JP5722851B2 - Pressure cooking system, cooking device and cooking container used therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure cooking system, a cooking device used therefor, and a cooking container, and more specifically, a pressure cooking system that transports a large number of cooking containers along a transportation line and performs pressure cooking for each cooking container, a cooking device used therefor, and It relates to cooking containers.

  Various types of pressure cookers or pressure cookers have been proposed. For example, various proposals have been made as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 and the like even for pressure cooking that is known as a representative example of pressure cooking. However, all the pressure rice cookers that have been proposed in the past are household rice cookers, and an inner pot is placed inside the rice cooker body equipped with a heating device, and rice, water, etc. are put into the inner pot. The upper lid of the inner pot is closed and heated by an outer lid that is attached to the rice cooker body by means of a hinge or the like and that can be opened and closed, and an inner lid with a pressure control valve attached to the outer lid. Thus, rice cooking is performed while maintaining the inside of the inner pot in a pressurized state.

  However, in a commercial rice cooking system that transports a large number of rice cookers along the conveyance line and cooks each rice cooker, rice cooking materials such as rice, water, ingredients, and seasoning liquid are put into the rice cooking pot. In addition, taking out the cooked rice from the rice cooker is automatically performed by the machine, and each time the lid of the rice cooker is automatically removed, so the rice cooker lid is always removable. It must be attached to the rice cooker. For this reason, in the rice cooker used for a commercial rice cooking system, it is difficult to semi-fixably attach the lid to the rice cooking pot by means such as a hinge in order to maintain the inside of the rice cooking pot in a pressurized state.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 4, pressure rice cooking is performed using a lid that is detachably attached to the rice cooker by doubling the lid of the rice cooker and defining the opening area and the number of openings in each lid. Possible pressure rice cookers have been proposed. However, in the pressure rice cooker disclosed in Patent Document 4, since two lids are used per one rice cooker, the automatic detaching mechanism of the lid in the rice cooking system becomes complicated, and the equipment becomes large. There is an inconvenience.

JP 2003-70638 A JP 2007-236508 A JP 2008-55089 A JP 2011-130834 A

  The present invention was made to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, and can be used for pressure cooking such as pressure cooking using a cooking container having a detachable lid that is not connected to the container body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure cooking system, a cooking device and a cooking container used therefor.

  As a result of intensive trial and error in order to solve the above problems, the present inventor used a pressurizing device having a steam introduction passage and a pressure reservoir chamber, the flow path resistance of which can be adjusted. The lower surface of the pressurizing device is brought into contact with the upper surface of the lid of the cooking container, and the steam introduction passage is communicated with a steam outlet provided in the lid of the cooking container so that the steam ejected from the cooking container is the steam introduction passage. Pressure cooking for pressure cooking such as pressure cooking using a cooking container having a detachable lid that is not connected to the container body by being discharged to the outside via the pressure reservoir chamber I found that I could build a system.

That is, the present invention includes a plurality of cooking apparatuses, a cooking container transport apparatus that performs an operation of setting a cooking container at each cooking position of the plurality of cooking apparatuses and an operation of taking out the cooking container from the cooking position. And the cooking device comprises:
(A) A pressurizing device comprising a steam introduction passage, a passage resistance adjusting means for adjusting a passage resistance of the steam introduction passage, and a pressure pool chamber having a steam discharge port, wherein one of the steam introduction passages A pressurizing device having an end opened on the lower surface of the main body of the pressurizing device and the other end connected to the pressure reservoir;
(A) heating means for heating the cooking container set at the cooking position; and
(C) a moving device for moving the pressurizing device at least in the vertical direction, wherein a lower surface of the main body having the opening of the pressurizing device is in contact with an upper surface of the lid of the cooking container set at a cooking position; A lowering position at which a steam introduction passage communicates with a steam outlet provided in the lid of the cooking container; and an upper surface of the lid of the cooking container in which a lower surface of the main body having the opening of the pressurizing device is set at a cooking position; A moving device that moves the pressurizing device between a raised position that does not contact and the steam introduction passage does not communicate with the steam outlet provided in the lid of the cooking container;
The above-described problems are solved by providing a pressure cooking system including the above.

The present invention also provides:
(A) A pressurizing device comprising a steam introduction passage, a passage resistance adjusting means for adjusting a passage resistance of the steam introduction passage, and a pressure pool chamber having a steam discharge port, wherein one of the steam introduction passages A pressurizing device having an end opened on the lower surface of the main body of the pressurizing device and the other end connected to the pressure reservoir;
(A) heating means for heating the cooking container set at the cooking position; and
(C) a moving device for moving the pressurizing device at least in the vertical direction, wherein a lower surface of the main body having the opening of the pressurizing device is in contact with an upper surface of the lid of the cooking container set at a cooking position; A lowering position at which a steam introduction passage communicates with a steam outlet provided in the lid of the cooking container; and an upper surface of the lid of the cooking container in which a lower surface of the main body having the opening of the pressurizing device is set at a cooking position; A moving device that moves the pressurizing device between a raised position that does not contact and the steam introduction passage does not communicate with the steam outlet provided in the lid of the cooking container;
The above-mentioned problem is solved by providing a cooking device provided with the above.

  In the pressure cooking system of the present invention, when the cooking container is set at the cooking position, the moving device in each cooking apparatus operates to move the pressure device to the lowered position, and the lower surface of the main body of the pressure device is moved to the cooking container. The steam introduction passage is communicated with a steam outlet provided in the lid of the cooking container. Therefore, when the pressurizing device is in the lowered position, the lid of the cooking container is pressed downward by the lower surface of the pressurizing device, and the steam ejected from the steam outlet of the cooking container is the steam in the pressurizing device. It is discharged to the outside through the introduction passage and the pressure accumulation chamber. Since the flow path resistance adjusting means is provided in the steam introduction passage, an appropriate differential pressure can be generated between the cooking container and the pressure reservoir chamber by adjusting the flow path resistance adjusting means. In addition, the steam that has passed through the steam introduction passage is not exhausted to the outside as it is, but is once filled into the pressure reservoir chamber and discharged to the outside after reaching a uniform pressure. Is kept relatively stable, and as a result, pressure cooking can be performed while the cooking container is maintained in a stable pressurized state.

  Moreover, the pressure cooking system and cooking apparatus of this invention are the one aspect | mode. WHEREIN: A pressurization apparatus is a steam exhaust passage connected to the said steam exhaust port of the said pressure reservoir chamber, and the flow resistance of a steam exhaust passage. It is desirable to provide a channel resistance adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate. When the pressurizing device includes such a steam discharge passage and a flow path resistance adjusting means provided in the steam discharge passage, the pressure reservoir chamber and the pressure cooking system are adjusted by adjusting the flow path resistance adjusting means. Appropriate differential pressure can be generated also between the external atmosphere in which the is installed. As a result, the interior of the pressure chamber is maintained at a higher pressure than the external atmosphere, and the pressure state in the cooking vessel is more stably pressurized in combination with the adjustment of the flow path resistance in the steam introduction passage. Can be adjusted and maintained.

  Furthermore, in the pressure cooking system and cooking apparatus of this invention, it is desirable that the said moving apparatus is provided with the elastic means which urges | biases the said pressurization apparatus toward the downward direction. When the moving device includes elastic means for urging the pressurizing device downward, when the pressurizing device is moved to the lowered position by the moving device, the lower surface of the main body of the pressurizing device is a cooking container. When the pressurization device is further lowered from the position where it comes into contact with the upper surface of the lid, the elastic means works and the lower surface of the main body of the pressurization device is urged by an elastic force against the upper surface of the lid of the cooking container. Thereby, contact | abutting with the main body lower surface of a pressurization apparatus and the upper surface of the lid | cover of a cooking vessel can be made more reliable and dense. Further, when the pressure inside the cooking container rises abnormally during pressure cooking, the lid of the cooking container is pushed upward against the elastic force of the elastic means. The advantage that it can be made to function as is obtained.

  Furthermore, in the pressure cooking system and cooking apparatus of the present invention, it is desirable that the pressurizing device includes a seal portion around the opening of the steam introduction passage. In the case where the pressurizing device is provided with such a seal portion, it is possible to prevent the steam ejected from the steam outlet of the cooking container from leaking outside without being introduced into the steam introduction passage in the pressurizing device. The inside of the cooking container can be more reliably maintained in a pressurized state. For such a seal portion, the lower surface around the opening of the pressurization device may be used as the seal portion as it is. For example, a seal member formed of an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic resin is used as the seal device. It is desirable to form by attaching around the opening.

  The pressure cooking system and cooking apparatus of this invention are equipped with the means to which the moving apparatus further moves the said pressurization apparatus to a horizontal direction in the suitable one aspect | mode. As a result, the moving device moves the pressurizing device in the horizontal direction in addition to the up-down direction, so that, for example, removal of the cooking container from each cooking device and retraction that does not hinder the setting of the cooking container to each cooking device. The pressure device can be moved to a position.

  The present invention also includes a container body having an upper opening, and a detachable lid that closes the opening in the container body, the lid having a flat portion on an upper surface thereof and an opening in the flat portion. The above problem is solved by providing a cooking container having a steam outlet. In the cooking container of the present invention, since the upper surface of the lid where the steam outlet is formed is flat, the adhesion between the upper surface of the lid and the lower surface of the main body of the pressurizing device is increased, and the steam outlet and the aforementioned The communication with the steam introduction passage in the pressurizing device can be made more reliable. Moreover, since the force applied to the lid of the cooking container from the lower surface of the main body of the pressurizing device is also equalized, the lid of the cooking container can be more reliably supported during pressure cooking.

  The cooking container of the present invention has a simple structure in which a flat portion and a steam outlet are formed on the upper surface of the lid, and the lid is not locked to the container body, And detachable. Therefore, the cooking container of the present invention can be automatically detached using a lid automatic detaching apparatus conventionally used in a commercial cooking system such as a rice cooking system.

  In a preferred example of the cooking container of the present invention, the container main body includes upper and lower two-stage eaves that protrude horizontally from the outer periphery of the side wall toward the outside, and the lid is the upper surface of the upper eaves The seal part is provided in the part which contacts. Moreover, the cooking container of this invention has the step part which the container main body contacts the outer peripheral lower surface of a lid in the inner periphery of the side wall in the other suitable example, and a cover contacts the said step part. The part is provided with a seal part. Thus, when the lid in the cooking container of the present invention is provided with the seal portion in the portion that comes into contact with the cooking container body, the dissipation of steam from the contact portion between the lid and the container body is prevented, and the cooking container There is an advantage that the inside is more reliably maintained in a pressurized state.

  The pressure cooking system of the present invention is intended for all pressure cooking performed in a pressurized state, and there is no particular limitation on the type of pressure cooking, but the pressure cooking system of the present invention is a rice cooking performed in a pressurized state. That is, it is most suitable to target pressure rice cooking, for example, in the case of a pressure rice cooking system for business in which a large number of rice cooking pots are conveyed along a conveying line and pressure rice cooking is performed sequentially for each rice cooking pot The effect is most effective. Incidentally, when the pressure cooking system of the present invention targets pressure rice cooking, the cooking device is a rice cooking device, and the cooking container is a rice cooker.

  According to the pressure cooking system of the present invention, in a commercial cooking system in which a large number of cooking containers are transported along a transport line and cooking is performed for each cooking container, there is an advantage that pressure cooking can be performed for each cooking container. can get. Further, according to the pressure cooking system and the cooking apparatus of the present invention, the pressure state in the cooking container can be appropriately adjusted by adjusting the flow resistance of the steam introduction passage and / or the steam discharge passage. The advantage is that pressure cooking can be performed at an optimum pressure depending on the type of cooking and / or the type of food material to be pressure cooked. In particular, when the pressure cooking system of the present invention is a pressure rice cooking system and the cooking device of the present invention is a rice cooking device, depending on the variety of rice to be pressure cooked, the water content, etc., in an optimal pressure state The advantage that pressure rice cooking can be performed is acquired. Moreover, according to the pressure cooking system and cooking container of the present invention, pressure cooking can be performed using the cooking container main body and a detachable lid that is neither locked nor connected to the cooking container main body. It is possible to apply the same automatic lid attaching / detaching device as in the prior art, and there is an advantage that pressure cooking can be performed for each cooking container without requiring excessive equipment as a cooking system.

It is a front view which shows an example of the pressure rice cooking system of this invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged front view of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of FIG. 2. It is the elements on larger scale which take out and show only the part of the channel resistance adjustment device provided in the steam introduction passage. It is the elements on larger scale which take out and show only the part of the channel resistance adjustment device provided in the steam discharge passage. FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2 taken along line X-X ′. It is a front view which shows an example of the rice cooking pot of this invention. It is a top view of the pot main body of the rice cooking pot of this invention. It is a top view of the lid | cover of the rice cooking pot of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view of the rice cooking pot of the present invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the pressure rice cooking system of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the pressure rice cooking system of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the pressure rice cooking system of this invention. It is a left side fragmentary sectional view of a rice cooking device in which a pressurizing device is in an elevated position. It is the elements on larger scale of FIG. It is a left side fragmentary sectional view of a rice cooking device in which a pressurizer is in a lowered position. It is the elements on larger scale of FIG. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the pressure rice cooking system of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view showing another example of the rice cooker of the present invention. It is a vertical sectional view of a rice cooker in a state where a lid is attached.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated one. Moreover, in the following description, although this invention is mainly demonstrated to a pressure rice cooking system as an example, it cannot be overemphasized that the pressure cooking system of this invention is not restricted to a pressure rice cooking system.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a pressure rice cooking system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is the pressure rice cooking system of this invention, and the pressure rice cooking system 1 has five rice cooking apparatuses 2a-2e arrange | positioned linearly as a cooking apparatus. H is a rice cooker and corresponds to a cooking container. In the pressure rice cooking system 1 of this invention, the rice cookers 2a-2e should just exist two or more units | sets, and of course, the number is not restricted to five units | sets. Moreover, in this example, although rice cooker 2a-2e is arrange | positioned at linear form, the arrangement | positioning form is not restricted to linear form, You may arrange | position at curvilinear form or circular shape. Furthermore, the pressure rice cooking system 1 of this invention may have 2 or more rows of the several rice cooking apparatus arrange | positioned at linear form.

  The rice cookers 2a to 2e have furnaces 3a to 3e, heating means 4a to 4e, pressurization devices 5a to 5e, and moving devices 6a to 6e, respectively. The heating means 4a to 4e are based on any heat generation mechanism as long as the rice cooker H can be heated and cooked when the rice cooker H is set at the rice cooking position of each of the rice cookers 2a to 2e. May be. As the heating means 4a to 4e, for example, a gas burner such as a Bunsen gas burner or a surface combustion gas burner, a heating means such as an electromagnetic induction heating device or an electric heater can be used, and among them, a Bunsen gas burner or a surface combustion gas burner, etc. The gas burner is preferably used.

  As will be described later, the pressurizing devices 5a to 5e can be moved in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction by the moving devices 6a to 6e. In FIG. 1, the rice cooker H is set in the furnace 3d of the rice cooker 2d, the pressurizing device 5d faces the front, and is in the lowered position, but the other pressurizing devices 5a, 5b, 5c and 5e are in the raised position and are in a state of facing the side. 7 is a rice cooker receiving portion, 8 is a rice cooker carry-out portion, R is a rotating roller, and S is a stopper.

  9 is a rice cooker transport device that transports the rice cooker H, and corresponds to a cooking container transport device. The rice cooker transport device 9 includes a traveling wheel 10, an electric motor M, and a rice cooker gripping device 11, and the rice cooker gripping device 11 further includes two pairs of gripping claws 12. Reference numeral 13 denotes a traveling path of the traveling wheel 10. When the electric motor M rotates, the traveling wheel 10 rotates, and the rice cooker transport device 9 travels on the traveling path 13 in the left-right direction in the drawing. The rice cooker gripping device 11 can be moved up and down by a cylinder mechanism provided in the rice cooker transport device 9. The pair of gripping claws 12 can be moved in the horizontal direction by a cylinder mechanism provided in the rice cooker gripping device 11, and moved between a gripping position approaching each other and a release position separated from each other, The rice cooker H can be gripped and released.

  14 is a control device, 15 is a power source, 16 is a compressed air source, and 17 is a cable / hose support / guide device. Compressed air supplied from the compressed air source 16 is supplied to each cylinder mechanism provided in the rice cooker transport device 9 and the rice cooker gripping device 11 to raise and lower the rice cooker gripping device 11, and to the gripping claws 12. Used for gripping and releasing operations. The control device 14 is connected to the rice cookers 2a to 2e, the receiving unit 7, the carry-out unit 8, and the rice cooker transport device 9 via signal lines (not shown), and controls the operation of these devices.

  FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged front view showing only the rice cooker 2a. In FIG. 2, the moving device 6 a includes an electric motor m, a rotating shaft 61, a rotating arm 62, and a lifting cylinder 63. The electric motor m and the rotating shaft 61 are connected via a gear box (not shown), and the rotating arm 62 is connected to the rotating shaft 61. The elevating cylinder 63 is attached to the tip of the rotating arm 62. Therefore, when the electric motor m rotates, the rotating shaft 61 also rotates, and along with the rotation, the rotating arm 62 connected to the rotating shaft 61 rotates with the elevating cylinder 63 and moves in the horizontal direction. The rotating shaft 61, the rotating arm 62, and the lifting cylinder 63 are rotated in either the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction by switching the rotating direction of the electric motor m or changing the meshing state of the gear in the above-described gear box. Can also be rotated.

  A pressurizing device 5 a is attached to the tip of the piston of the elevating cylinder 63 via a pressing plate 65. 51 is a top plate of the pressurizing device 5a, 52 is a main body of the pressurizing device 5a, 53 and 55 are flow resistance adjusting devices, 54 is a steam discharge pipe, and 56 is a pressure gauge. As shown in the figure, the pressurizing device 5a is connected to the piston of the elevating cylinder 63 via the top plate 51 and the pressing plate 65, and therefore the pressurizing device 5a is moved up and down by driving the elevating cylinder 63. Can be made. In addition, 18 is a support | pillar, 19 is the flame | frame of the pressure rice cooking system 1, and 20 is the spacer attached to the upper surface of the furnace 3a.

  FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing only the pressurizing device 5a and its peripheral portion in FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 64 denotes a piston of the elevating cylinder 63, and the tip of the piston 64 is connected to the pressing plate 65. A slide rod 66 is slidably inserted into the pressing plate 65. Since the head of the slide rod 66 is formed to have a diameter larger than the through-hole of the slide rod 66 provided in the main body of the slide rod 66 and the press plate 65, the slide rod 66 is located with respect to the press plate 65. Although it is slidable, it cannot be removed from the pressing plate 65. A coil spring 67 is arranged coaxially with the slide rod 66.

On the other hand, the lower end of the slide rod 66 is connected to the top plate 51 of the pressure device 5a. The top plate 51 is attached to the upper surface of the main body 52, and forms a pressure reservoir chamber W in the main body 52 in cooperation with the main body 52. The lower surface of the main body 52 is formed flat, and an opening 57 is provided at the center of the lower surface. Pressure reservoir chamber W communicates with the outside through the opening 57, passageway connecting the opening 57 and the pressure reservoir chamber W constitutes the steam introduction passage V _in. Further, a steam discharge port 58 of the pressure reservoir chamber W is opened on the side surface of the main body 52. A steam discharge pipe 54 having a flow resistance adjusting device 55 and a pressure gauge 56 is connected to the steam discharge port 58 of the pressure reservoir chamber W, and the inside of the steam discharge pipe 54 constitutes a steam discharge passage _Vout .

  21 is a donut-shaped seal member attached to the lower surface of the main body 52, and constitutes a seal portion. As long as the sealing member 21 can be in close contact with the upper surface of the lid of the rice cooker H and steam can be prevented from leaking between the lower surface of the main body 52 of the pressurizing device 5a and the lid upper surface of the rice cooker H. Although such a material may be used, for example, an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic resin can be suitably used as the seal member 21. In addition, when the adhesiveness of the lower surface of the main body 52 and the lid | cover upper surface of the rice cooker H is enough, the sealing member 21 does not need to be provided specially.

  As described above, the top plate 51 of the pressurizing device 5a is connected to the pressing plate 65 of the moving device 6a via the slide rod 66, and the coil spring 67 is provided between the top plate 51 and the pressing plate 65. Since the pressurizing device 5a is movable in the vertical direction relative to the moving device 6a, the distance between the top plate 51 and the pressing plate 65 is shorter than the length of the coil spring 67. In some cases, the pressurizing device 5 a is biased relatively downward by the coil spring 67. The length of the coil spring 67 may be shorter than the maximum distance between the top plate 51 and the pressing plate 65 allowed by the slide rod 66. However, the length of the coil spring 67 may be longer than the maximum distance to increase the coil spring 67. When an elastic force that constantly biases downward is always applied to the pressure device 5a, the pressure device 5a is stably moved even when the movement device 6a moves in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction. This is preferable.

  In this example, the coil spring 67 is used as an elastic means for urging the pressurizing device 5a downward. However, as the elastic means, the pressurizing device 5a can be urged downward. Any shape, structure, and material may be used. For example, a leaf spring, elastic rubber or synthetic resin, an air cushion, or the like can be used as the elastic means instead of the coil spring.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing only a portion of the flow resistance adjusting device 53 provided _in the steam introduction passage Vin. As shown, the flow path resistance regulating device 53, and a knob portion 53 _1, the bolt portion 53 _2, and the fixed nut 53 _3. The outer circumference of the bolt portion 53 _2, a female screw screwed to the male thread formed on the inner periphery of the fixed nut 53 ₃ is formed, by rotating the knob portion 53 _1, the bolt portion 53 ₂ You can tip of adjusting the length which projects into the steam introduction passage V _in. The bolt portion 53 _{length 2} of the tip protrudes into the steam introduction passage V _in becomes longer as the flow path resistance of the steam introduction passage V _in increases, the pressure difference between the pressure reservoir chamber W and rice pot in H is larger Become. Conversely, the bolt portion 53 _{length 2} of the tip protrudes into the steam introduction passage V _in becomes shorter when the flow path resistance of the steam introduction passage V _in decreases, and the difference between the pressure reservoir chamber W and rice pot in H The pressure is reduced.

According to the flow resistance adjusting device 53, the rotate the knob portion 53 ₁ bolt portion 53 ₂ the tip of the steam introduction passage V _in by the adjusting the length projecting into the steam introduction passage V _in Channel resistance can be adjusted and the pressure in the rice cooker H at the time of pressure rice cooking can be adjusted. Note that the knob portion 53 ₁ are denoted by the appropriate scale, preferably a measure of the flow path resistance regulating. May also handle portion 53 ₁ may operate worker by human power, but fitted with a suitable driving device, by controlling the signals from the control unit 14 the operation of the drive device, so as to operate automatically Anyway.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing only a portion of the flow path resistance adjusting device 55 provided in the steam discharge passage _Vout . Similar to the flow path resistance regulating device 53 described above, passage resistance adjusting device 55 is constituted by a knob portion 55 _1, the bolt portion 55 _2, and the fixed nut portion 55 _3. The outer circumference of the bolt portion 55 _2, a female screw screwed to the male thread formed on the inner periphery of the fixed nut portion 55 ₃ is formed, by rotating the knob portion 55 _1, the bolt portion 55 ₂ It is possible to adjust the length at which the tip of the tube protrudes into the steam discharge passage _Vout . Length tip of the bolt portion 55 ₂ projects into the steam discharge passage V _out increases the flow resistance of the vapor discharge passage V _out increases, the differential pressure between the pressure reservoir chamber W inside and the outside increases. Conversely, if the length of the distal end of the bolt portion 55 ₂ projects into the steam discharge passage V _out becomes shorter flow path resistance of the steam discharge passage V _out decreases, the differential pressure between the pressure reservoir chamber W inside and the outside small Become.

According to the flow resistance adjusting device 55, the rotate the knob portion 55 ₁ bolt portion 55 ₂ tip of the steam discharge passage V _out by adjusting the length projecting into the steam discharge passage V _out The flow path resistance can be adjusted, whereby the pressure in the pressure reservoir chamber W can be adjusted, and the pressure state in the rice cooker H during pressure rice cooking can be indirectly adjusted. Incidentally, denoted by the knob portion 55 as appropriate of the scale _1, it is preferable to a measure of the flow path resistance adjustment, and, knob 55 ₁ may operate worker by human power, but the appropriate As in the flow path resistance adjusting device 53, the drive device may be attached and automatically operated by a signal from the control device 14. Note that the flow resistance adjustment device 55 in the vapor discharge passage _Vout is not essential, but the presence of the flow resistance adjustment device 55 can adjust the differential pressure between the pressure reservoir chamber W and the external atmosphere. It is possible to adjust the pressure in the rice cooker H at the time of rice cooking more precisely. Therefore, it is preferable to dispose the flow resistance adjusting device 55 in the steam discharge passage _Vout .

In the above description, each of the flow resistance adjusting devices 53 and 55 uses the bolt and nut mechanism to adjust the length of the bolt portion protruding into each of the paths, thereby adjusting the flow resistance of each of the paths. it is to regulate, but device for adjusting the flow resistance of the steam introduction passage V _in and the steam discharge passage V _out is not limited to those using bolts and nuts mechanism described above. For example, a valve mechanism such as a ball valve or a butterfly valve may be provided in each passage, and the flow resistance of each passage may be adjusted by adjusting the degree of opening and closing of the valves in these valve mechanisms. as long as it is possible to adjust the flow resistance of the intake passage V _in and the steam discharge passage V _out, what mechanism, be used as a flow path resistance regulating means in even the present invention there is provided a flow path resistance regulating device according to structure Can do.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 2 taken along the line X-X ′. As shown in the figure, the pressurizing device 5a is in the raised position, faces the side, and is in the retracted position. At the time of pressure cooking, the pressurizing device 5a is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise in the drawing within the horizontal plane, moved to the position facing the front indicated by the broken line, and lowered to the lowered position. On the contrary, when the pressure rice cooking is finished, the pressurizing device 5a rises from the lowered position to the raised position, and rotates clockwise 90 degrees in the drawing in the horizontal plane and returns to the retracted position indicated by the solid line. . Thus, the pressurizing device 5a can be moved not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction by the moving device 6a. The spacers 20 are arranged at equal intervals on the upper surface of the furnace 3a.

  The above description has been made by taking the pressurizing device 5a and the moving device 6a as an example, but the same applies to the other pressurizing devices 5b to 5e and the moving devices 6b to 6e.

7 is a plan view showing an example of a rice cooker used as a cooking container in the pressure rice cooking system 1 of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a plan view of the rice cooker body with the lid removed, and FIG. 9 is a plan view of the lid. In the figure, H ₁ is the main body of the rice cooker, H ₂ is a lid, H ₃ is a chuck portion provided at the central top of the lid H ₂ , and V _h is a steam outlet provided in the chuck portion H _3. is there. The upper surface of the chuck portion H ₃ is finished flat, steam injection ports V _h, the upper surface is provided substantially at the center of the flat chuck H _3, extends through the lid H _2. Incidentally, the chuck portion H ₃ is a chuck portion when the lid H ₂ with a magnet chuck or the like electromagnetic chuck which is equipped with an automatic lid desorber is adsorbed, are formed by a ferromagnetic stainless steel.

Hook body H ₁ has an upper flange portion T _U are spaced vertically on the outer periphery side and the lower flange portion T _L. The lower collar _TL is used when the rice cooker H is set at a predetermined rice cooking position by bringing its lower surface into contact with the spacer 20 disposed on the upper surfaces of the furnaces 3a to 3e. Upper flange portion T _U is the lower surface is brought into contact with the upper surface of the pair of gripping claws 12 provided on the rice cooking kettle conveying device 9, it is used when the grip transport the rice pot H. The diameter of the lid H _2, when the lid H ₂ is mounted on the hook body H _1, its outer lower surface is selected to a size that is in contact with the upper surface of the upper flange portion T _U of the shuttle body H ₁ .

H ₄ denotes a sealing member attached to the outer periphery lower surface of the lid H _2, when the lid H ₂ is mounted on the hook body H _1, by contacting the lower surface and the upper surface of the upper flange portion T _U, rice pot vapor from H is prevented from leaking to the outside exits between the upper surface of the lid H ₂ and the upper flange portion T _U. As the sealing member H _4, using any material as long as it is possible to prevent the same manner as the sealing member 21 in the pressure device 5a described above, the steam in close contact with the upper surface of the upper flange portion T _U leaking However, for example, an elastic member such as rubber or synthetic resin can be preferably used. Incidentally, high adhesion between the upper surface of the lower surface and the upper flange portion T _U of the lid H _2, steam from cooking pot H even without sealing member H ₄ from between the lid H ₂ and the upper flange portion T _U If never leak to the outside, the sealing member H ₄ may not be provided otherwise.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of FIG. As shown, the steam spout V _h penetrates the lid H _2. The seal member H ₄ are arranged in a donut shape along the outer periphery lower surface of the lid H _2.

  Hereinafter, operation | movement of the pressure rice cooking system 1 of this invention is demonstrated using FIG.1 and FIG.11-18. As shown in FIG. 1, the rice cooker H containing rice cooking materials such as rice and water comes into contact with the stopper S when the receiving portion 7 is conveyed by the rotating roller R from the back to the front of the paper, and the position Stop at. FIG. 1 shows a state where the rice cooker H containing the rice cooking material is in contact with the stopper S and stopped at the receiving portion 7.

When the rice cooker H stops at the receiving unit 7, the control device 14 operates the cylinder mechanism in the rice cooker transport device 9 located immediately above the receiving unit 7 to lower the rice cooker gripping device 11. At this time, the pair of gripping claws 12 are in a release position separated from each other. Controller 14, grasping pawl 12 stops the cooking pot gripping device 11 when lowered to a position falling between the upper flange portion T _U and the lower flange portion T _L of the rice pot H, a pair of gripping claws 12 After being moved to the gripping positions that are close to each other, the rice cooker gripping device 11 is raised while gripping the rice cooker H. FIG. 11 shows a state where the rice cooker H is gripped by the rice cooker gripping device 11 and is raised to the moving position.

  Next, the control device 14 searches for a rice cooker in which the rice cooker H is not set. For example, if the rice cooker H is not set in the rice cooker 2a, the control device 14 is placed directly above the rice cooker 2a. The rice cooker holding device 11 is lowered at that position, and the rice cooker H is set at the rice cooking position of the rice cooker 2a. FIG. 12 shows a state where the rice cooker gripping device 11 is lowered and the rice cooker H is set at the rice cooking position of the rice cooking device 2a. However, in FIG. 12, the pressurizing device 5a and the moving device 6a are omitted for convenience.

  When the setting of the rice cooker H to the rice cooker 2a is completed, the control device 14 moves the pair of gripping claws 12 to the release positions separated from each other, then raises the rice cooker gripping device 11, and further conveys the rice cooker. The device 9 is returned to a position immediately above the receiving portion 7. In parallel with the returning operation of the rice cooker transport device 9 or after the returning operation, the control device 14 drives the moving device 6a of the rice cooking device 2a so that the pressurizing device 5a faces the side as shown in FIG. It is rotated in the horizontal direction from the position indicated by the broken line in the figure to the raised position facing the front indicated by the solid line in the figure.

FIG. 14 is a left side partial sectional view showing the rice cooker 2a in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the pressurizing device 5 a is located above the lid H ₂ of the rice cooker H in the raised position, and the lower surface of the main body 52 of the pressurizing device 5 a is set to the rice cooking pot H. The upper surface of the lid H ₂ , that is, the upper surface of the chuck portion H ₃ having a flat upper surface is not in contact. Further, an opening 57 provided in the main body bottom surface of the pressure device 5a, in a position apart from the steam ejection port V _h that are provided through the lid H ₂ and the chuck portion H ₃ of the cooking pot H, the steam introduction passage V _in the steam injection port V _h of the pressure device 5a does not communicate.

When it is confirmed that the pressurizing device 5a has reached the raised position, the control device 14 issues a command to the lifting cylinder 63 of the moving device 6a, causes the piston 64 to protrude, and lowers the pressurizing device 5a to the lowered position. During the downward stroke of the piston 64, the upper surface of the lid of H ₂ rice pot H lower surface of the main body 52 via a seal member 21 of the pressure device 5a, i.e., comes into contact with the upper surface of the flat chuck H _3, Since the lowest point of the stroke of the piston 64 is set below the position where the lower surface of the main body 52 of the pressurizing device 5 a contacts the upper surface of the lid H ₂ of the rice cooker H, the pressing plate 65 is moved by the piston 64. Further, the coil spring 67 is pressed and contracted by moving downward. Thus, in lowered position, by the elastic force of the contracted coil spring 67, the top plate 51 of the pressure device 5a is pressed downward, the pressure device 5a is in contact with the upper surface of the lid of H ₂ cooking pot H It will be urged downward.

FIG. 16 is a partial left side sectional view showing the rice cooking device 2a in a state where the pressurizing device 5a is lowered to the lowered position, and FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, in the lowered position, the pressure device 5a is closely opposed to each other with steam injection ports V _h provided in the lid of H ₂ openings 57 and cooking pot H of steam pressure device 5a introducing communicates the passage V _in the steam injection port V _h of rice pot H. Also, the pressure device 5a, as described above, since it is urged downward against the lid of H ₂ rice pot H by the elastic force of the coil spring 67, the lower surface and cooking pot H of the main body 52 of the pressure device 5a contact between the upper surface of the lid of H ₂ is made to those closer contact. Furthermore, since the sealing member 21 is interposed between the upper surface of the lower surface and the cooking pot H lid H ₂ chuck H ₃ provided on the body 52 of the pressure device 5a, the lower surface of the pressing device 5a flows leakage of steam from between the upper surface of the chuck portion H ₃ is almost completely prevented, the steam jetted from the steam jetting port V _h is substantially the entire amount into the steam introduction passage V _in the pressure device 5a Will do.

Further, since the pressure device 5a on the top and the contact state of the lid of H ₂ cooking pot H is urged downward, with pressed downwards against the lid of H ₂ cooking pot H is hook body H ₁ It is energized, also to those more intimate contact between the outer peripheral lower surface and the upper surface of the upper flange portion T _U of the lid H _2. Furthermore, between the outer peripheral lower surface and the upper surface of the upper flange portion T _U of the lid H _2, the seal member H ₄ described above is interposed, steam generated in the cooking pot H, the lid H ₂ and the upper without leaking from a gap between the collar portion T _U, it will be ejected from the steam ejection port V _h.

When the pressurizing device 5a reaches the lowered position, the control device 14 sends a signal to the rice cooking device 2a, operates the heating means 4a, and starts cooking. When rice progresses, the interior of the cooking pot H generated steam, generated steam is ejected from the steam ejection port V _h as shown in Figure 17 passes through a vapor introduction passage V _in, the more the pressure reservoir chamber W Inflow. At this time, in advance, by keeping adjusting the flow resistance of the steam introduction passage V _in operating the flow path resistance regulating device 53, to generate a pressure difference between the cooking pot H in the pressure reservoir chamber W , the pressure _{P in} in the rice cooking kettle H to be higher than the pressure _{P W} in the pressure reservoir chamber _W, can be a state of P in _-P W> 0.

Since the steam that has flowed into the pressure reservoir chamber W is once filled in the pressure reservoir chamber W, the pressure becomes uniform, and the pressure P _W in the pressure reservoir chamber _W is relatively stable without fluctuation over time. Kept. As a result, the pressure P _in the rice in the pot H in only a high state constant difference pressure than the pressure P _W in the pressure reservoir chamber W is kept more stable than when there is no pressure reservoir W It will be. The pressure P _W in the pressure reservoir chamber W is usually is higher than the same, or P _out the pressure P _out of the external atmosphere, the rice in pot H in constant difference pressure just higher than P _W the pressure _{P in} is higher than the pressure _{P out} of the external atmosphere, the pressure cooker is made.

The steam that has been filled into the pressure reservoir chamber W and has a uniform pressure is then discharged to the outside through the steam discharge passage _Vout. by keeping adjusting the flow resistance of the discharge passage V _out, to generate a pressure difference between the pressure reservoir chamber W and the outside atmosphere, the pressure P _W in the pressure reservoir chamber W than the pressure P _out of the ambient atmosphere Can also be positively increased. Thus, the pressure P _W in the pressure reservoir chamber W will be adjusted to a value higher than the pressure P _out of the external atmosphere, the regulation of flow resistance adjusting device 53 provided in the steam introduction passage V _in and I cooperation with, the pressure P _in in the cooking pot H, it is possible to perform the pressure cooker was maintained at a higher value than the pressure P _out more accurately stable external atmosphere.

Note that either modulate the flow resistance adjusting device 53 and operates the flow resistance adjusting device 55 steam introduction passage V _in and the flow resistance of the vapor discharge passage V _out to what extent each implemented rice pot in H What is necessary is just to set suitably according to the pressure state to want. For example, pressure rice cooking is performed on a trial basis using the pressure rice cooking system of the present invention, the pressure state in the rice cooker H obtained at that time or the rice cooking result obtained, the channel resistance adjusting device 53 and / or the channel resistance. By comparing the adjustment degree of the adjustment device 55, a preferable adjustment degree of the flow resistance adjustment device 53 and / or the flow resistance adjustment device 55 can be determined. At that time, the measurement value of the pressure gauge 56 provided in the steam discharge passage _Vout may be referred to.

The pressure condition that you want to achieve in the rice cooker H changes depending on the type of rice used, its water content, and the type of rice to be cooked. By determining a preferable degree of adjustment of the path resistance adjusting device 53 and / or the channel resistance adjusting device 55, when a new rice cooker H is set at the rice cooking position of the rice cooking device 2a, The flow path resistance adjusting device 53 and / or the flow path resistance adjusting device 55 are adjusted according to the type and the water content thereof, and also the type of rice to be cooked, so that the steam introduction passage V _in and / or the steam discharge passage V _out. It is possible to set each flow path resistance to an optimum value.

  The flow resistance adjusting device 53 and / or the flow resistance adjusting device 55 may be adjusted manually by an operator, but the flow resistance adjusting device 53 and / or the flow resistance adjusting device 55 is equipped with a drive device. Then, the flow resistance adjusting device 53 and the flow resistance adjusting device 55 may be automatically operated according to a control signal from the control device 14 to adjust to the optimum adjustment degree. At this time, the control device 14 stores the optimum correspondence between the pressure state desired to be realized in the rice cooker H and the degree of adjustment of the flow resistance adjustment device 53 and / or the flow resistance adjustment device 55. Based on the best correspondence stored and information such as the type and water content of rice stored in each rice cooker, and the type of rice cooked in each rice cooker The control device 14 sends a signal to the channel resistance adjusting device 53 and the channel resistance adjusting device 55 each time a new rice cooker H is set at the rice cooking position of each rice cooking device, and each adjusts the optimum degree of adjustment. Can be adjusted automatically.

In any case, in the pressure rice cooking system 1 of this example, the pressure state in the rice cooker H is changed to the flow resistance adjusting device 53 provided _in the steam introduction passage Vin and the flow provided in the steam discharge passage V _out. Since the adjustment is made by the two of the road resistance adjusting devices 55, a more accurate adjustment is possible in combination with the presence of the pressure reservoir chamber W. Of course, it is possible to adjust the pressure state in the rice cooker H only with the flow resistance adjusting device 53 provided _in the steam introduction passage Vin, and the flow resistance adjustment device 55 provided in the steam discharge passage V _out . In some cases, the steam discharge passage V _out does not exist, and the pressure reservoir chamber W communicates directly with the outside through the steam discharge port 58. Cooking rice is possible.

When the pressure P _in the rice in the pot H has increased abnormally during cooking by its pressure, lift the lid of H ₂ rice pot H against the elastic force of the coil spring 67, the lid H ₂ and the upper flange portion abnormal pressure from between T _U can be released to the outside. Thus, the coil spring 67 and the lid of H ₂ rice pot H is a resilient means for urging downward the pressure device 5a, cooperate to function as a safety valve.

  When pressure rice cooking is completed as described above, the control device 14 issues a command to the moving device 6a to raise the pressurizing device 5a from the lowered position to the raised position, and to move it horizontally to the retracted position. Move. When the movement of the pressurizing device 5a to the retracted position is completed, the control device 14 moves the rice cooker transport device 9 to a position directly above the rice cooker 2a, and lowers and raises the rice cooker gripping device 11 at that position. The rice cooker H that has been cooked is gripped and conveyed to the carry-out unit 8. FIG. 18 shows a state in which the rice cooker transport device 9 has moved to a position immediately above the carry-out unit 8 in a state where the rice cooker H having been cooked is gripped. The rice cooker transport device 9 lowers the rice cooker gripping device 11 at this position, places the rice cooker H on the rotating roller R, and moves the pair of gripping claws 12 to the release positions separated from each other. Release H from grip. The released rice cooker H is conveyed to the next process by the rotating roller R.

19 and 20 is a vertical sectional view showing another example of a cooking pot used as the cooking container at a pressure cooker system 1 of the present invention, FIG. 19 and the shuttle body H ₁ and the lid H ₂ is a separate state, FIG. 20 shows a state where the lid H ₂ is attached to the hook body H ₁ . As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, cooking pot H of the present example is stepped portion H ₅ is formed on the side wall inner surface of the hook body H _1, when the lid H ₂ is attached to the hook body H ₁ , the outer peripheral lower surface of the lid H ₂ is not a top surface of the upper flange portion T _U, the point of contact with the upper surface of the step portion H ₅ differs from the cooking pot H indicated above. Also in cooking pot H of this embodiment, the outer peripheral lower surface of the lid H ₂ and the sealing member H ₄ is mounted, when the pressure device is in the lowered position, the seal member H ₄ is pressed against the upper surface of the step portion H ₅ is, steam from between the upper surface of the outer peripheral lower surface and the stepped portion H ₅ of the lid H ₂ is prevented from leaking out.

  In the above example, the rice cooker H has a circular horizontal cross-sectional shape, but the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the rice cooker H used in the pressure rice cooker system 1 of the present invention is not limited to a circle and is square. It may also be a rectangle. When the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the rice cooker H is a square or a rectangle, it is preferable that the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the internal space of the furnaces 3a to 3e in the rice cookers 2a to 2e is also a square or a rectangle.

  According to the pressure cooking system of the present invention typified by a pressure rice cooking system, it is possible to efficiently perform a large amount and various types of pressure cooking for each cooking container such as a rice cooking pot conveyed along a conveyance line. Thus, a large amount of foods such as cooked rice with good taste can be provided by pressure cooking. The influence which this invention has on the restaurant industry, the lunch industry, etc. is great, and this invention has sufficient industrial applicability.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pressure rice cooking system 2a-2e Rice cooking apparatus 3a-3e Furnace 4a-4e Heating means 5a-5e Pressurization apparatus 6a-6e Moving device 7 Receiving part 8 Unloading part 9 Rice cooker conveyance apparatus 10 Traveling wheel 11 Rice cooker holding apparatus 12 Gripping Claw 13 Traveling path 14 Control device 15 Power source 16 Compressed air source 17 Cable / hose support / guide device 20 Spacer 21 Seal member 51 Top plate 52 Pressurizing device body 53, 55 Flow path resistance adjusting device 54 Steam exhaust pipe 57 Opening 61 Rotation Shaft 62 Rotating arm 63 Elevating cylinder 67 Coil spring H Rice cooker V _in Steam introduction passage V _Out Steam discharge passage V _H Steam outlet α Rice cooking materials

Claims (7)

A plurality of cooking devices; a cooking container transport device that performs an operation of setting a cooking container at each cooking position of the plurality of cooking devices and an operation of taking out the cooking container from the cooking position; A pressure cooking system in which the apparatus comprises the following (a) to (c);
(A) A pressurizing device comprising a steam introduction passage, a passage resistance adjusting means for adjusting a passage resistance of the steam introduction passage, and a pressure pool chamber having a steam discharge port, wherein one of the steam introduction passages A pressurizing device having an end opened on the lower surface of the main body of the pressurizing device and the other end connected to the pressure reservoir;
(A) heating means for heating the cooking container set in the cooking position;
(C) An elastic means is interposed between the pressurizing device and the pressurizing device so as to be movable relative to the pressurizing device in a vertical direction, and at least a lower surface of the main body having the opening of the pressurizing device. A lowering position that contacts the upper surface of the lid of the cooking container set at the cooking position, and the steam introduction passage communicates with a steam outlet provided in the lid of the cooking container; and the opening of the pressure device. Between the rising position where the lower surface of the main body does not contact the upper surface of the lid of the cooking container set at the cooking position and the steam introduction passage does not communicate with the steam outlet provided in the lid of the cooking container A moving device for moving the pressurizing device, wherein, in the lowered position, the pressurizing device is biased toward the lid of the cooking container by the elastic means, and the pressure in the cooking container is applied by the elastic means. When the force is exceeded An abnormal pressure lid Mochiaga Ri the cooking container against the urging force of the serial cooking vessel so that to release to the outside, the lowest point of its downward stroke, the main body of the pressure device A moving device in which a lower surface is set below a position in contact with the upper surface of the lid of the cooking container.   2. The pressure according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing device includes a steam discharge passage connected to the steam discharge port of the pressure storage chamber, and a flow path resistance adjusting unit that adjusts a flow path resistance of the steam discharge passage. Cooking system.   The pressure cooking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressurizing device includes a seal portion around the opening of the steam introduction passage on the lower surface of the main body.   The pressure cooking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the moving device includes means for moving the pressurizing device in a horizontal direction.   The pressure cooking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cooking container is a rice cooker, and the cooking device is a rice cooking device. A cooking device comprising the following (a) to (c);
(A) A pressurizing device comprising a steam introduction passage, a passage resistance adjusting means for adjusting a passage resistance of the steam introduction passage, and a pressure pool chamber having a steam discharge port, wherein one of the steam introduction passages A pressurizing device having an end opened on the lower surface of the main body of the pressurizing device and the other end connected to the pressure reservoir;
(A) heating means for heating the cooking container set in the cooking position;
(C) An elastic means is interposed between the pressurizing device and the pressurizing device so as to be movable relative to the pressurizing device in a vertical direction, and at least a lower surface of the main body having the opening of the pressurizing device. A lowering position that contacts the upper surface of the lid of the cooking container set at the cooking position, and the steam introduction passage communicates with a steam outlet provided in the lid of the cooking container; and the opening of the pressure device. Between the rising position where the lower surface of the main body does not contact the upper surface of the lid of the cooking container set at the cooking position and the steam introduction passage does not communicate with the steam outlet provided in the lid of the cooking container A moving device for moving the pressurizing device, wherein, in the lowered position, the pressurizing device is biased toward the lid of the cooking container by the elastic means, and the pressure in the cooking container is applied by the elastic means. When the force is exceeded In so that to release an abnormal pressure of the serial cooked in the cooking vessel Ri lid Mochiaga against the urging force of the container to the outside, the lowest point of its descent stroke, the body lower surface of the pressure device Is a lower side of the position where it contacts the upper surface of the lid of the cooking container.   The cooking apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pressurizing device includes a steam discharge passage connected to the steam discharge port of the pressure storage chamber, and a flow path resistance adjusting means for adjusting a flow path resistance of the steam discharge passage. apparatus.

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