GB2200034A - Holloware - Google Patents

Abstract

An item of holloware having a body 11 and a spout 13 from which liquid contained in the body 11 can be discharged, means 20 to obstruct the spout 13 when the jug 10 is in generally upright rest position, the obstructing means 20 being automatically movable to permit discharge of liquid when the item is tilted beyond a threshold inclination. A kettle is exemplified wherein steam retained by the obstruction is used to activate an automatic cut-off device. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: "Holloware" Description of Invention This invention relates to an item of holloware but more particularly but not exclusively to an item of holloware comprising a jug which contains an electrical heating means for heating liquid in the item (referred to hereinafter as "a hot water jug").

Narrow bodied jugs for heating water have become fashionable.

However with such jugs, because of the narrow body the action of convection currents in the liquid being heated which otherwise ensures even heating of the liquid throughout, are hindered. This can cause surges in the liquid particularly as the liquid temperature approaches boiling point.

According to the invention we provide an item of holloware comprising a body and a spout from which liquid contained in the body can be discharged, means to obstruct the spout when the item is in a generally upright rest position, the obstructing means being automatically movable to permit discharge of liquid when the item is tilted beyond a threshold inclination.

Thus particularly where the invention is applied to a hot water jug, the obstructing means prevents hot liquid being discharged through the spout due to surges occurring during heating. However the obstructing means do not need to be removed from the spout to permit the liquid to be discharged, but the obstructing means automatically moves to clear the spout during pouring.

Preferably the obstructing means comprises a hinged flap pivotable about a generally horizontal axis in a general direction transverse to the direction of discharge of the liquid from the item of holloware.

Thus it will be appreciated that the flow of liquid from the body through the spout will assist movement of the obstructing means to clear the spout. However the obstructing means preferably at least commences movement to clear the spout under the action of gravity as the item of holloware is tilted, and returns to the closed obstructing position due to gravity when the item of holloware is returned to its rest position.

Items of holloware with integral electric heating means are known which incorporate an automatic device to switch off the heating means as the temperature of the liquid in the item of holloware reaches boiling point.

Conventionally a steam sensor is provided which actuates a control means when steam is sensed, to switch off the heating means. Particularly in a narrow bodied hot water jug, because of uneven heating of the liquid in the jug, the effects of such automatic devices have found to be impaired.

However, in an item of holloware, such as a hot water jug in accordance with the invention, it has been found that the effect of such automatic switch off devices is considerably improved because of the obstructing means obstructing the spout during liquid heating and thus restricting the escape of steam. Also, because the spout is obstructed at least during heating, the risk of steam burning a user of the hot water jug is reduced.

Of course the item of holloware should not be airtight during heating so that there is no risk of a pressure build up within the jug. Where the obstructing means is a hinged flap, the risk of pressure build up is alleviated because increased pressure in the jug would simply cause the flap to open. In any case, hot water jugs are not conventionally airtight at least above the maximum level to which the jug is designed to be filled with liquid.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE I is a perspective view of a hot water jug in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the jug of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, an item of holloware comprises a hot water jug 10 having a narrow body 11 taller than it is wide, the upper end of which is closed with a lid 12.

A spout 13 is provided from which the liquid contents of the vessel can be discharged.

Provided on the body I I on an opposite side to spout 13, is a handle IS, and a housing 16 the purpose of which will become apparent hereinafter.

The jug 10 is provided with an internal electrical heating element 16 which receives electrical power from a connector 17 as is well known. A switch means incorporating a bimetallic switch off element is provided in the housing 16, which element is sensitive to steam to cause the switch to open to cut off the electricity supply to the heating element 16.

Within the body of the jug, a duct 18 is provided which opens into the jug at an opening 19 adjacent the lid 12, the duct 18 being provided to permit steam to pass from within the body of the jug to the steam sensor.

Provided within the spout 13, is an obstructing means comprising a flap 20 which is hinged for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis 21.

Mountings 22 for hinging of the flap 20 are provided with the lid 12. When the flap 20 is in the position shown in full lines in figure 2, the spout 13 is thus obstructed and thus liquid, or steam, produced in the body of the jug 10 by heating of the liquid, cannot pass from the jug 10 out through the spout 13.

However, when the jug is tilted from the generally upright rest position shown in figure I, at least beyond a threshold inclination, the flap 20 will move under gravity outwardly generally in the direction of discharge of the liquid from the jug 10 through the spout 13 to the position shown in dotted lines in figure 2. Thus liquid can flow through the spout 13 from the jug 10.

When the jug 10 is returned to its generally upright rest position, the flap 20 will move under gravity again to its closed position as shown in full lines in Figure 2.

It will be appreciated that movement of the flap 20 to an open position will be helped by the flow of liquid through the spout 13. Further, no dangerous build up of pressure within the jug 10 can occur during heating of the liquid because any such pressure build up will cause the flap 20 to open slightly to permit the pressure to be relieved.

\larious modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Although as described, the invention is applied to a hot water jug, the invention may be applied to any other item of holloware where it is desired to provide an obstructing means for preventing the discharge of the contents of the item when the item is in a generally upright rest position, and yet to permit the discharge of the contents of the item for pouring.

The flap 20 may be hinged otherwise to that shown in the drawings, or instead of a hinged flap 20, any other means which obstructs the spout 13 when the item is in a generally upright rest position, and yet moves to an open position to permit pouring when the item is tilted beyond a threshold position, may be provided.

The features disclosed in the foregoing specification, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (10)

1. I. An item of holloware comprising a body and a spout from which liquid contained in the body can be discharged, means to obstruct the spout when the item is in a generally upright rest position, the obstructing means being automatically movable to permit discharge of liquid when the item is tilted beyond a threshold inclination.
2. 2. An item according to claim I wherein the obstructing means comprises a hinged flap pivotable about a generally horizontal axis in a direction transverse to the direction of discharge of the liquid from the item of holloware.
3. 3. An item according to claim 2 wherein the obstructing means at least commences movement to clear the spout under the action of gravity as the item of holloware is tilted.
4. 4. An item according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the obstructing means returns to the closed obstructing position due to gravity when the item of holloware is returned to its rest position.
5. 5. An item according to any one of claims I to 4 which comprises a hot water jug.
6. 6. An item according to claim 5 having an integral electric heating means.
7. 7. An item according to claim 6 having an automatic device to switch off the heating means as the temperature of the liquid in the item of holloware reaches boiling point.
8. 8. An item according to claim 6 wherein a steam sensor is provided which actuates a control means when steam is sensed, to switch off the heating means.
9. 9. An item of holloware substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
10. 10. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein defined and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.