Single drawer dispenser rack

• US 9,750,356 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2016
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stephanie Tan
• Original Assignee: Stephanie Tan
• Inventors: Tan, Stephanie
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Rakesh
• Application Number:
  US15/000,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20160143457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 211 8515, 211 12, 211106, 221 45, 221 1, 248100
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/04 Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles , e.g. by means of gravity or springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 13/085 Shopping-bag holders A47F9/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 9/042 Shopping bags or carton-dispensing systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/08 for dispensing thin flat articles in succession towel dispensers intended for re-use A47K10/24; dispensers for surgical scalpel blades A61B17/3215

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.

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.

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.