WO2010030051A1

WO2010030051A1 - Vapor condenser for pressure type rice cooker

Info

Publication number: WO2010030051A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/005792
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moo Woong Hong
Original assignee: Moo Woong Hong
Priority date: 2008-09-11
Filing date: 2008-10-02
Publication date: 2010-03-18
Also published as: CN102209481A; KR100933680B1; CN102209481B

Abstract

A vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker in which vapor generated by a pressure type rice cooker is condensed, noise generated during discharging of the vapor is removed, and discoloration of wallpaper and formation of mold due to the discharged vapor may be effectively prevented. The vapor condenser includes a coupling unit having an open end for connection with a pressure type rice cooker, a guiding pipe connected to an end of the coupling unit and for discharging vapor generated by a pressure type rice cooker, and a silencer connected to an end of the guiding pipe and having a hollow spherical shape, wherein a plurality of holes are formed in the silencer.

Description

Description VAPOR CONDENSER FOR PRESSURE TYPE RICE COOKER

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker, and more particularly, to a vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker, the vapor condenser including a coupling unit having an open end for connection with a pressure type rice cooker, a guiding pipe connected to an end of the coupling unit and for discharging vapor generated by a pressure type rice cooker, and a silencer connected to an end of the guiding pipe and having a hollow spherical shape, wherein a plurality of holes are formed in the silencer. Background Art

[2] The present invention relates to a device for condensing vapor generated by a pressure type rice cooker and removing noise, and more particularly, to a vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker by which vapor is not discharged indoors, thereby minimizing noise caused by vapor generated by the pressure type rice cooker, removing danger of steam burns, removing discoloration of wallpaper, etc. and keeping from getting moldy due to discharge of vapor.

[3] Generally, when rice is cooked by a pressure type rice cooker, the pressure type rice cooker is sealed by a lid, and the rice is cooked under a high pressure. Thus, a boiling point of water is elevated to a temperature higher than 100⁰C, and a time taken to cook the rice is reduced.

[4] Since a structure of starch as a main component of rice is changed as a temperature of the rice is further increased, boiled rice cooked by a pressure type rice cooker is more delicious than boiled rice cooked by a general rice cooker. That is, starch is generally composed of a hard lumpy structure called by β-glucose having no sweet taste, but the structure of starch is changed to an untangled structure called by α- glucose as a temperature of the rice is further increased.

[5] Thus, as a temperature of rice is further increased, more amount of β-glucose is changed to α-glucose, and thus boiled rice cooked by a pressure type rice cooker is sweeter and more delicious than boiled by a general pressure type rice cooker. Accordingly, pressure type rice cookers have been increasingly used.

[6] FIG. 1 is a partial exploded side view of a general pressure type rice cooker.

[7] Referring to FIG. 1, the pressure type rice cooker includes a body 110 for performing electrical functions such as cooking and warming rice, and a lid 120 for performing instrumental and electrical control for determining whether to discharge vapor or not.

[8] The body 110 includes a rice pot 111, a heater 112 and a warming member 113. [9] A pot lid 121 is installed on a bottom surface of the lid 120. A vapor discharging pipe

123 is removably coupled and extends through a surface of the lid 120. A cap 130 is installed on an end of the vapor discharging pipe 123. A first vapor discharging hole

124 is formed in an upper end of the vapor discharging pipe 123. Generally, a plurality of second vapor discharging hole 131 are formed in a front surface of the cap 130.

[10] When rice 'R' is cooked by the pressure type rice cooker having the above-described structure, rice 'R' is put in the rice pot 111, and then a cooking mode is set by a control panel included in the body 110. When the cooking mode is set to supply power to the pressure type rice cooker, the heater 112 is heated. Then, heat generated by the heater 112 is transferred to the rice pot 111, cooking is performed.

[11] A temperature of an inside of the rice pot 111 is continually increased by the heat.

Then, a vapor is generated in the rice pot 111 while water is being boiled by the increased temperature, is discharged through the pot lid 121, and then is captured between the pot lid 121 and the lid 120 in the body 110.

[12] An electronic valve (not shown) is installed on an end of the vapor discharging pipe

123 included in the lid 120, and thus the pressure type rice cooker is sealed until cooking is completed, thereby preventing vapor from being discharged out of the pressure type rice cooker.

[13] When a cooking time is finished, the electronic value is opened. The vapor captured between the pot lid 121 and the lid 120 in the body 110 is rapidly moved through the vapor discharging pipe 123 under a greater temperature than an atmospheric pressure. The moved vapor is dissipated and discharged through the first vapor discharging hole

124 formed in the upper end of the vapor discharging pipe 123 and the second vapor discharging hole 131 formed in the front surface of the cap 130 (the discharged vapor is indicated by 'V in FIG. L).

[14] Since a pressure due to the vapor is greater than an atmospheric pressure in the pressure type rice cooker, when the vapor is discharged through a narrow path, noise may be generated, and simultaneously the vapor having a predetermined directivity is discharged. In this case, since vapor generated by the second vapor discharging holes 131 formed in the front surface of the cap 130 is straightly discharged in an upper direction, a person around the pressure type rice cooker may be burned. In addition, vapor generated by the first vapor discharging hole 124 bumps against the cap 130 to be discharged along a surface of the cap 130, and thus a person may be burned.

[15] When vapor discharged out of the pressure type rice cooker contacts wallpaper, a sink, etc., they may be discolored while being dried, thereby spoiling the beauty. In addition, since vapor has a high temperature, and is easily liquefied, when vapor keeps contacting wallpaper, an environment having high temperature and high moisture is provided. This environment may be an optimum condition for ease formation of mold, and thus mold may easily form under this environment.

[16] To resolve this problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 1998-192134 discloses a device for liquefying vapor generated by a pressure type rice cooker, and Korean Patent Publication No. 2005-40041 discloses a silencer for a pressure type rice cooker.

[17] However, the device discloses in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.

1998-192134 is no more than a device for simply collecting vapor and having no function as a silencer. In addition, the device disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2005-40041 has a function of removing noise, but is expensive due to a complex structure and has no function of liquefying vapor. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[18] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker in which vapor is liquefied and discharged using an economical method and simultaneously much noise generated due to discharged vapor is removed and a clean indoor environment is maintained by a silencer including a plurality of holes formed therein. Technical Solution

[19] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker, the vapor condenser including a coupling unit having an open end for connection with a pressure type rice cooker, a guiding pipe connected to an end of the coupling unit and for discharging vapor generated by a pressure type rice cooker, and a silencer connected to an end of the guiding pipe and having a hollow spherical shape, wherein a plurality of holes are formed in the silencer.

[20] The coupling unit may include an inlet pipe coupled to a vapor discharging pipe of the pressure type rice cooker.

[21] The vapor condenser may further include a press member that is installed at an end of the guiding pipe and is removably coupled to the coupling unit.

[22] The vapor condenser may further include a connection unit installed at an end of the guiding pipe and for easy connection with the silencer.

[23] The vapor condenser for the pressure type rice cooker may include one, two or three silencers.

[24] An interval between the silencers may be in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 cm.

Advantageous Effects

[25] According to embodiments of the present invention, a vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker manufactured by low costs by simplifying its structure, in which noise generated during discharging and liquefaction of vapor may be removed, and dis- coloration of wallpaper and formation of mold due to the discharged vapor may be effectively prevented. [26] In addition, since vapor generated by a pressure type rice cooker contains lots of nutrient such as carbohydrate and minerals, in addition to steam, the collected vapor may be used as drinking water.

Brief Description of Drawings

[27] FIG. 1 is a partial exploded side view of a general pressure type rice cooker;

[28] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded perspective view of a vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention; [29] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a silencer, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [30] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a silencer, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and [31] FIG. 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of a vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker according to another embodiment of the present invention. [32] [33] < Explanation of Reference numerals designating the Major Elements of the

Drawings >

[34] 210: coupling unit 212: inlet pipe

[35] 214: sucker 220: guiding pipe

[36] 222: press member 225: connection unit

[37] 230, 230a, 230b, and 230c: silencer

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention [38] Terms or words used herein shall not be limited to having common or dictionary meanings, and have the meanings corresponding to technical aspects of the embodiments of the present invention so as to most suitably express the embodiments of the present invention. [39] Thus, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [40] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings. [41] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded perspective view of a vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention. [42] Referring to FIG. 2, the vapor condenser according to the present embodiment includes a coupling unit 210, a guiding pipe 220 and a silencer 230, in order to condense vapor generated by a pressure type rice cooker and to remove noise. [43] The coupling unit 210 couples the vapor condenser to the pressure type rice cooker.

A method of coupling the vapor condenser to the pressure type rice cooker is not particularly limited. For example, the coupling unit 210 may be coupled to the pressure type rice cooker by using various methods; that is, interference fit may be performed in such a way that a shape of the coupling unit 210 may correspond to a shape of a vapor discharger of the pressure type rice cooker, the coupling unit 210 may be screwed to the pressure type rice cooker by male and female screws, the coupling unit 210 may be attached to the pressure type rice cooker by a sucker, or combinations thereof may be used.

[44] The coupling unit 210 may be manufactured so as to correspond to a shape of each vapor discharger, or to correspond to a general shape of almost all pressure type rice cookers.

[45] An end of the coupling unit 210 is coupled to the guiding pipe 220 by using a widespread method. For example, the coupling unit 210 may be screwed to the guiding pipe 220 by male and female screws, the coupling unit 210 may be integrally coupled to the guiding pipe 220, or the coupling unit 210 may be coupled to the guiding pipe 220 by using various coupling methods such as interference fit.

[46] The guiding pipe 220 may guide vapor discharged from the pressure type rice cooker towards the silencer 230, and may liquefy parts of the vapor. In order to adjust a position of the silencer 230, the guiding pipe 220 may be formed of a flexible material.

[47] The vapor condenser according to the present embodiment may further include a connection unit 225 connected to an end of the guiding pipe 220 and formed of metal, plastic, etc., in order to easily connect the guiding pipe 220 to the silencer 230.

[48] The vapor condenser according to the present embodiment may include at least one silencer, for example, one, two or three silencers. FIG. 2 illustrates a case where the pressure type rice cooker includes three silencers 230a, 230b and 230c.

[49] In order to clearly understand the present embodiment, FIG. 3 illustrates a cross- sectional view for explaining the case where the pressure type rice cooker includes three silencers 230a, 230b and 230c. In addition, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the silencer 230, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[50] Referring to FIG. 4, the silencer 230 of the vapor condenser according to the present embodiment includes two portions that are hemispherical. The two portions of the silencer 230 may be coupled using various methods; that is, interference fit may be performed, or the two portions of the silencer 230 may be screwed by male and female screws.

[51] The silencer 230 is connected to an end of the guiding pipe 220, and has a spherical shape. A plurality of holes 'H' are formed in a surface of the silencer 230. According to the present invention, the spherical shape includes any round shape such as shapes of rugby ball and egg, apart from a perfect spherical shape having an oblateness of '0' , such as a shape of a soccer ball.

[52] The holes 'H' formed in the silencer 230 may have various shapes such as a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a tetragonal shape, and may prevent rapid flow of a fluid and may remove noise during the liquefaction of high temperature and pressure vapor generated by the pressure type rice cooker.

[53] A material used for forming the silencer 230 is not particularly limited. The silencer

230 may be generally formed of a thermoplastic material such as plastic and may be formed using an injection molding method.

[54] FIG. 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of a vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[55] Referring to FIG. 5, the vapor condenser according to the present embodiment includes a vapor inlet pipe 212 formed inside the coupling unit 210 and for injecting vapor generated by a pressure type rice cooker. The vapor inlet pipe 212 is coupled and fixed to a vapor outlet pipe of the pressure type rice cooker so as to prevent leakage of vapor.

[56] In addition, the vapor condenser includes a sucker 214 formed at a portion coupled to the pressure type rice cooker so as to completely prevent leakage of vapor and to obtain strong engagement with the pressure type rice cooker.

[57] FIG. 5 illustrates a method using a press member 222, as an example of a method of coupling the coupling unit 210 and the guiding pipe 220 to each other. In this case, the press member 222 installed at an end of the guiding pipe 220 is pressed, and then an elastics force acts on the press member 222 by an elastic spring (not shown) included in the press member 222. Then, an open end of the coupling unit 210 is inserted into an end of the guiding pipe 220, and then the press member 222 is released. Thus, the press member 222 returns to an original state in such a way the coupling unit 210 and the guiding pipe 220 are coupled to each other.

[58] As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the guiding pipe 220 is a bellows (accordion) type hose, the guiding pipe 220, the position and length of the guiding pipe 220 may be adjusted.

[59] In order to use the vapor condenser according to the present embodiment, the guiding pipe 220 is coupled to a vapor discharger of the pressure type rice cooker, and the silencer 230 is immersed in a container 300 containing water 'W. Of course, the vapor condenser may be integrally formed with the pressure type rice cooker.

[60] High temperature and pressure vapor generated by the pressure type rice cooker is almost composed of steam. Parts of the vapor are liquefied while being passed through the guiding pipe 220. However, the vapor almost comes in contact with the water 'W contained in the container 300 to be liquefied. [61] In this case, when much noise is generated due to liquefaction of high temperature and pressure vapor or a sudden pressure change, the noise may be completely removed by the silencer 230.

[62] As a result of an experiment of a prolonged period of time, when two or three silencers were used, and an interval between the silencers was in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 cm, the noise was effectively removed. In particular, when three silencers were used, and an interval between the silencers was in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 cm, the noise was completely removed.

[63] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Industrial Applicability

[64] According to embodiments of the present invention, vapor having high temperature and high pressure is condensed and noise generated during discharging vapor is removed by a vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker manufactured by low costs by simplifying its structure, and thus the vapor condenser for the pressure type rice cooker may be used to condense vapor and to remove noise not only in a device for discharging vapor having high temperature and high pressure, but also in a pressure type rice cooker.

[65] When the vapor condenser is manufactured separately from or integrally with a pressure type rice cooker, the vapor condenser may be manufactured so as to correspond to a product specification of each manufacturer, or to correspond to almost all manufactures.

[66] Almost all components of the vapor condenser may be manufactured using plastic injection and extrusion molding methods, etc.

Claims

[1] A vapor condenser for a pressure type rice cooker, the vapor condenser comprising: a coupling unit having an open end for connection with a pressure type rice cooker; a guiding pipe connected to an end of the coupling unit and for discharging vapor generated by a pressure type rice cooker; and a silencer connected to an end of the guiding pipe and having a hollow spherical shape, wherein a plurality of holes are formed in the silencer. [2] The vapor condenser of claim 1, wherein the coupling unit comprises an inlet pipe coupled to a vapor discharging pipe of the pressure type rice cooker. [3] The vapor condenser of claim 1, further comprising a press member that is installed at an end of the guiding pipe and is removably coupled to the coupling unit. [4] The vapor condenser of claim 1, further comprising a connection unit installed at an end of the guiding pipe and for easy connection with the silencer. [5] The vapor condenser of claim 1, wherein the vapor condenser for the pressure type rice cooker comprises one, two or three silencers. [6] The vapor condenser of claim 5, wherein an interval between the silencers is in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 cm.