Container Identification Apparatus and Method

Abstract

Provided is a container identification apparatus and method having a receptacle with an enclosed interior volume and an open upper that includes a first indicia disposed on the exterior thereof. A lid having a second indicia disposed on the exterior thereof is provided, wherein the second indicia corresponds, matches and/or is associated with the first indicia of the receptacle and enables the user to place the correctly fitting lid onto the particular receptacle with which it is meant to be used, straight away. The first indicia and the second indicia can be a variety of characters, figures, patterns, objects and/or items. The user can place foodstuffs or other objects within the receptacle and thereafter can easily locate and identify the rightful lid via viewing the second indicia on the lid and recognizing the association between the first indicia disposed on the receptacle and the second indicia disposed on the lid.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers having identification systems, wherein the containers are commonly used for the heating of food, food storage, and transportation thereof. Specifically, the present invention relates to a container identification system having a lid and receptacle that enables users to readily identify the correctly fitting lid for a particular receptacle via viewing associating, corresponding and/or matching indicia disposed on both the exterior of the lid and the receptacle.

Conventional methods of storing food or other objects involve the use of containers having lids and receptacles, however much time can be spent trying to decipher which lid coincides with a specific receptacle via repeatedly placing different lids onto the receptacle only to find it does not readily fit thereon. Frustration and a waste of time result, and one can only cease the above-described repetitive process after the correctly fitting lid is found. Moreover, it can be difficult to distinguish the contents that one has placed into a container, especially if such contents are not readily identifiable.

More practical classes of storage containers offer an identification system that can be color coded in order to enable a user to identify the contents and/or the status or properties of the contents therein such as taste, level of preparedness and the like. Still, such containers do not provide indicia that enable the user to quickly identify the lid that rightly fits onto a particular receptacle in order to avoid having to search for the rightly fitting lid and wasting an unnecessary amount of time.

Other container systems relate to beverage bottles and caps, wherein the bottle caps are color coded in order to be indicative of the user of each of the bottles. While this is helpful in the way of differentiating users of identical drinking bottles, it is not useful for identifying particular lids that rightly fit onto particular receptacles regarding containers, such as food storage containers.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a new and improved container identification apparatus and method incorporating a receptacle and a lid, wherein the receptacle provides a first indicia disposed thereon and the lid provides a second indicia disposed thereon. Specifically, the present invention provides a coinciding lid and receptacle, wherein the first indicia of the receptacle matches, corresponds and/or associates with the second indicia of the lid in order to enable the user to quickly, easily and readily identify which lid rightly fits onto a particular container via viewing and identifying the indicia and matching the first and second indicia with one another. Moreover, the first indicia and the second indicia can include figures, characters, and patterns.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to container identification systems. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to containers for food or beverage bottles having indicia thereon for identification purposes. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Specifically U.S. Pat. No. 20,100,072,099 to Klein discloses a color coded identification system for a pack of a plurality of food containers. The device includes a container portion and a lid, wherein the container provides a first color indicia and the lid provides a second color indicia. Further, the rim of the lid provides a third color indicia in order to allow the user to identify and distinguish the contents therein. This device however, does not provide for a container system having matching and/or associated pictures, characters and/or objects.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,505 to Moran provides for beverage bottles having color coded beverage caps. The caps provide non-verbal indicia indicating the identity of the user. The device allows the user to forgo having to write on the bottle or other surface thereon in order to identify the owner of the particular bottle. This device however, does not provide indicia indicating which cap matches with which bottle and does not include corresponding indicia on the bottle indicative of the matching cap.

U.S. Pat. No. 20,130,125,430 to Whittemore describes an identification device for a container, such as a bottle in order to indicate which particular consumer is using it. The device includes identification indicia on the outer surface of the device. Still, the described device does not include indicia in the form of characters I order to enable the user to correctly associate matching indicia with one another.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,240 to Goodwin allows for a method and container apparatus having complementary indicia, wherein a first indicia is located on a closure means and a second indicia is located on an area of the container. Still, this device is helpful n the way of encouraging users to return a beverage bottle for the recycling thereof and provides little help in enabling a user to match a container with a container lid.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,573 to Fuerstman provides a package identification system for identifying the individual containers of a consumer pack of beverage containers, wherein each container bears a first indicia identical with the other containers in the pack so that a user may easily differentiate his container from the containers of the set. The present invention however, enables users to distinguish lids from the lids of another container and allow users to find the correct lid for a particular container.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The above discussed container systems do not provide for a container identification system having a lid and receptacle that enables users to readily identify the rightly fitting lid for a particular receptacle via viewing and identifying associating, corresponding and/or matching first indicia and second indicia disposed on both the exterior of the lid and on the receptacle.

The present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing container identification systems and devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of container identification systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new container identification system wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when storing food and other items and distinguishing between various assorted lids and containers.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved container identification apparatus and method that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a container identification apparatus and method having corresponding indicia between a lid and container that is readily identifiable and matching.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a container identification apparatus and method that can be utilized as for educational purposes for children.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container identification apparatus and method having a receptacle with a first indicia thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container identification apparatus and method having a lid with a second indicia thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container identification apparatus and method wherein the user can match the lid with the receptacle via the indicia thereon.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container identification apparatus and method having a receptacle that can be used for food storage.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a view of the container identification apparatus and method having a corresponding and/or matching first indicia and a second indicia disposed on the lid and receptacle.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the container identification apparatus and method having a corresponding and/or matching first indicia and a second indicia disposed on the lid and receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the identification container apparatus and method. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for placing food within the receptacle and sealing it with a corresponding lid, wherein the user can quickly identify the corresponding lid via indicia thereon. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a view of the container identification apparatus 1 having a container that includes a receptacle 2 and a lid 3, wherein the receptacle 2 and lid has an exterior and an interior. The container identification apparatus 1 comprises a receptacle 2 of having a first wall, a second wall, a third wall a fourth wall and a fifth wall, wherein the first wall, second wall, third wall and fourth wall provides a first side, a second side, side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. The first side of each of the walls described above constitutes the exterior and the second side of each of the walls described above constitutes the interior.

The side edges of the first wall, second wall, third wall and fourth wall are connected to one another, respectively, wherein the bottom edge of the first wall, second wall, third wall, and fourth wall is connected to the first side of the fifth wall thus forming one unitary body and thus the receptacle 2 of the container identification apparatus having an enclosed interior volume and an open upper. The fifth wall of the receptacle forms the base thereof, wherein the connection between the first side of the base of the receptacle and the bottom edge of the walls described above forms curved or rounded edges.

The open upper of the receptacle provides an outer perimeter comprising a lip 6 that extends therearound and forms a space between the lip 6 and the top edge of the first wall, second wall, third wall, and fourth wall, wherein the user can place his or her fingers in the formed space and grip the lip 6 to transport and/or maneuver the receptacle when needed. The lid 3 of the container identification apparatus 1 comprises a first side and second side, wherein the first side provides a perimeter having a recessed groove (not shown) that coincides with the lip 6 of the receptacle and can be placed thereover, whereby the lip 6 can fit into the recessed groove thus sealing and securing the contents placed inside of the receptacle 2 of the container identification apparatus 1. The first side of the lid 3 constitutes the interior, while the second side of the lid 3 constitutes the exterior. The container identification apparatus 1 provides an air tight and water tight seal in order to secure the contents therein, wherein the contents can include foodstuffs and/or other items.

The receptacle 2 of the container identification apparatus 1 provides a first indicia 5 on the second side of the walls and thus on the exterior thereof and a second indicia 4 on the second side of the lid 3 and thus the exterior thereof, wherein the first indicia 5 and the second indicia 4 correspond with, match, or relate to one another in order to provide an identification method for the user. The container identification apparatus 1 can be cube shaped in a preferred embodiment, however the container identification apparatus 1 is not limited to such a structure and can comprise a rectangular prism shape and can vary in width, depth, height and length in alternative embodiments.

Each container identification apparatus 1 embodiment provides a matching and/or specific lid 3, thus the first indicia 5 and second indicia 4 allow the user to correctly identify which lid 3 properly coincides and/or fits onto which receptacle 2 or vice versa. The first indicia 5 of the receptacle 2 can be various characters, patterns, figures, and objects such as a monkey, a palm tree, bird, mouse, elephant, and/or other suitable characters. Likewise, the second indicia 4 disposed on the lid 3 includes corresponding, associated and/or matching characters, patterns, figures, and objects such as a banana, coconut, palm tree, egg, cheese, elephant, and/or other suitable characters.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the container identification apparatus 1 and method having a corresponding and/or matching first indicia 5 and second indicia 4, wherein the first indicia 5 is disposed on the exterior of the receptacle 2 and the second indicia 4 is disposed on the exterior of the lid 3. The container identification apparatus 1 and method provides various embodiments as described above, wherein each container embodiment includes a receptacle 2 and a lid 3 whereby the various container embodiments can be placed in a stacked fashion, whereby one receptacle 2 can be placed on top of the lid 3 of another receptacle, respectively and can be easily stored in a cabinet, drawer and the like.

The receptacle 2, as described above, comprises a first wall, a second wall a third wall, a fourth wall and a fifth wall also known as the base, wherein at least one of the described walls provides a first indicia thereon. In a preferred embodiment, a first indicia 5 is disposed on two opposing walls in order to enable the user to readily identify the first indicia 5 without having to continually and manually rotate the receptacle 2 to view the first indicia 5 disposed thereon. The container identification apparatus 1 can be made from a food grade material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, thermoplastic, high density polypropylene, low density polyethylene, glass and/or other suitable materials. Additionally, the material from which the container identification apparatus is constructed is one that is microwave, refrigerator, freezer and/or dishwasher compatible.

Further, the container identification apparatus can be made in various colors such as green, orange, red, blue, purple and/or other suitable colors, wherein the first indicia and second indicia can be various colors. In a preferred embodiment, the container identification apparatus is a clear plastic, wherein the first indicia and the second indicia are made in colors that are conducive to the figure, pattern, and character disposed thereon.

In use, the user can place foodstuffs and/or other objects and items into the interior volume of the receptacle 2 having a first indicia 5 thereon and can proceed to finding and/or locating the lid 3 that correctly fits onto the particular receptacle 2 via viewing the first indicia 5 thereon and placing the lid 3 having a corresponding, associated and/or matching second indicia 4 thereon onto the lip 6 of the receptacle 2 to which it rightly fits. For example, the user can place a food item into the receptacle 2 having the first indicia 5 disposed thereon, wherein the first indicia 5 is a monkey (as shown). Thereafter, the user can straight away located the correct lid 3 having the corresponding second indicia 4 disposed thereon, wherein the second indicia 4 is a banana (as shown) and thus constitutes the corresponding and rightly fitting lid 3 for the receptacle 2 in this example, whereby a monkey is commonly and/or traditionally associated with a banana.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A container identification apparatus, comprising: a receptacle, wherein said receptacle comprises at least one wall having a first indicia disposed thereon;a lid, said lid having a perimeter, a first side and a second side, said second side having a second indicia disposed thereon, wherein said second indicia corresponds, associates or matches with said first indicia of said receptacle;said perimeter of said lid having a recessed groove, said recessed groove fitting over top of said lip of said open upper of said receptacle forming a watertight and airtight closure;

2) The container identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lid and said receptacle is composed of a rigid material.

3) The container identification apparatus of claim 1, said rigid material being a food grade material, said food grade material being polyethylene.

4) The container identification apparatus of claim 2, wherein said rigid material is a food grade material, said food grade material being polypropylene.

5) The container identification apparatus of claim 2, wherein said rigid material is a food grade material, said food grade material being glass.

6) The container identification apparatus of claim 2, wherein said rigid material is of said container identification apparatus is microwave compatible.

7) The container identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rigid material is of said container identification apparatus is dishwasher compatible.

8) The container identification apparatus of claim 2, wherein said rigid material is of said container identification apparatus is freezer compatible.

9) The container identification apparatus of claim 2, wherein said rigid material is refrigerator compatible.

10) A method of producing containers with lids, whereby matching the lid to the container when separated is facilitated, comprising the steps of: providing a container and a lid, said lid and said container being of corresponding size and connectable to form a sealed interior;providing a container and a lid, lacing contents into said interior volume of said receptacle having said open upper;identifying said first indicia on said receptacle;identifying corresponding, associating and/or matching said second indicia on said lid, wherein said second indicia of said lid corresponds, associates or matches with said first indicia of said receptacle;placing said recessed groove of said lid having said corresponding, associating and/or matching said second indicia onto said lip of said receptacle having said corresponding, associating and/or matching said second indicia with said first indicia to seal said contents placed into said interior volume of said receptacle.