JP7189436B2 - Double-walled container with water level indicator window - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a double-walled container (electric kettle, electric kettle, heat-retaining container, etc.) with a window for checking the amount of water.

In recent years, there are electric kettles with a double-wall structure, electric pots, and heat-retaining containers (hereinafter collectively referred to as "electric kettles, etc.") provided with a window for checking the amount of water (for example, JP-A-2014). -233476, etc.).

JP 2014-233476 A

In recent years, the distance between the double walls has been shortened as electric kettles and the like have become more compact. Some users of electric kettles or the like try to check the amount of water by bringing their faces close to the window for checking the amount of water, and at that time, their faces feel hot.

An object of the present invention is to provide a double-walled container that makes it difficult for the face of a person who tries to check the amount of water by bringing his face close to the window for checking the amount of water to feel hot.

The double-walled container according to the invention comprises:
an outer container having a first side wall provided with a first water volume confirmation window;
an inner container having a second side wall portion provided with a second water amount confirmation window and disposed inside the outer container;
In a horizontal cross-sectional view, the distance between the widthwise center of the outer surface of the second water amount confirmation window and the widthwise center of the inner surface of the first water amount confirmation window is the distance of the outer surface of the second water amount confirmation window. It is longer than the shortest distance between the width direction end portion and the width direction end portion of the inner surface of the first water amount confirmation window.

According to the above configuration, compared to the conventional double-walled container, it is possible to secure a longer widthwise center distance between the windows for checking the amount of water in the inner and outer containers. Therefore, with this double-walled container, it is possible to make the face of a person who tries to check the amount of water close to the window for checking the amount of water less likely to feel hot.

In the present invention,
In a horizontal cross-sectional view, the distance between the outer side surface of the second water amount confirmation window and the inner side surface of the first water amount confirmation window increases from the widthwise end of the first water amount confirmation window toward the widthwise center. is suitable.

According to the above configuration, the outer surface of the second water amount confirmation window and the inner surface of the first water amount confirmation window can be smooth surfaces. Therefore, the water surface can be easily seen in this double-walled container.

In the present invention,
In a horizontal cross-sectional view, it is preferable that at least an end portion of the second water amount confirmation window protrudes toward the first side wall portion.

According to the above configuration, when a component or the like is arranged between the inner container and the outer container, it is possible to make the component difficult to see through the first water amount confirmation window. Therefore, the design of the double-walled container can be improved. Further, when insert-molding the second water amount confirmation window into the second side wall portion of the inner container, if at least the end portion of the second water amount confirmation window protrudes, the position of the second water amount confirmation window can be easily fixed. It is possible and suitable.

1 is an external perspective view of an electric kettle according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a side view of a kettle body that constitutes an electric kettle according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a top view of the kettle body concerning an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the kettle body shown in FIG. 3 taken along line EE; FIG. 4 is a front view of the inner wall member of the liquid container that constitutes the kettle body; FIG. 6 is a BB cross-sectional view of the inner wall member of the liquid container shown in FIG. 5; 5 is an enlarged view of the enclosing portion S shown in FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 6 is a CC cross-sectional view of the inner wall member of the liquid container shown in FIG. 5; 9 is an enlarged view of the enclosing portion T shown in FIG. 8; FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the kettle body shown in FIG. 3 taken along line EE; In addition, in this figure, when a plurality of virtual horizontal lines with different height positions are drawn in the height range of the outer wall member, the "point of intersection between the inner peripheral surface of the inner wall member of the liquid container on the spout side and the virtual horizontal line" is shown. and "the intersection of the inner peripheral surface of the handle unit side of the inner wall member of the liquid container and the imaginary horizontal line", and "the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall member on the spout side and A line connecting the midpoints of the line segments connecting "the intersection point with the imaginary horizontal line" and "the intersection point between the inner peripheral surface of the handle unit side of the outer wall member and the imaginary horizontal line" is shown. FIG. 6 is a DD cross-sectional view of the inner wall member of the liquid container shown in FIG. 5; 1 is a perspective view showing main components of a lid unit of a kettle body according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance configuration of the steam cover of the lid unit according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the bottom plate member of the lid unit according to the embodiment of the present invention; It is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional configuration of the upper portion of the kettle body according to the embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows a state in which the on-off valve is open. It is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional configuration of the upper portion of the kettle body according to the embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows a state in which the on-off valve is closed. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of liquid on the bottom plate member of the lid unit when the kettle body according to the embodiment of the present invention is overturned; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of liquid in the steam circulation space when the kettle body according to the embodiment of the present invention is overturned; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the electric kettle 100 will be described as an example. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of an electric kettle 100. As shown in FIG. The electric kettle 100 is mainly composed of a kettle body 200 and a power base 500 . FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the side surface of the kettle body 200. As shown in FIG.

(Overall configuration of electric kettle)
The kettle body 200 is detachably mounted on the power base 500 . A user of the electric kettle 100 can place the kettle body 200 on the power base 500 when he wants to boil hot water, and remove the kettle body 200 from the power base 500 when using hot water.

The kettle body 200 is mainly composed of a body unit 300 and a lid unit 250 . The kettle main body 200 is provided with a pouring spout 301 for liquid such as hot water at one upper end. A grip portion 401 is provided at a position facing the spout 301 when the kettle body 200 is viewed from above.

When pouring the liquid in the kettle body 200, the user grasps the grip part 401 and tilts the kettle body 200 so that the spout 301 faces downward, whereby the liquid can be discharged from the spout 301. . In this specification, for convenience of explanation, the side where the spout 301 is arranged is called the front side of the kettle body 200 , and the side where the grip part 401 is arranged is called the rear side of the kettle body 200 . In addition, when the kettle body 200 is placed on the power base 500, the side where the lid unit 250 is located is called the upper side of the kettle body 200, and the side where the bottom member 331 of the body unit 300 is located is the kettle body 200. Called the lower side (see FIG. 2).

The lid unit 250 is detachably attached to the main unit 300 . A user of the electric kettle 100 can remove the lid unit 250 from the main unit 300 by releasing the lock mechanism 252 provided on the top of the lid unit 250 . Then, water or the like for boiling water can be put into the liquid container 320 (see FIG. 4) in the electric kettle. When boiling water, the lid unit 250 is attached to the main unit 300 to make the inside of the liquid container 320 a closed space.

The power base 500 serves as a power supply unit for supplying electricity to the electric kettle 100 and also serves as a pedestal for the electric kettle 100 . The power base 500 is provided with a connection terminal electrically connected to the heater unit 340 in the kettle body 200, a power cord, a power plug, and the like. As for the power supply base 500, the same configuration as that of the power supply base of a conventionally known electric kettle can be applied.

A specific configuration of each component of the kettle body 200 will be described below. FIG. 3 shows a view of the kettle body 200 viewed from above. 4 shows the cross-sectional structure of the kettle body 200. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the kettle body 200 taken along line EE of FIG.

(About main unit)
The main unit 300 includes an outer wall member 310, a liquid container 320, a heater unit 340, a bottom member 331, a handle unit 400, etc. as main constituent members.

The outer wall member 310 is a member made of resin and forms the outer peripheral surface of the main unit 300 . In this embodiment, the outer wall member 310 has a shape obtained by cutting a part of the peripheral surface of a substantially cylindrical member. Then, the body connecting portion 402 of the handle unit 400 is fitted into this cut portion. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the body unit 300 is mostly composed of the outer wall member 310 and partially composed of the body connecting portion 402 of the handle unit 400 .

A front projecting portion 311 is provided on the front upper portion of the outer wall member 310 . The front projecting portion 311 constitutes a part of the spout 301 together with other constituent members.

Further, the outer wall member 310 is formed with a pair of openings in the left and right oblique rear. 1 to 4, 19 and 20, these openings are covered with an outer water amount checking window member Wo. 19 and 20, the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo is a transparent resin molded body, and has a partially cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. It is press-fitted by a pawl portion extending inward from the . That is, the inner side surface S1i and the outer side surface S1o of the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo are partially cylindrical surfaces, and are offset from each other. Further, the outer surface S1o of the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo is flush with the outer surface of the outer wall member 310 .

The liquid container 320 is a member capable of storing liquid such as water therein, and is arranged inside the outer wall member 310 . This liquid container 320 is composed of an inner wall member 321 , a heater plate 334 , an O-ring 332 and a fixing ring 333 .

The inner wall member 321 is a member made of resin, and constitutes the side wall of the liquid container 320 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner wall member 321 is mainly composed of an upper portion UP, a middle portion MP, a lower portion LP, an annular rib 322, and an inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi. ing. Here, the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi is made of transparent resin or translucent resin, and is incorporated in the inner wall member 321 by insert molding.

The upper portion UP is a portion above the constricted portion XP. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the constricted portion XP has a perfect circular shape in a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB. A discharge port forming portion 323 projecting forward while tilting upward is formed on the front side of the upper stage portion UP (see FIG. 4). Further, the upper end of the ejection port forming portion 323 serves as the tip portion 323 a of the pouring port 301 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the tip portion of the spout 301 has a double structure consisting of the discharge port forming portion 323 of the liquid container 320 and the front protruding portion 311 of the outer wall member 310 . That is, it can be said that the tip of the spout 301 is formed by a part of the liquid container 320 (the tip 323a). As shown in FIG. 4, the upper end portion of the outer wall member 310 and the tip portion 323a of the inner wall member 321 are connected by biting the upper end portion of the outer wall member 310 into the claw portion on the lower side of the tip portion 323a. is engaged with. As shown in FIG. 4, an annular packing 285 abuts on the upper corner of the cylindrical constriction XP when the on-off valve 280 is closed to form a sealing structure. there is

The middle portion MP is a portion that actually constitutes the side wall of the container, and has a shape that widens in the width direction and the depth direction as it goes downward. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, annular ribs 322 are provided at upper and lower portions on the outer peripheral side of the middle portion MP. These annular ribs 322 are annular plate-like portions that extend outward from the upper and lower portions of the outer peripheral surface of the middle stage portion MP (see FIGS. 4 and 5). ). These annular ribs 322 serve to keep the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the liquid container 320 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall member 310 constant. Due to the existence of these annular ribs 322, the heat insulating property inside the liquid container 320 is kept constant.

Also, in this middle stage portion MP, a partially expanded portion WC is formed as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, the inner peripheral surface of the partially expanded portion WC has a non-circular shape in a cross-sectional view. More specifically, in a cross-sectional view, the inner peripheral surface is composed of a partial circle portion CP and an expansion portion WP. The partial circle portion CP presents a partial circle as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the expansion part WP is positioned on the spout side and bulges toward the spout side from the imaginary arc extension line LE that is concentric and has the same diameter as the partial circle part CP. Here, the curvature of the expansion portion WP is smaller than the curvature of the partial circle portion CP. Also, the lower end of the middle stage portion MP has a perfect circular shape in a cross-sectional view, as shown in FIG. 11 .

By the way, in a cross section (corresponding to the EE cross section of FIG. 4) taken along the front-rear direction, that is, the depth direction and a plane including the center line CA of the lower end of the middle portion MP, the spout of the partially expanded portion WC is When an imaginary horizontal line passing through the outermost point of the outer peripheral surface on the part side (that is, the expansion part side) is drawn, The linear distance to "the intersection of the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall member 310 on the spout side (that is, the expansion part side) and the imaginary horizontal line" is "the handle part side (that is, the partial circle part side) of the partial expansion part WC. It is shorter than the linear distance from "the intersection of the outer peripheral surface and the imaginary horizontal line" to "the intersection of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder wall on the handle side (that is, the partial circle portion side) and the imaginary horizontal line" (see FIG. 10).

Also, the height of the partially expanded portion WC in a cross section (corresponding to the EE cross section in FIG. 4) taken along the front-rear direction, that is, the depth direction and a plane including the center line CA of the lower end of the middle portion MP When a plurality of virtual horizontal lines with different height positions are drawn in the range, a line Li connecting the midpoints of the line segments connecting "the intersection of the expanded portion and the virtual horizontal line" and "the intersection of the partial circle portion and the virtual horizontal line" is closer to the spout side than the center line CA of the lower end of the middle section MP. Note that the intervals between the plurality of virtual horizontal lines are, for example, about 1 mm.

In addition, the height range of the outer wall member 310 in a cross section (corresponding to the EE cross section in FIG. 4) taken along the front and back direction, that is, the depth direction and a plane including the center line CA of the lower end of the middle portion MP When a plurality of imaginary horizontal lines with different height positions are drawn on , "the intersection between the inner peripheral surface of the inner wall member 321 on the spout side and the imaginary horizontal line" and "the inner peripheral surface of the inner wall member 321 on the handle unit side and The line Li connecting the midpoint of the line segment connecting the intersection with the virtual horizontal line” is the intersection point between the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall member 310 on the spout side and the virtual horizontal line” and the “handle unit side of the outer wall member 310”. It intersects the line Lo connecting the midpoint of the line segment connecting the inner peripheral surface of the container and the imaginary horizontal line while going from the handle unit side to the spout side. Note that the intervals between the plurality of virtual horizontal lines are, for example, about 1 mm.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower part LP is a part that extends horizontally from the side surface of the lower end of the middle part MP and then downward. As shown in FIG. 4, a fixing ring 333 is fitted inside the lower portion LP. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an annular rib 322 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the lower portion LP. The annular rib 322 is an annular plate-like portion extending outward from the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion LP (see FIGS. 4 and 5). This annular rib 322 plays a role of keeping the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the liquid container 320 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall member 310 constant, similarly to the annular rib 322 arranged in the middle portion MP. Due to the presence of the annular rib 322, the heat insulation inside the liquid container 320 is kept constant.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the inner water amount confirmation windows Wi are formed diagonally rearward on the left and right sides. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi is a substantially flat portion, and slightly protrudes outward from the inner wall member 321 by the projecting wall portion We. That is, the inner side surface S2i and the outer peripheral surface S2o of the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi are flat and parallel to each other. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in the main unit 300, each inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi faces each outer water amount confirmation window member Wo. As shown in FIG. 19, here, the distance Dc between the widthwise center of the outer side surface S2o of the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi and the widthwise center of the inner peripheral surface S1i of the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo is It is longer than the shortest distance De between the widthwise end of the outer side surface S1o of the water amount confirmation window member Wo and the widthwise end of the inner side surface S2i of the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi. More specifically, the inner side surface S1i of the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo and the outer side surface S2o of the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi increase from the widthwise end of the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo toward the widthwise center. The distance is getting longer. This relationship between the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi and the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo is established over the entire height of the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo.

The heater plate 334 is a plate member made of metal, and covers the lower opening of the inner wall member 321 so as to block it. A sheathed heater 341 which is one component of the heater unit 340 is attached to the outer periphery of the lower surface of the heater plate 334 . Here, the inner peripheral surface of the inner wall member 321 of the liquid container 320 and the upper surface of the heater plate 334 may be coated with a corrosion-resistant resin (not shown) such as fluorine resin.

The O-ring 332 is an annular elastic member made of rubber or elastomer, and as shown in FIG. It is pressed against the lower end surface of MP.

The fixing ring 333 is a substantially cylindrical member that presses the heater plate 334 against the lower end face of the middle portion MP of the inner wall member 321 via the O-ring 332 to fix it. As described above, the fixing ring 333 presses and fixes the heater plate 334 against the lower end surface of the inner wall member 321 by being fitted inside the lower stage portion LP of the inner wall member 321 .

The heater unit 340 , as shown in FIG. 4 , mainly consists of a sheathed heater 341 , a power supply terminal 342 and an excessive temperature rise prevention mechanism 343 and is attached to the lower surface of the heater plate 334 . The power supply terminal 342 supplies electricity from an external power source to the sheathed heater 341 when electrically connected to a connection terminal provided on the power supply base 500 . The excessive temperature rise prevention mechanism 343 is composed of a bimetal, a fuse, a thermostat, and the like, and has a role of interrupting power supply to the sheathed heater 341 when the temperature of the heater plate 334 exceeds a specified temperature. As the heater unit 340, a heater unit of a conventionally known electric kettle can be applied.

The bottom member 331 is a member made of resin and constitutes the bottom of the main unit 300 . The upper end of the bottom member 331 is connected to the lower end of the outer wall member 310 and the lower end of the body connecting portion 402 of the handle unit 400 . A heater unit 340 is housed inside the bottom member 331 .

The handle unit 400 constitutes the rear side of the kettle body 200 . The handle unit 400 has a grip portion 401, a body connection portion 402, a power switch mechanism 420, etc. as main constituent members.

The grip portion 401 is a member made of resin or the like, and serves as a handle when the user carries the kettle body 200 . The grip portion 401 is integrally formed with the main body connecting portion 402 so as to protrude from the main body connecting portion 402 . A power button 421 , which is one component of the power switch mechanism 420 , is arranged above the grip part 401 .

The main body connection portion 402 forms part of the outer peripheral surface of the main body unit 300 as described above. In other words, the handle unit 400 is connected to the outer wall member 310 of the main unit 300 by the main body connecting portion 402 .

The power switch mechanism 420 mainly includes a power button 421, a steam detector 422, a power switch (not shown), and the like. The power switch is a switch for switching the connection state between the power supply part in the heater unit 340 provided at the bottom of the kettle body 200 and the connection terminal in the power base 500 .

The power button 421 is arranged to protrude from the upper surface of the grip portion 401 . The power button 421 is connected to the power switch inside the grip part 401 . When the user presses the power button 421 while the kettle body 200 is placed on the power base 500, the power switch in the grip portion 401 is turned on (connected), and the heater unit 340 is energized with the power base 500. be. Electricity is thereby supplied to the heater unit 340 and the water stored in the liquid container 320 is heated.

The steam detector 422 has, for example, a thin plate-shaped bimetal switch. When vapor detection unit 422 detects vapor generated from liquid container 320, vapor detection unit 422 operates to push back upward power button 421 that has been pushed down. When the power button 421 is pushed upward, the power switch in the grip part 401 is turned off (disconnected), and the power supply to the heater unit 340 is stopped.

For the power switch mechanism 420, the structure of a conventionally known electric kettle power switch mechanism can be applied.

(About lid unit)
Next, a specific configuration of the lid unit 250 will be described. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of main parts that constitute the lid unit 250. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the steam cover 270 that constitutes the lid unit 250. As shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bottom plate member 260 that constitutes the lid unit 250 as viewed from the rear upper side.

15 and 16 are cross-sectional views showing the internal configuration of the lid unit 250. FIG. 15 and 16 are EE cross-sectional views of the kettle body 200 shown in FIG. FIG. 15 shows a state in which the on-off valve 280 is open (that is, a state in which water can be injected). FIG. 16 shows a state in which the on-off valve 280 is closed (that is, a state in which water cannot be injected). 15 and 16, illustration of relatively small parts such as the coil spring 289 is omitted.

The lid unit 250 is a detachable substantially cylindrical lid that covers the top of the main unit 300 . The lid unit 250 mainly includes an upper surface member 251, a bottom plate member 260, a steam cover 270, an on-off valve 280, and the like.

The top surface member 251 forms the top surface of the lid unit 250 . The upper surface member 251 is provided with an open/close button 253, a lock mechanism 252, and the like.

The opening/closing button 253 is connected to a shaft portion 282 of an opening/closing valve 280 which will be described later. The open/close button 253 is urged upward by a coil spring 289 arranged to surround the shaft portion 282 . When the user of the electric kettle 100 presses the opening/closing button 253 downward against the biasing force of the coil spring 289, the opening/closing valve 280 moves downward in conjunction with the pressing operation. As a result, the on-off valve 280 is opened as shown in FIG.

When the on-off valve 280 is opened, the liquid flow path from the liquid container 320 to the spout 301 is opened. At this time, the open state of the on-off valve 280 is maintained by a locking mechanism (not shown). Then, the user can pour the liquid inside the liquid container 320 into another container such as a cup or a bowl by tilting the kettle body 200 toward the spout 301 while the liquid flow path is open. can be done. Thereafter, when the user presses the open/close button 253 again, the lock of the open/close valve 280 by the locking mechanism is released, and the biasing force of the coil spring 289 pushes back the open/close valve 280 and the open/close button 253 upward. As a result, the opening/closing valve 280 closes the liquid flow path. At this time, even if the user tilts the kettle body 200 toward the spout, the liquid inside the liquid container 320 is dammed up by the on-off valve 280 .

Lock mechanism 252 is a mechanism for locking lid unit 250 to main unit 300 . The lock mechanism 252 is mainly composed of a pair of lock levers and a coil spring connected to each lock lever. The lock lever is used as an operation portion that the user of the electric kettle 100 touches with a finger when removing the lid unit 250 from the main unit 300 . The pair of lock levers are urged outward left and right by coil springs. When the lid unit 250 is attached to the main unit 300 , part of the lock lever is fitted into the main unit 300 and the lid unit 250 is locked to the main unit 300 .

When the user wants to remove the lid unit 250 from the main body unit 300, the user holds the pair of lock levers against the urging force of the coil spring so as to move them toward the center, and fits the lock levers into the main body unit 300. release. By pulling up the lid unit 250 in this state, the lid unit 250 is removed from the main unit 300 .

The bottom plate member 260 mainly constitutes the lower portion of the lid unit 250 . As shown in FIG. 14, the bottom plate member 260 is a member made of resin having the general shape of a cylindrical container. The outer shape of the bottom plate member 260 is mainly formed by a substantially annular wall portion 261 and a bottom portion 262 .

The wall portion 261 mainly constitutes the side surface of the lid unit 250 . The upper surface member 251 is placed on the upper end portion of the wall portion 261 . A flow path forming portion 264 is formed on the front side of the wall portion 261 . The flow path forming portion 264 opens toward the spout 301 of the kettle body 200 . A discharge path A that guides the liquid in the liquid container 320 to the spout 301 is formed by the flow path forming portion 264 .

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15 and the like, the interior of the flow path forming portion 264 is divided by a dividing wall 269 into a large-diameter space and a small-diameter space. The large-diameter space forms the discharge path A, and constitutes a part of the liquid flow path when the on-off valve 280 is in the open state. In FIG. 15, the flow of the liquid during liquid ejection is indicated by solid arrows.

The small diameter space is located above the large diameter space. The small-diameter space communicates with a steam circulation space (gas flow path) 290, which will be described later, and serves as an intake port B that takes in outside air when the liquid is discharged. When the liquid in the liquid container 320 is discharged, outside air taken in from the intake port B flows through the vapor circulation space 290 and then reaches the inside of the liquid container 320 . In FIG. 15, the flow of outside air taken in from the intake port B is indicated by dashed arrows. As a result, pulsation during liquid discharge can be suppressed, and the liquid in the liquid container 320 can flow out smoothly. The intake port B also functions as a steam port for discharging steam generated within the liquid container 320 .

A rear steam port 266 is formed on the rear side of the wall portion 261 (specifically, on the side facing the flow path forming portion 264) (see FIG. 14). The rear steam port 266 is an opening that guides the steam generated in the liquid container 320 to the steam detector 422 side.

The bottom surface portion 262 constitutes the bottom surface of the lid unit 250 . When the lid unit 250 is attached to the main unit 300 , the bottom surface of the bottom surface portion 262 serves as the top surface of the internal space of the liquid container 320 .

The bottom portion 262 has a second raised portion 262b that rises one step higher than the bottom portion 262, and a first raised portion 262a that rises further from the second raised portion 262b. The first raised portion 262 a and the second raised portion 262 b are formed at positions corresponding to the on-off valve 280 . When the on-off valve 280 is in the closed state, the packing 285 of the on-off valve 280 abuts on the lower surface of the second protrusion 262b. As a result, the inside of the liquid container 320 becomes a closed space. Also, when the on-off valve 280 is in the open state, a gap is formed between the packing 285 of the on-off valve 280 and the lower surface of the second protrusion 262b. As a result, the liquid can flow into the lower surface of the first protrusion 262a, forming part of the liquid flow path.

Further, openings such as a central opening 263 , a steam port 265 , a communication hole 267 , and a small hole (hole) 291 are formed in the bottom portion 262 . A central opening 263 is formed in the first raised portion 262a. The central opening 263 has a cylindrical shape, through which the shaft portion 282 of the on-off valve 280 passes. Vapor port 265 is an opening provided between vapor communication space 290 and the interior of liquid container 320 . The steam port 265 is formed in the second raised portion 262 b on the rear side of the bottom portion 262 . The steam port 265 , along with the rear steam port 266 , is an opening that guides the steam generated inside the liquid container 320 toward the steam detection section 422 .

A communication hole 267 is located between the central opening 263 and the steam port 265 . The communication hole 267 is formed at the boundary between the first raised portion 262a and the second raised portion 262b of the bottom surface portion 262. As shown in FIG. Similar to the steam port 265, the communication hole 267 is provided between the steam circulation space 290 and the inside of the liquid container 320 to communicate with each space. While the steam port 265 is normally open, the communication hole 267 changes between an open state and a closed state according to the operation of the on-off valve 280 . That is, when the on-off valve 280 is in the closed state, the periphery of the communication hole 267 abuts on the packing 285 of the on-off valve 280 to be in the closed state.

The small hole 291 is formed on the front side of the bottom surface portion 262 and directly behind the flow path forming portion 264 . The small hole 291 is an opening provided between the vapor circulation space 290 and the intermediate liquid flow path C. As shown in FIG. The intermediate liquid flow path C is formed between the discharge path A and the space inside the liquid container 320 . Thereby, the small holes 291 indirectly communicate the discharge path A and the steam circulation space 290 .

Moreover, a regulation wall portion 268 (specifically, a high wall portion 268a and a low wall portion 268b) is provided on the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 262 . The restricting wall portion 268 stands substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the bottom portion 262 . By providing such a regulation wall portion 268, the amount of liquid such as hot water leaking from the steam port 265 through the steam circulation space 290 and leaking from the intake port B when the kettle body 200 is overturned can be reduced. , can weaken the momentum of the leaking liquid. The small hole 291 described above is formed within a region surrounded by the restricting wall portion 268 .

The steam cover 270 is arranged between the top member 251 and the bottom plate member 260 . The steam cover 270 is a resin-molded part having a shape as shown in FIG. The steam cover 270 has a plate-like portion 271, a space forming portion 277, a central opening 278, and the like.

The plate-like portion 271 is a plate-like member that mainly forms the outer edge and both left and right sides of the steam cover 270 .

The space forming portion 277 is formed around the central opening 278 so as to rise from the plate-like portion 271 . When the steam cover 270 is arranged so as to overlap the bottom surface portion 262 of the bottom plate member 260, a space partitioned mainly by the bottom surface portion 262 and the space forming portion 277 is formed. This space becomes the steam circulation space 290 .

The central opening 278 is an opening formed in the central portion of the plate-like portion 271 . The shaft portion 282 of the on-off valve 280 and the central opening 263 of the bottom plate member 260 pass through the central opening 278 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, an inflow restricting wall portion 272, a steam guiding portion 273, and the like are formed on the lower surface of the steam cover 270. As shown in FIG.

The inflow restricting wall portion 272 is provided on the front side of the steam cover 270 . The inflow restricting wall portion 272 is formed at a position corresponding to the high wall portion 268 a formed on the bottom plate member 260 . When the steam cover 270 is placed on the bottom plate member 260, the top portion of the inflow restricting wall portion 272 and the top portion of the high wall portion 268a come into contact with each other.

The steam guide portion 273 is provided on the rear side of the steam cover 270 . The vapor guide section 273 forms a path that guides the vapor that has flowed from the liquid container 320 through the vapor port 265 to the vapor detection section 422 via the rear side vapor port 266 .

The on-off valve 280 is arranged near the boundary between the bottom plate member 260 of the lid unit 250 and the liquid container 320 of the kettle body 200 . As described above, the opening/closing valve 280 moves vertically by pressing the opening/closing button 253 .

When the on-off valve 280 is positioned upward, the on-off valve 280 is closed, and the inside of the liquid container 320 becomes a closed space. That is, the liquid flow path is blocked (see FIGS. 4 and 16). On the other hand, when the on-off valve 280 is positioned downward, the on-off valve 280 is in an open state, and the upper portion of the liquid container 320 is opened. Thus, a liquid channel is formed (see FIG. 15).

As shown in FIG. 12, the on-off valve 280 has a valve body portion 281, a shaft portion 282, a packing 285, and the like. The valve body portion 281 has a substantially disk shape. The shaft portion 282 is a rod-shaped member that protrudes substantially vertically from the upper surface of the valve body portion 281 and is formed integrally with the valve body portion 281 . The tip of the shaft portion 282 is connected to the open/close button 253 .

The packing 285 is attached so as to surround the outer periphery of the valve body portion 281 . When the on-off valve 280 is closed, the packing 285 is in close contact with the bottom surface of the bottom plate member 260 . As a result, the inside of the liquid container 320 becomes a substantially closed space. Therefore, even if the kettle body 200 is tilted when the on-off valve 280 is closed, the liquid does not flow directly to the discharge path A from between the on-off valve 280 and the bottom surface of the bottom plate member 260 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent a large amount of liquid from leaking from the spout 301 when the kettle body 200 is accidentally overturned.

Note that when the on-off valve 280 is closed, the liquid container 320 is not a completely closed space. This is because the bottom plate member 260 is provided with a steam port 265 that is normally open. That is, when the on-off valve 280 is closed, the space inside the liquid container 320 communicates with another space (that is, the steam communication space 290 ) only through the steam port 265 formed in the bottom plate member 260 .

(Regarding the flow of liquid and gas when ejecting liquid)
Next, the flow of liquid when the liquid is poured from the spout 301 (when the liquid is discharged) and the flow of gas taken into the kettle body 200 from the outside at that time will be described with reference to FIG. 15 . In FIG. 15, arrows indicate the flow of liquid (solid line) and gas (broken line) passing through the lid unit 250 when the on-off valve 280 is open (that is, water can be injected). In FIG. 15, illustration of relatively small parts such as the coil spring 289 is omitted.

When pouring the hot water in the kettle body 200 into a container such as a cup or a cup, the user first pushes down the open/close button 253 to bring it into the state shown in FIG. By pressing the open/close button 253 , the open/close valve 280 moves downward, and a gap is formed between the lower surface of the bottom plate member 260 of the lid unit 250 and the open/close valve 280 . At this time, the communication hole 267 is also opened.

After that, the user holds the grip part 401 and lifts the kettle body 200 from the power base 500, and tilts the kettle body 200 so that the spout 301 approaches the container. 15, the liquid in the liquid container 320 flows from the gap between the on-off valve 280 and the bottom plate member 260 of the lid unit 250 to the lower surface of the first raised portion 262a of the bottom portion 262. It flows through the formed liquid channel. Then, it passes through the discharge path A in the flow path forming portion 264 on the front side of the lid unit 250 and is finally discharged from the pouring port 301 formed by the discharge port forming portion 323 on the upper portion of the liquid container 320 . .

A dividing wall 269 for forming an intake port B is provided on the upper side inside the flow path forming portion 264 . As a result, a space through which the liquid does not flow is formed on the upper side inside the flow path forming portion 264 during liquid ejection. On the other hand, when the liquid is discharged, the pressure inside the liquid container 320 becomes negative due to the outflow of the liquid.

Here, the bottom plate member 260 forming the top surface of the liquid container 320 is formed with a communication hole 267 communicating with the steam circulation space 290 formed by the bottom plate member 260 and the steam cover 270 . Therefore, when the inside of the liquid container 320 becomes negative pressure, the vapor circulation space 290 also becomes negative pressure. Also, the steam circulation space 290 communicates with an intake port B provided adjacent to the discharge path A. As shown in FIG.

Therefore, outside air flows in from the intake port B provided above the discharge path A when the liquid is discharged. Outside air that has flowed in from the intake port B passes through the steam circulation space 290 and enters the liquid container 320 through the communication hole 267 (see the dashed arrow in FIG. 15).

As described above, when the liquid is discharged from the spout 301, a flow path is formed that allows the gas to flow smoothly into the liquid container 320 from the inlet B. As shown in FIG. As a result, pulsation during liquid ejection can be suppressed, and the liquid in the liquid container 320 can be smoothly ejected.

(Regarding the liquid flow when the kettle body is overturned)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18, the flow of the liquid flowing into the steam circulation space 290 when the kettle body 200 is overturned while the on-off valve 280 is closed, such as when boiling water or when storing hot water. explain. Here, when the on-off valve 280 is closed, such as when boiling water or when storing hot water, is called a non-discharging time.

When the kettle body 200 is overturned during non-discharging, the liquid in the liquid container 320 flows from the steam port 265 into the steam circulation space 290 . In FIG. 16, arrows indicate the flow of liquid flowing into the steam circulation space 290 from the steam port 265 when the kettle body 200 is overturned. As shown in FIG. 16, the liquid flowing in from the steam port 265 located on the rear side of the kettle body 200 flows to the front side of the kettle body 200 and finally leaks to the outside from the intake port B and the discharge path A. put out.

Note that the kettle body 200 is generally heavier on the rear side where the handle unit 400 is provided than on the front side. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the kettle body 200 that has fallen over due to accidental contact by a person will eventually be placed on the floor in the state shown in FIG. 18 .

The liquid that has entered the steam circulation space 290 from the steam port 265 once flows from the steam guiding portion 273 to the steam detecting portion 422 side, and then follows the path indicated by the arrow in FIG. flow to A. A part of the liquid that has flowed forward in the vapor circulation space 290 flows out from the intake port B adjacent to the discharge path A. As shown in FIG. Also, part of the liquid that has flowed forward flows into the intermediate liquid channel C through the small holes 291 . A portion of the liquid is then stored in the intermediate liquid channel C. As shown in FIG. The liquid that does not completely enter the intermediate liquid channel C flows out from the ejection path A to the outside.

Thus, part of the liquid that has entered the steam circulation space 290 eventually leaks out from the spout 301 . Here, in order to further improve the reliability and safety of the electric kettle, it is necessary to reduce the amount of liquid that leaks from the spout 301 when it falls over, or to delay the time from the fall until the liquid leaks out from the spout 301. It is hoped that

As described above, the electric kettle 100 includes a spout 301 (specifically, a small hole communicating directly or indirectly with the spout 301) on the front side from the steam port 265 inside the steam circulation space 290. 291 and a restricting wall that restricts the flow of liquid to the inlet B). In this embodiment, the restriction wall portion is composed of a high wall portion 268 a and a low wall portion 268 b formed on the bottom plate member 260 and an inflow restriction wall portion 272 formed on the steam cover 270 .

Here, for example, the height of the high wall portion 268a is H1, the height of the low wall portion 268b is H2, and H1>H2. Also, the height of the inflow restricting wall portion 272 is H3. Here, the height of each wall means the vertical length of the electric kettle 100 .

When the steam cover 270 is placed on the bottom plate member 260, the top of the inflow restricting wall 272 and the top of the high wall 268a come into contact with each other. That is, the length of H1+H3 is substantially the same as the vertical length of the corresponding portion of the steam circulation space 290 . As a result, the liquid that has flowed into the steam circulation space 290 from the steam port 265 flows forward along the path indicated by arrow A in FIG. , cannot enter the region on the small hole 291 side, and flows upward.

No wall is formed at a position corresponding to the low wall portion 268b on the steam cover 270 side, and a small gap is formed between the top of the low wall portion 268b and the steam cover 270. FIG. As a result, the liquid prevented from entering at the formation position of the high wall portion 268a enters the area on the side of the small hole 291 from the top portion of the low wall portion 268b.

As described above, the high wall portion 268a and the inflow control wall portion 272 serve as detour walls for detouring the liquid. In addition, the low wall portion 268b serves as a barrier for weakening the flow of liquid flowing into the area on the small hole 291 side. Since a small gap is formed between the low wall portion 268b and the steam cover 270 at the position where the low wall portion 268b is formed, the circulation of gases such as steam and outside air is not greatly hindered.

(Summary of this embodiment)
1.
In the electric kettle 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the inner side surface S1i of the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo and the inner water amount confirmation window portion are arranged from the width direction end to the width direction center of the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo. The distance between Wi and the outer surface S2o is long. Therefore, in the electric kettle 100, compared with the conventional electric kettle, the distance between the width direction centers of the water amount confirmation windows Wi and Wo of the inner and outer containers can be increased, and the inner side surface of the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi can be increased. W2o and the inner side surface S1i of the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo can be made smooth. Therefore, with this electric kettle 100, it is possible to make the face of a person who tries to check the amount of water by bringing his face close to the window for checking the amount of water less likely to feel hot, and to make it easier to see the surface of the water.

2.
In the kettle body 200 of the electric kettle 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi extends outward from the inner wall member 321 by the projecting wall portion We. slightly protruding. Therefore, in the electric kettle 100, it is possible to make it difficult to see the internal parts through the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo. Therefore, the design of the electric kettle 100 can be improved. In addition, as described above, the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi is insert-molded when the inner wall member 321 is manufactured. can be done.

<Modification>
(A)
In the electric kettle 100 according to the previous embodiment, the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. may be recessed toward the inside. In such a case, the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo may have a partially cylindrical shape as shown in the previous embodiment, or may have a flat plate shape.

(B)
In the electric kettle 100 according to the previous embodiment, the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo has a partial cylindrical shape along the outer wall member 310. It may be projected outward from the outer wall member 310 , or the entire outer water amount confirmation window member Wo may be projected outward from the outer wall member 310 . In the former case, the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo may have a curved shape in a horizontal cross-sectional view, or may have an arbitrary shape such as an angular shape. In the latter case, the outer water amount confirmation window member Wo may have an arbitrary shape such as a square shape in a horizontal cross-sectional view. In the above-described case, the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi may have a flat plate shape as shown in the previous embodiment, or may have a partial cylindrical shape along the inner wall member 321 (the latter , the protruding wall portion We is omitted).

(C)
In the electric kettle 100 according to the previous embodiment, the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi is projected outward by the projecting wall portion We, but the projecting wall portion We may be omitted. In such a case, it is preferable to provide built-in hiding ribs on both sides of the inner water amount confirmation window Wi.

(D)
In the electric kettle 100 according to the previous embodiment, the inner wall member 321 is insert-molded with the inner water amount confirmation window Wi. It may be formed of a transparent resin.

(E)
In the electric kettle 100 according to the previous embodiment, the inner water amount confirmation window Wi in the inner wall member 321 projects outward, but the inner water amount confirmation window Wi may be recessed inward. In such a case, it is possible to facilitate the insert molding of the inner water amount confirmation window portion Wi.

(F)
In the previous embodiment, the present invention was applied to the electric kettle 100, but the present invention may be applied to a double-walled container with a window for checking the amount of water used in other electrical equipment such as an electric kettle.

<Remarks>
Incidentally, the above modifications (A) to (F) may be applied individually, two examples may be combined and applied, or three examples may be combined and applied. However, the four examples may be combined and applied, or the five examples may be combined and applied.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and range of equivalents of the scope of the claims. Also, configurations obtained by combining configurations of different embodiments described herein are also included in the scope of the present invention.

200: Kettle body (double-walled container)
310: Outer wall member (first side wall, component of outer container)
320: liquid container (inner container)
321: inner wall member (second side wall portion)
331: Bottom member (constituent member of the outer container)
402: main body connecting portion (constituent member of the outer container)
Dc: Distance between the widthwise center of the outer surface of the inner water amount confirmation window and the widthwise center of the inner surface of the outer water amount confirmation window member (the widthwise center of the outer surface of the second water amount confirmation window and the first water amount distance from the center of the inner side of the confirmation window in the width direction)
De: The shortest distance between the widthwise end of the outer surface of the outer water amount confirmation window member and the widthwise end of the inner surface of the inner water amount confirmation window (the widthwise end of the outer surface of the second water amount confirmation window and the shortest distance between the width direction end of the inner surface of the first water volume confirmation window)
S1i: inner peripheral surface of the outer water amount confirmation window member (inner surface of the first water amount confirmation window)
S2o: Outer peripheral surface of inner water volume confirmation window (outer surface of second water volume confirmation window)
Wi: Outside water volume check window member (second water volume check window)
Wo: Window for checking inner water volume (first window for checking water volume)

Claims (3)

an outer container having a first side wall provided with a first water volume confirmation window;
an inner container having a second side wall portion provided with a second water amount confirmation window and disposed inside the outer container;
In a horizontal cross-sectional view, the distance between the widthwise center of the outer surface of the second water amount confirmation window and the widthwise center of the inner surface of the first water amount confirmation window is the distance of the outer surface of the second water amount confirmation window. A double-walled container longer than the shortest distance between the widthwise end and the widthwise end of the inner surface of the first water volume confirmation window. In a horizontal cross-sectional view, the distance between the outer side surface of the second water amount confirmation window and the inner side surface of the first water amount confirmation window increases from the widthwise end of the first water amount confirmation window toward the widthwise center. The double-walled container of claim 1, comprising: 3. The double-walled container according to claim 1, wherein at least an end portion of said second water amount confirmation window protrudes toward said first side wall portion when viewed in horizontal cross section.

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