Abstract:
A collection of beverage bottles includes respective color-coded beverage caps. The beverage caps have permanent passive non-verbal indicia indicating the identity of the user of an unencumbered beverage bottle without tangible surface-interfering customized or temporary identifiers, such as tangible surface interfering elements, including stick-on labels, customized beverage can lids, or modified surfaces of beverage containers. The color-coded bottle caps are used as the actual caps for conventional beverage bottles. The color-coded caps do not add cumulative indicia to the bottle caps, in additional to pre-existing indicia, such as brand name logos, on the bottle caps.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS: 
     This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/323,555, filed Dec. 19, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,505, which application is based upon provisional application No. 60/418,800 filed Oct. 15, 2002. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a set of liquid beverage refreshment bottles, each bottle having identical contents therein. The bottles have respective caps, with each bottle cap bearing a different colored indicia indicative of the user of the beverage bottle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Heretofore the prior art has not presented a collection of color coded beverage bottles with bottle caps having permanent passive, non-verbal indicia indicating the identity of the user of each beverage bottle of a collection of beverage bottles all having identical contents therein. Nor does the prior art describe color-coded bottle caps which provide permanent cumulative indicia in additional to pre-existing indicia on the bottle caps. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,242 of Lang describes a collection of caps for chemical containers, to identify the contents of the containers having the caps thereon. However, each container has a separate, distinct chemical, so the colors are used to differentiate the different contents in each of the containers. 
     In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,853 of Breidenbach and Mille discloses having color dots or rings on perfume bottles to identify the type of perfume therein. Similar to Lang &#39;242, in Breidenbach &#39;853 each perfume bottle has a separate, distinct perfume, so the colors are used to differentiate the different types of perfume in each of the containers. 
     Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,766 of Dunn describes color-coded bottle rings for baby nippled bottles, to distinguish different types of fluids in a collection of baby bottles. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,804 of Villa-Real describes color-coded medicine dispenser bottles to differentiate the different types of medicine in each of the dispenser bottles. 
     Among other publications identifying the use of color-coding to separate out different contents from similar configured containers is that of “HSC:Re: Colour-Coded Plastic Bottle Caps”, 2 page website, published in 2002, which discusses the need for separating flammable/combustible materials into containers with color-coded coded caps, as noted in the website www.hronline.com. Another publication entitled “Nalgene Travel Bottle Kit—Medium” at www.rei.com published as a one page website in 2002, describes an assortment of eight bottles with color coded caps for separating different toiletries and cosmetics into separate bottles when traveling. However the Nalgene Travel Bottle Kit merely uses colors to differentiate the different types of toiletries in each of the containers. It does not describe color-coded bottle caps for containers having identical liquids therein, wherein the color-coded caps are used for the consumer to associate a particular bottle with the consumer. 
     A further publication entitled “Nalgene 32 oz. Narrow Mouth Lexan Bottle” at www.gearshark.com published also as a two page website in 2002, describes a single drinking bottle with a colored cap, but does not describe a collection of beverage bottle caps having permanent passive coded indicia thereon selectively indicating the identity of a user of an unencumbered beverage bottle of a collection of beverage bottles, each having identical liquid contents therein. 
     In addition, a three page website publication of 2002 entitled “Translucent Colors For Water Rockets”, at www.h20rocket.com describes coloring plastic bottles for producing spectacular visual effects of different bottle rockets, but not for identifying the users of bottles having identical liquid contents therein. 
     As for identifying the user of a liquid container, a number of patents describe tangible distinct elements, which tangibly encumber either the liquid container or the lid on top of the container. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,030 of Kesselring discloses a tangible beverage can tab that includes the user&#39;s name to identify the drinker of a beverage at a party. It is not a bottle cap but it helps drinkers of beverages identify whose beverage can belongs to whom. However, in Kesselring &#39;030, the tangible tab must be separately affixed to the lid of the beverage can, encumbering it with a three dimensional object interfering with the smooth top lid of the beverage can. 
     Moreover, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,301,802 and 5,191,979, both of Nemeroff describes a collection of individual drinking cups which have identifying indicia printed on them, such as the same of the user or a number attributed to a user, to facilitate visual identification of the user. The cups are called “Memory Cups”. However in Nemeroff &#39;802 and Nemeroff &#39;979, there is a need to imprint the entire beverage container. Each container cup of Nemeroff &#39;804 and Nemeroff &#39;979 has to be separately printed. If Nemeroff were applied to beverage bottles with twist-off caps, the company&#39;s logo on the bottle&#39;s label or outer surface has to be separately printed, a task, which is unworkable. 
     Furthermore, in Nemeroff &#39;804 and Nemeroff &#39;979 the drinking container cups lack caps which could have been permanently and passively imprinted with colors to assist in identifying the user of each beverage bottle. 
     Other tangible identifying objects, which encumber beverage bottles, include cumbersome collars disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,034 of Skapyak, which describes decorative collars having distinct decorative charms and trinkets. The collars go over wineglasses to identify the drinker thereof. 
     While the Nemeroff &#39;804 and Nemeroff &#39;979, Skapyak &#39;034 and Kesselring &#39;030 patents are for beverage cans, wine glasses and drinking cups, not beverage bottles, U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,702 of Rea discloses a beverage bottle which has removable adhesively stick-on labels to identify the user of the beverage bottle. 
     However in Rea &#39;702 the stick-on labels must be separately adhered to the actual bottles, interfering with the surfaces thereof, leaving the possibility of adhesive residue on the surfaces of the bottles. 
     Other relevant patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,704,144 of Groth for a tangible customized identification ring to go around a beverage can to identify the drinker of the can, U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,139 of Ricks for a tangible identifying collar for a baby bottle, U.S. Pat. No. 2,976,629 of Brixius for a tangible collar ring for a beverage bottle to identify the drinker of the liquid therein and U.S. Pat. No. 1,971,528 of Klebanow for a tangible collar ring around a milk bottle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,763 of Diberio describes separate, reusable color-coded notched beverage can lids that can identify the drinkers of the beverage can, to avoid contamination. However, the tangible notched lids of Tiberio do not come with the beverage cans as their primary lid. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide color-coded bottle caps for a collection of liquid dispensing bottles having a colored indicia indicative of the user of each of the bottles of identical beverages within each respective beverage bottle. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a color-coded beverage cap collection with permanent passive non-verbal cumulative indicia indicating the identity of the user of an unencumbered beverage bottle. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide color-coded bottle caps in different colors to differentiate the drinking users of the identical liquids therein. 
     It is another object of the present invention to improve over the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, the present invention includes a color coded beverage cap collection with permanent passive non-verbal temporally cumulative indicia thereon, bearing a single unadorned colored surface, which selectably indicates the identity of the user of an unencumbered beverage bottle, provided in a collection of beverage bottles, each having identical liquid contents therein. 
     The collection of beverage bottles, with color coded beverage caps having permanent passive non-verbal indicia thereon indicating the identity of the user of an unencumbered beverage bottle, obtains beneficial results, such as the ease of identifying users without tangible surface-interfering customized identifiers. 
     In addition, the present invention does not require tangible surface interfering elements, such as stick-on labels or customized beverage can lids, or the need to imprint the entire beverage container as in the Nemeroff drinking cups, wherein each cup has to be separately printed. 
     Instead, in the present invention, the color-coded bottle caps are used as the actual caps for conventional beverage bottles, such as those of PERRIER, EVIAN, POLAND SPRINGS or COCA-COLA. 
     The color-coded caps do not add cumulative indicia to the bottle caps, in addition to pre-existing indicia, such as brand name logos, on the bottle caps. Rather, the only additional indicia are the variety of distinct colors upon the collection of bottle caps. The beverage bottles are unchanged and unencumbered by the present invention. 
     Only the bottle caps are changed, and these bottle caps are only changed by the addition of a respective distinct color or other indicia to each bottle cap. 
     The coded beverage cap system is used with, and in combination with, a plurality of comestible liquid-containing containers with removable, factory installed sealed caps. The plurality of coded caps are adapted to replace the removable, factory installed sealed caps. 
     Each of the coded caps has an appearance clearly distinguishing each coded cap from all of the other coded caps. For example, each coded cap is coded by a distinguishing color or distinguishing indicia, such as graphic patterns, fanciful symbols or the like. 
     In a further embodiment, the color coded bottle caps are sold as a retrofit kit for a social gathering, where the host or hostess can twist-off the original brand name bottle caps and twist on color coded replacement bottle caps for the guests of the social gathering. 
     The retrofit kit can also be used for a collection of sport drink bottles at an athletic team sporting event, where the liquid contents of the bottles are identical, but members of the athletic team need to identify their own sports drink bottle. 
     Although the collection of bottles have identical beverage liquids therein, the bottles therefore have different caps of a plurality of colored indicia indicative of each different user of each drinker of the liquid contents of each beverage bottle. 
     Each of the bottle caps are color coated or molded in different colors to differentiate the user of the liquids therein, such as bottled plain drinking water, flavored water, carbonated beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The caps have internal threads, which engage and fit the conventional narrow neck threaded necks of beverage bottles. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides a collection of beverage bottle caps having permanent passive non-verbal temporarily cumulative indicia thereon. The beverage bottle caps bear a single unadorned colored surface selectively indicating the identity of a user of an unencumbered beverage bottle of a collection of beverage bottles, each having identical liquid contents therein. The coded caps are adapted to replace removable, factory installed sealed caps on the beverage bottles, whereby the user is able to identify any such beverage bottle partially consumed by the user. 
     In a further alternate embodiment, the collection of comestible containing liquid containers having removable, factory installed sealed caps, are coded with the distinguishing indicia, thereby permitting a user of each particular container, to clearly identify the container, from which the user previously drank a portion of the contents of the container. 
     For example, a user selects a factory sealed container and removes the cap therefrom. Then the user drinks a portion of the comestible liquid within the container. The user reseals the container with a coded replacement cap, which is clearly distinguishable from all other coded replacement caps made available to the user, thereby clearly identifying the container as one, which was partially consumed, by the user. 
     Color or other distinguishing indicia as aforesaid codes the coded caps. The user then places the container with the coded cap back among the other containers or elsewhere, with confidence that the user can retrieve his or her own beverage container at a later time. 
     Later, the user can retrieve the container at a later time by selecting his or her container having the coded cap which the user has identified as his or her own. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention can best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art collection of beverage bottles having bottle caps; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a collection of beverage bottles having bottle caps, each bottle cap with an unobtrusive indicia color coated on or molded therein; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded partial cutaway view thereof; showing a threaded attachment method; 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up detail top plan view of a typical cap of the collection of caps of the present invention, with a logo visible through the indicia; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a collection of color-coded bottle caps to be retrofitted onto conventional beverage bottles; 
         FIG. 7  shows three randomly placed bottles with the retrofitted bottle caps of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 6 , placed in the vicinity of each other upon a table; and, 
         FIG. 8  is a color rendition of a further collection of bottles and caps in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art collection  1  of beverage bottles  2  having identical logos  4  thereon. In certain brands of beverages, however, bottles  12  may be devoid of any pre-existing logo indicia, such as logo indicia  4 . In that case, bottles  2  are made of clear, transparent plastic. Identical bottle caps  3  close bottles  12 . 
     Most standard beverage bottles, whether they be for 8 ounce, 12 ounce, 16 ounce, 20 ounce, one liter or two liters quantity of beverages, have bottle caps of about one inch (25 mm) in diameter, with top openings of about 0.875 inches (22 mm) in diameter, extending between a circumferential wall of about 1.5 mm in thickness all around. 
     Therefore bottle caps  3  are generally of a standard size, and are interchangeable with replacement bottle caps. Certain bottles of beverage brands such as GATORADE sports drinks or FRUIT2O flavored water have wide openings for drinking more water or beverage per unit of time. These wide bottles (not shown) can also be fitted with wider replacement bottle caps of the present invention. 
     In connection with the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a collection  10  of beverage bottles  12  having identical logos  15  thereon. In certain brands of beverages, however, bottles  12  may be devoid of any pre-existing logo indicia, such as logo indicia  15 . In that case, as shown in  FIG. 8 , bottles  312  are made of clear, transparent plastic. Colored bottle caps  334  close bottles  312 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a collection  10  of beverage bottles  12  having bottle caps  14 , wherein each bottle cap  14  bears an unobtrusive indicia  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21 , etc., such as a distinct color, which is coated on or molded therein. Each coded indicia  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21 , etc. upon respective bottle caps  14  is indicative of each drinking user of each respective bottle  12  of the collection  10  of beverage bottles  12 . The coded indicia  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  are permanent and non-removable. The coded passive indicia  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  do not encumber the surface of each bottle  12  bearing the bottle caps  14 . Preferably non-verbal, the indicia  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  are cumulative indicia, such as a distinct translucent or transparent color, which allows the user to read any pre-existing brand name advertising information through the indicia  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  on each of the bottle caps  14 . Also preferably, the indicia  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  are single unadorned colored surfaces selectably indicating the identity of the respective users of unencumbered beverage bottles  12 , of the collection  10  of beverage bottles  12 , wherein each bottle  12  has the identical liquid contents  12   a  therein, such as bottled water. 
       FIG. 2  shows that the sides of the beverage bottles  12  are unencumbered by any tangible indicia, such as annular rings, decals, removable stick-on labels, lids, etc. and that only the bottle caps  14  have permanent passive, unobtrusive color-coded indicia  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  for indicating each drinking user of each beverage bottle  12 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a close-up view of a bottle cap having color-coded indicia. 
       FIG. 4  shows the conventional threaded attachment  22  of the inner threads  24  of each bottle cap  14  to the outer neck threads  26  of each bottle  12 , which attachment  22  is unchanged and not interfered with by the color-coded indicia  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  of the present invention, which are passively deposited upon the bottle caps  14  of the collection of beverage bottles  12 . 
       FIG. 5  is a close-up detail view of a typical bottle cap  14  of the collection  10  of bottle caps  14  of the present invention, with a brand name logo  17  visible through the indicia  16 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a collection  30  of color-coded bottle caps  34  within a package  31  having instructional indicia  33  thereon, which explains to the consumer user that the color-coded bottle caps  34  are to be retrofitted onto conventional beverage bottles  12 . The bottle caps  34  have threaded means thereon for mutual attachment therebetween to for attaching the respective bottle caps  34  to the liquid dispensing bottles  12  in an axial linear arrangement. 
     This assembly method shown in  FIG. 6 , of having color coded bottle caps  34  replace factory installed caps, is preferred because it is simple to manufacture, insures surface alignment, affords quick snap-fit assembly, and does not involve the use of adhesives possibly leaving a residue on the outer surfaces of the bottles. 
     The coded caps  34  of  FIG. 6  are adapted to replace removable, factory installed sealed caps  14  on the beverage bottles  12 , whereby the user is able to identify any such beverage bottle  12  partially consumed by the user. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the collection of comestible containing liquid containers, such as bottles  2  shown in prior art  FIG. 1 , have removable, factory installed sealed identical bottle caps  3 . But, according to the present invention, conventional identical bottle caps  3  can be replaced by coded replacement bottle caps  34  with the distinguishing indicia  36 ,  37 ,  38 ,  39 ,  40  and  41 , thereby permitting a user of each particular container, such as bottle  12 , to clearly identify the container, from which the user previously drank a portion of the contents of the container. 
     For example, a user selects a factory sealed container bottle  12  and removes the cap  14  therefrom. Then the user drinks a portion of the comestible liquid  12   a  within the container bottle  12 . The user reseals the container bottle  12  with a coded replacement cap  34 , which is clearly distinguishable from all other coded replacement caps  34  made available to the user, because of distinguishing indicia  36 ,  37 ,  38 ,  39 ,  40  and  41  thereby clearly identifying the container bottle  12  as one which was partially consumed by the user. The coded caps  34  are coded by color or other distinguishing indicia  36 ,  37 ,  38 ,  39 ,  40  and  41  as aforesaid. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the user then places the container  12  with the coded cap  14  back among the other container bottles  12  or elsewhere, with confidence that the user can retrieve his or her own beverage container bottle  12  with fluid  12   a  at a later time. Later, the user can retrieve the container  12  at a later time by selecting his or her container bottle  12  having the coded cap  34  which the user has identified as his or her own. Coded cap  34  distinguishes the user&#39;s bottle  12  from other container bottles  112  or  212  bearing other bottle caps  34  with different indicia  36  or  37  thereon. 
     There is no need for a separate tangible cap to bear the identifying indicia, such as a retrofit lid, tab or annular collar. Also, the fit-together bottle caps are each coated or molded with a different color or indicia to differentiate the drinking users of the bottles. 
     The bottle caps  34  are intimate contact with the bottles  12  without the surface of the bottles  12  being modified or interrupted by collars, tabs, additional imprinted indicia, adhesives or lids at their outer surfaces. 
     For illustrative purposes,  FIG. 8  is a color rendition of a further collection of bottles  312  and caps  334  in accordance with the present invention. In  FIG. 8 , the bottles  312  are devoid of any pre-existing logos.  FIG. 8  shows the bottle caps  334  bearing the colors blue, orange, yellow, red, green and black. These colors are illustrative only, as it is assumed that any variety of colors may be chosen as indicia for bottle caps  334 , as long as no two colors are the same. 
     It is further noted that other modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope thereof, as noted in the appended claims.