Cooking appliance

Abstract

To provide a cooker in which, when a first cup and a second cup are vertically inverted in a state where a food material is cut and cooking is finished, liquid of the food material after cutting is finished can be suitably made to flow out from a cutting area to a liquid storage area, and the cut solid and the liquid in the food material can be suitably separated.SOLUTION: A cooking device 1 includes a main body 10 and a cooking unit 20 that cuts and cooks a food material including a solid S and a liquid L by rotation of a cooking tool 61, in which a part of a filter 52 is located above a liquid level of the food material in a state where the food material is put into a cutting region 31 with the cutting region 31 located on an upper side and the liquid L of the food material has flowed out from the cutting region 31 to a liquid storing region 32 through the filter 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for a cooker for cooking ingredients consisting of solids and liquids. [Background technology]

[0002] Various cooking appliances, such as juice mixers, have been known in the past that use a rotating cutter or other cooking implement to cook ingredients consisting of solids such as almonds or peanuts and liquids such as water or milk. In these cookers, components such as oils, fats, and vitamin E are extracted from the solids cut by the cooker and mixed with the liquid. The solids are then strained to separate the ingredients into solid and liquid.

[0003] Patent document 1 also describes a juice mixer that includes a bottle that houses a rotationally driven cutter, and a filter tube that is housed within the bottle and houses the cutter, with the filter tube being constructed by stretching a fiber mesh over a window opening on the side of a cylindrical mesh holder (see Patent document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-48881 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, a cooking device such as a juice mixer may be considered, which includes a first cup and a second cup disposed within the first cup and equipped with a filter through which liquid from ingredients passes. When the second cup is disposed within the first cup, the filter divides the interior of the second cup into a cutting area defined within the second cup and a liquid storage area adjacent to the cutting area within the first cup. The first and second cups are sealed with packing or the like to prevent liquid leakage. In this cooking device, ingredients are placed in the cutting area with the liquid storage area positioned at the bottom. After the ingredients are placed, the first and second cups are inverted upside down so that the liquid storage area is positioned at the top, and solid ingredients are cut with a cooking tool in the cutting area. After the cutting of the solid ingredients is completed, the first and second cups are inverted upside down so that the liquid storage area is positioned at the bottom. This leaves the solid ingredients in the cutting area, and the liquid from the ingredients after cutting passes through the filter and flows from the cutting area to the liquid storage area. In this way, by simply turning the first cup and the second cup upside down, the solid matter of the food material after cutting is left in the cutting area, and the liquid matter of the food material after cutting is allowed to flow from the cutting area into the liquid storage area, thereby achieving solid-liquid separation.

[0006] However, in the cooker, when ingredients are placed in the cutting area with the cutting area positioned on the upper side, and the liquid from the ingredients passes through the filter and flows out of the cutting area into the liquid storage area, the first cup and the second cup are configured as sealed spaces, so even if the first cup and the second cup are turned upside down after cutting the solid ingredients, the air in the liquid storage area may not be able to flow out into the cutting area. Therefore, when the cooking cup is turned upside down after cutting the ingredients and cooking is finished, the liquid from the ingredients after cutting cannot flow out sufficiently from the cutting area to the liquid storage area, and the cut solid ingredients and the liquid may not be separated sufficiently.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its objective is to provide a cooking device that can efficiently drain the liquid from the ingredients after cutting from the cutting area to the liquid storage area, and can efficiently separate the liquid from the solid cut ingredients. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cooking device according to the present invention is a cooking device comprising a main body and a cooking section which is equipped with cooking implements and which cooks ingredients consisting of solids and liquids using the cooking implement when attached to the main body, the cooking section comprising a first cup and a second cup which is placed within the first cup and which is equipped with a filter through which liquid from the ingredients passes, and when the second cup is placed within the first cup, the filter divides the second cup into a cutting area formed inside the second cup and a liquid storage area adjacent to the cutting area inside the first cup, and the ingredients are placed in the cutting area with the liquid storage area positioned below, and after the ingredients are placed, the first cup is removed so that the liquid storage area is positioned above. The second cup is then inverted upside down, and the solid parts of the ingredients are cut in the cutting area with the cooking utensil. After the cutting of the solid parts of the ingredients is completed, the first cup and the second cup are inverted upside down so that the liquid storage area is positioned on the bottom, so that the solid parts of the ingredients remain in the cutting area after cutting is completed, and the liquid of the ingredients after cutting is completed passes through the filter and flows out from the cutting area to the liquid storage area. A part of the filter is positioned above the liquid level of the ingredients when the ingredients are placed in the cutting area with the cutting area positioned on the top, and the liquid of the ingredients has passed through the filter and finished flowing out from the cutting area to the liquid storage area.

[0009] According to the cooker of the present invention, when the first cup and the second cup are turned upside down after cutting ingredients and cooking is complete, even though the first cup and the second cup are configured as sealed spaces, air in the liquid storage area flows into the cutting area through a part of the filter of the second cup, which is configured as an air passage. Therefore, when the first cup and the second cup are turned upside down after cutting ingredients and cooking is complete, the liquid in the ingredients after cutting can be efficiently discharged from the cutting area to the liquid storage area, and the solids that have been cut can be efficiently separated from the liquid.

[0010] In the present invention, the filter is configured to be inclined with respect to the liquid level of the ingredients when the cutting area is positioned at the top, and it is preferable that the portion of the filter positioned above is positioned above the liquid level of the ingredients when the liquid of the ingredients has passed through the filter and finished flowing out of the cutting area into the liquid storage area when ingredients are placed in the cutting area with the cutting area positioned at the top.

[0011] With this configuration, when the ingredients have been cut and cooked, the first cup and second cup are inverted upside down, and the liquid in the ingredients after cutting can be suitably allowed to flow from the cutting area into the liquid storage area with a simple configuration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The present invention has the following effects. In other words, with the cooking appliance of the present invention, when the first cup and the second cup are turned upside down after the ingredients have been cut and cooked, the liquid in the ingredients after cutting can be efficiently discharged from the cutting area into the liquid storage area, and the liquid from the cut solids of the ingredients can be efficiently separated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a juice mixer as an embodiment of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the cooking cup of the juice mixer. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional view showing the cooking cup of the juice mixer before ingredients are added. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the cooking cup of the juice mixer after ingredients have been added. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the cooking cup in the juice mixer while cooking ingredients. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [Overall configuration of Juice Mixer 1] The juice mixer 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The juice mixer 1 is one embodiment of a cooking appliance according to the present invention. The cooking appliance is not limited to the juice mixer 1, and may be a juicer, a mixer, a food processor, a mill, or the like. The juice mixer 1 is connected to a commercial power source and automatically cooks ingredients. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, it has a main body 10 and a cooking unit 20, and operates to cook ingredients with the cooking unit 20 attached to the main body 10. The ingredients cooked in the juice mixer 1 consist of solid matter S, such as almonds or peanuts, and liquid L, such as water or milk.

[0015] [Main body] The main body 10 comprises a case 11, a motor 12, and a rotating shaft 13. The case 11 constitutes the exterior of the main body 10. The motor 12 is housed in the case 11 and constitutes a power source that rotates and drives the cooking utensils 61 of the cooking section 20. One end of the rotating shaft 13 is fixed to the motor 12, and the other end of the motor 12 protrudes from the top surface of the case 11.

[0016] [Cooking Department] Cooking unit 20 automatically cooks ingredients while attached to the top surface of case 11 of main body 10. Cooking unit 20 is configured to be detachable from main body 10. Cooking unit 20 includes cover 21, operating unit 22, and cooking cup 30.

[0017] The cover 21 is configured to cover the outside of the cooking cup 30 when the cooking unit 20 is attached to the main body 10. The cover 21 is configured in a cylindrical shape with an open lower end and a closed upper end, and is attached to the main body 10 by engaging the lower opening edge with the upper surface of the case 11 of the main body 10. The cover 21 is made of, for example, a transparent or translucent resin, and is configured so that the cooking cup 30 contained inside can be seen.

[0018] The operation unit 22 is provided on the cover 21. The operation unit 22 is operated by a user to set various settings of the juice mixer 1 and cause the juice mixer 1 to perform various operations.

[0019] [Cooking cup] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 , the cooking cup 30 includes a first cup 40 , a second cup 50 , and a cup die 60 .

[0020] The first cup 40 is cylindrical with one open end and the other closed end. The edge of the opening at one end of the first cup 40 is configured as edge 41. The first cup 40 is attached to the main body 10 with edge 41 facing downward. The first cup 40 is made of, for example, a transparent or translucent resin, and is configured so that the state of the ingredients being cooked inside can be seen. The first cup 40 is configured to be able to accommodate the second cup 50 inside. A male thread that can be threaded into the female thread 71 of the cutter die 60 is formed on the outer periphery on the edge 51 side.

[0021] The second cup 50 is cylindrical and has an open end. The edge of the opening at one end of the second cup 50 is configured as a rim 51. The second cup 50 is equipped with a filter 52. The filter 52 is detachably attached to the opening at the other end of the second cup 50. The filter 52 of the second cup is configured as a mesh with fine through-holes, and is configured to block the passage of solids S exceeding a predetermined size and allow the passage of liquid L and solids smaller than the predetermined size. In the following description, liquid L will be assumed to include solids smaller than the predetermined size. The second cup 50 is placed in the first cup 40 with the rim 51 facing downward and the filter 52 facing upward. The vertical length of the second cup 50 is configured to be shorter than that of the first cup 40. When the second cup 50 is attached to the first cup 40, the edge 41 of the first cup 40 and the edge 51 of the second cup 50 are positioned so as to be generally aligned in the vertical direction. The vertical length of the second cup 50 is approximately half the vertical length of the first cup 40. The outer diameter of the second cup 50 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first cup 40. The second cup 50 is made of, for example, a transparent or translucent resin, and is configured so that the state of the ingredients being cooked inside can be visually observed. Note that the vertical lengths of the first cup 40 and the second cup 50, or the outer diameters of the first cup 40 and the second cup 50, are not limited to these configurations and can be configured appropriately depending on the specifications.

[0022] When the second cup 50 is mounted in the first cup 40, the anti-rotation portion protruding inward from the inner peripheral surface of the first cup 40 engages with the anti-rotation portion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second cup 50, thereby preventing the first cup 40 and the second cup 50 from rotating relative to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0023] The cutter die 60 is configured as a base that closes the opening edge 41 of the first cup 40. The cutter die 60 is configured in a cylindrical shape with one end open and the other end closed. The cutter die 60 is attached to the main body 10 with the closed side of the other end facing downward. When the cutter die 60 is attached to the main body 10, a protrusion protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cutter die 60 engages with a protrusion protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body 10, thereby positioning the cutter die 60 on the main body 10. A female thread that can be threaded onto the male thread of the first cup 40 is formed on the inner circumferential surface near the opening of the cutter die 60. The cutter die 60 includes a cooking utensil 61 and a rotating shaft 62.

[0024] The cooking utensil 61 is arranged so as to protrude from the surface of the closed side at the other end of the cutter die 60 to the inside of the cutter die. The cooking utensil 61 is, for example, a cutter having multiple blades that cut and crush the solid material S of the food material. The cooking utensil 61 is rotated by being driven by the motor 12 of the main body 10, and cuts the food material placed in the second cup 50 to cook it.

[0025] The rotating shaft 62 is positioned so as to pass through the center of the surface on the closed side of the other end of the cutter die 60. The cooking utensil 61 is fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 62. The other end of the rotating shaft 62 is connected to the rotating shaft 13 of the main body 10 when the cooking cup 30 is attached to the main body 10.

[0026] [Assembling the juice mixer when using it] When assembling the juice mixer 1 for use, the user first assembles the cooking cup 30 (first cup 40, second cup 50, and cup die 60). At this time, ingredients to be cooked are placed in the cooking cup 30 (second cup 50). Then, the cooking cup 30 with the ingredients placed therein is assembled to the main body 10.

[0027] First, the second cup 50 is placed in the first cup 40 with the edge 41 of the first cup 40 and the edge 51 of the second cup 50 facing upward (see FIG. 4). At this time, the first cup 40 is divided into two regions 31 and 32 in the vertical direction by the filter 52 of the second cup 50. Because the edge 41 of the first cup 40 and the edge 51 of the second cup 50 face upward, the second cup 50 is divided into region 31 above the filter 52 and region 32 below the filter 52.

[0028] Here, when the cooking cup 30 is attached to the main body 10, the edge 41 of the first cup 40 and the edge 51 of the second cup 50 are each directed downward, with the region 31 located on the lower side and the region 32 located on the upper side (see FIG. 5). When the cooking cup 30 is attached to the main body 10, the region 31 is configured as a region where the solid material S of the food is cut by the cooking utensil 61 of the cup die 60. The region 31 is hereinafter referred to as the "cutting region 31." When the cooking cup 30 is attached to the main body 10, the region 32 is adjacent to the cutting region 31 via the filter 52, and is configured as a region where the liquid L of the food (liquid containing components extracted from the liquid L and the solid material S) is stored. The region 32 is hereinafter referred to as the "liquid storage region 32."

[0029] After the second cup 50 is placed in the first cup 40, food ingredients are poured into the second cup 50 through the opening of the second cup 50. Of the food ingredients poured into the second cup 50, solid matter S does not pass through the filter 52 of the second cup 50 and remains in the second cup 50 (in the cutting area 31). Of the food ingredients poured into the second cup 50, liquid L passes through the filter 52 of the second cup 50, flows from the cutting area 31 into the liquid storage area 32, and collects in the portion of the first cup 40 below the filter 52 of the second cup 50 (liquid storage area 32) (see FIG. 5).

[0030] In this state, the first cup 40 and the second cup 50 are positioned downward, the cutter die 60 is positioned upward, and the female thread of the cutter die 60 is screwed onto the male thread of the first cup 40, thereby attaching the cutter die 60 to the first cup 40 and the second cup 50. At this time, the cooking utensil 61 of the cutter die 60 is placed inside the second cup 50 (in the cutting area 31). The edge 41 of the first cup 40 is in close contact with the gasket provided on the cutter die 60, making the inside of the first cup 40 watertight, and the inside of the first cup 40 and the second cup 50 being configured as sealed spaces. In this way, the cooking cup 30 is assembled.

[0031] Furthermore, in this state, the cooking cup 30 is positioned downward and the main body 10 is positioned upward, and the cooking cup 30 is attached to the main body 10, and then the cooking cup 30 and the main body 10 are turned upside down. By turning the cooking cup 30 and the main body 10 upside down in this manner, the solid material S of the ingredients and a portion of the liquid L accumulate on the cutting area 31 side (see FIG. 6). Then, the cover 21 is attached to the main body 10. In this manner, the assembly operation of the juice mixer 1 when using the juice mixer 1 is performed.

[0032] [The action of cooking ingredients]

[0033] In the juice mixer 1 assembled as described above, when the user operates the operating unit 22 of the cooking unit 20, the motor 12 of the main body 10 is driven to rotate, and the cooking utensil 61 rotates in the cutting area 31 via the rotating shaft 13 and the rotating shaft 62 of the cup die 60 connected to the rotating shaft 13. As the cooking utensil 61 rotates, it cuts and cooks the ingredients in the cutting area 31. At this time, components such as oils and fats and vitamin E are dissolved into the liquid L from the ingredients cooked by the cooking utensil 61 in the cutting area 31.

[0034] When the cutting of the solid material S of the ingredients is completed and cooking of the ingredients is complete, the user operates the operating unit 22, which stops the rotation of the motor 12 of the main body 10 and stops the rotation of the cooking utensils 61 of the cup die 60. In this way, when the cutting of the solid material S of the ingredients is completed and cooking of the ingredients is complete, the crushed solid material S of the ingredients and the liquid L are mixed and accumulated in the cutting area 31 located at the bottom inside the cooking cup 30.

[0035] In this state, the cover 21 is first removed from the main body 10, and then the cooking cup 30 is removed. Then, the cooking cup 30 is inverted upside down so that the first cup 40 and the second cup 50 are positioned on the bottom side and the cutter die 60 is positioned on the top side. By inverting the cooking cup 30 upside down in this manner, the cutting area 31 is positioned on the top side and the liquid storage area 32 is positioned on the bottom side (see FIG. 5 ). Furthermore, by inverting the cooking cup 30 upside down in this manner, the solid material S of the ingredient after cutting remains in the cutting area 31. Furthermore, by inverting the cooking cup 30 upside down in this manner, the liquid L of the ingredient after cutting passes through the filter 52 by its own weight and flows from the cutting area 31 to the liquid storage area 32, where it accumulates. In this manner, the solid material S of the ingredient and the liquid L can be separated (solid-liquid separation).

[0036] After this, the cutter die 70 is removed from the first cup 40 and the second cup 50, the second cup 50 with the solid material S that has been cut out of the food material remaining is removed from the first cup 40, and the liquid L that has accumulated in the first cup 40 is poured into a container such as a glass.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, when food is placed in the cutting area 31 with the cutting area 31 positioned on the upper side and the liquid storage area 32 positioned on the lower side, a portion of the filter 52 of the second cup 50 is positioned above the liquid level of the food after the liquid L of the food has passed through the filter 52 and flowed out from the cutting area 31 to the liquid storage area 32.

[0038] With this configuration, when the cooking cup 30 is inverted upside down after cutting ingredients and cooking is complete, with the cutting area 31 positioned on the upper side and the liquid storage area 32 positioned on the lower side, a portion of the filter 52 of the second cup 50 serves as an air flow passage between the cutting area 31 and the liquid storage area 32. Therefore, when the first cup 40 and the second cup 50 are inverted upside down after cutting ingredients and cooking is complete, even if the first cup 40 and the second cup 50 are configured as sealed spaces, air in the liquid storage area 32 flows out to the cutting area 31 through a portion of the filter 52 of the second cup 50, which serves as the air flow passage. Therefore, when the first cup 40 and the second cup 50 are inverted upside down after cutting ingredients and cooking is complete, the liquid L of the ingredients after cutting can be suitably flowed out from the cutting area 31 to the liquid storage area 32, and the solid matter S that has been cut out of the ingredients can be suitably separated from the liquid L.

[0039] In addition, when the cutting area 31 is located on the upper side and the liquid storage area 32 is located on the lower side and ingredients are added to the cutting area 31, a mark serving as a guide for the amount of ingredient liquid to be added may be provided on the peripheral surface of the first cup 40 so that a portion of the filter 52 of the second cup 50 is positioned above the liquid level of the ingredients when the ingredient liquid L has finished flowing out into the liquid storage area 32.

[0040] The opening at the other end of second cup 50 (the opening on the side where filter 52 is provided) is configured to be inclined in the vertical direction. Filter 52 of second cup 50 is configured to be inclined in the vertical direction so as to fit along the opening at the other end of second cup 50. Filter 52 of second cup 50 is configured to be inclined with respect to the liquid level of the ingredients when cutting area 31 is located on the upper side and liquid storage area 32 is located on the lower side. When ingredients are placed in cutting area 31 with cutting area 31 located on the upper side and liquid storage area 32 located on the lower side, the part of second cup 50 located above filter 52 is located above the liquid level of the ingredients when liquid L of the ingredients has passed through filter 52 and finished flowing out from cutting area 31 to liquid storage area 32.

[0041] With this configuration, when the cooking cup 30 is inverted upside down after cutting ingredients and cooking is complete, with the cutting area 31 positioned on the upper side and the liquid storage area 32 positioned on the lower side, the portion of the second cup 50 located above the filter 52, which is configured to be inclined relative to the liquid level of the ingredients, becomes an air flow passage between the cutting area 31 and the liquid storage area 32. Therefore, when the first cup 40 and the second cup 50 are inverted upside down after cutting ingredients and cooking is complete, even if the first cup 40 and the second cup 50 are configured as sealed spaces, the air in the liquid storage area 32 flows into the cutting area 31 through the upper part of the filter 52 of the second cup 50, which is configured as the air flow passage. Therefore, when the first cup 40 and the second cup 50 are inverted upside down after cutting ingredients and cooking is complete, the liquid L of the ingredients after cutting can be suitably flowed from the cutting area 31 to the liquid storage area 32, and the cut solids S of the ingredients can be suitably separated from the liquid L. Furthermore, because of this configuration, when the first cup 40 and the second cup 50 are turned upside down after the ingredients have been cut and cooked, it is possible to realize a simple configuration that allows the liquid L of the ingredients after cutting to flow out preferably from the cutting area 31 to the liquid storage area 32. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 juice mixer 10 Main body 11 cases 12 motors 13 Rotation axis 20 Cooking Department 21 Cover 22 Control section 30 cooking cups 31 Cutting area 32 Liquid storage area 40 First Cup 41 Edge 50 Second Cup 51 Edge 52 filters 60 Cup Die 61 Cooking Utensils 62 Rotation axis S Solid food L Liquid ingredients

Claims

1. a main body; a cooking unit that includes a cooking tool and cooks ingredients consisting of solids and liquids using the cooking tool when attached to the main body; A cooking appliance comprising: The cooking section includes: The first cup and a second cup disposed in the first cup and including a filter through which liquid from the food material passes; Equipped with When the second cup is placed in the first cup, the filter divides the interior of the second cup into a cutting area and a liquid storage area adjacent to the cutting area within the first cup; The food material is placed in the cutting area with the liquid storage area positioned below, After the ingredients are added, the first cup and the second cup are turned upside down so that the liquid storage area is located on the upper side, and solid ingredients are cut with the cooking utensil in the cutting area; After the cutting of the solid material of the food material is completed, the first cup and the second cup are turned upside down so that the liquid storage area is located on the lower side, so that the solid material of the food material after the cutting is completed remains in the cutting area, and the liquid of the food material after the cutting is completed passes through the filter and flows out from the cutting area to the liquid storage area, A part of the filter is located above the liquid level of the food material when the food material is put into the cutting area with the cutting area positioned at the upper side, and the liquid of the food material passes through the filter and finishes flowing out from the cutting area to the liquid storage area. Cooker.

2. The filter is configured to be inclined with respect to the liquid surface of the food material with the cutting area positioned on the upper side, The portion of the filter located above the food material is located above the liquid level of the food material when the food material is introduced into the cutting area with the cutting area positioned at the top and the liquid of the food material has passed through the filter and finished flowing out from the cutting area to the liquid storage area. The cooking device according to claim 1 .

Images