Abstract:
An identification apparatus capable of being selectively coupled with a beverage container having a substantially cylindrical shape and/or a substantially truncated conical shape.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of priority of previously filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/833,321, filed Jul. 26, 2006, the complete contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present application relates to apparatus and systems for identification and more specifically to apparatus and systems for uniquely identifying beverages and beverage containers.  
         [0004]     2. Background  
         [0005]     At parties, gatherings and events numerous cups, bottles and cans are not completely consumed by individuals due to the fact that the individuals lose track of which beverage belongs to them. They begin drinking from the container, put it down for some reason and then either forget where they placed the container or place it among other containers similar in appearance and cannot later determine which container belonged to them.  
         [0006]     Currently there exist wine charms that engage the stern of a wine glass and wine tags which attach to the stem of wine glass. Additionally, some people attempt to write on the containers with markers. However, wine charms and wine tags cannot be attached to bottles, cans or cups. Moreover, markers often do not adequately mark the containers due to condensation formation on the exterior of the containers.  
         [0007]     What is needed is an apparatus and system for uniquely identifying containers that can be selectively coupled with a container.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a beverage identification marker.  
         [0009]      FIGS. 2-11  depict alternate embodiments of the beverage identification marker depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of an apparatus  100  for identifying a beverage and/or beverage container. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  100  comprises a uniquely identifiable elastomeric band  102  capable of being selectively coupled with the exterior of a beverage container  104 . In some embodiments the band  102  can be comprised of rubber. However, in alternate embodiments, the band  102  can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material capable of engaging, either frictionally or via any other mechanism, the exterior of a container  104 .  
         [0011]     In some embodiments the band  102  can be comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system described in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the apparatus can be comprised of a label  202  capable of being selective coupled with a container  104 . In some embodiments the label  202  can be coupled with the container  104  via an adhesive. In some embodiments the adhesive can be selected such that it is not substantially impacted by moisture. In alternate embodiments, the adhesive can be selected such that it can be applied to a moist or damp surface. In some embodiments the apparatus can contain any uniquely identifiable marking, such that a user can distinguish beverage containers.  
         [0013]     In some embodiments the label  202  can be comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system described in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the apparatus can be comprised of a label  202  capable of being selective coupled with a container  104 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the label  202  can further comprise an etchable area  302  that can be selectively marked without the use of a writing implement. That is, the etchable area  302  can be comprised of a material that can be marked using any implement.  
         [0015]     In some embodiments the label  202  can be coupled with the container  104  via an adhesive. In some embodiments the adhesive can be selected such that it is not substantially impacted by moisture. In alternate embodiments, the adhesive can be selected such that it can be applied to a moist or damp surface. In some embodiments the apparatus cain contain any uniquely identifiable marking, such that a user can distinguish beverage containers.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  depicts one embodiment of an apparatus  100  for identifying a beverage and/or beverage container. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  100  comprises a uniquely identifiable elastomeric band  102  capable of being selectively coupled with the exterior of a beverage container  402 . In some embodiments the band  102  ran be comprised of rubber. However, in alternate embodiments, the band  102  can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material capable of engaging, either frictionally or via any other mechanism, the exterior of a container  402 .  
         [0017]     In some embodiments the band  102  can be comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of an apparatus  100  for identifying a beverage and/or beverage container. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  100  comprises a uniquely identifiable elastomeric band  102  capable of being selectively coupled with the exterior of a beverage container  402 . In some embodiments the band  102  can be comprised of rubber. However, in alternate embodiments, the band  102  can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material capable of engaging, either frictionally or via any other mechanism, the exterior of a container  402 .  
         [0019]     In some embodiments the band  102  can be comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.  
         [0020]     In  FIG. 5  the band  102  can further comprise a writing area  502  comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system described in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6  the apparatus can be comprised of a label  202  capable of being selective coupled with a container  402 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 , the label  202  can further comprise an etchable area  602  that can be selectively marked without the use of a writing implement. That is, the etchable area  602  can be comprised of a material that can be marked using any implement.  
         [0022]     In some embodiments the label  202  can be coupled with the container  402  via an adhesive. In some embodiments the adhesive can be selected such that it is not substantially impacted by moisture. In alternate embodiments, the adhesive can be selected such that it can be applied to a moist or damp surface. In some embodiments the apparatus can contain any uniquely identifiable marking, such that a user can distinguish beverage containers.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system described in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 , the apparatus can be comprised of a label  202  capable of being selective coupled with a container  402 . In some embodiments the label  202  can be coupled with the container  402  via an adhesive. In some embodiments the adhesive can be selected such that it is not substantially impacted by moisture. In alternate embodiments, the adhesive can be selected such that it can be applied to a moist or damp surface. In some embodiments the apparatus can contain any uniquely identifiable marking, such that a user can distinguish beverage containers.  
         [0024]     In some embodiments the label  202  can be comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system described in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8 , the apparatus can be comprised of one or more uniquely identifiable flexible members  802  capable of selectively coupling with the exterior of a container  402 . In some embodiments the combination of flexible member  802  can be uniquely identifiable and/or the individual flexible members  802  can be uniquely identifiable.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 9 and 10  depict alternate embodiments of the apparatus and system depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10  a tag  902  can be coupled with the attachment member  102  via a chord  904 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 11 , the tag  902  can be coupled with an anchor  1102  that is selectively coupleable with the container. In some embodiments the anchor  1102  can be a clip mechanism. However, in alternate embodiments the anchor  1102  can be any known and or convenient attachment mechanism.  
         [0028]     Although the detailed description has been presented with multiple embodiments, it will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that multiple alternate variations may be possible. Therefore, the scope and spirit of this disclosure shall only be limited by the scope of the claims presented herein.