Method and apparatus for merchandising dispensable products

Abstract

A method for merchandising products in fillable containers is disclosed. The method employs a container having a digital storage media affixed to the container, which is displayed to the consumer to affect the consumers buying decision. Container and digital media systems useful in the invention also are disclosed.

1 . A method for promoting the sale of merchandise in a retail or consumer store environment comprising the steps of: 
 affixing a digital storage media to a fillable product container; and    displaying the container in a manner that presents the digital storage media or indicia thereof to a consumer.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product container includes a recess, and wherein the affixing step includes affixing the digital storage media within the recess.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the digital storage media is selected from the group consisting of compact discs and digital video discs.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product container is a cup having an open recess located at a cup bottom.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the affixing step includes affixing the digital storage media within the cup bottom open recess, and wherein the displaying step includes presenting the cup to a consumer such that the digital storage media, or an indicia of the content of the digital storage media, is visible to the consumer prior to filling the cup.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the affixing step includes affixing the digital storage media within the cup bottom open recess, and wherein the displaying step includes presenting the cup to a consumer such that the digital storage media is visible to the consumer.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the digital storage media is selected from the group consisting of compact discs and digital video discs.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the digital storage media is selected from the group consisting of compact discs and digital video discs.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the displaying step is accomplished by displaying the container in a location adjacent to, closely adjacent to or integral to a food or beverage dispensing station.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the container includes an open recess, and wherein the affixing step includes affixing the digital storage media within the open recess.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the product container is a cup having an open recess located at a cup bottom.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the affixing step includes affixing the digital storage media within the cup bottom open recess, and wherein the displaying step includes presenting the cup to a consumer such that the media or indicia of the content of the digital storage media is visible to the consumer.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the affixing step includes affixing the digital storage media within the cup bottom open recess, and wherein the displaying step includes presenting the cup to a consumer such that the digital storage media is visible to the consumer.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a transparent cup bottom cap is placed over the cup bottom open recess and wherein the digital storage media is located between a bottom cup surface and the transparent cup bottom cap.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein a transparent cup bottom cap is placed over the cup bottom open recess and wherein the digital storage media is located between a bottom cup surface and the transparent cup bottom cap.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a transparent insert is placed within the open cup bottom and wherein the digital storage media is located between a bottom cup surface and the transparent insert.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein a transparent insert is placed within the open cup bottom and wherein the digital storage media is located between a bottom cup surface and the transparent insert.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the displaying step is performed by storing cups in a cup display and storage unit located closely adjacent to a liquid dispensing station.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the displaying step is performed by storing cups in a cup display and storage unit located closely adjacent to a liquid dispensing station.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the displaying step is performed by storing cups in a cup display and storage unit located integrally to a liquid dispensing station.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the displaying step is performed by storing cups in a cup display and storage unit located integrally to a liquid dispensing station.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the displaying step comprises storing and displaying one or more cups in a cup storage and display unit.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the cup storage and display unit holds and displays a plurality of cups, wherein a plurality of cups contain digital storage media, and wherein at least two of said plurality of cups contain digital storage media with different content.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 12  wherein one or more cups contain a first digital storage media which is offered at a first point in time, and further including the step of promoting second digital storage media to be made available at a second, later point in time by employing indicia of the second media closely adjacent to the food or beverage dispensing station at the first point in time.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 13  wherein one or more cups contain a first digital storage media which is offered at a first point in time, and further including the step of promoting second digital storage media to be made available at a second, later point in time by employing indicia of the second media closely adjacent to the food or beverage dispensing station at the first point in time.  
   
   
       26 . A container and digital storage media system for promoting sales of a dispensable food or beverage item comprising: 
 a container having an open end for receiving a dispensed food item;    a recess located on an exterior container surface for holding a digital storage media; and    a digital storage media containing information of interest to a consumer, said media affixed to the container at a point within the recess.    
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the container is a cup.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27  wherein the cup has a cup bottom recess for holding the digital storage media.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the recess is a sheltered recess, and the media resides completely within the recess.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29  further comprising a transparent material cooperatively fitted over the recess or within the recess to allow the digital storage media located in the recess to be viewed by a consumer.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 27  wherein the cup bottom recess is a sheltered recess.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising a cup bottom insert fitted cooperatively within the recess over the digital storage media to protect or retain the digital storage media between a cup bottom and the bottom insert.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising a cup bottom cap fitted over a cup bottom sidewall to protect or retain the digital storage media between a cup bottom and the cup bottom cap.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 32  in which the cup bottom insert is sufficiently transparent to allow a consumer to view the digital storage media contained in the recess.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 32  in which the cup bottom insert includes indicia to allow a consumer to determine the identity of digital storage media contained in the recess.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 33  in which the cup bottom cap is sufficiently transparent to allow a consumer to view the digital storage media contained in the recess.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 33  in which the cup bottom cap includes indicia to allow a consumer to determine the identity of digital storage media contained in the recess.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 27  in which the cup recess has a diameter, and the digital storage media is round and has a diameter of at least 90 percent of the cup recess diameter.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 32  in which the cup recess is generally round and has a diameter of from about 7.4 cm to 8.1 cm, and in which the digital storage media is generally round and has a diameter of from about 7.3 cm to 8.2 cm.  
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 33  in which the cup recess is generally round and has a diameter of from about 7.4 cm to 8.1 cm, and in which the digital storage media is generally round and has a diameter of from about 7.3 cm to 8.2 cm.  
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 26  further comprising a food or beverage dispensing station.  
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 41  further comprising a cup storage and display station located integrally to or closely adjacent to the food or beverage dispensing station.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of providing a plurality of cups having different media content on at least two different cups desired by customers of two differing demographic groups.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 5  further including the step of providing a plurality of cups having different media content on at least two different cups desired by customers of two differing demographic groups.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of providing information in the media directed to at least two different demographic groups.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 5  further including the step of providing information in the media directed to at least two different demographic groups.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 1  in which the digital storage media includes at least 250 megabytes of information.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 5  in which the digital storage media includes at least 250 megabytes of information.  
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 26  which includes at least two containers, each container including different media intended for customers of differing demographic groups.  
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 27  which includes at least two containers, each container including different media intended for customers of differing demographic groups.  
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 28  which includes at least two containers, each container including different media intended for customers of differing demographic groups.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 26  in which identical digital storage media are affixed to a plurality of containers, and in which the information stored in the media includes information directed to at least two different demographic groups.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 27  in which identical digital storage media are affixed to a plurality of containers, and in which the information stored in the media includes information directed to at least two different demographic groups.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 28  in which identical digital storage media are affixed to a plurality of containers, and in which the information stored in the media includes information directed to at least two different demographic groups.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 26  in which the digital storage media includes at least 250 megabytes of information.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 27  in which the digital storage media includes at least 250 megabytes of information.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 28  in which the digital storage media includes at least 250 megabytes of information.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method includes the step of using a vending machine to display information about the media content affixed to the container and to dispense a container filled by the vending machine.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the method includes the step of using a vending machine to display information about the media content affixed to the container and to dispense a container filled by the vending machine.  
   
   
       60 . A system for promoting and dispensing merchandise in a retail or consumer store environment comprising: 
 a fillable container having a digital storage media affixed thereto;    a holder for displaying the container in a manner that presents the digital storage media or indicia thereof to a consumer; and    a dispenser for dispensing a product for filling the container.    
   
   
       61 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the container is a cup.  
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 61  wherein the cup has a cup bottom recess for holding the digital storage media.  
   
   
       63 . The system of  claim 62  further comprising a transparent material cooperatively fitted over the recess or within the recess to allow the digital storage media located in the recess to be viewed by a consumer.  
   
   
       64 . The system of  claim 61  wherein the cup bottom recess is a sheltered recess.  
   
   
       65 . The system of  claim 64  further comprising a cup bottom insert fitted cooperatively within the recess over the digital storage media to protect or retain the digital storage media between a cup bottom and the bottom insert.  
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 64  further comprising a cup bottom cap fitted over a cup bottom sidewall to protect or retain the digital storage media between a cup bottom and the cup bottom cap.  
   
   
       67 . The system of  claim 65  in which the cup bottom insert is sufficiently transparent to allow a consumer to view the digital storage media contained in the recess.  
   
   
       68 . The system of  claim 65  in which the cup bottom insert includes indicia to allow a consumer to determine the identity of digital storage media contained in the recess.  
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 61  in which the cup recess has an inner diameter of at least 4 centimeters, and in which the digital storage media is round and has an diameter of between about 80 and 98 percent of the cup recess diameter.  
   
   
       70 . The system of  claim 61  in which the cup recess inner diameter is has a about 7.4 cm to 8.4 cm, and in which the digital storage media is round and has a diameter of from about 7.8 cm to 8.2 cm.  
   
   
       71 . A method for promoting the sale of merchandise in a retail or consumer store environment comprising the steps of: 
 affixing a package including at least two digital storage media to a fillable product container; and    displaying the container in a manner that presents a surface of one of the digital storage media or indicia of content of the package to a consumer.    
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 71  wherein the product container is a cup that includes a bottom recess, and wherein the affixing step includes affixing the package of digital storage media within the recess.  
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 71  wherein the product container is a cup that has a generally flat bottom surface, and wherein the affixing step includes affixing the package of digital media to the generally flat bottom surface.  
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 71  wherein the digital storage media is selected from the group consisting of compact discs and digital video discs.