WO2022060882A1

WO2022060882A1 - Cooling container

Info

Publication number: WO2022060882A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/050525
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregg SHAVITZ
Original assignee: Shavitz Gregg
Priority date: 2020-09-15
Filing date: 2021-09-15
Publication date: 2022-03-24

Abstract

A cooling container includes: a transparent lid and a base assembly forming an enclosed inner area of the container, the transparent lid allowing visibility of contents within the container; one or more thermal electric modules sandwiched between a heat-radiating heat exchanger and a heat-absorbing heat exchanger; and a power supply that supplies power to the one or more thermal electric modules such that heat is removed from the enclosed inner area of the container.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to previously filed US Provisional Patent Application 63/078,327 titled “Cooling and/or heating Device” filed on 9/15/2020 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] People eat what they see. Many unseen food items are wasted because they are not seen in the back of a refrigerator. Unfortunately, healthy foods require cooling to stay fresh and are often wasted just because they are not seen and it is easier to grab an unhealthy snack that is sitting on the counter. Most foods that are packaged have been developed to have a long shelf life and are difficult to digest because of preservatives and are unhealthy to our digestive systems which prefer fresh, easily digestible foods.

[0003] Cooling of perishable food has traditionally been done by refrigerators or coolers filled with ice or frozen ice packs. Workflow and mental concentration of an individual is often interrupted due to the need for the individual to move away from a desk or work station in order to obtain desired food from a refrigerator or other cooler. This is inconvenient and frustrating to the individual focused on a work goal or project. Keeping a cooler filled with perishable food and ice or frozen ice packs near the workspace is also an inconvenient solution since the ice and ice packs melt, water must be removed and more ice or ice packs must obtained to replace the initial ice or ice packs. A device is needed that will keep food at an optimal temperature while providing easy accessibility.

[0004] With the advent of Covid 19, the world is searching for ways to stop the spread of infectious disease. One way infectious disease is spread is by communal refrigerators. An office of 20-50 people will all share the same refrigerators. There is a need for a personal refrigerated container that is not noisy, small, can sit on any desk without annoyance, and which displays the contents of the refrigerated container.

[0005] Additionally, there is also a current need for a device that is capable of temperature controlled cooling in a retail environment of a product sold, consumed, or displayed. Such a device could be used in a restaurant or hotel by keeping a food product temperature controlled at a consumer’s table or hotel room until the food product is consumed.

[0006] Similar needs are found in areas such as transportation of temperature dependent products or goods which may include biomedical materials, blood products, organs, animal life, plant life, and/or temperature critical chemical formulations.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a convenient, easily accessible, and portable cooling device and/or heating device that can keep food or other products at an optimal temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A cooling container includes: a transparent lid and a base assembly forming an enclosed inner area of the container, the transparent lid allowing visibility of contents within the container; one or more thermal electric modules sandwiched between a heat-radiating heat exchanger and a heat-absorbing heat exchanger; and a power supply that supplies power to the one or more thermal electric modules such that heat is removed from the enclosed inner area of the container.

[0009] The transparent lid may have two or more transparent layers. The two or more transparent layers may be separated by transparent insulation. The transparent lid may provide enclosure of at least 25% of an area of the enclosed inner area of the container. The transparent lid may provide enclosure of at least 50% of an area of the enclosed inner area of the container. The heat-absorbing heat exchanger may be in fluid communication with the enclosed inner area of the container. The heat-radiating heat exchanger may comprise a first array of fins and a second array of fins. The first array of fins and the second array of fins may be separated by a track. The track may be a radial track. The radial track may be configured to receive one or more fans. The one or more fans may be positioned in the track such that air is drawn through the first array of fins and discharged through the second array of fins in a vertical direction. The container may further comprise one or more light emitting diodes connected to the power such that the enclosed inner area is illuminated by light emitting from the one or more light emitting diodes. The one or more light emitting diodes may be ultra-violet light emitting diodes, visible spectrum light emitting diodes, and/or infrared light emitting diodes. The container may further comprise one or more motion sensors. The container may further comprise a micro-controller or a wireless micro-controller. The wireless micro-controller may wirelessly communicate with a smart phone, a watch, a database server, and/or a cloud based network service. A visible or audio stimulus of the container may be triggered by user data of a person who is in a visible radius of the container, audio radius of the container, proximity radius of the container, or wirelessly linked to the container by way of communication with a smart phone, a smart watch, a database server, and/or a cloud based network service associated with the person. The user data may be a heart rate, a respiration rate, a blood sugar level, a location, a scheduled event, a reminder, a prescription, a current medical event, and/or a subscription service of the person. The reminder may be a reminder to take a prescribed medication that is located within the container. A light flashing within the container may prompt a person to eat, take medications, or seek medical attention. [0010] In one embodiment of the invention, a lid forms a heating and/or cooling device using a thermal electric device.

[0011] In another embodiment of the invention, a lid forms a heating and/or cooling device using a thermal electric device, the lid being usable on different size bowls.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, a hinging lid is provided.

[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, a hinging lid that includes heating and cooling functions is provided.

[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, a bowl forms a heating and/or cooling device using a thermal electric device.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, a bowl forms a heating and/or cooling device using a thermal electric device or a refrigeration system, the bowl including a cutting board lid usable as a cutting board and as a thermal insulator.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, a bowl forms a heating and/or cooling device using a refrigeration system.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, a removable module forms a heating and/or cooling modular device using a thermal electric device.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, a removable module forms a heating and/or cooling modular device that is used to heat/or cool a bowl.

[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, a removable module forms a heating and/or cooling modular device that is used to heat/or cool a bowl by being removably attached to the bowl. [0020] In another embodiment of the invention, a removable module forms a heating and/or cooling modular device that is used to heat/or cool a bowl by being removably attached to a lid of the bowl.

[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, a removable module forms a heating and/or cooling modular device that is used to heat/or cool one or more bowls by being removably attached to one or more lids of one or more bowls.

[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, a removable module forms a heating and/or cooling modular device that is used to heat/or cool one or more bowls, one or more insulated containers by being removably attached to one or more lids of one or more bowls or one or more lids of the one or more insulated containers.

[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, a removable module forms a heating and/or cooling modular device that is used to heat/or cool an insulated container by being removably attached to the insulated container.

[0024] In another embodiment of the invention, a transparent lid provides a clear view of contents of a refrigerated bowl.

[0025] In another embodiment of the invention, a transparent lid rotates about a horizontal axis allowing the lid to rotationally lift in a vertical movement.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention, a transparent lid forms a majority of an inner area formed by the bowl.

[0027] In another embodiment of the invention, a transparent lid is formed by a transparent inner wall and a transparent outer wall.

[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, a transparent lid comprises a double seal system allowing for better insulation properties and better humidity isolation properties. [0029] In another embodiment of the invention, features and advantages of the previously mentioned embodiments are combined to form additional embodiments as shown and described in relation to the detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0032] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0033] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0034] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0035] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0036] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0037] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0038] Figure 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0039] Figure 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0040] Figure 10 shows an exploded perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0041] Figure 11 shows an exploded perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0042] Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0043] Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0044] Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0045] Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0046] Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0047] Figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0048] Figure 18 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0049] Figure 19 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0050] Figure 20 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0051] Figure 21 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0052] Figure 22 shows an exploded perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0053] Figure 23 shows an exploded perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0054] Figure 24 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0055] Figure 25 shows an exploded perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0056] Figure 26 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0057] Figure 27 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0058] Figure 28 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0059] Figure 29 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0060] Figure 30 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0061] Figure 31 shows an inner perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0062] Figure 32 shows a schematic view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0063] Figure 33 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0064] Figure 34 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0065] Figure 35 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0066] Figure 36 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0067] Figure 37 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0068] Figure 38 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0069] Figure 39 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0070] Figure 40 shows a perspective view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0071] Figure 41 shows a side view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0072] Figure 42 shows a top view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0073] Figure 43 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling and/or heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

[0074] Figure 44 shows a perspective view of a heat exchanger in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merely representative of certain examples of presently contemplated embodiments in accordance with the invention. The presently described embodiments will be best understood by reference to the drawings.

[0076] In some instances, features represented by numerical values, such as dimensions, mass, quantities, and other properties that can be represented numerically, are stated as approximations. Unless otherwise stated, an approximate value means “correct to within 50% of the stated value.” Thus, a length of approximately 1 inch should be read “1 inch +/- 0.5 inch.”

[0077] All or part of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method, and/or computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. For example, the computer program product may include firmware programmed on a microcontroller.

[0078] The computer readable storage medium may be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, a chemical memory storage device, a quantum state storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

[0079] Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

[0080] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object-oriented programming languages such as Smalltalk,

C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. Computer program code for implementing the invention may also be written in a low-level programming language such as assembly language.

[0081] In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

[0082] Fig. 1 shows a heating and cooling device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating and cooling device 100 includes a power source 110, a lid 104, one or more exhaust ports 106, one or more intake ports 108, and one or more bowls 102/112. Power source 110 may be a corded (plug in type) power source or may be a battery power source. Power source 110 may be external to lid 104 or may be concealed internally within lid 104. A battery power source may have removable batteries that are rechargeable, disposable, or may have built- in rechargeable batteries that are not removable. Rechargeable batteries may be wirelessly chargeable by means of a first coil wirelessly transferring electromagnetic power to a wirelessly coupled second coil. Similarly to a wireless cellular phone charging system. Lid 104 may contain one or more heat sinks (shown and described in relation to Figures 8 and Figures 9) attached to each side of one or more thermal electric modules imbedded within lid 104. Lid 104 may be usable on different size bowls 102 and 112 due to features and advantages as a flat or variable size lid interface shown in more detail in Figure 2. [0083] One or more thermal sensors may be used in conjunction with or may be a discrete control element such as a bimetallic switch, relay, RC network, or mechanical thermostatic switch to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to maintain a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower limit. Additionally or alternatively, one or more active control elements such as a transistor, SS relay, micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit, or logic gate may be used with a resistor, thermocouple, thermopile, resistive junction, thermal wire, RTD, or fused junction to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower predetermined limit.

[0084] Figure 2 shows a heating and cooling lid 200 with a flat bottom surface 204. Flat surface 204 may allow different size bowls to be used with lid 200 as shown in Figure 1. Lid 200 also includes one or more intake ports 208 and one or more exhaust ports 206. Power supply 210 may attach to a side or top surface of lid 200.

[0085] Figure 3 shows heating and cooling device 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating and cooling device 300 includes a power source receptacle 310, a lid 304, one or more exhaust ports 306, one or more intake ports 308, and bowl 302. Power source receptacle 310 may be used in conjunction with batteries or wired power. Rechargeable batteries may be wirelessly chargeable by means of a first coil wirelessly transferring electromagnetic power to a wirelessly coupled second coil or charged by way of power receptacle 310. Lid 304 may contain one or more heat sinks (shown and described in relation to Figures 8 and Figures 9) attached to each side of one or more thermal electric modules imbedded within lid 304. Recesses 312 may be used to grip or remove lid 304 from bowl 302.

[0086] Figure 4 shows heating and cooling device 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating and cooling device 400 includes a power source receptacle, a hinging lid 404/406, one or more exhaust ports, one or more intake ports, and bowl 402. A power source receptacle may used in conjunction with batteries or wired power. Rechargeable batteries may be wirelessly chargeable by means of a first coil wirelessly transferring electromagnetic power to a wirelessly coupled second coil or charged by way of a power receptacle similar to Figure 3. Lid portion 404 may contain one or more heat sinks (shown and described in relation to Figures 8 and Figures 9) attached to each side of one or more thermal electric modules imbedded within lid portion 404. Hinging lid 404/406 includes a hinge 408 which allows lid portion 404 to separate from lid portion 406 as shown in Figure 4. Lid portion 404 may include one or more sealing edges 412 for sealing against one or more sealing edges 414 of lid portion 406 when lid portion 406 is closed against lid portion 404 and closed against rim 410 of bowl 402. The hinging action of lid portion 406 allows for easy access to contents within bowl 402 without entirely removing lid portions 406 or 404 from bowl 402.

[0087] Heating and cooling functionality associated with the heating and cooling device can be easily switched or revered by changing the polarity of the power supply. Polarity changing control configurations are well known and may include multiple pole switching mechanisms, logic gates, micro-controllers, application specific integrated circuits, relays, flip-flops, etc.

[0088] Figures 5-9 show various embodiments and uses of heating and cooling module 500. Fig. 5 shows a heating and cooling module 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating and cooling module 500 includes a power source 512, an enclosure 502, one or more exhaust/intake heating ports 514, one or more exhaust/intake cooling ports 506/508, and one or more securing means 504/510. Power source 512 may be a corded (plug-in type) power source or may be a battery powered power source. A battery powered source may have removable batteries that are rechargeable, disposable, or may have built-in rechargeable batteries that are not removable. Rechargeable batteries may be wirelessly chargeable by means of a first coil wirelessly transferring electromagnetic power to a wirelessly coupled second coil. Similar to a wireless cellular phone charging system. Heating and cooling module 500 may contain one or more heat sinks (shown and described in relation to Figures 8 and Figures 9) attached to each side of one or more thermal electric modules imbedded within enclosure 502 and electrically connected to power source 512. Module 500 may be usable on different size bowls, lids, or coolers as will be shown in relation to Figures 7 and Figures 21-26. One or more angled tabs 510 (one each side) may be used to secure Module 500 to a bowl, a lid, or a cooler by rotational force pressuring flange 504 against a body of a bowl, lid, or cooler as is shown in Figure 24 and Figure 7.

[0089] Heating and cooling module 600 is a top perspective view of the heating and cooling module of Figure 5 previously described above. Heating and cooling module 600 includes a power source 612, an enclosure 602, one or more intake heating ports 614, one or more exhaust ports 616, one or more exhaust/intake cooling ports 606/608, and one or more securing means 604. Intake heating ports 614 may include groves or openings which are angled away from exhaust ports 616 to help prevent premature mixing of exhaust and intake air by directing discharge air away from the intake airflow circulation. Securing means 604 may be a flange, ridge, washer, or lip which provides a flat surface for heating and cooling module 600 to mount or attach to a bowl, a lid, or a cooler. [0090] Heating and cooling functionality associated with the removable module can be easily switched or revered by changing the polarity of the power supply. Polarity changing control configurations are well known and may include multiple pole switching mechanisms, logic gates, micro-controllers, application specific integrated circuits, relays, flip-flops, etc.

[0091] Figure 7 shows a heating and cooling device 700 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating and cooling device 700 includes a heating and cooling module 706 (shown also in Figures 5 and 6), lids 704 and 710, bowls 702 and 712, and module cover 708. Heating and cooling module 706 is removable and may be used on either lid 704 or on lid 710. Cover 708 may be used to cover an opening in lid 704 or lid 710 when heating and cooling module 706 is removed allowing the lids to function as a lid while the removable module is removed. Cover 708 or module 706 may rest on a lip 714 when installed in lid 704 or lid 710. Bowls 702 and 712 may be used with the same module 706.

[0092] Figure 8 shows a partial cross-section of a heating and cooling module device 800 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating and cooling device 800 includes a thermal electric module 804 in thermal and mechanical contact between a first heat sink 802 and a second heat sink 806. First heat sink 802 and second heat sink 806 are shown having a first fan 812 and a second fan 808 recessed into first heat sink 802 and second heat sink 806. Fans 808 and 812 do not need to be recessed in heat sinks 802 and 806 but may provide a thermal heat transfer and space saving advantage to heating and cooling device 800 by being recessed as shown. Heating and cooling module 800 includes a power source 818, one or more exhaust heating ports 814, one or more intake heating ports 822, one or more exhaust cooling ports 810/820, one or more intake cooling ports 810/820, and one or more securing means 816. Ports 814 and 822 may be configured to be a heat exhaust port or a heat intake port based on a direction and fan blade pitch of fan 812. Likewise, ports 810 and 820 may be configured to be a cooling exhaust port or a cooling intake port based on a direction and fan blade pitch of fan 808. Power source 818 provides DC power to thermal electric module 804. Thermal electric module 804 produces heating and cooling based on a current flow across multiple semiconductor junctions within module 804. Accordingly, when power polarity of the DC power is reversed, the heating and cooling produced by module 804 is also reversed. Thus, the heating and cooling functionality of modules 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 shown in Figures 5-9, or any of the other embodiments using a thermal electric module, can be easily switched or revered by changing the polarity of the power supply. Polarity changing control configurations are well known and may include multiple pole switching mechanisms, logic gates, micro-controllers, application specific integrated circuits, relays, flip-flops, etc. Power source 818 may be a corded (plug-in type) power source or may be a battery powered power source. A battery powered source may have removable batteries that are rechargeable, disposable, or may have built-in rechargeable batteries that are not removable. Rechargeable batteries may be wirelessly chargeable by means of a first coil wirelessly transferring electromagnetic power to a wirelessly coupled second coil. Similar to a wireless cellular phone charging system. Heating and cooling module 800 may contain one or more heat sinks attached to each side of one or more thermal electric modules imbedded within an enclosure and electrically connected to power source 818. Airflow may be drawn in through or around heat sinks 802/806 to provide heat and cooling transfer through exhaust cooling and exhaust heating ports 814/810. Thermal paste or other heat transfer compounds may be applied between thermal electric module 904 and heat sinks 802/806 to improve heat transfer properties and efficiency of module 800. Module 800 may be usable on different size bowls, lids, or coolers as will be shown in relation to Figures 7 and Figures 21-26. [0093] One or more thermal sensors, attached to or imbedded in heating and cooling module device 800, may be used in conjunction with or may be a discrete control element such as a bimetallic switch, relay, RC network, or mechanical thermostatic switch to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to maintain a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower limit. Additionally or alternatively, one or more active control elements such as a transistor, SS relay, micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit, or logic gate may be used with a resistor, thermocouple, thermopile, resistive junction, thermal wire, RTD, or fused junction to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower predetermined limit.

[0094] Figure 9 shows a partial cross-section 900 of a heating and cooling module device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating and cooling device 900 includes a thermal electric module 904 in thermal and mechanical contact between a first heat sink 902 and a second heat sink 906. First heat sink 902 and second heat sink 906 are shown having a first fan 912 and a second fan 908 recessed into first heat sink 902 and second heat sink 906. Fans 908 and 912 do not need to be recessed in heat sinks 902 and 906 but may provide a thermal heat transfer and space saving advantage to heating and cooling device 900 by being recessed as shown. Heating and cooling module 900 includes a power source 918, one or more exhaust heating ports 914, one or more intake heating ports 922, one or more exhaust cooling ports 910/920, one or more intake cooling ports 910/920, and one or more securing means 916. Ports 914 and 922 may be configured to be a heat exhaust port or a heat intake port based on a direction and fan blade pitch of fan 912. Likewise, ports 910 and 920 may be configured to be a cooling exhaust port or a cooling intake port based on a direction and fan blade pitch of fan 908. Power source 918 provides DC power to thermal electric module 904. Thermal electric module 904 produces heating and cooling based on a current flow across multiple semiconductor junctions within module 904. Accordingly, when power polarity of the DC power is reversed, the heating and cooling produced by module 804 is also reversed. Thus, the heating and cooling functionality of modules 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 shown in Figures 5-9, or any of the other embodiments using a thermal electric module, can be easily switched or revered by changing the polarity of the power supply. Polarity changing control configurations are well known and may include multiple pole switching mechanisms, logic gates, micro-controllers, application specific integrated circuits, relays, flip-flops, etc. Power source 918 may be a corded (plug-in type) power source or may be a battery powered power source. A battery powered source may have removable batteries that are rechargeable, disposable, or may have built-in rechargeable batteries that are not removable. Rechargeable batteries may be wirelessly chargeable by means of a first coil wirelessly transferring electromagnetic power to a wirelessly coupled second coil. Similar to a wireless cellular phone charging system. Heating and cooling module 900 may contain one or more heat sinks attached to each side of one or more thermal electric modules imbedded within an enclosure and electrically connected to power source 918. Airflow may be drawn in through or around heat sinks 902/906 to provide heat and cooling transfer through exhaust cooling and exhaust heating ports 914/910. Thermal paste or other heat transfer compounds may be applied between thermal electric module 904 and heat sinks 902/906 to improve heat transfer properties and efficiency of module 900. Module 900 may be usable on different size bowls, lids, or coolers as will be shown in relation to Figures 7 and Figures 21-26. [0095] Figures 10 and 11 show a heating and cooling device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Exploded bottom view 1000 shows a heating and cooling module 1006, a lid seal 1012, lid bottom surface 1004, a bowl bottom side-view 1002, a bowl rim 1016, and an inner lid seating surface 1014. Heating and cooling module 1006 works in a similar way to module device 800 of Figure 8 with heating and cooling exhaust and intake ports 1010/1008 and 1010/1108 shown in Figure 11. Exploded top view 1100 shows a heating and cooling module 1006, a lid top surface 1104, a bowl side 1102, a bowl rim 1116, and an inner lid seating surface 1106. Heating and cooling module 1006 works in a similar way to module device 800 of Figure 8 with heating and cooling exhaust and intake ports 1010/1008 and 1110/1108 (shown as 1010 in Figure 11).

[0096] In Figure 11, heating and cooling device 1100 includes a power switch 1012, a lid 1104, one or more exhaust/intake ports 1010/1108, and bowl 1102. Power switch 1012 may automatically trigger the heating and/or cooling to start or stop based on a position of mechanical switch 1012. For instance, when modular heating and cooling device 1114 is inserted within lid 1104, switch 1012 may be depressed to electrically connect a battery power source within device 1114 to start heating and cooling functions within an inner area of bowl 1102.

[0097] Figure 12 shows a heating and cooling device cross-section 1200 of similar embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 11. Heating and cooling device 1200 includes a thermal electric module 1204 in thermal and mechanical contact between a first heat sink 1202 and a second heat sink 1206. First heat sink 1202 and second heat sink 1206 are shown having a first fan 1212 and a second fan 1214 with fan blades 1216 and 1218. Heating and cooling module 1200 includes a power source, one or more exhaust heating ports 1226, one or more intake heating ports 1222, one or more exhaust cooling ports 1224/1220, one or more intake cooling ports 1224/1220. Ports 1226 and 1222 may be configured to be a heat exhaust port or a heat intake port based on a direction and fan blade 1216 pitch of fan 1212. Likewise, ports 1220 and 1224 may be configured to be a cooling exhaust port or a cooling intake port based on a direction and fan blade 1218 pitch of fan 1214. The power source provides DC power to thermal electric module 1204. Thermal electric module 1204 produces heating and cooling based on a current flow across multiple semiconductor junctions within module 1204. Accordingly, when power polarity of the DC power is reversed, the heating and cooling produced by module 1204 is also reversed. Thus, the heating and cooling functionality can be easily switched or revered by changing the polarity of the power supply. Polarity changing control configurations are well known and may include multiple pole switching mechanisms, logic gates, micro-controllers, application specific integrated circuits, relays, flip-flops, etc. The power source may be a corded (plug-in type) power source or may be a battery powered power source. A battery powered source may have removable batteries that are rechargeable, disposable, or may have built-in rechargeable batteries that are not removable. Rechargeable batteries may be wirelessly chargeable by means of a first coil wirelessly transferring electromagnetic power to a wirelessly coupled second coil. Similar to a wireless cellular phone charging system. Heating and cooling module 1200 may contain one or more heat sinks attached to each side of one or more thermal electric modules imbedded within an enclosure and electrically connected to the power source. Airflow may be drawn in through or around heat sinks 1202/1206 to provide heat and cooling transfer through exhaust cooling and exhaust heating ports 1226/1224. Thermal paste or other heat transfer compounds may be applied between thermal electric module 1204 and heat sinks 1202/1206 to improve heat transfer properties and efficiency of module 1200. Module 1200 may be usable on different size bowls, lids, or coolers as will be shown in relation to Figures 10-15 and Figures 27-28.

[0098] Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view 1300 of a cooling bowl 1302 with fruit contents 1304 being cooled by a modular cooling device 1306 inserted into a lid 1308 and sealed to ridge 1310 of bowl 1302. Modular cooling device 1306 is similar to the heating and cooling device 1200 of Figure 12 with similar operation and functionality as has been previously discussed.

[0099] Figure 14 shows a top perspective view 1400 of a similar device as has been described in relation to Figure 13, Modular cooling/heating device 1406 is shown inserted into lid 1404. Lid 1404 is shown attached to bowl 1402. .

[00100] Figure 15 shows a top perspective view 1500 of a similar device as has been described in relation to Figure 14 including a modular cooing/heating device 1506 have an electrical charging port 1508. Modular cooling/heating device 1506 is shown inserted into lid 1504. Lid 1504 is shown attached to bowl 1502. Electrical charging port 1508 may be configured to receive a power supply 1510 to supply power directly to heating/cooling device 1506 and/or to charge a battery within heating/cooling device 1506.

[00101] Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling/heating device 1600. Device 1600 includes a bowl 1612, a lid 1618, an inner area 1602 of bowl 1612, rechargeable batteries 1606/1608, one or more thermal electric modules 1610, an inner heat sink 1604, an outer heat sink 1614, and a bowl rim 1620. Cooling/heating device 1600 may use static heat transfer to remove heat from bowl 1612 or to add heat to bowl 1612. Previous cooling and/or heating devices above were shown to use fans for dynamic heat transfer. Static heat transfer is made possible because of large surface areas of heat sinks 1614/1604 and as further shown in Figure 18. Static heating and cooling allow for lower power consumption and lower noise compared to the previously described embodiments.

[00102] Figure 17 shows a heating/cooling device 1700 which is functionally similar to heating/cooling device 1600 of Figure 16 except only one thermal electric module 1710 is shown. Figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling/heating device 1700. Device 1700 includes a bowl 1712, a lid 1718, an inner area 1702 of bowl 1712, one or more thermal electric modules 1710, an inner heat sink 1704, an outer heat sink 1714, and a bowl rim 1720. Cooling/heating device 1700 may use static heat transfer to remove heat from bowl 1712 or to add heat to bowl 1712. Previous cooling and/or heating devices above were shown to use fans for dynamic heat transfer. Static heat transfer is made possible because of large surface areas of heat sinks 1714/1704 and as further shown in Figure 18. Static heating/cooling and a single thermal electric module 1710 allow for lower power consumption and lower noise. Heating/cooling device 1700 may include wired, wireless, or battery power built into lid 1716.

[00103] One or more thermal sensors may be used in conjunction with or may be a discrete control element such as a bimetallic switch, relay, RC network, or mechanical thermostatic switch. Additionally or alternatively, one or more active control elements such as a transistor, SS relay, micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit, or logic gate may be used with a resistor, thermocouple, thermopile, resistive junction, thermal wire, RTD, or fused junction to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower predetermined limit.

[00104] Figure 18 shows a top perspective view of a heating and cooling device 1800 which is similar in operation and function to heating/cooling devices 1600/1700 of Figures 1600 and 1700. Heat sink 1814 is shown with a spiral pattern that increases the available cross- sectional area for heat transfer of heat sink 1814. Lid 1818 is shown with a corded power supply 1822 charging and/or supplying power to heating/cooling device 1800 by way of charging port 1824 in the side of lid 1818. Lid 1818 is shown attached to bowl 1802.

[00105] Figure 19 shows a heating/cooling device 1900 which is functionally similar to heating/cooling device 1700 of Figure 17 except for condensate pan 1905. Figure 19 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling/heating device 1900. Device 1900 includes a bowl 1912, a lid 1918, an inner area 1902 of bowl 1912, one or more thermal electric modules 1910, an inner heat sink 1904, an outer heat sink 1914, and a bowl rim 1920. Cooling/heating device 1900 may use static heat transfer to remove heat from bowl 1912 or to add heat to bowl 1912. Static heat transfer is made possible because of large surface areas of heat sinks 1914/1904 as shown in Figure 18. Static heating/cooling and a single thermal electric module 1910 allow for lower power consumption and lower noise. Heating/cooling device 1900 may include wired, wireless, or battery power built into lid 1916. Additionally, condensate pan 1905 is situated below heat sink 1904 in order to catch condensation drips 1907 as thermal electric module 1910 cycles to control a temperature within inner bowl 1902. Condensation pan 1905 may be formed into a partial cup allowing cool air to fall around the partial cup area to cool the inner area 1902 and hold condensation water 1907 when the lid 1918 is removed and tilted upon taking off of lid 1918 from bowl 1912.

[00106] Figure 20 shows a heating/cooling device 2000 which is functionally similar to heating/cooling device 1900 of Figure 19 except for condensate drip ring 2009 and the shape of inner heat sink 2004. Figure 20 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling/heating device 2000.

Device 2000 includes a bowl, a lid 2018, an inner area 2002 of the bowl, one or more thermal electric modules 2010, an inner heat sink 2004, an outer heat sink 2014, and a bowl rim 2020.

Cooling/heating device 2000 may use static heat transfer to remove heat from the inner area 2002 of the bowl or to add heat to the inner area 2002 of the bowl. Static heat transfer is made possible because of large surface areas of heat sinks 2014/2004 as shown in Figure 19. Static heating/cooling and a single thermal electric module 2010 allow for lower power consumption and lower noise. Heating/cooling device 2000 may include wired, wireless, or battery power built into lid 2016. Additionally, condensate drip ring 2009 is situated below heat sink 1904 in order to catch condensation drips 2007 as thermal electric module 2010 cycles to control a temperature within inner bowl 2002. Condensation drip ring 2009 may be formed into a partial cup allowing cool air to fall around the partial cup area to cool the inner area 2002 and hold condensation water 2007 when the lid 2018 is removed and tilted upon taking off of lid 2018 from the bowl. Inner heat sink 2004 may have an inverted cone shape being narrower in the center 2005 and wider, sloping downward on the edges allowing condensation water 2007 to drip into condensation ring 2009.

[00107] One or more thermal sensors may be used in conjunction with or may be a discrete control element such as a bimetallic switch, relay, RC network, or mechanical thermostatic switch. Additionally or alternatively, one or more active control elements such as a transistor, SS relay, micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit, or logic gate may be used with a resistor, thermocouple, thermopile, resistive junction, thermal wire, RTD, or fused junction to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower predetermined limit. [00108] Figure 21 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooling/heating bowl 2100. Cooling/heating bowl 2100 includes a removable bowl 2106, a base housing 2102, and a removable module 2101. Removable module 2101 is shown and described in more detail in Figure 8 above. Removable module 2101 may include certain physical adaptations such as depression 2112 which allows one or more airflow channels 2116 on either side of center divider 2120 to be formed. One or more airflow channels 2116 may be formed in one or more side walls of bowl base housing 2102. Center divider 2120 may include an airflow slot 2118 allowing airflow to be directed in a circular direction from a cooling/heating exhaust port 2116 through channel 2118 and into cooling/heating intake port 2112. A bottom side of bowl 2106 may rest on center divider 2120 creating an airflow channel on each side of center divider 2120 within an inner area 2104 of bowl housing 2102. Bowl 2106 may be a stainless steel bowl or other thermally conductive material which allow heat to be transferred into an inner area 2107 of bowl 2106. Bowl 2106 may include a lip 2108 which rests on a mating surface 2122 within bowl housing 2102. Recess 2110 may be formed to allow a cutting board or other lid to be used in conjunction with cooling/heating bowl 2100 as is shown in Figures 24 and 25. Removable module 2101 may be removed by turning or rotating module 2101 in relation to base 2102 to disengage retaining members holding module 2101 in contact with base 2102.

[00109] Figure 22 shows a top perspective view of a cooling/heating bowl 2200. Cooling/heating bowl 2200 includes a removable bowl 2206, a base housing 2202, and a removable module 2201. Removable module 2201 is shown and described in more detail in Figure 8 above. Center divider 2220 may include an airflow slot 2218 allowing airflow to be directed in a circular direction from cooling/heating exhaust ports of module 2201 through channel 2218 and into cooling/heating intake ports of module 2201. A bottom side of bowl 2206 may rest on center divider 2220 creating an airflow channel on each side of center divider 2220 within an inner area 2204 of bowl housing 2202. Bowl 2206 may be a stainless steel bowl or other thermally conductive material which allow heat to be transferred into an inner area 2207 of bowl 2206. Bowl 2206 may include a lip 2208 which rests on a mating surface 2222 within bowl housing 2202. Recess 2210 may be formed to allow a cutting board or other lid to be used in conjunction with cooling/heating bowl 2200 as is shown in Figures 24 and 25. Removable module 2201 may be removed by turning or rotating module 2201 in relation to base 2202 to disengage retaining members holding module 2201 in contact with base 2202. A display window 2230 may be integrated into a surface of bowl housing 2202 allowing visual indicators of temperature or control setting to be viewable through window 2230 or display 2230. Visual indicators may originate from removable module 2201 and be viewable through window 2230. [00110] Figure 23 shows a top perspective view of a cooling/heating bowl 2300. Cooling/heating bowl 2300 includes a removable bowl 2306, a base housing 2302, and a removable module. The removable module is shown and described in more detail in Figure 8 above. Center divider 2320 may include an airflow slot allowing airflow to be directed in a circular direction from cooling/heating exhaust ports of the removable module through one or more airflow channels 2317 and 2319 and into cooling/heating intake ports of the removable module. A bottom side of bowl 2306 may rest on center divider 2320 creating an airflow channel on each side of center divider 2320 within an inner area 2304 of bowl housing 2302. Bowl 2306 may be a stainless steel bowl or other thermally conductive material which allow heat to be transferred into an inner area 2307 of bowl 2306. Bowl 2306 may include a lip 2308 which rests on a mating surface 2322 within bowl housing 2302. Recess 2310 may be formed to allow a cutting board or other lid to be used in conjunction with cooling/heating bowl 2300 as is shown in Figures 24 and 25. The removable module may be removed by turning or the rotating module in relation to base 2302 to disengage retaining members the holding module in contact with base 2302 as has been described in relation to Figures 21 and 22 previously. A display window 2330 may be integrated into a surface of bowl housing 2302 allowing visual indicators of temperature or control setting to be viewable through window 2330 or display 2330. Visual indicators may originate from the removable module and be viewable through window 2330.

[00111] Figure 24 shows a top perspective view of a cooling/heating bowl 2400. Cooling/heating bowl 2400 includes a removable bowl, a base housing 2402, and a removable module 2401. Removable module 2401 is shown and described in more detail in Figure 8 above. A recess may be formed to allow a cutting board 241 lor other lid to be used in conjunction with cooling/heating bowl 2400. Removable module 2401 may be removed by turning or rotating module 2401 in relation to base 2402 to disengage retaining members holding module 2401 in contact with base 2402. Power source 2403 may be a corded (plug in type) power source or may be a battery power source. A battery power source may have removable batteries that are rechargeable, disposable, or may have built-in rechargeable batteries that are not removable. Rechargeable batteries may be wirelessly chargeable by means of a first coil wirelessly transferring electromagnetic power to a wirelessly coupled second coil. Similarly to a wireless cellular phone charging system.

[00112] One or more thermal sensors may be used in conjunction with or may be a discrete control element such as a bimetallic switch, relay, RC network, or mechanical thermostatic switch to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to maintain a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower limit. Additionally or alternatively, one or more active control elements such as a transistor, SS relay, micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit, or logic gate may be used with a resistor, thermocouple, thermopile, resistive junction, thermal wire, RTD, or fused junction to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower predetermined limit.

[00113] Figure 25 shows a top perspective exploded view of a cooling/heating bowl 2500. Cooling/heating bowl 2500 includes a removable bow 25061, a base housing 2502, and a removable module 2501. Removable module 2501 is shown and described in more detail in Figure 8 above. A recess may be formed to allow a cutting board 2511 or other lid to be used in conjunction with cooling/heating bowl 2500. Removable module 2501 may be removed by turning or rotating module 2501 in relation to base 2502 to disengage retaining members holding module 2501 in contact with base 2502. A center divider may include an airflow slot 2578 allowing airflow to be directed in a circular direction from cooling/heating exhaust ports of the removable module through one or more airflow channels and into cooling/heating intake ports of the removable module 2501. A bottom side of bowl 2506 may rest on the center divider and a recessed lip 2522 creating an airflow channel on each side of the center divider within an inner area 2504 of bowl housing 2502. Bowl 2506 may be a stainless steel bowl or other thermally conductive material which allow heat to be transferred into an inner area 2507 of bowl 2506.

[00114] Figure 26 show a cooling/heating device 2600 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Cooling/heating device 2600 include a removable module 2606 providing heating and/or cooling functions to an insulated container 2602 by way of lid 2604 of the insulated container 2602. Removable module 2606 is shown and described in Figure 8 previously. Power source 2608 may be a corded (plug in type) power source or may be a battery power source. A battery power source may have removable batteries that are rechargeable, disposable, or may have built-in rechargeable batteries that are not removable. Rechargeable batteries may be wirelessly chargeable by means of a first coil wirelessly transferring electromagnetic power to a wirelessly coupled second coil. Similarly to a wireless cellular phone charging system.

[00115] Heating and cooling functionality associated with the removable module can be easily switched or revered by changing the polarity of the power supply. Polarity changing control configurations are well known and may include multiple pole switching mechanisms, logic gates, micro-controllers, application specific integrated circuits, relays, flip-flops, etc.

[00116] One or more thermal sensors, attached to or imbedded in module 2606, may be used in conjunction with or may be a discrete control element such as a bimetallic switch, relay, RC network, or mechanical thermostatic switch to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to maintain a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower limit. Additionally or alternatively, one or more active control elements such as a transistor, SS relay, micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit, or logic gate may be used with a resistor, thermocouple, thermopile, resistive junction, thermal wire, RTD, or fused junction to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower predetermined limit.

[00117] Figure 27 show a cooling/heating device 2700 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Cooling/heating device 2700 include a removable module 2706 providing heating and/or cooling functions to an insulated container 2702 by way of lid 2704 of the insulated container 2702. Removable module 2706 is shown and described in Figures 1 and 2 previously. Power source 2708 may be a corded (plug in type) power source or may be a battery power source. A battery power source may have removable batteries that are rechargeable, disposable, or may have built-in rechargeable batteries that are not removable. Rechargeable batteries may be wirelessly chargeable by means of a first coil wirelessly transferring electromagnetic power to a wirelessly coupled second coil. Similarly to a wireless cellular phone charging system.

[00118] Figure 28 show an insulated device 2800 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Insulated device 2800 include a removable module plug 2805 providing plugging functions to an insulated container 2802 by way of lid 2804 of the insulated container 2702. Removable plug module 2805 may be removed to allow a heating/cooling module to be inserted. [00119] Figure 29 shows a cross-sectional view of a heating/cooling device 2900 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating/cooling device 2900 includes a thermal electric module 2908 sandwiched between a first parabolic heat sink 2918 and a second parabolic heat sink 2920 with an optional insulation layer 2916 separating heat sink 2918 from heat sink 2920. Ridges 2922 and 2924 may be used to receive one or more lids or covers for protecting and/or thermally insulating contents within bowls 2904 and/or 2906. Thermal electric module 2908 may be powered be a power supply 2910 by way of a power port 2912 and wiring controls 2914. Thermal controlling may be provided partially from power source 2910 and from one or more thermal sensors attached to heating/cooling device 2900. Heating/cooling device 2900 may be used as a bowl for heating or cooling liquid contents such as water for an animal. A first side 2904 may provide cooling for water within the bowl while a second side 2906 provides heating. If heating or cooling of a liquid or product is needed, the bowl may be turned over allowing an opposite heating or cooling function to occur. A single bowl version may also be used and configured such that DC power provided to thermal electric module 2908 is reversed causing the heating and cooling produced by module 2908 to also be reversed. Thus, the heating and cooling functionality can be easily switched or revered by changing the polarity of the power supply. Polarity changing control configurations are well known and may include multiple pole switching mechanisms, logic gates, micro-controllers, application specific integrated circuits, relays, flip-flops, etc.

[00120] Figure 30 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of a heating/cooling bowl 3000. Heating/cooling bowl 3000 includes a compressor 3008, condenser lines 3014, evaporator lines 3012, a metering device between the evaporator lines and the condenser lines, one or more vents 3022/3020, refrigeration gas, an enclosure 3024, and inner enclosure cooling area 3010, insulation 3026, a bowl 3002, a bowl inner area 3004, and a lid 3006. A refrigeration reversing valve may be optionally used to swap line 3012 and 3014 in order to switch between heating and cooling modes. Compressor 3008 includes a high pressure side 3016 and a low pressure side 3018 with a motorized pump housed there between within compressor 3008. The high side line 3016 is connected to condenser lines 3014 and the low side line 3018 is connected to the evaporator lines 3012. The metering device may be capillary tube or a thermal expansion valve positioned between the evaporator and condenser lines shown at 3209 in Figure 32. A refrigeration gas such as HP 81, 408 A, 404A, or 134 A may be used to provide heat transfer from the evaporator lines to the condenser lines thus heating or cooling an inner area 3004 of bowl 3002. Lid 3006 may be a cutting board or other lid providing thermal insulation to keep product within bowl 3002 at a desired temperature. Housing 3024 may include one or more vents 3020/3022 allowing heat or cooling to dissipate into an ambient environment.

[00121] Heating and cooling functionality associated with the heating/cooling bowl 3000 can be easily switched or revered by using a refrigeration reversing valve as is well known in the refrigeration industry.

[00122] One or more thermal sensors, attached to or imbedded in heating/cooling bowl 3000 and may be used in conjunction with or may be integrated into a discrete control element such as a bimetallic switch, relay, RC network, or mechanical thermostatic switch to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to maintain a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower limit. Additionally or alternatively, one or more active control elements such as a transistor, SS relay, micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit, or logic gate may be used with a resistor, thermocouple, thermopile, resistive junction, thermal wire, RTD, or fused junction to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower predetermined limit.

[00123] Figure 31 shows an internal view of a heating/cooling apparatus 3100. Heating/cooling apparatus 3100 includes a compressor 3108, condenser lines 3114, evaporator lines 3112, a metering device between the evaporator lines and the condenser lines, and refrigeration gas. A refrigeration reversing valve may be optionally used to swap line 3112 and 3114 in order to switch between heating and cooling modes. Compressor 3108 includes a high pressure side 3116 and a low pressure side 3118 with a motorized pump housed there between within compressor 3108. The high side line 3116 is connected to condenser lines 3114 and the low side line 3118 is connected to the evaporator lines 3112. The metering device may be capillary tube or a thermal expansion valve positioned between the evaporator and condenser lines shown at 3209 in Figure 32. A refrigeration gas such as HP 81, 408A, 404A, or 134A may be used to provide heat transfer from the evaporator lines to the condenser lines thus heating or cooling an inner area formed by lines 3112.

[00124] Figure 32 shows mechanical schematic view of a heating/cooling apparatus 3200. Heating/cooling apparatus 3200 includes a compressor 3208, condenser lines 3214, evaporator lines 3212, and a metering device 3209 between the evaporator lines and the condenser lines, and refrigeration gas. A refrigeration reversing valve may be optionally used to swap line 3212 and 3214 in order to switch between heating and cooling modes. Compressor 3208 includes a high pressure side 3216 and a low pressure side 3218 with a motorized pump housed there between within compressor 3208. The high side line 3216 is connected to condenser lines 3214 and the low side line 3218 is connected to the evaporator lines 3212. The metering device may be capillary tube or a thermal expansion valve positioned between the evaporator and condenser lines shown at 3209. A refrigeration gas such as HP 81, 408A, 404A, or 134A may be used to provide heat transfer from the evaporator lines to the condenser lines thus heating or cooling an inner area formed by lines 3212.

[00125] Figure 33 shows a perspective view of a heating/cooling bowl 3300. Heating/cooling bowl 3300 includes a compressor area 3302, one or more vents 3304/3306, an enclosure 3302, a bowl 3308, a bowl inner area, a first lid portion 3310, a second lid portion 3312, and a lid hinge connecting the first lid portion to the second lid portion.

[00126] Figure 34 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of a heating/cooling bowl

3400. Heating/cooling bowl 3400 includes a compressor 3402, condenser lines 3420, evaporator lines 3418, a metering device between the evaporator lines and the condenser lines, one or more vents 3406/3426, refrigeration gas, an enclosure 3404, and inner enclosure cooling area 3408, insulation between the evaporator lines and the condenser lines, a bowl 3410, a bowl inner area, and a lid 3412. A refrigeration reversing valve may be optionally used to swap lines 3418 and 3420 in order to switch between heating and cooling modes. Compressor 3402 includes a high pressure side 3424 and a low pressure side 3422 with a motorized pump housed there between within compressor 3402. The high side line 3424 is connected to condenser lines 3420 and the low side line 3422 is connected to the evaporator lines 3418. The metering device may be capillary tube or a thermal expansion valve positioned between the evaporator and condenser lines shown at 3209 in Figure 32. A refrigeration gas such as HP 81, 408A, 404A, or 134A may be used to provide heat transfer from the evaporator lines to the condenser lines thus heating or cooling an inner area of bowl 3410. Lid 3412 may be a cutting board or other lid providing thermal insulation to keep product within bowl 3410 at a desired temperature. Housing 3404 may include one or more vents 3406/3426 allowing heat or cooling to dissipate into an ambient environment.

[00127] Heating and cooling functionality associated with the heating/cooling bowl 3400 can be easily switched or revered by using a refrigeration reversing valve as is well known in the refrigeration industry.

[00128] One or more thermal sensors, attached to or imbedded in heating/cooling bowl 3400 and may be used in conjunction with or may be integrated into a discrete control element such as a bimetallic switch, relay, RC network, or mechanical thermostatic switch to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to maintain a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower limit. Additionally or alternatively, one or more active control elements such as a transistor, SS relay, micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit, or logic gate may be used with a resistor, thermocouple, thermopile, resistive junction, thermal wire, RTD, or fused junction to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower predetermined limit.

[00129] Figure 35 shows a perspective view of a heating/cooling device 3500 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating/cooling device 3500 includes a housing 3502, air flow vents 3506/3508/3510/3512, side wall 3514, and inner area 3504. Heating/cooling device 3500 includes a thermal electric module for heating and cooling of inner area 3504. One or more fans provide heating and/or cooling airflow through airflow channels and through airflow vents 3506/3508/3510/3512.

[00130] Figure 36 is a cross-sectional view of heating/cooling device 3600 shown also in Figure 35. Heating/cooling device 3600 includes a housing 3602, airflow vents 3606/3608/3610/3612, side wall 3614, and inner area 3604. Heating/cooling device 3600 includes a thermal electric module 3626 for heating and cooling of inner area 3604. One or more fans 3618/3620 provide heating and/or cooling airflow through airflow channels 3634/3630/3628/3632 and through airflow vents 3606/3608/3610/3612. Object 3638 may be visually displayed 3640 above heating/cooling device 3600 due to reflection from reflective parabolic surfaces 3636 from within device 3600. One or more light sources may be present within an inner area 3604 allowing a projected image 3640 of contents 3638 to be shown hovering above device 3600. Thermal electric module 3626, heat sinks 3622, and 3624 are similar in function and control as has been previously described in relation to the previous Figures. Airflow vents 3606/3608/3610/3612 may intake and/or discharge heating and cooling airflow produced by fans 3618 and 3620 in order to heat and/or cool inner area 3604 in accordance with a predetermined user temperature set point or preprogrammed temperature set point. One or more air curtains may be formed by air vents 3606/3608/3610/3612 blowing air in a specific direction, elevation, and/or speed in order to control temperature and/or humidity within inner area 3604.

[00131] Heating and cooling functionality associated with heating/cooling device 3600 can be easily switched or revered by changing the polarity of the power supply. Polarity changing control configurations are well known and may include multiple pole switching mechanisms, logic gates, micro-controllers, application specific integrated circuits, relays, flipflops, etc.

[00132] One or more thermal sensors, attached to or imbedded in heating/cooling device 3600, may be used in conjunction with or may be a discrete control element such as a bimetallic switch, relay, RC network, or mechanical thermostatic switch to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to maintain a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower limit. Additionally or alternatively, one or more active control elements such as a transistor, SS relay, micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit, or logic gate may be used with a resistor, thermocouple, thermopile, resistive junction, thermal wire, RTD, or fused junction to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower predetermined limit. [00133] Figure 37 shows a perspective view of a heating/cooling device 3700 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating/cooling device 3700 may include a two piece dome shaped lid 3702/3704, a base 3706, a hinge member 3708, a first seal 3710, and a second seal 3712. Lid sections 3702 and 3704 may be made out of a transparent material such as acrylic, polycarbonate, glass, or other known transparent materials. Lid sections 3702/3704 may each be formed by a double wall with a static air gap in between each layer. The double wall may form an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface of each section 3702/3704 increasing the insulation value of each section, similar to a double glass window. A hinge member 3708 may be spring loaded allowing for assistance in rotationally opening or closing lid section 3702 in relation to lid section 3704 along a horizontal axis formed by hinge member 3708 and another matching hinge member (not shown) on the opposite (far) side of heating/cooling device 3700. Base 3706 may include one or more sealing surfaces for allowing a first seal 3710 to reversibly seal against base 3706 and lid section 3702 when the lid is in a closed position. Second seal 3712 may allow the first lid portion 3702 to seal against the second lid portion 3704 while the first lid portion 3702 is closed against the base portion 3706.

[00134] Figure 38 shows a perspective view of a heating/cooling device 3800 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating/cooling device 3800 may include one or more LED lights 3816, one or more dividers 3814, an inner removable basket 3818, and one or more food items 3820. LED lights 3816 may be UV LED lights, white LED lights, or any other colored LED lights. UV lights may be used to sanitize surfaces within heating/cooling device 3800. The surfaces may include structure surfaces and/or food product surfaces. Dividers 3814 may be reconfigurable such that sections may be removed or replaced as necessary to divide or separate food product items as needed by a user. [00135] Figure 39 shows a cross-sectional view of a heating/cooling device 3900 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating/cooling device 3900 may include a base 3906 with an embedded motor 3922 used to automatically rotate basket 3918. Motor shaft 3924 may attach to an interface 3926 which is reversibly connected to a basket interface 3928 allowing the basket 3918 to be lifted out of heating/cooling device 3900 and placed into a dishwasher for cleaning. One or more LED lights 3916 may be used to display, sanitize, or attract attention to food product with in the bowl. In one embodiment, UV LED lights are used to enhance vitamin D3 levels in mushrooms within the bowl and heat instead of cooling along with the UV lights may be used to speed up the D3 enhancement process. The basket 3918 may be rotated as part of the D3 enhancement process to provide a more even distribution of UV light upon the surfaces of the mushrooms being enhanced. In another embodiment, UV light and visible spectrum lights are both used within the bowl. In another embodiment, visible LED lights are used to remind a passing individual that food items in the bowl are ready for consumption. The passing individual may trigger a motion sensor turning on the LED lights or the LED lights may be on a timer or other microprocessor program to remind the user of optimal times to consume the food product.

[00136] Heating/cooling device 3900 is shown with a low profile or ratio of height where the lid taller than the base. This low profile feature allows a user to see food in the bowl while sitting at a desk and open and access the food while also sitting at a desk. Features and advantages of bowl 3900 have been intentionally designed to attract users to food and allow users to access the food while working at a desk.

[00137] Figure 40 shows a perspective view of a heating/cooling device 4000 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heating/cooling device 4000 may include a power supply or battery 4032, an exhaust port 4032, an intake port 4036, and off/on switch 4038, and one or more options buttons 4040. One or more options buttons 4040 may be electrically connected to a processor, memory, and programming allowing functions of lighting, sanitizing, rotating, and other safety features to be implemented in conjunction to bowl device 4000. The bowl 4000 may be cooled or heated as described above in relation to thermal electric modules or refrigeration compressors.

[00138] Figure 41 shows a side view of a cooling container 4100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Cooling container 4100 includes a lid or lid assembly 4102 and a base assembly 4104. Lid 4102 may include two or more optically transparent layers (shown in Figure 43) with an insulation layer between. The insulation layer may be a gas such as air or nitrogen or any other inert gas, a transparent solid such as silicon, or a transparent liquid such as water. Other known transparent insulating materials may be us as is known in the art of insulating materials. A lid that is optically transparent and insulated is desirable because material such as food kept in the cooling container will be viewable while in a cool and fresh state making the food more enticing to a person viewing the food through the lid. The insulation is important because humidity with cloud the lid and obscure the view if the lid is not insulated with two or more layers. The layers may be made out of a transparent material such as acrylic, polycarbonate, glass, or other known transparent materials. Lid sections as shown in Figure 43 may each be formed by a double wall with a static air gap in between each layer. The double wall may form an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface of each section increasing the insulation value of each section, similar to a double glass window. A hinge member 4110 may be spring loaded allowing for assistance in rotationally opening or closing a first lid section in relation to a second lid section along a horizontal axis formed by hinge member 4110 and another matching hinge member (not shown) on the opposite (far) side of cooling container 4100. Base 4104 may include one or more sealing surfaces for allowing a lid seal to reversibly seal against base 4104 when the lid is in a closed position. Another lid seal may allow a first lid portion to seal against a second lid portion while the first lid portion is closed against the base portion as shown in Figure 37. The base portion 4104 may include a heat-radiating heat exchanger (shown in Figure 44) and a heat-absorbing heat exchanger (shown in Figure 43 at 4350). The heat-radiating heat exchanger may include a first array of fins 4106 and a second array of fins 4108 with a track 4112 there between. The first array of fins and the second array of fins may naturally conduct heat upward through the fins by natural heat confection or by one or more fans located inside of track 4112 as shown at 4114 and 4116. Other component of base 4104 will now be described in relation to Figures 42 and 43.

[00139] Figure 42 shows a top-view of a cooling container 4200 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Base assembly 4204 may include one or more fans 4228-4240 and seven fans are shown inserted into the track between the first array of fins and the second array of fins on heat-radiating heat exchanger 4226. A decorative cap 4212 may be used to cover and lock in the fans. Base 4204 may additionally include one or more intake vents 4222 and 4224 and one or more outlet vents 4220 for cooling an enclosed area 4218 of cooling container 4200 as interior air is passed through a heat-absorbing heat exchanger shown in Figure 43.

[00140] Figure 43 shows a cross-sectional view 4300 of a cooling container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Cooling container 4300 may include a lid or a lid assembly 4354, 4356, 4358, and 4360 and a base assembly 4304. Lid assembly 4354, 4356, 4358, and 4360 may include two or more optically transparent layers 4354, 4356, 4358, and 4360 with an insulation layer between. The insulation layer may be a gas such as air or nitrogen or any other inert gas, a transparent solid such as silicon, or a transparent liquid such as water. Other known transparent insulating materials may be us as is known in the art of insulating materials. A lid that is optically transparent and insulated is desirable because material such as food kept in the cooling container will be viewable while in a cool and fresh state making the food more enticing to a person viewing the food through the lid. The insulation is important because humidity with cloud the lid and obscure the view if the lid is not insulated with two or more layers. The layers may be made out of a transparent material such as acrylic, polycarbonate, glass, or other known transparent materials. Lid sections as shown in may each be formed by a double wall with a static air gap in between each layer. The double wall may form an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface of each section increasing the insulation value of each section, similar to a double glass window. A hinge member (not shown in the cross-section) may be spring loaded allowing for assistance in rotationally opening or closing a first lid section in relation to a second lid section along a horizontal axis formed by two hinge members on opposite sides of the cooling container lid. Base assembly 4304 may include one or more sealing surfaces for allowing a lid seal to reversibly seal against base assembly when the lid is in a closed position. Another lid seal may allow a first lid portion to seal against a second lid portion while the first lid portion is closed against the base portion as shown in Figure 37. The base assembly 4304 may include a heat-radiating heat exchanger 4308, also shown in Figure 44, and a heat-absorbing heat exchanger 4350 with one or more thermal electric modules 4346 and 4348 sandwiched there between. The heat-radiating heat exchanger may include a first array of fins 4306 and a second array of fins 4308 with a track 4344 there between. A decorative cap 4312 may be used to cover and lock in the fans. The one or more intake vents and the one or more outlet vents are not visible in the cross-sectional view shown. The enclosed inner area 4342 of the container is cooled as interior air is passed through a heat-absorbing heat exchanger 4350. The first array of fins and the second array of fins may naturally conduct heat upward through the fins by natural heat confection or by one or more fans located inside of track 4344. A gear motor 4352 may be to rotate an inner basket as shown in relation to Figure 38. A magnetic reed switch or other proximity detector may be used to detect removal or opening of the lid and stop air flow, turn off UV light sources, turn off LED light sources, charge a credit card, charge an account, to report an opening event to a doctor or other cloud based network service(s), and/or to stop a rotation of a removable basket within the cooling container. A major advantage of the current invention is the fact that the lid encloses a large area of total enclosed area of the container allowing easy viewing of the contents within the container as shown in Figures 37-43. A wireless microcontroller may be co-located within the same or adjacent space as gear motor 4352. One or more thermal sensors may be used in conjunction with or may be a discrete control element such as a bimetallic switch, relay, RC network, or mechanical thermostatic switch to control heating and/or cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to maintain a user desired cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower limit. Additionally or alternatively, one or more active control elements such as a transistor, SS relay, micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit, or logic gate may be used with a resistor, thermocouple, thermopile, resistive junction, thermal wire, RTD, or fused junction to control cooling within a bowl, lid, air duct, heat sink, inner surface, or outer surface, or a combination thereof to a user desired heating and/or cooling set point or threshold range within an upper and lower predetermined limit. Cooling container 4304 may include a power supply or battery, off/on switches, and one or more options buttons. One or more options buttons may be electrically connected to a processor, memory, and programming allowing functions of lighting, sanitizing, rotating, and other features to be implemented in conjunction with wireless features and services of cooling container 4304. The cooling container may further comprise one or more motion sensors. The container may further comprise one or more light emitting diodes connected to the power such that the enclosed inner area is illuminated by light emitting from the one or more light emitting diodes as described in relation to Figure 39. The one or more light emitting diodes may be ultra-violet light emitting diodes, visible spectrum light emitting diodes, and/or infrared light emitting diodes. The container may further comprise a micro-controller or a wireless micro-controller. The wireless micro-controller may wirelessly communicate with a smart phone, a watch, a database server, and/or a cloud based network service. A visible or audio stimulus of the container may be triggered by user data of a person who is in a visible radius of the container, audio radius of the container, proximity radius of the container, or wirelessly linked to the container by way of communication with a smart phone, a smart watch, a database server, and/or a cloud based network service associated with the person. The user data may be a heart rate, a respiration rate, a blood sugar level, a location, a scheduled event, a reminder, a prescription, a current medical event, and/or a subscription service of the person. The reminder may be a reminder to take a prescribed medication that is located within the container. A light flashing within the container may prompt a person to eat, take medications, or seek medical attention.

[00141] Figure 44 shows a perspective view of a heat-radiating heat exchanger 4400 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Heat-radiating heat exchanger 4400 includes a first array of fins 4406 and a second array of fins 4408. Each array of fins having an air space 4466 between each fin of the array of fins. A track 4464 is formed between the first and second arrays of fins allowing fans to positioned in horizontally between the two arrays of fins enabling an air flow in a vertical direction, rising from the lower first fins 4406 through the upper second fins 4408 allowing fan airflow to take place in the same direction as natural convection heat currents.

[00142] The systems and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the inventive concepts shown and described are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a transparent lid and a base assembly forming an enclosed inner area of the container, the transparent lid allowing visibility of contents within the container; one or more thermal electric modules sandwiched between a heat-radiating heat exchanger and a heat-absorbing heat exchanger; and a power supply that supplies power to the one or more thermal electric modules such that heat is removed from the enclosed inner area of the container.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the transparent lid has two or more transparent layers.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the two or more transparent layers are separated by transparent insulation.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the transparent lid provides enclosure of at least 25% of an area of the enclosed inner area of the container.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the transparent lid provides enclosure of at least 50% of an area of the enclosed inner area of the container.

6. The container of claim 3, wherein the heat-absorbing heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the enclosed inner area of the container.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the heat-radiating heat exchanger comprises a first array of fins and a second array of fins.

47 The container of claim 7, wherein the first array of fins and the second array of fins are separated by a track. The container of claim 8, wherein the track is a radial track. The container of claim 9, wherein the radial track is configured to receive one or more fans. The container of claim 10, wherein the one or more fans are positioned in the track such that air is drawn through the first array of fins and discharged through the second array of fins in a vertical direction. The container of claim 3 further comprising: one or more light emitting diodes connected to the power such that the enclosed inner area is illuminated by light emitting from the one or more light emitting diodes. The container of claim 12, wherein the one or more light emitting diodes are ultraviolet light emitting diodes, visible spectrum light emitting diodes, and/or infrared light emitting diodes. The container of claim 3 further comprising: one or more motion sensors. The container of claim 3 further comprising: a micro-controller or a wireless microcontroller. The container of claim 15, wherein the wireless micro-controller wirelessly communicates with a smart phone, a watch, a database server, and/or a cloud based network service. The container of claim 16, wherein a visible or audio stimulus of the container is triggered by user data of a person who is in a visible radius of the container, audio radius of the container, proximity radius of the container, or wirelessly linked to the

48 container by way of communication with a smart phone, a smart watch, a database server, and/or a cloud based network service associated with the person. The container of claim 17, wherein the user data is a heart rate, respiration rate, blood sugar level, location, scheduled event, reminder, prescription, current medical event, and/or subscription service of the person. The container of claim 18, wherein the reminder is a reminder to take a prescribed medication within the container. The container of claim 18, wherein a light flashing within the container prompts the person to eat, take medications, or to seek medical attention.

49