Cheese basin

Claim 1

A vat for the preparation of curd, with a view to the manufacture of cheese, said vat being semi-circular in shape in transverse cross section and having a horizontal longitudinal axis, and being equipped with a single toolholder shaft (9) extending longitudinally over the vat in its vertical centre plane and moving rotationally about itself, characterized in that, with a view to imparting a swivelling movement, a transverse rectilinear movement or a combination of these movements to the tools (22, 23) carried by this shaft, the tool- holder shaft (9) rotates in bearings (10, 10a) mounted in such a way as to be able to move along vertical slides (2, 2a) provided at each end of the vat (1), at least one of which bearings is equipped with a means (13) of imparting rotary motion to the tool-holder shaft, which is connected kinematically to short coaxial shafts (14, 14a) situated under the ends of the tool-holder shaft and parallel therewith, said shafts rotating in a second set of bearings (16, 16a) each equipped with a drive means (15, 15a) for the shaft (14, 14a) which it carries, these bearings also being mounted in such a way as to be able to move along the νertical slides (2, 2a), means being provided for immobilizing one or other of these sets of bearings on the slides, the tool-holder shaft (9) and the short shafts (14, 14a) being connected kinematically together by means of connecting rods (18, 18a) mounted freely and rotatably on the tool-holder shaft and by means of connecting rods (19, 19a) which are fixedly connected to the short shafts, hinged together and capable of being coupled or uncoupled by a locking means (20, 20a) to or from connecting rods (21, 21a) fixedly connected with the tool- holder shaft, these kinematic connections being effected or broken in accordance with the swivelling and transverse rectilinear movements, alone or in combination, which it is desired to impart to the tools carried by the tool-holder shaft (9).