Abstract:
In a preferred embodiment, a can dispenser, including: a housing with a base unit and one or more stacking units removably disposed on the base unit, the base unit and the one or more stacking units defining together a plurality of vertical, arcuate, can-containing channels therein; edges of the vertical, arcuate, can-containing channels in the base unit extending to less than diameters of cans in the vertical, arcuate, can-containing channels so that the cans can be removed therefrom; and edges of the vertical, arcuate, can-containing channels in the one or more stacking units extending past diameters of cans in the vertical, arcuate, can-containing channels to hold the cans in place therein.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to can dispensers generally and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a novel can dispenser that is economically constructed. 
     2. Background Art 
     Can dispensing devices are used to conserve cabinet counter space, for example, and to display the cans so that the contents thereof are readily ascertainable. Typically, the can dispensers hold a plurality of cans vertically and have various methods of removing one can from the stacks. 
     Some known dispensers are described in the following patent documents: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,807,400, issued May 26, 1931, to Gallagher, and titled CUP CONTAINER, describes a cup holder which comprises a plurality of vertical cup-containing tubes rotatingly supported in a base structure, the base structure including a recess defined therein. In use, cups are placed in the cup-containing tubes, with the handles thereof protruding through vertical slots that extend the length of the tubes, and the cups are supported in the tubes by means of pivoting bars disposed at the lower end of the tubes. When it is desired to remove a cup from the bottom of one of the tubes, that tube is aligned with the recess and the bar at the bottom of that tube is rotated out of the way. The bottom cup then is pressed downwardly into the recess, compressing springs therein, and the cup is then removed from the recess. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,212,129, issued Aug. 20, 1940, to Rust and titled CAN RACK, describes, in one embodiment, a can rack comprising a vertical tube of resilient material, tapered such that the bottom is narrower than the top and the tube has an opening that is somewhat less than the diameter of cans to be placed therein. To remove a can, a spring-loaded latch is released and the bottom can drops into a cut-away portion of the tube at the bottom thereof, the cutaway portion having a diameter greater than the diameter of the cans. Release of the latch causes the latch to hold the other cans in place. In another embodiment, the resilient tube is straight-sided and any can may be removed from the tube by pulling on the can such that the resilient sides of the tube are spread apart. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,221,704, issued Nov. 12, 1940, to Farley, and titled HOLDER, describes a holder for a plurality of marbles or the like that comprises a series of slots defined in the periphery of a cylinder. Except for the bottom end of the slots, the edges of the slots are closely spaced. At the lower end of the slots, the edges of the slots are widely spaced. In the plate closing the bottom of the slots are defined a plurality of openings. To remove a marble from a slot, the tube of marbles is raised up by inserting a finger in the opening at the bottom of that slot, such that the bottom marble is within the bottom portion of the slot in which the sides of the slot are widely spaced. The marble is then removed from the slot. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,670,853, issued Mar. 2, 1954, to Schneider, and titled DISPLAY STAND FOR STACKED CONTAINERS, describes a display stand that comprises a plurality of vertical columns having partitions therebetween, the partitions having edges that are closer together than the diameter of the items stacked therein. The topmost item is to be removed from a column. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,662, issued Mar. 20, 1979, to Drexler, and titled DISPLAY AND DISPENSER, describes a dispenser for containers of pills or food supplements comprising a rotatable, clear plastic cylinder in which are formed vertical columns to receive the containers. The containers are removed through an opening formed in the bottoms of the columns. An information carrier is placed adjacent the containers in a column to describe what the containers in that column contain. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,149, issued Jun. 27, 1989, to Vining, and titled PITCHER DISPENSER, describes a pitcher dispenser comprising a plurality of vertical tubes having slots extending the length thereof for the protrusion of the handles of pitchers stacked therein. The openings in the bottoms of the tubes are partially closed, such that the bottom pitcher can be removed from the bottom of a tube only after raising the other pitchers in that tube. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,165, issued Feb. 2, 1993, to Acona et al., and titled KITCHEN STORAGE UNIT, describes a storage device which, in relevant part, comprises a set of pluralities of openings each of which is designed to horizontally hold therein a bottle or a can, for example. 
     The foregoing devices are in some cases complicated, have moving parts, and are not readily expandable. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a can dispenser that has no moving parts. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide such a can dispenser that is expandable to hold a desired number of cans therein. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide such a can dispenser that can be economically constructed using conventional manufacturing techniques. 
     Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment, a can dispenser, comprising: a housing including a base unit and one or more stacking units removably disposed on said  5  base unit, said base unit and said one or more stacking units defining together a plurality of vertical, arcuate, can-containing channels therein; edges of said vertical, arcuate, can-containing channels in said base unit extending to less than diameters of cans in said vertical, arcuate, can-containing channels so that said cans can be removed therefrom; and edges of said vertical, arcuate, can-containing channels in said one or more stacking units extending past diameters of cans in said vertical, arcuate, can-containing channels to hold said cans in place therein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Understanding of the present invention and the various aspects thereof will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawing figures, provided for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, on which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a can dispenser constructed according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the can dispenser in assembled form and in which the can dispenser can hold 18 standard cans. 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the can dispenser in a form that can hold 24 standard cans. 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the can dispenser in a form that can hold 30 standard cans. 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the base unit of a can dispenser that holds standard cans. 
     FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the base unit of a can dispenser that holds short cans. 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a stacking unit of the can dispenser showing the top of the stacking unit. 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the stacking unit of the can dispenser showing the bottom and the integral key interlock of the stacking unit. 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a stacking unit of the can dispenser. 
     FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the base unit of the can dispenser. 
     FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, partially in cross- section, of the lower end of the can dispenser, taken along line  11 — 11 ,  12 — 12  of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, partially in cross-section, of a standard can being removed from the can dispenser, taken along line  11 — 11 ,  12 — 12  of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the can dispenser with the top thereof removed and a standard can being inserted into one of the channels thereof. 
     FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the can dispenser with standard cans inserted into the channels thereof. 
     FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the can dispenser, with the top thereof removed, holding short cans, and with a short can being inserted into one of the channels thereof. 
     FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an assembled can dispenser holding short cans. 
     FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the lid of the can dispenser. 
     FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the lid of the can dispenser showing the integral key interlock. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference should now be made to the drawing figures on which similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying numerals throughout the various figures thereof, and on which parenthetical references to figure numbers, when used, direct the reader to the view(s) on which the element(s) being described is (are) best seen, although the element(s) may be seen on other figures also. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a can dispenser, constructed according to the present invention, and generally indicated by the reference numeral  30 . The elements of can dispenser  30  shown are a lid  40 , two stacking units  42  a base unit  44 , with a step  46  (the purpose of which will be described in detail below), and a “lazy susan”  48  on which the horizontal circular portion of the base unit is rotatingly disposed, the latter element being disposed on a countertop (not shown), for example. Stacking units  42  and base unit  44  define a plurality of vertical channels, as at  50 , into which cans may be disposed. It will be understood that any number of stacking units may be provided within the contemplation of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration of can dispenser  30  which can hold 18 standard cans. For purposes of this description, “standard cans” is defined as 15-ounce vegetable cans, having dimensions of about 3 inches diameter by about 4½ inches high, although the dimensions of can dispenser  30  can be modified to accommodate cans of any dimension, as will be apparent from the following description. “Short cans” as used herein are defined as cans, such as used for tuna and cat food, for example, that are about 3½ inches diameter by about 1½ inches high, although can dispenser  30  can be modified to accommodate short cans of other dimension. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates that a third stacking unit  42  has been added so that can dispenser  30  can hold 24 standard cans in vertical channels  50 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates that a fourth stacking unit  42  has been added so that can dispenser  30  can hold 30 standard cans in vertical channels  50 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates base unit  44  configured for holding standard cans. As will be seen later, base unit  44  comprises the fluted portion, the step  46 , and the circular portion, all formed integrally as a one-piece unit. Base unit  44  forms the bottoms of vertical channels  50 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates base unit  44  configured for holding short cans, the method of construction being the same as for the embodiment shown on FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a stacking unit  42  with an integral key interlock  60 , the latter element being configured to removably fit into the complementarily shaped top portion of base unit  44  (FIG. 5) or into the complementarily shaped top portion of another stacking unit. Stacking unit  42  and key interlock  60  are formed integrally as a one-piece unit. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates another view of stacking unit  42 , more clearly showing the key interlock  60 . 
     It can be seen from inspection of the figures presented so far, FIGS. 1-8, that can dispenser  30  can be configured to hold a desired number of cans and such can be accomplished, for example, by a homeowner adding to or subtracting from the number of stacking units  42  provided (FIGS.  2 - 4 ). No adhesive or other permanent attaching means is required. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates can dispenser  30  with lid  40  (FIG. 2) removed and filled with a plurality of cans, as at  70 . It is to be noted from inspection of FIG. 9 that the edges of stacking unit  42  extend past the diameters of cans  70  to hold the cans securely in place in channels  50 , but preferably not so far that the contents of cans  70  cannot be visually ascertained. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates base unit  44  of can dispenser  30  with cans  70  disposed therein. It is to be noted from inspection of FIG. 9 that the edges of base unit  44  extend to less than the diameters of cans  70  for ease of removal of the cans from can dispenser  30 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates that the edge of lowermost of cans  70  rests on step  46  such that a clearance  80  is formed between the bottom of the lowermost of the cans and the horizontal circular portion of base unit  44 . It is to be noted from inspection of FIG. 11 that the top of lowermost can  70  extends slightly into the lowermost stacking unit so that the lowermost can is held securely in place. A circular bearing structure  90  locks the horizontal circular portion of base unit  44  onto lazy susan  48 . 
     FIG. 12 illustrates that a finger  100  of a user (not otherwise shown) can be inserted into clearance  80  to rotate lowermost can  70  outwardly to a point where the sides of the lowermost can can be grasped by the user and the lowermost can can then be removed from can dispenser  30 . After removal of the lowermost of cans  70 , the other cans drop down and the next lowermost can in channel  70  becomes the lowermost can disposed in base unit  44 . 
     FIG. 13 illustrates can dispenser  30 , with two stacking units  42 , filled with standard cans, except for a can  70  that is being inserted into one of channels  50 . For this operation, of course, lid  40  (FIG. 2) must be removed. 
     FIG. 14 illustrates can dispenser  30  filled with standard cans and with lid  40  in place on the can dispenser. 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 are similar to FIGS. 13 and 14, except that can dispenser  30  has been filled with short cans  70 . In the embodiment shown, one short can is disposed in base unit  44 , while six short cans are disposed in each of channels  50  defined by two stacking units  42 . In this manner, stacking units  42  may be used for either short cans  70  shown or for standard cans  70  having diameters similar to those of the short cans. 
     FIG. 17 illustrates lid  40  with a centrally disposed lifting tab  110 . 
     FIG. 18 illustrates a bottom view of lid  40  and shows an integral key interlock  120  that fits into the complementarily shaped top portion of the topmost stacking unit (FIG.  1 ). Lid  40 , lifting tab  110  (FIG.  17 ), and key interlock  120  are integrally formed of a single piece of material. 
     The elements of can dispenser  30 , save for bearing structure  90  which ordinarily would be metallic, can be economically molded from a suitable thermoplastic material using conventional manufacturing techniques. Other materials can be employed as well, if desired. 
     In the embodiments of the present invention described above, it will be recognized that individual elements and/or features thereof are not necessarily limited to a particular embodiment but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in any selected embodiment even though such may not be specifically shown. 
     Spatially orienting terms such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and the like, when used herein, refer to the positions of the respective elements shown on the accompanying drawing figures and the present invention is not necessarily limited to such positions. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from, the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.