GB2431612A

GB2431612A - Method of forming level indicators in liquid heating vessels

Info

Publication number: GB2431612A
Application number: GB0521850A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antonio Martin Gaeta
Original assignee: Otter Controls Ltd
Current assignee: Otter Controls Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-26
Filing date: 2005-10-26
Publication date: 2007-05-02
Also published as: CN1954988A; GB0521850D0

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a first and a second type of liquid heating vessel 10 i.e. a jug kettle by plastic injection using a mould 16, wherein the liquid heating vessels include respective first and second liquid-level indicators, the first liquid-level indicator having a different configuration from the second liquid-level indicator, wherein both said first and second liquid heating vessels are manufactured using the same plastics mould 16. The liquid level indicators may be transparent windows.

Description

METHOD OF FORMING LIQUID-LEVEL INDICATORS IN LIQUID HEATING

VESSELS

The present invention refers to a method of forming liquid-level indicators in liquid heating vessels. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to forming liquid-level indicators in plastic moulded kettle jugs.

It is known in the art to make liquid heating vessels, such as kettles and jugs, with a window in the side wall to allow the level of the water within to be gauged. Typically, in plastic vessels this window is moulded as an insert which is then placed in the mould cavity for thebody as a whole, and the vessel body is then moulded around the window, sealing it in place.

The visual appearance of a liquid heating vessel is important, as it is generally one of the main deciding factors in whether or not a consumer will purchase the item. As different consumers have different tastes and preferences, it is desirable to provide liquid heating vessels with as many different aspects or appearances as possible.

However, moulds for producing kettle and jug bodies are large and expensive, and hence it is not economically viable to produce many different moulds. At the date of filing of the present application a mould tool can cost around 20,000. Accordingly, much customer research is typically required to ascertain the visual characteristics of a kettle or jug that will appeal to the largest cross-section of consumers.

The present invention is directed at solving the above problems, and specifically aimed at giving a wide variety of liquid heating vessels with different visual appearances at reduced cost.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a first and a second type of liquid heating vessel by plastic injection using a mould, wherein the liquid heating vessels include respective first and second liquid-level indicators, the first liquid-level indicator having a different configuration from the second liquid-level indicator, wherein both said first and second liquid heating vessels are manufactured using the same plastics mould.

It is preferred that the liquid heating vessel is a kettle jug.

Preferably the liquid-level indicator comprises a substantially transparent window formed into the body of the liquid heating vessel.

It is preferred that a raised portion is provided around the periphery of the transparent window.

Preferably the mould comprises a mould core and a removable cover, with a cavity being defined therebetween when said cover is engaged with said core.

It is particularly preferred that the mould core comprises one or more location features. Also preferred is that the liquid-level indicators comprise corresponding location features. Preferably the paired location features may be used to position the liquid-level indicator on the core mould prior to injection moulding the kettle jug around the liquid-level indicator.

In order that the present invention be more readily understood, specific embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an example of a mould core in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a close-up of a portion of the mould core.

Figure 3 shows the inner surface of a liquid level indicator window.

Figure 4 shows a plurality of examples of liquid-level indicator windows.

The body of a liquid heating vessel 10, such as a kettle jug, typically comprises a plastic body 14 and a window insert 12. The window 12 is typically transparent, and allows a user to gauge the level of liquid within the kettle 10.

A typical plastics mould 16 for manufacturing plastic kettle jugs 10 is shown in figure 1. The mould includes a core portion 18. When the mould is closed a cover portion 20 is placed over the core 18 such that a spacing (typically termed a cavity) is left between the core 18 and the cover 20. Liquid plastic is injected into this space, and is allowed to set. Once set, the plastic is removed and comprises the body of a kettle jug 10.

The window insert 12 is typically manufactured (usually in pairs) from a transparent plastic. It is usually moulded separately from the plastic body.

The window insert 12 is formed with one or more location features 22.

The mould core 18 comprises one or more location features that are compatible with the location features on the insert 12. In preferred arrangements the location features comprise means to allow the window insert 12 to be positioned onto the mould core. The location features 22 may be a series of holes in one of the core or the insert (preferably the core 18) and corresponding nodules on the other piece operable for insertion into the holes.

In a more preferred arrangement, shown in Figures 2 and 3, the location features 22 comprise a trench runring vertically down the core (with respect to the core's orientation) and a complementary ridge, or series of nodules on the insert allowing same to be slid in and out of the trench on said core 18.

In a further embodiment the insert may be held against the core 18 by a vacuum.

Once the insert 12 in positioned onto the core 18 the mould tool is closed and the cavity filled with plastic. Once the plastic has set, the window insert 12 is secure in place. During plastic injection, pressure between the outer wall of the mould tool and the window insert ensures that plastic does not seep over the insert.

As shown in Figure 2, a rib feature 26 may be included around the window insert 12, that is compressed as the mould tool is closed. This arrangement provides a more positive seal against plastic leaking over the insert, and is preferred.

By incorporating standardized location features on a series of differently shaped inserts, such as shown in Figure 4, kettle jugs 10 with varying appearance may be formed using the same mould. Accordingly kettle jugs 10 with different visual characteristics may be offered for sale without having to go to the expense of manufacturing a plurality of expensive mould tools.

Only different shaped window inserts need to be moulded.

Further enhancements may be provided in the provision of alternate forms of illumination which may be restricted to the window alone, or to the contents of the vessel. The light source for the illumination may be formed integrally with the window, and the or each window may be positioned at any suitable location on the vessel body.

It is to be appreciated that the above specific embodiment is for illustrative purposes only, and that many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of manufacturing a first and a second type of liquid

heating vessel by plastic injection using a mould, wherein the liquid heating vessels include respective first and second liquid-level indicators, the first liquid-level indicator having a different configuration from the second liquid-level indicator, wherein both said first and second liquid heating vessels are manufactured using the same plastics mould.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein one or both of said mould and said liquid-level indicators comprise location features.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said location features comprise a ridge or series of nodules and a trench arranged to receive said ridge or series of nodules.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said trench is disposed on the mould.

5. A method of manufacturing a first and a second type of liquid heating vessel, each liquid heating vessel comprising a liquid-level indicator of different configuration, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a first liquid-level indicator with a first shape on a mould core using location features on one or both of the liquid-level indicator and the core mould; injecting plastic around the mould core to form a first liquid heating vessel; removing said liquid heating vessel from the mould core; positioning a second liquid-level indicator with a second shape on a mould core using location features on one or both of the liquid-level indicator and the core mould; and injecting plastic around the mould core to form a second liquid heating vessel.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second types of liquid heating vessel are jug kettles.

7. A method according to any preceding claim wherein said liquid-level indicators comprises a substantially transparent window.

8. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A method of manufacturing a first and a second type of liquid heating vessel by plastic injection using a mould, wherein the liquid heating vessels include respective first and second liquid-level indicators, the first liquid-level indicator having a different configuration from the second liquid-level indicator, wherein both said first and second liquid heating vessels are manufactured using the same plastics mould.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein one or both of said mould and said liquid-level indicators comprise location features.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said location features comprise a ridge or series of nodules and a trench arranged to receive said ridge or series of nodules.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said trench is disposed on the mould.

5. A method of manufacturing a first and a second type of liquid heating vessel, each liquid heating vessel comprising a liquid-level indicator of different configuration, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a first liquid-level indicator with a first shape on a mould core using location features on one or both of the liquid-level indicator and the core mould; injecting plastic around the mould core to form a first liquid heating vessel; removing said liquid heating vessel from the mould core; positioning a second liquid-level indicator with a second shape on the mould core using location features on one or both of the liquid-level indicator and the core mould; and injecting plastic around the mould core to form a second liquid heating vessel.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second types of liquid heating vessel are jug kettles.

7. A method according to any preceding claim wherein said liquid-level indicators comprises a substantially transparent window.

8. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.