GB2331141A

GB2331141A - Electric kettle filled through base

Info

Publication number: GB2331141A
Application number: GB9827876A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lenard Winston Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-12-22
Filing date: 1998-12-18
Publication date: 1999-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-18
Also published as: GB2331141B; GB9726887D0; GB9827876D0

Abstract

An electric kettle K is pivotally mounts on a stand 7 and fed through the stand with water from a mains water supply 5. The heating element 16 is supplied with mains electricity also through the stand. The kettle is filled with water to the desired level via lever operated valve V and flexible pipe 13. The heating element 16 is switched on at switch (2) in the handle. After the kettle has boiled, catch 3 is released allowing the kettle to be pivoted about a hinge 9 for pouring.

Description

Water Boilings Assembly The present invention relates to an assembly for boiling water.

Commonly electric kettles are used for boiling water required for hot beverages etc. The procedure involves lifting the kettle from its usual resting place, taking the kettle to the kitchen sink and holding it under the water tap until the kettle is sufficiently full, then taking the kettle back to its usual resting place, where it is connected to the mains electrical supply and switched on. Once the water has boiled, it is necessary to lift the kettle and tilt it, in order to pour the boiled water from the kettle and into a cup, mug or other required receptacle.

I have now devised an assembly for boiling water, which enables a substantially simpler procedure to be followed and leads to a number of safety and other benefits.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an assembly for boiling water, the assembly comprising a vessel mounted on a stand and arranged to be fed through the stand, and via a flexible pipe which extends to the vessel from the stand, with water from a mains supply, the assembly including an electric element arranged to be fed from mains electricity to boil water within the vessel, and the vessel being pivoted to the stand to enable the vessel to be tilted to pour the boiled water from it.

Preferably the stand comprises a valve operable to allow water to flow into the vessel from the mains water.

Preferably the valve comprises an operating lever which is spring-biassed to a position in which the valve is closed.

Preferably the assembly further comprises a catch for retaining the vessel in an upright position on the stand.

Preferably a spring biassing means is provided to urge the vessel towards its upright position.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of a water boiling assembly in accordance with the present invention shown with its water-receiving vessel in its normal, upright position; FIGURE 2 is a similar view of the water boiling assembly shown with its water-receiving vessel tilted for pouring water from the vessel; FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of a hinge by which the water-receiving vessel is pivotally mounted to a stand of the assembly; FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of a safety catch of the assembly; and FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a water valve of the assembly.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown an assembly for boiling water, the assembly comprising a vessel K mounted on a stand or base 7 which is secured to a worktop 6 by means of e.g. screws 15. The vessel K has a lid 1 which interlocks with the vessel to close an opening in the top of the vessel. The vessel has a pouring spout 12 and is pivoted to the stand 7 by means of a hinge 9 positioned below the spout 12. The hinge is shown in more detail in Figure 3 and comprises a spring-loaded spindle which urges the vessel K to the upright position shown in Figure 1.

A catch 3 is mounted to the stand 7 at a position diametrically opposite the hinge 9 and below a handle of the vessel K. The catch 3 is shown in more detail in Figure 4, from which it will be seen that the catch can be turned between a first position in which it engages a pin P projecting from the vessel K, and a second position in which it releases the vessel so that it can be tilted about the hinge 9 to pour water from the vessel through the spout 12.

The vessel K is provided with an electric element 16 adjacent its bottom. An electrical supply cable 4 runs from the mains and extends into the stand 7: the two parts of a connector 14 engage when the vessel K is in its upright position, to allow current to flow to the element 16. A thermostatically-controlled switch 2 is mounted to the top of the handle of the vessel and is manually closed to allow the flow of current to the electrical element 16, but opens automatically when the water reaches boiling point.

A pipe 5 from a mains water supply also enters the stand 7 through the worktop 6. The pipe 5 is coupled to a valve V which is manually operated by a lever 8 mounted on the side of the stand 7 and spring-biassed to a position in which the valve is closed. A flexible pipe 13 extends from the water valve upwardly into the vessel K: a filter 11 is fitted to the upper end of the pipe 13. A transparent window 10 is provided in the side of the vessel K and is formed with graduations, to act as a water level indicator.

In use, the vessel K may be filled with water to precisely the required volume, by turning the lever 8 to open the water valve V and allow water from the mains into the vessel until the water reaches the appropriate level. Then the switch 2 is turned on to energise the electrical element 16 and boil the water. Once the water is boiled, the catch 3 is released and the vessel K is tilted (as shown in Figure 2) to pour the water through the spout 12 and into a receptacle positioned below this, preferably on the worktop 6. Then the vessel K is returned to its normal position, shown in Figure 1, and its catch 3 re-applied.

It will be appreciated that the assembly which has been described is simple to use in that it is unnecessary to lift the vessel and carry to and from the sink. The risk of spilling boiling water is minimised, as also is the risk of the vessel being knocked over or pulled over via a trailing lead.

The procedure facilitates the filling of the vessel with more or less precisely the required volume of water, avoiding the tendency with conventional kettles to overfill with water even though they include water-level indicators. The amount of electricity which is used is therefore minimised.

Claims

Claims 1) An assembly for boiling water, the assembly comprising a vessel mounted on a stand and arranged to be fed through the stand, and via a flexible pipe which extends to the vessel from the stand, with water from a mains supply, the assembly including an electric element arranged to be fed from mains electricity to boil water within the vessel, and the vessel being pivoted to the stand to enable the vessel to be tilted to pour the boiled water from it.
2) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the stand comprises a valve operable to allow water to flow into the vessel from the mains water supply.
3) An assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the valve comprises an operating lever which is spring-biassed to a position in which the valve is closed.
4) An assembly as claimed in any preceding claims further comprising a catch for retaining the vessel in an upright position on the stand.
5) An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a spring biassing means is provided to urge the vessel towards its upright position.
6) An assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6) An assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1) An assembly for boiling water, the assembly comprising a vessel mounted on a stand and arranged to be fed through the stand, and via a flexible pipe which extends to the vessel from the stand, with water from a mains supply, the vessel including an electric element arranged to be fed from mains electricity through the stand to boil water within the vessel, and the vessel being pivoted to the stand to enable the vessel to be tilted to pour the boiled water from it 2) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the stand comprises a valve operable to allow water to flow into the vessel from the mains water supply.

3) An assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the valve comprises an operating lever which is spring-biassed to a position in which the valve is closed.

4) An assembly as claimed in any preceding claims further comprising a catch for retaining the vessel in an upright position on the stand.

5) An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a spring biassing means is provided to urge the vessel towards its upright position..