WO2018236611A1

WO2018236611A1 - Drinkware with temperature control system

Info

Publication number: WO2018236611A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/036911
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daren John LEITH
Original assignee: Ember Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 2017-06-21
Filing date: 2018-06-11
Publication date: 2018-12-27

Abstract

A beverage container system can include a container having a body with an open top end, a circumferential wall and a base at a bottom end, the body having a chamber configured to receive a liquid therein. A lid is removably coupleable to a proximal end of the container and having at least one opening through which the liquid can flow, the lid comprising a coupling element on an underside surface of the lid. One or more modules releasably coupleable to the coupling element of the lid so that the one or more modules are suspended in the chamber spaced apart from the circumferential wall when the lid is coupled to the vessel, the one or more modules configured to alter a parameter of the liquid in the chamber.

Description

DRINKWARE WITH TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

Field

[0001] The present invention is directed to a liquid container, and more particularly to a liquid containers with mechanisms for heating and cooling the liquid in the container.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] Systems for heating liquid while in containers exist in the art. However, such systems usually require the removal of the unit from the container prior to consumption of the liquid in the container, or require that the container be attached to a power cord while the heater is being operated, both of which are inconvenient and prevent the portability of the container while heating a liquid in the container.

[0003] With respect to beverages like hot tea, it is preferable to pour hot (e.g., boiling) water into a container to steep tea leaves in the hot water for a period of time before the beverage is consumed. However, once the tea leaves are removed, the tea in the container is often too hot to readily consume, causing the user to wait until the hot tea cools down to a drinkable temperature (e.g., by blowing on the tea or letting the heat naturally dissipate, such as via convection or conduction heat transfer), which is inconvenient. Further, when using conventional drinkware (e.g., conventional cups or mugs or travel mugs), once the tea cools down to a drinkable temperature, the user does not have a long period of time to consume the tea before it becomes too cold.

SUMMARY

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved drinkware container with a temperature control system that avoids the problems outlined above.

[0005] In accordance with one aspect, a drinkware container has a temperature control system that allows the container to receive a hot liquid (e.g., hot water, boiling water), such as to steep tea leaves in the container, and to not affect the temperature of the hot liquid for a period of time (e.g., to allow the tea leaves to steep as desired). After said period of time, the temperature control system optionally can reduce the temperature of the liquid in the container to a drinking temperature (e.g., a predetermined temperature) within a short period of time (e.g., within 15 minutes or less, within 10 minutes or less, within 5 minutes or less, within 3 minutes or less, within 1 minute or less). Once the temperature of the liquid in the container reaches said drinking temperature, the temperature control system can optionally supply an amount of heat to the liquid in the container to maintain said drinking temperature for a prolonged period of time (e.g., about 30 minutes, about 1 hour, about 90 minutes, about 2 hours, etc.). Alternatively, the temperature control system can supply an increased amount of heat to the liquid in the container to increase the temperature of the liquid in the container to a second drinking temperature higher than the previous drinking temperature, based on a temperature control selection (e.g., temperature setpoint or temperature range) selected by the user via a user interface of the container or a user interface in a remote mobile electronic device that wirelessly communicates with the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective top view of a drinkware container.

[0007] Figure 2 is a perspective bottom view of a lid for use with the drinkware container with a temperature control module coupled to the lid.

[0008] Figure 3 is a perspective bottom view of the lid for the drinkware container with a temperature control module decoupled from the lid.

[0009] Figure 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optional module for use with the drinkware container.

[0010] Figure 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optional module for use with the drinkware container.

[0011] Figure 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optional module for use with the drinkware container.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective top view of the drinkware container without the lid.

[0013] Figure 5 is a front view of the drinkware container of FIG. 1.

[0014] Figure 6 is a front view of the drinkware container of FIG. 1 with a temperature control module removed from the lid. [0015] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the drinkware container with a temperature control module attached to the lid.

[0016] Figure 8 is a schematic illustrating wireless communication between the drinkware container and a remote electronic device.

[0017] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of the electronics in the drinkware container and wireless communication with a remote electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a drinkware container assembly 100 (hereinafter "container 100"). The container assembly 100 includes a vessel 102 in the form of a mug or travel mug. However, the vessel 102 can have other forms, such as a soup container, a thermos container, a jar, a water bottle (e.g., reusable water bottle). The vessel 102 can hold a liquid therein.

[0019] The vessel 102 has an outer wall 130 and bottom wall 136 that define an outer body of the container 100. The outer wall 130 optionally includes a transparent wall portion 130A (e.g., made of glass, plastic, etc.) and optionally includes an opaque wall portion 130B (e.g., made of plastic). That is, the vessel 102 optionally has a transparent vessel portion and optionally has an opaque vessel portion. Alternatively, the outer wall 130 can be of a single material (e.g., glass, plastic, metal) from a top of the vessel 102 to a bottom of the vessel 102.

[0020] The vessel 102 optionally has an inner wall 140 with an inner surface 142 that joins a base 144. The vessel 102 has a chamber 115 that is defined between the base 144 and the inner surface 142 of the inner wall 140 and the inner surface 132 of the outer wall 130. Optionally, the inner wall 140 aligns with the inner wall 132 so that they are generally coplanar where at their junction. The chamber is sized to receive a volume of liquid (e.g., hot or boiling water, tea, etc.) common for beverage consumption (e.g., 6 ounces, 8 ounces, 12 ounces, 16 ounces, etc.).

[0021] A cap or lid 120 can removably couple to the top of the vessel 102 (e.g., coupled via corresponding threads between the lid 120 and the top of the vessel 102, or coupled via a friction fit, etc.). The lid 120 optionally has a surface 124 (e.g., circumferential wall) that contacts the inner surface 132 when the lid 120 is coupled to the vessel 102, so that at least a portion of the lid 120 is disposed within the vessel 102. Alternatively, the lid can fit over the proximal end of the vessel 102 so that the lid has an inner surface that contacts an outer surface of the outer wall 130.

[0022] The lid 120 can have an opening or spout 122 through which the liquid can exit the vessel 102. Optionally, the opening or spout 122 can be selectively closed (e.g., by rotating one portion of the lid 120 relative to another portion of the lid 120 to cover the opening 122), such as to inhibit spilling liquid from the vessel 102 while the container 100 is in motion (e.g., while walking, while driving, etc.) and/or to retain the liquid in the vessel 102 in a heated state (e.g., inhibit heat from escaping the vessel 102). Optionally, the opening 122 can be located on the lid 120 between an outer edge of the lid 120 and a central axis of the lid 120. Optionally, the opening 122 can be a single opening. Alternatively, the lid 120 can optionally completely close the top of the vessel 102 (e.g., there are no openings in the lid 120), such that the lid 120 is removed before liquid can be consumed from the vessel 102. Optionally, an open lid (e.g., a ring) that at least partially defines a drinking lip can be disposed on the vessel 102 after the lid 120 is removed, to facilitate consumption of the liquid in the vessel 102.

[0023] With reference to FIGS. 2-3, the container assembly 100 can include one or more modules 200 that can be removably coupled to the lid 120, so that the one or more modules 200 can extend at least a portion of the chamber 115 when the lid 120 is coupled to the vessel 102. The one or more modules 200 can removably couple to a boss 126 in an underside of the lid 120. The boss 126 can optionally be disposed generally at the center of the lid 120 so that an axis of the boss 126 coincides with a central axis of the lid 120. The boss 126 can optionally have a bore 128 sized to receive at least a portion 204 of the one or more modules 200.

[0024] Optionally, the one or more modules 200 can releasably lock to the lid 120 (e.g., releasably lock to the boss 126 of the lid 120) via a friction fit. Alternatively, the one or more modules 200 can releasably lock to the lid 120 via a threaded coupling (e.g., threads on the module 200 that threadably couple with threads in the boss 126). Alternatively, the one or more modules 200 can releasably lock to the lid 120 via a quick disconnect assembly. Alternatively, the one or more modules 200 can releasably lock to the lid 120 via a key and slot mechanical connection; for example, the module 200 can have one or more pins on an outer surface that slide though corresponding slots in the boss 126 or the boss 126 can have one or more pins on an inner surface thereof that slide through corresponding slots in a surface of the module 200, where the slot can have a tab therein to engage the pin or where the slot can be non-linear so the module 200 is fastened to the lid 120 in a twist-lock manner (e.g., linearly advance the module 200 in the boss 126 so the pins slide through the slots, and twist the module 200 relative to the boss 126 to fix the position of the module 200 relative to the lid 120).

[0025] The one or more modules 200 can have an elongate body 202. The elongate body 202 is optionally cylindrical and is removably insertable into the vessel 102 such that the body 202 is suspended within the chamber 115 spaced from the outer wall 130 of the vessel 102, and so that at least a portion of the body 202 is submerged within the liquid in the vessel 102 and in contact with liquid about the circumference of the body 202 (e.g., so that the module 200 contacts the liquid in the vessel 102 along 360 degrees). Optionally, the elongate body 202 extends substantially along a central axis of the vessel 102 when the lid 120 is coupled to the vessel 120. Optionally, the one or more modules 200 displace approximately 1 fluid ounce of liquid when inserted in the vessel 102.

[0026] The one or more modules 200 can optionally include a module 200A. The module 200A can have a body 202A (e.g., an elongate body) that optionally has a cavity 206A that is at least partially defined by a circumferential wall 208A. The cavity 206A can optionally be filled with a foodstuff 207A (e.g., tea leaves, medicinal herbs, lemon wedge, etc.). The wall 208A can have one or more openings 210A (e.g., a plurality of openings 210A) so that it is porous and allows liquid in the vessel 102 to contact the foodstuff in the cavity 206A when the module 200A is disposed in the vessel 102 (e.g., the proximal portion 204A of the module 200A is attached to the lid 120 and the lid 120 is coupled to the vessel 102). Optionally, the wall 208A is defined by a mesh (e.g., wire mesh, nylon mesh, paper mesh). Advantageously, the module 200A allows the foodstuff, such as tea leaves, to steep in hot water (e.g. boiling water) that has previously been poured into the vessel. Alternatively, the module 200A has an open end 212A that aligns with an opening in the lid 120 (not shown) via which hot liquid (e.g., boiling water) can be poured into the vessel 102 so that said hot liquid passes through the cavity 206A in the module 200A to contact the foodstuff (e.g., tea leaves) therein before passing into the chamber 115 of the vessel 102 via the openings 210A in the module 200A. Optionally, the module 200A is pre-packaged with foodstuff (e.g., tea leaves), which the user can purchase (as a single module 200A or a package of multiple modules 200A), and is disposable after one or more uses. Alternatively, the module 200A can be filled with foodstuff (e.g., tea leaves) by the user, and the foodstuff can be removed from the module 200A after use, so that the module 200A is reusable.

[0027] The one or more modules 200 can optionally include a module 200B. The module 200B can have a body 202B (e.g., an elongate body) that optionally has a cavity 206B that is at least partially defined by a circumferential wall 208B. The cavity 206B can be filled with a phase change material or PCM 207B (e.g., a solid-to-liquid PCM, a solid-to-solid PCM, etc.). The phase change material 207B can have a predetermined phase change temperature or transition temperature Tpcm at which the PCM 207B transitions from one form to another (e.g., from a solid to a liquid). Optionally, the predetermined transition temperature Tpcm can be between 135 degrees F and 145 degrees F, such as optionally be 140 degrees F. Alternatively, the transition temperature Tpcm can be higher than 145 degrees F, such as 150 degrees F, or 160 degrees F, or the transition temperature Tpcm can be lower than 135 degrees F, such as 130 degrees F or 125 degrees F.

[0028] The phase change material 207B can be in thermal communication with the liquid in the vessel 102 when the module 200B is disposed in the vessel 102 (e.g., when the proximal portion 204B of the module 200 is attached to the lid 120 and the lid 120 is coupled to the vessel 102). Advantageously, the module 200B absorbs heat from the liquid in vessel 102 (e.g., the PCM 207B in the module 200B absorbs heat) when the temperature of the liquid Tliq is greater than the transition temperature Tpcm, thereby lowering the temperature Tliq of the liquid in the vessel 102 toward the transition temperature Tpcm. Once the temperature Tliq of the liquid in the vessel 102 substantially reaches the transition temperature Tpcm (e.g., reaches equilibrium), the PCM 207B can maintain the temperature Tliq of the liquid in the vessel 102 at that temperature (e.g., at the transition temperature Tpcm) for a prolonged period of time (e.g., at least 15 minutes, at least 30 minutes, at least 1 hour, at least 90 minutes, at least two hours, etc.). [0029] In use, the module 200B can be attached to the lid 120 and optionally inserted into the liquid in the vessel 102 after the module 200A has been removed from the lid 120. That is, optionally the module 200A (when attached to the lid 120 and inserted into the vessel 102) can first be used to allow the liquid (e.g., hot water, boiling water) in the vessel 102 to contact the foodstuff in the module 200A (e.g., to steep the tea leaves in the module 200A in the liquid in the vessel 102). The lid 120 can then be decoupled from the vessel 102, the module 200A decoupled from the lid 120, and the module 200B optionally coupled to the lid 120 and the lid 120 coupled to the vessel 102 to bring the module 200B in contact with the liquid in the vessel 102. Advantageously, the module 200B can quickly reduce the temperature of the liquid Tliq in the vessel 102 from a relatively high temperature (e.g., boiling temperature) to a relatively lower temperature (e.g., a drinking temperature at which the user can consume the liquid in the vessel 102 (e.g., without discomfort, without burning their tongue or mouth), thereby allowing the user to consume the beverage (e.g., tea) promptly. Additionally, as discussed above, the PCM 207B advantageously maintains the temperature of the liquid Tliq at the equilibrium temperature (e.g., the transition temperature Tpcm) for a prolonged period of time, allowing the user to enjoy their beverage for a prolonged period of time without the temperature of the liquid Tliq falling substantially below the temperature Tpcm of the PCM 207B.

[0030] The one or more modules 200 can optionally include a heating module 200C. The module 200C can have a body 202C (e.g., elongate body) that can be removably inserted into the vessel 102 (e.g., when the proximal portion 204C of the module 200 is attached to the lid 120 and the lid 120 is coupled to the vessel 102). At least a portion of the body 202C can be submerged within the liquid in the vessel 102 and in contact with liquid about the circumference of the body 202C (e.g., so that the heating unit or module 200C can heat the liquid in the vessel 102 along at least a portion of its circumference, such as 360 degrees), which advantageously results in more efficient and uniform heating of the liquid in the chamber 115. Alternatively, the body 202C is not cylindrical, and can have other suitable shapes (e.g., an oval, square or rectangular transverse cross-section).

[0031] The module 200C can optionally have one or more sensors SI and at least one heating element HC. The one or more sensors SI can optionally include one or more of a temperature sensor, a liquid level sensor, a capacitance sensor used to determine liquid level or temperature, a pH sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a tilt sensor such as a gyroscope to sense an angular orientation of the module 200C and therefore the vessel 102, and an accelerometer. Optionally, the one or more sensors S 1 includes a strip that extends along at least a portion of the length of the module 200C.

[0032] The module 200C, when disposed within the chamber 115, can be selectively operated to heat the liquid in the chamber 115. Optionally, the at least one heating element HC can be automatically activated as soon as it's inserted into the chamber 115 (e.g., by sensing contact with a liquid). Alternatively, the heating element HC can be activated based on user action, as discussed further below, or user input (e.g., via an interface of the module 200C or wirelessly from a remote electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer using an app, or via the internet with a remote computer). The one or more heating elements HC can optionally be one or more resistive heaters, such as a resistive coil heater. Though the discussion in this paragraph refers to one or more heating elements HC, one of skill in the art will recognize that this can also apply to one or more cooling elements or one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant to apply to all these options for the container 100.

[0033] The module 200C can optionally further have one or more power storage elements PS and a control circuitry EM. Optionally, the module 200C can include one or more electrical contacts EC that can contact corresponding electrical contacts on a charging assembly (not shown), when the module 200C is not in use, to charge the power storage elements PS. Optionally, the electrical contacts EC can be in the proximal portion 204C of the body 202C (e.g., a top surface of the body 202C).

[0034] The one or more heating elements HC (or cooling elements or cooling/heating elements) and optional power storage elements PS and optional control circuitry EM are completely contained within the outer enclosure (or wall) 208C of the body 202C so that they are hermetically sealed within the body 202C and do not directly contact the liquid in the chamber 115. The outer enclosure (wall) 208C of the body 202C can be made of plastic or other material suitable for contact with the liquid and resistant to degradation due to heat (e.g., heat generated by the one or more heating elements HC). [0035] The control circuitry EM can control delivery of power to the one or more heating elements HC to maintain the liquid in the chamber 115 at the predetermined temperature, or can control delivery of power to the one or more heating elements HC to input heat to the liquid to increase the temperature of the liquid to a user selected temperature. Said user selected temperature can optionally be provided via a user interface on the body of the container 100 (e.g., on the lid 120). Optionally, the user selected temperature can be provided wirelessly W to the control circuitry EM (which can have a receiver, or transceiver) from a portable electronic device (e.g., smart phone or tablet computer) 1750A, e.g., so that there are no buttons or other controls on the container 100 that the user manually actuates (see FIG. 8). The temperature can optionally be preselected or preset (e.g., during manufacture). Optionally, the control circuitry EM can control delivery of power to the one or more heating elements HC based at least in part on information from the one or more sensors S I that sense a parameter or quality of the liquid (e.g., temperature, liquid volume or level, acidity, pH). Said sensors S I can be any of the sensors disclosed herein and can communicate with the control circuitry EM in any manner disclosed herein.

[0036] In use, the user can optionally drink the liquid in the vessel 102 via the opening 122 in the lid 120 while the module 200C is disposed in the chamber 115 (see e.g., FIG. 5). Alternatively, the user can remove the lid 120 from the vessel 102 once the heating (or cooling) operation with the module 200C is complete, remove the module 200C from the lid 120, again couple the lid 120 to the vessel 102 and then consume the liquid in the vessel 102 via the opening 122 in the lid. After use, the module 200C can optionally be hand washed, or can be cleaned in a dishwasher, separate from or along with the vessel 102.

[0037] Advantageously, the lid 120 can be provided in a plurality of sizes (e.g., outer diameters) that can couple to a variety of containers (e.g., containers having openings of varying sizes, such as varying diameters). Accordingly, a user can advantageously use preexisting containers (e.g., preexisting travel mug, soup container, thermos container, water botde, such as reusable water bottle) already in their possession (e.g., in their kitchen cabinet), select a lid 120 from the kit sized to fit on the top opening of the container, attach the lid 120 to the body 202C and insert the module 200C into the container to heat (or cool) the liquid in the container. Accordingly, the modularity of the module 200C and lid 120 in such as kit advantageously allows the user to use the module 200C with containers from different manufacturers, and allows users to use the module 200C with their preferred container (e.g., preferred travel mug design, etc.). Additionally, as discussed above, the module 200C can optionally remain in the container during use, while the user is consuming the liquid in the container, which allows the module 200C to continue to heat (or cool, where the module 200C includes a cooling unit) the liquid in the container as it's consumed (i.e., without having to remove the module 200C from the container before consuming the contents of the container).

[0038] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-7, the container 100 can optionally have heating system or module 300 housed in the vessel 102 that can heat the liquid in the vessel 102 (in addition to, or in place of, the module 200C). The heating system or module 300 can optionally include one or more heating elements HC2 disposed about (e.g., circumferentially about, or in direct contact with) at least a portion of the inner wall 140 so that it is in thermal communication with liquid in the chamber 115. The one or more heating elements HC2 are optionally one or more resistive heaters. Alternatively, the one or more heating elements HC2 can optionally be defined by a trace pattern screen printed onto the inner surface 142 of the inner wall 140. A connecting lead line (not shown) can electrically connect the one or more heating elements HC2 to one or more optional power storage elements PS2 disposed in a bottom chamber 150 and/or optional control circuitry EM2 disposed in the bottom chamber 150. Optionally, the one or more heating elements HC2 can be a thermoelectric element.

[0039] Optionally, the bottom wall 136 is removable relative to the outer wall 130 to allow access to the chamber 150 (e.g., to replace the power storage elements PS2, perform maintenance on the electronics, etc.). The bottom wall 130 can optionally have one or more electrical contacts EC2 on an outer surface thereof that contact corresponding electrical contacts on a charging or power base (not shown), through which the one or more optional power storage elements PS2 can be charged when the container 100 is disposed on the charging base. Where the power storage elements are excluded, the one or more electrical contacts EC2 transmit power from the charging or power base to the one or more heating elements HC2, and the control circuitry EM2 optionally controls said delivery of power to the heating elements HC2. Said one or more electrical contacts EC2 on the bottom wall 136 can be circular.

[0040] The control circuitry EM2 can optionally control the charging of the one or more optional power storage elements PS2 (e.g., the control circuitry EM2 can include a charging circuit) and can optionally control delivery of power to the one or more heating element HC2. The control circuitry EM2 can optionally control delivery of power to the heating element HC2 to maintain the liquid in the chamber 115 at the predetermined temperature, or can optionally control delivery of power to the heating element HC2 to input heat to the liquid to increase the temperature of the liquid to a user selected temperature. Said user selected temperature can optionally be provided via a user interface on the body of the container 100. Optionally, the user selected temperature can be provided wirelessly W to the control circuitry EM2 (which can have a receiver, or transceiver) from a portable electronic device (e.g., smart phone or tablet computer) 1750 A, e.g., so that there are no buttons or other controls on the container 100 that the user manually actuates (See FIG. 8). Alternatively, the temperature can be preselected or preset (e.g., during manufacture). Optionally, the control circuitry EM2 can control delivery of power to the heating element HC2 based at least in part on information from one or more sensors S2-Sn that sense a parameter of quality of the liquid (e.g., temperature, liquid volume or level, acidity, pH) where said one or more sensors can be on a surface of one or both of the inner sidewall 140 and base 144. Said sensors can be any of the sensors disclosed herein and can communicate with the control circuitry EM2 in any manner disclosed herein.

[0041] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-7, the container 100 can optionally also include a rotatable ring or dial 160 disposed about the lower portion of the container 100, where the ring or dial 160 can optionally rotate relative to the rest of the container 100 (e.g., about the central axis of the container 100), e.g. via a bearing. The ring or dial 160 can optionally have substantially the same diameter as the outer sidewall 130 so that the ring 160 is substantially aligned with the outer sidewall 130. The ring or dial 160 can optionally communicate with one or more sensors that can sense the rotation of the ring 160 with respect to at least a portion of the outer sidewall 130. At least one of said one or more sensors can optionally be an optical sensor. At least one of said one or more sensors can optionally be a Hall effects sensor. However, other suitable sensors for sensing the movement of the ring 160 can be used (e.g., capacitance sensor).

[0042] Said one or more sensors can communicate the sensed rotation of the ring 160 to the control circuitry EM2, which can control the operation of the one or more heating elements HC2 based at least in part on said sensed rotation. The control circuitry EM2 can, via an algorithm stored in a memory of the control circuitry EM2, optionally associate an incremental rotation of the ring 160 with an incremental change in a user selected temperature (as discussed above), and can operate the one or more heating elements HC2 so that the liquid in the chamber 115 approaches said user selected temperature. Accordingly, the ring 160 can optionally be used to change a temperature set point for the container 100 to which the liquid in the chamber 115 is to be heated.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a communication system for the module 200C, 300 of the containers described herein. The electronic module (such as the electronic module EM, EM2), which can include the control circuitry, can receive sensed information from one or more sensors Sl-Sn (e.g., liquid level sensors, liquid volume sensors, temperature sensors, battery charge sensors, capacitance sensors, tilt sensors or gyroscopes). The electronic module EM, EM2 can also receive information from and transmit information (e.g., instructions) to one or more heating elements (or cooling elements or heating/cooling elements) HC, HC2 (e.g., to operate each of the heating elements in a heating mode, turn off, turn on, vary power output of, etc.) and optionally to one or more power storage devices PS, PS2 (e.g., batteries, such as to charge the batteries or manage the power provided by the batteries to the one or more heating or cooling elements). The electronic module EM can also optionally communicate with a wireless power transmitter WPT (e.g., an inductive power transmitter). The electronic module EM can also optionally communicate with (e.g., transmit information to and receive information, such as user instructions from) a user interface UI1 on the container 100 or module 200C, 300. The electronic module EM can also optionally communicate with an electronic device ED (e.g., a mobile electronic device such as a mobile phone, PDA, tablet computer, laptop computer, electronic watch; or a desktop computer) via the cloud CL or via a wireless communication system such as Bluetooth BT. The electronic device ED can have a user interface UI2, that can display information associated with the operation of the module 200C, 300 (as disclosed herein), and that can receive information (e.g., instructions) from a user and communicate said information to the module 200C, 300 (as disclosed herein).

[0044] The term "electronic module" is meant to refer to electronics generally. Furthermore, the term "electronic module" should not be interpreted to require that the electronics be all in one physical location or connected to one single printed circuit board (PCB). One of skill in the art will recognize that the electronic module or electronics disclosed herein can be in one or more (e.g., plurality) of separate parts (coupled to one or a plurality of PCBs) and/or located in different physical locations of the module 200C, 300, as disclosed herein. That is, the electronic module or electronics can have different form factors.

Sensors

[0045] With respect to any of the containers disclosed above, one or more sensors Sl-Sn can be provided. Optionally, at least one sensor S2 of the one or more sensors Sl-Sn can sense a liquid level (or information indicative of a liquid level) in the chamber 115 of the vessel 102.

[0046] The sensor S2 can be optionally a load cell that can sense a weight of the container 100 (e.g., when tipped upside down). The electronic module EM, EM2 of the container can receive the sensed weight information and compare it against a reference weight data (e.g., previously sensed when the container was empty and/or that is stored in a memory of the electronic module EM, EM2), and calculate a volume or level of the liquid in the container 100 (e.g., using an algorithm to convert the sensed weight information to liquid volume or level measurement).

[0047] Alternatively, the sensor S2 can be a pressure sensor on a portion of the chamber 115 of the container 100 and can sense a hydrostatic pressure of the liquid in the chamber 115 (e.g., when tipped upside down). The electronic module EM, EM2 can calculate a liquid volume or level based at least in part on the sensed pressure information from the sensor S2.

[0048] Alternatively, the sensor S2 can be a capacitance sensor (e.g., capacitance sensing strip) that extends along at least a portion of the length of a sidewall of the vessel 102. The sensor S2 can sense a capacitance of a liquid in the container 100 relative to a capacitance of air above the liquid level and communicate the sensed information to the electronic module EM, EM2, which can provide a measurement of liquid volume or liquid level in the container 100 based on the sensed information. The sensor S2 can optionally sense a conductivity of the liquid or air proximate the sensor and the electronic module EM, EM2 can provide a measurement of liquid level or volume based at least in part on the sensed information.

[0049] Alternatively, the sensor S2 can optionally be an ultrasonic sensor on a sidewall of the vessel 102. The sensor S2 can use a pulse-echo or wall resonance (e.g. resonance of the wall 130 of the vessel 102) to sense information indicative of a liquid level in the container. For example, the sensor S2 can sense a time it takes for pulse emitted by the sensor S2 into the chamber 115 of the container 100 to return to the sensor (e.g., once it bounces from the liquid level location). The sensor S2 can transmit the sensed information to the electronic module EM, EM2, which can provide a measurement of liquid volume or liquid level in the container based on the sensed information.

[0050] Alternatively, the sensor S2 can be an accelerometer or tilt sensor (e.g., gyroscope). The sensor S2 can sense an orientation (or change in orientation) of the container 100 and communicate the sensed orientation information to the electronic module EM, EM2. The electronic module EM, EM2 can estimate a liquid level in the container 100 based on the sensed orientation information (e.g., using an algorithm that correlates a tilt angle to a liquid level). For example, if the sensor S2 senses an orientation of less than a first threshold (e.g., less than 30 degrees from an upright position) when a user has the container against their lips (e.g., sensed via a sensor on the container lip or lid, such as a contact sensor, temperature sensor, etc.) then the electronic module estimates the liquid level to be about full, and if the sensor S2 senses an orientation greater than a second threshold (e.g., greater than 90 degrees from an upright position) when a user has the container against their lips (e.g., sensed via a sensor on the container lip or lid, such as a contact sensor, temperature sensor, etc.) then the electronic module estimates the liquid level to be about empty, and the electronic module EM, EM2 can use an algorithm to interpolate between the two thresholds to infer intermediate liquid levels of the container (e.g., half full, quarter full, etc.). [0051] Alternatively, the sensor S2 can be a light sensor that measures light attenuation through the liquid and provides the sensed information to the electronic module EM, EM2 which can provide a measurement of liquid volume or liquid level in the container based on the sensed information (e.g., using an algorithm to correlate light attenuation with liquid volume or level).

[0052] Alternatively, liquid level in the container 100 is measured based on sensed temperature (or information indicative of temperature) from one or more (e.g., a plurality of) temperature sensors S3. The one or more sensors S3 can optionally sense how long it takes the temperature to increase a reference number of degrees (e.g., 1 degree F or 1 degree C) when the chamber 115 of the container 100 is full of liquid to provide a first reference time, and the first reference time can be stored in a memory (e.g., a memory of the electronic module EM, EM2). Optionally, additional reference times can be provided by the one or more sensors S3 when the chamber 115 of the container 100 has other volumes of liquid therein (e.g., half full, ¾ full) and the reference times stored in said memory.

[0053] During operation of the container, the one or more temperature sensors S3 can measure how long it takes for the temperature in the chamber to change by said reference number of degrees and communicate the sensed time information to the electronic module EM, EM2, which can provide a measurement of liquid volume or liquid level in the container based on the sensed time information, for example, based on an algorithm correlating time versus liquid volume or level. The sensed time information can optionally be compared against one or more of the reference times and the liquid level or volume interpolated between the level or volume values corresponding to the reference times. Optionally, the algorithm can calculate the liquid volume or level based at least in part on sensed ambient temperature (e.g., from a sensor S4), to account for variations in how long it takes the temperature to increases by the reference number of degrees depending on ambient temperature (e.g., at high altitude, low altitude, in winter, in summer, etc.). Use of the one or more temperature sensor S3 therefore advantageously allows measurement of temperature and liquid level in the container with one sensor instead of requiring a separate sensor to measure liquid level, which provides for a simpler and less costly system. [0054] The module 200C can optionally have a plurality of temperature sensors S3 along the length of the body 202C and the liquid level in the chamber 115 of the container 100 can be determined by the electronic module EM by comparing the sensed temperature readings from the plurality of temperature sensors S3 (e.g., estimating that the liquid level is at a location between two adjacent temperature sensors where the temperature readings from said adjacent temperature sensors vary by more than a certain amount).

[0055] While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. For example, though the features disclosed herein are in describe for drinkware containers, the features are applicable to containers that are not drinkware containers (e.g., bowls, serverware, food storage containers) and the invention is understood to extend to such other containers. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

[0056] Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. [0057] Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0058] Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0059] For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. [0060] Conditional language, such as "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0061] Conjunctive language such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, and Z," unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0062] Language of degree used herein, such as the terms "approximately," "about," "generally," and "substantially" as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms "approximately", "about", "generally," and "substantially" may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01 % of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms "generally parallel" and "substantially parallel" refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree.

[0063] The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. [0064] Though the features and ideas disclosed above may be related to actively heating or cooling food or beverage, the embodiments above may also be used to heat or cool air spaces, such as refrigeration devices, cold boxes, coolers, portable coolers, or portable refrigerators, or hot boxes, or warmer drawers, or heat chambers, or any other device that would benefit from the heating or cooling of the air within a defined cavity or chamber.

[0065] The term "electronic module" is meant to refer to electronics generally. Furthermore, the term "electronic module" should not be interpreted to require that the electronics be all in one physical location or connected to one single printed circuit board (PCB). One of skill in the art will recognize that the electronic module or electronics disclosed herein can be in one or more (e.g., plurality) of separate parts (coupled to one or a plurality of PCBs) and/or located in different physical locations of the body of the container, as disclosed herein. That is, the electronic module or electronics can have different form factors.

[0066] Of course, the foregoing description is that of certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, to which various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the heated or cooled drinkware need not feature all of the objects, advantages, features and aspects discussed above. Thus, for example, those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications and methods of use, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of these specific features and aspects of embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the discussed heated or cooled dishware, drinkware and/or serverware.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A beverage container system, comprising:

a container having a body with an open top end, a circumferential wall and a base at a bottom end, the body having a chamber configured to receive a liquid therein;

a lid removably coupleable to a proximal end of the container and having at least one opening through which the liquid can flow, the lid comprising a coupling element on an underside surface of the lid; and

one or more modules releasably coupleable to the coupling element of the lid so that the one or more modules are suspended in the chamber spaced apart from the circumferential wall when the lid is coupled to the vessel, the one or more modules configured to alter a parameter of the liquid in the chamber.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more modules comprises a module having a cavity defined by a porous wall, the cavity configured to hold a foodstuff therein, wherein the porous wall allows the liquid in the chamber to contact the foodstuff in the cavity.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the foodstuff comprises tea leaves.

4. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more modules comprises a module having a cavity defined by an outer wall, the cavity filled with a phase change material, wherein the module is configured to absorb heat from the liquid when a temperature of the liquid is above a transition temperature of the phase change material, and wherein the module is configured to maintain the temperature in the liquid at approximately the transition temperature for a prolonged period of time.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the transition temperature is between about 135 degrees F and 145 degrees F.

6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more modules comprises a module comprising one or more heating elements configured to supply heat to the liquid in the chamber to maintain the temperature of the liquid substantially at a predetermined temperature or temperature range or to increase the temperature of the liquid to a user selected temperature or temperature range.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the module comprises one or more power storage elements configured to supply power to the one or more heating elements.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the module comprises control circuitry to control the operation of the one or more heating elements.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the control circuitry is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote mobile electronic device, and to operate the one or more heating elements at least in part based on information received from the remote mobile electronic device.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the module comprises one or more electrical contacts configured to contact corresponding electrical elements in a charging base when the module is coupled to the charging base.

11. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a heating system at least partially disposed in a cavity below the chamber.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the heating system comprises one or more heating elements in thermal communication with at least a portion of the chamber.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising one or more power storage elements configured to supply power to the one or more heating elements.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising control circuitry configured to control an operation of the one more heating elements.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the control circuitry is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote mobile electronic device, and to operate the one or more heating elements at least in part based on information received from the remote mobile electronic device.

16. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a rotatable dial on a bottom portion of the body that rotates about a central axis of the body, the rotatable dial configured to communicate with control circuitry of the container, wherein rotation of the dial variably adjusts an operation of one or more heating elements to adjust a temperature of the liquid in the chamber to approximate a user selected temperature.

17. The system of any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the circumferential wall is transparent.

18. A beverage container kit, comprising:

a plurality of interchangeable modules, each being releasably coupleable to the coupling element of the lid so that the one or more modules are suspended in the chamber spaced apart from the circumferential wall when the lid is coupled to the vessel, the one or more modules configured to alter a parameter of the liquid in the chamber.

19. The kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of modules comprises a module having a cavity defined by a porous wall, the cavity configured to hold a foodstuff therein, wherein the porous wall allows the liquid in the chamber to contact the foodstuff in the cavity.

20. The kit of claim 19 wherein the foodstuff comprises tea leaves.

21. The kit of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more modules comprises a module having a cavity defined by an outer wall, the cavity filled with a phase change material, wherein the module is configured to absorb heat from the liquid when a temperature of the liquid is above a transition temperature of the phase change material, and wherein the module is configured to maintain the temperature in the liquid at approximately the transition temperature for a prolonged period of time.

22. The kit of claim 21, wherein the transition temperature is between about 135 degrees F and 145 degrees F.

23. The kit of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more modules comprises a module comprising one or more heating elements configured to supply heat to the liquid in the chamber to maintain the temperature of the liquid substantially at a predetermined temperature or temperature range or to increase the temperature of the liquid to a user selected temperature or temperature range.

24. The kit of claim 23, wherein the module comprises one or more power storage elements configured to supply power to the one or more heating elements.

25. The kit of claim 23, wherein the module comprises control circuitry to control the operation of the one or more heating elements.

26. The kit of claim 25, wherein the control circuitry is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote mobile electronic device, and to operate the one or more heating elements at least in part based on information received from the remote mobile electronic device.

27. The kit of claim 23, wherein the module comprises one or more electrical contacts configured to contact corresponding electrical elements in a charging base when the module is coupled to the charging base.

28. The kit of any preceding claim, further comprising a heating system at least partially disposed in a cavity below the chamber.

29. The kit of claim 28, wherein the heating system comprises one or more heating elements in thermal communication with at least a portion of the chamber.

30. The kit of claim 29, further comprising one or more power storage elements configured to supply power to the one or more heating elements.

31. The kit of claim 29, further comprising control circuitry configured to control an operation of the one more heating elements.

32. The kit of claim 31, wherein the control circuitry is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote mobile electronic device, and to operate the one or more heating elements at least in part based on information received from the remote mobile electronic device.

33. The kit of any preceding claim, further comprising a rotatable dial on a bottom portion of the body that rotates about a central axis of the body, the rotatable dial configured to communicate with control circuitry of the container, wherein rotation of the dial variably adjusts an operation of one or more heating elements to adjust a temperature of the liquid in the chamber to approximate a user selected temperature.

34. The kit of any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the circumferential wall is transparent.

35. The kit or system of any preceding claim, wherein each of the one modules displace no more than about 1 fluid ounce of liquid when in the chamber.