Patent Application
20120305618
This invention relates to the field of plastic and other film bag storage and dispensing and more specifically to bag dispensers adapted to attach to a horizontal surface or a vertical surface using an existing wall mounted bin.
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. Toward this end, some supermarket chains have developed standardized plastic bins that are installed into vertical and some horizontal surfaces. These bins are designed to accommodate a horizontal rod on which a large roll of produce bags is rotatably suspended. The present invention makes use of these standardized bins to make available larger stores of produce or merchandise bags to the shopping customer and checkout personnel.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,075, issued to Kannankeril, discloses a pivoting arm bag dispenser and bag dispensing system. This reference discloses a dispenser for serially dispensing plastic bags from a wound roll of plastic bags mounted around a core. The dispenser is a wire frame structure with a roll restraining means comprising side rails to prevent axial movement of bags roll. The roll of bags is rolled onto a hollow plastic core with a passageway therethrough that receives the U-shaped axial portion of the pivotable arm. The arm may be moved from a roll mounting position to a bag dispensing position. A tongue or double tongue is provided to assist in bag separation. The dispenser has a support member with a plurality of mounting holes which allows dispenser to be secured to a vertical wall or mounted to a support system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,721, issued to Guido et al. is directed to a flexible web dispenser of a wire frame type that provides for the mounting of a roll of plastic bags and the dispensing of individual bags from that roll. The dispenser includes an outer frame and an inner frame that pivots within the outer frame so that the plastic bag to be dispensed may be pivoted into position from a loading position allowing the webbing jaws to draw together in a clamping action so as to frictionally engage the plastic web prior to the removal of an individual bag. The wire frame structure of the dispenser restricts the lateral motion of the roll of plastic bags and thus provides for the restraining of the roll for convenience and dispensing bags from said roll.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,514, issued to Huang et al. discloses a swing-arm bagging rack for supporting multiple styles of packs of plastic bags. The structure of the dispenser is of the wire frame type used to dispense plastic bags from a roll or a plurality of rolls of plastic bags with a swinging arm structure. Uprights may be fixed to the arm portion and comprise a short section of rod with a slightly enlarged head.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,898, issued to Benoit et al. is directed to a bag holding, dispensing, loading and discharge system. A clamp member is provided on a bar along with an upwardly-extending protrusion which provides a lock-like structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,460, issued to Nook et al. is directed to a security system for dispensing racks illustrating a latching structure for a dispenser rack.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,591,405, 7,424,963, and 7,270,256, issued to Daniels illustrate wire frame structures for roll mounted plastic bags.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,125, issued to Bateman discloses a flexible dispenser for film bags.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0128465, published for Wilfong is directed to a recessed dispenser for plastic bags that may provide for more than one pack of plastic bags in a single dispenser.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a compact system for dispensing plastic produce bags or merchandise bags. It is another objective to provide such dispensers that can be mounted to an adapter that can be removably installed in standardized plastic bins provided by grocery store owners. It is still another objective to provide such a system that can store an increased number of relatively large produce or merchandise bags in the standardized bin. It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a dispenser system that provides a visual indication when the bag pack needs to be replaced. It is a further objective to provide such a system that can be easily fabricated from existing dispenser and other mechanical components. It is yet a further objective to provide a dispenser system that cannot be loaded incorrectly. Finally, it is an objective of the present invention to provide such a system that 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.
The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art dispensers for roll mounted film bags and satisfies all of the objectives described above.
(1) A clamshell dispenser for roll mounted film bags providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A planar base is provided. The base is sized and shaped to fit beneath a roll of film bags and has a first side and a second side. At least one first side travel limiter is provided. The first side limiter is attached to the planar base adjacent the first side and limits movement of the roll of film bags toward the first side. At least one second side travel limiter is provided. The second side limiter is attached to the planar base adjacent the second side and limits movement of the roll of film bags toward the second side.
A retaining bracket is provided. The retaining bracket is hingedly mounted adjacent a front edge of the planar base and is sized and shaped to prevent the roll of film bags from moving outwardly from the dispenser when the bracket is located in a first, upper position. The retaining bracket is movable to a second, lower position for introduction of the roll into the dispenser. An upward facing snagging hook is provided. The snagging hook is sized and shaped to engage either a chisel cut or a perforation in a film bag from the roll of film bags as the bag is withdrawn from the dispenser.
(2) In a variant of the invention, a bag roll tray is provided. The bag roll tray is sized and shaped to fit between the at least one first side travel limiter and the at least one second side travel limiter and has a trough shaped to accept a lower surface of a bag roll. The roll decreases in diameter through removal of bags. The bag roll tray stabilizes the roll in the dispenser.
(3) In another variant, a latching mechanism is provided. The latching mechanism secures the retaining bracket in the first upper position.
(4) In yet another variant, the latching mechanism includes a protruding tab and a latch. The tab is affixed to the retaining bracket. The latch is pivotally mounted to one of the at least one first side travel limiter or the at least one second side travel limiter. The latch has a notch. The notch is sized and shaped to removably engage the protruding tab.
(5) In still another variant, the retaining bracket further includes a spring. The spring urges the bracket toward the first, upper position.
(6) In yet another variant, a bag stream guide is provided. The guide is attached to the retaining bracket.
(7) In a further variant, a second, downward facing snagging hook is provided. The second hook is attached to the retaining bracket.
(8) In still a further variant, the planar base is attached to a fixture for mounting to a horizontal surface.
(9) In yet a further variant, the planar base is attached to a fixture for mounting to either of a vertical or angled surface.
(10) In another variant of the invention, the planar base further includes at least one aperture for mounting the base to a fixture.
(11) In still another variant, the retaining bracket is curved to reduce a height of the dispenser.
(12) In yet another variant, at least one of the at least one first side travel limiter and at least one the at least one second side travel limiter is curved to reduce a height of the dispenser.
(13) In a further variant, a rearward motion limiter is provided. The rearward motion limiter is attached to the planar base.
(14) In still a further variant, the rearward motion limiter is a member that extends upwardly from a point adjacent a rear edge of the planar base.
(15) In yet a further variant, at least one of the at least one first side travel limiter and the at least one second side travel limiter is curved outwardly from either of the first side and the second side of the planar base, respectively, to assist in insertion of the roll of film bags.
(16) In another variant of the invention, at least one upper end of the retaining bracket is curved outwardly from a center of the planar base to assist in insertion of the roll of film bags into the dispenser.
(17) In still another variant, an upper end of the rearward motion limiter is curved outwardly from the rear edge of the planar base to assist in insertion of the roll of film bags into the dispenser.
(18) An adapter for a bin includes a support enclosure bin for a roll of film bags. The bin has a half round cylindrical wall and first and second vertical side walls. A supporting rim is provided. The rim is located orthogonally to front edges of the side walls and upper and lower edges of the cylindrical wall and has spaced apertures for mounting the bin to a surface. The surface has an opening sized and shaped to permit passage of outer surfaces of the walls but not the supporting rim. The vertical side walls have first and second integral channels. The channels provide an entry point and support for a rod. The rod is sized and shaped to support the roll of bags in the channels. The adapter includes first and second bag dispensers for vertically folded roll mounted film bags. Each of the dispensers has a planar base. The base is sized and shaped to fit beneath a roll of the film bags and is mounted to a fixture. The fixture includes a planar surface. The surface is sized and shaped to fit at least partially within the bin.
A first axle is provided. The first axle is mounted orthogonally adjacent a first side edge of the fixture. A second axle is provided. The second axle is mounted orthogonally adjacent a second side edge of the fixture. The first axle is mounted coaxially with the second axle. First and second positioning wheels are provided. The positioning wheels are mounted to the first and second axles and are located to slidably engage the first and second integral channels with a bottom surface of the fixture located adjacent a lower portion of the cylindrical wall of the bin.
(19) In a variant of the invention, the dispensers further include at least one aperture penetrating the planar base for mounting the base to the fixture.
(20) In another variant, the dispensers further include at least one first side travel limiter. The first side limiter is attached to the planar base adjacent the first side and limits movement of the roll of film bags toward the first side. At least one second side travel limiter is provided. The second side limiter is attached to the planar base adjacent the second side and limits movement of the roll of film bags toward the second side. A retaining bracket is provided. The retaining bracket is hingedly mounted adjacent a front edge of the planar base and is sized and shaped to prevent the roll of film bags from moving outwardly from the dispenser when the bracket is located in a first, upper position. The retaining bracket is movable to a second, lower position for introduction of the roll into the dispenser. An upward facing snagging hook is provided. The snagging hook is sized and shaped to engage either a chisel cut or a perforation in a film bag from the roll of film bags as the bag is withdrawn from the dispenser.
(21) In still another variant, the dispensers further include a bag roll tray. The bag roll tray is a sized and shaped to fit between the at least one first side travel limiter and the at least one second side travel limiter. The bag roll tray has a trough shaped to accept a lower surface of a bag roll. As the roll decreases in diameter through removal of bags, the bag roll tray stabilizes the roll on the dispenser.
(22) In a further variant, the dispensers further include a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism secures the retaining bracket in the first upper position.
(23) In yet another variant, the latching mechanism includes a protruding tab and a latch. The tab is affixed to the retaining bracket. The latch is pivotally mounted to one of the at least one first side travel limiter or the at least one second side travel limiter. The latch has a notch. The notch is sized and shaped to removably engage the protruding tab.
(24) In a further variant, the retaining bracket further includes a spring. The spring urges the bracket toward the first, upper position.
(25) In still a further variant, the dispensers further include a bag stream guide. The guide is attached to the retaining bracket.
(26) In yet a further variant, the dispensers further include a second, downward facing snagging hook. The second hook is attached to the retaining bracket.
(27) In another variant of the invention, the retaining bracket is curved to reduce a height of the dispenser.
(28) In still another variant, at least one of the at least one first side travel limiter and at least one of the at least one second side travel limiter is curved to reduce a height of the dispenser.
(29) In yet another variant, the dispensers further include a rearward motion limiter. The rearward motion limiter is attached to the planar base.
(30) In a further variant, the rearward motion limiter is a member that extends upwardly from a point adjacent a rear edge of the planar base.
(31) In still a further variant, a bracket is provided. The bracket is sized and shaped to secure the adapter to the bin.
(32) In a final variant of the invention, the bracket is an angled, rigid member sized and shaped to bear upon an upper surface of the fixture.
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.
(1)
A retaining bracket 42 is provided. The retaining bracket 42 is hingedly mounted adjacent a front edge 46 of the planar base 14 and is sized and shaped to prevent the roll 18 of film bags 22 from moving outwardly from the dispenser 10 when the bracket 42 is located in a first, upper position 50. The retaining bracket 42 is movable to a second, lower position 54 for introduction of the roll 18 into the dispenser 10. An upward facing snagging hook 62 is provided. The snagging hook 62 is sized and shaped to engage either a chisel cut 66 or a perforation 70 in a film bag 22 from the roll 18 of film bags 22 as the bag 22 is withdrawn from the dispenser 10, as illustrated in
(2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in
(3) In another variant, a latching mechanism 58 is provided. The latching mechanism 58 secures the retaining bracket 42 in the first upper position 50.
(4) In yet another variant, the latching mechanism 58 includes a protruding tab 82 and a latch 86. The tab 82 is affixed to the retaining bracket 42. The latch 86 is pivotally mounted to one of the at least one first side travel limiter 34 or the at least one second side travel limiter 38. The latch 86 has a notch 90. The notch 90 is sized and shaped to removably engage the protruding tab 82.
(5) In still another variant, as illustrated in
(6) In yet another variant, as illustrated in
(7) In a further variant, as illustrated in
(8) In still a further variant, as illustrated in
(9) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in
(10) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in
(11) In still another variant, the retaining bracket 42 is curved to reduce a height 130 of the dispenser 10.
(12) In yet another variant, at least one of the at least one first side travel limiter 34 and at least one the at least one second side travel limiter 38 is curved to reduce a height 130 of the dispenser 10.
(13) In a further variant, as illustrated in
(14) In still a further variant, the rearward motion limiter 134 extends upwardly from a point 142 adjacent a rear edge 146 of the planar base 14.
(15) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in
(16) In another variant of the invention, at least one upper end 150 of the retaining bracket 42 is curved outwardly from a center 154 of the planar base 14 to assist in insertion of the roll 18 of film bags 22 into the dispenser 10.
(17) In still another variant, as illustrated in
(18) As illustrated in
A first axle 226 is provided. The first axle 226 is mounted orthogonally adjacent a first side edge 230 of the fixture 106. A second axle 234 is provided. The second axle 234 is mounted orthogonally adjacent a second side edge 238 of the fixture 106. The first axle 226 is mounted coaxially with the second axle 234. First 242 and second 246 positioning wheels are provided. The positioning wheels 242, 246 are mounted to the first 226 and second 234 axles and are located to slidably engage the first 206 and second 210 integral channels with a bottom surface 250 of the fixture 106 located adjacent a lower portion 254 of the cylindrical wall 170 of the bin 166.
(19) In a variant of the invention, the dispensers 10 further include at least one aperture 126 penetrating the planar base 14 for mounting the base 14 to the fixture 106.
(20) In another variant, the dispensers 10 further include at least one first side travel limiter 34. The first side limiter 34 is attached to the planar base 14 adjacent the first side 26 and limits movement of the roll 18 of film bags 22 toward the first side 26. At least one second side travel limiter 38 is provided. The second side limiter 38 is attached to the planar base 14 adjacent the second side 30 and limits movement of the roll 18 of film bags 22 toward the second side 30.
A retaining bracket 42 is provided. The retaining bracket 42 is hingedly mounted adjacent a front edge 46 of the planar base 14 and is sized and shaped to prevent the roll 18 of film bags 22 from moving outwardly from the dispenser 10 when the bracket 42 is located in a first, upper position 50. The retaining bracket 42 is movable to a second, lower position 54 for introduction of the roll 18 into the dispenser 10. An upward facing snagging hook 62 is provided. The snagging hook 62 is sized and shaped to engage either a chisel cut 66 or a perforation 70 in a film bag 22 from the roll 18 of film bags 22 as the bag 22 is withdrawn from the dispenser 10.
(21) In still another variant, the dispensers further include a bag roll tray 74. The bag roll tray 74 is sized and shaped to fit between the at least one first side travel limiter 34 and the at least one second side travel limiter 38 and has a trough 40 shaped to accept a lower surface 78 of a bag roll 18. As the roll 18 decreases in diameter through removal of bags 22, the bag roll tray 74 stabilizes the roll 18 in the dispenser.
(22) In a further variant, the dispensers further include a latching mechanism 58 is provided. The latching mechanism 58 secures the retaining bracket 42 in the first upper position 50.
(23) In yet another variant, the latching mechanism 58 includes a protruding tab 82 and a latch 86. The tab 82 is affixed to the retaining bracket 42. The latch 86 is pivotally mounted to one of the at least one first side travel limiter 34 or the at least one second side travel limiter 38. The latch 86 has a notch 90. The notch 90 is sized and shaped to removably engage the protruding tab 82.
(24) In a further variant, the retaining bracket 42 further includes a spring 94. The spring 94 urges the bracket 42 toward the first, upper position 50.
(25) In still a further variant, the dispensers 10 further include a bag stream guide 98. The guide 98 is attached to the retaining bracket 42.
(26) In yet a further variant, the dispensers 10 further include a second, downward facing snagging hook 92. The second hook 92 is attached to the retaining bracket 42.
(27) In another variant of the invention, the retaining bracket 42 is curved to reduce a height 130 of the dispenser 10.
(28) In still another variant, at least one of the at least one first side travel limiter 34 and at least one the at least one second side travel limiter 38 is curved to reduce a height 130 of the dispenser 10.
(29) In yet another variant, as illustrated in
(30) In a further variant, the rearward motion limiter 134 extends upwardly from a point 142 adjacent a rear edge 146 of the planar base 14.
(31) In still a further variant, as illustrated in
(32) In a final variant of the invention, the bracket 258 is an angled, rigid member 262 sized and shaped to bear upon an upper surface 266 of the fixture 106.
The clamshell dispenser for roll mounted film bags 10 and adapter for a bin 162 have 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.
