Patent Publication Number: US-10329115-B2

Title: Speedy bag—bag dispensing system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/462,599 filed May 2, 2012 that is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/685,667 filed on Jan. 11, 2010 that was a continuation in part of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/140,178 filed on May 31, 2005 that claims priority to and the benefit of provisional application 61/207,831 filed Feb. 18, 2009 and, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This disclosure relates to structures that dispense bags and in particular to a structure that can dispense bags from a bottom of a trash receptacle. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Trash bags are mainly used to line a trashcan type receptacle. The problem is the liners are never near the receptacle and someone has to retrieve a liner from a remote location to complete the function, too much time and too many man hours are wasted in this process. 
     Many people in a residential or commercial application will store several extra bags in the bottom of the trashcan receptacle as a means to speed up the entire cycle of changing trashcan liners. In an industrial cleaning, health care, or fast food application the time and cost factor for this process is significant. 
     Many times this job has been delegated to people with handicaps or mental illness. A more efficient, easier, cleaner, and less cumbersome way of having these bags readily available has been needed for some time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure describes a system or apparatus which is convenient and economical for packaging, deploying, and distributing plastic bags, primarily, but not exclusively in the waste arena. The invention puts bags at the source of where they are being used. For example, in the waste industry the Speedy Bag System will be in the bottom of the receptacle, when the full bag is removed the next one to replace it is automatically discharged and ready to line the receptacle. This speeds up the process of relining the receptacle, rather than taking the extra steps to find a replacement bag that may be in a remote location like a back storeroom or cleaning cart. 
     Because the bags are connected at a point of weakness and packed sequentially, the next bag to be used follows the full bag being removed. After all but the last bag are used up, the last bag is attached to the container through a score in the underside of the container causing the said container to follow the last bag out of the receptacle as the last bag is removed. The container can be disposed of, recycled, or refilled. 
     Then a new Speedy Bag System is put into the bottom of the receptacle so that a large number of bags in a protected container will remain at the bottom of the trash receptacle for the process to be repeated. 
     In another embodiment, the bag dispensing apparatus comprises a container and a series of bags. The container includes a box that has a plurality of walls that define an enclosure. One of the walls defines a restricted opening. The container includes opposing walls and two of said opposing walls include connectors. A core is included with the container that attaches to the connectors. The core includes a plurality of hingedly connected plates. The connectors provide for the rotational movement of the core relative to the box. A series of bags are connected in sequence and wound around the core. The core receives and connects to the terminal end portion of a last bag of the series of bags. The core is rollable, or can be rolled, from a first planar position to a second position in which the core has an angled spiral coil shape. The second position defines a crimped connection with a terminal end portion of a last bag. 
     The series of bags is sequentially removable through the opening in the container. There is a line of weakness between each pair of adjacent bags to permit ease of separation between adjacent bags. The last bag and subsequent bags are rolled around the core to define the series of bags. A first position of the last bag includes the attachment between the last bag and core removing the container with the last bag. The last bag is optionally movable to a second position that includes the last bag separating from the container. When separated from the last bag, the container is suitable for refilling with the series of bags. 
     The connectors on the opposing walls of the container are circular notches and each notch receives a terminal end portion of the core. The crimp connection of the core includes inner and outer plates. The inner plate is outwardly biased and the outer plate is inwardly compressed to define a crimping connection on the distal end portion of the last bag. The container is a rectangular box that has four folded sides. The area covered by three of said sides being large enough to permit entry into the box of the series of bags and positioning of the terminal end portion of the core of the series of bags into the connectors in two opposing sides of the box. 
     The bag dispensing apparatus can also comprise a container that includes a box that has a plurality of walls. The walls define an enclosure that has a restricted opening defined in one of the walls. The box has an approximately rectangular shape that includes two opposed elongate first sidewalls and two opposed second sidewalls. The opposed second sidewalls each include a notch. A core connects to the notches in the container. The notches provide for rotational movement of the core relative to the box. The core includes a plurality of panels that are biased to a first position. A series of bags includes a plurality of bags that are connected in sequence. The core crimps the last bag of the series of bags between two of panels. The last bag and the subsequent bags of the series of bags are rolled around the core. The series of bags are sequentially removable through the opening in the container. A line of weakness is positioned between each pair of adjacent bags that permits ease of separation between of the adjacent bags. The apparatus, is adapted for positioning on a bottom of a trashcan. Each bag of the series of bags is deployable from the container positioned on the bottom of the trashcan and each bag is adapted to extend from the container around a rim of an opening of the trashcan. The removing, of each bag unwinds a subsequent bag from the core. The last bag of the series of bags is adapted to remove the container when the last bag is removed from the trashcan. The last bag is optionally separable from the container. The container is separated from the last bag and is optionally refillable with the series of bags. 
     The container rests on the bottom of the trash can solely by the weight of the container and series of bags. The container is a rectangular shaped box that has four folded sides. The area covered by three of the is large enough to permit the positioning of the core of the series of bags into the notches. The opening has a first length and the core has a second length. The length of the core is greater than the length of the opening. 
     An additional bag dispensing apparatus comprises a container that includes a box that has a plurality of walls. The walls define an enclosure that includes a restricted opening in one of the walls. The container is an approximately rectangular shaped box. A series of bags is included in the container. The series of bags are connected in sequence. A core connects to the last bag of the series of bags. The last bag and the subsequent bags of the series of bags are rolled around the core. The series of bags is sequentially removable through said opening in the container. A line of weakness is positioned between each pair of adjacent bags that permits ease of separation between adjacent bags. The apparatus is adapted to roll the core and bags together to form the container. The core has a first planar position and includes a plurality of hingedly connected panels. The core rolls into a second position that crimps a last bag. The continued rolling of the core winds the series of bags into a roll. The removing of each bag unwinds a subsequent bag from the core. The last bag is adapted to remove the container when removed from a trashcan. The last bag is optionally separable from the container. The container is separable from the last bag and is optionally refillable with the series of bags. 
     Other details and advantages of the invention will become apparent with the following description of the embodiment and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a top view looking down into a trashcan at an unopened container of trash bags lying at the bottom of the trashcan; 
         FIG. 2  is a view, in reduced scale, of a blank to form container laid out flat before it is erected; 
         FIG. 3 . shows a section corresponding to  FIG. 1  of what it looks like after the container has been opened and a bag has been deployed from the container; 
         FIG. 4  shows a sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 1  but showing the last bag attached to the bottom panel and protruding through the score in the container and pulling up the container in the receptacle; 
         FIG. 5  shows a side section of the container with the first bag protruding through the top opening and the last bag protruding through the score on the underside; 
         FIG. 6  shows the underside of the container with score line; 
         FIG. 7  is a front, side and top perspective view of a second embodiment of the container of trash bags of  FIG. 1  with one bag partially deployed from the container, the container constructed in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7  that shows the series of bags wound around a core; 
         FIG. 9  is a side, front and top perspective view of the core of  FIG. 8  in a first position; 
         FIGS. 10-12  are side views of the core and last trash bag that shows the steps of flexing the core to the second position of a crimped last bag of the series of bags; 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  are front, side and top perspective views of the core and last bag of  FIG. 12  that show the winding the trash bags onto the core. 
         FIG. 15  is a front, side and top perspective exploded view of the container of trash bags of  FIG. 7  that shows the container and a series of trash bags; 
         FIG. 16  is an idealized representation of a cross-sectional side view of the container of trash bags of  FIG. 7  resting at the bottom of an exemplary trashcan, a bag is deployed from the container; 
         FIG. 17  is an idealized representation of a frontal view of the container of trash bags that includes a partial cross-section of the container of trash bags of  FIG. 16  as the container is being removed from the trashcan with the last bag still attached to the core; 
         FIG. 18  is an idealized representation of the frontal view of the container of trash bags of  FIG. 17  wherein the container and the last bag are still attached to the core; 
         FIG. 19  is an idealized representation of the container of trash bags of  FIG. 18  that shows the last bag separated from the core; and 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded view of another embodiment of the series of bags of the container of trash bags of  FIG. 1  that shows the container and a series of trash bags rolled on a spool. 
         FIG. 21  is a top perspective view of a plate for the trash bags of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a side view of a plurality of folded trash bags and the plate positioned in an exemplary container; 
         FIG. 23  is a top view of the exemplary container of  FIG. 22  that shows a slot defined in a first wall of the container; 
         FIG. 24  is a side view of the plurality of garbage bags and plate with one of the garbage bags extended from the container, the garbage bag adapted for positioning in a trash can, the container and the remainder of the plurality of garbage bags adapted for being positioned at the bottom of the trash can while the garbage bag is extended from the container; 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of a last bag of the plurality of bags positioned in the container being withdrawn from a position at a bottom of the trash can with the container and plate; 
         FIG. 26  is a close up side view of the last bag of the plurality of bags being retained by the plate; 
         FIG. 27  is a close up side view of the last trash bag of the plurality of trash bags separated from the plate; and 
         FIG. 28  is a side view of the last garbage bag of the plurality of garbage bags separated from the container and retention mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a plan view  FIG. 1 . of a container holding the bags  10 , resting in the bottom of a trashcan  12 . The container  10  has on its top an opening  16 , with two hinged doorways  18 , causing the doors to fold outward from the center opening  16 . 
       FIG. 2 . is a view of the container blank laid out flat. It has the hinged doors  18 , and the cuts in the top  17 , and two perforated sides  19 , acting as hinges for the opening. The score  28 , is what has the last bag attach to the container  10 . 
       FIG. 3 . encompasses the entire system in action where we see container  10  positioned on the bottom of the trashcan  22 , a deployed bag  20  is dispensed from container  10  and bag  20  is secured around the top lid of the trashcan  22 . The next sequential bag  24  is attached at the bottom of the deployed bag  20  by tear lines in the form of perforations  25 , extending transversely between them. The remaining bags in the box  26  are similarly attached to each other. The last bag  27  is fed approximately 1/21′″ through the score line in the underside of the container which then secures the bags to the container  10 . Container  10  is positioned directly on the bottom of trashcan  12  and uses neither adhesives nor any other form of device to retain container  10  on the bottom of trashcan  12 . The last bag  27  extending from the score line also does not include any adhesives or any other devices to retain the last bag  27  on the bottom of trashcan  12 . 
       FIG. 4 . is a more precise view of the end of the system after all but the last bag have been used and this last bag  27 , is full of trash, tied at the top  30 , and being removed from the trashcan  12 . The score  28 , holds the last bag  27 , the container  10 , causing the container to be pulled up with the last bag out of the trashcan  12 . 
       FIG. 5 . is a section view of the full container  10 , with the nested bags  26 , and the score line  28 , with the last bag  27 , protruding from the lower flap. 
       FIG. 6 . is a plan view of a container  10 , bottom view showing the score line  28 . 
       FIG. 7 . is a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Container  10  is preferably a rectangular shaped box  11  that includes a first wall  30  opposed by a second wall  32 , a third wall opposed  34  opposed by a fourth wall  36  and a fifth wall  38  opposed by a sixth wall  40 . In this exemplary box, the first, second, fifth and sixth walls have a first length and the third and fourth walls have a second length that is less than the first length. Container  10  defines a central longitudinal axis-X that is approximately aligned with first wall  30 , second wall  32 , fifth wall  38  and sixth wall  40 . Second wall  34  and third wall  36  are approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     Fifth wall  38  is shown as the top wall and includes cuts  17  that define top opening  16  as described previously. Sixth wall  40  is the bottom wall and is a solid wall that does not define an aperture to include a score or slit. Third wall  34  and fourth wall  36  are end walls. Nested or series of bags  26  is positioned in box  11  of container  10 . Series of bags  26  are wound around a core  44 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8 . In this preferred embodiment, container  10  includes nested or series of bags  26  that are a combined assembly of the bags rolled around a core  44 . End walls  34  and  36  include a connector  42  that couples with core  44  and provides for the rotation of core  44  relative to box  11 . The at least partially deployed bag  20  extends through opening  16  defined by cut  17  in top  38  of container  10 . 
     Core  44  is an elongate member that connects to last bag  27 . Core  44  engages last bag  27  and subsequent bags, connected in series at a point of weakness as described previously. Last bag  27  and subsequent bags are rolled onto core  44  to form nested or series of bags  26 . Outermost bag  20  is the first bag to be deployed from core  44 . 
       FIG. 9 . Core  44  is an approximately rectangular plate in a first position. Core  44  includes a first edge  46 , a second edge  48  opposed to first edge  46 , a third edge  50 , and a fourth edge  52  opposed to the third edge  50 . First edge  46  and second edge  48  have a third length and third edge  50  and fourth edge  52  have a fourth length that is less than the third length. Core  44  is preferably made of a wood-based recycled or recyclable product such cardboard. 
     Core  44  has a first approximately planar side  54  and a second approximately planar side  56  (see  FIG. 10 ). First planar side  54  includes a plurality of scores  58  that are approximately parallel to edges  46  and  48  and define approximately five elongate plates. In this preferred embodiment of core  44  there are four scores  58  that define five plates  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  and  70 . It is understood that the number of scores  58  and the plates can vary depending upon the intended application of core  44 . Scores  58  provide a hinge type rotating interface between the plates and bias core  44  to the first position. As a result of scores  58 , core  44  is rollable or can be rolled from the flat planar shape in the first position to an angular spiral coiled position in the second position with at least two plates overlapping one another. Scores  58  can include lines of compression or partial cuts that facilitate the relative rotation of individual plates. 
       FIGS. 10-12 . show the sequential steps of core  44  from the first planar position of  FIG. 9  to a second position in  FIG. 12 . Scores  58  are constructed to facilitate the rolling of the plates of core  44  from the first position through the intermediate positions that include the approximately cupped position in  FIG. 10  that can receive bottom end portion  72  last bag  27  and a curled position in which core  44  has at least partially closed on end portion  72 . In a second position of core  44 , the plates are rolled such that a terminal end portion  72  of last bag  27  is positioned between at least partially overlapping plates  62  and  70  which form a crimp type connection or crimp  60  on bottom end portion  72 . 
       FIGS. 9, 13 and 14 . Core  44  in the second position has an angled spiral coil cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (see  FIG. 1 ) that is approximately square and crimps last bag  27  between plates  62  and  70 . The crimp connection  60  of the core  44  at least includes inner plate  70  and outer plate  62 , the inner plate  70  is outwardly biased as a result of scores  58  and outer plate  62  is inwardly compressed by the ongoing rolling of last bag  27  to crimp the distal end portion of the last bag. 
     The continued rotation of core  44  in the second position from the first position continues to wind the remainder of the sequential bags around core  44 . 
       FIG. 15 . Box  11  of container  10  is shown with series of bags  26  removed. Third wall  34  and fourth wall  36  define connectors  74  that are approximately aligned with the longitudinal axis (see  FIG. 1 ) and interface with core  44 . Connectors  74  are preferably circular notches defined in the surface of the inside of third wall  34  and fourth wall  36 , but it is understood that connector  74  can have alternative structures such as an aperture, an axel or a separate support structure that connects to box  11 , for example. Core  44  has opposed terminal end portions  76 . The circular notches of connectors  74  receive the approximately square cross-sectioned terminal end portions  76 . The terminal end portion  76  to connector  30  interface provides for the rotation of core  44  relative to box  11 . The combined series of rolled bags  26  on core  44  is attached to connectors  74  and box  11  is closed to complete the assembly. 
     Alternatively, series of bags  26  with core  44  can be positioned within box  11  without receptacles  30 . Series of bags  26  can rotate within the preferably elongate rectangular box  11  of container  10  and deploy bags. Core  44  has a length that is greater than the length of elongate cuts  17  and opening  16  in the top of container  10 . This length prevents core  44  from inadvertently pulling out from box  11 . 
     Core  44  is preferably made of wood-based products that can include cardboard, paper and/or wood composite recyclable materials. Alternatives include, for example adjoining plates connected by tape or other forms of hinge type rotating or flexing connections that can include polymer, metal or composite materials. Core  44  preferably has a square cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, but it is understood that core  44  can be a tube or take other forms such as a framework that functions to provide a core element for the connection, storage and dispensing of bags. 
       FIG. 16 . Container  10  in operational use is positioned on the bottom of trashcan  12 . This can include the partial deployment of bag  20  from opening  16  while box  11  of container  10  is dropped into trashcan  12 . The opening of bag  20  is positioned around lid or edge  22  of trashcan  12 . As described previously, container  10  is positioned directly on the bottom of trashcan  12  and uses neither adhesives nor any other form of device to retain container  10  on the bottom of trashcan  12 . 
       FIG. 17 . When last bag  27  is removed from trashcan  12 , box  11  and core  44  of container  10  are also removed. Core  44  provides crimp  60  with a sufficient bond such that when the last bag  27  is removed from trashcan  12 , core  44  retains the connection with last bag  27 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 18 . Last bag  27  remains connected to and extends from core  44  in box  11  of container  10 . Box  11  and core  44  can be recycled, discarded or refilled. Box  11  is preferably made of similarly recyclable material as core  44 . Container  10  can be opened, core  44  removed and discarded or recycled and a series of bags  26  with core  44  positioned in connectors  74 . Container  10  can then be closed to provide a secure enclosure for the retention of core  44  and series of bags  26 . 
       FIG. 19 . Last bag  27  and core  44  remained connected until a predetermined level of force separates container  10  and bag  27 . This level of force is preferably a simple additional gentle tug type motion. Core  44  remains connected to and/or positioned in box  11  after the separation of last bag  27 . 
       FIG. 20 . In another embodiment of series of bags  26 , a spool  78  connects to the terminal end portion  72  of last bag  27 . Spool  78  has a slit  80  parallel to the longitudinal axis (see  FIG. 1 ) that receives at least a portion of terminal end portion  72  and functions to bind and retain last bag  27 . The sequential bags from the last bag are wound around spool  78  to define series of bags  26 . Box  11  defines connectors  74  in walls  34  and  36  as described previously and spool  78  has terminal end portions  82  that interface with connectors  72  for the rotation of series of bags  26  independent of box  11 . 
       FIGS. 21-23 . In a further embodiment of the present disclosure container holding the bags  10  includes a plate  90 . Container  10  is preferably a box or package. Both container  10  and plate  90  are preferably made of recyclable materials such as for example cellulous or a recyclable polymer. Container  10  at least partially encloses plate  90  and a series of bags  26  that can be arranged in a roll, folded or any combination thereof. 
     Container  10  defines opening  16  in top  38  that has been expanded from perforations, pre-cut, weakened line or score  21 . Opening  16  has a defined length L 1  and a defined width W 1  (See  FIG. 7 ). 
     Plate  90  has a length L 2 , a width W 2  and includes a cut  23 . Length L 2  and width W 2  of plate  90  are greater than length L 1  and width W 1  of opening  16  of container  10 , respectively. In one preferred embodiment, length L 2  and width W 2  of plate  90  approximate the dimensions of top  38 , but it is understood that plate  90  can have a variety of shapes, sizes and thicknesses. Plate  90  retains the end of last bag  27  by the frictional binding force and/or bias of cut  23 . Plate  90  has a structure that is sufficiently rigid such that plate  90  does not pass through opening  16 . Similarly, slit or cut  23  has sufficient binding strength on the end of last bag  27  such that cut  23  will not readily release last bag  27 . 
     Cut  23  of plate  90  is preferably parallel to the length of plate  90  and is a controlled slit such that when at least part of the end of last bag  27  of series of bags  26  is passed through cut  23 , that portion of last bag  27  is retained by cut  23 . Cut  23  retains bag  27  by the bias and/or frictional forces between the separated portions of plate  90 . 
       FIG. 24 . Shows a deployed bag  20  connected to the series of bags  26  extending through opening  16  of top  38  of container  10  positioned in a bottom of a trash can  12 . Last bag  27  extends through and is connected to plate  90 . Plate  90  is positioned between last bag  27  of series of bags  26  and the inside bottom of container  10 . 
       FIGS. 24-25 . The series of bags  26  eventually exhausts leaving last bag  27  as the final deployed bag. As last bag  27  is removed from trash can  12 , the connection between plate  90  and last bag  27  is retained by cut  23  and plate  90  is pulled into contact with top  38  and opening  16  of container  10 . The connection between cut  23  and the end of last bag  27  in combination with the dimensions and structural integrity of plate  90  prevents the release of last bag  27  from cut  23  and/or the passing of plate  90  through opening  16  of container  10 . Plate  90  is constructed such that the weight of container  10  is not a sufficient load to deform plate  90  and pass plate  90  through opening  16 . 
       FIGS. 25-28 . Last bag  27  is preferably separated from cut  23  of plate  90  and container  10  by retaining container in a fixed position and applying a sufficient force that can range from a slow pull to a sharp jerk that pulls the end of last bag  27  through cut  23  of plate  90  and opening  16  of container  10 . Last bag  27  is then discarded as trash. Container  10  and plate  90  being of similar recyclable materials can then be deposited into a recycling container appropriate for those materials. 
     In the preceding specification, the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evident, however, that various modifications, combinations and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. While the present disclosure is described in terms of a series of embodiments, the present disclosure can combine one or more novel features of the different embodiments. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner rather than a restrictive sense.