Temperature-controlled portable cooling units

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11867464-B2
Application number	US-202117412081-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 25, 2021
Priority date	Mar 29, 2013
Publication date	Jan 9, 2024
Grant date	Jan 9, 2024

Abstract

Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A recharging device for a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system, comprising:
a frame of a size and shape to removably secure a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system, wherein the portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system is held in an inverted position;
at least one heating element within the recharging device and positioned adjacent to the exterior of the portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system;
at least one fan affixed to the frame of the recharging device, the fan oriented to direct air against an internal surface of the portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system; and
a controller operably connected to the at least one heating element and the at least one fan, the controller capable of sending control signals to both the least one heating element and the at least one fan.

2. The recharging device for a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises:
at least one insulated wall positioned exterior to the at least one heating element;
at least one aperture at a top end of the recharging device, the at least one aperture positioned to permit air flow to a bottom region of the portable container; and
at least one aperture at a bottom end of the recharging device, the at least one aperture positioned to permit air flow to a top region of the portable container.

3. The recharging device for a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises:
at least one sealing gasket positioned between a surface of the frame and a surface of the portable container.

4. The recharging device for a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one heating element comprises:
a radiative heating element;
a cavity positioned between the heating element and a wall of the portable container; and
the fan within the cavity, the fan positioned to move air to the wall of the portable container.

5. The recharging device for a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one heating element comprises:
an inductive heating element placed adjacent to a position where a surface of a portable container is predicted to be when the recharging device is in use.

6. The recharging device for a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fan comprises:
a fan positioned to increase air flow within a storage region of the portable container.

7. The recharging device for a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises:
circuitry configured to turn the at least one heating element and the at least one fan on and off on a preset schedule.

8. The recharging device for a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a temperature sensor positioned within the frame, the temperature sensor operably attached to the controller.

9. The recharging device for a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system of claim 8 , wherein the controller comprises:
circuitry configured to turn the at least one heating element and the at least one fan on and off in response to signals received from the temperature sensor.

10. The recharging device for a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a display unit.

11. The recharging device for a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a user interface.

Assignees

• Tokitae Llc

Inventors

• Chou Fong Li
• Eckhoff Philip A
• Fowler Lawrence Morgan
• Liu Shieng
• Maier-Laxhuber Peter K
• Peterson Nels R
• Schmidt Ralf W
• Tegreene Clarence T
• Wood Jr Lowell L
• Wörz Reiner M
• Yager David J

Classifications

• F28C3/08 Primary

  with change of state, e.g. absorption, evaporation, condensation (generating steam under pressure F22) · CPC title

• B23P15/26

  heat exchangers {or the like (making heat exchangers by methods covered by other subclasses B21D53/02)} · CPC title

• B65D81/38

  with thermal insulation · CPC title

• F25B17/08 Primary

  the absorbent or adsorbent being a solid, e.g. salt (F25B17/12 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F25B49/046

  Operating intermittently · CPC title