Device and method for heating and cooling storage containers

Abstract

A device comprising a first storage compartment, an inlet pipe connected to the storage compartment, the inlet pipe adapted to deliver conditioned air from a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a motor vehicle to the storage compartment, a first outlet pipe connected to the storage compartment for directing the conditioned air back into the HVAC system, a second storage compartment, and a second outlet pipe connected to the second storage compartment for directing the conditioned air into the second storage compartment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heating/cooling container system for a vehicle comprising:
 a hermetic storage compartment coupled to and in air communication with a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the vehicle via an air distribution valve; and   a control switch functionally coupled to the air distribution valve for controlling a conditioned air flow from the HVAC system into the hermetic storage compartment;   wherein the hermetic storage compartment comprises at least one first sealable outlet for outputting the conditioned air flow therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one first sealable outlet comprise a cap removably attachable thereto for disallowing outputting the conditioned air flow therefrom. 
     
     
         3 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the control switch is installed on the dashboard of the motor vehicle or as a selection option on an A/C control hub of the vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the hermetic storage compartment further comprises an inlet coupled to the HVAC system via a first conduit and the air distribution valve for introducing the conditioned air flow from the HVAC system into the hermetic storage compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The container system of  claim 4 , wherein the hermetic storage compartment further comprises a second outlet coupled to the HVAC system via a second conduit for directing the conditioned air flow from the hermetic storage compartment to the HVAC system. 
     
     
         6 . The container system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one first sealable outlet is located at a lower portion of the hermetic storage compartment, and the inlet is located at an upper portion of the hermetic storage compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the hermetic storage compartment further comprises:
 at least one layer for dividing said compartment into at least an upper portion and a lower portion.   
     
     
         8 . The container system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one layer comprises at least one can seat pad. 
     
     
         9 . The container system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one layer comprises at least one shallow hollow indent. 
     
     
         10 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the hermetic storage compartment further comprises a cover, and wherein the cover comprises at least one opening thereon. 
     
     
         11 . The container system of  claim 8 , wherein the hermetic storage compartment further comprises a cover, and wherein the cover comprises at least one opening thereon, each opening being at a location corresponding to one of the at least one can seat pad. 
     
     
         12 . The container system of  claim 11 , wherein the hermetic storage compartment further comprises at least one sealable cap for sealably closing the at least one opening. 
     
     
         13 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the hermetic storage compartment is a built-in compartment fixed at a location in the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the hermetic storage compartment is located between two adjacent front-row seats. 
     
     
         15 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the hermetic storage compartment is located between two adjacent front-row seats and next to the driver's seat. 
     
     
         16 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the control switch controls the air distribution valve for allowing or disallowing the conditioned air flow to flow into the hermetic storage compartment. 
     
     
         17 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the hermetic storage compartment comprises a plurality of sub-compartments. 
     
     
         18 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first sealable outlet is located in the vehicle at at least one of a front passenger side thereof, rear passenger row seats thereof, and the trunk thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The container system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 at least one portable storage container; wherein each of the at least one portable storage container comprises an inlet with adopting means for detachably coupling to the at least one first sealable outlet of the hermetic storage compartment for receiving the conditioned air flow therefrom.   
     
     
         20 . The container system of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the one or more portable storage container comprises an adjustable air adjustment port.