CN217285440U - Liquid heating appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid heating appliance (1) comprising: a container (2) defining a liquid heating compartment (18), a lid (4) arranged above the container (2) to cover the liquid heating compartment (18), and a heater (3) operable to heat liquid within the liquid heating compartment (18); wherein the lid (4) comprises a funnel (14) for directing liquid downwardly towards the funnel floor (12), and wherein the funnel floor (12) comprises a check valve (16), the check valve (16) being arranged to allow liquid to flow from the funnel (14) into the liquid heating compartment (18) and to substantially prevent vapour from the liquid heating compartment (18) from entering the funnel (14).

Description

Liquid heating appliance

Technical Field

The present application relates to liquid heating appliances.

Background

Liquid heating appliances, such as kettles, are common in many households. Conventional kettles include a liquid heating compartment for receiving liquid and a heater for increasing the temperature of the liquid.

Kettles are commonly used to heat liquids to their boiling point, which causes the liquid to evaporate into a vapor. It may be desirable to prevent such steam from leaving the appliance, whether for operational reasons (e.g., to activate a steam sensor to shut down the appliance) or for safety considerations. Therefore, conventional kettles are provided with a lid and spout filter to prevent steam from escaping from the liquid heating compartment.

While some kettle designs do lend themselves to being filled with water through the spout, this is not always practical (as the spout may be too small) or desirable (as a large spout may adversely affect the appearance of the kettle). Therefore, it is not possible to fill a kettle with water at the spout, which means that a user wishing to fill the kettle with liquid to be heated must first open or remove the lid and then close or replace the lid again after the kettle is filled. Therefore, the time taken to fill the appliance increases, and the convenience of the user to perform the task decreases.

The applicant has realised that there is a need for a liquid heating appliance, such as a kettle, which can be filled quickly and directly by a user.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present application aims to provide an improved appliance, and from a first aspect provides a liquid heating appliance comprising:

a container defining a liquid heating compartment, a lid arranged over the container to cover the liquid heating compartment, and a heater operable to heat liquid within the liquid heating compartment;

wherein the lid defines a receiving chamber for receiving a volume of liquid, and the receiving chamber includes a fill valve,

wherein the filling valve is arranged to operate to allow liquid to flow from the receiving chamber into the liquid heating compartment in a filling mode of the appliance, and to substantially prevent fluid flow from the liquid heating compartment into the receiving chamber in a heating mode of the appliance.

Thus, a user of the appliance of the present application may fill the appliance with the liquid to be heated by filling the receiving chamber, and the filling valve is arranged to allow liquid to flow from the receiving chamber into the liquid heating compartment during the filling mode. The receiving chamber in the lid may make filling easier than attempting to fill through the spout, and liquid may flow directly into the liquid heating compartment without user intervention (e.g. operating a hinged lid). The filling valve is arranged to substantially prevent fluid (e.g. steam) from passing in the opposite direction (at least) during the heating mode. This means that steam generated in the liquid heating compartment cannot easily escape (i.e. steam escape is prevented or hindered) via the receiving chamber in the lid during the heating mode. In a heating mode of the appliance, the valve may be arranged to substantially prevent both liquid and vapour from flowing from the liquid heating compartment to the receiving chamber through the filling valve. Thus, even if the appliance is tilted during the heating mode, hot liquid cannot escape via the receiving chamber in the lid. Thus, like a conventional kettle, the lid acts as a closure for the liquid heating compartment at least during the heating mode.

It should be understood that the fill mode and the heat mode may not be independent of each other. The filling valve operates to allow liquid to flow into the liquid heating compartment at least during the filling mode. In some embodiments, the fill valve may also allow liquid to flow into the liquid heating compartment during the heating mode. The fill valve operates to substantially prevent fluid flow from the liquid heating compartment into the receiving chamber during at least the heating mode. In some embodiments, the fill valve may also operate in the same manner during the fill mode. It may be preferred that in a filling mode of the appliance, the filling valve is arranged to substantially prevent vapour from flowing from the liquid heating compartment into the receiving chamber. This provides a safety benefit, as the user pouring the liquid into the receiving chamber is not exposed to the risk of scalding. For example, the fill valve may include a check valve. The check valve may comprise a slit valve or a flap valve, as will be described further below.

In some embodiments, the fill valve is selectively operated such that the fill mode and the heating mode are independent of each other. For example, the fill valve is operable to selectively open in a fill mode and selectively close in a heating mode. This means that the valve is responsive to the current operating mode of the appliance, although selectively opening in the filling mode may allow some vapour (e.g. from previously heated liquid in the compartment) to come into contact with the user when filling the receiving chamber.

In some embodiments, the fill valve includes a valve bore and a valve closure member. The valve hole may be provided in a bottom plate of the receiving chamber. The valve hole may be selectively closed by the closing member blocking movement of the valve hole. In some examples, the movement of the closing member may be automatically actuated at/before the start of the heating mode. In some other examples, the movement of the closing member may be manually actuated at/before the start of the heating mode. In such an example, a single manual operation may initiate the heating mode and actuate movement of the closure member. For example, the closure member may be provided on a plunger that is manually movable at (or before) the start of the heating mode. The appliance may comprise a plunger, for example for lowering the infusion device into the liquid heating compartment, or for moving a ferromagnetic heating plate within the liquid heating compartment. This may be a vertical plunger that passes through a valve hole in the lid, as will be described in more detail below.

In some embodiments, the appliance may include a check valve and a fill valve including an aperture and a closure member (e.g., selectively closed by operation of a plunger). This may improve the safety of the appliance by reducing the risk of the user's hands being scalded by steam when the movement of the closing member is manually actuated.

In various embodiments, the fill valve is or includes a check valve. Preferably, the check valve is arranged to allow liquid to flow from the receiving chamber into the liquid heating compartment when a threshold pressure differential across the valve is reached. Preferably, the pressure differential is provided by the weight of the liquid in the receiving chamber. The check valve is preferably biased closed, and closes when the pressure differential across the valve is less than a threshold value.

The check valve may comprise any suitable type of one-way check valve. Preferably, the check valve comprises a slit valve. The valve may comprise a resilient material having one or more slits. The elastic material may comprise two slits crossing each other at right angles. Preferably, the one or more slits are arranged to open (i.e. widen) when the weight of the volume of liquid in the receiving chamber is sufficient to exceed a threshold pressure differential across the valve. The slit valve (e.g., its elastomeric material) may be made of an elastomeric material, such as silicone, fluorosilicone, neoprene, EPDM, nitrile rubber, or other synthetic rubber. For example, the slit valve may be made of food grade silicone.

In some embodiments, the slit valve includes a slot. Preferably, the elastomeric material of the slit valve defines a groove. The one or more slits of the check valve are preferably defined at the bottom of the groove. The provision of the groove allows liquid within the receiving chamber to pool around the slit valve, thereby facilitating liquid flow through the slit valve. This also allows the threshold pressure differential to be reached more quickly, as the weight of the liquid will be concentrated above the slit valve.

The groove may include a U-shaped (or semi-circular) cross-section, a V-shaped cross-section, or a Y-shaped cross-section. These shapes help provide the check function of the valve because a greater negative pressure differential (i.e., a pressure differential that promotes flow in the opposite direction of the check valve) is required to force the slit or slits to widen.

In some embodiments, the trough is sized to hold between 1ml and 20ml of liquid, such as 5ml to 15ml, such as about 10 ml.

The container may be made of any suitable or desired material. For example, the container may be made substantially of glass, plastic or metal material. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the container is glass. In some embodiments, a portion of the container is plastic. The container may include a glass lower portion and a plastic upper portion. The container may be transparent or translucent. In some embodiments, the appliance includes a decorative layer extending around a portion of the container. The decorative layer may extend around an upper portion of the container, such as a plastic upper portion. The decorative layer may include a stainless steel wrap, or any other suitable or desired material.

In some embodiments, the implement may include a handle for lifting the implement. The handle may extend from a portion (e.g., an upper portion) of the container. For example, the implement may include a glass lower portion and a plastic upper portion from which a plastic handle extends. The plastic handle may be L-shaped or C-shaped.

Preferably, the container defines a top opening configured to receive the lid. Preferably, the lid is removable. The top opening (e.g., and the lid therefore) may be circular. The cover may be made of any suitable or feasible material. Preferably, the lid is plastic. Thus, the receiving chamber may be made of plastic, even though the container (e.g. its lower part) may be made of glass. These plastic parts contribute to the weight reduction of the appliance.

In some embodiments, the container comprises a spout. The spout is preferably in fluid communication with the liquid heating compartment. This allows dispensing of liquid from the liquid heating compartment, for example after the liquid has been heated. The liquid heating appliance may alternatively take the form of a kettle, for example a container comprising a spout on one side and a handle on the other side.

Preferably, the receiving chamber extends from an upper surface of the lid into the appliance. Thus, the receiving chamber is preferably a recessed feature of the lid. Preferably, the receiving chamber is uncovered. This allows the user to fill the receiving chamber directly with liquid (e.g. from a tap) without having to remove or remove any part of the appliance. Preferably, the receiving chamber extends downwardly from an aperture defined by an upper surface of the lid. The receiving chamber is preferably at least 20mm deep, such as at least 30mm deep, such as at least 40mm deep, such as at least 50mm deep, such as at least 60mm deep, such as at least 70mm deep, such as at least 80mm deep, such as at least 90mm deep, such as at least 100mm deep. The depth of the receiving chamber may be at least 20% or 30% of the height of the appliance. The depth of the receiving chamber may be about 40% of the height of the appliance. The deep receiving chamber helps to avoid liquid splashing out of the receiving chamber when the receiving chamber is filled.

The lid may include a funnel-shaped portion (e.g., an upper portion) defining a receiving chamber. The funnel-shaped portion, i.e. the funnel, may be shaped to direct liquid towards the filling valve. The lid may include a floor defining a bottom of the receiving chamber. In some embodiments, the lid includes a funnel for directing liquid downwardly towards a funnel floor, wherein the funnel floor includes a fill valve. Preferably, the filling valve is arranged in the floor of the lid (e.g. in the funnel floor). The filling valve may be arranged in the centre of the floor (e.g. a funnel floor). Preferably, however, the filling valve is arranged off-centre in the floor (e.g. the funnel floor). This allows for the positioning of other cap features (e.g., plunger or knob) in the center of the appliance. Preferably, at least a portion (e.g., all) of the floor (e.g., the funnel floor) is sloped such that liquid is directed toward the fill valve.

The liquid heating compartment is preferably arranged below the receiving chamber. The volume of the liquid heating compartment may be greater than the volume of the receiving chamber.

In some embodiments, the heater comprises a resistive heating element. The resistive heating element may be integrated into the bottom of the container. Preferably, the appliance comprises a thermally sensitive actuator arranged to switch off the heater when the thermally sensitive actuator is triggered. The thermally sensitive actuator may be a superheat sensor (e.g. mounted to detect when the temperature of the heater exceeds a predetermined temperature) or a boiling sensor (e.g. mounted to detect the temperature of liquid in the liquid heating compartment or to detect steam generated in the liquid heating compartment). In some other embodiments, the heater comprises a ferromagnetic heating plate for induction heating when the appliance is placed on an energized induction hob.

In some embodiments, the appliance may comprise a plunger arranged to extend into the liquid heating compartment. In some embodiments, the plunger may operate independently of the fill valve. The plunger may extend through the lid into the liquid heating compartment. The cover may define a hole through which the plunger is arranged to extend. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the bore is a valve bore of a fill valve and the plunger carries a closure member for the fill valve. The plunger may extend through the receiving chamber into the liquid heating compartment. In some embodiments, the plunger is arranged to extend vertically and centrally of the appliance. As mentioned above, in some embodiments the plunger is arranged to extend through a hole in the centre of the funnel floor into the liquid heating compartment, and the filling valve is arranged off-centre of the funnel floor. This enables the liquid heating compartment to be easily filled despite the presence of the plunger.

Preferably, the plunger is vertically movable relative to the container. The plunger is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. Such a plunger may have a variety of uses when preparing a beverage from a heated liquid.

In some embodiments, an infusion device, such as a perforated container for infusing beverage material (e.g., tea leaves, ground coffee or other soluble beverage material), may be mounted to the plunger at a lower end of the plunger. In some embodiments, a stir bar or stirrer may be mounted to the plunger at a lower end of the plunger, for example to make a foamed milk beverage.

In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic heating plate may be mounted (e.g., welded) to the plunger at a lower end of the plunger such that the plunger extends perpendicularly from a surface of the ferromagnetic heating plate. In the lowered position, the ferromagnetic heating plate is preferably adjacent the bottom of the container. In the raised position, the ferromagnetic heating plate is preferably displaced away from the bottom of the container. Preferably, in use, when the appliance is placed on an energised induction hob, the lowered position is such that the ferromagnetic heating plate is close enough to the induction hob to be inductively heated by the induction hob and the raised position is far enough from the induction hob that the ferromagnetic heating plate is not heated by the induction hob.

The user can manually move the plunger up and down to change the position of the ferromagnetic heating plate or steeping device. Optionally, the appliance may include a lifting mechanism for automatically moving the plunger (and thus for example a ferromagnetic heating plate or steeping device) from the lowered position to the raised position, for example in response to a timer or temperature sensor.

In some embodiments, the appliance further comprises a heat sensitive actuator and a lifting mechanism arranged to automatically move the ferromagnetic heating plate from the lowered position to the raised position when triggered by the heat sensitive actuator. The thermally sensitive actuator may be a superheat sensor (e.g. mounted to detect when the temperature of the ferromagnetic heating plate exceeds a predetermined temperature) or a boiling sensor (e.g. mounted to detect the temperature of the liquid in the liquid heating compartment or to detect the generation of steam in the liquid heating compartment). This means that the induction heating of the ferromagnetic heating plate will automatically stop in response to the detected overheating and/or boiling. Further, in those embodiments where the plunger carries a closing member for the fill valve, the fill valve is selectively opened when the heating mode is stopped.

Preferably, the filling/heating pattern of the appliance is determined by the position of the plunger. Preferably, the plunger is arranged in a lowered position during a heating mode of the appliance. Preferably, the plunger is arranged in a raised position during a filling mode of the appliance.

As mentioned above, the plunger may comprise the closure member of the filling valve. The valve closure member may be arranged to selectively close the filling valve in the receiving chamber when the plunger is in the lowered position and to selectively open the filling valve in the receiving chamber when the plunger is in the raised position. The closure member may include a seal for substantially sealing the valve bore. The closure member may comprise an O-ring or gasket disposed about the plunger. The closure member may comprise a flapper device mounted on the plunger.

Preferably, the closure member comprises a resilient material. This allows the closure member to provide an effective seal between the liquid heating compartment and the receiving chamber. Preferably, the elastic material is heat resistant to at least 60 ℃, such as to at least 80 ℃, such as to at least 100 ℃.

Preferably, the closure member is configured to seal the valve bore of the filling valve at least under a vapour pressure of 1.2bar, 1.4bar, 1.6bar, 1.8bar or 2.0bar in the liquid heating compartment.

In some embodiments, as described above, the fill valve includes an aperture and a valve closing member carried by the same plunger as the ferromagnetic heating plate, resulting in the fill valve being selectively operated according to an induction heating mode. In some embodiments, the valve closing member may be mechanically connected to an electrical switch for operating an electrical component of the appliance, such as an electrical heater. Thus, these components may be operated according to the mode of the appliance. For example, the electric heater may be configured to be on when the filling valve is selectively closed by the valve closing member (i.e. in a heating mode of the appliance) and to be off when the valve is opened (i.e. in a filling mode of the appliance).

In a filling mode of the appliance, the valve may be arranged to allow vapour to flow from the liquid heating compartment into the receiving chamber. For example, when the appliance is to be refilled with liquid after the user has boiled the liquid using the appliance, residual vapour may remain in the liquid heating compartment. This residual vapour may be allowed to flow from the liquid heating compartment through the valve into the receiving chamber when the mode of the appliance changes from "heating" to "filling" (e.g. by selectively opening the valve).

Some further features of the lid of the liquid heating appliance will now be described, whether or not a plunger is present, may be applied. In some embodiments, the lid includes a lifting feature for grasping and lifting to remove the lid from the container. A lifting feature may be positioned in the receiving chamber to indicate to a user that the cap may be removed only when the receiving chamber is empty (otherwise liquid may spill). This may be beneficial for cleaning purposes, for example, as it may allow a user to easily remove the lid and clean the receiving chamber and/or exposed liquid heating vessel. The lifting feature may protrude from a surface of the lid, for example from a surface of the receiving chamber. Preferably, the lifting feature protrudes from the floor of the lid (e.g., from the bottom of the receiving chamber).

The lifting feature may be movable, such as a hinged handle. Preferably, however, the lifting feature is static, such as a ball handle. Preferably, the lifting feature is separate from and located remote from the filling valve so as to facilitate the flow of liquid in the receiving chamber towards the filling valve. As described above, the lifting feature may be disposed centrally in the lid, while the fill valve is disposed off-center.

The appliance may include a manual intervention component for interrupting operation of the heater. The plunger may include a manual intervention feature. The valve closure member may comprise a manual intervention feature. The manual intervention component may be arranged to operate the lifting mechanism to move the plunger to the raised position. The manual intervention component may be arranged to switch off the heater.

Drawings

Some preferred embodiments of the present application will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a liquid heating appliance according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the appliance shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3a shows an upper discrete body view of the valve of the appliance shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3b shows a lower perspective view of the valve of the appliance shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of a liquid heating appliance according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a liquid heating appliance according to another embodiment of the present application;

figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of the appliance shown in figure 5.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a liquid heating appliance 1 for heating a liquid (hereinafter appliance 1) according to an embodiment of the present application. The appliance 1 comprises a container 2, the container 2 comprising a lower part 2a and an upper part 2b, a lid 4 and a handle 6 for lifting the appliance 1. The lid 4 is removably fitted in an aperture defined at the upper end of the container 2. The appliance 1 further comprises a spout 5 for dispensing the liquid and a heater 3 arranged within the container 2.

The lower part 2a of the container 2 is made of transparent glass. The upper part 2b of the container 2 is made of plastic. However, a decorative stainless steel wrap extends around the outer surface of the upper portion 2 b.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the appliance 1 of fig. 1. The lid 4 of the appliance 1 comprises a substantially circular funnel 8, the funnel 8 comprising a funnel wall 10 and a funnel floor 12. The funnel 8 is shaped to direct liquid towards the centre of the appliance 1. The funnel wall 10 is partly conical and then extends vertically downwards around the centre of the funnel 8. Of course, the funnel 8 may take alternative shapes, for example the wall 10 continues in a conical shape to the funnel floor 12 without any vertical portion. In the centre of the funnel 8, the funnel bottom plate 12 is inclined to direct liquid towards a filling valve 16 arranged in the funnel bottom plate 12.

The funnel 8 of the lid 4, including the walls 10 and the floor 12, defines a receiving chamber 14 for receiving liquid. As can be seen in fig. 1, the top of the receiving chamber 14 is open (i.e. it is not covered by a lid), which means that a user can easily fill the receiving chamber 14 (e.g. with liquid from a tap) without having to manually operate or remove any part of the appliance 1.

The container 2 defines a liquid heating compartment 18 within the appliance 1 below the funnel 8. The spout 5 of the appliance 1 is in fluid communication with the liquid heating compartment 18, which means that liquid can be dispensed from the liquid heating compartment 18 through the spout 5.

A heater 3 is arranged in or adjacent to the liquid heating compartment 18 to heat the liquid contained in the liquid heating compartment 18. When the temperature of the liquid in the liquid heating compartment 18 is heated to the boiling point, the liquid evaporates into a vapor.

The receiving chamber 14 includes a fill valve 16 disposed in the funnel floor 12. The funnel bottom plate 12 slopes downwardly toward the fill valve 16 to direct liquid in the receiving chamber 14 toward the fill valve 16. The filling valve 16 is configured to operate to allow liquid to flow from the receiving chamber 14 into the liquid heating compartment 18 in a filling mode of the appliance, but to substantially prevent vapour generated in the liquid heating compartment 18 from escaping into the receiving chamber 14 in a heating mode of the appliance.

Fig. 3a and 3b show an example of the filling valve 16 in more detail. In this example, the filling valve 16 is a check valve in the form of a slit valve.

The slit valve 16 includes an elastomeric (e.g., silicone) groove 20 arranged to receive liquid from the receiving chamber 14. The trough 20 extends downwardly from the funnel floor 12 as shown in fig. 2. A narrow longitudinal slit 22 is provided along the bottom of the slot 20. A secondary slit 23, shorter than the longitudinal slit 22, is also provided at the bottom of the slot 20 and bisects the longitudinal slit 22 perpendicularly.

The operation of the check valve 16 will now be described. When the receiving chamber 14 is filled with liquid by the user, the liquid is generally directed towards the centre of the appliance 1 through the funnel 8 and the funnel wall 10 of the receiving chamber 14. The liquid then flows down the inclined floor 12 of the lid 4 towards the check valve 16. Thus, the groove 20 of the valve 16 starts to fill with liquid.

Due to the resiliency of the elastomeric (e.g., silicone) material of the valve 16, the sides of the slit 22 are biased together, thereby normally sealing the liquid heating compartment 18 from the receiving chamber 14. However, when the trough 20 is sufficiently filled with liquid, the weight of the liquid in the trough 20 forces the slits 22 in the bottom of the trough 20 open, allowing liquid to enter the liquid heating compartment 18 through the slits 22. Liquid is allowed to flow through the slot 22 until the weight of the liquid within the slot 20 is low enough to bias the sides of the slot 22 together again (e.g., when the slot 20 is substantially empty).

The liquid in the liquid heating compartment 18 may then be heated (e.g. to boiling temperature) by the heater 3. This produces steam within the liquid heating compartment 18. Since the slit 22 is biased closed, the steam will be prevented by the valve 16 from escaping into the receiving chamber 14. Even if the user fills the receiving chamber 14 with liquid sufficient to cause the slit 22 to open, it will be appreciated that any vapour present within the liquid heating compartment 18 will be prevented from escaping into the receiving chamber 14 by the flow of liquid into the liquid heating compartment 18.

The trough 20 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section which facilitates opening of the slit 22 when pressure is applied to the bottom of the trough 20 from above (i.e. by liquid in the receiving chamber 14) but prevents opening of the slit 22 when pressure is applied to the bottom of the trough 20 from below (i.e. by steam in the liquid heating compartment 18).

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of an appliance 301 according to another embodiment of the present application. The appliance 301 is substantially the same as the appliance 301 shown in fig. 1 and 2, except that the lid 304 also includes a lifting feature 309 that protrudes upwardly from the funnel floor 312.

Lifting feature 309 may be grasped by a user of implement 301 and lifted upwardly to facilitate removal of lid 304 from container 302. The lifting feature 309 is disposed in the center of the funnel bottom plate 312 so that liquid in the receiving chamber 314 can flow around the side of the lifting feature 309 towards the filling valve 316.

Although the filling valves 16, 316 shown in fig. 2, 3a and 3b and fig. 4 are arranged towards the edges of the funnel floor 12, 312, i.e. off-centre, it will be appreciated that the filling valves 16, 316 may be arranged anywhere in the lid 4, 304 that provides the desired controllable fluid communication between the receiving chamber 14, 314 and the liquid heating compartment 18, 318. For example, the fill valve 16, 316 may be disposed in the center of the funnel bottom panel 12, 312. The lifting feature 309 may also be placed in any suitable or desired location in the lid 304.

However, the arrangement of the filling valve 16, 316 towards the edge of the base plate 12, 312 allows the plunger to extend through the centre of the appliance 1, 301. This is beneficial in many types of liquid heating appliances. For example, the plunger may carry a steeping device (e.g. a container for holding tea leaves) to be lowered into the liquid heating compartment 18, 318. In a liquid heating appliance involving induction heating, the plunger may carry a ferromagnetic heating plate which may be lowered towards the bottom of the appliance 1, 301.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a liquid heating appliance 101 for heating a liquid (hereinafter appliance 101) according to another embodiment of the present application. Appliance 101 is substantially the same as appliance 1 shown in fig. 1 to 4, except that appliance 101 includes a plunger 158, plunger 158 extending through lid 104 into liquid heating compartment 118 (when lid 104 is disposed on container 102). A ferromagnetic heating plate 156 is welded to the lower end of the plunger 158. The plunger 158 is vertically movable to lift the heating plate 156 from an induction heating position (shown in fig. 5-6 with the heating plate 156 adjacent the bottom of the appliance 101) and a non-heating position (shown with the heating plate 156 moved away from the bottom of the appliance 101, not shown). Appliance 101 does not include a lifting feature as shown in fig. 4, although plunger 158 may be used to lift lid 104 out of container 102.

When the heating plate 156 is lowered to the heating position and the bottom of the appliance 101 is placed on an energized induction hob (not shown), a magnetic field is induced through the ferromagnetic heating plate 156, causing the temperature of the heating plate 156 to increase. The liquid in the liquid heating compartment 118 is then heated by the heating plate 156.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of the appliance 101 of fig. 5. The plunger 158 includes a button 140 at an upper end thereof disposed within the receiving chamber 114 defined by the funnel 108 of the cap 104, the reservoir wall 110, and the reservoir floor 112. The button 140 allows the user to adjust the vertical position of the plunger 158 and the heating plate 156. The plunger 158 is shown in a heating position in which the heating plate 156 is lowered so that it is near the bottom of the appliance 101.

The appliance includes a lifting mechanism 107 for lifting the plunger 158 and the heating plate 156. The lifting mechanism 107 comprises a vapour sensing device 125 configured to release a biasing member (not shown) to move the plunger vertically upwards relative to the lid 104 when liquid in the liquid heating compartment 118 starts to boil. This moves the plunger 158 to the non-heating position because the heating plate 156 is moved out of the influence of the magnetic field of the induction hob.

The fill valve 116 is positioned toward the edge of the reservoir floor 112 of the cap 104, allowing the plunger 158 and the lifting mechanism 107 to be positioned in the center of the appliance 101.

When the user fills the receiving chamber 114 with liquid in the same manner as described above, the plunger 158, the lifting mechanism 107, and the button 140 are arranged such that liquid can flow around these components towards the valve 116. The plunger 158 extends through an aperture in the floor 112 of the lid 104 that is sealed to prevent vapour from escaping from the liquid heating compartment 118 into the receiving chamber 114. The fill valve 116, such as the same slit valve 16 illustrated in fig. 3a and 3b, has an arcuate shape to accommodate a centrally located plunger 158.

Claims (12)

1. A liquid heating appliance comprising:

a container defining a liquid heating compartment, a lid arranged over the container to cover the liquid heating compartment, and a heater operable to heat liquid within the liquid heating compartment; it is characterized in that the method is characterized in that,

wherein the lid comprises a funnel for directing liquid downwardly towards a funnel floor, and wherein the funnel floor comprises a check valve arranged to allow liquid to flow from the funnel into the liquid heating compartment and to substantially prevent vapour from the liquid heating compartment from entering the funnel.

2. A liquid heating appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the check valve comprises a slit valve.

3. A liquid heating appliance as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slit valve comprises a slot comprising one or more slits defined in the bottom of the slot.

4. A liquid heating appliance as claimed in claim 3, wherein the trough comprises a U-shaped, V-shaped or Y-shaped cross-section.

5. A liquid heating appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said check valve is centrally disposed in said funnel floor.

6. A liquid heating appliance as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plunger arranged to extend through the centre of the funnel floor into the liquid heating compartment and wherein the check valve is arranged off-centre in the funnel floor.

7. A liquid heating appliance as claimed in claim 6, wherein the heater comprises a ferromagnetic heating plate mounted at the lower end of the plunger.

8. A liquid heating appliance as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a thermally sensitive actuator and a lifting mechanism arranged to automatically move the ferromagnetic heating plate from a lowered position to a raised position when triggered by the thermally sensitive actuator.

9. A liquid heating appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid is removable and includes a lifting feature for gripping and lifting to remove the lid from the container.

10. A liquid heating appliance as claimed in claim 9, wherein

The lifting feature protrudes from a floor of the lid;

the lifting feature is disposed in a center of a floor of the lid; and is

The check valve is disposed at an off-center of the bottom plate of the cover.

11. A liquid heating appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a glass lower part and a plastic upper part, and wherein the lid is plastic.

12. A liquid heating appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a spout on one side and a handle on the opposite side.

Images