Patent Publication Number: US-11045965-B2

Title: Shaving cartridge including a masking foil

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/069062, filed on Jul. 27, 2017, and published as WO2018/019953 on Feb. 1, 2018, which claims priority to International Application No. PCT/EP2016/068017, filed on Jul. 28, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/367,787, filed Jul. 28, 2016. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure relates to shaving cartridges including a masking foil and such a masking foil. More precisely, the disclosure relates to shaving cartridges including a housing, one or more blade(s) having a blade edge and a masking foil or blade shield that partially covers the blade edge(s). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Typically, shaving cartridges include multiple guard members disposed across the razor blade edges. These members can act as blade shields to control the skin profile during shaving. However, this type of guard member is not satisfactory because assembly on a shaving cartridge is difficult and the shaving performance is not efficient enough. Furthermore, this type of guard member is not suitable to a shaving cartridge including movable blades. 
     Therefore, the known blade shields do not provide comfort and easy to glide movement in shaving while being easy to mount in a shaving cartridge with movable or unmovable blades. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Accordingly, in examples, disclosed are shaving cartridges having a blade shield that provides added protection for the skin during shaving by improving the sliding surface in contact with the skin, while increasing comfort in shaving and glideness. The blade shield also provides a hair alignment that decreases the hair-cutting force. 
     To this end, according to the disclosure, the shaving cartridge may comprise a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, a rear edge, and a pair of side edges extending between the front edge and the rear edge, the housing having a main blade disposed between the front edge and the rear edge, the main blade having a main cutting edge extending toward the top surface, the main blade being movable in the housing, wherein the shaving cartridge may comprise a masking foil comprising a front portion located forward of the main cutting edge and a back portion located rearward the main cutting edge, the masking foil further comprising at least one ribbon which partially covers the main cutting edge, wherein the main blade is movable in the housing. 
     The shaving cartridge according to the disclosure may create a special skin sliding surface that alters the skin flow before the cutting edge. 
     In various examples of the disclosure, one and/or the other of the following features may be incorporated in the shaving cartridge of the disclosure, alone or in mutual combination:
         the masking foil may comprise an elastic means. Therefore, the elastic means of the masking foil may allow to the masking foil to follow the movement of the movable blade.   the masking foil may comprise at least one securing portion, the securing portion being placed on the main blade, toward the top surface and close to one of the pair of side edges. This securing portion of the masking foil may be in position for proper assembly into the cartridge.   at least one additional blade, the at least one additional blade having an additional cutting edge, wherein the at least one ribbon partially may cover both the main cutting edge and the at least one additional cutting edge, and wherein the securing portion may be placed on the main blade and the at least one additional blade, toward the top surface and close to one of the pair of side edges.   the at least one ribbon partially may cover the main cutting edge and uncovers the at least one additional cutting edge.       

     In this way, the uncovered blade may increase shaving efficiency and the covered blade may alter the exposure of the subsequent uncovered blade. Therefore, the shaving cartridge can have two different shaving geometries. In other words, a first shaving geometry corresponds to the uncovered blade(s). A second shaving geometry corresponds to the covered blade(s).
         the at least one ribbon may comprise bristles, the bristles being adapted for moving during shaving.   the at least one ribbon can comprise extruded protrusions having a conical shape and ending with an aperture.   the at least one ribbon can comprise pikes, which are oriented toward the top surface of the housing.   at least one ribbon may comprise rounded protrusions facing toward the top surface of the housing.   at least one ribbon may comprise at least one tip.   at least one ribbon may comprise corrugations, each corrugation having an amplitude (A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , A 4 , A 5 ) different from each other.   at least one ribbon may comprise steps.   at least one ribbon may comprise small barbs split into clumps along the at least one ribbon.   a blade retainer and the securing portion which is disposed between the main blade and the blade retainer.   the cartridge has a blade retainer comprising the securing portion of the masking foil.   the securing portion is fixedly mounted in the side edge of the shaving cartridge.   the at least one ribbon comprises a front bent portion connected to the front portion and a back bent portion connected to the back portion of the masking foil, the front and the back bent portion being directed toward the bottom surface. These bent portions provide a rigidity of the masking foil.   the masking foil comprises more than one ribbon, the front bent portions of each ribbon being connected to a front anchorage area, and the back bent portions of each ribbon being connected to a back anchorage area.   when the masking foil comprises an elastic means, this elastic means can be located between the anchorage area and at least one of the front or back bent portions of the ribbon. The anchorage area can also be fixed in the housing.   the cutting edge coverage percentage of the at least one ribbon can be comprised between 1% and 70%. More precisely, the coverage percentage can be comprised between 5% and 20%.   the shape of the surface of the at least one ribbon covering at least partially the main cutting edge can be planar, in a cross sectional view.   the at least one ribbon crosses the main cutting edge with an angle comprised between 15° and 90°. Thus, the ribbon can be perpendicular to the front portion and the back portion. The ribbon can also be oblique, converging, deflecting or curved with variable angles, which changes the interaction of the shaver head with the skin and can improve shaving comfort and reduce the skin friction. The above orientations alter the way that the shaver head interacts with the skin, thus improving skin management and shaving comfort and reducing the head to skin friction. For example, diverging ribbons may further stress the skin, creating thus a smoother skin terrain with less friction.   the at least one ribbon crosses the main cutting edge and at least one additional cutting edge with an angle comprised between 15° and 90°.   the masking foil can comprise a wound healing and/or an anti-bacterial agent, in order to enhance functionality of the masking foil. The masking foil can also comprise a lubricating coating, such as polyfluorocarbon. This coating may provide a reduction of the friction between the shaving cartridge and the skin.       

     Another object of the disclosure may be a masking foil, for a shaving cartridge manufactured by a method comprising the steps of: a) providing a flat strip of material, b) performing holes in the strip, c) forming the pattern of the masking foil; and d) forming a front bent portion and a back bent portion.
         the masking foil can further comprise a material chosen among steel, stainless steel, plastic material, composite, aluminum, aluminum alloys and/or noble metals chosen among gold or platinum and/or other metallic material.   the masking foil can comprise different shapes in a cross-sectional view.   the masking foil can comprise different patterns.   The shaving cartridge can comprise two masking foils.       

     Another object of the present disclosure is a masking foil, for a shaving cartridge, comprising a front portion and a back portion and at least one ribbon extending between the front portion and the back portion, wherein the masking foil comprises an elastic means. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other characteristics and advantages of the disclosure will readily appear from the following description of one example, provided as non-limitative examples, in reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wet shaving razor, comprising a shaving cartridge, according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of an example of the cartridge according to  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cartridge of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top view illustrating an example of the securing portion of the cartridge of  FIG. 2 , the blade retainer being removed. 
         FIG. 5 a    is top view of another example of the shaving cartridge according to the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5 b  and 5 c    are top views of two other examples of the shaving cartridge according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the example of  FIG. 5   a.    
         FIG. 7  is a top view illustrating the securing portion of the cartridge of  FIG. 2 , the blade retainer being removed. 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed partial top view illustrating the securing portion of the cartridge of  FIG. 2 , the blade retainer being removed. 
         FIGS. 9 a , 9 b , 9 c  and 9 d    are cross-sectional views of different shape of the masking foil. 
         FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    show respectively an exploded perspective view and a cross-sectional view of another example of the cartridge according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10 c    shows a cross-sectional view of another example of the cartridge according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional in a perspective view of the cartridge of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIGS. 12 a , 12 b , 12 c , 12 d , 12 e , 12 f , 12 g , 12 h , 12 i    are illustrations of different masking foil patterns. 
         FIGS. 13 to 23  are illustrations of other examples of masking foil. 
     
    
    
     In the different Figures, the same reference signs designate identical or similar elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The Figures illustrate different examples of a shaving cartridge  10  according to the disclosure, the shaving cartridge  10  comprising one or several blades  12  provided in a housing  13 . The blade(s)  12  can be movably retained in the housing  13 . The shaving cartridge  10  can be permanently or detachably attached to a razor handle  14 . The shaving cartridge  10  can be pivotally or non-pivotally attached to the razor handle  14 . 
     For instance, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the shaving cartridge  10  according to the disclosure may comprise three blades  12 , but the disclosure may not be limited to said number of blades. The number of blades may however vary between one and six blades for instance. The shaving cartridge  10  can be connected to the razor handle  14  to form a wet shaving razor  11 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the shaving cartridge  10  may be detachably connected to the handle  14  in order to be thrown when the blade edges are dulled. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bottom surface  18  of the shaving cartridge  10  may include two connecting members or rearwardly protruding connectors, i.e. two inwardly facing arcuate arms  17   a  shaped in correspondence with and adapted to receive lateral edges of shell bearing  17   b  provided onto the handle  14  for pivotally mounting the shaving cartridge  10  onto the handle  14 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the housing  13  may have a top surface  16 , a bottom surface  18 , a front edge  20 , a rear edge  22 , and a pair of side edges  24  extending between the front edge  20  and the rear edge  22 . The housing  13  may comprise at least one blade  12  disposed between the front edge  20  and the rear edge  22 . Each blade  12  may have a cutting edge  15  extending toward the top surface  16 . The cutting edges  15  of the blades  12  can be parallel to an axis X-X. 
     A masking foil  26  may cover partially the cutting edge  15  of one or more blade(s)  12 . As depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the masking foil  26  may cover partially the cutting edge  15  of all the five blades  12 . 
     In another example, as depicted in  FIGS. 5 a    and  6 , the masking foil may cover partially the cutting edge  15  of a main blade and at least one adjacent blade  12 . In these figures, illustrating a shaving cartridge comprising five blades  12 , only three adjacent blades  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  may be partially covered by the masking foil  26 , on the side of the front edge  20 . More precisely, the blade the closest to the front edge  20  may be the first blade  12   a . In this configuration, the main blade may also be the first blade  12   a . The second blade  12   b  may be the adjacent blade to the first blade  12   a . Then the third blade  12   c  may be adjacent to the second blade  12   b . The third blade  12   c  may also be the middle blade. The two other blades  12   d ,  12   e , i.e. the two blades closest to the rear edge  22 , may be uncovered by the masking foil  26 . These two other uncovered blades  12   d ,  12   e , on the side of the rear edge  22 , may increase the shaving efficiency. 
     Indeed, the difference between a surface partially covered and a surface uncovered, i.e. without a masking foil  26 , may cause two different exposures of the cutting edges  15 . The exposure of the cutting edges  15  is the distance of the cutting edges  15  from the shaving plane S, as shown in  FIG. 19 . A shaving plane S may be defined as a plane comprising a surface S 1  and a surface S 2 . The surface S 1  may be located at the top surface  16  of the cartridge. In addition, the surface S 1  may be located close to the front portion  28  of the masking foil  26 . The surface S 2  may be located at the top surface  16  of the cartridge. In addition, the surface S 2  may be located close to the back portion  30  of the masking foil  26 . This partial blade coverage may provide therefore two different shaving geometries. Thus, the shaving process and experience may be different than the ones with conventional wet shaving cartridges. 
     In another example, as depicted in  FIG. 5 b   , the shaving cartridge  10  may comprise multiple masking foils  26 . The multiple masking foils  26  can be separate by at least one blade  12 . More precisely, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 b   , a first masking foil  26   a  may cover partially the cutting edges  15  of the first blade  12   a  and the second blade  12   b . A second masking foil  26   b  may cover partially the cutting edges  15  of the two blades  12   d ,  12   e  closest to the rear edge  22 . The third blade  12   c  may be uncovered. The third blade  12   c  may also be located between the first masking foil  26   a  and the second masking foil  26   b . The main blade of the first masking foil  26   a  may be the first blade  12   a . The main blade of the second masking foil may be the forth blade  12   d.    
     In  FIG. 5 c   , the first masking foil  26   a  may cover partially the cutting edges  15  of the first, second a third blades  12   a ,  12   b  and  12   c . The second masking foil may cover partially the two blades  12   d ,  12   e  closest to the rear edge  22 . In another example, the third blade  12   c  could also be partially covered by the second masking foil  26   b  instead of the first masking foil  26   a.    
     Therefore, any other combination with regard to the number of masking foil(s) used, the number of cutting edge(s) may be covered and the location of the masking foil(s) on the covered cutting edge(s) may be possible. In particular, one and/or the other of the following features may be incorporated in the shaving cartridge of the disclosure, alone or in mutual combination:
         The shaving cartridge  10  can comprise more than two masking foils  26 , depending on the design of the shaving cartridge  10 . For instance, the shaving cartridge can comprise three masking foils  26 . The shaving cartridge  10  can also comprise one masking foil per blade, and/or   Each cutting edge  15  can be partially covered by a masking foil  26 , and/or   The main blade can be anyone of the blades  12 , and/or,   All the cutting edges  15  can be partially covered by one sole masking foil  26 .       

     The masking foil  26  may comprise a front portion  28  and a back portion  30  and at least one ribbon  32  extending between the front portion  28  and the back portion  30 . 
     When the masking foil  26  covers each cutting edge  15 , the front portion  28  may be located on the side of the front edge  20  and the back portion  30  may be located on the side of the rear edge  22 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the masking foil  26  of the disclosure can further comprise at least one securing portion  34 . Actually, the masking foil  26  can comprise two securing portions  34 . Each of the two securing portions  34  may be placed close to the corresponding side edge  24 . 
     The shaving cartridge  10  can further may comprise a blade retainer  36  as visible on  FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6  for instance. The blade retainer  36  may cover the blades  12  in order to retain the blades  12  in the housing  13 . The blade retainer  36  may be placed at one end of the blades  12 , close to the side edge  24 . The blade retainer  36  may extend further between the front edge  20  and the rear edge  22  of the cartridge  10 . The blade retainer  36  may comprise a first leg  36   a , a second leg  36   b  and a body  36   c . The body  36   c , first leg  36   a  and second leg  36   b  form a one-piece part. Each leg  36   a ,  36   b  may extend to an end  37 . The first leg  36   a  of the blade retainer surrounds the side edge  24  of the housing  13 , on the side of the rear edge  22 . In other words, a portion of the blade retainer  36  may be wrapped around a portion of the housing  13 . The second leg  36   b  of the blade retainer  36  may be received in a through hole  39  provided in the housing  13 . The through hole  39  may extend transversally through the housing  13  between the top surface  16  and the bottom surface  18 . The cartridge  10  can further comprise two blade retainers  36 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5  the two blade retainers  36  can be additional members, or as depicted in  FIGS. 4, 7 and 8 , the two securing portions  34  mounted on the housing  13  can act as blade retainers. The two securing portions  34  in the example of  FIGS. 4 ,  7  and  8  may be attached in the housing  13 , thanks to elasticity of the materials of the masking foil  26  and the cartridge  13 . More precisely, the two securing portions  34  may be attached in the walls of the housing  13 . For example, the masking foil  26  may be press fitted in the housing. The masking foil  26  can also be snap fitted, welded or inserted in the housing  13  of the cartridge  10 . The masking foil  26  can also be molded with the material of the cartridge  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , each securing portion  34  may be placed between the cutting edges  15  of the blades  12  and a blade retainer  36  (not shown in  FIG. 4 ), securing thus the position along X axis of the masking foil  26  onto the cartridge  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , each blade retainer  36  may cover a corresponding securing portion  34  that may be placed between the blade retainer  36  and the cutting edges  15  of the blades  12 . Actually, each securing portion  34  may be sandwiched between the blade retainer  36  and the blades  12 . The securing portion  34  may have for example a rectangular shape, like a strip. Its shape may generally be identical to the body  36   c  of the blade retainer  36 , which may cover the securing portion  34 . Therefore, the body  36   c  and the securing portion  34  may have approximatively the same length and width in a top view. The securing portion  34  covers the blades  12  along a transversal axis Y-Y from the front edge  20  to the rear edge  22  of the cartridge  13 . The transversal axis Y-Y can be perpendicular to the axis X-X that is parallel to the blade edge(s). 
     Each securing portion  34  may also have two joining members  38 . Each joining member  38  may join respectively the front portion  28  of the masking foil  26  and the back portion  30  of the masking foil  26 . The joining member  38  may allow a connection between the securing portion  34  and the remaining members of the masking foil  26 . 
     Coming back to  FIG. 3 , the masking foil  26  may comprise at least one ribbon  32 . In  FIG. 4 , the masking foil  26  may comprise ten ribbons  32 , but the disclosure may not be limited to said number of ribbons. The cutting edge  15  of each blade  12  may be covered on an area corresponding to a ribbon  32  placed above this area. If no ribbon  32  is placed above the cutting edge  15 , the cutting edge may not be covered on this area. Therefore, if the masking foil  26  comprises only one ribbon  32 , the cutting edge  15  may comprise only one covered area and two uncovered areas. If the masking foil  26  comprise ten ribbons  32 , the cutting edge  15  may comprise ten covered areas and eleven uncovered areas. Thus, the cutting edge  15  may comprise as much covered areas as the number of ribbons  32  on the masking foil  26 . When the covered areas are not on an extreme location of the cutting edge  15 , then the number of uncovered area may be of one more than the number of covered areas. 
     Each ribbon  32  may extend transversally between the front portion  28  and the back portion  30  of the masking foil  26 . An angle α, view from the top as shown in  FIG. 4 , can define the inclination of each ribbon between the axis X-X and the ribbon  32 . This angle α can be comprised between 45° and 90° and can vary from one ribbon to another one on the same masking foil. More particularly, the angle α can be comprised between 15° and 90°. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the angle α may be approximatively 90°. 
     Each ribbon  32  may be connected to a front anchorage area  29   a  via a front bent portion  29  and to a back anchorage area  31   a  via a back bent portion  31  as visible for instance in  FIG. 3 . These two bent portions  29 ,  31  may provide rigidity to the ribbons  32  when shaving. Each anchorage area  29   a ,  31   a  may be directed toward the bottom surface  18  of the housing, approximatively along a transversal axis Z-Z from the top surface  16  to the bottom surface  18  of the cartridge  13 . Each anchorage area  29   a ,  31   a  may be in an extension of the respective bent portion  29 ,  31 . The anchorage areas  29   a ,  31   a  may not be attached. Thus, when the shaving cartridge  10  comprises movable blades  12 , the geometry of the masking foil  26  may allow the movements of the masking foil  26  along with the movement of the movable blades  12 . In other words, the masking foil  26  can be movable in the housing due to the forces applied by the skin and hair during shaving action. Therefore, in comparison with a masking foil which may not follow the movement of the blades  12 , the masking foil  26  may increase the adaptability of the blades  12  and the shaving surface of the skin of the user which may be in contact with the masking foil  26 . In addition, the blades  12  can move in the cartridge  10  without compromising the closeness during shaving action. 
     The front anchorage area  29   a  and the back anchorage area  31   a  each may make an angle with the axis Z-Z. The two angles can be equal or not.  FIG. 9 a    shows the angle β b  between the back anchorage area  31   a  and the axis Z-Z may be smaller than the angle β f  between the front anchorage area  29   a  and the axis Z-Z. This difference may allow a facility assembly between the masking foil  26  and the cartridge  13 . For example, the angle β f  between the front anchorage area  29   a  and the axis Z-Z and the angle  4  between the back anchorage area  31   a  and the axis Z-Z may be comprised between 0° and 25°. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 9 a   , the shape of the ribbon  32 , in the covered area, may be flat viewed in a cross sectional view. Its thickness T may be measured along the axis Z-Z from the side of the top surface  16  to the side of the bottom surface  18 . The thickness T can be comprised between 20 μm and 5000 μm. In particular, the thickness T may be comprised between 40 μm and 60 μm. The thickness T may be for example of about 50 μm. 
     Besides, the coverage percentage of the ribbons  32  can be comprised between 1% and 70%. In particular, the coverage percentage of the ribbons  32  may be comprised between 5% and 20%. For example, when the masking foil  26  comprises ten ribbons  32 , the coverage percentage of the masking foil  26  by the ribbons  32  may be of about 20%. The ribbons  32  may be parallel to each other, transversally between the front portion and the back portion of the masking foil. The distance D between each ribbon may be defined as the perpendicular segment between the lateral sides of two adjacent ribbons  32 . The width W of a ribbon  32  may be the distance between its two lateral sides. The distance D can be comprised between 3 mm and 3.25 mm. The width W can be comprised between 0.63 mm and 0.72 mm. Considering a cutting edge  15  with a length of about 34 mm and a masking foil  26  comprising ten ribbons  32 , the distance D between each adjacent ribbon  32  would be of about 3.15 mm. In this case, the width W is 0.68 mm. The number of aperture, or i.e. uncovered area may be eleven. 
       FIGS. 9 a , 9 b , 9 c  and 9 d    illustrate different shapes of the masking foil  32 , in view from a side edge. 
     In  FIG. 9 a   , the shape of the ribbon  32  may be flat. The ribbon  32  may be substantially parallel all along the axis Y-Y. The ribbon  32  may rests on each cutting edge  15 . 
     In  FIG. 9 b   , the shape of the ribbon  32  may be curved. The cutting edge  15  may follow the shape of the masking foil  26 , thus the cutting edges may have an exposure between −200 μm to +200 μm. For example, the curve can be a convex surface, according to axis Z-Z, from the bottom surface  18  to the top surface  16 . The convex shape may provide a better accessibility in hard to reach anatomical regions. Thus, this shape may improve a shaving efficiency and precision. 
     In  FIG. 9 c   , the shape surface may be corrugated. Actually, the masking foil  26  follows the shape of the cutting edge  15  and a part of the blades  12 . The corrugations may stabilize and/or regulate the exposure and/or the angle of each blade  12 . The cutting edges may have an exposure between −200 μm to +200 μm. The blade angle may be the same, different or progressive. The corrugations may reduce the skin contact surface, thus reducing the shaving cartridge to skin friction. 
     In  FIG. 9 d   , the shape of the ribbon  32  may be partly flat, viewed in a cross sectional view. Indeed, the ribbon  32  may comprise a groove  35 . The groove  35  may be disposed approximatively in the middle of the ribbon along its longitudinal axis. Any other combination, with regard to the number of groove  35  and its position on the masking foil  26 , may be possible. In particular, one and/or the other of the following features may be incorporated in the shaving cartridge of the disclosure, alone or in mutual combination:
         The groove  35  is disposed closer to the front portion  28  than the back portion  30 , or closer to the front portion  30  than the back portion  28  and/or,   The masking foil can comprise two grooves  35  or more and/or,   The masking foil comprising the groove(s)  35  can be used with the examples described above or below. For example, the shaving cartridge  10  may comprise multiple masking foils  26 , each masking foil  26  comprising one groove  35 .       

     Such shape surfaces may allow to manage the exposure of the blades with respect to a shaving plane. The cutting edges may have an exposure between −200 μm to +200 μm. 
       FIGS. 10 a , 10 b    and  11  illustrate another example of the present disclosure where elastic means are further provided. This example may be analogous to the example of  FIG. 3 , except an elastic means  40  may be provided with the masking foil  26  between the bent portion and the anchorage area of the masking foil  26  as visible in  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b   . Actually, an elastic means  40  can be provided on each side of a ribbon  32 , between a bent portion and an anchorage area. Thus, an elastic means  40  can be placed between the front bent portion  29  and the anchorage area  29   b . An elastic means  40  can also be provided on the masking foil  26  between the back bent portion  31  and the anchorage area  31   b . In this example, the anchorage areas  29   b ,  31   b  may be attached in the housing  13  and can act as a blade retainer. Two slots  13   a ,  13   b  are provided in the housing  13 . Each slot may be parallel to the top surface  16  or the bottom surface  18 . Each slot may open outwardly the cartridge  13  and receives one of the two anchorage areas  29   b ,  31   b.    
     The elastic means can be, for example, a spring. In that case, the material of the masking foil can be at least locally sufficiently elastic to allow an elastic deformation of the elastic means. It can also be made of multiple folds. Thus, the geometry of the masking foil  26  allows the movement of the masking foil  26  along with the movement of the movable blades  12  whereas the anchorage areas may be unmovable. Even if an elastic means  40  is particularly suitable for a shaving cartridge  10  with movables blades  12 , this example can be used with non-movable blades  12 . 
     Regardless the blades  12  may be movable or not, the masking foil  26  can be provided without the elastic means  40 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 10 c   , the masking foil  26  may not be provided with the elastic means  40 . However, the masking foil can comprise the anchorage areas  29   b ,  31   b . The two anchorage areas  29   b ,  31   b  may also be attached in the housing  13  and can act as a blade retainer. Indeed, when the blades  12  are movable, the blades  12  can move toward the bottom surface  18  during shaving. When the blades  12  move toward the top surface  16  to return to their rest position (non-shaving), the movement of the blades may be stopped by stumbling against the masking foil  26 . As depicted in  FIG. 10 a   , each blade  12  may be borne by a bent support  21 . In another aspects, not shown in the figures, the blade(s) may comprise a cutting edge portion, a base portion and a bent portion intermediate the cutting edge portion and the base portion, which may be integrally formed. In another aspect, not shown in the figures, the blade(s) may not be borne by a bent support  21  and be welded below the masking foil. Therefore, the masking foil  26  can act as a shield for the blades  12 . Regardless of the elastic means  40 , the masking foil  26  can also be elastically biased along with the movable blades  12 . When the shaving cartridge  10  comprises also blade retainer  36 , the blade retainer  36 , together with the masking foil  26 , may secure the blades  12  in the cartridge  10 . In such configuration, i.e. where the blades  12  may be movable, the shaving cartridge  10  may comprise elastic fingers  19  (shown in  FIGS. 6 and 10   a ). Such elastic fingers  19  are for example described in the publication WO2007147420 (in name of BIC VIOLEX). The movement of the masking foil  26  may be therefore indirectly managed by the elastic fingers  19 . 
       FIGS. 12 a , 12 b , 12 c , 12 d , 12 e , 12 f , 12 g  and 12 h    illustrate different examples of possible pattern of the masking foil  26  where the angle α between the front portion  28  and the ribbon  32  may not be equal to 90°.  FIG. 12 i    illustrates another example of possible pattern of the masking foil  26 . 
     In  FIG. 12 a   , all the ribbons  32  may be oriented in the same direction. The angle α may be substantially equal to 20°. The ribbons  32  may extend transversally between the front edge  20  and the rear edge  22 , without contacting the securing portion  32 . 
     In  FIGS. 12 b  and 12 c   , all the ribbons  32  may be oblique but not oriented in the same direction. The masking foil  26  may be symmetrically separated in its middle, for instance, in the direction from one side edge to the other side edge  24 . The first half of the ribbons  32 , i.e. the ribbons  32  between the first side edge  24  and the middle of the masking foil  26  may be inclined in a direction whereas the second half of the ribbons  32 , i.e. the ribbons  32  between the middle of the masking foil and the second side edge  24 , may be inclined with the same angle α but in an opposite direction. The ribbons  32  may extend transversally between the front edge  20  and the rear edge  22 , without contacting the securing portion  32 . 
     In  FIG. 12 d   , the ribbons  32  may extend transversally between the two side edge  24 . 
     In  FIG. 12 e   , all the ribbons  32  may be oriented in the same direction. The ribbons  32  may extend transversally between the front edge  20  and the rear edge  22 . The ribbons  32  closest to the side edge  24  may contact the securing portion  32 . 
     In  FIG. 12 f   , the ribbons  32  may be oriented according a circumferential direction. Thus, the shortest ribbon may extend from and to the front edge  20 . The longest ribbon may extend between the frond edge  20  and the rear edge  22 . 
     Actually, any combination of number of ribbons and of their inclination angle can be provided on the masking foil:
         each of the ribbons of a masking foil can be inclined in the same direction, with the same angle α,   each of the ribbons of a masking foil can be inclined in the same direction, with different angles α from one ribbon to another one,   some of the ribbons of a masking foil can be inclined in opposite directions, with the same angle α,   some of the ribbons of a masking foil can be inclined in opposite directions, with different angles α from one ribbon to another one, etc.       

     Thus, the pattern of the masking foil can manage the direction of the hairs in relation to the cutting edge. The oblique ribbons  32  provide hair cutting effect which improves shaving comfort during shaving. 
       FIGS. 12 g  and 12 h    shows a masking foil  26  with particular ribbon patterns. Actually, as depicted in  FIG. 12 g   , the ribbons  32  form a skin contacting surface with a hexagonal configuration, like a honeycomb. In  FIG. 12 h   , ribbons  32  do not have a straight form. The ribbons  32  may comprise several circular shapes  42 . The pattern of shapes  42  can also be rhomboidal. 
     In another example, as depicted in  FIG. 12 i   , the shaving cartridge  10  comprises a masking foil  26  comprising an intermediate portion  33 . The intermediate portion may extend in parallel to the front edge  20  and the rear edge  22 . Each ribbon  32  may extend transversally from the front portion  28  or the back portion  30  to the intermediate portion  33 . In this configuration, the angle α may be approximatively 90°. The ribbons  32  which may extend from the front portion  28  to the intermediate portion  33  may be staggered with respect to the ribbons which may extend from the back portion  30  to the intermediate portion  33 . 
     In addition any combination of the configurations or patterns described above may be possible. The masking foil  26  can further comprise stainless steel. It can also comprise a material chosen among plastic material, composite, aluminum, aluminum alloys and/or noble metals chosen among gold or platinum. Metals such as aluminum and its alloys may improve corrosion and oxidation resistance of the blades  12  through anodic protection process. Thus, since the blade retainer  36 , which may comprise aluminum, may no longer contacting blades  12 , the masking foil may play the role of anodic protection. 
     In order to enhance functionality of the masking foil, it can comprise a wound healing and/or an anti-bacterial agent. The masking foil can also comprise a lubricating coating, such as hydrophobic or hydrophilic, such as polyfluorocarbon, for example polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or hydrogel coating. This coating provides a reduction of the friction between the shaving cartridge and the skin. 
     The masking foil can also have color properties. For instance, different colors can be provided on the masking foil in order to distinguish the male or female utilization. For instance, the masking foil can be blue when intended to a man shaving razor, and red or pink when intended to a woman shaving razor. 
     The masking foil can also be provided with a material which has properties allowing a changing of the color after a particular number of uses. For instance, the masking foil can be green when never utilized and red when worn. 
     In another example not shown in figures, in order to improve adaptability of the masking foil  26  on skin contours, the masking foil  26  may be placed above the top surface  16  of the shaving cartridge  10 . The bent portions  29 ,  30  may be wrapped around the front edge  20  and the rear edge  22 , extending toward the bottom surface  18  of the shaving cartridge. The masking foil  10  may act as a blade retainer  36 . 
     The description of the disclosure above is made in relation with a shaving cartridge  10  comprising one or several blades  12  provided in a housing  13 , in which the blade(s)  12  can be movably or fixedly retained in the housing  13 . But the disclosure is not limited to the previous features. The following examples can also apply to the masking foil of the disclosure. 
     In an example, illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the corrugations of the masking foil, as depicted in  FIG. 9 c    may comprise a lubricant or a shaving aid element. More precisely, the lubricant or the shaving aid element may be located on each concavity  57  of the corrugations. The height of the lubricant or the shaving aid element may be up to 1.0 mm, improving glideness of the shaving razor  10  on the skin during shaving and reducing skin bulge, nicks and cuts during shaving. When the lubricant or the shaving aid element is a hydrophobic material, the rinsability of the masking foil  26  may be improved. 
     In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the ribbons  32  may comprise bristles  56 . The bristles  56  may be flexible. The bristles  56  may have rounded tips. The height of the bristles  56  may be up to 0.6 mm, may be spaced at least about 0.3 mm from a next adjacent bristle  56  and may have a width defined at the respective root at least about 0.1 mm. The bristles  56  can move during shaving. The bristles  56  may face the top surface  16 . The bristles  56  may provide a soft contact with the skin during shaving, a massage of the skin during shaving. 
     In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the ribbons  32  may comprise sphere shaped protrusions  61 . The sphere shaped protrusions  61  may face toward the top surface  16 . The height of the sphere shaped protrusions  61  may be up to 0.6 mm. The sphere shaped protrusions  61  may provide a massage of the skin during shaving. 
     In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the ribbons  32  may comprise extruded protrusions  65 . The extruded protrusions may have a rectangular or a conical shape. The conical shape ends with an aperture  66 . The extruded protrusions  65  may face toward the top surface  16 . The extruded protrusions  65  may comprise lubricant or shaving aid, which may be stored in the apertures  66 . In addition, an electrical current can go through the masking foil  26 , the extruded protrusions  65  may be heated and the release rate of the lubricant or shaving aid may be increased. In another example, the extruded protrusions  65  may be covered by a polymer film. An electrical current can go through the masking foil  26 , the electrical current may control the porosity of the polymer film, the pores of the polymer film may expand and the release rate of the lubricant or the shaving aid from the apertures  66  may be increased. All the above-mentioned examples may improve hair removal and reduce irritations during shaving. 
     In another example, the masking foil  26  may have an organic pattern. The organic pattern may have the advantage to follow the skin contours and to guide the hair smoothly, providing a better hair alignment, smoother shaving and better hair removal. 
     In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the ribbon  32  may comprise pikes  58  as shark fins. The tip  59  of the pikes  58  may be oriented towards the back portion of the masking foil. The pikes  58  may be oriented toward the top surface  16 . The base  60  of the pikes  58  may be oriented towards the front portion  28  of the masking foil  26 . The height of pikes  58  may be up to 0.6 mm. The pikes  58  may provide a mechanical exfoliation of the skin, as a pre-shave skin preparation phase. In addition, the pikes  58  may provide a dermo-dynamic feature, improving glideness of the shaving razor  10  on the skin during shaving. 
     In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the ribbons  32  may comprise rounded protrusions  62 . The rounded protrusions  62  may face toward the top surface  16  of the housing. The height of the rounded protrusions  62  may be up to 0.6 mm. The rounded protrusions  62  may eliminate the bulging effect that may happen during the shaving. 
     In another example, when the masking foil  26  is not fixedly mounted in the housing and does not cover partially the cutting edge  15  of all the blades  12 , for example as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the blades  12  that are uncovered by the masking foil  26  can be movable, or fixedly mounted in the housing  13 . Moreover, the cutting edges  15  may have different exposure, between −200 μm to +200 μm. In addition, the masking foil  26  may improve hair removal and reduce nicks and cuts during shaving. 
     In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the shape surface of the masking foil  26  may be corrugated. The tip  63  of each corrugation may be sharp. Each corrugation  63  can be used for stabilizing and regulating the angle of each blade  12 . The angle (also called shaving angle) may be the angle between the upper surface of the blade  12  and the shaving plane S at rest position (non-shaving). The shaving angle may be between 5° and 30°. The shaving angle of each blade may be the same, totally different, progressive or any combination thereof. For example, when the shaving cartridge  10  comprises five blades, the shaving angle θ 1  of the first blade  12   a  may be smaller than the shaving angle θ 2  of the second blade  12   b . Likewise, the shaving angle θ 2  of the second blade  12   b  may be smaller than the shaving angle θ 3  of the third blade  12   c . The blade angle θ 3  of the third blade  12   c  may be smaller than the shaving angle T 4  of the fourth blade  12   d . The shaving angle θ 4  of the fourth blade  12   d  may be smaller than the shaving angle θ 5  of the fifth blade  12   e . In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 20 , each corrugation may comprise two tips  63 . The first tip  63   a  may correspond to the cutting edge  15  of the blade  12  located below. The second tip  63   b  may correspond to an additional tip located above the blade  12 . This masking foil may reduce the total number of strokes during shaving. In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 21 , the shape surface of the masking foil  26  may be corrugated. The corrugations  64  may be located on the side of the front portion  28  of the masking foil  26 . In further aspects, the corrugations  64  may dispersed in another part or in the whole surface of the masking foil  26 . Actually, each corrugation  64  has an amplitude different from each other. The amplitude may be up to 0.6 mm. For example, the amplitude A 1  of the corrugation  64  of the first blade  12   a  may be larger than the amplitude A 2  of the corrugation  64  of the second blade  12   b . Likewise, the amplitude A 2  of the corrugation  64  of the second blade  12   b  may be larger than the amplitude A 3  of the corrugation  64  of the third blade  12   c . The amplitude A 3  of the corrugation  64  of the third blade  12   c  may be larger than the amplitude A 4  of the corrugation  64  of the fourth blade  12   d . The amplitude A 4  of the corrugation  64  of the fourth blade  12   d  may be larger than the amplitude A 5  of the corrugation  64  of the fifth blade  12   e . In the example depicted, the amplitude A 5  may be null. In another example, each corrugation  64  may press each blade differently. Each blade  12  may have different or a progressive exposure, between −200 μm to +200 μm. For example, the first corrugation  64  of the first blade  12   a  may press the first blade  12   a  creating a negative geometry. Simultaneously, the second corrugation  64  of the second blade  12   b  may press the second blade  12   b  a little bit lower than the first and so on, till the fifth blade  12   e . In another example, the masking foil  26  may not comprise corrugations  64  above the forth blade  12   d  and/or the fifth blade  12   e . In this example, the masking foil may not press the forth  12   d  and/or the fifth blade  12   e . The forth  12   d  and/or the fifth blade  12   e  may have different geometry than the first blade  12   a , second blade  12   b  and the third blade  12   c . The corrugations  64  may reduce the shaving cartridge to skin friction, reduce skin bulge and improve hair alignment during shaving. 
     In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 22 , the ribbon  32  may form a kind of step  67 . Actually, the ribbon  32  may comprise as many steps  67  as blades  12 . The steps  67  may provide a better shaving on difficult areas of skin, for example the chin, reduce nicks and cut irritations during shaving. 
     In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 23 , the ribbons  32  may comprise small barbs. The small barbs may be split into clumps  69  along the ribbon  32 . The height of the clumps  69  may be up to 0.6 mm and the distance between two adjacent clumps  69  may be more that 0.1 mm. The small barbs may provide a mechanical exfoliation of the skin. For example, the mechanical exfoliation may be a sebum removal. 
     A masking foil  26  for a shaving cartridge ( 10 ), as shown for example in  FIG. 3 , can be made by using several methods, such as photo etching, laser cutting, stamping, electrical discharge machining, water jet cutting or electroforming. For example, the masking foil can be made of a flat strip of material. The strip has an upper portion and a lower portion. The material is chosen among plastic material, composite, aluminum, aluminum alloys and/or noble metals chosen among gold or platinum. The strip material may pass through a stamping station performing holes in the strip, forming the pattern of the masking foil  26 , as shown in  FIG. 10 a   . After stamping station the masking foil  26  may pass through a bending station. The bending station may comprise a slot which receives the strip. The upper portion and the lower portion of the strip project outside of the slot. The upper portion and the lower portion may be bent inwardly about a bending axis, forming a front bent portion  29  and a back bent portion  31  of the masking foil. The front bent portion  29  and the back bent portion  31  of the masking foil  26  may have the same or different radius of curvature. The radius of curvature can be range between 0.10 mm to 0.70 mm. In another example, an elastic means  40  may be formed between the front bent portion  29  and the anchorage area  29   b  of the masking foil  26  as visible in  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b   . The elastic means  40  can for example be a spring. An elastic means  40  can also be formed between the back bent portion  31  and the anchorage area  31   b . In another example, the lower portion of each anchorage area  29   b ,  31   b  may be bent outwardly forming a portion which may fit into each slot  13   a ,  13   b , as shown in  FIGS. 10 b  and 10 c   . In another example, the side edges of each ribbon  32  may be grinded or electrochemically etched, providing additional cutting edges of different profiles as shown in  FIGS. 19, 20 .