Skin Engaging Member For A Razor Cartridge

1 . A method of making a skin engaging member for a razor cartridge, comprising:

a) providing a precursor comprising a first water soluble shaving aid dispersed in a matrix of a water insoluble polymer, wherein the precursor includes an upper surface region defining a thickness;

b) applying a powdered second water soluble shaving aid to an outer surface of the upper surface region; and

c) mechanically pressing the second water-soluble shaving aid to embed the second water soluble shaving aid into the upper surface region;

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the upper surface region has a combined first and second water soluble shaving aid gradient in the thickness so that a combined first and second water soluble shaving aid content in an upper surface region portion closer to the outer surface is higher than the combined first and second water soluble shaving aid content in an upper surface region portion remote from the outer surface.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface is dampened prior to step b).

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the precursor is one of an injection molding and an extrudate.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein when the precursor is an extrudate the extrudate is in continuous form before step b) and is cut to a length to suit the razor cartridge after step c).

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein, when the precursor is an extrudate, step c) is performed by an application of a roller.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein a perimeter of the roller is heated to a temperature between 100 C and 250 C, preferably 175 C.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein a perimeter of the roller is textured to impart a texture to the outer surface.

9 . The method of claim 4 , wherein, when the precursor is an injection molding, step c) is performed by an application of a reciprocating die.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the die is heated to a temperature between about 100 C and about 250 C, preferably 175 C.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the die is textured to impart a texture to the outer surface.

12 . The method of claim 4 , wherein step b) is performed by one of sprinkling the second water soluble shaving aid on the outer surface and, when the precursor is an extrudate, drawing the extrudate through a volume of the second water soluble shaving aid.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the volume of the second water soluble shaving aid is agitated at one of a sonic and an ultrasonic frequency.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein both the first and the second water soluble shaving aids comprise polyethylene oxide.

15 . A skin engaging member for a razor cartridge, comprising:

a precursor comprising a first water soluble shaving aid dispersed in a matrix of a water insoluble polymer, wherein the precursor includes an upper surface region having an outer surface and defining a thickness; and

a powdered second water soluble shaving aid embedded in the upper surface region;

wherein the upper surface region has a combined first and second water soluble shaving aid gradient in the thickness so that a combined first and second water soluble shaving aid content in an upper surface region portion closer to the outer surface is higher than in the combined first and second water soluble shaving aid content in an upper surface region portion remote from the outer surface.

16 . The skin engaging member of claim 15 , wherein both the first and the second water soluble shaving aids comprise polyethylene oxide.

17 . The skin engaging member of claim 15 , wherein the outer surface is textured.