US20080196740A1

US20080196740A1 - Shave Cream Applicator

Info

Publication number: US20080196740A1
Application number: US11/916,794
Authority: US
Inventors: Vittorio J. Velho
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-08
Filing date: 2006-06-08
Publication date: 2008-08-21
Also published as: CA2510410A1; WO2006130996A1; CA2654696A1

Abstract

An applicator for shaving cream and method of applying shaving cream comprising a handle, and a flexible blade of closed cell EVA foam. The blade has opposing faces tapered from thickest at the handle to thinnest at the tip of the blade. Each face comprises a “U” shaped valley with two arcuate through-hole slots for the transfer of shaving cream from one face to the other, such slots being oriented substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the applicator, a plurality of generally horizontal ribs for holding the shaving cream, a plurality of generally vertical ribs to assist in keeping the blade mostly flat, and a plurality of generally vertical through-holes along a “U” shaped side wall for the transfer of shaving cream between faces. In use, excess shaving cream is transferred from one face to the opposing face via through-holes in the blade for use with the opposing face.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to shaving, and more specifically, to apparatus and methods for spreading shaving cream over a person's skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays aerosol shaving cream is commonly dispensed from a canister onto a person's fingers and then spread over the person's face or other skin surfaces to be shaved. Shaving cream tends to cling to the person's fingers which make it necessary for the person to wash his or her hands before handling a razor. If a second application of shaving cream is required for a closer shave, these steps must be repeated. A traditional bristled shaving brush may be used as an applicator, eliminating the need to wash the person's hands before handling the razor. However, such a brush is more suited to creating lather through a circular motion against soap than to applying shaving cream dispensed from a canister. Also, a brush must be thoroughly washed after use as shaving cream remaining in the brush tends to make the bristles stick to one another, leaving the brush stiff and difficult to use.
Canadian Patent No. 1,288,391 issued to Ray McLennan on Sep. 3, 1991 describes a shaving cream applicator with a hollow wedge-shaped spreader. The spreader is formed of a plastic foam and comprises fine passageways that extend between the hollow interior and the exterior of the spreader. Shaving cream is delivered under pressure to the interior and is ultimately discharged through the passageways onto the exterior of the spreader. It is not apparent how readily shaving cream can be cleaned from the passageways after use, and the applicator would appear susceptible to clogging if residual shaving cream dries in the passageways.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel shaving cream applicator and associated methods of applying shaving cream that avoid shortcomings associated with the prior practices identified above.
In one aspect, the invention provides an applicator for applying shaving cream to a person's skin. The applicator comprises a handle and a flexible blade attached to the handle. The blade has a pair of opposing faces and a set of elongate slot through-holes that extend between the faces, the slots being oriented substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the applicator. Such through-holes allow better transfer of excess shaving cream from one face to the other face, as explained more fully below.
In another aspect, the invention provides an applicator for applying shaving cream to a person's skin. The applicator comprises a handle and a flexible blade attached to the handle. The blade has a pair opposing faces and a set of through-holes that extend between the faces for the transfer of excess shaving cream from one face to the other face. The applicator additionally provides an additional through-hole in the blade proximate the top of the handle which acts as a trap for excess shaving cream to reduce or prevent the flow of shaving cream along the blade and onto the handle which may otherwise soil the handle making the handle slippery and difficult to use. The trap also serves to direct the bending of the blade away from the top of the handle and across the trap causing the blade to bend further away from the handle allowing better access of the applicator surface to a person's face.
In another aspect the invention provides for an applicator having a handle and a flexible blade attached to the handle, the blade having a pair of opposing faces. In this aspect each of the two opposing faces are provided with a valley having at least one valley wall, a valley base, and a set of through-holes that extend between the valley base of each face for the transfer of shaving cream between the valley base of each of the two faces.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of using such an applicator to apply shaving cream to a person's skin. The method comprises applying shaving cream to one face of the applicator blade. The person then positions the applicator by means of its handle so as to contact the shaving cream with the person's skin and simultaneously displaces the applicator to spread the shaving cream. The through-holes reduce or prevent the shaving cream from sliding or flowing freely along the blade when oriented substantially vertically or when the applicator is actually used to spread shaving cream over the skin. Instead, the through-holes tend to trap shaving cream, and excess shaving cream eventually passes through the holes and accumulates on the opposite face of the blade. The applicator may then be manipulated by means of its handle to contact the shaving cream that has accumulated on the opposite face of the blade with the person's skin, and to simultaneously displace the applicator thereby spreading the excess shaving cream. These steps may be repeated to spread a desired quantity of shaving cream but typically the opposing faces will be interchanged just a single time.
Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the description of the embodiments below and as defined in the appended claims. For the purposes of this specification, the term “shaving cream” should be understood as encompassing shaving foams, shaving gels and other compositions commonly dispensed from a canister and adapted to lubricate the skin to allow smoother shaving. A “through-hole” should be understood as a hole extending fully through opposing surfaces of an object and accessed from either surface of the object. The term “set” should be understood as identifying a non-empty set; that is, a set comprising one or more members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood with reference to drawings illustrating various embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first applicator embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second applicator embodying the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a third applicator embodying the invention;

FIG. 4 shows the applicator of FIG. 3 with its spreading blade sectioned in a vertical plane in vertical section to reveal a flexible core;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a Method of applying shaving cream;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a fourth applicator embodying the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of the fourth applicator taken along line 7-7;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a blade of the fourth applicator;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the fourth applicator;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the fourth applicator;

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of a fifth applicator embodying the invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the fifth applicator;

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of a blade of the fifth applicator;

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the fifth applicator; and

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of the fifth applicator.

In the drawings, applicator components with the same general function or structure in all three embodiments are indicated with the same reference numeral.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a first embodiment of the invention, an applicator 10. The applicator 10 comprises a flexible blade 11 and a handle 12 attached to the blade 11 to permit manipulation of the applicator 10. In this embodiment, the handle 12 is shaped also to serve as a base that stably supports the applicator 10 in a vertical orientation, as shown in FIG. 1.
The blade 11 has a central lengthwise axis 13 which is shown vertical in the drawings and which incidentally constitutes the central lengthwise axis 13 of the applicator 10 itself. In the orientation of FIG. 1, the blade 11 may be seen to comprise a relatively narrow, lower end portion 14 which is attached to the handle 12, and an opposing, relatively broad, upper end portion 15 which is distant from the handle 12 and free to deflect. The upper end portion 15 of the blade 11 has a smooth side edge 16 and rounded corners 17 to avoid injury to the person's skin, and provides an expanded surface area where shaving cream is applied to the applicator 10 itself.
The blade 11 has a pair of opposing faces 18, 19 and a set of through-holes 20, 21 (two in this embodiment) that extend between the opposing faces 18, 19. Each of the through- holes 20, 21 is an elongate arcuate slot oriented substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis 13 of the blade 11, and is substantially horizontal when viewed in the vertical orientation of the applicator 10 shown in FIG. 1. The lower through-hole 21 is located centrally in the blade 11, and the other, upper through-hole 20 is formed in the upper end portion 15 of the blade 11. The length of each through- hole 20 or 21 increases with distance from the handle 12. Thus, the upper through-hole 20 is not only concentric with the lower through-hole 21 but proportionately longer. In one embodiment the arcuate slots are 3-3.5 mm high which is sufficient for the transfer of shaving cream between the apposing faces. Thus, when shaving cream is applied to the one face 18 of the blade 11, specifically at the broad upper end portion 15, and the applicator 10 is oriented substantially vertical while in use, as in FIG. 1, instead of excess shaving cream sliding outwardly or downwardly along the blade 11, a significant portion of the excess shaving cream is received by the through- holes 20, 21, passes along the through- holes 20, 21 to the opposite blade face 19, and accumulates on the opposite blade face 19, also for application to a person's face. Although the inventor has found that a slot height of between 3-3.5 mm to be advantageous, others with skill in the trade will recognize that other heights may be useful.
Reference is made to FIG. 2 which illustrates a second applicator 22 embodying the invention. The second applicator 22 is similar to the first applicator 10, and like reference numerals have been used to indicate like components. There are two principal differences: first, the edge 16 of the blade 11 associated with the second applicator 22 is rounded in a more pronounced fashion; and, second, the through- holes 20, 21 associated with the second applicator 22 are flared. Each of the through- holes 20, 21 has a cross-sectional area that increases progressively from the blade face 19 to the blade face 18 where shaving cream is initially applied. Such flaring of the through- holes 20, 21 is conducive to transfer of shaving cream from the one face 18, where shaving cream is initially applied, to the other opposing face 19.
The blade 11 is may be formed of flexible, closed-cell Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam injected into a mold of appropriate shape. The closed-cell construction ensures that debris is not readily trapped and makes washing of the applicator 10 very simple. Also as there is almost no water absorption by the closed cell material, there is little or no moisture retention, thus reducing or preventing bacterial growth and increasing hygiene. Blade 11 may also be made from closed cell plastic foam, thermo plastic elastomers, thermo plastic rubber, silicone PVC, neoprene rubber, silicone, foamed rubber, foamed plastic, or other suitable material. Without restricting the generality of the foregoing, these materials may also be used for blades 11 and 58 of fourth applicator 30 and fifth applicator 50 respectively.
Reference is made to FIGS. 3 and 4 which illustrate a third applicator 23 embodying the invention. The principal difference relative to the first and second applicators 10, 22 is the two-piece construction of its blade 11, namely a flexible core 24 which may be formed of cork or rubber, and an outer casing or covering 25 formed of leather that conceals the core 24. Edges of the covering 25 are trimmed in the through- holes 20, 21 and at the circumferential edge 16 of the blade 11. Outer casing or covering 25 may also be made of vinyl or other smooth material which may be easily cleaned. It should also be recognized that in this embodiment that the core 24 may be made from any flexible and resilient material as only the casing or covering need be capable of easy cleaning.
Reference is made to FIGS. 6 to 10 which illustrate a fourth applicator 30 embodying the invention. The fourth applicator 30 is similar to the first applicator 10, and like reference numerals have been used to indicate like components. The principal difference relative to the first applicator is a generally triangular through-hole 31 in narrow lower end portion 14 of blade 11. Upper side 45 of generally triangular through-hole 31 is substantially perpendicular to lengthwise axis 13 of blade 11. In use fourth applicator 30 will bend substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis 13 of blade 11. Blade 11 of fourth applicator 30 bends mostly towards upper side 45 of generally triangular through-hole 31. Without generally triangular through-hole 31, or other similarly located through-hole blade, 11 tends to bend mostly from the top of handle 12. Providing generally triangular through-hole 31, directs the bending of blade 11 further above the top of handle 12, providing a better angle of application for applicator surface 46 of blade 11 against a users face. It is to be understood that blade 11 will bend mostly at bend edges 48 which are within primary bend zone 47 which is bounded by the upper and lower limits of generally triangular through-hole 31, such a limits being substantially perpendicular to lengthwise axis 13. While shapes which weaken bend edges 48 closer to the top of primary bend zone 47 such as a triangle or a gibbous have been found to be more advantageous, many other shaped holes, whether geometric shapes or not, would allow the blade 11 to bend within the primary bend zone 47. Examples of the shapes of such other holes being circles, squares, slots, or ovals.
Another difference in fourth applicator 30 relative to first applicator 10, second applicator 22 and third applicator 23 is that an alternate embodiment for the construction of handle 12 is provided. Handle 12 consists of a front handle portion 34 and a back handle portion 35, and a bottom handle portion 37. In assembled condition, front handle portion 34 and back handle portion 35 are joined along handle seam 36.
The upper end of handle 12 contains a blade cavity 41 for securing mounting section 43 of blade 11. The inside sides of blade cavity 41 comprises one or more teeth 40 for better securing faces 18, 19 of mounting section 43 of blade 11 within blade cavity 41, when handle portions 34, 35, are in an assembled condition. In one embodiment, the one or more teeth 40 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis 13 of blade 11, and comprises a plurality of single teeth 40 which run substantially the entire width of opposing faces 18, 19, of mounting section 43 of blade 11.
The blade 11 of fourth applicator 30 also comprises at least one and preferably two mounting holes 38 through mounting section 43 of blade 11 for insertion into blade cavity 41 of handle 12 to better secure blade 11. Back handle portion 35 comprises an inner mounting post 39 for each of mounting holes 38 in blade 11. Front handle portion 34 comprises an outer mounting post 42 for each of mounting holes 38. The outside diameter of outer mounting posts 42 is substantially the same diameter as mounting holes 38. Outer mounting posts 42 are positioned in mounting holes 38 of blade 11 in a substantially friction fit. Handle portions 34, 35, are pushed together such that inner mounting posts 39 nest inside outer mounting posts 42 through mounting holes 38, thus securely holding mounting section 43 of blade 11 in blade cavity 41 of handle 12. Handle portions 34, 35, may be held together by any means known in the art, including snap fittings, gluing, welding, screwing, taping, or other known fastenings means.
Handle bottom 37 may be a separate piece from handle portions 34, 35, and may be held in place by similar means. Alternatively, handle bottom 37 may be integral to one of handle portions 34, 35, or may be divided in 2 and be integral to both handle portions 34, 35. Handle 12 comprises handle grips 32, which further comprise ridges 33.
Reference is made to FIGS. 11 to 15 which illustrate a fifth applicator 50 embodying the invention. The fifth applicator 50 is similar to the fourth applicator 30 and like reference numerals have been used to indicate like components. The principal differences in fifth applicator 50 are a lengthwise tapered blade 58, valleys 56, valley wall 52, valley base 59, wall sides 57, generally vertical through-holes 53, generally horizontal ribs 55, generally vertical ribs 54 and generally gibbous through-hole 51.
Lengthwise tapered blade 58 tapers from a maximum thickness at the bottom of blade 58, where same meets the top of handle 12, to a minimum thickness at the tip 27 of tapered blade 58 tapered. Blade 58 comprises a generally “U”shaped valley 56 defining a “U” shaped valley wall 52. Wall sides 57 of the “U”shaped valley wall sides 57 taper outwardly from lengthwise axis 13 along opposing faces, 18, 19 from narrow lower end portion 14 of blade 58 to broad upper end portion 15 of blade 58. Valley 56 is bounded by wall 52, valley 56 having valley base 59. Valley base 59 on each of faces 18, 19 together may be substantially of equal thickness except for generally horizontal ribs 55 and generally vertical ribs 54. Vertical ribs 54 help to keep valley base 59 in a substantially flat orientation for applying shaving cream to a person's face, and help to concentrate bending of blade 58 across generally gibbous through-hole 51. Generally gibbous through-hole 51 performs substantially the same function as generally triangular through-hole 31 of fourth applicator 30. Bend edges 48 of fifth applicator 50 tend to bend most close to where the width of generally gibbous through-hole 51 is widest perpendicularly to lengthwise axis 13 of blade 58.
Generally vertical ribs 54 may be of other shapes and configurations, but vertical ribs direct, and allow, for shaving cream to flow lengthwise off ribs 54 along valley base 59 towards the tip 27 of blade 58 with the least resistance.
Valley base 59 may comprises a plurality of generally horizontal ribs 55 oriented substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis 13 of blade 58. Generally horizontal ribs 55 may be elongate arcuate ribs generally concentric with one another and concentric with through- holes 20, 21. The length of each elongate arcuate rib 55 may increase with distance from the handle 12.
Generally horizontal ribs 55 across valley bases 59 of faces 18, 19, provides grip to the shaving cream to assist in depositing shaving cream on a person's face, thus reducing the drifting of shaving cream through through- holes 20, 21 and towards to the tip 27 and side edges 16 of blade 58.
Fifth applicator 50 also comprises a plurality of generally vertical through-holes 53 along wall sides 57. Generally vertical through-holes 53 may be angled outwardly along wall sides 57. Although generally vertical through-holes 53 need not be strictly vertical, nor need they abut wall sides 57, such generally vertical through-holes are generally tapered outwardly to follow the contour of wall sides 57, in order to catch excess shaving cream before it overflows wall 52. Generally vertical through-holes 53 through valleys 59 are located along wall sides 57 between through- holes 20, 21, and along wall sides 57, between the tip 27 of blade 58 and through-hole 20.
Through- holes 20, 21 and 53 may also have rounded inside edges for allowing excess shaving foam to pass through blade 58 with as little resistance as possible, and with as little irritation to the face or other skin surface of a user. Similarly side edge 16 may be rounded to allow for easier movement with potentially less resistance along the face or other skin surface of a user, especially movements at least partially lateral in nature, or substantially circular in nature. The tops of the junctions between faces 18, 19 and valley walls 52 and the junctions between valley walls 52 and valley bases 59 are also rounded to reduce friction and irritation and to aid in cleaning of the applicator.
FIG. 5 illustrates a method of applying shaving cream to a person's skin using the applicators 10, 22, 23, 30, 50. The first step S1 is of course to provide applicator 10. A quantity of shaving cream is then applied to the one blade face 18 of the applicator 10, as indicated at step S2. The shaving cream applied to the one blade face 18 is then spread (as indicated by step S3) over the skin. The spreading step S3 involves positioning the applicator 10 so as to contact the shaving cream on blade 11 with the skin, as indicated at step S3-1, and simultaneously displacing the applicator 10 relative to the skin (which may be in a circular motion), as indicated at step S3-2. One advantage of the construction is that hairs tend to be drawn into the through- holes 20, 21, allowing shaving cream lodged in the through- holes 20, 21 to be thoroughly applied to the hair. Such spreading incidentally passes excess shaving cream through the through- holes 20, 21 to the opposite blade face 19 where such excess shaving cream accumulates. The excess shaving cream accumulated on the opposite blade face 19 is then spread over the skin, as indicated at step S4. The spreading step S4 effectively involves rotating the applicator 10 about its lengthwise axis 13 and positioning the applicator 10 so as to contact the excess shaving cream with the skin, as indicated in step S4-1. The spreading step S4 also involves simultaneously displacing the applicator 10 relative to the skin, as indicated at step S4-2. If excess shaving cream still remains on blade face 18 of blade 11, the spreading steps S3 and S4 may be repeated until no significant quantity of shaving cream remains on the blade 11. It is expected, however, that only a single rotating of applicator 10 between blade face 18 and blade face 19 will normally be required to transfer substantially all shaving cream originally applied to the blade 18 to the person's face. The steps S2 through S4 may be repeated until the skin surface to be shaved is completely covered. Although the above method has been illustrated with reference to applicator 10, the methods herein are equally applicable to applicators 22, 23, 30 and 50, and their corresponding parts.
It will be appreciated that particular applicator embodiments have been illustrated to exemplify the invention and that modifications and improvements may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
10 applicator
11 blade (applicator)
12 handle (applicator)
13 central lengthwise axis (blade)
14 narrow lower end portion (blade)
15 broad upper end portion (blade)
16 side edge (around blade)
17 rounded corners
18, 19 opposing faces (respectively “one face” and “other face”)
20, 21 through-holes (upper & lower respectively)
S1 providing applicator
S2 applying shaving cream to the one blade face
S3 spreading shaving cream over skin
S3-1 substep: contacting shave cream with skin
S3-2 substep: displacing applicator relative to skin
S4 spreading excess shave cream
S4-1 substep: contacting excess cream with skin
S4-2 substep: displacing applicator simultaneous with contacting
22 second applicator (FIG. 2)
23 third applicator (FIGS. 3 and 4)
24 core
25 outer casing or covering
26 trimmed edges of outer covering
27 tip (of blade)
30 forth applicator (FIGS. 5-10)
31 generally triangular through-hole
32 handle grip
33 ridges
34 front handle portion
35 back handle portion
36 handle seam
37 handle button
38 mounting holes
39 inner mounting posts
40 teeth
41 blade cavity
42 outer mounting posts
43 mounting section (of blade)
44 handle snaps
45 upper side (of generally triangular through-hole)
46 application surface (of blade)
47 primary bend zone
48 bend edge
50 fifth applicator (FIGS. 11-15)
51 generally gibbous through-hole
52 valley wall
53 generally vertical through-holes
54 generally vertical ribs
55 generally horizontal ribs
56 valley (in faces)
57 wall side
58 tapered blade
59. valley base

Claims

1. An applicator for applying shaving cream to a person's skin, comprising:

a handle;

a flexible blade attached to the handle, the blade comprising a pair of opposing faces and a set of through-holes extending between the faces such that excess shaving cream applied to either one of the faces passes through the set of through-holes and accumulates on the other of the faces, in which

the blade comprises a lengthwise axis; and,

each of the through-holes in the set is an elongate slot oriented substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis.

2. The applicator of claim 1 in which:

the blade comprises a narrow end portion fixed to the handle and an opposing broad end portion distant from the handle; and,

the set of through-holes comprises at least two elongate arcuate slots, each of the slots oriented substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis, and the length of each slot increasing with distance of the slot from the handle.

3. The applicator of claim 1 in which the blade is formed of at least one of a group comprising ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam;

closed cell plastic foam;

a thermo plastic elastomer;

a thermo plastic urethane.

4-6. (canceled)

7. The applicator of claim 1 in which the blade is formed of at least one of a group comprising silicone rubber:

soft PVC;

neoprene rubber;

silicone;

foamed rubber;

foamed plastic.

8-12. (canceled)

13. The applicator of claim 1 in which the blade comprises:

a core defining the general shape of the blade and the shape of the set of through-holes; and,

a leather covering overlaying the core.

14. The applicator of claim 1 in which the blade comprises:

a vinyl covering overlaying the core.

15. The applicator of claim 13 in which the core is formed of cork or rubber.

16. The applicator of claim 14 in which the core is formed of cork or rubber.

17. The applicator of claim 1 in which each of the through-holes in the set is flared, each of the through-holes having a cross-sectional area that increases progressively from the other face of the blade toward the one face.

18. An applicator for applying shaving cream to a person's skin comprising:

a handle;

a flexible blade attached to the handle;

the blade comprising a pair of opposing faces and a set of through-holes extending between the application surfaces of the faces such that excess shaving cream applied to either one of the faces passes through the set of through-holes and accumulates on the other of the faces;

an overflow collector through-hole in the primary bend zone of the blade between the application surfaces and the top of the handle for reducing the flow of shaving cream along the blade and onto the handle, and for directing the bending of the blade away from the top of the handle and across the overflow collector through-hole.

19. The applicator of claim 18 wherein the overflow collector is generally triangular shaped and oriented to direct bending of the blade away from the top of the applicator.

20. The applicator claim 19 wherein one side of the generally triangular shaped overflow collector is perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the applicator and furthest from the top of the handle.

21. The applicator of claim 18 wherein the overflow collector is generally gibbous shaped and oriented to direct bending of the blade away from the top of the applicator.

22. The applicator of claim 21 wherein the crescent portion of the overflow collector is symmetrical about the lengthwise axis of the applicator and furthest from the top of the handle and the semi circular portion of the overflow collector is symmetrical about the lengthwise axis of the applicator and closest to the top of the handle.

23. (canceled)

24. An applicator for applying shaving cream to a person's skin comprising:

a handle;

a flexible blade attached to the handle;

the blade comprising a pair of opposing faces and a set of through-holes extending between the faces such that excess shaving cream applied to either one of the faces passes through the set of through-holes and accumulates on the other of the faces;

a valley in at least one of the faces defining at least one side wall and a valley base, the set of through-holes extending through each valley base.

25. The applicator of claim 24 wherein each of the opposing faces comprises a valley defining at least one side wall and a valley base.

26. The applicator of claim 25 wherein each valley is generally “U” shaped.

27. (canceled)

28. The applicator of claim 24 wherein the thickness of the blade between the opposing faces tapers from thickest proximate the top of the handle to thinnest proximate the tip of the blade.

29-30. (canceled)

31. The applicator of claim 24 wherein the valley of the blade further comprises one or more than one generally horizontal ribs for holding shaving cream while being applied to a person's face.

32. (canceled)

33. The applicator of claim 26 further comprising one or more than one generally vertical through-holes through each valley base of the blade proximate at least one wall side.

34. (canceled)

35. The applicator of claim 26 wherein the valley comprises at least one generally vertical rib within the at least one wall proximate the handle for reducing the bending of the blade within the valley and concentrating the bending of the blade between the valley of the blade in the primary bend zone at the top of the handle.

36-39. (canceled)