US20100147869A1

US20100147869A1 - Blade dispenser

Info

Publication number: US20100147869A1
Application number: US12/334,118
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward A. ILIFFE; Eric Ranieri
Original assignee: Stanley Works
Current assignee: Stanley Works
Priority date: 2008-12-12
Filing date: 2008-12-12
Publication date: 2010-06-17
Also published as: GB0921501D0; GB2466114B; GB0921396D0; GB2466114A

Abstract

A blade dispenser including a body comprising a housing and a cover. The housing is configured to store a plurality of new blades. The housing has an opening for receiving the blades. The cover is configured to close the opening. The blade dispenser further includes a blade ejector constructed and arranged to dispense blades through a slot in the body. The body comprises an attachment member configured to couple the blade dispenser to another blade dispenser to increase a storage capacity of new blades of the blade dispenser.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to blade dispensers.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Blade dispensers are used to carry a stack of utility blades. Blades are used in many activities such as cutting carpeting, cardboard, paper, drywall sheets, plastic and many other materials. The blade can be held by or mounted to a knife or cutter. After a certain time of usage, a sharpened edge of the blade may become dull. Thus, replacing the blade may be needed. A new blade can be dispensed from the blade dispenser. While various blade dispensers are available, these blade dispensers have had limitations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a blade dispenser having an attachment member. The blade dispenser further includes a body comprising a housing and a cover. The housing is configured to store a plurality of new blades. The housing has an opening for receiving the blades. The cover is configured to close the opening. The blade dispenser further includes a blade ejector constructed and arranged to dispense blades through a slot in the body. The body comprises the attachment member configured to couple the blade dispenser to another blade dispenser to increase a storage capacity of new blades of the blade dispenser.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a blade dispenser having a removable stop structure. The blade dispenser further includes a housing including a body comprising a housing and a cover. The housing configured to store a stack of new blades. The housing has an opening. The cover is configured to close the opening. The blade dispenser also includes a slider mechanism configured to engage a first blade within the stack. The slider mechanism comprises a manually engageable portion, the manually engageable portion being actuatable to move the slider mechanism to dispense the first blade through a slot in the body. The removable stop structure prevents movement of the slider mechanism unless the stop structure is moved.
These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment of the invention, the structural components illustrated herein are drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the exterior surfaces of an open blade dispenser, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the interior surfaces of the open blade dispenser depicted in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the closed blade dispenser depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 2B is back perspective view of the closed blade dispenser showing the rear cover closing the opening of the housing of the blade dispenser;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear cover of the blade dispenser, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing two blade dispensers coupled to each other;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a storage unit for storing used blades, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the storage unit for used blades shown mounted to the blade dispenser;

FIG. 6A is an external perspective view of a blade platform, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is an internal perspective view of the blade platform shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a perspective internal view of a blade dispenser showing the blade platform, and in which parts removed are shown in dashed lines; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a slider mechanism, for dispensing blades.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an open blade dispenser 10, showing external surfaces thereof, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the open blade dispenser 10, showing internal surfaces thereof. The blade dispenser 10 comprises a body 2. The body 2 comprises a housing 12 and a cover 14. The housing 12 has an opening 13 and the cover 14 is configured to close the opening 13. FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the blade dispenser 10 showing the cover 14 closing the opening 13 of the housing 12 of the blade dispenser 10. FIG. 2B is back perspective view of the blade dispenser showing the cover 14 closing the opening 13 of the housing 12 of the blade dispenser 10. As shown in FIG. 2A, the housing 12 is configured to hold a plurality or a stack of blades 11. When the cover 14 and housing 12 are closed, they define a storage space for the blades 11. In one embodiment, the housing 12 has generally a trapezoidal-cylinder internal shape to accommodate the trapezoid shape of the blades. However, as can be appreciated, the housing 12 can have any other shape such as a parallelepiped or cuboid shape, a rounded-cylinder shape or a more complex shape. In one embodiment, the housing 12 and the cover 14 are made from a plastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, etc. Alternatively, the housing 12 and cover 14 can be made from a different material such as a metal (e.g., aluminum). Furthermore, the housing 12 and the cover 14 can be made from the same material or different materials.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the cover 14 is joined on one side to the housing 12 via a hinge 15. In one embodiment, the hinge 15 is a living hinge or a thin flexible hinge made from a thin flexible material (e.g., plastic). In one embodiment, the thin flexible strip of material can be integrally formed with the housing 12 and/or cover 14. For example, the housing 12, the cover 14 and the living hinge 15 can be integrally formed as one piece from plastic in an injection molding process. Alternatively, the thin flexible material can be fastened (for example glued) on one side to the housing 12 and on another side to the cover 14. The thin flexible material can be made from the same material as the housing 12 or the cover 14 or from a different material. Yet, in another embodiment, a different type of hinge such as a metal hinge pin arrangement can also be used. In another embodiment, no hinge is provided and the housing and cover are separate pieces that can be attached to one another.
In one embodiment, the housing 12 includes female closure latches 16 and the cover 14 includes male closure latches 18. In one embodiment, the female closure latches 16 can be notches provided on a wall of the housing 12. The male closure latches 18 can be projections provided in the cover 14. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cover 14 closes the opening 13 of the housing 12 by mating the female latches 16 and male latches 18. The cover 14 can be released to open the housing 12 by depressing the male latches 18. In an alternative embodiment, the male latches 18 can be provided on the housing 12 while the female latches 16 can be provided on the cover 14. In yet another embodiment, a different type of closure mechanism such as a snap-on or snap-fit closure can be provided.
In one embodiment, the housing 12 has a horizontal slit or slot 20 provided on a sidewall 19 of the housing 12 for dispensing the blades stored in the housing 12, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The housing 12 also has a vertical window slit 22 provided on a sidewall 21 of the housing 12 for viewing the quantity of blades stored in the housing 12. As can be appreciated, the horizontal slit 20 and the vertical slit 22 can be provided on any sidewall of the of the housing 12.
In one embodiment, the housing 12 further includes a hanger portion 24 for hanging the blade dispenser 10 on a shelf, on a wall or the like. In one embodiment, the hanger portion 24 can be integrally formed with the housing 12. For example, the hanger portion 24 can be integrally molded as one piece in an injection molding process with the housing 12 from a plastic material. The hanger portion 24 can be detached or snapped off from the housing 12 after purchase of the blade dispenser 10. In one embodiment, the hanger portion 24 can be made thinner at an interface of the hanger portion with the housing 12, for example to facilitate detaching the hanger portion 24 from the housing 12. In another embodiment, the hanger portion 24 can be joined to the housing 12 at various points of the hanger portion 24, for example at two extremities of the hanger portion 24 (as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B). This arrangement can also facilitate decoupling of the hanger portion 24 from the housing 12. In another embodiment, instead or in addition to providing the hanger portion 24 on the housing 12, the hanger portion 24 can also be provided on the cover 14. In one embodiment, the cover 14 can also be provided with an opening 27 for hanging the blade dispenser 10 to an object such as a fastener (e.g., a screw, a nail, etc.). For example, the opening 27 can be used to hang the blade dispenser 10 after removal of the hanger portion 14. Alternatively, instead of providing the opening on the cover 14, the opening 27 can be provided in a wall of the housing 12. The opening 27 can be replaced by any structure (e.g., hook, projection, etc.) to facilitate hanging.
The housing 12 also includes an opening 26 provided on a wall 25 of the housing 12 opposite the cover 14. The opening 26 is partially covered by a strip portion 28. The strip portion 28 is attached to a front wall 25 of the housing 12. In one embodiment, the strip portion 28 can be attached to the front wall 25 at one or more points on the periphery of the opening 26. In one embodiment, the strip portion 28 can be integrally formed as one piece (e.g., from plastic) with the housing 12. The strip portion 28 is removable or detachable from the housing 12. By pulling an extremity of the strip portion 28 to break the one or more frangible attachment points of the strip portion 28, the strip portion 28 can be detached from the front wall 25 of the housing 12, thus uncovering the opening 26. For example, prior to dispensing the blades from the blade dispenser 10, the strip portion 28 can be detached or snapped off from the housing 12 to allow access to a blade dispensing mechanism as will be described in further detail in the following paragraphs. In one embodiment, the strip 28 can be used, for example, as a tamper strip so as to deter from dispensing blades from the blade dispenser 10 prior to purchasing the blade dispenser 10. The strip 28 can also prevent unwanted release of blades from the blade dispenser 10.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover 14, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cover 14 includes an attachment 30. In one embodiment, the attachment 30 is a clip or tab. The clip or tab 30 can be used as a belt clip to carry the blade dispenser 10 on a belt or on a strap of a tool bag, etc. The tab 30 is coupled to the cover 14 on one end 30A of the tab 30, while the elongated portion 30B of the tab 30 is detached from the cover 14. When an object (e.g., a belt, strap or the like) is inserted between the tab 30 and the cover 14, the tab 30 acts as a resilient member or spring pressing the object against the cover 14. In one embodiment, an opening 31 covering generally a footprint of the tab 30 can be provided in the cover 14 to allow, for example, the tab 30 to bend further towards the cover 14 so that the tab 30 can further press upon the object. In one embodiment, the tab 30 can be integrally formed (e.g., molded) with the cover 14. Alternatively, the tab 30 can be fastened to the cover 24 using any type of fasteners. For example, the end 30A of tab 30 can be attached to the cover using screws or glue.
In one embodiment, the cover 14 also includes an opening 32 spaced apart from a detached extremity 30C of the tab 30. The cover 14 has a recessed portion 33 at a periphery of the cover 14, adjacent to the opening 32. In one embodiment, a second blade dispenser 10′ (identical to the first blade dispenser 10) can be attached to the first blade dispenser 10. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing two blade dispensers 10 and 10′ coupled to each other. To attach the second blade dispenser 10′ to the first blade dispenser 10, a clip of the second blade dispenser 10′ (similar to the tab 30 of the first blade dispenser 10) is introduced through the recess 33 into the opening 32 of the first blade dispenser. In the same way, the tab 30 of the first blade dispenser 10 is introduced through a recess in the cover of the second blade dispenser (similar to the recess 33 of the first blade dispenser 10) into an opening of the second blade dispenser 10′ (similar to the opening 32 of first blade dispenser 10). In this way, the tab 30 of the first blade dispenser 10 grasps a cover (not shown) of the second blade dispenser 10′ and the clip of the second blade dispenser 10′ grasps the cover 14 of the first blade dispenser 10. By coupling two blade dispensers to each other, the storage capacity of blades can be effectively doubled. For example, if blade dispenser 10 contains 50 blades and the blade dispenser 10′ contains 50 blades, by joining the two blade dispensers 10 and 10′, the user is able to dispense from a reservoir of 100 blades. The blades stored in blade dispenser 10 and blade dispenser 10′ can be the same or different. For example, in one embodiment, blade dispenser 10 can be configured to carry regular trapezoid-shaped blades while blade dispenser 10′ can be configured to carry hook-type blades (as known in the art). Although, the two blade dispensers 10 and 10′ are depicted herein as being geometrically identical (mirror images of each other when connected), it can be appreciated that the second blade dispenser 10′ does not need to be identical to the first blade dispenser 10. In one embodiment, the second blade dispenser 10′ can have dimensions different from the dimensions of the first blade dispenser 10, for example, to carry a stack of blades with a shape or dimension different from the shape or dimension of the blades carried by the first blade dispenser 10.
In another embodiment, instead of coupling the two blade dispensers 10 and 10′ together to increase the storage capacity, a storage unit for used blades or a disposal or recycling blade unit 40 can be attached to the blade dispenser 10. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the storage unit 40 for used blades, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the storage unit 40 for used blades shown in FIG. 5A mounted to the blade dispenser 10. The storage unit for used blades or the disposal or recycling blade unit 40 has a housing 42 for housing the used blades (not shown). The storage unit 40 includes tabs or hooks 44 for attaching or mounting the storage unit 40 to the blade dispenser 10. As shown in FIG. 5A, the storage unit 40 has four tabs 44. Two tabs 44 are provided on a periphery of a wall 43A of the storage 40 and the other two tabs 44 are provided on a periphery of an opposite wall 43B of the storage unit 40. However, as can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, any number of tabs (two or more) can be provided. To attach or mount the storage unit 40 to the blade dispenser 10, the tabs 44 are introduced into openings 36 provided in cover 14 (shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2B and 3). The tabs 44 are introduced through the openings 36 in the cover 14 to mate with the cover 14 thus securing the storage unit 40 to the blade dispenser 10. The storage unit 40 can be detached or decoupled from the blade dispenser 10 by depressing the tabs 44, for example by pressing upon the two wall 43A and 43B.
The storage unit also includes a slot 46 (shown in FIG. 5B). The slot 46 is sized for introducing the used blades into the housing 42 of the storage unit 40. In one embodiment, the storage unit 40 can also be provided with projections 48 on a periphery of two opposite walls of the storage unit 40. The projections 48 can be sized to mate with the recess 33 and another recess 34 provided on an opposite end of the cover 14 (shown in FIG. 3).
FIG. 6A is an external perspective view of a blade platform 50, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is an internal perspective view of the blade platform 50 shown in FIG. 6A. The blade platform 50 fits inside the housing 12 of the blade dispenser 10. In one embodiment, the blade platform 50 can have a trapezoid shape that resembles or mimics the internal cross-sectional shape of the housing 12. In one embodiment, the blade platform 50 includes projection 52 configured to retain a resilient member (e.g., a spring) 54 (shown in FIG. 7). The projection or resilient member retainer 52 is shown having a “+” shape. However, as can be appreciated, the resilient member retainer 52 can have any other shape such as, for example, a circular shape that mates with the end shape of the resilient member 54. The blade platform 50 further includes a lock structure 55. In one embodiment, the lock structure 55 includes a plurality of tabs 56. The tabs 56 are configured to be inserted into openings 57 provided in an upper wall 59 of the housing 12 to mount the platform 50 to the housing 12 and retain the platform 50 in position when loading blades into the housing 12. In other words, the lock structure 55 of the blade platform 50 is configured to retain the blade platform 50, against the bias of spring 54, so that is held in spaced relation from its extended position (when moved by the spring 54) to facilitate loading of blades into the housing 12. The blade platform 50 also includes a blade counter or blade count indicator 58. In one embodiment, the indicator 58 is a projection in the blade platform. When the platform 50 is mounted inside the housing 12 on top of the stack of blades 11, the indicator 58 protrudes through window 22 to indicate the number of blades that are in the housing 12. A blade counter indicia such as a label with a scale or other indication, mark or indicia can be affixed next to the window 22 on the exterior surface of the sidewall 21 of the housing 12 to allow a user to determine the quantity of blades in the housing 12.
FIG. 7 is a perspective internal view of the blade dispenser 10 showing the blade platform 50, and in which parts removed are shown in dashed lines. The blade platform 50 is retained in place inside the housing 12 of the blade dispenser 10 using the tabs 56 to allow loading blades into the housing 12. The resilient member (e.g., a spring) 54 is disposed between the upper wall 59 of the housing 12 and the blade platform 50. When in use, the tabs 56 are depressed to release the platform 50, the resilient member 54 biases the platform 50 downwardly against the stack of blades (not shown). When one or more blades in the stack of blades are dispensed, the bottommost of the stack of blades moves to replace a gap of the one or more blades. Hence, when the number of blades in the housing 12 decreases the blade platform 50 pushes against a top end of the stack of blades and moves to follow the movement of the stack of blades. Although, the resilient member 54 is described herein as biasing the platform 50 downwardly, it can be appreciated that the orientation of components of the blade dispenser 10 can be changed and the operation of the blade dispenser 10 is not limited to one single orientation. In fact, depending on the orientation of components in the blade dispenser 10, the resilient member 54 can bias the platform 50 sideways, upwardly or any other orientation, and the blade dispensing opening 20 would simply be located accordingly for dispensing blades.
On an opposite end of the stack of blades is disposed, inside the housing 12, a blade ejector 60. In one embodiment, the blade ejector 60 can be a slider mechanism. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the slider mechanism 60. The slider mechanism 60 includes a plate 62 and a manually engageable portion or pusher 64. In one embodiment, the manually engageable portion or pusher 64 is provided on a lateral side at a periphery of the plate 62. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the pusher 64 can be attached to the bottom surface of the plate 62. In one embodiment, the pusher 64 can be integrally formed with the plate 62. However, a separate pusher 64 can be also provided. For example, the pusher 64 can be fastened to the plate 62 using any type of fasteners (e.g., screws) or glued to the plate 62. The plate 62 is provided with an upwardly standing wall or projection 66. The projection 66 protects a sharp edge of a blade from coming in contact with a wall of the housing or a wall of the horizontal slot 20 in the housing 12 when the blade is dispensed. The slider mechanism 60 is mounted inside the housing 12 such that the pusher 64 partially protrudes through the opening 26 in the wall 25 of the housing 12 (as shown in FIG. 7).
The blade ejector or slider mechanism 60 is configured to engage an end blade within the stack of blades. The manually engageable portion or pusher 64 is actuatable to move the slider mechanism 60 to dispense the end blade within the stack of blades through the slot 20. Specifically, when the resilient member 54 pushes against a last blade in the stack of blades, a first of the plurality of blades is forced into alignment with the slot 20 in the body 2. The first blade in the stack is cupped inside the walls of the slider mechanism 60. The slider mechanism 60 can be moved by pressing on the pusher 64, for example with the thumb, and actuating the pusher 64 in the direction of the arrow, as shown in FIG. 7. The blade retained and supported and cupped by the plate 62, the projection 66 and the pusher 64 is carried by the slider mechanism 60 and slides along with the slider mechanism 60 to be dispensed through the horizontal slot 20 in the housing 12. During dispensing of a blade through the slot 20, a narrowed portion 77 of the plate 62 projects through the slot 20 to deliver the blade through the slot 20. After dispensing the blade, the slider mechanism 60 can be manually returned to its original position inside the housing 12 so as to be ready to dispense another blade. The slider mechanism 60 is returned to its original position by actuating the pusher 64 in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow to retract the portion 77 of the plate 66 into the housing 12. In another embodiment, a spring can be used to bias the slider mechanism 60 so that it automatically returns to its original position.
As described in the above paragraphs, the opening 26 in the housing through which the pusher 64 of the slider mechanism 60 protrudes is covered at least partially by the strip portion or removable stop structure 28. The strip portion 28 is removably attached to the housing 12. The removable stop structure 28 prevents movement of the slider mechanism 60 unless the stop structure 28 is moved. Hence, in order to access and be able to actuate the pusher 64 to move the slider mechanism 60 to dispense blades, the strip portion 28 must be detached from the housing 12. Therefore, the strip or removable stop structure 28 can be used as a tamper strip so as to deter from dispensing blades from the blade dispenser 10 prior to purchasing the blade dispenser 10.
Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the drawings herein are drawn to scale (e.g., in correct proportion). However, it should also be appreciated that other proportions of parts may be employed in other embodiments.
Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those of skill in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation described herein. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents should be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A blade dispenser, comprising:

a body comprising a housing and a cover, the housing being configured to store a plurality of new blades, the housing having an opening for receiving the blades, the cover being configured to close the opening; and

a blade ejector constructed and arranged to dispense blades through a slot in the body; the body comprising an attachment member configured to couple the blade dispenser to another blade dispenser.

2. The blade dispenser of claim 1, wherein the attachment member comprises a tab having an end attached to the cover and an elongated portion detached from the cover.

3. The blade dispenser of claim 2, wherein the cover comprises an opening spaced apart from a detached extremity of the tab, and a recessed portion at a periphery of the cover adjacent to the opening.

4. The blade dispenser of claim 3, wherein the other blade dispenser comprises a tab and an opening adjacent to the tab, wherein the opening in the cover is configured to receive the tab of the other blade dispenser and wherein the opening of the other blade dispenser is configured to receive the tab of the blade dispenser.

5. The blade dispenser of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is further configured to attach the blade dispenser to an object.

6. The blade dispenser of claim 5, wherein the object is a belt or strap.

7. The blade dispenser of claim 1, further comprises a hinge, the hinge configured to join the housing to the cover.

8. The blade dispenser of claim 7, wherein the hinge is integrally formed with the housing and the cover.

9. The blade dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises female or male closing latches and the cover comprises male or female closing latches, wherein the female latches of housing are configured to mate with the male latches of the cover or vice versa.

10. The blade dispenser of claim 1, wherein the slot is formed in a wall of the housing.

11. The blade dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a window in a wall of the housing for viewing a quantity of blades stored in the housing.

12. The blade dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a hanger portion for hanging the blade dispenser to an object.

13. The blade dispenser of claim 12, wherein the hanger portion is detachably joined to the housing or the cover.

14. The blade dispenser of claim 13, wherein the hanger portion is integrally molded with the housing or the cover, or both.

15. The blade dispenser of claim 1, further comprises an opening for attaching the blade dispenser to an object.

16. The blade dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tab openings configured to receive a plurality of tabs of a storage unit for used blades to mount the storage unit to the blade dispenser.

17. The blade dispenser of claim 16, wherein the storage unit comprises a slot for introducing used blades into the storage unit.

18. The blade dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a blade platform and a resilient member, the blade platform configured to be disposed inside the housing, the b lade platform cooperating with the resilient member to press upon a last one of the plurality of blades such that a first of the plurality of blades is forced into alignment with the slot in the body.

19. The blade dispenser of claim 18, wherein the blade platform comprises a lock structure configured to retain the blade platform in spaced relation from its extended position to facilitate loading of blades into the housing.

20. The blade dispenser of claim 19, wherein the lock structure comprises a plurality of tabs, wherein when the plurality of tabs are depressed to release the blade platform, the resilient member biases the blade platform against the plurality of blades in the housing.

21. The blade dispenser of claim 1, wherein the blade ejector comprises a plate configured to support a blade in the plurality of blades and a manually engageable portion coupled to the plate, the manually engageable portion being actuatable to move the plate to dispense a blade.

22. The blade dispenser of claim 21, wherein the manually engageable portion protrudes from a second opening in the, body, the second opening being initially closed by a strip portion removably attached to the housing , the strip portion covering at least partially the manually engageable portion.

23. The blade dispenser of claim 22, wherein the strip portion is removable from the housing to access the manually engageable portion.

24. A blade dispenser, comprising:

a body comprising a housing and a cover;

the housing being configured to store a stack of new blades, the housing having an opening;

the cover being configured to close the opening; and

a slider mechanism configured to engage a first blade within the stack, the slider mechanism including a manually engageable portion, the manually engageable portion being actuatable to move the slider mechanism to dispense the first blade through a slot in the body; and

a removable stop structure preventing movement of the slider mechanism unless the stop structure is moved.

25. The blade dispenser of claim 24, wherein the removable stop structure is removable from the housing to access the manually engageable portion.

26. A blade dispenser, comprising:

a body comprising a housing and a cover, the housing configured to store a plurality of new blades, the housing having an opening for receiving the blades, the cover for closing the opening;

a blade ejector constructed and arranged to dispense blades through a slot in the body; and

a removable storage unit removably attachable to the body.

27. A blade dispenser, comprising:

a body comprising a housing and a cover, the housing configured to store a plurality of blades, the housing having an opening for receiving the blades, the cover for closing the opening; and

a blade counter indicia disposed on a sidewall of the body adjacent an opening in the sidewall, the blade counter indicia configured to indicate a quantity of blades present in the housing.