GB2395712A

GB2395712A - Dispenser for bags

Info

Publication number: GB2395712A
Application number: GB0327066A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Dominic Smithson; Mark Thomas
Original assignee: Cascade Dispensers Ltd
Current assignee: Cascade Dispensers Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-25
Filing date: 2003-11-21
Publication date: 2004-06-02
Also published as: GB0327066D0; GB0227468D0

Abstract

A dispenser 1 for dispensing individual pre-formed bags from a stack of such bags, the dispenser 1 comprising a body part 2 , and an anchor part 4 for the stack attached to the body part 2, the anchor part 4 comprising catch means 5 for engaging a stack of pre-formed bags, characterised in that the dispenser 1 further comprises deformation means 6, the deformation means 6 being arranged to contact the stack of pre-formed bags in use so as to cause the stack to bulge outwards, to produce a graspable surface facilitating removal of a bag from the stack.

Description

DISPENSERS FOR BAGS

This invention relates to dispensers for dispensing individual pre-formed bags from a stack of such bags.

Dispensers of this type are commonly provided in retail outlets, particularly supermarkets, to dispense pre-formed bags (e.g. plastic bags) . It is desirable that when a bag is taken from the dispenser it should at least partially open, facilitating filling of the bag.

British Patent ApplicationNo. GB-A- 2334944 (Cascade Dispensers Limited), describes such a dispenser, which comprises a body part and an anchor part for the stack disposed on the body part, the anchor means comprising catch means for engaging a stack of pre fo1ned bags whereby the stack depends from the catch means for being grasped for 15 removal, a stack restraining means comprising al1 elongate member associated with the dispenser and movable (e.g. pivotably) between a first position In which a first portion of the elongate member bears against the stack to restrain the same and a second position in which the elongate member is deflected from its first position against the action of a restoring force to permit one side of a first bag of the stack to be drawn past 20 the stack restraining means to open the said first bag for loading prior to removal from the dispenser, characterized mthatthe First portion ofthe elongate member is maintained at a fixed angle with respect to a second portion of the elongate member whereby the first portion of the elongate member is directed preferentially towards the stack to restrain the same.

The particular dispensers described in GB-A-2334944 function satisfactorily, but have the drawback that at least one region of adhesion (e.g. a glue-spot) is required between each adjacent pair of bags in.the stack. This increases the manufacturing cost of the stack. Moreover, the dispenser allows users to grasp and pull the lower ends of the 30 stack, which may result In the inadvertent removal of more than one bag, and unsatisfactory opening of the bag upon removal.

-2 It is an aim of the present invention to provide a dispenser for dispensing pre-formed bags in which the need for adhesion between bags is removed. It is a further aim to provide a dispenser which promotes correct removal of the bag by a user.

5 In accordance with the present invention there is provided a dispenser for dispensing individual pre-formed bags from a stack of such bags, the dispenser comprising a body part, and an anchor part for the stack attached to the body part, the anchor part comprising catch means for engaging a stack of pre-forrned bags, characterised in that the dispenser further comprises deformation means, the deformation means being 10 arranged to contact the stack of pre-formed bags in use so as to cause the stack to bulge outwards, preferably in a region proximate to the mouths of the bags, to produce a graspable surface to facilitate removal of a bag from the stack.

The stack may depend from the catch means.

Preferably, the deformation means comprises a plate member, and may be attached to the anchor part or body part or it may be integral to the anchor part or body part.

The anchor part may be pivotably attached to the body part, so that the stack may be 20 folded around it.

Preferably the dispenser further compri ses stack restraining means attached to the body part. 25 The restraining means may be pivotably attached to the body part.

An additional anchor part, restraining means, and deformation means may be attached to the body part.

30 The body part may be rotatably mounted on a base.

Reference is made to the accompanying figures, in which

-3 - Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment; 5 Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment opened up; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment; and Fig. 6 shows a side view of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment.

15 Fig. 8 shows a front perspective view of the fifth embodiment loaded with a stack of bags; and Fig. 9 shows rear perspective view of the fifth embodiment loaded with a stack of bags.

20 Refening now to Fig. I which shows a first embodiment of the invention, a dispenser 1 comprises a body part 2 attached to restraining means 3 and an anchor part 4. The anchor part has catch means S for receiving a stack of pre-formed bags. The bags are suitably of the conventional T- shirt or singlet type in which a pair of laterally-spaced handles extends upwardly from a body portion on opposite sides of an open-mouthed 25 portion. The stack can be ofthe conventional construction, in which the pairs of handles of the individual bags are bridged by a web of plastic connected to the handle portions at each end by lines of weakness (e.g. defined by perforations), the bridging webs being held together (e. g. by heat-bonding, taping, wrapping, clipping and/or tying) to form a socalled block header. The block header, the handles and the mouth ofthe bags define 30 a through channel which, in use, receives the catch means 5 as will be described below.

Unlike conventional stacks however, it is unnecessary to provide regions of adhesion (e.g. glue-spots) between individual bags. Here the catch means 5 comprises a pair of

hooks. Attached to the anchor part 4 is a deformation means 6, which is fonmed as a plate which protrudes outwardly from the anchor part. A support pole 7 is also present to strengthen the dispenser.

5 In use, a stack of pre-fonmed bags is fitted into the dispenser by engaging the catch means 5 with channel defined by the handles, block header and mouth of the stack of bags. The bags will then depend from the catch means and lie on top of the anchor part 4. The bottom of the stack is placed behind the restraining means 3. The deformation means 6 causes the stack to bulge outward in a region near to the mouths of the bags.

] O The bulge presents an easy-to-hold surface to a user, so that the outermost bag may be simply grasped by, for example, the thumb and forefinger of the user. The restraining means 3 prevents the user from grasping the bottom of the stack, and keeps the stack in the desired position when a bag is removed. In order to remove a single bag from the stack a user grasps the outennost bag between thumb and forefinger in the region of the 15 bulge. As the outermost bag is pulled from the dispenser, the action of grasping the bag in the region of the bulge causes the front wall of the bag to slide over the rear wall of the bag and it is drawn away from the rear wall of the bag, causing the bag to open. As the bag is pulled further from the dispenser, it becomes detached from the block header and the whole bag is removed in an open state. This embodiment is especially preferred 20 as there are no moving parts, making the dispenser inexpensive to produce and requiring no maintenance. In addition, there is no need to provide glue spots between adjacent bags since the action of grasping and sliding it over the deformation means causes the bag to open as it is removed.

25 A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 2 and 3. A body part 2' is arranged to support the dispenser in a substantially horizontal orientation. A restraining means 3' and anchor part 4' are both pivotally attached to the body part 2' at a point 8.

Catch means 5' (shown in Figure 3) is provided on the anchor part 4' to engage with the block header of a stack of pre-formed bags. Defonnation means 6' in the forth of a plate 30 is attached to anchor part 4'. The restraining means 3'has a slot 9 formed therein that corresponds to the position of the deformation means 6', so that in use the defonnation means protrudes through the retaining means.

-5 The stack of pre-formed bags 10 is loaded into the dispenser by lifting the restraining means 3 and engaging the catch means 5' within the stack of bags, as shown in figure 3. The stack is then folded around the anchor part so that the Cottons of the stack is sandwiched' between the body part 2' and the underside of the anchor part. The 5 deformation means 6' causes the stack to bulge outwardly in an area near the mouths of the bags. The restraining means is then placed to bear on top of the stack under the influence of a gravitational restoring force. The bulge in the stack protrudes through the slot 9 so that it is the only portion of the stack accessible to a user.

10 As in the first embodiment, the user is aided in only grasping a single bag because of the bulge. As the bag is removed it is caused to open. The restraining means acts to keep the remainder of the stack in position in the dispenser.

A third embodiment is shown in Figure 4, in whicl1 the dispenser is mounted in an 15 upright fashion. A restraining means 3" is pivotably mounted to body part 2" at pivot point 8" so that it depends therefrom. Anchor part 4" is fixedly attached to body part 2".

The anchor part carries catch means (not shown) and deformation means 6" in the form of a plate.

20 As in the previous embodiment, the stack of bags is attached to the catchmeans and held between the anchor part and restraining means. A bulge in the stack is formed by the deformation means 6", which protrudes through a slot in the retaining means. In this embodiment the bottom end of the stack depends from the anchor part and is accessible by a user. However, the bulge in the stack serves to present an easily graspable surface 25 of a bag. To reinforce that the bag should be held at the bulge region, explanatorynotes, figures, arrows or other insignia may be displayed on the restraining means instructing tile user to hold the bag in the correct place.

The Illustrated dispenser is atwmdispenser and includes mirrorimage parts onthe other 30 side of the body part. The dispenser can thus hold stacks of bags which are accessible simultaneously from opposite sides. The dispenser may further be rotatably mounted on a base 11 so that the dispenser may be turned to face a user.

-6 A fourth embodiment is shown in Figures 5 and 6. This dispenser is another 'upright' design, and like the previous embodiment, is shown in a twin dispenser form. This dispenser too may be rotatably mounted. In this embodiment, the restraining means 3"' is pivotably attached to body part 2"' at pivot point 8"'. Anchor part 4"' is fixedly 5 attached to the body part. Catch means 5"' located in the anchor part forms two channels 12 and 13, each of which may accommodate a block header of a stack of pre fonned bags. Deformation means 6"' in the form of a plate is attached to the body part 2"'. The restraining means 3"' comprises a cut-out portion 14 which corresponds to the position of deformation means 6"'. Outwardly folded flaps 15 are provided at the edges 10 of the cut-out portion, which define the shape of the bulge formed in the stack. Loop members l 6 are attached to the inner surface of restraining means 3"', which engage the stacks of bags to hold them in the desired position.

This forth of dispenser operates in a similar manner to the previous embodiment, but has 15 the advantage that it can accommodate two stacks of pre-formed bags on each dispensing side.

A fifth embodiment is shown m Figs. 7-9. This dispenser is similar to the dispenser shown in Fig. 1 with the difference that it is formed from wire rod rather than sheet 20 metal. The dispenser comprises a body part 2"" and an anchor part, the body part being attached to a base 20. The body past 2"" is in the form of a single length of wire rod having first and second parallel portions extending upwardly from the base 20 and being linked by a U-bend portion. The body part comprises an integral deformation means 6"" in the form of a portion of the wire rod which is bent out of place with respect to a major 25 portion of the body part.

An anchor part 4"" is provided at free end of the body part 2"", remote from the base 20. The anchor part is located above the deformation means 6"" and is in the same plane as the major portion of the body part 2"", located below the deformation means.

30 The anchor part 4"" has catch means S"" for engaging with a stack of pre-formed bags.

The catch means 5"" is in the forth of a pair of upstanding prongs which engage with the stack of bags, preferably in the channel defined by the block header, the handles and the

-7 mouth of the bags. Alternatively, the prongs may be arranged to engage with any suitable attachment means provided on the bags, for example, apertures provided in the block header or handles of the bags.

5 A stack support member 22 is provided on the body part 2"". The stack support member 22 is in the form of a wire rod extending perpendicularly on each side of the body part 2"", in a region below the deforrnaton means 6"". In use, the stack support member 22 serves to ensure that the stack of bags does not fold around the body part 2"" and is presented in an appealing manner (as shown in [Figs. 8 and 9). The stack support 10 membems further provided witl1 two upstanding, support members 24, one on each side of the body part 2"" which further serve to support the stack of bags.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, these show front and rear perspective views of the dispenser of Fig. 7 with a stack of bags 10' mounted thereon. Catch means 5"" engage 15 with the channel defined by the block header, handles and mouth of the bags and the body of the bags depend therefrom. The deformation means 6"" causes a bulge to be created in a region of the bags near to the mouth. As can be best seen in Fig. 9, the stack support member 22 ensures that the bags do not fold around the body part 2"" and that the bags are presented in an appealing manner such that any logo or writing on the bags 20 is clearly visible.

The foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention, and various

modifications or changes may be envisaged which fall within the scope of the claims.

The deformation means does not have to be formed as a plate, and may be any shape so 25 long as it creates a budge in the bag stack. It may be fonned for example as a ridge in the anchor part or body part.

The dispensers are preferably fonned from sheet metal or wire rod, but other materials could be used.

-8 The catch means may be adapted to fit any type of pre-formed bag stack. Although the catch means are shown as being formed by a folded plate, other forms could be used, for example prongs or a flat plate.

Claims

-9- CLAIMS

1. A dispenser for dispensing individual pre-fonned bags from a stack of such bags, the dispenser comprising a body part, and an anchor part for the stack 5 attached to the body part, the anchor part comprising catch means for engaging a stack of pre-fonmed bags, characterised in that the dispenser further comprises defonnation means, the defonn ation means being arranged to contact the stack of pre-fomed bags in use so as to cause the stack to bulge outwards, to produce a graspable surface facilitating removal of a bag from lO the stack.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the bulge is formed in a region proximate to the mouths of the bags.

15 3. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the stack, in use, depends from the catch means.

A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the deformation means comprises a plate member.

5. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the deformation means is attached to the body part.

6. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the defomation 25 means is integral to the body part.

7. A dispenser according to any of claims I to 4, wherein the deformation means is attached to the anchor part.

30 8 A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the anchor past is pivotably attached to the body part.

-lo- 9. A dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the stack in use is folded around the anchor part.

lO. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, further comprising stack 5 restraining means.

l 1. A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the restraining means is pivotably attached to the body part.

10 l2. A dispenser according to claim lO or claim 11, wherein additional anchor part, restraining means and defonnation means are attached to the body part.

13. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the body part is rotatably mounted on a base.

14. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, when loaded with a stack of individual pre-formed bags.

15. A dispenser for dispensing pre-fomled bags substantially as herein described 20 with reference to Figures 1 - 9.