Steamer for microwave oven

Abstract

To provide a steamer for a microwave oven suitable for washing in a dish washing and drying machine.SOLUTION: The microwave steamer 10 comprises a bottom surface 24 and an inner surface 28. The bottom surface 24 has a disk shape and serves as a food placement surface. The inner surface 28 surrounds the bottom surface 24. A plurality of protrusions 40 are disposed on the bottom surface 24. The plurality of projections 40 are arranged along a radial spiral locus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Disclosed herein is a microwave steamer.

[0002] Patent Documents 1-16 disclose steamers that use a microwave oven to steam food.

[0003] In Patent Documents 15 and 16, protrusions are provided on the bottom of a container on which food is placed. The protrusions lift the food off the bottom of the container, preventing fluids such as meat juices and oil from adhering to the food. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-183078 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-151517 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-181069 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-75586 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-44459 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-336123 [Patent Document 7] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 7-027417 [Patent Document 8] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-273731 [Patent Document 9] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-153008 [Patent Document 10] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 56-157503 [Patent Document 11] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 56-54598 [Patent Document 12] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-51831 [Patent Document 13] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 55-91405 [Patent Document 14] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 49-143237 [Patent Document 15] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-166762 [Patent Document 16] Registered Utility Model No. 3160143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Since microwave steamers are generally heat-resistant tableware, they can often be washed in a dishwasher. This specification therefore discloses a microwave steamer that is suitable for washing in a dishwasher. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This specification discloses a microwave steamer. The steamer has a bottom surface and an inner surface. The bottom surface is disk-shaped and serves as a surface on which food is placed. The inner surface surrounds the bottom surface. A plurality of protrusions are arranged on the bottom surface. The plurality of protrusions are arranged along a radial spiral path.

[0007] With this configuration, the water flow from the dishwasher flows along the spirally arranged projections on the bottom surface of the microwave steamer. The projections guide the water flow toward the center of the bottom surface, washing away food residue that has accumulated on the bottom surface.

[0008] In the above configuration, a spiral groove connected to the plurality of protrusions may be formed on the inner surface.

[0009] According to the above configuration, it is possible to form a spiral flow from the inner surface, and the force of the water flow can be increased.

[0010] In the above configuration, the angle formed between the inner surface and the bottom surface may be an obtuse angle, and the connection between the inner surface and the bottom surface may be a curved surface.

[0011] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the force of the water flowing from the inner surface to the bottom surface.

[0012] In the above configuration, the diameter of the protrusion near the inner surface may be larger than the diameter of the protrusion near the radial center.

[0013] By arranging the protrusions along a spiral trajectory, the distance between adjacent spiral rows increases the further away from the radial center. By making the diameter of the protrusions farther from the radial center larger than that of the protrusions at the radial center, the expansion of the distance (gap) between the protrusions is suppressed.

[0014] In the above configuration, a plurality of measurement projections of different heights may be arranged on the bottom surface near the inner surface.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the amount of water to be poured into the steamer can be accurately measured. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The microwave steamer disclosed in this specification provides a microwave steamer that is suitable for cleaning in a dishwasher. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a container of the microwave steamer according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a lid of the microwave steamer according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a container and a lid. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a plan view of a container. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a container attached to a lid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] 1 to 3, a microwave steamer 10 according to this embodiment includes a container 20 (see FIG. 1) and a lid 50 (see FIG. 2). In FIG. 2, the lid 50 is depicted at an angle viewing the inner surface (top surface 58) from below. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the cross section taken along line AA (see FIG. 1) of the container 20 is also shown. In FIG. 3, the ridges 32 and protrusions 40 formed on the inner surface 28 and bottom surface 24 are omitted.

[0019] The container 20 and the lid 50 are made of a material that transmits microwaves emitted from a microwave oven. The container 20 and the lid 50 are also made of a heat-resistant material that can withstand heating in a microwave oven. For example, the heat-resistant temperature of the container 20 and the lid 50 may be 140°C or higher. As will be described later, the lid 50 is required to have elasticity when attached to and detached from the container 20. For example, the container 20 and the lid 50 are made of polypropylene or silicone. Alternatively, the container 20 is made of heat-resistant glass.

[0020] The container 20 is a bowl-shaped dish that is open at the top. The container 20 has a bottom wall 23 and a side wall 22. The bottom wall 23 is disk-shaped. The side wall 22 surrounds the bottom wall 23. In other words, the inner surface 28 surrounds the bottom surface 24. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the side wall 22 and the bottom wall 23 are formed so that the angle formed between the side wall 22 and the bottom wall 23 is an obtuse angle. In other words, the diameter of the container 20 decreases in the depth direction toward the bottom surface 24.

[0021] The upper end 22A of the side wall 22 is structured to open outward compared to its lower portion. A handle 26 is provided at the point where the inclination angle changes. The handle 26 extends radially outward from the container 20. For example, a pair of handles 26, 26 arranged opposite each other may be formed on the container 20. As illustrated in FIG. 6 described later, a claw 55 of the lid 50 enters between the upper end 22A of the side wall 22 and the handle 26. In other words, the claw 55 engages with the upper end 22A.

[0022] 2, 3, and 6, the lid 50 is placed on the container 20. The lid 50 has an upper wall 52 and a side wall 54. The upper wall 52 is disk-shaped. The side wall 54 surrounds the upper wall 52. The connection between the side wall 54 and the upper wall 52 is a curved surface.

[0023] 3, handles 56 are provided on the side wall 54. The handles 56 extend radially outward from the lid 50. For example, the handles 56 are provided on the lower end of the side wall 54. The number of handles 56 may be different from the number of handles 26 on the container 20. For example, the lid 50 may have three handles 56 arranged at equal intervals.

[0024] Furthermore, a claw 55 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 54 so as to face the handle 56. The claw 55 protrudes radially inward. The claw 55 and the handle 56 may have the same circumferential length, for example.

[0025] 3, the inner diameter R1 of the side wall 54 is larger than the outer diameter R3 of the upper end portion 22A of the side wall 22 of the container 20. In addition, the outer diameter R3 of the upper end portion 22A is larger than the inner diameter R2 of the claw 55. In other words, the inner diameter R1, the inner diameter R2, and the outer diameter R3 have the relationship R1>R3>R2.

[0026] 6, when the lid 50 is attached to the container 20, the claws 55 climb over the upper end 22A. That is, the claws 55 fit between the upper end 22A and the handle 26. In other words, the claws 55 engage with the upper end 22A. This fitting structure (engagement structure) prevents the lid 50 from coming off the container 20 even if the internal pressure of the microwave steamer 10 increases during steaming.

[0027] Furthermore, because the number of handles 56 on lid 50 and the number of handles 26 on container 20 differ and the spacing between them also differs, there are areas where handles 26 and 56 overlap and areas where they are misaligned. By pulling up handle 56 from these misaligned areas, lid 50 can be easily opened (removed) from container 20.

[0028] Furthermore, a steam hole 60 is drilled in the top surface 58 of the lid 50. The steam hole 60 passes through the upper wall 52. For example, the steam hole 60 is drilled in the center of the top surface 58.

[0029] 1, 4, and 5, the bottom surface 24 of the container 20 is disk-shaped and serves as a surface on which food is placed. A plurality of protrusions 40 are arranged on the bottom surface 24. Referring to FIG. 5, the protrusions 40 have, for example, hemispherical upper ends. By making the protrusions 40 hemispherical, the protrusions 40 come into point contact with the bottom surface of the food. In other words, compared to when the upper ends of the protrusions 40 are disk-shaped, for example, the contact area between the protrusions 40 and the bottom surface of the food is smaller. As a result, steam can be applied over a wide area of ​​the bottom surface of the food.

[0030] 1 and 4, the protrusions 40 are arranged along a radial spiral locus from the center of the bottom surface 24. That is, this locus is drawn in accordance with two conditions: (1) it is radial, and (2) it extends spirally. A central protrusion 40A is arranged at the center of the bottom surface 24. A plurality of spiral rows are formed by the protrusions 40 from the central protrusion 40A. The spiral rows are arranged at intervals of 10°, for example. In this case, 36 spiral rows are formed.

[0031] For example, the spiral trajectory is drawn along the so-called Archimedes spiral. That is, the spiral trajectory is determined based on the equation r=aθ expressed in polar coordinates. Here, r is the radius, a is an arbitrary constant, and θ is the argument. For example, the argument θ can take values ​​between 0° and 180°. That is, each spiral trajectory can be approximately half a revolution.

[0032] The spiral arrangement of the protrusions 40 creates a spiral flow path on the bottom surface 24. The water from the dishwasher flows along this spiral flow path toward the central protrusion 40A, washing away food residue adhering to the bottom surface 24.

[0033] The distance between adjacent spiral rows increases as the spiral rows move away from the center. Here, the diameters of the protrusions 40 may be different to ensure uniform spacing between the protrusions 40. For example, the diameter of the protrusions 40 near the inner surface 28 (i.e., on the distal end) is larger than the diameter of the protrusions 40 near the radial center. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the diameter of the distal protrusion 40B is larger than the diameter of the central protrusion 40A. For example, the diameter of the protrusions 40 may gradually increase from the central protrusion 40A at the radial center to the distal protrusion 40B. For example, the diameter of the protrusions 40 is 2.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less.

[0034] Furthermore, as the spiral locus approaches the radial center, the distance between adjacent protrusions 40, 40 becomes narrower. Therefore, for example, two spiral loci may be combined to form one large protrusion. For example, the protrusions 40 in the third and fifth stages counting from the central protrusion 40A have relatively large diameters.

[0035] For steaming, the height of protrusions 40 is determined based on the amount of water poured into container 20. Referring to Fig. 5, height H1 of protrusions 40 is, for example, 5 mm or less. Distance D1 between adjacent protrusions 40, 40 is, for example, 2.8 mm or less.

[0036] A spiral groove 34 is formed radially outward of the terminal protrusion 40B. In other words, the central end of the spiral groove 34 is formed in the bottom surface 24. The spiral groove 34 extends from the bottom surface 24 to the inner surface 28. The spiral groove 34 is formed by a plurality of ridges 32. The ridges 32 are connected to the spiral trajectory of the protrusions 40. In other words, the groove formed by the protrusions 40 is connected to the spiral groove 34. In other words, the protrusions 40 and the ridges 32 form a single spiral trajectory.

[0037] Water in the dishwasher flows from inner surface 28 to bottom surface 24 while being guided by spiral groove 34. The water then flows along the spiral path formed by protrusions 40 to central protrusion 40A. Referring to FIG. 3, the angle formed between inner surface 28 and bottom surface 24 is set to be an obtuse angle. The connection between inner surface 28 and bottom surface 24 is also curved. This shape allows water to flow smoothly from inner surface 28 to bottom surface 24.

[0038] The height H2 of the ridge 32 may be equal to the height of the projection 40. The groove width D2 of the spiral groove 34 may be equal to the distance D1 between the projections 40, 40.

[0039] In addition, an annular communication groove 36 is formed on the bottom surface 24 so as to intersect the multiple spiral grooves 34. For example, the protrusion 32 is cut out partway to form the communication groove 36. The communication groove 36 reduces uneven distribution of water between adjacent spiral grooves 34, 34.

[0040] 5, measuring protrusions 48A, 48B, and 48C are arranged in the communication groove 36 of the bottom surface 24. The measuring protrusions 48A, 48B, and 48C are arranged near the inner surface 28. To improve the visibility of the measuring protrusions 48A, 48B, and 48C, for example, the groove width of the communication groove 36 at the locations where the measuring protrusions 48A, 48B, and 48C are arranged may be widened. The measuring protrusions 48A, 48B, and 48C may be cylindrical. In other words, the upper end surfaces of the measuring protrusions 48A, 48B, and 48C may be disks parallel to the bottom surface 24.

[0041] Measuring protrusions 48A, 48B, and 48C have different heights H3, H4, and H5, respectively, where H3 > H4 > H5. For example, when water is poured into container 20 for steaming, when the water level is level with the top of measuring protrusion 48C, the amount of water poured is 5 cc. When the water level is level with the top of measuring protrusion 48B, the amount of water poured is 10 cc. When the water level is level with the top of measuring protrusion 48A, the amount of water poured is 15 cc.

[0042] In order to determine whether the container 20 is placed on a horizontal surface, the measuring protrusions 48A, 48B, 48C are provided at multiple locations on the bottom surface 24. For example, referring to Figure 4, three groups of measuring protrusions 48A, 48B, 48C are arranged on the bottom surface 24 at 120° intervals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10 microwave steamer, 20 container, 22 container side wall, 23 container bottom wall, 24 bottom surface, 28 inner surface, 32 ridge, 34 spiral groove, 36 connecting groove, 40 protrusion, 40A central protrusion, 40B end protrusion, 48A, 48B, 48C measuring protrusions, 50 lid.

Claims

1. A disk-shaped bottom surface on which food is placed; an inner surface surrounding the bottom surface; Equipped with A plurality of protrusions are disposed on the bottom surface, The plurality of protrusions are arranged along a radial spiral locus. Microwave steamer.

2. 2. The microwave steamer according to claim 1, The inner surface is formed with a spiral groove connected to the plurality of protrusions. Microwave steamer.

3. 3. The microwave steamer according to claim 2, The angle formed between the inner surface and the bottom surface is an obtuse angle, and a connecting portion between the inner surface and the bottom surface is a curved surface. Microwave steamer.

4. A microwave steamer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a diameter of the protrusion near the inner surface is larger than a diameter of the protrusion near the radial center; Microwave steamer.

5. 2. The microwave steamer according to claim 1, A plurality of measurement protrusions of different heights are arranged on the bottom surface near the inner surface. Microwave steamer.

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