PLATEWARE WITH ACTIVE TEMPERATURE CONTROL
A plateware device with an active temperature control system can have a double-walled body with a top metal panel and a bottom metal panel spaced from the top metal panel to define a cavity therebetween. A base (of metal or plastic) can be attached to the bottom metal panel to close the cavity. An outer surface of the doubled-walled body can have a ceramic coating so the plateware device resembles a conventional plateware device. The temperature control system can be disposed in the cavity and can include one or more heat transfer elements in thermal communication with a bottom surface of the top panel to heat at least a portion of the top panel, and control circuitry configured to control operation of the one or more heat transfer elements. The control circuitry is optionally further configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile electronic device, the control circuitry configured to control the operation of the one or more heat transfer elements based at least in part on information it receives from the mobile electronic device.
1 . A plateware device with an active temperature control system, comprising:
a plateware body comprising
a top panel having a central portion and a peripheral portion extending from the central portion to an outer edge, at least a portion of the top panel being made of metal
a bottom panel having a central portion and a peripheral portion extending from the central portion to an outer edge, the central portion defining an opening, the outer edge of the top metal panel attached to the outer edge of the bottom panel to define a double-walled single piece body,
the bottom panel spaced from the top metal panel to define a cavity therebetween, the cavity comprising a peripheral cavity portion defined between the peripheral portions of the top metal panel and bottom panel, and a central cavity portion defined below the central portion of the top metal panel; and
a temperature control system disposed in the cavity between the top metal panel and bottom panel, comprising
one or more heat transfer elements in thermal communication with a bottom surface of the top metal panel to heat at least a portion of the top metal panel, and
control circuitry configured to control operation of the one or more heat transfer elements,
wherein the control circuitry is configured to control the operation of the one or more heat transfer elements, the control circuitry further configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile electronic device, the control circuitry configured to control the operation of the one or more heat transfer elements based at least in part on information it receives from the mobile electronic device.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein one or both of an outer surface of the top metal panel and an outer surface of the bottom panel comprises a ceramic coating.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more power storage elements configured to provide power to one or both of the control circuitry and the one or more heat transfer elements.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an end cap configured to seal the opening in the bottom panel to inhibit entry of liquid into the cavity, thereby providing a water resistant seal.
5 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising one or more electrical contacts on a bottom surface of the end cap that electrically connect with the control circuitry and are configured to contact corresponding electrical contacts on a charging or power base on which the plateware device is placed to provide power to one or more components of the temperature control system.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising insulation disposed at least between the peripheral portions of the top metal panel and the bottom panel to allow the plateware body to sound like a conventional ceramic plateware body.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plateware body is a dinner plate.
8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor configured to sense a parameter of a foodstuff on the plateware body, the at least one sensor comprising at least one temperature sensor configured to contact a surface of the top metal panel, the at least one sensor configured to communicate with the control circuitry, the control circuitry configured to operate the one or more heat transfer elements based at least in part on the sensed information from the at least one sensor.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more heat transfer elements are adhered to a bottom surface of the top metal panel.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more heat transfer elements are one or more heating elements.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more heat transfer elements comprises a heater flex.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the outer edge of the top metal panel is attached to the outer edge of the bottom panel by a weld.
13 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the end cap is made of plastic.
14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an entirety of the top panel is made of metal
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the bottom panel is made of metal.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the top and bottom panels are made of stamped stainless steel.