Abstract:
A method and apparatus for beverage merchandising including an annular collar for the neck of a beverage decanter, such as a coffee carafe, which is able to display text information or pictures along its outside surface. The display of text information or pictures may be performed using a graphical insert, such as paper, inserted into a slot formed along the outside surface of the annular collar.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 60/416,153, filed Oct. 4, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of food merchandising, and particularly to beverage merchandising. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Merchandising methods and devices have grown increasingly sophisticated in response to evolving customer tastes and competition in crowded marketplaces. Methods and devices for merchandising beverages may increase sales of beverages and associated products by attracting consumers who may be passing by, such as in a gas station, convenience store, mall food court, or fast food store. 
   A variety of techniques have been developed for beverage merchandising. For example, it is common to place a sign, which may be handwritten or printed, on a stand near a coffeepot or beverage carafe. Some coffee pots are color coded to indicate, for example, whether the coffee in the pot is decaffeinated or regular. However, the practical value of these prior techniques is limited by real-world considerations such as information display capacity, durability, cost, cleanliness, appearance, and space requirements. 
   For these reasons, a method and apparatus for beverage merchandising including a information display which addresses the shortcomings of the prior art would be useful. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for merchandising beverages including an annular collar for the neck of a beverage decanter, such as a coffee carafe, which is able to display text information or pictures along its outside surface. The display of text information or pictures may be performed using a strip of sheet material, for example paper, inserted into a slot formed along the outside surface of the annular collar. 
   Such an annular collar does not consume any additional counter or display space, since the space around the neck of a beverage decanter is normally unused. A preferred embodiment of such an annular collar may be inexpensive to manufacture using a semi-rigid material, such as plastic, forming an annular collar which is durable, easy to clean, and attractive in appearance. 
   According to another aspect of the invention, a timer or other electronic device may display information which changes over time, for example the time a pot of coffee was brewed, the current time, news information, or the like. 
   Further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a beverage decanter bearing an embodiment of an annular collar for information display according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the annular collar for information display of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the annular collar for information display of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the neck of a beverage decanter bearing another embodiment of an annular collar for information display according to the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the annular collar for information display of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the annular collar for information display of  FIG. 5  taken along the line  6 - 6  thereof; 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of a beverage decanter bearing the annular collar of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the beverage decanter bearing an annular collar of  FIG. 7  along the line  8 - 8  thereof. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the annular collar for information display of  FIG. 1  including a graphic insert. 
       FIG. 10  presents a block diagram of exemplary circuitry for use in an annular collar for information display according to the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a side view of a beverage decanter, indicated generally at  20 , bearing a preferred embodiment of an annular collar for information display according to the invention, indicated generally at  21 . The annular collar  21  is preferably shaped to snugly fit the neck  23  of the beverage decanter  20 , and may include a gap  33  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) in the annular collar for a handle  22  of the beverage decanter  20 . The beverage decanter  20  preferably contains a beverage  24 , for example coffee. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3  show perspective views of the annular collar  21 . The annular collar  21  has an information display surface  30 , a lower lip  31 , an upper lip  32 , and an upper surface  34 . A gap  33  in the annular collar may be provided, for example to receive the handle of a beverage decanter. 
     FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of an annular collar  51  for information display according to the invention fitted around the neck  23  of a beverage decanter. The annular collar  51  preferably has a recessed area  35  which allows the annular collar  51  to fit more closely when the neck  23  of the beverage decanter is tapered.  FIG. 5  provides the same view as  FIG. 4  without the beverage decanter. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an annular collar  51  according to the invention may include an alphanumeric display  52 , for example a liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode display (LED) or other display capable of displaying information which changes with time, such as the time a pot of coffee was brewed, the current time of day, the date, news, or other information. The alphanumeric display  52  can be used to present information, for example to attract and retain consumers in the vicinity of the annular collar  51 , thereby increasing the likelihood that such consumers will make a purchase. 
   The cutaway view of  FIG. 6  shows that the annular collar  51  for information display according to the invention may be formed of an upper piece  41  and a lower piece  40 , which may be bonded together, for example using one or more heat stakes  42 . The upper piece  41  and the lower piece  40  are preferably made of a durable, flexible material, for example thermoplastic formed using an injection molding process. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the upper piece  41  may include the upper lip  32 , the recessed area  35 , and an inside lower edge  43 , while the lower piece may include the lower lip  31  and the information display surface  30 . The upper piece  41  may optionally include one or more spacers  44 , which may be trimmed to allow the annular collar  51  to fit beverage decanters having necks of various sizes. 
   As best shown in the cutaway view of  FIG. 6 , the upper lip  32 , the information display surface  30 , and the lower lip  31  form a slot, indicated generally at  45 . A graphic insert  46  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ), for example paper, bearing printed text or pictures may be inserted into the slot  45 , to indicate, for example, the type, brand, or flavor of beverage contained in the decanter. In a preferred embodiment, the upper lip  32  and the lower lip  31  retain the graphic insert  46  in the slot  45 . 
     FIG. 7  shows a top view of a beverage decanter bearing an annular collar  21  of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the handle  22  of the decanter  20  may extend through the gap  33  of the annular collar  21 . Recessed areas  35  may be provided to allow the annular collar  21  to fit beverage decanters having tapered necks. 
     FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view of a beverage decanter bearing an annular collar  21  for information display according to the invention.  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the annular collar  21 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a graphic insert  46  may be inserted into the slot  45 , to provide information on the information display area  30 . 
     FIG. 10  presents a block diagram of exemplary circuitry, indicated generally at  60 , for use in an annular collar for information display according to the invention. The exemplary circuitry  60  may include clock circuitry  61 , for example a quartz clock circuit of the type used in wristwatches or household timers. The exemplary circuitry  60  may include a power source  62 , for example a battery or solar cell. The exemplary circuitry  60  may include one or more user interface devices, for example one or more audio devices  63 , for example a speaker and amplifier of the types used in portable electronic devices, one or more alphanumeric displays  52 , and one or more user input devices  65 , for example a pushbutton switch used to reset a timer when a fresh pot of coffee is brewed. The exemplary circuitry  60  may also include computer circuitry, for example a central processing unit (CPU)  66 , memory  67 , for example random access memory or non-volatile memory such as an EPROM or EEPROM, and a wireless data receiver  64 , for example an 802.11b network interface device that can be used, for example, to receive news information. 
   There are various possibilities with regard to alternative embodiments and methods including an annular collar for information display according to the invention. 
   For example, the annular collar may include a timer or other electronic display in order to indicate, for example, the time the beverage was brewed, current events or news, prices or promotions relating to the beverage or related products such as newspapers or pastries, or other information. 
   Similarly, the annular collar may be formed in other constructions. For example, the annular collar may be formed of more than two pieces, or extruded as a single piece. 
   It is understood that the invention is not confined to the embodiments set forth herein as illustrative, but embraces all such forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.