Temperature attenuator to control heating of the contents of a container and method of using the same

A temperature attenuator for a container having a container bottom which is dimensioned and configured to be seated upon a hot plate for heating the contents of the container, comprises a thermally insulating spacer means comprising a support band of closed peripheral configuration having one or more closed periphery openings formed therein, the spacer means being dimensioned and configured to be interposed between the container bottom and the hot plate to enclose a plurality of air spaces between the container bottom and the surface of the hot plate, whereby the support means, when in its interposed position, supports the container bottom in spaced, facing proximity to the hot plate.

A method of heating beverage contents of a container having a container bottom dimensioned and configured to be seated upon a hot plate having a heating surface, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) supporting the container with its container bottom in close facing proximity to the heating surface of the hot plate by interposing between the container bottom and the hot plate a thermally insulative spacer means having a central opening defined by a continuous peripheral structure to thereby enclose one or more air spaces between the container bottom and the heating surface of the hot plate;
• and
• (b) maintaining the hot plate at an elevated temperature to heat the beverage contents of the container.