Mobile heating and cooling system for a beverage

Abstract

Embodiments of a mobile heating and cooling system for a beverage are disclosed. The mobile heating and cooling system includes a base including a receptacle defining an interior portion, a heating and cooling element configured to be disposed within the interior portion of the base, and a beverage container configured to be seated within the receptacle of the base and in contact with the heating and cooling element disposed therein such that the heating effect or cooling effect is imparted to a liquid contained within the beverage container. The heating and cooling element provides a heating effect when heated beforehand or a cooling effect when cooled beforehand.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile heating and cooling system comprising:
 a base including a receptacle defining an interior portion;   a heating and cooling element configured to be disposed within the interior portion of the base, wherein the heating and cooling element provides a heating effect when heated beforehand or a cooling effect when cooled beforehand; and   a beverage container configured to be seated with the receptacle of the base and in contact with the heating and cooling element disposed therein such that the heating effect or the cooling effect is imparted to a liquid contained within the beverage container.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile heating and cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a flange that extends outwardly from the receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile heating and cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating and cooling element comprises a pliable body containing a material that provides a heating effect when heated or a cooling effect when cooled. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile heating and cooling system of  claim 3 , wherein the material provides a heating effect when heated in a microwave. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile heating and cooling system of  claim 3 , wherein the material provides a cooling effect when cooled. 
     
     
         6 . A mobile heating and cooling system comprising:
 a heating and cooling container defining a wall that forms an opening in communication with an interior area;   a plurality of heating and cooling portions formed along the wall, wherein the heating and cooling portions include a material that provides a heating effect when heated beforehand or a cooling effect when cooled beforehand; and   one or more beverage containers configured to be seated within the interior portion of the heating and cooling container and in proximity with the heating and cooling portions such that the heating effect or the cooling effect is imparted to a liquid contained in the one or more beverage containers.   
     
     
         7 . The mobile heating and cooling system of  claim 6 , wherein the heating and cooling container includes a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion includes the plurality of heating and cooling portions which are in contact with the one or more beverage containers disposed in the interior portion such that the heating effect or the cooling effect are imparted to the liquid contained in the one or more beverage containers. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile heating and cooling system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of heating and cooling portions comprise a plurality of substantially horizontal strips formed along the wall of the heating and cooling container. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile heating and cooling system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of heating and cooling portions form a pattern in the wall of the heating and cooling container. 
     
     
         10 . A heating and cooling system comprising:
 a ladle defining a receptacle portion forming an interior portion and a handle that extends from the receptacle portion;   a heating and cooling element configured to be received within the interior portion of the receptacle portion, wherein the heating and cooling element provides a heating element when heated beforehand and a cooling effect when cooled beforehand; and   a beverage container configured to be seated within the receptacle portion of the ladle and in contact with the heating and cooling element disposed therein such that the heating effect or the cooling effect is imparted to a liquid contained within the beverage container.   
     
     
         11 . The mobile heating and cooling system of  claim 10 , wherein the handle forms a gripping surface configured to be gripped by an individual when carrying the ladle. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile heating and cooling system of  claim 10 , wherein the heating and cooling element comprises a pliable body containing a material that provides a heating effect when heated or a cooling effect when cooled. 
     
     
         13 . A method of heating or cooling a liquid in a beverage container comprising:
 providing a heating and cooling system comprising:
 a ladle defining a receptacle portion forming an interior portion and a handle that extends form the receptacle portion; 
 a heating and cooling element configured to be received within the interior portion of the receptacle portion, wherein the heating and cooling element provides a heating effect when heated beforehand and a cooling effect when cooled beforehand; and 
 a beverage container configured to be seated within the receptacle portion of the ladle and in contact with the heating and cooling element disposed therein such that the heating effect the cooling effect is imparted to a liquid contained within the beverage container. 
 heating the heating and cooling element in a microwave apparatus until the heating and cooling element generates the heating effect; 
 disposing the heating and cooling element within the receptacle portion; and 
 seating a beverage container having a liquid therein within the receptacle portion and in contact with the heating and cooling element such that the heating effect is produced by the heating and cooling element that heats the liquid in the beverage container. 
   
     
     
         14 . A method of cooling a liquid in a beverage container comprising:
 providing a heating and cooling system comprising:
 a ladle defining a receptacle portion forming an interior portion and a handle that extends form the receptacle portion; 
 a heating and cooling element configured to be received within the interior portion of the receptacle portion, wherein the heating and cooling element provides a heating effect when heated beforehand and a cooling effect when cooled beforehand; and 
 a beverage container configured to be seated within the receptacle portion of the ladle and in contact with the heating and cooling element disposed therein such that the heating effect is imparted to a liquid contained within the beverage container. 
   cooling the heating and cooling element in a cooling apparatus until the heating and cooling element generates the cooling effect;   disposing the heating and cooling element within the receptacle portion; and   seating a beverage container having a liquid therein within the receptacle portion and in contact with the heating and cooling element such that the cooling effect is produced by the heating and cooling element that cools the liquid in the beverage container.