Abstract:
Provided is a portable, thermoelectrically powered device in form of a modified vessel and attachments, for extracting electricity from the temperature differential of liquids, slurries, and solids, and that of ambient air. The device utilizes two container surfaces with a temperature differential between them, and at least one thermoelectric generator in electrical communication with circuitry comprising at least one step up DC-DC voltage converter. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a second DC-DC voltage converter and a storage battery to provide electrical power at a selected voltage to external personal devices such as cell phones, iPods, flashlights, and tablets for recharging or operation of those external devices.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. 62/137,291, filed Mar. 24, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present technology relates to a modified vessel and attachments for the consumption or storage of hot or cold liquids or solids, and which utilizes a thermoelectric generator and the temperature differential between that of a substance contained in the vessel and ambient air, to produce and store electricity. In many embodiments, the substance can be a beverage for consumption. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Personal portable devices such as cell phones, tablets, and flashlights rely on an internal power source such as a battery. These sources are used irregularly, and often fail when needed because the internal rechargeable batteries have been exhausted. 
         [0004]    As a result, alternative designs have been developed that provide a ready power source for such an emergency. These usually take form of portable, compact battery packs in various forms and sizes, which provide additional battery capacity. All connect to the portable devices through their power ports. 
         [0005]    One such product distributed by Apple Computer is the Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation External Battery. It is designed for such devices as iPhone, iPad and iPod. The product contains a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can charge the internal battery on iPhone, iPad and iPod in a matter of minutes. The product connects to the device through a universal serial bus (USB) charging cable. 
         [0006]    There are many other products that have the same function, all designed to run the personal portable devices for longer periods, or to quickly recharge the device in an emergency. 
         [0007]    It is known that thermoelectric generators such as Peltier modules or tiles, working on the Seebeck Principle, can be used to produce electric current. The Seebeck Effect states that electric current is produced when two dissimilar metals (such as bismuth and telluride) are joined, and one side of their junction is cooled while the other is heated. As in U.S. Pat. No. 7,626,114 a thermoelectric power supply converts thermal energy into a high power output with voltages in the millivolt to Volt range for powering a microelectronic device and comprises an in-plane thermoelectric generator, a cross-plane thermoelectric generator, an initial energy management assembly, a voltage converter and a final energy management assembly. 
         [0008]    There exists a need to provide a portable power source that can be powered thermoelectrically, using thermoelectric generators. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present technology is a device which includes a vessel and attachments for containing hot or cold liquid or solid such as beverage or even a non-consumable substance, and uses a thermoelectric generator to produce and store electricity from the temperature difference between the inside and outside temperature of the vessel. 
         [0010]    One use of the invention can be as a power source which can be incorporated in a vessel used daily for but not limited to eating or drinking, or wherever heat energy is released. Such a device can capture the thermal difference, convert it to electricity which is accumulated with everyday use, and releasing it only when needed as a power source to a portable personal device. Such a power source can similarly be employed for other uses having similar power requirements. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the device is built into the base of a dual wall vessel, or container, where it captures energy and stores it in a battery located in the container base or in the container handle. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the device is contained in a lid which can be used as a cover for a cup of hot or cold drink. In that embodiment, the container can be dual or single walled. 
         [0013]    In yet another embodiment, the device is a modified thermos (i.e., vacuum flask) mug where the thermoelectric generators are sandwiched between the two containers and the electronics is in the base or the handle of the mug. 
         [0014]    In two other embodiments the device is a detachable base that goes under a cup or a vessel. 
         [0015]    In many embodiments, the device includes one or more thermoelectric generators positioned between two surfaces which exhibit a temperature differential, that being a hot or cold liquid but not limited to beverage, and ambient air. The varying electricity produced from either of the mentioned embodiments, is then converted to charge a fixed internal battery. The battery voltage and current is then preferably converted again and made accessible as a steady source via a power converter, such as but not limited to a USB connector, or transmitted wirelessly, and can be used for charging personal portable devices such as cell phones, tablets, music players, radios, flashlights, and others. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The drawings illustrate, by way of example only, embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a medial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dual wall mug of the present technology with a frontal-section view of the thermoelectric base of the present technology. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1 a    shows the bottom view of the thermoelectric base with cutout showing the location of the storage battery and circuit board. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1 b    shows a medial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dual wall mug of the present technology with a frontal-section view of a detachable thermoelectric base of the present technology. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1 c    shows the bottom view of the detachable thermoelectric base with cutout showing the location of the storage battery and circuit board. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1 d    shows the positioning of magnets in the two bases used in embodiment two. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a medial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dual wall mug and handle of the present technology with a cross-section view of the thermoelectric base of the present technology. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2 a    shows the bottom view of the thermoelectric base with fasteners. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dual wall container of the present technology with thermoelectric generators in the walls, and a base containing the battery and electronics. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3 a    shows a cross-sectional view of the top part of the container with eight thermoelectric generators located in the walls of the container. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3 b    shows the bottom view of the container base with cutout showing the location of the storage battery, circuit board, and the output power connector. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3 c    shows an alternate placement of the storage battery, circuit board, and the output power connector inside the container handle. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a medial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dual wall mug of the present technology with a cross-section view of the thermoelectric lid of the present technology. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4 a    is a top view of the thermoelectric lid. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4 b    is the bottom view of the thermoelectric lid. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  shows a medial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a single wall mug positioned on top of the detachable thermoelectric base assembly of the present technology. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5 a    is a top cross-sectional view of the detachable thermoelectric base assembly. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5 b    is a 3D view of the detachable thermoelectric base assembly. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  shows a medial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a base assembly and the placement for a wireless transmitting loop. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6 a    is top cross-sectional view showing location of a wireless transmitting loop and other electronics in a vase assembly. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of the electronics used for capturing storage and retrieval of the electrical energy of the present technology. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    Much energy is used for heating or cooling substances in industry and for personal use. The technology described herein addresses this issue with a heat recovery and storage system that can be adopted to any scale and used in industry, business, and homes. 
         [0038]    The description herein focuses on an innocuous recovery of heat from one of the smallest, but the most prolific waste source, which is the cooling off of hot beverages, and provides a solution for the use of the recovered power. 
         [0039]    Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification (written description, claims and drawings): (a) all words used herein shall be construed to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances require; (b) the singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the antecedent term “about” applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the measurements method; (d) the words “herein”, “hereby”, “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereinbefore”, and “hereinafter”, and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its entirety and not to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) “or” and “any” are not exclusive and “include” and “including” are not limiting. Further, The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. 
         [0040]    To the extent necessary to provide descriptive support, the subject matter and/or text of the appended claims is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. 
         [0041]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described. 
         [0042]    All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the example embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential. 
         [0043]    The term “liquid” used here is used in general sense, and is not limited to beverages such as tea, coffee, soft drink, and other drinks, but also refers to slurries and other combination of liquids and solids. The invention is contemplated to work in the same manner for the recovery of energy from hot or cold non-consumable substances. 
         [0044]    A mug or a vessel such as a dual wall beverage container referred to in  FIG. 1 , as  10 , has twin stainless steel containers, and can be between more or less 2 and 4 inches in diameter and between more or less 2 and 8 inches in height. The outer container  13 , defined by one or more outer walls, and the inner container  12 , defined by one or more inner walls, are normally connected together at the top part of the mug, and separated by space  14  which can be air, vacuum, or an inert gas throughout the rest of the mug. The thermal separation between the two containers can be significantly improved by adding a non-metal thermal insulation ring  26  where the two metal containers normally meet. A beverage container of this type is held by handle  25 . At rest it stands with container  13  making contact with a flat surface through a thin layer of heat conducting rubber. 
       EMBODIMENT ONE 
       [0045]    In the first embodiment of the invention, the vessel for retaining a beverage generally referred here as a container  10 , is shown in  FIG. 1 . Container  10  includes an outer container  13  and an inner container  12 . The bottom of the outer container  13  has a clear opening of more or less 1.75 inches diameter so as to give access the inner container  12 . A round, flat rim of about 0.25 inches is left at the outside perimeter of container  13 . 
         [0046]    Base  21  is machined from aluminum or other heat conducting material. A section  25 , about 0.25 inches deep is hollowed, or milled out to make room for the circuitry  23 , battery  24 , and a USB or other connector  22 . The outer container  13  fits on top of the base  21 , and they can be attached together by means of two or more fasteners  27 . 
         [0047]    A thermoelectric generator  18  otherwise known as Peltier tile and including two, flat ceramic or metal tiles  17  and  18  and an inner array of junctions in between. The thermoelectric generator is placed between the inner container  12  and the solid base  20  and  21 . 
         [0048]    If the bottom of the inner container  12  is made slightly curved, a heat conductive elastic material  16  is placed between the inner container  12  and the top side  17  of the thermoelectric generator. The elastic material compensates for the curvature of container  12  and provides an even thermal - contact with the flat top of the thermoelectric generator  17 . The bottom part of the thermoelectric generator  19  makes good thermal contact with the aluminum pedestal  20 , which is the top section of the base  21 . 
         [0049]    The bottom of base  21  is shown in  FIG. 1A , and when the vessel is at rest, this part stands on a flat surface such as a table. Base  21  contains a hollowed section  25 , sufficiently deep to house the electronic circuitry  23 , battery  24 , and a USB or other connector  22  within the base. A metal bottom plate covers the parts and the cut-out. 
         [0050]    When a liquid such as a hot beverage  11  is poured into the interior of the inner container  12  of the vessel, the heat passes from the bottom of the container, through the layer  16 , to the top tile  17  of the thermoelectric generator  18 . 
         [0051]    At the same time, the bottom tile  19  of the thermoelectric generator  18  rests on the aluminum base  20  and  21  which is thermally connected to the cool, outer container  13 . 
         [0052]    Base  21  is therefore cooled in two ways, by convection cooling of the outer container  13 , and by thermal conduction with table surface or whatever surface the vessel stands on. 
         [0053]    In such a way a large temperature differential is set up across the thermoelectric element  18 , generating a useful amount of electric current. For example, in a typical application when a hot beverage such as tea or coffee is poured into container  12 , it may have a temperature of 90 degrees Celsius, while the ambient temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. The resultant 70 degree temperature differential is transmitted across the thermoelectric generator and produces over 1.2 Volts, and typically between 5 and 50 milliamperes of current. 
         [0054]    As the beverage cools off, the voltage and current drop down, but for about 20 minutes, the present invention produces enough electrical energy to partially charge an internal storage battery. 
         [0055]    The electronic operation of all the embodiments in this disclosure is almost identical, and the low voltage and current generated by the thermoelectric generator is processed in a manner shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0056]    To convert the varying low voltage of approximately 0.2 and 1.5 volts, to charge a standard lithium battery of 3.7 volts, a voltage converter circuit  600  or similar is used. The first DC-DC converter steps up the voltage output from the thermoelectric generator to approximately 4 volts, which is enough to charge the lithium battery  624 . The converter includes but is not limited to a Linear Technology integrated circuit LTC1305, or Texas Instruments bq25504, or similar circuit made by other manufacturers. 
         [0057]    In this manner a small 3.7 volt battery of a 100 milliampere/hour or more or less capacity can be fully charged by consumption of liquids such as hot drinks over a period of a few days. The power from the battery  624  can be used at 3.7 volts from this point on, but for more practical uses the voltage needs to be converted again to a higher voltage such as 5 volts, which is what is needed to charge cell phones, tablets, and other portable devices. An LED lamp or an LCD indicator can be added to allow a visible display of the amount of charge in the battery  624 . 
         [0058]    The second DC-DC power conversion includes a different converter circuit  601 , one that works with higher input currents and output voltages, and one that can quickly transfer the charge from the lithium battery  624 , to a rechargeable battery in a personal portable device, or a flashlight, or any other electrical or electronic device, through a USB or other electrical connector  622 . 
         [0059]    In one example, a Linear Technology integrated circuit the LT1302-5 is utilized as converter  601 , but other circuits exist that can do similar work. The converter  601  voltage steps up the 3.7 volts to 5.2 volts and enables limiting of the charging current and voltage by discrete external components. 
         [0060]    The converter  601  then provides the correct voltage and current level for charging batteries through the USB port  622 . 
         [0061]    The electrical power from the internal rechargeable battery can also be transmitted wirelessly to devices that are equipped to receive it. In this manner, base  21  ( FIG. 1 ) can be modified to include a resonant inductive loop, and converter  601  can be replaced by a radio frequency transmitter with transmitter/receiver specification requirements of the universal power charging standard such as the Qi, or others. 
         [0062]    This is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 6   a , where suitable power transmitting inductor loop  550  is added in the base assembly  500 , and batteries  524 , and electronics  523  are relocated appropriately. 
       EMBODIMENT TWO 
       [0063]    The second embodiment of the invention, is a vessel for retaining a beverage generally referred here as a container  10 , is shown in  FIG. 1 . This embodiment is similar to embodiment one, with the exception of the base section  21  being removable for the purpose of washing the vessel. Container  10  includes an outer container  13  and an inner container  12 . The bottom of the outer container  13  has a clear opening of more or less 1.75 inches diameter so as to give access the inner container  12  and the positioning of a solid base  20 , made wholly or partially from a material with good thermoelectric conductivity such as aluminum and providing a tight, waterproof seal between the outer container  13  and base  20 . 
         [0064]    A thermoelectric generator  18  otherwise known as Peltier tile, includes two, flat ceramic or metal tiles  17  and  19  and an inner array of junctions in between. The thermoelectric generator is placed between the inner container  12  and the solid base  20 . 
         [0065]    If the bottom of the inner container  12  is made slightly curved, a heat conductive elastic material  16  is placed between the inner container  12  and the top side  17  of the thermoelectric generator. The elastic material compensates for the curvature of container  12  and provides an even thermal-contact with the flat top of the thermoelectric generator  17 . The bottom part of the thermoelectric generator  19  makes good thermal contact with base  20 . 
         [0066]    On the bottom of the base  20 , are two small, strong magnets  30 . The magnets are held in electrically isolating sleeves  36 . One magnet  30  is in electrical communication with the positive polarity of the thermoelectric generator  18  through connection  32 , while the second magnet  30  is in electrical communication with the negative polarity of the thermoelectric generator  18  through connection  33 . 
         [0067]    Base  21  is made wholly or partially from aluminum or other heat conducting material. It contains a hollowed section  25 , deep enough to house the electronic circuitry  23 , battery  24 , and a USB or other connector  22 . A metal bottom plate  28  covers the parts and the cut-out. 
         [0068]    The bottom view of base  21  with cover plate  28  removed is shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0069]    Two, small but powerful magnets  31  are mounted in the top section of the base  21  in electrically isolating sleeves  36 . As shown in  FIG. 1   c,  one magnet  31  is in electrical communication with the positive input to the electrical circuitry  33  through a wire connection  34 , while the second magnet  31  is in electrical communication with the negative input to the electrical circuitry  23  through a wire connection  35 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 1 d    is a cross sectional view of base  20  of the vessel  13 , and base  21  and shows the placement of the magnets with opposite North-South (N-S) polarities. This positioning of the magnets will enable the base  21 , to attach itself to Base  21  in only one possible rotation position, enabling correct electrical polarity between the thermoelectric generator  18  base  20  and the circuitry  23  in base  21 . 
         [0071]    In normal use, vessel  13  is placed on top of base  21 . The strong magnetic force between the magnets  30  in base  20  of the vessel, and magnets  31  in base  21 , hold the vessel and the base  21  together in a strong physical and good thermal contact. At that point also, electrical communication between magnets  30  in base  20  and magnets  31  in base also  21  occurs. 
         [0072]    When a liquid such as a hot beverage  11  is poured into the interior of the inner container  12  of the vessel, the heat passes from the bottom of the container, through the layer  16 , to the top tile  17  of the thermoelectric generator  18 . At the same time, the bottom tile  19  of the thermoelectric generator  18  rests on the aluminum base  20  which is thermally connected to the cool, outer container  13 , and the base  21 . 
         [0073]    Base  20  is therefore cooled in two ways, by convection cooling of the outer container  13 , and by thermal conduction through base  21  to the surface of a table or other surface the vessel stands on. 
         [0074]    In such a way a large temperature differential is set up across the thermoelectric element  18 , generating a useful amount of electric current. For example, in a typical application when a hot beverage such as tea or coffee is poured into container  12 , it may have a temperature of 90 degrees Celsius, while the ambient temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. The resultant 70 degree temperature differential is transmitted across the thermoelectric generator and produces over 1.2 Volts, and typically between 5 and 50 milliamperes of current. 
         [0075]    As the beverage cools off, the voltage and current drop down, but for about 20 minutes, the present invention produces enough electrical energy to partially charge an internal storage battery. 
         [0076]    The electronic operation of all the embodiments in this disclosure is almost identical, and the low voltage and current generated by the thermoelectric generator is processed in a manner shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0077]    To convert the varying low voltage of approximately 0.2 and 1.5 volts, to charge a standard lithium battery of 3.7 volts, a voltage converter circuit  600  or similar is used. The first DC-DC converter steps up the voltage output from the thermoelectric generator to approximately 4 volts, which is enough to charge the lithium battery  624 . The converter includes but is not limited to a Linear 
         [0078]    Technology integrated circuit LTC1305, or Texas Instruments bq25504, or similar circuit made by other manufacturers. 
         [0079]    In this manner a small 3.7 volt battery of a 100 milliampere/hour or more or less capacity can be fully charged by consumption of liquids such as hot drinks over a period of a few days. The power from the battery  624  can be used at 3.7 volts from this point on, but for more practical uses the voltage needs to be converted again to a higher voltage such as 5 volts, which is what is needed to charge cell phones, tablets, and other portable devices. An LED lamp or an LCD indicator can be added to allow a visible display of the amount of charge in the battery  624 . 
         [0080]    The second DC-DC power conversion includes a different converter circuit  601 , one that works with higher input currents and output voltages, and one that can quickly transfer the charge from the lithium battery  624 , to a battery in a personal portable device, or a flashlight, or any other electrical or electronic device, through a USB or other connector  622 . 
         [0081]    In one example, a Linear Technology integrated circuit the LT1302-5 is utilized as converter  601 , but other circuits exist that can do similar work. The converter  601  voltage steps up the 3.7 volts to 5.2 volts and enables limiting of the charging current and voltage by discrete external components. 
         [0082]    The converter  601  then provides the correct voltage and current level for charging batteries through the USB port  622 . 
         [0083]    The electrical power from the internal rechargeable battery can also be transmitted wirelessly to devices that are equipped to receive it. In this manner, base  21  ( FIG. 1 b   ) can be modified to include a resonant inductive loop. Converter  601  can be replaced by a radio frequency transmitter with transmitter/receiver specification requirements of the universal power charging standard such as the Qi, or others. 
         [0084]    This is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 6   a , where suitable power transmitting inductor loop  550  is added in the base assembly  500 , and batteries  524 , and electronics  523  are relocated appropriately. 
       EMBODIMENT THREE 
       [0085]    In embodiment two, the vessel is a liquid beverage container, generally referred to as  20  and shown in  FIG. 2 . It is similar in construction to embodiment one, except for the placement of the storage battery  224 , the electronics  223 , and the output connector  222 . 
         [0086]    Those components are now placed inside a cutout in the handle  225  and can be arranged in various different ways, only one of which is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0087]    The container base  221  is thinner than in embodiment one, and without cutouts for electronic components. The base  221  makes a good thermal connection with the bottom part of the outer container  213  by attachment with, though not limited to fasteners  227 . Because the base  221  is solid, it provides low thermal resistance to the heat transmitted from container  212  via the thermoelectric generator  218  to the outer container  213 . The base  221  also makes a good thermal contact on whatever surface it stands on, and conducts the heat to that surface. The overall effect is to provide a larger temperature differential across the thermoelectric generator  218  and generate electrical power. 
         [0088]    The thermoelectric generator  218  is in electrical communication with the electronics  223  in handle  225  via wires  228 . Otherwise, electronics  223  works in communication with the internal battery  224  and the output connector  222  exactly the same as the electronics in embodiment one. 
       EMBODIMENT FOUR 
       [0089]    In the third embodiment of the invention the vessel is a beverage container, generally referred to as  30  and shown in  FIG. 3 , in a cross-sectional view. The container  30  has the dimensions of a typical dual walled drinking mug or cup and includes two containers made from stainless steel or other materials, the outer container  313 , and the inner container  312 . The space between  314 , includes vacuum or air. 
         [0090]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , no lid is shown, but a regular lid can be used. 
         [0091]    The outer shape of the mug maybe round or multisided with not less than four or six or eight or more sides, with both, the inner and outer container containing a number of flat sides. For instance, if eight thermoelectric generators are used, the container will have a hexagonal shape such as shown in  FIG. 3   a.    
         [0092]    The multiple flat sides of the container enable good thermal connections with flat thermoelectric generators  318  which are placed in the space between the outer container  313  and the inner container  312 . The part where the two containers normally connect together at the top of the mug, can be replaced by a high thermal resistance material such as plastic or rubber, but not limited to those two materials. 
         [0093]    In this manner, as the hot liquid  311  is poured into the inner container  312 , the container heats up. The outer container  313  stays cool because it is insulated from the container  312  by space  314 , and it is exposed to ambient temperature. Since the thermoelectric generators are placed between the two containers, a temperature differential will be setup across them and electric current will be produced. 
         [0094]    The thermoelectric generators  318  may be connected in series or in parallel, or a combination of both, and are in electrical communication by wire leads  328  with the voltage converter electronics which may be contained in the base  320  as shown in  FIG. 3 b   , or in the handle  325 , as shown in  FIG. 3   c.    
         [0095]    The amount of voltage and current produced will depend on the size and number, and conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric generators  318 , which can be ¾″ square, but can also be smaller or larger as needed. 
         [0096]    In a typical example, at the moment the boiled beverage is poured in, it has a temperature of over 90 degrees Celsius. With an ambient temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius, the temperature differential across the multiple generators is at its peak, and the generator can produce over 1.2 Volts, and 25 milliamperes of current. As the beverage cools off, the voltage and current produced drop significantly, but for about 20 minutes, the thermal generators produce a total average of about 10 milliamperes, enough energy to partially charge the internal battery  324 . 
         [0097]    The electronic circuitry otherwise works in the same way as explained in embodiment one, and as detailed in  FIG. 7 . 
       EMBODIMENT FIVE 
       [0098]    In embodiment four, the vessel is a beverage container, generally referred to as  40 , is shown in a cross-sectional view in  FIG. 4 . The container has the dimensions of a typical mug, glass, or a cup. 
         [0099]    In this embodiment the heat to electrical energy conversion takes place only in the lid which also houses the electrical circuitry. Although a Thermos-like (or vacuum flask) configuration shown in  FIG. 4  is preferred, and container  40  is shown with two stainless walls, the outer container  413 , the inner container  412 , and space  414  in-between, the vessel in this embodiment can also be single walled, without the outer container  413 , and can be made from metal, ceramic, glass, plastic, paper, or other suitable materials. 
         [0100]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the body of the lid  432 , sits on top of the mug  40 , or a cup, or can be hinged. The upper and lower sides of the lid are utilized for different purposes. The top part of the lid shown in  FIG. 4 a    is exposed to the ambient air, while the bottom part of the lid shown in 
         [0101]      FIG. 4 b    faces down towards the beverage  411  and may touch the liquid. 
         [0102]    The lid is constructed from a plastic material such as ABS plastic, acrylic, or other material suitable to withstand steam. The lid has three through opening. Opening  435  is used for pouring or consuming the beverage. Openings  433  and  434  are used for the passage of an aluminum channel 
         [0103]      420 , connecting a small heat sink  421  on the bottom of the lid, to the top of the lid where it is connected thermally to lower tile  419  of the thermoelectric generator  418 . The opposite side of the thermoelectric generator is attached to heat sink  416  with fins  415  exposed to, and cooled by ambient air. 
         [0104]    In another version of embodiment four, the aluminum channel  420  can be omitted and the lower tile  419  of thermoelectric generator can protrude through a hole in the lid  432  and face the beverage. 
         [0105]    In this manner, the hot air and steam from a beverage heat up side  419  of the thermoelectric generator directly, or through heat sink  421 . In the case of the latter, the heat travels through the aluminum channel  420  to the  419  side of the thermoelectric generator  418 , while the ambient air is coupled to the thermoelectric generator via heat sink  416  with fins  415 . 
         [0106]    In typical use, when a hot substance  411  is emptied into the container  412 , a temperature difference is built up between the two sides of the thermoelectric generator  418 , and electric current is produced. For example, when boiled beverage is poured in, it has a temperature of 90 degrees Celsius. Ambient temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius. The resultant 70 degree temperature differential is transmitted quickly across the thermoelectric generator and produces more or less 0.8 Volts and about more or less 25 milliamperes of current. 
         [0107]    As the beverage cools off, the voltage and current drop significantly, but for about 20 minutes, the lid produces enough energy to partially charge the internal battery  424  and is accessible through the connector  422 . 
         [0108]    The lid in this embodiment can also be adopted for placement around or under a paper cup or a glass or metal cup as done in embodiment six, and similar to embodiment one and two, using the table surface as the cooling element. 
         [0109]    The electronic circuitry otherwise works in the same way as explained in embodiment one, and as detailed in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0110]    In all the mentioned embodiments, the polarity of the thermoelectric generator can be reversed with a switch, or by using an auto switching electronic circuit such as but not limited to the Linear Technology LTC 3109. In this way, electric current with correct polarity to power the voltage converters, will be produced from the temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator when the container holds an ice cold drink, and when there is warmer, ambient air outside the container. 
       EMBODIMENT SIX 
       [0111]    Embodiment six is similar to embodiment two and five, which describe modules that are detachable from the vessels. It is most similar to embodiment five in that it is independent of the vessel, except that instead of fitting on top as a lid, embodiment six is a coaster-like base that fits under a vessel, and is independent of the diameter of the vessel used. 
         [0112]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , this embodiment works best with single wall  514  vessels such as container  50 , which can be made from metal, ceramic, glass, plastic, paper, or other suitable materials. 
         [0113]    Container  50  has the dimensions of a typical mug, glass, or a cup, but can also be larger such as a cooking pan, a plate, or a dish. The container is positioned above and in thermal contact with a flat, coaster-shaped base assembly  500  which rest on a flat surface  513 , such as a table, and shown in a cross-sectional view in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0114]    The body of the base assembly  500  can be constructed from plastic or other poor heat conduction material (insulative material). 
         [0115]    As shown in the top view of  FIG. 5 a   , two, round or multisided plates are centered and leveled parallel with the top and bottom of the base assembly frame. These are coupling plate  519 , and directly underneath, coupling plate  516 , whose function is to collect and conduct heat from different diameter containers, couple it to the thermoelectric generator  518  and the table surface  513 . Both plates are made from heat conductive material such as aluminum, copper, steel, graphite, or any other suitable material with good heat conductivity. 
         [0116]    The top side of the thermoelectric module  518  is then in direct thermal contact with a coupling plate  519 , and the bottom side of the module  518  is in thermal contact with the bottom coupling plate  516 . The thermoelectric generator is also in electrical communication with the circuitry  523 , a rechargeable battery  524 , and a USB or other suitable connector  522  for external power recovery. 
         [0117]    In normal operation, vessel  50  is placed on top of base assembly  500 , which itself rests and is in good thermal contact with surface  513  such as a table. When hot liquid is poured into vessel  50 , heat is passed through the wall  514  of the vessel, then through the coupling plate  519  of the base, then through the thermoelectric generator  518 , then through the lower coupling plate  516  of the base assembly, and into the surface  513 , where it is dispersed. 
         [0118]    As temperature differential is created between the two sides of the thermoelectric generator  518 , electric current is produced. For example: boiled substance is poured in at a temperature of 90 degrees Celsius, and the ambient temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius. The resultant 70 degree temperature differential is transmitted quickly across the thermoelectric generator and produces more or less 0.8 Volts and about more or less 25 milliamperes of current. This figure can be much higher if larger, or multiple thermoelectric generators are used. 
         [0119]    As the contents of vessel  50  cools off, the voltage and current drop significantly, but for about 20 minutes, the base assembly produces enough energy to partially charge the internal battery  624  and is accessible through the connector  622 . 
         [0120]    The electronic circuitry otherwise works in the same way as explained in embodiment one, and as detailed in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0121]    The electrical power from the internal rechargeable battery can also be transmitted wirelessly to devices that are equipped to receive it. In this manner, the base assembly can be modified and converter  601  can be replaced by a radio frequency transmitter with transmitter/receiver specification requirements of the universal power charging standard such as the Qi, or others. This is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 6   a , where suitable power transmitting inductor loop  550  is added in the base assembly  500 , and batteries  524 , and electronics  523  are relocated appropriately in the base assembly  500 . 
         [0122]    In all the mentioned embodiments, the polarity of the thermoelectric generator can be reversed with a switch, or by using an auto switching electronic circuit such as but not limited to the Linear Technology LTC 3109. In this way, electric current with correct polarity to power the voltage converters, will be produced from the temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator when the container holds an ice cold drink, and when there is warmer, ambient air outside the container. 
         [0123]    In all the six above-mentioned embodiments, the thermal retention inside the dual container mugs is slightly compromised and the substance in the container will cool down faster. One advantage is that if the substance is a hot beverage, it will reach a safe drinking temperature faster, while at the same time harvesting the temperature differential as electrical power, and allowing for a variety of end uses, such as charging batteries in personal portable devices. 
         [0124]    While the foregoing provides certain non-limiting example embodiments, it should be understood that combinations, subsets, and variations of the foregoing are contemplated. The monopoly sought is defined by the claims.