CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority of US provisional patent application No. 63/352,508 entitled “BAG DISPENSER” that was filed on June 15, 2022.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] One or more embodiments of the technology relates to bag dispensers, and more particularly to dispensers for dispensing a single bag from a roll of multiple bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0003] Pet dogs need to be walked regularly. It is customary for dog walkers to carry one or more bags so they can pick up after their dogs, to maintain the cleanliness of the neighborhood and promote responsible dog ownership. In order to maximize compliance with this custom, it is desirable to make picking up after one’s dog as convenient as possible.

[0004] Carrying multiple individual bags can be bulky, and there is a risk of running out of bags during the walk. To address this issue, rolls of multiple bags have been made available, with perforations between each of the individual bags. These rolls are compact and can be purchased in bulk packages, thereby ensuring that dog walkers have additional bags on their person. Various types of dispensers are available to hold these rolls and allow the removal of one bag at a time, while maintaining the rest of the roll conveniently wound until needed. However, depending on the design, it can be difficult to load a new roll into the dispenser in such a way that permits convenient removal of a single bag. In addition, it can be difficult to remove only a single bag and tear the perforation without inadvertently unwinding additional bags that are not yet needed. The additional unwound bags hang from the dispenser until they can be used, and can be an inconvenience for the dog walker. In addition, it can be more difficult to separate the unwound bags when they are later needed, because they are no longer rolled up and inside the dispenser.

[0005] There is a need for an improved dispenser for dispensing a single bag from a roll of multiple bags that will overcome at least one of the above-identified drawbacks. SUMMARY

[0006] It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present technology to address at least one drawback in existing bag dispensers.

[0007] It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present technology to provide a bag dispenser that is simple to load with a roll of multiple bags with perforations between each of the individual bags.

[0008] It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present technology to provide a bag dispenser that permits the user to remove a single bag from a perforated roll of bags, without unwinding additional bags from the roll.

[0009] According to a first aspect, there is provided a bag dispenser, comprising: an outer part having a first cylindrical portion, the first cylindrical portion having a first slot for a bag to pass therethrough; an inner part having a second cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a second slot for the bag to pass therethrough; the first cylindrical portion being configured to receive the second cylindrical portion therein when the first slot is at least partially aligned with the second slot, such that the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion are substantially coaxial; and the inner part and the outer part being rotatable relative to each other about the common axis to form an overlapping portion of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion between the first slot and the second slot.

[0010] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the first cylindrical portion has a protrusion on an outer surface thereof for receiving an end of a bag when the bag passes through the first slot and the second slot.

[0011] In accordance with one or more embodiments, one of the inner part and the outer part further comprises a carrying strap connected thereto.

[0012] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the carrying strap is made using a material selected from a group of consisting of silicone and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0013] In accordance with one or more embodiments, rotating the inner part and the outer part relative to each other about the common axis prevents the second cylindrical portion from being removed from within the first cylindrical portion. [0014] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the bag dispenser further includes a locking mechanism to maintain the first slot out of alignment with the second slot.

[0015] In accordance with one or more embodiments, at least one of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion is shaped to prevent the first cylindrical portion from receiving the second cylindrical portion therein unless the first slot is at least partially aligned with the second slot.

[0016] According to a broad aspect, there is disclosed, a kit comprising a bag dispenser having an outer part having a first cylindrical portion, the first cylindrical portion having a first slot for a bag to pass therethrough; an inner part having a second cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a second slot for the bag to pass therethrough; the first cylindrical portion being configured to receive the second cylindrical portion therein when the first slot is at least partially aligned with the second slot, such that the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion are substantially coaxial; and the inner part and the outer part being rotatable relative to each other about the common axis to form an overlapping portion of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion between the first slot and the second slot; and at least one roll of bags.

[0017] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the first cylindrical portion has a protrusion on an outer surface thereof for receiving an end of a bag when the bag passes through the first slot and the second slot.

[0018] In accordance with one or more embodiments, one of the inner part and the outer part further comprises a carrying strap connected thereto.

[0019] In accordance with one or more embodiments, rotating the inner part and the outer part relative to each other about the common axis prevents the second cylindrical portion from being removed from within the first cylindrical portion.

[0020] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the bag dispenser further includes a locking mechanism to maintain the first slot out of alignment with the second slot.

[0021] In accordance with one or more embodiments, at least one of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion is shaped to prevent the first cylindrical portion from receiving the second cylindrical portion therein unless the first slot is at least partially aligned with the second slot.

[0022] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the outer part and the inner part are made of molded plastic.

[0023] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the carrying strap comprises two fasteners which when fastened together form a loop.

[0024] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the outer part comprises an aperture, further wherein the carrying strap comprises a base portion larger than the aperture such that the carrying strap is secured to the outer part by inserting the carrying strap in the aperture.

[0025] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the locking means is formed of at least one protrusion and at least one corresponding channel sized and shaped for receiving the at least one corresponding protrusion when the first cylindrical portion receives the second cylindrical portion and for locking the first cylindrical portion with respect to the second cylindrical portion to maintain the first slot out of alignment with the second slot; and wherein the at least one protrusion is either located on the outer part when the at least one corresponding channel is located on the inner part or on the inner part when the at least one corresponding channel is located on the outer part of the bag dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Having thus generally described the nature of the technology, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration example embodiments thereof and in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bag dispenser according to an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the bag dispenser of Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the bag dispenser of Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 4 is an elevation view of the bag dispenser of Figure 1 ; [0032] Figure 5 is a top view of the bag dispenser of Figure 1 ;

[0032] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bag dispenser of Figure 1 , taken along the line A-A in Figure 5;

[0033] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the bag dispenser of Figure 1, taken along the line B-B in Figure 4; and

[0034] Figure 8 is a top view of the inner part of the bag dispenser of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Referring generally to Figures 1-8, a bag dispenser 100 has an outer part 102 and an inner part 104. It will be appreciated that the outer part 102 and the inner part 104 may be made of various suitable materials. In one or more embodiments, the outer part 102 and the inner part 104 are made of molded plastic.

[0036] The outer part 102 has a cylindrical portion 106, also referred to as a first cylindrical portion, with a slot 108 formed therein. The function of the slot 108 will be described below.

[0037] It will be appreciated that in one or more embodiments the outer part 102 may optionally have a strap 110, also referred to as a carrying strap, attachable thereto for ease of carrying. In one or more other embodiments, the strap 110 is fixedly mounted on the outer part 102 of the bag dispenser.

[0038] It will be appreciated that the strap 110 may be made of various materials. In one or more embodiments, the strap 110 is made of any suitable material, such as silicone, or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). It is contemplated that other materials may also or instead be used, such as rope, any elastic material, any fabric, or Velcro™ in one or more alternative embodiments.

[0039] The strap 110 may optionally have a fastener 112 disposed thereon, which is connectable to a corresponding fastener 114 on another portion of the strap 110. When fastened, the fasteners 112, 114 may form a loop that can be easily gripped by a person’s hand or tied around a dog leash or on any other suitable location, to conveniently hold or carry the bag dispenser 100. It should be understood that any suitable design may be used for the fasteners 112, 114, or that the strap 110 may instead be formed as a loop. [0040] Now referring to Figures 2 and 3, the strap 110 is shown to be removably attached to the outer part 102, by inserting the strap 110 through an aperture 116 in the outer part 102. The strap 110 includes a base portion 118 that is too large to pass through the aperture 116, thereby retaining the strap 110 in position when the bag dispenser 100 is assembled. It should be understood that the strap 110 may be removably attached or attachable to the outer part 102 by any suitable means, or permanently attached thereto. It should be understood that the strap 110 may instead be removably or permanently attached to any suitable surface of the inner part 104 that is accessible when the bag dispenser 100 is assembled. It should be understood that a clip or any other suitable fastener may be substituted for the strap 110, or that the strap 110 may be omitted. The outer part 102 has one or more protrusions 120 on an inner surface 122 thereof, the function of which will be described below in further detail.

[0041] The inner part 104 has a cylindrical portion 124, also referred to as a second cylindrical portion, with a slot 126 formed therein. The function of the slot 126 will be described below. The cylindrical portion 124 of the inner part 104 has one or more channels 128 formed therein, equal in number to the protrusions 120, for receiving the protrusions 120 when the cylindrical portion 124 of the inner part 104 is received inside the cylindrical portion 106 of the outer part 102 to assemble the bag dispenser 100. It should be understood that the protrusions 120 may instead be formed on the inner part 104, in which case the channels 128 would be formed on the outer part 102. The protrusions 120 and the channels 128 cooperate to form a connector, known as a bayonet connector, for maintaining the bag dispenser 100 in the assembled state with the cylindrical portion 124 inside the cylindrical portion 106, as will be described below. It will be appreciated that the bayonet connector is an embodiment of a locking means used for maintaining the first slot out of alignment with the second slot. It should be understood that any other suitable mechanism may alternatively be used to maintain the bag dispenser 100 in the assembled state.lt will be therefore appreciated that in one or more embodiments, the locking means is formed of at least one protrusion and at least one corresponding channel sized and shaped for receiving the at least one corresponding protrusion when the first cylindrical portion receives the second cylindrical portion and for locking the first cylindrical portion with respect to the second cylindrical portion to maintain the first slot out of alignment with the second slot. It will be further appreciated that the at least one protrusion is either located on the outer part 102 of the bag dispenser 100 when the at least one corresponding channel is located on the inner part 104 of the bag dispenser 100 or on the inner part 104 of the bag dispenser 100 when the at least one corresponding channel is located on the outer part 102 of the bag dispenser 100.

[0042] To assemble the bag dispenser 100 for use, a roll of bags 130 is first inserted into the cylindrical portion 124 of the inner part 104, such that the roll of bags 130 is substantially coaxial with the cylindrical portion 124, and one bag 132 of the roll of bags 130 extends through the slot 126. It will be appreciated that the slot 126 may optionally have a wider portion at the top (best seen in Figure 6) for a user to more easily insert the bag 132 into the slot 126. The inner part 104 may optionally have an axial protrusion 134 thereon (Figure 8) to help align the center of the roll of bags 130 in the proper position.

[0043] Next, the inner part 104 is inserted into the outer part 102, such that the cylindrical portion 124 is received inside the cylindrical portion 106. The cylindrical portions 106, 124 are substantially coaxial in this configuration, for reasons which will be explained below. It will be appreciated that during the insertion step, the slot 126 is aligned with the slot 108 of the outer part 102, such that the bag 132 now extends through both slots 108, 126. The protrusions 120 and the channels 128 may provide an alignment function by only permitting the cylindrical portion 124 to be inserted into the cylindrical portion 106 when the protrusions 120 are aligned with the channels 128, thereby also requiring the slots 108, 126 to be aligned. If the slots 108, 126 are not aligned, the protrusions 120 and the channels 128 will not be aligned, thereby preventing the assembly of the bag dispenser 100.

[0044] Once the cylindrical portion 124 is fully inserted in the cylindrical portion 106, the outer part 102 is rotated relative to the inner part 104 so that the protrusions 120 enter the end portion 136 of the channels 128. Each end portion 136 may have a locking tab 138 to retain the protrusion 120, and thereby maintain the bag dispenser 100 in the closed position. In the closed position, the slots 108, 126 are out of alignment, creating an overlapping portion 140 between the slots 108, 126. This configuration is best seen in Figure 7. The bag 132 now passes between the cylindrical portions 106, 124 in the overlapping portion 140 between the slot 126 and the slot 108. Because the cylindrical portions 106, 124 are radially close together in the overlapping portion 140, there is limited space between them for the bag 132. When a user wishes to retrieve a 132 bag from the bag dispenser 100 for use, the user pulls on the free end of the bag 132. The tight space in the overlapping portion 140 resists the movement of the bag 132. Once the bag 132 is completely outside the bag dispenser, and the next bag is in the overlapping portion 140, the resistance created by the overlapping portion 140 generates a sufficient tension to prevent the roll of bags 130 from easily unraveling when the user attempts to retrieve a single bag 132, such that that the bag 132 can be easily detached from the next bag by tearing the perforation between the bags. This leaves the end of the next bag protruding from the bag dispenser 100, where it can be accessed when the user desires another bag. The used bag may be held by the protruding hook 142 until it can be properly disposed of, for the convenience of the user.

[0045] Optionally, and in one or more embodiments, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 106, or the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 124, or both, has a non-uniform thickness, including one or more areas of reduced thickness 144. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the area of reduced thickness 144 is shown on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 124. In this embodiment, when the bag dispenser 100 is in the closed position, the area of reduced thickness 144 is aligned with the overlapping portion 140 between the slots 108, 126. The area of reduced thickness 144 in the overlapping portion 140 provides enough space to accommodate the bag 132 that passes through the slots 108, 126, while still applying sufficient tension on the roll of bags 130 when the user attempts to retrieve a bag 132 from the bag dispenser 100. The rest of the cylindrical portions 106, 124 are of a sufficient thickness to maintain their axial alignment, permit the relative axial rotation of the outer part 102 and the inner part 104, and maintain the bag dispenser 100 in the closed position.

[0046] When the bag dispenser 100 is in the closed position, with a roll of bags 130 properly installed, the bag dispenser 100 enables the user to remove a single bag 132 from the roll, and leaves the next bag exposed through the slot 108 so that the user can grasp the next bag when needed. As a result, in some embodiments the bag dispenser makes it convenient for a user to remove one bag at a time from a roll, while carrying the remainder of the roll for later use. This may increase the likelihood of the user picking up after the user’s dog, and make dog walking an even more pleasant experience.

[0047] There is also disclosed a kit. The kit comprises a bag dispenser having an outer part having a first cylindrical portion, the first cylindrical portion having a first slot for a bag to pass therethrough; an inner part having a second cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a second slot for the bag to pass therethrough; the first cylindrical portion being configured to receive the second cylindrical portion therein when the first slot is at least partially aligned with the second slot, such that the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion are substantially coaxial; and the inner part and the outer part being rotatable relative to each other about the common axis to form an overlapping portion of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion between the first slot and the second slot; and at least one roll of bags.

[0048] In one or more embodiments of the kit, the first cylindrical portion has a protrusion on an outer surface thereof for receiving an end of a bag when the bag passes through the first slot and the second slot.

[0049] In one or more embodiments of the kit, one of the inner part and the outer part further comprises a carrying strap connected thereto.

[0050] In one or more embodiments of the kit, rotating the inner part and the outer part relative to each other about the common axis prevents the second cylindrical portion from being removed from within the first cylindrical portion.

[0051] In one or more embodiments of the kit, the bag dispenser further comprises a locking mechanism to maintain the first slot out of alignment with the second slot.

In one or more embodiments of the kit, at least one of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion is shaped to prevent the first cylindrical portion from receiving the second cylindrical portion therein unless the first slot is at least partially aligned with the second slot.

[0052] The embodiments described above are intended to be examples only.