Patent Publication Number: US-2003230019-A1

Title: Container identifier and method for identifying containers

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention generally relates to a container identifier and a method for identifying containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to an identifier and method for distinguishing between beverage containers. The identifier may fit a container, such as, for example, a bottle or a can to distinguish the bottle or can from other similar bottles or cans. The identifier may be a ring-like object which may be attached to the container.  
       [0002] It is, of course, generally known to provide a holding and/or identification device for bottles, cans, and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,034 to Skapyak et al. discloses a wine bottle ring for placing around a neck of the wine bottle. In addition, wine glass rings are known for placing around a stem of a wine glass. The wine glass rings may provide a distinctive ornamentation to distinguish the wine glasses from each other. The distinctive ornamentation may be through shape, color, size, or any other manner where it may be possible to see that one of the rings is clearly different from any one of the other rings.  
       [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,770 to Evans discloses a device releasably clasped to a container which provides for personal identification of the container. The device has an enlarged central region for receiving advertising as well as for receiving indicia relating to the personal identification.  
       [0004] Further, U.S. Pat. No. 3,813,801 to Vander Schaaf discloses a device to wrap around a can. The device has an exposed surface having printed advertising matter or other matter, such as, for example, decorative matter, comical matter, distinguishing colors and/or numbers and the like.  
       [0005] Still further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,815 to Lang relates to a device for identifying pop-top cans. The device includes a flexible resilient sleeve which slides over and sits on the free end of the pop-top can tab. The sleeve has a distinctive color, design, texture, written indicia or any combination thereof to identify the can.  
       [0006] However, the known devices fail to expand to fit different sized beverage containers and/or more than one size container. For example, the known devices may fit a can or bottle having a 2½-inch diameter, but may not be used again on a bottle having a diameter of three or more inches. Further, the known devices fail to include a gripping mechanism such that the identifier is not easily removed and/or lost.  
       [0007] A need, therefore, exists for a container identifier for cans, bottles, glasses, and the like that may adjust for the size of a container and/or that grips to the container to prevent movement and/or loss of the identifier.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] The present invention generally relates to a container identifier and a method for identifying containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to an identifier and a method for distinguishing between beverage containers. The identifier may fit a container, such as, for example, a bottle or a can to distinguish the bottle or can from other similar bottles or cans. The identifier may be a ring-like object which may be attached to the container.  
       [0009] To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, an identifier for a container is provided having a body, a tab extending from the body and an opening. The body has a cylindrical shape and a height defined between a top end and a bottom end. The body has a first side facing the container and a second side opposite the first side. The tab extends from the body and the tab contacts the container. The opening is in the body and has a width. The opening extends through the height of the body and the opening is separable to increase the width of the opening.  
       [0010] In another embodiment, the identifier has a protrusion on the tab wherein the protrusion extends from the tab to contact the container.  
       [0011] In another embodiment, the identifier has a pad attached to the tab between the tab and the container.  
       [0012] In another embodiment, the identifier has foam attached to the tab between the tab and the container.  
       [0013] In another embodiment, the identifier has rubber attached to the tab between the tab and the container.  
       [0014] In another embodiment, the identifier has an adhesive on the tab.  
       [0015] In another embodiment, the identifier has indicia on the body.  
       [0016] In another embodiment, the identifier has a color associated with the body.  
       [0017] In another embodiment, the cylindrical shape of the body is a helmet.  
       [0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for distinguishing one container from another container is provided. The method has the steps of: providing a body having a height defined between a top end and a bottom end wherein the body has a first side facing the container and a second side opposite the first side; providing a tab extending from the body; attaching a grip to the tab between the tab and the container wherein the grip contacts the container; and placing the body on the container wherein the grip holds to the container.  
       [0019] In another embodiment, the method for distinguishing one container from another container further comprises the step of providing an opening in the body having a width wherein the opening extends through the height of the body and further wherein the opening is separable to increase the width of the opening.  
       [0020] In another embodiment, the method for distinguishing one container from another container further comprises the step of adding indicia on the body to distinguish the body.  
       [0021] In another embodiment, the body has printed information.  
       [0022] In another embodiment, the body has a color.  
       [0023] In another embodiment, the method for distinguishing one container from another container further comprises the step of attaching a pad to the first side of the body.  
       [0024] In another embodiment, the method for distinguishing one container from another container further comprises the step of attaching foam to the tab between the tab and the container.  
       [0025] In another embodiment, the method for distinguishing one container from another container further comprises the step of attaching rubber to the tab between the tab and the container.  
       [0026] In another embodiment, the method for distinguishing one container from another container further comprises the step of expanding the body to place the body on a larger container.  
       [0027] In another embodiment, the body has a shape of a helmet.  
       [0028] It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide a container identifier and a method for identifying a beverage container of a user.  
       [0029] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a container identifier and a method for identifying a container to prevent mistaking the beverage container of one with another.  
       [0030] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a container identifier and a method for identifying a container to help in the prevention of the transmission of germs that lead to sickness and diseases by distinguishing one container from another.  
       [0031] A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a container identifier and a method for identifying a container to limit the problem of unfinished or lost beverages.  
       [0032] A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a container identifier and a method for identifying a container that allows for advertising.  
       [0033] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a container identifier and a method for identifying a container that allows for the display of different colors or logos associated with a favorite team, school, or the like.  
       [0034] Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0035]FIG. 1 is side view of an embodiment of a container identifier of the present invention.  
     [0036]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a container identifier of the present invention.  
     [0037]FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a container identifier of the present invention.  
     [0038]FIG. 4 is perspective view of a container identifier used on a bottle in an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0039]FIG. 5 is perspective view of an embodiment of a container identifier of the present invention.  
     [0040]FIG. 6 is perspective view of an embodiment of a container identifier of the present invention as used on a beverage can. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0041] The present invention generally relates to a container identifier and a method for identifying containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to an identifier and a method for distinguishing between beverage containers. The identifier may fit a container, such as, for example, a bottle or a can to distinguish the bottle or can from other similar bottles or cans. The identifier may be a ring-like object which may be attached to the container.  
     [0042] Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts, FIGS.  1  illustrates a container identifier  10  of the present invention. Preferably, the container identifier  10  may be constructed of plastic, but may be constructed of other materials, such as, for example, any metal, such as aluminum or steel, cardboard, paper, or the like.  
     [0043] The container identifier  10  may have a ring-like shape and may have a top portion  12  and a bottom portion  14 . The top portion  12  may be defined between a first end  16  and a second end  18 . The first end  16  may have a diameter smaller than a diameter of the second end  18  such that the top portion  12  may taper from the first end  16  to the second end  18 . The second end  18  of the top portion  12  may be attached to the bottom portion  14  of the container identifier  10 . Preferably, the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  14  are integrally formed. As also shown in FIG. 1, the container identifier  10  may have a wing  20 .  
     [0044] Referring to FIG. 2, the first end  16  and the second end  18  of the top portion  12 , as well as the bottom portion  14 , the wing  20  and the tab  22  are illustrated in a bottom view of an embodiment of the container identifier  10  of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the wing  20  may have a tab  22  under the wing  20 . The tab  22  may be constructed from, for example, foam, rubber, adhesive material or the like. In another embodiment, instead of foam, rubber, or the like, the tab  22  may have a ripple or protrusion  23  to secure the container identifier  10  against the bottle or can. As also shown in FIG. 2, the container identifier  10  may have more than one wing  20  and more than one tab  22 . The container identifier  10  may have a first wing  20   a  and a second wing  20   b  at, for example, opposite from each other. More specifically, the first wing  20   a  may depend from the bottom portion  14  of the container at a location opposite from the second wing  20   b . Further, the container identifier  10  may have a slit  24  through the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  14 . The slit  24  may have a width  25 . The slit  24  may allow the container identifier  10  to expand. Accordingly, the container identifier  10  may expand to fit various sizes of beverage containers.  
     [0045] Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of the container identifier  10  is illustrated. The container identifier  10 , as illustrated in FIG. 3, may have indicia  26 , for advertisement or identification, such as a number, color, name, or the like. The indicia  26  may allow a user to distinguish his/her can or bottle from other similar cans or bottles. For example, the indicia  26  may include the name of the user, such as, for example, the name “John”. The user may distinguish his can or bottle from other similar cans or bottles by the name “John” on the container identifier  10 . In another example, the indicia  26  on the container identifier  10  may include a team name and/or mascot, such as, for example, “Butler Vikings”. Another container identifier  10  may have indicia  26  including, for example, the team name and mascot, such as, for example, “Hinsdale Red Devils”. Accordingly, the container identifier  10  with the indicia  26  including “Butler Vikings” may distinguish a can or a bottle from a similar can or similar bottle having a container identifier  10  with the indicia  26  including “Hinsdale Red Devils”.  
     [0046] Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the container identifier  10  is illustrated. In use, the container identifier  10  may be placed on a bottle  38 . The container identifier  10  may be placed on the bottle  38  by placing the container identifier  10  over a neck  40  of the bottle. After the container identifier  10  is placed over the neck  40  of the bottle  38 , the container identifier  10  may be placed onto a body  42  of the bottle. The diameter of the container identifier  10  may be substantially similar to the diameter of the bottle  38 , such that the container identifier  10  hugs the bottle  38 . The tab  22  on the wing  20  of the container identifier  10  may provide friction between the tab  22  and the bottle  38 . As a result, the container identifier  10  may be substantially held in a position on the bottle  38  and may be prevented from moving or falling off the bottle  38 .  
     [0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the container identifier  10  may be shaped as a helmet, a baseball cap, a school mascot, a cartoon character, an animal, or the like. Referring to FIG. 5, in an embodiment, the container identifier  10  may replicate a helmet of a football player, football team, or the like. The container identifier  10  may have indicia  26  including a team name, team color, player number, and/or the like. The container identifier  10  may have decorative pieces  29  for further replicating a shape of a helmet, such as, for example, a face mask. Of course, the container identifier  10  may be shaped as various items and characters and may have various decorative pieces. For example, the container identifier  10  may be shaped in the form of a rabbit (not shown) and may have decorative pieces including rabbit ears, rabbit nose or the like.  
     [0048] As further shown in FIG. 5, the container identifier  10  may have a third tab  22   c  as well as the first tab  22   a  and the second tab  22   b . The first tab  22   a  may be associated with the wing  20 . The third tab  22   c  may be associated with an interior surface  28  of the container identifier  10 . The first tab  22   a , the second tab  22   b , and the third tab  22   c  may be various sizes and/or shapes.  
     [0049] Referring to FIG. 6, in another embodiment, the container identifier  10  is shown in use, positioned on a can  36 . The container identifier  10  may be placed with the container identifier  10  on, for example, the can  36  by placing the container identifier  10  over a top end  34  of the can  36  as shown in FIG. 6. The first end  16  of the top portion  12  of the container identifier  10  may rest on the top end  34  of the can  36 . The tab  22  may further secure the container identifier  10  to the can  36 . In use, the container identifier  10  may have a distinguishing color, logo, word or the like to distinguish one container, such as, for example, a bottle or can, from another container.  
     [0050] In an embodiment of the present invention, the container identifier  10  may be used to identify multiple containers. For example, the container identifier  10  may be used at any gathering of people where numerous beverage containers may be used by individuals at the same time, such as, for example, a party, at an office or other place of work, at meetings, or the like. At a party, for example, numerous individuals may be drinking from similar bottles. An individual may confuse his beverage container with the beverage container of another and may expose himself to bacteria or germs by drinking from the beverage container of another. Further, an individual may lose track of his beverage container and may choose to use a second beverage container thereby wasting the remaining beverage in his first beverage container. To avoid loss of his beverage container, the individual may use the container identifier  10 .  
     [0051] To use the container identifier  10 , the individual may first choose the container identifier  10  that is distinct from the beverage container to uniquely identify his beverage container. Alternatively, the individual may add indicia to the container identifier  10  to further distinguish the container identifier  10 . The individual may add indicia to the beverage container by marking the beverage container with a pen, marker, or the like. Alternatively, the individual may choose the container identifier  10  with indicia that is unique to that container identifier  10 .  
     [0052] Second, the individual may attach the container identifier  10  to his beverage container. If the diameter of the beverage container is larger than the diameter of the container identifier  10 , the individual may expand the container identifier  10  to fit the beverage container. Finally, the individual may recycle the container identifier  10 . For example, if the individual chooses to use a second or different beverage container, the individual may remove the container identifier  10  from the beverage container and re-attach the container identifier  10  to the second or different beverage container.  
     [0053] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.