Place-mat/mat keeping food and beverages warm

Abstract

A place-mat/mat having an integrated heating area is used to keep food and beverages warm, making food and beverages more enjoyable to eat or drink, and may also function/be used simultaneously as furniture, such as a place-mat. The integrated heating area employs a phase-change material (PCM). The PCM such as preferably a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate is provided as a reusable heat reservoir and warmer. The place-mat/mat is directly placed under a plate/container in which the food or beverage is served or located.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A place-mat/mat keeping food and beverages warm and prevent the cooling of food and beverages, comprising: a place-mat/mat with an integrated heating area, wherein said place-mat/mat is appointed to be placed under a plate/container in which the food or beverage is served or located. 
     
     
         2 . The place-mat/mat as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said heating area employs a phase-change material (PCM) such as a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate, serving as a heat reservoir and warmer. 
     
     
         3 . The place-mat/mat as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said heating area may employ a flat disc of notched ferrous metal, which triggers the liquid (a phase-change material (PCM) such as a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate). 
     
     
         4 . The place-mat/mat as recited by  claim 3 , wherein said disc is embedded in the liquid (a phase-change material (PCM) such as a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate). 
     
     
         5 . The place-mat/mat as recited by  claim 3 , wherein said disc may have a limited room of movability. 
     
     
         6 . The place-mat/mat as recited by  claim 1 , which is microwave-resistant, oven-resistant and thus heat-resistant. 
     
     
         7 . A place-mat/mat being able to keep a food or beverage in the same time it is being consumed simultaneously warm, comprising: a place-mat/mat with an integrated heating area, wherein said place-mat/mat is appointed to be placed under a plate/container in which the food or beverage is served or located.