Patent Publication Number: US-9840014-B2

Title: Safety razor

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally concerns safety razors, and more particularly, lubrication devices and systems for safety razors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Safety razors are shaving devices that typically have a handle, a single, replaceable blade, and a protective guard positioned adjacent an edge of the blade to protect a user&#39;s skin from full exposure to the edge of the blade. Safety razors were developed as a relatively safer and/or easier to use alternative to straight edge razors. There are various types of blades for safety razors including single-edge and double-edge blades. 
     Although safety razors have been around for over a hundred years, disposable razors (including cartridge razors) are the most commonly used type of razors today. Nevertheless, in recent years, safety razors are regaining popularity due to, inter alia, long term cost savings over disposable razors because replacement blades for safety razors are relatively inexpensive. 
     Despite regaining popularity, safety razors have remained essentially unchanged for many years. As a result, there is a continuing need for improved safety razors. 
     SUMMARY 
     Described herein are embodiments of safety razors, as well as lubrication devices and systems for safety razors, comprising at least one lubrication member. These lubrication members can be used to lubricate a user&#39;s skin while shaving and to reduce friction and skin irritation caused by a blade during shaving. 
     In one representative embodiment, a safety razor comprises a handle portion having a first end portion and a second end portion and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end portion to the second end portion, and a head portion that is removably coupled to the first end portion of the handle and includes a guard member, a replaceable blade member having at least one cutting edge portion, a replaceable lubrication member comprising a lubrication substance, and a cap member having a projection that is configured to extend through the lubrication member, the blade member, and the guard member and to extend into the handle portion, wherein the lubrication member, the blade member, and the guard member have centrally disposed openings through which the projection of the cap member extends, and wherein the blade member and the lubrication member are independently removable and replaceable relative to each other and the head portion. 
     In some embodiments, the lubrication member is relatively rigid such that the lubrication member maintains its shape when a user presses the lubrication member against the user&#39;s skin. In some embodiments, wherein the lubrication member has a rounded edge portion that extends laterally beyond the cap member, and the lubricating substance disposed on the rounded edge portion of the lubrication member. 
     In some embodiments, the lubricating substance is a lubricating coating that is applied to a portion of the lubrication member. In other embodiments, the lubricating substance is a lubricating strip that is attached to a portion of the lubrication member. 
     In some embodiments, the head portion is removably coupled to the handle portion such that the at least one cutting edge of the blade member is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle portion, and the lubrication member has a lubricating edge portion that is parallel to the at least one cutting edge portion of the blade member and to which the lubricating substance is applied or attached. 
     In some embodiments, the blade member has a first cutting edge portion disposed on a first side portion of the blade member and a second cutting edge portion disposed on a second side portion of the blade member, and the head portion is removably coupled to the handle portion such that the first and the second cutting edge portions are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle portion, and wherein the lubrication member has a first edge portion disposed on a first side portion of the lubrication member and a second edge portion disposed on a second side portion of the lubrication member, and the first and the second edge portions of the lubrication member are parallel to the first and the second cutting edge portions of the blade member. 
     In some embodiments, the head portion further includes a spacer member having a centrally disposed opening through which the projection of the cap member can extend, wherein the spacer is disposed between the blade and the lubrication member and is configured to space the lubrication member and the blade member relative to each other along an axis extending through the central openings of the blade member and the lubrication member. 
     In some embodiments, the lubrication member is a first lubrication member that is disposed between the cap member and the blade member, and the head portion further comprises a second lubrication member that is disposed the guard member and the handle portion and that has a centrally disposed opening through which the projection of the cap member can extend. In some of those embodiments, the first and the second lubrication members and the blade member are independently removable and replaceable relative to each other and the head portion. In some of those embodiments, the first lubrication member extends laterally past the cap member, and the second lubrication member extends laterally beyond the guard member. 
     In some embodiments, the lubrication member is a plurality of lubrication members and at least two of the lubrication members are disposed the handle portion and the cap member of the head portion. 
     In another representative embodiment, a lubrication system for a safety razor is provided. The lubrication system comprises a spacer member, a replaceable lubrication member, and a lubricating substance which is applied or attached to the lubrication member, wherein the spacer member and the lubrication member have centrally disposed openings configured to removably receive a portion of a safety razor. 
     In some embodiments, the lubrication member is a first lubrication member, and the lubrication system further comprises a second lubrication member, wherein the lubricating substance is applied or attached to the first and the second lubrication members, and the first and the second lubrication members have centrally disposed openings, configured to removably receive a portion of a safety razor. 
     In another representative embodiment, a method of replacing a lubrication member is provided. The method comprises detaching a handle portion of safety razor from a head portion of the safety razor, decoupling a lubrication member from a blade member, coupling a new lubrication member to the head portion, reattaching the head portion to the handle portion. 
     In some embodiments, the new lubrication member is coupled to the head portion between the blade member and a cap member. In other embodiments, the new lubrication member is coupled to the head portion between the blade member and the handle portion. 
     In some embodiments, the step of decoupling the lubrication member from the blade member includes removing a projection of a cap member from a centrally disposed opening in the lubrication member. 
     In some embodiments, the lubrication member is a first lubrication member and the new lubrication member is a first new lubrication member, and the method further comprises decoupling a second lubrication member from the blade member and coupling a second new lubrication member to the head portion. In some of those embodiments, the first lubrication member is coupled to the head portion between the blade member and the handle portion, and the second lubrication member is coupled to the head portion between the blade member and a cap member. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a safety razor. 
         FIG. 2  is an end view of the safety razor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the safety razor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the safety razor of  FIG. 1 , taken along the line  4 - 4  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the safety razor of  FIG. 1 , taken along the line  5 - 5  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the safety razor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a safety razor. 
         FIG. 8  is an end view of the safety razor of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the safety razor of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view of the safety razor of  FIG. 7 , taken along the line  10 - 10  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the safety razor of  FIG. 7 , taken along the line  11 - 11  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the safety razor of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. The disclosed methods, apparatuses, and systems should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. For example, the features of safety razor  100  can be combined with features of safety razor  200 , and vice versa. The methods, apparatuses, and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved. 
     Integers, characteristics, materials, and other features described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example of the disclosed technology are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The disclosed technology is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The disclosure extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. 
     Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods. 
     As used herein, the terms “a”, “an”, and “at least one” encompass one or more of the specified element. That is, if two of a particular element are present, one of these elements is also present and thus “an” element is present. The terms “a plurality of” and “plural” mean two or more of the specified element. As used herein, the term “and/or” used between the last two of a list of elements means any one or more of the listed elements. For example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means “A”, “B,”, “C”, “A and B”, “A and C”, “B and C”, or “A, B, and C.” 
     As used herein, the term “coupled” generally means physically coupled or linked and does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items absent specific contrary language. 
     Described herein are embodiments of safety razors, as well as lubrication devices and systems for safety razors, comprising at least one lubrication member. These lubrication members can be used to lubricate a user&#39;s skin while shaving and to reduce friction and skin irritation caused by a blade during shaving. 
     In some embodiments, a safety razor can comprise one lubrication member. In some of those embodiments, the lubrication member can be disposed above the blade. In other such embodiments, the lubrication member can be disposed below the blade. 
     In other embodiments, a safety razor can comprise more than one lubrication member. For example, in some of those embodiments, a safety razor can comprise a first lubrication member disposed above the blade and a second lubrication member disposed below the blade. In other such embodiments, a safety razor can comprise more than two lubrication members (e.g., three, four, five, six, etc.). 
     It should be noted that although illustrated embodiments are directed toward double-edge (“DE”) safety razors (i.e., safety razors with double-edge blades), single-edge (“SE”) safety razors (i.e., safety razors with single-edge blades) can be used. 
       FIGS. 1-6  show a DE safety razor  100 , according to one exemplary embodiment. Referring first to  FIG. 1 , the safety razor  100  can comprise two main components: a head portion  102  and a handle portion  104 . The head portion  102  can be removably coupled to a first end  106  of the handle portion  106  and can be perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, to a longitudinal axis of the handle portion  104  which extends from the first end  106  to a second end  108  of the handle portion  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the head portion  102  of the safety razor  100  can comprise a guard member  110 , a blade member  112 , a spacer member  114 , a lubrication member  116 , and a cap member  118  (collectively referred to as “the components of the head portion  102 ”). The components of the head portion  102  can be arranged in various ways. For example, referring to  FIG. 2 , the guard member  110  can be disposed on the bottom of the head portion  102 , adjacent the handle portion  104 , and then moving from the bottom of the head portion  102  toward the top of the head portion  102  (i.e., upward as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), the blade member  112  can be disposed above the guard member  110 , the spacer member  114  can be disposed above the blade member  112 , the lubrication member  116  can be disposed above the spacer member  114 , and the cap member  118  can be disposed above the lubrication member  116  at the top of the head portion  102 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 2 , the components of the head portion  102  can comprise various dimensions in the lateral direction (i.e., the distance between first and second sides  128 ,  130  of the respective components of the head portion  102 ). For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the guard member  110  can be laterally larger than the blade member  112 , the spacer member  114 , the lubrication member  116 , and the cap member  114 . The blade member  112  can be laterally larger than the spacer member  114 , the lubrication member  116 , and the cap member  114 . The lubrication member  116  can be laterally larger than the spacer member  114  and the cap member  114 . The cap member  118  can be laterally larger than the spacer member  114 . 
     In other embodiments, the lubrication member  116  can be disposed below the blade member  112 , and the spacer member  114  can be disposed above the lubrication member  114  and below the blade member  112 . In such embodiments, the guard member  110  can be laterally larger than the blade member  112 , the spacer member  114 , the lubrication member  116 , and the cap member  114 . The lubrication member  116  can be laterally larger than the spacer member  114 , the blade member  112 , and the cap member  114 . The blade member  112  can be laterally larger than the spacer member  114  and the cap member  114 . The cap member  118  can be laterally larger than the spacer member  114 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the lubrication member  116  can have first and second edge portions  132 ,  134 . The first and second edge portions  132 ,  134  can be parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to cutting edge portions  136  of the blade member  112  such that the first and second edges  132 ,  134  can contact a user&#39;s skin when a cutting edge portion  136  of the blade member  112  contacts the user&#39;s skin. The first and second edge portions  132 ,  134  can comprise various configurations (e.g., flat, rounded, angled, etc.). For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first and second edge portions  132 ,  134  can be rounded edges, which allows the first and second edge portions  132 ,  134  to contact the user&#39;s skin at various angles. 
     The lubrication member  116  can be formed of various materials, including polymers, metals, etc. In some embodiments, the lubrication member  116  can be relatively rigid such that the lubrication member  116  can maintain its shape when a user presses the lubrication member  116  against the user&#39;s skin. In yet other embodiments, the lubrication member  116  can be relatively flexible such that the lubrication member  116  can bend or flex when a user presses the lubrication member  116  against the user&#39;s skin. 
     The lubrication member  116  can comprise a lubricating substance  138  which can, for example, be attached to the first and second edge portions  132 ,  134  of the lubrication member  116 , as best shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 6 . For example, in some embodiments, the lubricating substance  138  can be a coating that is applied to the surface of the lubrication member  116 . In other embodiments, the lubricating substance  138  can be applied to a lubrication strip that is attached to the lubrication member  116  (e.g., with an adhesive). In yet other embodiments, the lubricating substance  138  can be applied to an insert that clips, snaps, slides, and/or is otherwise removably coupled to the lubrication member  116 . 
     The lubricating substance  138  can be formed from various materials, such as polyethylene oxide. The lubricating substance  138  can be configured to lubricate the user&#39;s skin as the user moves the safety razor  100  along the user&#39;s skin, thereby reducing the resistance (e.g., drag) of the safety razor  100  on the user&#39;s skin. This in turn can advantageously reduce skin irritation caused by the cutting edge portion  136  of the blade member pressing against and moving along the user&#39;s skin. Additional information regarding lubricants that can be used as lubricating substance  138  can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,454,164, 4,872,263, and 4,170,821, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The spacer member  114  can be formed of various materials, including polymers, metals, etc. In some embodiments, the spacer member  114  and the lubrication member  116  can be integrally formed as a single, unitary piece. In other embodiments, the spacer member  114  and the lubrication member can be formed as separate pieces which are fixedly secured together (e.g., with an adhesive, fasteners, etc.). In other embodiments, the spacer member  114  and the lubrication member  116  can be formed as separate piece that are removably coupled together (e.g., with the cap member  118  as further described below). 
     The components of the head portion  102  can include mating features configured to align and to prevent relative movement of the components of the head portion  102  when the head portion  102  is removably coupled to the handle portion  104 . For example, referring again to  FIG. 6 , the guard member  110 , the blade member  112 , the spacer member  114 , and the lubrication member  116  can include centrally disposed openings  120  and one or more slots  122  disposed adjacent and/or extending from the openings  120 . Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the cap member  118  can include a centrally disposed projection  124  that extends from a bottom portion of the cap member  118 . The projection  124  of the cap member  118  can be configured to extend through the openings  120  of the lubrication member  116 , the spacer member  114 , the blade member  112 , and the guard member  110 , and to extend into a recess  126  formed in the first end portion  106  of the handle portion  104 . Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the cap member  118  also can include at least one tab or ridge  140  that extends from a bottom portion of the cap member  118 , adjacent the projection  124 . The tab  140  can be configured to extend through the openings  122  of the lubrication member  116 , the spacer member  114 , the blade member  112 , and the guard member  110 . In this manner, the projection  124  and the tab  140  of the cap member  118  can respectively engage the openings  120  and the slots  122  of the lubrication member  116 , the spacer member  114 , the blade member  112 , and the guard member  110 , thereby aligning and preventing relative movement of the components of the head portion  102  when the head portion  102  is coupled to the handle portion  104 . 
     The projection  124  of the cap member  118  can also be used to removably couple the head portion  102  to the handle portion  104 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the projection  124  of the cap member  118  can include external threads that are configured to engage corresponding internal threads formed in the recess  126  of the handle portion  104 . In such embodiments, the safety razor  100  can be assembled by inserting the projection  124  of the cap member  118  through the components of the head portion  102  and into the recess  126  of the handle portion  104  and by rotating the handle portion  104  in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) relative to the head portion  102  until the head portion  102  is firmly secured to the handle portion  104 . The safety razor  100  can be disassembled by rotating the handle portion  104  in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) relative to the head portion  102  until the head portion  102  is released from the handle portion  104 . 
     In other embodiments, the head portion  102  can be removably coupled to the handle portion  104  in various other ways, including a snap-fit type connection, fasteners (e.g., bolts or screws), etc. 
       FIGS. 7-12  show a DE safety razor  200 , according to another exemplary embodiment. Referring first to  FIG. 7 , the safety razor  200  can comprise two main components: a head portion  202  and a handle portion  204 . The head portion  202  can be removably coupled to a first end  206  of the handle portion  204  and can be perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, to a longitudinal axis of the handle portion  204  which extends from the first end  206  to a second end  208  of the handle portion  204 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the head portion  202  of the safety razor  200  can comprise a first lubrication member  210 , a guard member  212 , a blade member  214 , a spacer member  216 , a second lubrication member  218 , and a cap member  220  (collectively referred to as “the components of the head portion  202 ”). The components of the head portion  202  can be arranged in various ways. For example, referring to  FIG. 8 , the first lubrication member  210  can be disposed on the bottom of the head portion  202  adjacent the handle portion  204 , and then moving from the bottom of the head portion  202  toward the top of the head portion  202  (i.e., upward as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ), the guard member  212  can be disposed above the first lubrication member  210 , the blade member  214  can be disposed above the guard member  212 , the spacer member  216  can be disposed above the blade member  214 , the second lubrication member  218  can be disposed above the spacer member  216 , and the cap member  220  can be disposed above the second lubrication member  218  at the top of the head portion  102 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 8 , the components of the head portion  102  can comprise various dimensions in the lateral direction (i.e., the distance between first and second sides  222 ,  224  of the respective components of the head portion  202 ). For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first lubrication member  210  can be laterally larger than the guard member  212 , the blade member  214 , the spacer member  216 , the second lubrication member  218 , and the cap member  220 . The guard member  212  can be laterally larger than the blade member  214 , the spacer member  216 , the second lubrication member  218 , and the cap member  220 . The blade member  214  can be laterally larger than the spacer member  216 , the second lubrication member  218 , and the cap member  220 . The cap member  220  can be laterally larger than the spacer member  216 . 
     In other embodiments, the first lubrication member  210  and/or the second lubrication member  218  can be disposed above the guard member  212  and below the blade member  214 . In such embodiments, the guard member  212  can be laterally larger than the first and/or second lubrication member  210 ,  218 , the blade member  214 , the spacer member  216 , and the cap member  220 . The first and/or second lubrication members  210 ,  218  can be laterally larger than the blade member  214 , the spacer member  216 , and the cap member  220 . The blade member  214  can be laterally larger than the spacer member  216 , and the cap member  220 . The cap member  220  can be laterally larger than the spacer member  216 . In some embodiments, one or more additional spacer members (e.g., similar to spacer member  216 ) can be disposed between the first and/or second lubrication members  210 ,  218  and/or the blade member  214 . 
     Although not shown, in other embodiments, the safety razor  200  can comprise more than two lubrication members. For example, the safety razor  200  can include a third lubrication member. In one particular embodiment, the third lubrication member can, for example, be disposed between the guard member  212  and the blade member  214 . The third lubrication member can be spaced relative to the blade member  214  by a spacer member (e.g., similar to spacer member  216 ). 
     Additionally or alternatively, the safety razor  200  can include one or more additional lubrication members adjacent to any and/or all of the lubrications members. For example, two additional lubrications can be disposed adjacent the second lubrication member  218  to form a “stack” or “series” of three lubrication members. In some of such embodiments, each lubrication member in the stack can abut an adjacent lubrication member. In other such embodiments, each lubrication member can be spaced relative to an adjacent lubrication member by a spacer member (e.g., similar to spacer member  216 ). 
     In some embodiments, the lubrication members can be tapered in the lateral direction relative to each other. In other words, each lubrication member can be at least slightly laterally larger than the lubrication members disposed above it and at least slightly smaller than the lubrication members disposed below it. The angle or amount of taper of the lubrication members can vary. In some embodiments, the angle of taper of the lubrication members can, for example, follow (at least generally) the taper of the other components of the head portion  202 . In some embodiments, the angle of taper can be from about 0 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle portion. In particular embodiments, the angle of taper can be from about 20 degrees to about 40 degrees. In one particular embodiment, the angle of taper can be about 30 degrees. Tapering the lubrication members in this manner can, for example, allow each lubrication member to contact the user&#39;s skin when the safety razor  200  is angled against the user&#39;s skin during shaving. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the first lubrication member  210  can have first and second edge portions  226 ,  228 . The first and second edge portions  226 ,  228  can be parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to cutting edge portions  230  of the blade member  214  such that the first and second edges  226 ,  228  can contact a user&#39;s skin when a cutting edge portion  230  of the blade member contacts the user&#39;s skin. The first and second edge portions  226 ,  228  can comprised various configurations (e.g., flat, rounded, angled, etc.). As shown, in some embodiments, the first and second edge portions  226 ,  228  can be flat. Although not shown, in other embodiments, the first and second edge portions  226 ,  228  can be rounded (e.g., in a manner similar to first and second edge portions  232 ,  234  of the second lubrication member  218 ), which allows the first and second edge portions  226 ,  228  to contact the user&#39;s skin at various angles. 
     The second lubrication member  218  can have first and second edge portions  232 ,  234 . The first and second edge portions  232 ,  234  can be parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to cutting edge portions  230  of the blade member  214  such that the first and second edges  232 ,  234  can contact a user&#39;s skin when a cutting edge portion  230  of the blade member  214  contacts the user&#39;s skin. The first and second edge portions  232 ,  234  can comprised various configurations (e.g., flat, rounded, angled, etc.). As shown, in one particular embodiment, the first and second edge portions  232 ,  234  can be rounded. 
     The first and second lubrication members  210 ,  218  can be formed of various materials, including polymers, metals, etc. The first and second lubrication members  210 ,  218  can comprise a lubricating substance  238  which can, for example, be attached and/or applied to the first and second edge portions  226 ,  228 ,  232 ,  234  of the first and second lubrication members  210 ,  218 , as best shown in  FIGS. 7, 9, and 12 . For example, in some embodiments, the lubricating substance  138  can be a coating that is applied to the surface of the lubrication member  116 . In other embodiments, the lubricating substance  138  can be applied to a lubrication strip that is attached to the lubrication member  116  (e.g., with an adhesive). In yet other embodiments, the lubricating substance  138  can be applied to an insert that clips, snaps, slides, and/or is otherwise removably coupled to the lubrication member  116 . 
     The lubricating substance can also be attached or applied to various other portions of the first and second lubrication members  210 ,  218 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the lubricating substance  238  can be attached and/or applied to an upwardly facing surface  240  of the first lubrication member  210 . 
     The lubricating substance  238  can be formed from various materials, such as polyethylene oxide. The lubricating substance  238  can be configured to lubricate the user&#39;s skin as the user moves the safety razor  100  along the user&#39;s skin, thereby reducing the resistance (e.g., drag) of the safety razor  200  on the user&#39;s skin. This in turn can advantageously reduce skin irritation caused by the cutting edge portion  136  of the blade member pressing against and moving along the user&#39;s skin. 
     The components of the head portion  202  can include mating features configured to align and to prevent relative movement of the components when the head portion  202  is coupled to the handle portion  202 , for example, in a manner similar to the safety razor  100 . The head portion  202  and the handle portion  204  can be removably coupled together, for example, in a manner similar to the safety razor  100 . 
     In some embodiments, various components of the safety razors  100 ,  200  (e.g., lubrications members  116 ,  210 ,  218 , spacers  114 ,  216 , caps  118 ,  220 , etc.) can be a separate lubrication device and/or system that can be configured to be used with various other safety razors. For example, the lubrication member  116 , the spacer  114 , and the cap  118  can be a lubrication system configured to be removably coupled to a safety razor that does not have a lubrication system and/or that has different lubrication system. This advantageously allows a user to selectively interchange and/or exchange each component as desired. 
     Configuring a safety razor (e.g., safety razors  100 ,  200 ) and/or a lubrication system as described herein can advantageously allow a user to independently remove and/or replace each component of the head portion (e.g., the head portion  102 ) and/or the handle portion (e.g., the handle portion  104 ) of the safety razor as desired. For example, a user can exchange a dull blade member for a new blade member and can continue to use the lubrication member if there is an unused portion of the lubricating substance on the lubrication member. As another example, a user can exchange the lubrication member for a new lubrication member and can continue to use the blade member if the blade member is still sufficiently sharp. The safety razors and lubrication systems described herein are therefore relatively more economical and less wasteful than typical cartridge razors which require a user to exchange the entire head portion when only a single component (e.g., the blade member) needs to be replaced. 
     In addition, the safety razors and lubrication systems described herein can also significantly improve typical safety razors by providing lubrication members and lubricating substances for a safety razor which can, for example, advantageously improve the closeness and/or comfort of a shave compared to typical safety razors. 
     In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the present disclosure may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Rather, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the following claims. I therefore claim all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.