Thermoelectric chiller/warmer of contained substance

Abstract

In one form of the invention, a thermoelectric chiller and warmer is provided which can decrease or increase the temperature of a contained liquid or solid and liquid combination such as a bottled or canned liquid and/or solid. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric chiller/warmer is equipped with one or more cylinders into which containers, such as for example, bottles can be inserted. The liquid or solid is efficiently and evenly chilled or warmed and a specific temperature once obtained may be maintained. Also, a cover may be supplied to enclose the air space around the container located in a cylinder so that moisture is prevented from entering the air space. In one embodiment, one or more containers may be simultaneously chilled or warmed.

1 . A thermoelectric temperature controlling device that is capable of holding one or more containers storing a substance, comprising; 
 a main body having at least one cylinder with a closed bottom and an open top that can accept at least one container;    one or more covers that connect to the at least one cylinder top; and    a temperature controlling means for regulating the temperature of the at least one cylinder, said controlling means operably attached to the at least one cylinder.    
   
   
       2 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 1  wherein the cover connects to the cylinder top and encloses the air space within the cylinder so that moisture is prevented from entering the cylinder.  
   
   
       3 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one cylinder is constructed of thermally conductive material.  
   
   
       4 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one cylinder is thermally insulated.  
   
   
       5 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 1  further including a container positioning means disposed on at least one wall of the at least one cylinder.  
   
   
       6 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 1  further including a means for rotating a container within the at least one cylinder.  
   
   
       7 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 1  further including at least one heat sink operably joined to at least one cylinder.  
   
   
       8 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 7  further including at least one fan positioned to direct air flow toward the at least one heat sink.  
   
   
       9 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 1  further including a slanted base positioned under the main body so that the at least one cylinder is situated in a tilted position with respect to the surface that the main body and base rest upon.  
   
   
       10 . A thermoelectric temperature controlling device that is capable of holding one or more containers storing a substance, comprising: 
 a main body having one or more cylinders with a closed bottom portion and an open top portion, said top portion sized to allow a container to pass through and fit inside of the cylinder; and    a means for regulating the temperature of the one or more cylinders, said regulating means operably connected to the one or more cylinders.    
   
   
       11 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 10  wherein the means for regulating comprises a thermoelectric module, a heat sink, a spacer, a land area, and a fan.  
   
   
       12 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 10  wherein the cover connects to the cylinder top and encloses the air space within the cylinder so that moisture is prevented from entering the cylinder.  
   
   
       13 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 10  wherein the at least one cylinder is constructed of thermally conductive material.  
   
   
       14 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 10  wherein the at least one cylinder is thermally insulated.  
   
   
       15 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 10  further including a container positioning means disposed on at least one wall of the at least one cylinder.  
   
   
       16 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 10  further including a means for rotating a container within the at least one cylinder.  
   
   
       17 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 10  further including at least one heat sink operably joined to at least one cylinder.  
   
   
       18 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 17  further including at least one fan positioned to direct air flow toward the at least one heat sink.  
   
   
       19 . A thermoelectric temperature controlling device that is capable of holding one or more containers storing a substance, comprising; 
 a main body having at least two cylinders, said cylinders having a closed bottom portion and an open top portion wherein said cylinders can accept a container, said cylinders positioned within the main body so that the cylinders thermally communicate;    a means for adjusting the temperature of the at least two cylinders; and    a container positioning means located within the at least two cylinders to direct the position of the container when it is positioned in the at least two cylinders.    
   
   
       20 . The thermoelectric temperature controlling device of  claim 19  further including at least one cover means that operably connects to the at least two cylinder open top portions.