US3690002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for washing cheese curd
Assignee: JBS USA LLC
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Filing: 1970-03-30
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1990-03-30
Abstract
Abstract Cheese curd is washed under controlled conditions to produce a desired moisture level therein by continuously feeding milled curd, and water at a selected temperature between 60*-85* F., into a rotating annular vessel wherein the curd and water are agitated while being carried on a circular course. The curd and a portion of water are continuously discharged prior to being carried a full rotation of the vessel; and the rate of rotation of the vessel is adjustable to limit the time that the curd is carried therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles D Frederick
- 👤 Kenneth D Dembny
- 👤 Meredith C Thomson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:58
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J25/00; A01J25/11; A01J25/118
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An improved method for washing cheese curd, said method comprising: maintaining a body of curd and water in an annular zone while continuously carrying said body of curd and water on a circular course; Feeding curd continuously to said zone at a first point in said course; introducing water continuously to said zone; agitating the water and curd at a plurality of points along said course; and discharging continuously all of said curd with a portion of said water from said zone at a final point in said course.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An improved method for washing cheese curd, said method comprising: maintaining a body of curd and water in an annular zone while continuously carrying said body of curd and water on a circular course; Feeding curd continuously to said zone at a first point in said course; introducing water continuously to said zone; agitating the water and curd at a plurality of points along said course; and discharging continuously all of said curd with a portion of said water from said zone at a final point in said course.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of lifting the curd from the bottom of said body of curd and water just in advance of said final point in said course.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of separating the curd from said portion of water following the discharging of same from said zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of supplying fresh make-up water to said zone continuously with said curd at said first point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 4 wherein a variable quantity of said portion of water discharged with the curd is recirculated to said zone in accordance with the level of water therein so as to maintain said level constant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said fresh make-up water is at a temperature between about 60* and 85* F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein every piece of said curd is discharged from said zone within 1 to 6 minutes of being fed thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said body of water, curd and said annular zone are rotated about the center of said zone at a rate of one rotation in about 2 to 6 minutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said body of water, curd and said annular zone are rotated about the center of said zone at a rate of one rotation in about 2 to 6 minutes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the make-up water temperature and rate of rotation of said zone are interdependently selected to result in a desired moisture content of the curd discharged therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
An improved apparatus for washing cheese curd, said apparatus comprising: an annular vessel for maintaining a body of curd and water; means to rotate said annular vessel about its central axis; feeding means to deposit curd into said vessel at a fixed location; water supply means for introducing a quantity of water to said vessel; a plurality of agitating means for stirring said body of curd and water in said vessel, said agitating means being located at fixed positions around said vessel; and a discharging means located beyond said agitating means for removing curd and a portion of water from said vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
102 words
An improved apparatus for washing cheese curd, said apparatus comprising: an annular vessel for maintaining a body of curd and water; means to rotate said annular vessel about its central axis; feeding means to deposit curd into said vessel at a fixed location; water supply means for introducing a quantity of water to said vessel; a plurality of agitating means for stirring said body of curd and water in said vessel, said agitating means being located at fixed positions around said vessel; and a discharging means located beyond said agitating means for removing curd and a portion of water from said vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 11 including a lifting agitator means for raising the curd within the body of curd and water from the bottom of said vessel, said lifting agitator means being located at a fixed position beyond said agitator means and just in advance of said discharging means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 11 including separating means beyond said discharging means and outside of said vessel for dividing the curd from the portion of water discharged therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means to rotate said annular vessel comprises a rotatable frame supporting said vessel and mounted upon a stationary frame and having a variable speed means connected to turn said rotatable frame.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said feeding means comprises downwardly inclined chute and said water supply means comprises a water supply pipe attached to the upper end of said chute whereby to flush the curd therethrough.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein heating means is connected to heat the water delivered through said supply pipe.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 15 including recirculating means to return to said vessel a quantity of said portion of water discharged therefrom, and means connected to said recirculating means to regulate said quantity so as to maintain a selected water level in said vessel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said agitator means are mounted from said stationary frame at spaced positions about said annular vessel between said feeding means and said discharging means, and each said agitator means is pOsitioned directly above said annular vessel with a portion extending into said vessel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein each agitating means is comprised of a motor mounted above said annular vessel and a stirring member connected to said motor and extending into said vessel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein each stirring member includes a crank arm connected to the motor and a paddle flexibly connected to the crank arm and extending into said vessel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 18 including a lifting agitator means mounted similar to said agitating means and positioned just in advance of said discharging means, said lifting agitator comprised of a motor mounted above said annular vessel, a rotatable shaft extending downwardly into said vessel, a plurality of radial spokes extending from said shaft, and curved lifting vanes attached to the ends of said spokes.
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) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |