Container with thermochromic indicator

Abstract

A beverage container having at least one surface visible to a user of the beverage container and a pattern formed of a thermochromic material that provides information to the user of the beverage container. In an exemplary embodiment, the information provided to the user includes the amount of Calories that will be used by a typical human that drinks the volume of the beverage remaining in the container at its current temperature.

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         16 . A method for indicating calorie burning potential related to consumption of a beverage comprising:
 applying a plurality of marks to the exterior of a beverage container using a thermochromic material having a single activation temperature range;   indicating on the exterior of the beverage container the number of calories potentially burned by a typical human that consumes the volume of beverage in the container indicated by the mark within the activation temperature range.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said beverage container is an aluminum can. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said beverage container is a cup or mug. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said beverage container is a bottle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said thermochromic material is applied as part of a label that is attached to the beverage container. 
     
     
         21 . A method for indicating caloric burning potential related to consumption of a beverage comprising:
 applying a thermochromic material to the exterior of a beverage container;   indicating on the exterior of the beverage container the number of calories potentially burned by a typical human that consumes the beverage in the container within the activation temperature range for the thermochromic material.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the thermochromic material has multiple activation temperature ranges and the number of calories indicated is specific to each activation temperature range. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said beverage container is an aluminum can. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said beverage container is a cup or mug. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said beverage container is a bottle. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said thermochromic material is applied as part of a label that is attached to the beverage container. 
     
     
         27 . A method for indicating calorie burning potential related to consumption of a beverage comprising:
 marking the exterior of a beverage container with a plurality of indicators;   applying a thermochromic material having multiple activation temperature ranges to the exterior of the beverage container in a pattern that relates to the indicators;   calculating the calorie burning potential for the volume of beverage relating to each indicator and each activation temperature range;   indicating on the exterior of the beverage container the number of calories potentially burned by a typical human that consumes the volume of the beverage in the container relating to each indicator within each activation temperature range.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said beverage container is an aluminum can. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said beverage container is a cup or mug. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said beverage container is a bottle. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said thcrmochromic material is applied as part of a label that is attached to the beverage container.