GB2343612A

GB2343612A - Filter attachment for a kettle spout

Info

Publication number: GB2343612A
Application number: GB9824992A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Alexander Gort-Barten
Original assignee: Dualit Ltd
Current assignee: Dualit Ltd
Priority date: 1998-11-13
Filing date: 1998-11-13
Publication date: 2000-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-13
Also published as: GB9824992D0; GB2343612B

Abstract

A filter assembly is provided for use with a kettle having a spout (14) having an exit end. The assembly comprises an annular sealing element (18) of elastically compressible material having a first portion (20) adapted to fit within the exit end and a second portion (22) adapted to abut an end edge (17) of the spout, and a filter element comprising a channel sectioned annulus (23) of more rigid material, the channel sectioned annulus being sized so that the filter element is an easy push fit over the exit end with the sealing element (18) located thereon while causing sufficient deformation of the sealing element to form a seal around the spout end and retain the filter element on the spout, the channel sectioned element mounting a filter (24) across the passage defined thereby. The annular sealing element (18) is received within the channel of the annulus (23) which also has an undercut lip (30) at its mouth. The element (18) has an outwardly-facing groove (21) to accommodate a lip (16) on the spout (14).

Description

KETTLE AND FILTER ATTACHMENT FOR A KETTLE This invention relates to a kettle and to a filter attachment for use with a kettle.

It is well known that when water is boiled in a kettle solid scale tends to form inside the kettle. A filter can be located on or in the kettle spout to prevent at least the large bits of scale leaving the kettle and entering a drink being made with water which has been boiled in the kettle. Such filters can become quickly clogged and are often difficult to remove and clean.

In one aspect the invention provides a kettle having a spout and a detachable filter assembly therefor, the filter assembly including a filter and an elastic sealing member, the filter assembly being a push fit on the end of the spout so that the sealing member is compressed to form a seal against the spout surface to prevent water leaking between the filter assembly and spout and retain the assembly on the spout in normal use.

In another aspect the present invention provides a filter assembly for a kettle having a spout, the assembly comprising an annular sealing element of elastically compressible material having a first portion adapted to fit within the outer end of the spout of the kettle and a second portion adapted to abut the end edge of the spout, and a filter element comprising a channel sectioned annulus of more rigid material, the channel being sized so that the filter element is an easy push fit over the outer end part of the spout with the sealing element located thereon while causing sufficient deformation of the sealing element to form a seal around the spout end and retain the filter element on the spout, the channel sectioned element mounting a filter across the passage defined thereby. Such an assembly is designed to stay on the spout in normal use when pouring water from the kettle but is easily removed from the spout by a simple pull so as to make cleaning the filter easy whenever required. The assembly is equally easily reassembled on the spout after cleaning.

Preferably the sealing element has an outer surface (facing the inner surface of the spout end) formed with an outwardly facing groove or channel to accommodate an inwardly turned lip of the spout. Parts of the sealing element can be pushed over the lip and the lip will retain the sealing element on the spout.

The U-sectioned rigid annulus defining the channel has an inner arm, a portion of which has a diameter less than the diameter of a portion of the sealing element to be engaged thereby in use, so that the sealing element will be compressed and deformed when the U-section is pushed over it to provide the necessary sealing and frictional retention around the spout end.

Preferably the inner arm is extended beyond the base of the U-section and defines a front lip the outermost (upper) surface of which is rounded and at its outer edge is undercut. This shape serves to resist drips forming at the pour edge at any angle at which the pour stops when emptying the kettle.

One embodiment of kettle and filter attachment therefor will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a kettle with filter attachment, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the filter attachment, Figure 3 is an axial section of the filter assembly on the spout end of a kettle, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the filter assembly located on the kettle spout both being partially cut away.

Figure 1 shows a kettle 12 having a body 13 and a spout 14. A filter assembly 15 is located on the outer end of the spout. As seen in Figures 3 and 4 the spout tapers inwardly towards its outer end and has an inwardly turned lip 16 so that the outer end face 17 is rounded.

The filter assembly comprises a sealing element 18 of soft elastically deformable material such as flexible silicone. The sealing element is annular and has a first portion 20 which fits inside the spout end with its outer face abutting the inner face of the spout and the lip 16 accommodated in an annular outwardly facing groove 21. The sealing element has a second portion 22 extending outwardly from the upper end of the first portion which abuts against the outer (upper) surface 17 of the spout. The lip 16 fitting within the recess 21 retains the sealing element on the spout although it is easily removed and reinserted.

A channel sectioned annular element 22 of substantially rigid material eg polypropylene defines a passage 23 through which water flows from the kettle through the spout and outwards of the kettle and mounts a filter screen 24 across this passage. The filter screen may for example be a Caddish number 40 stainless plain weave mesh of 460 micron 0.18 wire or plastics. The channel of element 22 is defined by an inner arm 25, a base 26 and an outer arm 27. The channel is sized such that when the sealing element is located on the spout and the filter element 22 is pushed over the end of the spout and sealing element, the sealing element is compressed and deformed so as to form a seal both with the spout and with the engaging surface of the inner arm 25. This provides sufficient frictional force to retain the filter element 22 on the spout during normal use and pouring but allows it to be easily pulled off for cleaning of the filter. For this purpose at least a portion of the outer surface of the arm 25 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the inner surface of the portion 18 of the sealing element. In its attached position the base 26 of the portion defining the channel abuts against the outer face of the portion 22 of the sealing element.

The inner arm 25 is extended outwardly beyond the base 26 and has its upper outer edge curved and sloped downwardly to provide an edge 28 to a pouring lip 30, the lip being undercut at 31 to provide the pointed edge 28. This arrangement resists drips forming at the pour edge at any angle the pour stops when emptying the kettle.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A filter assembly for attachment to the exit end of the spout of a kettle, the assembly comprising an annular channel sectioned mounting supporting a filter element and an annular elastic sealing element locatable in the channel of the mounting.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 in which the sealing element has a groove in its outer face to accommodate a lip on the kettle spout.
3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 in combination with a kettle having a spout, the assembly being an easy push fit on the exit end of the spout.
4. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the mounting has a front lip an outermost surface of which is rounded and at its outer edge is undercut.
5. A filter assembly in combination with a kettle having a spout, the assembly including a filter, a mounting for the filter and an elastic sealing member, the filter assembly being a push fit on the exit end of the spout so that the sealing member is compressed to form a seal against a spout surface to prevent water leaking between the filter assembly and the spout surface and to retain the assembly on the spout in normal use.
6. A filter assembly in combination with a kettle having a spout having an exit end, the assembly comprising an annular sealing element of elastically compressible material having a first portion adapted to fit within the exit end and a second portion adapted to abut an end edge of the spout, and a filter element comprising a channel sectioned annulus of more rigid material, the channel sectioned annulus being sized so that the filter element is an easy push fit over the exit end with the sealing element located thereon while causing sufficient deformation of the sealing element to form a seal around the spout end and retain the filter element on the spout, the channel sectioned element mounting a filter across the passage defined thereby.
7. A combination according to claim 6 in which the sealing element has an outer surface formed with an outwardly facing groove or channel to accommodate an inwardly turned lip of the spout.
8. A combination according to claim 6 or claim 7 in which the channel sectioned annulus has an inner arm, a portion of which has a diameter less than the diameter of a portion of the sealing element to be engaged thereby in use, so that the sealing element will be compressed and deformed when the channel sectioned annulus is pushed over it to provide the necessary sealing and frictional retention around the spout exit end.
9. A combination according to any of claims 6 to 8 in which the filter assembly has a front lip an outermost surface of which is rounded and at its outer edge is undercut.
10. A filter assembly and kettle substantially as described herein with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
11. A filter assembly substantially as described herein with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.