Patent Publication Number: US-9890009-B1

Title: Bag dispenser

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a bag dispenser and more specifically to a bag dispenser for dispensing bags from a roll for use in storing produce or the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Bag dispensers are used to dispense individual bags from a roll. For example, bag dispensers are commonly used to dispense individual bags from a roll of bags in a produce department of a grocery store. Conventional dispensers include a support that mounts the roll on a base while allowing the roll to rotate about an axis to unroll bags from the roll. In addition, typical dispensers include a bag separator that tears individual bags from the roll along preformed zones of weakness to separate the bags as they are unrolled from the roll. As bags are removed from the roll, it loses weight, making it more likely to freewheel in use. This may result in too many bags being pulled off the roll at one time. In addition, freewheeling can cause the roll of bags to become misaligned with the separator, and bags coming off the roll are more difficult to tear from the roll if they are not aligned with the bag separator. Still further, freewheeling can permit the roll to “jump” on the dispenser, causing the roll to over-rotate and permitting the leading bag to position itself under the roll or behind the roll with respect to the bag separator where it is difficult to grasp. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a dispenser for dispensing bags from a roll comprises a base having a first end portion and a second end portion. A bag separator comprises a tongue projecting from the base adjacent the first end portion thereof and configured to separate bags from the roll as the bags are pulled across the tongue. A swing arm is pivotably mounted on the base and includes a roll retaining portion shaped and arranged for being received in an axial opening of the roll and engaging the roll therein. The swing arm is pivotable with respect to the base about a pivot axis in a braking direction in which the roll retaining portion travels toward the base. A spring is operatively connected between the swing arm and the base to bias the swing arm in the braking direction whereby, when the roll retaining portion is received in the axial opening, the roll retaining portion engages the roll and urges the roll into braking engagement with the base. 
     In another aspect, a dispenser for dispensing bags from a roll comprises a base having a first end portion and a second end portion. A bag separator comprises a tongue projecting from the base adjacent the first end portion thereof and is configured to separate bags from the roll as the bags are pulled across the tongue. A bearing collar is mounted on the base adjacent the second end portion thereof. A swing arm comprises a pin portion, an intermediate portion, and a roll retaining portion. The pin portion extends from the first end of the intermediate portion along a pivot axis. The roll retaining portion extends from the second end of the intermediate portion along an axis parallel to and spaced apart from the pivot axis. The intermediate portion extends between and connects the pin portion and the roll retaining portion. The pin portion includes a bearing segment that is rotatably received in the bearing collar to constrain the swing arm for pivoting movement about the pivot axis with respect to the base. The swing arm is pivotable with respect to the base about the pivot axis in a braking direction in which the roll retaining portion travels toward the base. A spring comprises a base end portion, an opposite swing arm end portion, and a coiled portion extending therebetween. The coiled portion of spring is located adjacent the bearing collar and receives the pin portion of the swing arm therein. The base end portion of the spring is engaged with the base and the swing arm end portion of the spring is operatively connected to the intermediate portion of the swing arm for conjoint movement therewith. The spring is oriented with respect to the swing arm and the base such that pivoting movement of the swing arm from a position in which the roll retaining portion is located adjacent the base in a direction opposite the braking direction deforms the spring whereby the spring imparts a biasing force upon the swing arm that urges the swing arm in the braking direction. 
     Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective of a bag dispenser; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation of the bag dispenser; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective of the bag dispenser with a roll of bags installed in the dispenser; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation of the bag dispenser and the roll of bags; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a swing arm of the bag dispenser; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective of the dispenser illustrating how the swing arm is mounted on a base of the dispenser; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevation of the bag dispenser; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective of the dispenser illustrating a connection between a spring and the swing arm; and 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective of the bag dispenser illustrating a bag separator thereof. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , one embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing bags from a roll is generally indicated at reference number  10 . The dispenser  10  includes a base, generally indicated at  12 , that is configured to be mounted on a stand, wall, or other support article. A swing arm, generally indicated at  14 , is pivotably mounted on the base and configured to support a roll R for rotation about the swing arm for unrolling individual bags B from the roll as explained below. As will be described more fully herein, the swing arm  14  is biased to urge braking engagement between the roll R and the base  10  to prevent freewheeling of the roll on the swing arm as the bags B are being dispensed. The bag dispenser  10  also includes a bag separator  16  that is supported on the base  12 . As explained below, the separator  16  is configured to maintain operative alignment of the bags B as they are unrolled from the roll R and to separate the bags from the roll as they are pulled across the separator. Thus, it will be appreciated that the illustrated dispenser  10  is configured to ensure individual bags B are dispensed in a controlled manner without regard to the number of bags left in the roll R. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the base  12  includes a support frame  20 . The illustrated support frame  20  has a rigid wire frame construction. That is, the support frame  20  is formed from a length of rigid wire that is bent to shape and whose ends are attached (e.g., welded) to one another. Support frames may have other constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame  20  is formed into a bent, generally rectangular shape having a rear segment, a front segment, and opposite first and second side segments. The rear and front segments of the support frame  12  broadly form first and second end portions of the base  12 . Here, the terms “rear” and “front” are used in reference to the direction in which bags B are unwound from the roll R in use. Bags B are pulled forward—that is, from adjacent the rear toward the front of the dispenser  10 —from the roll R as they are dispensed. 
     The first and second side segments of the support frame  20  are bent to define a rear portion  20 A and a front portion  20 B of the support frame that extend generally in transverse planes. The front portion  20 B of the support frame  20  includes the front segment and front portions of the first and second side segments of the rigid wire and defines a U-shape that extends generally in a first plane that slopes rearwardly at a shallow angle. The rear portion  20 A of the support frame  20  likewise includes the rear segment and rear portions of the first and second side segments of the rigid wire and defines an inverted U-shape that extends generally in a second plane oriented transverse to the first plane and that slopes forwardly at a relatively steep angle. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear portion  20 A extends upward at a transverse, non-perpendicular angle from the front portion  20 B, such that the first and second planes have an obtuse included angle therebetween. A cross wire  22  is mounted on the support frame  20  (e.g., by welding to the side segments of the support frame, etc.) at the bend formed between the rear portion  20 A and the front portion  20 B. A mounting plate  24  is mounted on the first and second side segments of the support frame  20 , on the rear portion  20 A (e.g., by welding, etc.), at a location spaced apart rearward of the cross wire  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base  12  further includes a mounting assembly  26 , which is configured to be attached to the mounting plate  24  and to mount the dispenser  10  on a stand, wall, or other support article. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting assembly  26  includes a tubular stem  28  that is configured to be attached to a stand. In other embodiments, the tubular stem  28  could be replaced with a wall bracket, a floor stand, etc. Referring to  FIG. 7 , a support plate  30  is mounted on the stem  28 . Suitably, the support plate  30  can include an arrangement or holes that corresponds with an arrangement of holes formed in the mounting plate  24  so that fasteners  32  (e.g., bolts, etc.) may secure the mounting plate to the support plate and thereby secure the dispenser  10  to the mounting assembly  26 . The dispenser may also be attached to the mounting assembly in other ways without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the base  12  includes a roll stabilizer  36  that is separately attached to the support frame  20  and the mounting plate  24 . As will be explained in further detail below, the roll stabilizer  36  is configured to engage the roll R and to maintain the roll R in the proper position in use. As explained below, the engagement between the roll R and the roll stabilizer  36  also provides a brake against freewheeling rotation of the roll. It will be understood that in other embodiments the roll stabilizer may be formed by a portion of the support frame or mounting plate, instead of being a separately attached component. In the illustrated embodiment, the roll stabilizer  36  has a rigid wire frame construction. The rigid wire that forms the roll stabilizer  36  is bent to have an elongate rectangular shape comprising a rear segment, a front segment, and opposite first and second side segments. The side segments of the roll stabilizer  36  are spaced apart inwardly from the side segments of the support frame  20 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the rear segment of the roll stabilizer  36  is attached (e.g., by welding) to the bottom side of the rear segment of the support frame  20 . The front segment of the roll stabilizer  36  is attached (e.g., by welding) to the top edge margin of the mounting plate  24 . Thus, the roll stabilizer  36  extends in a plane that is oriented at a skew angle with respect to the plane of the rear portion  20 A of the support framed  20  in the illustrated embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the base  12  includes a bearing collar  40  that, as explained in further detail below, is configured to rotatably receive a segment of the swing arm  14  therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing collar  40  comprises a single elongate tube. The bearing collar could also have other constructions (e.g., the bearing collar could comprise a roller bearing, the bearing collar could comprise spaced apart collar members, etc.) without departing from the scope of the invention. The bearing collar is located adjacent the rear end portion of the base  12 . And more specifically, the bearing collar is attached (e.g., welded) to the top side of the rear segment of the support frame  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the swing arm  14  comprises an elongate arm member (e.g., a rod or dowel) that is formed into a U-shape. The swing arm  14  includes a pin portion  14 A, a roll retaining portion  14 B, and an intermediate portion  14 C. The pin portion  14 A of the swing arm  14  extends along a pivot axis PA from a first end of the intermediate portion  14 C, and the roll retaining portion  14 B extends along a roll retaining axis RA from a second end of the intermediate portion. As explained below, the swing arm  14  is configured to mount the roll R on the roll retaining portion  14 B for rotation about an axis of the roll and, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , to pivot about the pivot axis PA with respect to the base  12  in a braking direction BD in which the roll retaining portion of the arm travels toward the base. In the illustrated embodiment, the roll retaining axis RA is spaced apart from and oriented parallel to the pivot axis PA. The intermediate portion  14 C of the swing arm  14  extends radially of the pivot axis PA (and the roll retaining axis RA), interconnecting the pin portion  14 A and the roll retaining portion  14 B. The intermediate portion  14 C could be generally straight, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, or be curved or otherwise nonlinear without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the pin portion  14 A is configured to mount the swing arm  14  on the base  12  for rotation about the pivot axis PA. In the illustrated embodiment, the pin portion  14 A includes a threaded end segment  14 Ai adjacent the first end of the swing arm  14 , a bearing segment  14 Aii adjacent the threaded end segment, and a spring receiving segment  14 Aiii adjacent the bearing segment and forming the inner end segment of the pin portion. A spring retention flange  46  is mounted on the pin portion  14 Aiii at the inner end of the spring receiving segment  14 Aiii. A spring, generally indicated at  50 , is received over the spring receiving segment  14 Aiii and captured between the flange  46  and an axial end of the bearing collar  40 . A spring retention knob  48  is mounted on the intermediate portion  14 C of the swing arm  14  at a location spaced apart between the pin portion  14 A and the roll retaining portion  14 B for operatively capturing an end of the spring  50 . When the swing arm  14  is connected to the base  12 , the bearing segment  14 Aii is rotatably received in the bearing collar  40 . The threaded end segment  14 Ai projects from the bearing collar  40  and receives a nut  44  securing the swing arm  14  to the base  12 . A washer  42  is disposed between the nut  44  and end of the bearing collar  40 . The bearing collar  40  engages the bearing segment  14 Aii and the washer  42  engages the end of the bearing collar to constrain the swing arm  14  to move in rotation about the pivot axis PA. The nut  44  and washer  42  capture the spring  50  between the flange  46  and the bearing collar  40  and thereby secure the swing arm  14  to the base. The nut  44  and washer  42  allow the swing arm  14  to be easily removed to replace the spring  50  if required. It will be understood that a swing arm may be pivotably secured to a base in other ways in other embodiments. 
     The roll retaining portion  14 B of the swing arm is configured to mount the roll R of bags B for rotation about the axis of the roll. In some embodiments (not shown), the roll retaining portion  14 B of the swing arm  14  is extendable to accommodate roles of different widths. Suitably, the roll retaining portion  14 B is configured to be received in an axial opening of the roll R. In one or more embodiments, the roll retaining portion  14 B has a substantially smaller cross-sectional size than the axial opening of the roll R. First and second flanges  52  are mounted on the roll retaining portion  14 B adjacent the opposite ends thereof. When the roll retaining portion  14 B is received in the axial opening of the roll R as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the roll is positioned between the flanges  52 , and the flanges prevent the roll from moving along the roll retaining axis RA out of alignment with the bag separator  16 . In certain embodiments, the flange  52  mounted on the free end of the swing arm  14  is selectively removable to allow the roll to be installed on the roll engaging portion  14 B before the flange  52  is reattached. The flange  52  could also be rounded or tapered to make it easier to slip the roll R over the flange. When the force of the spring  50  acts on the swing arm  14 , the roll retaining portion  14 B presses against the roll R and positions the flanges  52  to act as lateral stops that set and maintain the lateral positioning of the roll. The roll retaining portion  14 B has a cylindrical exterior surface that engages the interior surface of the roll R (e.g., the interior surface of a roll core or the interior surface of the rolled bags in the case of a coreless roll) in use. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical exterior surface of the roll retaining portion  14 B is a stationary bearing surface that bears against the interior of surface of the roll R as the roll rotates about its axis. A roller (not shown) that rotates about the roll retaining axis RA could also be mounted on the roll retaining portion  14 B for rolling engagement with the interior of the roll R as is known in the art. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , the spring  50  suitably comprises a torsion spring having a base end portion  50 A, an opposite swing arm end portion  50 B, and a coiled portion  50 C located therebetween. In one or more embodiments, the base end portion  50 A extends radially with respect to the coils (i.e., the base end portion  50 A is a radial spring end) and the swing arm end portion  50 B extends tangentially with respect to the coils (i.e., the swing arm end portion  50 B is a tangential spring end). 
     The spring  50  is operatively connected between the base  12  and the swing arm  14  to impart a biasing force therebetween. The coiled portion  50 C of spring is located adjacent the bearing collar  40  and receives the spring receiving segment  14 Aiii of the swing arm  14  therein. The pin portion  14 A of the swing arm  14  is free of connection to the spring  50  and extends through the interior of the coiled portion  50 C. Thus the pin portion  14 A of the swing arm  14  can rotate about the pivot axis PA within the coiled portion  50 C of the spring. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the base end portion  50 A of the spring  50  is engaged with the base  12  to limit movement of the base end portion of the spring with respect to the base. More specifically, the base end portion  50 A of the spring  50  conformingly engages the rear segment of the rear portion  20 A of the support frame  20 . The swing arm end portion  50 B of the spring  50  is connected to the intermediate portion  14 C of the swing arm  14  for conjoint movement therewith. More specifically, the swing arm end portion  50 B is captured between the knob  48  and the intermediate portion  14 C at a location spaced apart between the pin portion  14 A and the roll engaging portion  14 B of the swing arm  14 . Pivoting movement of the swing arm  14  from an initial position in which the roll retaining portion  14 B is located adjacent the base  12  ( FIG. 1 ) in a direction opposite the braking direction BD causes the swing arm end portion  50 B to travel with the intermediate portion  14 C of the swing arm and to move relative to the base end portion  50 A. As a result, the coiled portion  50 C of the spring  50  deforms and the spring imparts a biasing force upon the swing arm  14  that urges the swing arm in the braking direction BD. The biasing force urges the roll R against the roll stabilizer  36  to ensure constant braking engagement between the roll and the stabilizer as bags B are unrolled and removed from the roll, thereby preventing freewheeling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the bag separator  16  includes a tongue  60  that projects from the base  12  adjacent the front end portion thereof. The tongue  60  is generally centered between the side segments of the support frame  20 . The illustrated tongue  60  has a rigid wire frame construction. The tongue  60  is bent around and attached to the front segment of the front portion  20 B of the support frame  20 . An elongate top portion  60 A of the tongue  60  projects upward and rearward toward the swing arm  14  from the front segment of the support frame  20 . An elongate bottom portion  60 B of the tongue  60  extends rearward from the front segment of the front portion  20 B of the support frame  20  and is attached (e.g., by welding) to the cross wire  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion  60 A of the tongue  60  is about ½ inches wide. The included angle between the top portion  60 A of the tongue  60  and the front segment  20 B of the support frame  20  defines the attack angle of the tongue. In one or more embodiments, the attack angle of the tongue  60  is in an inclusive range of from about 50° to about 70°, such as about 60°. 
     As bags B are unrolled from the roll R, they are pulled across the top portion  60 A of the tongue  60 . Adjacent bags B on the roll R are delimited by a zone of weakness Z as shown in  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, a slit is formed in a central region of the zone of weakness Z for cooperation with the bag separator  16 . As a downstream bag B is unrolled from the roll R so that the zone of weakness Z travels across the top portion  60 A of the tongue  60 , the tongue passes through the central slit and catches the upstream bag. The tongue  60  thus restrains the upstream bag from further forward movement. Further pulling of the downstream bag B, tears the bag from the roll R along the zone of weakness Z, as the upstream bag remains caught against the tongue  60 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 9 , the bag separator  16  further comprises a guide scoop  62  at the front segment  20 B of the support frame  20  that defines a concave guide surface that is generally aligned with the tongue. The illustrated guide scoop  62  comprises a bent rigid wire having a first end that is secured to the front segment of the front portion  20 B of the support frame  20  adjacent the first side segment of the support frame and an opposite second end that is secured to the front segment of the support frame adjacent the second side segment of the support frame. The guide scoop  62  defines first and second side portions  62 A,  62 B that define vertically oriented sides of the concave guide surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the side portions  62 A,  62 B are generally hook-shaped. A front portion  62 C of the guide scoop  62  extends between the first and second side portions  62 A,  62 B and defines an upwardly facing portion of the concave guide surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion  62 C of the guide scoop  62  has a truncated V-shape and includes a horizontal bottom segment that is supported on the front segment of the support frame  20 . It will be understood that the guide scoop can have different configurations in other embodiments. In use, as the bags B are unwound from the roll R, the concave guide surface of the guide scoop  62  guides the bags toward the tongue  60  and ensures the bags stay aligned with the tongue  60  as they are removed from the roll. 
     The illustrated bag separator  16  further comprises a retainer  64  configured to retain the upstream bag B in position against the tongue  60  after the downstream bag has been removed. In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer  64  is formed from a rigid flat strip of material that comprises a front portion  64 A, a rear portion  64 B, and a top portion  64 C extending between the front and rear portions. The front portion  64 A extends generally parallel to the top portion  60 A of the tongue  60  and is located between the tongue and the swing arm  40 —and in the illustrated embodiment, between the tongue and the guide scoop  62 —immediately adjacent to the tongue. The front portion  64 A defines an end of the retainer member  64  that is attached (e.g., welded) to the front segment of the front portion  20 B of the support frame  20 . The top portion  64 C extends rearward from the top of the front portion  64 A, and the rear portion  64 B extends downward and rearward from the rear end of the top portion. The bottom end of the rear portion  64 B is attached (e.g., welded) to the bottom portion  60 B of the tongue  60  adjacent the cross wire  22 . In use, as a downstream bag B is pulled across the working end of the tongue  60 , it is pulled downward or inward along the tongue. As the tongue  60  separates the downstream bag B from the adjacent upstream bag, the upstream bag is pulled downward into the region between the front portion  64 A of the retainer member  64  and the top portion  60 A of the tongue  60 . The retainer member  64  and the tongue  60  together act as a clip that holds the bag B in place until it is intentionally removed. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion  64 C of the retainer  64  is spaced apart from the top of the tongue  60  along an axis oriented perpendicular to the top portion by a distance of about ⅝ inches. Thus, the about ½-inch wide tongue  60  protrudes above the retainer by about ⅝ inches at an attack angle of from about 50° to about 70°. This configuration of the bag separator  16  has been found to perform consistently. That is, the tongue  60  consistently passes through the slit formed in the zone of weakness Z to catch the upstream bags B as the downstream bags are unrolled and separated from the roll R. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , to use the dispenser, a roll R of bags B is loaded onto the swing arm  14 . Prior to receiving the roll R, the spring  50  maintains the swing arm  14  in an initial position in which the roll engaging portion  14 B is positioned adjacent to (e.g., in engagement with) the base  12 . The spring  50  may have a substantially non-deformed orientation in the initial position. To position the roll engaging portion  14 B for receiving the roll R, the swing arm  14  is pivoted opposite the braking direction BD from the initial position until the roll engaging portion is spaced apart from the roll stabilizer  36  by a distance that is greater than the radius of the roll. The pin portion  14 A rotates in the bearing collar  40  and within the coiled portion  50 C of the spring  50  as the swing arm  40  pivots. In addition, the intermediate portion  14 C of the swing arm rotates about the pivot axis PA, and the swing arm end portion  50 B of the spring  50  travels with the knob  48  and intermediate portion to deform the spring. With the swing arm  14  in the proper position, the roll R is slipped onto the roll engaging portion  14 B. After the roll is inserted, the swing arm  14  is released. The spring  50  resiliently returns toward a non-deformed orientation, which forces the swing arm end  50 B of the spring in the braking direction BD. This imparts a biasing force on the swing arm  14  in the braking direction BD, which urges the roll engaging portion  14 B into engagement with the roll R and urges the flanges  52  into positions overlying sides of the roll to restrain lateral movement of the roll. The biasing force acting on the swing arm  14  in the braking direction BD urges the roll into braking engagement with the roll stabilizer  36  of the base  12 . 
     To remove a bag B from the roll R, the bag at the outer end of the roll is pulled forward, which causes the roll to rotate in the unwinding direction. The bag B must be pulled with sufficient force to overcome the braking force provided by the spring-biased engagement between the roll R and the stabilizer  36 . And as soon as the pulling force imparted on the roll R is diminished, the braking engagement causes rotation of the roll to stop. Thus, the biased braking provided by the spring  50  prevents the roll R from freewheeling on the swing arm  14 . 
     As a downstream bag B is pulled from the roll R, the concave guide surface of the guide scoop  62  maintains alignment between the bag and the tongue  60 . The bag B is typically pulled downward or inward along the tongue as it is unwound. The tongue  60  catches the zone of weakness Z as it travels across the separator  16  and catches the upstream bag B. Further pulling of the downstream bag B, tears the bag from the roll R along the zone of weakness Z and pulls the upstream bag into the region between the front portion  64 A of the retainer member  64  and the top portion  60 A of the tongue  60 . The retainer member  64  and the tongue  60  act as a clip that holds the remaining bag B in place until a user wishes to remove it. 
     As can be seen, the illustrated dispenser  10  ensures individual bags B are dispensed from the roll R in a controlled manner. The spring  50  maintains consistent braking engagement between the roll R and the roll stabilizer  36  to prevent freewheeling. In addition, the construction of the swing arm  14  and the separator  16  ensures that bags B remain laterally aligned with the tongue  60  as they are pulled from the roll R so that the bags are consistently separated from the roll as they are pulled past the separator. 
     When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     As various changes could be made in the above apparatuses, systems, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.