Flow restrictor assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10287068-B2
Application number	US-201715727811-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 9, 2017
Priority date	Oct 12, 2016
Publication date	May 14, 2019
Grant date	May 14, 2019

Abstract

A flow restrictor assembly for a beverage kettle having a valve member that moves with respect to an opening in the interior of the beverage kettle to restrict the flow of liquid from the opening in the beverage kettle. The valve member may be coupled to a handle that enables movement of the valve member into varying positions with respect to the opening to control the flow rate.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A flow restrictor assembly for a beverage kettle, wherein the beverage kettle defines a cavity for holding a liquid and includes an opening for dispensing liquid from the cavity, the flow restrictor assembly comprising:
a valve member positioned inside the cavity;
a handle operably coupled with the valve member to selectively position the valve member in one of a plurality of positions with respect to the opening, wherein the plurality of positions comprise a first position and a second position;
a biasing member that selectively retains the valve member in one of the plurality of positions at a time; and wherein,
the valve member covers at least a portion of the opening in the first position such that flow of liquid out of the opening is limited.

2. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of positions further comprises a third position;
the handle is operably coupled with the valve member to selectively position the valve member in the third position; and
the biasing member retains the valve member in the third position.

3. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a flow restrictor assembly structure that supports the valve member.

4. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 3 , wherein:
the valve member is disposed within the flow restrictor assembly structure and a location of the valve member relative to the flow restrictor assembly is adjustable to provide varying levels of liquid flow restriction to the opening.

5. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 3 , wherein:
the biasing member comprises a protrusion;
the flow restrictor assembly structure comprises at least one detent; and
the protrusion is configured to engage with the at least one detent when the valve member is in the first position.

6. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 3 , wherein:
the valve member is disposed within the flow restrictor assembly structure and comprises at least one detent;
the biasing member comprises a spring coupled to a protrusion and is integrally formed with the flow restrictor assembly structure; and
the protrusion is configured to engage with at least one detent when the valve member is in the first position.

7. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 6 , wherein:
the flow restrictor assembly structure further comprises a first side portion and a second side portion, the first side portion defining a first channel and the second side portion defining a second channel; and
the valve member is slidably engaged within the first channel and the second channel.

8. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 3 , wherein:
the valve member is slidably engaged with the flow restrictor assembly structure.

9. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the valve member, the handle, and the biasing member are integrally formed; and
the biasing member comprises a biased arm inclined from the valve member.

10. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the valve member and the handle are integrally formed;
the valve member comprises at least one detent; and
the biasing member comprises a spring coupled to a protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to engage with at least one detent when the valve member is in the first position.

11. A beverage kettle comprising:
a cavity for holding a liquid, the cavity having a bottom surface, a side wall and a top opening;
a spout for dispensing liquid from the cavity, the spout disposed at an opening in the side wall, and the spout being vertically positioned in a lower half of the side wall; and
a flow restrictor assembly, the flow restrictor assembly comprising:
a valve member positioned inside the cavity;
a handle operably coupled with the valve member to selectively position the valve member in one of a plurality of positions with respect to the opening in the side wall, wherein the plurality of positions comprises a first position and a second position; wherein,
the valve member partially covers the opening in the side wall in the first position; and
rotation of the handle causes the valve member to move from the first position to the second position.

12. The beverage kettle of claim 11 , wherein:
the plurality of positions further comprises a third position; and
the handle is operably coupled with the valve member to selectively position and retain the valve member in the third position.

13. The beverage kettle of claim 11 , further comprising:
a lid assembly for covering an entirety of the top opening, wherein the handle forms a portion of the lid assembly.

14. The beverage kettle of claim 13 , wherein the lid assembly further comprises:
a dial for indicating the position of the valve member.

15. The beverage kettle of claim 11 , wherein:
the valve member comprises a flat elongate member having a bottom portion, a middle portion, and a top portion.

16. The beverage kettle of claim 15 , wherein:
a flat surface of the bottom portion is configured to lay flush with the side wall of the cavity.

17. A flow restrictor assembly for a beverage kettle, wherein the beverage kettle defines a cavity for holding a liquid and includes an opening for dispensing liquid from the cavity, the flow restrictor assembly comprising:
a valve member positioned entirely inside the cavity, the valve member movable between a plurality of positions with respect to the opening, wherein the plurality of positions comprises a first position and a second position;
a flow restrictor assembly structure for supporting the valve member, wherein side portions of the flow restrictor assembly structure each define a channel for engaging side portions of the valve member; and
a biasing arm extending from the valve member that retains the valve member in each of the plurality of positions, wherein the biasing arm retains the valve member in one of the plurality of positions at a time.

18. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 17 , wherein:
the biasing arm includes a protrusion;
the flow restrictor assembly structure includes a first detent and a second detent; and
the protrusion is configured to engage with the first detent in the first position and to engage with the second detent in the second position.

19. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 17 , wherein:
the biasing arm comprises a cut-out flange in a central portion of the valve member.

20. The flow restrictor assembly of claim 17 , wherein:
a bottom portion of the valve member is configured to at least partially cover the opening; and
a top portion of the valve member comprises a handle.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Beber Kevin J
• Galea Daniel F
• Snyder Joseph

Classifications

• A47J27/21191 Primary

  Pouring spouts · CPC title

• A47J31/00

  Apparatus for making beverages (household machines or implements for straining foodstuffs A47J19/00; preparation of non-alcoholic beverages, e.g. by adding ingredients to fruit or vegetable juices, A23L2/00; coffee or tea pots A47G19/14; tea infusers A47G19/16; brewing of beer C12C; preparation of wine or other alcoholic beverages C12G) · CPC title

• B65D47/06

  with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages (with slidable spouts B65D47/26) · CPC title

• B65D47/305 Primary

  provided with a spout, e.g. "escargot"-type valve · CPC title