Rice washing and cooking machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a rice washing and cooking machine, which is characterized by being capable of selecting a normal continuous mode and a time-saving continuous mode, in the normal continuous mode, a series of rice washing and cooking operations including a metering process of supplying metered rice for cooking to a rice washing machine, a rice washing process using the rice washing machine, a soaking process after the rice washing process, a cooking process using a cooking pot, and a braising process using the cooking pot after the cooking process, and in the time-saving continuous mode, the braising process in the series of rice washing and cooking operations is omitted, and the rice washing and cooking operations for a set number of pots are performed in a cycle shorter than that in the normal continuous mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a rice washing and cooking machine that automatically performs the entire process from washing rice to cooking rice. Background Technology

[0002] In a rice washing and cooking machine in which two rice washing and cooking machines are arranged side by side, a rice storage tank and a rice washing machine move laterally to cook rice in sequence, there is a known technology that involves a soaking process in both the rice washing machine and the cooking pot (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-15444 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to further shorten the total time of the rice washing and cooking processes in the above-mentioned rice washing and cooking machine.

[0008] Methods for solving problems

[0009] This invention is a rice washing and cooking machine, comprising: a single rice storage tank for holding rice; a single rice washing machine for washing the rice; and multiple cooking pots. The rice storage tank and the rice washing machine are integrated and move above the cooking pots, supplying rice and water from the rice washing machine to the designated cooking pots.

[0010] The rice washing and cooking machine is characterized by the following features:

[0011] The system allows selection of a normal continuous mode and a time-saving continuous mode. In the normal continuous mode, a series of rice washing and cooking operations are performed, including a metering process of supplying metered rice for cooking to the rice washing machine, a rice washing process using the rice washing machine, a soaking process after the rice washing process, a cooking process using the rice cooker, and a steaming process using the rice cooker after the cooking process. The set number of rice washing and cooking operations are performed continuously. In the time-saving continuous mode, the steaming process in the series of rice washing and cooking operations is omitted, and the set number of rice washing and cooking operations are performed continuously in a shorter cycle than in the normal continuous mode.

[0012] The effects of the invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the total time for the rice washing process and the rice cooking process can be shortened. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a rice washing and cooking machine viewed from the front.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a side view of pulling out the rice cooker, removing the lid and inner pot, and transferring it to the thermal cooker.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a side view of the inside of the rice storage box.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a view of the rice washing and cooking machine from above.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the inside of a rice washing machine.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the normal continuous mode and the time-saving continuous mode.

[0020] Figure 7 It is a control block diagram.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating remote management.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a screenshot of the control panel. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The structure of the rice washing and cooking machine T will be explained.

[0024] A rice washing machine M, consisting of a conical rice washing tank 2, is installed at the bottom of a rice storage box 1, which has a rice storage hopper 3 inside.

[0025] The rice storage box 1 and the rice washing machine M are integrated and supported on the machine frame 4.

[0026] The rice cooker S is positioned below the rice washing tank 2. In this embodiment, two rice cookers S are arranged side by side, and the rice storage box 1 and the rice washing tank 2 are arranged to slide and move along the frame 4 above the rice cookers S on the left and right sides.

[0027] Figure 1 The rice cooker SR on the right indicates the normal cooking position, while the rice cooker SL on the left indicates the position with the lid 5L covering the top of the rice cooker SL removed and facing the front.

[0028] Various operating switches and an operation panel B for setting operating conditions are installed on the front side wall of the rice storage box 1. The control unit C is built into the operation panel B.

[0029] A rotary valve 6 is installed at the lower end of the rice storage hopper 3 to dispense a predetermined amount of rice into the rice washing tank 2 each time. Inside the rice washing tank 2, there is a lifting shaft 7 extending vertically and moving up and down in the same direction, and a rotating shaft 8 rotating relative to the lifting shaft 7 along its longitudinal axis. A conical dispensing valve 9 is installed at the lower end of the lifting shaft 7. The discharge port 10 at the lower end of the rice washing tank 2 is opened and closed by the up-and-down movement of the dispensing valve 9. A stirring rod 11 is mounted on the rotating shaft 8 to stir the rice inside the rice washing tank 2.

[0030] A drainage unit Y is installed at the bottom of the rice washing tank 2. The drainage unit Y includes: a drain pipe 12 through which water discharged from the rice washing tank 2 passes; a drain valve 13 for opening and closing the drain pipe 12; and an overflow pipe 14 through which water overflowing from the top of the rice washing tank 2 passes.

[0031] A water supply pipe 15 is installed to supply water to the lower part of the rice washing tank 2 in such a manner that the water supply to the rice washing tank 2 is arranged along the side wall of the rice washing tank 2.

[0032] The control panel B is equipped with various setting switches for setting the amount of rice and water for cooking, a normal continuous mode setting switch r for setting the normal continuous mode (described later), and a time-saving continuous mode setting switch j for setting the time-saving continuous mode. Additionally, it includes: a fully automatic mode switch 70, which automatically performs one cycle of the basic operation up to the metering, washing, soaking, adding, cooking, and steaming processes (described later); a manual mode switch 71, allowing the operator to manually perform the above processes; and metering switches 72, washing switches 73, adding switches 74, and cooking switches 75, which serve as manual switches for each process.

[0033] The rice cooker S has a lid 5 on its upper part and an inner pot 20 inside. A gate 22 is formed on a part of the lid 5, which slides left and right as the opening and closing arm 21, which engages with the handle 5a on the upper part of the lid 5, slides left and right. When the gate 22 is opened, rice and water that fall from the outlet 10 of the rice washing tank 2 can be supplied; when the gate 22 is closed, the rice cooking operation can be started. The lid 5 can be removed by disengaging it from the opening and closing arm 21.

[0034] In this embodiment, when describing the case where it is uncertain whether it is left or right, the rice cooker is referred to as rice cooker S, and when describing the case where it is determined to be either left or right, it is referred to as rice cooker (right-side rice cooker SR, left-side rice cooker SL). Similarly, the lid 5 is also referred to as 5R and 5L, and the inner pot 20 is also referred to as 20R and 20L.

[0035] like Figure 8As shown, each store U is equipped with a rice washing and cooking machine T and a thermal cooker H. A weight measuring instrument W is used to measure the weight of the rice in the thermal cooker H. The rice washing and cooking machine T and the weight measuring instrument W in each store U are connected to the management terminal P of headquarters A via communication. The weight measuring instrument W continuously or at set time intervals measures the weight of the rice in the thermal cooker H and sends this weight data to the management terminal P. This displays the weight change in the thermal cooker H during the store U's operating hours. By comparing or combining this data with other data such as the number of customers, it can be effectively used as data for store operations.

[0036] For example, the number of customers visiting the store in a day, the amount of rice cooked in a day, and the amount of leftover and discarded rice in the insulated pot H are stored in the management terminal P. For example, the amount of rice cooked (rice consumption) per unit of customers can be calculated.

[0037] Alternatively, the system can retain records on the remote management system of whether rice remaining in the insulated pot H after business hours is used the next day or discarded. It can also be configured such that the rice is stored in the insulated pot H from the last cooking time of the day using the rice washing and cooking machine T, and if a certain amount of time has elapsed (discarding reference time), a discarding alarm is issued via the management terminal P.

[0038] When the amount of waste is entered, the amount of remaining rice in the insulated pot H is manually or automatically stored in the management terminal P as the daily waste amount. Furthermore, it can also be configured for monthly summary statistics.

[0039] Alternatively, it can be configured to automatically store the amount of rice remaining in the insulated pot H as the daily consumption amount, transfer it to the next day's amount, and summarize and statistically analyze it on a monthly basis.

[0040] Alternatively, during business hours, when the rice washing and cooking machine T is not operating or when there is no rice in the rice washing machine M, when the weight of the warming pot H decreases below a set value, a command is sent from the management terminal P to the rice washing and cooking machine T, and the rice washing and cooking machine T starts operating. In this case, the weight measuring instrument W is connected to the control unit C of the rice washing and cooking machine T via communication, and the weight measuring instrument W can send a command to the rice washing and cooking machine T to start the rice washing and cooking operation. This reduces the risk that the operator of the store U will be unable to serve rice to customers because the rice in the warming pot H runs out. It should be noted that this function is not used in a mode where the number of pots is continuously set for rice washing and cooking as described later in the normal continuous mode or time-saving continuous mode, but in a manual mode where rice washing and cooking is performed one pot at a time. This allows the operator to adjust the rice washing and cooking operation according to the actual number of users (customers) in the store.

[0041] The management terminal P in this embodiment can not only obtain information from the rice washing and cooking machine T and the insulated pot H, but also operate various settings. For example, the start time of rice washing and cooking operation of the rice washing and cooking machine T in a certain store U can be preset. In addition, the settings of each rice washing and cooking machine T can be changed. The range of settings that can be changed includes the number of pots to be cooked in various operating modes (normal continuous mode and time-saving continuous mode described later), the cooking menu (white rice, porridge), the amount of rice to be cooked, the rice washing method, the soaking time, the water volume adjustment, the ignition mode (automatic and manual) of the cooking pot S, the steaming time, and various maintenance switches (e.g., the tank cleaning mode). However, by restricting the operation of the various operating switches (72-75) of the rice washing and cooking machine T from the management terminal, it is possible to prevent safety risks caused by the operator on the store U side accidentally starting the operation.

[0042] <Normal Continuous Mode, Time-Saving Continuous Mode>

[0043] based on Figure 6 The normal continuous mode is explained below. The normal continuous mode refers to the mode in which the rice cooker on the right (SR) and the rice cooker on the left (SL) are used alternately to cook rice continuously.

[0044] The rotary valve 6 is driven to perform the metering process of supplying rice from the rice storage box 1 to the rice washing machine M.

[0045] Water is supplied to the rice washing machine M, and the rice is washed by the stirring rod 11. When the rice washing operation is finished, the stirring rod 11 stops, the drain valve 13 opens, and the water in the rice washing machine M is discharged from the drain unit Y, thus ending the rice washing process.

[0046] After the rice washing process is completed, water is supplied again to soak the rice in the soaking process (a).

[0047] When the soaking process a ends, the feeding valve 9 opens, and the gate 22R opens, initiating the feeding process of supplying rice and water from the rice washing machine M to the inner pot 20R of the rice cooker SR on the right. After a predetermined soaking time b in the rice cooker SR, the rice cooker SR is ignited to begin the cooking process. In this embodiment, the soaking process is divided into a soaking process a in the rice washing machine M and a soaking process b in the rice cooker SR, with the soaking process taking a total of a predetermined time. However, it is also possible to complete the entire soaking time (soaking process a + soaking process b) in the rice washing machine M before proceeding to the feeding process and entering the cooking process.

[0048] After the rice is cooked, it goes through a steaming process (steaming process ※ in Figure 6 After the process is described as "steaming" (as in the Chinese text), the entire process for the first batch is complete. For example... Figure 2As shown, the operator pulls out the drawer 30 of the rice cooker SR, then takes out the lid 5R and the inner pot 20R and transfers them to the thermal cooker H, and then seals it with the lid H1 of the thermal cooker H to keep it warm.

[0049] After the feeding process in the first batch, the rotary valve 6 is activated to supply rice from the rice storage tank 1 to the rice washing machine M in a metering process. Water is supplied to the rice washing machine M, and the rice is washed using the stirring rod 11.

[0050] When the rice washing operation is finished, the stirring rod 11 stops, the water in the rice washing machine M is drained, and the rice washing process ends. After the rice washing process is finished, water is supplied again for the soaking process of the rice. Before the end of the soaking process a, the rice storage tank 1 and the rice washing machine M move upwards to the left side of the pot SL. When the soaking process a ends, the feeding valve 9 opens, and the gate 22L opens, supplying the rice and water in the rice washing machine M to the inner pot 20L of the rice cooker SL. After the soaking process b, the rice is cooked in the rice cooker SL. After the cooking process is finished, after the steaming process, the entire process of the second pot is completed. The operator pulls out the drawer 30 containing the rice cooker SL, removes the lid 5L and the inner pot 20L, and transfers them to the heat preservation pot H. That is, the first pot and the second pot operate a part of the process simultaneously and in parallel.

[0051] The third pot is also prepared in the same way, proceeding from the metering process to the steaming process in the right pot. Afterwards, the rice washing and cooking processes are performed continuously in the number of pots set in the normal continuous mode.

[0052] based on Figure 6 The time-saving continuous mode is explained below. The time-saving continuous mode refers to a mode in which rice is cooked continuously by alternating between the right rice cooker SR and the left rice cooker SL at a faster rate than in the normal continuous mode.

[0053] Regarding the first batch of rice washing and cooking, the rotary valve 6 is driven to perform the metering process of supplying rice from the rice storage box 1 to the rice washing machine M.

[0054] Water is supplied to the rice washing machine M and the rice is washed using the stirring rod 11. When the rice washing operation is finished, the stirring rod 11 stops, the water in the rice washing machine M is drained, and the rice washing process is completed.

[0055] After the rice washing process is completed, water is supplied again, the feed valve 9 is opened, and the gate 22R is opened to feed the rice and water from the rice washing machine M into the inner pot 20R of the rice cooker SR. After a set soaking time in the rice cooker SR, the first batch of rice is cooked. In this embodiment, after the cooking process in this pot is completed, the operator removes the inner pot 20R and transfers it to the heat preservation pot H for a steaming process.

[0056] In the soaking process of the first pot, the rotary valve 6 is driven to perform the metering process of supplying rice from the rice storage box 1 to the second pot of the rice washing machine M. Water is supplied to the rice washing machine M and the rice is washed using the stirring rod 11.

[0057] When the rice washing process is finished, the stirring rod 11 stops, the water in the rice washing machine M is drained, and the rice washing process ends. After the rice washing process is completed, water is supplied again by opening the feeding valve 9 and the gate 22R to supply rice and water from the rice washing machine M to the inner pot 20L of the rice cooker SL. After a set soaking time in the rice cooker SL, the second batch of rice is cooked.

[0058] The third batch of rice is metered during the soaking process in the second batch, followed by the rice washing process. For the third batch, the soaking process continues until the cooking process of the first batch is completed. When the cooking process of the first batch is finished, the rice is transferred to the feeding process and fed into the rice cooker SR (n line). In the rice cooker SR, the remaining soaking time is performed to ensure the soaking time reaches the set time, and then the rice is transferred to the cooking process. That is, the soaking time itself is the sum of the soaking time a and soaking time b mentioned above.

[0059] After that, after the fourth pot, as Figure 6 As shown, the next rice cooking process begins after the previous rice cooking process is completed. When the previous rice cooking process is completed, the next batch of rice and water (o line, p line, q line) can be added to the rice cooking pot.

[0060] The characteristic of the time-saving continuous mode is that when the feeding process to the preceding rice cooker S is completed, the rice metering process for the next rice cooker S begins. Additionally, when the rice cooking process in the rice cooker S is completed, the inner pot 20 is removed from the rice cooker S without undergoing a steaming process and is kept warm in another insulated pot H.

[0061] Therefore, compared with the usual continuous mode, the rice washing and cooking process can be carried out continuously in short cycles, which can ensure a larger amount of cooked rice.

[0062] In the normal continuous mode or the time-saving continuous mode, the same amount of rice is cooked continuously. However, by controlling the amount of rice cooked in the last pot to be reduced, the amount of rice cooked in the last pot to be reduced by one when the closing time is approaching can be reduced, thus minimizing the amount of leftover rice after closing and reducing food loss.

[0063] It should be noted that this embodiment describes the addition of water and rice after the soaking process, but the addition process can also be carried out by adjusting the water volume after the soaking process by draining the soaked water and supplying an appropriate amount of water.

[0064] <Prevent steaming and placing>

[0065] Next, the placement after steaming time will be explained.

[0066] The rice washing and cooking machine of this embodiment is mainly used in places that serve rice to customers, such as restaurants. In such places, it is important to cook a large quantity of rice, and the taste of the rice is also an important consideration. If the rice is left to sit after the steaming process, there is a disadvantage such as a decrease in taste. In particular, when processing rice such as vinegared rice, it is preferable to use freshly cooked rice, so it is preferable not to leave it for too long after the steaming process. In addition, if the inner pot 20 is not removed even after the steaming time, it is impossible to perform the next cooking process if the rice washing and cooking operation is continuously performed as in this embodiment. Therefore, the following configuration is used in this embodiment.

[0067] The steaming time is counted from the end of the steaming process. If the inner pot 20 is not removed even after the specified time (e.g., 10 minutes), the operator is notified via the notification unit V of the control unit C. Notification is also made via a buzzer or similar means.

[0068] After the steaming process is completed, as a unit to detect the removal of the inner pot 20, the lid detection sensor 5b detects that the lid 5 is open.

[0069] The operator opens the lid 5, removes the inner pot 20 and transfers it to the insulated pot H, then installs the other inner pots 20 onto the rice cooker S and closes the lid 5. Furthermore, when the drawer position sensor 30a detects that the drawer 30 has returned to its initial position, it determines that rice and water can be supplied from the rice washing machine M to the rice cooker S, and proceeds with the feeding process from the rice washing machine M to the rice cooker S.

[0070] The timing for notification by notification unit V is controlled as follows: in normal continuous mode, notification is sent after a specified time from the end of the steaming process; in time-saving continuous mode, notification is sent after a specified time from the end of the rice cooking process.

[0071] In operations other than the normal continuous mode or the time-saving continuous mode, such as single-cycle rice washing and cooking, the steaming time is also counted after the steaming process ends. If the inner pot 20 is not removed after a specified time (e.g., 10 minutes), the operator is notified via the notification unit V of the control unit C. Alternatively, the cooking time is counted after the cooking process ends, and the operator is notified via the notification unit V of the control unit C if the inner pot 20 is not removed even after a specified time (e.g., 10 minutes).

[0072] <Prevent soaking>

[0073] In the above-mentioned normal continuous mode or time-saving continuous mode, the rice washing machine M or the rice cooker S is operated continuously and automatically. However, due to the operator's desire to start the rice cooking operation at their own work time, there are sometimes manual modes such as feeding the rice from the rice washing machine M to the rice cooker S and manually igniting (or turning on the power) the rice cooker S.

[0074] In this situation, if the soaking process in the rice washing machine M is completed within the set time without the addition process, the rice cannot be added to the rice cooker S. Operators sometimes forget about the addition and cooking processes due to other tasks in the kitchen. To prevent this, if the soaking process has been completed within the set time without the addition process, the notification unit V will notify the operator to perform the addition process.

Claims

1. A rice washing and cooking machine comprising: a single rice storage tank for holding rice; a single rice washing machine for washing the rice; and multiple cooking pots, wherein the rice storage tank and the rice washing machine are integrated and movable above the cooking pots, and rice and water are supplied from the rice washing machine to the designated cooking pots. The rice washing and cooking machine is characterized by the following features: The system allows selection of a normal continuous mode and a time-saving continuous mode. In the normal continuous mode, a series of rice washing and cooking operations are performed, including a metering process of supplying metered rice for cooking to the rice washing machine, a rice washing process using the rice washing machine, a soaking process after the rice washing process, a cooking process using the rice cooker, and a steaming process using the rice cooker after the cooking process. The set number of rice washing and cooking operations are performed continuously. In the time-saving continuous mode, the steaming process in the series of rice washing and cooking operations is omitted, and the set number of rice washing and cooking operations are performed continuously in a shorter cycle than in the normal continuous mode.

2. The rice washing and cooking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The soaking process is configured to be performed in both the rice washing machine and the rice cooker, and the proportion of the soaking process performed in the rice cooker in the time-saving continuous mode is higher than that in the usual continuous mode.

3. The rice washing and cooking machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In a typical continuous cooking mode, after the steaming process in the rice cooker is completed, a feeding process is performed where rice and water already contained in the rice washing machine are added from the rice washing machine into the rice cooker. In the time-saving continuous mode, the process of adding rice and water already contained in the rice washing machine to the rice cooker can be performed after the rice cooking process.

4. A rice washing and cooking machine comprising: a single rice storage tank for holding rice; a single rice washing machine for washing the rice; and multiple cooking pots, wherein the rice storage tank and the rice washing machine are integrated and movable above the cooking pots, and rice and water are supplied from the rice washing machine to the designated cooking pots. The rice washing and cooking machine is characterized by the following features: The rice washing and cooking process includes a metering process where the metered rice for cooking is fed into the rice washing machine; a rice washing process using the rice washing machine; a soaking process after the rice washing process; a cooking process using the rice cooker; and a steaming process using the rice cooker after the cooking process. The rice washing and cooking process is carried out in a continuous cycle for the set number of pots. Control the proportion of the soaking process performed in the rice washing machine and rice cooker according to each cycle change.

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