US3570389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for processing plasticized cheese
Assignee: American Foods Machinery Corp
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Filing: 1969-04-16
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Granted: 1971-03-16
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Expires: 1989-04-16
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is apparatus for processing raw cheese curd into fine, plasticized, substantially homogeneous cheese such as Mozzarelli, wherein the curd is carried by a stainless steel conveyor belt through an elongated body of water which is heated by steam or hot water circulated in heat-exchange ducts in the bottom of the tank which holds the water; the curd, after being softened and moistened by the heated water, being elevated by its conveyor belt up an incline, out of the body of water and thence discharged over the end of the tank and downwardly onto a kneading belt which carries it beneath successive kneading rollers and finally delivers the fully processed cheese to a receiving apparatus such as an elevator or conveyor. Successive kneading rolls flatten the cheese into ribbon form. Between successive rolls the cheese ribbon is gathered and folded over upon itself preparatory to being again flattened beneath the next roll. Salt may be applied to the cheese ribbon at a suitable station along the kneading ribbon.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas E Pontecorvo
- 👤 Wilfred A Shaffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:28
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J25/00; A01J25/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said tank embodies double-walled sides defining water-heating tanks, and including means for injecting live steam into said heating tanks, whereby the water therein, and the sides of said softening tank, are heated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
Apparatus for processing raw cheese curd into compact, homogeneous cheese, comprising: conveyor belt means; means for depositing on a first section of said conveyor belt means a layer of raw cheese curd; means associated with said first section for softening said curd, the softened curd being delivered to a second section of said conveyor belt means while in a softened condition; successive kneading rolls disposed above and contiguous to a second section of said conveyor belt means, for kneading the softened curd into a continuous ribbon upon said second section; an elongated horizontal softening tank for holding a heated bath in which said first belt section has a carrying stretch arranged to carry said raw curd in said bath for effecting said softening, said stretch having an end for receiving raw curd and an opposite end for discharging softened curd; guide rollers at respective ends of said tank, beneath which said carrying stretch travels so as to maintain the same substantially straight and submerged at a uniform depth in said bath; means mounting said rollers for raising and lowering movements; and means operable on said mounting means for raising said rollers to loosen said carrying stretch to facilitate cleaning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
229 words
Apparatus for processing raw cheese curd into compact, homogeneous cheese, comprising: conveyor belt means; means for depositing on a first section of said conveyor belt means a layer of raw cheese curd; means associated with said first section for softening said curd, the softened curd being delivered to a second section of said conveyor belt means while in a softened condition; successive kneading rolls disposed above and contiguous to a second section of said conveyor belt means, for kneading the softened curd into a continuous ribbon upon said second section; an elongated horizontal softening tank for holding a heated bath in which said first belt section has a carrying stretch arranged to carry said raw curd in said bath for effecting said softening, said carrying stretch having an end for receiving raw curd and an opposite end for discharging softened curd; guide rollers at respective ends of said tank, beneath which said carrying stretch travels so as to maintain the same substantially straight and submerged at a uniform depth in said bath; means mounting said rollers for raising and lowering movements; means operable on said mounting means for raising said rollers to loosen said carrying stretch to facilitate cleaning; and means engageable beneath said carrying stretch intermediate its ends and operable to elevate the same above said softening tank to facilitate cleaning of said tank and said belt means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for processing raw cheese curd into compact, homogeneous cheese, comprising: conveyor belt means; means for depositing on a first section of said conveyor belt means a layer of raw cheese curd; means associated with said first section for softening said curd, the softened curd being delivered to a second section of said conveyor belt means while in a softened condition; successive kneading rolls disposed above and contiguous to a second section of said conveyor belt means, for kneading the softened curd into a continuous ribbon upon said second section; an elongated horizontal softening tank for holding a heated bath in which said first belt section has a carrying stretch arranged to carry said raw curd in said bath for effecting said softening, said carrying stretch having an end for receiving raw curd and an opposite end for discharging softened curd; and guide rollers at respective ends of said tank, beneath which said carrying stretch travels so as to maintain the same substantially straight and submerged at a uniform depth.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-15 | 1974-09-14 | 1975-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-15 | 1978-09-14 | 1979-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-15 | 1982-09-14 | 1983-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |