Thermostatically controlled electric kettle
First Claim
1. In an electric kettle having a kettle body, an electrical heating means associated with said kettle body for heating liquid within said body, an open aperture located in an upper portion of the body above the liquid level therein for the substantially unrestricted passage of steam therethrough;
- thermally activated control means connected to said heating means in controlling relation therewith, including a temperature sensitive portion thereof located exteriorly of said body in enclosed relation in an upper portion of the kettle;
the improvement comprisingshield means interposed between said control means and the interior of said body to limit the transfer of heat to said temperature sensitive portion during operation of the kettle, and fluid diverter means located within the kettle adjacent said aperture to intercept a portion of steam flowing towards said aperture and to divert said portion towards said temperature sensitive portion of said control means to provide rapid heating thereof on the commencement of active boiling of liquid within the kettle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electric kettle having an unrestricted spout opening is provided with an electric heating element controlled by a thermostatic simmer control or boil cutout, the thermostatic element of which is located exteriorly of the kettle body above the top thereof and adjacent to the spout opening. A steam diverter scoop extends into the spout opening to intercept the uppermost portion of the live steam flowing toward the spout opening and diverts it into heating relation with the thermostatic element to provide rapid heating thereof upon commencement of active boiling in the kettle. The thermostatic element is housed within the forepart of the kettle handle, which also serves to conceal the wires connecting the thermostatic element to the heating element and other electrical components located in the bottom of the kettle. The diverter includes a shield portion in radiation shielding relation to the thermostatic element to limit radiation of heat to the element from the kettle body. The provision of a thermostatic element which is normally shielded from the rise in temperature in the kettle interior while being exposed a portion of the stream of steam generated upon free boiling within the kettle permits use of a coarsely calibrated, not unduly sensitive, thermostatic element ensuring switching off or other control function of the kettle regardless of altitude.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. In an electric kettle having a kettle body, an electrical heating means associated with said kettle body for heating liquid within said body, an open aperture located in an upper portion of the body above the liquid level therein for the substantially unrestricted passage of steam therethrough;
- thermally activated control means connected to said heating means in controlling relation therewith, including a temperature sensitive portion thereof located exteriorly of said body in enclosed relation in an upper portion of the kettle;
the improvement comprisingshield means interposed between said control means and the interior of said body to limit the transfer of heat to said temperature sensitive portion during operation of the kettle, and fluid diverter means located within the kettle adjacent said aperture to intercept a portion of steam flowing towards said aperture and to divert said portion towards said temperature sensitive portion of said control means to provide rapid heating thereof on the commencement of active boiling of liquid within the kettle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- thermally activated control means connected to said heating means in controlling relation therewith, including a temperature sensitive portion thereof located exteriorly of said body in enclosed relation in an upper portion of the kettle;
Specification