Spinner

Abstract

To improve the convenience of the bowl that constitutes the spinner. [Solution] The spinner (1) has a bowl (9), a sieve (7) that rotates within the bowl (9), and a rotating shaft (8) that is installed at the bottom of the bowl (9) and rotatably supports the bottom of the sieve (7), and the rotating shaft (8) is freely attachable and detachable to the bowl (9).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spinner. [Background technology]

[0002] A known prior art technique for removing excess water from vegetables is a salad spinner that includes a bowl-basket assembly having a perforated basket and a bowl for receiving the basket (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-006115 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, a protrusion that supports the bottom of the basket extends upward from the bottom of the bowl so that the basket can be rotated relative to the bowl. This protrusion is cone-shaped and protrudes from the bottom of the bowl, and there is a problem that the protrusion gets in the way when trying to use the bowl as a normal bowl separately from the basket.

[0005] Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention aims to provide a technique that can improve the convenience of the bowl that constitutes a spinner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the spinner of the present invention may comprise a bowl, a sieve that rotates within the bowl, and a rotating shaft that is installed at the bottom of the bowl and rotatably supports the bottom of the sieve, wherein the rotating shaft is freely attachable and detachable to the bowl and has a plate-shaped mating plate portion, and the bottom of the bowl is provided with a bottom recess into which the mating plate portion of the rotating shaft fits.

[0007] The spinner of the present invention may be configured so that a protruding peripheral wall portion is formed surrounding the bottom recess of the bowl, the side of the protruding peripheral wall portion facing the recessed portion of the bottom recess is formed as a vertical or approximately vertical surface, and the side of the bottom recess opposite the recessed portion is formed as a surface that is inclined and connected to the upper surface of the bottom of the bowl.

[0008] The spinner of the present invention may be configured such that, when the sieve and the rotating shaft are removed, the bowl can also be used as a container for holding an attachment for processing food ingredients and for storing the food ingredients processed by the attachment, with a base placed on the upper opening for sliding the food ingredients. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of the bowl that constitutes the spinner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an overall configuration of a spinner according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lid for the bowl of the spinner of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the bowl lid of FIG. 2, in which (A) shows the steam valve in a lowered state, and (B) shows the steam valve in an upper position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional perspective view of the spinner sieve of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rotation shaft of the spinner of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the bowl of the spinner of FIG. 1; [Figure 7] 7 is a vertical sectional perspective view showing a state in which the rotating shaft of FIG. 5 is installed in the bowl of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a vertical sectional perspective view showing a state in which the sieve of FIG. 4 is further installed in the state of FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a slicer holder of the spinner of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which an attachment is erected on a base part of the slicer holder in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] 10(A) is a rear perspective view showing a holding portion of the slicer holder in Fig. 9. FIG.10(B) is a rear perspective view showing a base portion of the slicer holder in Fig. 9. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top cover of the spinner of FIG. 1. [Figure 13] 13 is a perspective view of the upper cover body (with the rotating disk attached) of the upper cover of FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the upper cover body (without the rotary disk attached) of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] 13A is a perspective view of the driving rotor of the upper cover in Fig. 12. (B) is a perspective view of the rear side of the driving rotor (with the grip attached) in (A). [Figure 16] 13A is a perspective view of the rotating disk of the top cover of Fig. 12. (B) is a side view of the rotating disk of (A). [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the rear side of the rotating disk of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a support structure for the sieve of FIG. 4 by the rotating shaft of FIG. 5 in the spinner of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following preferred embodiments, a spinner that also functions as a slicer will be described as an example.

[0012] In the description of the present invention, the up-down direction is defined along each of the mutually orthogonal axes shown in Fig. 1 and the like, and the upward and downward directions are defined according to the direction of each arrow, and the horizontal direction is also defined. The up-down direction is also the vertical direction and is along a vertical plane, while the horizontal direction is along a horizontal plane, and the up-down direction and the horizontal direction are mutually orthogonal. A line of sight from above along the up-down direction is a plan view, a line of sight from below along the up-down direction is a bottom view, and a line of sight along the horizontal direction is a side view.

[0013] (Overall composition) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of a spinner 1 according to an embodiment, as an example of a specific configuration mode of a spinner according to the present invention.

[0014] Spinner 1 includes a top lid 2, an inner lid 3, a bowl lid 4, a slicer holder 5, attachments 6 (specifically, four types of attachments 6A to 6D in the example shown in the figure), a colander 7, a rotating shaft 8, and a bowl 9.

[0015] The top lid 2 is configured so as to be detachably attached to the upper end opening of the bowl 9. The top lid 2 is attached to the bowl 9 when the spinner 1 is used as a spinner. The configuration of the top lid 2 will be described later.

[0016] The inner lid 3 is configured so as to be detachably attached to the upper end opening of the bowl 9. The inner lid 3 is attached to the bowl 9 when the spinner 1 is used as a slicer.

[0017] The inner lid 3 is formed in a circular plate shape in a plan view, and has a roughly rectangular opening 31 with rounded corners in the center in the plan view.

[0018] The inner lid 3 has an attachment 6 (specifically, in the example shown in the figure, any one of four types of attachments 6A to 6D) fitted into the opening 31, and is used as a slicer together with the attachment 6 and the slicer holder 5.

[0019] The inner lid 3 has a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) protruding portions (not shown in the drawing) protruding downward on the periphery of the lower surface of the inner lid 3 in bottom view.

[0020] In the example shown in the figure, there are four types of attachments 6: a grating attachment 6A, a slicing attachment 6B, a julienne attachment 6C, and a fine-slicing attachment 6D. However, the types of attachments 6 are not limited to those shown in the example. In addition, the number of types of attachments 6 is not limited to four, and may be three or less, or five or more.

[0021] 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the structure of the bowl lid 4. As shown in FIG.

[0022] The bowl lid 4 is configured so as to be removably attached to the upper end opening of the bowl 9.

[0023] The bowl lid 4 is attached to the bowl 9 when the spinner 1 is used as a storage container, a microwave cooking container, or the like.

[0024] Bowl lid 4 has a main body 41 that is circular and generally plate-shaped in a plan view, and a steam valve 42 provided in the center of main body 41 in a plan view.

[0025] Bowl lid 4 is configured to be removably attached to the upper opening of bowl 9. Specifically, bowl lid 4 has downward-opening groove 43 (i.e., annular groove 43) around the entire periphery of the peripheral portion of main body 41 in bottom view, and this annular groove 43 removably fits into the upper end of peripheral wall 91 of bowl 9, making it removably attached to the upper opening of bowl 9.

[0026] For example, when food is stored in bowl 9, bowl lid 4 is attached so as to seal the upper end of peripheral wall 91 of bowl 9 and cover the upper end opening of bowl 9. In this way, bowl 9 and bowl lid 4 can be used, for example, as a storage container for food.

[0027] The steam valve 42 is provided in the center of the main body 41 in a plan view so as to penetrate the main body 41 in the up-down direction (see FIG. 3). The steam valve 42 is provided so as to be movable in the up-down direction relative to the main body 41 while penetrating the main body 41 in the up-down direction (see FIG. 3).

[0028] When steam valve 42 is in a lowered state (see FIG. 3(A)), there is no gap between main body portion 41 and steam valve 42. On the other hand, when steam valve 42 has moved upward relative to main body portion 41 (see FIG. 3(B)), gap 44 is formed between main body portion 41 and steam valve 42; specifically, annular gap 44 is formed, and the inside and outside of bowl 9 communicate with each other via this annular gap 44.

[0029] Bowl lid 4 is attached so as to seal the upper end of peripheral wall 91 of bowl 9 and cover the upper end opening of bowl 9 when food is placed in bowl 9 and cooked using a microwave oven (also called a microwave oven or an electromagnetic cooker). When steam fills bowl 9 as the food is cooked (specifically, heated) and the pressure inside bowl 9 increases, steam valve 42 moves upward relative to main body 41, and the inside and outside of bowl 9 communicate with each other via annular gap 44 between main body 41 and steam valve 42, allowing steam inside bowl 9 to be discharged to the outside. In other words, bowl 9 and bowl lid 4 can also be used as a microwave cooking container for food and the like.

[0030] The steam valve 42 of the bowl lid 4 may be maintained in at least one of a lowered state (i.e., a state in which there is no gap between the main body portion 41 and the steam valve 42; see Figure 3(A)) and an upwardly moved state (i.e., a state in which there is a gap 44 between the main body portion 41 and the steam valve 42; see Figure 3(B)) by a mutual engagement between the main body portion 41 and the steam valve 42 that can be easily released, or may be freely movable between the lowered state and the upwardly moved state without being caught.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing the structure of the sieve 7. As shown in FIG.

[0032] The colander 7 is formed in a roughly bowl-like shape in a plan view, with a circular shape and an open top.

[0033] An outer leg 71 is provided on the underside of the bottom of the sieve 7 (i.e., the outer side of the sieve 7) near the peripheral edge when viewed from the bottom, and an inner leg 72 is provided near the center when viewed from the bottom, and further a bearing recess 73 is provided in the center when viewed from the bottom.

[0034] By providing outer legs 71 and inner legs 72 on the underside of the bottom of sieve 7, sieve 7 can stand stably and independently, and the horizontal position of sieve 7 can be maintained.

[0035] The bearing recess 73 is formed as an upward recess that opens downward and has a generally conical shape (with a rounded apex angle) that becomes smaller in diameter as it goes upward.

[0036] 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the rotating shaft 8. The rotating shaft 8 is a structure and member for supporting the sieve 7 so that the sieve 7 can rotate.

[0037] The rotating shaft 8 has a fitting plate portion 81 that is circular in plan view, and a shaft portion 82 provided at the center, in plan view, of the fitting plate portion 81. The rotating shaft 8 may be made of, for example, polypropylene.

[0038] The shaft portion 82 is formed as a mountain-shaped (in other words, cone-shaped; the apex angle is rounded) convex portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the fitting plate portion 81. In the example shown in the figures, the entire rotating shaft 8 is formed as a member or part with a substantially uniform thickness in vertical cross section, and the bottom side of the shaft portion 82 is an upwardly facing recess that opens downward and is generally cone-shaped with a diameter that decreases toward the top (see also Figures 7 and 8).

[0039] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of bowl 9.

[0040] A bottom recess 92 is provided in the center of the upper surface side of the bottom of bowl 9 (that is, the inner surface side of bowl 9) in a plan view.

[0041] Fitting plate portion 81 of rotating shaft 8 fits into bottom recessed portion 92 in the bottom of bowl 9, and rotating shaft 8 is fixedly installed at the bottom of bowl 9 (see FIG. 7). As a result, shaft portion 82 protrudes from the upper surface of the bottom of bowl 9 and the upper surface of fitting plate portion 81 at the center of the upper surface of the bottom of bowl 9 (i.e., the inner surface of bowl 9) in a plan view.

[0042] Here, the spinner 1 is configured so that the rotating shaft 8 is installed at the bottom of the bowl 9 ; that is, the rotating shaft 8 is configured as a member separate from the bowl 9 and is configured as a member that can be attached to and detached from the bowl 9 .

[0043] When the sieve 7 is placed in the bowl 9 with the rotating shaft 8 fitted and installed in the bottom recess 92 of the bowl 9, the tip of the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 (in other words, the apex of a mountain shape, the apex of a cone shape; furthermore, it is semispherical with rounded corners) enters the bearing recess 73 at the bottom of the sieve 7 (see FIG. 8). At this time, the lower ends of the outer leg 71 and the inner leg 72 at the bottom of the sieve 7 float slightly above the top surface of the bottom of the bowl 9 and the top surface of the fitting plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8, and the outer leg 71 and the inner leg 72 at the bottom of the sieve 7 do not come into contact with the top surface of the bottom of the bowl 9 or the top surface of the fitting plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8.

[0044] That is, when the sieve 7 is placed on the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 installed at the bottom of the bowl 9 via the bearing recess 73, the outer leg 71 and inner leg 72 of the bottom of the sieve 7 are separated from the bottom of the bowl 9 and the mating plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8. For this reason, when the sieve 7 is placed on the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 and rotates around the apex of the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 as a rotation fulcrum, the outer leg 71 and inner leg 72 do not impede the rotation.

[0045] In addition, in Figs. 7 and 8, the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 is configured so that the inside of the mountain shape (cone shape) is hollow, but the inside of the shaft portion 82 may be solid.

[0046] At the upper end of the peripheral wall 91 of the bowl 9, a peripheral wall recess 93 is formed which opens upward and is large enough to fit a protrusion (not shown in the drawing) of the inner lid 3 therein.

[0047] When the spinner 1 is used as a slicer, the inner lid 3 with the attachment 6 set thereon may be placed on the upper opening of the bowl 9. At this time, a convex portion (not shown in the drawing) on ​​the underside of the inner lid 3 fits into a peripheral wall concave portion 93 at the upper end of the peripheral wall 91 of the bowl 9, thereby fixing the position of the inner lid 3 relative to the bowl 9 and preventing the inner lid 3 from rotating horizontally relative to the bowl 9.

[0048] In other words, the inner cover 3 functions as a base for the slicer, for holding in a fixed position the attachment 6 for processing and processing the food material, while sliding the food material together with the slicer holder 5.

[0049] (Slicer holder) 9 to 11 are diagrams showing the configuration of a slicer holder 5 according to an embodiment, as an example of a specific configuration mode of the slicer holder according to the present invention.

[0050] The slicer holder 5 in this embodiment holds an attachment 6 for processing and machining food ingredients and is used by being placed on an inner lid 3 which serves as a base for sliding food ingredients, and has a base portion 51 which is open at the top and bottom and has a cylindrical portion 511 into which food ingredients can be placed, and a holding portion 52 which has a peripheral wall portion 521 and a bottom portion 523 which can enter into the cylindrical portion 511 from the opening at the top end.

[0051] The slicer holder 5 is a tool one of the functions of which is to hold ingredients to be processed by the attachment 6. The slicer holder 5 has a base part 51 and a holding part 52, and when holding ingredients to be processed by the attachment 6, the base part 51 and the holding part 52 are combined and used.

[0052] The base portion 51 is formed in a rectangular shape with rounded corners in a plan view, and has a cylindrical portion 511 and a flange 512.

[0053] The cylindrical portion 511 is formed in a generally rectangular cylindrical shape with its axis aligned in the vertical direction. The upper and lower ends of the cylindrical portion 511 are open (in other words, open). The space inside the cylindrical portion 511 is referred to as the "base hollow portion 513." The base hollow portion 513 is a space whose sides are defined by a rectangular tube and whose upper and lower ends are open.

[0054] Standing recesses 514 are formed at the upper end of each of a pair of peripheral walls opposing each other in the horizontal direction among the four peripheral walls constituting the cylindrical portion 511. Specifically, the standing recesses 514 are formed as recesses (in other words, rectangular notches) from the upper end of the peripheral wall constituting the cylindrical portion 511. In the example shown in the figure, four standing recesses 514 are formed on each of the pair of peripheral walls.

[0055] In order to maintain the strength of the tubular portion 511 (particularly the upper end portion), it is preferable that the support recesses 514 are formed only on a pair of opposing peripheral walls (i.e., two sides) of the four peripheral walls that constitute the tubular portion 511; however, the support recesses 514 may be formed on all four peripheral walls that constitute the tubular portion 511.

[0056] The hanging recesses 514 are used to stand the attachment 6 after cleaning it, which has been used to process and process ingredients. Specifically, the attachment 6 is held in an upright position by inserting it into the hanging recesses 514 that face each other in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 10). In other words, the base 51 of the slicer holder 5 can also be used as a stand for the attachment 6 to stand.

[0057] Flange 512 is provided adjacent to the lower end of the peripheral wall constituting cylindrical portion 511. Flange 512 is provided in a manner extending outward in the horizontal direction around the entire circumference of the peripheral wall constituting cylindrical portion 511 in a plan view (i.e., all four peripheral walls).

[0058] An upwardly extending peripheral convex portion 515 is formed on the peripheral edge of flange 512 in plan view. Peripheral convex portion 515 is provided as a convex portion that surrounds flange 512 and forms a rounded rectangle in plan view.

[0059] The base portion 51 has a pair of guides 516 that face each other and are parallel to each other when viewed from the bottom, on the lower surface of the flange 512 (see FIG. 11(B)). Each of the guides 516 is formed as a linear protrusion that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the flange 512.

[0060] The guide 516 of the base portion 51 slidably engages with the unevenness of the portion of the inner lid 3 including the opening 31 into which the attachment 6 is fitted. This defines the movement path of the slicer holder 5, and the slicer holder 5 reciprocates along the movement path that passes above the attachment 6.

[0061] The holding portion 52 is formed in a generally rounded rectangular shape in a plan view, and has a peripheral wall portion 521, an engagement portion 522, and a bottom portion 523. The upper end of the holding portion 52 (specifically, the peripheral wall portion 521) is open (in other words, it is open).

[0062] The peripheral wall portion 521 is configured with four peripheral walls whose plate surfaces extend generally in the vertical direction. The upper end of the peripheral wall portion 521 is open (in other words, it is open), and the lower end is connected to the bottom portion 523.

[0063] The space defined by peripheral wall portion 521 and bottom portion 523 is referred to as a "measurement space 524." In other words, measurement space 524 is a space defined by four peripheral walls on the sides, an open upper end, and a lower end defined by bottom portion 523.

[0064] A scale 525 is provided as a measuring mark (in other words, written and displayed) on the inner wall surface of one of the four peripheral walls constituting the peripheral wall portion 521. The scale 525 is provided as a mark corresponding to the volume of the liquid in the measuring space 524 (i.e., a mark for measuring the volume of the liquid; specifically, a line). This allows the holding portion 52 of the slicer holder 5 to be used as a measuring cup as well.

[0065] In the example shown in the figure, marks corresponding to 50 ml and 100 ml are provided as graduations 525, but marks corresponding to other volumes may be provided. Graduations 525 may be provided on two or more inner wall surfaces of the four peripheral walls that constitute peripheral wall portion 521.

[0066] The engaging portion 522 is provided so as to be continuous with the upper end of the peripheral wall constituting the peripheral wall portion 521. The engaging portion 522 is provided in a manner to form a gap 526 between the engaging portion 522 and the peripheral wall portion 521, over the entire circumference of the peripheral wall constituting the peripheral wall portion 521 in a plan view (i.e., all four peripheral walls) (see FIG. 11(A)).

[0067] The gap 526 is provided so that the peripheral wall constituting the cylindrical portion 511 of the base portion 51 can slidably enter (in other words, so that it can be inserted and removed). Specifically, in a state in which the peripheral wall portion 521 and the bottom portion 523 of the holding portion 52 slidably enter the base hollow portion 513 of the cylindrical portion 511 of the base portion 51 from the upper end opening of the cylindrical portion 511, an upper portion of the cylindrical portion 511 of the base portion 51 slidably enters the gap 526 between the peripheral wall portion 521 and the engagement portion 522 of the holding portion 52.

[0068] Spout 527 is formed in one of the four corners, in plan view, of peripheral wall portion 521 and engaging portion 522. Specifically, spout 527 is formed as a recess from the upper ends of peripheral wall portion 521 and engaging portion 522.

[0069] The shape of the spout formed in the holding portion 52 is not limited to the shape in the example shown in the figure (i.e., a recess from the upper end), but may be, for example, a shape that protrudes outward in the shape of a bird's beak (specifically, the lower jaw side).

[0070] When the liquid in measuring space 524, which has been measured using scale 525 as a measuring mark, is transferred to another container or the like, it is poured from spout 527, so that dripping is prevented. Spout 527 may be formed in two or more of the four corners of peripheral wall portion 521 and engagement portion 522 in a plan view.

[0071] A plurality of thorn-like projections 528 are formed on the underside of bottom 523 (see FIG. 11(A)). The plurality of projections 528 make it difficult for foodstuffs (e.g., vegetables) set below bottom 523 of holding part 52 to slip and shift sideways relative to bottom 523. That is, projections 528 on the underside of bottom 523 of holding part 52 come into contact with or pierce the foodstuff, making it difficult for the foodstuff to slip and shift sideways relative to bottom 523.

[0072] The slicer holder 5 is used by being placed on the inner lid 3. Specifically, first, the base part 51 is placed on the inner lid 3 with the attachment 6 fitted in the opening 31. Next, the food is placed in the base hollow part 513 of the cylindrical part 511 of the base part 51. Then, the peripheral wall part 521 and the bottom part 523 of the holding part 52 are inserted into the base hollow part 513 of the cylindrical part 511 of the base part 51. As a result, the food is surrounded by the upper surface of the inner lid 3 (including the attachment 6), the inner wall surface of the peripheral wall constituting the cylindrical part 511 of the base part 51, and the lower surface of the bottom part 523 of the holding part 52.

[0073] In this state, the holding portion 52 is grasped and the slicer holder 5 moves back and forth, so that the food placed in the base hollow portion 513 is pushed downward by the bottom 523 of the holding portion 52 while being processed and worked by the attachment 6 (specifically, depending on the type of attachment 6, the food may be grated, sliced, julienned, or chopped into thin strips, for example).

[0074] At this time, the guide 516 of the base portion 51 slidably engages with the unevenness of the portion of the inner lid 3 that includes the opening 31 in which the attachment 6 is fitted, and the slicer holder 5 moves back and forth along a movement path that passes above the attachment 6.

[0075] Here, by gripping and operating the holding portion 52, an external force for moving the base portion 51 acts via the cylindrical portion 511 of the base portion 51. For this reason, by forming the standing recesses 514 only on a pair of opposing peripheral walls (i.e., two surfaces) among the four peripheral walls constituting the cylindrical portion 511, the opposing pair of peripheral walls on which the standing recesses 514 are not formed among the four peripheral walls constituting the cylindrical portion 511 are disposed and used along the direction of reciprocating motion of the slicer holder 5 (in other words, facing each other in the direction of the reciprocating motion), and this makes it easier to ensure the strength of the cylindrical portion 511 against the action of an external force for moving the base portion 51.

[0076] Furthermore, when the food becomes smaller while slicing or when slicing a small food from the beginning, holding part 52 resting on the food moves down and the hand holding holding part 52 moves closer to attachment 6. At this time, the fingers of the hand holding holding part 52 come into contact with and touch flange 512 of base part 51, preventing them from directly touching attachment 6.

[0077] That is, flange 512 of base portion 51 functions as a finger guard. Furthermore, peripheral convex portion 515 extending upward is formed on the peripheral edge of flange 512 in a plan view. This prevents the fingers of the hand gripping holding portion 52 from going outside flange 512, and furthermore prevents the fingers from directly contacting attachment 6 more reliably. This prevents the hand gripping holding portion 52 from being injured, improving safety when slicing ingredients using the slicer.

[0078] When the inner lid 3 and the attachment 6 are placed on the upper opening of the bowl 9 and used, the food processed by the attachment 6 falls into the bowl 9 and accumulates therein. At this time, a convex portion (not shown in the drawing) on ​​the underside of the inner lid 3 fits into a peripheral wall concave portion 93 at the upper end of the peripheral wall 91 of the bowl 9, thereby fixing the position of the inner lid 3 relative to the bowl 9 and preventing the inner lid 3 from rotating horizontally relative to the bowl 9. The inner lid 3 and the attachment 6 may be placed on the upper opening of the bowl 9 with a sieve 7 placed in the bowl 9, and the food processed by the attachment 6 may fall into the sieve 7 and accumulate therein.

[0079] At least one of the base portion 51 and the holding portion 52 is preferably formed from a transparent member (in other words, as a transparent part, or from a transparent material or a material having translucency). The holding portion 52 may be formed, for example, from polypropylene as a material and be colorless and transparent or colored and transparent. In the description of this invention, being formed from a transparent material or a material having translucency is expressed as "being formed from a material having at least translucency."

[0080] At least one of base portion 51 and holding portion 52 is formed from a material having at least light transmissibility, so that the state of the food material placed in base hollow portion 513 of tubular portion 511 of base portion 51 can be visually confirmed from the outside, and the food material can be processed and processed while checking the position, shape, etc. of the food material. That is, tubular portion 511 of base portion 51 is formed into a cylindrical shape, a cylindrical body, composed of four peripheral walls, so that the stability of the gripping and holding state of the food material placed in base hollow portion 513 of tubular portion 511 is sufficiently ensured, and further, at least one of base portion 51 and holding portion 52 is formed from a material having at least light transmissibility, so that the state of the food material placed in base hollow portion 513 of tubular portion 511 can be visually confirmed from the outside, which in turn makes it easier to check, for example, the end of the processing and processing of the food material.

[0081] Furthermore, by forming the holder 52 from a material that is at least translucent, it is expected that the visibility of the scale 525 as a measurement mark will be improved, making the scale 525 easier to see.

[0082] In particular, when the base portion 51 is formed from an opaque material (in other words, as an opaque part, or from an opaque material or a material that does not have translucency) and the holding portion 52 is formed from a material that has at least translucency, the standing recess 514 formed at the upper end of the peripheral wall that constitutes the tubular portion 511 of the base portion 51 also functions as a window for visually observing the state of the food ingredients placed in the base hollow portion 513 of the tubular portion 511 from the side (through the holding portion 52 that has at least translucency).

[0083] (Spinner) 12 to 17 are diagrams showing the structure of the upper cover 2. FIG.

[0084] The top cover 2 functions as a cover for the spinner. The spinner here refers to a tool for draining foodstuffs such as vegetables, and is also called a "salad spinner." Specifically, in the spinner 1 according to the embodiment, a colander 7 placed in a bowl 9 rotates to drain foodstuffs such as vegetables contained in the colander 7.

[0085] The top cover 2 has a top cover main body 21, a driving rotor 22, a grip 23, and a rotating disk 24.

[0086] The upper lid body 21 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view, and is configured so as to be detachably attached to the upper opening of the bowl 9 so as to cover the upper opening of the bowl 9.

[0087] The upper lid body 21 has a lid portion 211 and a peripheral wall portion 212 extending downward from the peripheral edge of the lid portion 211 .

[0088] An upwardly opening annular recess 213 that is annular in plan view is formed on the upper surface side of the top lid body 21 (see FIG. 13). The diameter of the annular recess 213 in plan view is adjusted to be smaller than the diameter of the top lid body 21 in plan view.

[0089] The inner portion of the annular recess 213 is referred to as a “recess inner portion 214.” The upper surface of the recess inner portion 214 is adjusted to be slightly lower than the upper surface of the lid portion 211.

[0090] The center of the annular recess 213 in plan view is eccentric toward the peripheral edge of the top lid body 21 with respect to the central position C of the top lid body 21 in plan view. The recess inner part 214 includes the central position C of the top lid body 21 in plan view, and is disposed so that a part of the annular recess 213 passes near the central position C of the top lid body 21 and a part opposite to the part in plan view is positioned closer to the peripheral edge of the top lid body 21.

[0091] A bearing 215 including a vertical through hole is provided in the recess inside portion 214 at a position close to the periphery of the recess inside portion 214 in plan view and at the center position C of the upper lid main body 21 in plan view. Further, a vertical main body through hole 216 is formed in the recess inside portion 214 at the center position in plan view.

[0092] The peripheral wall that separates the annular recess 213 from the recess inside portion 214 has an open portion around the bearing 215 (see FIG. 14; reference numeral 217). At this open portion 217, the space around the bearing 215 communicates with the space inside the annular recess 213.

[0093] The driving rotor 22 has an upper plate portion 221 formed in a circular shape in a plan view, and a grip receiver 222 is formed on the upper plate portion 221 at a position near the peripheral edge portion in a plan view (see FIG. 15).

[0094] The grip receiver 222 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is provided in such a manner that the axial direction of a hollow portion 223 of the cylinder is along the vertical direction and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper plate portion 221. A rotor through hole 224 that is continuous with the hollow portion 223 of the grip receiver 222 is formed in the upper plate portion 221.

[0095] The driving rotor 22 has a peripheral wall 225 formed downward from the lower surface of the upper plate portion 221 at a position close to the periphery in a bottom view on the lower surface side of the upper plate portion 221. An internal gear 226 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 225.

[0096] The driving rotor 22 also has a rotation center axis 227 at the center position in bottom view on the lower surface side of the upper plate portion 221.

[0097] The peripheral wall 225 and the internal gear 226 of the driving rotor 22 are inserted into the annular recess 213 of the top lid body 21, and the rotation center shaft 227 of the driving rotor 22 is inserted into the body through-hole 216 of the recess inside part 214 of the top lid body 21. Then, the driving rotor 22 is fitted into the annular recess 213 of the top lid body 21 and attached to the top lid body 21 so as to be slidable, specifically, horizontally rotatable.

[0098] The grip 23 has a recess that opens downward, and a rotation support shaft 231 that is formed in the recess and has an axis that runs along the up-down direction.

[0099] The grip receiver 222 of the driving rotor 22 is inserted into the recess of the grip 23, and the rotation support shaft 231 of the grip 23 is inserted into the hollow portion 223 of the grip receiver 222 of the driving rotor 22. Then, the grip 23 is attached to the driving rotor 22 so as to cover the grip receiver 222 of the driving rotor 22 and be rotatable about an axis, specifically, about an axis along the vertical direction. Note that, when the grip 23 is attached to the driving rotor 22, the rotation support shaft 231 of the grip 23 does not protrude from the lower surface of the upper plate portion 221 of the driving rotor 22 (see FIG. 15(B)).

[0100] The rotating disk 24 has a disk portion 241 formed in a circular shape in a plan view, a plurality of engagement pieces 242 provided on the lower surface side of the disk portion 241, and a spur gear 243 provided on the upper surface side of the disk portion 241 (see FIG. 16).

[0101] A plurality of engagement pieces 242 are provided spaced apart from each other on the periphery, in bottom view, of the disc portion 241. In the example shown in the figure, eight engagement pieces 242 are provided (see FIG. 17), but the number may be seven or less, or nine or more.

[0102] Each of the engagement pieces 242 is a projection that projects downward from the lower surface of the disk portion 241, and is provided as a plate-like projection having a side surface along the radial direction of the disk portion 241.

[0103] The spur gear 243 is provided at the center of the disk portion 241 in a plan view.

[0104] The spur gear 243 is formed in the shape of a cylindrical gear (i.e., the gear is formed on the outer surface of a cylinder) and is arranged such that the axial direction of the cylindrical spur gear hollow portion 244 runs along the vertical direction and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the disc portion 241.

[0105] The rotating disk 24 has a rotation support shaft 245 in a cylindrical spur gear hollow portion 244 of the spur gear 243 .

[0106] The rotation support shaft 245 of the rotation disk 24 is inserted into the bearing 215 of the top cover body 21. Then, the rotation disk 24 is housed in the space surrounded by the cover portion 211 and the peripheral wall portion 212 of the top cover body 21, and is attached to the top cover body 21 so as to be slidable, specifically so as to be horizontally rotatable.

[0107] When the rotating disk 24 is attached to the top cover body 21, a portion of the spur gear 243 of the rotating disk 24 (specifically, a circumferential portion of the gear formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder) is exposed to the annular recess 213 of the top cover body 21 (in other words, enters into the annular recess 213) through an open portion 217 of the peripheral wall that separates the annular recess 213 from the inner recess portion 214 (i.e., the portion that connects the space around the bearing 215 with the space inside the annular recess 213).

[0108] When the rotating disk 24 is attached to the top cover body 21, a spur gear 243 exposed in the annular recess 213 of the top cover body 21 meshes with an internal gear 226 formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 225 extending to the underside of the upper plate portion 221 of the driving rotor 22 when attached to the top cover body 21.

[0109] The sieve 7 is placed on the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 installed at the bottom of the bowl 9 via the bearing recess 73, and when the top cover body 21 equipped with the rotating disc 24 is attached to the bowl 9, each engagement piece 242 of the rotating disc 24 enters into the mesh 74 of the sieve 7, and the rotating disc 24 and the sieve 7 engage with each other.

[0110] With the above configuration, when a user of the spinner 1 grasps the grip 23 and turns the grip 23, the driving rotor 22 rotates horizontally, and the internal gear 226 of the driving rotor 22 rotates horizontally. Then, the rotating disk 24 rotates horizontally via the spur gear 243 that meshes with the internal gear 226 of the driving rotor 22.

[0111] As the rotating disk 24 rotates horizontally, the colander 7 rotates via the engagement pieces 242 of the rotating disk 24 which engage with the mesh 74 of the colander 7 (note that the colander rotates with the apex of the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 as the rotation fulcrum). This allows foodstuffs such as vegetables contained in the colander 7 to be drained.

[0112] (Rotational support structure) Fig. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure in which sieve 7 is supported by shaft portion 82 of rotating shaft 8 in spinner 1 according to the present invention. Note that Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram for explaining the structure in which sieve 7 is supported by shaft portion 82, and some of the detailed structures of the members are omitted, and the dimensional relationships between the members and portions are not strictly defined. Also, Fig. 18 shows shaft portion 82 of rotating shaft 8 as an example in which the inside of the mountain shape (cone shape) of shaft portion 82 is solid.

[0113] The spinner 1 in this embodiment has a bowl 9, a sieve 7 that rotates within the bowl 9, and a rotating shaft 8 that is installed at the bottom of the bowl 9 and rotatably supports the bottom of the sieve 7, and the rotating shaft 8 is detachable from the bowl 9.

[0114] The bearing recess 73, located in the center of the underside of the bottom of the sieve 7 when viewed from the bottom, is formed as an upward recess that opens downward and is roughly conical (with a rounded apex) with a diameter that decreases toward the top (see Figure 4).

[0115] The shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 is formed in the center of the fitting plate portion 81 when viewed in a plane, as a mountain-shaped (in other words, cone-shaped; the apex angle is rounded) convex portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the fitting plate portion 81 (see Figure 5).

[0116] A bottom recess 92 is provided in the center of the upper surface side of the bottom of bowl 9 (that is, the inner surface side of bowl 9) in a plan view (see FIG. 6).

[0117] Then, the fitting plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8 is fitted into the bottom recess 92 in the bottom of the bowl 9, and the rotating shaft 8 is fixed in position at the bottom of the bowl 9 (see FIG. 7). Then, the sieve 7 is supported by the rotating shaft 8 so as to be rotatable (see FIG. 8).

[0118] With regard to the above-mentioned rotational support structure using the sieve 7 and the rotating shaft 8, the inventors have found that since the angle formed by the opposing inclination directions in the horizontal direction of the conical inclined portion of the bearing recess 73 of the sieve 7 when viewed in vertical section (referred to as the "cone angle θ1 of the bearing recess 73") and the angle formed by the opposing inclination directions in the horizontal direction of the mountain-shaped inclined portion of the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 when viewed in vertical section (referred to as the "mountain angle θ2 of the shaft portion 82") (see Figure 18) are each within a predetermined range, it becomes easier for the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 to enter the bearing recess 73 of the sieve 7, the bearing recess 73 of the sieve 7 is less likely to become misaligned from the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8, and the sieve 7 rotates stably while being supported by the rotating shaft 8.

[0119] Specifically, the cone angle θ1 of the bearing recess 73 of the sieve 7 is preferably 60° or more and 100° or less, more preferably 65° or more and 90° or less, and even more preferably 65° or more and 80° or less.

[0120] Furthermore, the angle θ2 of the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 is preferably 40° or more and 80° or less, more preferably 45° or more and 70° or less, and even more preferably 45° or more and 60° or less.

[0121] It is preferable that the cone angle θ1 of the bearing recess 73 of the sieve 7 and the angle θ2 of the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 are each within the above-mentioned range, and the cone angle θ1 of the bearing recess 73 is adjusted to be larger than the angle θ2 of the shaft portion 82. The cone angle θ1 of the bearing recess 73 of the sieve 7 is preferably larger than the angle θ2 of the shaft portion 82 of the rotating shaft 8 by 5° or more and 15° or less (i.e., 5≦[θ1-θ2]≦15), and more preferably by about 10° (i.e., θ1-θ2=10).

[0122] The rotating shaft 8 is a separate member from the bowl 9, and is configured as a member that can be attached and detached to the bowl 9. Therefore, by removing the sieve 7 and the rotating shaft 8 from the bowl 9, the rotating shaft 8 does not get in the way when attempting to use only the bowl 9 as a normal bowl. On the other hand, since the bottom recess 92 at the bottom of the bowl 9 when the rotating shaft 8 is removed becomes a recess that exists at the bottom of the bowl 9, if the bottom recess 92 is deep, it may get in the way when attempting to use only the bowl 9 as a normal bowl.

[0123] Here, the mating plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8 needs to be at least a certain thickness to ensure the required strength so that it can stably support the sieve 7 when fitted into the bottom recess 92 at the bottom of the bowl 9.

[0124] For example, when the rotating shaft 8 is formed using polypropylene as the material, the thickness t1 of the mating plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8 (see Figure 18) is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, more preferably 1.4 mm or more and 2.6 mm or less, and even more preferably 1.8 mm or more and 2.2 mm or less.

[0125] The bottom recess 92 at the bottom of the bowl 9 needs to have a depth sufficient to fix the fitting plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8 in a position when fitted into the bottom recess 92 .

[0126] Depth t2 of bottom recess 92 at the bottom of bowl 9 (see FIG. 18) is preferably 0.8 mm or more and 1.6 mm or less, more preferably 0.8 mm or more and 1.4 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.8 mm or more and 1.2 mm or less.

[0127] If the depth t2 of bottom recess 92 in the bottom of bowl 9 is smaller than 0.8 mm (in other words, if it is shallow), fitting plate portion 81 of rotating shaft 8 will not fit properly in bottom recess 92 (due to its own weight), and rotating shaft 8 will not be able to be positioned easily and accurately. Also, if the depth t2 of bottom recess 92 in the bottom of bowl 9 is larger than 1.6 mm (in other words, if it is deep), bottom recess 92 will get in the way when bowl 9 is used as a normal bowl.

[0128] For example, when the inner lid 3, attachment 6, and slicer holder 5 attached to the upper opening of bowl 9 are used as a slicer, processed ingredients are stored in bowl 9 and bowl 9 is used as a normal bowl. In other words, bowl 9 may also be used as a container for storing ingredients processed by attachment 6 with sieve 7 and rotating shaft 8 removed, with inner lid 3 placed on the upper opening as a base for holding attachment 6 for processing ingredients and for sliding ingredients.

[0129] It is preferable that the thickness t1 of the fitting plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8 and the depth t2 of the bottom recess 92 of the bottom of the bowl 9 are each within the above-mentioned range, and the depth t2 of the bottom recess 92 is adjusted to be smaller than the thickness t1 of the fitting plate portion 81. It is preferable that the depth t2 of the bottom recess 92 is 0.3 times or more and less than 1 time (i.e., 0.3≦[t2 / t1]<1) the thickness t1 of the fitting plate portion 81, more preferably 0.4 times or more and 0.8 times or less (i.e., 0.4≦[t2 / t1]≦0.8), and even more preferably 0.4 times or more and 0.6 times or less (i.e., 0.4≦[t2 / t1]≦0.6).

[0130] By adjusting the depth t2 of bottom recess 92 at the bottom of bowl 9 to be smaller than the thickness t1 of fitting plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8, it is possible to prevent bottom recess 92 from getting in the way when attempting to use bowl 9 as a normal bowl (by removing the sieve 7 and rotating shaft 8 from bowl 9) while also ensuring the required strength of fitting plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8.

[0131] Here, as for the fitting plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8, as shown in FIG. 18, it is preferable that the peripheral end in a plan view is formed on a vertical plane in a longitudinal cross-sectional view.

[0132] 18, bottom recess 92 of the bottom of bowl 9 may be formed with a protruding peripheral wall 94 surrounding the recessed portion in plan view, in which case the side of protruding peripheral wall 94 facing the recessed portion of bottom recess 92 (in other words, the inner side; i.e., the side against which the peripheral end of fitting plate portion 81 of rotating shaft 8 abuts) is preferably formed on a vertical or nearly vertical surface in longitudinal section, and the side opposite the recessed portion of bottom recess 92 (in other words, the outer side) is preferably formed on a surface that is inclined and connected to the upper surface of the bottom of bowl 9. Note that protruding peripheral wall 94 is formed in an annular shape surrounding bottom recess 92 in plan view.

[0133] The peripheral end of the fitting plate portion 81 of the rotating shaft 8 in plan view is formed on a vertical plane in the longitudinal section, and the concave portion side of the bottom recess 92 of the protruding peripheral wall portion 94 surrounding the bottom recess 92 of the bowl 9 is formed on a vertical or approximately vertical plane in the longitudinal section, so that the rotating shaft 8 fitted into the bottom recess 92 is less likely to shift position (in other words, is less likely to come off from the bottom recess 92). Note that a state in which the inner circumference of the upper end of the protruding peripheral wall portion 94 is formed slightly larger than the inner circumference of the lower end (i.e., the circumference of the bottom surface of the bottom recess 92) to such an extent that the rotating shaft 8 can easily fit into the bottom recess 92 corresponds to the concave portion side of the protruding peripheral wall portion 94 being formed approximately vertically in the longitudinal section.

[0134] In addition, the side of the protruding peripheral wall portion 94 surrounding the bottom recess 92 of the bowl 9 opposite the recessed portion of the bottom recess 92 is formed into a surface that is inclined and connected to the upper surface of the bottom of the bowl 9, so that the bottom recess 92 does not get in the way when the bowl 9 is used as a normal bowl (with the sieve 7 and rotating shaft 8 removed from the bowl 9).

[0135] (Action and effect) According to the spinner 1 of the embodiment, the rotating shaft 8 is designed to be detachable from the bowl 9. Therefore, when trying to use the bowl 9 (only) as a normal bowl, the rotating shaft 8 does not get in the way, thereby making it possible to improve the convenience of the bowl that constitutes the spinner.

[0136] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the present invention also includes embodiments in which modifications and changes are made to the above embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0137] For example, in the above embodiment, the spinner also has a mechanism as a slicer, but it is not essential for the spinner according to the present invention to have a mechanism as a slicer. Specifically, the spinner according to the present invention may not have the inner lid 3, slicer holder 5, and attachment 6 in the above embodiment. In addition, the bowl lid 4 is not essential.

[0138] In addition, in the above embodiment, the base portion 51 and the holding portion 52 of the slicer holder 5 are formed into a rounded rectangular shape when viewed in a plane, but the base portion 51 (specifically, the tubular portion 511 and the flange 512) and the holding portion 52 (specifically, the peripheral wall portion 521) may be formed into a circular shape when viewed in a plane.

[0139] In the above embodiment, the peripheral wall constituting the peripheral wall portion 521 of the holding part 52 is provided with a mark (specifically, scale 525) for measuring the volume of the liquid in the measuring space 524. However, the peripheral wall constituting the peripheral wall portion 521 of the holding part 52 may be provided with a mark corresponding to, for example, "gou" which is a unit of the amount of rice in the measuring space 524, or a mark corresponding to the weight of a predetermined material in the measuring space 524 (for example, 100 g of minced meat). Also, the bottom portion 523 of the holding part 52 may be provided with a through hole for measuring the number of grams of pasta (i.e., for measuring pasta). Specifically, for example, the bottom portion 523 of the holding part 52 may be provided with a through hole having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of a bundle of pasta of 100 g. That is, the holding part of the slicer holder according to the present invention is configured to have some kind of measuring function. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1. Spinner 2 Top lid 21 Top cover body 211 Lid 212 Peripheral wall section 213 Annular recess 214 Recessed part inside 215 Bearings 216 Body through hole 217 Open part 22 Drive Rotor 221 Upper plate 222 Grip holder 223 Hollow part 224 Rotating body through hole 225 Peripheral wall 226 Internal Gear 227 Rotational axis 23 Grip 231 Rotating shaft 24 Rotating disc 241 Disc 242 Engagement piece 243 Spur Gear 244 Spur gear hollow part 245 Rotating Axis 3 Inner lid 31 Aperture 4 Bowl lids 41 Main body 42 Steam valve 43 Groove 44 Gap 5 Slicer holder 51 Base 511 Cylindrical part 512 Flange 513 Base Hollow Section 514 Recessed part for standing 515 Edge convex part 516 Guide 52 Holding part 521 Peripheral wall section 522 Engagement part 523 Bottom 524 Metric space 525 scale 526 Gap 527 Spout 528 Protrusion 6 Attachment 6A Grater attachment 6B Slicing attachment 6C Julienne attachment 6D Fine cutting attachment 7. Basket 71 Lateral leg 72 medial leg 73 Bearing recess 74 Mesh 8 Rotation Axis 81 Fitting plate part 82 Shaft 9. Bowl 91 Peripheral wall 92 Bottom recess 93 Peripheral wall recess 94 Projected peripheral wall part

Claims

[Claim 1] A bowl and A sieve rotating within the bowl; A rotating shaft is installed at the bottom of the bowl and rotatably supports the bottom of the sieve. The rotating shaft is detachable from the bowl and has a plate-shaped fitting plate portion, A bottom recess into which the fitting plate portion of the rotating shaft fits is provided on the bottom of the bowl, A protruding peripheral wall portion is formed to surround the bottom recess of the bowl, The protruding peripheral wall portion is formed on a vertical or substantially vertical surface on the side of the recessed portion of the bottom recess, and the opposite side of the recessed portion of the bottom recess is formed on a surface that is inclined and connected to the upper surface of the bottom of the bowl. A spinner characterized by

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