Abstract:
Devices which contain tactile and visually readable identifying indicia to assist the visually handicapped in identifying room numbers and the contents of items such as condiment shakers and liquid containers. The visually readable indicia allow a sighted person to correctly associate the device with the proper item to be identified. The devices take the form of bands which fit around the condiment holders, tags which may be attached to items by tying or adhering, and sleeves which may partially or fully surround the item. The identifying devices for room numbers may be clip-on sleeves for doorknobs or plates which attach to peep-hole tubes.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 11/787,983, filed Apr. 19, 2007, which is a divisional application of Ser. No. 10/390,742, filed Mar. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,467, issued Apr. 24, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The field of this invention relates to identifying devices which allow the visually handicapped to identify and distinguish common objects. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The prior art is aware of incorporating information in the form of Braille and raised lettering on devices and containers for the visually handicapped. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,032 issued to Rollman on Apr. 30, 1991 describes a container for solid medicines having Braille, raised tactile lettering, and visually readable information thereon. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,758 issued to Kolacek on Oct. 12, 1993 describes a container having raised indicia at areas to be gripped. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,394 issued to Siegler on Aug. 24, 1999 discloses an organizer for injectable medications which has tactile information for instructing the visually impaired user as to time of medication. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,865 issued to Gilmore on Oct. 31, 2000 describes a sophisticated medicine dispenser containing multiple compartments. Each compartment contains Braille and visually readable information. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,169,707 issued to Newland on Jan. 2, 2001 describes a medication storage and reminder device containing multiple individual boxes containing tactile and visually readable indicia. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,371 issued to Song on May 8, 2001 describes a container for medicines in which tactile information is imprinted for the use of a visually impaired patient. A separate chart is provided which associates the tactile information with printed information for the use of a sighted caregiver. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,671 issued to Bright et al. on Sep. 11, 2001 discloses a container having both printed and tactile information. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,403 issued to Holmberg on Sep. 25, 2001 discloses an organizer containing packets of vitamins wherein the packets have tactile and printed information. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,163 issued to Shu on Nov. 13, 2001 discloses a dispenser which contains both Braille and raised letters. 
         [0015]    In each of the above-mentioned containers or devices, the tactile and printed information is part of the container or device. If different information is desired or required, a new container or device is required. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention provides devices for identifying objects to the visually handicapped user wherein tactile information is presented to provide the user with information, visually readable information is presented so that the sighted person handling the device will associate the device with the correct object to be identified, and the device may be easily transferred or replaced. 
         [0017]    One example of the present invention is a band device containing tactile indicia indicating the Braille letter S or P for salt or pepper and a corresponding visually readable letter S or P for salt and pepper. The band is easily applied to and removed from a salt or pepper shaker in a restaurant. The visually handicapped user can tell which condiment is in the condiment shaker without asking for assistance or pre-testing the contents. The restaurant staff can tell from the visually readable lettering which condiment shaker should carry a particular band. Ideally, the band contains an upper lip which prevents the fingers of the user from coming into contact with the top of the shaker, thereby reducing contamination of the shaker. 
         [0018]    The band may be in the form of a ring pre-sized to fit the particular shaker, in the form of a clip-on incomplete ring which may fit any sized shaker, or in the form of a tie-on ring which will fit any sized shaker. 
         [0019]    The invention is not limited to salt and pepper shakers. Identifying sleeves which fit over regular caps or handles of liquid-containing cartons are included. 
         [0020]    Also included in this invention is a clip-on identifying band which is used on doorknobs for hotel rooms and the like. The band carries a Braille indication of the room number to allow the visually handicapped user to find his or her room without assistance and a visually readable indication of the room number to allow the hotel staff to associate the band with the correct room. Instead of a band for use on the doorknob, a plate for use on the peep-hole mechanism of the door is provided. The plate contains the room number in both Braille for the visually handicapped user and visually readable indicia to ensure the hotel staff will associate the plate with the correct room. 
         [0021]    In order to allow the visually handicapped user to pour the desired amount of condiment from a shaker, condiment shakers having pre-selected amounts to be dispensed may be used. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is an exploded elevational perspective view of one embodiment of this invention, showing a cap, an identifying band, and a top end of a condiment shaker. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is an elevational perspective view of the assembled condiment shaker of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of an alternative identifying band for use in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is an exploded elevational perspective view of a second embodiment of this invention, showing a cap, an identifying band, and a top end of a condiment shaker. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an elevational perspective view of the assembled condiment shaker of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of an alternative identifying band for use in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is an exploded elevational perspective view of a third embodiment of this invention, showing an identifying band, a cap, and a top end of a condiment shaker. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is an elevational perspective view of the assembled condiment shaker of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is an elevational perspective view showing a device of this invention having an identifying band as a lower section, a perforated cover, and an open-mouthed upper section. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is an elevational side view of the device shown in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is an elevational perspective view showing the device depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10  mounted on a condiment shaker. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is an exploded elevational perspective view showing a cap, an identifying band, and a top end of a condiment shaker. 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is an elevational perspective view of the assembled condiment shaker of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is an exploded elevational perspective view showing a cap, an identifying clip-on device, and a top end of a condiment shaker. 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is an elevational perspective view of the assembled condiment shaker of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is an elevational perspective view showing a cap of this invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  is an elevational perspective view of a sleeve of this invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 18  is an elevational perspective view of a condiment shaker containing the cap and sleeve of  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  is an elevational perspective view of a holding clip for a condiment shaker. 
           [0041]      FIG. 20  is an elevational perspective view of the condiment shaker of  FIG. 18  in the holding clip of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 21  is an elevational perspective view of a clip-on sleeve which fits around the neck of a condiment shaker. 
           [0043]      FIG. 22  is an elevational front view of a strip containing Braille indicia and printing which can be inserted into the sleeve of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 23  is an elevational perspective view of another strip with Braille and printing in more than one area to allow for interchangeable use in the sleeve depicted in  FIG. 21 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 24  is an elevational perspective view of a third strip which fits into the sleeve of  FIG. 21 . This sleeve has a living hinge and Braille and visually readable indicia in two areas. 
           [0046]      FIG. 25  is an elevational perspective view of the sleeve of  FIG. 21  containing a strip as portrayed in  FIGS. 22-24 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 26  is an elevational perspective view of a condiment shaker with the sleeve of  FIG. 25  around the neck thereof. 
           [0048]      FIG. 27  is an elevational perspective view of an elastic band having tactile and visually readable indicia on a thickened portion thereof. 
           [0049]      FIG. 28  is an elevational side view of a condiment shaker having the band of  FIG. 27  thereon. 
           [0050]      FIG. 29  is an elevational perspective view of a cap cover having a downwardly projecting wall having a device bearing tactile and visually readable indicia and projections at the top edge. 
           [0051]      FIG. 30  is an elevational front view of a tag of this invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 31  is an elevational rear view of a tag of this invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 32  is an elevational front view of an unfinished tag of this invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 33  is an elevational front view of a label adapted to fit into the marked area of the tag of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 34  is an elevational front view of the tag of  FIG. 32  having the label of  FIG. 33  in the marked area. 
           [0056]      FIG. 35  is an elevational front view of a tag of this invention carrying a sleeve bearing multiple messages in tactile and visually readable indicia. 
           [0057]      FIG. 36  is an elevational perspective view of a top of a condiment shaker showing a device having tactile indicia and a measuring chamber having a spout in the closed position. 
           [0058]      FIG. 37  is an elevational side view of the measuring chamber shown in  FIG. 36  wherein the spout is in the open position. 
           [0059]      FIG. 38  is an exploded elevational perspective view showing the top of a carton having a spout, a lid, and a cap for the lid, which cap has visually readable and tactile indicia thereon. 
           [0060]      FIG. 39  is an exploded elevational perspective view in detail showing a lid and cap where the lid has a pull tab. 
           [0061]      FIG. 40  is an elevational view of the lid of the present invention covering the cap of a carton. 
           [0062]      FIG. 41  is an elevational perspective view of a clip-on sleeve having tactile and visually readable indicia and a carton cap. 
           [0063]      FIG. 42  is an elevational perspective view showing a liquid-containing container having a variety of devices of the present invention associated therewith. 
           [0064]      FIG. 43  is an exploded elevational perspective view of a doorknob having a clip-on sleeve bearing tactile indicia indicating the room number. 
           [0065]      FIG. 44  is an exploded elevational perspective view of a peep-hole device for a door having a plate mounted thereon, which plate has tactile and visually readable indicia to indicate the room number. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0066]    The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the above Figures, like identifying numerals referring to like parts throughout the description. 
         [0067]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-8 , a first embodiment of the invention will now be described. 
         [0068]    Condiment shakers  2  (preferably salt and pepper shakers) are well known in the art. These shakers  2  come in a wide assortment of shapes and sizes. Many conventional shakers  2  have a cap  4  with dispensing holes or perforations  6 , a threaded neck  8  and a body  10 . In order for a visually handicapped user to distinguish between a salt shaker  2  and a pepper shaker  2 , the user must either ask for help, rub his or her fingers over the cap  4  of the shaker  2  to determine the number of holes  6  (salt shakers conventionally have more holes than pepper shakers), or “pre-test” the contents by shaking a small amount onto a finger and tasting the finger. Each of these methods has disadvantages. Asking for help lowers one&#39;s self-esteem. Rubbing fingers over the shaker cap  4  is unsanitary. Pre-testing is wasteful of the product. 
         [0069]    The disadvantages of these prior methods may be avoided by placing the device  12  of the present invention outside of the neck  8  of the shaker  2  so that it is held in place by the cap  4 . 
         [0070]    The device  12  comes in a variety of forms. It may be a simple band  14  having a tab  16  containing tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia. It may be a full band  14  containing tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia. It may be a skirted band  22  having tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia. It may be a skirted band  22  having a ridge or tabs  24  at the top edge  26  without any tactile  18  or visual  20  markings. 
         [0071]    The device  12  preferably contains Braille indicia  18  indicating the letters S or P for salt or pepper in order that the visually handicapped user can easily determine the contents of the shaker  2 , however the tactile indicia  18  may take the form of notches or raised bars. Additionally, the device  12  should have visually readable indicia  20  in the form of a visually readable letter S or P so that the sighted restaurant staff, who are not expected to be familiar with the Braille alphabet will associate the designated device  12  with the proper shaker  2  after the shaker  2  has been washed and refilled. 
         [0072]    In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the device  12  contains a ridge or tab  24  at the top edge  26  thereof. This ridge or tab  24  helps to keep the fingers of the user from touching the cap  4  and helps maintain the cleanliness of the shaker cap  4 . This ridge or tab  24  may be used independently of the Braille and visually readable markings so that the device may comprise an upper surface having perforations and a circumference, outwardly extending tabs or ridge  24  along the circumference of the upper surface, and a neck which joins with the neck of the shaker. The joining may be by friction fit or by threads. 
         [0073]    In the device  12  shown in  FIG. 6 , the inside diameter  28  of the band  14  is slightly smaller than the outside diameter  30  of the neck  8  of the shaker  2 . Thus, in placing the device  12  on the threaded neck  8 , the band  14  may be threaded onto the neck  8  and held in place even in the absence of the cap  4 . 
         [0074]    Another embodiment of this invention is depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In this embodiment, the device  12  has an upwardly extending threaded upper portion  32 , a downwardly and outwardly extending shoulder portion  34 , and a downwardly extending lower portion  36 . The lower portion  36  contains the tactile  18  and visually readable indicia  20 . At the top edge  38  of the lower portion  36 , there is a ridge  24  to prevent the fingers of the user from extending upwardly to the cap  4 . In this embodiment, the cap  4  is threaded onto the neck  8  of the shaker  2  by its interior threads (not shown) in the usual manner and the threaded upper portion  32  of the device  12  is threaded onto the exterior threads  40  of the cap  4  to keep the device  12  in place. 
         [0075]    Another embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 9-11 . In this embodiment, the conventional cap  4  for the condiment shaker  2  is not used. Rather, the device  12  contains a lower section  44  and an upper section  46 . The lower section  44  contains tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia on the outer surface  48  and threads (in phantom)  50  on the inner surface (not shown). The upper section  46  is wider at the top edge  26  than at the bottom  54  and contains a ridge  24  at the top edge  26  for the reasons set forth above. A cover  56  having dispensing holes  6  is located at the juncture  58  of the upper  46  and lower  44  sections, which perforated cover  56  serves as the outlet for the condiment. The device  12  is connected to a condiment shaker  2  by threading the threads  50  of the lower section  44  of the device  12  into the threaded neck of neck  8  of the condiment shaker  2 . 
         [0076]    Additional embodiments will be described with reference to  FIGS. 12-20 . 
         [0077]    Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the device  12  of this invention is in the form of a circular band  60  having a top edge  26  and a bottom edge  64 . The outer surface  48  of the band  60  contains tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia. For the benefit of those visually handicapped users who are not familiar with the Braille system, the device  12  contains additional tactile identifiers  18 . These identifiers  18  may be raised hemispheres or lines. A single identifier  18  may represent salt while two identifiers  18  may represent pepper. The top edge  26  of the band  60  contains a ridge  24  which alerts the user to the position of the fingers on the shaker  2 . The band  60  is placed over the neck  8  of the shaker  2  and the cap  4  of the condiment shaker  2  is threaded into place, thereby securing the band  60 . 
         [0078]    A similar device  12  is depicted in  FIGS. 14 and 15  wherein the device  12  of this invention is shown in the form of a clip-on band  66  having a top edge  26  and a bottom edge  64 . The outer surface  48  of the band  66  contains tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia. For the benefit of those visually handicapped users who are not familiar with the Braille system, the device contains additional tactile identifiers  18 . These identifiers  18  may be raised hemispheres or lines. A single identifier  18  may represent salt while two identifiers  18  may represent pepper. The top edge  26  of the band  66  contains a ridge  24  which alerts the user to the position of the fingers on the shaker  2 . The band  66  is simply clipped onto the neck  8  of an assembled shaker  2  where it is held by a spring-like force. 
         [0079]    Another embodiment is now described with reference to  FIGS. 16-19 . In  FIG. 16 , the cap  68  features a circumferential ridge  24  which prevents fingers from contacting the top surface  70  of the cap  68 . The body portion  72  of the cap  68  has an inner surface (not shown) containing threads  50  (shown in phantom) which thread into the threaded neck  8  of the shaker  2 . The body portion  72  of the cap  68  has an outer surface  74  which contains tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia. The cap  68  shown in  FIG. 16  may be used alone or it may be used in conjunction with the circular band  76  of  FIG. 17 . The band  76  contains an outer surface  74  having tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia to indicate the contents of the shaker  2 . The inner circumference of the band  76  is greater than the outer circumference of the cap  68 . The top edge  26  of the band  76  contains a plurality (preferably two) of upward projections  78 . As depicted in  FIG. 18 , in use, the band  76  is placed over the neck  8  of the shaker  2  and the cap  68  is threaded onto the neck  8  of the shaker  2 . The force of the ridge  24  of the cap  68  against the projections  78  of the band  76  holds the band  76  in place and prevents rotational movement. 
         [0080]    The clip  80  depicted in  FIG. 19  may be used independently of, or in conjunction with, the cap  68  and/or band  76  shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . The clip  80  of  FIG. 19  contains tactile and visually readable indicia (not shown) on the outer side surfaces thereof. As shown in  FIG. 20 , the condiment shaker  2  fits easily into the clip  80  and the clip is held in place by spring-like action. The outward flanges  82  of the clip  80  help to improve the grip of the user of the shaker  2 . 
         [0081]    Additional embodiments are disclosed in  FIGS. 21-26 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 21  depicts a clip-on sleeve  84  which fits on the neck  8  of a condiment shaker  2  and is held in place by spring-like action. When in place there is an open space between the two ends of the clip-on sleeve  84 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 22  shows a strip  86  containing both tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia which is adapted to be folded so as to fit within the clip-on sleeve  84  of  FIG. 21 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 23  shows a circular strip  86  containing multiple interchangeable tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia which is adapted to be placed into the clip-on sleeve  84  of  FIG. 21 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 24  shows a strip  86  with a living hinge  88  containing multiple tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia adapted to be compressed so as to fit within the clip-on sleeve  84  of  FIG. 21 . 
         [0086]    In use, the above strips  86  may be inserted into the clip-on sleeve  84  in such a way that the desired indicia  18 ,  20  appear in the open space as shown in  FIG. 25 . This assembled device  12  is placed around the neck  8  of a condiment shaker  2  and the cap  4  is threaded into the neck  8  to hold the device  12  in place as shown in  FIG. 26 . 
         [0087]    In  FIGS. 27 and 28  an embodiment is shown in which an elastic band  90  having tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia on a thickened portion  92  of the band  90  is adapted to fit around the body  10  of a condiment shaker  2 . The circumference of the elastic band  90  in its relaxed state is smaller than that of the condiment shaker  2 . Therefore, the band  90  is securely held in place by elastic action. By placing the tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia on a thickened portion  92  of the band, distortion of the indicia  18 ,  20  due to stretching is eliminated. 
         [0088]      FIG. 29  depicts a substitute cap  94  for a condiment shaker  2 . This cap  94  contains a cover  56  having dispensing holes  6 . There are outwardly extending tabs  96  along the circumference of the cover  56 . These tabs % prevent the fingers of the user from contacting the perforations  6 . The cap  94  contains a neck  98  which has threads  50  which thread into the neck  8  of the shaker  2 . A depending wall  100  contains tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia to indicate the contents of the shaker  2 . 
         [0089]      FIGS. 30 and 31  depict a multi-purpose tag  102 . The tag  102  has a front  104  and a rear  106  surface with a main message area  108  on each surface  104 ,  106 . The main message area  108  contains tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia. The main message area  108  is attached to a strap  110  having a proximal end  112  and a distal end  114 . The proximal end  112  contains a slot  116  and the distal end  114  contains a tongue  118  configured to fit into the slot  116  to form a circular band containing a message area  108  attached thereto. A hole  120  for receiving a hanging device, such as a nail or hook, is present at the distal end  114  of the strap  110 . Additionally, the rear surface  106  of the strap  110  contains an area  122  of adhesive covered by a peel-off cover  124 . The adhesive area  122  may be used for adhering the strap  110  containing the message area  108  to a surface. 
         [0090]      FIGS. 32-34  depict another strap  110  containing tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia. The strap  110  has a proximal end  112  containing a slot  116  and a distal end  114  containing a tongue  118  configured to fit into the slot  116  to form a circular band. The strap  110  contains a window  126  between the slot  116  and the tongue  118  adapted to receive a label  128 . A label  128  containing tactile  18  and visually readable  20  information is inserted into the window  126  of the strap  110  to produce the strap  110  depicted in  FIG. 34 . 
         [0091]      FIG. 35  depicts a multipurpose strap  130 . The strap  130  comprises an enlarged main message area  108  as set out above in  FIGS. 30 and 31 . This message area  108  may contain tactile  18  and visually readable  20  information messages. The main message area  108  is attached to a strap  110  having a proximal end  112  and a distal end  114 . The proximal end  112  contains a slot  116  and the distal end  114  contains a tongue  118  configured to fit into the slot  116  to form a circular band containing a message area  108  attached thereto. A hole  120  for receiving a hanging device, such as a nail or hook, is present at the distal end  114  of the strap  110 . Additionally, a multi-sided sleeve  132  having tactile  18  and/or visually readable  20  information on at least one side encloses the strap  110 . The sleeve  132  is prevented from falling off of the strap  110  by the large size of the main message area  108 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 36  depicts a cap  134  for a dispenser  2  of granular solids. The cap  134  has threads  50  for attachment to the neck  8  of a conventional condiment shaker  2 . Perforations  6  for dispensing the condiment or other granular solid cover approximately one-half of the cover  56  of the cap  134 . A depending tag  136  contains tactile  18  and visually readable  20  information identifying the contents of the condiment shaker  2 . A measuring chamber  138  having a bottom opening  140  extends from the cap  134  on the side which is opposite the perforations  6 . Thus, the user can hold the shaker  2  downwardly and, with shaking in the conventional manner, expel an unmeasured amount of the enclosed condiment. Alternatively, the user can hold the shaker  2  downwardly at an angle such that condiment does not fall through the perforations  6 , but enters the measuring chamber  138 . The shaker  2  may be tilted back and forth until the desired amount is in the measuring chamber  138 . Caps  134  may be made having measuring chambers  138  of varying sizes so that visually handicapped users can independently adjust the amount of condiment in the measuring chamber  138  by tilting the shaker  2  to fill the chamber  138  and then tilting the shaker  2  slightly past the vertical position to expel excess condiment from the measuring chamber  138 . 
         [0093]    There is a connecting rod  142  inside the measuring chamber  138 . The bottom end  144  of the connecting rod  142  is connected to a closure  146 . The top end  148  of the connecting rod  142  is connected to a push button  150 . The upper portion  152  of the connecting rod  142  extends out of the measuring chamber  138  and is biased upwardly by a spring  154  to keep the measuring chamber  138  closed in normal conditions. The connecting rod  142  may by pushed down by light finger pressure on the push button  150  to force the closure  146  down and open the bottom opening  140  to expel the contents of the measuring chamber  138 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 38  shows an embodiment of this invention wherein a conventional liquid-containing carton  156  having a spout  158  and a cap  160  is supplied with an open or closed cylindrical sleeve  162  having tactile  18  and visually readable  20  markings to aid in the identification of the contents of the carton  156 . The sleeve  162  may have internal ribs  164  which mate with the external ribs  166  of the cap  160  to maintain contact of the sleeve  162  with the cap  160 . 
         [0095]    Another embodiment of this concept is depicted in  FIGS. 39 and 40 . The cap  160  is a conventional cap having external ribs  166 . In this embodiment, the sleeve  162  is provided with tactile  18  and visually readable  20  information regarding the contents of the container (not shown). The sleeve  162  contains a top  168 . The sleeve  162  is further provided with a plurality of inward protrusions  170  which slip under the cap  160  to keep the sleeve  162  in contact with the cap  160 . The sleeve  162  has a pull-tab  172  for easy opening and access to the cap  160 . 
         [0096]    This invention also contemplates a clip-on sleeve  174  as shown in  FIG. 41 . The sleeve  174  is for use with a conventional cap  160  having external ribs  166 . The sleeve  174  is provided with tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia indicating the contents of the container (not shown). The top  26  and bottom  64  edges of the sleeve  174  have inward protrusions  170  which serve to hold the sleeve  174  on the cap  160 . 
         [0097]    As portrayed in  FIG. 42 , the clip-on sleeves  174  described above find utility in describing the contents of containers  176  with necks  178  and/or handles  180 . 
         [0098]      FIG. 42  shows a conventional milk jug. The clip-on sleeves  174  of this invention are used to identify the product and the butterfat content of the product. 
         [0099]      FIGS. 43 and 44  depict additional uses for the concept of this invention. Presently, where available, Braille indications of room numbers for hotels, motels, nursing homes, and hospitals are present on walls somewhere adjacent to the doors. This requires that the visually handicapped person must continually seek out the room numbers and then find the corresponding door. By providing room numbers on a predetermined place on the door, the visually handicapped user can first find a door and check its number, then move an anticipated number of doors and ascertain that the number corresponds with the desired one. 
         [0100]    According to  FIG. 43 , a clip-on sleeve  182  bearing tactile  18  indicia of the room number is inserted on a doorknob  184  where it can be easily located. The clip-on sleeve  182  may have the tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia attached directly as part of the sleeve  182  or there may be a window in the sleeve  182  for receiving pre-printed readable tapes bearing information as to the room numbers, men&#39;s room, etc. The sleeve  182  may be attached to the doorknob by the natural spring action of the sleeve  182  or there may be an “L”-shaped bracket holding a tab which is attached to the lock flange, preferably with a screw. 
         [0101]      FIG. 44  depicts a flat plate  186  having tactile  18  and visually readable  20  information regarding the room number. The plate is so configured as to have a hole  188  which fits around a conventional peep-hole tube  190  on a door. Thus, a visually handicapped user can easily locate and ascertain the desired room number. Preferably, the flat plate  186  contains a window adapted to receive a tape bearing the tactile  18  and visually readable  20  indicia. 
         [0102]    Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.