JP2011115464A - Condensate tank, and steam-less rice cooker using the condensate tank - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and accurately measure the amount of cooling water so that the cooling water to be stored in a tank has a prescribed amount. <P>SOLUTION: The upper part of a tank body 30 is opened when water is fed, and is closed when the tank is used. Steam 10 introduced into the tank is directly brought into contact with water 9 to be cooled and condensed. A water-supply support part formed of a flat slope 11b for stabilizing the tank body in an inclined state at a prescribed angle is disposed at the lower part of the tank body, so that the amount of water inside the tank body is the prescribed amount in a full state inclined at the prescribed angle with the upper part opened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a condensate tank that cools and condenses steam in direct contact with water, and a steamless rice cooker in which the condensate tank is connected to a steam generating port.

  Conventionally, a condensate tank that cools and condenses steam by directly contacting water with water, and this condensate tank is connected to a steam generating port so that it can be cooked from an object to be heated contained in the inner pot. 2. Description of the Related Art A rice cooker that condenses water generated by dissipating generated steam into cooling water is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-192134 (FIG. 1)

  In such a thing, the amount of water in which the cooling water (tap water) was decided before the rice cooking is stored in the condensate tank and set in the rice cooker. However, when the cooling water is put into the tank, it is very difficult to adjust the amount of water to the scale of the tank because the water is entered directly from the tap to the water level scale written on the tank (engraved, printed, etc.). there were. Also, it was difficult to adjust the water level because the water level scale was difficult to see. It was difficult to adjust the water level in a kitchen or in a slightly dark place in the kitchen, especially for those who had a little bad eyesight. Furthermore, water was poured from the upper opening, but the water level line was displayed on the side of the tank, and it was difficult to adjust while looking at both the side and the upper side.

  The technical problem of the present invention is to enable easy and accurate measurement so that the amount of cooling water becomes a prescribed amount when the cooling water is accommodated in the tank.

  The condensate tank according to the present invention has the following configuration. In other words, it is a condensate tank that has a tank body that is open at the time of water supply and closed at the time of use, and that cools and condenses steam introduced into the tank body by direct contact with water. In addition, a water supply support unit that stabilizes the tank main body unit in a tilted state at a predetermined angle is provided at a lower portion of the tank main body unit, and a full water state in a state where the tank main body unit is supported at a predetermined angle by the water supply support unit. It is configured to have a specified amount of water.

  According to the condensate tank of the present invention, a water supply support portion for stabilizing the tank main body portion in a tilted state at a predetermined angle is provided at a lower portion of the tank main body portion, and the tank main body portion is set at a predetermined angle by the water supply support portion. It is configured so that the full water level in the state where it is supported is the specified amount of water, so that the specified amount of water can be easily and accurately set without error, improving ease of use, and using this condensate tank. The convenience of the steamless rice cooker was improved, and the steam generated during rice cooking can be efficiently cooled and condensed.

It is a schematic structure figure which shows the flow of the steam at the time of rice cooking of the steamless rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the steamless rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the tank for condensates in the state which opened the cover body. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the tank for condensate concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the water supply set state to the tank main-body part of the thing of the comparative example of a condensate tank. It is a perspective view which shows the tank container of the condensate tank which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the water supply set state (inclination state) of the condensate tank which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the state at the time of completion | finish of water supply (inclined state) of the condensate tank which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the water supply completion state (tank vertical attitude | position return state) of the condensate tank which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the tank for condensate concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the tank for condensate concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the water supply set state (tilt state) of the condensate tank which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the tank for condensate concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the tank for condensate concerning Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the water supply set state (inclination state) of the condensate tank which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the tank for condensate concerning Embodiment 6 of this invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
The present invention will be described below with reference to illustrated embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing the flow of steam at the time of rice cooking of the steamless rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the steamless rice cooker and the condensate tank with the lid open. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the condensate tank.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steamless rice cooker of the present embodiment has an inner pot 2 housed inside the rice cooker body 1, and a condensate tank at the front of the rice cooker body 1. 4 is detachably attached. Steam 10 generated during rice cooking is led to a condensate tank 4 containing water 9 through a cartridge 3 in the steam passage, discharged into the water 9 in the condensate tank 4, cooled, and recovered. It is watered, which makes it steamless.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the condensate tank 4 includes a tank container 5 that stores water 9 and a tank cover 6 that is detachably attached to the outer surface of the tank container 5 and forms the external part of the condensate tank 4. A main body 30 and a tank lid 7 having a communication pipe 7 a that opens and closes the upper portion of the tank container 5 and guides the vapor 10 from the cartridge 3 into the water 9 are provided.

  FIG. 4 shows a comparative example in which the water supply support portion of the tank main body portion of the condensate tank has only one seating surface that supports it in a vertical posture. In the condensate tank of this comparative example, a water level scale 8 for instructing the water level is formed on the side wall surface of the tank container 5, and has an upper limit water level scale 8a and a lower limit water level scale 8b.

  In the condensate tank of this comparative example, water is directly supplied into the tank container 5 from the upper faucet, and the water level is adjusted so that the water level is between the upper limit water level scale 8a and the lower limit water level scale 8b. Adjust to the specified amount of water.

  In the case of adjusting the amount of water to the scale of the tank while adding water directly from the tap as in this comparative example, the amount of water on the scale of the tank is caused by the occurrence of water waves or foaming of the water surface during water supply. It is very difficult to match. Also, the water level scale is difficult to see and it is difficult to adjust the water level. Furthermore, water is poured from the upper opening, but the water level line is displayed on the side of the tank, so it is difficult to work while adjusting both the side and the upper side.

  FIG. 5 shows details of the tank container 5A of the condensate tank 4 of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 6 to 8 show from the water supply set to the completion of water supply. The tank container 5A is provided with a water supply support portion that can stabilize the tank container 5A in a tilted state at a predetermined angle, in addition to the bottom surface 11a serving as a seating surface for supporting the tank container 5A in a vertical posture. ing. The water supply support portion is composed of a flat inclined surface 11b formed on the outer surface of the corner portion between the bottom wall and the side wall of the tank container 5A, and the upper portion is opened by removing the tank lid 7 under the inclined state of the tank container 5A. The flat inclined surface 11b functions as a seating surface during the inclined water supply, and the water in the tank container 5A is configured to have a specified water amount by filling the inclined surface with the inclined posture.

  As described above, the condensate tank 4 of the present embodiment can stabilize the tank container 5A in a tilted state at a predetermined angle when water is supplied, in addition to the bottom surface 11a serving as a seat surface that supports the tank container 5A in a vertical posture. A flat slope 11b is provided. Therefore, water is measured by first placing the tank container 5A in a vertical posture so that the water is almost full, and then tilting the tank container 5A so that the slope 11b becomes a seating surface as shown in FIG. In a sink (not shown). As a result, the water in the tank container 5A flows out to the lowest position on the upper edge of the tank container 5A as shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the tank container 5A is raised, the water level reaches between the upper limit water level scale 8a and the lower limit water level scale 8b as shown in FIG. 8, and the water level scale 8 visually confirms that the specified water amount has been reached. Can do. For this reason, the specified water volume can be easily and accurately set without error, and the usability is improved. Further, the usability of the steamless rice cooker using the condensate tank 4 is improved, and the steam generated during cooking is reduced. It can be efficiently cooled and condensed.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing a condensate tank according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, parts corresponding to those of Embodiment 1 described above are given the same reference numerals. In addition, since the structure of a rice cooker main body, a cover body, a steam conduit | pipe, a tank cover, etc. is the same structure as the thing of the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The condensate tank of the present embodiment has a flat slope 11c (supporting portion at the time of water supply) as shown in the above-described first embodiment over the entire circumference of the corner portion between the bottom wall and the side wall of the tank container 5B. ).

  In the condensate tank of the present embodiment, when the tank container 5B is a cube, the flat slope 11c serving as a seating surface may be provided uniformly over the entire circumference. However, in the case where the tank container 5B is a rectangular parallelepiped, in order to obtain a specified amount of water in an inclined posture, the slope on the short side must be larger than the slope on the long side toward the bottom surface 11a. In any case, it is not necessary to select a place (seat surface) to be inclined by providing the flat inclined surface 11c on the entire circumference. For this reason, the water volume can be easily and accurately set to a predetermined amount of water, further improving the usability, and further improving the usability of the steamless rice cooker using this condensate tank. It can be efficiently cooled and condensed.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a condensate tank according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a side view showing the water supply set state, which corresponds to that of Embodiment 1 described above. The parts are given the same reference numerals. In addition, since the structure of a rice cooker main body, a cover body, a steam conduit | pipe, a tank cover, etc. is the same structure as the thing of the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The condensate tank according to the present embodiment has convex ribs 12 provided with support portions at the time of water supply at a plurality of circumferential positions (here, two on one side wall) at predetermined height positions on the outer side wall of the tank container 5C. 12 and the lower side of the side wall on which these convex ribs 12 and 12 are provided, and when supplying water (when tilting at a predetermined angle), the convex ribs 12 and 12 and the lower side of the side wall function as support legs. It is what I did.

  As described above, the condensate tank of the present embodiment functions as a support leg that stabilizes the tank container 5C in a tilted state at a predetermined angle when water is supplied, in addition to the bottom surface 11a serving as a seating surface that supports the tank container 5C in a vertical posture. Convex ribs 12, 12 are provided on one side wall. Accordingly, the water is metered by first placing the tank container 5C in a vertical posture so that the water is almost full, and then, until the convex ribs 12 and 12 function as support legs together with the lower sides of the side walls as shown in FIG. Tilt and flush excess water into a sink (not shown). As a result, the water in the tank container 5C flows out to the lowest position on the upper edge of the tank container 5C. Thereafter, when the tank container 5C is raised, the water level reaches between the upper limit water level scale 8a and the lower limit water level scale 8b to become the specified water amount, and the water level scale 8 can visually recognize that the specified water amount has been reached. For this reason, the specified water volume can be easily and accurately set without error, improving usability, and further improving the usability of the steamless rice cooker using this condensate tank. It can be cooled and condensed.

  Here, the example in which the convex ribs 12 and 12 are provided at two locations on one side wall of the tank container 5C has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the convex rib 12 is not limited to the tank container 5C. It may be provided only at one place in the longitudinal middle portion of one side wall, or may be provided at three or more places in the longitudinal direction of one side wall of the tank container 5C. Needless to say, it may be provided in a plurality of places in the circumferential direction, and it is not necessary to select a place to be inclined (seat surface), and the usability is further improved.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a condensate tank according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the figure, parts corresponding to those of Embodiment 1 described above are given the same reference numerals. In addition, since the structure of a rice cooker main body, a cover body, a steam conduit | pipe, a tank cover, etc. is the same structure as the thing of the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the condensate tank of the present embodiment, the water supply support portion is formed with inclined portions (one side of each of the bottom sides of the tank covers 6A that are detachably attached to the tank body portion 30, that is, the tank container 5). (Only the inclined portion of the side surface is shown) 13. And when the tank cover 6A is attached to the tank container 5 and the tank cover 5A is tilted together with the tank cover 6A, the inclined portion 13 functions as a support leg, and this inclined posture is filled with water. The water in the tank container 5 is configured to have a specified amount of water.

  Therefore, in the condensate tank of the present embodiment, the specified water amount can be easily and accurately set with no error, and the usability is improved. As a result, the convenience of the steamless rice cooker using the condensate tank is improved. The steam generated during rice cooking can be efficiently cooled and condensed.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 13 is a side view showing a condensate tank according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a side view showing the water supply set state, corresponding to that of Embodiment 1 described above. The parts are given the same reference numerals. In addition, since the structure of a rice cooker main body, a cover body, a steam conduit | pipe, a tank cover, etc. is the same structure as the thing of the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The condensate tank according to the present embodiment is configured by the both-side edges 14a and 14b of the stepped portion 14A formed by recessing the water supply support portion in the corner portion between the bottom wall and the side wall of the tank container 5D. When inclined at a predetermined angle, both side edges 14a and 14b function as support legs.

  Thus, the condensate tank of the present embodiment functions as a support leg that stabilizes the tank container 5D in a tilted state at a predetermined angle when water is supplied, in addition to the bottom surface 11a serving as a seating surface that supports the tank container 5D in a vertical posture. Both side edges 14a and 14b of the stepped portion 14A are provided. Therefore, water is measured by first tilting the tank container 5D until the tank container 5D is in a vertical posture and the water is almost full, and then the side edges 14a and 14b of the stepped portion 14A function as support legs as shown in FIG. Continue to drain excess water into a sink (not shown). As a result, the water in the tank container 5D flows out to the lowest position on the upper edge of the tank container 5D. After that, if the tank container 5D is raised, the water level reaches between the upper limit water level scale and the lower limit water level scale (not shown) to become the specified water amount, and it can be visually confirmed on the water level scale that the specified water amount has been reached. For this reason, the specified water volume can be easily and accurately set without error, improving usability, and further improving the usability of the steamless rice cooker using this condensate tank. It can be cooled and condensed.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
FIG. 15 is a side view showing a condensate tank according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In the figure, parts corresponding to those in Embodiments 1 and 5 are given the same reference numerals. In addition, since the structure of a rice cooker main body, a cover body, a steam conduit | pipe, a tank cover, etc. is the same structure as the thing of the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The condensate tank of the present embodiment has a stepped portion (a water supply support portion) 14B as shown in the aforementioned fifth embodiment over the entire circumference of the corner portion between the bottom wall and the side wall of the tank container 5E. Is formed.

  In the condensate tank according to the present embodiment, when the tank container 5E is a cube, the recessed portion that forms the stepped portion 14B may be provided uniformly on the entire circumference. However, when the tank container 5B is a rectangular parallelepiped, in order to obtain a specified amount of water in an inclined posture, the concave portion on the short side needs to be larger than the concave portion on the long side toward the bottom surface 11a. In any case, by providing the stepped portion 14B on the entire circumference, it is not necessary to select a place to be inclined (support leg composed of the side edges 14a and 14b). For this reason, the water volume can be easily and accurately set to a predetermined amount of water, further improving the usability, and further improving the usability of the steamless rice cooker using this condensate tank. It can be efficiently cooled and condensed.

  The present invention can be applied to other cookers that do not want to produce steam.

  1 Rice cooker body, 2 inner pot, 3 steam passage cartridge, 4 condensate tank, 5, 5A-5E tank container, 6, 6A tank cover, 7 tank lid, 8 water level scale, 8a upper limit water level scale, 8b lower limit Water level scale, 9 Water, 10 Steam, 11b, 11c Flat slope (support part at the time of water supply), 12 Convex rib (support part at the time of water supply), 13 Inclined part, 14A, 14B Step part, 14a, 14b Both sides of the step part Edge (support part at the time of water supply), 30 Tank body part.

Claims (10)

This is a condensate tank that has a tank body that is open at the time of water supply and closed at the time of use, and that cools and condenses steam introduced into the tank body by direct contact with water. And
A water supply support unit that stabilizes the tank main body unit in a tilted state at a predetermined angle is provided at a lower portion of the tank main body unit, and a full water state in a state where the tank main body unit is supported at a predetermined angle by the water supply support unit. A condensate tank, which is configured to have a specified amount of water.   The water supply support portion is composed of a flat slope formed on the outer surface of the corner portion between the bottom wall and the side wall of the tank main body portion, and the flat slope serves as a seating surface under the inclined state of the tank main body portion. The condensate tank according to claim 1, which functions.   The condensate tank according to claim 2, wherein the flat slope is formed over the entire circumference of the corner portion.   The water supply support portion is composed of a convex rib provided at a predetermined height position on the outer surface of the side wall of the tank main body, and a lower side of the side wall on which the convex rib is provided, and the tank main body The condensate tank according to claim 1, wherein the convex rib and the lower side of the side wall function as support legs in the inclined state.   The condensate tank according to claim 4, wherein the convex rib is provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the side wall of the tank main body.   The water supply support portion is composed of both side edges of a stepped portion formed by recessing a corner portion between a bottom wall and a side wall of the tank main body portion, and the both side edges are supported leg under the inclined state of the tank main body portion. The condensate tank according to claim 1, which functions as:   The condensate tank according to claim 6, wherein the step portion is formed over the entire circumference of the corner portion.   The condensate tank according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tank main body portion is made of a translucent member, and a scale for adjusting the amount of water is provided on an outer surface or an inner surface thereof.   The tank main body includes at least a tank container that stores water and a tank cover that surrounds the tank container, and at least one of the tank container and the tank cover is provided with the water supply support section. The condensate tank according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the condensate tank is provided.   A steamless rice cooker using the condensate tank according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images