Apparatus for holding a liquid container

Abstract

An apparatus is described to hold a liquid container on a horizontal support surface to reduce the risk of the container being knocked over. The apparatus is generally comprised of a container support that defines a container receiving socket, and a support surface engaging base part that is spaced outwardly of the container receiving socket and at least partially circumscribes the container support. Exemplary forms of the support surface can include a container receiving sleeve that is integrated with a formed base, upstanding container engaging members that are spaced about a flat base, flexible fingers that are integral with the base part, and a set of foldable tabs that can be folded upwardly from a flat base part.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention claimed and disclosed herein pertains generally to supporting liquid containers, and more particularly to supporting such containers for the purpose of stabilizing the containers against being knocked over.

BACKGROUND

Spillage of liquids such as paint, beverages, etc. from containers such as cans, bottles, and glasses; often occurs when the containers are accidentally bumped. This can be due to the limited size of the container base “footprint” in relation to the container height. Too often the base part of a liquid container does not provide enough stabilization to avoid tipping. This is especially true of such containers that have a height dimension that is greater than the width or diameter of the container base. Such containers can be easily tipped, especially if they are somewhat top-heavy with liquid.

A need is therefore realized for an apparatus that can be used to receive and hold liquid containers against inadvertent tipping.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention provides for an apparatus that will hold a liquid container on a horizontal support surface to reduce the risk of the container being knocked over. The apparatus can be comprised of a container receiving socket formed by the container support and configured to slidably and releasably receive a liquid container in an upright orientation with respect to the support surface. A support surface engaging base part is connected to, and spaced outwardly of, the container receiving socket and at least partially circumscribes the container support.

In another aspect, the invention can be provided as an apparatus with a container support that defines a container receiving socket that is configured to slidably receive a liquid container in an upright orientation with respect to the support surface. A disk defines a support surface engaging base part and the container support joins with, and is substantially centered on, the disk, with the support engaging base part extending outward of, and at least partially about, the support surface.

A further aspect of the invention includes an apparatus for holding an upright liquid container on a horizontal support surface to reduce the risk of the container being knocked over in which a flat disk is formed of a flexible material defining a perimeter. The disk also defines a central container receiving opening disposed radially inward of the perimeter and formed about a central axis, about which a plurality of angularly disposed tabs are spaced. The tabs are foldable about non radial fold lines with respect to the axis from positions substantially coplanar with the flat disk, to substantially upright axial positions. The tabs include leg edges that in the upright positions, face inwardly and define a container receiving socket.

The above and further aspects and embodiments will next be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which, taken along with the following detailed description and claims, disclose the best mode presently known for carrying out the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an apparatus exemplifying one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view showing multiple apparatus in a stacked orientation;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another form of the apparatus with a liquid container shown by dashed lines;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another form of the present apparatus;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged fragmented detail view of an area identified at 5A in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown by FIG. 7 and further showing a liquid container received therein;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the apparatus; and

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 only showing tabs of the apparatus folded upwardly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are exemplified in the drawings and will be described using reference numerals to identify various elements and features. Identical or similar elements or features will bear the same reference numerals, and for brevity, description of one element or feature can be understood as describing all other similar or identical elements or features.

Embodiments of the present invention are generally designated in the accompanying drawings by reference numeral 10, all of which are intended for use to hold a liquid container 11 with respect to a horizontal support surface 12 (FIG. 4) to reduce the risk of the container being knocked over. In further general terms, the exemplary embodiments provide a base part 14 that extends at least partially about a container support 15 for engagement with the support surface. The various exemplary embodiments also provide container receiving sockets 16 that are configured to slidably receive liquid containers 11. The sockets 16 and other elements can be formed about a central axis “X”.

It is pointed out that the liquid container 11 and the support surface 12 are not part of the present invention, and are used only to aid in description of the invention and components thereof.

Referring now to various exemplary configurations of the apparatus 10, attention will first be directed to FIGS. 1-3. In FIG. 1, the illustrated apparatus 10 has a disk 19 as a specific example of the base part 14, and upstanding container engaging members 22 that are exemplary of the container support 15.

The disk 19 can be flat and substantially circular with a perimeter 20 formed about a central axis X, and sized in relation to the type of container to be received. That is to say, to hold a container of a given width or diameter (see exemplary dimension D in FIG. 8) the present apparatus can be produced with a disk 19 having a somewhat larger diameter or width. For example the disk can have a diameter approximately 1.5 times or more than the width (or diameter) of the container. The disk will thereby effectively increase the “footprint” of the container and correspondingly increase resistance to tipping.

Also, the height or axial extent of the upstanding container engaging members 21 can be related to the axial height of the container being used. Container engaging members 21 that span at least approximately 0.20 of the container height (see for example the height dimension H in FIG. 8) can, along with the horizontal extent of the disk 19, effectively stabilize containers against tipping in response to a lateral blow.

It is pointed out that although the disk 19 is depicted as being circular, other disk shapes, including rectilinear shapes, can be used. The container engaging members 21 can also be of different shapes than illustrated. For example, the container engaging members, instead of having the pyramidal shapes as depicted, rounded, block, or other shapes can be employed, It is also pointed out that the disk 19, as well as the remainder of the illustrated apparatus 10, can be made of paper, recycled cardstock, plastic, or another fairly rigid material. Further, production of the units can be accomplished by conventional techniques such as die stamping, molding, thermoforming, injection molding, blow molding, etc.

A plurality of the upstanding container engaging members 21 can be provided on the disk 19 as integral parts thereof, or as attachments thereto. The members 21 can be disposed about the disk to define the socket 16 for slidably receiving a liquid container 11. The drawings depict the members 21 as being of equal height, which in this configuration can be approximately 0.33 of the container height. However it should be noted that unequal height members can also be used within the scope of this disclosure and claims.

The container engaging members 21 can be of generally tapered configurations as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, and can be equally spaced to facilitate nesting as suggested by FIG. 3. Stacking openings 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2) can be formed through the disk 19 for each container engaging member 21, to facilitate compact nested stacking as depicted in FIG. 3. To this end, the openings 22 can be made to be complimentary in cross section to the upstanding container engaging members 21, and spaced apart to axially receive the members 21.

The disk 19, and/or the container engaging members 21, can be printed with advertising or other indicia. This can be true for any configuration of the apparatus 11. The indicia can be applied for commercial, entertainment, educational, or other graphic communication purpose.

FIGS. 4-6 are provided to illustrate further exemplary forms of the apparatus 10. FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, show the base part 14 as being convex between the container support 15 and a peripheral rim 29. This configuration allows for the container support 15 to be spaced elevationally above a support surface 12.

Variations of a spill or overflow catching well 26 can be defined along the base part between the rim 29 and support 15 to catch spilled liquid. In the configuration illustrated by FIG. 4 the well 26 occupies a small annular space between the container support flange 27 and the convex outward surface of the base part 14. In the FIG. 5 configuration, the outward surface of the base part 14 is formed at a shallow angle, thereby increasing the capacity of the well 26. In the FIG. 6 configuration, the well 26 can extend across a flat base part 14 for maximum volume retention.

The examples shown by FIGS. 4 and 5 depict container supports 15 that are formed as axial central sleeves 25. In both illustrated examples the sleeves 25 can be produced as integral parts of the apparatus 10. The sleeves 25 can be integral with the remaining parts of the apparatuses 10, and be formed of plastic or other appropriate material that can be shaped by known techniques such as thermoforming, injection molding, fiber compression, or others.

Either or both configurations of the sleeves 25 can also be made to extend axially downward to a container support flange 27 (FIGS. 5, 5A). As depicted, the support flange 27 can be of an annular form and can extend radially inward of the associated sleeve part to at least partially close the socket 16 and provide a container support shelf. The support flange 27 can be situated above the support surface 12 to somewhat elevate a received container 11.

Differences between the configurations shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are noted. In the FIG. 4 form, the base part 14 is smoothly arcuate or domed. The FIG. 5 shape includes a slightly gentler incline of the base part 14 leading to an abrupt rise to the sleeve part 25. The different surface curvatures reflect a choice of aesthetics for the apparatus, and, on the functional side can facilitate stacking or nesting of multiple units in a relatively small axial space.

The inward-facing surface 24 of the sleeve 25 that defines the socket 16 can be provided with a container-engaging feature 23, as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 5A, of a textured surface or the like. The container-engaging feature 23 is configured to engage a container when the container is placed in the socket 16 so that, when the container is lifted vertically, the apparatus 10 remains engaged with the container. This can be a useful feature if, for example, the container is a paint can, and the paint can is moved from place-to-place during use. The container can then be removed from the apparatus 10 by placing a downward force on the apparatus 10, while exerting an upward force on the container.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 5A, the container-engaging feature 23 is depicted as a series of raised dimples 23a that are spaced about the socket circumference. The dimples 23a can be equi-angularly spaced about the surface 24, and project radially inwardly into the socket 16 enough to interfere slightly with, say, the container rim R (depicted in dashed lines in FIG. 5A) of a paint can as it is being inserted into the socket 16. In one example for use with paint cans having a bottom rim R, the dimples 23a can project radially approximately 0.0025 inches into the socket.

The rim R of the container 11 can snap over the dimples 23a before engaging the support flange 27. The container can thus be captured axially and secured to the apparatus between the support flange 27 and dimples 23a, at least to the extent that when the container 11 is lifted, the apparatus 10 will also be lifted. On the other hand, if the apparatus 10 is held axially secure (as by a user's hand or foot holding the apparatus against the support surface 12) as the container 11 is lifted, the container rim R can again snap over the dimples 23a and the container 11 can be pulled upwardly from the socket 16.

In another example (not illustrated), the container-engaging feature 23 can be a rubberized component, for example in the shape of a strip or a sleeve, that can be attached to the surface 24, to thereby engage a container that is placed in the socket 16. In another example, the container-engaging feature 23 can be applied or integral texturing on the surface 24.

Still other forms of the container-engaging feature 23 can be employed, such as a Velcro®-like fabric or similar material (not shown) applied to at least a part of the surface 24. (“Velcro” is a registered trademark of Velcro S. A. Corporation Switzerland Lenzerheide of Grisons Switzerland.)

The example illustrated in FIG. 6 can be made to employ container engaging members 28 that are functionally similar to the upstanding container engaging members 21 of the FIG. 1 embodiment. The members 28 project upwardly and are spaced about the base part 14 to define the container receiving socket 16. These members 28 can also be made hollow and upwardly tapered to facilitate stacking. As depicted, the relatively flat base part 14 can function to stabilize containers on support surfaces provide an enlarged well 26 to catch spilled liquids.

Looking now to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the apparatus 10 is shown to be comprised of a formed disk 31, and the container support 15 is exemplified as resilient fingers 32 that can be formed about a substantially central opening that serves as the container receiving socket 16. In this form the disk material can be selected from flexible materials in order to lend flexibility to the fingers 32. Thus formed, the fingers 32 can bend downwardly against a container 11 that has been pushed into the socket 16 from above, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Further, the fingers 32 can bend upwardly against a container 11 when the apparatus 10 is placed over the top of the container 11 and pushed downwardly to the position depicted in FIG. 8.

The disk 31 can be formed of sheet material by conventional techniques to include a circular perimeter 30 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Other perimeter configurations can be used in this embodiment as in others; so another curvilinear, or even polygonal shape can be used with at least a portion of the perimeter edge resting against the support to function as the base part 14. Further, the base part 14 of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 8 can be formed with an upturned peripheral rim (not shown) at the perimeter 30 to form a spill catching well, in an identical or similar manner as the rim 29 depicted in the FIGS. 4 and 5 forms the liquid capturing well 26.

In order to provide ample space for down turned fingers 32 (see FIG. 8), that portion of the disk 31 inside of the perimeter 30 can be formed in a dome, conical, or other convex shape. Thus, when a container is thrust downwardly into the socket 16, the engaged fingers can flex downwardly. As depicted in FIG. 8, the engaged fingers 32 can be of sufficient length to be bent into contact with the support surface 12. The bent fingers 32 can thus provide axial support for the base part 14. The container 11 can also rest against the surface (FIG. 8), along with the bent fingers 32 and the perimeter 30 of the disk 31, to provide the stabilizing function.

The FIGS. 7 and 8 configurations can be used with beverage cans that can have a general height dimension H of approximately 4.5 inches. The long fingers 32 can thus be designed, for example, to contact this form of container along about one inch of the overall axial container height H (FIG. 8), which can be considered to be a minimal axial contact extent. Other versions of the apparatus (as suggested above) can provide for more extended axial container contact.

It can be seen in FIG. 7 that the illustrated resilient fingers 32 can be of different radial lengths. This can be done to accommodate the longer fingers 32 which can be bent downwardly into contact with the support surface 12. The shorter fingers can also be engaged and flex against the container. The fingers can exhibit a bias to return, at least partially, from the down-turned position depicted in FIG. 8 (and, alternately, from an up-turned position, not shown) to the position depicted in FIG. 7. In this way the fingers 32 engage the container 11 so that when the container is lifted upwardly, the apparatus 10 can remain engaged and move along with the container. This can be a useful feature for containers such as paint cans and the like which may be moved from place-to-place during use.

The exemplary embodiment of apparatus 10 depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 is provided initially as a disk 33, formed of a foldable material such as reconstituted paper, plastic or another material that can be die stamped or otherwise shaped into a substantially flat configuration.

The disk 33 can be converted from the flat FIG. 9 configuration to the operative condition shown in FIG. 10 by tabs 34 that can be provided integrally with the disk.

In the flat configuration, forms of the disk 33 can be used as drink coasters. As such, the disks 33 can be placed on a support surface and a container can be placed on the disk much in the same manner as a drink container is placed on a conventional coaster. However, the present disk 33 can also be converted from the flat coaster configuration to the operative configuration shown in FIG. 10.

Tabs 34 can be provided as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 that are foldable upwardly from the flat plane of the disk 33 to operative positions, defining the container support 15 and socket 16. The remaining flat part of the disk 33 thus becomes the base part 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs 34 are generally triangular although it is understood that other shapes can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. As depicted, the generally triangular tabs 34 are similar to one another and are spaced substantially equally about the central axis “X” and into a central disk opening 39 that can be initially spanned by a releasable pop-out core 41. At least 5 tabs 34 can be provided in forms used to stabilize conventional beverage containers, so the spacing between adjacent tabs will be less than the diameter of a container.

The illustrated triangular tabs 34 can each include a hypotenuse 35, a leg edge 36, and a base that is depicted as a fold line 37. The fold lines 37 can be angularly oriented so that the leg edges 36, when folded upwardly, become at least somewhat axially oriented and define the container receiving socket 16.

In the example depicted, the fold lines 37 are not radial, but instead are canted such that the apexes of the triangular shapes lie radially inward of the intersections of the fold lines and leg edges 36. The angular fold lines 37 orient the tabs 34 in such a manner that portions of the tabs 34 adjacent the leg edges 36 extend into the opening 39. Parts of the tabs 34 can thus be positioned for engagement with a container as the disk is pressed axially downward over the container.

If the fold lines 37 were radial, the leg edges 36 would at best be tangential to the container and would not fold in response to the disk being pressed downwardly over the container periphery. Also, if the fold lines were radial, tab corners (at the intersection of the leg edges 36 and fold lines 37) would be the closest points to the axis X and would interfere with a downwardly pressed disk.

The leg edges 36 of the present apparatus can thus be positioned about the opening 39 so as to engage against a container when the disk is pressed axially downward. The depicted fingers can thus be folded upwardly against the container as the disk is forced downwardly.

FIG. 10 depicts the leg edges 36 as being substantially parallel to the axis X, and spaced radially from the axis X a distance similar to the width of a container to be received. Thus the leg edges 36 will extend axially along the outer surface of a received container, to brace the container against tipping. The remainder of the tabs between the leg edges 36 and hypotenuses 35 function as gussets or buttresses, bracing the tabs against the base part 14.

The fold lines 37 can be defined by scribed, perforated or indented lines that can be disposed angularly about the axis to locate the legs 36 in desired positions when folded. The fold lines 37 can be formed during stamping, die cutting or whatever forming technique is used to produce the apparatus 10. Such forming can be accomplished during forming of the remaining parts of the apparatus 10.

The radial spacing of the tabs 34 from the center axis can be pre selected during manufacture to fit a prescribed container size, so that the tabs 34 will be engaged by the container and be folded upwardly responsive to downward movement of the apparatus over the container.

Alternatively, the tabs can be manually folded before a container is inserted. This can be done simply by manually lifting the tabs in succession to the positions depicted in FIG. 1.

It is noted that upon folding the tabs 34, a central substantially star-shaped opening 38 is formed. The star shape adds a whimsical aesthetic appearance that progressively appears as the tabs 34 are folded upwardly, that is not easily visualized when the tabs are in the flat inoperative positions.

It is also noted that the apparatus 10 in the FIGS. 9 and 10 configuration, can be provided with a pre-formed opening 39 (without a pop-out core 41), or with a shaped pop-out core 41 that can optionally be removed to expose the opening. In the latter configuration, the pop-out core 41 can be connected to the tabs 34 by small integral tags 42. The tags 42 can be broken in order to separate the pop-out core 41 from the remainder of the body, for use as a game piece, promotional item, puzzle piece, or for other purposes.

A hexagonal pop-out core is illustrated in the drawings, but it should be understood that other shapes can be provided including other rectilinear or curvilinear forms. Further, the tags 42 are shown to connect adjacent sides of the depicted hexagonal form, to the tabs 34. The tags 42 can also be located in other locations (not shown), in order to join the pop-out core 41 to the body in such a manner that folding of the tabs 34 would not necessarily result in separating the pop-out core 41 from the remainder of the apparatus.

Operation of the present apparatus is similar for many of the various embodiments. With respect to the exemplary apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-8, the user can simply place the apparatus 10 on a support surface 12 and insert a selected container axially downward into the socket. The container will slide into the socket 16 into close or touching engagement with the container support 15 in whatever apparatus form is used. In embodiments where the container support 15 is provided with a gripping surface 23, such as the depicted dimples 23a, the user can simply press the container downwardly until the bottom rim R snaps over the dimples 23a. The container 11 is now axially captured so if lifted, the apparatus 10 will be lifted along with the container 11.

The above step can be preceded with the FIG. 9-10 embodiment by initially folding the tabs 34 upwardly; either by pressing the disk downwardly over the container, or by manually folding the tabs 34 upwardly, removing the pop-out core (if provided), and then axially inserting the container into the formed socket. Further, the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 can be used with the container freely removable from the apparatus, or wherein the tabs 34 grip the container, depending on the material selected for constructing the apparatus and the geometry of the tabs 34.

When the container is fully placed within the socket 16, the apparatus 10 effectively increases the container footprint, holds the container secure, and reduces the chance that the container can be tipped over when engaged accidentally.

In versions where it is desired that the apparatus 10 remain in engagement with the container 11 even if the container is lifted (which can be advantageous for large paint cans and the like), the apparatus can be constructed with a socket size that will allow a friction fit with a particular standard sized container (e.g., a one gallon paint can or a twelve ounce drink can). Alternatively, the gripping surfaces 23 can be used to secure the apparatus 10 to the container 11. In either instance, the container can be mounted simply by pressing it downwardly into the socket 16, or by pressing the apparatus 10 downwardly over the container. Removal can be accomplished by holding the apparatus 10 and lifting the container 11 axially upward.

Drink containers generally do not require that the apparatus 10 tag along when the drink container is lifted. Thus, the support dimensions can be made to allow for a slide fit that will result in the apparatus remaining on the support surface when the container is lifted.

While the above invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features, it is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus to hold a liquid container on a horizontal support surface to reduce the risk of the container being knocked over, comprising:

a container support defining a container receiving socket configured to slidably and releasably receive a liquid container in an upright orientation with respect to the support surface;

a support surface engaging base part connected to and spaced outwardly of the container receiving socket and at least partially circumscribing the container support.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container support and support surface engaging base part are integral.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container support extends upwardly from the support engaging base part with respect to the support surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a container gripping surface on the container support.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a container receiving socket gripping surface comprised of dimples formed in the container support for releasably snapping over and axially capturing a container within the container receiving socket, wherein the support surface engaging base part is continuous and at least substantially circular.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, and wherein the support engaging base part defines a liquid receiving well between the container support and the support engaging base part.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support engaging base part is circular and the container support is substantially coaxial with the support engaging base part.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support surface defines a container support flange at least partially spanning the container receiving socket and further comprising container gripping dimples formed in the support surface axially spaced from the container support flange.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container support is comprised of a plurality of container engaging members spaced about an axis to define the container receiving socket and wherein the container engaging members are defined by an axial extent of one inch or more.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container support is comprised of a plurality of container engaging members spaced about an axis; and

wherein the container engaging members are axially hollow and tapered to permit a plurality of the apparatus to be axially stacked.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container support is spaced elevationally above the support engaging base part, and is comprised of a plurality of resilient fingers formed about and extending into the container receiving socket, the resilient fingers being bendable against a container forced into the container receiving socket to grip the container.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container support is comprised of a plurality of resilient fingers formed about and extending into the container receiving socket, the resilient fingers being of varied length dimension, and bendable against a container forced into the container receiving socket to grip the container.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container support is convex, rising upwardly from the support engaging base part with respect to the horizontal support surface, and is comprised of a plurality of resilient fingers formed about and extending substantially radially toward one another with respect to a central axis, and bendable against a container forced into the horizontal support socket to grip the container.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container support is convex, rising upwardly from the support engaging base part with respect to the horizontal support surface, and is comprised of a plurality of elongated resilient fingers formed about and extending into the container receiving socket, the resilient fingers being bendable against a container forced into the horizontal support socket to grip the container and sufficiently long to bend downwardly into contact with the support surface.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support engaging base part is formed as a flat disk from which the container support projects.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support engaging base part is formed as a disk, and wherein the container support is integral with the disk and formed of tabs disposed about the disk and a central axis, the tabs being configured to be folded angularly about non radial fold lines to form the container receiving socket.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support engaging base part is formed as a disk, and wherein the container support is integral with the disk and formed of tabs disposed about the disk and a central axis, the tabs being configured to be folded angularly about non radial fold lines to form the container receiving socket; and further comprising a pop out core piece releasably joined to the disk and disposed axially inward of the tabs.

18. An apparatus to hold a liquid container on a horizontal support surface to reduce the risk of the container being knocked over, comprising:

a container support defining a container receiving socket that is configured to slidably receive a liquid container in an upright orientation with respect to the support surface;

a disk, defining a support surface engaging base part; and

wherein the container support joins with and is substantially centered on the disk with the support engaging base part extending outward of and at least partially about the support surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the disk is flat and wherein the container support is comprised of tabs that are folded upwardly from the disk and angularly spaced about a central upright axis to define the container receiving socket.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the disk is flat and defines a stacking opening of complimentary shape to the container support.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the container support is comprised of a plurality of upstanding container engaging members spaced angularly about a central axis.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the container support is comprised of a plurality of upstanding container engaging members spaced angularly about a central axis and wherein the disk includes stacking openings of complimentary shape to the container engaging members.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the disk is flat and wherein the container support is integral with the disk and comprised of upstanding container engaging members spaced angularly about a central axis, and further wherein the disk includes stacking openings of complimentary shape to the container engaging members.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a container gripping surface on the container support.

25. An apparatus to hold an upright liquid container on a horizontal support surface to reduce the risk of the container being knocked over, comprising:

a flat disk formed of a flexible material and defining a perimeter;

wherein the disk defines a central container receiving opening disposed radially inward of the perimeter and formed about a central axis;

a plurality of angularly disposed tabs spaced about the container receiving opening;

wherein the tabs are foldable about non radial fold lines with respect to the axis from positions substantially coplanar with the flat disk, to substantially upright axial positions;

wherein the tabs include leg edges that in the upright positions, face inwardly and define a container receiving socket opening,

26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a pop out core piece releasably joined to the disk and spanning the central container receiving opening.