CN102026566A - Liquid heating vessels - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid heating container is disclosed, comprising a fluorescent water level indicator or other portion and an ultraviolet light source for exciting the fluorescent portion. The water level indicator is also disclosed, which remains horizontal when the container is tilted. A water level mark is also disclosed, which remains tangent to the water level when the container is tilted about a horizontal axis.

Description

liquid heating vessel

technical field

The present invention relates to a liquid heating vessel, in particular but not exclusively to an electric water heater, such as a kettle or the like.

Background technique

Electric water heaters, such as kettles, are often designed to be open, with a transparent or translucent "water window" so that the water level in the container can be easily seen. In some types of containers, the entire container wall is made of glass or polycarbonate. It is also known to provide light sources in jugs in order to illuminate the contents of the container so that the water level can be seen more easily, as well as to illuminate any markings on the wall of the container that allow the water level to be measured.

However, such light sources typically do not illuminate transparent walls or water windows well because most of the light passes through them. This improves brightness by making the walls partially translucent to scatter more light, but the interior of the container can no longer be easily seen. The brightness can be increased by increasing the power of the light source, but this uses more energy and may just increase the overall brightness without making it easier to see the water level.

It would be desirable to make it easier to measure the water level in heating vessels, as this would help avoid overflow, which wastes electricity and water and thus has a negative impact on the environment. However, judging the water level is difficult when filling a conventional jug because typically the jug is held at an angle such that markings on the side of the container do not give a correct indication of the water level.

The Kenwood JK470 Clearsense ^™ jug has a clear polycarbonate body with angled water level markings that assist the user in judging the water level when filling, but the angled water level markings are only correct for one angle of inclination.

Patent publication GB-A-2332522 proposes to improve the visibility of the water level indicator of a kettle by illuminating the liquid in the vicinity of the water level indicator. This document also discloses making a water level indicating buoy of fluorescent material, however, it is clear that fluorescent material is a compromise since the purpose is to maintain the visibility of the buoy after the failure of the light source.

Electric water heaters, such as kettles, usually have a high rated power (eg, in the range of 2-3KW), and are used daily in a domestic environment. As such, they account for a significant portion of household electricity consumption. In order to reduce the need for scarce electrical energy and protect the environment, saving energy is becoming more important. Moreover, the environmental impact of electric water heaters goes beyond their energy consumption, other considerations include the energy required to manufacture and transport the container, the raw materials required for the container and the amount of water wasted when using the kettle. Furthermore, it is desirable to convert existing containers to reduce their environmental impact, rather than requiring users to replace existing containers with more environmentally friendly containers, which incurs the environmental cost of manufacturing an entirely new container.

One problem is that users often heat more water than they need, causing a lot of energy to be wasted by heating water that is not in use, or at least allowing it to cool so that it must be reheated before use.

One solution to this problem is to encourage the user to measure the amount of water needed before heating, eg fill a teapot with cold water and then fill the kettle from the teapot. However, most users are unwilling to perform additional operations unless some means are provided to facilitate these additional operations.

Another solution is proposed in patent publication WO-A1-01/93733, in which the kettle has a chamber for heating water and a reservoir in the chamber, the reservoir has a function for putting water into the chamber user-operable valve. However, this merely repeats the problem within the kettle itself, the user must still judge how much water to heat and fill the cavity from the reservoir to the proper level. Another problem is the need to seal the reservoir seal after filling to prevent water from overflowing.

Another problem is the inefficient heat transfer between the heating element and the water to be heated. In conventional submerged element kettles, heat transfer is relatively efficient because the element is substantially surrounded by liquid.

In conventional "under the floor" element kettles, the heating element is arranged on the underside of the kettle's reservoir floor so that heat is lost to the surrounding environment.

Contents of the invention

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid heating vessel having a portion configured to emit visible light when excited by an energy source. The energy source may include a source of ultraviolet (UV) light configured to excite the portion, and the portion may include a fluorescent material that emits visible light when excited by ultraviolet light.

The fluorescent material may be applied to the part as a coating, or included as an additive in the material from which the part is made. Fluorescent materials may not be visible to the naked eye without an ultraviolet light source. The fluorescent material may be distributed uniformly over the portion, or optionally, for example, to form a mark, pattern or logo on the portion. The fluorescent material may be a prefabricated structure that is molded onto the part during manufacture. Fluorescent materials may include fluorescent dyes, such as dyes that emit light primarily in the blue region.

The portion may comprise a wall portion of the container, such as a window in a translucent or opaque container body. Alternatively, the wall portion may comprise all or part of the walls of the container. The wall sections may be transparent or translucent. The wall portion may be substantially made of glass, polycarbonate or other heat resistant substantially transparent material.

Alternatively, the portion may comprise an externally visible portion of the container, eg the portion may comprise a handle portion of the container. Optionally, the portion may include a level gauge that is distinct from but in communication with the liquid in the container body.

Ultraviolet light sources can emit little or no visible light to increase the contrast of fluorescent materials. The ultraviolet light source can be configured to emit primarily in the UVA frequency range. The UV light source may include one or more UV LEDs. LEDs can emit in the frequency range of 360-400nm. Alternatively, the UV light source may comprise a fluorescent, mercury or incandescent lamp, preferably with a filter, such as a doped envelope, to reduce the emission of visible light.

The UV light source can be controlled to provide various excitations of the moieties. The UV light source can be turned on and off, or vary in intensity, depending on the state of the container. For example, the UV light source may be turned on or off in response to the heating state of the container or in response to a dry burn condition of the container. Optionally, the spatial distribution of the UV illumination can be varied, for example, in order to generate scanned images or various markers. The ultraviolet light source may illuminate the part through a mask defining the area of the part to be illuminated.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a liquid heating vessel having a liquid level indicator which remains substantially upright when the vessel is tipped.

The level indicator may comprise a movable member mounted in the wall of the container or in the container. The movable member may be suspended in the container, or may be a buoyant member fixed to the lower part of the container.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid heating vessel having a liquid level indicator comprising at least one flex marking on a wall of the vessel. The curved marker may follow a parabola.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid heating vessel having a liquid reservoir configured to distribute liquid into a heating portion of the vessel, wherein the liquid reservoir is positioned towards the rear of the vessel section, away from the dispensing spout of the heated section.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a liquid heating vessel having a liquid reservoir configured to distribute liquid into a heating portion of the vessel, wherein the liquid reservoir is vertically elongated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid heating vessel having a liquid reservoir configured to dispense liquid into a heating portion of the vessel in response to actuation of a trigger or button in a handle of the vessel .

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid heating vessel having a liquid reservoir which is filled to a desired level at a time sufficiently slow to not affect the accuracy of filling the reservoir Immediately activates the heating chamber sufficiently large to dispense liquid into the heated portion of the container.

Description of drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the following drawings.

Figures 1-3 are side views of the kettle of the first embodiment, upright, tilted forward 10° and tilted forward 20°, respectively.

Figures 4-6 are front views of the kettle of the first embodiment, upright, tilted to one side and tilted to the other side respectively.

Figures 7 and 8 are schematic views of a kettle of a second embodiment, tilted forward and upright respectively, including a rotating water window as a level indicator.

9-11 are schematic diagrams of the kettle of the third embodiment, which are upright, tilted forward by 10° and tilted forward by 20° respectively.

Figure 12 is a schematic illustration of a container with a liquid level indicator applied thereto.

Figure 13 is a schematic illustration of a sliding liquid level indicator.

Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing a possible location of a UV light source in a kettle.

Figures 15 and 16 are perspective views showing alternative configurations for the kettle handle.

17-19 are perspective views, a partial cutaway view and another cutaway view of a kettle including a dispensing basin activated by an actuator on the lid.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a kettle including a dispensing reservoir activated by a trigger or button under the handle.

Figure 21 is a partial cutaway view of another embodiment of a kettle including a dispensing basin having an open aperture in communication with the heating chamber.

Figure 22 is an exploded view of the kettle showing the dispensing reservoir as a separate part from the kettle body.

Detailed ways

Each embodiment includes, for example, a kettle 1 . The kettle 1 has a base 2 and a body 3 . The base includes an electric heater and associated connectors and controls (not shown) for supplying and controlling power to the heater. The main body 3 is intended to contain a liquid, such as water, and comprises a heating chamber 4 for containing the liquid to be heated. Preferably, at least a part of the body 3 is transparent or translucent, so that a user can observe the amount of water in the heating chamber 4 . Water is dispensed from the heating chamber 4 out of the kettle 1 , for example through the spout 7 . The kettle 1 also has a handle 9 and a lid 8 , typically the handle 9 is on the opposite side of the spout 7 .

Preferably, the electric heater is arranged on the underside of the heating element plate of the base of the heating chamber 4, but the electric heater may alternatively be submerged in the bath.

The base 2 may be a wired base with a power cord directly connected to it, or it may be a wireless base remotely connected to the powered base via a wireless connector, more preferably via a 360° wireless connector, e.g. CS4 and CP7 connectors supplied by Otter Controls Ltd and described in patent publication WO 94/06185.

liquid level indicator

Advantageously, embodiments of the invention may include a level indicator indicating the volume of water in the container. The liquid level indicator may include a series of markings representing the water level corresponding to different numbers of cups.

Liquid level indicator - first embodiment

As shown in Figures 1-6, in a first embodiment a kettle 1 comprises a level indicator comprising a stem 10 centrally suspended from a lid 8 by a universal connection or universal joint 12. to allow the rod 10 to remain substantially vertical when the kettle 1 is tilted, provided that the rod 10 is not obstructed by the side walls of the body 3. The rod 10 bears markings, preferably indicating progressive integer multiples of the metered volumes (eg standard cups).

In the example of Figure 1, the water level 11 reaches the second mark from the lower end of the rod 10, indicating a volume of two cups. As shown in Figures 2-6, the water level 11 remains at this mark regardless of whether the kettle 1 is tilted forward or sideways, so that the rod 10 continues to provide a reliable indication of the liquid level. Note that the internal shape of the pool is designed such that the water level 11 remains at a substantially fixed height below the universal joint 12 when the kettle 1 is tipped over a range of angles.

In an alternative embodiment, the rod 10 may be attached to the floor of the heating chamber 4 and float sufficiently to remain upright when there is water in the heating chamber.

Liquid level indicator - second embodiment

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in a second embodiment the liquid level indicator comprises a self-levelling water window 15 which rotates when the kettle 1 is tilted for filling, Keep the markers horizontal. In this way, the indicator provides a more accurate indication of the liquid level when the jug 1 is filling. The water window 15 may be installed inside or outside the main body 3 . The water window 15 can be rotated automatically under the effect of gravity or can be rotated manually, eg set at a preferred filling angle. The water window 15 may comprise a transparent or translucent member in front or behind the water window of the kettle 1, preferably circular or with partially circular parts to allow its rotation. The water window 15 can be retrofitted to existing kettles having a water window. The kettle 1 may include lighting in order to make the water window 15 more visible.

Liquid level indicator - third embodiment

As shown in Figures 9-11, in a third embodiment the liquid level indicator comprises a fixed water window 17 comprising a series of curved volume markings indicating different multiples of a quantitative volume (eg a standard cup). Each marking consists of a line bent in such a way that when the heating chamber 4 contains the corresponding volume of liquid, at an angle of inclination (i.e. forward and backward, but not from The liquid level 11 is tangent to the mark in the range where one side slopes to the other. The range of angles may be at least up to a 20° inclination angle, optionally up to 30° or even 45°, limited only by the range of markings on the water window. The curvature of each mark and the spacing between adjacent marks depends on the inner shape of the heating chamber 4, but the line may be substantially parabolic. The markings in this embodiment are at the side of the jug and are therefore suitable for indicating the water level when the jug is tipped forward or backward. Alternatively or additionally, there may be similar curved markings on the front or back of the jug, adapted to indicate water level when the jug is tilted from side to side.

Liquid level indicator - optional embodiment

Optionally, as shown in Figure 12, the level indicator may include one or more stickers or other markers 16 that can be added to the water window or gauge on an existing kettle 1 to indicate the Preferred fill level to use. For example, a user can ask the kettle to make a single cup of tea or a pot of tea. The user can then add a sticker to the existing jug indicating the desired volume for a single cup and for a jug.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 13, the level indicator may comprise a slide indicator 18 attached to the water window or gauge, which may be adjusted by the user to indicate the desired fill level.

Where the level indicator requires electrical power, it can be supplied from a power source for heating, a rechargeable battery or capacitor, or a non-rechargeable battery. Where the kettle 1 is cordless, a rechargeable battery or capacitor may be carried within the kettle 1 when detached from the cordless base, enabling operation of the liquid level indicator when the kettle 1 is removed from the cordless base.

Alternatively, the level indicator may comprise a simple mechanical device such as a float that is only visible when a predetermined level is reached. This floater also closes the fill hole. The float may carry a steam sensor on a steam pipe extending through the water of the heating chamber 4 for passing steam from above the water of the heating chamber 4 to the base 2 .

fluorescent lighting

In the above embodiments of the liquid level indicator, the liquid level markings may be made of a fluorescent material which emits visible light when illuminated by ultraviolet light and thus is more easily seen by the user. When not illuminated, the fluorescent material may be substantially invisible to the user.

For example, level markers can be used as coatings containing fluorescent materials. In one example, the coating is an epoxy coating that includes a silane adhesion promoter and a fluorescent dye. In all liquid level indicators other than the first embodiment, a coating may be applied to the outer surface of the body 3 in order to avoid contamination of the liquid in the tank.

Optionally, the dye may be included as an additive to the material from which the level marker is made, and may eg be included in a prefabricated structure molded as part of the jug. For example, the above-described stem 10 in the first embodiment may have a fluorescent ring molded into the stem to form a marker. In the second and third embodiments, the markings may be applied to the outside of the water window 15,17 or molded into the water window 15,17.

The kettle 1 comprises at least one ultraviolet light source configured to illuminate the fluorescent material. For example, the UV light source 20 may be configured to diffusely illuminate the interior of the heating chamber 4 with UV light such that some of the UV light is absorbed by the markings on the water window 17 causing the markings to fluoresce so that they are more clearly visible.

FIG. 14 shows various alternative positions for the ultraviolet light source 20 . The UV light source 20 can illuminate the water level 11 from above or below. The UV light may be reflected from the water surface such that if the UV light source 20 is above the water level 11 the markings are brighter above the water level 11 and if the UV light source 20 is below the water level 11 the markings are brighter below the water level 11. If the UV light source 20 irradiates the mark below the water level 11 , the light emitted by the fluorescence can be diffused in the water, so that the water is illuminated with visible light, so that the water level 11 is easier to identify.

Alternatively, the UV light source 20 may illuminate the marker along a transparent wall of the body 3, for example using the wall as a light guide. As another alternative, the UV light source 20 may be configured to illuminate the marker from outside the pool, for example from the inside of the handle 9 or cover 8 or from a wireless base.

An ultraviolet light source 20 may illuminate indicia in a sight glass in fluid communication with the heating chamber 4 . The viewing glass may include fluorescent floaters.

A UV light source 20 may be provided to illuminate fluorescent material arranged in parts of the kettle 1 other than water level markers, such as the lid 8 or the handle 9 . For example, as shown in Fig. 14, the ultraviolet light source 22 may be configured to illuminate the interior of the handle 9, the portion of which includes a fluorescent material. In one example shown in Figure 15, the handle 9 comprises a core 9b configured as an ultraviolet light guide and containing fluorescent material, the interior of the core 9b is illuminated by an ultraviolet light source 22, the core 9b is surrounded by a transparent outer portion 9a through which The fluorescent core 9b is visible. Alternatively or additionally, one or more parts or localities on the exterior of the handle 9 are coated with fluorescent material. In another optional or additional feature, the wick 9b may communicate with the interior of the heating chamber 4 and be configured to act as a sight glass so that the water level within the handle 9 can be seen.

In another example shown in FIG. 16, the handle 9 includes a transparent portion 9a in which a bubble 9c or other shaped fluorescent material is embedded. The UV light source illuminates the exterior 9a, for example by emitting UV light to the end of the handle 9, which acts as a light guide. For example, the fluorescent material embedded in the handle 9 may take the form of 2D or 3D shapes or logos.

The portion of the kettle 1 containing the fluorescent material need not be transparent or visible through the transparent part. For example, the walls of the cell can be made of a translucent material that includes a fluorescent dye, and the fluorescence can be seen through the translucent material.

The ultraviolet light sources 20, 22 can be configured in other parts of the kettle 1, for example:

a) through the base of the heating chamber 4;

b) through the side of the heating chamber 4;

c) above or below the water level 11;

d) through the central light guide in the heating cavity 4;

e) through the rod 10 of the first embodiment;

f) through a steam pipe for transferring steam from the top of the heating chamber 4 to the control means of the base 2;

g) Through the outside of the handle 9.

The kettle 1 may comprise one or more UV light sources as described above.

The UV light source is preferably diffuse and may include a diffuser. The UV light source can be a "black light" that emits little or no visible light in order to increase the contrast of the fluorescent material.

The UV light source can be configured to emit primarily in the UVA frequency range, rather than the shorter wavelength UVB range, so that the user's exposure to UV leakage is minimized.

The UV light source may comprise one or more UV LEDs which may emit in the frequency range of 360-400nm, examples include LEDs emitting at 370nm and 400nm. The LEDs are low power, preferably less than 20mW. The power required for illumination can be significantly lower than that required for conventional liquid heating vessels, since only the fluorescent parts need to be illuminated with UV light, which has a high contrast compared to non-fluorescing parts.

Alternatively, the UV light source may comprise a fluorescent lamp similar to the small fluorescent lamps used for lighting applications, but with a different or no emitter, so as to emit UV light. The lamp may have a nickel oxide doped glass envelope, such as Wood's glass, to block most visible light.

Alternatively, the UV light source can be a mercury lamp, which can have a doped glass cover. These etc. are suitable for higher power applications.

Alternatively, the UV light sources may be incandescent lamps, preferably with filters such as doped hoods to reduce visible light emission, although they are less efficient than other types of UV light sources.

The UV light sources can be controlled to provide a variety of lighting and can be turned on and off, or their intensity changed, depending on the state of the kettle. For example, the UV light source may be responsive to the heating state of the vessel, to dry boil condition of vessel 1, or to indicate various other status information (e.g. just boiling, keep warm mode, kettle overfull, descaling needed, better filter , tea mode or boiling mode) on or off. The UV light source can be controlled to illuminate various parts of the kettle, for example to produce scanned images or various markings (such as natural features indicative of status information), or to display patterns or logos. Alternatively, the ultraviolet light source may illuminate the part through a mask defining the area of the part to be illuminated. In other cases, the area of the jug used to display the lighting pattern may contain a substantially uniform fluorescent material, or be patterned or textured.

To produce a scanned image, the UV light source can be moved by a motor, or the light emitted from it can be scanned by a movable mirror or reflector.

The dyes may be of the type used as optical brighteners in paper or fabrics, these dyes absorb ultraviolet light and fluoresce in the blue part of the spectrum.

Optional means can be used to cause parts of the kettle to emit light. For example, wavelengths other than ultraviolet can be used to induce fluorescence. Electroluminescent materials can be used, which are excited by capacitive coupling to the liquid of the container, for example, which may only allow markings below the liquid level to emit light.

allocation pool

In the following embodiment, the kettle body 3 includes a user-fillable dispensing reservoir 5 for containing water to be dispensed into the heating chamber 4 .

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-19 , the dispensing tank 5 comprises a vertically elongated chamber arranged on the handle side of the body 3 , within a water window indicating the water level in the heating chamber 4 . Thus, as can be seen from FIGS. 17 and 18 , the level markings for the heating chamber 4 and the dispensing reservoir 5 are visible from the handle side of the kettle 1 . The vertically elongated shape of the distribution tank 5 improves the accuracy of determining the water level inside the distribution tank 5 .

A user operable actuator comprises a button 6 in the cover 8 which is connected via a rod to a valve 25 at the bottom of the pool 5 so that pressing the button 6 opens the valve and dispenses water into the heating chamber 4 .

The dispensing tank 5 can be filled through the filling hole 13 behind the spout 7 but on the spout side of the jug. When the dispensing tank 5 is empty, the channel 14 leads from the filling hole 13 to the handle side of the jug 1 . Therefore, when water is dispensed from the heating chamber 4 through the spout 7, the water cannot escape from the dispensing pool through the filling hole 13. The user can also directly fill the heating chamber 4 through the spout 7 .

In an alternative shown in FIG. 20 , the trigger 6 comprises a trigger or button 5 located on the underside of the handle 9 .

In another alternative shown in FIG. 21 , there is no user-operable actuator, but water flows out of the dispensing reservoir 5 through a small hole 24 sufficiently small to allow the dispensing reservoir 5 to be filled exactly to the desired level. level, but the small hole 24 is large enough that the user does not need to wait to dispense enough water before turning on the kettle 1 (power switch). The small hole 24 may include a one-way valve to prevent water from flowing back from the heating chamber 4 into the dispensing pool 5 .

As shown in Figure 22, the reservoir 5 and channel 14 may be formed as a single piece insert molded into the body 3 during manufacture.

Some or all of the distribution well 5, actuator 6 or fill hole 13 can be fluorescent and can be illuminated by a UV light source as described above.

thick film components

Most currently available "under the floor" elements are sheathed elements in which the heating resistance wire is wrapped around a core and wrapped in a metal sheath bonded to the underside. Another type below the baseplate is the thick film element, where the heating resistor traces are printed onto an electrically insulating layer on the underside of the element. Thick film elements typically require 5-15% less energy than sheathed elements to boil a given volume of water. Therefore, the embodiments described above preferably include thick film elements in order to further reduce the energy requirements of the kettle 1 .

Alternative embodiment

While the above embodiments are shown, the invention is not limited. For example, the invention is not limited to kettles, but can be applied to other household liquid heaters. Alternative embodiments that can be conceived by those skilled in the art when reading the above description also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims (29)

CLAIMS 1. A liquid heating vessel comprising a fluorescent portion and means for exciting said fluorescent portion to emit visible light. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the fluorescent portion comprises a liquid level indicator. 3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the fluorescent portion comprises one or more level markings by which the level of the liquid can be discerned from the exterior of the container. 4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluorescent portion comprises a transparent or translucent surface of the container. 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the fluorescent portion comprises a handle portion of the container. 6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for exciting the fluorescent moieties comprises an ultraviolet light source. 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the ultraviolet light source comprises one or more ultraviolet LEDs. 8. A container according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the ultraviolet light source is configured to emit substantially invisible light. 9. The container of any one of claims 6-8, wherein the ultraviolet light source is configured to emit ultraviolet light primarily in the UVA range. 10. A container according to any one of claims 6-9 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the handle portion comprises a light guide for directing the ultraviolet light onto the fluorescent portion. 11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for controlling excitation of the fluorescent moiety. 12. A container according to claim 11, wherein the activation is controlled according to the state of the container. 13. A liquid heating vessel having a liquid level indicator configured to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis relative to a body of the vessel. 14. The container of claim 13, wherein the liquid level indicator is configured to rotate to remain substantially horizontal when the container is tilted. 15. A container according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the level indicator is configured to rotate about a vertical line perpendicular to a substantially horizontal axis. 16. A container according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein the liquid level indicator is rotatably suspended from the upper part of the container. 17. A liquid heating vessel having a liquid level indicator slidably mounted relative to the body of the vessel. 18. A liquid heating vessel having a level marking configured such that the level of a predetermined volume of liquid is substantially tangent to said marking regardless of the angle of inclination of the vessel with respect to a horizontal axis, said inclination The angle is within the predetermined range. 19. The container of claim 18, wherein the angle of inclination ranges up to an angle of inclination of at least 20 degrees. 20. The container of claim 19, wherein the angle of inclination ranges up to an angle of inclination of 30 degrees. 21. The container of claim 20, wherein the angle of inclination ranges up to an angle of inclination of 45 degrees. 22. A liquid heating vessel having a liquid reservoir configured to dispense liquid into a heated portion of the vessel, wherein the liquid reservoir is positioned towards the rear of the vessel away from the heated portion Allocate exports. 23. A liquid heating vessel having a liquid reservoir configured to distribute liquid into a heating portion of the vessel, wherein the liquid reservoir is vertically elongated. 24. A liquid heating vessel having a liquid reservoir configured to dispense liquid into a heating portion of the vessel, wherein the liquid reservoir has an opening towards its lower end configured to Liquid is dispensed into the heating section at a flow rate low enough to allow the dispense reservoir to be filled accurately to the desired level, but high enough not to require the user to wait to dispense sufficient liquid before heating the liquid in the heating section. 25. The container of claim 24, wherein the opening comprises a one-way valve. 26. A liquid heating vessel having a liquid reservoir configured to dispense liquid into the heating portion of the vessel in response to actuation of a trigger or button under the handle of the vessel. 27. A liquid heating vessel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having a thick film heating element. 28. A liquid heating vessel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having a cordless power base. 29. A liquid heating vessel according to claim 28 when appended to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the UV light source is capable of emitting UV light when the vessel is detached from the power base.

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