Lid for liquid heating container, liquid heating container

Abstract

To realize a lid, etc. of a liquid heating container in which liquid is hard to spout from a steam discharge port even if height thereof is reduced.SOLUTION: A lid (10) comprises: an outer lid (12) comprising a steam discharge port (11) in an upper surface, and a steam inlet (26) in a lower surface; and an inner lid (15) located on the lower surface of the outer lid (12), and forming a discharge passage (X) for steam between itself and the outer lid (12). The inner lid (15) comprises a first through hole (16) for introducing steam into the discharge passage (X). A wall part (30) closing a lower side and opening at least a portion of an upper side is provided between the first through hole (16) and the steam inlet (26) in the discharge passage (X).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, the lid of a liquid heating container such as an electric kettle or an electric pot, and a liquid heating container, and particularly relates to the discharge of steam.

Background Art

[0002] The lid of an electric pot, which is a liquid heating container, basically consists of an outer lid and an inner lid attached to the lower surface of the outer lid. A steam discharge port is formed on the upper surface of the outer lid, and a discharge passage through which the steam generated inside the pot passes is formed between the outer lid and the inner lid. A steam inlet communicating with the steam discharge port is provided on the lower surface of the outer lid.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a lid unit provided with a steam treatment unit including a first opening, a second opening formed at a position different from the first opening, and a main passage extending from the first opening to the second opening, the main passage being configured to include at least one branch portion and at least one confluence portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The above-mentioned conventional technology suppresses the spraying of hot water from the steam discharge port by branching the main passage to increase the passage length and reducing the momentum of the steam. In order to make the passage length longer, it is desirable to provide the main passage three-dimensionally in the height direction, but this is a technology that is incompatible with the reduction in the height of the lid by making the lid thinner.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a lid of a liquid heating container or the like from which liquid is unlikely to be ejected from the steam discharge port even when the height is reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the lid of a liquid heating container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an outer lid having a steam outlet on its upper surface and a steam inlet on its lower surface that communicates with the steam outlet, and an inner lid located on the lower surface of the outer lid and forming a steam discharge passage between itself and the outer lid, wherein the inner lid has a through hole for taking steam into the discharge passage, and a wall portion is provided between the through hole and the steam inlet in the discharge passage, with the lower side closed and at least a part of the upper side open.

[0008] To solve the above problems, a liquid heating container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a heating container body with an open upper end and a lid for the liquid heating container according to one aspect of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a lid for a liquid heating container, etc., that is less likely to leak liquid from the steam outlet even when the height is reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a partial cross-sectional view of an electric kettle according to one embodiment of the present invention, with some parts omitted. [Figure 2] This is a disassembled perspective view of the lid of the electric kettle shown above, viewed from below. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a cross-section of the lid shown above, cut along a line in the front-to-back direction. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the flow of steam and hot water in the discharge passage formed between the inner lid and the lower lid member of the lid. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the second heat countermeasure for the hook lever on the lid described above. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates a modified example, showing the flow of steam and hot water in the discharge passage formed between the inner lid and the lid-under member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0012] (Overview of electric kettles) Figure 1 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view of the electric kettle 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the electric kettle (liquid heating container) 1 of this embodiment has an inner container 3 housed inside the pot body 2, and a heater 4 is attached to the bottom surface of the inner container 3. A water passage pipe 5 is connected to the bottom surface of the inner container 3, and a pump 6 is connected in the middle of the water passage pipe 5. The water passage pipe 5 rises between the inner container 3 and the body member 7 of the pot body 2 and communicates with the discharge port 9 of the nose section 8.

[0013] A lid 10 is attached to the upper opening of the pot body 2 by a hinge 33, allowing it to be opened, closed, and detached. A steam outlet 11 is formed at the rear end of the lid 10, that is, near the hinge 33, to release steam generated inside the inner container 3 of the electric pot 1.

[0014] (Lid structure) Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lid 10 of the electric kettle 1, seen from below. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of the lid 10 cut along a line in the front-to-back direction.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lid 10 comprises an outer lid 12 and an inner lid 15. The outer lid 12 has a steam outlet 11 on its upper surface and a steam inlet 26 on its lower surface that communicates with the steam outlet 11. The inner lid 15 is located on the lower surface of the outer lid 12 and forms a steam discharge passage X between itself and the outer lid 12.

[0016] The outer lid 12 is constructed by combining a lower lid member 13 and an upper lid member 14 vertically. The lower lid member 13 and the upper lid member 14 are fitted together and integrated using screws or the like (not shown). The lower lid member 13 and the upper lid member 14 are resin molded products made of, for example, plastic. The steam outlet 11 is provided on the upper surface of the upper lid member 14, and the steam inlet 26 is provided on the upper surface of the lower lid member 13.

[0017] The inner lid 15 is provided so as to be overlapped with the lid lower member 13 and is made of, for example, stainless steel or the like. The inner lid 15 has a packing 20 fitted to its outer edge portion and is integrated with the lid lower member 13 using screws or the like.

[0018] The inner lid 15 has a first through hole (through hole) 16 for taking in steam into the discharge passage X. In the present embodiment, the inner lid 15 further has a second through hole 17 for returning the hot water (liquid) that has entered the discharge passage X back into the pot interior. In the present embodiment, a plurality of the first through holes 16 are formed in the central portion of the inner lid 15, and the second through holes 17 are formed in the peripheral portion (peripheral to the central portion) of the inner lid 15.

[0019] More specifically, the inner lid 15 has a bulging portion 18 that bulges upward in the central portion, and a plurality of the first through holes 16 are provided on the top surface of the bulging portion 18. One second through hole 17 is provided on each of the left and right sides sandwiching the central portion of the inner lid 15, and a plurality of the second through holes 17 are provided below a valve body storage chamber 24 described later. The inner lid 15 has a recessed portion 19 that recesses downward at the rear end portion that becomes the lower side of the valve body storage chamber 24, and a plurality of the second through holes 17 are provided on the bottom surface of the recessed portion 19.

[0020] The lid lower member 13 includes a hook 21 provided slidably in the front-rear direction at the front portion. The hook 21 is biased by a coil spring 22 interposed between the rear end portion of the hook 21 and a part of the lid lower member 13 so that the front end portion of the hook 21 is exposed forward. <​​​​​​​​

[0023] Under normal operating conditions, the valve body 25 is located at the bottom of the valve body housing chamber 24, and the valve hole 27 is open. Therefore, steam that enters the discharge passage X enters the valve body housing chamber 24 from the steam inlet 26, passes through the valve hole 27, and is discharged from the steam outlet 11. If the electric kettle 1 tips over, the valve body 25 closes the valve hole 27, preventing hot water from leaking out of the steam outlet 11.

[0024] In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, a pair of inverted frustoconical valve body housing chambers 24 are provided in the left-right direction (axis direction of the hinge 33), and an inverted frustoconical valve body 25 is housed inside each valve body housing chamber 24. Two steam inlets 26 are formed at the front of each valve body housing chamber 24, one at the top and one at the bottom, and a valve hole 27 is formed at the top of each valve body housing chamber 24. One of the two valve holes 27 is formed to be larger in diameter than the other. Each valve hole 27 communicates with a steam outlet 11 having multiple slit-shaped discharge holes via an internal passage 28. The difference in size between the two valve holes 27 is to ensure that if the valve body 25 remains blocked by inertia due to the sudden closing of the lid 10, the smaller diameter valve body 25 will fall first, thus securing a passage to the steam outlet 11.

[0025] (Exhaust passage) The lower lid member 13 has an enclosure wall (wall portion) 30 on its lower surface. The enclosure wall 30 is provided to surround the area where the first through hole 16 formed in the inner lid 15 is located. The lower end of the enclosure wall 30 is close to or in contact with the upper surface of the inner lid 15. The enclosure wall 30 has an upper opening 31 that is closed at the bottom and open at the top, and a lower opening 32 that is open at the bottom. The upper opening 31 is formed on the side of the enclosure wall 30 facing the steam inlet 26, and the lower opening 32 is formed on a side other than the side facing the steam inlet 26. In this embodiment, the lower opening 32 is formed on the left and right sides of the enclosure wall 30, respectively. Here, a lower opening 32 that is closed at the top and open at the bottom is given as an example, but the lower opening 32 only needs to be open at the bottom.

[0026] Figure 4 illustrates the flow of steam and hot water in the discharge passage X formed between the inner lid 15 and the lower lid member 13 of the lid 10. Note that in Figure 4, the inner lid 15 is facing upwards. In Figures 3 and 4, arrow U indicates the flow of hot water, and arrow J indicates the flow of steam. The flow of steam and hot water in the discharge passage X will be explained using Figures 3 and 4.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the enclosure wall 30 allows for the separation of the steam flow (steam path) indicated by arrow J and the hot water flow (hot water path) indicated by arrow U. As indicated by arrow J, the steam located at the top of the discharge passage X passes through the upper opening 31 to the steam inlet 26 and is taken into the passage leading to the steam outlet 11. In contrast, as indicated by arrow U, the hot water located at the bottom of the discharge passage X cannot pass through the upper opening 31 and therefore does not normally reach the steam inlet 26. The hot water inside the enclosure wall 30 flows through the lower opening 32 and around the outside of the enclosure wall 30, and in the meantime, is returned to the inside of the pot through the second through-hole 17.

[0028] Furthermore, even if hot water penetrates beyond the lower edge of the upper opening 31 to the steam inlet 26 side, the water level on the steam inlet 26 side is lower than in the case where the enclosure wall 30 is not provided, making it difficult for the hot water to be drawn in through the steam inlet 26. Similarly, even if the hot water wraps around the outside of the enclosure wall 30 and reaches below the steam inlet 26, the water level is lower than in the case where the enclosure wall 30 is not provided, making it difficult for the hot water to be drawn in through the steam inlet 26. Moreover, in this embodiment, a second through-hole 17 is also provided below the steam inlet 26, which also makes it difficult for the water level on the steam inlet 26 side to rise.

[0029] In this way, by separating the steam flow and the hot water flow, the steam can be taken in through the steam inlet 26 while separated from the hot water. As a result, even if the height of the steam inlet 26 cannot be set to a height that makes it difficult for hot water to enter the discharge path X in order to lower the height of the lid 10, it is possible to make it difficult for hot water to enter the steam inlet 26 and suppress the gushing of hot water from the steam outlet 11.

[0030] In this embodiment, an enclosure wall 30 is provided as a wall portion, surrounding the area where the first through-hole 16 is located. However, the wall portion only needs to be provided between the first through-hole 16 and the steam inlet 26 in the discharge passage X, closing the lower side and leaving at least a part of the upper side open. In other words, it only needs to be a wall portion between the first through-hole 16 and the steam inlet 26 that allows the steam located above to pass through and blocks the hot water located below. By providing such a wall portion, the flow of steam and the flow of hot water can be separated, and the steam can be taken in from the steam inlet 26 in a state where it is separated from the hot water.

[0031] However, by using an enclosing wall 30 instead of a wall that linearly separates the first through-hole 16 and the steam inlet 26, the path length to below the steam inlet 26 can be increased. This allows the hot water to be efficiently returned to the inside of the pot before reaching below the steam inlet 26, further suppressing the outflow of hot water from the steam outlet 11.

[0032] In this embodiment, the enclosure wall 30 is oval-shaped and extends in the left-right direction, but it may also be circular or rectangular. However, using an oval or circular shape rather than a rectangular shape with corners allows for smoother flow of hot water along the enclosure wall 30, and can suppress splashing of hot water when it is blocked by the enclosure wall 30.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the enclosure wall 30, that is, the wall portion, is formed as a rib integrally with the lower lid member 13 on the lower surface of the lower lid member 13. However, the enclosure wall 30 does not necessarily have to be formed integrally with the lower lid member 13; it may be formed as a separate component from the lower lid member 13, or it may be formed on the upper surface of the inner lid 15.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the upper opening 31 is formed in front of the valve body housing chamber 24 having a large-diameter valve hole 27. With this configuration, the hot water and steam are separated, so the intrusion of hot water can be reduced. Also, since the steam flow is unified in a linear direction, the rise in internal pressure can be reduced.

[0035] The upper opening 31 may be formed in front of both of the two valve body housing chambers 24. By providing it on both sides, if the opening area of ​​the upper opening 31 is the same, the lower edge of the upper opening 31 can be set at a higher position (closer to the lower cover member 13) than in a configuration where it is provided on only one side, thereby more effectively preventing the intrusion of hot water from the upper opening 31.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shape of the upper opening 31 is a notch shape in which the upper edge of the upper opening 31 reaches the lower surface of the lid lower member 13. By adopting this shape, if the width (dimension in the left-right direction) of the upper opening 31 is the same, the lower edge of the upper opening 31 can be set at a higher position than in a configuration in which the upper edge of the upper opening 31 does not reach the lower surface of the lid lower member 13, thereby more effectively preventing the intrusion of hot water from the upper opening 31.

[0037] In this embodiment, the shape of the lower opening 32 is a notched shape with the lower edge of the lower opening 32 open. By adopting this shape, no protrusions (such as a step at the lower edge when the lower opening is hollowed out) that would obstruct the flow of hot water are formed between the upper surface of the inner lid 15 and the lower opening, allowing the hot water inside the enclosure wall 30 to flow to the outside.

[0038] The lower edge of the upper opening 31 and the upper edge of the lower opening 32 may be at the same height, or the upper edge of the lower opening 32 may be higher than the lower edge of the upper opening 31. Alternatively, the upper edge of the lower opening 32 may be lower than the lower edge of the upper opening 31.

[0039] <Internal passage> In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, in a plan view, the valve body housing chamber 24 is located on the side of the enclosure wall 30 closer to the steam outlet 11, and the upper part of the valve hole 27 is covered by the upper wall of the internal passage 28 that connects the steam inlet 26 and the steam outlet 11.

[0040] With this configuration, the internal passage 28 takes on a crank shape, so even if hot water is drawn into the internal passage 28 from the steam inlet 26, the flow velocity of the hot water is effectively reduced, making it less likely to gush out.

[0041] (First heat countermeasure for the hook lever) In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the discharge passage X is formed outside the area below the hook lever 23, that is, avoiding the area below the hook lever 23. Specifically, there is a partition wall 34 between the lower cover member 13 and the inner cover 15 that prevents steam and hot water from entering the area below the hook lever 23. The partition wall 34, like the enclosure wall 30, is formed as a rib integral with the lower cover member 13 on the lower surface of the lower cover member 13. In this embodiment, the front part of the enclosure wall 30 and the partition wall 34 prevent steam and hot water from entering below the hook lever 23. This configuration prevents the user from feeling the heat of the steam and hot water passing through the discharge passage X when operating the hook lever 23. When the lid 10 is made lower, the distance between the discharge passage X and the hook lever 23 decreases, making the hook lever 23 more prone to becoming hot. Therefore, it is preferable to adopt a combination of such heat countermeasures.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, a wider area than the area directly below the hook lever 23 is considered outside the discharge passage X. This further reduces the feeling of heat when operating the hook lever 23 compared to a configuration where only the area directly below the hook lever 23 is outside the discharge passage X.

[0043] In this embodiment as well, the partition wall 34 is formed integrally with the lower surface of the lower surface of the lid member 13, but like the enclosure surface 30, it may be formed from a separate component from the lower surface of the lid member 13, or it may be provided on the upper surface of the inner lid 15.

[0044] Furthermore, this first thermal countermeasure, which forms such an exhaust passage X outside the area below the hook lever 23, does not necessarily require the combination of the aforementioned enclosure wall 30 that branches the steam path and the hot water path. In other words, it can be applied to the lids of liquid heating containers in general, which have an operating part such as a hook lever on the upper surface of the outer lid and an exhaust passage through which steam and hot water pass below the operating part.

[0045] (Second heat countermeasure for the hook lever) Figure 5 illustrates a second thermal countermeasure for the hook lever 23 in the lid 10. In Figure 5, the figure labeled 501 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the lid 10 in the state of operating the hook lever 23. The figure labeled 502 is a perspective view of the main part showing the back side of the recess 35 in which the hook lever 23 is provided, and the figure labeled 503 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the main part of the recess 35.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, a recess 35 for positioning the hook lever 23 is provided on the upper surface of the outer cover 12, that is, on the upper surface of the lid upper member 14. The outer cover 12 has a double structure on the back side of the recess 35, forming an air layer 38 between the recess 35 and the outer cover 12. Specifically, an insulating wall 36 is provided on the back (bottom) side of the recess 35, overlapping the back surface of the recess 35. The insulating wall 36 forms an air layer 38 between itself and the back surface of the recess 35.

[0047] In the example shown in Figure 5, the insulating wall 36 is formed as a plate-like structure extending in the left-right direction (axis direction of the shaft 37) in the portion of the recess 35 located behind the shaft 37 of the hook lever 23. This portion is closer to the discharge passage X than the rear of the recess 35 and is therefore more prone to becoming hot. For this reason, by making at least the portion of the recess 35 behind the shaft 37 of the hook lever 23 a double-layered structure, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling the heat when operating the hook lever 23. The insulating wall 36 may also be provided on the entire back surface of the recess 20.

[0048] In this embodiment as well, the heat insulating wall 36 is formed integrally with the lid member 14 on the lower surface (back surface) of the lid member 14, but it may also be formed as a separate component from the lid member 14.

[0049] Furthermore, this second thermal countermeasure, which creates a double-layered recess 35, does not necessarily require the combination of the aforementioned configuration in which the steam path and the hot water path are branched by the enclosure wall 30. In other words, it can be applied to the lids of liquid heating containers in general, which have an operating part such as a hook lever on the upper surface of the outer lid and a discharge path through which steam and hot water pass below the operating part. The first and second thermal countermeasures can each be applied independently.

[0050] [Variation] Figure 6 shows a modified lid 10A of this embodiment, illustrating the flow of steam and hot water in the discharge passage X formed between the inner lid 15 and the lid lower member 13A. For the sake of explanation, the same reference numerals are used for members having the same function as those described in the above embodiment, and their descriptions are not repeated.

[0051] In the modified lid 10A shown in Figure 6, the outer lid 12 is replaced with an outer lid 12A, and a lower lid member 13A having an enclosing wall 30A is provided, and the discharge passage X is also formed in the area located below the hook lever 23. In the enclosing wall 30A, one lower opening 32 is formed at the front of the enclosing wall 30A. With this configuration, the path length to below the steam inlet 26 can be made longer than with the enclosing wall 30 which has a lower opening 32 on the side.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Electric kettle (liquid heating container) 10,10A lid 11 Steam outlet 12,12A Outer lid 13,13A Cover lower member 14 Lid top member 15 Inner lid 16. First through hole (through hole) 17. Second through hole 23 Hook Lever 24 Valve body storage chamber 25 Valve body 26 Steam Inlet 27 valve holes 28 Internal passage 30,30A Enclosure wall (wall section) 31 Upper opening 32 Lower opening 34 Bulkhead 35 recess 36. Insulated wall (double-layered structure) 38 Air layer

Claims

1. A lid for a liquid heating container, An outer cover having a steam outlet on its upper surface and a steam inlet on its lower surface that communicates with the steam outlet, It comprises an inner lid located on the lower surface of the outer lid and forming a steam discharge passage between itself and the outer lid, The inner lid has a through-hole for taking steam into the discharge passage, Between the through-hole and the steam inlet in the discharge passage, an enclosure wall is provided so as to surround the area where the through-hole is located. The aforementioned enclosure wall is, In the aforementioned enclosure wall, the bottom is closed and the top is open, with an upper opening that allows steam to pass through, In the aforementioned enclosure wall, the top is closed and the bottom is open, with a lower opening for hot water to pass through, A lid for a liquid heating container.

2. The upper opening is formed on the side of the enclosure wall facing the steam inlet, The lid of the liquid heating container according to claim 1, wherein the lower opening is formed on a side of the enclosure wall other than the side facing the steam inlet.

3. A heating container body with an open top, A liquid heating container comprising a lid for a liquid heating container according to claim 1 or 2.

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