Electric kettle

Abstract

To provide an electric kettle capable of suppressing leakage of liquid in a storage container outside a spouting pipe when the electric kettle falls down without a user's performing opening / closing operation.SOLUTION: An electric kettle includes a storage container 10, an intermediate chamber 44, a spouting pipe 50, and a water stop member 45. The intermediate chamber 44 is connected to a front of a lower end of a side wall 12 of the storage container 10. The spouting pipe 50 extends forward and upward from the intermediate chamber 44. The water stop member 45 is movably disposed in the intermediate chamber 44. In the state that the electric kettle stands erect, the intermediate chamber 44 and a flow channel in the spouting pipe 50 communicate via an opening 420. On the other hand, in the state that the electric kettle falls down, the water stop member 45 moves by self weight to close an opening 420. By doing so, when the electric kettle falls down, it is possible to suppress leakage of liquid in the storage container 10 outside the spouting pipe 50 without a user performing opening / closing operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a crane spout type electric kettle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electric kettle that boils water electrically is known. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a crane spout type electric kettle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this type of electric kettle, it is necessary to suppress the leakage of liquid from the spout when the kettle is overturned. To suppress liquid leakage during overturning, for example, it is conceivable to provide a valve that can be opened and closed by the user's operation in the spout. However, this method has a problem that when the valve is in the open state and the user accidentally overturns the electric kettle, it is impossible to prevent the leakage of liquid.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric kettle that can suppress the leakage of liquid in the storage container from the spout to the outside when the electric kettle is overturned without the user performing an opening and closing operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a kettle-type electric kettle, comprising a storage container having a cylindrical side wall, a heating unit for heating a liquid in the storage container, an intermediate chamber connected to the front of the lower end of the side wall of the storage container, a spout extending forward and upward from the intermediate chamber, and a water stop member disposed movably in the intermediate chamber. When the electric kettle is in an upright state, the intermediate chamber and the flow path in the spout communicate with each other through an opening. When the electric kettle is in a toppled state, the water stop member moves by its own weight to close the opening.

[0007] According to the present invention, when the electric kettle topples over without the user performing an opening / closing operation, it is possible to suppress the liquid in the storage container from leaking out from the spout to the outside.

[0008] In particular, the intermediate chamber has a concave shape on the front surface, the water stop member has a shape in which the front side fits into the concave shape of the intermediate chamber, and when the electric kettle is tilted forward, it is desirable that the water stop member fits into the concave shape of the intermediate chamber. In this way, when the electric kettle is tilted forward, since the water stop member fits into the concave shape, the water stop member does not close the opening. Therefore, since the water stop member acts when toppled over and does not act during pouring, it is possible to suppress the liquid in the storage container from leaking out from the spout to the outside when toppled over without interfering with normal pouring operations.

[0009] In particular, the opening is located on the upper surface of the intermediate chamber, the left and right side surfaces of the intermediate chamber are inclined so that the distance gradually widens upward, the water stop member has a shape in which the side is inclined along the left and right side surfaces of the intermediate chamber, and in a state where the electric kettle is toppled over, it is desirable that the water stop member moves one of the left and right side surfaces of the intermediate chamber toward the opening. Thereby, when the electric kettle topples over, the water stop member can be moved along the side surface toward the opening side.

[0010] Also, it is desirable that the side surface has ribs. This makes the contact between the side surface of the intermediate chamber and the water stop member not a surface contact, so that adsorption of the water stop member to the side surface of the intermediate chamber can be suppressed. Therefore, the water stop member can be smoothly moved along the side surface.

[0011] In addition, in a state where the electric kettle is upright, it is desirable that the water stop member is supported by the left and right side surfaces and does not contact the bottom surface of the intermediate chamber. This can prevent the water stop member from adsorbing to the bottom surface of the intermediate chamber. Therefore, the water stop member can be smoothly moved toward the opening.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, when the electric kettle falls over without the user performing an opening / closing operation, leakage of the liquid in the storage container to the outside from the pouring tube can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, in a state where the electric kettle 1 is upright, the side of the electric kettle 1 where the spout pipe 50 is located is defined as "front", and the side of the handle 63 is defined as "rear". Also, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is defined as the left-right direction.

[0015] <1. Overall Configuration of Electric Kettle> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crane-beak type electric kettle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the electric kettle 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of the electric kettle 1 excluding the exterior body 60. This electric kettle 1 is an electric water heater that heats water stored inside. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electric kettle 1 of the present embodiment includes a storage container 10, a lid body 20, a heating unit 30, a connection unit 40, a spout pipe 50, and an exterior body 60.

[0016] The storage container 10 is a container for storing water or hot water inside. The storage container 10 is formed of, for example, stainless steel. The storage container 10 has a bottom 11 and a cylindrical side wall 12 extending upward from the edge of the bottom 11. In order to enhance the heat retention property, a heat insulation layer may be provided outside the side wall 12.

[0017] The lid body 20 is a component that closes the opening at the upper part of the storage container 10. The lid body 20 is detachable from the upper end portion of the main body cover portion 61 described later. In a state where the lid body 20 is attached, the upper part of the storage container 10 is closed by the lid body 20. When the lid body 20 is removed, the upper part of the storage container 10 is opened, and it becomes possible to replenish water into the storage container 10. The lid body 20 is provided with a knob portion 21 that a user grips and a steam port (not shown) for discharging steam inside the storage container 10 to the outside.

[0018] The heating unit 30 is a heater for heating the water in the storage container 10. The heating unit 30 is disposed on the lower surface of the bottom 11 of the storage container 10. For the heating unit 30, for example, a mica heater or a sheathed heater is used. When the electric kettle 1 is in use, power is supplied to the heating unit 30, causing the heating unit 30 to generate heat. As a result, the water in the storage container 10 is heated to become hot water.

[0019] The connecting part 40 is a unit inserted between the storage container 10 and the spout pipe 50. The connecting part 40 is connected in front of the lower end of the side wall 12 of the storage container 10. The connecting part 40 has a function of suppressing the leakage of water or hot water to the outside when the electric kettle 1 topples over. The function of the connecting part 40 will be described later.

[0020] The spout pipe 50 is a pipe for pouring out hot water from the storage container 10. The spout pipe 50 is formed of, for example, stainless steel. The spout pipe 50 has a connection port 51 at one end and a pouring port 52 at the other end. The connection port 51 of the spout pipe 50 is connected to the connecting part 40. The spout pipe 50 extends in a substantially S shape forward and upward from the connection port 51. The pouring port 52 of the spout pipe 50 is located above the upper end of the storage container 10.

[0021] The exterior body 60 is a cover that covers the outer surface of the electric kettle 1. The exterior body 60 is formed of, for example, synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the exterior body 60 has a main body cover part 61, a spout pipe cover part 62, and a handle 63. The main body cover part 61 is a substantially cylindrical part that covers the storage container 10, the lid body 20, and the heating unit 30. The spout pipe cover part 62 is a tubular part that covers the spout pipe 50.

[0022] The handle 63 extends rearward from the rear edge of the upper end of the main body cover part 61. That is, the handle 63 and the spout pipe 50 are located on opposite sides with respect to the central axis A of the storage container 10. A switch 64 for switching ON / OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 30 is provided on the handle 63.

[0023] When using the electric kettle 1, the user first removes the lid 20 and supplies water into the storage container 10. Then, the lid 20 is attached and the switch 64 is switched from OFF to ON. Then, when the heating part 30 generates heat, the water in the storage container 10 is heated. After that, the user holds the handle 63, lifts the electric kettle 1, and tilts it forward. As a result, the hot water in the storage container 10 is poured out from the spout 52 through the pouring pipe 50 to the outside.

[0024] <2. Regarding the connection part> Subsequently, the structure of the connection part 40 described above will be explained. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connection part 40 broken along the planes along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connection part 40 broken along the planes along the left-right direction and the up-down direction.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the connection part 40 has a first connection member 41, a second connection member 42, and a third connection member 43. The first connection member 41, the second connection member 42, and the third connection member 43 are fixed to each other and integrated.

[0026] The first connection member 41 is connected to a supply port 13 provided at the lower end of the side wall 12 of the storage container 10. The second connection member 42 covers the upper part of the first connection member 41. An intermediate chamber 44 is formed between the first connection member 41 and the second connection member 42. The intermediate chamber 44 communicates with the internal space of the storage container 10 through the supply port 13.

[0027] The third connection member 43 is fixed to the upper part of the second connection member 42. The space between the second connection member 42 and the third connection member 43 communicates with the flow path in the pouring pipe 50. Also, an opening 420 is formed in the second connection member 42. The opening 420 is a hole penetrating the second connection member 42 in the up-down direction.

[0028] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the connecting portion 40 has a water stop member 45. The water stop member 45 is formed of, for example, stainless steel having a specific gravity greater than that of water. The water stop member 45 is disposed in the intermediate chamber 44. The water stop member 45 has an outer shape in the form of an inverted quadrangular frustum with a substantially horizontal flat upper surface and dimensions that decrease downward. The outer dimensions of the water stop member 45 are smaller than the dimensions of the inner surface of the intermediate chamber 44. For this reason, the water stop member 45 is movable within the intermediate chamber 44 within the range of the dimensional difference from the intermediate chamber 44.

[0029] When the electric kettle 1 is in an upright state, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the water stop member 45 is disposed near the bottom surface 443 of the intermediate chamber 44 due to its own weight. Therefore, in this state, since the opening 420 is open, the intermediate chamber 44 and the flow path in the pouring tube 50 communicate with each other through the opening 420.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the electric kettle 1 is overturned. As shown in FIG. 6, when the electric kettle 1 is overturned, the electric kettle 1 is in a state where the outer surface of the main body cover portion 61 and the pouring tube cover portion 62 are in contact with the floor surface. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting portion 40 in this state. When the electric kettle 1 is overturned, as shown in FIG. 7, within the intermediate chamber 44, the water stop member 45 moves toward the opening 420 side due to its own weight. As a result, the upper surface of the water stop member 45 closes at least a part of the opening 420. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the water or hot water in the storage container 10 from leaking to the outside through the intermediate chamber 44, the opening 420, and the pouring tube 50.

[0031] In such a crane-type electric kettle 1, usually, not only inside the storage container 10 but also inside the pouring tube 50, water or hot water is stored. Therefore, when the electric kettle 1 topples over, the water or hot water stored in the pouring tube 50 leaks out to the outside, but the amount is small. In the electric kettle 1 of the present embodiment, when it topples over, the opening 420 in the connection part 40 is blocked by the water stop member 45. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the water or hot water stored in the storage container 10 from leaking out to the outside through the pouring tube 50. Therefore, only a small amount of water or hot water stored in the pouring tube 50 leaks out.

[0032] Further, the electric kettle 1 of the present embodiment does not have a mechanism for opening and closing the flow path inside the connection part 40 or the pouring tube 50 by a user's operation. In the electric kettle 1 of the present embodiment, when the electric kettle 1 topples over, the water stop member 45 closes the opening 420 by its own weight without the user performing an opening and closing operation. Therefore, when the user accidentally topples over the electric kettle 1, it is possible to suppress the leakage of water or hot water.

[0033] In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the opening 420 is located on the upper surface of the intermediate chamber 44. Also, the left and right side surfaces 441 of the intermediate chamber 44 are inclined so that the distance gradually widens upward. On the other hand, the water stop member 45 has a shape in which the side is inclined along the side surface 441 of the intermediate chamber 44. In the state where the electric kettle 1 has toppled over, as shown in FIG. 7, among the left and right side surfaces 441, the side surface 441 disposed on the lower side due to the toppling is a downhill toward the opening 420. For this reason, as shown by the broken-line arrow in FIG. 7, the water stop member 45 can be moved along the side surface 441 toward the opening 420 side so as to descend.

[0034] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, in this embodiment, two convex ribs 442 are provided on each of the left and right side surfaces 441 of the intermediate chamber 44. The rib 442 extends linearly along the side surface 441 from the lower end portion to the upper end portion of the side surface 441. In this way, since the water stop member 45 contacts the rib 442, it does not make surface contact with the side surface 441. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the water stop member 45 from being adsorbed to the side surface 441. As a result, the water stop member 45 can be smoothly moved along the side surface 441.

[0035] Further, in this embodiment, the left - right dimension of the bottom surface of the water stop member 45 is larger than the left - right width between the ribs 442 on the bottom surface 443 of the intermediate chamber 44. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, in the state where the electric kettle 1 is upright, the water stop member 45 is supported by the ribs 442 provided on the left and right side surfaces 441. At this time, the bottom surface of the water stop member 45 does not contact the bottom surface 443 of the intermediate chamber 44. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the bottom surface of the water stop member 45 from being adsorbed to the bottom surface 443 of the intermediate chamber 44. As a result, the water stop member 45 can be favorably moved toward the opening 420.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a cross - sectional view of the connection portion 40 when pouring hot water from the electric kettle 1 during normal use. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the intermediate chamber 44 of this embodiment has a concave shape 444 on the front surface. Further, an inclined surface 445 that becomes higher as it goes forward is provided below the concave shape 444. On the other hand, the water stop member 45 has a shape in which the front side fits into the concave shape 444 of the intermediate chamber 44. In the state where the electric kettle 1 is tilted forward, as shown in FIG. 8, the water stop member 45 falls forward due to the inclined surface 445 and fits into the concave shape 444. Thereby, the water stop member 45 is prevented from moving toward the opening 420 side. For this reason, during normal use, hot water can be poured from the pouring pipe 50 without closing the opening 420. That is, the water stop member 45 can be made to act only when the electric kettle 1 falls, and not during normal use.

[0037] <3. Modified Example> The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 40 was formed by the first connecting member 41, the second connecting member 42, and the third connecting member 43. However, the connecting portion 40 may be formed by two or fewer members, or may be formed by four or more members.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the opening 420 was provided on the upper surface of the intermediate chamber 44. However, the position of the opening 420 does not necessarily have to be on the upper surface of the intermediate chamber 44. For example, the opening 420 may be provided at the upper end of the front surface of the intermediate chamber 44.

[0040] Also, in the above embodiment, the shape of the water stop member 45 was a reverse frustum of a square pyramid. However, the shape of the water stop member 45 may be other shapes such as a spherical shape.

[0041] Also, in the above embodiment, the left and right side surfaces 441 of the intermediate chamber 44 were inclined. However, the left and right side surfaces 441 of the intermediate chamber 44 do not necessarily have to be inclined surfaces. The shape of the intermediate chamber 44 may be any shape as long as the water stop member 45 can move toward the opening 420 when the electric kettle 1 is overturned.

[0042] Also, in the above embodiment, the ribs 442 were provided on the left and right side surfaces 441 of the intermediate chamber 44. However, it is not essential to provide the ribs 442 on the side surfaces 441. For example, by providing protrusions on the water stop member 45, the adsorption of the water stop member 45 to the side surfaces 441 may be suppressed.

[0043] Also, in the above embodiment, the liquid stored in the electric kettle 1 was water. However, the liquid stored in the electric kettle 1 may be other liquids such as tea.

[0044] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the pouring tube cover portion 62 that covers the pouring tube 50 was a part of the synthetic resin exterior body 60. However, the pouring tube cover portion 62 may be a separate body from the exterior body 60. Further, the pouring tube cover portion 62 may be made of, for example, rubber.

[0045] Also, in order to further suppress the leakage of liquid when the electric kettle 1 topples over, a cap may be attached to the spout 52 of the pouring tube 50. The cap may be formed of synthetic resin or rubber.

[0046] Also, the detailed shape of the electric kettle 1 may be different from each of the drawings of the present application. Further, each element that appears in the above-described embodiment and modification examples may be appropriately selected and discarded within a range where no contradiction occurs.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0047] 1: Electric kettle 10: Storage container 20: Lid body 30: Heating portion 40: Connection portion 41: First connection member 42: Second connection member 43: Third connection member 44: Intermediate chamber 45: Water stop member 50: Pouring tube 51: Connection port 52: Spout 60: Exterior body 61: Main body cover portion 62: Pouring tube cover portion 63: Handle 420: Opening 441: Side surface of intermediate chamber 442: Rib 443: Bottom surface of intermediate chamber 444: Concave shape 445: Inclined surface A: Central axis

Claims

1. It is a crane-mouth type electric kettle, A storage container having a cylindrical side wall; A heating unit that heats the liquid in the storage container; An intermediate chamber connected to a front portion of a lower end of the side wall of the storage container; An injection tube extending forward and upward from the intermediate chamber; A water-stopping member movably disposed in the intermediate chamber; Equipped with When the electric kettle is in an upright position, the intermediate chamber and the flow path in the pouring pipe communicate with each other through an opening, When the electric kettle is overturned, the water-stopping member moves by its own weight to close the opening.

2. 2. The electric kettle according to claim 1, The intermediate chamber has a concave shape on a front surface, The water-stopping member has a shape such that a front side thereof fits into a concave shape of the intermediate chamber, When the electric kettle is tilted forward, the water-stopping member fits into the concave shape of the intermediate chamber.

3. 2. The electric kettle according to claim 1, the opening is located on an upper surface of the intermediate chamber; The left and right side surfaces of the intermediate chamber are inclined so that the distance therebetween gradually increases as they go upward, The water-stopping member has a shape in which the lateral sides are inclined along the left and right side surfaces of the intermediate chamber, When the electric kettle is overturned, the water-stopping member moves along one of the left and right side surfaces of the intermediate chamber toward the opening.

4. 4. The electric kettle according to claim 3, The side surface has ribs.

5. 5. The electric kettle according to claim 3 or 4, When the electric kettle is in an upright position, the water-stopping member is supported by the left and right side surfaces and does not contact a bottom surface of the intermediate chamber.

Images