WO2004073466A1

WO2004073466A1 - Safety kettle

Info

Publication number: WO2004073466A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/000708
Authority: WO
Inventors: Garry Renton
Original assignee: Garry Renton
Priority date: 2003-02-20
Filing date: 2004-02-20
Publication date: 2004-09-02
Also published as: GB0403817D0; GB0303840D0; GB2398997A

Abstract

A kettle (1) has a plug (52) or other selectably openable closure means (9, 26, 31) preventing spillage of hot or boiling water if the kettle (1) is knocked over or dropped while in use. There is a condensing element (51), leading to an exit for hot water vapour or steam from the kettle (1), preventing a pressure build-up while condensing and cooling the steam or vapour until it emerges from the spout (10) at a reduced temperature. The condensing element (51) has an indirect vapour path (60) extending around a series of interleaved baffles (58, 59) to maximise the cooling effect. The kettle (1) may have a base unit (3) to which it may be locked when in use, to reduce the chance of it being knocked over.

Description

SAFETY KETTLE

The present invention relates to a kettle having features to render it safer in use. More particularly but not exclusively, it relates to a kettle, which term includes any similar vessel for boiling water, that emits little or no dangerously hot water vapour or steam. It also relates to a kettle that is resistant to accidental spillage. It further relates to a kettle adapted for safer use by the infirm or visually impaired persons.

The electric kettle is an extremely useful piece of kitchen equipment, but there are several potential hazards associated with its use. A kettle can be pulled from a working surface, for example by a small child's inquiring hands, resulting in spillage of the contents. Children may be scalded by such spillages of hot water or boiling water. A kettle may also be knocked over by the inattentive, the infirm or the visually impaired.

The "cordless" type of electric kettle comprises a base unit linked to an electricity supply and a water container detachable therefrom. The detachable container is relatively easy to detach and inadvertently to knock off the base unit. Furthermore, if a kettle is dropped, particularly during pouring, spillage of the contents is very likely. There is again a risk of scalding. Even when a kettle is positioned correctly, there remains a risk of burns from touching an outer surface of a hot kettle. The steam issuing from a spout of a kettle, as the water boils, can also cause scalding. Although ordinary care and attention should obviate such risks, in practice inattention is always possible.

The term "steam" is often used in this context to refer to both steam per se, i.e. water above its boiling point, and water vapour at temperatures below boiling point, but still sufficiently hot to cause pain and injury. In this specification, the term steam should therefore be understood also to comprise dangerously hot water vapour.

Current UK safety regulations treat any water vapour or liquid water at a temperature above 37°C as potentially hazardous, particularly to children.

The visually impaired may be particularly at risk from conventional kettles. Unless they have excellent recall of exactly where a handle of the kettle is positioned, manual contact with hot surfaces or steam jets, or inadvertent knocking-over and spillage of the kettle's contents, are all possible.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a kettle which resists spillage if it is knocked over or dropped. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a kettle which obviates the above-mentioned risks from emitted steam. It is another object of the present invention to provide a kettle which is resistant to being knocked over. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kettle comprising an elongate indirect path for steam, as herein defined, connecting an interior and an exterior of the kettle and selectively openable closure means, which, when open, by-passes said indirect condensing path and, when closed, constrains the steam to follow said indirect condensing path.

Advantageously, the kettle is provided with closure means extending across an interior of the kettle adjacent an upper end thereof, at least part of the closure means being selectably displaceable between a first closed position where it forms a waterproof seal across the kettle and a second open position where it allows water to be dispensed from the vessel.

Preferably, the condensing means comprises inlet means and outlet means connected by a steam path comprising a plurality of baffle means extending partway across the path.

Advantageously the path is defined by two opposing surfaces, said baffle means extending alternatingly away from each surface in turn towards a respective opposing surface.

Each baffle means may extend more than halfway across the path towards a respective opposing surface.

Said opposing surfaces may be substantially planar.

The condensing means may be provided with cooling means, such as cooling fins, external to said path. The condensing means may be provided with drainage means for water condensed therein.

Preferably, the condensing means is mounted to said closure means.

Alternatively, the condensing means is mounted to the kettle separately from the closure means, for example extending within handle means of the kettle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kettle comprising a vessel within which water is heated and closure means extending across an interior of said vessel adjacent an outlet end thereof, at least a part of said closure means being selectably displaceable between a first closed position where it forms a waterproof seal across the vessel and a second open position where it allows water to be dispensed from the vessel.

The closure means may comprise means to cool and/or condense steam, as herein defined.

Preferably, the kettle comprises steam condensing means as described in the first aspect above.

Preferably, the closure means is retained in a closed disposition across the vessel by manually releasable catch means.

The catch means may be biased, for example by spring means, to urge the closure means towards said closed disposition. The catch means may be operable to move the closure means directly.

Alternatively, the catch means may be operable to select a limit for the motion of the closure means.

The closure means may then move in response to other influences, such as an angle at which the vessel is held.

The catch means may be provided with safety latching means which must be manually operated in order to permit operation of the catch means.

Optionally, the catch means is so adapted that release of either the catch means or the safety latching means by a user causes the closure means to be returned to said closed disposition across the vessel.

The catch means may comprise a control knob mounted, optionally slidably, to a handle of the vessel.

In a first embodiment, the closure means is pivotably mounted to the vessel.

The closure means may then comprise plate means extending in a closed disposition across the vessel and selectably pivotable towards an open disposition in which a passage for water is created between an interior of the vessel and spout means thereof. In a second embodiment, the closure means comprises a first element and a second element selectably rotatable one with respect to the other between a closed disposition and an open disposition of the closure means.

Preferably, said first element comprises plate means extending across the vessel and provided with notch means in its periphery and said second element comprises a member adapted to overlap said notch means closingly.

Advantageously, said overlapping member is mounted to a wall of the vessel and said plate means is selectably rotatable with respect to the vessel between a closed disposition in which the overlapping member is aligned with the notch means and cooperates closingly therewith and an open disposition in which the notch means is displaced from the overlapping member and water may flow through the notch means.

Alternatively, the plate means may be mounted to a wall of the vessel, and the overlapping member may be selectably rotatable between said open and closed dispositions.

In either case, the notch means may in an open disposition be substantially aligned with spout means of the kettle.

In a third embodiment, the closure means comprises a first and a second element, the second element being mounted to the first element and being selectably slideable with respect thereto between a closed disposition and an open disposition of the closure means. Preferably, said first element comprises plate means extending across the vessel and provided with elongate slot means therethrough and said second element comprises tongue means mounted to the plate means adjacent the slot means and selectably slideable between a closed disposition in which it blocks the slot means and an open disposition in which water may flow through the slot means.

Advantageously, said tongue means is slideable longitudinally of the elongate slot means.

The slot means may extend generally radially across the plate means from a point adjacent spout means of the kettle.

The tongue means is preferably mounted coplanai y within the plate means.

Each lateral edge of the tongue means may then be slideable within a guide rebate formed along a respective elongate edge of the slot means.

The tongue means may, in an open disposition, be located substantially within a corresponding recess or rebate within the plate means extending away from the slot means.

In a fourth embodiment, the closure means comprises a closing element selectably raisable from a first closed disposition to a second open disposition in which a passage for water is created between an interior of the vessel and spout means thereof.

The closing element may comprise a lid of the kettle. In any one of the above embodiments, the vessel is preferably provided with an outer wall which comprises an inner skin and an outer skin with a thermally insulating layer therebetween.

Said thermally insulating layer may comprise an air gap.

Alternatively, it may comprise a layer of foamed insulating material.

The kettle may comprise a base unit to which the water heating vessel is detachably mounted.

The apparatus may be provided with selectably releasable locking means to retain the water heating vessel securely mounted to the base unit.

The water heating vessel may be mountable to the base unit via bayonet mounting means.

The base unit may be mountable to a substrate using suction means, adhesive means, detent means or may be bolted or screwed thereto.

The condensing means may comprise perforated plate means extending across said vessel, optionally comprising a spaced pair of perforated plates.

Alternatively, the condensing means may comprise a plurality of elongate channel means extending from an interior to an exterior of the vessel through which steam is led to be cooled. Said channel means may be defined by two surfaces substantially in contact one with the other, one said surface having a plurality of elongate groove means extending thereacross.

At least a part of each said groove means is preferably aligned at an angle to a shortest route between an interior and an exterior of the vessel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for boiling water comprising a base unit, a water heating vessel detachably mounted thereto, and selectably releasable locking means to retain the water heating vessel in place on the base unit.

Preferably, the water heating vessel is provided with electrical heating means operatively connected to a power supply via detachable connection means between the water heating vessel and the base unit.

Advantageously, the water heating vessel is mounted to the base unit by means of bayonet mounting means.

The water heating vessel may be provided with a plurality of protrusions extending generally radially outwardly therefrom, adjacent said mountable end.

The base unit may be provided with a recess to receive said mountable end of the vessel, said recess being provided with an interrupted inwardly extending lip around its mouth so configured that the protrusions of the vessel may pass through the interruptions in the lip but may not pass a remainder thereof. Alternatively, the base unit may be provided with an interrupted outwardly extending lip, and the water vessel may be provided with a plurality of inwardly extending protrusions, so configured that the protrusions may pass through the interruptions in the lip but may not pass a remainder thereof.

In either case, the base means may be provided with selectably releasable catch means to retain the protrusions beneath the lip.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kettle comprising means to condense steam, said condensing means comprising a plurality of elongate channel means extending from an interior to an exterior of the kettle through which steam is led to be cooled.

Preferably, said channel means may be defined by two surfaces substantially in contact one with the other, one said surface having a plurality of elongate groove means extending thereacross.

Said plurality of groove means may extend substantially parallelly one with another.

Said two surfaces may be moveable one across the other.

A first said surface may be a surface of a moveable element of a closure means of the kettle. A second said surface may then be a surface of a stationary element of said closure means or a surface of the kettle.

Preferably, said elongate channel means remain open when the closure means of the kettle is in a closed disposition.

Advantageously, in said closed disposition, said elongate channel means comprise a sole passage for steam to exit from an interior to an exterior of the kettle.

At least a part of each said groove means may be aligned at an angle to a shortest route between an interior and an exterior of the kettle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kettle comprising, in combination, one or more features as described in any one or more of the above aspects.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevation of a first kettle embodying the invention, with a heating vessel thereof separated from a base unit;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a condensing plate isolated from the kettle of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an upper part of a second, preferred, kettle embodying the invention, with its lid omitted;

Figure 4 is a median cross-section of the kettle shown in Figure 3, with its lid in place; Figure 5 is a schematic cross-section of a variant condensing arrangement for a kettle embodying the invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional elevation of an upper portion of a third kettle embodying the invention;

Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of a closing mechanism of the kettle shown in

Figure 6, isolated therefrom;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional elevation of an upper portion of a fourth kettle embodying the invention;

Figure 9A is a scrap side view of an edge of a closing member of the kettle shown in

Figure 8;

Figure 9B is a scrap plan view of a closing mechanism of the kettle shown in Figure

8;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a base unit of the kettle shown in Figure 1;

Figure 11 is a plan view of an alternative base unit for a kettle embodying the invention;

Figure 12 is an elevation of a fifth kettle embodying the invention;

Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a closing mechanism of the kettle shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a schematic cross-section of a contact surface between a lid and a body of the kettle shown in Figure 12;

Figure 15 is an elevation of one surface of a steam condensing arcangement for a kettle, embodying a fourth aspect of the invention; and

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional profile of the arrangement of Figure 15, taken along the line XVI-XVI. Referring now to the figures, and Figure 1 in particular, a kettle 1 comprises a heating vessel

2 and a base unit 3, to which the heating vessel 2 is detachably mountable. The base unit 3 is connected via an electric cable (not shown) to a power supply, and is provided with a connector plug 4 which engages with a corresponding socket 5 of the heating vessel 2, when the vessel 2 is mounted to the base unit 3, to provide electrical power to a heating element 6 of the vessel 2. The vessel 2 is provided with a control switch 7 operatively connected to the heating element 6 and a conventional steam-operated automatic mechanism (not shown) to turn the heating element 6 off when the kettle has boiled. It is also provided with a vertical clear graduated tube (not shown) containing a float to indicate a water level within the vessel

2.

The above features are common to conventional "cordless" electric kettles. However, the vessel 2 of the present invention is provided with double-skinned walls 8 with either an air gap or insulating material between the skins, to prevent an outer surface of the vessel 2 becoming dangerously hot when water within is boiling.

The vessel 2 is also provided with a plate 9 (here, a condensing plate 9) extending across an interior thereof, immediately below a spout 10 of the vessel 2. The condensing plate 9 is pivotably mounted within the vessel by means of a pair of diametrically oppositely located pivot pins 11. Two stops 12 are provided, which limit the pivoting movement of the condensing plate 9 so that a portion thereof adjacent the spout 10 may pivot upwardly from a rest position as shown, but not downwardly therefrom.

The condensing plate 9 is held in its rest position by a spring-loaded catch 13. The catch 13 is operatively comiected to a slider button 14 mounted to a handle 15 of the kettle 1. When the slider button 14 is moved manually down the handle 15, the catch 13 is also moved downwardly, freeing the condensing plate 9 to pivot away from its rest position. When the slider button 14 is released, the spring loading urges both the catch 13 and the slider button

14 back towards their original positions. If the condensing plate 9 has pivoted away from its rest position, the catch 13 returns it to that position.

In the embodiment shown, a safety button 16 is provided, mounted to the handle 15. The safety button 16 must be depressed to allow movement of the slider button 14. If it is released, the catch 13 and the slider button 14 (and hence the condensing plate 9) are automatically urged back towards their original positions, whether or not the slider button 14 has been released as described above.

The slider button 14 may either be continuously moveable or may be moveable between a plurality of preselected positions (for example, a "closed" position, a "part-open" position and a "fully-open" position).

The condensing plate 9 itself comprises a substantially circular upper surface 17 and a corresponding lower surface 18, connected one to the other adjacent a circumference of each to enclose an interior 19 of the condensing plate 9. A plurality of apertures 20 extend into the interior 19 tlirough each of the upper surface 17 and the lower surface 18. The regular array of circular apertures 20 shown in Figure 2 is only one example of the possible shapes and arrangements of apertures 20 envisaged. The interior 19 of the condensing plate 9 is, in this particular embodiment, substantially filled by a body of synthetic sponge or similar open-cell foamed material, which is partially filled with liquid water. When the kettle 1 is switched on, and water in the heating vessel 2 heats up and approaches boiling point, water vapour (and ultimately steam) passes through the apertures 20 in the lower surface 18 of the condensing plate 9 and into the sponge. The water vapour or steam is condensed or substantially cooled as it passes through the sponge, the liquid water therein acting as a thermal reservoir. Any water vapour exiting from the condensing plate 9 through the apertures 20 in its upper surface 17 will be at a relatively low temperature, and will not constitute a hazard as it leaves the heating vessel 2 through the spout 10.

The automatic mechanism to turn off the heating element 6 when the kettle has boiled is comiected to the heating vessel 2 below the condensing plate 9, and will hence switch the element off before substantial steam pressure has built up within the vessel 2. Even should this mechanism fail or operate slowly, there is still a passage through the condensing plate 9 to release excess pressure, and a pressure release valve can be provided as back-up if desired.

Although the condensing plate 9 is permeable to water vapour, it blocks the passage of liquid water in bulk. Hence, when the condensing plate 9 is held in its rest position by the stops 12 and the spring-loaded catch 13, it prevents spillage of the contents of the heating vessel 2, even if the vessel is knocked over, or dropped.

To pour water from the heating vessel 2, the catch 13 is released using the slider button 14 with the safety button 16 as described above. When the vessel 2 is tipped, the condensing plate 9 is now free to pivot, allowing water to flow around it and out of the spout 10. When pouring is complete, the slider button 14 is released, and the catch 13 returns the condensing plate 9 to its rest position, cutting off the flow of water to the spout 10. If the slider button 14 is held in an intermediate position, so that the condensing plate 9 can only pivot through a small angle, the flow of water to the spout 10 can be restricted. This can be safer than controlling the flow merely by the angle to which the heating vessel 2 is tipped, particularly for a user with a weak grip or a visually impaired user. If the heating vessel 2 is dropped during pouring, the slider button 14 and/or the safety button 16 will be released, and the condensing plate 9 will automatically be returned to its rest position, preventing significant spillage.

Similarly, to fill the heating vessel 2 before use, the slider button 14 is moved to allow the plate 9 to pivot, and the heating vessel 2 is tipped slightly, so that cold water can be poured in between the wall 8 of the vessel 2 and an edge of the plate 9. This cold water will also cool the condensing plate 9 and may enter the interior 19 thereof tlirough the apertures 20 in its upper surface 17, replenishing the cooling water held in the pores of the sponge. The slider button 14 may then be released and the plate 9 returned to its rest position, preventing any spillages while the heating vessel 2 is returned to its base unit 3.

An alternative, preferred, condensing arrangement is shown in Figures 3 and 4, and a variant thereon is illustrated in Figure 5.

In the kettle 1 shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pivoting condenser plate 9 is omitted, and an alternative element 51 for cooling and condensing steam is provided. In this case, the condensing element 51 extends closingly across an upper part of the heating vessel 2, leaving only a pouring channel leading to the spout 10 of the kettle, which is closable with a removable plug 52. Other mounting arrangements for such a condensing element 51 are possible and will be described below. The condensing element 51 comprises an upper plate 53 and a lower plate 54, which each extend horizontally across the element 51, spaced one from the other. An element wall 55 extends around the condensing element 51. An entry port 56 extends through the lower plate

54 at a point remote from the spout 10, and an exit port 57 extends through the upper plate 53 at a point adjacent the spout 10.

A series of upper baffles 58 each extend from the upper plate 53 towards the lower plate 54, each baffle 58 extending at substantially the same angle to the vertical. A series of lower baffles 59 each extend from the lower plate 54 towards the upper plate 53, the lower baffles 59 extending substantially parallelly to the upper baffles 58. (In other condensing elements, the upper 58 and lower baffles 59 may each extend vertically or angled to the vertical in an opposite sense to that shown; in each case, each baffle 58, 59 will extend substantially parallelly to each other baffle). The upper 58 and lower baffles 59 are disposed altematingly, interleaved so as to define a vapour path 60 which extends indirectly from the entry port 56 to the exit port 57.

A series of cooling fins 61 extend upwardly from the upper plate 53. A duct 62 leads past the condensing element 51 to a "steam window" 63 of conventional form, which leads to an automatic control mechanism (not shown) of conventional form, comprising a bimetallic strip, located within the handle 15 of the kettle 1.

In use, the kettle 1 is filled through the spout 10, and the plug 52 is fitted. The kettle 1 is operated conventionally. As the water within the heating vessel 2 heats up and approaches boiling point, the only route by which hot water vapour (and ultimately steam) may reach an exterior of the kettle 1 is through the vapour path 60 of the condensing element 51. The steam 64 enters the element 51 through the entry port 56, and follows the zig-zag vapour path 60, passing around each of the upper 58 and lower baffles 59, until it reaches the exit port 57. The steam cools as it passes along this extended path, such that an outflow 65 through the exit port 57 comprises water vapour at a temperature of around thirty five degrees Celsius. This may be allowed to flow through the spout 10 without constituting a hazard.

A side flow of steam 66 may flow along the duct 62 and through the steam window 63 to the automatic control mechanism of the kettle 1, independently of the steam 64 which is being cooled and condensed in the condensing element 51. The kettle 1 is thus automatically switched off when its contents have reached the boil, as for existing kettles.

Although the element 51 shown is permanently mounted to the kettle 1 , it is also envisaged that such a condensing element could be made as a unit removable from the kettle 1, for example for cleaning. The condensing element 51 may also be mounted directly to a lid of the kettle 51, rather than to the walls 8, as long as steam 64 from the heating vessel 2 is- constrained to pass through the element 51 before reaching the spout 10 (or before reaching a separate exit from the kettle 1).

The kettle 1 shown in Figures 3 and 4 relies on a simple plug 52 to prevent spillage if it is dropped. However, a condensing element 51 similar to that shown could also be combined with other closures described herein. For example, a condensing element 51 could be built into the pivoting plate 9 shown in Figure 1, in place of the condensing arcangement illustrated. As shown in Figure 5, it is possible to incorporate a similar condensing arrangement into a handle 15 of a kettle 1. A handle condenser 70 has a vapour path 71 which extends from an entry port 56, down the handle (not shown) and back up again until it reaches an exit port 57. A series of baffles 72 extend horizontally from alternate walls part-way across the vapour path 71, extending the vapour path 71 significantly. (These baffles 72 may instead extend at an angle to the horizontal, if preferred). The entry port 56 is connected to the heating vessel 2 of the kettle, while the exit port 57 is connected to the spout 10. As long as the kettle 1 is enclosed, for example by one of the closure mechanisms described herein, steam 64 from the heating vessel 2 is constrained to pass along the vapour path 71 of the handle condenser 70, emerging as water vapour 65 at a temperature sufficiently low not to cause a hazard as it leaves the spout 10.

As above, the steam window 63 leading to the bimetallic strip of the automatic control mechanism is separate from the condenser 70, so that the automatic control mechanism strip is exposed to uncooled steam.

Condensate 73 may accumulate in a lowest portion of the handle condenser 70. It is well known to provide various drainage arrangements for condensate accumulating in the automatic control mechanism of a kettle 1, and similar arrangements may also be provided to tap off condensate 73 from the handle condenser 70.

In place of the pivotable (condensing) plate 9 shown in Figure 1 , the kettle 1 shown in Figures 6 and 7 is provided with a rotatable closing plate 26 extending horizontally across the cylindrical heating vessel 2 immediately below its spout 10. The closing plate 26 contacts an upper surface of an interrupted armular flange 27 mounted around an internal wall 8 of the vessel 2. The closing plate 26 is provided with a notch 28 in its periphery. The interrupted flange 27 is provided with a broader zone 29, extending into the vessel 2, which corresponds in shape with the notch 28, but is slightly larger. The interruption 30 in the flange 27 is also configured to conform to the notch 2, and is located adjacent the spout 10.

In an open disposition of the closing plate 26, the notch 28 is aligned with the interruption 30 in the flange 27. There is thus an open passage for water between the heating vessel 2 and its spout 10.

In a fully-closed disposition of the closing plate 26, the notch 28 is aligned with the broader zone 29 of the flange 27, as shown by dotted line 28A. The broader zone 29 thus blocks the notch 28, preventing water leaving the vessel 2.

The closing plate 26 is selectably rotatable between the above dispositions by manual movement of a slider button 14 mounted to the handle 15 of the kettle 1. As for the kettles described above, a safety button 16 must be depressed to allow movement of the slider button 14. The mechanism (omitted for clarity) connecting the slider button 14 to the closing plate 26 is spring loaded to bias the closing plate 26 towards its fully-closed position. Thus, if either the safety button 16 or the slider button 14 is released while the closing plate 26 is "open", it will spring back to "closed", preventing spillage of water from the vessel 2. As long as the safety button 16 is held down, the slider button 14 may be moved to place the closing plate 26 in an intermediate disposition in which its notch 28 is only partially blocked. Thus, a restricted flow of water can be dispensed from the kettle 1, if desired. This closing arrangement may be combined with any of the steam condensing arcangements described herein. For example, a condenser element 51 may be mounted to the closing plate

26, or a handle condenser 70 may be incorporated into the handle 15.

The kettle 1 shown in Figure 8 is provided with a fixed closing plate 31 extending horizontally across the vessel 2. In the embodiment shown, it extends across the vessel 2 on a level with a mid point of the spout 10, although it could also be located below the spout 10, or level with an upper zone of the spout 10 if desired. A slot 32 extends through the closing plate 31 and partway thereacross from adjacent the spout 10. A tongue 33 is mounted slideably within the slot 32, opposite edges of the tongue 33 being retained by guide channels 34 formed in coιτesponding edges of the slot 32, as shown in Figure 9 A. A tip 35 of the tongue 33 is shaped to conform to a corresponding profile of the spout 10.

Thus, the tongue 33 is selectably slideable between a "closed" disposition in which its tip 35 contacts the spout 10 and the slot 32 is closed, and an "open" disposition as shown in Figure 9B in which much of the tongue 33 has been withdrawn into a recess within the closing plate 31, and the slot 32 is open for water from the vessel 2 to be dispensed therethrough (or for water to be added to the vessel 2).

The tongue 33 is withdrawn to open the slot 32 by means of a slider button 14 mounted to a handle 15 of the kettle 1. A safety button 16 is also provided, which must be depressed to allow movement of the slider button 14 from a "closed" disposition.

As for the other arrangements shown above, release of either the slider button 14 or the safety button 16 results in closure of the kettle 1. To this end, a spring 36 is provided within the closure plate 31 which is compressed when the tongue 33 is in an "open" disposition, and thus biases it towards its "closed" disposition in which it blocks the slot 32.

This closing arrangement may also be combined with any of the steam condensing arrangements described herein. For example, a condensing element 51 may be mounted to the closing plate 31, or a handle condenser 70 may be incorporated into the handle 15.

The heating vessel 2 shown in Figure 1 has cool outer walls 8, and the pivotable plate 9 blocks spillages of hot or boiling water. However, if a full heating vessel 2 should be knocked over, it could still be a hazard due to its weight, particularly if it were to fall from a worktop to the floor. It is hence desirable for the heating vessel 2 to be securable to the base unit 3 as shown. The kettle 1 is here provided with a form of bayonet fitting to connect the heating vessel 2 to the base unit 3 (which is also shown, in plan view, in Figure 10).

The heating vessel 2 is provided with four projections 21 extending radially outwardly from a lower end thereof. The base unit 3 has a recess 22 sufficiently wide to receive the lower end of the heating vessel 2 and the projections 21. However, the recess 22 has an inwardly extending lip 23 around its open, upper end. The lip 23 is broken by four gaps 24, which correspond to the four projections 21 on the heating vessel 2. The vessel 2 can thus be inserted into the recess 22 with the projections 21 passing through the gaps 24, and then rotated about a vertical axis so that the projections 21 are each disposed beneath a portion of the lip 23. The vessel 2 is thus securely held to the base unit 3. The base unit 3 is secured to a convenient surface, for example by suction cups, adhesive pads or even by being bolted in place. The heating vessel 2 is hence practically impossible to knock over. As an extra safety measure, the base unit 3 is provided with a safety catch which is automatically engaged when the projections 21 are in place beneath the lip 23, and which is releasable by depressing a release button 25. This safety catch prevents inadvertent rotation of the heating vessel 2 back to a position in which the projections 21 correspond with the gaps 24, which could make it possible to knock the heating vessel 2 out of the recess 22.

In an alternative arrangement, shown in Figure 11, the base unit 3 of the kettle 1 is provided with an outwardly extending amiular lip 23, broken by four gaps 24 (not shown). The heating vessel 2 is then provided with a skirt extending downwardly from its lower end, having four projections 21 extending inwardly therefrom. These projections 21 correspond to the gaps 24, as above, so that the vessel 2 can be placed on the base unit 3 with the projections 21 passing through the gaps 24, then rotated about a vertical axis to dispose each projection 21 beneath a portion of the lip 23, holding the vessel 2 securely to the base unit 3.

As for the base unit 3 shown in Figures 1 and 10, the base unit 3 of Figure 11 is provided with a safety catch, engaged when the projections 21 are in position beneath the lip 23, and releasable by depressing a release button 25. The base unit 3 of Figure 11 may be secured to a convenient surface by suction cups, adhesive pads, bolts or the like, as described above.

Similar fittings may also be employed in conjunction with any one of the other kettles illustrated in Figures 3 to 8 if desired. They are also preferably provided with double-skinned insulating walls 8, as described for the kettle 1 shown in Figure 1.

The kettle 37 of Figure 12 is of a type without a separate base unit, although its closure arrangement may also be usable with "cordless" kettles of the types described above. The electrical power connection and associated control switch of the kettle 37 are omitted for clarity. The kettle 37 is provided with double-skinned insulating walls, as for the kettles 1 described above.

The kettle 37 is provided with a stopper lid 38 which in a closed disposition plugs an aperture 39 in a roof 40 of the kettle 37. Depression of an operating button 41 operates a mechanism (not shown for clarity) which raises the lid 38, allowing water to be poured out from an interior of the kettle 37 tlirough the spout 10. Release of the operating button 41 causes the lid 38 to drop back to its closed disposition, either under gravity or with assistance from a spring or the like. The lid 38 may also be operated with a slider button 14 and safety button 16 arrangement as described above.

As shown in Figure 13, an exit channel 42 may be provided in an underside of the lid 38, which aligns with the spout 10 in an open disposition of the lid 38, to facilitate outflow of water from the kettle. Alternatively, the lid 38 may be substantially hollow, with a notch being provided in its wall which aligns similarly with the spout 10.

For the kettle 37 of Figure 12 in particular, it is necessary to ensure that excess pressure does not build up therewithin during heating. However, were a direct passage left open between an interior of the kettle 37 and its spout 10, there would be a potential scalding hazard from steam, etc, escaping therethrough. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14, a surface of the roof 40 of the kettle 37, which is in contact with an opposing surface of the lid 38 in its closed disposition, is provided with a series of diagonal grooves 43. These define an array of condensing channels 44 which extend obliquely between an interior and an exterior of the kettle 37. These provide an escape route for steam and/or hot water vapour from within the kettle 37, but their relatively high length and surface area result in the steam/water vapour being cooled to a non-hazardous temperature before it reaches the exterior of the kettle 37.

Alternatively, the lid 38 may bear the grooves 43.

Figure 15 and 16 show part of a similar arrangement in isolation. A first contact surface 45 of a closure bears a series of diagonal grooves 43, aligned at a substantial angle (here approximately 75°) to a shortest route between an interior and an exterior of a kettle. A second, opposing surface 46 of the closure conforms to the overall profile of the first surface 45, but is not provided with grooves. The first and second surfaces 45, 46, when in contact, thus define an array of diagonal channels 44 as shown in Figure 16. The surfaces 45, 46 may be moved freely, one across the other, to operate the closure, while not interfering with the condensing and pressure release function of the channels 44.

Claims

1. A kettle comprising an elongate indirect path for steam, as herein defined, connecting an interior and an exterior of the kettle and selectively openable closure means, which, when open, by-passes said indirect condensing path and, when closed, constrains the steam to follow said indirect condensing path.

2. A kettle as claimed in claim 1 provided with closure means extending across an interior of the kettle adjacent an outlet end thereof, at least part of the closure means being displaceable between a first closed position where it forms a waterproof seal across the kettle and a second open position where it allows water to be dispensed from the vessel.

3. A kettle as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the indirect condensing path comprises inlet means and outlet means connected by a steam path partially occluded by a plurality of baffle means each extending across part of the path.

4. A kettle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the steam path is defined by two opposing surfaces, and alternate ones of said baffle means extend away from one surface towards an opposing surface.

5. A kettle has claimed in claim 4, wherein each baffle means extends more than halfway across the path towards a respective opposing surface.

6. A kettle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indirect condensing path is provided with cooling means, such as cooling fins, external to said path.

7. A kettle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the condensing means is mounted to said closure means.

8. A kettle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the condensing means is so mounted to the kettle as to extend within handle means of the kettle.

9. A kettle comprising a vessel, means therein to heat water and closure means extending across an interior of said vessel adjacent an outlet end thereof, at least a part of said closure means being selectably displaceable between a first closed position where it forms a waterproof seal across the vessel and a second open position where it allows water to be dispensed from the vessel.

10. A kettle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the closure means comprises means to cool and/or condense steam, as herein defined.

11. A kettle as claimed in either claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the closure means is retained in a closed disposition across the vessel by manually releasable catch means.

12. A kettle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the catch means is biased to urge the closure means towards said closed disposition.

13. A kettle as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the closure means is mounted pivotably to the vessel.

14. A kettle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the closure means comprises plate means extending in a closed disposition across the vessel and selectably pivotable towards an open disposition in which a passage for water is created between an interior of the vessel and spout means thereof.

15. A kettle as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the closure means comprises a first element and a second element, one of which is rotatable with respect to the other between a closed disposition and an open disposition of the closure means.

16. A kettle as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first element comprises plate means extending across the vessel and provided with notch means in its periphery and said second element comprises a member adapted to overlap said notch means closingly.

17. A kettle as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the closure means comprises a first and a second element, the second element being mounted slidably to the first element for movement between a closed disposition and an open disposition of the closure means.

18. A kettle as claimed in claim 17, wherein said first element comprises plate means extending across the vessel and provided with elongate slot means therethrough and said second element comprises tongue means mounted to the plate means adjacent the slot means and slideable between a closed disposition in which it blocks the slot means and an open disposition in which water may flow through the slot means.

19. A kettle as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the closure means comprises a closing element raisable from a first closed disposition to a second open disposition in which a passage for water is created between an interior of the vessel and spout means thereof.

20. A kettle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel is provided with an outer wall which comprises an inner skin and an outer skin with a thermally insulating layer therebetween.

21. A kettle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a base unit to which the water heating vessel is detachably mounted.

22. A kettle as claimed in claim 21, further comprising releasable locking means to retain the water heating vessel securely mounted to the base unit.

23. A kettle substantially as described herein with reference to any one or more of the Figures of the accompanying drawings.