WO1998018116A1 - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

A beverage dispensing device comprising: i) means for dispensing a beverage; and ii) a promotional message characterised by iii) means for activating the promotional message during beverage dispensing.

Description

DISPLAY DEVICE

Technical Field

This invention relates to a display device useable for example

in promoting sales of beverages.

Background Art

It is known to provide beverage dispensers such as OPTICS^®

and been engines with promotional material such as for example the

trade name of the beverage

Disclosure of the Invention

In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is

provided a drink dispenser having a switch activatable to dispense a

drink and means to activate a promotional message during

dispensing of the drink.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a beverage

dispensing device comprising:

i. means for dispensing a beverage; and

ii. a promotional message

and having iii. means for activating the promotional message during

beverage dispensing.

The promotional message can be a visual, audible, a smell or

any combination thereof.

In preferred embodiments activating the beverage dispensing

means results in activation of the promotional message.

The promotional message can be a transparent or translucent

sheet material overlying a luminescent panel.

The promotional message can be provided by an array of

controllable light sources controlled by a controller.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of

non-limiting example by reference to the accompanying figures of

which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a dispenser and bottle in accordance

with the invention and

Fig. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Fig. 1. Best Mode

As shown in the figures the apparatus comprises an inverted

bottle 1 with the open end 2 received in an OPTIC^® or like

dispenser 3. Dispenser 3 is provided with a bar 4. Upward

movement of glass 5 against bar 4 opens a valve (not shown)

allowing a measure of drink to be dispensed. A switch contact 6 is

moveable by bar 4. When switch contact 6 makes electrical contact

with further switch contact 7 an electrical circuit is completed.

Power is thus supplied to illuminated panel 8. Light emitted by

panel 8 passes through transparency 9 which bears indicia 90.

Thus as a drink is dispensed to a customer not only are others

able to recognise the good taste of that customer but also the

intermittent lighting up of the advertisement can be far more eye

catching than a continuously illuminated sign.

Some further features of this invention will now be set forth.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention switch contacts 6

and 7 are part of a relay circuit so that illumination is not limited

simply to the time in which the contacts are allowed. In the illustrated embodiment the light source is shown as a

flat panel provided with a plurality of light bulbs. The invention is

not to be construed as so limited. In particular the panel or

transparency may be curved for example being a section of a

cylinder. The panel need not comprise an array of light bulbs but

could comprise an electro-luminescent panel. It may not be

necessary to provide a transparency. For example a panel of light

bulbs may make the shape of the advertisement. In other

embodiments of the invention the panel may provide a changing

image. For example if panel 8 comprises a plurality of individual

controllable sources for example an array of LED's or LCD cells or

of light bulbs it may be possible to arrange for a controller (not

shown) to switch on and off selected elements to provide a changing

or moving image.

If desired a sound and/or smell can accompany the visual

display and may replace it.

The bottle is in the illustrated embodiment held in position by

cradle 10 comprising legs 11. The assembly can be clamped by

clamp 12 to a shelf 13. It will further be apparent that the invention need not be

restricted to shelf mounted assemblies and thus can be used on bar

mounted soft drink dispensers or beer engines. A number of beer

engines are provided with a three dimensional representation of the

drink or its container. It is within the scope of the invention for say

liquid to be pumped in or out of the container.

Those skilled in the art will have little difficulty in devising

modifications.

Claims

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing device comprising:

i. means for dispensing a beverage; and

ii. a promotional message

characterised by

iii. means for activating the promotional message

during beverage dispensing.

2. A beverage dispensing device as claimed in claim 1

wherein the promotional message is at least one of a sound

message, a visual message or an olifactory message.

3. A beverage dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 or

claim 2 wherein activating the beverage dispensing means activates

the means for activating the promotional message.

4. A beverage dispensing device as claimed in claim 1

wherein the promotional display comprises translucent or

transparent sheet material overlying a lumenscent panel.

5. A beverage dispensing device as claimed in claim 1

wherein the promotional message is provided by an array of

controllable light sources controlled by a controller.

6. A beverage dispensing device as claimed in claim 1

wherein the beverage is dispensed into a drinking vessel.