Beverage preparation device provided with an improved lid

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the preparation of a beverage, in particular an infusion beverage, comprising a body and a lid arranged above an electrically heated base, the body and the lid forming a housing for heating water, the body comprising an inner wall and an upper opening, and the lid comprising a peripheral flexible gasket (30) cooperating with the inner wall, the lid (10) being movable between an open position, away from the upper opening, and a closed position, covering the upper opening. According to the invention, the lid (10) has gasket deformation means (32a, 32b, 32c, 21a, 21b, 21c) which cause the gasket (30) to pass from a relaxed position, in which the lid (10) can easily pass from the closed position to the open position, to a retaining position, in which the gasket (30) is deformed against the inner wall of the body, in order to retain the lid (10) in the closed position on the body in the event of accidental overturning of the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage preparation apparatus, particularly an electric kettle or teapot, comprising an electrically heated base, a body, and a lid, the body and lid forming a shell designed to boil water. Background Technology

[0002] A beverage preparation apparatus is known from document CN208876122U, comprising a body and a lid arranged above an electrically heated base, the body and lid forming a housing for heating water. The body has an inner wall and an upper opening, and the lid has a peripheral flexible gasket that mates with the inner wall. The lid is movable between an open position away from the upper opening and a closed position covering the upper opening.

[0003] The gasket has a deformable lip to attempt to absorb the gap between the cap and the inner wall of the body. However, in some configurations of the gap, the cap may be too tight and difficult to assemble with or remove from the body, or the cap may be too loose on the body.

[0004] Moreover, in any event that the device accidentally tips over while there is hot water inside the main body, the cover will detach from the main body, releasing the hot water and creating a very dangerous situation for the user.

[0005] An apparatus for preparing an infusion beverage is also known from the document US2015201771. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome these shortcomings.

[0007] The technical problem upon which this invention is based is to provide a beverage preparation device that is simple to use, ergonomic, and ensures user safety.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage preparation apparatus that is simple in design and economical to implement.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention relates to a beverage preparation apparatus, particularly an infused beverage, comprising a body and a lid disposed above an electrically heated base, the body and lid forming a housing for heating water, the body including an inner wall and an upper opening, and the lid including a peripheral flexible gasket that engages with the inner wall, the lid being movable between an open position away from the upper opening and a closed position covering the upper opening, characterized in that the lid has a gasket deformation device that allows the gasket to be changed from a relaxed position to a holding position, in which the lid can be easily changed from a closed position to an open position, and in the holding position the gasket is deformed against the inner wall of the body to hold the lid in the closed position on the body in the event of accidental tipping of the apparatus.

[0010] Therefore, even with a noticeable gap between the cap and the body, the user, by acting on the gasket deformation device to change it from a relaxed position to a holding position, will secure the cap sufficiently to the body to prevent it from being ejected from the body under the pressure of the water contained within in the event of accidental tipping. As a result, water, especially when hot, cannot escape from the device and cause an accident.

[0011] This gasket deformation device provides a smooth and easy-to-clean inner wall for the main body at the upper opening.

[0012] The lid can be easily switched from the closed position to the open position, meaning that the user can lift the lid with very little force.

[0013] Preferably, the gasket deformation device extends the gasket between a relaxed position and a held position in the radial direction of the cap in a substantially horizontal extension plane of the cap.

[0014] In this way, the gasket deformation device generates a gasket force on the inner wall of the main body, which is perpendicular to the inner wall, ensuring that the cover is well held on the main body.

[0015] Advantageously, the washer deformation device includes at least one boss disposed on the inner surface of the washer and a ring including at least one cam, the at least one cam being rotatably movable between an active position and an inactive position, in which the at least one cam pushes the at least one boss against the inner wall of the body and the washer is in a holding position, and in the inactive position, the at least one cam does not act on the at least one boss and the washer is in a relaxed position.

[0016] This washer deformation device, featuring a boss and a cam, allows the washer to deform gradually during cam displacement.

[0017] It is understood that during the transition of at least one cam from an active position to an inactive position, the at least one boss moves due to the elastic recovery of the flexible washer.

[0018] Understandably, the gasket has an outer surface, and the gasket has a thickness between the inner and outer surfaces, which can deform under the action of the retaining boss to compensate for the gap between the cover and the body.

[0019] Preferably, the washer deformation device includes four bosses regularly arranged on the inner surface of the washer, and four bosses arranged on the ring.

[0020] Therefore, the force that holds the lid on the body is evenly distributed across four identical sectors to ensure that the lid is held very well on the body.

[0021] Advantageously, the washer has an outer surface provided with at least one horizontal rib extending toward the body and arranged opposite to at least one boss.

[0022] Therefore, the at least one horizontal rib can deform more or less in the holding position to absorb the gap between the cover and the body.

[0023] Preferably, the ring has a first mark and the cover has a window, wherein the first mark is aligned with the window when at least one cam is in the active position and the cover is in the holding position.

[0024] Therefore, the user is informed of the slack position or the hold position of the gasket.

[0025] Advantageously, the ring also includes a second mark that aligns with the window, the cover is in the open position, and the gasket is in the relaxed position when at least one cam is in the invalid position.

[0026] Advantageously, the cover includes a handle for driving the ring and at least one cam between the active and inactive positions.

[0027] Therefore, the user operates the handle to rotate to drive the ring and at least one cam between the active and inactive positions, or vice versa.

[0028] Preferably, the beverage preparation apparatus includes a tea basket removably arranged in a lid.

[0029] Therefore, when the lid and tea basket are positioned together on the main body, an infused beverage can be prepared in the beverage preparation device.

[0030] Advantageously, the handle is removably disposed on the lid via a bayonet assembly system, and the lid has a through-hole for receiving a tea basket. The handle includes a closing cover that closes the through-hole when the handle is assembled on the lid.

[0031] Therefore, using the same handle, users can manipulate the rotating ring to change the gasket from a relaxed position to a held position, and also assemble or disassemble the lid of the tea basket with the help of the bayonet assembly system.

[0032] Advantageously, the main body is made of glass.

[0033] The manufacturing process of the glass components results in a large dimensional deviation of several millimeters in the upper opening of the main body. The gasket deformation device will be able to compensate for this dimensional deviation, ensuring that the lid remains well in its holding position.

[0034] Furthermore, this gasket deformation device is particularly well-suited for use with glass bodies, in which it is difficult to achieve an arrangement suitable for accommodating mechanical locking systems.

[0035] Advantageously, the glass body is glued to the heated base. Attached Figure Description

[0036] The objects, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a beverage preparation apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the lid of a beverage preparation device, the lid including a tea basket;

[0039] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A partial exploded perspective view of the lid;

[0040] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective view of the lower side of the lid of the beverage preparation device, with the ring in an invalid position;

[0041] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective view of the lower side of the lid of the beverage preparation device, with the ring in the activated position. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Only elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. For ease of reading, the same elements are labeled with the same reference numerals from one figure to another.

[0043] It will be noted that in this document, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “lower,” “upper,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “longitudinal,” and “lateral” used to describe the beverage preparation apparatus refer to the beverage preparation apparatus in its operational state when it is placed flat on the work surface.

[0044] exist Figures 1 to 5In the exemplary embodiment shown, the beverage preparation apparatus 1 includes a base 2 powered by an electrical wire (not shown) and a body 3 having a base 8. The body 3 forms a container for water. The body 3 includes an upper opening 4 for holding water, which is closed by a lid 10. The water jug ​​1 includes a spout 5 located at the upper opening 4 and a handle 6 opposite to the spout 5 relative to the upper opening 4. The body 3 has a generally cylindrical shape including a vertical axis 7. The lid 10 is detachable relative to the body 3. The lid 10 is movable between an open position away from the upper opening 4 and a closed position covering the upper opening 4. The lid 10 is designed to be assembled onto the body 3 with a translational movement substantially parallel to the vertical axis 7 of the body 3. The body 3 has an inner wall 9 and a gasket 30 is arranged facing the inner wall 9 when the lid 10 is in the closed position.

[0045] The base 8 includes a heating base formed of a stainless steel cup, beneath which are an aluminum diffuser and a heating element (not shown). The body 3 and the lid 10, positioned above the heating base, form a shell designed to boil the water.

[0046] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the cover 10 includes an upper crown 11, which includes a planar annular portion 12 and a descending edge 13 extending perpendicularly to the planar annular portion 12 to present an inverted L-shaped cross-section. The cover 10 has a flexible annular washer 30 extending vertically below the planar annular portion 12 along the extending direction of the descending edge 13. The cover 10 includes an annular ring 20 disposed below the planar annular portion 12 and between the descending edge 13 and the washer 30. The ring 20 is rotatably mounted around the descending edge 13 about a vertical axis 7. The cover 10 includes a lower crown 18, which is assembled by screws to the upper crown 11 to form a compartment 19 for receiving the ring 20 and the washer 30. Figure 2 The washer 30 is assembled between the upper crown 11 and the lower crown 18 so that it cannot rotate about the vertical axis 7.

[0047] The washer 30 has an inner surface 31 with four bosses 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, all evenly distributed at 90-degree angles on the inner circumference of the washer 30. Each of the four bosses 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d is lined with a rigid wall 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d. Each rigid wall 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d is integral with the corresponding boss 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d and is made of a plastic with a low coefficient of friction, such as polyoxymethylene. Each rigid wall 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d includes a rectangular portion 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d extending vertically and substantially parallel to the inner surface 31, and two inclined portions 35a, 35b, 35c, and 35d; 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d for connection to the inner surface 31 of the washer 30. Washer 30 has an outer 37 ( Figure 2The outer surface of the cover 10 has two horizontal and overlapping ribs 38 and 39. The two ribs 38 and 39 extend toward the body 3 and are arranged facing each boss 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d. The rotating ring 20 includes four cams 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d arranged on the outer periphery of the ring 20. Each cam 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d includes inclined surfaces 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d that gradually extend radially toward the outside of the cover 10 and portions 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d that extend substantially parallel to the inner surface 31 of the gasket 30.

[0048] according to Figure 4 and Figure 5 A ring 20, equipped with four cams 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d and four bosses 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, forms a deformation device for a washer 30. This deformation device allows the washer 30 to move from a relaxed position (…). Figure 4 ) to maintain position ( Figure 5 In the relaxed position, the cover 10 can be effortlessly switched from the closed position to the open position. In the retaining position, the washer 30 deforms against the inner wall 9 of the body 3, thereby holding the cover 10 on the body 3 with a retaining force of several Newtons. Cams 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d can be in the active position ( Figure 5 ) and invalid positions ( Figure 4 The cams 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d rotate and move between the active and inactive positions. In the active position, cams 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d push bosses 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d against the inner wall of the body. In the inactive position, cams 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d disengage from the bosses, and vice versa. The transition of cams 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d from the active to the inactive position releases bosses 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, which then move due to the elastic recovery of the flexible washer 30. To transition from an inactive to an active position, inclined surfaces 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are supported on inclined portions 35a, 35b, 35c, and 35d to push rigid walls 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d back until portions 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d slide on rectangular portions 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d. To transition from an inactive to an active position, or vice versa, ring 20 and cams 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d are rotated by an angular stroke of 25 degrees.

[0049] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen, the upper crown 11 includes a circular central through-hole 14 and a shoulder 15. The lid 10 includes a tea basket 50 with an upper flange 51. Figure 2The tea basket 50 is removable from the lid 10 and has a gripper 52. The tea basket 50 is designed to insert into the through-hole 14, and the flange 51 is designed to engage with the shoulder 15 of the upper crown 11 at the end of assembly. The lid 10 includes a handle 40 for rotating the drive ring 20 between an active and inactive position. The handle 40 is detachably mounted on the upper crown 11. The handle 40 has a circular cover 41 for closing the through-hole 14 when the handle 40 is mounted on the lid 10. The cover 41 is designed to insert into the shoulder 15 to cover the flange 51 of the tea basket 50. The cover 41 has two radially opposite and radially extending lugs 42a, 42b. The upper crown 11 has two slots 16a, 16b. The two slots 16a, 16b are arranged in the planar annular portion 12 and in the vertical wall 17 of the shoulder 15. Both slots 16a and 16b have horizontal portions 29a and 29b extending below the planar annular portion 12. The ring 20 is arranged below the shoulder 15 and includes two chambers 24a and 24b facing the slots 16a and 16b respectively when the washer is in the relaxed position. Therefore, the two lugs 42a and 42b of the cover 41 can pass through the slots 16a and 16b and be inserted into the chambers 24a and 24b. Rotation of the handle 40 simultaneously drives the two lugs 42a and 42b of the ring 20 and the two chambers 24a and 24b. In the same movement, the two lugs 42a and 42b move below the planar annular portion 12 in the horizontal portions 29a and 29b to assemble the handle 40 with the cover 41 onto the lid 10 via the fixing tea basket 50. Two lugs 42a and 42b, which mate with two slots 16a and 16b having horizontal portions 29a and 29b, form a snap-fit ​​assembly system for the handle 40 and the tea basket 50 on the lid 10. In this embodiment, with the gasket 30 in a relaxed position, the handle 40, with the cover 41, can be removed from the lid 10 resting on the body 3. The user can remove the lid 10 by inserting their fingers into the through-hole 14 and then pinching the upper crown 11 and the lower crown 18.

[0050] The upper crown portion 11 of the cover 10 has a planar annular portion 12 with a viewing window 28. The ring 20 has a red first mark 26 and a green second mark 27. When the cams 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d are in the active position, the red first mark 26 is aligned with the window 28, and the cover 10 is in the held position. When the cams 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d are in the inactive position, the green second mark 27 is aligned with the window, and the cover 10 is in the relaxed position.

[0051] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described and illustrated merely as examples. Modifications are still possible without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, particularly from the viewpoint of the composition of various elements or by substitution with technical equivalents.

[0052] Therefore, in a variant embodiment not shown, the bayonet assembly system has an intermediate position where the handle 40 with the cover 41 remains attached to the cover and the gasket 30 is in a relaxed position. The horizontal portions 29a, 29b are elongated such that the lugs 42a, 42b remain below the planar annular portion 12.

[0053] In a supplementary variant not shown in the figure, the cover (10) includes a motor for driving the ring 20 and at least one cam 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d between the active and inactive positions.

Claims

1. A beverage preparation apparatus (1) comprising a body (3) disposed above an electrically heated base and a lid (10), the body and lid forming a housing for heating water, the body (3) comprising an inner wall (9) and an upper opening (4), and the lid (10) comprising a peripheral flexible gasket (30) engaging with the inner wall (9), the lid (10) being movable between an open position away from the upper opening (4) and a closed position covering the upper opening (4), the lid (10) having a gasket deformation device (30). 2a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d), the gasket deformation device causes the gasket (30) to change from a relaxed position to a holding position, in which the lid (10) can be easily changed from a closed position to an open position, and in the holding position the gasket (30) deforms against the inner wall (9) of the body (3) to hold the lid (10) on the body (3) in the closed position in the event of accidental tipping of the beverage preparation device (1), characterized in that, The washer deformation device includes at least one boss (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) disposed on the inner surface (31) of the washer (30) and a ring (20) including at least one cam (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d), the at least one cam (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) being rotatably movable between an active position and an inactive position, in which the at least one cam (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) pushes the at least one boss (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) against the inner wall (9) of the body (3) and the washer is in a holding position, and in which the at least one cam (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) does not act on the at least one boss (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) and the washer (30) is in a relaxed position.

2. The beverage preparation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gasket deformation devices (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) extend the gasket (30) in a substantially horizontal extension plane of the cover (10) along the radial direction of the cover (10) between a relaxed position and a held position.

3. The beverage preparation apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The washer deformation device includes four bosses (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) regularly arranged on the inner surface (31) of the washer (30) and four cams (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) arranged on the ring (20).

4. The beverage preparation apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The washer has an outer surface (37) with at least one horizontal rib (38, 39) extending toward the body (3) and arranged opposite to at least one boss (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d).

5. The beverage preparation apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The ring (20) has a first mark (26) and the cover has a window (28), the first mark (26) being aligned with the window (28) when at least one cam (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) is in the active position, and the cover (10) is in the holding position.

6. The beverage preparation apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The cover (10) includes a handle (40) for driving a ring (20) and at least one cam (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) between an active position and an inactive position.

7. The beverage preparation apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, It includes a tea basket (50) that is removably arranged in the lid (10).

8. The beverage preparation apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, It includes a tea basket (50) removably disposed in the lid (10), and a handle (40) removably disposed on the lid (10) via a bayonet assembly system (16a, 16b, 29a, 29b, 42a, 42b), and the lid (10) has a through hole (14) for receiving the tea basket (50), and the handle (40) includes a closing cover (41) that closes the through hole (14) when the handle (40) is assembled on the lid.

9. The beverage preparation apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The main body (3) is made of glass.

10. The beverage preparation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, It is a device for preparing infused beverages.

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