Spreadable material container holding device

Abstract

A device for improving the holding of a spreadable material container such as a paint can is disclosed. A device comprises an elongated strip of sheet material having a U shaped portion shaped to cradle a user's thumb and an opposite hook shaped end portion bent back on itself so as to hook on to one of a wire bail or a rim of a spreadable material container, wherein the container may be easily held by a user's one hand gripping a bottom of the container with fingers and the user's thumb cradled in the U shaped portion.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device for holding a spreadable material container comprising:
 an elongated strip of sheet material having a U shaped portion shaped to cradle a user's thumb and an opposite hook shaped end portion bent back on itself so as to hook on to one of a wire bail or a rim of a spreadable material container, whereby the container may be easily held by a user's one hand gripping a bottom of the container with fingers and the user's thumb cradled in the U shaped portion.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material may be selected from one of a metal, a polymer, or a plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a coating of vinyl, plastic or rubber on at least the U shaped portion of the device that provides comfort to the user's thumb and friction between the device and the container, rim or bail of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a soft material on the U shaped portion to provide additional comfort to the user's thumb, wherein the soft material may comprise leather or rubber or silicone. 
     
     
         5 . A device for holding a spreadable material container comprising:
 an elongated strip of sheet material having a U shaped portion shaped to cradle a user's thumb and an extended arm portion connecting the U shaped portion to a hooked clamp region for engaging a rim of a spreadable material container, whereby the container may be easily held by a user's one hand gripping a bottom of the container with fingers and the user's thumb cradled in the U shaped portion.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the sheet material may be selected from one of a metal, a polymer, or a plastic. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a coating of vinyl, plastic or rubber on at least the U shaped portion of the device that provides comfort to the user's thumb and friction between the device and the container or rim of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a soft material on the U shaped portion to provide additional comfort to the user's thumb, wherein the soft material may comprise leather or rubber or silicone.