Cooker utilizing a peltier device

• US 7,174,720 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2004
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arete Creations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian C. Kennedy
• Inventors: Kennedy, Brian C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali; Mohammad M.
• Application Number:
  US10/779,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20050005612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 62 31- 33, 62/36, 624/11, 624/52, 624/576, 624/579, 994/68, 994/70, 994/84, 219/385, 219/439, 219/620
• US Class Current: 62/3.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/004 with integral electrical heating means drinking cups with integral heating means A47J36/2466
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/321 the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 39/00 Heat-insulated warming chambers; Cupboards with heating arrangements for warming kitchen utensils
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 41/005 comprising heat or cold producing means, i.e. energy transfer from outside the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/04 reversible
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2321/0251 by a gas

Abstract

The present invention includes an appliance that has a cook vessel and a Peltier device. The Peltier device may have a motive heat distribution system on its waste side. The active side of the Peltier cools and heats the cook vessel in the absence of a motive heat distribution system. The present invention may also operate in the absence of an extraneous temperature regulation system. Methods of cooling and heating food are also part of the invention.

Claims

1. An appliance comprising:

a temperature regulation system comprising a convex portion and a Peltier device having an active side and a waste side

a cook vessel in contact with the active side, the cook vessel comprising a removable lid and having a concave portion disposed at the bottom portion of the cook vessel matched to the convex portion of the temperature regulation system; and

a waste side distribution system,

wherein the Peltier is located underneath the cook vessel and the active side provides temperature regulation to the cook vessel.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the convex portion is a thermally conductive material located between the Peltier and the cook vessel.

3. The appliance of claim 2, wherein the temperature regulation system consists essentially of the Peltier device and the thermally conductive material.

4. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the waste side distribution system comprises a heat sink.

5. The appliance of claim 4, wherein the waste side distribution system further comprises a fan.

6. The appliance of claim 5, further comprising a control unit having at least a timer.

7. The appliance of claim 6, further comprising a temperature sensor connected to the control unit.

8. The appliance of claim 7, further comprising a user interface.

9. The appliance of claim 8, further comprising an insulated housing in which the cook vessel is removably accepted.

16. The appliance of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of Peltier devices in contact with walls of the cook vessel.

17. The appliance of claim 2 further comprising a latch or a hinge connecting the removable lid to the cook vessel.

18. The appliance of claim 8 further comprising a remote interface.

19. The appliance of claim 3 wherein the waste side distribution system comprises a plumbed system or a liquid thermal transfer medium.

10. A method comprising:

contacting a cook vessel, having a concave portion, with a Peltier device wherein the Pelter device is located underneath the cook vessel, wherein a thermally conductive material having a convex portion matched to the concave portion of the bottom part of the cook vessel separates the Peltier from the cook vessel; and

cooking uncooked ingredients in the cook vessel until edible.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising controlling the cooking with a control unit having a user interface, a remote interface or combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising supplying a motive thermal transfer medium to a waste side of the Peltier device.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising refrigerating the cook vessel before the cooking step.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising supplying a liquid thermal transfer medium to the Peltier device.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising refrigerating the cook vessel after the cooking step.