GB2414922A

GB2414922A - Cup with heating means and temperature regulation

Info

Publication number: GB2414922A
Application number: GB0511487A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Se-Kit Yuen
Original assignee: John Manufacturing Ltd
Current assignee: John Manufacturing Ltd
Priority date: 2004-06-08
Filing date: 2005-06-03
Publication date: 2005-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-03
Also published as: GB2414922B; GB0511487D0

Abstract

A cup specially designed to hold warm drinks for drivers has a handle, a detachable cap 23 with an opening 24 and a sliding cover 26, an outer cup body 1 and an inner cup body 19 with a heating coil 7. The cup has an external low voltage power point for connection to a car battery, which provides a power source to the electronic temperature control device of the cup. The temperature control device consists of a thermometer which measures the temperature of the liquid therein, a temperature control and four indicators 18 showing different temperature settings. Not only is the temperature of the liquid therefore easily adjusted to the user's liking, a constant temperature can also be kept for the provision of a drink maintained at the optimal temperature for the consumption of the user.

Description

241 4922

THERMAL CUP

This invention relates to a thermal cup such as a high-tech shatterproof thermal cup which utilizes the power from either a car battery or mains electricity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for a high-tech shatterproof thermal cup which benefits from a newer and better design.

Accordingly, a high-tech shatterproof thermal cup of the present invention includes an outer cup body fitted with a handle, a removable hollow inner cup body for containing liquid, a detachable cap preferably fitted with a sliding cover, an external power point and an automatic temperature control device.

In the preferred embodiment, on the bottom of the detachable inner cup body is a metallic contact device. When situated in the centre of the outer cup body, the inner cup body is heated when heat is transmitted through the metallic contact device from a heating element. The temperature control device is located at the bottom in the inside of the outer cup body. The temperature of the liquid contained in the detachable inner cup body is then raised until it reaches the temperature selected by the user, when the heating stops automatically. When the temperature of the liquid has dropped to a certain extent, the heating element is reactivated to warm the liquid again to the temperature chosen by the user. This operation runs in cycles.

The sliding cover on the detachable cap can be opened to allow liquid to be poured out, or can be slid shut to seal the opening. The detachable cap is removable from the top of the outer cup body.

The external power point is fitted to the outer cup body.

The automatic temperature control device, located on the front of the outer cup body, comprises an LCD panel, a temperature control switch and temperature indicators.

This innovative high-tech shatterproof thermal cup provides users with a warm drink in any circumstances. By using the present invention, motorists on a long journey can enjoy a drink like tea or coffee at an appropriate temperature during their Journeys.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A non-limiting embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. I is a side elevation view of a cup according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cup depicted in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cup depicted in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a front view of the cup depicted in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a rear view of the cup depicted in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a top view of the cup depicted in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is another side elevation view of the cup depicted in FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a downward perspective view of the cup depicted in FIG. 1; and FIG. 9 is an upward perspective view of the cup depicted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY NON-LIMITING

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiment of the high-tech shatterproof thermal cup usually includes a cylindrical outer cup body (1), to the side of which a handle (2) is attached.

A bottom cap (3) made of a soft material is fitted onto the underside of the outer cup body (1) to provide a firm support for it to stand on a flat surface. Installed at the bottom of the outer cup body (1) is a metallic heating clement (4) fixed onto a holding rack (5), which is covered underneath with a round seal (6). The said heating element (4) is spiralled around with a heat coil (7), one end of which is connected to an electric wire, the other end of which to a temperature controller (8). Heat-resistant polythene tape (9) is used to bind the temperature controller (8) and the heat coil (7) together so that the whole unit is mounted onto the surface of the heating element (4). A circular hole (10) is provided in the centre of the holding rack (5) through which a thermal detector (11) is freely suspended via a spring (12) attached to it underneath. While the thermal detector (11) is secured through the circular hole (10) in the centre to the holding rack, it is moveable to a certain extent.

On the other side of the outer cup body is an external power point (13), through which electric wires are connected to the circuit board (14) via the holding rack (5).

The connecting wires of the heat coil (7), the thermal detector (11) and the temperature controller (8) are all connected to the circuit board (14) via the holding rack (5) on the bottom of the cup body. Mounted inside the inner chamber of the control unit (15), the circuit board (14) is a mini-computing device, comprising an integrated circuit of logic programming. It is connected to a panel (16), and has an on-off switch (17) and four temperature indicators (18). A light source (28) located on the top of the transparent sheet (27) secured at the back of the panel transmits light through the transparent sheet (27), which is then reflected onto the panel (16), enabling the user to read the temperature in the dark.

The present embodiment of the high-tech shatterproof thermal cup usually includes a cylindrical inner cup body (19), on top of which is a round plastic seal (20).

Attached to its bottom is a metallic heat-conductive cup (21). The said inner cup body (19) is freely removable from the outer cup body (1). The heat-conductive cup (21) at its bottom is in contact with the heating element (4) and the thermal detector (11). The open mouth (22) on the top of the inner cup body (19) can be closed tight with a cap (23), preventing liquid therein from leaking. The said cap (23) has an opening (24) on the top and a round plastic seal (25) underneath. It also has a sliding cover (26), which can be slid tight to close the opening (24) on the cap.

In use, people pour their preferred drink into the inner cup body (19), and close it tight with the cap (23). By closing the cap (23) the open mouth (22) of the inner cup body is sealed. The user operates the on-off switch (17) on the control unit (lS) and selects the required temperature. The corresponding temperature indicator (18) is then lit and the selected temperature shown on the panel (16). The temperature controller (8) on the holding rack (5) of the outer cup body (1), which is in thermal contact with the heat-conductive cup (21) of inner cup body (19), detects the temperature of the liquid. The circuit board (14) is activated automatically when the temperature detected is lower than that selected by the user. The heating element (4) heats up and heat is transmitted to the heat-conductive cup (21), thereby warming the liquid in the inner cup body to the temperature selected by the user, when the thermal detector (11) ] 0 automatically cuts off the power supply. The heat coil (7) then stops heating up until the temperature drops by three degrees. As the two on and off modes work in continuous cycles, the temperature of the liquid is kept warm, giving the user a drink at its optimal temperature at any time anywhere.

This innovative high-tech shatterproof thermal cup constantly provides users with a warm drink in any circumstances. By using this present invention, motorists on a long journey can enjoy a drink like tea or coffee at an appropriate temperature during their journeys.

This innovative invention is a thermal cup specially designed to hold warm drinks for drivers. It has a handle for the user's convenience. Liquid is poured through the open mouth on the top of the cup. A detachable cap with an opening and a sliding cover is used in conjunction with the cup. When slid over the opening, the cover seals the cap. In other words, when the cup is filled with liquid and closed with the detachable cap, leakage does not easily occur. Once the sliding cover is open, the liquid therein is available for the user's consumption.

This innovative invention has an external low voltage power point for connection to a car battery, which provides a power source to the temperature control device of the cup. The temperature control device is located at the front of the cup. It consists of a thermometer which measures the temperature of the liquid therein, a temperature control and four indicators showing different temperature settings. Not only is the temperature of the liquid therefore easily adjusted to the user's liking, a constant temperature can also be kept for the provision of a drink maintained at the optimal temperature for the consumption of the user. The panel on the thermometer of the temperature control device is reflective, allowing the driver to read the temperature inthecar.

The physical design of this innovative high-tech shatterproof thermal cup has taken into account the racks where it is held in cars and boats. Moreover, the user can have his preferred drinks kept at a specific temperature in the present thermal cup for his consumption at any time. Not only is this invention ideal for the use of drivers while their vehicles are in motion, it is also suitable for use at home and in offices.

Claims

]. A hand-held shatterproof thermal cup, comprising an outer cup body, a handle, a cap, an inner cup body, an external power point, an on-off switch, a display panel, a plurality of indicators and a computing device for regulating the temperature of a liquid in the inner cup body and alerting a user to relevant information.
2. The thermal cup as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a heating element, a heat coil, a temperature controller and a thermal detector and wherein the heating element is spiralled around by the heat coil, the thermal detector is bound with the heat l 0 coil, and the temperature controller is situated under the middle of the heating element.
3. The thermal cup as claimed in claim l or 2, wherein four said indicators are arranged to show different temperature settings, giving the user the freedom to select a preferred temperature such that the corresponding indicator lights up upon selection.
4. The thermal cup as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cap is detachable from the inner cup body and can be closed tight on the inner cup body.
5. The thermal cup as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a heatconductive cup at the bottom of the inner cup body is in thermal contact with the heating element of the outer cup body for transmitting heat to the liquid in the inner cup body.
6. The thermal cup as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cap has an opening and a sliding cover, and the latter can slide across to close the former tight.
7. The thermal cup as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a control unit fixed to the outer cup body and containing the computing device.
8. The thermal cup as claimed in claim 7, wherein the on-off switch, the display panel and the indicators are contained by the control unit. l
9. The thermal cup as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of indicators comprises four temperature indicators.
10. A thermal cup comprising an outer cup body fitted with a handle, a removable hollow inner cup body for containing liquid, a detachable cap preferably fitted with a sliding cover, an external power point and an automatic temperature control device.
11. A thermal cup substantially as herein described with reference to, or with reference to and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.