Shaving razors and cartridges
View Patent ↗Connecting structures are provided, for connecting a cartridge to a handle in a shaving razor, e.g., a razor for wet shaving. A cartridge connecting a structure includes a molded body, and a blade unit receiving portion having a shell bearing structure that pivotally receives a blade unit, the shell bearing structure comprising a pair of shell bearings. The cartridge connecting structure further includes a spring return for biasing the blade unit relative to the cartridge connecting structure, the spring return being positioned between the shell bearings and extending integrally from the molded body of the cartridge connecting structure.
1. A replaceable razor blade cartridge comprising:
a blade unit, and
a cartridge connecting structure for connecting the blade unit to a handle, the cartridge connecting structure comprising a molded body,
the cartridge connecting structure having inwardly directed surfaces that partially define a handle-receiving region and mate with outwardly directed surfaces on a handle connecting structure of the handle; and
the cartridge connecting structure having a connection entrance to the handle-receiving region, and a projection that extends into the handle-receiving region, the projection having a blocking surface facing the opposite direction from the connection entrance to retain the handle connecting structure on the cartridge connecting structure; and
the cartridge connecting structure also having a blade unit receiving portion having a shell bearing structure that pivotally receives the blade unit, the shell bearing structure comprising a pair of shell bearings; and
the cartridge connecting structure having a spring return for biasing the blade unit relative to the cartridge connecting structure, the spring return being positioned between the shell bearings and extending integrally from the molded body of the cartridge connecting structure.
2. A cartridge of claim 1 wherein the blocking surface blocks retraction, of the handle connecting structure from the cartridge connecting structure when in a latched position and permits retraction of the handle connecting structure from the cartridge connecting structure when in an unlatched position.
3. A cartridge of claim 1 further including a latching member that includes an engagement structure that is movable from an initial position to a deflected position, the blocking surface moving from the latched position to the unlatched position as the engagement structure is moved from the initial position to the deflected position.
4. The cartridge of claim 3 wherein the handle connecting structure of the handle has an ejector that is extendible from the handle, and the engagement structure is aligned with the ejector.
5. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the spring return includes a bent portion.
6. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the cartridge connecting structure further includes a pair of arms that extend integrally from the molded body, and each of the shell bearings is positioned at a terminal end of a respective arm.
7. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the cartridge connecting structure is configured so that the blade unit is biased only by the spring return.
8. The cartridge of claim 7 wherein the spring return extends from an outer surface of the molded body adjacent an end of the handle-receiving region of the cartridge connecting structure, defining a closed end of the handle-receiving region.
9. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein said blade unit comprises a primary blade and a rearward-most blade, said rearward-most blade being located rearward of said primary blade, and a pivot axis is located not forward of said primary blade and not rearward of said rearward-most blade.