Patent ID: 8987642
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
1. A hot/cold grommet assembly for maintaining liquid or other materials in a vessel at a desired temperature, said grommet assembly being mounted to or on a work table or other furniture item having a work surface, said grommet assembly comprising: a grommet having a casing received within an aperture extending through said work surface, said grommet having a lower casing and an upper collar, said lower casing forming a housing interior; heating means selectable by a user and positioned within a housing interior, and coupled to a hot/cold plate for selectively maintaining said liquid or other materials at a desired temperature above ambient temperatures of said liquid or other materials within said vessel, with said vessel positioned on said hot/cold plate; and cooling means positioned within said housing interior, and coupled to said hot/cold plate, for maintaining the temperature of said liquid or other materials in said vessel at a temperature below ambient temperature of said liquid or other materials within said vessel; power means connected to said heating means and said cooling means and connectable to a source of electrical power, so as to energize said heating means and said cooling means; and said upper collar of said grommet being positioned substantially flush with said work surface, and said hot/cold plate also being positioned substantially flush with said work surface; and said heating means further comprises at least two alignment elements mounted outside of said housing interior, said alignment elements adapted to be received within corresponding ones of alignment slots positioned on interior surfaces of said casing, so as to maintain said heating means in an appropriate alignment relative to said grommet.