Cooking appliance and steamer assembly therefor

Abstract

The application provides a cooking utensil and a steamer assembly thereof. The steamer assembly is placed in an inner pot of the cooking utensil and comprises a steamer and an oil receiving box detachably connected to the lower side of the steamer. The steamer is provided with a side wall, a bottom wall and a receiving cavity formed by the side wall and the bottom wall. The oil receiving box is provided with a bottom plate, a side wall and an oil receiving cavity formed by the bottom plate and the side wall. The bottom wall is provided with a through hole communicating the receiving cavity and the oil receiving cavity. The top of the side wall is provided with a water inlet. The side wall and the steamer form a gap communicating with the oil receiving cavity. The top of the gap is provided with a water outlet. The application has flexible and various application scenarios and can be used for cooking food and removing oil in soup.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a cooking appliance and a steamer assembly thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] The existing cooking appliance such as electric pressure cooker and electric rice cooker is usually equipped with a steamer assembly for steaming food, but the existing steamer assembly has a single function, and other accessories are needed if it is required to remove the floating oil in the soup or to make the rice. The use scene is limited and not flexible.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the existing cooking appliance and steamer assembly. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a cooking appliance and a steamer assembly thereof, which has a flexible and various use scene and can steam food and remove the oil in the soup.

[0005] Specifically, the present application is implemented by the following technical scheme: a steamer assembly of a cooking appliance, the steamer assembly comprising a steamer and an oil receiving box detachably connected to the lower side of the steamer, the steamer being provided with a side wall, a bottom wall and a receiving cavity formed by the side wall and the bottom wall, the oil receiving box being provided with a bottom plate, a side wall and an oil receiving cavity formed by the bottom plate and the side wall, the bottom wall having a through hole communicating the receiving cavity and the oil receiving cavity; the top of the side wall is provided with a water inlet, the side wall and the steamer form a gap communicating with the oil receiving cavity, and the top of the gap is provided with a drain outlet. The steamer assembly has a flexible and various use scene and can be used for steaming food and removing the oil in the soup. When the soup in the inner pot boils, it enters the receiving cavity of the steamer through the water inlet of the side wall, then flows into the oil receiving box, filters out the oil and then flows back to the inner pot, and the process is repeated, thereby achieving a good oil removal effect on the soup.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present application, the top of the side wall is provided with a plurality of water inlets and a plurality of shielding parts arranged between the water inlets. The shielding parts can prevent the soup entering the receiving cavity from directly flowing back to the inner pot from the top of the side wall, so that the soup in the inner pot boils, enters and remains in the receiving cavity, then flows into the oil receiving box through the bottom of the receiving cavity, filters out the oil and then flows back to the inner pot, and the process is repeated, thereby achieving a good oil removal effect.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present application, when viewed from the top, the total arc length of the plurality of shielding parts on the side wall accounts for 1 / 5-3 / 5 of the circumference of the side wall. Reasonable arrangement of the proportion of the water inlets and the shielding parts can ensure that enough soup can enter the receiving cavity and then flow out after passing through the oil receiving box at the bottom of the receiving cavity, thereby achieving filtration.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present application, the steamer further comprises a ring wall below the bottom wall, the side wall covers outside of the ring wall and is detachably connected with the ring wall, and the gap is formed between the side wall and the ring wall. The oil collecting box can be conveniently connected and the size of the oil collecting box can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present application, a space is provided between the ring wall and the bottom plate, so that the liquid entering the oil collecting box can pass through the space into the gap and then flow back into the inner pot through the drain port.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present application, the water inlet is an arc-shaped notch formed at the top of the side wall. The appearance is beautiful and the user can be prevented from being injured.

[0011] The present application can also be implemented by the following technical solutions. A cooking appliance comprises an inner pot and the aforementioned steamer assembly. The steamer assembly of the cooking appliance has flexible and various use scenarios and can be used for cooking food and removing oil in soup. When the soup in the inner pot boils, the soup enters the receiving cavity of the steamer through the water inlet of the side wall, then flows into the oil collecting box, the oil is filtered out, and then flows back into the inner pot. Such repeated circulation can achieve good oil removal effect on the soup.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present application, a water level line is provided on the side wall, the vertical distance between the lowest point of the water inlet and the water level line is 5mm-40mm, the distance is too small, the soup in the steamer is easy to pour out, the distance is too large, the soup in the inner pot is not easy to enter the bottom of the steamer when boiling, and the distance of 5mm-40mm is relatively reasonable, which can make the soup enter the bottom of the steamer; and / or the horizontal distance between the lowest point of the water inlet and the pot wall of the inner pot is 3mm-30mm, and the reasonable space distance can make as much soup as possible enter the receiving cavity when boiling. The vertical distance between the lowest point of the water inlet and the top of the pot opening of the inner pot is 15mm-35mm, so as to provide sufficient space for the upward rolling of the soup into the steamer. The vertical distance between the lowest point of the water inlet and the bottom of the inner pot is 90mm-120mm, so as to provide sufficient space for the downward sinking of the soup into the bottom of the inner pot.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present application, the first height of the receiving cavity is 2 / 5-3 / 5 of the second height of the inner pot. The height of the receiving cavity cannot be too large, otherwise the volume of the inner pot is affected, and the height of the receiving cavity cannot be too small, otherwise the volume of the receiving cavity is affected.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present application, the diameter of the through hole is 0.5mm-3mm; and / or the width of the gap is 0.5mm-3mm, which can prevent the rice grains from leaking out of the steamer assembly when making steamed rice.

[0015] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the application, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 A sectional view of a cooking utensil according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 2 A perspective exploded view of a steamer assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 3 A perspective assembled view of a steamer assembly.

[0019] Figure 4 A sectional view of a steamer assembly in use in an inner pot.

[0020] Figure 5 A Figure 4 A close-up view of the circle.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Inner pot 1, steamer assembly 2, steamer 21, bottom wall 211, side wall 212, receiving cavity 213, water inlet 214, through hole 215, top edge 216, shielding portion 217, lowest point Q, oil receiving box 22, bottom plate 221, side wall 222, oil receiving cavity 223, gap 224, drain 225, spacing 226, ring wall 23. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawings. The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like elements, unless the context of use indicates otherwise. The following description of exemplary embodiments is not representative of all embodiments consistent with the present application. Instead, they are merely examples of apparatuses, systems, devices, and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application.

[0024] The present application provides a cooking utensil and a steamer assembly 2 applicable to the cooking utensil. Referring to Figure 1 The cooking utensil is an electric pressure cooker in this embodiment, having a pot body and a pot cover. The pot body is provided with a removable inner pot 1. The steamer assembly 2 is placed in the inner pot 1 for use. The steamer assembly 2 of the present application can be used for traditional steaming of food, and also for oil removal and rice draining.

[0025] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the steamer assembly 2 comprises a steamer 21 and an oil collection box 22 mounted on the lower side of the steamer 21. The oil collection box 22 is detachably mounted and can be removed separately for easy cleaning. The steamer 21 is provided with a bottom wall 211 and a side wall 212 extending upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 211. The side wall 212 and the bottom wall 211 jointly define a receiving cavity 213 for placing food. The oil collection box 22 is a box-shaped structure with an open top and is provided with a bottom plate 221 and a side wall 222 extending upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom plate 221. The bottom plate 221 and the side wall 222 jointly define an oil collection cavity 223.

[0026] The steamer assembly 2 is hung in the inner pot 1 by the flange (not numbered) on the top of the steamer 21 at the pot opening step 10 of the inner pot 1. The steamer 21 can be made of metal or high-temperature resistant plastic. The center of the bottom wall 211 of the steamer 21 is provided with a plurality of through holes 215. The oil collection box 22 is located directly below the center of the bottom wall 211. The through holes 215 communicate the receiving cavity 213 and the oil collection cavity 223. The liquid in the receiving cavity 213 can enter the oil collection cavity 223 through the through holes 215. The top of the side wall 212 of the steamer 21 is provided with a plurality of water inlets 214 to allow the liquid in the inner pot 1 to enter the receiving cavity 213. The side wall 222 of the oil collection box 22 and the steamer 21 form a gap 224 communicating with the oil collection cavity 223. The top of the gap 224 is provided with a drain 225 to allow the liquid in the oil collection cavity 223 to flow back to the inner pot 1.

[0027] In combination Figure 4 As shown, when the user uses the cooking appliance to cook soup, the food and water are placed in the inner pot 1. The initial liquid level of the inner pot 1 is lower than the lowest point Q of the water inlet 214. Please note that the height difference between the two is within a reasonable range, which will be described in detail later. After continuous heating, the soup in the inner pot 1 boils and rolls, which enters the receiving cavity 213 of the steamer 21 through the water inlet 214 and brings the oil on the surface of the soup into the receiving cavity 213. The soup in the receiving cavity 213 enters the oil collection cavity 223 through the through holes 215 and then flows back to the inner pot 1 through the gap 224.

[0028] Please note that since the drain 225 is located at the top of the gap 224, the oil collection cavity 223 always has liquid, and the oil floating on the surface of the soup is naturally left in the oil collection cavity 223. Thus, when boiling, the soup repeatedly circulates inside and outside, and most of the oil can be collected in the oil collection cavity 223. After cooking, the soup is basically in the inner pot 1, and the amount of remaining soup in the oil collection cavity 223 is approximately level with the drain 225. The oil is basically attached to the surface of this part of the remaining soup and remains in the oil collection box 22. The user removes the steamer 21 and removes the oil collection box 22 to pour out the oil, achieving the effect of filtering and removing oil.

[0029] In the embodiment, the water inlet 214 is a notch formed on the top of the side wall 212, so that the top of the side wall 212 is formed in a relief shape. The water inlet 214 is arc-shaped, with a width of 60-80 mm and a height of 15-30 mm. The water inlet 214 is connected to the top edge 216 of the side wall 212 in a smooth transition, which is aesthetically pleasing and can avoid injuring the user. The top of the side wall 212 can be arc-shaped, wavy, lotus-shaped, or other shapes. As a simple alternative, the water inlet 214 can also be in the form of a perforation, and the top edge 216 can remain complete and circular. The water inlet 214 can be arranged close to the top edge 216. It can be understood that, in the case where the top edge of the side wall 212 is flush, i.e., the top edge is a horizontal plane, it is not a case where the side wall is provided with a water inlet. In the present application, the side wall 212 should have a portion that is higher than the lowest point Q of the water inlet, so as to form a certain blocking effect, thereby preventing the soup in the accommodation cavity 213 from being poured back into the inner pot 1 from the top side of the side wall 212, and not being able to reach the oil-removing purpose without passing through the oil collecting box 22.

[0030] The portion of the side wall 212 above the lowest point Q of the water inlet 214 is defined as the shielding portion 217. The side wall 212 is also provided with a plurality of shielding portions 217 arranged at intervals between the water inlets 214. Due to the presence of the shielding portion 217, most of the liquid entering the accommodation cavity 213 through the water inlets 214 will not easily pour back out from the top side of the side wall 212 and return to the inner pot 1. This can enable the liquid to enter the bottom of the accommodation cavity 213 and then flow back to the inner pot 1 after being filtered by the oil collecting box 22.

[0031] In order to ensure sufficient passage for the liquid to enter the accommodation cavity 213, and at the same time have sufficient shielding to enable as much liquid as possible to enter the bottom of the accommodation cavity 213 for oil-removing filtering, the number and area of the water inlets 214 and the shielding portions 217 need to be reasonably designed. In the embodiment, the number of water inlets 214 is four, which are uniformly distributed along the top of the side wall 212. When viewed from the top, the total arc length of the plurality of shielding portions 217 on the side wall 212 accounts for 1 / 5-3 / 5 of the circumference of the side wall 212. That is, the total arc length of the four water inlets 214 on the side wall 212 accounts for 2 / 5-4 / 5 of the circumference of the side wall 212. In this way, the water inlets 214 can ensure sufficient passage for the liquid to enter the accommodation cavity 213, and at the same time the shielding portions 217 can have sufficient shielding to enable as much liquid as possible to enter the bottom of the accommodation cavity 213 for filtering.

[0032] In combination with Figure 4As shown, the distance between the lowest point Q of the water inlet 214 and the liquid surface needs to be reasonably designed. If the distance is too close, the liquid entering the receiving cavity 213 is easy to be flipped out of the water inlet 214 without passing through the oil collecting box 22, so that the oil collecting box 22 cannot play the role of filtering and removing oil, and the oil still floats outside the steamer 21. If the distance is too far, when the liquid boils, the liquid cannot enter the receiving cavity 213 from the water inlet 214, and the oil collecting box 22 cannot play the role of filtering and removing oil, and the oil still floats outside the steamer 21. The sidewall 212 of the steamer 21 is provided with a water level line (not shown), which can correspond to the height of the liquid surface. Through many experiments and calculations of the inventor, the vertical distance D1 between the lowest point Q of the water inlet 214 and the water level line is 5mm-40mm, preferably 5mm-20mm, which ensures that the liquid can enter the receiving cavity 213 and flow out through the oil collecting box 22. In addition, in order to provide a rolling space for the boiling liquid to enter the water inlet 214, the horizontal distance D2 between the lowest point Q of the water inlet 214 and the pot wall of the inner pot 1 is designed to be 3mm-30mm, preferably 3mm-20mm. The vertical distance between the lowest point Q and the top of the pot opening of the inner pot 1 is 15mm-35mm, so as to provide sufficient space for the soup to roll upward into the steamer. The vertical distance between the lowest point Q and the bottom of the inner pot 1 is 90mm-120mm, so as to provide sufficient space for the soup to sink downward into the bottom of the inner pot 1.

[0033] Reference Figure 3 As shown, the steamer 21 further includes a ring wall 23 below the bottom wall 211 for fixing the oil collecting box 22. When the steamer 21 and the ring wall 23 are both made of metal, the ring wall 23 is separately formed and then fixed to the bottom side of the bottom wall 211 by welding or riveting. When the steamer 21 and the ring wall 23 are made of plastic, they can be integrally injection molded. The outer side of the ring wall 23 is provided with protrusions (not numbered), and the inner side of the side wall 222 of the oil collecting box 22 is provided with grooves (not numbered). When assembled, the side wall 222 of the oil collecting box 22 covers the outer side of the ring wall 23, the protrusions (not numbered) are inserted into the grooves (not numbered), and then a certain angle is rotated, so that the side wall 222 and the ring wall 23 are buckled and connected. The gap 224 is formed between the side wall 222 and the ring wall 23, and the drain port 225 is the top end of the gap 224. It can be understood that the ring wall 23 is not necessary, and the oil collecting box 22 can be designed to be larger and directly cover the outer side of the sidewall 212 to form the gap 224 between the side wall 222 and the sidewall 212. Compared with this way, the setting of the ring wall 23 of the present application can conveniently connect the oil collecting box 22 and reduce the size of the oil collecting box 22, thereby reducing the cost.

[0034] As a simple alternative, the drain 225 can also be formed separately by the side wall 222, for example, an opening provided at the top of the side wall 222. A gap 226 is provided between the ring wall 23 and the bottom plate 221 of the oil receiving box 22, so that the liquid entering the oil receiving box 22 passes through the gap 226 into the gap 224 and then flows back into the inner pot 1 through the drain 225. It can be understood that the gap 226 can also be replaced by a hole or notch on the side wall 222.

[0035] In combination Figure 4 The steamer assembly 2 shown in the present application can also be used to make drained rice. When used by a user, rice is placed in the receiving cavity 213. In the present embodiment, the first height H1 of the receiving cavity 213 is 2 / 5-3 / 5 of the second height H2 of the inner pot 1, and the lowest point Q of the water inlet 214 is located above 1 / 2 of the height of the receiving cavity 213, ensuring sufficient space for the rice. An appropriate amount of water is placed in the inner pot 1, which can just cover the rice. After continuous heating, the liquid boils, and the water boils and rolls into the receiving cavity 213 of the steamer 21, washing the rice. Then, the water flows back into the inner pot 1 through the through hole 215 of the bottom wall 211, the gap 226, and the gap 224, taking away the sugar in the rice in the process, achieving the effect of removing sugar. In the later stage of the upper pressing stage, the water in the inner pot 1 no longer boils, and the high-pressure gas in the inner pot 1 steams the rice, causing the rice in the steamer 21 to continue to absorb water and swell, causing the water level in the inner pot 1 to drop, achieving the separation of rice soup and rice. The oil receiving box 22 can also be removed and used separately with the steamer 21, and the water is directly returned to the inner pot 1 through the through hole 215, which can also achieve the effect of removing sugar. After cooking, the rice is in the steamer 21 and the rice soup is in the inner pot 1, achieving the effect of making drained rice.

[0036] Referring to Figure 5 As shown, the diameter of the through hole 215 of the bottom wall 211 is 0.5mm-3mm, which can prevent the rice from leaking into the receiving cavity 213. The width W1 of the gap 224 between the side wall 222 of the oil receiving box 22 and the ring rib is 0.5mm-3mm, and the height W2 of the gap 226 between the bottom plate 221 of the oil receiving box 22 and the ring rib is 0.5mm-3mm. The spacing height W3 between the side wall 222 and the bottom wall 211 can prevent the rice from leaking out of the oil receiving cavity 223.

[0037] The steamer assembly 2 of the present application can be used to cook food, remove oil when making soup, and make drained rice, with flexible and diverse use scenarios. In particular, the design of the water inlet 214 and the shielding part 217 at the top of the side wall 212 can achieve good oil and sugar removal effects.

[0038] The terminology used in the present application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting thereof. As used in the present application, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "and / or," as used herein, refers to and encompasses any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0039] The terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "thickness," "radial," "axial," and the like that are used herein for spatially relative positions on and / or in a product are described with respect to the product as shown in the figures, for purposes of convenience only, and are not limiting of a position or spatial orientation to which the product is mounted or used. It is understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," and the like are intended to encompass different positions and orientations of the product in use or mounting, and are not limited to the orientation in the figures. In addition, the term "horizontal" as used herein is not entirely equivalent to along a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity, and allows for a certain angular inclination.

[0040] The terms "including," "comprising," and the like as used herein are meant to be inclusive, and are intended to mean that there are additions to the listed items that are not expressly stated.

[0041] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the surface of the other element or spaced apart from the surface of the other element by one or more intervening elements. The terms "mounted," "connected," "coupled," "fixed," and the like should be interpreted broadly to include direct and indirect mounting, connecting, coupling, fixing, and the like, as well as any two elements that are mounted, connected, coupled, fixed, or the like to each other whether directly or indirectly, and whether or not they share the same spatial orientation, unless expressly in context dictated otherwise.

[0042] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly indicated and limited, a first feature "on" or "under" a second feature can be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intervening medium. Also, the first feature "over," "above," and "on top of" the second feature can be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or only means that the first feature is higher in horizontal level than the second feature. The first feature "under," "below," and "underneath" the second feature can be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or only means that the first feature is lower in horizontal level than the second feature.

[0043] It should be understood that the use of "first", "second", and similar terms in the specification is not intended to denote any order, quantity, or importance, but is merely used to distinguish one element from another. "A plurality" or "a plurality of" or the like indicates two or more than two.

[0044] The cooking appliance of the present application is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application, and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A steamer basket assembly for a cooking appliance, the steamer basket assembly comprising: The steamer assembly comprises a steamer (21) and an oil receiving box (22) detachably connected below the steamer (21), the steamer (21) is provided with a side wall (212), a bottom wall (211) and a receiving cavity (213) formed by the side wall (212) and the bottom wall (211), the oil receiving box (22) is provided with a bottom plate (221), a side wall (222) and an oil receiving cavity (223) formed by the bottom plate (221) and the side wall (222), the steamer (21) is further provided with a ring wall (23) below the bottom wall (211), the side wall (222) covers the outside of the ring wall (23) and is detachably connected with the ring wall (23); the bottom wall (211) has a through hole (215) communicating the receiving cavity (213) and the oil receiving cavity (223), the top of the side wall (212) is provided with a water inlet (214), the gap (224) formed between the side wall (222) and the ring wall (23) communicates with the oil receiving cavity (223), the top of the gap (224) is provided with a drain outlet (225), the soup mixed with oil and fat enters the receiving cavity (213) through the water inlet (214), and then enters the oil receiving cavity (223) through the through hole (215), wherein the oil and fat on the surface of the soup is left in the oil receiving cavity (223), and the liquid in the soup flows out of the oil receiving cavity (223) through the gap (224) and the drain outlet (225).

2. The steamer assembly of claim 1, wherein: The top of the side wall (212) is provided with a plurality of water inlets (214) and a plurality of shielding portions (217) arranged between the water inlets (214).

3. The steamer assembly of claim 2, wherein: When viewed from the top, the total arc length of the plurality of shielding portions (217) on the side wall (212) accounts for 1 / 5-3 / 5 of the circumference of the side wall (212).

4. The steamer assembly of claim 3, wherein: The ring wall (23) and the bottom plate (221) are provided with a spacing (226).

5. The steamer assembly of the cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein: The water inlet (214) is a notch formed in the top of the side wall (212), and the notch makes the top of the side wall (212) form a relief shape.

6. A cooking appliance characterized by: The cooking utensil comprises an inner pot (1) and a steamer assembly of the cooking utensil according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The cooking appliance of claim 6, wherein: The side wall (212) is provided with a water level line, the vertical distance (D1) between the lowest point (Q) of the water inlet (214) and the water level line is 5mm-40mm; and / or the horizontal distance (D2) between the lowest point (Q) of the water inlet (214) and the pot wall of the inner pot (1) is 3mm-30mm; and / or the vertical distance between the lowest point (Q) of the water inlet (214) and the top of the pot opening of the inner pot (1) is 15mm-35mm; and / or the vertical distance between the lowest point (Q) of the water inlet (214) and the bottom of the inner pot (1) is 90mm-120mm.

8. The cooking appliance of claim 6, wherein: The first height (H1) of the receiving cavity (213) is 2 / 5-3 / 5 of the second height (H2) of the inner pot (1).

9. The cooking appliance of claim 6, wherein: The through hole (215) has a diameter of 0.5mm-3mm; and / or the gap (224) has a width of 0.5mm-3mm. The through hole (215) has a diameter of 0.5mm-3mm; and / or the gap (224) has a width of 0.5mm-3mm. The through hole (215)

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