Title of Invention

"REPLACEABLE SHAVING CARTRIDGE"

Abstract

A shavirg system includes a replaceable shaving cartridge and a shaving razor handle. The replaceable shaving cartridje has a housing carrying blades, a guard, a cap, and a camming surface. The cartridge includes an interconnect meaber having a pivotal support structure that pivotally supports the housing and a base structure adapted to be removably and fixedly attached to the"handle. A shaving razor"handle has an elongated hand gripping structure and a cartridge support structure extending from an end of the land gripping structure. The cartridge support structure has an extension with outer side surfaces that mate with inwardly directed surfaces of a recess on the cartridge and an end surface with an opening. The extension has an asymmetrical shape to ensure proper orientation. A spring-biased plunger is retained in the cartridge support structure and extends through the opening of the cartridge support struct ire.

Full Text

The present invention relates to replaceable shaving cartridge. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to shaving systems having handles and replaceable cartridges. o 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 canridge have become dull from use, the cartridge is discarded, and replaced on the handle with a new cartridge. In some shaving systems the blades are rt'sihently mounted with respect to the cartridge housing and deflect under the force of skin contact during shaving. In some shaving systems the connection ot the cartridge to the handle provides a pivotal mounting of the cartridge with respect to the handle so that the cartridge angle adjusts to follow the contours the surface being shaved. In such systems, the cartridge can be biased toward an at rest position by the action of a spring-biased plunger (a cam follower) carried on the handle against a cam. surface on the- cartridge housing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a replaceable shaving cartridge comprising a blade housing, at least one blade carried by said housing, and base structure forming cartridge connecting structure to connect said housing to handle connecting structure of a handle, said housing being pivou-lly connected to said cartridge connecting structure, said cartridge connecting structure having a latching member that is movable to release said cartridge from said handle connecting structure. In general, in another aspect, the invention features a replaceable shaving cartridge having a housing carrying blades, a guard, and a cap. The cartridge also includes an interconnect member having a pivotal support structure that pivotally supports the housing about a pivot axis and a base structure adapted to be removably and fixedly attached to an extension at an end of a handle. The handle extension has outer side surfaces, and the base structure has a recess with inwardly directed side surfaces that engage a sufficient number of the outer side surfaces on the handle extension so ae to immovably position the base structure with respect to the handle extension. The bas« structure also fas an opening to the recess along an axis that is nonparallel with respect to the pivot axis. ~n general, in another aspect, the invention features a replaceable shaving cartridge having a housing carrying blades, a guard, and a cap. The cartridge also includes an interconnect member having a base structure adapted to be removably and fixedly attached to a handle extension that «jxtends from an end of a handle along an extension axis. The handle extension has outer side surfacet; and an asymmetrical section in a plane through the side surfaces perpendicular to the extension axis. The base structux-e has a recess that mates with the extension and has inwardly directad side surfaces that engage a sufficient number «jf the cater side surfaces along the asymmetrical extension so as to imnovably position the base with respect to the extension and to ensure proper orientation of the housing with respect to the handle. The base structure has an opening to the recess along an axis that is perpendicular to the plane. replaceable razor blade cartridge that includes a blade unit and cartricge connecting structure for connecting the blade uni - to a handle. The cartridge connecting structure has inwardly directed surfaces that partially define a handle-recaiving region and mate with outwardly directed surfaces on nandle connecting structure of the handle. The cartridge connecting structure also has a connection ant ranee to che handle-receiving region and a projection that extends into the handle-receiving region. The projection has a blocking surface facing the opposite direction from th-s connection entrance t D retain the handle connecting structure on the cartridge Connecting structure. In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a replaceable razor blade cartridge that includes a blade unit that is pivotally connected to a cartridge connecting structure that includes a latching member that is movable tc release the cartridge from a handle. Certain implementations of the invention include one or more of the following features. In certain implementationss the housing has a substantially -inobstru :ed rinsing region under the blades; he pivotal support structure has a pivot axis in front of he blades in the region of the guard. The shape of the ecess in the base may be a trapezoid, have six sides and/or >e flat in a direction parallel to the blades. In certain implementations: the base structure is map fitted onto the handle; the base structure has a detent md the handle has a mating depression adapted to receive ihe detent; alternatively the handle has a detent and the >ase structure lias a mating depression adapted to receive :he detent; plural detents and depressions are used. Alternatively, -he base structure is latchably secured to the handle. In certain implementations; the housing and the interconnect member are made from separate pieces of plastic. Alternatively, the housing and the interconnect member are made of the same piece of plastic, and the pivotal support structure is provided by a living hinge. Alter-natively, the pivot*! support structure is provided by a flexible plantic hinge portion that is made of material that is more flexible than the housing and connects the housing and interconnect member at a pivot region. In certain implementations: the pivotal support structure of tie interconnect member includes two arms having ends retained in recesses with openings at two sides of the housing; the ends of the arms snap into the recesses of the housing; the recesses are covered by clips to r«tain the ends of tfce arms within the recesses; the arias have lower surfaces that slide on upwardly-directed arcuate surfaces on the housing. In certain implementations: the housing has a camming surface for receiving a cam follower surface on a spring-biased plunger from the interconnect member; the interconnect nember has an opening to receive the spring- biased plunger; the camming surface permits pivoting in only one direction f7 om a rest position or permits different amounts of pivoting forward and backward from the rest position? the housing also has front and back stop surfaces that interact w-th the interconnect member. in certain implementations: the blades are loaded into the housinj from a top side of the housing; the blades are retained in the housing by clips that retain the interconnect menber at a bottom side of the housing; the housing carries three blades; the blades are spring biased (e.g., -ihe blades may be resiliently supported in the housing by spring arms integral with the housing; the guard is made of an elastomer and has flexible fins to engage the user's skin. In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method of making a replaceable shaving cartridge. A housing for carrying blades, an interconnect member having i pivotal support structure and a base structure adapted to be removably and fixedly attached to a handle are provided. The pivotal support structure is inserted into a recess in the housing. The pivotal support structure is retained in the recess. Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The retaining step includes snap fitting t.nd/or adding a clip. The blades may be added to the housiw? before adding a clip to retain the blades with the clip In gereral, in another aspect, the invention features a shwing razor handle having an elongated hand gripping structure and a cartridge support structure extending from an end of the hand gripping structure. The cartridge support structure has outer side surfaces that mate with invardly directed surfaces of a recess on a cartridge and an end surface with an opening. A spring-biased plunger is retained in the cartridge support structure and extends through the opcming of the cartridge support structx.re. certain implementations of the invention may include one or mora of thft following features. In certain implementations: the outer side surfaces provide an asyametrical shape to ensure proper orientation of the cartridje with respect to the handle; the spring-biased plunger is guided by a slot in the cartridge support structure; an ajector and snap fit ejector button are used to eject the cartridge; the ejector button has an inclined surface to facilitate attachment to the cartridge support structure; the ejector button slides on a guide surf acts in the cartridge support structure when pushing the ejector; the cartridge support structure has a track, and the ejector button has a c roove that slides on the track. In certain implementations: the plunger and th« ejectcr are b..ased in opposite directions by a spring; the plunger has a stop which retains the plunger within the cartridge support structure; the plunger has an arm with an inclined surface, the inclined surface and the stop extending above the plunger and being retained in the slot in tha cartridge support structure to guide the plunger; the stop has an inclined surface to permit the stop bo be inserted intc the cartridge support structure? the plunger has a rear gvide member to further guide the plunger. In certain implementations; the first end of the spring biase.', the plunger against the stop, and a second em of the sprinq biases the ejector against a bacK surface of the cartridg-j support structure; the ejector button and the cartridge susport structure have spring support portions to capture and guide the spring. In certain implementations: th« ejector Is a U-¬shaped clip having ejector anas and .narrower portions that engage the ejector button, and the cartridge support structure has a jna :ing guide surface along which the ejector arras and the narrower portions slide. In certain implementations: the cartridge support structure and the elongated gripping structure are made of a single piece of plastic. Alternatively, the cartridge support structure and the elongated gripping structure are made from separate pieces of plastic. In general, in another aspect, the invention features a shavinq razor handle having an elongated hand gripping structure and a cartridge support structure extending froa an end of the hand gripping structure. Th« elongated hand gripping structure includes a gripping portion including an elastomeric plastic outer gripping layer and a nonelastomeric plastic support layer thereunder having extensions that are press-fitted into the elongated hand gripping structure. In certain implementations: the elongated hand gripping structure is made of plastic and defines a recess in which a weigh: is disposed; the plastic is metallic-colored plastic. in general, in another aspect, the invention features a method of making a shaving razor handle. An elongated hand cripping structure and an attached cartridge support structure extending from an end of the elongated hand gripping structure and having a recess therein with an inwardly dlrectnd stop surface are provided. A spring and a plunger having in outwardly directed stop surface are inserted into tie recess until the outwardly directed stop surface passes che inwardly directed stop surface and is retained by the inwardly directed stop surface. Certain implementations of the invention may include one or mere of the following features: the ejector, is inserted into th-» recess; an ejector button is inserted into the cartridge support structure to push the ejector. In genera 1, in another aspect, the invention features a razor including a handle and a replaceable shaving cartridge including a pivotal housing and an interconnect menher. The housing carries blades, a guard, a cap, and has a camming surface. The interconnect Member has a pivotal suppoit structure that pivotally supports the housing and a central base structure having a recess and an opening from tho recess facing the camming surface. The handle has a cartridge support structure shaped to mate with the recess and » spring biased plunger with a caw follower surface extendi ig from the cartridge support structure and through the opening to act on the camming surface to bias the housing. In generalf in another aspect, the invention features a razcr having a replaceable shaving cartridge including a hov sing and an interconnect member. The housing carries at least one blade, a guard, and a cap. r,:he interconnect mc-mber has a pivotal support structure and a central base structure with a recess. A handle has a cartridge support structure including an extension shaped to mate with the recess, and a stepped portion has the same shape as the central base structure so as to continue the shape from the cartridge support structure to the central base structure. Certain implementations of the invention may include one or more oi the following features: the central base structure may be flat along an axis that is parallel to the blade, and ma:' also have a curved or beveled shape. Other * dvantages and features of the invention win be apparent frsm the detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof and from the claims. 1 trief Description of the Drawings Fig. i is a perspective view of a shaving razor according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a handle and a replaceable cartridge of the Fig. 1 razor separated from each other. Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the components of the Fig. 2 handle. Fig. 3\ is a diagrammatic sectional view, taken at 3A-3A of Fig. 2, of the Fig. 2 handle. Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the components oi: the Fig. 2 replaceable cartridge. Fig. 4A. is an exploded sectional view, taften at 4A-4 A of Fig. 14 of the components of the Fig. 2 replaceable cartridge. Fig. 5 is a partial plan view showing a cartridge support structure at the end of the Fig, 2 handle. Fig. ( is an elevation of a plunger of the Fig. 2 handle. Fig. ' is a partial sectional view, taken at 7-7 of Fig. 5, of tha Fig. 5 cartridge support structure. Fig. i; is a sectional view; taken at 8-3 of Fig. 5, of the Fig. 5 cartridge support structure. Fig. ) is a partial sectional view, taken at 9-9 of Fig. 5, of tl-e Fig. 5 cartridge support structure. Fig. 10 is a plan view of an ejector used in the Fig. 5 cartridge support structure. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the Fig, 6 plunger, Fig. i: is an elevation of an ejector button used in the Fig. 5 cartridge support structure. Fig. i: is an elevation of the Fig. 2 replaceable cartridge. Fig. 1-, is a plan view of the Fig. 13 replaceable cartridge. Fig. 1:5 is a bottom view of the Fig, 13 replaceable cartridge. Fig. i-> is a side view, partially broken away, showing a housing of the Fig. 13 cartridge in an unbiased pivotal position with respect to a base structure of the cartridge pricr to connection to a handle. Fig. 17 is a side view, partially broken away, of the Fig. 13 cartridge in a biased position after connection to a handle. Fig. 13 is a side view, partially broken away, showing the r Fig. 13 is a sectional view of an extension of the Fig. 2 handle Fig. 20 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of an extension of the Fig. 2 handle. Figs. 21 and 22 are side views of alternative embodiments o: cartridges having different pivotal support structures. Desrription of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, shaving razor 10 includes handle 12 and replaceable shaving cartridge 14. As shown in Fig. 2, cartridge 14 is removable from handle 12. cartridge 14 includes housing 16, which carries three blades 18, guard 20 and cap 22. Cartridge 14 also includes interconnect member 24 on which housing 16 is pivotally mounted. Interconnect member 24 includes base 27, which removably and fixedly atraches to asymmetrical extension 26 (Fig. 19) on handle 12, and two arms 28 that pivotally support housiig 16 at'its two sides. Refen ing to Fig. 3, handle 12 includes metallic colored plastic component 30 as a primary structural member on which the remaining components are mounted. Elongated portion 32 of component 30 has recess 34 for receiving metal (e.g., zinc) weight 36, which is sandwiched between plastic gripping portions 38 and 40 to provide a hand-gripping structure in the completed unit. Plastic gripping portions 38 and 40 are made of an elastomeric plastic outer gripping layer 37 (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer) and a nonel-aatotneri^ plastic support layer 39 (e.g., of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) thereunder made by two-color molding. The nonelastomeric plastic support layer has extensions 41 that are press-fitted into weight 36 in elongated portion 32. Fig. 3A illustrates the undeformed shape of extension 41 (in phantom) and the interference fit made by it at projection 43. Cartr idge support structure 42 extends from the end of elongated portion 32. It includes trapezoid shaped extension 26 (see Fig. 19) and the components that provide a spring-biasec plunger action for biasing of housing 16 rolatives to interconnect: member 24, It also includes components tlat provide for ejection of cartridge 14 from handle 12. sprinj-biased plunger 44, spring 46, and U-shaped ejector 48 are received within recess 49 of cartridge support structure 42, Ejector button 50 is received in opening 52 on the top surface of support structure 42 and has bottom extensions 54 that are received within rectangular r ;gion 56 at the back narrow portion of ejector 48. Referring to Figs. 4, 4A and 15, housing 16 of cartridge 14 :as inwardly facing slots 58 in side walls 60 for rt-ceiving the edges of the base portions 59 of blades is and respective resilient arms 62 (Fig. 15) on which each blade 18 is rjsiliently supported. Blades 18 are located in a substantially unobstructed region 64 between side walls 60 to provide fo- ease of rinsing of the cartridge during use. Cap 2; provides a lubricous shaving aid and is received in slot 66 at the rear of housing 16. Cap 22 may bo made of a naterial comprising a mixture of a hydrophobia material and i water leachable hydrophilic polymer material, as is known in the art and is described, e.g., in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,113,585 and 5,454,164, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Guard 20 includes a finned elastomeric unit mounted at the front of housing 16 to engag-3 and stretch the user's skin; other skin engaging protrusions, e.g., as described in U,S Patent No. 5,191,712, which is hereby incorporated by reference, can be used. Clips 68 are secured at the respective sides of housing 16 inside of raised edges 70 of side walls 60 in order to retain blades 18 within housing 16 and to locate the cutting edges of the spring-biased blades at a desired exposure. Clips 68 also wrap around the bottom of housing 16 and prevent the'removal of pivotal'support ends 72 of arms 28 of interconnect member 24. Base structure 27 has an opening 74 ai. the top through which spring-biased plunger 44 of the handle passes to act on a cam surface (not shown in Fig. 4) on the bottom of housing 16. Base structure 27 may have a curved or beveled shape. Figs. 5-12 and 19 show the details of plunger 44, ejector 48, button 50, and cartridge support structure 42. Referring to F:.g. 5, recess 49 within cartridge support structure 42 has wide front portion 76 for receiving arms 78 of ejector 48 .Fig. 10) and a narrower portion 80 for receiving narrower portion 82 of ejector 48. Rectangular region 56 at narrow portion 82 of ejector 48 is generally aligned with opening 52 at the upper surface of support structure 42, -.hough rectangular region 56 is movable with respect, to opening 52 along slide axis 83 as ejector 48 is pushed outward by ejector button SO. Referring to Figs. 8 and 12, each extension 54 -of ejector button 50 has an outwardly directed groove 84 that slides on a respective track 86 within opening 52 along axis 83. The upper surfaces 85 defining grooves 84 slide on the upper surfaces 89 of tracks 86, and the lower surfaces 91 defining groves 84 effect capture on or abut the lower surfaces 93 of tracks 86. Extensions 54 have inclined surfaces 87 thit coact with the curved upper corners of tracks 86 to daflect extensions 54 inward as button 50 is inserted into cartridge support structure 42. When grooves 84 on extensions 54 align with tracks 86, extensions 54 substantially ceturn to their undeflected position and lock ejector button 50 in place within opening 52. Ejector 48 is placed within recess 49 before button 50 is inserted so that the ends of extensions 54 will be located within rectangular region 56 so as to retain ejector 48 within cartridge support structure, 42. Extensions £4 push against surfaces 94 of ejector 48 when ejector button 50 is pushed toward the end of handle 12. After button 50 has been inserted, upper vertical surfaces 96 of extensions 54 sit within the space between upper surfaces 98 of opening 52. Spring 46 (Fig. 3) extends through the space between extensions 54 and is guided by the curved lower surface of spring guide £0 on button 50. As shown in Fig. 8, the lower surface defining recess 49 also has a curved central portion 92 to receive and guide spring 46. As shovn in Figs. 6 and 11, plunger 44 has flat: body 106, cylindrical rear extension 100 for receiving spring 46 (Fly. 3), curved front cam follower portion 102 for acting on the camminc surface 136 (Fig. 18) of housing 16, side arras 104, and aligned rear guide portions 108. Flat body 106 is positicned within the flat front portion of recess 49 (Fig. 6) , The portions of side arms 104 and aligned rsar guide portions 108 above and below body 106 are located within slots 110, 112 located on both sides of asymmetrical extension 26. Side arms 104 have stop surfaces 114 that prevent forwaid movement of plunger 44 beyond the front end of slot 110 or 112. The portions of side arms 104 and guide portions 108 ebove and below recess 49 within slots 110, 112 act as guides to guide the sliding action of plunger 44 along axis 83, Side arms 104 have inclined surfaces 120 to cause downward bias; ng of arms 104 when plunger 44 is inserted into recess 4 Referring to Figs. 5 and 9j one surface of asymmetrical nxtension 26 includes depressions 122 for receiving detimts within base structure 27 of cartridge 14 in order to r-jtain cartridge 14 on extension 26. In manufacture oi? handle 12, the hand gripping components ar-i assembled by first inserting weight 36 into recess 34, and then press-fitting extensions 41 of components 38, 40 into aligned apertures in weight 36. Weight 36 and components 38, 40 are locked in place by the interference f .t between extensions 41 and projections 43, and elastomeriu layer 37 deforms to provide a seali. between the side walls of elongated portion 32 of plastic component 30 and weight *6. (Fig. :3A shows the undeformed shapes; of the components in phantom.) In assembling the components of cartridge support structxire 42 a; the end of handle 12, ejector 48 is first inserted into recess 49. Spring 46 and plunger 44 are then inserted. inclined surfaces 120 of side arms 104 are biased during insertion toward the middle of the recess and then snap into slot 110 or 112 (depending on plunger orientation) locking plunger 44, spring 46, and ejector 48 in place in cartridge support structure 42. Spring 46 acts both to bias ejector 48 backward against the surfaces of recess 49 and button extensions 54 and to bias plunger 44 forward, stop surfaces 114 being biased against the forward edges of slot 110 or 112. Button 50 is inserted into opening 52 after ejector 48 has been inserted into position. Inclined surfaces 87 are biased inward by the curved upper portions of rails 86, and ejector button 50 is snapped into place with tracks 8€ being located within grooves 84. Figs. L3-18 show further details of replaceable cartridge 14 end its pivotal movement. Referring to Fig. 13, interconnect member 24 is shown assembled to housing 16 with pivotal support ends 72 retained by clips 68. It is seen that baso structure 27 has a trapezoidal shaped recess 130 that has Lhe same shape as extension 26 and mates with extension 26. Referring to Pig. 15, housing 16, shown before the other cartridge components have been assembled or it, has recesses 132 .n which the pivotal support ends 72 on the ends of arms ;>8 are received. Arms 28 deflect as support ends 72 are it serted through the openings to recesses 132 and then snap back to an undeflected orientation after ends 72 are within recesses 132 to retain ends 72 in place. Referring to Figs. 4A and 9, detents 132 within recess 130 of base 27 mate with depressions 122 of asymmetrical Referring to Pigs. 16-18, it is seen that each pivotal support end 72 has a lower curved surface 138 that slides on upp«»r curved surface 140 of housing 16, providing a pivot axis .it the center of a circle that includes surface 140. The pivat axis thus is in front of the blades in the region of guard 20. Fig. 16 shows housing 16 in an unbiased position in wiich pivotal support ends 72 support the front surface of guide wall 16:2. Fig. 17 shows the forwardly biased position for housing 16, in which case the forward surface of pi/ot support ends 72 are pushed up against a forward wall portion of housing 16. This is the at rctst position for nousing 16 prior to shaving. The forwarclly-biased at rest position is achieved by contouring camming surface 136 so that plunger 44 having cam follower surface 102 has an at rest position near the front of housing 16, as shown in Fig. 18. Fig. .8 shows the range of pivotal motion for housing 16. During shaving, cap 22 will initially contact the user's sUn, and housing 16 will pivot clockwise »nd generally follow the contours of the user's face, being biased by pli nger 44. The cap up initial orientation will cause the ble.de closer to cap 22 to initially be pushed against the i.kin more than the blades closer to the guard. However, the pivot at the region of guard and the light return force c mse the cartridge to be "guard heavy1' during shaving/ with i higher load on the guard than the cap. The three blades a;:e provided with progressive initial exposures, def .ned as the perpendicular distance or height of the blade edge measured with respect to a plane tangential to nhe skin contacting surfaces of the cartridge components immediately in front of and behind each blade, in particular, the primary blade has a negative initial exposure, the tecond blade has zero initial exposure, and the third blade has positive initial exposure. The spring constants and {reloads for the blades are the same, and the blades have "piogressive force" distribution during shaving; i.e., the force on the third blade is greater than the force on the first blade, and the force on the second blade is intermediate tc the forces on the first and third blade.5 or equal to the fcrce on either the first or third blade. It is believed that beneficial shaving results are achieved when cartridges with three resiliently mounted blades exhibit, during shaving, such a progressive force pattern. Qthejv Embodiments Other enbodiiwante of the invention are within the scope of the appended claims. The base strupture could be held on the housing with a releasable latch. The lolades could b« loaded from the bottom instead of the top. The cartridge support structure could be made as a unit separate from the handle and attached to it* In place of frapezoidal extension 26 (Fig. 19), a six-sided extension 226 (Fig. 20), or other asymmetrical shape could be employed. The pivotal connection could be provided by pins in respective holes, shell bearings, and other techniques. E.g., referring to Fig. 21, the pivotal support structure could be provided by a flexible plastic hinge portion 200 that is made of material that is more flexible than the housing 202 ani connects the housing 202 and interconnect member 204 at a pivot region 206; these components could be made by two-color molding. Alternatively, referring tcj Fig. 22, the housing 208 and the interconnect member 210 may be made of the same piece of plastic, and the pivotal support structure may be provided by a living hinge 212. A living hinge could also be used with housings and interconnect: members of different plastics. What is claimed is; WE CLAIM I A replaceable shaving cartridge (14) comprising a blade housing I Id), at least one blade (18) carried by said housing, and base structure (27) forming cartridge connecting structure to connect said housing (16) handle connecting structure (26) of a handle (12), said housing being pivotally connected to said cartridge connecting structure, said cartridge connecting structure having a latching member (132) that is movable to release said cartridge (14) from said handle connecting structure. 1. A replaceable shaving cartridge (14) having a housing (16) carrying one ;>r more blades (18), a guard (20), and a cap (22), wherein said i-artridge has a camming surface (136), an interconnect member (24) having a pivotal support structure (28) that unbiasedly pivotally supports said housing (.16) and a base structure (27) adapted to be removably and W lixedly attached to a handle (12), said interconnect member (24) providing access to said camming surface (136) by a spring-biased cam lollower (44) on said handle (12). ; A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in either claim 1 or 2, wherein said housing has a* unobstructed rinsing region under said 4 A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ramming surface permits said housing to pivot in only one direction from an at rest position. 5 A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pivotal support structure has a pivot axis in front of said blades (18) in the region of said guard. 6 A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in 1 or 2, wherein said base structure (27) is attached to an extension (26) at an end of a handle I 1 2), said extension (26) having outer side surfaces, and in that said base structure (27) has a recess (130) with inwardly directed side surfaces to engage a sufficient number of said outer side surfaces so as to immovably position said base with respect to said extension. 7. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base structure (27) has a handle extension entryway permitting entry of said extension (26) to said recess (130) alone a recess axis that is non parallel with respect to the pivot axis. 8 A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 7, wherein said extension (26) mates with said recess (130) of said base via insertion along said recess axis. 9 A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 6, wherein said recess (130) has an asymmetrical shape to ensure proper orientation of said housing with respect to said handle. 10. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 6, wherein said outer side surfaces define a trapezoidal shape, and said inwardly directed side surfaces of said recess (130) to ensure proper orientation of said housing with respect to said handle. 11. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 6, wherein said recess (130) has an asymmetrical shape to ensure proper orientation of said housing with respect to said handle, and wherein said shape is : rapezoidal. 12. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 6, wherein said recess (1 30) has an asymmetrical shape to ensure proper orientation of said housing with respect to said handle, and wherein said shape has six sides. 13. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 6, wherein said recess has a flat shape in a direction parallel to said blades. 14. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said base structure (27) is snap fitted onto said handle (12) 15 A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 6, wherein said base- structure (27) has a detent (132), arid said handle (12) has a mating depression (122) to receive said detent. 16, A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 6, wherein said i Kindle has a detent and said base structure has a mating depression to receive said detent. 17 A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said base structure (27) is latchably secured to said handle (12). 18. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said housing (16) and said interconnect member (24) are made from separate pieces of plastic. 19 A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said housing and said interconnect member are made of the same piece of plastic, and said pivotal support structure is provided by a living hinge 20. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pivotal support structure is provided by a flexible plastic hinge portion (.200) that is made of material that is more flexible than said housing and connects said housing and interconnect member at a pivot region. 21. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pivotal support structure of said interconnect member has two arms (28) liaving ends retained in recesses (131) with openings at two sides of said housing (16). 22. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pivotal support structure of said interconnect member has two anus (28) liaving ends retained in recesses (131) with openings at two sides of said housing (16), and in that said ends of said arms snap into said recesses of said housing. 23. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pivotal support structure of said interconnect member has two arms (28) having ends retained in recesses (131) with openings at two sides of said iuuising (16), and in that said recesses are covered by clips (68) to retain said ends of said arms (28) within said recesses. 24. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pivotal support structure of said interconnect member has two arms (28) liaving ends retained in recesses (131) with openings at two sides of said housing (16), and in that said ends of said arms have lower surfaces (138) that slide on upwardly-directed arcuate surfaces (140) on said hou -.ing. 25. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said mu-ivonnect. member has a cam follower opening (74) through which said spring-biased cam follower passes. 26. t\ replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said i amnung surface permits said housing to pivot from an at rest position to a greater extent in one direction than in another direction. 27. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said housuig has front and back stop surfaces that interact with said imeiconnect member to limit pivoting of said housing. 28. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said olades are loaded into said housing from a top side of said housing. 29. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said blades are loaded into said housing from a top side of said housing, arid in that said blades are retained in said housing by clips (68) that retain said interconnect member at a bottom side of said housing. 30 A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said housing carries three blades. 31 A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein sciid blades are spring (62) biased. 32 A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said blades are resiliently supported in said housing by spring arms (62) that trc integral with said housing. 33. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said guard (20) has an elastomer. 34. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cap (22) has a lubricous shaving aid component. 35. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pivotal support structure has a pivot axis in front of said blades in the region of said guard (20), in that said housing carries three spring-biased blades (18), in that said guard (20) has an elastomer, and in that said cap 122) has a lubricous shaving aid component. 36. A replaceable shaving cartridge as claimed in claim 7, wherein said imvt rdh directed side surfaces immovably position said base with respect to said housing along two orthogonal axes that are perpendicular ID said recess axis. 37 A. replaceable shaving cartridge substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Documents:

887-del-1997-abstract.pdf

887-del-1997-claims.pdf

887-del-1997-complete specification (granted).pdf

887-DEL-1997-Correspodence Others-(29-06-2011).pdf

887-del-1997-correspondence-others.pdf

887-del-1997-correspondence-po.pdf

887-del-1997-description (complete).pdf

887-del-1997-drawings.pdf

887-del-1997-form-1.pdf

887-del-1997-form-13.pdf

887-del-1997-form-19.pdf

887-del-1997-form-2.pdf

887-DEL-1997-Form-27-(29-06-2011).pdf

887-del-1997-form-4.pdf

887-del-1997-form-6.pdf

887-del-1997-pa.pdf

887-DEL-1997-Petition-137-(29-06-2011).pdf

887-del-1997-petition-137.pdf