WO2002071005A1

WO2002071005A1 - Adjustable water volume indicator apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2002071005A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/000954
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Hutchinson
Original assignee: Alan Hutchinson
Priority date: 2001-03-02
Filing date: 2002-03-04
Publication date: 2002-09-12
Also published as: GB2372814A; GB0105149D0

Abstract

In order to conserve energy or simply minimise waste a volume indicator apparatus (10) is provided such that indicator members (12) are adjustable and moveable upon the exterior of a fluid containment vessel such that these members indicate chosen volumes determined by a user of the apparatus (10). The indicator members (12) are externally visible and are normally set with regard to a discretionary volume such as mug or cup used by the user. Thus, with a kettle (13) the volume indicator apparatus (10) can be used such that the indicator members (12) provide a proximity indication of the necessary volume of water to be boiled for the desired user with reference directly to that user"s cups and mugs rather than standard fluid volumes.

Description

Adjustable Water Volume Indicator Apparatus

The invention relates to adjustable water volume indicator apparatus for a water heating vessel, in particular, but not exclusively, to a kettle or a coffee percolator, and to a water heating vessel having adjustable water volume indicator apparatus. The apparatus also relates to a fluid measuring container having adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus.

Conventional kettles and coffee percolators generally include a. water level indicator, so that a user can see how much water is in the kettle or percolator. These water level indicators generally comprise a windowed area in the kettle or percolator body, or in a measuring compartment of the kettle or percolator, through which the water level may be viewed. The windowed area generally has standard volume measurements, such as pints, litres and standard cups, marked on the windowed area.

In use, a user pours water into the kettle or percolator and views the water level, or a floating marker, through the windowed area. By referring to the standard scale, the volume of water in the kettle or percolator may be determined. The user must try to judge how much water is required to make for example one or two cups of tea, and then fill the kettle to the corresponding level on the standard scale. This is generally difficult to do because the volume of liquid which can be held by a particular design of cup or mug is not usually known. The user therefore often boils more water than is required to make a desired number of drinks. Energy is therefore wasted because not all of the heated water is used.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus for a fluid vessel through which the fluid level may be viewed, the apparatus comprising a plurality of indicator members movably mountable on the exterior of the vessel, the indicator members being movable by a user to calibrate the volume of fluid to be decanted into the vessel in a unit of volume chosen by the user. The fluid vessel may be a water heating vessel such as a kettle or coffee percolator. The fluid vessel may alternatively be a fluid measuring vessel.

Each indicator member preferably comprises a body portion having a pointer extending from one end thereof. The pointer is desirably generally arrow shaped. The body portion may have a label area, provided on the in use outermost face of the body portion, on which indicia may be provided to indicate the volume of fluid.

Attachment means may be provided by which the indicator apparatus may be attached to the vessel. The attachment means are preferably releasable so that an indicator member may be detached from the vessel and subsequently reattached to the vessel. The attachment means may comprise a magnet, a releasable adhesive, or mechanical fixing means.

Alternatively, the apparatus may further comprise a carrier member, mountable on the exterior of the vessel, on which the indicator members are movably mounted. The carrier member is desirably an elongate carrier member, and most desirably comprises an elongate rail which, in use, extends generally upwardly. The elongate rail may be substantially circular or square in cross-section. Alternatively, the elongate rail may be of substantially dovetailed sectional shape.

The indicator members are preferably slidably mounted on the elongate rail. The body section of each indicator member preferably includes a socket for receiving the elongate rail therethrough.

The socket is desirably of corresponding section to the elongate rail. The socket preferably closely receives the elongate rail such that the indicator member is retained at a desired location on the rail by friction forces acting between the interior of the socket and the surface of the rail. Alternatively, the indicator member may further comprise releasable fixing means operable to retain the indicator member at a desired location on the elongate rail. The releasable fixing means are preferably releasable mechanical fixing means, such as a releasable clamp.

The elongate rail may alternatively be provided with teeth along one elongate surface, for cooperation with a correspondingly toothed surface within the socket of the indicator member. The toothed surface is desirably resiliently mounted on the body of the indicator member such that the toothed surface is resiliently biased into contact with the elongate rail. The indicator member may further comprise a mechanical release mechanism operable to remove the toothed surface from the elongate rail, to thereby permit movement of the rail through the socket.

A stop member may be provided towards each end of the elongate rail to prevent removal of one or more indicator members from the elongate rail.

The stop members may also serve as mounting feet by which the elongate rail may be mounted on the vessel. Alternatively, the elongate rail may be directly mounted on the vessel.

The elongate rail may be substantially straight, or may alternatively be shaped to follow or complement the shape of the vessel body.

More than one unit of volume may be chosen by a user. The indicator members may be provided in a plurality of sets, each set preferably using a different unit of volume. Each set of indicator members is preferably mounted on a separate carrier member.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a fluid vessel having an adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus according to any of paragraphs four to twelve above. Preferably, at least part of one side wall of the vessel is at least partially transparent so that the level of water inside the vessel may be viewed. Most preferably, a window is provided in one or more side walls of the fluid vessel, through which the fluid level may be viewed, the or each window preferably extending substantially the full height of the vessel. The indicator apparatus is preferably mounted on the exterior of the side wall such that the indicator members are provided generally adjacent to or over the corresponding window.

One or more fixed volume scales, such as pints and litres, may be provided on the at least partially transparent side wall, or on or adjacent to the or each window.

The fluid vessel is preferably a water heating vessel, such as a kettle or a coffee percolator.

The water heating vessel is desirably generally tall and narrow in shape. The water heating vessel preferably further comprises a sediment filter for removing any sediment in the water during dispensing of water from the vessel.

Where the water heating vessel is an electrical appliance, the heating element is preferably a low height element, thereby minimising the minimum amount of water which may be heated.

The fluid vessel may alternatively be a fluid measuring container.

Further in accordance with the present invention there is provided an adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus for a fluid vessel, the apparatus comprises a plurality of indicator members visible and adjustable in use on the exterior of a vessel, the indicator members being adjustable in use to calibrate by position the fluid volume in the vessel in chosen volumes determined by moving the indicator members. Normally, each indicator member retains its position to provide an approximate indication of fluid volume presented in use from an unregulated supply. Typically, the chosen volumes are not the same. Possibly, the chosen volumes are not incrementally consistent of a repeated unit of volume.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a water heating vessel according to a further aspect of the present invention, the water heating vessel having an adjustable water volume indicator apparatus as shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the apparatus of Figure 1 and an alternative adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus according to the present invention, both apparatus being provided on the side wall of a water heating vessel;

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a fluid measuring container according to a further aspect of the present invention, the container having adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus as shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional representation of an alternative rail and indicator member suitable for use with the apparatus of Figure 1;

Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional representation of a further alternative rail and indicator member, including a mechanical clamping mechanism, suitable for use with the apparatus of Figure 1;

Fig. 7. is a schematic representation of a further alternative rail and socket, having an alternative mechanical clamping mechanism, suitable for use with the apparatus of Figure 1; and

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a serrated rail and a correspondingly serrated surface of the indicator member, suitable for use with the apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the present invention provides an adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus 10 for a fluid vessel. The indicator apparatus 10 comprises a plurality, in this example eight indicator members 12 which are movably mountable on the exterior of the vessel. Each indicator member 12 comprises a body portion 14 having a pointer in the form of an arrow 16 extending from one side.

A socket, in the form of an aperture, is formed through the body portion 14 of each indicator member 12. The indicator members 12 are slidably mounted on a carrier member, which in this example takes the form of an elongate rod 18. The rod 18 and the aperture through the body 14 of the indicator member 12 are of substantially the same sectional shape and size, so that the rod 18 is closely received through each socket aperture. Each indicator member 12 is retained at a desired location on the rod 18 by means of friction forces acting between the interior of the socket in the body 14 and the surface of the rod 18. The friction forces may be overcome, by a user applying an upwards or downwards force on the body 14, to thereby cause sliding movement of an indicator member 12 along the rod 18.

Mounting feet 20 are provided at each end of the rod 18, by which the indicator apparatus 10 may be attached to the exterior surface of a vessel. The mounting feet 20 also serve as end stops, for preventing removal of one or more indicator members 12 from the rod 18.

The indicator apparatus 10 may be used on a kettle 30, as shown in Fig. 2, or on a fluid measuring container 60, as shown in Fig. 4, as described below.

A fluid vessel, in the form of an electric kettle 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 2. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

The kettle 30 comprises a jug-shaped body 32, removably mountable on a powered base 34. Electrical power is provided to the base 34 through an electrical cable 36. The power supply from the base 34 to the kettle 30 is switched on or off via a switch 38 provided on the kettle 30. A water level viewing window 40 is provided in the side of the jug body 32. The window 40 extends vertically up the side of the jug body 32, for substantially the full height of the jug body. The window 40 is transparent to allow a user to view the level of water inside the kettle 30.

An adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment (shown above in Fig. 1), is mounted on the exterior wall of the jug body 32. The indicator apparatus 10 is located generally adjacent to the water level window 40. The indicator apparatus 10 is visible externally of the jug body 32 for ready reading by a user.

In this example, there are five indicator members 12 provided on the rod 18. The indicator apparatus 10 is provided along the left-hand side of the window 40. The arrow portions 16 of the indicator members 12 extend from the right-hand side of the body 14, and point towards the window 40. The indicator members are located at positions previously set by a user, as described in more detail below.

The jug body 32 is generally tall and narrow in shape. In addition, the electrical element (not shown) is a low height element. The use of a low height electric element in combination with this shape of jug body 32 minimises the minimum amount of water which may be heated in the kettle 30.

In use, a user initially calibrates the adjustable water volume indicator apparatus 10, for example, by pouring in one cup of water, being the amount of water required to make one cup of a drink such as tea or coffee, into the kettle 30, and then positioning the lowest indicator member 12A so that the arrow 16 on the indicator member 12A is aligned with the water level visible through the window 40. The user then pours a second cup of water into the kettle 30, and aligns the arrow 16 on the next lowest indicator member 12B with the new water level visible through the window 40. The user continues pouring a third, fourth and fifth cup of water into the kettle 30 and correspondingly aligning the arrow 16 on each of the remaining indicator members 12C, 12D and 12E with the corresponding water level. The kettle 30 is then ready for subsequent use by the user, allowing the user to fill the kettle with sufficient water to make one, two, three, four or five cups of, for example, tea or coffee, as required, thus ensuring that energy is not wasted in boiling more water than is required. Normally, as indicated above, a cup or mug will be used as the unit of fluid volume identified by the indicator members 12. However, it will be appreciated that these indicator members can be set as required by a user. Thus, a first indicator may show the position for one mug of fluid volume whilst a second indicator may show the position for a usual collection of family mugs and cups such as breakfast fluid volume whilst a further indicator member may indicate the position for a tea time volume of fluid where one or more family members may be missing. In such circumstances, the indicator means may calibrate different sized fluid volumes within the fluid vessel. Furthermore, these fluid mug volumes may not be unitary or non-incremental in terms of unitary fluid volume aggregates in order to reflect these different required fluid volumes determined by a user.

A sediment filter (not shown) is provided internally of the spout 42, to remove any sediment in the water during dispensing of water from the kettle 30. This is important because all of the heated water is intended to be used. In conventional kettles, where the user generally heats more water than necessary, any sediment in the water sinks to the bottom of the kettle, and remains in the unused water. In the kettle 30 of this embodiment of the present invention there is no unused water. The sediment must therefore be removed from the heated water prior to use.

A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 3, in which two fluid volume indicator apparatus 10, 50 are provided on the side of a fluid vessel, such as a water heating vessel (not shown). The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

The first indicator apparatus 10 is as described in the first embodiment, shown in Figure 1. The second indicator apparatus 50 is of substantially the same construction as the first indicator apparatus but with the modification that it has five indicator members 12 slidably mounted on the rod 18. The first indicator apparatus 10 is provided on the left-hand side of the water level window 40, with the arrows 16 on the indicator members 12 pointing to the right, towards the window 40. The second indicator apparatus 50 is provided on the right-hand side of the window 40, with the arrows 16 on the indicator members 12 pointing to the left, also towards the window 40.

The indicator members 12 on the first indicator apparatus 10 are set at a first separation, as described above, corresponding to, for example, an increasing number of cups of water. The indicator members 12 on the second indicator apparatus 50 are separated by a larger amount, corresponding to a larger cup or mug size. The user can therefore choose to heat the required volume of water in order to make a chosen number of cups of a drink, or a chosen number of mugs of a drink.

Two or more indicator apparatus in accordance with the present invention can be provided to indicate different required fluid volumes as described previously for differing requirements, e.g. breakfast, tea time or an individual fluid requirement for their mug or cup.

In addition to the adjustable indicator apparatus 10, 50, fixed standard scales are also provided on either side of the window 40, marking water volume in units of pints, fluid ounces and litres.

A further embodiment of the present invention provides a fluid measuring container 60, as shown in Figure 4. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features. In this example, the container 60 is intended to be used for measuring water.

The container 60 has an adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus 10, substantially similar to the first embodiment of the present invention, but with only four indicator members 12. The container 60, comprises a jug-shaped body 62, a base 64, a handle 66, a spout 68, and a lid 70. A water level viewing window 40 is provided in the body 62 of the container 60. The window 40 extends generally vertically for substantially the full height of the container body 62. The indicator apparatus 10 is mounted on the exterior of the container body 62, on the left-hand side of the window 40. The rod 18 of the indicator apparatus 10 extends generally vertically, along the window 40. In this example, four indicator members 12 are slidably mounted on the rod 18. The arrows 16 on the indicator members 12 extend outwardly from the right-hand side of the body 14 of the indicator member 12, towards the window 40.

Similarly to the kettle described in Figure 2 above, the measuring container 60 may have an arrangement of two indicator apparatus 10, 50 as shown in Figure 3, along with one or more fixed standard volume scales.

As described above, the adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus 10 is initially calibrated by the user, by pouring in a known quantity of water, in a chosen unit of volume, into the container 60 and setting the position of the indicator members correspondingly.

The measuring container 60 may be of particular use with a kettle or coffee percolator which does not have a water level viewing window, or partially transparent sides, through which the level of water within the kettle or percolator may be determined by a user. The user measures the required volume of water for making a chosen number of cups or mugs of a drink using the measuring container 60, and then decants the water into a kettle or coffee percolator.

Figure 5 shows an alternative rail 80 and indicator member body 82, which may be used in place of the rail 18 and indicator member 12 of Figures 1 to 4. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features. For clarity the rail 80 and the indicator member 82 are shown separated but it will be appreciated that in use the indicator member 82 is located on the rail 80.

The rail 80 has a generally dovetailed sectional shape. The body of the indicator member 82 has a correspondingly dovetailed shape socket 84 formed therein. The socket 84 is of a size such that the rail 80 is closely received within the socket. In use, the dovetailed rail 80 is slidingly received within the socket 84 of the indicator member 82. The indicator member is retained at a desired location along the rail 80 by means of frictional forces acting between the interior surface 86 of the socket 84 and the exterior surface 88 of the rail 80.

Figure 6 shows an alternative rail 90 and indicator member 92, suitable for use in the apparatus of Figure 1. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

In this example, the rail 90 is of substantially circular section. A substantially circular socket 94 is formed through the body of the indicator member 92. The sectional area of the socket 94 is greater than the sectional area of the rail 90 in order to allow free movement of the indicator member 92 along the rail 90, as described in further detail below.

The indicator member 92 includes a locking member 96 which extends into the socket 94. In the drawing the locking member 96 is shown in its locked position, in which one end 96a is abutted against the rail 90. The indicator member 92 is retained at a desired position along the rail 90 by virtue of the mechanical forces acting between the end 96a of the locking member 96 and the surface of the rail 90.

As indicated by arrow A, the locking member 96 may be moved into and out of the socket 94. When the locking member 96 is at least partially removed from the socket 94, and hence loses contact with the surface of the rail 90, the indicator member. 92 is unlocked, and is free to move along the rail 90. When a new position is reached, the indicator member is pushed back into the socket 94, into contact with the surface of the rail 90, to retain the indicator member 92 at the new location.

Figure 7 shows a further alternative rail 100 and indicator member 102, suitable for use with the apparatus of Figure 1. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features. In this example the rail 100 is of substantially square section. The indicator member 102 comprises two parts 102a,102b, hingedly interconnected by a hinge pin 104. The two parts 102a,102b of the indicator member 102 together form a socket 106 through which the rail 100 is received.

Mechanical fixing means, in the form of a releasable clamp 108 are provided on the indicator member 102. The clamp 108 comprises a hook 110 provided on the first part 102a of the indicator member 102. The clamp further comprises a lever 112, pivotably mounted on the second part 102b of the indicator member 102. A connecting loop 114 is pivotably mounted on the lever 112, and engages the hook 110. The socket 106 is of substantially the same sectional area as the rail 100, such that the rail 100 is closely received within the socket 106.

In use, with the clamp unlocked, as shown, the indicator member 102 is moved to a desired location on the rail 100. The clamp is then closed by pushing the free end of the lever 112 towards the indicator member 102, thereby pulling the two parts 102a,102b of the indicator member together. The indicator member 102 is retained at the desired location by means of frictional and mechanical forces acting between the interior of the socket 106 and the surface of the rail 100.

Figure 8 shows an alternative rail 120 and part of an alternative indicator member 1 2, suitable for use with the apparatus of Figure 1. In this example, the rail is provided with serrated teeth 124 along one elongate surface. A correspondingly toothed surface 126 is provided on part of the indicator member 122.

In use, the toothed surface 126 of the indicator member 122 cooperates with some of the teeth 124 on the rail 120, to thereby retain the indicator member 122 at a desired location. The toothed surface 126 of the indicator member 122 is provided with a release mechanism, not shown, operable to remove it from contact with the serrated teeth 124 of the rail 120, as indicated by the arrow B in the figure. To move the indicator member to a new location, the release mechanism is activated, thereby disengaging the toothed surface 126 from the teeth 124 of the rail 120. The indicator member may then be moved along the rail 120 to a new desired location. The release mechanism is then deactivated, causing the toothed surface 126 of the indicator member to re-engage with teeth 124 of the rail 120.

The described embodiments of the invention provide various apparatus which allow a user to pour only the required amount of water into a water heating vessel, such as a kettle or a coffee percolator, to make a chosen number of cups or mugs of a drink. The apparatus may be calibrated to the particular set of cups or mugs which the user may use, allowing the user to accurately fill the kettle or coffee percolator with the required amount of water. This ensures that only the required amount of water is heated. Therefore energy is saved because all of the heated water is used, with no water being unnecessarily heated, and then wasted.

It will be appreciated that the adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus may be provided on, for example, kettles, during manufacture, or may subsequently be retrofitted. Where it is not possible, or desirable, to provide adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus on a particular vessel, such as certain designs of kettle, the water may alternatively be measured out using a measuring container having an adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a different number of indicator members may be provided. The indicator members may be movably mounted on the fluid vessel using a magnetic fixing arrangement, or a releasable adhesive in place of the carrier rod arrangement described above. As discussed, the indicator members may be arranged in two or more sets, each set indicating multiples of a different unit of volume, such as a cup, mug, teapot or the like. The indicator members may be labelled with the chosen volume unit multiple. The indicator members may alternatively be labelled with the name of a user, the water level indicated by a particular user's indicator member corresponding to the amount of water required to make a cup or mug of a drink in that person's preferred cup or mug.

It will be appreciated that the rail may have a sectional shape different to those shown. Other mechanical fixing means may be used to retain the indicator member at a desired location along the rail. In the case of the toothed rail, it will be appreciated that differently shaped teeth may be used, and a different number of teeth to that shown may be used.

Although the described embodiments particularly refer to an electric kettle, it will be appreciated that other electric water heating vessels may be used, or alternatively the adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus may be used in connection with a hob top kettle, such as a whistling kettle.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus for a fluid vessel through which the fluid level may be viewed, the apparatus comprising a plurality of indicator members movably mountable on the exterior of the vessel, the indicator members being movable by a user to calibrate the volume of fluid to be decanted into the vessel in a unit of volume chosen by the user.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the fluid vessel is a water heating vessel, such as a kettle or coffee percolator, or a fluid measuring vessel.

3. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, in which each indicator member comprises a body portion having a pointer extending from one end thereof.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the pointer is generally arrow shaped.

5. Apparatus according to claims 3 or 4, in which the body portion has a label area, provided on the in use outermost face of the body portion, on which indicia may be provided to indicate the volume of fluid.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which attachment means are provided by which the indicator apparatus may be attached to the vessel.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the attachment means are releasable so that an indicator member may be detached from the vessel and subsequently reattached to the vessel.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which the attachment means comprises a magnet, a releasable adhesive, or mechanical fixing means.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the apparatus further comprises a carrier member, mountable on the exterior of the vessel, on which the indicator members are movably mounted.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which the carrier member is an elongate carrier member.

11. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the carrier member is an elongate rail which, in use, extends generally upwardly.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the rail is of substantially circular, square or dovetailed sectional shape.

13. Apparatus according to claims 11 or 12, in which the indicator members are slidably mounted on the elongate rail.

14. Apparatus according to claims 11, 12 or 13, in which the body section of each indicator member includes a socket for receiving the elongate rail therethrough.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the socket is of corresponding section to the elongate rail.

16. Apparatus according to claims 14 or 15, in which the socket closely receives the elongate rail such that the indicator member is retained at a desired location on the rail by friction forces acting between the interior of the socket and the surface of the rail.

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 15, in which the indicator member further comprises releasable fixing means operable to retain the indicator member at a desired location on the elongate rail.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which the releasable fixing means are releasable mechanical fixing means, such as a releasable clamp.

19. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 14, in which the elongate rail is provided with teeth along one elongate surface, for cooperation with a correspondingly toothed surface within the socket of the indicator member.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, in which the toothed surface is resiliently mounted on the body of the indicator member such that the toothed surface is resiliently biased into contact with the elongate rail.

21. Apparatus according to claims 19 or 20, in which the indicator member further comprises a mechanical release mechanism operable to remove the toothed surface from the elongate rail, to thereby permit movement of the rail through the socket.

22. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 21, in which a stop member is provided towards each end of the elongate rail to prevent removal of one or more indicator members from the elongate rail.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, in which the stop members also serve as mounting feet by which the elongate rail may be mounted on the vessel.

24. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 22, in which the elongate rail is directly mounted on the vessel.

25. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 24, in which the elongate rail is substantially straight, or is shaped to follow or complement the shape of the vessel body.

26. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which more than one unit of volume may be chosen by a user.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, in which the indicator members are provided in a plurality of sets, each set being for a different unit of volume.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, in which each set of indicator members is mounted on a separate carrier member.

29. A fluid vessel having an adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus according to any preceding claim.

30. A fluid vessel according to claim 29, in which at least part of one side wall of the vessel is at least partially transparent so that the level of water inside the vessel may be viewed.

31. A fluid vessel according to claims 29 or 30, in which a window is provided in one or more side walls of the fluid vessel, through which the fluid level may be viewed, the or each window extending substantially the full height of the vessel.

32. A fluid vessel according to claim 31, in which the indicator apparatus is mounted on the exterior of the side wall such that the indicator members are provided generally adjacent to or over the corresponding window.

33. A fluid vessel according to claims 31 or 32, in which one or more fixed volume scales, such as pints and litres, are provided on the at least partially transparent side wall, or on or adjacent to the or each window.

34. A fluid vessel according to any of claims 29 to 33, in which the fluid vessel is a water heating vessel, such as a kettle or a coffee percolator.

35. A fluid vessel according to claim 34, in which the water heating vessel is generally tall and narrow in shape.

36. A fluid vessel according to claims 34 or 35, in which the water heating vessel further comprises a sediment filter for removing any sediment in the water during dispensing of water from the vessel.

37. A fluid vessel according to any of claims 34 to 36, in which where the water heating vessel is an electrical appliance, the heating element is a low height element, thereby minimising the minimum amount of water which may be heated.

38. A fluid vessel according to any of claims 29 to 33, in which the fluid vessel is a fluid measuring container.

39. Adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus substantially as described above with reference to Figs. 1 and 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

40. A fluid vessel substantially as described above with reference to Figs. 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

41. An adjustable fluid volume indicator apparatus for a fluid vessel, the indicator apparatus comprising a plurality of indicator members externally visible and adjustable on the exterior of a vessel, the indicator members being movable in use to calibrate by position the fluid volume in the vessel in chosen volumes determined by a user by moving the indicator members.

42. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41 wherein each indicator member retains its position to provide an approximate indication of fluid volume presented in use of an unregulated supply.

43. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41 or 42 wherein the chosen volumes are not the same.

44. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41, 42 or 43 wherein the chosen volumes are not incrementally consistent of a repeated unit of fluid volume.

45. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.