CA2045569A1 - Container for liquids, in particular a microwave pot - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A container for liquids 1, in particular a microwave pot for preparing hot drinks in a microwave oven, comprises a body (2), a handle (6) with an essentially constant curvature attached to the body (2) and a lid which closes the opening (3) of the container and in which can be inserted in constriction of the body (2) of container below the rim (13) of the container. The lid (4) comprises a knob (8) which is separated from the handle by a commissure (10) which functions as a lever. The handle (6), the knob (8) and the transition region (9) between the handle (6) and the knob (8) have the same cross section and the same constant curvature along their entire length. The commissure (10) extends between the handle (6) and the knob (8) above the rim (13) of the container.

Description

CONTAINER FOR LIOUIDS, IN PAR~ICULAR A MICROWAVE PO~

The present invention relates to a container for liquids, more particularly a microwave container suitable for preparing hot beverages inside a microwave oven in 5 accordance with the preamble to Patent Claim l.

Disclosed in U.S.-A-2 592 279 is a similar container for liquids comprising a container body, a container handle which, being attached to the container body, exhibits a substantially constant curvature, and a lid serving to close 10 the opening of the container. The lid features a knob embodied as a lever that is separated from the container handle by means of a commissure. The latter runs above the rim of the container between the container handle and the knob wich is, for the purpose of removing the lid, attached 15 to the latter so as to be able to pivot, which enables the lid to be removed from the opening of the container for liquids by being lifted and then pulled.

Disclosed in GB-PS 1 027 123 is a container for liquids comprising a container handle that is attached to the body 20 of such container as well as a lid serving to close the opening o~ the container. The handle, which is attached to the body of the container, has a variable curvature that allows it to accommodate the shape of the hand of the user.
The handle extends over a commissure located near the rim of 25 the container body to become a knob that is attached to the lid of the container. The lid is inserted into the container opening and fits snugly into the neck of the container body.

A number of features make the prior art container for 30 liquids difficult to use. For example, the space separating the handle from the container body is too small for large hands, which makes the container hard to grasp. Whenever the lid is removed, the hand must be placed directly over ,, ,.................... .. ~ '. ~

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the lid, which allows steam to make contact with the hand during preparation or storage of hot beverages. This increases the likelihood of scalding. For this reason, the prior art container for liquids is suitable for storing hot 5 or cold drinks, but not for directly heating liquids.

DE-GM 19 68 008 discloses a vessel suitable for pouring liquids featuring a flip-open lid, wherein the lid, which is situated in an opening that begins below tha rim of the container, features a lateral extension that is sloped at a 10 predetermined angle relative to an upper stopping surface of the container handle. When the extension of the lid is depressed, the latter is caused to tilt upwards, which releases liquid through a spout located on the side of the container opposite the handle.

15 Although use of the prior art device does not entail the danger of scalding one's hand, since the latter is protected by the lid itself, the lid cannot be completely withdrawn from the opening unless lifted up from the side on which the opening is situated, an action that would again expose the 20 hand to scalding. A further disadvantage of this prior art device is that the lid extends beyond the rim of the fluid container, and is thus more likely to drag on the inside of a narrow space, an example of which is the heating cavity located inside a microwave oven.

25 Microwave apparatuses that are used to heat and cook food products have found increasing use in both commercial and private kitchens. Containers, generally of plastic, have been designed especially for use inside microwave ovens, since the metal cooking implements that are used 30 conventionally to prepare food cannot be placed inside a microwave oven.

Use of specially-designed containers permits food to be prepared inside microwave ovens in a particularly effective and energy-saving manner and enables, in addition to food preparation, water or beverages to be heated inside a microwave oven.

Also known is a microwave pot produced from borosilicate 5 glass, and used to prepare hot drinks. This pot has a handle and a body featuring an opening that can be closed by means of a lid. Both lid and handle are made of plastic. The lid is designed to interlock with the glass body by means of locking tongues, while the end zones of the handle are 10 bonded to the glass body by a special technique that eliminates the need for a metal band, which cannot be used inside a microwave oven. A manually-operated plunger, located in the centre of the lid, facilitates opening and closing of the lid.

15 The retention of classic design features in a beverage container is not progressive, in view of contemporary user-friendly designs of other kinds of similar equipment.
Removal of the lid from the prior art microwave pot for example is possible only if the user does not mind exposing 20 his hand to the hot steam escaping from the pot.

Employment of a lid extending far above the pot itself, moreover, increases the overall height of the pot, which in turn reduces considerably the usefulness of such prior art containers inside substantially flat microwave ovens.

25 A further disadvantage of the prior art microwave pot is the expensive bonding technique used to attach the handle to the body of the container, in respect of which it has not been clearly demonstrated that the bond is durable enough to resist microwave radiation over the long term.

30 ~he ob~ect of the present invention is the creation of a container for liquids of the kind mentioned above which, besides being aesthetically pleasing, is easy and safe to 20~5569 use, is suitable for use inside flat microwave ovens and permits the simple and durable attachment of the container handle to the container itself.

This object will be satisfied by the distinguishing features 5 set out in Claim 1.

The proposed microwave pot is very easy to use, can be handled safely, is durable and has a highly resistant handle that permits use of the proposed container inside practically every kind of microwave oven.

10 The lever-like design of the knob permits safe manipulation of the lid from the side. The continuous merging of the knob into the handle of the container prevents unintentional operation of the knob, since such operation first requires that the knob be swung away from the handle, whereupon the 15 lid can be lifted from the container by pulling on the knob.

The lever-like design of the knob also permits employment of a flat and easily-grasped knob. Due to the lever-like design of the knob and the integration of the knob and 20 container handle near the rim of the container, an entirely flat, easy to use container can be used.

In accordance with one advantageous improvement of the present invention, the container handle merges into an attachment ring that surrounds and is attached to the body 25 of the container.

The attachment ring features preferably on its inner side gum, rubber or synthetic material elements that serve to produce a positive frictional connection between the attachment ring and the surface of the container body. This 30 method obviates the use of expensive bonding techniques and ensures the durability of the connection of handle to ;~045569 s container over long periods of use. Additionally, the non-permanent method by which the container handle attaches to the container body permits the container handle to be removed, for example, for the purpose of cleaning.

5 Advantageously, the container handle is attached again to the body of the container in the region of a rim of the container. This additional attachment point, which is spatially separated from the attachment ring, forms part of a broad handle base that is capable of withstanding load 10 moments on the handle.

A further advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises that the cross section of the free end of the container handle fits over the rim of the container by means of a locking catch. This form-fitted connection enables, 15 together with the positive and frictional connection with which the attachment ring connects to the container, a particu}arly easy-to-manipulate joint that simplifies attachment of the handle to and removal from the container.

The knob features a radius of curvature throughout its 20 length that is the same as that exhibited by the container handle that extends with a constant curvature from the attachment ring to the lid. Both knob and container handle in this regard feature the same cross section which is also present in the transition zone in which knob and container 25 handle fit together. This method allows the container handle, together with the adjoining knob, to have the appearance of a unit which, in addition to the advantage that the knob can be actuated only after having been slid to the side, is visually pleasing.

30 In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a section of the commissure, which runs horizontally and is parallel to the plane of the container rim, is arranged in at least one plane in a transition zone ~: ",,i ::
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20455~i9 that extends from the knob to the container handle. The commissure is also bounded by two opposing surfaces that are arranged parallel to each another.

This method provides for the safe handling of the container 5 lid which, due to the overlapping of the knob over the container handle, can be held down by the thumb of the hand of the user, which ensures even after the lid has been repeatedly inserted and removed that the lid will sit securely inside the container neck.

10 In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, both knob and container handle exhibit a circular cross section and feature ribs that are joined together by means of a central web. Such ribbing, besides enabling the user to more easily grasp the handle, reduces 15 the amount of material used in its manufacture.

Located in the transition zone between knob and container handle is a commissure that is oriented in at least one plane and is formed by the parallel opposing surfaces of knob and container handle.

20 In one preferred embodiment example, the commissure is oriented substantially in a plane that runs parallel to and is directly adjacent to the rim of the container body. This arrangement firstly permits the knob to be swung freely to either side in the plane of the top edge of the container 25 body and secondly permits the alignment of the top of the container handle on practically the same level as the rim of the container after the lid has been removed. This permits free access rom all sides to the container opening.

In yet another preferred embodiment example of the present 30 invention, the commissure is arranged in two planes that meet at right angles, which enables the knob to be swung out only in one direction parallel to the rim of the container . . i, . . .~, .
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7 204~:;569 body, whereby in this embodimant a vertically-oriented counter surface of the container handle serves both as a stop for the knob and to correctly position the knob relative to the container handle.

5 Another embodiment example of the present invention comprises that both parallel counter surfaces of the commissure run vertically, whereby one of the counter surfaces contains a hole, while the other counter surface features a locking projection that is able to fit inside 10 such hole. In this arrangement, the locking projection serves to advantageously position the knob relative to the container handle.

Advantageous alternative designs and embodiments of the present invention are claimed in the subsidiary claims.

15 The present invention will next be described in greater detail by means of drawings of embodiment examples of the present invention. Shown are:
Figure l is an overall view of a microwave pot;
Figure 2 is a lid together with its knob;0 Figure 3 is a container handle together with attachment ring;
Figure 4 is a cross sectional representation in accordance with the section along line IV - IV shown in Figure 1:
25 Figure 5 is a view of the cross section as shown in Figure 4 in anothe~r embodiment example;
Figure 6 is a view of the cross section as shown in Figure 4 in a further embodiment example;
Figure 7 is a plan view of the attachment ring in 30accordance with Figure 3;
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the attachment ring in accordance with Figure 7;
Figure 9 is an enlarged side view of adhesive elements of the attachment ring in accordance with Figure 8;

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Figure 10 is an enlarged side view of further adhesive elements of thé attachment ring in accordance with Figure 8;
Figure 11 is a view from the bottom of the lid as illustrated in Figure 2;
Figure 12 is a sectional view through the lid as illustrated in accordance with the section running along line XII - XII in Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a plan view of the lid;
10 Figure 14 is an accessory serving as a tea strainer;
Figure 15 is the accessory viewed as inserted inside the lid and Figure 16 is an attachment viewed as inserted inside an attachment ring.

15 Figure 1 shows a container suitable for holding liquids 1, comprising essentially a container body 2, a lid 4 serving to close the opening 3 of container body 2, and a container handle 6 that attaches to container body 2 via an attachment ring 5. Lid 4, shown in Fig. 2, features a knob 8 that 20 projects essentially outwardly from cover floor 7 to the side. Knob 8 merges continuously into container handle 6 in a transition zone 9 that features a commissure 10 that separates knob 8 from container handle 6.

In Figure 3, container handle 6 features in its end cross 25 section 11 a locking catch 12 which, in addition to attachment ring 5, serves to connect container handle 6 to container body 2. Locking catch 12 acts to connect container rim 13 to container body 2.

Locking catch 12 can, in addition, feature on its inner side 30 an element comprising gum, rubber or synthetic material, which serves to produce an additional frictional connection with container rim 13.

In order to provide an interlocking connection of attachment ' '- ~- - . -, `: ' , .
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ring 5, as well as lid 4, to container body 2, locking tongues 14, 15 are provided on attachment ring 5 and locking tongues 16 are provided on lid 4. Additionally, or alternatively, attachment ring 5 can be attached to the 5 surface of container body 2 by means of elements comprising gum, rubber or synthetic material that are arranged on the inside of such ring so as to produce a frictional connection with the surface of container body 2.

Knob 8 and container handle 6 have the same cross section 10 27, which is complemented and completed in transition zone 9 by means of suitably shaped ends 18, 19 of knob 8 and container handle 6, respectively. Cross section 17, which comprises, in transition zone 9, ends 18 and 19, has a constriction only in the region of container rim 13. The 15 provision of constriction 20 enables knob 8, which extends laterally from the lid, to extend beyond container rim 13 of container body 2 in as flat a profile as possible, the effect of which being that the presence of knob 8 does not substantially increase the height of container body 2.

20 Commissure 10, which is situated in transition zone 9, is bounded essentially by two parallel opposing surfaces 21, 22, of ends 18, 19 of knob 8 and container handle 6, respectively. In this arrangement, counter surface 21 of container handle 6 lies practically on the same level as rim 25 13 of container body 2. Thus, when lid 4 is removed, opening 3 of container body 2 can be accessed freely from all sides.

In Figure 4, a composite cross section 17, which is located in transition zone 9, permits knob 8 to swing freely in both 30 directions parallel to container rim 13 relative to container handle 6. After being swung in either one or the other direction, knob 8, whose design suggests a lever, permits easy opening of container for liquids 1, to which end a vertically -- or upwardly -- directed force is brought to bear in the region of end 18 upon knob 8. The arrangement of counter surfaces, 21, 22, in which such surfaces lie opposite each other, ensures against the unintentional opening of the container for liquids.

5 Figures 5 and 6 illustrate further preferred embodiments of transition zone 9.

Transition zone 9, whose cross section is shown in Figure 5, comprises ends 23, 24 of knob 8 and container handle 6, which are separated by means of a commissure 25 comprising 10 two planes that run perpendicularly to each other. This embodiment of transition zone 9 comprises a stop 27, which, being formed by one perpendicular counter surface 26 of container handle 6, acts to limit on one side the pivoting motion of knob 8 so that when the latter comes to rest 15 against stop 27, knob 8 is precisely positioned with respect to container handle 6, which ensures the secure closure of container for fluids 1.

Figure 6 shows another embodiment version of transition zone 9, in which ends 28, 29, of knob 8, and container handle 6 20 respectively, are separated from each other by means of a vertically-running commissure 30. Arranged in a counter surface 31 in end 29 of container handle 6, is a hole 32 that serves to accommodate a bulb-shaped locking extension 33. The latter is arranged upon a counter surface 34 in end 25 28 of knob 8, and, due to its bulbous surface 35, is able to lock into hole 32 in order to prevent knob 8 from moving unintentionally relative to container handle 6.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate attachment ring 5, which partially surrounds container body 2 so as to permit 30 attachment ring 5 to be simply slid from the side over container body 2. The present embodiment of attachment ring 5 has a circumference that is only slightly greater than a semicircle which, however, together with the locking tongues ' !
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14, 15 that are arranged in end zones of the circumference of attachment ring 5, constitutes a form-fitting attachment to container body 2 that is capable of bearing loads. In order to enhance the flexibility of attachment ring 5, 5 relief notches 38 are provided in stiffening ribs 37, which are located horizontally on the inside 36 of attachment ring 5.

In a modified version of this embodiment, attachment ring 5 can be closed to form a complete cylindrically shaped ring 10 whereby attachment ring 5 is attached to the surface of container body 2 by means of gum, rubber or synthetic material elements, which serve to produce a frictional connection with the surface of container body 2.

Figure 7 also shows the manner of construction of cross 15 section 17 of container handle 6, which has the same shape as knob 8. Cross section 17 comprises ribs 45 that are arranged parallel to each other and are connected together in one piece by means of a common connecting web 46. The length of ribs 45 decrease toward the extremities of 20 connecting web 46, and so produce the circular contour of cross section 17.

Stiffening members 37, which run horizontally, are connected together by means of vertically running stiffening webs 39.

In order to complete the interlocking connection of locking 25 tongues 14, 15, of attachment ring 5, to container body 2, the latter is provided with bulbous thickenings 40 that permit, when attachment ring 5 is slid over container body

2, locking tongues 14, 15, to lock in place behind thickenings 40. In this position, attachment ring 5 rests 30 with its stiffening webs 37, 39, against container body 2.
Positive interlocking between attachment ring 5 and container body 2 is also accomplished in the vertical load direction by the design of thickenings 40, which enables such thickenings to rest against stiffening webs 37, which limit the lateral movement of attachment ring 5.

To ensure the proper transfer of forces from container handle 6 to attachment ring 5, which is connected in one 5 piece with the container handle, a transition zone 41 is situated between container handle 6, and attachment rin~ 5 has a reinforced design.

In a special embodiment of lid 4, projections 43, which extend parallel to lid floor 7, are arranged on an inner 10 wall 42 of lid 4. This arrangement permits the attachment to lid 4 of accessories without hindering the basic function of the lid, which is to close container 1.

Figure 14 shows an accessory that comprises slots 63 and is embodied as a tea strainer 47 which, as indicated in Figure 15 15, can be inserted into a suitably-shaped lid.

Tea strainer 47 comprises, in its most basic configuration, a mating section 50, comprising a mating rim 49, that becomes a tumbler section 51, capable of holding tea or similar substances. In order to be able to accommodate tea 20 strainer 47, lid 48 is also provided in the vicinity of lid wall 42 with an additional inner wall 52, in which locking openings 53 are provided.

Locking openings 53, which are located in the inner wall of lid 4, and which mate with locking projections 49, can be 25 ~ormed from suitably-designed webs so as to permit tea strainer 47 to be inserted into the hollow-cylindrical inner portion of lid 4, and which when turned, causes locking projections 49 to catch behind members 53 of lid 4. This arrangement permits tea strainer 47 and lid 4 to form a 30 bayonet-type lock that permits tea strainer 47 to be easily connected to and removed from lid 4. In order to permit cleaning of tea strainer 47, the latter can, after use, be '," ' :' ' .'. ' , . . .

204sS69 turned in the opposite direction relative to lid 4, and then be withdrawn from the hollow cylindrical inner wall of lid 4.

After being filled with tea, tea strainer 47 can once again 5 be attached to lid 4, and the container simply sealed during brewing of the tea.

Figure 16 illustrates a further application of tea strainer 47, which is shown inserted inside an insert ring 55, which has itself been inserted inside container 1. Insert ring 55 10 comprises, in its most basic configuration, a ring floor 56, from which an outer wall 57 and an inner wall 58, vertically extend.

Outer wall 57 features locking tongues 59, by means of which insert ring 55 can be inserted and locked inside container 15 body 2. Inner wall 58 is provided with locking openings 60 and a support surface 61. The design of the latter permits tea strainer 47, which is inserted from the top into insertion ring 55, to rest with its locking projection 49 on top of support surface 61.

20 Insert ring 55 is closed from the top by means of a lid 62, which, analogously to lids 4 and 48, is designed with a narrowing outer diameter and so fits the shape of insert ring 55. In this arrangement, locking tongues 16 of lid 62 catch in locking openings 60, which are located in the inner 25 wall 58 of insert ring 55.

Insert ring 55 affords the advantage that depending on use, insert ring 55 and tea strainer 57, can, on the one hand be manipulated as a unit excluding lid 62, while on the other hand, tea strainer 47 can, a~ter lid 62 has been removed, be 30 inserted into container 1.

Quite independently of whether or not the attachment that is ' ~ ' ' .

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204~S69 embodied as a tea strainer 47, is introduced into lid 48, or into insert 55, the present invention in any case affords the advantage that use of the insert renders superfluous the step of pouring, into a separate teapot, water that has been 5 heated inside container 1.

In order to prevent the buildup of overpressures inside container body 2, which may result from the heating of water, apertures 44 are disposed in concentric rows in cover floor 7. Alternatively, a pouring spout is arranged on lo container body 2 so that a pouring gap and thus an opening sufficient to allow the escape of steam, remains between lid 4 and container rim 13. This pouring gap is situated on the side of the container opposite the container handle 6, in order to render the container for holding fluids 1, safe to 15 use.

The present invention is not limited in its design to the above described preferred embodiment example, but rather a number of embodiment variations can be contemplated, which make use of the above-disclosed solution, even in 20 substantially different embodiments.

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Claims (6)

1. Container for liquids, more particularly, a microwave container suitable for preparing hot drinks inside a microwave oven, comprising a container body, a container handle attached to said container body, said container handle having a substantially constant curvature and a lid that can be inserted into a narrowing of said container body below the rim of said container, for the purpose of closing the opening of said container, said lid comprising a knob having a form suggesting a lever, said knob being separated from said container handle by means of a commissure that runs between said container handle and said knob above the rim of said container, whereby, container handle (6), knob (8), and transition region (9) which extends from container handle (6) to knob (8), have, along their integral length, the same cross section and the same constant curvature, whereby container handle (6) is connected to an attachment ring (5) that surrounds container for liquids (1) and grasps the rim of said container (13) in a form-fitting manner, whereby attachment ring (5) is attached to the surface of container body (2) by means of a frictional connection that is established preferably by means of gum, rubber or synthetic elements that are arranged on the inside of said attachment ring and whereby, furthermore, container handle (6) connects to rim (13) of said container by means of a locking catch (12) that forms a portion of commissure (20) that runs vertically and parallel to said container rim (13), whereby furthermore locking catch (12) is provided on its inner side with an element preferably comprising gum, rubber or synthetic material that establishes an additional frictional connection with rim 3 of said container.

2. Container for liquids in accordance with Claim 1, whereby a horizontal portion of commissure (20) that is oriented parallel to the plane of the rim of said container (13) in transition region (9) extending from knob (8) to container handle (6), runs in at least one plane and is bounded by two counter surfaces (21,22) that are arranged parallel to each other.

3. Container for fluids in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, whereby commissure (25) runs in essentially two planes that are arranged perpendicular to each other, so that one counter surface (26) of container handle (6) forms a stop (27) that limits pivoting movement of lid handle (8).

4. Container for fluids in accordance with Claim 1, whereby commissure (30), which comprises two parallel counter surfaces (31, 34), runs vertically, whereby one counter surface (31) comprises a hole (32) and the other counter surface (34) comprises a locking extension (33) that can be accommodated in hole (32).

5. Container for liquids in accordance with one of the previous claims, whereby cross section (17) of knob (8) and container handle (6) is circular and comprises ribs (45) that are connected together by means of a connecting web (46).

6. Container for fluids in accordance with one of the previous claims, whereby lid (4) has an essentially hollow cylindrical design and a top surface that is open to the inside of container body (2), comprises on its outer wall locking tongues (16) that are distributed over said outer wall and on its inner wall a plurality of projections (43) or webs (54) that are distributed over said inner wall, into which a lid insert (47), which is provided with locking projections (49), or rather, locking grooves, can be inserted in a manner that suggests a bayonet-type closure,