GB2277314A

GB2277314A - Drinking glass identifying device

Info

Publication number: GB2277314A
Application number: GB9308147A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Roy Fish
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-04-20
Filing date: 1993-04-20
Publication date: 1994-10-26
Also published as: GB9308147D0

Abstract

A drinking glass identifying device has a clip 2 or hook for securement on the rim of a glass and an individual identifying feature for example a colour, motif numeral or shape for discriminating similar devices one from another. The body 1 bearing the identifying feature may have a pair of tongues extending from its rear face to define a channel sized to receive an arm of the clip 2. The clip may be secured in the channel by a force fit or by co-operating interlocking formations. Alternatively, the clip 2 may be secured to a body 1 by adhesive or moulded in one plastics part therewith. <IMAGE>

Description

DRINKING GLASS IDENTIFYING DEVICE This invention relates to a drinking glass identifying device which permits a drinker to identify their glass from a number of similar glasses.

A problem that is experienced in public houses, clubs and at parties where drink is served is that when a person leaves his glass, on for example a table, where other glasses are present or subsequently placed it is often difficult when returning to the table for that person to identify their own glass. A technique often employed is to leave the glass in a strategic position that is easily remembered for example next to an ash tray. However, a glass can easily be moved by other people when placing their own glass nearby and of course a user may not always remember just where he left his glass.

In order to overcome this problem it is proposed to provide an individual identification for a glass.

According to the invention there is provided a drinking glass identifying device having means for securement on the rim of the glass and an individual identifying feature for discriminating similar device one from another.

The identifying feature may be a surface on which the name of the owner is or can be applied. Alternatively the devices may be discriminated by colour, motif, numerals or shape or any other means that enables a user to identify their own device in the presence of similar devices.

The means for securement on the rim of the glass may comprise a clip which permits retentive securement on the rim. The clip may be resilient the device comprising portions locatable one inside and one outside the rim such that the device is securable on a glass by a clamping action. Alternatively the means for securement may be in the form of a hook.

In order that the invention and its other preferred features may be understood more easily, some embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a drinking glass identifying device constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the device of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front view of a device similar to that of Figures 1 and 2 with a bowling pin motif, Figure 4 is a front view of a device similar to that of Figures 1 and 3 with a dart motif, Figure 5 is a rear view of an alternative two part device constructed in accordance with the invention with the two parts separated, Figure 6 is an end view of the device of Figure 5, Figure 7 shows a glass with the device of Figures 1 and 2 fitted thereto, Figure 8 is a side view of a device similar to Figures 1 and 5 with a hook instead of a clip for securement on the rim of a glass.

The drinking glass identifying device of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a flat rectangular strip like portion 1 and a clip portion 2 which is secured thereto by an adhesive or is moulded in one part therewith, and formed from for

example a resilient plastics material such as perspex (Trade Mark). The strip like portion is provided with an identifying feature, in this case the name DOUG to identify the owner of the device. The name may be permanently inscribed on the strip like portion by for example embossing or may have the inscription applied by means of for example rub down transfers, by attachment of an adhesive strip embossed with the identitv, such as can be provided bv means

of a Dymo (1Trade Mark) machine, or can have a surface suitable for writing on the identity. Alternative way of discriminating one device from another is to provide each with a different motif for example a bowling pin (Figure 3) or a dart (Figure 4) such that each user can select a different motif. The clip 1 is resilient and permits the device to be slipped over the rim of a drinking glass, as shown in Figure 7, with the strip like portion on the outside of the glass and the extremity of the clip portion inside the glass such that the device is secured by a clamping action due to the resilience of the clip.

The device may be made in two interconnectible parts as shown in Figure 5 where a strip like portion 3 similar to that of Figures 1 and 2 is provided with two elongate rearwardly and inwardly directed tongues 4 and 5 defining a channel sized to receive one arm 6 of a separate clip 7.

The clip may be a force fit in the channel or cooperating interlocking formations may be provided to secure the clip upon insertion into the channel. The other arm 8 of the clip 7 is shaped similarly to the clip portion 2 illustrated in Figure 2.

The embodiment of Figure 8 differs from the constructions of Figures 1 to 6 in that a hook shaped portion 9 forms the means for securement on the rim of the glass instead of a clip. In this case the drinking glass identifying device just hangs over the rim of the glass.

Although the embodiments described employ a strip like portion 1, 3 it is also envisaged that different shaped mouldings could be employed so that the devices are distinguishable one from another by shape. The mouldings could be in the form of different characters e.g. Mickey Mouse or devices such as sports equipment e.g. a golf club, tennis racquet etc. Yet another possible distinguishing possibility is to manufacture the devices in different colours or with different identifying numerals so that a person can choose their own particular colour or number.

Claims

1. A drinking glass identifying device having means for securement on the rim of the glass and an individual identifying feature for discriminating similar devices one from another.

2. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identifying feature is a surface on which the name of the owner is, or can be, applied.

3. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identifying feature is a colour.

4. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identifying feature is a motif.

5. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identifying feature is a numeral.

6. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identifying feature is a shape.

7. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for securement on the rim of the glass comprises a clip which permits retentive securement on the rim.

8. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the clip is secure to a body of the device by an adhesive.

9. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in claim 7, of two part construction, comprising an interconnectible clip and body.

10. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the body is provided with two elongate rearwardly and inwardly directed tongues and defining a channel sized to receive one arm of a separate clip.

11. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the clip is a force fit in the channel.

12. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the interlocking formations are provided on the body and clip for securing the clip upon insertion in the channel.

13. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the clip is resilient the device comprising portions locatable one inside and one outside the rim such that the device is securable on a glass by a clamping action.

14. A drinking glass identifying device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for securement is in the form of a hook.

15. A drinking glass identifying device, substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.