Abstract:
A cartridge dispenser for razor blade cartridges including latches that retain cartridges in predetermined positions permitting connection to a handle connecting structure on a handle as the handle is moved toward the cartridge, each latch having a latch camming structure that is shaped and positioned to interact with corresponding handle camming structure so as to cause the latch to be deflected and to unlatch a cartridge as the handle is moved toward and connected to cartridge connecting structure of a cartridge. The dispenser also has blade unit dividers that extend from the base, are substantially perpendicular to the base, and define blade unit regions in which the blade units are received, and angled dividers that extend from the ends of respective blade unit dividers at acute angles with the base and define angled regions through which the blade units pass in delivery to and removal from the blade unit regions and in which the cartridge connecting structure is received.

Description:
This is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/802,382, filed Feb. 19, 1997, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/630,437, filed Apr. 10, 1996 entitled “SHAVING SYSTEM AND METHOD” now U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,586. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to dispensing razor blade cartridges from a dispenser onto a handle. 
     Razor blade cartridges are typically removed from a dispenser by connecting the handle to the cartridge while the cartridge is still retained in the dispenser. The user then pivotally moves the handle with respect to the dispenser, using the leverage of the handle against a friction or interference fit of a projection that holds the cartridge body, and frees the cartridge from the dispenser. When the cartridge is of a type that has a pivotal connection to the handle, the user must pivot the handle beyond the range of motion allowed by the pivotal connection before leverage is applied to the friction or interference fit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention features, in general, a dispenser for razor blade cartridges used with a handle. The dispenser has a housing structure that defines sections for receiving respective cartridges and retaining the cartridges in predetermined positions that permit connection of a handle connecting structure on the handle to one of the cartridges as the handle is moved toward the cartridge. The dispenser also has a latch for each section. Each latch has a latch camming structure that is shaped and positioned to interact with a corresponding handle camming structure on the handle, causing the latch to be deflected and to release the cartridge as the handle is moved toward and connected to cartridge. 
     In another aspect, the invention features in general a dispenser having a housing structure that includes a base and a plurality of angled cartridge dividers that define angled sections for receiving respective cartridges. 
     Certain implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. In certain implementations, each latch has a resilient cantilevered arm that extends from a cartridge divider and has an end with a cam follower and a blocking surface that is substantially perpendicular to the arm for blocking removal of the cartridge. The cartridge dividers include blade unit dividers that extend from the base, are substantially perpendicular to the base, and define blade unit regions in which the blade units are received. The cartridge dividers also include angled dividers that extend from the ends of respective blade unit dividers at acute angles with the base and define angled regions through which the blade units pass in delivery to and removal from the blade unit regions and in which the cartridge connecting structure is received. An angled region of one section partially overlies a blade unit region of an adjacent section. The angled cartridge dividers have first portions that extend between the side walls closer to the base and second portions that extend upward from the first portions but are not connected to the side walls. The angled dividers make an angle of greater than 30° with the base. The dispenser has drainage holes associated with respective sections. The dispenser has raised members on which end structures (e.g., clips) of the cartridge are supported so as to avoid contact of the blades with the dispenser. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a handle for connecting to a replaceable razor cartridge held in a predetermined position in a dispenser by a latch. The handle has a hand engageable portion and a handle connecting structure at the upper end of the handle that makes connection to the cartridge by movement along a connection axis toward the cartridge in the dispenser. The handle connecting structure includes a handle camming structure that is shaped and positioned to interact with a corresponding latch camming structure on the latch on the dispenser so as to cause the latch to be deflected and to release the cartridge as the handle is moved along the connection axis toward and is connected to the cartridge. 
     In certain implementations of the invention, the handle connecting structure fits within a cartridge connecting structure on the cartridge, and the handle connecting structure is asymmetrical so as to guarantee proper alignment of a cam surface on the handle with a cam follower on the dispenser as the handle is moved toward and is connected to the cartridge. The handle carries a button used to eject the cartridge; the button is located on a platform adjacent to the cam surface and has a recessed region in line with the cam surface to provide a space to receive the latch during or after connection of the handle to the cartridge. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a replaceable razor blade cartridge that includes a blade unit and a cartridge connecting structure for connecting the blade unit to a handle by movement of the handle along a connection axis toward the cartridge connecting structure. The cartridge connecting structure includes a recessed portion for receiving a cam surface on the handle as the handle is moved along the connection axis. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a replaceable razor blade cartridge that includes a blade unit and a cartridge connecting structure for connecting the blade unit to a handle by movement of the handle along a connection axis toward the cartridge connecting structure. The cartridge connecting structure includes a cutaway portion functioning as a keyway for receiving a mating key structure on the handle as the handle is moved along the connection axis to enhance proper orientation of the handle. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a replaceable razor blade cartridge that includes a blade unit and a cartridge connecting structure for connecting the blade unit to a handle by movement of the handle along a connection axis toward the cartridge connecting structure. The blade unit includes an elongated housing and a cross bar that is parallel to the connection axis and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing at a bottom portion of the housing. The cartridge connecting structure includes a latching portion for engagement by a latch on a cartridge dispenser. The latching portion is aligned with the cross bar, so that the cross bar is aligned with the latch upon removal of the cartridge from the dispenser. 
     In certain implementations of the invention, the cartridge connecting structure has inwardly directed surfaces that define a flat-shaped region for insertion of a flat-shaped handle connecting structure. The cartridge connecting structure has an engagement structure providing a releasable (e.g., snap-fit) connection to the handle. The engagement structure is a projection for mating with a matching depression on the handle. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general a razor including a handle with a cam surface and a cartridge with a recessed portion for receiving the cam surface on the handle as the handle is moved along a connection axis during connection of the cartridge to the handle. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general, the combination of a cartridge dispenser, a cartridge stored in the dispenser, and a handle. The dispenser has a latch that releasably holds the cartridge stored on the dispenser in a latched position and has a latch camming structure. The handle has a handle camming structure that interacts with the latch camming structure to cause the latch to be deflected from the latched position and to release the cartridge as the handle is moved toward and connected to the cartridge. The handle also includes a platform on which the latch rides in an unlatched position after the latch has released the cartridge prior to removal of the connected cartridge from the dispenser. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general, the combination of a cartridge dispenser and a cartridge in the dispenser. The cartridge has a blade unit and a cartridge connecting structure that is movably connected to the blade unit. The dispenser has a housing structure that supports the blade unit and a latch that engages the cartridge connecting structure. The housing structure and the latch hold the cartridge in an immobile position ready to be unlatched and connected to a handle. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a method of using a replaceable razor cartridge. The cartridge is stored in a dispenser. Handle connecting structure of a handle is moved toward cartridge connecting structure of the cartridge along a connection axis to connect the cartridge to the handle. Thereafter the cartridge is removed from the dispenser while connected to the handle by retracting the handle substantially along a retraction axis, which preferably is the same as the connection axis used for connecting the handle to the cartridge. 
     In certain implementations the cartridge, after use, is replaced in the same or a different dispenser by moving the handle and connected cartridge along the same or a different connection axis. The cartridge is disconnected from the handle, and the handle is retracted while the cartridge remains in the dispenser. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a method of connecting a replaceable razor cartridge to a handle in a proper orientation. The cartridge is stored in an angled region between a front angled divider and a rear angled divider in a dispenser. The dividers are generally parallel to each other, and the cartridge has a cartridge connecting structure with a cartridge connection axis that passes between the front and rear angled dividers. Handle connecting structure of a handle is moved toward the cartridge connecting structure of the cartridge along the connection axis to connect the cartridge to the handle. The handle has asymmetrical geometry with respect to the connection axis such that a blocking structure on the handle will be on the side of the axis closer to the rear divider and will be blocked by the rear angled divider when the handle is in an improper orientation, and the blocking structure on the handle will be on the side of the axis away from the rear divider and will be clear of the rear angled divider when the handle is in a proper orientation. 
     In certain implementations: the blocking structure includes a button carried on the handle; the handle connecting structure is offset from an elongated hand gripping structure of the handle by a transition portion, and the blocking structure includes the transition portion. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a method of using a replaceable razor cartridge. The cartridge is stored in a dispenser. Handle connecting structure of a handle is connected to cartridge connecting structure of the cartridge, and the cartridge is removed from the dispenser while connected to the handle by retracting the handle along a retraction axis. The dispenser includes a resilient member that exerts a biasing force on the cartridge connecting structure as the cartridge is removed, and the biasing force has a component along the retraction axis to assist in ejecting the cartridge from the dispenser. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a method of connecting a replaceable razor cartridge to a handle. The method includes storing the cartridge in a dispenser having a latch that retains a cartridge connecting structure of the cartridge. A handle connecting structure of the handle is moved toward the cartridge connecting structure along a connection axis. The latch is automatically moved to an unlatched position with a handle camming structure that interacts with a latch camming structure as the handle is moved toward and is connected to the cartridge connecting structure. 
     In another aspect, the invention features, in general, making a dispenser for razor blade cartridges by permanently connecting a bottom plastic part and a top plastic part that together define sections for receiving respective razor blade cartridges. 
     In certain implementations of the invention, the top part and the bottom part are connected by ultrasonically welding; and blade unit dividers on the bottom part are ultrasonically welded to angled dividers on the top part. 
     Embodiments of the invention may have one or more of the following advantages. Handles are easily connected to new cartridges, and the cartridges are automatically unlatched from the dispenser during connection of the handle to the cartridge. The use of blade unit regions and overlying angled regions provides for conserved space along the base of the dispenser and efficient placement of cartridges for a given peg space requirement for the dispenser. The user is prevented from connecting the handle to a cartridge in the wrong orientation owing to asymmetrical features of the handle; these features can include one or more of: asymmetrical connecting sections on the handle and cartridge, mating key/keyway features on the cartridge and handle connecting structures, and blocking structure on the handle (e.g., an ejector button on one side or an offset transition portion) that will be blocked by a rear angled divider when the handle is in the wrong orientation but will not be blocked when in the proper orientation. 
     Other advantages or features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof and from the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser for razor blade cartridges. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a replaceable razor cartridge aligned with a handle (shown as a partial view) on which the cartridge is connected for use. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the FIG. 1 dispenser. 
     FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken at  4 — 4  of FIG. 3, of the FIG. 1 dispenser. 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the FIG. 1 dispenser. 
     FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view, taken at  6 — 6  of FIG. 4, of an angled divider and latch of the FIG. 1 dispenser. 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of a handle connecting structure at the upper end of the FIG. 2 handle. 
     FIG. 8 is an elevation of the FIG. 7 handle connecting structure. 
     FIG. 8A is a vertical sectional view, taken at  8 A— 8 A of FIG. 8, of the end of the FIG. 7 handle connecting structure. 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a cartridge connecting structure of the FIG. 2 cartridge. 
     FIG. 10 is an illustration showing the position of a FIG. 2 cartridge stored between dividers in a section of the FIG. 1 dispenser. 
     FIGS. 11-16 are illustrations showing the positions of the cartridge, dispenser components, and handle during connection of the handle to a cartridge in the FIG. 1 dispenser and removal of the connected cartridge from the dispenser. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown cartridge dispenser  10  (FIG. 1) for storing razor blade cartridges  12  (FIG.  2 ), which each have blade unit  14  that is pivotally connected to cartridge connecting structure  16 . Dispenser  10  includes housing structure  18  that defines sections  20  for receiving cartridges  12  and latches  22  associated with sections  20  to retain each cartridge  12  in a respective section  20 . Sections  20  are defined by cartridge dividers  24  and side walls  26  of housing structure  18 . Each cartridge divider  24  includes a perpendicular blade unit divider portion  36 , at the bottom, and angled divider portion  42  above it. 
     Dispenser  10  is made of two molded parts  28 ,  30 , that are joined together by ultrasonic welding at seam  32  (FIG.  4 ). Bottom part  28  includes base  34 , perpendicular blade unit divider portions  36 , and contoured cartridge supports  38  spaced slightly in from side walls  26  (FIGS. 3,  4 ). Cartridge supports  38  are contoured to support and are aligned with clips  40  on cartridges  12  (FIG. 2) at the ends of blade unit  14  in order to avoid contact of the blades that are retained under clips  40  with the dispenser. Referring to FIG. 5, it is seen that base  34  has drainage openings  53  that are each associated with a section  20  for receiving a respective cartridge  12 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 3-4, upper part  30  includes angled dividers  42 , which each include a lower portion  44  that extends between side walls  26  and two upper portions  46  that are not connected to side walls  26  in order to permit flexure of upper portions  46 . Alternatively, upper portions  46  can be connected to side walls  26 ; having a space between upper portions  46  and side walls  26  is optional. Upper portions  46  have tops  47 . Between the two upper portions  46  of each angled divider portion  42  is a latch  22  that extends upward from lower portion  44 . Front wall  48  similarly has lower portion  50  between side walls  26 , two free standing upper portions  52 , and latch  22  therebetween. Upper portions  46 ,  52  have spaces nearby the ends of latches  22  to receive the connecting structures of the cartridge and handle during connection and disconnection. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, axis  56   b  extending through the lower portion  44  of angled divider portion  42  and the portion of latch  22  extending therefrom make a 35° angle α with connection seam  32  and base  34  thereunder. The angle α should be no less than 30°; a value of about 35° provides a good balance between providing a sufficient number of cartridges in the lengthwise dimension of dispenser  10  (relating to peg space on a point of purchase display rack) and avoiding undue thickness for dispenser  10 . I.e., additional sections  20  for cartridges  12  could be provided by increasing the angle α to a higher angle up to 90°, but the thickness of dispenser would be increased accordingly. A value of about 30° is believed to provide a lower boundary permitting access to cartridge  12  given angular orientation of blade unit  14  with respect to cartridge connecting structure  16 . The free end of latch  22  curves slightly and terminates in latch camming structure  54 . This structure includes a cam follower defined by end surface  56 , and the junctions  58 ,  60  of surface  56  with the adjacent surfaces. One adjacent surface is blocking surface  56   a , which makes a  90  degree angle with longitudinal axis  56   b  through lower portion  44 . Adjacent to blocking surface  56   a  is retaining surface  62 , which contacts latching portion  82  of cartridge connecting structure  16  (FIG.  10 ), as discussed below. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, handle  63  includes elongated, straight hand gripping portion  65  and handle connecting structure  64  at the upper end of hand gripping portion  65 . Generally flat extension  66  of structure  64  is designed to fit within mating recess  67  in cartridge connecting structure  16  (FIG.  9 ), both of which have a trapezoidal shape. Handle connecting structure  64  is offset from hand gripping portion  65  and connected to it by transition portion  71 . Handle connecting structure  64  includes spring biased plunger  61 , for biasing pivotal blade unit  14  at a cam surface on cross bar  41 , and button  68 , used to extend a presser from a forward end of extension  66  (not shown in FIG. 2) to eject cartridge  12  from handle  63 . The details of the structure and operation of cartridge  12  and handle connecting structure  64 , the interaction of plunger  61  and the cam surface on cross bar  41 , and the connection and disconnection of the cartridge  12  and handle  63  are described in U.S. Ser. No. 08/630,437, filed Apr. 10, 1996, and a patent application entitled “Shaving Razor and Method” filed concurrently herewith, which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     Referring primarily to FIGS. 7 and 8, handle connecting structure  64  of handle  63  includes handle camming structure  69  having cam surface  70  for acting against cam follower structure  54  (surface  56  and junctions  58 ,  60 ) of latch  22  (FIG. 6) as extension  66  is inserted into recess  67  (FIG. 9) of a cartridge  12  contained within dispenser  10  (FIG.  11 ). As shown in FIG. 8, surface  70  makes an acute angle (about 22°) with connection axis  72 . Handle connecting structure  64  includes platform portion  74  with generally semicircular portions  76  on both sides of cam surface  70 , and cartridge connecting structure  16  has cutaway portion  80  (FIGS. 2,  9 ) with a matching shape for receiving platform  74  of handle connecting structure  64 . Cutaway portion  80  functions as a keyway for mating platform portion  74  on handle  63  to guarantee proper alignment of cam surface  70  and the cam follower structure of latch  22  as well as proper orientation of handle  63  during connection to cartridge  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 8A, extension  66  has an asymmetrical shape in a planar section perpendicular to connection axis  72  (FIGS. 7-8) through its outwardly directed surfaces; recess  67  (FIG. 9) in cartridge connecting structure  16  of cartridge  12  has the same shape in a planar section perpendicular to connection axis  72  through its mating inwardly directed surfaces. The asymmetrical shapes, like the mating platform and cutaway portions just mentioned, also enhance proper alignment of cam surface  70  and cam follower structure  54  of latch  22  as well as proper orientation of handle  63  and cartridge  12  during connection. Button  68  has recessed region  73  in line with cam surface  70  to provide a space to receive latch  22  during and after connection of handle connecting structure  64  with the connecting structure  16  of cartridge  12 , when handle  63  is in a tilted forward orientation (FIG.  14 ). 
     Referring to FIG. 9, it is seen that cartridge connecting structure  16  has recessed region  78  for receiving cam surface  70  of handle  63  as handle  63  is moved along connection axis  72  (FIGS. 12,  13 ). Cartridge connecting structure  16  also has latching portion  82 , located at the junction of the top of recessed region  78  and the center of cutaway portion  80 . Latching portion  82  is contacted by retaining surface  62  of latch  22  when retained in dispenser  10  (FIGS. 6,  10 ). Cartridge connecting structure  16  also has two detents  83  for mating with two depressions  85  (FIG. 8) on handle  63 . Extending from the end of cartridge connecting structure  16  are two arms  77  with pivots  79  (only one arm and one pivot are shown in FIG. 9) that make a pivotal connection with blade unit  14  (FIG.  2 ), as is described in detail in the above-referenced patent application U.S. Ser. No. 08/630,437. 
     In loading a cartridge  12  into a respective section  20 , the bottom of each blade unit  14  is guided by upper surface  90  of divider  42  (or of back angled wall  95 ) (FIGS. 4,  10 ) and passes through angled region  92  into blade unit region  94 . (Surfaces  90  thus include the upper surfaces of both lower portion  44  and upper portion  46  of dividers  42 .) The bottom of blade unit  14  is also guided along the upper countoured surfaces of cartridge supports  38  and rests on supports  38  with the front of the blade unit resting against blade unit divider portion  36 . As shown in FIG. 4, cartridge supports have an initial generally horizontal portion, followed by a first angled portion, followed by a second angled portion at a smaller angle. As shown in FIG. 10, pivotal cartridge connecting structure  16  is held in a position in which retaining surface  62  of latch  22  engages latching portion  82  of cartridge connecting structure  16 . As noted above, cartridge connecting structure  16  is pivotally mounted with respect to blade unit  14 . In FIG. 10, blade unit  14  is shown at the limit of pivoting at the most open orientation with respect to cartridge connecting structure  16 , and thus latching portion  82  cannot move downward from the position shown in FIG.  10  and cannot move rearward (to the right) out of region  92  owing to interference by retaining surface  62 . In the cartridge storage position shown in FIG. 10, there is no deflection of latch  22  from its undeflected position, and there thus is zero or minimal force of latch  22  on cartridge connecting structure  16 . If there were a slight deflection of latch  22  outward, or if tolerances permitted a slightly more open orientation of cartridge connecting structure  16  and blade unit  14  or a slight space between latching portion  82  and retaining surface  62 , latching portion  82  of cartridge connecting structure  16  could move slightly rearward (to the right) and contact a different position of retaining surface  62 ; latching portion  82 , however, is prevented from clearing blocking surface  56   a  of latch  22  in the absence of a very large deflection of latch  22  outward (i.e., upward in FIG.  10 ). 
     In use, when a shaver desires to replace a cartridge  12  on handle  63 , the presently mounted cartridge  12  is ejected using button  68  and discarded (or inserted into a vacant section  20  in a dispenser  10 , as is discussed below). Then an used cartridge  12  in dispenser  10  is connected to handle  63  by moving extension  66  into mating recess  67  along connection axis  72 . FIG. 10 shows the position of cartridge connecting structure  16  in dispenser  10  during storage and prior to connection to handle  63 . FIG. 11 shows the position of handle connecting structure  64  as cam surface  70  on handle  63  first contacts latch camming structure  54  of latch  22  on dispenser  10 . FIG. 12 shows the initial deflection of latch  22  as handle connecting structure  64  is inserted further, and FIG. 13 shows handle connecting structure  64  connected to cartridge connecting structure  16 . 
     The user is prevented from connecting handle  63  to cartridge  12  in the wrong orientation owing to asymmetrical features of handle  63  with respect to connection axis  72 . Two of these features are the asymmetrical shape of extension  66  and the mating key/keyway feature of semicircular platform  74 . These two features prevent insertion of extension  66  all of the way into recess  67  with engagement of detents  83  with depressions  85  unless handle  63  is in the proper orientation (i.e., not upside down) with respect to cartridge connecting structure  16  regardless of whether the cartridge is in dispenser  10  or not. Two other features, button  68  and transition portion  71 , prevent a user from even bringing handle connecting structure  64  into proximity with a cartridge  12  in dispenser  10  owing to the angled arrangement of storage sections  20 . When handle  63  is in the proper orientation shown in FIG. 11, button  68  and transition portion  71  are on the side of connection axis  72  closer to the front angled divider  42  (see FIGS. 1,  5 , and  11 ), are clear of the rear angled divider  42 , and are not blocked by any structure on dispenser  10 . If a user attempts to attach a cartridge  12  with handle  63  upside down, button  68  and transition portion  71  will be on the side of axis  72  closest to the rear divider  42  and will be blocked by it. Thus, owing to the use of angled dividers on dispenser  10 , button  68  and transition portion  71  act as blocking structures making it more likely that the user place handle  63  in the proper orientation before attempting to connect it to a cartridge  12  in dispenser  10 . 
     Assuming that handle  63  is in the proper orientation shown in FIG. 11, as handle connecting structure  64  is moved along connection axis  72 , cam surface  70  contacts cam follower structure  54  of latch  22  (FIG. 11) and, with continued insertion along axis  72 , cam surface  70  biases the end of cantilevered latch  22  outward (FIG.  12 ). As latch  22  moves outward, its cantilevered arm bends primarily near the base (see FIGS. 4,  6 ), and blocking surface  56   a  (FIG. 6) moves substantially along the plane of its surface (perpendicular to longitudinal axis  56   b  through lower portion  44 ). As handle connecting structure  64  is inserted further along axis  72 , latch  22  rides up onto platform  74  to an unlatched position clearing the cartridge structure prior to, or simultaneously with, detent  83  snapping into place in depression  85  in the connected position shown in FIG.  13 . Recessed region  78  provides a region in cartridge connecting structure  16  for receiving cam surface  70  in the connected position. If the user tilts handle  63  upward at this time, or if the user so tilts handle  63  during attachment or removal, latch  22  can deflect further and ride up above platform  74  into recessed region  73  in button  68  (FIG. 14) without risk of breaking latch  22 . 
     The user then retracts handle  63  and connected cartridge  12  from dispenser  10 , typically along the same axis along which the handle travelled during connection, namely connection axis  72 . Cartridge moves from the initially connected position of FIG. 13 to the initial retraction position of FIG.  15  and the further retracted position of FIG.  16 . Because latch  22 , which is a resilient cantilevered structure, is still in a deflected position during initial retraction when latch  22  rides over the outside of cartridge connecting structure  16  (FIGS.  15  and  16 ), latch  22  exerts a biasing force on cartridge connecting structure  16 . In the position of FIG. 16, where latch  22  contacts the curved front surface  100  of connecting structure  16 , the biasing force exerted by latch  22  has a component along axis  72 , and this assists in ejecting the connected cartridge from the dispenser  10 . 
     As the handle and connected cartridge move further outward from the position shown in FIG. 16, blade unit  14  passes latch  22 . If latch  22  contacts the back of blade unit  14  at this time, latch  22  will ride over cross bar  41  on the back of blade unit  14  (FIG.  2 ), which is perpendicular to the blades and is aligned with latching portion  82 . Latch  22  thus will not get caught on other structure (e.g., perpendicular portions of the housing of blade unit  14 ) on the back of blade unit  14 . Cross bar  41  also provides strength to blade unit  14  and has a camming surface that is acted upon by spring biased plunger  61 . 
     When a user wishes to replace a cartridge  12  after it has been used for shaving, the cartridge can be returned to dispenser  10  by insertion along connection axis  72  and ejection of the cartridge using button  68 . Prior to ejection, latch  22  rides on platform  74 . If the handle is tilted upward (e.g., as shown in FIG. 14) prior to ejection, latch  22  will move into recessed region  73 . The cartridge will automatically be engaged by latch  22 , as the handle  63  is retracted, and latch  22  will ride down platform  74  and cam surface  70  during retraction. Liquid on a used blade unit  14  stored in dispenser  10  can drain through drainage holes  53  (FIG.  5 ). 
     Other embodiments of the invention are within the scope of the claims.