LIQUID HEATING VESSELS

Abstract

A liquid heating device, for use with an induction hob, comprises a liquid heating vessel and a ferromagnetic heating plate (5) arranged to be located inside the vessel adjacent to the base (3) of the vessel. The ferromagnetic heating plate (5) is arranged to be movable vertically in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the base (3) of the vessel and return. An arrangement to lift the ferromagnetic heating plate comprises a thermally sensitive actuator (11, 12, 14, 15, 16), wherein the ferromagnetic heating plate (5) is mechanically coupled to the thermally sensitive actuator. The thermally sensitive actuator comprises a means to store energy (11), a steam chamber (13) fluidly connected to the vessel, and a releasable latching mechanism (15) for the actuator which incorporates a thermally sensitive device (14) set to operate at a predetermined temperature when influenced by the proximity of steam entering the steam chamber (13) from boiling water in the vessel. The thermally sensitive actuator further comprises means to facilitate a manual intervention of the actuator's operation and permitting a user to set or reset the actuator's position.

Claims

1. A liquid heating device for use on an induction hob, comprising: a vessel to accept, contain, heat and dispense water, the vessel made from a non-ferromagnetic material; a ferromagnetic heating plate arranged to be located inside the vessel adjacent to the base of the vessel, wherein the ferromagnetic heating plate is arranged to be movable vertically in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the base of the vessel and return; and an arrangement to lift the ferromagnetic heating plate comprising a thermally sensitive actuator, wherein the ferromagnetic heating plate is mechanically coupled to the thermally sensitive actuator; the thermally sensitive actuator comprising: a means to store potential energy; a steam chamber fluidly connected to the vessel; a releasable latching mechanism for the actuator which incorporates a thermally sensitive device set to operate at a predetermined temperature when influenced by the proximity of steam entering the steam chamber from boiling water in the vessel, wherein release of the latching mechanism permits the stored potential energy to be converted into kinetic energy and cause the actuator to move and lift the ferromagnetic heating plate; and a push-button or switch to facilitate a manual intervention of the actuator's operation; wherein the latching mechanism can be manually overridden or released by operating the push-button or switch whereby the latching mechanism is released by moving or deflecting part of that mechanism.

2. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein the orientation of the ferromagnetic heating plate while moving remains substantially parallel to the base of the vessel.

3. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein the thermally sensitive actuator comprises a connector mechanically coupling the ferromagnetic heating plate to the thermally sensitive actuator.

4. The liquid heating device according to claim 3, wherein the connector is a substantially structurally rigid component.

5. The liquid heating device according to claim 3, wherein the ferromagnetic heating plate is attached or joined to the connector in a cantilevered arrangement.

6. The liquid heating device according to claim 3, wherein the thermally sensitive actuator further comprises a guide for the connector.

7. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein the thermally sensitive actuator is arranged to be partly inside and partly outside of the vessel.

8. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein some components of the releasable latching mechanism are incorporated as part of and/or separately within a handle attached to the vessel.

9. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein the steam chamber is fluidly connected to an upper portion of the main body of the vessel above the maximum water fill level.

10. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein the thermally sensitive device comprises one or more of the following temperature sensing means: bi-metal, shape memory materials, phase change materials, electronic temperature sensing devices.

11. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic heating plate is manufactured from a material with a predetermined Curie point temperature and the Curie point temperature is within a range not below 100° C. and not above 360° C.

12. The liquid heating device according to claim 11, wherein the Curie point temperature is within a range not below 110° C. and not above 260° C.

13. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic heating plate includes downward protrusions from the ferromagnetic heating plate acting as stand offs.

14. The liquid heating device according to claim 13, wherein the protrusions are of between 0.1 mm and 10 mm in height.

15. The liquid heating device according to claim 14, wherein the protrusions are of between 0.5 mm and 3 mm in height.

16. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic heating plate includes an arrangement of perforations therein.

17. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic heating plate is encapsulated, coated or electroplated with other materials to provide corrosion protection.

18. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, comprising a spout and a filter element arranged in the spout to prevent scale from being dispensed and to function as a steam escape restrictor.

19. (canceled)

20. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein operating the push-button or switch to-then operates a push to release mechanism whereby the latching mechanism is released by moving or deflecting part of that mechanism.

Description

LIST OF FIGURES

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of the kettle and its arrangement in cross-section.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the Ferromagnetic heating plate.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows another plan view of the ferromagnetic heating plate.

[0020] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the underside of the ferromagnetic heating plate.

[0021] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the kettle.

[0022] FIGS. 6-8 are cross-sectional views of the FIG. 1 kettle and its arrangement, showing different states during operation.

[0023] FIGS. 9-11 are cross-sectional views of the kettle and another version of its arrangement, showing different states during operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of the kettle and its arrangement with the ferromagnetic heating plate lowered in a position to begin or continue to heat the water in the kettle. 1, shows the sidewall of the vessel/kettle, 2, shows the spout of the vessel/kettle, 3, shows the bottom or base of the vessel/kettle, 4, shows the downward protrusions from the ferromagnetic heating plate acting as stand offs, 5, shows the ferromagnetic heating plate, 6, shows the surface of the water to be heated, 7, shows the guide for the connector component, 8, shows the connector component, 9, shows the movable lid in closed position covering open top of vessel/kettle, 10, shows the handle, 11, shows the spring, 12, shows the push-button or switch, 13, shows the steam chamber, 14, shows the temperature sensing device as bi metal component, 15, shows part of the latching or retaining mechanism, 16, shows the push to open or latching release mechanism, 17, shows an arrangement of perforations in the ferromagnetic heating plate, 18, show the water filter element and also functioning as a steam escape restrictor, 19, shows hinge for the lid, 20, shows the top surface or cook surface of the induction hob.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the ferromagnetic heating plate 5, 17 shows an arrangement of perforations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Induction heating provides a clean, responsive, controllable, safe and efficient method of preparing foods and hot beverages. Modern induction hobs are commonly configured with a means to limit or stop the operation of the induction hob should it be unable to detect a ferromagnetic object placed and located correctly upon the hob's cook surface commonly referred to as object detection sensing feature which then automatically limits the power to the induction coil or shuts down power to the coil and the hob switches off. This invention utilises this function.

[0027] Most commonly ferromagnetic materials are arranged to be a part of the base or bottom of a vessel so that when heating they are positioned in close proximity to an induction coil located beneath the cook surface of an induction hob. Commonly an induction hob is arranged with at least one induction coil located within the hob and the pot, pan or kettle is positioned above it, a high frequency alternating electric current is passed through the coil and the consequent oscillating magnetic field induces eddy currents causing resistive heating of the magnetic materials and so the vessel. Through conduction then the contents of the vessel are heated.

[0028] A kettle is disclosed configured with a vessel to accept, contain, heat, and dispense water and is made from a non-ferromagnetic material. The vessel is configured with an opening in the top (9) side walls (1) and a base (8) and can accept and contain water (6) within it. The base of the vessel is substantially flat so as to be capable of intimate proximity to the induction hobs top surface (20). Further the vessel is configured with a spout (2) to aid pouring of the contained water from the vessel the vessel is also configured with a handle (10) to aid pouring, filling and general human handling and positioning of the kettle. The handle can optionally be configured as an attachment to the vessel or formed as an integral homogeneous non-ferromagnetic material part of the vessel itself. The opening in the top of the vessel is configured with a lid that is movable (19) and capable of substantially closing the opening in the top of the vessel, however the spout remains capable of functioning and permitting the pouring of water even if the lid is closed. A filter element (18) is arranged to prevent scale from being dispensed and to also controllably restrict escaping steam so as to ensure a positive flow of steam to the steam chamber (13). The non-ferromagnetic material is preferably heat resilient and or resistant. A ferromagnetic heating plate (5) is arranged to be located inside the vessel adjacent to the base (3) of the vessel and in intimate proximity to the inside surface of the vessels base such to be in a substantially planar relationship. The ferromagnetic heating plate is arranged to be movable, movable vertically in a substantially perpendicular direction for the whole or part of its travel away from the base of the vessel and or top surface of the hob (20) and thereafter return manually via actuation of the push-button. The orientation of the ferromagnetic heating plate while moving remains substantially parallel to the base of the vessel. Moving equally vertically for part or whole of its travel and the whole of the whole of the ferromagnetic base being no longer in contact with the base of the vessel it has been found this provides for the greatest reduction of induced electric current through the ferromagnetic material therefore providing an improved means for the induction hobs object detection sensing feature to operate with greater reliably than the prior art discussed above is capable of achieving. Additionally the distance that the ferromagnetic heating plate is required to move can be reduced and still maintain reliable functionality of the induction hobs object detection sensing feature. The ferromagnetic heating plate optionally can be configured with apertures (17) arranged to aid the convection heat transfer of the water while heating. The ferromagnetic heating plate optionally can be configured with protrusions (4) of between 0.1 mm and 10 mm in height or more preferably between 0.5 mm and 3 mm that function as stand offs from the inside surface of the base of the vessel this is to aid the convection heat transfer of the water while heating and to additionally to provide controlled contact with the base of the vessel. The ferromagnetic heating plate can optionally be encapsulated, coated or electroplated with other materials to provide corrosion protection, materials such as ceramic coatings, vitreous coatings, electroplated metals including but not limited to gold, platinum, silver, stainless steel and others can be used.

[0029] An arrangement to lift the ferromagnetic heating plate comprises a thermally sensitive actuator (7,8,11, 12,13,14, 15, 16) which is a device comprising a connector (8), a guide (7), a means to store energy such as a spring (11), a push-button or switch (12) providing a means to facilitate a manual intervention of the actuators operation and permitting a user to set or reset the actuators position, a steam chamber (13) is fluidly connected to the upper portion of the main body of the vessel above the maximum water fill level, a releasable latching or retaining arrangement (15) for the actuator which incorporates a thermally sensitive device (14) set to operate at a predetermined temperature when influenced by the proximity of the elevated temperature of the steam entering the steam chamber (13) from boiling water in the vessel. The thermally sensitive device can be configured and or comprises one or more of the following temperature sensing means: bi metal, shape memory materials (shape memory alloys), phase change materials, electronic and other such temperature sensing devices can be employed to initiate, trigger, release and permit the stored potential energy in the spring (11) to be converted into kinetic energy and cause the actuator to move and lift the ferromagnetic heating plate (5). The ferromagnetic heating plate is mechanically coupled to the thermally sensitive actuator, joined to a connector (8) where the connector is a substantially a structurally rigid component that facilitates and ensures that the movement is repeatable and guided (7), more specifically linearly guided. The connector is substantially a structurally rigid element and not a flexible wire or cord as disclosed in the prior art and the ferromagnetic heating plate attached and or joined to the connector is configured in a preferable cantilevered arrangement. The thermally sensitive actuators latching, holding retaining arrangement (14, 15) can be optionally manually overridden or released by physically pressing down on the push-button or switch (12) to then operate a push to release mechanism (16) whereby the holding latching or retaining arrangement (14, 15) is released by moving or deflecting part of that mechanism (14). Alternative solutions to store the potential energy required to move this arrangement include compressible fluids and gases within a sealed device such as an air spring, helix wire springs, flat springs and could optionally operate in torsion or compression dependent upon variations of the arrangement of the thermally sensitive actuator. The thermally sensitive actuator is arranged to be partly inside and partly outside of the vessel, however in an alternate arrangement the device is optionally arranged wholly inside the vessel. Preferably when parts are arranged inside of the vessel none of those components are comprised of polymer or rubber materials whereas components outside of the vessel can be manufactured and employ polymer or rubber material. Some components of the mechanism can therefore be incorporated as part of and or separately within the kettle's attached handle (10) and or the kettle's lid (9) and or hinge mechanism (19).

[0030] It is preferred that the ferromagnetic heating plate is manufactured from a material with a predetermined Curie point temperature and that the Curie point temperature is within the range, not below 100 Degrees Celsius and not above 360 degrees Celsius. More preferably the Curie point temperature is within the range, not below 110 degrees Celsius and not above 260 degrees Celsius. Employing ferromagnetic materials with customisable maximum attainable temperatures ensures that the kettle remains safe and continues to be usable following a boil dry scenario when the kettle operates incorrectly and continues to boil the water until the kettle is dry or either a no fill scenario of use when the kettle is switched on before filling the vessel with water. In both scenarios without water no steam can be generated within the vessel and so the steam activated temperature sensor component (14) that is fluidly connected to the vessel and configured as part of the thermally sensitive actuator's latching, holding retaining mechanism will not operate. A property of ferromagnetic materials is that once the temperature reaches its specified Curie point temperature the material loses its permanent magnetic properties and so the induction hob's object detection sensing feature then limits the power to the induction coil or shuts down power to the coil and the hob switches off automatically without the ferromagnetic heater plate being lifted.

[0031] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the ferromagnetic heating plate.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the ferromagnetic heating plate (5). The plate (5) comprises an arrangement of perforations (17). The ferromagnetic heating plate (5) optionally can be configured with apertures (17) arranged to aid the convection heat transfer of the water while heating.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows an underside view of the ferromagnetic heating plate (5). The ferromagnetic heating plate (5) optionally can be configured with protrusions (4) of between 0.1 mm and 10 mm in height, or more preferably between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, that function as stand offs from the inside surface of the base of the vessel. This is to aid the convection heat transfer of the water while heating and to additionally to provide controlled contact with the base of the vessel. The ferromagnetic heating plate (5) can optionally be encapsulated, coated or electroplated with other materials to provide corrosion protection, materials such as ceramic coatings, vitreous coatings, electroplated metals including but not limited to gold, platinum, silver, stainless steel and others can be used.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of the kettle, including the sidewall 1 of the vessel/kettle, the spout 2 of the vessel/kettle, the bottom or base 3 of the vessel/kettle, the movable lid 9 in closed position covering the open top of vessel/kettle, the handle 10, the push-button or switch 12, and the hinge 19 for the lid 9.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of the kettle shown schematically in FIG. 1 and its arrangement with the ferromagnetic heating plate 5 lowered in a position to begin or continue to heat the water in the kettle. There can be seen the downward protrusions 4 from the ferromagnetic heating plate 5 acting as stand offs. There can also be seen the guide 7 for the connector component 8, the spring 11, the push-button or switch 12, the steam chamber 13, the temperature sensing device 14 as a bi metal component, part of the latching or retaining mechanism 15, and the push to open or latching release mechanism 16. The lifting arrangement for the ferromagnetic heating plate 5 is functionally equivalent to the schematic arrangement seen in FIG. 1, taking into account that the thermally sensitive actuator can be arranged to be partly inside and partly outside of the vessel where water is contained. As seen from FIGS. 1 and 6, the spring 11 can be located inside the vessel or outside the vessel.

[0036] In FIG. 6 there can also be seen the arrangement of perforations 17 in the ferromagnetic heating plate 5, the water filter element 18 arranged in the spout 2 to prevent scale from being dispensed and also functioning as a steam escape restrictor, the hinge 19 for the lid 9, and the top surface or cook surface 20 of the induction hob. There is an aperture 13a fluidly connecting the steam chamber 13 to the upper portion of the main body of the vessel above the maximum water fill level 6.

[0037] The ferromagnetic heating plate 5 is arranged to be located inside the vessel adjacent to the base 3 of the vessel and in intimate proximity to the inside surface of the vessel's base such to be in a substantially planar relationship. The ferromagnetic heating plate 5 is arranged to be movable, movable vertically in a substantially perpendicular direction for the whole or part of its travel away from the base of the vessel and or top surface of the hob 20 and thereafter return manually via actuation of the push-button 12.

[0038] From FIGS. 6-8 it can be seen that the orientation of the ferromagnetic heating plate 5 while moving remains substantially parallel to the base of the vessel. Moving equally vertically for part or whole of its travel and the whole of the ferromagnetic base being no longer in contact with the base of the vessel it has been found this provides for the greatest reduction of induced electric current through the ferromagnetic material therefore providing an improved means for the induction hob's object detection sensing feature to operate with greater reliably than the prior art discussed above is capable of achieving. Additionally the distance that the ferromagnetic heating plate is required to move can be reduced and still maintain reliable functionality of the induction hob's object detection sensing feature.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows the kettle and its arrangement with the ferromagnetic heating plate (5) lowered in a position to begin or continue to heat the water in the kettle placed on the top surface or cook surface (20) of the induction hob. The thermally sensitive device (14) is set to operate at a predetermined temperature when influenced by the proximity of the elevated temperature of steam entering the steam chamber (13) from boiling water in the vessel. The device's bimetal (14) acts to initiate, trigger, release and permit the stored potential energy in the spring (11) to be converted into kinetic energy and cause the actuator to move and lift the ferromagnetic heating plate (5).

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the kettle shown schematically in FIG. 1, wherein the thermally sensitive actuator's latching, holding retaining arrangement (14, 15) is manually overridden or released by physically pressing down on the push-button or switch (12) to then operate the push to release mechanism (16) whereby the holding latching or retaining arrangement (14, 15) is released by moving or deflecting part of that arrangement, e.g. by deflecting the bimetal (14). FIG. 7 shows the arrangement when the push-button or switch (12) has been pressed down to operate the push to release mechanism (16). The spring (11) can now act to lift the ferromagnetic heating plate (5) vertically away from the induction hob (20) by lifting the connector (8).

[0041] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the kettle shown schematically in FIG. 1 with the ferromagnetic heating plate (5) moved away from the base (3) of the vessel following a manual override, as described above with reference to FIG. 7, or after operation (and reset) of the thermally sensitive device (14) when the water within the vessel boils. As can be seen, in this arrangement, release of the latching arrangement (14, 15) permits the stored potential energy in the spring (11) to be converted into kinetic energy and cause the actuator to move and lift the ferromagnetic heating plate (5).

[0042] The ferromagnetic heating plate (5) may be returned within proximity of the base (3) of the kettle, as shown in FIG. 6, by another operation of the push-button or switch (12). The pressing of the push-button or switch (12) causes the latching part (15) of the holding latching or retaining mechanism to move downwards below the bimetal (14), and potential energy is stored in the spring (11). The holding latching or retaining mechanism (14, 15) remains in this state until operation of the thermally sensitive device (14) when the water within the vessel boils or until the latching arrangement (14, 15) is manually overridden, as discussed above.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional side view of the kettle and another version of its arrangement with the ferromagnetic heating plate (5) lowered in a position to begin or continue to heat the water in the kettle. Those features that have already been described are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0044] The thermally sensitive device comprises a bimetal (14a′) set to operate at a predetermined temperature when influenced by the proximity of the elevated temperature of steam entering the steam chamber (13) from boiling water in the vessel. The device's bimetal (14a′) acts to initiate, trigger, release and permit the stored potential energy in the spring (11) to be converted into kinetic energy and cause the actuator to move and lift the ferromagnetic heating plate (5). The bimetal (14a′) triggers by acting on a rocker (14b′) that pivots a part (15′) of the mechanism so as to release the latching mechanism (14′, 15′).

[0045] The thermally sensitive actuator's latching arrangement (14′, 15′) can be optionally manually overridden or released by physically pressing down on the push-button or switch (12) to then operate a push to release mechanism (16′) whereby the holding latching or retaining arrangement (14′, 15′) is released by moving part (15′) of that arrangement. FIG. 10 shows the arrangement when the push-button or switch (12) has been pressed down to operate the push to release mechanism (16′). As can be seen in FIG. 10, the push-button or switch (12) has been moved downwards. This means that part of the holding latching or retaining arrangement (14′, 15′) has been moved or deflected to become separated from the push to release mechanism (16′), thereby allowing the stored potential energy in the spring (11) to lift the ferromagnetic heating plate (5) vertically away from the induction hob (20) by lifting the connector (8).

[0046] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the kettle with the ferromagnetic heating plate (5) moved away from the base (3) of the vessel following a manual override, as described above with reference to FIG. 10, or after operation of the thermally sensitive device (14′) when the water within the vessel boils. As can be seen, in this arrangement, release of the latching arrangement (14, 15) permits the stored potential energy in the spring (11) to be converted into kinetic energy and cause the actuator to move and lift the ferromagnetic heating plate (5).

[0047] The ferromagnetic heating plate (5) may be returned within proximity of the base (3) of the kettle, as shown in FIG. 9, by operation of the push-button or switch (12). The pressing of the push-button or switch (12) causes the push to release mechanism (16′) to move downwards into engagement with the holding latching or retaining mechanism (14′, 15′), and potential energy is stored in the spring (11). The holding latching or retaining mechanism (14′, 15′) remains in this state until operation of the thermally sensitive device (14′) when the water within the vessel boils or until the latching arrangement (14′, 15′) is manually overridden, as discussed above.