IP Library Granted Patent US 9,182,038
Granted Patent B2
US 9,182,038 · App. 13/520,760 · Granted Nov 10, 2015

Cooker with steam generating function

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,182,038
App. No.
13/520,760
Granted
Nov 10, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a cooker with a steam generating function without leakage of water and having excellent reliability and durability. A connecting member is formed of a soft material, and is guided by a convex-shaped guide portion having a rounded tip when it is inserted into an opening concave portion of a water tank (FIG. 4 ), and a convex-shaped seal portion for ensuring a seal can uniformly contact the opening concave portion. Moreover, the convex-shaped seal portion for ensuring the seal is integrally formed with a connection portion 3 . Therefore, the durability and the reliability for slipping-off prevention can be enhanced, and the number of components can also be reduced.

Claims (10)

1. A cooker with a steam generating function, the cooker comprising:

a heating chamber;

a removable water tank configured to store water for generating steam, the removable water tank attached toward a front surface of the cooker and further configured to supply heat and the steam into the heating chamber, thereby heat treating an object to be heated, the water tank having a concave opening therein; and

a connecting member comprising a soft material configured to be removably connected to the water tank,

the connecting member including a convex-shaped guide portion having a round circumferential end portion for guiding the connecting member into the concave opening in the water tank,

wherein the guide portion further comprises a convex-shaped seal portion mated to the concave opening of the water tank and surrounding a rounded circumferential surface of the connecting member and sealing the connecting member to the concave opening of the water tank, and

a coupling portion that includes a hollow tube therein, wherein, in the connecting member, an inside diameter of the hollow tube at the round circumferential end portion in a tip inlet part of the connecting member is less that an inside diameter of the hollow tube in a deep part of the connecting member spaced away from the tip inlet part such that water can collect in the deep part when the water tank is removed and water leakage is reduced, and

wherein the guide portion, the seal portion, and the coupling portion comprise a single integrated body of material.

2. The cooker according to claim 1 , wherein in the connecting member, a surface of the round circumferential end portion is smooth and includes fine concave and convex portions.

3. The cooker according to claim 1 , wherein in the connecting member, an outer diameter of the round circumferential end portion of the convex-shaped guide portion is less than an outer diameter of the seal portion.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 5, 2012
From: HAYAKAWA, YUJI; NAKAJIMA, YOSHIO; NISHI, AKIMI
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029080/0747 →