Display device for beverage pitcher or coffee machine

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed comprising a display device or indicator device and a timer circuit. The display device can be placed in a first or a second state. In the first state the display device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which is within a beverage receptacle. In the second state the display device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the beverage pitcher. The timer circuit, automatically, after a certain period of time, may change the indicator device from the first or second state to a third state in which the indicator device does not provide a visual indication of the type of beverage within a beverage container.

1. An apparatus comprising
 a timer circuit; and   an indicator device which communicates with the timer circuit;   wherein the indicator device can be placed in a first or second state by an operator;
 wherein in the first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage within a beverage receptacle; 
 wherein in the second state the indicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage within the beverage receptacle, wherein the second type of beverage differs from the first type of beverage; 
 and wherein the timer circuit can be programmed to automatically change the indicator device after a certain period of time from the first or second state to a third state, wherein in the third state, the indicator device no longer provides a visual indication of what type of beverage is within the beverage receptacle. 
   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first type of beverage is non-decaffeinated coffee; and 
 the second type of beverage is decaffeinated coffee. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein
 the timer circuit and the indicator device can be attached or detached from a coffee machine. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first visual indication is a designation of the first type of beverage and is comprised of least one alphanumeric character; and 
 the second visual indication is a designation of the second type of beverage and is comprised of at least one alphanumeric character. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the beverage receptacle is a coffee pot. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein
 the first type of beverage is decaffeinated coffee; and 
 the second type of beverage is non decaffeinated coffee. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein
 the indicator device comprises
 a first light under a first designation which indicates decaffeinated coffee; and 
 a second light under a second designation which indicates non decaffeinated coffee. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein
 the first light is part of a first push button which can be pushed in to light the first light to indicate that decaffeinated coffee has been made; and 
 the second light is part of a second push button which can be pushed in to light the second light to indicate that non decaffeinated coffee has been made. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein
 the indicator device comprises
 a first light which is able to emit either a first or a second color light; 
 and wherein the first light emits the first color light when the coffee machine has made decaffeinated coffee and the first light emits the second color light when the coffee machine has made non decaffeinated coffee. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein
 the first light is part of a first push button which can be pushed in to light the first light and to toggle the first light from emitting a first color light to emitting a second color light. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein
 the indicator device includes an electronic digital display which displays whether coffee which has been made by the coffee machine is non decaffeinated or decaffeinated. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein
 the indicator device includes a first push button which when pushed in causes the electronic digital display to toggle from displaying an indication that the coffee is decaffeinated to displaying an indication that the coffee is non decaffeinated. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising
 the coffee machine which includes a spigot through which coffee can flow; 
 and wherein the coffee machine includes a spigot switch for allowing coffee to flow from the coffee machine through the spigot. 
 
     
     
       14. A method comprising the steps of
 fixing an indicator device and a timer circuit on a coffee machine;   wherein the indicator device can be placed into a first state or a second state by an operator;   wherein when the indicator device is placed in a first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which is within a coffee receptacle;   wherein when the display device is placed in a second state the indicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the coffee receptable; and   wherein the first and second type of beverages differ and the first and second visual indications differ;   and wherein the timer circuit, after a certain period of time, causes the indicator device to automatically change from the first or second state to a third state in which the indicator device does not indicate what type of beverage is within the coffee receptacle.   
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein
 the first type of beverage is decaffeinated coffee; and 
 the second type of beverage is non decaffeinated coffee. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein
 the first visual indication is a designation of the first type of beverage and is comprised of least one alphanumeric character; and 
 the second visual indication is a designation of the second type of beverage and is comprised of at least one alphanumeric character. 
 
     
     
       17. An apparatus for indicating a type of beverage in a beverage receptacle removable from the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a timer circuit; and   an indicator device which communicates with the timer circuit;   wherein the indicator device can be placed in a first or second state by an operator;   wherein in the first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage within the beverage receptacle;   wherein in the second state the indicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage within the beverage receptacle;
 wherein the second type of beverage differs from the first type of beverage; 
   and wherein the timer circuit changes the indicator device from the first state or second state to a third state in which the apparatus no longer provides a visual indication of what type of beverage is within the beverage receptacle, after a predetermined period of time after the beverage has been prepared for use by a machine, such that, during the predetermined period of time, a subsequent user of the apparatus is informed of the beverage type.   
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein
 the first type of beverage is non-decaffeinated coffee; and   the second type of beverage is decaffeinated coffee.   
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein
 the timer circuit and the indicator device can be attached or detached from the machine.   
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein
 the indicator device comprises
 a first light which is able to emit either a first or a second color light; 
 and wherein the first light emits the first color light when the machine has made decaffeinated coffee and the first light emits the second color light when the machine has made non decaffeinated coffee. 
   
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein
 the first light is part of a first push button which can be pushed in to light the first light and to toggle the first light from emitting a first color light to emitting a second color light.   
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein
 the first visual indication is a designation of the first type of beverage and is comprised of least one alphanumeric character; and   the second visual indication is a designation of the second type of beverage and is comprised of at least one alphanumeric character.   
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein
 the beverage receptacle is a coffee pot.   
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein
 the first type of beverage is decaffeinated coffee; and   the second type of beverage is non decaffeinated coffee.   
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein
 the indicator device comprises
 a first light under a first designation which indicates decaffeinated coffee; and 
 a second light under a second designation which indicates non decaffeinated coffee. 
   
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein
 the first light is part of a first push button which can be pushed in to light the first light to indicate that decaffeinated coffee has been made; and   the second light is part of a second push button which can be pushed in to light the second light to indicate that non decaffeinated coffee has been made.   
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein
 the indicator device includes an electronic digital display which displays whether coffee which has been made by the machine is non decaffeinated or decaffeinated.   
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein
 the indicator device includes a first push button which when pushed in causes the electronic digital display to toggle from displaying an indication that the coffee is decaffeinated to displaying an indication that the coffee is non decaffeinated.   
     
     
       29. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the predetermined time is about an hour. 
     
     
       30. A method for indicating a type of beverage in a coffee receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:
 fixing an indicator device and a timer circuit on a coffee machine;   wherein the indicator device can be placed into a first state or a second state by an operator;   wherein the coffee receptacle is removable from the coffee machine;   wherein when the indicator device is placed in a first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle;   wherein when the display device is placed in a second state the indicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle; and   wherein the first and second type of beverages differ and the first and second visual indications differ;   and wherein the timer circuit, after a predetermined period of time, causes the indicator device to automatically change from the first or second state to a third state in which there is no indication as to what type of beverage is within the coffee receptacle;   wherein, during the predetermined period of time, a subsequent user of the apparatus is informed of the beverage type after the beverage has been prepared for use by the coffee machine.   
     
     
       31. The method of claim 30 wherein
 the first type of beverage is decaffeinated coffee; and   the second type of beverage is non decaffeinated coffee.   
     
     
       32. The method of claim 30 wherein
 the first visual indication is a designation of the first type of beverage and is comprised of least one alphanumeric character; and   the second visual indication is a designation of the second type of beverage and is comprised of at least one alphanumeric character.   
     
     
       33. The method of claim 30, wherein
 the coffee machine comprises a hot plate electrically connected to the timer circuit;   such that when the hot plate is turned off, the timer circuit changes the indicator device to the third state.   
     
     
       34. A method for indicating a type of beverage in a coffee receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:
 fixing an indicator device and a timer circuit on a coffee machine; and   sending a signal from the indicator device to the timer circuit to start a timer;   wherein the indicator device can be placed into a first state or a second state by an operator;   wherein the coffee receptacle is removable from the coffee machine;   wherein when the indicator device is placed in a first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle;   wherein when the display device is placed in a second state the indicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle; and   wherein the first and second type of beverages differ and the first and second visual indications differ;   and wherein the timer circuit, after a predetermined period of time on the timer has elapsed, sends a signal to the indicator device to cause the indicator device to automatically change from the first or second state to a third state in which the indicator device does not indicate what type of beverage is within the coffee receptacle, the predetermined period of time being chosen such that a subsequent user of the apparatus is informed of the beverage type after the beverage has been prepared for use by the coffee machine.   
     
     
       35. An apparatus for indicating a type of beverage in a beverage receptacle removable from the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a timer circuit; and   an indicator device which communicates with the timer circuit;   wherein the indicator device can be placed in a first or second state by an operator;   wherein the first or second state is selected before a machine makes the beverage ready for use;   wherein in the first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage within the beverage receptacle;   wherein in the second state the indicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage within the beverage receptacle, wherein the second type of beverage differs from the first type of beverage;   wherein the timer circuit is programmed so that the indicator device remains in the first or second state for a predetermined period of time that is after the machine has made the beverage ready for use;   wherein after the predetermined time the indicator device automatically changes from the first or second state to a third state; and   wherein in the third state, the apparatus no longer provides a visual indication of what type of beverage is within the beverage receptacle.   
     
     
       36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the first state or the second state is selected when the operator makes the beverage with use of the machine. 
     
     
       37. A method for indicating a type of beverage in a coffee receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:
 fixing an indicator device and a timer circuit on a coffee machine;   wherein the coffee receptacle is removable from the coffee machine;   wherein the indicator device can be placed into a first state or a second state by an operator;   wherein the first and second type of beverages differ and the first and second visual indications differ;   wherein the first or second state is selected before the coffee machine makes the beverage ready for use;   wherein when the indicator device is placed in a first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle;   wherein when the indicator device is placed in a second state the indicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle; and   wherein the timer circuit is programmed so that the indicator device remains in the first or second state for a predetermined period of time that is after the coffee machine has made the beverage ready for use;   wherein after the predetermined time the indicator device automatically changes from the first or second state to a third state;   wherein, in the third state, there is no indication as to what type of beverage is within the coffee receptacle.   
     
     
       38. The method of claim 37 wherein the first state or the second state is selected when the operator makes the coffee using the coffee machine. 
     
     
       39. An apparatus for indicating a type of beverage in a beverage receptacle removable from the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a timer circuit; and   an indicator device which communicates with the timer circuit;   wherein the indicator device can be placed in a first or second state by an operator;   wherein the first or second state is selected before a machine makes the beverage ready for use;   wherein in the first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage within the beverage receptacle;   wherein in the second state the indicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage within the beverage receptacle, wherein the second type of beverage differs from the first type of beverage;   wherein the timer circuit is programmed so that the indicator device remains in the first or second state for a predetermined period of time that is after the machine has made the beverage that is in the receptacle ready for use;   wherein after the predetermined time the indicator device automatically changes from the first or second state to a third state;   wherein in the third state, the apparatus no longer provides a visual indication of what type of beverage is within the beverage receptacle.   
     
     
       40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the first state or the second state is selected when the operator makes the beverage using the machine. 
     
     
       41. A method for indicating a type of beverage in a coffee receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:
 fixing an indicator device and a timer circuit on a coffee machine; and   sending a signal from the indicator device to the timer circuit to start a timer;   wherein the indicator device can be placed into a first state or a second state by an operator;   wherein the first or second state is selected before the coffee machine makes the beverage ready for use;   wherein the coffee receptacle is removable from the coffee machine;   wherein when the indicator device is placed in a first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle;   wherein when the indicator device is placed in a second state the indicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle; and   wherein the first and second type of beverages differ and the first and second visual indications differ;   wherein the timer circuit is programmed so that the indicator device remains in the first or second state for a predetermined period of time that is after the coffee machine has made the beverage ready for use;   wherein the timer sends a signal to the indicator device to cause the indicator device to automatically change from the first state or the second state to a third state;   wherein, in the third state there is no visual indication of what type of beverage is within the coffee receptacle.   
     
     
       42. An apparatus for indicating a type of beverage in a beverage receptacle removable from the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a timer circuit; and   an indicator device which communicates with the timer circuit;   wherein the indicator device can be placed in a first or second state by an operator;   wherein the first or second state is selected before the machine makes the beverage ready for use;   wherein in the first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage within the beverage receptacle after the machine has made the beverage;   wherein in the second state the indicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage within the beverage receptacle after the machine has made the beverage;   wherein the second type of beverage differs from the first type of beverage;   wherein the timer circuit is programmed so that the indicator device remains in the first or second state for a predetermined period of time that is after the machine has made the beverage ready for use;   wherein after the predetermined time the indicator device automatically changes from the first or second state to a third state; and   wherein in the third state, the apparatus no longer provides a visual indication of what type of beverage is within the beverage receptacle.   
     
     
       43. A method for indicating a type of beverage in a coffee receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:
 fixing an indicator device and a timer circuit on a coffee machine;   wherein the coffee receptacle is removable from the coffee machine;   wherein the indicator device can be placed into a first state or a second state by an operator;   wherein the indicator device is placed in the first or second state before the beverage is made by the machine;   wherein, in the first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of the first type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle;   wherein, in the second state the indicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle;   wherein the first and second type of beverages differ and the first and second visual indications differ;   and wherein the timer circuit changes the indicator device from the first or second state to a third state in which there is no indication as to what type of beverage is within the coffee receptacle, after a predetermined period of time after the beverage has been prepared for use by the coffee machine, such that, during the predetermined period of time, a subsequent user of the apparatus is informed of the beverage type.