Heated mug

Abstract

A heated mug comprising a vessel for fluid storage and a heat source to heat the fluid is provided. The heat source may be activated as desired to heat or re-heat fluid within the vessel. The mug may have a two part configuration, the vessel being formed by one part, and the heat source being positioned in the other part.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heated travel mug comprising:
 a top portion defining a vessel configured for fluid storage, the top portion having an insulated outer wall and having a bottom defining both a lower surface of the vessel and lower surface of the top portion, the bottom being non-insulated and configured to allow heat transfer into the vessel;   a lower portion removably attached to the top portion, an upper surface of the lower portion being in direct contact with a part of the bottom of the top portion;   a heat source removably positioned within the lower portion, the heat source configured and positioned to heat the upper surface of the lower portion, the upper surface transferring the heat to the bottom of the top portion by conduction; and   a cover attached to an opening in the vessel, configured to seal the opening in a closed position, and configured to allow fluid flow to and from the vessel in an open position.   
     
     
         2 . The heated mug of  claim 1  wherein the bottom of the top portion comprises a depression extending into the vessel, and wherein the upper surface of the lower portion comprises a protrusion configured to mate with the depression. 
     
     
         3 . The heated mug of  claim 2  wherein the depression of the bottom is a cylindrical extension into the vessel forming a slot within the bottom of the top portion, and wherein the protrusion of the upper surface of the lower portion is a cylindrical protrusion sized to fit within the slot. 
     
     
         4 . The heated mug of  claim 1  further comprising a heat sink extending from the bottom into the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The heated mug of  claim 1  wherein the heat source is a fuel based heat source. 
     
     
         6 . The heated mug of  claim 5  wherein the lower portion further comprises an air inlet and an air outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The heated mug of  claim 5  wherein the fueled based heat source is a lighter. 
     
     
         8 . The heated mug of  claim 1  wherein the top portion and lower portion are attached by a snap fitting and releasable by a button release. 
     
     
         9 . The heated mug of  claim 1  wherein a quantity of metal mesh is positioned within a void of the lower portion between the heat source and the upper surface. 
     
     
         10 . The heated mug of  claim 5  further comprising an ignition source in close proximity to the heat source. 
     
     
         11 . The heated mug of  claim 10  further comprising a rotatable switch on a bottom of the lower portion, the rotatable switch activating the heat source in a first position, and deactivating it in a second position. 
     
     
         12 . A heated mug comprising:
 a top portion defining a vessel configured for fluid storage, and defining an air channel providing fluid communication from a bottom to a top of the top portion;   a lower portion removably attached to the top portion, the lower portion having an air outlet in communication with the air channel at the bottom of the top portion when attached, and an air inlet providing fluid communication between the air outlet and an outside of the lower portion;   a heat source, the heat source removably positioned within the lower portion and configured to provide heated air flow through the air channel;   a cover attached to an opening in the vessel, configured to seal the opening in a closed position, and configured to allow fluid flow to and from the vessel in an open position.   
     
     
         13 . The heated mug of  claim 12  wherein the air channel passes through a central axis of the top portion, and wherein the vessel is positioned about an outside of the top portion, the vessel having a substantially donut shaped cross section with an insulated outer wall and a heat conducting inner wall, the opening to the vessel positioned on an upper side of the top portion. 
     
     
         14 . The heated mug of  claim 12  wherein the air channel passes along an interior edge of the top portion, an outlet of the air channel being along the side of the top portion near its top, and wherein the vessel is formed by a heat conductive sidewall separating the air channel from the vessel, the vessel being accessible by the opening positioned on an upper surface of the top portion. 
     
     
         15 . The heated mug of  claim 12  further comprising a quantity of metal mesh within the channel. 
     
     
         16 . The heated mug of  claim 12  further comprising a fin extending from a sidewall of the vessel inwards toward a center of the vessel. 
     
     
         17 . The heated mug of  claim 12  wherein the heat source is a lighter. 
     
     
         18 . The heated mug of  claim 17  wherein the lower portion further comprises a slot configured to receive the lighter, and a protrusion configured to depress a button of the lighter when the heat source is an active mode. 
     
     
         19 . The heated mug of  claim 18  further comprising a rotatable switch, the rotatable switch having a ramp of increasing thickness about a portion of its circumference, the ramp having an increased thickness and a decreased thickness, the rotatable switch attached to a bottom of the lower portion, and having an on position and an off position, a bottom surface of the lighter being in communication with the ramp, the on position of the switch having the increased thickness of the ramp contacting the bottom of the lighter, urging the lighter upwards against the protrusion, the off position of the switch having the decreased thickness of the ramp contacting the bottom of the lighter, causing the lighter to be positioned away from the protrusion. 
     
     
         20 . The heated mug of  claim 12  further comprising an igniter in close proximity with the heat source.