Abstract:
A transportable device which stores identification bands used to identify one container from a group of similar containers. Identification bands can be removed from the storage device and placed on a container such as a water bottle or beverage can. The user can remove the identification band from the container and store the band on the device for future use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a means for identifying one container among a group of containers. More particularly, the present invention is a transportable device that stores identification bands used to enable the user of a specific beverage to readily locate and retrieve the beverage from a group of beverages. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Frequently at parties, meetings, gyms, family gatherings, amusement parks, school lunchrooms or playgrounds, sporting events and gatherings, around the house, or other business or social settings, there may be more than one person consuming beverages in very similar or identical containers, including glass or plastic bottles, mugs, cans, glasses, juice boxes, or any other widely used beverage container. 
         [0003]    As a result, people drink from containers and bottles that are not their own, often resulting in the spread of germs between two or more people drinking from the same container. Alternatively, people throw away containers when they are unsure of the user of the container. 
         [0004]    In order to address this concern, identification bands have been developed to distinguish beverage containers. For example, U.S. Patent Applications 20060207132 (Vaughan), 20080210586 (Didio), 20090094870 (Isserow), and 20090084701 (Isserow) describe stretchable, elastic bands used to identify a drink container. Other bands such as rubber bands and hair bands have also been used to identify similar containers. 
         [0005]    So far as known to Applicant, no beverage identification band patented or developed provides a universal solution for the storage of the bands. 
         [0006]    A need therefore exists for a convenient, practical, inexpensive, and appealing storage device for the container identification bands. A need also exists for the device to be transportable or placed on a refrigerator or in a cooler so the identification bands can be near the drink containers, thereby facilitating their use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a transportable device which stores identification bands used to identify one container from a group of containers. Identification bands can be removed from the storage device and placed on a container such as a water bottle or beverage can. The user can remove the identification band from the container and store the band on the device for future use. 
         [0008]    It would be advantageous to provide a transportable device that stores container identification bands that enable an individual to identify one container from a group of containers. 
         [0009]    It would also be advantageous to provide a container identification bands storage device that can be placed on a magnetically attractive surface such as a refrigerator door. 
         [0010]    It would further be advantageous to provide a container identification bands storage device that is flexible. 
         [0011]    It would further be advantageous to provide a container identification bands storage device that is reusable and easy to use. 
         [0012]    It would further be advantageous to provide a container identification bands storage device that is waterproof and can be transported in a cooler. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a front side of the storage device in accordance with the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a back side of the storage device in accordance with the invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a front side of the storage device with the identification bands in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the front side  14  of a storage device  10  in accordance with the invention. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the back side  16  of a storage device  10  in accordance with the invention. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a storage device  10  with the identification bands  32  in accordance with the invention. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a water-bottle shaped storage device  10  includes a magnet structure  12  and a one-piece, thin, body having three body sections. The body includes a upper section  22 , a middle section  20 , and a lower section  18 . The middle section  20  is indented from the upper section  22  and the lower section  18  to contain the identification bands  32  on the storage device  10 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the magnet structure  12 , includes a disk-shaped magnet  24  and a circular, disk-shaped magnet cover  26 . The magnet structure  12  is coupled to the upper section  22  by placing the magnet cover  26  over the magnet  24  and adhering to the upper section  22  via adhesive or the like. When the magnet structure  12  is coupled to the upper section  22 , the storage device  10  can be placed and held on a magnetically attractive surface, such as a refrigerator side or door, cooler, or other, similar magnetizable surface. 
         [0023]    The body of the storage device  10  and magnet cover  26  can be formed from any suitable material, including but not limited to elastic, paper, rubber, leather, polypropylene, pvc, or other plastic material. The body of the storage device  10  is preferably flexible, however may be made from rigid material, as well. Still, the invention is not limited with regard to the specific material from which the body of the storage device  10  and the magnet cover  26  are formed. 
         [0024]    The placement of designs, wherein the term “designs” means patterns, photos, personalization&#39;s, logos, website, advertising, or any indicia, on the storage device  10  may employ, but is not limited to, the following methods: having designs printed on a display area upper section  28  or a display area lower section  30 , having the storage device  10  made with the designs as an integral part of the manufacturing process, hand-drawing designs on the storage device  10  or having design stickers placed on the storage device  10 . The designs may be placed on any fraction of the storage device  10  or on the entire storage device  10 . 
         [0025]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited to any specific size or shape. Instead, the exact size and shape of the storage device  10  and the magnet  24  will depend upon a variety of factors including the elasticity of the identification bands  32 , the thickness of the identification bands  32 , and the size of the particular type of container for which the identification bands  32  are designed. 
         [0026]    The manner in which the storage device  10  is used is shown in  FIG. 3 . Identification bands  32  have been placed on the storage device  10  for future use. As used herein, the term identification band should be understood to include a range of bands that are placed on containers to identify one container from other similar containers. 
         [0027]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and may be subject to change or modification. For example, the storage device  10  could be made without the magnet  24 , the magnet  24  could be placed anywhere on the body of the storage device  10 , or the magnet  24  could be an integral part of the manufacturing process. Furthermore, for example, the storage device  10  could folded to store the bands within the cavity of the body or a bottle opener could be incorporated with the body of the storage device  10 . 
         [0028]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0029]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.