An article that can be formed into a sleeve or a coaster for a beverage container. The article includes: (a) a first sheet that is at least sufficiently flexible to be wrapped around the cylindrical body of the beverage container to position an inner surface of an end portion of the first sheet adjacent an outer surface of a tab portion of the first sheet to form an overlapping area between the end portion and the tab portion; (b) a first adhesive on a first portion of an inner surface of the first sheet, wherein the first portion is at least partially within the overlapping area; and (c) a second adhesive on a second portion of the inner surface of the first sheet, wherein the second portion is at least partially outside the overlapping area, and wherein the first adhesive and the second adhesive can be the same or different.

A kit for use with a beverage includes: a sleeve, an interior plate, an engaging feature, a connector, and a support element. The sleeve forms an interior volume dimensioned to contain a beverage. The interior plate is located within the interior volume. The engaging feature is located outside the interior volume and includes an upper sidewall and a lower sidewall. The connector penetrates the bottom and interconnects the interior plate and the engaging feature. Lastly, the support element includes a receiving feature shaped to engage with the engaging feature such that at least part of the receiving feature is positioned between the upper sidewall and the lower sidewall. Configured in this manner, the support element, which may be in the form of a serving tray, is capable of safely and securely supporting beverages in an upright position.

An apparatus for heating beverages is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base and a container for holding liquids. The base has a heater plate that is heated by one or more heater elements attached to the heater plate. A power source in the base provides electricity to the heater elements. The base is removably attachable to the container. The container has an inner cup that sits inside a chassis. The inner cup is made of metal and has an open top for receiving liquid, a circumferential wall, and a closed bottom. The chassis has an open top for receiving a liquid, a circumferential wall, and an open bottom. When the container is attached to the base, the closed bottom of the inner cup is configured to contact the heater plate and receive heat from the heater plate.

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 system having a beverage coaster with a receiving coil that can be magnetically coupled or decoupled from a driving coil in a counter, table, bar, and the like. The coaster may be magnetically coupled to the table by moving the coaster into an area where the driving coil generates a magnetic field of sufficient strength. The coaster also includes a switch that activated or deactivated based on its proximity to a magnet in the table. The coaster has a metallic plate on which may be positioned a beverage container. The plate is thermally and mechanically coupled to a Peltier cell that either cools or heats the plate, depending on the state of the switch. A thermostat prevents beverage overheating. A second magnetic switch powers the driving coil only if the coaster is present and aligned with the driving coil.

An article that can be formed into a sleeve or a coaster for a beverage container. The article includes: (a) a first sheet that is at least sufficiently flexible to be wrapped around the cylindrical body of the beverage container to position an inner surface of an end portion of the first sheet adjacent an outer surface of a tab portion of the first sheet to form an overlapping area between the end portion and the tab portion; (b) a first adhesive on a first portion of an inner surface of the first sheet, wherein the first portion is at least partially within the overlapping area; and (c) a second adhesive on a second portion of the inner surface of the first sheet, wherein the second portion is at least partially outside the overlapping area, and wherein the first adhesive and the second adhesive can be the same or different.

A thermal exchange food processing device includes a thermal conductive body, a thermal insulation layer and a phase change material. The thermal conductive body has an acting region and an inner thermal conductive region corresponding to, and in thermal connection with, the acting region. The thermal insulation layer has a lower thermal conductivity coefficient than the thermal conductive body and encapsulates, at least in part, the thermal conductive body, so that the acting region of the thermal conductive body is exposed while the remaining regions of the thermal conductive body other than the acting region are thermally insulated from ambient temperature. The thermal conductive body, alone or together with the thermal insulation layer, defines an accommodation space, and the inner thermal conductive region is situated to face the accommodation space. The phase change material is within the accommodation space.

A system having a beverage coaster with a receiving coil that can be magnetically coupled or decoupled from a driving coil in a counter, table, bar, and the like. The coaster may be magnetically coupled to the table by moving the coaster into an area where the driving coil generates a magnetic field of sufficient strength. The coaster also includes a switch that activated or deactivated based on its proximity to a magnet in the table. The coaster has a metallic plate on which may be positioned a beverage container. The plate is thermally and mechanically coupled to a Peltier cell that either cools or heats the plate, depending on the state of the switch.