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An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for facilitating product weight identification in a checkout lane. The apparatus includes an open-frame back, a pair of opposing support arms to support an open plastic bag, a pair of opposing open-frame sides, and a gate. The opposing sides are connect

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for facilitating product weight identification in a checkout lane. The apparatus includes an open-frame back, a pair of opposing support arms to support an open plastic bag, a pair of opposing open-frame sides, and a gate. The opposing sides are connected to the back and are positioned to define a receiving area for the plastic bag. The gate may be connected to a side or the back and retains an item placed in an open bag within the receiving area. Furthermore, guards may be mounted near the top of each side to retain handles of the bag supply within a predefined area. The apparatus may be attached to a scale associated with a self checkout lane.

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What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for facilitating product weight identification in a checkout lane, the apparatus comprising: an open-frame back sized to support a plastic bag and a plastic bag supply; a pair of opposing support arms connected to the back, the support arms configured to support

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for facilitating product weight identification in a checkout lane, the apparatus comprising: an open-frame back sized to support a plastic bag and a plastic bag supply; a pair of opposing support arms connected to the back, the support arms configured to support an open bag; a pair of opposing open-frame sides each having a top and a bottom, the sides connected substantially perpendicular to the back and positioned to define a receiving area for the plastic bag; a pair of guards connected to the back, the guards mounted outside the opposing support arms, parallel to the opposing support arms, and at substantially the same vertical height as the opposing support arms, wherein the guards are configured to retain handles of the bags in the bag supply within a predefined area; and a gate opposite the back and connected to at least one side, the gate configured to retain an item within the receiving area. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guard comprises a rectangular wire frame. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guard is removably connected to the open-frame back. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each guard comprises a fastener configured to adjust the horizontal distance that the guard extends from a side. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back, sides, gate, and support arms comprise formed wire. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one protruding member connected to the back, the protruding member configured to support the plastic bag supply. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fastener connected near the bottom of a side and configured to mount the apparatus to a scale. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fastener comprises a stem and a head with shoulders configured to engage slots in the scale. 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the scale is configured to measure weight within 1/100 of a pound. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the sides between the top and the bottom spans a substantial length of the back. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each side comprises a fastener configured to removably connect the side to the back. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gate is slanted to direct items placed in a bag toward the receiving area. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a diverter connected to the back and the gate, the diverter configured to direct items placed in a bag toward the receiving area. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the gate is pivotally connected to the diverter. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a spring hinge pivotally connecting the diverter and the gate. 16. An apparatus for supporting a plastic bag, the apparatus comprising: an open-frame back sized to support a plastic bag and a plastic bag supply; a pair of opposing support arms connected to the back, the support arms configured to support an open bag; a pair of opposing open-frame sides each having a top and a bottom, the sides connected substantially perpendicular to the back and positioned to define a receiving area for the plastic bag; a pair of guards mounted outside each opposing arm and connected to the back, the guard positioned parallel to each opposing arm and at the same vertical height as each opposing arm, wherein the guards are configured to retain handles of the bags in the bag supply within a predefined area; and a gate opposite the back and connected to the back, the gate configured to retain an item within the receiving area. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the gate is configured to pivotally connect to the back. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the gate is extended and slanted to direct the items placed in a bag toward a receiving area. 19. A system for facilitating product weight identification in a checkout lane, the system comprising: an item scanning station configured to identify an item for purchase; an item verification station configured to verify physical properties of an item for purchase, the item verification station including a scale; a bagging station coupled with the item verification station and configured to facilitate product weight identification by way of a bagging apparatus comprising; an open-frame back sized to support a plastic bag supply; a pair of opposing support arms connected to the back, the support arms configured to support an open bag; a pair of opposing open-frame sides each having a top and a bottom connected substantially perpendicular to the back, the sides positioned to define a receiving area for the bag; a pair of guards connected to the back, the guards mounted outside the opposing support arms, parallel to the opposing support arms, and at the same vertical height as the opposing support arms, wherein the guards are configured to retain handles of the bags in the bag supply within a predefined area and wherein each guard comprises a fastener configured to adjust the horizontal distance that the guard extends from a side; and a gate opposite the back and connected to at least one side near the bottom of the side, the gate configured to retain at least one item for purchase within the receiving area; and a payment station configured to exchange payment for the at least one item. 20. The system of claim 19, the bagging apparatus further comprising a fastener connected to the bottom of a side and configured to mount the apparatus to a scale. 21. A method for facilitating product weight identification in a checkout lane, the method comprising: providing an apparatus for supporting a plastic bag, the apparatus comprising; an open-frame back sized to support a plastic bag supply; a pair of opposing support arms connected to the back, the support arms configured to support an open bag; a pair of opposing open-frame sides each having a top and a bottom connected substantially perpendicular to the back, the sides positioned to define a receiving area for the bag; a pair of guards connected to the back, the guards mounted outside the opposing support arms, parallel to the opposing support arms, and at the same vertical height as the opposing support arms, wherein the guards are configured to retain handles of the bags in the bag supply within a predefined area; and a gate opposite the back and connected to at least one side near the bottom of the side, the gate configured to retain an item within the receiving area; mounting the apparatus for supporting a plastic bag to a scale associated with a checkout lane; suspending a plastic bag from the support arms in an open position to receive an item; and placing items in the bag and weighing the items to verify item identity.