AU2018100744A4 - Electrical connector for electrical appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE Abstract An electrical appliance (200) comprising: a vessel (220); a vessel base (224) coupled to the vessel (220); a heating element (226) to heat the vessel (200); and an electrical connector (100) to provide electrical power to the heating element (226). The electrical connector (100) has: a main body element (110) welded to the vessel base (224); at least one electrical terminal element (130) mounted to the main body element (130) and electrically coupled to the heating element (226) for delivering electrical power to the heating element (226), the at least one electrical terminal element (130) connectable to an electrical power supply; and a moulded portion (120) fixed to the main body element (120) and a having a through aperture (122) through which the at least one electrical terminal element (130) extends for connecting to the heating element (226) and to provide the at least one electrical terminal element (130) with an exposed portion (132) to be connected to the electrical power supply.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to electrical connectors for electrical appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Electrical connectors for cordless electrical appliances are known. These electrical connectors are typically coupled to cordless electrical appliances by fasteners extending through the electrical connector into the electrical appliance, and by adhesives disposed between the electrical connector and the cordless appliance. The adhesives used may deteriorate over time, which may lead to the ingress of moisture, food, and the like into the electrical connector. It will be appreciated that the ingress of moisture, food, or the like into the electrical connector may led to electrical safety issues and/or hygiene issues.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention provides an electrical appliance comprising: a vessel;

a vessel base coupled to the vessel; a heating element to heat the vessel; and an electrical connector to provide electrical power to the heating element, the electrical connector having:

a main body element welded to the vessel base;

at least one electrical terminal element mounted to the main body element and electrically coupled to the heating element for delivering electrical power to the heating element, the at least one electrical terminal element connectable to an electrical power supply; and a moulded portion fixed to the main body element and a having a through aperture through which the at least one electrical terminal element extends enabling the electrical

2018100744 04 Jun 2018 connection of the at least one electrical terminal element to the heating element and to provide the at least one electrical terminal element with an exposed portion to be connected to the electrical power supply.

[0005] In a preferred form, the heating element is coupled to the vessel.

[0006] In a preferred form, the electrical appliance further comprises a volume defined between the vessel and the vessel base, wherein the at least one electrical terminal element extends into the volume and the exposed portion of the at least one electrical terminal is external to the volume.

[0007] In a preferred form, the heating element is coupled to the vessel in the volume.

[0008] In a preferred form, the vessel has an interior wall and an exterior wall, and the vessel base is coupled to the exterior wall.

[0010] In a preferred form, the vessel comprises a processor module, the at least one electrical terminal element is one of a plurality of electrical terminal elements, and at least one of the plurality of electrical terminal elements is connected to the processor module to deliver power to the processor module and/or transmit control signals from the module.

[0011] In a preferred form, the electrical appliance further comprises a base configured to removably engage the vessel base, wherein the base is configured to connect one of the plurality of electrical terminal elements to the electrical power supply.

[0012] In a preferred form, the base has a processor module and, when the base is engaged with the vessel base, the processor module of the base is electrically connected to the processor module of the vessel via at least one the plurality of electrical terminal elements of the electrical connector.

[0013] In a preferred form, the processor module of the base is configured to send control signals to the processor module of the vessel via at least one of the plurality of electrical terminal elements when the vessel base is engaged with the base.

2018100744 04 Jun 2018 [0014] In a preferred form, the vessel has a heat sensor configured to transmit temperature information to the processor module of the vessel and the processor module of the vessel is configured to control an operation of the heating element based on the temperature information.

[0015] In a preferred form, the vessel base is welded to the vessel.

[0016] In a preferred form, the main body element of the electrical connector is formed of a metal material.

[0017] In a preferred form, the vessel is formed of a metal material.

[0018] In a preferred form, the vessel base is formed of a metal material.

[0019] In a preferred form, the moulded portion electrically isolates the at least one electrical terminal contact from the main body element.

[0020] In a preferred form, the moulded portion is insert moulded in the main body element.

[0021] There is also disclosed herein a plug device, the plug device including: a main body (or frame) element;

a moulded portion within the main body element, the moulded portion defines a plurality of through apertures;

a plurality of electrical terminal elements that are each received within a respective one of the through apertures; and a seal element for restricting fluid ingress through the plug device.

[0022] Preferably, the plug device may further include a cover element.

[0023] Preferably, the moulded portion may be insert moulded within the main body element. Alternatively, the moulded portion may be separately moulded and inserted into the main body element. More preferably, the moulded portion may be moulded with the through apertures.

[0024] Preferably, each electrical terminal element is elongated and retained within a respective one of the through apertures, such that a first end protrudes from the moulded portion. Each

2018100744 04 Jun 2018 electrical terminal element has a second end that can be electrically coupled to an internal component of a cordless device.

[0025] Preferably, the seal element may be formed by an applied wet silicone seal element that is potted or poured about the terminal elements. Alternatively, the seal element comprises a separately moulded silicone seal that is added about the terminals.

[0026] Preferably, the main body element defines an outwardly extending peripheral flange for enabling laser welding or bonding of the plug device to a cordless appliance. More preferably, the main body element has an inwardly directed protrusion (or peripheral flange) for restraining the moulded portion. More preferably, the main body element has an internal ledge (or rebate) that is located proximal to the level of the moulded portion. More preferably, the main body element forms an upper peripheral wall, such that the cover element is fitted over the upper peripheral wall. It is preferred that the cover element compresses the seal element.

[0027] There is also disclosed herein a cordless kitchen apparatus, the apparatus including: a cordless appliance and a base; and wherein the cordless appliance has a plug device for enabling electrical connection between the cordless appliance and the base.

[0028] The plug device may be according to any embodiment descended herein. The plug device may be located on or about an underside of the cordless appliance. The plug device may be adhesively bonded or welded to the underside of the cordless appliance.

[0029] Preferably, the cordless appliance includes:

a vessel having a vessel wall and a vessel base that is electrically heated by a resistance heating element located about the vessel base;

wherein the plug device enables electrical connection for power to the heating element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0030] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment plug connector;

2018100744 04 Jun 2018 [0032] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the embodiment plug connector of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment plug connector of FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment plug connector of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the embodiment plug connector of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 6A is an end elevation view of the embodiment plug connector of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 6B is a sectional end elevation view of the embodiment plug connector of FIG. 1, taken along line A-A of FIG. 5;

[0038] FIGs 7A-7G show assembly views of the embodiment plug connector;

[0039] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment cordless appliance having a plug connector;

[0040] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment cordless appliance of FIG. 8;

[0041] FIG. 10 is a section elevation view of the embodiment cordless appliance of FIG. 8; and [0042] FIG. 11 is a section part elevation view of the embodiment cordless appliance, showing an alternative attachment for a plug connector.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION [0043] FIG. 1 through FIG. 6 show an embodiment electrical plug device 100 that includes: a main body (or frame) element 110;

a moulded portion 120 within the main body element 110; the moulded portion 120 defines a plurality of through apertures 122;

a plurality of electrical terminal elements 130 that are each received within a respective one of the through apertures 122; and a seal element 140 for restricting fluid ingress through the plug device.

[0044] In an embodiment, the plug device may further include a cover element 150.

2018100744 04 Jun 2018 [0045] The moulded portion 120 can be insert moulded within the main body element 110. Alternatively, the moulded portion 120 may be separately moulded and inserted into the main body element 110.

[0046] The moulded portion 120 can be moulded with, or machined to form, the through apertures 122.

[0047] Each electrical terminal element 130 can be elongated (e.g. typically generally cylindrical in shape) and retained within a respective one of the through apertures 122, such that a first end 131 protrudes from the moulded portion 120 to enable engagement with an electric power supply via a respective socket (not shown) when in use. The first end 131 may be chamfered, tapered or rounded for aiding insertion into the respective socket. Each electrical terminal element 130 has a second end 132 that can be electrically coupled to an internal component of a cordless appliance such as, for example, a resistance heating element (see Figure 10). Referring to Figure 2, the second end 132 of each electrical terminal element forms an exposed portion of a respective electrical terminal element 130. The electrical terminal elements 130 can be retained using a nut and bolt configuration, as best shown in FIG. 6B, using a threaded nut 134 that engages an intermediate threaded portion 135 of the electrical terminal element. Alternatively, the electrical terminal elements 130 may threadedly engage the moulded portion 120. A fixing element (or screw) 152 may be engaged about the second end 132 of each of the electrical terminal elements 130 to facilitate the electrical coupling. By way of example, the fixing element (or screw) 152 may engage an aperture 136 at the second end 132 of each of the electrical terminal element 130. Alternatively, each of the electrical terminal elements 130 may be welded or soldered to a selected wire to form an electrical coupling.

[0048] The electrical terminal elements 130 may be shaped about an intermediate portion 138 to resist rotation within (or pulling through) a respective through aperture 122.

[0049] The cover element 150 may include moulded shield elements 154 about the fixing element (or screw) 152 to assist in isolation of electrical couplings. The cover element 150 provides a second fixing (or “anchor”) point for retaining or containing the electrical terminal elements 130 to restrict movement or wobbling. For example, a first fixing (or “anchor”) point for the electrical terminal elements is about the nut 134. By providing a second anchor point,

2018100744 04 Jun2018 each electrical terminal element 130 is better able to resist wobbling when the cordless appliance is in use.

[0050] The seal element 140 may comprise a separately moulded silicone seal that is added about the electrical terminal elements 130 and compressed between the moulded portions 120 and cover element 150 to form a seal for restricting fluid ingress through the plug device 100. For example, fluid may enter the cordless appliance though the plug device 100 because of manufacturing tolerances between the elements, wherein the seal element 140 restricts further fluid ingress into the cordless appliance. Alternatively, the seal element 140 may be applied as a wet silicone seal element that is potted or poured about the electrical terminal elements 130. The seal element 140 provides a seal about the main body element 110 and the electrical terminal elements 130.

[0051] The main body element 110 can define a perimeter of the plug device 100, and may have an outwardly extending peripheral flange 112 for enabling laser welding or bonding of the plug device 100 to a cordless appliance. An alternative embodiment may include the addition of a gasket between the peripheral flange 112 and a vessel base 224 (see Figures 9 and 10) and fixing the plug device 100 with mechanical fasteners.

[0052] The main body element 110 can have an inwardly directed protrusion (or peripheral flange) 114 for restraining the moulded portion 120. It will be appreciated that the inwardly directed protrusion (or peripheral flange) 114 would physically retain an insert-moulded portion

120.

[0053] The main body element 110 can have an internal ledge (or rebate) 116 that is located proximal to the level of the moulded portion 120, such that the upper surface of the moulded portion 120 is substantially aligned with the ledge 116. It will be appreciated that this configuration enables the seal element 140 to span across a substantially smooth transition between the moulded portion 120 and body element 110. The moulded portion 120 may include a recessed area 124 about the through apertures 122 for receiving the locking nut 134, which can allow the locking nut 134 to also finish substantially level with the moulded portion 120.

[0054] The main body element 110 can form an upper peripheral wall 118, such that the cover element 150 is fitted over the upper peripheral wall 118.

2018100744 04 Jun 2018 [0055] By way of example, two additional mounting through holes 113 are formed at the ends of the outwardly extending peripheral 112 flange as a guide during the assembly an electrical appliance.

[0056] FIG. 7A through FIG. 7G show construction of an example embodiment electrical plug device 100. FIG. 7A shows a main body (or frame) element 110 in the form of a cast stainless steel element that is machined to size for insert moulding. Alternatively, the main body element 110 can be made of any metal material or polymer. FIG. 7B shows a moulded portion 120 formed by insert moulding a Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS), or other engineering polymer, portion within the main body element 110. The insert moulding material isolates the electrical terminal elements 130 from the main body element 110, to prevent short circuit. In this example, the insert moulded portion 120 is cast with through apertures 122 for receiving respective electrical terminal elements 130. The moulded portion 120 may include a recessed area 124 about the through apertures 122 for receiving the locking nut 134 (not shown), which can allow the locking nut 134 to also finish substantially level with the moulded portion 120. FIG. 7C shows electrical terminal elements 130 inserted through blind holes in the insert moulded portion 120. FIG. 7D shows locking nuts 134 engaged to a threaded portion 135 of the electrical terminal elements 130 for mechanical location and retention within the insert moulded portion 120. FIG. 7E shows a separately moulded silicone seal element 140 added atop the moulded portion 120, which is compressed to a sealed configuration. In an alternative embodiment, a wet silicone seal element may be potted or poured about the electrical terminal elements 130 for forming a seal. FIG. 7F shows an installed cover element 150. FIG. 7G shows coupling screw elements 152 installed to secure both the electrical couplings and cover element 150 (wiring assembly not shown). By way of example, the fixing element (or screw) 152 acts on the cover element 150 to compress the silicone seal element 140 into a sealed configuration between the cover element 150 and moulded portion 120 and/or main body (or frame) element 110.

[0057] It will be appreciated that the specified materials are provided by way of example only, and alternative suitable materials may be selected.

[0058] It will also be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment plug device 100 is an electrical connector that can be used in an electrical appliance such as, for example, a cordless appliance.

2018100744 04 Jun 2018 [0059] FIG. 8 through FIG. 10, show an electrical appliance 200 having a vessel 220, a base 400 (see Figure 10), and a plug device 100 as described above for enabling electrical connection between the vessel 220 and the base 400.

[0060] The plug device 100 may be located on or about an underside of the vessel 220. The plug device 100 may be adhesively bonded or welded to the underside of the vessel 220. It will be appreciated that the electrical appliance 200 is a cordless appliance.

[0061] In this embodiment, the vessel 220 has a vessel inner wall 222, a vessel outer wall 223, and a vessel base 224 that is electrically heated by a resistance heating element 226 located about, or coupled to, the vessel base 224; wherein the plug device 100 enables electrical connection for power to the heating element 226. The vessel 220 and/or the vessel base 224 are typically formed of a metal material such as, for example, stainless steel, but may be formed of plastics, glass or the like. By way of example, the plug device 100 is fixed to the vessel base 224 by laser welding (at 230) the main body element 110 of the plug device 100 to the base of the vessel. The vessel outer wall 223 may also be laser welded to the vessel base 224 (at 232).

[0062] Referring to Figure 10, the vessel base 224 and the vessel 220 define a volume 235 in which the resistance heating element 226 is disposed and coupled to the vessel 220. It can be seen from this figure that each of the electrical terminal elements 130 extend through the main body element 110 and the moulded portion 120 such that the first end 131 of each electrical terminal element 130 is external to the volume 235 and the second end 132 (i.e. the exposed portion) of each electrical terminal element 130 is disposed within the volume 235. The second end 132 (i.e. the exposed portion) of one of electrical terminal elements 130 is electrically connected to the heating element 226 within the volume 235 via an electrical conductor 236.

[0063] Disposed in the volume 235 of the vessel 220 is a processor module 237 and a heat sensor 238. The processor module 237 is electrically connected to the heat sensor and the second end 132 of at least one of the electrical terminal elements 130 of the plug device 100.

The heat sensor 238 provides temperature information to the processor module 237, and the processor module 237 controls the operation of the heating element 226 based on the temperature information. For example, the processor module 237 is configured to increase and decrease the amount of electrical power delivered to the heating element 226 based on the temperature information provided by the heat sensor 238.

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2018100744 04 Jun 2018 [0064] The base 400 is configured to removably engage the vessel base 224 to provide electrical power to the vessel 220. The base 400 being configured to connect to an electrical power supply such as, for example, mains electricity.

[0065] The base 400 has a socket 402 having a plurality of electrical contacts 404 disposed therein. The socket 402 is configured to receive the electrical terminal elements 130 of the plug device 100 therein. When the vessel base 224 is received by the base 400, each of the electrical contacts 404 electrically contacts one of the plurality of electrical terminal elements 130 of the plug device 100. When the base 400 is connected to the electrical power supply, at least one of the electrical contacts is electrically coupled to the electrical power supply.

[0066] The base 400 comprises a processor module 406 that is electrically connected to at least one of the electrical contacts 404 with an electrical conductor 408. The electrical conductor 408 is configured to transmit control signals from the processor module 406 to at least one of the electrical contacts 404. The processor module 406 is configured to receive inputs from a user and control operation of the electrical appliance 200 based on the user inputs.

[0067] When the vessel base 224 engages the base 400, it will be appreciated that the processor module 237 is electrically connected to the processor module 406 via at least one of the plurality of electrical terminal elements 130 of the plug device 100. Accordingly, the processor module 406 can transmit the user inputs to the processor module 237 via at least one of the plurality of electrical terminal elements 130 of the plug device 100 so that the processor module 237 is able to control the heating element 226 according to the user input. Further, when the vessel base 224 engages the base 400, it will be appreciated that the electrical power supply will be electrically connected to the second end 132 of at least one of the electrical terminal elements 130 of the plug device 100 and that the plug device 100 will therefore be able to deliver electrical power to the vessel 220, the heating element 226, the processor module 237, and the heat sensor 238 via at least one of the electrical terminal elements 130.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 9, by way of example, the plug device 100 can be kidney-shaped, with a first side 112 being concave and a second side 113 being convex and being joined by with rounded ends 114, 115. In this embodiment the sides 112, 113 are concentric with the vessel base 224. In an embodiment, the plurality of electrical terminal elements 130 may be evenly spaced on an arc that is concentric with the sides of the plug device 100 and the vessel base 224. In an

2018100744 04 Jun 2018 alternative embodiment, the mains power terminal elements (active, neutral and earth) may be adjacent but spaced further apart than the other signal electrical terminals. The extra distance between the power terminal elements increases their respective insulation, and minimises the possibility of a short circuit due to power terminals operating at higher voltages. The plug device 100 can include two or more electrical terminal elements 130, and preferably 5 or 6 electrical terminal elements 130.

[0069] Each electrical terminal element 130 may be associated with signal connections or power connections. The plug device 100 can enable the processor module 237 or other components (e.g. the heat sensor 238) within the vessel 220 to receive power from, or transmit control signals to and from, the base 400.

[0070] TIG. 11 is a section part elevation view of another embodiment of an electrical appliance 300, which has an alternative attachment for a plug connector 100.

[0071] In this embodiment, the plug device 100 is mechanically fixed to the base of the vessel 224, and a gasket 310 is used between the outwardly extending peripheral flange 112 of the main body element 110 and the base of the vessel. Tor example, the mechanical fixing between the plug device 100 and base of the vessel can use screws, pins, bolts, nuts or the like.

[0072] In this example embodiment, the outwardly extending peripheral flange 112 is located beneath the base of the vessel with the gasket 310 there-between.

[0073] Alternatively, by way of example only, the plug device 100 may be placed from inside the base of the vessel, whereby the outwardly extending peripheral flange 112 is located above the base of the vessel with the gasket 310 there-between.

[0074] It will be appreciated that the gasket 310 may be formed of known materials that are suitable for limiting water ingress between the connector and base of the vessel.

[0075] Welding the main body element 110 to the vessel 220 may reduce/restrict the ingress of moisture, food, and the like into the plug device 100, which may therefore improve the overall safety and hygiene of the electrical appliance 200. This is because moisture is restricted from contacting the electrical terminal elements 130 and food is restricted from reaching places where is cannot easily be removed from the electrical appliance 200.

2018100744 04 Jun 2018 [0076] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

[0077] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0078] In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

[0079] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. The terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

[0080] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of

2018100744 04 Jun 2018 like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0081] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader, or with reference to the orientation of the structure during nominal use, as appropriate. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

[0082] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0083] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0084] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is

2018100744 04 Jun 2018 an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

[0085] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, stmctures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0086] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0087] It will be appreciated that an embodiment of the invention can consist essentially of features disclosed herein. Alternatively, an embodiment of the invention can consist of features disclosed herein. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

2018100744 04 Jun2018

Claims (16)

1. An electrical appliance comprising:

a vessel;

a vessel base coupled to the vessel; a heating element to heat the vessel; and an electrical connector to provide electrical power to the heating element, the electrical connector having:

a main body element welded to the vessel base;

at least one electrical terminal element mounted to the main body element and electrically coupled to the heating element for delivering electrical power to the heating element, the at least one electrical terminal element connectable to an electrical power supply; and a moulded portion fixed to the main body element and a having a through aperture through which the at least one electrical terminal element extends enabling the electrical connection of the at least one electrical terminal element to the heating element and to provide the at least one electrical terminal element with an exposed portion to be connected to the electrical power supply.

2. The electrical appliance of claim 1, wherein the heating element is coupled to the vessel.

3. The electrical appliance of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a volume defined between the vessel and the vessel base, wherein the at least one electrical terminal element extends into the volume and the exposed portion of the at least one electrical terminal is external to the volume.

4. The electrical appliance of claim 3, wherein the heating element is coupled to the vessel in the volume.

5. The electrical appliance of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel has an interior wall and an exterior wall, and the vessel base is coupled to the exterior wall.

6. The electrical appliance of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel comprises a processor module, the at least one electrical terminal element is one of a plurality of electrical terminal elements, and at least one of the plurality of electrical terminal elements is connected to the processor module to deliver power to the processor module and/or transmit control signals from the module.

2018100744 04 Jun 2018

7. The electrical appliance of claim 6, further comprising a base configured to removably engage the vessel base, wherein the base is configured to connect one of the plurality of electrical terminal elements to the electrical power supply.

8. The electrical appliance of claim 7, wherein the base has a processor module and, when the base is engaged with the vessel base, the processor module of the base is electrically connected to the processor module of the vessel via at least one the plurality of electrical terminal elements of the electrical connector.

9. The electrical appliance of claim 8, wherein the processor module of the base is configured to send control signals to the processor module of the vessel via at least one of the plurality of electrical terminal elements when the vessel base is engaged with the base.

10. The electrical appliance of claim 9, wherein the vessel has a heat sensor configured to transmit temperature information to the processor module of the vessel and the processor module of the vessel is configured to control an operation of the heating element based on the temperature information.

11. The electrical appliance of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel base is welded to the vessel.

12. The electrical appliance of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body element of the electrical connector is formed of a metal material.

13. The electrical appliance of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel is formed of a metal material.

14. The electrical appliance of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel base is formed of a metal material.

15. The electrical appliance of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the moulded portion electrically isolates the at least one electrical terminal contact from the main body element.

2018100744 04 Jun 2018

16. The electrical appliance of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the moulded portion is insert moulded in the main body element.

Breville Pty Limited

Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON

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100

FIG. 1

FIG.2

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FIG. 4

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131

FIG. 6B

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FIG. 7A

110

FIG. 7B

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FIG. 7D

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FIG. 7F

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FIG. 7G

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FIG. 8

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9/Ή

FIG. 9

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408

402

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FIG. 11