Patent Publication Number: US-11648694-B2

Title: Shaving razor system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to shaving razors and more particularly to shaving razor systems that have a blade carrier and a shaving razor cartridge releasably mounted to a handle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In general, a cartridge or blade unit of a safety razor has 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. Some shaving razors are provided with a spring biased cartridge that pivots relative to the handle to follow the contours of the skin during shaving. The cartridge can 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 can be attached permanently to the handle with the intention that the entire razor be discarded when the blade or blades have become dulled. 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 guard can 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 can comprise a water leachable shaving aid to reduce drag and improve comfort. The guard can be generally rigid, for example formed integrally with a frame or platform structure which provides a support for the blades. Guards can also comprise softer elastomeric materials to improve skin stretching. 
     Shaving systems often consist of a handle and a replaceable cartridge in which one or more blades are mounted in a plastic housing. After the blades in a cartridge have become dull from use, the cartridge is discarded, and replaced on the handle with a new cartridge. These types of shaving systems that utilize a variety of connection schemes to affix the cartridge to the handle have become popular. The connection scheme allows the consumer to easily, repeatedly, efficiently and intuitively load and remove the new and used cartridges from the handle and provides the necessary retention forces to maintain the integrity of the handle-to-cartridge attachment during shaving. 
     The connection scheme must be robust enough to provide the necessary retention forces to maintain the integrity of the handle-to-cartridge attachment during shaving. The attachment of a razor cartridge to razor handle can provide sufficient retaining force to secure the razor cartridge to the razor handle over a wide variety of shaving conditions. Some shavers use very high forces when shaving and some razors have a hair trimming system mounted on the side or back of the razor cartridge. In contrast, razors that use razor cartridges that are releasably connected can provide low attachment and release forces to facilitate easy changing of cartridges by a shaver. 
     There is a growing market for more premium handles, which are typically made from various metals, making the handles much heavier. The heavier handles provide a more pleasing feel in the consumers hand during shaving. Some consumers believe that heavier handles provide improved control during shaving. However, an increase in the handle weight increases the likelihood the attachment mechanism breaks if the handle is dropped. Accordingly, there is a need for a simpler, more robust, more intuitive and reliable shaving handle-to-cartridge connection. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention features, in general a blade carrier assembly with a blade carrier having a blade platform at a first end. A tab extends from the blade platform to a second end. A blade is mounted to the blade platform. The blade has a cutting edge. The tab has a crest configured to engage a handle. The crest is positioned between a pair of angled surfaces of the tab. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general a blade carrier having a blade platform at a first end. The blade platform defines at least one window. A tab extends from the blade platform to a second end. The tab has a crest configured to engage a handle. The crest is positioned between a pair of angled surfaces of the tab. The blade platform defines a slot dimensioned to receive a blade. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general a shaving razor system with a handle having a first end with a top surface defining a recessed surface between a pair of guide surfaces. A shaving razor cartridge may be removably mounted to the first end of the handle. The shaving razor cartridge includes a housing and a blade carrier assembly. The blade carrier assembly has a blade carrier with a blade platform at a first end. A tab extends from the blade platform to a second end. The tab has a crest positioned within the recessed surface of the handle. A blade is mounted to the blade platform. The blade has a cutting edge. The tab is positioned between a pair of guide members on the housing that engage the corresponding guide surfaces of the handle. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general a shaving razor system with a handle having a first end with a top surface defining recessed surface between a pair of guide surfaces. A shaving razor cartridge removably mounted to the first end of the handle. The shaving razor cartridge includes a housing and a blade carrier assembly. The blade carrier assembly has a blade carrier with a blade platform at a first end. A tab extends from the blade platform to a second end. The tab has a crest positioned within the recessed surface of the handle. A blade is mounted to the blade platform. The blade has a cutting edge. The tab is positioned between a pair of guide members on the housing that engage the corresponding guide surfaces of the handle. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general a shaving razor handle with a first end, a second end and a gripping portion between the first end and the second end. The first end has a top surface defining a recessed surface with a lowermost portion, an inclined surface and a generally flat landing. The top surface of the handle has a pair of “L” shaped arms. The recessed surface is positioned between the pair of “L” shaped arms. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general a shaving razor cartridge with a housing having a bottom surface with a pair of guide members. The shaving razor cartridge includes a blade carrier having a first end with a blade platform with a tab extending from the blade platform to a second end. A blade is mounted to the blade platform. The blade platform is mounted to the bottom surface with the tab being unsupported and positioned between the pair of guides members. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general a method of manufacturing a shaving razor cartridge by providing a housing having a bottom surface with a pair of guide members. A blade platform of a blade carrier is mounted to the bottom surface of the housing. A blade is mounted to the blade platform. A tab that extends from the blade platform to a second end is unsupportably positioned between the pair of guide members. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general a method of manufacturing a blade carrier assembly by providing a sheet of metal having a thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm. The sheet of metal is cut to form a blade carrier blank having a blade platform and a tab extending from the blade platform. The tab is coined to form a crest. At least one window is cut into the sheet of metal. The blade carrier blank is bent along the at least one window to form an upper portion and a lower portion. A blade is mounted to the lower portion. The blade is clamped by bending the upper portion toward the lower portion until the blade is in contact with both the upper portion and the lower portion. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general a method of manufacturing a blade carrier by providing a sheet of metal having a thickness of about 0.1 mm to 1 mm. The sheet of metal is cut to form a blade carrier blank having a blade platform and a tab extending from the blade platform. A crest is formed in the tab. A notch is cut into the blade carrier blank on either side of the tab. The blade carrier blank is bent along the at least one window to form an upper portion and a lower portion. A pair of alignment members are cut into the blade carrier blank. The blade is clamped by bending the upper portion toward the lower portion until the blade is in contact with both the upper portion and the lower portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the invention itself, can be more fully understood from the following description of the various embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a top perspective view of a shaving razor system according to one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  1 B  is an assembly view of a handle and a shaving razor cartridge of the shaving razor system of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  2    is a cross sectional view of the shaving razor system, taken generally along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  3    is bottom perspective view of a housing and a blade carrier assembly of the shaving razor cartridge of  FIG.  1 B . 
         FIG.  4    is a bottom view of the shaving razor cartridge. 
         FIG.  5    is a cross sectional view of the shaving razor system, taken generally along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic view of the assembly steps for the blade carrier assembly. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross sectional view of the cartridge assembly, taken generally along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG.  4   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 A , a perspective view of a shaving razor system  10  is illustrated. The shaving razor system  10  may include a handle  12  having a first end  14 , a second end  16  and a gripping portion  15  between the first end  14  and the second end  16 . A shaving razor cartridge  18  may be removably mounted to the first end  14 . The shaving razor cartridge  18  may include a housing  20  and a blade carrier assembly  22 . The housing  20  may be manufactured (e.g., molded) from a polymeric material. The blade carrier assembly  22  may include one or more blades  24  mounted to a blade carrier  26 . The blade  24  may have an exposed cutting edge  28 . In certain embodiments, the blade carrier  26  may have a plurality of spaced apart guards  30  to protect the skin from the cutting edge  28  during a shaving stroke. As will be explained in greater detail below, the blade carrier  26  may retain the blade  24 , as well as facilitate the temporary securement of the shaving razor cartridge  18  to the handle  12 . 
     The shaving razor cartridge  18  may have a first position with the shaving razor cartridge  18  mounted detachably on the handle  12  (as shown in  FIG.  1 A ) to enable the shaving razor cartridge  18  to be replaced by a fresh shaving razor cartridge  18  when the sharpness of the blade  24  has diminished to an unsatisfactory level. Referring to  FIG.  1 B , a perspective view of a shaving razor system  10  is illustrated with the shaving razor cartridge  18  removed from the handle  12 . The first end  14  of the handle  12  may have a top surface  32 . As will be explained in greater detail below, the top surface  32  may define a pair of guide surfaces  34  and  36  (e.g., slots) dimensioned to receive corresponding surfaces on the housing  20 . The top surface  32  of the handle  12  may also define a recessed surface  38  between the pair of guide surfaces  34  and  36 . The housing  20  may have a rear surface  40  opposite the cutting edge  28 . The rear surface  40  may include an indicia  42 , such as a sign or symbol to indicate to the consumer where and in what direction to push the shaving razor cartridge  18  to remove the shaving razor cartridge  18  from the handle  12 . In certain embodiments, the housing  20  may have a pair of opposing lateral side surface  21  and  23  each having one or more protrusions  25  to improve a user&#39;s grip on the shaving razor cartridge  18  during attachment and removal of the shaving razor cartridge  18  to the handle  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , a cross sectional view of the shaving razor system  10 , taken generally along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG.  1 A  is shown. The blade carrier  26  may have a tab  44  in a first position with a crest  46  of the tab  44  positioned within the recessed surface  38  of the handle  12 . The crest  46  may secure the shaving razor cartridge  18  to the handle  12 . A user may remove the shaving razor cartridge  18  by pushing against the rear surface  40  of the housing  20  in a direction towards the cutting edge  28 . The crest  46  may slide out of a lowermost portion  50  of the recessed surface  38  and along an inclined surface  52  to a generally flat landing  54  of the handle  12 . The tab  44  may deflect away from the handle  12  and toward the housing  20  to facilitate the crest  46  to slide out of the recessed surface  38 . As the housing  20  is pushed forward the housing  20  may disengage the guide surfaces  34  and  36  ( FIG.  1 B ). Once the crest  46  engages the landing  54 , little or no force may be required to remove the shaving razor cartridge  18  from the handle  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , a bottom perspective view of the housing  20  and blade carrier  26  of the shaving razor cartridge  18  is illustrated. The shaving razor cartridge  18  may include the blade carrier assembly  22  mounted to the housing  20 . For example, the blade carrier  26  may be mounted to a bottom surface  56  of the housing  20 . The bottom surface  56  of the housing  20  may have one or more alignment members  62  and  64 , such as protrusions, that engage a corresponding pair of alignment members  58  and  60  on the blade carrier assembly  22  (e.g., openings extending through the blade carrier assembly  22 ). In certain embodiments, the blade carrier assembly  22  (e.g., the blade carrier  26 ) may be fixed to the housing  20  by staking, adhesives, ultrasonic welding, insert injection molding, or other assembly methods known in the art. The tab  44  may be positioned between a pair of guide members  84  and  86  of the bottom surface  56  of the housing  20 . The position of the tab  44  between the pair of guide members  84  and  86  may help protect the tab  44  from being damaged or excessively bent. 
     The blade carrier  26  may have a blade platform  66  at a first end  68  that defines a slot  70  configured to receive the blade  24 . The slot  70  may be positioned on the same side of the blade carrier  26  as the crest  46  to simply the manufacturing process (e.g., forming and bending of the crest  46  and slot  70 . The cutting edge  28  of the blade  24  may be positioned against the spaced apart guards  30 . Accordingly, the slot  70  may be closed on one side (i.e., side with the spaced apart guards  30 ) and open on three sides for easy loading of the blade  24 . The blade  24  may be fixed to the blade platform  66  (e.g., using adhesive) or may be removably positioned within the slot  70 . The cutting edge  28  and the plurality of guards may extend over a front edge  72  of the housing  20  to provide sufficient cutting and trimming of hair. The tab  44  may extend from the blade platform  66  to a second end  74 . The crest  46  may be positioned between a pair angled surfaces  76  and  78 . For example, a leading angled surface  76  and a trailing angled surface  78 . The blade platform  66  may define a pair of notches  80  and  82  on either side of the tab  44 . The notches  80  and  82  may provide the tab  44  with sufficient spring properties to facilitate optimal attachment and detachment to the handle  12  (not shown) over numerous cycles. The blade platform  66  may be fixed to the housing  20  to allow the tab  44  to flex relative to the blade platform and the housing  20  as the shaving razor cartridge  18  is attached to the handle (see  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ). 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , a bottom view of the shaving razor cartridge  18  is illustrated with the blade carrier assembly  22  mounted to the housing  20 . The alignment members  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  may be used to stabilize the blade carrier  26  as it is mounted and/or secured to the housing  20 . In certain embodiments, the alignment members  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  may also be used to fix the blade carrier  26  to the housing  20  (e.g., cold staking process). The alignment members  58  and  62  may be positioned on one side of the centerline “CL” and alignment members  60  and  64  may be positioned on the other side of the centerline “CL”. In certain embodiments, the blade carrier assembly  22  may be removable from the housing  20 . Accordingly, the alignment members  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  may facilitate temporary securement of the blade carrier assembly  22  to the housing  20 . For example, the alignment members  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  may provide a slight press fit or snap fit connection to allow easy removal. 
     The blade carrier  26  may extend beyond the front edge  72  of the housing  20  by a distance d 1  of about 0.2 mm to about 10 mm to provide sufficient view of the cutting edge  28  during shaving. If d 1  is too short, the housing  20  may obstruct the view of the user thus interfering with accurate edging of hair (e.g., side burns and beard lines). If d 1  is too long, excessive force may be applied the blade carrier assembly causing it to bend or loosen from the housing  20 . In certain embodiments, the cutting edge  28  extends a distance of about 0 mm to about 10 mm beyond the front edge of the housing  20  and more preferably about 1 mm to about 5 mm to facilitate sufficient viewing angle of the cutting edge  28  during edging of hair. 
     The tab  44  may be positioned between a pair of guide members  84  and  86  of the housing  20  and along a centerline “CL” of the of the blade carrier  26 . The crest  46  may be spaced apart from the bottom surface  56  of the housing  20  to facilitate proper flexing during the attachment of the shaving razor cartridge  18  to the handle  12 . The guide members  84  and  86  may engage the corresponding guide surfaces  34  and  36  on the handle  12  (see  FIG.  1 B ) as the shaving razor cartridge slides onto the handle  12 . The guide members  84  and  86  may define an undercut surface  88  of the housing  20  (e.g., a “T” shaped slot) that engages a corresponding feature on the handle  12  to secure the shaving razor cartridge  18  to the handle  12 . 
     The tab  44  may extend a distance “d 2 ” of about 3 mm to about 15 mm from the notches  80  and  82  to the second end  74  (i.e., end of the tab  44 ) and more preferably about 5 mm to about 10 mm. The distance “d 2 ” may also represent the length that is unsupported (i.e., not touching the bottom surface  56  of the housing  20 ) The guide members  84  and  86  may extend beyond the tab  44  (i.e., the second end  74 ) to allow the shaving razor cartridge  18  to easily engage the handle  12  before the tab  44  begins to deflect and exert a force against the handle  12 , which may allow for easier loading. 
     In certain embodiments, the notches  80  and  82  may be incorporated to help define the performance of the tab  44  and also facilitate properly locating the blade carrier  26  during assembly. The abutment surfaces  90  and  92  may facilitate proper positioning of the blade carrier assembly  22  on the housing  20 . The notches  80  and  82  may have a respective width “w 1 ” and “w 2 ” of about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The notches  80  and  82  may have a respective length “L 1 ” and “L 2 ” of about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The notches  80  and  82  form a radius with the tab  44  of about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm. The dimensions of the notches  80  and  82  may provide the tab  44  with sufficient flexibility so loading of the shaving razor cartridge  18  to the handle provides sufficient consumer feedback, but is not too difficult. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , a cross sectional view of the shaving razor system  10 , taken generally along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG.  1 A  is shown. The shaving razor cartridge  18  may be securely mounted (i.e., docked position) to the handle  12 . In the docked position, the tab  44  may bottom out within the recessed surface  38 . Accordingly, force must be applied to the shaving razor cartridge  18  to move the tab  44  (i.e., crest  46 ) out of the recessed surface  38 . The top surface  32  of the handle  12  may include a pair of L shaped arms  94  and  96  dimensioned to engage the undercut surface  88  (e.g., “T” shaped slot) to retain the housing  20  on the handle  12 . The recessed surface  38  ( FIG.  1 B ) may be positioned between the pair of L shaped arms  94  and  96 . When the shaving razor cartridge  18  is attached to the handle  12 , the tab  44  may be positioned between the pair of arms  94  and  96 . 
     The blade carrier  22 , such as the blade platform  66  and the tab  44 , may be a monolithic unitary member, which may provide for a stronger and simpler construct. In certain embodiments, the blade carrier  22  may be injection molded from a polymeric material, such as polycarbonate, high impact polystyrene, ABS, Nylon, polyoxymethylene, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the blade carrier  22  may be manufactured from metal using various types of metal forming processes. Referring to  FIG.  6   , a schematic view of one possible assembly method for the blade carrier assembly  22  is illustrated. In a first step  98  of the assembly method, the blade carrier assembly  22  may begin with a single piece of sheet metal  100  having a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm and more preferably about 0.15 mm to about 0.3 mm. The sheet metal  100  may comprise various grades of aluminum and steel. 
     The sheet metal  100  may be cut (e.g., laser cutting) or stamped to form a blade carrier blank  102  in a second step  104 . It is understood that multiple blade carrier blanks  102  may be cut or stamped from a single piece of sheet metal. Accordingly, the sheet metal  100  can have numerous possible lengths and width. The blade carrier blank  102  may include the blade platform  66  and the tab  44  extending from the blade platform  66 . The tab  44  may have a width “w 3 ” of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. The tab  44  may have a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm and more preferably about 0.15 mm to about 0.3 mm Other features may also be cut or stamped into the blade carrier blank  102 , such as the notches  80  and  82  on either side of the tab  44  and the alignment members  58  and  60 . At least one window  106  may be stamped or cut into the piece of sheet metal  100  (e.g., the blade platform  66 ) between a first end  108  of the blade carrier blank  102  and the tab  44 . In certain embodiments, there may be several windows  106  that are spaced apart to form row. Accordingly, the windows  96  may form the plurality of spaced apart guards  30  of the blade carrier  26 . Although a plurality of windows  106  are shown it is understood that a single elongated window may alternatively be formed. In certain embodiments, a notch  110  and  112  may be formed (e.g., stamped or cut) into either ends of the window(s)  106  to facilitate bending of the blade carrier blank  102  (e.g., the blade platform  66 ) 
     A third step  114  and a fourth step  116  may include one or bending steps. For example, in the third step  114 , the tab  44  may be coined or bent to form the crest  46  between the pair of angled surfaces  76  and  78 . The blade platform  66  may be bent (e.g., swivel bending or coining) along the window(s)  106  (e.g., along a centerline “CL 2 ” of the window(s)  106  in the a fourth step  116  to form an upper portion  118  and a lower portion  120 . The platform  66  may be bent to form an angle from greater than 0 to over 90 degrees. The blade  24  may be mounted to the platform  66  between the upper portion  118  and the lower portion  120  in a fifth step  122 . In certain embodiments, an alignment opening  124  may be provided (e.g., in the second step  104 ) that extends through the blade platform  66 . The alignment opening  124  may allow a projection  126  to be inserted into the blade platform  66  to facilitate alignment of the blade  24  against an inner surface  128  of the blade carrier  26 . 
     In a sixth step  130 , the upper portion  118  and the lower portion  120  may be clamped together by bending the upper portion  118  and the lower portion  120  towards each other. The bending of the platform to form an angle greater than 90 degrees between the upper portion  118  and the lower portion  120  in the fifth step  122  may facilitate easier and more accurate placement and alignment of the blade  24 , as well as facilitating the bending of the upper portion  118  and lower portion  120  towards each other to clamp and secure the blade  24  safely in place. When the blade  24  is secured between the upper portion  118  and the lower portion  120 , the plurality of spaced apart windows  106  may form the spaced apart guards  30  of the blade carrier. The upper portion  118  and the lower portion  120  may be then bent towards each other such that the blade  24  contacts both the upper portion  118  and the lower portion  120 , as shown in step  128 . The upper portion  118  and/or the lower portion  120  may be bent towards each other such that the slot  70  is formed for holding the blade  24 . In certain embodiments, the slot  70  may be formed first, then the blade  24  may be inserted into the slot  70 . The blade  24  may then be further secured by further clamping the lower portion  120  and/or the upper portion  118  or the blade  24  may be secured by welding or adhesives. Accordingly, the blade  24  is secured (e.g., clamped) on the blade platform  66  between the upper portion  118  and the lower portion  120  with the cutting edge  28  positioned against the window(s)  106  to form the blade carrier assembly  22 . In any of the embodiments described, the blade  24  may be secured to the blade platform  66  by welding or adhesives. It is understood that several of the steps may be done together. For example, the second step  104  and the third step  114  may be performed simultaneously. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , a cross sectional view of the shaving razor cartridge  18  of  FIG.  2    is shown with the handle  12  removed for clarity. The crest  46  may be positioned below a plane P 1  of the blade  24 . The crest  46  may be positioned below a plane P 2  of the guide members  84 ,  86  (e.g., away from the bottom surface  56 ) when the tab  44  is in a neutral position (e.g., not under load). The tab  44  may flex in the first or second position such that the tab  44  is positioned above the plane P 2  of the guide members  84 ,  86  (i.e., closer to the bottom surface  56 ). As the shaving razor cartridge  18  is attached to the handle  12  ( FIG.  1 A ), the tab  44  may flex toward the housing  20  then return towards its normal unflexed condition once the crest  46  is seated within the lowermost portion  50  of the recess  38  ( FIG.  2   ). In certain embodiments, the tab  44  may not return completely to its normal resting position. For example, the tab  44  may remain in tension when the shaving razor cartridge  18  is attached to the handle  12 , which may provide for more positive engagement between the two components. The second end  74  may be spaced apart from the bottom surface  56  of the housing a vertical distance d 3  greater than 0 mm to about 5 mm in the first position, to facilitate the movement (e.g., flexing) of the tab  44  relative to the housing  20 , thus allowing removal of the shaving razor cartridge  18 . The tab  44  may flex between the first position and a second position during attachment and removal of the shaving razor cartridge  18 . The distance d 3  may be greater in the first position when the shaving razor cartridge  18  is secured to the handle  12  ( FIG.  2   ) than a second position when the crest  46  disengages from the recessed surface  38  ( FIG.  2   ) of the handle  12  ( FIG.  2   ) during removal of the shaving razor cartridge  18 . In certain embodiments, the bottom surface  56  may act as a stop surface to prevent over stressing the tab  44 . For example, in the second position, the bottom surface  56  of the housing  20  may contact a bottom surface  130  of the second end  74  during the attachment and detachment of the shaving razor cartridge  18  to the handle  12  ( FIG.  1 A ). 
     The incorporation of the tab  44  into the blade carrier  26  that holds and provides guarding elements (i.e., spaced apart guards  30 ) greatly simplifies the design by reducing the number of components because the blade carrier  26  performs multiple functions by aiding in attachment to the handle  12  ( FIG.  1 A ), retaining the blade  24  and protecting a safe shave with the spaced apart guards  30 . Furthermore, tolerance stacking of the components is also reduced, thus lowering the level of precision needed during the assembly process. The tab  44  may also help ensure integrity of the shaving razor cartridge  18  by absorbing force if the shaving razor cartridge  18  or the shaving razor system  10  is dropped, which is often problematic for more premium handles which are much heavier. Furthermore, the forming of the blade carrier  22  from a single piece of metal also provides a much more robust design which is cable of lasting longer. 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. 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.