Abstract:
A beverage can holder that can be used with a conventional beverage can includes an elongate, generally cylindrical body portion, an upper end portion, and a lower end portion. The upper and lower end portions are adapted to engage the upper and lower ends of the can, respectively. The lower end portion has a bottom surface that is configured to stabilize the holder-can combination on a flat surface. The body portion is configured to be securely grasped. A first alternative embodiment has a lower end portion with multiple legs that increases the stability of the holder-can combination. A second alternative embodiment has a lower end portion with a large ring that supports the holder-can combination.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Reference to Related Application 
         [0002]    The present application relates to, and incorporates herein by reference, a concurrently filed design patent application filed by the applicant herein, attorney docket no. RML-18011. 
         [0003]    2. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The invention relates to beverage can holders and, more particularly, to a beverage can holder that can be attached quickly and easily to a beverage can and which will permit a consumer to drink from the can without touching the can. 
         [0005]    3. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    Beverage cans in a wide variety of sizes and shapes have been known for many years. Typically, such cans are made of aluminum or aluminum alloy in a “deep draw” process. The upper ends of the cans include a tab that can be bent or pried so as to displace a small panel that will permit access to the contents of the cans. The size and shape of cans as described have become fairly standardized for most beverages such as soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices, and alcoholic beverages such as beer. Typically, each can holds 12 fluid ounces (355 ml). 
         [0007]    Although cans as described have become quite popular, a problem exists in that the consumer must grasp the outside of a can in order to maneuver the can and consume the contents thereof (if the contents are not being poured into a separate container for consumption from the separate container). Because the cans are made of metal, they conduct heat from the consumer&#39;s hand and thus warm the contents of the can. The outside of the can may have a layer of condensed water thereon. Moreover, if the can and its contents have been chilled, the outside of the can will be cold to the user&#39;s touch. 
         [0008]    The prior art has attempted to address these problems in different ways. One approach has been to provide a thick, insulating sleeve into which the can is inserted. The sleeve provides a layer of insulation and prevents the user&#39;s hand from contacting the outer surface of the can. Unfortunately, the sleeve is thick and undesirably increases the outer diameter of the container. Small hands may find such a sleeve unacceptable. Another approach has been to provide a handle that is attached to the can. The handle is connected to the upper and lower flanges and projects from the side of the can. While the handle does not increase the outer diameter of the can, it makes the can unstable when placed on a flat surface. Also, the handle is difficult to grasp and maneuver the can. 
         [0009]    Desirably, a beverage can holder would be available that could be attached to a beverage can quickly and easily. Any such beverage can holder hopefully would be inexpensive, would hold the can in a stable manner on a flat surface, and would be easy to grasp so that the can could be maneuvered readily. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In response to the foregoing concerns, the present invention provides a new and improved beverage can holder that can be attached to a conventional beverage can having a cylindrical outer surface, an upper flange, and a lower flange. The holder comprises an elongate, generally cylindrical body portion that defines a longitudinal axis and which has upper and lower ends, the body portion having a surface configuration adapted to prevent the body portion from slipping when being grasped by a user. Preferably, the surface configuration of the body portion is selected from the group consisting of indentations, laterally extending grooves, and knurling. The holder also has an upper end portion connected to the upper end of the body portion, the upper end portion, when viewed from the side, projecting from the body portion at approximately a right angle, the upper end portion adapted to engage the upper flange of the beverage can, and a lower end portion connected to the lower end of the body portion, the lower end portion, when viewed from the side, projecting from the body portion at approximately a right angle, the lower end portion adapted to engage the lower flange of the beverage can, the lower end portion having a bottom wall adapted to rest on a flat surface, the bottom wall being configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact. 
         [0011]    In a second embodiment that employs a number of elements of the first embodiment, the beverage can holder has a lower end portion that includes a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member is generally straight and is connected at one end to the lower end of the body portion and connected at the other end to the second member. The second member is generally rounded and engages the inner portion of the lower flange and a portion of the cylindrical surface, the bottom wall being included as part of the second member. The third member includes a ring that in use is disposed within the inner portion of the lower flange, the ring being connected to the end of the second member and including a pair of spaced legs that project outwardly of the lower flange and which include bottom walls adapted to rest on a flat surface, the bottom walls being configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact when the bottom wall of the lower end portion engages the flat surface. In a third embodiment that is similar to the second embodiment, the ring is larger and is disposed concentrically about the outer diameter of the lower flange. In this embodiment, there is no need to have any legs projecting outwardly of the ring; the bottom of the ring constitutes the bottom wall of the lower end portion. 
         [0012]    In each embodiment of the invention, the body portion and the upper and lower end portions preferably are formed integrally. The body portion and the upper and lower end portions can be formed in a stamping or molding operation to minimize manufacturing expense. The body portion and the upper and lower end portions can be formed from an inexpensive, readily available material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or a plastics material. 
         [0013]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a beverage can holder according to the invention attached to a beverage can; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the beverage can holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the beverage can holder of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the beverage can holder of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    Beverage cans in a wide variety of sizes and shapes have been known for many years. Typically, such cans are made of aluminum in a “deep draw” process. A cupping press cuts circular discs from a thin sheet of aluminum or aluminum alloy and forms the discs into shallow cups. The cups are drawn into higher cups by passing them through a series of iron rings. Can bodies thus formed are trimmed at the top, washed, printed on the outside, baked, coated on the inside with a protective layer, and baked again. The upper end of each can body then is necked down and a lip, or flange, is formed at the top edge. The bottom of the can body is reformed to create a flange and a small dome that improve the strength of the resultant can. When the finished can is placed on a flat surface, the can rests on the bottom flange. 
         [0019]    Separately, lids (or can ends) are made into round shells that are scored to define an opening panel, coated with a protective layer and dried. A button is formed on the outer surface of each shell adjacent the opening panel, and an easy-open tab is secured to the button. The cans are shipped to beverage companies who fill the cans with a beverage and apply the can ends to the can bodies to seal the contents of the can within the can. When the tab is tiled or pried by a consumer, the opening panel will be displaced and the contents of the can will be available to the consumer. 
         [0020]    The dimensions of cans as described have become fairly standardized for most beverages such as soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices, and alcoholic beverages such as beer. Typically, each can holds 12 fluid ounces (355 ml). Conventional dimensions are about 4 13/16 inches high, 2 11/16 inches outer diameter, 2 1/16 inches bottom flange outer diameter, 1¾ inches bottom flange inner diameter, ⅜ inch depth of dome from bottom flange, and ¼ inch depth of upper flange. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a beverage can holder according to the invention is indicated by the reference numeral  10 . The holder  10  is intended for use with a conventional beverage can  12 . As indicated previously, the can  12  has a cylindrical outer surface  14  and an upper flange  16  that defines a circumferential channel  18 . The can  12  has a lower flange  20  that the can  12  normally rests upon when placed on a flat surface (not shown). The flange  20  has an inner diameter  22  and an outer diameter  24 . A dome  26  completes the inner portion of the bottom of the can  12 . 
         [0022]    The holder  10  includes an elongate, generally cylindrical body portion  30  that defines a longitudinal axis and which has upper and lower ends  32 ,  34 . The body portion  30  has a surface configuration adapted to prevent the body portion  30  from slipping when being grasped by a user. Preferably, the surface configuration of the body portion  30  consists of indentations, laterally extending grooves, and/or knurling. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the surface configuration is shown as laterally extending grooves  36  that are formed on surfaces of the body portion  30  that are closest to, and farthest away from, the beverage can  12  when the beverage can holder  10  is attached to the beverage can  12 . 
         [0023]    An upper end portion  38  is connected to the upper end  32  of the body portion  30 . The upper end portion  38 , when viewed from the side as in  FIG. 2 , projects from the body portion  30  at approximately a right angle. The upper end portion  38  is adapted to engage the upper flange  16  of the beverage can  12 . A lower end portion  40  is connected to the lower end  34  of the body portion  30 . The lower end portion  40 , when viewed from the side as in  FIG. 2 , projects from the body portion  30  at approximately a right angle. The lower end portion  40  is adapted to engage the lower flange  20  of the beverage can  12 . The lower end portion  40  has a bottom wall  42  adapted to rest on a flat surface (not shown). The bottom wall  42  is configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact when the holder  10  is attached to the can  12 . 
         [0024]    The upper end portion  38  includes a laterally extending member  44  that has first and second ends  46 ,  48 . The first end  46  is connected to the upper end  32  of the body portion  30  and the second end  48  includes a pair of spaced protrusions  50  that in use engage the upper flange  16  and are disposed on either side thereof. A spur  52  is disposed at the upper end  32  of the body portion  30  adjacent the intersection of the body portion  30  and the laterally extending member  44 . The spur  52  in use is disposed on the opposite side of the body portion  30  from the beverage can  12 . The spur provides the user with a place to apply force with the user&#39;s thumb. 
         [0025]    The lower end portion  40  includes a first member  54  and a second member  56 . The first member is generally straight and is connected at one end to the lower end  34  of the body portion  30  and is connected at the other end to the second member  56 . The second member  56  is generally rounded and engages the inner portion  22  of the lower flange  20  and a portion of the cylindrical surface  14 . The bottom wall  42  is included as part of the second member  56 . 
         [0026]    Preferably, the body portion  30  and the upper and lower end portions  38 ,  40  are formed integrally in a stamping or molding operation. A preferred material for the holder  10  is an inexpensive, readily available material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or a plastics material. While it is expected that the width of the holder  10  will be approximately 0.5 inch, the thickness of the upper and lower end portions  38 ,  40  will be approximately 0.125 inch, and the body portion  30  will be approximately 0.75 inch in diameter, it will be appreciated that the actual dimensions can be adjusted to fit the needs of the expected user. Regardless of the material that the holder  10  is made from and the particular dimensions of the various components, the upper and lower end portions  38 ,  40  must be able to be spread apart sufficiently far enough to engage the upper and lower flanges  16 ,  20  without coming loose while the device is being used. 
       Alternative Embodiments 
       [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a first alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated and is indicated by the reference numeral  60 . The holder  60  is identical with the holder  10 , except that it engages the can  12  in a different manner at the bottom of the can  12 . Accordingly, in the description of the holder  60  that follows, like reference numerals from the holder  10  will be used to indicate components that are similar or identical, or which perform similar or identical functions. 
         [0028]    The holder  60  has a lower end portion  62  that includes the first member  54 , the second member  56 , and a third member  64 . The third member  64  includes a ring  66 . The ring  66  in use is disposed within the inner portion  22  of the lower flange  20  in contact with the dome  26 . If desired, the ring  66  could be enlarged so as to be disposed about the outer diameter  24  of the flange  20 . The ring  66  is connected to the outer end  68  of the second member  56 . The ring  66  includes a pair of spaced legs  70 ,  72  that are substantially similar in size and shape to the end of the second member  56 . The legs  70 ,  72  project outwardly of the lower flange  20  and include bottom walls  74  adapted to rest on a flat surface. The bottom walls  74  are configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact when the bottom wall  42  of the lower end portion  34  engages the flat surface. In effect, the holder  60  has three equidistantly spaced legs to support the can  12 . By use of the holder  60 , the can  12  will be maintained in an upright position on the flat surface, rather than in a tilted position as when the holder  10  is used. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a second alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated and is indicated by the reference numeral  80 . The holder  80  is identical with the holder  10 , except that it engages the can  12  in a different manner at the bottom of the can  12 . Accordingly, in the description of the holder  80  that follows, like reference numerals from the holder  10  will be used to indicate components that are similar or identical, or which perform similar or identical functions. 
         [0030]    The holder  80  has a lower end portion  82  that includes the first member  54 , a second member  84 , and a third member  86 . The second member  84  is a shortened version of the second member  56 . The third member  86  is a ring that in use is disposed concentrically about the outer diameter  24  of the lower flange  20 . The ring  86  is connected to the outer end  88  of the second member  84 . The ring  86  has a thickness that is slightly greater than the height of the lower flange  20 . The bottom of the ring  86  is flat and is adapted to rest on a flat surface in surface-to-surface contact. By use of the holder  80 , the can  12  will be maintained in an upright position on the flat surface, rather than in a tilted position as when the holder  10  is used. 
         [0031]    As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the holders  10 ,  60 ,  80  according to the invention can be attached to a beverage can quickly and easily. The holders  10 ,  60 ,  80  are inexpensive, will hold the can in a stable manner on a flat surface, and will be easy to grasp so that the can will be able to be maneuvered readily. 
         [0032]    Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it will be understood that the present disclosure of the preferred embodiment has been made only by way of example and that various changes may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.