Patent Publication Number: US-2022233001-A1

Title: Grocery bag loading rack and method of using same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This US non-provisional patent application claims benefit and priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/199,844 filed on Jan. 28, 2021, titled “BAG RACK FOR REUSABLE GROCERY BAGS AND STANDARD T-SHIRT BAGS”, the contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein and for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for loading grocery bags. More particularly, this invention relates to a grocery bag loading rack and method of using same that is useful for dispensing, setting up, packing and filling all types of grocery bags, for example and not by way of limitation, plastic gusseted t-shirt, paper, or reusable cloth bags. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Grocery store customers typically have a choice in how to carry their groceries after purchase. They can simply hand-carry the item(s) purchased or simply replace groceries back into a grocery cart for loading into the customer&#39;s vehicle. More frequently a grocery bag is provided by the grocery store if the customer needs one. Grocers may offer to bag the purchased groceries in paper bags or plastic gusseted “t-shirt” bags free of charge. Grocers may also offer for sale and use by their customers reusable grocery bags that are made of a number of materials ranging from cloth to nylon webbing. Such reusable grocery bags are popular with customers as they reduce waste typically produced by single-use plastic and paper bags. 
     The variety of grocery bags makes the efficient packing and filling of same by grocery store baggers or even the customers themselves problematic because the bags do not hold themselves open during filling. It would be useful to have a system and method that allows any variety of grocery bag to be held open for rapid two-handed filling by whoever is bagging purchased groceries. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for an improved grocery bag loading rack and method of using same. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention include a grocery bag loading rack. The rack may include a cuboid-shaped frame having a bottom, right, left and rear sides. The frame may be configured for supporting a grocery bag in open position to form a loading void, within the grocery bag that is also within the frame. According to one particular embodiment, the frame may be open at top and front sides. According to this embodiment, the rear side may further include a left rear pillar defining a boundary between the left and rear sides, and a right rear pillar defining a boundary between the right and rear sides. According to this embodiment, the left side may further include a left bottom bar extending from the left rear pillar that defines a boundary between the left and bottom sides of the frame. According to this embodiment, the right side mirrors the left side and further includes a right bottom bar extending from the right rear pillar that defines a boundary between the right and bottom sides. According to this embodiment, the bottom side may further include a left front bottom hook extending from left bottom bar in a direction toward the right side. According to this embodiment, the bottom side may further include a right front bottom hook extending from the right bottom bar in a direction toward the left side. According to this embodiment, the bottom side may further include a left rear bottom hook extending from the left rear pillar down toward a plane passing through the bottom side and in a direction toward the front side. According to this embodiment, the bottom side may further include a right rear bottom hook extending from the right rear pillar down toward the plane through the bottom side and in a direction toward the front side. 
     Additional, embodiments, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments for carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments of the present invention in the drawings. 
       The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments for carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments of the present invention in the drawings. 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective and front views, respectively, of an embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a front view of the embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack shown in  FIG. 1A , according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C  are plan, front edge and right edge views of an embodiment of a base for a grocery bag loading rack, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a rear view of an embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a front view of an embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a left side view an internal left side of an embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a detailed view of an embodiment of an upper left rear pillar of the grocery bag loading rack as indicated in  FIG. 4A  of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate side and front views, respectively, of an embodiment of a left or right lower arm, according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate front and left side views, respectively, of an embodiment of a left main support arm of an embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate right side and front views, respectively, of an embodiment of a right main support arm of an embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of a spine loop, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of a left forward support, according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention is a grocery bag loading rack useful for bagging groceries at the point of sale, or grocery store. Embodiments of the grocery bag loading rack may be used by grocery store baggers, checkers and customers at the check-out stand. Embodiments of the grocery bag loading rack have specific structural features allowing for use with the most common types of bags used to carry groceries from the grocery store to their final destination. Such grocery bags may be, for example and not by way of limitation, plastic gusseted “t-shirt” bags, paper bags and reusable grocery bags. A particularly useful aspect of the various embodiments of the grocery bag loading rack is the ability to hold open a grocery bag to allow for two handed loading/filling of the grocery bag. This feature saves time and expedites the transition through the check-out process during grocery shopping. With this general background and feature description in mind, a particular embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack will now be described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective and front views, respectively, of a grocery bag loading rack  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of a grocery bag loading rack  100  may be of a generally cuboid-shaped frame constructed from any suitable material, for example and not by way of limitation, metal, carbon fiber, plastic, etc. The only limitation in the material type is suitable structural rigidity for repeatedly supporting a full bag of groceries inside a grocery bag on a horizontal surface during daily use at a grocery store, for example. According to the illustrated embodiment, grocery bag loading rack  100  may be constructed from sections of metal rod bent and adhered to each other by spot welding. It will be understood that other embodiments of grocery bag loading rack  100  may be constructed from sections of metal rod bent and adhered to each other by other means such as welding, brazing, etc., known to those of ordinary skill in the art. I will also be understood that the grocery bag loading rack  100  frame  102  may be configured with coatings for durability and anti-corrosion. Furthermore, it will be understood that any generally cuboid-shaped box-like structure having four sides generally closed for supporting a grocery bag in the open position and two adjacent sides (top and front) generally open and configured for top loading and removal of the filled bag out the front side fall within the general spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The illustrated embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack  100  and frame  102  may generally be configured as a with a bottom side  104 , left  108  and right  106  sides that are mirror-images (symmetrical) to each other and a rear side  110  ( FIGS. 1A, 4A and 4B ). Top  190  and front  192  sides (both shown best in  FIG. 3A ) of the generally cuboid-shaped frame  102  are open for top loading and removal of the filled bag out the front side  192 , as noted above. The intersection of a plane passing through the left side  108  and another plane passing through the rear side  110  ( FIGS. 1A, 4A and 4B ) of the rack  100  forms a left rear pillar  114  of the rack  100 . Conversely, the intersection of a plane passing through the right side  106  and the plane passing through the rear side  110  of the rack  100  forms a right rear pillar  116  of the rack  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , an upper support bar  140 , connected to the left  114  and right  116  rear pillars, generally defines a boundary between the rear side  110  and the open top side with the exception of plurality of vertical elements (described in further detail below) located about the top edges of the rack  100 . A loading void  112  may be disposed inside the bottom  104 , right  106 , left  108  and rear  110  sides of the rack  100  and frame  102 . It is within this loading void  112  that a grocery bag (not shown) may be supported in an open position for filling/loading by a user. 
     The embodiment of a bottom side  104  of frame  102  is generally open and configured to rest on a horizontal surface (not shown). One such a horizontal surface may be located at the end of a cashier-operated checkout stand in a grocery store at a location such that with the rack  100  installed, the open top is generally flush with the top surface of a collection surface where groceries collect after being scanned for purchase, but prior to loading into grocery bags. Another such surface may be the bottom surface of a carousel having multiple racks  100  installed adjacent to a self-checkout stand. It will be understood that embodiments of the racks disclosed herein may be located anywhere that loading of grocery bags or any suitable bags having handles may be used, not necessarily for groceries, although that is the primary intended use of the invention. 
     The embodiment of a bottom side  104  of frame  102  may be bounded on the left side by a left bottom bar  118  found at the intersection of the plane passing through the left side  108  and a plane passing through the bottom side  104 . Similarly, the embodiment of a bottom side  104  of frame  102  may be bounded on the right side by a right bottom bar  120  found at the intersection of the plane passing through the right side  106  and the plane passing through the bottom side  104 . 
     The embodiment of a bottom side  104  may further include a left front bottom hook  122  extending from the left front bottom corner of frame  100 . The left front bottom hook  122  may extend perpendicularly away from the left bottom bar  118  in a direction toward the right side  106  and within the plane passing through the bottom side  104 , but only a short distance, d, thereby forming a left front foot  130  of rack  100 . As the right side  106  is symmetrical to the left side  108 , a right front bottom hook  124  may extend perpendicularly away from the right bottom bar  120  in a direction toward the left side  108  also within the plane passing through the bottom side  104 , but only a short distance, d, thereby forming a right front foot  132  of rack  100 . 
     The illustrated embodiment of a rack  100  may further include left rear  134  and right rear  136  feet. The left rear foot  134  may be formed by a left rear bottom hook  126  extending initially away from the left rear pillar  114  in a direction toward the right side  106  and then bending at the plane of the bottom side  104  and extending in a direction toward the open front of rack  100  within the plane of the bottom side  104 . Again, in view of the left to right symmetry of the rack  100 , right rear foot  136  may be formed by a right rear bottom hook  128  extending initially away from the right rear pillar  116  in a direction toward the left side  108  and then bending at the plane of the bottom side  104  and extending in a direction toward the open front of rack  100  within the plane of the bottom side  104 . The feet  130 ,  132 ,  134  and  136  and their respective hooks  122 ,  124 ,  126  and  128  are configured to mate with mounting holes in an optional base  200 , not shown, but described below with reference to  FIGS. 2A-2C . 
     The illustrated embodiment of a rack  100  may further include left  160  and right  162  upper arms located near the top of rack  100 . It will be understood that the left  160  and right upper  162  arms are generally configured to support reusable grocery bags (not shown). It is well understood by most anyone, and certainly those of ordinary skill in the art, that most reusable grocery bags are configured to fold flat for storage and open up into a cuboid shape to surround a void, with looped handles, or straps, at a top opening used for loading and unloading groceries and other items to be carried within the void, generally with the looped handles, or straps. Embodiments of the left  160  and right  162  upper arms are secured to respective left rear  114  and right rear  116  pillars at the rear side  110  of rack  100  and to respective left forward  180  and right forward  182  supports on the left  108  and right  106  sides of rack  100 . 
     When using reusable grocery bags with the embodiment of rack  100 , it is useful to be able to support each bag in an open position within the rack  100 . Accordingly, the left  160  and right  162  upper arms are configured with a plurality of vertical prongs  164  disposed at intervals across the top of the left  160  and right  162  upper arms for holding the looped handles, or straps of the reusable grocery bag. A user simply stretches the looped straps around as many vertical prongs  164  as necessary to lift and stretch a given side of the reusable grocery bag apart from its opposite side to open the bag. Depending on the length of the looped handles, or straps of the reusable grocery bag, one or two of such vertical prongs  164  may be sufficient for supporting each side of the given reusable grocery bag. However, not all reusable grocery bags are configured with identically sized looped handles, or straps. Some straps are longer than others. 
     Accordingly, rack  100  is further configured with downward angled prongs  184  located on each of the left  180  and right  182  forward supports. These downward angled prongs  184  are dispersed at intervals along a central portion of each left  180  and right  182  forward support and configured to receive the furthest end of the looped handle if necessary. Furthermore, each downward angled prong  184  is configured to receive a looped handle or strap of the reusable grocery bag, when the vertical prongs  164  are not enough to support the handle alone, and thereby hold the bag in the open position in combination with vertical prongs  164 . In this way, virtually any length of looped handle, or straps, of a reusable grocery bag may be secured in the open position of the disclosed embodiment of rack  100 . 
     The illustrated embodiment of a rack  100  may further include left  170  and right  172  lower arms located below respective left  160  and right  162  upper arms of rack  100 . It will further be understood that the left  170  and right  172  lower arms are configured to receive left and right openings (not shown) in the packet of disposable gusseted plastic bags (also not shown) when the packet is initially installed and to support individual plastic bags as they are pulled open for use and filled. Thus, the lower arms  170  and  172  are specifically configured for use with a packet of disposable gusseted plastic bags. However, there may be versions of reusable bags that can be sufficiently supported on the left  170  and right  172  lower arms of rack  100 . 
       FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C  are plan, front edge and right edge views of an embodiment of an optional base  200  for grocery bag loading rack  100  according to the present invention. From the plan view shown in  FIG. 2A , the embodiment of a base  200  may be generally rectangular in shape and may include front,  202 , rear  204 , left  206  and right  208  edges, with symmetry from left to right. In the embodiment of base  200 , rear edge  204  may further include a left rear mounting hole  210 , disposed closer to the left edge  206  than the right edge  208 , and with axis parallel to the left  206  and right  208  edges. Rear edge  204  may further include a right rear mounting hole  212 , disposed closer to the right edge  208  than the left edge  206 , and also with axis parallel to the left  206  and right  208  edges. Mounting holes  210  and  212  may be configured to receive left rear bottom hook  126  and right rear bottom hook  128 , respectively, to form a closed bottom to the frame  102  of rack  100 . As best shown in  FIG. 2B , the right rear mounting hole  212  may be disposed a distance, c, from the right edge  208  of base  200 . Similarly, because of symmetry, left rear mounting hole  210  may be disposed the same distance, c, from the left edge  206  of the base  200 . According to a particular embodiment of base  200 , distance, c, may be about 1.5″. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments, not illustrated, distance, c, may be some other distance than 1.5″. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2A , the left edge  206  of base  200  may be configured with a left mounting hole  214  configured to mate with left front bottom hook  122  ( FIG. 1A ). According to one embodiment, left mounting hole  214  extends perpendicularly from the left edge  206  toward the right edge  208 , but not all the way to the right edge  208 . As best shown in  FIG. 2C , the axis of left mounting hole  214  may be located a distance, b, from the front edge  202 . Conversely, because of symmetry, the right edge  208  of base  200  may be configured with a right mounting hole  216  configured to mate with right front bottom hook  124  ( FIG. 1A ). According to one embodiment, left mounting hole  214  may extend perpendicularly from the right edge  208  toward the left edge  206 , but not all the way to the left edge  206 . As best shown in  FIG. 2C , the axis of right mounting hole  216  may also be located a distance, b, from the front edge  202  and is coaxial with axis of left mounting hole  214 . According to one embodiment, distance, b, may be about 3.1″. Of course, it will be understood that distance, b, may be any suitable distance for receiving left front  122  and right front  124  bottom hooks, according to the present invention. 
       FIGS. 2B and 2C  illustrate that base  200  may have a thickness, t. According to the illustrated embodiment, thickness, t, may be about 0.5″. However, it will be understood that any other suitable thickness of base  200  may be employed according to other embodiments of the present invention. The mounting holes  210 ,  212 ,  214  and  216  may be bored or formed between a top surface  218  and a bottom surface  220  of the base  200 . The diameter of mounting holes  210 ,  212 ,  214  and  216  are generally configured to be slightly larger than the diameter of their respective hooks  122 ,  124 ,  126  and  128 , such that the base may be securely mounted to rack  100 , with a friction fit, but not so tightly that it is difficult to remove the hooks  122 ,  124 ,  126  and  128  from respective holes  210 ,  212 ,  214  and  216 . According to the illustrated embodiment of base  200 , corners closest to the left  214  and right  216  mounting holes may be cut-off at 45° angles relative to their respective sides. However, other embodiments contemplate rounded corners and chamfering of sharp edges. The base may be formed of any suitable material, for example and not by way of limitation, wood, metal, plastic or any other material that has mounting holes  210 ,  212 ,  214  and  216  for receiving hooks  122 ,  124 ,  126  and  128  from the frame  102  to provide a stable base for the rack  100 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are additional rear and front views, respectively, of an embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack  100  according to the present invention. More particularly,  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrates various dimensions and feature angles relating to a particular embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack  100 . It will be understood that the dimensions illustrated are only exemplary and not limiting of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  is particularly useful for illustrating relative dimensions of features located on the rear side  110  of rack  100 . Whereas,  FIG. 3B  is particularly useful for illustrating relative dimensions and angles of features shown on the left  108  and right  106  sides of rack  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the rear side  110  of rack  100  includes an upper support bar  140 , a lower support bar  142 , a first intermediate support bar  144 , a second intermediate support bard  146  and a third intermediate support bar  148 , all of which are parallel to one another and are connected at opposite ends to left  114  and right  116  rear pillars to support rack  100 . The three intermediate support bars,  144 ,  146  and  148  (also referenced and shown in  FIG. 1B ) are used to support additional features of the rack  100 , as described below. Left  170  and right  172  lower arms are also visible and not touching respective left  180  and right  182  forward supports. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , an embodiment of an inverted U-shaped standard bag hook  150  is disposed vertically on first intermediate support bar  144  at a position centrally along the length of first intermediate support bar  144 . The standard bag hook  150  is used to hang a standard packet or bundle of disposable plastic gusseted t-shirt grocery bags (not shown) for easy dispensing and use from within the rack  100 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  further illustrate an embodiment of a spine loop  152  connected centrally to first  144 , second  146  and third  148  intermediate support bars. Spine loop  152  includes a bend, or loop portion  154  (not visible in the views of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) that extends toward the open front of rack  100 . The spine loop portion  154  of spine loop  152  pushes the neck of the standard bundle of disposable plastic gusseted t-shirt grocery bags forward, which the user (operator, bagger, or checker) pushes against with fingers to create the friction needed to open up a single bag with a downward sliding motion. Without such a spine loop portion  154 , there is less stress across the entire upper portion of the bundle of bags and, in particular, an individual plastic bag. So, instead of being able to apply pressure to generate that friction, the user would be just pushing the bag back and not opening the bag for use. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , a generic embodiment, lower support bar  142  may be located a distance, d, from a horizontal surface  156  upon which the bottom side  104  of rack  100  rests. Distance, d, may be about 4.2″ according to a specific embodiment of rack  100 . According to another generic embodiment, third intermediate support bar  148  may be located a distance, e, from the horizontal surface  156 . Distance, e, may be about 7.4″ according to one embodiment of rack  100 . According to yet another generic embodiment, second intermediate support bar  146  may be located a distance, f, from the horizontal surface  156 . Distance, f, may be about 9.1″ according to one embodiment of rack  100 . According to still another generic embodiment, first intermediate support bar  144  may be located a distance, g, from the horizontal surface  156 . Distance, g, may be about 10.7″ according to one embodiment of rack  100 . According to still yet another generic embodiment, upper support bar  140  may be located a distance, h, from the horizontal surface  156 . Distance, h, may be about 15.6″ according to one embodiment of rack  100 . According to one embodiment, a portion of the left rear foot  134  extending from left rear pillar  114  may extend at an angle, α, relative to horizontal surface  156 . Angle, α, may be about 19° according to a particular embodiment of rack  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a plurality of downward angled prongs  184  extending from left  180  and right  182  forward supports are shown. As shown more particularly in  FIG. 3B , each downward angled prong  184  may extend at an angle, β, relative to horizontal surface  156 . According to a particular embodiment, angle, β, may be about 60°. Furthermore, as shown best in  FIG. 3B , the plurality of downward angled prongs  184  may be affixed to their respective left  180  and right  182  forward supports at any suitable distance from a horizontal surface  156 . According to the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the four downward angled prongs  184  may be located at 6″, 7″, 9″ and 10″ from the horizontal surface  156 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a left side view of an embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack  100  according to the present invention.  FIG. 4B  is a detailed view of an embodiment of an upper portion of a left rear pillar  114  of the grocery bag loading rack  100 , as indicated in  FIG. 4A , of the present invention. It will be understood that the features shown in the left side views of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  are present in mirror on the right side of rack  100 . 
     More particularly,  FIG. 4A  illustrates left rear pillar  114 , left bottom bar  118 , left forward support  180 , upper support  420 , left upper arm  160 , left lower arm  170  and location of the detail shown in  FIG. 4B . According to the embodiment shown in FIGS.  4 A and  4 B, the left rear pillar  114  may be constructed in part from a left main support arm  402  connected to the left upper support  420 . From the left side view shown in  FIG. 4A  and detailed partially in  FIG. 4B , the embodiment of a left main support arm  402  may include an inward angled closed loop  404  located vertically between the left upper arm  160  and the left lower arm  170 , the closed loop  404  transitioning into a vertical left rear bar  406  extending down to the left bottom bar  118 . The left bottom bar  118  extends perpendicularly from the vertical left rear bar  406  and along the bottom side  104  to end in a left front bottom hook  122 . Angled closed loop  404  is used to suspend a packet of smaller disposable plastic grocery bags (not shown) on the outside of rack  100 . Such smaller plastic grocery bags are useful for bagging small items rather than using a full-size gusseted plastic bag. Note that closed loops  404  are angled inward on rack  100 , see for example  FIG. 1B . The left upper arm  160  may be supported in the rear by left upper support  420  and towards the front by left forward support  180 . Whereas, the left lower arm  170  is only supported by the left upper support  420  and left main support arm  402 , both of which are located at the left rear pillar  114 . 
     According to the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the distance from the top of left upper arm  160  to the horizontal surface  156  at bottom side  104  is about 15.8″. According to the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the distance from the bottom of the of left upper arm  160  to the horizontal surface  156  at bottom side  104  is about 14.5″. According to the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the distance from the top of left lower arm  170  to the horizontal surface  156  at bottom side  104  is about 11.8″. These dimensions were determined by the inventor to best accommodate standard disposable plastic gusseted t-shirt grocery bags and most all reusable grocery bags. 
     The embodiment of a left forward support  180  may be connected to the left upper arm  160  and the left bottom bar  118  of the first or left main support arm  402 . Note however, that left forward support  180  is intentionally not connected to the left lower arm  170  and, in fact, incorporates an outward bend to avoid contact with the left lower arm  170 . As shown best in  FIG. 4B , both left upper arm  160  and left lower arm  170  extend perpendicularly from the left rear pillar  114 . It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and from the symmetry of the rack  100  that a mirror image right side  106  may be configured with identically the mirror-image features shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Accordingly, such details from the right side  106  will not be further detailed herein. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate side and front views, respectively, of an embodiment of a left  170  or right  172  lower arm, according to the present invention. According to the illustrated embodiment, overall length may be about 10″ formed from a a metal rod having diameter of approximately 0.25″, with two ends (upper  408  and lower  410 ) configured for attachment to left  114  and right  116  rear pillars. Each embodiment of a left  170  or right  172  lower arm may further be configured with a bend  400  located opposite the ends  408  and  410 . The bend  400  may be configured with an inside radius, R1, measured from within the bend  400 , having particular dimensions of about 0.25″, according to the illustrated embodiment. The upper portion of bend  400  may further include an outside radius, R2, measured from outside the bend  400 , having particular dimensions of about 1.4″, according to the illustrated embodiment. The outside radius, R2, forms a stop for catching an extended standard plastic disposable grocery bag during loading. It will be understood that the general shape and configuration of the left  160  and the right  162  upper arms are generally of the same shape and configuration of the left  170  and right  172  lower arms, but with larger dimensions and, of course, the additional vertical prongs  164 . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate front and left side views, respectively, of an embodiment of a left main support arm  402  of an embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack  100 , according to the present invention. According to the illustrated embodiment, left main support arm  402  may include an inward angled closed loop  404  located at a top end, which transitions to a vertically oriented left rear bar  406  extending downward toward horizontal surface  156  into left bottom bar  118 , which in turn extends perpendicularly toward the front side of rack  100  and finally transitions into left front bottom hook  122 , which extends perpendicularly toward the right side  106  (see  FIG. 1B ) to form left front foot  130 . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  further illustrate various dimensions of the left main support arm  402 . Referring  FIG. 6A , the overall height, i, of left main support arm  402  may be about 14.3″, according to a particular embodiment of a left main support arm  402 . The length, j, from the bottom of inward angled closed loop  404  down to the horizontal surface  156  may be about 12.6″, according to a particular embodiment of a left main support arm  402 . The length, k, of the left front bottom hook  122  may be about 1.1″ according to a particular embodiment of a left main support arm  402 . Referring now to  FIG. 6B , the length, l, of the left bottom bar  118  may be about 8.3″ according to a particular embodiment of a left main support arm  402 . Again because of symmetry it will be understood that right main support arm  430  ( FIGS. 7A and 7B , as further discussed below) may be configured with similar dimensions and in mirror configuration to the left main support arm  402 . 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate right side and front views, respectively, of an embodiment of a right main support arm  430  of an embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack  100 , according to the present invention. According to the illustrated embodiment, right main support arm  430  may include a left inward angled closed loop  404  located at a top end, which transitions to a vertically oriented right rear bar  436  extending downward toward horizontal surface  156  into right bottom bar  120 , which in turn extends perpendicularly toward the front side of rack  100  and finally transitions into right front bottom hook  124 , which extends perpendicularly toward the left side  108  (see  FIG. 1B ) to form right front foot  132 . 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  further illustrate various dimensions of the right main support arm  430 . Referring  FIG. 7B , the overall height, i, of right main support arm  430  may be about 14.3″, according to a particular embodiment of a right main support arm  430 . The length, j, from the bottom of inward angled closed loop  404  down to the horizontal surface  156  may be about 12.6″, according to a particular embodiment of a right main support arm  430 . The length, k, of the right front bottom hook  124  may be about 1.1″ according to a particular embodiment of a right main support arm  430 . Referring now to  FIG. 7A , the length, l, of the right bottom bar  120  may be about 8.3″ according to a particular embodiment of a right main support arm  430 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of a spine loop  152 , according to the present invention. Spine loop  152  may be formed of a metal rod having a suitable diameter or gauge. Spine loop  152  may include a top end  454  configured for mounting to the first intermediate support bar  144  and a bottom end  456  configured for mounting to third intermediate support bar  148 , with both top  454  and bottom  456  ends tracking a vertical axis  458  that runs parallel to the vertical rear side  110  of the rack. Spine loop  152  may further include, a bend, or loop portion  154  located closer to the top end  454  than the bottom end  456 . Dimensions of spine loop  152  may be as shown in  FIG. 8 , according to a particular embodiment. More generally, spine loop  152  may have a length, m and bend  460  may have in inside radius, R3. Inside radius, R3, may be about 0.38″ according to a particular embodiment. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of a left forward support  180 , according to the present invention. It will be understood that the right forward support  182  is a mirror image of the left forward support  180 . Overall length, n, of left forward support may be about 15.2″, according to a particular embodiment. Left forward support  180  may include a bend point  194  located closer to the top end  196  than the bottom end  198 . As noted herein the bend in the forward supports  180  and  182  allows clearance around the lower support arms  170  and  172 , respectively. This allows the looped plastic disposable gusseted grocery bags to freely slide on and off the lower support arms  170  and  172 , during installation, loading and removal. The distance, o, between the top end  196  and bend point  194  of the upper linear portion  460  may be approximately, 2.5″, according to a particular embodiment of rack  100 . The distance, p, between the bottom end  198  and bend point  194  of the lower linear portion  462  may be approximately, 12.7″, according to a particular embodiment of rack  100 . 
     Having described a particular embodiment of grocery bag loading rack  100 , the use of same will now be described using reusable grocery bags and also plastic disposable gusseted grocery bags. As one of ordinary skill in the art is aware, a packet of plastic disposable gusseted grocery bags come with two side loop holes and a center loop hole passing through each of the stacked plastic bags. Using an embodiment of a rack  100 , a packet of plastic disposable gusseted grocery bags may be installed by placing each of two side loop holes onto the lower arms  170 ,  172  of rack  100 , followed by placing the center loop hole over the standard bag hook  150 . Then a user need only press down on the front bag in the packet applying pressure against the spine loop and thus separating the front end of the front bag from its back end and sliding it forward along each of the lower arms  170 ,  172  of rack  100  to open up the bag for loading. Groceries may then be inserted into the bag until sufficient capacity is reached. Then the loaded bag may be removed from the rack  100  by sliding the bag off the front (looped) end of each of the lower arms  170 ,  172  of rack  100  to be carried out or loaded back into a shopping cart for transportation to the customer&#39;s vehicle. 
     The method of using of rack  100  with a reusable grocery bag is different and employs different features of the rack  100 . First a user places the reusable grocery bag within the loading void  112 , with each of its two looped handles above the rack  100 , then the looped handles are wrapped around one or more of the vertical prongs  164  disposed about the top of the upper arms  160 ,  162  of the rack  100  to spread open the reusable grocery bag. If the vertical prongs  164  do not take up sufficient slack from the two looped handles, they looped handles can each be hooked over one of the plurality of downward angled prongs  184  located along the forward supports  180 ,  182 . In this way the reusable grocery bag may be held securely in an open position for two handed loading of groceries in much the same way as with the disposable plastic bags. Once capacity is reached, the looped handles may be unhooked from the downward angled prongs  184  and up and over the vertical prongs  164  and removed from within the rack by sliding out the open front of rack  100  to be carried out or loaded back into a shopping cart for transportation to the customer&#39;s vehicle. 
     Having described a particular embodiment of a rack  100  and its methods of use, some general embodiments of a grocery bag loading rack will now be described. For example, a grocery bag loading rack is disclosed. The rack may include a cuboid-shaped frame having a bottom, right, left and rear sides. The frame may be, for example and not by way of limitation, the embodiment of a frame  102  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The frame may be configured for supporting a grocery bag in open position to form a loading void, within the grocery bag that is also within the frame. According to one particular embodiment, the frame may be open at top and front sides. According to this embodiment, the rear side may further include a left rear pillar defining a boundary between the left and rear sides, and a right rear pillar defining a boundary between the right and rear sides. According to one particular embodiment, the left rear pillar may be configured as the left rear pillar shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . According to this general embodiment, the left side may further include a left bottom bar extending from the left rear pillar that defines a boundary between the left and bottom sides of the frame. According to this embodiment, the right side mirrors the left side and further includes a right bottom bar extending from the right rear pillar that defines a boundary between the right and bottom sides. According to this embodiment, the bottom side may further include a left front bottom hook extending from left bottom bar in a direction toward the right side. According to this embodiment, the bottom side may further include a right front bottom hook extending from the right bottom bar in a direction toward the left side. According to this embodiment, the bottom side may further include a left rear bottom hook extending from the left rear pillar down toward a plane passing through the bottom side and in a direction toward the front side. According to this embodiment, the bottom side may further include a right rear bottom hook extending from the right rear pillar down toward the plane through the bottom side and in a direction toward the front side. 
     Another embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack may further include a rectangular-shaped base having a top surface, a bottom surface, rear edge, front edge, left edge, right edge and a thickness, t, separating the top surface from the bottom surface and thereby giving the edges depth. According to this embodiment of a rack, the base may further be configured with two holes entering the rear edge, one each for receiving the right front bottom hook and the left rear bottom hook. According to this embodiment, the base may further be configured with a hole entering the left edge configured for receiving the left front bottom hook. According to this embodiment, the base may further be configured with a hole entering the right edge configured for receiving the right rear bottom hook. According to this embodiment, the holes of the base may be used to secure the left, the right and the rear sides of the base to the bottom side of the frame via the hooks. According to a particular embodiment, the base may be formed of a hard plastic material. 
     According to another embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, the rear side of the frame further include an upper support bar connected between the left rear pillar and the right rear pillar at the top side of the frame. The rear side of the frame may further include a first intermediate support bar connected between the left rear pillar and the right rear pillar and parallel to, and below, the upper support bar. The rear side of the frame may further include a second intermediate support bar connected between the left rear pillar and the right rear pillar and parallel to, and below, the first intermediate support bar. The rear side of the frame may further include a third intermediate support bar connected between the left rear pillar and the right rear pillar and parallel to, and below, the second intermediate support bar. The rear side of the frame may further include a lower support bar connected between the left rear pillar and the right rear pillar and parallel to, and below, the third intermediate support bar. 
     According to another embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, the left side of the frame may further include a left upper arm extending from the left rear pillar in a direction from the rear side toward the front side along the top side of the rack. This embodiment of the left side of the frame may further include a left lower arm extending from the left rear pillar in a direction from the rear side toward the front side and below the left upper arm. This embodiment of the left side of the frame may further include a left forward support connected to the left upper arm and the left bottom bar, including upper and lower linear portions separated by a left bend point forming a left outward bend away from, and not connected to, the left lower arm. 
     According to yet another embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, the left forward support may further include a plurality of downward angled prongs, each downward angled prong located at a different location along the left forward support and configured to hook a looped handle of reusable grocery bag into an open position on the left side for loading of the bag. According to still another embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, the left bend point may be located closer to the top of the rack than the bottom of the rack and all of the downward angled prongs may be disposed along the lower linear portion below the left bend point. 
     According to still yet another embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, the left upper arm may further include a plurality of vertical prongs disposed along the left upper arm. According to this particular embodiment, each vertical prong may extend vertically upward from the left upper arm and be configured to receive and stretch a looped handle of a reusable grocery bag into an open position on the left side for loading of the bag. 
     According to one embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, the right side of the frame may further include a right upper arm extending from the right rear pillar in a direction from the rear side toward the front side along the top side of the rack. According to this particular embodiment, the right side of the frame may further include a right lower arm extending from the right rear pillar in a direction from the rear side toward the front side and below the right upper arm. According to this particular embodiment, the right side of the frame may further include a right forward support connected to the right upper arm and the right bottom bar, including upper and lower linear portions separated by a right bend point forming a right outward bend away from and not connected to the right lower arm. 
     According to another embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, the right forward support may further include a plurality of downward angled prongs, each downward angled prong located at a different location along the right forward support and configured to hook a looped handle of reusable grocery bag into an open position on the right side for loading of the bag. According to yet another embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, the right bend point may be located closer to the top of the rack than the bottom of the rack and all of the downward angled prongs may be disposed along the lower linear portion below the right bend point. 
     According to still another embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, the right upper arm may further include a plurality of vertical prongs disposed along the right upper arm. According to this particular embodiment, each vertical prong may extend vertically upward from the right upper arm and may be configured to receive and stretch a looped handle of reusable grocery bag into an open position on the right side for loading of the bag. 
     According to another embodiment, the grocery bag loading rack may further include a standard bag hook configured as an inverted U shape with ends attached to the first intermediate support bar, the bag hook extending vertically toward the upper support bar and may be configured to receive a central opening of a packet of plastic disposable grocery bags. According to another embodiment, the grocery bag loading rack may further include a spine loop extending perpendicularly across, and connected to, the first, the second and the third intermediate support bars with a bend or loop portion of the spine loop extending toward the front of the rack and away from the back of the rack. According to this particular embodiment, a vertical axis of the spine loop may be oriented parallel to the left and rear pillars. The spine loop may be configured to According to another embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, the left rear pillar, the left bottom bar and the left front bottom hook comprise a left main support arm. According to this particular embodiment, the left main support arm may be formed of a single rod of metal. The rod of metal may include a left inward angled closed loop at a top end, a vertical left rear bar extending vertically down from the closed loop and the left bottom bar extending from the vertical left rear bar at the bottom towards the front and ending in the left front bottom hook. According to yet another embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack, the right rear pillar, the right bottom bar and the right front bottom hook comprise a right main support arm formed of a single rod of metal that is a mirror image of the left main support arm. 
     In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or part of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the desired function. In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. It will be understood that the terms “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “top,” “rear” and “front” with respect to the embodiments of a grocery bag rack  100  disclosed herein are relative to the embodiments of a grocery bag rack  100  with open front side directly opposite, and placed in front, of the user. As used herein to describe the present invention, the following directional terms “forward, rearward, above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions relative to any embodiment of a grocery bag loading rack  100  placed with bottom side on a horizontal surface with open front side placed opposite, and in front, of a user according to the present invention. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. 
     It will further be understood that the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the component parts, method steps and limitations disclosed herein. However, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. 
     While the foregoing advantages of the present invention are manifested in the detailed description and illustrated embodiments of the invention, a variety of changes can be made to the configuration, design and construction of the invention to achieve those advantages. Hence, reference herein to specific details of the structure and function of the present invention is by way of example only and not by way of limitation.