Reusable cup identification clip

Abstract

A clip for use in association with a cup for aiding a user in identifying that cup is disclosed. The cup includes an opening that is defined by an enlarged, annular peripheral rim. The clip includes a body having an attachment portion configured for engaging at least a part of the enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which supports the body on the cup. The clip can be supported on the cup without applying continuous resilient biasing forces to the cup.

1 . An apparatus for use in association with a cup for aiding a user in identifying that cup, said cup having an opening that is defined by an enlarged, annular peripheral rim, said apparatus comprising: 
 a body including an attachment portion configured for engaging at least a part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which supports the body on the cup.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said attachment portion defines at least one rim receiving aperture for capturing an engaged part of the enlarged, annular peripheral rim.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said cup includes a sidewall extending to said rim, said sidewall including a sidewall thickness, wherein said enlarged, annular peripheral rim includes a rim thickness which is greater than the sidewall thickness, and wherein said attachment portion defines an entrance opening leading into said rim receiving aperture having an entrance opening width that is less than the rim thickness of the enlarged, annular peripheral rim.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said attachment portion is further configured to resiliently deform upon passing the rim thickness through the entrance opening of the rim receiving aperture.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said attachment portion is further configured to resiliently deform when said enlarged, annular peripheral rim is flexed.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said attachment portion includes at least one tab configured to at least partially surround said engaged part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said tab is arcuate in shape.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said tab is angular in shape.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said tab includes a distal end and wherein said attachment portion further includes at least one protrusion configured to extend at least generally toward said distal end in a way which cooperates with the distal end to define said entrance opening.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said attachment portion is configured for slidingly engaging said enlarged, annular peripheral rim without a need for a continuous biasing force on said enlarged, annular peripheral rim.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said enlarged, annular peripheral rim includes a rim curvature, and wherein said attachment portion is arcuately configured to at least approximately conform to said rim curvature.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said body further includes an identification portion that is connected with said attachment portion.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said attachment portion and said identification portion are integrally formed.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said cup includes a sidewall connected with said enlarged, annular peripheral rim, and wherein said identification portion is disposed adjacent to the sidewall when the attachment portion is in engagement with the enlarged, annular peripheral rim.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said identification portion is customizable to aid said user in identifying the cup.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said body is formed of plastic.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for use in association with a cup for aiding a user in identifying that cup, said cup having an enlarged, annular peripheral rim which defines an opening, said apparatus comprising: 
 a body including an attachment portion configured for engaging at least a part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim without application of a continuous, resilient biasing force to said enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which supports the body on the cup.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said attachment portion is configured for slidingly engaging said part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said cup includes a sidewall connected with said enlarged, annular peripheral rim, and wherein said body further includes an identification portion that is connected with said attachment portion, said identification portion being configured such that said identification portion is disposed adjacent to said sidewall when the attachment region is in engagement with said enlarged, annular peripheral rim.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for use in association with a cup for aiding a user in identifying that cup, said cup having a sidewall connected with an enlarged, annular peripheral rim which defines an opening, said apparatus comprising: 
 an attachment portion configured for engaging at least a part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which supports the body on the cup, said attachment portion including 
 at least one tab configured to at least partially surround said engaged part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim, and  
 at least one protrusion configured to cooperate with said tab such that said attachment portion is engaged with said engaged part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim; and  
   an identification portion, connected with the attachment portion, such that the identification portion is positioned adjacent to the sidewall when the attachment portion is in engagement with the enlarged, annular peripheral rim.    
   
   
       21 . A method for use in association with a cup for aiding a user in identifying that cup, said cup having an opening that is defined by an enlarged, annular peripheral rim, said method comprising: 
 attaching a body to said cup, said body including an attachment portion configured for engaging at least a part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which supports the body on the cup.    
   
   
       22 . A method for use in association with a cup for aiding a user in identifying that cup, said cup having an enlarged, annular peripheral rim which defines an opening, said method comprising: 
 attaching a body to said cup, said body including an attachment portion configured for engaging at least a part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim without application of a continuous, resilient biasing force to said enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which supports the body on the cup.    
   
   
       23 . A method for use in association with a cup for aiding a user in identifying that cup, said cup having a sidewall connected with an enlarged, annular peripheral rim which defines an opening, said method comprising: 
 attaching an apparatus to said cup, said apparatus including 
 an attachment portion configured for engaging at least a part said enlarged, annular peripheral rim in a way which supports the body on the cup, said attachment portion including 
 at least one tab configured to at least partially surround said engaged part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim, and  
 at least one protrusion configured to cooperate with said tab such that said attachment portion is engaged with said engaged part of said enlarged, annular peripheral rim, and  
 
 an identification portion, connected with the attachment portion, such that the identification portion is positioned adjacent to the sidewall when the attachment portion is in engagement with the enlarged, annular peripheral rim.