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US-12624867-B2 - Portable heater and cooler

US12624867B2US 12624867 B2US12624867 B2US 12624867B2US-12624867-B2

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable heating/cooling device comprising one or more heating elements for transferring heat to an object, one or more cooling elements for cooling an object; wherein said heating or cooling elements are adapted for selectively providing either heating or cooling based on temperature maintenance requirements, an integrated control unit for regulating the temperature, one or more temperature sensors that provide real-time feedback to the control unit, and a power source for supplying energy to the heating/cooling elements.

Inventors

  • Alexandre Dupuy

Assignees

  • Alexandre Dupuy

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20230827

Claims (18)

  1. 1 . A portable temperature-regulating container comprising: a thermally insulated enclosure defining at least one internal compartment configured to receive and store one or more items; at least one temperature-conditioning element comprising: one or more heating elements and one or more active cooling elements comprising a thermoelectric module being thermally coupled to a heat sink; or a combination thereof; wherein the at least one temperature-conditioning element is disposed on, within, or adjacent to a surface of the enclosure, and wherein each of the one or more heating elements and each of the one or more cooling elements is independently controllable; at least one temperature sensor positioned to detect a temperature within the at least one internal compartment; a control module operatively coupled to the at least one temperature sensor and to the at least one temperature-conditioning element, the control module being configured to selectively activate the at least one temperature-conditioning element based on temperature readings from the at least one temperature sensor; and a modular battery-system power source electrically coupled to the control module and to the at least one temperature-conditioning element.
  2. 2 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 1 , wherein the one or more heating elements comprise at least one of an ohmic and electric resistive heating element, and the combination thereof comprises at least one ohmic heating element and at least one electric resistive heating element.
  3. 3 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 1 , wherein the one or more heating elements comprise one or more radio-frequency (RF) power amplifiers operable in high-efficiency classes selected from Class E, Class F, or inverse Class F, the one or more RF power amplifiers being coupled to one or more non-magnetic antenna structures positioned to radiate electromagnetic energy into at least one internal compartment.
  4. 4 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to maintain one or more temperature zones within the at least one internal compartment, the one or more temperature zones including at least one heated zone, at least one cooled zone, or both.
  5. 5 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 1 , wherein the modular battery-system power source comprises of one or more batteries.
  6. 6 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 5 , wherein the one or more batteries are rechargeable via a cable configured to be connected to a power outlet.
  7. 7 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 5 , wherein the one or more batteries are removable for charging.
  8. 8 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 1 , wherein the modular battery-system comprises charging circuitry configured to receive power from photovoltaic solar panels mounted on exterior surfaces of the enclosure, the solar panels being either permanently integrated with the enclosure or configured as foldable panels that deploy for charging and retract for storage.
  9. 9 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 5 , wherein the one or more batteries are rechargeable using a wireless charger.
  10. 10 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 1 , further comprising: a wireless communication module configured to transmit real-time temperature data and battery status data to a remote computing device and to receive temperature control commands from the remote computing device; and a software application executable on the remote computing device, the software application being configured to display zone-specific temperature data, receive user-defined temperature setpoints, and transmit configuration updates to the control module.
  11. 11 . A portable temperature-regulating container device comprising: a thermally insulated enclosure defining at least one internal configured to receive and store one or more items; one or more high-efficient radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers electrically coupled to one or more radiative antennas configured to radiate RF electromagnetic energy to heat an object primarily via dielectric losses in the object rather than via induction heating of conductive materials; at least one temperature sensor positioned to detect a temperature within the at least one internal compartment; a control module operatively coupled to the at least one temperature sensor and to the one or more RF power amplifiers, the control module configured to selectively modulate the radiated RF power based on temperature readings from the sensor to maintain the object within a desired temperature range; and a modular battery-system power source electrically coupled to the one or more RF power amplifiers and to the control module.
  12. 12 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 10 , wherein the wireless communication module is configured to interface with a mobile computing device running an application to control: temperature monitoring displays; item-specific temperature databases; timer functionality for temperature-sensitive items; and automated alert generation for temperature violation events.
  13. 13 . A method for maintaining zone-specific temperatures in a multi-zone portable insulated container, the method comprising: detecting zone-specific temperatures within the container using one or more temperature sensors; comparing the detected temperatures with predetermined temperature setpoints for each of the respective zones; independently activating one or more heating elements in the zones requiring warming and independently activating one or more cooling elements in the zones requiring cooling; adjusting operation of the one or more heating elements, the one or more cooling elements, or a combination thereof in real-time based on feedback from the one or more temperature sensors; and wirelessly communicating temperature status data between the container and a remote computing device.
  14. 14 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 1 , wherein the container is configured for medical supply storage and includes a microcontroller programmed with temperature requirements for items selected from the group consisting of organs, blood products, or critical medical supplies.
  15. 15 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to make real-time, zone-specific temperature adjustments based on feedback from the at least one temperature sensor disposed within the container.
  16. 16 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to activate the at least one temperature-conditioning element only when the temperature within the at least one internal compartment falls below or exceeds a predefined threshold, thereby optimizing battery life associated with the modular battery-system power source.
  17. 17 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 1 , wherein the modular battery system power source comprises one or more rechargeable battery units disposed within one or more detachable components of the enclosure, the one or more detachable components comprising at least one of a removable lid, a removable base, or a removable side panel.
  18. 18 . The portable temperature-regulating container of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface including: a digital display configured to show current temperature and desired temperature setpoints; one or more status indicators for different stored items; one or more battery level indicators; and one or more control buttons configured to select temperature presets for different item categories.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE This US Non-Provisional patent application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/401,637, filed on Aug. 27, 2022. BACKGROUND In today's fast-paced world, people frequently find themselves on the move, whether it's for work, leisure, or adventure. During these mobile journeys, access to conventional 110V/220V food warmers becomes problematic, limiting the ability to enjoy hot, freshly cooked meals. Traditional food warmers are designed for use in stationary settings with ready access to electrical outlets, making them unsuitable for scenarios such as camping, road trips, and other mobile activities. For instance, consider the situation of a family embarking on a camping trip in a remote wilderness area. After a long day of hiking, they desire a warm and hearty meal to refuel. However, there's no 110V/220V electrical hookup available in the midst of nature. Similarly, individuals setting out on a road trip may encounter situations where a 110V outlet is inaccessible, such as during rest stops or at scenic viewpoints. The need for a portable food warming solution tailored to mobile environments is evident. Such a device would allow individuals to enjoy hot meals on the go, whether they are deep in the wilderness, at a roadside picnic, or on a cross-country road trip. This application relates to portable cordless battery power heating and cooling applications, based on conduction, convection, RF heating and Thermoelectric (Pelletier effect) to heat up or cool. The challenge of maintaining the desired temperature for items, such as food, while on the move has long been a vexing one. Traditional thermos containers often fall short in retaining heat for extended periods, leaving individuals in need of a reliable solution. Similarly, isotherm bags employed by food companies struggle to preserve the warmth of freshly prepared meals during transit from the kitchen to the customers. The primary differentiator among various portable containers designed to preserve food at either hot or cold temperatures has predominantly centered around their emphasis on robust sealing lids and the integration of high-density foam insulation. One crucial concern arises when the internal temperature of food enters the range of 40° F. to 140° F., as this provides a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, thereby significantly increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses. To ensure the safety of cooked food, it is imperative to uphold an internal temperature of at least 140° F. (60° C.) for an adequate duration. While a variety of coolers of diverse sizes and shapes are available, their effectiveness in maintaining temperatures above 80° F. for more than four hours remains a challenge. This limitation hampers the ability to keep both food and beverages at the desired warmth during extended journeys or outdoor activities. The solution presented here is a device that harmoniously integrates state-of-the-art of insulation, sealing, and cutting-edge heating/cooling elements to maintain your food at a desired temperature for extended periods. Portable, user-friendly, and engineered for those whose busy lives demand a reliable means to savor warm meals while on the move. At its core, this food warmer/cooler can, in some configurations, be designed with a vacuum insulation layer, intended to function as a thermal barrier, effectively minimizing the transfer of thermal energy between different areas. What sets this innovation apart is its intelligent heating system, that resides inside the container. In the settings applying heat, these heating elements come alive with precision with a temperature sensor that communicates with a control unit controlling the different heating elements, only when the food's temperature descends to a predefined threshold, the heating elements will turn on this mechanism enable to preserve the battery life. This meticulous vigilance guarantees that the meal remains warm but also certifiably safe for consumption. When set to the cooling mode, the cold elements are activated, specifically, the thermoelectric components maintain a cold temperature within, or in alternative configurations, they can effectively chill items such as food or liquids. Designed with the practical needs of busy individuals in mind, this versatile warmer/cooler is engineered to maintain the desired temperature of various consumables, including food, drinks, and liquids, without the need for prolonged electrical connection. It can effectively preserve the consumables for many hours, making it the ideal companion for those who desire hot meals on the go. Whether you're a dynamic food delivery driver, an adventurous outdoor enthusiast, or simply someone who insists on savoring warm, flavorful meals during your on-the-go escapades, this device has you covered. Furthermore, it can also function as a cooking tool by adjusting the temperature to a higher setting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illust