Bag and spool assembly having key to access cavity of dispenser

Abstract

A bag dispenser for a roll of bags wound about an axle includes a housing in which the axle and bags are disposed. A removable lid encloses an opening for the housing and engages the axle in an operative position. The lid includes a mechanism for preventing engagement of the lid and housing. The dispenser also includes a mechanism for selectively disengaging the engagement preventing mechanism. The disengaging mechanism is activated when the lid engages the housing and axle in the operative position.

1 . A dispenser for a roll of bags wound about an axle, comprising: 
 a housing in which the axle and bags are disposed;    a removable lid enclosing an opening for the housing and engaging the axle in an operative position, the lid having means for preventing engagement of the lid and housing; and    means for selectively disengaging the engagement preventing means;    wherein the disengaging means is activated when the lid engages the housing and axle in the operative position.    
   
   
       2 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement preventing means comprises a pair of wedges and a spring-loaded plunger having an annular recess for engaging the wedges when the plunger engages the disengaging means in the operative position, the wedges extending outwardly from the lid and preventing engagement of the lid and housing in an inoperative position, and wherein a portion of the wedges automatically move into the annular recess, allowing the lid to engage the housing, as the plunger engages the disengaging means.  
   
   
       3 . The bag dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the lid includes an axle guide extending into the axle in the operative position.  
   
   
       4 . The bag dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the selectively disengaging means comprises a closed end of the axle.  
   
   
       5 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the lid positions the wound bags centrally within the inner cavity as the bags rotate within the housing, the axle being rotatable relative to the lid.  
   
   
       6 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the lid snap-fits to the open end of the housing.  
   
   
       7 . The bag dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein the lid includes means for connecting the dispenser to a leash.  
   
   
       8 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes means for rotatably supporting the axle.  
   
   
       9 . The bag dispenser of  claim 8 , wherein the supporting means comprises an axle guide extending into the axle.  
   
   
       10 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an aperture through which the bags are individually removable therefrom.  
   
   
       11 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the bag dispenser is located on a leash assembly having a handle and a leash extendable from and retractable into the leash assembly.  
   
   
       12 . A dispenser for a roll of bags wound about an axle, comprising: 
 a housing in which the axle and bags are disposed, the housing having means for rotatably supporting the axle and an aperture through which the bags are individually removable therefrom;    a removable lid enclosing an opening for the housing and engaging the axle in an operative position, the lid having means for preventing engagement of the lid and housing; and    means for selectively disengaging the engagement preventing means;    wherein the disengaging means is activated when the lid engages the housing and axle in the operative position, and wherein the lid positions the wound bags centrally within the inner cavity as the bags rotate within the housing, the axle being rotatable relative to the lid.    
   
   
       13 . The bag dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the engagement preventing means comprises a pair of wedges and a spring-loaded plunger having an annular recess for engaging the wedges when the plunger engages the disengaging means in the operative position, the wedges extending outwardly from the lid and preventing engagement of the lid and housing in an inoperative position, and wherein a portion of the wedges automatically move into the annular recess, allowing the lid to engage the housing, as the plunger engages the disengaging means.  
   
   
       14 . The bag dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the lid includes an axle guide extending into the axle in the operative position and the disengaging means comprises a closed end of the axle.  
   
   
       15 . The bag dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the lid snap-fits to the open end of the housing and includes means for connecting the dispenser to a leash.  
   
   
       16 . The bag dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the supporting means comprises an axle guide extending into the axle.  
   
   
       17 . The bag dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the bag dispenser is located on a leash assembly having a handle and a leash extendable from and retractable into the leash assembly.  
   
   
       18 . A dispenser for a roll of bags wound about an axle, comprising: 
 a housing in which the axle and bags are disposed, the housing having an axle guide extending into the axle for rotatably supporting the axle and an aperture through which the bags are individually removable therefrom;    a removable lid enclosing an opening for the housing and engaging the axle in an operative position, the lid having means for preventing engagement of the lid and housing; and    means for selectively disengaging the engagement preventing means;    wherein the engagement preventing means comprises a pair of wedges and a spring-loaded plunger having an annular recess for engaging the wedges when the plunger engages the disengaging means in the operative position, the wedges extending outwardly from the lid and preventing engagement of the lid and housing in an inoperative position, a portion of the wedges automatically moving into the annular recess, allowing the lid to engage the housing, as the plunger engages the disengaging means, the disengaging means being activated when the lid engages the housing and axle in the operative position, and wherein the lid positions the wound bags centrally within the inner cavity as the bags rotate within the housing, the axle being rotatable relative to the lid.    
   
   
       19 . The bag dispenser of  claim 18 , wherein the lid includes an axle guide extending into the axle in the operative position and the disengaging means comprises a closed end of the axle.  
   
   
       20 . The bag dispenser of  claim 18 , wherein the lid snap-fits to the open end of the housing and includes means for connecting the dispenser to a leash.