This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 14/806,869, filed July 23, 2015.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to bag holder apparatus and method used at checkout counters. More particularly, the bag holder apparatus is capable of holding either conventional plastic bags or reusable bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic bags have been widely utilized at checkout counters where bags are filled. Holders have been devised for holding a plurality of collapsed plastic bags and allowing serial dispensing thereof when the bags are employed in the bagging operation. A commonly employed type of plastic bag is the so-called T-shirt plastic bag which has apertured side handle flaps and a hole in an upper bag portion for receiving a bag hook to provide a degree of support for the bag.

There has been increasing use of more durable reusable bags . The reusable bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are constructed of a variety of materials. The standard bag holder structure utilized to support T-shirt plastic bags and other comparable plastic bags cannot readily be utilized with most reusable bag constructions .

As a consequence, bag holders devised specifically for retention of reusable bags have been devised. U.S. Patent Application Publication

2010/0314507, published December 16, 2010 and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0138499, published May 22, 2014 illustrate adjustable bag retaining apparatus comprising a hook or clamp, the hook or clamp capable of vertical sliding movement on or in a track, mast, stand, support or hollow sleeve for accommodating bags of different sizes for packing. Other patent documents considered to be representative of the state of the art in the field of this invention are: U.S. Patent No. 6,460,814, issued October 8, 2002, U.S. Patent No. 6,367,747, issued April 9, 2002, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0210200, published September 21, 2006, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0021088, published January 28, 2010, U.S. Patent No. 8,100,370, issued January 24, 2012, U.S. Patent No. 8,882,061, issued November 11, 2014, U.S. Patent No. 5,465,845, issued November 14, 1995, U.S. Patent No. 7,677,507, issued March 16, 2010 and U.S. Patent No. 6,042,063, issued March 28, 2000.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bag holder system including an apparatus and a method for holding bags to keep the bags open and facilitate filling of the bags .

The apparatus is a universal bag holder since it is capable of holding either conventional plastic bags, such as T-shirt bags, or utilized to hold reusable bags of various sizes, configurations and materials.

The apparatus is characterized by its relative simplicity and reliability.

The apparatus of the system can be utilized as a stand-alone and allow for support of either plastic or reusable bags. The apparatus also can be attached to an existing conventional bag holder for plastic bags to adapt it for use with reusable bags . Several apparatus units may, if desired, be employed on a turnstile-like support .

The bag holder apparatus of the present invention is for holding bags to maintain the bags open and facilitate filling of the bags. The bag holder apparatus includes a rigid, upstanding holder back.

In certain embodiments of the invention, handle retainer structure is on the holder back and a handle is releasably attached to the holder back by the handle retainer structure.

The handle includes a manually engageable handle portion and elongated bag engagement members extending downwardly from the manually engageable handle portion. The handle is manually removable from the handle retainer structure whereby the handle is spaced from the holder back, insertable into the interior of a bag positioned next to the holder back and manipulatable so that the elongated bag engagement members engage the inner surface of the bag to maintain the bag in open condition.

The handle is subsequently positionable into engagement with the handle retainer structure while the elongated bag engagement members are in the bag whereby the handle is reattached to the handle retainer structure and maintains the bag open and in stable upright

condition adjacent to the holder back.

The method of the system includes the steps of providing a rigid, upstanding holder back and providing a handle retainer structure on the holder back.

The method also includes providing a handle including a manually engageable handle portion and elongated bag engagement members extending downwardly from the manually engageable handle portion.

The handle is inserted into the interior of a bag positioned next to the handle back.

The handle is manipulated so that the elongated bag engagement members engage the inner surface of the bag to maintain the bag in open condition.

The handle is subsequently positioned into engagement with the handle retainer structure while the elongated bag engagement members are in the bag whereby the handle is reattached to the handle retainer structure and maintains the bag open and in stable upright

condition adjacent to the holder back to facilitate filling . In another embodiment, a bag retainer structure is fixedly attached to a back structure including an elongated, rigid horizontal member and elongated bag engagement members extending downwardly from the

horizontal member, the bag retainer structure spaced from the back structure. The elongated bag engagement members have distal ends positioned above a bag support platform and insertable into the interior of a bag positioned next to the back structure whereby the elongated bag

engagement members engage the inner surface of the bag to maintain the bag in open condition with a wall of the bag between the elongated bag engagement members and the back structure to stabilize said bag on the bag support platform in upright open condition adjacent to the back structure .

Other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the holder back and selected related components of a first apparatus embodiment constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention utilized to support in collapsed condition a plurality of conventional T-shirt bags, a handle of the embodiment not being illustrated;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the first apparatus embodiment holding open and supporting a reusable bag, a handle of the apparatus being shown maintaining the bag in open condition;

Fig. 3 is an exploded, perspective view

illustrating structural components of the first

embodiment of the invention prior to assembly;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a portion of the holder back, handle retainer structure in the form of two brackets attached to the holder back and a handle in the process of being positioned in the brackets, elongated bag engagement members of the handle positioned in a reusable bag, rods for entering and supporting plastic bag arms having been removed from the holder back;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the holder back and brackets of the first embodiment shown in solid lines and alternative positions of the handle shown in dash lines;

Fig. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus, the handle thereof shown in a position separated from magnets on the holder back;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the apparatus of the second embodiment of the invention assembled and supporting both a plurality of plastic T- shirt bags and a reusable bag;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of portions of the handle and holder back and a magnet attached to the holder back magnetically retaining the handle in place on the holder back;

Fig. 9 is a front, perspective view of the holder back of the second embodiment attached to and extending upwardly from a conventional plastic T-shirt bag holder;

Fig. 10 is a back, perspective view of the arrangement shown in Fig . 9 ;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a plurality of second embodiment bag holder apparatus units attached to a turnstile- like support;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the back plate of the second embodiment of the invention prior to placement on a section of the support;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing six units of second embodiment bag holder apparatus attached to the support ;

Fig. 14 is a frontal perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention, no bags being held and supported thereby; Fig. 15 is a rear perspective view of a top portion of the embodiment of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an exploded frontal perspective view of the top portion shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a frontal perspective view top portion of an embodiment similar to that shown in Figs. 14 - 16 but with a welds, rather than mechanical

connectors, employed to attach certain structural components ;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figs. 14 - 16 holding open and supporting a reusable bag ; and

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figs . 14 - 16 holding open and supporting a reusable bag in an alternative bag orientation.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to Figs. 1 through 5, a first embodiment of apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated. The apparatus includes a rigid, upstanding holder back 10 formed of aluminum, stainless steel or any other suitable material .

Handle retainer structure is on the holder back, the handle retainer structure comprising two brackets 12, each of the brackets comprising a plurality of L-shaped tabs 14 defining a plurality of slots 16. The slots are open at the left ends of the brackets as viewed in Figs, 1 - 5. A handle 20 is releasably

attached to the holder back by the handle retainer structure {see Figs. 2 and 5) . Fig. 4 shows the handle in the process of being positioned in slots of the handle retainer structure brackets .

The handle includes a manually engageable handle portion 22 and two elongated bag engagement members in the form of rods 24 spaced from one another and extending downwardly from the manually engageable handle portion. Fig. 5 shows in dash lines two of the three alternative positions in which the handle may be positioned. This feature allows the handle to be alternatively placed different distances from the holder back. Among other things, the ability to vary the distance between the holder back and the handle will enable a reusable bag to be supported by a base 26 connected to the holder back even while T-shirt bags are in position for use as shown in Fig. 1. Also, some adjustment of the distance between the holder back and the handle may be desirable to accommodate different sizes and configurations of reusable bags.

As can be seen in Fig. 1, a pair of spaced, horizontally extending bag support members in the form of rods 30 project forwardly from the holder back. Rods 30 are for entering and supporting plastic bag arms of a plurality of collapsed plastic T-shirt bags 32, the rods extending from locations on the holder back below and spaced outwardly of the handle retainer structure. As shown in Fig. 3, these rods 30 are attached to the holder back by threaded fasteners. The rods 30 can be removed if desired to accommodate larger reusable bags. Fig. 2 shows a reusable bag 34 positioned on base 26 of the bag holder apparatus and it is small enough to fit between the installed rods 30. However, Fig. 4 shows the rods removed and no plastic bags supported, thus providing a bigger space allowing a wider variety and size range of reusable bags to be utilized with the bag holder

apparatus. A plastic bag hook 40 may be permanently installed on the frame since it will not interfere with operation regardless of reusable bag size or shape. As shown in Fig. 1, the plastic bag hook cooperates with an upper bag portion of the plastic T-shirt bag 32 and is received by a hole in the upper bag portion.

When using the first embodiment of the bag holder apparatus, the handle 20 is manually removable from the handle retainer structure and the handle spaced from the holder bag. The elongated bag engagement members 24 are then inserted into the reusable bag 34 positioned on the base 26 next to the holder back as shown in Fig . 4. The handle is then manipulated so that the elongated bag engagement members engage the inner surface of the bag to maintain the bag in open condition. Next, the handle is subsequently positioned into

engagement with the handle retainer structure brackets while the elongated bag engagement members are in the bag whereby the handle is reattached to the handle retainer structure as shown in Fig. 4 and maintains the bag open and in stable upright condition adjacent to the holder back as shown in Fig. 2.

Figs . 6 - 8 show a second apparatus embodiment of the invention which has all structural elements of the first embodiment (said elements having like reference numerals) other than the character of the handle retainer structure on the holder back 10. In this second

embodiment the handle retainer structure comprises two magnets 46 secured in place on the holder back by

threaded fasteners 48. The positioning and use of the handle 20 and the other components is the same as

previously described with respect to the first

embodiment. In other words, in this second embodiment the handle and magnets are releasably secured together by magnetic attachment therebetween. Fig. 7 shows plastic bags 32 behind and partially under the releasable bag 34 maintained in place by the magnetic interconnection between the magnets and handle .

Figs. 9 and 10 show the holder back 10 and magnets 46 without the base 26 and connected to a

conventional plastic T-shirt bag holder 52. Also the horizontally extending rods used to support the plastic T-shirt bags have been removed from the holder back. The handle 20 (not shown in Figs. 9 and 10) will operate and be utilized as disclosed above with respect to the second embodiment of the invention. Clamps 56 are utilized to releasably secure the holder back 10 in position on plastic T-shirt holder 52. Fig. 9 shows the holder back 10 and the plastic T-shirt bag holder secured together by the clamps and Fig. 10 shows the holder back and clamps being lowered into position relative to the plastic T- shirt bag holder.

The embodiments of the bag holder apparatus can be utilized with a turnstile- like support as shown in Figs. 11 - 13 and designated by reference number 60.

Fig. 12 shows holder back 10 of the second embodiment being positioned in one of the support segments. Fig. 13 shows six of the holder backs in place.

Figs. 14 - 16, 18 and 19 illustrate an additional embodiment of bag holder apparatus for holding bags to maintain the bags open and facilitate filling of the bags .

The bag holder apparatus includes a bag support platform 110 and a rigid back structure 112 extending upwardly from the bag support platform.

A bag retainer structure is fixedly attached to the back structure. The bag retainer structure includes an elongated, rigid horizontal member 114 in the form of a rigid bar and elongated bag engagement members 116 extending downwardly from the bar. The bag retainer structure is spaced from the back structure. The

elongated bag engagement members 116 have distal ends positioned above the bag support platform 110 and

insertable into the interior of a bag positioned next to the back structure .

The elongated bag engagement members engage the inner surface of the bag 120 (see Figs. 18 and 19) to maintain the bag in open condition with a wall of the bag between the elongated bag engagement members and the back structure to stabilize the bag on the bag support

platform in upright open condition adjacent to the back structure. Figs. 18 and 19 show a bag 120 in position on the bag support apparatus in two different alternative orientations . The bag retainer structure additionally

includes a pair of spaced, horizontally extending bag support members 122 comprising rods for entering and supporting plastic bag arms of a plurality of collapsed plastic bags in the manner shown in Fig. 1 of this application, the plastic bags not being shown in Figs. 14 - 16, 18 and 19. The rods 122 extend from locations on the back structure below bar 114. The rods are

selectively detachable from the bag structure as shown in previous embodiments described above .

The bag holder apparatus additionally includes a plastic bag hook 126 attached to the back structure between the rods 122 and below the bar 114, similar to previous embodiments .

Brackets 130 are fixedly attached to the back structure and in Figs. 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 this is accomplished by means of bolts, screws or other

mechanical fasteners affixing the brackets to the upper end of the back structure 112. Fig. 17 illustrates a somewhat different embodiment which is similar to the embodiment of Figs. 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 except that welds are employed to permanently affix the bag retainer structure to the back structure.

The retaining bag engagement members 116 and the bar 114 are maintained fixed distances from the back structure .

It has been found that support and secure placement of a bag utilizing the structural elements of the present invention are attained when the fixed

distance between the back structure and the elongated bag engagement members is within the range of about one quarter in. to about one and one half in., and more preferably within the range of one half in. to three quarter in.

The rigid bar 114 is elevated relative to the upper end of back structure 112 and the rigid bar is spaced from the upper end of the back structure a distance within the range of from about one quarter in. to about two in. , and more preferably one half in. to three quarter in .

The bar 114 has bar ends insertable in a handle of a bag positioned next to the back structure and positioned on the bag support platform to assist in maintaining the bag stabilized in upright open condition when the bag 120 has the orientation illustrated in Fig, 19 and a bag handle is looped about engagement members 16 and under the bar ends. However, a bag may be turned 90 degrees for filling purposes with the bag handles draped over the bag support members 122, if desired, as depicted in Fig. 18.