Clear kettle with display

Abstract

There is provided a kettle comprising a fluid chamber having a transparent or translucent wall and a display panel disposed in or on the transparent or translucent wall, the display panel being surrounded on at least three sides by the transparent or translucent wall.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 219,006, filed July 7, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Additionally, this application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 798,782, filed July 9, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a clear kettle with a display attached to or built into its side, in particular to a kettle having a transparent or translucent wall and a display panel surrounded by the wall on at least three sides. [Background technology]

[0003] There are a variety of electric kettles for heating fluids, such as water. Such kettles often include a control interface to allow a user to activate the kettle to heat the fluid contained therein. Such a control interface may include a display, such as a digital display, that can be used to present various information to the user. Such information may include a target temperature, an actual temperature, the kettle's current or target mode, or various other information desired by the user.

[0004] Conventionally, such kettles are provided with a base that includes electronics for powering and / or controlling the kettle. The kettle may be placed on the base during a heating process and then removed from the base to dispense the fluid contained therein. Thus, when removed from the base, the kettle is no longer vertically constrained, allowing fluid to be poured from the kettle.

[0005] Because using electricity to heat a fluid such as liquid water is very power intensive, the base may be plugged into a wall outlet or the like, and the kettle, when placed on the base, may draw power from the base to heat the fluid contained therein. This may be done using electrical components that may provide electrical current to the kettle through resistors or other heating elements integrated with the kettle.

[0006] The power electronics may be located in the base while the control electronics are located in the base or in the kettle itself. Because heating consumes a lot of power, but operation of the control electronics consumes much less power, the control electronics may be located in the base and powered by a battery that is rechargeable by the power electronics when the kettle is placed on the base. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Traditionally, the location of the control interface on such kettles has been limited. If the kettle is generally opaque, e.g., made of plastic, the control panel is located somewhere on a housing that is thick enough to protect such control electronics from the heat generated by the kettle. If the kettle is clear, such as a kettle made of clear plastic or glass, the control electronics are generally located on the base or in limited locations on the kettle with a thick opaque housing that can be easily electrically connected to the base. Thus, such control panels with a control interface having not only a display but also buttons, dials, etc. have been limited to the bottom housing of the kettle adjacent the base, or to a handle that has been artificially thickened to allow for such a control interface.

[0008] There is a need for an electronic kettle that is not aesthetically and functionally limited to providing a control interface on the base, handle, or lower housing of the kettle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] There is provided a kettle comprising a fluid chamber having a transparent or translucent wall and a display panel disposed in or on the transparent or translucent wall, the display panel being surrounded on at least three sides by the transparent or translucent wall.

[0010] Typically, the viewing panel comprises an opaque material such that it is neither transparent nor translucent, while the remainder of the wall is transparent or translucent.

[0011] In some embodiments, the kettle has a fluid chamber with a substantially circular cross-section, and the transparent or translucent wall surrounds the fluid chamber.

[0012] In some embodiments, the kettle further comprises a fluid chamber base having a housing comprising an opaque material, the housing enclosing electronics associated with the kettle, and a base of the transparent or translucent wall mating with the fluid chamber base to define an interior space of the fluid chamber.

[0013] In some embodiments, the kettle further comprises a fixed base for mating with the fluid chamber base, the fixed base comprising a plurality of electrical components and at least one electrical contact, the fluid chamber base comprising at least one electrical contact for interfacing with the fixed base, the fixed base providing electrical power to the fluid chamber base.

[0014] In some such embodiments, the display panel is adjacent to the fluid chamber base and has a connecting edge between the display panel and the fluid chamber base, and electrical wiring connected to the display panel extends from the fluid chamber base through the connecting edge to the display panel.

[0015] In some embodiments, the kettle further comprises a handle portion comprising an opaque material, the handle portion being adjacent to the fluid chamber base and having a connecting edge between the handle portion and the fluid chamber base, the electrical wiring connected to the display panel extending from the fluid chamber base through the connecting edge to the handle portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the display panel is adjacent to the handle portion and has a second connection edge between the display panel and the handle portion, and the electrical wiring connected to the display panel extends from the handle portion through the second connection edge to the display panel.

[0017] In some embodiments, the kettle further comprises an upper trim comprising an opaque material, the upper trim having a second connection edge between the upper trim and the handle portion, the display panel adjacent to the upper trim and having a third connection edge between the upper trim and the handle portion, and the electrical wiring connected to the display panel extends through the second connection edge into the upper trim and extends from the upper trim through the third connection edge to the display panel.

[0018] In some such embodiments, the upper trim is integral with the kettle lid, and the third connecting edge includes a plurality of electrical contacts for connecting the upper trim to the display panel.

[0019] In some embodiments, the display panel is an opaque plastic.

[0020] In some embodiments, the transparent or translucent wall is clear glass or plastic.

[0021] In some embodiments, the display panel comprises a user interface including a control and a display, the display providing information relating to the actual status of the kettle or user selections for the kettle.

[0022] In some such embodiments, the user interface includes a capacitive touch control.In some such embodiments, the user interface control is backlit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a kettle according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the kettle of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the kettle of FIG. 1. [Figure 4A] 4A is a cross-sectional view of the kettle 100 of FIG. 1 taken along line 4A-4A of FIG. 2. [Figure 4B] 4B is a cross-sectional view of the kettle 100 of FIG. 1 taken along line 4B-4B of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative kettle according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the kettle of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the kettle of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative kettle according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of the kettle of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the kettle of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the kettle of FIG. 8 taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The description of exemplary embodiments according to the principles of the present disclosure is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered as part of the entire written description. In the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely for convenience of description and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Relative terms such as "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "upper", "lower", "upper", "down", "top", and "bottom", as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "downwards", "upwards", etc.) should be construed as referring to the orientation as indicated in the description or drawings at the time. These relative terms are merely for convenience of description and do not require that the device be configured or operated in a particular orientation unless expressly indicated. Similarly, "mounted", "fixed", "connected", "coupled", "interconnected", and similar terms refer to a relationship in which structures are fixed or attached to one another, directly or indirectly, through intervening structures or movable or fixed attachment members or connections, unless otherwise specified. Moreover, the features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated by reference to the illustrated embodiments. Thus, the present invention should not be expressly limited to the embodiments illustrating some possible and non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in combination with other features, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0025] This disclosure describes the best mode of carrying out the present invention currently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides examples of the disclosure presented for illustrative purposes only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, to advise those skilled in the art of the advantages and configurations of the disclosure. In the various figures of the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like or similar parts.

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a kettle 100 according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a side view of the kettle 100 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a rear view of the kettle 100 of Figure 1. Figures 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of the kettle 100 of Figure 1 along lines 4A-4A and 4B-4B, respectively, of Figure 2.

[0027] As shown, the kettle 100 typically includes a fluid chamber 110 for holding a fluid. Typically, the fluid chamber 110 holds a liquid, such as water, and the kettle 100 is used to boil water. The fluid chamber 110 includes a transparent or translucent wall portion 120 and a transparent or translucent wall portion 130. Part 120 As shown in the figure, the display panel 130 has at least three sides 140a, 140 b. 140 c is surrounded by a translucent or transparent wall portion 120.

[0028] The display panel 130 typically comprises an opaque material. Thus, while the wall 120 is transparent or translucent, the display panel 130 The wall 120 is neither transparent nor translucent. The wall 120 can be made of, for example, clear plastic or glass, and the display panel 130 can be made of opaque plastic or metal material.

[0029] The kettle 100 may also include a fluid chamber base 150. The fluid chamber base 150 generally includes a housing 160 that includes an opaque material. 160 The fluid chamber base 150 encloses the electronics associated with the kettle 100. 100 The base of the transparent or translucent wall 120 may house the control electronics and / or heating elements associated with the fluid chamber 110. The base of the transparent or translucent wall 120 may then mate with a fluid chamber base 150 to define the interior space of the fluid chamber 110.

[0030] The kettle 100 may further include a fixed base 170 for mating with the fluid chamber base 150. The fixed base 170 typically includes a number of electrical components and at least one electrical contact.150 Fixed base 170 The fluid chamber base 150 includes at least one electrical contact for interfacing with the fixed base 170 when the fixed base 170 is placed on the fluid chamber base 150. In this manner, the fixed base 170 provides electrical power to the fluid chamber base 150.

[0031] In some embodiments, the fixed base 170 contains only the power electronics, while all control electronics are confined to the chamber 110 portion of the kettle 100. In such embodiments, the control electronics may be provided within the chamber base 150, as may the battery, and power drawn from the fixed base 170 via at least one electrical contact may be used to charge the battery.

[0032] The fixed base 170 generally contains power electronics for powering any thermal elements contained within the fluid chamber base 150, so that when the fluid chamber base 150 is placed on the fixed base 170, the kettle 100 may only be used to heat the fluid contained within the fluid chamber 110.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the display panel 130 is disposed adjacent to the fluid chamber base 150 and may include a connecting edge 180 between the display panel 130 and the fluid chamber base 150. In some such embodiments, electrical wiring 190 connected to the display panel 130 may extend from the fluid chamber base 150, through the connecting edge 180, and to the display panel 130.

[0034] 4B, in some embodiments, the fluid chamber 110 has a substantially circular cross-section. In such embodiments, a transparent or translucent wall 120 surrounds the fluid chamber 110.

[0035] As shown, the display panel 130 typically includes a user interface including a control 200 and a display 210. The display 210 displays information related to the actual status of the kettle 100 or the kettle's status, such as the selected mode. 100 Provides information related to user selections for the user interface. of The control unit 200 may include a capacitive touch control, and such a user interface control unit 200 may be backlit.

[0036] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative kettle 500 according to the present disclosure, Figure 6 is a side view of the kettle 500 of Figure 5, and Figure 7 is a rear view of the kettle 500 of Figure 5.

[0037] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative kettle 800 according to the present disclosure, Figure 9 is a side view of the kettle 800 of Figure 8, and Figure 10 is a rear view of the kettle 800 of Figure 8. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the kettle 800 of Figure 8 taken along line 11-11 of Figure 10.

[0038] Both the kettle 500 shown in Figure 5 and the kettle 800 in Figure 8 are similar to the kettle 100 shown in Figure 1. As such, similar components are given the same reference numbers and only the differences between the embodiments will be described here. Thus, all three embodiments of the kettles 100, 500, 800 include a fluid chamber 110 having a transparent or translucent wall 120 and a fluid chamber 112 having a transparent or translucent wall 120. 120 At least three sides 140a, 140 b. 140 and a display panel 130 surrounding the display panel 130.

[0039] As shown, the kettle 100, 500, 800 may include a corresponding handle portion 510. 510 The handle 520 may be formed from an opaque material, such as plastic, and may include a handle base portion 520 and a handle grip portion 530.

[0040] The handle portion 510 may be disposed adjacent to the fluid chamber base 150. 510 and the base of the fluid chamber 1501. In such an embodiment, electrical wiring 190 connected to the display panel 130 may extend from the fluid chamber base 150 through the connecting edge 540 to the handle portion 510, as discussed above with respect to the connecting edge 180 between the display panel 130 and the fluid chamber base 150 in the kettle 100 of FIG.

[0041] In some such embodiments, such as the kettle 500 of Figure 5, the display panel 130 is adjacent to the handle portion 510 and has a second connecting edge 550 between the display panel 130 and the handle portion 510. Electrical wiring 190 connected to the display panel 130 may run from the handle portion 510, through the second connecting edge 550, to the display panel 130.

[0042] In some such embodiments, the electrical wiring 190 may pass through the handle base 520, so that the second connecting edge 550 is connected to the handle base 520 and the display panel 130.

[0043] In some alternative embodiments, a kettle, such as kettle 800 in FIG. 800 The handle portion 510 further includes an upper trim 810, also comprising an opaque material. The upper trim 810 then includes a second connecting edge between the upper trim 810 and the handle portion 510. 820 may be provided.

[0044] In such an embodiment, the display panel 130 may be disposed adjacent to the upper trim 810. The kettle 800 may have a third connecting edge 830 between the upper trim 810 and the display panel 130. And, electrical wiring 190 connected to the display panel 130 may pass from the fluid chamber base 150 into the handle portion 510 via the connecting edge 540. Furthermore, the electrical wiring 190 may extend from the handle portion 510 through the second connecting edge 820 to the upper trim 810. Furthermore, electricity The wiring 190 may extend from the upper trim 810 through the third connection edge 830 into the display panel 130 .

[0045] In such an embodiment, a display panel 130 is connected electricity The wiring 190 extends from the fluid chamber base 150 into the handle portion 510 and 510 into the upper trim 810 and finally into the upper trim 810 into the display panel 130. Each of the fluid chamber base 150, the handle portion 510, the upper trim 810 and the display panel 130 may be opaque, for example provided as an opaque plastic or metal component, so that electricity The wiring 190 remains hidden from view at all times. Furthermore, it is protected from the heat of the fluid in the fluid chamber 110 and the heating electronics in the fluid chamber base 150. electricity To protect the wiring 190, the opaque material may have thermal insulating properties.

[0046] In the kettle 800 of FIG. electricity The wiring 190 may pass through either the handle base 520 or the handle gripping portion 530 and then through a second connecting edge 820 adjacent the upper trim 810.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the kettle 100, 500, 800 includes a lid 840. Such a lid 840 may be used to close the fluid chamber 110 during use to prevent steam from escaping and to increase the rate at which a liquid, such as water, is heated. Such a lid 840 may be opened to provide access to the interior of the fluid chamber 110 so that the kettle 100, 500, 800 can be easily filled. In some embodiments, the upper trim 810 is secured to the lid of the kettle 100, 500, 800 such that it is lifted from the top of the transparent or translucent wall portion 120 when the lid 840 is opened. 840 In some alternatives and embodiments, Upper Trim 810 is Upper trim 810 surrounds the edge of the lid 840, 840 is secured to the wall 120 so as to remain stationary when open. Upper In embodiments where the trim 810 is integral to the lid 840, UpperThe trim may be provided with electrical contacts at a third connecting edge 830 for connecting the upper trim to the display panel 130 .

[0048] While the present invention has been described at some length and with certain particulars with respect to several illustrated embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to those particulars, embodiments, or specific embodiments, but should be interpreted with reference to the appended claims in order to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art, and thus to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Moreover, while the present invention has been described above with respect to embodiments that were foreseen by the inventors and for which enabling descriptions were available, substantial variations of the present invention that are not presently anticipated may also represent equivalents to the present invention.

Claims

1. a fluid chamber having a transparent or translucent wall; a display panel disposed in or on said transparent or translucent wall; a fluid chamber base that encloses electronics associated with the kettle; the display panel is surrounded on at least three sides by the transparent or semi-transparent wall portion; the display panel has a user interface and a connecting edge that contacts the base of the fluid chamber; Electrical wiring connected to the display panel extends from the fluid chamber base through the connection edge to the user interface. A kettle characterized by the above.

2. The viewing panel comprises an opaque material such that the viewing panel is neither transparent nor translucent, but the remainder of the wall is transparent or translucent.

2. The kettle of claim 1.

3. the fluid chamber has a substantially circular cross-section; The transparent or translucent wall surrounds the fluid chamber.

2. The kettle of claim 1.

4. The fluid chamber base has a housing comprising an opaque material, the housing encloses the electronics associated with the kettle; The transparent or translucent wall base mates with the fluid chamber base to define an interior space of the fluid chamber.

2. The kettle of claim 1.

5. a fixed base for mating with the fluid chamber base; the fixed base includes a plurality of electrical components and at least one electrical contact; the fluid chamber base includes at least one electrical contact for interfacing with the fixed base; The fixed base supplies power to the fluid chamber base.

2. The kettle of claim 1.

6. A fluid chamber having a transparent or translucent wall; a display panel disposed in or on said transparent or translucent wall; a fluid chamber base enclosing electronics associated with the kettle; a handle portion comprising an opaque material; the display panel is surrounded on at least three sides by the transparent or semi-transparent wall portion; the handle portion is adjacent to the fluid chamber base and has a connecting edge between the handle portion and the fluid chamber base; Electrical wiring connected to the display panel extends from the fluid chamber base through the connection edge to the handle portion. A kettle characterized by the above.

7. the display panel is adjacent to the handle portion and has a second connecting edge between the display panel and the handle portion; The electrical wiring connected to the display panel extends from the handle portion through the second connection edge to the display panel.

7. The kettle of claim 6.

8. an upper trim comprising an opaque material; the upper trim has a second connecting edge between the upper trim and the handle portion; the display panel is adjacent to the upper trim and has a third connecting edge between the upper trim and the display panel; The electrical wiring connected to the display panel extends through the second connection edge into the upper trim and extends from the upper trim through the third connection edge to the display panel.

7. The kettle of claim 6.

9. the upper trim is integral with the kettle lid; The third connection edge includes a plurality of electrical contacts for connecting the upper trim to the display panel.

9. The kettle of claim 8.

10. The display panel is an opaque plastic A kettle as claimed in claim 1 or 6.

11. The transparent or translucent wall is clear glass or plastic. A kettle as claimed in claim 1 or 6.

12. the user interface includes a control and a display; The display provides information relating to the actual status of the kettle or user selections for the kettle.

2. The kettle of claim 1.

13. The user interface includes a capacitive touch control.

13. A kettle as claimed in claim 12.

14. The control portion of the user interface is backlit.

13. A kettle as claimed in claim 12.

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