Bagging systems having rotation mechanisms

Abstract

Bagging systems having rotation mechanisms are disclosed. According to an aspect, a bagging system includes a base that defines an area for placement of a shopping bag. The bagging system also includes a bag support attached to the base and positioned to support the shopping bag in the defined area. Further, the bagging system includes a rotation mechanism that rotatably attaches the bag support to the base with an axis of rotation that is vertically aligned with the bag support.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bagging system comprising:
 a base that defines an area for placement of a shopping bag;   a bag support attached to the base and positioned to support the shopping bag in the defined area; and   a rotation mechanism that rotatably attaches the bag support to the base with an axis of rotation that is vertically aligned with the bag support.   
     
     
         2 . The bagging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a platform positioned in the area for placement of the bag, wherein the platform is fixedly attached to the bag support. 
     
     
         3 . The bagging system of  claim 2 , wherein the platform defines a top surface for the placement of the shopping bag. 
     
     
         4 . The bagging system of  claim 2 , wherein the axis of rotation extends in a vertical direction that is substantially perpendicular with respect to the top surface. 
     
     
         5 . The bagging system of  claim 3 , wherein the top surface is one of substantially circular, square, and substantially rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The bagging system of  claim 3 , wherein the axis of rotation extends through the top surface. 
     
     
         7 . The bagging system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is attached to a point of sale system. 
     
     
         8 . The bagging system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is attached to a bagging carousel configured to rotate the base about an axis of rotation outside of vertical alignment with the bag support. 
     
     
         9 . The bagging system of  claim 1 , wherein the bag support comprises a plurality of arms that extend over the defined area for carrying the shopping bag. 
     
     
         10 . The bagging system of  claim 9 , wherein the arms are spaced apart, and wherein the axis of rotation extends through the space between the arms. 
     
     
         11 . The bagging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to hold the bag support in a fixed positioned with respect to the base such that rotation about the axis of rotation is prevented. 
     
     
         12 . The bagging system of  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a slidable pin configured to be placed in a position to hold the bag support in the fixed position and to be removed from the position to release the bag support for rotation about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         13 . The bagging system of  claim 12 , wherein the pin in the position to hold the bag support in the fixed position is clear of the area for placement of the shopping bag. 
     
     
         14 . The bagging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached to the bag support for assisting a user to rotate the bag support about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         15 . The bagging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a detent configured to resist rotation of the bag support about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         16 . The bagging system of  claim 15 , wherein the detent is configured to arrest rotation of the bag support at a plurality of predetermined angles about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         17 . The bagging system of  claim 16 , wherein the detent permits free rotation of the bag support about the axis of rotation at angles outside of the predetermined angles. 
     
     
         18 . The bagging system of  claim 16 , wherein predetermined angles are spaced apart from a neighboring angle at approximately the same angular spacing. 
     
     
         19 . The bagging system of  claim 15 , wherein the detent includes a first set of magnets attached to the base and a second set of magnets attached to the bag support. 
     
     
         20 . The bagging system of  claim 19 , wherein the magnets of the first set are attracted to the magnets of the second set at one or more angles about the axis of rotation such that rotation of the bag support about the axis of rotation is resisted.