Versatile Carrying and Dispensing Case for Reusable Bags

Abstract

The present invention relates to a versatile bag carrying and dispensing case for reusable bags, designed to enhance convenience during shopping trips. The case features a rigid structure with a hinged connection, forming a hollow interior. Unique features include rack attachment openings and foldable bag holding bars, as well as clips for attaching the case to shopping carts. The holding bars, mounted to the inner side of the case, hold bags open for easy loading and can be folded inward when not in use. The arrangement enables shoppers to transport, dispense, and load reusable bags effectively. The invention is particularly suitable for “t-shirt style” bags, easily accommodating their structure for efficient storage and dispensation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bag carrying and dispensing case comprising:
 a case body having a front half and a back half hingedly coupled at the bottom forming a hollow interior, and a handle at the top;   a locking mechanism positioned at the top of the case to secure the front half and back half when closed;   a pair of rack attachment openings disposed on the upper portion of the wall of the back half of the case body for connection to standard bag racks;   a pair of foldable bag holding bars mounted to the inner side of the back half of the case, the holding bars foldable from a folded position within the case interior to an outwardly facing position; and   a pair of clips located on the outer side of the wall of the back half, for attaching the case to a shopping cart.   
     
     
         2 . The bag carrying and dispensing case of  claim 1 , wherein each holding bar is mounted by a pivot joint to a block attached to the interior wall of the case back half, the block having a first groove oriented directly outwardly and a second groove oriented towards the center of the back wall. 
     
     
         3 . The bag carrying and dispensing case of  claim 2 , wherein the first groove is oriented orthogonal to the plane of the case back wall for constraining a holding bar to point directly out of the case when the case is open, and the second groove is parallel to the plane of the case back wall for storing the holding bars in a folded position when not in use. 
     
     
         4 . The bag carrying and dispensing case of  claim 1 , further comprising a foldable backstand unit allowing the case to perform the dispensing/loading function without attaching to a shopping cart or bagging rack. 
     
     
         5 . The bag carrying and dispensing case of  claim 1 , wherein the case body is formed of rigid material, such as hard plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The bag carrying and dispensing case of  claim 1 , wherein the rack attachment openings continue through to the front half of the case body, allowing the case to be hung on bag racks when closed. 
     
     
         7 . The bag carrying and dispensing case of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pair of clickable tabs. 
     
     
         8 . The bag carrying and dispensing case of  claim 1 , wherein the case is designed to store, transport, dispense, and facilitate the loading of reusable “t-shirt style” bags during shopping trips. 
     
     
         9 . The bag carrying and dispensing case of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of foldable bag holding bars, when in a folded position, can still hold bags.