| Mounted rack with side protectors for holding packs of plastic bags -> Monitor Keywords |
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Mounted rack with side protectors for holding packs of plastic bagsRelated Patent Categories: Supports: Racks, Special Article, Receptacle Support, Bag TypeMounted rack with side protectors for holding packs of plastic bags description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070144988, Mounted rack with side protectors for holding packs of plastic bags. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a rack for holding packs of plastic bags of the type having an upper disposable portion and a lower bag portion. The rack has side protectors which direct a user's attention to the top and center of the front of the bag and significantly improves opening and using the bag. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] In supermarkets and other retail outlets, there is frequently the need for consumers or store employees to place items in bags to facilitate handling and purchase. For example, produce bags are dispensed directly to customers wherein the customer can bag produce as it is chosen for purchase. Also, in deli or meat departments, store employees place meats and other deli products in bags for the consumer. Further, in bakery departments, store employees place the selected bakery products in bags for the consumer. In the prior art, there are a number of designs for dispensing bags for these purposes. [0005] Roll mounted produce bags are commonly found in modem grocery stores and supermarkets. These bags are designed for customers to use when purchasing fresh produce. The bags currently available are difficult for customers to use for several reasons. First, the bags tend to cling together and are difficult to separate from the roll. Second, it is difficult to tell the open end of the bags from the closed end of the bag. Third, the bags are difficult to open as the sides tend to cling together. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,833, commonly owned by applicant, discloses a dispensing assembly for supporting packs of plastic bags. The packs of plastic bags include a disposable upper portion connected to a lower bag portion. [0007] Thus, there are a number of shortcomings with the known rolls of plastic bags and packs of plastic bags. A common problem with bag dispensing systems is presenting a plastic bag in a manner wherein it is easy to open and use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Accordingly, a need has arisen for a rack for holding packs of plastic bags where a plastic bag is presented in a manner wherein it is easy to open and use the plastic bag. [0009] In accordance with the present invention, a rack is provided for holding packs of plastic bags, comprising: a back support having two side protectors, a top plate operatively connected to the back support, the top plate having at least one hook designed for holding a pack of plastic bags with the back of a plastic bag against the back support and with the front of a plastic bag facing forward, wherein the two side protectors are designed to direct attention to the top center of the front of a bag such that it is easily opened. [0010] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a rack for holding packs of plastic bags wherein it is easy to open and use a plastic bag. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] A better understanding of the invention can be obtained when the detailed description of exemplary embodiments set forth below is considered in conjunction with the attached drawings in which: [0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 4 is a front view of a pack of plastic bags having a header with tabs for attaching the pack to at least one support hook. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0016] The present invention relates to a rack for holding packs of plastic bags. As discussed further below, with packs of plastic bags, the back sheet of the bag is attached to an upper disposable section with a serrated line while the front sheet of the bag is not attached to the upper disposable section and remains open, although it is not readily visibly apparent that the front of the bag is open. It has been observed that most users of the packs of plastic bags remove a bag from the pack but many times pull a group or bundle of bags from the side at once, creating unnecessary bag waste. The present invention addresses this problem with the installation of side protectors on the rack. The side protectors deter a user from pulling the bags from the side and thus from removing more than one bag from the pack at any given time. The side protectors direct users to the upper center of the bag which is pre-open, allowing for single bag dispensing. The preferred method of using a bag is first to open the bag by pulling down on the open front sheet such that it separates away from the back sheet which is connected to the upper disposable section, placing product in the bag, and then tearing the back sheet at the serration to remove the bag from the pack. [0017] The user can also pull off the bag from its open front first, and then proceed to fill it up while keeping the bag open on one hand. Preferably, instructions are printed on the front sheet to instruct the user to pull down on the front sheet to separate the front and back sheets, thereby opening the bag. [0018] With reference to FIG. 1, a rack 10 is shown having a back support 11, side protectors 16, and a back support wire 15 which connects the back support 11 with a top plate 12. The top plate 12 is oriented in a vertical position. Preferably, the top plate 12 has two hooks 13 for holding the packs of plastic bags. The hooks 13 are preferably 8 inches apart, but could be set at any distance, e.g., 6 inches. Less preferably, the top plate 12 could have one hook 13. [0019] The back support 11 is shown as five wires connected to a lower portion of the back support wire 15. The back support wire 15 holds the five wires in the correct position. The back support 11 is generally about 3-4 inches in height, but this could vary as desired. While the back support 11 is shown as a wire form, it may be constructed in any suitable way and of any suitable material, such as plastic or acrylic, and it may extend to any height, even up to the top plate 12. The back support 11 and the rack 10 are about 12 inches to 16 inches wide and may be any suitable width. [0020] The side protectors 16 are formed by bending, at right angles, the five wires which make up the back support 11. While the side protectors 16 are shown as wire forms, they may be constructed in any suitable way and of any suitable material, such as plastic or acrylic, and they may extend to any height. Continue reading about Mounted rack with side protectors for holding packs of plastic bags... Full patent description for Mounted rack with side protectors for holding packs of plastic bags Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Mounted rack with side protectors for holding packs of plastic bags patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Mounted rack with side protectors for holding packs of plastic bags or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Pivotable storage receptacle for kitchen utensils Next Patent Application: Rack with side protectors for holding packs of plastic bags Industry Class: Supports: racks ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Mounted rack with side protectors for holding packs of plastic bags patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.14496 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , 174 |
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