Drinking container

• US 5,042,258 A
• Filed: 08/07/1989
• Issued: 08/27/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shaam P. Sundhar
• Original Assignee: Shaam P. Sundhar
• Inventors: Sundhar, Shaam P.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Lloyd L.
• Application Number:
  US07/390,032
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 62/3.2, 62/3.6, 62/3.62, 62/457.9, 62/3.3
• US Class Current: 62/3.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2288 with means for keeping liquid cool or hot
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/2466 with integral heating means
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/02 using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2321/0251 by a gas
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/00 Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects integrated devices or assemblies of multiple devices H10N19/00

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing and storing a food product is provided. This apparatus includes a container comprising a cup portion having a cup insert removably detachable from an insulative shell which has cylindrical sidewall, a top edge, and a bottom planar portion. The cup portion has a heat conductive portion positioned between the insulative shell and the cup insert. The apparatus also includes a thermoelectric chip with means for supplying power for the thermoelectric chip with the chip positioned between a heat sink and the heat conductive portion. In one embodiment of the invention, the heat sink includes fins which depend downwardly from the bottom of the cup portion, while in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the fins extend outwardly from a main wall parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cup portion.

Claims

1. A thermoelectrically cooled drinking container for use in an automotive vehicle in conjunction with a beverage, said drinking container comprising,

a cup portion, said cup portion having a handle secured thereto, said cup portion having a cup insert removably detachable from an insulative shell, said shell having a cylindrical side wall, a top edge, and a bottom planar portion, said cup portion having a heat conductive portion positioned between said insulative shell and said cup insert, said cup insert secured just inwardly of said insulative shell, said drinking container facilitating the drinking directly therefrom of a beverage,

a thermoelectric chip, said thermoelectric chip positioned between a heat sink and said heat conductive portion, and

means for supplying power for said thermoelectric chip.

2. The drinking container according to claim 1 wherein said heat conductive portion is positioned between said bottom planar portion and said cup insert, and said bottom planar portion has a bottom surface, said bottom surface being positioned directly adjacent to said heat sink, said heat sink at least partially enclosing a fan, said fan connected to said means for supplying power.

3. The drinking container according to claim 2 wherein said cup insert is fabricated from a heat conductive material.

4. The drinking container according to claim 3 wherein said heat sink is comprised of a main wall and a plurality of fins depending perpendicularly therefrom.

5. The drinking container according to claim 1 wherein said cup insert is fabricated from a heat conductive material.

6. The drinking container according to claim 5 wherein said heat conductive portion forms a heat conductive sheath, said sheath extends about said cup insert, said sheath being positioned between said cup insert and insulative shell.

7. The drinking container according to claim 6 wherein said heat sink is comprised of a main wall and a plurality of fins depending perpendicularly therefrom.

8. The drinking container according to claim 7 wherein said sheath is cylindrical and is directly adjacent to said cup insert.

9. The drinking container according to claim 8 wherein said cup portion has an insulated cover.

10. The drinking container according to claim 9 wherein said insulated cover at least partially encloses a top plate.

11. The drinking container according to claim 10 wherein said thermoelectric chip may have its polarity reversed.

12. The drinking container according claim 11 wherein said means for supplying power is connected to an adapter, said adapter capable of connection to the electrical system of said automotive vehicle.

13. A thermoelectrically cooled drinking container for use in an automotive vehicle in conjunction with a beverage, said drinking container comprising,

a cup portion, said cup portion having a handle secured thereto, said cup portion having a cup insert removably detachable from an insulative shell, said shell having a cylindrical side wall, a top edge, and a bottom planar portion, said cup portion having a heat conductive portion positioned between said insulative shell and said cup insert, said heat conductive portion forming a cylindrical heat conductive sheath, said sheath being positioned between said cup insert and said insulative shell directly adjacent said cup insert, said cup portion also having an insulated cover at least partially enclosing a top plate, said drinking container facilitating the drinking directly therefrom of a beverage,

a thermoelectric chip, said thermoelectric chip positioned between a heat sink and said heat conductive portion, said heat sink comprised of a main wall and plurality of fins depending perpendicularly therefrom, and

means for supplying power for said thermoelectric chip.

14. A drinking container for use in an automotive vehicle in conjunction with a beverage, said drinking container comprising,

a cup portion, said cup portion having a cup insert removably detachable from an insulative shell, said shell having a cylindrical side wall, a top edge, and a bottom planar portion, said cup portion having a heat conductive portion positioned between said insulative shell and said cup insert, said cup insert secured just inwardly of said insulative shell, said drinking container facilitating the drinking directly therefrom of a beverage,

a thermoelectric chip, said thermoelectric chip positioned between a heat sink and said heat conductive portion, and

means for supplying power for said thermoelectric chip.