Kitchen equipment

Abstract

To provide kitchen equipment that allows for the disposal of food waste without getting your hands dirty. [Solution] The kitchen equipment 10 includes a cabinet section 12 having an internal food waste input space S and an openable / closable door 24 covering the opening 20 of the food waste input space S; a paper pack 14 placed inside the food waste input space to contain the food waste G introduced into the food waste input space from the opening 20; a holder 16 that engages with the paper pack 14 to hold it and is capable of moving between a first position where it is inside the food waste input space S and a second position where it is pulled out of the food waste input space; and a switching mechanism 18 that switches the state of the holder 16 between a holding state in which the paper pack 14 is held and a release state in which the paper pack 14 can be detached from the holder 16. When the holder 16 holds the paper pack 14 in the first position, the input opening 32 of the paper pack 14 faces the opening 20, and when the holder 16 in the holding state moves toward the second position, the switching mechanism 18 switches the state of the holder 16 from the holding state to the release state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to kitchen equipment, and particularly to kitchen equipment having a function of storing food waste.

Background Art

[0002] Waste containing a large amount of moisture discharged from the kitchen, such as waste from food ingredients such as meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits, or uneaten food (hereinafter referred to as "food waste"), is discarded into a triangular corner placed in the sink or into a draining net set in a waste container at the drain of the sink (Patent Documents 1 and 2). When the waste accumulates, it is generally transferred to a small plastic bag or the like and stored in a large outdoor waste container, and then taken out to a waste disposal site on the waste collection day.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When performing general food waste treatment as described above, there is a problem that hands get dirty when removing a draining net in which waste has accumulated from a waste container or setting a new draining net in a waste container at a triangular corner or a drain. Also, when attaching a new draining net to a waste container, the draining net is hooked and set on the upper part of the frame of the waste container. However, during use, if the attached draining net is displaced or detached from the frame, it is necessary to reset the draining net in the waste container, so there is a problem that hands get dirty again.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its objective is to provide kitchen equipment that can process food waste without getting one's hands dirty. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above problems are addressed by the kitchen equipment of the present invention, which comprises: a cabinet section having a food waste input space inside and an openable and closable door covering the opening of the food waste input space; a paper pack disposed within the waste input space to contain food waste introduced into the food waste input space from the opening; a holder that engages with the paper pack to hold it and is capable of moving between a first position where it is inside the food waste input space and a second position where it is pulled out of the food waste input space; and a switching mechanism that switches the state of the holder between a holding state in which the paper pack is held and a release state in which the paper pack can be detached from the holder, wherein when the holder is holding the paper pack in the first position, the input opening of the paper pack faces the opening, and when the holder in the holding state moves toward the second position, the switching mechanism switches the state of the holder from the holding state to the release state.

[0007] According to the kitchen equipment described above, since a paper carton is used as the waste container, there is no need to set up or remove a drain net. Also, by simply activating the switching mechanism, the paper carton can be held in or removed from the holder, making it easy to dispose of food waste without getting your hands dirty.

[0008] Furthermore, the holder has a first member and a second member that hold the paper carton between them, and the switching mechanism has a first biasing member connected to the first member and a sliding member that can slide between a third position and a fourth position. When the holder is in the second position and the sliding member is in the third position, the first biasing member biases the first member toward the side opposite to where the second member is located. When the holder is in the first position and the holder is in a released state and the sliding member is in the fourth position, the sliding member pushes the first member toward the second member against the biasing force of the first biasing member, and the holder is in a held state. With the above configuration, the paper carton can be securely held in the holder. This prevents the paper carton from falling out of the holder while in use. Furthermore, the paper carton attached to the holder can be removed simply by moving the sliding member.

[0009] Furthermore, the switching mechanism has a second biasing member connected to the second member, and it is more preferable that when the slide member is in the fourth position, the second biasing member biases the second member toward the side opposite to the side where the first member is located. With the above configuration, the paper carton can be held securely in the holder without shifting. This prevents the paper carton from falling out of the holder while in use. Furthermore, the paper carton attached to the holder can be removed simply by moving the holder.

[0010] Furthermore, the second member may have an uneven shape, an outer circumference, and be rotatably supported, and the holder may hold the paper pack by sandwiching it between the first member and the outer circumference of the second member, and the switching mechanism may have a rotating part that rotates the second member, and the state of the holder may be switched from a holding state to a released state by the rotation of the outer circumference of the second member by the rotating part. With the above configuration, the paper carton can be firmly held in the holder. This prevents the paper carton from coming out of the holder while it is in use. Furthermore, the paper carton attached to the holder can be removed simply by rotating the second component and moving the holder.

[0011] Furthermore, the paper carton has a base portion with an opening formed therein and a carton body portion attached to the base portion, the holder has a through hole and holds the paper carton by passing the carton body portion through the through hole and locking the base portion to the edge of the through hole, and the switching mechanism has a displacement member that displaces the base portion locked to the edge of the through hole, and the holder may be switched from a held state to a released state by displacing the base portion locked to the edge of the through hole with the displacement member so that it fits inside the through hole. With the above configuration, the paper carton can be easily attached to the holder. Furthermore, the paper carton attached to the holder can be removed simply by displacing the base of the paper carton relative to the holder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide kitchen equipment that allows for the disposal of food waste without getting one's hands dirty. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram of a kitchen equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 1(a) shows the external appearance, Figure 1(b) shows the state when garbage is placed in the paper pack, and Figure 1(c) shows the state when the paper pack is attached or removed. [Figure 2] Figure 1 schematically shows the holder inside the cabinet (first position). Figure 2(a) is a top view, Figure 2(b) is a front view showing cross section AA of Figure 2(a), and Figure 2(c) is a side view showing cross section BB of Figure 2(a). [Figure 3A] Figure 1 schematically shows the holder in the first position, Figure 3A(a) is a top view, and Figure 3A(b) is a side view showing cross-section II of Figure 3A(a). [Figure 3B] Figure 1 schematically shows the holder in the second position in a released state. Figure 3B(a) is a top view, and Figure 3B(b) is a side view showing the II-II cross-section of Figure 3B(a). [Figure 3C] Figure 1 schematically shows the holder in the first position in the released state. Figure 3C(a) is a top view, and Figure 3C(b) is a side view showing cross-section II of Figure 3C(a). [Figure 4] Figures 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams showing a modified example 1 of the switching mechanism. Figure 4(a) is a top view of the holder in the released position at the second position, and Figure 4(b) is a side view showing the III-III cross-section of Figure 4(a). [Figure 5A]It is a schematic diagram showing a second modification of the switching mechanism in FIGS. 3A to 3C. FIG. 5A(a) is a top view of the holder in the holding state at the first position, and FIG. 5A(b) is a side view showing the IV-IV cross section of FIG. 5A(a). [Figure 5B] It is a schematic diagram showing a second modification of the switching mechanism in FIGS. 3A to 3C. FIG. 5B(a) is a top view of the holder in the holding release state at the second position, and FIG. 5B(b) is a side view showing the V-V cross section of FIG. 5B(a). [Figure 5C] It is a schematic diagram showing a second modification of the switching mechanism in FIGS. 3A to 3C. FIG. 5C(a) is a top view of the holder in the holding release state at the first position, and FIG. 5C(b) is a side view showing the IV-IV cross section of FIG. 5C(a). [Figure 6A] It is a schematic diagram showing a third modification of the switching mechanism in FIGS. 3A to 3C, and is a top view of the holder in the holding state at the first position. [Figure 6B] It is a schematic diagram showing a third modification of the switching mechanism in FIGS. 3A to 3C, and is a top view of the holder in the holding release state at the second position. [Figure 6C] It is a schematic diagram showing a third modification of the switching mechanism in FIGS. 3A to 3C, and is a top view of the holder in the holding release state at the first position. [Figure 7A] It is a schematic diagram showing a fourth modification of the holder and the switching mechanism in FIGS. 3A to 3C. FIG. 7A(a) is a top view of the holder in the holding state at the first position, and FIG. 7A(b) is a side view showing the VI-VI cross section of FIG. 7A(a). [Figure 7B] It is a schematic diagram showing a fourth modification of the holder and the switching mechanism in FIGS. 3A to 3C. FIG. 6B(a) is a top view of the holder in the holding release state at the second position, and FIG. 7B(b) is a side view showing the VII-VII cross section of FIG. 7B(a). [Figure 8A] It is a schematic diagram showing a fifth modification of the holder and the switching mechanism in FIGS. 3A to 3C, and is a top view of the holder in the holding state at the first position. [Figure 8B]It is a schematic diagram showing a modification example 5 of the holder and the switching mechanism in FIGS. 3A to 3C, and is a top view of the holder in the holding release state at the second position.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] <<Regarding the kitchen equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention>> Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, this embodiment) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, for the sake of easy understanding of the description, the structures of each member are illustrated in a simplified and schematic manner. Also, the sizes (dimensions) of each member shown in the drawings and the intervals between members, etc. are also different from the actual ones.

[0015] Also, in this specification, when explaining the position, orientation, and posture, etc. of each part of the kitchen equipment, unless otherwise specified, the position, orientation, and posture, etc. when the kitchen equipment is in the use state (for easy understanding, when the garbage is stored) will be explained. Also, in this specification, "horizontal", "vertical", "orthogonal", and "parallel" include the range of errors generally allowed in the technical field of the present invention, and also include the state of being deviated within a range less than several degrees (for example, 2 to 3°) with respect to strict horizontal, vertical, orthogonal, and parallel.

[0016] Also, hereinafter, three mutually orthogonal directions will be referred to as the XYZ directions. The Z direction is the vertical direction of the kitchen equipment and corresponds to the vertical direction when the kitchen equipment is in use. The X direction is the direction in which the holder is pulled or pushed in, and corresponds to the front-rear direction of the kitchen equipment. The Y direction is the width direction of the kitchen equipment and corresponds to the direction (intersecting direction) orthogonal to the X direction and the Z direction.

[0017] <<Configuration example of the kitchen equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention>> The kitchen equipment of the present invention is used, for example, to temporarily store food waste generated in the kitchen of a house or the like. In the following description, we will use the case of a kitchen unit (a so-called system kitchen) with an integrated stove and sink installed in a typical house as an example. The kitchen equipment of the present invention can also be used in buildings other than houses, such as shops, factories, or commercial facilities.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1(a) to 1(c), the kitchen equipment according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as kitchen equipment 10) includes a paper pack 14 for storing food waste and a holder 16 for holding the paper pack 14 inside a cabinet section 12 that is integrated with a stove and sink (food waste input space S). As shown in Figure 1(b), the user can open the door 24 located on the top surface of the cabinet 12 and put waste into the paper bag 14 attached to the holder 16. Also, as shown in Figure 1(b) or (c), the holder 16 can be pulled forward to attach and detach the paper bag 14. In this embodiment, instead of pulling out the holder 16 to install the paper pack 14, it is also possible to open the door 24 on the top surface of the cabinet 12 and install the paper pack 14 into the holder 16 stored inside.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2(a) to 2(c), the shape of the food waste input space S contained within the cabinet section 12 is a rectangular parallelepiped, having approximately the same size as the holder 16 in the front-to-back and width directions, and is provided to completely accommodate the holder 16.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1(a) to 1(c), the cabinet section 12 has multiple openings 20 and 22 leading to multiple food waste input spaces S. The opening 20 is provided on the top surface of the cabinet section 12 and is covered by a door 24 that can be opened and closed in the vertical direction. The opening 22 is provided on the front of the cabinet section 12 and is covered by a door 26 (a door for the holder 16, described later) that can move in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figure 2(b), rails 23 are provided at both ends of the opening 22 in the width direction to support the holder 16, described later, so that it can move in the front-to-back direction.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the paper pack 14 has a base portion 28 and a pack body portion 30. The base portion 28 has an opening 32 for food waste G, and the periphery of this opening 32 is made of cardboard. The pack body portion 30 is attached to the base portion 28 and can store the food waste G that is put in through the opening 32.

[0022] The shape and size of the paper pack 14, specifically the input opening 32 and periphery of the base portion 28, and the shape and size of the pack body portion 30, are not limited as long as they can be engaged with the holder 16 described later. Furthermore, the materials of these materials are not particularly limited as long as they can be engaged with the holder 16 and can be disposed of as combustible waste along with food waste. For example, commercially available dust collection paper packs used in vacuum cleaners can be used.

[0023] The holder 16 is made of steel and, as shown in Figures 2(a) to (c), has a door 26, a through hole 34 large enough to allow the pack body 30 of the paper pack 14 to pass through, and an edge 36 near the through hole 34 into which the base 28 can be locked. The edge 36 is integrated with the back of the door 26 so as to divide the food waste input space S almost horizontally into upper and lower sections. Both ends of the edge portion 36 are configured to engage with rails 23 provided inside the cabinet portion 12. This allows the holder 16 to move freely between a first position where it is inside the food waste input space S and a second position where it is pulled out from the food waste input space S. As shown in Figures 2(b) and (c), a tray 27 is provided at the bottom of the holder 16 in the food waste input space S to receive moisture from the food waste. The shape of the tray 27 is not particularly limited and may be a container that can be removed from the holder 16 and receive the paper carton 14 that has fallen in.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(c), the edge portion 36 supports the first member 38 and the second member 40 in a state where they are movable in a direction that separates them from each other in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 3A, the first member 38 and the second member 40 are configured to hold the paper pack 14, which is placed on the edge 36, horizontally by sandwiching it from the front and rear directions. More specifically, the first member 38 and the second member 40 are made of convex rectangular members that are longer than the length of the through hole 34 in the Y direction, and their respective corners are configured to sandwich the end of the base portion 28 of the paper pack 14 in the front and rear directions. In this embodiment, the first member 38 corresponds to a member located at the rear (the rear side of the cabinet 12), and the second member 40 corresponds to a member located at the front (the front side of the cabinet 12).

[0025] The first member 38 is supported by the edge 36 of the holder 16 and is connected to the first biasing member 42, which will be described later. The second member 40 is supported by the edge 36 of the holder 16 and has a protrusion 39 that contacts the slide member 44, which will be described later. The protrusion 39 protrudes on the side opposite to the first member 38.

[0026] The kitchen equipment 10 further includes a switching mechanism 18 that switches the state in which the holder 16 holds the paper pack 14. The switching mechanism 18 includes a first biasing member 42 connected to a first member 38 of the holder 16, and a sliding member 44 that can slide in the width direction, and can switch the state of the holder 16 between a holding state in which the paper pack 14 is held (Figure 3A) and a release state in which the paper pack 14 can be detached from the holder 16 (Figures 3B and 3C).

[0027] The first biasing member 42 is made of a coil spring and is installed inside the cabinet section 12 so as to press the end of the paper pack 14 attached to the first member 38 in the front-rear direction. This coil spring is a general-purpose compression coil spring in which a metal wire is wound spirally at predetermined intervals in the axial direction, with its front end connected to the first member 38 and its rear end connected to the inner wall of the cabinet section 12. When the holder 16 is fully housed in the cabinet 12 (first position), the coil spring is compressed and biased forward (in other words, in the direction of pushing the first member 38) as shown in Figures 3A(a) and (b) (see arrow). On the other hand, when the holder 16 is pulled out (second position), the coil spring is extended and a restoring force acts, biasing it backward (in other words, in the direction of pulling the first member 38) as shown in Figures 3B(a) and (b) (see arrow).

[0028] The sliding member 44 is provided with an operating portion 44a and a pressing portion 44b that contacts the protrusion 39 of the second member 40 and presses the second member 40 toward the first member 38, via the door 26 of the holder 16. The operating unit 44a controls the movement of the pressing unit 44b, and the pressing unit 44b is configured to slide between a position where it does not contact the protrusion 39 of the second member 40 (third position) and a position where it contacts and presses the second member 40 toward the first member 38 (fourth position) by the operation of the operating unit 44a. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3A(a) and (b), when the holder 16 is in the position where it is completely housed inside the cabinet section 12 (first position), the opening 32 of the paper pack 14 to be held faces the opening 20 of the cabinet section 12.

[0029] When the holder 16 is in the first position and the paper pack 14 is placed between the first member 38 and the second member 40, the operating part 44a is operated to move the pressing part 44b to a position (third position) where it does not engage with the protrusion 39 of the second member 40 (see Figure 3C). At this time, the paper pack 14 is held on the edge 36, but is not tightly gripped. In other words, it is not completely held by the holder 16. In this embodiment, when the paper pack 14 is held lightly in this way, the holder 16 is considered to be in a released state. In other words, when the holder 16 is in the first position and the slide member 44 is in the third position, the first biasing member 42 biases the first member 38 toward the side opposite to the side where the second member 40 is located, so that the holder 16 is in a released state.

[0030] On the other hand, after placing the paper pack 14 on the edge 36 of the holder 16 in the first position, operating the operating unit 44a to move the pressing unit 44b to a position (fourth position) where it engages with the protrusion 39 of the second member 40 (see Figure 3A(a)) causes the pressing unit 44b to push the second member 40 toward the first member 38, and the first member 38 is pushed toward the second member 40 against the biasing force of the first biasing member 42, so that the paper pack 14 can be firmly held in the holder 16. In other words, the holder 16 switches to the holding state. In other words, when the holder 16 is in the first position and the slide member 44 is in the fourth position, the slide member 44 pushes the first member 38 toward the second member 40 against the biasing force of the first biasing member 42, thereby maintaining the state of the holder 16.

[0031] Furthermore, when the holder 16, which is in the first position and in a holding state, is moved toward the position where it has been pulled out of the food waste input space S (second position), the first biasing member (coil spring) 42 extends, and a restoring force acts, biasing it backward (in other words, in the direction that pulls the first member 38) as shown in Figures 3B(a) and (b) (see arrow). As a result, the paper carton 14 that was being held falls from the holder 16. In other words, the state of the holder 16 can be switched from a holding state to a released state. In other words, when the holder 16 is in the second position and the slide member 44 is in the third position, the first biasing member 42 biases the first member 38 toward the side opposite to the side where the second member 40 is located, so that the holder 16 is in a released state.

[0032] Furthermore, when the holder 16 is in the second position and the slide member 44 is in the third position, the first member 38 and the second member 40 are in a state where they can lightly hold the paper pack 14 on the edge 36 of the holder 16, similar to the case described above when the holder 16 is in the first position and the slide member 44 is in the third position. In this state, by placing the paper pack 14 between the first member 38 and the second member 40, moving the holder 16 to the second position (state shown in Figure 3C), and switching the slide member 44 to the fourth position, the paper pack 14 can be firmly held in the holder 16, as shown in Figure 3A.

[0033] According to the present invention, food waste can be processed without getting your hands dirty. Specifically, since you do not need to use your hands to remove the waste container or to have the drain net shift or come off the frame, food waste can be processed without having to install a waste container.

[0034] <<Regarding other embodiments>> Although one embodiment of the kitchen equipment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is merely an example to facilitate understanding of the present invention and does not limit it. In other words, the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0035] Furthermore, other embodiments (modified versions) of the present invention that differ from the embodiments described above are conceivable. The modified versions will be described below. In the following, the differences from the embodiments described above will be the main focus, and common points will be omitted from the explanation.

[0036] (Example 1 of the switching mechanism) In the above embodiment, the first biasing member 42 of the switching mechanism 18 was attached to the first member 38 and the inside of the cabinet portion 12. However, it is not limited to this, as long as it can bias the first member 38 to be pushed forward when the holder 16 is in the first position, and bias the first member 38 to be pulled backward when the holder 16 is in the second position. For example, as shown in Figures 4(a) and (b), the first member 38 and the first biasing member 42 may be connected via a wire 45 and a spring 46 provided inside the cabinet portion 12, and the first biasing member 42 may be attached to the back of the door 26 of the holder 16 in the lower space S1 of the edge 36 of the holder 16.

[0037] (Modified example of the switching mechanism 2) The switching mechanism 18 according to the above embodiment consisted of a first biasing member 42 and a sliding member 44 connected to a first member 38. However, it is not limited to this, and may further have a second biasing member 43 and a locking portion 55, as shown in Figures 5A to 5C. The second biasing member 43, like the first biasing member 42, is made of a coil spring and, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, is attached to the second member 40 and the back of the door 26 of the holder 16 so as to press the end of the paper pack 14 attached to the second member 40 horizontally toward the first member 38. The front end of this coil spring is connected to the back of the door 26 of the holder 16, and the rear end is connected to the second member 40. When the holder 16 is in the first position and the slide member 44 is in the third position, the second biasing member (coil spring) 43 acts with a biasing force forward (in other words, in the direction that pulls the second member 40 toward the door 26), as shown in Figures 5C(a) and (b). On the other hand, when the slide member 44 is in the fourth position, as shown in Figures 5A(a) and (b), it extends in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and a restoring force acts. The locking portion 55 is provided on the inner wall of the cabinet 12 so as to contact the end of the first member 38 from the rear of the first member 38 and prevent the first member 38 from moving backward.

[0038] When the holder 16 is in the first position and the slide member 44 is in the fourth position, as shown in Figures 5A(a) and (b), the locking portion 55 prevents the first member 38 from moving backward, and the slide member 44 is held in place by the second biasing member 43 pushing the second member 40 in the direction of the arrow in the figure toward the side opposite to where the first member 38 is located, or in other words, by biasing it. Furthermore, when the holder 16 is in the first position and the slide member 44 is in the third position, the paper pack 14 is not completely held by the holder 16, similar to the case in Figure 3C. In other words, the holder 16 is in a released state (see Figures 5C(a) and (b)).

[0039] Furthermore, when the holder 16, which is in the first holding position, is moved toward the second position, the first biasing member (coil spring) 42 extends, and a restoring force acts, and as shown in Figures 5B(a) and (b), a biasing force acts backward (in other words, in the direction of pulling the first member 38), and the second biasing member 43 acts forward (in other words, in the direction of pulling the second member 40 toward the door 26). As a result, the paper pack 14 that was being held falls from the holder 16. In other words, the state of the holder 16 can be switched from a holding state to a released state. With this configuration, the paper pack 14 can be removed by pulling the holder 16 forward, as in the above embodiment (see Figure 1(c)), but the paper pack 14 can be installed by opening the door 24 provided on the top surface of the cabinet 12 (see Figure 1(b)).

[0040] (Modified holder and switching mechanism 3) In the holder 16 according to the above embodiment, the first member 38 and the second member 40 were arranged to sandwich the paper carton 14 in the front-to-back direction. However, the arrangement of the first member 38 and the second member 40 is not limited to this, as long as the paper carton 14 can be sandwiched. For example, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the paper carton 14 may be sandwiched in the width direction (left-to-right direction).

[0041] In this embodiment, the holder 16A has a first member 38A and a second member 40A that sandwich and hold the paper pack 14 in the width direction. The first member 38A and the second member 40A are fixed to the inner wall surfaces 12a and 12c of the cabinet portion 12, respectively, and can sandwich both ends of the base portion 28 of the paper pack 14. In this embodiment, the first member 38A corresponds to the member located on the right side of the cabinet section 12, and the second member 40A corresponds to the member located on the left side of the cabinet section 12. Therefore, the paper pack 14 can be removed by pulling the holder 16 forward, as in the above embodiment (see Figure 1(c)), but it is installed by opening the door 24 provided on the top surface of the cabinet section 12 (see Figure 1(b)).

[0042] The first member 38A is fixed to the inner wall surface 12a of the cabinet portion 12 via a plurality of first biasing members 42A. It is also provided with a protrusion 39A that contacts the slide member 44A. The second member 40A is fixed to the inner wall surface 12b that faces the inner wall surface 12a. The first biasing member 42A is connected at one end to the inner wall surface 12a of the cabinet portion 12 and at the other end to the first member 38A. The number of first biasing members 42A is not particularly limited as long as they can hold the first member 38A against the inner wall surface 12a.

[0043] When the holder 16 is in the first position and the slide member 44A is in the third position, the first biasing member (coil spring) 42A exerts a biasing force to the right (in other words, in the direction that pulls the first member 38 toward the inner wall surface 12a), as shown in Figure 6C. At this time, the holder 16 is not holding the paper pack 14 completely, similar to the state shown in Figure 3C. On the other hand, when the slide member 44A is in the fourth position, the pressing portion 44b pushes the convex portion 39A of the first member 38A toward the second member 40A, causing the coil spring to extend in the direction of the arrow in the figure, as shown in Figure 6A. This allows the paper pack 14 to be sandwiched between the first member 38A and the second member 40A without slippage.

[0044] Furthermore, when the holder 16, which is in the first position, is moved toward the second position, as shown in Figure 6B, the pressing portion 44b of the sliding member 44A detaches from the protrusion 39A, the first biasing member 42A compresses, and a gap is created between the paper pack 14 and the first member 38A. As a result, the first member 38A is pulled toward the inner wall surface 12a, the paper pack 14 detaches from the second member 40A, and can fall into the through hole of the holder 16.

[0045] (Modified holder and switching mechanism 4) In the modified example 3, the second member 40A was fixed to the inner wall surface 12a of the cabinet portion 12, but is not limited to this. For example, the second member 40A may be a second member 40B using gears. In this embodiment, the holder 16B has a second member 40B which is a rotatably supported member having an outer circumference with an uneven shape, for example, a gear. The holder 16B holds the end of the paper pack 14 by sandwiching it between the outer circumference of the gear, specifically between the recess of the gear and the first member 38A, as shown in Figure 7A(b). Furthermore, the switching mechanism 18B has a dial (rotating part) 50 that rotates the second member 40B, and as shown in Figure 7B(b), by rotating the outer circumference of the second member 40B with the dial 50, the end of the paper pack 14 is released from the recess of the gear, and the state of the holder 16B can be switched from the holding state to the release state.

[0046] (Modified holder and switching mechanism 5) In the above embodiment, the holder 16 was configured such that the first member 38 and the second member 40 sandwiched the paper pack 14 in the front-to-back direction. However, it is not limited to this configuration as long as the paper pack 14 can be held on the holder. For example, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the holder 16C may have a through hole 34A, through which the pack body 30 passes, and the base portion 28 is engaged with the edge portion 36 of the through hole 34A to hold the paper pack 14.

[0047] As shown in Figure 8A, the through-hole 34A of the holder 16C is provided in a rectangular shape and is formed at an angle of about 30° to one end of the edge 36. As a result, when one end of the paper pack 14 is placed parallel to one end of the edge 36, the corner portion of the paper pack 14 is locked in place by the edge 36 of the holder 16C, preventing it from falling.

[0048] Furthermore, the switching mechanism of this modified example includes a displacement member 51 that displaces a base portion 28 locked to the edge portion 36 of the through hole 34A. Specifically, the displacement member 51 is a frame having a larger inner circumference than the paper pack 14 and is rotatably mounted on the edge portion 36. On the front and rear of the displacement member 51, third biasing members (coil springs) 52A and 52B are provided on the edge portion 36, such that when the holder 16C is fully housed in the cabinet portion 12, a biasing force is generated in the direction that one corner of the displacement member 51 moves backward or forward. In addition, a switching button 54 for rotating the displacement member 51 is provided on the front of the door 26 of the holder 16, and when the switching button 54 is pressed, its tip rotates the frame in a certain direction by a predetermined angle (for example, about 30 degrees).

[0049] When the holder 16C is in the first holding position, pressing the switch button 54 causes the displacement member 51 to rotate slightly, and the corners 51a and 51b of the displacement member 51 come into contact with the inner wall surfaces 12a and 12c of the cabinet part 12, stopping the rotation. Then, when the holder 16C is moved from the first position to the second position, the contact between the corners 51a and 51b is released, the third biasing members 52A and 52B extend, and the displacement member 51 holding the paper pack 14 rotates further. As a result, the base part 28, which is locked to the edge 36 of the through hole 34, is displaced so that it fits inside the through hole 34. As a result, the state of the holder 16C switches from the holding state to the release state, and the paper pack 14 can be dropped into the through hole of the holder 16C. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 10 Kitchen Equipment 12 Cabinet section 12a~12c Interior wall surface 14 paper cartons 16, 16A, 16B, 16C holder 18, 18A, 18B, 18C switching mechanism 20, 22 aperture 23 rails Doors 24 and 26 27. Drip tray 28 Base section 30 packs (main unit) 32 Inlet 34, 34A through hole 36 Edge 38, 38A First member 39, 39A protrusion 40, 40A, 40B Second Member 42, 42A First biasing member (coil spring) 43. Second biasing member (coil spring) 44 Sliding member 44a Control unit 44b Pressing part 45 wires 46 Spring 50 Dial (rotating part) 51 Variable component (frame) 51a, 51b corner 52A, 52B Third biasing member (coil spring) 54 Switch button 55 Locking part S, S1 Food waste storage space G Food waste

Claims

1. A cabinet section having an internal space for disposing of food waste, and a door that can be opened and closed covering the opening of the food waste disposal space, A paper carton is placed within the aforementioned waste input space and contains the food waste that is put into the food waste input space through the opening, A holder that engages with the paper pack to hold it, and is capable of moving between a first position where it is inside the food waste input space and a second position where it is pulled out from the food waste input space, The holder includes a switching mechanism that switches the state of the holder between a holding state in which the paper pack is held and a release state in which the paper pack can be detached from the holder. When the holder holds the paper pack in the first position, the opening of the paper pack faces the opening. Kitchen equipment wherein, when the holder, which is in the holding state, moves toward the second position, the switching mechanism switches the state of the holder from the holding state to the released state.

2. The holder has a first member and a second member that hold the paper carton in place. The switching mechanism includes a first biasing member connected to the first member and a sliding member that can slide between a third position and a fourth position. When the holder is in the second position and the slide member is in the third position, the first biasing member biases the first member toward the side opposite to the side where the second member is located, and the holder is in the released state. The kitchen equipment according to claim 1, wherein when the holder is in the first position and the slide member is in the fourth position, the slide member pushes the first member toward the second member against the biasing force of the first biasing member, and the holder is in the holding state.

3. The kitchen equipment according to claim 2, wherein the switching mechanism has a second biasing member connected to the second member, and when the sliding member is in the fourth position, the second biasing member biases the second member toward the side opposite to the side where the first member is located.

4. The second member has an outer periphery with an uneven shape and is rotatably supported. The holder holds the paper pack by sandwiching it between the first member and the outer periphery of the second member. The kitchen equipment according to claim 2, wherein the switching mechanism has a rotating part that rotates the second member, and the outer circumference of the second member rotates by the rotating part, thereby switching the state of the holder from the holding state to the releasing state.

5. The paper pack has a base portion in which the opening is formed and a pack body portion attached to the base portion. The holder has a through hole, and holds the paper pack by passing the pack body through the through hole and engaging the base portion with the edge of the through hole. The kitchen equipment according to claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism has a displacement member that displaces a base portion locked to the edge of the through hole, and the state of the holder is switched from the holding state to the releasing state by displacing the base portion locked to the edge of the through hole with the displacement member so that it fits inside the through hole.

Images