Patent Publication Number: US-10314415-B2

Title: Bag dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/212,314 filed on Aug. 31, 2015, the content of each application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     It is common for grocery stores and supermarkets to have bag dispensers for dispensing bags from rolls of bags. Conventional bag dispenser have historically been designed to limit the types of rolls of bags that can be mounted on them. Additionally, conventional bag dispensers can be unsafe, often allowing the entire roll of bags to be unintentionally removed. For example, in some instances, when a customer pulls a bag from the roll of bags, the roll of bags may be released from the bag dispenser, which can lead to customer injury. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings primarily are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; in some instances, various aspects of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated or enlarged in the drawings to facilitate an understanding of different features. 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages provided by the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read together with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a bag dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a detailed view of a portion of the bag dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the bag dispenser configured for installation of a roll of bags in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the bag dispenser having a roll of bags installed thereon in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the bag dispenser shown in  FIG. 1  having a roll of bags installed thereon in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a partially exploded view of an embodiment of the bag dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an arm of the bag dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a base member of an embodiment of the bag dispenser. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a side elevation view of an embodiment of the base member shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the bag dispenser configured to be mounted to a vertical support structure. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for installing a roll of bags on a bag dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a universal bag dispenser configured to dispense bags from different types of rolls of bags that can be sourced from different manufacturers. Exemplary embodiments of the bag dispenser can also overcome the safety concerns associated with conventional bag dispensers. The bag dispenser can include a support structure, a first arm, a second arm, and a pin. The support structure can have an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end. The first arm can be operatively coupled to, and can extend from, the first end of the support structure. In exemplary embodiments, the first arm can include a first bounded channel extending along a length of the first arm. The pin can have a proximal end and a distal end, and can extend through the first bounded channel. The proximal end of the pin can be secured to the first arm and can be configured to move or travel within the first bounded channel between the first opposing channel ends, where the first opposing channel ends prevent removal of the pin from the first bounded channel. The second arm can be operatively coupled to, and can extend from, the second end of the support structure. The second arm can include a second bounded channel that extends along a length of the second arm between second opposing channel ends. 
     In exemplary embodiment, the second arm can be configured to rotate with respect to the support structure and/or the first arm. For example, the second arm can rotate between a first position in which the second arm is perpendicular to the first arm and a second position in which the second arm is parallel to and opposingly spaced from the first arm. The distal end of the pin can be received by and/or extend through the second bounded channel of the second arm when the second arm is in the second position. When the second arm is in the first position, a roll of bags can be mounted on the pin, and when the second arm is in the second position, the roll of bags can be secured on the pin between the first and second arms. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a bag dispenser  10  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In exemplary embodiments, the bag dispenser  10  can be configured to hold and dispenser bags from a roll of bags. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bag dispenser  10  can include a support structure  20 , arms  40  and  60  extending from the support structure  20 , and a pin  80 . Exemplary embodiments of the bag dispenser  10  can be configured to mounted on a post  2  or to a wall (as shown in  FIG. 11 ). 
     The support structure  20  has an elongated body member  22  and a base member  24 . The elongate body member  22  and the base member  24  can be integrally formed, secured together via a fastener, a weld joint, and/or operatively coupled using any other suitable mechanism. In some embodiments, the base member  24  can be detachably secured to the elongated body member  22 . A length of the elongated body member  22  extends along an axis A 1  between first end  26  and a second end  28 . In exemplary embodiments, the elongated body member  22  can include a post mounting portion configured to receive the post  2  to mount the bag dispenser  10  on the post  2 . The elongated body member  22  supports the base member  24 , which includes a bag support portion  30 , a hooked portion  32 , and a wall-mounting portion  34 . The bag support portion  30  provides an area upon which a portion of an outer surface of a roll of bags can rest. The bag support portion  30  can provide a friction force against the unrolling of the roll of bags when user pulls the next bag to be dispensed by the bag dispenser  10 . The hooked portion  32  can be configured to separate individual bags in the roll of bags as the roll of bags in unrolled. The wall-mounting portion  34  can provide an area on the base member  24  that is configured to facilitate mounting of the bag dispenser  10  to a wall or a generally vertical support structure. In some embodiments, the bag support portion  30 , the hooked portion  32 , and the wall-mounting portion  34  can be at least partially angled with respect to each other, as described in more detail herein. 
     The arm  40  can have a length extending between an arm end  42  and an arm end  44 , and can extend perpendicularly from the support structure  20  along an axis A 2  that is perpendicular to the axis A 1  (i.e. the length of the arm  40  can extend perpendicularly from the first end  26  of the elongated body member  22  along the axis A 2 ). The arm  40  can include a bounded channel  46  formed therein, which can extend along a portion of the length of the first arm  40  between opposing channel ends  48  and  50 . In exemplary embodiments, the arm end  42  of the arm  40  can be attached to, integrally form with, or otherwise operatively coupled to the first end  26  of the elongated body member  22 , and the arm end  44  can form a terminal, free end of the arm  40 . In some embodiments, an orientation of the arm  40  can be substantially fixed with respect to the elongated body member  22 . In some embodiments, an orientation of the arm  40  can be adjustable with respect to the elongated body member  22  such that a position of the arm  40  can deviate from its perpendicular alignment with the elongated body member  22 . 
     The arm  60  can have a length extending between an arm end  62  and an arm end  64 , and can extend from the support structure  20 . The arm  60  can include a bounded channel  66  formed therein, which can extend along a portion of the length of the arm  60  between opposing channel ends  68  and  70 . In exemplary embodiments, the arm end  62  of the arm  60  can be operatively coupled to the second end  28  of the elongated body member  22 , and the arm end  64  can form a terminal free end of the arm  60 . For example, the arm end  62  of the arm  60  can be pivotally or rotatably attached to the second end  28  of the elongated body member  22  to form a joint  72  (e.g., a hinge) between the elongated body member  22  and the arm  60  to allow the arm  60  to rotate with respect to the support structure  20  and the arm  40 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bag dispenser  10  can include a locking member  74  configured to selectively lock an orientation of the arm  60  with respect to elongated body member  22  and the arm  40  to prevent rotation of the arm  60 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the locking member  74  can be configured to engage an aperture or opening  76  formed in the arm  60  at the arm end  62  to substantially fix an orientation and position of the arm  60  in a locked position such that the length of the arm  60  extends from the support structure  20  parallel to the axis A 2  and perpendicular to the axis A 1  by operation of a locking member  74  (i.e. the length of the arm  60  can be selectively fixed to extend perpendicularly from the second end  28  of the elongated body member  22  and parallel to the length of the arm  40 ). When the arm  60  is in the locked position, such that the arm  60  and the arm  40  extend from the elongated body member in parallel and in the same direction, the arms  40  and  60  can be opposingly spaced from one another defining a space or area  78  for retaining a roll of bags. In exemplary embodiments, the locking member  74  can be actuated to allow the arm  60  to rotate to unlocked positions with respect to axis A 3 . For example, the arm  60  can rotate about an axis of rotation A R  defined by the joint  72  formed between the elongated body member  22  and the arm  60 , where the axis of rotation A R  extends parallel to the axis A 3 . In some embodiments, the axis A 3  and the axis of rotation A R  can extend perpendicularly to the axis A 1  and the axis A 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pin  80  can have an elongated body extending between a proximal end  82  and a distal end  84 . The pin  80  can be configured to receive a roll of bags such when a roll of bags is mounted on the pin  80 , the roll of bags circumferentially surrounds the pin  80 . In exemplary embodiments, the pin  80  can extend through the bounded channel  46  of the arm  40 . The proximal end  82  of the pin  80  can be secured to the first arm  40  and can be configured to move or translate within the bounded channel  46  between the opposing channel ends  48  and  50 . The proximal end  82  of the pin  80  can be operatively coupled to the arm  40  such that the opposing channel ends  48  and  50  prevent removal of the pin  80  from the bounded channel  46 . In some embodiments, the pin  80  can be operatively coupled to the arm  40  in a manner that maintains an orientation of pin  80  as the pin  80  translates within the bounded channel  46 . For example, in some embodiments, the proximal end  82  of pin  80  can be operatively coupled to the arm  40  such that the pin extends perpendicularly with respect to the axis A 2  and the axis of rotation A R , and parallel to the axis A 1  (e.g., the pin  80  can extended perpendicularly from the arm  40  and parallel to the elongated body). 
     The distal end  84  of the pin  80  can engage and/or extend through the bounded channel  66  when the arm  60  is in the locked position (e.g., parallel to and extending in the same direction as the arm  40 ). The distal end  84  of the pin  80  can move or translate within the bounded channel  66  between the opposing channel ends  68  and  60  when the arm  60  is in the locked position (e.g., when the locking member engages the opening  76 ). When the arm  60  is in the locked position, the distal end  84  of the pin  80  can be retained by the bounded channel  66  such that the opposing channel ends  68  and  70  prevent removal of the pin  80  from the bounded channel  66 . When the arm  60  is in an unlocked position (e.g., the locking member is disengaged from the opening  76 ) and rotated such that the arm  60  is no longer parallel to and extending in the same direction as the arm  40 , the distal end  84  of the pin can be disengaged or removed from the bounded channel  66  of the arm  60 . 
     The exemplary configuration of the bag dispenser  10 , shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrates mounting the support structure  20  of bag dispenser on the post  2 . When the bag dispenser  10  is mounted on the post  2 , a length of the post  2  can extend in a direction that is generally parallel to the axis A 2  and perpendicular to the axis A 1 . In the example configuration, the length of the post  2  can be perpendicular to the length of the elongated body  22  of support structure  20 , and can be parallel to the length of the lengths of the arms  40  and  60  (when the arm  60  is in the locked position). 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the bag dispenser  10  with the arm  60  in an unlocked position to facilitate installation of a roll of bags  90  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the arm  60  has been rotated approximately ninety degrees about the axis of rotation A R  from the locked position shown in  FIG. 1  to an unlocked position in which a length of the arm  60  extends parallel to the axis A 1  and perpendicular to the axis A 2  (e.g., parallel to the elongated body of the support structure and perpendicular to the arm  40 ). In this position, the distal end  84  of the pin  80  is a terminal, free end. While the unlocked position illustrated in  FIG. 3  has a specific orientation, the arm  60  can be rotated to other orientations. For example, in some embodiments, the arm  60  can be rotated approximately one hundred eighty degrees such that the arm  60  is parallel to the arm  40 , but the arm  60  extends in a different direction from the support structure than the arm  40 . By moving the arm  60  to an unlocked position, the bag dispenser can be configured to remove and/or receive the roll of bags  90 . 
     The roll of bags  90  can be wound about a center axis A C  such that the roll of bags  90  has a generally cylindrical shape with an outer circumferential surface  92  with first and second circular bases  94  and  96 , respectively. A width W r  of the roll of bags  90  can be defined as a distance between the first and second bases  94  and  96  measured along the center axis A C . A radius r of the roll of bags  90  can be defined as a distance from the center axis A C  to the circumferential surface along an axis that is perpendicular to the center axis A C . In some embodiments, the roll of bags  90  can be formed about an inner core or tube  98 , which defines a center opening  100  extending through the roll of bags  90  from the first base  94  to the second base  96  along the center axis A C . In some embodiments, the roll of bags  90  can be devoid of an inner core or tube  98 , but can include the center passage  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3-5 , when the arm  60  has been rotated, as shown for example in  FIG. 3 , to an unlocked position, the roll of bags  90  can be mounted on the bag dispenser  10  by aligning the center opening  100  of the roll of bags  90  with the pin  80  and urging the roll of bags  90  towards the distal end  84  of the pin  80  until the distal end  84  of the pin  80  is received in and passes through the center opening  100 . After the roll of bags  90  is mounted on the pin  80 , the weight of the roll of bags  90  forces a portion of the outer surface  92  of the roll of bags  90  to rest against the bag support portion  30  of the base member  24 . The arm  60  can be rotated to the locked position so that the distal end  84  of the pin  80  engages and is retained by the bounded channel  66 , which secures the roll of bags  90  within the space or area  78  between the arms  40  and  60 . In exemplary embodiments, a width W s  of the space or area  78  can be slightly greater than the width W r  of the roll of bags  90 . 
     As the roll of bags is unwound, the hooked portion  32  of the base member  24  can catch the interface between adjacent bags on the roll of bags  90  to separate a bag from the roll of bags  90  as the bag is pulled. The radius r (and circumference) of the roll of bags  90  can decrease as bags are unwound from the roll of bags  90 . As the radius r and circumference decrease, the center axis A C  (and the center opening  100 ) of the roll of bags  90  and the pin  80  to move towards the base member  24  due to gravity so that a portion of the outer surface  92  of the roll of bags  90  remains in contact with the bag support portion  30  of the base member  24 , and the bag support portion  30  provides a friction force against the unwinding of the roll of bags  90  to provide tension on the bags as the bags are pulled from the roll of bags  90 . As the pin  80  moves with the center axis A C  of the roll of bags  90 , the proximal and distal ends  82  and  84  of the pin  80  travel or slide within the bounded channels  46  and  66 , respectively, towards the support structure  20 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a partially exploded view of an embodiment of the bag dispenser  10  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the arm  60  of the bag dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 6 , an embodiment of the elongated body member  22  can have a generally U-shaped side profile including a bridge portion  102  and opposingly spaced flange portions  104  and  106  extending perpendicularly from the bridge portion  102 . The second end  28  of the elongated body member  22 , of the support structure  20 , can include apertures or openings for creating the joint  72  ( FIG. 1 ) between the support structure  20  and the arm  60  and for receiving the locking member  74 . For example, the flange portion  104  can include an opening  108  and the flange portion  106  can include an opening  110 . The openings  108  and  110  can be aligned with each other and aligned with the axis of rotation A R  about which the arm  60  can rotate when the arm  60  is rotatably coupled to the support structure  20 . The flange portion  104  can also include an opening  112  for receiving the locking member  74  and an opening  114  spaced away from the opening  112  that can be used to secure the locking member  74  to the elongated body member  22 . 
     The locking member  74  can include an elongated resilient member  116  and a protrusion  118  extending perpendicularly from the elongated resilient member proximate to a distal end  120  of the elongated resilient member  116 . The elongated resilient member  116  of the locking member  74  can be disposed in a space between the opposing flange portions  104  and  106  of the elongated body member  22 . A proximal end  122  of the elongated resilient member can be secured to an inner surface of the flange portion  104  by a fastener that extends through the opening  114  in the flange portion  104 . When the proximal end  122  of the elongated resilient member  116  is secured to the flange portion  104 , the protrusion  118  disposed proximate to the distal end  120  of the elongated resilient member aligns with and extends through the opening  112  formed in the flange portion  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the arm  60  can have an L-shaped side profile, where a first leg  130  of the arm  60  extends between the arm ends  62  and  64  and a second leg  132  of the arm  60  extends from the arm end  62 . The second leg  132  can be formed by opposing flanged portions  134  and  136  and can include openings  138 ,  140 , and  142  corresponding to the openings  108 ,  110 , and  112  formed in the flange portion  104  of the elongated body member  22  such that when the flange portions  134  and  136  of the second leg  132  are flange portions  104  and  106  are secured to each other, the opening  138  aligns with the opening  108 , the opening  140  aligns with the opening  110 , and the opening  142  aligns with the opening  112 . In exemplary embodiments, the openings  108  and  138  can receive a fastener to rotatable secure the flange portion  104  to the flange portion  134 , and the openings  110  and  140  can receive a fastener to rotatable secure the flange portion  106  to the flange portion  136  to collectively create the joint  72  ( FIG. 1 ). When the arm  60  is in the locked position, the protrusion  118  can be received by and extend through the opening  142  to secure the arm  60  in the locked position. The protrusion  118  can be depressed or deflected inwardly towards the space between the flange portions  104  and  106  to disengage the protrusion from the opening  142  and unlock the position of the arm  60  so that the arm  60  can be rotated to unlocked positions. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 6 , the proximal end  82  of the pin  80  can be secured to the arm  40  by one or more plates. For example, the proximal end  82  of the pin can include a plates  150  and  152  coupled thereto. In some embodiments, the plates  150  and  152  can formed as washers. The plates  150  and  152  can be affixed to the proximal end  82  of the pin by a weld joint or any other suitable fasteners. The plates  105  can be affixed to the proximal end  82  of the pin  80  to secure the pin  80  to the arm  40  so that the pin  80  is retained by the bounded channel  46  and so that the pin  80  is generally prevented from moving along the axis A 1  and is generally free to slide along the bounded channel  46  along the axis A 2 . For example, the plates  150  and  152  can be disposed on opposite side of the arm  40 . In some embodiments, (nylon) washers  154  can be disposed on the proximal end of the pin  80  between the plates  150  and  152  and the arm  40  to minimize friction. For example, the arrangement of plates  150  and  152  and washers  154 , beginning at the proximal end  82  of the pin and moving towards the distal end  84  of the pin  80 , includes the plate  150  followed by one of the washers  154 , the arm  40 , another one of the washers  154 , and finally the plate  152 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the base member  24  of the support structure  20 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the base member  24  shown in  FIG. 8 . The base member  24  can include the bag support portion  30 , the hooked portion  32 , and the wall-mounting portion  34 . A length of the base member  24  generally extends along an axis A 4 . The wall-mounting portion  34  is generally planar and is disposed at a distal end  170  of the base member  24 . The wall-mounting portion can include one or more apertures or openings  171  to facilitate mounting the bag dispenser  10  to a wall. The hooked portion  32  is a generally curved tip formed at a proximal end  172  of the base member  24 . The bag supporting portion  30  is formed between the wall-mounting portion  34  and the hooked portion  32  and include several planar portions that are angled with respect to each other. 
     The bag support portion can include a first planar portion  180 , a second planar portion  182 , and a third planar portion  184 . The first planar portion  180  tapers inwardly along an axis A 4  towards the hooked portion  32  and includes a notch  186  formed in one side to accommodate the arm  60  as it rotates between locked and unlocked positions. The second planar portion  182  has a generally rectangular surface that is disposed distally from the first planar portion  180 . The rectangular surface can include a notch  188  disposed therein on the same side of the notch  186  to accommodate the arm  60  as it rotates between locked and unlocked positions. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the first planar portion  180  and the second planar portion  182  can be disposed at a first angle θ 1  relative to one another. The third planar portion  184  can have a generally rectangular surface that is disposed distally of the second planar portion  182 . In exemplary embodiments, the second planar portion  182  and the third planar portion  184  can be disposed at a second angle θ 2  relative to one another. The wall mounting portion  34  can extend distally from the third planar portion  184  at a third angle θ 3  relative to the third planar portion  184 . The first through third angles θ 1 -θ 3  can form a jog in the base member  24 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 9 , the second planar portion  182  extend distally from the first planar portion  180  at an incline corresponding the to the first angle θ 1 , the third planar portion  184  can extend distally from the second planar portion at a decline corresponding to the second angle θ 2 , and the wall-mounting portion can extend distally from the third planar portion  184  at an incline corresponding to the third angle θ 3 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the bag dispenser  10  mounted to a vertical support structure  200  (e.g., a wall). As shown in  FIG. 10 , the wall-mounting portion  34  can be disposed flush against the structure  200 . Fasteners  202  can be received by the apertures or openings  171  on the wall-mounting portion  34  and can be secured to the structure  200 . In the example arrangement wall-mounting portion can extend vertically in a plane along a z-axis. The arms  40  ( FIG. 1 ) and  60  can be offset from the z-axis by an offset angle θ offset  and the first planar portion  180  of the bag supporting portion  30  can extend downwardly at a dispensing angle θ dispense . Each of the offset angle θ offset  and dispensing angle θ dispense  can be defined based on the first through third angles θ 1 -θ 3  ( FIG. 9 ) of the bag support portion  30 . As one non-limiting example, the offset angle θ offset  can be approximately forty-five degrees. 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating a process  210  for installing a roll of bags on embodiments of the bag dispenser  10  as described herein with reference to  FIGS. 1-10 . The process begins at step  212 . At step  214 , the protrusion of the locking member  174  is depressed to allow the arm  60  of the bag dispenser  10  to rotate to unlocked positions. At step  216 , the arm  60  is rotated to a first position in which the arm  60  is perpendicular to the arm  40 . At step  218  a roll of bags is mounted on the pin  80  of the bag dispenser  10  by urging the roll of bags laterally towards the arm  40  so that the pin  80  secured to and extending from the arm  40  is received within the center opening of the roll of bags until a distal end of the pin extend outwardly from the center opening. A portion of the outer surface of the roll of bags rest upon the support structure when the roll of bags is mounted on the pin  80 . At step  220 , the arm  60  is rotated so that the arm  60  is parallel to and opposingly spaced from the arm  40  to position the roll of bags in the space between the arm  40  and the arm  60 . The distal end of the pin  80  can be received by the arm  60  when the arm is rotated into this position. At step  222 , the protrusion of the locking member can extend through the opening  112  formed in the arm  60  to lock the position and orientation of the arm  60  and to secure the roll of bags to the bag dispenser  10 . The process ends at step  224 . 
     In describing exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is used for the sake of clarity. For purposes of description, each specific term is intended to at least include all technical and functional equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Additionally, in some instances where a particular exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of elements, device components or method steps, those elements, components or steps may be replaced with a single element, component or step. Likewise, a single element, component or step may be replaced with a plurality of elements, components or steps that serve the same purpose. Moreover, while exemplary embodiments have been shown and described with references to particular embodiments thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various substitutions and alterations in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. Further still, other embodiments, functions and advantages are also within the scope of the invention. 
     Exemplary flowcharts are provided herein for illustrative purposes and are non-limiting examples of methods. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that exemplary methods may include more or fewer steps than those illustrated in the exemplary flowcharts, and that the steps in the exemplary flowcharts may be performed in a different order than the order shown in the illustrative flowcharts.