Abstract: A portable cooler container is provided. The temperature control system cools a chamber of the container to transport temperature sensitive contents via the container. An electronic display screen on one of the lid and the container body selectively displays an electronic shipping label for the portable cooler container.

Abstract: A container with active temperature control system is provided. The active temperature control system is operated to heat or cool a chamber sized to receive a beverage therein. The container includes an insulated vessel that has the chamber and a cooling or heating unit. The cooling or heating unit includes a thermoelectric element in thermal communication with the chamber, phase change material in thermal communication with the thermoelectric element, a power storage device, and circuitry to control the operation of the thermoelectric element. The cooling or heating unit is operable to increase or decrease or maintain a temperature of the beverage in the chamber by operating the thermoelectric element to draw heat from the chamber and transfer it to the module of phase change material.

Abstract: An actively heated drinkware container includes a vessel with a chamber that receives and holds a volume of liquid. The drinkware container includes a heating module with a first heating element operable to heat one portion of the chamber and a second heating element operable to heat another portion of the chamber, the second heating element spaced from the first heating element. Operation of the first and second heating elements generates a circulation current in the volume of liquid in the chamber that mixes the liquid and diffuses a temperature of the liquid to thereby reduce temperature stratification of the liquid in the chamber and so that a temperature of the liquid throughout the volume of liquid in the chamber is approximately uniform.

Abstract: A portable cooler container with active temperature control includes a double-walled insulated container body with a chamber to receive and hold temperature sensitive products. A control system is at least partially disposed between an outer wall and an inner wall of the container body. An electronic display screen on one of the lid and the container body configured to display shipping address information for the portable cooler container.

Abstract: A portable cooler container is provided, with a payload chamber for one or more temperature sensitive or perishable goods. A cooling unit is disposed in the payload chamber. The cooling unit includes a vessel filled with a cooling material (e.g., dry ice) and closed with a lid. One or more variable apertures of the cooling unit are operable to controllably release a chilled gas (e.g., CO2 gas) generated by the cooling material into the payload chamber of the vessel to cool the payload.

Abstract: An actively heated mug has a body with a chamber that can receive and hold a beverage and a heating element to actively heat the chamber, batteries, and circuitry that controls the operation of the heating element. A user interface is electrically connected to the circuitry and has one or more buttons actuatable a) to turn on the heating element, b) to adjust a temperature setting to one of multiple temperature settings to control the operation of the heating element to heat or maintain the liquid at a user selected temperature setting, and c) to turn off the heating element.

Abstract: A portable container has a payload chamber for holding goods and a lid operable to access the payload chamber. The portable container also has an electronic system with one or more power storage devices, circuitry that wirelessly communicates via a cell radio with a cloud-based data storage system or a remote electronic device, and an electronic display screen. The electronic system also has a button or a touch screen configured to be actuated by a user to a) automatically switch sender and recipient information on the electronic display screen to facilitate return of the portable container to the sender or b) automatically contact a parcel carrier to alert the parcel carrier that the portable container is ready for pickup.

Abstract: Drinkware with active temperature control can be a mug made of metal, and optionally coated with a ceramic material. At least one heating element that can thermally communicate with a surface of the drinkware to thereby effect heat transfer through the base in the drinkware. At least one sensor is configured to sense a parameter of the liquid in the drinkware, and at least one power storage element is configured to provide power to the at least one heating element. Control circuitry is configured to control operation of the one or more heating elements, and a transceiver is configured to transmit operating information to a remote electronic device and to receive operating instructions from the remote electronic device.

Abstract: An infant bottle feeding system includes an infant bottle with a chamber that receives a liquid, heating or cooling elements operable to heat or cool liquid in the chamber and sensors operable to sense parameters of the liquid in the chamber. The system optionally includes an electronic base removably attached to a bottom surface of the infant bottle and operable to deliver power to electronics in the infant bottle. The system optionally includes a thermal cover that fits over the infant bottle and releasably couples to the electronic base to enclose the infant bottle, the thermal cover insulating the infant bottle and inhibiting heat loss of the liquid in the chamber. The electronic base delivers power to the heating elements and sensors in the infant bottle only when the infant bottle is on the electronic base. The infant bottle, thermal cover and electronic base define a single travel pack unit when coupled together.

Abstract: An actively heated or cooled cup or mug has a body with a chamber that can receive and hold a beverage and a heating or cooling system disposed in a cavity below the chamber. The heating or cooling system has a heating or cooling element to actively heat or cool the chamber, power storage devices, and circuitry that controls the operation of the heating or cooling elements. A sensor can detect a presence of a liquid in the chamber, the circuitry configured to turn on power to the heating or cooling elements after said liquid is detected and further configured to automatically turn off power to the heating or cooling elements upon receiving a signal indicating that the liquid in the chamber has dropped below a predetermined liquid level or been depleted completely.

Abstract: An actively heated or cooled mug has a body with a chamber that can receive and hold a beverage and a heating or cooling system disposed at least partially in a cavity below the chamber. The heating or cooling system has a heating or cooling element to actively heat or cool the chamber, power storage devices, and circuitry that controls the operation of the heating or cooling elements. A user interface is electrically connected to the circuitry and has one or more selection members actuatable a) to turn off the one or more heating or cooling element or b) to adjust a temperature setting to one of multiple temperature settings configured to control the one or more heating or cooling elements to heat or maintain the liquid at a user selected temperature.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine (e.g., coffee maker) has a cooling unit. The cooling unit includes a thermal mass. The cooling unit is operable to freeze at least a portion of the thermal mass to provide a cold storage reservoir. The cooling unit also includes a passageway within which a brewed beverage flows, the passageway being in thermal communication with the thermal mass that cools the brewed beverage as it flows within the passageway to chill the brewed beverage before it is dispensed.

Abstract: A portable container has a payload chamber for holding goods and a lid operable to access the payload chamber. The portable container also has an electronic system with one or more power storage devices, circuitry that wirelessly communicates via a cell radio with a cloud-based data storage system or a remote electronic device, and an electronic display screen. The electronic system also has a button or a touch screen configured to be actuated by a user to a) automatically switch sender and recipient information on the electronic display screen to facilitate return of the portable container to the sender or b) automatically contact a parcel carrier to alert the parcel carrier that the portable container is ready for pickup.

Abstract: A portable cooler container is provided. The temperature control system cools a chamber of the container to transport temperature sensitive contents via the container. An electronic display screen on one of the lid and the container body selectively displays an electronic shipping label for the portable cooler container.

Abstract: An actively heated drinkware container includes a vessel with a chamber that receives and holds a volume of liquid. The drinkware container includes a heating module with a first heating element operable to heat one portion of the chamber and a second heating element operable to heat another portion of the chamber, the second heating element spaced from the first heating element. Operation of the first and second heating elements generates a circulation current in the volume of liquid in the chamber that mixes the liquid and diffuses a temperature of the liquid to thereby reduce temperature stratification of the liquid in the chamber and so that a temperature of the liquid throughout the volume of liquid in the chamber is approximately uniform.

Abstract: An actively heated or cooled cup or mug has a body with a chamber that can receive and hold a beverage and a heating or cooling system disposed in a cavity below the chamber. The heating or cooling system has a heating or cooling element to actively heat or cool the chamber, power storage devices, and circuitry that controls the operation of the heating or cooling elements. A sensor can detect a presence of a liquid in the chamber, the circuitry configured to turn on power to the heating or cooling elements after said liquid is detected and further configured to automatically turn off power to the heating or cooling elements upon receiving a signal indicating that the liquid in the chamber has dropped below a predetermined liquid level or been depleted completely.

Abstract: A secure delivery container can have a body with a chamber that can receive one or more items for delivery to an end recipient and a door actuatable to close the chamber in a locked position and open to allow access to the items. The container can have a heat transfer system with one or more heat transfer elements in thermal communication with one or more surfaces of the body that define the chamber and configured to heat or cool the one or more surfaces to heat or cool the delivery items in the chamber. The container can wirelessly communicate with a remote electronic device to receive information from the remote electronic device and to communicate operational information from the one or more heat transfer elements to the remote electronic device.

Abstract: An actively heated or cooled mug has a body with a chamber that can receive and hold a beverage and a heating or cooling system disposed at least partially in a cavity below the chamber. The heating or cooling system has a heating or cooling element to actively heat or cool the chamber, power storage devices, and circuitry that controls the operation of the heating or cooling elements. A user interface is electrically connected to the circuitry and has one or more selection members actuatable a) to turn off the one or more heating or cooling element or b) to adjust a temperature setting to one of multiple temperature settings configured to control the one or more heating or cooling elements to heat or maintain the liquid at a user selected temperature.

Abstract: A portable container has a payload chamber for holding goods and a lid operable to access the payload chamber. The portable container also has an electronic system with one or more power storage devices, circuitry that wirelessly communicates via a cell radio with a cloud-based data storage system or a remote electronic device, and an electronic display screen. The electronic system also has a button or a touch screen configured to be actuated by a user to a) automatically switch sender and recipient information on the electronic display screen to facilitate return of the portable container to the sender or b) automatically contact a parcel carrier to alert the parcel carrier that the portable container is ready for pickup.