US Patent 7278270 Insulated container with thermoelectric unit

A thermoelectric unit for a thermoelectric insulated container. The thermoelectric unit is configured to be inserted in a small opening in the insulated container. A cold side heat sink is mounted on the portion of the thermoelectric unit that extends inside of the insulated container, and a hot side heat sink is mounted on a portion of the thermoelectric unit that extends outside. The thermoelectric unit is arranged so that a thermoelectric module for the thermoelectric unit, the cold side heat sink, and the hot side heat sink are aligned linearly. A hot side fan and motor unit is mounted on the outside of the hot side heat sink and a cold side fan and motor unit is mounted on the outside of the cold side heat sink. The hot and cold side fan and motor units may also be mounted linearly with the hot and cold side heat sinks.