Field of Invention

This invention relates to the field of plastic and other film bag storage and dispensing and more specifically to merchandise and produce bag dispensers adapted to attach to a vertical surface.

Background of the Invention

In supermarkets and grocery stores space for the mounting of bag dispensers is usually at a premium. It is desirable to use as much of the space available as possible for the display of produce or the handling of other groceries. However, certain facilities must be provided to the store's customers and checkout personnel for efficient produce sales and merchandise handling. One such facility is the provision of produce bags that may be conveniently used by the customers to collect the produce that they wish to purchase. Another facility is a checkout counter that has a bag dispensing rack mounted into a vertical counter surface, thereby providing unencumbered horizontal counter space for the handling of the customer's merchandise. Ideally, the store would like to provide simple to use produce and merchandise bag dispensers that are easy to maintain, hold a large quantity of bags of a sufficient size and which do not require frequent servicing.

In addition, grocery stores would like to use space for the bag dispensers not readily usable for the display of produce or other merchandise. It is most convenient to display produce and other items on angled or substantially horizontal shelves. Vertical surfaces, such as the walls of display stands and shelves are good locations to position bag dispensers as such surfaces are not readily usable for other displays. A bag dispenser that can be readily mounted to a vertical surface near a checkout counter will often make use of otherwise unusable space.

A number of dispensing devices and produce bags have been designed to efficiently provide produce bags and merchandise bags to shopping customers.

U.S. Patent No. 5,584,402, issued to Johnson, discloses a bag storage and dispensing rack that may be mounted from a vertical support surface or wall. A base member is supported on a pair of brackets which allows the rack to be displaced in a drawer-like fashion. U.S. Patent No. D551,007, issued to Trinko is directed to a bag dispensing rack that is designed to be mounted on a vertical wall or surface so that the rack portion and the bags held within are in a horizontal orientation. The reference is directed to a'¾ack' while the bag dispenser itself is shown only in dashed lines for illustrative purposes.

U.S. Patent No. 6,401,971, issued to Edwards et al. illustrates a bag storage and dispensing system with a bag-like structure in another example of the bag stack being held in a horizontal orientation. The storage and dispensing system includes a top flap that is hingedly attached to the front end panel. The top flap includes a slotted aperture. The bags are loaded onto the tongue by aligning the apertures with the tongue and positioning the bags so as to be horizontally presented and retrieved through the aperture. The aperture has an opening in the front wall so as to make it more convenient to remove individual bags.

U.S. Patent No. 6,098,806, issued to Mills disclose a storage and dispensing unit for merchandise bags that includes a window through which the bag pack may be exposed and another window through which the individual bags may be grasped. The stack of bag tabs is retained within the housing by means of a stiff wire loop that is retained within the housing by being captured between the bottom wall and the housing and a corrugated cardboard insert which is glued or otherwise secured to the bottom wall.

U.S. Patent No. 7,172,092, issued to Yang et al. is directed to an upright container for storing and dispensing bags. The device is intended to be mounted on a vertical wall with the bags contained therein being visible through an aperture. The device also includes an aperture through which the individual bags may be retrieved.

U.S. Patent No. 3,777,439, issued to Fried discloses a bag-opening dispenser and method and provides an example of a drawer-like structure that holds a plurality of merchandise bags in a horizontally oriented manner. The bags are retrievable individually by grasping the upper wall of the bag at the cutout portion.

U.S. Patent No. 6,619,479, issued to Jones et al. discloses a promotional bag dispensing apparatus wherein a bag dispenser may include a panel with identification or promotional type indicia on a front or top exposed surface.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a compact system for dispensing plastic produce bags or merchandise bags that can be mounted conveniently to a vertical surface. It is a further objective to provide such a system that can store an increased number of relatively large produce or merchandise bags adjacent a check-out counter. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a dispenser system that provides a visual indication when the bag pack needs to be replaced. Finally, it is an objective to provide such a system that can be easily fabricated, is durable, inexpensive and simple to service. While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art bag dispensing inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above.

(1) A bag dispenser providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A bag platform is provided. The platform has a first support surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. A wall mounting plate is provided. The plate has an upper end, a lower end and a series of apertures penetrating the plate for use in attaching the plate to a vertical surface. The plate is attached orthogonally to the second end of the bag platform. At least one fastener for attaching the plate to the vertical surface is provided. At least one side support is provided. The side support extends outwardly from the first and second sides of the bag platform and upwardly from the platform. The at least one side support defines a space sized and shaped to

accommodate at least one stack of bags.

(2) In a variant of the invention, a dispenser cover is provided. The cover is sized and shaped to extend from the first end to the second end of the bag platform and from at least a first end to at least a second end of the at least one side support.

(3) In another variant, the bag platform extends downwardly at the second end, providing at least one attachment point for the wall mounting plate.

(4) In a further variant, the at least one side support extends across and attaches to the bag platform. (5) In still another variant, the at least one side support is of wire frame

construction.

(6) In yet another variant, the dispenser cover is pivotally attached to the first end of the at least one side support.

(7) In a further variant, the at least one side support has a latching mechanism adjacent the second end for securing the dispenser cover.

(8) In yet a further variant, the dispenser cover is hingedly attached to the at least one side support at the first end of the side support.

(9) In still a further variant, the dispenser cover has a central aperture permitting either of viewing of or access to the stack of bags.

(10) In yet a further variant, the dispenser cover has a cutout at one edge for lifting the cover.

(11) In another variant of the invention, the latching mechanism is magnetic.

(12) In still another variant, the latching mechanism comprises loop and eye fittings.

(13) In yet another variant, a mounting spike fixture is provided. The mounting spike fixture is attached orthogonally adjacent the platform and has at least one mounting spike extending upwardly from it.

(14) In a further variant, a barrier pole fixture is provided. The barrier pole fixture is attached orthogonally adjacent the platform and has at least one barrier pole extending upwardly from it.

(15) In still a further variant, the at least one mounting spike is movably attached to the mounting spike fixture. (16) In yet a further variant, at least one barrier pole is movably attached to the barrier pole fixture.

(17) In another variant of the invention, an end panel is provided. The end panel is pivotally attached to either of the first and second ends of the bag platform.

(18) In still another variant the end panel is maintained in a first, upright position by a latching mechanism.

(19) In yet another variant, the latching mechanism is magnetic.

(20) In a further variant, the latching mechanism includes loop and eye fittings.

(21) In still a further variant, the end panel further includes an aperture for access to the at least one stack of bags.

(22) In yet a further variant, a side panel is provided. The side panel is pivotally attached to at least one of the first and second side supports.

(23) In another variant of the invention, the side panel is maintained in a first, upright position by a latching mechanism.

(24) In still another variant, the latching mechanism is magnetic.

(25) In yet another variant, the latching mechanism includes loop and eye fittings.

(26) In a further variant, the side panel further includes an aperture for access to the at least one stack of bags.

(27) In another variant of the invention, the bag dispenser further includes bags for use in the dispenser. The bags include a front wall, a back wall, first and second parallel linear side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge.

(28) In still another variant, each of the bags includes at least one longitudinally oriented side gusset. (29) In yet another variant, each of the bags includes a bottom gusset.

(30) In a further variant, each of the bags further includes an upper seam. The upper seam seals the front wall to the back wall at their respective top edges. A U-shaped cut-out is provided. The U-shaped cut-out is located in an upper portion of the bag and commences at a first point along the upper seam spaced inwardly from the first side edge and extends to a second point along the upper seam spaced inwardly from the second side edge. The cut-out extends downwardly toward the bottom edges, thereby forming an open mouth portion and a pair of bag handles.

(31) In still a further variant of the invention, the bag dispenser further includes bags for use in the dispenser. The bags include a front wall, a back wall, first and second parallel linear side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. At least one of the front and back walls is removably attached to a header. The header extends across at least a portion of at least one of the front and back walls. The header has at least one mounting aperture extending through the header orthogonally and through the bag walls. The mounting aperture is sized, shaped and located to permit the bags to be positioned upon the at least one mounting spike.

(32) In yet a further variant, each of the bags includes at least one longitudinally oriented side gusset.

(33) In another variant, each of the bags includes a bottom gusset.

(34) In still another variant, a plurality of the bags form a bag stack.

(35) In yet another variant, a plurality of the bags attached to the header form a bag stack. (36) In yet another variant, the bags are packaged into bag packs. The bag packs include at least one stack of bags. The stack is enclosed in a removable outer wrapper.

(37) In yet another variant, the bags are packaged into bag packs. The bag packs include at least one stack of bags. The stack is enclosed in a removable outer wrapper.

(38) In a further variant, the bag stacks are packaged into boxes. The boxes are sized and shaped to fit into the dispenser.

(39) In still a further variant, a method of using a bag dispenser, includes the steps of:

providing a bag platform, the platform has a first support surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end;

providing a wall mounting plate, the plate has an upper end, a lower end and a series of apertures penetrating the plate for use in attaching the plate to a vertical surface, the plate is attached orthogonally to the second end of the bag platform;

providing at least one fastener for attaching the plate to the vertical surface; providing at least one side support, the side support extends outwardly from the first and second sides of the bag platform and upwardly from the platform, the at least one side support defining a space sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack of bags;

attaching the wall mounting plate to the vertical surface using the at least one fastener; and

positioning the at least one stack of bags in the dispenser. 40. In a final variant of the invention, the method of using a bag dispenser, includes the further steps of:

providing a dispenser cover, the cover is sized and shaped to extend from the first end to the second end of the bag platform and from at least a first end to at least a second end of the at least one side support; and

securing the dispensing cover over the at least one stack of bags.

An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the cover in the closed position;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the Figure 1 embodiment of the invention with the cover removed;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the Figure 1 embodiment with a mounting spike fixture and mounting spikes attached;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the Figure 3 embodiment with the cover in the open position;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the wall mounting plate and fasteners for attaching the Figure 1 embodiment to a vertical surface; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a loop and eye latching mechanism for the

Figure 1 embodiment;

Figure 7 is an exploded partial perspective view of a bag stack and the mounting spike fixture of the Figure 3 embodiment;

Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of an alternative mounting spike on the mounting spike fixture;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the Figure 3 embodiment with the cover in the open position with a bag stack mounted; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the Figure 3 embodiment with a bag pack containing multiple bag stacks mounted on the dispenser;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the Figure 1 embodiment with a barrier pole attached;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the Figure 1 embodiment with an alternative barrier pole attached;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having an openable end panel, shown in the open position, for use with bag box containers;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the Figure 13 embodiment attached under a counter illustrating the end panel in the closed position;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the Figure 13 embodiment illustrating a magnetic latch for the end panel;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the Figure 13 embodiment illustrating a hook and eye latch for the end panel; Figure 17 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having an openable side panel, shown in the open position, for use with bag box containers;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the Figure 17 embodiment illustrating a magnetic latch for the side panel, shown in the closed position;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the Figure 17 embodiment illustrating a hook and eye latch for the side panel;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of the Figure 3 embodiment illustrating a bag pack having side gussets;

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the Figure 3 embodiment illustrating a bag pack having a bottom gusset;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of a pack of t-shirt style bags for use with the Figure 3 embodiment of the dispenser;

Figure 23 is a perspective view of a pack of header bags having side gussets for use with the Figure 3 embodiment of the dispenser;

Figure 24 is a perspective view of a pack of header bags having bottom gussets for use with the Figure 3 embodiment of the dispenser; and

Figure 25 is a perspective view of the Figure 17 embodiment with a box of bag packs installed.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

(1) Figures 1-8 illustrate a bag dispenser 10 providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. A bag platform 14 is provided. The platform 14 has a first support surface 18, a first side 22, a second side 26, a first end 30 and a second end 34. A wall mounting plate 46 is provided. The plate 46 has an upper end 50, a lower end 54 and a series of apertures 58 penetrating the plate 46 for use in attaching the plate 46 to a vertical surface 62. The plate 46 is attached orthogonally to the second end 34 of the bag platform 14. At least one fastener 66 for attaching the plate 46 to the vertical surface 62 is provided. At least one side support 70 is provided. The side support 70 extends outwardly from the first 22 and second 26 sides of the bag platform 14 and upwardly from the platform 14. The at least one side support 70 defines a space 74 sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack 78 of bags 82.

(2) In a variant of the invention, a dispenser cover 86 is provided. The cover 86 is sized and shaped to extend from the first end 30 to the second end 34 of the bag platform 14 and from at least a first end 90 to at least a second end 94 of the at least one side support 70.

(3) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 5, the bag platform 14 extends downwardly at the second end 34, providing at least one attachment point 98 for the wall mounting plate 46.

(4) In a further variant, as illustrated in Figures 1-4, the at least one side support 70 extends across and attaches to the bag platform 14.

(5) In still another variant, the at least one side support 70 is of wire frame construction.

(6) In yet another variant, as illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the dispenser cover 86 is pivotally attached to the first end 90 of the at least one side support 70. (7) In a further variant, the at least one side support 70 has a latching mechanism 102 adjacent the second end 94 for securing the dispenser cover 86.

(8) In yet a further variant, the dispenser cover 86 is hingedly attached to the at least one side support 70 at the first end 90 of the side support 70.

(9) In still a further variant, as illustrated in Figures 1-4, the dispenser cover 86 has a central aperture 106 permitting either viewing of or access to the stack 78 of bags 82.

(10) In yet a further variant, the dispenser cover 86 has a cutout 110 at one edge 114 for lifting the cover 86.

(11) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 4, the latching mechanism 102 is magnetic.

(12) In still another variant, as illustrated in Figure 6, the latching mechanism 102 comprises loop 104 and eye 108 fittings.

(13) In yet another variant, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, a mounting spike fixture 38 is provided. The mounting spike fixture 38 is attached orthogonally adjacent the platform 14 and has at least one mounting spike 42 extending upwardly from it.

(14) In a further variant, as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, a barrier pole fixture 40 is provided. The barrier pole fixture 40 is attached orthogonally adjacent the platform 14 and has at least one barrier pole 44 extending upwardly from it.

(15) In still a further variant, as illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8, the at least one mounting spike 42 is movably attached to the mounting spike fixture 38.

(16) In yet a further variant, at least one barrier pole 44 is movably attached to the barrier pole fixture 40. (17) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 13-16, an end panel 48 is provided. The end panel 48 is pivotally attached to either of the first 30 and second 34 ends of the bag platform 14.

(18) In still another variant the end panel 48 is maintained in a first, upright position 52 by a latching mechanism 56.

(19) In yet another variant, as illustrated in Figure 15, the latching mechanism 56 is magnetic.

(20) In a further variant, as illustrated in Figure 16, the latching mechanism 56 includes loop 104 and eye 108 fittings.

(21) In still a further variant, the end panel 48 further includes an aperture 60 for access to the at least one stack 78 of bags 82.

(22) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in Figures 17-19, a side panel 64 is provided. The side panel 64 is pivotally attached to at least one of the first and second side supports 70.

(23) In another variant of the invention, the side panel 64 is maintained in a first, upright position 68 by a latching mechanism 72.

(24) In still another variant, as illustrated in Figure 18, the latching mechanism 72 is magnetic.

(25) In yet another variant, as illustrated in Figure 19, the latching mechanism 72 includes loop 104 and eye 108 fittings.

(26) In a further variant, as illustrated in Figures 17-19, the side panel 64 further includes an aperture 76 for access to the at least one stack 72 of bags 82. (27) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 7, 9 and 10, the bag dispenser 10 further includes bags 82 for use in the dispenser 10. The bags 82 include a front wall 118, a back wall 122, first 126 and second 130 parallel linear side edges, a top edge 134 and a bottom edge 138.

(28) In still another variant, as illustrated in Figures 20 and 23, each of the bags 82 includes at least one longitudinally oriented side gusset 80.

(29) In yet another variant, as illustrated in Figures 21 and 24, each of the bags 82 includes a bottom gusset 84.

(30) In a further variant, each of the bags 82 further includes an upper seam 88. The upper seam 88 seals the front wall 118 to the back wall 122 at their respective top edges 134. A U-shaped cut-out 92 is provided. The U-shaped cut-out 92 is located in an upper portion 96 of the bag 82 and commences at a first point 100 along the upper seam 88 spaced inwardly from the first side edge 126 and extends to a second point 104 along the upper seam 88 spaced inwardly from the second side edge 130. The cut-out 92 extends downwardly toward the bottom edges 138, thereby forming an open mouth portion 108 and a pair of bag handles 112.

(31) In still a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 9, the bag dispenser 10 further includes bags 82 for use in the dispenser 10. The bags 82 include a front wall 118, a back wall 122, first 126 and second 130 parallel linear side edges, a top edge 134 and a bottom edge 138. At least one of the front 118 and back 122 walls is removably attached to a header 142. The header 142 extends across at least a portion 146 of at least one of the front 118 and back 122 walls. The header 142 has at least one mounting aperture 150 extending through the header 142 orthogonally and through the bag walls 118, 122. The mounting aperture 150 is sized, shaped and located to permit the bags 82 to be positioned upon the at least one mounting spike 42.

(32) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in Figures 20 and 23, each of the bags 82 includes at least one longitudinally oriented side gusset 80.

(33) In another variant, as illustrated in Figures 21 and 24, each of the bags 82 includes a bottom gusset 84.

(34) In still another variant, as illustrated in Figures 20-24, a plurality of the bags 82 form a bag stack 78.

(35) In yet another variant, as illustrated in Figures 23 and 24, a plurality of the bags 82 attached to the header 142 form a bag stack 78.

(36) In yet another variant, as illustrated in Figure 10, the bags 82 are packaged into bag packs 154. The bag packs 154 includes at least one stack 78 of bags 82, the stack 78 is enclosed in a removable outer wrapper 158.

(37) In yet another variant, as illustrated in Figure 10, the bags 82 are packaged into bag packs 154. The bag packs 154 includes at least one stack 78 of bags 82, the stack

78 is enclosed in a removable outer wrapper 158.

(38) In a further variant, as illustrated in Figure 25, the bag stacks 78 are packaged into boxes 162. The boxes 162 are sized and shaped to fit into the dispenser 10.

(39) In still a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 1-10, a method of using a bag dispenser 10, includes the steps of:

providing a bag platform 14, the platform 14 has a first support surface 18, a first side 22, a second side 26, a first end 30 and a second end 34; providing a wall mounting plate 46, the plate 46 has an upper end 50, a lower end 54 and a series of apertures 58 penetrating the plate 46 for use in attaching the plate 46 to a vertical surface 62, the plate 46 is attached orthogonally to the second end 34 of the bag platform 14;

providing at least one fastener 66 for attaching the plate 46 to the vertical surface providing at least one side support 70, the side support 70 extends outwardly from the first 22 and second 26 sides of the bag platform 14 and upwardly from the platform 14, the at least one side support 70 defining a space 74 sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack 78 of bags 82; attaching the wall mounting plate 46 to the vertical surface 62 using the at least one fastener 66; and

positioning the at least one stack 78 of bags 82 in the dispenser 10. (40) In a final variant of the invention, a method of using a bag dispenser, includes the steps of:

providing a dispenser cover 86, the cover 86 is sized and shaped to extend from the first end 30 to the second end 34 of the bag platform 14 and from at least a first end 90 to at least a second end 94 of the at least one side support 70; and

securing the dispensing cover 86 over the at least one stack 78 of bags 82.

The bag dispensing adapter for a bin 10 and method of using same has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.