The device is a metal container encompassed by a slightly larger metal container with a moat of air between the two so as to allow for the interior temperature of the smaller metal container to remain constant longer. The interior metal container has thermoelectric coolers (TECs) interfacing its external metal. The opposite sides of the TECs are exposed to ambient air (so they are not encompassed within the air moat). The TECs are used to add heat to or remove heat from the interior of the smaller metal container, depending on the polarity for the TECs. The device is built to carry consumable foods or beverages and to keep said foods or beverages hot or cold depending on user's preference. The TECs are powered by a rechargeable lithium battery; the lithium battery is recharged using an inductive charging base. Additionally, while in transit, the lithium battery receives a continuous charge from photovoltaic panels. All charging is managed by a microcontroller.
This invention will be manufactured using a metal press to create the inner and outer containers. The TECs will be glued to the inner container with a temperature conducting adhesive. Electronic and battery will be on the bottom to the container and a welding process will hermetically seal the containers together creating the air moat. Finally, flexible photovoltaic panels will be attached to the external container with all wiring properly connected to the TECs for powering. Eventually, the containers will be 3-D printed so as to simplify the manufacturing process.
The invention will be widely manufactured using 3-D printing to more easily produce large quantities in a shorter period of time. With 3-D printing, the photovoltaic panels, the lithium battery and the TECs can easily be settled into pre-printed slots.
“A” shows the solar recharging array that sits around the outside of the “B” the outer metal container. “C” is the inner metal container that actually holds the food or beverage. “F” details the Thermoelectric Coolers that will be used to heat or cool the food or beverage. “E” is the Inductive Charging Unit at the bottom of the container that is used to recharge the battery when housed on the Inductive Charging base “G”.