Storage Device

Abstract

A storage device ( 1 ) adapted to contain a food item such a butter comprises a closeable container ( 3 ), a means for maintaining a predetermined temperature with the container irrespective of ambient temperature and an internal power source adapted to power the means for maintaining a predetermined temperature. The closeable container ( 3 ) is located on a recharging unit ( 43 ) by way of spherical feet ( 7 ) which are received in part-spherical cups ( 47 ) on the recharging unit ( 43 ).

1 . A portable storage device for maintaining the temperature of at least one food item contained in the device, the storage device comprising:
 a. a first container having a receptacle portion and associated temperature determination elements capable of determining the temperature within the receptacle portion, the temperature determination elements being coupled to a power source;   b. a charging device capable of being engaged to the container and disengaged from the container, the charging device having at least one surface shaped to correspond to a non-flat surface of the container, such that, when the charging device is engaged to the container, power is supplied to the power source, and, when the charging device is disengaged from the container, the power source is capable of supplying power to the temperature determination elements for some period of time without the charging device.   
   
   
       2 . A portable storage device according to  claim 1 , including a further, second container having a receptacle portion capable of being placed within the receptacle portion of the first container, the second container being adapted to store the said at least one food item. 
   
   
       3 . A portable storage device according to  claim 2 , wherein the second container comprises a plastic material. 
   
   
       4 . A portable storage device according to  claim 2  or  3 , including a lid capable of providing an enclosure around the first and second containers when the lid is placed on the first container and the receptacle portion of the second container is placed within the receptacle portion of the first container. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . A portable storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first container has feet that support the first container and the charging device has cup-shaped members for receiving the feet, the feet providing respective said non-flat surface of the container and the cup-shaped members the said corresponding surfaces of the charging device. 
   
   
       7 . A portable storage device according to  claim 6 , wherein the non-flat surfaces of the feet and the cup-shaped members are part-spherical. 
   
   
       8 . A portable storage device according to  claim 7 , wherein the feet are substantially spherical. 
   
   
       9 . A portable storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises at least one rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       10 . A portable storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature determination elements comprise a heat transfer element, a thermoelectric module and a temperature control mechanism. 
   
   
       11 . A portable storage device according to  claim 10 , wherein the heat transfer element comprises aluminium material. 
   
   
       12 . A portable storage device according to  claim 10  or  11 , wherein the thermoelectric module is a Peltier Effect module. 
   
   
       13 . A portable storage device according to  claims 10 ,  11 , or  12 , wherein the temperature control mechanism comprises a thermistor and a control potentiometer allowing a user of the storage device to select the temperature within the first receptacle portion of the first container. 
   
   
       14 . A portable storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one food item is a portion of butter. 
   
   
       15 . A portable storage device according to  claim 6  or  7 , wherein the lid further comprises a handle for removing the lid from the first container.