Rice washing machine
The rice washing and cooking machine with integrated components and selectable operation modes addresses the time inefficiency in existing systems by reducing the overall process duration and enhancing productivity.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ISEKI & CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
Smart Images
Figure 2026105582000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a rice washing and cooking machine that automatically performs operations from rice washing to cooking rice.
Background Art
[0002] In a rice washing and cooking machine in which two rice washing and cooking machines are installed side by side, and a single rice storage bin 1 and a rice washing machine move horizontally and sequentially cook rice, a technique of performing an immersion process both in the rice washing machine and the rice cooking pot is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] An object of the present invention is to further shorten the total time of the rice washing process and the rice cooking process in the above rice washing and cooking machine.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The present invention includes a single rice storage bin for storing rice, a single rice washing machine for washing rice, and a plurality of rice cooking pots. The rice cooking pots are installed side by side left and right. The rice storage bin and the rice washing machine are integrated and move above the rice cooking pots to supply rice and water from the rice washing machine to a predetermined rice cooking pot. In the rice washing and cooking machine, a weighing process for supplying the weighed rice for cooking to the rice washing machine, a rice washing process for washing the rice with the rice washing machine, and an immersion process after the rice washing process 、 a series of rice washing and cooking operations including a rice cooking process by the rice cooking pot and a mashing process by the rice cooking pot after the rice cooking process are performed, and a normal continuous mode in which the set number of pots is continuously subjected to the rice washing and cooking operation, and a time-saving continuous mode in which the steaming process in the series of rice washing and cooking operations is omitted and the set number of pots is continuously subjected to the rice washing and cooking operation in a cycle shorter than the normal continuous mode can be selected. do It is a rice washing and cooking machine characterized by the above. [Effects of the Invention]
[0006] This invention makes it possible to shorten the total time for the rice washing process and the rice cooking process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0007] [Figure 1] Rice washing and cooking machine viewed from the front [Figure 2] A side view showing the process of pulling out the rice cooker pot, removing the lid and inner pot, and transferring them to the warming pot. [Figure 3] A side view of the inside of the rice storage facility. [Figure 4] Rice washing and cooking machine viewed from above [Figure 5] Diagram showing the inside of a rice washing machine [Figure 6] Diagram showing normal continuous mode and time-saving continuous mode. [Figure 7] Block diagram [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0008] This section explains the components of a rice washing and cooking machine.
[0009] A rice washing machine M consisting of a conical rice washing tank 2 is installed at the bottom of a rice storage facility 1 which has a rice storage hopper 3 inside.
[0010] The rice storage unit 1 and the rice washing machine M are supported together by the machine frame 4.
[0011] A rice cooker pot S is installed below the rice washing tank 2. In this embodiment, two rice cooker pots S are installed side by side, and the rice storage compartment 1 and the rice washing tank 2 are configured to slide along the machine frame 4 above the left and right rice cooker pots S.
[0012] Figure 1 shows the rice cooker pot SR on the right in its normal cooking position, while the rice cooker pot SL on the left has its top lid 5L removed and is facing forward.
[0013] On the front side wall of the rice storage bin 1, an operation panel B for setting various operation switches and operation conditions is provided. The operation panel B incorporates a control unit C.
[0014] At the lower end of the rice storage hopper 3, a rotary valve 6 for feeding rice to the rice washing tank 2 in predetermined amounts is provided. Inside the rice washing tank 2, a lifting shaft 7 extending vertically and moving up and down in the vertical direction, and a rotating shaft 8 rotating about the vertical axis with respect to the lifting shaft 7 are provided. At the lower end of the lifting shaft 7, a conical dropping valve 9 is provided. The dropping valve 9 is configured to open and close the discharge port 10 at the lower end of the rice washing tank 2 by moving up and down. A stirring rod 11 for stirring the rice in the rice washing tank 2 is attached to the rotating shaft 8.
[0015] A drainage unit Y is attached to the lower part of the rice washing tank 2. The drainage unit Y includes a drain pipe 12 through which the water drained from the rice washing tank 2 passes, a drain valve 13 for opening and closing the drain pipe 12, and an overflow pipe 14 through which the water overflowing from the upper part of the rice washing tank 2 passes.
[0016] Water supply to the rice washing tank 2 is provided by a water supply pipe 15 that supplies water to the lower part of the rice washing tank 2 in a posture along the side wall of the rice washing tank 2.
[0017] The operation panel B is provided with various setting switches for setting the amount of rice for cooking and the amount of water adjustment, a normal continuous mode setting switch r for setting the normal continuous mode described later, and a short-time continuous mode setting switch j for setting the short-time continuous mode.
[0018] The rice cooker S has a lid 5 at the upper part and an inner pot 20 inside. A shutter 22 that slides in the left-right direction is formed as part of the lid 5 along with the left-right sliding movement of an opening and closing arm 21 that engages with a handle 5a at the upper part of the lid 5. When the shutter 22 is opened, it becomes possible to supply the rice and water that fall and are discharged from the discharge port 10 of the rice washing tank 2, and when the shutter 22 is closed, the cooking operation becomes possible. The lid 5 can be removed by releasing the engagement with the opening and closing arm 21.
[0019] In this embodiment, when explaining the case where it is not specified as left or right, the rice cooker is referred to as rice cooker S, and the rice cookers specified as either left or right (right rice cooker SR and left rice cooker SL) are so called. Similarly, the lid 5 is also denoted as 5R and 5L, and the inner pot 20 is also denoted as 20R and 20L.
[0020] Based on FIG. 6, the normal continuous mode will be described. The normal continuous mode is a mode in which the right rice cooker SR and the left rice cooker SL are alternately and continuously used for cooking rice.
[0021] The rotary valve 6 is driven to perform a metering process of supplying the rice in the rice storage 1 to the rice washer M.
[0022] Water is supplied to the rice washer M, and the rice washing operation is performed by the stirring rod 11. When the rice washing operation is completed, the stirring rod 11 stops, the drain valve 13 opens, and the water in the rice washer M is drained from the drainage unit Y, and the rice washing process ends.
[0023] After the completion of the rice washing process, new water is supplied, and a soaking process a for soaking the rice is performed.
[0024] When the soaking process a is completed, the dropping valve 9 opens and the shutter 22R opens, and a dropping process is performed in which the rice and water in the rice washer M are supplied to the inner pot 20R of the right rice cooker SR. After the rice cooker SR undergoes a soaking process b for a predetermined time, the rice cooker SR is ignited and the rice cooking process is performed. In this embodiment, the soaking process a performed by the rice washer M and the soaking process b performed by the rice cooker S are separated, and the soaking process is performed for a total set time. However, it is also possible to perform the dropping process and then the rice cooking process after all the soaking time (soaking process a + soaking process b) has elapsed in the rice washer M.
[0025] After the completion of the rice cooking process, after passing through the unevenness process, the entire process of the first pot ends. As shown in FIG. 2, the operator pulls out the drawer 30 on which the rice cooker SR is placed, then takes out the lid 5R and the inner pot 20R, transfers them into the warming pot 31, and then closes them with the lid 31a of the warming pot 31 to enter the warming state.
[0026] After the first batch of rice is dropped into the container, the rotary valve 6 is activated to perform a weighing process, supplying the rice from the rice storage container 1 to the rice washing machine M. Water is supplied to the rice washing machine M, and the rice is washed using the stirring rod 11. When the rice washing process is complete, the stirring rod 11 stops, the water in the rice washing machine M is drained, and the rice washing process ends. After the rice washing process is complete, fresh water is supplied, and the soaking process is performed to soak the rice. By the time soaking process a is complete, the rice storage unit 1 and the rice washing machine M have moved above the left-hand pot SL. When soaking process a is complete, the drop valve 9 opens, and the shutter 22L opens, supplying the rice and water from the rice washing machine M to the inner pot 20L of the rice cooker pot SL. After soaking process b, the rice cooking process is performed in the rice cooker pot SL. After the rice cooking process is complete, the steaming process is performed, and all processes for the second pot are finished. The operator pulls out the drawer 30 on which the rice cooker pot SL is placed, takes out the lid 5L and the inner pot 20L, and transfers them to the warming pot H. In other words, the first and second pots operate some processes simultaneously.
[0027] Similarly, for the third pot, the weighing and steaming processes are carried out in the right pot. Thereafter, the rice washing and cooking processes are performed continuously for the number of pots set in the normal continuous mode.
[0028] The time-saving continuous mode will be explained based on Figure 6. The time-saving continuous mode is a mode in which the rice cooker pot SR on the right and the rice cooker pot SL on the left are cooked alternately in a faster cycle than the normal continuous mode.
[0029] For the first batch of rice washing and cooking, the rotary valve 6 is activated to perform a weighing process that supplies the rice from the rice storage unit 1 to the rice washing machine M.
[0030] Water is supplied to the rice washing machine M and the rice washing process is performed by the stirring rod 11. When the rice washing process is complete, the stirring rod 11 stops, the water in the rice washing machine M is drained, and the rice washing process ends.
[0031] After the rice washing process is complete, fresh water is supplied, the drop valve 9 opens, and the shutter 22R opens, allowing the rice and water from the rice washing machine M to be supplied to the inner pot 20R of the rice cooker SR in a dropping process. In the rice cooker SR, after a set time and soaking process, the first rice cooking process is performed. When this is finished in this embodiment, the operator removes the inner pot 20R and transfers it to the warming pot H, where a steaming process is performed.
[0032] During the soaking process of the first pot, the rotary valve 6 is activated, and the weighing process for the second pot is performed, supplying the rice from the rice storage bin 1 to the rice washing machine M. Water is supplied to the rice washing machine M and the rice is washed by the stirring rod 11. When the rice washing is finished, the stirring rod 11 stops, the water in the rice washing machine M is drained, and the rice washing process ends. After the rice washing process is finished, water is supplied again, the drop valve 9 opens, and the shutter 22R opens, and the rice and water from the rice washing machine M are supplied to the inner pot 20L of the rice cooker pot SL in the drop process. In the rice cooker pot SL, the soaking process is performed for the set time, and then the cooking process for the second pot is performed.
[0033] During the soaking process of the second pot, the weighing process for the third pot is performed, followed by the rice washing process. The soaking process for the third pot continues until the cooking process of the first pot is complete. Once the cooking process of the first pot is finished, the process moves to the dropping process, and the rice is dropped into the rice cooker SR (n line). In the rice cooker SR, the remaining soaking time is performed until the set soaking time is reached, and then the cooking process begins. In other words, the soaking time itself is the sum of the aforementioned soaking time a and soaking time b.
[0034] From the fourth pot onward, as shown in Figure 6, the weighing process for the next rice cooker begins after the previous rice cooker's loading process is completed, and once the previous rice cooker's cooking process is finished, the next batch of rice and water is loaded into that rice cooker (O line, P line, Q line).
[0035] The key feature of the time-saving continuous mode is that once the process of adding rice to the previous rice cooker S is complete, the process of measuring rice for the next rice cooker S begins. Furthermore, once the cooking process in the rice cooker S is finished, the inner pot 20 is removed without performing a steaming process in that rice cooker S, and kept warm in a separate warming pot H.
[0036] This allows for continuous rice washing and cooking in shorter cycles compared to the normal continuous mode, enabling the production of a larger quantity of rice.
[0037] Next, we will explain how to prevent leaving the food unattended after the soaking time.
[0038] The rice washing and cooking machine of this embodiment is primarily used in places that serve rice to customers, such as restaurants. In such places, it is important to cook large quantities of rice, and the taste of the rice is also an important consideration. Leaving the rice in the machine after the steaming process is complete has drawbacks, such as a decrease in taste. In particular, when processing rice into sushi rice, it is desirable to use freshly cooked rice, so it is desirable not to leave the rice in the machine for longer than necessary after the steaming process. Also, if the inner pot 20 is not removed even after the steaming time has elapsed, the next cooking process cannot be performed when continuously washing and cooking rice as in this embodiment, so in this embodiment, the machine is configured as follows.
[0039] The countdown for the remaining steaming time begins after the steaming process is completed. If the inner pot 20 is not removed after a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes), the control unit C's notification device V will notify the worker. The notification will be made using a buzzer or similar device.
[0040] As a means of detecting that the inner pot 20 has been removed after the steaming process is complete, the lid detection sensor 5b, which detects the opening and closing of the lid 5, detects that the lid 5 is open.
[0041] The operator opens the lid 5, removes the inner pot 20 and transfers it to the warming pot H, and at the same time attaches another inner pot 20 to the rice cooker pot S and closes the lid 5. When the drawer position sensor 30a detects that the drawer 30 has been returned to its initial position, it determines that it is now possible to supply rice and water from the rice washing machine M to the rice cooker pot S, and proceeds with the process of dropping the rice from the rice washing machine M to the rice cooker S.
[0042] The timing for leaving the notification device V unattended is a predetermined time after the end of the steaming process in normal continuous cooking mode, and a predetermined time after the end of the cooking process in shortened continuous cooking mode.
[0043] In the case of chain stores, the rice washing and cooking machines T in each store may be connected via communication to a management terminal T at headquarters, allowing for monitoring of the notification status of the notification means V. [Explanation of symbols]
[0044] 1 Rice storage 2 Rice washing tank M rice washing machine S Rice Cooker SR Right-hand rice cooker SL (steam locomotive) rice cooker on the left
Claims
1. A rice washing and cooking machine comprising a single rice storage container for storing rice, a single rice washing machine for washing rice, and multiple rice cooking pots, with the rice cooking pots arranged side by side, and the rice storage container and rice washing machine moving together above the rice cooking pots to supply rice and water from the rice washing machine to designated rice cooking pots, The system performs a series of rice washing and cooking operations, including a weighing process where the measured rice to be cooked is supplied to the rice washing machine, a rice washing process where the rice is washed in the rice washing machine, a soaking process after the washing process, a dropping process where the soaked rice and water are dropped into the rice cooker, a cooking process in the rice cooker, and a steaming process after the cooking process. It offers two modes: a normal continuous mode in which the rice washing and cooking operations are performed continuously for a set number of pots, and a time-saving continuous mode in which the rice washing and cooking operations are performed in shorter cycles than the normal continuous mode. In the normal continuous mode, after the rice washing process, a soaking process is performed in the rice washing machine, and after the soaking process, the rice is dropped from the rice washing machine into the rice cooking pot in a dropping process. The rice washing and cooking machine is characterized in that the time-saving continuous mode includes a case in which, after the rice washing process, the rice is dropped from the rice washing machine into the rice cooking pot, a set soaking process is performed in the rice cooking pot, and then the cooking process begins.
2. In normal continuous mode, after the steaming process is completed in the rice cooker pot, the next batch of rice and water is added to the same rice cooker pot in a adding process. The rice washing and cooking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the time-saving continuous mode enables a dropping process in which the next batch of rice and water is dropped into the rice cooker after the rice cooking process.