Self-absorbent, self-conforming beverage holder coaster and a method for providing targeted advertising indicia thereon

Abstract

A self-absorbent, self-conforming disposable coaster for different sized beverage holders and a method for providing targeted advertising indicia thereon, are presented. The coaster is inserted into a beverage holder prior to placing a beverage container therein. Once the beverage has been consumed, or when the coaster has reached a predetermined saturation point, the coaster is discarded and a new coaster is inserted. Thus the beverage container holder remains clean. The exterior surface of the coaster is, preferably, coated with an impermeable material, to prevent liquids absorbed through the top surface from passing through the coater to the beverage holder. The coaster further allows for the emplacement of an advertisement indicia on its surface. Data representative of advertising indicia to be provided on beverage holder coasters is received via suitable communications network.

1 . A beverage holder coaster comprising: 
 a body including at least one layer of at least partially absorbent material; 
 wherein the body is adapted for being removably inserted into an associated beverage holder, which associated beverage holder is at least one of a plurality of different sized associated beverage holders, and which associated beverage holder includes an interior surface;  
 wherein the body includes an interior surface and an exterior surface; and  
 wherein the body is adapted for conforming to an associated beverage holder such that a non-adhesive contact is enabled between at least a part of the exterior surface of the body and a respective part of an interior surface of an associated beverage holder.  
   
     
     
         2 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 1  wherein the exterior surface of the body is coated with an impermeable material.  
     
     
         3 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 1  wherein the interior surface of the body is adapted for use as an advertising medium.  
     
     
         4 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 3  wherein the interior surface of the body depicts advertising indicia.  
     
     
         5 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 1  wherein the body further includes a periphery, and wherein the periphery is adapted for folding upward enabling the contact between the at least a part of the exterior surface of the body and a respective part of an interior surface of an associated beverage holder.  
     
     
         6 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 5  wherein the periphery includes a plurality of tabs formed by a respective plurality of slots included in the periphery, wherein slots are oriented toward a center of the body and spaced apart at a predetermined distance, and wherein the slots are of a predetermined length.  
     
     
         7 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 1  wherein the body is further adapted for enveloping at least partially an associated beverage enclosure.  
     
     
         8 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 7  wherein the interior surface of the body is adapted for forming a non-adhesive contact with at least a part of an exterior surface of an associated beverage enclosure.  
     
     
         9 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 1  wherein the interior surface of the body is coated with a semi-impermeable material.  
     
     
         10 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 1  wherein the at least one layer of the at least partially absorbent material is pliable.  
     
     
         11 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 1  wherein at least one layer of the at least partially absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of: at least partially a paper material layer, and at least partially a cotton material layer.  
     
     
         12 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 1  wherein the body has a generally circular shape.  
     
     
         13 . The beverage holder coaster of  claim 1  wherein the body is disposable.  
     
     
         14 . A method for providing targeted advertising indicia on beverage holder coasters, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving, via a computer network, selection data representative of at least one selected beverage holder coaster;    prompting, via an associated user interface, an associated user for at least one customizing indicia;    receiving, via the computer network, at least one customizing indicia;    receiving, via the computer network, identification data representative of an identity of an associated user;    storing, in an associated storage, the identification data in association with the at least one customizing indicia;    generating, via the associated user interface, a graphical representation of the at least one selected beverage holder coaster inclusive of the at least one customizing indicia;    receiving, via the computer network, acceptance data representative of an acceptance of the selected beverage holder coaster and customizing indicia by the associated user; and    calculating a cost associated with the selected beverage holder, wherein the cost is determined in accordance with the selected beverage holder coaster and the at least one customizing indicia.    
     
     
         15 . The method for providing targeted advertising indicia on beverage holder coasters of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one customizing indicia is at least one of the group consisting of a company logo, a graphical image, and a text phrase.  
     
     
         16 . The method for providing targeted advertising indicia on beverage holder coasters of  claim 15 , wherein the cost is further calculated in accordance with a parameter associated with the at least one customizing indicia, the parameter comprising at least one of the group consisting of size, length, color, and font.  
     
     
         17 . The method for providing targeted advertising indicia on beverage holder coasters of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: 
 prompting the associated user for payment of the cost associated with the selected beverage holder; and    receiving payment data representative of a payment of the cost associated with the selected beverage holder coaster.    
     
     
         18 . The method for providing targeted advertising indicia on beverage holder coasters of  claim 17 , wherein the payment data is at least one of the group consisting of a credit card, a pre-paid account, a billing account, and a wire transfer.  
     
     
         19 . The method for providing targeted advertising indicia on beverage holder coasters of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of receiving, via the computer network, quantity data representative of a desired quantity of beverage holder coasters.  
     
     
         20 . The method for providing targeted advertising indicia on beverage holder coasters of  claim 19 , wherein the cost is further calculated in accordance with the received quantity data.