Beverage warmer

Claim 2

A beverage warmer comprising electric-heater means having an electrically heated non-magnetic surface, an energizing electrical circuit for said means having a magnetically operable normally open switch mounted adjacent said surface in a predetermined location, and a non-magnetic beverage container having a closed bottom with a periphery adapted for stabilized removable mounting on said surface, said container having thereon a magnet near one to the exclusion of another region of said periphery, said switch being locally responsive to said magnet to close for a mounted condition of said container when said container is oriented to place said one region in operative proximity to said switch, and said switch being sufficiently non-responsive to said magnet to thereby remain open when said container is oriented to place said other region in proximity to said switch.

Claim 3

A beverage warmer comprising a support providing an upwardly facing non-magnetic heating surface, an electrical heating element disposed to heat said surface, an electrical energizing circuit for said element including a normally open magnetic switch mounted in a predetermined location on said support and below said surface, and a non-magnetic beverage container having a closed bottom with a periphery adapted for stabilized removable mounting on said surface, said container having a permanent magnet fixed in a lower portion thereof near one to the exclusion of another region of said periphery, said switch being locally responsive to said magnet to close for a mounted condition of said container when said container is oriented to place said one region in operative proximity to said switch, and said switch being sufficiently non-responsive to said magnet to thereby remain open when said container is oriented to place said other region in proximity to said switch.

Claim 4

A beverage warmer comprising a support providing an upwardly facing non-magnetic heating surface, an electrical heating element disposed to heat said surface, an electrical energizing circuit for said element including a normally open magnetic switch mounted in a predetermined location on said support and below said surface, and a non-magnetic beverage container having a closed bottom with a periphery adapted for stabilized removable mounting on said surface, said container having a permanent magnet fixed in a lower portion thereof near one to the exclusion of another region of said periphery, said switch being locally responsive to said magnet to close for a mounted condition of said container when said container is oriented to place said one region in operative proximity to said switch, and said switch being sufficiently non-responsive to said magnet to thereby remain open when said container is oriented to place said other region in proximity to said switch.

Claim 5

The beverage warmer of claim 2, in which said support comprises a base mounting a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic material having an upper planar face serving as said heating surface, and means whereby said electrical element is secured adjacent the bottom of said member, said magnetic switch comprising a magnetic-reed-type switch mounted on the base below said member.

Claim 6

The beverage warmer of claim 2, in which said container is a cup having a flat bottom rim slidable on said surface and in which said magnet is fixed on the container bottom in offset relation to the central axis of said cup.

Claim 7

A beverage warmer comprising a support base mounting a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic material having an upper planar face serving as a heating surface, an electrical heating element secured adjacent the bottom of said plate member, an electrical energizing circuit for said element including a normally open magnetic-reed switch mounted on the base below said member substantially centrally thereof, and a non-magnetic beverage container adapted to rest on said surface, said container having a permenent magnet fixed in a lower portion thereof whereby to cause said switch to close to activate said circuit only when the container is oriented to dispose the magnet effectively adjacent said switch.

Claim 8

A beverage warmer comprising a support base mounting a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic material having an upper planar face serving as a heating surface, an electrical heating element secured adjacent the bottom of said plate member, an electrical energizing circuit for said element including a normally open magnetic-reed switch mounted on the base below said member substantially centrally thereof, and a non-magnetic beverage container adapted to rest on said surface, said container having a permenent magnet fixed in a lower portion thereof whereby to cause said switch to close to activate said circuit only when the container is oriented to dispose the magnet effectively adjacent said switch.

Claim 9

A beverage warmer comprising a support base mounting a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic material having an upper planar face serving as a heating surface, an electrical heating element secured adjacent the bottom of said member to heat said surface, an electrical energizing circuit for said element including a normally open magnetic reed switch mounted on said base below said member, a non-magnetic beverage container adapted to rest on said surface, said container having a permanent magnet fixed in the lower portion thereof whereby to cause said switch to close to activate said circuit only when the container is oriented to dispose the magnet effectively adjacent said switch, and visible index means on the upper part of said support facilitating operative orientation of said container.

Claim 10

A beverage warmer comprising a support base mounting a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic material having an upper planar face serving as a heating surface, an electrical heating element secured adjacent the bottom of said member to heat said surface, an electrical energizing circuit for said element including a normally open magnetic reed switch mounted on said base below said member, a non-magnetic beverage container adapted to rest on said surface, said container having a permanent magnet fixed in the lower portion thereof whereby to cause said switch to close to activate said circuit only when the container is oriented to dispose the magnet effectively adjacent said switch, and visible index means on the upper part of said support facilitating operative orientation of said container.

Claim 11

A beverage warmer comprising a supporting base unit including a circular horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, and switch means operatively connected to said heating means and including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one angular relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for an angularly offset relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member.

Claim 12

A beverage warmer comprising a supporting base unit including a circular horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, and switch means operatively connected to said heating means and including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one angular relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for an angularly offset relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member.

Claim 13

The beverage warmer of claim 7, in which said base unit includes an externally observable angular reference device external to the circle of said plate member, and in which said container unit includes an externally observable angularly local formation by which visual comparison can be made against said reference device, whereby it can be known from such visual observation whether or not said units are angularly oriented for excitation of said heating means.

Claim 14

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switch means operatively connected to said heating means and including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for a different orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member, and said base unit including an indicator responsive to an excitational condition of said heating means.

Claim 15

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switch means operatively connected to said heating means and including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for a different orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member, and said base unit including an indicator responsive to an excitational condition of said heating means.

Claim 16

The beverage warmer of claim 9, in which said indicator comprises a lamp mounted at the side of said base and adapted to be energized when said switch is closed.

Claim 17

A beverage warmer comprising a supporting base unit including a circular horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switch means operatively connected to said heating means, and actuating means for said switch means, said actuating means including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one angular relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for an angularly offset relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member.

Claim 18

A beverage warmer comprising a supporting base unit including a circular horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switch means operatively connected to said heating means, and actuating means for said switch means, said actuating means including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one angular relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for an angularly offset relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member.

Claim 19

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switch means operatively connected to said heating means, actuating means for said switch means, said actuating means including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for a different orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member, and said base unit including an indicator responsive to an excitational condition of said heating means.

Claim 20

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switch means operatively connected to said heating means, actuating means for said switch means, said actuating means including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for a different orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member, and said base unit including an indicator responsive to an excitational condition of said heating means.

Claim 21

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switch means operatively connected to said heating means, actuating means for said switch means, said actuating means including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for a different orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member, and said base unit including an externally observable reference device locally external to said container unit when the latter is seated on said plate member, and said container unit including an externally local indicium by which visual comparison can be made against said reference device, whereby it can be known from such visual observation whether or not said units are oriented for switched connection of said heating means to the electrical source.

Claim 22

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switch means operatively connected to said heating means, actuating means for said switch means, said actuating means including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for a different orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member, and said base unit including an externally observable reference device locally external to said container unit when the latter is seated on said plate member, and said container unit including an externally local indicium by which visual comparison can be made against said reference device, whereby it can be known from such visual observation whether or not said units are oriented for switched connection of said heating means to the electrical source.

Claim 23

The beverage warmer of claim 13, in which said container unit is a cup with an angularly local handle, and in which said handle is said indicium.

Claim 24

The beverage warmer of claim 13, in which said base unit includes source-connection means at a single externally viewable side-edge location, and in which said source-connection means is said reference device.

Claim 25

The beverage warmer of claim 13, in which said base unit is of generally square outline when viewed in plan, whereby the periphery of said base unit is characterized by externally viewable first and second pairs of opposed generally parallel edges, the first pair having a visually recognizable different appearance than the second pair, and in which the visually recognizable appearance of one of said pairs is said reference device.

Claim 26

A beverage warmer comprising a support providing an upwardly facing non-magnetic heating surface, an electrical heating element disposed to heat said surface, an electrical energizing circuit for said element including a magnetic-reed switch having an axis of reed elongation and mounted in a predetermined location on said support with said elongation axis parallel to and below said surface, and a non-magnetic beverage container having a closed bottom with a periphery adapted for stabilized removable mounting on said surface, said container having a permanent magnet fixed centrally in a lower portion thereof, said permanent magnet being polarized on an axis parallel to the mounting plane of said bottom whereby said switch may be locally responsive to said magnet to close for a mounted condition of said container when said container is oriented to place said axis in generally parallel relation with said magnet in operative proximity to said switch, and said switch being sufficiently non-responsive to said magnet to thereby remain open when said container is oriented in said operative proximity but with said axis substantially divergent from said generally parallel relation.

Claim 27

A beverage warmer comprising a support providing an upwardly facing non-magnetic heating surface, an electrical heating element disposed to heat said surface, an electrical energizing circuit for said element including a magnetic-reed switch having an axis of reed elongation and mounted in a predetermined location on said support with said elongation axis parallel to and below said surface, and a non-magnetic beverage container having a closed bottom with a periphery adapted for stabilized removable mounting on said surface, said container having a permanent magnet fixed centrally in a lower portion thereof, said permanent magnet being polarized on an axis parallel to the mounting plane of said bottom whereby said switch may be locally responsive to said magnet to close for a mounted condition of said container when said container is oriented to place said axis in generally parallel relation with said magnet in operative proximity to said switch, and said switch being sufficiently non-responsive to said magnet to thereby remain open when said container is oriented in said operative proximity but with said axis substantially divergent from said generally parallel relation.

Claim 28

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, a magnetic-reed switch operatively connected to said heating means, magnetically coacting elements in each of said units for activating said switch means; said magnetically coacting elements comprising an armature of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixed to the bottom of said beverage-container unit and spanning a single generally diametrical alignment between two spaced points on said bottom, and magnetic-flux-conducting core means fixedly carried by said base unit and establishing two oppositely poled regions near but beneath said plate member and spaced substantially to the extent of the span between said points, said core means including a path portion of relatively high reluctance between a permanent magnet and a gap containing said magnetic reed switch, whereby upon orientation of said units with said armature spanning said poled regions the core path reluctance to said gap reduces and said gap becomes polarized, thereby operating said switch for connection of said heating means to an electrical source of energy, and said switch being inoperative to so connect said heating means for an orientation of said units wherein said armature does not substantially span said poled regions.

Claim 29

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, a magnetic-reed switch operatively connected to said heating means, magnetically coacting elements in each of said units for activating said switch means; said magnetically coacting elements comprising an armature of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixed to the bottom of said beverage-container unit and spanning a single generally diametrical alignment between two spaced points on said bottom, and magnetic-flux-conducting core means fixedly carried by said base unit and establishing two oppositely poled regions near but beneath said plate member and spaced substantially to the extent of the span between said points, said core means including a path portion of relatively high reluctance between a permanent magnet and a gap containing said magnetic reed switch, whereby upon orientation of said units with said armature spanning said poled regions the core path reluctance to said gap reduces and said gap becomes polarized, thereby operating said switch for connection of said heating means to an electrical source of energy, and said switch being inoperative to so connect said heating means for an orientation of said units wherein said armature does not substantially span said poled regions.

Claim 30

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, a magnetic-reed switch operatively connected to said heating means, magnetically coacting elements in each of said units for activating said switch means; said magnetically coacting elements comprising an armature of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixed to the bottom of said beverage-container unit and spanning a single generally diametrical alignment between two spaced points on said bottom, first means including a permanent magnet fixed to said base unit and establishing a magnetic pole near but beneath said plate member at a first locale of said plate member, and second means fixed to said base unit and near but beneath said plate member at a second locale of said plate member, said second locale being spaced from said first locale substantially to the extent of the span between said points, and said second means establishing a magnetic-flux-conducting path to said switch when said container unit is so positioned on said plate member as to bridge said first and second locales, whereby upon orientation of said units with said armature bridging both said locales, the polarization of said magnet is transmitted via said armature to operate said switch for connection of said heating means to an electrical source of energy, and said switch is inoperative to so connect said heating means for an orientation of said units wherein said armature does not substantially bridge said locales.

Claim 31

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, a magnetic-reed switch operatively connected to said heating means, magnetically coacting elements in each of said units for activating said switch means; said magnetically coacting elements comprising an armature of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixed to the bottom of said beverage-container unit and spanning a single generally diametrical alignment between two spaced points on said bottom, first means including a permanent magnet fixed to said base unit and establishing a magnetic pole near but beneath said plate member at a first locale of said plate member, and second means fixed to said base unit and near but beneath said plate member at a second locale of said plate member, said second locale being spaced from said first locale substantially to the extent of the span between said points, and said second means establishing a magnetic-flux-conducting path to said switch when said container unit is so positioned on said plate member as to bridge said first and second locales, whereby upon orientation of said units with said armature bridging both said locales, the polarization of said magnet is transmitted via said armature to operate said switch for connection of said heating means to an electrical source of energy, and said switch is inoperative to so connect said heating means for an orientation of said units wherein said armature does not substantially bridge said locales.

Claim 32

The beverage warmer of claim 19, in which said second means positions said switch adjacent said plate member at said second locale.

Claim 33

The beverage warmer of claim 19, in which said switch is positioned at offset from said plate and in which an element of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixed to said base unit establishes and flux-conducting path from said second locale to said switch.

Claim 34

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switching means operatively connected to said heating means and activating means for said switching means, said activating means including magnetically coacting core-path members in each of said units; said coacting members comprising an armature element of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixed to the bottom of said beverage-container unit and spanning two spaced points on said bottom, and a core element of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixedly carried by said base unit and characterized by separate pole faces near but beneath two plate-member locales which are spaced substantially to the extent of the space between said points, one of said coacting core-path members being permanently polarized, whereby a change in core-path reluctance accompanies completion or disruption of a core-path circuit via both said members, said switching means including means inductively coupled to said base-unit core-path member and responsive only to a single polarity of induced signal to connect said heating means to an electrical source.

Claim 35

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switching means operatively connected to said heating means and activating means for said switching means, said activating means including magnetically coacting core-path members in each of said units; said coacting members comprising an armature element of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixed to the bottom of said beverage-container unit and spanning two spaced points on said bottom, and a core element of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixedly carried by said base unit and characterized by separate pole faces near but beneath two plate-member locales which are spaced substantially to the extent of the space between said points, one of said coacting core-path members being permanently polarized, whereby a change in core-path reluctance accompanies completion or disruption of a core-path circuit via both said members, said switching means including means inductively coupled to said base-unit core-path member and responsive only to a single polarity of induced signal to connect said heating means to an electrical source.

Claim 36

The beverage warmer of claim 22, in which the permanently polarized core-path member is the base-unit core-path member.

Claim 37

The beverage warmer of claim 22, in which said switching means is responsive to an opposite polarity of induced signal to disconnect said heating means from the electrical source.

Claim 38

The beverage warmer of claim 22, in which in response to an opposite-polarity induced signal, said switching means is inoperative to connect said heating means to an electrical source.

Claim 39

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switching means operatively connected to said heating means and actuating means for said switching means, said actuating means including magnetically coacting core-path members in each of said units; said coacting members comprising an armature element of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixed to the bottom of said beverage-container unit and spanning two spaced points on said bottom, and a core element of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixedly carried by said base unit and characterized by separate pole faces near but beneath two plate-member locales which are spaced substantially to the extent of the space between said points, means polarizing the core-path member of said base unit, the container-unit core-path member being unpolarized, whereby a change in core-path reluctance accompanies completion or disruption of a core-path circuit via both said members, said switching means including means inductively coupled to said base-unit core-path member and responsive only to a single polarity of induced signal to connect said heating means to an electrical source.

Claim 40

A beverage warmer comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switching means operatively connected to said heating means and actuating means for said switching means, said actuating means including magnetically coacting core-path members in each of said units; said coacting members comprising an armature element of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixed to the bottom of said beverage-container unit and spanning two spaced points on said bottom, and a core element of magnetic-flux-conducting material fixedly carried by said base unit and characterized by separate pole faces near but beneath two plate-member locales which are spaced substantially to the extent of the space between said points, means polarizing the core-path member of said base unit, the container-unit core-path member being unpolarized, whereby a change in core-path reluctance accompanies completion or disruption of a core-path circuit via both said members, said switching means including means inductively coupled to said base-unit core-path member and responsive only to a single polarity of induced signal to connect said heating means to an electrical source.

Claim 41

The beverage warmer of claim 26, in which said polarizing means is a permanently magnetized condition of at least a portion of the core-path member of said base unit.

Claim 42

The beverage warmer of claim 26, in which said polarizing means includes an electrical coil coupled to the core-path member of said base unit and in which said coil includes a dc excitation connection.

Claim 43

A beverage warmer assembly comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switch means operatively connected to said heating means, actuating means for said switch means, said actuating means including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for a different orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member.

Claim 44

A beverage warmer assembly comprising a base unit including a horizontal plate member of non-magnetic heat-conducting material, and a beverage-container unit removably adapted for seating upon and heating via said plate member, said base unit further including electrical heating means mounted beneath and in heat-transfer relation with said plate member, switch means operatively connected to said heating means, actuating means for said switch means, said actuating means including magnetically coacting elements in each of said units, said elements being so mounted in the respective units that said switch means is operative to connect said heating means to an electrical source of energy for one orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member and is inoperative to so connect said heating means for a different orientational relation of container-unit seating upon said plate member.

Claim 45

The beverage warmer of claim 29, in which said plate member is circular, and in which a rotational displacement is involved as between the orientational relations identified with the respective operative and inoperative conditions of said switch means.

Claim 46

The beverage warmer of claim 29, in which said plate member is elongate to the extent of establishing a length dimension which is recognizably greater than a width dimension, the magnetically coacting elements involving a base-unit element which is located nearer to one than to the other end of the length dimension of said plate member, whereby the magnetic coaction is operative only when said beverage-container unit is positioned near said one end of said plate member, and further whereby at least a rectilineal displacement is involved as between the orientational relations identified with the respective operative and inoperative conditions of said switch means.

Claim 47

The beverage warmer of claim 29, in which said switch means is a magnetic-reed-type switch (a) which is operative to so connect said heating means for said one orientational relation and (b) which is inoperative to so connect said heating means for said different orientational relation.

Claim 48

The beverage warmer of claim 29, (a) in which said switch means is a polarity-sensitive relay, (b) in which said magnetically coacting elements establish a first core-path reluctance for said one orientational relation and a different core-path reluctance for said different orientational relation, and (c) in which means including an electrical winding inductively coupled to the coacting magnetic element of said base unit is operatively connected to said relay.