| abstract |
A novel razor cartridge includes at least one non-cutting element disposed anywhere within a blade array between a guard and a cap and/or in a blade position of a frame providing skin/hair management. This non-cutting element allows the fine-tuning of parameters such as blade-skin contact, hair orientation, blade spans and rinse-through gaps in manners that improve shaving comfort, closeness, efficiency, and/or rinse-ability. The non-cutting element may include projections, fin-like elements, comb-like features having teeth, exfoliation or lubricating capabilities. By having a fixed non-cutting element disposed midway in a blade array, a multi-stage cartridge is provided with a middle control point with potentially different functionality before and after the non-cutting element. The non-cutting element is not attached to another blade in the blade array though it may be manufactured as a modified blade support, attached to a blade support, or as part of the frame or the clips. |