WO2003068033A1

WO2003068033A1 - A bag dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2003068033A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/000299
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon Mark Bolton
Original assignee: SIMON BOLTON Ltd; Hyperama PLC
Current assignee: SIMON BOLTON Ltd; Hyperama PLC
Priority date: 2002-02-14
Filing date: 2003-01-23
Publication date: 2003-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2004-08-14
Also published as: AU2003206996A1; WO2003068033A8

Abstract

A bag dispenser for a stack of pre-formed flattened bags comprises a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend. The bags have a detachable retention tabs and are disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends. The bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions. A retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall is received in aligned apertures in the retention tabs of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion. The retention member has an end plate that prevents a user from grasping the bags at the retention tabs and bears information directing the user to the correct picking zone. It also has a portion that is -forwardly inclined to adjust the position of the uppermost bags on the dispenser when full. The second wall portion may be configured to allow handles of the bag to depend over an edge. Other features prevent the bags from being inadvertently pulled over the retention member without detaching from the tabs.

Description

A BAG DISPENSER

The present invention relates to a bag dispenser of the kind from which a stack of pre-formed bags is dispensed individually.

Dispensers containing pre-formed bags are commonly provided in supermarkets and other retail outlets so that a customer may remove a bag from the dispenser in order to package loose products such as, for example, fruits and vegetables. Similar dispensers for carrier bags are provided at supermarket checkout tills and kiosks.

Our co-pending PCT patent application no. GBO 1/04545 describes a bag dispenser in which bags are disposed over a substantially upstanding wall such that they are folded thereover and retained thereon. The bags each have base and mouth ends and a detachable retention tab attached to the mouth end by perforations. A retaining tongue passes through aligned apertures in the retention tabs of the bags in the stack so as to retain the bags in place on the dispenser. When a bag is required the user simply grasps the uppermost bag on the dispenser and drags it downwardly so that the perforations tear and the bag detaches from the retention tab.

Whilst the above described dispenser works well it is desirable to improve certain aspects of its design so as to increase the capacity of the dispenser and to ensure that a user dispenses the bags in the intended way.

One limiting factor in the capacity of a dispenser of this kind is that the base and handle ends of the bag stack have a tendency to "fan out" in view of the welded seams at each end. The thickness of a bag at the seams can be up to three times that at its centre.

Another problem with large capacity dispensers is that when the dispenser is full the uppermost bag may not be ideally positioned for dispensing. This is because fold or bend in the bags is significantly longer in length for the uppermost bag in the stack in comparison with the lowermost bag. For best results the uppermost bag should be grasped within an imaginary "picking zone" below the bag mouth. The position of this zone relative to the dispenser is dependent on the number of bags in the stack. It is also an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination of a dispenser and a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein each bag has handle portions that extend from the mouth end thereof on each side of the retention portion, the handles of the bag being disposed such that they depend over an edge of the second portion of the wall.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination of a dispenser and a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein at least a portion of the retention member is inclined at an acute angle relative to the surface of the second portion of the upstanding wall in a direction towards the transverse bend.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination of a dispenser and a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein the retention member has an end portion that is disposed over the retention portions so as to restrict access to them.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination of a dispenser and a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein there is provided a bag securing member that is pivotable after bags have been loaded in place to cover the retention portions and prevent them from being inadvertently pulled over the retention member.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a bag for use in the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the dispenser loaded with a stack of bags of the kind illustrated in figure 1, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

Figure 3 is apian view of the dispenser of figure 2 with bags not shown;

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of the dispenser shown without bags and in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view from above and to one side of the dispenser of figure 4 loaded with bags;

Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of the present invention shown loaded with bags and in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the dispenser of figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention; Figure 9 is a front view of the dispenser of figure 8;

Figure 10 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention;

Figure 11 is a front view of the dispenser of figure 10;

Figure 12 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a side view of a seventh embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention;

Figure 14 is a front view of the dispenser of figure 13;

Figure 15 is a side view of an eight embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention;

Figure 16 is a plan view of the dispenser of figure 15;

Figure 17 is a front view of the dispenser of figure 15;

Figure 18 is a side view of a tenth embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention; and

Figure 19 is a front view of the dispenser of figure 18

Referring now to figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, a stack of flat pre-formed bags 1 is shown folded transversely on a dispenser 2 (figure 2). An individual bag of the stack is shown in figure 1 and the dispenser is shown with bags removed in figure 3.

Each bag comprises a tube of plastics film that is flattened to form front and rear walls and is heat welded to form a transverse seal 3 at each end in accordance with known techniques. The material is cut away from one end of the bag to define handle portions 4 and a mouth 5. In-board of the mouth 5 and the handles 4 a U- shaped perforated cut or line of weakening 6 defines a removable retention tab 7 that becomes separated from the main body of the bag when it is dispensed as will be described below. The retention tab 7 shape is designed such that when it is removed from the main body of the bag the length of the handles 4 is increased. Each retention tab 7 has an elongate aperture 8 for engagement with the dispenser will be described below. A plurality of such bags is provided in the stack 1, the bags being arranged such that they overlie each other in alignment.

The exemplary dispenser 2 has a base 11 from which there are upstanding spaced front and rear walls 12, 13 flanked by two parallel side walls 14. The walls define a trough T for accommodating one end of the bags 1. The front wall 12 extends vertically whereas the rear wall 13 has a first portion 13a that extends vertically in parallel to the front wall 12 and a second inclined portion 13b that depends downwardly from an upper end of the first portion 13a in a direction away from the front wall 12. The configuration of the rear wall 13 defines a bend 15 intermediate the first and second portions and over which the bags 1 are folded when stored in the dispenser 2.

The side walls 14 are contoured for aesthetic purposes and serve to prevent access to the bags from the side of the dispenser.

The second portion 13b of the rear wall 13 supports an upwardly projecting hooked plate that forms a retaining member 16 for retaining the bags on the dispenser. The retaining member is substantially rectangular in outline and is bent along transverse lines at three spaced locations along its length to define three portions. A first part 16a of the retaining member projects substantially perpendicularly from the plane of the second portion 13b of the rear wall 13, a middle part 16b is first inclined at an acute angle towards the front wall 12 and then inclined in the reverse direction so that it extends approximately parallel to the first part 16a whereas the third part 16c extends approximately parallel to the base wall 11.

Towards the end of the second portion 13b of the rear wall, distal from the bend 14, there is a pair of cut away sections 17 adjacent to the side walls 14. These flank a central section on which the retention member 15 is mounted.

In use a stack of bags 1 is loaded into the dispenser 2 by placing them over the rear wall 13 so that they are folded about the bend 15 and the retention member 16 passes through the elongate aperture 8 in the retention tabs 7. The bags 1 are thus retained on the dispenser with their base ends received in the trough T and the mouth ends 5 being supported on the second portion 13b of the rear wall 13. The base and mouth ends of the bags are vertically offset. The distance from the apertures 8 in the retention tabs 7 to the fold is less that one third of the distance from the fold to the base end of the stack of bags. Thus the weight of the bags at the front of the dispenser biases the stack of bags downwardly into the trough T such that the mouth ends are urged upwards relative to the retention member 16. This increases the ease with which a bag is dispensed.

The handles 4 of the bags 1 depend into the spaces defined by the cut-away sections 17 of the second portion 13b of the rear wall 13. This arrangement ensures that the capacity of the dispenser is increased whilst remaining compact as the tendency of the handle seams 3 to fan out is accommodated without having to increase the front to rear dimension of the dispenser.

The middle part 16b of the retention member 16 that is inclined towards the front wall ensures that after a certain number of bags 1 are loaded on to the dispenser 2 (i.e. enough to cover the depth of the first part 16a of the retention member 16) the position of the subsequent bags in the stack 1 is progressively corrected to take account of the increased length of the bend in the bag stack. The configuration of the retention member 16 ensures that each of the bags 1 remains in the desired position relative to the dispenser 2 regardless of the number of bags in the stack 1 so that the desired picking zone is always presented to the user.

The following features of this embodiment of the dispenser are designed to guide the user in dispensing a single bag from the stack of bags in the most efficient way possible.

The front wall 12 is disposed so as to restrict access to the front of the stack of bags 1 to just a small section close to the transverse fold in the stack but ensure that this section is large enough for engagement by the hand of the user.

The side walls 14 are designed to direct the user to approach the stack of bags from the front of the dispenser midway between the side walls.

When a user wishes to dispense a bag he/she is presented with a conveniently arched surface at the uppermost point of the stack of bags by virtue of the stack resting on the bend 15 in the rear wall 13. The surface is ergonomically designed to match a person's hand with thumb and fingers extended. In this way, the user is presented with a naturally arched surface over which he/she can place his/her hand in order to grasp the uppermost bag. The second portion 13b of the rear wall 13 provides a convenient surface against which a user can engage a portion of the uppermost bag of the stack rearwards of the transverse line and draw it over the bend 15 with his/her fingers.

In order to dispense a bag from the stack the user simply places his/her hand over the arched upper surface of the stack, bears down on to the stack and draws his/her hand over the arcuate surface and towards the front of the dispenser. Owing to the friction between the user's hand and the uppermost bag, first the upper wall of the uppermost bag is dragged relative to the stack. The lower wall then follows. In this way the perforations on the upper wall of the bag break before those on the lower wall and the bag partially opens whilst being dispensed.

In use, the dispenser, when loaded with a stack of bags 1, is located such that the user has access to the bags from the front. The side walls 14, front wall 12 and base 11 of the dispenser restrict access to the side and bottom edges of the bags thereby encouraging the user to select the uppermost bag in the stack 1 from the front near to the fold of the stack. The user grasps the front wall of the uppermost bag and pulls it towards him or her. Since the bag is retained on the dispenser by the retaining member 16 this action causes the bag to become progressively detached from the retention tab 7 along the line of weakening 6. The main body of the bag becomes detached at the lines of weakening 6 on the front wall of the bag first before those on the rear wall. There is thus a tendency for the front and rear walls of the bag to separate so as to facilitate opening of the bag. After the bag has been removed the retention tab is retained on the retaining member.

The first and second portions 13 a, 13b of the rear wall on each side of the bend 15 are in contact with the lowermost bag in the stack 1 and thereby provide a firm supporting surface making it easier for the user to grasp and separate the uppermost bag in the stack.

The arrangement provides for a compact dispenser that does not obstruct the line of sight of the customer or till operator but which ensures that the stack of bags is readily visible to aid the customer in dispensing a bag. Its visibility also makes it easy for an attendant to notice when the stack is depleted or that the dispenser is empty so that it can be reloaded rapidly. Reloading of the bags is a simple operation in that there is no difficulty in determining the correct orientation for the bags. It is only necessary to locate the apertures 8 in the retention tabs 7 over the retaining member 16 as the bag stack 1 is placed over the rear wall 13. The bag stack 1 can be placed either way up on the dispenser 2.

The design eliminates the requirement for separate packaging for the bags and the requirement for the bags to be retained together in the stack by glue spots or heat welds.

The apertures may be oversized as compared to the tongue so as to make it easier for the attendant to locate the stack of bags over the retaining member.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the dispenser with a modified retaining member. Parts corresponding to those of figures 2 or 3 are indicated by the same reference numerals increased by 100 and are not further described except insofar as they differ from their counterparts. In figure 4 the side walls and bags are not shown for the purposes of clarity.

The retaining member 116 has a support portion 116a that is inclined upwardly relative to the second portion 113b of the rear wall by angle x. In use this portion 116a supports the retention tabs 107 of the bags so that they folded slightly upwards about the perforation at the bag mouth. The bag handles 104 are free to depend downwardly on each side of the support portion 116a as before in view of clear areas 117. The main part 116b of the retaining member projects substantially perpendicular to the support portion 116a through the bag apertures 8. At the distal end of the main portion 116b the member is bent slightly by an angle y before it terminates in end plate 116c that is in-turned towards the front wall and extends substantially parallel to the support portion 116a. An upper surface 116d of the end plate bears information and/or arrows (other appropriate symbols may be used) directing the user to the picking zone.

As can be seen from figure 5, when the dispenser is loaded with a stack of bags the retention tabs 107 are received in the area between the support portion 116a and the end plate 116c. This discourages a user from grasping the uppermost bag at the retention tab 107 or bag mouth 105. The arrows on the end plate 116c direct the user to the desired picking zone (illustrated by the hatched shading in figure 5).

The bend in the main portion 116b of the retention member 116 serves to retain the bags in the stack. It prevents a bag from being inadvertently dispensed in an incorrect manner by pulling it over the end plate as such an action would require careful manipulation of the retention tab 107 so that is moved rearwards and upwards over the bend before being moved forwards over the end plate 116c.

In a further alternative embodiment shown in figures 6 and 7 the dispenser is mounted on a stand S (only top part shown in figure 6). Again features in common with the design of figure 2 and 3 are not described in detail and are given the same reference numerals but increased by 200.

The front and rear walls 212, 213 of the dispenser are upstanding but are inclined to the vertical. The retaining member 216 as before retains the bags 201 on the rear wall 213 of the dispenser. A locking plate 220 is pivotally disposed behind the rear wall and is pivotable between a position shown at 220a where it is clear of the bag stack and a position 220b where is rests on the stack and prevent the bags from being lifted off the retention member instead of torn from the retention tab. The plate 220 has a central projecting section 221 that rests on the retention tabs when in position 220b leaving the area to each side of it clear to accommodate the passage of the bag handles.

The embodiment of figures 8 and 9 show a dispenser that is similar in configuration to that of figures 4 and 5. Features in common with that design are not described in detail and are given the same reference numerals but increased by 200.

In this embodiment the main portion 316b of the retaining member 316 has a portion 316e that is inclined towards the front wall of the dispenser 312 in the same manner as part 16b of the dispenser of figures 1 to 3. This serves as before to correct progressively the position of the uppermost bags in the stack. The first portion of the rear wall is modified to comprise a central post 330 the lower portion of which is substantially vertical and an upper portion of which is inclined to the vertical by a few degrees. The upper portion supports the first portion of the rear wall 313a that extends across the width of the dispenser in the same manner as the second portion 313b of the rear wall. The side walls 314 of the dispenser are considerably smaller that those of the dispensers of the preceding embodiments. They have a profile that is approximately triangular with rounded apices and occupy a confined area flanking only the first portion 313a of the rear wall (and not the lower portion of the supporting post) and the second portion 313b of the rear wall. The front wall 312 is inclined to the vertical in the same manner as the first portion of the rear wall. This arrangement helps to restrict the size of the dispenser from front to rear. These modified features may be incorporated into any of the dispensers herein described.

The embodiment illustrated in figures 10 and 11 is similar to that shown in figures 8 and 9. However, the edges of the dispenser are constructed in wire to reduce cost. The side walls 414 again of reduced size and a lower region of the trough T is enlarged by virtue of the first portion of the rear wall being inclined outwardly in that region towards the base as indicated by reference numeral 440. This enables the fanned out bottom edges of the bags to be received comfortably without significantly increasing the overall size of the dispenser. Alternatively it may permit the main body of the bags to be folded or diverted into the enlarged base area so as to ensure so that the height of the dispenser does not have to be increased to allow a greater bag capacity. This feature may be incorporated into any of the dispensers herein described. The first portion of the rear wall 413a above the trough T is inclined to the vertical by a few degrees.

The embodiment of figure 12 shows a dispenser that is similar to that described above in relation to figures 10 and 11 but has side walls of a different configuration. In this design the side walls are divided into two pairs, one pair 514a flanking the upper part of the first portion 513a of the rear wall and a second pair 514b flanking the second portion 513b of the rear wall.

The dispenser embodiment shown in figures 13 and 14 is not freestanding but is rather designed to be mounted on a support such as a bracket or a wall. The side walls 614 of the dispenser extend rearwardly of the rear wall 613 (over which the bags are disposed) have wall-mounting brackets 642 defined at their rear edges.

Figures 15, 16 and 17 show an alternative post-mounted dispenser. The structure of the dispenser is similar to that of figures 6 and 7, although it has a retention member in the form of that shown in the dispenser embodiment of figure 4 or 5. Instead of the pivotal locking plate, this embodiment is provided with a small semi-circular stationary plate 744 at the rear top of the dispenser to prevent users from approaching the bags from the wrong direction. The post 745 has a foot plate 746 that is generally circular in plan save for a flat edge 747 that allows the unit to be located closer to the produce display area concerned. The post-mounted twin dispenser of figures 18 and 19 has two identical dispensers that are mounted on opposite sides of the post 845 by a respective cantilever support 848. Each support 848 is bolted to the post 845 such it can be separately removed. The dispensers are similar to that shown in figures 4 and 5, save that the base 811 is arcuate as opposed to flat. The side walls 814 are defined by a wire-like frame that is closed only in the top half 814a, the bottom half 814b being open to expose the bags. The front wall 812 has a plurality of apertures 850 to reduce the weight of the dispenser and to improve its aesthetic appearance. Each dispenser has a flat front wall so that in an alternative configuration it can be wall mounted.

It is to be appreciated that numerous modifications may be made to the above described designs without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the bags may be detachable from the retention portions by means of any appropriate configuration of line of weakening or perforations or the like. Moreover, the retention members may be connected at the lines of weakening to any convenient point near to the bag mouth such as the edge of the mouth and/or the bag handles. It is also to be understood that the various dispensers can be used for any suitable kind of article, for example, bags without handles, sheets or gloves provided an appropriate retention tab is present on the article.

Claims

1. A combination of a dispenser and a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein each bag has handle portions that extend from the mouth end thereof on each side of the retention portion, the handles of the bag being disposed such that they depend over an edge of the second portion of the wall.

2. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 1, wherein the edge is defined by an aperture in the second part of the wall.

3. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the retention member is inclined at an acute angle relative to the second part of the upstanding wall in a direction towards the transverse bend.

4. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the retention member has a part that projects from the second wall portion at an angle such that when loaded the retention portions of the bags are supported thereon rather than on the second wall portion.

5. The bag dispenser combination according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retention member has an end portion that is disposed over the retention portions so as to restrict access to them.

6. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 5, wherein the end portion bears information directing user to the correct position to grasp the uppermost bag.

7. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the retention member has a deviation that serves to prevent the bags being inadvertently pulled over the retention member.

8. The bag dispenser combination of claim 7, wherein the deviation is disposed immediately adjacent to the end portion.

9. The bag dispenser combination according to any preceding claim wherein an upper part of the first wall portion is inclined to a lower part of the first wall portion.

10. The bag dispenser combination according to any preceding claim, wherein there are provided side walls that flank the upstanding wall.

11. The bag dispenser combination according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser is mounted on a support post.

12. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 11, wherein the support post has a floor contacting foot that has a flat on its periphery.

13. The bag dispenser combination according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the dispenser has a substantially flat mounting surface by which it may be mounted to a vertical wall.

14. The bag dispenser combination according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser has a trough for receipt of the base ends of the bags when located on the dispenser.

15. The dispenser combination according to claim 14, wherein the trough is defined between a front wall and a rear wall, the front wall serving to prevent access to the base ends of the bags.

16. The dispenser combination according to claim 15, wherein the rear wall is defined at least in part by the first portion of the upstanding wall.

17. The dispenser combination according to claim 15 or 16, wherein at least part of the rear wall extends rearwardly of the first portion of the upstanding wall and away from the front wall so as to produce an enlarged trough area.

18. The dispenser combination according to any preceding claim, wherein there is provided a cover member disposed adjacent to the retention member to prevent access to the mouth ends and/or handles of the bags.

19. The dispenser combination according to any preceding claim, wherein the retention portion of the bags is connected to the handles along lines of weakening.

20. A combination of a dispenser and a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein at least a portion of the retention member is inclined at an acute angle relative to the surface of the second portion of the upstanding wall in a direction towards the transverse bend.

21. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 20, wherein the retention member has a part that projects from the second wall portion at an angle such that when loaded the retention portions of the bags are supported thereon rather than on the second wall portion.

22. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the retention member has an end portion that is disposed over the retention portions so as to restrict access to them.

23. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 22, wherein the end portion bears information directing user to the correct position to grasp the uppermost bag.

24. The bag dispenser combination according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the retention member has a deviation that serves to prevent the bags being inadvertently pulled over the retention member.

25. The bag dispenser combination of claim 24, wherein the deviation is disposed immediately adjacent to the end portion.

26. The bag dispenser combination according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the dispenser is mounted on a support post.

27. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 26, wherein the support post has a floor contacting foot that has a flat on its periphery.

28. The bag dispenser combination according to any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein the dispenser has a substantially flat mounting surface by which it may be mounted to a vertical wall.

29. The bag dispenser combination according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser has a trough for receipt of the base ends of the bags when located on the dispenser.

30. The dispenser combination according to claim 29, wherein the trough is defined between a front wall and a rear wall, the front wall serving to prevent access to the base ends of the bags.

31. The dispenser combination according to claim 30, wherein the rear wall is defined at least in part by the first portion of the upstanding wall.

32. The dispenser combination according to claim 30 or 31, wherein at least part of the rear wall extends rearwardly of the first portion of the upstanding wall and away from the front wall so as to produce an enlarged trough area.

33. The dispenser combination according to any one of claims 20 to 32, wherein there is provided a cover member disposed adjacent to the retention member to prevent access to the mouth ends and/or handles of the bags.

34. The bag dispenser combination according to any one of claims 20 to 33, wherein the retention portions of the bags are detachably connected to the handles along lines of weakening.

35. A combination of a dispenser and a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein the retention member has an end portion that is disposed over the retention portions so as to restrict access to them.

36. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 35, wherein the end portion bears information directing user to the correct position to grasp the uppermost bag.

37. The bag dispenser combination according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the retention member has a deviation that serves to prevent the bags being inadvertently pulled over the retention member.

38. The bag dispenser combination of claim 37, wherein the deviation is disposed immediately adjacent the end portion.

39. The bag dispenser combination according to any one of claims 35 to 38, wherein the end portion is disposed substantially in parallel to the surface of the second portion of the upstanding wall.

40. A combination of a dispenser and a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein the retention member has a first portion that projects from the second wall portion at an angle such that when loaded the retention portions of the bags are supported thereon rather than the second wall portion and a second portion that passes through the apertures in the retention portions.

41. A combination of a dispenser and a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein there is provided a bag securing member that is pivotable after bags have been loaded in place to cover the retention portions and prevent them from being inadvertently pulled over the retention member.

42. A dispenser for a stack of pre-formed bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags being disposed in use over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein each bag has handle portions that extend from the mouth end thereof on each side of the retention portion and, in use, the handles of the bag are disposed such that they depend over an edge of the second portion of the wall.

43. A dispenser for a stack of pre-formed bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags being disposed in use over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein at least a portion of the retention member is inclined at an acute angle relative to the surface of the second portion of the upstanding wall and in a direction towards the bend.

44. A dispenser for a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags in use being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein the retention member has an end portion that is disposed substantially in parallel to the surface of the second portion of the upstanding wall so that in use it covers the retention portions so as to restrict access to them.

45. A bag dispenser for a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags in use being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein the retention member has a first portion that projects form the second wall portion at an angle such that, in use, when the dispenser is loaded the retention portions of the bags are supported on the projecting portion rather than the second wall portion and the retention member has a second portion that passes^' through apertures in the retention portions of the bags.

46. A bag dispenser for a stack of pre-formed flattened bags, the bags of each stack comprising a main body with front and rear walls, a closed base end, an opposite mouth end, and a retention portion detachably connected to the main body adjacent to the mouth end, the dispenser comprising a base and an upstanding wall having first and second portions separated by a transverse bend, the bags in use being disposed over the wall such that they are folded over the bend at a position intermediate the mouth and base ends whereby a first portion of the bag stack containing the base ends of the bags is disposed over the first portion of the wall and depends downwardly and a second portion of the bag stack containing the mouth ends of the bags is supported on the second wall portion, the bag stack being supported on each side of the , bend by the first and second wall portions and a retention member on the second part of the upstanding wall, the retention member being received in aligned apertures in the retention portions of the bags so as to retain the stack of bags on the dispenser such that when the main body of the uppermost bag in the stack is pulled relative to the retention member it becomes detached from its retention portion which is retained by the retention member, wherein there is provided a bag securing member that is pivotable after bags have been loaded in place to cover the retention portions and prevent them from being inadvertently pulled over the retention member.