US3824918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Processing a curd-whey mixture
Assignee: Holvrieka International BV
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Filing: 1972-12-20
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Granted: 1974-07-23
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Expires: 1992-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A method of processing a curd-whey mixture in a cycle process into cheese, as well as an apparatus for applying this method. In this apparatus single or assemblies of vertical tubes are applied for the different processing phases. In the first tube the curd coming from a prior art apparatus for separating curd mass from whey is lowered in cheese moulds, as a result of which the cheese is pressed by the stacking in the tube. Via a conveyor with emptying mechanism the cheeses are lowered in containers and the empty moulds are again passed to the whey-curd separator. The containers, having a sieve for discharging excess whey, on which the cheeses come to rest are lifted in a second tube at a speed sufficient to reduce the bacterial activity. Then the cheeses move to a curing and brining section comprising a plurality of vertical tubes in order to be brined. The cheeses remain in said section for so long a time as is necessary for sufficient curing. After removal of the ready cheeses the containers are introduced in another vertical tube functioning as a container storage tube. Containers withdrawn from the lower end come again in the place where the cheeses are lowered from the moulds into the containers.
Inventors
- 👤 A Bronkhorst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:31
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J25/00; A01J25/001; A01J25/12; A01J25/16; A01J25/162; A23; A23C; A23C19/00; A23C19/06; A23C19/068; A23C19/072
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for processing curd-whey into cheese comprising a whey-curd separator, a plurality of cheese moulds, a plurality of cheese mould-followers, a first vertical hollow tube having an inner width adapted to receive the mould-followers, which tube at its open upper end is provided with an introducing mechanism for said mould-followers and at its lower end with a device taking up the followers and returning them to its upper end, as well as a first conveyor which receives the moulds, a second conveyor for receiving cheeses from the moulds on the first conveyor, at least a second vertical hollow tube, means for shifting the cheeses into said second tube and for cycling the cheeses one by one in an upward direction, a third vertical tube which receives the cheeses from the second tube and in which the cycle process is continued, means for lowering the cheeses again on to the second conveyor, means for shifting the cheeses into at least a fourth vertical tube, which after receiving the cheeses from the third tube can be closed and filled with brine and after brining can serve as a storage space for curing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for processing curd-whey into cheese comprising a whey-curd separator, a plurality of cheese moulds, a plurality of cheese mould-followers, a first vertical hollow tube having an inner width adapted to receive the mould-followers, which tube at its open upper end is provided with an introducing mechanism for said mould-followers and at its lower end with a device taking up the followers and returning them to its upper end, as well as a first conveyor which receives the moulds, a second conveyor for receiving cheeses from the moulds on the first conveyor, at least a second vertical hollow tube, means for shifting the cheeses into said second tube and for cycling the cheeses one by one in an upward direction, a third vertical tube which receives the cheeses from the second tube and in which the cycle process is continued, means for lowering the cheeses again on to the second conveyor, means for shifting the cheeses into at least a fourth vertical tube, which after receiving the cheeses from the third tube can be closed and filled with brine and after brining can serve as a storage space for curing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the first tube is dependent on the number of cheese moulds with followers to be introduced therein and the residence time, so that pressing can be effected by either the own weight of the stacked filled mould-follower assemblies, or by a weighting own of said assemblies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that adjacent the lower end of the first tube two vertically spaced intermittent, inwardly extending abutment means are provided of which the first means each time lower the lowermost mould follower on the first conveyor and the second abutment means lift the followers from the filled mould and release same one by one to said first conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first conveyor is an endless chain conveyor with means for holding the moulds, which conveyor is provided with a reverse gear with a cyclindrical guiDe plate for stopping the cheeses to lower the cheeses from the moulds, said apparatus including containers on the second conveyor for receiving the cheeses when these containers pass the lower end of the guide plate, said first conveyor being adapted to return the empty moulds to the whey-curd separator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as in claim 4, characterized in that the second tube comprises two juxtaposed sections and is provided with means to lift the cheeses in said containers, for passing the cycle process, in the first section successively upwardly to the upper end thereof, to the upper end of the second section and subsequently lowering same therein and placing the filled containers again on the second conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the third tube comprises a number of juxtaposed sections which at their lower ends are provided with means to receive the containers from the second conveyor and displace them upwardly, and means for closing the lower ends of the third tube sections and for admitting brine and after expiry of the brine time discharging said brine, and means at the upper end of the third tube sections to take the cheeses from the containers and to discharge the containers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the third tube comprises a number of juxtaposed sections, which at their lower ends are provided with means to receive the containers from the second conveyor and displace same upwardly, and means for dripping the cheeses with brine and after expiry of the brine time for discharging the brine and means at the upper ends of the third tube sections to remove the cheese from the containers, and to discharge the containers.
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) | 1977-07-22 | 1978-01-21 | 1978-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-22 | 1982-01-21 | 1982-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-22 | 1986-01-21 | 1986-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |