Bag storage and loading unit

Abstract

A bag storage and loading unit includes a first arm and a second arm substantially parallel with and spaced a distance from the first arm to define an interior space having a width measured between the first and second arms. A first upwardly-open hook member extends laterally from the first arm into the interior space. The first hook member is configured to retain a plurality of handles of a plurality of bags that are in a storage orientation in the interior space. A second upwardly-open hook member extends laterally from the second arm into the interior space. The second hook member is configured to retain one handle of one of the plurality of bags that is in a loading orientation, such that the plurality of bags may be opened with a side-to-side movement.

1 . A bag storage and loading unit comprising:
 a first arm;   a second arm substantially parallel with and spaced a distance from the first arm to define an interior space having a width measured between the first and second arms;   a first upwardly-open hook member extending from the first arm, the first hook member extending laterally into the interior space, the first hook member being configured to retain a plurality of handles of a plurality of bags that are in a storage orientation in the interior space; and   a second upwardly-open hook member extending from the second arm, the second hook member extending laterally into the interior space, the second hook member being configured to retain one handle of one of the plurality of bags that is in a loading orientation, such that the plurality of bags may be opened with a side-to-side movement.   
   
   
       2 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first hook member extends into the interior space a first length and the second hook member extends into the interior space a second length, and the first length is greater than the second length. 
   
   
       3 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 2 , wherein the first length is greater than the second length by a factor between about 2 and about 5. 
   
   
       4 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 2 , wherein the first length of the first hook member is between about 25 percent and about 40 percent of the width of the interior space, and respective interior ends of the first and second hook members are spaced apart a distance between about 50 percent and about 75 percent of the width of the interior space. 
   
   
       5 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 1 , wherein both the first and second hook members are canted upwardly above horizontal. 
   
   
       6 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 5 , wherein the first hook member and the second hook member are canted upwardly at dissimilar angles above horizontal. 
   
   
       7 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 6 , wherein the first hook member is canted upwardly at a first angle of at least about 3 degrees above horizontal and the second hook member is canted upwardly at a second angle of at least about 10 degrees above horizontal. 
   
   
       8 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 7 , wherein the first angle is about 5 degrees and the second angle is about 15 degrees. 
   
   
       9 . A bag storage and loading unit comprising:
 a base;   a pair of upright supports coupled to the base and extending upwardly therefrom;   a first arm extending from a first one of the pair of upright supports defining a left side of the bag storage and loading unit;   a second arm extending from a second one of the pair of upright supports defining a right side of the bag storage and loading unit, the second arm extending substantially parallel to the first arm;   a first hook member coupled to the first arm and extending in a direction substantially toward the second arm; and   a second hook member coupled to the second arm and extending in a direction substantially toward the first arm, such that bags stored on one of the first and second hook members may be opened with a side-to-side movement.   
   
   
       10 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 9 , wherein the first hook member extends a first length and the second hook member extends a second length, and the first length is greater than the second length. 
   
   
       11 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second arms define an interior width therebetween, the first length of the first hook member being between about 25 percent and about 40 percent of the interior width, and respective interior ends of the first and second hook members are spaced apart a distance between about 50 percent and about 75 percent of the interior width. 
   
   
       12 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 9 , wherein the first hook member and the second hook member are canted upwardly above horizontal. 
   
   
       13 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 12 , wherein the first hook member is canted upwardly at a first angle of at least about 3 degrees above horizontal and the second hook member is canted upwardly at a second angle of at least about 10 degrees above horizontal. 
   
   
       14 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 9 , wherein the base is rotatable about a vertical axis. 
   
   
       15 . A bag storage and loading unit comprising:
 a first arm;   a second arm substantially parallel with and spaced a distance from the first arm to define an interior space having a width measured between the first and second arms;   a first hook member coupled to the first arm and extending a first length into the interior space; and   a second hook member coupled to the second arm and extending a second length, less than the first length, into the interior space,   wherein both the first and second hook members are canted upwardly above horizontal.   
   
   
       16 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 15 , wherein the first length of the first hook member is between about 25 percent and about 40 percent of the width of the interior space. 
   
   
       17 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 15 , wherein the first hook member and the second hook member are canted upwardly at dissimilar angles above horizontal. 
   
   
       18 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 17 , wherein the first hook member is canted upwardly at a first angle of at least about 3 degrees above horizontal and the second hook member is canted upwardly at a second angle of at least about 10 degrees above horizontal. 
   
   
       19 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second arms are coupled to a common mounting member. 
   
   
       20 . The bag storage and loading unit of  claim 15 , wherein respective interior ends of the first and second hook members are spaced apart a distance between about 50 percent and about 75 percent of the width of the interior space.