Combined container holder opener and cap

A combined container holder opener and cap, having an end portion with at least a pair of locking tabs. Holding the holder container in a first position the end portion serves as a base for holding a beverage container in drinking mode, and holding the holder container in a second, inverted position the end portion is a cap for holding the beverage container in capped mode.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 61/599,139, filed Feb. 15, 2012 which is hereby incorporated by reference. Applicant claim priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. Par. 119(e)(i).

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container holder for holding cans, such as the type containing beverages, and including a releasable locking cap for the open container.

2. Brief Description of Prior Art

Containers such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,810 entitled combined container holder and opener is known in the art for use with containers or cans, such as those containing beverages. As disclosed, the holder can include a body onto which the beverage container is disposed, and an opener for opening the beverage container having the pull-up tab. However, once the beverage container has been opened, the prior art holders fail to include means for capping unfinished drinks full of carbonation in order to help seal in freshness, and/or to serve as a shield to prevent bugs from entering.

The present invention overcomes the preceding problems and/or undesirable results by providing a combined container holder and opener that includes a cap in order to keep the soda carbonated, spill proof, and also serve as a bug shield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A combined container holder opener and cap, having an end portion with at least a pair of locking tabs. Holding the holder container in a first position the end portion serves as a base for holding a beverage container, in drinking mode and holding the holder container in a second, inverted position the end portion is a cap, for holding the beverage container in capped mode.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the present invention, a combined container holder opener and cap is disclosed. Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a container holder having a drinking mode and a capped mode to preserve flavor and also serve as a bug shield. In the broadest context, the combined container holder opener and cap disclosed herein consists of components configured with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the combined container holder opener and cap is disclosed. The container holder, designated as numeral10, generally includes a holder portion15that defines an upstanding side wall17that includes an arm portion20that outwardly extends from the upstanding side wall17and assists in holding the beverage container100(shown in phantom).

As illustrated, an end portion22of the arm portion20includes a distal end having an open cavity25(FIG. 2) for opening a pull-tab110of the beverage container100. As is known, movement of the tab110may either serve to reveal the opening to the beverage container100by pulling action for complete removal or by rotating the cover operated by the tab110into the beverage container100. In any event, with application of the means25in the arm portion20, the beverage container100is open so that the contents thereof can be poured.

As shown in the drawings, the upstanding side wall17includes a wall portion18that preferably partially encircles the carried beverage container100in order to assist in the holding and opening of the beverage container100.

The container10further includes an end portion30(see alsoFIG. 3) wherein when the holder container10is in the drinking mode as shown inFIG. 1, the opened beverage container100is placed for holding. In the preferred embodiment, the end portion30defines a centrally disposed cavity31for receiving an absorbent member32which in application in drinking mode, the absorbent member32is sandwiched between the end portion30and a base or bottom end112of the beverage container100, such that the bottom end112rests on the absorbent member32. The absorbent member32for absorbing any condensation or moisture from the beverage container100while being held.

FIG. 2shows the holder container10in the capped mode for storing an opened beverage container100. In the capped mode, the holder container10is invented such that the end portion30is now a cap for the beverage container100, that in application, and as illustrated inFIG. 2, releasably snaps to a top portion115of the beverage container100. More particularly, the end portion30includes at least a pair of locking tabs35. The locking tabs35each having a lip portion37for releasably attaching to a top rim120of the beverage can100.

As should be understood, when in drinking mode (FIG. 1), the holder container10is inverted such that the end portion30serves as a base or bottom for holding the beverage container100, and the holder container10can be used as a holder and opener for the beverage can100. As illustrated further, in drinking mode, the arm portion20extends outward and downward from the side wall17such that the end portion22of the arm20is adjacent the end portion30.

In the capped mode (FIG. 2), the user simply inverts the holder10as shown inFIG. 2, such that the end portion30is now a cap for top portion115of the beverage container100. The locking tabs35of the end portion30releasably attach to the top rim120of the beverage can100. In the capped mode, the end portion30helps keep the soda carbonated, can prevent the can drink from spilling, and the cap30further prevents bugs from crawling into the drink at for example, picnics. As illustrated further, in the capped mode, the arm portion20extends outward and upward from the side wall17such that the end portion22of the arm20is adjacent the end portion30.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but is merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims in the formal application and their legal equivalence, rather than by the examples given.