JPH07322951A - Rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To concurrently cook the rice at different boiled levels with one rice cooker by providing flow holes penetrating in the plate thickness direction on a vertical partition plate partitioning the inner space of a rice cooking pot into multiple portions. CONSTITUTION:Quantities of washed polished rice 6, 7 corresponding to the desired cooked levels are put in spaces 4, 5 partitioned by a vertical partition plate 1, and quantities of water 8, 9 are filled. Water flows between the adjacent spaces 4, 5 partitioned by the partition plate 1 through the gap between the flow holes 2, 3 of the partition plate 1 or between the partition plate 1 and a rice cooking pot 32, and the water levels of the adjacent spaces 4, 5 are made equal. Water flows through the flow holes 2, 3, however rice grains are practically interrupted, the ratios of the polished rice quantities against the water quantities of the spaces 4, 5 set before the start of rice cooking are kept almost constant after the start of rice cooking. Relatively hard rice is cooked in the space having a large ratio of polished rice quantity/water quantity, and relatively soft rice is cooked in the space having a small ratio of polished rice quantity/water quantity. Rice can be concurrently cooked at two levels in softness.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rice cooker for cooking white rice, roasted rice, etc. (including the case where pressed rice, millet, gall or other substances are mixed in rice).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional rice cooker, cooking is generally done with water, but in addition to this, it is preheated at a predetermined temperature (about 40 ° C.) below the gelatinization temperature of rice. There is known a method of adjusting the cooking time by adjusting the time of absorbing water (so-called pre-cooking time), or a method of adjusting a set temperature for absorbing water by heating (Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-49248).
When adjusting the amount of cooked water by adjusting the amount of water added, the amount of water added to the polished rice is increased to soften the amount of rice cooked, and the amount of added water to the polished rice is decreased to make the amount of rice cooked. When adjusting the pre-cooking time, if you want to soften the cooked rice, make the heating and absorption time of the pre-cooking longer so that the rice absorbs more water, and if you want to adjust the cooking time, shorten the heating and absorption time. To do. In the method of adjusting the set temperature when heating and absorbing water, the set temperature at the time of heating and absorbing water is increased to soften the cooking temperature, and the set temperature is lowered to adjust the heating temperature.

[0003]

However, in any of the methods, it is not possible to simultaneously cook different types of white rice with different amounts of rice in a single rice cooker. Therefore, for example, if you want to cook softly cooked white rice and standard cooked white rice, first cook either one of the cooked white rice and then cook the other cooked white rice again. It will take twice as long as usual. If you do not want to increase the cooking time, you need to cook with two rice cookers at the same time.

[0004] Now, with the recent decrease in the birth rate in Japan, it is common for a nuclear family to have three or four members in one family, and although white rice is the staple food of our country, we cook white rice. As for the rice cooker, one small item is enough. With the advancement of medical treatment, the life expectancy is increasing and the number of elderly people is increasing.
The number of households where the generations live together is increasing, but even in that case, the number of members is four to seven, and one rice cooker can cover all.

[0005] However, in an infant or a household having an old tooth with poor teeth, it is necessary to prepare soft white rice which can be cooked appropriately for the infant and the elderly, as described above. It will take longer to cook white rice, or multiple rice cookers will be required. Recently, as our eating habits have become richer, our tastes have become more diverse, and we have begun to adjust the amount of white rice cooked to suit the style of the meal, such as sushi rice, western style, or Chinese style. It will take time and effort to cook.

Further, when the amount of white rice produced in Japan decreases due to abnormal weather or the like, it becomes necessary to rely on white rice produced overseas. Some of the rice produced overseas (outer rice, overseas rice) has a different shape and flavor from the white rice produced in Japan (domestic rice). Generally, different types of white rice have different amounts of water. Therefore, in order to cook domestic rice and overseas rice with the same amount of cooking, it is necessary to cook them separately. It is also possible to mix domestic rice and overseas rice in order to save the effort of cooking rice, but in that case, the water content must be adjusted to the water content of either one of the white rice and the other white rice. The amount of water does not match, and as a result, delicious rice cannot be cooked.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to allow a single rice cooker to cook a plurality of white rice at a time by combining a plurality of cooks. That is, it is possible to simultaneously cook rice for softening and soft rice and soft rice with one rice cooker.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The rice cooker of the first invention of the present application divides the inner space of the rice cooking pot (32) into which white rice and water are divided into a plurality of spaces, but allows the water penetrating in the plate thickness direction to pass through. Vertical partition plates (1,1A, 1B) with water holes (2,3) that virtually block rice grains
Equipped with.

In the rice cooker of the second invention of the present application, a vertical wall for partitioning the inner space of the rice cooker (32) into which white rice and water are put into a plurality, and water penetrating the vertical wall in the horizontal direction are Uchiko pot (14, 14A ~ 14) that has a water passage hole (2) that passes through but substantially blocks rice grains
D).

The rice cooker of the third invention of the present application is placed vertically in the inner space of the rice cooker (32) for putting white rice and water, has only the upper opening communicating with the inner space and closes the others. Uchiko Nabe
(16) is provided. In the third embodiment of the invention, the inner pot (16) has inner legs (17, 24) for placing a water passage space between its lower surface and the inner surface of the bottom of the rice cooking pot (32), In one embodiment, the inner leg is protruded by pressing the bottom wall of the inner pot (16) (2
4).

In order to facilitate understanding, the symbols of the corresponding elements in the embodiment shown in the drawings are added in parentheses for reference.

[0012]

In the rice cooker of the first invention, the vertical partition plate
(1,1A, 1B) When each space (4,5) partitioned by (1,1A, 1B) is filled with water and the amount of washed rice is adjusted according to the desired degree of cooking, water is added to the partition (1,1A, 1B). Next to the partition holes (1,1A, 1B) through the water passage holes (2,3) or the space between the partition plates (1,1A, 1B) and the rice cooker (32). Water flows between the matching spaces (4,5), and the water levels in the adjacent spaces (4,5) are the same. The water passage holes (2, 3) allow water to pass through but block rice grains, so the ratio of the amount of white rice to the amount of water in each space (4,5) set before starting rice cooking (white rice amount / water amount), The ratio between the spaces remains substantially constant even after the rice is cooked. For example, partition board (1)
Divide the inner space of the rice cooker (32) into two equal parts, put a certain amount of white rice in the first space (4), put half the amount of white rice in the second space (5), In 4), if water is added so that the water level is twice the upper surface level of white rice, the amount of white rice / water (ratio of level) in the first space (4) is 1/2 and 2
The amount of white rice / water in the space (5) is 1/4, and the ratio thereof (ratio of the second space / ratio of the first space) is 1/2. After the start of rice cooking, when the water level drops to the upper surface level of the white rice in the first space (4), the amount of white rice / water (the level ratio) in the first space (4) is 1/1 and the second.
The amount of white rice / water in the space (5) is 1/2, and their ratio is 1 /
Is 2.

In this way, the ratio of the amount of white rice to the amount of water in each space (4,5) between the spaces is kept substantially constant even after the start of rice cooking, so that the ratio (white rice amount / water amount) is Relatively hard rice is cooked in a large space, and relatively soft rice is cooked in a space with a small ratio (white rice amount / water amount). In this way, two or more types of soft rice can be cooked at the same time.

In the rice cooker of the second invention, in addition to the same operation and effect as those of the first invention, a partition plate can be obtained.
Since Uchiko nabe (14,14A-14D) is used instead of (1,1A, 1B),
After cooking the rice, add rice of various softness to the inner pot (1
4,14A to 14D) can be taken out from the rice cooking pot (32) and transferred to separate rice containers (for example, rice bowls). In the rice cooker of the third invention, the inner pot (16) has only an upper opening that communicates with the inner space of the rice pot (32), and the others are closed, so the inner pot (16) The amount of white rice washed inside and outside and the amount of water can be adjusted independently, and the ratio of washed rice and water is maintained constant even after the start of rice cooking. After the rice is cooked, the rice in the Uchiko pot (16) can be taken out from the rice cooking pot (32) together with the Uchiko pot (16) and transferred to a rice container (eg, rice bowl, tea bowl). Third
In the embodiment of the invention of No. 2, the bottom of the inner pot (16) and the rice cooker (32)
Since there is a gap (18) between the inner surfaces of the bottom of the inner pot, the inner pot (16) is placed in the gap until the white rice outside the inner pot (16) is cooked.
Since water (or steam) enters from the outside of the bowl, the temperature does not rise to over 100 ℃, and the rice cooked in the inner pot (16) is cooked by the white rice outside the inner bowl (16). It does not overheat and does not burn until it rises.

Other objects and features of each invention of the present application will be apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0016]

【Example】

First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the first invention of the present application. This embodiment is an electric rice cooker, in which a heater (electric heater) 34 is provided in a lower main body in which an outer lid 31 is openably and closably mounted, and an inner pot 32 is placed on this heater 34. The inner pot 32 is a rice cooking pot in which white rice and water are put, and can be taken out from the lower body, and can be put in the lower body by putting white rice and water and placed on the heater 34. When the outer lid 31 is closed, the inner lid 33 integrated with the outer lid 31 comes into close contact with the edge portion of the upper opening of the inner pot 32.

When the white rice in the inner pot 32 is cooked up (when there is no water), the temperature of the bottom of the inner pot 32 and the temperature of the heater 34 are rapidly raised, and in response to this, the temperature of the heater 34 is lowered. The central bimetal operates to lift the inner pot 32 away from the heater 34, and the heater 34 is de-energized or switched to low-level energization for heat retention.

This rice cooker is equipped with one partition plate 1. The partition plate 1 is enlarged and shown in FIG.
The partition plate 1 is vertically inserted into the inner pot 32 and
It is a shape that bisects the inner space of. The partition plate 1 is provided with a plurality of small communication holes 2 having a diameter of about 2 mm, which allows water to flow but does not allow white rice, which retains its original shape, to pass through. These communication holes 2 are holes provided in order to keep the water volume of each space (4,5) (FIG. 3) partitioned by the partition plate 1 the same. Further, a semi-circular cutout 3 having a size that allows water to flow but does not allow polished rice to pass through is provided at the lower end of the partition plate 1. Even if white rice in one of the partition spaces is cooked up quickly, moisture (or steam) passes through the notch 3 from the other partition space until the white rice in the other partition space is cooked up. It is designed so that it does not burn when it flows. If the rice cooker is small and there is a sufficient gap between the inner pot 32 and the partition plate 1, the hole 2 and the notch 3 are not always necessary. Further, when the holes 2 are opened more than necessary, water is supplied during rice cooking to the other partition space from the one having a large amount of water with respect to white rice, and the other partition space especially around the holes 2 of the partition plate 1. Since the white rice is also cooked softly, the amount of the holes 2 should be minimized and the position where the holes 2 should be opened should be on the upper side of the partition plate 1 as much as possible.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which each of the spaces 4 and 5 partitioned by the partition plate 1 is filled with the amount of white rice 6 and 7 according to the desired degree of cooking, and water 8 and 9 is sprinkled (starting cooking rice). The state immediately before). The partitions 4 and 5 have the same water volume. That is, water flows between the two adjacent spaces 4 and 5 divided by the partition plate 1 through the holes 2, the notches 3 of the partition plate 1 and the gap between the partition plate 1 and the inner pot 32. , The water levels of the two adjacent spaces 4 and 5 are the same. Water penetrates through the holes 2, notches 3 in the partition plate 1 and the gap between the partition plate 1 and the inner pot 32, but rice grains are substantially blocked, so the amount of water in each space 4, 5 set before the start of rice cooking The ratio of the amount of white rice to the amount of white rice (white rice amount / water amount) between spaces is maintained substantially constant even after the start of rice cooking. For example, a certain amount of white rice 6 is put in the first space 4, half the amount of white rice 7 is put in the second space 5, and water is added so that the water level in the first space 4 is twice the upper surface level of the white rice. When 8 and 9 are added, the amount of white rice / water amount (level ratio) in the first space 4 is 1 / before starting to cook
2. The amount of white rice / the amount of water in the second space 5 is 1/4, and their ratio (the ratio of the second space 5 / the ratio of the first space 3) is 1/2. After the start of rice cooking, when the water level drops to the upper surface level of the white rice in the first space 4, the white rice amount / water amount (level ratio) in the first space 4 is 1/1 and the white rice amount / water amount in the second space 5 is 1/2
And their ratio is 1/2.

As described above, the ratio of the ratio of the amount of white rice to the amount of water in each space 4, 5 between the spaces is kept substantially constant even after the start of rice cooking, so that the ratio (white rice amount / water amount) is large. Then, relatively hard rice is cooked, and relatively soft rice is cooked in the space where the ratio (white rice amount / water amount) is small. Since the amount of white rice 7 in the partition space 5 is smaller than the amount of white rice 6 in the partition space 4, the cooked rice will be cooked in the partition space 5
The white rice is cooked softer. In this way, two or more types of soft rice can be cooked at the same time. Figure 4
Is an example in which four partition spaces are provided by combining two partition plates 1A and 1B.
The partition plates 1A and 1B are shown. As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the partition plates 1A and 1B are
Slits 10 and 11 are cut at the midpoints thereof, and the slit 10 of the partition plate 1A is aligned with the slit 11 of the partition plate 1B so that both plates 1A and 1B form a cross shape, and the relative vertical direction is obtained. By pushing
Both plates 1A and 1B are integrated in a cross shape as shown in FIG. When this is inserted into the inner pot 32, the inner space of the inner pot 32 is divided into four, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner pan 32 has a partition plate 1A,
Parallel projections 13 are formed by press working so that 1B does not move, and the two parallel projections 13 are perpendicular to the inside. By inserting the end portion of the partition plate 1B from above between the pair of protrusions 13, the partition plates 1A and 1B do not move in the inner pan 32. In this example, four types of moderately cooked white rice can be simultaneously cooked in one rice cooker.

-Second Embodiment- FIG. 6 shows a main part of an embodiment of the second invention. In this embodiment, instead of using the partition plates 1, 1A and 1B, one or more inner pots 14, 14A to 14D are replaced with the inner pot 32.
The inner space of the inner pot 32 is divided into a plurality of spaces by arranging the inner space. In this embodiment, the inner pot 14 (similarly to 14A to 14D) shown in FIG. 6 (a) has a size that divides approximately 1/4 of the inner space of the inner pot 32, and is shown in FIG. 6 (b). As shown, four inner pots 14A to 14D having the same shape can be exactly placed in the inner pot 32. Uchiko Nabe 14A
Since the holes 2 of each of the inner pots 14A to 14D are aligned with the holes of the inner pots adjacent to each other, the water level inside the inner pots 14A to 14D becomes the same through these holes at least before starting the rice cooking.
In this embodiment, since it is possible to take out the rice together with the inner pot from the rice cooker after cooking, after cooking, it is convenient, especially when cooking a relatively large amount of various cooked rice. It is suitable for large-scale commercial rice cookers).

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the third invention. In this embodiment, the inner pot 16 with legs is placed in the inner pot 32. Uchiko pot 16
Is shown in FIG. 8A (plan view) and FIG. 8B
As shown in (longitudinal sectional view), the inner pot 16 is cup-shaped, and the holes 2 of the first and second embodiments are not opened. The inner leg 17 fixed to the bottom surface of the inner pot 16 by spot welding has a spherical shape so as to open a space 18 (FIG. 7) between the inner pot 32 and the lower bottom of the inner pot 16.
A communication hole 19 is opened to allow water to flow therethrough.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which washed rice 20 and 21 that have been washed in an amount corresponding to the desired degree of cooking are placed inside and outside the inner pot 16 and appropriate amounts of water 22 and 23 are sprinkled into the rice. In this embodiment, since the inner pot 16 has no holes, the amount of washed rice and the amount of water can be adjusted independently inside and outside the inner pot 16. After the rice is cooked, the ratio of each of the washed rice and water is kept constant until one of the water vaporizes. Uchiko pot 16
In the space 18 between the bottom of the inner pot and the bottom of the inner pot 32
White rice and water penetrate through a large number of holes 19 provided in the leg portion 17 of No. 6. In FIG. 9, the ratio of white rice 20 and water 22 is adjusted so that the outer side of the inner pot 16 is cooked with a standard hardness.
An example is shown in which the amount of white rice 21 and the amount of water 23 are adjusted so that a small amount of softly cooked white rice can be produced in the inner pot 16. In the Uchiko pot 16, water 2 against the amount of white rice 21
The amount of 3 is large, but the amount of white rice 21 is small.
The water level inside is lower than the water level outside, and the white rice 2 in Uchiko Nabe 16
1 cooks quickly, but until the outside of the inner pot 16 is cooked up, the bottom of the inner pot 16 and the inner pot 32 from the outside of the inner pot 16
Since water (or steam) is supplied to the space 18 between the bottom surfaces of the rice cookers, it does not overheat to a high temperature of 100 ° C. or higher and the rice in the inner pot 16 does not burn. When the cooked rice is cooked in the inner pot 16 as well, the inner pot 16 is cooked first, but the rice in the inner pot 16 does not burn. That is, at the start of rice cooking, as long as the water level in the inner pot 16 is lower than the water level outside it, the inner pot 16 will cook first, but the rice in the inner pot 16 will not burn. If the water level in the inner pot 16 is higher than the water level outside it when starting to cook rice, the outside of the inner pot 16 will cook first, and the rice cooker will finish cooking there, so water will remain in the inner pot 16. Uchiko pot 16 has porridge.

FIG. 10 shows a modification of the inner pot 16. In this example, a plurality of protrusions 24 are formed on the bottom portion of the inner pot 16 by press working, and the protrusions 24 cause a space (18: FIG. 7, FIG. 9) between the bottom of the inner pot 16 and the bottom of the inner pot 32. ) Is formed. Although the rice cookers of the respective embodiments described above are all electric rice cookers, the present invention can be similarly applied to a gas rice cooker. Further, it can be similarly carried out in a rice cooker dedicated to cooking rice.

[0025]

As described above, by providing a partition plate and an inner pot, it is possible to cook white rice with different cooking conditions simultaneously in one rice cooker and without burning. In particular, by using the inner pot 16, it is possible to freely adjust the amount of white rice with different amounts to cook.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of a first invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the partition plate 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state of the rice cooker shown in FIG. 1 immediately before the start of rice cooking.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a modified example of the rice cooker shown in FIG. 1, showing an example in which two partition plates are combined.

5A and 5B are perspective views showing the two partition plates 1A and 1B shown in FIG. 4, respectively, and FIG. 5C is a combination of the two partition plates 1A and 1B as shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the opened state.

6 is a perspective view showing a main part of an embodiment of the second invention, (a) is a perspective view of the inner pot 14 inserted into the inner pot 32, (b) is four inner pot. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the inner pot 32 which put 14A-14D.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of a third invention.

8 (a) is a plan view of the inner pot 16 shown in FIG. 7,
(B) is a longitudinal sectional view and (c) is a bottom view.

9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state of the rice cooker shown in FIG. 7 immediately before the start of rice cooking.

10 shows a modified example of the inner pot 16 shown in FIG.
(A) is a plan view, (b) is a longitudinal sectional view, and (c) is a bottom view.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A, 1B: Partition plate 2: Communication hole 3: Notch 4, 5: Partition space 6, 7: Washed white rice 8, 9: Water 13: Protrusion 14, 14A-14D: Uchiko pot 16: Uchiko pot 17: Inner leg 18: Space 19: Communication hole 20, 21: Washed white rice 22, 23: Water 24: Overhang 31: Outer lid 32: Inner pot 33: Inner lid 34: Heater

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A rice cooker comprising a vertical partition plate which divides the inner space of a rice cooker containing white rice and water into a plurality of spaces and through which water penetrates in the plate thickness direction but through which rice grains are substantially blocked is provided. 2. An inner core having a vertical wall for partitioning an inner space of a rice cooker containing white rice and water into a plurality of spaces, and a water passage hole for horizontally passing water through the vertical wall but for substantially blocking rice grains. Rice cooker with a pot. 3. A rice cooker which is placed vertically in the inner space of a rice cooker containing white rice and water, and which has an inner pot having only an upper opening communicating with the inner space and the others being closed. 4. The rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein the inner pot has an inner leg for providing a water passage space between the lower surface of the inner pot and the inner surface of the bottom of the rice cooker. 5. The rice cooker according to claim 4, wherein the inner leg is a projection of the bottom wall of the inner pot by pressing.