KETTLE

Abstract

A kettle including an upper portion including a hollow center and a first opening and a second opening, a spout portion removably attached to the upper portion and removably attached to a base portion, wherein the spout portion includes a top spout side and a bottom spout side, and wherein the spout includes variable diameter, a base portion including a tea strainer, the base portion including at least a base section, the base section comprising a material configured to exhibit increased magnetic properties in response to the application of heat, and a trivet portion, the trivet portion at least partially comprised of a magnetic material, and wherein the trivet portion is sized to mate with the base section.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, United States Provisional Patent Application 61/289,740 filed Dec. 23, 2009. The entirety of that application is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to kettles. More specifically, the invention relates to a kettle with a trivet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hot and warm beverages are popular beverage around the world. The beverages can include tea, coffee, or any other drink served at an elevated or reduced temperature. Many tea drinkers prefer to drink their tea hot, or at least above room temperature. This can be a challenge when attempting to serve or consume more than a single cup of tea, as the kettle may allow the tea to cool beyond a preferred consumption temperature, or the kettle itself may be too warm to place on certain surfaces. Thus, trivets are often used when placing kettles on sensitive surfaces, but the trivet can easily become separated from the kettle, or the kettle can be insecurely placed on the surface. In either event, the functionality of the trivet is either lost if the trivet cannot be located, or the kettle may spill. Additionally, due to custom, appearance, or personal preference, many people prefer to heat their water in a kettle separate from the serving kettle.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide kettle that overcomes the aforementioned and other disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention provides a kettle including an upper portion including a hollow center and a first opening and a second opening, a spout portion removably attached to the upper portion and removably attached to a base portion, wherein the spout portion includes a top spout side and a bottom spout side, and wherein the spout includes variable diameter, a base portion including at least a base section, the base section comprising a material configured to exhibit increased magnetic properties in response to the application of heat, and a trivet portion, the trivet portion at least partially comprised of a magnetic material, and wherein the trivet portion is sized to mate with the base section.

The aforementioned, and other features and advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings, which are not to scale, are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the bottom piece of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the bottom piece of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the bottom piece of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the middle piece of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the middle piece of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the middle piece of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the top piece of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the top piece of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the top piece of the kettle in accordance with one aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-14 illustrate various aspects of a kettle in accordance with the invention. The kettle comprising an upper portion including a hollow center and a first opening and a second opening, a spout portion removably attached to the upper portion and removably attached to a base portion, wherein the spout portion includes a top spout side and a bottom spout side, and wherein the spout portion includes a variable diameter, a base portion including at least a base section, the base section comprising a magnetic material; and a trivet portion, the trivet portion at least partially comprised of a magnetic material, and wherein the trivet portion is sized to mate with the base section. In one embodiment, a strainer is disposed near the intersection of the base section and the spout portion. In one embodiment, the magnetic properties are enhanced based on temperature such that the magnetic material is configured to exhibit magnetic properties in response to the application of heat.

In one embodiment, the material comprises franklinite. In another embodiment, the material includes an AlNiCo magnet. In other embodiments, simple magnets are used. In other embodiments, threaded connections connect the upper portion and spout portion and between the spout portion and base portion. In one embodiment, the outer surface is at least partially covered with a temperature sensitive ink that changes color in response to heat and/or cold. In such embodiments, the ink is selected to reveal and/or hide a desired image, color, or graphic when the temperature reaches a certain desired temperature. Such temperature sensitive inks are available from numerous suppliers. Alternatively, standard or other inks can be used. In yet other embodiments, the upper portion includes a one way valve configured to allow water to be poured into the kettle via the larger diameter hole in the top portion, while only allowing liquid to be served from the kettle via the smaller first opening and second opening. In yet other embodiments, the upper portion includes a fitment configured to allow water to be poured into the kettle via the larger diameter hole in the top portion, while only allowing liquid to be served from the kettle via the smaller first opening and second opening.

In one embodiment, when hot water, or other hot liquids, is placed in the base portion, the base portion heats up, increasing its magnetic properties and adhering to the trivet. The trivet then protects against damaging any sensitive material that the trivet and kettle rest upon. The magnetic attraction further increases the stability of the kettle on the trivet, reducing accidental tips or spills. The hot water can then be infused with tea placed in the tea strainer, and the tea can be easily poured through the top portion.

In other embodiments, the magnetic properties of the material are not materially affected by the application of heat, and the trivet will magnetically adhere to the base portion regardless of the temperature of any liquid that may be present within the base portion.

Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a kettle 100. Kettle 100 includes a trivet portion 140 sized to mate with a base portion 130. Base portion 130 includes base section 135. The trivet portion 140 comprises a magnetic material, and the base section 135 includes a material configured to exhibit increased magnetic properties in response to the application of heat. Additionally, kettle 100 includes an upper portion 110 and a spout portion 120. Upper portion 110 includes a hollow center 112, as well as first opening 114 and second opening 116. Spout portion 120 includes a top spout side 122 and a bottom spout side 124 and includes a variable diameter. Not shown in FIG. 1 is a tea strainer included in the base portion in certain embodiments. The spout portion is removably attached to the base portion and also removably attached to the upper portion. The contours and shapes of the kettle illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are exemplary designs.

In one embodiment, a connection between the upper portion and spout portion includes threads. In another embodiment, a connection between the between the spout portion and base portion includes threads, such as threads 880 illustrated in FIG. 8. Threads 880 in FIG. 8 are a bayonet-style thread, although other threads are anticipated and are within the scope of the invention. In yet another embodiment, both connections between the spout portion and the upper portion and the spout portion and the base portion includes threads. In one embodiment, the base section comprises franklinite, while in other embodiments, the base section comprises AlNiCo. In another embodiment, kettle 100 further includes temperature sensitive ink 155 disposed upon an outer surface 157 of at least the base section. In yet another embodiment, kettle 100 further includes a one way valve (not shown in FIG. 1) disposed in the upper portion.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the kettle illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of kettle 100. FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of kettle 100. FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of trivet portion 140, while FIG. 6 illustrates a top view, and FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the trivet portion 140. The design illustrated in FIG. 6 is one example of a design.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of kettle 100, illustrating the elements of kettle 100, and also thread 880. In one embodiment, a strainer reduces the ability of tea leaves, or other such particulate matter, to transfer between the chamber of the spout portion and the upper portion. FIG. 9 illustrates an upper view of the kettle, including thread 880, while FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the spout portion. FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom view of the spout portion, while FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the upper portion, and FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the upper portion and FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom view of the upper portion.

In operation, liquid, such as hot water, is poured into the hollow center 112 of the spout portion 110, through the one way valve or fitment, and enters into the hollow chamber within the base portion 130. In one embodiment, the hot liquid increases the magnetic attraction between the base section 135 and the trivet portion 140 so that the base section 135 attaches magnetically to the trivet portion 140 to reduce the chances of burning or undesirably heating any surface that trivet portion 140 rests upon. The water may then be poured out the kettle via second opening 116 and ventilated by first opening 114, or vice versa. In one embodiment, the base portion 135 includes a chamber, and the first opening 114 and second opening 116 are in fluid communication with the chamber.

While the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are presently considered to be preferred, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A kettle comprising:

an upper portion including a hollow center and a first opening and a second opening; a spout portion removably attached to the upper portion and removably attached to a base portion, wherein the spout portion includes a top spout side and a bottom spout side, and wherein the spout includes variable diameter; a base portion including at least a base section, the base section comprising a magnetic material; and a trivet portion, the trivet portion at least partially comprised of a magnetic material, and wherein the trivet portion is sized to mate with the base section.

2. The kettle of claim 1 wherein the magnetic material comprises franklinite.

3. The kettle of claim 1 wherein connections between the upper portion and spout portion and between the spout portion and base portion include threads.

4. The kettle of claim 1 further comprising temperature sensitive ink disposed upon an outer surface of at least the base section.

5. The kettle of claim 1 further comprising a one way valve disposed in the upper portion.

6. The kettle of claim 1 wherein the base portion includes a chamber, and wherein the first opening and second opening are in fluid communication with the chamber.

7. The kettle of claim 1 wherein the base portion further includes a strainer.

8. The kettle of claim 1 wherein the magnetic material is configured to exhibit magnetic properties in response to the application of heat.