Bottle contents identification system
09834350 · 2017-12-05
Inventors
Cpc classification
B65D23/14
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B65D51/20
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D23/14
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D41/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
An identification system for identifying contents within a bottle. The identification system introduces a label upon a sidewall of a cap of the bottle or as a billboard extending upward from a top surface of the cap. The location improves the visibility of the indicia located on the label easing the identification process when the bottles are placed behind one another, on a shelf above eye level or any other location where the view of the content identifying indicia can potentially be obstructed from view. The label can be wrapped about the cap sidewall, adhered to the cap sidewall or be designed to include an upright billboard extending from the cap top surface. The billboard variant can transform from a planar stored configuration to an upright display configuration.
Claims
1. A method of identifying contents of a bottle, the method comprising steps of: obtaining a bottle having contents therein, the bottle comprising: a container, the container defining an interior volume for storing contents, and a bottle cap removably attachable to the container in a manner to seal the container when closed and obtain access to contents within the interior volume of the container when removed; identifying contents within the interior volume of the container; obtaining a contents identifier assembly, the contents identifier assembly comprising a contents identification billboard segmented into a billboard base segment and an indicia carrying segment, the billboard base segment being carried by a contents identifier substrate, the contents identifier substrate being adapted to be carried by the bottle cap, a support leg pivotally attached to the contents identification billboard, indicia applied to the indicia carrying segment wherein the indicia identifies the contents of the interior volume of the bottle container; joining the contents identifier assembly to the bottle cap; rotating the indicia carrying segment from an orientation parallel to the contents identifier substrate to an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the contents identifier substrate; and positioning the support leg into a position supporting the indicia carrying segment, the resulting support leg defining a plane oriented extending upward from the contents identifier substrate and perpendicular to the indicia carrying segment: wherein the indicia is visible from a side elevation view of the bottle.
2. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 1, the contents identifier assembly further comprising a contents identification wrap adapted to be attached to a sidewall of the bottle cap, the method further comprising a step of: joining the contents identifier assembly to the sidewall of the bottle cap.
3. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 1, the method further comprising a step of: joining the contents identifier assembly to the top surface of the bottle cap.
4. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 1, the method further comprising a step of: positioning the support leg into a position supporting the indicia carrying segment, the support leg is pivotally attached to the indicia carrying segment the step being accomplished by rotating the support leg about an axis that is perpendicular to a plane defined by the indicia carrying segment.
5. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 1, the method further comprising a step of: applying the indicia to the indicia carrying segment in accordance with at least one of: pre-applied by a manufacturer, applied by adhering a label to the at least one of the contents identification wrap and the indicia carrying segment, and manually writing the contents identification on the at least one of the contents identification wrap and the indicia carrying segment.
6. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 1, the contents identifier assembly further comprising a pair of contents identification wraps, each contents identification wrap extending tangentially from an edge of the contents identifier substrate, the method further comprising steps of: joining adjacent ends of each contents identification wrap with one another forming a loop, the loop being sized to fit around the sidewall of the bottle cap; and locating the loop about the sidewall of the bottle cap.
7. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 6, further comprising indicia applied to at least one of the contents identification wraps of the pair of contents identification wraps, the method further comprising steps of: viewing the indicia from a side elevation view of the bottle.
8. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 1, the contents identifier assembly further comprising a pair of contents identification wraps, each contents identification wrap being located at opposite quadrants and extending tangentially from an edge of the contents identifier substrate, the method further comprising steps of: joining adjacent ends of each contents identification wrap with one another forming a loop, the loop being sized to fit around the sidewall of the bottle cap; and locating the loop about the sidewall of the bottle cap.
9. A method of identifying contents of a bottle, the method comprising steps of: obtaining a bottle having contents therein, the bottle comprising: a container, the container defining an interior volume for storing contents, and a bottle cap removably attachable to the container in a manner to seal the container when closed and obtain access to contents within the interior volume of the container when removed; identifying contents within the interior volume, of the container; obtaining a contents identifier assembly, the contents identifier assembly comprising: (a) a contents identification billboard extending vertically from a contents identifier substrate, the contents identifier substrate being adapted to be attached to a top surface of the bottle cap, indicia applied to the contents identification billboard wherein the indicia identifies the contents of the interior volume of the bottle container; (b) a contents identification wrap adapted to be attached to a sidewall of the bottle cap, indicia applied to the contents identification wrap wherein the indicia identifies the contents of the interior volume of the bottle container, and joining the contents identifier substrate to a top surface of the bottle cap, wherein the indicia is visible from a side elevation view of the bottle; and joining the contents identification wrap to a sidewall of the bottle cap, wherein the indicia is visible from a side elevation view of the bottle.
10. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 9, wherein the contents identification billboard is rotationally assembled to the contents identifier substrate, the method further comprising a step of: rotating the contents identification billboard from an orientation being substantially parallel to a surface of the contents identifier substrate to an orientation being substantially perpendicular to the surface of the contents identifier substrate.
11. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 10, the contents identifier assembly further comprising a contents identifier billboard support leg, the method further comprising a step of: positioning the contents identifier billboard support leg contents to support the identification billboard in the orientation being substantially perpendicular to the surface of the contents identifier substrate.
12. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 9, the contents identification wrap further comprising an adhesive applied to an adhesive section located proximate one end thereof, the method further comprising steps of: exposing the adhesive applied to the adhesive section of the contents identification wrap; circumscribing the contents identification wrap around the sidewall of the bottle cap; bonding the adhesive to a second end of the contents identification wrap; and retaining the contents identification wrap to the sidewall of the bottle cap by friction.
13. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 9, wherein the contents identifier substrate and the contents identification wrap are fabricated of one unitary sheet of material.
14. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 9, the method further comprising a step of: applying the indicia to at least one of the contents identification wrap and the contents identification billboard in accordance with at least one of: pre-applied by a manufacturer, applied by adhering a label to the at least one of the contents identification wrap and the contents identification billboard, and manually writing the contents identification on the at least one of the contents identification wrap and the contents identification billboard.
15. A method of identifying contents of a bottle, the method comprising steps of: obtaining a bottle having contents therein, the bottle comprising: a container, the container defining an interior volume for storing contents, and a bottle cap removably attachable to the container in a manner to seal the container when closed and obtain access to contents within the interior volume of the container when removed; identifying contents within the interior volume of the container; obtaining a contents identifier assembly, the contents identifier assembly comprising a contents identification billboard segmented along a fold crease into a billboard base segment and an indicia carrying segment, the billboard base segment being carried by a contents identifier substrate, the contents identifier substrate being adapted to be carried by the bottle cap, a support leg pivotally attached to the contents identification billboard, indicia applied to the indicia carrying segment wherein the indicia identifies the contents of the interior volume of the bottle container; joining the contents identifier assembly to the bottle cap; rotating the indicia carrying segment from an orientation parallel to the contents identifier substrate to an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the contents identifier substrate; and positioning the support leg into a position supporting the indicia carrying segment, the resulting support leg defining a plane oriented extending upward from the contents identifier substrate and perpendicular to the indicia carrying segment: wherein the indicia is visible from a side elevation view of the bottle.
16. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 15, the contents identifier assembly further comprising a contents identification wrap adapted to be attached to a sidewall of the bottle cap, the method further comprising a step of: joining the contents identifier assembly to the sidewall of the bottle cap.
17. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 15, the method further comprising a step of: joining the contents identifier assembly to the top surface of the bottle cap.
18. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 15, the method further comprising a step of: positioning the support leg into a position supporting the indicia carrying segment, the support leg is pivotally attached to the indicia carrying segment the step being accomplished by rotating the support leg about an axis that is perpendicular to a plane defined by the indicia carrying segment.
19. A method of identifying contents of a bottle as recited in claim 15, the method further comprising a step of: applying the indicia to the indicia carrying segment in accordance with at least one of: pre-applied by a manufacturer, applied by adhering a label to the at least one of the contents identification wrap and the indicia carrying segment, and manually writing the contents identification on the at least one of the contents identification wrap and the indicia carrying segment.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:
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(11) Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(12) Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular embodiments, features, or elements. Specific structural and functional details, dimensions, or shapes disclosed herein are not limiting but serve as a basis for the claims and for teaching a person of ordinary skill in the art the described and claimed features of embodiments of the present invention. The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims.
(13) For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
(14) Bottles are used to hold and distribute fluids and bulk volumes of small items, such as fluids, spices, herbs, and many other similar items. Bottles 100 are manufactured in a multitude of shapes and sizes, with the most common shape having a cylindrically shaped sidewall 114, a planar or slightly concave bottom wall 116 and a threaded neck extending upward from a bottle top surface 112 for receiving a bottle cap 120, as shown in the exemplary embodiments presented in
(15) Contents of the spice bottle assembly 100 are identified by spice identifier indicia 132 applied to a bottle label 130. The bottle label 130 is adhered to an exterior surface of the bottle sidewall 114 of the bottle 110. There are many circumstances where the spice identifier indicia 132 may not be readable by an individual. The spice identifier indicia 132 may be rotated away from a viewing orientation. The spice identifier indicia 132 may be concealed by another spice bottle assembly 100. The spice bottle assembly 100 may be placed upon a shelf located above eye level of the individual, wherein the shelf would block the view of the spice identifier indicia 132.
(16) A spice identifier loop 200, shown in
(17) Although
(18) A spice identifier tab assembly 300, introduced in
(19) The spice identifier tab billboard support leg 330 and billboard support leg attachment tab 332 combination can be manufactured of a material having plastic bending properties, wherein the spice identifier tab billboard support leg 330 would remain in an outstanding position when bent along the billboard support leg fold crease 334.
(20) The spice identifier tab assembly 300 would be provided as a series, each spice identifier tab assembly 300 preferably having a different spice identifier indicia 320, identifying a different composition stored within the spice bottle assembly 100. The spice identifier tab assembly 300 would be stored in a collapsed or planar configuration, as shown in
(21) A spice identifier label 400, shown in
(22) A spice identifier label 500, shown in
(23) The contents identification wrap 550 can be an elongated rectangular shaped flexible material joined to the spice identifier tab substrate 502 at a quadrant of a spice identifier tab substrate circumferential edge 506 thereof. A longitudinal direction of the contents identification wrap 550 would be substantially perpendicular to a radial line extending between a centroid of the spice identifier tab substrate 502 and a centralized joint between the contents identification wrap 550 and the spice identifier tab substrate 502. A contents identification wrap circumferential length 552 of the contents identification wrap 550 would be substantially equal to a circumferential length of a spice identifier tab substrate circumferential edge 506 of the spice identifier tab substrate 502.
(24) The contents identification wrap 550 can be secured to the sidewall 124 of the bottle cap 120 using any suitable implementation. In a first implementation, an adhesive can be applied to an interior surface of the contents identification wrap 550. In the first implementation, an overall longitudinal length of the contents identification wrap 550 can be equal to the contents identification wrap circumferential length 552. In a second implementation (as shown), an adhesive can be applied to a first bonding section 554. The first bonding section 554 can have a span that is generally equal to a span of a second bonding section 556 of the contents identification wrap 550. In the second implementation, the overall longitudinal length of the contents identification wrap 550 would be longer than the contents identification wrap circumferential length 552. The contents identification wrap circumferential length 552 can span between an interior edge of the first bonding section 554 and an exterior edge of the second bonding section 556. This configuration results in a circumferential length of the contents identification wrap 550 when the first bonding section 554 and the second bonding section 556 are joined to one another.
(25) A centrally located indicia 560 is applied to an exterior surface of the contents identification wrap 550. It is understood that the contents identification wrap 550 can include one, two, three, or more of the centrally located indicia 560. The exemplary embodiment includes one centrally located indicia 560 and a pair of distally located indicia 562, the indicia 560, 562 are preferably equally spaced from one another when the first bonding section 554 and the second bonding section 556 are joined to one another.
(26) An optional contents identification wrap separation feature 559 can be formed through the material of the spice identifier tab assembly 500, the optional contents identification wrap separation feature 559 being provided between the spice identifier tab substrate 502 and the contents identification wrap 550. The optional contents identification wrap separation feature 559 can aid the user in separating the contents identification wrap 550 from the spice identifier tab substrate 502. This feature enables the user to use the spice identifier tab substrate 502, the contents identification wrap 550, or both. This also allows the user to apply the contents identification wrap 550 to the sidewall 124 of the bottle cap 120 at any suitable location along an axial length thereof.
(27) The contents identification wrap 550 can be secured to the sidewall 124 of the bottle cap 120 using any suitable attachment implementation. The spice identifier tab substrate 502 would be adhered to an upper surface of the bottle cap 120. The contents identification wrap 550 would be secured to the sidewall 124 of the bottle cap 120. In a first implementation, an adhesive can be applied to an interior surface of the contents identification wrap 550. The contents identification wrap 550 would be wrapped around the sidewall 124 of the bottle cap 120 and secured in position by the adhesive. In a second implementation, the contents identification wrap 550 would be wrapped about the circumference of the bottle cap 120. The two ends 554, 556 would be joined together using any suitable joining technique, such as adhesive. The two ends 554, 556 would be located respective to one another tightening the contents identification wrap circumferential length 552 of the contents identification wrap 550 about the circumference of the sidewall 124 of the bottle cap 120.
(28) A spice identifier label 600, shown in
(29) A series of spice identifier tab assemblies 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 can be provided, wherein each of the spice identifier tab assemblies 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 would include an identifier associated with a unique spice or other content. The identifiers can be provided as a series of labels, wherein the user would apply the label with indicia identifying the desired spice or other content onto the respective spice identifier tab assembly 200, 300, 400, 500, 600. In another solution, the user can simply applied the indicia using a permanent marker.
(30) It is also noted that the various identifiers 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 can be color coded to provided additional distinguishing features for easier identification of the desired bottle.
(31) The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
ELEMENT DESCRIPTION REFERENCES
Ref No. Description
(32) 100 spice bottle assembly 110 bottle 112 bottle top surface 114 bottle sidewall 116 bottle bottom wall 120 bottle cap 122 bottle cap top surface 124 bottle cap sidewall 130 bottle label 132 spice identifier indicia 200 spice identifier loop 210 spice identifier loop exterior surface 212 spice identifier loop interior surface 220 spice identifier indicia 300 spice identifier tab assembly 302 spice identifier tab substrate 304 substrate adhesive surface 310 indicia carrying segment 312 spice identifier tab billboard base segment 314 spice identifier tab billboard fold crease 320 spice identifier indicia 330 spice identifier tab billboard support leg 332 billboard support leg attachment tab 334 billboard support leg fold crease 339 support leg rotational motion 400 spice identifier label 410 spice identifier label substrate 420 spice identifier indicia 412 label adhesive surface 500 spice identifier tab assembly 502 spice identifier tab substrate 506 spice identifier tab substrate circumferential edge 510 indicia carrying segment 512 spice identifier tab billboard base segment 520 spice identifier indicia 530 spice identifier tab billboard support leg 532 billboard support leg attachment tab 539 support leg rotational motion 550 contents identification wrap 552 contents identification wrap circumferential length 554 first bonding section 556 second bonding section 559 optional contents identification wrap separation feature 560 centrally located indicia 562 distally located indicia 600 spice identifier tab assembly 602 spice identifier tab substrate 606 spice identifier tab substrate circumferential edge 610 spice identifier tab billboard 612 spice identifier tab billboard base segment 620 spice identifier indicia 630 spice identifier tab billboard support leg 632 billboard support leg attachment tab 639 support leg rotational motion 650 contents identification wrap 652 contents identification wrap circumferential length 654 first bonding section 656 second bonding section 659 optional contents identification wrap separation feature 660 centrally located indicia 662 distally located indicia