US20200130921A1

US20200130921A1 - Bag container system

Info

Publication number: US20200130921A1
Application number: US16/663,588
Authority: US
Inventors: Serv Goyal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-10-26
Filing date: 2019-10-25
Publication date: 2020-04-30
Also published as: WO2020086978A1

Abstract

A bag container system for storing and dispensing bags has a first unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a first chamber adapted to contain one or more bags and a second unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a second chamber adapted to contain one or more bags. A connection mechanism releasably connects the bottom end of the first unit to the top end of the second unit, whereby the bag container system can operate as a single unit with dual chambers or as two separate units each with its own chamber. The chambers can contain and dispense reusable grocery and/or produce bags. Optionally, a wall mount may be provided to hold the first and second unit in a convenient location. A method of using the bag container includes connecting the bottom end of the first unit to the top end of the second unit, rotating the first unit to provide access to the first chamber, and disconnecting the first unit from the second unit to provide access to the second chamber.

Description

PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit of domestic priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/751,385 filed on Oct. 26, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Trips to the grocery store are often accompanied by the anxiety of having to decide how the groceries are going to be transported home. Heretofore, shoppers have been forced to weigh convenience against environmental responsibility when making the decision.
For decades, the brown paper grocery bag served as the carrier for all grocery items. However, the brown paper grocery bag was gradually replaced by the single use plastic grocery bag. The single use plastic grocery bag is less expensive for the grocery store and in some ways was more convenient for the shopper. Unfortunately, as the use of single use plastic grocery bags became more and more ubiquitous, they started having a negative impact on the environment. In addition, shoppers often use single use plastic produce bags. The result is that consumers throw away approximately 100 billion plastic bags annually in the United States. These plastic bags end up in landfills where they can take centuries to decompose or as litter where they can pollute oceans, soils, and waterways and are harmful to wildlife. On top of this, approximately 12 million barrels of oil are needed annually in the manufacture of the plastic bags, further contributing to the environmental impact.
Due to the potential devastating effect on the environment, conscious consumers are increasingly shunning the use of single use plastic bags, and forward-thinking states and municipalities are enacting laws to reduce or eliminate their use. A return to the brown paper grocery bags offers improvements in some respects but is not an ideal solution. The brown paper grocery bags can add costs to the stores and/or the consumers. In addition, they can be cumbersome to store and/or reuse, and although the bags are recyclable and more easily decompose than a plastic bag, their disposal is still burdensome and requires waste management resources.
A better solution that is becoming increasingly popular is the use of carry out reusable grocery bags and/or produce bags. The reusable grocery and produce bags are made of more durable material and/or handles, and this enables them to be utilized over and over, thereby reducing the waste and the manufacturing requirements and the subsequent impact on the environment. However, the reusable grocery and produce bags do not come without their own disadvantages. For example, it can be difficult to store the reusable bags in a convenient location. The bags will often clutter the inside of homes, garages, cars, or purses. It can also be difficult to separate grocery bags from produce bags in a simple and convenient manner. In addition, it can be easy for a shopper to forget to bring the reusable bags with them to the grocery store, necessitating the need to use or buy additional bags or single use bags on that forgetful trip.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved bag storage and organization system. There is further a need for a bag container system that stores and dispenses grocery and/or produce bags in a simple and convenient manner. There is a further need for a bag container system that separately stores and dispenses grocery bags and produce bags. There is still further a need for a bag container system that is easily locatable in the home in a manner that reduces forgetfulness.

SUMMARY

The present invention satisfies these needs. In one aspect of the invention, an improved bag container system is provided that makes the organization of grocery and/or produce bags simpler and more convenient.
The present invention satisfies these needs. In one aspect of the invention, an improved bag container system is provided that makes the organization of reusable grocery and/or reusable produce bags simpler and more convenient.
In another aspect of the invention, a bag container system comprises a first chamber and a releasably connected second chamber, the bag container system being usable in a connected or an unconnected configuration.
In another aspect of the invention a bag container system is mountable on a wall mount in a manner that is easily remembered and easily grabbable when a user is going to the grocery store.
In another aspect of the invention, a bag container system for storing and dispensing bags comprises a first unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a first chamber adapted to contain one or more bags, a second unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a second chamber adapted to contain one or more bags, and a connection mechanism that releasably connects the bottom end of the first unit to the top end of the second unit, whereby the bag container system can operate as a single unit with dual chambers or as two separate units each with its own chamber.
In another aspect of the invention, a bag container system for storing and dispensing bags comprises a first unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a first chamber adapted to contain one or more bags, a second unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a second chamber adapted to contain one or more bags, and a wall mount adapted to hold the first unit and the second unit, wherein the wall mount includes a bottom surface that is adapted to hold the top end of the first unit by magnetic attraction.
In another aspect of the invention, a method for containing and dispensing bags comprises providing a first unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a first chamber and containing one or more first bags in the first chamber, providing a second unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a second chamber and containing one or more bags second bags in the second chamber, releasably connecting the bottom end of the first unit to the top end of the second unit, rotating the first unit to provide access to the first chamber, and disconnecting the first unit from the second unit to provide access to the second chamber.

DRAWINGS

These features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings which illustrate exemplary features of the invention. However, it is to be understood that each of the features can be used in the invention in general, not merely in the context of the particular drawings, and the invention includes any combination of these features, where:

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective side view of a bag container system according to the invention in a separated configuration;

FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective side view of the bag container system of FIG. 1A in a connected, closed configuration;

FIG. 1C is a schematic perspective side view of the bag container system of FIG. 1A in a connected, closed configuration;

FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective exploded side view of the bag container system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a schematic perspective exploded side view of a wall mount of the bag container system;

FIG. 2C is a schematic assembled side view of the wall mount of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective side view of the bag container system of FIG. 1A together with the wall mount of FIG. 2B and showing reusable bags to be contained;

FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective side view showing the bag container system in a stored position;

FIG. 4B is a schematic perspective side view showing the bag container system in use at a store;

FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded side view of a portion of another embodiment of a bag container system according to the invention;

FIG. 6A is a schematic exploded side view of another embodiment of a wall mount of the bag container system;

FIG. 6B is a schematic partially assembled side view of the wall mount of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a schematic side view of another version of a bag container system according to the invention; and

FIG. 7B is a schematic side view of the bag container system of FIG. 7A in another position.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a system for containing bags. In particular, the invention relates to a system for storing and dispensing bags, such as reusable grocery and/or produce bags. Although the invention is illustrated and described in the context of being useful for grocery and produce shopping, the present invention can be used in other ways, as would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited just to the examples and embodiments described herein.
FIG. 1 shows a bag container system 100 according to one version of the invention. The bag container system 100 includes a first unit 105 and a second unit 110. The first unit 105 and the second unit 110 are connectable to one another by a detachable connection mechanism 115. The first unit 105 has a top end 120, a bottom end 125, and a side wall 130 that define a hollow interior of the first unit 105 that makes up a first chamber 135. The second unit 110 has a top end 140, a bottom end 145, and a side wall 150 that define a hollow interior of the second unit 110 that makes up a second chamber 155. The first unit side wall 130 and the second unit side wall 150 may be cylindrical, as shown in the version of FIG. 1, or any other shape. The connection mechanism 115 is able to connect the bottom end 125 of the first unit 105 to the top end 140 of the second unit 110. The connection mechanism 115 is designed to hold the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 securely together and to allow for easy disconnection when desired. In this manner, the bag container system 100 can selectively operate as either a single unit with dual chambers or as two separate units each with its own chamber. The connected first unit 105 and second unit 110 is shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C.
The first chamber 135 and the second chamber 155 are each sized and shaped to contain one or more bags. For example, in one version and as discussed in more detail hereinbelow, the first chamber 135 can be adapted to hold one or more reusable produce bags, and the second chamber 155 can be adapted to hold one or more reusable grocery bags. Alternatively, the reusable grocery bags can be contained in the first chamber 135, and the reusable produce bags can be contained in the second chamber 135, or the same type of bag can be contained in both chambers. In one particular version, the first chamber 135 is suited to contain from 1 to 15 reusable produce bags of conventional size and shape, more preferably from 3 to 8 reusable produce bags, and has a volume of from about 4 in³to about 60 in³, or from about 10 in³to about 30 in³, or about 16 in³. In one particular version, the second chamber 155 is suited to contain from 1 to 10 reusable grocery bags of conventional size, more preferably from 2 to 5 reusable grocery bags, and has a volume of from about 6 in³to about 50 in³, or from about 10 in³to about 25 in³, or about 17 in³. The relative volume size of the first chamber 135 to the second chamber 155 may range from about 1:2 to about 2:1, or from about 1:1.5 to about 1.5:1, or about 1:1.25.
The first unit 105 of the bag containing system 100 can include a dispensing mechanism 160 that provides access to the first chamber 135. In one version, the dispensing mechanism 160 is an opening 165 in the side wall 130 of the first unit 105. In this version, the first unit 105 may also include a closed top 170 and a closed bottom 175 so that the opening 165 is the only access to the first chamber 135. The opening 165 may be sized and shaped to easily receive and dispense a particular bag to be stored, such as a reusable produce bag. The opening 165 may have any suitable size or shape, such as oval, round, circular, square, rectangular, polygonal, or a combination of these shapes. In the particular version of FIG. 1A, the opening 165 is oval. The opening 165 may have an area from about 2 in²to about 10 in², or about 3 in²to about 8 in², or about 4.5 in². Alternatively, the opening can be provided in the top 170 and/or bottom 175 of the first unit 105.
In one version, such as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the dispensing mechanism 160 is selectively openable and closable. In the version shown, the side wall 130 of the first unit 105 includes an interior side wall 180 that is movable relative to an outer side wall 185, the outer side wall 185 including the opening 165. For example, the inner side wall 180 and the outer side wall 185 may both be cylindrical and rotatable relative to one another. The inner side wall 180 can include an inner opening 190. The inner side wall 180 can be rotated between a position where the dispensing mechanism 160 is closed and the inner opening 190 is not aligned with the opening 165, as shown in FIG. 1B, and a position where the dispensing mechanism 160 is open and the inner opening 190 is aligned with the opening 165, as shown in FIG. 1C. The inner opening 190 can be the same size and shape as the opening 165 in the outer side wall 185, or it can be slightly smaller or slightly larger. Alternatively, the inner side wall 180 may be longitudinally slidable relative to the outer side wall 185.
FIG. 2A shows an exploded version of the components of a version of a bag container system 100 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. In this version, the side wall 130 of the first unit 105 is made up of a cylindrical first unit outer sleeve 200 that includes the outer side wall 185 and the opening 165 and a cylindrical first unit inner sleeve 205 that includes the inner side wall 180 and the inner opening 190. The first unit outer sleeve 200 and the first unit inner sleeve 205 may be attached to one another in a manner that they are relatively rotatable, such as by snap fit or the like. The bottom 175 of the first unit inner sleeve 205 is closed. A cap 210 can be provided for closing the top 170 by attaching to the top of the first unit outer sleeve 200. The cap 210 can be attached to the first unit outer sleeve 200 in any conventional manner, such as by threads, glue, or the like. The side wall 150 of the second unit 110 can be made up of a second unit outer sleeve 215 that receives a second unit inner sleeve 220. The second unit inner sleeve 220 may extend the entire length of the second unit outer sleeve 215 or may extend a portion of the length. In one version, the second unit inner sleeve 220 extends from about 0.25 in to about 2.0 in, or from about 0.5 in to about 1.5 in, or about 0.9 in into the second unit outer sleeve 215 having a length of from about 4 in to about 6 in. at the top end 140 of the second unit 110 and abuts against a ledge on the inside surface of the second unit outer sleeve 215. In this manner, the volume of the second chamber 155 can be increased. Also, the thickness of at least a portion of the second unit inner sleeve 220 can be sufficient to decrease the size of the opening 230 into the second chamber 155 to help secure the bags in the second chamber 155. For example, in one particular version, the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the inside of the second unit outer sleeve can be from about 1.5 in to about 4 in, or from about 2 in to about 3 in, or about 2.375 in and the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the opening 230 created by the second unit inner sleeve 220 is less than that by about 0.2 in to about 0.75 in, or from about 0.4 in to about 0.5 in, and in one particular version the diameter of the opening is about 0.475 in less than the diameter or other cross sectional dimension of the inside of the second unit outer sleeve 215. In one version, the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the opening is from about 1.5 in to about 2.5 in, or about 1.9 in. The small ledge and/or the reduced opening creates enough of an obstruction in the inner wall of the second chamber 155 to help prevent the bags in the second chamber 155 from crawling out. The second unit inner sleeve 220 can be permanently attached to the second unit outer sleeve 215 in any conventional manner, such as by glue, threads, friction fit, or the like. Alternatively, the side wall 150 of the second unit 110 can be made of a single piece and can have the same general size and shape as any of the versions discussed.
A version of the connection mechanism 115 for the bag container unit 100 is also shown in FIG. 2A. In this version, the first unit inner sleeve 205 includes an extending section 225 that is receivable within an open top 230 of the second unit side wall 150. The connection between the extending section 225 and the second unit side wall can be provided by a friction fit or any other suitable connecting mechanism that allows for a secure connection but that is easily disconnectable. The connection between the first unit inner sleeve 205 and the second unit 110 is sufficiently strong that the two parts can be rotated together relative to the first unit outer sleeve 200. In this way, a user can rotate the second unit to cause rotation of the inner side wall 180 relative to the outer side wall 185 when the first unit 105 is connected to the second unit 110. When the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 are disconnected, the first unit inner sleeve 205 can be rotated relative to the first unit outer sleeve 200 by grasping the extending portion 225. An O-ring 235 or the like can be provided on the extending portion 225 to help hold the second unit 110 on the first unit 105.
The bag container system 100 may optionally include a wall mount 240, such as the one shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, for conveniently holding the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 in a desired location. The wall mount includes a wall bracket 245 that has a pair of holes 250 for receiving screws or anchors for mounting the wall bracket 245 onto a wall. A top portion 255 of the wall mount 240 includes a lip 260 that is positionable on a wedge portion 265 of the wall bracket 245 so that the lip 260 is positioned between the wedge portion 265 and the wall when the wall bracket 245 is mounted on a wall. A bottom portion 270 includes a lip 275 that is positionable under a lower wedge portion 280 of the wall bracket 245 in similar manner as the lip 260 on the top portion 255. A screw hole 285 through the bottom portion 270 allows a screw to be inserted therethrough and into the top portion 255 to attach the top portion 255 to the bottom portion 270 and to clamp the lips 260, 275 onto the wall bracket 245, as shown in FIG. 2C. In one version, the bottom portion 270 includes a bottom surface 290 that is magnetically attracted to the first unit 105 and/or second unit 110 of the bag container system 100. For example, the bottom surface 290 can contain a magnet that is attracted to a metal and/or a magnet that is provided on the top end 120 of the first unit 105 and/or a metal and/or a magnet that is provided on the bottom end 145 of the second unit 110. In one particular version, magnets are provided on both the top end 120 of the first unit 105 and the bottom end 145 of the second unit 110, and either an oppositely polarized magnet or a ferromagnetic metal is provided on the bottom surface 290 of the wall mount 240. The top portion 255 can optionally be provided with a tray 295 for containing keys or other items.
The parts of the bag container system 100 including the wall mount 240 can be made of any suitable material. For example, one or more of the parts discussed above can be made of one or more of polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a combination of PC/ABS, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), EVA foam, rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), nylon, or the like. The parts may be manufactured by any suitable conventional method, such as injection molding, die casting, CNC machining, extrusion, thermoforming, or the like. The second unit outer sleeve 215 and the second unit inner sleeve 220, when separate parts, may be joined by one or more of ultrasonic welding, friction welding, adhesives, double-shot injection molding, or the like. The O-ring 235 may be glued onto the extending section 225 of the first unit inner sleeve 205 or to the opening 230 in the second unit 110.
FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the bag container system 100 in use. The wall mount 240 is mounted on a wall. The bottom surface 290 of the wall mount 240 and the top 170 of the first unit 105 are magnetically attracted to one another. The second unit 110 is connectable to the first unit 105 by the connection mechanism 115. When connected, the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 can hang from the wall mount 240 and are held there by the magnetic attraction. To remove the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 from the wall mount 240 a separation force that exceeds the magnetic attraction force is applied. Alternatively, the first unit 105 can be attached to the wall mount 240 by a system other than magnetic attraction, such as by a screw thread, bayonet arrangement, friction fit, or the like.
Also shown in FIG. 3 are examples of the bags 300 that may be contained in the bag container system 100. For the bags 300 to be contained in the first chamber 135, the first unit inner sleeve 205 is rotated relative to the first unit outer sleeve 200 so that the inner opening 190 is aligned with the opening 165 in the first unit outer sleeve 200. The bags 300 are then slid through the opening 165 and into the first chamber 135. The first unit inner sleeve 205 is then rotated again so the inner opening 190 is not aligned with the opening 165 to close the first chamber 135 and secure the bags therein. When connected, the rotation of the first unit inner sleeve 205 can be performed by rotating the second unit 110. For the bags 300 to be contained in the second chamber 155, the second unit 110 is disconnected from the first unit 105 at the connection mechanism 115, and the bags 300 are inserted into he open top 230 of the second unit 110 and into the second chamber 155. The second unit 110 is then reconnected to the first unit 105 to close the second chamber 155 and secure the bags therein.
The bags 300 can be any bags 300 useful for grocery shopping or for any other purpose. The bags 300 that are contained within the first chamber 135 and the second chamber 155 can be the same type of bags or they can be different types of bags. In one version, one or more reusable produce bags 305 are contained in the first chamber 135, and one or more reusable grocery bags 310 are contained in the second chamber 155. By reusable produce bag 305 it is meant any bag made of sufficient side and durability to carry produce over multiple uses. The reusable produce bags 305 are made of a mesh or breathable material, such as nylon or polyester, can be washed, and are often transparent. The usable produce bags 305 often include a closure, such as a drawstring or zipper to keep the produce in the bag. The reusable produce bags 305 are typically smaller than the reusable grocery bags 310. The reusable produce bags 305 can be conventional reusable produce bags, such as those commercially available. By reusable grocery bag 310 it is meant any bag made of sufficient size and durability to carry groceries over multiple uses. The reusable grocery bags 310 typically have a handle portion and a body portion, are made of light, strong, and washable material, such as ripstop nylon or polyester, and are typically larger than reusable produce bags 305 and typically have a fabric weight from about 20 to 50 grams per square meter. The reusable grocery bags 310 can be conventional reusable grocery bags, such as those commercially available. The dispenser 160 in the first unit 105 is designed to be able to easily dispense the reusable produce bags 305 and to be easily closed to the secure the reusable produce bags 305 in the first chamber 135. Because the reusable grocery bags 310 are often larger and often less flexible than the reusable produce bags 305, the reusable grocey bags 310 are more easily stored in the second chamber 155 and more easily inserted into the second chamber through the larger opening 230 into the second chamber 155.
In one version, the reusable grocery bags 305 and/or the reusable produce bags 310 are specially designed to be used with the bag container system 100. For example, in one version, the bag container system 100 is provided with one or more bags 300 that are highly compressible. In one particular version, the bags 300 include one or more reusable grocery bags that have a denier rating between 7 D and 12 D.
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the use of the bag container system 100 when a user is to make a trip to the grocery store. FIG. 4A shows the bag container system 100 with the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 hanging from the wall mount 240 at the user's home or other location. The bag container system 100 is stored at a convenient location in the home or other location so that it can be easily retrieved when the user is going to the grocery store. The wall mount 240 has a tray 295 where the user's keys or other item can be stored to help the user remember to grab the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 when leaving for the grocery store. Alternatively, the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 can be stored in the user's car or elsewhere in the home, such as in a drawer. In the version of FIG. 4A, the bag container system 100 is in its storage position with bags 300, such as reusable produce bags 305, in the first chamber 135 and with bags 300, such as reusable grocery bags 310, in the second chamber 310. In this way, the user can carry the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 to the grocery store with confidence that all of the bags 300 needed for the shopping trip are contained inside and are easily available.
When the user arrives at the grocery store, the second unit 110 can be separated from the first unit 105 by disconnecting the connection mechanism 115. The first unit 105 and the second unit 110 can then be carried or placed inside a shopping cart 400 for added convenience. The first unit inner sleeve 205 can be rotated relative to the first unit outer sleeve 200 to align the inner opening 190 and the opening 165 of the dispenser 160 so the first chamber 135 can be accessed to obtain reusable produce bags 305 when desired. In one version, the first unit 105 can have a magnet in or near the cap 170 so that the first unit can be attached to the wall mount 240 as discussed above. In this version, the magnetic material can also be used to help secure the first unit 105 in the shopping cart 400 when the shopping cart is made of a ferromagnetic material. To do so, the first unit 105 can be flipped upside down so that the cap 170 can be attracted to the shopping cart 400. In addition, the bottom end 140 of the second unit 110 can be provided with a magnetic material so that the second unit 110 can be secured to the shopping cart 400 when the shopping cart is made of a ferromagnetic material. At checkout, the user can pull reusable grocery bags 310 from the second chamber 155 through the open top 230 of the second unit 110.
When the grocery shopping is completed, the user can reconnect the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 of the bag container system 100 and can carry the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 home along with the groceries that are contained in the reusable grocery bags 310 and/or reusable produce bags 305. After the groceries have been unbagged, the empty bags 300 can be placed back into the first chamber 135 and the second chamber 155, and the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 can be reconnected and relocated on the wall mount 240 so the bag container system 100 is ready for the next shopping trip.
Another version of the first unit 105 of the bag container system 100 is shown in FIG. 5. In this version, the cap 210 includes a notch 300 on the outside surface of a cylindrical wall 305 that is radially inset from the outer wall 310 of the cap 210. A ledge 315 connects the cylindrical wall 305 and the outer wall 310. The ledge 315 can be glued to the upper end 320 of the first unit outer sleeve 200. A gap is created between the cylindrical wall 305 and the inner surface of the first unit outer sleeve 200, and that gap is sized and shaped to receive the top edge 325 of the first unit inner sleeve 205. The notch 300 protrudes from the cylindrical wall 305 into the gap. When the first unit inner sleeve 205 is then advanced into the first unit outer sleeve 200 and the tope edge 325 is pressed into the gap, the notch 300 can be received within a slot 330 extending along a portion of the circumference of the first unit inner sleeve 205. The notch 300 and slot 330 thus limit the rotational travel of the first unit inner sleeve 205 within the first unit outer sleeve 200 while still allowing for sufficient rotation to move the dispensing mechanism 160 from an open to a closed position. A second notch and slot can also be provided at a position diametrically opposite to the notch 300 and slot 330 shown for additional stability. A third, fourth, or more slot and notch can also be provided. The first unit inner sleeve 205 may also be provided with one or more ribs 335 or bearing surfaces that allow for smooth rotation of the first unit inner sleeve 205 with the first unit outer sleeve 200. On one of the ribs 335, or at a different location, a detent or the like as shown on the rib 335 just below the opening 190 in FIG. 5 is provided that gently secures the first unit inner sleeve 205 in the fully open and/or fully closed dispensing position by cooperating with a vertical rib on the inside of the first unit outer sleeve 200. Alternatively, the detent can be provided on another position on the rib, on another rib, or at a location that is not on a rib. Optionally provided on the first unit 105, such as on the side wall 130 near the cap 210 is a loop or hook 350 for receiving a lanyard or the like.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show another version of a wall mount 240 of the bag container system 100. In this version, a level 600, such as a bubble level, is provided. The level 600 resides within a cavity 605 of the wall bracket 245. When installing the wall bracket 245 onto a wall, the level 600 can be used to ensure the wall mount 245 is attached to the wall in a level manner. As also shown in this version, the bottom surface 290 of the wall mount 240 can have a non-planar shape that mates with the top of the first unit 105 to help secure the first unit 105 on the wall mount 240. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the bottom surface 290 can have a convex shape that mates with a concave surface on the top 170 of the first unit 105. Alternatively, the convex and concave surfaces can be reversed and/or the mating surfaces can be provided on the wall mount 240 and the bottom 145 of the second unit 110.
Another version of a bag container system 100 is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. In this version, the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 are securely joined together with a partition separating the two units and separating the first chamber 135 from the second chamber 155. The first unit 105 has an opening 700 at one end of the bag container system 100, and the second unit 110 has an opening 705 at another end of the bag container system 100. The openings 700, 705 may be made of a flexible, rubber, silicon, or silicon-like material, and the openings 700, 705 may be designed to expand when a user inserts their finger into the openings 700, 705. In one version, the openings 700, 705 are round or circular with a diameter of from about 1.5 in to about 3 in, or about 2.5 in. Alternatively, the openings 700, 705 can have a shape other than circular with a correspondingly similar area to the circular openings. The bag container system 100 of this version may be constructed of one or more of PC, ABS, PC/ABS, aluminum, cold rolled steel, TPU rubber, EVA foam, and the like, and may be made by one or more of injection molding, compression molding, die casting, CNC machining, stamping, and the like. The bag container system 100 of this version may or may not have magnets and may or may not be attachable to a wall mount.
Alternative versions and uses of the bag container system 100 will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the foregoing. For example, the mechanisms and designs of the first unit 105 and the second unit 110 can be switched. A dispenser of the type described by the first unit 105 can be provided on the second unit 110. Furthermore, the bag container system 100 can be used to store and dispense items other than bags.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with regard to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible, and alterations, permutations and equivalents of the version shown will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. For example, the cooperating components may be reversed or provided in additional or fewer number. Also, the various features of the versions herein can be combined in various ways to provide additional versions of the present invention. Furthermore, certain terminology has been used for the purposes of descriptive clarity, and not to limit the present invention. Throughout this specification and any claims appended hereto, unless the context makes it clear otherwise, the term “comprise” and its variations such as “comprises” and “comprising” should be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, limitation, or step but not the exclusion of any other elements, limitations, or steps. Therefore, any appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein and should include all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bag container system for storing and dispensing bags, the system comprising:

a first unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a first chamber adapted to contain one or more bags,

a second unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a second chamber adapted to contain one or more bags, and

a connection mechanism that releasably connects the bottom end of the first unit to the top end of the second unit,

whereby the bag container system can operate as a single unit with dual chambers or as two separate units each with its own chamber.

2. A bag container system according to claim 1 wherein the first unit includes an opening to dispense bags within the first chamber, and wherein the second unit includes an opening to dispense bags within the second chamber.

3. A bag container system according to claim 1 wherein the first unit includes a closable opening to dispense bags within the first chamber.

4. A bag container system according to claim 1 wherein the side wall comprises an inner sleeve having an opening and an outer sleeve having an opening, and wherein the inner sleeve is moveable relative to the outer sleeve to align the openings to dispense bags within the first chamber.

5. A bag container system according to claim 4 wherein the inner sleeve is rotatable relative to the outer sleeve.

6. A bag container system according to claim 5 wherein the inner sleeve is rotatable with the second unit.

7. A bag container system according to claim 1 wherein the first unit includes an opening to dispense bags within the first chamber, wherein the opening is selectably openable and closeable while the first unit and second unit are connected or disconnected.

8. A bag container system according to claim 7 wherein the second unit includes an opening to dispense bags within the second chamber, and wherein the opening is closed when the first unit is connected to the second unit and open when the first unit is disconnected from the second unit.

9. A bag container system according to claim 1 wherein the first chamber has a volume from about 10 in³to about 30 in³, and wherein the second chamber has a volume from about 10 in³to about 25 in³.

10. A bag container system according to claim 1 wherein the top end of the first unit or the bottom end of the second unit comprises a magnet.

11. A bag container system according to claim 1 wherein second unit comprises an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve extends a portion of the distance into the outer sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve includes an opening that provides access into the second chamber, and wherein the opening in the inner sleeve has a smaller cross section than the cross section of the second chamber.

12. A bag container system according to claim 1 wherein the first unit comprises a cap affixed to the top end of the first unit, the cap including a notch, wherein the first unit comprises a cylindrical inner sleeve and a cylindrical outer sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve is rotatable relative to the outer sleeve, and wherein the inner sleeve comprises a slot into which the notch is inserted to limit the rotation of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve.

13. A bag container system according to claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a wall mount that is adapted to hold the first unit and the second unit.

14. A bag container system according to claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a plurality of reusable produce bags that may be contained within the first chamber and a plurality of reusable grocery bags that may be contained within the second chamber.

15. A bag container system for storing and dispensing bags, the system comprising:

a wall mount adapted to hold the first unit and the second unit,

wherein the wall mount includes a bottom surface that is adapted to hold the top end of the first unit by magnetic attraction.

16. A bag container system according to claim 15 wherein the wall mount includes a top surface comprises a key tray.

17. A bag container system according to claim 15 wherein the top end of the first unit comprises a magnet and wherein the bottom surface comprises either a magnet or a ferromagnetic material.

18. A bag container system according to claim 15 wherein the bottom surface of the wall mount has a convex or concave shape and wherein the top end of the first unit has a correspondingly mating shape.

19. A method for containing and dispensing bags, the method comprising:

providing a first unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a first chamber and containing one or more first bags in the first chamber,

providing a second unit having a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall defining a second chamber and containing one or more bags second bags in the second chamber,

releasably connecting the bottom end of the first unit to the top end of the second unit,

rotating the first unit to provide access to the first chamber, and

disconnecting the first unit from the second unit to provide access to the second chamber.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the first bags and the second bags are different types of bags.