG. 2 ), skin bulge between the cuttings edges  22  and  24  may also increase, which may result in increased nicks and cuts. The width of the bridge member  26  may provide sufficient skin support to minimize skin bulge, which can result in nicks, cuts and discomfort, especially as the interblade span S 1  increases. 
     In certain embodiments, the width “W 2 ” of the bridge member  26  may be greater than 45% of the interblade blade span S 1 . For example, the width “W 2 ” of the bridge member  26  may be about 50% to about 75% of the interblade blade span S 1 . Accordingly, if the interblade span S 1  was 4.0 mm, then the width W 2  of the bridge member  26  may be greater than 2.0 mm. In certain embodiments, width “W 2 ” of the bridge member  26  may be about 60% to about 70% of the interblade blade span S 1 . The bridge member  26  with an increased width may provide increased skin support that results in a more comfortable shave by reducing skin bulge while also minimizing double engagement of hairs and hysteresis. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , an assembly view of the shaving razor cartridge  10  is shown. The bridge member  26  may be integrally molded as part of the housing  12 . The blade  18  may be mounted to the housing  12  on a pair of spring members  60  and  62 . Similarly, the blade  20  may be mounted to the housing  12  on a pair of spring members  64  and  66 . The spring members  60 ,  62 ,  64  and  66  may pre-load the cutting edges  22  and  24  against the bottom surfaces  50   a  and  50   b  of the respective clips  34   a  and  34   b . A pair of lateral ends  54  and  56  of the bridge member  26  (e.g., lateral ends of the primary cap  26  and lateral ends of the secondary guard surface  30 ) may be spaced apart (i.e., not in contact) from the clips  34   a  and  34   b . Accordingly, the clips  34   a  and  34   b  may be mounted to the housing  12  at a depth independent of the bridge member  26 . For example, when the clips  34   a  and  34   b  are mounted and secured to the housing  12 , the top surfaces  48   a  and  48   b  of clips  34   a  and  34   b  may be approximately the same height as the top surface  32  of the bridge member  26 , thus providing a more uniform shaving surface. 
     The top surface  32  of the bridge member  26  may allow for branding on the bridge member  26 . For example, an insignia or logo  58  may be positioned on the top surface  32  by machining, etching, mold finish, painting, pad printing, etc. In certain embodiments, the top surface  32  of the bridge member  26  may have a glossy surface (e.g., 6000 Grit Diamond Buff to 1200 Grit Diamond Buff) to improve glide during a shaving stroke. The bridge member  26  may be coated (poly-para-Xylylene or PTFE) or plated (e.g., chrome plating) to improve lubricity. Alternatively, top surface  32  of the bridge member  26  may have a very rough surface to provide for exfoliation of the skin during a shaving stroke (e.g., 600 grit stone or less). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , an assembly view of a second possible embodiment of a shaving razor cartridge  100  is shown having a housing  102  with a bridge member  104  comprising a water leachable shaving aid. The bridge member  104  may be substituted for the bridge member  26  in the shaving cartridge  10  of  FIG. 3A . For example, the bridge member  104  may be integrally molded as part of the housing  102  between a primary guard  103  and a secondary cap  105  on the housing, as previously described for bridge member  26 . The bridge member  104  may include a top surface  106  that defines an opening  108  configured to receive a lubrication member  110 . The opening  108  may be a recess or extend completely through the bridge member  104 . However, it is understood that the lubrication member  110  is optional. For example, in certain embodiments, the opening  108  may be left open to allow for improved rinsing and debris removal. The lubrication member  110  may comprise one or more water leachable shaving aids. The water leachable shaving aid may be formed by an injection molding, extrusion, or thermal/ultrasonic compression manufacturing process. The bridge member  104  (e.g., the lubrication member  110 ) may provide a primary cap surface  112  and a secondary guard surface  114 . Accordingly, the lubrication member  110  may provide for lubrication behind the first blade  18  and in front of the second blade  20 , which may reduce irritation or eliminate the need for shave prep. The primary cap surface  112  and/or the secondary guard surface  114  may be arcuate to provide a comfortable skin support surface. The lubrication member  110  of the bridge member  104  may have a top surface  116  between the primary cap surface  112  and the secondary guard surface  114 . The top surface  116  may allow for branding, as previously described above. For example, a logo  118  may be positioned on the top surface  116 . 
     When the clips  34   a  and  34   b  are secured to the housing  102 , the clips  34   a  and  34   b  may be approximately the same height as the top surface  116  of the lubrication member  110  and/or the primary cap surface  112  and the secondary guard surface  114 , thus providing a more uniform shaving surface. Similar to the shaving razor cartridge  10  of  FIG. 3A , the clips  34   a  and  34   b  may be spaced apart from the bridge member  104  and/or the lubrication member  110 . The bridge member  104  may have a width “W 3 ” from a forward edge  120  to a rear edge  122  of about 1.5 mm to about 4 mm from the primary cap surface  112  to the secondary guard surface  114 . The lubrication member  110  may have a width “W 4 ” of about 1.5 mm to about 4 mm. The width of the bridge member  104  and/or the lubrication member  110  may allow for proper shaving geometry to minimize double engagement of hairs and prevent hair from being cut below the skin surface. 
     The blades  18  and  20  may each be mounted on a pair of respective spring fingers  124 ,  126 ,  128  and  130 . As previously described for the shaving razor cartridge  10  of  FIG. 3A , the clips  34   a  and  34   b  may be mounted over the blades  18  and  20 , but not the bridge member  104 . The clips  34   a  and  34   b  may then be secured to the housing  102 . The spring fingers  124 ,  126 ,  128  and  130  may lift the respective blades  18  and  20  against the clips  34   a  and  34   b . The independent movement of the blades  18  and  20  relative to the bridge member  104  may provide a more comfortable shave by providing a more consistent shaving geometry. As previously shown and described in  FIG. 2B , the blade  20  may be spaced apart from the bridge member  104  to provide for improved rinsing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3C , an assembly view of a third possible embodiment of a shaving razor cartridge  200  is shown having a housing  202  with a bridge member  204  comprising a plurality of spaced apart parallel ribs  206  that extend transverse to the cutting edges  22  and  24  of the blades  18  and  20 . The housing  202  may have a primary guard  203  and a secondary cap  205 . The housing  202  may be similar to the housing  12  previously shown and described in  FIG. 3A , with the exception that the bridge member  204  may be substituted for the bridge member  26 . The bridge member  204  may provide similar benefits as the bridge member  26  previously described. The spaced apart parallel ribs  206  may provide the added benefit of aligning hairs in front of the second blade  20  to improve cutting efficiency. The plurality of spaced apart parallel ribs  206  may provide a primary cap surface  208  and a secondary guard surface  210 . The bridge member  204  may have a top surface  212  extending between the primary cap surface  208  and the primary guard surface  210 . The bridge member  204  may have a width “W 5 ” from the primary cap surface  208  to the secondary guard surface  210  of about 1.5 mm to about 4 mm. The width of the bridge member  204  may allow for proper shaving geometry to minimize double engagement of hairs and prevent hair from being cut below the skin surface. The plurality of spaced apart parallel ribs  206  may define a plurality of corresponding rinse openings  214  extending thru the bridge member  204  to aid in the removal of cut hair and excess shave prep or soap. 
     The blades  18  and  20  may each be mounted on a pair of respective spring fingers  216 ,  218 ,  220  and  222 . As previously described for the shaving razor cartridge  10  of  FIG. 3A , the clips  34   a  and  34   b  may be mounted over the blades  18  and  20 , but not the bridge member  204 . As previously described for the other embodiments, the blade  20  may be spaced apart from the bridge member  204  to provide for improved rinsing. The clips  34   a  and  34   b  may then be secured to the housing  12 . The spring fingers  216 ,  218 ,  220  and  222  may lift the respective blades  18  and  20  against the clips  34   a  and  34   b . The independent movement of the blades  18  and  20  relative to the bridge member  204  may provide a more comfortable shave by providing a more consistent shaving geometry. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a schematic view of the shaving razor cartridge  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown. Another factor, which can influence drag forces associated with the blades, is the blade tangent angle or BTA. The shaving razor cartridge  10  may have a first shaving plane  70  tangent to the primary guard  14  and the primary cap surface  28 . The first shaving plane  70  may intersect a blade plane  72  of the first blade  18  at a first blade tangent angle β 1 . The shaving razor cartridge  10  may have a second shaving plane  74  tangent to the secondary guard surface  30  and the secondary cap  16 . The second shaving plane  74  may intersect a second blade plane  76  of the second blade  20  at a second blade tangent angle β 2 . A lower blade tangent angle may result in a more comfortable shave for the shaving razor cartridge  10 . In certain embodiments, the first blade tangent angle β 1  may be about 15 degrees, for example 10 degrees to 25 degrees. It is not necessary for both blades  18  and  20  to have the same blade tangent angles. For example, the second blade tangent angle β 2  may be less than the blade tangent angle β 1  of the first blade  18 , for example about 10 degrees. It is understood that the shaving razor cartridges  100  and  200  shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , respectively, can have the same blade tangent angles as described in  FIG. 4 . 
     Combinations: 
     An example is below: 
     A. A shaving razor cartridge comprising: 
     a housing having a primary guard at a front of the housing and a secondary cap at a rear of the housing; 
     a bridge member having a primary cap surface and a secondary guard surface positioned between the primary guard and the secondary cap; 
     a first blade having a cutting edge, the first blade mounted to the housing between the primary guard and the primary cap surface; 
     a second blade having a cutting edge extending in the same direction as the cutting edge of the first blade, the second blade mounted to the housing between the secondary guard surface and the secondary cap, wherein a width of the bridge member is greater than 50% of an interblade span between the cutting edge of the first blade and the cutting edge of the second blade and the interblade span is greater than 3 mm. 
     B. The shaving razor cartridge of Paragraph A wherein the interblade span is greater than 4.5 mm. 
     C. The shaving razor cartridge according to any one of Paragraphs A or B wherein the width of the bridge member is 2.5 mm to 4 mm. 
     D. The shaving razor cartridge according to any one of Paragraphs A-C wherein the interblade span is 3.8 mm to 4.5 mm. 
     E. The shaving razor cartridge according to any one of Paragraphs A-D wherein the bridge member is spaced apart from a blade support member of the first blade. 
     F. The shaving razor cartridge according to any one of Paragraphs A-E wherein the shaving razor cartridge only has two blades having cutting edges extending in the same direction. 
     G. The shaving razor cartridge according to any one of Paragraphs A-F wherein the position of the bridge member is fixed relative to the housing and the first and second blades are mounted on a pair of respective spring members within the housing. 
     H. The shaving razor cartridge according to any one of Paragraphs A-G further comprising a pair of clips mounted to the housing, wherein a top surface of the bridge member is positioned on plane between a top surface of the clips and a bottom surface of the clips.
 
I. The shaving razor cartridge according to any one of Paragraphs A-H wherein the bridge member has a top surface comprising a logo.
 
J. The shaving razor cartridge according to any one of Paragraphs A-I wherein the bridge member defines an opening.
 
K. The shaving razor cartridge of Paragraph J wherein the opening extends through the bridge member.
 
L. The shaving razor cartridge of Paragraph J further comprising a lubrication member positioned within the opening.
 
M. The shaving razor cartridge according to any one of Paragraphs A-L wherein the bridge member comprises a water leachable shaving aid.
 
N. The shaving razor cartridge according to any one of Paragraphs A-I wherein the bridge member comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs extending transverse to the cutting edge of the first blade.
 
O. The shaving razor cartridge of Paragraph N wherein bridge member defines a plurality of openings.
 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.” Furthermore, dimensions should not be held to an impossibly high standard of metaphysical identity that does not allow for discrepancies due to typical manufacturing tolerances. Therefore, the term “about” should be interpreted as being within typical manufacturing tolerances. 
     Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.