Spaced-apart elongate ribs formed on a floor of an upper surface of a coaster have sidewalls that each have a concave curved surface extending upward from the floor, and a convex curved surface extending upward from an upper end of the concave curved surface to a top of the rib. A radius of the concave curved surface is larger than a height of the rib. A lower surface of the coaster has spaced-apart nibs having surfaces formed as surfaces of rotation, each of which downwardly extends from a general lower surface of the coaster body to a bottom of the nib. A sidewall of the nib has a concave curved surface that extends downwardly from the general surface, and a convex curved surface that extends downwardly from a lower end of the concave curved surface to the bottom of the nib. A radius of the concaved curved surface of the nib sidewall is greater than a height of the nib. The avoidance of crevasses, corners and channels in the coaster makes the coaster easier to keep clean.

Spaced-apart elongate ribs formed on a floor of an upper surface of a coaster have sidewalls that each have a concave curved surface extending upward from the floor, and a convex curved surface extending upward from an upper end of the concave curved surface to a top of the rib. A radius of the concave curved surface is larger than a height of the rib. A lower surface of the coaster has spaced-apart nibs having surfaces formed as surfaces of rotation, each of which downwardly extends from a general lower surface of the coaster body to a bottom of the nib. A sidewall of the nib has a concave curved surface that extends downwardly from the general surface, and a convex curved surface that extends downwardly from a lower end of the concave curved surface to the bottom of the nib. A radius of the concaved curved surface of the nib sidewall is greater than a height of the nib. The avoidance of crevasses, corners and channels in the coaster makes the coaster easier to keep clean.

An active foodware system includes a visual-stimulating component for displaying information related to a plurality of sensing components, such as load cells, sensing weight of food on respective dining surfaces of supporting dining plates. A mechanical structure supports and positions the dining plates in a constrained relationship to each other, and cavities in the mechanical structure may unattachedly mate with the dining plates. A wireless communication component wirelessly sends weight data to the visual-stimulating component, such as a mobile phone or tablet computer. The system is configured to determine calories of the food, and the system may include a camera for sensing the food or a diner. The visual-stimulating component may display information other than information provided by a scale, and auditory and haptic stimuli may also be provided.

A tableware system is provided that includes a placemat with non-integrated tableware. The placemat includes a substantially planar bottom surface that forms a partial vacuum when provided in contact with an underlying surface and a first fastening mechanism provided at a top surface of the placemat. The tableware includes a second fastening mechanism that corresponds to the first fastening mechanism, the second fastening mechanism being detachably coupled to the first fastening mechanism. A lid is provided that secures to the tableware and includes another first fastening mechanism provided at a top surface thereof. A lock is provided that fixedly secures the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism. The lock may include a release mechanism that disengages the lock upon application of a force thereto. Alternatively, the lock may be removable by a separate tool that disengages the lock to allow the tableware and the placemat to be detached.

A tableware system is provided that includes a placemat with non-integrated tableware. The placemat includes a substantially planar bottom surface that forms a partial vacuum when provided in contact with an underlying surface and a first fastening mechanism provided at a top surface of the placemat. The tableware includes a second fastening mechanism that corresponds to the first fastening mechanism, the second fastening mechanism being detachably coupled to the first fastening mechanism. A lid is provided that secures to the tableware and includes another first fastening mechanism provided at a top surface thereof. A lock is provided that fixedly secures the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism. The lock may include a release mechanism that disengages the lock upon application of a force thereto. Alternatively, the lock may be removable by a separate tool that disengages the lock to allow the tableware and the placemat to be detached.

An article for holding foodstuff. The article comprises a receptacle (4) having a wall with an inner surface for holding the foodstuff and an opposite outer surface. The wall is formed of a first material, such as a ceramic material, having a first thermal conductivity. The articles also has a shell (1; 5) spaced apart from the outer surface of the receptacle such as to define an interstitial chamber (2, 3) between the shell and the outer surface of the receptacle. The shell is at least partially formed of a ceramic material with a second thermal conductivity. Within the interstitial chamber, there is disposed a phase change material which abuts with at least the outer surface of the wall of the receptacle. The first thermal conductivity being greater than the second thermal conductivity, so as to allow for heat transfer through the wall to the phase change material, which will accumulate the heat.

A combination coaster and wiper device and method of operation provides a generally flat disc serves as both a coaster for supporting a drinking vessel, and a wiper for wiping debris from a surface. The device is fabricated from a heat transfer vinyl material. In other embodiments, the disc may be fabricated from a kalle material and recycled materials; and in other embodiments, about 80% pig intestine, about 20% cellulose, and miscellaneous recycled materials. The device is manufactured in three different diameters. In the operational use as a coaster, the device rests under a drinking vessel containing a beverage, absorbing condensate material. In the operational use as a wiper, the device is configured to have sufficient absorbency to wipe off the surface of a surface, such as interior of a vehicle. Each color of the device corresponds to a different surface for wiping to prevent cross contamination.

A combination coaster and wiper device and method of operation provides a generally flat disc serves as both a coaster for supporting a drinking vessel, and a wiper for wiping debris from a surface. The device is fabricated from a heat transfer vinyl material. In other embodiments, the disc may be fabricated from a kalle material and recycled materials; and in other embodiments, about 80% pig intestine, about 20% cellulose, and miscellaneous recycled materials. The device is manufactured in three different diameters. In the operational use as a coaster, the device rests under a drinking vessel containing a beverage, absorbing condensate material. In the operational use as a wiper, the device is configured to have sufficient absorbency to wipe off the surface of a surface, such as interior of a vehicle. Each color of the device corresponds to a different surface for wiping to prevent cross contamination.

A bottle holder with a body includes an upper portion; a base; a cup seat disposed in the upper portion; and one or more lighting elements, at least one of the lighting elements being disposed below the cup seat and oriented to direct light upward. The bottle holder further includes a cup removably positioned in the cup seat, the cup being constructed to support a bottle. The bottle holder may include a control system configured to control the one or more lighting elements and other electronic components that may optionally be included. A system for illuminating a container includes a bottle holder and a remote control unit constructed to communicate with a control unit of the bottle holder.

A beverage coaster with an integrated plant pot is disclosed, that is configured for watering a plant or plurality of plants with condensation from a beverage container. In an example, the beverage coaster includes a catch basin, and a lattice to support the beverage container above the catch basin, wherein condensation on the beverage container provides water to a reservoir adjacent the catch basin. The reservoir is configured as a plant pot to hold the plant or plurality of plants, and an aperture is provided between the catch basin and reservoir to transport the water that was the condensation from the catch basin to the reservoir for consumption by the plant or plurality of plants.