Abstract:
This invention is a product for identifying substances transferred into smaller containers from a larger container by using removable labels that are packaged along with the larger container&#39;s labels. The invention allows one to identify the substance once it is transferred into a smaller container and/or distinguish among smaller containers into which the same substance is poured. Several embodiments of the invention are particularly suited to the practice of wine tasting, where it is important to identify the wine poured into a glass as well as distinguish between the glasses of different tasters.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates, generally, to container labels; more particularly to container labels that are removable and re-attachable to assist in identifying the source of a material once distributed from a larger container into a smaller unlabeled container and/or labels that serve to distinguish among multiple smaller unlabeled containers containing the said material.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The practice of wine tasting often involves the sampling of numerous producers, types, and vintages of wine in comparison with one another. Ordinarily, the taster is presented with the varieties of wine in a series of glasses, commonly referred to as a flight. Because the wines presented to the taster in the individual glasses are poured from different wine bottles, a problem of identifying the source of a specific glass&#39;s wine often arises. This problem is commonly solved by placing the glasses in a specific order, which is committed to memory, or by placing handwritten labels underneath each glass. Each of these solutions presents its own difficulties because one&#39;s recollection of the wine type can be impaired by the social activities or inebriation that often accompany wine tasting. Also, handwritten labels are cumbersome, unsightly, and can become easily misplaced or stained in the course of the wine tasting.  
         [0003]     Further, when wines are poured into different glasses for different tasters at social functions, the problem arises of identifying which glass belongs to whom. In order to avoid the social disgrace of drinking from another&#39;s glass and the spread of germs, disposable and reusable wine glass stem labels have been developed. These “glass charms” known in the art commonly act as necklaces that attach to the wine glass stem and identify the glass&#39;s owner by name or by a unique color or design. These glass charms, however, are often expensive and/or inconvenient because they must be purchased and/or brought separately to a wine tasting.  
         [0004]     Similar problems arise anytime a material is transferred from one source container into several, unlabeled, containers. For example, chemists working in a laboratory can encounter similar difficulties if a container of a given compound is poured into several, smaller, unlabeled test tubes.  
         [0005]     Therefore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a series of container labels that can be easily removed and re-affixed to the smaller containers in order to identify the source of material distributed and/or a label that distinguishes multiple containers containing the same material.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     This invention is directed towards overcoming the above problems by providing easily removable labels as part of the source container&#39;s packaging that can be affixed to smaller containers into which the material is poured. Removable labels are included with the capsule or container label on the container at the time of distribution. These labels can identify the brand, year, type, and/or any other pertinent information desired. Additionally, the individual labels on the container can be of different colors, in order to distinguish among the smaller containers onto which they are re-affixed. Upon serving or pouring the material, the labels are removed and affixed to the smaller container into which the material is distributed.  
         [0007]     This allows each smaller container to be uniquely identified and also indicate the source of the material it contains. This is accomplished without the need for additional appurtenances such as labels or writing utensils and with a minimum of effort on the part of the server and taster.  
         [0008]     In the practice of wine tasting, the labels can also be maintained by the taster in order to keep a record or log of wines he or she has tasted.  
         [0009]     Other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description of several embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1A  is an illustration in perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention while being peeled off of a bottle.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1B  is an illustration in perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention while affixed to a glass.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2A  is an illustration in perspective view of a prior art, non-disposable wine glass label commonly referred to as a “wine charm.” 
         [0013]      FIG. 2B  is an illustration in perspective view of a prior art, disposable wine glass label.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention prior to the removal of the capsule on a wine bottle.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3B  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention following the removal of the capsule on a wine bottle.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3C  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while affixed to a wine glass.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3D  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention after being reattached to the wine bottle, for storage.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that shows how a pull ring with cutting wire can be added to the invention for ease of operation.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention prior to being removed from a wine bottle.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5B  is an illustration in detail of the back of one of the labels from one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5C  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a wine glass.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while on a wine bottle.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6B  is an illustration in detail of the label tab used in this same embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7A  is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention while being removed from a wine bottle.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7B  is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention while being affixed onto a wine glass.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention prior to being removed from a wine bottle.  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention prior to being removed from a wine bottle.  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention prior to being removed from a wine bottle.  
         [0029]      FIG. 11A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached and when removed from a wine bottle.  
         [0030]      FIG. 11B  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to the side of a wine glass.  
         [0031]      FIG. 11C  is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 11D  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while being removed from a screw-cap type wine bottle.  
         [0033]      FIG. 11E  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to the underside of a wine glass.  
         [0034]      FIG. 12A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a box of wine.  
         [0035]      FIG. 12B  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a wine glass.  
         [0036]      FIG. 12C  is an illustration in detail of the back of one of the labels from one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 12D  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a cup.  
         [0038]      FIG. 13A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a box of wine.  
         [0039]      FIG. 13B  is an illustration in perspective view of the inside of the label card, another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 14A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a box of wine.  
         [0041]      FIG. 14B  is an illustration in perspective view of the envelope and label card of another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 15A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a box of wine.  
         [0043]      FIG. 15B  is an illustration of several of the varieties of label shapes that may be used in conjunction with the various embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0044]      FIG. 16A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a box of wine.  
         [0045]      FIG. 16B  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a wine glass.  
         [0046]      FIG. 16C  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while being attached to a wine diary. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0047]     In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention, however, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.  
         [0048]     In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. For instance “bottle” refers to any dispenser or container used to dispense a material and “glass” includes any vessel into which an material is poured.  
         [0049]      FIG. 1A  is an illustration in perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention while being peeled off of a wine bottle. As show in  FIG. 1A , a wine bottle  100  is packaged to include an array of re-attachable container identifiers  105  at the neck of the bottle  110 , that can be concealed under the capsule or foil of the bottle or be integral to the capsule itself. The array of re-attachable container identifiers  105  is perforated  115  to allow easy removal of individual re-attachable container identifiers,  120 . In this diagram, a re-attachable container identifier  120  is shown being removed from the array of re-attachable container identifiers  105  by pulling along the perforations. The re-attachable container identifiers  120  can be each colored differently, in order to allow differentiation among wine glasses, once they affixed to wine glasses Also, re-attachable container identifiers  120  can also include information about the wine itself such as producer, vintage, or type.  
         [0050]      FIG. 1B  is an illustration in perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention while affixed to a wine glass. As shown in  FIG. 1B , a wine glass  125  with a wine glass stem  130  can have the re-attachable container identifier  120  affixed to it by being wrapped around the wine glass stem  130 . The color coding of the re-attachable container identifier along with the text written on it allows a taster to know what wine he is drinking and to differentiate his glass among others.  
         [0051]      FIG. 2A  is an illustration in perspective view of a prior art, non-disposable wine glass label commonly referred to as a “wine charm.” A wine glass  200  is shown with a non-disposable re-attachable container identifier  205  that acts as a necklace that is hung around the wine glass stem  210 . By using differing designs and colors for the non-disposable re-attachable container identifier, they can be used to differentiate among different tasters&#39; glasses.  
         [0052]      FIG. 2B  is an illustration in perspective view of a prior art, disposable wine glass label. As shown in  FIG. 2B , a wine glass  215  is shown with a disposable wine glass label  220  that can be affixed to the wine glass stem  225  and have the name of the taster or other information written on the disposable wine glass label  230 . This allows the taster to identify his or her glass and/or the type of wine in the glass.  
         [0053]      FIG. 3A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention prior to the removal of the capsule on a wine bottle. As shown in  FIG. 3A , a wine bottle  300  is shown with the capsule  305  not removed. The impression  310  of ring-shaped labels is visible on the capsule  305 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 3B  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention following to the removal of the capsule on a wine bottle. The wine bottle  300  is shown without the capsule in  FIG. 3A . In this illustration, the ring-shaped labels  315  are visible as affixed on the neck of the wine bottle  320 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 3C  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while affixed to a wine glass. As shown in  FIG. 3C , and individual ring-shaped label  320  can be affixed to the stem  325  of a wine glass  330 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 3D  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention after being reattached to the wine bottle, for storage. In this illustration, ring-shaped labels  335  are attached to a wine bottle  340  using a wire or string  345 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 4  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that shows how a pull ring can be added to the invention for ease of operation. A wine bottle  400  is shown with the capsule  405  not yet removed. A pull ring  410  is included with the capsule  405  to facilitate easier removal of the re-attachable container identifiers  415 . The pull ring  410  is attached to a string  420  which separates the re-attachable container identifiers  415  along the perforations  420  on the capsule  405 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 5A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention prior to being removed from a wine bottle. As shown in  FIG. 5A , the back label  500  of a wine bottle  505  includes a number of removable labels  510 . The labels can be printed in different colors and include information about the vineyard, type, year, or other information about the wine.  
         [0059]      FIG. 5B  is an illustration in detail of the back of one of the labels from one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5B , the back of a removable label  515  features two sticky portions  520  at either end of the label. The middle portion  525  of back of the label is not sticky, so as not to attach to the stem of a wine glass.  
         [0060]      FIG. 5C  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a wine glass.  FIG. 5C  shows a label  530  affixed to the stem  535  of a wine glass  540 . The front of the label is facing outwards, allowing one to see the color of the label and any words printed thereon.  
         [0061]      FIG. 6A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while on a wine bottle. As shown in  FIG. 6A , a wine bottle  600  can hold a label card  605  containing several individual labels  610  on the neck  615  of the wine bottle  600  when the label card  605  includes a hole  620 , through which the neck of a wine bottle can be inserted. The label card can operate in a similar fashion as those of other embodiments in order to designate the wine type and distinguish the taster&#39;s glass.  
         [0062]      FIG. 6B  is an illustration in detail of the label card used in this same embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6B , a label card  605  can include several lift off labels  625  that can identify different aspects of the wine and be used to label glasses or to log the wine for future reference by the taster. Also, the label card  605  includes a hole  620  through which the neck of a wine bottle can be inserted.  
         [0063]      FIG. 7A  is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention while being removed from a wine bottle. As shown in  FIG. 7A , a cameo  700  is being removed from a wine bottle  705 . The cameo  700  can now be affixed onto a wine glass in order to identify the source of the wine poured into the glass.  
         [0064]      FIG. 7B  is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention while being affixed onto a wine glass. A cameo  705  is being affixed to a wine glass  710  in order to identify the wine poured into the glass as coming from the wine bottle  705 .  
         [0065]      FIG. 8  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention prior to being removed from a wine bottle. A wine bottle  800  is shown with a screw cap  805  and several re-attachable container identifiers  810  around the capsule of the wine bottle. The re-attachable container identifiers  810  are color coded in order to distinguish the wine glasses onto which they will be attached. The re-attachable container identifiers  815  also feature a slit  815  that allows them to be easily removed from the wine bottle  810  and re-attached to a wine glass.  
         [0066]      FIG. 9  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention prior to being removed from a wine bottle. A wine bottle  900  is shown with a screw cap  905  and several re-attachable container identifiers  915  integrated as part of the capsule of the wine bottle. The edges of the re-attachable container identifiers  915  include perforations  910  that allow the re-attachable container identifiers  915  to be more easily removed. The re-attachable container identifiers  915  also include text  920  that serves to identify the producer, vintage, or other information about the wine, once attached to a glass.  
         [0067]      FIG. 10  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention prior to being removed from a wine bottle. A wine bottle  1000  is shown with a screw cap  1005  that is removed from the bottle cap  1015 . Several color coded re-attachable container identifiers  1010  are attached to the neck of the bottle and include text  1020  indicating the producer and vintage of the wine. When removed and attached to a wine glass, these will allow one to distinguish his or her glass among others while identifying the producer and vintage of the wine in the glass. The re-attachable container identifiers also include perforations  1025  and a slit  1030  to allow them to be more easily removed from the bottle.  
         [0068]      FIG. 11A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached and when removed from a wine bottle. A wine bottle  1100  is shown with a re-attachable container identifier  1110  still attached to the top of the bottle, above the capsule  1105 . Above the bottle is shown a re-attachable container identifier  1110  with a tab  1115  extending outwards to facilitate easier handling of the re-attachable container identifier  1110 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 11B  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to the side of a wine glass. A wine glass  1120  is shown with a re-attachable container identifier  1110  attached to its side.  
         [0070]      FIG. 11C  is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention. A re-attachable container identifier  1110  is shown with text that indicates the producer and vintage of the wine and a tab  1115  to facilitate easier handling of the re-attachable container identifier  1110 .  
         [0071]      FIG. 11D  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while being removed from a screw-cap type wine bottle. A wine bottle  1100  is shown with the screw cap  1125  removed from the bottle cap  1120 . The top of the screw cap  1125  includes a re-attachable container identifier  1110  which is being removed by handling the tab  1115 .  
         [0072]      FIG. 11E  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to the underside of a wine glass. A wine glass  1120  is shown with a re-attachable container identifier  1110  attached to its underside, as is practiced in a “blind tasting.” 
         [0073]      FIG. 12A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a box of wine. A box of wine  1200  and spigot  1205  are shown with a label card  1210 , containing re-attachable container identifiers  1215 , attached to the side of the box.  
         [0074]      FIG. 12B  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a wine glass. A label  1235  affixed to the stem  1240  of a wine glass  1245  is shown. The front of the label is facing outwards, allowing one to observe the color of the label or any words printed thereon.  
         [0075]      FIG. 12C  is an illustration in detail of the back of one of the labels from one embodiment of the present invention. The back of a removable label  1230  features two sticky portions  1225  at either end of the label. The middle portion  1220  of the label is not sticky, so as not to attach to the stem of a wine glass.  
         [0076]      FIG. 12D  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a cup. A re-attachable container identifier  1250  is attached to the side of the cup  1260  with its tab  1255 , which facilitates easier handling, exposed.  
         [0077]      FIG. 13A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a box of wine. A box of wine  1300  with its spigot  1305  is shown with an inwards facing label card  1310  attached to the side of the box  1300 . Two vertical perforations  1320  allow the user to remove the label card  1310  from the box  1300 . The outside of the label card  1315  may include a graphic diagram or instructions, while the inside of the label card includes the re-attachable container identifiers.  
         [0078]      FIG. 13B  is an illustration in perspective view of the inside of the label card, another embodiment of the present invention. The label card  1330  includes a variety of shapes and sizes of re-attachable container identifiers  1335 , which can feature different colors or text.  
         [0079]      FIG. 14A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a box of wine. A box of wine  1400  is shown with its spigot  1405 , an envelope  1410  attached, containing a label card  1415  with numerous re-attachable container identifiers  1420 .  
         [0080]      FIG. 14B  is an illustration in perspective view of the envelope and label card of another embodiment of the present invention. An envelope  1410  is shown with a label card  1415  with numerous re-attachable container identifiers  1420 . The envelope  1410  serves to protect the label card  1415  during shipment and storage of the box of wine.  
         [0081]      FIG. 15A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a box of wine. A box of wine  1500  is shown with a leader tape  1510  that attaches several re-attachable container identifiers  1520 . As shown in the diagram, the user may pull on the leader tape  1510  to expose re-attachable container identifiers  1520  and remove individual re-attachable container identifiers  1520  by pulling on their tabs  1515 . The leader tape  1510  passes under a paper or cardboard lug  1525 , which forces the leader tape  1510  to make a 90-degree turn and, thereby, facilitates easier removal of the re-attachable container identifiers  1520 .  
         [0082]      FIG. 15B  is an illustration of several of the varieties of label shapes that may be used in conjunction with the various embodiments of the present invention. Dumbbell shaped labels with square ends are marked as  1525 . Dumbbell shaped labels with octagonal ends marked as  1530 . Rectangle shaped labels are marked as  1535 . A dumbbell shaped label with star shaped ends is marked as  1540 . Oval shaped labels are marked as  1545 . Dumbbell shaped labels with varying shaped ends are marked as  1550 . Dumbbell shaped labels with circular ends are marked as  1555 .  
         [0083]      FIG. 16A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a box of wine. The back of a wine bottle  1600  is shown with several re-attachable container identifiers  1610  attached and the user removing one of the re-attachable container identifiers  1610 .  
         [0084]      FIG. 16B  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a wine glass. A wine glass  1615  is shown with a re-attachable container identifier  1610  attached to its side.  
         [0085]      FIG. 16C  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while being attached to a wine diary. A wine diary  1620  is shown with the user placing a re-attachable container identifier  1610  onto its pages. The user is, thus, able to keep the re-attachable container identifier  1610  after it was attached to his or her glass in order to maintain a log of the wines tasted.  
         [0086]      FIG. 17A  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a bottle of wine. As shown in  FIG. 17A , a wine bottle  1700  can hold a label cylinder  1705  containing several individual labels  1710  on the neck  1715  of the wine bottle  1700 . The label cylinder  1705  can operate in a similar fashion as those of other embodiments in order to designate the wine type and distinguish the taster&#39;s glass and to include diagrams or instructions  1720  on the use of re-attachable container identifiers. Also, the label cylinder can be used in conjunction with more re-attachable container identifiers  1730  on the back label  1720  of a wine bottle  1700 .  
         [0087]      FIG. 17B  is an illustration in perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention while attached to a bottle of wine. As shown in  FIG. 17B , a wine bottle  1700  can hold a label cone  1705  containing several individual labels  1710  on the neck  1715  of the wine bottle  1700 . The label cone  1705  can operate in a similar fashion as those of other embodiments in order to designate the wine type and distinguish the taster&#39;s glass and to include diagrams or instructions  1720  of the use of re-attachable container identifiers. Also, the label cylinder can be used in conjunction with more re-attachable container identifiers  1730  on the back label  1725  of a wine bottle  1700 .