Beverage can holder

Abstract

A holder is provided having a receptacle which is suitably sized and arranged for slidably receiving a cylindrical beverage can therein. A handle is coupled to the receptacle to extend generally in a longitudinal direction of the receptacle spaced radially outwardly from the receptacle. A lock mechanism on the receptacle is arranged to restrict both rotation and sliding movement in a longitudinal direction of the receptacle of the cylindrical beverage can in relation to the receptacle. A mouth recess is provided in an upper rim of the receptacle for access to a mouth of the beverage can supported therein.

1 . A holder for supporting a cylindrical beverage can, the holder comprising: 
 a receptacle which is suitably sized and arranged for slidably receiving a cylindrical beverage can through an open top end of the receptacle;    the receptacle including an upper edge encircling the open top end of the receptacle and at least one mouth recess formed in the upper edge for access to the cylindrical beverage can.    
     
     
         2 . The holder according to  claim 1  wherein the receptacle extends substantially to a top of the cylindrical beverage can with the mouth recess formed to extend downward from an upper edge of the receptacle to lie spaced below the top of the beverage can.  
     
     
         3 . The holder according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a handle supported on the receptacle at an upper edge of the receptacle and wherein the mouth recess is spaced circumferentially about the receptacle from the handle.  
     
     
         4 . The holder according to  claim 3  wherein the mouth recess is spaced circumferentially about the receptacle from the handle by approximately 90 degrees.  
     
     
         5 . The holder according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a pair of mouth recesses formed in the upper edge on diametrically opposed sides of the receptacle.  
     
     
         6 . The holder according to  claim 5  wherein there is provided a handle and wherein the mouth recesses are spaced circumferentially from opposing sides of the handle by approximately 90 degrees.  
     
     
         7 . The holder according to  claim 1  wherein the receptacle comprises a sleeve structure having an open top end for receiving a can therethrough, the mouth recess being formed in the upper edge of the sleeve structure.  
     
     
         8 . The holder according to  claim 7  wherein the sleeve structure includes an enclosed bottom end for supporting the can thereon.  
     
     
         9 . The holder according to  claim 7  wherein the sleeve structure includes at least one label opening in a side thereof arranged to expose a label on a can supported within the sleeve structure.  
     
     
         10 . The holder according to  claim 7  wherein the sleeve structure extends substantially a full length of a conventional cylindrical beverage can.  
     
     
         11 . A method of supporting a cylindrical beverage can, the method comprising: 
 providing a receptacle which is suitably sized and arranged for slidably receiving the cylindrical beverage can through an open top end of the receptacle;    forming at least one mouth recess in an upper edge encircling the open top end of receptacle;    inserting the cylindrical beverage can into the receptacle; and    orienting the cylindrical beverage can to align a mouth of the cylindrical beverage can with the mouth recess in the upper edge of the receptacle.    
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  including providing a handle supported on the receptacle at an upper edge of the receptacle and locating the mouth recess spaced circumferentially about the receptacle from the handle.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11  including locating the mouth recess spaced circumferentially about the receptacle from the handle by approximately 90 degrees.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11  including providing a pair of the mouth recesses formed in the upper edge on diametrically opposed sides of the receptacle.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  including providing a handle and locating the mouth recesses spaced circumferentially from opposing sides of the handle by approximately 90 degrees.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the receptacle comprises a sleeve structure having an open top end for receiving a can therethrough, the mouth recess being formed in the upper edge of the sleeve structure.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the sleeve structure includes an enclosed bottom end for supporting the can thereon.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the sleeve structure includes at least one label opening in a side thereof arranged to expose a label on a can supported within the sleeve structure.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16  including forming the sleeve structure to extend substantially to a top edge of the cylindrical beverage can.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19  including forming the mouth recess to extend below the top edge of the cylindrical beverage can.