Stemware, mug, and stein identification helix

Abstract

In a system for imparting visually identifiable distinctions between individual drinking vessels, an identification helix is used to impermanently attach to an elongate element of at least one of the drinking vessels. At least two identification helices are provided for engaging an elongate element of a drinking vessel such as a stem or handle. The system of identification helices comprises a first helical member of resilient flexible material having a pair of ends and adapted to engage the elongate element by wrapping the elongate element with a generally encircling geometry. A second helical member of resilient flexible material has, as well, a pair of ends and adapted to engage the elongate element by wrapping the elongate element with a generally encircling geometry. The second helical member is visually distinct from the first differing in one of a group of qualities consisting of handedness, color, color combinations, and attached charms.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A system of at least two identification helices for engaging an elongate element of a drinking vessel such as a stem or handle, the identification helices comprising in combination:
 a first identification helix of resilient flexible material having a pair of ends and adapted to engage the elongate element by wrapping the elongate element with a generally encircling geometry; and   a second identification helix of resilient flexible material having a pair of ends and adapted to engage the elongate element by wrapping the elongate element with a generally encircling geometry, the second identification helix being visually distinct from the first differing in one of a group of qualities consisting of handedness, color, color combinations, and attached charms.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient flexible material is an elastomer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the elastomer is silicone rubber. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the silicone rubber constitutes the identification helices. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the identification helices further comprise a resilient core. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the resilient core is one of a group consisting of solid core metallic wire, stranded core metallic, solid plastic core, and stranded plastic core. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the attached charms comprise a surface for text or graphic annotation. 
     
     
         8 . A method for identifying one from among several drinking vessels, each vessel having an elongate element such as a handle or a stem, the method comprising:
 enaging the elongate member of a first drinking vessel from among the several drinking vessels with a first identification helix of resilient flexible material having a pair of ends and adapted to engage the elongate element by wrapping the elongate element with a generally encircling geometry; and   engaging a second drinking vessel from among the several drinking vessels with a second identification helix of resilient flexible material having a pair of ends and adapted to engage the elongate element by wrapping the elongate element with a generally encircling geometry, the second identification helix being visually distinct from the first differing in one of a group of qualities consisting of handedness, color, color combinations, and attached charms.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the resilient flexible material is an elastomer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the elastomer is silicone rubber. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the silicone rubber constitutes the identification helices. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the identification helices further comprise a resilient core. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the resilient core is one of a group consisting of solid core metallic wire, stranded core metallic, solid plastic core, and stranded plastic core. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the attached charms comprise a surface for text or graphic annotation. 
     
     
         15 . An identification helix for engaging an elongate element of a drinking vessel such as a stem or handle, the identification helix comprising:
 a helix of resilient flexible material having a pair of ends and adapted to engage the elongate element by wrapping the elongate element with a generally encircling geometry.   
     
     
         16 . The identification helix of  claim 15 ,
 wherein in the presence of a second identification helix of resilient flexible material having a pair of ends and adapted to engage the elongate element by wrapping the elongate element with a generally encircling geometry, the first identification helix distinguishes itself visually from the identification helix by differing in one of a group of qualities consisting of handedness, color, color combinations, and attached charms.   
     
     
         17 . The identification helix of  claim 15 , wherein the resilient flexible material is an elastomer. 
     
     
         18 . The identification helix of  claim 15 , wherein the identification helices further comprise a resilient core. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the resilient core is one of a group consisting of solid core metallic identification helix, stranded core metallic, solid plastic core, and stranded plastic core. 
     
     
         20 . The identification helix of  claim 15 , wherein the attached charms comprise a surface for text or graphic annotation.