Visual indicator for identifying container contents

Claim 2

In a container capable of carrying a particular one of a variety of contents, a selective indicator for visually indicating the identity of the particular contents, said indicator comprising: at least one raised portion in a visible surface of the container, said raised portion being capable of selective manual permanent deformation to alter the appearance of the portion; and visible indicia associated with said raised portion, said indicia being related to one of the variety of contents.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 wherein the raised portion has a generally domed configuration and the deformation comprises eversion of the domed configuration.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 2 wherein the raised portion is in a relatively thin-walled section of the container to facilitate manual eversion without rupture of the portion.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 3 wherein the indicia is located on an area of the container adjacent the raised portion so as to preclude mutilation of the indicia upon eversion of the raised portion.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 4 including means in the structure of the container for isolating the raised portion from the corresponding indicia to further assure that the indicia is not mutilated in response to eversion of the raised portion.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 5 wherein said isolating means includes: a platform spaced from the indicia-bearing area of the container, said raised portion being located on the platform; and a reinforcing shoulder connecting the platform with the indicia-bearing area.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 6 wherein the platform is spaced from the indicia-bearing area in the direction in which the raised portion is raised.

Claim 9

In a cover for a container capable of carrying a particular one of a variety of contents, a selective indicator for visually indicating the identity of the particular contents, said indicator comprising: at least one raised portion in a visible surface of the cover, said raised portion being capable of selective manual permanent deformation to alter the appearance of the portion; and visible indicia associated with said raised portion, said indicia being related to one of the variety of contents.

Claim 10

In a cover for a container capable of carrying a particular one of a variety of contents, a selective indicator for visually indicating the identity of the particular contents, said indicator comprising: at least one raised portion in a visible surface of the cover, said raised portion being capable of selective manual permanent deformation to alter the appearance of the portion; and visible indicia associated with said raised portion, said indicia being related to one of the variety of contents.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 8 wherein the raised portion has a generally domed configuration and the deformation comprises eversion of the domed configuration.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 9 wherein the raised portion is in a relatively thin-walled section of the cover to facilitate manual eversion without rupture of the portion.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 10 wherein the indicia is located on an area of the cover adjacent the raised portion so as to preclude mutilation of the indicia upon eversion of the raised portion.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 11 including means in the structure of the cover for isolating the raised portion from the corresponding indicia to further assure that the indicia is not mutilated in response to eversion of the raised portion.

Claim 15

The invention of claim 12 wherein said isolating means includes: a platform spaced from the indicia-bearing area of the cover, said raised portion being located on the platform; and a reinforcing shoulder connecting the platform with the indicia-bearing area.

Claim 16

The invention of claim 13 wherein the platform is spaced from the indicia-bearing area in the direction in which the raised portion is raised.

Claim 17

In a cover for a container capable of carrying a particular one of a variety of contents, said cover having a relatively thin-walled, semi-rigid construction, such as a vacuum-formed synthetic resin construction, a selective indicator for visually indicating the identity of the particular contents, said indicator comprising: a plurality of raised portions in a visible surface of the cover, each raised portion being capable of selective manual permanent deformation to alter the appearance of the portion; and visible indicia associated with each raised portion, each said indicia being related to one of the variety of contents.

Claim 18

In a cover for a container capable of carrying a particular one of a variety of contents, said cover having a relatively thin-walled, semi-rigid construction, such as a vacuum-formed synthetic resin construction, a selective indicator for visually indicating the identity of the particular contents, said indicator comprising: a plurality of raised portions in a visible surface of the cover, each raised portion being capable of selective manual permanent deformation to alter the appearance of the portion; and visible indicia associated with each raised portion, each said indicia being related to one of the variety of contents.

Claim 19

The invention of claim 15 wherein each raised portion has a generally domed configuration and the deformation comprises eversion of the domed configuration.