Single drawer dispenser rack

Abstract

A bag dispenser includes a bag platform with a first support surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end. At least one side support extends outwardly from the first and second sides of the bag platform and upwardly from the platform. The at least one side support defines a space sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack of bags. An overhead mounting feature is attached to the side support and has a series of apertures penetrating the feature for use in attaching to an overhead horizontal surface with at least one fastener. An end panel is pivotally attached to either of the first and second ends of the bag platform. A latching mechanism maintains the end panel in a first, upright position. The latching mechanism is magnetic or includes loop and eye fittings. The dispenser may also have a pivoting side panel.

Claims

1. A bag dispenser comprising: an integral bag platform, said integral platform being formed as a part of said bag dispenser and having a first support surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end; at least one side support, said side support extending outwardly from said first or second sides of said bag platform and upwardly from said platform, said at least one side support defining a space sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack of bags; said bags disposed with their bag walls parallel to said bag platform; at least one overhead mounting feature, said mounting feature disposed directly above a distal side edge of said bag platform, attached directly to said at least one side support and having a series of apertures penetrating said mounting feature for use in attaching to an overhead horizontal surface; at least one fastener for attaching said mounting feature to said horizontal surface; an end panel, said end panel being pivotally attached to either of said first and second ends of said bag platform; said end panel having an aperture for access to said at least one stack of bags, said aperture extending from a top of said end panel to a point below said bag panel; said end panel comprising first and second side segments, said side segments extending upwardly for a portion of a height of said side supports; and a latching mechanism, said latching mechanism maintaining said end panel in a first, upright position.

2. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 1, wherein said latching mechanism is magnetic.

3. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 1, wherein said latching mechanism comprises loop and eye fittings.

4. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 3, wherein said latching mechanism comprising loop and eye fittings wherein: said loop fitting is pivotally mounted to either of said first or second side supports; said eye fitting is mounted to said pivoting end panel; wherein when said end panel is disposed in said first, upright position, said loop fitting will secure said eye fitting and prevent said end panel from moving to a second downward position.

5. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 3, wherein said latching mechanism comprising loop and eye fittings further comprises: a notched retaining member, said retaining member being pivotally mounted to at least one side support extending upwardly from said platform; an engagement bail, said bail being mounted to said pivoting end panel; and wherein when said end panel is disposed in said first, upright position, said notched retaining member will secure said engagement bail and prevent said end panel from moving to a second downward position.

6. A bag dispenser comprising: an integral bag platform, said integral platform being formed as a part of said bag dispenser and having a first support surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end; at least one side support, said side support extending outwardly from said first or second sides of said bag platform and upwardly from said platform, said at least one side support defining a space sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack of bags; said bags disposed with their bag walls parallel to said bag platform; at least one overhead mounting feature, said mounting feature disposed directly above a distal side edge of said bag platform, attached directly to said at least one side support and having a series of apertures penetrating said mounting feature for use in attaching to an overhead horizontal surface; at least one fastener for attaching said mounting feature to said horizontal surface; a side panel, said side panel being pivotally attached to either of said first and second side supports; said side panel having an aperture for access to said at least one stack of bags, said aperture extending from a top of said side panel to a point below said bag panel; said side panel comprising first and second end segments, said end segments extending upwardly for a portion of a height of said side supports; and a latching mechanism, said latching mechanism maintaining said side panel in a first, upright position.

7. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 6, wherein said latching mechanism is magnetic.

8. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 6, wherein said latching mechanism comprises loop and eye fittings.

9. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 8, wherein said latching mechanism comprising loop and eye fittings further comprises: a notched retaining member, said retaining member being pivotally mounted to at least one side support extending upwardly from said platform; an engagement bail, said bail being mounted to said pivoting side panel; and wherein when said side panel is disposed in said first, upright position, said notched retaining member will secure said engagement bail and prevent said side panel from moving to a second downward position.

10. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 8, wherein said latching mechanism comprising loop and eye fittings wherein: said loop fitting is pivotally mounted to either of said first or second side supports; said eye fitting is mounted to said pivoting side panel; wherein when said side panel is disposed in said first, upright position, said loop fitting will secure said eye fitting and prevent said side panel from moving to a second downward position.

11. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 1 or claim 6, further comprising bags for use in said dispenser, said bags comprising: front and rear walls, each of said front and rear walls having first and second side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; and said front and rear walls being integrally joined at their first and second side edges and secured together at their bottom edges and defining an open mouth portion adjacent said top edges.

12. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 11, wherein each of said bags wherein each of said bags further comprises: an upper seam, said upper seam sealing said front wall to said back wall at their respective top edges; and a U-shaped cut-out, said U-shaped cut-out being disposed in an upper portion of said bag and commencing at a first point along said upper seam spaced inwardly from said first side edge and extending to a second point along the upper seam spaced inwardly from said second side edge, said cut-out extending downwardly toward said bottom edges, thereby forming an open mouth portion and a pair of bag handles.

13. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 11, wherein a plurality of said bags comprise a bag stack.

14. The bag dispenser, as described in claim 13, wherein said bag stacks are packaged into boxes, said boxes being sized and shaped to fit into said dispenser.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the cover in the closed position;

(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the invention with the cover removed;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment with a mounting spike fixture and mounting spikes attached;

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the FIG. 3 embodiment with the cover in the open position;

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the wall mounting plate and fasteners for attaching the FIG. 1 embodiment to a vertical surface;

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a loop and eye latching mechanism for the FIG. 1 embodiment;

(7) FIG. 7 is an exploded partial perspective view of a bag stack and the mounting spike fixture of the FIG. 3 embodiment;

(8) FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of an alternative mounting spike on the mounting spike fixture;

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the FIG. 3 embodiment with the cover in the open position with a bag stack mounted; and

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the FIG. 3 embodiment with a bag pack containing multiple bag stacks mounted on the dispenser;

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment with a barrier pole attached;

(12) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment with an alternative barrier pole attached;

(13) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having an openable end panel, shown in the open position, for use with bag box containers;

(14) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the FIG. 13 embodiment attached under a counter illustrating the end panel in the closed position;

(15) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the FIG. 13 embodiment illustrating a magnetic latch for the end panel;

(16) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the FIG. 13 embodiment illustrating a hook and eye latch for the end panel;

(17) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having an openable side panel, shown in the open position, for use with bag box containers;

(18) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the FIG. 17 embodiment illustrating a magnetic latch for the side panel, shown in the closed position;

(19) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the FIG. 17 embodiment illustrating a hook and eye latch for the side panel;

(20) FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the FIG. 3 embodiment illustrating a bag pack having side gussets;

(21) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the FIG. 3 embodiment illustrating a bag pack having a bottom gusset;

(22) FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a pack oft-shirt style bags for use with the FIG. 3 embodiment of the dispenser;

(23) FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a pack of header bags having side gussets for use with the FIG. 3 embodiment of the dispenser;

(24) FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a pack of header bags having bottom gussets for use with the FIG. 3 embodiment of the dispenser; and

(25) FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the FIG. 17 embodiment with a box of bag packs installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(26) (1) FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a bag dispenser 10 providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. A bag platform 14 is provided. The platform 14 has a first support surface 18, a first side 22, a second side 26, a first end 30 and a second end 34. A wall mounting plate 46 is provided. The plate 46 has an upper end 50, a lower end 54 and a series of apertures 58 penetrating the plate 46 for use in attaching the plate 46 to a vertical surface 62. The plate 46 is attached orthogonally to the second end 34 of the bag platform 14. At least one fastener 66 for attaching the plate 46 to the vertical surface 62 is provided. At least one side support 70 is provided. The side support 70 extends outwardly from the first 22 and second 26 sides of the bag platform 14 and upwardly from the platform 14. The at least one side support 70 defines a space 74 sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack 78 of bags 82. A dispenser cover 86 is provided. The cover 86 is sized and shaped to extend from the first end 30 to the second end 34 of the bag platform 14 and from at least a first end 90 to at least a second end 94 of the at least one side support 70. The dispenser cover 86 has a central aperture 106 permitting either viewing of or access to the stack 78 of bags 82.

(27) (2) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the bag platform 14 extends downwardly at the second end 34, providing at least one attachment point 98 for the wall mounting plate 46.

(28) (3) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the at least one side support 70 extends across and attaches to the bag platform 14.

(29) (4) In still another variant, the at least one side support 70 is of wire frame construction.

(30) (5) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the dispenser cover 86 is pivotally attached to the first end 90 of the at least one side support 70.

(31) (6) In a further variant, the at least one side support 70 has a latching mechanism 102 adjacent the second end 94 for securing the dispenser cover 86.

(32) (7) In yet a further variant, the dispenser cover 86 is hingedly attached to the at least one side support 70 at the first end 90 of the side support 70.

(33) (8) In yet a further variant, the dispenser cover 86 has a cutout 110 at one edge 114 for lifting the cover 86.

(34) (9) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the latching mechanism 102 is magnetic.

(35) (10) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the latching mechanism 102 comprises loop 104 and eye 108 fittings.

(36) (11) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a mounting spike fixture 38 is provided. The mounting spike fixture 38 is attached orthogonally adjacent the platform 14 and has at least one mounting spike 42 extending upwardly from it.

(37) (12) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, a barrier pole fixture 40 is provided. The barrier pole fixture 40 is attached orthogonally adjacent the platform 14 and has at least one barrier pole 44 extending upwardly from it.

(38) (13) In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8, the at least one mounting spike 42 is movably attached to the mounting spike fixture 38.

(39) (14) In yet a further variant, at least one barrier pole 44 is movably attached to the barrier pole fixture 40.

(40) (15) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 13-16, a bag dispenser 10 includes a bag platform 14. The platform 14 has a first support surface 18, a first side 22, a second side 26, a first end 30 and a second end 34. At least one side support 70 is provided. The side support 70 extends outwardly from the first 22 and second 26 sides of the bag platform 14 and upwardly from the platform 14. The at least one side support 70 defines a space 74 sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack 78 of bags 82. At least one overhead mounting feature 84 is provided. The mounting feature 84 is attached to the at least one side support 70 and has a series of apertures 88 penetrating the mounting feature 84 for use in attaching to an overhead horizontal surface 92. At least one fastener 96 is provided for attaching the mounting feature 84 to the horizontal surface 92. An end panel 48 is provided. The end panel 48 is pivotally attached to either of the first 30 and second 34 ends of the bag platform 14. A latching mechanism 56 is provided. The latching mechanism 56 maintains the end panel 48 in a first, upright position 52. The latching mechanism 56 includes loop 104 and eye 108 fittings as illustrated in FIG. 16. In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the latching mechanism 56 is magnetic.

(41) (16) In still a further variant, the end panel 48 further includes an aperture 60 for access to the at least one stack 78 of bags 82.

(42) (17) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, a bag dispenser 10 includes a bag platform 14. The platform 14 has a first support surface 18, a first side 22, a second side 26, a first end 30 and a second end 34. At least one side support 70 is provided. The side support 70 extends outwardly from the first 22 and second 26 sides of the bag platform 14 and upwardly from the platform 14. The at least one side support 70 DEFINES a space 74 sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack 78 of bags 82. At least one overhead mounting feature 84 is provided. The mounting feature 84 is attached to the at least one side support 70 and has a series of apertures 88 penetrating the mounting feature 84 for use in attaching to an overhead horizontal surface 92. At least one fastener 96 is provided for attaching the mounting feature 84 to the horizontal surface 92. A side panel 64 is provided. The side panel 64 is pivotally attached to at least one of the first and second side supports 70. A latching mechanism 72 is provided. The latching mechanism 72 maintains the side panel 64 in a first, upright position 68. The latching mechanism 72 includes loop 104 and eye 108 fittings as illustrated in FIG. 19. In still another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the latching mechanism 72 is magnetic.

(43) (18) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, the side panel 64 further includes an aperture 76 for access to the at least one stack 72 of bags 82.

(44) (19) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, the bag dispenser 10 further includes bags 82 for use in the dispenser 10. The bags 82 include a front wall 118, a back wall 122, first 126 and second 130 parallel linear side edges, a top edge 134 and a bottom edge 138.

(45) (20) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 23, each of the bags 82 includes at least one longitudinally oriented side gusset 80.

(46) (21) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 24, each of the bags 82 includes a bottom gusset 84.

(47) (22) In a further variant, each of the bags 82 further includes an upper seam 88. The upper seam 88 seals the front wall 118 to the back wall 122 at their respective top edges 134. A U-shaped cut-out 92 is provided. The U-shaped cut-out 92 is located in an upper portion 96 of the bag 82 and commences at a first point 100 along the upper seam 88 spaced inwardly from the first side edge 126 and extends to a second point 104 along the upper seam 88 spaced inwardly from the second side edge 130. The cut-out 92 extends downwardly toward the bottom edges 138, thereby forming an open mouth portion 108 and a pair of bag handles 112.

(48) (23) In still a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9, the bag dispenser 10 further includes bags 82 for use in the dispenser 10. The bags 82 include a front wall 118, a back wall 122, first 126 and second 130 parallel linear side edges, a top edge 134 and a bottom edge 138. At least one of the front 118 and back 122 walls is removably attached to a header 142. The header 142 extends across at least a portion 146 of at least one of the front 118 and back 122 walls. The header 142 has at least one mounting aperture 150 extending through the header 142 orthogonally and through the bag walls 118, 122. The mounting aperture 150 is sized, shaped and located to permit the bags 82 to be positioned upon the at least one mounting spike 42.

(49) (24) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 23, each of the bags 82 includes at least one longitudinally oriented side gusset 80.

(50) (25) In another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 24, each of the bags 82 includes a bottom gusset 84.

(51) (26) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 20-24, a plurality of the bags 82 form a bag stack 78.

(52) (27) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24, a plurality of the bags 82 attached to the header 142 form a bag stack 78.

(53) (28) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the bags 82 are packaged into bag packs 154. The bag packs 154 includes at least one stack 78 of bags 82, the stack 78 is enclosed in a removable outer wrapper 158.

(54) (29) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the bags 82 are packaged into bag packs 154. The bag packs 154 includes at least one stack 78 of bags 82, the stack 78 is enclosed in a removable outer wrapper 158.

(55) (30) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the bag stacks 78 are packaged into boxes 162. The boxes 162 are sized and shaped to fit into the dispenser 10.

(56) (31) In still a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, a method of using a bag dispenser 10, includes the steps of: providing a bag platform 14, the platform 14 has a first support surface 18, a first side 22, a second side 26, a first end 30 and a second end 34; providing a wall mounting plate 46, the plate 46 has an upper end 50, a lower end 54 and a series of apertures 58 penetrating the plate 46 for use in attaching the plate 46 to a vertical surface 62, the plate 46 is attached orthogonally to the second end 34 of the bag platform 14; providing at least one fastener 66 for attaching the plate 46 to the vertical surface 62; providing at least one side support 70, the side support 70 extends outwardly from the first 22 and second 26 sides of the bag platform 14 and upwardly from the platform 14, the at least one side support 70 defining a space 74 sized and shaped to accommodate at least one stack 78 of bags 82; providing a dispenser cover 86, the cover 86 is sized and shaped to extend from the first end 30 to the second end 34 of the bag platform 14 and from at least a first end 90 to at least a second end 94 of the at least one side support 70. The dispenser cover 86 has a central aperture 106 that permits viewing of or access to the stack 78 of bags 82; attaching the wall mounting plate 46 to the vertical surface 62 using the at least one fastener 66; and positioning the at least one stack 78 of bags 82 in the dispenser 10.

(57) The bag dispensing adapter for a bin 10 and method of using same 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.