Patent Publication Number: US-2015083677-A1

Title: Bag dispenser rack

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The instant application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/947,622 filed Nov. 16, 2010 and currently pending. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of packaging dispensing systems, and more specifically to space efficient dispensing systems for merchandise bags. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Counter space in grocery stores, supermarkets and other retail establishments is often at a premium. Most of these businesses provide disposable merchandise bags for their customers to use in transporting their purchases. When using film bags, such as those made of thermoplastics or similar materials, it is desirable that the bag dispensing systems provide bags that are self-opening. Typically, self-opening bag dispensing systems require a rack that holds a pack of merchandise bags on a central hook and a pair of horizontal arms. Such dispensing systems are usually placed on top of a cheek-out counter and require a square foot of counter space or more, depending upon the bag size. If more than one size of self-opening bags can be conveniently dispensed using this counter space, merchandise can be more efficiently handled at check-out counters. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,638, issued to Wile, discloses a method and means of dispensing T-shirt type bags. The dispensing rack described may be mounted beneath a counter from a tray which slides horizontally and is pulled forward and tilted downward in order to load the bags into the rack. The system may utilize a second tray that is held within the same frame so that it can hold two different size bags allowing a single person to dispense one of two different size bags when needed. The bag packs utilized in this device have two punched holes for mounting on the rack trays and have frangible bonds to the outside of the handle area which allow the bags to be bonded together to form the bag pad. The tray has spikes which are used to receive a bundle of plastic bags which have mounting holes. It is possible to use two trays with the frame so that a first tray is used at the lower level of the rails and another at a higher level. A lower rack with a pad of larger bags on the lower level and a pad of smaller bags on the upper tray allows the user to tear off a small bag or a large bag depending upon the need. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,514, issued to Huang et al. is directed to a swing-arm bagging rack for supporting multiple styles of packs of plastic bags. The device is intended to support multiple sizes and styles of bags in a space saving manner and may be swung into a closed position in order to conserve space when not in use. The rack comprises a series of moveable arm portions which are movably attached to the back portion and positioned so as to accommodate various sizes and styles of flexible bags. The spherical ball or balls or rods may be eased out of notches and ride on the upper surface of the portion so as to lock the arms in various positions to accommodate the support and dispensing of a plurality of styles and sizes of bag packs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,378, issued to Baxley et al. illustrates a bag pack that contains a plurality of plastic bags that have aligned mounting apertures defined through the handles thereof for reception of the mounting rods from a rack. The mounting rods form a portion of the rack system holding a plurality of plastic bags that are aligned by spikes passing through the apertures found in the bag. This Patent also provides an example of an automatic following find opening of the bags during the loading and operation wherein the rear panel of each bag is provided with a minor area of disengageable adhesive which bonds to the forward panel of the following or underlying bag. Thus, when the first bag is removed the adhesive portion adheres to the front wall of a succeeding bag pulling it forward and thus opening the bag for receiving materials after the first bat is removed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,801, issued to Tsu disclose a plastic T-shirt shopping bag pack and provides another but slightly different method of opening the bag mouth of the next ensuing bag when the first bag is removed from a rack. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a dispensing system for self-opening merchandise bags that makes maximum use of check-out counter space. It is a further objective to provide such a system that can be mounted on top of a check-out counter or other horizontal surface. It is yet a further objective to provide a dispenser that can accommodate more than one size of bag. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a bag dispensing system that is easy to load and provides visual inventory of the bags remaining in the bag pack. It is another objective to provide a dispenser that can handle t-shirt style bags as well as header bags. It is another objective to provide a dispenser that can accommodate advertising on an upper surface. Finally, it is an objective of the present invention to provide as dispensing system that is durable, inexpensive and simple for check-out personnel to operate. 
     While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art bag dispenser rack inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above. 
     (1) A bag dispenser rack providing the desired features can be constructed from the following components. A first bag pack is provided. The first bag pack includes a plurality of bags. A first bag pack support tray is provided. The first support tray has a first panel base, a first left side wall, a first right side wall, a first back wall, a first front wall and is sized and shaped to hold the first bag pack. The first front wall has a first opening. The first opening is sized and shaped to permit extraction of bags from the first bag pack. An elongated slot is provided. The slot is located in the first panel base. At least one mounting spike is provided. The at least one mounting spike is attached directly to the elongated slot and extends upwardly from the first panel base for a first predetermined distance. 
     The at least one mounting spike is located to align with an aperture extending through the plurality of bags in the first bag pack. The at least one mounting spike has a width no greater than the aperture for the first predetermined distance. The at least one mounting spike is removable and slidable within the elongated slot in the first panel base, thereby providing adjustable alternative locations for the mounting spike on the first panel base to accommodate merchandise bag packs with various mounting aperture locations. A cover plate is provided. The cover plate is sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the first bag pack support tray. The cover plate provides either of a loading surface and an advertising display surface above the first bag pack support tray. 
     (2) In a variant of the invention, the cover plate is hingedly attached adjacent one of the first left side wall, the first right side wall, the first back wall and the first front wall. 
     (3) In another variant, at least one of a first bag pack and a second bag pack is provided. The first bag pack includes a plurality of bags and the second bag pack includes a plurality of bags. A first bag pack support tray is provided. The first support tray has a first panel base, a first left side wall, a first right side wall, a first back wall, a first front wall and is sized and shaped to hold the first bag pack. The first front wall has a first opening. The first opening is sized and shaped to permit extraction of bags from the first bag pack. 
     A second bag pack support tray is provided. The second support tray has a second panel base, a second left side wall, a second right side wall, a second back wall, a second front wall and is sized and shaped to hold the second merchandise bag pack. The second front wall has a second opening. The second opening is sized and shaped to permit extraction of bags from the second bag pack. The second bag pack support tray is located upon the first bag pack support tray. At least one elongated slot is provided. The slot is located in at least one of the first panel base and the second panel base. 
     At least one mounting spike is provided. The at least one mounting spike is attached directly to the elongated slot and extends upwardly from at least one of the first panel base and the second panel base for a first predetermined distance. The at least one mounting spike is located to align with an aperture extending, through the plurality of bags in at least one of the first bag pack and the second bag pack. The at least one mounting spike has a width no greater than the aperture for the first predetermined distance. The at least one mounting spike is removable and slidable within the elongated, slot in at least one of the first panel base and the second panel base thereby providing adjustable alternative locations for the mounting spike on at least one of the first panel base and the second panel base to accommodate merchandise bag packs with various mounting aperture locations. 
     (4) In still another variant, the second bag pack support tray is secured to the first bag pack support tray with at least one attachment mechanism. 
     (5) In yet another variant, the at least one attachment mechanism is selected from the group includes pins and sockets, buckles and clips. 
     (6) In a further variant, the second bag pack support tray is hingedly attached adjacent a lower edge of the second back wall adjacent an upper edge of the first back wall. The second bag pack support tray pivots upwardly to permit loading of a first bag pack into the first tag pack support tray. 
     (7) In still a further variant, a cover plate is provided. The cover plate is sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of thee second bag pack support tray. The cover plate provides either a loading surface or an advertising display surface above the second bag pack support tray. 
     (8) In yet a further variant, the cover plate is hingedly attached adjacent one of the second left side wall, the second right side wall, the second back wall and the second front wall. 
     (9) In another variant of the invention, the cover plate further includes at least one downward facing side ledge. The side ledge is located at at least one of first and second side edges of the over plate and is sized and shaped to extend downwardly over upper edges of at least one of the first left side wall and the first right side wall, thereby stabilizing the cover plate on the first bag pack support tray. 
     (10) In still another variant, the cover plate further includes at least one downward facing side ledge. The side ledge is located at at least one of first and second side edges of the cover plate and is sized and shaped to extend downwardly over upper edges of at least one of the second left side all and the second right side wall, thereby stabilizing the cover plate on the second bag pack support tray. 
     (11) In yet another variant, a bag dispenser rack, includes a first bag pack. The first bag pack includes a plurality of bags. A first bag pack support tray is provided. The first support tray has a first panel base, a first left side wall, a first right side wall, a first back wall, a first front wall and is sized and shaped to hold the first bag pack. The first front wall has a first opening. The first opening is sized and shaped to permit extraction of bags from the first bag pack. An elongated slot is provided. The slot is located in the first panel base. At least one securing hook is provided. The at least one securing hook is attached directly to the elongated slot and extends upwardly from the first panel base for to lust predetermined distance. The at least one securing hook is located to align with an aperture that extends through the plurality of bags in the first bag pack. The at least one securing hook has a width no greater than the aperture for the first predetermined distance. The at least one securing hook is removable and slidable within the elongated slot in the first panel base, thereby providing adjustable alternative locations for the at least one securing hook on the first panel base to accommodate merchandise bag packs with various mounting aperture locations. 
     (12) In still another variant, a bag dispenser rack includes at least one of a first bag pack and a second bag pack. The first bag pack includes a plurality of bags. The second bag pack includes a plurality of bags. A first bag pack support tray is provided. The first support tray has a first panel base, a first left side all a first right side wall, a first back wall, a first front wall and is sized and shaped to hold the first bag pack. The first front wall has a first opening. The first opening is sized and shaped to permit extraction of bags from the first bag pack. A second bag pack support tray is provided. The second support tray has a second panel base, a second left side wall, a second right side wall, a second back wall, a second front wall and is sized and shaped to hold the second merchandise bag pack. The second front will has a second opening. The second opening is sized and shaped to permit extraction of bags from the second bag pack. The second bag pack support tray is located upon the first bag pack support tray. At least one elongated slot is provided. The slot is located in at least one of the first panel base and the second panel base. 
     At least one securing hook is provided. The at least one securing hook is attached directly to the elongated slot and extends upwardly from at least one of the first panel base and the second panel base for a first predetermined distance. The at least one securing hook is located to align with an aperture that extends through the plurality of bags in at least one of the first bag pack and the second bag pack. The at least our securing hook has a width no greater than the aperture for the first predetermined distance. The at least one securing hook is removable and slidable within the elongated slot in at least one of the first panel base and the second panel base, thereby providing adjustable alternative locations for the securing hook on at least one of the first panel base and the second panel base to accommodate merchandise bag packs with various mounting aperture locations. 
     (13) In yet another variant, the first baa pack support tray is formed from materials selected from the group that includes wire, injection molded material, sheet metal and wood. 
     (14) In a further variant, at least one of the first bag pack support tray and the second bag pack support tray is formed from materials selected from the group includes wire, injection molded material, sheet metal and wood. 
     (15) In still a further variant, the first bag pack support tray is sized and shaped to hold a plurality of merchandise bags in a stacked configuration. 
     (16) In yet a further variant, at least one of the first bag pack support tray and the second bag pack support tray is sized and shaped to hold a plurality of merchandise bags in a stacked configuration. 
     (17) In another variant or the invention, the first bag pack support tray is sized and shaped to hold a plurality of merchandise bags in a folded configuration. 
     (18) In a final variant, at least one of the first bag pack support tray and the second bag pack support tray is sized and shaped to hold a plurality of merchandise bags in a folded configuration. 
     An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating a single dispensing tray; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the of the  FIG. 1  embodiment with a cover for the tray in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment with the cover detached illustrating the mounting spikes; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating a single mounting spike and bag pack in a stacked configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating it tray without mounting spikes; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment having two dispensing trays; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 6  embodiment with two mounting spikes an a hinged cover; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the  FIG. 7  embodiment illustrating the hinged attachment of the two dispensing trays; and 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 7  embodiment illustrating two mounting spikes in each dispensing tray; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of the upper dispensing tray illustrating a single mounting spike and a bag pack in a stacked configuration; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the upper dispensing tray without mounting spikes; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view of the lower dispensing tray without mounting spikes; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the lower dispensing tray illustrating dual mounting spikes and a bag pack in a stacked configuration; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the lower dispensing tray illustrating dual mounting spikes and a bag pack in a folded configuration; 
         FIG. 15  is a partial perspective view of an upper dispensing tray illustrating a removable/movable mounting spike capable of side to side movement; 
         FIG. 15A  is a partial perspective view of a lower dispensing bray illustrating a removable/movable mounting spike capable of side to side movement; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial perspective view of an upper dispensing tray illustrating a removable/movable mounting spike capable of front to rear movement; 
         FIG. 16A  is a partial perspective view of a lower dispensing tray illustrating a removable/movable mounting spike capable of front to rear movement; 
         FIG. 17  is a partial perspective view of at upper dispensing tray illustrating a removable/movable dispensing hook capable of side to side to side movement; 
         FIG. 17A  is a partial perspective view of a: lower dispensing tray illustrating a removable/movable dispensing hook capable of side to side to side movement; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 6  embodiment illustrating the bag dispensing trays joined by pins and sockets; 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 6  embodiment illustrating the bag dispensing trays joined by clips; and 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective: view of the  FIG. 6  embodiment illustrating the bag dispensing trays joined by buckles. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     (1)  FIGS. 1-14  illustrate a bag dispenser rack  10  providing the desired features that can be constructed from frown the following components. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a first bag pack  38  is provided. The first bag pack includes a plurality of bags  46 . A first bag pack support tray  14  is provided. The first support tray  14  has a first panel base  18 , a first left side wall  22 , a first right side wall  26 , a first back wall  30 , a first front wall  34  and is sized and shaped to hold the first bag pack  38 . The first, front wall  34  has a first opening  42 . The first opening  42  is sized and shaped to permit extraction of bags  46  from the first bag pack  38 . An elongated slot  16  is provided. The slot  16  is located in the first panel base  18 . At least one mounting spike  130  is provided. The at least one mounting spike  130  is attached directly to the elongated slot  16  and extends upwardly from the first panel base  18  for a first predetermined distance  134 . The at least one mounting spike  130  is located to align with an aperture  138  extending through the plurality of bags  46  in the first bag pack  38 . The at least one mounting spike  130  has a width  20  no greater than the aperture  138  for the first predetermined distance  134 . The at least one mounting spike  130  is removable and slidable within the elongated slot  16  in the first panel base  18 , thereby providing adjustable alternative locations for the mounting spike  130  on the first panel base  18  to accommodate merchandise bag packs  38  with various mounting aperture  138  locations. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a cover plate  50  is provided. The cover plate  50  is sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the first bag pack support tray  14 . The cover plate  50  provides either a loading surface  54  or an advertising display surface  58  above the first bag pack support tray  14 . 
     (2) In a variant of the invention, the cover plate  50  is hingedly attached adjacent one of the first left side wall  22 , the first right side wall  26 , the first back wall  30  and the first front wall  34 . 
     (3) In another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 18-20 , at least one of a first bag pack  38  and a second bag pack is provided  86 . The first bag pack  38  includes a plurality of bags  46  and the second bag pack  86  includes a plurality of bags  94 . A first bag pack support tray  14  is provided. The first support tray  14  has a first panel base  18 , a first left side wall  22 , a first right side wall  26 , a first back wall  30 , a first front wall  34  and is sized and shaped to hold the first bag pack  38 . The first front wall  34  has a first opening  42 . The first opening  42  is sized and shaped to permit extraction of bags  46  from the first bag pack  38 . 
     A second bag pack support tray  62  is provided. The second support tray  62  has a second panel base  66 , a second left side all  70 , a second right side wall  74  a second back wall  78 , a second front wall  82  and is sized and shaped to hold a second merchandise bag pack  86 . The second front wall  82  has a second opening  90 . The second opening  90  is sized and shaped to permit extraction of bags  94  from the second bag pack  86 . The second bag pack support tray  62  is located on the first bag pack support tray  14 . At least one elongated slot  16  is provided. The slot  16  is located in at least one of the first panel base  18  and the second panel base  66 . 
     At least one mounting spike  130  is provided. The at least one mounting spike  130  is attached directly to the elongated slot  16  and extends upwardly from at least one of the first panel base  18  and the second panel base  66  for a first predetermined distance  134 . The at least one mounting spike  130  is located to align with an aperture  138  extending through the plurality of bags  46 ,  94  in at least one of the first bag pack  38  and the second bag pack  86 . The at least one mounting spike  130  has a width no greater than the aperture  138  for the first predetermined distance  134 . The at least one mounting spike  130  is removable and slidable within the elongated slot  16  in at least one of the first panel base  18  and the second panel base  66 , thereby providing adjustable alternative locations for the mounting spike  130  on at least one of the first panel base  18  and the second panel base  66  to accommodate merchandise bag packs  38 ,  86  with various mounting aperture  138  locations. 
     (4) In still another variant, the second bag pack support tray  62  is secured to the first bag pack support tray  14  with at least one attachment mechanism  92 . 
     (5) In yet another variant, the a least one attachment mechanism  9 s is selected from the group includes pins  96  and sockets  100 , buckles  104  and clips  108 . 
     (6) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8 , the second bag pack support ray  62  is hingedly attached adjacent a lower edge  98  of the second back wall  78  adjacent an upper edge  102  of the first back wall  30 . The second bag pack support tray  62  pivots upwardly to permit loading of a first bag pack  38  into the first bag pack support tray  14 . 
     (7) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , a cover plate  50  is proved. The cover plate  50  is sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the second bag pack support tray  62 . The cover plate  50  provides either as loading surface  54  or an advertising display surface  58  above the second bag pack support tray  62 . 
     (8) In yet a further variant, the cover plate  50  is hingedly attached adjacent one of the second left side wall  70 , the second right side wall  74 , the second back wall  78  and the second front wall  82 . 
     (9) In another variant of the invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cover plate  50  further includes at least one downward facing side ledge  106 . The side ledge  106  is located at at least one of first  110  and second  114  side edges of the cover plate  50 . The side ledge  106  is sized and shaped to extend downwardly over upper edges  116 ,  118  of at least one of the first left side wall  22  and the first right side wall  26 , thereby stabilizing the cover plate  50  on the first bag pack support tray  14 . 
     (10) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , the cover plate  50  further includes at least one downward facing side ledge  106 . The side ledge  106  is located at at least one of first  110  and second  114  side edges of the cover plate  50 . The side ledge  106  is sized and shaped to extend downwardly over upper edges  122 ,  126  of at least one of the second left side wall  70  and the second right side wall  74 , hereby stabilizing the cover plate  50  on the second bag, pack support tray  62 . 
     (11) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  17 A, a first bag pack  38  is provided. The first bag pa k includes a plurality of bags  46 . A first bag pack support tray  14  is provided. The first support tray  14  has a first panel base  18 , a first left side wall  22 , a first right side wall  26 , a first back wall  30 , a first front wall  34  and is sized and shaped to hold the first bag pack  38 . The first front wall  34  has a first opening  42 . The first opening  42  is sized and shaped to permit extraction of bags  46  from the first bag pack  38 . An elongated slot  16  is provided. The slot  16  is located in the first panel base  18 . At least one securing hook  132  is provided. The at least one securing hook  132  is attached directly to the elongated slot  16  and extends upwardly from the first panel base  18  for a first predetermined distance  134 . The at least one securing hook  132  is located to align with an aperture  138  that extends through the plurality of bags  46  in the first bag pack  38 . The at least one securing hook  132  has a width  20  no greater than the aperture  138  for the first predetermined distance  134 . The at least one securing hook  132  is removable and slidable within the elongated slot  16  in the first panel base  18 , thereby providing adjustable alternative locations for the at least one securing hook  132  on the first panel base  18  to accommodate merchandise bag packs  38  with various mounting aperture  138  locations. 
     (12) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 ,  13 ,  17  and  17 A, at least one of a first bag pack  38  and a second bag pack is provided  86 . The first bag pack  38  includes a plurality of bags  46  and the second bag pack  86  includes a plurality or bags  94 . A first bag pack support tray  14  is provided. The first support tray  14  has a first panel base  18 , a first left side wall  22 , a first right side wall  26 , a first back wall  30 , a first front wall  34  and is sized and shaped to hold the first bag pack  38 . The first front wall  34  has a first opening  42 . The first opening  42  is sized and shaped to permit e traction if bags  4  from the first bag pack  38 . 
     A second bag pack support tray  62  is provided. The second support tray  62  has a second panel base  66 , a second left side wall  70 , a second right side wall  74 , second back wall  78 , a second limit wall  82  and is sized and shaped to hold a second merchandise bag pack  86 . The second front wall  82  has a second opening  90 . The second opening  90  is sized and shaped to permit extraction of bags  94  from the second bag pack  86 . The second bag pack support tray  62  is located on the first bag pack support tray  14 . At least one elongated slot  16  is provided. The slot  16  is located in at least one of the first panel base  18  and the second panel base  66 . 
     At least one securing hook  132  is provided. The at least one securing hook  132  is attached directly to the elongated slot  16  and extends upwardly from at least one of the first panel base  18  and the s d panel base  16  for a first predetermined distance  134 . The at least one securing hook  132  is located to align with an aperture  138  that extends through the plurality of bags  46 ,  94  in at least one of the first bag pack  38  and the second bag pack  86 . The at least one securing hook  132  has a width  20  no greater than the aperture  138  for the first predetermined distance  134 . The at least one securing hook  132  is removable and slidable within the elongated slot  16  in at least one of the first panel base  18  and the second panel base  66 , thereby providing adjustable alternative locations for the securing hook  132  on at least one of the first panel base  18  and the second panel base  66  to accommodate merchandise bag packs  38 ,  86  with various mounting aperture  138  locations. 
     (13) In yet another variant, the first bag pack support tray  14  is formed from materials selected from the group that includes wire  24 , injection molded material (not shown), sheet metal  28  and wood (not shown). 
     (14) In a further variant, at least one of the first bag pack support tray  14  and the second bag pack support tray  62  is formed from materials selected from the group includes wire  24 , injection molded material (not shown), sheet metal  28  and wood (not shown). 
     (15) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first bag pack support tray  14  is sized and shaped to hold a plurality of merchandise bags  46  in a stacked configuration  142 . 
     (16) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 13 , at least one of the first bag pack support tray  14  and the second bag pack support tray  62  is sized and shaped to hold a plurality of merchandise bags  46 ,  94  in a stacked configuration  142 . 
     (17) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the first bag pack support tray  14  is sued and shaped to hold a plurality of merchandise bags  46  in a folded configuration  146 . 
     (18) In a final variant, at least one of the first bag pack support tray  14  and the second bag pack support tray  62  is sized and shaped to hold a plurality of merchandise bags  46 ,  94  in a folded configuration  146 .