Cooker

Abstract

To reduce the possibility that a user touches high-temperature hot water having boiled over from a steam port of a cooker.SOLUTION: A rice cooker 100 comprises: a main body part 1 internally housing food, and for cooking the food; a lid part 10 covering an upper part of the main body part 1; a steam port 20 for discharging steam to the outside from the inside of the main body part 1; a stop button 30 for stopping the cooking by the main body part 1; and a guide passage 40 for guiding hot water having gushed from the steam port 20, to the outside of the main body part 1 and the lid part 10 by avoiding the stop button 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of a conventional cooking appliance, a rice cooker is described in Patent Document 1. Cookers such as the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1 generally include a steam vent for venting steam. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-202513 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the user makes a mistake in operation or the amount of water is incorrect, hot water may boil over from the steam vent. If the hot water boils over, the user may try to press the stop button. If the boiled over hot water hits the stop button, the user may come into contact with the hot water.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the possibility that a user will come into contact with high-temperature water boiling over from a steam vent of a cooking appliance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The cooking appliance according to the present disclosure is a cooking appliance comprising a main body that stores food therein and cooks the food, a lid that covers the top of the main body, a steam vent for discharging steam from the inside of the main body to the outside, and a stop button for stopping cooking by the main body, and is characterized by comprising a guide path that guides hot water sprayed out from the steam vent to the outside of the main body and the lid, avoiding the stop button. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a user will come into contact with high-temperature water boiling over from a steam vent of a cooking appliance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a structural example of a taxiway according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a third modified example of the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth modified example of the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a fifth modified example of the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments for implementing a cooking device according to the present disclosure will be described. The same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same or corresponding parts. Furthermore, in this disclosure, duplicated descriptions will be appropriately simplified or omitted. In this disclosure, each direction is defined based on a state in which the cooking device is installed on a horizontal surface. Note that this disclosure may include all modifications and combinations of the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments, within the scope of its spirit.

[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment. The rice cooker 100 is an example of a cooking device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1(a) is a view of the rice cooker 100 from above. FIG. 1(b) is a view of the rice cooker 100 from the side. Note that the cooking device according to the present disclosure is not limited to the rice cooker 100, but may be one that cooks any food. The cooking device according to the present disclosure is not limited to one that cooks rice, but may be one that cooks food ingredients other than rice.

[0011] The rice cooker 100 includes a main body 1. The main body 1 contains food and cooks the food. The main body 1 is composed of, for example, a container for containing the food to be cooked, a housing in which the container is housed, heating means for heating the container, etc.

[0012] The bottom surface of the main body 1 is provided with legs 2 that come into contact with the installation surface of the rice cooker 100, for example. The main body 1 is also provided with a cable 3a and a plug 3b for supplying power to the main body 1. A cord reel outlet 4, which is an outlet for a cord reel that accommodates the cable 3a and the plug 3b, is formed on the side of the main body 1. Note that in the illustrated example, the main body 1 is shown as a cylindrical member, but the shape of the main body 1 is not limited to this.

[0013] The rice cooker 100 includes a lid 10 that covers the top of the main body 1. The lid 10 is configured to be openable and closable. The rice cooker 100 also includes a steam vent 20 for venting steam from the inside of the main body 1 to the outside. The steam vent 20 is formed, for example, on the top surface of the lid 10. The steam vent 20 is formed, for example, in a steam cartridge 21 that is detachable from the lid 10. Note that the position at which the steam vent 20 is formed is not limited to the lid 10. The steam vent 20 may also be formed, for example, in the main body 1.

[0014] The rice cooker 100 is equipped with a stop button 30 for stopping cooking by the main body 1. The rice cooker 100 may also be equipped with an operation button 31 other than the stop button 30. The rice cooker 100 may also be equipped with a liquid crystal display 32 that displays the status of the rice cooker 100. The stop button 30, operation button 31, and liquid crystal display 32 are, for example, provided on the top surface of the lid 10. Note that the stop button 30, operation button 31, and liquid crystal display 32 may also be provided on the main body 1 instead of the lid 10.

[0015] In the illustrated example, the top surface of the lid 10 is curved. The top surface of the lid 10 is inclined. In the illustrated example, the stop button 30 and the operation button 31 are inclined in the front-to-back direction or sideways. Note that the top surface of the lid 10, the stop button 30, and the operation button 31 do not have to be inclined.

[0016] The rice cooker 100 according to this embodiment is characterized by including a guide path 40. The guide path 40 is configured to guide the hot water spraying out of the steam vent 20 to the outside of the main body 1 and the lid 10, avoiding the stop button 30. By including the guide path 40, the hot water that boils over from the steam vent 20 can be discharged to the outside of the rice cooker 100 without reaching the stop button 30. This reduces the possibility that the user will come into contact with the hot water that boils over from the steam vent 20.

[0017] In this embodiment, the front-to-rear direction is defined as the side where the steam vent 20 is located relative to the stop button 30 being the rear, and the side where the stop button 30 is located relative to the steam vent 20 being the front. In the example shown, the taxiway 40 is provided behind the stop button 30. The taxiway 40 is provided in front of the steam vent 20. The taxiway 40 is provided in the lid part 10 between the steam vent 20 and the stop button 30 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0018] It is desirable that the guide path 40 be configured so that it can smoothly guide the hot water to the outside of the rice cooker 100. For example, the guide path 40 may be inclined downward and forward from the starting point 40a to the ending point 40b. The ending point 40b of the guide path 40 may be located further forward and lower than the starting point 40a of the guide path 40. By configuring the guide path 40 in this way, the hot water that boils over from the steam vent 20 can be received on the starting point 40a side and smoothly discharged to the ending point 40b side.

[0019] End point 40b of guide path 40 may be located at the boundary between lid portion 10 and the side surface of main body portion 1 or immediately adjacent to this boundary. This makes it difficult for hot water to flow toward the front of rice cooker 100. In the example shown, stop button 30 and operation button 31 are provided on the front part of lid portion 10. That is, it is assumed that the user operating rice cooker 100 will often be in front of rice cooker 100. Hot water boiling over from steam vent 20 is less likely to flow toward the front of rice cooker 100, making it difficult for the user to come into contact with the hot water.

[0020] To prevent hot water boiling over from the steam vent 20 from splashing onto the stop button 30, it is advisable to place the steam vent 20 and the stop button 30 as far apart as possible. Also, the opening of the steam vent 20 may be made as small as possible. Alternatively, the part of the steam vent 20 that is closest to the stop button 30 may be blocked with another member.

[0021] It is preferable to provide guide path 40 near stop button 30. This allows not only hot water that overflows from steam vent 20 but also hot water that sprays upward from steam vent 20 and then falls onto lid 10 to be discharged outside rice cooker 100 without reaching stop button 30.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of the rice cooker 100 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing the rice cooker 100 of the first modified example as viewed from above. FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing the rice cooker 100 of the first modified example as viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 2, the rice cooker 100 may further include a guide path 41 provided in the main body 1 in addition to the guide path 40 provided in the lid 10. The guide path 40 is an example of a first guide path according to the present disclosure, and the guide path 41 is an example of a second guide path according to the present disclosure. By providing both the guide path 40 and the guide path 41, hot water boiling over from the steam vent 20 can be more reliably discharged to the outside of the rice cooker 100 without remaining on the lid 10 and the main body 1.

[0023] The guide path 41 provided in the main body 1 may extend vertically from the starting point 41a to the ending point 41b, or may be inclined downward and rearward. In other words, the ending point 41b of the guide path 41 may be located at the same position as the starting point 41a in the front-to-rear direction, or may be located further rearward than the starting point 41a. In the example of Figure 2, the ending point 41b of the guide path 41 is located rearward and lower than the starting point 41a of the guide path 41. This makes it difficult for hot water to flow forward in the rice cooker 100, making it difficult for the user to touch the hot water.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2(b), the starting point 41a of the guide path 41 may be provided so as to be continuous with the end point 40b of the guide path 40. This allows the hot water guided by the guide path 40 to be reliably received and guided by the guide path 41. In addition, the guide paths 40 and 41 have a continuous design, which improves the design of the rice cooker 100.

[0025] When induction path 40 is inclined downward toward the front and induction path 41 is aligned vertically or inclined downward toward the rear, it is preferable that starting point 41a of induction path 41 be located at the same position as ending point 40b of induction path 40 in the front-to-rear direction or further forward than ending point 40b. In the example of FIG. 2, starting point 41a of induction path 41 is located at the same position as ending point 40b of induction path 40 in the front-to-rear direction. With this configuration, induction path 41 can reliably receive and guide the hot water guided by induction path 40, and the hot water is less likely to flow toward the front of rice cooker 100.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the rice cooker 100 of the first embodiment. FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing the rice cooker 100 of the second modified example as viewed from above. FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing the rice cooker 100 of the second modified example as viewed from the side. When the guide path 40 is inclined downward toward the rear and the guide path 41 is aligned vertically or inclined downward toward the front, the start point 41a of the guide path 41 may be located at the same position as the end point 40b of the guide path 40 in the front-to-rear direction, or may be located further back than the end point 40b. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the guide path 41 is inclined downward toward the front and the start point 41a is located further back than the end point 40b. With this configuration, the hot water guided by the guide path 40 can be reliably received and guided by the guide path 41.

[0027] 2 and 3, the cord reel outlet 4 is formed at the rear of the main body 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is preferable that the end point 41b of the guide path 41 is located forward of the cord reel outlet 4. This prevents hot water from splashing on the cord reel outlet 4, and prevents the cable 3a and plug 3b from getting wet.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the taxiway 40 of the first embodiment. The taxiway 40 can be formed, for example, by a groove formed in the cover portion 10. Similarly, the taxiway 41 can be formed by a groove formed in the main body portion 1. The taxiway 40 and the taxiway 41 can also be formed by a convex portion. The taxiway 40 and the taxiway 41 may also be formed by combining a convex portion and a groove.

[0029] The guide path 40 and the guide path 41 may be subjected to a water-repellent treatment, which allows the guide path 40 and the guide path 41 to smoothly guide hot water.

[0030] When the guide path 40 is configured with a convex portion, it is desirable that the water-repellent treatment be applied to the convex portion at a position past the stop button 30 in the direction from the start point 40a toward the end point 40b of the guide path 40. This reduces the possibility that hot water will go over the convex portion and splash onto the stop button 30.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a third modified example of the rice cooker 100 of the first embodiment. FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing the rice cooker 100 of the third modified example as viewed from above. FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing the rice cooker 100 of the third modified example as viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 5, multiple guide paths 40 may be provided. Similarly, multiple guide paths 41 may be provided. The guide paths 40 and 41 are not limited to being a single straight line, and may be formed in a shape that branches off midway. The guide paths 40 and 41 may be formed in a curved shape. The stop button 30 may also be provided on the main body 1.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth modified example of the rice cooker 100 of embodiment 1. FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing the rice cooker 100 of the fourth modified example seen from above. FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing the rice cooker 100 of the fourth modified example seen from the side. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a fifth modified example of the rice cooker 100 of embodiment 1. FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing the rice cooker 100 of the fifth modified example seen from above. FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing the rice cooker 100 of the fifth modified example seen from the side.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the rice cooker 100 may be provided with a dew tray 50 provided below the guide path 41. This dew tray 50 receives the hot water guided by the guide path 41. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the rice cooker 100 may be provided with a dew tray 50 provided below the guide path 40. This dew tray 50 receives the hot water guided by the guide path 40. The rice cooker 100 may be provided with both a dew tray 50 that receives the hot water guided by the guide path 41 and a dew tray 50 that receives the hot water guided by the guide path 40. Providing the dew tray 50 prevents the hot water from flowing onto the floor, etc., making it less likely for the user to come into contact with the hot water.

[0034] The dew tray 50 provided at the bottom of the guide path 40 may be configured, for example, as a recess formed in the boundary between the main body 1 and the lid 10. In this example, the dew tray 50 does not protrude outside the rice cooker 100. This improves the design of the rice cooker 100 and also makes it easier to handle.

[0035] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0036] (Appendix 1) a main body that accommodates food therein and heats and cooks the food; a lid portion that covers an upper portion of the main body portion; a steam vent for venting steam; a stop button for stopping cooking by the main body; A cooking device comprising: A cooking appliance characterized by comprising a guide path that guides hot water ejected from the steam port to the outside of the main body and the lid, avoiding the stop button. (Appendix 2) The steam vent and the stop button are provided on the lid, When the side where the steam vent is located relative to the stop button is defined as the rear, and the side where the stop button is located relative to the steam vent is defined as the front, The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the guide path is provided in the lid between the steam vent and the stop button in the front-to-rear direction, and is inclined downward and forward. (Appendix 3) 2. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the guide path includes a first guide path provided in the lid portion and a second guide path provided in the main body portion. (Appendix 4) The stop button is provided on the cover, When the side where the steam vent is located relative to the stop button is defined as the rear, and the side where the stop button is located relative to the steam vent is defined as the front, 4. The cooking device according to claim 3, wherein the second guide path is aligned vertically or inclined downward and rearward. (Appendix 5) When the side where the steam vent is located relative to the stop button is defined as the rear, and the side where the stop button is located relative to the steam vent is defined as the front, the first guideway is provided on the lid between the steam vent and the stop button in the front-to-rear direction, and is inclined downward and forward, The cooking device according to claim 4, wherein the starting point of the second guideway is located at the same position as the end point of the first guideway in the front-to-rear direction, or further forward than the end point of the first guideway. (Appendix 6) 6. The cooking device according to any one of Supplementary Note 3 to Supplementary Note 5, wherein a starting point of the second induction path is provided so as to be continuous with an end point of the first induction path. (Appendix 7) The stop button is provided on the cover, When the side where the steam vent is located relative to the stop button is defined as the rear, and the side where the stop button is located relative to the steam vent is defined as the front, a cord reel outlet that is an outlet for a cord reel that accommodates a cable and a plug for supplying power to the main body is formed at the rear of the main body; 7. The cooking device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein an end point of the second guide path is provided forward of the cord reel outlet. (Appendix 8) 8. The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the guide path is subjected to a water-repellent treatment. (Appendix 9) The guideway is formed by a convex portion, The cooking device according to claim 8, characterized in that the water-repellent treatment on the convex portion is applied at a position past the stop button in the direction from the start point to the end point of the guide path. (Appendix 10) 10. The cooking device according to claim 1, further comprising a dew tray provided at a lower portion of the guide path for receiving hot water guided by the guide path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 main body, 2 legs, 3a cable, 3b plug, 4 cord reel outlet, 10 lid, 20 steam vent, 21 steam cartridge, 30 stop button, 31 operation button, 32 liquid crystal display, 40 taxiway, 40a starting point, 40b ending point, 41 taxiway, 41a starting point, 41b ending point, 50 dew tray, 100 rice cooker

Claims

1. a main body that accommodates food therein and heats and cooks the food; a lid portion that covers an upper portion of the main body portion; a steam vent for venting steam; a stop button for stopping cooking by the main body; A cooking device comprising: A cooking appliance characterized by comprising a guide path that guides hot water ejected from the steam port to the outside of the main body and the lid, avoiding the stop button.

2. The steam vent and the stop button are provided on the lid, When the side where the steam vent is located relative to the stop button is defined as the rear, and the side where the stop button is located relative to the steam vent is defined as the front, 2. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the guide path is provided in the lid between the steam vent and the stop button in the front-rear direction, and is inclined downward and forward.

3. The steam vent is provided in the lid portion, The cooking device according to claim 1 , wherein the guide path includes a first guide path provided in the lid portion and a second guide path provided in the main body portion.

4. The stop button is provided on the cover, When the side where the steam vent is located relative to the stop button is defined as the rear, and the side where the stop button is located relative to the steam vent is defined as the front, The cooking device according to claim 3, wherein the second guide path is aligned vertically or inclined downward and rearward.

5. When the side where the steam vent is located relative to the stop button is defined as the rear, and the side where the stop button is located relative to the steam vent is defined as the front, the first guideway is provided on the cover between the steam vent and the stop button in the front-to-rear direction, and is inclined downward and forward, The cooking device according to claim 4, wherein the starting point of the second guideway is located at the same position as the end point of the first guideway in the front-to-rear direction or further forward than the end point of the first guideway.

6. The cooking device according to claim 3, wherein a start point of the second induction path is provided so as to be continuous with an end point of the first induction path.

7. The stop button is provided on the cover, When the side where the steam vent is located relative to the stop button is defined as the rear, and the side where the stop button is located relative to the steam vent is defined as the front, a cord reel outlet that is an outlet for a cord reel that accommodates a cable and a plug for supplying power to the main body is formed at the rear of the main body; The cooking device according to claim 3, wherein the end point of the second guide path is provided forward of the cord reel outlet.

8. 3. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the guide path is treated with a water-repellent finish.

9. The guideway is formed by a convex portion, The cooking device according to claim 8, wherein the water-repellent treatment is applied to the convex portion at a position past the stop button in a direction from the start point to the end point of the guide path.

10. 3. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein a dew tray for receiving hot water guided by the guide path is provided below the guide path.

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