GB2251546A

GB2251546A - An electrical kettle

Info

Publication number: GB2251546A
Application number: GB9100678A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Roger Eley; Andrew Michael Halliday
Original assignee: Philips Electronic and Associated Industries Ltd; Philips Electronics UK Ltd
Current assignee: Philips Electronics UK Ltd
Priority date: 1991-01-11
Filing date: 1991-01-11
Publication date: 1992-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-11
Also published as: FR2671472B3; FR2671472A3; GB9100678D0; GB2251546B; DE9115907U1

Abstract

An electrical kettle has a hollow body having base and side walls defining a receptacle for liquid to be heated. An electrical resistance heating arrangement extends within the receptacle for heating liquid. A liquid level indicator (6) having a transparent tube (7) is provided on the side wall of the body so as to extend upwardly from the base. An open lower end (8) of the tube (7) communicates with the interior of the body. The tube (7) has upper and lower ends (9 and 8) each communicating with the interior of the body by means of a respective flexible coupling (10) to enable the transparent tube (7) to move relative to the body of the kettle thereby allowing the body and the tube (7) to expand at different rates during the temperature changes occurring when liquid is heated (or cools down) without placing undue stress on the liquid level indicator (6). <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION AN ELECTRICAL KETTLE This invention relates to an electrical kettle comprising a hollow body having base and side walls defining a receptacle for liquid to be heated, electrical resistance heating means extending within the receptacle for heating liquid within the receptacle, and a liquid level indicator comprising a transparent tube provided on the side wall of the body so as to extend upwardly from the base and having an open lower end communicating with the interior of the body so that liquid can enter the tube to provide an indication of the level to which the receptacle is filled.

An example of such an electrical kettle is described in GB-A-2179544. In practice, it is necessary for the body of the electrical kettle and the transparent tube to be formed of different materials. Thus, for example, the body of the kettle may be formed of a plastics material such as polypropylene which is selected for its ability to be moulded into the desired body shape and to withstand the operating temperatures of the kettle whereas the transparent tube may be formed of a material such as polycarbonate or polymethylpentene which is manufactured by Mitsui Petrochemicals Limited of Japan under the trade name TPX which is selected for its light transmission properties to enable the liquid level in the tube to be viewed in addition to its ability to withstand the operating temperatures.The different materials used to form the body of the kettle and the transparent tube generally have quite different thermal expansion coefficients and in use of the kettle the material forming the transparent tube is subjected to stresses and strains as a result of these different thermal expansion coefficients. The stresses and strains to which the transparent tube is subjected may result in the tube bending out of position or even cracking, so resulting in liquid being able to leak out of the kettle via the liquid level indicator.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an electrical kettle having a liquid level indicator which is less subject to such strains and stresses caused by temperature changes during operation of the kettle and which is thus less likely to fail by bending or fracture.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electrical kettle comprising a hollow body having base and side walls defining a receptacle for liquid to be heated, electrical resistance heating means extending within the receptacle for heating liquid within the receptacle, and a liquid level indicator comprising a transparent tube provided on the side wall of the body so to extend upwardly from the base and having an open lower end communicating with the interior of the body so that liquid can enter the tube to provide an indication of the level to which the receptacle is filled, characterised in that the tube has upper and lower ends each communicating with the interior of the body by means of a respective flexible coupling to enable the transparent tube to move relative to the body of the kettle.

Thus, in an electrical kettle in accordance with the invention, the transparent tube of the liquid level indicator is coupled to the body of the kettle via flexible couplings which allow the tube to move relative to the body of the kettle so enabling the body of the kettle and the tube to expand at different rates during the temperature changes occurring when liquid is heated (or cools down) in the kettle without placing undue stress on the liquid level indicator.In addition, the flexible couplings at the upper and lower ends of the transparent tube provide a liquid-tight closed system so that if, for example, the kettle is accidentally filled beyond a maximum permitted level to a level above that of the top of the liquid level indicator or is tilted at an excessive angle, for example if the kettle is accidentally turned over or topples, liquid cannot escape from the upper end of the liquid level indicator but is returned via the flexible coupling to the receptacle defined by the body of the kettle.In addition, the fact that the present invention reduces the stresses and strains to which the liquid level indicator is subjected may enable greater freedom in the choice of the respective materials for forming the body of the kettle and the transparent tube by allowing materials with a bigger difference in thermal expansion coefficients to be chosen. This may enable materials which are more suited to the respective required characteristics of the body of the kettle and the transparent tube to be selected.

In one embodiment, the side wall of the body of the kettle defines a recess accommodating the liquid level indicator so providing a relatively simple system for providing the liquid level indicator on the kettle. In this example, the flexible couplings at the upper and lower ends of the transparent tube may be provided with respective cap members fitted into the recess so as to hide the ends of the tube providing a more visually acceptable appearance. Each cap member may be formed integrally with the respective flexible coupling so providing a very simple construction. The cap members may form an additional resilient seal with the recess so as to provide further security against leakage from the liquid level indicator.

In another embodiment,the liquid level indicator is disposed within a chamber defined between the side walls of the body and a removable cover member secured to the body, the cover member having a window for enabling the level of liquid within the transparent tube to be viewed. Such a construction is again relatively simple to assemble and has an added advantage that the same kettle body may be used for two different models, one with and one without a liquid level indicator, merely by providing different cover members. The transparent tube may have longitudinally extending flanges which lie behind the edges of the window in the cover member so as to prevent removal of the tube without first removing the cover member.The removable cover member may also form the cover member enclosing the electrical controls of the electrical resistance heating means thus reducing the number of components to be assembled. Advantageously, the cover member may be snap-fitted onto the body of the kettle so that the use of screws or other separate fastening means may be avoided if desired which should considerably simplify and speed up the assembly of the kettle during manufacture.

Generally, each flexible coupling comprises an elastomeric tubular member having one end secured to a respective one of the upper and lower ends of the transparent tube and the other end secured to a respective one of upper and lower tubular projections (spigots?) provided on the side wall and communicating with the interior of the body. The elastomeric tubular members may thus be selected to provide the desired degree of flexibility in the couplings dependent upon the particular characteristics and dimensions of the kettle body and transparent tube.

The body of the kettle may be formed of polypropylene whilst the transparent tube may be formed of polycarbonate or polymethylpentene which is manufactured by Mitsui Petrochemicals Limited of Japan under the trade name TPX.

The transparent tube may have a plurality of parallel coloured stripes extending longitudinally of the interior surface of the tube for providing a visible indication of the liquid level within the tube. Such stripes appear magnified or broadened when viewed through a portion of the tube containing liquid and so provide an indication of the liquid level within the tube. Alternative means of indicating the liquid level may be used. Thus, for example, a plastics sphere or ball which floats on the surface of the liquid may be provided within the transparent tube.

It should be understood that, as used herein, the term transparent means capable of being seen through and that moreover it is not essential that the entirety of the tube be transparent, merely that portion through which the liquid level is to be viewed.

It should be understood that the base and thus the body of the kettle may have any desired shape and that for example the base may be square, rectangular, circular or generally oval.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of an electrical kettle in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view, with a cover member and the liquid level indicator removed, of the region of the electrical kettle shown in Figure 1 in which the liquid level indicator is situated; Figure 3 is a part cross-sectional view through the liquid level indicator removed from the electrical kettle shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of the base of the electrical kettle shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of an electrical kettle in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 of the electrical kettle shown in Figure 5 but with the liquid level indicator removed;; and Figures 7a and 7b are cross-sectional views through, respectively, a flexible coupling and the transparent tube of the liquid level indicator removed from the electrical kettle shown in Figure 5.

It should of course be understood that the drawings, are schematic and are not to scale and that in particular respects, for example with respect to certain fitments for use in construction and assembly of the kettle, the drawings have been considerably simplified.

Referring now to the drawings, for example Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 5 to 7b, an electrical kettle 1,100 comprises a hollow body 2,102 having base 3,103 and side 4,104 walls defining a receptacle for liquid to be heated, electrical resistance heating means 5,105 (shown only in part and in phantom lines in Figures 1 and 5) extending within the receptacle for heating liquid within the receptacle, and a liquid level indicator 6,106 comprising a transparent tube 7,107 provided on the side wall 4,104 of the body so as to extend upwardly from the base 3,103 and having an open lower end 8,108 communicating with the interior of the body 2,102 so that liquid can enter the tube to provide an indication of the level to which the receptacle 5,105 is filled.

In accordance with the invention, the tube 7,107 has upper and lower ends49,109 and 8,108 each communicating with the interior of the body 2,102 by means of a respective flexible coupling 10,110 to enable the transparent tube 7,107 to move relative to the body of the kettle.

Thus, in an electrical kettle in accordance with the invention, the transparent tube 7,107 of the liquid level indicator 6,106 is coupled to the body 2,102 of the kettle via flexible couplings 10,110 which allow the transparent tube 7,107 to move relative to the body of the kettle so enabling the body 2,102 of the kettle and the transparent tube 7,107 to expand at different rates during the temperature changes occurring when liquid is heated (or cools down) in the kettle without placing undue stress on the liquid level indicator 6,106.In addition, the flexible couplings 10,110 at the upper 9,109 and lower 8,108 ends of the transparent tube provide a liquid-tight closed system so that if, for example, the kettle is accidentally filled beyond a maximum permitted level to a level above that of the top of the liquid level indicator 6,106 or is tilted at an excessive angle, for example if the kettle is accidentally turned over or topples, liquid cannot escape from the upper end 9,109 of the liquid level indicator but is returned via the flexible coupling 10,110 to the receptacle defined by the body 2,102 of the kettle.In addition, the fact that the stresses and strains to which the liquid level indicator is subjected are reduced may enable greater freedom in the choice of the respective materials for forming the body 2,102 of the kettle and the transparent tube 7,107 by allowing materials which have a bigger difference in thermal expansion coefficients to be chosen. This may enable materials which are more suited to the respective required characteristics of the body 2,102 of the kettle and the transparent tube 7,107 to be selected.

Referring now specifically to Figures 1 to 4, there is illustrated a first embodiment of an electrical kettle in accordance with the invention. The electrical kettle 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4, as can be most easily seen from Figure 1, is a so-called 'conventional kettle' that is the kettle 1 has a body 2 with a generally circular base wall 3 with a diameter somewhat greater than the height of the side wall 4 of the kettle. The side wall 4 is generally cylindrical but curves inwardly towards the top to define a circular opening 11, smaller in area than the base wall 3, within which a lid 12 is received to close the receptable defined by the base and side walls 3 and 4. The side wall 4 is provided with a spout 13 to enable liquid to be poured from the kettle. The kettle may also be filled via the spout 13.A handle 14 extends across the top of the side wall 4 from the spout 13 to a position 15 diametrically opposed to the spout 13 and hereinafter defined as the rear of the kettle with the spout 13 being at the front of the kettle. The body 2 of the kettle may be injection-moulded from a switchable heat resistant plastics material such as polypropylene or an acetal copolymer whilst the transparent tube 7 may be formed from polycarbonate or polymethylpentene which is manufactured by Mitsui Petrochemicals Limited of Japan under the trade name TPX. The lid 12 may be formed of the same material as the body 2.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the liquid level indicator 6 is provided adjacent the rear 15 of the kettle. As will be explained in greater detail below, the liquid level indicator 6 is enclosed by a removable cover member 16 formed with a window 17 for enabling the liquid level within the transparent tube 7 to be viewed. The cover member 16 also encloses the electrical controls (not shown) of the electrical heating means 5 and provides further windows defined within a recess 18 through which the pins of the mains input plug 51 of the electrical controls project to enable electrical connection to a mains lead inserted into the recess and additional windows for an on-off switch 19 and an indicator light 20. Steam vents 21 are also provided in the cover member 16.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of the rear 15 of the kettle with the cover member 16 and the liquid level indicator 6 removed. As can be seen from figure 2, the side wall 4 of the body 2 of the kettle 1 is provided with upper and lower spigots or tubular projections 22a and 22b which communicate with the interior of the body 2. The spigots 22a and 22b may be moulded integrally with the kettle body 2. Each of the spigots 22a and 22b is designed to receive a respective one of the two flexible couplings 10 of the liquid level indicator.

Figure 3 is a part-cross-sectional view through the liquid level indicator 6 removed from the kettle 1 shown in Figure 1. As can be seen from Figure 3, the liquid level indicator comprises a transparent tube 7 which may be provided on its outer front surface 7a with level markers 70 for indicating minimum and maximum full levels plus between these levels the volume of liquid (in Imperial Pints and/or litres) contained within the receptacle. The inner surface of the transparent tube may be provided at the rear with a number of coloured stripes 7b (each illustrated by two rows of dashed lines in Figure 3) extending along the length of the tube 7. When viewed through a liquid such as water in the tube 7 the stripes 7b will appear broader than when viewed through air in the tube 7 so providing a simple yet clear indication of the level of liquid within the tube 7.

The outer surface 7a of the tube may be provided with longitudinal flanges 7c which when the kettle is assembled extend behind and beyond the edges of the window 17 in the cover member 16 and serve to prevent the transparent tube 7 being pulled out via the window 17. The transparent tube 7 is otherwise generally cylindrical except that, in order to fit the present design of kettle, the lower open end 8 is slightly axially offset as shown in Figure 3.

In this example the two flexible couplings 10 are in the form of elastomeric tubular members. The tubular members 10 may be formed of any suitable elastomeric material with the required degree of resilience or elasticity. In this example, the tubular members 10 are formed of methyl vinyl silicone rubber with a hardness of 500 on the Shore A scale. In order to fit the design of kettle shown in Figure 1 each of the tubular members 10 has a first relatively elongate tubular section 10a having an open end 10b which resiliently engages, in use, over the associated one of the spigots 22a and 22b to provide a liquid-tight seal therewith.

The other end of the elongate tubular section 10a turns through approximately a right angle and is integrally formed with a shorter tubular section 10c of slightly larger outer diameter. As the shorter tubular section 10c need not be so flexible, the wall of the shorter tubular section 10c is somewhat thicker than that of the longer tubular section 10a and the internal bore of the shorter tubular section 10c is somewhat smaller than that of the longer tubular section 10a. The shorter tubular section 10c provides the other end of the tubular member which resiliently engages within a respective one of the upper and lower open ends 9 and 8 of the tubular member 7 to provide a liquid-tight seal therewith.A flange 10f extends radially outwardly of the shorter tubular section 10c at its join with the longer tubular section 10a and in use rests on the annular end surface of the respective one of the open ends 8 and 9 of the transparent tube 7 when the shorter tubular section 10c is inserted into the respective open end 8 or 9 of the tube 7.

In assembly of the kettle, assuming that the electrical heating means 5 including the conventional electrical resistance heating coil 50, electrical control unit (including conventional steam cut-off, thermal cut-out and boil dry cut-out) have been assembled in the kettle in known manner, the shorter tubular section 10c of each tubular member 10 is inserted into the associated one of the open upper and lower ends 9 and 8 of the tubular member 7 so that each shorter tubular section 10c forms a resilient seal with the inner surface of the tube 7 and the flanges 10f seal to the annular end surfaces of the tube 7.The one end lOb of each tubular members 10 is then pushed over the respective one of the two spigots 22a and 22b so as to form a seal therewith thereby mounting the transparent tube 7 to the side wall 4 of the kettle so that the transparent tube 7 may move relative to the side wall 4 of the kettle. The cover member 16 is then pushed or snap-fitted in place so that the transparent tube 7 is visible through the window 16 and the indicator light 20, on-off switch 19 and electrical pins project through the appropriate windows of the cover member 16.

In order to snap-fit the cover member 16 onto the kettle body 2, the side wall 4 is provided, as shown schematically in Figure 2, at the rear 15 with guide shelves 23 projecting from the side wall 4 on either side of the handle 14. Each guide shelve 23 has a pair of ridges (not shown) running along the length of the shelf 23 (that is projecting away from the side wall 4) which each receive and guide a respective projection (not shown) provided on the inner surface of the cover member 16. As shown in Figure 4, locating and locking tabs 24 provided at the lower end of the cover member 16 extend over lugs 25 provided on the base wall 3 of the body and have shaped apertures 26 into which the lugs snap-fit to secure the cover member 16 of the kettle body 2. The kettle is thus assembled.

The flanges 7c of the tube 7 are positioned behind the edges of the window 17 in the cover member 16 to prevent removal of the transparent tube 7, via the window 17, without first removing the cover member 16. The cover member 16 accommodates the liquid level indicator 7 so as to allow the flexible couplings 10 to permit relative movement between the transparent tube 7 and the side wall 4 of the body 2 of the kettle to allow the transparent tube 7 and body 2 to expand or contract differently by virtue of their different thermal expansion coefficients when liquid, typically water, is heated or cools down within the receptacle.This considerably reduces the stresses and/or strains on the tubular member 7 and so renders it less liable to bending out of position or cracking during the lifetime of the kettle in which the body 2 and tube 7 may be first heated and then allowed to cool down many thousands of times.

Figures 5 to 7b illustrate another embodiment of an electrical kettle in accordance with the invention. In this example, the electrical kettle is a so-called 'jug kettle' 100 having a body 102 provided with a base wall 103 which has a width (for example a diameter where the jug is of circular cross-section) which is much smaller than the height of a side wall 104 of the body and having a handle 114 extending along the side wall 104 rather than across a lid 112 of the body 102 of the kettle. As in the case of the conventional kettle, the jug kettle 100 is provided with a pouring spout 113 and has electrical resistance heating means 105 extending within the receptacle defined by the body 102 of the kettle.The heating means 105 includes a resistance heating element 105a shown in phantom lines in Figure 5 plus electrical controls and a mains input plug (not shown) both of which may be of any conventional type, for example as described in GB-A-2179544 mentioned above.

The kettle 100 shown in Figures 5 and 6 has a generally rectangular base wall 103. However the kettle body 102 may have any desired shape, for example the base wall 103 may be square, circular or generally oval in shape whilst the side wall 104 may be generally cylindrical but may bow outwards or inwards slightly. The kettle body 102 and lid 112 may again be injection moulded from a suitable heat-resistant plastics material such as polypropylene or an acetal copolymer and the transparent tube 107 may be formed of polycarbonate or polymethylpentene which is manufactured by Mitsui Petrochemicals Limited of Japan under the trade name TPX.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 7b, the liquid level indicator 106 is provided within a recess 120 (Figure 6) defined within the side wall 104 of the kettle body 102. In the illustration, the recess 120 extends generally perpendicularly of the base wall 103 and is positioned approximately midway between the spout 113 and the handle 114. Of course, if desired the recess 120 could be positioned closer to the handle 114. The liquid level indicator 106 has a transparent tube 107 which in a manner similar to that of the previous embodiment and as will be described below has upper and lower ends 109 and 108 (Figure 7b) each communicating with the interior of the body 102 via a respective flexible coupling 110 (Figure 7a).

Figure 6 shows the kettle 100 of Figure 5 with the liquid level indicator 106 removed. As can be seen, the recess 120 is provided with upper and lower tubular projections or spigots 121a and 121b which communicate with the interior of the body 102. The recess 120 is shaped to receive the transparent tube 107 by having a relatively deep recess portion 120a for receiving the generally cylindrical body of the transparent tube 107 shown in Figure 7b and a much more shallow recess portion 120b which defines a ledge against which longitudinally extending flanges 107d provided on the transparent tube 107 fit when the transparent tube 107 is inserted into the recess 120.

Figure 7a is a cross-sectional view through a flexible coupling 110 for the kettle shown in Figure 6. The flexible coupling 110 is again generally tubular and has a relatively narrow tubular section 110a providing one end 110b for resiliently engaging within one open end of the transparent tube 107. The flexible coupling 110 then bends through a right angle to provide a larger diameter tubular section 110c. The larger diameter tubular section 110c is of a composite form having two coaxial tubular portions.Thus, the tubular section 110c has at an open end an inner tubular portion 110d which is designed to resiliently engage within a respective one of the spigots 121a, 121 and an outer tubular portion 110e which is designed to resiliently engage an outer surface of the spigot 121a, 121b so that the wall of the tubular spigot is trapped between the inner and outer tubular portions 110d and 110e. The outer surface of the larger diameter tubular section 110c extends slightly beyond the relatively narrow tubular section 110a to provide a surface 110f which will seal against the end surface of the transparent tube 107. The end 110g of the tubular section 110c opposed to the open end has an outer surface 110h shaped to form a cap member to fit the recess 120 so as to provide a resilient seal therewith.It will be appreciated that, in this case, the two tubular members 110 will not be identical but will be mirror images or a left and right handed pair to enable filtering to the respective ones of the upper and lower spigots 121a and 121b.

In assembly of the liquid level indicator 106 to the body 102 of the kettle, the tubular members 110 are first fitted to the transparent tube 107 so that the relatively narrow sections 110a of the respective tubular members 110 engage with the respective ones of the open ends of the tube 107. The tube 107 is then fitted into the recess 120 so that its flanges 107d rest on the shelf 120b and the inner and outer tubular portions 110d and 110e of each tubular member 110 resiliently engage the wall of the associated spigot 101a and 101b to provide a liquid tight-seal therewith and the outer surface 110h of each tubular member 110 resiliently fits to the recess to provide a cap member covering the flexible coupling connection of the transparent tube 107 to the body 2.

Again, the flexible couplings 110 are formed of an elastomeric material such as, in this case, silicone rubber with a hardness 550 on the Shore A scale. The flexible couplings 110 are sufficiently resilient to enable the transparent tube 107 to move relative to the body 102 of the kettle to allow for the different rates of thermal expansion of the transparent tube 107 and the body 102 whilst still providing water tight-seals of the transparent tube 107 to the body of the kettle.

In this example, the flexible couplings 110 provide a very simple and effective manner in which to mount the transparent tube 107 to the body 2 of the kettle without causing undue stress or strain on the transparent tube. Moreover, the resilient fit of the tubular members 110 makes them difficult to remove inadvertently.

If desired, additional protective cover members could be provided to make it even more difficult to remove the transparent tube inadvertently.

The liquid level indicator 106 may be of a similar type to that described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

Of course, the fitting of the liquid level indicator into a recess in the side wall 104 as shown in Figures 5 to 7b could be used in both conventional and jug type kettles.

From reading the present disclosure, other modifications and variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations may involve other features which are already known in the art and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. Although claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present application also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention. The applicants hereby give notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

Claims

CLAIM(S)

1. An electrical kettle comprising a hollow body having base and side walls defining a receptacle for liquid to be heated, electrical resistance heating means extending within the receptacle for heating liquid within the receptacle, and a liquid level indicator comprising a transparent tube provided on the side wall of the body so to extend upwardly from the base and having an open lower end communicating with the interior of the body so that liquid can enter the tube to provide an indication of the level to which the receptacle is filled, characterised in that the tube has upper and lower ends each communicating with the interior of the body by means of a respective flexible coupling to enable the transparent tube to move relative to the body of the kettle.

2. An electrical kettle according to Claim 1, further characterised in that the side wall of the body defines a recess accommodating the liquid level indicator.

3. An electrical kettle according to Claim 2, further characterised in that the flexible couplings at the upper and lower ends of the transparent tube are provided with respective cap members fitted into the recess.

4. An electrical kettle according to Claim 3, further characterised in that each cap member is formed integrally with the associated flexible coupling.

5. An electrical kettle according to Claim 1, further characterised in that the liquid level indicator is disposed within a chamber defined between the side walls of the body and a removable cover member secured to the body, the cover member having a window for enabling the level of liquid within the transparent tube to be viewed.

6. An electrical kettle according to Claim 5, further characterised in that the transparent tube has longitudinally extending flanges which lie behind the edges of the window in the cover member.

7. An electrical kettle according to Claim 5 or 6, further characterised in that the removable cover member also encloses electrical controls of the electrical resistance heating means.

8. An electrical kettle according to Claim 5,6 or 7, further characterised in that the cover member is snap-fitted onto the body of the kettle.

9. An electrical kettle according to any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that each flexible coupling comprises an elastomeric tubular member having one end secured to a respective one of the upper and lower ends of the transparent tube and the other end secured to a respective one of upper and lower tubular projections provided on the side wall and communicating with the interior of the body.

10. An electrical kettle according to any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that the body is formed of polypropylene and the transparent tube is formed of polycarbonate or polymethylpentene.

11. An electrical kettle according to any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that the transparent tube has a plurality of parallel coloured stripes extending longitudinally of the interior surface of the tube for providing a visible indication of the liquid level within the tube.

12. An electrical kettle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figures 5 to 7b of the accompanying drawings.