Device, apparatus and process for dispensing taped bags

Abstract

A device useful for dispensing taped bags includes spaced apart rotatably mounted carriers, a surface therebetween to wind up at least one tape, and a clutch assembly for unidirectional rotation of the wind up surface. In various embodiments, the device further includes a variety of features which facilitate removal of wound up tape, such as a spring which is compressible to provide a clearance, a pin to permit rotation of the wind up surface away from a carrier plate, use of spaced apart flexible rods as the surface whereby the free ends of the rods may be compressed to reduce the surface perimeter, and forming the surface of low friction material. The device is especially useful when used as a component of apparatus having a housing for supporting a supply of taped bags. Also provided is a process useful for removing flexible receptacles such as bags from a chain having at least one bag-connecting tape, which includes securing the tape to a reel, rotating the reel to (a) withdraw the leading bag from a supply, (b) wind up a portion of the tape, and (c) create tension on the tape, manually removing at least the leading bag from the tensioned tape, repeating the two preceding operations, and thereafter removing the resulting accumulated tape. The device and apparatus may be operated and the process may be carried out in simple, efficient, manual manner without requiring costly or complex power components.