FOODCOOKERWITHCRUSHINGANDHEATING

FUNCTIONS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a food cooker with crushing and heating functions for use in preparing food such as bean curd, soybean milk, soup, porridge and tea. More particularly, the present invention relates to a food cooker with crushing and heating functions, wherein a heating unit and a blade unit are not exposed to the outside upon disassembly of a container part and a body part so that safety can be ensured, the heating unit does not come into direct contact with food materials upon cooking of the food materials so that the food materials can be prevented from being burned, and a driving unit is placed in the body part so that the food materials can be processed without vibration, and a cooking method using the food cooker. Background Art

[2] The term "food cooker" used herein means an apparatus for preparing food by crushing and heating food materials, and particularly, is intended to include all food cookers that prepare bean curd, soybean milk, tea, porridge and the like by crushing and heating beans, rice and the like, or prepare soup, porridge and the like by crushing and heating vegetable, fruit, meat, marine products, and the like.

[3] Generally, bean curd is a kind of food made of beans and contains a variety of nutrients including protein and fibers. Since bean curd made of beans has good taste and nutrition and is inexpensive, it is frequently eaten as a side dish after being subjected to a proper cooking process.

[4] The process of preparing bean curd at home will be discussed below. Beans are first cleaned well and then soaked and swelled in water for a sufficient period of time. Subsequently, the soaked and swelled beans are put into and crushed by a millstone or a mixer and are then divided into liquid and solid ingredients using a fabric or a fine sieve. The divided liquid ingredient is boiled and an additive such as salt or sugar is added thereto, resulting in drinkable soybean milk.

[5] Meanwhile, if brine is added to the sufficiently boiled liquid ingredient, the liquid ingredient is curdled, resulting in softer bean curd. Softer bean curd is eaten as food after being subjected to a proper cooking process according to one's taste, or is prepared as cakes of bean curd readily available on the market by putting and pressing the softer bean curd in a certain frame to drain water therefrom. Further, the solid ingredient of the beans is used as bean curd residue.

[6] In the method of preparing bean curd described above, bean curd is prepared

through a variety of processes. Recently, Korean Patent No. 225772 discloses a bean curd maker that performs a series of processes for easily preparing bean curd at home.

[7] A conventional bean curd maker will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 that are a perspective view and a sectional view thereof.

[8] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the conventional bean curd maker comprises a body part 1 provided with a driving motor 5 and a control unit 6; upper and lower neck portions 2 and 3 installed at a lower end of the body part 1 ; and a semi-circular centrifugal-fitting portion 4 formed at a lower end of the lower neck portion 3. Further, a centrifugal 13 with a lower cover 14 and a filtering net 15 installed therein is coupled to the centrifugal-fitting portion 4.

[9] A rotational shaft 5a of the driving motor 5 is vertically installed along a common central axis of the upper neck portion 2, lower neck portion 3 and centrifugal-fitting portion 4. A pair of hook-shaped crushing blades 12 are firmly fixed to a lower end of the rotational shaft 5a of the driving motor by means of a nut and a washer.

[10] Further, a cylindrical bean curd receiving tub 16 is coupled to the lower end of the body part 1, and a U-shaped heating pipe 11 used as a heater is attached to a lower end of the upper neck portion 2.

[11] In the conventional bean curd maker, beans are cleaned well, and the lower cover

14 of the centrifugal 13 with the filtering net 15 attached thereto is opened. Then, the body part 1 is turned over and the cleaned beans are put into the centrifugal 13 such that the beans fill the centrifugal up to the level of the crushing blades 12, and the lower cover 14 is closed again.

[12] Thereafter, a necessary amount of water is put into the bean curd receiving tub 16 that in turn is coupled to the body part 1. A power cord of the bean curd maker is plugged in.

[13] When electric power is supplied in such a manner, entire processes up to a soybean milk state, i.e. bean crushing, protein liquid separation, and heating, are performed through a series of control operations of the control unit 6. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[14] However, since the body part 1 mounted with the driving motor 5 and the control unit 6 is located above the bean curd receiving tub 16 in the conventional bean curd maker, the upper portion of the bean curd maker is rocked due to vibration generated by the driving motor 5 upon use of the bean curd maker. Thus, there is a problem in that a user has a feeling of uneasiness. Further, since the heating pipe 11 and the crushing blades 12 are exposed to the outside in the conventional bean curd maker, there may be a risk that the separation of the body part from the bean curd receiving

tub 16 upon preparation of bean curd causes injuries to the human body. Moreover, when the heating pipe 11 and the crushing blades 12 are cleaned after the use thereof, a cleaning liquid may be introduced into the driving motor 5 and the control unit 6, which would be the cause of failure, electrical short or the like in the product.

[15] Furthermore, since the bean liquid produced upon crushing of the beans comes into direct contact with the heating pipe 11 in the conventional bean curd maker, the surface of the heating pipe 11 is stained with the bean liquid that in turn is burned upon heating of the heating pipe. Thus, there is a problem in that the surface of the heating pipe 11 is discolored to black. In addition, if the surface of the heating pipe 11 is stained with the bean liquid, the thermal efficiency thereof will be deteriorated. Moreover, upon cleaning of the heating pipe 11, it is difficult to clean the heating pipe and there is a risk of an injury to the human body due to the exposed crushing blade 12.

[16] Further, in the conventional bean curd maker, the driving unit produces heavy vibration, and it is dangerous and inconvenient to clean, use and handle the bean curd maker. In addition, there is a problem in that food materials, particularly, crushed food materials come into direct contact with the heating unit such as a heater and are burned.

Technical Solution

[17] The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a food cooker with crushing and heating functions, wherein a blade and a heating unit for crushing and heating food materials are not exposed to the outside to ensure easy and safe cleaning, handling and use of the food cooker, the heating unit for heating the food materials do not come into contact with the food materials to prevent the food materials from being burned thereon, and a driving unit for driving the blade is placed at a body part to have reduced vibration.

[18] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooking method using the food cooker of the present invention, wherein it is easy to prepare food such as bean curd and soybean milk as well as soup or porridge, and the flavor of food is improved by degrading or exhausting odors produced upon processing of food materials.

[19] To achieve the objects, the present invention provides a food cooker with crushing and heating functions, which is useful to prepare food such as bean curd, soybean milk, soup, porridge, tea and the like. The food cooker comprises a container part having a crushing chamber with a blade for crushing the food materials mounted on the bottom thereof; and a body part that is detachably connected to the lower part of the container part and includes a heating unit for heating the food materials, a driving unit for

driving the blade, and a control unit for controlling the heating unit and the driving unit. Thus, the food cooker is safe in view of cleaning, use and handling thereof. Further, vibration generated by the driving unit is reduced, and the food materials are prevented from coming into contact with the heating unit and being burned.

[20] Here, the container part may be provided with an inner container for receiving and storing the food materials, and the crushing chamber may define a food-material crushing space at a lower portion of the inner container. When the container part is coupled to the body part, the heating unit of the body part is preferably disposed to face an outer surface of the crushing chamber of the inner container.

[21] Further, a rotational shaft of the driving unit and an extension shaft of the blade may be provided with respective clutches that are engaged with each other upon coupling of the container part to the body part and disengaged from each other upon separation of the container part from the body part, whereby a rotational force of the driving unit is transmitted to the blade through the engagement of the clutches.

[22] In addition, the blade may comprise a supporting tube fitted around the extension shaft, and the crushing and stirring blades formed on the supporting tube; a stopper protrusion may be formed on the extension shaft and the supporting tube is formed with a groove into which the stopper protrusion is inserted; an annular groove with a slant surface may be formed at a predetermined position on the extension shaft such that a straight portion of an elastic rod, which is formed with wrapping portions for wrapping an outer periphery of the supporting tube at both sides of the straight portion, can be fitted into the; and the supporting tube may have a straight entrance/exit slot formed at a side thereof such that the annular groove of the extension shaft can be exposed therethrough and the straight portion of the elastic rod can come in and out.

[23] Moreover, an openable lid is preferably provided at an upper end of the container part, and the body part is preferably provided with a safety switch for selectively cutting off power supplied to the driving unit and the heating unit in cooperation with opening or closing of the lid.

[24] Particularly, the food cooker of the present invention may further comprise a porous filtering net mounted to cover the crushing chamber. The filtering net may be selectively removed according to the kinds of food materials. Additionally, the filtering net is preferably installed to cover the crushing chamber while being spaced apart from an inner periphery of the inner container. This prevents the food materials inside the filtering net from being burned by heat of the heating unit.

[25] Meanwhile, the blade preferably comprises an extension shaft connected to the driving unit, a crushing blade extending laterally with respect to the extension shaft, and a stirring blade extending upwardly with respect to the extension shaft. Specifically, a rotational shaft of the driving unit and the extension shaft of the blade

are preferably provided with clutches for transmitting a rotational force of the driving unit to the blade through the engagement of the clutches, and the clutches preferably take the shapes of radially expanding wings to function fans upon rotation thereof. At this time, the body part is preferably formed with vent holes for exhausting air streams produced by the rotation of the clutches to the outside.

[26] Meanwhile, a cooking method using the food cooker with crushing and heating functions according to the present invention comprises a first heating step of heating the food materials input together with water into the inner container so that the food materials can swell; a first rest step of taking a rest after the first heating step; a repeatedly processing step of repeating, one or more times, a series of processes of crushing, rest, heating and rest for the food materials after the first rest step; a second heating step of heating the food materials after the completion of the repeatedly processing step; and a second rest step of taking a rest after the completion of the second heating step.

[27] A cooking method using the food cooker with crushing and heating functions according to the present invention comprises a first heating step of heating the food materials input together with water into the inner container so that the food materials can swell; a first rest step of taking a rest after the first heating step; a repeatedly processing step of repeating, one or more times, a series of processes of crushing and rest for the food materials after the first rest step; a second heating step of heating the food materials after the completion of the repeatedly processing step; and a second rest step of taking a rest after the completion of the second heating step.

[28] Further, the second heating step may further comprise a stirring step of stirring the food materials by rotating the blade at low speed upon heating of the food materials.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[29] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [30] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional food cooker for use in preparing bean curd and soybean milk;

[31] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the conventional food cooker shown in Fig. 1;

[32] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a food cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[33] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a body part of the food cooker of Fig. 3;

[34] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the food cooker of Fig. 3;

[35] Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the food cooker of Fig. 5, with the body part and a container part thereof separated from each other;

[36] Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a lid of the food cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention; [37] Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a safety device of the food cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention; [38] Fig. 9 is a view illustrating operating states of the lid of the food cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention; [39] Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing the lid of the food cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention; [40] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a blade of the food cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention; [41] Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the blade of the food cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention; [42] Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view showing a lower end of the container part of the food cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention; [43] Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a filtering net of the food cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention; [44] Fig. 15 is a sequential view illustrating an example in which the food cooker of the present invention is used for preparing soybean milk or bean curd; [45] Fig. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a cooking method using the food cooker of the present invention; [46] Fig. 17 is a sequential view illustrating an example in which the food cooker of the present invention is used for preparing soup; and [47] Fig. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method of preparing soup using the food cooker of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [48] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [49] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a food cooker 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a body part 50 shown in Fig. 3.

Further, Figs. 5 and 6 are a sectional view of the food cooker 50 according to the embodiment of the present and a sectional view thereof in a disassembled state, respectively. [50] As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, the food cooker 50 of this embodiment comprises a body part 60 placed on a working surface, and a container part 70 that is mounted on the body part 60 and receives food materials therein. [51] A driving unit including a driving motor 62, and a control unit 64 for controlling the operation of the driving motor 62 are installed within the body part 60. The control unit

64 is connected to an operation panel 65 installed on a front surface of the body part 60 and controls the operation of the driving motor 62 in response to an operation signal input from the operation panel 65. Further, the driving motor 62 is fixed to a driving motor bracket 66 that in turn is coupled to the body part 60 by means of a plurality of dampers 67 for absorbing vibration.

[52] A cover 61 for covering the driving motor 62 is provided at an upper side of the body part 60. Vent holes 61a through which heat generated upon operation of the driving motor 62 is exhausted are formed at a side of the cover 61. Moreover, an upper end of the body part 60 is formed with seating sections 60a and 60b on which the container part 70 is seated. The seating sections 60a and 60b are formed to have a stepped structure in which protrusions 60a of the seating sections support container part. Further, recesses 60b of the seating sections define certain spaces between the upper end of the body part 60 and a lower end of the container part 70 and communicate with the outside through the vent holes.

[53] More detailed description will be made below with reference to Fig. 7, which is an enlarged perspective view of a lid of the food cooker 50 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 8 that is an enlarged sectional view of a safety device of the food cooker 50 according to this embodiment.

[54] An opening is formed at the top of the container part 70 and the interior of the container part is formed with an inner container 74 for storing water and food materials that are input through the opening. Further, the lid 72 for preventing introduction of foreign substances and splash of crushed food materials is coupled to the opening of the inner container 74.

[55] To prevent a safety accident that may occur if electric power is applied to the body part 60 in a state where the lid 72 is opened or the container part 70 is separated from the body part 60, the food cooker 50 is constructed such that electric power is supplied to the driving motor 62 and a heating unit 78 (hereinafter, referred to as "heater") only when the lid 72 is closed at the opening of the container part and the container part 70 is simultaneously coupled to the body part 60.

[56] To this end, a rotating protrusion 722 is formed at one end of the lid 72, and the container part 70 is formed with a groove 702 for receiving the rotating protrusion 722 therein. The rotating protrusion 722 comprises a neck 724 extending from the end of the lid 72 and a rotating cylinder 726 extending at one side of the neck 724 and having flat surfaces by partially cutting opposite sides thereof. Further, a cam 728 is formed at a lower side of the rotating cylinder 726. Meanwhile, the groove 702 is formed with insertion passages 704 into which both ends of the rotating cylinder 726 are inserted. Catching steps 706 for catching the both ends of the rotating cylinder 726 are formed at distal ends of the insertion passages 704. Here, the width of each of the insertion

passages 704 is sized to correspond to a smallest dimension of the rotating cylinder 726, i.e. a distance between the both flat surfaces thereof.

[57] Referring to Fig. 9, which is a view illustrating operating states of the lid of the food cooker 50 of the present invention, and Fig. 10 that is a sectional view of the lid of the food cooker 50 of the present invention, the lid 72 is rotated in a state where the rotating cylinder 726 is caught by the catching steps 706. When the lid stands vertically away from the container part 70, it can be separated upwardly therefrom. That is, when the lid 72 closes the opening of the container part 70, a section of the rotating cylinder 726 larger than the widths of the insertion passages 704 cannot pass through the insertion passages so that the lid is prevented from being come out. However, when the lid stands vertically away from container part, the both flat surfaces of the rotating cylinder 726 are aligned with the insertion passages 704 so that the lid can be separated upwardly from the container part.

[58] Meanwhile, the body part 60 is provided with a safety switch 100 for selectively cutting off electric power supplied to the driving motor 62 in response to the opening or closing of the lid 72. Further, the container part 70 is provided with a connection means for transmitting the opening or closing operation of the lid 72 to the safety switch 100.

[59] That is, the connection means includes a predetermined space defined within a handle 77. A safety bar 102 that is positioned below the rotating cylinder 726 when the lid 72 is coupled to the container part is installed in the handle 77. Additionally, a support 103 for supporting the safety bar 102 is formed in the handle. Further, a spring 104 is installed between an upper end of the safety bar 102 and the support 103 to normally urge the safety bar 102 upwardly. The safety bar 102 extends up to the lower end of the container part 70 and has a lower end formed with an operation stopper 105 that has a slant surface at one side thereof.

[60] Meanwhile, a safety pin support 602 is formed in the body part 60 and provided with a safety pin 107 connected to the operation stopper 105 to transmit the opening/ closing operation of the lid 72 to the switch 100.

[61] The upper end of the body part 60 is formed with a through-hole 108 through which the safety pin 107 comes out and in. The safety pin 107 is formed with a stopper plate 107a for preventing the safety pin from coming out through the through-hole 108. Further, a spring 110 is installed between the stopper plate 107a and the safety pin support 602 to always elastically urge the safety pin 107 outward.

[62] A packing 109 is installed between the through-hole 108 and the safety pin 107 to fill up a gap therebetween to prevent introduction of foreign substances. Moreover, a lower end of the safety pin 107 is formed to slope toward the switch 100 so that the switch 100 can be easily pressed.

[63] It is preferred that a side of the lid 72 be formed with a vent through which air flows to maintain the inner pressure of the inner container 74 at atmospheric pressure. Further, a side of the container part 70 is formed with a handle 77 for use in holding the container part upon separation thereof from the body part 60.

[64] Moreover, the lid 72 is provided with a fixing means for locking the lid upon insertion thereof into the opening. The fixing means comprises catchers 120 formed at a side of the opening of the container part 70, and latches 122 installed at the lid 72 to be caught by the catchers 120.

[65] The latches 122 are formed at both ends of a pressing portion 123 formed on the lid

72. The pressing portion 123 is connected to an elastically deformable supporting plate 125 formed at supporting ribs 124 that are formed integrally with the lid 72.

[66] The lid 72 constructed as above is moved when the supporting plate 125 is elastically deformed, and the lid can be separated from or fastened to the opening of the container part 70 while the latches 122 are moved relative to the catchers 120.

[67] That is, if the lid 72 is intended to be closed in a state where the lid 72 has been opened at the opening of the container part, the supporting plate is bent at the center thereof so that the latches 122 enter below the catchers 120 and the lid 72 is thus closed. When the pressing portion 123 is pressed toward the supporting plate 125, the latches 122 come out from the catchers 120 and the lid 72 is thus opened. Meanwhile, the supporting plate 125 returns the pressing portion 123 to its original position due to restoration of the elastic force of the supporting plate.

[68] Further, a packing 75 is installed at an upper end of the inner container 74. The packing 75 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and seals a gap between the inner container 74 and the container part 70 to prevent introduction of foreign substances into the inner container 74 and splash of the contents of the inner container 74 to the outside. Moreover, when the lid 72 is coupled to the inner container 74, the packing 75 increases the coupling force between the inner container 74 and the lid 72 so that the lid 72 cannot easily come out from the inner container.

[69] In addition, a lower portion of the inner container 74 is formed with a partitioned crushing chamber 80 in which input food materials can be crushed. The cross section of the crushing chamber 80 takes the shape of a circle with a cross sectional area larger than that of an upper portion of the inner container 74. Moreover, a blade 84 for crushing the food materials is rotatably installed within the crushing chamber 80. The blade 84 is connected to a rotational shaft 62a of the driving motor 62 and rotated upon operation of the driving motor 62 to crush and stir the food materials. The blade 84 comprises an extension shaft 82 for connection to the driving motor 62, and laterally extending crushing blade 84a and upwardly extending stirring blade 84b above the extension shaft 82.

[70] As for the blade 84, the extension shaft 82 connected to an upper clutch 86 is installed to penetrate through the inner container 74, and the crushing and stirring blades 84a and 84b are coupled to the extension shaft 82.

[71] Clutches 63 and 86 for easy connection of shafts are installed between the extension shaft 82 of the blade 84 and the rotational shaft 62a of the driving motor 62. The clutches are composed of the upper clutch 86 formed at the extension shaft 82, and the lower clutch 63 formed at the rotational shaft 62a.

[72] The upper and lower clutches 86 and 63 are engaged and rotated with each other upon coupling of the container part 70 to the body part 60 but are disengaged from each other upon separation of the container part 70 from the body part 60. Further, the bottom of the container part 70 is located below lower ends of the clutches 63 and 86, so that the container part 70 cannot easily come down.

[73] Furthermore, the clutches 63 and 86 take the shapes of radially expanding wings to function fans upon rotation thereof. Since streams generated by the rotation of the clutches 63 and 86 are discharged to the outside through the vent holes 61a of the cover for covering the driving motor 62 on the body part 60, they simultaneously cool the driving motor 61 and the heater 78.

[74] Although the blade 84 is constructed to be connected to the rotational shaft 62a of the driving motor 62 via the clutches 63 and 86 in the embodiment of the present invention, it may also be connected directly to the driving motor 62.

[75] Additionally, the blade 84 may be separated from the container part 70. The blade

84 thus separated may be cleaned and then mounted again. The blade 84 may be replaced with a different type of blade according to the kind of food materials. Furthermore, the edge of the blade 84 may be ground or the blade may be replaced when the blade 84 is worn. Since the blade 84 may be separated from the container part 70 and replaced with another one in such a manner, the hygienic state of the blade 84 can get better, and crushing and stirring efficiencies can be improved. Since the blade 84 may also be separated from the extension shaft 82, it is possible to exchange different types of blades with each other according to food materials.

[76] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the blade of the food cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the blade of the food cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view showing the lower end of the container part of the food cooker 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[77] The structure of the aforementioned separable blade will be described below with reference to Figs. 11 and 12.

[78] The blade 84 comprises a supporting tube 842 fitted around the extension shaft 82, and the supporting tube 842 is formed with the laterally extending crushing blade 84a

and the upwardly extending stirring blade 84b above the extension shaft 82. A grasp portion 844 that is grasped upon separation of the blade is formed at an upper portion of the supporting tube 842.

[79] Meanwhile, a stopper protrusion 822 is formed on the extension shaft 82 and the supporting tube 842 is formed with a groove 843 with an open lower end, so that the stopper protrusion 822 is inserted into and caught by the groove when the supporting tube 842 is fitted around the extension shaft 82.

[80] Further, an annular groove 825 with a slant surface is formed at a certain position on the extension shaft 82, and a straight entrance/exit slot 846 corresponding to the annular groove 825 is formed on the supporting tube 842.

[81] An elastic rod 848 is fitted around the supporting tube 842 while penetrating trough the straight entrance/exit slot 846 and being caught by the annular groove 825. The elastic rod 848 comprises a straight portion 848a at a side thereof, and wrapping portions 848b for wrapping an outer surface of the supporting tube 842 at both sides of the straight portion 848a. When the elastic rod 848 is fitted around the supporting tube 842, the wrapping portions 848b are secured on the supporting tube 842 while the straight portion 848a penetrates through the straight entrance/exit slot 846 and is then caught by the annular groove 825.

[82] That is, when the elastic rod 848 is fitted into the straight entrance/exit slot 846, a central section of the straight portion 848a is inserted into the annular groove 825 of the rotational shaft, which is exposed through the straight entrance/exit slot 846. At the same time, the wrapping portions 848b on the both sides of the straight portion 848a wrap and are attached to the outer periphery of the supporting tube 842. Thus, the supporting tube 842 cannot easily come out and be separated upon rotation of the extension shaft 82.

[83] Meanwhile, when the supporting tube 842 is intended to be detached from the extension shaft 82 so as to separate the blade 84, the supporting tube 842 is forcibly pulled upwardly so that the straight portion 848a of the elastic rod 848 fitted into the annular groove 825 of the extension shaft 82 is slid along a lower slant surface of the annular groove 825 into the straight entrance/exit slot 846 and then comes out, thereby enabling the separation of the blade 84.

[84] As shown in Fig. 13, the inner container 74 in this embodiment further comprises a portion for supporting the extension shaft 82 of the blade 84 (see Fig. 5) at the center of the bottom of the inner container at a lower portion of the crushing chamber 80, i.e. a supporting panel 742. The bottom of the supporting panel 742 is provided with a journal casing 747 that contains a bearing 745 and seal rings 744a and 744b, so that the bearing 745 and the seal rings 744a and 744b rotatably support the extension shaft 82 of the blade. Particularly, the supporting panel 742 is secured by means of fasteners

743 such as rivets (hereinafter, referred to as "rivets") while being placed to fully cover a through-hole formed at the center of the bottom of the inner container 74. Further, the supporting panel 742 is thermally insulated by an insulation packing 741 from a portion of the inner container 74 that is in contact with the heater 78 (see Figs. 5 and 6). The insulation packing 741 is provided between the portion of the inner container 74, which is in contact with the heater 78, and the supporting panel 742 to protect the bearing 745 and the seal rings 744a and 744b installed at the supporting panel 742 against heat from the heater 78. Specifically, the insulation packing 741 extends up to fastening holes for the rivets to completely protect the bearing 745 and the seal rings 744a and 744b installed at the supporting panel 742 against conduction heat from the inner container 74. Further, the insulation packing 741 prevents a portion of food materials below the blade from coming into direct contact with the portion of the inner container 74 receiving heat directly from the heater 78, thereby preventing the food materials from being burned due to the heat of the heater 78.

[85] Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a filtering net of the food cooker 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The filtering net 90 for preventing splash of crushed food materials is installed between the crushing chamber 80 and the inner container 74. The filtering net 90 comprises a porous plate member 92 with through-holes 90b, and a cylindrical member 92 extending downwardly from the plate member 91. A central portion of the cylindrical member 92 is also formed with the through-holes 90b. The through-holes 90b prevents crushed bean residue from being discharged to the outside while allowing bean liquid to be smoothly drained to the outside. A handle 95 is formed at one side of the filtering net 90. In this embodiment of the present invention, the handle 95 is arcuately constructed in such a manner that both ends thereof are attached to the filtering net 90 while a space in which a user's hand can be put is defined between the both ends. It is also possible to modify the handle into a variety of configurations. The handle 95 may also be modified into configurations such as a knob coupled to the center of the filtering net 90.

[86] In addition, the filtering net 90 is formed to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance from an inner periphery of the inner container 74 so that food materials contained in the inner container do not come into direct contact with the portion of the inner container 74 that is in contact with the heater 78. Accordingly, the food materials are prevented from being burned by the heat of the heater 78.

[87] Further, the filtering net 90 is coupled at an upper portion of the crushing chamber

80. To this end, an upper end of the crushing chamber 80 is formed with a plurality of hooking protrusions 80a, and the filtering net 90 is formed with catching slots 90a corresponding to the hooking protrusions 80a such that the hooking protrusions 80a are

inserted into the catching slots and then rotated to be caught therein.

[88] The heater 78 for heating the crushed food materials is circumferentially mounted on an inner surface of the upper portion of the container part 70. The heater 78 is provided in the form of a ring that surrounds and faces an outer periphery of the crushing chamber 80.

[89] Meanwhile, there may be a problem that bubbles are generated and flow over the container during the process of boiling the bean liquid contained in the inner container 74. To solve the problem, bubble detectors 121a and 121b are mounted inside and outside the inner container 74. When these bubble detectors 121a and 121b detect bubbles, they send signals to the control unit 64. The control unit 64 that has received the signals stops the operation of the heater 78, and operates the heater 78 again after a predetermined period of time from the time when the operation of the heater 78 was stopped, according to a food preparing program process.

[90] Fig. 15 is a view schematically illustrating the process of preparing soybean milk or bean curd using the aforementioned food cooker 50.

[91] Referring to Fig. 15, a user opens the lid 72 fastened to the container part 70 and inputs beans into the crushing chamber 80 (Fig. 15 (a)).

[92] Subsequently, the filtering net is coupled to the upper end of the crushing chamber

80 by fitting the catching slots 90a of the filtering net 90 (see Fig. 14) around the hooking protrusions 80a (see Fig. 6) formed at the upper end of the crushing chamber 80 and by rotating the filtering net 90 by a predetermined angle, and a proper amount of water is then poured into the inner container 74 (Fig. 15 (b)).

[93] Thereafter, the lid 72 is closed and a switch is turned on. Then, the control unit 64 operates the driving motor 62 to crush the beans. The control unit 64 operates the heater 78 to heat the water (Fig. 15 (c)). The crushing and heating of the beans are sequentially repeated in such a manner. Here, both the crushing and heating operations may be simultaneously performed. If the both operations are simultaneously performed, however, power consumption greatly increases and bubbles are produced in bean liquid during the crushing and heating operations. Accordingly, it is reasonable to sequentially perform the crushing and heating operations.

[94] A method of using the food cooker 50 will be described below by way of example with reference to Figs. 1 to 15.

[95] First, food materials and water are input into the crushing chamber of the food cooker 50 and the filtering net is then coupled to the inner container. At this time, the catching slots 90a of the filtering net 90 are fitted around the hooking protrusions 80a of the inner container 74 and the filtering net is rotated so that the hooking protrusions are caught in the catching slots. Then, the lid is closed to shut off the operation of the safety switch, thereby enabling supply of electric power. The food materials are

processed according to a selection among a bean curd mode, a soybean milk mode, a porridge or tea mode, a soup mode and the like.

[96] For example, in case of preparation of bean curd, bean liquid produced when beans are crushed is processed. Beans and water are mixed and then input into the inner container. If a user selects the soybean milk mode by pressing an operation switch on the operation panel 65, the control unit 64 of the body portion performs a soybean milk preparing process by controlling the driving motor 62 and the heater 78.

[97] A cooking method using the food cooker according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 16 that is a flowchart illustrating the method.

[98] Once the soybean milk preparing process is started, the inner container is heated for about 10 minutes to swell beans (refer to SI l). The beans are rested for about 5 minutes (refer to S 12). The beans are repeatedly subjected several times to a process in which they are sequentially crushed for about 20 seconds, rested for 2 seconds, heated for 10 seconds again and rested for 2 seconds (refer to S 13). Meanwhile, the last heating is performed for about 5 minutes and 30 seconds (refer to S 14) and a rest is then taken for 5 minutes (refer to S 15). Accordingly, the process is completed.

[99] The aforementioned food cooker 50 can also prepare other food by controlling crushing and heating periods of time for food materials. As an example, a bean curd preparing process will be described. Beans and a certain amount of water are mixed and input into the inner container. Then, the filtering net is mounted and the lid is closed. If a user selects a bean curd mode by pressing the operation switch on the operation panel 65, the control unit 64 of the body part controls the driving motor 62 and the heater 78 to perform the bean curd preparing process.

[100] More specifically, during the bean curd preparing process, the inner container is heated for about 5 minutes to swell the beans. The beans are rested for about 5 minutes and then repeatedly subjected several times to a process in which they are sequentially crushed for about 20 seconds, rested for 2 seconds, heated for 10 seconds again and rested for 2 seconds. Meanwhile, the last heating is performed for about 8 minutes and a rest is then taken for 5 minutes. Accordingly, the process is completed.

[101] With the repetition of the crushing or heating operation, a divided liquid ingredient of beans contained in the crushing chamber 80 is mixed with water by means of a stirring action due to the rotation of the blade and then moved toward the upper portion of the inner container 74 through the holes of the filtering net 90 by means of a cyclone phenomenon. On the other hand, the crushed bean residue is filtered out by the filtering net 90 and remains within the crushing chamber 80.

[102] After the aforementioned processes, the container part 70 is separated from the body part 60. The lid 72 of the inner container 74 is opened and bean liquid is separately stored in another vessel. Further, the filtering net 90 is raised and bean

residue stored in the crushing chamber 80 is poured out and separately stored.

[103] When brine is added to the separated bean liquid, the contents are curdled, resulting in softer bean curd. The softer bean curd is eaten according to user's taste or formed into bean curd by putting and pressing the softer bean curd in a certain frame to drain water therefrom. At this time, the bean curd may be variously shaped using frames with a variety of shapes.

[104] Meanwhile, the separated bean liquid may be drunk as soybean milk by adding sugar, salt or the like thereto. The separated bean liquid may also be processed into soybean milk with a more enhanced flavor by means of a cooking method to be described later.

[105] The food cooker 50 constructed as above may be modified to have a variety of coupling relationships between the filtering net 90 and the crushing chamber 80. That is, a spiral groove is formed at the upper portion of the crushing chamber 80, and the filtering net 90 is formed with an outer edge portion extending downwardly from the outer periphery of the filtering net 90. Further, the outer edge portion is formed with a protrusion to be engaged with the spiral groove. If the filtering net 90 is coupled to the crushing chamber 80 by means of thread engagement in such a manner, it is possible to easily couple the filtering net 90 to the crushing chamber 80 without additionally setting the mounting positions thereof.

[106] Meanwhile, the food cooker 50 can prepare not only soybean milk and bean curd but also a variety of food such as soup, porridge or tea. As an example, in case of preparing tea using the food cooker 50, the tea can be prepared by inputting materials of tea into the filtering net 90 and heating them for about 20 minutes.

[107] Fig. 17 is a view schematically illustrating a vegetable soup preparing process using the food cooker 50.

[108] Referring to Fig. 17, a user removes the filtering net, which has been mounted on the container part 70, to adapt the food cooker 50 to preparation of soup (Fig. 17 (a)). Then, food materials such as vegetables are input into the crushing chamber 80 (Fig. 17 (b)). Thereafter, a proper amount of water is poured into the inner container 74 (Fig. 17 (c)). Subsequently, the lid 72 is closed and the switch is turned on. Then, the control unit 64 operates the driving motor 62 to crush the materials of soup. The control unit 64 also operates the heater 78 to heat the water (Fig. 17 (d)). The crushing and heating of the vegetables are sequentially repeated in such a manner.

[109] A soup preparing method using the food cooker according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 18 that is a flowchart illustrating the method.

[110] Once the soup preparing process is started, the inner container is heated for about 7 minutes (refer to S21) and a rest is taken for about 1 minute (refer to S22). Food

materials are sequentially crushed for about 20 seconds, rested for 2 seconds, further crushed for 20 seconds again and rested for 2 seconds (refer to S23). Then, the food materials are heated for about 5 minutes (refer to S24) and a rest is finally taken for 5 minutes (refer to S25). Accordingly, the process is completed.

[I l l] According to a preferred embodiment, in the last heating for about 5 minutes described above, the materials of soup are preferably stirred while being heated.

[112] After the aforementioned processes, the container part 70 is separated from the body part 60. The lid 72 of the inner container 74 is opened and the completed soup is poured into another vessel. The completed soup may be eaten after condiments, sub- materials or the like are added thereto according to user's taste.

[113] Although the operation of the food cooker has been described by way of example in connection with the preparation of soup, it is also possible to apply the food cooker to preparation of porridge or soybean milk.

[114] In preparing soybean milk, soup or porridge, food materials are input in a state where the filtering net 90 is removed. Thus, if the driving motor 62 is operated during a heating operation performed by the heater 78, the food materials can be more smoothly stirred.

[115] Here, the control unit 64 operates the driving motor 62 during the heating operation performed by the heater 78. At this time, the driving motor 62 is controlled by the control unit 64 to be rotated at low speed, i.e. about 20 to 200 rpm. The blade 84 connected to the driving motor 62 stirs food materials of soybean milk, soup, porridge or the like to prevent the food materials from scorching and sticking to the inner container 74.

[116] Further, in case of preparation of food such as soybean milk, soup or porridge, the rotation of the blade 84 due to the operation of the driving motor 62 separates particles of odors such as a fishy smell or a scorched smell from the food materials during the process of stirring the food materials.

[117] In other words, when the blade 84 is rotated at low speed to stir the food materials while the food materials are simultaneously heated, the particles of odors such as a fishy smell or a scorched smell contained in the food materials are compressed by means of the rotation of the blade 84, separated from the food materials and moved into vacuum spaces defined upon movement of the blade 84. During such processes, the particles of odors are conglomerated and have increased sizes. These particles of odors with the increased sizes are separated outwardly from the food materials by means of a rising air stream generated by the heating and the rotation of the blade. The particles of odors separated outwardly from the food materials are raised together with vapors generated upon heating of the food materials and are discharged outside the container part 70.

[118] If the blade 84 is rotated at low speed in preparing soybean milk, soup or porridge in such a manner, food materials are prevented from scorching and sticking and odors generated during the preparation are also eliminated, thereby improving flavors of the food materials.

[119] The food cooker with the crushing and heating functions constructed as above and the cooking method using the same according to the present invention have the following advantages. Since the driving motor that drives the blade for crushing and/or stirring food materials is installed below the inner container, vibration generated upon rotation of the blade is reduced, resulting in improved stability. Since the heater and the blade are not exposed directly to the outside when the inner container is separated, a possibility that a safety accident will occur is decreased. Further, since the inner container can be separated from the driving motor and the control unit when it is intended to be cleaned, it can be easily cleaned. Moreover, since crushed food materials (e.g., bean liquid) do not come into contact with the surface of the heater (heating unit), they are not burned. Furthermore, since there is no risk that a cleaning liquid may be introduced into the driving motor and the control unit, product failures including a short circuit do not occur.

[120] In addition, since the blade can be separated from the rotational shaft, the blade can be cleaned in a state where it is separated from the rotational shaft. Thus, there is no risk that the human body may be injured upon cleaning of the container part, and the hygienic state of the blade is improved.

[121] Additionally, since the blade can be exchanged with a proper type of blade according to food materials, a wide range of use of the food cooker can be ensured. Further, when the blade is worn, the blade is separated from the container part, and the edge of the blade is ground so that the blade can be reused, or the separated blade is replaced with a new blade, thereby improving cursing and stirring efficiencies.

[122] Besides, since the driving unit is operated to rotate the blade at low speed upon preparation of soybean milk, soup or porridge, there is an advantage in that food materials do not scorch and stick. Moreover, since it is possible to decompose or discharge odors such as a fishy smell or a scorched smell in food materials generated upon preparation of soybean milk, soup or porridge, there is an advantage in that the flavor of the soup or porridge is improved.

[123] Although the food cooker with the crushing and heating functions and the cooking method using the same according to the present invention have been described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments and drawings. It will be apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes thereto within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.