초록 ▼

A thermoelectric cooler includes a base unit having an internal heat exchanger located on the upper surface of the base unit and an external heat exchanger disposed in a duct which is located in lower compartment of the base unit. A thermoelectric module transfers heat from the internal heat exchang

A thermoelectric cooler includes a base unit having an internal heat exchanger located on the upper surface of the base unit and an external heat exchanger disposed in a duct which is located in lower compartment of the base unit. A thermoelectric module transfers heat from the internal heat exchanger to the external heat exchanger. A fan located in the duct blows outside air through the fins of the external heat exchanger. The internal heat exchanger supports a pair of vessels containing liquid to be cooled. An insulated cover unit has a lower peripheral edge which contacts the peripheral lip of the base unit to completely seal the compartment in which the jugs are contained. Each vessel has a spigot which extends through a respective opening in the base unit from the lower portion of that vessel. A pair of stirring mechanisms extend through the top of the cover unit through the lids of the respective vessels to permit stirring of the fluid.

대표청구항 ▼

A thermoelectric apparatus for changing the temperature of a quantity of liquid from a first temperature to a second temperature, said thermoelectric apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a first container for containing the quantity of liquid, said first container having a top; (b) thermally con

A thermoelectric apparatus for changing the temperature of a quantity of liquid from a first temperature to a second temperature, said thermoelectric apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a first container for containing the quantity of liquid, said first container having a top; (b) thermally conductive support means for receiving and supporting a bottom of said first container, said thermally conductive support means being shaped to closely contact substantially the entire bottom surface of said first container in order to minimize thermal resistance between said container and said thermally conductive support means; (c) base means for supporting said thermally conductive support means, said base means having first and second side walls having first and second holes therein, respectively; (d) a removable cover disposed on said base means for cooperating with said base means to bound and thermally insulate a region in which said first container is disposed; (e) an elongated duct disposed in said base means, said duct extending from said first opening to said second opening to allow air to pass through said duct and said first and second holes; (f) a heat exchanger disposed in said duct, said heat exchanger including a plurality of spaced fins disposed such that substantially all air passing through said duct must pass between various ones of said fins; (g) electric fan means disposed in said duct for forcing air to flow through said duct and said first and second holes; (h) thermoelectric means for effecting flow of thermal energy between said heat exchanger and said thermally conductive support means to cause the temperature of the liquid to change from the first temperature to the second temperature; (i) valve means for controllably conducting fluid through a lower portion of the wall of said container and through a portion of said thermoelectric apparatus adjacent to said lower portion of the wall of said container while said cover means is disposed on said base means; whereby the fluid can be dispensed from said thermoelectric apparatus without use of a pump due to the action of gravity and without requiring removal of said cover from said base means.