Personal drinks carrier

Abstract

A personal drink carrier is formed by a piece made from plastic or the like that has a general “L” shape configuration in which the vertical leg portion has a protruding ring-shaped piece, parallel and facing the horizontal leg portion which forms the part to support and hold the can held inside the protruding ring. At its free end, the vertical leg portion has a prolongation that turns downwardly parallel to the vertical leg portion to form a loop to hold the carrier on a garment or the like.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of ES 200000325, filed on Feb. 11, 2000, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a personal drinks carrier and, in particular, to a carrier which positions and supports a container such as a soft drink can.

[0003] Soft drinks sold in cans are in general use in the market. These cans have a specific shape and are generally carried in the hand of the person who consumes them outside the home. In general, carrying this type of can is an inconvenience for the user because it limits the mobility of one hand, which represents a fundamental problem or inconvenience for the person carrying the can.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved drink carrier which is simple and economical to make and is easy to place on, for example, the trousers belt worn by a person.

[0005] In a currently preferred embodiment, the drink carrier is a single piece that has a general “L” shape, as viewed from the side, where the vertical part has, on the central and side area, a ring-shaped part parallel to the lower horizontal leg or branch of the “L”. The ring-shaped part has a diameter that allows the entry of a drink can, the base of which is supported on the horizontal part of the “L”.

[0006] The horizontal portion or part of the L-shaped carrier can be disc-shaped, quadrangular or ring-shaped, but in all cases it has a smaller width than the ring in which the can is placed. The horizontal bar of the “L” only serves as the base to support the can.

[0007] The drink carrier has on its vertical portion or part of the L-shaped configuration a prolongation at the end that is turned downwards to run parallel to the vertical part, thereby forming a pincer or loop by which the drink carrier is hung, for example, from the belt of a garment such as a pair of trousers. The vertical branch of the “L” may have an arched transversal section to better hold the can.

[0008] According to the invention, the drink carrier is preferably of plastic and therefore easy to mold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] The sole FIGURE is a side view of the drink carrier of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] The personalized drink carrier, designated by the number 1, of the present invention is a piece 2 formed substantially in a general shape. The piece 2 can be molded from plastic or other suitable material.

[0012] The piece 2 has in a central area of the vertical leg portion 3 of the “L” shape a lateral protruding ring-shaped part 4 whose internal diameter is calibrated to allow the entry of a drink can 5.

[0013] A lower leg portion 6 of the L-shaped piece 2 is flat and of smaller width or diameter than the diameter of the protruding ring shape 4.

[0014] The vertical leg portion 3 is extended at the end 7 and then bent to lie downwards and parallel with the vertical branch, thus forming a type of loop or pincer by which the drink carrier and can are hooked on and hung from, for example, the belt of a garment.

[0015] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A container carrier, comprised of a generally L-shaped piece having a vertical portion from which a ring-shaped piece protrudes parallel to a horizontal portion of the L-shaped piece which is configured to support and hold the container located inside the protruding ring-shaped piece and a member located adjacent a free end of the vertical portion to hold the L-shaped piece at a desired location.

2. The container carrier according to

claim 1, wherein the member is an extension of the free end and is formed to constitute a generally U-shaped configuration therewith.

3. The container carrier according to

claim 1, wherein the member is an extension which extends substantially parallel to the vertical portion.

4. The container carrier according to

claim 1, wherein the member and the vertical portion are integrally molded from plastic material.