Special receptacle or package – Plural paper bags
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-10
2001-08-07
Foster, Jim (Department: 3727)
Special receptacle or package
Plural paper bags
C383S009000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269950
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to bag dispensing systems, and particularly to a bag and system for dispensing thermoplastic bags or the like from a stack of bags. The present system is configured such that it may be utilized with a variety of off-the-shelf rack configurations, and to provide optimal characteristics for dispensing bags one at a time, while further providing a system wherein the bag to be dispensed may be retained in an open position, to allow for the loading thereof with contents for carrying, such as purchased goods or the like.
The preferred, exemplary embodiment of the present system teaches a configuration which minimizes the probability of stress fractures in the dispensed bag, and tearing associated therewith, while providing a system which leaves no “throw away” product on the rack after dispensing a bag stack, as the present system has no central tear-off tab, thereby providing a more environmentally attractive alternative to other, prior art systems.
Further, the bag of the present invention also contemplates a unique, non-removable central mouth support piece, wherein there is provided a support cut configured tp accept a rack central support piece, the cut configured to provide maximum ease in separation of the dispensed bag from the pack, with clean separation of the area above the support cut of the pack, thereby preventing tearing of the bag upon dispensing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Although thermoplastic grocery bags have been utilized for over twenty years, only a very small percentage of the hundreds of patents have been embraced by industry to the point of significant commercial acceptance. Designing a thermoplastic bag, particularly with regard low or high density thermoplastic bags, can be a tedious and often unfruitful endeavor, as such material requires a design which allows its utilization as a bag for often heavy contents, which can cause stress fractures and bag failure. Further, the design should be able to be manufactured in an inexpensive, efficient, and consistent manner.
A list of prior patents which may be of interest is presented below:
Patent No.
Inventor(s)
Issue Date
RE 33,264
Baxley et al.
06/17/1990
4,476,979
Reimann et al
10/16/1984
4,785,938
Benoit, Jr. et al
11/22/1988
4,811,417
Prince et al
03/07/1989
4,989,732
Smith
02/05/1991
5,074,674
Kulkies et al
12/24/1991
5,188,235
Pierce et al
02/23/1993
U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,674 to Kuklies et al teaches a bag comprising front and rear bag walls, the rear wall of the bag including an aperture centrally disposed between the handles and below the open top for reception by a retainer for supporting only the rear wall of the bag on the rack. The rear wall of the bag may have formed between the aperture and the bag mouth a “tear area” facilitated by a “preperforated line” (col 2, lines 36-40), which is indicated as not being required.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,235 to Pierce et al teaches a bag pack system for dispensing T-Shirt bags without the necessity of a detachable tab, claiming a “weakened portion comprising a severance line”, contemplated in the specification as a vertical perforation extending between a generally horizontal central mounting aperture and a bag mouth. Thus, '235 requires the deliberate weakening of a linear portion of the bag structure above the mounting aperture to facilitate operation.
U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,264 teaches a system wherein there is a detachable tab, unlike the present “tabless” system.
GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
Unlike the prior art, the present invention provides a bag dispenser system which is comparatively strong and reliable, while being inexpensive to manufacture, requiring little in the way of custom manufacturing equipment, while being consistent in performance and quality.
The preferred, exemplary embodiment of the present system teaches a configuration which minimizes the probability of stress fractures in the dispensed bag, and tearing associated therewith, while providing a system which leaves no “throw away” product on the rack after dispensing a bag stack, as the present system has no central tear-off tab, thereby providing a more environmentally attractive alternative to other, prior art systems.
Further, the bag of the present invention also contemplates a unique, non-removable central mouth support piece, wherein there is provided a support cut configured tp accept a rack central support piece, the cut configured to provide maximum ease in separation of the dispensed bag from the pack, with clean separation of the area above the support cut of the pack thereby preventing tearing of the bag upon dispensing.
Situated in spaced relationship above the medial portion of support cut is a dispense cut formed between the upper edge of the raised area formed in the bag mouth area of the bag, the dispense cut configured to facilitate removal of the bag from a bag rack support piece, dispensing an individual bag from a pack of bags, while not affecting the support strength of the support cut in its operation of retaining the stack of bags upon the bag rack.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for dispensing individual thermoplastic bags or the like.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a non-detachable tab having a support cut configured for accepting the rack support piece in such a fashion as to prevent crimping or folding.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bag dispensing system which requires little significant equipment modification, while providing a consistent quality, strong and aesthetically acceptable product.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bag pack which is easily loaded upon a rack, and once dispensed, leaves no residual tabs or pieces thereon.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4529090 (1985-07-01), Pilon
patent: 4796759 (1989-01-01), Schisler
patent: 5074674 (1991-12-01), Kuklies et al.
patent: 5188235 (1993-02-01), Pierce et al.
patent: 5207328 (1993-05-01), Bose et al.
patent: 5346310 (1994-09-01), Nguyen
patent: 5363965 (1994-11-01), Nguyen
patent: 5465846 (1995-11-01), Blyth et al.
patent: 5695064 (1997-12-01), Huang et al.
patent: 5845779 (1998-12-01), Wilfong, Jr. et al.
Foster Jim
Joseph T. Regard Ltd.
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