US20100314351A1

US20100314351A1 - It's Mine It's yours (Itz)

Info

Publication number: US20100314351A1
Application number: US12/482,266
Authority: US
Inventors: Tracy Hoefling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-10
Filing date: 2009-06-10
Publication date: 2010-12-16

Abstract

A device to provide identification that may include a container and an elastic band being expandable to detachably connect to the container. The elastic band may include a writable surface to accept indicia, and the writable surface may be erasable. The container may be a glass or the container may be a bottle. The band may be color-coded.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices to mark items and more particularly a device to individualize a glass, cup, bottle or other such device.
The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.
In today's world, there is a need to personalize all sorts of items. This has led to various marking devices which can mark all kinds of surfaces. However, it is still difficult to mark items such as plastic and glass. Furthermore, it is increasingly difficult to mark plastics and glasses in such a way that the indicia which has been marked can be removed or erased without a trace.
One common environment where marking is desirable is a party or a group of people at a bar enjoying themselves with a multitude of drinks. In this type of environment, the people usually set their drinks and drinking container down and may leave it unattended for period of time. Other people may do the same thing, and consequently, it may be difficult to identify the owner of a particular container or glass. It is undesirable to permanently mark the container or glasses because the users of these container or glasses are only temporary and these containers will be used again for other users.
It would be desirable to be able to temporarily mark these containers including glasses and mugs or to be able to provide a detachable apparatus to provide the required indicia to indicate the user of the container.
In addition, the problem is compounded by the fact that these glasses and mugs may be available in different sizes which provides additional constraints.
This problem is not limited to glasses and mugs. Personal items such as shampoo or cosmetics may be used in a limited public setting such as a high school or there may be many individuals that have these personal items in a family setting and it may be desirable to achieve some sort of personalization of these personal items due to the expense or other reasons.
It would be desirable to be able to transfer this personalization from one item or container to the next with a minimum of effort.

SUMMARY

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the circumferential band of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another circumferential band of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the circumferential band with a container such as a glass;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the circumferential band and charm with a container such as a hair product;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a color-coded circumferential band of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the identification device 100 of the present invention which may be used to provide identification for containers such as glasses, mugs, bottles, and other items which may be generally circular in cross-section. The identification device may include a circumferential band 105 which may be elastic to be expandable and deformable in order to change the radius size in order to be used with items of varying sizes. The band 105 may be detachably connected to the container. The band 105 may include a writable surface 107 to provide for the user a surface to write indicia which may correspond to the name of the user. The writable surface 107 may cooperate with a pencil, pen, felt marker or other types of writing devices in order to write the indicia on the writable surface 107. The writable surface 107 may be erasable in order to accept different indicia on the writing surface 101.
FIG. 2 illustrates the identification device 200 of the present invention which may be used to provide identification for a container such as glasses, mugs, bottles, and other items which may be generally circular in cross-section. The identification device 200 may include a circumferential band 205 which may include an elastic portion 209 which may be expandable and deformable in order to change the radius size in order to be used with items of varying sizes. The band 205 may include a writable surface 207 to provide a surface for the user to write indicia which may correspond to the name of the user. The writable surface 207 may cooperate with a pencil, pen, felt marker or other types of writing devices in order to write the indicia on the writable surface 207.
FIG. 3 illustrates the circumferential band 105 extending around the parameter of the glass 301 and illustrates the writable surface 107 where the user has placed the indicia ‘Tracy’ on the writable surface 107.
FIG. 4 illustrates a bottle 401 which may include shampoo or other personal items and includes a circumferential band 405 which may or may not include a writable surface but may include a charm 411 which identifies the user of the bottle 104 and which may be attached to the band 405.
FIG. 5 illustrates a mug or glass 501 which may include a circumferential band 505 which may be color-coded either fully or partially in order to identify the user of the mug 501.

Claims

1. A device to provide identification, comprising:

a container;

an elastic band being expandable to detachably connect to the container;

wherein the elastic band includes a writable surface to accept indicia.

2. A device to provide identification as in claim 1, wherein the writable surface is erasable.

3. A device to provide identification as in claim 1, wherein the container is a glass.

4. A device to provide identification as in claim 1, wherein the container is a bottle.

5. A device to provide identification as in claim 1, wherein the band is color-coded.