The present invention relates generally to electric kettles and beverage dispensing containers, and more specifically to systems and methods for easy pouring of beverages.
It is common practice to provide family members and visitors with hot beverages as a routine home activity. Many electric kettle device designs exist for preparing boiling water.
Some patent publications in the art include:
WO09070988A, which describes an electric kettle for heating water and keeping warm includes a body (1), a bottom seat (6) with a built-in control circuit (10), and a remote controller (20). On the seat are provided a control panel (11) and a platform (18). Color lights (17) are disposed on the platform. A temperature sensor (9) is installed in the seat to determine whether water is boiled. A transparent or semitransparent portion (19) is provided on the side wall of the body towards the platform.
US2009307404 describes a data connection (4, 12) between the base unit (1) and the cordless appliance (9) so that the base unit (1) knows what appliance is currently in use. This allows a control system (12) to be fitted in the base unit (1) that is sufficiently sophisticated to be able to control any of the cordless units, the identity of the unit (9) currently in use, and therefore the way in which it is to be controlled, being derived via the data connection (4, 12).
There is still a need to provide improved systems and methods for hot beverage provision.
There is further still a need to provide improved systems and methods for enabling children, elderly people and handicapped/movement limited people to pour beverages from large or heavy containers.
It is an object of some aspects of the present invention to provide improved systems and arrangements for hot drink provision.
It is another object of some aspects of the present invention to provide improved systems and arrangements for systems and methods for enabling children, elderly people and handicapped/movement limited people to pour beverages from large containers and/or heavy containers. These containers may weigh over 0.5 kg, over 1 kg, or more. Additionally, they may contain a liquid which weighs another 0.5 kg, 1 kg, or more. The large containers may be adapted to hold up to 0.5 liter, more than 0.5 liter, more than 2 liters or more.
In some embodiments of the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for hot drink provision.
In some additional embodiments of the present invention, improved safety methods and apparatus are provided for hot water provision.
In other embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is described for providing boiling water with a safety pouring mechanism.
In further preferred embodiments of the present invention, method and system is described for providing boiling water with a safety system for hot/boiling water release and dispensing.
There is thus provided according to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for safe dispensing of a liquid, the system including:
Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the system is a kettle system.
Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the system is a hot beverage system.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle is a kettle jug.
Moreover, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the safety device is housed in the dispensing apparatus.
Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing apparatus includes a handle.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the handle includes an internal conduit in fluid communication with the receptacle.
Yet further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the safety device is operative to release the hot liquid via an aperture in the handle.
Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the aperture is disposed on a lower side of the handle.
Moreover, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the aperture faces downwards so as to release the liquid in a vertical stream to the receiving vessel.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a height of the aperture above a lower surface of the system is less than 20 cm.
Yet further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the height is less than 15 cm.
Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the aperture is adapted to be disposed at a vertical distance of less than 10 cm above an upper surface of the receiving vessel.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving vessel is selected from a cup, a mug, a beaker and a glass.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes a liquid release button on the handle, operative to release the liquid via the aperture.
Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes a mechanical safety mechanism for preventing untoward release of a hot liquid via the dispensing apparatus.
Moreover, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the system is constructed to enable dispensing of the hot liquid from at least one of:
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the safety mechanism is adapted to be in a closed position when pouring from the spout.
There is thus provided according to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for safely dispensing a hot liquid, the method including:
Moreover, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the hot liquid is hot water.
Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the hot water is boiling water.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method is adapted to enable a movement-disabled user to safely dispense hot water.
Additionally, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing step is performed at least in part via an electric pump.
Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing step includes;
Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the methods and systems described herein may be used for dispensing cold drinks and beverages from large receptacles.
Additionally, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a system for safe dispensing of a cold liquid, the system including;
Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the method includes;
Additionally, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing step includes;
The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings.
The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood.
With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.
In the drawings:
In all the figures similar reference numerals identify similar parts.
In the detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these are specific embodiments and that the present invention may be practiced also in different ways that embody the characterizing features of the invention as described and claimed herein.
Reference is now made to
System 100 comprises a vessel or receptacle 101 for holding a liquid 102, such as water. The vessel comprises a base unit 110 with one or more stands 112 for raising the height of the vessel. The base unit further comprises electrical means 114 for heating the liquid electrically, as is known in the art. The electrical means 114 is in electrical communication with a heating element 103 inside the vessel. It should be understood that the stands 112 may be integrated into the base unit or into the receptacle 101.
Vessel 101 may be any suitable liquid vessel, such as, but not limited to, a kettle jug, a water vessel, an urn, a hot water container and the like.
It should be further understood that receptacle 101, such as a kettle jug can be lifted with one handle and used to pour water in the normal way via the spout 122, as is shown in
The vessel comprises a spout 122, which enables pouring of the liquid therefrom, as is known in the art. Housed inside a handle 130 is a safety device 150 for releasing the liquid via a horizontal channel 162 and a vertical release conduit 164 to a receiving vessel 140, such as a cup.
The safety device is described and shown in further detail hereinbelow with reference to
Reference is now made to
Safety device 150 may be opened by pulling handle 142 backwards, which electrically activates a magnet 180 (
The handle 130 of the system 100 is designed and configured to enable the pouring of a drink/water form the vessel 101 directly into the receiving vessel 140 without requiring the tipping of the system/kettle or lifting of the receiving vessel/cup 140.
Some embodiments of this invention are directed to a kettle system, such as an electric kettle system 100 in which the handle 130 acts both as a mechanical means for lifting the kettle, as well as a safety device 150 for releasing hot water directly into a receiving vessel.
The safety device is disposed inside the body of the handle of the system and is not seen from the outside and only vertical release conduit 164 is seen extending downwards from the outside of the handle.
The present invention allows simple and safe pouring/dispensing of hot/boiling water/liquid without having to lift the whole weight or any weight of the kettle system. The present invention is particularly suitable for use for elderly, physically handicapped people, as well as for children.
The present invention further enables use of the safety device or standard tipping from spout 122.
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
When handle 142 is released, magnet 180 is immediately returned to its initial position and spring 184 is released thereby closing valve head 188, which prevents the flow of water via vertical release conduit 164.
Reference is now made to
It should be understood that the mechanical mechanism for safe release of hot water, described with respect to
Reference is now made to
Mechanical device 200 comprises a manual activation button 272 having a centrally disposed hole 272, connected mechanically to rod 172, disposed in a hollow 176 of the handle 130.
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
The references cited herein teach many principles that are applicable to the present invention. Therefore the full contents of these publications are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details set forth in the description contained herein or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and changes can be applied to the embodiments of the invention as hereinbefore described without departing from its scope, defined in and by the appended claims.