Patent ID: 6547117
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: B60H,B60N,Y10S

Abstract:
A container holder for receiving and temporarily securing a container, said container holder comprising:a base surface for supporting said container; a moldline structure unit, comprising at least one flexible rod, having first and second ends, a base member, and a guide member having first and second opposing faces and defining a passageway extending between the first and second opposing faces, the first end of the rod being fixedly attached to the base member and the second end of the rod being disposed in the passageway and being capable of slideable movement within the passageway, a flexible panel disposed around the rod and between the base and guide members, and an actuator adapted to induce deformation of the rod and flexible panel by causing the second end of the rod to move with respect to the passageway; and a sensor adapted to detect the presence of said container on the base surface and operably connected to the actuator such that the sensor is able to activate the actuator to induce deformation of the rod and flexible panel to a point at which said container is secured in said container holder.