BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the upper edge of an embodiment of the present invention, the lower edge being an identical image of the upper edge;
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the present invention as used on a beverage bottle;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention as used on a beverage box;
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the present invention depicting a generic visual image on the outer surface;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a variety of bottles suitable for use with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a variety of bottles shown in FIG. 5, wherein each bottle is inserted through the identification bands of the instant invention, each depicting unique visual indicia.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 worn on a user's wrist.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 worn in a user's hair.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a reusable container identification band that enables a user to visually identify a personal container when it is intermingled with identical containers in use by other consumers. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the identification band 10 of the present invention includes a tubular body 12, an upper edge 14, a lower edge 16, an inner surface 18, an outer surface 20, a height 13, a perimeter 15, and a central aperture 25. Central aperture 25 is defined by the inner surface 18, and the upper and lower edges 14, 16. Upper and lower edges 14, 16, are continuous curves, of substantially the same length when the tubular body 12 is in a contracted, resting position during non-use. When tubular body 12 is contracted during non-use, perimeter 15 is at its minimum length, and height 13 is at its maximum length.
Identification band 10 may be stretched around the outer surface area of a personal container such as a beverage bottle, can, beverage box, or snack pack. As shown in FIG. 3, the perimeter 15 of identification band 10 is stretched to widen aperture 25 for receiving beverage bottle 50 through said aperture 25. The identification band 10 is then released and contracts. While in use as an identification device, inner surface 18 adheres to exterior surface 55 of bottle 50, conforming band 10 to the cylindrical shape of bottle 50. This property of having band 10 cleave to the surface 55 of the container prevents the band 10 from slipping off the container during use.
Alternatively, identification band 10 may be used on a beverage box as shown in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, identification band 10 is again stretched to widen aperture 25 for receiving beverage box 60 through said aperture 25. The identification band 10 is then released and contracts. Again, inner surface 18 adheres to outer surface 65 of beverage box 60, conforming band 10 and its perimeter 15 to the rectangular shape of box 60. It will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art that identification band 10 may be used on a variety of containers in many shapes such as conical and rectangular snack packs, beverage cans, sturdy cups, and similar containers known in the art.
As shown in FIG. 5, the outer surface 120 of identification band 110 contains an image, solid color, or other visual indicia 127, such a geometric pattern or color variation, to enable it to be visually distinguishable from other identification bands in use on similar containers. Specifically, the visual indicia 127 covers the entire outer surface 120 of the band 110, thereby enabling the user to identify the band from a distance, regardless of the position the container is resting in.
The instant invention may be used on a variety of types, styles, shapes, and sizes of containers commonly used in the marketplace today. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, in a preferred embodiment, the height 13 of identification band 10 measures approximately 3 inches, the approximate height of labels found on standard beverage bottles. In the collapsed, non-use position, the perimeter 15, including the continuous curve of upper and lower edges 14, 16, of tubular body 12, measures approximately six inches. The collapsed identification band 10 as shown in FIG. 5 is an approximate square. During use, the tubular body 12 may be stretched thereby widening the aperture 25 to the limits of the material used in the construction of identification band 12. In the preferred embodiment, the perimeter 15 expands to about sixteen inches, thereby easily encircling the circumference of popular beverage containers holding up to approximately thirty-two ounces of liquid.
Materials and fabrics suitable for construction of the instant invention include elastics and stretchable materials such as spandex, lycra, nylon, and other two and four-way stretch fabrics. In its preferred embodiment, the material of the present invention is machine or hand washable. In addition, non-fraying fabrics preclude the need for the expense of manufacturing identification band 10 with hems along edges 14, 16. Tubular body 12 may be formed from continuous loop material, or one or more panels of material joined at the edges without departing from the spirit or scope of the instant invention disclosed herein.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a container identification system 200 is disclosed comprising a plurality of identification bands. As represented in FIG. 6, consumers of beverages in prepackaged containers often find that at least one other person nearby is using a similar or identical beverage container. In FIG. 6, bottles 210 and 220 are identical, whereas similar bottles 230, 240, and 250 are identical. In the system of the present invention, a means for visually distinguishing bottles 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250 from each other is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, identification bands 212, 222, 232, 242, and 252 are inserted over bottles 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250 respectively, each said band having a unique visual indicia 214, 224, 234, 244, and 254 on its outer surface. As shown in FIG. 7, the visual indicia on each band covers the entire outer surface of each band making it visible to the user without the need to touch, move or rotate the container.
Identification band 10 includes the dual utility of being a fashion accessory, attractive especially to children and teens who typically do not carry purses, bags or totes, nor regularly keep track of items placed in pockets. With reference to FIG. 8, identification band 80 may be worn in a smooth or scrunched position as shown on wrist 85. Additionally, some users may prefer to use the band in alternative fashion, such as a hair accessory. Referring to FIG. 9, identification band 90 is shown wound into a consumer's hair 95. Flattening, twisting, or otherwise stretching the identification bands disclosed herein does not affect its ability to properly function as an identification band on a container such as a water bottle when needed. In addition, wearability of the instant invention improves its convenience and portability of use over the prior art, thereby increasing its utility for the consumer.
The instant invention provides the consumer with a container identification band that is convenient to transport on the person during athletic and school activities so it's readily available when needed to uniquely identify a personal use container when the need arises.
It will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be changed or modified for use on additional containers or devices not shown herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Patent Application
20070289938
