GB2366357A

GB2366357A - Plumbed-in electric kettle with manual controls

Info

Publication number: GB2366357A
Application number: GB0021237A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edmund Peter Gortowski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-08-31
Filing date: 2000-08-31
Publication date: 2002-03-06
Also published as: GB0021237D0

Abstract

A kettle is fixed to the supporting surface, eg a kitchen work top, with "plumbed in" water supply 4 and a fixed electrical supply connection 9, so that it is easy to operate, and difficult to spill. The water inlet valve or tap 5, 6 and pouring spout 13, 14, 15 are operated manually, as is the electrical heating switch on 10, although the heating power is automatically switched off when the water boils. The water holding body has a level gauge 8 to ensure that only the required amount of water is boiled at any one time, and preferably also incorporates insulation to retain heat between boilings.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> A FDCED KETTLE This invention relates to a kettle of fixed type, with fitted water and electrical connections, principally intended for domestic use, but also widely applicable, Various forms of free standing and fixed kettles are well known, but they suffer from the disadvantage of needing to be either moved for filling and pouring, or tipped for pouring. This is inconvenient, and may be difficult (or even dangerous) for children and people of restricted or impaired movement.

An object of this invention is to provide a safer and more convenient kettle, which has no chance of being knocked over, and is easy to use, even for disabled people, or those otherwise of restricted movement.

Preferably, the kettle would be moulded from plastic with a metallic heating element, but it may instead be made from any suitable materials. For example, a stainless steel body may be considered both attractive and durable.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE I shows a section through the whole kettle As shown in Figure 1, the kettle comprises a container I which holds the water that is to be boiled. This container I sits upon a base 2 which in turn sits upon a fixed surface 3 (typically this fixed surface 3 would be a kitchen work top) The base 2 may be fixed to the surface 3 by a number of methods, such as screws.

Water is supplied to the unit through a pipe 4 which connects to a valve or tap 5 which is operated by a lever 6. For most applications it is foreseen that this tap 5 and lever 6 arrangement will be spring closed, or otherwise self closing, but this is not entirely essential. The water level desired is simply observed through the transparent level indicator 8.

A water pipe 7, of any suitable size or shape, carries the water into the boiling chamber 1.

An electrical supply 9 is connected to the switch unit 10, which may have a temperature / boiling sensor 17 connected to the water chamber to switch off when the water has boiled. The switch unit 10 is anticipated to have an easy to operate design.

The electrical switch 10 feeds the power to the heater element 12 via a safety cut-out device 11. The safety cut-out device I I will function to trip out the electricity supply when there is a specified fault, such as overheating, detected. The switch 10, and the cut out 11, can be arranged in any convenient configuration The electrical switch may be an on / off pattern, which will automatically switch off when the water boils.

Water is released from the container I through a connection 13 (effectively a pipe, although it could be moulded into the body). The outlet water is controlled by a tap 14 and lever (or handle) 15, which are foreseen to be spring close, or similar.

The water outlet spout 16 ensures a safe and steady stream of water by avoiding splashing or cc splattering", and may be integral with the outlet tap or valve 14. This outlet nozzle 16 is located so as to be easily able to fill teapots or mugs or similar.

The water container I may be of any size and shape which is considered suitable- For example, single people may well want a compact and small unit, whereas a family are more likely to want a larger one.

It would be of advantage if the water container I was to be insulated in order to both retain heat within any water not poured out (to reduce overall energy consumption), and also to avoid the risks of scalds or burns if anyone should touch the unit.

Naturally, all connections between the water container I and the base 2 will need to be sealed and heat proof In figure 1, the inlet connections are shown entering the base 2 from the bottom, but they could also enter from the side of the base 2, if this were to be more convenient.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A fixed kettle comprising a water holding body with manual controls for water filling, pouring, and electrical heating switch on.
2. A fixed kettle as claimed in Claim I wherein the water heating will switch off automatically when the water boils.
3. A fixed kettle as claimed in Claim I and Claim 2 wherein the water holding body has a visible level gauge.
4. A fixed kettle as claimed in any preceding Claim preferably with insulation of the water holding body.
5. A fixed kettle substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.