Thermoelectric temperature-controlled container holder and method

Abstract

A Thermoelectric-based container holder has a receptacle with a recess for receiving a container to be heated or cooled, a variable interface surface disposed within the holder and configured to flexibly contact an outside surface of the container to be heated or cooled where the variable surface interface is in thermal contact with the surface of the receptacle, and a thermoelectric assembly thermally connected to at least the variable surface interface.

1 . A Thermoelectric-based container holder for receiving a container to be heated or cooled, the container holder comprising:
 a receptacle having a recess for receiving a container to be heated or cooled;   a variable surface interface disposed within the receptacle and configured to flexibly contact and form to an outside surface of the container to be heated or cooled, the variable surface interface being in thermal contact with a surface of the receptacle; and   a thermoelectric assembly thermally connected to at least the variable surface interface.   
   
   
       2 . The container holder of  claim 1  wherein the variable surface interface has good heat transfer properties and is configured to adapt to the shape of the container. 
   
   
       3 . The container holder of  claim 2  wherein the variable surface interface is a component having a structure selected from the group consisting of a flexible envelope and a formable heat transfer material contained with the flexible envelope, a pin grid component, a foam material, rubber compound, and any formable, thermally conductive material. 
   
   
       4 . The container holder of  claim 2  wherein the variable surface interface contacts a portion of the container selected from the group consisting of the sides of the container, the bottom of the container, and both. 
   
   
       5 . The container holder of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle has a wall, the wall having a thermally-conductive portion that is in contact with the variable surface interface. 
   
   
       6 . The container holder of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle has a bottom, the bottom having a thermally-conductive portion that is in contact with the variable surface interface. 
   
   
       7 . The container holder of  claim 1  wherein the thermoelectric assembly is thermally connected indirectly to the receptacle through a heat transfer block assembly. 
   
   
       8 . The container holder of  claim 7  wherein the heat transfer block assembly comprising one of a heat transfer block, a heat pipe, a heat transfer plate, and any combination thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The container holder of  claim 1  wherein the thermoelectric assembly is thermally connected directly to the receptacle. 
   
   
       10 . The container holder of  claim 1  wherein the thermoelectric assembly is thermally connected indirectly to the variable surface interface through a heat transfer block assembly. 
   
   
       11 . The container holder of  claim 1  further comprising an electrical polarity switch coupled to the thermoelectric assembly. 
   
   
       12 . The container holder of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle further includes an adjustable container biasing mechanism. 
   
   
       13 . The container holder of  claim 11  wherein the container biasing mechanism is selected from the group consisting of an engageable tang and an engageable fulcrum assembly. 
   
   
       14 . The container holder of  claim 12  wherein the container biasing mechanism is automatically adjustable.