BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
This invention relates to produce bag dispensers in retail stores, and specifically to a bag opening device that couples to a produce bag dispenser and helps open a produce bag as the produce bag is being removed from the dispenser.
State of the Art
Produce bag dispensers are often provided by grocery retail stores in the produce section and are used to dispense plastic produce bags. A roll of plastic produce bags is loaded onto the produce dispenser. Customers remove one bag at a time to load with produce purchases. The produce bag dispensers have a mechanical bag separator to help separate one bag at a time from the roll. But it can be difficult and time-consuming for the consumer to open a dispensed produce bag once the bag is separated, because the sides of the produce bag stick together.
Accordingly, what is needed is a bag opening device for a produce bag dispenser that helps a customer open the produce bag as well as removing the bag from the dispenser.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a produce bag dispenser with a bag opening device;
FIG. 2 show a perspective view of the produce bag dispenser with a bag opening device of FIG. 1, with the roll of produce bags removed from the dispenser;
FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of a bag separator and a bag opening device of the produce bag dispenser of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows a side view of the bag separator and bag opening device of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows an exploded side view of the bag separator and bag opening device of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of a bag opening device;
FIG. 7 shows a bottom rear perspective view of the bag opening device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 shows a front view of the bag opening device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 shows a side view of the bag opening device of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 10 shows a rear view of the bag opening device of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
As discussed above, embodiments of the invention relate to produce bag dispensers in retail stores, and specifically to a bag opening device that couples to a produce bag dispenser and helps open the produce bag as it is being removed from the dispenser. Produce bag dispensers are used in produce sections of retail stores to supply customers with bags for the produce they are purchasing. The produce bags are on rolls that are mounted to the produce bag dispensers. The produce bag dispensers have a bag separator that helps customers separate one bag at a time from the roll. Once the produce bag is separated from the produce bag dispenser, however, it can be difficult and tedious for the customer to open the produce bag, because the plastic sides of the produce bag tend to stick together. Disclosed is a produce bag dispenser that includes a bag opening device. The bag opening device includes a frictional element that the customer can use to rub the produce bag against to separate the front side of the produce bag from the back side of the produce bag. This allows the customer to open the produce bag as they are removing the produce bag from the dispenser. Being able to remove an opened produce bag from the dispenser saves the customer time and reduces customer frustration.
The bag opening device removably attaches to the bag separator of the produce bag dispenser. The bag opening device includes a sleeve with a first opening and a second opening. The bag separator slides into the second opening until a separator hook of the bag separator extends from the first opening. A friction plate with a frictional element is coupled to the sleeve. The separator hook is used to separate a bag from the roll of produce bags. The friction plate with frictional element is positioned below the separator hook. A frictional element is also mounted to a top surface of the sleeve. A customer slides a produce bag along the frictional element, separating the sides of the plastic bag from each other and opening the bag. The open bag is removed from the bag dispenser using the separator hook. The customer has an open produce bag to use. The bag opening device eliminates the frustration of trying to open the plastic bag, while not interfering with the bag separation capabilities of the bag dispenser.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a produce bag dispenser 110 with a bag opening device 120 coupled to produce bag dispenser 110. FIG. 1 shows produce bag dispenser 110 with a roll of plastic produce bags 116 loaded onto produce bag dispenser 110. FIG. 2 shows produce bag dispenser 110 with roll of produce bags 116 removed so that bag opening device 120 can be easily seen. Produce bag dispenser 110 includes a frame 112 that forms the skeletal frame of produce bag dispenser 110. Frame 112 has two side panels 122 and 126. Each side panel has a slot. Side panel 122 has a slot 124. Side panel 126 has a slot 128 (FIG. 2). A roll of plastic produce bags 116 is loaded onto a spindle 114 of produce bag dispenser 110. Spindle 114 is coupled to frame 112 by sliding spindle 114 through slot 124 and 128 of side panels 122 and 126, as shown in FIG. 1. With spindle 114 held by slots 124 and 128 of side panels 122 and 126, spindle 114 rotates to dispense bags from roll of produce bags 116, see FIG. 1.
A bag separator 130 is coupled to frame 112, as best seen in FIG. 2 through FIG. 5. FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of bag separator 130 of produce bag dispenser 110, with bag opening device 120 coupled to bag separator 130. FIG. 4 shows a side view of bag separator 130 with bag opening device 120 coupled to bag separator 130. FIG. 5 shows an exploded side view of bag separator 130 and bag opening device 120.
Bag separator 130 includes a separator plate 132 and a separator corner 136 coupled to separator plate 132, best seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Separator plate 132 is a flat plate of rigid material that lies in (extends along) a plate plane 134, see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Separator plate 132 of bag separator 130 is coupled to frame 112, see FIG. 2. Separator plate 132 is generally triangular shaped in top and bottom view in this embodiment, but this is not meant to be limiting. Separator corner 136 is an upturned corner coupled to, or extending from, separator plate 132, best seen in FIG. 5. Separator corner 136 is a flat plate of rigid material in this embodiment, but this is not meant to be limiting. In this embodiment, separator corner 136 lies in a separator corner plane 140 (FIG. 5). Separator corner 136 is an upturned corner of separator plate 132 in this embodiment, but this is not meant to be limiting. In some embodiments, separator corner 136 is formed of a different material or element coupled to separator plate 132. Separator corner 136 forms a separator corner angle 138 between separator corner 136 (lying in separator corner plane 140) and separator plate 132 (lying in separator plate plane 134), see FIG. 5. Separator corner 136 does not lie in the same plane as separator plate 132 so that separator corner 136 can be used to separate produce bags from roll of produce bags 116. Separator corner 136 is used to separate one produce bag from the others on roll of produce bags 116. In this embodiment, separator corner angle 138 is a 90 degree angle, but this is not meant to be limiting. This angle has been found to be efficient at separating one bag from roll of produce bags 116. In some embodiments, separator corner angle is between about 45 degrees and about 135 degrees.
Bag opening device 120 is coupled to bag separator 130, see FIG. 2 through FIG. 5. In this embodiment, bag opening device 120 is removably coupled to bag separator 130, but this is not meant to be limiting. Bag opening device 120 includes a sleeve 150, a friction plate 190 coupled to sleeve 150, a frictional element 199 coupled to sleeve 150, and a frictional element 196 coupled to friction plate 190, see FIG. 1 and FIG. 5.
Bag opening device 120 is coupled to bag separator 130 to couple bag opening device 120 to produce bag dispenser 110. Bag opening device 120 is used by a customer to open a produce bag while the produce bag is being removed from roll of produce bags 116 on produce bag dispenser 110. Sleeve 150 couples bag opening device 120 to bag separator 130. Friction plate 190 is positioned below separator corner 136 of produce bag dispenser 110 once sleeve 150 and bag opening device 120 are coupled to bag separator 130, see FIG. 2. Frictional element 196 is a rubber or sticky material coupled to friction plate 190. Frictional element 199 is a rubber or sticky material coupled to a top surface 197 of sleeve 150. As a customer is using separator corner 136 to separate one produce bag from roll of produce bags 116, they slide the produce bag along frictional element 196 on friction plate 190, which is conveniently located just below separator corner 136, best seen in FIG. 2. Or, the customer can use frictional element 199 on sleeve 150 to open the produce bag. The customer is able to easily and quickly separate the bag from roll of produce bags 116 and open the bag by sliding the bag along frictional element 196 or 199, which separates the sides of the produce bag, opening the produce bag for the customer.
Bag opening device 120 is removably coupled to produce bag dispenser 110 in this embodiment, so that bag opening device 120 can be retrofitted on existing produce bag dispensers and added or removed as desired.
FIG. 6 through FIG. 10 show details of bag opening device 120. FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of bag opening device 120. FIG. 7 shows a bottom rear perspective view of bag opening device 120. FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of bag opening device 120. FIG. 9 shows a side view of bag opening device 120, and FIG. 10 shows a rear view of bag opening device 120.
Sleeve 150 of bag opening device 120 is designed to slip over separator plate 132, with separator corner 136 extending out of a first opening 152 of sleeve 150 of bag opening device 120, as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5. Sleeve 150 has first opening 152 and a second opening 154, as shown in FIG. 5 through FIG. 10. Sleeve 150 has a sleeve channel 182 extending between first opening 152 and second opening 154, as best seen in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10. Separator corner 136 and separator plate 132 slide into sleeve channel 182 through second opening 154, see FIG. 5. Separator corner 136 and separator plate 132 slide into sleeve channel 182 until separator corner 136 exits sleeve 150 and sleeve channel 182 through first opening 152, see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. Separator corner 152 extends from first opening 152 so that separator corner 136 can be used to separate a produce bag from roll of produce bags 116, as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5. Sliding sleeve 150 over separator corner 136 and separator plate 132 of bag separator 130 couples bag opening device 120 to bag separator 130 and produce bag dispenser 110.
Sleeve 150 includes a sleeve plate 156, a first flange 168, and a second flange 178, as shown in FIG. 6 through FIG. 10. Sleeve plate 156, first flange 168, and second flange 178 define sleeve channel 182, see FIG. 10. Sleeve plate 156 is a flat plate of rigid material with a quadrilateral polygon shape in top view, as best seen in FIG. 6. Sleeve plate 156 lies in a sleeve plate plane 166, see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. Sleeve plate 156 has a first base side 158, a second base side 160 opposing first base side 158, a first leg side 162, and a second leg side 164 opposing first leg side 162, see FIG. 6 and FIG. 8. First base side 158, second base side 160, first leg side 162 and second leg side 164 form the four sides of the polygon shape of sleeve plate 156. In this embodiment, sleeve plate 156 has the shape of an isosceles trapezoid in top view, which gives sleeve 150 an isosceles trapezoid shape in top view, but this is not meant to be limiting. In some embodiments, sleeve plate 156 has other shapes. Sleeve plate 156 helps define sleeve channel 182 because sleeve plate 156 bounds, or defines, the top side of sleeve channel 182, see FIG. 10. Sleeve plate 156 has a sleeve plate top surface 197. Frictional element 199 is coupled to sleeve plate top surface 197, as best seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 9. Frictional element 199 can be used to open a produce bag from roll of produce bags 116. Frictional element 199 is an element that the produce bag will stick to, such as rubber or another material with a sticky or gritty surface. In this embodiment, frictional element 199 is corrugated rubber. As the produce bag is being removed from roll of produce bags 116 using separator corner 136, the customer rubs or slides the produce bag along frictional element 196 that is on friction plate 190, or frictional element 199 on sleeve plate 156. This separates the two sides of the produce bags from each other, opening the produce bag for the customer as it is being separated from roll of produce bags 116.
First flange 168 is coupled to first leg side 162 of sleeve plate 156, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10. First flange 168 is an element of rigid material with an L-shaped cross section, see FIG. 10. First flange 168 helps define sleeve channel 182 and helps to couple bag opening device 120 to bag separator 130. First flange 168 includes a first flange side plate 170 and a first flange bottom plate 172, see FIG. 7 and FIG. 10. First flange side plate 170 is a plate of rigid material that is coupled to first leg side 162. First flange side plate 170 is perpendicular to sleeve plate 156 in this embodiment, but this is not meant to be limiting. In some embodiments, an angle between first flange side plate 170 and sleeve plate 156 is between about 75 degrees and about 125 degrees. Sleeve plate 156 encloses or defines sleeve channel 182 on the top side. First flange side plate 170 bounds, encloses, or defines, sleeve channel 182 on one side of sleeve channel 182, see FIG. 7 and FIG. 10.
First flange bottom plate 172 is a plate of rigid material that is coupled to first flange side plate 170. First flange bottom plate 172 is perpendicular to first flange side plate 170, and parallel to sleeve plate 156 and sleeve plate plane 166. First flange bottom plate 172 lies in a bottom plate plane 174, see FIG. 9. Bottom plate plane 174 is parallel to sleeve plate plane 166 and sleeve plate 156. First flange bottom plate 172 helps define the bottom side of sleeve channel 182, see FIG. 10.
Second flange 178 is coupled to second leg side 164 of sleeve plate 156, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10. Second flange 178 is an element of rigid material that has an L-shaped cross section, see FIG. 10. Second flange 178 helps define sleeve channel 182 and to couple bag opening device 120 to bag separator 130. Second flange 178 includes a second flange side plate 180 and a second flange bottom plate 188. Second flange side plate 180 is coupled to second leg side 164. Second flange side plate 180 is perpendicular to sleeve plate 156 in this embodiment, but this is not meant to be limiting. In some embodiments, an angle between second flange side plate 180 and sleeve plate 156 is between about 75 degrees and about 125 degrees. Sleeve plate 156 encloses sleeve channel 182 on the top side. Second flange side plate 180 bounds, or defines, sleeve channel 182 on one side of sleeve channel 182, see FIG. 7 and FIG. 10. First and second flange side plates 170 and 180 define the sides of sleeve channel 182.
Second flange bottom plate 188 is coupled to second flange side plate 180. Second flange bottom plate 188 is perpendicular to second flange side plate 180, and parallel to sleeve plate 156 and sleeve plate plane 166. Second flange bottom plate 188 lies in bottom plate plane 174, see FIG. 7 and FIG. 10. Bottom plate plane 174 is parallel to sleeve plate plane 166 and sleeve plate 156. Second flange bottom plate 188 helps define the bottom side of sleeve channel 182, see FIG. 10. First flange bottom plate 172 and second flange bottom plate 188 define the bottom of sleeve channel 182, see FIG. 7 and FIG. 10. The bottom of sleeve channel 182 is partially open because first flange bottom plate 172 and second flange bottom plate 188 do not meet each other, as can best be seen in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10.
Sleeve channel 182 is defined by sleeve plate 156 and first and second flange 168 and 178, see FIG. 7 and FIG. 10. Sleeve 150 couples to bag separator 130 by sleeve 150 sliding over separator plate 132. Separator plate 132 of bag separator 130 slides into sleeve channel 182 through second opening 154 until separator corner 136 extends from first opening 152, see FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 9. First opening 152 into sleeve channel 182 is between first base side 158 and bottom plate plane 174. Second opening 154 is between second base side 160 and bottom plate plane 174.
Bag opening device 120 also includes friction plate 190 coupled to sleeve 150, and frictional element 196 coupled to friction plate 190.
Friction plate 190 is a flat plate of rigid material, rectangular shaped in this embodiment. Friction plate 190 is coupled to sleeve 150, forming a friction plate angle 184 between sleeve 150 (specifically bottom plate plane 174) and friction plate 190 (specifically friction plate plane 194), see FIG. 9. Friction plate angle 184 is an angle of about 120 to 130 degrees in this embodiment, but this is not meant to be limiting. In some embodiments, friction plate angle 184 is between 90 and 150 degrees. In some embodiments, friction plate angle 184 is between 100 and 140 degrees. Friction plate angle 184 is chosen to make it easy for a customer to slide a produce bag that is being removed from roll of produce bags 116 across friction plate 190 to open the produce bag. Friction plate 190 is below and somewhat in front of separator corner 136 so that friction plate 190 is easy to access while removing a produce bag with separator corner 136, see FIG. 2.
Friction plate 190 is coupled to sleeve 150. Friction plate 190 has a friction plate front surface 198, see FIG. 9. When bag opening device 120 is coupled to bag separator 130, a plane angle 192 is formed between friction plate 190 and separator corner 136, see FIG. 4. Plane angle 192 is also between friction plate plane 194 and separator corner plane 140. Plane angle 192 is about 160 degrees is this embodiment, but this is not meant to be limiting. Plane angle 192 is chosen to make it easy to use friction plate 190 to open a produce bag while removing the produce bag from roll of produce bags 116 with separator corner 136. A plane angle 192 greater than 90 degrees but less than or equal to 180 degrees has been determined to work best for this purpose. In some embodiments, plane angle 192 is between 110 degrees and 180 degrees. In some embodiments, plane angle 192 is between 120 degrees and 170 degrees. In some embodiments, friction plate 190 and separator corner 136 are coplanar, meaning plane angle 192 is equal to 180 degrees.
Friction plate 190 is coupled to sleeve 150 using a first flange coupling plate 176 and a second flange coupling plate 186 (FIG. 7 and FIG. 10). First flange coupling plate 176 and second flange coupling plate 186 are flat plates of rigid material, generally triangular shaped. First flange coupling plate 176 couples friction plate 190 to first flange bottom plate 172 of first flange 168, see FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. First flange coupling plate 176 is coupled to a friction plate rear surface 195 (FIG. 10) and first flange bottom plate 172 of first flange 168. Second flange coupling plate 186 couples friction plate 190 to second flange bottom plate 188 of second flange 178, see FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 10. Second flange coupling plate 186 is coupled to a friction plate rear surface 195 (FIG. 10) and second flange bottom plate 188 of second flange 178.
Frictional element 196 is coupled to friction plate front surface 198 of friction plate 190 (FIG. 4, FIG, 8, and FIG. 9). Frictional element 196 is coupled to friction plate front surface 198 so that frictional element 196 can be used to open a produce bag as the produce bag is being removed from roll of produce bags 116. Frictional element 196 is an element that the produce bag will stick to, such as rubber or another material with a sticky or gritty surface. In this embodiment, frictional element 196 is corrugated rubber. As the produce bag is being removed from roll of produce bags 116 using separator corner 136, the customer rubs or slides the produce bag along frictional element 196 that is on friction plate 190. This separates the two sides of the produce bags from each other, opening the produce bag for the customer as it is being separated from roll of produce bags 116.
A bag opening device has been shown and described. The bag opening device couples to a produce bag dispenser in a retail store and helps to open the produce bag as the produce bag is being removed from the produce bag dispenser. The bag opening device includes a sleeve and a friction plate with a frictional element. The sleeve couples the bag opening device to the produce bag dispenser. The friction plate, with a frictional element such as rubber or other sticky or gritty material on it, is positioned below the bag separator of the produce bag dispenser. As a customer separates one bag from the roll of produce bags with the bag separator, they slide the bag along the frictional element of the friction plate, which opens the bag for the customer as the bag is separated from the roll of produce bags. The produce bag dispenser with the bag opening device provides a means to both separate one produce bag from the roll and open the produce bag for the customer.
The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above.
Patent Application
20200008590
