Special receptacle or package – For a tool – Razor blade
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-14
2001-03-27
Bui, Luan K. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a tool
Razor blade
C053S473000, C206S354000, C224S674000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206188
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to receptacles for the safe storage and subsequent disposal of used cutting blades and more particularly, to a novel used cutting blade receptacle and storage method, the receptacle having a unique configuration that accommodates the easy insertion of a used cutting blade into the receptacle to thereby significantly reduce the risk of accidental discharge of the used cutting blade from the receptacle, the receptacle also being designed to hold a plurality of used cutting blades and to be readily disposable when filled.
2. The Prior Art
The cutting blades for which this invention was originally created are those numerous types of disposable cutting blades that are used throughout the world for various purposes such as cutting carpet, opening corrugated cartons, cutting mattes, etc. These types of cutting blades are configured to be readily replaceable and are removably mounted in a hand tool. Such industrial-type cutting blades are fairly standard in the industry and are provided in a variety of shapes and sizes. Regardless of the shape or size, each blade is provided with a keenly sharpened edge along at least one edge. Since these cutting blades are intended for industrial applications, each blade, regardless of type, is fabricated from a high grade steel and with sufficient thickness to impart the necessary strength to the cutting blade due to its intended application.
The primary advantage to using such a hand tool having a cutting blade supported therein is that it provides the operator with a very sharp cutting tool that is convenient and easy to use. Advantageously, when the exposed cutting edge or edges become dulled the operator merely replaces the cutting blade to obtain a new cutting edge. When this new cutting edge also become dulled through usage, the operator simply replaces the used cutting blade with a new cutting blade and discards the used cutting blade.
I have found that it is common practice for many users of these tools to simply discard the used cutting blades, often in a careless fashion. Even though dulled enough to require replacement, a discarded cutting blade is still sharp enough to cause a serious injury if stepped on, knelt on, handled carelessly, or even picked up by a child. Further, since the monetary compensation of a worker is often enhanced by the speed by which a particular task is completed, there is a tendency by many workers to be less than careful when discarding a used cutting blade.
In view of the foregoing it would be an advancement in the art to provide a receptacle for the safe storage of used cutting blades. It would be an even further advancement in the art to provide a receptacle for used cutting blades that can be removably mounted to a belt, toolbox, desk, or the like. An even further advancement in the art would be to provide a receptacle for used cutting blades that is easily accessible for insertion of a used cutting blade into the receptacle while simultaneously significantly inhibiting the inadvertent dislodgement of the used cutting blades from the receptacle. An even further advancement in the art would be to provide a used cutting blade receptacle that is configured to hold a plurality of used cutting blades of many types and is also readily disposable when filled. Such a novel apparatus and method is disclosed and claimed herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a closed container or receptacle for used cutting blades and is designed to be disposable upon becoming filled with used cutting blades. The receptacle is configured with two, opposed slots through one of which the used cutting blade is inserted into the receptacle. Angled surfaces disposed on each side of each slot acts as guides for directing the used cutting blade into the respective slot. The upper sidewall of the receptacle is formed with an inwardly oriented angular profile, the apex of which extends beyond the sight line between the two slots to thereby prevent a used cutting blade from passing into the receptacle through one slot and inadvertently passing out of the receptacle through the opposite slot. The receptacle is adapted to be removably mounted to a belt, toolbox, desk, or the like, at the discretion of the operator.
It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide improvements in receptacles for used cutting blades.
Another object of this invention is to provide improvements in the method of receiving used cutting blades intended for disposal.
Another object of this invention is to provide a receptacle for used cutting blades, the receptacle having opposed slots for receiving therethrough the used cutting blades.
Another object of this invention is to provide each slot with adjacent angled surfaces to guide the end of the used cutting blade toward the slot.
Another object of this invention is to provide a deflector in the receptacle to prevent a used cutting blade from passing into the receptacle through one slot and out of the receptacle through the other slot.
Another object of this invention is to provide the top wall of the receptacle with an inwardly oriented angled surface, the apex of which acts as the foregoing deflector.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description in which preferred and other embodiments of the invention have been set forth and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and appended claims.
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Bui Luan K.
Young J. Winslow
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