GB2190826A - Anti-scald device for kettles - Google Patents

Abstract

A vessel for containing hot liquid is provided with means 10 for preventing the flow of steam through a steam outlet, and means 44 for preventing passage of liquid through a liquid outlet. When the vessel is in an upright position, steam is allowed to escape through the steam outlet, but should the kettle accidentally be tilted or overturned, the steam outlet and the liquid outlet are automatically sealed off to prevent further exit of steam, and liquid respectively. Knob 46 allows manual opening of the liquid outlet for pouring off of water. Alternative arranges are illustrated in figures 3-8. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in liquid containing vessels This invention relates to a safety device for a liquid containing vessel, and more particularlyfora kettle or coffee pot or tea pot.

Many children are frequently scalded or badly burned as a result of meddling with and upturning boiling kettles or coffee pots and spilling boiling water over themselves. It does not require a great deal of boiling water to cause a serious burn to a child and leave him sca rred for life. Furthermore, there is little that parents can do to ensurethe safety of their children without constantly keeping watch overthem or else keeping them away from the kitchen area altogether.

It is intended that the present invention should help to overcome or reduce the above disadvantages and significantly reduce the danger aspectforyoung children in the kitchen area.

According to the present invention there is provided a vessel for containing hot liquid, the vessel having at least one outlet and means for preventing or delaying the passage of liquid and/or steam through said outlet or outlets when the vessel is accidentally tilted or overturned.

The vessel, which is typically a kettie, coffee pot or tea pot, may include a single outlet, a spout, through which both liquid and steam may pass. Alternatively, the vessel may have two separate outlets one intended forthe passage of steam, the other intended for the passage of liquid (i.e. the spout), although each outlet may allow the passage of both liquid and steam.

In the case of a vessel having two outlets, one primarilyfor liquid and one primarilyforsteam,the means for preventing or delaying the passage of liquid and/or steam through the outlets preferably comprises two devices, one (hereinafter referred to as the spout device) being fixed to the spout (i.e. liquid outlet) ofthe vessel and the other (hereinafter referred to as the lid device) being fixed on or close to the lid of the kettle, the spout device serving primarilyto prevent spillage of liquid through the spout and the lid device serving primarily to prevent or delay spillage of liquid through the lid.

In the case of a vessel having a single steam/liquid outlet (spout), the means for preventing the passage of steam and liquid comprises a single device fixed to the spout, the device being adapted to allow the passage of steam through the outlet when the vessel is in its normal upright position, but to prevent the passage of liquid and steam when the vessel is accidentally tilted or overturned.

In both cases, the device or devices serve eitherto automatically seal the outlet or outlets when the vessel is accidentally tilted or overturned, or merely to delaytheflow of liquid rather than actually preventing it.

The spout device may be a spring loaded flap which occupies the spout portion ofthe kettle and which is able to be released to allowthe pouring of water from the kettle.

Preferablythe lid device is able to be screwed onto the top plate or lid of a kettle.

The lid device preferably comprises an upper member which engages the top plate of the kettle and a lowermemberwhich is movable longitudinally of the upper member, therby effectively opening and closing steam exit passages on the upper member.

The steam exit passages are preferably sealed by means of a gasket fixedly attached to the upper memberwhich is engageable with the lower member.

Afurther gasket is preferably located on the upper member which provides a seal between the device and the top plate ofthe kettle.

Preferably the lower member has a portion extending into the upper member and the relative position of the extending portion determines whetherthe steam exit passages are open or closed.

A ball bearing may be housed in the upper member and rests on top of the extending portion when the kettle is in an upright position. When the kettle is tilted or overturned the ball bearing will rollfrom its equilibrium position thereby allowing the lower member to move upwards with respect to the upper member to engage the gasket.

In an alternative embodiment, the lid device comprises a coiled tube which fits beneath the lid of the kettle and has one end open to the interior ofthe kettle and an opposite end which is open to the atmosphere outside the kettle. This serves to delay the spillage of water from the tube in the event of the kettle being overturned. As an additional safety feature, the end of the tube open to the interior ofthe kettle may be sealed by a ball bearing to prevent flow of waterthrough the tube.

In a further alternative embodiment, in which there is only a single outlet, the spout device comprises a spring loaded closure member which automatically seals the spout when the kettle is tilted or overturned, but which is maintained in a slightly open position when the kettle is in its normal upright position, to allow the passage of steam through the spout.

In each case, the vessel may be provided with a "blow out" type of rubber seal which would be expelled by steam pressure should the vessel accidentally becomewatertight during operation due to failure ofthe above mentioned devices.

Although the invention has been described in relation to a kettle, it will be appreciated that it could be utilised in other liquid containing vessels without detracting from the ambitofthe invention.

Embodiments ofthe invention will now be de scribed, byway of example, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectionl view of one embodiment of a liquid containing vessel in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a drawing of a kettle incorporating the device of Figure 1 and also illustrating the flap atthe spout; Figure 3 is an illustration of an alternative embodi ment ofthe device shown in Figure 1; Figure4 is an illustration of a kettle having a magnetically controlled flap located adjacent the spout; Figure 5 shows a kettle with a flap controlled buy a solenoid; Figure 6 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a vessel in accordance with the present invention; and Figure7 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment having a single liquid/steam outlet.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of a further alternative embodiment.

Referring nowtothedrawings,alid device 10 comprises an upper member 12 and a lower member 14. The lower member 14 has an extending portion 16 which protrudes through a slot in the bottom part of the upper member 12. The extending portion 16 has an enlarged "head" 18 which just extends into a chamber 20 in the upper member. A spring 22 is mounted on the extending portion 16 and is located between the head 18 and the bottom part ofthe upper member. Athreaded section 24 is integral with the top plate 26 ofthekettle 28 and the upper member 12 has a threaded periphery which corresponds with the threaded section 26.The upper member is fitted onto the threaded section and can be removed therefrom by means of a screw 30. A gasket 32, which is typicaily rubber or plastics material, is located beneath the upper member and engages the top plate 26 of the kettle 28 to form a seal when the device is fitted. A further gasket 34 is also located beneath the upper member 12 and is engageable with the top plate 36 of the lower member Steam exit passages 38 are positioned in the upper member as shown in Figure 1 and are able to be closed by way ofthe top plate 36 of the lower member engaging the gasket 34. A ball bearing 40 is housed inside the chamber 20 and when the kettle is in an upright (datum) position, the ball bearing rests on the head 18 due to the inclination of the lower surface ofthe chamber.The weight of the ball bearing pushes down the head 18 and compresses the spring 22. This causes the lower member 14to assume its "low" position with respect to the upper member 12 leaving a gap between the top plate 26 and the gasket 34 through which steam can travel to the steam exit passages 38. When the kettle is tilted or displaced from its datum position, e.g. it is overturned, the ball bearing 40 will roll from the head 18 allowing the spring 22to expand thereby raising the lower member 14 until the top plate 36 contacts the gasket 34. This prevents the passage of steam or water through the steam exit passages 38.Rods 42, which are made of plastics material, are connected to the top plate 36 and extend through the upper memberto indicate whether the lower member is in its "low" or its "high" position with respectto the upper member.

With the lid device 10, it is necessary, in the case where the kettle hastwo outlets, to have a spring loaded flap 44to occupy the spout portion ofthe kettle 28. When the flap 44 is in its normal position it covers the whole ofthe spout portion and prevents steam exiting via the spout. A button 46 is located on the handle ofthe kettle, as shown in Figure 2, and when it is pushed it causes shaft48 to contact a lug 50 which is integral with theflap 44thereby opening said flap and allowing the contents of the kettle to be poured.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which an elongate shaft 52 extends through the centre ofthe kettle and normally protrudes through the bottom surface of the kettle due to the action of spring 54 on plate 56 which is integral with the elongate shaft.

In this position a top member 58 engages gasket 60 preventing the passage of steam through holes 62.

When the kettle is placed on a surface, as shown in Figure 3, the shaft 52 and top member 58 rise vertically creating a passageway th rough which steam can pass to atmosphere. Should the kettle be overturned the shaft 52 will immediately retract due to the action of the spring 54 causing the top member 58to engage the gasket 62 effectively creating a seal. A spring loaded flap, which may be identical to the one described above, will need to be located at the spout of the kettle.

Figure 4 illustrates a kettle incorporating a spring loaded flap of similar construction to the flap described above exceptthat it has a magnet 64 at one end thereof as shown in the diagram. A second magnet 66, of the same polarity as the first magnet 64, is mounted on a shaft 68, and when the kettle is placed on a surface a spring 70 is compressed and the two magnets are adjacent. The like polarities of the magnets causes a repulsive force therebetween effectively opening the flap to a slight extent allowing steam to escape. When the kettle is removed from the surface, the action ofthe spring 70 causes magnet 66 to move vertically downwards thereby eliminating the repulsive force between the two magnets and causing the flap to close. This, of course, prevents the passage of water or steam through the spout should the kettle be dislodged from the surface.

Figure 5 illustrates an alternative arrangement in which a switch 72 automticallydetects any change in the orientation of the kettle and a solenoid 74 actuates a plunger 76 to close the flap and prevent the passage of water or steam through the spout.

Afurther alternative would be to have a series of baffle plates located on the kettle top plate. The baffle plates would allow steam to leave the kettle, but in the event of the kettle being tilted or overturned, the baffle plateswould delaythe exitofwaterfrom the kettle. A spring loaded flap would be used in conjunction with this arrangement.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the spout portion is closed, when the kettle is in its normal upright position, by a closure member fixed to an arm 81 which is pivotally connected to a plunger 82 operated by a release button 83. Springs 84, 85 serve to bias the closure member 80 into sealing engagement with the spout and the button 83 away from the side ofthe kettle. When the button 83 is pressed, plunger 82 actsto rotate arm 81 in a counterclockwise manneragainstthe bias of spring 84, thus lowering the closure member80to enablethe contents ofthe kettle to be poured. A steam outlet is provided in the form of a coiled tube 86 located beneath the lid 87 of the kettle,thetube having one end 86a open to the interior of the kettle and an opposite end 86b open to the exterior ofthe kettle. This coiled tube 86 serves to delay the spillage of liquid through the tube, the delay being dependent on the length ofthe tube. As an additional precaution, a ball bearing 88 is located within a cage 89 beneath the end 86a ofthe tube 86 and is pushed upwards into sealing engagement with the tube 86 by upward flow of liquid if the kettle is tilted or overturned.

lntheembodimentshown in Figure7,aclosure member 90 similarto that shown in Figure 6 is biased by a spring 91 into sealing engagement with the spout, which is the only outlet. lnordertoallowsteamto escapewhenthe kettle is in its normal upright position, the closure member 90 is fixed to an arm 92 which is pivotable about pivot points 93,94. The arm 92 is pivotallyconnected at94to both a release button 95 (via extension arm 96) and a vertical rod 97 extending up through the centre of the kettle. The bottom end of rod 97 is pivotally connected at 98 to a plunger 99 which extends through the base ofthe kettle tp protrude a little way beyond feet 100.When the kettle is in its upright position, the plunger 99 is forced upwards, causing rod 97 to be moved upwards and slightly tilted in a counter-clockwisefashion.This causes pivot point 94 to be raised, thus pivoting arm 92 in a counter-clockwise fashion to open the closure member 90 slightly so that steam may escape through the spout. If the kettle is tilted or overturned, the plunger 99 is released, pivot point 94 is lowered and the closure member rises underthe action of spring 91 to seal the spout The closure member 99 can be manually opened by pressing button 95 which raises pivot point 94 within the slot 101 in the rod 97, thus compressing the spring 91.A slot 102 in the buttom mechanism 95 accommodates the slightcounter- clockwise rotation of rod 97 so that the button is not moved by the operation ofthe rod 97 and plunger 99.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, a "trigger" mechanism is provided in order to prevent the button 95 being depressed. The "trigger" mechanism comprises a trigger 105 located within the handle of the kettle. When the trigger 105 is pulled, arm 106 is caused to move out of recess 107, allowing the button 95to be depressed. A spring 108forces the arm 106 back into the recess 107 when the trigger is released. It is intended that this additional mechanism will deter or prevent older children from being able to open the spout closure member 90.

Also shown in Figure8 is an alternative means of moving the shaft 97 upwards in order to open the spout closure member slightly when the kettle is in an upright position. This comprises two magnets 109, 110 arranged with like poles adjacent, so that the repulsive force between the magnetsforcestheshaft 97 upwards when the kettle is upright, therefore opening the ciosure member90 slightlyto allow steam to escape th rough the spout when the kettle is boiling. Should the kettle be tilted, the magnet 110 moves downwards, away from magnet 109. This allows the shaft 97 to move downwards which in turn closes the spout closure member 90.

The magnet 109 may be housed in a watertight chamber 111 in the event that hot fluid may affect its magnetic properties. This arrangement has the advantagethatno hole is requiredthroughthe baseofthe kettleforthe shaft 97 to pass through. This removes any difficulty which might otherwise be encountered in obtaining awatertightseal.

It will be appreciated that while the invention has been described solely in terms ofthe above embodiments, it is not so limited.

A distinct advantage ofthe invention is that it represents a significant improvement in safety standards in the kitchen. Furthermore,the device is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily replaced.

Claims (14)

1. Avessel forcontaining hot liquid, the vessel having at least one outlet and means for preventing or delaying the passage of liquid and/or steam through said outlets or outlets when the vessel is accidentally tilted or overturned.

2. A vessel according to claim 1 in which the vessel has a single outlet and the meansfor preventing or delaying the passage of liquid and/or steam through said outlet comprising a closure member located at or in the region of said outlet and adapted to automatical ly seal off said outlet when the vessel is accidentally tilted or overturned.

3. A vessel according to claim 2 in which the closure member is a spring loaded flap.

4. A vessel according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the closure member is forced slightly away from the outlet when the vessel is standing upright on a surface, in order to a llow steam to escape through the outlet.

5. Avessel according to-claim 4 in which the closure member is operatively connected to a shaft and extending substantially vertically inside the ves sel, the vessel including means at the base ofthe vessel or engageable with the surface on which the vessel stands to raise the shaft in order to force the closure member slightly away from the outlet.

6. Avessel according to claim 1 which has two outlets, one primarily intendedforthe passage of liquid therethrough and the other, primarily intended forthe passage of steam therethrough, and the means for preventing or delaying the passage of liquid and/or steam through the outlets when the vessel is accidentally tilted or overturned comprises a first closure member located at or in the region ofthe liquid outlet and adapted to automatically seal off said liquid outlet, and a second closure member located at or in the region ofthe steam outlet and adapted to automatiaclly seal offthe steam outlet when the vessel is accidentally tilted or overturned, said second closure memberalso being adpatedsoastoallow steam to escapefrom the steam outlet when the vessel is standing upright.

7. A vessel according to claim 6 in which the second closure member comprises an upper member which engages an upper portion ofthevessel, and a lower memberwhich is movable longitudinally of the upper member thereby effectively opening and closing the steam outlets.

8. A vessel according to claim 7 in which a gasket is fixedly attached to the upper member ofthe second closure memberto provide a seal between the upper member and the vessel.

9. Avessel accordingto claim 7 orclaim 8 in which as gasket is located on the underneath of the upper member and is engageable with the lower member.

10. Avessel according to anyofclaims7to 9 in which the lower member has a portion extending upwardly into the upper member, the relative position ofthe extending portion determining whether the steam outlet is open or closed.

11. A vessel according to claim 10 in which a ball bearing rests on top of the extending portion when the vessel is upright, the ball bearing rolling from its equilibrium position when the vessel is tilted or overturned.

12. A vessel according to any ofthe preceding claims in which the liquid outlet closure member may be manually opened when it is desired to pour liquid from the vessel.

13. A vessel according to claim 1 and substantially as herein described.

14. Avessel for containing hot liquid, the vessel being substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.