US2394323A - Container holder - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 5, 1946. E. MENKE 2,394,323

CONTAINER HOLDER Filed July 11, 1944 EDWHRD MEN-(E4 INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 5, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE CONTAINER HOLDER Edward M'enke, Cincinnati, Ohio 7 Application July 11, 1944, Serial No. 544,409

3 Claims. (01. 81-332) My invention relates to container holders and particularly to a novel container holder adapted to receive and hold containers of different diameters.

It is an object of my invention to provide a container holder which will be readily adjustable to receive jars or cans of difierent sizes and which will be provided with means by which the containers may be securely held during such operations as require the container to be held securely while a screw top lid is applied or removed. In connection with "cans, the holder may be used for holding the can during the use of a can opener to remove the can top.

It is an object of my invention to provide a device for assistance to women during vegetable and fruit canning operations. Such operations ordinarily require the jar with the screw top lid loosely applied thereon to be inserted in boiling water. When the jar is removed from the boiling water, it is necessary to tighten down securely the screw top lid to prevent the introduction of air during the time when the contents of the jar cool. A towel may readily be used for tightening the lid, but it is extremely difficult to hold the jar body during the time the lid is being tightened. Such jars are of different shapes, some being square and some round, and their size is such that the hand cannot readily grasp them and hold them immovable while the lid is being tightened.

It is broadly my idea to provide a device which can be readily operated to hold any size jar or can in fixed immovable position without the necessity of the housewife holding the jar by means of a cloth or towel. The above objects and other objects to which reference will be made in the ensuing description, I accomplish by that certain construction of which I have illustrated a preferred embodiment.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a top plan view of the container holder.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a side elevation with portions broken away to show a preferred ratchet type lock used during adjustment of the length of the holding band or belt.

Referring to the drawing, I have indicated at l in Figure 1 a supporting base which may be, as shown, a flat, rectangular shaped piece of wood.

Firmly secured to the base, there is an upright wall 2, which may also be formed from a it an abutment 3 extending up in substantially vertical position. I V

I have shown at 4 a container, the particular container illustrated being a two-quart jarhaving a screw top lid 5.

It will be observed that in holding the container, it is positioned on the supporting base with one side contacting the abutment member 3. The upper wall of the abutment member is; ordinarily contoured as indicated at 5 in Figure 1. Whether the container is round or square in horizontal section, an'arcuate shaped abutment, as indicated at 5, willhold the container in position.

Extending through slots 6 in the member 2,

there is illustrated the flexible band or belt 1. The belt extends out over the supporting base in position to form an enclosure for the container.

In order to provide an adjustment by which the length of the belt may be predetermined, one end of the belt 8 is secured to a reel 9 mounted on a vertical pivot l0 secured in the base.

The reel has ratchet teeth H arranged in a circular formation at its top and these teeth are engaged by a pawl 12. The pawl I2 is mounted on an arm l3 pivoted at M.

It will be obvious that the length of the belt may be adjusted by turning the reel by means of a knurled hand wheel [5. Figure 1 suggests a range of different dimensions for the flexible band to accommodate containers of difierent sizes.

In order to adjust the length of the band from a smaller to a larger enclosure area, I have pro- 0 dle I! mounted on a vertical pivot I8 and a handle [9, which may readily be grasped by one hand, is secured to the spindle l7, so that when a container is in position on the base, by pulling the handle l9 toward the fixed arm 20, enough take-up will occur in the belt to hold the container in firm, rigid position.

A spring 2| may be provided so as always to return the manually adjustable handle iii to inoperative position. i

The operation of the device is exceedingly simple. First, the length of thebelt extending out over the base is adjusted by means of turning the hand wheel IS. The belt is adjusted to such a size as will receive loosely the container, and

rectangular piece of wood, and this wall has on after the container is in position, the belt is tightened by means of the handle 19. This can readily be done with the left hand, which leaves the right hand free to tighten or release the lid of the container.

In connection with cans to be opened, the same;;operation takes place. The left hand holdsfgthe container in position, andthe right handjcan be used for operating the can opener. It the person using the holder is left-handed, the handle l9 can be held with the righthand, and the lid tightened. oi the can opener used with the left hand.

I have shown a construction made from wood which is the simplest form of construction avail able; but it should :be understood that an eduiva lent combination of devices may be made from metal, plastic, or combinations ofothei materials. Also, the size and shape of the? various parts may be modified to suit the particular requirements of the particular types of containers for which the device is adapted.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent: is:

1. In combination with abase, an upright support having a substantially, vertical. abutment portion,- aflexible band extending out from said abutment lportion andenelosing an area above said base, a reel to which one end of said flexible handis' secured, means for rotating said, reel to adjust the length of the band extending out from said abutment portion, means for lockingthe reel: in predetermined positions, and manual mote from the reel to retain firmly a container placed on said base in non-rotative position.

2. In combination with a base, an upright support having a substantially vertical abutment portion, a flexible band extending out from said abutment portion and enclosing an area above said base, a reel to which one end of said flexible band is secured, means for rotating said reel to adjust the length of the band extending out from said abutment portion, means for locking the reel infpredeterinined positions, manual means adjacent the other end of said band for taking up sumciently on the end of the band remote from the reel to retain firmly a container :placed on said base in non-rotative position, and a guide for preventing buckling of said band during ad- Jiistiiient thereof.

3; In combination with a base, an upright supmeans adjacent the other end of said band for taking, up sumciently on the endof the band report having a substantially vertical abutment portion, a flexible band extending out from said abutment portion and enclosing an area above said base, a. reel to which one end of said flexible band isseeured, means for rotating said reel to adjust the length of the band extending out from said abutment portion, means for locking the reel in predetermined positions, and manual means adjacent the other end of said band for taking up sumciently on the end of the band remote from the reel to retain firmly a container placed on. said base in non-rotative position, said manual means comprising a member adapted to :be grasped with one hand,v and spring means for maintaining said manual means in inoperative position when not in use. v, p

EDWARD MENKE.

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