U.S. patent application number 12/472349 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-26 for assembly for dispensing plastic bags.
Invention is credited to Alejandro J. Alvarado, Rafael A. Alvarado, Pedro A. Monterrosa.
Application Number | 20090289019 12/472349 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41341310 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090289019 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alvarado; Rafael A. ; et
al. |
November 26, 2009 |
ASSEMBLY FOR DISPENSING PLASTIC BAGS
Abstract
A bag dispensing assembly according to the present invention has
a rack with side protectors, a pack of plastic bags suspended from
the rack and a shield assembly pivotally connected to the rack.
Inventors: |
Alvarado; Rafael A.;
(Houston, TX) ; Alvarado; Alejandro J.; (Houston,
TX) ; Monterrosa; Pedro A.; (Houston, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TRIANTAPHYLLIS LAW FIRM
THE CIVIL JUSTICE CENTER, 112 E. 4TH STREET
HOUSTON
TX
77007
US
|
Family ID: |
41341310 |
Appl. No.: |
12/472349 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61128735 |
May 23, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 13/085
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/85.15 |
International
Class: |
A47G 29/00 20060101
A47G029/00 |
Claims
1. An assembly for dispersing plastic bags, comprising: a rack
having an open end; and a pivotally mounted shield for shielding
the open end of the rack.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 further including a first side
protector.
3. An assembly according to claim 2 further including a second side
protector.
4. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the first side
protector includes a first flap.
5. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the first side
protector includes a side formed by interconnected wires.
6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the first side
protector includes a first metal side formed by interconnected
wires and a first flap covering a portion of the metal side.
7. An assembly according to claim 6 further including a first side
protector having a second metal side formed by interconnected wires
and a second flap covering a portion of the second metal side.
8. An assembly according to claim 7 further including a pack of
bags suspended from the rack.
9. An assembly according to claim 1 further including a pack of
bags suspended from the rack.
10. An assembly according to claim 9 further including a sleeve
enveloping the pack of bags.
11. An assembly for dispersing plastic bags, comprising: a rack
having an open end; a first side protector; a second side
protector; a first side flap covering the first side protector; and
a second side flap covering the second side protector.
12. An assembly for dispersing plastic bags, comprising: a rack
having a back, a first side protector, a second side protector and
an open side; and a shield pivotally mounted to the rack for
shielding the open side of the rack in one position.
13. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein the shield includes:
an arm pivotally connected to the back of the rack; a plate
connected to the arm; and a sheet connected to the plate.
14. An assembly according to claim 12 further including: a first
side flap covering the first side protector; and a second side flap
covering the second side protector.
Description
RELATED PRIORITY DATE APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)
of the U.S. provisional application No. 61/128,735 filed on May 23,
2008.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a dispensing assembly for
dispensing plastic bags and, more particularly, to a dispensing
assembly having a rack, side protectors and a front shield to
direct the user to the economic removal of one bag at a time. Still
more particularly, the present invention discloses a shield which
is pivotally attached to a rack that dispenses plastic bags to
facilitate the removal of one bag at a time by directing the user
to the appropriate grabbing section of the bag, such as a tag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In supermarkets, department stores, fast food restaurants,
and other retail outlets, there is frequently the need for
consumers or store employees to place items in bags to facilitate
handling and purchase. For example, produce bags are dispensed
directly to customers to allow the customer to bag the produce as
it is chosen for purchase. Also, in deli or meat departments, store
employees place the selected meats or other deli products in bags
(or other packaging) for the consumer. At fast food restaurants,
especially when an order is made "to go," the employee places the
food in a plastic bag to facilitate handling and prevent spilling
or leaking. In the prior art, there are a number of designs for
dispensing bags for these purposes.
[0004] Roll mounted produce bags are commonly found in modem
grocery stores and supermarkets. These bags are designed for
customers to use when purchasing fresh produce. The bags currently
available are difficult for customers to use for several reasons.
First, the bags tend to cling together due to excessive static and
are difficult to separate from the roll. Second, it is difficult to
tell the open end of the bag from the closed end of the bag. Third,
the individual bags are difficult to open, as the sides tend to
cling together. Fourth, some roll bags are "tri-folded" and require
two hands to unfold and open fully.
[0005] Also, the prior art teaches plastic bag dispenser packs of
produce bags or the like, wherein the bag packs are hung on, for
example, plastic tab members. The pack of plastic bags includes a
disposable upper portion connected to the lower plastic bag. A
perforation is made between the upper portion and the lower plastic
bag. The upper portion is attached to the plastic tab member. When
a customer wants to use a plastic bag, he pulls on the lower
plastic bag and tears it away from the upper portion at the
perforation. These plastic bags suffer from many of the same
shortcomings as plastic bags on rolls. Additionally, with these bag
dispensing systems it frequently requires two hands to pull the bag
down and open it. Further, often more than one bag is removed,
resulting in wasted bags.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,833, herein incorporated by reference,
commonly owned by applicant, discloses a dispensing assembly for
supporting packs of plastic bags. The packs of plastic bags include
a disposable upper portion connected to the lower bag portion. A
perforation is made between the disposable upper portion and the
lower bag portion. When a customer wants to use a plastic bag, he
pulls on the lower bag portion and tears it away from the
disposable upper portion at the perforation. While these plastic
bags are suitable and cost-effective for a number of situations, in
other situations these plastic bags suffer from some shortcomings.
For example, with these bag dispensing systems it frequently
requires two hands to pull the bag down and open it. Also, often
more than one bag is removed, resulting in wasted bags.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,059 commonly owned by applicant,
discloses a "bag shield" for facilitating the removal of only one
bag at a time from the stack and for maintaining a "billboard
effect" of the bags in the stack This product has not been
commercially successful for two reasons: (1) The bag shield must be
removed to add additional packs of plastic bags to the rack and
then the bag shield must be placed back on the rack over the
additional packs of plastic bags. The present invention avoids the
shortcomings. (2) In a grocery store or other retail store, the
space a product occupies is an important consideration. The
billboard effect of the '059 Patent requires a larger "footprint"
(i.e., it is less desirable than the product(s) of the present
invention because it takes up more space).
[0008] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0102573, herein
15 incorporated by reference, commonly owned by applicant,
discloses a four sided rack for holding four different sizes of
packs of plastic bags.
[0009] U.S. Patent Applications Publication Nos. 2007/0 144988 and
2007/0144989 both herein incorporated by reference, both commonly
owned by applicant, disclose wire racks with wire side protectors
for holding packs of plastic bags. U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2007/003 1069 discloses a pack of plastic bags
having a pouch.
[0010] Thus, there are a number of shortcomings with the known
rolls of plastic bags and other bag dispensing systems. A common
problem with dispensing produce bags is providing one bag to the
consumer in a convenient, simple, and reliable fashion. Further
considerations relate to ease of replenishing the supply,
uniformity of dispensing, ease of opening, and ease of filling.
[0011] According to the present invention discloses an assembly for
dispensing plastic bags wherein the bags are removable one at a
time with ease thereby eliminating waste. Further, the supply of
bags is easily replenished.
[0012] These and other advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A bag dispensing assembly according to the present invention
has a rack with side protectors, a pack of plastic bags suspended
from the rack and a shield assembly pivotally connected to the
rack. The shield includes an elongate plate, a flat sheet suspended
from the plate and elongate arms for pivotally connecting the plate
to the rack. The bags have grab tabs and are covered partially by a
sleeve. A tongue extends through an opening of the pack of plastic
bags to push the grab tabs outwards to facilitate the grabbing
thereof by the user. The shield is placed in front of the suspended
packs of bags to direct the attention of the user to the tabs and
to shield portions of the bags from the user. The shield can be
pivotally moved to allow access to the interior of the rack to
facilitate the quick replacement or replenishment of the packs of
bags.
[0014] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a
flexible vertical flap is connected to the upper portion of each of
the side protectors of the rack and extends downwardly and beyond
the bottom section of each of the side protector. Each of the
vertical flops covers the openings in the respective side protector
it is connected to and the open area below such side protector to
prevent the consumer from accessing a bag through an opening in the
side protector or through the area immediately below the side
protector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 1 without the pack of bags;
[0018] FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the apparatus shown
in FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side top perspective view of the apparatus shown
in FIG. 2A without the sheet portion of the shield;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a top front perspective view of the apparatus
shown in FIG. 2A;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a section of the apparatus
shown in FIG. 4;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the another embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 7 without the pack of bags; and
[0025] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a bag dispensing
assembly 10 utilizing the present invention having a rack 14
supported by a floor stand 16, a pack of plastic bags 18 being
suspended from rack 14 and having grab tabs 19, a sleeve 22
covering at least a portion of both the front and the back end of
pack 18, and a shield assembly 30 pivotally connected to an
elongate pivot 70 of rack 14, in accordance with the present
invention. Further, there is a shown a tongue 34 extending through
an opening 17 of pack of plastic bags 18 to push grab tabs 19
outwards to facilitate the grabbing thereof by the user.
[0027] Rack 14 is generally similar to the rack described in U.S.
Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0144989 with some
modifications and improvements to effect the pivotal mounting of
shield assembly 30 on rack 14, to add tongue 34 and to improve the
structural integrity of rack 14 and its ability to remain
unaffected by any increased weight or pressure applied thereon.
U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0144989 is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown the bag dispensing
assembly of FIG. 1 without pack of plastic bags 18 and sleeve 22.
Rack 14 has a lower back support 41, an upper back support 43 and
side protectors 45A and 45B which are symmetrical with respect to
each other. Lower back support consists of four horizontal wires
41A, 41B, 41C and 41D which are held in place by a back support
wire 49. One end is of back support wire 49 is affixed by welding
or similar means to wire 41A near side protector 45A. Back support
wire 49 extends upwards to form back support wire portion 49A, then
is bend horizontally to form a top back rail 53, then downwards to
form a back support wire portion 49B which is symmetrical to back
support wire portion 49A and ends at a point where it is affixed to
wire 41A near side protector 45B. Back support wire portions 49A
and 49B are also affixed by welding or similar means to wires 41B,
41C and 41D to keep them in place and to form a sturdy back
support. The upper sections of back support wire portions 49A and
49B extending above the point of connection with wire 41D and
leading to top back rail 53 are bend backwards to form an angle
with the plane of lower back support 41. Horizontal rails 57 and 59
which are below top rail 53 extend from back support wire portion
49A to back support wire portion 49B to strengthen upper back
support 43.
[0029] A back support rail 65 extends upwards from wire 41D to form
a back support rail portion 65A, then is bend horizontally to form
pivot 70, then downwards to form a back support rail portion 65B
which is symmetrical to back support rail portion 65A and ends at a
point where it is affixed to wire 41D. Back support rail 65 is at
an angle with the plane of lower back support 41. Pivot 70 is
supported by upper sections of back support wire portions 49A and
49B which are securely affixed to pivot 70 by welding or similar
means.
[0030] Side protectors 45A and 45B are formed by bending, at right
angles, wires 41A, 41B, 41C and 41D on both ends thereof. A front
rail 61A is affixed to one end of wire 41A and extends upwards to
be affixed to the ends of wires 41B, 41C and 41D and to continue
upwards where, at a certain elevation, it is bend backwards to form
a horizontal portion that ends close to top back rail 53 where it
is securely connected by welding or similar means to back support
rail 65. A front rail 61B which is symmetrical to front rail 61A is
affixed to the second end of wire 41A and extends upwards to be
affixed to the ends of wires 41B, 41C and 41D and to continue
upwards where it is bend backwards to form a horizontal portion
that ends close to top back rail 53 where it is securely connected
to back support rail 65.
[0031] Side protectors 45A and 44B further include side rails 63A
and 63B which are symmetrical with respect to each other and which
extend vertically from wire 41A to the horizontal upper section of
front rails 61A and 61B. Side rails 63A and 63B are welded to wires
41B, 41C and 41D to strengthen side protectors 45A and 45B and to
deter a user from attempting to grasp a bag from either side.
[0032] Still referring to FIG. 2, hooks 72A and 72B are connected
by welding or similar means to pivot 70 and upper sections of back
support wire portions 49A and 49B and are further supported by
elongate support elements 74A and 74B. Hooks 72A and 72B are
constructed from a wire bend to form a loop as shown in FIG. 2.
Hooks 72A and 72B can also be constructed in any other manner
described in applicant's other related patents and patent
applications which are incorporated herein. For example, the hooks
may have a spherical head.
[0033] Tongue 34 is connected to upper back support 43 and extends
inwardly at a sufficient length to penetrate opening 17 (not shown)
of pack of plastic bags 18 (not shown) to push grab tabs 19 (not
shown) outwards to facilitate the grabbing thereof by the user.
[0034] Still referring to FIG. 2, shield assembly 30 includes arms
80A and 80B, a flat rectangular elongate plate 82, preferably
metallic, and a flat sheet 84. One end of each of arms 80A and 80B
has an opening suitable for intimately receiving pivot 70 through
the opening for enabling arms 80A and 80B to connect with pivot 70
so that they can rotate around pivot 70. The ends of arms 80A and
80B that are not connected to pivot 70 are securely attached to the
interior face of plate 82 so that plate 82 can pivot around pivot
70. Plate 82 is sufficiently long to cover substantially the entire
distance between side protectors 45A and 45B. Plate 82 has
fasteners (not shown in FIG. 2) for attaching the upper end of flat
sheet 84 to plate 82 and for suspending it therefrom.
[0035] Flat sheet 84 is slightly tapered with the upper end being
slightly wider than the bottom end. Its upper end is sufficiently
wide to extend over substantially the entire length of plate 82.
Flat sheet 84 has a funnel shape opening 86 that extends from an
open bottom end 88 to the upper portion of flat sheet 84. The upper
end of opening 86 is defined by a middle, low depth contoured
surface 90 which is followed on each side by deeper contoured
surfaces 92A and 92B, respectively. Contoured surface 90 is
suitable for receiving tongue 34 therethrough while shielding the
area above tongue 34 and interiorly of sheet 84. Sheet 84 is
preferably constructed of clear vinyl material having a thickness
of about 1/8 of an inch.
[0036] Arms 80A and 80B, plate 82 and sheet 84 are appropriately
sized and shaped so that sheet 84 can shield those areas of the
suspended bags that should not be touched or disturbed by the user
and expose those area where the user should be directed to
economically remove one bag at a time. The size of sheet 84 may
vary depending on the size and shape of the bag packs being
disposed. The pivoting arrangement of shield assembly 30 allows for
the quick replacement or replenishment of packs of plastic
bags.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 2A, there is shown a front view of bag
dispensing assembly of FIG. 2 having rack 14 with lower back
support 41, upper back support 43 and side protectors 45A and 45B.
Back support wire 49 extends upwards to form back support wire
portion 49A, top back rail 53 and then, downwards, to form back
support wire portion 49B. The upper sections of back support wire
portions 49A and 49B are bend backwards to form an angle with the
plane of lower back support 41.
[0038] Back support rail 65 extends upwards from wire 41D to form a
back support rail portion 65A, then is bend horizontally to form
pivot 70, then downwards to form a back support rail portion 65B
which is symmetrical to back support rail portion 65A and ends at a
point where it is affixed to wire 41D. Back support rail 65 is at
an angle with the plane of lower back support 41. Pivot 70 is
supported by back support wire 49 which is securely affixed to
pivot 70 by welding or similar means. Front rail 61A and 61B extend
upwards and are securely connected by welding or similar means to
back support rail 65. Hooks 72A and 72B are connected by welding or
similar means to pivot 70 and back support wire 49 and are further
supported by elongate support elements 74A and 74B.
[0039] Still referring to FIG. 2A, shield assembly 30 includes arms
80A and 80B, flat rectangular elongate plate 82, and flat sheet 84.
Arms 80A and 80B have openings for intimately receiving pivot 70
therethrough for enabling arms 80A and 80B to connect with pivot 70
so that they can rotate around pivot 70. The other ends of arms 80A
and 80B are securely attached to the interior face of plate 82 so
that plate 82 can pivot around pivot 70. Plate 82 is sufficiently
long to cover substantially the entire distance between side
protectors 45A and 45B. Upper end of flat sheet 84 is attached to
plate 82 and is suspended therefrom.
[0040] Flat sheet 84 has funnel shape opening 86 that extends from
open bottom end 88 to its upper end which is defined by contoured
surfaces 90, 92A and 92B. Contoured surface 90 is suitable for
receiving tongue 34 therethrough.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the bag dispensing
assembly of FIGS. 2 and 2A without flat sheet 84 showing plate 82
attached to arms 80A and 80B which, in turn are attached to pivot
70. Plate 82 is shown in a different position than the one shown in
FIGS. 1-2A to demonstrate the rotational movement thereof about
pivot 70.
[0042] Rack 14 is attached to floor stand 16 and supported thereon
by intimately receiving several portions of rack 14 the tubular
section of floor stand 16. Tongue 34 is attached to upper back
support 43. Hooks 72A and 72B are connected by welding or similar
means to pivot 70 and back support wire 49 and are further
supported by elongate support elements 74A and 74B.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a bag dispensing
assembly similar to the one previously described in FIG. 3 except
that it includes flat sheet 84. There is shown flat sheet 84
attached to plate 82 by fasteners 92, 93 and 94. Plate 82 is shown
in a different position than the one shown in FIGS. 1-2A to
demonstrate the rotational movement thereof about pivot 70 to put
the shield in a position where it does not shield rack 14 to
facilitate the replacement or replenishment of the bags.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a detailed view of
fasteners 93 and 94 for connecting plate 82 to flat sheet 84. There
is also shown arm 80B welded to plate 82.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown another bag
dispensing assembly utilizing the previously described shield. More
particularly there is shown a rack 114 with a lower back support
141, an upper back support 143 and side protectors 145A and 145B
which are symmetrical with respect to each other. Lower back
support 141 consists of four horizontal wires 141A, 141B, 141C and
141 D which are held in place by back support wires 149A and 149B
which are affixed by welding or similar means to wire 141A. Back
support wires 149A and 149B extend upwards and are affixed by
welding or similar means to wires 141B, 141C and 141D to keep them
in place and to form a sturdy back support. Back support wires 149A
and 149B have further extension to form rack holders 137A and 137B.
The size (length and thickness) and the shape of rack holders may
vary depending on the application and the place of usage.
[0046] A back support rail 165 extends upwards from wire 141D to
form a back support rail portion 165A, then is bend horizontally to
form pivot 170, then downwards to form a back support rail portion
165B which is symmetrical to back support rail portion 165A and
ends at a point where it is affixed to wire 141D. Pivot 170 is
supported by back support wires 149A and 149B which are securely
affixed to pivot 170 by welding or similar means.
[0047] Side protectors 145A and 145B are formed by bending, at
right angles, wires 141A, 1141B, 141C and 141D on both ends
thereof. A front rail 161A is affixed to one end of wire 141A and
extends upwards to be affixed to the ends of wires 141B, 141C and
141D and to continue upwards where, at a certain elevation, it is
bend backwards to form a horizontal portion whose end is connected
by welding or similar means to back support rail 165. A front rail
161B which is symmetrical to front rail 161A is affixed to the
second end of wire 141A and extends upwards to be affixed to the
ends of wires 141B, 141C and 141D and to continue upwards where it
is bend backwards to form a horizontal portion whose end is
securely connected to back support rail 65.
[0048] Side protectors 145A and 145B further include side rails
163A and 163B which are symmetrical to each other and which extend
vertically from wire 141A to the horizontal upper section of front
rails 161A and 161B. Side rails 163A and 163B are welded to wires
141B, 141C and 141D to strengthen side protectors 145A and 145B and
to deter a user from attempting to grasp a bag from either
side.
[0049] Still referring to FIG. 6, hooks 172A and 172B are connected
by welding or similar means to pivot 170 and back support wires
149A and 149B. Hooks 172A and 172B are constructed from a wire bend
to form a loop as shown in FIG. 6. Hooks 172A and 172B can also be
constructed in any other manner described in applicant's other
related patents and patent applications which are incorporated
herein. For example, the hooks may have a spherical head.
[0050] Tongue 134 is connected to back support wires 149A and 149B
and extends inwardly at a sufficient length to penetrate openings
of a pack of plastic bags (not shown) to push grab tabs outwards to
facilitate the grabbing thereof by the user.
[0051] Still referring to FIG. 6, a shield assembly 130 includes
arms 180A and 180B, a flat rectangular elongate plate 182,
preferably metallic, and a flat sheet (not shown). One end of each
of arms 180A and 180B has an opening suitable for intimately
receiving pivot 170 through the opening for enabling arms 180A and
180B to connect with pivot 170 so that they can rotate around pivot
170. The ends of arms 180A and 180B that are not connected to pivot
170 are securely attached to the interior face of plate 182 so that
plate 182 can pivot around pivot 170. Plate 182 is sufficiently
long to cover substantially the entire distance between side
protectors 145A and 145B. Plate 182 has fasteners 192, 193 and 194
for attaching the upper end of the flat sheet (not shown) to plate
182 and for suspending it therefrom. The flat sheet is similar to
flat sheet 84 previously described.
[0052] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, lower back support 141
and upper back support 143 are substantial on the same vertical
plane. Rack 114, however, may be modified to ro make upper back
support 143 lean backwards to be at an angle with lower back
support 141.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 7 there is shown a bag dispensing
assembly 210 utilizing the present invention having a rack 214
supported by a floor stand 216, a pack of plastic bags 218 being
suspended from rack 214 and having grab tabs 219, a shield assembly
230 pivotally connected to an elongate pivot 270 of rack 214, and
flexible, downwardly extending, side flaps 250A and 250B attached
to side protectors 245A and 245B, respectively, in accordance with
the present invention. Side flaps 250A and 250B are flat elongated
flexible sheets of plastic material. Side flap 250A is connected in
its upper end by fasteners to wire 241D of side protector 245A and
is suspended vertically therefrom. Side flap 250A runs downwards
along side protector 245A and extends beyond the lower end of side
protector 245A. Side flap 250A covers the openings in and the open
area below side protector 245A to prevent a consumer from accessing
a bag through such opening in and open area below side protector
245A. Similarly, the top portion of side flap 250B is connected by
fasteners to wire 241D of side protector 245B and side flap 250B
runs downwards along side protector 245B and extends beyond the
lower end of side protector 250B. Side flap 250B covers the
openings in and the open area below side protector 245B to prevent
a consumer from accessing a bag through such opening in and open
area below side protector 245B. A crossbar 351 is connected to the
lower end of side flap 250A, on one end, and to the lower end of
side flap 250B, on the other end, to maintain them in a relative
parallel position with respect to each other.
[0054] Side flaps 250A and 250B prevent the consumer from grabbing
bags 218 from the side of the rack thereby reducing he chance of
removing more than one bag from assembly 210 and causing waste and
sloppy appearance in the surrounding area of the store.
[0055] Still referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a tongue 234
extending through an opening of pack of plastic bags 218 to push
grab tabs 219 outwards to facilitate the grabbing thereof by the
user. Rack 214 is similar to rack 14 previously described except
for the minor changes to accommodate the attachment of side flaps
250A and 250B.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown bag dispensing
assembly 210 of FIG. 7 without pack of plastic bags 218. Rack 214
has a lower back support 241, an upper back support 243 and side
protectors 245A and 245B which are symmetrical with respect to each
other. Lower back support consists of four horizontal wires 241A,
241B, 241C and 241D which are held in place by a back support wire
249. One end is of back support wire 249 is affixed by welding or
similar means to wire 241A near side protector 245A. Back support
wire 249 extends upwards to form back support wire portion 249A,
then is bend horizontally to form a top back rail 253, then
downwards to form a back support wire portion 249B which is
symmetrical to back support wire portion 249A and ends at a point
where it is affixed to wire 241A near side protector 245B. Back
support wire portions 249A and 249B are also affixed by welding or
similar means to wires 241B, 241C and 241D to keep them in place
and to form a sturdy back support. The upper sections of back
support wire portions 249A and 249B extending above the point of
connection with wire 241D and leading to top back rail 253 are bend
backwards to form an angle with the plane of lower back support
241. Horizontal rails 257 and 259 which are below top rail 253
extend from back support wire portion 249 A to back support wire
portion 249B to strengthen upper back support 243.
[0057] A back support rail 265 extends upwards from wire 241D to
form a back support rail portion 265A, then is bend horizontally to
form pivot 270, then downwards to form a back support rail portion
265B which is symmetrical to back support rail portion 265A and
ends at a point where it is affixed to wire 241D. Back support rail
265 is at an angle with the plane of lower back support 241. Pivot
270 is supported by upper sections of back support wire portions
249A and 249B which are securely affixed to pivot 270 by welding or
similar means.
[0058] Side protectors 245A and 245B are formed by bending, at
right angles, wires 241A, 241B, 241C and 241D on both ends thereof.
A front rail 261A is affixed to one end of wire 241A and extends
upwards to be affixed to the ends of wires 241B, 241C and 241D and
to continue upwards where, at a certain elevation, it is bend
backwards to form a horizontal portion that ends close to top back
rail 253 where it is securely connected by welding or similar means
to back support rail 265. A front rail 261B which is symmetrical to
front rail 261A is affixed to the second end of wire 241A and
extends upwards to be affixed to the ends of wires 241B, 241C and
241D and to continue upwards where it is bend backwards to form a
horizontal portion that ends close to top back rail 253 where it is
securely connected to back support rail 265.
[0059] Side protectors 245A and 244B further include side rails
263A and 263B which are symmetrical with respect to each other and
which extend vertically from wire 24A to the horizontal upper
section of front rails 261A and 261B. Side rails 263A and 263B are
welded to wires 241B, 241C and 241D to strengthen side protectors
245A and 245B and to deter a user from attempting to grasp a bag
from either side.
[0060] Still referring to FIG. 8, hooks 272A and 272B are connected
by welding or similar means to pivot 270 and upper sections of back
support wire portions 249A and 249B and are further supported by
elongate support elements 274A and 274B. Hooks 272A and 272B are
constructed from a wire bend to form a loop as shown in FIG. 8.
Hooks 272A and 272B can also be constructed in any other manner
described in applicant's other related patents and patent
applications which are incorporated herein. For example, the hooks
may have a spherical head.
[0061] Tongue 234 is connected to upper back support 243 and
extends inwardly at a sufficient length to penetrate opening 217
(not shown) of pack of plastic bags 218 (not shown) to push grab
tabs 219 (not shown) outwards to facilitate the grabbing thereof by
the user.
[0062] Still referring to FIG. 8, shield assembly 230 includes arms
280A and 280B, a flat rectangular elongate plate 282, preferably
metallic, and a flat sheet 284. One end of each of arms 280A and
280B has an opening suitable for intimately receiving pivot 270
through the opening for enabling arms 280A and 280B to connect with
pivot 270 so that they can rotate around pivot 270. The ends of
arms 280A and 280B that are not connected to pivot 270 are securely
attached to the interior face of plate 282 so that plate 282 can
pivot around pivot 270. Plate 282 is sufficiently long to cover
substantially the entire distance between side protectors 245A and
245B. Plate 282 has fasteners 292, 293 and 294 for attaching the
upper end of flat sheet 284 to plate 282 and for suspending it
therefrom. In FIG. 8, plate 282 is pivoted in a position where it
does not shield rack 214 to facilitate the replacement or
replenishment of bags.
[0063] Flat sheet 284 is slightly tapered with the upper end being
slightly wider than the bottom end. Its upper end is sufficiently
wide to extend over substantially the entire length of plate 282.
Flat sheet 230 has a funnel shape opening that extends from an open
bottom end to the upper portion of flat sheet 230. The upper end of
the funnel shape opening is defined by a middle, low depth
contoured surface which is followed on each side by deeper
contoured surfaces. The middle contoured surface is suitable for
receiving tongue 234 therethrough while shielding the area above
tongue 234 and interiorly of sheet 284. Sheet 284 is preferably
constructed of clear vinyl material having a thickness of about 1/8
of an inch.
[0064] Arms 280A and 280B, plate 282 and sheet 284 are
appropriately sized and shaped so that sheet 284 can shield those
areas of the suspended bags that should not be touched or disturbed
by the user and expose those area where the user should be directed
to economically remove one bag at a time. The size of sheet 284 may
vary depending on the size and shape of the bag packs being
disposed. The pivoting arrangement of shield assembly 230 allows
for the quick replacement or replenishment of packs of plastic
bags.
[0065] Side flaps 250A and 250B are attached to side protectors
245A and 245B, respectively, in accordance with the present
invention. The top portion of side flap 250A is connected by
fasteners 355A and 357A to wire 241D of side protector 245A. Side
slap 250A runs downwards along side protector 245A and extends
beyond the lower end of side protector 245A. Similarly, the top
portion of side flap 250B is connected by fasteners 355B and 357B
to wire 241D of side protector 245B. Side flap 250B runs downwards
along side protector 245B and extends beyond the lower end of side
protector 245B. Crossbar 351 is connected to the lower end of side
flap 250A by fastener 353A, on one end, and to the lower end of
side flap 250B by fastener 353B, on the other end, to maintain them
in a relative parallel position with respect to each other.
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown another bag
dispensing assembly having a rack 414 utilizing the previously
described shield and side flaps. Rack 414 is similar to rack 114
described in FIG. 6 except for modifications to provide for the
attachment of the side flaps. More particularly there is shown a
rack 414 with a lower back support 441, an upper back support 443
and side protectors 445A and 445B which are symmetrical with
respect to each other. Lower back support 441 consists of four
horizontal wires 441A, 441B, 441C and 441D which are held in place
by back support wires 449A and 449B which are affixed by welding or
similar means to wire 441A. Back support wires 449A and 449B extend
upwards and are affixed by welding or similar means to wires 441B,
441C and 441D to keep them in place and to form a sturdy back
support. Back support wires 449A and 449B have further extensions
to form rack holders (not shown) to attach rack 441 to a wall 500.
The size (length and thickness) and the shape of rack holders may
vary depending on the application and the place of usage. The rack
holders are better shown in FIG. 6.
[0067] A back support rail 465 extends upwards from wire 441D to
form a back support rail portion 465A, then is bend horizontally to
form pivot 470, then downwards to form a back support rail portion
465B which is symmetrical to back support rail portion 465A and
ends at a point where it is affixed to wire 441D. Pivot 470 is
supported by back support wires 449A and 449B which are securely
affixed to pivot 470 by welding or similar means.
[0068] Side protectors 445A and 445B are formed by bending, at
right angles, wires 441A, 441B, 441C and 441D on both ends thereof.
A front rail 461A is affixed to one end of wire 441A and extends
upwards to be affixed to the ends of wires 441B, 441C and 441D and
to continue upwards where, at a certain elevation, it is bend
backwards to form a horizontal portion whose end is connected by
welding or similar means to back support rail 465. A front rail
461B which is symmetrical to front rail 461A is affixed to the
second end of wire 141A and extends upwards to be affixed to the
ends of wires 441B, 441C and 441D and to continue upwards where it
is bend backwards to form a horizontal portion whose end is
securely connected to back support rail 465.
[0069] Side protectors 445A and 445B further include side rails
463A and 463B which are symmetrical to each other and which extend
vertically from wire 441A to the horizontal upper section of front
rails 461A and 461B. Side rails 463A and 463B are welded to wires
441B, 441C and 441D to strengthen side protectors 445A and 445B and
to deter a user from attempting to grasp a bag from either
side.
[0070] Still referring to FIG. 9, hooks 472A and 472B are connected
by welding or similar means to pivot 470 and back support wires
449A and 449B. Hooks 472A and 472B are constructed from a wire bend
to form a loop as shown in FIG. 9. Hooks 472A and 472B can also be
constructed in any other manner described in applicant's other
related patents and patent applications which are incorporated
herein. For example, the hooks may have a spherical head.
[0071] Tongue 434 is connected to back support wires 449A and 449B
and extends inwardly at a sufficient length to penetrate openings
of a pack of plastic bags (not shown) to push grab tabs outwards to
facilitate the grabbing thereof by the user.
[0072] Still referring to FIG. 9, a shield assembly 430 includes
arms like arms 180A and 180B that are shown in FIG. 6, a flat
rectangular elongate plate 482, preferably metallic, and a flat
sheet (not shown). One end of each of the arms has an opening
suitable for intimately receiving pivot 470 through the opening for
enabling the arms to connect with pivot 470 so that they can rotate
around pivot 470. The ends of the arms that are not connected to
pivot 470 are securely attached to the interior face of plate 482
so that plate 482 can pivot around pivot 470. Plate 482 is
sufficiently long to cover substantially the entire distance
between side protectors 445A and 445B. Plate 482 has fasteners (not
shown) for attaching the upper end of the flat sheet (not shown) to
plate 482 and for suspending it therefrom. The flat sheet is
similar to flat sheet 84 previously described.
[0073] Side flaps 550A and 550B are attached to side protectors
445A and 445B, respectively, in accordance with the present
invention. The top portion of side flap 550A is connected by
fasteners 555A and 557A to wire 441D of side protector 445A. Side
slap 550A runs downwards along side protector 445A and extends
beyond the lower end of side protector 445A. Similarly, the top
portion of side flap 550B is connected by fasteners 555B and 557B
to wire 441D of side protector 445B. Side flap 550B runs downwards
along side protector 445B and extends beyond the lower end of side
protector 445B. Crossbar 551 is connected to the lower end of side
flap 550A by fastener 553A, on one end, and to the lower end of
side flap 550B by fastener 453B, on the other end, to maintain them
in a relative parallel position with respect to each other.
[0074] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, lower back support 441
and upper back support 443 are substantial on the same vertical
plane. Rack 414, however, maybe modified to make upper back support
443 lean backwards to be at an angle with lower back support
441.
[0075] The present invention is used to dispense plastic bags
suspended therein in packs. A pack of bags is formed by joining a
number of individual bag units. The individual bag units have a
disposable upper portion and a lower bag portion with a serration
between the disposable upper portion and the lower bag portion. In
forming the pack, the individual bag units are stacked on top of
each other, and a header is placed about the disposable upper
portion. The header and the disposable upper portions are joined
together in any suitable way; preferably, the header is joined to
the disposable upper portions by inserting heated blunt rods
through the header and the disposable upper portions to melt the
header and the disposable upper portions together about the points
of insertion. The insertion of the heated blunt rods serve to melt
the plastic immediately adjacent to the header and the disposable
upper portions at the points of insertion to join together the
header and the disposable upper portions of the individual bag
units. The header is formed by cutting a flat, generally
rectangular plastic piece and folding the rectangular plastic piece
longitudinally in half to substantially cover the disposable upper
portions. In one example of a header tabs are cut from the header
(prior to folding the header in hail) and side holes and a center
whole are placed in the tabs. In another example a header has two
side holes and a center hole. The holes may be cut out of the
header and the disposable upper portions or the holes may be formed
with the use of heated to blunt rods as discussed above and as is
known in the art. The holes are used to insert support hooks
therethrough. The side holes are utilized when two support hooks
are used and the center holes are utilized when one support hook is
used.
[0076] Alternatively, a pack of plastic bags may be formed without
a header. In this embodiment, the individual bag units are stacked
on top of each other and the disposable upper portions are joined
together such as by inserting heated blunt rods through the
disposable upper portions to melt the disposable upper portions
together about the points of insertion. The holes for hanging on a
rack may be cut out of the disposable upper portions or formed with
the use of heated blunt rods.
[0077] The individual bag units generally include a back sheet and
a front sheet which are sealed around the sides and bottom to form
the lower bag portions. The back sheet includes serration and the
disposable upper portions, while the front sheet terminates just
below the serration to form a bag opening. The individual bag units
formed with the opening allows a product to be placed in a bag
while the bag remains attached to the pack of plastic bags such
that the user may then use two hands to remove the bag from the
pack of plastic bags and seal the bag. (The back sheet of the bag
is attached to the upper disposable section with the serrated line
while the front sheet of the bag is not attached to the upper
disposable section and remains open, although, in use, it is not
readily visibly apparent that the front of the bag is open.)
[0078] There are several types of packs of plastic bags which do
not have the disposable upper portion. For example, "T-shirt"
plastic bags have handles extending upwards. The handles are fused
together (e.g. with hot pins, "pressure bullets," etc.) to hold the
bags together in a pack When a T-shirt plastic bag is removed from
its pack, there is no disposable upper portion. The present
invention(s) can be used to dispense packs of plastic bags with
disposable upper portions and to packs of plastic bags without
disposable upper portions.
[0079] Referring now back to FIG. 1, bag dispensing assembly 10
dispenses bags from pack of plastic bags 18 having grab tabs 19,
sleeve 22 covering at least a portion of both the front and the
back end of pack 18. Tongue 34 extends through opening 17 of pack
of plastic bags 18 to push grab tabs 19 outwards to facilitate the
grabbing thereof by the user.
[0080] Grab tabs 19 are formed by cutting each front sheet and back
sheet. Tongue 34 is provided and designed to push substantially all
of the grab tabs in the packs of plastic bags supported on a rack
forward, generally extending the grab tab forward of each bag,
which is designed such that a user can easily grab the grab tab,
pull, and one bag (and only one bag) is removed from the pack of
plastic bags. A tongue such as tongue 34 may be located or affixed
in a number of places, e.g., it may be attached to the rack, in
contact with the rack, or in proximity to the rackAlso, each pack
of plastic bags may have its own tongue attached to its header (not
shown). Further, each pack of plastic bags may have a back sheet
(not a bag), and the tongue may be attached to the back sheet (not
shown).
[0081] The embodiments shown have the affixed tongues permanently
attached to the racks by welding or similar means. It should be
understood, however, that, the tongues may be removably connected
to the racks or other elements in proximity by clamps or similar
means so that the tongue can be removed in some applications and
used in other applications with the particular rack, at the user's
discretion.
[0082] Grab tabs 19 are located near the top of each plastic bag,
generally extending forward of each bag, which is designed such
that a user can easily grab the grab tab, pull, and one bag (and
only one bag) is removed from the pack of plastic bags. The grab
tab serves two purposes: (1) to reduce waste by the removal of just
one bag; and (2) to make it easier for a user to remove a plastic
bag from the pack of plastic bags.
[0083] Grab tabs can be used without corresponding tongues. In that
case, they may be an additional piece of plastic attached to the
front sheet of each plastic bag or may be a configuration of the
front sheet designed as a grab tab.
[0084] Even though the present invention is described herein with
embodiments that have bags with grab tabs, it should be understood
that the present invention is not limited to bags having grab tags
but it includes bags that do not have grab tags or and bags that do
not have openings therethrough for receiving a tongue. Further, the
invention is not limited to racks having tongues but it includes
racks without tongues.
[0085] Plastic sleeve 22 covers at least a portion of the two sides
of the pack of plastic bags. The center portion of both the front
and the back of the pack of plastic bags is open. The plastic
sleeve prevents persons from grabbing several bags from the side of
the pack of plastic bags when only one bag is needed without the
plastic sleeve, several plastic bags could have been torn from the
pack of plastic bags, resulting in the waste of several bags. In
most cases, several packs of plastic bags are stacked together on a
rack. As noted, the center portion of both the front and the back
of the pack of plastic bags is open. This provides that once all
the plastic bags have been removed from the front pack of plastic
bags, the person can reach through and remove plastic bags from the
second pack of plastic bags and so forth, without any need for
removing the empty packs of plastic bags. The plastic sleeve both
reduces waste and reduces the store manpower required to reload the
rack to provide plastic bags to customers.
[0086] The racks, tongues and shield assemblies referred to herein
may be constructed of any suitable material including heavy gauge
wire, plastic, plastic covered wire, stainless steel, acrylic,
wood, etc. Additionally, different parts of the racks may be
constructed of different materials.
[0087] The material used to create the plastic bags and/or sleeves
may be any suitable plastic resin, including low density
polyethylene; linear low density polyethylene; high density
polyethylene; high molecular weight, high density polyethylene; and
polypropylene. Also, the material used to create the bags and/or
sleeves may be a single extruded layer or a plastic film comprising
multiple, co extruded layers.
[0088] All patents and publications referred to herein are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties. The drawings are not
drawn to scale.
[0089] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown
and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in
the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is
intended that all such modifications within the scope and spirit of
the invention be included within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *