Patent Publication Number: US-7216837-B2

Title: Device for holding a container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefits of Provisional Patent Ser. No. 60/680,457, Filed on 2005 May 11. 

   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   None. 
   SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
   None. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   the present invention relates generally to container holders and particularly to adjustable holders 
   2. Background of the Invention 
   The present invention is a holder for containers that is inexpensive, lightweight, thin, portable, compact, reusable, easy to clean, and adaptable to different sizes and shapes of containers. The holder can support containers in upright, inclined, or inverted positions on level, non-level, solid and liquid surfaces. 
   The present invention is particularly useful for the elderly, disabled, and young children where a container can easily be tipped over and cause a messy spill. The present invention is also ideal for consumers that use containers while outdoors or while playing in the water, such as a swimming pool or a lake, where there are limited flat surfaces upon which to place a container. 
   The following similar prior art references are cited and compared to the present invention: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,963,256 to Borah describes an article retainer that provides similar functionality to the present invention, but does not have the capability of laying flat when not in use, nor does it support containers in inclined positions, nor does it provide features for holding containers on non-flat surfaces because the invention relies on suction to hold the container to a flat surface. The invention also does not support containers on liquid surfaces. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,611 to Henderson describes a one piece container holder that does not lay flat when not in use. It is designed for a specific sized container and does not adapt to various container widths or shapes and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces. 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,028,023 and 5,195,706 to Allen describe a one piece container holder that does not lay flat when not in use. It does not address supporting containers in inclined positions, nor does not support containers on liquid surfaces. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,673 to Chandler does not address supporting containers in inclined positions, nor does it support containers on liquid surfaces. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,380 to Risca describes a fixed structure that does not lay flat when not in use, nor does it have the capability for holding containers in inclined positions or on liquid surfaces. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,064 to Sapien describes a holder for preventing spills, but it is a fixed structure that does not lay flat when not in use and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,082 to Chang describes similar functionality to the present invention, but it does not lay flat when not in use and does not support holding containers in inclined positions or on liquid surfaces. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,290 to Aleman does not lay flat when not in use and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces and it requires an additional external structure to which the holder is attached. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,167 to Kaupp does not support containers in inclined positions, nor does it lay flat when not in use and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,053 to Han does not provide support for containers in inclined positions and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,765 to Lozano provides only for fixed size containers and requires assembly before it can be used. It is designed to be disposable and therefore not durable or reusable and it does not support containers on liquid surfaces. 
   Many container holders that are available in the marketplace, and that are heretofore known, suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages:
     the holder is constructed of permanently rigid material, making the holder unable to lay flat when not in use,   the holder is not capable of holding containers in all of the following positions: upright, inclined and inverted positions,   the holder does not grip the container sufficiently to prevent the container from slipping out while in an inclined position,   the holder is not buoyant and does not have the capability to support a container on a liquid surface,   the holder is constructed of many smaller parts that are relatively expensive to manufacture, assemble, and package,   the holder is not easily cleanable or requires special cleaning materials,   the holder cannot accommodate different sized and shaped containers.   

   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   It is therefore a general object of the present invention to support containers in upright, inclined, or inverted positions on level, non-level, solid and liquid surfaces. 
   Another object of the invention is to be easy to install and remove, making it a reusable holder. 
   A further object of this invention is to support containers of different shapes and sizes. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide support for containers in an inexpensive manner. 
   It is a further object of this invention to support containers on a liquid surface, such as water. 
   Still a further object of this invention is to lay flat when not in use for convenient portability and storage. 
   Still a further object of this invention is to be simple to use and require no assembly or additional means of support. 
   Still another object of this invention is to provide a holder that can easily be cleaned with soap and water. 
   SUMMARY 
   The current invention comprises of a star-shaped main body that is die-cut or laser-cut from a sheet of flexible and elastic material, such as polymeric foam, a plurality of radially extending arms that are used to support the container, and a hole near the center of the main body that is used for gripping the container. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric front-side view of the invention. Depicting the main body  100 , the radially extended arms  120  and the hole  110  with tabs  130  around the edges. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of  FIG. 1  depicting the generally thin width of the main body  100  when not in use. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the invention holding a container  150  in an upright position on a solid surface  180 . 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of  FIG. 3  depicting the concave shape that is assumed by the main body  100 , when a container is inserted into the hole  110 . 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the invention depicting a hexagonally-shaped container  160  gripped by the tabs  130  around the edge of the hole  110 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the invention depicting an oval-shaped container  170  gripped by the tabs  130  around the edge of the hole  110   
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the invention depicting an ellipse-shaped container  184  gripped by the tabs  130  around the edge of the hole  110 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the invention with a water-glass shaped container  190  gripped by the tabs  130  around the edge of the hole  110 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the invention with an inverted water-glass shaped container  190  gripped by the tabs  130  around the edge of the hole  110 . 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the main body  100  with the container  150  in an upright position gripped by the tabs  130  around the edge of the hole  110 . 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the main body  100  with the container  150  in an inclined position gripped by the tabs  130  around the edge of the hole  110 . 
       FIG. 12  is same view as  FIG. 11 , but with the main body  100  installed on the opposite end of the container  152 . 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of the main body  100  holding a container  150  in an upright position on a liquid surface  400 . 
       FIG. 14  is the same view of the main body  100  holding a container  150  in an inclined position on a liquid surface  400 . 
       FIG. 15  is the same view as  FIG. 13 , but with the main body  100  installed in an inverted manner. 
       FIG. 16  is a side view of the main body  100  holding a container  150  on a non-level, non-flat solid surface  500 . 
       FIG. 17  is a side view of the main body  100  holding a container  150  on a level, non-flat solid surface  510 . 
       FIG. 18  is an isometric front-view of an alternative embodiment of the main body  600  in the form of a baby bottle holder. 
       FIG. 19  is an isometric view of  FIG. 18 . 
       FIG. 20  is a side-view of  FIG. 19  while in use as a baby-feeding support for a baby bottle  650 . 
       FIG. 21  is a side-view of the invention holding an upright container  750  while suspended by a means consisting of wire or string  710  from an upper support  780 . 
       FIG. 22  is a side-view of the invention holding an inclined container  750  while suspended by a means consisting of wire or string  710  from an upper support  780 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT—HOLDER ON A SURFACE 
   Referring now to the drawings, in which similar or corresponding parts are identified with the same reference number, the present invention is generally depicted in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 12 , and is comprised of a star-shaped main body  100 , with radially extending arms  120 , and a hole  110  located generally near the center of the main body  100 , comprising of a plurality of tabs  130  around the edge of the hole  110 . 
     FIG. 1  is an isometric front-side view of the main body  100  constructed in accordance with the invention, depicting the front side of the star-shaped main body  100  with radially extended arms  120 , and the hole  110 . The star-shaped main body  100  is constructed of flexible, elastic, thin, and lightweight material, such as polymeric foam, that is die-cut or laser-cut and lays flat when not in use as depicted in  FIG. 2 . The radially extended arms  120  provide a stable platform that will rest on a surface  180  after a container  150  is inserted into the hole  110 . The tabs around the edge of hole  130  are elastic and stretch to grip and hold the container  150 . The number and size of the tabs  130  are predetermined at construction to support the more generally available sized container  150 . Due to the material makeup of the present invention, it is easy to clean with soap and water. Simply wash the main body  100  with soap and water and let dry and it is ready for use. 
     FIG. 2  is a side view of  FIG. 1 . The thickness of the main body  100  as depicted in  FIG. 2  is predetermined based on the average weight and size of the container  150  that will be supported. 
     FIG. 3  is a side view of the invention holding a container  150  within the hole  110 . Notice that the insertion of the container  150  into the hole  110 , has caused the main body  100  to incurvate and assume a concave shape which adds stability to the main body  100 , thereby achieving the invention&#39;s objective of providing support for a container  150  in an upright position on a solid surface  180 . 
     FIG. 4  is an isometric view of  FIG. 3  depicting the concave shape that is formed by the main body  100 , when a container  150  is inserted into the hole  110 . Notice that the tabs  130  around the edge of the hole  110  are elastic and have stretched to provide support for the container  150 . 
     FIG. 5  is a top view of the main body  100 , depicting a hexagonally-shaped container  160  gripped by the tabs  130  around the hole  110 . Notice that the tabs  130  along the edge of the hole  110  are elastic and have stretched to provide support for the hexagonally-shaped container  160 . The tabs  130  are an ideal shape for gripping non-circular containers  160 . 
     FIG. 6  is a top view of the main body  100 , depicting an oval-shaped container  170  gripped by the tabs  130  around the hole  110 . Notice that the tabs  130  along the edge of the hole  110  are elastic and have stretched to provide support for the oval-shaped container  170 . The tabs  130  are an ideal shape for gripping non-circular containers  170 . 
     FIG. 7  is a left-side view of the main body  100 , depicting an ellipse-shaped container  180  gripped by the tabs  130  around the hole  110 . Notice that the tabs on the edge of the hole  130  have stretched to provide support for the ellipse-shaped container  180 . The tabs  130  are an ideal shape to form a grip on non-circular containers  180 . 
     FIG. 8  is a left-side view of the invention with an upright water-glass shaped container  190  gripped by the tabs  130  around the hole  110 . Notice that the top of the glass  192  is wider than the bottom of the glass  194 . The invention can be used with containers that have different diameter tops and bottoms, as long as one diameter is able to fit in the hole  110 . 
     FIG. 9  is a left-side view of the invention with an inverted water-glass shaped container  190  gripped by the tabs  130  around the hole  110 . Notice that the water-shaped glass container  190  is in an inverted position. The invention can be used with containers that have different diameter tops and bottoms, as long as one diameter is able to fit in the hole  110 . 
     FIG. 10  is a left-side view of the main body  100  holding a container  150  in an upright position. The wider area formed by the radially extended arms  120  provide a more stable base for the container  150 , making it almost tip-proof. 
     FIG. 11  is a left-side view of the present invention holding a container  150  in an inclined position. The placement of the main body  100  along the edge of the can  150  determines the angle of inclination of the can  150 . 
     FIG. 12  is same view as  FIG. 11  of the present invention holding a container  150  in an inclined position, but with the main body  100  installed on the opposite end of the can  154 . 
     FIG. 13  is a left-side view of the present invention holding a container  150  in an upright position suspended on a liquid surface  400 . The main body  100  functions as a flotation device for the can  150 . The length and width of the main body  100  can be varied to provide sufficient bouyancy for the displacement of the container  150  and its content. 
     FIG. 14  is the same view of the present invention holding a container  150  in an inclined position suspended on a liquid surface  400 . By sliding the main body  100  further down on the containers  50 , the top-heaviness of the container causes the main body  100  to assume an inclined position on the liquid surface  400 . 
     FIG. 15  is the same view as  FIG. 13 , but with the main body  100  installed in an inverted manner.  FIG. 15  depicts an alternative method of providing flotation to the container  150  in an upright position, but with the radially extended arms  120  facing downward, into the liquid surface  400 . 
     FIG. 16  is a side view of the main body  100  holding a container  150  on a non-level and non-flat, solid surface  500 . Such would be the case if the present invention was placed on a gravel or grassy surface while on a camping trip. 
   The radially extended arms can be adjusted in an asymmetrical manner to properly grip the container  150  while resting on an inclined surface  500 . 
     FIG. 17  is the same view as  FIG. 16 , but depicting the main body  100  resting on a semi-level, non-flat solid surface  510 . The main body  100  can be adjusted along the container&#39;s edge  150  until the container  150  is stable on the semi-level, non-flat solid surface  510 . 
   Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope of Invention for the Preferred Embodiment 
   Thus the reader will see that the present invention is inexpensive, lightweight, thin, portable, compact, reusable, easy to clean, and adaptable to different sizes and shapes of containers. It is a highly functional device that provides support for containers on level, non-level, flat and non-flat, solid and liquid surfaces. 
   Operation of Invention—Holder on a Surface 
   Referencing  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 12 , the following steps detail the process of operating this embodiment of the invention:
     1. Insert the narrower end of the container,  152  or  154 , into the hole  110  located near the center of the main star-shaped body  100 . This action will incurvate the main body  100  where it will assume a concave shape.   2. Slide the container  150  inside the hole  110  until the main body  100  is in the desired position.   3. Place the combined structure consisting of the main body  100  and the inserted container  150  onto the desired surface  180  in the desired orientation, such as with the container in an upright, inclined, or inverted position. See  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 12 .
 
Description of Alternative Embodiment—Holder for a Baby Bottle
   

   A first alternative embodiment of the present invention is generally depicted in  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19 , and  FIG. 20 . This embodiment is comprised of an elongated star-shaped main body  600 , with radially extended arms  610  and  620  around the edge of the main body  600 , and a hole  630  generally located near the center of the main body  600 , comprising of a plurality of tabs  640  around the edge of the hole  630 . 
     FIG. 18  is an isometric front-left view of the alternative embodiment of the main body  600  in a flattened state which occurs when it is not in use. This embodiment was conceived to function as a baby-bottle holder for use by a person while feeding a baby. Due to the light weight and compact nature of the main body  600 , the present invention can be stored easily within a diaper bag. Due to the material construction of the main body  100 , the invention can be easily cleaned with soap and water. 
     FIG. 19  is a front-left isometric view of  FIG. 18  and depicts a baby-bottle  650  inserted into the hole  630 . The hole  630  allows for different sized and shaped bottles  650 . 
     FIG. 20  is a side-view of  FIG. 19  while in use as a baby-feeding support. The longer arms  620  on one end of the main body  600  are placed on the baby&#39;s chest  680 . A person using the present embodiment of the invention can rotate the main body  600  to select a suitably sized arm  610  or  620  that provides the correct height for the baby bottle  650  for liquid to flow. 
   Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope of Invention for the First Alternative Embodiment 
   Thus the reader will see that the present invention provides a simple, cost-effective, flexible, compact, easy to clean, and highly functional device that address the need to prop a baby bottle on the baby&#39;s chest while feeding in order to free up a person&#39;s hand for other needs. 
   Operation of Invention—Holder for a Baby Bottle 
   Referencing  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19 , and  FIG. 20 , the operation of the invention comprises of sliding the baby bottle  650  through the hole  630  in the main body  600 . The following steps detail the process of operating this embodiment of the invention:
     1. Insert the baby bottle  650  into the hole  630  generally located near the center of the main star-shaped body  600 . This action will incurvate the main body  600  into a concave shape.   2. Slide the baby bottle  650  inside the hole  630  until the bottle is midway into the hole  630 .   3. Place the combined main body  600  with the inserted baby bottle  650  onto the baby&#39;s chest  680 , resting the structure on the radially extended arms,  610  or  620 , depending on the desired height and place the nipple of the baby bottle  660  into the baby&#39;s mouth  670 .
 
Description of Another Alternative Embodiment—Suspension of Holder Via a Means of Suspension Such as a Wire
   

   The next alternative embodiment of the present invention is generally depicted in FIG,  21  and  FIG. 22 . This embodiment is also comprised of a star-shaped main body  700 , with radially extended arms  720 , and a main hole  710  located generally near the center of the main body  700 , comprising of a plurality of tabs  730  around the edge of the hole  710 . Additionally, each radially extended arm  720  contains a hole  760  located near the edge of the arm  720 . The purpose of the hole  760  is to provide a means of attaching a means of suspension, such as a wire or a string  770 , so that the wire or string  770  can be attached to a support  780 . 
     FIG. 21  is a side-view of the main body  700  suspended by wires  770  attached to the holes  760  in the radially extended arms  720  with the container  750  in an upright or inverted position. 
     FIG. 22  is a side-view of the main body  700  suspended by wires  770  attached to the holes  760  in the radially extended arms  720  with the container  750  in an inclined position. 
   Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope of Invention for the Next Alternative Embodiment 
   Thus the reader will see that the present invention provides a simple, cost-effective, flexible, compact, easy to clean, and highly functional device that can be used to suspend a container in an upright, inclined or inverted position. 
   Operation of Invention—Suspension of Holder Via a Means Such as a Wire 
   Referencing  FIG. 21  and  FIG. 22 , the following steps detail the process of operating this embodiment of the invention:
     1. Insert the narrower end of the container,  752  or  754 , into the hole  710  located near the center of the main star-shaped body  700 . This action will incurvate the main body  700  into a concave shape.   2. Slide the container  750  inside the hole  710  until the desired weight of the container  750  is distributed onto the main body  700 , thereby orienting the container  750  into the desired position.   3. Suspend via a suspension means, such as a wire or a string, the combined structure consisting of the main body  700  and the held container  750 , using a suspension means, such as a wire or a string  770  that is attached to a support  780 .
 
Embodiments Summary
   

   Although the descriptions in the above embodiments contain much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the main body can be shaped differently, with more or less radially extended arms. The main body could be covered with decorative indicia and be produced using materials in many colors. 
   Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 
   REFERENCE NUMERALS 
   
       
         100  main body of the invention 
         110  hole in main body that is used to hold the container 
         120  plurality of radially extended arms 
         130  plurality of tabs around the edge of the hole 
         150  container 
         152  top of container 
         154  bottom of container 
         160  hexagonally-shaped container 
         170  oval-shaped container 
         184  ellipse-shaped container 
         190  drinking glass-shaped container 
         192  wide end of drinking glass-shaped container 
         194  narrow end of drinking glass-shaped container 
         400  liquid surface, such as water 
         500  inclined and irregular surface, such as gravel or a grassy field 
         510  same as  500 , but level 
         600  alternative embodiment of main body with asymmetrical arms 
         610  shorter arms on alternative embodiment 
         620  longer arms on alternative embodiment 
         630  hole in main body 
         640  plurality of tabs around the edge of the hole 
         650  baby bottle 
         660  baby bottle nipple 
         670  baby&#39;s lips 
         680  baby&#39;s chest 
         700  main body in a suspended embodiment 
         710  hole for inserting container 
         720  plurality of radially extended arms 
         730  plurality of tabs around the edge of the hole 
         750  container 
         752  top of container 
         754  bottom of container 
         760  hole in arm used for attaching means of suspension 
         770  a means of support, such as a wire or a string 
         780  an upper support from which to suspend the invention