Reusable bottle cap having identificaton means

Abstract

A reusable bottle cap having identification means coupled to a novel bottle cap cover is disclosed and described herein. In a specific embodiment, the bottle cap has a stem having a series of successive U-shaped grooves or ridges. A slight taper in the stem provides that bottles of varying diameters can be accommodated by a single design. Further, the design is made from pliable polyethylene or polyurethane material to form an effective seal to the mouth of bottles of varying diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the novel bottle cap cover is generally bell (or alternatively barrel or conical) shaped and has a crown, a mid-portion, and a mouth portion. The mouth portion further has a lip wherein an inner recessed groove is machined around a circumference thereof. Additionally, the bottle cap comprises a flanged ring portion having a complementary lip to mate with the groove of the bottle cap cover. In an alternative embodiment, a marker provides identification; and the marker is coupled to the flanged ring portion via a living hinge. Other arrangements and features are additionally disclosed herein.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A reusable bottle cap comprising:
 a stem portion extending along an axis from an upper end of the stem portion to a lower end of the stem portion, the stem portion configured to mate with a beverage bottle opening whereby the stem portion extends into and thereby seals the bottle opening;   a flanged portion extending laterally from the upper end of the stem portion, the flanged portion having a top portion defining a recess; and   an identification marker removably attached to the recess.   
     
     
         22 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 21  wherein the stem portion is hollow throughout its vertical axis. 
     
     
         23 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 21  wherein the stem portion tapers in a direction from the upper end to the lower end. 
     
     
         24 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 21  wherein the identification marker is color coded. 
     
     
         25 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 21  wherein the bottle cap is formed from a color-activated material that changes color in response to temperature changes. 
     
     
         26 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 21  wherein the identification marker is formed from a color-activated material that changes color in response to temperature changes. 
     
     
         27 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 21  wherein the identification marker includes at least one selected from the group consisting of: company identification, individual identification, contact information, website information, social networking identification, sports team identifying information, musical artist identifying information, and fictional character identifying information. 
     
     
         28 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 21  wherein the identification marker fits snugly into the recess. 
     
     
         29 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 21  wherein the flanged portion includes a lateral side that extends downwardly and outward from the top portion at a negative slope. 
     
     
         30 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 21  wherein the top surface of the flanged portion includes a plurality of recesses, the identification marker includes a plurality of pins that are received into the recesses. 
     
     
         31 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 21  wherein the identification marker is attached to the flanged portion with a living hinge. 
     
     
         32 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 21  wherein the flanged structure includes a complementary mating structure whereby a bottle cap cover including a mating structure can be attached to the reusable bottle cap, the stem portion is completely protected by the bottle cap cover when the mating structure is engaged with the complementary mating structure. 
     
     
         33 . A reusable bottle cap comprising:
 a stem portion extending along an axis from an upper end of the stem portion to a lower end of the stem portion, the stem portion to be received into a beverage bottle opening whereby the stem portion extends into and thereby seals the bottle opening;   a flanged portion extending laterally from the upper end of the stem portion, the flanged portion having a top surface defining a recess; and   an identification marker to be placed into the recess with an attached configuration.   
     
     
         34 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 33  wherein the identification marker has a diameter so as to be snugly fit into the recess. 
     
     
         35 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 33  wherein a living hinge provides the attached configuration. 
     
     
         36 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 33  wherein the flanged structure includes a complementary mating structure whereby a bottle cap cover including a mating structure can be attached to the reusable bottle cap, the stem portion is completely protected by the bottle cap cover when the mating structure is engaged with the complementary mating structure. 
     
     
         37 . A reusable bottle cap comprising:
 a stem portion extending along an axis from an upper end of the stem portion to a lower end of the stem portion, the stem portion to be received into a beverage bottle opening whereby the stem portion extends into and thereby seals the bottle opening;   a flanged portion extending laterally from the upper end of the stem portion, the flanged portion having a top surface; and   an identification marker removably attached to the top surface, the identification marker including at least one or more of labeling and color to provide an identification.   
     
     
         38 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 37  wherein the stem portion is hollow throughout its vertical axis, the identification marker closing off the stem portion at the top end. 
     
     
         39 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 37  wherein the top surface includes a recess holding the identification marker. 
     
     
         40 . The reusable bottle cap of  claim 37  wherein the flanged structure includes a complementary mating structure whereby a bottle cap cover including a mating structure can be attached to the reusable bottle cap, the stem portion is completely protected by the bottle cap cover when the mating structure is engaged with the complementary mating structure.