US3785051A

US3785051A - Dispensing system for bonded razor blade cartridges

Info

Publication number: US3785051A
Application number: US00236723A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Dawidowicz; F Ferraro
Original assignee: Warner Lambert Co LLC
Current assignee: Warner Lambert Co LLC
Priority date: 1971-10-22
Filing date: 1972-03-21
Publication date: 1974-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-15

Abstract

The specific disclosure provides a dispensing system for bonded razor blade cartridges comprising a dispenser, a plurality of disposable cartridges in the dispenser, and a holder. Each of the cartridges has a T-shaped channel formed transversely thereof, and the holder has a plurality of supporting surfaces formed transversely thereof for sliding engagement with the T-shaped channel. The dispenser has a plurality of guide surfaces for aligning the supporting surfaces of the holder with the T-shaped channel of at least one of the cartridges. Means are also provided on the dispenser for abutting stop means on the holder when the supporting surfaces are in an improper alignment and for clearing the stop means when the supporting surfaces are in a proper alignment.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Dawidowicz et al.

[ DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR BONDED RAZOR BLADE CARTRIDGES [75] Inventors: Jan Dawidowicz, Fairfield; Frank A.

Ferraro, Trumbull, both of Conn.

[73] Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company,

Morris-Plaines, NJ.

[22] Filed: Mar. 21, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 236,723

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 191,665, Oct. 22,

[52] US. Cl. 130/402, 206/16 BC, 221/102, 30/32 [51] Int. Cl. B26b 21/24, A45d 27/24 [58] Field of Search 30/32, 34 R, 40, 30/40.2, 90; 206/16 B, 16 C, 16 BC; 220/20, 22; 221/102, 279, 307, 52; 312/35 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,650,378 3/1972 Kakiuchi 206/1 R 2,744,317

5/1956 Borden 30/40.2

[ Jan. 15, 1974 3,388,831 6/1968 Hansom l. 30/40.2 3,696,915 10 1972 Douglass 30/40x Primary ExaminerOthe1l M. Simpson Assistant Examiner-Gary L. Smith Attorney-James F. Powers, Jr. and Albert H. Graddis [57] ABSTRACT The specific disclosure provides a dispensing system for bonded razor blade cartridges comprising a dispenser, a plurality of disposable cartridges in the dispenser, and a holder. Each of the cartridges has a T- shaped channel formed transversely thereof, and the holder has a plurality of supporting surfaces formed transversely thereof for sliding engagement with the T-shaped channel. The dispenser has a plurality of guide surfaces for aligning the supporting surfaces of the holder with the T-shaped channel of at least one of the cartridges. Means are also provided on the dispenser for abutting stop means on the holder when the supporting surfaces are in an improper alignment and for clearing the stop means when the supporting surfaces are in a proper alignment.

17 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures Pmmm 15 mm Y 3.7851151 SHEEF m [if 4 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of U. S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 191,665, filed Oct. 22, 1971, for RAZOR HAVING TANDEMLY MOUNTED BLADES BONDED IN A DISPOSABLE CAR- TRIDGE.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to safety razors of a type having at least one blade permanently bonded in a disposable cartridge. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dispenser and dispensing system for such razor blade cartridges.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is known to permanently bond a blade having a single edge in a disposable cartridge. For example, U. S. Pat. Nos. 2,654,148 and 3,388,831 each disclose a razor blade permanently bonded in a disposable cartridge. Typically, a safety razor has a guard surface situated downwardly and outwardly from the cutting edge of a blade and'parallel to the cutting edge. The guard surface may be of the comb variety such as in U. S. Pat. No. 2,654,148, or formed by the outer surface of an elongated guard bar such as shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,388,831. An advantage of a blade permanently bonded in a cartridge is that it is possible to optimize the shaving angle defined by the relationship between the cutting edge and the guard surface to minimize the possibility of nicks and cuts and to maximize shaving efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing system for bonded razor blade cartridges comprising, in combination, a dispenser, a plurality of disposable cartridges in the dispenser, and a holder. Each of the cartridges has slidably engageable surfaces, and the holder comprises means for sliding engagement with the slidably engageable surfaces. The holder additionally comprises stop means for preventing sliding engagement with the engageable surfaces when the sliding engagement means is in an improper orientation. The dispenser has means formed thereon for guiding the sliding engagement means into sliding engagement with the slidably engageable surfaces, and means for abutting the stop means when the sliding engagement means is in improper orientation to thereby prevent the sliding engagement means from engaging the engageable surfaces.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispenser for a plurality of disposable blade cartridges, wherein each of the cartridges comprises slidably engageable surfaces extending transversely thereof. The dispenser comprises at least one opening extending transversely of the dispenser for permitting transverse movement of a holder having a plurality of supporting surfaces, and a plurality of guide surfaces formed on the dispenser to one side of the opening. The dispenser further comprises means between the guide surfaces for permitting passage of the supporting surfaces of the holder along the guide surfaces into sliding engagement with the slidably engageable surfaces of one of the cartridges when the holder is in a proper orientation with respect to the dispenser, and for preventing passage of the supporting surfaces into sliding engagement with the slidably engageable surfaces when the holder is in improper orientation with respect to the dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a cartridge and cartridge holder;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a blade seat of the cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the blade seat;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the upper part of the holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the holder;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative spring member for the holder;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dispenser;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an end perspective view of another dispenser;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are side elevation views of movable walls of the dispenser of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a used cartridge end of the dispenser of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the end shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is another cross-sectional view of the end shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment ofa used cartridge end for the dispenser of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the end of FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a cartridge 10 and a cartridge holder 11 constructed in accordance with a specific embodiment of co-pending application of Jan Dawidowicz and Frank A. Ferraro for RAZOR HAV- ING TANDEMLY MOUNTED BLADES BONDED IN A DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGE, Application Ser. No. 191,665, filed Oct. 22, I971. Co-pending Application Ser. No. 191,665 is incorporated herein by reference.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the blade cartridge 10 has a pair of tandemly mounted

blades

14, 15 bonded permanently between a cap 12 and a blade seat 13. The

blades

14, 15 each have a single cutting edge and are maintained in a separated state by a spacer 16. Ten spacer teeth 17-1 to 17-10 are shown protruding a slight distance from beneath the cutting edge of the top blade 14, but not to the cutting edge of the bottom blade 15. The only other portions of the spacer 16 shown in FIG. 1 are two

spacer stop members

108, 109 which extend upwardly and forwardly and abut vertical rear surfaces of a pair of spaced blade

seat stop members

21, 22.

The cartridge 10 has six ports 18-1 to 18-6 formed at the rear of the cap 12 by downwardly extending cap members 42 46. Shaving residue including shaving cream and cut hair passes through the ports 18-1 to 18-6 from channels (not shown) formed between adjacent pairs of teeth 17-1 to 17-10 and on the outside of the teeth.

A guard bar 19 having a plurality of longitudinal serrations 20 extends between the blade

seat stop members

21, 22. The guard bar 19 is spaced from the body portion of the blade seat 13 by a plurality of ribs 23 such that shaving residue can also flow from the cutting edge of the bottom blade 15 downwardly between the guard bar 19 and the blade seat 13.

The cartridge is assembled so that the cutting edge of the bottom blade is in abutting engagement with the rear vertical surfaces of the blade

seat stop members

21, 22. The

spacer stop members

108, 109 are also in abutting engagement with the rear vertical surfaces of the blade

seat stop members

21, 22. The cutting edge of the top blade 14 is in abutting engagement with the rear vertical surfaces of the

spacer stop members

108, 109, and the cap 12 has a plurality of downwardly extending posts (not shown) extending through holes 133 136 (FIG. 3) formed in the blade seat 13. The posts (not shown) are deformed or staked at the lower portions thereof, for example, by ultrasonic, mechanical or heat energy, or combinations thereof, to deform the lower portions and thus bond the components of the cartridge 10 together.

The holder 11 includes a handle 24 to which a frame member 25 is secured. A generally U-shaped channel member 26 and a latch or spring member 27 is secured to the upper portion of the frame member 25 by displacing or deforming

frame extensions

28, 29 which extend from the frame member 25 through the channel and

latch members

26, 27.

The upper portion of the U-shaped channel member 26 has a rearwardly extending flange portion 30 and forwardly extending

flange portions

31, 32. The forwardly extending

flange portions

31, 32 have a space therebetween through which a latch or spring 33 of the latch member 27 extends. The cartridge 10 is removably secured to the holder 11 by sliding the

flange portions

30, 31, 32 into a T-shaped channel 34 formed transversely along the underside of the blade seat 13.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the blade seat 13 has a plateau 129 extending transversely thereof, and positioned rearwardly of the blade

seat stop members

21, 22. A pair of spaced vertically rising bottom blade rear edge stops 137 are formed on the plateau 129. The bottom blade 15 is positioned on the plateau 129 such that the cutting edge thereof is in abutting engagement with the rear vertical surfaces 175 of the blade

seat stop members

21, 22, and such that the rear surface of the bottom blade 15 is in abutting engagement with curved front surfaces of the rear edge stops 137.

As shown in FIG. 3, three supporting ribs 140 142 are formed in the underside of the blade seat 13 and have the lower surfaces thereof in the upper plane of the T-shaped channel 34 as viewed in FIG. 2. Opposing

outer side walls

143, 144 of the blade seat 13 extend downwardly, and also have the lower surfaces thereof in the upper plane of the T-shaped channel 34. Extending transversely of the bottom of the blade seat 13 are

surfaces

145, 146 which also lie in the upper plane of the T-shaped channel 34. A pair of channel stops 150, 151 extend downwardly from the lower surface of the side wall 144 for abutting engagement with the left sides of the rearwardly and forwardly extending flanges 30, 32 (FIG. 1) to prevent passage of the U-shaped channel member 26 out the left side of the T-shaped channel 34.

The T-shaped channel 34 has downwardly and rearwardly extending members- 160, 161 having parallel inner walls, and opposing inwardly directed

members

148, 147 extending from the lower portions thereof. The

side walls

180, 181, the downwardly extending

members

160, 161, and the inwardly directed

members

145, 146 have beveled

surfaces

182, 183; 184, 185, respectively, about the T-shaped channel 34. The beveled surfaces 180; 182, 183; 184, 185 at the right side of the T-shaped channel 34 aid the sliding engagement of the U-shaped channel member 26 in the T- shaped channel 34. A recess 35 (FIG. 3) is formed in the T-shaped channel 34, and as the U-shaped member 26 is moved traversely of the cartridge 10 in the T- shaped channel 34, the spring 33 (FIG. 1) is biased rearwardly until it moves forwardly into biasing engagement in the recess 35. A boss 130 extends rearwardly from the blade seat 13. The boss 130 is used to secure the cartridge 10 in a dispenser.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the frame member 25 is curved forwardly at 304 which in turn extends outwardly to form a transverse support member 305. The two

vertical extensions

28, 29 are formed on the top surface of the support member 305. The U-shaped channel member 26 is positioned on the support member 305 by inserting the

extensions

28, 29 through corresponding

holes

214, 216 in a lower horizontal transverse portion 306 of the U-shaped member 26. The latch or spring member 27 is then positioned in the U- shaped member 26 with the

extensions

28, 29 extending through

holes

209, 210 formed in a lower horizontal portion 208 of the latch or spring member 27 and with the outer surface of a vertically extending wall member 207in opposing relationship with the inner surface 213 of a vertically extending rear wall 218 of the U-shaped member 26. A forward vertically extending wall 206 of the spring member 27 has the spring 33 formed therealong, and has a

stop member

211, 212 at each end thereof extending rearwardly. When the latch or spring member 27 is seated in the U-shaped member 26, the spring 33 extends through an opening 217 formed in the

forwardly extending flanges

31, 32 and in the vertical forward wall 219 of the U-shaped member 26. When thus positioned, the

vertical extensions

28, 29 are staked or otherwise deformed to secure the spring member 27 and the U-shaped member 26 to the support member 305.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a latch or spring member 27' with components corresponding to the spring member 27 having correspondingly primed numbers. The spring member 27 of FIG. 6 differs from that of FIG. 4 in that the spring 300 extends downwardly and then upwardly from the horizontal lower surface in a U-shaped manner and terminates at the upper end thereof in a pair of rearwardly formed

ears

301, 302 having a forwardly deformed portion 303 for engagement in the recess 35 (FIG. 3) of the T-shaped channel 34.

A dispenser 250 suitable for storing used and dispensing unused cartridges 10 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the dispenser 250 has a pair of opposing

end walls

252, 253, and a pair of opposing

side walls

254, 255. Cartridge chambers are formed within the dispenser 250 by transverse partitions 263 267. Each of the chambers has a pair of wedge-shaped rest members 292 297 formed along the inside surfaces of the

side walls

254, 255 and extending from the left wall or partition thereof downwardly in the direction of a bottom panel 255', and terminating in an upper surface 299 (FIG. 8) which is substantially parallel to the bottom panel 255. The wedgeshaped members along the inside surface of the side wall 255 cannot be seen in the views of FIGS. 7 and 8. It will be noted that when the cartridge 11) is positioned in a chamber, the wedge-shaped members 292 297 prevent the cutting edges of the

blades

14, 15 from contacting the surfaces of the chamber.

A stop member 256 261 is formed on the top portion of each of the end wall 262' and partitions 263 267. The side wall 254 has a plurality of guide channels 280 285 formed transversely in the top surface thereof, and each of the channels 280 285 has an upwardly extending transverse guide stop 286 291.

By way of example, the dispenser 250 can initially have a cartridge in each one of the chambers identified by one of the numerals 1 through 5 in their respective channels 281 285. A new holder 11 may have a dummy cartridge (not shown) having the same general outer configuration as that of the cartridge 10. The dummy cartridge (not shown) or a used cartridge (not shown) from a prior dispenser is inserted in the top chamber to the left of the channel 280 by initially inserting the guard bar portion in the chamber and rotating the holder 11 in a counter-clockwise manner as viewed in FIG. 8 until the boss 130 snaps under the stop 256. As shown in FIG. 8, in this position the cap member 12 rests on the inclined portion of the wedgeshaped members in the chamber. The holder 11 can then be slid to the right with the channel member 26 passing outwardly through the channel 280 of the side wall 254.

It will be noted that each of the channel guide members 286 291 is positioned off-center of the transverse axis of each of the channels 280 285. The amount of offset of each of the guide members 286 291 is chosen to permit passage of the

stop members

211, 212; 211, 212 of the

spring member

27, 27 through only the bottom portion of the channel indicated by the numerals 1 through 5. Thus, the combination of the guide members 286 291 and of the

stops

211, 212; 211', 212, 310 prevents inserting a cartridge in an inverted position on the holder 11.

A new cartridge is removed by positioning the left portion of the U-shaped channel member 26 in one of the channels indicated by a reference numeral and sliding the holder 11 with the

flanges

30, 32 in sliding engagement with the channel 282, and sliding the holder to the left whereby the

flange portions

30, 31, 32 slidably engage the surfaces of the T-shaped channel 34 formed in the underside of the cartridge 10. The U- shaped channel member 26 is permitted to move to the left since the

stop members

212, 211 clear the stop member 288 by passing over the numeral 2 in the channel 282. The new cartridge 10 is then removed from the chamber by rotating the holder counter-clockwise as viewed in FIG. 8 with the boss 130 pivoting about the stop 258, and the holder can then be lifted upwardly for use.

The reference numerals shown in the channels 281 285 of FIG. 7 are provided as a guide for use. Specifically, a dummy cartridge or a used cartridge is initially placed in the chamber defined by the channel 280, and

an unused cartridge (not shown) in the chamber defined by the channel 281 having numeral 1 therein is first used. Then this cartridge (not shown) is returned to the chamber corresponding to the channel 281, and the next cartridge shown in the chamber identified by channel 282 having numeral 2 therein is used. This process is continued until all of the cartridges are used.

The

relieved wall portions

262, 262', 263" formed along the inner vertical surfaces of the

end walls

252, 253 are provided merely as an aid to molding the dispenser 250. Such

relieved wall portions

262, 262', 263" ease the removal of the dispenser from the mold.

A tab 310 (FIG. 6) can be provided on the spring or latch member 27' having the dimensions of the stops 211', 212. In the event that a user attempts to slidably engage the U-shaped channel 26 in the T-shaped channel 34 of the cartridge 10 without sliding the

flanges

30, 31, 32 along the respective horizontal surfaces of the channels 281 285, the tab 310 will engage a respective one of the guides 287 291 and thus prevent such sliding engagement.

An alternative dispenser 350 is shown in FIGS. 9 15. With reference to FIGS. 9 15, the dispenser 350 has a top wall 352 and an opposing bottom wall 351, as well as opposing

side walls

353, 354. A new cartridge dispensing end is formed of opposing inwardly directed

flange portions

364, 365 extending transversely of the dispenser 350. As shown in FIG. 10, the cartridges 10 are arranged in abutting relationship in the dispenser 350 and are biased upwardly such that the opposing inwardly directed

members

147, 148 of the uppermost cartridge 10 are in abutting engagement with the undersides of the

flange portions

364, 365. The cartridges 10 are biased upwardly by a pair of springs 377 (only one shown) extending vertically between a pair of

movable walls

371, 372. The upper movable wall 372 has downwardly extending

side walls

373, 374 that are in sliding engagement with the inner surfaces of the top and

bottom walls

351, 352 of the dispenser 350. Similarly, the bottom movable wall 371 has a pair of opposed upwardly extending

wall portions

375, 376 that are positioned in sliding engagement with the interior surfaces of the

side walls

353, 354 of the dispenser 350. Each of the springs 379 are vertically positioned and held in vertical alignment by posts 377 379 which extend in an opposing manner from the upper and lower

movable walls

372, 371. The springs 379' preferably should have a sufficient bias to move the lowermost cartridge into an abutting engagement with the undersides of the

flange portions

364, 365 while the lower movable wall 371 remains in abutting engagement with the inner surfaces of the inwardly directed

flange members

380, 381. It is obvious that the biasing means may take forms other than the pair of springs 379'. For example, such biasing means may be a single spring having a coiled biasing member at one end thereof and a pair of elongated members extending tangentially from the coiled member and tending to rotate in counterradial directions about the axis of the coiled member such that a biasing force is applied to the opposing surfaces of the two

movable walls

372, 371.

A single guide channel is formed on the upper surface of the side wall 354 and has one guide stop 368 extending transversely thereof and closer to the flange 364 than to the flange 365. In this manner, the U- shaped channel member 26 of the holder 11 is placed in sliding engagement with the cartridge 10 by positioning the left side of the flange 30 on the surface 366 above the guide stop 368 and positioning the left side of the flange 32 on the surface 367 below the guide stop 368. As the handle 11 is moved or slid to the left, the latch member stops 211, 212; 211', 212, 310 pass between the guide stop 368 and the dispenser flange 365, and the

flanges

30, 31, 32 move into sliding engagement within the T-shaped channel 34 of the cartridge 10. When the U-shaped channel member 26 is properly positioned in the T-shaped channel 34, the

detent

33, 303 is biased into the notch 35 formed in the T-shaped channel.

A new cartridge exiting port is formed in the dispenser side wall 353 by opposing

parallel surfaces

400, 401 which are interconnected at the lower end by a surface 402 which is perpendicular to the

surfaces

400, 401. Inwardly directed

tabs

362, 363 extend in an opposing manner from the opposing

surfaces

400, 401 and beneath the

flanges

364, 365. The

tabs

362, 363 are sufficiently flexible to permit the passage of the cartridge 10 to the left out of the dispenser 350 by movement of the holder 11 to the left such that the left sides of the

holder flanges

30, 32 are in abutting engagement with the

stops

151, 150 formed in the T-shaped channel 34. When the uppermost cartridge 10 is removed from the dispenser 350, the next cartridge 10' is moved into abutting engagement with the undersides of the

dispenser flanges

364, 365 by action of the biasing means 379'.

As discussed hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the distance between the guide stop 368 and the dispenser flange 364 is chosen to prevent passage therebetween of the latch member stops 211, 212; 211, 212, 310, and thereby minimize the possibility of placing the cartridge 10 in an inverted manner on the handle 11. The stop 310 of the latch 27' (FIG. 6) will also engage the right-hand portion of the guide stop 368 in the event that the holder 11 is attempted to be inserted in an inverted manner into the T-shaped channel 34 without first slidably engaging the

surfaces

366, 367.

The used blade end of the dispenser 350 is shown more clearly in FIGS. 13 15. With reference to FIGS. 13 15, the used blade end is defined by inwardly directed

flange surfaces

381, 380. When the used blade end is empty, the lower movable wall 371 is in abutting engagement with the inner surfaces of the inwardly directed

flange members

381, 380 as shown in FIG. 10. A guide surface 391 is formed on the end of the side wall 354 and extends between the inner surfaces of the top and

bottom wall portions

352, 351. A pair of

elongated stops

391, 390 are formed on the inner surfaces of the inwardly directed

flanges

381, 380 and extend in the direction of the guide surface 391'. The distance between the guide surface 391 and the lower surfaces of the elongated stops 381, 390 is at least sufficiently great to permit the passage of a used cartridge 10" therebetween.

To store the first used cartridge 10' in the dispenser 350, the lower movable wall 371 is pushed away from the inner surfaces of the

flange members

380, 381 to at least a plane defined by the guide surface 391. This movement may be accomplished by inserting a finger between the

flange members

381, 380. The used cartridge while still attached to the holder 11 is inserted from the right between the lower surfaces of the

stops

390, 391 and the guide surface 391' until the cap portion 12 (FIG. 1) is positioned in facing arrangement with a portion of the lower movable wall 371. At this time, the finger is removed from the lower movable wall 371, and the cartridge 10" is moved to the left by means of the handle 11 until the inwardly directed

members

148, 147 on the bottom of the cartridge 10 are in abutting engagement with the inner surfaces of the inwardly directed

flange members

381, 380 as shown in phantom in FIGS. 14 and 15. In this position, movement of the used cartridge 10" to the right is prevented by the elongated stops 391, 390. However, the U-shaped channel 26 of the holder 11 can move to the right out of the dispenser above the guide surface 391. When another used cartridge is ready for placement in the used cartridge end of the dispenser 350, the above procedure is repeated by pushing the underside of the used cartridge 10" upwardly against the lower movable wall 371.

Alternatively, the T-shaped channel stops 150, 151 can be designed to yield to a transverse pressure by the U-shaped channel member 26 and thus permit removal of the U-shaped channel member 26 out of the dispenser through an aperture defined by opposing

surfaces

403, 404 and a surface 405 interconnecting the opposing

surfaces

403, 404. However, in this embodiment, the

stops

150, 151 should be designed to yield to a pressure greater than that necessary to remove a new cartridge 10 from the dispenser 350 against the pressure of the

flexible stops

362, 363.

Alternatively, the

stops

150, 151 can be left off the cartridges, and frictional engagement between the surfaces of the U-shaped channel 26 and the T-shaped channel 34 as well as the biasing engagement of the

spring

33, 33 in the recess 35 can be relied upon for moving a new cartridge 10 out of the dispensing end of the dispenser 350 against the opposing bias of the

flexible stops

362, 363. A further alternative is to eliminate the

flexible stops

362, 363, and retain the new cartridge 10 in the dispenser until the U-shaped channel 26 is fully positioned in the T-shaped channel by means of applying finger pressure over the aperture defined by surfaces 400 402.

Another embodiment for the used blade end of the dispenser 350 is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, a used blade access port 396 has opposing

flange members

393, 395 extending inwardly from the port 396. Opposing ramp elements 392 are formed on the inner surfaces of the top and bottom walls 352, 351 (the ramp element of wall 351 is not shown). The used cartridge 10" is inserted through the port 396 above the opposing

flange elements

393, 395 while the holder 11 is still secured to the cartridge 10''.

' The left side of the cartridge 10" slides up a ramp surface 394 on each of the ramp members 392 and moves the lower movable wall 371 upwardly such that transverse movement of the cartridge to the left as viewed in FIG. 17 can be continued. Transverse movement of the used cartridge 10" is continued until the inwardly directed

surfaces

147, 148 of the used cartridge 10" rest on horizontal surfaces 411 of the ramp members 392, and the used cartridge 10" is in the attitude as shown in phantom in FIG. 17.

The lower end 410 of the side wall 354 can be sloped or beveled as shown in FIG. 17 to provide relatively free movement of the used cartridge 10" up the ramp surfaces 394 during transverse movement thereof into the used cartridge end of the dispenser 350.

When the used cartridge 10 is seated on the horizontal upper surfaces of the ramp members 392, the holder 11 can be removed by transverse movement of the holder 11 to the right while maintaining the right side of the used cartridge 10" in abutting engagement with the inner surface of the side wall 354. The U- shaped channel member 26 is then moved out through the port 396. Alternatively, the

stop members

151, 152 can be designed to yield to a pressure as described hereinabove from the left side of the U-shaped channel 26 and thus provide for removal of the U-shaped channel member 26 out a port 397 defined by opposing

vertical surfaces

403, 404 and horizontal surface 405 interconnecting the opposing

surfaces

403, 404. Further, the

stop members

151, 152 alternatively can be eliminated and the U-shaped channel member 26 of the holder 11 can be removed through the port 397 since the left side of the used cartridge 10" is in abutting engagement with the inner surface of the side wall 353 as shown in FIG. 17.

Modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, the port defined by surfaces 400 402 can be eliminated and at least one tab such as that shown as elements 256 261 of FIG. 7 can be substituted for the flange member 364. In this instance, the U-shaped channel member 26 is positioned in the T-shaped channel of the new cartridge 10 as described hereinabove and the new cartridge is thereafter removed by rotating the handle in a clockwise manner as viewed in FIG. 10 and as described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Such rotation will disengage the new cartridge 10 from the substituted tabs and thus permit removal of the cartridge from the dispenser 350 in a manner similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Similarly, the used blade end of the embodiment of FIGS. 13 15 can be modified by eliminating the aperture defined by the surfaces 403 405 and by substituting at least one tab such as tabs 356 361 of FIG. 7 for the flange member 381. To insert a used cartridge 10" into the dispenser so modified, the forward end of the used cartridge 10" below the guard bar 19 is positioned in the dispenser in abutting engagement with the inner surfaces of the flange member 380. The holder 11 is then rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 10 and as described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 8 until the rear lower inwardly directed surface 146 snaps below the substituted at least one tab and thus retains the used cartridge 10" in the used end of the dispenser.

Although specific embodiments have been described hereinabove with reference to tandemly mounted single edge blades in a disposable cartridge, it is obvious that all the aspects of the invention are equally suitable for a dispenser and dispensing system for one or any number of single edge blades bonded in a disposable cartridge or for one or any number of double edge blades bonded in a disposable cartridge.

What is claimed is:

l. A dispensing system for razor blade cartridges comprising, in combination:

a dispenser;

a plurality of disposable blade cartridges in said dispenser, each of said cartridges having a plurality of surfaces forming a channel transversely thereof;

a holder having a plurality of supporting surfaces formed transversely thereof for sliding engagement with said channel surfaces, and stop means for preventing said supporting surfaces from engaging said channel surfaces when said supporting surfaces are in an improper alignment;

a plurality of guide surfaces formed on said dispenser for aligning said supporting surfaces with said channel surfaces; and

means on said dispenser for abutting said stop means when said supporting surfaces are in said improper alignment and for clearing said stop means when said supporting surfaces are in a proper alignment.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said stop means is disposed between said supporting surfaces, and said abutting means is disposed between said guide surfaces.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said channel is T- shaped in cross-sectiomand said supporting surfaces are formed by forwardly and rearwardly extending flange members, said stop means being disposed between said flange members.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said channel is T- shaped in cross-section, and wherein said supporting surfaces comprise forwardly and rearwardly extending flange members formed at an opened end of a U- shaped transversely extending support member, said stop means being located between a pair of opposing walls of said support member, and said abutting means being located between said guide surfaces.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a recess formed in said channel, and biasing means extending through an opening in one of said walls for abutting engagement in said recess.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein each of said cartridges further comprises means extending into said channel at one end thereof for abutting engagement with an end of at least one of said flanges to prevent passage of said flanges through said one end of said channel.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said cartridges comprises means extending into said channel at one end thereof for preventing passage of said supporting surfaces through said one end of said channel.

8. A dispensing system comprising a dispenser, a holder, and a plurality of disposable blade cartridges, wherein each of said cartridges comprises slidably engageable surfaces extending transversely thereof, said dispenser comprising at least one opening extending transversely of said dispenser for permitting transverse movement of said holder having a plurality of supporting surfaces, a plurality of guide surfaces formed on said dispenser at one end of said opening, means between said guide surfaces for permitting passage of said supporting surfaces in abutting engagement through said guide surfaces into sliding engagement with said slidably engageable surfaces when said holder is in a proper orientation with respect to said dispenser, and for preventing passage of said supporting surfaces into sliding engagement with said slidably engageable surfaces when said holder is in an improper orientation with respect to said dispenser.

9. In a dispensing system for razor blade cartridges, a combination comprising a dispenser; a plurality of disposable cartridges each including at least one razor blade bonded therein, and slidably engageable surfaces extending transversely thereof; and a holder including a plurality of transverse supporting surfaces; said dispenser comprising a base, a pair of opposing side walls extending from said base, a plurality of transverse partitions extending from said base and interconnecting said side walls to provide a plurality of cartridge chambers, means in each of said chambers for releasably maintaining one of said cartridges therein with said slidably engageable surfaces positioned for engagement, a plurality of guide surfaces formed transversely in one of said side walls in alignment with each of said chambers for permitting passage of said supporting surfaces into sliding engagement with said slidably engageable surfaces when said holder is in a proper orientation with respect to said dispenser, and means between said guide surfaces for preventing passage of said supporting surfaces into sliding engagement with said slidably engageable surfaces when said holder is in an improper orientation with respect to said dispenser.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a rest member extending from said base along each of said side walls in each of said chambers for preventing said at least one blade from contacting said base.

11. In a dispensing system for razor blade cartridges, a combination comprising a dispenser; a plurality of disposable cartridges each including at least one razor blade bonded therein, and slidably engageable surfaces extending transversely thereof; and a holder including a plurality of transverse supporting surfaces; said dispenser comprising a base wall, a top wall in opposing relationship to said base wall, a pair of opposing side walls interconnecting said base and top walls, a transverse opening formed at one end of said dispenser for permitting transverse movement therein of said holder, means for biasing said cartridges in an abutting arrangement to said one end of said dispenser with said slidable engageable surfaces of one of said cartridges in position for engagement, means at said one end of said dispenser for releasably maintaining said cartridges in said dispenser, a plurality of guide surfaces formed transversely in one of said side walls at said one end of said dispenser for permitting transverse passage of said supporting surfaces into sliding engagement with said slidably engageable surfaces of said one of said cartridges when said holder is in a proper orientation with respect to said dispenser, and means between said guide surfaces for preventing passage of said supporting surfaces into sliding engagement with said slidably engageable surfaces of said one of said cartridges when said holder is in an improper orientation with respect to said dispenser.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising a cartridge exit port in the other of said side walls at said one end of said dispenser, whereby further transverse movement of said holder after said supporting surfaces and said slidably engageable surfaces are engaged will remove said one cartridge from said dispenser through said exit port.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising at least one resilient tab extending into said exit port, said at least one resilient tab being movable outwardly during transverse'movement of said holder and said one cartridge through said exit port.

14. The system of claim 11 further comprising a used cartridge transverse opening formed at the other end of said dispenser for permitting transverse movement therein of a holder having a used cartridge slidably engaged therewith.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said used cartridge transverse opening comprises opposing flanges extending inwardly from said base and top walls, and wherein one of said side walls terminates a sufficient distance from said flanges to define a used cartridge entrance port.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising stop means extending inwardly into said used cartridge entrance port, said used cartridge being biased by said biasing means during transverse movement through said used cartridge entrance port, whereby said stop means prevents removal of said used cartridge through said used cartridge entrance port.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising a holder exit port formed in the other of said side walls, said holder exit port being dimensioned to preclude removal of said used cartridge therethrough and to permit passage of said holder supporting surfaces therethrough.

Claims

1. A dispensing system for razor blade cartridges comprising, in combination: a dispenser; a plurality of disposable blade cartridges in said dispenser, eaCh of said cartridges having a plurality of surfaces forming a channel transversely thereof; a holder having a plurality of supporting surfaces formed transversely thereof for sliding engagement with said channel surfaces, and stop means for preventing said supporting surfaces from engaging said channel surfaces when said supporting surfaces are in an improper alignment; a plurality of guide surfaces formed on said dispenser for aligning said supporting surfaces with said channel surfaces; and means on said dispenser for abutting said stop means when said supporting surfaces are in said improper alignment and for clearing said stop means when said supporting surfaces are in a proper alignment.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said channel is T-shaped in cross-section, and said supporting surfaces are formed by forwardly and rearwardly extending flange members, said stop means being disposed between said flange members.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said channel is T-shaped in cross-section, and wherein said supporting surfaces comprise forwardly and rearwardly extending flange members formed at an opened end of a U-shaped transversely extending support member, said stop means being located between a pair of opposing walls of said support member, and said abutting means being located between said guide surfaces.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising at least one resilient tab extending into said exit port, said at least one resilient tab being movable outwardly during transverse movement of said holder and said one cartridge through said exit port.