Ornamental food-chilling bowl

Abstract

The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl is configured for use with a foodstuff. The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl contains the foodstuff. The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl presents the foodstuff for serving. The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl comprises a decorative structure, a temperature circuit, and a crockery item. The crockery item and the temperature circuit attach to the decorative structure. The crockery item contains the foodstuff within the decorative structure. The temperature circuit is a heat transfer device that exchanges thermal energy between the temperature circuit and the foodstuff.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A temperature controlled ornamental food bowl comprising
 a decorative structure, a temperature circuit, and a crockery item;   wherein the crockery item and the temperature circuit attach to the decorative structure.   
     
     
         2 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 1   wherein the temperature controlled ornamental food bowl is configured for use with a foodstuff;   wherein the temperature controlled ornamental food bowl contains the foodstuff;   wherein the temperature controlled ornamental food bowl presents the foodstuff for serving.   
     
     
         3 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 2   wherein the crockery item contains the foodstuff within the decorative structure;   wherein the temperature circuit is a heat transfer device that exchanges thermal energy between the temperature circuit and the foodstuff.   
     
     
         4 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 3   wherein the decorative structure is a figurine;   wherein the decorative structure forms the primary structure of the temperature controlled ornamental food bowl;   wherein the decorative structure forms the exterior surfaces of the temperature controlled ornamental food bowl;   wherein the decorative structure is a decorative item;   wherein the decorative structure forms a three dimensional structure that visually presents indicia of the sentiment of an animal;   wherein the decorative structure contains the temperature circuit;   wherein the decorative structure contains the crockery item;   wherein the locations of the temperature circuit and the crockery item within the decorative structure are selected such that heat can be transferred between the temperature circuit and the crockery item.   
     
     
         5 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 4   wherein the crockery item is a bowl;   wherein the crockery item is configured for use with the foodstuff;   wherein the crockery item forms a containment structure used to store the foodstuff within the decorative structure;   wherein the crockery item is formed from a heat conducting material.   
     
     
         6 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 5   wherein the temperature circuit is an electrically powered device;   wherein the temperature circuit is an electric circuit;   wherein the temperature circuit is a heat transfer device;   wherein the temperature circuit uses electric energy to cool (draw heat out of) the foodstuff contained within the crockery item;   wherein the temperature circuit uses electric energy to warm (add heat into) the foodstuff contained within the crockery item;   wherein the temperature circuit generates an illumination that is visible from the exterior of the decorative structure.   
     
     
         7 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 6   wherein the decorative structure comprises a crockery item well and a Peltier module chamber;   wherein the Peltier module chamber is a negative space that is formed in the decorative structure;   wherein the crockery item well is a negative space that is formed in the decorative structure.   
     
     
         8 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 7   wherein the crockery item well is geometrically similar to the crockery item such that the crockery item removably inserts into the crockery item well;   wherein the crockery item inserts into the crockery item well such that the foodstuff is accessible from the exterior of the decorative structure;   wherein the crockery item inserts into the crockery item well can cool the foodstuff contained within the crockery item;   wherein the crockery item inserts into the crockery item well can warm the foodstuff contained within the crockery item;   wherein the Peltier module chamber is sized to receive the temperature circuit;   wherein the temperature circuit is contained within the Peltier module chamber;   wherein the Peltier module chamber forms a transfer channel with the crockery item well;   wherein the transfer channel between the Peltier module chamber and the crockery item well forms a physical structure that enables the transfer of heat between the temperature circuit and the crockery item.   
     
     
         9 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 8   wherein the temperature circuit comprises a Peltier module, a plurality of diodes, one or more LEDs, a plurality of switches, and a power circuit;   wherein the Peltier module, the plurality of diodes, the one or more LEDs, the plurality of switches, and the power circuit are electrically interconnected;   wherein the power circuit is an electrical circuit;   wherein the power circuit powers the operation of the temperature circuit.   
     
     
         10 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 9   wherein the Peltier module is an electrical device that can serve both as a heating element and a cooling element depending on the direction of the electric current flow through the Peltier module;   wherein the Peltier module has two surfaces on opposite sides of the Peltier module;   wherein when electric current flows through the Peltier module, heat is transferred from one surface to the surface on the opposite side of the Peltier module;   wherein this creates a cold side and a warm side of the Peltier module that can be used as the cooling or heating elements of the temperature controlled ornamental food bowl;   wherein if the electric current flow through the Peltier device is reversed, the direction of heat transfer is reversed then the cold and warm sides of the Peltier module are also reversed.   
     
     
         11 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 10   wherein each diode selected from the plurality of diodes is an electric circuit element;   wherein each diode selected from the plurality of diodes allows electric current to flow in a single direction through the electric circuit;   wherein the plurality of diodes routes the flow of electric current from the temperature selection switch of the plurality of switches into the anode of each LED selected from the plurality of diodes;   wherein the plurality of diodes controls the direction of the flow of electric current between the temperature selection switch and the one or more LEDs such that the one or more LEDs are always illuminated when the Peltier module is in operation.   
     
     
         12 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 11   wherein each LED selected from the one or more LEDs is a light emitting diode (LED);   wherein the one or more LEDs are used to generate a decorative illumination that is visible from the exterior of the decorative structure;   wherein each LED selected from the one or more LEDs draws electric current from the plurality of diodes.   
     
     
         13 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 12   wherein each switch selected from the plurality of switches is an electric circuit element;   wherein each switch selected from the plurality of switches is an electric switch;   wherein each switch selected from the plurality of switches enables and disables flow of electric current through a point in the electric circuit temperature circuit.   
     
     
         14 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 13   wherein the plurality of diodes comprises a first diode and a second diode;   wherein the first diode is a diode selected from the plurality of diodes;   wherein the first diode forms an electric connection between the temperature selection switch and the anode of each diode selected from the plurality of diodes;   wherein the first diode limits the flow of electric current to the direction from the temperature selection switch into the anode of each diode selected from the plurality of diodes;   wherein the first diode provides electric current into the temperature selection switch when the Peltier module is warming the foodstuff contained within the crockery item;   wherein the second diode is a diode selected from the plurality of diodes;   wherein the second diode forms an electric connection between the temperature selection switch and the anode of each diode selected from the plurality of diodes;   wherein the second diode limits the flow of electric current to the direction from the temperature selection switch into the anode of each diode selected from the plurality of diodes;   wherein the second diode provides electric current into the temperature selection switch when the Peltier module is cooling the foodstuff contained within the crockery item.   
     
     
         15 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 14   wherein the plurality of switches comprises a master switch and a temperature selection switch;   wherein the master switch is an electric switch selected from the plurality of switches;   wherein the master switch is a maintained switch;   wherein the master switch controls the flow of electric energy from the power circuit into the temperature selection switch;   wherein the master switch effectively forms the “power” switch of the temperature controlled ornamental food bowl;   wherein the temperature selection switch is an electric switch selected from the plurality of switches;   wherein the temperature selection switch is a double pole double throw (DPDT) switch;   wherein the temperature selection switch controls the flow of electric current from the master switch into the Peltier module;   wherein the temperature selection switch further controls the flow of electric current from the master switch into the anode of the first diode;   wherein the temperature selection switch further controls the flow of electric current from the master switch into the anode of the second diode;   wherein the temperature selection switch actuates between a first actuation position and a second actuation position;   wherein in the first actuation position, the temperature selection switch: a) enables the flow of electric current from the master switch into the Peltier module such that the Peltier module warms the foodstuff contained within the crockery item; while simultaneously, b) enabling the flow of electric current from the master switch into the anode of the first diode;   wherein in the second actuation position, the temperature selection switch: a) enables the flow of electric current from the master switch into the Peltier module such that the Peltier module cools the foodstuff contained within the crockery item; while simultaneously, b) enabling the flow of electric current from the master switch into the anode of the second diode.   
     
     
         16 . The temperature controlled ornamental food bowl according to  claim 15  wherein the decorative structure generates the sentiment of a swan.