Casing for an electric appliance and an electric appliance with such a casing

Abstract

There is disclosed a casing ( 10 ) for containing an electric appliance ( 86 ), in which the casing ( 10 ) includes two doors ( 14 ) and a platform ( 22 ) with an upper surface ( 24 ), and the doors ( 14 ) are movable between a closed position in which access to the electric appliance ( 86 ) is denied and an open position in which access to the electric appliance ( 86 ) is allowed, and the platform ( 22 ) is movable between a retracted position in which the upper surface ( 24 ) of the platform ( 22 ) is substantially wholly enclosed by the doors ( 14 ), and an extended position in which the upper surface ( 24 ) of the platform ( 22 ) is exposed to the outside environment. There is also disclosed an electric appliance ( 86 ) with such a casing ( 10 ).

1 . A casing adapted to contain an electric appliance, wherein said casing includes at least a door member and a platform member with an upper surface, wherein said door member is movable between a closed position in which access to said appliance is denied and an open position in which access to said appliance is allowed, and wherein said platform member is movable between a retracted position in which said upper surface of said platform member is substantially wholly enclosed by said door member, and an extended position in which at least part of said upper surface of said platform member is exposed to the outside environment.  
     
     
         2 . A casing according to  claim 1  wherein said door member and said platform member are movable simultaneously.  
     
     
         3 . A casing according to  claim 1  further including a button member operable to control the movement of both said door member and said platform member.  
     
     
         4 . A casing according to  claim 3  wherein said button member is operable to cause said platform member to move between said retracted position and said extended position.  
     
     
         5 . A casing according to  claim 1  wherein when platform member moves from said retracted position to said extended position, said door member moves from said closed position to said open position.  
     
     
         6 . A casing according to  claim 1  wherein when said platform member moves from said extended position to said retracted position, said door member moves from said open position to said closed position.  
     
     
         7 . A casing according to  claim 1  wherein said door member is swivellable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said casing to move between said closed position and said open position.  
     
     
         8 . A casing according to  claim 1  including a pair of door members which are movable simultaneously.  
     
     
         9 . A casing according to  claim 8  wherein said pair of door members move in opposite directions.  
     
     
         10 . A casing according to  claim 8  wherein when in said closed position, said door members are biased towards each other.  
     
     
         11 . A casing according to  claim 1  further including means for biasing said platform member towards said extended position.  
     
     
         12 . A casing according to  claim 1  wherein when said platform member is in said retracted position, at least part of said door member rests on said upper surface of said platform member.  
     
     
         13 . A casing according to  claim 3  wherein said button member is operatively associated with locking means adapted to releasably retain said platform member in said retracted position.  
     
     
         14 . A casing according to  claim 13  wherein said locking means includes a pole member at least part of which is received within an aperture of said platform member when said platform member is in said retracted position.  
     
     
         15 . A casing according to  claim 14  wherein said pole member is disengaged from said aperture of said platform member when said button member is operated.  
     
     
         16 . A casing according to  claim 13  wherein said button member is movable from a first position in which said platform member is retained in said retracted position and a second position in which said platform member is allowed to move to said extended position, and wherein said button member is biased towards said first position.  
     
     
         17 . A casing according to  claim 1  including an electric motor adapted to move said platform member.  
     
     
         18 . An electric appliance contained within a casing according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         19 . An electric appliance according to  claim 18  wherein said appliance is an electric coffee maker.  
     
     
         20 . An electric appliance according to  claim 19  wherein said electric coffee maker is adapted to make espresso and/or cappuccino.