JP4152705B2 - Food heating device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a food heating apparatus that also serves as a showcase.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When selling steamed buns, grilled foods, fried foods, etc., such as meat buns and buns, etc. at retail stores such as convenience stores, a food heating device that also serves as a showcase is installed at the store, and this is used to It has been done to ensure that food is always warm and delivered to consumers.
[0003]
For example, as a meat bun / an-man heating device, a device provided with a steam generator has been known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In addition, it has been conventionally known that grilled foods, fried foods and the like are provided with a warm air generator using a heater.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-166664 A (FIGS. 1 and 2)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent No. 3248132 (FIG. 1)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional food heating apparatus includes a type having a steam generator and heating with steam, and a type heating with hot air, and these are properly used depending on the food. For this reason, it is necessary to purchase two types of food heating devices at the retail stores that handle each food, and the cost is high, and the period when the steam generator is not used seasonally (summer) Some have the disadvantage that the amortization period is inevitably longer. In addition, when not used seasonally, there is an inconvenience that it must be stored for a long time in a limited space in the store.
[0006]
In addition, in the conventional case, the heated greenhouse partitioned into multiple stages by the shelf board is air permeable to the shelf board, and is in a communication state due to the presence of a gap between the shelf board and the inner wall of the heated greenhouse. When different foods are put in multiple greenhouses, the smell may shift. For this reason, there was an inconvenience that the type of food to be heated at the same time was restricted.
[0007]
In addition, depending on the type, quantity, quality, etc. of food, it may be desirable to use steam and warm air in combination, but in the past there was only one of these functions. I couldn't.
[0008]
Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to enable both steam heating and hot air heating with a single heating device. Moreover, it makes it the 2nd subject to make a plurality of heating chambers mutually independent so that there is no smell transfer.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To solve the first problem described above, the present invention is a warmer provided food container which also serves as a showcase, with the steam generator and the hot air generator as the warmer, warming target of the foods warming apparatus so that either or in combination selectively the steam generator and hot air generator according to, the container portion provided integrally with the food container of the base and its on the base A substrate for partitioning both is provided, the hot air generator is provided on the back side of the base at the lower part of the substrate, and the steam generator is a sub-tank having a rectangular recess in the substrate. And mounting a heater on the bottom of the center of the circular recess provided in the center of the bottom of the sub-tank, and inserting a vacuum heat insulation type or air insulation type cylinder into the recess, the cylinder In the radial and vertical direction Adopted a structure in which a through gap.
[0010]
In this case, by inserting a non-breathable partition plate into the food container, the inside is divided into a plurality of upper and lower heated chambers, and a distribution duct from the hot air generator to each heated greenhouse is independently provided for each heated greenhouse. The provided structure can be taken. If comprised in this way, while being able to supply a warm air directly to each greenhouse through a distribution duct, the temperature of each greenhouse can be raised rapidly.
[0011]
In addition, if the hot air generator is partitioned for each greenhouse, and a plurality of hot air generators are provided for each greenhouse, the flow of hot air is independent for each greenhouse. , Food odor transfer is prevented.
[0012]
In addition, by inserting a gas-permeable partition plate into the food container, the inside thereof is divided into a plurality of upper and lower heated chambers, and a distribution duct extending from the hot air generator to each heated greenhouse is independently provided for each heated greenhouse. The provided structure can be taken. According to this configuration, hot air can be supplied to each of the greenhouses through the distribution duct, and the temperature of each of the greenhouses is equalized as a result of the warm air passing through the partition plate and being dispersed.
[0013]
In any of the above cases, either the natural convection method or the circulation method using a fan is employed for the heat transfer of the hot air generator.
[0014]
Further, a humidity sensor is attached to the heating chamber provided in the food container, and the steam generator and the hot air generator are controlled by a microcomputer so that the humidity of the heating chamber becomes a predetermined value based on the detection result. It may be.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The food heating apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 is provided with a container part 2 with an open front on a base 1, and a food container 4 by attaching a door 3 to the open part of the front. Is configured. The food container 4 is installed such that the surface of the container portion 2 facing the door 3 is the customer side (hereinafter, the door 3 side is referred to as the back surface and the facing surface is referred to as the front surface). The front surface 5 and the side surfaces 6 and 6 and the door 3 continuous to the left and right sides thereof are made of a transparent material such as glass or an acrylic plate. Moreover, the part of the fixed width | variety which contact | connected the back side of the both side surfaces 6 and 6 is the flat pillar parts 7 and 7 (refer FIG. 4) with a metal material. Each column portion 7 and the side surface 6 are connected by a joint member 8 fixed to the column portion 7. Further, a lighting fixture (not shown) such as a fluorescent lamp is housed inside the top plate 9 of the container part 2 to illuminate the inside of the container part 2.
[0016]
As described above, the food container 4 has a function of a showcase by providing a transparent part or a lighting device.
[0017]
Inside the food container 4, a substrate 11 is provided between the base 1 and the container part 2 to partition the both. A steam generator 12 is provided on the front 5 side of the substrate 11 and a hot air generator 13 is provided on the lower side of the substrate 11 on the back side (see FIG. 3).
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the steam generator 12 is provided with a sub-tank 14 having a rectangular recess in the substrate 11, and a heater on the bottom of the center of a circular recess 15 provided in the center of the bottom of the sub-tank 14. 16 is installed. Further, a drain outlet 17 is provided at the corner of the bottom surface of the central portion. Further, the lower end portion of the vacuum heat insulating type or air heat insulating type cylindrical body 18 is fitted into the concave portion 15 with a gap 19 communicating in the radial direction and the vertical direction. The concave portion 15 and the cylindrical body 18 fitted in the concave portion 15 constitute a main tank 21, and at the same time, the steam generator 12 is constituted in combination with the heater 16. A temperature sensor 22 is attached to the lower surface of the recess 15, and a heat shield plate 23 is provided below the heater 16.
[0019]
On the other hand, the hot air generator 13 has a heater 25 mounted inside a main duct 24 fixed to the inner bottom surface of the base 1, and flat openings 26 and 26 provided at both ends of the main duct 24 are provided on the substrate 11. Are inserted into the rectangular long holes 27 and 27 (see FIG. 5). Inside the warm air generator 13, the air heated by the heater 25 flows out from both the openings 26 and 26 by natural convection and flows into the container part 2 (see FIG. 2).
[0020]
Three-stage guide members 28 in the front-rear direction are attached to the inner side surface of the container part 2 on the substrate 11 with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. Three shelf plates 29 that act as partition plates between the left and right guide members 28 and 28 are inserted from the back side where the door 3 is opened to form three-stage heating chambers 31, 31, 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the shelf plate 29 is provided with a large number of slits 32. Due to the presence of the slits 32, the heated air emitted from the openings 26 and 26 of the hot air generator 13 is naturally convected to each It is distributed to the greenhouse 31. In addition, the steam generated in the steam generator 12 is also distributed to each of the greenhouses 31 through the slit 32. In addition, air permeability is ensured also by comprising the shelf board 29 with a metal mesh.
[0021]
The food heating apparatus according to the first embodiment is as described above. When heating, for example, meat bun or bun as food, the hot air generator 13 is stopped while the sub-tank 14 of the steam generator 12 is used. And water is put into the main tank 21 and the heater 16 is energized. The steam generated by boiling the water in the main tank 21 passes through the slits 32 of each shelf plate 29 and is distributed to each greenhouse 31, and the meat buns and buns stored in the greenhouse 31 are steamed. It is heated by. Since the main tank 21 and the sub tank 14 are communicated with each other by a communication gap 19, when the water in the main tank 21 is reduced by evaporation, the main tank 21 is naturally supplied from the sub tank 14.
[0022]
Further, in the case of food suitable for hot air heating, such as grilled foods and fried foods, the steam generator 12 is stopped while the hot air generator 13 is operated, and the opening 26 of the main duct 24, as described above, The hot air from 26 passes through the slits 32 of each shelf plate 29 and is distributed to each heating chamber 31 by natural convection to heat the food.
[0023]
Depending on the state of the food, the steam generator 12 and the hot air generator 13 may be operated simultaneously to heat the food with both steam and hot air.
[0024]
Next, the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 14 will be described. Since the structure of the food container 4 and the structure of the steam generator 12 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the differences will be mainly described.
[0025]
First, the shelf plate 29 in this case is not provided with the slits 32 as described above (and therefore has no air permeability), and is inserted so as to be in close contact with the inner wall surface of the container part 2, whereby each of the greenhouses 31. There is no air flow between them, and each of the greenhouses 31 is independent of each other.
[0026]
The hot air generator 13 is configured by providing a heater 25 and a sirocco fan 33 inside the main duct 24. The warm air generator 13 circulates so that the warm air is sent out from one opening 26 and returns to the other opening 26 (see FIG. 8). Joint members 34, 34 are connected to these openings 26, 26 (see FIGS. 9, 10, and 13) and protrude onto the substrate 11. The inside of each joint 34, 34 is divided into three passages.
[0027]
The three divided distribution ducts 35, 36, 37 connected to the joints 34, 34 are provided with three independent openings 38, 38, 38 on the inner surface of the lower end portion as shown in FIG. 38 is connected to each internal passage of each joint 34 via a packing 41 (see FIGS. 10 and 13). The distribution ducts 35, 36, and 37 are provided inside the column parts 7 and 7 provided on both side surfaces of the container part 2, and the tip openings 39, 39, and 39 are respectively in the first stage, the second stage, Opened to the side surface of each third-stage greenhouse 31 (see FIGS. 11 and 14).
[0028]
The food warming device of the second embodiment is as described above. When warm air is heated, each warming chamber 31 is independent, and the warm air is distributed to each heating chamber 31 by the distribution ducts 35, 36, Since it is supplied and circulated by 37, the food can be efficiently heated. However, in this case, since the warm air supplied to and circulated to the three heating chambers 31 is mixed in the main duct 24, it is suitable for heating the same kind of food or food that does not cause the smell transfer.
[0029]
In the case of steam heating, the shelf plate 29 is replaced with one having a slit 32 (refer to FIG. 4 as in the first embodiment). Thereby, the vapor | steam generate | occur | produced with the steam generator 12 passes through the slit 32 of each shelf 29, and spreads to each greenhouse 31 like the case of 1st Embodiment.
[0030]
Next, in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 15, a required number of slits 32 are provided in the shelf plate 29 of the second embodiment to provide air permeability, and the other configurations are the same. Therefore, in this case, warm air is supplied through the distribution ducts 35, 36, and 37 and is circulated through the respective greenhouses 31. At the same time, the steam generator 12 may be operated to use steam heating together.
[0031]
Next, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 16, in the case of the second embodiment, the inside of the hot air generator 13 is made independent of the hot air corresponding to the distribution ducts 35, 36, and 37. The generators 13a, 13b, and 13c are provided. In this case, sirocco fans 33a, 33b, and 33c and heaters 25a, 25b, and 25c are provided for each of the hot air generators 13a, 13b, and 13c. According to this configuration, the hot air path is independent for each of the greenhouses 31, and the hot air of each path is not mixed, so that odor transfer between different foods can be prevented.
[0032]
In this case, if a motor is provided for each of the sirocco fans 33a to 33c and these motors are individually controlled, heating according to the type and situation of the food can be performed.
[0033]
Next, the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 20 also has a structure in which the structure of the steam generator 12 and each of the greenhouses 31 are air-tightly partitioned by the shelf plate 29 as compared with the case of the second embodiment described above. However, the structure of the hot air generator 13 is different. That is, the hot air generator 13 in this case is attached to the outer surface of one side surface of the container part 2 in the up-down direction as shown in FIGS. Inside, there are provided hot air generators 44a, 44b, and 44c that are divided into three chambers above and below, corresponding to the three-stage heating chambers 31, 31, and 31, respectively.
[0034]
Each hot air generator 44a, 44b, 44c is provided with a common heater 46 together with cross flow fans 45a, 45b, 45c, and each cross flow fan 45a, 45b, 45c is a common motor having a vertical axis. It is driven by 47.
[0035]
Also in this case, as in the case of the second embodiment, the shelf plate 29 is replaced with a breathable plate when steam heating is performed. Thereby, steam heating and warm air heating can be used together.
[0036]
By configuring the hot air generator 13 as described above, each of the hot air generators 44a, 44b, 44c is provided independently corresponding to each of the greenhouses 31, 31, 31. Odor transfer can be prevented.
[0037]
Next, FIG. 21 shows an example of humidity control when the steam generator 12 and the hot air generator 13 are used in combination in each of the embodiments. A humidity sensor 58 is provided in the heating chamber 31, and the detected value is input to the comparison unit 61 of the microcomputer 59 and compared with a preset reference value. The steam generator 12 or the hot air generator 13 is controlled by the CPU according to the difference. In this case, the steam generator 12 is operated when the humidity in the heating chamber 31 is increased, and the hot air generator 13 is operated when the humidity is decreased.
[0038]
Next, FIG. 22 shows an example of use of the steam generator 12, where the sub tank 14 and the main tank 21 (steam generator 12) are covered with a lid 51, and a number of steam holes 52 are formed in the main tank 21 portion of the lid 51. The steamer 53 is placed on the portion including the steam hole 52. The steamer 53 is provided with a vent hole 55 in a floor surface 54 and covered with a lid 56. Steaming cooking or steam heating can be performed by putting an appropriate food in the steamer 53 and generating steam in the main tank 21.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, since the food heating apparatus of the present invention includes both the steam generator and the hot air generator, the steam heating and the hot air heating are selectively used according to the food to be heated. Or both can be used together. As a result, the food container that doubles as a showcase can be used efficiently regardless of seasonal changes. In addition, by providing each warming room and a path of hot air leading to it separately from other similar paths, it is possible to prevent odors of different foods placed in each warming room.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal rear view of the same. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view of the same. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main tank portion. FIG. 7 is a partially omitted perspective view of the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal rear view of the same. FIG. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged longitudinal rear view of the same. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal side view of the same. FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional plan view of the hot air generator part of the same. FIG. 15 is a partially omitted perspective view of the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional plan view of the hot air generator part of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ZZ in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the hot air generator portion. FIG. 20 is a hot air generator. Min cross-sectional plan view and FIG. 21 is a control block diagram Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of an example use of the steam generator [Description of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2 Container part 3 Door 4 Tableware container 5 Front surface 6 Side surface 7 Column part 8 Joint member 9 Top plate 11 Substrate 12 Steam generator 13 Hot air generator 13a-13c Hot air generator 14 Sub tank 15 Circular recessed part 16 Heater 17 Discharge port 18 Cylindrical body 19 Communication gap 21 Main tank 22 Temperature sensor 23 Heat shield plate 24 Main duct 25 Heater 25a-25c Heater 26 Opening 27 Long hole 28 Guide member 29 Shelf plate 31 Greenhouse 32 Slit 33 Sirocco fan 33a-33c Sirocco Fan 34 Joint member 35-37 Distribution duct 38 Opening 39 Tip opening 41 Packing 43 Motor 44a-44c Hot air generating part 45a-45c Cross flow fan 46 Heater 47 Motor 51 Lid 52 Steam hole 53 Steamer 54 Floor 55 Ventilation hole 56 Lid 58 Humidity sensor 59 Microcomputer 61 ratio Comparison section

Claims (6)

A food container serving also as a showcase is provided with a heater, a steam generator and a hot air generator are used as the heater, and the steam generator and the hot air generator are selectively used according to the food to be heated. Or in a food heating device designed to be used together ,
A substrate is provided between the base of the food container and a container portion provided integrally on the base, and the substrate is partitioned between the two.
The warm air generator is provided on the back side of the base at the bottom of the substrate,
The steam generator is provided with a rectangular sub-tank on the substrate, and a heater is attached to the bottom of the center of a circular recess provided in the center of the bottom of the sub-tank. It is configured by inserting a heat insulating cylinder.
A food heating apparatus, wherein a radial and vertical communication gap is provided at a lower end portion of the cylindrical body . By inserting a non-breathable partition plate into the food container, the inside was partitioned into a plurality of upper and lower heated chambers, and a distribution duct from the hot air generator to each heated greenhouse was provided independently for each heated greenhouse. The food heating apparatus according to claim 1. The food warming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the warm air generator is partitioned for each warming room, and a plurality of independent hot air generation units are provided for each warming room. By inserting a gas-permeable partition plate into the food container, the inside thereof was partitioned into a plurality of upper and lower greenhouses, and a distribution duct from the hot air generator to each of the greenhouses was provided independently for each greenhouse. The food heating apparatus according to claim 1. The food heating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat transfer of the hot air generator is a natural convection system or a circulation system using a fan. A humidity sensor is attached to the heating chamber provided in the food container, and the steam generator and the hot air generator are controlled by a microcomputer so that the humidity of the heating chamber becomes a predetermined value based on the detection result. The food heating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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