Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
BUILT-IN HEATING COOKER
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a cover structure of an air vent in built-in
heating cookers.
BACKGROUND ART
The structure for a cover of an air vent in a conventional built-in heating
cooker (cooker) is disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H5-
121155 and Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H8-315974. For example,
the cover is disposed over the air vent provided at the back of a top face of
a cooker
body, or the cover is disposed over an air inlet provided at the bottom of the
cooker
body and hooked with a spring.
Figs. 16 and 17 show the conventional cover structure. In Figs. 16 and 17,
top plate 2 configured with a ceramic plate and so on is fixed inside top
frame 1
configuring a top section. Air vent 3 is provided at the back of top plate 2
so as to
cool components inside the cooker body. Cover 4 with numerous fine holes is
disposed over air vent 3. Cover 4 is placed on multiple vibration-proof
rubbers 5
provided on the periphery of air vent 3.
In the above conventional structure, large solids can be prevented from
entering air vent 3 if soup boils over on top plate 2, but most of the liquids
enter air
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vent 3, although cover 4 is provided, because air vent 3 faces upward.
Consequently,
a part of the liquid may come into contact with a live part inside the cooker
body,
resulting in equipment breakdown.
The present invention offers a highly reliable and user-friendly cooker that
prevents ingress of spilled liquids to the cooker body and facilitates the
cleaning of
the cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A built-in heating cooker of the present invention includes a top section on
which multiple first openings are created at least on its one sidewall, and a
cover for
covering the first openings. The cover has multiple second openings only on
its
sidewall at a predetermined distance from the first openings, and is
detachably
disposed over the first openings on the top section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a cooker (when a cover is removed), seen
from the back, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the cooker (when the cover is attached), seen
from the back, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the
present
invention.
Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view of the cooker, seen from the back, in
accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view of the cooker, seen from the back, in
accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a rear view of the cooker in accordance with the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a cover of a cooker in accordance with a
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view of the cooker, seen from the back, in
accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the cooker, seen from the back, in accordance
with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a cooker (when a cover is removed), seen
from the back, in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 8B is a perspective view of the cooker (when the cover is attached), seen
from the back, in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a cover of a cooker in accordance with a fifth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a detailed sectional view of the cooker, seen from the back, in
accordance with the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a cover of a cooker in accordance with a
sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 12 is a detailed sectional view of the cooker, seen from the back, in the
sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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Fig. 13 is a detailed sectional view of a cooker, seen from the back, in
accordance with a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 14 is a detailed sectional view of a cooker, seen from the back, in
accordance with an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 15 is a detailed sectional view of a cooker in accordance with a ninth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a conventional cooker seen from the back.
Fig. 17 is a detailed sectional view of the conventional cooker seen from the
back.
REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
1 Top frame
2 Top plate
3 Air vent
4, 14 Cover
5 Vibration-proof rubber
11 Top section
12 First sidewall
13 First openings
14a First short cover
14b Second short cover
15 Top face
16 Second sidewall
17 Bottom face
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18 Second openings
19 Elastic member
20 Outer frame
21 Cabinet
5 22 First wall face
23 Second wall face
24 Protective frame
25 Protrusion
26 Support
27 Protrusion of support
28 Short part
29 Third openings
30 Sealing material
40 Heater
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with
reference to drawings. The drawings are schematic views and thus do not
accurately indicate dimensional positions. For reasons of simplicity,
components
with the same structure are given the same reference numerals, and their
duplicate
descriptions are omitted. It is apparent that heaters 40 are disposed
underneath top
section 11 in all cookers of the present invention. As an example, two heaters
40
are illustrated in Fig. 1B. However, the number of heaters 40 is determined in
accordance with the specifications of each cooker. Curved arrows in the solid
line
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in the drawings indicate the movement of spilled liquids or boiled-over soup.
Curved arrows in the dotted line indicate the flow of ventilation. The
exemplary
embodiments described hereafter are illustrative and not restrictive.
FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
The first exemplary embodiment is described next with reference to Figs. 1A
to 4. In Figs. 1A to 4, first openings 13 for ventilation are created on first
sidewall
12 at the back of top section 11 configuring the cooker body so as to cool
inside the
cooker body. Top section 11 is equivalent to top frame 1 and top plate 2
described
in the prior art.
Cover 14 is disposed over first sidewall 12 in a way to cover first openings
13. Cover 14 has top face 15, second sidewall 16, and bottom face 17. Second
openings 18 are created on second sidewall 16. Elastic member 19 with a spring
force is provided at both ends of cover 14. Elastic members 19 are fitted to
both
ends of first openings 13 such that cover 14 is detachably disposed on top
section 11.
Outer frame 20 delineating the cooker body is positioned inside top section
11, and
the cooker body is installed on cabinet 21.
In this structure, the air vent at the back has no openings on the top face,
and
a predetermined distance (for example, about 10 mm) can be secured between
first
openings 13 and second openings 18. In addition, both first openings and
second
openings 18 are created on the upper sidewall of first wall face 22 and second
wall
face 23 extending from the bottom end of top section 11 and cover 14. As shown
in
Fig. 2, air that has cooled the cooker's internal space passes through between
outer
frame 20 and top section 11, and then through first openings 13, cover 14, and
second
openings 18 to outside.
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The operation and effect of the ventilating structure of the cooker as
configured above are described next. First, the case of spilling over soup at
the
back of top section 11 is examined. The boiled-over soup spills along top
section 11,
top face 15 of cover 14, and then drips onto cabinet 21. Since cover 14 is
attached
to top section 11, and no openings are provided on top face 15, the boiled-
over soup
does not enter inside cover 14. Moreover, even though a large volume of boiled-
over soup spills onto cover 14, most of the liquid that arrives on cabinet 21
is blocked
by second wall face 23 on the same plane as the second sidewall 16 of cover
14, and
thus not so much of the liquid enters inside cover 14. However, since second
openings 18 for cooling the cooker's internal space are provided, a small
amount of
boiled-over soup does penetrate inside. However, the boiled-over soup that
passes
through second openings 18 pools in a space inside cover 14, and thus does not
yet
enter the cooker. The further ingress of boiled-over soup is also blocked by
first
sidewall 12 of top section 11 and first wall face 22, and thus almost no
boiled-over
soup enters inside the cooker body.
The relative positions of first openings 13 and second openings 18 can
further be adjusted to configure alternate positions when seen from the back
so as to
further block the boiled-over soup from passing through, although ventilation
to
outside is also slowed.
Detachable cover 14 is easily removed and cleaned. In other words, when
second openings 18, the air vent, are stained and clogged, typically by boiled-
over
soup, detachable cover 14 can be easily removed and washed to keep it clean
and
regain its original performance. First openings 13 which are exposed when
cover
14 is removed can also be cleaned.
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Still more, cover 14 is attached using elastic member 19 with a spring force
on both ends of cover 14. This allows the simple operation of pushing and
pulling
to attach and detach it from top section 11 even though cover 14 is disposed
at the
back, which is a difficult position for attachment. Still more, cover 14 can
be firmly
fixed to a sidewall, which is normally an unstable face for attachment,
without any
looseness. As described above, this exemplary embodiment offers a structure
that
can prevent boiled-over soup from entering the cooker body and also secure
cooling
performance. In addition, the detachable cover is easy to clean. Accordingly,
the
present invention offers a highly reliable and user-friendly apparatus which
facilitates
cleaning and reattachment.
Elastic member 19 can be integrally made with cover 14, or separately made
and fixed to cover 14 by spot welding or screwing. Any material can be used
for
this elastic member 19 as long as it has spring properties. Any attachment
system
can also be used. For example, a leaf spring can be provided inside top
section 11,
and a face with cover 14 can be sandwiched and fixed between the leaf spring
and
top section 11. Or, if top section 11 and cover 14 are made of magnetic
material, a
magnet can be provided on both or either part. Alternatively, the same effect
is
achievable by a tab with a spring structure hooked to top section 11, and
detached by
a single touch.
The first exemplary embodiment also refer to the sidewall at the back.
However, the same effect is achievable by changing the position of the
openings
depending on the installation conditions and cooling structure of the cooker
body.
For example, the openings can be provided on the left and right sidewalls in
addition
to the back, or only on the right sidewall.
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SECOND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
The second exemplary embodiment is described with reference to Figs. 5 and
6. As shown in Fig. 5, the basic structure is the same as in the first
exemplary
embodiment, and thus only the parts of the structure that are different from
the first
exemplary embodiment are described. Cover 14 has a rough U-shape, and is
configured with top face 15, second sidewall 16, and bottom face 17. Resin
protective frame 24 is provided on both ends of cover 14, and tabs on this
protective
frame 24 are fitted to holes provided on top face 15 and bottom face 17.
Protrusion
25 which has a guiding shape and round tip is provided at the center of
protective
frame 24. Cover 14 and protective frame 24 form an integral component by tab-
fitting. The operation and effect of the ventilation structure of the built-in
heating
cooker as configured above are described. Only the details which are different
from
the first exemplary embodiment are described. Other parts are the same as in
the
first exemplary embodiment. The case where cover 14 is attached to top section
11
is examined. First openings 13 for cooling are created on first sidewall 12 of
top
section 11, and protrusion 25 of protective frame 24 is inserted into these
first
openings. Protrusion 25 is made of resin, and thus it slightly dents and is
pushed
into first openings 13. Protrusion 25 is firmly fixed to top section 11 when
it is
further inserted. Protective frame 24 is fixed to the extent that the user can
easily
detach it, and thus removal is also easy. If the cover is made of metal, the
edge can
be covered with a resin protective frame. When the cover is attached or
detached,
the risk of injuring a finger with the edge of the metal cover is preventable,
since the
user holds the curved resin protective frame 24 without an edge at both ends.
In
addition, protrusion 25 provided inside cover 14 is fitted into first openings
13 which
is a cooling hole, and thus cover 14 can cover first openings 13 without
problems
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even if there are slight variations in attachment. In addition, since cover 14
is
roughly U-shaped, it can be made of a thin metal (about 0.5 mm) while
retaining its
strength. Still more, when the cover is wiped with a cloth, the inside of
cover 14
can be easily cleaned because its height is about 10 mm and width is thin,
about 5 to
5 10 mm. As described above, the second exemplary embodiment offers a readily
detachable cover. In addition, the cover is easily attached and detached
without risk
of injury after cleaning, offering a safe apparatus. It is apparent that the
same
effects as those in the first exemplary embodiment are achieved.
In this exemplary embodiment, cover 14 and protective frame 24 are attached
10 using a tab-fitting. However, mechanical fixing such as bonding and
screwing are
also applicable. Protective frame 24 can also completely cover and be fixed to
the
ends of cover 14.
In the description, protective frame 24 is attached to both ends of the cover.
However, too long a cover 14 tends to warp, and thus it is preferable to
provide
another protective frame at the center. This offers a neat apparatus without a
gap
between top section 11 and cover top face 15 when cover 14 is attached. In
addition,
a highly reliable apparatus which blocks the boiled-over soup from entering
inside
cover 14 via the gap is offered.
2 o THIRD EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
The third exemplary embodiment is described with reference to Fig. 7. The
basic structure is the same as the first exemplary embodiment, and thus only
the parts
of the structure that are different are described below. Cover 14 is
configured with
two short covers, which are respectively disposed on first sidewall 12 at the
back of
top section 11 in a detachable manner.
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The operation and effect of the ventilation structure of the cooker as
configured above are described next. In addition, for the operation and
effect, only
those parts that differ from the first exemplary embodiment are described. The
case
where cover 14 is removed from top section 11 is examined. Each short cover is
a
half or shorter than one side length of the cooker body, i.e., about 25 cm
long.
Accordingly, covers are compact and easy to clean if they become stained. In
addition, these covers do not require a large space for drying after cleaning.
Still
more, these covers have a size small enough to be placed in a widespread
dishwasher,
facilitating cleaning. As described above, the third exemplary embodiment
employs
cover 14 consisting of two parts for offering further easy-care apparatus. It
is
apparent that the same effect as that described in the first exemplary
embodiment is
also achieved. The same effect as that described in the second exemplary
embodiment is also achieved by providing a protective frame on both ends of
two
covers.
FOURTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
The fourth exemplary embodiment is described next with reference to Figs.
8A and 8B. As shown in Figs. 8A and 8B, the basic structure is the same as the
second exemplary embodiment, and thus only the parts of the structures that
are
different are described below. Cover 14 is configured with two short covers
14a
and 14b. Resin support 26 is provided at the joint of the two covers. Support
26
is firmly fixed to first cover 14a, and is detachably fitted and lightly
pressed into the
other second cover 14b by a combination of holes and round protrusions.
Protrusion 27 with a round tip and guiding shape, similar to protective frame
24, is
provided at the center of support 26.
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The operation and effect of the ventilation structure of the cooker as
configured above are described next. Also for the operation and effect, only
those
parts different from the second exemplary embodiment are described. The case
where cover 14 is attached to first sidewall 12 of top section 11 is examined.
Cover
14 is configured as a single part, and it is fixed by lightly pressing
protrusion 25 and
protrusion 27 of support 26 into first openings 13. Next, the case where cover
14 is
removed is examined. To remove cover 14, it can be simply pulled out by
holding
both ends of protective frame 24, since cover 14 is a single part (i.e.,
removal by a
single operation). However, first short cover 14a and second short cover 14b
of
cover 14 are adjoined only by support 26, and thus cover 14 can be divided to
first
short cover 14a including support 26 and second short cover 14b. This makes
the
size of cover 14 more compact, and allows easy cleaning when stained and
drying
after cleaning in a small space. In addition, these short covers 14a and 14b
are
small enough to be placed in a widespread dishwasher, further facilitating
cleaning.
In the fourth exemplary embodiment as described above, the cover is
configured in a way that it can be mounted as a single integral part, and then
divided
into two parts after removal. This offers an easy-care apparatus which allows
single
operation for attaching the cover to the top plate, and also facilitates
cleaning. It is
apparent that the same effects as those described in the first to third
exemplary
embodiments are also achieved.
In the fourth exemplary embodiment, support 26 is hidden inside first short
cover 14a and second short cover 14b when the covers are adjoined. However,
other structures are also applicable. For example, top face 15 of the cover
and the
top face of support 26 can be leveled and support 26 can be exposed on
attachment.
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Alternatively, U-shaped support 26 can be fitted to the cover end from the
outside.
The same effect is also achieved with these structures.
FIFTH EXEMPLAYR EMBODIMENT
The fifth exemplary embodiment is described next with reference to Figs. 9
and 10. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the basic structure is the same as the
first
exemplary embodiment, and thus only the parts of the structures that are
different are
described below. Bottom face 17 of cover 14 has short parts 28 whose length in
the
attachment direction is shorter than the length of top face 15 of cover 14 in
the
1 o attachment direction, and third openings 29 are formed on these parts. The
operation and effect of the ventilation structure of the cooker as configured
above are
described next. Also for the operation and effect, only those parts different
from the
first exemplary embodiment are described. The case where cover 14 is attached
to
first sidewall 12 of top section 11 is examined. Since short parts 28 are
present on
bottom face 17 of cover 14, new third openings 29 are created in a space
surrounded
by cover 14 and first sidewall 12 in addition to second openings 18. In other
words,
the ventilation area in the cooling structure of cover 14 increases, leading
to
improved cooling performance. These third openings 29 are formed on the bottom
face, and the presence of first wall face 22 blocks ingress of liquid into the
cooker
2 o body. In other words, liquid-blocking capability can be maintained because
third
openings 29 do not have a detrimental effect on the liquid-blocking measure.
As
described above, the fifth exemplary embodiment increases the ventilation area
(i.e.,
improved cooling performance) on the cover without affecting the liquid-
blocking
capability. Accordingly, this exemplary embodiment can offer a highly reliable
apparatus which achieves both good liquid-blocking performance and cooling
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performance. Needless to say, it is difficult, in general, to achieve both
liquid-
blocking performance and cooling performance. It is apparent that the same
effects
as those described in the first to fourth exemplary embodiments are achieved.
SIXTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
The sixth exemplary embodiment is described next with reference to Figs. 11
and 12. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the basic structure is the same as the
second
exemplary embodiment, and thus only the parts of the structures that are
different are
described below. Top face 15 and bottom face 17 of cover 14 have the same
length
in the attachment direction. Protrusion 25 of protective frame 24 is
positioned at the
center with respect to the height direction of cover 14.
The operation and effect of the ventilation structure of the cooker as
configured above are described next. Also for the operation and effect, only
those
parts different from the second exemplary embodiment are described. First, the
case
where cover 14 is attached to first sidewall 12 of top section 11 is examined.
According to the above configuration, cover 14 is attached at the center of
first
openings 13. Next, the case where cover 14 is attached upside down is
examined.
Since cover 14, protective frame 24, and protrusion 25 are symmetrically
shaped on
the left and right and up and down, cover 14 can be attached upside down onto
first
sidewall 12 of top section 11 without any inconvenience.
As described above, cover 14 can be attached to top section 11 without
confirming the top and bottom in the sixth exemplary embodiment. Accordingly,
the present invention offers an apparatus in which cover 14 can be easily
attached
without making the user confused. In addition, both good liquid-blocking
performance and cooling performance are made feasible. It is apparent that the
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same effects as those described in the first to fifth exemplary embodiments
are also
achieved.
SEVENTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
5 The seventh exemplary embodiment is described next with reference to Fig.
13. As shown in Fig. 13, the basic structure is the same as the second
exemplary
embodiment, and thus only the parts of the structures that are different are
described
below. Top face 15 of cover 14 is attached to first openings 13 in a way such
that
top face 15 is inclined downward from the side of top section 11. The
operation and
1 o effect of the ventilation structure of the cooker as configured above are
described
next. Also for the operation and effect, only those parts different from the
first
exemplary embodiment are described. The case of spilling over soup at the back
of top section 11 is examined. The boiled-over soup spills on top section 11,
and
drips onto cover top face 15. Since top face 15 is inclined downward from the
side
15 of top section 11, the boiled-over soup spills along the slope and drips
onto the outer
face of the cooker body. Accordingly, no spilled liquid pools on cover top
face 15,
and thus no liquid enters inside cover 14 from a gap between first sidewall 12
and
cover top face 15.
As described above, the seventh exemplary embodiment offers a highly
2 o reliable apparatus that makes the boiled-over soup completely runs outside
of the
cooker body even when the soup is spilled. It is apparent that the same
effects as
those described in the first to sixth exemplary embodiments are also achieved.
EIGHTH EXEMPALRY EMBODIMENT
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The eighth exemplary embodiment is described next with reference to Fig. 14.
As shown in Fig. 14, the basic structure is the same as the first exemplary
embodiment, and thus only the parts of the structures that are different are
described
below. Sealing material 30 is applied to a contact face of cover top face 15
and
bottom face 17 and first sidewall 12 of top section 11 in a way such that to
surround
an edge of cover 14. The operation and effect of the ventilation structure of
the
cooker as configured above are described next. Also for the operation and
effect,
only those parts different from the first exemplary embodiment are described.
The
case of spilling over soup at the back of top section 11 is examined. The
boiled-
over soup spills on top section 11, and drips to cover top face 15. Since
sealing
material 30 covers the edge of cover top face 15 contacting top section 11 so
as to
eliminate any gap between first sidewall 12 and cover 14, no liquid directly
enters
inside cover 14. Consequently, the boiled-over soup completely runs outside.
As
described above, the eighth exemplary embodiment offers a highly reliable
apparatus
that makes the boiled-over soup completely spill over outside of the cooker
body
even when the soup is spilled. It is apparent that the same effects as those
described
in the first to seventh exemplary embodiments are also achieved.
Sealing material 30 is typically provided by applying silicone foam or sealing
tape on the edge.
NINTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
The ninth exemplary embodiment is described next with reference to Fig. 15.
As shown in Fig. 15, the basic structure is the same as the second exemplary
embodiment, and thus only the parts of the structures that are different are
described
below. Cover top face 15 is fixed at a position lower than top section 11. The
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operation and effect of the ventilation structure of the cooker as configured
above are
described next. Also for the operation and effect, only those parts different
from the
first exemplary embodiment are described. Other parts are the same as the
first
exemplary embodiment. The case where a pot heated at the back of top section
11
is further moved backward is examined. Since cover 14 is disposed at a
position
lower than top section 11, the pot does not contact cover 14. The pot can thus
be
placed stably, and cover 14 can also be firmly secured onto top section 11. In
addition, even when cover 14 is made of resin, cover 14 does not melt by the
heat
because there is no chance that the pot contacts cover 14, assuring the safe
use.
As described above, the ninth exemplary embodiment offers a highly safe
apparatus that enables stable placement of the pot and firm holding of the
cover even
when the pot significantly deviates and moves backward. It is apparent that
the
same effects as those described in the first to eighth exemplary embodiments
are also
achieved.
The cooker of the present invention has an air vent on the top section, and
has a structure which makes liquids spilled over the top plate extremely
difficult to
pass through inside the cooker body. Accordingly, the present invention offers
a
highly reliable cooker. Moreover, the cooker of the present invention has a
simple
detachable cover which can be easily removed when the boiled-over soup sticks
to
the cover. Accordingly, the present invention also offers an easy-care cooker
that
can be easily cleaned.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The built-in heating cooker of the present invention has a ventilation
structure that both features effective countermeasures against spilled liquids
and good
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cooling performance, and an easy-care cover structure. Accordingly, the cooker
of
the present invention is broadly applicable for use typically in apparatuses
having air
vents near liquids (e.g., cooking appliances, household appliances) and built-
in
appliances that may be exposed to spilled liquids.
