JP4782523B2 - Heat insulation container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a container for containing food. Specifically, a heat source is arranged below the container, and a heat / heat insulation container that heats and heats the food in the container using heat from the heat source, or a cooling source (for example, ice) is arranged below the container, The present invention relates to a cooling container that cools food in a container with a cooling source.

This type of food container includes a container for keeping warm the food served at a banquet hall at a banquet hall at a hotel or the like, or cooking a full-size dish during a meal at an inn (cooking, baking, steaming) Etc.) A cooling container that cools a cooking pan or a serving of sashimi is known. This kind of food container is provided with a lid, and when the food in the container is heated to a temperature suitable for eating (or cooled), the lid is opened to be served. . Normally, opening and closing of the lid is performed by a person who eats (ie, a eater) or serving, but there are also known ones that automatically open and close the lid (for example, Patent Document 1).
Patent document 1 is disclosing the container for heating and heat insulation for heating and cooking the foodstuff in a container. This heating and heat retention container includes a container main body (pan body) for containing foodstuffs and a lid body assembled to the container main body. A shape memory alloy spring is interposed between the container body and the lid. The shape memory alloy spring is memorized so that the lid opens when a predetermined temperature is reached. When a meal is provided using this heat and heat insulation container, first, food is put into the heat and heat insulation container and the lid is closed. Next, the heated and warming container with the lid closed is hung on a stove containing solid fuel. When the food in the container is heated by the heat of the solid fuel, the shape memory alloy spring is also heated. When the shape memory alloy spring rises to a predetermined temperature, the lid automatically opens due to its shape restoration characteristics, and the food in the container can be eaten.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-63418

  However, the above-described heating and heat insulation container of Patent Document 1 has a structure in which it is difficult to increase the shape restoring force (that is, the force for opening and closing the lid) generated by the spring made of shape memory alloy. For this reason, it has been necessary to reduce the weight of the lid by molding it with plastic or the like, or to increase the wire diameter of the spring made of shape memory alloy. In the method of reducing the weight by molding the lid body with plastic or the like, the texture of the lid body is lowered, and the taste as tableware is lacking. On the other hand, in the method of increasing the wire diameter of the spring made of shape memory alloy, a large amount of expensive shape memory alloy is used, resulting in an increase in cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is to generate a large shape restoring force (force for opening the lid) without increasing the wire diameter of the spring made of shape memory alloy. It is to provide a food container that can be opened even with a heavy lid.

The first heating and warming container of the present application is a heating and warming container that can heat and keep food in the container by disposing a heat source below the container. The container for heat and heat retention is a container main body that contains foodstuffs, a lid that is assembled to the container main body, and is switched between a first position that closes the top of the container main body and a second position that opens the top of the container main body. And a torsion coil spring interposed between the container body and the lid. This torsion coil spring is made of a shape memory alloy wire, and one arm is fixed to the container body while the other arm is fixed to the lid. The shape of the torsion coil spring is memorized so that the lid is in the second position when the temperature reaches the first temperature.
In this heating and warming container, a force for opening the lid is generated by a torsion coil spring. Since the torsion coil spring generates a force by bending the wire, a large force can be generated efficiently. The torsion coil spring can also adjust the magnitude of the restoring force depending on the number of turns. For this reason, a large shape restoring force (force for opening the lid) can be generated in this heating and heat retention container, and even a heavy lid moves from the first position to the second position. (Ie, the lid can be opened).

  In the above heat and heat retention container, two or more torsion coil springs are interposed between the container body and the lid, and one arm of these torsion coil springs is fixed to the side wall of the container body. And it is preferable that a cover body rotates with respect to the site | part to which the torsion coil spring of the container main body was fixed. In such a configuration, since two or more torsion coil springs are interposed between the container body and the lid body, the lid body can be stably opened and closed with respect to the container body.

  In the above-mentioned heating and warming container, the arm fixed to the lid body side of the torsion coil spring is longer than the arm fixed to the container body side of the torsion coil spring, and from the rotation center side of the lid body to the open end side. It is preferable that it extends toward. According to such a configuration, the shape restoring force of the torsion coil spring also acts on the open end side (that is, the position away from the rotation center) of the lid body, and the shape restoring force of the torsion coil spring efficiently lifts the lid body. Converted to opening force.

  In the above heat and heat insulation container, a gap is formed between a part of the upper surface of the side wall of the container body and the lid body in a state where the lid body is in the first position, and the gap is formed by winding a torsion coil spring. It is preferably formed in the vicinity of the part. According to such a configuration, high-temperature steam or the like generated during heating of the food in the container is exhausted to the outside through the gap between the container body and the lid. At this time, the torsion coil spring is heated by the high-temperature steam. Therefore, the correlation between the temperature change of the food in the container and the temperature change of the torsion coil spring made of the shape memory alloy becomes stronger, and the lid can be opened at an appropriate timing according to the temperature of the food.

Moreover, in order to solve the problem mentioned above, the second heating / warming container of the present application is a heating / warming container that can heat and keep food in the container by disposing a heat source below the container. This container for heat and heat retention is a container body that contains food materials, a lid body that is assembled to the container body, and is switched between a first position that closes the top of the container body and a second position that opens the top of the container body. And a leaf spring interposed between the container main body and the lid. The leaf spring is made of a shape memory alloy plate, and one end is attached to the container body, while the other end is attached to the lid, and when the temperature reaches the first temperature, the lid is The shape is memorized so as to be the second position.
In this heating and warming container, a force for opening the lid is generated by the leaf spring. Since the leaf spring can efficiently generate a large restoring force, even a heavy lid can be moved from the first position to the second position (ie, opening the lid). Can do).

In the second heat and heat insulation container, the side wall of the container main body is provided with a main body side accommodating portion for accommodating one end of the leaf spring. The lower end of the main body side accommodating portion is closed while the upper end is opened. One end of the leaf spring is inserted into the inside of the lid, and on the back surface of the lid, a lid body side accommodating portion that slidably accommodates the other end of the leaf spring is provided. Both ends of the lid-side housing portion are open, and the other end of the leaf spring is inserted into the inside of the lid-side housing portion. The lid body housing portion further includes the inside of the container body and the inside of the lid body housing portion. Can be formed. According to such a configuration, the leaf spring slides with respect to the lid when the lid moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position. The body opens and closes smoothly.

Further, it is preferable that one end of the leaf spring is detachably accommodated in the main body side accommodating portion, and the other end of the leaf spring is detachably accommodated in the lid side accommodating portion . According to such a structure, since a container main body, a cover body, and a leaf | plate spring can be isolate | separated, these can be wash | cleaned easily.

Further, in each of the above heat and heat retaining containers, it is preferable that the angle formed between the container main body and the lid body is 80 to 110 degrees when the lid body is moved to the second position. Since the lid opens until it reaches 80 degrees or more with respect to the container main body, it is prevented that the lid obstructs when the food in the container main body is sandwiched with chopsticks. In addition, since the lid body does not open more than 110 degrees with respect to the container body, the container body is prevented from being turned over by the weight of the lid body.
In the state where the lid has moved to the second position, the angle formed between the container body and the lid is preferably 90 degrees or more. According to such a configuration, in a state where the lid is moved to the second position, gravity acting on the lid does not function as a force for moving the lid to the first position. For this reason, the lid can be stably held at the second position with respect to the container body (that is, the lid can be stably held in the opened state).

Moreover, the other container for heating and warming of the present application informs the eater in advance that the lid body is opened, and makes it possible to call attention to the eater. That is, in this type of heat and heat retaining container, the lid automatically opens when the temperature of the food in the container (that is, the temperature of the lid opening / closing member made of shape memory alloy) reaches a predetermined temperature. In the closed state, it is difficult to determine the temperature of the food in the container. For this reason, it is difficult to predict the opening timing of the lid, and a situation in which the lid suddenly opens and the eater is surprised is likely to occur. Therefore, another heating and heat insulation container of the present application informs the food provider in advance that the lid body is opened so that the food service person will not be surprised.
Specifically, another heating and insulation container of the present application is a heating and insulation container that can heat and keep food in the container by disposing a heat source below the container, and a container body that contains the food and A lid body that is assembled to the container body and is switched between a first position that closes the upper portion of the container body and a second position that opens the upper portion of the container body, and is interposed between the container body and the lid body. And when the temperature reaches the first temperature (when the predetermined heating temperature is reached), the shape restoration characteristics are used to move the lid from the first position to the second position. And a lid opening / closing member. And the temperature display part is provided in the upper surface of the cover body, The temperature display part alert | reports that the cover body opening / closing member became 2nd temperature lower than 1st temperature.
In this heating and warming container, the temperature display unit notifies that the lid body opening / closing member has reached the second temperature, and then the lid body opens. Therefore, it is possible to predict in advance that the lid body is opened by notification from the temperature display unit, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation where the lid body suddenly opens and is surprised.

  In the above heat and heat retention container, the temperature display section is preferably a thermo color sensor whose color changes when a predetermined temperature is reached. According to such a configuration, the temperature of the lid opening / closing member is notified by color. For this reason, the food provider can easily grasp the temperature of the lid opening / closing member and can enjoy the color change.

Further, the present application provides a food container (cooling container) that cools the food in the container and automatically opens and closes the lid when the temperature of the food is cooled to an appropriate temperature. That is, the cooling container according to the present application can cool the food in the container by disposing a cooling source below the container. The cooling container includes a container main body that contains food, a lid body that is assembled to the container main body, and is switched to a first position that closes the upper portion of the container main body and a second position that opens the upper portion of the container main body. And a torsion coil spring interposed between the container body and the lid. The torsion coil spring is made of a shape-memory alloy wire, one arm is fixed to the container body, and the other arm is fixed to the lid, and its temperature is lower than the temperature of the cooling source. The shape is stored so that the lid body is in the second position when the first temperature is reached.
In order to provide food using this cooling container, a cooling source (for example, ice, dry ice, etc.) is disposed below the container body. The torsion coil spring is cooled in advance so as to be lower than the first temperature (that is, the temperature at which the lid opens). And dishes (foodstuffs), such as sashimi, are arranged in a container main body, a cover body is closed, and it uses for a mealer's front. The food material in the container body is cooled by the cooling source, and the temperature is lowered. On the other hand, since the torsion coil spring is lower than the first temperature (that is, lower than the temperature of the cooling source), the temperature gradually increases. Then, when the temperature of the torsion coil spring reaches the first temperature (that is, when the food in the container body is in a moderately cooled state), the lid body automatically opens.

First, a heating and warming container according to a reference embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The container for heating and heat-retaining in a reference form is a cooking pot that is prepared by heating and cooking a pot dish provided with various ingredients for serving at a ryokan or the like.
As shown in FIG. 1, the dish pan 10 includes a pan body 20 and a lid body 12 that opens and closes the pan body 20. The pot 10 for food bowl is hung on the upper end 42 of the stove 40, and is taken out in front of a mealer's bowl. A cylindrical groove 44 is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the stove 40, and solid fuel (not shown) is installed in the cylindrical groove 44. When the solid fuel is ignited and burnt, the ingredients in the pan 10 are heated by the heat. When the ingredients are boiled, the eater can eat the cooking of the pot in the cooking pot 10 as it is. It should be noted that other heat sources such as charcoal can be installed in the cylindrical groove 44 instead of the solid fuel.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pot body 20 is a bottomed container having an open upper end, and can contain ingredients (such as ingredients for cooking pots) therein. The pot body 20 may be a casting made of a metal such as aluminum or a ceramic one. A part of the side wall 22 of the pot 20 protrudes outward to form a protrusion 24. A coil housing portion 26 is formed in the protruding portion 24, and the bottom surface of the coil housing portion 26 is located slightly lower than the upper end of the pan body 20. The distance from the upper end of the pan 20 to the bottom surface of the coil housing portion 26 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the winding portion 34 of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b. Insertion holes 28 a and 28 b are formed in the bottom surface of the coil housing portion 26. The insertion holes 28a and 28b are formed substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the coil housing portion 26 (the bottom surface of the pan body 20). One end of each of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b is inserted into the insertion holes 28a and 28b so as to be insertable / removable.

The lid body 12 is assembled to the protruding portion 24 of the pot body 20 described above. The lid body 12 is rotated with respect to the projecting portion 24 so as to be switched between a state in which the upper portion of the pan body 20 is opened (the state in FIG. 2) and a state in which the upper portion of the pan body 20 is closed (the state in FIG. 3). It has become. The lid body 12 can also be a casting made of a metal such as aluminum or a ceramic one.
A rotation restricting piece 16 is formed on the lid 12. The rotation restricting piece 16 is formed on the assembly end side to the pan body 20. In a state where the lid body 12 is opened with respect to the pot body 20 (the state shown in FIG. 2), the rotation restricting piece 16 abuts on the upper end of the protruding portion 24 and restricts further rotation of the lid body 12. . Further, when the lid body 12 is closed with respect to the pan body 20 (the state shown in FIG. 3), a gap G is formed between the rotation restricting piece 16 and the protruding portion 24. Therefore, when the ingredients in the cooking pan 10 are heated and cooked with the lid 12 closed, high-temperature steam or the like generated by the cooking is discharged to the outside through the gap G.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface of the lid 12 simulates the appearance of a scallop shell. For this reason, when the lid body 12 is assembled to the pan body 20, the appearance of a bivalve shell is exhibited, creating a taste as tableware.
A temperature display unit 18 is provided on the upper surface of the lid 12. The temperature display unit 18 is provided on the opposite side (that is, the open end side) of the rotation restricting piece 16. The temperature display unit 18 is for informing a caterer or a person of service that the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b have reached a set temperature or higher. Visual or auditory can be used as the notification method. The set temperature is set to be slightly lower than the transformation temperature of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b.

The temperature display unit 18 is preferably a thermo color sensor that changes color when a predetermined temperature is reached. When a thermo color sensor is used for the temperature display unit 18, the thermo color sensor is attached to the upper surface of the lid 12. When the temperature of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b and the temperature of the lid 12 (the temperature of the portion where the thermo color sensor is disposed) can be regarded as substantially the same, the discoloration temperature of the thermo color sensor can be set to the set temperature. On the other hand, when the difference between the temperature of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b and the temperature of the lid 12 (the temperature of the portion where the thermo color sensor is disposed) cannot be ignored, the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b have the above set temperature. The color change temperature of the thermo color sensor may be adjusted so that the thermo color sensor changes color. As the thermo color sensor, for example, a reversible type (color change temperature: 70 ° C.) manufactured by Asei Kogyo Co., Ltd. can be used.
The temperature display unit 18 may be a thermo color sensor that changes to a plurality of colors according to the temperature (for example, a digital thermo tape manufactured by NOF Corporation). When such a thermo color sensor is used, for example, the color of the temperature changing portion 18 can be changed in the order of black → red brown → green → blue → dark blue as the temperature rises. Therefore, since the color of the temperature display unit 18 changes every moment as the temperature of the lid 12 rises, the eater can enjoy the color change with the eyes.

Between the pot body 20 and the lid body 12 described above, torsion coil springs 30a and 30b are interposed. Here, since the torsion coil spring 30a and the torsion coil spring 30b have the same configuration, the coil spring 30a will be described in the following description.
The torsion coil spring 30a is configured by winding a wire made of shape memory alloy. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the torsion coil spring 30a has a locking arm 32a at one end and a locking arm 36a at the other end. As is apparent from the figure, the locking arm 36a is longer than the locking arm 32a. A winding portion 34a is formed between the locking arm 32a and the locking arm 36a. As well shown in FIG. 6, the winding portion 34a is formed by winding a shape-memory alloy wire only once.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the locking arms 36 a and 36 b of the torsion coil springs 30 a and 30 b are embedded in the lid body 12. As a method for embedding the locking arms 36a and 36b in the lid body 12, for example, torsion coil springs 30a and 30b are arranged at predetermined positions in the mold, molten metal is cast into the mold, and the lid body 12 is twisted. A method of integrally forming the coil springs 30a and 30b can be used. The locking arms 36a and 36b in the lid body 12 extend from the rotation regulating piece 16 side of the lid body 12 toward the open end side. Further, the winding portions 34 a and 34 b and the locking arms 32 a and 32 b of the torsion coil springs 30 a and 30 b protrude to the outside of the lid body 12.

  The locking arms 32 a and 32 b of the torsion coil spring 30 a can be inserted into the insertion holes 28 a and 28 b of the pan body 20. The lid 12 is assembled to the pan 20 by inserting the locking arms 32a and 32b into the insertion holes 28a and 28b. In the state where the lid 12 is assembled to the pan body 20, the winding portions 34 a and 34 b of the torsion coil springs 30 a and 30 b are accommodated in the coil accommodating portion 26. Since the coil accommodating portion 26 is formed to be slightly larger than the winding portions 34 a and 34 b, the winding portions 34 a and 34 b are prevented from contacting the wall surface of the pan body 12.

As the wire rod of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b, a wire rod made of a Ti-Ni shape memory alloy (for example, appropriately selected from a diameter of 0.1 to 5.0 mm) can be used. The transformation temperature of the Ti—Ni-based shape memory alloy can be adjusted in the range of −180 to 100 ° C., and is adjusted to approximately 80 ° C. in this reference embodiment . Therefore, the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b exceed the transformation temperature at the timing before and after the cooking pan 10 is heated and the ingredients in the pan are boiled. Even when the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b are deformed in a state equal to or lower than the transformation temperature (martensite state), if the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b exceed the transformation temperature (that is, austenite state), the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b are restored to the original shape memorized shape. The transformation temperature of the Ti—Ni-based shape memory alloy can be adjusted by changing the composition ratio of Ti and Ni and by changing the contents of V, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Al, and the like.
In addition to the Ti—Ni alloy described above, a Cu—Zn—Al alloy, Ti—Ni—Cu, Ti—Ni—Fe, Cu—Zn, or the like is used for the wire rods of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b. be able to.

The shape of the torsion coil spring 30a (30b) described above is memorized so that the angle formed by the locking arm 32a (32b) and the locking arm 36a (36b) is a predetermined angle. Specifically, an angle larger than the angle formed by the locking arm 32a (32b) and the locking arm 36a (36b) when the lid 12 is in an open state (the state shown in FIG. 2) with respect to the pan body 20. The shape is memorized (that is, the direction in which the lid 12 is opened more). Therefore, when the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b are heated to the transformation temperature or higher with the lid body 12 closed with respect to the pan body 20, the lid body 12 has the lid body 12 due to the shape restoring force of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b. A force will act in the direction of opening.
In order to store the shape of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b in a desired shape, for example, the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b are embedded in the lid body 12 at a predetermined temperature [for example, a range of 350 ° C. to 550 ° C. (Preferably 400 to 500 ° C.) and rapid cooling.

  Next, an example of the use of the above-described dish pan 10 will be described. First, the full-scale ingredients are put into the pot body 20. Next, the locking arms 32a and 32b of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b fixed to the lid body 12 are inserted into the insertion holes 28a and 28b of the pan body 20, the lid body 12 is assembled to the pan body 20, and the lid The body 12 is closed (state shown in FIG. 3). In addition, since the operation | work which closes the cover body 12 is performed at normal temperature, the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b are in a martensitic state. For this reason, the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b are easily deformed, and the lid 12 is held in a closed state.

  The cooking pot 10 with the lid 12 closed is put in front of the user in a state of being hung on the stove 40 and ignited by solid fuel (not shown) disposed in the cylindrical groove 44 of the stove 40. . When the solid fuel burns, the food in the pan 10 is heated by the heat. Hot air generated during heating passes through the coil housing portion 26 and is exhausted to the outside through the gap G between the pan body 20 and the lid body 12. At this time, the high-temperature air heats the winding portions 34a and 34b of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b. For this reason, the temperature of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b rises according to the temperature rise of the foodstuff, and the correlation between the temperature of the foodstuff and the temperature of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b can be strengthened.

  When the pan 10 is heated and the temperature of the lid 12 reaches 60 to 70 ° C., the color of the temperature display unit 18 changes, and the user is notified that the temperature of the lid 12 has increased. . For this reason, the user can know that the temperature of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b has risen by the temperature display unit 18, and can predict the opening timing of the lid body 12. For this reason, the situation where the lid 12 suddenly opens and is surprised is prevented.

  When the pan 10 is further heated and the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b exceed the transformation temperature (for example, 80 to 90 ° C.), the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b attempt to restore the original shape memorized. For this reason, a force acts on the lid 12 in the direction in which the lid 12 opens. At this time, since the restoring force of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b has a magnitude corresponding to the bending rigidity of the wire constituting the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b, a large force is generated compared to the conventional (torsional rigidity of the wire). can do. Further, the locking arms 36a and 36b of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b extend from one end (assembly end) of the lid 12 to the vicinity of the other end (open end). Therefore, the shape restoring force can be applied to a position away from the rotation center (the assembly end side) of the lid body 12, and the shape restoring force can be efficiently converted into a force for opening the lid body. Furthermore, since the winding portions 34a and 34b of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b are accommodated in the coil accommodating portion 26 and are prevented from contacting the wall surface of the pan body 20, the shape restoring force of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b is reduced. It is used effectively. Therefore, even if the lid 12 is made of heavy metal or ceramic, the lid 12 can be opened by the shape restoring force of the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b. In the state where the lid body 12 is opened, the bivalve shells are naturally open so that the user can enjoy a pleasant meal.

  In addition, since the lid 12 is detachable from the pan body 20, the lid 12 can be removed from the pan body 20 during a meal or after washing and storage. For this reason, the lid body 12 can be removed for eating according to the user's preference, and washing and storage after the meal can be easily performed.

As is clear from the above description, in the cooking pan 10 of this reference embodiment , the shape restoring force generated by the torsion coil springs 30a and 30b can be efficiently converted into a force for opening the lid 12. . For this reason, even if the weight of the cover body 12 is heavy, the cover body 12 can be opened stably.

In the reference embodiment described above, the winding portion of the torsion coil spring is one turn, but the number of turns of the torsion coil spring can be appropriately adjusted according to the magnitude of the force required to open the lid. Further, the number of torsion coil springs may be increased or decreased to adjust the force for opening the lid.
In the reference embodiment described above, the torsion coil springs 36a and 36b are embedded in the lid body 12, but the torsion coil springs 36a and 36b are fixed to the back surface of the lid body 12 as shown in FIG. May be. According to such a configuration, the lid body 12 and the torsion coil springs 36a and 36b can be manufactured at separate factories, and then both can be assembled (fixed). As a method of fixing the torsion coil springs 36 a and 36 b to the lid body 12, for example, appropriate portions of the torsion coil springs 36 a and 36 b can be fixed to the back surface of the lid body 12 using the coupling piece 39. That is, both ends of the coupling piece 39 may be fixed (adhered) to the back surface of the lid body 12 and the torsion coil springs 36 a and 36 b may be supported from below by the intermediate portion of the coupling piece 39. Or you may make it fix the torsion coil springs 36a and 36b to the back surface of the cover body 12 using an adhesive tape.
In addition, when the structure which fixes the torsion coil springs 36a and 36b to the back surface of the cover body 12 is taken, each end of the torsion coil springs 36a and 36b may be connected by a rigid coupling member 37 (for example, a stainless pipe pipe). Preferred (see FIG. 9). When the tips of the torsion coil springs 36a and 36b are connected by the coupling member 37, even if a temperature difference occurs in the torsion coil springs 36a and 36b and a difference occurs in the restoring force, the force (and / or temperature) of one torsion coil spring is generated. Is transmitted to the other and can be operated substantially simultaneously. Accordingly, the lid body 12 is stably opened.
Further, if the shaft is inserted into the winding portions 34a and 34b of the torsion coil springs 36a and 36b and the shaft is supported by the pan body 20, the lid body 12 can be stably opened.

Further, in the reference embodiment described above, a torsion coil spring is used to open and close the lid, but in an embodiment embodying the present invention, a plate spring is used instead of the torsion coil spring . 10 to 12 show an example in which a leaf spring is used to open and close the lid.
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a housing portion 23 is provided on the side wall 22 of the pan body 20. The accommodating portion 23 is disposed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 22. The housing part 23 is closed at the lower end and is opened at the upper end, and one end of the leaf spring 60 is inserted into the interior 23a. The width of the accommodating portion 23 is formed to be substantially the same as the plate width of the leaf spring 60. For this reason, in a state where one end of the leaf spring 60 is inserted into the housing portion 23, the leaf spring 60 is restricted from moving in the left-right direction within the housing portion 23, and the leaf spring 60 is stabilized in the pan body 20. It is supposed to be held at. However, even if the movement of the leaf spring 60 in the left-right direction is restricted, the leaf spring 60 can be moved upward (that is, the leaf spring 60 can be pulled out from the accommodating portion 23). It ’s like that)
In addition, the width of the accommodating portion 23 may be gradually narrowed toward the bottom surface of the pan body 20 so as to be substantially the same as the plate width of the leaf spring 60 in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the pan body 20. According to such a configuration, since the width of the upper end of the accommodating portion 23 is wider than the plate width of the leaf spring 60, the leaf spring 60 can be easily inserted into the accommodating portion 23.

  A housing portion 15 that houses the other end of the leaf spring 60 is provided on the back surface of the lid body 12. The accommodating part 15 is arrange | positioned adjacent to the assembly | attachment site | part to the pot body 20 of the cover body 12. As shown in FIG. Both ends (upper and lower ends of FIG. 10) of the accommodating portion 15 are open, and the other end of the leaf spring 60 is inserted into the inside 15a. When one end of the leaf spring 60 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 23 of the pot body 20 and the other end of the leaf spring 60 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 15 of the lid body 12, the lid body 12 is assembled to the pot body 20. Can be found. As apparent from FIGS. 11 and 12, in a state where the lid body 12 is assembled to the pan body 12, when the leaf spring 60 is bent, the lid body 12 rotates with respect to the pan body 12, and It is possible to switch between a state in which the upper part is opened (state in FIG. 11) and a state in which the upper part of the pan body 20 is closed (state in FIG. 12).

The interval between the accommodating portions 15 (that is, the interval in the plate thickness direction of the plate spring 60) and the width (that is, the interval in the plate width direction of the plate spring 60) are slightly larger than the plate thickness and the plate width of the plate spring 60, respectively. In addition, the overall plate width is substantially constant. For this reason, in a state where the other end of the leaf spring 60 is inserted into the accommodating portion 15, the other end of the leaf spring 60 can easily slide in the advancing and retracting direction of the accommodating portion 15. Therefore, when the lid body 21 changes from the state in which the upper portion of the pan body 20 is closed (the state in FIG. 12) to the state in which the upper portion is opened (the state in FIG. 11), the other end of the leaf spring 60 is in front of the accommodating portion 15. Slide towards you. On the other hand, when the lid body 21 changes from the state in which the upper side of the pan body 20 is opened (the state in FIG. 11) to the state in which the upper side is closed (the state in FIG. 12), the other end of the leaf spring 60 Slide towards you. The other end of the leaf spring 60 slides in the accommodating portion 15 in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the lid body 12 so that the opening / closing operation of the lid body 12 with respect to the pot body 20 is performed smoothly.
Further, a through hole 17 is formed in the accommodating portion 15 of the lid body 12. When heating the food stored in the pot 20, warm air or steam is introduced into the interior 15 a of the storage portion 15 through the through hole 17. Thereby, heat is efficiently transmitted to the leaf spring 60.
As can be seen from FIG. 11, when the lid 12 is open, the angle formed by the pan 20 and the lid 12 is approximately 90 degrees. For this reason, the lid body 12 is supported on the upper surface of the side wall 22 of the pan body 20, whereby the lid body 12 is stably held in a state where the upper portion of the pan body 20 is opened. However, the angle at which the lid 12 opens with respect to the pan body 20 can be appropriately set in consideration of the weight of the lid 12 and the restoring force of the leaf spring 60. At this time, it is preferable to set the opening angle of the lid 12 in a range of 80 to 110 degrees. By making the opening angle of the lid 20 more than 80 degrees, it becomes easy to take out the ingredients in the pot body 20, and by making the opening angle of the lid 20 less than 110 degrees, the pan body 20 is pulled back. It can be prevented from returning.

Next, the leaf spring 60 will be described. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a leaf spring 60 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the leaf spring 60 is composed of a plurality of plate members 62 a to 62 c and 64 a to 64 d made of a shape memory alloy. The plate members 62 a to 62 c are arranged at equal intervals in the plate width direction of the plate spring 60 and extend linearly in the longitudinal direction of the plate spring 60.
Two plate members 64 a to 64 d are arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plate spring 60. Each of the plate material 62a and the plate materials 64a to 64d is welded, each of the plate material 62b and the plate materials 64a to 64d is welded, and each of the plate material 64c and the plate materials 64a to 64d is welded. By joining the three plate members 62a to 62c with the plate members 64a to 64d, the three plate members 62a to 62c can be integrally deformed and restored.
The plate members 62a to 62c are linearly stored in shape. Therefore, when the plate members 62a to 62c are heated from the bent state (the state of FIG. 12), the plate members 62a to 62c are restored to the linear state (the state of FIG. 11). Thereby, the lid body 12 is switched from the closed state to the opened state.
As is clear from FIG. 13, the plate material 64a and the plate material 64d are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the plate materials 62a to 62c, and the plate material 64b and the plate material 64c are arranged symmetrically in the longitudinal direction of the plate materials 62a to 62c. For this reason, the leaf | plate spring 60 can be inserted in the accommodating parts 15 and 23, without minding the front and back. Further, the plate members 64a to 64d are joined in the vicinity of both ends of the plate members 62a to 62c, and are joined to the central portion thereof (that is, the portion where the plate members 62a to 62c bend when the pan body 20 is closed with the lid 12). Not. For this reason, the plate members 62a to 62c can be bent easily, and the lid 12 can be easily opened and closed.
The plate members 62a to 62c and 64a to 64d can be subjected to surface treatment by electrodeposition coating or the like. When surface treatments such as electrodeposition coating are performed on the surfaces of the plate materials 62a to 62c and 64a to 64d, the plate materials 62a to 62c and 64a to 64d have a black luster and can improve the appearance.

Even in the above-described embodiment of the cooking pot 10, when the ingredients in the cooking pot 10 are heated to a temperature suitable for eating, the lid body 12 is attached to the pot body 20 in the same manner as the reference embodiment already described. It can be automatically changed from a closed state to an open state.
Further, in the dish pan 10, a leaf spring 60 is used to open and close the lid 12. One end of the leaf spring 60 is detachably accommodated in the accommodating portion 23 of the pan body 20, and the other end is detachably accommodated in the accommodating portion 15 of the lid 12. For this reason, the pan body 20, the lid body 12, and the leaf spring 60 can be easily separated or assembled, and handling at the time of washing or eating becomes easy.
Further, the plate spring 60 is configured by joining a plurality of plate members 62a to 62c and 64a to 64d, thereby increasing the plate width of the plate spring 60 with a small amount of material. As a result, a large restoring force can be applied to the lid 12 with a small amount of material, and the lid 12 can be opened stably because the plate width is increased. In the above example, the leaf spring 60 is composed of a plurality of plate members 62a to 62c and 64a to 64d. However, a single plate member made of a shape memory alloy can be used for the plate spring 60.
Further, in the eating pan 10 of the above-described embodiment, the through hole 17 is formed in the housing portion 15 of the lid 12, but the through hole 17 is not necessarily formed in the housing portion 15.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are only examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology disclosed in this specification includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

For example, although the reference form mentioned above was an example of the cooking pot for pot dishes, the technique disclosed in this specification can be applied to various other cooking pots. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the present invention can also be applied to a cooking pot 50 for baking and cooking ingredients. The cooking pot 50 includes a ceramic ceramic plate 58 and a lid 52 that opens and closes the ceramic plate 58. A torsion coil spring 56 is interposed between the porcelain plate 58 and the lid body 52 as in the above-described reference embodiment .
In addition, in this pot for food bowl 50, the torsion coil spring 56 is detachable from the lid 52. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, one end of the torsion coil spring 56 is fixed to the porcelain plate 58 so as not to be detached. On the other hand, an insertion tube 54 manufactured separately from the lid body 52 is fixed to the back surface of the lid body 52, and the other end of the torsion coil spring 56 is inserted into the insertion tube 54 so that it can be inserted and removed. ing.
In addition, unlike the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the torsion coil spring can be attached to and detached from the container body (pan body, porcelain plate, etc.) and the lid body, and the torsion coil spring can be shared by a plurality of types of food pans. If it does in this way, even if a dish changes according to a season and the kind of pot for meals changes, it can share about a torsion coil spring.

Moreover, although each form mentioned above was related with the pan for heat-cooking the foodstuff in a container, the technique disclosed by this specification is applied also to the cooling container which cools the foodstuff in a container. Can do. For example, a cooling container (for example, a glass dish or the like) according to one reference form of the present application is placed on ice, and the dish (sashimi or the like) in the container is cooled by the ice. The torsion coil spring interposed between the container body and the lid is adjusted so that its transformation temperature is lower than the ice temperature (0 ° C.).
In order to provide food using the cooling container, first, the torsion coil spring is cooled so that the temperature is lower than the transformation temperature. And dishes (foodstuffs), such as sashimi, are arranged in a container main body, a lid | cover is closed and it serves for a mealer's front. The food in the container body is cooled by ice, and the temperature is lowered. On the other hand, since the temperature of the torsion coil spring is cooled so as to be lower than ice (= 0 ° C.), the temperature of the torsion coil spring gradually increases. When the temperature of the torsion coil spring reaches the transformation temperature (that is, when the food in the container is in a moderately cooled state), the lid automatically opens, and the eater can eat the food in the container as it is. it can.
As is apparent from the description of the above-described embodiments (heating container, cooling container), the lid can be opened at an appropriate temperature corresponding to various foods by adjusting the transformation temperature of the torsion coil spring. .

Moreover, the external appearance of the pan for food can show various external appearances according to the kind of dish. For example, when providing crab dishes, a dish pot or dish container simulating the appearance of a crab can be used. 14 and 15 has a container body 74 and a lid body 72 simulating the appearance of a bowl, and the lid body 72 is opened and closed with respect to the container body 74 by a spring made of shape memory alloy. What should I do?
Moreover, the technique of the present invention can be applied to a steamer that steams food for one person and can serve as it is, in addition to a pan for cooking dishes used for pan cooking and the like. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a heat-retaining container or the like for heat-retaining food provided at a standing party in a banquet hall such as a hotel. In addition, the cross section of the torsion coil spring used in each embodiment described above may be either circular or rectangular (square or rectangular).

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

It is a perspective view which shows the use condition of the pan for reference forms (the state which isolate | separated the pan and the lid). It is sectional drawing of the pan for foodstuffs in the state where the cover body was opened. It is sectional drawing of the pan for foodstuffs in the state where the cover body was closed. It is a top view of the pan for eating dishes. It is a side view of a torsion coil spring. It is a front view of a torsion coil spring. It is sectional drawing of the pan for meals based on the other reference form disclosed in this specification . It is a figure which expands and shows the cover body assembly part of the pan for meals shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the pan for meals shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the pan for food bowls concerning this embodiment . It is sectional drawing of the pan for meals shown in FIG. 10 (state which the cover body opened). It is sectional drawing of the pan for meals shown in FIG. 10 (state which the cover body closed). It is a top view of the leaf | plate spring used for the pan for meals shown in FIG. It is a top view of the pan for meals concerning other embodiments of the present invention (state where a lid was closed). It is a top view of the pan for meals concerning other embodiments of the present invention (the state where the lid opened).

10 .. Cooking pan 12 ... Lid 14 ... Contact surface 16 ... Rotation restricting piece 18 ... Temperature display part 20 ... Pot body 22 ... Side wall 24 ... Projecting part 26 ... Coil housing part 28a, 28b ... Insertion holes 30a, 30b ... Torsion coil springs 32a, 32b ... Locking arms 34a, 34b ... Winding portions 36a, 36b ... Locking arms 40 ... Stove 44 ... Cylindrical grooves

Claims (4)

A heating and heat retention container that can heat and retain food in the container by arranging a heat source below the container,
A container body for containing ingredients;
A lid that is assembled to the container body and is switched to a first position that closes the top of the container body and a second position that opens the top of the container body;
A leaf spring interposed between the container body and the lid,
The leaf spring is made of a plate material made of shape memory alloy, and one end is attached to the container body while the other end is attached to the lid, and the lid is first when the temperature reaches the first temperature. The shape is memorized so as to be at position 2 ,
The side wall of the container main body is provided with a main body side accommodating portion that accommodates one end of the leaf spring. The lower end of the main body side accommodating portion is closed while the upper end is opened, and one end of the leaf spring is provided therein. Is to be inserted,
On the back surface of the lid body, a lid body side accommodating portion that slidably accommodates the other end of the leaf spring is provided, both ends of the lid body side accommodating portion are open, and the other end of the leaf spring is disposed inside the lid body side accommodating portion. It is supposed to be inserted,
A container for heating and warming , in which a through-hole that communicates the inside of the container main body and the inside of the lid body housing portion is formed in the lid body housing portion . When the lid moves from the second position to the first position, the other end of the leaf spring slides toward the back of the lid housing portion , and the lid moves from the first position to the second position. The container for heating and heat-retaining according to claim 1 , wherein the other end of the leaf spring slides toward the front of the lid housing portion when moving. 3. The heating and heat retention according to claim 2 , wherein one end of the leaf spring is detachably accommodated in the main body side accommodating portion, and the other end of the leaf spring is detachably accommodated in the lid side accommodating portion . container. The container for heating and warming according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein an angle between the container body and the lid body is 80 to 110 degrees in a state where the lid body is moved to the second position.

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