Utility blade dispenser
First Claim
1. A blade dispenser for dispensing blades having a predetermined blade configuration comprisinga blade dispensing housing, said housing comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall extending between said top wall and said bottom wall, a front wall extending between said top and bottom walls and spaced from said back wall by a distance substantially corresponding to the width of said blade to be dispensed from said dispenser, and a pair of spaced apart side walls extending between said front and back walls and said top and bottom walls for defining an enclosed housing having a hollow interior substantially corresponding to said blade configuration, one of said side walls having a dispensing slot therein adjacent said top wall for dispensing said blades therefrom, said top wall having a guide slot in communication with said dispensing slot in said one side wall for guiding said blades out of said dispensing slot anda substantially L-shaped blade carrier slidably mounted within said blade dispensing housing carrying said blades to be dispensed thereon, said blade carrier having a blade carrier platform extending between said back and front walls and an upstanding wall portion extending from said blade carrier platform, said top wall having a slot therein through which said upstanding wall portion extends for enabling said blade carrier to be lifted upwardly through said top wall slot for positioning one of said blades in a dispensing position adjacent said dispensing slot, said upstanding wall portion of said blade carrier comprising a first ratcheting member and said back wall comprising a second ratcheting member, said first and second ratcheting members engaging to form a ratchet for enabling said blade carrier to move upward and said housing to move downward with gravity to sequentially position said blades in a dispensing position adjacent said dispensing slot while preventing reverse movement of said blade carrier platform.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A utility blade dispenser for dispensing and disposing utility or razor type blades (5) is disclosed. A disposable transparent thermoplastic housing (1) shaped to correspond with the shape of the utility blade (5) to be dispensed is provided. The housing (1) is hinged to allow the blades (5) and a blade carrier (18) to be inserted in the housing (1) at the time of manufacture, and then be sonically welded. Dispensing (14) and guide (16) slots are provided to guide blades (5) from inside the housing (1) out through the dispensing slot (14). The blades (5) are supported in the housing (1) on a blade carrier (18) which is upward and downward moveable in the housing (1). The blade carrier (18) includes a support hole (21) for mounting the dispenser on a wall. The rear (6) of the housing (1) includes a track of ratcheting teeth (26) which engage a pawl member (28) on the rear of the blade carrier (18) to minimize movement between the housing (1) and carrier (18). As utility blades are used and the blade carrier (18) moved upward, a disposal chamber (30) is formed between the bottom of the blade carrier (18) and the bottom of the housing (12). A disposal slot (32) and an upward protrusion (34) on the housing bottom (12) allow used blades to be inserted into the disposal chamber (30), and prevent them from falling outward.
59 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A blade dispenser for dispensing blades having a predetermined blade configuration comprising
a blade dispensing housing, said housing comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall extending between said top wall and said bottom wall, a front wall extending between said top and bottom walls and spaced from said back wall by a distance substantially corresponding to the width of said blade to be dispensed from said dispenser, and a pair of spaced apart side walls extending between said front and back walls and said top and bottom walls for defining an enclosed housing having a hollow interior substantially corresponding to said blade configuration, one of said side walls having a dispensing slot therein adjacent said top wall for dispensing said blades therefrom, said top wall having a guide slot in communication with said dispensing slot in said one side wall for guiding said blades out of said dispensing slot and a substantially L-shaped blade carrier slidably mounted within said blade dispensing housing carrying said blades to be dispensed thereon, said blade carrier having a blade carrier platform extending between said back and front walls and an upstanding wall portion extending from said blade carrier platform, said top wall having a slot therein through which said upstanding wall portion extends for enabling said blade carrier to be lifted upwardly through said top wall slot for positioning one of said blades in a dispensing position adjacent said dispensing slot, said upstanding wall portion of said blade carrier comprising a first ratcheting member and said back wall comprising a second ratcheting member, said first and second ratcheting members engaging to form a ratchet for enabling said blade carrier to move upward and said housing to move downward with gravity to sequentially position said blades in a dispensing position adjacent said dispensing slot while preventing reverse movement of said blade carrier platform.
Specification