US3693256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for continuously separating and washing a coagulum and more particularly curd for making cheese and casein
Assignee: Unibel SA
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Filing: 1970-07-22
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1990-07-22
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for continuously processing a coagulated raw milk product comprising a constant-level mixture separating chamber and at least one means for compressing the curd in the whey. The means for discharging the whey from the curd compressing means communicate with a point on the apparatus located upstream of the curd compressing means, the whey discharge means have connected thereinto a pressure-gauge and an adjustable-output pump, a smooth tube is positioned upstream of each curd compressing means, and the curd compressing means is a perforated tube the perforations of which are slots parallel to its axis. This apparatus can be applied with advantage to the production of cheesemaking curds.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Louis Fernand Joux
- 👤 Bernard Michel Mignot
- 👤 Michel Gaston Albert Billon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:30
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J25/00; A01J25/11; A01J25/111; A01J25/112; A01J25/118
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for the separation of a mixture of whey and cheese curd grains, the density of the grains being higher than that of the whey, said apparatus comprising in series, first pumping means for pumping the mixture, a vertical cylindrical decanting drum including an upper and lower portion, a first whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said decanting drum, first conduit means communicating said first pumping means with said upper portion of said decanting drum, a vertical cylindrical pressing column including a lower portion and an upper portion supporting coaxially said lower portion of said decanting drum, second pumping means for pumping the grains, second conduit means communicating said second pumping means with said lower portion of said pressing column, a second whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said pressing column and third conduit means communicating said second pumping means with an inlet provided on said apparatus upwardly of said pressing column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for the separation of a mixture of whey and cheese curd grains, the density of the grains being higher than that of the whey, said apparatus comprising in series, first pumping means for pumping the mixture, a vertical cylindrical decanting drum including an upper and lower portion, a first whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said decanting drum, first conduit means communicating said first pumping means with said upper portion of said decanting drum, a vertical cylindrical pressing column including a lower portion and an upper portion supporting coaxially said lower portion of said decanting drum, second pumping means for pumping the grains, second conduit means communicating said second pumping means with said lower portion of said pressing column, a second whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said pressing column and third conduit means communicating said second pumping means with an inlet provided on said apparatus upwardly of said pressing column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inlet is provided in said upper portion of said decanting drum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for the separation of a mixture of whey and cheese curd grains, the density of the grains being higher than that of the whey, said apparatus comprising in series, first pumping means for pumping the mixture, a vertical cylindrical decanting drum including an upper and lower portion, a first whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said decanting drum, first conduit means communicating said first pumping means with said upper portion of said decanting drum, a vertical cylindrical column including a lower portion and an upper portion supporting coaxially said lower portion of said decanting drum, second pumping means for pumping the grains, second conduit means communicating said second pumping means with said lower portion of said pressing column, a second whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said pressing column, a pressure-gauge and an adjustable-output pump connected into said second whey discharge conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for the separation of a mixture of whey and cheese curd grains, the density of the grains being higher than that of the whey, said apparatus comprising in series, first pumping means for pumping the mixture, a vertical cylindrical decanting drum including an upper and lower portion, a first whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said decanting drum, first conduit means communicating said first pumping means with said upper portion of said decanting drum, a vertical cylindrical column including a lower portion and an upper portion supporting coaxially said lower portion of said decanting drum, second pumping means for pumping the grains, second conduit means communicating said second pumping means with said lower portion of said pressing column, a second whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said pressing column, a pressure-gauge and an adjustable-output pump connected into said second whey discharge conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for the separation of a mixture of whey and cheese curd grains, the density of the grains being higher than that of the whey, said apparatus comprising in series, first pumping means for pumping the mixture, a vertical cylindrical decanting drum including an upper and lower portion, a first whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said decanting drum, first conduit means communicating said first pumping means with said upper portion of said decanting drum, a smooth tube supporting coaxially said lower portion of said decanting drum, a vertical cylindrical pressing column including a lower portion and an upper portion supporting coaxially said smooth tube, second pumping means for pumping the grains, second conduit means communicating said second pumping means with said lower portion of said pressing column and a second whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said pressing column.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for the separation of a mixture of whey and cheese curd grains, the density of the grains being higher than that of the whey, said apparatus comprising in series, first pumping means for pumping the mixture, a vertical cylindrical decanting drum including an upper and lower portion, a first whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said decanting drum, first conduit means communicating said first pumping means with said upper portion of said decanting drum, a smooth tube supporting coaxially said lower portion of said decanting drum, a vertical cylindrical pressing column including a lower portion and an upper portion supporting coaxially said smooth tube, second pumping means for pumping the grains, second conduit means communicating said second pumping means with said lower portion of said pressing column and a second whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said pressing column.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for the separation of a mixture of whey and cheese curd grains, the density of the grains being higher than that of the whey, said apparatus comprising in series, first pumping means for pumping the mixture, a vertical cylindrical decanting drum including an upper and lower portion, a first whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said decanting drum, first conduit means communicating said first pumping means with said upper portion of said decanting drum, a vertical cylindrical pressing column including a lower portion and an upper portion supporting coaxially said lower portion of said decanting drum, second pumping means for pumping the grains, second conduit means communicating said second pumping means with said lower portion of said pressing column, a second whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said pressing column and perforated vertical cylindrical tube supported internally of said pressing column, said perforated tube having a plurality of perforations formed by slotS parallel to the axis of said tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for the separation of a mixture of whey and cheese curd grains, the density of the grains being higher than that of the whey, said apparatus comprising in series, first pumping means for pumping the mixture, a vertical cylindrical decanting drum including an upper and lower portion, a first whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said decanting drum, first conduit means communicating said first pumping means with said upper portion of said decanting drum, a vertical cylindrical pressing column including a lower portion and an upper portion supporting coaxially said lower portion of said decanting drum, second pumping means for pumping the grains, second conduit means communicating said second pumping means with said lower portion of said pressing column, a second whey discharge conduit communicating with said upper portion of said pressing column and perforated vertical cylindrical tube supported internally of said pressing column, said perforated tube having a plurality of perforations formed by slotS parallel to the axis of said tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized by the fact that said perforated tube has a plurality of said slots, that it includes an upper portion and lower portion and that the width and said number of said slots go increasing from said upper portion to said lower portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterized by the fact that said slots are arranged in horizontal rows, said rows of slots having a combined area for passage therethrough which increases in the ratio of 1 to between 2 and 8 from said upper portion towards said lower portion of said perforated tube, the area for passage through said slots being from 0.2 to 1 square centimeter for a whey flow rate therethrough of one liter per hour.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized by the fact that said perforated tube includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and that said slots are aligned parallel with the axis of said perforated tube and are interconnected, at least at said lower portion of said perforated tube, by channels formed internally thereto and aligned with said slots, the cross-section of said perforated tube increasing from said upper portion to said lower portion and at least over said lower portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized by the fact that said perforated tube has an outer surface and that said slots flare outwardly in the direction thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, in which at the lower section of pressure column are disposed agitating means, in the vicinity of the junction of said second duct means on said pressure column.
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) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |