Abstract:
An apparatus for single-handedly holding a relatively small can (e.g., a quart-sized can) is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible can gripping arms that snap onto the upper portion of the can, which arms are attached to a handle suitably sized for small or large sized hands. A supporting member attached to the handle holds the can from the bottom, thereby more strongly retaining the can onto the present single-handed can holder. A storing area is also provided in the handle to store small tools.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to can holding devices. More particularly, the invention relates to single-handed can holders used in the brush application of liquids contained therein.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The quart sized can is a very convenient size container for a variety of common products. The most common product sold in quart-sized containers is paint. Unlike gallon-sized cans, which have handles to aid the user, quart cans do not have handles. When working with quart-sized can of paint it is difficult for most individuals with normal size hands to hold a quart can, especially for long periods with out risking spillage. Cans are also become slippery when outside of the can gets wet from their contents spilling thereon during use. These problems tend to make holding a can very difficult and unpleasant. It is possible to transfer the contents in the quart-sized can to a more convenient container; however, such transfers are often messy and wastes paint. It is furthermore advantageous to keep the paint in the original can for storage. The foregoing issues apply to a wide variety of containers that are not too heavy to be easily carried by one hand, and contain substances that are applied by hand.  
         [0003]     In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved techniques for holding small containers with a single hand while applying the contents in the container.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]     The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary can holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates a rear perspective view of the can holder of  FIG. 1  just prior to mating with an exemplary can;  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear perspective view of the can holder of  FIG. 1  after snapping onto the exemplary can;  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  illustrates the placement of an exemplary brush into the can holder of  FIG. 1  while snapped onto the exemplary can;  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a hand gripping a first gripping position of the can holder of  FIG. 1  while it is snapped onto the exemplary can; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  illustrates a rear perspective view of a hand gripping a second gripping position of the can holder of  FIG. 1  while it is snapped onto the exemplary can. 
     
    
       [0011]     Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, a variety of techniques for single-handedly holding a can are described. One embodiment, of which comprises a means for gripping the upper portion of the can and means for a small or large sized hand to hold the can gripping means. A preferred embodiment, further includes means for supporting the can from the bottom, thereby more strongly retaining the can onto the present single-handed can holder. Alternative embodiments may also include a means for storing small items.  
         [0013]     Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.  
         [0015]     Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.  
         [0016]     A small can handle is herein presented by way of example that facilitates the holding of small containers with a single hand while applying the contents within the container to a work piece with the other hand.  FIG. 1  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary can holder  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment show has a relatively flexible can grip  110  that is designed to flex around and onto a certain range of can sizes that are within the elastic limit of the gripping arms, thereby being capable of removably attaching the can to can holder  100 , especially in the horizontal direction. By way of example, and not limitation, flexible can grip  110  could be made of plastic and be sized to snap onto a standard round quart can. Can holder  100  further comprises a bottom can support member  120  that supports the weight of the can in the vertical direction. A lower can retainer lip  125  is preferably provided at the distal end of bottom can support member  120  to retain the lower portion of the can against horizontal forces. However, some alternative embodiments do not include bottom can support member  120 , which is suitable in applications that do not require the additional vertical support because flexible can grip  110  is adequate. Similarly, alternative embodiments may not include lower can retainer lip  125  depending on the application. Can holder handle  130  is provided and is suitably designed for gripping by a hand to firmly hold can holder  100  during use. An optional storage area  140  may be recessed into the top of can holder handle  130 ; however, alternative embodiment of the present invention may not storage area  140  depending on the needs of the particular application. By way of known techniques, storage area  140  may be configured for suitably storing a multiplicity of small articles, including, but not limited to, tools, blades, rags, or small parts while still providing a secure grip for the can. Likewise, can holder  100  may be manufactured by any suitable technique, including, by way example, and not limitation, injection molding.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a rear perspective view of the can holder  100  just prior to mating with an exemplary can  200 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a rear perspective view of the can holder of  FIG. 1  after snapping onto can  200 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the placement of an exemplary paintbrush  400  into storage area  140 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a hand gripping a first gripping position of the can holder  100  while it is snapped onto can  200 . The portion between can holder handle  130  and flexible can grip  110  should be preferably formed to allow holding of can holder  100  by the hand cupping over can  200  as shown.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates a rear perspective view of a hand gripping the can holder handle, a second gripping position, of the can holder  100  while it is snapped onto can  200 . As shown in the Figure, can holder  100  enables a user to hold small containers relatively easily and safely with one hand while freeing the other hand to apply the contents within the container to a work piece. By way of example, and not limitation, can holder  100  could facilitate the holding of a quart sized paint container with one hand while painting with the other. Moreover, the flexible can grip snaps on to and off the can so that changing colors or switching to a full quart is relatively easy and safe.  
         [0020]     Can holder  100  is preferably designed to fit both metal and plastic cans by gripping around the top portion of the can and cradling the cans from the bottom for maximum stability. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a can holder made according to the foregoing teachings may be designed to fit both small hands and large hands thereby making it easy to work with the present can holder and retained can in one hand and a tool in the other. Moreover, can holder  100  permits the retained can to put down on a flat surface without obstruction. It should be noted that it is not necessary to remove can holder  100  to place the can lid back on the can when it is desired to seal the contents in the can.  
         [0021]     Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of holding a can single handedly according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the particular implementation of the flexible can grip, bottom can support member, and can holder handle may vary depending upon the needs of the particular application; however, such necessary structural variations, if any, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.