Refrigerated beverage container and refrigerated beverage dispensing system and method

Abstract

A drinkware container system includes a container body having an outer wall and an inner wall spaced apart from the outer wall to define a cavity. The inner wall extends between the opening of the container body and the base wall. The inner wall and the base wall define a chamber containing a liquid, and the bottom wall is spaced below the base wall. The cold side heat sink is located in the cavity in thermal contact with the inner wall and / or the base wall. The cooling unit may have: a first heat sink configured to be in contact with the container body when the container body is placed on the cooling unit; a thermoelectric module (s) in thermal communication with the first heat sink; and a second heat sink in thermal communication with the thermoelectric module (s) such that the thermoelectric module (s) is interposed between the first heat sink and the second heat sink. The thermoelectric module (s) are operable to draw heat from the first heat sink and transfer heat to the second heat sink to cool the first heat sink, thereby drawing heat from the container body to cool the container body.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with application number 2019800683998, application date August 20, 2019, and invention name “Refrigerated Beverage Container and Refrigerated Beverage Dispensing System and Method”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a container (e.g., a cup, a mug, a tumbler, a liquid container), and more particularly, to a container (e.g., a drinkware container, such as a cup, a mug, a tumbler, a sleeve, a lid, a carafe) and a system and method for delivering a beverage into the container that maintains a liquid disposed in the container or in a separate vessel contained in the container in a cooled (e.g., refrigerated) state. Background Art

[0003] Reusable drinkware containers (e.g., cups, mugs, travel mugs, water bottles, liquid containers) for holding liquids (e.g., beverages) are common and are sometimes made of plastic or metal materials. However, a common disadvantage of existing drinkware containers is that they cannot keep liquids in a cool or heated state for a long time. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an improved container (e.g., drinkware containers such as cups, mugs, glass bottles; lids, sleeves, etc.) that is capable of keeping contents (e.g., liquids, iced coffee, iced tea, milk, breast milk, infant formula, beer, wine, spirits, water, carbonated water, soft drinks, and other beverages) in a cooled state for an extended period of time (e.g., 6 hours or less, 4 hours or less, 2 hours or less, about 1 hour, about 30 minutes, etc.).

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a drinkware container system is provided. The container system includes a container body extending between the bottom wall of the proximal end and the distal end, the container body having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall and the outer wall are spaced inwardly to define a cavity therebetween. The inner wall extends between the opening at the proximal end of the container body and the base wall, the inner wall and the base wall define a chamber configured to accommodate and hold a liquid, and the bottom wall is spaced below the base wall. The container system also includes a cold side radiator, which is located in the cavity and is in thermal contact with one or both of the inner wall and the base wall. Optionally, the container system includes a phase change material, which is arranged in the cavity and is thermally connected to at least a portion of the cavity and to the cold side radiator, and the phase change material is spaced from the outer wall. The cavity can be optionally filled with a material between the cold side radiator and the outer wall. Optionally, the container body can have one or more magnets that can removably couple the container body to the cooling unit.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a drinkware system is provided. The drinkware system includes a drinkware container having a container body extending between a proximal end and a distal end of a bottom wall. The container body has an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall and the outer wall are spaced inwardly to define a cavity therebetween, and the inner wall extends between an opening at the proximal end of the container body and a base wall. The inner wall and the base wall define a chamber configured to contain and retain a liquid, the bottom wall is spaced below the base wall, and a radiator is disposed in the cavity in thermal communication with one or both of the inner wall and the base wall. The drinkware system also includes a cooling unit configured to removably receive the drinkware container thereon and operable to cool the radiator in the drinkware container and one or both of the inner wall and / or the base wall of the drinkware container. The cooling unit includes a first heat sink, one or more thermoelectric modules, and a second heat sink, the first heat sink being configured to contact a bottom wall of the drinkware container when the drinkware container is placed on the cooling unit, the one or more thermoelectric modules being in thermal communication with the first heat sink, and the second heat sink being in thermal communication with the one or more thermoelectric modules, such that the one or more thermoelectric modules are inserted between the first heat sink and the second heat sink. The one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to absorb heat from the first heat sink and transfer the heat to the second heat sink to cool the first heat sink, and the cooled first heat sink absorbs heat from the drinkware container to cool the drinkware container.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a drinkware system includes a cooling unit configured to receive a beverage from a beverage dispensing unit at a first temperature and cool the beverage to a second temperature lower than the first temperature before the beverage is dispensed into a drinkware container. The cooling unit includes a first radiator configured to receive the dispensed beverage at a proximal end of the first radiator and extend between a proximal end and a distal end, the first radiator having an inclined surface that slopes upward from the distal end to the proximal end. The cooling unit includes one or more thermoelectric modules thermally connected to the first radiator and a second radiator thermally connected to the one or more thermoelectric modules, so that the one or more thermoelectric modules are inserted between the first radiator and the second radiator. The one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to absorb heat from the first radiator and transfer the heat to the second radiator to cool the first radiator, and the cooled first radiator cools the beverage as the beverage flows along a path between the proximal end and the distal end.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a drinkware system includes a drinkware container having a container body extending between a proximal end and a bottom wall at a distal end, the container body having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall being spaced inwardly from the outer wall to define a cavity therebetween. The inner wall extends between an opening at the proximal end of the container body and a base wall, the inner wall and the base wall defining a chamber configured to receive and contain a liquid, the bottom wall being spaced below the base wall, and a PCM being disposed in the cavity in thermal communication with one or both of the inner wall and the base wall. The drinkware system includes a cooling unit configured to removably receive the drinkware container thereon in an inverted orientation and operable to cool the PCM in the drinkware container and one or both of the inner wall and / or the base wall of the drinkware container. The cooling unit includes: a first heat sink configured to contact one or both of a base wall and an inner wall of the drinkware container when the drinkware container is placed upside down on the cooling unit; one or more thermoelectric modules in thermal communication with the first heat sink; and a second heat sink in thermal communication with the one or more thermoelectric modules, such that the one or more thermoelectric modules are inserted between the first heat sink and the second heat sink. The one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to absorb heat from the first heat sink and transfer the heat to the second heat sink to cool the first heat sink, the cooled first heat sink absorbs heat from the drinkware container to cool the drinkware container, and the one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to energize the PCM so that the drinkware container maintains a liquid subsequently dispensed therein in a cooled state.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a heating or cooling system for a container is provided. The system includes a thermal unit having a body defining a platform and one or more docking stations on the platform, the body having one or more openings on the outer surface of the body, and air is configured to pass through the opening. The thermal unit includes: a first radiator configured to be thermally connected to one or more surfaces of the body and / or to one or more openings in one or more docking stations; one or more thermoelectric modules, thermally connected to the first radiator; and a second radiator, thermally connected to the one or more thermoelectric modules, so that the one or more thermoelectric modules are inserted between the first radiator and the second radiator. One or more thermoelectric modules are operable to absorb heat from one of the first radiator and the second radiator and transfer heat to the other of the first radiator and the second radiator, thereby cooling or heating the first radiator. One or more fans are in fluid communication with the first radiator and are configured to generate an air flow, the air flow flows through the first radiator and passes through one or more openings in one or more docking stations, and when the air flow flows through the first radiator and passes through one or more openings in one or more docking stations, the air flow is cooled or heated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a drinkware container and a cooling unit for cooling the drinkware container.

[0011] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a drinkware container and a cooling unit for cooling the drinkware container, wherein the drinkware container is arranged below a beverage dispensing unit.

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a drinkware container and a cooling unit for cooling the drinkware container.

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a drinkware container and a cooling unit for cooling the drinkware container.

[0014] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a drinkware container and a cooling unit for cooling the drinkware container.

[0015] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a cooling unit disposed below a beverage dispensing unit, the cooling unit being operable to cool a beverage and deliver the beverage to a drinkware container.

[0016] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a cooling unit disposed below a beverage dispensing unit, the cooling unit being operable to cool a beverage and deliver the beverage to a drinkware container.

[0017] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a cooling unit disposed below a beverage dispensing unit, the cooling unit being operable to cool a beverage and deliver the beverage to a drinkware container.

[0018] Fig. 8A is a schematic diagram of a drinkware container and a cooling unit for cooling the drinkware container.

[0019] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of a multi-unit cooling rack for cooling multiple drinkware containers.

[0020] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a cooling unit disposed below a beverage dispensing unit and a multi-unit cooling rack for cooling a plurality of drinkware containers prior to dispensing a beverage, the cooling unit being operable to cool the beverage and deliver the beverage to the drinkware containers.

[0021] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of a cooling unit or a heating unit.

[0022] Fig.11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cooling unit or a heating unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figures 1A to 1B1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a drinkware container 100. Optionally, the drinkware container 100 is cylindrical and symmetrical about a longitudinal axis (eg, a central longitudinal axis of the container 100), and one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that Figure 1A to Figure 1B The features shown in the cross-sectional view of are defined by rotating it about an axis to define the features of a cylindrical container.

[0024] The drinkware container 100 is optionally a cooling drinkware container, which is operable to cool the contents of the container and / or keep the contents of the container in a cooling or refrigerated state for a long time (e.g., 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, etc.). The drinkware container 100 has a body 10 with an outer wall 11 extending between a proximal end 12 having an opening 13 and a distal end 14 having a base 15. Optionally, the opening 13 can be selectively closed by a lid (not shown) removably attached to the proximal end 12. The body 10 has an inner wall 16A and a base wall 16B, which define an open chamber 16 in which a liquid (e.g., water, tea, coffee, milk, etc.) can be accommodated and maintained. Optionally, the body 10 can be made of metal (e.g., stainless steel). In another embodiment, the body 10 can be made of plastic. In another embodiment, the inner wall 16A and the base wall 16B may be made of metal, while the outer wall 11 may be made of a plastic or ceramic material.

[0025] In one embodiment, the body 10 has a cavity 18 (e.g., an annular cavity or chamber) between the inner wall 16A and the outer wall 11. Optionally, the cavity 18 can be in a vacuum state. In another embodiment, the cavity 18 can be filled with air without being in a vacuum state. In another embodiment, the cavity 18 can be filled with an insulating material (e.g., foam).

[0026] A heat sink (e.g., a cold side heat sink) 20 is disposed in the cavity 18 and is thermally connected to the inner wall 16A and / or the base wall 16B. Optionally, the heat sink 20 may be in direct contact with the inner wall 16A and / or the base wall 16B to be thermally connected to the chamber 16. The heat sink 20 may optionally have a cylindrical shape. In one embodiment, the heat sink 20 is made of metal. As further described below, the heat sink 20 is heat-transferred with the liquid in the chamber 16 via the inner wall 16A and / or the base wall 16B.

[0027] The drinkware container body 10 can be removably coupled to the cooling unit 150 via one or more magnets (e.g., permanent magnets) 30 in the container body 10 and one or more magnets 60 in the cooling unit 150. In another embodiment, one or more magnets 30 are not included; for example, the base 15 can be made of a magnetic material (e.g., metal). In one embodiment, one or more magnets 60 are optionally permanent magnets. In another embodiment, one or more magnets 60 are optionally electromagnets, the polarity of which can be selectively controlled by a controller of the cooling unit 150 (e.g., by user input via a user interface of the cooling unit 150 or by wireless control of an electronic device such as a smartphone) to allow the drinkware container 100 to be selectively coupled and decoupled from the cooling unit 50. In another embodiment, one or more magnets 60 are not included. In one embodiment, the cooling unit 150 is integrated into (e.g., integrated into a portion of) a beverage dispensing machine (e.g., a coffee machine, a tea maker), and a base is provided on which the drinkware container body 10 can be placed before or during the dispensing of a beverage from the dispensing machine.

[0028] The cooling unit 150 may include a cold side heat sink 70 with a body 72, the body 72 optionally including one or more volumes (e.g., multiple volumes) of a phase change material (PCM) 74, through which the cold side heat sink 70 may be used as a reservoir (e.g., a cold storage). The PCM 74 may be disposed in one or more cavities in the body 72. The body 72 may be made of a thermally conductive material (e.g., a metal). The cold side heat sink 70 may include one or more magnets 60. The cooling unit 150 may include one or more thermoelectric modules (e.g., Peltier elements) 26 in thermal contact with the body 72 of the cold storage 70 and in contact with the heat sink unit 50. The cold side 27 of the one or more thermoelectric modules 26 may be in contact with the body 72, and the hot side 28 of the one or more thermoelectric modules 26 may be in contact with the surface 52 of the heat sink 54 (e.g., a hot side heat sink) of the heat sink unit 50. The heat sink 54 may have one or more (e.g., multiple) fins. Optionally, the heat sink unit 50 has a fan 56. The radiator unit 50 may optionally have a connector 58 (eg, a wall outlet connector) for connecting the radiator unit 50 to a power source. In another embodiment, the radiator unit 50 may instead have one or more batteries (eg, rechargeable batteries).

[0029] Continue to refer to Figure 1A to Figure 1BDuring operation, the cooling unit 150 operates to extract heat from the container body 10 (e.g., cool the container body 10). Power is provided to one or more thermoelectric modules 26 (e.g., via a connection to a wall outlet via connector 58, via one or more batteries in the cooling unit 150), which operate to extract heat from the cold side heat sink 70 (e.g., cool the cold side heat sink 70). The hot side of the thermoelectric module 26 transfers heat from the cold side heat sink 70 to the heat sink 54. Optionally, the fan 56 is operable to dissipate heat from the heat sink 54 and dissipate heat via the heat sink 54. When the one or more thermoelectric modules 26 cool the cold side heat sink 70, the thermoelectric module 26 can also optionally power the PCM 74 in the side heat sink 70. Then, the cold storage 70 operates to remove heat from the drinkware container 100 placed on (e.g., coupled to) the cold side heat sink 70 (e.g., cool the drinkware container 100).

[0030] Advantageously, the thermoelectric module 26 energizes the PCM 74 in the cold side heat sink 70, thereby allowing the cooling unit 150 to be used to (e.g., sequentially) cool a plurality of drinkware containers 100 before the PCM 74 needs to be re-energized (e.g., by the thermoelectric module 26). In one embodiment, once the PCM 74 is energized, the cold side heat sink 70 can allow the cooling unit 150 to sequentially cool two or more (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.) drinkware containers 100 placed on the cold side heat sink 70 before the PCM 74 needs to be re-energized. Energizing the PCM 74 as described above means causing the PCM 74 to transition from one state (e.g., liquid) to a second state (e.g., solid), such as by cooling the PCM 74 to below a transition temperature of the PCM 74. Optionally, the PCM 74 optionally has a lower transition temperature (e.g., a transition temperature of less than 10 degrees Celsius, less than 5 degrees Celsius, etc.). For example, the transition temperature of the PCM 74 may be approximately 4 degrees Celsius (eg, approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit).

[0031] As described above, the cooling unit 150 can be incorporated into (e.g., built into, can be added as an accessory, removably coupled to) a beverage dispensing unit 200 (e.g., a coffee dispensing machine) and used as a base on which the drinkware container 100 is placed to receive a beverage from the dispensing nozzle 210 of the beverage dispensing unit 200. In one embodiment, the drinkware container 100 is placed on the cooling unit 150 for a period of time (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes) before dispensing the beverage from the dispensing nozzle 210, thereby allowing the cooling unit 150 to cool the drinkware container 100 before dispensing the beverage. In another embodiment, the cooling unit 150 cools the drinkware container 100 after the beverage has been dispensed into the drinkware container 100. In yet another embodiment, the cooling unit 150 cools the drinkware container 100 while the beverage is dispensed into the drinkware container 100 from the dispensing nozzle 210.

[0032] The cooling unit 150 reduces the temperature of the beverage dispensed into the drinkware container 100 from the dispense temperature T0 (e.g., 170F, 180F, 190F, etc.) to the cool drinking temperature T1 (e.g., 40F, 45F, 50F, 55F, etc.). In one embodiment, the cooling unit 150 reduces the temperature of the beverage to the cool drinking temperature T1 within 5 minutes or less (e.g., 4 minutes or less, 3 minutes or less, 2 minutes or less, 1 minute or less, 30 seconds or less, about 15 seconds, etc.). As described above, once the drinkware container 100 is removed from the cooling unit 150, the heat sink 20 in the drinkware container 100 operates to keep the liquid in the chamber 16 at a cool temperature (e.g., the cool drinking temperature (T1)) for a long time.

[0033] Figure 2 The drinkware container 100' and the cooling unit 150 are schematically shown. Certain features of the drinkware container 100' are similar to Figure 1A to Figure 1B The features in the drinkware container 100 are similar. Figure 1A Therefore, in addition to adding "'" to the reference numerals, Figure 1A to Figure 1B The reference numerals used to designate the various components of the drinkware container 100 and the cooling unit 150 are the same as those in Figure 2 The same reference numerals are used to identify the corresponding components of the drinkware container 100' and the cooling unit 150. Therefore, except as described below, Figure 1A to Figure 1B The structure and description of the various components of the drinking vessel container 100 and the cooling unit 150 are also applicable to Figure 2 The drinking vessel container 100' and the corresponding components of the cooling unit 150 are shown in FIG.

[0034] The drinkware container 100' differs from the drinkware container 100 in that a phase change material (PCM) 22' (e.g., a heat core) is disposed about the chamber 16 (e.g., between the inner wall 16A' and the heat sink 20', such that the PCM 22' and the heat sink 20' operate in series). Optionally, the phase change material 22' is a solid-solid PCM. In another embodiment, the phase change material 22' is a solid-liquid PCM. Optionally, the phase change material 22' is disposed circumferentially within the chamber about the inner wall 16A'. Optionally, the phase change material 22' is additionally (or alternatively) disposed within the chamber adjacent to the base wall 16B'. The phase change material 22' optionally has a lower transition temperature (e.g., a transition temperature of less than 10 degrees Celsius, less than 5 degrees Celsius, etc.), where the transition temperature is the temperature at which the PCM 22' changes from one state (e.g., liquid) to another state (e.g., solid). For example, the transition temperature of the phase change material 22' may be approximately 4 degrees Celsius (eg, approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit).

[0035] In use, the cooling unit 150 operates to extract heat from the container body 10' (e.g., cool the container body 10'). Power is provided to one or more thermoelectric modules 26 (e.g., via a connection to a wall outlet via connector 58, via one or more batteries in the cooling unit 150), which operate to extract heat from the cold side heat sink 70 (e.g., cool the cold side heat sink 70). The hot side of the thermoelectric module 26 transfers heat from the cold side heat sink 70 to the heat sink 54. Optionally, the fan 56 is operable to dissipate heat from the heat sink 54 and dissipate heat via the heat sink 54. When the one or more thermoelectric modules 26 cool the cold side heat sink 70, the thermoelectric module 26 can also optionally also energize the PCM 74 in the cold side heat sink 70. In turn, the cold side heat sink 70 operates to remove heat from the drinkware container 100 placed on (e.g., coupled to) the cold side heat sink 70 (e.g., cool the drinkware container 100). Optionally, the cold side heat sink 70 cools the drinkware container 100' to energize the PCM 22' (eg, to transition the PCM 22' from one state to another, such as from a liquid to a solid) so that the PCM 22' absorbs heat once heated liquid is poured into the drinkware container 100'.

[0036] In one embodiment, the container 100', 100'" can be placed in a freezer or refrigerator (not shown) where the PCM 22', 22'" is energized (e.g., converted to a state where it can later absorb heat from a liquid poured therein). The container 100' can then be removed from the freezer or refrigerator and placed on the cooling unit 150 to receive a beverage from the beverage dispensing unit 200 via the dispensing nozzle 210.

[0037] Figure 3 The drinking vessel container 100 and the cooling unit 150' are schematically shown. Figure 1A to Figure 1B The features of the drinkware container 100 are the same. Figure 3 Some features of the cooling unit 150' in Figure 1A The features of the cooling unit 150 in FIG. 1 are similar. Therefore, except for adding "'" to the reference numerals, Figure 1A to Figure 1B The reference numerals used to designate the various components of the drinkware container 100 and the cooling unit 150 are the same as those in Figure 3 The same reference numerals are used to identify the corresponding components of the drinkware container 100 and the cooling unit 150'. Therefore, except as described below, Figure 1A to Figure 1B The structure and description of the various components of the drinking vessel container 100 and the cooling unit 150 are also applicable to Figure 3 The drinking vessel container 100 and the cooling unit 150' are corresponding components.

[0038] As mentioned above, Figure 3 The drinking vessel container 100 and Figure 1A to Figure 1B The cooling unit 150' is different from the cooling unit 150 in that the cold side heat sink 70' does not include the PCM 74'. Optionally, as described above in combination with Figure 1A to Figure 1B The one or more thermoelectric modules 26 (e.g., Peltier elements) may be a plurality of thermoelectric modules 26 (e.g., 2 or more, 4 or more, 6 or more, 10 or more, about 12 to 15 thermoelectric modules) that are operable to extract heat from the drinkware container 100 to cool the liquid poured into the drinkware container 100 from the dispensing temperature T0 to the cooled drinking temperature T1.

[0039] Figure 4 The drinking vessel container 100' and the cooling unit 150' are schematically shown. Figure 2 The features of the drinkware container 100' are the same as those of the drinkware container 100'. Figure 4 The characteristics of the cooling unit 150' in Figure 3 The features of the cooling unit 150' are the same as those of the cooling unit 150' in FIG. Figure 2 The drinking vessel 100' and Figure 3 The reference numerals of the various components of the cooling unit 150' are used to identify Figure 4 The corresponding components of the drinking vessel container 100' and the cooling unit 150' in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Figure 2 The drinking vessel 100' and Figure 3 The structure and description of the various components of the cooling unit 150' in FIG. 1 should be understood to also apply to Figure 4 The drinking vessel container 100' and the cooling unit 150' are respectively components.

[0040] As above combined Figure 2 and Figure 3 As discussed, one or more thermoelectric modules 26 are powered (e.g., plugged into a wall outlet via connector 58, via a battery in the cooling unit 150') to extract heat from the cold side heat sink 70', and then extract heat from the drinkware container 100' when the drinkware container 100' is placed on the cold side heat sink 70'. Optionally, this heat removal results in energizing the PCM 22' of the drinkware container 100'. Thus, the drinkware container 100' can be cooled before (or while) the beverage is dispensed into the drinkware container 100'. Optionally, the PCM 22' in the container 100' can be energized by storing the container 100' in a refrigerator or freezer for a period of time (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc.), and then placing the PCM 22' on the cooling unit 150' before the beverage is dispensed into the container 100'.

[0041] Figure 5 A cooling unit 150 ″ is schematically shown, which is operable to cool a beverage dispensed from the beverage dispensing unit 200 via the dispensing nozzle 210 and to direct the cooled beverage to a drinkware container C. Figure 5 Some features of the cooling unit 150" in Figure 1A The features of the cooling unit 150 are similar to those of the cooling unit 150 in FIG. Therefore, except for adding “”” to the reference numerals, Figure 1A The reference numerals used to designate the various components of the cooling unit 150 are the same as those in Figure 5 The same reference numerals are used to identify corresponding components of the cooling unit 150 ″. Therefore, except as described below, Figure 1A The structure and description of the various components of the cooling unit 150 in Figure 5 The corresponding components of the cooling unit 150" in.

[0042] The cooling unit 150" may include a cold-side heat sink 70" with a body 72", the body 72" optionally including one or more volumes (e.g., multiple volumes) of phase change material (PCM) 74", and the cold-side heat sink 70" may be used as a reservoir (e.g., a cold storage) via the phase change material. The PCM 74" may be disposed in one or more cavities in the body 72". The body 72" may be made of a thermally conductive material (e.g., a metal).

[0043] exist Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, the body 72" may have an inclined surface or tray 76" extending from the proximal end 71A" to the distal end 71B", and the surface 76" slopes upward from the distal end 71B" to the proximal end 71A". The dispensing nozzle 210 can dispense liquid (e.g., a beverage) onto the surface 76" at or near the proximal end 71A" (e.g., by dripping the liquid onto the surface 76"), and the liquid can flow downward from the surface 76" to the distal end 71B", and fall from the distal end 71B" into the drinkware container C. In one embodiment, the surface 76" is substantially flat (e.g., planar). In another embodiment, the surface 76" has grooves or recessed channels (e.g., one or more grooves or channels) defined therein, extending between (e.g., from) the proximal end 71A" and the distal end 71B", and the liquid dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 210 can flow along the grooves or recessed channels of the surface 76" toward the distal end 71B", where the liquid is dispensed into the drinkware container C. Advantageously, when the liquid flows downward along the inclined surface 76", the grooves or channels can control the direction of the liquid, thereby inhibiting the liquid from leaving the surface 76" at a position other than above the drinkware container C. Advantageously, the cooling unit 150" having the surface 76" (with or without the grooves or channels) will be easy to clean after use. For example, the cooling unit 150" can be an accessory that can be removably installed in a beverage dispensing machine that includes the beverage dispensing unit 200, and at least a portion of the cooling unit 150", such as the body 72", can be removed from the beverage dispensing machine as needed and washed or cleaned in other suitable ways.

[0044] In another embodiment, the path that the dispensed liquid will take on the surface 76" will be different from (e.g., from) a straight path between the proximal end 71A" and the distal end 71B". For example, the path can be curved (e.g., zigzag, maze-shaped) between the proximal end 71A" and the distal end 71B", which can advantageously allow the liquid to contact the cooling surface 76" for a longer time compared to a straight path, thereby reaching the desired dispensing temperature at the distal end 71B". In one embodiment, the cooling unit 150" cools the liquid dispensed on the surface 76" for a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes) as the beverage flows along the surface 76" before being dispensed from the distal end 71B" into the drinkware container C.

[0045] In another embodiment, the path that the dispensed liquid will take from the proximal end 71A" to the distal end 71B" will pass through one or more channels or conduits defined within the body 72". In this embodiment, the liquid will not flow on the surface 76", but will instead flow within channels or conduits within the body 72". In one embodiment, the path may be a straight path between (e.g., from) the proximal end 71A" and the distal end 71B". In another embodiment, the path may be a curved (e.g., zigzag, maze-shaped) path between (e.g., from) the proximal end 71A" and the distal end 71B".

[0046] The cooling unit 150" may include one or more thermoelectric modules (e.g., Peltier elements) 26' (e.g., multiple separate modules) that are in thermal contact with the body 72" of the cold side heat sink 70" and in contact with one or more heat sink units 50' (hot side heat sink units). The cold side 27' of the one or more thermoelectric modules 26' may be in contact with the body 72", and the hot side 28' of the one or more thermoelectric modules 26' may be in contact with the surface 52' of the heat sink 54' (e.g., hot side heat sink) of the heat sink unit 50'. The heat sink 54' may have one or more (e.g., multiple) heat sinks. Optionally, the heat sink unit 50' has one or more fans 56' (e.g., multiple fans). The heat sink unit 50' may optionally have a connector 58' (e.g., a wall outlet connector) for connecting the heat sink unit 50' to a power source. In another embodiment, the heat sink unit 50' may instead have one or more batteries (e.g., repowerable batteries).

[0047] Continue to refer to Figure 5 In operation, the cooling unit 150" operates to extract heat from the body 72" (e.g., the surface 76"). Power is provided to one or more thermoelectric modules 26' (e.g., via connection to a wall outlet via connector 58', via one or more batteries in the cooling unit 150"), which operate to extract heat from the cold side heat sink 70" (e.g., cool the cold side heat sink 70"). The hot side of the thermoelectric module 26' transfers heat from the cold side heat sink 70" to the heat sink 54'. Optionally, one or more fans 56' can be operated to dissipate heat from the heat sink 54' and dissipate heat via fins in the heat sink 54'. When one or more thermoelectric modules 26' cool the cold side heat sink 70", the thermoelectric module 26' can optionally also power the PCM 74" (e.g., multiple PCM 74" volumes) in the body 72". In turn, the PCM 74" operates to remove heat from the body 72" (eg, cool the body 72").

[0048] Advantageously, one or more thermoelectric modules 26' energize the PCM 74" in the cold side heat sink 70", thereby enabling the cooling unit 150" to be used to cool the dispensed fluid flow (e.g., for continuous dispensing of liquid) for an extended period of time before the PCM 74" needs to be re-energized (e.g., by the thermoelectric module 26'). Energizing the PCM 74" as described above means causing the PCM 74" to transition from one state (e.g., liquid) to a second state (e.g., solid), such as by cooling the PCM 74" to below a transition temperature of the PCM 74". Optionally, the PCM 74" optionally has a lower transition temperature (e.g., a transition temperature less than 10 degrees Celsius, less than 5 degrees Celsius, etc.). For example, the transition temperature of the PCM 74" may be approximately 4 degrees Celsius (e.g., approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit).

[0049] The cooling unit 150" reduces the temperature of the beverage dispensed into the drinkware container C from the dispensing temperature T0 (e.g., 170F, 180F, 190F, etc.) at the dispensing nozzle 210 to a cooled drinking temperature T1 (e.g., 40F, 45F, 50F, 55F, etc.). In one embodiment, the cooling unit 150" reduces the temperature of the beverage to the cooled drinking temperature T1 in 5 minutes or less (e.g., 4 minutes or less, 3 minutes or less, 2 minutes or less, 1 minute or less, 30 seconds or less, approximately 15 seconds, etc.).

[0050] Figure 6 A cooling unit 150 ′″ is schematically shown, which is operable to cool a beverage dispensed from the beverage dispensing unit 200 via the dispensing nozzle 210 and direct the cooled beverage to a drinkware container C. Figure 6 Some features of the cooling unit 150'' in Figure 5 The features of the cooling unit 150 are similar to those of the cooling unit 150 in FIG. Therefore, except for the addition of ""'" to the reference numerals, Figure 5 The reference numerals used to designate the various components of the cooling unit 150 are the same as those in Figure 6 The reference numerals used to identify the corresponding components of the cooling unit 150" are the same. Therefore, except as described below, Figure 5 The structure and description of the various components of the cooling unit 150" are understood to also apply to Figure 6 Corresponding components of the cooling unit 150'' in.

[0051] The cooling unit 150'' is different from the cooling unit 15'' in that the main body 70'' does not include the PCM 74''. Figure 5As described, one or more thermoelectric modules 26' (e.g., Peltier elements) can be multiple thermoelectric modules 26' (e.g., 2 or more, 4 or more, 6 or more, 10 or more, about 12 to 15 thermoelectric modules) that are operable to absorb heat from the body 72'" (e.g., draw heat from the surface 76'") to cool the liquid dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 210 onto the surface 76'" from a dispensing temperature T0 to a cooled drinking temperature T1.

[0052] In another embodiment, the path that the dispensed liquid will take from the proximal end 71A"' to the distal end 71B"' will pass through one or more channels or conduits defined within the body 72"'. In this embodiment, the liquid will not flow on the surface 76"', but will flow within channels or conduits within the body 72"'. In one embodiment, the path can be a straight path between (e.g., from) the proximal end 71A"' and the distal end 71B"'. In another embodiment, the path can be a curved (e.g., zigzag, maze-shaped) path between (e.g., from) the proximal end 71A"' and the distal end 71B"'.

[0053] Figure 7 Schematically shows Figure 6 A cooling unit 150"' is provided at least partially below the beverage dispensing unit 200 and is used to dispense liquid (e.g., cooled coffee, cooled tea) to a beverage dispenser such as Figure 1A Drinkware containers 100 or Figure 2 of the drinkware container. Optionally, when liquid is dispensed from the distal end 71B"' of the cooling unit 150"' into the drinkware container 100, 100', the drinkware container 100, 100' is arranged on the cooling unit 150". As described above, the cooling unit 150' is operable to remove (e.g., cool) heat from the drinkware containers 100, 100'. As previously described, in one embodiment, the cooling unit 150' can be incorporated into (e.g., become a part of, become an accessory that can be coupled to) a beverage dispensing machine (e.g., a coffee machine) that includes the beverage dispensing unit 200 and includes (e.g., as an accessory, removably accommodates) the cooling unit 150"'.

[0054] In one embodiment, the drinkware container 100, 100' is placed on a cooling unit 150' (of a beverage dispensing machine). Optionally, after such placement of the drinkware container 100, 100', the beverage dispensing machine may start (e.g., automatically start) a beverage brewing process (e.g., via a sensor that senses the placement and transmits a signal to the electronics of the beverage dispensing machine to start the brewing process). The cooling unit 150' cools the drinkware container 100, 100'. In the case of the drinkware container 100', the cooling unit 150' energizes the PCM 22' in the drinkware container 100'. The brewed beverage is then dispensed (through the nozzle 210) onto the body 72'" (e.g., a cooling tray) at a brewing temperature T0 (e.g., 180F). As the liquid flows down the body 72'" toward the distal end 71B'" the liquid is cooled to a dispensing temperature T1 (e.g., 100F) and dispensed from the distal end 71B'" into the drinkware containers 100, 100'. The cooling drinkware containers 100, 100' further cool the liquid to a desired drinking temperature T2 (e.g., iced coffee or iced tea drinking temperatures such as 40F, 45F, 50F, etc.). In another embodiment, the cooling unit 150'" may cool the liquid to a desired drinking temperature T2 before dispensing the liquid from the distal end 71B'". The drinkware containers 100, 100' may then be removed from the cooling unit 150' (e.g., from a beverage dispenser). The drinkware container 100, 100' (eg, PCM 22') will continue to keep the beverage in a chilled state for an extended period of time (eg, about 4 hours, about 3 hours, about 2 hours, about 1 hour, about 30 minutes, about 15 minutes).

[0055] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8B Schematically illustrated is a cooling unit 150"" (eg, a cooling rack) operable to cool one or more drinkware containers 100". Fig. 8A A cooling unit 150"" is shown for cooling a single drinkware container 100" at a time. Figure 8B A cooling unit 150" is shown for cooling more than one (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) drinkware containers 100" at a time. Certain components of the cooling unit 150" are shown. Figure 1A The components of the cooling unit 150 are similar. Therefore, FIG. 8A to FIG. 8B The reference numerals used to designate certain components of the cooling unit 150"" are the same as those in Figure 1A The same reference numerals are used to identify corresponding components of the cooling unit 150. Therefore, except as described below, Figure 1A The structure and description of certain components of the cooling unit 150 in the embodiment of the present invention should be understood to also apply to Figures 8A to 8B Corresponding components of the cooling unit 150”” in.

[0056] The cooling unit 150"" has a heat sink 80 (e.g., a cold side heat sink) thermally coupled to the cold side 27 of one or more thermoelectric elements 26. In one embodiment, the heat sink 80 may optionally have one or more volumes (e.g., multiple volumes) of a phase change material (PCM) (e.g., similar to Figure 2 The heat sink 80 may be used as a reservoir (e.g., a cold reservoir) via the phase change material (PCM), so that the heat sink 80 cools more than one drinkware container 100" sequentially (e.g., one after another). The hot side 28 of the one or more thermoelectric elements 26 is thermally coupled to one or more heat sinks 54 (e.g., hot side heat sinks) of the heat sink unit 50. Optionally, the cooling unit 150"" has one or more fans 56, which are operable to dissipate heat from the one or more heat sinks 54 and dissipate heat via one or more heat sinks of the one or more heat sinks 54. The cooling unit 150"" may optionally include a power connector 58 that can be connected to a wall outlet. Optionally, the cooling unit 150"" may be powered by one or more batteries.

[0057] The cold side heat sink 80 may have an elongated body sized to extend into the chamber 16" of the drinkware container 100" when the container 100" is inverted and placed above the cold side heat sink 80. Optionally, the drinkware container 100" has a PCM portion 22", which is in thermal contact (e.g., direct contact) with at least a portion of the cold side heat sink 80 (e.g., an end thereof). In one embodiment, the cavity between the inner wall 16A" and the outer wall 11" in the drinkware container 100" can be in a vacuum state. Optionally, the PCM portion 22" is defined to be adjacent to the base wall 16B" of the drinkware container 100" (e.g., only defined to be adjacent to the base wall 16B"). In another embodiment, the PCM portion 22" is defined to be adjacent to at least a portion of the inner wall 16A" and the base wall 16B" (e.g., along the entire base wall 16B" and the inner wall 16B" as with the drinkware container 100', similar to Figure 2 Optionally, the drinkware container 100" may have a heat sink (similar to the heat sink 20' in the container 100') adjacent to the PCM 22" (e.g., such that the PCM 22" is disposed between the heat sink and the chamber 16". Optionally, an air gap is defined between an outer surface of the cold side heat sink 80 and an inner wall 16A" of the drinkware container 100".

[0058] The cooling unit 150"" is operable to cool the drinkware container 100" when it is placed (upside down) on the heat sink 80. For example, one or more thermoelectric elements 26 can draw heat from the heat sink 80 and transfer the heat to one or more heat sinks 54, where the heat can be dissipated by the fins of the heat sink 54 and / or the operation of one or more fans 56. The cooled heat sink 80 can cool at least a portion of the drinkware container 100". For example, the cooled heat sink 80 can cool at least the base wall 16B" and the inner wall 16A". by conduction through the base wall 16B". Optionally, the cooled heat sink 80 can energize the PCM 22" (e.g., causing it to transition from one state to another state in which it can absorb heat when heated liquid is poured into the chamber 16" and then cool or maintain the beverage at a cool drinking temperature, such as 40F, 45F, etc.). The PCM 22" advantageously enables the drinkware container 100" to maintain a beverage poured into the drinkware container 100" in a cool state for an extended period of time (e.g., while commuting, at work, at a cafe).

[0059] In one embodiment, the cooling unit 150"" (e.g., a cooling rack) can be an appliance that can be placed or stored on a counter (e.g., a kitchen counter, a cafe counter), wherein one or more drinkware containers 100" are placed on the cooling unit 150"" to keep them in a cooled state ready for use.

[0060] Although the cooling unit 150"" is described and illustrated above in conjunction with the drinkware container 100", those skilled in the art will recognize that other drinkware containers described herein (e.g., drinkware containers 100, 100') may also be used with the cooling unit 150"" and that such combinations are contemplated in the present disclosure.

[0061] Fig. 9 Schematically shows Figure 6 A cooling unit 150"' is arranged at least partially below the beverage dispensing unit 200 and is used to dispense liquid (e.g., cooled coffee, cooled tea) into a drinkware container, such as Figures 8A to 8B Drinkware container 100", and with Figures 8A to 8B The cooling unit 150"" is used in combination. Optionally, the above combination FIG. 8A to FIG. 8BAs described, the drinkware container 100" is cooled on the cooling unit 150"" and then is arranged to receive the dispensed liquid from the distal end 71B"' of the cooling unit 150"'. As previously described, the beverage dispensing unit 200 can dispense the beverage onto the body 72" (e.g., a cooling tray) of the cooling unit 150" through the nozzle 210 at or near the proximal end 71A" at a first temperature T0 (e.g., a beverage brewing temperature), and the liquid can flow down along the body 70" to the distal end 71B", and be dispensed into the drinkware container 100" at a second temperature T1 (lower than the first temperature T0). The drinkware container 100" can maintain the liquid at the second temperature T1, or further cool the liquid to a third temperature T2 (lower than the second temperature T1). Optionally, as described above, the drinkware container 100" can maintain the liquid in a cooled state for a long time (e.g., via the PCM 22".

[0062] Figure 10 to Figure 11 A unit 300 (eg, a cooling unit) is schematically shown that is operable to cool a container 100″′ (eg, a drinkware container that directly holds a liquid therein, a container that holds and retains another container therein). Certain features of the container 100″′ are similar to those of the Figures 1A to 2 The features of the containers 100, 100' are similar. Therefore, except for adding ""'" to the reference numerals, Figures 1A to 2 The reference numerals used to designate the various components of the container 100, 100' are the same as those in Figures 10 to 11 The same reference numerals are used to identify corresponding components of the container 100''. Therefore, except as described below, Figures 1A to 2 The structures and descriptions of the various components of the containers 100, 100' in the drawings should be understood to also apply to Figure 10 to Figure 11 Corresponding components of the container 100"'.

[0063] The container 100"' extends from an opening 13"' at the proximal end 12"' to a distal end 14"' and has an outer wall 11"' spaced apart from the inner wall 16A"' to define a cavity 18"' therebetween. Optionally, the cavity 18"' is under a vacuum to insulate the inner wall 16A"' and the outer wall 11"' from each other. In another embodiment, the cavity 18"' is filled with air. In another embodiment, the cavity 18"' is at least partially filled with an insulating material (e.g., foam). In one embodiment, the container 100"' (e.g., inner wall 16A"', base wall 16B"', outer wall 11"') are made of the same material (e.g., a metal such as stainless steel; a plastic material, a ceramic-coated metal material). In another embodiment, the inner wall 16A"' and the base wall 16B"' are made of a different material (e.g., stainless steel) than the outer wall 11"' (e.g., plastic, ceramic, ceramic-coated metal).

[0064] The container 100'" has a chamber 16'" defined by an inner wall 16A'" and a base wall 16B'"'. The container 100'" optionally also has a phase change material (PCM) 22'"' that is arranged to be thermally connected (e.g., indirect contact / direct contact) with one or both of the inner wall 16A'" and the base wall 16B'" (e.g., in one or more layers, in a space within a channel in the cavity 18'"). The PCM 22'" may optionally be a solid-liquid PCM. In another embodiment, the PCM 22'" may optionally be a solid-solid PCM. In another embodiment, the container 100'" may have a heat sink (similar to the heat sink 20' in the container 100') that is arranged to be thermally connected to the PCM 22'" (e.g., such that the PCM 22'" is inserted between the heat sink and the inner wall 16A'" and / or the base wall 16B'").

[0065] In one embodiment, container 100'" can hold a liquid beverage (e.g., coffee, tea, water, milk, juice, smoothie, beer, wine, distilled spirits) in chamber 16'" and maintain the liquid beverage at a cool temperature T1 (e.g., 40F, 45F, 50F, 55F, etc.) for a long time (e.g., 6 hours or less, 4 hours or less, 2 hours or less, about 1 hour, about 30 minutes, etc.).

[0066] In another embodiment, container 100'" can accommodate a receiver / container / vessel (not shown, e.g., bottle, baby bottle) that itself holds a liquid (e.g., coffee, tea, water, milk, breast milk, infant formula, juice, smoothie, beer, wine, distilled spirits) in chamber 16'" and maintains the liquid in the receiver / container in a cooled state (e.g., at a cooled temperature of 40F, 45F, 50F, 55F, etc.) for an extended period of time (e.g., 6 hours or less, 4 hours or less, 2 hours or less, about 1 hour, about 30 minutes, etc.). In one embodiment, the receiver / container is held in chamber 16'" in a press-fit manner (e.g., in contact with inner wall 16A'"). In another embodiment, a lid (not shown) is attached to the open end 13"' of the container 100"' (e.g., via one or more magnets in the lid and / or container 100"', via a threaded connection between the lid and container 100"', via a keyway mechanism in the lid and / or container 100"'), and the container 100"' retains the receiver / container within the chamber 16"'. In one embodiment, the container 100"' covers at least a portion of the length of the receiver / container. In another embodiment, the container 100"' covers the entire length of the receiver / container.

[0067] The unit 300 has a body 305 having a platform 315 and one or more docking portions 310. Optionally, the docking portion 310 is recessed relative to a surface 315A of the platform 315. As discussed further below, the body can also have one or more openings 340 that allow air to flow into and out of the body 305. The one or more docking portions 310 can receive a container 100"' thereon in an inverted orientation such that the open end 13"' of the container 100"' is adjacent to (e.g., in contact with) a surface of the docking portion 310. Each docking portion 310 can have one or more openings 320 located thereon (see Fig.11 ) such that when the container 100'" is placed upside down on the docking portion 310, the opening 320 faces the chamber 16'" of the container 100'"'. In one embodiment, the weight of the container 100'" holds it in place above the docking portion 310. In another embodiment, the container 100'" is coupled to the docking portion 310 via one or more magnets (e.g., located in the container 100'" and / or the platform 315, such as in the edge of the container 100'" or below the docking portion 310). In another embodiment, the container 100'" is mechanically coupled to the docking portion 310 (e.g., via a hook / slot mechanism or a threaded connection defined in one or both of the container 100'" and the docking portion 310 in a twist-lock manner).

[0068] The unit 300 has one or more first heat sinks (e.g., cold side heat sinks) 370 disposed in the body 305, one or more second heat sinks (e.g., hot side heat sinks) 350 disposed in the body 305, and one or more thermoelectric elements (TEC) 326 (e.g., Peltier elements) that are thermally connected (e.g., in direct contact) with the one or more first heat sinks 370 and the one or more second heat sinks 350 and inserted therebetween. The unit 300 also has one or more fans 380 that are fluidly connected to the one or more first heat sinks 370. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more fans 380 are disposed within (e.g., integrated between) the first portion 372 and the second portion 374 of the first heat sink 370 (e.g., integrated into the central portion of the first heat sink 370). However, the one or more fans 380 may be located at other locations in the body 305 relative to the one or more first heat sinks 370.

[0069] In operation, the one or more TECs 326 are operated to absorb heat from the one or more first heat sinks 370 and transfer the heat to the one or more second heat sinks 350 to reduce the temperature of the one or more first heat sinks 370 (e.g., cool the one or more first heat sinks 370). The one or more fans 380 are operated to flow air across one or more surfaces (e.g., fins) of the one or more first heat sinks 370, thereby cooling the air. In one embodiment, the one or more first heat sinks 370 are cooled to a temperature of approximately 10F to 50F and cool the air flowing through them to a temperature of approximately 10F to 50F. The cooled air is directed into the chamber 16'" of the container 100'" through one or more openings 320, where it cools the inner wall 16A'" and / or the base wall 16B'" of the container 100'"'. The cooled air also energizes the PCM 22'" (e.g., causes the PCM 22'" to transition from one state to another, such as from a liquid to a solid), causing the PCM 22'" to absorb heat once a heated liquid or object (e.g., a container) is placed in the chamber 16'" of the container 100'"'. The cooled air may exit the chamber 16'" via one or more openings (not shown) in the docking portion 310 and exit the body 305 via one or more openings 340. In another embodiment, the container 100'" may be placed in a freezer or cooler (e.g., a cooler of a refrigerator) to cool the container 100'" and energize the PCM 22'".

[0070] In another embodiment, the unit 300 can be operated to heat the air injected into the chamber 16'" of the container 100'" to heat the inner wall 16A'" and thus heat the PCM 22'" (e.g., to keep a beverage or receiver / container later placed in the chamber 16'" in a heated state for a longer period of time). For example, one or more TECs 326 can be operated to absorb heat from one or more second heat sinks 350 and transfer the heat to one or more first heat sinks 370. Then, one or more fans 380 can be operated to flow air over one or more surfaces of the one or more first heat sinks 370 to heat the air flow, and the heated air can be injected into the chamber 16'" through one of the plurality of openings 320.

[0071] In some embodiments, the cooling unit 150, 150', 150", 150'", 300 is a stand-alone unit that is independent of (e.g., not integrated into) the beverage preparation and / or dispensing machine. As described above, in other embodiments, the cooling unit 150, 150', 150", 150'", 300 is optionally integrated into (e.g., integrated with, incorporated as a part of, coupled to, removably coupled to) a beverage dispensing machine (e.g., a coffee brewing and / or machine, a tea brewing and / or machine, an infant formula preparation and / or dispensing machine, a beer or wine dispensing machine, a distilled spirits dispensing machine, a water dispensing machine such as carbonated water, a smoothie preparation and / or dispensing machine, a squeezed juice preparation and / or dispensing machine, etc.). Alternatively, these components may be added to an existing beverage dispensing machine in a modular fashion (e.g., incorporating one of cooling units 150", 150"' but not cooling units 150, 150"; incorporating one of cooling units 150, 150' but not cooling units 150", 150"'; incorporating one of cooling units 150, 150' and one of cooling units 150", 150"'; incorporating cooling unit 300, etc.). Optionally, the electronics in the beverage dispensing machine may control cooling unit 150 , 150', 150", 150"', 300, such as providing power to and / or operating one or more thermoelectric modules 26, 26', 326 (e.g., turning them on or off, or adjusting the power to each), providing power to and / or operating one or more fans 56, 56", 380 (e.g., turning them on or off, or adjusting the power to each), and providing power to and / or operating a distribution unit (e.g., distribution unit 200), such as turning it on or off.

[0072] In the above embodiments, any combination of cooling units 150, 150', 150", 150'" and / or 300 advantageously reduces the temperature of a beverage dispensed from a beverage dispensing unit (e.g., beverage dispensing unit 200) from a dispensing temperature T0 to a temperature T1 (e.g., 50F, 60F, 80F, 100F, 170F, 180F, 190F, etc.) that is lower than the dispensing temperature. In one embodiment, temperature T1 is a desired cooled drinking temperature (e.g., 40F, 45F, 50F, 55F, etc.). In another embodiment, temperature T1 is higher than the desired cooled drinking temperature, and the drinkware container 100, 100", 100", 100'" further reduces the temperature of the liquid to a second temperature T2 that is lower than temperature T1, wherein second temperature T2 is the desired cooled drinking temperature.

[0073] In one embodiment, any combination of cooling units 150, 150', 150", 150'" and / or 300 advantageously reduce the temperature of the beverage from the dispensing temperature T0 to the second temperature T1 in 5 minutes or less (e.g., in 4 minutes or less, 3 minutes or less, 2 minutes or less, 1 minute or less, 30 seconds or less, about 15 seconds, about 10 seconds, about 5 seconds, etc.). As described above, once the liquid is dispensed into the drinkware container 100, 100', 100", 100'", the heat sink 20, 20' and / or PCM 22', 22", 22'" in the drinkware container 100, 100', 100", 100'" is used to maintain the liquid at a cooled drinking temperature for a long time.

[0074] Although the above embodiments describe systems and methods for delivering a cooled beverage to a drinkware container and for the drinkware container to maintain the liquid in a cooled state, those skilled in the art will recognize that the above-described systems and methods for delivering / storing beverages and containers can be used to heat or maintain the beverage in a heated state, and such embodiments are contemplated in the present disclosure. For example, one or more thermoelectric elements 26, 26', 326 can be operated in a reverse manner to heat a heat sink in contact with the container to heat the container. Such a process can be used to preheat the container (e.g., using unit 150, 150', 150"", 300) before the container receives a brewed beverage to extend the heated state of the beverage dispensed into the container. In addition, the unit 150", 150"' can be operated (by operating one or more thermoelectric elements 26' in a reverse polarity manner) to heat the liquid dispensed from the nozzle 210 and then deliver it to the drinkware container.

[0075] Additional Embodiments

[0076] In some embodiments, a drinkware system is provided. The drinkware system includes a drinkware container having a container body extending between a proximal end and a distal end of a bottom wall. The container body has an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall is spaced inwardly from the outer wall to define a cavity therein, and the inner wall extends between an opening at the proximal end of the container body and a base wall. The inner wall and the base wall define a chamber configured to accommodate and hold a liquid, the bottom wall is spaced below the base wall, and a radiator is disposed in the cavity to be thermally connected to one or both of the inner wall and the base wall. The drinkware system also includes a cooling unit configured to removably receive the drinkware container thereon and operable to cool the radiator in the drinkware container and one or both of the inner wall and / or the base wall of the drinkware container. The cooling unit includes: a first heat sink configured to contact a bottom wall of the drinkware container when the drinkware container is placed on the cooling unit; one or more thermoelectric modules thermally connected to the first heat sink; and a second heat sink thermally connected to the one or more thermoelectric modules such that the one or more thermoelectric modules are inserted between the first heat sink and the second heat sink. The one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to absorb heat from the first heat sink and transfer the heat to the second heat sink to cool the first heat sink, and the cooled first heat sink absorbs heat from the drinkware container to cool the drinkware container.

[0077] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the drinkware container is removably coupled to the cooling unit via one or more magnets in one or both of the drinkware container and the cooling unit.

[0078] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more magnets in the cooling unit are electromagnets operable to couple and decouple the drinkware container from the cooling unit.

[0079] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first heat sink comprises one or more PCM portions, and the one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to power the one or more PCM portions, thereby causing the cooling unit to cool a plurality of drinkware containers placed thereon in a sequential manner.

[0080] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, further comprising one or more fans in the cooling unit, the one or more fans operable to dissipate heat from the second heat sink.

[0081] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a power connector connectable to a wall outlet to provide power to the cooling unit.

[0082] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising a PCM portion in the drinkware container, the PCM portion being configured to be thermally connected to a heat sink in the drinkware container and to be thermally connected to one or both of an inner wall and a base wall of the drinkware container, the PCM portion being configured to keep liquid dispensed into the chamber in a cooled state for a long period of time.

[0083] In some embodiments, a drinkware system includes a cooling unit configured to receive a beverage from a beverage dispensing unit at a first temperature and cool the beverage to a second temperature lower than the first temperature before the beverage is dispensed into a drinkware container. The cooling unit includes a first radiator configured to receive the dispensed beverage at a proximal end of the first radiator and extend between the proximal end and the distal end, the first radiator having an inclined surface that slopes upward from the distal end to the proximal end. The cooling unit includes: one or more thermoelectric modules, thermally connected to the first radiator; and a second radiator, thermally connected to the one or more thermoelectric modules, so that the one or more thermoelectric modules are inserted between the first radiator and the second radiator. The one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to absorb heat from the first radiator and transfer the heat to the second radiator to cool the first radiator, and the cooled first radiator cools the beverage as the beverage flows along a path between the proximal end and the distal end.

[0084] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the path is one of a straight path and a curved path.

[0085] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the path is defined by one or more conduits or one or more channels or grooves in the first heat sink.

[0086] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the first heat sink comprises one or more PCM portions, and the one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to power the one or more PCM portions, thereby enabling the cooling unit to cool liquid dispensed from the beverage dispensing unit in a sequential manner for a long period of time.

[0087] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, further comprising one or more fans in the cooling unit, the one or more fans operable to dissipate heat from the second heat sink.

[0088] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a power connector connectable to a wall outlet to provide power to the cooling unit.

[0089] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising a drinkware container having a container body extending between a proximal end and a distal end of a bottom wall. The container body has an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall and the outer wall are spaced inwardly to define a cavity therebetween, and the inner wall extends between an opening at the proximal end of the container body and a base wall. The inner wall and the base wall define a chamber configured to contain and hold a liquid, the bottom wall is spaced below the base wall, and a heat sink is disposed in the cavity and is thermally connected to one or both of the inner wall and the base wall. The second cooling unit is configured to removably receive the drinkware container thereon and is operable to cool the heat sink in the drinkware container and one or both of the inner wall and / or the base wall of the drinkware container. The second cooling unit includes: a third heat sink configured to contact the bottom wall of the drinkware container when the drinkware container is placed on the cooling unit; one or more thermoelectric modules thermally connected to the first heat sink; and a fourth heat sink thermally connected to the one or more thermoelectric modules, so that the one or more thermoelectric modules are inserted between the third heat sink and the fourth heat sink. The one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to absorb heat from the third heat sink and transfer the heat to the fourth heat sink to cool the third heat sink, and the cooled third heat sink absorbs heat from the drinkware container to cool the drinkware container.

[0090] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the drinkware container is removably coupled to the second cooling unit via one or more magnets in one or both of the drinkware container and the second cooling unit.

[0091] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more magnets in the second cooling unit are electromagnets operable to couple and decouple the drinkware container from the second cooling unit.

[0092] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the third heat sink comprises one or more PCM portions, and the one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to power the one or more PCM portions, thereby causing the second cooling unit to cool a plurality of drinkware containers placed thereon in a sequential manner.

[0093] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, further comprising one or more fans in the second cooling unit, the one or more fans operable to dissipate heat from the fourth heat sink.

[0094] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising a drinkware container having a container body extending between a proximal end and a bottom wall at a distal end, the container body having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall being spaced inwardly from the outer wall to define a cavity therebetween. The inner wall extends between an opening at the proximal end of the container body and a base wall, the inner wall and the base wall defining a chamber configured to receive and hold a liquid dispensed from the distal end, the bottom wall being spaced below the base wall.

[0095] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the drinkware container includes a heat sink disposed within the cavity in thermal communication with one or both of the inner wall and the base wall.

[0096] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the drinkware container further includes a PCM portion, the PCM portion being disposed in thermal communication with one or both of an inner wall and a base wall of the drinkware container, the PCM portion being configured to maintain liquid dispensed into the chamber in a cool state for a long period of time.

[0097] In some embodiments, a drinkware system includes a drinkware container having a container body extending between a proximal end and a bottom wall at a distal end, the container body having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall being spaced inwardly from the outer wall to define a cavity therebetween. The inner wall extends between an opening at the proximal end of the container body and a base wall, the inner wall and the base wall defining a chamber configured to contain and hold a liquid, the bottom wall being spaced below the base wall, and a PCM being disposed in the cavity in thermal communication with one or both of the inner wall and the base wall. The drinkware system includes a cooling unit configured to removably receive the drinkware container thereon in an inverted orientation and operable to cool the PCM in the drinkware container and one or both of the inner wall and / or the base wall of the drinkware container. The cooling unit includes: a first heat sink configured to contact one or both of a base wall and an inner wall of a drinkware container when the drinkware container is placed upside down on the cooling unit; one or more thermoelectric modules in thermal communication with the first heat sink; and a second heat sink in thermal communication with the one or more thermoelectric modules such that the one or more thermoelectric modules are inserted between the first heat sink and the second heat sink. The one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to absorb heat from the first heat sink and transfer the heat to the second heat sink to cool the first heat sink, the cooled first heat sink absorbs heat from the drinkware container to cool the drinkware container, and the one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to energize the PCM so that the drinkware container maintains a liquid subsequently dispensed therein in a cooled state.

[0098] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, further comprising one or more fans in the cooling unit, the one or more fans operable to dissipate heat from the second heat sink.

[0099] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a power connector connectable to a wall outlet to provide power to the cooling unit.

[0100] Some embodiments include the drinkware system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first heat sink is a plurality of first heat sinks, each first heat sink being configured to receive a drinkware container thereon in an inverted orientation.

[0101] In some embodiments, a heating or cooling system for a container is provided. The system includes a thermal unit having a body defining a platform and one or more docking stations on the platform, the body having one or more openings on the outer surface of the body through which air can pass. The thermal unit includes: a first radiator configured to be thermally connected to one or more surfaces of the body and / or one or more openings in one or more docking stations; one or more thermoelectric modules thermally connected to the first radiator; and a second radiator thermally connected to the one or more thermoelectric modules, so that the one or more thermoelectric modules are inserted between the first radiator and the second radiator. The one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to extract heat from one of the first radiator and the second radiator and transfer heat to the other of the first radiator and the second radiator, thereby cooling or heating the first radiator. One or more fans are in fluid communication with the first radiator and are configured to generate an air flow, the air flow flows through the first radiator and passes through one or more openings in one or more docking stations, and the air flow is cooled or heated when it flows through the first radiator and passes through the one or more openings in the one or more docking stations.

[0102] Some embodiments include the heating or cooling system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the thermal unit is integrated into a beverage preparation and / or dispensing machine.

[0103] Some embodiments include the heating or cooling system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the beverage preparation and / or dispensing machine is a coffee or tea brewing and / or dispensing machine.

[0104] Some embodiments include the heating or cooling system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the beverage preparation and / or dispensing machine is an infant formula preparation and / or dispensing machine.

[0105] Some embodiments include the heating or cooling system of any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising one or more containers configured to be removably disposed inverted on one or more docking stations such that the cooled or heated air flows into the chamber of the container and cools or heats one or more inner surfaces of the container.

[0106] Some embodiments include the heating or cooling system of any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the container further includes a volume of phase change material, which is disposed between an inner wall of the container and an outer wall of the container, the inner wall being spaced apart from the outer wall, and the cooled or heated air energizes the phase change material so that it provides long-term cooling or heating for the contents subsequently placed in the chamber of the container.

[0107] Some embodiments include the heating or cooling system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the phase change material is in thermal contact with one or both of an inner wall of the container and a base wall of the container.

[0108] Some embodiments include the heating or cooling system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the container includes a cavity between an inner wall of the container and an outer wall of the container.

[0109] Some embodiments include the heating or cooling system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cavity is in a vacuum state.

[0110] Some embodiments include the heating or cooling system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the contents include a liquid in contact with one or more interior walls and a base wall of the container.

[0111] Some embodiments include the heating or cooling system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the contents include a receptacle insertable into the chamber of the container to be in thermal communication with the phase change material, the receptacle configured to receive and retain a liquid therein.

[0112] Some embodiments include the heating or cooling system of any one or more of the preceding embodiments, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive and hold one of cow's milk, breast milk, and infant formula therein.

[0113] Although certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, the novel methods and systems described herein can be implemented in a variety of other forms. For example, although the features disclosed herein are described as drinkware containers with cup or mug form factors, other form factors (e.g., beer glasses, wine glasses, water bottles, glass bottles) can also be considered. Moreover, the disclosed features are applicable to containers that are not drinkware containers (e.g., tableware such as plates and bowls, service serving vessels such as serving plates and hot plates, food storage containers such as tortilla heaters, bread baskets), and the present invention should be understood to be extended to such other containers. In addition, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, various omissions, substitutions and changes can be made to the systems and methods described herein. The attached claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications that will fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is limited only by reference to the attached claims.

[0114] Features, materials, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example should be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless inconsistent therewith. All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except that at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive combinations. Protection is not limited to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. 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.

[0115] In addition, certain features described in this disclosure in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination with a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination. In addition, although features may be described above as functioning in certain combinations, in some cases one or more features in a claimed combination may be deleted from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.

[0116] In addition, although operations can be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, it is not necessary to perform such operations in the particular order or sequence shown, or it is not necessary to perform all operations to obtain the desired result. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated into the exemplary methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously or between any of the operations. Further, in other embodiments, these operations can be rearranged or reordered. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the process shown and / or disclosed may be different from the steps shown in the figure. According to the embodiment, some of the above steps can be removed and other steps can be added. In addition, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above can be combined in different ways to form other embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the separation of the various system components in the above-mentioned embodiments should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0117] For purposes of the present disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not all of these advantages may be achieved according to any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be implemented or practiced in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages taught or suggested herein.

[0118] Unless expressly stated otherwise or otherwise understood in the context of use, conditional language such as "can," "can," "might," or "may" is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include certain features, elements, and / or steps, while other embodiments do not. Thus, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that one or more embodiments require such features, elements, and / or steps in any way, or to imply that one or more embodiments must include logic for determining, with or without user input or prompting, whether such features, elements, and / or steps are included or will be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0119] Unless expressly stated otherwise, connective language such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, and Z" can be understood in context as generally used to convey that an item, term, etc. can be X, Y, or Z. Thus, such connective language is generally not 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.

[0120] Language of degree as used herein, such as the terms "close to," "approximately," "generally," and "substantially" as used herein, represent values, quantities, or characteristics that are close to a specified value, quantity, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms "close to," "approximately," "generally," and "substantially" may refer to quantities that are less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, less than 0.01% of a specified quantity. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms "generally parallel" and "substantially parallel" refer to values, quantities, or characteristics that deviate from exact parallelism by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degrees.

[0121] The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosure of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be limited by the claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language used in the claims and not limited to the examples described in this specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples should be interpreted as non-exclusive.

Claims

1. A coffee machine, comprising: Cooling unit, including one or more volumes of thermal mass, the cooling unit being operable to cool at least a portion of the one or more volumes of thermal mass to provide a cold reservoir, and A channel in which a brewed beverage flows, the channel being in thermal communication with the one or more volumes of thermal mass, the one or more volumes of thermal mass cooling the brewed beverage as it flows in the channel to cool the brewed beverage prior to dispensing the brewed beverage.

2. The coffee machine of claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit comprises one or more thermoelectric modules in thermal communication with the one or more volumes of thermal mass, the one or more thermoelectric modules being operable to cool at least a portion of the one or more volumes of thermal mass.

3. The coffee maker of claim 1, wherein the one or more volumes of thermal mass include one or more volumes of phase change material, i.e., one or more volumes of PCM.

4. The coffee maker of claim 3, wherein the thermal mass of the one or more volumes comprises a thermal conductor disposed between and in thermal communication with the one or more volumes of phase change material and the channel. The coffee machine according to claim 4 , wherein the heat conductor is a metal body.

6. The coffee maker of claim 4, wherein the one or more volumes of phase change material are disposed in one or more cavities in the thermally conductive body.

7. The coffee maker of claim 1, wherein the channel includes an inclined surface.

8. The coffee maker of claim 2, further comprising a heat sink in contact with the one or more thermoelectric modules and one or more fans operable to flow air through the heat sink.

9. A beverage dispensing machine comprising: Cooling unit, including one or more volumes of thermal mass, the cooling unit being operable to cool at least a portion of the one or more volumes of thermal mass to provide a cold reservoir, and A flow passage is in thermal communication with the one or more volumes of thermal mass, through which a brewed beverage flows, the one or more volumes of thermal mass being configured to cool the brewed beverage to cool the brewed beverage prior to dispensing the brewed beverage.

10. The beverage dispenser of claim 9, wherein the cooling unit comprises one or more thermoelectric modules in thermal communication with the one or more volumes of thermal mass, the one or more thermoelectric modules being operable to freeze at least a portion of the one or more volumes of thermal mass.

11. The beverage dispenser of claim 9, wherein the one or more volumes of thermal mass comprise one or more volumes of phase change material, ie, one or more volumes of PCM.

12. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 11, wherein the thermal mass of the one or more volumes includes a heat conductor, which is arranged between the one or more volumes of phase change material and the flow channel and is thermally connected to the one or more volumes of phase change material and the flow channel.

13. The beverage dispensing machine according to claim 12, wherein the heat conductive body is a metal body.

14. The beverage dispenser of claim 12, wherein the one or more volumes of phase change material are disposed in one or more cavities in the thermally conductive body.

15. The beverage dispenser of claim 9, wherein the flow channel includes an inclined surface between a proximal end and a distal end of the flow channel.

16. The beverage dispenser of claim 10, further comprising a heat sink in contact with the one or more thermoelectric modules and one or more fans operable to flow air across the heat sink.

17. A cooling unit for a beverage dispensing machine, comprising: one or more volumes of thermal mass, the cooling unit being operable to energize at least a portion of the one or more volumes of thermal mass such that the one or more volumes of thermal mass are transformed from one state to another to provide a cold reservoir, and A channel along which the beverage flows, the channel being in thermal communication with the one or more volumes of thermal mass, the one or more volumes of thermal mass cooling the beverage as it flows along the channel to cool the beverage prior to dispensing the beverage.

18. The cooling unit of claim 17, further comprising one or more thermoelectric modules in thermal communication with the one or more volumes of thermal mass, the one or more thermoelectric modules operable to power at least a portion of the one or more volumes of thermal mass.

19. The cooling unit of claim 17, wherein the one or more volumes of thermal mass comprises one or more volumes of phase change material (PCM).

20. The cooling unit of claim 19, wherein the thermal mass of the one or more volumes comprises a thermal conductor disposed between and in thermal communication with the one or more volumes of phase change material and the channel, the channel comprising an inclined surface.

21. The cooling unit according to claim 20, wherein the heat conductor is a metal body.

22. The cooling unit of claim 20, wherein the one or more volumes of phase change material are disposed in one or more cavities in the thermally conductive body.

23. The cooling unit of claim 18, further comprising a heat sink in contact with the one or more thermoelectric modules and one or more fans operable to flow air across the heat sink.

24. A drinking utensil system, comprising: A drinkware container having a container body extending between a proximal end and a distal bottom wall, the container body having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall being spaced inwardly from the outer wall to define a cavity between the inner wall and the outer wall, the inner wall extending between an opening at the proximal end of the container body and a base wall, the inner wall and the base wall defining a chamber configured to receive and hold a liquid, the bottom wall being spaced below the base wall, and a heat sink disposed in the cavity in thermal communication with one or both of the inner wall and the base wall; as well as a cooling unit configured to removably receive the drinkware container thereon and operable to cool the heat sink in the drinkware container and one or both of the inner wall and / or the base wall of the drinkware container, the cooling unit comprising a first heat sink configured to contact the bottom wall of the drinking utensil container when the drinking utensil container is placed on the cooling unit, one or more thermoelectric modules in thermal communication with the first heat sink, and a second heat sink in thermal communication with the one or more thermoelectric modules such that the one or more thermoelectric modules are interposed between the first heat sink and the second heat sink, The one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to absorb heat from the first heat sink and transfer the heat to the second heat sink to cool the first heat sink, the cooled first heat sink absorbing heat from the drinkware container to cool the drinkware container.

25. The drinkware system of claim 24, wherein the drinkware container is removably coupled to the cooling unit via one or more magnets in one or both of the drinkware container and the cooling unit.

26. The drinkware system of claim 24, wherein the one or more magnets in the cooling unit are electromagnets operable to couple and decouple the drinkware container to the cooling unit.

27. The drinkware system of claim 24, wherein the first heat sink comprises one or more PCM portions, the one or more thermoelectric modules being operable to energize the one or more PCM portions to cause the cooling unit to cool a plurality of drinkware containers placed thereon in a sequential manner.

28. The drinkware system of claim 24, further comprising one or more fans in the cooling unit operable to dissipate heat from the second heat sink.

29. The drinkware system of claim 24, further comprising a power connector connectable to a wall outlet to provide power to the cooling unit.

30. The drinkware system of claim 24, further comprising a PCM portion in the drinkware container, the PCM portion being arranged to be in thermal communication with a heat sink in the drinkware container and in thermal communication with one or both of an inner wall and a base wall of the drinkware container, the PCM portion being configured to keep liquid dispensed into the chamber in a cooled state for a long period of time.

31. A heating or cooling system for a container, the system comprising: A thermal unit having a body defining a platform and one or more docking stations on the platform, the body having one or more openings on an outer surface of the body through which air passes, the thermal unit comprising a first heat sink configured to be in thermal communication with one or more surfaces of the body and / or one or more openings in the one or more docking stations, one or more thermoelectric modules in thermal communication with the first heat sink, and a second heat sink in thermal communication with the one or more thermoelectric modules such that the one or more thermoelectric modules are interposed between the first heat sink and the second heat sink, The one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to extract heat from one of the first heat sink and the second heat sink and transfer the heat to the other of the first heat sink and the second heat sink, thereby cooling or heating the first heat sink, and One or more fans are in fluid communication with the first heat sink and are configured to generate an air flow that flows over the first heat sink and through the one or more openings in the one or more docking stations, the air flow being cooled or heated as it flows over the first heat sink and through the one or more openings in the one or more docking stations.

32. System according to claim 31, wherein the thermal unit is integrated in a beverage preparation and / or dispensing machine.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the beverage preparation and / or dispensing machine is a coffee or tea brewing and / or dispensing machine.

34. The system of claim 31 , wherein the beverage preparation and / or dispensing machine is an infant formula preparation and / or dispensing machine.

35. The system of claim 31 , further comprising one or more containers configured to be removably disposed inverted on the one or more docking stations such that the cooled or heated air flows into the chamber of the container and cools or heats one or more inner surfaces of the container.

36. A system according to claim 31, wherein the container further includes a certain volume of phase change material, the phase change material is arranged between the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the container, the inner wall is spaced apart from the outer wall, and the cooled or heated air energizes the phase change material so that it provides long-term cooling or heating for the contents later placed in the chamber of the container.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the phase change material is in thermal contact with one or both of an inner wall of the container and a base wall of the container.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the container includes a cavity between an inner wall of the container and an outer wall of the container.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein the cavity is in a vacuum state.

40. The system of claim 36, wherein the contents include a liquid in contact with one or more interior walls and a base wall of the container.

41. The system of claim 36, wherein the contents include a receptacle insertable into the chamber of the container to be in thermal communication with the phase change material, the receptacle configured to receive and retain a liquid therein.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the receptacle is configured to contain and hold therein one of cow's milk, breast milk, and infant formula.

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