Dispensing Rack for Thermoplastic Bags

Abstract

The invention relates generally to an improved rack for dispensing individual thermoplastic bags from a bag stack. Embodiments of the invention may be especially beneficial for dispensing individual square-bottomed bags. In an embodiment of the invention, the dispensing rack includes at least one mounting hook; at least one rear deforming member coupled to the at least one mounting hook; and at least one front deforming member coupled to the at least one rear deforming member, the rack configured to hang the bag stack from the at least one mounting hook and deform the bag stack in a serpentine manner between the at least one rear deforming member and the at least one front deforming member when the bag stack is disposed on the rack.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A rack for dispensing individual bags from a bag stack, the rack comprising:
 at least one mounting hook;   at least one rear deforming member coupled to the at least one mounting hook; and   at least one front deforming member coupled to the at least one rear deforming member, the rack configured to hang the bag stack from the at least one mounting hook and deform the bag stack in a serpentine manner between the at least one rear deforming member and the at least one front deforming member when the bag stack is disposed on the rack.   
     
     
         2 . The rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame connected to the at least one rear deforming member and the at least one mounting hook. 
     
     
         3 . The rack of  claim 2 , further comprising a base connected to the frame, a plane of the frame being orthogonal to a plane of the base. 
     
     
         4 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the at least one rear deforming member includes a first tube and a second tube, each of the first tube and the second tube being disposed with a longitudinal axis being substantially vertical when the rack is in use. 
     
     
         5 . The rack of  claim 4 , wherein the first tube and the second tube are made from Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT). 
     
     
         6 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the at least one rear deforming member includes a corrugated sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The rack of  claim 6  wherein ridges and grooves of the corrugated sheet extend substantially in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         8 . The rack of  claim 6  wherein the corrugated sheet is manufactured from steel. 
     
     
         9 . The rack of  claim 6  wherein the corrugated sheet is manufactured from aluminum. 
     
     
         10 . The rack of  claim 6  wherein the corrugated sheet is manufactured from fiberglass. 
     
     
         11 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the at least one rear deforming member includes a length of angle iron. 
     
     
         12 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the at least one front deforming member includes three deforming members. 
     
     
         13 . The rack of  claim 12  wherein the three deforming members include a routing member, a first arm, and a second arm. 
     
     
         14 . A rack for dispensing individual bags from a bag stack, the rack comprising:
 at least one mounting hook to hang the bag stack; and   means for deforming the bag stack along a serpentine path when the bag stack is disposed on the rack.