Systems and methods for constraining a can in an upright position

Abstract

A system and method for constraining a can in an upright position includes a base and a plurality of legs. The base defines a support area and enlarges the footprint of a can when the can is constrained by the device. Each of the plurality of legs extends in the same direction from the base, over the support area defined by the base, and toward at least one of the other legs at an acute angle relative to the support area. Together, the legs constrain a can in an upright position when a can is inserted into the device.

1 . A device for constraining a can in an upright position, the device comprising:
 a base defining a support area and operable to enlarge the footprint of a can when the can is constrained by the device; and   a plurality of legs, each extending in the same direction from the base and each extending over the support area toward at least one of the other legs at an acute angle relative to the support area, and wherein, together, the plurality of legs are operable to constrain a can in an upright position.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the plurality of legs is located at a portion of the support area's perimeter. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the base includes a peripheral component located along the support area's perimeter, and from which one or more of the plurality of legs extends. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the support area is circular, and   the base includes a peripheral component that is circular and located along the support area's perimeter, and from which one or more of the plurality of legs extends.   
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the base includes a cavity operable to hold sand for improving the device's stability when the device constrains a can in an upright position. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of legs includes five legs. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of legs is located at a respective portion of the support area's perimeter, and the respective portions are equally spaced along the perimeter's length. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the plurality of legs extends at an angle less than 75 degrees. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the plurality of legs extends from the base at least 18 inches. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the plurality of legs extends straight or substantially straight from the base. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of legs extends at the same angle and has the same length. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein, when the device constrains a can in an upright position, the device and can can slide relative to the ground. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an entrance having a size that is larger than a can's cross-section located in the entrance when the device constrains the can. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein, when the device constrains a can in an upright position, the can can tip relative to the device. 
   
   
       15 . A device for constraining a can in an upright position, the device comprising:
 a base defining a support area having a center, and operable to expand the footprint of a can when the can is constrained by the device; and   a wall extending from the base and over the support area toward the center at an acute angle relative to the area, and wherein the wall is operable to constrain a can in an upright position.   
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the base includes a peripheral component located along the support area's perimeter, and from which the wall extends. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the base includes a cavity operable to hold sand for improving the device's stability when the device constrains a can in an upright position. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the wall includes an end distal from the base that surrounds a portion of a can when the can is constrained in an upright position by the device. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the wall extends at an angle less than 75 degrees. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the wall extends at least 18 inches from the base. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the wall extends straight or substantially straight from the base. 
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the whole wall extends at the same angle and the same distance from the base. 
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 15  wherein, when the device constrains a can in an upright position, the device and can can slide relative to the ground. 
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 15  further comprising an entrance having a size that is larger than a can's cross-section located in the entrance when the device constrains the can. 
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 15  wherein, when the device constrains a can in an upright position, the can can tip relative to the device. 
   
   
       26 . A method for constraining a can in an upright position, the method comprising:
 enlarging, with a base of a device, the footprint of the can, wherein the base defines a support area; and   constraining, with a plurality of legs of the device, the can in an upright position, wherein each of the plurality of legs extends from the base in the same direction, over the support area toward at least one of the other legs, and at an acute angle relative to the support area.   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein:
 the support area defined by the base is circular,   enlarging the footprint includes locating a circular peripheral component of the base on the support area's perimeter, and   constraining the can in an upright position includes each of the plurality of legs extending from the peripheral component.   
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein constraining the can in an upright position includes each of the plurality of legs extending at an angle of at least 75 degrees relative to the support area. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein constraining the can in an upright position includes each of the plurality of legs extending a distance of 18 inches from the base. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26  wherein constraining the can in an upright position includes allowing the can and the device to slide relative to the ground. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26  wherein constraining the can in an upright position includes allowing the can to tip relative to the device. 
   
   
       32 . A method for constraining a can in an upright position, the method comprising:
 enlarging, with a base of a device, the footprint of the can, wherein the base defines a support area having a center; and   constraining, with a wall of the device, the can in an upright position, wherein the wall extends from the base and over the support area toward the center at an acute angle relative to the area.   
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein:
 the support area defined by the base is circular,   enlarging the footprint includes locating a circular peripheral component of the base on the support area's perimeter, and   constraining the can in an upright position includes the wall extending from the peripheral component.   
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein constraining the can in an upright position includes the wall extending at an angle of at least 75 degrees relative to the support area. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 32  wherein constraining the can in an upright position includes the wall extending a distance of 18 inches from the base. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 32  wherein constraining the can in an upright position includes allowing the can and the device to slide relative to the ground. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 32  wherein constraining the can in an upright position includes allowing the can to tip relative to the device.