Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS FOR SERIALLY DISPENSING FLEXIBLE PLASTIC BAGS
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an
apparatus, commonly referred to as a nozzle, for
serially dispensing flexible plastic bags of the type
S commonly utilized by grocery stores and the like to
package purchased articles. The apparatus is also
adapted for serially dispensing plastic film or other
flexible packaging materials.
Backg~ound of the Invention
Commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 4,930,385 to
Wilfong, Jr. et al., and U.S. Patent No. Re. 34,324 to
Haenni et al., describe dispensing nozzles for serially
dispensing plastic grocery bags or the like from a
supply roll, wherein the supply roll is composed of
bags serially joined along perforated severance lines.
The nozzle disclosed in the Haenni et al. patent
includes an elongate slot having a zig zag
configuration along its longitudinal length, together
with a thread-up opening disposed along one side of,
and in communication with, the slot. The nozzle
disclosed in the Wilfong, Jr. et al. patent includes a
pair of parallel elongate slots each having a zig zag
configuration along-their longitudinal lengths,
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together with thread-up openings disposed at each end
of each slot, each opening in communication with a
respective slot.
The slots disclosed in each of these patents
define opposing spaced apart side edges of sawtooth-
like configuration wherein each side edge comprises
alternating V-shaped projections and recesses. The
projections of each side edge are laterally aligned
with the recesses of an opposite side edge.
The nozzle in each of these patents is
disclosed as being mounted in a bore in a grocery store
checkout counter top, with the bag supply roll being
mounted below the counter top. In use, the leading bag
from a roll is manually threaded through a thread-up
opening associated with a slot, and the leading edge is
then grasped and moved into the slot. Thereafter, bags
may be individually delivered by pulling the bags
upwardly and laterally outwardly. The zig zag
configuration of each slot is designed to exert
sufficient resistance so as to cause a severing of the
leading bag from the immediately following bag along
the perforated severance line.
While the dispensing nozzles disclosed in
each of the above-referenced patents represent a
significant advance in the art, each possesses certain
limitations in use. Specifically, the sharp edges of
the sawtooth-like configuration has a tendency to
occasionally grab and tear bags being dispensed. Also,
the sharp edges tend to resist any lateral movement of
bags over the teeth when the clerk pulls upon the bag
in a lateral direction. This resistance to lateral
movement also has the tendency to cause the bags to
bind, and often tear as a result. Another disadvantage
of the above-referenced sawtooth-like nozzles is that
it is necessary to maintain adjacent teeth in a close
relationship in order for there to be sufficient
resistance to cause the leading bag to sever from the
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immediately following bag along the perforated severance line. Unfortunately,
maintaining adjacent teeth in such a close relationship contributes to the
wedging and binding of the bags between the teeth during pulling.
Summary of the Invention
It is therefore an object of an aspect of the present invention to
provide a plastic bag dispensing nozzle which overcomes the limitations of the
above-described bag dispensing nozzles.
It is a more specific object of an aspect of the present invention
to provide a plastic bag dispensing nozzle which permits the bags to be
withdrawn without binding and tearing.
It is another object of an aspect of the present invention to
provide a dispensing nozzle that can dispense a wide range of bag sizes and
thicknesses and that can work equally well independent of the direction of
pull.
These and other objects are accomplished, according to the
present invention, by a nozzle for serially dispensing flexible plastic bags
or
the like from a package of bags sequentially joined along perforated
severance lines. The bag dispensing nozzle includes a body member that is
configured to be secured to the exterior surface of a store counter. The
nozzle overlies a bore in the counter surface to enable flexible plastic bags
which are stored within the counter to pass therethrough. The nozzle has at
least one longitudinally extending slot extending through the body member,
and the slot includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart projections
extending from each opposing side edge of the slot. The projections of the
two side edges are disposed in an interdigitated relationship so as to resist
the free movement of bags therethrough. Also, each projection has an edge
surface facing the opposite side edge of the slot that is non-linear along its
length when viewed in the longitudinal direction. In specific embodiments, the
edge surface of each projection is arcuately curved along its length, or the
edge surface may include one or more inclined segments which extend away
from the opposite faces of the body member.
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According to an aspect of the invention, a dispensing nozzle
adapted for serially dispensing flexible plastic bags or other flexible
packaging
material from a supply roll, and comprises:
a body member having opposite faces; and
at least one longitudinally extending slot extending through the body
member so as to intersect each of the opposite faces and so as to define
opposite side edges which face each other in a transverse direction;
each side edge including a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart
projections which extend in the transverse direction, with the projections of
the
two side edges being disposed in an interdigitated relationship, and wherein
each of the projections defines an edge surface extending between the
opposite faces of the body member and facing the opposite side edge of the
slot, with the edge surface of each projection being arcuately curved along
its
length.
According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for serially
dispensing flexible plastic bags or other flexible packaging material from a
supply roll, the apparatus comprises:
a box-like enclosure which is sized to support at least one supply roll of
flexible packaging material therein, with the enclosure including exterior
surface portions;
a bore through one of the exterior surface portions of the enclosure;
and
a dispensing nozzle including a body member having opposite faces
and means for retaining the body member to one of the exterior surface
portions of the enclosure in an operative position overlying the bore;
at least one longitudinally extending slot extending through the body
member so as to intersect each of the opposite faces and so as to define
opposite side edges which face each other in a transverse direction;
each side edge including a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart
projections which extend in the transverse direction, with the projections of
the
two side edges being disposed in an interdigitated relationship so as to
resist
the free movement of the flexible packaging material therethrough, and
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wherein each of the projections defines an edge surface extending between
the opposite faces of the body member and facing the opposite side edge of
the slot, with the edge surface of each projection being arcuately curved
along
its length.
The present invention is advantageous because the non-linear
and inclined edge surfaces of the projections allow bags to move laterally
over
the projections within the slot without binding or tearing. In addition, slots
having interdigitated opposing projections in accordance with the present
invention can be wider than slots having a zig zag configuration.
Consequently, the interdigitated configuration of opposing projections
provides positive snag-resistant means for separating bags while still
allowing
each bag to pull freely from the dispensing slot.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a grocery store checkout counter
in which a bag dispensing nozzle, in accordance with the present invention, is
mounted.
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the nozzle taken substantially along
line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the nozzle taken substantially along
the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the nozzle and its
supporting unit.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a bag dispensing nozzle having
multiple dispensing slots therein, accordance with another aspect of the
present invention.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a nozzle illustrating another
embodiment of the present invention wherein the projections have angled
edge surfaces.
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Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a bag being
dispensed through a nozzle mounted on the side of a
counter, in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the nozzle taken
substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 illustrates the rounded edge surfaces
of the projections in the nozzle embodiment illustrated
in Fig. 7 and 8.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
The present invention now is described more
fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the
invention are shown. This invention may, however, be
embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that
this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will
fully convey the scope of the invention to those
skilled in the art.
Referring now to Fig. l, a conventional
grocery store checkout counter 10 is illustrated. The
counter 10 is adapted to selectively dispense plastic
bags from each of two supply rolls 11,12. As is
conventional, the bags of each roll may be in the form
of T-shirt or handle bags, with the bags being serially
joined along transverse perforated severance lines.
Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the bags of the
roll 12 are larger than the bags of the roll 11.
Referring now to Fig. 4, a bag dispensing
nozzle 14, according to the present invention, is
preferably of a molded rigid plastic construction, and
comprises a generally flat circular plate 16 with
opposite faces 16a,16b and an integrally joined
depending tubular sleeve 18 having a central passage
18a. The plate 16 has a diameter greater than that of
the sleeve 18 so as to define a peripheral flange which
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rests upon the upper surface of the counter 10. Also,
the upper surface of the flange is beveled about its
periphery at 19 so as to define a feather edge at its
juncture with the top of the counter, to thereby
minimize disruption of the flat counter surface. In
the illustrated installation, the bag dispensing nozzle
14 is mounted in a bore 15 in the top of a counter 10,
it. being understood of course that the nozzle
alternatively could be mounted in one of the vertical
sides of the counter or in the wall of any suitable
housing for one or more rolls of bags.
The depending tubular sleeve 18 is sized to
be received in the bore 15, as illustrated in Fig. 3.
To securely mount the nozzle 14 in the bore 15, the
outer surface of the sleeve 18 is provided with a
helical thread 20, and a threaded nut 22 is provided
which is sized to threadingly engage the thread on the
sleeve. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the nut 22 engages
the under surface of the counter 10 to secure the
nozzle 14 to the counter.
In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle 14
also includes two elongate, generally parallel slots
21a,21b extending through the plate 16, and in
communication with the central passage 18a of the
sleeve 18. The entrance portion of each slot 21a,21b
adjacent the central passage l8a.of sleeve 18 is
indicated as E (Fig. 3). The exit portion of each slot
21a,21b is indicated as X (Fig. 3). Each slot 21a,21b
also includes a pair of thread-up openings in the form
of open end portions 29a,29b extending through the
plate 16 and forming respective ends of each slot
21a,21b. The two slots 21a,21b are generally parallel
to each other; however, the slots may have any of a
variety of configurations relative to each other.
Furthermore, more than two slots may be provided, or
even a single slot may be provided, without departing
from the spirit and intent of the present invention.
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Referring now to Fig. 2, each slot 21a,21b
has a plurality of spaced apart projections which are
disposed in an interdigitated relationship. In
particular, slot 21a is comprised of opposing
longitudinal side edges 25a,25b. A plurality of spaced
apart projections 24a extend outwardly from side edge
25a, and a plurality of projections 24b extend
outwardly from side edge 25b, as illustrated. Opposing
projections 24a and 24b are in interdigitated
relationship. Similarly, slot 21b is comprised of
opposing longitudinal side edges 27a and 27b. A
plurality of spaced apart projections 26a extend
outwardly from side edge 27a and a plurality of
projections 26b extend outwardly from side edge 27b as
illustrated. Opposing projections 26a and 26b are in
interdigitated relationship.
As a specific non-limiting example, the plate
16 has an outer diameter of 4.0 inches, and the sleeve
18 has an inside diameter of about 2.5 inches. The
transverse width A (Figure 2) of each slot is about .40
inches, and the projections have a maximum transverse
length of about .275 inches and a width of about .125
inches. The projections are separated in the
longitudinal direction about .125 inches as indicated
at H, and the projections are spaced from the opposite
side wall of the slot a distance of about .125 inches
as indicated at C. Also, adjacent projections overlap
by about .150 inches as indicated at D.
The overlap of the projections may vary
depending on their outline, and preferably the maximum
overlap is between about .150 and about .250 inches.
The overlap preferably permits a significant transverse
width of the slot to remain which helps prevent wedging
and binding of the bags as they are pulled through the
slot. Also, the interdigitated relationship and the
significant slot width allows the dispensing nozzle to
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dispense a wide range of bag sizes and thicknesses and
to work equally well'independent of the direction of
pull.
In use, the leading bag from the roll 11 is
5 manually threaded through either one of the end
portions 29a,29b associated with the slot 21b and then
moved longitudinally into the slot. Similarly, the
leading bag from the roll 12. is manually threaded
through either one of the end portions 29a,29b
10 associated with the slot 21b and then moved
longitudinally into the slot. The bags from either
roll may then be serially dispensed, by drawing the
leading bag upwardly and laterally outwardly in either
direction, or side to side, with respect to the
15 associated slot. As a bag moves upwardly, the
resistance imparted thereon by the engagement of the
interdigitated projections of each slot facilitates the
severance of the pulled bag from the immediately
following bag joined thereto along a severance line.
20 Complete separation does not normally occur until the
leading portion of the following bag passes through the
slot, and such that the following bag is then in
position to be grasped and withdrawn in the same
manner. The presence of thread-up opening means at
25 each end of each slot serves to facilitate the tracking
of the bags centrally within each slot.
Referring now to Fig. 3, each illustrated
projection 24a,24b and 26a,26b has an edge. surface that
is non-linear or arcuately curved along its length as
30 illustrated. For example, the projections 24a,24b
within slot 21a have arcuately curved edge surfaces
17a,17b, respectively. Similarly, projections 26a,26b
within slot 21b have arcuately curved edge surfaces
17a,17b, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment,
35 the arcuately curved edge surfaces 17a,17b are
approximately semicircular. However, the edge surfaces
of the interdigitated projections may have various
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linear and non-linear shapes and configurations without
departing from the spirit and intent of the present
invention. For example, each projection may have an
arcuately shaped edge portion adjacent the entrance E
5 of each slot, while the edge surface of the projection
adjacent the exit portion X remains generally parallel
to the side edge from which the projection extends.
Furthermore, the interdigitated projections may have
edge surfaces that are angled in a variety of
configurations as described below.
Referring now to Fig. 5, a dispensing nozzle
30 according to another embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. The dispensing nozzle 30
comprises a generally flat elliptical plate 31 and an
15 integrally joined depending elliptical sleeve 32. The
sleeve 32 is adapted to be received within a similarly
configured bore within a counter surface for the
purpose of securing the nozzle 30 to the counter
surface. The illustrated nozzle also includes three
20 elongate slots 33a,33b,33c extending through the plate
in communication with a central passage of sleeve 32
for receiving differently sized bags therethrough. In
the illustrated embodiment, slot 33c is configured to
receive larger bags than the other slots 33a,33b.
25 However, as would be understood by those having skill
in the art, various slot sizes and configurations may
be provided on a dispensing nozzle depending on the
size and number of bags to be dispensed. The-plate 31
extends outwardly beyond the sleeve 32 so as to define
30 a peripheral flange which rests upon the surface of a
counter to which it is attached. In the illustrated
embodiment, the upper surface of the flange is beveled
about its periphery at 34 so as to define a feather
edge at its juncture with the surface of a counter.
35 Referring now to Fig. 6, a slot having
interdigitated projections 40 with angled~edge surfaces
is illustrated. Each projection 40 comprises. an angled
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edge surface 41 adjacent the entrance portion.E of the
illustrated slot, and an angled edge surface 42
adjacent the exit portion X of the illustrated slot.
Each projection 40 also has a medial segment 43
extending between the pair of angled edge surfaces
41,42 and which is generally parallel with the side
edge 45 from which the projection extends. The
resulting configuration of the projection 40 is
somewhat similar to a trapezoid. This trapezoidal
configuration permits side movement of the bags within
a slot in a manner similar to the arcuate configuration
described above. Angled edge surfaces 41,42 may be
inclined relative to the side edge 45 in a variety of
angles and are not limited to the illustrated angles.
Furthermore, angled edge surfaces 41,42 may be inclined
such that there is no medial segment therebetween.
Also, significant functional benefits may be achieved
with only an angled surface 42, or an arcuate surface,
at the slot entrance E.
Referring now to Figs. 7-9, an alternative
bag dispensing nozzle of the present invention is
illustrated. The dispensing nozzle comprises a pair of
spaced apart blocks 50a,50b which are secured to a
supporting plate 57 having a slot 55 therein. The
supporting plate 57 is in turn secured to a counter
side,surface 54. An individual block 50a is
illustrated in Fig. 9 and comprises a generally
rectangular rod having an edge portion 52 from which
extend a plurality of spaced apart projections 53. As
a specific non-limiting example, the projections have a
transverse length A of about .50 inches, a width B of
about .125 inches, and a longitudinal separation C of
between about one-sixteenth to one-quarter inch (1/16"-
1/4"), preferably about one-eighth inch (1/8").
Adjacent projections have an overlap of between about
three-sixteenths of an inch and three-Bights of an inch
(3/16" - 3/8"), as indicated at D.
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Each projection 53 has a generally arcuately
curved surface 53a which is semi circular and has a
radius of about .50 inches. A pair of blocks 50a, 50b
are configured as shown in Fig. 8 such that the
projections from each respective block 53, 54 have an
interdigitated configuration. In the illustrated
embodiment, blocks 50a, 50b are secured to supporting
plate 57 via bolts 56 and the entire supporting plate
and block assembly is secured to a counter surface via
bolts 58. A bag is dispensed through the slot formed
by the interdigitated projections and the slot 55 in
the support plate 57 in the manner illustrated. Also,
the projections terminate short of each end of the slot
55 to define a thread up opening 59.
The present invention is advantageous for a
number of reasons over other bag dispensing nozzles.
The arcuate or inclined edge surfaces of the
projections of the present invention allow lateral
movement of bags within a slot. The clearance between
adjacent projections is approximately four times
greater than between adjacent teeth in prior art
nozzles. Consequently, bags are effectively prevented
from becoming wedged or caught between adjacent
projections. The interdigitated configuration of
opposing projections provides positive snag-resistant
means for separating bags while still allowing each bag
to pull freely from the dispensing slot.
While the nozzle of the present invention has
been illustrated and described as being adapted for
mounting to a grocery store counter, it will be
understood that the nozzle can be mounted to any
suitable box-like enclosure or carton which is sized to
house one or more rolls of bags. For example, a
portable box-like enclosure can be provided which is
fabricated from corrugated paperboard or similar
material, and which encloses one or more rolls of the
bags and mounts the nozzle in one side wall thereof.
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An enclosure of this type is illustrated for example in Figures 9-15 of U.S.
Patent No. 5,207,368. Such an enclosure can be positioned at any location
where it is readily accessible to a store clerk.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms
are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not
for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the
following claims.
