Appeal No. 2006-3175
Application No. 10/419,601
example, a series of numbers, a series of letters, a series of letters which spell a
name, such as a child’s name or a cartoon character, a series of related cartoon
characters, such as the seven dwarfs, a series of specified shapes, symbols or
designs, as well as words, phrases and any combination of such unique identifying
indicia that can be classified into a sequential pattern (¶0029). One example is a
sequential pattern conforming to the days of the week (¶0031).
According to Murphy, each drinking cup can be provided with a unique
identifying indicia from a sequential pattern by any means known to those skilled
in the art. Suitable means include, for example, applying an adhesive label having
the unique identifying indicia printed thereon, extrusion molding the indicia during
the manufacture of the drinking cup, inscribing the indicia onto the drinking cup,
etc. (¶ 0035).
Luedde discloses a beverage identification device, system and method for
use when serving beverages to a group of people in order to avoid confusion over
which person drank from any particular container. The container 10 may include,
for example, a can, a glass, a cup, a bottle, beverage box, etc. (¶ 0020) surrounded
by an elastomeric band 12. The elastomeric band 12 (a rubber band, for example)
has an inner surface 14 and an outer surface 16, the inner surface engaging the
beverage container 10 by applying an elastic, compressive force to the outer
surface of the beverage container 10 (¶ 0020). A group of alpha-numeric
characters 20 on the outer surface 16 of the elastic band serve as a specific
identifying indicia to specifically identify the beverage container from other similar
containers. The other containers of the group are also surrounded by elastomeric
8
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