Patent Abstract:
A container that retains a razor blade cartridge within the container with a handle attached to the razor blade cartridge with the handle partially within the container and partially extending out of the container. The container is a spring biased container to keep it closed and it is necessary to provide a force that overcomes the spring force and open the container so that the handle and attached razor blade cartridge can be removed from the container which then snaps shut due to the closing spring force, the safety razor with razor blade cartridge and handle are ready for immediate use.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of retainers for retaining a safety razor and with shaving blade cartridge attached to the handler so that the safety razor is in condition for immediate shaving use when it is removed from the container. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    The following ten patents and published patent applications are relevant to the present invention. 
         [0005]    1. U.S. Pat. No. 2,551,859 issued to Marcus C. Thompson on May 8, 1951 for “Razor Supporting Means” (hereafter the “Thompson Patent”); 
         [0006]    2. U.S. Pat. No. 3,346,952 issued to Theodore J. Harris on Oct. 17, 1967 for “Safety Razor Holder and Case” (hereafter the “Harris Patent”); 
         [0007]    3. U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,630 issued to George A. Fischer et al. on Nov. 14, 1967 for “Razor Sterilizer” (hereafter the “Fischer Patent”); 
         [0008]    4. U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,858 issued to Gerald A. Sferruzza, Jr. on Apr. 1, 1997 for “Holder for Shaver” (hereafter the “Sferruzza Patent”); 
         [0009]    5. U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,657 issued to Jerry Cox on Nov. 14, 2000 for “Storage Device For A Shaving Razor” (hereafter the “Cox Patent”); 
         [0010]    6. United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0056151 to Douglas Robert Kohring et al. published on Mar. 5, 2009 for “Razor Storage Case Having Cartridge Securing Supports” (hereafter the “&#39;005615 Kohring Published Patent Application”); 
         [0011]    7. United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0057170 to Douglas Robert Kohring et al. published on Mar. 5, 2009 for “Razor Storage Case Having Mating Closure Members” (hereafter the “&#39;0057170 Kohring Published Patent Application”); 
         [0012]    8. United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0172958 to John Prudden, Jr. et al. published on Jul. 9, 2009 for “Pivot Inhibiting Razor Storage Case” (hereafter the “Prudden Published Patent Application”); 
         [0013]    9. United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0183379 to Ryan Lawrence Johnson published on Jul. 23, 2009 for “Self Cleaning Blade Razor Holder” (hereafter the “Lawrence Published Patent Application”); 
         [0014]    10. United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0188816 to Ankur Purohit published on Jul. 30, 2009 for “Wet Razor Storage System and Container” (hereafter the “Purohit Published Patent Application”). 
         [0015]    The Thompson Patent discloses a container for retaining a safety razor entirely within the container. This invention discloses the concept of having a spring biased container where the entire safety razor is entirely in the container as. 
         [0016]    The Harris Patent discloses a safety razor holder and case. The device essentially is designed to retain the razor as best shown in FIG. 1. The outer corner 7 of the cavity is rounded to correspond generally with the forward surface of the razor head; while each inner corner 18 defines a shoulder 19 for engaging the corresponding inner surface 20 of the razor head. 
         [0017]    The Fischer Patent discloses the concept of a case which entirely contains a safety razor within the case. Specifically, the patent discloses:
       “A receptacle for storing a razor head in a vertical position with the blade mounting head immersed in a sterilizing solution. The receptacle is placed in a horizontal position for removal of the razor therefrom by opening a lid. The sterilizing solution is stored within an internal pocket when the receptacle is in the horizontal position to avoid leakage.”       
 
         [0019]    The Sferruzza Patent discloses a wall holder for an arced and handled shaving device. The device essentially has a cup as best illustrated in FIG. 1 which can be mounted on a wall with a safety razor retained within the cup. 
         [0020]    The Cox Patent discloses a storage device for a shaving razor. In this respect the device is a container and the safety razor is within the container with a handle extending out of the container. A handle slot 6 capable of receiving a razor handle is formed in roof 27. In the preferred embodiment, the handle slot 6 is a centered slot as shown in FIG. 1. 
         [0021]    The &#39;0056151 Kohring Published Patent Application discloses:
       “A wet shaving razor case suitable for storage of a razor wherein the razor includes a cartridge and adjoining handle and wherein the case comprises an upper portion comprising a handle-receiving recess and a lower portion joined to the upper portion wherein the lower portion comprises a lower spacing member disposed between a forward leverage support and a rear leverage support wherein the cartridge engages with the forward leverage support upon insertion of a leading front surface of the razor into the case.”       
 
         [0023]    The &#39;0057170 Kohring Published Patent Application discloses a razor storage case having mating closure members. The patent discloses:
       “A wet shaving razor case suitable for storage of a razor having a cartridge and adjoining handle, the case comprises an upper portion comprising a cartridge hold down member disposed at a periphery of said upper portion and a handle-receiving recess; a lower portion joined to the upper portion wherein the lower portion comprises a engagement member positioned along a periphery of the lower portion; and wherein upon closure of the upper portion onto the lower portion the hold down member both secures the cartridge within the case and engages with the engagement member to maintain closure of the upper portion on the lower portion.”       
 
         [0025]    The Prudden Published Patent Application discloses:
       “A wet shaving razor case suitable for storage of a razor having a cartridge and adjoining handle. The cartridge is pivotal about a pivot axis with respect to the handle. The case includes a lower portion and an upper portion. The upper portion includes a handle-receiving recess and is removably secured to the lower portion between an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position the cartridge is positioned within the case, the handle extends from the case and the case inhibits the cartridge from pivoting with respect to the handle.”       
 
         [0027]    The Johnson Published Patent Application discloses a self-cleaning razor blade holder. Specifically, the patent application discloses:
       “The present invention includes two main types of razor holders: a self cleaning blade razor hanger, and a self cleaning blade razor stand. The self cleaning blade razor hanger has a hook adapted to hang on a horizontal object including but not limited to a rod, shelf, basket, or plumbing item; a cup shaped container for the purpose of: (a) holding a cleaning and sanitizing agent, such as but not limited to: (1) rubbing alcohol, (2) barbershop/salon disinfectant, or (3) shaving oil; and (b) holding and submersing the entire razor head, including the blade(s), in said cleaning and sanitizing agent; a hinged lid or cover on top of said cup shaped container, having a notch or slot in said lid or cover to allow the razor handle to protrude up through said lid or cover; and a cradle affixed to said hook for the purpose of supporting the handle of said razor in an upright position.”       
 
         [0029]    The Purohit Published Patent Application discloses a wet razor storage system and container. Specifically, the patent application discloses:
       “A storage vessel for holding between shaves a wet razor with its head and cutting blade submerged in a liquid and its handle held out of the liquid and dry. The vessel liquid is comprised of a mixture of hydrophobic and hygroscopic materials and of anti-viral and anti-bacterial materials, effective to reduce cutting blade oxidation due to exposure to water and air during nonuse storage and to maintain the blade sharp and sanitary for shaving comfort. These materials specifically might be mineral oil and calcium chloride (CaCl.sub.2), and nano-gold or nano-silver.”       
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    The present invention is a container that retains a razor blade cartridge within the container with a handle attached to the razor blade cartridge with the handle partially within the container and partially extending out of the container on an arcuate handle support base. 
         [0032]    The container is a spring biased container to keep it closed and it is necessary to provide a force that overcomes the spring force and opens the container so that the handle and attached razor blade cartridge can be removed from the container which then snaps shut due to the closing spring force, the safety razor with razor blade cartridge and handle are ready for immediate use. 
         [0033]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a spring biased closed sealed container which contains a spring biased mechanism on its rear to close the container. The container has an interior chamber in which is retained at least one razor blade cartridge attached to a handle which is partially within the container and partially extend out of the container, the safety razor retained in a manner so that the safety razor is ready for immediate use when the container is opened by a force which overcomes the closing spring force. The innovation is two-fold. First, the container is spring biased closed so that a handle for a multiplicity of safety razor blade cartridges can be retained with the pointed end of the blades facing downwardly and securely retained and remain in a sharp condition. Through overcoming the spring biasing force by pressing on the back of the container, the back of the cartridge is exposed and the a handle of a safety razor which is attached to the razor blade cartridge can then be removed so that the container can be closed after the razor blade cartridge and attached handle have been removed. 
         [0034]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container which retains the razor blade cartridge and attached handle in an in use condition, so that the safety razor can be used for shaving purposes without having to hand touch the razor blades or the cartridges and accidently cut a finger. 
         [0035]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an antiseptic pill container within the chamber so that the razor blade is kept free of germs and in a sanitary condition. 
         [0036]    Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the present invention safety razor container without the safety razor cartridge retained therein; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the present invention safety razor container without the safety razor cartridge retained therein; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the present invention safety razor container without the safety razor cartridge retained therein; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the present invention safety razor container without the safety razor cartridge retained therein; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is a right side view of the present invention safety razor container without the safety razor cartridge retained therein; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is a left side view of the present invention safety razor container without the safety razor cartridge retained therein; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the present invention safety razor container without the safety razor cartridge retained therein; 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of the present invention safety razor container without the safety razor cartridge retained therein; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of the present invention safety razor container in the opened condition without the safety razor cartridge retained therein; 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of the present invention safety razor container in the opened condition with the safety razor cartridge retained therein and an attached handle partially retained within the container and partially extending out of the container; and 
           [0048]      FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of the present invention safety razor container in the closed condition with the safety razor cartridge retained therein and an attached handle partially retained within the container and partially extending out of the container. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0049]    Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
         [0050]    The first eight figures illustrate the present invention retainer  10  in the closed condition without a safety razor blade cartridge and handle.  FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the present invention safety razor container  10  without the safety razor cartridge retained therein.  FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the present invention safety razor container  10  without the safety razor cartridge retained therein.  FIG. 3  is a top view of the present invention safety razor container  10  without the safety razor cartridge retained therein.  FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the present invention safety razor container  10  without the safety razor cartridge retained therein.  FIG. 5  is a right side view of the present invention safety razor container  10  without the safety razor cartridge retained therein.  FIG. 6  is a left side view of the present invention safety razor container  10  without the safety razor cartridge retained therein.  FIG. 7  is a front view of the present invention safety razor container  10  without the safety razor cartridge retained therein.  FIG. 8  is a rear view of the present invention safety razor container without the safety razor cartridge retained therein. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 8 , the components of the present invention container will be described. The container  10  is generally egg-shaped, having a top section  20 , an exterior top surface  22 , a front end  24  with an opening  26  which constitutes a top-half of a total front opening  38 , a rear end  28  with a top opening  30  and a finger depression  32  on the exterior top surface  22  adjacent the rear end  28 . The top section  20  has a rear wall  34  extending downwardly from the top surface  22 . The top surface also has a lower circumferential rim  36 . 
         [0052]    The container further comprises a mating bottom section  40  which is a mirror image of the top section  20 , the bottom section including an exterior bottom surface  42 , a front end  44  with an opening  46  which constitutes a bottom half of a total front opening  38 , a finger depression  48  on the exterior bottom surface  42  adjacent a rear end  50 . The bottom section  40  has a rear wall  52  which extends upwardly from the bottom surface  42 . The rear walls  34  and  52  are aligned and come together. The bottom surface  42  has a top circumferential rim  54 . The top section  20  and bottom section  40  are aligned and conform in shape to form a total egg-shaped body with the top circumferential rim  36  and bottom circumferential rim  54  aligned. The front openings  26  an  46  are aligned to form a complete front opening  38 . Therefore, the top section  20  and bottom section  40  are aligned to surround an interior chamber  60 . 
         [0053]    A spring biased opening and closing assembly  70  is affixed adjacent to the rear walls  34  and  52  at a location between a lower surface  18  of the rear end  28  of top section  20  and an upper surface  56  of the rear end  50  of bottom section  40 . The lower surface  18  and upper surface  56  are aligned and are respectively at a location rearward from the rear walls  34  and  52 . While a spring is the preferred closing means, other biasing closing members are also within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0054]    The spring biased opening and closing assembly  70  comprises a first lower arcuate post  72  having a lower arcuate section  74  which is attached to the upper surface  56  of the rear end  50  of bottom section  40 . It further comprises a parallel spaced apart second lower arcuate post  76  having a lower arcuate section  78  which is attached to the upper surface  56  of the rear end  50  of bottom section  40 . First arcuate post  72  has an opening  80  and second arcuate post  76  has an opening  82 . A first upper arcuate post  86  is attached to and extends downwardly from lower surface  18  of the rear end  28  of top section  20  and has an opening aligned with opening  80 . A second parallel upper arcuate post  90  is attached to and extends downwardly from lower surface  18  of the rear end  28  of top section  20  and has an opening which is aligned with opening  82 . The two upper arcuate posts  86  and  90  respectively lie just inside of the two lower arcuate posts  72  and  76 . 
         [0055]    A dowel  100  extends through the four openings  80 , two other openings not shown and  82  and is supported by the four posts  72 . 86 ,  90 , and  76 . A bias spring  110  is wound around dowel  100  and has spring ends, of which a first spring end  102  rests against upper surface  18  of the rear end  28  of top section  20  and the second spring end  104  rests against the upper surface  56  of the rear end  50  of bottom section  40 . 
         [0056]    The bias spring  110  forces the top section  20  and bottom section  40  of the container  10  together so that the container is in the closed position. A squeezing force on the finger depressions  32  and  48  overcomes the bias spring closing force and forces the top section  20  away from the bottom section  40  with the dowel  100  acting as the fulcrum about which the top section  20  and bottom section  40  rotate. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the container  10  is shown in the opened condition with an interior chamber  60  which is surrounded by the top section  20  and bottom section  40  when closed. The interior chamber  60  further comprises a cavity  130  into which an antiseptic pill  120  can be inserted. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a safety razor  200  is inserted into the interior chamber  60 , so that a razor blade cartridge  210  rests entirely within the interior chamber  60  and is retained by a portion of the interior lower wall  41  of the bottom section  40  and the raised wall  132  of the inferior cavity  130 . A razor blade  220  within the razor blade cartridge  210  faces into the interior chamber toward the interior surface  43  of bottom section  40  so that a person won&#39;t cut himself on the razor blade  220 . A safety razor handle  230  is attached to the razor blade cartridge  210  and rests partially within the interior chamber  120  and extends out of the opening  38  formed by partial openings  26  and  48 . 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , the container  10  is illustrated in the closed position with a portion of the handle  230  extending out of the opening  38  formed by partial openings  26  and  46 . 
         [0060]    To use the safety razor, the container  10  is opened by a force to overcome the spring biasing closing force as previously described and when the container  10  is in the opened condition as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the safety razor  200  can be quickly removed and is ready for immediate use. The antiseptic pill assures that the razor blade  230  will remain free of germs. 
         [0061]    The container  10  can be made out of material selected from the group consisting of plastic polyethylene and metal. 
         [0062]    Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0