EP3398735B1

EP3398735B1 - 2-in-1 safety razor system and blade unit for 2-in-1 safety razor system

Info

Publication number: EP3398735B1
Application number: EP17168948.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yvonne NEUMANN; Michaela Kohut; Jens Treu
Original assignee: Beiersdorf AG
Current assignee: Beiersdorf AG
Priority date: 2017-05-02
Filing date: 2017-05-02
Publication date: 2019-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-02
Also published as: EP3398735A1

Description

Field

Embodiments described herein relate to safety razor systems and blade units for safety razor systems.

Background

Safety razors are typically composed of a blade unit (or cartridge) connected, either detachably or fixedly (permanently fixed or integrated), to an elongate handle extending essentially in the direction of shaving. A safety razor with a detachable and disposable blade unit is known as a safety razor system. Blade units are known which have one or more parallel blades perpendicular to the shaving direction and thus to the handle, each defining a cutting edge, with blade unit elements positioned in front of and behind (rear of) the cutting edge(s) (referred to as a "guard" and a "cap", respectively) in a shaving direction. A shaving aid, such as a lubricating strip, is often incorporated in one or both of these blade unit elements to improve shaving performance and lubricating treatment of the user's skin.
The geometry of the safety razor can affect shaving performance. For example, while the geometry described above may provide good performance for shaving relatively flat, large skin surface areas such as legs, it may be less convenient for shaving more contoured, smaller, narrower or intimate skin surface areas particularly such as those in the bikini area, but also around the ankles, behind the knees and under the arms.
US 2011/017387A1 , US 2004/055159A1 , and WO 2015/007647A1 all disclose arrangements in which a razor unit is detachable from a handle. In each case the razor unit includes a connector, which is not suitable for gripping by the fingers if the razor unit is used alone for shaving.
It would be desirable to provide a safety razor which is suitable for all the body areas on which it may be used.

Brief Summary

Embodiments of the invention provide a razor unit for a safety razor system, comprising: a blade housing with a plurality of blades; a guard in front of the blades in the shaving direction; and a cap behind the blades in the shaving direction, together providing a shaving plane extending from a skin contacting surface of the cap to a skin contacting surface of the guard; a finger grip (25), the finger grip extending from the guard and forming a gripping portion for the fingers; and a connector (21) for detachable connection to an elongate handle (30) of the shaving razor system; wherein the connector is provided as a raised area of the finger grip on the opposite side from the skin contacting surfaces, allowing gripping by one or more fingers when the razor unit is used alone for shaving.
The finger grip may allow the razor unit to be used alone for shaving (without the elongate handle). In this configuration, it can be used in difficult-to-reach, small and sensitive places, such as the underarm (armpit) or bikini area. The connector may allow the razor unit to be used in conjunction with the elongate handle for easy handling on flatter, larger areas of skin.
The finger grip is a gripping portion for the fingers or auxiliary handle. It may be of any length (in a direction perpendicular to the blade length) suitable for gripping by human fingers. In one embodiment the finger grip extends by at least the same length as the distance between the guard and the cap. In another embodiment the finger grip extends at least twice as far as the distance between the guard and the cap.
The finger grip may also taper in width (measured parallel to the blades) from a full width proximate the blade housing, so that it does not obstruct movement of the blades over the skin when shaving.
The finger grip can extend at any angle from the guard. In one embodiment, the finger grip extends at an angle to the shaving plane and away from the skin in use (allowing one or more fingers or a thumb to be "underneath" the finger grip towards the skin, for improved gripping). In one embodiment the finger grip extends at an acute angle to the shaving plane, more preferably between 20 and 80 degrees, still more preferably between 30 and 70 degrees, most preferably between 45 and 50 degrees. Hence if the shaving plane is flat on the skin, the finger grip will stick up from the skin, allowing better manoeuvrability.
As a transition between the shaving plane and finger grip, the guard may bend away from the shaving plane towards the finger grip. This transition may form a series of straight surfaces (the shaving plane, guard and finger grip), or the guard may be curved.
The connector is provided on the finger grip on the opposite side of the razor unit from the skin contacting surfaces. The connector is formed as a raised area allowing gripping by one or more fingers when the razor unit is used alone for shaving. The raised area may have any suitable finish which differs from the rest of the finger grip, such as a soft-touch or tactile finish, to assist the user in positioning their fingers.
Any suitable parts can be used to construct the razor unit. In one embodiment, a moulded plastic body forms the connector and finger grip and surrounds the blades to form at least peripheral portions of the guard and cap. Additional layer/parts/finishes can be added to the moulded plastic body. For example a lubricating strip may be incorporated in the guard and/or cap.
In one embodiment, a lubricating strip is attached to the cap and/or blade of the razor unit, for example integrally attached by injection moulding. The lubricating strip may comprise an elastic material such as, for example, a moulded material including a water-soluble component (e.g., water-soluble polyethylene oxide) and a water-insoluble component (e.g., soft plastic such as elastomer resin as an elastic material). The weight proportion of the soft resin in the water-soluble component in relation to the weight of the entire lubricating pad can be set larger than the weight proportion of the water-soluble component in relation to the weight of the entire lubricating pad. For example, the elastomer resin can be set to have a weight proportion of not less than 30% such as, for example, a weight proportion of 50% or larger, and the water-soluble component can be set to have a weight proportion of not more than 50% such as, for example, a weight proportion of 15%. A lubricating strip can be injection-moulded to the guard together and simultaneously with a lubricating strip of the cap.
The moulded plastic body may provide a substantially flat surface opposite the connector, allowing gripping, for example by a thumb "underneath" the razor unit and towards the skin surface when the razor unit is used alone for shaving.
Another embodiment of the invention provides a safety razor system, comprising: a razor unit according to any of the above definitions; and an elongate handle having a proximal portion with a connecting portion to which the razor unit connector is detachably fixed and a distal portion.
The handle can be of any suitable shape. In one embodiment, the proximal portion bends towards the shaving plane. In particular, if the finger grip extends away from the shaving plane, then an arcuate bend in the handle back towards the shaving plane makes the safety razor system (razor unit and elongate handle) easy to pick up when the blades are facing downwards. With such a construction, the razor system may rest on a supporting surface on the guard and the distal end, with the blades spaced from the supporting surface
In one embodiment, there is a flexible portion in the connection between the razor unit and elongate handle (in the connecting portion and/or in the connector) allowing for movement between the razor unit and the handle when the connecting portion and connector are connected. Some flexibility in this connection can improve usability.
This flexible portion may belong to or form the connecting portion. It may be made of a flexible plastic insert which, for example, has an outer attachment to a non-flexible frame or rim. Such an insert can allow multidirectional movement within the frame. It can provide a sort of pivoting mechanism which allows the razor unit to pivot in any of three dimensional directions. An inner (male or female) part of the flexible insert may be used for connection to a (female or male) part of the connector on the razor unit.
In one embodiment, the inner part includes a substantially annular wall of the flexible plastic insert which snap fits (due to its flexibility and/or shaping) over a raised area of the finger grip which acts as the connector.
The safety razor system may be provided with a simple means of ejecting the razor unit from the elongate handle, for use of the razor unit alone or for replacement with a new razor unit if, for example, the blades of the razor unit are worn or dull. In one embodiment, a user may exert pressure (directly or indirectly) on an external surface of the flexible insert (for example on top of the razor opposite to the skin facing surfaces), forcing a projection on the opposite internal surface of the insert into contact with a surface of the connector to detach the razor unit.
In one embodiment, the projection extends parallel to and within the substantially annular wall.
The connecting portion and connector can have any desired shape. In one embodiment, the shape of the connecting portion and connector allow connection in a limited number of angular orientations of the razor unit to the elongate handle. For example, in a cooperating male and female connection, the parts may have rotational symmetry of order 1 or 2. With rotational symmetry of order 2, the angle of the finger grip to the shaving plane may obstruct the attachment to the elongate handle and thus not allow connection in only one of the two available orientations, so that a single angular orientation of the razor unit to the handle is allowed, in which movement along the handle axis in the shaving direction sweeps the shaving plane along the body with the blades perpendicular to the shaving direction.
In one embodiment the substantially annular wall of the plastic insert is essentially a hollow cylinder but includes two opposite internal flat sections, and the raised area forming the connector is essentially cylindrical but includes two corresponding flat sections on its periphery.
In a method embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a razor unit for a safety razor system, comprising: providing a blade housing with a plurality of blades; and moulding a plastic body to provide a guard to be in front of the blades in the shaving direction, and a cap to be behind the blades in the shaving direction, which gives a shaving plane extending from a skin contacting surface of the cap to a skin contacting surface of the guard, and a finger grip extending from the guard and forming a gripping portion for the fingers, the finger grip incorporating a connector for detachable connection to an elongate handle of the shaving razor system; wherein the connector is provided as a raised area of the finger grip on the opposite side from the skin contacting surfaces, allowing gripping by one or more fingers when the razor unit is used alone for shaving.
The plastic body may be moulded around the blade housing or around an external frame surrounding the blade housing, or the blade housing/frame may be fixed into a pre-fabricated moulding, for example using a snap fit.
The above indicated aspects and embodiments may be combined with each other to achieve the advantageous effects as described above. Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of Figures

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a razor unit from the underneath (skin side);
Figure 2 is another perspective view of the razor unit shown in Figure 1, but from the top (user side);
Figure 3 is a top view of the handle;
Figure 4 is bottom view of the handle and a top view of the razor unit shown in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the razor unit of Figure 1 when connected to the handle;
Figures 6(a) and (b) and (c) are views of an alternative razor system from the top, top perspective and bottom perspective, respectively;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the razor system unit shown in Figure 6 in use;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the razor unit shown in Figures 6 and 7 in use;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a razor system in use (blades not shown);
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the razor unit of Figure 9 in use; and
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a safety razor system held by a user before connection or after ejection;

Detailed Description of Embodiments

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that illustrate exemplary embodiments consistent with this invention. Other embodiments are possible, and modifications can be made to the embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the detailed description is not meant to limit the invention.
The term "underneath" is used to describe features of the razor unit that are positioned on the skin-contacting side of the blade unit (i.e., on a shaving-side or underneath of the razor unit), and the term "top" is used to describe features of the blade unit that are positioned on a side opposite the skin-contacting side of the razor unit (i.e., on a user side or on top of the razor unit).
Reference will now be made to Figures 1 to 11, which are views of a razor unit and safety razor system 100 including the razor unit 10, according to embodiments.
The razor unit 10 is shown in Figure 1 in perspective view from underneath (the skin side). It includes a blade housing 11, with parallel blades 12. There are five blades in this case, but more or fewer may be provided. They are attached to a blade carrier (not shown) which may rest on one or more sprung blade supports (also not shown). The blade housing 11 is a plastic member/assembly which contains these parts and forms a "rim" around the blades. Figure also shows the shaving direction and shaving plane P.
The blade housing sits within a plastic frame 13 incorporating the main part of the cap 14 and guard 15. The cap has a flat end, parallel to the blades, with curves to the sides of the razor unit. The cap contacts the skin behind the blades and includes a lubricating strip 16 approximately in the same plane as the blades. The guard contacts the skin in front of the blades and includes a lubricating strip 17 which curves away from the blade plane (shaving plane) towards the finger grip 25. The plastic frame is surrounded by a body 18 made of plastic, which may be moulded around the frame or attached thereto in a post-moulding step. The plastic body thus forms the periphery of the cap 14 and guard 15. The plastic body has an approximately curved triangular overall shape with one face formed by the flat end of the cap and two faces to the side of the blades, which converge towards a rounded end of the finger grip which joins the two side faces.
The elongate lubricating strip on the guard 17 and the elongate lubricating strip on the cap 16 may both extend at least along the full length of the exposed cutting edges of the blades, but the strip on the guard may be substantially wider than the strip on the cap. In this particular case, the elongate lubricating strip on the cap 16 has a length-to-width ratio of about 15:1 to 30:1, while the elongate lubricating strip on the guard 17 has a length to width ratio of about 5:1 to 10:1. The guard strip extends beyond the full length of the exposed cutting edges and tapers in length away from the blades, whereas the shorter cap strip is of approximately equal length to the exposed cutting edge and has rounded ends.
The composition of the lubricating strip/lubricating pad can include a gliding agent. Materials which may be selected as the gliding agent are: PEG-400/1,4-Butanediol/SMDI Copolymer, PEG-115M, PEG 45M, and PEG-5M, or a combination thereof. The composition of the lubricating strip/lubricating pad can include an antioxidant agent, for example Tocopherol. The composition of the lubricating strip/lubricating pad can include an anti-inflammatory agent, for example aloe barbadensis leaf juice. The composition of the lubricating strip/lubricating pad can include a backbone structure. Materials which may be selected as the backbone structure are: styrenic block copolymers and polystyrene, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the composition of the lubricating strip and the composition of the lubricating pad are the same, but this need not be the case.
Figure 2 is another perspective view of the razor unit shown in Figure 1, but from the top (or user side). The plastic body 18 includes a blade unit part 19 surrounding the blades, and a grip part 20 forming the finger grip, joined together at an angle of around 45 degrees, although this may vary considerably for different embodiments. Each part has a same or similar thickness from the top side to the underneath, of around 4-5mm, but the blade unit part 19 has a hole through its entire thickness to house the blades/the blade frame and the grip part 20 has a projection on its top side forming a connector 21.
The connector 21 top surface 22 is about the size of a fingerprint and has a slightly concave shape to comfortably accommodate a user's finger on its top surface. It may have a special tactile/soft touch finish (not shown) for improving a user's grip and/or reducing finger slipping when the user holds the razor unit 10 in the finger positioning shown, for example, in Figs. 8 and 10. Alternatively, or additionally, the razor unit 10 can have a textured surface, one or more grooves or dimples, or other anti-slip means/surface finish between the blade housing 11 and the connector 21 for users who prefer a finger positioning that is further forward on the razor unit 10 than that shown in Figs. 8 and 10. The connector extends at a perpendicular from the grip part, and has a side wall 23 which is slightly undercut, to allow a snap fit attachment to the connecting portion of the handle. The connector is of non-flexible material, for example, it may be of the same material as the plastic body and integrally formed therewith.
The handle 30 is shown in figure 3 from the top side. The handle includes a proximal portion 31 closer to the razor unit 10 and a distal portion 32 farther from the razor unit 10. The proximal portion 31 includes a flexible plastic insert 33 held within an essentially annular frame 38 of the main handle material, which is non-flexible and transparent, allowing the user a minimally obstructed view of the shaving area. The handle has a central narrower section between the proximal and distal portions to help handling.
The plastic insert has a "ripple" construction as seen from the top side and forms a pivot mechanism that allows the razor unit 10 to pivot back-and-forth in a plane perpendicular to the shaving plane P. The pivot mechanism can, of course, allow other pivoting motions such as side-to-side.
Figure 4 shows the connection and ejection structure on the handle and on the razor unit. The handle 30 is shown in figure 4 from the underneath side, revealing a projection 34 on the underneath of the plastic insert 33, which is used to eject the razor unit from the elongate handle, for use of the razor unit alone or for replacement with a new razor unit if, for example, the blades of the razor unit are worn or dull.
The user exerts pressure on the flexible insert by pressing on the top surface of the plastic insert, or by pressing on a cover over the top surface if one is provided. This forces the projection into contact with top surface 22 of the connector to detach the razor unit. The projection is a dome or frusto-conical solid section of the insert that extends parallel to and within a substantially annular wall 35.
The connector 21 on the razor unit includes two flat sections 24 on its periphery. The substantially annular wall acts as the connecting portion 37 of the handle. It is essentially circular in section, but includes two corresponding opposite internal flat sections 36.
The remainder of the annular wall may include a lip (not shown) extending inside the tip of the wall, which engages with the connector of the razor unit. Specifically, the flexible plastic insert stretches to allow the lip to pass over the top surface of the connector and into the undercut of the side wall 23.
The flat sections of the connecting portion and connector allow connection in two angular orientations of the razor unit to the elongate handle. However, the angle of the finger grip to the shaving plane obstructs the attachment to the elongate handle in one orientation (in which the handle crosses over the blades) and thus does not allow connection, so that a single angular orientation of the razor unit to the handle is allowed, in which movement along the handle axis in the shaving direction sweeps the shaving plane along the body with the blades perpendicular to the shaving direction.
Figure 5 shows razor unit 10 connected to handle 30, with shaving plane P between the skin contacting surfaces of the guard 15 and cap 14. The finger grip 25 is shown to include a shallow indent 26 which aids the user to sense where best to position their fingers. The proximal portion 46 of the handle arcuately bends towards the shaving plane, to permit the shaving system to rest on the guard 15 and the distal portion.
Figure 6a, 6b and 6c shows a variant of the shaving system from different angles. Parts of the variant that differ from the previously described razor system are explained below. In this variant, the handle includes an externally smooth flexible button area, which may be formed by a cover, and the plastic body 18 of the razor unit includes two through holes for wash-through, rather than a single hole.
Figure 7 shows the same shaving system in use, with a possible finger positioning on the elongate handle. Figure 8 shows the razor unit alone, with a possible finger positioning on the finger grip. Here, the connector is shown as a smooth disc projecting from the surface of the razor unit. It is provided with a "soft-touch" feel to distinguish the handling position.
Figures 9 and 10 show alternative finger positioning on the razor system and razor unit respectively. The blades are not depicted. One or more cutouts (just seen) in the side wall of the razor unit connector act as an alternative to the flat sections of the connector previously described.
Finally, Figure 11 shows the moment in which a razor unit 10 and handle 30 are connected to form shaving system 100. The same positioning can be used for ejection. Pressing the flexible button formed by the flexible plastic insert may eject the connector from the connection portion. In this variant, the razor unit is straight, with the finger grip and connector continuing without a significant angular deviation from the blade unit.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein.
For example, although embodiments are described in which the connector of the razor unit fits within the connecting portion of the handle, the opposite configuration may equally be provide.
Furthermore, in the embodiments, the connector is of rigid material and the connecting portion is flexible. However, the connector may be made of flexible material to allow a fit between the connector and connecting portion and to allow some movement between the razor unit and handle, and the connecting portion may be inflexible. Alternatively, both parts may be flexible.
Although embodiments are described in which the shaving aid comprises polymeric material having a lubricating property, the shaving aid may have, either alternatively or in addition, other, e.g., moisturizing, properties considered beneficial during shaving. Furthermore, the shaving aid can take a form other than a pad or a strip. Moreover, the skin-contacting surface of the shaving aid does not have to be smooth but can have, either alternatively or in addition, a finned, holed or other structure.
In the embodiments, separate lubricating elements, i.e., a lubricating strip and a lubricating pad, are provided, but such lubricating elements can be a unitary lubricating element which, for example, covers an area of the blade frame or other supporting structure around the blade housing. Furthermore, a lubricating strip need not be provided at all.
Although embodiments are described in which the lubricating strip and lubricating pad have particular dimensions, it will be apparent that shaving aids having other dimensions can be employed.
Although embodiments are described in which five parallel blades lying in a shaving plane are provided, the blade housing may comprise more than five blades or fewer than five blades, i.e., the blade housing may comprise at least one blade. When more than one blade is provided, these do not have to lie in a shaving plane, for example the blades could be staggered.
It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.
For example, expressions such as "perpendicular", "parallel", and the like are defined to mean "substantially perpendicular", "substantially parallel". Likewise, the dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "45%" is intended to mean "about 45%".
The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.
The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims.

Reference numbers

10: razor unit
11: blade housing
12: blades
13: plastic blade frame
14: cap
15: guard
16: lubricating strip on cap
17: lubricating strip on guard
18: plastic body
19: blade unit part of plastic body
20: grip part of plastic body
21: connector
22: connector top surface
23: connector side wall
24: connector flat section
25: finger grip
26: indent
30: handle
31: proximal portion
32: distal portion
33: plastic insert
34: projection
35: annular wall
36: flat section
37: connecting portion
38: frame
100: razor system

P: shaving plane

Claims

A razor unit (10) for a safety razor system (100), comprising:
a blade housing (11) with a plurality of blades;

a guard (15) in front of the blades in the shaving direction; and a cap (14) behind the blades in the shaving direction, together providing a shaving plane (P) extending from a skin contacting surface of the cap to a skin contacting surface of the guard;

a finger grip (25), the finger grip extending from the guard and forming a gripping portion for the fingers; and

a connector (21) for detachable connection to an elongate handle (30) of the shaving razor system; characterized in that

the connector is provided as a raised area of the finger grip on the opposite side from the skin contacting surfaces, allowing gripping by one or more fingers when the razor unit is used alone for shaving.
A razor unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the finger grip (25) extends by at least the same length as the distance between the guard (15) and the cap (14), preferably at least twice as far as the distance between the guard and the cap.
A razor unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the finger grip extends at an angle to the shaving plane (P), preferably at an acute angle, more preferably between 20 and 80 degrees, still more preferably between 30 and 70 degrees.
A razor unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guard (15) bends away from the shaving plane towards the finger grip.
A razor unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a moulded plastic body (18) forms the connector and finger grip and preferably surrounds the blades to form at least peripheral portions of the guard and cap.
A razor unit (10) according to claim 5, wherein the moulded plastic body (18) provides a substantially flat surface opposite the connector, allowing gripping by a thumb when the razor unit is used alone for shaving.
A safety razor system (100), comprising:
a razor unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims; and

an elongate handle (30) having a proximal portion (31) with a connecting portion (37) to which the razor unit connector is detachably fixed and a distal portion.
The safety razor system (100) according to claim 7, wherein the proximal portion (31) arcuately bends towards the shaving plane.
The safety razor system (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein one of the connecting portion (37) and the connector (21) comprises a flexible portion allowing for movement between the razor unit and the handle when the connecting portion and connector are connected.
The safety razor system (100) according to claim 9, wherein the flexible portion is of the connecting portion and is made of a flexible plastic insert (33) which has an outer attachment to a non-flexible frame (38) and an inner male or female part for connection to a female or male part of the connector respectively.
The safety razor system (100) according to claim 10, wherein when a user exerts pressure on an external surface of the flexible insert (33), a projection on the opposite internal surface comes into contact with a surface of the connector (21) and detaches the razor unit.
The safety razor system (100) according to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the shape of the connecting portion (37) and connector (21) allow connection in a limited number of angular orientations of the razor unit to the elongate handle.
A method of manufacturing a razor unit (10) for a safety razor system (100), comprising:
providing a blade housing (11) with a plurality of blades, and

moulding a plastic body to provide a guard (15) to be in front of the blades in the shaving direction, a cap (14) to be behind the blades in the shaving direction, which gives a shaving plane (P) extending from a skin contacting surface of the cap to a skin contacting surface of the guard, and a finger grip (25) extending from the guard and forming a gripping portion for the fingers, the finger grip incorporating a connector (21) for detachable connection to an elongate handle of the shaving razor system; characterized in that

the connector is provided as a raised area of the finger grip on the opposite side from the skin contacting surfaces, allowing gripping by one or more fingers when the razor unit is used alone for shaving.