GB2375284A

GB2375284A - Kettle with discharge pump

Info

Publication number: GB2375284A
Application number: GB0109387A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Ernest Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-04-17
Filing date: 2001-04-17
Publication date: 2002-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-17
Also published as: GB0109387D0; GB2375284B

Abstract

An electric kettle comprises a vessel (10) provided with a pump (18) for delivering water through an outlet (19a) and into a cup (C) positioned alongside the vessel. The outlet 19a is above an inset portion 16 of the vessel and is itself beneath a conventional spout 13. An on/off switch 20 for the electrical heating element 15 of the vessel and a push-button for the pump 18 may be mounted at the top of a handle 12. A compartment 17 at the bottom of the vessel 10 may house the pump 18 and a control circuit therefor. The kettle may be cordless, standing on a base 30 which also supports the cup C.

Description

Kettle

The present invention relates to a kettle.

Those who suffer from arthritis or other disabilities affecting the hands, often have difficulty in lifting and pouring a kettle full of boiling water, with consequent risk of dangerous spillages.

I have now devised an improved, auto-pour kettle for use in the home and which, when used by those who are handicapped or disabled, alleviates the above-noted difficulties.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an electric kettle comprising a vessel which includes a pump for delivering water from within the vessel through an outlet.

Preferably the delivery outlet is arranged to deliver water directly into a cup or other receptacle placed alongside the vessel. Preferably the delivery outlet is directed downwardly and is preferably positioned below a pouring spout provided at the top of the vessel : preferably the side of the vessel includes an inset portion adjacent its bottom and the outlet is positioned at the top of this inset portion.

Preferably a switch is provided for energising the pump for a predetermined period of time, so that a predetermined volume of water will be delivered.

Additionally or instead, a switch may be provided which energises the pump continuously so long as this switch is actuated.

Preferably the pump is housed in a compartment in the bottom of the vessel. Preferably a control circuit for the pump is also housed in this compartment.

The kettle may comprise a base on which the vessel seats and also on which a cup or other receptacle seats, to receive water delivered from the vessel by the pump.

Preferably the kettle is a cordless kettle, the vessel and the base having connectors which mate together when the vessel is

seated on the base, to conduct electric current to the heating element of the vessel.

Preferably a sensor is provided to sense the presence of a cup or other receptacle in position to receive water delivered through the outlet by the pump, in order to enable the pump. This sensor may comprise a pressure sensor responsive to a cup or other receptacle standing on it.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a side view of a domestic electric kettle in accordance with the invention ; FIGURE 2 is a side view of the kettle shown with its vessel lifted off its base; and FIGURE 3 is a similar side view of the kettle, shown in section.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an electric kettle of cordless type and comprising a vessel 10 (e. g. of 2 litre capacity) which fits into a recess 31 in a base 30: an electrical supply lead 32 extends from the base 30 and a connector 33 in the recess 31 of the base mates with a connector 11 in the underside of the vessel 10, when the latter is engaged with the base 30. The vessel 10 has a handle 12 on one side and a conventional pouring spout 13 at its top, diametrically opposite the handle 12: the open top of the vessel is closed by a lid 14. An electrical heating element 15 is mounted within the vessel 10, adjacent its bottom and, in use, receives electric current via the connectors 11,33.

It will be noted that side of the vessel 10, opposite the handle 12, has an inset portion 16 which extends from the bottom of the vessel to a point approximately half-way to its top, where the side of the vessel is formed with an overhanging transition 16a. A compartment 17 is formed in the bottom of the vessel 10 and houses an electric pump 18: the outlet of the pump 18 is connected to a delivery pipe 19 which extends

through the bottom wall of the vessel and upwardly within the vessel 10, then curves outwardly and downwardly to project through the wall of the vessel as a nozzle 19a at the overhanging transition 16a in its side ; the inlet 18a of the pump passes through the bottom wall of the vessel 10 to communicate with the interior of the vessel, adjacent its bottom.

The base 30 of the kettle is formed with a secondary recess 34 to receive a cup C, in a position partially under the overhanging transition 16a in the side of the vessel 10. A control circuit (not shown) for the pump is housed within the compartment 17 in the bottom of the vessel 10. An ON/OFF switch 20 for the electrical heating element 15 is mounted at the top of the handle 12 and a push-button 22 for the pump 18 is also mounted at the top of the handle.

The kettle may be used in conventional manner, by lifting the vessel 10 and tilting it to pour the boiled water via the spout 13. Alternatively, the kettle may be used to dispense boiled water directly into the cup C, via the nozzle 19a, without lifting the vessel 10. Thus, by depressing the push-button 22 momentarily, the pump 18 is energised for a predetermined period of time, to deliver a predetermined volume of water (e. g. 250ml) to fill the cup C to an appropriate level: the push-button 22 includes a neon light which pulses whilst water is being delivered, and at the end of which a buzzer sounds. The push-button 22 may instead by held depressed, in which case the pump 18 delivers a continuous flow of water until the push-button is released. A pressure sensor (not shown) is provided in the base 30, under the cup C, to prevent operation of the pump in the absence of the cup.

The kettle may be provided with a jug, e. g. of 1 litre capacity, for filling via the delivery outlet of the vessel 10.

It will be appreciated that there is no need for a user to lift and pour a full kettle, so reducing the risk of splashing or spilling particularly when the kettle is used by

an elderly, blind or infirm person or by a child. The kettle is in particular easy and convenient to use.

Claims

Claims 1) An electric kettle comprising a vessel which includes a pump for delivering water from within the vessel through an outlet.
2) An electric kettle as claimed in Claim 1, in which said outlet is arranged to deliver water directly into a cup or other receptacle placed alongside the vessel.
3) An electric kettle as claimed in Claim 2, in which said outlet is directed downwardly.
4) An electric kettle as claimed in Claim 3, in which said outlet is positioned below a pouring spout provided at the top of the vessel.
5) An electric kettle as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, in which the side of the vessel is formed with an inset portion adjacent its bottom and said outlet is positioned at the top of said inset portion.
6) An electric kettle as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a switch for energising the pump for a predetermined period of time.
7) An electric kettle as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a switch for energising the pump continuously so long as this switch is actuated.
8) An electric kettle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the pump is housed in a compartment in the bottom of the vessel.

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9) An electric kettle as claimed in claim 8, in which a control circuit for the pump is also housed in said compartment.
10) An electric kettle as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a base on which the vessel seats and also arranged for a cup or other receptacle to seat thereon for receiving water delivered through said outlet.
11) An electric kettle as claimed in Claim 10, in the form of a cordless kettle.
12) An electric kettle as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a sensor for sensing the presence of a cup or other receptacle in position to receive water through said outlet, in order to enable the pump.
13) An electric kettle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.