GB2474485A

GB2474485A - Kettle water metering device

Info

Publication number: GB2474485A
Application number: GB0918093A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Mosley
Original assignee: Kenwood Ltd
Current assignee: Kenwood Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-16
Filing date: 2009-10-16
Publication date: 2011-04-20
Also published as: GB0918093D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a water metering device usable to allow electric kettles to be charged with metered quantities of water. The device is inserted into a kettle to intercept and divert water used to charge the kettle. It is supported at or near the top of the kettle body and has a metering chamber 20 and a by-pass path over septum 24 and through a relatively large by-pass aperture 22. The metering chamber is formed with a circular outlet aperture 20a having a diameter in the range from 9mm to 11mm. The relative dimensions of the chamber and the outlet aperture are configured such that, once the chamber has been filled with water (at a reasonable filling rate), the amount of water in the chamber, together with the amount of water that has by then already entered the kettle through the outlet aperture, amounts in total to a predetermined charge of water. Should the user wish to charge the kettle directly, i.e. without using the metering capability, it is only necessary to ensure that the water flows through the by-pass path, which guides unmetered quantities of water directly into the kettle.

Description

WATER METERING DEVICE

This invention relates to a water nietering device, and it relates more particularly to a device usable to allow electric kettles to be charged with metered quantities of water.

Our co-pending UK patent application No. GB0910517.2 describes and claims such a device for insertion into a kettle so as to intercept and divert water used to charge the kettle; the device being supportable at or near the top of the kettle body and having a nietering chamber and a by-pass path; the metering chamber being formed with an outlet aperture through which water charged into the chamber can pass into the kettle; the relative dimensions of the chamber and the outlet aperture being configured such that, when water is charged into the chamber, at a predetermined rate, to fill the chamber, the amount of water in the chamber together with the amount of water that has entered the kettle by way of the outlet aperture amounts in total to a predetermined charge of water, for example sufficient to fill one cup or one mug.

By this means, the user has only to ensure that the fill water is charged at a reasonable rate into the metering chamber, rather than the by-pass path, and to stop charging the chamber when it becomes full. There are no moving parts to manipulate. Moreover, if the user desires to charge the kettle directly, i.e. without using the metering capability, then it is only necessary to ensure that the fill water flows through the by-pass path, which is configured to guide directly into the kettle unmetered quantities of water.

It has now been discovered that, if the outlet aperture through which water from the device passes to charge the kettle has a particular shape and dimensions, the throughput of water accommodates a relatively wide range of input flow (kettle filling) rates. In this respect, it will be appreciated that different users will, by choice and/or as a result of mains water pressure or other operational criteria fill kettles at different rates, and it is thus important, from a practical standpoint, that a device such as that described above is not unduly sensitive to the fill rate used.

According to the invention, therefore, the outlet aperture in a device of the kind claimed in the aforementioned UK patent application is substantially circular and has a diameter in the range from 9mm to 11mm. A preferred diameter is 10mm.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises an open-topped, generally cup-shaped casing comprising the metering chamber, a by-pass aperture in an upright side of the casing path and a septum which delineates the chamber from the by-pass path and is disposed so as to guide towards the by-pass aperture water that is not charged into the chamber and/or water that overspills from the chamber.

It is further preferred that the by-pass aperture is configured as a rectangular opening in an upright side of the device and the septum is angled so as to slope smoothly towards the base of the rectangular opening.

Conveniently, the septum and the generally cup-shaped casing of the device are made separately, and the septum and the casing may then be permanently secured together.

In some preferred embodiments, the septum and the casing are both made of a plastics material and are secured together by ultrasonic welding or by any other suitable technique.

It is further preferred in some embodiments that the volume of the metering chamber is about 125 ml.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, one embodiment thereof will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows, in perspective view, a metering device in accordance with one example of the invention, comprising a generally cup-shaped casing with a septum inserted therein; Figure 2(a) shows, in similar perspective view, the generally cup-shaped casing without the septum; Figure 2(b) shows, also in perspective view, the septum; and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the fully-assembled device from above and to one side.

Referring flow to the drawings, the metering device 10 comprises a generally cup-shaped casing 12, the upper rim area of which is provided with features such as 14, 16 and 18 designed for engagement within or upon the upper opening of a kettle (not shown). The shape and dimensions of the casing 12 and the configuration and placement of engagement features such as 14, 16 and 18 may conform to a design dedicated for fitment to a specific type or range of kettles, or they may alternatively be designed with greater flexibility, for general retrofit to existing kettles.

In any event, the casing 12 comprises a metered chamber 20, in this example of volume 125 ml, which has in its base a relatively small outlet aperture 20a (see Figure 3). A relatively large by pass aperture 22 is provided in the upright wall of the casing 12, through which water can pass directly into the kettle. The by-pass aperture and the metering chamber are separated by a septum 24 which, in this example, is manufactured separately from the casing 12 and is ultrasonically welded thereto. The casing is formed with an arcuate groove 26 to accommodate the steam tube of the kettle; a conventional component used to enable the electronic control circuit of the kettle to sense when boiling occurs and turn off the power supply to the kettle's heater.

In accordance with this invention, the aperture 20a is substantially circular and has a diameter in the range from 9mm to 11 mm; a preferred diameter being 10mm. Whilst the optimal diameter of the outlet aperture 20a can vary in dependence upon volume and shape of the chamber 20, it has been found by experimentation that diameters in the above range are suitable in many instances and provide reliable performance for differing filling rates.

It will be noted that the septum 24 is formed with a smooth profile and slopes smoothly down to the lower lip of the rectangular by-pass aperture 22, thus to allow a user to fill the kettle rapidly, through a path by-passing the metering chamber 20, in circumstances where metering is not required.

The metering chamber 20 itself and the outlet aperture 20a formed in its base are so relatively dimensioned that, if the chamber is charged with water at a reasonable rate, the chamber becomes full when the amount of water therein together with the amount of water which, by then, has already flowed out through the exit aperture 20a provides a desired, metered charge of water (e.g. one cup full) into the kettle. Thus it will be appreciated that the static 125 ml capacity of the chamber itself is less than the desired charge. There is some variation in metering performance if the rate at which the chamber is charged varies significantly from the expected, usual rates at which kettles tend to be filled but generally, and provided that the outlet aperture conforms to the specified criteria, the metered amount or thereabouts is reliably delivered.

The by-pass path over the septum 24 and through the relatively large aperture 22 is also effective to handle spillage, in the event that the chamber 20 is over-filled with water.

The device provided by the invention is user-friendly, totally reliable and inexpensive. The provision of a by-pass path which allows rapid filling when metering is not required, and which also copes with spillage from the metering chamber, is an important feature, contributing significantly to user-acceptance, and the outlet aperture is, as described above, dimensioned to tolerate a wide range of filling rates.

Claims

Claims: 1. A water metering device for insertion into a kettle so as to intercept and divert water used to charge the kettle; the device being supportable at or near the top of the kettle body and having a metering chamber and a by-pass path; the metering chamber being formed with an outlet aperture through which water charged into the chamber can pass into the kettle; the outlet aperture being substantially circular and having a diameter in the range from 9mm to 11mm whereby, when the chamber is fully charged, by filling it at usual filling rates, the amount of water in the chamber together with the amount of water that has entered the kettle by way of the outlet aperture amounts in total to a predetermined charge of water, for example sufficient to fill one cup or one mug.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of the outlet aperture is 10mm.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising an open-topped, generally cup-shaped casing comprising the metering chamber, a by-pass aperture in an upright side of the casing path and a septum which delineates the chamber from the by-pass path and is disposed so as to guide towards the by-pass aperture water that is not charged into the chamber and/or water that overspills from the chamber.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the by-pass aperture is configured as a rectangular opening in an upright side of the device and the septum is angled so as to slope smoothly towards the base of the rectangular opening.
5. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the septum and the generally cup-shaped casing of the device are made separately.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the septum and the casing are permanently secured together.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the septum and the casing are both made of a plastics material and are secured together by ultrasonic welding or by any other suitable technique.
8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the volume of the metering chamber is about 125 ml.