Container lifter

A method of lifting a container of a type having a neck with a first lateral dimension, the neck having an enlarged region with a second lateral dimension, said second lateral dimension being longer than the first lateral dimension, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a container lifter comprising a collar including a proximal portion and a distal portion defining a neck receiving space therebetween in which space the neck of the container is snugly receivable and a mouth directed laterally relative to the neck receiving space and through which the neck can be passed into the neck receiving space, the proximal and distal portions having proximal and distal surfaces spaced apart by a distance, the distance being shorter than the second lateral dimension and greater than the first lateral dimension, a side brace extending from the distal portion, the side brace having a bracing surface operatively below the distal surface, and a handle extending from the proximal portion of the collar;
• positioning the bracing and distal surfaces on one side of the neck and the proximal surface on an opposite side of the neck by passing the mouth of the container lifter laterally over the neck of the container;
• and
• raising the handle of the container lifter thereby causing the neck to be engaged by and laterally between the proximal surface and the bracing surface, thereby causing the container to be lifted in sympathy with raising the handle.

A method for moving a generally horizontally oriented container from a support structure to an upright, generally vertical orientation, the container being of a type having a neck with a lateral dimension, the neck having an enlarged portion with a second lateral dimension, said second lateral dimension being longer than the first lateral dimension, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a container lifter comprising a collar including a proximal portion and a distal portion defining a neck receiving space therebetween in which space the neck of the container is snugly receivable and a mouth directed laterally relative to the neck receiving space and through which the neck can be passed into the neck receiving space, the proximal and distal portions having proximal and distal surfaces spaced apart by a distance, the distance being shorter than the second lateral dimension and greater than the first lateral dimension, a side brace extending from the distal portion, the side brace having a bracing surface operatively below the distal surface, and a handle extending from the proximal portion of the collar;
• positioning the proximal and distal surfaces on opposite sides of the neck by passing the mouth of the container lifter laterally over the neck of the container;
• pulling the handle generally horizontally thereby to cause the proximal and distal surfaces to engage the enlarged portion so as to pull the container generally horizontally from the support structure to a position clear of the support structure;
• and
• permitting the container to drop from its generally horizontal orientation to the generally vertical orientation while opposite sides of the neck are engaged laterally between the proximal surface and the bracing surface.