Beverage can stacking holder

Abstract

A beverage can stacking holder is disclosed, comprising a sleeve and a base that together enable the secure stacking of two beverage cans. The sleeve is configured to snugly contain a beverage can while leaving its lid accessible for drinking and base is designed to engage the lid of another beverage can, preferably with locking tabs to interlock with the lid's rim for stability. The base may form a seal with the lid to reduce or prevent spills even when the cans are inverted for drinking. The holder may comprise a two-part construction with a thermally insulative sleeve and a durable base for improved usability. The system allows for individual or stacked use, providing enhanced convenience, spill resistance, and insulation, particularly in crowded entertainment settings where beverages are sold open. Methods of use are also described, including stacking, inversion, and disassembly of beverage cans.

Description

Beverage Can Stacking HolderField of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to beverage container holders and, more particularly, to devices designed to facilitate the secure stacking and handling of multiple beverage cans, enabling convenient transport, storage, and consumption in a variety of settings.Background of the Invention

[0002] At entertainment events such as concerts, festivals, and sporting venues, the sale of beverages is often governed by strict liquor licensing regulations that require drinks to be opened at the time of purchase. This measure is implemented to address concerns such as underage drinking, the unauthorised removal of alcohol from the premises, and potential safety hazards associated with unopened containers.

[0003] While these regulations serve important purposes, they create practical challenges for event attendees. Long queues at beverage counters frequently lead patrons to purchase multiple drinks at once to reduce waiting times. However, managing multiple open beverages in crowded environments can be difficult, increasing the likelihood of spills or dropped drinks. This difficulty is further compounded by the challenge of keeping beverages cool in warm, crowded settings, which can detract from the enjoyment of the event.

[0004] Existing solutions for carrying or holding beverages at such venues often fall short in terms of stability, convenience, and temperature maintenance. Furthermore, many current approaches do not adequately address the unique logistical and environmental constraints of busy entertainment settings. This situation highlights the need for improved methods and devices to manage multiple beverages efficiently and securely in such contexts.Summary of the Disclosure

[0005] The described beverage can stacking holder is designed to securely hold two stacked beverage cans, facilitating easy transport, consumption, and storage. The holder comprises a sleeve and a base. The sleeve snugly holds a beverage can,leaving the lid accessible for drinking while base is configured to engage the lid of another beverage can simultaneously, allowing a stable stacked arrangement.

[0006] The base may include inwardly projecting locking tabs that interlock with the rim of the second can's lid, ensuring secure stacking. The base may be configured to form a seal with the lid to provide spill resistance, even when the cans are inverted. The holder can also be used independently for a single can, with the sleeve providing thermal insulation to keep beverages cool.

[0007] In one embodiment, the holder is constructed in two parts: a sleeve piece made from a thermally insulative material, such as neoprene, and a base piece made from a harder plastic material. The base piece may comprise an outer ring with locking tabs and an inner ring for additional sealing and alignment of the cans.

[0008] The stacking holder is particularly suited for entertainment settings where beverages are sold open due to liquor licensing requirements, enabling users to carry and consume multiple drinks conveniently. The design reduces the risk of spills, ensures beverages remain cool, and improves the overall experience of managing drinks at crowded events.

[0009] According to one aspect, there is provided a beverage can stacking holder comprising a sleeve configured for containing a beverage can with its lid exposed, and a base configured for engaging a lid of another beverage can.

[0010] The base may be configured to interlock with the rim of a lid and may comprise inwardly projecting locking tabs. These tabs offer a secure engagement with the lid rim, ensuring the stacked arrangement remains intact even when subjected to handling.

[0011] In some embodiments, each locking tab may be configured to catch under the edge of the rim. This feature enhances the mechanical grip between the base and the lid, improving the overall reliability of the stack. Optionally, the base may include only four locking tabs to minimise material use and insertion force while maintaining structural stability and ease of use.

[0012] The base may also be configured to form a seal with the lid of a beverage can. This seal can provide spill resistance, ensuring that beverages remain contained evenwhen the holder is inverted. The base may include a seal configured to press against the rim of a lid. The base may be configured to press the rim against the seal when the locking tabs engage the rim. This dual-function mechanism improves both sealing and stacking stability.

[0013] The cavity of the base may be defined by a floor, with the sleeve optionally extending beyond the floor. The sleeve may be cylindrical to ensure a snug fit around standard beverage cans, enhancing both stability and thermal insulation.

[0014] In some embodiments, the sleeve may be configured to also expose the neck of the beverage can to allow easy access to the lid for drinking while maintaining the holder's functionality.

[0015] Preferably, the sleeve is be made of thermally insulative material, such as neoprene to helps maintain the beverage's temperature.

[0016] The holder may comprise a sleeve piece and a base piece attached to the sleeve. This two-part construction allows for easier manufacturing and assembly while maintaining functionality. The sleeve piece may preferably be cylindrical, and the base piece may be made of plastic while the sleeve piece is rubber. This combination provides durability and thermal insulation in a single product.

[0017] In some embodiments, the base piece may define a cylindrical portion that fits within the sleeve piece and the sleeve piece may be glued to the cylindrical portion of the base piece.

[0018] The base piece may include an outer ring with locking tabs and an inner ring located within the outer ring. As such, the base piece may be configured such that, when pushed onto another beverage can, the outer ring engages around the rim of the other beverage can with its locking tabs, and the inner ring locates inside the rim. The inner ring may locate within a notch defined by the centre panel of the lid. This feature enhances sealing and alignment while simplifying the stacking process.

[0019] According to another aspect, there is provided a system comprising a beverage can stacking holder, a beverage can contained within the sleeve of the holder, and another beverage can engaged by the base of the holder.

[0020] Preferably, the system may include another beverage can stacking holder, wherein the other beverage can is contained within the sleeve of the other holder.

[0021] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method of using the beverage can stacking holder, comprising containing a beverage can within a sleeve of the holder and engaging a lid of another beverage can with the base of the holder.

[0022] Optionally, the method may include inverting both beverage cans for drinking. This allows the first can to be consumed without spilling the contents of the second can. The method may also include disconnecting the other beverage can when the first can is depleted. This ensures ease of use and allows for sequential consumption of beverages. Preferably, the method may further include engaging the lid of the beverage can with the base of another holder containing the second beverage can. This enables the efficient management of multiple cans during use.

[0023] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of a beverage can stacking holder in accordance with an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 shows an underside view of the holder;

[0027] Figure 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the holder;

[0028] Figure 4 shows a side cross-sectional elevation view of the holder;

[0029] Figure 5 illustrates stacking of beverage cans using the holder;

[0030] Figure 6 shows a side elevation view of stacked beverage cans using the present holder;

[0031] Figure 7 shows a magnified cross-sectional view of the arrangement of Figure 6;

[0032] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the two-part construction of the holder, illustrating the sleeve piece and base piece separated ;

[0033] Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled two-part holder, detailing the connection between the sleeve piece and the base piece ; and

[0034] Figure 10 provides a detailed cross-sectional view of the base piece engaging the lid of a beverage can, highlighting the locking tabs, inner ring, and sealDescription of Embodiments

[0035] Figure 4 illustrates a beverage can stacking holder 100, comprising a sleeve 101 defining an interior 102 and a base 103. Figures 6 and 7 demonstrate how the sleeve 101 is configured to contain the cylindrical body 104 and base 105 of a beverage can 106A, with its lid 107 left accessible for drinking.

[0036] Figure 5 shows that the lid 107 may include a centre panel 108 with a pull tab 109 acting on a scored opening 1 10. The centre panel 108 is typically folded over the edge of the body 104 of the beverage can 106 to form a seamed rim 1 1 1.

[0037] The base 103 of the holder 100 preferably defines a cavity 1 12, configured to engage the lid 107 of another beverage can 106B. As shown in Figure 6, the beverage can 106A and the other beverage can 106B are held together in a stacked arrangement by the holder 100. This arrangement can be held by gripping the bottom second beverage can 106B. Preferably, the base 103 is designed to engage the lid 107 of the other beverage can 106B securely enough to allow the arrangement to also be held by the top beverage can 106A, while the base 103 supports the weight of the other beverage can 106B, even when full.

[0038] As further depicted in Figure 6, the other beverage can 106B may itself be contained within the interior 102 of a sleeve 101 of a second holder 100B.

[0039] The base 103 is preferably configured to interlock with the rim 1 1 1 of the lid 107 of the other beverage can 106B when the other beverage can 106B is pressed into the cavity 1 12. In this regard, the cavity 1 12 may comprise inwardly projecting locking tabs 1 13. With reference to Figure 7, each locking tab 1 13 may have an edge 1 14 configured to catch under a corresponding edge of the rim 1 1 1.

[0040] In the embodiment shown, the base 103 includes four locking tabs 1 13, which is the minimum number required to resist bending forces from all orthogonal directions while minimising the insertion force.

[0041] The base 103 is also preferably configured to seal against the lid 107 of the other beverage can 106B. As shown in Figure 7, the base 103 may include a seal 1 15 located within the cavity 1 12, which is designed to press against the rim 1 1 1. In the depicted embodiment, the seal 1 15 is planar, continuous, and has a circular crosssection to fully engage the rim 1 1 1 . The seal 1 15 may be made of food-grade foam or rubber material.

[0042] The holder 100 may be configured so that the top edge of the rim 1 1 1 is pressed against the seal 1 15 when the locking tabs 1 13 engage under the rim 1 1 1 , thereby forming a secure seal.

[0043] With reference to Figure 4, the cavity 1 12 may be defined by a floor 1 16 and distal edges 1 17 of the sleeve 101 extending downward beyond the floor 1 16. Preferably, the sleeve 101 is cylindrical and closely fits the body 104 of a conventional beverage can 106. As illustrated in Figure 5, the sleeve 101 may be sized to expose a neck 1 18 of the body 104 of the beverage can 106.

[0044] The sleeve 101 preferably comprises thermally insulative material, such as closed-cell foam rubber, neoprene, or a similar material.

[0045] In certain embodiments, and with reference to Figure 3, the holder 100 may have a two-part construction, comprising a sleeve piece 1 19 and a base piece 120. The base piece 120 may be made of a relatively harder plastic material suitable for the locking tabs 1 13 and may encapsulate the seal 1 15, whereas the sleeve piece 1 19 may be made of a relatively softer material, being less expensive and suitable for thermal insulation.

[0046] Figures 8 and 9 show a specific embodiment of this two-part configuration, where the base piece 120 is made of plastic, and the sleeve piece 1 19 is cylindrical and made of insulative material, such as neoprene. In this embodiment, the base piece 120 defines an upper cylindrical portion 121 that fits within the bottom end of the sleeve piece 1 19. The sleeve piece 1 19 may be glued to the base piece 120 with adhesive applied over the relatively large surface area of the upper cylindrical portion 121. This cylindrical portion 1 12 accommodates the base 105 of the beverage can 106 in use.

[0047] The base piece 120 may include an outer ring 122 defining the locking tabs 1 13 and an inner ring 123. Figure 10 provides a cross-sectional view of the seamed rim 1 1 1 of the beverage can 106, showing an edge of the centre panel 108 doubly folded over the folded-back edge of the body 104 of the beverage can 106. The centre panel 108 may be shaped to define a notch 124 adjacent to the rim 1 1 1. When the base piece 120 is pushed onto the beverage can 106, the outer ring 122 engages around the rim 1 1 1 , allowing the locking tabs 1 13 to secure under the rim 1 1 1. The inner ring 123 locates on the inside of the rim 1 1 1 and fits within the notch 124 defined by the centre panel 108.

[0048] The inner ring 123 may form a seal within the notch 124, reducing or preventing spillage and eliminating the need for the aforementioned rubber seal 1 15, thereby simplifying the holder's construction and manufacturing process. Furthermore, the inner ring 123 may assist in centring the lid 1 1 1 of the beverage can 106 to facilitate engagement by the locking tabs 1 13 of the outer ring 122.

[0049] It should be noted that in embodiments the outer ring 122 need not be continuous and may take the form of individual peripheral portions which engage around the rim 1 1 1 . These discrete portions may assist flexing when being pushed over the rim 1 1 1. These portions may have respective locking tabs 1 13. For example, in embodiments, the holder 100 comprises four individual portions having respective locking tabs 1 13. Preferably the inner ring 123 is continuous so as to reduce or prevent spillage.

[0050] An exemplary method of using the beverage can stacking holder 100 of the two-part embodiment described with reference to Figures 8-10, involves inserting the beverage can 106A into the interior 102 of the sleeve 101 of a first holder 100A. The sleeve piece 1 19, made of thermally insulative material such as neoprene, provides a snug fit around the body 104 and base 105 of the beverage can 106A, leaving its lid 107 exposed for drinking. The base piece 120, made of a harder plastic material, is securely attached to the bottom of the sleeve piece 1 19 and provides structural stability.

[0051] Another beverage can 106B is then aligned with the cavity 1 12 of the base 103 of the first holder 100A. The outer ring 122 of the base piece 120, which includes inwardly projecting locking tabs 1 13, is pressed onto the rim 1 1 1 of the lid 107 of the other beverage can 106B. The locking tabs 1 13 engage securely under the rim 1 1 1 , while the inner ring 123 of the base piece 120 locates within the notch 124 of the lid 107. This arrangement ensures a stable interlocking connection between the cans, allowing the stacked configuration to be held securely by either the top or bottom can. The locking tabs 1 13 sufficiently engage the rim 1 1 1 so that the base piece 120 can hold the weight of the other beverage can 106B, even when full.

[0052] Both beverage cans 106A and 106B may be open during use, and the seal formed by the inner ring 123 and the rim 1 1 1 prevents or reduces spillage, even when the stacked cans are inverted for drinking from the beverage can 106A. Both cans are thermally insulated by their respective sleeve pieces 1 19, ensuring that the other beverage can 106B remains cool while the first can 106A is consumed.

[0053] When the beverage can 106A is emptied, the other beverage can 106B can be disconnected from the base 103 of the first holder 100A by pulling the cans 106 apart to disengage the locking tabs 1 13. The other beverage can 106B can then be consumed normally. If desired, the empty beverage can 106A may be attached to the base 103 of another holder 100B for convenient handling. This method allows for efficient management of multiple beverages, with the two-part construction of the holder providing both stability and thermal insulation.

[0054] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others

Claims

skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.Claims1 . A beverage can stacking holder comprising: a sleeve configured for containing a beverage can with its lid exposed; and a base configured for engaging a lid of another beverage can.

2. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to interlock with a lid rim.

3. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base comprises inwardly projecting locking tabs.

4. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein each locking tab is configured to catch under an edge of the rim.

5. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base comprises only four locking tabs.

6. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to form a seal with a beverage can lid.

7. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base comprises a seal configured to press against a lid rim.

8. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 7, wherein the seal is circular in cross-section.

9. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base comprises locking tabs and is configured to press the rim against the seal when the locking tabs engage the rim.

10. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base defines a cavity defined by a floor and the sleeve extending beyond the floor.1 1 . The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is cylindrical.

12. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is configured to expose a neck of the beverage can.

13. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises thermally insulative material.

14. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a sleeve piece and a base piece attached to a base thereof.

15. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sleeve piece is cylindrical.

16. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 14, wherein the base piece is plastic and the sleeve piece is rubber.

17. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 14, wherein the base piece defines a cylindrical portion which fits within the sleeve piece.

18. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sleeve piece is glued to the cylindrical portion of the base piece.

19. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 14, wherein the base piece defines an outer ring and having locking tabs.

20. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 19, wherein the base piece further defines an inner ring within the outer ring.

21. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 20, wherein the base piece is configured such that, when the base piece is pushed onto the other beverage can, the outer ring engages around a rim of the other beverage can with its locking tabs, and the inner ring locates on the inside of the rim.

22. The beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the inner ring locates within the notch defined by the centre panel of the lid of the other beverage can.

23. A system comprising: a beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 1 ; a beverage can contained within the interior of the holder; and another beverage can engaged by the base of the holder.

24. The system as claimed in claim 23, further comprising another beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the other beverage can is contained within the interior of the other holder.

25. A method of using the beverage can stacking holder as claimed in claim 1 , the method comprising: containing a beverage can within a sleeve of the holder; and engaging a lid of another beverage can with the base of the holder.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising inverting both beverage cans for drinking.

21. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising disconnecting the other beverage can when the beverage can is depleted.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising engaging a lid of the beverage using a base of another holder containing the other beverage can.

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