DISPOSABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER MARKER
The present application relates generally to markers for beverage containers. Specifically, this application relates to beverage container markers that are appropriate and designed for marking one or more beverage containers for a single or limited use prior to disposal. Embodiments of the present invention are configured to identify, through one or more visual, tactile or other characteristics, a beverage container to a user or group of users.
The present application relates generally to markers for beverage containers. Specifically, this application relates to beverage container markers that are appropriate and designed for marking one or more beverage containers for a single or limited use prior to disposal. Embodiments of the present invention are configured to identify, through one or more visual, tactile or other characteristics, a beverage container to a user or group of users.
BACKGROUNDIn group or other social situations where participants are provided beverages containers (e.g., cans, cups, bottles, glasses, mugs) or other containers (e.g., jars, jugs, buckets) that are intended for a specific participant or specific individual, the age old problem of identifying who a container belongs to is ever present. As the duration of the situation increases, so does the likelihood of participants mixing up what container belongs to what participant.
The most common example of this is at a party where a host will provide numerous identical containers (e.g., cans, bottles, plastic cups, wine glasses) to everyone at the party. As the party endures, and partygoers pickup and put down their identical containers, identifying exactly what container belongs to which partygoer becomes increasingly difficult.
In order to solve this problem, the use of beverage markers has become commonplace. In general, these markers are rings or other preformed markers that are specifically designed to be retained upon a certain type of container (e.g., wine glass markers). These markers generally consist of a trinket or charm that is used to visually identify the marker, and by association the container the marker is attached to, to an individual.
In each of these prior art markers, the intention is to allow for the marker to be attached through a reusable means, such as a hook and loop attachment, and are constructed from materials that allow for the marker to be utilized repeatedly. While these prior art embodiments may work well for small groups, these markers are not intended for single-use. In large groups, where cleanup and reclamation of these markers may be difficult, these markers are not ideal and require individuals to remember to gather all the markers up at the end of the event. Further, since these markers are generally formed with a particular attachment means, each specific marker is generally restricted to use with a limited number of containers.
Finally, it should be noted that none of these prior art markers are intended for, or work appropriately with, cans, such as soda cans and the like, that have pull top tabs or other tab top openings. Current offerings not only are inadequate or unable to attach to such beverage containers, but even where they could be attached, they would make it nearly impossible to consume the beverage in the can without interfering.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a beverage container marker appropriate and configured for marking one or more beverage containers for a single or limited use prior to disposal. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be explained and will become obvious to one skilled in the art through the summary of the invention that follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a beverage container marker appropriate and configured for marking one or more beverage containers for a single or limited use prior to disposal.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a disposable container marker, includes: a deformable elongated body configured to deform around a portion of a container in a manner such that said deformable elongated body is retained upon said portion of said container; and one or more identifiable characteristics, wherein said one or more identifiable characteristics is configured to allow an individual to identify said container.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the deformable elongated body is comprised of a biodegradable material.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of said one or more identifiable characteristics is a charm, wherein said charm is attached to an end of the deformable elongated body.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the charm serves to visually identify said disposable container marker as belonging to a specific individual.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of said one or more identifiable characteristics is a tactile identifier extending from at least a portion of said deformable elongated body as to allow the disposable container marker as belonging to a specific individual through touch.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of said one or more identifiable characteristics is a coloring present in the deformable elongated body.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the coloring serves to visually identify said disposable container marker as belonging to a specific individual.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the deformable elongated body and the one or more identifiable characteristics are formed such that the disposable container marker resembles an object when deformed around said portion of said container.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the object the disposable container marker resembles is an animal, shape or figure.
The foregoing summary of the present invention with the preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood and obvious to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention thus described may be further modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The present application relates generally to markers for beverage containers. Specifically, this application relates to beverage container markers that are appropriate and designed for marking one or more beverage containers for a single or limited use prior to disposal. Embodiments of the present invention are configured to identify, through one or more visual, tactile or other characteristics, a beverage container to a user or group of users.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the beverage container markers described herein are configured to allow simple and easy use with containers of all types for the purpose of identifying an individual that is associated with the particular container the beverage container marker is attached to. While the description herein refers generally to embodiments as beverage container markers, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that embodiments of the present invention could be used with any type of container, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any type of container.
In general, embodiments of the present invention are comprised of a deformable elongated body component and one or more identifiable characteristic components. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a beverage container marker is comprised of a rectangular deformable elongated body with an identifiable characteristic, in the form of a charm, attached at each of the narrow ends of the rectangular deformable elongated body.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the deformable elongated body is configured to be deformed around a portion of a container in such a manner as to allow the beverage container marker to be retained upon the portion of a container. In this manner, the deformable elongated body is designed to act as a means for retaining itself upon a container. Advantageously, embodiments of the beverage container marker described herein does not need any additional retention means or any mating of two or more components in order to secure itself upon a container. In preferred embodiments, the deformable elongated body is configured to allow for the deformation to be undone in order to allow for the removal of the beverage container marker from the container it was attached to.
In general, the deformable elongated body is rectangular in shape, with a length sufficient to allow for the deformation of the elongated body around multiple container types. For instance, in certain embodiments, the deformable elongated body may be approximately 6 inches in length by ¼ inch in height, allowing for the deformable elongated body to be deformed around a large variety of containers (e.g., soda cans, bottles, wide-mouth bottles, plastic cups, wine glasses). In certain embodiments, the deformable elongated body may be configured to be deformed around components unique to certain container types (e.g., soda can pull tabs, containers with handles). In these embodiments, the deformable elongated body may be specially shaped to allow for deformation around or upon these unique components. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous shapes and sizes that could be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with deformable elongated bodies of any shape and size.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the identifiable characteristics of the beverage container marker are one or more components or characteristics configured to allow for the identification of the beverage container as belonging to a specific individual. Identifiable characteristics may be configured to provide such identification through visual means, tactile means, olfactory means, audible means or any combination thereof. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the identifiable characteristics may include, but are not limited to, charms attached to one or more ends of the deformable elongated body, color coatings, tactile elements (e.g., rough surfaces, soft surfaces, feathered surfaces, sticky surfaces), audible components (e.g., components that generate specific sounds that can be differentiated from one another in order to allow identification of the beverage container as belonging to a specific individual), or any combination thereof.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the charms could be multi-dimensional and include moving or animated components. For instance, charms could be comprised of simple objects, such as shapes (e.g., stars, squares, circles) or they could be comprised of complex components (e.g., googly eyes, snow-globe like components). One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous types of multi-dimensional charms that could be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any type of multi-dimensional charms.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the charms, or other identifiable characteristics, may be interchangeable or otherwise customizable. For instance, adhesives or other attachment means may be utilized to attach various identifiable characteristics to the elongated body. In this manner, individuals are presented the opportunity to customize their own beverage container marker. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous ways that the identifiable characteristics could be customized, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any manner for customizing identifiable characteristics.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, the deformable elongated body and the identifiable characteristics may form together to visually represent an object or element that allows for the identification of the container to which the disposable beverage container marker is attached to as belonging to a specific individual. For instance, a disposable beverage container marker may be formed in such a manner as to look like a snake, with the deformable elongated body representing the snake's body and a charm attached to one end of the deformable elongated body, where the charm is in the shape and form of a snake's head. In this manner, even when the disposable beverage container marker is attached to a container, the appearance of the embodiments still represents that of a snake. In alternative embodiments, the appearance may only be identifiable when the disposable beverage container marker is attached to a container. For instance, in one embodiment, a deformable elongated body with charms attached to each end in the shape of bunny ears is provided, where the appearance of two bunny ears arising from the container is only present when the deformable elongated body is deformed around a container (e.g., soda can pull tab). In other embodiments, the elongated body and the identifiable characteristics could form an identifiable shape (e.g., squares, rectangles, circles) or figures. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous objects and types of objects that could be visually represented through embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use in visually representing any appropriate object or object type.
In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, the disposable nature of the disposable beverage container marker described herein is improved through the use of biodegradable materials, recyclable materials, or other materials appropriate for disposal or recycling after single or limited usage. For instance, embodiments of the present invention may be comprised substantially of biodegradable or recyclable materials, such as cardboard, lightweight and/or commonplace plastics and metals (e.g., tin, aluminum, copper), cottons, linens, or any combination thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous materials that could be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any appropriate material or combination of materials.
Exemplary EmbodimentsTurning now to
While embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use as beverage container markers, similar embodiments of the present invention could be utilized for numerous other purposes, such as in arts-and-crafts projects, or to entertain children. Other uses might include, but are not limited to, marking toys or other belongings as belonging to a particular individual, group or party, being used as a hairband for a doll or young child, and joining together two or more items in a removable manner. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous uses for embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use in any appropriate manner.
While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. The invention is capable of myriad modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
Claims
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12. A method for identifying ownership of a beverage container with a pull tab opener through use of a disposable beverage container marker, said method comprising the steps of:
- deforming a deformable elongated body portion of said disposable beverage container marker around a pull tab portion of said beverage container with a pull tab opener in a manner such that said deformable elongated body is retained upon said portion of said beverage container solely by way of the deformation and the deformation is visibly identifiable object; and
- identifying ownership of said beverage container with a pull tab opener via the visibly identifiable object created by the deformation of said disposable beverage container marker.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said visibly identifiable object is an animal shape created by the deformation of said disposable container marker is further made identifiable by one or more identifiable characteristics attached to one or more narrow ends of said rectangular elongated body portion of said deformable elongated body portion, where the identifiable characteristics further the animal-like appearance or the animal shape created by the deformation.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein said visibly identifiable object is further made identifiable via one or more identifiable characteristics attached to one or more narrow ends of said rectangular elongated body portion of said deformable elongated body portion, where the identifiable characteristics further the appearance of the object created by the deformation.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 8, 2012
Publication Date: May 8, 2014
Inventor: Lucy Hsueh (Watchung, NJ)
Application Number: 13/671,732
International Classification: B65D 25/00 (20060101);
