Abstract:
A razor blade tool relating to overcoming single use shortcomings of current utility knives allows a user to select multiple razor blade positions. Each razor blade position allows a razor blade tool to be utilized for a different purpose, such as scraping, case cutting, twine cutting, and as a knife. Additional razor blades are stored in a razor blade tool in a manner that prevents the sharpened edges of razor blades from contacting side-walls of the storage area so that stored razor blades remain sharp and undamaged.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/208,492 entitled MULTI-PURPOSE CUTTING TOOL invented by Dave McDonald et al. filed, Jun. 2, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/278,661 invented by Gregory F. McCool et al. filed Mar. 21, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to razor blade tools, and in particular to razor blade tools having multiple razor blade positions.  
         BACKGROUND ART  
         [0003]    Typically, utility knives are designed for a single purpose, making them specialized tools. For example, a box knife is commonly designed to expose a small portion of a standard razor blade in order to cut open containers without cutting the contents of the container. A scraper is designed to expose the entire sharp edge of a standard razor blade in a fashion that allows the razor blade edge to be placed flat-wise against a surface, such as a painted wall or a car windshield, in order to scrape a substance off of the surface, e.g., paint or a sticker adhered to the surface. Thus, one may find in a tool box, or a utility drawer at home, multiple utility knives, each of which is used for a single specialized purpose. There are no current utility knives that allow a user of the utility knife to position a razor blade in a plurality of positions, each position permitting the utility knife to perform a different specialized task.  
           [0004]    In addition to specialized designs for utility knives, changing a razor blade in current utility knives is often a cumbersome and hazardous task. Several steps are often needed, such as removing a screw, prying apart a housing, disengaging a razor blade from the tool, engaging a new razor blade into the tool, reassembling the housing, and fastening the housing together using a screw or other fastening device, in order to change a razor blade from a single tool. Many utility knives also expose the user to an unacceptably high risk of being cut due to razor blade exposure and/or difficulty with removing a razor blade from the utility knife while changing the razor blade.  
           [0005]    There exists a need for a razor blade tool that enables a user to use one tool for a multitude of specialized tasks that currently require several utility knives. There exists a particular need for a razor blade tool having a razor blade that is easily changed, and that does not expose a user to a high risk of injury while changing the razor blade.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    These and other needs are met by embodiments of the present invention, which provide a razor blade tool capable of performing a variety of specialized tasks. Razor blade tools constructed according to the present invention comprise a handle portion and a razor blade housing, where the razor blade housing holds a razor blade in a plurality of positions, each position exposing a sharp edge of the razor blade in a different manner outside of the razor blade housing.  
           [0007]    In certain embodiments of the present invention, a razor blade device comprises a handle portion, a razor blade retaining portion, and a razor blade storage area. The razor blade storage area stores razor blades so that sharp edges of the razor blades do not contact side-walls of the razor blade storage area. The razor blade storage area comprises an upper surface, which comprises a moveable cover that provides access to the storage area, a lower surface, side-wall surfaces, and a post attached to the lower surface. The post is at least as high as the side-walls, and is configured to pass through a center aperture in stored razor blades. The post also engages the cover when the cover is in a closed position.  
           [0008]    In certain other embodiments of the present invention, a razor blade device comprises a handle portion, a razor blade housing, and a razor blade carrier within the razor blade housing. The razor blade carrier retains a razor blade, and is rotatable within the razor blade housing. The razor blade device also comprises a rotation mechanism that is non-rotatably connected to the razor blade carrier, is rotatably connected to the razor blade housing, and is accessible outside of the razor blade housing. When in a first position, the rotating mechanism engages the razor blade housing to prevent rotation of the razor blade carrier. When in a second position, the rotating mechanism disengages the razor blade housing to allow rotation of the razor blade carrier.  
           [0009]    Additional advantages and other features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following, or maybe learned by practice of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 depicts a top exploded assembly view according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 depicts a bottom exploded assembly view according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 a  depicts an embodiment of a razor blade carrier according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 b  depicts a bottom view of a razor blade carrier according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 c  depicts a top view of the razor blade carrier according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 d  depicts a top view of the razor blade carrier retaining a razor blade according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 a  depicts a top view and a bottom view of a top housing portion according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 b  depicts a top view and a bottom view of a lock component according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 c  depicts a screw used to attach the top housing and the bottom housing according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 d  depicts a top view and a bottom view of the bottom housing according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 a  depicts a top view and a bottom view of a first grip portion according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 b  depicts a top view and a bottom view of a second grip portion according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 c  depicts a top view and a bottom view of a cover according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 a  depicts an enlarged boundary representation of a spring according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 b  depicts a top view and a bottom view of a key according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 c  depicts a top view and a bottom view of a knob insert according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 d  depicts a top view and a bottom view of a knob according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 depicts a cut-away view of a razor blade tool prior to insertion of a razor blade according to the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 depicts a cut-away view of a razor blade tool with a razor blade partly inserted into the razor blade tool according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 depicts a cut-away view of a razor blade tool with a razor blade fully inserted into the razor blade tool according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 9 a  depicts a cut-away view of a razor blade tool showing a lock in a locked position.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 b  depicts a bottom view of a razor blade tool with a lock in a locked position according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 9 c  depicts a cut-away view of a razor blade tool with a lock in an unlocked position according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9 d  depicts a bottom view of a razor blade tool with a lock in the unlocked position according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9 e  depicts a cut-away view of a razor blade tool showing a razor blade carrier in an unlocked position according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 10 depicts a cut-away view of a razor blade tool showing positioning elements that are used to maintain a razor blade at various positions according to the embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 1.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 11 depicts a cut-away view of a razor blade tool showing rotation of a razor blade according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 12 depicts a cut-away view of a razor blade tool showing a razor blade in a position different from the position depicted in FIG. 11.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 13 depicts a cut-away view of a razor blade tool showing a razor blade in a position different from either position depicted in FIG. 11 or in FIG. 12.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 14 depicts a cut-away view of a razor blade tool showing a razor blade in a position different from any position depicted in FIG. 11, FIG. 12, or FIG. 13.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 15 depicts a top view of a razor blade tool showing a razor blade in the position depicted in FIG. 13.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 16 depicts a top view of a razor blade tool showing the razor blade in the position depicted in FIG. 14.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 17 depicts a top view of a razor blade tool showing the razor blade in the position depicted in FIG. 11.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 18 depicts a top view of a razor blade tool showing the razor blade in the position depicted in FIG. 12.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 19 depicts a bottom view of a razor blade tool showing a cover in an open position to expose a razor blade storage area according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 20 depicts a bottom view of a razor blade tool showing razor blades inserted into a razor blade storage area according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 21 depicts a bottom view of a razor blade tool showing a razor blade stored in a razor blade storage area according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 22 depicts a bottom view of a razor blade tool showing multiple razor blades stored in a razor blade storage area according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 23 a  depicts a bottom view of a cover according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 23 b  depicts a cut-away view of the handle of a razor blade tool showing a storage area for razor blades according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0050]    The present invention addresses and solves problems related to specialized utility knives that have only one, or a few uses. The present invention also addresses and solves problems related to quick, easy, and safe changing of a razor blade into and out of a razor blade tool. The present invention addresses and solves such problems by providing a razor blade tool that rotatably holds a razor blade. A razor blade is rotated within the razor blade tool to various positions according to the function that the user of the razor blade tool wishes to perform. For example, in one position, a razor blade is positioned to act as a scraper. In another position, a razor blade is positioned to act as a box knife. In another position, a razor blade is positioned in a twine cutting position. In yet another position, a razor blade may be used as a knife. In certain embodiments, when the razor blade carrier within the razor blade tool is positioned so that the razor blade acts as a scraper, the razor blade may be easily removed from and inserted into the razor blade tool without requiring additional tools, and without unduly exposing the user to the risk of being cut.  
         [0051]    Adverting to FIGS. 1 and 2, the components of a razor blade tool according to an embodiment of the present invention are described. Although only one embodiment of the present invention is depicted and described, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the various embodiments that the present invention encompasses. Describing the depicted embodiment of the present invention, a top housing  15 , and a bottom housing  55  are utilized to form a handle portion and a razor blade housing for a razor blade tool. The top housing  15  and the bottom housing  55  also cooperate to retain the various components of the razor blade tool, as well as replacement razor blades. The bottom housing  55  retains a lock member  50 , which slidably engages the bottom housing  55 . A cover  60  is movably attached to bottom housing  55 . In certain embodiments, cover  60  is rotatably attached to bottom housing  55 .  
         [0052]    Razor blade carrier  40  rotatably resides between bottom housing  55  and top housing  15 . Key  35  is non-rotatably retained on razor blade carrier  40 . For example, the bottom portion of key  35  fits within recess  43  on the razor blade carrier  40  (FIG. 2 c ). Additionally, spring  30  is placed onto key  35  and is compressed when the razor blade tool is assembled. Compression of spring  30  assists in retaining key  35  within the recess  43  of razor blade carrier  40 . Spring  30  is, for example, a wave spring, or an elastomeric spring. For example, a wave spring is formed from a sheet of metal by stamping, and comprises undulating top and bottom surfaces so that when the spring  30  is compressed, it exerts force against the compressive force. An elastomeric spring is made of rubber, for example, or other elastomeric material that exerts an opposing force to a compressive force applied upon the spring  30 .  
         [0053]    When the razor blade tool is assembled, insert knob  25  is placed over the top of spring  30 , and non-rotatably engages key  35 . Insert knob  25  comprises a protrusion  26  that is utilized to retain razor blade  70  or  71  in a user selected position by locking the razor blade carrier  40  in a user selected position. Insert knob  25 , spring  30 , key  35 , razor blade carrier  40  and lock  50  are all retained between top housing  15  and lower housing  55  by compressive forces exerted by an attaching element  65 , for example, a screw or a rivet. The previously recited elements comprise the rotating mechanism in the exemplary embodiment of the invention. A portion of lock  50  protrudes outside of lower housing  55  to allow a user to move lock  50  between an unlocked position and a locked position. Grips  20 , and  45  may, for example, also be attached to housing portions  15  and  55  by compressive forces exerted by attaching element  65 . Knob  10  is designed to non-rotatably engage insert knob  25  so that rotation of knob  10  causes insert knob  25  to rotate. Because insert knob  25  non-rotatably engages key  35 , and key  35  non-rotatably engages razor blade carrier  40 , rotation of knob  10  causes the insert knob  25 , the key  35 , and the razor blade carrier  40  to rotate. Rotation of knob  10  is accomplished by pushing down on knob  10  in order to overcome the force exerted by spring  30 . As described infra, pushing down on knob  10  is required to disengage positioning element  26  from slot  16 , which allows razor blade carrier  40  to rotate on track  57 . Rotation of the razor blade carrier  40  is free from obstruction once knob  10  has been pushed enough to overcome the force exerted by spring  30 .  
         [0054]    Top housing  15 , bottom housing  55 , grip  20 , and grip  45  are designed to give the razor blade tool  5  of the present invention an ergonomic design. For example, housing portions  15  and  55  are tapered to easily fit within the palm of a user&#39;s hand and fit the contours of the user&#39;s hand. Grip  20  is, for example, a finger grip designed to match the contours of a user&#39;s finger pad. Grip  45  is, for example, a thumb grip designed to match the contours of a user&#39;s thumb pad. Grips  20  and  45  are made from a material with a high co-efficient of friction, for example, a non-slip elastomer, or plastic with a rough surface. Such ergonomic design and non-slip materials co-operate to automatically position a user&#39;s hand safely away from the exposed, sharp edge of the razor blade, and to prevent the user&#39;s hand from slipping off of the razor blade tool  5  towards the sharp edge of the razor blade  70 ,  71 .  
         [0055]    Referring to FIG. 6, placing a razor blade  71  into an embodiment of a razor blade tool according to the present invention is described. Note that razor blade  71  differs from razor blade  70  in that the right-hand comer portion of the sharp edge is rounded and not square. Such rounding of the sharp edge of the razor blade  71  allows the razor blade to protrude a lesser distance when in the case cutting position (FIG. 18) so that the contents of the box are not cut when the box is opened.  
         [0056]    Knob  10  is turned so that the razor blade carrier  40  is in the scraper position, as depicted in FIG. 17. Although shown removed, note that the razor blade  71  is inserted into the razor blade tool  5  with the top housing portion  15  in place. FIGS. 6, 7, and  8  depict placing a razor blade into the razor blade tool  5  with the top housing  15  removed for clarity only.  
         [0057]    In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, razor blade carrier  40  is formed from sheet metal and is folded numerous times to achieve the shape depicted in FIGS. 2 b  and  2   c . Razor blade carrier  40  has a top element  40   a  and a bottom element  40   b . Razor blade carrier  40  is folded in a manner that allows top element  40   a  to lie on top of bottom element  40   b  so that razor blade  71  is allowed to slide in between element  40   a  and  40   b.    
         [0058]    As shown in FIG. 6, razor blade carrier  40  is open along the front edge where the razor blade  71  is inserted. The backing portion  72  of razor blade  71  is placed within opening  600  formed in razor blade carrier  40 . Opening  600  is formed when the metal sheet comprising razor blade carrier  40  is stamped and/or folded to create razor blade carrier  40 . As depicted in FIG. 6, opening  600  has a mouth area which is wider than the width of backing area  72  on razor blade  71 . Inserting the razor blade  71  into razor blade carrier  40  is facilitated by forming the mouth of opening  600  to be wider than the width of backing  72  on the razor blade  71 . The wide mouth of opening  600  gives the user of razor blade tool  5  a large target area into which to insert backing  72  of razor blade  71 . The angled portion of opening  600  guides the backing  72  into proper alignment with respect to razor blade carrier  40 , as depicted in FIG. 7.  
         [0059]    The razor blade body  75  of razor blade  71  slides between elements  40   a  and  40   b  of razor blade carrier  40  as the user inserts the razor blade  71  into the razor blade tool  5 . The user continues to push razor blade  71  in the direction of arrow A until notch  73 , formed in the razor blade  71 , engages tab  44  formed on razor blade carrier  40 . Engagement of tab  44  with notch  73  indicates that razor blade  71  is in the proper position on the razor blade carrier  40 , and also acts as a securing point to prevent rotation of razor blade  71  with respect to razor blade carrier  40 . Once the razor blade  71  has been inserted into razor blade carrier  40 , as depicted in FIG. 8, the user locks the razor blade  71  into the razor blade carrier  40  as described infra.  
         [0060]    Referring now to FIGS. 9 a - 9   d , and to FIG. 2 b , locking the razor blade  71  into the razor blade carrier  40  is explained. Referring to FIG. 2 b , engagement element  41  is designed with engaging tab  41   a  which passes through aperture  41   b  in the razor blade carrier  40 . Referring again to FIG. 9 a , cam surface  56  is utilized to apply pressure to engagement element  41  in order to force engaging tab  41   a  through aperture  41   b . Lock  50  is slidably retained within cam surface  56 , and has a tab  51  that fits into notch  58  of cam surface  56 .  
         [0061]    When the lock  50  is pushed to the forward position, i.e., locked position, as depicted in FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b , tab  51  engages notch  58  and is of sufficient height to comprise a portion of cam surface  56 . By filling notch  58 , and becoming a portion of cam surface  56 , tab  51  acts to force engagement element  41  towards razor blade carrier  40 , thus forcing engaging tab  41   a  through aperture  41   b  in the razor blade carrier  40 . Forcing engaging tab  41   a  through aperture  41   b  allows tab  41   a  to pass through center hole  74  of razor blade  71 , and thus retain razor blade  71  within razor blade carrier  40 . When engaging tab  41   a  has been forced through aperture  41   b , and center hole  74 , engaging tab  41  a acts in conjunction with tab  44  to retain razor blade  71  within razor blade carrier  40 . Tab  44 , engaging tab  41   a , element  40   a , element  40   b , and key  35  act in conjunction on razor blade  71  to constrain razor blade  71  from moving in all six degrees of freedom while razor blade  71  is locked into razor blade carrier  40 . For example, in FIG. 2 d  razor blade  71  is held in razor blade carrier  40 . Razor blade  71  is prevented from moving parallel to axis  1  by tab  44  and engaging tab  41   a . Razor blade  71  is prevented from moving parallel to axis  2  by an edge of key  35  and a bend in element  40   a . Razor blade  71  is prevented from moving parallel to axis  3  by the opposing sides of the razor blade carrier  40 ,  40   a  and  40   b . As seen in FIG. 2 d , the razor blade restraints also prevent rotation of razor blade  71 .  
         [0062]    When the lock  50  is pushed to an unlocked position, as depicted in FIGS. 9 c  and  9   d , tab  51  disengages notch  58 , thus creating an opening in cam surface  56 . When knob  10  is turned to the scrape position, as depicted in FIG. 17, engaging element  41  moves into notch  58  as depicted in FIG. 9 e . For example, engaging element  41  is a cantilever beam that acts as a spring because it is biased to move into notch  58  due to elastic deformation. Movement of engaging element  41  into notch  58  allows tab  41   a  to withdraw through center hole  74  in the razor blade  71 , and through aperture  41   b  in the razor blade carrier  40 . As depicted in FIG. 9 e , engaging element  41  moves a sufficient distance so that engaging tab  41   a  is clear of the lower surface of element  40   b  of the razor blade carrier  40 . This movement of engaging element  41  disengages engaging tab  41   a  from the razor blade  71 . With the lock  50  in the unlocked position, depicted in FIGS. 9 c  and  9   d , and engaging element  41  causing disengagement of tab  41   a  from center hole  74 , a user may freely slide razor blade  71  into and out of razor blade carrier  40 . In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, moving the lock  50  to the unlock position allows engaging element  41  to move away from the razor blade carrier  40  when the razor blade  71  is positioned in the scrape position. Thus, a razor blade  71  may be inserted into and removed from the razor blade tool  5  when the razor blade carrier  40  is in the scrape position and the lock  50  is in the unlocked position.  
         [0063]    After a new razor blade  71  has been inserted into razor blade carrier  40 , and when notch  73  has engaged tab  44  on the razor blade carrier  40 , lock  50  is slid into the lock position, i.e., tab  51  now fills notch  58  and becomes part of cam surface  56 , which forces engaging element  41  towards the razor blade carrier  40 . Movement of lock  50  into the lock position causes engagement tab  41   a  to engage center hole  74  of the new razor blade  71 . The new razor blade  71  is now secured in the razor blade carrier  40  as described supra.  
         [0064]    Referring to FIG. 10 rotation of razor blade  71  is now described. Spring  30  pushes knob insert  25  away from the razor blade carrier  40 . Force exerted by spring  30  causes positioning protrusion  26  of the knob insert  25  to mate with notch  16  when the razor blade  71  is, for example, in one of the positions depicted in any of FIGS. 15 through 18. This first position, i.e., when positioning protrusion  26  is engaged in a notch  16 , prevents rotation of the rotation mechanism. Knob  10  is attached to housing portion  15  in a manner that allows knob  10  to be rotated, and that limits the distance knob  10  can move towards and away from razor blade carrier  40 . For example, knob  10  is snap fit into ring  11  (FIG. 1). Limiting movement of knob  10  away from razor blade carrier  40  prevents spring  30  from pushing knob insert  25  too far from razor blade carrier  40 , thus preventing disassembly of the rotation mechanism.  
         [0065]    Engagement of positioning protrusion  26  with notch  16  prevents knob insert  25  from rotating. Because knob insert  25  is non-rotatably connected to key  35 , which in turn is non-rotatably connected to razor blade carrier  40 , which in turn is non-rotatably connected to razor blade  71 , engagement of positioning protrusion  26  with notch  16  prevents razor blade  71  from rotating. Referring to FIG. 11, rotation of razor blade  71  is brought about by pushing down on knob  10 . Pushing down on knob  10  overcomes the force exerted by spring  30 , and forces positioning protrusion  26  out of notch  16 . This pushed-down position, i.e., when spring  30  is further compressed, is the second position of the rotation mechanism. By rotating knob  10  while pushing on knob  10 , knob insert  25  is rotated, thus positioning protrusion  26  is rotated away from notch  16  and along the underside of track  17  (FIG. 10). When positioning protrusion  26  is in a position along track  17  so that it is between notches  16 , the downward force on knob  10  can be released, and the razor blade  71  may still be rotated. Further rotation of the knob  10  causes the rest of the rotation mechanism comprising knob insert  25 , key  35 , razor blade carrier  40  and razor blade  71  to rotate until positioning protrusion  26  aligns with another notch  16 . When positioning protrusion  26  aligns with a notch  16 , the force exerted by spring  30  forces positioning protrusion  26  into the aligned notch  16 , thus preventing further rotation of knob  10  and the connected rotating mechanism through to razor blade  71 . In like manner, the razor blade can be turned between various positions intended for different uses, i.e., a string cutting position, a knife position, a scraper position, and a case cutter position, as depicted in FIGS. 15 through 18, respectively.  
         [0066]    Referring now to FIGS.  19 - 23 , the storage of razor blades  70 ,  71  in storage area  100  is described. Cover  60  is moved to expose storage area  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, cover  60  is rotatably connected to housing portion  55 . Post  105  is, for example, formed as part of housing member  15  and protrudes into storage area  100 . Razor blades  70 ,  71  are lowered into storage area  100  as depicted in FIG. 20. Post  105  fits through the center aperture  74  of razor blades  70 ,  71  in order to engage the razor blades  70 ,  71  and prevent the razor blades  70 ,  71  from moving within storage area  100  transversely to the axis of post  105 . Note that post  105  is positioned so that the sharpened edges of razor blades  70 ,  71  do not touch or engage the side-walls of storage area  100 . Preventing the sharpened edges of the razor blades from contacting the storage area  100  side-walls prevents the sharp razor blades edges from becoming damaged and dull.  
         [0067]    As depicted in FIGS. 20, 21 and  22 , multiple razor blades  70 ,  71  may be stored in the storage area  100 . As depicted in FIG. 23 a , the cover may be retained non-rotatably with relation to housing portion  55  by an integral spring latch, which engages an opening in the handle when in the closed position.  
         [0068]    As depicted in FIG. 23, handle portions  15  and  55  of the exemplary embodiment form an arcuate cavity. Post  105  extends from handle portion  15  into the cavity formed between handles  15  and  60 , which comprises storage area  100 . Because of the arcuate construction of the handle portions  15  and  55 , post  105  extends above the height of the side-walls of storage area  100 . When cover  60  is rotated into the closed position, a cooperating rib  110 , engages post  105 . Engagement of the cooperating rib  110  with post  105  prevents razor blades  70 ,  71  from becoming disengaged from post  105 . This ensures that razor blades  70 ,  71  cannot move axially off of post  105  to a point where they disengage post  105  and are free to move about storage area  100 . The positive retention of razor blades  70 ,  71  within storage area  100  by post  105  and cooperating rib  110  prevents razor blades from becoming lose and protruding between cracks or openings between the housing portions  15  and  55 . Thus, a user cannot be cut by a loose razor blade protruding from storage area  100 .  
         [0069]    In the previous description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific materials, structures, materials, processes, etc. in order to provide a better understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced without resorting to the details specifically set forth. In other instances, well-known processing structures have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.  
         [0070]    Only the preferred embodiment of the invention and but a few examples of its versatility are shown and described in the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations and environments, and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein.