US4848219A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tank for cooling mozzarella cheeses
Assignee: DIMA Srl A CORP OF ITALY
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Filing: 1988-02-16
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Granted: 1989-07-18
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Expires: 2008-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A tank for cooling mozzarella cheeses with a closed circuit conveyor belt at the outlet of machines for molding mozzarella cheeses from stretched cheese paste, in which the conveyor belt is formed by transversely spaced longitudinal bars with a connection and support structure with components projecting laterally outwardly from the top of the tank and in which means designed to cause the conveyor belt to perform a closed circuit movement with a slow outward stroke and a rapid return stroke are associated with these projecting components.
Inventors
- 👤 Claudio Aldrovandi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:53
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J25/00; A01J25/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for cooling mozzarella cheese, comprising: a support; means on said support forming an upwardly open elongated tank receiving a cooling liquid; means at one end of said tank forming an upwardly inclined conveyor section for lifting mozzarella cheeses from said tank; and a longitudinal conveyor for displacing mozzarella cheeses along said tank toward said one end, said longitudinal conveyor comprising: an array of interconnected transversely spaced longitudinally extending parallel bars, a plurality of components connected to said array and extending upwardly and outwardly over longitudinal edges of said tank, a pair of relatively shiftable rods along at least one side of said tank and provided with first actuating means for displacing said pair of rods in a longitudinal direction and second actuating means for shifting said rods relative to one another, and means operatively connecting said pair of rods and said components for displacing said array relatively slowly in a closed-circuit movement toward said upwardly inclined conveyor section in a raised position of said array carrying said mozzarella cheeses, for then lowering said array whereby said mozzarella cheeses are floated, for thereafter displacing said array relatively rapidly away from said upwardly inclined conveyor section, and for then lifting said array to lift said mozzarella cheeses whereby said mozzarella cheeses are transported on said array.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for cooling mozzarella cheese, comprising: a support; means on said support forming an upwardly open elongated tank receiving a cooling liquid; means at one end of said tank forming an upwardly inclined conveyor section for lifting mozzarella cheeses from said tank; and a longitudinal conveyor for displacing mozzarella cheeses along said tank toward said one end, said longitudinal conveyor comprising: an array of interconnected transversely spaced longitudinally extending parallel bars, a plurality of components connected to said array and extending upwardly and outwardly over longitudinal edges of said tank, a pair of relatively shiftable rods along at least one side of said tank and provided with first actuating means for displacing said pair of rods in a longitudinal direction and second actuating means for shifting said rods relative to one another, and means operatively connecting said pair of rods and said components for displacing said array relatively slowly in a closed-circuit movement toward said upwardly inclined conveyor section in a raised position of said array carrying said mozzarella cheeses, for then lowering said array whereby said mozzarella cheeses are floated, for thereafter displacing said array relatively rapidly away from said upwardly inclined conveyor section, and for then lifting said array to lift said mozzarella cheeses whereby said mozzarella cheeses are transported on said array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising jack means engageable with said components for lifting said array above a surface of said tank to enable cleaning of said array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said means operatively connecting said pair of rods to said components include articulated elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said means operatively connecting said pair of rods to said components include a respective block connected to each of said rods and said articulated elements are bent-arm levers each articulated to one of the blocks on each of said rods.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said levers have further blocks on free ends thereof, each of said components having a downwardly extending pin receivable in a hole formed in the respective further block.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein actuating means are hydraulic cylinders.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus defined in claim 6, further comprising jack means engageable with said components for lifting said array above a surface of said tank to enable cleaning of said array.
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) | 1992-07-17 | 1993-01-16 | 1993-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-17 | 1997-01-16 | 1997-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-17 | 2001-01-16 | 2001-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |