A portable thermal insulated apparatus for cooling or heating items stored therein. The thermal insulated apparatus includes a container having a lid that removably secures to an open first end thereof and a reservoir unit that removably secures to an open second end. The container includes an inner tube and an outer tube forming an insulated double-wall sealed at both ends in which the lid and reservoir unit can be connected thereto. The reservoir unit removably receives a thermal unit that provides cooling or heating to the contents of the container when affixed thereto. The thermal unit is separable from the reservoir unit, such that the thermal units are interchangeable as needed. In some embodiments, the thermal unit is directly securable to the lid and the second end of the container is permanently sealed.

A beverage vessel includes: a beverage container in which a beverage may be stored said beverage container having an upper opening by which beverage may be poured in and poured out of the beverage container and a wall extending from the opening to the bottom of the beverage container; a closure element adapted to be positioned in the upper opening of the beverage container; a light distribution element arranged at the closure element; and a light emitter positioned such that the light emitted by the light emitter passes at least a part of the volume of the beverage container before entering the light distribution element; wherein said closure element comprises a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism comprising at least three locking arms extending in radial direction of the beverage vessel to the beverage container, wherein each arm of the locking element comprises an elastic portion being elastic in the radial direction of the beverage vessel; the beverage container comprises at least one concave portion in the wall, said concave portion extending in radial direction of the beverage vessel; and said arms releasably engage in the concave portion in the wall for releasably locking the closure element to the beverage container.

Delivery of items has long been subject to degradation through pilfery, improper handling, or exposure to excessive environmental conditions. By providing items for delivery, or a mobile locker or secure container with the item for delivery, with an identifier readable and reportable by networked devices, custody of the item can be determined along with any degradation event. As a result, the providing source for the item and the receiving customers may be assured that the item delivered is provided in acceptable condition.

Induction-heated vessels, and processes for manufacturing induction-heated vessels and vessel components, are provided. The vessels can include a ceramic outer layer and a conductive heating element, which can be provided as a conductive glaze or coating, a conductive inner layer, or a label comprising a conductive element and an RFID tag, to allow the thermal transfer or conduction of heat from the heated surface directly to the contents of the vessel, while the ceramic outer layer of the vessel insulates the contents of the vessel. Also, systems and methods for heating and controlling induction-heated vessels and for tracking loyalty, use, and/or sales using RFID-enabled induction-heated vessels are provided.

Systems, devices, and techniques for producing audio for, or adding audio capability to, a collection box for delivery items that includes a user-operated door for putting items into the collection box. The system can include a processing subsystem, an audio transducer, a trigger device that is connected to, or that is part of, the door of the collection device, and a sensor. The sensor detects the trigger device when the trigger device is in close proximity (e.g., in contact), and the sensor is positioned such that it is in close proximity with the trigger device when the door is closed. In response to the trigger device moving out of close proximity, the sensor generates a signal to the processing system. In response, the processing system generates an audio signal that is converted to sound by the audio transducer, which can be heard outside of the collection box.

A system for improving a person's sleep includes a bedding layer having a plurality of individually controllable thermally adjustable zones, a plurality of temperature sensors, where at least one temperature sensor per thermally adjustable zone is dispersed throughout the bedding layer. Further, a controller is configured to control the heating power of each thermally adjustable zone, and detect in which the body presence is detected.

An entry device that is attachable to a door that pivots relative to a door frame to separate an outer area from an inner area is disclosed. The device has a compartment made of a flexible material having a first side and a second side. The flexible material has a front surface that faces the outer area and a back surface that extends into the inner area. At least one first attachment point is disposed along the first side that attaches the compartment to the door and at least one second attachment point is disposed along the second side that attaches the compartment to the door frame. According to the present invention, upon opening of the door, the compartment is configured to allow partial entry of an object to the inner area and prevent full entry by a person from the outer area. A first lock disposed along the first side configured to lock the door, wherein the first lock can be unlocked from the inner area and outer areas and a second lock disposed along the second side configured to lock the door frame, wherein the second lock can be unlocked from the inner area and outer areas.

A temperature controlled delivery appliance and a method of operating the same are provided. The temperature controlled delivery appliance includes a storage container, a climate control system for regulating the temperature within the storage container, and a controller for implementing a pre-conditioning method, which includes maintaining the storage container at a preconditioning temperature until a delivery notification is received, and operating the climate control system to regulate the container temperature to a target temperature upon receiving the delivery notification.

A system for secure delivery or collection of goods includes at least one lockable storage space, in which the temperature of the at least one storage space is independently controllable to provide any one of: ambient temperature; or chilled temperature; or frozen temperature on an as needed basis. Access to the storage space may be remotely programmable. A controller may be configured to set a temperature set point for the storage space based upon goods in a customer order that will be stored in the storage space.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to an assembly for preventing condensation on a surface of an object. The assembly may include a condensation mitigation device; a surface temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature; an ambient temperature sensor configured to sense an ambient temperature; and a humidity sensor configured to sense a humidity. The condensation mitigation device may be operably coupled to the surface temperature sensor, the ambient temperature sensor, and the humidity sensor. The condensation mitigation device may be configured to calculate a dewpoint temperature based on the ambient temperature and the humidity; repeat the calculation of the dewpoint temperature for different times; calculate a linear regression for the calculated dewpoint temperatures; and transmit a control signal to begin activating the condensation mitigation device based on the surface temperature, the current dewpoint temperature, and the linear regression for the calculated dewpoint temperatures.