Drinking cup identification method and system comprising individal identifying indicia associated with each cup in a group of identical cups so as to facilitate visual discrimation of one cup form another

Abstract

According to the invention, an identification system for disposable drinking cups is provided, which system comprises an identification system for a plurality of disposable drinking cups, said drinking cups being made from plastic, plastic composites, bio-based materials, fiber-based materials or other configurable materials, each of the drinking cups being provided with a unique identifying indicia by way of selection from a plurality of indicia, said indicia being a plurality of distinct areas associated with said cup, each area being configurable from an original condition to a visibly different condition, wherein said plurality of distinct areas are depressible dimples, blisters, or other raised surfaces, and wherein depressing said distinct area configures said area to said visibly different condition and whereas each area provides a unique identifier.

8 . An identification system for a disposable drinking cup, comprising: a disposable drinking cup; said cup being made from plastic, plastic composites, bio-based materials, fiber-based materials or other configurable materials. 
   
   
       9 . A system according to claim  1 , wherein said cup comprises a cylindrical side wall portion. 
   
   
       10 . A system according to claim  2 , wherein said plurality of distinct areas is formed in said side wall portion, either on the exterior side wall or on the interior side wall. 
   
   
       11 . A system according to claim  3 , wherein said distinct areas are configurable from an original condition to a visibly different condition, wherein said distinct areas are depressible blisters, dimples, or other raised surfaces, and wherein depressing said distinct area configures said area to said visibly different condition and whereas each distinct area provides a unique identifier. 
   
   
       12 . A system according to claim  4 , wherein said plurality of distinct areas comprise a plurality of differentiable areas. 
   
   
       13 . A system according to claim  4 , wherein said plurality of differentiable areas are areas bearing different identifying indicia. 
   
   
       14 . A system according to claim  4 , wherein said plurality of differentiable areas each have a different shape.