US3719994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for draining whey from cheese
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-02
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1991-04-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for pressing and draining whey from cheese curd. The cheese curd to be treated is contained within a box or container having a generally rectangular cross-section and an open top. The box is mounted within a supporting frame and a perforated lid is connected to the side portions of the frame structure and encloses the open top of the box. The frame containing the box is lifted into a supporting cradle that is adapted to travel on an overhead rail extending within the cheese making plant. The cradle includes an outer cradle member suspended from the rail and an inner cradle member which supports the frame and box. The inner cradle member is pivotally connected to the outer member about a horizontal axis so that the box can be tilted to a downwardly inclined position to permit the whey to drain from the cheese curd through the perforated lid. A locking mechanism is included to lock the box in the upright, as well as in the downwardly inclined position. To permit the box to be rotated about its longitudinal axis, an axial pin connected to the lid is journalled within a cross bar on the inner cradle member and the base of the inner cradle member is provided with an upstanding pin which is received within an opening in the base of the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 O Hensel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:07
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J25/00; A01J25/11; A01J25/115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for draining whey from cheese curd, comprising an open-top container to contain the cheese curd, a frame to support the container and including a base, a removable lid to enclose the open top of the container and having an opening therein, means for removably securing the lid to the frame, a cradle including a first cradle member and a second cradle member to support the frame, first journalling means for journalling the base of the frame with respect to said second cradle member, second journalling means for journalling the lid with respect to said second cradle member, said first and second journalling means being in substantial vertical alignment when the frame and the container are in a generally upright position, and means pivotally connecting the second cradle member to the first cradle member for moving the frame and the container from a generally upright position to an inclined position, the whey draining by gravity from the cheese curd and being discharged through said opening in the lid when the container is in the inclined position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for draining whey from cheese curd, comprising an open-top container to contain the cheese curd, a frame to support the container and including a base, a removable lid to enclose the open top of the container and having an opening therein, means for removably securing the lid to the frame, a cradle including a first cradle member and a second cradle member to support the frame, first journalling means for journalling the base of the frame with respect to said second cradle member, second journalling means for journalling the lid with respect to said second cradle member, said first and second journalling means being in substantial vertical alignment when the frame and the container are in a generally upright position, and means pivotally connecting the second cradle member to the first cradle member for moving the frame and the container from a generally upright position to an inclined position, the whey draining by gravity from the cheese curd and being discharged through said opening in the lid when the container is in the inclined position.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for draining whey from cheese curd, comprising an open-top container to contain the cheese curd, a frame to support the container and including a base, a removable lid to enclose the open top of the container and having an opening therein, means for removably securing the lid to the frame, a cradle including a first cradle member and a second cradle member to support the frame, first journalling means for journalling the base of the frame with respect to said second cradle member, second journalling means for journalling the lid with respect to said second cradle member, said first and second journalling means being in substantial vertical alignment when the frame and the container are in a generally upright position, and means pivotally connecting the second cradle member to the first cradle member for moving the frame and the container from a generally upright position to an inclined position, the whey draining by gravity from the cheese curd and being discharged through said opening in the lid when the container is in the inclined position.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for draining whey from cheese curd, comprising an open-top container to contain the cheese curd, a frame to support the container and including a base, a removable lid to enclose the open top of the container and having an opening therein, means for removably securing the lid to the frame, a cradle including a first cradle member and a second cradle member to support the frame, first journalling means for journalling the base of the frame with respect to said second cradle member, second journalling means for journalling the lid with respect to said second cradle member, said first and second journalling means being in substantial vertical alignment when the frame and the container are in a generally upright position, and means pivotally connecting the second cradle member to the first cradle member for moving the frame and the container from a generally upright position to an inclined position, the whey draining by gravity from the cheese curd and being discharged through said opening in the lid when the container is in the inclined position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame includes a pair of side members extending upwardly from the base in diametrically opposed relation, said lid being connected to the upper ends of said side members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lid is provided with a series of spaced openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base comprises a plate to support the container, a peripheral flange extending upwardly from the base, and drain means connected to the plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1, and including support means attached to the base and extending downwardly to a level beneath said first journalling means for supporting the frame in an upright position when the frame is removed from said cradle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said support means is disposed out of contact with the second cradle member when the frame is supported by said second cradle member whereby the weight of said frame and said container, when the frame and container are in the upright position, is supported solely by said journalling means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first jounralling means is located centrally of said base and the weight of the frame and the container is supported solely by said first jouRnalling means when the frame and the container are in said upright position.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for draining whey from cheese curd, comprising an open-top container to contain the cheese curd, said container having a generally rectangular cross section, a frame to support the container and including a base, said base including a support member to support the container and having a first bushing located generally centrally on said support member, a removable lid to enclose the open top of the container and having a plurality of openings therein, means for removably securing the lid to the frame, a cradle including a first cradle member and a second cradle member to support the frame, said second cradle member including a base member, an upstanding pin on said base member and disposed to be received in said first bushing to journal the lower portion of said frame with respect to said second cradle member, said second cradle member also including an upper member, a second bushing in said upper member, an upstanding pin on the lid and disposed to be received in said second bushing to journal the upper portion of said frame with respect to said second cradle member, means pivotally connecting the second cradle member to the first cradle member for moving the frame and the container from a generally upright position to an inclined position, the whey draining by gravity from the cheese curd and being discharged through said openings in the lid when the container is in the inclined position.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for draining whey from cheese curd, comprising an open-top container to contain the cheese curd, said container having a generally rectangular cross section, a frame to support the container and including a base, said base including a support member to support the container and having a first bushing located generally centrally on said support member, a removable lid to enclose the open top of the container and having a plurality of openings therein, means for removably securing the lid to the frame, a cradle including a first cradle member and a second cradle member to support the frame, said second cradle member including a base member, an upstanding pin on said base member and disposed to be received in said first bushing to journal the lower portion of said frame with respect to said second cradle member, said second cradle member also including an upper member, a second bushing in said upper member, an upstanding pin on the lid and disposed to be received in said second bushing to journal the upper portion of said frame with respect to said second cradle member, means pivotally connecting the second cradle member to the first cradle member for moving the frame and the container from a generally upright position to an inclined position, the whey draining by gravity from the cheese curd and being discharged through said openings in the lid when the container is in the inclined position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 8, and including a series of legs extending downward from said support member, and skid means connected to said legs, said skid means facilitiating movement of said frame over the ground.
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) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |