JPH06197845A - Soup jar - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control contents according to the time elapsed to prevent the error of providing deteriorated contents by providing a hot insulation time indication means for indicating the time elapsed from the start of hot insulation to be sure about the time elapsed from the start of hot insulation. CONSTITUTION:Hot insulation is initiated by turning a power switch 24 on, and a controller 23 is cleared to its initial state to measure the time T elapsed. Operations on remaining amount and temperature retained are performed according to information inputted from a weight sensor 12 and a temperature sensor 10, for watch and control of the temperature retained. It is determined whether or not the ON control of a changeover switch 18 is performed by an even number of times. Every time the changeover switch 18 is turned on the remaining amount and the elapsed time are displayed in a liquid crystal display device 14, so when the ON control is performed by an odd number of times, the remaining amount is displayed, whereas when the number is even the elapsed time is displayed. When the determination result is affirmative (the number is even), the elapsed time T is displayed in the liquid crystal display device 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a soup jar for keeping liquid food such as soup, curry and stew warm.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Soup jars that keep liquid foods such as soup, curry, and stew warm have been traditionally used to contain liquid foods in the jar body to keep them warm and to produce a predetermined amount as needed. Although it is known, none of them has a function of displaying the elapsed heat retention time, the remaining amount, the heat retention temperature state, etc. of liquid foods. Some rice cookers have various display functions.

[0003]

By the way, in the soup jar, the heat retention temperature and the elapsed heat retention time are major factors that influence the taste of the contents such as soup, and are particularly remarkable for commercial use. . However, in the case of the current soup jar, there is a problem in that it is difficult to manage because the user cannot know the heat retention elapsed time and the heat retention temperature state.

Further, in the soup jar, in order to know the remaining amount of the contents such as soup, it is necessary to open the lid, so that it is not noticed that the remaining amount of soup or the like is low, and the lid is opened. There is also a problem that you have to open it and panic. This is a particular problem for commercial use.

Further, the soup jar is temperature-controlled so that the contents such as soup can be kept at a constant temperature. However, when the contents become low, it is supplemented or when new contents are added. There are cases where the temperature does not reach the preset temperature. However, in the conventional soup jar, there is no means for finely knowing the temperature state of the contents, so that there is a possibility that a non-optimal temperature may be provided.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to make it possible to externally confirm the heat retention elapsed time, the remaining amount, and the heat retention temperature state of contents such as soup. is there.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a soup jar configured to be able to store contents in a heat retaining state,
A heat retention time display means for displaying the elapsed time from the start of heat retention is additionally provided.

In a second aspect of the present invention, as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the soup jar according to the first aspect, a long-time heat retention indicating that the elapsed time from the start of the heat retention is longer than necessary is displayed. A warning means is attached.

In a third aspect of the present invention, as means for solving the above problems, the soup jar according to the first or second aspect is further provided with a remaining amount display means for displaying the remaining amount of the contents. ing.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, as means for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the soup jar of the first, second or third aspect, the contents are at an abnormal temperature different from the set temperature. An abnormal temperature display means for displaying is attached.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the following actions can be obtained by the above means.

That is, since the user can easily check the elapsed time from the start of heat retention, the contents can be managed according to the elapsed time.

According to the invention of claim 2, the following effects can be obtained by the above means.

That is, since the user can easily confirm that the temperature has been kept warm for an unnecessarily long period of time, there is no delay in discarding the contents.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the following effects can be obtained by the above means.

That is, since the user can easily confirm the remaining amount of the contents, it is possible to quickly deal with the case where the contents are low.

According to the invention of claim 4, the following effects can be obtained by the above means.

That is, since the user can easily confirm that the temperature of the contents is an abnormal temperature different from the set temperature, it is possible to surely prevent the mistake of providing an unsuitable temperature.

[0019]

According to the invention of claim 1, in a soup jar configured to be able to store contents in a heat-retaining state, heat-retention time display means for displaying an elapsed time from the start of heat-retention is attached, Since the user can easily check the elapsed time from the start of heat retention, the contents can be managed according to the elapsed time, and the mistake of providing the one with deteriorated taste can be reliably prevented. There is an excellent effect that can be done.

According to the invention of claim 2, the soup jar of claim 1 is further provided with a long-time heat retention warning means for indicating that the elapsed time from the start of heat retention is longer than necessary. Since the user can easily confirm that the product has been kept warm for a long period of time, it is possible to prevent mistakes such as discarding the contents, and reliably prevent the mistake of providing a product with deteriorated taste. There is an excellent effect that can be done.

According to the invention of claim 3, in the soup jar of claim 1 or 2, a residual quantity display means for displaying the residual quantity of the contents is additionally provided so that the user can easily determine the residual quantity of the contents. Since it is possible to check the contents, it is possible to quickly deal with the case where the contents are small, and there is an excellent effect that it can be surely prevented from being out of service.

According to the invention of claim 4, the soup jar according to claim 1, 2 or 3 is further provided with an abnormal temperature display means for displaying that the contents have an abnormal temperature different from the set temperature. Since the user can easily confirm that the temperature of the contents is an abnormal temperature that is different from the set temperature, it is possible to reliably prevent the mistake of providing something that is not the optimum temperature, and to control the food temperature. Has an excellent effect that it can be easily and surely performed.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIGS. 1 to 8 show a soup jar according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The present embodiment corresponds to the invention of claims 1 to 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, the soup jar of this embodiment has a jar body 1 configured to accommodate contents such as soup, curry, and stew, and can be opened and closed with respect to the jar body 1. And a lid body 2 which is formed of

The jar body 1 has a cylindrical outer case 3
A substantially annular shoulder member 4 arranged on the upper end side of the outer case 3, a substantially dish-shaped bottom member 5 arranged on the lower end side of the outer case 3, and an inner circumference of the shoulder member 4. A bottomed cylindrical outer container 7 including an inner case 6 locked to the side, and an inner pan 8 detachably accommodated in the outer container 7 (specifically, the inner case 6) Has been done. Actually, the inner pot 8 is supposed to contain contents such as soup, curry, stew and the like.

A heat-retaining heater 9 for heating the contents stored in the inner pan 8 to a heat-retaining state is disposed in the vertical middle portion of the outer peripheral wall 6a of the inner case 6. Also,
At the center of the bottom wall 6b of the inner case 6, a temperature sensor 10 for detecting the temperature of the contents stored in the inner pan 8 is arranged with the temperature sensing part 10a in contact with the bottom surface of the inner pan 8. Has been done.

Three support legs 11, 11, 11 are attached to the bottom surface of the jar body 1 (specifically, the bottom surface of the bottom member 5). Of the support legs 11, 11, 11, Of 1
As shown in FIG. 2, each piece is provided with a weight sensor 12 for detecting the weight of the soup jar (that is, including the jar body 1, the lid 2 and the contents).

Further, a display portion 13 is provided at an appropriate position on the outer peripheral wall of the jar body 1 for displaying a heat retention elapsed time, a long-time heat retention warning, a remaining amount of contents, an abnormal temperature display and the like.

On the display unit 13, a liquid crystal display device 14 which also serves as a heat retention time display means for displaying the elapsed time from the start of heat retention and a remaining amount display means for displaying the remaining amount of the contents, and from the start of the heat retention Warning lamp 15 that functions as a long-time heat retention warning means that indicates that the elapsed time of is longer than necessary, and a warning lamp 1 that functions as an abnormal temperature display means that indicates that the contents are different from the set temperature.
6 and a reset switch 1 for resetting the elapsed heat retention time when contents are exchanged after the start of heat retention
7 and a changeover switch 18 for changing the display of the liquid crystal display device 14 between the elapsed time display and the remaining amount display.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 19 is a handle for opening and closing the lid 2, 20 is a knob for setting a heat retention temperature, 21 is a lead wire outlet, and 22 is a power lamp which lights up when the power is connected. is there.

Each of the above electric elements has a circuit configuration shown in FIG. Here, the reference numeral 23 is a control board acting as a controller, and 24 is a power switch.

Then, the controller 23 is configured as shown in FIG.
Turning on the power switch 24 as shown in the block diagram of
(Alternatively, an elapsed time accumulating unit 231 that starts counting by operating the reset switch 17, and a display control unit 232 that outputs the integrated time T obtained by the elapsed time integrating unit 231 to the liquid crystal display device 14 as a display signal. ,
Integrated time T obtained by the elapsed time integrating means 231
Is for a set time A or more, a determination unit 233, an output unit 234 for outputting a lighting command to the warning lamp 15 when the determination unit 233 determines T> A, and a weight. A remaining amount calculation means 235 for calculating the remaining amount of the content based on the information from the sensor 12, and a display control means 236 for outputting the calculation result of the remaining amount calculation means 235 to the liquid crystal display device 14 as a display signal, A comparison unit 237 that determines whether or not the detected temperature t from the temperature sensor 10 exceeds a predetermined allowable temperature range α with respect to the set temperature t ₀ , and the comparison unit 237 causes t ₀ −α> t or t>. The output means 238 outputs a lighting command to the warning lamp 16 when it is determined that t ₀ + α. Here, it is desirable that the set time A is determined based on the time when the contents deteriorate, and the allowable temperature range α is desirably determined based on the temperature at which the provided temperature of the contents does not become too low.

Next, the operation of the soup jar according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS.

[0035] initiated kept warm by turning on the power switch 24 is the controller 23 initial clear in step S ₁ at the same time, the elapsed time T is counted at step S _2. At the same time, the remaining operations and retained temperature calculation is made based on the information input from the weight sensor 12 and a temperature sensor 10 (step S ₃ and the step S _4). And, although retained temperature monitoring control described later is performed in step S _7, which will be described later in detail by the flow chart of FIG.

Therefore, in step S ₆ , it is determined whether or not the number of ON operations of the changeover switch 18 is an even number. In this determination, the remaining amount display and the elapsed time display are repeated on the liquid crystal display device 14 every time the changeover switch 18 is turned on. Therefore, if the number of ON operations is an odd number, the remaining amount is displayed, and if it is an even number, the elapsed time is displayed. It is performed to shift to the display. Therefore, when an affirmative determination (that is, an even number of times) is made in step S ₆ , the control by the controller 23 proceeds to step S ₇ and the liquid crystal display device 1
The elapsed time T is displayed at 4 (see FIG. 7).

[0037] Next, the reset switch 17 is determined whether or not been turned ON is made in step S _8.
In this reset operation, it is necessary to reset the elapsed time when it takes time after the power source 24 is turned on until the contents are put in and the heat retention is started, or when the contents are emptied and newly put in. It is done in order.

[0038] When a negative determination is made in step S _8, the control by the controller 23 proceeds to step S _9, compared with the elapsed time T as the set time A is made, T> A
And when it is determined, the warning lamp 15 informs a long time kept to a user is caused to light up in step S _10, and then returns to step S _2. As a result, the user is informed that the taste of the contents is deteriorated, and the user can deal with the contents by discarding them.

If an affirmative decision is made in step S ₈ , the control by the controller 23 advances to steps S ₁₁ and S ₁₂ , and after the warning lamp 15 is turned off and the elapsed time T is cleared to 0, step S ₂ Return to.

If it is determined in step S _{6 that} it is an odd number of times, the control by the controller 23 proceeds to step S ₁₃ and the remaining amount is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 14.
(See Figure 8).

[0041] Next, the reset switch 17 is determined whether or not been turned ON is made in step S _14.
This reset operation, since carried out when the contents had disappeared, if the determination is positive at step S _14, the control by the controller 23 proceeds to step S _15, the step S ₂ after the remaining amount is 0 cleared To return. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S ₁₄ , the control by the controller 23 proceeds to step S ₉ .

Next, with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 6, the control for monitoring the keeping temperature of the soup jar of this embodiment will be described.

In step S ₅₁ , the temperature of the contents
(That is, the heat retention temperature) t and the set temperature t ₀ ± α are compared. Here, if it is determined that t <t ₀ −α or t> t ₀ + α, the control by the controller 23 is step S _52.
Then, the warning lamp 16 is turned on to inform the user that the temperature of the contents is abnormal, and then the process returns to step S ₂ (see FIG. 5). On the other hand, if it is determined that _{t 0 -α ≦ t ≦ t 0} + α in step S _51, the control of the controller 23 proceeds to step S _53, after the warning lamp 16 is turned off Step S ₂ (see FIG. 5 ) Return to.

As described above, in the case of this embodiment, since the elapsed time T from the start of heat retention is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 14, the contents can be managed according to the elapsed time T. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a mistake in providing a product with deteriorated taste, and to warn that the temperature has been kept warm for a longer period than necessary.
Since the user can easily confirm by turning on, it is possible to prevent the time of discarding the contents and the like, and it is possible to reliably prevent the mistake of providing the one with deteriorated taste. .

Further, since the user can easily confirm the remaining amount of the contents by the display of the liquid crystal display device 14,
It is possible to promptly deal with the case where the contents are running low, and it is possible to reliably prevent the supply of supplies, etc., and to confirm that the temperature t of the contents is an abnormal temperature different from the set temperature t ₀ . Since it can be easily confirmed by the user by turning on the light, it is possible to surely prevent the mistake of providing a food that is not at the proper temperature, and the food temperature can be controlled easily and surely.

In the above embodiment, the remaining amount is displayed by the weight.
Although it is displayed in (ie, kg), it is also possible to display the number of cups obtained by dividing the weight by the weight of one cup as shown in FIG.

Embodiment 2 FIGS. 10 to 13 show a soup jar according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In this embodiment, claims 1 to
This corresponds to the invention of No. 4.

In the case of the present embodiment, the display unit 13 is shown in FIG.
And, as shown in FIG. 11, in place of the warning lamp 16 in the first embodiment, an appropriate temperature serving as an appropriate temperature display means for displaying that the temperature t of the content is an appropriate temperature within the range of the set temperature t ₀ ± α. An indicator lamp 25, a low temperature indicator lamp 26 indicating that the temperature t of the contents is lower than the set temperature t ₀ −α, and a temperature t of the contents higher than the set temperature t ₀ + α. A high temperature display lamp 27 for displaying is provided.

In the case of this embodiment, the controller 23
In place of the determination means 237 and the output means 238 in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The comparing means 239 for comparing the detected temperature t from 0 and the set temperature t ₀ ± α, and t ₀ −α ≦ t ≦ t ₀ by the comparing means 239.
Output means 240, 241, 242 for outputting a lighting command to the display lamps 25, 26, 27, respectively, are additionally provided when it is determined that + α, t ₀ −α> t or t> t ₀ + α. . Since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description will be omitted to avoid duplication.

Next, the operation of the soup jar according to the present embodiment will be described. Since the control relating to the heat retention time and the remaining amount is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and the flow chart shown in FIG. It will be described with reference.

In step S ₅₁ , the temperature t of the contents is compared with the set temperature t ₀ -α on the low temperature side. If it is determined that t <t ₀ -α, the controller 23 controls the step S _52. , Step S ₅₃ and Step S ₅₄ ,
After the low temperature indicator lamp 26 is turned on and the proper temperature indicator lamp 25 and the high temperature indicator lamp 27 are turned off, step S
Return to ₂ (see Figure 5).

[0052] When a negative determination is made in step S _51, the control of the controller 23 proceeds to step S _55, if it is determined that _{t 0 -α ≦ t ≦ t 0} + α , the step S _56, step S ₅₇ and optimum temperature display lamp 25 in step S ₅₈ is turned on, after a low-temperature indicator lamp 26 and the high-temperature display lamp 27 is turned off, step S ₂ (FIG. 5
Refer to).

If a negative determination is made in step S ₅₅ , t> t ₀ + α, so the control by the controller 23 proceeds to step S ₅₉ , step S ₆₀ and step S ₆₁ , the high temperature display lamp 27 is turned on and the low temperature display is made. Lamp 2
After 6 and the appropriate temperature display lamp 25 are turned off, the process returns to step S ₂ (see FIG. 5).

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, the temperature t of the contents is, the set temperature t optimum temperature or the set temperature t ₀ near ₀
Since it is possible for the user to easily confirm that the temperature is considerably lower, or the temperature is considerably higher than the set temperature t _{0, the} user can easily confirm it by lighting the indicator lamps 25, 26, 27. By doing so, it is possible to reliably prevent mistakes that occur, and more detailed food temperature control can be performed easily and reliably.

The invention of the present application is not limited to the configuration of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, and it goes without saying that the design can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view in which a part of a soup jar according to a first embodiment of the present invention is cut away.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the inside of the soup jar according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of the soup jar according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the contents of a controller in the soup jar according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the soup jar according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a subroutine for explaining the heat retention temperature monitoring control in the operation of the soup jar according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of elapsed time display in the soup jar according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the remaining amount display of the soup jar according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the remaining amount display of the soup jar according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view in which a part of the soup jar according to the second embodiment of the present invention is cut away.

FIG. 11 is an electric circuit diagram of the soup jar according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the contents of a controller in the soup jar according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the heat retention temperature monitoring control in the operation of the soup jar according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a jar body, 2 is a lid, 9 is a heater, 10 is a temperature sensor, 12 is a weight sensor, 13 is a display unit, 14
Is a liquid crystal display device, 15 is a warning lamp, 16 is a warning lamp, 24 is a power switch, 23 is a controller, 25 is an appropriate temperature lamp, 26 is a low temperature lamp, and 27 is a high temperature lamp.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A soup jar configured to be able to store a liquid food contents in a heat-retaining state, further comprising heat-retention time display means for displaying an elapsed time from the start of heat retention. Soup jar. 2. The soup jar according to claim 1, further comprising a long-time heat retention warning means for indicating that an elapsed time from the start of heat retention is longer than necessary. 3. The remaining amount display means for displaying the remaining amount of the contents is additionally provided.
The listed soup jar. 4. The soup jar according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising an abnormal temperature display means for displaying that the content has an abnormal temperature different from a set temperature.