Patent Description:
The present invention relate to an electric kettle in which the bottom surface of a flow path provided in a water level window of a main body is configured to be inclined.

Generally, an electric kettle refers to a device that heats water received in a main body by a heating means such as a heater by supplying electricity to the electric kettle.

Furthermore, for such an electric kettle, the main body is generally configured to be detachable from a base to which power is supplied such that the main body is heated while seated on the base, and can be used by holding a handle and lifting the main body away from the base. The electric kettle of this type is usually called as various names such as a cordless electric kettle, cordless electric pot, and coffee pot.

For such an electric kettle, the main body has a complicated shape, and accordingly, in order to facilitate the arrangement of the configuration of the main body, there are cases in which the main body is made of a plastic material. During the long-term use of the main body, harmful components of plastic or microplastic may be dissolved in hot water, and the main body is also vulnerable to scratching, which may contaminate the inside of the main body.

In addition, when the main body is made of glass, the electric kettle is hygienic and has a very good appearance, but may be damaged due to impact. Furthermore, the electric kettle is heavy and inconvenient to be used and is not easy to be molded.

Recently, the main body is made of stainless steel, and a cordless electric pot capable of heating water contained therein has also been disclosed. In such a structure, the main body is made of a stainless material and thus is very hygienic and has excellent durability.

Furthermore, a water level window is also provided to check the content of the main body or the level of the content. That is, in an electric kettle disclosed in <CIT> and German Utility Model Registration No. <CIT>, a water level window is provided in the main body of the electric kettle such that the level of content contained therein can be seen from the outside.

However, in such conventional technologies, the water level window is difficult to be coupled to the main body and partially protrudes toward the outside of the main body or the inside thereof so the electric kettle is inconvenient to be used.

In addition, in the conventional technologies, after a content contained in the main body is withdrawn to the outside, the content partially remains in the water level window and is contaminated or is difficult to be cleaned. Documents of Related Art: <CIT>, <CIT>. <CIT> presents an electric liquid heating vessel having a single liquid level indicator arranged generally centrally at a rear portion of the vessel such that the level of liquid indicated by the liquid level indicator may be seen from either side of the vessel. The liquid level indicator comprises a tube in fluid communication with the interior of the vessel or a transparent window in the wall of the vessel. <CIT> presents an electric kettle with a hollow body having a bottom and a side wall defining a container for liquid to be heated, electric resistance heating means for heating liquid in the container extending inside the container, and with a liquid level indicator, which includes a transparent tube attached to the side wall of the body so as to extend upwardly from the bottom and having an open lower end in communication with the interior of the body so that liquid can flow into the tube can occur to give an indication of the level to which the tank is filled.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems occuring in the related art, and the present invention is intended to propose an electric kettle which is provided with a water level window which can be assembled with the outside of a main body.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an electric kettle in which the amount of content can be recognized from the outside through a flow path formed in the water level window.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an electric kettle in which the bottom surface of the flow path formed in the water level window is configured to be inclined.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an electric kettle in which the surface stress of the flow path formed in the water level window is reduced to prevent water from accumulating therein.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an electric kettle in which the water level window is prevented from protruding to the outside and inside of the main body.

The objective is solved by the features of the independent claims.

In order to achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electric kettle of the present disclosure is provided with a water level window including an outer cover and an inner cover.

In the electric kettle of the present disclosure, a flow path for allowing to flow water may be formed between the outer cover and the inner cover constituting the water level window.

In the electric kettle of the present disclosure, the water level window may be provided with or may comprise the flow path configured to guide a flow of a fluid, preferably the vertical flow of a fluid.

The flow path has an entrance flow path communicating the flow path with a main body.

In the electric kettle of the present disclosure, the bottom surface of the flow path or the entrance flow path formed in the water level window may be inclined. Accordingly, the amount of fluid remaining in the water level window may decrease.

In the electric kettle of the present disclosure, a corner angle formed between the surface of the entrance flow path formed in the water level window and the surface of the flow path of the water level window may be configured to have the curvature of zero degrees.

In the electric kettle of the present disclosure, the outer cover constituting the water level window may be made to be transparent, and the inner cover may be made to be opaque.

In the electric kettle of the present disclosure, the outer cover and the inner cover constituting the water level window may be coupled to each other by fusion.

In the electric kettle of the present disclosure, a packing may be provided between the water level window and the main body for airtightness.

The electric kettle of the present disclosure may include the main body configured to receive water or food therein and provided with the water level window through which a water level inside the main body is seen,.

The electric kettle of the present disclosure may include a lid provided on the open upper side of the main body so as to cover the open upper side of the main body.

The electric kettle of the present disclosure may include a base provided at the lower side of the main body so as to support the main body.

Preferably, the flow path in which a fluid flows may be formed in the water level window and may have a bottom surface formed to be inclined.

The water level window may include the inner cover and the outer cover configured to have shapes corresponding to each other to be coupled to each other.

The flow path may be formed between the inner cover and the outer cover.

The bottom surface of the flow path may have a downward inclination relative to the main body.

An inner inclined surface and an outer inclined surface may be formed on the inner cover and the outer cover, respectively, so as to guide the flow of a fluid contained in the flow path into the main body.

The inner inclined surface and the outer inclined surface may be configured to have the same inclinations.

An end of the inner inclined surface and an end of the outer inclined surface may have the same heights to be in close contact with each other.

The water level window may have the entrance flow path provided on each of upper and lower end parts thereof.

The entrance flow path may connect the flow path formed inside the water level window with the inside of the main body.

The bottom surface of the entrance flow path formed in the lower end part of the water level window may be configured to be inclined.

The entrance flow path formed in the lower end part of the water level window may include an entrance flow path groove formed by being depressed therefrom.

The bottom surface of the entrance flow path groove may be the inner inclined surface.

The entrance flow path may be formed in each of the upper and lower end parts of the inner cover.

The entrance flow path may be configured to be perpendicular to the flow path.

The corner angle formed between the surface of the flow path and the surface of the entrance flow path may have curvature of zero degrees.

A corner angle formed between the surface of the entrance flow path and the outer surface of the inner cover may have curvature of zero degrees.

A corner angle formed between the surface of the entrance flow path formed in the upper end part of the inner cover and the outer surface of the inner cover may a curvature larger than curvature of zero degrees.

A corner angle formed between the surface of the entrance flow path formed in the lower end part of the inner cover and the outer surface of the inner cover may have curvature of zero degrees.

The length of the entrance flow path groove may be shorter than the length of the entrance flow path formed in the lower end part of the water level window.

The inner end of the entrance flow path groove may be located at a side outer than the inner end of the inner cover.

The packing may be provided between the inner cover and the main body so as to block a gap therebetween.

The inner end of the entrance flow path groove may be located at a side outer than the inner end of the packing.

The water level window may include an inner part and an outer part configured to be integrated with each other, and the flow path may be formed between the inner part and the outer part.

The entrance flow path may be provided in each of the upper and lower parts of the water level window.

The main body may be configured as a double structure such that the main body includes an inner body constituting the inner appearance of the main body and an outer body constituting the outer appearance of the main body.

The water level window may include the inner cover made to be opaque and coupled to the inner body and the outer cover made to be transparent and coupled to the outer body.

The flow path in which a fluid can flow may be formed between the inner cover and the outer cover, and the inner cover and the outer cover may be coupled to each other by fusion.

The water level window may be mounted to the main body by being press-fitted thereto from the outside, and the inner cover or the outer cover may be made of a tritan material.

The electric kettle of the present disclosure may have the following effects.

First, the main body of the electric kettle according to the present disclosure may be provided with the water level window in which the flow path is formed to communicate with the inner space of the main body. Accordingly, a water level corresponding to the level of water contained inside the main body may be displayed on the water level window, thereby enabling the amount of the water contained inside the electric kettle to be easily recognized from the outside.

Second, according to the present disclosure, the edges of the outer cover and the inner cover constituting the water level window may be coupled to each other by fusion, thereby facilitating and securing the coupling of the outer cover to the inner cover.

Third, according to the present disclosure, in the outer cover and the inner cover constituting the water level window, the inner cover may be made to be opaque. Accordingly, an inner hole and an inner edge formed in the inner body may not be seen from the outside, thereby making the overall appearance of the electric kettle neat and beautiful.

Fourth, according to the present disclosure, a cover hook may be provided on the outer cover of the water level window to be held in the outer body. Accordingly, when the water level window is pushed from the outside of the main body, the assembly of the water level window with the main body may be completed. Accordingly, according to the present disclosure, the assembly of the water level window may be easy.

Fifth, according to the present disclosure, the edge of the outer hole of the outer body may be burred inward, and the edge of the inner hole of the inner body may be burred outward. Accordingly, the amount of the water level window protruding to the outer or inner surface of the main body may relatively decrease to prevent any interference. That is, the size of the upper end of the water level window protruding to the inside of the main body may decrease, thereby decreasing the interference of a user's fingers with the water level window when cleaning the inside of the main body and decreasing the interference of food with the water level window.

Sixth, according to the present disclosure, a fusion part and a fusion groove having shapes corresponding to each other may be formed respectively on the outer cover and the inner cover constituting the water level window. Accordingly, the outer cover and the inner cover may be coupled and fused to each other at a precise position due to the fusion part and the fusion groove, thereby improving work efficiency.

Seventh, according to the present disclosure, the water level window may be made of a tritan material, which is an eco-friendly material. Accordingly, the flow path formed inside the water level window may be seen from the outside and due to the eco-friendly material, the water level window may not cause environmental pollution and may be harmless to the human body.

Eighth, according to the present disclosure, the bottom surface of the flow path formed in the water level window may be configured to be inclined. Accordingly, a fluid introduced into the water level window, such as water, may be easily restored to the main body.

Ninth, according to the present disclosure, a corner angle formed between the surface of the entrance flow path formed in the lower end part of the inner cover of the water level window and the outer surface of the inner cover may have no curvature. That is, the corner angle formed between the surface of the entrance flow path and the outer surface of the inner cover may be configured to have the curvature of zero degrees. Accordingly, the amount of a fluid attached to the corner angle formed between the surface of the entrance flow path and the outer surface of the inner cover may decrease, thereby preventing contamination due to a fluid or food remaining in the water level window and facilitating cleaning after the use of the electric kettle.

Tenth, according to the present disclosure, the bottom surface of the flow path formed inside the water level window may be configured to be inclined and an inner portion of the bottom surface of the flow path may be cut to minimize the formation of water droplets due to the surface stress of the flow path. Accordingly, according to the present disclosure, due to the partial cutting and inclination of the bottom surface of the water level window, water droplets may move downward due to gravity, thereby decreasing the amount of water remaining in the water level window after pouring water contained in the main body to the outside.

Hereinafter, an electric kettle of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> illustrate the configuration of the electric kettle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, <FIG> respectively illustrate a perspective view and a vertical sectional view illustrating the configuration of the electric kettle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> illustrate exploded perspective views of the electric kettle illustrated in <FIG> when the electric kettle is viewed respectively from upper and lower sides thereof.

As illustrated in these drawings, the electric kettle <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body <NUM> configured to receive water or food therein, a lid <NUM> configured to cover an open upper side of the main body <NUM>, a base <NUM> provided at a lower side of the main body <NUM> so as to support the main body <NUM>, a spout <NUM> provided on the upper end of the main body <NUM> and configured to guide the discharge of water or food contained inside the main body <NUM>, and a handle <NUM> coupled to the upper end of the main body <NUM> and configured to be held by hand.

Specifically, the electric kettle <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, and may be composed of the main body <NUM> configured to receive water or food therein, the lid <NUM> configured to cover the open upper side of the main body <NUM>, the handle <NUM>, a heating module <NUM>, and the base <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape having an open upper surface. Accordingly, the upper surface of the main body <NUM> may be covered by the lid <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may be configured to protrude outward from a side of the main body <NUM>. That is, as illustrated in <FIG>, the handle <NUM> may be provided to protrude to the right side of the upper end of the main body <NUM>.

The electric kettle may have the base <NUM> disposed on a bottom surface thereof and may receive external power due to a power cord connected to the base <NUM>.

Furthermore, the assembled main body <NUM> may be seated on the upper surface of the base <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape and may have a heating space <NUM> in which water is received and heated. Furthermore, the main body <NUM> may be supplied with power while seated on the base <NUM>.

Power may be supplied to the base <NUM> and the main body <NUM> by the contact of a power terminal therewith. In addition, power may be supplied to the base <NUM> and the main body <NUM> in an electromagnetic induction method.

To this end, the base <NUM> may be provided with a lower power module <NUM> which functions as a first coil, and the main body <NUM> corresponding to the base <NUM> may be provided with an upper power module <NUM> which functions as a second coil.

The heating module <NUM> and a bottom cover <NUM> may be mounted to the lower end of the main body <NUM> and may constitute a portion of the lower part of the main body <NUM>, and thus may be referred to as "a lower main body".

The heating module <NUM> may include a heating plate <NUM> which constitutes the bottom surface of the inside of the main body <NUM> or is configured to be in close contact with the bottom surface of the main body <NUM>, and a heater <NUM> configured to heat the heating plate <NUM>, wherein the heating plate <NUM> may be heated by power supplied from the upper power module <NUM>. Furthermore, the heating module <NUM> may include the bottom cover <NUM> constituting the lower surface of the main body <NUM>.

The spout <NUM> may be formed on an end of the main body <NUM> by protruding outward therefrom such that water inside the main body <NUM> can be poured out.

The handle <NUM> may be mounted at a side opposite to the spout <NUM>. That is, as illustrated in the drawing, the handle <NUM> may be provided on the right surface of the main body <NUM>, and the spout <NUM> may be provided on the left surface of the main body <NUM>. Accordingly, a user may easily pour water through the spout <NUM> while holding the handle <NUM> in his or her hand.

Meanwhile, the handle <NUM> may be mounted to an outer surface of a side (the right side in the drawing) of the main body <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> is a part gripped by a user's hand such that the user easily raises or moves the electric kettle <NUM>, and may include a decoration part and an elastic grip part. That is, the handle <NUM> may have a luxurious exterior and may be made of rubber or silicone in at least a portion (the grip part, etc.) thereof such that a user's hand is prevented from slipping when the user holds the handle <NUM>.

In addition, the handle <NUM> may be provided with a button through which a user can perform an on/off manipulation or a temperature control. To this end, a PCB may be provided inside the handle <NUM>, and the upper surface of the handle <NUM> may be configured to display the operation state of the electric kettle <NUM>.

It is preferable that the main body <NUM> is configured as a double structure. That is, the main body <NUM> may be composed of an outer body <NUM> constituting the outer appearance of the main body <NUM> and an inner body <NUM> constituting the inner appearance of the main body <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may be configured to be coupled to the upper end of the inner body <NUM>. That is, the inner body <NUM> may be provided with a handle bracket <NUM> and may be configured such that the handle <NUM> is fixed to the inner body <NUM>. Furthermore, the handle bracket <NUM> may be attached and fixed to the outer surface of the inner body <NUM> by welding or an adhesive.

The open upper surface of the electric kettle <NUM>, that is, the upper surface of the main body <NUM> may be covered by the lid <NUM>.

While the lid <NUM> is closed, the lid <NUM> may constitute the upper surface of the electric kettle <NUM> and may seal the inside of the electric kettle <NUM> in contact with the circumference of the upper end of the main body <NUM>.

A cap <NUM> may be formed on the center portion of the lid <NUM> by protruding upward therefrom. The cap <NUM> allows a user to easily raise the lid <NUM> or to conveniently couple the lid <NUM> to the main body <NUM>.

Furthermore, the handle bracket <NUM> may be attached or fixed to the upper end of the inner body <NUM> and may be configured such that the handle <NUM> is coupled to the main body <NUM> by a fastening bolt.

In addition, a temperature sensor <NUM> may be provided on the lower surface of the inner body <NUM> so as to measure the temperature of water contained inside the heating space <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may have a water level window <NUM> formed therein. The water level window <NUM> allows the water level of the inside of the electric kettle <NUM> to be checked from the outside of the electric kettle <NUM> without opening the lid <NUM>.

The water level window <NUM> may extend to be long in a vertical direction and may be mounted to each of the inner body <NUM> and the outer body <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate the configuration and installed state of the water level window <NUM>. That is, <FIG> respectively illustrate perspective views illustrating a state in which the water level window <NUM> and a packing <NUM> are removed from the main body <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates a cut-away perspective view of the main body <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> respectively illustrate a vertical sectional view and a partial top plan view illustrating a state in which the water level window <NUM> is coupled to the main body <NUM>, and <FIG> respectively illustrate the perspective view, side view, and sectional view of the configuration of the water level window <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate the configuration of an outer cover <NUM> constituting the water level window <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrate the configuration of an inner cover <NUM> of the water level window <NUM>. <FIG> and 21A and 21B respectively illustrate a partial front sectional view and a partial cut-away perspective view illustrating the coupled state of the lower end part of the water level window <NUM>, and <FIG> respectively illustrate the perspective view and cut-away perspective view of the packing <NUM> constituting the electric kettle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in these drawings, the water level window <NUM> may be provided in the main body <NUM> such that a user can see the height of content contained in the main body <NUM> from the outside of the main body <NUM>, and it is preferable that at least the outer surface of the water level window <NUM> is made to be transparent.

The main body <NUM> may be configured as a double structure which includes the inner body <NUM> constituting an inner appearance thereof and the outer body <NUM> constituting an outer appearance thereof, and the water level window <NUM> may be coupled to the outer body <NUM> and the inner body <NUM>.

At least one hole may be formed in the main body <NUM> such that the water level window <NUM> is received in or coupled to the hole. Specifically, an outer hole <NUM> to which the outer cover <NUM> constituting the water level window <NUM> is received to be coupled may be formed in the outer body <NUM>, and a pair of inner holes <NUM> to which the ends of the inner cover <NUM> constituting the water level window <NUM> are inserted into and coupled may be formed respectively on the upper and lower parts of the inner body <NUM> such that the pair of inner holes <NUM> are spaced vertically apart from each other.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the outer hole <NUM> and the inner hole <NUM> may be formed laterally through the side surfaces of the outer body <NUM> and the inner body <NUM>, respectively, wherein the inner hole <NUM> may be a part in which a coupling end <NUM> and the packing <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM> to be described below are received.

The water level window <NUM> may be composed of the inner cover <NUM> made to be opaque and coupled to the inner body <NUM>, and the outer cover <NUM> made to be transparent and coupled to the outer body <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the water level window <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a rectangular plate and may be provided on the side surface of the main body <NUM>.

The water level window <NUM> may be made of a tritan material. The entirety of the water level window <NUM> may be made of a tritan material, but only one of the inner cover <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM> may be made of a tritan material. Tritan is an eco-friendly material that utilizes the advantages of glass and plastic and thus is used even in a baby bottle.

The flow path <NUM> in which a fluid can flow may be formed between the inner cover <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM>. A predetermined space may be defined between the inner sides of the inner cover <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM> having rectangular shapes. Such a space may be the flow path <NUM> in which a fluid can flow. Furthermore, the bottom surface of the flow path <NUM> may be formed to be inclined.

The inner cover <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM> configured to have shapes corresponding to each other may be coupled to each other by fusion. The edges of the inner cover <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM> facing each other may be in close contact with each other to be fixed to each other by fusion so as to constitute one water level window <NUM>.

The outer cover <NUM> may include a cover hook <NUM> formed integrally thereon such that the water level window <NUM> is held in the main body <NUM> so as not to be removed therefrom. As illustrated in <FIG>, a pair of cover hooks <NUM> having hook shapes may be formed respectively on the upper and lower ends of the outer cover <NUM> having rectangular plate shape.

The cover hook <NUM> may be a part held on the edge of the outer hole <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>. More specifically, the outer hole <NUM> may be configured to have a rectangular shape corresponding to the size of the outer cover <NUM>, and the edge of such an outer hole <NUM> may bend toward the inside of the outer body <NUM> to constitute an outer edge <NUM>.

The outer edge <NUM> may be configured to have a predetermined size and may be formed by burring. Accordingly, when the outer edge <NUM> is burred to protrude to the inside of the outer body <NUM> instead of protruding to the outside of the outer body <NUM>, the outer cover <NUM> mounted to the outer hole <NUM> may not protrude to the outside of the outer body <NUM>.

As illustrated in the drawing, the cover hook <NUM> may be formed on each of the upper and lower ends of the outer cover <NUM>, and may be formed on the side surface the outer cover <NUM> when required.

The inner cover <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM> may respectively include a fusion groove <NUM> and a fusion part <NUM> configured to have shapes corresponding to each other to be coupled to each other.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fusion part <NUM> may be formed on the rear end (a right end in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the edge of the outer cover <NUM> by protruding toward the rear side (a right side in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the outer cover <NUM>, and the fusion groove <NUM> may be formed in the edge of the front surface (a left surface in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the inner cover <NUM> by being recessed therefrom toward the rear side (a right side in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the inner cover <NUM> such that the fusion part <NUM> is received in the fusion groove <NUM>.

When the fusion part <NUM> and the fusion groove <NUM> are fused to each other, the inner cover <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM> may be coupled to each other, and the fusion part <NUM> and the fusion groove <NUM> may be configured to have shapes corresponding to each other and may function to guide the coupling of the inner cover <NUM> to the outer cover <NUM> at a precise position.

Opposite inclined surfaces <NUM> configured to guide the flow of a fluid may be formed on the bottom surface of the inside of the water level window <NUM>. That is, the bottom surface of the flow path <NUM> formed inside the water level window <NUM> is preferably formed slantingly to guide the fluid of the inside of the flow path <NUM> such that the fluid is easily restored to the main body <NUM>.

Specifically, the opposite inclined surfaces <NUM> symmetrical to each other left and right (in <FIG>) may be formed on the bottom surface of the outer cover <NUM> and may guide fluids located at left and right sides to gather in the center of the bottom surface. Furthermore, an outer inclined surface <NUM> may be formed in the center of the pair of opposite inclined surfaces <NUM> and may guide the restoration of the fluids guided through the opposite inclined surfaces <NUM> to the main body <NUM> by gathering the fluids in the center of the opposite inclined surfaces <NUM>.

The bottom surface of the flow path <NUM> may be configured to be inclined downward relative to the main body <NUM>. That is, the bottom surface of the flow path <NUM> is preferably configured to be inclined to have height decreasing gradually in a direction toward the main body <NUM> (toward a right side in <FIG>).

Specifically, it is preferably that the outer inclined surface <NUM> of the bottom surface of the outer cover <NUM> has a predetermined inclination toward the inside of the main body <NUM>. That is, the outer inclined surface <NUM> is preferably configured to have a predetermined inclination in a direction toward the inside of the main body <NUM> (in a right direction in <FIG>). Accordingly, when the outer inclined surface <NUM> of the bottom surface is configured to be inclined, a fluid inside the flow path <NUM> may be guided to easily flow to the inside of the main body <NUM>.

The inner cover <NUM> may be a part coupled to the inner body <NUM> and is preferably made to be opaque. The reason in which the inner cover <NUM> is made to be opaque is for the inner hole <NUM> and an inner edge <NUM> to be described below to be invisible from the outside of the main body <NUM> through the outer cover <NUM>.

A hook groove <NUM> may be formed in the edge end of the front surface (a left surface in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the inner cover <NUM> by being recessed therefrom toward the rear side of the inner cover <NUM> (a right side in <FIG> and <FIG>). The hook groove <NUM> may be a part which allows the cover hook <NUM> of the outer cover <NUM> not to interfere with the inner cover <NUM>.

The inner hole <NUM> and the coupling end <NUM> may be formed in the inner body <NUM> and the inner cover <NUM>, respectively, such that the inner hole <NUM> and the coupling end <NUM> are configured to have shapes corresponding to each other to be coupled to each other, each of the inner hole <NUM> and the coupling end <NUM> including a plurality of inner holes and coupling ends such that the inner holes <NUM> are spaced vertically apart from each other and the coupling ends <NUM> are spaced vertically apart from each other.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a pair of inner holes <NUM> may be formed respectively through the upper and lower parts of the inner body <NUM>, and a pair of coupling ends <NUM> may be formed respectively on the upper and lower ends of the inner cover <NUM> by protruding therefrom to sides thereof.

The pair of inner hole <NUM> and coupling end <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to each other to be coupled to each other.

As illustrated in the drawing, the coupling end <NUM> may be formed by protruding from each of the upper and lower ends of the rear surface of the inner cover <NUM> toward the rear side (a right side in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the inner cover <NUM>, and preferably has the shape of a hollow pipe.

The water level window <NUM> may be provided with an entrance flow path <NUM> formed in each of upper and lower end parts thereof, the entrance flow path <NUM> connecting the flow path <NUM> of the inside of the water level window <NUM> with the inside of the main body <NUM>.

Specifically, the entrance flow path <NUM> having a predetermined size may be formed inside the coupling end <NUM>, and a fluid contained inside the main body <NUM> may flow through the entrance flow path <NUM>. That is, the entrance flow path <NUM> formed inside the coupling end <NUM> may be a path which connects the flow path <NUM> formed in the water level window <NUM> with the inside of the main body <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the coupling end <NUM> may be inserted into and mounted to the inner hole <NUM> of the inner body <NUM> such that the coupling end <NUM> passes through the inner hole <NUM>, and the inner edge <NUM> protruding in a direction toward the outside of the inner body <NUM> may be formed on the edge of the inner hole <NUM> such that the inner edge <NUM> has a predetermined size.

The inner edge <NUM> may be a part formed to have a predetermined size by bending outward from the outer surface of the inner body <NUM>, and may be formed by burring the inner hole <NUM>.

When the inner edge <NUM> is burred to protrude toward the outside of the inner body <NUM>, the coupling end <NUM> and the packing <NUM> inserted into the inner hole <NUM> may protrude in a relatively small degree toward the inside of the inner body <NUM>. That is, the coupling end <NUM> and the packing <NUM> to be described below may be located at the outer side of the inner body <NUM>, the amount of the coupling end <NUM> and the packing <NUM> protruding into the main body <NUM> may decrease.

When the coupling end <NUM> or the packing <NUM> protrudes into the main body <NUM>, the coupling end <NUM> or the packing <NUM> may cause interference or may collide with food received in the main body <NUM> when a user uses the electric kettle. Accordingly, the reason in which the inner edge <NUM> is burred outward is to prevent the coupling end <NUM> and the packing <NUM> from protruding into the main body <NUM> so as to improve usability.

Meanwhile, the water level window <NUM> may be composed of a single part. That is, except for the assembly of the water level window <NUM> by coupling the inner cover <NUM> to the outer cover <NUM> as described above, the inner cover <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM> may be formed to be integrated with each other by injection molding.

Accordingly, when the water level window <NUM> is formed integrally, the inner part corresponding to the inner cover <NUM> and the outer part corresponding to the outer cover <NUM> may be formed to be integrated with each other, and the flow path <NUM> may be formed between the inner part and the outer part. That is, the water level window <NUM> may be composed of the inner part and the outer part integrated with each other, and the flow path <NUM> may be formed between the inner part and the outer part.

Furthermore, the entrance flow path <NUM> may be formed in each of the upper and lower parts of the water level window <NUM>, the entrance flow path <NUM> connecting the flow path <NUM> formed inside the water level window <NUM> with the inside of the main body <NUM>.

An entrance flow path groove <NUM> may be formed in the lower end of the inner cover <NUM>. That is, the entrance flow path groove <NUM> may be formed in the coupling end <NUM> of the lower part of the inner cover <NUM> by being depressed therefrom.

More specifically, the lower end portion of the center of the entrance flow path <NUM> formed in a cylindrical shape on the lower end part of the inner cover <NUM> may be depressed to form the entrance flow path groove <NUM>, and such an entrance flow path groove <NUM> is preferably formed to be inclined toward a side. That is, as illustrated in <FIG>, the entrance flow path groove <NUM> is preferably formed slantingly to have depth increasing gradually toward the inside (a right side in <FIG>) of the main body <NUM>. Accordingly, the lower surface of the entrance flow path groove <NUM> may constitute an inner inclined surface <NUM> lowering gradually toward the inside (a right side in <FIG>) of the main body <NUM>.

The inner inclined surface <NUM> of the entrance flow path groove <NUM> is preferably configured to correspond to the inclination of the outer inclined surface <NUM> formed on the lower end part of the outer cover <NUM>. Accordingly, the right end A (in <FIG>) of the outer inclined surface <NUM> of the outer cover <NUM> and the left end B (in <FIG>) of the inner inclined surface <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM> may be in contact with each other at the same height such that a fluid of the flow path <NUM> is guided into the main body <NUM>.

Accordingly, the bottom surface of the entrance flow path <NUM> formed in the lower end part of the water level window <NUM> may be configured to be inclined. To this end, the inner inclined surface <NUM> and the outer inclined surface <NUM> may be formed in the inner cover <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM>, respectively, so as to guide the flow of a fluid contained inside the flow path <NUM> to the main body <NUM>. Furthermore, the inner inclined surface <NUM> and the outer inclined surface <NUM> may be configured to have the same inclinations, and it is preferable that the corresponding ends of the inner inclined surface <NUM> and the outer inclined surface <NUM> are in close contact with each other to have the same heights. That is, as illustrated in <FIG>, the left end B of the inner inclined surface <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM> and the right end A of the outer inclined surface <NUM> of the outer cover <NUM> are preferably installed in close contact with each other to have the same heights. Of course, the left end B of the inner inclined surface <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM> may be formed to have height lower than the height of the right end A of the outer inclined surface <NUM> of the outer cover <NUM>.

Accordingly, due to the outer inclined surface <NUM> which is the lower end part of the outer cover <NUM> constituting the flow path <NUM>, the entrance flow path groove <NUM>, and the inner inclined surface <NUM>, water or food contained in the flow path <NUM> may be introduced into the main body <NUM>. That is, when the electric kettle <NUM> of the present disclosure is placed upright after being used, the flow path <NUM> is perpendicular to the ground, and the entrance flow path <NUM> is horizontal to the ground. In this case, water remained in the flow path <NUM> may be naturally introduced into the main body <NUM> along the outer inclined surface <NUM> and the inner inclined surface <NUM>, so no foreign matter such as water may remain inside the flow path <NUM>.

The inner body <NUM> may be further provided with the packing <NUM> blocking a gap between the inner cover <NUM> and the inner body <NUM>.

The packing <NUM> may have a center portion formed to have a cylindrical shape corresponding to the inner hole <NUM> and is preferably made of an elastic material. The packing <NUM> may be inserted into the inner hole <NUM> and may function to maintain airtightness of a gap between the coupling end <NUM> and the inner hole <NUM>.

The packing <NUM> may have a packing hook part <NUM> and a packing holding end <NUM> formed respectively on opposite ends thereof such that the packing hook part <NUM> is located inside the inner body <NUM> and the packing holding end <NUM> is located outside the inner body <NUM>.

The packing hook part <NUM> may have a tapered shape having an outer diameter decreasing gradually toward a second end of the packing hook part <NUM> from a first end thereof, wherein it is preferably that the first end of the packing hook part <NUM> is configured to have an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the inner hole <NUM>, and the second end of the packing hook part <NUM> is configured to have an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the inner hole <NUM>.

The packing <NUM> may be inserted into the inner hole <NUM> from the outside of the inner body <NUM> to be held therein. Accordingly, when the packing <NUM> made of an elastic material is pushed into the inner hole <NUM> from the outside of the inner body <NUM>, the packing <NUM> is required to be pushed and held therein.

Accordingly, the packing hook part <NUM> may be formed on the rear end (a right end in <FIG>) of the packing <NUM>, and such a packing hook part <NUM> may be configured to have an outer diameter decreasing gradually toward the rear side thereof (the right side in <FIG>).

Furthermore, the outer diameter of the rear end (a right end in <FIG>) of the packing hook part <NUM> is preferably smaller in size than the inner diameter of each of the inner hole <NUM> and the inner edge <NUM>, and the outer diameter of the front end (a left end in <FIG>) of the packing hook part <NUM> is preferably larger in size than the inner diameter of each of the inner hole <NUM> and the inner edge <NUM>. In this case, after the packing <NUM> is inserted into the inner hole <NUM>, the packing <NUM> may not be removed to the outside of the inner body <NUM> due to the packing hook part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the packing holding end <NUM> may extend by bending perpendicularly outward from the front end of the packing <NUM> and may have a circular ring shape.

The outer diameter of the packing holding end <NUM> is preferably larger than the inner diameter of each of the packing hook part <NUM>, the inner hole <NUM>, and the inner edge <NUM>. This is to prevent the packing <NUM> from being pushed into the inner body <NUM> after the packing <NUM> is inserted into the inner hole <NUM> from the outside of the inner body <NUM>.

The water level window <NUM> may be mounted to the main body <NUM> by being press-fitted from the outside of the main body <NUM>. Accordingly, the rear end part (the right end in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the coupling end <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM> is preferably configured to have an outer diameter decreasing gradually toward the rear side (a right side in <FIG> and <FIG>). Furthermore, the outer diameter of the end of the rear end part (the right end in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the coupling end <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM> is preferably smaller than the inner diameter of the packing <NUM>.

In this case, in a state in which the packing <NUM> is mounted into the inner hole <NUM> of the inner body <NUM>, when the coupling end <NUM> of the water level window <NUM> is pushed into the inner hole <NUM> from the outside of the main body <NUM>, the coupling end <NUM> may be naturally inserted into the packing <NUM> such that the water level window <NUM> is coupled to the main body <NUM>.

Meanwhile, as described above, the entrance flow path <NUM> is preferably formed in each of the upper and lower end parts of the inner cover <NUM> and may be formed to be perpendicular to the flow path <NUM>. That is, the corner angle <NUM> formed between the surface of the entrance flow path <NUM> and the outer surface of the inner cover <NUM> may be configured to be 9zero degrees.

In addition, the corner angle <NUM> formed between the surface of the flow path <NUM> and the surface of the entrance flow path <NUM> may be configured to have the curvature of zero degrees. That is, the corner angle <NUM> formed between the surface of the entrance flow path <NUM> and the outer surface (an inside surface <NUM>) of the inner cover <NUM> may be configured to have the curvature R of zero degrees. More specifically, the corner angle <NUM> formed between the surface of the entrance flow path <NUM> formed in the upper end part of the inner cover <NUM> and the outer surface of the inner cover <NUM> may have a curvature larger than the curvature R of zero degrees, and the corner angle <NUM> formed between the surface of the entrance flow path <NUM> formed in the lower end part of the inner cover <NUM> and the outer surface of the inner cover <NUM> may be configured to have the curvature R of zero degrees. That is, the corner angle <NUM> formed between the surface of the entrance flow path <NUM> formed in the lower end part of the inner cover <NUM> and the inside surface <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM> is preferably configured to have the curvature R of zero degrees.

Accordingly, the reason in which the corner angle <NUM> formed between the surface of the entrance flow path <NUM> formed in the lower end part of the inner cover <NUM> and the inside surface <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM> has the curvature of zero degrees is to minimize a fluid remaining in the flow path <NUM> or the entrance flow path <NUM>. That is, when the corner angle <NUM> formed between the surface of the entrance flow path <NUM> formed in the lower end part of the inner cover <NUM> and the inside surface <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM> has a predetermined curvature R, a fluid such as water may be attached to and remain in such a corner portion. Accordingly, the corner angle <NUM> formed between the surface of the entrance flow path <NUM> formed in the lower end part of the inner cover <NUM> and the inside surface <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM> may have the curvature of zero degrees such that all fluids remaining inside the flow path <NUM> and the entrance flow path <NUM> are restored into the main body <NUM> as much as possible after discharging fluids contained in the electric kettle to the outside by tilting the electric kettle.

The length of the entrance flow path groove <NUM> is preferably shorter than the length of the entrance flow path <NUM> formed in the lower end part of the water level window <NUM>. Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG>, the inner end (a right end in <FIG>) of the entrance flow path groove <NUM> or the inner inclined surface <NUM> is preferably located at a side outer (a left side in <FIG>) than the inner end (a right end in <FIG>) of the inner cover <NUM>.

Furthermore, as described above, the packing <NUM> may be provided to block a gap between the inner cover <NUM> and the main body <NUM>, wherein the inner end C (a right end in <FIG>) of such a packing <NUM> preferably protrudes more into the main body <NUM> than the inner end E of the entrance flow path groove <NUM> or the inner end D of the inner inclined surface <NUM>. That is, the inner end E (a right end in <FIG>) of the entrance flow path groove <NUM> is preferably located at a side outer (a left side in <FIG>) than the inner end C (the right end in <FIG>) of the packing <NUM>, and further, a portion of the right side of the inner inclined surface <NUM> may be cut such that the inner end D of the inner inclined surface <NUM> is shorter than the inner end E of the entrance flow path groove <NUM>.

In this case, a surface stress of the entrance flow path <NUM> may be distributed such that the formation of water droplets in the entrance flow path <NUM> formed in the lower end part of the water level window <NUM> is minimized. That is, the right end E of the lower end of the inner cover <NUM> may be partially cut such that the length of the entrance flow path groove <NUM> formed in the lower end part of the inner cover <NUM> is short, and accordingly, due to the distribution of the surface stress of the entrance flow path <NUM> of the lower end part of the inner cover <NUM>, the formation of water droplets may decrease.

In addition, a portion of a right side of the inner inclined surface <NUM> may be cut such that the inner end D of the inner inclined surface <NUM> is shorter than the inner end E of the entrance flow path groove <NUM>, so as a whole, the formation of water droplets in the entrance flow path groove <NUM> due to a surface stress thereof may be minimized.

Hereinafter, the operation of the electric kettle of the present disclosure having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, in order to use the electric kettle <NUM> of the present disclosure, a user plugs a power cable (not shown) connected to the base <NUM> into an outlet such that the electric kettle is supplied with power.

In this state, water or contents may be put in the heating space <NUM> of the inside of the main body <NUM>, and the main body <NUM> may be seated on the base <NUM>.

When the main body <NUM> is seated on the base <NUM>, the upper power module <NUM> and the lower power module <NUM> may be in contact with each other such that power can be supplied to the main body <NUM> from the base <NUM>.

Next, a user may operate the heater <NUM> by manipulating the push bottom of the handle <NUM> such that water received in the heating space <NUM> is heated. That is, a user may control the operation of the heater <NUM> by a manipulation button so as to heat water or food received in the main body <NUM> or to stop the heating thereof.

The heater <NUM> may be operated by such a manipulation, and water received in the heating space <NUM> may be heated by the heating of the heater <NUM>.

When the temperature sensor <NUM> detects that water contained inside the heating space <NUM> reaches a predetermined temperature, the operation of the heater <NUM> may stop and the use of the electric kettle <NUM> may be completed.

When the operation of the electric kettle <NUM> is completed, a user may raise the main body <NUM> by holding the handle <NUM> such that the main body <NUM> is removed from the base <NUM>, and may pour the heated water through the spout <NUM> by tilting the electric kettle <NUM>.

In the electric kettle <NUM>, in a state in which the heating of water is completed, heat conduction may be reduced or blocked due to the double structure of the main body <NUM>. Accordingly, even if a user contacts the outer surface of the main body <NUM>, the outer surface of the main body <NUM> may not feel excessively hot, thereby securing safety in use, and even while the heater <NUM> does not operate, the temperature of heated water may be maintained for a long time.

Meanwhile, the water level window <NUM> may be mounted to the main body <NUM>, and the assembly sequence of the water level window <NUM> will be described.

As described above, the water level window <NUM> may be composed of the outer cover <NUM> and the inner cover <NUM>. Accordingly, the outer cover <NUM> and the inner cover <NUM> may be coupled to each other by fusion to constitute one water level window <NUM>.

First, the inner cover <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM> may be approached to each other such that the fusion part <NUM> of the outer cover <NUM> is received in and fused to the fusion groove <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM>. In this case, the outer cover <NUM> may be securely fixed to the inner cover <NUM> to constitute the water level window <NUM>.

Furthermore, the packing <NUM> may be inserted into the inner hole <NUM> to be held thereto. That is, when the packing <NUM> is pushed into the inner hole <NUM> of the inner body <NUM> after approached to the inner hole <NUM> from the outside of the main body <NUM>, the packing hook part <NUM> of the packing <NUM> may pass through the inner hole <NUM>, and since the packing holding end <NUM> of the packing <NUM> has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the inner hole <NUM>, the packing holding end <NUM> of the packing <NUM> may not pass through the inner hole <NUM>. This state is illustrated in <FIG>.

Next, in the state of the water level window <NUM> in <FIG>, the water level window <NUM> may be approached and pressed into the outer hole <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. In this case, the coupling end <NUM> of the water level window <NUM> may pass through the packing <NUM> coupled to the inner body <NUM>.

When the coupling end <NUM> of the water level window <NUM> passes through the packing <NUM>, the cover hook <NUM> of the outer cover <NUM> may be held on the outer edge <NUM> of the outer hole <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Accordingly, while the water level window <NUM> is mounted to the main body <NUM>, the water level window <NUM> may be prevented from being removed from the main body <NUM>.

Of course, a distance between the cover hooks <NUM> of upper and lower ends of the outer cover <NUM> may be longer than a distance between the upper and lower ends of the outer hole <NUM>, but each of the cover hooks <NUM> may be made to have elasticity due to a shape thereof. Accordingly, when a worker brings the water level window <NUM> into close contact with the main body <NUM>, the cover hooks <NUM> may be pushed into the outer hole <NUM> due to the elasticity of the cover hooks <NUM> and may be held respectively to the outer edges <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
An electric kettle (<NUM>) comprising:
a main body (<NUM>) configured to receive water or food therein and provided with a water level window (<NUM>),
a lid (<NUM>) provided on an open upper side of the main body (<NUM>) so as to cover the open upper side of the main body (<NUM>), and
a base (<NUM>) provided at a lower side of the main body (<NUM>) so as to support the main body (<NUM>),
wherein the water level window (<NUM>) comprises a flow path (<NUM>) configured to allow a fluid to flow, and wherein the flow path (<NUM>) is fluidly connected to the inside of the main body (<NUM>), wherein the flow path (<NUM>) comprises an entrance flow path (<NUM>) formed in an upper end part and another entrance flow path (<NUM>) formed in a lower end part of the water level window (<NUM>), each of the entrance flow paths (<NUM>) connects the flow path (<NUM>) formed inside the water level window (<NUM>) with the inside of the main body (<NUM>); and
wherein in an initial position of the electric kettle (<NUM>) the flow path (<NUM>) is perpendicular to the ground, and
wherein a bottom surface of the flow path (<NUM>) has a downward inclination relative to the main body (<NUM>), and wherein a bottom surface of the entrance flow path (<NUM>) formed in the lower end part of the water level window (<NUM>) is inclined downward in direction toward the main body (<NUM>).