GB2315403A

GB2315403A - Electric water heater with water level indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2315403A
Application number: GB9615524A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Klaus Melgaard; Peter Richard Creedon
Original assignee: Philips Electronics NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 1996-07-24
Filing date: 1996-07-24
Publication date: 1998-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2016-07-24
Also published as: GB9615524D0; FR2751519A3; DE29712732U1; FR2751519B3; GB2315403B

Abstract

An electric water heater 10, such as a kettle, comprises a body 12 with a window 16, and a movably connected float assembly having a float 24 and an indicator 26 which is visible through the window when the level of water in the body reaches a predetermined level. The float assembly may include an arm 28 between the float and the indicator that is pivotally or slidably connected to the inside of the body. The indicator may have graduations and may be permanently visible through the window (see fig 4), which may be located in a lid 14 of the heater and may comprise a lens element. The float 24 may be a hollow ball or an inverted cup shape.

Description

DESCRIPTION WATER HEATING VESSEL This invention relates to electric water heating vessels, and particularly concerns such vessels having a level indicator for the indicating the quantity of water in the vessel. The invention is particularly applicable to electric kettles.

Electric kettles having water level indicators conventionally include a column which houses a float in the form of a ball which follows the level of water in the kettle, by moving up and down the column. The column must be exposed to the interior of the vessel so that the level of water in the column can follow the level of water in the vessel, but must be made of transparent material, unlike the remainder of the kettle. Consequently, various components are required, including seals or a sealing adhesive, in order to produce a column type water level indicator. This adds significantly to the cost of producing an electric kettle.

Kettles are used for different purposes according to the different social habits of different nations. Therefore, in some countries there is a preference for smaller kettles, and an accurate indication of the level of water in the kettle is not required; instead a reduction in the price of the product is preferred.

The invention therefore seeks to provide a simplified level indicator which is at least capable of indicating when a predetermined quantity of water is in the kettle, for example simply to indicate when the kettle needs filling.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electric water heating vessel comprising a body for receiving water to be heated, and an electric heating element, the vessel further comprising a float movably connected to the inside of the body, the connection enabling the float to rise and fall, and an indicator attached to the float, the body of the vessel further comprising a transparent viewing window, the indicator being visible through the window when the level of water in the body reaches a predetermined level.

The provision of the float inside the vessel avoids the need for 4 separate chamber of liquid in which the float must rise or fall. Instead af viewing the float itself, an indicator is attached to the float and may be viewed through a viewing window. This simplifies the construction of the level indicator and reduces the cost.

Preferably, the viewing window is provided in a lid of the vessel, and this avoids the need for comprehensive sealing of the window into the kettle body.

The float may comprise a buoyant member and an arm, the arm being movably connected to the inside of the body. The arm may be pivotally connected to the body or may be slidably connected to the body. The buoyant member may be connected at one end of the arm, with the indicator connected at the other end of the arm.

A one-piece float, arm and indicator may be provided, and when the arm is pivotally connected to the body, with a pivotal fitting constituting part of the arm.

The viewing area of the indicator may be approximately equal in size to the viewing window and the indicator may move to a position in which it may be viewed through the window when the level of water reaches the predetermined level. In this case, the level indicator simply provides an indication of when a predetermined quantity of liquid is in the vessel.

However, the indicator may comprise a graduated member positioned adjacent the window and which may be viewed permanently through the window, a portion of the graduated member which can be viewed through the window depending upon the level of water in the body. In this case, the indicator may provide a graduated scale of the level of water in the vessel whilst maintaining the advantages of reduced complexity.

The viewing window may comprise a lens element so that when the indicator cannot be viewed through the window, the inside of a kettle is not focused, since it may be considered undesirable to have a view of the inside of the kettle.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the exterior of the kettle in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of level indicator of the invention; Figure 3 shows a modification to the first embodiment of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of level indicator; and Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of level indicator.

Like reference numerals have been used to represent similar components in the different drawings.

Figure 1 shows the external appearance of a kettle according to the invention.

The kettle 10 comprises a body 12 having a lid 14, each formed from plastics material.

The interior of the body 12 is provided, at the base, with a heating element 11 of any known type. For example, the heating element may be a flat element or an immersion type element, and may include a conventional or a cordless connector 15. The type of heating element, and the various controls that may be provided, are not material to the present invention and will not be described.

A viewing window 16 is provided in the lid 14 and provides a visual indication of the level of water in the kettle 10. Thus, the viewing window 16 replaces conventional level indicators which extend vertically in a side portion of the kettle 10.

The viewing window 16 may reveal a graduated scale indicating the level of water in the kettle or merely an indication that the kettle is full. The type of indication provided will depend upon the design of the level indicator within the kettle, as will be described in the following.

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of level indicator according to the invention, viewed from the side of the kettle.

As shown, the interior of the body 12 is provided with a support 18 which projects into the body 12 from a rear wall 20 of a water chamber of the body 12. The support 18 includes a pivotal connection point 22 and a stop 23.

A float arrangement is pivotally attached to the support 18, and comprises a buoyant member 24 attached to an indicator 26 by means of an arm 28. The arm 28 is pivotally connected to the connection point 22 of the support 18.

In Figure 2, the kettle is shown filled to a predetermined level, for example 1 Litre. This level of water causes the buoyant member 24 to float to such a level that the indicator 26 is positioned beneath the viewing window 16.

For higher level water levels in the kettle, the indicator 26 remains in this position because the arm 28 abuts against the stop 23 of the support 18.

Thus, the indicator 26 gives a visual indication that at least a predetermined quantity of water is in the kettle.

For lower water levels in the kettle, the float arrangement pivots about the point 22 such that the indicator 26 is no longer aligned with the window 16.

This is shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. Pivoting of the float with respect to the kettle body is about a horizontal axis (when the kettle is in the normal upright orientation) which extends laterally, so that the buoyant member 24 travels forwardly and rearwardly within the kettle body as the level of water in the kettle changes. The buoyant member 24 is shown resting against the wall 20 of the inside of the kettle in the lowest position of the buoyant member 24, but of course an additional stop may be provided either for the arm 28 or buoyant member 24 for the lowest position.

The buoyant member 24, arm 28 and indicator 26 may be provided as a single moulded item, with some form of integral hinging connection for fitting to the support 18. The float assembly may be a snap fit within the support 18.

Of course, the float assembly may instead comprise a number of components if a different material is desired for the hinge than for the remainder of the float assembly. The buoyant member 24, or the entire float assembly, will be hollow to provide the required buoyancy. Alternatively, the buoyant member 24 may simply be formed as a cup, provided sufficient air is trapped for the float assembly to rise and fall with the level of the water.

In the example shown in Figure 2, the float assembly is provided at the rear of the inside of the kettle, so that it does not interfere with filling or emptying of the kettle. The viewing window 16 is provided in the lid of the kettle in the example shown in Figure 2, and this avoids the need for the window 16 to be sealed perfectly into the kettle body. Of course, the viewing window 16 may be provided in a fixed part of the kettle body if preferred, although preferably at the top of the kettle.

The example shown in Figure 2 provides only an indication of when the kettle is filled to a predetermined level, for example two-thirds full.

Figure 3 shows a modification to the arrangement of Figure 2, but relying upon the same principle. The same reference numerals have been used to designate the same components. The buoyant member 24 comprises an inverted cup which traps a quantity of air to cause the member 24 to float. The pivoting arrangement is not shown in detail, but as shown, the arm 28 is pivoted at one end to inside of the kettle body, and the indicator 26 is connected to the pivot point by a separate coupling 27. the coupling 27 is relatively short, so that the indicator 26 does not project into the body of the kettle, as in the example of Figure 2. Two positions for the float assembly 24, 26, 28 are shown in Figure 3.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of level indicator, viewed from the handle side (rear) of the kettle. The embodiment shown in Figure 3, enables at least a partial scale to be formed.

This second embodiment of level indicator according to the invention uses a float assembly which is again provided adjacent the rear wall 20 of the kettle, but pivots about a horizontal axis (when the kettle is in the normal upright orientation) which extends in the front-back direction of the kettle. The float assembly remains adjacent the rear wall as the level of water in the kettle changes, so that the float assembly cannot interfere with the filling or emptying of the kettle.

The float assembly again comprises a buoyant member 24 and an indicator 26 connected to each other by an arm 28.

The buoyant member 24 again travels between a lowest position (as shown in Figure 3) and a highest position (not shown). For the entire range of movement of the buoyant member 24, the indicator 26 is permanently in view beneath the window 16, and thereby provides level indication for the range of movement of the buoyant member 24. Movement of the buoyant member 24 may be limited between these two positions by a stop 29 against which the indicator 26 abuts, or an alternative limiting arrangement may be provided. The float assembly may again be provided as a one piece construction, keeping the cost of the level indicator to a minimum.

A third embodiment of level indicator according to the invention is shown, viewed from the side of the kettle, in Figure 5 which again provides an indication only that a predetermined level of water is in the kettle. The float assembly again comprises a buoyant member 24 attached to an indictor 26 by means of an arm 28, but the arm 28 is slidably received in the support 18 at the rear wall 20 of the kettle 10. In this embodiment, the support member 18 maintains the float assembly upright within the kettle body and the float assembly slides up or down according to the level of water in the vessel. The support 18 provides and abutment for the highest and lowest positions of the float assembly. In the highest position, the indicator 26 is positioned beneath the viewing window 16. The support 18 is shown in Figure 4 as two separate projections having aligned openings, and this reduces the friction between the arm 28 and the openings of the support 18. Of course, a single continuous support may be provided if it can be ensured that the arm is free to slide within the support over a prolonged period of time.

It is noted that the build up of scale may have less adverse affects on the operation of a pivoting mechanism than on a sliding mechanism. In any case, the support 18 may, of course1 be provided as near to the top of the kettle as possible, to avoid prolonged immersion of the support 18 in water, thereby reducing the formation of scale on the support 18.

In each of the above described embodiments, the viewing window 16 may comprise a lens element arranged such that the indicator 26 is focused when in the desired viewing position. Thus, in the examples of Figures 2 and 4, when the indicator 26 is moved away from the window 16 it will not be possible to view the inside of the kettle, as this is considered undesirable.

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

1. An electric water heating vessel comprising a body for receiving water to be heated, and an electric heating element, the vessel further comprising a float movably connected to the inside of the body, the connection enabling the float to rise and fall, and an indicator attached to the float, the body of the vessel further comprising a transparent viewing window, the indicator being visible through the window when the level of water in the body reaches a predetermined level.

2. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viewing window is provided in a lid of the vessel.

3. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the float comprises a buoyant member and an arm, the arm being movably connected to the inside of the body.

4. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the buoyant member is connected to one end of the arm and the indicator is connected to the other end of the arm.

5. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in claim 4, wherein the arm is pivotally connected to the body.

6. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in claim 4, wherein the arm is slidably connected to the body.

7. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a viewing area of the indicator is approximately equal in size to the viewing window, and the indicator moves to a position in which it may be viewed through the window when the level of water reaches the predetermined level.

8. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the indicator comprises a graduated member positioned adjacent the window and which may be viewed permanently through the window, a portion of the graduated member which can be viewed through the window depending upon the level of water in the body.

9. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a kettle.

9. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the viewing window comprises a lens element.

10. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a kettle.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as foHows 1 An electric water heating vessel comprising a body for receiving water to be heated, and an electric heating element, the vessel further comprising a float movably connected to the inside of the body, the connection enabling the float to rise and fall, and an indicator attached to the float, the body of the vessel further comprising a transparent viewing window provided in a lid of the vessel at a position opposite to a spout of the vessel, the indicator being visible through the window when the level of water in the body reaches a predetermined level.

2. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the float comprises a buoyant member and an arm, the arm being movably connected to the inside of the body.

3. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in claim 2, whereinthe buoyant member is connected to one end of the arm and the indicator is connected to the other end of the arm.

4. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the arm is pivotally connected to the body.

5. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the arm is slidably connected to the body.

6. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a viewing area of the indicator is approximately equal in size to the viewing window, and the indicator moves to a position in which it may be viewed through the window when the level of water reaches the predetermined level.

7. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the indicator comprises a graduated member positioned adjacent the window and which may be viewed permanently through the window, a portion of the graduated member which can be viewed through the window depending upon the level of water in the body.

8. An electric water heating vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the viewing window comprises a lens element.