GB1597834A

GB1597834A - Teamaking apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB1597834A
Application number: GB10046/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Goblin BVC Ltd
Current assignee: Goblin BVC Ltd
Priority date: 1978-03-08
Filing date: 1978-03-08
Publication date: 1981-09-09

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A TEA-MAKING APPARATUS (71) We, GOBLIN (B.V.C.) LIMITED, a British Company, of Goblin Works, Ermyn Way, Leatherhead, Surrey, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to a tea-making apparatus and more particularly to teamaking apparatus in which a switch is adapted to close an operating circuit through the heating element of an electric kettle arranged to discharge boiling water into a teapot, there being means for breaking the circuit through the heating element of the kettle when the water has been thus discharged from the kettle. The switch may be a manually operated switch or a clock controlled switch which is actuated at a pre-selected time.Such a teamaking apparatus will be referred to, in this Specification, as apparatus "of the type described' The present invention seeks to provide improved tea-making apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided a tea-making apparatus of the type described in which a platform is provided to support the kettle, said platform having an electric connector mounted thereon, the connector being retained in a predetermined position, but being able to move by a predetermined amount to facilitate the connection of the kettle to the connector.

Preferably said platform may have an upstanding wall on one side thereof, said wall being provided with means defining an open-mouthed recess, said recess having radially inwardly directed flanges therein, said connector comprising a body member inserted into said recess, the body member having radially outwardly directed flanges dimensioned and located to pass between said inwardly directed flanges when the body member is inserted into the recess in one orientation, and located to engage said inwardly directed flanges when subsequently rotated to a second orientation, means being provided to retain said body member in said second orientation.

Advantageously the means to retain the body member in the said second orientation may comprise a clip which is secured to said means defining the open mouthed recess, and which has a portion engaging in a slot provided in the body member to prevent rotation of the body member.

Preferably the said platform is tiltable, there being a switch associated with said platform which is sensitive to the angle of tilt of the platform, said switch being in the circuit of the heating element of the kettle.

The teapot may be mounted on a tray-like portion of the apparatus, the teapot and the tray being provided with interengaging protrusions and/or recesses which engage when the teapot is in a predetermined correct position.

Conveniently the tray-like portion may be provided with one protrusion that is substantially triangular in vertical section adjacent one edge thereof, the teapot being provided with a corresponding recess, the recess and the protrusion defining cooperating cams that facilitate the correct positioning of the teapot when the teapot is located on the tray-like portion.

Preferably a safety button is provided adapted to be engaged by said teapot when the teapot is in position.

Preferably said safety button may be adapted to operate a switch in the circuit of an audible alarm, the arrangement being such that the alarm will sound whenever the apparatus is set or actuated with the teapot not in the correct predetermined position.

The platform may be movable and the teapot be adapted to actuate a safety button when located in a predetermined correct position, there being a unitary switch assembly comprising a first switching section actuated in response to movement of the platform, and a second switching section actuated in response to movement of said safety button.

Preferably said first switching section includes a spring biassed member which moves over-dead-centre when the switch is actuated, and the second switching section includes a contactor mounted on an arm which is moved when the safety button is actuated to move said contactor out of contact with a second contactor.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention when in use, part of the apparatus being shown schematically, and parts thereof being cut away, Figure 2 is a plan view of the kettle supporting platform of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an exploded view of the connector for the kettle shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a side view of the switch of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, and Figure 6 is a circuit diagram of a modified apparatus in accordance with the invention.

A tea-making apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a rigid housing 1 containing various electric circuit elements, which will be described hereinafter and also containing a clock which controls the switching devices.

Defined on an upper surface of the housing 1 is a tray-like portion 2 adjacent which is an upstanding wall 3 which is centrally located on the housing. At the junction between the tray-like portion 2 and the upstanding wall 3 there is provided a recess 4, the recess being provided with one sloping or chamfered wall adapted to form a cam, which extends to a projection 5 formed on the tray-like portion 2. Provided in the base of the recess 4 is a plunger 6 and opening from the base of the recess 4 is a downwardly extending conduit 7 which is provided to permit any water spilled on the tray to flow away through the conduit 7 into the lower part of the apparatus.

A teapot 8 is provided which is adapted to be located on the tray 2, the base of the teapot being provided with a recess 9 which has a shape generally corresponding to that of the protrusion 5. The recess 9 has a sloping wall 10 forming a cam adapted to co-operate with the sloping wall of the recess 4.

The teapot 8 is formed of a ceramic material and is provided with a handle 11 and an open spout 12. The arrangement is such that when the teapot is placed on the tray-like portion 2 the sloping surfaces cooperate to urge the edge of the teapot into the recess 4, thus ensuring that the teapot is correctly positioned, even if the teapot is initially placed on the tray in an incorrect position. The weight of the teapot is sufficient to depress the plunger 6 when the teapot is in the correct position. With the described apparatus the edge of the teapot can only engage the upper surface of the plunger and exert a generally downward movement. If the tray like portion 2 were planar the plunger would extend above the plane, and the teapot could be moved sideways across the planar member, thus engaging the side of the plunger and not forcing the plunger down.

The lower part of the plunger co-operates with a pivotably movable lever 13 which actuates parts of the switching device 14, and when the teapot 8 is in the correct position on the tray 2 a switch portion contained within the switching device 14 is moved to one position whereas when the teapot is not correctly positioned the switch is in the opposite position. The switch portion is arranged in the circuit of an audible alarm device and the arrangement is such that when the tea-making apparatus is set or actuated when the teapot is not correctly positioned the audible alarm device will be actuated.

The housing 1 also defines two spaced upwardly protruding ribs or beads 15 which pivotably support a tiltable platform 16 which is located substantially at the same level as the tray-like portion 2 but is on the opposite side of the central wall 3. The tiltable platform 16 has an integral upstanding wall 17 on the side thereof adjacent the central wall 3, and this side wall is provided with a rearwardly extending open mouthed recess 18, an electric connector 19 being mounted within the recess 18. The electric connector is mounted in such a way that the connector is securely retained within the recess 18, but is free to move by a certain limited extent.

The electric connector will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

A kettle 20 is provided which is adapted to be located on the tiltable platform 16, the kettle having a body of stainless steel or other suitable material and a sealable lid 22.

The kettle is also provided with a handle 23, and a tubular spout 26 protruding from the kettle which extends, from the exterior of the kettle, to a point adjacent the base of the kettle on the interior thereof. An electric heating element 27 is provided within the kettle which is provided with a connector portion 28 which can be engaged -with the electric connector 19. The kettle is provided with part spherical feet 29.

The tiltable platform 16 is provided with grooves 30 therein which are provided to accommodate the feet 29 of the kettle and the arrangement is such that the kettle may be slid across the platform, the connector portion 28 provided on the kettle then engaging with a corresponding part of the connector 19 provided in the recess 18.

Since the connector 19 is free to move by a certain amount it is not necessary for the connector 28 of the kettle to be perfectly aligned with the connector 19. Any misalignment of the elements will be compensated for by a movement of the connector 19 to be in the correct position.

The connector 19 may have a chamfered end portion to assist in this aligning process.

The platform is biassed upwardly by means of a spring 30' which is provided with an adjusting screw 31 which has a nut mounted thereon. The nut engages the spring and is prevented from rotating to permit the tension in the spring to be adjusted, by turning the screw 31. The platform 16 is alsc provided with a web-like protrusion 32 which co-operates with part of the switching device 14 and the arrangement is such that when the kettle is full of water, the weight of the kettle and the water is sufficient to tilt the platform 16 to actuate a switch within the switching device. However, when the kettle is not full of water, or when the kettle is not located on the platform, the platform 16 is biassed upwardly by spring 30' and the switch within the switching device 14 is not actuated.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3 wall 17 is provided with an open mouthed recess which is formed as a rearwardly extending hollow cylindrical projection 33 provided with three arcuate peripheral apertures 34, 35, 36 on the rear face 37 thereof. Various apertures are formed in the side walls of the projection 33. A radially extending channel 38 is provided on the rear face 37 adjacent aperture 36 to accommodate a substantially "U" shaped clip 39. Within the recess and spaced slightly from the rear face 37 are three co-planar radially inwardly directed arcuate flanges 40, the flanges 40 being aligned with the apertures 34, 35, 36 to facilitate moulding the platform.

The connector 19 comprises a cylindrical body accommodating various metallic contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on the connector 28 of the kettle. The connector 19 is provided with three radially outwardly extending flanges 41, 42, 43 which are dimensioned so that, with the connector 19 in one orientation, the flanges 41--43 can be inserted between the flanges 40. The connector 19 may then be rotated so that the flanges 41--43 are all aligned with the flanges 40 and then the connector will be held in position by the engagement of the flanges. The U shaped clip 39 is then positioned so that part df the clip Is in a groove 44 formed in the connector 19, thus preventing the connector from being rotated.The connector 19 is thus positioned, but due to the space between the end face 37 and flanges 40 is free to move to a certain limited extent.

Referring to Figure 4 the switching unit 14 comprises various metallic members which are separated by - insulating spacer members. The uppermost metallic member 45 has a part that protrudes beyond the insulating spacer members 46 and which can be moved from an upper rest position to a lower position by the web 32 on movement of platform 16. Member 45 has an inwardly directed portion that engages a spring 47, the spring also engaging a further movable metal member 48 which is movable, in response to movement of member 45, over-dead-centre, between two positions in which it engages contacts 49 and 50 respectively, these contacts again protruding beyond the insulating members 46.A further contactor 51 is provided on the arm 13, and movement of the arm 13 on movement of plunger 6, which is spring biassed by spring 52, causes the contactor 51 to contact a further contactor 53.

When the member 48 touches contact 50 and the tea-making apparatus is set or actuated an alarm will sound to indicate that the kettle is not full, or not correctly positioned. When the kettle is full and correctly positioned no element touches the member 50 and thus the audible alarm is silenced. When the teapot is correctly positioned contact 51 touches the further contact 53 and when the kettle is full and correctly positioned the contact on member 48 touches the contact 49, thus enabling the circuit through the heating element of the kettle to be completed at the appropriate time.

In operation of a tea-making apparatus as described above, the kettle is filled with water to a predetermined level depending upon the number of cups of tea that are eventually to be prepared. Subsequently the kettle is slid across the tiltable platform and the connector portion 28 on the kettle will engage with corresponding connector 19.

The presence of the kettle, whilst full of water, on the tiltable platform will urge the tiltable platform down, thus urging the web 32 downwardly, actuating the corresponding switch in the switching device. The teapot is also located in position on the tray-like portion 2, the edge of the teapot urging the plunger 6 downwardly thus operating the pivotable lever 13 to actuate another switch contained within the switching device. The presence of the kettle full of water in its correct position will ensure that the heating element of the kettle is activated at the appropriate time.

The timing device of the apparatus may then be set in any desired way, and subsequently the timing apparatus will activate the switch that will complete the circuit through the closed switch of the switching device 14, and through the heating element 27 of the kettle. The water within the kettle will thus be boiled and pressure will rise within the kettle above the water level due to the collection of steam in the upper part of the kettle. The increased pressure will force water through the tube 26 into the teapot 8 which will contain tea leaves or teabags.

As the water is urged out of the kettle by the steam pressure the weight of the kettle acting downwardly on the tiltable platform will be reduced, and when the weight is reduced by a predetermined extent the tiltable platform will move upwardly, and thus the web 32 will move upwardly opening the switch within the switching device and thus breaking the supply of electrical current to the heating element 27, and also again sounding the audible alarm to wakeup the persons using the apparatus, or to indicate that the tea has been prepared.

Thus the heating element is effectively turned off and the teapot has been filled with boiling water, thus permitting the tea to brew.

If any water emerging from the tube 26 is spilled, either during the transfer of water from the kettle to the teapot, or on subsequent removal of the teapot from the tray 2, any drips will flow through the outlet conduit 7.

Figure 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. A main control switch 60 is provided which can be moved between four alternative positions, in each of which are strips of connections 61, 62, 63, 64 are brought into contact with the contactors 65.

It is to be noted that there are no connections in strip 61. A switch 66 operated by clock 67 is indicated, together with lamps 68 and the coil 69 of a buzzer or other audible alarm. Terminals 70, 71 are connected to a main electricity supply when the apparatus is in use.

In a first alternative embodiment of the invention the kettle is provided with a thermocycle cut-out device so that if the tiltable platform becomes wedged, or should the switching devices associated with the web 32 fail to operate for any reason the heating element within the kettle will cutout when a high temperature is reached.

In a second alternative embodiment of the invention the tilting platform 16 is replaced by a fixed platform. The fixed platform may form part of the main moulding that defines the upstanding wall 3 and other parts of the housing 1. A connector corresponding to the connector 19 is mounted in a recess defined by the fixed platform so that the connector is free to move to a limited extent, and the connector may be mounted on the fixed platform in precisely the same way that the connector 19 is fixed to the tilting platform 16, but the connector itself accommodates a fourth terminal pin, and such a fourth pin will be provided on the kettle. This fourth pin is connected to a thermo-cycling cut-out device 72 shown in Figure 6 provided in the kettle and in which the same reference numerals are used as in Figure 5 whenever possible.The kettle is also provided with a fusible link 73, in the form of a fuse, and this fuse may be positioned to act as a connector pin. The circuit shown in Figure 6 includes a switch 74 which is closed when the teapot is correctly positioned, this switch 74 taking the form of a leaf switch, the contacts of which remain open until actuated bv a plunger when the teapot is placed in position. In this embodiment to ensure that when the kettle boils virtually all the water in the kettle is transferred to the teapot, so that the element 27 within the kettle is exposed and can rise to a temperature sufficient to operate the thermal cut-out device 72, the pipe 26 extends virtually to the bottom of the kettle. When the thermal cut-out device 72 is operated the buzzer is operated, and if switch 60 is positioned for automatic operation the lamps 61 will be lit.

Whilst the invention has been described with specific reference to embodiments in which the teapot and kettle are adjacent one another the teapot and kettle may be arranged one above the other. It is preferable to position the kettle above the teapot, but this is not essential. The kettle may be mounted on a tilting platform operating a control switch and similar to the platform 16, the teapot being mounted on a separate fixed platform. Alternatively the kettle may also be mounted on a fixed platform, and in such a case the kettle would be provided with a thermal cut-out device.

It is to be appreciated that in all the above described embodiments a switch is provided which remains in an open circuit condition until the teapot is correctly positioned on the appliance. It is preferred that the kettle provided in all the above described embodiments should have a transfer pipe which incorporates in parallel, internally or externally a steam pipe, the take off point for which is substantially above the water level to prevent blockage by calcium or other deposits.

It is also to be appreciated that whilst all the above embodiments of the invention have been described as being operated by a clock controlled switch, the invention also relates to embodiments which can be operated by a manually actuated switch.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A tea-making apparatus of the type described in which a platform is provided to support the kettle, said platform having an electric connector mounted thereon, the connector being retained in a predetermined position, but being able to move by a predetermined amount to facilitate the connection of the kettle to the connector.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said platform has an upstanding wall on one side thereof, said wall being provided with means defining an openmouthed recess, said recess having radially inwardly directed flanges therein, said connector comprising a body member inserted into said recess, the body member having radially outwardly directed flanges dimensioned and located to pass between said inwardly directed flanges when the body member is inserted into the recess in one orientation, and located to engage said inwardly directed flanges when subsequently rotated to a second orientation, means being provided to retain said body member in said second orientation.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means to retain the body member in the said second orientation comprise a clip which is secured to said means defining the open mouthed recess, and which has a portion engaging in a slot provided in the body member to prevent rotation of the body member.

4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the said platform is tiltable, there being a switch associated with said platform which is sensitive to the angle of tilt of the platform, said switch being in the circuit of the heating element of the kettle.

5. A tea-making apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said teapot is mounted on a tray-like portion of the apparatus, the teapot and the tray being provided with inter-engaging protrusions and/or recesses which engage when the teapot is in a predetermined correct position.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the tray-like portion is provided with one protrusion that is substantially triangular in vertical section adjacent one edge thereof, the teapot being provided with a corresponding recess, the recess and the protrusion defining co-operating cams that facilitate the correct positioning of the teapot when the teapot is located on the tray-like portion.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 wherein a safety button is provided adapted to be engaged by said teapot when the teapot is in position.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the safety button is located at the base of a recess provided in the tray-like member.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 wherein said safety button is adapted to operate a switch in the circuit of an audible alarm, the arrangement being such that the alarm will sound whenever the apparatus is set or actuated with the teapot not in the correct predetermined position.

10. A tea-making apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the platform is movable and wherein the teapot is adapted to actuate a safety button when located in a predetermined correct position, there being a unitary switch assembly comprising a first switching section actuated in response to movement of the platform, and a second switching section actuated in response to movement of said safety button.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said first switching section includes a spring biassed member which moves overdead-centre when the switch is actuated, and the second switching section includes a contactor mounted on an arm which is moved when the safety button is actuated to move said contactor out of contact with a second contactor.

12. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims additionally provided with a facility to enable the device to be operated at will.

13. A tea-making apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. have been described as being operated by a clock controlled switch, the invention also relates to embodiments which can be operated by a manually actuated switch. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A tea-making apparatus of the type described in which a platform is provided to support the kettle, said platform having an electric connector mounted thereon, the connector being retained in a predetermined position, but being able to move by a predetermined amount to facilitate the connection of the kettle to the connector.