Rolled Bag Dispenser

Abstract

Disclosed is a rolled bag dispenser comprised of a plurality of slotted dispensing tubes for the storage and dispensing of bag rolls. Each dispensing tube is an elongated, cylindrical shell having an open first end, an open interior volume, and a closed second end. Along each tube is disposed a channel running along the length thereof. The open-ended, slotted tubes are rigidly affixed along the tangent thereof to a mounting plate such that the slot is positioned away from the plate and towards a user. The slotted tubes securely store a roll of flexible bags in a rolled configuration, where removable end caps are inserted in the open ends thereof to secure the end closed. The mounting plate is ideally attached to a trash cart by way of an adhesive bonding to eliminate penetrations therethrough and provide easy access to trash bags from the dispensing tubs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dispensing of bags for trash collection or product storage. Dispensing is performed by pulling a bag from the container with one's hands. More specifically, the rolled bag dispenser allows for a plurality of can liners or bags to be mounted in an easy to reach location and selectably dispensed when required. The device is ideally mounted to a trash cart, whereby the connection thereto does not require penetrations through or modification of the trash cart.

Trash bags are generally packaged in rolled form allowing the removal of a first bag to reveal the next, subsequent bag, providing for simple and repeatable dispensing. This bag sequencing can be accomplished via a frictional connection between the bags or separable perforations. Additionally, in some situation bags of different colors can be used to differentiate between recyclables and general waste among others, and a dispensing solution should accommodate multiple rolls of bags.

In a home setting, trash bags are often kept within the original packaging in a location separate from the trash can itself. When the time comes to remove a full bag and replace with a new bag, users may have to search for another bag, bend down, and expend more effort.

In a professional or janitorial setting, users may collect refuse from many locations and then transport the newly bagged trash within rolling carts. Often, unused trash bags are stored in the bottom of these rolling carts or draped over the side. When a new bag is needed, the bags at the bottom can be difficult to reach or may be soiled by leaking refuse. When bags are draped on the side of carts, they may become pinned beneath filled bags as the cart becomes full. Pulling the bags free at this point may plastically deform the bag itself and weaken its structural integrity.

The present invention attempts to provide a bag dispensing system that can be affixed to any surface, securely contain a plurality of rolled bags, and dispense a selectable number dependent upon user interaction. The present invention specifically contemplates a multi-roll dispensing device that supports several trash bag rolls in a ready dispensable configuration, wherein the assembly is attached to the exterior of a trash can or trash cart. The preferred connection is one that does require mechanical fasteners that would otherwise penetrate or require modification of the cart or can. Eliminating any modifications, and particularly any mechanical fastener heads within the interior of the can or cart, is ideal for eliminating any snagging or bag tearing risk therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to the dispensing of rolled can liners or bags. These include devices that that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to rolled bag dispensing systems that may be affixed to a surface such as the bottom of a trash can, or integrated trash can and can liner dispensers. The devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure are herein described for the purposed of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,810 to Warner presents a package and dispenser for rolled bags in the general form of an upright cylinder having two halves hinged about a diametrical edge at the bottom and constructed from semi-rigid material. An elongated slot is found in one of cylindrical walls can allow for the dispensing of the bags. The Warner device is designed to be disposable and does not include any mounting provisions, whereas the instant invention is entirely rigid and offers a dedicated mounting plate.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,008 to Jenkins describes a rolled trash bag dispenser with a rectangular base for mounting. The rigid tubular body allows for loading of rolled bags through an opening on one end and dispensing through a slot near the base. The Jenkins device allows for dispensing of rolled bags, but does not securely store its inventory of bags by any method. The present invention employs a removable cap to secure the bag inventory.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,591 to Miller describes a device for dispensing trash bags continuously joined and separable from another trash bag. The device is comprised of a housing for containing the trash bags and a movably connected flexible cover having a slot for guiding the trash bag therethrough. The movably connected cover is affixed to the housing via a snap button fastener closure. While the Miller device pursues similar goals, the present invention is comprised of an entirely rigid housing and is loaded through a removable cap on one end.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,340 to Leggio presents an cylindrical apparatus for retaining and sequentially dispensing rolled liners for trash containers that can be affixed to a surface via adhesive backed hook and loop attachment. The bags are dispensed via a small opening in the rigid housing which does not run the length of the cylindrical housing as compared to the present invention. Additionally, the lack of a dedicated mounting plate and the attachment of hook and loop fasteners to the curved exterior of the storage tube will result in a weaker connection to the target location. In the case of mounting at the bottom of a trash can, the invention may rotate, making finding the dispensing location difficult, and not provide mounting force sufficient to counteract the force required for dispensing a bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,723 to Swift describes a rolled bag dispenser integrated to a trash can. A dispensing depression is inset at the bottom of the trash can waste chamber and accommodates a common trash bag roll. A dispensing plate can seal the bag roll within the depression and allows for dispensing via a slot. An alternate embodiment employs a roll chamber which can be removed via the side of the base. The roll chamber is a horizontal cylindrical bottom with solid end caps exposing the bag roll storage cavity to the dispensing plate at the bottom of the trash can waste chamber. Each embodiment of Swift requires the user to reach down into the trash can to dispense a new bag. Furthermore, the side-loading embodiment complicates the dispensing of the first bag, as rotation and threading of the bag roll may be difficult after loading. The instant invention provides mounting provisions that are independent from a particular trash can design and does not require a user to bend down while dispensing or refilling rolled bags.

The present invention is a new and improved rolled bag dispenser providing selectable dispensing of a collection of rolled bags. The device is comprised of a plurality of bag storage tubes having an open first end for loading bags and a dispensing slot that extends nearly the entire length of the tube for removing individual bags from a roll stowed within the tube. Each bag storage tube is rigidly affixed to a planar mounting plate and securely closed by an end cap that secures the open end thereof after a bag roll is placed therein. In light of devices in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to rolled bag dispenser devices. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of rolled bag dispensers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a rolled bag dispenser which may be affixed to any surface without modification and support a plurality of bags rolls in a readily dispensable manner for deployment of the bags from the rolls stowed therein.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for the storage and separation of bag rolls dedicated to a specific purpose by allocating bag rolls of a certain type to a specific dispensing tube.

Another object of the present invention is to allow for storage and dispensing of rolled bags from a location protected from solid and liquid contaminants inside the dispensing tube with the end cap affixed.

Another object of the present invention is to store and dispense rolled bags that are friction linked as well as connected by perforations.

Yet object of the present invention is to dispense bags via a dispensing slot which is large enough to permit bags of any gauge to pass through without affecting the structural integrity of the stored or dispensed bags.

A final object of the present invention is to provide a household or professional cleaning item that is simple to use, easy to clean, and robust and dependable for everyday use.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the major components that comprise the rolled bag dispenser: the bag roll, at least one dispensing tube, end caps therefore, and a planar mounting plate.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the assembled device in a working position, wherein the end caps are securely containing each bag roll and the bag rolls are in a readily dispensable state. Further provided is a view of the preferred adhesive attachment of the assembly to a support surface.

FIG. 3 shows the assembled device secured to a rolling trash cart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the rolled bag dispenser. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for selectably dispensing any number of rolled bags. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a front view of the present invention. The primary elements of the device include at least one slotted dispensing tube 11, removable end caps 21 therefore, and a planar mounting plate 31. A bag roll 41 is also shown to demonstrate operation of the device, though it is not included with the assembly. In the particular embodiment shown, three dispensing tubes 11 are affixed to a mounting plate 31 to store three possibly unique bag types having different purposes. Each of the three dispensing tubes 11 includes an end cap 21 that may be interchangeable among dispensing tubes 11 to securely seal the bag roll 41 inside the dispensing tube 11 interior.

The slotted dispensing tube 11, designed to protect the rolled bags 41 from the elements and other contaminants, is a hollow cylinder, closed on one end and an open 13 on the other. The open first end 13 is to be referred to as the loading passage, while the closed second end of the tube 11 functions as a backstop after the roll 41 is inserted into the tube interior. The loading passage 13 and interior of the dispensing tube 11 is slightly larger than the bag rolls 41 to be stored, allowing bag rolls to be placed within the dispensing tube from the open side with some angular misalignment. The dispensing slot 12 is cut into the cylinder wall of the dispensing tube 11 along an opposing portion thereof with respect to the tube 11 connection to the planar mouthing plate 31. The slot 12 extends along the horizontal axis of the cylinder from the open first end 13 towards the closed end. The slot 12 is of appropriate width and length to permit dispensing of a single bag 42 therethrough without requiring excessive user force or stretching or tearing of the bag.

The end cap 21 is comprised of two solid cylinders of different, stepped diameters concentrically aligned into order to securely fit over and through the loading passage 13. The outer cap portion 22 has a diameter that matches that of the outer surface of the dispensing tube 11, while the inner cap portion 23 has a diameter that will snugly fit inside the inner diameter of the dispensing tube 11. When the end cap 21 is securely fitted within the loading passage 13, the dispensing tube is of appropriate length such that the bag roll 41 are not in contact with the end cap 21 or the closed end of the dispensing tube 11 simultaneously, allowing the bag roll 41 to rotate freely. The end cap 21 secures the bag roll 41 within the tube 11 interior during deployment and prevents sliding therefrom through the loading passage 13.

The dispensing tubes 11 are rigidly affixed to the mounting plate 31 along a tangent of the tube opposite of the slot 12, whereby the tubes are preferably aligned along a horizontal axis for level deployment of bags from each tube 11. The backside surface of the mounting plate 31, opposite the front side thereof upon which the dispensing tubes 11 are attached, provides more secure mounting surface for connection to a support surface (e.g. a trash can or trash cart exterior), whereby the weight of the device components and stored bag rolls 41 is distributed across a large surface area.

A bag roll 41 in FIG. 1 is shown to demonstrate the loading of the roll into the dispensing tube 11 via the loading passage 13 entryway for subsequent presentation of a single bag 42 via the dispensing slot 12. The bag roll 41 is secured within the tube interior by way of the end cap 21 over the otherwise open loading passageway 13. However, just prior to securement therein, a user freely rotates the bag roll 41 with the end cap removed until a single bag 42 is pulled through the dispensing slot 12. Once the cap 21 is secured, a free end of a bag 42 is presented for the user to grasp and withdraw from the given tube 11. The ability to easily rotate the bag roll 41 while in a position to thread the first single bag 42 is not available in most integrated trash can and bag dispenser designs demonstrated in the prior art. The slot 12 provided herein extends to the open loading passageway 13 to facilitate this procedure.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a frontal perspective view of the assembled invention loaded with rolled bags for dispensing. Adhesive mounting strips 51 are shown attaching to the backside face of the mounting plate 31 opposite the side upon which the dispensing tubes 21 rest. In this embodiment, rectangular adhesive mounting strips 51 are shown to extend substantially the entire height of the mounting plate 31 and are affixed to the side opposite that which supports the dispensing tubes 11 against a support surface, such as a trash can or cart exterior surface. As an alternative to adhesive strips 51, strips of hook and loop fasteners can be used to provide a removable connection of the assembly to the support surface, whereby the strips remain in contact with the support surface and mounting plate, and the connection between the two strips is separable.

The use of adhesive mounting strips or hook and loop fasteners does not require any modifications or penetrations to be performed on the surface to which the mounting plate will be affixed. Adhesive mounting strips 51 also form a semi-permanent bond, allowing for later repositioning if a more advantageous dispensing location is identified. Not modifying the support surface is preferred for ease of application and for not damaging an existing piece of janitorial equipment. While mechanical fasteners can be utilized to connect the mounting plate, wherein fasteners would be driven through aperture therethrough and into a support surface, this form of connection is not preferred. Mechanical fasteners would inevitable cause snag or tear risks to bags within the interior of a trash can or cart interior if the device where mounted to the exterior surface thereof. Therefore, simple adhesive bonding, either in strip or large swaths, is the preferred connection means between the mounting plate backside surface and the support surface.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown a perspective side view of the rolled bag dispenser assembly employed in a typical use condition. In this embodiment, the mounting plate 31 is securely attached to a rolling trash bin 61 exterior surface. The mounting plate 31 has been affixed to rolling trash bin 61 below the trash bin handle 62 to the slanted exterior wall 63, whereby a user can readily grasp a bag 41 extending therefrom.

When the mounting plate 31 is affixed to the slanted exterior wall 63, the dispensing tubes 11 are arranged horizontally and angled towards the user, which permits for low energy dispensing and allows single bags 41 which may protrude from the dispensing slot 12 to fall in a non-overlapping arrangement to simplify selection when each bag has a unique purpose. It is not desired to limit the present assembly to a specific number of dispensing tubes 41 along the mounting plate (i.e. at least one), but rather to disclose a novel assembly for dispensing bags from the exterior of a trash can or cart. If multiple tubes are deployed on the assembly, the tubes can support specific types of bags, whereby the bags may serve different purposes or be specific to a given application (i.e. trash, recycling, hazardous waste, medical waste, etc.).

Overall the device reduces the current drawbacks related to storage of replacement bags on or within a trash can or trash cart and facilitates ready deployment and replacement of trash bags. It is contemplated that the present invention may be used in residential or commercial settings to improve efficiency, reduce wasted bags, and improve user procedures for storing and dispensing rolled bags.

It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A rolled bag dispenser, comprising: at least one rolled bag storage tube of hollow construction sized to store commonly available bag rolls;said tube having an open first end, a closed second end, an open interior, and a bag dispensing slot along said tube that extends from said open first end towards said closed second end;a mounting plate supporting said at least one storage tube, said plate attaching along a line tangent of said storage tube whereby said at least one tubes are aligned with one another.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one rolled bag storage tube comprises a plurality thereof to accommodate the separation of bags having unique purposes.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising an end cap for each rolled bag storage tube to secure closed said tube open first end to securely contain bag rolls therein.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said end cap further comprises: a solid cylinder having an outer cap portion and an inner cap portion concentrically aligned and in a stepped configuration with regard to one another,said outer cap portion outer diameter matches that of said rolled bag storage tube outer surface, and said inner cap portion outer diameter fits snugly inside said rolled bag storage tube inner diameter.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said mounting plate comprises a backside surface for mounting to a support surface, said backside surface securing to said support surface by way of adhesive strips which affixed thereto.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said mounting plate comprises a backside surface for mounting to a support surface, said backside surface securing to said support surface by way of hook and loop fasteners which affixed thereto.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said mounting plate comprises a backside surface for mounting to a support surface, said backside surface securing to said support surface by way of mechanical fasteners secured through said mounting plate and said support surface.