CAN HANGER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to storing cans. More specifically, the present invention relates to a clip for hanging cans.

Many products that are essential to our culture are contained within metal roll-top rim type cans. Roll-top rim type cans are formed by rolling two metals together. Examples include the rim of a coffee can or a can of black olives. We use goods supplied in roll-top rim type cans in all aspects of our life. Such products include shaving creams, deodorants, coffee and other foods, paints, lubricants, air fresheners, and cleaners. Every home and office is replete with metal roll-top rim type cans.

Finding ways to store these cans has become a problem. Typically, cans may be stored on a shelf. This method has several disadvantages that have caused it to fall out of favor. One disadvantage is that such method only displays the cans at the very front of the shelf. If a user or consumer wishes to find a can that is not at the front of the shelf, he or she must lift each can to read the label until the desired can is located. This trial and error method can be both time consuming and frustrating if a large number of cans are stored on the shelf. Further, if one knocks over a can while searching, this may result is several cans falling in a domino-like effect. In order to maintain a neat shelf and make efficient use of the shelf space, the searcher must now return the cans to their upright position.

Single row shelves may solve the problem of displaying all of the cans; however, the shelf

components may be cumbersome to install, use space themselves, and the single row shelf does not prevent the domino-like effect if one can were to fall.

Installing shelves and storing cans on the shelves may not necessarily provide means of simple access to the cans. Often times, circumstances require that a can be nearby its user or the workspace of the user. For this, storing cans on a remote shelf may not provide the most efficient means to access the can. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an inexpensive device to efficiently store, display, and provide access to metal roll-top type cans that can be inexpensively mass produced so its benefits can be enjoyed by all. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a can hanger that satisfies the need for an inexpensive device to efficiently store metal roll-top rim cans. A can hanger having the features of the present invention comprises a base, a clip, and a means to attach the can hanger to an object so as to hang the can from the object. The clip secures the roll-top rim of the can. The can hanger may be constructed from a single piece of material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device embodying features of the present invention along with a roll-top rim type can to demonstrate the use of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a layout of the device of FIG. 1 prior to formation.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the device of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the device of FIG.

1.

FIG. 5 shows a can mounted according to the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates removal of the can from the hanger shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical can hanger constructed in accordance with the present invention, generally referred to by reference numeral 10. The can hanger 10 is attached to an object 11 (typically a vertical wall or panel) , and the can hanger 10 is suitable for hanging a roll-top rim type can 12 from the object 11. The can hanger 10 is attached to the can 12 by securing the roll-top rim 13 within a clip 15. The can hanger 10 has a general shape of a planar base 20 attached to clip 15 which includes a cylindrical curved lip 25 and lip overhang 30, and a planar first fin 35 and a planar second fin 40 positioned on opposite sides of, and perpendicular to, the base 20. The first fin 35 is parallel to the second fin

40. The first fin 35 has a first concave edge, or side 45, and the second fin 40 has a second concave edge or side 50. The first fin 35 is preferably a mirror image of the second fin 40, and the fins 35, 40 are adjacent to the curved lip 25 and lip overhang 30. The base 20 has a hole 55 suitable to accept a fastener such as a screw 56, so as to attach the can hanger 10 to the object 11. In operation, can 12 with roll-top rim 13 is inserted into the clip 15, which is comprised of the

curved lip 25, lip overhang 30, and the concave sides 45, 50. The clip 15 holds in place the roll-top rim 13, and fins 35, 40 support the weight of the can 12.

As seen in FIG. 2, the can hanger 10 may be constructed from a single piece of material 41. The can hanger 10 preferably begins as a planar material that is stamped or otherwise formed into the hanger 10. The material must be durable and able to support the weight of the can 12. The preferred material is 0.040 series stainless steel. Alternatives may include galvanized steel or tin. The material is separated into four regions, as shown in FIG. 2 by dotted lines: a first fin region 60, a second fin region 65, a curved lip and lip overhang region 70, and a base region 75. The base region 75 is preferably rectangular, with a first edge 80, a second edge 85, a third edge 90, and a fourth edge 95. Attached to the base region 75 at the edges are the other three regions. The curved lip and lip overhang region 70 is preferably trapezoidal, with a long parallel side 96 and a short parallel side 97. The long parallel side 96 is attached to the base region 75 at the first edge 80.

The fin regions 60 and 65 are preferably rectangular with long fin sides 100a, 100b, 100c, lOOd, short fin sides 105a, 105b, and concave sides 45, 50. The concave sides 45, 50 preferably form an arc of a circle having a radius of approximately 1.8 millimeters. The first long fin side 100a is attached to the base region 75 at the second edge 85. The first concave side 45 is proximate to the curved lip and lip overhang region 70. The second long fin side 100c is attached to the base region 75 at third edge 90. The second concave side 50 is also proximate the curved lip and lip overhang region 70.

Alternatively, the regions may be manufactured separately and attached to one another by a weld, adhesive, or other suitable fastener.

The size and shape of the regions define the function of the can hanger 10. The first edge 80 and fourth edge 95 of the base region 75 preferably have a length of 18.0 millimeters. The second edge 85 and third edge 90 of the base region 75, and the long fin sides 100a, 100b, 100c, lOOd preferably have a length of 22.1 millimeters. The short fin sides 105a, 105b preferably have a length of 5.1 millimeters. The short parallel side 97 of the curved lip and lip overhang region 70 preferably is 10.7 millimeters.

The fin regions 60, 65 (as shown in FIG. 2) are preferably folded so as to be perpendicular to the base 20 and parallel to each other so as to become the fins 35, 40 as seen in FIG. 3. The curved lip and lip overhang region 70 (as shown in FIG. 2) is formed into a generally cylindrical shape to become the curved lip 25 and lip overhang 30. For a standard can 12, the total height of the device 10 as measured from the fourth edge 95 to the top of the cylinder is preferably 27.2 millimeters. The total width of the device 10 as measured from the first fin 35 to the second fin 40 is preferably 18.0 millimeters. The base 20 in base region 75 preferably contains at least one aperture or hole 55 suitable for accepting a fastener such as a screw 56. The diameter of the hole is preferably 3.6 millimeters. Alternatively, the base 20 may be secured to the object 11 by an adhesive or other suitable connector.

FIG. 4 shows in detail the curved lip and lip overhang region 70 (from FIG. 2) after it is formed into clip 15 and includes the curved lip 25 and lip overhang 30. The curved lip 25 is constructed having a central

cross-sectional portion forming an arc of a partial cylinder (represented by dashed line 110) which has a radius, a first end 115, and a second end 120. The radius of the cylinder is typically the same radius as the concave sides of fins 45 and 50, or 1.8 millimeters. The first end 115 is attached to the base 20, and the second end 120 is attached to the lip overhang 30. As shown in this embodiment, the lip overhang 30 is a straight region, not formed into the partial cylinder 110. In construction of the hanger 10, the lip overhang 30 may either be formed into the straight portion after formation of the cylindrical curved lip 25, or attached to the device after the curved lip 25 is formed. By also considering the concave sides 45, 50, the partial cylinder 110 appears to have an arc that includes the concave sides 45, 50 and the curved lip 25. An opening 125 exists between the concave sides 45, 50 and the lip overhang 30. Opening 125 is just large enough to receive rim 13 from can 12 when can 12 is maneuvered for insertion of rim 13. For the can hanger 10 configured to accept a typical can 12, the distance of the opening 125, as measured between the lip overhang and a tip portion 126 of the concave sides 45 and 50, is 1.5 millimeters. FIG. 5 shows can 12 hung by hanger 10 with a portion of rim 13 shown in cross-section for clarity. In order to hang a roll-top type rim can 12 from the can hanger 10, the roll-top rim 13 must be secured within the partial cylinder 110. A user inserts the can 10, or specifically the roll-top rim 13, into the partial cylinder 110 of the clip 15. The lip overhang 30 functions to guide the roll-top rim 13 into the partial cylinder 110. The clip 15 functions to secure the roll- top rim 13. The weight of the can 12 is supported by

the ends 45 and 50 of fins 35 and 40. As mentioned, the fins 35 and 40 are constructed from a material that is strong enough to support the weight of the can 12. The curved lip 25 and lip overhang 30 prevent the can 12 from falling out of clip 15. Once the roll-top rim 13 is placed within the clip 15, gravity acts on the can 12 and, depending on the size of rim 13, an outward force may be applied by rim 15 against the curved lip 25 and lip overhang 30. Therefore, the curved lip 25 and lip overhang 30 are preferably constructed from a material that will withstand the force. Finally, the base is fastened to the object 11 in such manner as to withstand the weight of the can 12 and can hanger 10. FIG. 5 shows screw 56 in phantom. FIG. 5A shows removal of can 12 from hanger

10. To remove the can 12 from the can hanger 10, the user simply reverses the process used to hang can 12. The user lifts the bottom of the can 12 up and away from the can hanger 10 (in the direction indicated by arrow 150) . This maneuvers, rim 13 so that its thinnest dimension is positioned to pass through opening 125 as shown in FIG. 5A. The user then pulls the roll-top rim 13 down and out of the clip 15 in the direction indicated by arrow 155 through the opening 125. The dimensions of the can hanger 10 may be specific to a can with a given size and weight. Thus, the dimensions of a can hanger 10 to support a very large can may differ from those dimensions given above. Nevertheless, the function of the elements and parts remains the same as described.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes

may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.