Container cooler and warmer

Abstract

Disclosed is a container warmer that utilizes the same compartment for heating and cooling. In optional embodiments, the unit may include a programmable timer operably connected to the heating and cooling units such that the timer may regulate activity of the units. In other embodiments, the invention may include a baby bottle warmer in which the baby bottle is placed in a water bath in a compartment, the water bath being heated or cooled by heating or cooling units, and optionally operably connected to a programmable timer.

1 . An apparatus adapted for use in a vehicle to provide for warming or cooling of a container, comprising:
 (a) an inner compartment having an inner compartment inner wall surface and an inner compartment outer wall surface;   (b) a thermoelectric module disposed adjacent to the inner compartment outer wall surface;   (c) a heat sink disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric module; and   (d) a fan disposed adjacent to the heat sink.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner compartment is disposed in a vehicle console. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric module is disposed substantially against the inner compartment outer wall surface. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric module is disposed at least partially between the inner compartment and the fan. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes an indicator adapted to indicate if the apparatus is warming or cooling. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes at least one switch operably connected to the thermoelectric module. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes:
 (e) at least one switch operably connected to the thermoelectric module; and   (f) an indicator adapted to indicate if the apparatus is warming or cooling.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one switch is disposed on or near a vehicle console. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fan is positioned to blow onto the heat sink. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner compartment has an inner compartment floor and a thermoelectric module is disposed adjacent to the inner compartment floor. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the thermoelectric module adjacent to the inner compartment floor is also the thermoelectric module disposed adjacent to the inner compartment outer wall surface. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the thermoelectric module is disposed at least partially between the inner compartment and the fan. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric module has a maximum temperature that prevents overheating or prevents human injury. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the indicator is a blue light to indicate cooling and a red light to indicate warming. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes:
 (e) a switch operably connected to the thermoelectric module;   (f) an indicator adapted to indicate if the apparatus is warming or cooling, wherein the indicator is a red light if heating and a blue light if cooling; and   (g) wherein the inner compartment is disposed in a vehicle console.   
   
   
       16 . A method of warming or cooling a container, comprising the method of:
 (a) receiving an activation signal that operably activates a thermoelectric module, the thermoelectric module being disposed directly adjacent to or substantially adjacent to an inner compartment;   (b) warming or cooling the inner compartment in response to the activation signal.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises: (c) activating an indicator in response to the warming or cooling of the inner compartment. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the activation signal is received by a vehicle occupant. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes a timer. 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for warming or cooling a container in a vehicle, comprising:
 (a) a console disposed adjacent to at least one seat in the vehicle;   (b) at least one inner compartment at least partially disposed in the console;   (c) a thermoelectric module disposed adjacent to the inner compartment;   (c) a heat sink disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric module; and   (d) a fan disposed adjacent to the heat sink.