Empty Plastic Bottle Recycling Apparatus and Advertising Platform

Abstract

An empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform (BRAAP) that is used to captively hold at least one, and preferably multiple, plastic beverage bottles and includes advertising or promotional indicia printed thereon. The BRAAP has a structure which is a strip, or an strip. The panel and strip can be resilient and disposable, and each have at least one, and typically multiple, openings that are each dimensioned to allow a bottle's neck to be inserted and maintained within, or removed from, the opening. When a bottle is inserted into an opening, the BRAAP with the retained bottle, can be stored or transported. When a bottle is pulled from an opening, the bottle neck is released, thereby allowing the bottle to be removed from the BRAAP. The advertising or promotional indicia includes a company name, a coupon, a sport team name, event information, commercial offers, entertainment information, or social media information.

1 . An empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform (BRAAP) comprising a structure having at least one opening, wherein a bottle's neck is inserted into said at least one opening, thereby retaining the bottle on said BRAAP, wherein when the bottle neck is pulled from said at least one opening, the bottle is removed from said structure. 
     
     
         2 . An empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 1  wherein said advertising or promotional indicia is selected from the group consisting of a company name, a coupon, a sport team name, event information, commercial offers, entertainment information, or social media information. 
     
     
         3 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 1  wherein said structure is comprised of a strip with an upper surface and a lower surface. 
     
     
         4 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 1  wherein said structure is comprised of a panel with an upper surface and a lower surface. 
     
     
         5 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 1  wherein said structure is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, wood, a composite or a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         6 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 1  wherein said at least one opening is dimensioned to accept and frictionally retain a bottle's neck. 
     
     
         7 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 6  wherein said at least one opening further comprising at least one slit that radially extends outward from an edge of said opening and at least one tab that extends inward from an edge of said opening, wherein the slit and tab allow panel material adjacent to said opening to flex, thereby enlarging said opening and facilitating the insertion of a bottle neck that is larger than said opening, wherein a bottle is inserted downward into said opening from the upper surface of said panel or said strip, or a bottle is inserted upward into said opening from the lower surface of said panel or said strip. 
     
     
         8 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 1  wherein said panel further comprising at least one handle that allows said BRAAP to be gripped and carried. 
     
     
         9 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 8  wherein said handle is comprised of an opening that is dimensioned to allow a human hand to be inserted into the opening and gripped, wherein the opening has an indented slot at the substantial center of an upper edge, wherein the slot allows said BRAAP to be hooked onto and suspended from a protrusion or hook on a wall or surface. 
     
     
         10 . An empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform (BRAAP) that is used to captively hold at least one empty plastic beverage bottle and that includes advertising or promotional indicial applied thereon, wherein said BRAAP comprises a structure having at least one opening that is dimensioned to allow an empty bottle's neck to be inserted into said opening or removed from said opening, wherein when a bottle's neck is inserted into said opening, the bottle is retained on said structure, wherein said BRAAP with the retained bottle is stored or transported, wherein when an inserted bottle's neck is pulled from said opening, the bottle is released, thereby allowing the bottle to be removed from said structure. 
     
     
         11 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 10  wherein said advertising or promotion indicia is selected from the group consisting of a company name, a coupon, sport team name, event information, commercial offers, entertainment information, or social media information. 
     
     
         12 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 10  wherein said advertising or promotional indicia is applied by application means selected from the group consisting of painting, laser etching, molding, or an adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 10  wherein said structure is comprised of a strip. 
     
     
         14 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 10  wherein said structure is comprised of a panel with an upper surface and a lower surface. 
     
     
         15 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 10  wherein said advertising or promotional indicia further comprises recycling information, general information, or empty bottle valuation information. 
     
     
         16 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 10  wherein said BRAAP provides fraud detection by positioning bottles in a static display, wherein a person visually ascertains in three dimensions a recycling cash redemption value band or a manufacturing's identification mark, and is able to count the number of bottles on a strip or panel. 
     
     
         17 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 10  wherein strip further comprises at least one cavity, located within each cavity is said advertising or promotional indicia. 
     
     
         18 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 14  wherein said panel further comprises at least one cavity, located within each cavity is said advertising or promotional indicia. 
     
     
         19 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 13  wherein said strip further comprises at least one punch-out section, wherein located on each punch-out section is said advertising or promotional indicia. 
     
     
         20 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 19  wherein said panel further comprises at least one punch-out section, wherein located on each punch-out section is said advertising or promotional indicia. 
     
     
         21 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 10  further comprising at least two strips are removably attached together to create a single structure, with a score mark longitudinally extending from an upper edge to a lower edge between said strips, wherein one of said strips is manually pulled away and extricated from other said strip, wherein multiple strips are manufactured, sold and accessed as a single structure, with individual strips removed as needed. 
     
     
         22 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 13  further comprising inter-connecting means for securing multiple strips together, wherein said inter-connecting mean are comprised of a slot located on one distal end of said strip and a tab located at the opposing distal end of said strip, wherein said tab is dimensioned to be inserted into and retained within said slot, wherein a tab from one strip is inserted into a slot on a second strip, thereby connecting two said strips together. 
     
     
         23 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 13  further comprising a numerical indictor of the total number of plastic bottles that are on a strip, wherein said numerical indicator is comprised of indicia that is applied onto a surface of said strip. 
     
     
         24 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 13  wherein multiple, removably-attached-together strips are rolled into a unitary circular structure. 
     
     
         25 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 13  wherein multiple, removably-attached-together strips are folded into a unitary substantially rectangular structure. 
     
     
         26 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 24  wherein the circular structure is placed onto a dispenser, wherein the dispenser is comprised of a base with an upward extending vertical member, wherein located at the center of the rolled circular structure is an opening that extends through from an upper end to a lower end, wherein the circular structure is placed on the dispenser by aligning the lower end opening with the vertical member and sliding the circular structure downward as the vertical member extends upward into the opening, wherein once the circular structure is placed on the dispenser, at least one strip can be pulled and removed from the rolled circular structure as needed. 
     
     
         27 . An empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform (BRAAP) that is used to captively hold at least one empty plastic beverage bottle and that includes advertising or promotional indicial applied thereon, wherein said BRAAP comprises a structure having at least one opening that is dimensioned to allow an empty bottle's neck to be inserted into said opening or removed from said opening, wherein when a bottle's neck is inserted into said opening, the bottle is retained on said structure, wherein said BRAAP with the retained bottle is stored or transported, wherein when an inserted bottle's neck is pulled from said opening, the bottle is released, thereby allowing the bottle to be removed from said structure. 
     
     
         28 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said structure is comprised of a strip with an upper surface and a lower surface. 
     
     
         29 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said structure is comprised of a panel with an upper surface and a lower surface. 
     
     
         30 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said structure is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, wood, a composite, or a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         31 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said strip is resilient. 
     
     
         32 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said at least one opening further comprising at least one slit that radially extends outward from an edge of said opening and at least one tab that extends inward from an edge of said opening, wherein the slit and tab allows panel material adjacent to said opening to flex, thereby enlarging said opening and facilitating the insertion of a bottle neck that is larger than said opening wherein a bottle is inserted downward into said opening from the upper surface of said panel or said strip or a bottle is inserted upward into said opening from the lower surface of said panel or said strip. 
     
     
         33 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said at least one opening further comprising at least two slits that radially extend from an edge of said opening and at least three triangular tabs that extend inward from an edge of said opening, wherein the slits and tabs allow panel material adjacent to said opening to flex, thereby enlarging said opening and facilitating the insertion of a bottle neck that is larger than said opening. 
     
     
         34 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein the empty bottle's neck is inserted into said opening with a bottle cap attached. 
     
     
         35 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein the empty bottle's neck is inserted into said opening without a bottle cap attached. 
     
     
         36 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said structure further comprising at least one handle that allows said BRAAP to be gripped and carried. 
     
     
         37 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said handle is comprised of an opening that is dimensioned to allow a human hand or fingers to be inserted into the opening and gripped, wherein the opening has an indented slot at the substantial center of an upper edge, wherein the slot allows said PBS to be hooked onto and hung from a protrusion on a wall or surface. 
     
     
         38 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein bottles that are inserted into said BRAAP are maintained at a selected angle and orientation to facilitate counting or inspection of the bottles. 
     
     
         39 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 38  wherein the angle are orientation of said BRAAP and the bottles thereon allows an identification mark or valuation mark on the bottles or said BRAAP to be visible. 
     
     
         40 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said strip further comprising sequential numbers at each successive opening, wherein the numbers allow a person to immediately determine the quantity of empty plastic bottles that are on said strip. 
     
     
         41 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said panel further comprising sequential numbers at each successive opening, wherein the numbers allow a person to immediately determine the quantity of empty plastic bottles that are on said panel. 
     
     
         42 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said strip further comprising reinforced sections that allow said strip material to be removed from the perimeter and to increase the structural integrity of said strip, wherein the reinforced sections are comprised of a higher concentration of panel material at selected locations. 
     
     
         43 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said panel further comprising reinforced sections that allow said panel material to be removed from the perimeter and to increase the structural integrity of said panel, wherein the reinforced sections are comprised of a higher concentration of panel material at selected locations. 
     
     
         44 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein bottles are extracted from said strip in a pealing motion. 
     
     
         45 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 27  wherein said structure is folded at least once, wherein said folded structure has a length and width that are less than the length and width of an un-folded structure, wherein said folded structure is placed in or on a package of multiple plastic beverage bottles prior to sale or transportation, wherein when a person purchases a package of plastic bottled beverages, said BRAAP is also present and useable. 
     
     
         46 . An empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform (BRAAP) that is used to captively hold a plurality of plastic beverage bottles and that includes advertising or promotional indicia applied thereon, wherein said BRAAP comprises a flexible strip having a plurality of openings, with each opening dimensioned to allow a bottle neck to be inserted or removed, wherein when a bottle neck is inserted into said opening, said BRAAP retains the bottle which is then stored or transported, wherein when an inserted bottle neck is pulled from said opening, the bottle is released, thereby allowing the bottle to be removed from said BRAAP. 
     
     
         47 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 46  wherein said strip is made of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, wood, a composite, or a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         48 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 46  wherein said at least one opening further comprising at least one slit that radially extends outward from an edge of said opening and at least one tab that extends inward from an edge of said opening, wherein the slit and tab allows panel material adjacent to said opening to flex, thereby enlarging said opening and facilitating the insertion of a bottle neck that is larger than said opening wherein a bottle is inserted downward into said opening from the upper surface of said panel or said strip or a bottle is inserted upward into said opening from the lower surface of said panel or said strip. 
     
     
         49 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 46  wherein said at least one opening further comprising at least two slits that radially extend from an edge of said opening and three triangular tabs that extend inward from an edge of said opening, wherein the slits and tabs allow panel material adjacent to said opening to flex, thereby enlarging said opening and facilitating the insertion of a bottle neck that is larger than said opening, wherein after a bottle neck is inserted, the slits and tabs captively maintain the bottle on said BRAAP. 
     
     
         50 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 46  wherein said structure further comprising at least one handle that allows said BRAAP to be gripped and carried. 
     
     
         51 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 46  wherein said handle is comprised of an opening that is dimensioned to allow a human hand or fingers to be inserted into the opening and gripped, wherein the opening has an indented slot at the substantial center of an upper edge, wherein the slot allows said PBS to be hooked onto and hung from a protrusion on a wall or surface. 
     
     
         52 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 46  further comprising at least two strips are removably attached together to create a single structure, with a score mark longitudinally extending from an upper edge to a lower edge between said strips, wherein one of said strips is manually pulled away and extricated from other said strip, wherein multiple strips are manufactured, sold and accessed as a single structure, with individual strips removed as needed. 
     
     
         53 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 46  wherein multiple, removably-attached-together strips are rolled into a unitary circular structure. 
     
     
         54 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 46  wherein multiple, removably-attached-together strips are folded into a unitary substantially rectangular structure. 
     
     
         55 . An empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform that is used to captively hold a plurality of plastic beverage bottles and that includes advertising or promotional indicia applied thereon, wherein said BRAAP comprises a flexible strip having a plurality of openings, with each opening dimensioned to allow a bottle neck to be inserted or removed in a twisting motion, wherein extending inward from an inner perimeter edge of each opening is at least one tab, wherein when a bottle neck is inserted into said opening, said tab flexibly interfaces with bottle cap threads that circumvent the bottle's neck, wherein said tab follows a helix pattern along the threads on the bottle neck, wherein after a tab initially flexibly interfaces with the threads and begins the twisting motion, the tabs will follow the helix pattern, thereby reducing the amount of force necessary to fully insert the bottle neck into said opening, effectively providing assisted insertion of the bottle neck, wherein once a bottle neck is inserted into said opening, said BRAAP retains the bottle which is then stored or transported, wherein when an inserted bottle neck is twisted out of said opening, the bottle is released, thereby allowing the bottle to be removed from said BRAAP. 
     
     
         56 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 55  wherein said advertising or promotional indicia is selected from the group consisting of a company name, a coupon, a sport team name, event information, commercial offers, entertainment information, or social media information. 
     
     
         57 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 55  wherein said advertising or promotional indicia is applied by application means, selected from the group consisting of painting, laser etching, molding, or an adhesive. 
     
     
         58 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 55  wherein said strip is made of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, wood, a composite, or a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         59 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 55  wherein extending inward from an inner perimeter edge of each opening are at least two tabs. 
     
     
         60 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 59  wherein said tab has a shape that is selected from the group consisting of triangular, square, and semi-circular. 
     
     
         61 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 59  wherein said tab further comprising a serrated edge. 
     
     
         62 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 55  wherein said opening further comprising at least two slits that extend outward from an inner perimeter edge, wherein said slits in combination with said tabs allow panel material adjacent to said opening to flex, thereby enlarging said opening and facilitating the insertion of a bottle neck that is larger than said opening. 
     
     
         63 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 55  wherein said panel further comprising sequential numbers at each successive opening, wherein the numbers allow a person to immediately determine the quantity of empty plastic bottles that are on said panel. 
     
     
         64 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 55  wherein said BRAAP provides fraud detection by positioning bottles in a static display, wherein a person visually ascertains in three dimensions a recycling cash redemption value band or a manufacturing's identification mark, and is able to count the number of bottles on a strip or panel. 
     
     
         65 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 55  wherein said strip further comprising sequential numbers at each successive opening, wherein the numbers allow a person to immediately determine the quantity of empty plastic bottles that are on said strip. 
     
     
         66 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 55  wherein said strip further comprising reinforced sections that extend around the perimeter of an opening to increase the structural integrity of said strip. 
     
     
         67 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 55  wherein said structure is folded at least once, wherein said folded structure has a length and width that are less than the length and width of an un-folded structure, wherein said folded structure is placed in or on a package of multiple plastic beverage bottles prior to sale or transportation, wherein when a person purchases a package of plastic bottled beverages, said BRAAP is also present and useable. 
     
     
         68 . An empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform that is used to captively hold a plurality of plastic beverage bottles, wherein said PBRA comprises a flexible strip having a plurality of openings, with each opening dimensioned to allow a bottle neck to be inserted or removed in a twisting motion, wherein extending inward from an inner perimeter edge of each opening is at least one tab, wherein when a bottle neck is inserted into said opening, said tab flexibly interfaces with bottle cap threads that circumvent the bottle's neck, wherein said tab follows a helix pattern along the threads on the bottle neck, wherein after a tab initially flexibly interfaces with the threads and begins the twisting motion, the tabs will follow the helix pattern, thereby reducing the amount of force necessary to fully insert the bottle neck into said opening, effectively providing assisted insertion of the bottle neck, wherein once a bottle neck is inserted into said opening, said PBRA retains the bottle which is then stored or transported, wherein when an inserted bottle neck is twisted out of said opening, the bottle is released, thereby allowing the bottle to be removed from said PBRA. 
     
     
         69 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 68  wherein said strip is made of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, wood, a composite, or a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         70 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 68  wherein extending inward from an inner perimeter edge of each opening are at least two tabs. 
     
     
         71 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 70  wherein said tab has a shape that is selected from the group consisting of triangular, square, and semi-circular. 
     
     
         72 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 68  wherein said opening further comprising at least two slits that extend outward from an inner perimeter edge, wherein said slits in combination with said tabs allow panel material adjacent to said opening to flex, thereby enlarging said opening and facilitating the insertion of a bottle neck that is larger than said opening. 
     
     
         73 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 68  wherein said panel further comprising sequential numbers at each successive opening, wherein the numbers allow a person to immediately determine the quantity of empty plastic bottles that are on said panel. 
     
     
         74 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 68  further comprising inter-connecting means for securing multiple strips together, wherein said inter-connecting mean are comprised of a slot located on one distal end of said strip and a tab located at the opposing distal end of said strip, wherein said tab is dimensioned to be inserted into and retained within said slot, wherein a tab from one strip is inserted into a slot on a second strip, thereby connecting two said strips together. 
     
     
         75 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 68  further comprising a numerical indictor of the total number of plastic bottles that are on a strip, wherein said numerical indicator is comprised of indicia that is applied onto a surface of said strip. 
     
     
         76 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 68  wherein said BRAAP provides fraud detection by positioning bottles in a static display, wherein a person visually ascertains in three dimensions a recycling cash redemption value band or a manufacturing's identification mark, and is able to count the number of bottles on a strip or panel. 
     
     
         77 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 68  wherein said strip further comprising sequential numbers at each successive opening, wherein the numbers allow a person to immediately determine the quantity of empty plastic bottles that are on said strip. 
     
     
         78 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 68  wherein said strip further comprising reinforced sections that extend around the perimeter of an opening to increase the structural integrity of said strip. 
     
     
         79 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 68  wherein said structure is folded at least once, wherein said folded structure has a length and width that are less than the length and width of an un-folded structure, wherein said folded structure is placed in or on a package of multiple plastic beverage bottles prior to sale or transportation, wherein when a person purchases a package of plastic bottled beverages, said PBRA is also present and useable. 
     
     
         80 . The empty plastic bottle recycling apparatus and advertising platform as specified in  claim 68  wherein said strip extends around a perimeter of a group of bottles.