Hot or cold food receptacle utilizing a peltier device with air flow temperature control

Abstract

A temperature controlled food storage unit is provided with a Peltier device ( 18 ) to effectuate the temperature of food place in a thermally conductive container or basin ( 24 ). Air from a fan ( 52 ) is passed through an air duct ( 50 ) and over a heat sink ( 22 ), which is thermally coupled to one side of the Peltier device ( 18 ). A hand-operated damper ( 54, 64 ) is used to control the air flow through the air duct ( 50 ) and over the heat sink ( 22 ) thereby controlling heat exchange between the Peltier device ( 18 ) and ambient air.

1 . A temperature controlled food storage unit comprised of:
 a thermally conductive food storage container (container) for storing food;   a solid state heat pump having a first side thermally coupled to the food storage container and a second side coupled to a heat sink; and   an air flow control mechanism, directing air over the heat sink;   whereby temperature of the container is determined by the air flow control mechanism.   
   
   
       2 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the solid state heat pump is a Peltier device. 
   
   
       3 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow control mechanism is comprised of an air duct and an adjustable damper for the duct. 
   
   
       4 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of  claim 3 , wherein the adjustable damper is hand-operated. 
   
   
       5 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow control mechanism is comprised of a fan. 
   
   
       6 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of  claim 5 , wherein the fan is a variable speed fan. 
   
   
       7 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the solid state heat pump is comprised of a Peltier device having a cold side thermally coupled to the food storage container. 
   
   
       8 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the solid state heat pump is comprised of a Peltier device having a hot side thermally coupled to the food storage container. 
   
   
       9 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of claim of  claim 2 , wherein the solid state heat pump is comprised of a plurality of Peltier devices, the cold sides of which are coupled to the food storage container in parallel, the hot sides of which are thermally coupled to said air flow control mechanism. 
   
   
       10 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of claim of  claim 2 , wherein the solid state heat pump is comprised of a plurality of Peltier devices, the hot sides of which are thermally coupled to said food storage container in parallel, the cold sides of which are thermally coupled to said air flow control mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of claim of  claim 2 , wherein the solid state heat pump is comprised of a plurality of Peltier devices, thermally coupled to each other in series. 
   
   
       13 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of  claim 1  wherein the air flow control mechanism includes a fan directing air toward said heat sink, and wherein the heat sink is comprised of rotatable fins, the orientation of which is adjustable relative to the direction of air flow from said fan. 
   
   
       14 . A food storage unit comprised of:
 a cabinet;   a thermally conductive food storage basin (basin) in said cabinet;   a Peltier device having a cold side thermally coupled to the basin and a hot side thermally coupled to a heat sink;   a fan; and   an air flow control mechanism;   whereby basin temperature is determined by said air flow control mechanism.   
   
   
       15 . The food heating unit of  claim 14 , wherein the cabinet has at least one side wall and wherein said air flow control mechanism is a damper mounted to said at least one side wall. 
   
   
       16 . The food heating unit of  claim 14 , wherein said cabinet is configured to direct air from said fan over said heat sink. 
   
   
       17 . The food heating unit of  claim 14 , wherein said fan is comprised of a variable speed motor. 
   
   
       18 . The food heating unit of  claim 15 , wherein the damper is hand-operated. 
   
   
       19 . The food heating unit of  claim 12 , wherein the air flow control mechanism includes a heat sink comprised of fins, the orientation of which is adjustable relative to the direction of air flow from said fan. 
   
   
       20 . A temperature controlled food storage device, comprising:
 a thermally conductive receptacle (receptacle) configured to receive a food item therein;   a thermoelectric device having first and second portion, the first portion thermally coupled to and transferring heat energy between the receptacle and the thermoelectric device, effectuating the temperature of at least a portion of the receptacle;   a heat sink thermally coupled to the second portion of the thermoelectric device, the heat sink configured to transfer heat energy between the thermoelectric device and ambient air driven over surfaces of the heat sink by a fan; and   a manually operated air flow control mechanism controlling the amount of air conveyed over the heat energy transfer device by said fan;   whereby the temperature inside the receptacle is determined by said manually operated flow control mechanism.   
   
   
       21 . The temperature controlled device as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the manually operated air flow control mechanism includes at least one of:
 a damper manually positionable to inhibit the conveyance of air over the heat energy transfer device;   a diverter diverting air flow around the heat energy transfer device;   a variable speed fan; and   a manually adjusted heat sink fin, adjustable between a first and a second position, such that when in the first position the fin permits the conveyance of air over the heat sink and when in the second position inhibits the conveyance of air over the heat sink.   
   
   
       22 . The temperature controlled food storage device as recited in  claim 1 , further including a plurality of thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to said food storage container. 
   
   
       23 . The temperature controlled food storage device as recited in  claim 12 , further including a plurality of thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to said food storage basin. 
   
   
       24 . The temperature controlled food storage device as recited in  claim 18 , further including a plurality of thermoelectric devices coupled to said receptacle. 
   
   
       25 . A temperature controlled food storage unit comprised of:
 a thermally conductive food storage container for storing food;   a solid state heat pump having a first side thermally coupled to the food storage container and a second side coupled to a heat sink; and   a food storage container temperature control mechanism, the temperature control mechanism consisting essentially of:
 an air flow control mechanism, directing air over the heat sink. 
   
   
   
       26 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of  claim 25 , wherein the air flow control mechanism is comprised of an adjustable damper for a duct. 
   
   
       27 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of  claim 25 , wherein the air flow control mechanism is comprised of is comprised of a variable speed fan. 
   
   
       28 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of claim of  claim 25 , wherein the solid state heat pump is comprised of a plurality of Peltier devices, the cold sides of which are thermally coupled to said food storage container in parallel, the hot sides of which are thermally coupled to said air flow control mechanism. 
   
   
       29 . The temperature controlled food storage unit of  claim 25  wherein the air flow control mechanism includes a fan directing air toward said heat sink, and wherein the heat sink is comprised of fins, the orientation of which is adjustable relative to the direction of air flow from said fan.