Thermoelectric hot/cold pans

Abstract

A container temperature control system having an inner container and a receptacle in which the inner container can be positioned. A thermoelectric based heat transfer unit is positioned in an opening in the receptacle such that an interior portion thereof is by the inner container and an exterior portion thereof is outside with heat being selectively transferable between these interior and exterior portions.

1 . A container temperature control system for a removable container, the system comprising:
 an inner container,   a receptacle in which the inner container can be positioned to enclose a separation space therebetween within which air can convectively circulate, and from which receptacle the inner container can be removed, and   a thermoelectric based heat transfer unit positioned in an opening in the receptacle such that an interior portion thereof is positioned in the separation space and that an exterior portion thereof positioned outside of the receptacle with heat being selectively transferrable between these interior and exterior portions.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the inner container is formed of thermally conductive material. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the inner container is an arrangement for holding plural types of contents separate from one another. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein there is a plurality of thermoelectric based heat transfer units positioned in corresponding openings in the receptacle with each of the plural types of contents having heat transferred with respect thereto by at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric based heat transfer units. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle has structures therein that are thermally insulative. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the structures are relatively rigid walls separated by foam insulation. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein supports are provided with the rigid walls on which the inner container can be supported at or near edges thereof if positioned in the receptacle. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the thermoelectric based heat transfer unit has a thermoelectric device portion thereof positioned between a pair of heat transfer plates. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the heat transfer plates has a plurality of fins extending outward therefrom. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein one of the heat transfer plates extends between the thermoelectric device portion and the inner container if the inner container is positioned in the receptacle. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the heat transfer plate with fins supports a fan that can circulate air over those fins. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein both of the heat transfer plates have a plurality of fins extending outward therefrom. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the heat transfer plates each support a fan that can circulate air over the fins thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the heat transfer plate extending between the thermoelectric device portion and the inner container is positioned has fins and supports a fan that can circulate air over those fins.