JP2002102061A - Rice cooker with steamer and auxiliary steamer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooker for performing steam cooking simultaneously with rice cooking or steaming with a pot. SOLUTION: An auxiliary steamer is internally set or set into a rice cooker or a steamer, etc., and used without missing excessive steam in accordance with any inner pot in any size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and an auxiliary device for simultaneously cooking rice, steamed food, and steamed food other than boiled food by utilizing steam generated during use of a rice cooker, a steamer, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A steamer using such a rice cooker,
A boiled egg (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-294452) is disclosed, but it is to be attached to an existing rice cooker and cannot be adapted to an inner pot of any size. However, there are problems that the seal between the lid and the body of the rice cooker is obstructed, and that the steamer must be changed depending on what is steamed.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For this reason, the present inventor has:
As a result of various experimental ideas, the method of incorporating a steamer in advance into the rice cooker itself, and installing it in any pot / steamer or existing rice cooker, and without choosing the target to be steamed, Has developed an auxiliary steamer that can be used regardless of the size of the inner pot.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a rice cooker with a steamer according to the present invention has a steamer that can be locked by the uppermost end portion of the rice cooker inner pot or the stepped portion of the rice cooker inner pot inner wall. Alternatively, the gist is such that rice can be cooked without escaping excess steam by allowing it to be locked at an arbitrary position by a magnet or the like disposed in the rice cooker inner pot. The auxiliary steamer of the present invention is an auxiliary steamer that can be set in a rice cooker, a steamer, or the like, and is composed of a combination of parts having a plurality of horizontal portions having the same shape, and can be set in a rice cooker of any size and a steamer. That is the gist. Further, the auxiliary steamer of the present invention,
An auxiliary steamer that can be set in rice cookers, steamers, etc.,
The gist of the present invention is that a leg is provided to the inner pot of the rice cooker or the inner bottom of the steamer. The gist of the auxiliary steamer according to the second or third aspect of the present invention is to have meshes of different sizes. Furthermore, the auxiliary steamer of the present invention is an auxiliary steamer that can be set in a rice cooker, a steamer, or the like, and can be locked to the inner wall of the rice cooker inner pot or the inner wall of the steamer using frictional force due to the restoring force of a spring or magnetic force due to a magnet or the like. The gist is that

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The rice cooker used in the present invention is not limited to a general household rice cooker, but may be used for business use.
Anything that cooks rice using steam and pressure by constant heating is included. In addition, in conventional steamers or steamers in which an instant mere pot is filled with water, in the case where auxiliary steaming is performed by effectively utilizing extra space other than the space occupied by the original steamed steam,
The auxiliary steamer of the present invention can be used. Furthermore, even when there is only an ordinary pot, it is possible to set the auxiliary steamer of the present invention to be an instant steamer, and it can be used in general cooking in which steam such as boiled food is produced. As a target that can set this auxiliary steamer,
Not only rice cookers, but also steamers and general pots. Next, as a form, in a rice cooker with a steamer, it is possible to set a steamer by providing a step on the upper part of the inner pot,
A step is provided on the inner side wall of the inner pot so that the net can be set, or it can be locked at any position by a magnet arranged in the inner pot of the rice cooker. The structure of the rice cooker inner pot and the steamer is devised in a method and configuration that does not damage the seal. In addition, the provision of the magnet in the rice cooker inner wall includes any case where the magnet is provided in the inner pot, such as disposing the magnet outside the inner pot or incorporating the magnet inside the inner pot.

[0006] The auxiliary steamer can be in various forms, such as with legs, with magnets, fan-shaped hooks, and blinds, all of which can flexibly respond to the size of the inner pot. It was invented with a primary focus.

[0007] In addition, as can be said for both a rice cooker with a steamer and an auxiliary steamer, when a mesh-like steamer is employed, a large portion of the mesh is not obstructed so as not to obstruct the flow of steam for cooking rice and cooking. In addition to the provision, a fine portion may be provided in a portion of the large mesh for steaming a fine object. The mesh of the mesh described in the present invention is a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a diamond, a polygon, and the like, and the material of the mesh is,
Wood, metal, ceramic, heat-resistant resin, fiber and the like can be considered, but are not limited to these as long as they can withstand the use of the present invention. Naturally, in any case, the height of the horizontal part of the steamer must be high enough so as not to interfere with rice cooking and cooking at the bottom, that is, in a space that does not interfere with rice cooking and cooking. The steamer can be set. For rice cookers with a steamer, especially those that can be used with multiple layers of nets, the temperature, humidity, pressure, etc. inside the rice cooker should be controlled so that they are performed in the same way as during ordinary rice cooking. . Further, if a frame or a hole for engaging the container is provided in a part of the net, the container for rice gruel or the like is stabilized in the rice cooker.

When the auxiliary steamer is set in a rice cooker inner pot or a pot, it is easy to provide the legs, but according to the method of locking to the rice cooker inner wall surface using a magnet or a spring, An auxiliary steamer can be set without immersing the legs in rice or food being cooked.

[Embodiment 1] Figs. 1 and 2 (a) and (b) show a first embodiment of a rice cooker with a steamer according to the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1A is an explanatory view showing a use state of a rice cooker with a steamer of Example 1, FIG. 1B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an upper part of an inner pot, and FIG. The upper part cross section of the steamer which can be set to the inner pot of the type which is not provided with a stopper is shown.

In this embodiment, a set space for a steamer is incorporated in an inner pot of a rice cooker in advance, and FIG.
FIG. 1A shows a steamer structure of a type in which an upper portion of an inner pot is bent outward in a horizontal direction, and FIG. 1C shows a steamer structure of a type having no bent portion. FIG. 2 (a) does not hook the steamer on the upper part of the inner pot, but as shown in FIG. 2 (b), a step (5) is provided in the middle of the inner side wall of the inner pot so that the steamer can be locked. It is.

Description will be made in order. Generally, a rice cooker has a structure in which a top portion of an inner pot and a lid are engaged without any gap at the time of cooking rice, and measures are taken to prevent steam from leaking at the time of cooking rice and lowering the internal pressure. Also in the present application, in order to avoid this problem, in the type of FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), a step (1b) for the steamer set is provided on the horizontal portion so that the horizontal portion at the top of the inner pot is not hindered by the steamer set. Even when the steamer is set in the inner pot, the shape of the horizontal portion at the top of the inner pot is not changed, and there is no leakage of steam for cooking rice. In the case of an inner pot without a horizontal portion, as shown in FIG.
Is slightly lowered to secure space for the hook of the steamer.

When such a rice cooker with a steamer is used,
Since the steamer is incorporated in the inner pot structure, the rice cooking function is not hindered in the set.

Further, FIG. 2A is an explanatory view showing a rice cooker inner pot having a step on the inner wall. The upper part of the inner pot is not used as in FIG. 1 but at an appropriate position on the inner wall of the inner pot. A step (5) for steamer engagement is provided. The flat net (6) has an area (X) and an area (Y) in order to be able to cope with various steamed foods.
In the area, the mesh roughness is changed. With such a steamer, it is easy to set and remove it from the inner pot, and various steamed products such as mushrooms can be obtained.

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 2 (c) is an explanatory view showing a state in which a net is set in a rice cooker inner pot having a plurality of steps, and the steps (5) are vertically moved in this way. By providing several sets, the height of the auxiliary steamer can be adjusted, and the amount of steamed material can be increased by using a plurality of auxiliary steamers simultaneously. FIG. 2D is a plan view showing a state where the elliptical flat net is set in the inner pot. By using the elliptical flat net as described above, the net can be easily handled. FIG. 2 (e) is an explanatory perspective view in which two elliptical nets are used in upper and lower stages with different longitudinal directions. May be used. At this time, if the height of the rice cooker main body and the rice cooker inner kettle is designed to be high, more food materials can be steamed. [Embodiment 3] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 (f), an auxiliary steamer is engaged with an appropriate position on the inner wall of an inner pot, so that the rice cooker body is close to the outer surface of the inner pot of the rice cooker. An object such as a magnet that generates a magnetic force is arranged at the position. In order to be able to freely select the engagement position of the net (6) at the time of use, a large magnet is used or the magnet is devised by arranging it in several places. This example can also be implemented by a method in which the wall of the inner pot has a thickness and a magnet or the like is incorporated inside the wall.

Embodiment 4 An embodiment of the auxiliary steamer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is an auxiliary steamer which is used by being set in an existing rice cooker or steamer. FIG. 3A is an explanatory perspective view showing a part (7a) of the auxiliary steamer (7), which also serves as a use state, and FIG.
FIG. 3B is a plan view showing a state in which the entire auxiliary steamer of the present embodiment is set in an inner pot, and FIG. 3C is an explanatory perspective view showing a use state of the present embodiment.

In the auxiliary steamer of this embodiment, the part from the hook (7b) to the horizontal part (3) of the inner pot to the continuously provided triangular horizontal surface (7c) is one part. In this case, six to eight parts are assembled to form a circle. And in the center of each part,
A rectangular hole (7d) extending in the radial direction from the center is provided, and each hole is configured to overlap at any position, and one screw (7d) penetrates all the holes. 8) is provided. Depending on the positional relationship between the hole and the screw, the diameter of the entire auxiliary steamer can be adjusted to be large or small. Therefore, it is possible to handle rice cookers and pots of different sizes, which is convenient. Although the horizontal plane is shown as a plate in the figure, a gap may be provided to improve the passage of steam, and it is also possible to use a semicircle or a 2/3 circle without making the whole circular. Of course.

Embodiment 5 Another embodiment of the auxiliary steamer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is also an auxiliary steamer which is used by being set in an existing rice cooker or steamer. FIG. 4A is an explanatory perspective view also showing a part (9a) of the auxiliary steamer (9) according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a plan view showing the entire auxiliary steamer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4C is an explanatory perspective view showing a use state.

The auxiliary steamer of the present embodiment has one part consisting of a hook (9b) hooked to the horizontal part (3) of the inner pot and a donut piece-like horizontal surface (9c). This is a shape (9) in which individuals gather to form a 2/3 circle. Each of the parts is fixed with a screw (10) so that the center and one end are overlapped. In this case, the parts are fixed only at the central part and the outer peripheral part (10a) is a free end, so that the degree of freedom in shape is large and it can be used for any rice cooker or pot. Further, in the structure of each part, the hook portion is provided at the center of the outer periphery of the horizontal portion (9c). In this way, in supporting the object to be steamed, the strength can be maintained, and even when the shape is adjusted, the entire space of the auxiliary steamer is supported at equal four division points, and stable steamed material holding is achieved. It becomes possible.

Further, by using the auxiliary steamer having a partial donut shape without using the entire circumference, the steamer can be easily set and removed, and the cooking state of the lower portion is not adversely affected. . As in the previous embodiment, the material of the horizontal part may be net-like or blind-like. Further, in each of Embodiments 4 and 5, the method of installing the auxiliary steamer is not a method of hooking to an inner pot or a pan, but a shape of providing a leg to the bottom as in Embodiment 6 described below, or a magnet or a spring. Needless to say, the shape may be such that it is locked to the inner wall by using a.

Embodiment 6 An embodiment of the auxiliary steamer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is an auxiliary steamer which is used by being set in an existing rice cooker or steamer. FIG. 5A is an explanatory perspective view showing a use state of the auxiliary steamer (11). The auxiliary steamer of the present embodiment is provided with three legs (11b) on a flat net (11a). If the diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of a general cooking rice inner pot (about 20 cm), it can be conveniently used for any inner pot or steamer. It is preferable because it also has a sense of stability and, above all, does not have to worry about leakage of steam during cooking. When the auxiliary steamer (11) of this embodiment is used for a rice cooker, the legs (11b) come into contact with rice (rice). It is also possible to adopt a material that can be cooked together with and produce an effect. As for the leg (11b), a folding mechanism, a folding mechanism, a slide mechanism, a folding lock mechanism, or the like may be used for storage, height adjustment, and stability during use. If the cap is engaged with a human body at the tip of the leg (11b) with a resin or the like that is safe for the human body, the inner pot is less likely to be damaged, and the cap can be enlarged to provide a means for height adjustment. In addition to such a form, there is also a type in which a net (6) having the shape shown in FIG. 2 is placed on a base including a leg portion, and an auxiliary steamer which allows an existing dish or the like to be used. This is considered as an application of this embodiment. [Embodiment 7] In adjusting the height of the net, other than the bending and stretching of the legs shown in Embodiment 6, the following measures can be taken. FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the entire auxiliary steamer of the present embodiment, in which a leg portion (14b) is provided on a flat net portion (14a) and an upward knob (14c) is attached. At this time, by changing the length of the leg portion and the length of the knob portion, the leg can be used upside down so that it can be used at two different heights. [Embodiment 8] FIG. 5 (c) is a perspective view showing the entire auxiliary steamer of the present embodiment. As described above, a material having a large number of holes, such as a mesh material, a punched metal, and an expanded metal, is used. Cut and make an equilateral triangle,
There is also a method in which the corner is bent to form a leg (15b).
This method is easy to manufacture and has little material waste. Since the weight can be reduced, the bottom of the inner pot is hardly damaged. Further, it is easy to clean, and the net (15a) has a hexagonal shape and a beautiful shape. Embodiment 9 An embodiment of the auxiliary steamer of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is an auxiliary steamer which is used by being set in an existing rice cooker or steamer. FIG. 6A is an explanatory perspective view showing a use state of the auxiliary steamer (16) of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a magnet inclusion part (1).
7) Sectional view, FIG. 6 (c) shows the engaging portion (16b) of this embodiment.
It is a perspective view. The auxiliary steamer (16) of the present embodiment is a thing that locks the net (16a) main body to the inner wall of a rice cooker, a steamer, and the like using magnetic force. The magnet may be incorporated in the net body of the main body, but here, the net body (16a) and the engaging portion (16b) for supporting the net body (16a) are set as independent and separate parts. The net (16a) is mounted on a support (16c) extending perpendicular to the inner wall from the magnet enclosing part (17). If the size of the support (16c) is sufficient, it can be used even if the diameter of the inner pot and the diameter of the net (16a) are slightly different. [Embodiment 10] FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are perspective views showing an example in which the magnet enclosing portion is integrated with a main body such as a net, and FIG. 7D is a diagram in which the magnet portion and the frame are integrated. It is a perspective view which shows the auxiliary steamer which did. In these types, the magnet part is simply fixed to the inner wall, so the installation is easy. The net portion is not limited to the flat net (18a), but may be a basket-shaped one with an edge (19
a), a container for exclusive use of porridge (20a), a frame (21a) for fixing an existing container or the like, or any other shape can be considered. A wide range of usage is conceivable, such as using multiple sizes at the same time in large and small sizes. Further, FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an auxiliary steamer in which a magnet enclosing part and an attachment are detachable. As described above, the magnet enclosing part (17) and the attachment (22) for accommodating a cooking material are shown.
If a) is made removable, attachments of various sizes and shapes can be prepared separately so that they can be replaced as needed. There are various methods for engaging the attachment with the magnet enclosing part (17) by using a magnetic force of a magnet, by hooking, or by using a magnetic force. If the attachment (22a) is removed, it can be put on the table as it is, and it is convenient to combine only one portion of soup or side dish. In any of the ninth and tenth embodiments, it is preferable to coat or cover the periphery of the magnet (17a) with a heat-resistant plastic or metal. This has the effect of preventing elution of impurities contained in the magnet and securing the degree of freedom in shape. Further, there is an advantage that the inner wall of the rice cooker and the inner wall of the steamer is not damaged depending on the material to be coated or covered. Materials that coat or cover magnets include metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, iron and its oxides, resins, ceramics, wood products, charcoal,
Using a cloth or the like, any material can be considered as long as it is harmless to the human body. However, since the lines of magnetic force have the property of avoiding the magnetic material, if they are entirely covered with iron or the like, the attraction force will be extremely weakened. Conversely, by using iron or the like only for a part of the covering, the magnetic force can be concentrated on the other part. Also, by increasing the distance between the magnet and the case of the covering, the attraction force can be reduced. By properly combining the above properties, the strength and direction of the attraction force can be optimized. Further, if a knob is attached to the magnet enclosing part (17) or a recess is formed in the case of the cover ring, it becomes easy to handle even if the attraction force is strong. Further, since the magnet has a property that the magnetism tends to be reduced by heat, it is necessary to select a magnet having a high Curie point, excellent thermal properties, and high magnetic resilience.

In any of the above embodiments, porridge,
Vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, etc. were all successfully steamed. Also, the taste of the original rice and cooked food did not change due to the use of the steamer of the present invention.

Since it is an auxiliary steamed product using an empty space in a rice cooker or a pot, the amount is limited, and the steamed product is steamed well in the same time as rice cooked or a general steamed product. In addition, when the food with juice was set in the net-shaped steamer, the gravy and vegetable extracts were dropped on the rice, and the delicious and rich rice containing these extracts was cooked. Also, boiled potato juice is said to have a function of lowering blood pressure, and such side effects were also recognized depending on the food to be steamed.

[0022]

By using such a rice cooker with a steamer or an auxiliary steamer, a steamed product can be easily produced without worrying about the steaming time after cooking the rice. In addition to contributing to housework efficiency, it is possible to nutritionally take in food extracts and the like, which were originally discarded when steaming, together with rice. All of them can be easily attached and detached, and the size can be adjusted. Further, if the auxiliary steamer of the present invention is used, steamed food can be easily prepared using a rice cooker or a general pot without having to provide a dedicated steamer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is an explanatory view showing a use state of the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1B is an enlarged sectional view of the upper part of the inner pot. FIG.

FIG. 2A is an explanatory view showing a rice cooker inner pot having a step on an inner wall. FIG. 2B is a partially enlarged view of an inner pot step part. FIG. 2C is a net set in a rice cooker inner pot having a plurality of sets of steps. Explanatory view showing a state (d) Plan view showing a state in which an elliptical flat net is set in an inner pot (e) Explanatory perspective view in which two elliptical nets are used in upper and lower stages with different longitudinal directions ( f) Explanatory drawing showing a use state of the third embodiment.

FIG. 3 (a) is an explanatory perspective view showing the parts of the auxiliary steamer according to the fourth embodiment, which also serves as a use state. (B) A plan view showing the entire auxiliary steamer according to the fourth embodiment set in an inner pot. Explanatory perspective view showing the use state of Example 4

FIG. 4A is an explanatory perspective view showing the parts of the auxiliary steamer according to the fifth embodiment, which also serves as a use state. FIG. 4B is a plan view showing the entire auxiliary steamer according to the fifth embodiment. Explanation perspective view

5A is an explanatory perspective view showing a use state of the auxiliary steamer of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the entire auxiliary steamer of the seventh embodiment. FIG. 5C is a perspective view showing the entire auxiliary steamer of the eighth embodiment. Figure

6A is an explanatory perspective view showing a use state of the ninth embodiment. FIG. 6B is a sectional view of a magnet enclosing portion (17). FIG. 6C is a perspective view of an engaging portion (16b) of the ninth embodiment.

FIGS. 7 (a), (b) and (c) are perspective views showing an example in which the magnet enclosing portion is integrated with a main body such as a net, and (d) a perspective view showing an auxiliary steamer in which the magnet enclosing portion and the frame are integrated. e) Explanatory drawing showing the auxiliary steamer from which the magnet enclosing part and the attachment are removable

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inner pot 2 Steamer 3 Horizontal part 4,22b Hook part 5a, 5b Step part 6 Net 7,9,11,14,15,18-22 Auxiliary steamer 8,10 Screw 12 Rice cooker 13,17a Magnet 16 Auxiliary steamer set 16a Net 16b Engaging part 16c, 21b Support 17 Magnet enclosing part 17b Coating part 19a Edged net 20a, 22a Container 21a for porridge, miso soup etc. Frame

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. The steamer can be locked by the top end of the rice cooker inner pot or the stepped portion of the rice cooker inner pot inner wall, or can be locked at an arbitrary position by a magnet or the like disposed on the rice cooker inner pot. A rice cooker with a steamer that can cook rice without escaping excess steam. 2. An auxiliary steamer which can be set in a rice cooker, a steamer or the like, and which can be set in a rice cooker or a steamer of any size, comprising a combination of parts having a plurality of horizontal portions of the same shape. 3. An auxiliary steamer which can be set in a rice cooker, a steamer, or the like, wherein the auxiliary steamer is provided with a leg to the rice cooker inner pot or the steamer inner bottom. 4. The auxiliary steamer according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary steamer has meshes of different sizes. 5. An auxiliary steamer that can be set in a rice cooker, a steamer, or the like, wherein the auxiliary steamer can be locked to the inner wall of the rice cooker inner pot or the inner wall of the steamer by using a frictional force by a spring restoring force or a magnetic force by a magnet or the like. An auxiliary steamer characterized by the following.