US3214922A - Satchel - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 2, 1965 K. KOBLISCHEK 3,214,922

SATOHEL Filed Sept. 14, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 2, 1965 K. KOBLISCHEK SATGHEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 14, 1964 Nov. 2, 1965 K. KOBLISCHEK SATGHEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 14, 1964 Nov. 2, 1965 K. KOBLISCHEK SATGHEL Filed Sept. 14, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.5

IN YEN TOR A'I'TORN EYS United States Patent O 3,214,922 SATCHEL Kurt Koblischek, Berlin, Germany, assignor to Willi Zorn, Trais-Horloif, Kreis Grlssen, Germany Filed Sept. 14, 1954, Sex. N0. 396,053 Claims priority, application Germany, Sept. 13, 1963, K 50,814; Dec. 10, 1963, K 51,581; Jan. 16, 1964,

13 Claims. (Cl. 623) The present invention relates to a satchel in which heat o1 cold can be generated by means of a so-called Peltier battery, i.e., a battery operating on the principle of the Peltier eflect, which relates so the production or absorption of heat at the juncture of two metals on the passage of a current. Heat generated by the passage of current in one direction will be absorbed if the current is reversed.

While the Peltier effect as such has been known for many years, the only practical use to which it has been put is in refrigerators which are connected to an outside power source, e.g. conventional house current, and in batterypowered portable refrigerators whose temperatures are no lower than somewhat above the freezing point f water. The reason for this is, presumably, that a Peltier battery will always produce an excess of heat, so that separate means a1e required for carrying away this excess heat if the cold side of the battery is to produce the lowest possible temperature. In tl1e case of pennanently installed refrigerators, this excess heat can be carried away by providing a suitable cooling system, generally one whlch uses tap water, While a blower can be used in the case cf portable refrigerators.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a satchel connectible to a battery or to an outside current source, which satchel is as light as possible so as to be readily portable, and which is capable of producing temperatures ranging fron1 the W temperature needed to produce ice cubes and to the relatively high temperature needed to heat food to the point at whicl1 hot dishes are customarily served.

With the above object in vlew, the present invention resides, mainly, in a Peltier-type heating and cooling satchel which is connectible eo a powerpack or to a current mains, z1nd Which comprises means forrning an insulated housing, there being arranged at the upper half of the housing a Peltier battery which incorporates a plurality of Peltier elements, each having a first contact region which changes its temperature in one direction when a direct current flows through and a second contact region which changes its temperature in the other direction when this direct current flows. The one region of each Peltier element is directed toward the interior of the housing and the second contact reglon of each Peltier element is directed toward the outside of the housing. The satchel includes an ice cube tray which is made of a material that is a good conductor of heat, this ice cube tray being provided With partitions and With external ribs, and being in contact With the first comtact regions of the Peltier elements. A container, also made of a materlal which 1s a good conductor of heat, is provided, this container being adapted to receive a sub stance to be heated and being placeable over the ice cube tray including the external Iibs thereof. A heat exchanger 1's connected to the second contact regions of the Peltier elements, this heat exchanger incorporating a grid 0f large surface area and a coolant concluit system. Circulating rneans communicate with the coolant conduit systern, and incorporate a pump and an electric motor f01' driving the pump. A ventilator serves to enhance the heat exchange between the grid and the ambient atmosphere.

3,Z14,922 Patented Nov. 2, 1965 Additional objects and .advantages of the present invention Will becon1e apparent upon consideration of the following description when taken in conjunction With the accompanying drawings in Which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical section of a satchel according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the satchel of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of the satchel of FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view, partly in section and 011 an enlarged scale, showing the structure of the ice cube tray.

FIGURE 5 is a circuit diagrarn of a satchel according to the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows the satchel as having a housing a made of a plastic material having good insulating characteristics. Also shown is a Peltier battery b, at whose right side-i.e. the side whlch, in FIGURE l, is shown as being directed toward the interior of the satchelis arranged a metal container c, there being two smaller metal, internallypositioned, ice cube tray type containers d, arranged above and below the container c, for producing ice cubes. The lower one of the ice cube trays d is mounted for movement to and f1'0 along a suspension-track type rai1 e. In onder to accelerate the formation of ice cubes, the compartment within which th ice cube trays are arranged is closed off by a cover u which is likewise made of a material having good heat insulating characteristics. Also shown, schematically, is a small ventilator g as well as a plug board h and an immersion heater f.

FIGURE 2 shows the satchel as including a small fractional horse power motor l, a small rotary pump m driven by motor l, a water reservoir n, a relay 0 for automatical- 1y switcning the Peltier battery b 011 and 01T, a. four-pole pull-type connector p, a four-pole switch q which may be fashioned as a push Button type switch or as a rotary switch for operating the satchel, and a control 1amp r for indicating -as to whether the satchel is switched on. The satchel further includes a bin1etallic switch s which is set so as automatically to tun-1 off the current when a temperature cf, for exan1ple, between 65 and 70 C. is reached. The heat exohange surface of tl1e container in contact With the contact regions of the elements of the Peltier battery b is shown at t.

An external heat exchange grid k of large surface area 1's shown, schematically, at the left 0f FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 3 shows the i-ce cube tray d, as wel1 as the heat exchange surfaces of the container c. FIGURE 3 also shows the heat exchange grid k, including the coolant coils v for carrying off heat fron1 tl1e grid k. The reference cl1ara=cters a, l, m, n, o, identify the same parts as1n FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 shows the ice cube tray d, 011 an enlarged scale, this tray d having been shifted into engagement With the heat exchange surfaoe of the larger container c in Which, with the current flowing in the proper direction, a liquid, as for example, a baby bottle oontaining milk, juice 01' a formula, can be heated up to the desired temperature.

FIGURE 5 shows an embodiment of the electrical circuitry of the =satchel. There are a 6 Volt D.C. source 1, a fuse 2., a relay 3, a contact thermometer 4 for thermostatic adjusting either freezing or cooling 01 heating temperatures respectively, a control lamp 5, two Peltier element batteries 6, a D.C. motor 7, and several 4-pole switches and conne-cting Wiring. At the switches, E stands for freezlng, K for c-ooling and W for heatlng.

The satchel can be operated either by being connected to a battery or 10 a current ma1'ns, such as house current.

The Peltier battery can be arranged at the upper half f one -side Wall, or in the cover for the satchel, this Peltier battery itself being composed of a number of Peltier elements. As described above, the battery is so arranged that those contact regions of the Peltier elements which change their temperature in one dinection when a direct -current flow through are directed toward the inside of the satchel while those contact regions of the Peltier elements which change their temperature in the other directi-on are directed toward the outside, i.e., the ambient space.

Also, there is a ventilator or blower, driven by a small fractional horse power motor, for enhancing the heat exchange between the grid and the ambient atmosphere.

When the satchel is 110 be used for making ice cubes, the cover u is placed over the i-ce cube t1'ay and over the external ribs 'thereof, thereby to concentrate the heat absorption of the contact surfaces being oooled by the Peltier elements and to avoid a drawing off of heat frorn the remainder of the interio=r of the satchel. If no ice cubes are needed, the cover u is left off so that heat can be drawn 01T from anywhere within the entire interior 0f the satchel.

The arrangement of the arts is such that the interior of the satchel is heat insulated from the other side of the Peltier battery, i.e., the contact regions of the Peltier elements which are heated up, so as to make sure that the interior of the satchel will absorb as little heat as possible -from the Peltier elements.

In certain cases, it is of particular advantage to make the position of the Peltier battery adjustable, within predetermined limits, so that those contact surfaces whose cooling 0r heting effect is not being utilized are separated from the interior of the satchel by a suitable insulating layer.

Also, in order to conserve electricitywhich is of particular importance if the satchel is to be operated from a portable power pack incorporating a 6 or 12 v. battery the bimetallic switc-h shuts off the currents when the desired temperature has been reac'hed, e.g., the temperature at which ice is formed in the ice cube container. Used in conjuncti-on With such switch is a switching arrangement which allows the ice cube tray to be removed from the contact regions of the Peltier elements after the eurrent has been interrupted, and to place an insulating layer between the ice cube tray and this contact region. In this way, heat is prevented from being returned from the Peltier elements to the ice cube tray.

The automatic switch is also suited to shut ofi the cm- 1ent when the satchel is used for heating, this being effected by changing the polarity of the current fed to the Peltie1 elements by means of the change-over switch.

If, after the ice cubes have been made, they are to be removed and are found to stick to the ice cube tray, removal of the ice cubes can be facilitated by briefly reversing the polarity 0f the current supplied to the Peltier elements, thereby melting the very edges of the ice cubes. T0 facilitate removal of the ice cubes even more, the individual ice tray compartments can be made to have a conical configuration, and thin rods w can be made to dip into the spaces Within which the ice cubes are formed. These rods can be used to remove the ice cubes from the ice tray.

If desired, the satchel according t-o the present invention can be used in conjunction With an immersion heater, by means of which the temperature can be raised above that which can be reached by the Peltier elements. The immersion heater, too, can be operated from a current mains or from a portable power pa-ck.

The second ice cube tray can be mechanically or magneti cally c-ou-pled to the inwardly directed contact regions of the Peltier battery.

It Will be understood that the above description of the present inventi-on is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A Peltier-type heating and cooling satchel connectible to a power-pack or to a current mains and comprising, in cornbination:

(a) means forming an insulated housing;

(b) a Peltier battery arranged at the upper half of said housing, said battery incorporating a plurality of Peltier elements, each having a first contact region which changes its temperature in one direction when a direct current flows through and a second contact region which changes its temperature in the other direction when said direct current flows, said one region of each Peltier element being directed toward the interior of said housing and said contact region of each Peltier element being directed toward the outside of said housing;

(c) an ice cube tray made of a material which is a good conductor of heat, said ice cube tray being provided With partitions and with external ribs, said ice cube tray being arranged in said housing and in contact with said first contact regions of said Peltier elements;

(d) a container made of a material which is a good conductor of heat and being adapted to receive a substance to be heated, said container being placeble over said ice cube tray including said external ribs thereof;

(e) a heat exchanger connected to said second contact regions of said Peltier elements, said heat exchanger incorporating a grid of large surface area and a coolant conduit system;

(f) circulating means comrnunicating With said coo1ant conduit system, said circulating means incorporating a pump and an electric motor for driving the said pump; and

(g) ventilating means for enhancing heat exchange between said grid and the ambient atmosphere.

2. A satchel as defined in clairn 1, further comprising additional heat insulating means for insulating said first contact regions of said Peltier elements from the interior of said housing.

3. A satchel as defined in claim l, further cornprising thermostatic switch means for -regulating the temperature in said housing.

4 A satchel as defined in claim 3 wherein said thermostat1c switch means comprise a bimetallic switch.

5. A satchel as defined in claim 3, further comprising means for removing said ice cube tray from said first contact regions of said P-eltier elements after said thermostati;c switch rneans have switched off the current upon attao1ment of the desired cooling temperature and for movmg a heat insulating layer between said ice cube tray and said first contact regions.

6 A satchel as defined in claim 1 wherein said ice cube tray is configured to form conical ice cubes and is equipped With rods dipping into the spaces within which the ice cubes are formed for facilitating removal of said ice cubes after they have been formed.

7. A satchel as defined in claim 6, further comprising switch means for changing the direction of the direct eurrent through said Peltier elements, there-by to cause said first contact regions to serve, selectively, as means for absorbing heat -from Within said housing and as means for proclucing heat Wi thin said housing.

S. A satchel as defined in claim 1, further comprising a second ice cube tray arranged in said housing and held against said first contact regions of said Peltier elements.

9. A satchel as defined in claim 8 wherein said second ice cube tray is he1d in place by a rail.

10. A satchel as defined in claim 8 Wherein said second ice cube tray is hold in platze by magnetic means.

-11 In combination with -a satchel as defined in claim 1, an immersion heater for use in said container for producing temperatures not attainable by said Peltier elements alone.

5 6 12. A satchel as defined in claim 1 wherein said Peltier (d) a containfir made of a material which is a good coubattery is arranged in awall of said housing. ductor of heat and being adapted to receive a sub- 13. A Peltier-type heating and cooling satchel connectistance to be heated, said container being placeable b1e t a power-pack or to a current mains and compris '0VCI said ice cube tray including said external ribs ing, in cornbination: thereof;

(a) means forming an insulated housing; (e) a heat exchanger connected t0 said second com- (b) a Peltier battery arranged at the upper half of said tact regions of said Peltier elements, said heat exhousing, said battery incorporating a plurality of changer incorporating a grid of large surface area; Peltier elements, each having a first contact region and which changes its temperature in One direction when (f) Ventilating means for enhancing heat exchange bea direct current flows through and a second contact tWeen Sa d g d and the ambient atmosphere.

region which changes its temperature in the other direction When said direct current flows, said one References Clted by the Exammer Iegi0n of each Peltier element being directed toward UNITED STATES PATENTS the interior of said housing and said second contact 2959925 11/60 Frautti 623 region of each Peltier element being directed toward 2978,875 4/61 Lasky 62- 3 the outside of said housing; 2 1623 7/61 Tu :k 62 -3 (C) an ice cube tray made of a material which is a good 2013631 62 Bury 623 conductor of heat, said ice cube tray being provided 3040539 6/62 Gallg1er With partitions and With external ribs, said ice cube 3048020 8/62 Jones 62 3 Iray being arranged in said housing and in contact 311l166 11/63 With said first contact regions of said Peltier ele- 3168816 2/65 Petne 623 ments; WILLIAM J. WYE, Primary Examz'ner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent Not 3,214922 November 2, 1965 Kurt Kobl1schek It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the seid Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the graut, lines l and 2, for "assignor to Willi Zorn, of T1ais-Horloff, Kreis Grissen, Germany" read ass1gnor 110 Will1 Zorn, of Trais-Horloff/Kreis G1essen, Germany in the heading to the pr1nted specification, lines 3 and 4, for "assignor to Willi Zorn, Trai&Horloff Kreis Grissen, Germany" read assignor to Willi Zorn, Tra1s-Horloff/Kreis Giessen, Germany S Signed and sea1ed this th day of June 1966i (SEAL) Attest:

EBNEST W. SW'IDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims (1)

1. A PELTIER-TYPE HEATING AND COOLING SATCHEL CONNECTIBLE TO A POWER-PACK OR TO A CURRENT MAINS AND COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) MEANS FORMING AN INSULATED HOUSING; (B) A PELTIER BATTERY ARRANGED AT THE UPPER HALF OF SAID HOUSING, SAID BATTERY INCORPORATING A PLURALITY OF PELTIER ELEMENTS, EACH HAVING A FIRST CONTACT REGION WHICH CHANGES ITS TEMPERATURE IN ONE DIRECTION WHEN A DIRECTION CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH AND A SECOND CONTACT REGION WHICH CHANGES ITS TEMPERATURE IN THE OTHER DIRECTION WHEN SAID DIRECT CURRENT FLOWS, SAID ONE REGION OF EACH PELTIER ELEMENT BEING DIRECTED TOWARD THE INTERIOR OF SAID HOUSING AND SAID CONTACT REGION OF EACH PELTIER ELEMENT BEING DIRECTED TOWARD THE OUTSIDE OF SAID HOUSING; (C) AN ICE CUBE TRAY MADE OF A MATERIAL WHICH IS A GOOD CONDUCTOR OF HEAT, SAID CUBE TRAY BEING PROVIDED WITH PARTITIONS AND WITH EXTERNAL RIBS, SAID ICE CUBE TRAY BEING ARRNGED IN SAID HOUSING AND IN CONTACT WITH SAID FIRST CONTACT REGIONS OF SAID PELTIER ELEMENTS; (D) A CONTAINER MADE OF A MATERIAL WHICH IS A GOOD

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