Patent Publication Number: US-2021179308-A1

Title: Bag Rack and Method of Using Same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application 62/949,003 filed Dec. 17, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to packaging and more particularly to a bag rack and method of using the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In, for example, a grocery or food deli application in which food is preprocessed, precooked, or otherwise prepared for sale, there may be certain inefficiencies in packaging the prepared food items. For example, for a somewhat large food item, such as a precooked rotisserie chicken, it may be difficult for one person to hold open a storage bag and at the same time load the food item into the bag. Consequently, it may require two people to package the food item; for example, one person to hold open the storage bag while another person places the food item in the bag. Therefore, more efficient approaches are needed with respect to packaging food items that are preprocessed, precooked, or otherwise prepared for sale. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. 
     According to at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a bag rack and dispensing system is provided. The system may include: a base assembly comprising side bars and crossbars coupled to the side bars, wherein at least one of the crossbars is located at a front portion of the base assembly; a hanger assembly, configured to support a plurality of storage bags in a removable manner thereon, mounted to the base assembly and comprising: a first portion coupled to one or more of the crossbars and positioned substantially horizontal, a second portion extending from the first portion in a substantially vertical direction, a third portion extending from the second portion in a substantially horizontal direction distally from the first portion, and a fourth portion extending from the third portion in a generally vertical direction distally from the first portion; a hooking assembly, configured to assist in holding open at least one of the plurality of storage bags, mounted to the base assembly and comprising at least one hooking bar extending substantially vertically to define a hook end extending towards the base assembly. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the hooking assembly includes: two continuous and opposing hooking bars; and a hooking crossbar extending between the ends of the opposing hooking bars. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the hooking assembly comprises a continuous hooking bar. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the hooking bar further defines a second hook end for mounting to the base assembly. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the side bars and crossbars are arranged to form a substantially boxed-shaped structure. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the side bars are arranged substantially parallel with one another and the crossbars are arranged substantially parallel with one another and wherein the side bars are arranged substantially perpendicular with the crossbars. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the base assembly comprises two side bars and three crossbars, wherein the three crossbars span a distance spaced between the two side bars. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the hanger assembly is mounted, and affixed to, one or more of the crossbars. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the hanger assembly comprises hanger bars and one or more hanger crossbars. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the hanger bars are arranged substantially parallel with one another. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, at least two crossbars extend between the hanger bars within the second portion, and one of the at least two crossbars is in contact with the third portion. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, at least one crossbar extends between the hanger bars at an endpoint of the hanger bars within the fourth portion. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the hanger assembly comprises a continuous hanger plate. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, further comprising the plurality of storage bags, each comprising: a top portion and a detachable bottom portion, wherein the top portion comprises an engagement mechanism for engaging with the hanger assembly, and wherein the detachable bottom portion comprises a storage pouch and a resealable opening providing access to the storage pouch. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the engagement mechanism for engaging with the hanger assembly comprises holes for engaging hanger bars of the hanger assembly. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the bottom portion is detachable from the top portion by a perforation spanning a bottom edge of the top portion. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, each of the plurality of storage bags further comprises a handle. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the plurality of storage bags are bound together at the top portion. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the plurality of storage bags are configured to store food items. 
     According at least to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a method of packaging and dispensing items is provided. The method includes: hanging a plurality of storage bags on a rack, the rack comprising a base assembly and a hanger assembly, opening a frontmost storage bag of the plurality of storage bags via a resealable opening, holding open a front edge of the resealable opening of the frontmost storage bag, placing an item to be stored into the opened frontmost storage bag, resealing the resealable opening of the frontmost storage bag with the item placed therein, and removing the frontmost storage back from the plurality of storage bags and the rack. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing, as well as the following Detailed Description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. 
         FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5  illustrate a front perspective view, a rear perspective view, a front view, a side view, and a top view, respectively, of an example of the presently disclosed bag rack holding one or more storage bags. 
         FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 9  illustrate a rear perspective view, a side view, a front view, and a top down view, respectively, of the presently disclosed bag rack. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of the hanger bar portion of the rack of the presently disclosed bag rack. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of a hooking device of the presently disclosed bag rack. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method of using the presently disclosed bag rack. 
         FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14  illustrate a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of another example of the presently disclosed bag rack. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a front perspective view of the bag rack shown in  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14  holding one or more storage bags. 
         FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  illustrate a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of yet another example of the presently disclosed bag rack. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a rear perspective view of the bag rack shown in  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  holding one or more storage bags. 
         FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20  illustrate a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of yet another example of the presently disclosed bag rack. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a front perspective view of the bag rack shown in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20  holding one or more storage bags. 
         FIG. 22  and  FIG. 23  illustrate a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of yet another example of the presently disclosed bag rack. 
         FIG. 24  and  FIG. 25  illustrate a rear perspective view and a front perspective view, respectively, of the bag rack shown in  FIG. 22  and  FIG. 23  holding one or more storage bags. 
         FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27  illustrate a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of still another example of the presently disclosed bag rack. 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a front perspective view of the bag rack shown in  FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27  holding one or more storage bags. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated Drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 
     In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a bag rack and method of using the same for packaging and dispensing items, such as food. The bag rack may include a hanger assembly mounted atop a base assembly for holding multiple storage bags in preparation for packaging items, such as food, therein. Additionally, the presently disclosed bag rack bag may include a bag hooking mechanism for holding open the storage bag. For example, when using the presently disclosed bag rack, the frontmost storage bag may be held open in a manner that is convenient of packing food items therein. Once packed, the frontmost storage bag may be sealed and then easily removed from the rack, exposing the next storage bag to be packed. Further, the presently disclosed bag rack allows the storage bag to be easily packed by one person, whereas conventional methods may require one person to hold open the storage bag while a second person places the food items in the bag. 
     While the presently disclosed bag rack and method are described hereinbelow in the context of packaging food items, the bag rack and method is not limited to packaging food items only. The presently disclosed bag rack and method may be used for packaging any type of item. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5  is a front perspective view, a rear perspective view, a front view, a side view, and a top view, respectively, of a bag rack  100  for packaging and dispensing food items. In this example, bag rack  100  may be formed of a base assembly  110  and a hanger assembly  120 . For example, hanger assembly  120  may be mounted atop base assembly  110 . More details of bag rack  100  are described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 10 . Bag rack  100  may be designed to hold multiple storage bags. For example, multiple storage bags  190  may be hung on hanger assembly  120  of bag rack  100  in preparation for packaging food items therein. 
     Storage bags  190  may, for example, be plastic resealable storage bags. Each of the storage bags  190  may include a storage pouch  192  for holding, for example, food items. A resealable opening  194  in each of the storage bags  190  may provide access to storage pouch  192 . In one example, resealable opening  194  may be a Ziploc® type of resealable opening. Further, each of the storage bags  190  may include a carry handle cutout  196  in an upper portion  198  of storage bag  190 . Upper portion  198  may be above resealable opening  194 . Carry handle cutout  196  may be, for example, an elongated opening along the top portion of the storage bag  190  that may be engaged with hanger assembly  120  of bag rack  100 . In one example, carry handle cutout  196  may be about 3.25 inches long and about 0.5 inches wide (or high). However, it is contemplated that dimensions of carry handle cutout  196  may vary depending on the type and/or size storage bag  190 . By way of example,  FIG. 1  shows a food item  180  (e.g., a rotisserie chicken) inside storage pouch  192  of the frontmost storage bag  190  that is hanging on hanger assembly  120  of bag rack  100 . Once the filled storage bag  190  is removed from bag rack  100 , carry handle cutout  196  may be used for carrying the filled storage bag  190 . 
     In one example, bag rack  100  may include a hooking assembly being, in one example a hooking device  130  (see  FIG. 11 ), or in another example a hooking bracket  140  (see  FIGS. 13 and 14 ) for assisting in holding the frontmost storage bag  190  open in a manner that is convenient for packing food items therein. In the example of  FIG. 11 , one end of hooking device  130  may be engaged with base assembly  110  of bag rack  100  while the opposite end may be engaged with the front edge of the open resealable opening  194  of storage bag  190 . Hooking device  130  may be fitted loosely to and may be moveable along base assembly  110  of bag rack  100 . More details of hooking device  130  are described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 11 . Once packed, hooking device  130  may be removed from the frontmost storage bag  190 . Then, the frontmost storage bag  190  is sealed and easily removed from hanger assembly  120  of bag rack  100 , exposing the next storage bag  190  to be packed. Base assembly  110  of bag rack  100  may be designed to safely balance storage bags  190  during the packaging process. 
     In other examples, bag rack  100  may include other bag hooking mechanisms, such as a hooking bracket that is shown and described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 , and  FIG. 15 . In yet other examples, bag rack  100  may be absent any bag hooking mechanisms. 
     The physical size of bag rack  100  may be scaled to handle storage bags  190  of any capacity (by volume or weight). In one example, bag rack  100  may be sized to handle 2-quart capacity storage bags  190 . In another example, bag rack  100  may be sized to handle 1-gallon capacity storage bags  190 , and so on. Additionally, the size of hooking device  130 , hooking bracket  180 , and/or hooking plate  185  may be scaled accordingly. 
       FIG. 6  through  FIG. 9  show more details of bag rack  100  shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 . For example,  FIG. 6  shows a rear perspective view of bag rack  100 ,  FIG. 7  shows a side view of bag rack  100 ,  FIG. 8  shows a front view of bag rack  100 , and  FIG. 9  shows a top down view of bag rack  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 9 , base assembly  110  of bag rack  100  may include a pair of side bars  112  and multiple crossbars  114 . For example, base assembly  110  may include a side bar  112   a  and a side bar  112   b , which are arranged substantially parallel to each other. Spanning side bars  112   a  and  112   b  may be, for example, three crossbars  114  (e.g., crossbars  114   a ,  114   b , and  114   c ), as shown. In particular, the combination of side bars  112   a  and  112   b  and crossbars  114   a  and  114   c  form a substantially boxed-shaped base assembly  110 . Crossbar  114   b  may be provided in combination with crossbar  114   c  for support of hanger assembly  120 . For example, hanger assembly  120  may be affixed to crossbars  114   b  and  114   c , as shown. Referring to  FIG. 9 , side bars  112   a  and  112   b  may have an on-center spacing S 1 , crossbars  114   a  and  114   c  mat have an on-center spacing S 2 , and crossbars  114   b  and  114   c  may have an on-center spacing S 2 . Additionally, side bars  112  have a length L 1  and crossbars  114  have a length L 2 . 
     Further, a set of plastic or rubber caps  116  may be installed on the ends of side bars  112 . For example, caps  116   a  and  116   b  may be installed on the ends of side bar  112   a . Caps  116   c  and  116   d  may be installed on the ends of side bar  112   b . The caps  116  may be provided for aesthetic purposes, as well as to protect the user from any roughness at the ends of side bars  112 . 
     Hanger assembly  120  of bag rack  100  may be arranged substantially orthogonal with respect to base assembly  110  of bag rack  100 , as shown. Referring again to  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 9 , hanger assembly  120  of bag rack  100  may include a pair of hanger bars  122  and one or more hanger crossbars  124 . For example, hanger assembly  120  may include a hanger bar  122   a  and a hanger bar  122   b , which may be arranged substantially parallel to each other. Spanning hanger bars  122   a  and  122   b  may, for example, be two hanger crossbars  124  (e.g., hanger crossbars  124   a  and  124   b ), as shown. Referring to  FIG. 8 , hanger bars  122   a  and  122   b  may have an on-center spacing S 4  and hanger crossbars  124   a  and  124   c  may have an on-center spacing S 5 . Additionally, hanger crossbars  124  have a length L 0 . In one example, the length L 0  may be about ¼ inches greater than the spacing S 4 . 
     Side bars  112  and crossbars  114  of base assembly  110 , as well as hanger bars  122  and hanger crossbars  124  of hanger assembly  120  may be, for example, rigid rods that can be formed of any material that is suitably strong to support storage bags  190  and any content thereof. The cross-sectional diameters of the rods may vary depending on the material. In one example, side bars  112  and crossbars  114  of base assembly  110  and hanger bars  122  and hanger crossbars  124  of hanger assembly  120  may be metal rods, such as stainless steel or aluminum rods. In another example, side bars  112  and crossbars  114  of base assembly  110  and hanger bars  122  and hanger crossbars  124  of hanger assembly  120  may be plastic rods. 
     More details of hanger bars  122  are now described with reference to  FIG. 10 , which illustrates a side view of one hanger bar  122  of hanger assembly  120  of bag rack  100 . For example, each hanger bar  122  may be a rod that may include multiple segments, for example, four segments. Namely, each hanger bar  122  may be formed, in order, of segments SEG 1 , SEG 2 , SEG 3 , and SEG 4 . For example, segment SEG 1  may be designed to be mounted across and upon crossbars  114   b  and  114   c  of base assembly  110  of bag rack  100 . Segment SEG 1  has a length L 3 . Next, segment SEG 2  continues substantially orthogonal from one end of segment SEG 1 , as shown. Segment SEG 2  has a length L 4 . Next, segment SEG 3  continues substantially orthogonal from the other end of segment SEG 2 , as shown. Segment SEG 3  may be substantially parallel to segment SEG 1 . Segment SEG 3  has a length L 5 . Next, segment SEG 4  continues substantially orthogonal from the other end of segment SEG 3 , as shown. Segment SEG 4  may be substantially parallel to segment SEG 2 . Segment SEG 4  has a length L 6 . Additionally, each hanger bar  122  has an overall height H 1 . While the above example is illustrated as having four segments, it is contemplated that each hanger bar  122  may have more or less segments, and the above is just an example of one embodiment. 
     In bag rack  100 , segments SEG 1  of hanger bars  122   a  and  122   b  of hanger assembly  120  may be affixed to crossbars  114   b  and  114   c  of base assembly  110 . For example, hanger assembly  120  may be affixed to base assembly  110  via welding, adhesive (e.g., epoxy adhesive), or other suitable means. 
     Further and referring now to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 10 , side bars  112  and crossbars  114  of base assembly  110  of bag rack  100 , as well as hanger bars  122  and hanger crossbars  124  of hanger assembly  120  of bag rack  100  may have a cross-sectional diameter D 1 . The cross-sectional diameter D 1  of all of these components may be the same or may be different. Further, the cross-sectional diameter D 1  may vary depending on the type of material of which side bars  112  and crossbars  114  of base assembly  110  and hanger bars  122  and hanger crossbars  124  of hanger assembly  120  are formed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11  is a side view of the optional hooking device  130  of bag rack  100 . Hooking device  130  may be a bar with hooks on one or both ends. Hooking device  130  may be formed, for example, of metal, plastic, or other suitable material. For example, hooking device  130  may include a bar  132  that may have a hook  134  at one end and a hook  136  at the opposite end, as shown. Bar  132  has a cross-sectional diameter D 2 . In one example, the diameter D 2  may be about ¼ inches. Hook  134  of hooking device  130  may be designed to engage crossbar  114   a  of base assembly  110  of bag rack  100 , while hook  136  may be designed to hook onto the edge of resealable opening  194  of storage bags  190 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Hook  134  may be formed by bending bar  132  back on itself. In one example, hook  134  may be open enough to engage with crossbar  114   a  when in use, and then disengage from crossbar  114   a  when not in use. In another example, hook  134  may wrap around crossbar  114   a  in a manner that hooking device  130  is permanently coupled to crossbar  114   a  in a sliding (side-to-side) and pivoting fashion. The inside bend radius of hook  134  may be slightly greater than cross-sectional diameter D 1  of crossbar  114   a . Hook  136  may be formed by bending bar  132  back on itself. Hook  136  may be set at an angle sufficient for easily engaging with the edge of resealable opening  194  of a storage bag  190 . 
     Table 1 below shows example specifications of bag rack  100 . Note the dimensions listed in Table 1 below are non-limiting examples only, and other dimensions are contemplated and within the scope of the invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Specification 
                 Example 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Spacing S1 of side bars 112a and 112b 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 13 inches 
               
               
                 Spacing S2 of crossbars 114a and 114c 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 10¾ inches 
               
               
                 Spacing S3 of crossbars 114b and 114c 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 1¼ inches 
               
               
                 Spacing S4 of hanger bars 122a and 122b 
                 in the range of from 
               
               
                   
                 about 2.5 inches to 
               
               
                   
                 about 3 inches 
               
               
                 Spacing S5 of hanger crossbars 124a and 124c 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 1 inch 
               
               
                 Length L1 of side bars 112 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 12½ inches 
               
               
                 Length L2 of crossbars 114 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 13¼ inches 
               
               
                 Length L3 of segment SEG1 of hanger bar 122 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 2 inches 
               
               
                 Length L4 of segment SEG2 of hanger bar 122 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 9 inches 
               
               
                 Length L5 of segment SEG3 of hanger bar 122 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 3¼ inches 
               
               
                 Length L6 of segment SEG4 of hanger bar 122 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 1 inch 
               
               
                 Overall Height H1 of hanger bar 122 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 10 inches 
               
               
                 Cross-sectional diameter D1 
                 in the range of about 
               
               
                   
                 ¼ inches 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Referring now to  FIG. 12  is a flow diagram of an example of a method  200  of using the presently disclosed bag rack  100  for packaging and dispensing food items. Method  200  may include, but is not limited to, the following steps. 
     At a step  210 , one or more storage bags  190  are hung on bag rack  100 . For example, one or more storage bags  190  are hung on bag rack  100  by sliding the carry handle cutouts  196  onto hanger assembly  120  of bag rack  100 . 
     At a step  215 , the frontmost storage bag  190  on bag rack  100  is opened. For example, the user opens resealable opening  194  of the frontmost storage bag  190 . 
     At a step  220 , the storage bag  190  is held open by hand or propped open using any bag hooking mechanism, such as, but not limited to, hooking device  130  and a hooking bracket (see  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 , and  FIG. 15 ). For example, hook  134  of hooking device  130  is engaged with crossbar  114   a . Then, the edge of resealable opening  194  is pulled forward and hook  136  of hooking device  130  is engaged with the front edge of resealable opening  194 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     At a step  225 , food item(s) or any other types of item(s) are placed into storage bag  190 . The placement of the item(s) into storage bag  190  is made easy because by pulling the edge of resealable opening  194  forward the design of bag rack  100 , in particular the front edge of resealable opening  194  is pulled forward, allowing for a wide opening and easy access to storage pouch  192  of storage bags  190 , thus making loading storage bag  190  easier and more efficient then current methods. Loading storage bag  190  may also be facilitated by holding the resealable opening  194  wide open via the optional hooking device  130  and/or the hooking bracket (see  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 , and  FIG. 15 ). 
     At a step  230 , if a bag hooking mechanism is used, hooking device  130  and/or the hooking bracket (see  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 , and  FIG. 15 ) may be removed from engagement with resealable opening  194  of storage bag  190 . Then, resealable opening  194  of storage bag  190  is closed, thereby securing the contents of storage bag  190 . 
     At a step  235 , the filled storage bag  190  is removed from bag rack  100 . For example, carry handle cutout  196  of the filled storage bag  190  is slipped off of and away from hanger assembly  120  of bag rack  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14  is a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of another example of the presently disclosed bag rack  100 . In this example, bag rack  100  may further include a hooking bracket  140 , wherein hooking bracket  140  may be fixed to crossbar  114   a  of base assembly  110  of bag rack  100 . As shown, hooking bracket  140  may be, for example, an upside-down U-shaped structure. For example, hooking bracket  140  may include two sidebars  142  coupled by a hooking crossbar  144 . The open ends of the two sidebars  142  may be affixed (e.g., welded, adhered) to crossbar  114   a . Hooking crossbar  144  is used to engage with and hold the front edge of the open resealable opening  194  of storage bag  190 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 15 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  is a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of yet another example of the presently disclosed bag rack  100 . In this example, the two hanger bars  122  (i.e.,  122   a ,  122   b ) of hanger assembly  120  are coupled at the top via a crossbar  123  to form a one-piece hanger structure.  FIG. 18  shows a rear perspective view of bag rack  100  shown in  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  that includes crossbar  123  that is holding one or more storage bags  190 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20  is a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of yet another example of the presently disclosed bag rack  100 . In this example, hanger assembly  120  may include the one-piece hanger structure (i.e., hanger bars  122   a ,  122   b  and crossbar  123 ) as shown in  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 17 , and  FIG. 18 . Additionally, in this example, bag rack  100  may include hooking bracket  140 . Hooking bracket  140  is used to engage with and hold the front edge of the open resealable opening  194  of storage bag  190 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 21 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 22  and  FIG. 23  is a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of yet another example of the presently disclosed bag rack  100 . In this example, bag rack  100  may include a hanger plate  150  in place of hanger assembly  120  mounted atop crossbars  114   b  and  114   c . That is, in this example, bag rack  100  may include base assembly  110  and hanger plate  150 . Hanger plate  150  may include multiple segments that substantially mimic the side profile of hanger bars  122 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 10 . For example, like hanger bars  122 , hanger plate  150  may include segment SEG 1 , segment SEG 2 , segment SEG 3 , and segment SEG 4 . Segment SEG 1  of hanger plate  150  may be coupled to crossbars  114   b  and  114   c  via, for example, welding and/or adhesive.  FIG. 24  and  FIG. 25  show the bag rack  100  shown in  FIG. 22  and  FIG. 23  wherein one or more storage bags  190  are hung on hanger plate  150 . Further,  FIG. 25  shows hanger plate  150  used in combination with hooking device  130  to hold open the resealable opening  194  of storage bag  190 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27  is a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of still another example of the presently disclosed bag rack  100 . In this example, bag rack  100  may include base assembly  110 , hanger plate  150 , and hooking bracket  140 . Again, hooking bracket  140  is used to hold open the resealable opening  194  of storage bag  190 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 28 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 28 , an example application for using bag rack  100  and method  200  is a grocery store deli or any food deli. For example, in the grocery store deli, multiple rotisserie chickens are being cooked and prepared for sale. In this example, multiple bag racks  100  may be set up with the frontmost storage bag  190  propped open in a similar manner as described in step  220  of method  200 . Once the multiple rotisserie chickens are finished cooking, one at a time, the cooked rotisserie chickens can be dropped or placed into the storage bags  190  of successive bag racks  100 . The storage bags  190  are then closed and removed from bag rack  100  and the rotisserie chickens (in the storage bags  190 ) are placed on display for sale. During the next cooking cycle, the multiple bag racks  100  can be readied for filling another set of storage bags  190 . Further, bag rack  100  and method  200  allow the storage bags  190  to be easily packed by one person, whereas conventional methods may require one person to hold open the storage bag while a second person places the food items in the bag. 
     Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth. 
     Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items. 
     For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments ±100%, in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions. 
     Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range. 
     Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.