Patent ID: 6491427
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: A47J,G01K

Abstract:
A thermally insulated container for a liquid comprising:a base having a top part connected to a bottom part and forming a space therein for insertion of a cup; a thermally insulated holder having a bottom portion, a top portion and an intermediate portion interconnecting said bottom portion and said top portion, said holder containing said liquid at a stable temperature, wherein said bottom portion of said holder is disposed on said top part of said base; first means disposed on said bottom portion for controlling flow of said liquid from said holder, said first means comprising: a hole in said bottom portion and located above said cup placed into said space of said base; a plug positioned above said hole and movable verically to open and close said hole; a vertically disposed rod connected to said plug at a bottom thereof; a spring on said rod to normally hold said plug in a closed state against and closing said hole; and a manually operable lever disposed in front of said bottom portion of said holder and accessible to an operator, said lever being connected to said rod for causing said rod to move against force of said spring to cause said plug to move away from said hole to provide an opening in said hole thereby to enable said liquid to flow through said opening in said hole by force of gravity from said holder into said cup disposed in said space of said base and below said hole; wherein upon release of said lever, by force of said spring, said plug connected to said rod returns to a position which closes said hole; and second means movably disposed at said top portion of said holder for providing closure of said top portion and for preventing leakage of said liquid therefrom, said second means comprising: a movable lid attachable to said top portion of said holder; a temperature sensing column extending downward into said holder from said top portion through said intermediate portion and to said bottom portion above said plug disposed above said hole, so as to sense temperature of said liquid in said holder; temperature indicator means connected to said temperature sensing column for indicating temperature sensed by said temperature sensing column; and window means disposed on top of said temperature indicator means for outside visual access to said temperature indicator means.