CN116829033A - Device for heating a liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for heating a liquid comprises a container (11) and heating means (12); the device (10) further comprises a drive system (13) configured to drive a plurality of different types of lids (14, 15) that may be accommodated on the container (11).

Description

Device for heating a liquid

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for heating a liquid, such as for example an electric kettle or the like for water or other liquids. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a device for heating a liquid.

Background of the invention

It is known that devices for heating a liquid, such as for example electric kettles, may comprise a container containing the liquid to be heated and heating means, typically contained at the base of the device. The heating means may comprise, for example, one or more resistors housed in the base of the device, which may be connected to a distribution power supply if required.

The container has an aperture in the top to allow filling of the liquid to be heated, which aperture may be closed by two or more types of lids. There are generally two most common types of lids.

A first type of lid is provided, hinged on one side of the container and adapted to assume a lowered position for closing the aperture of the container and a raised position for opening the container. The container may comprise a container mouth through which the heated liquid flows, the container mouth normally remaining open in both the lowered position and the raised position of the lid.

Typically, the lid is associated with a locking system in a lowered position, which the user can act on, for example by means of a button, in such a way as to allow the lid to be released from the container and then raised by rotating the lid about the hinge.

The second type of lid, in particular for electric kettles, is a hingeless safety lid which is normally received in a sealed manner over an aperture in the top.

The cover is provided with opening and closing valves associated with respective actuation systems, which can be actuated by means of dedicated buttons. Typically, to return the valve to the closed state, a dedicated button needs to be acted upon again.

The safety caps are also equipped with additional buttons that enable the safety caps to be disengaged from the containers in which they are housed.

Thus, known devices for heating liquids, depending on the type of cap they need to contain, require the provision of suitable containing means for the cap, as well as suitable systems and mechanisms to unlock and lock the cap in one case and to open and close the valve in the other case.

Obviously, each known heating device needs to have specific constructional features in order to be suitable for accommodating one or another type of cap and one or another type of locking and unlocking system or opening and closing system of the valve delivering the liquid.

In case the lid is provided with a delivery valve, the valve may be inadvertently opened, causing safety problems for the device, e.g. leakage of liquid such as boiling from the container.

Thus, in general, the devices for heating liquids of the type described above are generally not very flexible in terms of possible use, the structure of the device is complex and the safety of the device is also to be improved.

Document EP2483745 describes various solutions for a device for heating a liquid, comprising a safety cap provided with a delivery valve or a cap hinged in the central region of the liquid container. However, the described solutions are independent of each other and cannot be combined with each other. Furthermore, in the case of a safety cap, the valve can only be opened when the device for heating the liquid is tilted to the liquid pouring position.

Documents GB2486229a and DE29902995U1 describe other devices of known type for heating liquids.

Thus, there is a need for an improved device for heating a liquid that overcomes at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for heating a liquid (e.g. an electric kettle) which is efficient, safe and flexible in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for heating liquids in which different types of lids can be associated with the same liquid container and which is characterized by a simple construction and use.

Another object of the invention is a method of manufacturing a device for heating a liquid, which device is basically provided with a universal container, to which different types of lids (e.g. rotatable lids, safety lids or other lids) can be associated, according to different usage needs.

The applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other features of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

According to the above object, an apparatus for heating a liquid according to the present invention comprises a container for a liquid and a device for heating the liquid in the container.

According to an aspect of the invention, a heating device comprises a drive system configured to drive a plurality of different types of lids that may alternatively be accommodated on the container, wherein the drive system comprises at least one activation element located outside the lid, drivable by a user, and at least one actuator located inside the lid, cooperating with the activation element.

The actuator is caused to move between a first closed position and a second open position of the lid, or vice versa, as a result of actuation of the activation element.

For example, in the case of a rotatable lid, the open state is understood to mean that the lid is rotated and raised relative to the container. For example, in the case of a safety cap, an open state is understood to mean that there is a possibility of liquid flowing through the delivery valve, which is thus at least partially open.

Preferably, the actuator engages the valve in such a way as to allow the valve to open irrespective of the position of the container and/or its inclination. In other words, the valve may be opened during pouring of the liquid even when the container is in a substantially vertical position and the container does not have to be tilted.

Advantageously, current devices for heating liquids (e.g. electric kettles) basically provide a universal container, wherein different types of lids may alternatively be associated with the universal container, the lids being driven by a drive system. The drive system may be selectively actuated to interact with at least a first rotatable cap and at least a second safety cap provided with a valve.

The drive system is partly arranged in a cover provided with an actuator and partly on a container provided with a mobile activation element that can be driven by a user. The activation element is suitable for different types of lids and can drive actuators of different types of lids. The current heating devices prove to be very flexible in terms of the possibilities of use, efficient and safe for the user.

The drive system is actuated to open the rotatable lid relative to the container in the case of a rotatable lid and to at least partially open the valve in the case of a safety lid.

According to some embodiments, the activation element may be associated with a resilient return means. In this way, when the user releases the flyweight, the actuators can return substantially to their original position, for example, the position in which the first rotatable lid is closed or the position in which the valve is closed in the case of the second safety lid.

The first hinged lid may be provided with a hinge for rotation from a first closed condition to a second open condition of the container, or vice versa. In this case, the actuator acts as a restraining element between the first lid and the container, associated with the first lid and configured to engage with the container to maintain the first lid in the first closed state. The activation element is configured to act on the actuator and release the first lid from the container in a second open state of the first container.

The swivel hinge is located on the peripheral portion, substantially corresponding to the handle of the device for heating the liquid.

According to some embodiments, the device for heating a liquid may comprise a flange for receiving a rotatable lid, and the actuator may be configured to rest on the flange in a closed position of the lid.

The device may further include a hinge mechanism positioned between the actuator and the activation element and configured to: the actuator is allowed to move rearward upon actuation of the actuation member, thereby allowing the rotatable lid to be opened.

The hinge of the rotatable lid may comprise a resilient means configured to: when the actuator is released from the container, the rotatable lid is allowed to open automatically.

The cap which can be accommodated on the container as described above can also be a safety cap provided with at least one liquid delivery valve; the valve includes a shutter and is in fluid communication with the interior of the container. In this case, the activation element is configured to push the actuator towards the shutter in such a way as to allow at least partial opening of the valve.

The valve may comprise resilient return means which cause the shutter to close automatically when the activation element is released by the user.

The safety cap comprises a duct provided with an inlet and an outlet for the liquid, wherein the delivery valve is positioned inside the duct.

The duct is substantially L-shaped, the duct having a first substantially vertical section and a second substantially horizontal section, and the shutter moves axially along the horizontal section.

The heating device may also be provided with a fluid sealing device positioned between the container and the safety lid.

Another object of the invention is a method of manufacturing an apparatus for heating a liquid, the method comprising: providing a substantially universal container provided with means for heating the liquid in the container; and providing a drive system that can be selectively driven to interact with a plurality of different types of lids that can alternatively be accommodated on the container, the plurality of different types of lids including at least a first rotatable lid and at least a second safety lid provided with a valve, wherein the drive system includes at least one activation element that is located outside the lid and can be driven by a user and at least one actuator that is located inside the lid and cooperates with the play member, wherein the drive system is driven to open the rotatable lid relative to the container in the case of the rotatable lid and to at least partially open the valve in the case of the safety lid, regardless of the position or inclination of the container.

Drawings

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a partial longitudinal section of a device for heating a liquid according to the invention, equipped with a first type of cover in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the first type of cap of FIG. 1;

fig. 2a is a cross-section along line II-II in fig. 2;

FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 1 taken along line III-III of FIG. 2, with the lid in a partially open position;

fig. 4 is a partial longitudinal section of the device of fig. 1, with the cover in a fully open position;

fig. 5 is a partial longitudinal section of a device for heating a liquid according to the invention, wherein the device is equipped with a second type of cover in a closed position;

fig. 6 is a partial longitudinal section of the device of fig. 4, with the cover in an open position, that is to say open for the passage of liquid;

FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal section of the current heating device, with the second type of cap removed from the container;

fig. 8 is a three-dimensional view of a second type of cap.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is to be appreciated that elements and features of one embodiment may be readily incorporated into or incorporated into other embodiments without further elaboration.

Detailed Description

We will now describe in detail, by way of non-limiting illustration, possible embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of providing a non-limiting example.

Referring to the drawings, for example, referring to fig. 1 and 7, an apparatus 10 for heating a liquid according to the present invention includes a container 11 for a liquid and a device 12 for heating the liquid in the container 11.

The device 10 comprises a drive system 13 configured to drive a plurality of different types of lids 14 or 15 which may alternatively be accommodated on the container 11.

These covers include at least a first type of rotatable cover 14 (this type is referred to as "flip-top") and a second type of safety cover 15 (hermetically sealed to prevent leakage of liquid).

The drive system 13 comprises at least one activation element 16, which is located outside the cover 14 or 15 and is drivable by the user, and at least one actuator 17 or 18, which is located inside the cover 14 or 15 and cooperates with the activation element 16.

The activation element 16 may be, for example, a cursor (cursor) moving in a rectilinear direction (for example, as shown in fig. 1, 3, 4 and 7), or according to a possible variant (not shown), a button or lever (lever) suitable for moving downwards from the top or by horizontal pivoting movement or other means.

Upon actuation of the activation element 16, the actuator 17 or 18 moves between a first position in which the lid 14 or 15 is in a first closed state and a second position in which the lid 14 or 15 is in a second open state, or vice versa.

In the case of the second type of cap 15, as will be described, the opening condition for delivering the liquid is represented by the at least partial opening of the valve 19.

In other words, in the case of the rotatable lid 14, the activation element 16 is driven such that the rotatable lid is opened with respect to the container 11, and in the case of the safety lid 15, such that the valve 19 is at least partially opened.

The container 11 may be provided with an upper aperture 38, the lid 14 or 15 being received over the upper aperture 38, and the upper aperture allowing for filling or adding of liquid.

The container 11 may also be provided with a container mouth 20 for the outflow of liquid, through which liquid can be delivered with the container 11 suitably tilted.

The container 11 may also comprise a gripping handle 21, preferably positioned on the opposite side to the side on which the container mouth 20 is located.

The heating means 12 of the container may be positioned in the lower part of the container 11, which heating means may be made in one piece with the container 11. For example, the heating device 12 may include one or more resistors or the like.

The base 22 is typically associated with a container 11 provided with electrical energy supply means, the base 22 in turn being connected to an electrical network by means of cables and plugs.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus 10 further comprises a temperature control device, e.g. a thermostat 57, configured to deactivate the heating device 12 when the liquid reaches boiling. A through passage 58 may also be provided through which the steam generated in the container 11 during boiling of the liquid can reach the vicinity of the thermostat 57, so that the heating device 12 is turned off.

According to some embodiments, the activation element 16 may be movable, translatable away from or towards the cover 14 or 15 in such a way, or may be movable in a rotatable manner, and cooperate with the actuator 17 or 18 through a suitable transmission element.

The activation element 16 may be associated with an elastic return means 23. The resilient means 23 allow the actuator 17 or 18 to be rotated from the second position to the first position by returning the activating element 16. In this way, the lid 14 or 15 can be substantially transferred from the open state to the closed state.

In the case of the first type of rotatable lid 14, this passage occurs after the rotatable lid 14 is lowered.

The activation element 16 may comprise an actuation button 24 located outside the container 11 and a shaft 25 located inside the container 11 and integral with the button 24. The shaft 25 is associated with an elastic return means 23.

The activation element 16 may be guided by suitable translation guides made in the container 11. For example, a ring 26 for guiding the shaft 25, a guide for translating the activation element 16 (and thus for translating the button 24 made on the outer surface of the container 11), or other similar may be provided. The shaft 25 may be at least partially withdrawn (exit) from a seat 53 made in the container 11, or it may be recessed in the seat.

The rotatable lid 14 may be provided with a hinge 28 for rotating from a first closed state of the container 11 to a second open state of the container 11 or vice versa.

The hinge 28 may be provided on a peripheral portion of the aperture 38, preferably corresponding to the handle 21.

The activation element 16 is configured to cooperate with an actuator 17, in this case acting as a constraining element between the rotatable lid 14 and the container 11.

An actuator 17 is connected to the rotatable lid 14 and is configured to engage with the container 11 to maintain the rotatable lid 14 in the first closed state. The activation element 16 is configured to act on the actuator 17 and release the rotatable lid 14 from the container 11 in the second open state of the container 11.

The closed state of the rotatable lid 14 is shown in fig. 1, in which fig. 1 the rotatable lid 14 is lowered and the actuator 17 is engaged with the container 11, and with a proper tilting of the container 11, liquid can flow out of the container mouth 20 of the container 11.

In the open state of fig. 3 or 4, the rotatable lid 14 is conversely opened to allow, for example, a filling or adding liquid operation, or other operations.

Specifically, on the hole 38 of the container 11, a flange (flange) 29 may be placed to receive the rotatable lid 14, in such a way that the rotatable lid 14 may fit completely into the container 11.

According to some embodiments, for example as described with reference to fig. 2a, it may be provided that: the rim of the container 11 and the flange 29 are provided with mutual coupling means 54.

The coupling means 54 may comprise hooking teeth 55 protruding from the lateral wall of the flange 29, which hooking teeth 55 are suitable to be inserted in suitable seats 56 provided on the inner surface of the container 11, in correspondence with the upper edges of the hooking teeth.

According to other embodiments of the invention, flange 29 may be attached by other methods such as screws, rivets, welding and/or bonding.

A sealing gasket (not shown) may be provided to prevent possible liquid leakage.

According to these embodiments, the actuator 17 may be adapted to be positioned against the flange 29 in the closed state of the rotatable lid 14, thereby preventing the lid 14 from rotating about the hinge 28.

For example, the actuator 17 may be positioned at least partially below the flange 29, as shown in fig. 1.

In the absence of the flange 29, the actuator 17 may be positioned inside a hole made in the wall of the container 11, or against a step or other protruding element made inside the container 11, or the like, in the closed state of the rotatable lid 14.

The actuator 17 may also be housed inside a sliding guide 30 made inside the rotatable lid 14. The actuator 17 may also provide an end-of-travel element (end of travel element) 31 adapted to abut the guide 30 in the closed condition of the rotatable lid 14.

Between the actuator 17 and the activation element 16, a hinge mechanism 32 may be placed, configured to: upon actuation of the activation element 16 (e.g., application of pressure to the activation element 16), the actuator 17 is permitted to move rearward, thereby permitting the rotatable lid 14 to be opened.

The hinge mechanism 32 may include, for example, a pair of connecting rods 33 and 34 rotatably constrained on opposite sides of a disc 35, the disc 35 being rotatably attached to the interior of the rotatable lid 14.

The first connecting rod 33 may be rotatably connected to the actuator 17 and the second connecting rod 34 may be rotatably constrained to a rod 36 adapted to cooperate with the shaft 25 of the activation element 16. Specifically, the connecting rods 33 and 34 will be rotatably constrained to the disk 35, corresponding to the periphery of the disk 35.

The hinge 28 may also be provided with elastic means 37 configured to allow automatic opening of the rotatable lid 14 when the actuator 17 is released from the container 11.

Considering the closed state of the rotatable lid 14 of fig. 1, the user can press the activation element 16 in such a way that it translates in the A1 direction against the action of the elastic means 23 (if provided). By suitable travel, translation of the activation element 16 in the direction A1 moves the actuator 17 back from the position of fig. 1 to the position of fig. 3, in which the actuator is substantially embedded in the rotatable lid 14. Thus, the rotatable lid 14 may be raised from the position of fig. 1 to the position of fig. 4. Such lifting can occur automatically due to the elastic means 37 of the swivel hinge 28.

When the user releases the activation element 16, the activation element 16 can return to the position of fig. 1 thanks to the elastic means 23 and the actuator 17 is withdrawn from the rotatable lid 14 (in particular from the guide 30 made in the rotatable lid 14) by a section, see fig. 4. For this purpose, the actuator 17 may be equipped with its own elastic return means which push it out of the guide 30 and thus out of the rotatable lid 14.

To re-close the rotatable lid 14, the user will need to lower the rotatable lid by rotating the rotatable lid about the hinge 28 and re-press the activation element 16 in the A1 direction such that the actuator 17 is embedded in the rotatable lid 14, and then release the activation element 16 such that the actuator 17 is again engaged with the container 11 (e.g. below the flange 29).

Fig. 5 shows a safety cap 15 provided with at least one liquid delivery valve 19 in fluid communication with the interior of the container 11. The activation element 16 is configured to push the actuator 18 towards the shutter 39 of the valve 19 in such a way as to allow the valve to be opened.

In the case of fig. 5, the safety cap 15 is in a closed state, that is to say the liquid delivery valve 19 is closed. In fig. 6, on the other hand, the safety cap 15 is in an open condition, that is to say the valve 19 is open, allowing the liquid to flow towards the mouth 20 of the container 11 with a suitable inclination of the container 11.

The valve 19 may comprise elastic return means 40 which determine the automatic closing of the shutter 39 when the activating element 16 is released and thus the actuator 18 returns to its initial position.

The safety cap 15 is received on the container 11 by fluid sealing means 41, such as a suitably shaped gasket or the like.

The safety cap 15 may be used if the liquid contained in the container 11 is at a high temperature, and thus if the liquid accidentally flows out of the container 11 may pose a hazard.

In this case, the actuator 18 may comprise a rod provided with a first end 43 cooperating with the shaft 25 of the activation element 16 and with a second end 42 cooperating with the shutter 39 of the valve 19.

The safety cover 15 is manufactured with a duct 44 provided with an inlet 45 and an outlet 46 for liquid. The valve 19 is positioned between the inlet 45 and the outlet 46. The shutter 39 of the valve 19 can open or close the passage 48 made in the duct 44. The shutter 39 will be provided with fluid sealing means 47, for example at least one O-ring or the like.

According to some embodiments, the conduit 44 is substantially L-shaped having a substantially vertical first section 44a corresponding to the inlet 45 and a substantially horizontal second section 44b corresponding to the outlet 46.

The valve 19 is preferably arranged in the second section 44b and the shutter 39 moves axially along an axis coaxial with the second section 44b.

A through hole 59 may be provided in the first section 44a, which is capable of allowing the actuator 18 to pass through.

In any situation of use, that is to say in any position of the container 11, the actuator 18 is preferably always engaged with the shutter 39, in such a way as to be suitable for opening the valve 19, irrespective of the inclination of the container.

According to some embodiments, the first section 44a and the second section 44b are disposed orthogonal to each other. According to other variants (not shown), their inclination angle may be between about 70 ° and about 110 °.

According to some embodiments, upon actuation of the activation element 16, the shaft 25 and the shutter 39 move axially along respective axes substantially parallel and/or coaxial to each other.

The user can open the valve 19 by acting on the activation element 16 in the A1 direction. The shaft 25 associated with the activation element 16 will abut against the first end 43 of the actuator 18, and the actuator 18 will be translated to displace the shutter 39 and open the channel 48, see fig. 5 and 6.

By releasing the activation element 16, the elastic return means 23 will bring the activation element 16 from the position of fig. 6 to the position of fig. 5, and the shutter 39 will return to its position closing the passage 48 (also returning the actuator 18 to the position of fig. 4) thanks to the elastic means 40.

For both types of caps 14 or 15 shown, it can be seen that the activation element 16 of the drive system 13 is independent of the type of cap mounted on the container 11, and that, in addition, the actuator 17 or 18 is located inside the cap 14 or 15 and is substantially independent of the activation element 16. The activation element 16 may act on the actuator 17 (as in the case of the rotatable lid 14 of the first type) or directly on the actuator 18 (as in the case of the safety lid 15 of the second type) by means of a hinge mechanism 32.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the safety cap 15 is provided with a lower portion 49 suitable for insertion into the container 11 and with a closed upper portion 50. In the lower portion 49, teeth 51 may be placed for hooking the safety cap 15 into a seat 52 made in the container 11.

The teeth 51 may be configured to enter or exit the side walls of the lower portion 49 and the teeth may be provided with resilient means which retain the teeth in a position protruding from the lower portion 49. When the lid 15 is inserted into the container 11, the teeth 51 are first embedded in the lower portion 49, and then, when the teeth reach a position corresponding to the seat 52, the teeth pop out rapidly and into at least a certain section of the seat 52.

The safety cover 15 may for example be provided in the upper part 50 with a key 27 or button configured to embed the teeth 51 inside the lower part 49, thereby allowing release of the safety cover 15.

According to other embodiments, the safety cover 15 may include a second passage conduit 57 configured to fluidly communicate the interior space of the container 11 with the passage channel 58.

The method of manufacturing the apparatus 10 for heating a liquid according to the present invention comprises: providing a substantially universal container 11 provided with means 12 for heating the liquid in the container 11; and a drive system 13 as described above is provided to drive a plurality of different types of lids 14, 15 which are alternatively accommodated on the container 11.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the heating device as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the reference signs placed in parentheses is to facilitate reading: they should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims (15)

1. A device (10) for heating a liquid, comprising a container (11), means (12) associated with the container (11) for heating a liquid, and an exchangeable cover (14, 15), characterized in that the device comprises a drive system (13) which can be selectively driven to interact with at least a first rotatable cover (14) and at least a second safety cover (15), which second safety cover is provided with a valve (19), which first rotatable cover and which second safety cover can be alternatively accommodated on the container (11), wherein the drive system (13) comprises at least one activation element (16) and at least one actuator (17, 18) which is located outside the cover (14, 15), which at least one actuator is located inside the cover (14, 15) and cooperates with the activation element (16), wherein the activation element (16) is driven, in the case of the rotatable cover (14), with the rotatable cover (14) being allowed to open at least partially the container (11) without taking into account the inclination of the container (11) and without having to open the valve (19).

2. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation element (16) is associated with elastic return means (23).

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said activation element (16) comprises an actuation button (24) located outside said container (11) and a shaft (25) located inside said container (11) and integral with said button (24), said container (11) comprising a guide ring (26) for said shaft (25).

4. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable lid (14) associated with the actuator (17) is rotatable about a hinge (28), and the actuator (17) is configured to engage with the container (11) to keep the rotatable lid (14) in a closed state, and the activation element (16) is configured to act on the actuator (17) to release the rotatable lid (14) from the container (11) in an open state of the container (11).

5. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (17) is configured to engage and abut against a flange (29) in a closed position of the rotatable lid (14).

6. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a hinge mechanism (32) positioned between the actuator (17) and the activation element (16), the hinge mechanism being configured to: the actuator (17) is allowed to move backward and open the rotatable lid (14) upon actuation of the activation element (16).

7. The apparatus (10) of claim 6, wherein the hinge mechanism (32) includes a pair of connecting rods (33, 34) rotatably constrained on opposite sides of a disc (35) rotatably attached to the interior of the rotatable lid (14).

8. The device (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the hinge (28) comprises elastic means (37) configured to allow automatic opening of the rotatable lid (14) when the actuator (17) is released from the container (11).

9. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid delivery valve (19) comprises a shutter (39), and the activation element (16) is configured to push the actuator (18) towards the shutter (39) to allow the valve (19) to be at least partially opened.

10. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in each use condition the actuator (18) is engaged with the shutter (39).

11. The device (10) according to claims 3 and 9 or claims 3 and 10, characterized in that said shaft (25) and said shutter (39) are axially mobile along axes parallel and/or coaxial to each other.

12. The device (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the safety cover (15) comprises a substantially L-shaped duct (44) provided with an inlet (45) in a substantially vertical first section (44 a) and with an outlet (46) in a substantially horizontal second section (44 b), and in that the shutter (39) moves axially in the second section (44 b).

13. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said valve (19) comprises elastic return means (40) which cause the shutter (39) to close automatically when said activating element (16) is released by the user.

14. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a fluid-tight means (41) positioned between the container (11) and the second lid (15).

15. A method of manufacturing an apparatus (10) for heating a liquid, the method comprising: -providing a container (11) which is substantially universal and provided with means (12) for heating the liquid in the container (11); and providing a drive system (13) which can be selectively driven to interact with a plurality of different types of lids (14, 15) which can be alternatively accommodated on the container (11), comprising at least a first rotatable lid (14) and at least a second safety lid (15) provided with a valve (19), wherein the drive system (13) comprises at least one activation element (16) which is located outside the lids (14, 15) and can be driven by a user, and at least one actuator (17, 18) which is located inside the lids (14, 15) and cooperates with the activation element (16), wherein the activation element (16) is driven, in the case of the rotatable lid (14) to open the rotatable lid relative to the container (11) and in the case of the safety lid (15) to at least partially open the valve (19) irrespective of the position or inclination of the container (11).