SQUEEZABLE HOLDER FOR A CONTAINER

Abstract

A holder for a container comprised of a perimeter, said perimeter capable of being separated into two parts, said two parts defining an interior space capable of receiving a portion of a container, wherein one of the two parts receives a product containing portion of the container and the other of the two parts receives the cover for the product containing portion, and wherein the two parts are formed in a shape to conform to the shape of the container, said holder being comprised of a material capable of being molded to snugly encompass the container, and wherein the holder is comprised of a squeezable material

Claims

1. A holder for a container comprised of a perimeter, said perimeter capable of being separated into two parts, said two parts defining an interior space capable of receiving a portion of a container, wherein one of the two parts receives a product containing portion of the container and the other of the two parts receives the cover for the product containing portion, and wherein the two parts are formed in a shape to conform to the shape of the container, said holder being comprised of a material capable of being molded to snugly encompass the container, and wherein the holder is comprised of a squeezable material

2. The holder for a container of claim 1, said container being comprised of a sphere.

3. The holder for a container of claim 1, said container being comprised of an ovoid.

4. The holder for a container of claim 1, said holder being comprised of a fit around the container wherein said container does not fall out of the holder.

5. The holder for a container of claim 1, said holder being comprised of a fit around the container wherein said container is able to be removed from said holder.

6. The holder for a container of claim 1, said holder being comprised of a fit around the container wherein said container is not able to be removed from said holder.

7. A holder for a container comprised of an interior space and an exterior, said container being capable of being separated into two parts, said two parts being capable of being coupled and uncoupled, said two parts defining the interior space, said interior space capable of receiving a portion of a container, wherein one of the two parts receives a product containing portion of the container and the other of the two parts receives the cover for the product containing portion, and wherein the two parts are formed in a shape to conform to the shape of the container, said holder being comprised of a material capable of being molded to snugly encompass the container, wherein the holder is comprised of a squeezable material, and wherein the exterior of the holder is of a predetermined shape.

8. The holder for a container of claim 7, said container being comprised of a sphere.

9. The holder for a container of claim 7, said container being comprised of an ovoid.

10. The holder for a container of claim 7, said interior of said holder being comprised of a fit around the container wherein said container does not fall out of the holder.

11. The holder for a container of claim 1, said interior of said holder being comprised of a fit around the container wherein said container is able to be removed from said holder.

12. The holder for a container of claim 1, said interior of said holder being comprised of a fit around the container wherein said container is not able to be removed from said holder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention will be better understood and objects of the invention will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the holder of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a first embodiment of the holder of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the holder of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the holder of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross section of a portion of an alternate preferred embodiment of the holder of the present invention; and

[0022] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of a second alternate preferred embodiment of the holder of the present invention;

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] With reference now to FIGS. 1-2, a first preferred embodiment for a new holder for a container embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0024] 1. Preferred Embodiment

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the stress ball holder 10 for a container 12 is fabricated from a material that is capable of being squeezed by a user and subsequently returning to its original shape without a user's effort. Furthermore, the material used should preferably be strong and durable to ensure that the exterior of the holder 10 will not break with the repeated squeezing and stretching that comes with normal usage. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the holder 10 has a perimeter 14 that may be separated into two parts to reveal an interior space 16 that receives the container 12. These two parts define an interior space 16. One portion of the interior space encompasses the product containing portion 18 of the holder 10 and the other portion of the interior space 16 encompasses the cover 20 to the product containing portion 18.

[0026] The two portions of the holder 10 are formed in a shape to conform to the shape of the container 12. The container 12 of the preferred embodiment is a sphere. One hemisphere of the sphere is utilized as the product containing portion 18 and the other hemisphere of the sphere is utilized as the cover 20 for the product containing portion 18. The cover 20 is removably coupled to the product containing portion 18 of the holder. The product containing portion 18 is retained in the holder 10 in such a fashion that the cover engaging means 22 is not covered by the holder 10, thereby allowing a user to remove or replace the cover 20 on the product containing portion 18 without having to manipulate or remove the container 12 from the holder 10.

[0027] The holder 10 is constructed of a suitable material that is capable of being molded to snugly and/or non-removably hold the container 12 so that the container 12 does not fall out of the holder 10. A removable holder 10 fits snugly enough around the container 12 to ensure that the container does not fall out of the holder 10.

[0028] 2. Alternate Preferred Embodiment.

[0029] The holder 10 of the present invention may be formed in any predetermined shape, as shown in an alternate preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a holder 40 in the shape of an ice cream cone. The holder 40 of the alternate preferred embodiment, is comprised of three portions, a container holding portion 42 and a cover holding portion 44 and an attachment housing portion 46. The container holding portion 42 has a perimeter 48 that includes a cavity 50 that conforms to the shape of the base of the container 52 it is to encompass. The cavity 50 receives the base of the container 52 in a non-removable manner. Further, the cavity does not encompass the portion of the container base that is to engage the cover holding portion 54. The container cover holding portion 42 and the attachment housing portion 46 share a wall 56, one side of which forms the base of the attachment housing portion 58 and the other side of which forms the anterior of the cover housing portion 60. The cover holding portion 44 includes a cavity 62 that is formed in a shape to conform to the shape of the cover 64 it is to hold. The cover 64 is able to be removably coupled to the container base via the portion of the container base that is not within the cavity 50.

[0030] The attachment housing portion 46 of the holder 40 is used to accommodate a retractable reel assembly 66. The attachment housing portion 46 is defined by the perimeter 68 and the interior housing wall 58. The reel assembly 66 of the holder 40 of the present invention includes a retractor cord 70 coupled to the reel assembly 66. The reel assembly 66 permits selective movement of the holder 40 when one pulls on the retractor cord 70. The retractor cord 70, when released after being pulled, retracts back into the reel assembly 66. The perimeter 68 of the attachment housing portion 46 includes an aperture 72 which allows the retractor cord 70 to extend within the housing portion 46 and be connected to the reel assembly 66. In this embodiment, the reel assembly 66 is substantially cylinder shaped, although other shapes may also be employed. A removable holder fits snugly enough around the container to ensure that the container does not fall out of the holder.

[0031] 3. Second Alternate Preferred Embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a second alternate preferred embodiment of the holder 1 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the attachment housing portion 46 of the holder 40 is used to accommodate an anchor 66 for a carabiner or other similar attachment. The attachment housing portion 46 includes an aperture 72 which allows a portion of the anchor 66, referred to as the securing ring 74, to extend outside the housing portion 46 and be connected to a strap or a carabiner or a reel or any other device. Ideal materials to be utilized in manufacturing the holder of the present invention should be those that are moldable and/or flexible and/or squeezable. A removable holder fits snugly enough around the container to ensure that the container does not fall out of the holder.

[0033] Materials which are soft and/or flexible and/or pliable and/or moldable and/or pleasurable to the feel and encourage a user to engage their hands to alleviate nervousness, anxiety, increase motor function and/or for pleasure are ideal for constructing the holder of the present invention. The material for constructing the holder of the present invention should be capable of maintaining its shape while being handled extensively, be able to be dyed to any desired color or shade and generally be receptive to molding processes.

[0034] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0035] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.