Abstract:
A bag dispenser includes a platform having first support surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. A mounting spike or barrier pole fixture may be attached orthogonally adjacent the platform. A wall mounting plate has a series of apertures to attach the plate to a vertical surface with fasteners. The plate is attached orthogonally to the second end of the bag platform. At least one side support extends outwardly from the first and second sides of the bag platform and upwardly from the platform. The side support defines a space for at least one stack of bags. A dispenser cover is affixed over the dispenser and may have a service aperture. The dispenser accommodates conventional, t-shirt and header-style bags in various configurations. The bags are assembled in bag stacks. The stacks may be configured in packs with removable covers or loaded in boxes.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The instant application is a continuation of PCT/US2013/060582, filed Sep. 19, 2013, and incorporates the same by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of plastic and other film bag storage and dispensing and more specifically to merchandise and produce bag dispensers adapted to attach to a vertical surface. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In supermarkets and grocery stores space for the mounting of bag dispensers is usually at a premium. It is desirable to use as much of the space available as possible for the display of produce or the handling of other groceries. However, certain facilities must be provided to the store&#39;s customers and checkout personnel for efficient produce sales and merchandise handling. One such facility is the provision of produce bags that may be conveniently used by the customers to collect the produce that they wish to purchase. Another facility is a checkout counter that has a bag dispensing rack mounted into a vertical counter surface, thereby providing unencumbered horizontal counter space for the handling of the customer&#39;s merchandise. Ideally, the store would like to provide simple to use produce and merchandise bag dispensers that are easy to maintain, hold a large quantity of bags of a sufficient size and which do not require frequent servicing. 
     In addition, grocery stores would like to use space for the bag dispensers not readily usable for the display of produce or other merchandise. It is most convenient to display produce and other items on angled or substantially horizontal shelves. Vertical surfaces, such as the walls of display stands and shelves are good locations to position bag dispensers as such surfaces are not readily usable for other displays. A bag dispenser that can be readily mounted to a vertical surface near a checkout counter will often make use of otherwise unusable space. 
     A number of dispensing devices and produce bags have been designed to efficiently provide produce bags and merchandise bags to shopping customers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,402, issued to Johnson, discloses a bag storage and dispensing rack that may be mounted from a vertical support surface or wall. A base member is supported on a pair of brackets which allows the rack to be displaced in a drawer-like fashion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D551,007, issued to Trinko is directed to a bag dispensing rack that is designed to be mounted on a vertical wall or surface so that the rack portion and the bags held within are in a horizontal orientation. The reference is directed to a “rack” while the bag dispenser itself is shown only in dashed lines for illustrative purposes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,971, issued to Edwards et al. illustrates a bag storage and dispensing system with a bag-like structure in another example of the bag stack being held in a horizontal orientation. The storage and dispensing system includes a top flap that is hingedly attached to the front end panel. The top flap includes a slotted aperture. The bags are loaded onto the tongue by aligning the apertures with the tongue and positioning the bags so as to be horizontally presented and retrieved through the aperture. The aperture has an opening in the front wall so as to make it more convenient to remove individual bags. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,806, issued to Mills disclose a storage and dispensing unit for merchandise bags that includes a window through which the bag pack may be exposed and another window through which the individual bags may be grasped. The stack of bag tabs is retained within the housing by means of a stiff wire loop that is retained within the housing by being captured between the bottom wall and the housing and a corrugated cardboard insert which is glued or otherwise secured to the bottom wall. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,092, issued to Yang et al. is directed to an upright container for storing and dispensing bags. The device is intended to be mounted on a vertical wall with the bags contained therein being visible through an aperture. The device also includes an aperture through which the individual bags may be retrieved. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,439, issued to Fried discloses a bag-opening dispenser and method and provides an example of a drawer-like structure that holds a plurality of merchandise bags in a horizontally oriented manner. The bags are retrievable individually by grasping the upper wall of the bag at the cutout portion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,479, issued to Jones et al. discloses a promotional bag dispensing apparatus wherein a bag dispenser may include a panel with identification or promotional type indicia on a front or top exposed surface. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a compact system for dispensing plastic produce bags or merchandise bags that can be mounted conveniently to a vertical surface. It is a further objective to provide such a system that can store an increased number of relatively large produce or merchandise bags adjacent a check-out counter. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a dispenser system that provides a visual indication when the bag pack needs to be replaced. Finally, it is an objective to provide such a system that can be easily fabricated, is durable, inexpensive and simple to service. 
     While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art bag dispensing inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above. 
     (1) A bag dispenser providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A bag platform is provided. The platform has a first support surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. A wall mounting plate is provided. The plate has an upper end, a lower end and a series of apertures penetrating the plate for use in attaching the plate to a vertical surface. The plate is attached orthogonally to the second end of the bag platform. At least one fastener for attaching the plate to the vertical surface is provided. At least one side support is provided. The side support extends outwardly from the first and second sides of the bag platform and upwardly from the platform. The at least one side support defines a space sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack of bags. A dispenser cover is provided. The cover is sized and shaped to extend from the first end to the second end of the bag platform and from at least a first end to at least a second end of the at least one side support. The dispenser cover has a central aperture permitting either of viewing of or access to the stack of bags. 
     (2) In another variant, the bag platform extends downwardly at the second end, providing at least one attachment point for the wall mounting plate. 
     (3) In a further variant, the at least one side support extends across and attaches to the bag platform. 
     (4) In still another variant, the at least one side support is of wire frame construction. 
     (5) In yet another variant, the dispenser cover is pivotally attached to the first end of the at least one side support. 
     (6) In a further variant, the at least one side support has a latching mechanism adjacent the second end for securing the dispenser cover. 
     (7) In yet a further variant, the dispenser cover is hingedly attached to the at least one side support at the first end of the side support. 
     (8) In yet a further variant, the dispenser cover has a cutout at one edge for lifting the cover. 
     (9) In another variant of the invention, the latching mechanism is magnetic. 
     (10) In still another variant, the latching mechanism comprises loop and eye fittings. 
     (11) In yet another variant, a mounting spike fixture is provided. The mounting spike fixture is attached orthogonally adjacent the platform and has at least one mounting spike extending upwardly from it. 
     (12) In a further variant, a barrier pole fixture is provided. The barrier pole fixture is attached orthogonally adjacent the platform and has at least one barrier pole extending upwardly from it. 
     (13) In still a further variant, the at least one mounting spike is movably attached to the mounting spike fixture. 
     (14) In yet a further variant, at least one barrier pole is movably attached to the barrier pole fixture. 
     (15) In another variant of the invention, a bag dispenser includes a bag platform. The platform has a first support surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. At least one side support is provided. The side support extends outwardly from the first and second sides of the bag platform and upwardly from the platform. The at least one side support defines a space sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack of bags. At least one overhead mounting feature is provided. The mounting feature is attached to the at least one side support and has a series of apertures penetrating the mounting feature for use in attaching to an overhead horizontal surface. At least one fastener is provided for attaching the mounting feature to the horizontal surface. An end panel is provided. The end panel is pivotally attached to either of the first and second ends of the bag platform. A latching mechanism is provided. The latching mechanism maintains the end panel in a first, upright position. The latching mechanism includes loop and eye fittings. In yet another variant, the latching mechanism is magnetic. 
     (16) In still a further variant, the end panel further includes an aperture for access to the at least one stack of bags. 
     (17) In yet a further variant, a bag dispenser includes a bag platform. The platform has a first support surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. At least one side support is provided. The side support extends outwardly from the first and second sides of the bag platform and upwardly from the platform. The at least one side support defining a space sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack of bags. At least one overhead mounting feature is provided. The mounting feature is attached to the at least one side support and has a series of apertures penetrating the mounting feature for use in attaching to an overhead horizontal surface. At least one fastener is provided for attaching the mounting attached to at least one of said first and second side supports. A latching mechanism is provided. The latching mechanism maintains the side panel in a first, upright position. The latching mechanism includes loop and eye fittings. 
     (18) In a further variant, the side panel further includes an aperture for access to the at least one stack of bags. 
     (19) In another variant of the invention, the bag dispenser further includes bags for use in the dispenser. The bags include a front wall, a back wall, first and second parallel linear side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. The front and rear walls are integrally joined at their first and second side edges and secured together at their bottom edges. An open mouth portion is defined adjacent the top edges. 
     (20) In still another variant, each of the bags includes at least one longitudinally oriented side gusset. 
     (21) In yet another variant, each of the bags includes a bottom gusset. 
     (22) In a further variant, each of the bags further includes an upper seam. The upper seam seals the front wall to the back wall at their respective top edges. A U-shaped cut-out is provided. The U-shaped cut-out is located in an upper portion of the bag and commences at a first point along the upper seam spaced inwardly from the first side edge and extends to a second point along the upper seam spaced inwardly from the second side edge. The cut-out extends downwardly toward the bottom edges, thereby forming an open mouth portion and a pair of bag handles. 
     (23) In still a further variant of the invention, the bag dispenser further includes bags for use in the dispenser. The bags include a front wall, a back wall, first and second parallel linear side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. At least one of the front and back walls is removably attached to a header. The header extends across at least a portion of at least one of the front and back walls. The header has at least one mounting aperture extending through the header orthogonally and through the bag walls. The mounting aperture is sized, shaped and located to permit the bags to be positioned upon the at least one mounting spike. 
     (24) In yet a further variant, each of the bags includes at least one longitudinally oriented side gusset. 
     (25) In another variant, each of the bags includes a bottom gusset. 
     (26) In still another variant, a plurality of the bags form a bag stack. 
     (27) In yet another variant, a plurality of the bags attached to the header form a bag stack. 
     (28) In yet another variant, the bags are packaged into bag packs. The bag packs include at least one stack of bags. The stack is enclosed in a removable outer wrapper. 
     (29) In yet another variant, the bags are packaged into bag packs. The bag packs include at least one stack of bags. The stack is enclosed in a removable outer wrapper. 
     (30) In a further variant, the bag stacks are packaged into boxes. The boxes are sized and shaped to fit into the dispenser. 
     (31) In still a further variant, a method of using a bag dispenser, includes the steps of:
         providing a bag platform, the platform has a first support surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end;   providing a wall mounting plate, the plate has an upper end, a lower end and a series of apertures penetrating the plate for use in attaching the plate to a vertical surface, the plate is attached orthogonally to the second end of the bag platform;   providing at least one fastener for attaching the plate to the vertical surface;   providing at least one side support, the side support extends outwardly from the first and second sides of the bag platform and upwardly from the platform, the at least one side support defining a space sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack of bags;   providing a dispenser cover sized and shaped to extend from the first end to the second end of the bag platform and from at least a first end to at least a second end of the at least one side support. The dispenser cover has a central aperture that permits viewing of or access to the stack of bags;   securing the dispensing cover over the at least one stack of bags;   attaching the wall mounting plate to the vertical surface using the at least one fastener; and   positioning the at least one stack of bags in the dispenser.       

     An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the cover in the closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the invention with the cover removed; 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the invention with the cover removed and the wall mounting plate attached at a first end of the bag platform; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment with a mounting spike fixture and mounting spikes attached; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 3  embodiment with the cover in the open position; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 3  embodiment with the cover in the open position and the wall mounting plate attached at a first end of the bag platform; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the wall mounting plate and fasteners for attaching the  FIG. 1  embodiment to a vertical surface; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a loop and eye latching mechanism for the  FIG. 1  embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded partial perspective view of a bag stack and the mounting spike fixture of the  FIG. 3  embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of an alternative mounting spike on the mounting spike fixture; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 3  embodiment with the cover in the open position with a bag stack mounted; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 3  embodiment with a bag pack containing multiple bag stacks mounted on the dispenser; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment with a barrier pole attached; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment with an alternative barrier pole attached; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having an openable end panel, shown in the open position, for use with bag box containers; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 13  embodiment attached under a counter illustrating the end panel in the closed position; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 13  embodiment illustrating a magnetic latch for the end panel; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 13  embodiment illustrating a hook and eye latch for the end panel; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having an openable side panel, shown in the open position, for use with bag box containers; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 17  embodiment illustrating a magnetic latch for the side panel, shown in the closed position; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 17  embodiment illustrating a hook and eye latch for the side panel; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 3  embodiment illustrating a bag pack having side gussets; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 3  embodiment illustrating a bag pack having a bottom gusset; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a pack oft-shirt style bags for use with the  FIG. 3  embodiment of the dispenser; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a pack of header bags having side gussets for use with the  FIG. 3  embodiment of the dispenser; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a pack of header bags having bottom gussets for use with the  FIG. 3  embodiment of the dispenser; and 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 17  embodiment with a box of bag packs installed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     (1)  FIGS. 1-8  illustrate a bag dispenser  10  providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. A bag platform  14  is provided. The platform  14  has a first support surface  18 , a first side  22 , a second side  26 , a first end  30  and a second end  34 . A wall mounting plate  46  is provided. The plate  46  has an upper end  50 , a lower end  54  and a series of apertures  58  penetrating the plate  46  for use in attaching the plate  46  to a vertical surface  62 . The plate  46  is attached orthogonally to the second end  34  of the bag platform  14 . At least one fastener  66  for attaching the plate  46  to the vertical surface  62  is provided. At least one side support  70  is provided. The side support  70  extends outwardly from the first  22  and second  26  sides of the bag platform  14  and upwardly from the platform  14 . The at least one side support  70  defines a space  74  sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack  78  of bags  82 . A dispenser cover  86  is provided. The cover  86  is sized and shaped to extend from the first end  30  to the second end  34  of the bag platform  14  and from at least a first end  90  to at least a second end  94  of the at least one side support  70 . The dispenser cover  86  has a central aperture  106  permitting either viewing of or access to the stack  78  of bags  82 . 
     (2) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the bag platform  14  extends downwardly at the second end  34 , providing at least one attachment point  98  for the wall mounting plate  46 . 
     (3) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the at least one side support  70  extends across and attaches to the bag platform  14 . 
     (4) In still another variant, the at least one side support  70  is of wire frame construction. 
     (5) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , the dispenser cover  86  is pivotally attached to the first end  90  of the at least one side support  70 . 
     (6) In a further variant, the at least one side support  70  has a latching mechanism  102  adjacent the second end  94  for securing the dispenser cover  86 . 
     (7) In yet a further variant, the dispenser cover  86  is hingedly attached to the at least one side support  70  at the first end  90  of the side support  70 . 
     (8) In yet a further variant, the dispenser cover  86  has a cutout  110  at one edge  114  for lifting the cover  86 . 
     (9) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the latching mechanism  102  is magnetic. 
     (10) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the latching mechanism  102  comprises loop  104  and eye  108  fittings. 
     (11) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a mounting spike fixture  38  is provided. The mounting spike fixture  38  is attached orthogonally adjacent the platform  14  and has at least one mounting spike  42  extending upwardly from it. 
     (12) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a barrier pole fixture  40  is provided. The barrier pole fixture  40  is attached orthogonally adjacent the platform  14  and has at least one barrier pole  44  extending upwardly from it. 
     (13) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  7 , and  8 , the at least one mounting spike  42  is movably attached to the mounting spike fixture  38 . 
     (14) In yet a further variant, at least one barrier pole  44  is movably attached to the barrier pole fixture  40 . 
     (15) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 13-16 , a bag dispenser  10  includes a bag platform  14 . The platform  14  has a first support surface  18 , a first side  22 , a second side  26 , a first end  30  and a second end  34 . At least one side support  70  is provided. The side support  70  extends outwardly from the first  22  and second  26  sides of the bag platform  14  and upwardly from the platform  14 . The at least one side support  70  defines a space  74  sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack  78  of bags  82 . At least one overhead mounting feature  84  is provided. The mounting feature  84  is attached to the at least one side support  70  and has a series of apertures  88  penetrating the mounting feature  84  for use in attaching to an overhead horizontal surface  92 . At least one fastener  96  is provided for attaching the mounting feature  84  to the horizontal surface  92 . An end panel  48  is provided. The end panel  48  is pivotally attached to either of the first  30  and second  34  ends of the bag platform  14 . A latching mechanism  56  is provided. The latching mechanism  56  maintains the end panel  48  in a first, upright position  52 . The latching mechanism  56  includes loop  104  and eye  108  fittings as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the latching mechanism  56  is magnetic. 
     (16) In still a further variant, the end panel  48  further includes an aperture  60  for access to the at least one stack  78  of bags  82 . 
     (17) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 17-19 , a bag dispenser  10  includes a bag platform  14 . The platform  14  has a first support surface  18 , a first side  22 , a second side  26 , a first end  30  and a second end  34 . At least one side support  70  is provided. The side support  70  extends outwardly from the first  22  and second  26  sides of the bag platform  14  and upwardly from the platform  14 . The at least one side support  70  DEFINES a space  74  sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack  78  of bags  82 . At least one overhead mounting feature  84  is provided. The mounting feature  84  is attached to the at least one side support  70  and has a series of apertures  88  penetrating the mounting feature  84  for use in attaching to an overhead horizontal surface  92 . At least one fastener  96  is provided for attaching the mounting feature  84  to the horizontal surface  92 . A side panel  64  is provided. The side panel  64  is pivotally attached to at least one of the first and second side supports  70 . A latching mechanism  72  is provided. The latching mechanism  72  maintains the side panel  64  in a first, upright position  68 . The latching mechanism  72  includes loop  104  and eye  108  fittings as illustrated in  FIG. 19 . In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the latching mechanism  72  is magnetic. 
     (18) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 17-19 , the side panel  64  further includes an aperture  76  for access to the at least one stack  72  of bags  82 . 
     (19) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 ,  9  and  10 , the bag dispenser  10  further includes bags  82  for use in the dispenser  10 . The bags  82  include a front wall  118 , a back wall  122 , first  126  and second  130  parallel linear side edges, a top edge  134  and a bottom edge  138 . 
     (20) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 20 and 23 , each of the bags  82  includes at least one longitudinally oriented side gusset  80 . 
     (21) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 24 , each of the bags  82  includes a bottom gusset  84 . 
     (22) In a further variant, each of the bags  82  further includes an upper seam  88 . The upper seam  88  seals the front wall  118  to the back wall  122  at their respective top edges  134 . A U-shaped cut-out  92  is provided. The U-shaped cut-out  92  is located in an upper portion  96  of the bag  82  and commences at a first point  100  along the upper seam  88  spaced inwardly from the first side edge  126  and extends to a second point  104  along the upper seam  88  spaced inwardly from the second side edge  130 . The cut-out  92  extends downwardly toward the bottom edges  138 , thereby forming an open mouth portion  108  and a pair of bag handles  112 . 
     (23) In still a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the bag dispenser  10  further includes bags  82  for use in the dispenser  10 . The bags  82  include a front wall  118 , a back wall  122 , first  126  and second  130  parallel linear side edges, a top edge  134  and a bottom edge  138 . At least one of the front  118  and back  122  walls is removably attached to a header  142 . The header  142  extends across at least a portion  146  of at least one of the front  118  and back  122  walls. The header  142  has at least one mounting aperture  150  extending through the header  142  orthogonally and through the bag walls  118 ,  122 . The mounting aperture  150  is sized, shaped and located to permit the bags  82  to be positioned upon the at least one mounting spike  42 . 
     (24) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 20 and 23 , each of the bags  82  includes at least one longitudinally oriented side gusset  80 . 
     (25) In another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 24 , each of the bags  82  includes a bottom gusset  84 . 
     (26) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 20-24 , a plurality of the bags  82  form a bag stack  78 . 
     (27) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , a plurality of the bags  82  attached to the header  142  form a bag stack  78 . 
     (28) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the bags  82  are packaged into bag packs  154 . The bag packs  154  includes at least one stack  78  of bags  82 , the stack  78  is enclosed in a removable outer wrapper  158 . 
     (29) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the bags  82  are packaged into bag packs  154 . The bag packs  154  includes at least one stack  78  of bags  82 , the stack  78  is enclosed in a removable outer wrapper  158 . 
     (30) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the bag stacks  78  are packaged into boxes  162 . The boxes  162  are sized and shaped to fit into the dispenser  10 . 
     (31) In still a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 , a method of using a bag dispenser  10 , includes the steps of:
         providing a bag platform  14 , the platform  14  has a first support surface  18 , a first side  22 , a second side  26 , a first end  30  and a second end  34 ;   providing a wall mounting plate  46 , the plate  46  has an upper end  50 , a lower end  54  and a series of apertures  58  penetrating the plate  46  for use in attaching the plate  46  to a vertical surface  62 , the plate  46  is attached orthogonally to the second end  34  of the bag platform  14 ;   providing at least one fastener  66  for attaching the plate  46  to the vertical surface  62 ;   providing at least one side support  70 , the side support  70  extends outwardly from the first  22  and second  26  sides of the bag platform  14  and upwardly from the platform  14 , the at least one side support  70  defining a space  74  sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack  78  of bags  82 ;
           providing a dispenser cover  86 , the cover  86  is sized and shaped to extend from the first end  30  to the second end  34  of the bag platform  14  and from at least a first end  90  to at least a second end  94  of the at least one side support  70 . The dispenser cover  86  has a central aperture  106  that permits viewing of or access to the stack  78  of bags  82 ;   
           attaching the wall mounting plate  46  to the vertical surface  62  using the at least one fastener  66 ; and   positioning the at least one stack  78  of bags  82  in the dispenser  10 .       

     The bag dispensing adapter for a bin  10  and method of using same has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.