Patent · US Expired

Device for heating and cooling a beverage

US5720171A · kind A · utility

66Cited by
13References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 11, 1996
Grant dateFeb 24, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 11, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25B21/04
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A beverage heating and cooling device has at least one removable beverage container holding chamber. Each chamber has a spring mechanism assembly to bias a beverage container against a heat transfer member protruding through the chamber-side-wall opening. An electronic controller controls the operation of a thermoelectric heating and cooling element connected to the heat transfer member. The controller has a thermal fuse to protect the device from overheating in the event that the thermal switches fail to maintain the heat transfer member at a desired temperature range. When used in a motor vehicle with the ignition off, an automatic timer within the controller shuts off the unit after a predetermined time to conserve power.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.