JPH04272719A - Rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To offer a rice cooker which prevents the outflow of sticky juice of sticky rice, etc., and the deformation of a cover. CONSTITUTION:Vapor generated in the course of rice cooking is discharged to the vapor hole 63 of an outer cover 48 from the vapor port 56 of a cover assembly 13. In this case, sticky juice is stored temporarily in a bag-like space part 59, thereafter, only vapor is discharged from the vapor hole 63 and only the sticky juice is left in the space part 59. The valve hole of a vapor valve 58 is eccentric from the vapor hole 63 of the outer cover 48, therefore, it is prevented that vapor and sticky juice come out directly from the vapor hole 63, and when the cover is opened, sticky rice is prevented from flowing out. The vapor ejecting direction of a valve piece 61 of the tip of a projecting pipe 60 of the vapor valve 58 is set to the transverse direction, and the vapor discharging direction of the valve piece 61 is set to the direction reverse to the vapor hole 63, therefore, the sticky rice does not go to the vapor hole 63, vapor is prevented from hitting directly against the vapor hole part of the outer cover 48, and thermal deterioration of the outer cover 48 is prevented.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rice cooker that also has a heat retention function.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art The structure of a conventional rice cooker is shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1 is an inner container, 2 is an outer pot, 3 is a main body,
4 is an inner lid provided to cover the opening of the inner container 1. A hot plate 5 is provided so as to be in contact with the lower part of the inner container 1, and a sheathed heater 6 is built into the hot plate 5. 7
is the center thermo installed in the center of the hot plate.

The lid assembly 8 includes a lid 9, a lid cover 10, and an inner lid 1 made of a material with good thermal conductivity such as aluminum.
1, and a heat insulating material 12 made of glass wool is built inside. Further, a center packing 13 is provided so that the inner lid 4 comes into pressure contact with the inner container 1 when the lid assembly 8 is closed.

A lid packing 14 is provided on the outer periphery of the inner lid 11 to prevent steam leakage. 15 is the substrate, 1
6 is a lid heater, and 17 is a horizontal heater.

Reference numeral 18 denotes an upper ring that connects the main body 3 and the outer pot 2. One end of the lid is rotatably supported, and the other end of the lid is fixed with a latch. 19 is a steam hole, and 20 is a hole provided in the inner lid 4 for releasing steam.

[0007]

In the conventional rice cooker, steam and mucus produced during cooking of rice are discharged through a hole 20 provided in the inner lid 4 and then through a steam hole 19 in the lid. Therefore, after the slime is temporarily stored in the space 21 formed by the inner cover 4 and the inner cover 11, the steam is discharged from the steam hole 19, and only the slime remains in the space 21. When the lid 8 was opened, the mucus that had accumulated on the inner lid 4 flowed out onto the upper ring and some of it flowed out into the drain pan.

[0008] Furthermore, since steam is discharged from the mucus that has accumulated on the inner lid 11 during rice cooking, there is a disadvantage that the mucus forms into balloons or bubbles and protrudes from the steam hole 19 of the lid. It was hot.

Furthermore, since the steam directly hits the steam holes 19 of the lid, there is a drawback that the steam holes of the lid, which are made of resin such as polypropylene, may change in quality or crack due to heat.

[0010] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a rice cooker that can prevent slime such as slime from flowing out and prevent the lid from deforming.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A means for solving the problems according to claim 1 of the present invention provides an outer pot 33 built into a rice cooker main body 31, an inner container 32 built into the outer pot 33, and the rice cooker main body 31. and a lid assembly 43 that covers the upper opening of the lid assembly 4.
A steam port 56 is formed in the center of 3, and the steam port 56 is
The steam hole 63 formed in the outer lid 48 of the lid assembly 43, the opening 49a formed in the inner lid 49 of the lid assembly 43, and the opening 4
9a and a bag-shaped space 59 that communicates with the steam hole 63 and can temporarily store steam and slime, and a steam valve 58 with a protruding pipe 60 is fitted into the opening 49a. be.

[0012] The problem solving means according to claim 2 is a steam valve 5
The position of the valve hole 8 is eccentric from the steam hole 63 of the outer cover 48.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a thin film-like valve 61 is attached to the tip of a protruding pipe 60 so that the direction of steam ejection is lateral.

The problem solving means according to claim 4 is a bento 61
The direction of steam ejection is located in the opposite direction to the steam hole 63 of the outer cover 48.

[0015]

[Operation] In the above problem-solving means, steam released during rice cooking enters the steam port 56 of the lid assembly 43, and the steam exits from the steam port 56 of the outer lid 48.
It is discharged from 3. At this time, the mucus is absorbed into the bag-shaped space 59
After being temporarily stored, only the steam is discharged from the steam hole 63 and only the slime remains in the space 59.

At this time, the valve hole of the steam valve 58 is connected to the outer cover 48.
Since it is eccentric from the steam hole 63, it is possible to prevent steam and slime that have passed through the valve hole from directly exiting from the steam hole 63.
When the lid assembly 43 is opened, the sticky liquid temporarily accumulates in the space 59, and the sticky liquid can be prevented from flowing out.

[0017] Further, the steam jetting direction of the valve element 61 at the tip of the protruding pipe 60 of the steam valve 58 is lateral, and the steam jetting direction of the valve element 61 is positioned in the opposite direction to the steam hole 63 of the outer cover 48. Therefore, the sticky liquid does not go to the steam hole 63, and the steam can be prevented from directly hitting the steam hole portion of the outer lid 48, and thermal deterioration of the outer lid 48 can be prevented.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 22. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a jar rice cooker showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a lid assembly, Figs. 3 to 6 are views showing a steam gasket, and Figs. 7 to 10 are steam valves. 11 to 14 are diagrams showing the operation section, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the appearance of the rice cooker, FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the attachment state of the rice cooker main body and the operation section, and FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the rice cooker main body. FIGS. 18 to 20 are views showing the upper ring of the rice cooker main body, and FIGS. 21 to 22 are views showing the hot plate.

In the jar rice cooker according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, an outer pot 33 is installed inside a rice cooker main body 31 so as to cover an inner container 32, and a recess 34 for fitting a hot plate is provided at the bottom of the outer pot 33. A heating plate 35 for cooking rice is fitted into the recess 34 so as to be in contact with the bottom of the inner container 32, and a heat-retaining heater 36 is attached to the outer surface of the outer pot 33. A center thermostat 37 is installed at the center of the bottom of the outer pot 33, and is biased by a thermospring 38 so as to contact the inner container 32.

The outer periphery of the side surface of the outer pot 33 is covered with a heat insulating material 39 made of glass wool or the like to prevent heat radiation. The outside of the outer pot 33 is covered with a rice cooker main body 31 on the side and a bottom cover 40 on the bottom. The upper end of the outer pot 33 is the upper ring 4
2, and the upper ring 42 is fixed to the upper end of the main body 31 with a snug fit.

The upper surface of the opening of the inner container 32 is covered with a lid assembly 43. One end of the lid assembly 43 is removably supported on the upper ring 42 via a hinge portion 44, and a latch button 46 is installed at the other end so as to be rotatable around a shaft 46a. Upper ring 42 facing latch button 46
is provided with a protrusion locking portion 47 that locks with the latch button 46.

The lid assembly 43 has a heat insulating material 51 built in between an outer lid 48 made of a resin such as polypropylene (PP) and an inner lid 49 made of an aluminum plate or the like having good thermal conductivity. The outer peripheral rib portion 52 of the outer lid 48 is provided with a plurality of projections 53 for locking the inner lid as shown in FIG. provided,
When the protrusion 53 and the curl 54 are engaged, the inner lid 49
seems to move up and down slightly.

The center of the lid assembly 43 is provided with a steam port 56 for the steam generated from the inner container 32 and the slime produced when cooking rice. This steam port 56 is connected to the outer cover 48
and a steam valve 58 that is detachably installed in the center of the inner lid 49.

The steam packing 57 is made of silicone rubber, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, and is connected to the outer cover 48 and the inner cover 4.
It is installed between the outer lid 48 and its upper and lower ends, and its shape is a bowl so that it has a bag-like space 59 between it and the outer lid 48 where steam and slime can temporarily accumulate. and inner lid 4
9 to prevent steam leakage. Since this steam packing 57 is made of silicone rubber, it has elasticity. Therefore, when the lid assembly 43 is closed, the inner lid 49 is pressed against the flange 32a of the inner container 32 to prevent steam leakage. It functions as a biasing means to prevent.

The steam valve 58 is also made of silicone rubber as shown in FIGS.
Even if it sticks to the inner wall of 7, it can be cleaned. A protruding pipe 60 is provided at the center of the steam valve 58, and a thin film-like valve element 61 is formed at the tip thereof. The role of this valve 61 is to separate the slime and steam that come out during cooking, to prevent the slime from blowing up as much as possible, and to prevent the steam from directly hitting the outer lid 48. The purpose is to prevent thermal deterioration. When keeping the rice warm, the valve 61 closes to maintain airtightness and keep the rice warm and delicious. This valve 61 faces in the opposite direction to the steam hole 63 of the outer lid 48, and the right end 61a in FIG. It is said that it can be opened and closed at the center. Further, a small hole 66 is provided in the base portion 65 which is the base of the protruding pipe 60, and serves to return mucus, moisture, etc. accumulated during rice cooking to the inner container 32 after the rice is cooked.

A steam hole 63 for discharging steam is formed in the outer lid 48 facing the protruding pipe 60 provided at the center of the steam valve 58. The position of this steam hole 63 is not directly above the protruding pipe 60 of the steam valve 58 within the bag-shaped space 59 formed by the steam packing 57, but also at the outermost periphery of the bag-shaped space 59 formed by the steam packing 57. It is installed in a location that does not exist. Therefore, the mucus that comes out during cooking is directly absorbed into the outer lid 4.
8, and after cooking, the outer lid 48
When opened, even if some mucus remains in the bag-like space 59 formed by the steam packing 57, the bag-like space 59
Since it remains in the pool, it does not leak directly to the outside of the outer lid 48.

The heat insulating material 51 is made of a material that does not easily absorb water, such as foamed polystyrene, foamed polyethylene, foamed silicone, and water-repellent glass wool.The hinge portion 44 of the lid assembly 43 can be removed from the main body 31 and washed. Care has been taken to ensure that there is no problem even if

The disc-shaped heating plate 35 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 21,
22, a sheathed heater 68 is built in by caulking or casting. The terminal portion 69 of the sheathed heater 68 is installed laterally in order to reduce the height of the product as much as possible. In order to pull out this terminal portion 69 to the outside of the outer pot 33, the outer pot 33
A through hole 34b for pulling out a terminal is formed in the side wall 34a of the bottom recess 34. This through hole 34b is located in the side wall 3.
4a, even if the inner container 32 is removed, the heating plate 3
5 covers the through hole 34b, so that it is not visible from the outside. By keeping the height of the product low, operability and design can be improved.

A plug receiver 71 for connecting a magnetic plug 70 is installed at the lower part of the rear side of the main body 31. In FIG. 1, 72 is a magnet, and 73 is a magnet 7.
It is a magnetic material that is attracted to 2. By using the magnetic plug 70 in the jar rice cooker, operability and design can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 15, on the front side of the main body 31,
An operating section 74 is arranged. The operation section 74 is composed of an operation panel 75, a panel cover 76, a key sheet 77, and a board 78, as shown in FIG. Operation panel 7
5 and the panel cover 76 are fixed with mounting screws. Figure 1
1, 80 is the screw hole. The board 78 is fixed to the boss 81 of the operation panel 75 with mounting screws. When the operation panel 75 and panel cover 76 are fixed, as shown in FIG.
A groove portion 84 is formed at the fitting portion. Figure 17 on main body 31
As shown in the figure, a mounting hole 85 that fits and locks into this groove 84 is provided.
5 and the panel cover 76 are inserted, and the operation panel 7 is inserted.
5 and the panel cover 76 are sandwiched and fixed between the upper ring 42 and the bottom cover 40. With this structure, the operation part 74 can be fixed very simply and reliably.
Cost reduction can be achieved.

The panel cover 76 is made of a flame-retardant resin such as polypropylene, and consists of a main body part 86 and a cover part 87, as shown in FIG. The connecting portion 88 has a hinge structure. After the board 78 is attached, it is bent at the hinge portion 88 and the board 78 is surrounded by the panel cover 76 to provide thermal shielding and waterproof measures. By adopting this hinge structure 88, it is possible to simplify parts, reduce costs, and shorten assembly time. The key sheet 77 is attached to the operation panel 75.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 90 indicates a switch arranged on the operation panel 75 corresponding to the cooking reservation, rice cooking, and keep warm/cancel operation sections in the key sheet of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, an operating lever 91 for controlling the wiring portion of the board 78 protrudes. Also, FIGS. 12 to 14
Inside, 92 is an engaging claw for locking the cover portion 87 of the panel cover 76 to the cover main body portion 86.

[0033] Also, when the lid is closed, the flange 3 of the inner container 32
2a and the inner lid 49 are strongly pressed together, and the heat of the inner container 32 is transferred to the inner lid 4.
9, care has been taken to prevent dew from forming on the inner lid 49, and therefore a dew catcher is eliminated. However, even if dew gets on the inner lid 49, the hinge part 4 of the upper ring 42
The dew receiving part of the upper ring 42 is made into an inclined surface 94 as shown in FIG. 19 so as to guide the dew that has fallen on the base of the upper ring 42 to a wide area of the dew receiving part 42a of the upper ring 42, making it easy to clean. are doing.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

For example, although the board 78 of the operation section 74 is arranged on the side surface of the main body 31 in the above embodiment, it may be arranged at the bottom of the main body as shown in FIG. is preferably made of flame-retardant resin.

[0036]

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, the valve hole of the steam valve is eccentric from the steam hole of the outer cover, so that the steam and slime that have passed through the valve hole can directly flow from the steam hole. When the lid assembly is opened, the sticky liquid can be prevented from accumulating in the space and flowing out.

[0037] Furthermore, the direction of steam ejection from the valve element at the tip of the protruding pipe of the steam valve is set to the horizontal direction, and the direction of steam ejection from the valve element is positioned in the opposite direction to the steam hole of the outer cover, so that the steam is Steam can be prevented from directly hitting the steam hole portion of the outer lid without going to the hole, and thermal deterioration of the outer lid can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a jar rice cooker showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lid assembly.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the steam packing.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the steam packing.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the steam packing.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the steam packing.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the steam valve.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway front view taken along line A-A in FIG. 7;

9 is a partially cutaway side view taken along line B-B in FIG. 7; FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the protruding pipe of the steam valve.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing the state of the operating section before assembly.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the operating section after assembly.

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view showing how the panel cover and the board are attached.

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing the state before assembly.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram showing the appearance of the rice cooker.

FIG. 16 is a plan sectional view showing how the rice cooker main body and the operating section are attached.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing the operation part mounting hole of the rice cooker main body.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the upper ring of the rice cooker main body.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper ring.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the upper ring.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the hot plate.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the hot plate.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of a conventional rice cooker.

[Explanation of symbols]

31　　　　Rice cooker body 32 Inner container 32a　Trim section 33 Outside pot 42 Upper ring 43 Lid assembly 48 Outer lid 49 Inner lid 49a Opening 51 Insulation material 56 Steam vent 57 Biasing means 58 Steam valve 59 Space part 63 Steam vent

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claim 1: A rice cooker comprising an outer pot built into the rice cooker main body, an inner container built into the outer pot, and a lid assembly that covers the top opening of the rice cooker main body, the lid assembly having a lid in the center thereof. a steam vent is formed, the steam vent including a steam vent formed in the outer lid of the lid assembly;
It consists of an opening formed in the inner lid of the lid assembly, and a bag-shaped space that communicates the opening with a steam hole and can temporarily store steam and slime, and the opening is provided with a protruding pipe. A rice cooker characterized by having a steam valve fitted into it. 2. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the valve hole of the steam valve is located eccentrically from the steam hole of the outer lid. 3. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein a thin film-like valve is attached to the tip of the protruding pipe so that the steam jet direction is lateral. 4. The rice cooker according to claim 3, wherein the steam jetting direction of the valve is located in the opposite direction to the steam hole of the outer lid.