FILED OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with a container, and in particular a container for containing beverage, heating and/or keeping warm the beverage, and to allow user to drink directly from the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional water kettles have been around for a long time. Traditional water kettles include stovetop kettles. In recent years, many users have switched to using electric water kettles to meet their water heating needs. While electric water kettles are convenient to a certain extent, they, especially when filled with water, are relatively heavy and are not suitable for users who cannot handle or maneuver heavy appliances. Water kettles are also relatively bulky and are not suitable for use in many settings.

The present invention seeks to address these problems, or at least to provide an alternative to the general public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage containing apparatus configured to provide heating to content therein comprising (a) an upper portion configured to allow user to drink directly therefrom, (b) a base portion on which the upper portion rests and connectable to a power supply; wherein the upper portion includes an outer cup and an inner cup for containing content to be heated, and the upper portion is configured to accommodate gripping by a palm of a user.

In one embodiment, the upper portion may comprise a heating element electrically connectable with the base portion. In another embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a heating element arranged at a mid-region of the upper portion. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a heating element arranged at a lower region or bottom of said upper portion. The apparatus may be configured to comprise an induction element at the base portion for heating the inner cup whereby content in the inner cup can be heated up. With such configuration, the inner cup itself serves as a heating element heatable by induction. Preferably, the upper portion may have a height from 100 to 200mm. The upper portion may have a wider upper end and a narrower lower end, the upper end having a width from 60 to 120mm, and the lower end having a width from 50 to 80mm. The upper portion may be free of a handle. Suitably, the outer cup may be principally made of a moulded plastic selected from a group including ABS, PC and PP. Suitably, the inner cup may be removably received in the outer cup. The inner cup may principally be made of a moulded plastic selected from a group including ABS, PC and PP, or an induction heatable material. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a lid for covering the upper portion; wherein the lid may principally be made of a moulded plastic selected from a group including ABS, PC and PP or a moulded silicone.

In another embodiment, the apparatus may comprise means arranged at the upper end of the upper portion for facilitating gripping of the apparatus by fingers of a user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage containing apparatus comprising (a) a cup portion, and (b) a base portion on which the cup portion rests; wherein the cup portion includes an outer cup and an inner cup, the apparatus is provided with a heating element positioned to provide heating to content in the inner cup, and wherein (i) the inner cup has a capacity of up to 600ml and/or (ii) the cup portion has a height from 100 to 200mm with a wider upper end having a width from 60 to 120mm and a narrower lower end having a width from 50 to 80mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner cup may be removably receivable in the outer cup. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage containing apparatus configured to provide heating to content therein comprising (a) a cup portion, and (b) a base portion on which the cup portion rests; wherein the cup portion is configured to assume a first position in relation to the base portion in which a first heating power is provided to content in the cup portion, or a second position in relation to the base portion in which a second heating power is provided to content in the cup portion, and the cup portion is rotatably engaged with the base portion whereby on rotation of the cup portion in relation to the base portion to a predetermined extent selection from the first heating power and the second heating power can be achieved. The first position may represent zero output of heating power and the second position may represent substantial output of heating power. Alternatively, the first position may represent a lower heating power and the second position may represent a substantially higher heating power. A third position may be provided at which an even higher heating power is output by the heating element.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage container comprising (a) a container portion including an outer cup and an inner cup for containing content to be heated, (b) a heating element for supplying heating to content to be heated; wherein said inner cup is removably received in the outer cup, and wherein (i) the inner cup has a capacity of up to 600ml, and/or the upper portion has a height from 100 to 200mm the upper portion has a wider upper end having a width from 60 to 120mm and a lower end having a width from 50 to 80mm. The container portion is engageable with a base portion connectable to a power supply.

Preferably, the inner cup may have a capacity from 300 to 400ml.

In one embodiment, the inner cup may be made of an induction heatable material. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise a heating element at the outer cup positioned to provide heating to content in the inner cup. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination beverage heating apparatus and a beverage serving container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing one embodiment of a beverage containing apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic see-through diagram showing interior structure of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is an alternative schematic diagram showing the interior structure of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b are bottom perspective view and front perspective view, respectively, of another embodiment of a beverage containing apparatus; Fig. 5a is a side view of an upper portion of the apparatus of Fig. 4 and Fig. 4b;

Fig. 5b is a top view of a base portion of the apparatus of Fig. 4 and Fig. 4b;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 4 and Fig. 4b in an assembled or operational configuration; and

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view showing yet another embodiment of a beverage containing apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the present invention is concerned with a beverage containing apparatus. Figs. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of such apparatus which is generally designated 2.

It is shown in Fig. 1 that the apparatus 2 comprises an upper portion 4 with a generally cylindrical profile having a substantial height and a base portion 6 which is relatively short. The upper portion 4 includes an outer cup 8, an inner cup 10, a ring member 12 and a lid 14. Figs. 1 to 3 show that the upper portion 4 is provided with a recess 14 at its bottom end 16. The base portion 6 is provided with a protrusion 18 at its upper end 20. The upper portion 4 and the base portion 6 are configured such that once assembled thereof the protrusion 18 is received in the recess 14 such that they are connected electrically. In other words, the base portion 6 has a dual function - it acts as a stand on which the upper portion 4 sits, and it serves to receive electrical power from a power source (e.g. electric mains) and then supply or convert the power for heating content in the upper portion 4. Fig.1 shows that the apparatus 2 is provided with an electrical cable 19. One end of the cable 19 is extended from the base portion 6. The other end of the cable 19 is connectable to an electric mains. The base portion 6 is further provided with a pad 21 which enhances frictional contact on a surface. The outer cup 8 is principally made of a moulded plastic. In this particular embodiment, the plastic used is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) although other suitable durable and heat resistant or insulating materials such as polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP) or the like may be used. In this embodiment, the outer cup 8 is sized and shaped to fit a direct grip from a palm of a user.

The outer cup 8 defines a cavity therein sized and shaped to receive the inner cup 10. The inner cup 10 is provided with an upper rim 24 which can tightly fit around an upper rim 26 of the outer cup 8. The rim 24 is sized and shaped to allow a user to drink directly therefrom. Once fitted therein, the inner cup 10 and the outer cup 8 are reasonably secured with each other. However, the inner cup 10 may be removed from the outer cup 8 with a twist when needed, for example, for cleaning or replacement. As shown in for example Fig. 2, once the inner cup 10 is fitted within the outer cup 8, there is a clearance 32 between wall 28 of the outer cup 8 and wall 20 of the inner cup 10. In this embodiment, in use this clearance 32 is filled with air and acts as an insulator such that despite the content in the inner cup may be hot, gripping the upper portion 4 on the exterior of the outer cup 8 directly with a bare palm is still manageable. Please see Fig. 3. The apparatus 2 comprises the ring member 12 which is configured to fit around or adjacent to an upper end 34 of the outer cup 28. The ring member 12 acts as a further insulator such that users who are more sensitive to high or even boiling temperature of content in the inner cup 10 can grip onto the upper portion 4 at the ring member 12. In this embodiment, the ring member 12 is made of a moulded silicon material although other suitable insulating materials may be used. The ring member 12 may be textured to further enhance gripping or gripping feel by a user.

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show that a heating element 36 is provided at a lower end 38 within the outer cup 8. The heating element 36 is electrically connected with an area of the recess 14 with which the protrusion 18 of the base portion 6 engages. When the apparatus 2 is operational, the heating element 36 increases in temperature and heating of content in the inner cup 10 takes place when heat is transferred from the heating element 36 to the content. It is to be noted that while in this embodiment the heating element 36 is located at the bottom beneath the inner cup 10, in an alternative embodiment the heating element 36 may be located at or adjacent an inner cylindrical surface of the outer cup. In such embodiment, the heating element 36 may be located at the mid- or lower region of the outer cup. In Figs. 1 to 3, it is illustrated that there is a triangle sign 40 on the exterior wall towards the bottom 16 of the outer cup 8. It is also illustrated that there is "+" sign on the side wall of the base portion 6. It is to be noted that the operation of the apparatus 2 is controlled by the position of the upper portion 8 in relation to the base portion 6. When the upper portion 8 is merely sitting on the base portion 6 and no heating of content in the inner cup 10 is desired, the upper portion 4 is positioned such that the triangle sign 40 is located on the left side of the "+" sign. When heating of the content is desired, the upper portion 8 is rotated or otherwise the upper portion 8 is lifted up and then placed on the base portion 6 such that the triangle sign 40 and the "+" sign generally align on a vertical line. It is thus understood that the apparatus 2 is a switch- free apparatus which is easy to operate and cost efficient to manufacture. The apparatus 12 is provided with a sensor for detecting temperature of content in the inner cup 10. Once a predetermined temperature is detected power to the heating element 36 is cut off and heating within the inner cup 8 is terminated.

Figs. 1 to 3 also demonstrate that the apparatus 2 is provided with the lid 14 for covering the upper portion 4. The lid 14 is provided with a lower rim 42 which is configured to fit tightly around the upper rim 24 of the inner cup 10. The lid 14 is useful to contain content in the inner cup 10 especially when heating in process.

A second embodiment of a beverage containing apparatus 50 in accordance with the present invention, as shown in Figs. 4 to 6 is similar to the first embodiment. However, the second embodiment differs in that two levels of heating power are provided. In this embodiment, the apparatus 50 comprises a heating element which is a variable heating element. In one configuration, the heating element can output a lower heating power of 1500W. In an alternative configuration, the heating element can output a higher heating power of 2500W. The apparatus 50 in this embodiment is configured such that the outer portion can sit on the base portion in one of three positions namely A, B and C. In a first position (A), the apparatus 50 is not operational in that no heating is in progress. In a second position (B), the apparatus 50 is in operation and a lower heating power is output by the heating element such that, for example, content in the inner cup can be kept warm but not boiling. In a third portion (C), the apparatus 50 is in operation and a higher heating power is output by the heating element such that content in the inner cup can be brought to a boiling temperature.

The outer cup has a relatively wider upper end and a relatively narrower lower end. The upper end has a width of about 89.8mm although studies have identified that the width may range from 60 to 120mm. The lower end has a width of about 55.1 mm although studies have identified that the width may range from 50 to 80mm. The outer cup has a height of 178.5mm although studies have identified that the height may range from 100 to 200mm. It is to be understood that these ranges of dimensions are not arbitrary; they are dimensions researched and selected to provide a technical characteristic which contributes to technical advantages of the apparatus. Dimensions of this particular embodiment of the apparatus are listed as follows. Please see Fig. 5.

RD1 : 96.3mm

RD2: 17.9mm

RD3: 14.8mm

RD4: 89.8mm

RD5: 65.4mm

RD6: 55.1 mm RD7: 79.4mm

A third embodiment of a beverage containing apparatus 60 according to the present invention is similar to the first embodiment. However, an induction heating mechanism is used instead of a heating wire. As shown in Fig. 7, an indication element 62 including magnetic coil means is provided at a bottom of an outer cup beneath an inner cup. When the apparatus 60 is assembled and configured to operate, the inner cup made of an induction heatable material (stainless steel in this case) is being heated as a result heating power generated by induction. This embodiment is advantageous in that no separate heating element is required - the inner cup itself serves as a container and a heating element.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention relates to a kit having an upper portion similar to the upper portion 4. However, instead of providing just one base portion similar to the base portion 6, a plurality of base portions is provided. It is envisaged that a user can, for example, put a first base portion in the kitchen and another base portion on the desk. In such case, the user can heat up a cup of beverage with the upper portion and the first base portion and then bring the hot cup of beverage in the upper portion and put it on the second base portion. The second base portion on the desk can keep the cup of beverage warm for consumption any time when the user is ready. The present invention may be adapted such that a car is fitted with a base portion similar to the base portion 4. It is envisaged that with the present invention a user can keep a cup of beverage warm in the car. Conventional water kettles, stovetop-type or electric- type, are disadvantaged in that users with weaker grip of objects or arthritis often having trouble maneuvering the kettles. This is because the process of putting, for example, water in such kettles, heating it up and then pouring it in a cup or mug for consumption involves a series of complex physical coordinating and balancing acts which at the same time require a substantial amount of physical strength. Despite unfriendliness of such water kettles to certain categories of people in the population, until the present invention little or no attention had been paid to provide improved or alternative water kettles to assist individuals who may not or who may not easily be able to prepare a hot beverage with a conventional water kettle independently. The present invention is a result of a lengthy research and development which involved the realization and identification of problems faced by certain categories of individuals in the population.

It should be noted that for clarity purpose conventional technologies are not explained in detail because a skilled person in the art, on reading this description, will understand that these technologies can be used with the teachings of the description. Certain features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the content of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the content of a single embodiment, may be provided separately or in any appropriate subcombinations.