Bag rack and dispensing system and method for packaging and dispensing items

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-RE47317-E
Application number	US-201715460362-A
Country	US
Kind code	E1
Filing date	Mar 16, 2017
Priority date	Apr 25, 2013
Publication date	Mar 26, 2019
Grant date	Mar 26, 2019

Abstract

A bag rack and dispensing system and method of packaging and dispensing items, such as food. The bag rack and dispensing system includes a rack that is formed of a base assembly and a hanger assembly on which multiple storage bags can be hung. A method of using the bag rack and dispensing system for packaging and dispensing food items includes, but is not limited to, the steps of hanging the storage bags on the rack of the bag rack and dispensing system, opening the frontmost storage bag, holding open or propping open the storage bag using a hooking device, placing the food item(s) or any other types of item(s) into the storage bag, removing the hooking device, if used, closing the storage bag, and removing the filled storage bag from the rack of the bag rack and dispensing system.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bag rack and dispensing system, comprising:
a. a base assembly comprising one or more side bars and one or more crossbars coupled to the side bar, wherein at least one of the one or more crossbars is located at a front portion of the base assembly; and
b. a hanger assembly mounted to the base assembly, the hanger assembly comprising a pair of opposing hanger bars, each of the opposing hanger bars comprising:
i. a first portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the first portion coupled to one or more of the one or more crossbars to support the hanger assembly on the base assembly;
ii. a second portion extending at is proximal end from the distal end of the first portion in a generally vertical direction;
iii. a third portion extending at its proximal end from a distal end of the second portion in a generally horizontal direction and in an opposite direction of that of the proximal end of the first portion; and
iv. a fourth portion extending at its proximal end from a distal end of the third portion in a generally vertical direction; and

wherein, the pair of opposing hanger bars are configured to support a plurality of storage bags in a removable manner thereon, and wherein the respective first portion, second portion, third portion, and fourth portion of each of the hanger bars are substantially coplanar.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a hooking device, wherein the hooking device comprises a bar having a first end coupled to the at least one of the one or more crossbars located at the front portion of the base assembly and a second end configured to assist in holding open at least one of the plurality of storage bags.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the bar of the hooking device comprises a hook formed on at least one of the first end and second end.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the base assembly is configured to form a substantially boxed-shaped structure.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the side bars are arranged substantially parallel with one another and the crossbars are arranged substantially parallel with one another and wherein the side bars are arranged substantially perpendicular with the crossbars.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the base assembly comprises two of the side bars and three of the crossbars, wherein the three crossbars span a distance spaced between the two side bars.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the hanger assembly further comprises one or more hanger crossbars coupled to the hanger bars, wherein the hanger bars are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to a length of the one or more hanger crossbars.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the hanger bars are arranged substantially parallel with one another.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the fourth portion of the hanger bars further comprises an angled portion extending from a distal end of the fourth portion.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of storage bags, wherein each of the plurality of storage bags comprise a top portion and a detachable bottom portion, wherein the top portion comprises an engagement mechanism for engaging with the hanger assembly, and the detachable bottom portion comprises a storage pouch.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the engagement mechanism for engaging with the hanger assembly comprises holes for engaging the hanger bars of the hanger assembly.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the bottom portion is detachable from the top portion by a perforation spanning a bottom edge of the top portion.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of storage bags further comprises a handle.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of storage bags are bound together at the top portion.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of storage bags are bound together at the top portion via grommets.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein the detachable bottom portion further comprises a resealable opening providing access to the storage pouch.

17. The system of claim 1 10 wherein the plurality of storage bags are configured to store food items.

18. A method of packaging and dispensing items, using a bag rack dispensing system, the method comprising:
a. hanging a plurality of storage bags on a bag rack, the bag rack comprising:
i. a base assembly comprising one or more side bars and one or more crossbars configured in a horizontal plane to form a base assembly support structure, wherein at least one of the one or more crossbars is located at a front portion of the base assembly; and
ii. a hanger assembly mounted to the base assembly, the hanger assembly comprising a pair of opposing hanger bars, each of the opposing hanger bars comprising:
1. a first portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the first portion coupled to one or more of the one or more crossbars;
2. a second portion extending at is proximal end from the first portion in a generally vertical direction;
3. a third portion extending at its proximal end from a distal end of the second portion in a generally horizontal direction and in an opposite direction of that of the proximal end of the first portion; and
4. a fourth portion extending at its proximal end from a distal end of the third portion in a generally vertical direction; and wherein, the pair of opposing hanger assembly is bars are configured to support a plurality of storage bags in a removable manner thereon, and wherein the respective first portion, second portion, third portion, and fourth portion of each of the hanger bars are substantially coplanar;

b. opening a frontmost storage bag of the plurality of storage bags via a resealable opening;
c. holding open a front edge of the resealable opening of the frontmost storage bag;
d. placing an item to be stored into the opened frontmost storage bag;
e. resealing the resealable opening of the frontmost storage bag with the item placed therein; and
f. removing the frontmost storage back from the plurality of storage bags and the rack.

Assignees

• Inno Pak Llc

Inventors

• Sill Jonathan D
• Sill Christopher T

Classifications

• B65B67/1266 Primary

  specially adapted for storing or dispensing sacks from a supply · CPC title

• B65B67/1255

  characterised by positively acting means for stretching the mouth of the sack into the open condition, e.g. using springs · CPC title

• A47F13/085

  Shopping-bag holders (A47F9/042 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47F9/042

  Shopping bags or carton-dispensing systems therefor · CPC title

• A47F5/01

  made of tubes or wire ({A47F5/0807 takes precedence} foldable or adjustable A47F5/13) · CPC title