Insert of or for a container for receiving a liquid and container comprising such an insert

Abstract

The present invention is drawn to an insert (10) for a container (12) for receiving a liquid, in particular for a kettle for boiling water, wherein the insert (10) comprises a carrier body (14) which is insertable or inserted into the liquid container (12) and which forms a first opening (16) for pouring a liquid into the container (12), and a second opening (18) for pouring the liquid out of the container (12), a closure member (22) which is connected or connectable to the carrier body (14), and an activation unit (24), wherein the closure member (22) comprises a first closing section (26) by which the first opening (16) is closed when the closure member (22) is connected to the carrier body (14), and a second closing section (28) that is movably supported in the closure member (22) and interacting with the activation unit (24) and by which the second opening (18) can be opened and closed upon activating the activation unit (24) when the closure member (22) is connected to the carrier body (14).

Description

[0001] Insert of or for a container for receiving a liquid and container comprising such an insert

[0002] The present invention relates to an insert of or for a container for receiving a liquid and to a container comprising such an insert . Moreover, the present invention is drawn to a container comprising such an insert .

[0003] Containers are widely used for receiving and storing liquids . In household applications, such containers may be embodied as carafes to store water or beverages like tea, coffee or juices . The beverages are typically not consumed from such containers but the beverages are decanted into smaller glasses or beakers . To this end, such containers are often equipped with a handle and a spout to facilitate the decanting.

[0004] One particular embodiment of such containers are kettles in which water is boiled, for example for the preparation of tea, coffee or food. Kettles can be placed on a corresponding socket for quickly and safely establishing a connection with the electrical components needed for the boiling. Once the water is boiling, the kettle can be removed from the socket and the boiling water can be poured in a glass, a pot or the like to prepare the beverage or the food.

[0005] The handling of a kettle filled with boiling water is not without danger . Inadvertently spilled boiling water may lead to scalding of the skin of people staying in the vicinity of the kettle . For reducing this danger, kettles are equipped with lids which often are pivotally connected to the kettle or can be inserted into the kettle opening. Such kettles are disclosed in CN 204049258 U and CN 20558534 U. However, the lidsdisclosed therein comprise complex mechanisms and are thus fairly expensive to manufacture .

[0006] It is one task of one embodiment of the present invention to present an insert for a container for receiving a liquid which effectively prevents the inadvertent spillage of the liquid stored in the container which is simple in the manufacturing and operation.

[0007] Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention has the obj ect to provide a container, in particular a kettle for boiling water, which comprises such an insert .

[0008] The task is solved by the features specified in claims 1 and 12. Advantageous embodiments are the subj ect of the dependent claims .

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention an insert for a container for receiving a liquid, in particular for a kettle for boiling water, comprises

[0010] - a carrier body which is insertable or inserted into the liquid container and which forms

[0011] o a first opening for pouring a liquid into the container, and

[0012] o a second opening for pouring the liquid out of the container,

[0013] - a closure member which is connected or connectable to the carrier body, and

[0014] - an activation unit, wherein

[0015] - the closure member compriseso a first closing section by which the first opening is closed when the closure member is connected to the carrier body, and

[0016] o a second closing section that is movably supported in the closure member and interacting with the activation unit and by which the second opening can be opened and closed upon activating the activation unit when the closure member is connected to the carrier body.

[0017] The first opening is usually significantly bigger than the second opening, i . e . , the surface of the first opening is bigger than the surface of the second opening. The filling of the container with liquid, in particular with water, through the first opening is facilitated. When decanting the liquid into another glass or beaker, the liquid passes through the second opening. The second opening acts as a spout . When the closure member is connected to the carrier body, the first opening is closed such that the water can only exit the container through the smaller second opening, thereby minimizing the volume of liquid which may inadvertently be spilled.

[0018] Due to the fact that two different openings are used, the second opening may be arranged such that the liquid can only exit the kettle in a way that minimizes the risk of scalding.

[0019] Moreover, the user of the container needs to activate the activation unit to open and close the second opening. Thereby, the attention of the user is drawn to the fact that the second opening may be open and thus liquid may be spilled. The operational safety is thereby increased.According to another embodiment the activation unit is movably mounted in the closure member, wherein the second opening is opened and closed by the second closing section as a result of a movement of the activation unit . Using a movement of the activation unit for opening and closing the second opening enables a pure manual activation without the use of motors and the like, thereby facilitating the manufacture of the insert .

[0020] In a further embodiment the insert comprises releasable locking means by which the closure member can be releasably fixed relative to the carrier body, wherein the locking means are interacting with the activation unit for releasing the locking means . In this embodiment, the activation unit not only serves for opening and closing the second opening but also for fixing the closure member on the carrier body. The attention of the user is even more drawn to the current operational status of the container, such that the probability of an inadvertent spilling of the liquid can be reduced.

[0021] In another embodiment the activation unit is mounted transla-tionally movable and rotationally movable in the closure member, wherein

[0022] - the locking means can be released by a translational movement of the activation unit and

[0023] - the second opening is opened and closed by means of the second closing section by a rotational movement of the activation unit or vice versa .

[0024] In this embodiment, one movement is directed to the opening and closing of the second opening and another movement is directed for releasing the locking means . This clear separation of the movements and its effects also adds to the operationalsafety as the user clearly notes if the second opening is opened or closed or if the locking means are released.

[0025] A further embodiment the insert comprises guiding elements which interact with the activation unit such that the locking means can be released only when the second opening is closed by the second closing section. As noted, the closure member is fastened to the carrier body by the locking means . In this embodiment the closure member can only be removed from the carrier body when the second opening is closed. This condition is also drawing the attention of the user to the current operational status of the container, thereby minimizing the risk of inadvertent spilling.

[0026] According to another embodiment the closure member is pivotally fastened to the carrier body. In the kettles as disclosed in CN 204049258 U and CN 20558534 U, the closure member is insertable into the opening of the kettle, however, needs to be completely separated from the kettle for clearing the kettle opening. The kettle may be moved to a first place while the closure member may remain in a second place . The user may have to search for the closure member which can be time consuming and annoying. In this embodiment, the first opening can be cleared without separating the closure member from the kettle . The risk that the closure member gets lost and needs to be searched for is reduced.

[0027] According to another embodiment the carrier body and / or the closure member comprises a first gasket for sealing the first opening relative to the closure member when the closure member is connected to the carrier body. The first gasket helps sealing the first opening relative to the closure member to avoidleakage of the liquid which also adds to the operational safety as scalding caused by the leaking liquid can be avoided.

[0028] In a further embodiment the carrier body and / or the closure member comprises a ventilation valve for releasing the pressure generated by boiling the liquid received in the container . When boiling water, the pressure inside the kettle increases . When the first opening or the second opening are opened at increased pressure, the liquid may uncontrollably squirt out of the first opening or the second opening, thereby imposing a high risk of scalding to persons staying in the vicinity of the kettle . The ventilation valve may be a check valve which is opened upon a certain pressure increase inside the kettle . The check valve can be designed such that the absolute pressure inside the kettle cannot increase above a certain value at which the liquid is not squirted when opening the first opening or the second opening. The operational safety is increased.

[0029] In another embodiment the second opening is arranged in a sheltered recess of the carrier body. The recess reduces the paths along which the liquid may be squirting out of the second opening. The risk that the squirting liquid hits the user can be reduced. Moreover, the sheltered recess interacts with the second opening in a spout-like manner .

[0030] A further embodiment the carrier body comprises a second gasket to seal the insert relative to the container . The second gasket helps sealing the insert relative to the container to avoid leakage of the liquid which also adds to the operational safety as scalding caused by the leaking liquid can be avoided .According to another embodiment the carrier body comprises fastening means for releasably fastening the insert to the container . The insert may be fastened to the container by a bayonet closure which is easy to handle and at the same time generates a reliable connection between the insert and the container .

[0031] Another aspect of the invention is directed towards a container for receiving a liquid, in particular for a kettle for boiling water, comprising an insert according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier body is either releasably fastened to the container or is for formed by the container .

[0032] The technical effects and advantages that can be achieved by container accordance with the invention mainly correspond to those that have been discussed for the insert . As the user of the container needs to activate the activation unit to open and close the second opening, the attention of the user is drawn to the fact that the second opening may be open and thus liquid may be spilled. The operational safety is thereby increased .

[0033] The present invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings attached wherein

[0034] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the insert in a closed position,

[0035] Figure 2 shows the insert of Figure 1 in an open position,

[0036] Figure 3 shows a first cross-sectional view of the insert of Figure 1,Figure 4 shows a second cross-sectional view of the insert of Figure 1,

[0037] Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the insert of figure 1, and

[0038] Figure 6 shows a container that is closed by an insert shown in Figures 1 to 4 .

[0039] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an insert 10 by which a container 12 for receiving a liquid can be closed (Figure 6) . The insert 10 comprises a carrier body 14 which is insertable or inserted into the container 12 and which forms a first opening 16 for pouring a liquid into the container 12, and a second opening 18 for pouring the liquid out of the container 12. To controllably pour the liquid out of the container 12, the second opening 18 is significantly smaller than the first opening 16 and arranged in a sheltered recess 20 formed by the carrier body 14 .

[0040] Moreover, the insert 10 comprises a closure member 22 that is pivotally connected to the carrier body 14 around a pivot axis A3 (see Figure 3) . To facilitate the pivoting of the closure member 22 from the closed position (Figure 1 ) to the open position (Figure 2 ) , a pivot spring 23 is provided (see Figure 3) which biases the closure member 22 towards the open position .

[0041] The insert 10 is further equipped with an activation unit 24 which is rotatably and translationally movably mounted in the closure member 22 and which is embodied as a knob .The closure member 22 comprises a first closing section 26 and a second closing section 28. The first closing section 26 serves for closing the first opening 16 and the second closing section 28 serves for closing the second opening 18. In the closed position, the first opening 16 is closed by the first opening 16. The second closing section 28 can only be closed when the insert 10 is in the closed position. The closure member 22 is equipped with locking means 30 for keeping the insert 10 in the closed position. The way the locking means 30 are actuated will be described later .

[0042] In Figures 2 to 4, the second opening 18 is closed by the second closing section 28. The way the second opening 18 can be opened and closed is now explained with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The second closing section 28 is arranged on a lever 32 which can be rotated around a lever axis A2 fixed to the closure member 22. The activation unit 24, i . e . , the knob, is rotatably and translationally mounted on a support plate 34 that is fastened to the closure member 22. To this end, the activation unit 24 is equipped with protrusions 36 that interact with guiding elements 38 of the support plate 34. The guiding elements 38 define a first rotational end position and a second rotational end position between which the activation unit 24 can be rotated. In the first rotational end position the guiding elements 38 allow the translational movement of the activation unit 24 along an insert axis Al . To this end, the guiding elements 38 form a gap 40. The activation unit 24 is biased towards the support plate 34 by a spring-loaded retaining plate 42 that is supported in the closure member 22 and movable along the insert axis Al . The retaining plate 42 is interacting with two retaining springs 44 which are compressed when the activation unit 24 is pressed into the closure member 22 .Moreover, the activation unit 24 comprises an inclined control surface 46 that is in contact with the lever 32. When rotated from the first rotational end position towards the second rotational end position, the control surface 46 exerts a force on the lever 32 by which it is rotated around the lever axis A2 . Due to this rotation, the second closing section 28 is lifted and moved away from the second opening 18 such that the liquid stored in the container 12 can be poured out via the second opening 18.

[0043] The lever 32 is interacting with a lever spring 48 which urges the lever 32 against the control surface 46. When the activation unit 24 is rotated towards the first rotational end position, the lever spring 48 rotates the lever 32 around the lever axis A2 in the opposite direction such that the second closing section 28 is moved towards the second opening 18. When the first rotational end position is reached, the second opening 18 is closed by the second closing section 28. No liquid can exit via the second opening 18.

[0044] As mentioned, the closure member 22 is equipped with the locking means 30 for keeping the insert 10 in the closed position in which the closure member 22 closes the first opening 16 (see Figure 1 ) . The locking means 30 interact with locking springs 49 which urge the locking means 30 into a blocking position. The locking springs 49 exert a force on the locking means 30 that is directed perpendicular to the insert axis Al . In the blocking position, the locking means 30 are arranged maximally outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the insert axis Al . With reference to Figures 2, 4 and 5, the locking means 30 comprise a flat surface 50 and an inclined surface 52. In the blocking position, the flat surface 50 of the lock-ing means 30 engages with proj ections 54 arranged on the carrier body 14 .

[0045] To be able to pivot the closure member 22 into the open position, the activation unit 24 needs to be pressed down into the closure member 22 along the insert axis Al (see Figure 4 ) . As mentioned, this is only possible when the activation unit 24 is in the first rotational end position. The movement along the insert axis Al is transferred to the retaining plate 42 which is moved towards the bottom of the closure member 22, thereby compressing the retaining springs 44. The locking means 30 are connected with the locking means 30 such that the movement of the retaining plate 42 is transferred to the locking means 30 such that the locking means 30 are dragged towards the center of the closure member 22 and thus away from the proj ections 54. For this purpose, the retaining plate 42 and the locking means 30 are equipped with tapered surfaces that are interacting with each other . In Figure 4, the locking means 30 do not radially protrude the closure member 22. As mentioned earlier, the closure member 22 is biased towards the open position (Figure 2 ) by the pivot spring 23. As soon as the locking means 30 do not engage with the proj ections 54 anymore, the pivot spring 23 rotates the closure member 22 into the open position.

[0046] For moving the closure member 22 from the open position (Figure 2 ) into the closed position (Figure 1 ) , a user of the insert 10 rotates the closure member 22 against the resetting force of the pivot spring 23. As mentioned and as particularly visible in Figure 2, the locking means 30 are provided with the inclined surface 52 at their outer ends by which they abut against the proj ections 54 when rotated into the closed position. As a result of the interaction between the inclined sur-face 52 and the proj ections 54 the locking means 30 are pushed into the center of the closure member 22 (Figure 4 ) , thereby compressing the locking springs 49. When the closed position is reached, the locking means 30 are moved radially outwardly by the locking springs 49 and engage with the protrusions 36, thereby keeping the closure member 22 in the closed position.

[0047] Moreover, the insert 10 is equipped with a first gasket 56 for sealing the first opening 16 relative to the closure member 22. The first gasket 56 is arranged on the carrier body 14 and compressed by the closure member 22 in the closed position.

[0048] The insert 10 further comprises a second gasket 58 to seal the insert 10 relative to the container 12. The second gasket 58 is also mounted to the carrier body 14 and protrudes radially away from the carrier body 14. The second gasket 58 interacts with the container 12 when the insert 10 is placed in the container 12 as shown in Figure 5. The carrier body 14 comprises fastening means 60 for releasably fastening the insert 10 to the container 12. The fastening means 60 may interact with the container 12 according to a Bayonet closure .

[0049] As evident from Figure 6, the container 12 is embodied as a kettle for boiling water inside the container 12. Due to the boiling process, a certain pressure is generated inside the container 12. For releasing this pressure, a ventilation valve 62 is arranged in the closure member 22 outside the first gasket 56.

[0050] Due to the design of the insert 10 explained above, the second opening 18 can only be opened when the first opening 16 is closed by the closure member 22. As long as the second opening is opened, the closure member 22 cannot be moved in the openposition shown in Figure 2. As a result, the inadvertent spillage of the liquid stored in the container 12 through the first opening 16 is prevented. This is in particular important when the container is embodied as a kettle as shown in Figure 6 where the liquid may be boiling.Reference list

[0051] 10 insert

[0052] 12 container

[0053] 14 carrier body

[0054] 16 first opening

[0055] 18 second opening

[0056] 20 recess

[0057] 22 closure member

[0058] 23 pivot spring

[0059] 24 activation unit

[0060] 26 first closing section 28 second closing section

[0061] 30 locking means

[0062] 32 lever

[0063] 34 support plate

[0064] 36 protrusion

[0065] 38 guiding element

[0066] 40 gap

[0067] 42 retaining plate

[0068] 44 retaining spring

[0069] 46 control surface

[0070] 48 lever spring

[0071] 49 locking spring

[0072] 50 flat surface

[0073] 52 inclined surface

[0074] 54 proj ection

[0075] 56 first gasket

[0076] 58 second gasket60 fastening means 62 ventilation valve

[0077] Al insert axis

[0078] A2 lever axis

[0079] A3 pivot axis

Claims

Patent claims1 . Insert ( 10 ) of or for a container ( 12 ) for receiving a liquid, in particular for a kettle for boiling water, wherein the insert ( 10 ) comprises- a carrier body ( 14 ) which is insertable or inserted into the container ( 12 ) and which formso a first opening ( 16 ) for pouring a liquid into the container ( 12 ) , ando a second opening ( 18 ) for pouring the liquid out of the container ( 12 ) ,- a closure member ( 22 ) which is connected or connectable to the carrier body ( 14 ) , and- an activation unit ( 24 ) , wherein- the closure member ( 22 ) compriseso a first closing section ( 26 ) by which the first opening ( 16 ) is closed when the closure member ( 22 ) is connected to the carrier body ( 14 ) , and o a second closing section ( 28 ) that is movably supported in the closure member ( 22 ) and interacting with the activation unit ( 24 ) and by which the second opening ( 18 ) can be opened and closed upon activating the activation unit ( 24 ) when the closure member ( 22 ) is connected to the carrier body ( 14 ) .2 . Insert ( 10 ) according to claim 1 ,characteri zed in that the activation unit ( 24 ) is movably mounted in the closure member ( 22 ) , wherein the second opening ( 18 ) is opened and closed by the second closing section ( 28 ) as a result of a movement of the activation unit ( 24 ) .3 . Insert ( 10 ) according to one of the claims 1 or 2 , characteri zed in that the insert ( 10 ) comprises releasable locking means ( 30 ) by which the closure member ( 22 ) can be releasably fixed relative to the carrier body ( 14 ) , wherein the locking means ( 30 ) are interacting with the activation unit ( 24 ) for releasing the locking means ( 30 ) .4 . Insert ( 10 ) according to claim 3 ,characteri zed in that the activation unit ( 24 ) is mounted translationally movable and rotationally movable in the closure member ( 22 ) , wherein- the locking means ( 30 ) can be released by a translational movement of the activation unit ( 24 ) and - the second opening ( 18 ) is opened and closed by means of the second closing section ( 28 ) by a rotational movement of the activation unit ( 24 ) or vice versa .( ( clear separation of the movements of the activation unit ( 24 ) ) ) .5 . Insert ( 10 ) according to one of the claims 3 or 4 , characteri zed in that the insert ( 10 ) comprises guiding elements ( 38 ) which interact with the activation unit ( 24 ) such that the locking means ( 30 ) can be released only when the second opening ( 18 ) is closed by the second closing section ( 28 ) .6 . Insert ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims , characteri zed in that the closure member ( 22 ) is pivotally fastened to the carrier body ( 14 ) .7 . Insert ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims , characteri zed in that the carrier body ( 14 ) and / or the closure member ( 22 ) comprises a first gasket ( 56 ) for sealingthe first opening ( 16 ) relative to the closure member ( 22 ) when the closure member ( 22 ) is connected to the carrier body ( 14 ) .8 . Insert ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims , characteri zed in that the carrier body ( 14 ) and / or the closure member ( 22 ) comprises a ventilation valve ( 62 ) for releasing the pressure generated by boiling the liquid received in the container ( 12 ) .9 . Insert ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims , characteri zed in that the second opening ( 18 ) is arranged in a sheltered recess ( 20 ) of the carrier body ( 14 ) .10 . Insert ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims , characteri zed in that the carrier body ( 14 ) comprises a second gasket ( 58 ) to seal the insert ( 10 ) relative to the container ( 12 ) .11 . Insert ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims , characteri zed in that the carrier body ( 14 ) comprises fastening means ( 60 ) for releasably fastening the insert ( 10 ) to the container ( 12 ) .12 . Container for receiving a liquid, in particular for a kettle for boiling water, comprising an insert ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims , wherein the carrier body ( 14 )- is either releasably fastened to the container ( 12 ) or - is for formed by the container ( 12 ) .

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