Razor blade holder

A razor blade holder can attach to structure at a site in order to provide blade storage and accessibility. The holder has a receptacle sized to hold at least one razor blade and to keep exposed and accessible an upper edge thereof. The receptacle has a back panel adapted to be attached to the structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to razor blade holders, and in particular to holders providing blade storage and accessibility.

2. Description of Related Art

In many work environments it is useful to have a razor blade handy for periodic cutting projects. In some cases a razor blade may be mounted in a larger handle, which allows one to use one's entire hand to manipulate the razor's edge. A disadvantage with such cutting tools is its relative bulk. Also, the user will need a storage box or a relatively large holder to keep the cutter handy. Moreover, a large cutting tool may be inappropriate for small jobs performed in tight spaces, or situations where detail cutting must be performed with a blade held in the user's fingertips.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,624 a relatively small case can hold a razor blade for cutting open jewel boxes for CDs. This holder requires that the razor blade have notches on opposite edges to hold the blade in place. Furthermore, the holder restricts the use of the blade. For example, this holder would make impossible routine functions, such as scraping paint from a surface with the blade held at a relatively low angle of attack. This reference suggests securing the holder to a surface with a hook and loop fastener. This method of securing does not enhance safety by guarding the edge of the blade. Instead, this reference relies on fixed guard panels on the case that always surround the edge of the blade whether stored or in use.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,916 a razor blade is stored between two magnetic strips that are hinged to fold together and enclose the blade. This reference shows a key chain for holding the magnetic strips. The razor blade is not easily fetched from this holder, since the user must pry apart the magnetic strips.

Accordingly, there is need for an improved razor blade holder that allows one to quickly and easily seize a razor blade that can then be used in a variety of work environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a razor blade holder adapted to attach to structure at a site in order to provide blade storage and accessibility. The holder has a receptacle sized to hold at least one razor blade and to keep exposed and accessible an upper edge thereof. The receptacle has a back panel adapted to be attached to the structure.

By employing apparatus of the foregoing type, an improved razor blade holder is achieved. In the preferred embodiment a razor blade can be stored in a molded plastic pocket or receptacle that is suspended from a horizontal branch of an L-shaped bracket. The horizontal branch acts as a shelf to provide clearance behind the upper exposed edge of the blade, making it easy to grasp and retract. Preferably, the pocket is tilted so the upper end of the blade is outwardly inclined, further increasing its accessibility. Also, the preferred pocket is tapered to converge slightly towards its bottom. This allows a number of blades to be placed inside the pocket so that the tips of the blades can be wedged into place.

In the preferred embodiment a vertical branch of the L-shaped bracket can be secured to a surface existing at a work site. In some embodiments the vertical branch is a panel that is a adhesively backed to secure the holder to an existing surface at the work site. In some embodiments this vertical panel may have fastening holes allowing the holder to be secured in place by screws, nails, or the like. Other clip-like fastening means are disclosed as well.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1,2and3, a razor blade holder is shown with a receptacle10having a forward wall10A, a rear wall10B, and two side walls10C. Receptacle10has an opening12leading to a region flanked by a forward face14and an opposite rear face15. Receptacle10is designed to receive a razor blade R, shown inFIG. 1in phantom.

The upper edge of wall10B is integrally connected to shelf16shown here in as a horizontal branch of an L-shaped member including a vertical branch herein referred to as back panel18. Back panel18can be mounted to the surface of a structure at a work site. In some embodiments the rear face of back panel18can have an adhesive backing to adhesively secure the holder to a surface. In this embodiment, back panel18is also shown with fastening holes20that may be used to secure the holder with screws, nails, or other fastening means.

The front face of back panel18is shown marked with a commercial message22. In some embodiments the illustrative holder can be marked with an advertisement that subsidizes the manufacturing cost, so that the holder can be sold for a nominal price or can be distributed without charge. Alternatively, the holder may be bundled with a package of razor blades, in which case back panel18can be marked with the trademark of the manufacturer of the razor blades.

Also, a reminder message24is marked on rear wall10B. In this case the user is reminded to replace the razor blade after use (“PUT IT BACK”). Other reminders or commercial messages are contemplated.

The illustrated holder can be injection molded or can be made by folding stiff paper, sheet plastic, or cardboard, keeping the receptacle together by gluing, taping, etc. In still other embodiments, the holder can be formed as a plastic extrusion with the side walls10C being installed later. Alternatively, the holder can be formed of a number of separate components that are snapped together, or attached together by gluing, or other fastening means. In addition, the holder can be formed from a metal stamping that forms the illustrated three-dimensional structure, or by stamping a flat development that is then later folded to form the illustrated structure.

Referring toFIG. 2, faces14and16are shown downwardly converging at an acute angle A1. Angle A1may be in a range of 0° to 30°, and is preferably 10°. This angle is chosen to accommodate the number of razor blades one wishes to hold, and to establish a desired wedging action. As shown in this Figure, the chosen angle can accommodate three razor blades R. Blades R are shown as single edge razor blades having handles on the edge opposite the cutting-edge.

The lower cutting-edges of the blades R will snugly fit at the bottom of opening12. For a larger number of blades the angle A1may be increased and the bottom of opening12can be expanded. Alternatively, the angle A1can be decreased and the bottom of opening12constricted to accommodate a lesser number, for example, one blade.

Also, the opening12has a limited depth which allows blades R to extend outside the opening and enhance their accessibility. Moreover, shelf16spaces the handles of blades R away from back panel18. Therefore, the handles of blades R are accessible from above, from behind, and from the front. In addition, the receptacle10is tilted so that the handles of blades R extend upward and outward. This further enhances the accessibility of blades R. This tilt establishes an angle A2between the rear wall10B and shelf16. Angle A2may be in the range of 90° to 60°, and is preferably 80°.

For the alternate holder ofFIG. 4A, components corresponding to those previously illustrated are marked with the same reference numerals, but increased by100. Accordingly, an L-shaped bracket includes a vertical back panel118integrally connected to a horizontal shelf116. A receptacle110is suspended at an angle from shelf116and has a pair of side walls110C. Receptacle110also has a front wall110A and a real rear wall110B defining an opening112embraced by a forward face114and a parallel rear face115.

The holder ofFIG. 4Ais substantially the same as that ofFIG. 1except that walls110A and110B are parallel. This provides an opening112where razor blades can be loosely deposited and without necessarily becoming wedged together at the bottom of the opening112.

For the alternate holder ofFIG. 4B, components corresponding to those previously illustrated inFIG. 1are marked with the same reference numerals, but increased by 200. Accordingly, an L-shaped bracket includes a vertical back panel218integrally connected to a horizontal shelf216. A receptacle210is suspended at an angle from shelf216and has a pair of side walls210C. Receptacle210also has a front wall210A and a real rear wall210B defining an opening212embraced by a forward face214and an overhanging face215.

In this embodiment, the back panel218is extended to provide a back wall226connecting between the rear edge of shelf216and the bottom of rear wall210B to form a hollow body composed of elements226,216,210B. Elements218and226are contiguous and co-planar. In some embodiments the holder ofFIG. 4Bcan be formed of an extrusion and capped at either end with side walls210C. Moreover, the hollow body composed of elements226,216,210B can also be capped at either end to form a closed volume, if desired.

For the alternate holder ofFIG. 4C, components corresponding to those previously illustrated inFIG. 4Bare marked with the same reference numerals, but annotated with a prime (′). Essentially, this holder is identical to that ofFIG. 4B, except that the previously mentioned upper portion of the back panel (panel218) is eliminated. Under the circumstances, element226′ serves as a back panel and may have an adhesive backing to secure the holder in place. Alternatively, panel226′ may have several key hole-shaped fastening openings such as opening228, shown in FIG.6.

For the alternate holder ofFIG. 5, components corresponding to those previously illustrated inFIG. 4Bare marked with the same reference numerals, but annotated with a double prime (″). A rectangular back panel is formed of an upper portion218″ and a lower portion226″. As before, back panel218″,226″ can have an adhesive backing. A hollow body enclosing a parallelepiped cavity230is formed of a horizontal shelf216″, a rear wall210B″ and a bottom wall232. Cavity230is designed to accept spare razor blades that can be stored in the cavity either loosely or in a separate container.

A diverging front wall210A″ forms an opening212″ for holding razor blades between front face214″ and rear face215″. As before, the opening212″ can be closed on either end with side walls210C″.

For the alternate holder ofFIG. 7, components corresponding to those previously illustrated inFIG. 1are marked with the same reference numerals, but increased by300. In particular, a receptacle310is formed with a front wall310A, rear wall310B, and side walls310C. The opening312is tilted so that when seated, razor blade R will tilt upwardly and outwardly for easy access. A horizontal shelf316is connected along the upper edge of wall310B. Depending from the rear edge of shelf316is a back panel334that converges on but does not touch rear wall310B.

With this arrangement, back panel334can act as a clip so that the holder can be secured over the edge of structure S. Specifically, back panel334and back wall310B will straddle structure S. Alternatively, back panel334can have an adhesive backing, in which case the holder can be glued to the face of structure S. In still other embodiments, the back panel334can have a keyhole-shaped fastening hole as shown inFIG. 6(hole228) enabling the holder to be secured to a nail or screw head in structure S. It will be appreciated that the holder ofFIG. 7can therefore be mounted in a variety of ways either by means of clipping, gluing or other fastening means, such as screws and nails.

For the alternate holder ofFIG. 8, components corresponding to those previously illustrated inFIG. 7are marked with the same reference numerals, but annotated with a prime (′) Essentially, this holder is identical to that ofFIG. 7, except that the previously mentioned back panel (panel334) is upwardly extended to form an enlarged back panel336,334′. The upper portion336of the back panel can serve as a site for advertising messages in a manner similar to that shown in FIG.1. Moreover, elements336and334′ may both have an adhesive backing to secure the holder in place.

To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing apparatus, its operation will be briefly described in connection with the embodiment ofFIG. 1; although the operation for the other embodiments will be similar. The back panel18can be secured to a wall, shelf edge, toolbox or other structure. In some embodiments adhesive backing on panel18will secure the holder. In other instances the holder can be secured by driving in nail, screw, or other fastener through holes20. Once in place, one or more razor blades R can be placed in the opening12.

As shown inFIG. 2, the razor blades R tilt forwardly for easy access. Also, the blades R rise above shelf16so that the upper handle edge of the blades R are accessible from the front, top and back. The user may now grasp the razor blades to R by placing a thumb on the front blade and a forefinger over the top, resting on the shelf16. The thumb can then be lifted to pull out the first blade R, using a motion as if dealing cards.

If all of the razor blades R were removed the message24, “PUT IT BACK,” becomes prominent. The user is then regularly reminded of the need to replace the razor blade. It will also be appreciated that the illustrated holder sheathes the cutting edge of the blades R and prevents injury. Furthermore, the blades R are free from any encumbrances and can therefore be used in tight spaces.