Beverage Container Marker

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to hospitality and beverage consumption and, more particularly, to the marking of containers of beverages being consumed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a convenient and simple means for the marking of unfinished but unattended beverages.

Many people at a bar leave their drinks unattended at one point or another to use the restroom, or go outside to either take a call or smoke. In most states alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be brought outside the establishment, and customers must leave them behind. They ask the bartender to guard their drink (hard to do when busy), or just leave it and hope nobody clears it away thinking they had left. It is difficult at times for both customers and staff to distinguish which drinks are still in use.

People sometimes use napkins or coasters to cover their drinks when leaving them unattended, but napkins are flimsy and either slip into the drink, are easily blown off, or absorb liquid and become messy. Coasters are often wet from use, don't fit over bottles, and require placing the straw or garnish, if any, elsewhere when put on top of glassware.

Thus there is a need for a beverage container marker that provides a neat, secure means to allow people to leave their beverage unattended, and to let others know it is still being used. A marked drink will also let others know that there is someone occupying that spot at a bar, seat, or table in a restaurant, club or even a home entertainment environment or other venue.

The present invention addresses this need for an effective beverage container marker for people to leave unattended their beverage and return to it.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a means for marking a variety of beverage containers with one simple device.

A further object is to provide a medium for the advertisement or promotion of goods and services.

Another object is to provide a beverage marker that aids in keeping the beverage from contamination.

Yet another object is to provide a means for associating an unattended beverage container with the person consuming that beverage.

Stiil another object is to avoid dissatisfaction in customers whose beverage has been mistakenly cleared by a bartender, wait staff or another patron.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a beverage container marker for placement over the opening of a beverage container, comprising a generally planar material having a top surface and a bottom surface. Extending from the top surface to the bottom surface is any one or more of: a removable perforated hole; a removable perforated notch section located at the periphery of the planar material; or a plurality of perforated tab sections located about the periphery of the planar material having perforations along two opposite sides such that each is bendable from the planar material while remaining attached to the planar material.

The generally planar construction of the beverage container marker allows it to rest easily and conveniently across the tops of glassware. The provision of a removable perforated hole permits the beverage container marker to fit over the neck of a bottle to mark it. The removable perforated notch at the periphery allows the beverage container marker to conveniently fit beverage

containers having a straw or garnish protruding above the rim. And the plurality of edge tabs can be bent downward to help hold the marker in place over the top of a beverage container.

Combining all of the features of this invention provides a beverage marker of flexible and universal use. It may mark a bottle, a glass with a garnish or straw, and also a simple glass.

Additionally, the beverage container marker of the present invention may comprise indicia, such as advertisement, on the top, bottom or both of its surfaces. If indicia is provided on both surfaces, it may be the same or distinctly different. In the latter case, the different indicia may serve to identify which beverage containers belong to which particular person by merely inverting one beverage container marker so that two distinct indicia display on different beverage containers.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further embodiments, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the Figures, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the beverage container marker.

Figure 2 shows the marker of Figure 1 in use over a glass with straw and garnish.

Figure 3 shows the marker of Figure 1 in use over a bottle.

Where used in the various figures, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In preparing the preferred embodiments of the present invention, various alternatives may be used to facilitate the objectives of the invention. These embodiments are presented to aid in an understanding of the invention and are not intended to, and should not be construed to limit the invention in any way. All alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may become obvious to those of ordinary skill upon a reading of the present disclosure are included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, this disclosure is not a primer on processes or materials for making beverage container markers, perforations, or printing or other common means of applying indicia; basic concepts known to those skilled in the art have not been set forth in detail. Readers are referred to appropriate and available texts for further details on these subjects.

Briefly stated, the invention provides a marker for beverages so that people in bars, restaurants, or other settings may leave their drink unattended without having it mistakenly cleared by staff or hosts. It comprises a disk of suitable material with a perforated hole, and may have a notch, scored tabs, and other features that allow it to fit over the neck of a bottle or sit on top of a piece of glassware without having to remove straws or garnish.

A perforated hole in the center of the beverage marker allows it to sit securely over the neck of a bottle, and a perforated notch allows the marker to sit squarely on top of a variety of glassware without interfering with the straws and/or garnish. There are also scored tabs around the edge that may be bent downwards to prevent marker from sliding off the glass. These tabs may also raise the part of the disc that makes contact with the top of the glassware off of tables, bars, or other surfaces. If a user wishes, the marker may be placed over the container without removing any components. Either way, the marker aids in keeping the beverage more sanitary. It also makes tampering with the beverage more difficult.

It may also be printed on, to allow for advertising or other customization. A unique aspect of the removable perforated center hole and side tab is that

they may contain information, such as a website or any other message an advertiser desires, which can then be kept by the user after being punched out from the disc. For advertisers this serves a purpose as a removable direct response component, and still provides advertising impressions if left behind. The marker has the quality of being a unique advertising vehicle, as it remains visible in use, as opposed to a coaster or napkin placed underneath the glassware. This is in addition to solving a number of problems for the consumer. The marker would also be printable for other customization besides advertising.

The beverage container marker of the present invention has unique and valuable capabilities as an advertising medium.

The beverage container marker occupies a uniquely visible position in a public environment. It rests on top of the beverage on the bar or table, in direct sight of other patrons. The marker creates a more visible ad medium than others such as postcards racks, which reside at one location in the establishment, rest room posters which can only be viewed by those using the rest room, or coasters, which reside under a beverage.

The quality of the advertising impression provided by the beverage container marker is high, as it is handled by target audience members, actively engaging the media as opposed to other, more passive media. It is also a medium perceived to be doing the user a favor - marking their beverage as in- use, hindering tampering, protecting it from detritus, and marking a spot at a bar.

As the marker will be primarily used in a bar environment, another important advertising value is that it accurately targets an audience within certain demographic parameters, e.g. by age or geographic region, as well as behavioral parameters, e.g. consumers of alcoholic beverages, those who engage in nightlife activities where beverages are consumed, etc. This ability to target an audience is of paramount importance to the majority of advertisers, and especially to those who must address an audience of a certain age or other demographic.

The removable elements of the beverage container marker also provide advertising and promotional options. The pieces may serve as a direct response, or ancillary advertising vehicle, allowing users to easily keep and transport advertising, promotion, or branding messages. They may also be used as game pieces or coupons, (in accordance with applicable laws), or for other purposes desired by an advertiser or promoter.

The beverage container marker may allow for the use of color, embossing, decal application, printing, or other method of displaying imagery or other type of customization or indicia. The indicia may be provided on the top, bottom or both surfaces. When provided on both surfaces, the indicia may be either the same or distinctly different. If distinct, the indicia may serve to differentiate beverage containers.

The beverage container marker may have slits or die cuts in addition to perforations. There may also be one or more protrusions on either side of the marker to provide space between each when stacked, making it easier to remove. The edges of the hole or notch may also have a ridge, lip, or be rolled to provide more strength.

The beverage container marker may be of any variety of desired and suitable sizes. The marker may also be of different shapes in addition to disc, e.g., square or octagonal.

The beverage container marker may be disposable or reusable. In one embodiment the marker may be designed to fold along scorings or hinges, so that it folds in half or other configuration for greater portability, resulting in a sturdy reusable personal version. Also, in a reusable construction, the removable components may be made to be replaceable.

The beverage container marker may be made of any variety of suitable materials such as plastic, paper, cardboard, pulp board, paperboard, resin, metal, or other materials or combinations of materials.

In the case of plastics, the edge of the disc may use a lip instead of tabs, that is rolled (e.g. like the top of a paper coffee cup), or have a flange at the bottom of the lip to make for easy removal from a stack.

A particularly preferred embodiment that illustrates the invention is diagrammed by Figures 1, 2 and 3. The beverage marker of this embodiment comprises a disc 1 that is of suitable material or combination of materials stiff enough to sit securely on container, and preferably is treated to make it water resistant. Disc 1 can be customized for advertising and other purposes. Within disc 1 is a perforated hole 2. Perforated hole 2 can be punched out to accommodate the neck of a bottle. It can also serve as a removable direct response component that a user may keep for reference, as part of a contest, or other purpose. Along the edge of disc 1 is a perforated notch 3 that accommodates a protruding straw or garnish. It may also serve as a removable direct response component. Also along the edge of disc 1 are four perforated tabs 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d to assist in keeping the disc from sliding off of a container. Within each of four perforated tabs 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are a series of scores 5 that allow the tabs to be bent down as needed to accommodate glassware of varying sizes.

In Figure 2 the beverage marker of Figure 1 is shown in use over a glass 9. Perforated notch 3 has been punched out to accommodate a garnish 6 and a straw 7. Also, tabs 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d have been bent down to keep the marker from sliding off the glass. Perforated hole 2 has not been removed to keep the drink more sanitary. The disc 1 is shown displaying an advertising message, exploiting a unique position of visibility. Perforated notch piece 3 may be on a bar, table, or other surface, and also displays an advertising message.

Figure 3 shows the beverage marker of Figure 1 in place over a bottle 10, with perforated hole 2 punched out to accommodate the neck of the bottle. Perforated notch 3 has not been removed and tabs 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are shown not being bent down. Disc 1 is shown displaying a custom message or design. Perforated hole piece 2 is shown displaying a custom message or design.

Having thus described and exemplified the invention with a certain degree of particularity, it should be appreciated that the following claims are not to be so limited but are to be afforded a scope commensurate with the wording of each element of the claim and equivalents thereof: