Abstract:
A marker identifies a cup from a group of otherwise identify cups. The marker encircles and completes the shape of the cup, particularly the base. Frustoconical-shaped markers are particularly useful for identifying frustoconical shaped cups (i.e. pint glasses). Advertising and other indicia can be added to the marker.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application No. 10/085,921, filed on Feb. 28, 2002. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention further relates to markers for temporarily marking, identifying, and distinguishing cups, in particular, frustoconical-shaped pint-sized glasses.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Mugs, cups, and glasses are typically made of glass because glass is easy to clean, does not carry any unpleasant odors, and is inexpensive to produce. However, glass is not the only material that can be used for mug production. Porcelain, ceramics, and plastic may also be used in the manufacture of mugs, cups, or glasses.  
         [0006]     The conventional mugs that are presently available today are produced without any distinguishing markings and are clear in color. They are typically round or paneled and are provided with a curved handle. However, some mugs do not have handles.  
         [0007]     Likewise, cups or drinking glasses that are used in pubs are typically sized to hold a pint of a liquid (i.e. beer). These pint-sized glasses have a frustoconical shape.  FIG. 1  shows a cup or drinking glass  110  according to the prior art. The cup  110  has a frustoconical shaped wall  112  with a narrower end at the closed bottom  114 . Typically, the glass  110  has a solid bottom  116 . The bottom  114  has a bottom width  117 . The top  119  has a top width  118 . Traditionally, the cup  110  is sized to hold a pint of a beverage.  
         [0008]     An individual mug, cup, or drinking glass belonging to a one drinker cannot be distinguished from another mug, cup, or drinking glass belonging to another drinker. Because bars and other businesses use identically shaped mugs, the drinker (i.e., the person drinking from the mug) cannot identify their mug, cup, or drinking glass when it is placed near other identical mugs, cups, or drinking glasses. As a result, when a plurality of glasses are left side by side, subsequently the drinker will not be able to identify their mug so they must either decide to get a new mug or risk sharing a mug.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a marker for cups, a system for distinguishing identical cups, and a method for identifying a cup with a marker that overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type.  
         [0010]     With the objects of the invention in view, there is provided a marker for identifying a cup having a cup wall. The marker includes a wall complementing the cup wall and configured to abut and encircle the cup wall. Unique indicia are disposed on said for distinguishing the mark from other markers.  
         [0011]     For frustoconical shaped cups (i.e. pint glasses), the wall of the marker is frustoconical shaped to complements the cup wall. To provide the best fit between the marker and the cup, the slope (judged from vertical when the cup is resting on its bottom) of the marker wall equals the slope of the cup wall. To guarantee that the marker does not extend above the top or bottom edge of the cup, the diameter of the bottom edge is at least as large as the width of the bottom of the cup and the diameter of the top edge is at most as large as the width of the top of the cup.  
         [0012]     In accordance with a further object of the invention, a placard can be connected to the wall of the marker. A label can then be placed on the placard.  
         [0013]     In accordance with a further object of the invention, the indicia can be a color. The indicia can be molded in the wall or etched in the surface.  
         [0014]     In accordance with a further object of the invention, the label can include adhesive for attaching the label to said placard. Alternatively, the label can be thermally bonded to the placard. The placard can have a groove formed therein and the label would be attached to the placard in the groove. The indicia or the label can be an advertisement, for example, for the seller or beverage manufacturer.  
         [0015]     In accordance with a further object of the invention, the wall is a resilient plastic resin. By being a resilient plastic resin, in particular one of those listed above, the marker will have enough flexibility and strength to be shoved onto a cup and hold on the cup. In particular, the marker can be constructed from a thermoplastic. The thermoplastic can be formed according to any of the following methods: extrusion, thermoforming, vacuum forming, rotating molding, rotary molding, resin transfer molding, sandwich molding, injection stamping, blow molding-injection, blow molding-extrusion, injection molding, and reaction injection molding. The thermoplastic can be selected from the following: acetals, acrylics, actylonitrile-butadine-styrene, actylonitrile-butadine-styrene polycarbonate alloy, actylonitrile-chlorinated pe-styrene, actylonitrile-styrene-acrylic, actylonitrile-styrene-acrylic polycarbonate alloy, alkyd, allyis, ASA polycarbonate alloy, bismaleimide, cellulosics, cyanatester, epoxy resins, ethylene-acid copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate, ethylene-methyl acrylate, ethylene-vinyl acutate, ethylene-vinyl alcohol, ethylene-vinyl silane copolymer, fluoropolymers, foam rubber, ionomer, ketone-based polymer, liquid-crystal polymers, melamine, urea, neoprene, phenolic, polyamide, polyamide-imide, polycrylate, methacrylate-butadiene-styrene, nitrile-butadiene copolymer, polyarylether, polybutadiene, polybutylene, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate alloy, polycarbonate, polycyclohexylenemethylene-terephthalute, polyesters, unsaturated, polyethylene, high density, polyethylene, linear low, polyethylene, polyethylene, naphalate, polyetheylene terephthalate, polyimides, polymethylpentene, polymide, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polypropylene, polysobutylene, polysthylene, polystyrene, polytheremide, polyurethanes, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride flexible, polyvinyl rigid, pellets, polyvinyl rigid, powder, polyvinylidene chloride, silicone, styrene-acrylonitrile, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-maelic anhydride, sulfone-based polymer, thermoplastic elastomers, and vinyl ester. The marker can be made by including a thermoplastic additive selected from the following group an acid scavenger, an adhesion promoter, an antifoaming agent, an antifogging agent, a antioxidant, an antiozonant, an antislip agent, an antistatic agent, an antitack agent, a bonding agent, a carbon black, a chain extender, a chelating agent, a complexing agent, a clarifying agent, a cling agent, a coloring agent, a defoamer, a deodorant, a desiccant, a dispersing agent, a emulsifier, a flattening agent, a fluorescent whitening agent, a fragrance, a fresh keeping agent, a gel inhibitor, a infra red filter, a inhibitor, a leveling agent, a matting agent, a gloss agent, a melt strength enhancer, a metal deactivator, a nucleating agent, a oxygen absorber, a peptizer, a photoinitiator, a polymerization inhibitor, a polymerization initiator, a release agent, a slip agent, a styrene suppressant, a tackifier, a thickening agent, a thixotropic agent, a titanium dioxide, a viscosity modifier, a wax, and a wetting agent.  
         [0016]     The marker provides a platform for advertising and branding. The thermoplastic can be produced in any color, which will allow the user to distinguish their mug from others that may be in close proximity. The marker is constructed to releasably attach to any cup within a given size range. The flexible resilient nature of the thermoplastic will allow the marker to be used with at least some differently shaped cups.  
         [0017]     The indicia can be three-dimensional and molded or sculpted on the marker. For example, a football or corporate loge could be added to the wall of the marker.  
         [0018]     The marker can have indicia formed in the exterior surfaces to display a graphic or text message. This graphic or text message could be used in any way to convey a message, thought, or scene. The graphic or text message could be applied to the marker by any of the following application methods: thermal imprinting, pad printing, screen-printing, thermography, foil stamping, offset (lithography), gravure, foil stamping, engraving, shrink wrapping, printed sticker or adhesive, or any photo adhesion process.  
         [0019]     In accordance with a further object of the invention, a marker fits around a cup wall of any cup, mug, or drinking glass. The marker includes a wide cylindrical substratum. The marker can extend beyond the bottom of the cup or act like a cuff around the cup. This substratum of the marker provides additional stability to the cup. Extending vertically up from the substratum and encompassing the entire exterior base of the mug would be the vertical wall of the marker. The wall of the marker preferably extends partially (for example, three-quarters of an inch (¾″)) up the exterior base of the mug and complements the increasing contour of the wall of the cup.  
         [0020]     The marker can contain an indicia (e.g. a graphic, text message, placard, etching, or label) to be used in any way to promote the brand, mark, or corporate identity of any enterprise. The indicia could also be used for personal or business use by any entity—corporate, private, governmental, or other. The indicia can be affixed to the exterior surfaces of the marker and when attached to a cup, would be visible especially whenever out of the owner&#39;s grasp.  
         [0021]     The marker&#39;s thermoplastic exterior can have a thermal label affixed to the thermoplastic. The thermal label containing information can be thermally welded (i.e. melded) into the thermoplastic or affixed with adhesive.  
         [0022]     The marker&#39;s exterior surface can have an inlay or “groove” in the thermoplastic that encompasses the entire top exterior surface, leaving just the outer most edges at the original height. This inlay is about the approximate depth and an adhesive label/sticker. The label/sticker information stated would be affixed within the inlay borders with the height being consistent once the graphic is inlayed.  
         [0023]     The marker&#39;s thermoplastic top exterior can remain a constant height and have the information printed on the thermoplastic using one of the early-described printing methods. Additionally, the entire marker&#39;s exterior can also have the information affixed, printed, etched, or formed thereon.  
         [0024]     If thermoplastic is used, the thermoplastic can have color additives added so the marker can be formed using any available color. The thermoplastic can be formed using a solid color or multiple colors. The formed thermoplastic can use as many colors as needed to depict a certain blend or pattern, i.e. zebra stripes, polka dots, etc.  
         [0025]     In accordance with a further object of the invention, a method identifies a given cup among a plurality of identical mugs. The method includes creating a marker to be unique compared to other makers, for example by marking the marker with its own color. The next step is to (releasably) attach the marker to the cup. The cup and marker thereby are uniquely identified from the other cups.  
         [0026]     In accordance with a further object of the invention, a system for distinguishing two identical cups includes at least two markers as described above. The first marker has a first indicia. The second marker has a second, different indicia. By having different indicia, drinkers can distinguish their cup from other otherwise identical cups.  
         [0027]     In accordance with a further object of the invention, a method for identifying a cup among a given number of identical cups is possible. In the first step of the method, a number of markers as described above are provided. The indicia of each of the markers is unique. The next step is attaching one of the markers to each of the cups. By doing so, each of the cups has a unique marker to help the drinker identify and distinguish their particular cup from otherwise identical cups. A possible additional step is sliding each of the markers onto a bottom of the respective cup; this is particularly useful with frustoconical-shaped cups (i.e. pint glasses).  
         [0028]     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0029]     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a marker for cups, a system for distinguishing cups, and a method for identifying a cup with a marker, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.  
         [0030]     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic front side view of a cup according to the prior art.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic front side view of a marker according to the invention attached to the cup.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the marker.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a top side view of the marker.  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a front side view of the marker. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]      FIGS. 1-5  show a marker  120  for identifying and distinguishing a cup  110 . The marker  120  has a wall  121  that encircles and abuts at least a portion of a cup wall  112 .  
         [0037]     A preferred embodiment of the marker  120  is to be used with a “pint glass”, which is common in the prior art. The pint glass is a frustoconical shaped cups  110  having a frustoconical-shaped wall  112  and a flat, horizontal base  114 . The frustoconical-shaped wall  121  of the marker  120  complements the frustoconical cup wall  112  of the cup  110 . As previously stated, the frustoconical wall  112  of the cup  110  has a slope α. The angle α is defined between the vertical to the base  114  and the cup wall  112 . Likewise, in a preferred embodiment, the frustoconical wall  121  of the marker  120  has a slope β equaling the slope a of the cup  110 . By having the slopes α, β equal each other, the marker  120  will fit snugly onto the cup  110 . The marker  112  can be made by extruding a cylinder from thermoplastic and, subsequently, heat shaping the thermoplastic to from the slope β. Other angles are possible; the marker can be wedged onto the cup  112  due to its flexible resilient material.  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the wall  121  has a top edge  135  and a bottom edge  131 . A small diameter  150  of the marker  120  is defined across the bottom edge  131 . To fit the marker completely onto the cup  110 , the small diameter  150  preferably at least equals the bottom width  117  of the cup  110 . A large diameter  151  of the marker  120  is defined across the top edge  135 . The large diameter  151  should be no larger than the top width  118  of the cup  110 .  
         [0039]     The marker  110  is preferably made of a resilient plastic material. Being resilient and plastic, the marker can be wedged onto the bottom of the cup  110 . The force used to place the marker  110  combined with the resiliency of the material tends to hold the marker  110  on the cup  110 .  
         [0040]     The marker  110  includes indicia, preferably, in the form of different colors to help owners (i.e. drinkers) uniquely identify (at least within a given group of drinkers) which marker  120  and therefore which cup  110  is theirs. Other types of possible indicia include etchings (not illustrated) in the marker  120  or ornamental moldings (not illustrated).  
         [0041]     In a preferred embodiment, the marker  110  includes a placard  152 . The placard  152  can be formed integrally or bonded to the wall  121  of the marker  120 . In a preferred embodiment, two placards  152   a  and  152   b  can be incorporated. The placard  152  has a label  138  placed thereon. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the placard  152  preferably includes a groove  155  in which the label  138  can be set. The label will can be an advertisement for a beverage, an event, or a seller. The marker  120  containing the label  138  can be sold or given away as a promotion.  
         [0042]     To use the marker  120 , a given number of drinkers use an equal number of unique markers  120  that are distinguished with different indicia (i.e. colors, labels, etc.). Thereby, the markers  110  uniquely identify the cups  110  that are attached, even if the cups  110  themselves are indistinguishable. To attach the markers  110 , the marker  110  is slid over the bottom  116  of the cup  110  and gently forced so that the marker  110  will not slip from the cup  110 .