Customizable personalized individual beverage bottle

Abstract

An individual beverage bottle, with added convenience features making the bottle easy to open, and provides features to customize, personalize, and/or share in a very hygienic manner and providing a mechanism to secure a cup to the bottle such that an otherwise ordinary cup adapts and screws onto existing beverage containers that can be used to share the beverage or just be able to drink from a cup rather than directly from the bottle wherein, existing bottles can be utilized with very little, if any, extra footprint and minimal retooling. A proprietary labeling system is adapted to the bottle and cup.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: an individual beverage container comprising a cap wherein said cap comprises at least one nub, wherein said nub is configured to be a substantially half-spherical shaped protrusion affixed to the cap on said protrusion's flat side and at its opposite spherical side, further comprising a smaller pointed head surface configured to have a scratching point; and an individual beverage container accessory configured to be attachable to said individual beverage container configured to be a size appropriate to slip over the bottom of the individual beverage container without significantly increasing the size, weight or footprint of the individual beverage container and further comprising a linking ring mate at an upper inner surface area of said individual beverage container accessory; and a linking ring configured to securely attach to the outer surface of the individual beverage container such that the inner surface of the linking ring and the outer surface of the individual beverage container create a full seal, and further comprising a linking mechanism at its lower outer surface configured to link and mate with the linking ring mate at the upper inner surface area of said accessory; and a labeling area on said individual beverage container and said individual beverage container accessory comprising a subsurface, at least one color permanently coated onto and affixed to said subsurface, and at least one color of a contrasting nature coated over said at least one color permanently coated onto and affixed to said subsurface and configured to be smudge proof and scratchable with said at least one nub.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said individual beverage container accessory is configured to be a cup.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said individual beverage container accessory is configured to be a bowl.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said individual beverage container accessory is configured to be a cup and a storage container.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tamper evident seal configured to circumnavigate the apparatus at a predetermined area around a midsection and at least cover the labeling area.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a pull tab.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cover for the individual beverage container accessory configured to mount said individual beverage container accessory on the bottom or top.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said individual beverage container is a can.

9. An apparatus comprising: an individual beverage container comprising a cap wherein said cap comprises at least one nub, wherein said nub is configured to be a substantially half-spherical shaped protrusion affixed to the cap on said protrusion's flat side and at its opposite spherical side, further comprising a smaller pointed head surface configured to have a scratching point; and a labeling area on said individual beverage container comprising a subsurface, at least one color permanently coated onto and affixed to said subsurface, and at least one color of a contrasting nature coated over said at least one color permanently coated onto and affixed to said subsurface and configured to be smudge proof and scratchable with said at least one nub.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a tamper evident seal configured to circumnavigate the apparatus at a predetermined area around a midsection and at least cover the labeling area.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a pull tab.

12. An apparatus comprising: a container configured to contain foodstuffs further comprising a cap wherein said cap comprises at least one nub, wherein said nub is configured to be a substantially half-spherical shaped protrusion affixed to the cap on said protrusion's flat side and at its opposite spherical side, further comprising a smaller pointed head surface configured to have a scratching point; and a labeling area on said container comprising a subsurface, at least one color permanently coated onto and affixed to said subsurface, and at least one color of a contrasting nature coated over said at least one color permanently coated onto and affixed to said subsurface and configured to be smudge proof and scratchable with said at least one nub.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a tamper evident seal configured to circumnavigate the apparatus at a predetermined area around a midsection and at least cover the labeling area.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a pull tab.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of an individual beverage container configured to receive an individual beverage container accessory, a cap, a proprietary labeling system on both the individual beverage container and the individual beverage container accessory and then sealed with a tamper evident protective covering with an easy removal tab.

(2) FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a frontal view of an individual beverage container with an individual beverage container accessory fitted in place, a cap secured in place, and a proprietary labeling system covered and sealed with a tamper evident protective covering with an easy removal tab (not shown).

(3) FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a perspective view of an individual beverage container with an individual beverage container accessory fitted in place, a cap secured in place, and a proprietary labeling system covered and sealed with a tamper evident protective covering with an easy removal tab.

(4) FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a top view of an individual beverage container with an individual beverage container accessory fitted in place (not shown as it is underneath), a cap secured in place, and a proprietary labeling system covered and sealed with a tamper evident protective covering with an easy removal tab.

(5) FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of an individual beverage container configured to receive an individual beverage container accessory, and link via a linking means other than just simple friction, a cap, a proprietary labeling system on both the individual beverage container and the individual beverage container accessory and then sealed with a tamper evident protective covering with an easy removal tab.

(6) FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of an individual beverage container wherein such container is a typical beverage can, configured to receive an individual beverage container accessory, a cap configured to snap on and off of the can top, a proprietary labeling system on both the individual beverage container and the individual beverage container accessory and then sealed with a tamper evident protective covering with an easy removal tab.

(7) FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a frontal view of an individual beverage container wherein such container is a typical beverage can, with an individual beverage container accessory fitted in place, a cap secured in place, and a proprietary labeling system covered and sealed with a tamper evident protective covering with an easy removal tab (not shown).

(8) FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a perspective view of an individual beverage container wherein such container is a typical beverage can, with an individual beverage container accessory fitted in place, a cap secured in place, and a proprietary labeling system covered and sealed with a tamper evident protective covering with an easy removal tab.

(9) FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of a top view of an individual beverage container wherein such container is a typical beverage can, with an individual beverage container accessory fitted in place (not shown as it is underneath), a cap secured in place, and a proprietary labeling system covered and sealed with a tamper evident protective covering with an easy removal tab.

(10) FIG. 10 depicts one embodiment of an individual beverage container wherein such container is a typical beverage can, configured to receive an individual beverage container accessory, and link via a linking means other than just simple friction, a cap, a proprietary labeling system on both the individual beverage container and the individual beverage container accessory and then sealed with a tamper evident protective covering with an easy removal tab.

(11) FIG. 11A depicts one embodiment of a top view of a cap configured to attach to an individual beverage container with one configuration of two nubs. On each nub, is a smaller scratching end surface utensil. FIG. 11B depicts one embodiment of a side view of a cap configured to attach to an individual beverage container with one configuration of two nubs. In this embodiment, one of the nubs depicts a configuration of an indent that may be desired to make the nub more comfortable to a finger that would grip at that location. FIG. 11C depicts one embodiment of a perspective view of a cap configured to attach to an individual beverage container with one configuration of two nubs.

(12) FIG. 12A depicts one embodiment of a top view of a cap configured to attach to an individual beverage container with one configuration of four nubs. FIG. 12B depicts one embodiment of a side view of a cap configured to attach to an individual beverage container with one configuration of four nubs. FIG. 12C depicts one embodiment of a perspective view of a cap configured to attach to an individual beverage container with one configuration of four nubs.

(13) FIG. 13A depicts one embodiment of a frontal view of an individual beverage container accessory with an individual beverage container accessory cover fitted in place over the bottom of the individual beverage container accessory and ready for use. FIG. 13B depicts one embodiment of an exploded perspective view of an individual beverage container accessory with an individual beverage container accessory cover ready to be fitted in place over the bottom of the individual beverage container accessory and ready for use.

(14) FIG. 14A depicts one embodiment of a frontal view of an individual beverage container accessory with an individual beverage container accessory cover fitted in place over the top of the individual beverage container accessory after it has been removed from its securement place over the bottom. FIG. 14B depicts one embodiment of an exploded perspective view of an individual beverage container accessory with an individual beverage container accessory cover ready to be fitted in place over the top of the individual beverage container accessory.

(15) FIG. 15 depicts one embodiment of a configuration of a proprietary labeling system having three layers with a substrate layer configured to accept a middle color or contrast ink layer and further configured to accept a scratchable over layer in contrast to the the color or contrast middle layer that when in place and scratched, reveals the middle color or contrast layer only where the scratches are made.

(16) FIG. 16 depicts one embodiment of a proprietary labeling system with all of the layers intact and the top layer having been scratched with a nub revealing the middle contrast layer where the scratching occurred. Note that these are black and white line drawings such that the middle layer here is black and the scratchable overcoat layer is white, but any combination of contrasting colors could be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(17) For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the invention is divided into the following subsections that describe or illustrate certain features, embodiments or applications of the present invention.

Definitions

(18) “individual beverage container” as used herein means a container commonly used to contain beverages such as water, soda, juices, beer and the like and commonly sold as individual units for individual consumption and typically have a round mid-section and made from glass, plastic or metal.

(19) “individual beverage container accessory” as used herein means an accessory unit configured to be affixable to an individual beverage container via a linking ring.

(20) “linking ring” as used herein means a ring either separately attached to or directly molded in and configured to be secured to the outer surface of an individual beverage container in a fully sealed in either a temporary or permanently affixed manner wherein the inner surface of said linking ring is smooth to form an airtight seal with an individual beverage container and the outer surface of said linking ring contains a linking mechanism configured to mate with and affix to the individual beverage container an individual beverage container accessory. Said linking ring mechanism generally contains two parts, namely a first component installed on an outer circumference of an individual beverage container configured to mate with a corresponding linking ring mate installed on the inner circumference near the mouth of an individual beverage container accessory, and the second component (which may be integral to and part of the first component, only separated here in concept) is the component that creates the seal that is airtight and sanitary. The actual mating of the linking ring and linking ring mate could occur in any number of ways, such as screwing threads together, snapping with one contiguous thread, frictional tight fitting surfaces, and any method now known or hereafter developed.

(21) “linking ring mate” as used herein means a device either separately attached to or directly molded in an individual beverage container accessory that has corresponding mating and sealing mechanisms to attach to a linking ring.

(22) “nub” as used herein is a small rounded protrusion formed in the cap of an individual beverage container and may contain indents to facilitate fingers using the nubs as leverage to twist open or closed the cap and also can have a rounded tip suitable for use as a writing implement to scratch off a top coating of a color coated label area.

(23) “cap” as used herein means any device for closing or sealing an individual beverage container or any other type of container, bottle, can, or carton and may affix to such container in any known manner, including but not limited to screwing on and off, snapping on and off, and fitting tightly via friction.

(24) “proprietary labeling system” as used herein means any layered scratchable writing means comprising at least a substrate layer, a permanent middle layer comprising the coloring of the desired writing to be exposed, and a scratchable overcoat layer of contrasting color to the permanent middle layer, scratchable with a nub, and the entire label configured to be suitable for use with containers that will be sometimes warm, sometimes chilled and capable of exposure to liquids.

The System and Method of the Present Invention

(25) A typical installation as described herein is to affix a linking ring (9) at a predetermined place along the mid-section of an individual beverage container (1) placed according to the size and specifically the height of an individual beverage container accessory (2) that is desired to be used. The linking ring that contains screw threads is permanently affixed in place such that a full seal is formed between the inner surface of the linking ring and the outer surface of the individual beverage container. In an alternative embodiment, the individual beverage container could be form molded to already contain the linking ring as one contiguous unit.

(26) Once an individual beverage container (1) exists with an affixed linking ring (9), an individual beverage container accessory (2), such as one configured to be a cup, is further configured to be a size that will easily but just fit over the outer surface of the prepared individual beverage container and is further configured to contain a linking ring mate (10) on its inner upper surface such that when the accessory is slipped over the container, it can screw into place and be securely affixed and sealed.

(27) In a typical embodiment, the cap (3) of the individual beverage container is also fashioned containing at least two nubs (4), ninety degrees apart from one another or one hundred eighty degrees apart from one another to facilitate a user opening and closing the container. In this embodiment, a labeling area (5) is prepared where a part of the surface of the individual beverage container an inch or two from and including the linking ring is prepared with a subsurface (13) to accept a permanent layer of colorant (14) and a scratchable overlayer (15) of a contrasting colorant and those layers applied. The same preparation and colorant layers are added to the individual beverage container accessory in such a manner that when attached, the label areas match up and appear as one contiguous label and this label is also scratchable with the nubs on the container cap.

(28) Scratchboard art is not generally a new concept and is a form of direct engraving where a person scratches off an ink layer fashioned over an under contrasting ink layer to expose the under color through the contrasting over layer. Typically, an underlayer of some desired color, or colors, of ink is permanently affixed to a substrate such as paper, and then an overlayer of a contrasting color, typically black, is placed over the underlayer. This overlayer must have only semi-permanent properties such that it can be scratched through with a knife, or nail, or other instrument without harming or removing the underlayer, thereby exposing the underlayer. Here, to be appropriate for use on an individual beverage container, there are necessary considerations of moisture and temperature affecting the various layers. Typical scratchboard paper is unsuitable because the paper may get saturated with condensation, or weak and messy from temperature and moisture conditions commonly encountered in the distribution and use of such containers.

(29) In one embodiment, scratchboard may be made by any artist with white card stock, dish soap, wax paper, oil pastels, and black poster paint. First lay the card stock on top of the wax paper and use the oil pastels of varying colors to color the white card stock in any desired manner. Add a small amount of dish soap to the black poster paint and use the mixture to cover entirely the colored card stock. The dish soap facilitates the poster paint sticking to the oil pastel, but the poster paint retains the properties of being just brittle enough to be scratched off leaving the oil pastel underneath undisturbed.

(30) In one embodiment, a scratchboard application suitable for use in the present application is to prepare the surface area of an individual beverage container and/or an individual beverage container accessory, to accept an application of a desired color or colors of ink to be a permanent application impervious to liquid and unaffected by temperature. Such treatment and application and choice of materials will vary by the material of the underlying container or accessory. Oil based paint may work on glass, whereas other materials known to those skilled in the art may be a more suitable choice for plastic containers. Once the color underlayer is applied, a second, contrasting, color or colors is applied as an overlayer and chosen also to be impervious to liquid and unaffected by temperature but with properties allowing it to be scratched off of the underlayer without affecting the underlayer with a plastic nub. In one embodiment, all of the layers in this application will be polymer based and comprise the waterproof properties and temperature insensitivity desirable for application directly to plastics or metal or glass.

(31) In an alternative embodiment, a scratchboard application suitable for use in the present application is to first prepare an independent label apart from the individual beverage container or individual beverage container accessory and then use an adhesive to apply the label as desired. In this embodiment, the only difference from the foregoing direct application is that a substrate layer is chosen, again, typically a polymer layer for its properties with respect to moisture and temperature, but chosen also for tensile strength for applying the underlayer and overlayer and withstanding the manufacturing process, the application with adhesive to the container, and the scratching by the user. In this manner, large sheets can be manufactured and cut and applied as desired and no special preparation of the container surface need be undertaken as those surfaces are already manufactured to be able to have labeling applied and the scratchboard pieces as desired may simply form a part of the labeling.

(32) In one embodiment, no matter the method chosen to apply the scratchboard application to the individual beverage container or accessory, an over label may be applied to protect, hide, or otherwise provide an additional branding, message or coupon to the user/purchaser.

(33) In one embodiment, once the individual beverage container accessory is securely affixed in place to the individual beverage container, the seal formed at the linking ring area between the individual beverage container and the individual beverage container accessory may be sanitarily sealed until use by placing a tamper evident plastic sheath around the seal. In one embodiment, this sheath may also act as a label covering tab and may be used as a ticket or coupon that upon pulling off is used, and also exposing the scratchboard area.

EXAMPLES

(34) The present invention is further illustrated, but not limited by, the following examples.

(35) A typical use of the prior description is that a consumer desires to purchase a container of some beverage such as water or juice. A typical individual container of such a beverage may be twenty ounces which may be more than the consumer desires at that given time. The container typically contains a resealable cap meaning they could drink half and reseal and save the other half for later. However, typically, the consumer drinks directly out of the container. This is not sanitary. Moreover, the consumer may not have access to a refrigerated unit to store the container until the other half is desired to be consumed.

(36) Thus, when the consumer goes to consume the other half, it will be warm and contaminated.

(37) Through the teachings of this disclosure, there is a better way. In one embodiment, that same beverage container purchased by that consumer is first outfitted with a linking ring and an individual beverage container accessory configured to be a cup and sealed in a sanitary manner at the manufacturing level. Moreover, the cap is outfitted with nubs making the cap easier to take on and off. There is also placed a label on both the individual beverage container and the individual beverage container accessory. When the consumer purchases this now reconfigured beverage, he can break the seal and unscrew the cup accessory. He can now pour half of the contents of the container into the cup. If he has a friend who also only wanted approximately half of a twenty ounce container of beverage, he can share the beverage with that friend. Both will have their own drinking vessel and do not have to take swallows back and forth. Moreover, with the nubs on the cap, each of the two now separated components can be labeled as to whose is whose. Even in the event where there is still only one consumer, they can uncap the container and pour half its contents in the cup and immediately reseal keeping the unused portion uncontaminated and sanitary for later consumption. The container can also be marked as to when it was opened and the cup marked with the person's name who is using it.

(38) There are alternative embodiments, as well. For example, the individual beverage container accessory could be configured as both a cup and a storage container. In this embodiment, the accessory could store a small sachet of flavoring or nutrient that, upon opening, could be introduced into the beverage, such as flavorings for water or nutrient boosters for body builders. Such sachets of flavors or nutrients are generally extremely small and compact and would require no additional configuration, or perhaps at most, a millimeter or two of extra height configured in the accessory cup.

(39) In another example, the area of labeling to accept writing could be configured with scratch off games for prize giveaways, advertising or other functions.

(40) In another example, the individual beverage container accessory could be configured as both a cup and a storage container so that a breakfast could be made. For example, the accessory could store instant oatmeal. Add the beverage and microwave into an instant hot meal, i.e., in this embodiment the accessory is a bowl. In that same vein, the accessory could be a bowl and the beverage could be milk and it could work with cold cereal.

(41) In another embodiment, the individual beverage container accessory could be utilized for snacks such as cereal, pretzels, crackers, chips and the like. Thus, some of the item could be poured out of the bigger bag into the accessory cup eliminating the need for reaching into the bag each time someone wants to take some and ending cross-contamination issues.

(42) In one embodiment, the pressure sensitive labeling system that is scratchable with the cap nub, could be utilized for advertising, i.e., for a school or professional sports franchise or other event, or many purposes simultaneously and the label creates a focal point for writing on its pressure sensitive surface.

(43) In one embodiment, this container system uses adhesives that are non-toxic and are also readily disposable or recyclable. in one embodiment, this container system is break resistant, having been manufactured substantially from pliable plastics and polymers.

(44) In one embodiment, the container system described herein are components merged into a singular, sanitary, unitary package, comprising a modified cap, an individual beverage container, and individual beverage container accessory, and an integrated labeling system having an ergonomic functionality and concealed, integrated labeling capability.

(45) In one embodiment, the overlayer of colorant could be an embossing by a particular advertiser, sports franchise, or event sponsor that is then personalizable by the user.

(46) In one embodiment, the cap comprising a plurality of nubs could be a stand-alone feature of any cap simply to create an ergonomic nub ring to ease the difficulty of opening almost any sized cap on a cylindrically shaped container comprising a twist off cap.

(47) In one embodiment, where there is a cover utilized in conjunction with the individual beverage container accessory, this fitted and securable cover provides contents portability and safety from contamination. In this embodiment, there are additional surfaces that can be utilized with the proprietary labeling system, for example, without limitation, the underside that also functions as the top when in the covering orientation; or, the side similar to both the individual beverage container and the individual beverage container accessory that it covers.

(48) In one embodiment, this combination of an individual beverage accessory and cover therefore, can be utilized for the sharing and personal labeling of snacks, nuts, raisins, berries, and the like. This combination could also be useful to its users as a small container for storing leftovers and labeling them. Alternatively, it could be useful for storing small objects such as screws, nails, nuts, bolts, and the like, or to store other small implements such as crayons or pencils. It could also serve as a great small container for the mixing of substances such as epoxy or mortar. It could also serve as a great storage container for a user's daily medicines to bring with them for the day.

(49) In one embodiment, any type of container that contains foodstuffs, such as for example, but without limitation, jars for pickles, bottles for ketchup, containers for soup, and the like, and may be containers meant for more than a one-serving size, may also comprise a cap and the proprietary labeling system as described herein. In some configurations, it may be desirable to outfit such a container with a seal and pull-tab to protect the labeling area, even if no accessory cup is also used and no sanitary seal required.

(50) Publications cited throughout this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Although the various aspects of the invention have been illustrated above by reference to examples and preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is defined not by the foregoing description but by the following claims properly construed under principles of patent law.

(51) Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually exclusive.