Container Identification System

Abstract

A customizable container is disclosed for personalizing and identifying bottles and cans. The customizable container comprises several raised portions associated with indicia such as letters, numbers, symbols, characters, phrases, etc. The raised portions can be depressed, creating a unique pattern or association with the indicia in order to distinguish the container from similar containers. The raised portions are arranged in a manner to encourage their use, such as placing them where the consumer will grasp the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to container identification, and more particularly, to an identification and personalization system for bottles and cans.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Containers are generally used to hold and protect something from external elements. Bottles are a type of container generally used to protect liquids such as water, soda, wine, beer, milk, medicine, although they may contain solids or gases as well. Bottles are usually rigid containers with a narrow neck, an opening on the top, and a relatively larger body. Bottles are typically made from glass, plastic, aluminum, or other impervious materials. Bottles often have an external bottle cap or lid designed to seal the opening and prevent the contents from spilling.

Cans are another type of container generally used to hold, store, and distribute liquids and solids, such as soda, beer, meats, vegetables, and various other items. In general, cans are made of aluminum, tin, steel, tin-plated steel, or other metals. Pull tabs, stay-on tabs, and press button tabs are some of the most common mechanisms used to open cans.

When at an event, such as a picnic or party, it is common to provide beverages in bottles and cans. It is also common for the beverages to be similarly labeled, as the organizer typically purchases the beverages in bulk. As such, when several participants leave their beverage unattended in a common location, it is easy to confuse which beverage belongs to which participant. The participants commonly dispose of the beverages in question, and obtain new beverages, only to misplace them again and repeat cycle of waste. Several solutions have been developed to solve this problem.

U.S. Patent Application No. US 2009/0194449 to Wu on Aug. 6, 2009, describes a beverage container with readily identifiable labels that provides a scratch-off film on an outside surface of a container body. The scratch-off film has a distinct color for eye catching and is easy to scratch off to provide a beverage container with an identification mechanism. The scratch off film has an effective area that can be scratched off by a user to form an easily recognizable mark, such as a figure, a character, or a pattern to allow the user to identify the user's own beverage among a number of identical beverage containers. The purpose of this invention is to provide a sanitary and safe form of recognition to prevent the waste of incompletely consumed beverage containers due to un-recognition.

U.S. Patent Application No. US 2009/0266735 to Moore on Oct. 29, 2009, describes a customizable beverage bottle label that provides a method of identifying the owner by providing an area on the beverage label for writing a name, initials, or other identification indicia. The specific area is added to the cylindrical beverage label of the beverage and can be any size, shape, and distinction. The label material can be chosen by any individual beverage, label company, or corporation. The customizable area of the label is incorporated into the layout and design of the label before printing and can be included on any area of the existing label.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,144 to Groth on Jan. 6, 1998, describes a beverage container identification tag for attaching to a beverage container to allow a drinker or others to identify the ownership of the beverage stored in the beverage container. The tag includes a tag body made of a thin strip of flexible material for wrapping around the beverage container. The beverage container identification tag also includes a display area for the placement of a name or symbol. One end of the tag body carries adhesive, which is used to connect that end to a selected overlapped location on the tag body after it is wrapped snugly around the beverage container.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,702 to Rea on Jul. 11, 2000, describes a method for personalizing beverage containers by utilizing a removable field of labels that can be placed anywhere on the container. A portion of the labels are removed from the container, organized in a desired sequence and remounted at a new location on the container. The labels are held to the bottle using an adhesive.

While the above embodiments provide identification means for existing bottles and cans, their implementation methods are costly, inefficient, and require additional materials and adhesives. Therefore, there is a need for a container that can be quickly and easily personalized without the use of costly labels, materials, adhesives, or the like. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device is a container that can be personalized to identify the owner of the container. The container comprises an arrangement of raised portions that are strategically placed on the container. The raised portions will be placed where the user typically holds the container, and thus encourages use by reminding the user to personalize the container.

In use, the raised portions can be pressed and, with sufficient pressure, will be pushed in, going from a convex shape to a concave shape. The tabs may also display a change in color, such as going from clear to white. The pressed tabs will correlate with indicia on the container, such as numbers, letters, phrases, characters, and the like. The user will press as many raised portions as necessary to distinguish their container from other similar containers.

The present invention is a container that can be quickly and easily personalized without the use of costly labels, materials, adhesives, or the like. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrated as a plastic bottle with a populated upper section;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrated as a plastic bottle with a populated upper section;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrated as a plastic bottle with a populated upper and lower section;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrated as a plastic bottle with a populated upper section;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrated as a can with a populated upper section;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrated as a can with a populated upper and lower section;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrated as a can with a populated upper, left, and right sections;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrated as a can with a populated lower section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

The present invention comprises a plurality of raised portions 12 on the exterior 20 of a container 10. Each raised portion 12 is located on the exterior 20 of the container 10 and is associated with specific indicia 14. The raised portions 12 will enable the consumer of the container 10 to identify the contents of the container 10 as well as personalize the container 10. As such, when the consumer misplaces their container 10 amongst similar containers 10, they will be able to recognize their own by identifying their own personalized pattern (FIG. 2).

Each raised portion 12 will comprise a convex shape extending outward from the container 10. Each raised portion 12 can be depressed 16, transposing the outward facing convex protrusion into an inward-facing concave intrusion. Once depressed 16, the raised portions 12 may change color. For example, the raised portions 12 may become white or blue after being depressed 16 due to the compression of the raised portion 12 material. Shapes comprise a circle 30, oval 30, triangle 32, rectangle 34, polygon 34, star 36, or other suitable shape. The shapes may also represent a character, symbol, logo 38, or other design. In an alternative embodiment, each shape will include a small protrusion 26 at its center to further remind the user to depress the shape when they feel the protrusion.

Each raised portion 12 is associated with a specific indicia 14. Examples of indicia 14 include letters, numbers, words, phrases, characters, logos, teams, days, months, years, astrological signs, or other suitable indicia 14. Typically, the user will personalize the container 10 with a word 28, phrase, birthday, phone number, code, favorite character, favorite team, or any combination of the above. The indicia 14 will either be pressed 28 onto the container 10 independent of the raised portion 12, be embossed 29 onto the raised portion 12 itself, or be printed on the container 10 or label.

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate the container 10 as a plastic bottle with an upper section 22 and a lower section 24. The raised portions 12 are strategically placed on the exterior 20 of the bottle to encourage use. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the raised portions 12 are placed on the upper section 22, or neck, where the user will typically grasp the bottle when twisting the cap 18. In FIG. 3, the raised portions 12 are placed on the lower section 24, or body, where the user will typically hold the bottle when not drinking from it. The strategic placement will encourage the use of the raised portions 12, especially when the user would have forgotten to use them otherwise.

FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate the container 10 as a can with an upper section 42, lower section 44, and left 46 and right 48 sections. The raised portions 12 are strategically placed on the exterior 20 of the can to encourage use. In FIG. 5, the raised portions 12 are placed on the upper section 42, or neck, where the user will typically grasp the can when pulling the tab 26 to open the can. In FIG. 6, the raised portions 12 are placed on the lower section 44, or body, where the user will typically hold the can when drinking from it. Again, this will encourage the use of the raised portions 12 by reminding the user to depress them. The benefit of this will be increased use, and as such, less waste.

The raised portions 12 and indicia 14 will be arranged to encourage use and personalization. In one embodiment, the raised portions 12 and indicia 14 will represent several alphabet sets (A-Z) and several of number sets (0-9), allowing the user to depress raised portions 12 correlating with their initials and birth month (FIGS. 1, 5, 6). In an alternative embodiment, the raised portions 12 and indicia 14 will be arranged like a keypad, allowing the user to create a unique pattern (FIG. 2). In a further alternative embodiment, the raised portions 12 and indicia 14 will be arranged to create interesting or provocative sentences, having a subject set, verb set, and object set in sequence (FIG. 3). In an even further alternative embodiment, the raised portions 12 and indicia 14 will represent a month set, day set, year set, and zodiac set to indicate a birthday and astrological sign (FIG. 3).

In one embodiment, the exterior 20 of the container 10 is divided for a specific contest, sporting event, television show, theme park, or other means of division (FIG. 7). For example, a can may be divided into left 46 and right 48 sections, the left 46 representing team one and the right 48 representing team two. Each side will include a raised portion 12 and an embossed team logo 38, as well as other designs to further distinguish the sections 46, 48 of the can. The embossed logo 38 may be depressible along with the raised portion 12. In another example, a can may be split into four or more sections, each representing a character on a television series or group, and each including an embossed logo 38 and a raised portion 12.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the raised portions 12 may be placed on any acceptable container 10. Furthermore, the indicia 14 and arrangements can be associated with any television show, theme park, sporting event, competition, or the like, and can be arranged in any way in order to encourage the use of the raised portions 12. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A customizable container comprising:

an exterior surface;

a plurality of raised portions located on the exterior surface, wherein each raised portion protrudes outward from the exterior surface in a convex shape; and

a plurality of indicia associated with the raised portions;

whereby the raised portions can be depressed, transposing the convex outward protrusion into a concave inward intrusion.

2. The customizable container of claim 1, wherein the container is a plastic bottle having an upper section and a lower section, where the upper section is defined as the neck of the plastic bottle and the lower section is defined as the body of the bottle.

3. The customizable container of claim 1, wherein the container is a metal can having an upper section, a lower section, a left section, and a right section, where the upper section is defined as the neck of the can, the lower section is defined as the body of the can, the left section is defined as the left half of the bottom section, and the right section is defined as the right half of the bottom section.

4. The customizable container of claim 2, wherein the raised portions are located on the upper section and are associated with indicia which are arranged like a keypad for the consumer to create a unique pattern.

5. The customizable container of claim 2, wherein the raised portions are located on the upper section and are associated with indicia which represent a month set, day set, year set, and zodiac set to indicate a birthday and astrological sign.

6. The customizable container of claim 2, wherein the raised portions are located on the lower section and are associated with indicia which represent a subject set, a verb set, and an object set, wherein the consumer will arrange the words to create interesting or provocative sentences.

7. The customizable container of claim 3, wherein the raised portions are located on the upper section and are associated with indicia which represent a plurality of alphabet sets and a plurality of number sets.

8. The customizable container of claim 3, wherein the raised portions are located on the lower section and are placed where the consumer's fingers will make contact with the can when consuming the beverage.

9. The customizable container of claim 3, wherein the left section is associated with one team and the right section is associated with an opposing team, and wherein each section has at least one raised portion and at least one embossed logo representing the respective team.

10. The customizable container of claim 1, wherein the raised portions comprise a small protrusion at their center to alert the consumer to depress the raised portion.

11. The customizable container of claim 1, wherein the shape of the raised portions comprise a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a symbol, or a logo.

12. A method for customizing a container, comprising the steps of:

providing a container with an exterior surface;

providing an arrangement of raised portions located on the exterior surface, wherein each raised portion protrudes outward from the exterior surface in a convex shape;

providing a small protrusion at the center of each raised portion;

providing indicia associated with the raised portions;

depressing the raised portions in a manner to transpose the convex outward protrusion into a concave inward intrusion; and

creating a pattern or otherwise distinguishing the container from similar containers.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the container is a plastic bottle having an upper section and a lower section, where the upper section is defined as the neck of the plastic bottle and the lower section is defined as the body of the bottle.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the container is a metal can having an upper section, a lower section, a left section, and a right section, where the upper section is defined as the neck of the can, the lower section is defined as the body of the can, the left section is defined as the left half of the bottom section, and the right section is defined as the right half of the bottom section.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the raised portions are located on the upper section and are associated with indicia which are arranged like a keypad for the consumer to create a unique pattern.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the raised portions are located on the upper section and are associated with indicia which represent a month set, day set, year set, and zodiac set to indicate a birthday and astrological sign.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the raised portions are located on the lower section and are associated with indicia which represent a subject set, a verb set, and an object set, wherein the consumer will arrange the words to create interesting or provocative sentences.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the raised portions are located on the upper section and are associated with indicia which represent a plurality of alphabet sets and a plurality of number sets.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the raised portions are located on the lower section and are placed where the consumer's fingers will make contact with the can when consuming the beverage.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the left section is associated with one team and the right section is associated with an opposing team, and wherein each section has at least one raised portion and at least one embossed logo representing the respective team.