An apparatus is disclosed for retaining a collapsible tote. The apparatus comprises a base, a projecting member having a first end attached to the base, and an engagement member attached to the projecting member at a second end opposite the first end. The engagement member defines one or more slots extending into the engagement member from a top surface. At each slot of the one or more slots, portions of the engagement member that define the slot are configured to, responsive to receiving a respective portion of a handle of the collapsible tote into the slot, apply a force to retain the respective portion of the handle.

This disclosure describes, in part, systems for tracking the removal of shopping bags or other items from a dispenser. Folded shopping bags are stacked in a holder so that a front shopping bag can be removed by pulling it along an axis that is parallel to the length and/or width dimension of the shopping bag. A motion sensor is positioned to sense movement of the front shopping bag as it is removed. Control logic monitors and/or analyzes data or other signals from the motion sensor and determines whether movement of at least a threshold distance has occurred. If movement of at least the threshold distance has occurred, the control logic concludes that a shopping bag has been removed and generates a corresponding event notice. Other system components may respond to the event notice by applying a charge for the removed shopping bag or by performing other actions.

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.

A bag management rack, comprises (1) a top support, (2) a bottom support, spaced apart from the top support, (3) a spacer, connecting the top support and the bottom support, (4) a first top prong and a second top prong, attached to the top support and spaced apart from each other, and (5) a first bottom prong and a second bottom prong, attached to the bottom support and spaced apart from each other. The distance between the first and second bottom prongs is less than the distance between the first and second top prongs. Furthermore, the first and second bottom prongs are aligned below and between the first and second top prongs.

A bag rack and method of using the same is disclosed. The presently disclosed bag rack may include a bag rack that is formed of a base assembly and a hanger assembly on which multiple storage bags may be hung. A method of using the presently disclosed bag rack may include, but is not limited to, the steps of hanging the storage bags on the bag rack, opening the frontmost storage bag, holding open or proping open the storage bag using a bag hooking mechanism, placing the food item(s) or any other types of item(s) into the storage bag, removing the bag hooking mechanism, if used, closing the storage bag, and removing the filled storage bag from the bag rack.

An undercounter dispenser includes a fixed receiving station and a separate bag tray. The receiving station has a support platform and at least two suspension elements attached to the platform. Each of the elements has at least one attachment fixture. At least one retaining ledge is provided. The ledge is attached to a proximal end of the platform. The bag tray is adapted to slide over the retaining ledge and descend behind the ledge upon insertion into the receiving station. The retaining ledge limits forward and aft movement of the tray within the receiving station. The bag tray has at least one mounting spike that extends upwardly from the tray. First and second side panels are attached to the platform and extend upwardly from the platform. A rear panel is attached to a distal end of the support platform and limits movement of the bag tray within the receiving station.

A shopper's pouch comprising a front section with an inner surface and an outer surface, a rear section with an inner surface and an outer surface, and a perimeter. The two sections are equally dimensioned integrally secured together, thereby creating an enclosure into which items such as re-usable shopping bags can be inserted and maintained. The shopper's pouch is secured by attachment means to a shopping cart preferably at the front of the cart. A viewing window or viewing structure facilitates the displaying advertising or promotional material on the pouch. An opening on the viewing window or structure allows the advertising or promotional material to be easily inserted for display or to be removed and replaced. In addition to the advertising and promotional material indicia showing words or images can be printed or placed on the pouch.

A plastic bag dispenser is disclosed. The plastic bag dispenser contains an elastic cord which has a first a first end and a second end. There is also a first spindle, which has the ability to connect to the first end of said elastic cord, and a second spindle, which has the ability to connect to the second end of the elastic cord, such that when the first spindle is connected to the first end of said elastic end and the second spindle is connected to the second end of the elastic cord, there exists the ability to hold a roll of plastic bags between the first spindle and the second spindle without the roll of plastic bags unraveling. The adjustable elastic cord secures the plastic bags to the roll on which the plastic bags are wrapped and serve to act as a pressure element to easily tear off a perforated bag.

A plastic bag dispenser is disclosed. The plastic bag dispenser contains an elastic cord which has a first a first end and a second end. There is also a first spindle, which has the the ability to connect to the first end of said elastic cord, and a second spindle, which has the ability to connect to the second end of the elastic cord, such that when the first spindle is connected to the first end of said elastic end and the second spindle is connected to the second end of the elastic cord, there exists the ability to hold a roll of plastic bags between the first spindle and the second spindle without the roll of plastic bags unraveling. The adjustable elastic cord secures the plastic bags to the roll on which the plastic bags are wrapped and serve to act as a pressure element to easily tear off a perforated bag.

A mobile cart includes sets of arms from which bags may be suspended. The arms may be separated by a predetermined distance. Holes for suspending the bags from such arms may be laterally formed in such bags and separated by the predetermined distance. The arms may be extended when the mobile cart is being used to retrieve items from a materials handling facility, such as a warehouse or retail establishment, and retracted when the mobile cart is not in service. An open or expanded bag may be suspended near free ends of such arms, thereby enabling one or more workers to place items therein, while one or more closed or collapsed bags may be suspended at mounting ends of such arms and stored until one or more of such bags is desired. When the open bag is filled with desired items, the open bag may be removed from the arms.