Cooking device

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker capable of suppressing high pressure in a cooking space during pack cooking without increasing the number of components.SOLUTION: The heating cooker includes an inner pot having an open upper surface, a main body provided with an opening on the upper surface and accommodating the inner pot through the opening, the main body having a heating means for heating the inner pot, an outer lid covering the opening of the main body, and an inner lid detachably attached to a lower surface of the outer lid and covering the upper surface of the inner pot so as to form a cooking space between the inner lid and the inner pot. The inner lid has one or more inner lid steam holes that allow the cooking space and the outer lid side to communicate with each other, and one or more groove portions that are provided so as to protrude toward the outer lid side and have a recessed shape on the cooking space side, and are linearly arranged in a plan view so as to include any one of the one or more inner lid steam holes in a deepest portion, and the outer lid has a steam discharge path that allows the cooking space and the outside to communicate with each other via the one or more inner lid steam holes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking device designed for cooking using a cooking bag inside an inner pot. [Background technology]

[0002] Some cooking appliances have a main body that houses an inner pot (hereinafter also referred to as a pot) and a lid that covers the main body and the inner pot from above, and the lid is provided with a steam path that discharges steam generated in the inner pot by the heating means of the main body to the outside. In recent years, a cooking method called pack cooking, in which ingredients are placed in a heat-resistant cooking bag and the cooking bag is heated in hot water, has become popular, and cooking appliances that perform pack cooking are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In pack cooking, heat is applied from multiple directions to ingredients, including seasonings, contained in a cooking bag via the water in the inner pot, from outside the cooking bag, allowing for more efficient cooking than cooking in a frying pan, etc. Cooking bags used in pack cooking with a cooking appliance are generally designed so that the opening is opened and the cooking bag is used like a container. If a user mistakenly uses a sealed cooking bag in pack cooking, the air inside the bag expands due to heating, causing the bag to swell and potentially blocking the entrance to the steam path provided in the lid. Even if a user mistakenly opens the opening of a cooking bag in a cooking appliance that is typically used to cook using a sealed cooking bag, the open cooking bag may rise due to the rise in the water level when boiling water added to the inner pot for a hot water bath, potentially blocking the entrance to the steam path.

[0004] Therefore, in the cooking device of Patent Document 1, a filter member covering the inlet (steam hole) of the steam path section of the lid body is attached to the underside of the inner lid via a filter member gasket, and the filter member prevents direct contact between the steam hole of the inner lid and the cooking bag while allowing steam to be exhausted through a groove formed in the filter member, thereby preventing the pressure inside the inner pot (pan) from becoming high. Specifically, the filter member is configured so that it protrudes away from the underside of the inner lid and extends to cover the steam hole, with one end extending to near the edge of the pan. The filter member is provided with a groove facing the inside of the pan, which extends in the direction of extension of the filter member and has a through-hole formed in the groove that is aligned with the steam hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-178761 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the cooker of Patent Document 1, a filter member separate from the inner lid is used to prevent the cooking space from becoming highly pressurized when the cooking bag expands or rises during pack cooking, blocking the steam holes in the inner lid. This increases the number of parts in the cooker itself. Because the inner lid is a part that is removed from the outer lid by the user for cleaning, increasing the number of parts attached to the inner lid in particular makes it more difficult for users to clean the cooker.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made against the background of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a heating cooker that can prevent the cooking space from becoming high pressure during pack cooking without increasing the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cooking appliance according to the present disclosure comprises an inner pot with an open top, an opening on the top surface that houses the inner pot through the opening, a main body having a heating means for heating the inner pot, an outer lid that covers the opening of the main body, and an inner lid that is detachably attached to the underside of the outer lid and covers the top surface of the inner pot so as to form a cooking space between the inner lid and the outer lid, the inner lid having one or more inner lid steam holes that connect the cooking space to the outer lid side, and one or more grooves that protrude toward the outer lid so that the side of the cooking space is concave and are arranged in a straight line in a planar view so that their deepest parts include one of the one or more inner lid steam holes, and the outer lid has a steam exhaust path that connects the cooking space to the outside via one or more inner lid steam holes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the cooking device of the present disclosure, the inner lid is provided so as to protrude toward the outer lid and have a recessed shape on the cooking space side, and has one or more grooves arranged linearly in a plan view so as to include one or more inner lid steam vents at its deepest part. This makes it possible to prevent the cooking space from becoming high-pressure during pack cooking by using the one or more grooves in the inner lid without increasing the number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a lid of a cooking device according to a first embodiment is closed. [Figure 2] 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a lid of a cooking device according to a first embodiment is open. [Figure 3] 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the lid body of the cooking device according to the first embodiment is opened and the inner lid is removed. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a cooking device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which a cooking bag is housed in the cooking device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6]2 is a perspective view of the inner lid of the cooking device according to the first embodiment, viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a top view of an inner lid of a cooking device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view taken along the extension direction of one groove portion of the cooking device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which a cooking bag is housed in the cooking device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a groove portion passing through an inner lid steam hole in a state in which the cooking bag is expanded in the cooker according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a bottom view illustrating the relationship between the inner lid and the cooking bag when the cooking bag is unevenly expanded inside the inner pot in the cooker according to Embodiment 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The cooking device according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. In the following description, terms indicating directions (e.g., "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," "rear," etc.) are used as appropriate to facilitate understanding, but these are for explanatory purposes and do not limit the present disclosure. In each drawing, the same reference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts, and this applies throughout the entire specification. In each drawing, the relative dimensional relationships or shapes of each component may differ from those in actuality.

[0012] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the lid body 2 of the cooking device 100 according to the first embodiment is closed. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the lid body 2 of the cooking device 100 according to the first embodiment is open. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the lid body 2 of the cooking device 100 according to the first embodiment is open and the inner lid 30 is removed. FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the cooking device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which a cooking bag 50 is housed in the cooking device 100 according to the first embodiment. For ease of explanation, in FIG. 1, the front-rear direction, which is the depth direction of the cooking device 100, is indicated by the direction of dotted arrows, the left-right direction, which is the width direction of the cooking device 100, is indicated by the direction of solid arrows, and the up-down direction, which is the height direction of the cooking device 100, is indicated by the direction of dashed arrows.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the cooking appliance 100 primarily comprises a main body 1 and a lid 2. The main body 1 has an opening on its top surface, and is configured to accommodate the inner pot 3 through the opening. The main body 1 also includes an inner pot housing 11 that forms a storage space for the inner pot 3. The main body 1 also includes a heating coil 12 located below the bottom of the inner pot housing 11 and a body heater 13 located on the side of the inner pot housing 11, as heating means for induction heating the inner pot 3. The main body 1 also includes a bottom sensor 15 located at the center of the bottom of the inner pot housing 11 to detect the temperature of the inner pot 3, and a power supply board 17 located at the rear of the main body 1 and equipped with a circuit that converts commercial power into high-frequency power and supplies the heating coil 12 and body heater 13 with power. The bottom sensor 15 is, for example, a thermistor. The front of the main body 1 also includes a lid-opening button 16 that is used to release the support structure that secures the lid 2 to the top of the main body 1 in a closed position.

[0014] The lid body 2 comprises an outer lid 20 that covers the entire top surface of the main body 1, and an inner lid 30 that is detachably attached to the underside of the outer lid 20 that faces the main body 1. The outer lid 20 is rotatably connected to the rear of the main body 1 and has a support structure that allows the entire lid body 2 to be rotatably connected to the main body 1 and fixed to the main body 1 while covering the top surface of the main body 1. The inner lid 30 is also located in a position that covers the opening on the top surface of the inner pot 3 when the lid body 2 is fixed in a position that closes the top surface of the main body 1.

[0015] An operation unit 21 that is operated by the user is provided on the top surface of the outer lid 20. The operation unit 21 has various buttons (for example, a low-temperature cooking button 21a and an item selection cross button 21b), and the user can perform various operations of the cooking device 100 by operating the various buttons. The operation unit 21 is connected to an operation board 22 housed inside the outer lid 20. The content of the user's operation on the operation unit 21 is transmitted to a control unit (not shown) via the operation board 22. Specifically, various settings such as a cooking menu (for example, low-temperature cooking) input by the user via the operation unit 21 are transmitted to the control unit.

[0016] 1 is an example, and is not limited to the illustrated configuration and arrangement. For example, the operation unit 21 may be provided on the front surface of the cover 2 or the main body 1.

[0017] The inner pot 3 holds the food to be heated and is cylindrical with a bottom. Specifically, it consists of a bottom 3c, a cylindrical main outer periphery 3a connected to the bottom 3c, and a stepped upper outer periphery 3b that extends outward from the top end of the main outer periphery 3a, with an open top. The upper outer periphery 3b is supported by the edge of the opening on the top surface of the main body 1.

[0018] The upper outer peripheral portion 3b is configured so that the diameter of its cylindrical inner wall is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical inner wall of the main outer peripheral portion 3a. Specifically, the inner diameter Rb of a circle horizontally cutting the upper outer peripheral portion 3b is 1.1Ra of the inner diameter Ra of a circle horizontally cutting the main outer peripheral portion 3a. In other words, the inner hook 3 is configured so that the opening diameter of the upper outer peripheral portion 3b is larger than the opening diameter of the main outer peripheral portion 3a in a plan view.

[0019] As a result, above the main outer peripheral portion 3a, if the inner surface position B at the upper end of the main outer peripheral portion 3a is defined as the inner boundary Sb, a ring-shaped flange space 41 is formed on the inner side of the upper outer peripheral portion 3b and outer side of the boundary Sb.

[0020] The inner pot 3 may have any shape as long as it can accommodate an object to be heated. In the inner pot 3 of this embodiment, the upper outer peripheral portion 3b is stepped relative to the main outer peripheral portion 3a, and the flange space 41 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 4. However, the stepped shape near the opening of the inner pot 3 is not essential for the formation of the flange space 41. For example, the shape of the inner pot 3 may be such that the opening end is curved to widen outward, and the cylindrical outer peripheral portion connected to the bottom portion 3c opens directly without a step. In this case, the portion of the outer peripheral portion excluding the opening end is the main outer peripheral portion 3a, and the curved opening end that widens outward is the upper outer peripheral portion 3b, and a flange space 41 having a generally triangular cross-sectional shape is formed above the main outer peripheral portion 3a.

[0021] In this embodiment, the objects to be heated in the inner pot 3 are water and the cooking bag 50. The cooking bag 50 is a polyethylene bag in which ingredients and seasonings are placed during cooking.

[0022] Although not shown, the cooking device 100 has a control unit that controls cooking. The control unit controls the power supply board 17 based on the detection results of various sensors (such as the lid sensor 23 and bottom sensor 15 described below) and various settings input to the operation unit 21. The control unit is composed of, for example, a processor and memory. Each function of the control unit is realized by the processor executing a program stored in the memory. The control unit stores in advance the control contents of the heating means and the like corresponding to various heating menus. When pack cooking is selected as the cooking menu, the cooking device 100 is configured to carry out a low-temperature cooking process that is predetermined as the control contents of the heating means and the like.

[0023] Next, the structure of the outer lid 20 will be described in detail.

[0024] The outer lid 20 has a connecting portion 26 on the rear side of the main body 1 of the outer lid 20, and this connecting portion 26 is rotatably connected to a hinge portion 14 located at the upper rear of the main body 1. With this structure, the entire lid body 2 is rotatably connected to the main body 1, allowing the opening of the main body 1 to be opened and closed. The lid body 2 is fixed in a position that covers the top surface of the main body 1, thereby enhancing the sealing of the inner pot 3 inside the main body 1. Furthermore, by rotating the lid body 2 to a position that does not cover the top surface of the main body 1, the user can attach the inner pot 3 to the main body 1 or remove it from the main body 1. With the lid body 2 open, the user can place the cooking bag 50 in the inner pot 3 or remove the cooking bag 50 from the inner pot 3. Furthermore, the inner front and rear surfaces of the outer lid 20 are formed with recesses 24 and support portions 25 that engage with the inner lid 30.

[0025] The outer lid 20 has an outer lid recess 27 formed on its underside facing the main body 1, which is a wall surface with a large recess toward the upper side of the outer lid 20. The outer lid recess 27 extends from the center of the underside of the outer lid 20 toward the rear, where the connecting portion 26 connecting to the hinge portion 14 is located. In FIG. 3, the end surface 27a of the outer lid recess 27 facing the inner lid 30 is rectangular. A packing (not shown) is provided on the end surface 27a to provide a buffer between the outer lid 20 and the inner lid 30. The outer lid recess 27 forms a large space (a steam path portion 42, described later) between the outer lid 20 and the inner lid 30 on the main body 1 side. The outer lid recess 27 also has a steam outlet 28, which is an opening that communicates with the outside of the cooking appliance 100, on the upper wall surface of the outer lid recess 27 and on the rear side of the main body 1. In other words, steam outlet 28 is an opening that connects the large space formed between outer lid recess 27 and inner lid 30 with the outside of cooker 100.

[0026] In addition, a lid sensor 23 (see FIG. 5) is provided on the underside of the outer lid 20 to detect the temperature inside the inner pot 3. The lid sensor 23 is configured, for example, by a thermistor. The lid sensor 23 outputs a detected signal to a control unit (not shown).

[0027] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the inner lid 30 of the cooking device 100 according to embodiment 1, viewed from the top side (the outer lid 20 side). Fig. 7 is a top view of the inner lid 30 of the cooking device 100 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view taken along the extension direction of one groove portion 34c of the cooking device 100 according to embodiment 1. Specifically, the cross-section of the cooking device 100 taken along imaginary line L0 shown in Fig. 7 is shown. Next, the structure of the inner lid 30 will be described in detail using Figs. 5 to 8.

[0028] The inner lid 30 is detachably attached to the underside of the outer lid 20, which faces the main body 1. When the lid body 2 is closed over the top of the main body 1, the inner lid 30 closes the upper opening of the inner pot 3, forming a closed cooking space 40 between the inner pot 3 and the inner lid 30. The inner lid 30 is primarily made of a disc-shaped sheet metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, and has a first protrusion 31 formed of a resin material attached to the periphery of the sheet metal, and a second protrusion 32 located opposite the first protrusion 31. The inner lid 30 can be fixed to the outer lid 20 by inserting the first protrusion 31 into the support portion 25 of the outer lid 20 and fastening the second protrusion 32 in the recess 24 of the outer lid 20.

[0029] The sheet metal portion of the inner lid 30 has a recessed inner lid recess 33 that protrudes toward the inner pot 3, and a generally flat plate portion 34 other than the inner lid recess 33. The flat plate portion 34 has a flat peripheral portion 34a around the inner lid recess 33, and a flat portion 34d on which multiple small circular projections and recesses are formed. The flat plate portion 34 is also provided with multiple inner lid steam holes 34b arranged in the peripheral portion 34a that connect the cooking space 40 with the outer lid 20 side, and multiple grooves 34c arranged radially in a plan view.

[0030] The number of inner lid steam holes 34b and grooves 34c provided in the inner lid 30 is not limited to the numbers shown in the figure. The number of inner lid steam holes 34b and the number of grooves 34c provided in the inner lid 30 may be one each.

[0031] 6, a sensor hole 34e is provided in the flat plate portion 34 at the front portion of the inner lid 30, connecting the cooking space 40 with the side of the outer lid 20. The lid sensor 23 (see FIG. 5) is provided in a position where the temperature inside the inner pot 3 can be detected from the sensor hole 34e when the inner lid 30 is attached to the outer lid 20. The sensor hole 34e and the lid sensor 23 may be omitted.

[0032] The inner lid recess 33 is provided so that the metal plate protrudes toward the cooking space 40, forming a recessed shape on the side of the outer lid 20. Specifically, the inner lid recess 33 has a flat bottom surface 33a that is positioned lower than the peripheral portion 34a when the lid body 2 is closed (see FIG. 5), and an inclined portion 33b that inclines from the peripheral portion 34a toward the bottom surface 33a and connects the peripheral portion 34a and the bottom surface 33a.

[0033] The groove 34c is provided in the flat plate portion 34 so that it protrudes toward the outer lid 20 and has a recessed shape on the side facing the cooking space 40. The groove 34c has a flat deepest portion 34c0. The inner surface of the groove 34c is exposed to the cooking space 40. In other words, the space within the groove 34c is connected to the space within the inner pot 3. The groove 34c prevents the cooking bag 50, which expands or rises within the inner pot 3 during pack cooking, from blocking the inner lid steam hole 34b. The function of the groove 34c will be described in detail later.

[0034] The recessed shapes of the inner lid recess 33 and the groove 34c are formed, for example, by drawing a plate-shaped metal material using a metal press. In Figures 7 and 8, as an example, the width W (see Figure 7) of the groove 34c is 9.6 mm, and the depth of the groove 34c is 0.7 mm, which is the same as the depth of the flat portion 34d.

[0035] The width W and depth of the groove 34c are not limited to the above. The width W and depth of the groove 34c are set so that the groove 34c can maintain its function and prevent the inflated or raised cooking bag 50 from entering the groove 34c. For example, the width W of the groove 34c is 9.6 mm or less, and the depth of the groove 34c is 0.7 mm or more, and is adjusted within a range that does not cause interference or other problems when assembling the inner lid 30 with other components (e.g., the outer lid 20).

[0036] Next, the positional relationship between groove portion 34c, which serves as a steam path, inner lid steam hole 34b, inner lid recess 33, and outer lid recess 27 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0037] The inner lid recess 33 is arranged so as to extend from the center of the inner lid 30, which is arranged near the center of the inner pot 3 in a plan view, to the outer periphery of the inner lid 30. Specifically, the inner lid recess 33 is provided in a sheet metal portion forward of the first protrusion 31, and has an oval shape extending rearward from the center of the inner lid 30. The inner lid recess 33 is arranged so as to face the outer lid recess 27 of the outer lid 20 when the inner lid 30 is attached to the outer lid 20.

[0038] The peripheral portion 34a is provided in a position facing the inner lid 30-side end surface 27a (see FIG. 8) of the outer lid recess 27 when the inner lid 30 is attached to the outer lid 20. The peripheral portion 34a contacts the inner lid 30-side end surface 27a (particularly the packing) of the outer lid recess 27, and a portion of the peripheral portion 34a is exposed to the space within the outer lid recess 27. In other words, the peripheral portion 34a forms part of the wall surface that forms a large space (a steam path portion 42 described below) between the outer lid 20 and the inner lid 30.

[0039] A plurality of inner lid steam holes 34b are provided in a portion of the peripheral portion 34a that is exposed to the space within the outer lid recess 27 and that constitutes the center of the inner lid 30. The groove portion 34c is arranged linearly in a plan view so that the deepest portion 34c0 includes one of the plurality of inner lid steam holes 34b. Specifically, one end 34c1 in the extension direction of the groove portion 34c is provided in the peripheral portion 34a so that the deepest portion 34c0 includes the inner lid steam hole 34b, and the other end 34c2 in the extension direction of the groove portion 34c is arranged in a part of the flat plate portion 34 other than the peripheral portion 34a. In other words, one end 34c1 in the extension direction of the groove portion 34c is arranged in the peripheral portion 34a and becomes part of the wall surface that forms the large space (steam path portion 42 described below) between the outer lid 20 and the inner lid 30.

[0040] The outer lid recess 27 of the outer lid 20, the inner lid recess 33 of the inner lid 30, and a portion of the peripheral portion 34a (including the ends 34c1 of the grooves 34c) form a steam path 42 (the large space described above) between the outer lid 20 and the inner lid 30, connecting the steam exhaust port 28 and the multiple inner lid steam holes 34b. A step 34s (see FIG. 7) is formed on the surface of the inner lid 30 facing the outer lid 20 between the peripheral portion 34a and the grooves 34c provided in the peripheral portion 34a. However, a gasket provided on the end face 27a of the outer lid recess 27 of the outer lid 20 contacts both the peripheral portion 34a and the grooves 34c, so that the outer lid 20 and the inner lid 30 are in contact with no gap around the periphery of the steam path 42. Hereinafter, the outer lid recess 27 and the steam exhaust port 28, which are steam paths provided in the outer lid 20, may be referred to as the steam exhaust path P. The steam discharge path P connects the cooking space 40 to the outside of the cooker 100 via the plurality of inner lid steam holes 34b.

[0041] The shape and configuration of steam path section 42 are not limited to those described above. In the present embodiment, steam path section 42 is formed by inner lid 30 and outer lid 20, but steam path section 42 may be configured as a separate component from inner lid 30 and outer lid 20. Also, inner lid recess 33 may not be provided and steam path section 42 may be flat.

[0042] As described above, groove 34c is disposed in the center so that one end 34c1 includes inner lid steam hole 34b at its deepest part 34c0, and in plan view extends from this end 34c1 disposed in the center of inner lid 30 to the outer periphery of inner lid 30, up to the vicinity of the open end of inner pot 3. The arrangement of groove 34c on the outer periphery will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0043] In a plan view, at least a portion of the outer circumferential side of the groove 34c is disposed in the flange space 41 outer than a position B on the inner surface at the upper end of the main outer circumferential portion 3a of the inner hook 3. More specifically, an end 34c2 on the outer circumferential side of the groove 34c is disposed outer than a position B on the inner surface at the upper end of the main outer circumferential portion 3a of the inner hook 3, and inner than an innermost point A where the upper outer circumferential portion 3b and the inner lid 30 come into contact.

[0044] Next, the arrangement of the multiple grooves 34c in the inner lid 30 will be described with reference to the example shown in FIG. 7. The multiple grooves 34c are arranged symmetrically in the left and right halves of the inner lid 30, with the imaginary line L1 that divides the inner lid 30 into left and right halves as the axis of symmetry. In FIG. 7, two sets of grooves 34c arranged symmetrically are provided. Specifically, the left half of the inner lid 30 is provided with a groove 34c (hereinafter also referred to as a first groove) extending leftward from the center, and a groove 34c (hereinafter also referred to as a second groove) extending forward from the center on the left side. Furthermore, the right half of the inner lid 30 is provided with a groove 34c (hereinafter also referred to as a third groove) extending rightward from the center, and a groove 34c (hereinafter also referred to as a fourth groove) extending forward from the center on the right side.

[0045] 7, two inner lid steam holes 34b are provided in the center of the inner lid 30, one on each of the left and right sides. The first and second grooves provided in the left half of the inner lid 30 are connected to each other at their central ends 34c1, and are configured to include a common inner lid steam hole 34b (left inner lid steam hole 34b) at the deepest part 34c0 at the end 34c1. The third and fourth grooves provided in the right half of the inner lid 30 are connected to each other at their central ends 34c1, and are configured to include a common inner lid steam hole 34b (right inner lid steam hole 34b) at the deepest part 34c0 at the end 34c1.

[0046] Of the multiple symmetrically arranged grooves 34c provided on the inner lid 30, at least one pair of grooves 34c is preferably arranged so that the circumferential spacing (angle θ) is 120° or greater. This is because, by widening the spacing (angle θ) between the grooves 34c, even if the cooking bag 50 expands unevenly inside the inner pot 3, steam can be discharged through one of the grooves 34c, ensuring a more reliable effect. Therefore, it is more preferable to arrange the grooves 34c so that they extend in opposite directions from the center of the inner lid 30 in a plan view. Here, the circumferential spacing (angle θ) is the angle at which straight lines extending in the extension directions of the two symmetrically arranged grooves 34c intersect, and the angle θ is 0°<angle θ≦180°, with the intersection point located on the imaginary line L1.

[0047] 7, the first groove extending leftward from the left inner lid steam hole 34b and the third groove extending rightward from the right inner lid steam hole 34b are arranged so that the angle θ is 180°. The second groove extending leftward from the left inner lid steam hole 34b and the fourth groove extending rightward from the right inner lid steam hole 34b are arranged so that the angle θ is 60°.

[0048] Also, in Figure 7, the inner lid 30 has an inner lid recess 33 arranged to extend rearward from the center of the inner lid 30 so as to face the steam exhaust path P (particularly, the outer lid recess 27; see Figure 8), which is arranged to extend rearward from the center of the outer lid 20. For this reason, in Figure 7, each groove 34c is provided in the flat plate portion 34 so as to extend forward from the center of the inner lid 30. Here, the groove 34c extending forward from the center of the inner lid 30 also includes a groove 34c extending directly to the side (left or right) from the center of the inner lid 30.

[0049] The number and arrangement of the grooves 34c are not limited to the above. The number and arrangement of the grooves 34c may be determined depending on the arrangement of structures other than the grooves 34c provided in the inner lid 30, such as the inner lid recess 33 and the sensor hole 34e. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, grooves 34c extending rearward may be provided in each of the left and right halves of the inner lid 30. Also, in the example of FIG. 7, the inner lid 30 may have only one set of symmetrically arranged grooves 34c. The multiple grooves 34c do not have to be symmetrically arranged on the inner lid 30. In this case, it is preferable that any two of the multiple radially arranged grooves 34c are arranged so that the angle θ is 120° or greater. Note that as long as the grooves 34c extend into the flange space 41, there may not be two grooves 34c with an angle θ of 120° or greater.

[0050] 7 has four grooves 34c and two inner lid steam vents 34b, the same number of inner lid steam vents 34b as grooves 34c may be provided. Alternatively, there may be more inner lid steam vents 34b than grooves 34c, with only some of the inner lid steam vents 34b included in the deepest portions 34c0 of the grooves 34c, and the remaining inner lid steam vents 34b located in portions of the peripheral portion 34a where no grooves 34c are provided. The diameter and position of the inner lid steam vents 34b are not important as long as the deepest portions 34c0 of the grooves 34c function as holes to connect the cooking space 40 and the steam path 42.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which the cooking bag 50 is housed in the cooking device 100 according to the first embodiment. The cross-section shown in FIG. 9 is a cross-section along one groove 34c of the cooking device 100 similar to that shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the cooking bag 50 is more expanded than in the case shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 9, the dashed-dotted arrow indicates the flow of steam. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional schematic view showing a cross-section of the groove passing through the inner lid steam hole 34b in the cooking device 100 according to the first embodiment when the cooking bag 50 is expanded. FIG. 10 shows a cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the groove 34c.

[0052] The function of the groove portion 34c will be described in detail below based on FIG. 9 with reference to FIGS. 5, 7 and 10.

[0053] As explained above, the steam path 42 is formed between the inside and outside of the cooker 100 by the outer lid recess 27 of the outer lid 20 formed in the lid body 2, and the inner lid recess 33 and peripheral portion 34a of the inner lid 30 provided at a position opposite the outer lid recess 27. Here, peripheral portion 34a includes end portions 34c1 of one or more groove portions 34c (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, the cooking space 40, which is the interior of the cooker 100, and the steam path 42 are connected by one or more inner lid steam holes 34b, and the outside and the steam path 42 are connected by steam outlet 28.

[0054] When the cooking bag 50 is not in contact with the center of the inner lid 30 (see Figure 5), the steam path section 42 directly takes in steam from inside the inner pot 3 through the inner lid steam hole 34b and discharges the steam to the outside of the heating cooker 100 through the steam exhaust port 28 provided in the outer lid recess 27 of the outer lid 20.

[0055] On the other hand, when the cooking bag 50 is in contact with the center of the inner lid 30, the steam path 42 takes in steam from the inner pot 3 through the inner lid steam hole 34b via the groove 34c and discharges the steam from the steam outlet 28 provided in the outer lid recess 27 of the outer lid 20 to the outside of the cooker 100. In this case, particularly when the cooking bag 50 is in contact with the center of the inner lid 30 and the main outer periphery 3a of the inner pot 3 as shown in Figure 9, the steam path 42 takes in steam from the flange space 41 through the inner lid steam hole 34b via the gap G (see Figure 10) formed by the cooking bag 50 and the groove 34c and discharges the steam from the steam outlet 28 provided in the outer lid recess 27 of the outer lid 20 to the outside of the cooker 100.

[0056] In other words, when steam is released during pack cooking, groove portion 34c is a safety structure that guides steam to inner lid steam hole 34b from the outer periphery of groove portion 34c or flange space 41, which cooking bag 50 cannot reach, when cooking bag 50 unintentionally inflates too much or rises and comes into contact with the center of inner lid 30 so as to cover inner lid steam hole 34b, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0057] Furthermore, because the groove 34c, which is the safety structure, is provided in the inner lid 30 itself, the number of parts can be reduced compared to conventional cases where a safety structure is constructed by attaching a separate part to the inner lid 30. That is, in the cooker 100 according to the present embodiment, the shape of the inner lid 30 provides the effect of a safety structure without adding an extra part that is not necessary during normal cooking when the cooking bag 50 is not in contact with the inner lid 30.

[0058] Fig. 11 is a bottom view illustrating the relationship between the inner lid 30 and the cooking bag 50 in the cooking device 100 according to embodiment 1 when the cooking bag 50 is unevenly inflated inside the inner pot 3. Hereinafter, the operation and effects of the cooking device 100 during pack cooking will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 1 to 11.

[0059] In pack cooking in this embodiment, the user packs the food in advance before operating the cooker 100. Specifically, the user places a cooking bag 50 (see FIG. 5) containing a specific food to be cooked and water in the inner pot 3 shown in FIG. 2. The following describes the operation and effects of the cooker 100 when cooking is performed using the sealed cooking bag.

[0060] After the above-mentioned packing, the user closes the lid body 2 and presses the low-temperature cooking button 21a on the operation unit 21 as shown in FIG.

[0061] Then, the cooking device 100 starts a low-temperature cooking process in which the inner pot 3 is heated by the heating means (specifically, the heating coil 12 and the body heater 13) shown in Fig. 5 to heat the food to be cooked. In the low-temperature cooking process, the water in the inner pot 3 is heated by the heating means, and heat is transferred to the food to be cooked in the cooking bag 50 via the heated water.

[0062] In the low-temperature cooking process, when the cooking bag 50 sealed by the packing is heated, the air remaining in the cooking bag 50 during packing expands due to the heat. When the cooking bag 50 is further heated, it expands by rising upward inside the inner pot 3 to fill the upper space inside the inner pot 3.

[0063] In this case, there is a possibility that the inner lid steam vent 34b provided in the inner lid 30 may be covered and blocked. Therefore, if the expanded cooking bag 50 covers and blocks the inner lid steam vent 34b, the cooking space 40 will become highly pressurized. Furthermore, if the expanded cooking bag 50 covers and blocks the inner lid steam vent 34b, steam cannot be released, which can lead to cooking failure.

[0064] In the cooker 100 according to the present embodiment, the inner lid 30 has a concave shape on the side facing the cooking space 40, and a groove 34c including the inner lid steam vent 34b is formed linearly in a plan view at the deepest part 34c0. Therefore, even if the cooking bag 50 expands below the inner lid steam vent 34b and comes into contact with the center of the inner lid 30, the tension of the cooking bag 50 suppresses the expansion of the cooking bag 50 near the entrance of the groove 34c. This prevents the cooking bag 50 from penetrating into the groove 34c and prevents the cooking bag 50 from reaching the deepest part 34c0. This ensures that the opening of the inner lid steam vent 34b and the space within the groove 34c are secured, allowing steam to be discharged to the outside.

[0065] Furthermore, in the cooker 100 according to the present embodiment, the groove 34c extends to the flange space 41. Therefore, as described with reference to Figures 9 and 10, even if the cooking bag 50 expands over a wide area inside the inner pot 3, the steam inside the inner pot 3 can be guided from the flange space 41 to the inner lid steam hole 34b via the groove 34c, and the steam can be discharged to the outside.

[0066] In this way, the groove portion 34c provided in the inner lid 30 prevents the inflated cooking bag 50 from blocking the inner lid steam hole 34b and the path to the inner lid steam hole 34b, thereby preventing the cooking space 40 from becoming high pressure and allowing pack cooking to be performed safely.

[0067] 7, the inner lid 30 has a plurality of grooves 34c arranged radially. Therefore, if the cooking bag 50 expands unevenly within the cooking space 40 as shown in FIG. 11, even if the cooking bag 50 is in close contact with some of the grooves 34c (for example, the second groove extending from the center of the inner lid 30 to the left front) and the inner surface of the inner pot 3 near the flange space 41 that communicates with these grooves 34c, and steam cannot be exhausted through these grooves 34c, steam can still be exhausted through the other grooves 34c. By arranging the grooves 34c radially in this manner, it is possible to more reliably prevent the cooking space 40 from becoming highly pressurized.

[0068] In the cooking device 100 according to the present embodiment, the structure for achieving the effect of safe steam release during pack cooking is the groove 34c provided in the inner lid 30 itself, which is a component of a typical cooking device. In other words, the safety of pack cooking is achieved by simply changing the shape of the component, without adding any additional components. With this configuration, when the cooking device 100 is equipped with a pack cooking function, the number of components that require user maintenance remains the same, while maintaining the ease of maintenance of the cooking device. In other words, this configuration is easily applicable to conventional cooking devices 100. Furthermore, from the perspective of manufacturing the cooking device 100, reducing the number of components allows for fewer managed components and reduces direct material costs, thereby providing stable quality and enabling efficient manufacturing.

[0069] Furthermore, groove 34c ensures the flow of steam from the inside to the outside of cooking device 100, thereby preventing air outside cooking device 100 (outside air) from flowing back into the inside. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the temperature of the heated object inside inner pot 3 due to the entry of outside air, and reduce cooking failures.

[0070] Furthermore, even if the user accidentally opens the mouth of the cooking bag and starts cooking, the same effect can be obtained even if the open cooking bag 50 rises due to the rise in water level when water boils.

[0071] It should be noted that the cooking device 100 may also be capable of cooking without using the cooking bag 50. The cooking device 100 has, for example, a rice cooking menu as one of its cooking menus, and when the cooking device 100 is used as a rice cooker, the inner lid recess 33 has the function of collecting sticky rice produced in the inner pot 3. The sticky rice produced in the inner pot 3 enters the cooking space 40 together with steam through the inner lid steam hole 34b into the steam path section 42, where it is separated from the steam and collected in the inner lid recess 33. The steam separated from the sticky rice is discharged to the outside through the steam discharge path P.

[0072] As described above, the cooking device 100 according to this embodiment includes an inner pot 3 with an open top, a main body 1 with an opening on the top, which houses the inner pot 3 through the opening and has a heating means for heating the inner pot 3. The cooking device 100 also includes an outer lid 20 that covers the opening of the main body 1, and an inner lid 30 that is detachably attached to the underside of the outer lid 20 and covers the top of the inner pot 3 to form a cooking space 40 between the outer lid 20 and the inner pot 3. The inner lid 30 has one or more inner lid steam holes 34b that communicate with the cooking space 40 and the outer lid 20 side. The inner lid 30 also protrudes toward the outer lid 20 so that the side facing the cooking space 40 is recessed, and has one or more grooves 34c that are linearly arranged in a plan view so that their deepest portions 34c0 include one of the one or more inner lid steam holes 34b. The outer lid 20 has a steam exhaust path P that communicates the cooking space 40 with the outside via one or more inner lid steam holes 34b.

[0073] Thus, the inner lid 30 has a concave shape on the side facing the cooking space 40, and the deepest part 34c0 has one or more grooves 34c arranged linearly in a plan view so as to include one of the one or more inner lid steam holes 34b. The one or more grooves 34c prevent the cooking bag 50, which expands or rises during pack cooking, from blocking the inner lid steam hole 34b and also guide steam to the inner lid steam hole 34b. Therefore, the shape of the inner lid 30 can prevent the cooking space 40 from becoming highly pressurized during pack cooking, without the need to attach a filter member to the inner lid 30 as in conventional cooking. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced, providing a cooking appliance 100 that is easier to clean than conventional cooking appliances.

[0074] In addition, the inner lid 30 has multiple inner lid steam holes 34b and multiple groove portions 34c, and the multiple inner lid steam holes 34b are arranged in the center of the inner lid 30 when viewed in a plane, and the multiple groove portions 34c are arranged so as to extend radially from the center to the outer periphery of the inner lid 30.

[0075] As a result, even if the cooking bag 50 inside the inner pot 3 expands unevenly in the extension direction of one of the grooves 34c, steam can be discharged from the steam discharge path P via the other grooves 34c. In other words, regardless of the uneven position of the expanded or raised cooking bag 50 inside the inner pot 3, it is possible to more reliably prevent the cooking space 40 from becoming high-pressure.

[0076] Furthermore, the outer lid 20 and the main body 1 are connected to each other at the rear so that the outer lid 20 can open and close the opening of the main body 1. The steam exhaust path P is arranged to extend rearward from the center of the outer lid 20 in a plan view. The inner lid 30 has an inner lid recess 33 that is arranged to extend rearward from the center of the inner lid 30 in a plan view, protruding toward the cooking space 40 and having a recessed shape on the outer lid 20 side. One or more inner lid steam holes 34b are provided around the inner lid recess 33 in the center of the inner lid 30, and one or more grooves 34c include grooves 34c (for example, the first groove, second groove, third groove, and fourth groove shown in FIG. 7) that extend forward from the center of the inner lid 30.

[0077] When the inner lid recess 33 extending rearward from the center of the inner lid 30 is provided, spaces are likely to be formed on both sides of the inner lid recess 33 that protrude toward the cooking space 40 when the cooking bag 50 expands, and these spaces can guide steam to the inner lid steam vents 34b. The multiple grooves 34c also include a groove 34c that extends forward from the center of the inner lid 30. Therefore, whether the cooking bag 50 expands biased toward the front or rear in the inner pot 3, the cooking space 40 can be prevented from becoming high-pressure.

[0078] The inner pot 3 has a cylindrical bottom 3c and a cylindrical main outer periphery 3a connected to the bottom 3c, and an upper outer periphery 3b connected to the upper end of the main outer periphery 3a and having an opening diameter larger than that of the upper end of the main outer periphery 3a. Each of the one or more grooves 34c includes one of the inner lid steam holes 34b at its deepest part 34c0 at one end 34c1 in the extension direction in plan view, and is arranged so that its other end 34c2 in the extension direction is located more outer than the inner surface at the upper end of the main outer periphery 3a of the inner pot 3.

[0079] As a result, a portion of the groove 34c is positioned above the flange space 41 in the upper outer peripheral portion 3b of the inner pot 3. Even if the cooking bag 50 expands inside the inner pot 3, the cooking bag 50 is unlikely to penetrate into the flange space 41. Therefore, steam from the cooking space 40 can flow into the groove 34c through the flange space 41, which more reliably prevents the cooking space 40 from becoming high pressure during pack cooking.

[0080] The one or more grooves 34c include two grooves 34c extending in opposite directions, which prevents the cooking space 40 from becoming too high-pressure, whether the cooking bag 50 expands unevenly to one side or the other side in the inner pot 3.

[0081] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described below.

[0082] (Appendix 1) An inner pot with an open top, A main body having an opening on the top surface, which houses the inner pot through the opening, and a heating means for heating the inner pot; an outer lid that covers the opening of the main body; An inner lid is detachably attached to the underside of the outer lid and covers the upper surface of the inner pot so as to form a cooking space between the inner pot and the outer lid. The inner lid is One or more inner lid steam vents communicating the cooking space with the outer lid side; One or more grooves are provided so as to protrude toward the outer lid side and form a recessed shape on the cooking space side, and are arranged linearly in a plan view so as to include one or more of the inner lid steam holes at their deepest portions. The outer lid has a steam exhaust passage that connects the cooking space to the outside via one or more of the inner lid steam holes. Heating cooker. (Appendix 2) The inner lid has a plurality of the inner lid steam holes and a plurality of the groove portions, The plurality of inner lid steam holes are arranged in the center of the inner lid in a plan view, The plurality of grooves are arranged in the inner lid so as to extend radially from the central portion to the outer periphery. 10. The cooking device according to claim 1. (Appendix 3) the outer lid and the main body are connected to each other at a rear portion so that the outer lid can open and close the opening of the main body; The steam discharge channel is arranged to extend rearward from a central portion of the outer lid in a plan view, The inner lid is arranged to extend rearward from the center of the inner lid in a plan view, and has an inner lid recess that protrudes toward the cooking space and has a recessed shape on the outer lid side, One or more of the inner lid steam holes are provided around the inner lid recess in the central portion of the inner lid, The one or more grooves include a groove extending forward from the central portion of the inner lid. 3. A cooking device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The inner kettle is cylindrical and has a bottom, a cylindrical main outer periphery connected to the bottom, and an upper outer periphery connected to an upper end of the main outer periphery and having an opening diameter larger than an opening diameter at the upper end of the main outer periphery, Each of the one or more grooves includes one of the inner lid steam holes at the deepest part at one end in the extension direction in a plan view, and is arranged so that the other end in the extension direction is located outer circumferentially of the inner surface at the upper end of the main outer circumferential part of the inner pot. 4. The cooking device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) The one or more grooves include two grooves extending in opposite directions. 5. The cooking device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 main body, 2 lid body, 3 inner pot, 3a main outer periphery, 3b upper outer periphery, 3c bottom, 11 inner pot storage section, 12 heating coil, 13 body heater, 14 hinge section, 15 bottom sensor, 16 lid opening button, 17 power supply board, 20 outer lid, 21 operation section, 21a low temperature cooking button, 21b item selection cross button, 22 operation board, 23 lid sensor, 24 recess, 25 support section, 26 connection section, 27 outer lid recess, 27a end surface, 28 steam exhaust port, 30 inner lid, 31 first convex section, 32 second convex section, 33 inner lid recess, 33a bottom surface, 33b inclined section, 34 flat section, 34a peripheral section, 34b inner lid steam hole, 34c groove section, 34c0 Deepest part, 34c1 end, 34c2 end, 34d flat part, 34e sensor hole part, 34s ​​step, 40 cooking space, 41 flange space, 42 steam path part, 50 cooking bag, 100 cooking appliance, A point, B position, G gap, L1 virtual line, P steam discharge path, Ra inner diameter, Rb inner diameter, Sb boundary, θ angle.

Claims

1. An inner pot with an open top, A main body having an opening on the top surface, which houses the inner pot through the opening, and a heating means for heating the inner pot; an outer lid that covers the opening of the main body; An inner lid is detachably attached to the underside of the outer lid and covers the upper surface of the inner pot so as to form a cooking space between the inner pot and the outer lid. The inner lid is one or more inner lid steam vents communicating the cooking space with the outer lid side; One or more grooves are provided so as to protrude toward the outer lid side and have a recessed shape on the cooking space side, and are arranged linearly in a plan view so as to include one or more of the inner lid steam holes at their deepest portions. The outer lid has a steam exhaust passage that connects the cooking space to the outside via one or more of the inner lid steam holes. Heating cooker.

2. The inner lid has a plurality of the inner lid steam holes and a plurality of the groove portions, The plurality of inner lid steam holes are arranged in the center of the inner lid in a plan view, The plurality of grooves are arranged in the inner lid so as to extend radially from the central portion to the outer periphery. The cooking device according to claim 1 .

3. the outer lid and the main body are connected to each other at a rear portion so that the outer lid can open and close the opening of the main body; The steam discharge channel is arranged to extend rearward from a central portion of the outer lid in a plan view, The inner lid is arranged to extend rearward from the center of the inner lid in a plan view, and has an inner lid recess that protrudes toward the cooking space and has a recessed shape on the outer lid side, One or more of the inner lid steam holes are provided around the inner lid recess in the central portion of the inner lid, The one or more grooves include a groove extending forward from the central portion of the inner lid. The cooking device according to claim 1 .

4. The inner kettle is cylindrical and has a bottom, a cylindrical main outer periphery connected to the bottom, and an upper outer periphery connected to an upper end of the main outer periphery and having an opening diameter larger than an opening diameter at the upper end of the main outer periphery, Each of the one or more grooves includes one of the inner lid steam holes at the deepest part at one end in the extension direction in a plan view, and is arranged so that the other end in the extension direction is located outer circumferentially of the inner surface at the upper end of the main outer circumferential part of the inner pot. The cooking device according to claim 1 .

5. The one or more grooves include two grooves extending in opposite directions. The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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