Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
10~1'73~
This invention relates to the packaging art.
More particularly, one aspect of this invention
relates to a check-out counter for use in grocery or the like
stores; a further aspect of this invention relates to an
array of wicketed containers for use in check-out counters or
the like; further embodiments of this invention also relate
to the provision of a device for retaining an array of
wicketed containers in a vertical mode for use in a check-
out counter and a device for retaining a container in an
open-top position for loading, at a check-out counter.
Conventionally, in consumer stores such as
grocery stores, paper bags are normally employed for packaging
groceries. In some cases, the use of plastic bags has been
employed for this purpose but the lack of a suitable arrange-
ment of a check-out counter, and supporting means for the
bags for packaging or loading purposes, has delayed their
implementation in many areas.
With this invention, applicant has now developed
a check-out counter which is particularly adapted for use
with the plastic bags and which may be employed in one of two
different modes for use by the cashier alone, or for use in
combination with a cashier and a separate packaging person -
and as well, devices for retaining an array of wicketed
containers which may be withdrawn, one by one or in multiples,
for permitting such withdrawn containers to be retained in an
open position for loading by the person who loads such
commodities at a check-out counter.
The plastic containers of the type which are used
in forming the wicketed array of containers are those which
have a pair of opposed panels forming the major surfaces of
the container bag, with a pair of handles, preferably laterally
lV~i17;~4
located of the open end of the bag and which are provided with
a tab and retaining means for retaining a plurality of tabs
of the array of bags in alignment, and in which the bags may
be separated from the tabs. More particularly, a wicketed
array of containers according to this invention comprises an
aligned package of readily dispensible carrying bags suitable
for use at such a grocery check-out counter with the array
being comprised of a plurality of lay-flat bags aligned and
stacked into juxtaposition with each other, the bags each
having a body portion with a pair of opposed major walls lying
in juxtaposition, when the bag is in a lay-flat condition, a
cut-out portion extending between the side walls of the bag
and defining with the side walls, an opening for permitting
access to the body portion of -the container, a pair_of handles -
extending from the open top portion of the container, a
manually removable and flexible tab member connected to and
extending from the bag into the opening, and means for
temporarily securing the bags together and retaining the
integrity of the array.
The wicketed array of bags may be employed in
conjunction with a device for positioning and vertically
suspending the array of wicketed containers and which dev-ice
comprises a central supporting member for mounting the device
in a vertical mode, mounting and retaining means associated
with said supporting member for mounting said array, said
mounting and retaining means having a mounting surface generally
horizontally disposed relative to the supporting member for
mounting the tabs of the wicketed array in a horizontal plane
relative to the body portion of the container, which is adapted
to generally lie in a vertical plane.
10617;~4
The device for mounting and retaining a bag from
the wicketed array of bags, in an open position ready ~r
loading at a check-out counter, preferably comprises a mounting
member having opposed ends and adapted to be secured in a
vertically oriented manner, a supporting bracket for mounting
a pair of retaining arms, a pair of such retaining arms secured
to the mounting bracket, said arms being mounted to said mounting
bracket in a generally vertical manner, each arm having a pair
of spaced apart shoulder engaging members adapted to each
engage one shoulder of a strap of a container bag of the
type described above.
In accordance with the check-out counter aspect
of the present invention,-the check-out counter comprises a .
first lower work surface, dividing means dividing said lower=-
work surface into separate-portions, said dividing means being
pivotable into and ~ut of dividing position relative to said
lower surface whereby when said dividing means is positioned
out of dividing relationship relative to s-aid-lower surface,
one of said portions is free from said dividing means, a second
upper work surface, said upper work surface being spaced from
and generally in a planar relationship to said one of said
portions of said lower surface, said second work surface being
displaceable relative to said one of said portions of said
lower surface and from an upper operative mode to a lower non-
operative mode whereby when said dividing means is out of
dividing position and said upper surface is displaced, said :
one portion of said lower surface constitutes a free working
surface and when said dividing means is in dividing relation-
ship relative to said lower surface and said upper work surface
is not displaced relative to said upper operative mode, the
10~17~
other portion of said lower surface is presented as a free
working surface.
In greater detail of the present invention, and
referring initially to the aspect of the invention relating
to the axray of wicketed containers, such containers may be
made of any suitable plastic material such as, for example,
polyolefins, e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. Each
wicketed container has a body portion, as outlined above,
and may or may not include side walls which may or may not
be gusseted. A preferred bag construction is of the type
where the bag includes gussets which continue throughout
the length of the bag and extend between the opposed panels on the
carrying handle portions to provide a carrying handle on each
side of..the bag-whiGh-is of a double-thickness.-
This-invention.also provides, with respect to the
containers, the fact that in providing the weakened line to
define the cut out portion, a special arrangement of the
score-lines provides.advantageous features to overcome the
problems which...would otherwise be encountered in separating
the bag from the tabs. More specifically, the score lines :
are perforated so as to define a weakened line between the
-- 4 --
i17;~4
tabs on the balance of the container body and in which the
score lines terminate or include angularly displaced
cuts extending into the tabs, as opposed to being straight
line cuts running along the line of intended serration or
score lines which would terminate and initiate in the body
portion of the bag. This very important feature will be
described hereinafter in greater detail.
The containers or bags of the present invention
can be made of blown tube material or sheet material which
is folded to form a tube.- A length-of-such material-may-be
severed into bag-l-engths,-being bottom-sealed--to-f-orm-the -
bottom of one bag and the top of the carrying handles. A U-
shaped cut-out may`then be punched through the bag length of
material at the top of the bag to define the carrying handles
between the cut-out-portion and the free lateral sides of the
bag - in the case of gusseted bags, the cut-out portion
extends through the gusset to provide openings between the
lateral sides and the cut-out portion.
In the bags o~f the present invention, mounting
tabs are provided which are fixedly secured to the bag in
the cut-out portion at the top of the bag. Although beiny fixedly
secured to the bag, such tabs are also releasably secured to
the bag and this may be accomplished by providing a score line
1'7~
or spaced apart serrations in the bag material to define the
tabs. The tabs are preferably located at the upper free edges
of the body portion of the bag and between the opposed carrying
handles, and preferably equally spaced between the carrying
handles. The tabs may, however, extend the full width between
the handles or in place of providing a cut-out portion, a
complete U-shaped cut-out defining the handles, when the
portion is removed, may be employed. Thus, the size of the
tab may vary considerably but the point is that the tab
remains an integral part of the bag until it is desired to
separate the bag from the tab for use.
A plurality of such bags are stacked into an
aligned relationship to form an array of the same and in
accordance with this~invention, the tabs-are secured together
to form a stabilized array, and for use with the device for
suspending an array of such wicketed containers. To this end,
the tabs may be needle-punched with a hot needle to secure the
tabs together. Alternatively, one or more holes-may be `
punched through the tabs and suitable retaining means, such
as a wire member, inserted through the holes to retain the
bags. Such a wire member can then be used to mount the
wicketed array of bags on the device of the present invention.
The device for mounting and suspending a wicketed
array of bags, to present them for ready use by a packing
person at a check-out counter, is broadly outlined above and
more particularly, in accordance with preferred embodiments,
comprises a vertical stand which has an upper plate or member
for generally horizontally aligning and mounting the tabs,
while at the same time, permitting the body of the bag to
hang in a vertical relationship. A pair of arms may be
associated with the device for suspending the carrying straps
1()~i1'73~
of the containers. Such a device may be constructed of any
appropriate material - e.g., plastic, metal, etc. In employing
the wicketed array of containers which are provided with a
wire member, the horizontal plate of the device may be pro-
vided with one or more apertures to accommodate the wire
member so as to project through the plate and retain the
wicketed array in place for use. If desired, the device may
also include means for releasably mounting the same in a
check-out counter, as will be described hereinafter in
greater detail.
The device for suspending the bags in an opened
condition, ready for loading, comprises at least one pair of
supporting arms mounted in a spaced-apart relationship, the
distance between which is the same as or slightly greater- than
the opening-of the bag dimension and about which the carrying
straps are adapted to be located. The spaced apart arms each
have a supporting member for mounting each arm, with each arm
having means-for engaging--and retaining a-carrying strap.
~ Preferably this latter means comprises a recess defined by
the elements composing the arm.
` ` Still further, in one form of the device, the
device may be mounted on a vertical stand or supporting
member for positioning the same on a work surface of the
check-out counter; in an alternative embodiment, a backing
plate may be employed to secure the same to a substrate.
One particular preferred form of the mounting
device for retaining the bags in an open position comprises
a backing plate, a pair of spaced apart shafts each journalling
a rotatable bracket, with each bracket mounting an arm for the
bags. Preferably lock pins or the like are provided for
~0~17;~4
securing each arm mounting bracket in a fixed position while
permitting the same to rotate into and out of bag supporting
position.
The above devices may be also composed of wire
members, extruded plastic rods, etc.
~ ith respect to the check-out counter of the
present invention, there are provided two levels of working
surfaces, namely the upper work surface and the lower spaced
apart and preferably parallel surface. The upper surface is
movable into and out of parallel relationship with a portion
of the lower work surface, to expose that portion of the lower
work surface as an operative work surface when the upper work
surface is so displaced. In this manner, two work areas are
provided in the-check-out counter, a first-of--which~ s-usable-
by the cashier when the cashier performs the function of
packaging commodities, while the second work surface is pro-
vided for use by a packaging person when a cashier performs
only the functions of a cashier.
As indicated-above, the dividing means divides
the lower surface into first and second portions, one portion
of which is adapted for use by a packaging person and which
includes the devices of the present invention for suspending a
wicketed array of bags, while the other device mounts individual
bags in an open position for packaging of the commodities.
Preferably, such devices are releasably located on one portion
of the lower work surface while the other portion of the lower
work surface is not employed when a two-person operation is
being used at the check-out counter.
The dividing means also preferably functions as a
support means for the upper surface and still more preferably,
-- 8 --
lU~;~7~
the dividing means forms a support for the upper surface
in conjunction with further support means for supporting an
opposed end of the upper surface.
ln still further embodiments, the upper work
surface is preferably pivotably connected to the dividing
means, and still further, the dividing means is preferably
pivotably connected to the lower surface whereby upon move-
ment of the upper surface, movement of the dividing means
into and out of dividing position may be achieved.
With the type of check-out counter disclosed
herein, a simple operation may convert the device into a one-
person operation or alternatively, into a two-person operation.
The mounting device of the present invention, together with
the-bag-opening device~-can be-located--in either the front
or-rear portion of the check-out counter, and these devices
provide a very easy and economical solution to stacking an
array of bags and presenting them for loading.
10~ 3~
Having thus generally described the invention,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
illustrating preferred embodiments, and in which:
FIGURE 1 illustrates the wicketed containers of
the present inver.tion together with a
mounting device for mounting the same;
FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the mounting
device shown in Figure 1 with the wicketed
containers mounted thereon, and shown
secured to a substrate;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing a bag
- removed from the array illustrated in
Figures-l and 2, and ready for mounting;
FIGU~E--4 is a section-taken-~along-the-li*e-IV--IV of~
Figure 3;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the device for
suspending a container or bag in an opened
condition for loading, and with the container
show~ on the device;
FIGURE 6 is a section taken along the line VI-VI of
Figure 5;
FIGURE 7 illustrates the mounting device of Figure 1
shown mounted on a substrate surface, in
side elevational view;
FIGURE 8 is a section taken along the line VIII-VIII
of Figure 7;
FIGURE 9 illustrates the device of Figure 5 in side
elevational view in greater detail;
FIGURE 10 is a section taken along the line X-X of
Figure 9;
-- 10 --
10~;;17~
FIGURE 11 is a section taken along the line XI-XI
of Figure 9;
FIGURE 12 is an overall perspective view of a
check-out counter of the present invention
showing the mounting devices of Figures
1 and 9;
FIGURE 13 shows the check-out counter of Figure 12
in a partially collapsed condition;
FIGURE 14 is a top plan view of the check-out
counter of Figure 12;
FIGURE 15 is a side elevational view of a counter
similar to Figure 12 showing an optional
embodiment of the invention; and
FIGURE:16-is a section taken_along the line XVI-XVI
of Figure 15.
Referring now to Figùres 1 through 3 initially,
an array of wicketed containers of plastic material is illus-
trated-in Figure 1 and-designated-general-l-y by the letter A.
Each container has a pair of major faces 20 and 22 and in
the embodiment shown, the plastic bags or containers are of
a "gusseted" type with side walls 24 between the major panels
20 and 22. The bags are constructed of, e.g., plastic tubing
of e.g., polyethylene or the like, and may include a bottom
or closed end portion 26. A pair of handles 28 bridge the
front and back panels 20 and 22 and in the case of a gusseked
bag, these are normally constructed of two-ply material by
die-cutting a generally U-shaped portion from the upper end
of the bag.
In the containers of the present invention, and with
reference to Figures 1 and 2 in particular, each bag is
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11~617;~4
provided with a tab which is frangibly connected to the
container. In a preferred embodiment, each container is
provided with a cut-out portion of a generally U-shaped con-
figuration indicated (in Figure 1) by reference numeral 30,
but in die-cutting out the U-shaped area, a tab 32 associated
with either or both of the panels 20 and 22 of the container
is left, which tab is integrally associated with the container
but is provided with score or slit cuts 34 to facilitate
removal of the tab upon tearing the non-slit portions which
secure the tab to the bag. The most preferred construction
utilizes a pair of tabs 32 for each container, one of which
is connected to the panel 20 and the other of which is con-
nected to the panel 22. However, if desired, only one tab
per--cont~iner-may-be-~provided.
In the arrangement illustrated, the tabs are located
at the bottom of the "U" cut-out portion and to this end,
the tabs have free lateral margins defined by a gap 36
between-the handles-28 of the bag and_the tabs.
In accordance with a feature of the present invention,
the slit ¢uts 34 have a configuration which aids in the ready
separation of the tab 32 from the body of the bag - as will
- 12 -
1061734
be noted from Figure 1, each is of a generally U-shaped
~configuration with end portions 34a extending inwardly into
the removable portion 32. In this manner, by pulling or
grasping the body 20 of the bag, the tear is initiated
at the end portions 34a, which then continues on to the
flat portion of the score slits and this avoids the tears
actually continuing into the body of the bag. In other
words, if the slit arrangement had been reversed to that
shown in Figure 1, the initiation of the tear along
the slit lines 34 could also initiate a tear in the body
portion of the bag which obviously is-to-be-avoided.
To provide-~n arra~--of-wicketed_contai~ers;-such as
is illustrated in-Figure 1, the embodiment illustrated includes
a plurality of the containers or bags formed into a stack
of the same, and which stack is then provided with a pair
of spaced apart slits 40 in the~-tabs. The slitsj as--shown-
in Figure 1, are in alignment through the array and a U-
shaped wire member 42 is then inserted through the slits
to hold the array together. A backing member may be pro-
vided on the opposed side of the-arms of the wire member 42.
However, if desired, in place of slits, the stacked array
may be needle-punched with a hot needle so as to secure the
tabs together, eliminating the nee`d for the wire member 42.
- 13 -
-
10~i17;~
The mounting device of another embodiment of the
present invention, and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2,
comprises a device for positioning and vertically suspending
the array of wicketed containers and to this end, includes
a vertical supporting member 50 for mounting the device in
a vertical mode. A base 52 is attached to the lower end of
the vertical support 50 and as illustrated in Figure 2, is
adapted to be secured to a substrate surface S. To this end,
the device may include an interiorly threaded portion 54 and
a bolt or the like 56 may be used to thread the base to the
substrate surface S.
The upper portion of the device includes in the
embodiment shown, mounting and retaining means associated
with the supporting member, and which is adapted to mount
the array of wicketed containers in a generally vertical
plane. This mounting and retaining means comprises a
generally planar horizontally aligned plate 56 provided
with a pair of apertures 58 located in a spaced apart manner,
through which the opposed legs of the wire member 42 are
adapted to be inserted. The array of bags or containers,
as will be seen in Figure 2, may then be mounted with the
legs of the wire member projecting through the apertures
~8.
The mounting device may also include an elongated
back panel 60 disposed in a generally vertical manner, and
which projects on either side beyond the bounds of the plate
56. A shorter front panel 62 may also be included, fixedly
secured to the plate 56, for aid in aligning the wicketed
array of bags when mounted. The ends of the plate 60 may
be used for supporting thecarrying straps of the array of bags.
- 14 -
1(~1734
Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, the mounting
device of Figures 1 and 2 is shown as it would be used in à
check-out counter operation, as described hereinafter in
greater detail. To this end, the device, in place of having
the base 52 as illustrated in Figure 1, operates in conjunction
with a base member 64 which is releasably secured by means of
a bolt 66, or the like, to a substrate surface 100, and which
base includes an upstanding vertical hollow portion 68 pro-
vided with a plurality of apertures 70 therein. The vertical
supporting member 50 is provided with a recess 53 in which
there is mounted a helical spring 55 urging a projection 57
in an outward position, with the leading end 59 of the projec-
tion being adapted to engage an aperture 70 of the base. In
this way, the-devices of Figures 1 and 2 may be vertically
oriented and positioned in a movable manner for a check-out
counter, as described hereinafter, and at the same time, per-
mitting the height of the device to be adjusted according to
different lengths of bags or containers.
A device for maintaining the bags in an opened
condition is illustrated in Figures 9 through 11. This device
includes a pair of movable arms indicated generally by reference
numeral 72, which arms include an upper linear portion 74 with
a pair of inwardly extending arcuate portions 76 which in turn
are connected to a further short linear portion 78. For
rigidity purposes, the supporting arms 72 may include a further
portion 80 connected to a bottom member 82 with the bottom member,
and the terminal end portion 84 of the upper member being fixedly
secured to a mounting bracket 86.
Mounting bracket 86 is a pivotable rectangularly
shaped bracket journalled on a fixed shaft 88 which in turn,
-- 15 --
11)~173~
is secured to a pair of upper and lower brackets 90 which are
fixedly secured and project from a mounting plate 92. To
permit the arms to pivot inwardly and into relative juxtaposition
with the backing plate 92, the member 86 has a height less than
the height of the shaft 88; shaft 88 is provided with a pair of
projecting pins 94 fixedly secured to the lower end thereof
and which, when the arms are in the position illustrated in
Figure 9, are adapted to engage side recesses 98 located in the
member 86. In a similar manner, further notches 98' may be
provided in the other faces of the member 86 to permit the
arms 72 to rotate 90 on either side of the arrangement shown
in Figure 9. In use, the mounting plate 92 may be fixedly
secured to a substrate surface, or alternatively, a stand may
be secured to the plate-92 for vertically orienting and mounting--
the same.
A further embodiment of the invention is illus-
trated in Figures 13 through 16 illustrating a check-out
counter parti-cularly suitable for--use in shopping s$ores such
as food stores. This counter may be employed in conjunction
with a typical cash-register for--such stores. General-ly, when
a clerk is itemizing and totalling the costs of e.g., grocery
orders, the clerk will punch the amounts of the groceries into
the cash register, subsequently place the groceries onto a
surface where a packer will package the commodities into a
container or bag.
In the check-out counter of Figures 12 through 16,
and according to the present invention, there is provided an
upper surface 102 adapted to form a supporting surface for
groceries or the like which a cashier has punched into the
cash register ana which will permit a packer to then take the
- 16 -
10~17;~4
items off surface 102 and put them into a container.
The check-out counter illustrated in Figures 12
through 16 is adapted to be utilized under different circum-
stances, namely when a cashier is totalling the amount of the
groceries and also doing the packaging or alternatively, where
a cashier is totalling the groceries and a separate packer is
employed. In both modes of operation, the device includes
a generally rectangular base portion indicated generally by
reference letter B which is of an elongated rectangular shape
and which may include, if desired, a plurality of compart-
ments 104-for storage of e.g., containers, etc. The base
portion includes an upper surface designated generally by
reference numeral 106 which is dieided into a pair of portions
by a collaps-ible-~divider--108. Divider 108 is`hingedly secured
to surface 106 by means of hinges 110 or the like. Divider
108 thus provides an end portion 106a of the surface 106 which
may be used, in the event of a separate packer, for the mounting
devicè of Figure 1 and for--the bag retaining device-of Figures
9 through 11. To this end, surface 106a may be provided with
a pair of recesses to accommodate the arrangement shown in
~igure 7, and to place the device in the orientation shown in
Figure 12 on the surface 106a.
In Figure 12, a slightly modified version of the
bag retention device of Figures 9 through 11 is illustrated,
in which the device is adapted to retain two of such bags or
containers in an open condition, ready for packaging. The
device of Figures 9 through 11, in its modified form, is
shown as being mounted by means of a vertical supporting
member 112 which may otherwise have its lower end constructed
in the arrangement shown in Figure 7 for insertion into and
removal out of a recess in the surface 106a, for reasons
- 17 ~
10f~173~
which will become apparent hereinafter. Supporting member 112
in turn mounts a horizontal member 114 which includes at each
of its opposed ends, arms.72 of a similar construction to that
shown in Figure 9, but including a terminal end member 116 to
form with the arcuate portion 76 and the intermediate arm 78
a hook to retain the carrying handles 28 of the bags or
container of Figures 1 through 3. In the embodiment of
Figure 12, the pair of arms 72 may be joined by an intermediate
arm 120 which is fixedly secured, by welding or the like, to
the cross arm 114. In this member, a pair of bags may be
mounted between opposed arms as illustrated-in-F-igure 12 so
as to expedite packing.
In the check-out.coun~er-as~-illustrate*i the
upper surface 102-is-preferabL~ hinge~ secured-to the.
vertical divider 108 by means of a hinge 124 (Figure 16)
and when it is desired to employ only a cashier for totalling
the groceries, with the cashier doing the packing, as will
be.noted-frQm~Fisure-15., the vertical-dividing member 108
may be collapsed onto the surface 106a-in the direction shown .
by the arrows and likewise, the surface 102 may be collapsed
onto the surface 106, with a portion of the same lying in
juxtaposition with the collapsed divider-108.- A spacer-128-
may be employed to provide the proper spacing for the end
of the surface 102 when in a collapsed condition, to permit
the latter to lie in a generally flat orientation.
In the check~out counter of the present invention,
when a single person is acting both as the cashier and packer,
the counter may include a front portion in proximity to the
cash register, which is defined by a supporting surface 130
(and which may or may not be in a co-planar relationship with
the surface 106 - see ~igure 12) in which the wicketed array
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1()~173~
of bags may be stored, as well as the bag opening device, in
proximity to the cash register. Thus, the arrangement shown
in Figure 12 may be located at the opposed end, as shown in
Figure 13, for the cashier to do the packing as well.
Suitable pins or the like may be employed for
positioning the collapsible surface 102, and the divider 108,
in a sufficiently rigid position for the arrangement illus-
trated .in Figure 12 or alternatively, as illustrated in Figure
12, the supporting surface 102 may include a generally U-shaped
channel 134 secured at one end and which is adapted to fit
over a front panel 136 of the check-out counter. The check-
out counter may include a side wall 138 to separate the
packaging area from a cashier to avoid entanglement.
In.operation, or a cashier and a separa*e packer,
the embodiment of Figure 12 is employed with the wicketed
container storage device, and the bag opening device being
as illustrated in that figure; when a cashier will also do
the packagingj one merely:has to remove -the wicketed container
retaining device,. and.the bag opening device, from the end
surface 106a, lift up the supporting surface 112, and collapse
the surface 102 and the divider 108 in the manner illustrated
in Figure 15 to arrive at the arrangement shown in Figure 13. .
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