Abstract:
A bag dispensing assembly for holding a plurality of bags while having the ability to dispense a single bag. The bag dispensing assembly comprises a plurality of bags, a bag holding cartridge, a plurality of buttons and a bag dispenser. The bags contain holes which are positioned over raised portions of the bag holding cartridge. The buttons are used to secure the bags to the bag holding cartridge. The bag dispenser has slots to receive the bag holding cartridge, complete with the bags and buttons secured to it. A user may remove an individual bag from the bag dispensing assembly along a perforation line.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to an assembly for dispensing bags and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a plurality of bags secured to a bag holding cartridge with buttons, and a bag dispenser for receiving and maintaining the bag holding cartridge, the plurality of bags and buttons, and for allowing a user to remove one bag at a time from the assembly. 
     Employees at different types of locations, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail stores, etc., typically place merchandise that has been purchased into a bag before giving it to the customer. Therefore, such locations typically use many bags during the course of a day. Consequently, it is important to be able to store all of the bags while having the ability to easily select and use a single bag. An apparatus that can hold a plurality of bags and can dispense an individual bag would be desired at such locations. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to a bag dispensing assembly for holding a plurality of bags while having the ability to dispense a single bag. The bag dispensing assembly comprises a plurality of bags, a bag holding cartridge, a plurality of buttons and a bag dispenser. 
     The plurality of bags includes anywhere from a few bags to several hundred or even several thousand bags. Each bag has an open end and closed end, in addition to a front side and a back side. The material from one of the sides, preferably the back side, extends past the material from the other side. There is a perforation line on each bag, preferably located near where the shorter side of the bags ends (i.e., at the opening of the bag). A plurality of holes is disposed on the extended material of each bag. Preferably, there is one hole located near each edge of the bag and near the perforation line. This preferred alignment of holes facilitates the removal of the bag at its perforation line. 
     The bag holding cartridge includes a horizontal support member affixed to a vertical support member, and a plurality of raised portions. The vertical support member extends perpendicularly from the horizontal support member. The point of intersection between the two support members is preferably towards the back of the horizontal support member. The raised portions protrude outwardly (i.e., in the same direction as the front of the horizontal support member) from the vertical support member. The raised portions are for fitting into the holes of each of the bags. Therefore, the positioning of the raised portions are such that they line up with the holes of the bags when the bags are placed on the bag holding cartridge. Further, the circumference of the raised portions is smaller than the circumference of the holes of the bag. Preferably, both the holes and the raised portions are circular and the diameter of each raised portion is slightly smaller than the diameter of each hole. The length of the raised portions is at least as long as the thickness of the plurality of bags. 
     The bag holding cartridge also includes an opening extending through each raised portion and through the thickness of the vertical support member. The opening preferably has two circumferences separated by a lip, with the front (outward) facing circumference having a smaller circumference than the rear facing circumference. 
     Each button of the plurality of buttons comprises a proximal cap, an intermediate portion with two legs separated by a distance, and a distal portion comprising a detent on each leg. The proximal cap has a circumference that is larger than the circumference of each hole of the bags, for enabling the bags to be secured to the bag holding cartridge. The two legs are substantially parallel to one another and extend from the proximal cap in a cantilevered fashion. Consequently, the legs can deflect towards each other in response to an external force, thus shortening the distance between the legs and detents, where the distance between the detents is shortened at a greater rate. The outer circumference around both legs is smaller than the circumference of the proximal cap, and smaller than the circumference of the smaller opening of the bag holding cartridge. The outer circumference around the detents is larger than the circumference of the outer circumference of both legs, and smaller than the circumference of the smaller opening of the bag holding cartridge. 
     The various sizes of the button portions and the openings allow for insertion of each button into each opening of the bag holding cartridge. The buttons operate to secure the bags on the bag holding cartridge. This button-insertion process is discussed in further detail below. The combination of the plurality of bags, the bag holding assembly and the plurality of buttons is referred to as a bag carrying cartridge. 
     The bag dispenser is for receiving and maintaining the bag holding cartridge or the bag carrying cartridge. The bag dispenser includes a housing with a horizontal slot and a vertical slot disposed therein. Both slots run from a proximal portion of the housing towards a distal portion of the housing. The slots form an opening on the proximal portion, while the distal portion is preferably closed. The top of the housing is preferably closed, while the vertical slot extends through the bottom of the housing to create an opening. The horizontal slot is dimensioned and configured to receive the horizontal support member of the bag holding cartridge, and the vertical slot is dimensioned and configured to receive the vertical support member of the bag holding cartridge in addition to the plurality of bags disposed thereon. Further an indentation is disposed on the vertical slot to allow the buttons (that are inserted into the bag holding cartridge) to pass through. This orientation allows for the bag carrying cartridge to be inserted into the bag dispenser. The combination of the bag carrying cartridge and the bag dispenser comprise the bag dispensing assembly. 
     Preferably, a catch is disposed on a proximal portion of the vertical slot and/or the horizontal slot of the bag dispenser. The catch is for further maintaining the bag carrying cartridge in the bag dispenser even if the bag dispenser is tilted in a way that may normally cause the bag carrying cartridge to fall out of the bag dispenser. 
     It is envisioned that a magnet or other adhering material, such as Velcro™, tape, clips, etc., is disposed on the bag dispenser for securing the bag dispensing apparatus to a surface. 
     It is also envisioned that indicia is disposed on each bag and/or the bag dispenser for advertising purposes or for any other reasonable purpose. 
     In operation, with the bag carrying cartridge inserted into the bag dispenser, a user can remove a single bag from the bag dispensing assembly by grabbing a bag and pulling it away from the bag dispensing assembly. The bag will preferably tear along the perforation line and the user can then utilize the bag. The next bag is then ready to be removed and used. When all of the bags are removed (or even when some bags remain), the user can pull the bag holding cartridge out of the bag dispenser. The user can then insert a new bag carrying cartridge. The user can alternatively insert a plurality of bags to the bag holding cartridge that was removed and secure the bags thereto with the used buttons prior to re-insertion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the subject assembly are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a bag according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the bag of  FIG. 1 , showing the bag in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a bag holding cartridge according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the bag holding cartridge of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a slightly enlarged, cross-section of the bag holding cartridge of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a button according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the button of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the bag of  FIG. 1  placed on the bag holding cartridge of  FIGS. 3–5  secured by two buttons of  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a slightly enlarged, cross-section of a plurality of the bags of  FIG. 1  placed on the bag holding cartridge of  FIGS. 3–5  secured by the button of  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of a bag dispenser according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the bag dispenser of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a slightly enlarged, right-side view of the bag dispenser of  FIGS. 10 and 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the bag dispensing assembly according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 14  is a slightly enlarged, cross-section of the bag dispensing assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed bag dispensing assembly will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. The term “proximal,” as is traditional, will refer to the end that is closer to the user, while the term “distal” will refer to the end that is farther from the user. 
     The bag dispensing assembly is referred to generally as reference numeral  10  and is shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The bag dispensing assembly  10  includes a plurality of bags  50  (illustrated as a single bag  52  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), a bag holding cartridge  100  ( FIGS. 3–5 ), a plurality of buttons  150  (illustrated as a single button in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ), and a bag dispenser  200  ( FIGS. 10–12 ). 
     A single bag  52  of a plurality of bags  50  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Bag  52  has a plurality of holes  54  and a perforation line  56  disposed on a proximal end  58  thereof. An open end of the bag  52  is depicted by line  60 , as best seen in  FIG. 2 . A closed end  62  of the bag  52  is at distal end  64 . Two of the plurality of holes  54  are preferably located close to perforation line  56  and close to each edge  66  (i.e., one hole  54  at each edge  66 ) of each bag  52 . 
     The bag holding cartridge  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3–5 . The bag holding cartridge  100  includes a horizontal support member  102  which is rigidly affixed to vertical support member  104 . A plurality of raised portions  106  extends from the front  108  of vertical support member  102 . A plurality of openings  110 , corresponding to the plurality of raised portions  106 , extends through the thickness of the vertical support member  102  to the back  112  of vertical support member  102 . The proximal opening  112  has a smaller circumference than the distal opening  114 . There is a lip  116  disposed in each opening  110 , separating the proximal opening  112  and the distal opening  114 , to secure a button, as described in more detail below. 
     A button  150  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The button  150  includes a proximal portion  152 , an intermediate portion  154  and a distal portion  156 . The proximal portion includes a cap  158 . The intermediate portion includes a pair of legs  160 . The distal portion  156  includes a detent  162  disposed on the distal end of each leg  160 . The outside  164  of each leg  160  is preferably semi-circular, while the inside  166  of each leg  160  is preferably flat. Each leg  160  is preferably separated by a distance D. 
     Each button  150  is dimensioned and configured to fit into each opening  110  of bag holding cartridge  100 . The circumferences of the intermediate portion  154  and the distal portion  156  are calculated as the circumference of each semi-circular outside  164  of each leg  160  or detent  162 , respectively, plus twice the distance D between each leg  160  or detent  162 . The proximal portion  152  has a larger circumference than the circumference of the intermediate portion  154 . The distal portion  156  has a larger circumference than the circumference of the intermediate portion  154 . Preferably, the proximal portion  152  has a larger circumference than the circumference of the distal portion  156 . Although the term circumference is used to describe the relative dimensions of each portion of button  150 , it is within the scope of this disclosure for each portion of each button  150  to have any regular or irregular shape. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the plurality of bags  50  inserted on the bag holding cartridge  100  and secured into place with buttons  150 . This embodiment is herein referred to as bag carrying assembly and is referenced by numeral  250 . In  FIG. 8 , one raised portion  106  is depicted without a button  150 , for illustrative purposes only. The plurality of bags  50  is placed on the bag holding cartridge  100 , with the holes  54  of bags  50  lining up with the raised portions  106  of bag holding cartridge  100 . One button  150  is then inserted into each raised portion  106  to securely hold the bags  50  in the bag holding cartridge  100 . The distal portion  156  of button  150  has a larger circumference than the circumference of the proximal opening  112 . The intermediate portion  154  of button  150  has a smaller circumference than the circumference of proximal opening  112 . The proximal portion  152  of button  150  has a larger circumference than the circumference of raised portion  106 . Additionally, the circumference of the proximal portion  152  of button  150  is larger than the circumference of each hole  54  of bag  52 , prohibiting a bag  52  from becoming dislodged from under button  150 . 
     When applying a force to proximal portion  152  of button  150  to insert button  150  into opening  110  of bag holding cartridge  100 , the legs  160  of button  150  are deflected toward each other, decreasing the distance D, and thus decreasing the circumference of the intermediate portion  154  and the distal portion  156 . The legs  160  are able to be deflected because they are cantileveredly attached to proximal portion  152 . The legs  160  are further deflected until the circumference of distal portion  156  is smaller than the circumference of proximal opening  112 . The continued application of force then pushes the distal portion  156  of button  150  through proximal opening  112 , over lip  116 , and eventually into distal opening  114  where the legs  160  are then able to return to their original position with respect to one another. The button  150  is now secured in place, thus securing the plurality of bags  50  between the proximal portion  152  of button  150  and vertical support member  104 . 
     The bag dispenser  200  is illustrated in  FIGS. 10–12 . The bag dispenser  200  includes a housing  201 , a horizontal slot  202 , a vertical slot  204  and an arcuate indentation  206 . The horizontal slot  202  is dimensioned and configured to accept the horizontal support member  102  of bag holding cartridge  100 . The vertical slot  204  is dimensioned and configured to accept the vertical support member  104  of bag holding cartridge  100  along with plurality of bags  50 . The arcuate indentation  206  is shaped to allow the cap  158  of button  150  to pass through. It is also envisioned that the cap  158  does not have an arcuate profile. In such an embodiment, the indentation  206  on the vertical slot  204  would substantially match the profile of the proximal portion  152  of button  150 . The bag dispenser  200  is closed on its distal end  210 , while the slots  202  and  204  form an opening on the proximal end  212  thereof. Top  214  of bag dispenser  200  is closed, while the vertical slot  204  extends through bottom  216  of bag dispenser  200 , thus creating a partially open bottom  216 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, a catch  220  is disposed towards the open, proximal end  212  of bag dispenser  200  for further securing the bag carrying assembly  250  therein, such that the catch  220  will prevent the bag carrying cartridge  250  from falling out of the bag dispenser  200  unintentionally. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate the bag carrying assembly  250  inserted into bag dispenser  200 . The plurality of bags  50  is shown inserted into bag holding cartridge  100  and affixed thereto with button  150 . Bag carrying assembly  250  is shown inserted into bag dispenser  200  to form bag dispensing assembly  10 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, a magnet  222  is disposed on a part of the housing  201  that is parallel to vertical slot  204 . The magnet  222  allows the bag dispensing assembly  10  to be releasably affixed to a magnetic surface. It is also within the scope of this disclosure to utilize other affixing means to secure bag dispensing assembly  10  to a surface. 
     In use, a user who desires to obtain a bag  52  from bag dispensing assembly  10  grabs bag  52  and pulls it away from bag dispensing assembly  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the bag  52  will tear along its perforation line  56 , creating a clean tear. Such a clean tear is facilitated by the location of holes  54  being close to the perforation line  56  and near the edges  66  of bag  52 . It is also envisioned for a user to be able to tear multiple bags  52  at one time. 
     Additionally, when no bags  52  remain on bag holding cartridge  100 , the bag holding cartridge  100  can be removed from bag dispensing assembly  10 , and replaced with another bag carrying cartridge  250 , including a plurality of bags  50 . It is also envisioned that instead of replacing the bag carrying cartridge  250 , a plurality of bags  50  can be inserted onto the same bag holding cartridge  100  and secured with the same buttons  150 . 
     While the above description contains many specifics, these specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations that are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure as defined by the claims appended hereto.