Patent Publication Number: US-2012023749-A1

Title: Lubrication Box for a Wet Shaving Implement

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/279,149, filed Oct. 16, 2009, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Endeavor The present invention is generally directed to a lubrication box for a wet shaving implement in general and, more particularly, to a mechanically assembled lubrication box that provides lubrication during shaving. 
     2. Background Information 
     Wet shaving implements generally consist of a shaving cartridge, also commonly known as a razor cartridge, and a handle. The shaving cartridge can be fixedly, or pivotally, attached to the handle. In addition, the shaving cartridge might be affixed to the handle such that, after several uses, a spent shaving cartridge can be replaced with a new shaving cartridge on the same handle. Such handles and shaving cartridges are often referred to as “system razors.” Alternatively, the shaving cartridge can be affixed to the handle such that it is not intended to be removed from the handle during normal use and, once the shaving cartridge is spent, the entire shaving implement is discarded and an entirely new shaving implement is used in the now-discarded shaving implement&#39;s place. Such shaving implements are often referred to as “disposable razors.” 
     Shaving cartridges generally include a guard, a cap, and at least one blade. Prior art guards are located forward of the blade(s) and acts to flatten and/or pre-stretch the skin prior to encountering the blade. Prior art caps are often located aft of the blade(s) and, in addition to flattening the skin after the skin has been shaved, can also provide lubrication and/or other shaving aids to the recently-shaved skin. Typically, the lubrication and/or shaving aids are provided by a lubrication strip that is affixed to the cap. 
     In many cases, these lubrication strips utilize two components: a water soluble component that is dispersed throughout a water insoluble matrix. The water insoluble matrix maintains the integrity of the lubrication strip during normal use, permitting water soluble components to dissolve in the water present during normal shaving. Once dissolved in water, the water soluble shaving aid leaches onto the surface to be shaved, providing a shaving benefit. These lubrication strips are typically adhered to or mechanically fastened to the wet-shave razor cartridge. 
     These forms of lubrication strips have deficiencies. At first, the shaving aid tends to leach superfluously during first few shaves. However, the amount of water soluble shaving aid lessens with each subsequent shave, thereby dissipating and often outlasted by the other components of the razor cartridge. Accordingly, the last several shaves also provide insufficient lubrication to the surface being shaved. Furthermore, current insoluble matrices do not permit complete leaching of all shaving aid, and are thus wasteful. 
     Other wet-shave razors embed lubrication elements, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,076 to Tseng (hereinafter referred to as “Tseng”), teach a co-extruded core and sheath set-up, where the water soluble core is co-extruded with a water insoluble sheath. The sheath portion of Tseng includes holes through which dissolved core material leaches during normal shaving. However, Tseng, and similar lubrication devices also have deficiencies. These deficiencies include, among others, limited flexibility due to the co-extruded/co-molded manufacturing process; high temperatures and pressures required in extrusion and molding processes that tend to degrade the active shaving aid ingredients; and the fact that the co-molded/co-extruded set-up provides substantially problems when the core swells during normal use. 
     In addition, some prior art devices have shown that it is advantageous to move the shaving aid delivery device in front of the blades. However, placement of a skin-stretching guard and a lubrication delivery device in front of the blades can, in certain instances, require an undesirably large amount of area. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lubrication agent and method of manufacture that improves the effectiveness and life expectancy of lubrication agents. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a lubrication box includes a first portion, a shaving aid material, and a second portion. The first portion of the lubrication box has a skin-engaging surface and at least one sidewall that, together, form a cavity. The skin-engaging member includes an elastomeric material. There are at least two holes extending through the skin-engaging surface of the first portion. The shaving aid material is ultrasonically compressed (a.k.a., ultrasonically compacted) into the cavity such that it at least partially fills at least one of the holes in the skin-engaging surface and at least a portion of the cavity. The second portion of the lubrication box is attached to the first portion such that the cavity is substantially closed. A gap exists between in the cavity between the shaving aid and the second portion of the lubrication box to permit the shaving aid material to expand during normal use. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the shaving aid is distributed into the cavity in a series of layers (e.g., first, second, third, or more). 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, the various layers of shaving aid can be of the same or different color, amount and/or chemical composition as one or more of the other layers of shaving aid. 
     According to an even further aspect of the present invention, the second portion of the lubrication box can include support structures that extend into the cavity to a position near or directly in contact with the shaving aid. 
     According to an even further aspect of the present invention, the elastomeric material includes one or more fins. 
     According to an even further aspect of the present invention, the elastomeric material includes one or more recesses. 
     According to an even further aspect of the present invention, the first portion of the lubrication box includes features that increase the retention of the elastomeric material on the first portion of the lubrication box. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention are achieved by the apparatus and method of making the present invention disclosed herein. The invention will be clear to one of skill in the art in light of the Detailed Description and Drawings provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front view of one embodiment of a wet shaving cartridge of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a front view of another embodiment of a wet shaving cartridge of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a cross-sectional view along line II-II of the cartridge of  FIG. 1  on a razor handle; 
         FIG. 3  depicts an isometric view of one embodiment of a lubrication box of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a cut-away view along line IV-IV of the first portion of the lubrication box of  FIG. 3  with a first layer of shaving aid therein; 
         FIG. 4A  depicts a cut-away view along line IV-IV of a second layer of shaving aid in the first portion of the lubrication box of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 4B  depicts a cut-away view along line IV-IV of a third layer of shaving aid in the first portion of the lubrication box of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  depicts a cut-away view along line IV-IV of the first portion of the lubrication box of  FIG. 3  with an elastomeric material on the skin-engaging surface. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a cut-away view along line V-V of one embodiment of a second portion of the lubrication box affixed to the first portion of the lubrication box of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  depicts another embodiment of the second portion of the lubrication box of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5B  depicts a further embodiment of the second portion of the lubrication box of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a step in the method of making a lubrication box; 
         FIG. 6A  depicts another step in the method of making a lubrication box; 
         FIG. 6B  depicts a further step in the method of making a lubrication box; 
         FIG. 6C  depicts a further step in the method of making a lubrication box; 
         FIG. 6D  depicts a further step in the method of making a lubrication box; and 
         FIG. 6E  depicts a further step in the method of making a lubrication box. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 1A , several embodiments of the shaving cartridge  102  of the present invention are shown. The shaving cartridge  102  of the present invention includes at least a frame  104 , at least one razor blade  106 , and a lubrication box  108 . 
     The shaving cartridge  102  of the present invention is often used in conjunction with a handle  10  (see e.g.,  FIG. 2 ). The handle  10  is connected to the shaving cartridge  102 , either pivotally or fixedly. The handle  10  can be connected to the shaving cartridge  102  in any suitable manner. For example, the handle  10  can be permanently connected to the razor cartridge  102 , as is well known in disposable wet shaving implements. Alternatively, the handle can be selectively detachable from the shaving cartridge, as is well known in system wet shaving implements. The handle  10  can be made of any suitable materials and is, typically, ergonomically shaped such that it is easy to hold by the end user during shaving. 
     The shaving cartridge  102  of the present invention includes a frame  104  and at least one blade  106 . The frame  104 , which can be made of one or more distinct pieces, typically forms an opening  105  sized to accommodate razor blade(s)  106  (discussed infra.). In some embodiments, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 , the frame  104  includes a guard  12  in front of the blades  106 . In these embodiments, the guard  12  can be of any suitable type known in the art. 
     The frame  104  can be made of any suitable material. Molded polymeric materials, or plastics, have proven to be the most effective. The frame  104  is also often either permanently connected to a handle  10  or includes connectors (not shown) such that a user can selectively attach and detach the cartridge from a handle  10 . 
     The opening  105  in the frame  104  is sized and shaped to accommodate razor blades  106  positioned therein. Any suitable number of blades  106  (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six or more) can be positioned within the opening  105  of the frame  104 . Generally, the opening  105  is larger in shaving cartridges  102  having more blades  106 , and smaller for shaving cartridges  102  having fewer blades  106 . Each blade  106  is generally planar and defines a length  18  and a width  20  and is disposed in the opening  105  of the frame  104  such that the sharpened blade tip  22  is appropriately angled for shaving. In embodiments having more than one blade  106 , the blades  106  are generally positioned in parallel relation to one another between the front  58  and rear  60  of the frame  104 . Each of the blades  106  has a front side  24  and a rear side (not shown) that extend along the length  18  of the blade  106  on opposing sides. A sharpened blade tip  22  extends along at least a portion of a blade  106  width  20  on the front side  24 . Each blade  106  is disposed on the frame  104  such that the sharpened blade tip  22  of each blade  106  is located substantially near the shave plane. In other words, the sharpened blade tip  22  of each blade  106  may be substantially contiguous with, slightly above, or slightly below the shave plane. Furthermore, each blade  106  may be mounted on the frame  104  such that the sharpened blade tip  22  is movable relative to the shave plane under forces encountered during normal shaving. For example, in some embodiments, the sharpened blade tip  22  may be located above the shave plane when the shaving cartridge  102  is at rest, but may deflect to a position below the shave plane under the forces on the blade  106  during normal shaving. The location of each blade  106  relative to the shave plane is independent to the location of each of the other blade(s)  106  relative to the shave plane. 
     Typically, blades  106  are made of flexible material and are supported in the frame  104  to prevent, or at least somewhat inhibit, flexing of the blades  106  during normal shaving. Several manners for supporting the blades  106  are known in the art. For example, in some embodiments, each blade  106  may be welded to a bent blade support (see e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) that provides a rigid support structure to the blades  106 . 
     Referring to, e.g.,  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  4 A,  4 B, and  4 C, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a lubrication box  108  includes a first box portion  28 , a shaving aid  30 , and a second box portion  32 . One embodiment of the lubrication box  108  of the present invention is shown, separate from the frame  104 , in  FIG. 2 . The lubrication box  108  is attached to the frame  104 , directly or indirectly. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lubrication box  108  can be located forward of the blade(s)  106 . Or, as shown in  FIG. 1A , in other embodiments, the lubrication box  108  can substantially surround the blade(s)  106 . 
     One embodiment of the first portion  28  of the lubrication box  108  can be seen in  FIG. 3 . The first portion  28  includes a skin-engaging surface  34  and at least one side wall  36  that extend(s) from the skin-engaging surface  34  to create a cavity  40 . The skin-engaging surface  34  can be of any suitable shape and size and includes at least two holes  38  extending into the cavity. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the skin-engaging surface  34  can be generally rectangular and is approximately 3 mm in width and approximately 40 mm in length. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the skin-engaging surface  34  can be generally oval with a center hole through which a shaving cartridge  102  can pass. However, the present invention is not limited by the shapes and/or size shown and disclosed, and can be of any shape suitable to the designer. Likewise, the at least two holes  38  can be of any suitable size and shape, depending on the needs and wants of the designer. Although the at least two holes  38  are shown in the FIGS. as being in a single row, they can be arranged in any suitable pattern, including multiple rows, and symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns. The first portion  28  can be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, plastics, metals, and rubber. Preferably, the entire first portion  28  is a unitary piece made from a single piece of material; however the present invention is not so limited. For example, although not shown, the skin-engaging surface  34  can be made of a different material than the sidewall(s)  36 . For example, an elastomeric material  37 , in some embodiments, can be applied onto the first portion of the lubrication box  28 . In these embodiments, it may be advantageous to include fins  39 , or other features to assist in stretching the skin while the lubrication box  108  simultaneously applies shaving aid  30  to the skin. In addition, the first portion of the lubrication box  28  can include features  41 , such as a depression  43  as shown in  FIG. 4C , that increase the retention of the elastomeric material  37  on the first portion of the lubrication box  28 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the elastomeric material  37  can cover substantially the entire skin-engaging portion of the lubrication box. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the elastomeric material can cover only a portion of the skin-engaging surface. Preferably, the elastomeric material  37  is positioned forward or, and/or to the sides of the blades  106 ; however the present invention is not so limited. The elastomeric material  37  can also be located behind the blades  106 , as well as on the sidewall(s)  36  of the lubrication box  108 . 
     The sidewall(s)  36  extend from skin-engaging surface  34  to create a cavity  40 . As shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 1A , the sidewall(s)  36  can extend generally at a right angle to the skin-engaging surface  34 , but one of skill in the art recognizes that the present invention is not so limited. For example, the skin-engaging surface  34  could gently transition into the sidewall(s)  36  via a smooth curve so that the edge of the lubrication box  108  gently flattens to the user&#39;s skin during normal shaving. The sidewall(s)  36  can be of any suitable height, depending on the needs and wants of the designer. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the sidewall(s)  36  are approximately 4 mm in height, creating a cavity  40  that has a volume of approximately 480 mm 3 , not including the volume of the at least two holes  38 . 
     A first layer of shaving aid  50  is ultrasonically compressed into the first portion  28  of the lubrication box  108  such that the first layer of shaving aid  50  is compacted in at least a portion of the cavity  40  and, preferably, compacted such that a portion of the first layer of shaving aid  50  substantially fills at least one of the holes  38 . Even more preferably, the first layer of shaving aid  50  substantially fills all of the holes  38 . And, most preferably, the first layer of shaving aid  50  completely fills all of the holes  38 . The shaving aid  30  is generally added in solid form (e.g., in a powder) and ultrasonically compressed to form a unitary solid body that generally matches the interior shape of the cavity  40  and holes  38 . The compaction of the material further frictionally locks the first layer of shaving aid  50  into the desired position (i.e., in at least a portion the holes  38  and the portion of the cavity  40  adjacent the holes  38 ). 
     The shaving aid  30 , preferably, includes 100% water soluble shaving aid materials, although water insoluble shaving aid materials are acceptable. For example, the shaving aid  30  can include any substance that enhances shaving performance. It may, for example, improve shaving comfort (e.g., by lubricating the skin, improve shaving efficiency, condition the beard, or condition the skin). Examples of appropriate shaving aids  30  include lubricous water-soluble polymers such as polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylamide, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl imidazoline, polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate, poly vinyl alcohol. The preferred lubricous water-soluble polymer is polyethylene oxide. The more preferred polyethylene oxides will preferably have molecular weights of about 100,000 to 8 million, most preferably about 300,000 to 5 million. The most preferred polyethylene oxide comprises a blend of about 40 to 80% of polyethylene oxide having an average molecular weight of about 5 million and about 20 to 60% of polyethylene oxide having an average molecular weight of about 300,000. 
     The polyethylene oxide blend may also advantageously contain plasticizers. The use of the plasticizers allows the utilization of substantially lower temperatures during the time of processing to produce a flowability of the polyethylene oxide during ultrasonic compressing without substantially reducing its molecular weight. Preferred plasticizers are polyethylene glycol particularly with molecular weight between 400 and 20,000, water soluble polypropylene glycol particularly with molecular weight between 400 and 4,000, water-soluble copolymers of ethylene and propylene oxide, water-soluble aklyl phenol ethoxylates, glycerine, sorbitol and water. Particularly preferred plasticizers are propylene glycol and octyl phenol ethoxylate with 9 moles of ethylene oxide. 
     Additional ingredients to the shaving aid  30  can include:
         A. A lubricating agent for reducing the frictional forces between the skin engaging elements and the skin, e.g., a micro-encapsulated silicone oil.   B. Any additional agent which reduces the drag between the skin engaging elements and the shaver&#39;s face, e.g., a non-ionic polyacrylamide; and/or a natural polysaccharide derived from plant materials such as “guar gum.”   C. An agent which modifies the chemical structure of the hair to allow the at least one razor blade  106  to pass through the whiskers very easily, e.g., a depilatory agent is one example.   D. A cleaning agent which allows the whisker and skin debris to be washed more easily from the skin engaging elements during shaving, e.g., a silicon polyethylene oxide block copolymer and detergent such as sodium lauryl sulphate.   E. A medicinal agent for killing bacteria, or repairing skin damage and abrasions.   F. A cosmetic agent for softening, smoothing, conditioning or improving the skin.   G. A blood coagulant for the suppression of bleeding that occurs from nicks and cuts.   H. An astringent for constricting blood vessels thereby stemming the flow of bodily fluids such as lymph, which can exude from skin which has been irritated during shaving.       

     Additional layer(s) of shaving aid  54  can be added to the cavity  40  of the first portion of the lubrication box  28 . In some embodiments, a designer may choose to have the subsequent layers  54  included in the lubrication box  102  be generally the same, if not identical, in amount and/or chemical composition to previous layer(s). However, a designer may prefer that a subsequent layer  54  be different than a previous layer in one or more aspects. For example, a subsequent layer  54  may be designed such that it is a different in amount, chemical composition, and/or color than a previous layer. Such a change could be used to provide a varied shaving benefit to the user and/or notify a user that, for example, the lubrication box  108  has almost reached its usable lifespan. 
     The second portion of the lubrication box  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  5 A and  5 B, is affixed to the first portion of the lubrication box  28 , substantially encasing the shaving aid  30  therein. The second portion of the lubrication box  32  can be of any suitable shape and size, provided that the second portion of the lubrication box  32  substantially covers the open end of the cavity  40  formed by the sidewall(s)  36  and skin-engaging surface  34  of the first portion of the lubrication box  28 . In addition, the second portion of the lubrication box  32 , preferably, is shaped such that a gap exists between the shaving aid  30  and the inner surface  44  of the second portion of the lubrication box  32 . The air gap  42  provides space for the shaving aid  30  to expand when wetted. The expansion of the shaving aid  30  can, otherwise, cause an excessive amount of shaving aid  30  to exit through the at least two holes  38  and/or cause the first  28  and/or second portion of the lubrication box  32  to separate from one another, deform and/or crack. 
     The second portion of the lubrication box  32  can be made from any material; however, it is often preferable for the material to be made of plastic, metal or rubber. The second portion of the lubrication box  32  can be attached to the first portion of the lubrication box  28  in any suitable manner. The most suitable manner for attaching the two portions of the lubrication box  28 ,  32  often depends on the type of material used. For example, ultrasonically welding the two portions of the lubrication box  28 ,  32  together has been shown to have particular utility when, for example, the two portions of the lubrication box  28 ,  32  are made from plastic materials. However, the present invention is not so limited, and the two portions of the lubrication box  28 ,  32  can be glued or otherwise bonded together. In addition, in some embodiments, a physical connection (e.g., male/female connectors, press fit) is suitable. 
     The size of the gap between the shaving aid  30  and the second portion of the lubrication box  32  depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the size of the lubrication box  108 , and the amount of shaving aid  30  added to the cavity  40 . In some cases, a small hole  55  through the first portion  28  or second portions of the lubrication box  32  (see e.g.,  FIG. 5B ) can assist to alleviate the build-up of excessive pressure inside the lubrication box  108  during normal use. 
     In some embodiments, and specifically referring to  FIG. 5A , the second portion of the lubrication box  32  can include one or more additional support features  46  that extend into the cavity  40  that are in close proximity to, or in direct contact with, the shaving aid  30 . During use, as water mixes with the shaving aid  30 , a portion of the shaving aid  30  begins to dissolve. As more and more shaving aid  30  dissolves, the compacted shaving aid  30  will often, undesirably, become dislodged from its position in the cavity  40 . The support feature(s)  46  tend to hold the shaving aid  30  forwards in the cavity  40  in close proximity to the at least two holes  38 , where the shaving aid  30  is most likely to mix with water and provide the maximum shaving benefit to the skin during normal use. The support features  46  can be located adjacent the side wall(s)  36 , and/or away from the side wall(s)  36  and towards the center of the cavity  40 . Preferably, the support feature(s)  46  provide support for the shaving aid  30  at several locations within the cavity  40 . 
     One method of making the shaving cartridge  102  of the present invention includes, first, providing a first portion of the lubrication box  28 . As noted above, the first portion of the lubrication box  28  can be made of any suitable material by any appropriate means. The first portion of the lubrication box  28  is placed in a support nest  62  and a first amount of shaving aid  30  is distributed in the cavity  40 . An elastomeric material  37  can be, for example, molded onto the first portion of the lubrication box  28 , as shown in  FIG. 6F . The elastomeric material  37  can have fins  39 , and can be applied at any stage of the manufacturing process (e.g., prior to or after the shaving aid material and the second portion of the lubrication box have been assembled). The elastomeric material  37  on the skin-engaging surface  34  can, in some instances, relieve the need for an additional guard element, thereby saving space on the face of the shaving cartridge  102 . 
     Once the first amount of shaving aid  30  is distributed in the cavity  40  of the first portion of the lubrication box  28 , a piston  48  then repeated applies pressure, ultrasonically compacting the shaving aid  30 , forming a first layer of shaving aid  50 . For example, in an embodiment using 25-45 mg polyethylene oxide with a Vitamin E additive, the piston applies approximately 100-150 lbs of force, 15-20 J of energy provided by an ultrasonic source for approximately 0.1 to 0.2 seconds hold time during a single cycle. The actual number of times, length of time, amount of energy and/or amount of force applied may vary depending on numerous factors, including but not limited to the amount of shaving aid being compacted, the type of shaving aid being compacted, the actual size and shape of the lubrication box, and the desired level of compaction. The ultrasonic compaction process enables good compaction of materials while not subjecting active ingredients to conditions (e.g., high temperatures and/or pressures for extended periods of time) that tend to degrade the active ingredients in the shaving aid  30 , thus hindering the ability of the materials to provide the intended shaving benefit. As a benefit of the ultrasonic compaction process, a high percentage of active ingredients in the shaving aid  30  survive and are available during normal use to provide the anticipated benefit. 
     Once the first layer of shaving aid  50  is formed, or compacted, a second amount of shaving aid  30  is, optionally, distributed into the cavity  40  of the first portion of the lubrication box  28 . The above ultrasonic compaction process is repeated. 
     Optionally, once the second layer of shaving aid  52  is compacted, a third, fourth, or more layers of additional amounts of shaving aid  54  can be distributed and compacted within the cavity  40  of the lubrication box  108 . During the compaction process, due to the speed of the piston  48 , and the gap between the side edge of the piston  48  and the inner side of the side walls  36 , shaving aid  30  particles are often stirred during the compaction process. A vacuum (not shown) can be provided to remove any portion of shaving aid  30  that is not compacted during the ultrasonic compaction process. 
     Once the shaving aid layer(s)  50 ,  52 ,  54  are compacted within the first portion of the lubrication box  28 , the second portion of the lubrication box  32  is placed on the opening of the cavity  40  of the first portion of the lubrication box  28  and affixed. The lubrication box  108  is then affixed, directly or indirectly, to the frame  104  of the shaving cartridge  102  such that the skin-engaging elements are, or can be, in contact with the user&#39;s skin during normal shaving. In some embodiments, the lubrication box  108  is removable and replaceable on the frame  104  of the shaving cartridge  102 . 
     In use, the shaving cartridge  102  is affixed to a handle  10  and a user wets the shaving cartridge  102 . The water enters the at least two holes  38  of the lubrication box  108  and mixes with the shaving aid  30 . The shaving aid  30 , when wet, typically expands, filling at least a portion of the gap  42  within the lubrication box  108 . Simultaneously, a portion of the shaving aid  30  dissolves in the water, and exits through the at least two holes  38 . The shaving cartridge  102  is then put into contact with the user and drawn across the skin. The blade(s)  106  of the shaving cartridge  102  shave the hair as the now-dissolved shaving aid  102  is distributed on the skin, providing a benefit. 
     Only some embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the drawings, but it should be pointed out that many other modifications are conceivable within the scope of the following claims.