Abstract:
An electrical water heater includes a housing, a filling opening delimited by a rim, heating elements, a pouring member, a lid, a tongue mobile between an extended position wherein it seals the pouring member and a pouring position wherein it is retracted, and a pouring control connected to the tongue through an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes a first mechanism arranged in the housing and having one end connected to the pouring control and one end mobile through a window of the rim, and a second mechanism arranged in the lid and having one end mobile through a window of the lid and one end connected to the tongue, the windows of the rim and of the lid being urged into mutual correspondence when the lid seals the opening, and the corresponding ends of the mechanisms being adapted to co-operate.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus for heating liquid, such as for example an electric kettle. More particularly, the invention relates to electrical apparatus for heating liquid comprising a housing which defines a chamber adapted to contain a liquid, an upper opening for filling the chamber, which is delimited by a rim, electrical heating means for the liquid, a spout communicating with the chamber and extending adjacent the opening, a lid adapted to close said opening, a tongue movable relative to the lid between an extended position in which it closes the spout and a pouring position in which it is at least in part retracted within the lid, and a pouring control connected to the tongue by an actuating mechanism adapted to place said tongue either in an extended position when the pouring control is inactive, or in a pouring position when the pouring control is active. 
   THE PRIOR ART 
   The document FR-A-2 756 476 describes an electric kettle of this type, which is to say which comprises a tongue normally urged into extended position so as to close the spout and which can be more or less retracted by closing a control button mounted movably on the lid. The principal advantage of the kettle described in this document is that the assembly of the actuating mechanism connecting the control button to the tongue is disposed in the lid, which protects it from dirt and permits freeing completely the filling opening when the cover is removed. 
   Moreover, there exist kettles with movable closure members in the spout, which are connected by a rod passing through the chamber of the kettle to an actuating button movably mounted on the housing opposite spout. But the presence of such a rod considerably impedes the filling and cleaning of the kettle. Moreover, the rod is adapted to become encrusted or to rust in use. 
   It should be emphasized that, as described in the document FR-A-2 756 476, the mounting of the button forming the pouring control on the lid imposes a positioning of the pouring control at the top of the kettle. Such a positioning of the pouring control requires a handle permitting gripping adjacent the lid to be able to actuate the latter whilst tilting the kettle, which renders the pouring action less natural in the minds of certain consumers. Moreover, the actuation of the pouring control with the thumb is less intuitive and decreases the firmness of gripping the handle for certain users. 
   OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has for its object to overcome these drawbacks by proposing an electric apparatus for heating liquid in which the actuation of the pouring control will be comfortable and certain for most users, whilst keeping the advantage of a mechanism protected from dirt which does not impede filling the kettle. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To this end, the present invention has for its object an apparatus of the mentioned type, characterized in that the actuating mechanism connecting the pouring control to the tongue comprises a first mechanism arranged in the housing and having a first end connected to the pouring control and a second end movable through a window of the rim of the opening, and a second mechanism arranged in the lid and having a first end movable through a window of said lid and a second end connected to the tongue, the window of the rim and the window of the lid being arranged to come into correspondence when the lid closes the opening, and the second end of the first mechanism being adapted to coact with the first end of the second mechanism, such that the actuation of the pouring control will be transmitted to the tongue via the first and second mechanisms. 
   Thus, by providing two separate mechanisms which coact together during the closing of the lid, there is a possibility of mounting the pouring control in any suitable position on the housing, and particularly but not necessarily below the handle of the apparatus, whilst keeping the advantages of the actuating mechanism protected and of a filling opening which is entirely exposed. 
   In preferred embodiments of the invention, there can be used moreover one and/or the other of the following arrangements:
         the second end of the first mechanism is slidably mounted in a given direction and comes into abutment against the first end of the second mechanism, which is movable against the return force of a resilient member in a direction substantially co-linear to said given direction, such that the coaction between the first and second mechanisms is carried out by simple contact;   the first end of the second mechanism projects through the window of the lid and penetrates the window of the rim, when the boiling control is inactive, so as to form a locking means of the lid on the kettle;   the second end of the first mechanism has a path sufficient to cause it to project from the window of the rim and enter the window of the lid when the pouring control is actuated, thereby maintaining the locking of the lid on the housing;   the housing has an opening which opens into the spout and into which extends the tongue of the lid when this latter closes the opening, said first and second mechanisms being adapted such that at least a portion of said tongue extends into said opening when the pouring control is actuated; thus, the tongue in the pouring position always forms a retaining means of the cover on the kettle;   the second mechanism is adapted to create an amplified movement of the tongue relative to the movement of its first end;   the second mechanism comprises a lever pivotally mounted about an axle substantially parallel to the normal to the opening, and having a first end forming the first end of said mechanism and a second end provided with teeth, said first end being urged radially outwardly by a resilient member;   the second mechanism comprises a pivoting member provided with a first toothed sector which engages a straight rack connected to the tongue and a second toothed sector which engages the teeth of the second end of the pivoting lever, said first toothed sector having a radius greater than the radius of said second toothed sector;   the first mechanism comprises a lever mounted swingably relative to the housing about an axle and having a first end connected to the pouring control and a second end bearing against a first end of said piston, said piston being mounted slidably in said housing against the action of a resilient member and having a second end which forms the second end of said first mechanism;   the housing comprises a handle located on the side opposite the spout, and the pouring control is present in the form of a trigger arranged below said handle.       

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the description which follows, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the principal elements of a kettle made according to the invention which comprises a closable spout and a handle; 
       FIG. 2  is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view in the plane of the handle of the kettle shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of an element of the lid; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary perspective view of the kettle with the spout closed; 
       FIG. 5  is a broken away and simplified plan view of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , in which the spout is opened; 
       FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 5 , in which the spout is opened. 
   

   In the various figures, the same reference numerals have been used to designate identical or similar elements. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The electric kettle  1  shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a housing  2  whose body  2   a  defines a substantially cylindrical chamber centered on a vertical axis Z. The housing  2  also comprises a spout  3 , a handle  4  and a bottom  5 . 
   The bottom  5  comprises a metallic plate  5   a  delimiting the bottom of the chamber which is in contact with an electrical resistance, not shown, so as to heat the water or any other liquid contained in the chamber. 
   The bottom  5  of the kettle is adapted to rest on a base  6  provided at its center with an electrical connection. The bottom  5  comprises in known manner a connector adapted to establish an electrical connection with the connection of the base  6  no matter what the orientation of the kettle resting on the base. The interior of the bottom  5  comprises, in addition to the electrical resistance, a switch to establish a connection between the connection and the electrical resistance. The operation of the kettle is controlled by an on/off button  7  arranged on the handle  4  and connected to the switch by a lever  8 . 
   The housing  2  has in its upper portion a rim  9  which defines an opening  10 . This opening  10  has a relatively extensive surface so as to permit easy filling of the chamber. The rim  9  is formed by an annular wall of the housing which has a vertical cylindrical portion  9   b  coaxial to the axis Z and a small collar  9   c  extending radially toward the central axis Z from the base of the vertical portion. The surface of the opening thus defined by the rim  9  has a normal direction co-linear with the central axis Z. However, the chamber and the opening  10  could have other configurations than cylindrical or could have symmetrical axes which will not be co-linear. 
   The kettle also comprises a removable grid  12  adapted to close the opening  10 , which in this case has the shape of a cylinder of small height, so as to coact with the rim  9  of the opening. But the lid could have a different shape, particularly in the case in which the rim of the opening will be an overall flat face extending essentially in the transverse plane of the central axis Z. 
   The lid  12  comprises a tongue  14  movably mounted on this latter between an extended position, seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , in which it extends beyond the lid  12  so as to close the spout  3 , and a pouring position, seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in which it is retracted into the lid. The closure provided by the tongue is not completely sealed, but permits avoiding important flow of liquid in the case in which the kettle is tilted. 
   Of course, the spout  3  should extend at least in part adjacent the opening  10  such that the tongue  14  connected to the lid  12  will not extend over too great a distance between the opening and the spout, and maintain a relatively simple shape. However, the spout  3  could have a more projecting shape relative to the body  2   a  of the housing. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the movement of the tongue  14  is guided within a piece in the form of a cup  15  which forms the bottom of the lid  12 . This bottom  15  has on its lower surface two ribs  15   a  ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ) which guide the tongue  14  in a radial direction relative to the central axis Z through an opening formed in the bottom  15 . 
   The cover  12  is provided moreover with a locking control  18  which comprises a first element  19  forming the upper circular surface of the lid and a gripping member  20  assembled to the upper surface by snapping in. 
   The locking control  18  is mounted for rotation about an axle  21  secured to the bottom of the lid and extending along the central axis Z. The locking control  18  turns through an angle of about 30°, for example in the clockwise direction, between two positions, respectively called locked and unlocked, which are indicated by marks in the form of arrows on the upper surface  19  of the lid and on the upper edge  2   b  of the housing, at the level of the handle  4 . 
   The lid  12  moreover comprises a lug  24  movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which it passes through a window  27  of the lid to come to coact with a window  25  passing through the rim  9  of the opening. The lug  24  forms a first lock which comes into engagement with a retaining element of the housing formed by the window  25 , thereby preventing the retraction of the lid  12  from the kettle. 
   The handle  4  of the kettle, in the form of a loop but which could be open, has on its surface facing the body  2   a  an opening through which is movably mounted a pouring control, such as a trigger  26 . The trigger  26 , thus placed below the handle, is connected by a first mechanism  30 , called a trigger mechanism, to carry out a pouring command. The trigger  26  permits the user to more or less retract the tongue  14  into the lid  12  so as to free the passage of the spout  3  when it is desired to pour the liquid contained in the kettle, as will be detailed hereafter. 
   The locking control  18  is connected to the tongue  14  and to the lug  24  by a second mechanism  40 , called a locking mechanism, which will be detailed hereafter. The locking control  18  is stable in each of its locked/unlocked positions. This stability can be obtained by the friction of the upper surface  19  against the upper edge of the bottom  15 , but also thanks to the locking mechanism  40 . It will be noted that this stability can be obtained differently, particularly if the locking control is not rotatable, but slidable along a cam track which would then comprise means for blocking the control in the unlocked position. 
   The first mechanism  30 , called the trigger, comprises a lever  32  swingably mounted about an axle  31  supported by the internal structure of the handle  4 . The lever  32  has a first end  32   a  secured to the tongue  26 . 
   The trigger mechanism  30  also comprises a piston  33  slidably mounted in a radial direction, which has a first end against which bears a second end  32   b  of the swingable lever  32 . The piston  33  slides in a tubular member  36  in which is disposed a strong  35  which bears both on this tubular member and on the piston  33 , so as to return the trigger  26  to the inactive position by means of the lever  32 . But the return of the trigger could be effected otherwise, for example with a helicoidal torsion spring surrounding the axle  31 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular member  36  also slides relative to the housing in a radial direction, but the piston  33  could be slidably mounted directly in a recess of the housing. 
   The piston  33  has a second end  33   b  which slides through the window  25  of the rim of the opening between a retracted position, shown in  FIG. 5 , when the trigger  26  is in the inactive position, and a projecting position, shown in  FIG. 7 , when the trigger  26  is actuated, which is to say pressed by the index finger of the user. The second end  33   b  is a flat surface which coacts with the end of the lug  24  by simple contact. 
   The second mechanism  40 , called locking mechanism, connects the locking control  18  to the tongue  14 . The locking mechanism  40  comprises a lever  41  pivoting about an axle  42  parallel to the central axis Z. Adjacent a first end  41   a  of the pivoting lever  41  is arranged the lug  24  and a cam  43  in the form of a central vertical pin. The lug  44  extends in the arc of a circle in the median plane of the opening and in an overall radial direction relative to the central axis Z. The pivoting lever  41  has at a second end teeth  44  in the arc of a circle. 
   The locking mechanism  40  also comprises a member  45  pivoting about an axle  46  which is also parallel to the central axis Z. The pivoting member  45  comprises a first toothed sector  47  of a relatively great radius and a second toothed sector  48  coaxial to the first but of substantially lesser radius. The second toothed sector  48  engages the teeth  44  of the pivoting lever  41 , such that the pivoting of the lever  41  gives rise to a pivoting in the opposite direction of the member  45 . Because the teeth  44  of the lever  41  have a radius, measured relative to the axle  42 , greater than the radius of the second toothed sector  48 , the pivoting in the opposite direction of the member  45  is amplified relative to the pivoting of the lever  41 . 
   The first toothed sector  47  of the pivoting member  45  engages a straight rack  49  formed on a tongue which extends in prolongation of the rear end of the tongue  14 . In the present embodiment, the straight rack  49  is integrally formed with the tongue  14  and is thus secured to this latter. However, it is envisageable to provide a certain play or a resilient means between the straight rack and the tongue, for example such that the tongue will come to bear more or less in sealed contact against the internal wall of the spout  3 . 
   The engagement of the first toothed sector  47  with the straight rack  49  permits transforming the pivotal movement of the member  45  into a horizontal translatory movement of the tongue  14 , which translation is further amplified relative to the amplitude of movement of the first end  41   a  of the pivoting lever  41  by the difference of the radii existing between the first and second toothed sectors ( 47 ,  48 ). By way of example, there is obtained a movement of 27 mm of the tongue  14  for a radial movement of the end of the lug  24  of about 4 mm. 
   As is better seen in  FIG. 3 , the interior side of the upper surface  19 , which forms the locking control  18 , comprises a cam guide  50  which extends along the central axis Z from the internal side and along a chord of the upper circular surface  19  between a first end  51  and a second end  52 . The ends  51  and  52  are prolonged by tongues  53  which extend parallel to the diameter of the circular surface. The first end  51  is located at a distance from the pivotal axle which coincides with the central axis Z, which is less than the distance from the second end  52  to this pivotal axle. 
   In the locked position of the control  18 , the cam  43  bears against the second end  52  of the guide  50 , the first end  41   a  of the lever  41  is near the periphery of the housing, and as a result, the lug  24  and the tongue  14  are in extended position, as is better seen in  FIG. 5 . 
   The cam guide  50  ( FIG. 3 ) is present in the form of a wing with a lateral surface  54  oriented toward the central axis Z against which the cam  43  of the pivoting lever  41  comes to bear. The bearing of the cam  43  is obtained thanks to a helicoidal compression spring  55  disposed between an abutment  56  secured to the bottom  15  of the lid  12  and the first end  41   a  of the pivoting lever  41 . Because of the resilience of the bearing of the cam  43  against the cam guide  50 , it is possible to space the latter from the cam guide  50  to more or less retract the tongue  14  into the lid, the locking control  18  remaining in locked position. 
   The lateral surface  54  of the cam guide  50  has a projection  50   a  ( FIG. 3 ) adjacent the first end  51 , which permits effecting a certain blockage of the cam  43 , such that the unlocked position is stable. 
   As is better seen in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the rim  9  of the opening comprises two reliefs  59  projecting toward the central axis Z and the lid  12  comprises on the member  15  two complementary hollow reliefs  60 . The reliefs ( 59 ,  60 ) coact together when the cylindrical lid  12  is disposed with a correct orientation relative to the rim  9  of the opening, such that the tongue  14  will be positioned facing the spout  3 . The reliefs ( 59 ,  60 ) ensure a straightening function and an anti-rotation function of the cover relative to the rim  9  of the opening. Thus, the couple exerted on the control member  18  does not give to rotation of the lid  12 . Moreover, the window  27  of the lid  12  comes into correspondence with the window  25  of the rim  9 , such that the end  33   b  of the piston  33  of the trigger mechanism  30  will cooperate with the lug  24  of the locking mechanism  40 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the spout  3  is separated from the opening  10  by a partition  62  of the rim  9 . As is better seen in  FIG. 2 , the partition  62  extends in prolongation of the rim  9  from the summit of the vertical portion of the rim, but over a lesser height to provide an opening  63  which opens into the spout  3  and into which the tongue  14  can extend toward the spout  3 . When the tongue  14  is in extended position, which is to say when the locking control is in the locked position, the latter comes to be positioned adjacent the lower end of the partition  62 , such that the lid  12  is immobilized on the housing  2  of the kettle. The opening  63  and the tongue  14  thus form a second retaining element secured to this housing and hence a second lock movable relative to the lid, in addition to that formed by the window  25  of the rim  9  and the lug  24  of the lever  41 . 
   It is envisageable to provide only the tongue  14  and the opening  63  to ensure the locking of the cover on the housing. However, the presence of two locking points, which moreover are diametrically opposed relative to the central axis Z, ensures a particularly reliable holding of the lid on the housing even if the kettle is tilted. 
   When the user wishes to pour the liquid by inclining the kettle, he presses with the index finger the trigger  26  which forms the pouring control. This control passes from the inactive position shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , to the active position shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Under the action of the trigger  26 , the lever  32  carries out a swinging which presses the piston  33  toward the central axis Z by compressing the spring  35 . The end  33   b  of the piston  33  thus presses the lug  24  into the lid by compressing the spring  55 . The lug  24  secured to the pivoting lever  41  forms a first end of the locking mechanism  40 , whose movement gives rise to movement of the second end of the locking mechanism, namely the straight rack  49  connected to the tongue  14 . 
   As a result, the actuation of the trigger  26  permits retracting the tongue  14  via the trigger mechanism  30  which extends from the first end of the swinging lever  32  to the end  33   b  of the piston  33 , and via the locking mechanism  40  which extends from the lug  24  to the straight rack  49 . Thus, the spout  3  is open for the free flow of liquid. 
   The trigger mechanism  30  and the locking mechanism  40  are respectively exposed in the handle  4  and the cover  12 , and as a result, are protected from dirt. It also will be seen clearly that the opening  10  of the kettle is entirely free when the lid is removed. 
   When the user relaxes pressure on the trigger  26 , the latter returns to the inactive position under the conjoint action of the spring  55  of the locking mechanism  40  and the spring  35  of the trigger mechanism  30 . It is envisageable to use only one spring, particularly the spring  55 , to ensure this return. Thus, the cover  12  could have a bias portion to press the piston  33  if this latter were projecting at the time of introduction of the lid. However, the provision of a resilient means for each of the mechanisms ( 30 ,  40 ) permits ensuring their return to the initial position independently of each other, and limits the play in the kinematic chain formed by the two mechanisms. 
   The configuration shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  corresponds to maximum pressing in of the trigger  26 . It will be noted on the one hand, that in this arrangement the piston  33  penetrates into the window  27  of the lid, and on the other hand that a portion of the tongue  14  extends beyond the partition  62 . These arrangements are obtained by adjusting the clearance of the trigger  26  and the amplification of this clearance by the trigger mechanism  30 , then by the locking mechanism  40 . They permit maintaining two locking points of the lid  12  on the housing. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the coaction between the two mechanisms ( 30 ,  40 ) is effected by simple pressure against a resilient return force. However it is envisageable to ensure cooperation by providing a reversible securement of the second end of the first mechanism  30  with the first end of the second mechanism  40 , for example with light frictional engagement or by magnetic attraction. But the coaction between these ends must be effected automatically, at least when the lid is locked, and must not excessively complicate the opening of the kettle. However, it is possible to pour the liquid while only partially pressing in the trigger  26 . The tongue  14  is then slightly retracted, which can permit limiting the flow of the poured liquid. 
   It will be noted that the assembly of the elements of the locking mechanism  40 , namely the pivoting lever  41 , the pivoting member  45  and the straight rack  49 , is movable in a plane which is parallel to the mean plane of the opening whose trace P is visible in  FIG. 2 , or else perpendicular to the central axis Z. This arrangement permits providing a lid whose size in the normal direction Z of the opening  10  is particularly reduced. 
   The pouring control  26  in the form of a trigger placed below the handle is desired by numerous users, but it is possible to arrange it differently, for example in the form of a pushbutton mounted on the body  2   a  of the housing, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.