GB2448767A

GB2448767A - Electric liquid heating appliance having a movable handle

Info

Publication number: GB2448767A
Application number: GB0708235A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antonio Martin Gaeta
Original assignee: Otter Controls Ltd
Current assignee: Otter Controls Ltd
Priority date: 2007-04-27
Filing date: 2007-04-27
Publication date: 2008-10-29
Also published as: TR200802938U; GB0708235D0

Abstract

An electric liquid heating vessel such as a kettle comprises a vessel body 1 and a handle 2, the vessel being provided in an initial state wherein the handle 2 is movable relative to the vessel body 1 and being configurable to an operational state in which the handle 2 is substantially fixed to the vessel body 1. In the initial state the handle may be separate from the vessel body 1 having upper and lower locks 4a, 5a for engaging corresponding upper and lower securing portion 4b, 5b, or the handle 2 may be secured at one end to the vessel body 1 by a joint (Figure 4, 7) allowing the handle 2 to rotate from an initial position to an operational position. The vessel may further include an actuable switch (Figure 6, 8) for switching the kettle on, so that when the handle 2 is in its initial position, it prevents access by the user, so that the user cannot turn the vessel on unless the handle 2 is in the operational position.

Description

Electrical Appliances The present invention relates to electric liquid

heating vessels with handles, and particularly but not exclusively to kettles and the like.

Background to the Invention

One problem with electric kettles is that they are not compact. They generally require a handle, which projects significantly from the kettle body so that the kettle can be picked up and the contents poured without burning the user's hand. A large packaging volume is required to accommodate the kettle, so that kettles cannot be densely packed for storage andlor shipping. In a typical example, the handle may increase the size of packaging for a kettle by up to one third.

The applicant's patent publication WO 01/93730 discloses a kettle with a retractable handle that is recessed into the body of the kettle during heating, but extends from the body of the kettle after heating so that the kettle can be safely picked up.

For safety reasons, however, some users may prefer a kettle handle to be rigidly connected to the kettle body, so that there is no perceived risk of the handle moving relative to the kettle body when it is picked up, thereby potentially spilling boiling water or forcing the user's fingers against the kettle body.

Statement of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric liquid heating vessel comprising a vessel body and a handle, the vessel being provided in an initial state wherein the handle is movable relative to the vessel body and being configurable to an operational state in which the handle is substantially fixed relative to the vessel body.

In one embodiment, the vessel remains in its operational state such that the user is unable to release the handle from its fixed configuration.

In one embodiment, the handle is provided separately from the vessel body and is arranged to be substantially rigidly fastened to the vessel body by the user. The handle may thereby be permanently fixed to the vessel body, or may be detachable from the vessel body. The handle may be detachable from the vessel body only by a two-handed operation by the user, such that the handle cannot come detached from the vessel body during normal operation of the kettle, such as by picking up the kettle with one hand.

In another embodiment, the handle is provided attached to the vessel body in an initial, compact configuration, and is movable to an operational configuration in which the handle is substantially fixed relative to the vessel body. The hanWe may be pivotable from the initial configuration in which it is stowed against or close to the vessel body, to the operational configuration in which it projects from the vessel body.

The vessel may be arranged so that it cannot be operated to heat liquid when in its initial state or configuration. In one embodiment, the vessel body may not be connectable to an electrical source in the initial state or configuration. In another embodiment, the vessel cannot be switched on by the user in the initial state or configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings identified below.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a kettle in a first embodiment, in its initial state.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the kettle in the first embodiment, in its operational state.

Figure 3 is a front view of a kettle in a second embodiment, in its initial state.

Figure 4 is a front view of the kettle in the second embodiment, in its operational state.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a kettle in a third embodiment, in its initial state.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the kettle in the third embodiment, in its operational state.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment

First Embodiment As shown in Figure 1, a kettle according the first embodiment of the invention comprises a kettle body I separate from a handle 2 in its initial state. The handle 2 includes upper and lower locks 4a, 5a for engaging corresponding upper and lower securing portions 4b, 5b. The locks 4a, 5b may be arranged so that the handle 2 can be easily fitted onto the kettle body I by the user, for example by a push or slide fit, to an operational configuration as shown in Figure 2. In the operational configuration, the handle 2 is fixed rigidly to the kettle body 1 regardless of the heating state of the kettle.

The upper and lower locks 4a, 5a may be detachable from the upper and lower securing portions 4b, Sb. The upper and lower locks 4a, 5a may comprise user actuable buttons provided respectively on an upper and a lower surface of the handle 2 and connected to respective internal locking mechanisms (not shown) which engage the upper and lower securing portions 4b, 5b respectively. Actuation of each button releases the corresponding locking mechanism. Preferably, however, the handle 2 may only be detached from the kettle body 1 when both buttons are actuated together. The buttons are preferably arranged so that it is difficult or impossible for the normal user to actuate both buttons at the same time with one hand.

Alternatively, the upper and lower locks 4a, 5a may lock permanently onto the corresponding securing portions 4b, Sb, such that it is difficult or impossible for the normal user to remove the handle 2 from the kettle body. For example, the locks 4a, 5a and corresponding securing portions 4b, 5b may permanently snap fit together.

The kettle may include means for preventing operation thereof unless the handle is in its operational state. For example, the kettle may include a switch which is closed, indirectly or directly, by the fitting of the handle 2 on the kettle body 1, thus enabling electrical power to be supplicd to the heater within the kettle body 1. In another example, the kettle includes a user actuable switch for switching the power to the kettle in normal use, which switch is only actuable by the user when the handle 2 is fitted on the kettle body. The user-actuable portion of the switch may be provided on the handle 2 and the electrical portion of the switch may be provided in the kettle body 1, the user-actuable portion engaging the electrical portion when the handle 2 is fitted to the kettle body 1.

The kettle may include means for indicating that the handle 2 is correctly fitted onto the kettle body 1. In a simple example, the locks 4a, Sa may give an audible click or other sound when they are securely locked onto the corresponding securing portions 4b, Sb.

Alternatively, the visual appearance of the locks 4a, 5a may change when they are securely locked: for example, the user actuable buttons may project from the handle 2, or a differently coloured part may become visible or hidden.

Advantageously, the handle 2 may fit within the kettle body I when the kettle is in its initial state. Hence, the kettle is compact in its initial state, and may be packed more densely with other kettles of the same or similar type than would be the case in the operational state. In the initial state, the kettle body 1, containing the handle 2, may be packed in a box, a bag or other similar packaging conforming to the shape and size of the kettle body I but insufficient in size and/or shape to house the kettle in its operational state.

The kettle body I may be removably connectable to a cordless power base 3 for providing electrical power to a heater (not shown) within the kettle body. Preferably, the connection allows 3600 of relative rotation between the kettle body I and the base 3 while maintaining an electrical power connection. The connection may comprise CS4 and CP7 connectors as supplied by Otter Controls Ltd and/or as described in patent publication WO 94/06 1 85.

Second Embodiment Figures 3 and 4 show a kettle in a second embodiment of the invention, in which the handle 2 is secured at one end to the kettle body I by a joint 7 allowing the handle 2 to rotate from an initial position in which the handle 2 is stowed against or close to the side wall of the kettle body I as shown in Figure 3, and an operational position in which the handle 2 extends away from the side wall. In this case, the handle 2 extends substantially horizontally, as is common in kettles designed for the Turkish market. The joint 7 permanently locks when the handle 2 is in the operational position, such that it camiot be returned to the initial position under normal usage conditions.

As with the first embodiment, the kettle body 1 is removably connectable to a cordless power base 3 for providing electrical power to a heater (not shown) within the kettle body. In the second embodiment, the handle 2 in the initial position projects be]ow the base 3 such that the kettle cannot be placed on the base 3 and operated until the handle 2 is moved towards the operational position.

The joint 7 may include biasing means, such as an over-centre mechanism or a spring, which biases the handle 2 to its initial position unless it is locked in the operational position. Hence, the handle 2 continues to prevent operation of the kettle until locked into its operational position.

Third Embodiment Figures 5 and 6 show a kettle in a third embodiment of the invention, which differs from the second embodiment in the following respects. The joint 7 locks into operational state, but may be unlocked by the user so that the handle 2 can return to the initial state. Preferably, the joint 7 includes safety-locking means comprising at least two separate user-actuable parts which must both be actuated to unlock the joint, and cannot easily both be actuated during normal use of the kettle.

Furthermore, the kettle includes a user actuable switch 8 for switching the kettle on.

When the handle 2 is in the initial position, it prevents access by the user to the user actuable switch 8, so that the user cannot turn on the kettle unless the handle 2 is in the operational position.

As with the second embodiment, the joint 7 may include biasing means for biasing the handle 2 to its initial position so as to prevent operation of the kettle until the handle is locked in its operational position.

Alternative Embodiments In an alternative to the first embodiment, the handle 2 may be secured to the kettle body I at a single point, for example using a single lock 4a and securing portion 4b. In this alternative, the single lock 4a may require a two-handed operation in order to be unlocked.

In another alternative to the first embodiment, the handle 2 may be secured to the kettle body 1 at more than two points.

In an alternative to either the second or the third embodiment, the handle 2 may be biased to its operational position, but secured in its initial position; releasing the handle 2 causes it to move with the bias into the operational position, in which the handle 2 is then locked. The securing in the initial position may be achieved by the retention of the kettle within its packaging; removing the kettle from the packaging allows the handle to move with the bias into its operational position.

As an alternative or additional feature in the second or third embodiments, the joint 7 may include an electrical switch which is closed only when the handle 2 is in the operational position; the electrical switch may directly or indirectly form part of the heating circuit of the kettle, so that the kettle cannot be operated unless the switch is closed.

In an alternative or additional feature of the third embodiment, the joint 7 may be connected to the user actuable switch 8 via a mechanical or electrical interlock, such that the switch 8 cannot be operated to turn on the kettle unless the handle 2 is in its operational position.

In addition to the variants mentioned above, other variants are envisaged as falling within the scope of the invention. For example, the invention can be applied to kettles with handles of other designs, or to electrically powered liquid heating appliances other than kettles.

The above embodiments illustrate, but do not limit, the present invention. Alternative embodiments which may occur to the skilled reader on reading the above description may also fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. An electric liquid heating vessel comprising a vessel body

and a handle movable by a user from a non-operational to an operational state in which the handle is fixed relative to the vessel body.
2. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 1, wherein the handle is substantially permanently fixed in said operational state when moved thereto by the user.
3. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 1, wherein the handle is releasable from said operational state by the user.
4. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 3, wherein the handle is releasable from said operational state only by a two-handed operation by the user.
5. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim I, wherein the handle is lockable in said operational state by at least two separate locking means.
6. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim I, wherein the handle is separate from the vessel body in said non-operational state.
7. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 6, wherein the handle fits within the vessel body in said non-operational state.
8. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 1, wherein the handle is attached to the vessel body in said non-operational state.
9. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 8, wherein the handle is attached to the vessel body so as to be moveable from a position stowed against or close to the vessel body in the non-operational state to a position projecting from the vessel body in the operational state.
10. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 9, wherein the handle is pivotally attached to the vessel body.
11. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 1, including means for preventing heating operation of the vessel when the handle is in the non-operational state.
12. The electric heating vessel of claim 11, including a switch for switching on a heating operation of the vessel, said switch being actuable by a user only when the handle is in the operational state.
13. The electric heating vessel of claim 11, including means for preventing connection of the vessel body to an electrical source when the handle is in the non-operational state.
14. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 13, including a cordless base for supplying electrical power to the vessel body, the handle being arranged in said non-operational state to prevent connection of the vessel body to the cordless base.
15. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 8, wherein the handle is biased to said operational state.
16. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 15, wherein the handle is releasably secured in said non-operational state.
17. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 8, wherein the handle is biased to said non-operational state.
18. The electric liquid heating vessel of claim 1, including means for indicating whether the handle has moved to the operational state.
19. A packaged electric liquid heating vessel, comprising packaging housing an electric liquid heating vessel comprising a vessel body and a handle in a non-operational state not fixed relative to the vessel body.
20. The packaged electric liquid heating vessel of claim 19, wherein the handle is separate from the vessel body.
21. The packaged electric liquid heating vessel of claim 20, wherein the handle is located within the vessel body.
22. The packaged electric liquid heating vessel of claim 19, wherein the handle is attached to the vessel body.
23. The packaged electric liquid heating vessel of claim 22, wherein the handle is biased away from said non-operational state and secured in said non-operational state.
24. The packaged electric liquid heating vessel of claim 23, wherein the handle is secured by said packaging.
25. A method of providing an electric liquid heating vessel to a user, the vessel comprising a vessel body and a handle movable by a user from a non-operational state in which the handle is moveable relative to the vessel body to an operational state in which the handle is fixed relative to the vessel body, wherein the vessel is provided to the user with the handle in said non-operational state and the user moves the handle to said operational state.