Modular thermoelectric apparatus for use in multiple portable containers

A thermoelectric portable cooler, comprising:

• a body comprising a base and a sidewall extending orthogonally away from a perimeter of the base defining a cavity therein, the sidewall defining an opening extending therethrough;
• a lid at least partially being removable from distal ends of the sidewall of the body and enclosing the cavity of the body, said lid comprising an opening having a first perimeter and a second perimeter wherein said second perimeter is smaller than said first perimeter, and further comprising a step disposed between said first perimeter and said second perimeter;
• and
• a modular thermoelectric apparatus in fluid communication with the opening of the sidewall to provide cooling within the cavity,
• said modular thermoelectric apparatus having a housing which encloses a first heat sink and a second heat sink, said first heat sink and said second heat sink being offset from a first fan and a second fan, respectively within said housing;
• an outer air shroud engaging said sidewall and raised relative to a remainder of said sidewall, an inner air shroud facing said cavity, said housing located between said outer and inner air shrouds, said outer air shroud being larger than said inner air shroud and wherein said housing engages said step;
• said first heat sink and said first fan enclosed by said outer air shroud, and said second heat sink and said second fan enclosed by said inner air shroud;
• wherein the modular thermoelectric apparatus is removably coupled to the sidewall.

A modular thermoelectric apparatus, comprising:

• a thermoelectric module disposed within a housing, the thermoelectric module having a cold side and a hot side;
• the housing sized and shaped to be received by an opening formed along a lid of a portable cooler, the housing containing the thermoelectric module distinctly from said lid, and the housing adapted to be removably coupled to the lid, the housing coupled to:
• an upper fan shroud comprising a hot air outlet, the hot air outlet thermally coupled to the hot side of the thermoelectric module;
• and
• a lower fan shroud comprising a warm air inlet and a cold air outlet, the cold air outlet thermally coupled to the cold side of the thermoelectric module;
• said upper fan shroud and said lower fan shroud enclosing said housing, said upper fan shroud being larger than said lower fan shroud;
• said opening comprising an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter which is smaller than said outer perimeter, a step disposed between said outer perimeter and said inner perimeter wherein said housing engages said step;
• wherein a first fan and a second fan are axially aligned, and a first heat sink and a second heat sink are offset from a common axis of said first fan and said second fan, and further wherein said housing encloses said first fan and said first heat sink and said second fan and said second heat sink.