Rice cooking system and rice cooking method

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for cooking rice is provided. The method includes heating rice using a first steam. The method further includes heating the rice using the first steam, and then heating the rice using a second steam. For example, the first steam is more humid than the second steam.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a rice cooking system and a rice cooking method. [Previous Technology]

[0002] A rice cooking system is known in which rice conveyed by a belt conveyor is heated with steam to cook the rice (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This rice cooking system has a primary cooking section and a secondary cooking section, and is configured to uniformly deliver steam to the rice passing through the primary and secondary cooking sections. A heating water tank is provided between the primary and secondary cooking sections, and the rice that has passed through the primary cooking section is conveyed to the secondary cooking section via the heating water tank. The rice is replenished with water in the heating water tank.

[0003] Patent document 1 is Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-181842. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] However, according to the above-mentioned prior art, a heating water tank needs to be installed between the primary cooking section and the secondary cooking section, which will lead to the large-scale cooking system.

[0005] Herein, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferred to provide a rice cooking system that can both suppress the large size of the rice cooking system caused by the installation of a heating water tank and achieve good cooking.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a rice cooking system is provided for heating rice conveyed by a conveyor. The rice cooking system includes a first heating unit, a second heating unit, and a supply unit. The first heating unit is configured to heat the rice using first steam in a first conveying path of the rice.

[0007] The second heating unit is configured to heat the rice using second steam in a second conveying path of the rice, wherein the second conveying path is located downstream of the first conveying path in the conveying direction of the rice. The supply unit is configured to supply first steam to the first heating unit and second steam to the second heating unit using the incoming steam.

[0008] The supply unit is equipped with a humidifier and is configured to convert the incoming steam into steam that is more humid than before humidification by means of the humidifier, and supply the humid steam as the first steam to the first heating unit.

[0009] According to the rice cooking system configured as described above, the humid steam in the first conveying path can supply sufficient moisture to the rice, and even if a heating water tank is not provided between the first and second conveying paths, the rice can still be well cooked. Therefore, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to both suppress the large size of the rice cooking system caused by the provision of a heating water tank and achieve good cooking.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the supply unit may include a gas-liquid separator. In this case, the supply unit may be configured to convert a first portion of the incoming steam into steam that is more humid than before humidification by a humidifier, and supply the humid steam as first steam to the first heating unit; on the other hand, to convert a second portion of the incoming steam into steam that is drier than before gas-liquid separation by a gas-liquid separator, and supply the drier steam as second steam to the second heating unit.

[0011] According to the above-described cooking system, steam with suitable humidity can be supplied to the first conveying path and the second conveying path respectively, thereby improving the cooking quality of the rice.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the supply unit may be configured to divide the incoming steam into a first branch stream and a second branch stream by splitting the incoming steam, converting the first branch stream into humid steam by a humidifier, supplying the humid steam as the first steam to the first heating unit, and supplying the second branch stream as the second steam to the second heating unit.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the supply unit may be configured to convert the second branch stream generated by the splitting into steam that is drier than before the gas-liquid separation by a gas-liquid separator, and then supply the dried steam as the second steam to the second heating unit.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the supply unit may be configured such that after converting the incoming steam into drier steam than before the gas-liquid separation by a gas-liquid separator, the drier steam is divided into a first branch stream and a second branch stream by splitting the stream.

[0015] The cooking system configured as described above can effectively utilize the steam flowing in from a single steam generation source and can generate a first steam suitable for a first conveying path and a second steam suitable for a second conveying path.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, the humidifier can be a boiling-type humidifier. The supply unit is configured to convert the incoming steam into humid steam by mixing the steam generated by the boiling of water in the humidifier with the incoming steam. According to the cooking system configured as described above, the incoming steam can be effectively converted into humid steam.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, the supply unit may be configured to provide a heat source to the humidifier by diverting the second steam supplied to the second heating unit and supplying it to the humidifier. The cooking system configured as described above can effectively utilize the second steam as a heat source and reduce humidification costs.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, the conveyor may include a conveyor belt having a structure for steam to pass through upwards. Meters can be transported downstream in the conveying direction by means of the rotation of the conveyor belt while mounted on it.

[0019] A steam box may be provided below the conveyor belt in the first conveying path, and a humidifier may be provided below the steam box. The humidifier may be connected to the steam box without nozzles and may be configured to supply moist steam as the first steam from below the steam box.

[0020] According to the above-described cooking system, moistened steam can be applied evenly to the rice from below the steam box.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, the incoming steam is steam that flows from a single steam generator into the supply unit. With the rice cooking system configured as described above, a single steam generator can be used to efficiently supply appropriate steam to both the first and second conveying paths.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, a rice cooking system for heating and adjusting rice conveyed by a conveyor can be provided as follows: The rice cooking system includes a first heating unit, a second heating unit, and a supply unit.

[0023] The first heating unit is configured to heat the rice using first steam in a first conveying path of the rice. The second heating unit is configured to heat the rice using second steam in a second conveying path of the rice, wherein the second conveying path is located downstream of the first conveying path in the conveying direction of the rice.

[0024] The supply unit is configured to supply first steam to the first heating unit and second steam to the second heating unit using the incoming steam. The supply unit includes a gas-liquid separator and is configured to convert the incoming steam into drier steam than before gas-liquid separation by the gas-liquid separator, and supply the drier steam as the second steam to the second heating unit.

[0025] According to the rice cooking system configured as described above, by providing a gas-liquid separator, it is possible to apply moist steam to the rice in the first conveying path and dry steam to the rice in the second conveying path. Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to both suppress the large-scale nature of the rice cooking system caused by the installation of a heating water tank and achieve good cooking results.

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, the supply unit may be configured to divide the incoming steam into a first branch stream and a second branch stream by splitting the incoming steam, supplying the first branch stream as first steam to the first heating unit, and after converting the second branch stream into steam that is drier than before the gas-liquid separation by a gas-liquid separator, supplying the dry steam as second steam to the second heating unit. The supply unit may also be configured to convert the first branch stream into steam that is more humid than before humidification by a humidifier, and supplying the humid steam as first steam to the first heating unit.

[0027] According to the above-described cooking system, steam with suitable humidity can be supplied to the first conveying path and the second conveying path respectively, thereby improving the cooking quality of the rice.

[0028] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for cooking rice can be provided, comprising the steps of: heating rice with a first steam; and heating rice with a second steam after heating rice with the first steam. The first steam is a steam that is more humid than the second steam.

[0029] According to this rice cooking method, steam with humidity suitable for each stage of the rice heating and conditioning process can be applied to the rice, thereby improving the conditioning quality of the rice.

[0030] According to one aspect of the present invention, the following steps may also be included: humidifying the steam flowing in from the steam generator using a humidifier to generate a first steam; and dehumidifying the steam flowing in using a gas-liquid separator to generate a second steam.

[0031] According to this rice cooking method, a humidifier and a gas-liquid separator can be used during the heating and conditioning process of rice to provide steam with humidity suitable for each stage.

[0032] According to one aspect of the present invention, the method may further include the following steps: dehumidifying the steam flowing in from the steam generator using a gas-liquid separator to generate a second steam; and diverting a portion of the second steam and humidifying the diverted steam using a humidifier to generate a first steam.

[0033] According to one aspect of the present invention, heating rice using the first steam may also include heating the rice using the first steam while spraying hot water onto the rice. Heating rice using the second steam may also include heating the rice using the second steam while spraying hot water onto the rice. According to this rice cooking method, the quality of the rice can be improved.

[0034] According to one aspect of the present invention, the step of conveying rice using a conveyor may also be included: heating the rice using a first steam in a first conveying path of the rice conveyed by the conveyor.

[0035] Heating the rice with a second steam may be performed in a second conveying path of the rice, wherein the second conveying path is located downstream of the first conveying path in the rice conveying direction. According to this rice cooking method, the same effect as the rice cooking system described above can be obtained.

Implementation Method

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] The rice cooking system 1 of the present embodiment shown in Figure 1 is a steam rice cooking system that cooks rice by feeding rice and applying steam to the rice at the same time.

[0037] In order to cook rice well, this rice cooking system 1 applies moist steam (hereinafter referred to as "moist steam") as the first steam to heat the rice in the first cooking step of the rice preparation step, and applies dry steam (hereinafter referred to as "dry steam") as the second steam to heat the rice in the second cooking step after the first cooking step.

[0038] The term "rice" as used here can be understood as an aggregate of rice grains. The term "vapor" includes not only water vapor, which is entirely gaseous, but also saturated vapor mixed with tiny water droplets (i.e., liquid water), gas-liquid two-phase flows, and / or aerosols. Moist vapor should be understood as vapor containing more water droplets than dry vapor. Moist vapor is vapor with a higher humidity than dry vapor but a lower dryness degree. As is well known, dryness degree ranges from 0 to 1; a value of 1 indicates that the vapor does not contain liquid water droplets.

[0039] Dry steam should be understood as steam containing less water droplets than moist steam, and including both steam containing liquid water and steam without liquid water. Dry steam is steam with a lower humidity than moist steam and a higher degree of dryness than moist steam. Low humidity as described here includes zero humidity. Dry steam can be steam with a degree of dryness of 1 or steam with a degree of dryness less than 1. The term dry steam should be understood to include: saturated steam containing liquid water droplets, dry saturated steam without liquid water droplets, and superheated steam heated to above the saturation temperature (i.e., high-temperature steam).

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the rice cooking system 1 includes a conveying mechanism 10, a loosening mechanism 40, a water supply mechanism 60, a heating mechanism 70, and a steam supply mechanism 80. The conveying mechanism 10 is configured to convey rice supplied from the rice supply port 31 (see Figure 3). The loosening mechanism 40 is configured to loosen the rice conveyed by the conveying mechanism 10.

[0041] The water supply mechanism 60 is configured to spray heated water onto the conveyed rice, i.e., to spray water. The heating mechanism 70 is configured to apply steam to the conveyed rice from below, thereby heating and conditioning the rice.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, the heating mechanism 70 includes a first cooking section 71 provided on a first rice conveying path PH1 and a second cooking section 72 provided on a second rice conveying path PH2. The first cooking section 71 corresponds to the first heating section, and the second cooking section 72 corresponds to the second heating section. The steam supply mechanism 80 is configured to supply steam to the heating mechanism 70.

[0043] The cooking system 1 is controlled by the control system 100. The cooking system 1 operates according to the instructions input by the operator through the operation panel 110 of the control system 100.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2, the steam supply mechanism 80 is configured to divert the steam flowing in from the external steam generator 200, supplying humid steam to the first cooking section 71 and dry steam to the second cooking section 72. The first cooking section 71 is responsible for heating and conditioning the rice in the first cooking step, and the second cooking section 72 is responsible for heating and conditioning the rice in the second cooking step. The steam generator 200 may be a boiler installed in the same equipment as the rice cooking system 1. One steam generator 200 is provided for each rice cooking system 1. That is, the rice cooking system 1 is configured to use the steam flowing in from a single steam generator 200 to supply humid steam to the first cooking section 71 and dry steam to the second cooking section 72.

[0045] The steam supply mechanism 80 shown in Figure 2 includes a connector 810, a gas-liquid separator 830, a distributor 850, a humidifier 870, and pipes 891, 893, 895, and 897 that are connected to an external steam generator 200.

[0046] Steam generated in steam generator 200 flows into steam supply mechanism 80 via connector 810. This flowing steam moves to gas-liquid separator 830 via pipe 891. Gas-liquid separator 830 is configured as a centrifugal separator, for example.

[0047] The gas-liquid separator 830 converts the incoming steam from upstream into drier steam than before the gas-liquid separation by dehumidifying, in particular dehumidifying, the incoming steam. That is, the gas-liquid separator 830 removes the liquid water suspended in the incoming steam from the water vapor, thereby generating dry steam.

[0048] The dry steam generated in the gas-liquid separator 830 is guided to the distributor 850 via the pipe 893. The distributor 850 divides the incoming steam (i.e., dry steam) from upstream into a first branch stream and a second branch stream. As described above, the steam supply mechanism 80 converts the incoming steam into drier steam than before gas-liquid separation by the gas-liquid separator 830, and then divides the dry steam into a first branch stream and a second branch stream by splitting the stream.

[0049] The first branch stream is conveyed to the humidifier 870 via pipe 895. The humidifier 870 humidifies the first branch stream from the upstream, converting it into steam with a higher humidity than before humidification. For example, the humidifier 870 generates humid steam by supplying high-humidity steam to the first branch stream, mixing liquid water with the first branch stream. The humid steam generated by the humidifier 870 is supplied to the first cooking section 71 and used to heat the rice on the first conveying path PH1. The first cooking section 71 heats the rice on the first conveying path PH1 using the humid steam.

[0050] On the other hand, the second branch stream, maintaining a state of dry steam, is supplied to the second cooking section 72 via pipe 897. Thus, the dry steam generated by the gas-liquid separator 830 is used to heat the rice on the second conveying path PH2. The second cooking section 72 heats the rice on the second conveying path PH2 using dry steam, wherein, in the rice conveying direction, the second conveying path PH2 is located downstream of the first conveying path PH1.

[0051] Figure 3 shows the detailed configuration of the rice cooking system 1. As shown in Figure 3, the conveying mechanism 10 includes a conveyor 20, a rice supply port 31, a connecting structure 33, a dispensing port 35, a receiving structure 37, and a cover 39. The rice cooking system 1 is configured to heat and condition the rice conveyed by the conveyor 20.

[0052] The conveyor 20 is configured to transport rice carried on the conveyor belt 29 by rotating the belt 29. Specifically, the conveyor 20 includes a first conveyor 20A and a second conveyor 20B. The first conveyor 20A and the second conveyor 20B are configured as belt conveyors.

[0053] The first conveyor 20A includes several pulleys 21 and 22 and a belt 29A wound around the pulleys 21 and 22. The belt 29A rotates and moves in the same direction as the pulleys 21 and 22 rotate.

[0054] Belt 29A is an endless belt. Belt 29A has a mesh structure through which steam moving from bottom to top can pass. The mesh size is set to be smaller than a grain of rice.

[0055] The first conveyor 20A receives rice supplied from the rice supply port 31 on the surface of the upward-facing belt 29A, and the rice is transported downstream of the conveying path by the rotation of the belt 29A. The supplied rice is soaked rice that has been soaked in water or seasoning liquid. The rice is transported downstream by the rotation of the belt 29B while it is placed on the belt 29A.

[0056] The first conveyor 20A conveys rice to the inlet of the connecting structure 33 located downstream of the conveying path. During the movement to the inlet of the connecting structure 33, a first cooking step using moist steam is performed on the rice on the belt 29A.

[0057] That is, the first conveyor 20A includes a first conveying path PH1 that exposes the rice to humid steam as the conveying path for the rice. The rice conveyed by the first conveyor 20A is heated and conditioned in a high-moisture environment before reaching the inlet of the connecting structure 33.

[0058] The connecting structure 33 has an inclined surface that slopes downward from the first conveyor 20A to the second conveyor 20B. Rice supplied from the first conveyor 20A to the inlet of the connecting structure 33 moves to the outlet of the connecting structure 33 by gravity. The connecting structure 33 functions as a scraper for the belt 29A.

[0059] When the rice passes through the connecting structure 33, the rice on the conveyor belt 29 moves in a dropping manner. That is, during the process of passing through the connecting structure 33, the rice is peeled off from the surface of the conveyor belt 29, thereby playing a role in mixing the rice above and below.

[0060] The second conveyor 20B is located at a lower position than the first conveyor 20A and is disposed at the outlet of the connecting structure 33. Rice from the first conveyor 20A is supplied to the second conveyor 20B via the connecting structure 33.

[0061] The second conveyor 20B, like the first conveyor 20A, has several pulleys 24, pulleys 25 and an endless belt (hereinafter referred to as "belt") 29B wound around the pulleys 24, pulleys 25.

[0062] Belt 29B rotates in the same direction as pulleys 24 and 25. Belt 29B has a mesh structure, through which steam moving from bottom to top can pass. The mesh size is set to be smaller than a grain of rice.

[0063] The size of the rice grains on belt 29B is larger than that on belt 29A due to water absorption. Therefore, considering the permeability of water and vapor, the mesh size of belt 29B is set to be larger than that of belt 29A.

[0064] The second conveyor 20B receives rice supplied from the outlet of the connecting structure 33 on the surface of the upward-facing belt 29B, and transports the rice downstream of the conveying path by the rotation of the belt 29B. The rice is transported downstream by the rotation of the belt 29B while it is placed on the belt 29B. In the second conveyor belt 20B, an outlet 35 is provided at the end of the rice conveying direction DA. The rice transported by the second conveyor 20B is cooked before reaching the outlet 35.

[0065] A receiving structure 37 is provided at the outlet 35 for removing rice conveyed by belt 29B from belt 29B. The receiving structure 37 functions as a scraper for belt 29B.

[0066] During the process of conveying rice by the second conveyor 20B, a second cooking step using dry steam is performed on the rice on the belt 29B. That is, the second conveyor 20B includes a second conveying path PH2 that exposes the rice to dry steam as the conveying path of the rice.

[0067] The cooked rice is discharged from the outlet 35 and received in a container (not shown) located below the outlet 35. As described above, the rice supplied by the rice supply port 31 is heated and conditioned in stages by steam with different humidity levels, and is conveyed to the outlet 35 by the rotation of the conveyor belt 29.

[0068] Although not shown in the figure, a structure for leveling the rice supplied to the conveyor belt 29 is provided near the rice supply port 31. With this structure, the rice supplied from the rice supply port 31 to the conveyor belt 29 accumulates on the surface of the conveyor belt 29 to a state with a substantially constant thickness and moves as the conveyor belt 29 rotates.

[0069] The expansion caused by the rice absorbing water causes the size of a grain of rice on the conveyor belt 29 to change in the direction of increasing. Therefore, in this embodiment, the rotational speed of the belt 29B driven by the second conveyor 20B is set to be faster than the rotational speed of the belt 29A driven by the first conveyor 20A.

[0070] By setting this speed, in this embodiment, the thickness of the rice pile on the conveyor belt 9 does not vary with the size of the rice grains and remains approximately the same between the first conveyor 20A and the second conveyor 20B.

[0071] According to this embodiment, as described above, when the rice passes through the connecting structure 33, the rice on the conveyor belt 29 falls off the conveyor belt 29. That is, in the connecting structure 33, the rice is peeled off from the surface of the conveyor belt 29, thereby mixing the rice on the upper and lower surfaces. By setting the speed as described above, mixing the rice in the connecting structure 33, and using different stages of steaming, the rice in this embodiment is well heated and conditioned.

[0072] The cover 39 is disposed above the conveyor 20 in the rice conveying path between the rice supply port 31 and the outlet 35 to suppress the upward diffusion of steam supplied from below the conveyor 20. Specifically, the cover 39 is configured to cover the conveyor 20 and the top of the rice conveying path.

[0073] The loosening mechanism 40, as shown in Figure 3, includes several loosening devices 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 distributed in a meter conveying path in the meter conveying direction DA. Each loosening device (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) is configured as a blade rotation device. Each loosening device (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) includes a rotating shaft 51 and several blades 55 disposed around the rotating shaft 51.

[0074] The rotating shaft 51 is disposed along the surface of the conveyor belt 29, which is parallel to the horizontal plane. Specifically, the rotating shaft 51 is configured to be parallel to the surface of the conveyor belt 29 and to be orthogonal to the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 29. The rotation direction of the conveyor belt 29 corresponds to the conveying direction DA of the meter.

[0075] Several blades 55 are disposed around the rotating shaft 51. Specifically, the blades 55 are arranged radially relative to the rotating shaft 51 and are shaped to scoop up rice to loosen it. Each blade 55 is composed of a rod-shaped member. The rod-shaped member may be soft. The rod-shaped member may be elastic.

[0076] The radial length from the center of the shaft 51 to the radial tip of each blade 55 is approximately the same as the distance from the center of the shaft 51 to the surface of the conveyor belt 29. That is, as shown in Figure 3, when each blade 55 is located directly below the shaft 51, its tip is mounted on the shaft 51 in a position very close to but not in contact with the surface of the conveyor belt 29 or in a position that slightly contacts the surface of the conveyor belt 29.

[0077] The rotating shaft 51 rotates to move the directly below vanes 55 in the same direction as the rice conveying direction DA. Each vane 55 operates by temporarily scooping up rice from the surface of the conveyor belt 29 within a predetermined range centered directly below the rotating shaft 51, and then placing the scooped-up rice back onto the conveyor belt 29. Through this action, the rice on the conveyor belt 29 is loosened. This loosening helps to achieve uniform heating and conditioning, and improves the conditioning quality of the rice.

[0078] The water supply mechanism 60 has several water supply units 62, 63, 64, and 65 distributed in a dispersed manner along the conveying direction DA of the meters. The water supply mechanism 60 is configured to supply water to the rice on the conveyor belt 29 by spraying water onto the rice through each water supply unit (62, 63, 64, 65). The water supplied to the rice is warm water, for example, warm water at approximately 75°C. In contrast, the rice on the conveyor belt 29 is treated with steam at a temperature of approximately 98°C.

[0079] Each water supply unit (62, 63, 64, 65) is equipped with several nozzles (not shown) formed in the pipeline, which is configured to cross the conveyor belt 29 in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 29 (i.e., the conveying direction DA of the meter). Each water supply unit (62, 63, 64, 65) supplies water to the meter on the conveyor belt 29 through the several nozzles 69.

[0080] Each water supply unit (62, 63, 64, 65) supplies water in an amount that rice cannot absorb. Water that is not absorbed by the rice and reaches the surface of the conveyor belt 29 falls below the conveyor belt 29. The water that falls below the conveyor belt 29 is discharged through a drainage structure (not shown).

[0081] As shown in Figure 3, the aforementioned water supply units (62, 63, 64, 65) are associated with the loosening devices (42, 43, 44, 45). That is, in the rice conveying path, several water supply units 62, 63, 64, and 65 are respectively located upstream of the corresponding loosening devices 42, 43, 44, and 45, and water is sprayed onto the rice before it is loosened by the corresponding loosening devices 42, 43, 44, and 45. In this way, the problem of uneven water spraying by each water supply unit (62, 63, 64, 65) is solved by the subsequent loosening action.

[0082] The heating mechanism 70 includes a plurality of steam boxes 711, 712, and 713 disposed in a distributed manner along the conveying direction DA of the meter on the first conveying path PH1 of the meter, and a plurality of steam boxes 721, 722, 723, 724, and 725 disposed in a distributed manner along the conveying direction DA of the meter on the second conveying path PH2 of the meter.

[0083] Steam chambers (711, 712, 713) are located below belt 29A on the first conveying path PH1. Steam chambers (711, 712, 713) constitute the first cooking section 71. Steam chambers (721, 722, 723, 724, 725) are located below belt 29B on the second conveying path PH2. Steam chambers (721, 722, 723, 724, 725) constitute the second cooking section 72.

[0084] Steam boxes (711, 712, 713, 721, 722) are respectively associated with loosening devices (41, 42, 43, 44, 45). Specifically, steam boxes 711, 712, 713, 721, and 722 are respectively located upstream of loosening devices 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 in the conveying direction DA. In contrast, steam boxes 723, 724, and 725 are located downstream of loosening device 45.

[0085] Steam chambers (711, 712, 713) are used for the first cooking step using moist steam, and steam chambers (721, 722, 723, 724, 725) are used for the second cooking step using dry steam. In particular, steam chambers (723, 724, 725) are used for the simmering step, that is, the final step of heating and conditioning.

[0086] Steam boxes 711, 712, and 713 are respectively provided with steam ports 711A, 712A, and 713A, and steam boxes 721, 722, 723, 724, and 725 are respectively provided with jet ports 721A, 722A, 723A, 724A, and 725A.

[0087] Moist steam is supplied by the steam supply mechanism 80 to steam boxes 711, 712, and 713 respectively via steam ports 711A, 712A, and 713A. Dry steam is supplied by the steam supply mechanism 80 to steam boxes 721, 722, 723, 724, and 725 respectively via jet ports 721A, 722A, 723A, 724A, and 725A.

[0088] Moist steam supplied to the steam boxes (711, 712, 713) via steam ports (711A, 712A, 713A) moves upward through the conveyor belt 29A and acts on the rice on the conveyor belt 29A. Thus, the rice on the first conveying path PH1 is exposed to the moist steam supplied from below the conveyor belt 29A and is heated.

[0089] Dry steam supplied to the steam boxes (721, 722, 723, 724, 725) via injection ports (721A, 722A, 723A, 724A, 725A) moves upward through the conveyor belt 29B and acts on the rice on the conveyor belt 29B. In this way, the rice on the second conveying path PH2 is exposed to the dry steam supplied from below the conveyor belt 29B and is heated.

[0090] The steam supply mechanism 80 includes three humidifiers 871, 872, and 873 as the aforementioned humidifier 870. All three humidifiers (871, 872, and 873) are boiling type humidifiers.

[0091] Three humidifiers 871, 872, and 873 are respectively configured to correspond to steam inlets 711A, 712A, and 713A. Humidifier 871 is positioned below steam inlet 711A. Humidifier 872 is positioned below steam inlet 712A. Humidifier 873 is positioned below steam inlet 713A.

[0092] As described above, the humidifiers (871, 872, 873) are located in different positions but have the same structure. Therefore, in the following description, when referring to the humidifiers (871, 872, 873) without distinction, all of the above-mentioned humidifiers (871, 872, 873) will be referred to as humidifier 870. Furthermore, when referring to the steam boxes (711, 712, 713) connected to the humidifiers (871, 872, 873) without distinction, all of the above-mentioned steam boxes will be referred to as steam box 710. The detailed structures of the humidifier 870 and the steam box 710 will be described below with reference to Figures 4A and 4B.

[0093] As can be seen from Figure 3, the steam supply mechanism 80 guides the steam flowing in from the steam generator 200 through the connector 810, i.e. the inflowing steam, through the pipe 891 to the gas-liquid separator 830.

[0094] The steam supply mechanism 80 converts the incoming steam from the steam generator 200 into dry steam in the gas-liquid separator 830, and then guides the dry steam to the distributor 850 via the pipe 893. The incoming steam is divided into a first branch stream and a second branch stream in the distributor 850.

[0095] The first branch flow is supplied to the humidifiers (871, 872, 873) via pipe 895. Pipe 895 has three branch pipes 895A, 895B, and 895C. Branch pipe 895A is connected to humidifier 871, branch pipe 895B is connected to humidifier 872, and branch pipe 895C is connected to humidifier 873.

[0096] The first branch stream (dry steam) supplied to the humidifier 870 is converted into moist steam by the humidifier 870 and applied to the rice located on the first conveying path PH1 via the steam box 710 of the first cooking section 71.

[0097] The second branch flow is guided to the injection ports (721A, 722A, 723A, 724A, 725A) via pipe 897. Pipe 897 has five branch pipes 897A, 897B, 897C, 897D, and 897E. Branch pipe 897A is connected to injection port 721A, branch pipe 897B is connected to injection port 722A, branch pipe 897C is connected to injection port 723A, branch pipe 897D is connected to injection port 724A, and branch pipe 897E is connected to injection port 725A.

[0098] The second branch stream (dry steam) guided to the injection port (721A, 722A, 723A, 724A, 725A) is kept in a dry steam state and injected into the corresponding steam box (721, 722, 723, 724, 725) respectively, and is applied to the meter located on the second conveying path PH2.

[0099] As shown in Figure 4B, the humidifier 870 includes a storage tank 881, a silencer 883, a connecting pipe 885, and a connecting box 887. Hot water is stored in the storage tank 881. Below the water surface in the storage tank 881, a pipe 895 is connected through the silencer 883. A first branch stream supplied from the pipe 895 passes below the water surface in the storage tank 881 and moves to the top of the storage tank 881. As the first branch stream moves upward from the water surface through the hot water stored in the storage tank 881, it is converted into humid steam.

[0100] It should be further explained that the pipe 899 branching off from the pipe 897 through which the second branch flow passes is disposed adjacent to the storage tank 881. Alternatively, the pipe 899 may be configured to penetrate the storage tank 881. In this way, the heat retained by the second branch flow flowing through the interior of the pipe 899 is transferred to the hot water in the storage tank 881. That is, the branching second branch flow functions as a heat source for supplying heat to the hot water in the storage tank 881. As described above, the steam supply mechanism 80 diverts the second branch flow supplied to the second cooking section 72 and supplies a heat source to the humidifier 870.

[0101] According to one example, the second branch flow through pipe 899, after being used as a heat source for humidifier 870, can be discharged from the exhaust port (not shown). The second branch flow through pipe 899, after being used as a heat source for humidifier 870, can also return to pipe 897.

[0102] The hot water in the storage tank 881 is kept boiling by heat from a heat source. As a result, steam is generated from the surface of the water in the storage tank 881. The first branch stream supplied from below the surface of the water in the storage tank 881 mixes with the steam (liquid water) generated from the surface of the water due to boiling, thereby being humidified and converted into moist steam.

[0103] The first branch stream, which has moved above the storage tank 881, moves further upward as moist steam and then via the connecting pipe 885 to the connecting box 887. The connecting box 887 is connected to the steam port 710A of the steam box 710 in a manner that allows steam to move. The steam port 710A mentioned here corresponds to steam port 711A, steam port 712A, and steam port 713A. In the following description, when steam port 711A, steam port 712A, and steam port 713A are referred to as steam port 710A without distinction.

[0104] As described above, the humidifier 870 is connected to the steam chamber 710 in a nozzle-less manner, so that steam moves naturally from the steam port 710A to the steam chamber 710, rather than in a jet manner. The moist steam supplied from the humidifier 870 to the steam chamber 710 through the steam port 710A moves through the steam chamber 710 toward the upward belt 29A.

[0105] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the steam box 710 includes a box body 730 and a control panel 740. The steam box 710 is disposed between belts 29A, that is, between the outbound section 291A and the return section 291B of belts 29A.

[0106] The steam port 710A is provided as a side opening of the main body 730. The main body 730 is a rectangular box-shaped component with an opening at the top, and its bottom surface 731 has a structure that slopes downward from downstream to upstream in the steam supply direction DB. The steam supply direction DB mentioned here corresponds to the flow direction of steam supplied from the steam port 710A. The steam supply direction DB refers to the flow direction of steam when the position near the steam port 710A is defined as upstream and the position away from the steam port 710A is defined as downstream.

[0107] The main body 730 is configured such that a drain outlet 732 is provided at the end of the bottom surface 731, that is, at the lowest position near the steam port 710A, and the liquid water falling on the bottom surface 731 is discharged to the outside.

[0108] The control panel 740 is located at the upper opening of the main body 730 and functions as a partition wall dividing the main body 730 into a retention chamber 735 and a diffusion chamber 737. The retention chamber 735 is located below the control panel 740, and the steam supplied from the steam port 710A moves through the retention chamber 735 to the top of the control panel 740.

[0109] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the control plate 740 has several slits 741 for allowing steam supplied from the steam port 710A to pass upwards. The slits 741 are slits with different opening areas, arranged such that the opening area increases from upstream to downstream in the steam supply direction DB. That is, the slits 741 are configured such that the slits with smaller opening areas are located upstream in the steam supply direction DB, and the slits with larger opening areas are located downstream in the steam supply direction DB.

[0110] Because the control plate 740 is provided with the aforementioned slit 741, the vapor passing through the control plate 740 from the retention chamber 735 diffuses in the diffusion chamber 737. The diffused vapor then moves further upward and passes through the belt 29A from bottom to top.

[0111] The several gaps 741 with different opening areas set on this control panel 740 not only help the diffusion of steam, but also help to keep the amount of steam uniform relative to the elongated opening of the box body 730.

[0112] In this embodiment, by setting the opening area of ​​the slit 741 near the steam port 710A to be small, the situation where most of the steam supplied from the steam port 710A to the main body 730 moves upward from the steam box 710 at the position near the steam port 710A is suppressed.

[0113] The steam supply direction DB is orthogonal to the rotation direction of belt 29A (i.e., the meter conveying direction DA). That is, the steam supply direction DB corresponds to the width direction of belt 29A (refer to Figure 6). Therefore, controlling the steam amount by the control panel 740 helps to uniformly apply steam to the meters on belt 29A along the width direction of belt 29A. Figure 6 shows the installation configuration of the steam boxes (711, 712, 713). The steam boxes (711, 712, 713) are fixed to the frame FR located below belt 29A.

[0114] The rice cooking system 1 of this embodiment described above generates humid steam as the first steam by humidifying the steam flowing in from the steam generator 200 using a humidifier 870, and generates dry steam as the second steam by dehumidifying the steam flowing in from the steam generator 200 using a gas-liquid separator 830.

[0115] The rice cooking system 1 heats the rice with moist steam on a first conveying path PH1 of the rice conveyed by the conveyor 20, and heats the rice with dry steam on a second conveying path PH2, wherein the second conveying path PH2 is located downstream of the first conveying path PH1 in the direction of rice conveying.

[0116] The rice cooking system 1 configured as described above can supply sufficient moisture to the rice through humid steam in the first conveying path PH1. Therefore, according to this rice cooking system 1, even if a heating water tank is not provided between the first conveying path PH1 and the second conveying path PH2, the rice can still be well cooked. Thus, according to this embodiment, a rice cooking system 1 can be provided that can both prevent the rice cooking system from becoming too large due to the installation of a heating water tank and achieve good cooking results.

[0117] In particular, the cooking system 1 of this embodiment uses a humidifier 870 and a gas-liquid separator 830 to supply steam with suitable humidity for the first transport path PH1 and the second transport path PH2, respectively.

[0118] The cooking system 1 uses a gas-liquid separator 830 to dehumidify the steam flowing in from the steam generator 200, thereby generating dry steam. Then, a portion of the dry steam is diverted and the diverted steam is humidified by a humidifier 870, thereby generating moist steam.

[0119] Therefore, this rice cooking system 1 can effectively utilize the steam flowing in from a single steam source (single steam generator 200) to apply steam with a humidity suitable for each stage of the rice preparation process to the rice on the first conveying path PH1 and the second conveying path PH2. The steam control method using the humidifier 870 and the gas-liquid separator 830 described above helps to improve the quality of rice preparation.

[0120] It is also significant to spray hot water using the water supply mechanism 60 on both the first conveying path PH1 and the second conveying path PH2. In the first conveying path PH1, the rice cooking system 1 sprays hot water onto the rice while simultaneously heating and conditioning the rice using moist steam. In the second conveying path PH2, the rice cooking system 1 sprays hot water onto the rice while simultaneously heating and conditioning the rice using dry steam. This rice cooking method can improve the conditioning quality of the rice.

[0121] Furthermore, the rice cooking system 1 of this embodiment utilizes a boiling humidifier 870 to generate humid steam. Moreover, dry steam is used as the heat source for the humidifier 870. Therefore, according to this embodiment, dry steam can be effectively used as a heat source, reducing the cost required for humidification, and the incoming steam can be effectively converted into humid steam.

[0122] In this embodiment, by adjusting the opening area of ​​the slit 41 and connecting the humidifier 870 and the steam box 710 in a nozzle-free manner, the humid steam can be well diffused and evenly applied to the rice from below the steam box. The aforementioned uniform humid steam helps the rice to cook well.

[0123] [Second Embodiment] The rice cooking system 1 described above can be modified as shown in Figure 6. The rice cooking system 2 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 6 has a single conveyor 202 as the conveyor 20. Except for the configuration of the conveyor 202, the configuration of the rice cooking system 2 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the rice cooking system 1 of the first embodiment. In Figure 6, the configurations marked with the same symbols as those in the first embodiment correspond to the configurations marked with the same symbols in the first embodiment. According to the rice cooking system 2 of this embodiment, the cooking quality of rice can also be improved by utilizing moist steam and dry steam.

[0124] [Third Embodiment] In the rice cooking system 1 and rice cooking system 2 of the first and second embodiments, the steam supply mechanism 80 can be modified as shown in Figure 7. The rice cooking system 1 and rice cooking system 2 of the third embodiment are variations of the rice cooking system 1 and rice cooking system 2 of the first and second embodiments, and are equipped with the steam supply mechanism 801 shown in Figure 7 instead of the steam supply mechanism 80. Unless otherwise specified, the components marked with the same symbols as those in the first and second embodiments in Figure 7 can be understood as being the same as those marked with the same symbols in the first and second embodiments.

[0125] The steam supply mechanism 801 shown in Figure 7 is the same as the steam supply mechanism 800, and includes a connector 810, a gas-liquid separator 830, a distributor 850, and a humidifier 870. The steam supply mechanism 801 also includes pipes 991, 993, 995, and 997.

[0126] The steam supply mechanism 801 is configured to be the same as the steam supply mechanism 80, to divert the steam flowing in from the steam generator 200, to supply the moist steam as the first steam to the first cooking section 71 provided on the first rice conveying path PH1 by the conveying mechanism 10, and to supply the dry steam as the second steam to the second cooking section provided on the second rice conveying path PH2 by the conveying mechanism 10.

[0127] However, in the steam supply mechanism 801, the distributor 850 is positioned closer to the steam generator 200 side than the gas-liquid separator 830. The steam generated in the steam generator 200 flows into the steam supply mechanism 801 via the connector 810.

[0128] The incoming steam moves to the distributor 850 via pipe 991. The distributor 850 divides the incoming steam from the steam generator 200 into a first branch stream and a second branch stream. The first branch stream corresponds to the first portion of the incoming steam, and the second branch stream corresponds to the second portion of the incoming steam.

[0129] The first branch stream is guided to the humidifier 870 through pipe 993. The humidifier 870 humidifies the first branch stream from the upstream, converting it into moist steam. The moist steam generated by the humidifier 870 is supplied to the first cooking section 71 to heat the rice on the first conveying path PH1.

[0130] The second branch stream is supplied to the gas-liquid separator 830 via pipe 995. The gas-liquid separator 830 dehumidifies the second branch stream from the upstream, converting it into dry steam that is drier than before gas-liquid separation. The dry steam generated by the gas-liquid separator 830 is supplied to the second cooking section 72 via pipe 997 for heating the rice on the second conveying path PH2.

[0131] In the rice cooking system 1 and rice cooking system 2 of this embodiment, the same as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the cooking quality of rice can be improved.

[0132] [Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be adopted in various forms. For example, the steam supply mechanism 801 of the third embodiment can be modified as follows: that is, the steam supply mechanism 801 does not need to be provided with the distributor 850.

[0133] The steam supply mechanism 801 may be equipped with several connectors for connecting the first steam generator and the second steam generator, in place of connector 810. The steam supply mechanism 801 may be modified so that the steam flowing in from the first steam generator is supplied to the humidifier 870, and the steam flowing in from the second steam generator is supplied to the gas-liquid separator 830.

[0134] In the third embodiment, when the steam flowing into the steam supply mechanism 801 from the steam generator 200 is humid steam, the steam supply mechanism 801 does not need to be equipped with a humidifier 870. That is, the steam flowing in from the steam generator 200 can be directly supplied to the first cooking section 71.

[0135] Conversely, when the steam flowing from the steam generator 200 into the steam supply mechanism 801 is dry steam, the steam supply mechanism 801 does not need to be equipped with a gas-liquid separator 830. That is, the steam flowing in from the steam generator 200 can be directly supplied to the second cooking section 72.

[0136] Furthermore, the rice cooking system 1 and the rice cooking system 2 can be configured such that, in the first conveying path PH1 of the rice during the first cooking step, the amount of moist steam applied to the rice increases as it moves upstream along the conveying path. That is, the rice cooking system 1 and the rice cooking system 2 can be configured such that the amount of steam supplied to the steam box located upstream of the rice conveying path (711, 712, 713) is greater than the amount of steam supplied to the steam box located downstream of the conveying path. By adjusting the amount of steam using the above method, the cooking time of the rice can be adjusted.

[0137] The function of one constituent element in each of the above embodiments may be distributed among several constituent elements, or the function of several constituent elements may be integrated into one constituent element. Furthermore, a portion of the composition of the above embodiments may be omitted. Additionally, at least a portion of the composition of the above embodiments may be added to or replaced in the composition of other above embodiments. All forms encompassed by the technical concept defined by the statements in the claims are embodiments of the present invention.

[0138] [Technical Ideas Disclosed in This Specification] It is understood that the following technical ideas are disclosed in this specification. [Item 1] A rice cooking system for heating rice conveyed by a conveyor, comprising: a first heating unit configured to heat the rice using first steam in a first conveying path of the rice; a second heating unit configured to heat the rice using second steam in a second conveying path of the rice, wherein the second conveying path is located downstream of the first conveying path in the conveying direction of the rice; and a supply unit configured to supply the first steam to the first heating unit and the second steam to the second heating unit using incoming steam, the supply unit comprising a humidifier and configured to convert the incoming steam into steam that is more humid than before humidification by the humidifier, and supply the humid steam as the first steam to the first heating unit. [Item 2] As in the rice cooking system of Item 1, the supply unit further includes a gas-liquid separator. The supply unit is configured to convert a first portion of the incoming steam into steam that is more humid than before humidification by a humidifier, and supply the humid steam as the first steam to the first heating unit. On the other hand, the gas-liquid separator converts a second portion of the incoming steam into steam that is drier than before gas-liquid separation, and supplies the drier steam as the second steam to the second heating unit. [Item 3] As in the rice cooking system of Item 1, the supply unit is configured to divide the incoming steam into a first branch stream and a second branch stream by splitting the incoming steam. After the humidifier converts the first branch stream into humid steam, the humid steam is supplied as the first steam to the first heating unit, and the second branch stream is supplied as the second steam to the second heating unit. [Item 4] The cooking system of Item 3, wherein the supply unit further includes a gas-liquid separator, the supply unit being configured to convert the second branch stream generated by the diversion into steam that is drier than before the gas-liquid separation, and then supply the drier steam as the second steam to the second heating unit. [Item 5] The cooking system of Item 3, wherein the supply unit further includes a gas-liquid separator, the supply unit being configured to convert the incoming steam into steam that is drier than before the gas-liquid separation, and then divide the drier steam into the first branch stream and the second branch stream by diversion. [Item 6] The cooking system of any one of Items 1 to 5, wherein the humidifier is a boiling humidifier, the supply unit being configured to convert the incoming steam into humid steam by mixing the steam generated by the boiling of water in the humidifier with the incoming steam. [Item 7] As in the cooking system of Item 6, the supply unit is configured to provide a heat source to the humidifier by diverting the second steam supplied to the second heating unit and supplying it to the humidifier.[Item 8] A rice cooking system according to any one of Items 1 to 7, wherein the conveyor has a conveyor belt with a structure for allowing steam to pass upwards, the rice is placed on the conveyor belt and conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by the rotation of the conveyor belt, a steam box is provided below the conveyor belt in the first conveying path, and a humidifier is provided below the steam box, the humidifier is connected to the steam box in a nozzle-less manner, and is configured to supply the moist steam as the first steam from below the steam box. [Item 9] A rice cooking system according to any one of Items 1 to 8, wherein the incoming steam is steam that flows into the supply section from a single steam generator. [Item 10] A rice cooking system for heating rice conveyed by a conveyor, comprising: a first heating unit configured to heat the rice using first steam in a first conveying path of the rice; a second heating unit configured to heat the rice using second steam in a second conveying path of the rice, wherein the second conveying path is located downstream of the first conveying path in the conveying direction of the rice; and a supply unit configured to supply the first steam to the first heating unit and the second steam to the second heating unit using incoming steam, the supply unit comprising a gas-liquid separator and configured to convert the incoming steam into drier steam than before gas-liquid separation by the gas-liquid separator, and supply the drier steam as the second steam to the second heating unit. [Item 11] The rice cooking system of Item 10, wherein the supply unit is configured to split the incoming steam into a first branch stream and a second branch stream, supply the first branch stream as the first steam to the first heating unit, and after the second branch stream is converted into drier steam than before the gas-liquid separation by the gas-liquid separator, supply the drier steam as the second steam to the second heating unit. [Item 12] A method for cooking rice includes the following steps: heating rice with first steam; and heating the rice with the first steam and then heating the rice with second steam, wherein the first steam is more humid than the second steam. [Item 13] The method for cooking rice of Item 12, further comprising the following steps: humidifying the incoming steam from a steam generator using a humidifier to generate the first steam; and dehumidifying the incoming steam using a gas-liquid separator to generate the second steam. [Item 14] The cooking method of Item 12 further includes the following steps: dehumidifying the steam flowing in from the steam generator using a gas-liquid separator to generate the second steam; and diverting a portion of the second steam and humidifying the diverted steam using a humidifier to generate the first steam.[Item 15] A method for cooking rice as described in any of Items 12 to 14, wherein heating the rice with the first steam includes heating the rice with the first steam while spraying hot water onto the rice, and heating the rice with the second steam includes heating the rice with the second steam while spraying hot water onto the rice. [Item 16] A method for cooking rice as described in any of Items 12 to 15, further comprising the steps of: conveying the rice using a conveyor; heating the rice with the first steam includes heating the rice with the first steam in a first conveying path of the rice conveyed by the conveyor; and heating the rice with the second steam includes heating the rice with the second steam in a second conveying path of the rice, wherein, in the direction of rice conveying, the second conveying path is located downstream of the first conveying path. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0139] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the general structure of the rice cooking system. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the general structure of the steam supply mechanism. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the detailed configuration of the rice cooking system in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4A is a top view showing the upper configuration of the steam chamber; Figure 4B is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of the humidifier connected to the steam chamber. [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram regarding the installation of the steam chamber. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the detailed configuration of the rice cooking system in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] A block diagram showing the general structure of the steam supply mechanism in the third embodiment.

Claims

1. A rice cooking system for heating rice conveyed by a conveyor, comprising: a first heating unit configured to heat the rice using first steam in a first conveying path of the rice; and a second heating unit configured to heat the rice using second steam in a second conveying path of the rice, wherein... In the direction of conveying rice, the second conveying path is located downstream of the first conveying path; and the supply section is configured to supply the first heating section with the incoming steam and the second heating section with the second steam. The supply section includes a humidifier and a gas-liquid separator. The supply section is configured to convert a first portion of the incoming steam into steam that is more humid than before humidification by the humidifier and supply the humid steam as the first steam to the first heating section. On the other hand, the gas-liquid separator converts a second portion of the incoming steam into steam that is drier than before gas-liquid separation and supplies the drier steam as the second steam to the second heating section.

2. As in request item 1, the cooking system, wherein, The supply unit is configured to split the incoming steam into a first branch stream and a second branch stream by means of a humidifier, and then supply the humid steam as the first steam to the first heating unit. The second branch stream is then converted into drier steam than before the gas-liquid separation by means of a gas-liquid separator, and then the drier steam is supplied as the second steam to the second heating unit.

3. A rice cooking system for heating rice conveyed by a conveyor, comprising: a first heating unit configured to heat the rice using first steam in a first conveying path of the rice; and a second heating unit configured to heat the rice using second steam in a second conveying path of the rice, wherein... In the direction of conveying rice, the second conveying path is located downstream of the first conveying path; and the supply section is configured to supply the first heating section with the incoming steam and to supply the second heating section with the second steam. The supply section includes a humidifier and a gas-liquid separator. The supply section is configured to convert the incoming steam into drier steam than before gas-liquid separation by the gas-liquid separator, and then divide the dry steam into a first branch stream and a second branch stream by splitting the stream. The second branch stream is then supplied to the second heating section as the second steam. The first branch stream is converted into moist steam by the humidifier and then the moist steam is supplied to the first heating section as the first steam.

4. A cooking system as described in any of requests 1 to 3, wherein, The humidifier is a boiling humidifier. The supply unit is configured to convert the incoming steam into humid steam by mixing the steam generated by the boiling of water in the humidifier with the incoming steam.

5. As in request item 4, the cooking system, wherein, The supply unit is configured to provide a heat source to the humidifier by diverting the second steam supplied to the second heating unit and supplying it to the humidifier.

6. A cooking system as described in any of requests 1 to 3, wherein, The conveyor has a conveyor belt with a structure for allowing steam to pass upwards. The meter is placed on the conveyor belt and is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by the rotation of the conveyor belt. A steam box is provided below the conveyor belt in the first conveying path, and a humidifier is provided below the steam box. The humidifier is connected to the steam box in a nozzle-less manner and is configured to supply the humid steam as the first steam from below the steam box.

7. A cooking system as described in any of requests 1 to 3, wherein, The incoming steam is steam that flows into the supply section from a single steam generator.

8. A rice cooking system for heating rice conveyed by a conveyor, comprising: a first heating unit configured to heat the rice using first steam in a first conveying path of the rice; and a second heating unit configured to heat the rice using second steam in a second conveying path of the rice, wherein... In the direction of conveying rice, the second conveying path is located downstream of the first conveying path; and the supply section is configured to supply the first heating section with the incoming steam and to supply the second heating section with the second steam. The supply section has a gas-liquid separator and is configured to convert the incoming steam into drier steam than before the gas-liquid separation by the gas-liquid separator, and to supply the drier steam as the second steam to the second heating section.

9. As in request item 8, the cooking system, wherein, The supply unit is configured to split the incoming steam into a first branch stream and a second branch stream by diverting the incoming steam, supply the first branch stream as the first steam to the first heating unit, and after the second branch stream is converted into steam that is drier than before the gas-liquid separation by the gas-liquid separator, the drier steam is supplied as the second steam to the second heating unit.

10. A method for cooking rice, comprising the steps of: heating rice with first steam; heating the rice with the first steam and then heating the rice with second steam; and generating the first steam and the second steam using steam flowing in from a steam generator, the second steam being drier than the first steam, the generation of the second steam comprising dehumidifying the flowing steam using a gas-liquid separator, thereby generating the second steam.

11. A method for cooking rice, comprising the following steps: heating rice with first steam; heating the rice with the first steam and then heating the rice with second steam; humidifying steam flowing in from a steam generator using a humidifier to generate the first steam; and dehumidifying the flowing steam using a gas-liquid separator to generate the second steam, wherein the first steam is more humid than the second steam.

12. A method for cooking rice, comprising the following steps: heating rice with first steam; heating the rice with the first steam and then heating the rice with second steam; dehumidifying steam flowing in from a steam generator using a gas-liquid separator to generate the second steam; and diverting a portion of the second steam and humidifying the diverted steam using a humidifier to generate the first steam, the first steam being more humid than the second steam.

13. The method of cooking rice as described in any of requests 10 to 12, wherein, Heating the rice with the first steam includes heating the rice with the first steam while spraying hot water onto the rice, and heating the rice with the second steam includes heating the rice with the second steam while spraying hot water onto the rice.

14. The method for cooking rice according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising the steps of: conveying the rice using a conveyor; heating the rice using the first steam in a first conveying path of the rice conveyed by the conveyor; and heating the rice using the second steam in a second conveying path of the rice, wherein... In the direction of conveying rice, the second conveying path is located downstream of the first conveying path.

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