Patent Publication Number: US-10315833-B2

Title: Blade dispenser

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/901,078, filed Nov. 7, 2013, the content of which is incorporated herein for reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to blade dispensers in general, and to blade dispensers for safely handing blades in particular. 
     Background Information 
     Blade dispensers are used to conveniently store and dispense a number of blades, such as standard, single-edge razor blades. Some of these blades have one sharp blade edge at the bottom, and an opposed, safe top edge with a folded-over protective cap that can be metal. These blades are typically used for scraping and cutting. Conventional blade dispensers require the user to catch a small protruding portion of the blade with the edge of a finger or fingernail, and push the blade slightly out through a slot in the front of the dispenser. Typically, at this point the blade to be dispensed is slightly extended sideways from the dispenser, exposing both a portion of the safe top edge and the sharp blade edge. The blade is then grasped with the thumb and forefinger and removed from the dispenser. One disadvantage of conventional dispensers is that many users find it difficult to catch a small portion of the blade with their finger or fingernail, which may be injured in the attempt to catch the blade portion. Moreover, exposure of a portion of the sharp blade edge during the dispensing process exposes the user&#39;s fingers to injury. There exists a need for a blade dispenser that dispenses blades easily and safely 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, a blade dispenser is provided that includes a housing, a carrier, and a blade eject assembly. The housing defines a carrier cavity having an open end, and includes a blade loading mechanism. The carrier is operable to hold a plurality of blades. The carrier is selectively disposable within the carrier cavity of the housing. The blade eject assembly includes a button biased in a normal position relative to a base. The button is operable to be moved relative to the base and engage a blade disposed within the carrier, and to move the blade to a position where at least a part of the blade is disposed outside the housing. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the present blade dispenser may include one or more of the following features individually or in combination: 
     a) the housing may include at least one carrier button operable to engage the carrier disposed within the carrier cavity to selectively secure the carrier within the carrier cavity; 
     b) the blade eject assembly may be selectively positionable relative to the housing in an open position and in a closed position, and one or both of the housing and the blade eject assembly may include a latch to hold the blade eject assembly relative to the housing; 
     c) the blade eject assembly may be pivotally mounted to the housing; 
     d) the housing may include at least one blade eject assembly button, which button includes a latch to engage the blade eject assembly to secure the blade eject assembly relative to the housing; 
     e) the carrier has a length and may include a base panel having a lengthwise extending slot, and a dog operable to be selectively positioned at lengthwise positions within the carrier, and a detent mechanism operable to positionally secure the dog at lengthwise positions of the carrier; 
     f) the carrier may include one or more panels that define a blade cavity sized to contain a plurality of blades, which blade cavity has a cross-sectional geometry that accommodates the blades held within the carrier; 
     g) the carrier may include a front panel configured to receive a portion of the blade eject assembly button; and 
     h) the blade loading mechanism may include a sled, a flexible member, a pivotable member, and a biasing element, wherein the sled is configured for travel along a lengthwise extending slot disposed in a floor panel of the housing. 
     The present method and advantages associated therewith will become more readily apparent in view of the detailed description provided below, including the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic isometric view of a blade dispenser embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the blade dispenser. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic isometric view of the blade dispenser with the blade eject assembly removed. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic isometric view of the housing base. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are diagrammatic isometric views of the carrier buttons. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic isometric view of the blade eject assembly latch button. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic isometric bottom view of the blade dispenser, illustrating aspects of the blade loading mechanism. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are view of elements of the blade loading mechanism. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of the blade loading mechanism sled. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic isometric view of the carrier with the carrier buttons positioned aside. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic isometric bottom view of the carrier with the carrier buttons positioned aside. 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of a carrier button engaged with the carrier. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic top view of the carrier without the top, including an enlarged partial view of the detent mechanism. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic isometric view of the blade eject assembly. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the blade eject assembly. 
         FIG. 16  is a diagrammatic isometric view of a blade dispenser embodiment, illustrating the blade eject assembly in a closed position. 
         FIG. 17  is a diagrammatic isometric view of a blade dispenser embodiment, illustrating the blade eject assembly in an open position. 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional diagrammatic view of a blade dispenser embodiment, illustrating the blade eject assembly in an open position. 
         FIG. 19  is a diagrammatic view of a blade carrier embodiment having a unitary body, shown in unassembled form. 
         FIG. 20  is a diagrammatic rear isometric view of a blade carrier embodiment having a unitary body, shown in partially assembled form, including razor blades. 
         FIG. 21  is a diagrammatic bottom isometric view of a blade carrier embodiment having a unitary body, shown in assembled form, including razor blades and a sled. 
         FIG. 22  is a diagrammatic top isometric view of a blade carrier embodiment having a unitary body, shown in assembled form. 
         FIG. 23  is a sectional diagrammatic partial view of a blade carrier embodiment. 
         FIG. 24  is a diagrammatic isometric view of a position adjustable dog. 
         FIG. 25  is a diagrammatic sectional partial view of the position adjustable dog shown in  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a diagrammatic isometric view of a blade eject assembly button embodiment. 
         FIG. 27  is a diagrammatic isometric view of a blade eject assembly button embodiment. 
         FIG. 28A  is a sectional partial view of a blade dispenser embodiment, illustrating the blade eject assembly button in a depressed position. 
         FIG. 28B  is a sectional partial view of a blade dispenser embodiment, illustrating the blade eject assembly button in a non-depressed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a blade dispenser  20  (for dispensing individual blades  21 ) is provided that includes a housing  22 , a blade carrier  24 , and a blade eject assembly  26 . The housing  22  includes a base  28 , a cap  30 , at least one carrier button  32 , a blade eject assembly latch button  34 , and a blade loading mechanism  36 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , the base  28  includes a first side wall panel  38 , a second side wall panel  40 , an end wall panel  42 , a floor panel  44 , and a front flange  46 . Each side wall panel  38 ,  40  extends lengthwise between an opening edge  48  and an interior edge  50 . As used herein, the terms “lengthwise”, “widthwise”, and “heightwise” refer to, respectively, directions along the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis; e.g., see orthogonal axes disposed adjacent  FIG. 1 . The interior edges  50  of each side wall panel  38 ,  40  are disposed proximate the end wall panel  42 . The side wall panels  38 ,  40  and the end wall panel  42  extend outwardly from the floor panel  44 , and define a slot-shaped carrier cavity  52  with an open end  54 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , each side wall panel  38 ,  40  is configured as a single panel that extends lengthwise substantially the length of the floor panel  44 , and the end wall panel  42  includes a widthwise extending portion  42 A, and two lengthwise extending portions  42 B,  42 C. In this configuration the end wall panel  42  extends substantially between the interior edges  50  of the side wall panels  38 ,  40 , separated from the interior edges  50  on each side by a slot  56 . The housing base  28  is not limited to this particular embodiment and may include other configurations that define the slot-shaped carrier cavity  52 . For example, each side wall panel  38 ,  40  may include a plurality of wall sections generally coplanar with one another, and the end wall panel  42  may extend less than substantially between the side wall panels  38 ,  40 , or may not be included at all. 
     The first side wall panel  38  includes a carrier button biasing mechanism  58  and a blade eject assembly latch button biasing mechanism  60 , and the second side wall panel  40  includes a carrier button biasing mechanism  58 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the carrier button biasing mechanisms  58  and the blade eject assembly latch button biasing mechanism  60  are shown as outwardly extending cantilever tabs that are engaged by buttons as will be described below. The carrier button biasing mechanisms  58  and the blade eject assembly latch button biasing mechanism  60  are not limited to a cantilever embodiment. In addition, one or more than two carrier button biasing mechanisms  58  may be used; e.g., if one or more carrier buttons  32  are used as will be described below. 
     The front flange  46  extends outwardly from the floor panel  44 , proximate the open end  54  of the carrier cavity  52 . A blade eject assembly pivot post  62  is fixed to the front flange  46 , adjacent the opening edge  48  of the second side wall panel  40 . 
     The floor panel  44  includes a carrier surface  64  and a bottom surface  66  (see  FIG. 7 ), which bottom surface  66  is disposed opposite the carrier surface  64 . A slot  68  extends through the floor panel  44  between the carrier surface  64  and the bottom surface  66 . The slot  68  has a width and a length. In some embodiments, a cap ledge  70  extends around the outer periphery of the floor panel  44 , including a first portion  72  that extends away from the wall panels  38 ,  40 , and a second portion  74  that extends away from the floor panel bottom surface  66 . The second portion  74  of the cap ledge  70  and the floor panel bottom surface  66  define a mechanism cavity  76  there between. A plurality of slots  78  is disposed in the first portion of the cap ledge  70 . The slots  78  are configured to receive tabs extending out from the cap  30  as will be explained below. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in those embodiments that use a pair of carrier buttons  32  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ), the pair includes a first carrier button  32 A and a second carrier button  32 B that are mirror versions (i.e., left and right hand) of the same structure. Since the buttons  32 A,  32 B share the same features (albeit left and right hand configurations), only one button is described hereinafter. The button  32  includes a pivot axle  80 , a latch  82 , and a contact surface  84  disposed between a first end and a second end. The pivot axle  80  is disposed proximate the first end of the button  32  and the latch  82  extends outwardly from the second end of the button  32 . The latch  82  is configured to engage the carrier  24  as will be described below. The first carrier button  32 A is pivotally mounted to the cap ledge  70  adjacent the first side wall panel  38  (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ), and the second carrier button  32 B is pivotally mounted to the cap ledge  70  adjacent the second side wall panel  40 . The present blade dispenser  20  is not limited to this particular carrier button  32  embodiment. In addition as indicated above, one or more than two carrier buttons  32  may be used. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 6 , the blade eject assembly latch button  34  includes a pivot axle  86 , a latch  88 , and a contact surface  90  disposed between a first end and a second end. The pivot axle  86  is disposed proximate the first end of the button  34  and the latch  88  extends outwardly from the second end of the button  34 . The latch  88  is configured to engage the blade eject assembly  26  as will be described below. The blade eject assembly latch button  34  is pivotally mounted to the cap ledge  70  adjacent the first side wall panel  38 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 7, 8A, 8B, and 9 , the blade loading mechanism  36  includes a sled  92 , a flexible member  94 , a pivotable member  96  (e.g., a pulley, a sprocket, etc.), and a biasing element  98 . The sled  92  includes a slot member  100  extending between a bottom surface flange  102  and a blade flange  104 . The slot member  100  has a width that is less than the width of the floor panel slot  68 . The blade flange  104  and the bottom surface flange  102  each have a width that is greater that the width of the floor panel slot  68 . The relative widths allow the sled slot member  100  to be received within the floor panel slot  68  and to slidably travel lengthwise within the floor panel slot  68 , and the widths of the blade flange  104  and the bottom surface flange  102  prevent the sled  92  from passing through the floor panel  44 . The flexible member  94  has a first end  106  and a second end  108 . The flexible member  94  may be in the form of a linked element construction (e.g., the linked teeth construction shown in  FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B , a chain type structure, etc.) or a uniform cross-section profile configuration (e.g., a cable, a wire, a cord, a string, etc.) or other type flexible member, or combinations thereof. The pivotable member  96 , which has a circumferential face  110 , is mounted to the floor panel bottom surface  66  for pivotable movement around a pivot axis. The circumferential face  110  of the pivotable member  96  is configured to retain the flexible member  94  around at least a portion of the circumferential face  110 . For example, in those embodiments where the flexible member  94  has a linked element construction (e.g., the teeth shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8A ), the circumferential face  110  may include teeth (e.g., a sprocket) that mesh with the linked element construction. Alternatively if the flexible member  94  has a uniform cross-section configuration, the circumferential face  110  may be configured (e.g., a pulley) to receive the flexible member  94 . The circumferential face  110  is not limited to any particular configuration. In some embodiments, the blade loading mechanism  36  may include a chute  112  attached to the bottom surface of the floor panel  44  configured to receive the flexible member  94 . 
     The blade loading mechanism  36  is arranged such that the first end  106  of the flexible member  94  is attached to the bottom surface flange  102  of the sled  92 , and extends lengthwise to and around the pivotable member  96 , engaging the circumferential face  110  of the pivotable member  96 . In those embodiments that include a chute  112 , the flexible member  94  is either aligned to enter into the chute  112  or is at least partially disposed within the chute  112 . The amount of the flexible member  94  that is disposed in the chute  112  depends on the lengthwise position of the sled  92 . 
     The blade loading mechanism biasing member  98  is operable to bias the sled  92  toward the open end  54  of the carrier cavity  52 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8B , the biasing member  98  is a torsion spring engaged with the pivotable member  96  and operable to cause the pivotable member  96  to rotate about its pivot axis. In an alternative embodiment (or in addition), a biasing member may be attached to the second end  108  of the flexible member  94  to bias the sled  92  (attached to the opposite end of the flexible member  94 ) toward the open end  54  of the carrier cavity  52 . The blade loading mechanism  36  is not limited to these embodiments, however. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the cap  30  includes one or more side panels  116  and a top panel  118 , and structure for attaching the cap  30  to the base  28 . The side panels  116  and top panel  118  collectively enclose the carrier cavity  52 , except for the open end  54  of the carrier cavity  52  which is not enclosed. The top panel  118  may include a window to permit visual inspection of the blades  21  disposed within the carrier  24  when the carrier  24  is disposed within the carrier cavity  52  as will be described below. The structure for attaching the cap  30  to the base  28  includes a plurality of tabs (not shown) configured to engage the slots  78  disposed in the cap ledge  70 . The cap  30  may alternatively be attached to the base  28  by other structure. 
     In some embodiments, the housing  22  may include a slot  120  (see  FIGS. 1-3 ) for placing used blades  21  for safe storage and eventual disposal or to safely hold a blade that is in use. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 10-13 , the carrier  24  includes a front panel  122 , a pair of side panels  124 , a base panel  126 , a top panel  128 , a back panel  130 , a position adjustable dog  132 , and a detent mechanism  134  operable to positionally secure the dog  132 . The base panel  126  includes a lengthwise extending slot  136  having a width that is greater than the width of the sled  92  to permit the sled  92  to pass through base panel slot  136 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the base panel  126  further includes a pair of latch slots  138  which (as will be described below) are configured to engage the respective carrier button latch  82 . The latch slots  138  each include a ramped tooth  140  extending into the respective slot  138 . The carrier  24  is not limited to the described latch slots  138  disposed in the base panel  126 . For example, a latch slot  138  may be disposed in a side panel  124 , top panel  128 , or base panel  126 , and the latch slot  138  may assume alternative configurations operable to engage a carrier button latch  82 . The front panel  122  is configured to receive structure extending out from the blade eject assembly  26  as will be described below; e.g., the carrier front panel  122  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  includes a U-shaped opening  142 . The side panels  124 , base panel  126 , and top panel  128  extend lengthwise between the front panel  122  and the back panel  130  and define a blade cavity  144  there between. The cross-sectional geometry of the blade cavity  144  is selected to accommodate the blades  21  stored within the carrier  24 ; e.g., the carrier  24  shown in  FIGS. 10, 11, and 13  has a rectangular cross-section blade cavity  144  which accommodates the rectangular shape of the blades  21 . The carrier  24  is not limited to a rectangular cross-section configuration. The top panel  128  is selectively removable to permit blades  21  to be loaded into the blade cavity  144 . The top panel  128  may include a window to permit visual inspection of the blades  21  disposed within the carrier  24 . The top panel  128  is configured to include a cutout  141  disposed at the forward end of the top panel  128 . The cutout  141  and the front panel  122  combine to form a slot. The slot is configured to allow the passage a razor blade there through. 
     The dog  132 , which is disposed and adjustably positioned in the blade cavity  144 , includes a blade contact face  146  that extends widthwise between the side panels  124 . A pair of cantilevered arms  148  with teeth is attached to the dog  132 . The cantilevered arms  148  form a first portion of the detent mechanism  134  that is operable to positionally secure the dog  132 . The teeth of the cantilevered arms  148  are positioned to engage mating rows of teeth  150  disposed in the carrier  24 . The mating rows of teeth  150  form a second portion of the detent mechanism  134 . As will be described below, the detent mechanism  134  allows the dog  132  to be moved toward the front panel  122 , but inhibits movement of the dog  132  toward the back panel. The detent mechanism  134  is not limited to the described embodiment. For example, in alternative embodiments, there may be one or more than two cantilevered arm/teeth row combinations, and the teeth row(s) may be disposed elsewhere in the carrier  24 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the blade eject assembly  26  includes base  152 , a button  154 , and a button biasing member  156 . The base  152  includes a pivot member  158  disposed on a widthwise side configured to engage the blade eject assembly pivot post  62  fixed to the front flange  46 . The pivot member  158  and blade eject assembly pivot post  62  cooperate to allow the blade eject assembly  26  to rotate about a pivot axis toward and away from the housing  22 , and toward and away from carrier  24  when the carrier  24  is disposed in the carrier cavity  52 .  FIG. 14  illustrates the pivot member  158  having an additional pivot post which cooperates with the cap  30  to facilitate the aforesaid pivot motion. The male and female arrangement between the pivot posts and pivot member may be alternatively be switched between those elements. The button  154  includes a blade engagement structure  160  configured to engage a blade  21  disposed in the carrier  24  as will be described below; e.g., the engagement structure  160  can be configured to engage the edge of a protective metal cap attached to the blade  21 . The blade engagement structure  160  extends outwardly from a housing side surface  162  of the button  154 . In some embodiments, the blade engagement structure  160  may include a magnet  161 , which magnet  161  facilitates blade handling/movement. The button  154  is configured to allow heightwise translation (e.g., vertical translation) of the button  154  relative to the assembly base  152 . The button biasing member  156  (e.g., a coil spring) is disposed between an interior surface of the button  154  and an interior surface of the base  152 , and biases the button  154  in a height wise direction away from the base  152 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the button  154  biased in the normal position. The button  154  and base  152  include features (e.g., tabs) that limit the relative travel there between and maintain the base  152  and button  154  coupled together. The base  152  further includes structure (e.g., a slot) for engaging the latch  88  of the blade eject assembly latch button  34 . The blade eject assembly  26  is not limited to the above-described embodiment; e.g., the assembly may assume a configuration that is selectively attached to and removable from the housing  22  rather than the pivotable arrangement described above. 
       FIGS. 16-18  illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. Features of the present disclosure described below may be included in any of embodiments described herein. Embodiments are described below in the context of a blade dispenser  220  (for dispensing individual blades  21 ) that includes a housing  222 , a blade carrier  224 , and a blade eject assembly  226 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 19-22 , the blade carrier  224  includes a front panel  322 , a pair of side panels  324 , a base panel  326 , a top panel  328 , a back panel  330 , a position adjustable dog  332  (e.g., see  FIG. 20 ), and a detent mechanism  334  operable to positionally secure the dog  332 . The base panel  326  includes a lengthwise extending slot  336  having a width that is greater than the width of the sled  92  (e.g., see  FIGS. 4 and 18 ); e.g., to permit the sled  92  to pass through base panel slot  336 . The base panel  326  may include a pair of latch slots  338  (e.g., see  FIG. 21 ) configured to engage the respective carrier button latch  82 . The front panel  322  is configured to receive structure extending out from the blade eject assembly  226  as will be described below; e.g., the carrier front panel  322  shown in  FIGS. 19 and 22  includes an opening  342  configured to receive a blade engagement structure portion of a blade eject assembly button  354 . The top panel  328  includes a cutout  341  disposed at the forward end of the top panel  328 . The cutout  341  and the front panel  322  combine to form a slot  343  (e.g., see  FIG. 23 ). The slot  343  is configured to allow the passage of a razor blade  21  there through. In a manner similar to the embodiments described above, the side panels  324 , base panel  326 , and top panel  328  extend lengthwise between the front panel  322  and the back panel  330  to define a blade cavity  144  there between. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 22, 23, 28A, and 28B  in some embodiments the blade carrier  224  includes a one or more features disposed adjacent the front panel  322  to position the blades disposed there at. For example, the top panel  328  may include one or more tabs  364  adjacent the edge of the cutout  341  that are configured to separate the forward most razor blade  21  from the next razor blade  21  within the blade carrier  224  as the forward most razor blade is moved vertically upward as it is being dispensed from the blade carrier  224 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 23, 28A, and 28B  the tabs  364  are shaped to complement the geometry of the razor blade protective cap, but still allow forward travel of the blade  21  once the forward most blade is removed. 
     In some embodiments, the blade carrier  224  may include one or more blade guide features disposed on one or more interior surfaces (i.e., surfaces facing blades disposed within the carrier). For example, as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , a guide rib  366  extends outwardly from the interior surface of each side panel  324 . Each guide rib  366  extends lengthwise and is configured to mate with (e.g., be received in) a cutout disposed on the respective side of each razor blade  21  disposed within the blade carrier  224 . The guide ribs  366  may be disposed to support the blades  21  and allow the blades to slide lengthwise along the ribs  366 , thereby providing clearance between the cutting edges of the blades  21  and the base panel  326  of the blade carrier  224 . The present disclosure is not limited to the guide features described above. For example, if the blade carrier  224  is configured to hold a razor blade embodiment other than the type shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the guide features may be configured to mate with guide features (or other blade geometry aspects) present in the type of razor blade. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , in some embodiments the blade carrier  224  is constructed to allow assembly of the blade carrier  224  from a unitary body. For example, the unitary body may be a body (e.g., manufactured by molding, stamping, etc.) with respective panels (i.e., side panels  324 , base panel  326 , top panel  328 , and back panel  330 ) connected to one another by integral hinges  368 . The unitary body may further include attachment features  370  (e.g., mechanical features, etc.) that allow the respective panels to attach to one another to form the assembled blade carrier  224 . The unitary body facilitates manufacturing of the blade carrier  224 . 
     In a manner similar to that described above (e.g., dog  132 , detent mechanism  134 ), the detent mechanism  334  is operable to positionally secure the dog  332 , and may include a first portion (e.g., cantilevered arms  348 ) disposed with the dog  332  and a second portion (e.g., rows of teeth  350 ) disposed with the blade carrier  224 . The detent mechanism  334  embodiment shown in  FIGS. 19, 20, 24, and 25  includes a pair of cantilevered arms  348  disposed on each widthwise side of the dog  332  and a corresponding pair of teeth rows  350  disposed with the interior surface of the respective side panel  324 . Each cantilevered arm  348  may include a plurality of teeth  372  extending outwardly from the cantilevered arm  348 , spaced apart from one another at a one-half pitch increment to facilitate engagement with the teeth rows  350  in the respective side panel  324  and positioned relative thereto. The present disclosure is not limited to this particular detent mechanism embodiment. 
     The dog  332  may include guide features  374  that mate with the guide features  366  extending outwardly from the interior surfaces of the blade carrier  224 . The respective mating guide features  366 ,  374  of the blade carrier  224  and the dog  332  facilitate relative movement. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 17, 26, 27, 28A, and 28B , in some embodiments the blade eject assembly  226  may include a blade eject assembly button  354  with an alternative blade engagement structure  360  configured to engage a blade  21  disposed in the carrier  224 . The blade eject assembly button  354  is similar to the button  154  described above; e.g., the button may be spring biased, etc. The alternative blade engagement structure  360  is configured to engage the edge of the protective metal cap attached to a razor blade  21 . The blade engagement structure  360  extends outwardly from a housing side surface  362  of the button  354 , and includes a widthwise extending member  376  and a magnet  361 . The widthwise extending member  376  has a length substantially equal to the width of a razor blade  21 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 26 , the member  376  includes a slot  378  (e.g., V-shaped) disposed in a top surface of the member  376 . In some embodiments, the blade engagement structure  360  further includes an insert  380  with at least one contactor  382  (two contactors are shown in  FIG. 26 ) extending outwardly from the slot  378 . The insert  380  may be comprised of a material that has a greater wear-resistance (e.g., greater hardness) than the material of the blade engagement structure  360 . Preferably, the insert  380  is comprised of a hardened material (e.g., steel) that is wear-resistant. The insert  380  may be mechanically attached to the blade engagement structure  360  (e.g., by screw  384 ) to allow for replacement. The present disclosure is not limited to a blade engagement structure  360  having the configuration described above. For example, the blade engagement structure  360  may not include an insert, or may include an insert  380   a  that provides a wear resistant edge (e.g., greater hardness material as described above) as shown in  FIG. 27 . 
     Now referring  FIGS. 1-28B , the general operation of the blade dispenser  20  (and blade dispenser  220 ) in terms of one or more of the embodiments described above will now be described to further illustrate the utility of the present disclosure. To facilitate the description of the general operation of the blade dispenser  20 ,  220 , the following description does not specifically refer to each embodiment described above but is applicable to all embodiments unless specifically stated otherwise. The order of operation provided hereinafter is for description purposes only and is not limiting. 
     The dog  132  is moved within the carrier  24  toward the back panel  130 , away from the front panel  122 . A plurality of blades  21  is loaded into the carrier blade cavity  144  between the dog  132  and the front panel  122 , with the sharp edges of the blades  21  proximate the base panel  126  of the carrier  24 . The carrier  24  is not limited to any particular blade capacity, and the same blade dispenser  20  may be used with different capacity carriers  24  for different applications. In addition, a carrier  24  with a blade capacity of “N” blades (where “N” is an integer) may be loaded with less than “N” blades. Once the blades are loaded in the carrier  24 , the dog  132  is moved forward snug against the rearward most blade  21 . 
       FIG. 1  (and  FIG. 16 ) shows the blade eject assembly  26  in a “closed” position; i.e., rotated to enclose the carrier cavity  52 . In this position, the blade eject assembly latch button latch  88  is normally biased into engagement with slot disposed in the blade eject assembly base  152  by the blade eject latch button biasing mechanism  60  of the housing  22 . When a user depresses the blade eject assembly latch button  34 , the button pivots, the biasing mechanism  60  deflects, and the latch  88  disengages with the slot in the button base  152 . Once disengaged, the blade eject assembly  26  can be rotated away from the housing  22  causing the carrier cavity  52  to be exposed. This position of the blade eject assembly  26  relative to the housing  22  may be referred to as the “open position”. 
     The loaded carrier  24  is subsequently slid into the carrier cavity  52 . Prior to sliding the carrier  24  into the carrier cavity  52 , the blade loading mechanism sled  92  is biased forward, toward the open end  54  of the carrier cavity  52 . As the carrier  24  is slid into the carrier cavity  52 , the sled  92  is received within the carrier base panel slot  136  (i.e., extending at least partially into the blade cavity) until the sled  92  contacts the dog  132 . As the carrier  24  is slid further into the carrier cavity  52 , the sled  92  and carrier  24  are moved lengthwise aft toward the endwall panel  42  of the housing  22 . As the sled  92  is moved backward, the blade loading mechanism  36  biases the sled  92  against the dog  132 . More specifically, the flexible member  94  rotates around the pivotable member  96 , which movement is resisted by the biasing element  98  thereby providing the force that biases the sled  92  against the dog  132 . 
     As the carrier  24  is completely inserted into the carrier cavity  52 , the latches of the carrier buttons  32 A,  32 B engage the latch slots  138  disposed in the carrier  24 . Further lengthwise movement of the carrier  24  causes the carrier button latches  82  to encounter the ramped tooth  140  in each slot  138 . Once the carrier button latches  82  pass the ramped teeth  140 , the carrier latch biasing mechanisms  58  (e.g., the cantilevered tabs) attached to the housing  22  force the latches  82  widthwise outwardly and the carrier  24  is then secured in the carrier cavity  52  by the latches  82 . The blade eject assembly  26  can then be rotated toward the housing  22  to enclose the carrier cavity  52 . As the blade eject assembly  26  is rotated toward the housing  22  (i.e., toward the closed position), the assembly engages the blade eject assembly latch button  34  which subsequently prevents the assembly  26  from rotating away from the housing  22 . In the closed position, a gap  164  (through which blades may be dispensed; see  FIG. 1 ) remains between the top panel  118  of the cap  30  and the housing side surface  162  of the blade eject assembly button  154 . Also, when the blade eject assembly  26  is in the closed position the blade engagement structure  160  of the button  154  (which extends out from the housing side surface) contacts a portion of the forward most blade  21  in the carrier  24 . 
     When a user wishes to dispense a blade  21  from the blade dispenser  20 , she depresses the blade eject assembly button  154 . When the button  154  and blade engagement structure  160  are depressed sufficiently, the blade engagement structure  160  engages a feature (e.g., the protective metal cap attached to the blade) on the forward most blade  21  in the carrier  24 . When the user releases the blade eject assembly button  154 , the blade engagement structure  160  travels upwardly with the button  154  and causes the engaged blade  21  to also travel upwardly and enter the gap  164  between the top panel of the housing  22  and the housing side surface  162  of the blade eject assembly button  154 . When the maximum height wise upward travel of the button  154  is completed, a portion of the engaged blade  21  is exposed where it can be readily and safely gripped by two fingers of the user and removed from the blade dispenser  20 . When the blade  21  is removed from the carrier  24  (and therefore the dispenser), the sled  92  biased against the carrier dog  132  forces the carrier dog  132  forward thereby moving the then most forward blade  21  in the carrier  24  into a “to be dispensed” position. Thereafter, the blade dispenser  20  is ready to dispense the forward most blade  21 . As indicated above, the detent mechanism  134  of the dog  132  inhibits rearward movement of the dog  132  and keeps the blades within the carrier  24  in the desired orientation. 
     When the user desires to remove the carrier  24  (e.g., because it is empty or to change the type of blade  21  being dispensed), the user depresses the blade eject assembly latch button  34  which causes the blade eject assembly latch button latch  88  to disengage with the blade eject assembly  26 . Once disengaged, the blade eject assembly  26  can be rotated away into the open position, thereby exposing the carrier  24 . The user may then depress the carrier buttons  32 A,  32 B. When the carrier buttons  32 A,  32 B are sufficiently depressed, the carrier button latches  82  disengage with the ramped teeth  140  in slots  138  disposed in the carrier  24  and the carrier  24  can be removed from the blade dispenser housing  22 . 
     Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the Detailed Description provided above describes embodiments of the blade dispenser  20  wherein the carrier  24  is inserted and removed from a forward portion of the device. In alternative embodiments, the carrier  24  could alternatively be accessed from a side vantage. As another example, the Detailed Description provided above details that a blade eject assembly latch button  34  portion of the housing includes structure that engages blade eject assembly  26  to hold the blade eject assembly  26  relative to the housing  22 . In an alternative embodiment, the blade eject assembly  26  may include structure that engages the housing  22  to hold the blade eject assembly  26  relative to the housing  22 .