Cooking vessel and rice cooker

Abstract

A cooking vessel according to the present disclosure comprises a base material made of metal, a first layer, and a second layer. The first layer is provided on at least a part of the base material by thermal spraying, and contains a ceramic as a main component. The second layer is provided on the first layer by coating, and contains a ceramic as a main component. A rice cooker according to the present disclosure comprises: the cooking vessel described above; a main body that accommodates the cooking vessel; a lid that covers an opening portion of the cooking vessel so as to be capable of being opened and closed; and a heating unit that is disposed inside the main body and that heats the bottom surface of the cooking vessel.

Description

Cooking vessels and rice cookers

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking vessel and a rice cooker.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a rice cooker including a cooking container, a main body, a lid, and a heating unit. The cooking container in this rice cooker is made of metal. Cooking containers used in rice cookers, stoves, grills, etc. are exposed to thermal loads from heat sources and physical impacts caused by stirring. Therefore, the cooking container is required to be durable against these physical and chemical impacts.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-41967

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a cooking container with excellent durability and a rice cooker equipped with the cooking appliance.

[0005] The cooking vessel according to the present disclosure includes a metal substrate, a first layer, and a second layer. The first layer is formed on at least a portion of the substrate by thermal spraying and is primarily composed of ceramic. The second layer is formed on the first layer by coating and is primarily composed of ceramic. The first layer may be primarily composed of stainless steel (SUS: Steel Use Stainless), titanium, or cermet.

[0006] The rice cooker according to the present disclosure comprises the above-mentioned cooking container, a main body that houses the cooking container, a lid that covers the opening of the cooking container, and a heating unit that is arranged inside the main body and heats the bottom surface of the cooking container.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the durability of cooking containers and rice cookers can be improved.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rice cooker according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cooking vessel according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the cooking vessel shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the cooking vessel shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the cooking vessel shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the cooking vessel shown in Fig. 6.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, for example, detailed descriptions of known matters and redundant descriptions of identical or substantially identical configurations may be omitted.

[0010] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, a rice cooker 100 and a pot 120 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 .

[0011] [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Configuration of rice cooker 100] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of rice cooker 100. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of rice cooker 100. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of pot 120.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, rice cooker 100 has a main body 110 and a lid 210. As shown in Fig. 2, main body 110 has a pot 120, a storage section 130, a main body heating section 140, and a main body control section 150. Lid 210 has an outer lid 220, a hinge shaft 222, an inner lid 230, an operation section 240, and a lid heating section 250. Note that pot 120 is a cooking container according to the present disclosure, and main body heating section 140 is an example of a heat source.

[0013] As shown in the drawings below, in this embodiment, the side where the hinge shaft 222 of the outer lid 220 is located is defined as the rear of the rice cooker 100, and the opposite side is defined as the front of the rice cooker 100. The right side of the rice cooker 100 when viewed from the front is defined as the right side of the rice cooker 100, and the left side of the rice cooker 100 when viewed from the front is defined as the left side of the rice cooker 100. The vertically upward side is defined as the top of the rice cooker 100, and the opposite side is defined as the bottom of the rice cooker 100.

[0014] As shown in Figure 3, pot 120 is a cylindrical cooking vessel with a bottom, including bottom 121, side 122, and flange 123. Side 122 extends upward from the outer periphery of bottom 121. Flange 123 extends horizontally outward from the outer periphery of side 122. Pot 120 contains food ingredients such as rice and water.

[0015] Pot 120 is accommodated in accommodation section 130. Accommodation section 130 is a box-like structure having recess 131 with an upward opening and upper frame 132 extending horizontally around the periphery of the opening of recess 131. Flange section 123 of pot 120 is held on the upper surface of upper frame 132.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, main body heating unit 140 and main body control unit 150 are disposed within main body 110, outside the surface that forms recess 131 of storage unit 130. Specifically, main body heating unit 140 is disposed in a position facing bottom 121 and side 122 (see Figure 3) of pot 120. Main body control unit 150 is disposed behind pot 120 (to the right of pot 120 in Figure 2).

[0017] In this embodiment, main body heating unit 140 is, for example, an induction heating device. However, main body heating unit 140 is not limited to this and may be a tubular heater as long as it is capable of heating pot 120. Main body control unit 150 controls main body heating unit 140.

[0018] Outer lid 220 is attached to the upper rear of main body 110 so as to be rotatable about hinge shaft 222 located at the rear of outer lid 220. When outer lid 220 is closed, the opening of storage section 130 is closed, and when outer lid 220 is opened, the opening of storage section 130 is opened. Outer lid 220 has a steam vent 221 for venting steam from inside pot 120.

[0019] The inner lid 230 is placed on one side (the inner side) of the outer lid 220. The inner lid 230 has a disk-like shape. The inner lid 230 has a hole 231 that connects the outside of the rice cooker 100 with the inside of the pot 120, and a pressure valve 232 that can open and close the hole 231. When the inner lid 230 is closed together with the outer lid 220, the inner lid 230 is placed below the outer lid 220 and above the pot 120. In this state, the inner lid 230 seals the opening of the pot 120.

[0020] The operation unit 240 has an operation panel 241 for receiving operations from the user and an operation board 242 for operating the operation panel 241. The operation panel 241 is disposed on the outer surface of the outer lid 220. The operation board 242 is disposed inside the outer lid 220 below the operation panel 241.

[0021] The lid heating unit 250 heats the inner lid 230. The lid heating unit 250 may be an induction heating device or a tubular heater.

[0022] 1-1-2. Configuration of pot 120 The internal configuration of pot 120 at bottom 121 and flange 123 will be described below with reference to Figures 3 to 7. Figure 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of bottom 121 and flange 123 of pot 120 shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of pot 120 shown in Figure 4. In Figures 4 and 5, the upper part corresponds to the inside of pot 120, and the lower part corresponds to the outside of pot 120.

[0023] 4 , in bottom portion 121 and flange portion 123, pot 120 has, from bottom to top, base material 300, first layer 400, and second layer 500. Base material 300 constitutes the outer surface of pot 120, which defines the shape of pot 120.

[0024] The substrate 300 has a layered structure in which a stainless steel layer 301 and an aluminum layer 302 are arranged in this order from the bottom up or from the outside up. The substrate 300 is formed by sheet metal processing. The surfaces of the substrate 300 on which the first layer 400 and the second layer 500 are formed are roughened. That is, the aluminum layer 302 of the substrate 300 is roughened.

[0025] Stainless steel layer 301 is disposed on the surface of base material 300 opposite to the surface on which first layer 400 and second layer 500 are disposed. When pot 120 is placed in storage section 130, stainless steel layer 301 faces main body heating section 140.

[0026] The first layer 400 protects the substrate 300 from thermal loads and physical shocks. Even if cracks occur in the second layer 500 due to thermal loads and physical shocks, the first layer 400 protects the substrate 300 so that the cracks do not reach the substrate 300. The first layer 400 improves the adhesion of the second layer 500.

[0027] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of side portion 122 of pot 120 shown in Figure 3. Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of pot 120 shown in Figure 6. In Figures 6 and 7, the right side corresponds to the inside of pot 120, and the left side corresponds to the outside of pot 120.

[0028] 6 and 7, at side 122, pot 120 has, from bottom to top, substrate 300 and second layer 500. Substrate 300 constitutes the outer surface of pot 120, which defines the shape of pot 120.

[0029] That is, the first layer 400 is formed on the inner surface of the bottom portion 121 and the upper surface of the flange portion 123 (see FIGS. 4 and 5 ), while the first layer 400 is not formed on the inner surface of the side portion 122. Specifically, in the bottom portion 121 and the flange portion 123, the first layer 400 is formed on the aluminum layer 302 of the base material 300, and the second layer 500 is formed on the first layer 400. In the side portion 122, the second layer 500 is formed on the aluminum layer 302 of the base material 300.

[0030] The thickness of the first layer 400 is preferably in the range of 100 μm or more and 1 mm or less, and more preferably in the range of 100 μm or more and 300 μm or less. The first layer 400 is porous and has voids. The main component of the first layer 400 is ceramic, specifically, a titania-containing oxide. The first layer 400 has a lower thermal conductivity than the substrate 300.

[0031] The first layer 400 is, for example, black, and has a reflectance of less than 10% for visible light. Visible light is electromagnetic waves in the wavelength range of approximately 360 nm to 830 nm that are perceived as light by the human eye.

[0032] The second layer 500, together with the first layer 400, protects the substrate 300 from thermal loads and physical shocks. The second layer 500 also prevents food ingredients such as rice from sticking to the pot 120.

[0033] As described above, in the bottom portion 121 and the flange portion 123, the first layer 400 is formed on the aluminum layer 302 of the substrate 300, and the second layer 500 is formed on the first layer 400. In the side portion 122, the second layer 500 is formed on the aluminum layer 302 of the substrate 300.

[0034] The second layer 500 is formed at the bottom portion 121 and the flange portion 123 so as to fill the gaps in the first layer 400. The second layer 500 has a smaller surface roughness than the first layer 400. The thickness of the second layer 500 is preferably in the range of 20 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

[0035] The second layer 500 is mainly composed of ceramic and contains silicone oil as an additive. In this embodiment, the ceramic is not a sintered material obtained by heating and baking an inorganic material at a high temperature, but a glassy film formed by ceramic coating, as will be described later.

[0036] The contact angle of water on the surface of the second layer 500 is approximately 100°. The ceramic contained in the second layer 500 has a lower hardness than the ceramic contained in the first layer 400. The second layer 500 has the same color as or a similar color to the first layer 400. The second layer 500 is, for example, black, and the reflectance of visible light in the second layer 500 is less than 10%.

[0037] 1-2. Method of Manufacturing Pot 120 Hereinafter, a method of forming first layer 400 and second layer 500 will be described.

[0038] First, the surface of the aluminum layer 302 of the substrate 300 is roughened by blasting on the inner surfaces of the bottom 121 and side 122 and the upper surface of the flange 123. The roughened surface of the aluminum layer 302 on the bottom 121 and flange 123 is then subjected to thermal spraying to form the first layer 400. The thermal spraying is a surface treatment method in which heated and pressurized spray particles are collided with the substrate 300 at high speed to coat the surface of the substrate 300.

[0039] In this embodiment, spray particles made of various oxides are used. Thermal spraying methods include flame spraying, arc spraying, plasma spraying, high-velocity flame spraying, and detonation spraying, and the method of heating and pressurizing the spray particles differs depending on the spraying method. In this embodiment, the first layer 400 is formed by arc spraying.

[0040] Next, the second layer 500 is formed on the inner surfaces of the bottom portion 121 and the side portion 122 and on the upper surface of the flange portion 123. In this embodiment, a ceramic coating paint is used. A glassy film is formed by subjecting the ceramic coating paint to a sol-gel reaction.

[0041] Specifically, a catalyst is added to the ceramic coating paint, and the resulting mixture is aged to initiate a dehydration condensation polymerization reaction of the silane coupling agent, forming a ceramic coating on the first layer 400. In this embodiment, in order to impart non-stick properties to the ceramic coating, silicone oil is added as an additive to the second layer 500.

[0042] For example, a ceramic coating paint is prepared by mixing an aqueous solution mainly containing a silane coupling agent, an aqueous solution mainly containing an additive such as a pigment, and an aqueous solution mainly containing a catalyst in appropriate ratios. The resulting paint is stirred at 130 rpm for 12 hours in an environment of 20°C and aged, and then filtered through a 300 mesh filter to remove foreign matter.

[0043] Next, pot 120 on which first layer 400 has been formed is heated to 50°C to 80°C. The matured ceramic coating paint is applied by air spray to the inner surfaces of bottom 121 and side 122 and the upper surface of flange 123. Pot 120 with the paint applied is baked at 250°C for 20 minutes.

[0044] The step of forming second layer 500 on pot 120 is preferably repeated two or more times. This results in second layer 500 having a structure in which multiple layers are stacked, further improving the durability of pot 120.

[0045] [1-3. Operation of the Rice Cooker 100] The operation of cooking rice in the rice cooker 100 will be described.

[0046] First, the user places the pot 120 containing food, including rice and water, in the container 130 and closes the outer lid 220, sealing the pot 120. When the user operates the operation unit 240 to instruct the start of rice cooking, the main body control unit 150 starts the rice cooking process. The rice cooking process includes a preheating process, a temperature increase process, a boiling maintenance process, and a steaming process.

[0047] The preheating process involves soaking rice in water that is lower than the gelatinization temperature to allow the rice to absorb water in advance, so that the rice will be fully gelatinized to its center in the subsequent process. During the preheating process, the main body control unit 150 controls the output of the main body heating unit 140 based on the temperature of the bottom 121 of the pot 120, raising the temperature of the water in the pot 120 to approximately the temperature at which rice gelatinization begins (e.g., approximately 60°C), and then maintaining this temperature. This promotes water absorption by the rice.

[0048] In the preheating step and subsequent steps, the main body control unit 150 controls the heating output of the main body heating unit 140, for example, by duty control that repeatedly turns the main body heating unit 140 on and off at regular time intervals.

[0049] When a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the preheating process, the main body control unit 150 transitions the rice cooking process to the heating process.

[0050] The heating step is a step in which main body control unit 150 causes main body heating unit 140 to rapidly heat pot 120 at high power to boil the water in pot 120. At this time, main body control unit 150 causes main body heating unit 140 to heat bottom portion 121 with a greater amount of heat than side portion 122.

[0051] During the heating process, the main body control unit 150 controls the pressure valve 232 to maintain the pressure in the pot 120 between atmospheric pressure and a pressure slightly above atmospheric pressure (for example, 1.2 atmospheres). When the water in the pot 120 boils, the main body control unit 150 transitions the rice cooking process to a boiling maintenance process.

[0052] The boiling maintenance process is a process in which the water in the pot 120 is kept boiling to gelatinize the rice starch and increase the degree of gelatinization to approximately 50% to 80%.

[0053] In the boiling maintenance step, main body control unit 150 controls main body heating unit 140, lid heating unit 250, and pressure valve 232 to maintain the boiling state of the water in pot 120. Specifically, main body control unit 150 controls pressure valve 232 to maintain the pressure in pot 120 between atmospheric pressure and a pressure above atmospheric pressure (e.g., 1.2 atmospheres).

[0054] When most of the water in pot 120 is boiled away, the temperature of bottom 121 of pot 120 begins to rise above the boiling point of water. At this time, main body control unit 150 closes pressure valve 232 to further increase the pressure in pot 120.

[0055] When the temperature of the bottom 121 of the pot 120 reaches a predetermined temperature (e.g., 130°C) above the boiling point, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the boiling maintenance process, the main body control unit 150 transitions the rice cooking process to the steaming process.

[0056] The steaming process is a process in which excess water is evaporated using preheating, raising the degree of gelatinization of the rice to nearly 100%. When the rice cooking process transitions from the boiling maintenance process to the steaming process, the main body control unit 150 stops heating by the main body heating unit 140 and the lid heating unit 250, or reduces the heating output of the main body heating unit 140 and the lid heating unit 250. This lowers the temperature of the pot 120.

[0057] Main body control unit 150 causes main body heating unit 140 and lid heating unit 250 to heat pot 120 to raise the temperature of bottom 121 of pot 120 to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 100°C), and then causes the temperature of bottom 121 of pot 120 to be maintained at that predetermined temperature. When a predetermined time has passed since the temperature of bottom 121 of pot 120 reached that predetermined temperature, main body control unit 150 ends the rice cooking process and starts the keep-warm process.

[0058] The keep-warm process is a process in which the food is kept at an appropriate temperature. During the keep-warm process, the main body control unit 150 stops heating by the main body heating unit 140 and the lid heating unit 250 or reduces the heating output of the main body heating unit 140 and the lid heating unit 250 until the temperature of the bottom 121 of the pot 120 drops to a temperature appropriate for keeping the food warm (e.g., 65°C). During the keep-warm process, the main body control unit 150 also opens the pressure valve 232 and maintains that state.

[0059] When the user operates the operation unit 240 to instruct the end of the keep-warm process, the main body control unit 150 ends the keep-warm process. Throughout the rice cooking process, the main body control unit 150 causes the main body heating unit 140 to heat the bottom part 121 with a heating output greater than that of the side part 122 and the lid heating unit 250.

[0060] In the steaming process, steam may be generated by the lid heating unit 250 and poured into the pot 120. The entire rice cooking process takes approximately 50 minutes.

[0061] [1-4. Effects, etc.] Pot 120 according to this embodiment includes base material 300 made of metal, first layer 400, and second layer 500. First layer 400 is formed on at least a portion of base material 300 by thermal spraying and is primarily composed of ceramic. Second layer 500 is formed on first layer 400 by coating and is primarily composed of ceramic. This allows base material 300 to be protected by first layer 400 and second layer 500, improving the durability of pot 120.

[0062] First layer 400 according to this embodiment is formed by thermal spraying. This makes it easy to increase the thickness of first layer 400. Furthermore, a ceramic with relatively high hardness can be used for first layer 400. This allows first layer 400 to protect base material 300 from thermal and physical loads, improving the durability of pot 120.

[0063] Furthermore, even if cracks occur in second layer 500 due to thermal and physical loads, base material 300 can be protected so that the cracks do not reach base material 300, thereby improving the durability of pot 120.

[0064] The second layer 500 is formed by coating, which allows it to be formed at a lower temperature than by thermal spraying. Therefore, the second layer 500 can contain silicone.

[0065] The first layer 400 according to this embodiment is formed by thermal spraying. Therefore, the first layer 400 contains many voids. On the other hand, the second layer 500 is water-based. Therefore, when the second layer 500 is formed on the first layer 400, the second layer 500 penetrates into the voids in the first layer 400.

[0066] The second layer 500 fills the voids in the first layer 400, improving the corrosion resistance of the first layer 400. Furthermore, the second layer 500 penetrates into the voids in the first layer 400, improving the adhesion between the first layer 400 and the second layer 500, thereby improving the durability of the pot 120.

[0067] Pot 120 according to this embodiment has bottom 121 and side 122 extending upward from the outer periphery of bottom 121. First layer 400 is provided on bottom 121, but not on side 122. That is, in bottom 121, first layer 400 is provided on substrate 300, and second layer 500 is provided on first layer 400. In side 122, second layer 500 is provided on substrate 300.

[0068] As a result, in the bottom portion 121, the base material 300 can be protected by the first layer 400 from the thermal load from the main heating unit 140 and physical impact from a rice paddle or the like, thereby improving durability.

[0069] Side portion 122 is subjected to smaller thermal and physical loads than bottom portion 121. In addition, it is difficult to form first layer 400 on side portion 122 by thermal spraying. Therefore, by not forming first layer 400 on side portion 122, pot 120 can be manufactured efficiently and with high durability, while also being lightweight.

[0070] Pot 120 according to this embodiment has bottom 121, side 122 extending upward from the outer periphery of bottom 121, and flange 123 extending horizontally from the upper end of side 122. First layer 400 is provided on flange 123, but not on side 122. That is, in flange 123, first layer 400 is provided on base material 300, and second layer 500 is provided on first layer 400. In side 122, second layer 500 is provided on base material 300.

[0071] As a result, in the flange portion 123, the base material 300 can be protected by the first layer 400 from physical impact caused by contact with the inner lid 230, thereby improving durability.

[0072] The physical load on side portion 122 is smaller than that on flange portion 123. In addition, it is difficult to form first layer 400 on side portion 122 by thermal spraying. Therefore, by not forming first layer 400 on side portion 122, a highly durable pot 120 can be manufactured efficiently and the weight of pot 120 can be reduced.

[0073] In pot 120 according to the present embodiment, first layer 400 has a lower thermal conductivity than base material 300. This reduces the thermal load even when second layer 500 is thin or has low hardness, improving the durability of pot 120.

[0074] In pot 120 according to this embodiment, second layer 500 has a smaller surface roughness than first layer 400. This improves adhesion between first layer 400 and second layer 500, thereby increasing the durability of pot 120. In this embodiment, first layer 400 is not provided on side 122 of pot 120, but because base material 300 is blasted, adhesion between second layer 500 and base material 300 is improved.

[0075] In pot 120 according to this embodiment, second layer 500 contains silicone. This improves the non-stick properties of pot 120, making it less likely for rice to stick to pot 120. In this embodiment, second layer 500 is provided on the inner surfaces of bottom portion 121 and side portion 122 and the upper surface of flange portion 123. This improves non-stick properties in the entire area where rice is likely to stick.

[0076] In pot 120 according to this embodiment, second layer 500 has the same color or a similar color to first layer 400. By matching the colors of first and second layers, even if a crack occurs in second layer 500 due to thermal and physical stress, exposing first layer 400, the crack is less noticeable.

[0077] Rice cooker 100 according to the present embodiment includes pot 120 and a heat source (main body heating unit 140) that faces base material 300 of bottom 121 of pot 120. As a result, first layer 400 and second layer 500 improve the durability of bottom 121 of pot 120, which is exposed to thermal loads, and pot 120 is less likely to be damaged.

[0078] The rice cooker 100 of this embodiment comprises a pot 120, a main body 110 that houses the pot 120, a lid 210 that covers the opening of the pot 120 in an openable and closable manner, and a main body heating unit 140 that is arranged inside the main body 110 and that heats the bottom 121 of the pot 120.

[0079] The pot 120 according to this embodiment is used in the rice cooker 100, and is therefore subjected to various physical and chemical stresses, such as being heated for long periods of time, being exposed to steam, being stirred with a rice paddle, and being exposed to a pressure environment.

[0080] However, pot 120 according to this embodiment is less susceptible to damage because its durability is improved by first layer 400 and second layer 500. In addition, pot 120 according to this embodiment has improved non-stick properties due to second layer 500. This makes it easier to remove rice from pot 120 and to clean pot 120.

[0081] (Other Embodiments) The above-described embodiments are examples of the technology according to the present disclosure. The technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to the present embodiments, and may be applied to other embodiments in which the present embodiments are modified, replaced, added, omitted, or the like.

[0082] In the above embodiment, pot 120 has bottom 121 and side 122 extending upward from the outer periphery of bottom 121. First layer 400 is provided on bottom 121, but not on side 122. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0083] First layer 400 may be provided not only on the inner surface of bottom 121 but also on the inner surface of side 122. The first layer 400 provided on the inner surface of side 122 may be thinner than the first layer 400 provided on the inner surface of bottom 121. First layer 400 may be formed so that it gradually becomes thinner from bottom 121 to side 122. This allows base 300 to be protected by first layer 400, improving the durability of pot 120.

[0084] In the above embodiment, pot 120 has bottom 121, side 122 extending upward from the outer periphery of bottom 121, and flange 123 extending horizontally from the upper end of side 122. First layer 400 is provided on flange 123, but not on side 122. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0085] The first layer 400 may be provided not only on the upper surface of the flange portion 123 but also on the inner surface of the side portion 122. The first layer 400 provided on the inner surface of the side portion 122 may be thinner than the first layer 400 provided on the upper surface of the flange portion 123. The first layer 400 may be formed so that it gradually becomes thinner from the flange portion 123 to the side portion 122. This allows the base material 300 to be protected by the first layer 400, improving the durability of the pot 120.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the first layer 400 is primarily made of ceramic. However, the first layer 400 may be primarily made of stainless steel, titanium, or cermet. In any case, the same effect as when the first layer 400 is primarily made of ceramic can be obtained.

[0087] That is, pot 120 according to the present disclosure comprises base material 300 made of metal, first layer 400, and second layer 500. First layer 400 is applied to at least a portion of base material 300 by thermal spraying. Second layer 500 is applied to first layer 400 by coating, and is primarily composed of ceramic. This allows base material 300 to be protected by first layer 400 and second layer 500, improving the durability of pot 120.

[0088] The present disclosure is applicable to cooking vessels and cooking appliances, particularly rice cookers, automatic cooking pots, ovens, frying pans, and the like.

[0089] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Rice cooker 110 Main body 120 Pot 121 Bottom 122 Side 123 Flange 130 Storage section 131 Recess 132 Upper frame 140 Main body heating section 150 Main body control section 210 Lid 220 Outer lid 221 Steam vent 222 Hinge shaft 230 Inner lid 231 Hole 232 Pressure valve 240 Operation section 241 Operation panel 242 Operation board 250 Lid heating section 300 Base material 301 Stainless steel layer 302 Aluminum layer 400 First layer 500 Second layer

Claims

1. A cooking vessel comprising: a substrate made of metal; a first layer formed by thermal spraying on at least a portion of the substrate; and a second layer primarily composed of ceramic formed by coating on the first layer.

2. The cooking vessel of claim 1, having a bottom and a side extending upward from the periphery of the bottom, wherein the first layer is provided on the bottom and not on the side.

3. The cooking vessel of claim 1, having a bottom and a side extending upward from the periphery of the bottom, the first layer being provided on the bottom and the side, and the first layer provided on the side being thinner than the first layer provided on the bottom.

4. The cooking vessel of claim 1, having a bottom, a side extending upward from the outer periphery of the bottom, and a flange extending horizontally from the upper end of the side, wherein the first layer is provided on the flange but not on the side.

5. A cooking container as described in claim 1, having a bottom, a side extending upward from the outer periphery of the bottom, and a flange extending horizontally from the upper end of the side, wherein the first layer is provided on the flange and the side, and the first layer provided on the side is thinner than the first layer provided on the flange.

6. The cooking vessel of claim 1, wherein the first layer has a lower thermal conductivity than the substrate.

7. The cooking vessel of claim 1, wherein the second layer has a surface roughness that is less than that of the first layer.

8. The cooking vessel of claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises silicone.

9. The cooking vessel of claim 1, wherein the second layer has the same color or a similar color to the first layer.

10. A rice cooker comprising: the cooking vessel according to claim 1; and a heat source facing the base of the cooking vessel.

11. A rice cooker comprising: a cooking container according to claim 1; a main body configured to accommodate the cooking container; a lid that covers the opening of the cooking container; and a heating unit disposed inside the main body and configured to heat the cooking container.

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