PORTABLE CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR HEATING A BEVERAGE

• US 20150305094A1
• Filed: 04/16/2015
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc. (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc. (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Everett, David William Jr., Nelson, Charles, Rosati, Daniele, Marschke, Karl Warner
• Granted Patent: US 9,642,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/21008 electrically heated
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/21041 with heating elements arranged outside the water vessel A47J27/2105 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/2105 of the cordless type, i.e. whereby the water vessel can be plugged into an electrically-powered base element
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/21191 Pouring spouts
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/441 Warming devices or supports for beverage containers warming devices not being part of the beverage-making apparatus A47J36/24; stands or holders for beverage containers not being part of the beverage-making apparatus A47J47/16
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/465 for the heated water
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/14 Pouring-spouts, e.g. as parts separate from vessel
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/021 Heaters specially adapted for heating liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/48 heating conductor embedded in insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/68 Heating arrangements specially adapted for cooking plates or analogous hot-plates

Abstract

In a portable container system for heating a beverage generally, the system includes a container for containing a beverage to be heated. The container generally has a bottom and a side wall together defining an internal reservoir containing the beverage to be heated. A base of the system is operable to heat the container at the bottom thereof. The base is constructed of multiple layers generally including at least a top barrier layer, an electrically non-conductive bottom barrier layer and a thin film heating element intermediate the top barrier layer and the bottom barrier layer.

Claims

1. A portable container system for heating a beverage, the portable container system comprising:

a container for containing a beverage to be heated, the container comprising a bottom and a side wall together defining an internal reservoir containing the beverage to be heated;

a base operable to heat the container at the bottom thereof, the base being constructed of multiple layers comprising at least a top barrier layer, an electrically non-conductive bottom barrier layer and a thin film heating element intermediate the top barrier layer and the bottom barrier layer.

2. The portable container system of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a heating plate, the top barrier layer at least in part defining an upper surface of the heating plate, the container being configured for removable seating on the upper surface of the heating plate with the bottom of the container in contact with the upper surface of the heating plate.

3. The portable container system of claim 1 wherein the base is held in assembly with the container for carrying the container and base together as a unit.

4. The portable container system of claim 3 wherein the top barrier layer of the base at least in part defines the bottom of the container.

5. The portable container system of claim 3 wherein the side wall of the container is constructed of multiple layers comprising at least an outer barrier layer, an inner barrier layer and a thin film heating element intermediate the outer barrier layer and the inner barrier layer.

6. The portable container system of claim 5 wherein the inner barrier, the outer barrier and the substrate are each constructed of a transparent material.

7. The portable container system of claim 1 wherein the top barrier layer is constructed of an electrically non-conductive material, the bottom barrier being constructed of an electrically non-conductive material.

8. The portable container system of claim 1 wherein the thin film heating element comprises a substrate and an electrically conductive thin film layer on the substrate, the electrically conductive thin film layer being disposed intermediate the substrate and the bottom barrier layer.

9. A portable container system for heating a beverage, the portable container system comprising:

a container for containing a beverage to be heated, the container comprising a bottom and a side wall together defining an internal reservoir for containing the beverage to be heated, the container further comprising an elongate spout extending from the side wall and open to the internal reservoir for dispensing beverage from the container through the spout, the spout being constructed of multiple layers including a generally tubular inner barrier layer defining a conduit through which beverage from the container flows through the spout, a generally tubular outer barrier layer, and a thin film heating element disposed intermediate the inner barrier layer and the outer barrier layer.

10. The portable container system set forth in claim 9 wherein the side wall comprises an inner side wall, the container further comprising an outer side wall spaced surrounding the inner side wall in spaced relationship therewith to define a housing therebetween, the system further comprising a power source disposed with the housing an electrically connected to the thin film heating element.

11. The portable container system set forth in claim 10 further comprising a controller disposed with the housing for controlling operation of the thin film heating element.

12. The portable container system set forth in claim 9 wherein the thin film heating element comprises a substrate and an electrically conductive thin film layer, the electrically conductive thin film layer being intermediate the substrate and the outer barrier layer.

13. A portable container system for heating a beverage, the portable container system comprising:

a container for containing a beverage to be heated, the container comprising a bottom and a side wall together defining an internal reservoir containing the beverage to be heated, the container further comprising a handle connected to the side wall for gripping the container, the thin film heating element being configured for electrical communication with a power source via at least one electrical wire disposed within the handle.

14. The portable container system set forth in claim 13 wherein the power source is carried by the container.

15. The portable container system set forth in claim 13 wherein the system comprises a power source connection for communication with an external power source, the handle and the power source being configured for releasable connection with each other to establish electrical communication between the external power source and the thin film heating element.