Readily identifiable clear plastic water and other beverage bottles

Abstract

A readily identifiable individual bottle for packaging at least one of water and other beverages therein. The individual bottle includes a molded plastic bottle body portion having each of a predetermined shape, a predetermined volume and a first predetermined color. There is a threaded neck portion disposed adjacent an upper end of the body portion and a threaded cap portion having a second predetermined color.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/696,842 filed Jul. 6, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to color-coding individual bottles of bottled water and other beverages and, more particularly, this invention relates to readily identifiable bottles for such individual water and beverage bottles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is well known in the art, individual clear plastic bottles for packaging water and other beverages, such as pop, are now in widespread use. However, when a few people are gathered together, for example, at picnics and/or other get-togethers, one can not tell these clear plastic bottles apart. Consequently, because people cannot tell these bottles apart much of the contents left in an unattended bottle are thrown out in many cases. This is particularly the case when there are people at the function that a person doesn't wish to drink after. Obviously, not only does this result in a great deal of waste of water or beverages and plastic bottles, but is also costly.

In order to solve this problem people have sometimes tied a tag onto the bottle in order to identify their bottle. Another solution to the problem has been to stick your name on the bottle with a piece of tape. However, neither of these two methods is entirely satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in a first aspect thereof, provides a readily identifiable individual bottle for packaging water and/or other beverages therein. Such individual bottle includes a molded plastic bottle body portion having each of a predetermined shape, a predetermined volume and a first predetermined color. A threaded neck portion is disposed adjacent an upper end of the body portion and a threaded cap portion having the same predetermined color is threadedly engageable with the threaded neck portion.

According to a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a package having a predetermined plurality of readily identifiable individual bottles for packaging at least one of water and other beverages therein. Such package of identifiable individual bottles comprising a predetermined plurality of molded plastic bottle body portions having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined volume. Each of such predetermined plurality of molded plastic bottle body portions having several predetermined colors. A threaded neck portion is disposed adjacent an upper end of each of the plurality of molded plastic bottle body portions. There is a predetermined plurality of threaded cap portions, each having at least one matching predetermined color and a package having such predetermined plurality of readily identifiable individual bottles disposed therein.

In a third and final embodiment of the invention there is taught a method of providing a readily identifiable individual bottle for packaging at least one of water or other beverages therein, usually with an array of colors available for individuals to choose from. The method includes selecting each of a predetermined shape, a predetermined volume and a predetermined set of colors for a molded plastic bottle body portion of an individual bottle and providing a threaded neck portion disposed adjacent an upper end of said body portion and threadedly engaging a threaded cap portion having the same predetermined color to said threaded neck portion.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide one or several readily identifiable individual bottles for packaging water and/or other beverages therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a readily identifiable individual bottle for packaging water and/or other beverages therein which will substantially minimize drinking from another person's bottle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a readily identifiable individual bottle for packaging water and/or other beverages therein which will eliminate the need to have available additional items (such as pens, ribbons, strings or labels) needed to mark or otherwise adorn individual bottles.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide readily identifiable individual bottles for packaging water and/or other beverages therein which will substantially minimize waste of water, and/or other beverages, and/or the plastic bottles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide readily identifiable individual bottles for packaging water and/or other beverages therein which will not add any appreciable amount to the cost of packaging water and/or other beverages.

A further object of the present invention is to provide readily identifiable individual bottles for packaging water and/or other beverages therein which is relatively easy to produce.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide readily identifiable individual bottles for packaging water and/or other beverages therein which is more attractive.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide readily identifiable bottles for packaging water and/or beverages therein which is effective even when a dark beverage is contained within the bottle.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for packaging water and/or other beverages which will enable ready identification of an individual's water and/or other beverage.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figure and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a presently preferred bottle manufactured according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is perspective view of a presently preferred package for bottles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components having identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals through the several views illustrated in the attached drawing Figures.

Now refer more particularly to FIG. 1. Illustrated therein is a presently preferred embodiment of a readily identifiable individual bottle, generally designated 10, for packaging at least one of water (not shown) and/or other beverages (not shown) therein. Such individual bottle 10 includes a molded plastic bottle body portion 12 having each of a predetermined shape, a predetermined volume and a first predetermined color.

A threaded neck portion 14 is disposed adjacent an upper end of the body portion 12 and a threaded cap portion 16 having the same predetermined color is threadedly engaged with such threaded neck portion 14 of the bottle 10.

It is within the scope of the present invention, for bottle 10 that the first predetermined color of such bottle body portion 12 and such second predetermined color of the threaded cap portion 16 to be substantially identical.

It is also within the scope of the present invention for such first predetermined color of the bottle 10 body portion 12 to be selected from all colors and the second predetermined color of the threaded cap portion 16 will be different than such first predetermined color of the bottle 10 body portion 12. For example, such first predetermined color of the bottle 10 body portion 12 can be clear plastic and such second predetermined color of the threaded cap portion 16 can be selected from all colors so that when such threaded cap portion 16 is placed on the body portion 12 of the bottle 10 such individual bottle 10 is identifiable via the threaded cap portion 16.

In the broadest aspect of the present invention such predetermined volume will normally be between about 6.0 ounces and about 32.0 ounces. A more preferred range for such predetermined volume will be between about 12.0 ounces and about 24.0 ounces. The most preferred range for the predetermined volume will be between about 12.0 ounces and about 16.0 ounces.

This readily identifiable bottle, in the presently preferred embodiment, further includes a sealing means 18 disposed within such threaded cap portion 16 for sealing contents within an interior portion 22 of such bottle 10 body portion 12.

Now reference is made to FIG. 2. illustrated therein is a presently preferred embodiment of a package, generally designated 30, for holding a predetermined plurality of readily identifiable individual bottles 10 for packaging at least one of water and other beverages therein. Such package 30 includes a predetermined plurality of molded plastic bottle 10 body portions 12 having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined volume. Each of such predetermined plurality of molded plastic bottle 10 body portions 12 having at least one first predetermined color.

A threaded neck portion 14 is disposed adjacent an upper end of each of such plurality of such molded plastic bottle 10 body portions 12. There is a predetermined plurality of threaded cap portions 16, each of such predetermined plurality of threaded cap portions 16 having at least one second predetermined color and package 30 having such predetermined plurality of such readily identifiable individual bottles 10 disposed therein.

As with the embodiment described supra each of such predetermined plurality of molded plastic bottle 10 body portions 12 will exhibit a different first predetermined color and each of such predetermined plurality of threaded cap portions 16 will have a different second predetermined color.

Additionally, the present invention includes a method of providing a readily identifiable individual bottle for packaging at least one of water and other beverages therein. The method includes the steps of selecting each of a predetermined shape, a predetermined volume and a first predetermined color for a molded plastic bottle body portion of an individual bottle.

Providing a threaded neck portion disposed adjacent an upper end of such body portion and selecting a threaded cap portion having a second predetermined color.

The method preferably further includes the step of providing a predetermined plurality of each of such body portions, such threaded neck portions and such threaded cap portions. Additionally, the method preferably includes the step of packaging such plurality of such readily identifiable individual bottles which will normally be either six, twelve or twenty four.

While in accordance with the patent statutes both a presently preferred as well as a number of alternative embodiments of the invention have been described above in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same it should be noted that various other modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A readily identifiable individual bottle for packaging at least one of water and other beverages therein. Said individual bottle comprising:

(a) a molded plastic bottle body portion having each of a predetermined shape, a predetermined volume and a first predetermined color;

(b) a threaded neck portion disposed adjacent an upper end of said body portion; and

(c) a threaded cap portion having a second predetermined color.

2. A readily identifiable individual bottle, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined color of said bottle body portion and said second predetermined color of said threaded cap portion are substantially identical.

3. A readily identifiable individual bottle, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined color of said bottle body portion is selected from all colors and said second predetermined color of said threaded cap portion is different than said first predetermined color of said bottle body portion.

4. A readily identifiable individual bottle, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined color of said bottle body portion is clear plastic and said second predetermined color of said threaded cap portion is selected from all colors so that when said threaded cap portion is replaced on said bottle body portion said individual bottle is identifiable.

5. A readily identifiable individual bottle, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined volume is between about 6.0 ounces and about 32.0 ounces.

6. A readily identifiable individual bottle, according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined volume is between about 12.0 ounces and about 24.0 ounces.

7. A readily identifiable individual bottle, according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined volume is between about 12.0 ounces and about 16.0 ounces.

8. A readily identifiable individual bottle, according to claim 1, wherein said individual bottle further includes a seal means disposed within said threaded cap portion for sealing contents within said bottle body portion.

9. A package of a predetermined plurality of readily identifiable individual bottles for packaging at least one of water and other beverages therein, said package of identifiable individual bottles comprising:

(a) a predetermined plurality of molded plastic bottle body portions having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined volume, each of said predetermined plurality of molded plastic bottle body portions having at least one first predetermined color;

(b) a threaded neck portion disposed adjacent an upper end of each of plurality of said molded plastic bottle body portions;

(c) a predetermined plurality of threaded cap portions, each of said predetermined plurality of threaded cap portions having at least one second predetermined color; and

(d) a package having said predetermined plurality of said readily identifiable individual bottles disposed therein.

10. A package of a predetermined plurality of readily identifiable individual bottles, according to claim 9, wherein each of said predetermined plurality of said molded plastic bottle body portions have a different first predetermined color.

11. A package of a predetermined plurality of readily identifiable individual bottles, according to claim 9, wherein each of said predetermined plurality of threaded cap portions have a different second predetermined color.

12. A package of a predetermined plurality of readily identifiable individual bottles, according to claim 9, wherein each of said predetermined volume is about 12 ounces.

13. A package of a predetermined plurality of readily identifiable individual bottles, according to claim 9, wherein each of said predetermined plurality is selected from six, twelve and twenty four.

14. A method of providing a readily identifiable individual bottle for packaging at least one of water and other beverages therein, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting each of a predetermined shape, a predetermined volume and a first predetermined color for a molded plastic bottle body portion of an individual bottle;

(b) providing a threaded neck portion disposed adjacent an upper end of said body portion; and

(c) selecting a threaded cap portion having a second predetermined color.

15. A method, according to claim 14, wherein said method includes the step of providing a predetermined plurality of each of said body portions, said threaded neck portions and said threaded cap portions.

16. A method, according to claim 15, wherein said method includes the additional step of packaging said plurality of said readily identifiable individual bottles.

17. A method, according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of said readily identifiable individual bottles is selected from six twelve and twenty four.