Timed container warmer and cooler

• US 6,571,564 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Snuddles LLC
• Original Assignee: Snuddles LLC
• Inventors: Upadhye, Shashank, Upadhye, Shilpa
• Primary Examiner(s): Doerrler, William C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zec, Filip
• Application Number:
  US10/004,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20030074903A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 62/33, 62/36.4, 62/62, 219/501, 219/689, 165/80.5, 220/592.17, 257/205
• US Class Current: 62/3.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/2438 for warming a water-bath or -jacket
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/04 reversible
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/803 Bottles
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/36 Visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/16 Sensors measuring the temperature of products
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/005 Combined cooling and heating devices
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/007 Bottles or cans

Abstract

Disclosed is an invention related to a warmer and cooler for a container that is programmably timed to engage a heating and/or cooling unit. The invention may be adapted for use with a baby bottle to facilitate nighttime feedings by programming when the unit should be turned on to heat the bottle or cool the bottle.

Claims

1. An apparatus to minimize efforts in container warming using a liquid, comprising:

(a) a control unit;

(b) an enclosure, the enclosure including an inner liquid tight chamber, the liquid being in contact with the chamber;

(c) a heating unit associated with the enclosure;

(d) a cooling unit associated with the enclosure; and

(e) wherein the control unit is adapted to manipulate the heating and the cooling unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit further comprises an input device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the input device further comprises at least one of a keyboard, voice-activated module, pointer, and touch screen.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the input device further comprises a display indicator.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is adapted to receive a container.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the container is a bottle.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes a drain port.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice-activated module, pointer, and touch screen.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the enclosure further comprises a display indicator.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises at least one thermoregulation pipe.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the enclosure further comprises an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice activated module, pointer, and touch screen, and a display indicator.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a fluid level indicator.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a weight sensor.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the enclosure further comprises an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice activated module, pointer, and touch screen;

and a display indicator.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a basket.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the enclosure further comprises an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice activated module, pointer, and touch screen;

and a display indicator.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is adapted to receive thermoregulation piping.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the enclosure further comprises an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice activated module, pointer, and touch screen;

and a display indicator.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating unit further comprises at least one of a heater coil, radiant heat module, convection heat module, thermoelectric module, and conduction heat module.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the heating unit the heating coil is in an interior compartment of the enclosure.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus further comprises a temperature sensor adapted to turn on or off the heating unit or cooling unit.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the temperature sensor is a thermostat.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the enclosure further comprises an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice activated module, pointer, and touch screen;

and a display indicator.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit further comprises at least one of a recirculating water bath, an evaporator, a heat transfer fluid unit, a plurality of fins, at least one fan, a thermoelectric module, a Stirling Cycle unit, an absorption unit, refrigerant unit, a thermoacoustic unit, and a heat sink.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the cooling unit further comprises at least one of a recirculating water bath, an evaporator, a heat transfer fluid unit, a plurality of fins, at least one fan, a thermoelectric module, a Stirling Cycle unit, an absorption unit, refrigerant unit, a thermoacoustic unit, and a heat sink.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the control unit further comprises a temperature sensor.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit further comprises a compressor and an evaporator.

28. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the cooling unit further comprises a thermoelectric module.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the enclosure further comprises an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice-activated module, pointer, and touch screen;

a display indicator; and

a temperature sensor.

30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

the enclosure comprising an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice activated module, pointer, and touch screen; and

a display indicator;

the heating unit comprising a first thermoelectric module;

the cooling unit comprising a second thermoelectric module and a heat sink; and

the control unit is a switch to selectively actuate the first or second thermoelectric modules.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the apparatus further comprises an agitator.

32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises an agitator.

33. An apparatus to thermoregulate a container using a liquid, comprising:

(a) a means for adjusting a temperature of an enclosure, the enclosure including an inner liquid tight chamber, the liquid being in contact with the chamber; and

(b) a means for moderating the timing of the adjusting means.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for adjusting the temperature comprises a control unit.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the control unit comprises a heating unit and a cooling unit.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the heating unit comprises at least one of a heater coil, radiant heat module, convection heat module, thermoelectric module, and conduction heat module.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the heating unit comprises a thermoelectric module.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the heating unit comprises a heater coil.

39. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the cooling unit comprises at least one of a recirculating water bath, an evaporator, a heat transfer fluid unit, a plurality of fins, at least one fan, a thermoelectric module, a Stirling Cycle unit, an absorption unit, refrigerant unit, a thermoacoustic unit, and a heat sink.

40. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the control unit comprises an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice-activated module, pointer, and touch screen;

a display indicator; and

a temperature sensor.

41. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for moderating the timing includes a programmable alarm timer.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the means for adjusting the temperature comprises:

a heating unit comprising at least one of a heater coil, radiant heat module, convection heat module, thermoelectric module, and conduction heat module;

a cooling unit comprising at least one of a recirculating water bath, an evaporator, a heat transfer fluid unit, a plurality of fins, at least one fan, a thermoelectric module, a Stirling Cycle unit, an absorption unit, refrigerant unit, a thermoacoustic unit, and a heat sink.

43. A method of providing thermoregulation to a container using a liquid, comprising:

(a) providing an engaging signal to a thermoregulator; and

(b) engaging the thermoregulator to heat or cool an enclosure in response to the engaging signal, the enclosure including an inner liquid tight chamber, the liquid being in contact with the chamber.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the step of providing an engaging signal further comprises actuating a control unit to provide the signal.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of actuating the control unit further comprises manipulating a timer unit.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the step of manipulating the timer unit further comprises programming the timer unit to go off and engage the thermoregulator.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the step of engaging the thermoregulator further comprises selecting a heating cycle or a cooling cycle.

48. The method of claim 43, wherein the method further comprises:

(a) programming a timer to go off at a preselected time to create the engaging signal;

(b) transmitting the engaging signal to a control unit, the control unit being adapted to manipulate a heating and cooling unit;

(c) thermoregulating the enclosure for a preselected period of time in response to being engaged by the control unit.

49. A method of warming a container using a liquid, comprising:

(a) setting an alarm on a unit adapted to receive the container, the unit including an inner liquid tight chamber, the liquid being in contact with the chamber; and

(b) engaging a heating unit to provide heat to the container when the alarm goes off.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the method further comprises engaging a cooling unit to engage when the heating unit turns off.

51. A method of warming a container using a liquid in an enclosure, comprising:

(a) engaging a cooling unit that is adapted to receive the container;

(b) receiving an alarm activation signal; and

(c) activating a heating unit in response to the receipt of the alarm activation signal, the enclosure including an inner liquid tight chamber, the liquid being in contact with the chamber.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the method further comprises engaging the cooling unit once the heating unit has cycled n times.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the method further comprises shaking the container.

54. An apparatus to minimize efforts in container warming, comprising:

(a) a control unit;

(b) an enclosure;

(c) a heating unit associated with the enclosure;

(d) a cooling unit associated with the enclosure;

(e) wherein the control unit is adapted to manipulate the heating and the cooling unit; and

(f) wherein the enclosure further comprises a basket.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the enclosure further comprises an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice activated module, pointer, and touch screen;

and a display indicator.

56. An apparatus to minimize efforts in container warming, comprising:

(a) a control unit;

(b) an enclosure;

(c) a heating unit associated with the enclosure;

(d) a cooling unit associated with the enclosure;

(e) wherein the control unit is adapted to manipulate the heating and the cooling unit; and

(f) wherein the cooling unit further comprises at least one of a recirculating water bath, an evaporator, a heat transfer fluid unit, a plurality of fins, at least one fan, a thermoelectric module, a Stirling Cycle unit, an absorption unit, refrigerant unit, a thermoacoustic unit, and a heat sink.

57. An apparatus to minimize efforts in container warming, comprising:

(a) a control unit;

(b) an enclosure;

(c) a heating unit associated with the enclosure;

(d) a cooling unit associated with the enclosure;

(e) wherein the control unit is adapted to manipulate the heating and the cooling unit;

(f) wherein the heating unit further comprises at least one of a heater coil, radiant heat module, convection heat module, thermoelectric module, and conduction heat module;

(g) wherein the enclosure further comprises an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice activated module, pointer, and touch screen; and

a display indicator; and

(h) wherein the cooling unit further comprises at least one of a recirculating water bath, an evaporator, a heat transfer fluid unit, a plurality of fins, at least one fan, a thermoelectric module, a Stirling Cycle unit, an absorption unit, refrigerant unit, a thermoacoustic unit, and a heat sink.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the control unit further comprises a temperature sensor.

59. An apparatus to minimize efforts in container warming, comprising:

(a) a control unit;

(b) an enclosure;

(c) a heating unit associated with the enclosure;

(d) a cooling unit associated with the enclosure; and

(e) wherein the control unit is adapted to manipulate the heating and the cooling unit; and

(f) wherein the cooling unit further comprises a compressor and an evaporator.

60. An apparatus to minimize efforts in container warming, comprising:

(a) a control unit;

(b) an enclosure comprising an input device, the input device comprising at least one of a keyboard, voice activated module, pointer, and touch screen; and

a display indicator;

(c) a heating unit associated with the enclosure, the heating unit comprising a first thermoelectric module;

(d) a cooling unit associated with the enclosure, the cooling unit comprising a second thermoelectric module and a heat sink; and

(e) wherein the control unit is adapted to manipulate the heating and the cooling unit, the control unit is a switch to selectively actuate the first or second thermoelectric modules.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus further comprises an agitator.

62. An apparatus to thermoregulate a container, comprising:

(a) a means for adjusting a temperature of an enclosure; and

(b) a means for moderating the timing of the adjusting means;

(c) wherein the means for adjusting the temperature comprises a control unit;

(d) wherein the control unit comprises a heating unit and a cooling unit; and

(e) wherein the cooling unit comprises at least one of a recirculating water bath, an evaporator, a heat transfer fluid unit, a plurality of fins, at least one fan, a thermoelectric module, a Stirling Cycle unit, an absorption unit, refrigerant unit, a thermoacoustic unit, and a heat sink.

63. An apparatus to thermoregulate a container, comprising:

(a) a means for adjusting a temperature of an enclosure;

(b) a means for moderating the timing of the adjusting means;

(c) wherein the means for moderating the timing includes a programmable alarm timer; and

(d) wherein the means for adjusting the temperature comprises;

(i) a heating unit comprising at least one of a heater coil, radiant heat module, convection heat module, thermoelectric module, and conduction heat module; and

(ii) a cooling unit comprising at least one of a recirculating water bath, an evaporator, a heat transfer fluid unit, a plurality of fins, at least one fan, a thermoelectric module, a Stirling Cycle unit, an absorption unit, refrigerant unit, a thermoacoustic unit, and a heat sink.

64. A method of warming a container, comprising:

(a) setting an alarm on a unit adapted to receive the container; and

(b) engaging a heating unit to provide heat to the container when the alarm goes off; and

(c) wherein the method further comprises engaging a cooling unit to engage when the heating unit turns off.

65. An apparatus for warming a container, comprising:

(a) a control unit;

(b) an enclosure, the enclosure including an inner liquid tight chamber, the liquid being in contact with the chamber

(c) a thermoregulating unit associated with the enclosure; and

(d) wherein the control unit is adapted to manipulate the thermoregulating unit, and the thermoregulating unit manipulates the heating and cooling of the same inner chamber.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the thermoregulating unit comprises a thermoelectric module, the thermoelectric module being capable of heating and cooling the chamber;

the control unit manipulating the thermoelectric module to be in a cooling mode in the absence of a heating activation signal, and further manipulating the thermoelectric module to begin a heating mode in response to the heat activation signal.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein at least one of a manual switch or programmable timer generates the heat activation signal.