Dispensers and dispensing systems for bags

Abstract

A dispenser for bags is disclosed. The dispenser is capable of storing a roll of bags and dispensing individual bags therefrom. In addition, a dispensing system for use in dispensing individual bags from a wound roll of continuously and detachably connected bags is disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispenser for bags comprising:
 (a) one or more braking surfaces for contacting a portion of a wound roll of bags;   (b) two support arms configured to receive a wound roll of bags therebetween;   (c) at least one tab on each support arm configured to engage a core of the wound roll of bags and to provide an inward force against the wound roll of bags;   wherein the two support arms are positioned relative to the one or more braking surfaces so as to allow the wound roll of bags to contact at least one of the braking surfaces when the core of the wound roll of bags is engaged by the tabs and wherein the two support arms are configured to swivel so that the wound roll of bags remains in contact with at least one of the braking surfaces as the wound roll of bags is depleted; and   (d) a separator positioned relative to the braking surface to separate an individual bag from the wound roll of bags.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1  in which the tabs are biased inwardly toward each other. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 2  wherein the tabs are configured to engage an inner portion of the core of the wound roll of bags. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 3  wherein the dispenser further comprises a frame and at least one of the one or more braking surfaces comprises an upper portion of the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 3  wherein the dispenser further comprises a wire frame and the one or more braking surfaces comprises an upper surface of a plate mounted on the wire frame. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the tabs comprise an outer grasping tab. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the tabs are biased inwardly at a force of about 1 pound of pressure per one inch of deflection. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 7  wherein the innermost distance between the tabs when at a default resting position is less than the width of the least wide roll of bags for use with the dispenser. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the two support arms and the tab on each support arm are integral and the two support arms form a u-shape. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein each of the two support arms is connected to a spring coil. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 10  wherein the spring coil comprises at least three coils. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 10  wherein the two support arms, each tab on each support arm, and the spring coil connected to each support arm are integral and the support arms form a u-shape. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the one or more braking surfaces form a cradle shape. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the cradle shape is a three-sided cradle shape. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the support arms are configured to swivel at a mounting point such that the roll of bags maintains a constant distance from the separator as bags are dispensed. 
     
     
         16 . A dispensing system for dispensing individual bags from a wound roll of bags, the dispensing system comprising:
 (a) a dispenser comprising:
 i. a braking surface for contacting a portion of a wound roll of bags; 
 ii. two support arms configured to receive a wound roll of bags therebetween; 
 iii. at least one tab on each support arm configured to engage a core of the wound roll of bags and to provide an inward force against the wound roll of bags;
 wherein the two support arms are positioned relative to the braking surface so as to allow the wound roll of bags to contact the braking surfaces when the core of the wound roll of bags is engaged by the tabs and wherein the two support arms are configured to swivel so that the wound roll of bags remains in contact with at least one of the braking surfaces as the wound roll of bags is depleted; and 
 
 iv. a separator positioned relative to the braking surface to separate an individual bag from the wound roll of bags; and 
   (b) a wound roll of bags having a core and comprising a plurality of bags that are continuously and detachably connected, wherein
 i. the tabs engage the core of the wound roll of bags; and 
 ii. a portion of the wound roll of bags contacts a portion of the braking surface. 
   
     
     
         17 . The dispensing system of  claim 16  further comprising a frame and wherein the braking surface is selected from the group consisting of an upper surface of a frame and the upper surface of a plate mounted on the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The dispensing system of  claim 16  further comprising two spring coils, wherein a spring coil adjoins each of the two support arms. 
     
     
         19 . The dispensing system of  claim 18  wherein the two support arms, two spring coils, and tabs are integral and the two support arms form a general u-shape. 
     
     
         20 . The dispensing system of  claim 16  wherein the bags comprise a perforation line detachably separating each bag in the plurality of bags, and wherein the perforation line further comprises a center slit. 
     
     
         21 . The dispensing system of  claim 18  wherein the braking surface is in a cradle shape. 
     
     
         22 . A dispenser for bags comprising:
 (a) a frame;   (b) one or more braking surfaces for contacting a portion of a wound roll of bags;   (c) two support arms configured to receive a wound roll of bags therebetween, wherein each support arm is connected to a spring coil;   (d) at least one tab on each support arm that is biased inward and comprises an inner engagement tab and an outer grasping tab, wherein the tabs are configured to engage a core of the wound roll of bags and to provide an inward force against the wound roll of bags;
 wherein the two support arms are positioned relative to the one or more braking surfaces so as to allow the wound roll of bags to contact at least one of the braking surfaces when the core of the wound roll of bags is engaged by the tabs and wherein the two support arms are configured to swivel so that the wound roll of bags remains in contact with at least one of the braking surfaces as the wound roll of bags is depleted; 
 wherein the two support arms form a general u-shape and wherein the two support arms, the spring coils, and the tabs are integrally formed from a wire; and 
 wherein the braking surfaces form a three-sided cradle shape; and 
   (e) a separator positioned relative to the braking surface to separate an individual bag from the wound roll of bags.