GB2405317A - Menu-bearing coaster - Google Patents

Abstract

A coaster (10) having a menu (12) displayed on at least one side and an indication area for a user of the coaster (10) to indicate an order from the menu (12). The coaster may be a beer mat made of cardboard able to be marked by a writing implement. It may have areas which are readily scratched off to reveal indicia. It may be machine readable. Such coasters may be provided in a coin-operated dispenser.

Description

, . I 24053 1 7

COASTER

This invention relates to a coaster having a menu displayed on at least one side.

The invention has particular application to beer mats, however the invention can also be applied to place mats.

AU 82971/87 describes a menu card for ordering fast food. The menu card has bubbles that are deformable so that a customer can indicate the type and the quantity of food required. The card is then presented to counter staff who pass the card through a reader.

US 4,127,232 describes an encoded menu which can be marked by a user then read by a machine.

GB 2,206,275 describes a beer mat comprising at least one base layer of liquid absorbent material, and a second readily detachable layer of the same or different material which when removed reveals printed or other information.

DE 4,421,502 describes a beer mat having a talon with a serial number to keep records of drinks supplied. This is then detached and presented as a bill.

DE 4,135,496 describes a system comprising a bar-coded menu, a bar- code on the table and a portable bar-code reader. Once data has been read, it is transmitted to a receiver. l l l

WO 95/11610 describes a beer mat having openable windows for exposing an indication of a "lucky coaster".

GB 2,354,695 describes a place mat which may carry an interchangeable menu.

DE 19,922,911 describes a beer mat with a data input/output interface, a microcontroller and a display unit.

US 3,040,472 describes a beer mat having openable windows for use as game.

The above documents were found when a search was performed and have been selected using hindsight.O It is a common problem when ordering a round of drinks that the person placing the order forgets part of the order. A similar problem occurs when placing a food order for a large number of people.

When ordering in a noisy environment, for example, a public house, it is often difficult for a member of bar staff or waiting staff to hear an order from a customer. It is not uncommon for the order to be misheard by the member of staff and for the wrong items (e.g., wrong drinks) to be given to the customer. This is wasteful of both time and money. The delivery of an order that is incorrect is frustrating to both the customer and to members of staff. This is particularly the case for a food order when the food may take a long time to prepare.

It is known that people sometimes write out an order on a piece of paper.

However, writing material is often not readily to hand in an environment such as a public house, at a table or near the bar. The task of writing out an order can be awkward, for example if one is standing up in a crowded bar. Finding something to lean on to write out a drinks (or food) order can be less than easy. Further, if such an order is given to a member of staff for processing, the member of staff may not be able to read the customers handwriting.

A first aspect of the invention provides a coaster having a menu displayed on at least one side and an indication area for a user of the coaster to indicate an order from the menu.

Such a coaster allows the user to simply and quickly indicate on the coaster what menu items are required. This can be used as an aide- memoire so that the user can read out the order from the coaster to a member of staff or the coaster may simply be handed to the member of staff. The fact that the coaster already displays a menu means that the user has no need to write out the items required, he merely needs to indicate on the coaster the quantity of the item required. This will mean that fewer mistakes will be made when ordering since staff members will be able to clearly read the items listed on the menu.

If a customer disputes that he has received the correct order then the coaster can be referred to as a way of settling the dispute.

The coaster serves two functions: firstly the protection of a table surface or the like from a food or drink vessel; and secondly as a means to place an order. As such the coaster is saving on the material that would be necessary if the means for protecting the table and the means for placing an order were provided as separate items. This reduces costs and also reduces the effect on the environment of producing two separate items.

The coaster also serves as a powerful marketing tool. The menu provided on the coaster can provide a selected list of drinks, food items, or meals which the vendor of these items wishes to promote. The customer when deciding on what to order will be more likely to indicate an item from the list rather than to choose an item that is not on the list.

In this way it is possible to present in the mind of a customer a selection of the drinks and/or food, available at say a bar, at the moment that the customer is deciding what to buy. In one example all of the drinks, or many of them, may be made or owned by the same brewery/drinks company: i.e., the brands of one company may be promoted to a customer at the time they are taking a drinks order from their colleagues prior (often immediately prior) to going to the bar to order drinks (or food). Indeed, one scenario is that the person collecting an order for a round of drinks may require the people in the group to select from the pre-printed menu of drinks because it is easier if they do. The coaster is in one embodiment a beer mat. The beer mat/coaster may have drinks brand advertising (or other advertising) as well as a menu list of drinks and/or food (e.g., crisps, nuts and bar food). One side of the beer mat may comprise a "traditional" advertisement for a single drinks brand and the other side of the beer mat may a drinks menu with quantity indication areas associated with drinks identities.

Preferably, the indication area includes a plurality of indication regions, the plurality of indication regions being disposed in a spaced relationship to items of the menu.

In a first embodiment of the first aspect of the invention the indication area is suitable to be marked by a writing implement. The writing implement may be, for example, a pen or a pencil.

In a second embodiment of the invention portions of the indication area have a readily detachable layer, which when removed, reveals indicia.

The coaster of this embodiment allows a customer to indicate an order on the mat without the need of a writing implement. Conveniently, the readily detachable layer may be scratched off to reveal the indicia. The readily detachable layer may be for example a layer composed substantially of ink or a layer composed substantially of latex.

In a third embodiment of the invention the indication regions are openable windows exposing otherwise hidden indicia. Preferably, the openable windows are re-closable. This allows the coaster to be reused to present a different selection of open windows and hence a different order.

Preferably, the coaster includes promotional information on at least one side of the mat. The promotional information may comprises a special offer. The special offer may, for example, indicate that a customer can receive money off the purchase price of one or more menu items when the coaster is presented to a member of staff. Alternatively, the special offer indicates that a customer may receive an extra quantity of one or more items when the coaster is presented to a member of staff when ordering the one or more items. Such a special offers would encourage the customer to use the coaster for ordering and would also promote the particular menu item or items to which the special offer applies.

It is often the case that a customer only has a rough idea of the cost of an order for a round of drinks and/or food. It is, therefore, quite usual for a customer to hand one or more bank notes to a member of staff, the bank notes having a value that is excessive compared to the cost of the round.

This results in the customer being given an excessive amount of change by the member of staff. This is inconvenient for both the customer and the member of staff, and perhaps with a small number of bar staff tempts them to consider pretending that they were given fewer notes than they really were, and to give change to the minimum note value that was necessary (i. e., steal a note).

Preferably, the coaster displays price information associated with at least one item of the menu. This will allow the customer to assess the total amount of his order before submitting the order to a member of staff.

Consequently, the customer can have money ready that is equal, or only slightly more than, the cost of the order.

Beer mats are typically made of cardboard, have a short working life (a few days to a week or two) before they need to be replaced, and are cheap. Changing the beer mats if the drinks prices change is perfectly feasible.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention the coaster is readable by a machine.

The provision of a coaster that is machine readable is advantageous since it allows an order to be placed without the need to rely on verbal communication between the customer and a member of staff. This will reduce the likelihood of an order being incorrectly executed.

Preferably, the coaster is readable by the machine such that the machine can display the order indicated on the coaster. If the order is displayed to the customer they may check that the order read by the machine is the order that they intended. l

Preferably, the coaster is readable by the machine such that the machine can display an amount payable by a customer for at least part of the order after reading the coaster. If the amount is displayed to the customer they may check if a particular item ordered costs more or less than they expected.

Preferably, the amount payable is the total amount payable for the full order indicated on the coaster.

Preferably, the coaster is readable by a machine such that the machine operates apparatus to dispense at least one drinks item indicated on the list after reading the coaster. In this manner several drinks may be dispensed simultaneously or some drinks may be dispensed via operation of the machine whilst one or more drinks are dispensed manually.

Preferably the coaster displays a table number. This will allow a member of staff to deliver the order to a table where the order is required. The table number may be written onto the beer mat/coaster by the customer, or an indication of which table number is appropriate may be given by the customer scratching, peeling or otherwise marking the coaster.

A second aspect of the invention provides a pack of coasters comprising a plurality of the coasters of the first aspect of the invention, wherein at least one the coasters displays information that is different to the remainder of the coasters. The coasters forming the pack may display different promotional information.

Different coasters in the pack may display different special offers. Some packs may have coasters having more valuable special offers than are l available in other packs. The packs may contain "lucky" coasters that have a display that indicates a customer having the lucky coaster has won a prize. This will appeal to the gambling nature of some customers.

A third aspect of the invention provides a dispenser for dispensing the coaster of the first aspect of the invention or the coasters of the second aspect of the invention.

Preferably, the dispenser dispenses the pack of the second aspect of the invention.

Preferably, the dispenser is coin operated. This will deter customers from dispensing an excessive number of coasters.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a system for reading coasters comprising: one or more machine readable coasters, each coaster having a menu displayed on at least one side and an indication area for a user of the coaster to indicate an order from the menu; a machine for reading the one or more coasters; and a display to indicate information obtained by reading said one or more coasters.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides a method of ordering drink and/or food items at an establishment comprising: indicating, on the coaster of the first aspect of the invention, an order for items from a menu displayed on the coaster; presenting the coaster to a member of staff of the establishment; and processing the order from the indication on the coaster.

A sixth aspect of the invention provides a method of advertising comprising: displaying on a coaster a list of drinks or snacks; providing on the coaster an indication area for a user of the coaster to indicate an order for drinks chosen from the list.

The indication area may include a plurality of check boxes that the user can tick to indicate their order.

It will be appreciated that the term 'coaster' used herein covers place mats and beverage mats, for example, beer mats.

It will be appreciated that the term 'establishment' used herein covers establishments where food or drink are served, for example, public houses, bars, restaurants and cafes. It is not a requirement of the invention that the food or drink is sold at the establishment; the food or drink may be available free of charge to the customer, for example, when an establishment is used for a wedding reception or a corporate event.

The establishment may be a large venue such as a large indoor hall, or an outdoor venue such as a sports ground or field (for example a field used for music concert).

It will be appreciated that the optional features discussed in relation to any aspect of the invention may apply to all aspects of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic view a face of a first example of a coaster; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the opposite face of the coaster illustrated in Figure 1; l l Figure 3 is a schematic view of part of a second example of a coaster; Figure 3a is schematic cross-sectional view of part of the coaster of Figure 3; Figure 4 is a schematic view of part of a third example of a coaster; Figure 5 is a schematic view of part of a fourth example of a coaster; Figure 6 is a schematic view of part of a fifth example of a coaster; Figure 7 is a schematic view of part of a sixth example of a coaster; Figure 8 is a schematic view of a seventh example of a coaster; Figure 9 is a schematic view of a coaster with an integral writing implement; and Figure 10 is a schematic view of part of an eighth example of a coaster; Figure 11 is a schematic view of a system for reading coasters; Figure 12 is a schematic view of a face of a ninth example of a coaster; and Figure 13 is a schematic view of the opposite face of the coaster illustrated in Figure 12.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a face of a first example of a coaster 10.

Displayed on the face is a menu. The menu comprises a list 12 of items such as items of food or items of drink. Conveniently, the items are arranged as columns or rows although other arrangements can be envisaged, for example the items may be arranged in a staggered pattern, a radial pattern or in a pattern that is visually pleasing.

Generally the coaster is made of cardboard but plastics may be one alternative. The coaster may typically be about 10 cm x 10 cm x 1 mm in size (say 4 inches x 4 inches x 1/12 inch).

Generally, the list of menu items is pre-printed. Typically the preprinted menu items are items that a vendor wishes to promote. A customer wishing to order will find it more convenient to order by indicating a menu item displayed on the coaster rather than having to remember an item that is not displayed on the coaster. Therefore, the coaster will have the effect of increasing sales of the menu items displayed.

The coaster may also include a blank area 14 that allows a member of staff to display the name of additional items. The additional items could be guest beers or meals specially prepared by a chef, so called "chef specials". A customer of the establishment wishing to indicate an order for an item that is not already displayed on the menu may also use the blank area 14.

The coaster 10 has an indication area for a user of the coaster to indicate an order from the menu. Typically the user is a customer but the user may also be a member of staff. The indication area comprises a number of indication regions 16 that have a spaced relationship to items of the menu.

The indication regions 16 can be marked with a writing implement, for example with a pen or pencil. The coaster 10 may be supplied with the writing implement. Preferably, the writing implement is attached to the l coaster. For example, the coaster may be provided with a break-away pencil or a tethered pencil. It is possible to obtain cardboard pencils.

Figure 9 shows a writing implement 90 which is an integral part of the coaster 10. The writing implement 90 is attached to the remainder of the coaster 13 by a perforation 92 so that the writing implement may be detached for the remainder of the coaster 13. The coaster and implement may be integrally formed, for example from cardboard.

Figure 1 shows an example of an indication region 18 in which a user has written in a quantity of an item to be ordered, in this case two pints of Callings have been indicated. The indication regions 16 can also be marked by a cross 20, a diagonal line 22 or in fact any marking to indicate that a single unit of the menu item is desired, in the case illustrated one and a half pints of Coors Lights have been indicated.

In a modified form of the coaster 10, several indications of quantity of an item are pre-indicated on the coaster 10, for example, "half pint", "one pint", "two pints", "three pints" etc., associated with one or more menu items. A marking made next to one of these pre-indications indicates that this is the desired amount of the item that is required.

The coaster 10 may also display promotional information. The promotional information may include any combination of the following: company names and/or brands/logos 2, company slogans 24, pictures of products 26, quizzes 28, merchandising information 30, special offers 32. The coaster promotional information may also indicate that the holder of the coaster is entitled to a prize 29, t Figure 2 is a schematic view of the opposite face of the coaster illustrated in Figure 1. The opposite face can be used to display additional promotional informational or to display further menu items.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of part of a second example of a coaster 10.

In this example the indication regions are bubbles 34. Figure 3a is a schematic cross-sectional view of part of the coaster of Figure 3. Each bubble 34 has a raised position 37 and a depressed position 36 into which it is placed by finger pressure to indicate selection of a menu item 31.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of part of a third example of a coaster 10.

In this example the indication regions are tear-off strips 38 defined in part by perforations 40 in the coaster 12 and in part by one or two edges of the coaster 10. A tear off strip 38, when torn off, indicates a quantity 42 of a menu item 42. If two or more strips are torn off then this can be used to indicate that the sum of the two or more quantities next to the respective two or more torn off strips is required. In the example illustrated three pints of Cafferys and seven pints of Callings have been indicated.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of part of a fourth example of a coaster 10.

In this example the menu items 31 are listed adjacent to at least one edge of the coaster 10 along with quantities of that item that may be ordered 42. This arrangement allows a user to make a tear next to the quantity of an item that is required. If two or more tears are made next respective different quantities of an item then this indicates that the sum of the two or more quantities is required. The coaster illustrated in Figure 5 has been marked to indicate one pint of Cafferys@, two double whiskeys and five pints of Carting@. The user may tear the mat/coaster with their fingers. Perforations to assist tearing may be provided (or may not be needed).

Figure 6 is a schematic view of part of a fifth example of a coaster 10. In this example portions of the indication area have a readily detachable layer 48 which when removed reveals indicia 51. For example, the indicia 51 may indicate the quantity of a menu item required. Figure 6 illustrates a coaster 10 in which the indicia 51 are numbers. However, indications of quantities required may be pre-printed on the coaster and the indicia 51 may be markings positioned to indicate that such quantities are required.

Preferably, the readily detachable layer 48 may be scratched off. The readily detachable layer may be similar to that found in 'scratch cards'.

Examples of such detachable layers include layers composed substantially of ink or substantially of latex, or metal or metalised layers.

Figure 7 is a schematic view of part of a sixth example of a coaster 10.

In this example the indication regions are openable windows 54. Each openable window comprises a tab 56 which is liftable to reveal an indicium 52 of the amount of an item that is required. Preferably, the tabs are re-closable to allow the same coaster to be used to place different orders. Alternatively, the tabs may be torn off.

In a modification to this example, illustrated as region 57 of figure 7, indications of quantities 42 that may be ordered are pre-printed on the coaster 10 in a spaced relationship to an associated window 53. In this case the window may be opened to reveal an indicium 52, however the mere fact that the window is open can be used to indicate that that the associated quantity is required (i.e., not necessarily a number/quantity indicator behind the window).

Figure 8 is a schematic view of a seventh example of a coaster 10. The coaster has a microprocessor 64, a plurality of buttons 58, and one or more displays 56, 60, 62. A user presses one or more buttons to indicate quantities of various menu items. In the example illustrated there is a button 58 disposed next to each menu item 31. The button 58 is pressed one or more times to indicate, respectively, one or more of the associated menu item. A signal is sent from the button 58 to the microprocessor 64.

The microprocessor 64 controls a quantity display 56 associated with the respective menu item so that the quantity display 56 displays a number of drinks that corresponds to the number of button presses. Each time the button 58 is pressed the quantity display 56 increments by one. The microprocessor 64 may cause the quantity display 56 to cycle through a range of numbers, returning to a display of zero after the button 58 has been pressed a set number of times. For example, on subsequent button presses the quantity display 56 may display 0, 1, 2... 8, 9, 0, 1...

respectively.

The coaster 10 also has a cost display 60 associated with each menu item.

The microprocessor 64 controls the cost display 60 so that the cost display 60 displays the cost of the number of items that is displayed by the quantity display 56. To enable the microprocessor to do this, the microprocessor comprises a memory unit 68 that stores the prices of the items listed in the menu. The coaster 10 also has a total display 62 that is controlled by the microprocessor to display the total cost of the items that have been indicated by the user.

The coaster 10 has an 'all clear' button 70 that, when pressed, clears all the displays 56, 60 and 62.

Optionally, the coaster 10 of this example is provided with an interface 64 that allows information to be read from the coaster 10 by a machine.

The interface 64 may also be used to update the price information held in the memory unit 68 of the microprocessor 64. The interface may be a wireless interface or may require a connection to be attached to it Figure 10 is a schematic view of part of an eighth example of a coaster 10. In this example the coaster 10 has bar codes 74 displayed with associated menu items 31. The bar codes 74 enable the coaster to be read by a machine 110 (schematically illustrated in Figure 11).

Figure 11 is a schematic view of a system for reading coasters. The system comprises a reading machine 110 for reading coasters and a register 114 connected to the reading machine 110, the register 114 having display 116 for displaying information read from the coasters.

The interface may be a wireless interface or may require a connection to be attached to it.

The reading machine 110 is equipped with a hand held bar code scanner 112, similar to those commonly found in supermarkets, to read the bar code 74 displayed on the coaster 10. The bar code 74 may be scanned a number of times to correspond to the number of items indicated on the coaster 10 as part of the order. Alternatively, the bar code 74 may be scanned once and the number of the items required may then be entered into the machine 110 or register 114 manually, e.g. by pressing a button.

The reading machine 110 can also be configured to read the coaster 10 when the coaster 10 is swiped through the machine 110.

The reading machine 110 may also be configured to read indications present on the indication regions 16 of the coaster 10. In this case, the reading machine 110 may be, for example, a machine that is similar to one commonly used for reading multiple-choice tests and application forms.

Once the reading machine 110 has read the coaster 10, the information that has been read is passed to the register 114. The register 114 may be, for example a till. The register display can then display items ordered, sub-totals or a grand total calculated by the register 114 fromthe information read from the coaster 10.

The system 100 also comprises one or more drinks dispensers 118 connected to either the register 114 or the reading machine 110. Once an order has been read the dispensers 118 dispenses one or more of the drink items indicated on the coaster 10 into respective containers 120.

Preferably, the dispensers 118 only dispense drinks once the customer has confirmed the order and a member of staff has inputted this confirmation into the machine 110 or register 114.

Figure 12 is a schematic view of a face of a ninth example of a coaster.

Displayed on the face is a menu comprising a list of drinks 12 and indication regions 16 for a user of the coaster to indicate the number of drinks required. In the example illustrated, the menu comprises a table with the list of drinks forming one column and the indication regions forming another column.

The names of the drinks listed may vary from coaster to coaster. For example the list may be focused on a limited number of drinks brands, for example key brands or a list of brands corresponding to a particular account between a drinks supplier and a vending establishment. By way of illustration, a set of coasters my feature or highlight the Carling_ brand whereas other coasters may feature or highlight the Grolsch brand.

The list of drinks 12 may include one or more areas 14 for a user to write in the name of a drink that is not pre-printed on the coaster.

Figure 13 is a schematic view of the opposite face of the coaster illustrated in Figure 12. The opposite face can be used to display promotional information. Preferably, the promotional information is directed to one or more of the drinks listed on the menu. The promotional information may be a pictorial representation of a drinks product.

Claims (67)

1. A coaster in the form of a beer mat having a menu displayed on at least one side and an indication area for a user of the beer mat to indicate an order from the menu.

2. The coaster of claim 1, wherein the indication area includes a plurality of indication regions, the plurality of indication regions being disposed in a spaced relationship to items of the menu.

3. The coaster of claim 1 or 2, wherein the indication area can be marked to indicate a quantity of at least one item from the menu.

4. The coaster of claim 3, wherein the indication area is suitable to be marked by a writing implement.

5. The coaster of claim 3, wherein the indication areas are composed substantially of cardboard.

6. The coaster of claim 5, wherein substantially the whole of the coaster is composed substantially of cardboard.

7. The coaster of claim 5 or 6, wherein the cardboard of the indication areas is ink absorbent.

8. The coaster of claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the indication areas have a finish that is rougher than the finish of the remainder of the coaster. !

9. The coaster of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein one side of the coaster has a rougher finish than the other side of coaster.

10. The coaster of any previous claim, wherein the menu includes a list of drinks.

11. The coaster of claim 10, wherein the list includes the quantity of drink to be ordered.

12. The coaster of any previous claim, wherein the coaster includes promotional information on at least one side of the coaster. !

13. The coaster of any preceding claim in which the coaster is not necessarily in the form of a beer mat, instead being any coaster, possibly a beer mat.

14. A coaster having a menu displayed on at least one side and an indication area for a user of the coaster to indicate an order from the menu.

15. The coaster of claim 14, wherein the menu comprises a plurality of menu items and the indication area includes a plurality of indication ' regions associated with the menu items, the indication areas being I adapted to enable the user to select a desired quantity of each menu item.

16. The coaster of claim 14 or 15, wherein the indication area can be marked to indicate a quantity of at least one item from the menu.

17. The coaster of claim 16, wherein the indication area is suitable to be marked by a writing implement. l

18. The coaster of claim 17 comprising the writing implement.

19. The coaster of claim 17 or 18, wherein the writing implement is a pen.

20. The coaster of claim 17 or 18, wherein the writing implement is a pencil.

21. The coaster of claim 16, wherein portions of the indication area have a readily detachable layer, which when removed, reveals indicia.

22. The coaster of claim 21, wherein the readily detachable layer may be scratched off to reveal the indicia.

23. The coaster of claim 22 wherein the readily detached layer is composed substantially of ink.

24. The coaster of claim 22, wherein the readily detached layer is composed substantially of latex.

25. The coaster of claim 22, wherein the readily detached layer is ' composed substantially of a metallic material. I

26. The coaster of claim 15 or any claim dependent directly or indirectly from claim 15, wherein the indication regions are openable windows exposing otherwise hidden indicia.

27. The coaster of claim 26, wherein the openable windows are reclosable.

28. The coaster of any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein each indicium indicates a quantity of a menu item required by a user of the coaster.

29. The coaster of claim 15 or any claim dependent directly or indirectly from claim 15, wherein the indication regions are tear-off strips, each strip being located adjacent to an indication of quantity of a menu item which is pre-printed on the coaster.

30. The coaster of claim 15 or any claim dependent directly or indirectly from claim 15, wherein the indication regions comprise bubbles, each bubble having a raised position and a depressed position into which it is placed by finger pressure to indicate selection of a menu item.

31. The coaster of any previous claim, wherein the menu includes a list of drinks.

32. The coaster of claim 31, wherein the list includes the quantity of drink to be ordered.

33. The coaster of 32, wherein the quantity includes multiples of half imperial pints.

34. The coaster of 32, wherein the quantity includes multiples of 25 millilitres.

35. The coaster of any previous claim, wherein the menu includes a list of food items.

36. The coaster of claim 35, wherein the food items are crisps and/or nuts.

37. The coaster of any previous claim, wherein the coaster includes promotional information on at least one side of the coaster.

38. The coaster of claim 37, wherein the coaster includes promotional information on both sides of the coaster.

39. The coaster of claim 37 or 38, wherein the promotional information comprises a indication that the holder of the coaster is entitled to a prize.

40. The coaster of claim 37, 38 or 39, wherein the promotional information comprises a special offer.

41. The coaster of claim 40, wherein the special offer indicates that a customer can receive money off the purchase price of one or more menu items when the coaster is presented to a member of staff.

42. The coaster of claim 40, wherein the special offer indicates that a customer may receive an extra quantity of one or more items when the coaster is presented to a member of staff when ordering the one or more items.

43. The coaster of any of claims 37 to 43, wherein promotional information and the menu information are present on the same side of the coaster.

44. The coaster of any previous claim, wherein the coaster displays price information associated with at least one item of the menu. f

45. The coaster of any previous claim, wherein the coaster is readable by a machine.

46. The coaster of claim 45, wherein the coaster is readable by the machine such that the machine can display information from the order indicated on the coaster.

47. The coaster of claim 45 or 46 having at least one bar code associated with a respective menu item.

48. The coaster of any one of claims 45, 46 or 47 comprising: input means operable by a customer to indicate a quantity of at least one item from the menu; a microprocessor configured to process information inputted by the customer; and output means operable to output information processed by the processor to the machine.

49. The coaster of claim 48, wherein the input means comprises a plurality of buttons.

50. The coaster of claim 48 or 49, wherein the output is an electronic interface for connection to a coaster reading device.

51. The coaster of claim 48, 49 or 50 comprising a display to indicate an amount payable by a customer for at least part of the order inputted by a customer using the input means. r

52. The coaster of any previous claim, wherein the coaster displays a

table number.

53. The coaster of any previous claim, wherein the coaster is a beer mat.

54. A pack of coasters comprising a plurality of the coasters of any preceding claim wherein at least one the coasters displays information that is different to the remainder of the mats.

55. A dispenser for dispensing the one or more of the coasters of claims 14 to 53.

56. The dispenser of claim 55 for dispensing the pack of claim 54.

57. The dispenser of claim 55 or 56, wherein the dispenser is coin operated.

58. A system for reading coasters comprising: one or more machine readable coasters, each coaster having a menu displayed on at least one side and an indication area for a user of the coaster to indicate an order from the menu; a machine for reading the one or more coasters; and a display to indicate information obtained by reading said one or more coasters.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the display displays an amount payable by a customer for at least part of the order after the coaster is read by the machine. .1

60. The system of 59, wherein the amount payable is the total amount payable for the full order indicated on the coaster.

61. The system of any one of claims 58 to 60, comprising a drinks dispenser which is operated by the machine to dispense at least on item of drink indicated on the one or more coasters.

62. The system of any one of claims 58 to 61, wherein the one or more coasters each have at least one bar code associated with a respective menu item and the machine comprises a scanner to read the bar codes.

63. The system of any one of claims 58 to 61 wherein the one or more coasters comprises the coaster of claim 48.

64. A method of ordering drink and/or food items at an establishment comprising: indicating on the coaster of any one of claims 1 to 53 an order for items from a menu displayed on the coaster; submitting the order to a member of staff of the establishment; and processing the order from the indication on the coaster.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein submitting the order comprises presenting the coaster to a member of staff of the establishment.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein submitting the order comprises reading out the order from the coaster.

67. A system as hereinbefore described and shown with reference Figure 11.

67. A coaster as hereinbefore described and shown with reference to any one of Figures 2 to 10.