Dispenser bag container and dispenser rack

Abstract

A bag container dispenser includes a bag container. The container is formed of resilient material and has a bottom, a top, first and second sides, a front, a back and a removable access panel. The access panel has a top segment that includes a portion of the top and a connected front segment. The front segment has a height that extends from the bottom to the top. Stacked bags are sized and shaped to fit within the bag container. Each of the bags has a front wall, a back wall, an open top and a closure mechanism. The bags are dispensable from the container through an opening provided by removal of the access panel which may have a removable cover. A dispenser rack has a horizontal platform sized and shaped to support the bag container. Peripheral guards extend upward from the platform and constrain movement of the container during dispensing.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of dispensing systems for plastic and other film bags and more specifically to dispensers for stacked bags in dispenser containers and dispenser racks for such containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sandwiches and similar food items are usually created for customer orders while the customers wait for their meal, often standing in line at the time. For sanitary reasons, these meals are usually delivered in closable film bags. These bags must be maintained in an orderly and sanitary dispensing facility for the food service institution to function safely and efficiently. The present invention addresses the handling of such closable bags in the tight quarters often associated with such establishments. Similar bags are also used by the customer for self-packing bulk items such as candy, cookies and pet food.

It has been found that stacking the bags allows for easy dispensing while helping to keep the bags clean. Toward this end, the present invention provides for sealed dispensing containers with a tear-away panel providing an opening through which the bags are dispensed. In an alternative embodiment the panel has been torn away and the opening is covered with plastic. In still another embodiment, the plastic covering may be removed in stages to keep the remaining bags fresh and clean. The bags could also be stacked in a vertical configuration in a box sized and shaped accordingly. The bags could also be stacked in a sleeve instead of a box. In order to maintain the dispensing container in user convenient locations, various types of rack mountings have been developed for the bag dispenser container that will effectively grip the dispensing container and position it conveniently at a convenient height while being securely mounted to a floor, counter wall or other convenient surface. An adjustable angle support version of the dispenser is also provided. The invention also contemplates permanently installed or built-in rack style dispensers.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2012/0279037, published for Thomas et al., discloses systems of reclosable storage bag refills for a dispensing container. The types of bags involved include those in which the bag closure comprises two elements mechanically engaging one another to form the closure element. These are commonly referred to as zippered plastic bags with one trade name being that of Johnson & Son, Inc. Ziplock® bags. These bags are commonly dispensed from a box such which provides an opening at the top and side of the box so that the bags may be dispensed one at a time from a stack. This reference provides an example of a particular box which has been designed to receive a variety of sizes of the zippered plastic bags.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,476, issued to Herrington, Jr., is directed to a plastic bag dispenser providing a box like container with rupturable lines extending along a top and an adjacent solid edge which when ruptured provides an opening in the dispenser of the corner of the top and adjacent side to facilitate removal of folded bags. The bags are folded in thirds along parallel fold lines and individually inserted into the box to facilitate the dispensing of one bag at a time while leaving the remaining bags in the stack untouched. When the individual bags are forward the bags may be removed one at a time from the “dispenser” box.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,800, issued to Nocek, illustrates to a dispenser for plastic bags wherein the container or box is perforated so as to have an opening at the top and adjacent side for removal of one bag at a time. The bags are stacked within a container and each lead bag has a trailing end connected by a line of weakened resistance to the leading end of the trailing bag so that when the first bag in removed only a slight force against the edges of the containing box causes the bags to separate and individual bags to be dispensed.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2015/00883677, published for Tan, is directed to a bag dispenser rack that incorporates mounting spikes and pivotally mounted support surface to keep the bags in order, while providing for dispensing of individual bags from a pack with the following bag brought conveniently into open configuration for use thereafter.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,570, issued to DeMatteis, illustrates a dispenser of plastic bags which provides for the removal of one bag from the stack within the container while the remaining bags are left untouched within the box.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,657, issued to Geyer, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,909, issued to Bateman, disclose bag dispensers and show methods by which stacked bags are contained within a container yet with a provision for resistance so that one bag may be removed without disturbing the remaining bags in the stack.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,944, issued to Sherr, is directed to dispensers for plastic bags and specifically for plastic bags of the reclosable type. Each of these dispensers have an opening at the bottom of the plastic outer container wherein a single plastic bag may be grasped and removed from the enclosed stack so that every single reclosable plastic bag may be dispensed one at a time without disturbing the remaining bags.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a bag dispensing system that provides deli slider and similar bags that are dispensed from a system that occupies a minimum of floor space in a retail store. It is a further objective to provide a system that does not require roll mounted bags. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a dispensing system adaptable to a variety of different mountings. It is yet a further objective to provide such a system that provides a visual indication of the need to refill the dispenser. It is still a further objective to provide a dispenser that can accommodate multiple bag sizes. Finally, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a bag dispensing system that is durable, inexpensive, easy to keep clean and simple to use.

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 deli slider bag box inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above.

(1) A bag container dispenser providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A bag container is provided. The bag container is formed of resilient or flexible material and has a bottom, a top, first and second sides, a front and a back. The container has at least one removable access panel. The access panel includes a top segment and a front segment. The top segment includes a portion of the top and is connected to the front segment. The front segment has a height. The height extends from the bottom to the top. Removal of the access panel forms an opening member in the top and an opening member in the front. A plurality of stacked bags is provided. The bags are sized and shaped to fit within the bag container, each of the bags has a front wall, a back wall, an open top and a closure mechanism. The bags are dispensable from the bag container through the opening members. Upon removal of the access panel from the bag container a container closure mechanism is attached by a user to the bag container. The container closure mechanism is sized and shaped to removably close the opening members in the top and the front of the bag container. Similar bags are also used by customers for self-packing bulk items such as candy, cookies and pet food. The bags may be stacked in a vertical configuration in a container sized and shaped accordingly. The bags may be stacked in a sleeve of flexible material.

(2) In a variant of the invention, a dispenser rack is provided. The rack has a horizontal platform. The platform is sized and shaped to support the bag container. First and second side guards and front and rear guards are provided. The guards extend orthogonally upward from the platform and are adapted to constrain movement of the bag container. The front guard providing an open space adapted to align with the opening members. A rack support is provided. The support is attached to a lower surface of the horizontal platform and adapted to maintain the platform at a first pre-determined height and to provide attachment to a surface.

The rack has a horizontal platform. The platform is sized and shaped to support the bag container. First and second side guards and a rear guard are provided. The guards extend orthogonally upward from the platform and are adapted to constrain movement of the bag container. The rack has an open front end. The front end provides access to the opening. A restraining device is provided. The device prevents the container from moving in a direction of dispensing on the horizontal platform as bags are withdrawn from the bag container.

(3) In another variant, the bag container is formed from material selected from the group that includes cardboard, paperboard, plastic, and metal foil.

(4) In still another variant, the removable access panel is attached to the container with a perforation.

(5) In yet another variant, the plurality of stacked bags have a closure mechanism that includes a foldable top flap. The top flap is adapted to close the bag.

(6) In a further variant, the plurality of stacked bags has a closure mechanism that includes a pair of parallel tracks. The tracks are adapted to be pressed together to close the bag.

(7) In still a further variant, the plurality of stacked bags has a closure mechanism that includes a pair of parallel tracks. The tracks are adapted to be pressed together using a sliding clip, the clip is slidably secured to the tracks.

(8) In yet a further variant, the restraining device comprises a raised lip. The lip is located adjacent a distal end of the bag container when the container is located in the dispenser rack. The lip extends across at least a portion of the open front end.

(9) In another variant of the invention, the dispenser rack is of wire form construction.

(10) In still another variant, the dispenser rack is formed of wood, plastic or metal.

(11) In yet another variant, the restraining device comprises a pivoting restraining arm. The arm is located to urge the bag container in a rearward direction when the arm is in a retaining position and located to permit removal of the bag container when the arm is in an open position. Movement of the pivoting restraining arm being limited to the retaining position by a lower control pin and limited to the open position by an upper control pin, the upper and lower control pins being affixed to at least one of the first and second side guards.

(12) In a further variant, the restraining device includes any of an elastic cord, spring, wire, or cord, said device is located across a distal end of the bag container when the container is located within the dispenser.

(13) In still a further variant, the container closure mechanism is a flexible closure flap. The flap is sized and shaped to removably close the opening members in the top and the front of the bag container. The flap extends from the top of the bag container down the front of the bag container to the bottom of the bag container. The flap is removably attached only along an upper edge of the flap and is affixed to the top so as to hang over the opening members, thereby protecting said container from contamination.

(14) In yet a further variant, the flexible closure flap is attached to the container using an attachment mechanism selected from the group comprising glue, adhesive coatings, tape, staples, tacks, and piercings.

(15) In another variant of the invention, the mechanism is a flexible closure portion. The portion is sized and shaped to removably close the opening in the container. The portion is attached along first and second side edges of the portion. The portion is affixed to sides of the opening. The portion has at least one perforation extending from the first side edge to the second side edge. The perforation permits partial removal of the portion to permit access to a first stacked number of the bags while protecting a remainder of the bags from contamination.

(16) In still another variant, the flexible closure portion is attached to the container using an attachment mechanism selected from the group comprising glue, adhesive coatings, tape, staples, tacks, and piercings.

(17) In yet another variant of the invention, the mechanism is a flexible closure segment. The segment is sized and shaped to removably close the opening in the container. The segment is attached along first and second side edges of the segment and is affixed to sides of the opening. The segment has at least one perforation extending from a point adjacent a top edge of the segment to a point adjacent a bottom edge of the segment. The perforation has at least one orthogonal cut. The cut extends for a first pre-determined distance on at least one side of the perforation. The cut adapts the perforation to be opened in stages, thereby minimizing contamination of bags dispensed through the opening.

(18) In a further variant, the flexible closure segment is attached to the container using an attachment mechanism selected from the group comprising glue, adhesive coatings, tape, staples, tacks, and piercings.

(19) In still a further variant, the bags are stacked with the closure mechanism located in an alternating pattern so as to minimize irregularity in a thickness of the stacked bags.

(20) In yet a further variant of the invention, the bags are stacked with the closure mechanism located in an alternating pattern so as to minimize irregularity in a thickness of the stacked bags.

(21) In a final variation of the invention, the dispenser rack further includes a cover. The cover extends over at least a portion of the bag container while providing access to the opening.

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating the bag container dispenser with stacked bags inside;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating a flexible closure flap attached to the dispenser;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating a flexible closure portion attached to the dispenser, illustrating multiple horizontal tear away strips;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating a flexible closure segment attached to the dispenser, illustrating a multi-segment vertical perforation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dispenser rack for the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment installed in the FIG. 2 dispenser rack illustrating a counter mount variant;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a foldable top flap bag for use with the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a parallel track closure bag for use with the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the FIG. 5 parallel track closure bags stacked in an alternating horizontal pattern in the container dispenser of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a parallel track with sliding clip closure bag for use with the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the FIG. 6 parallel track with sliding clip closure bags stacked in an alternating vertical pattern in the container dispenser of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 7 is perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment dispenser rack formed of plastic material;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating a floor stand variant with hooking and looping attachment to a surface;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating a surface mount variant with glue attachment to a surface;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating a wall mount variant with nail attachment to a surface;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment illustrating a tilting mount variant with screw attachment to a surface;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bag container sleeve constructed of flexible material;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a dispenser rack designed for attachment to a vertical surface;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the FIG. 13 embodiment with the bag container dispenser inserted in the dispenser rack;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a dispenser rack with a raised lip restraining device controlling the bag container dispenser movement;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the FIG. 15 embodiment having a pair of pins forming the raised lip restraining device;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a dispenser rack with a pivoting arm restraining device;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a dispenser rack with an elastic restraining device;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the FIG. 15 embodiment with a cover having an access opening; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the FIG. 16 embodiment with a cover having a hinged portion and an access opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(1) As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 1C and 12, bag container dispenser 10 providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A bag container 14 is provided. The container 14 is formed of resilient 18 or flexible 20 material and has a bottom 22, a top 26, first 30 and second 34 sides, a front 38 and a back 40. The container 14 has at least one removable access panel 44. The access panel 44 includes a top segment 48 and a front segment 52. The top segment 48 includes a portion 56 of the top 26 and is connected to the front segment 52. The front segment 52 has a height 60. The height 60 extends from the bottom 22 to the top 26. Removal of the access panel 44 forms an opening member 46 in the top 26 and an opening member 50 in the front 38. A plurality of stacked bags 64 is provided. The bags 64 are sized and shaped to fit within the bag container 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, each of the bags 64 has a front wall 68, a back wall 72, an open top 76 and a closure mechanism 80. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 1C and 3, the bags 64 are dispensable from the container 14 through an opening 84 provided by removal of the access panel 44. Upon removal of the access panel 44 from the bag container 14, a container closure mechanism 86 is attached by a user to the bag container 14. The mechanism 86 is sized and shaped to removably close the opening members 46 and 50 in the top 26 and the front 38 of the bag container 14. Similar bags 64 are also used by customers for self-packing bulk items such as candy (not shown), cookies (not shown) and pet food (not shown). The bags 64 may be stacked in a vertical configuration in a container sized and shaped accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. The bags 64 may be stacked in a sleeve of flexible material 20 as illustrated in FIG. 12.

(2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and 7-12, a dispenser rack 88 is provided. The rack 88 has a horizontal platform 92. The platform 92 is sized and shaped to support the bag container 14. First 96 and second 100 side guards and front 104 and rear 108 guards are provided. The guards 96, 100, 108 extend orthogonally upward from the platform 92 and are adapted to constrain movement of the bag container 14. The front guard 104 providing an open space 112 adapted to align with the opening 84. A rack support 116 is provided. The support 116 is attached to a lower surface 120 of the horizontal platform 92 and adapted to maintain the platform 92 at a first pre-determined height 124 and to provide attachment to a surface 128.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13-20, the rack 88 has a horizontal platform 92. The platform 92 is sized and shaped to support the bag container 14. First 96 and second 100 side guards and a rear 108 guard are provided. The guards 96, 100, 108 extend orthogonally upward from the platform 92 and are adapted to constrain movement of the bag container 14. The rack 88 has an open front end 90. The front end 90 provides access to the opening 84. As illustrated in FIGS. 15-20, a restraining device 94 is provided. The device 94 prevents the bag container 14 from moving in a direction of dispensing 98 on the horizontal platform 92 as bags 64 are withdrawn from the bag container 14.

(3) In another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 1C and 3, the bag container 14 is formed from material selected from the group that includes cardboard 132, paperboard 136, plastic 140, and metal foil (not shown).

(4) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the removable access panel 44 is attached to the container 14 with a perforation 148.

(5) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the plurality of stacked bags 64 have a closure mechanism 80 that includes a foldable top flap 156. The top flap 156 is adapted to close the bag 64.

(6) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the plurality of stacked bags 64 has a closure mechanism 80 that includes a pair of parallel tracks 160. The tracks 160 are adapted to be pressed together to close the bag 64.

(7) In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the plurality of stacked bags 64 has a closure mechanism 80 that includes a pair of parallel tracks 160. The tracks are adapted to be pressed together using a sliding clip 164, the clip 164 is slidably secured to the tracks 160.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, at least one of the first 96 and second 100 side guards and front 104 and rear 108 guards is angled 110 toward a center 168 of the platform 92, adapting the guard 96, 100, 104, 108 to frictionally grip the container 14.

(8) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16, 19 and 20, the restraining device 94 comprises a raised lip 102. The lip 102 is located adjacent a distal end 106 of the bag container 14 when the container 14 is located in the dispenser rack 88. The lip 102 extends across at least a portion 134 of the open front end 90.

(9) In another variant of the invention, the dispenser rack 88 is of wire form construction 172.

(10) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 13, the dispenser rack 88 is formed of wood 178, plastic 180 or metal (not shown).

In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7-10, the rack support 116 is selected from the group that includes floor stands 188, wall mounts 192, surface mounts 196, counter mounts 200, glue 204, screws 208, nails 212, looping and hooking fasteners (Velcro®) 216.

(11) As illustrated in FIG. 17, the restraining device 94 comprises a pivoting restraining arm 110. The arm is located to urge the bag container 14 in a rearward direction 114 when the arm 110 is in a retaining position 118 and located to permit removal of the bag container 14 when the arm 110 is in an open position 122. Movement of the pivoting restraining arm 110 being limited to the retaining position 118 by a lower control pin 120 and limited to the open position 122 by an upper control pin 124, the upper 122 and lower 120 control pins being affixed to at least one of the first 96 and second 100 side guards.

In a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the rack support 116 includes a tilting mount 220. The tilting mount 220 is adapted to position the platform 92 at a variety of angles 224 for dispensing bags 64. as illustrated in FIG. 11, the rack support 116 includes a tilting mount 220. The tilting mount 220 is adapted to position the platform 92 at a variety of angles 224 for dispensing bags 64.

(12) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the restraining device 94 includes any of an elastic cord 126, spring (not shown), wire (not shown), or cord (not shown). The device 126 is located across a distal end 106 of the bag container 14 when the container 14 is located within the dispenser rack 88.

(13) In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 12 the container closure mechanism 86 is a flexible closure flap 228. The flap 228 is sized and shaped to removably close the opening members 46, 50 in the top 26 and the front 38 of the bag container 14. The flap 228 extends from the top 26 of the bag container 14 down the front 38 of the bag container 14 to the bottom 22 of the bag container 14. The flap 228 is removably attached only along an upper edge 54 of the flap 228 and is affixed to the top 26 so as to hang over the opening members 46, 50, thereby protecting the bag container 14 from contamination.

(14) In yet a further variant, the flexible closure flap 228 is attached to the container 14 using an attachment mechanism 230 selected from the group comprising glue (not shown), adhesive coatings 236, tape 234, staples 238, tacks (not shown), and piercings (not shown).

(15) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the mechanism 86 is a flexible closure portion 244. The portion 244 is sized and shaped to removably close the opening 84 in the container 14. The portion 244 is attached along first 248 and second 252 side edges of the portion 244. The portion 244 is affixed to sides 256, 260 of the opening 84. The portion 244 has at least one perforation 264 extending from the first side edge 248 to the second side edge 252. The perforation 264 permits partial removal of the portion 244 to permit access to a first stacked number 268 of the bags 64 while protecting a remainder 272 of the bags 64 from contamination.

(16) In still another variant, the flexible portion 244 is attached to the container 14 using an attachment mechanism 230 selected from the group comprising glue (not shown), adhesive coatings 236, tape 234, staples 238, tacks (not shown), and piercings (not shown).

(17) In yet another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the mechanism 86 is a flexible closure segment 276. The segment 276 is sized and shaped to removably close the opening 84 in the container 14. The segment 276 is attached along first 280 and second 284 side edges of the segment 276 and is affixed to sides 256, 260 of the opening 84. The segment 276 has at least one perforation 288 extending from a point 292 adjacent a top edge 296 of the segment 276 to a point 300 adjacent a bottom edge 304 of the segment 276. The perforation 288 has at least one orthogonal cut 308. The cut 308 extends for a first pre-determined distance 312 on at least one side 316, 320 of the perforation 288. The cut 308 adapts the perforation 288 to be opened in stages 324, 328, 332, thereby minimizing contamination of bags 64 dispensed through the opening 84.

(18) In a further variant, the flexible segment 276 is attached to the container 14 using an attachment mechanism 230 selected from the group comprising glue (not shown), adhesive coatings 236, tape 234, staples 238, tacks (not shown), and piercings (not shown).

(19) In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the bags 64 are stacked with the closure mechanism 80 located in an alternating pattern 336 so as to minimize irregularity in a thickness 340 of the stacked bags 64.

(20) In yet a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the bags 64 are stacked with the closure mechanism 80 located in an alternating pattern 336 so as to minimize irregularity in a thickness 340 of the stacked bags 64.

(21) In a final variation of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, the dispenser rack 88 further includes a cover 126. The cover 126 extends over at least a portion 130 of the bag container 14 while providing access to the opening 84.

The bag container dispenser 10 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.

Claims

1. A dispenser bag container and dispenser rack comprising: a dispenser rack, said rack having a horizontal platform, said platform being sized and shaped to support said dispenser bag container, said dispenser bag container dispensing bags stored in a horizontal orientation in said dispenser bag container in a plane parallel to said horizontal platform, first and second side guards and a rear guard, said guards extending orthogonally upward from said platform and being adapted to constrain movement of said dispenser bag container, said rack having an open front end, said front end providing access to opening members;a restraining device, said restraining device preventing said dispenser bag container from moving in a direction of dispensing on said horizontal platform as bags are withdrawn from said dispenser bag container; andsaid restraining device comprising a pivoting restraining arm, said arm disposed to urge said dispenser bag container in a rearward direction when said arm is in a retaining position and disposed to permit removal of said dispenser bag container when said arm is in an open position, movement of said pivoting restraining arm being limited to said retaining position by a lower control pin and limited to said open position by an upper control pin, said upper and lower control pins being affixed to at least one of said first and second side guards.

2. The dispenser bag container and dispenser rack, as described in claim 1 wherein said dispenser rack is formed of wood, plastic or metal.

3. The dispenser bag container and dispenser rack, as described in claim 1, wherein said dispenser rack further comprises a cover, said cover extending over at least a portion of said bag container while providing access to said opening members.