Phase change and insulating properties container and method of use

Abstract

A container and method for cooling beverages to an acceptable consumption temperature and then for maintaining that beverage temperature for a sufficient time so as to allow the beverage to be consumed is provided. The container includes a beverage chamber for receiving a beverage therein which is defined by an open top, a lid for reversibly sealing the open top, and a beverage chamber side wall. The beverage chamber side wall has an inner wall, an outer wall and a bottom portion. A reservoir side wall is disposed surroundingly at a spaced relationship to the beverage chamber side wall so as to define a reservoir therebetween. A phase change material is disposed in the reservoir.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates generally to insulated containers and more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved container for cooling beverages to a temperature suitable for consumption and for maintaining the beverage temperature within an acceptable range for consumption which includes a beverage chamber for receiving a heated beverage and a phase change material reservoir surrounding the beverage chamber. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] As is generally well-known, it is frequently desirable to maintain beverages at a temperature suitable for consumption over an extended period of time. However, the problem encountered is that when a hot beverage is left alone in a container it will continually cool down until the ambient temperature is reached. Therefore, there have been many attempts made in the prior art heretofore to create containers that alter the temperature of beverages before th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved container and method for cooling beverages to a temperature suitable for consumption and for maintaining the beverage temperature within an acceptable range for consumption which is relatively simple and inexpensive in design, construction and operation.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved container and method for cooling beverages to a temperature suitable for consumption and for maintaining the beverage temperature within an acceptable range for consumption on an efficient and cost effective basis.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved container and method for cooling beverages to a temperature suitable for consumption and for maintaining the beverage temperature within an acceptable range for consumption which a visual indication that that the beverage has reached an acceptable consumption temperature.

[0014] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved container for cooling beverages to a temperature suitable for consumption and for maintaining the beverage temperature within an acceptable range for consumption which includes a beverage chamber for receiving a heated beverage and a phase change material reservoir surrounding the beverage chamber.

Problems solved by technology

However, the problem encountered is that when a hot beverage is left alone in a container it will continually cool down until the ambient temperature is reached.

A second shortcoming is that the patented container device lacks an automatic mechanism to determine when it should switch from a state of cooling to a state of maintaining the temperature.

Finally, this patented container suffers from the disadvantage in that it does not have a means for replacing the heat that is dissipated from the beverage into the surrounding environment.

However, it does not address the need to first cool a hot beverage and then maintain its temperature at an ideal temperature for consumption.

These patented devices do not address the need to first cool a prepared hot beverage and then maintain an ideal temperature for consumption.

Furthermore, it does not address the need to keep the beverage at a specific consumption temperature range.

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