GB2369553A

GB2369553A - Cordless kettle

Info

Publication number: GB2369553A
Application number: GB0029495A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Walter Randall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-02
Filing date: 2000-12-02
Publication date: 2002-06-05
Also published as: GB0029495D0

Abstract

A cordless kettle comprises a container 20 for liquid having an electrical heating element (40, Figure 2) located beneath its floor and supplied through a base unit 50 via a connector 52. The side wall 24 of the container 20 has an insulated core 26 between inner and outer surfaces 27, 28. The wall 24 has a transparent strip 30 for inspection of the level of liquid within, and carries a temperature gauge 32 to indicate the temperature of the liquid. The container 20 has a screw-in lid 60 with a tether member 42 and a pressure-release valve 66 equipped with a whistle 68. It also has a spout 38 pivotable to a closed position and a handle in the form of a detachable strap 48, as well as an integral handle 34. The base unit 50 has a non-slip rubber member (56, Figure 4) on its under-surface and an interior storage space (58, Figure 4) for its detachable power lead 46.

Description

HEATABLE CONTAINER ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to electric kettles and more particularly pertains to a new eatable container assembly for preparing, heating, and maintaining hot beverages.

Description of the Prior Art The use of electric kettles is known in the prior art. More specifically, electric kettles heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new eatable container assembly. The inventive device includes a container having an interior space adapted for holding of a liquid, a main heating element positioned in a bottom of the container, a base unit, and an electrical port positioned in the base unit selectively in communication with the heating element.

In these respects, the eatable container assembly according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of preparing, heating, and maintaining hot beverages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of electric kettles now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new eatable container assembly construction wherein the same can be utilized for preparing, heating, and maintaining hot beverages.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new eatable container assembly apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the electric kettles mentioned heretofore and

many novel features that result in a new eatable container assembly which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art electric kettles, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a container having an interior space adapted for holding of a liquid, a main heating element positioned in a bottom of the container, a base unit, and an electrical port positioned in the base unit selectively in communication with the heating element.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose.. of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U. K. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new eatable container assembly apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the electric kettles mentioned heretofore

and many novel features that result in a new eatable container assembly which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art electric kettles, either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new eatable container assembly which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new heatable container assembly which is of a durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a

new eatable container assembly which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such eatable container assembly economically available to-the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new eatable container assembly which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new eatable container assembly for preparing, heating, and maintaining hot beverages.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new eatable container assembly which includes a container having an interior space adapted for holding of a liquid, a main heating element positioned in a bottom of the container, a base unit, and an electrical port positioned in the base unit selectively in communication with the heating element.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new eatable container assembly that limits to amount of time heating energy is applied to maintain a hot beverage.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new eatable container assembly that saves time by eliminating the need for a separate thermal container to transport a hot beverage after brewing.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and

forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new eatable container assembly according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the base unit and lower portion of the container of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the lid and upper portion of the container of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic bottom view of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Figures 1 through 4 thereof, a new eatable container assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be-described.

As best illustrated in Figures 1 through 4, the heatable container assembly 10 generally comprises a container 20 with an interior space designed for holding a liquid, a main heating element 40, a base unit 50, and a lid 60.

The main heating element 40 is positioned in a bottom of the container 20 for heating a bottom wall of the interior space. Thus a liquid in the interior space is beatable by the main heating coil 40.

The interior space is defined by a perimeter interior surface 27.

The container 20 is positionable on the base unit 50. A base unit electrical port 52 is coupled to the base unit 50 for engaging a container electrical port 22 of the container 20 when the container 20 is positioned on the base unit 50. The container electrical port 22 is in electrical communication with the main heating element 40 for providing electrical current to the main heating element 40.

A peripheral wall 24 of the container 20 includes an insulated core 26 for facilitating retention of heat in the interior space and preventing heating of an outer wall surface of the container 20.

The container 20 includes a transparent slot 30 positioned in a perimeter wall 24 of the container 20 for facilitating visual inspection of a liquid level in the interior space.

A temperature gauge 32 positioned on an exterior surface 28 of the container 20. The temperature gauge 32 includes a sensor in communication with the interior space thus the sensor is designed for detecting a temperature of a liquid in the interior space. The temperature gauge 32 includes a display for visually indicating a temperature level of the liquid in the interior space.

The container 20 includes a top opening 36. The top opening 36 includes an inwardly threaded perimeter portion.

The lid 60 includes a generally disk-shaped lower portion 62.

An outer wall of the lower portion 62 is threaded for engaging the

inwardly threaded perimeter portion of the top opening 36 thus the lid 60 is securable to the container 20 to cover the top opening 36.

The lid 60 includes an elongate protrusion 64 extending upwardly from an upper surface of the lid 60. The elongate protrusion 64 is for facilitating rotation of the lid 60 by a user for selectively coupling and uncoupling the lid 60 to and from the container 20. The elongate protrusion 64 includes an arcuate medial portion for facilitating grasping of the elongate protrusion 64.

The lid 60 includes a release valve 66 for expelling pressure in excess of a pre-determined threshold value from the interior space when the lid 60 is secured to cover the top opening 36.

A whistle 68 coupled to the lid 60. The whistle 68 is in environmental communication with the release valve 66 thus gas pressure expelled through the release valve 66 activates the whistle 68.

The container 20 includes a spout 38. The spout 38 is pivotable between an open and a closed position. The open position is defined by the spout 38 being pivoted such that a liquid in the interior space is pourable through the spout 38. The closed position is defined by an outer surface of the spout 38 being positioned flush with an exterior surface 28 of the container 20 thus liquid in the interior space is prevented from passing through the spout 38.

The container 20 includes a handle portion 34.

The container 20 includes a pair of hook portions 37 designed for coupling a strap member 48 to the container 20 for facilitating carrying of the container 20. One of the hook portions 37 is positioned at an upper end of the handle portion 34 and a second of

the hook portions 37 is positioned at a lower end of the handle portion 34.

A tether member 42 extends between the lid 60 and the container 20. Thus the lid 60 is coupled to the container 20 for preventing loss of the lid 60.

A rubber seal member 44 extends around the top opening 36 for engaging the lid 60 when the lid 60 is secured to the container 20 for preventing spillage.

The base unit 50 includes a lower surface 54. A rubber gripping member 56 is coupled to the lower surface54. Thus the rubber gripping member 56 is designed for preventing skidding of the base unit 50 when the base unit 50 is positioned on a support surface.

A power cord 46 is removably engageable to a power port 53 of the base unit 50. The power port 53 of the base unit 50 is electrically coupled to the base unit electrical port 52.

The base unit 50 includes an interior storage space 58. The power cord 46 is positionable in the interior storage space 58 for storing the power cord 46 when the power cord 46 is not in use.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are teemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and

described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim: I. A eatable container assembly comprising: a container having an interior space adapted for holding a liquid; a main heating element positioned in a bottom of said container for heating a bottom wall of said interior space whereby a liquid in said interior space is heatable by said main heating coil; a base unit, said container being positionable on said base unit; a base unit electrical port coupled to said base unit for engaging a container electrical port of said container when said container is positioned on said base unit, said container electrical port being in electrical communication with said main heating element for providing electrical current to said main heating element.
2. The eatable container assembly of claim 1, further comprising : a peripheral wall of said container having an insulated core for facilitating retention of heat in said interior space and preventing heating of an outer wall surface of said container.
3. The eatable container assembly of claim I, further comprising : said container including a transparent slot positioned in a perimeter wall of said container for facilitating visual inspection of a liquid level in said interior space.
4. The eatable container assembly of claim 1, further comprising : a temperature gauge positioned on an exterior surface of said container, said temperature gauge having a sensor in communication with said interior space whereby said sensor is adapted for detecting a temperature of a liquid in said interior space, said temperature gauge having a display for visually indicating a temperature level of said liquid in said interior space.
5. The eatable container assembly of claim 1, further comprising : said container having a top opening, said top opening having an inwardly threaded perimeter portion; a lid having a generally disk-shaped lower portion, an outer wall of said lower portion being threaded for engaging said inwardly threaded perimeter portion of said top opening whereby said lid is securable to said container to cover said top opening.
6. The heatable container assembly of claim 5, further comprising: said lid including an elongate protrusion extending upwardly from an upper surface of said lid, said elongate protrusion being for facilitating rotation of said lid by a user for selectively coupling and uncoupling said lid to and from said container.
7. The eatable container assembly of claim 5, further comprising : said lid including a release valve for expelling pressure in excess of a pre-determined threshold value from said interior space when said lid is secured to cover said top opening.
8. The heatable container assembly of claim 7, further comprising : a whistle coupled to said lid, said whistle being in environmental communication with said release valve whereby gas pressure expelled through said release valve activates said whistle.
9. The heatable container assembly of claim 1, further comprising: said container including a spout, said spout being pivotable between an open and a closed position, said open position being defined by said spout being pivoted such that a liquid in said interior space is pourable through said spout, said closed position being defined by an outer surface of said spout being positioned flush with an exterior surface of said container whereby liquid in said interior space is prevented from passing through said spout.
10. The heatable container assembly of claim 1, further comprising : said container including a pair of hook portions adapted for coupling a strap member to said container for facilitating carrying of said container.
11. The heatable container assembly of claim 5, further comprising : a tether member extending between said lid and said container whereby said lid is coupled to said container for preventing loss of said lid.
12. The eatable container assembly of claim 5, further comprising : a rubber seal member extending around said top opening for engaging said lid when said lid is secured to said container for preventing spillage.
13. The heatable container assembly of claim 1, further comprising : said base unit having a lower surface; a rubber gripping member coupled to said lower surface whereby said rubber gripping member is adapted for preventing skidding of said base unit when said base unit is positioned on a support surface.
14. The heatable container assembly of claim 1, further comprising : a power cord removably engageable to a power port of said base unit, said power port of said base unit being electrically coupled to said base unit electrical port.
15. The eatable container assembly of claim 14, further comprising: said base unit having an interior storage space, said power cord being positionable in said interior storage space for storing said power cord when said power cord is not in use.
16. A eatable container assembly comprising: a container having an interior space adapted for holding a liquid; a main heating element positioned in a bottom of said container for heating a bottom wall of said interior space whereby a liquid in said interior space is heatable by said main heating coil; a base unit, said container being positionable on said base unit; a base unit electrical port coupled to said base unit for engaging a container electrical port of said container when said container is positioned on said base unit, said container electrical port being in electrical communication with said main heating element for providing electrical current to said main heating element; a peripheral wall of said container having an insulated core for facilitating retention of heat in said interior space and preventing heating of an outer wall surface of said container; said container including a transparent slot positioned in a perimeter wall of said container for facilitating visual inspection of a liquid level in said interior space; a temperature gauge positioned on an exterior surface of said container, said temperature gauge having a sensor in communication with said interior space whereby said sensor is adapted for detecting a temperature of a liquid in said interior space, said temperature gauge having a display for visually indicating a temperature level of said liquid in said interior space; said container having a top opening, said top opening having an inwardly threaded perimeter portion ; a lid having a generally disk-shaped lower portion, an outer wall of said lower portion being threaded for engaging said inwardly threaded perimeter portion of said top opening whereby said lid is securable to said container to cover said top opening; said lid including an elongate protrusion extending upwardly from an upper surface of said lid, said elongate protrusion being for facilitating rotation of said lid by a user for selectively coupling and uncoupling said lid to and from said container; said elongate protrusion having an arcuate medial portion for facilitating grasping of said elongate protrusion; said lid including a release valve for expelling pressure in excess of a pre-determined threshold value from said interior space when said lid is secured to cover said top opening; a whistle coupled to said lid, said whistle being in environmental communication with said release valve whereby gas pressure expelled through said release valve activates said whistle; said container including a spout, said spout being pivotable between an open and a closed position, said open position being defined by said spout being pivoted such that a liquid in said interior space is pourable through said spout, said closed position being defined by an outer surface of said spout being positioned flush with an exterior surface of said container whereby liquid in said interior space is prevented from passing through said spout; said container including a handle portion; said container including a pair of hook portions adapted for coupling a strap member to said container for facilitating carrying of said container, one of said hook portions being positioned at an upper end of said handle portion and a second of said hook portions being positioned at a lower end of said handle portion; a tether member extending between said lid and said container whereby said lid is coupled to said container for preventing loss of said lid; a rubber seal member extending around said top opening for engaging said lid when said lid is secured to said container for preventing spillage; said base unit having a lower surface; a rubber gripping member coupled to said lower surface whereby said rubber gripping member is adapted for preventing skidding of said base unit when said base unit is positioned on a support surface; a power cord removably engageable to a power port of said base unit, said power port of said base unit being electrically coupled to said base unit electrical port; and said base unit having an interior storage space, said power cord being positionable in said interior storage space for storing said power cord when said power cord is not in use.