DE102006034548A1 - Apparatus and method for pressing cheese - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cheese press with pressing means arranged on a frame for pressing molds filled with cheese curd, the pressing means being designed to exert a horizontally directed pressing force on a horizontal press stack formed from a plurality of press molds arranged side by side in the pressing direction.

Description

The The invention relates to a cheese press and a method of pressing cheese-filled molds.

at the production of cheese, in particular of sliced cheese, is a mixture of cheese curd and Whey following fermentation and designated as syneresis Aggregation and contraction of milk proteins pressed to the whey content in the cheese lower further. In the context of industrial cheese production, the mixture becomes from cheese curd and whey by means of a portioning machine in special, perforated Filled molds, which enable the whey to escape during the pressing process, while the cheese retained in the mold will be out of it eventually cheeses to shape.

The Pressing the filled Pressing is usually done on a press line, e.g. 30 press places for a corresponding number of press molds. about Each press station is a pneumatic cylinder arranged in the vertical direction pressing the cheese curd whey mixture under a pressure of 0.1 to 0.3 bar on the cheese surface causes as long as the Whey content of the cheese has fallen below a certain value. This pressing process lasts up to two hours and must not be interrupted.

The Press places a press line are by means of appropriate conveying devices occupied in succession with molds. Subsequently, the pressing process by simultaneously pressing on via Commonly started valve actuatable pneumatic cylinder. A Single operation of the Pneumatic cylinder is usually not provided for cost reasons, as a re-tipping the pressing section is in any case only possible again when the pressing process for the Last used mold is completed.

Around nonetheless to allow at least largely continuous work, are several pressing sections next to each other and usually in two or more levels on top of each other arranged, which can be alternately equipped. at Such an arrangement requires every single pressing station to live in order to drip off leaking whey on underneath lying press places to avoid. At the same time, the enclosure serves to protect neighboring buildings Press places from splashing water and aggressive cleaning chemicals that are present a necessary cleaning of the press stations by means of within the enclosure arranged spray heads incurred.

at Such arrangements include access for maintenance and cleaning usually difficult. Since there is a lateral between two press stations Distance of at least 50 mm for the enclosure must be respected and the vertical distance the individual levels next to the mold height also by the pneumatic cylinder including the pressing path is given, there is also a space requirement, the efficiency of a production line not for cheese last because of the height from existing production rooms limited.

at disorders in particular the conveyor devices for press assembly it is necessary that maintenance personnel enter the pressing device must, what often only by accident and arduous climbing between the superposed press levels is possible and thereby the stoppage usually several pressing pieces with the result of production losses conditionally.

It Object of the invention, a cheese press or a method for pressing with cheese curd filled Molds with improved space utilization and ease of maintenance and cleaning specify.

The solution The object is achieved by a device with the features of Claim 1 and by a method having the features of the claim 24th

Especially the solution is done through a cheese press with arranged on a frame pressing means for pressing with curd filled Press molds, wherein the pressing means for applying a horizontally directed Press force on a horizontal, from a plurality of in the pressing direction formed formed adjacent press molds forming press stack are.

According to the invention can thus several molds together with horizontally acting pressing means be pressed. By using a horizontal arrangement of Press molds instead of a vertical arrangement according to Stand The technology significantly reduces the vertical space requirement of the cheese press. Farther This is compared to a space saving also conceivable vertical stacking of dies an undesirable pressure by its own weight stacked on top of each other Molds avoided. The cheese press according to the invention is applied to each mold of a horizontal pressing stack exerted the same pressing pressure, taking any friction within the dies negligible is or by a suitable adjustment of the pressing pressure for all molds a press stack can be compensated in the same way.

at a preferred embodiment The invention relates to the press molds of a press stack arranged adjacent. This will cause the horizontal extent minimal in the pressing direction.

Of the Press stack can be formed between two by the pressing means, horizontally spaced pressing surfaces are arranged, from which at least one in the horizontal direction against the other Press area is drivable.

At least a pressing surface is advantageously arranged by a on the frame, formed in particular relative to the frame immovable stop. As a result, effort and space requirements are further reduced because only one of the two pressing surfaces acting on a press stack driven must become.

at an advantageous embodiment According to the invention, a plurality of pressing means and / or pressing stacks are vertically stacked arranged. With such an arrangement, the overall height becomes substantially only by the vertical extent of the horizontal direction stacked press molds determined so that at corresponding Ceiling height the Number of press seats per floor area can multiply.

at a further advantageous embodiment of the invention a shelf rack with one above the other arranged shelf surfaces provided for receiving in each case at least one press stack, in particular each shelf associated with their own pressing means are. By serving the storage of the molds during the pressing process Shelf space is on the one hand achieves optimal utilization of space in the vertical direction and on the other hand e.g. avoided exiting during pressing Whey dripped onto underlying molds or pressing means. In addition, this is in case of failure or for Maintenance and cleaning work ensures good accessibility.

Prefers the pressing means are essentially within a press path the press stack comprehensive range of the frame arranged. Of the Pressing path of a single mold can be due to escaping whey e.g. about 60-80 mm. This results in a press stack size of, for example 30 press molds a Pressweg of more than 2 m, which is a corresponding horizontal expansion of the pressing means conditional. By the arrangement the pressing means within the Pressweg comprehensive area the frame becomes the horizontal extension of the cheese press according to the invention further reduced.

at an advantageous embodiment the invention, the drive of the press ram by one or several pneumatic cylinders.

According to one further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressing means comprise at least one on the Press stack acting punch and at least one on the frame along the Pressing direction arranged, rotatably driven threaded spindle for Application of the press stamp. By means of such threaded spindles can be cost-effective and space-saving way, even longer Realize pressing paths, but still a fine regulation of the pressing pressure enable.

Of the Press punches can be arranged by means of two juxtaposed, in radial direction of spaced threaded spindles be drivable wherein the ram extends between two threaded spindles. Here by the occurrence of acting on the threaded spindles Bending moments largely avoided and the introduction of force in the press die improved. Furthermore, the ram is thereby in the pressing direction guided.

at an advantageous embodiment The invention relates to the drivable pressing surfaces between two in the pressing direction opposite each other Pressing stacks arranged and for simultaneous pressing of both pressing stacks against each other, in particular static pressing surfaces or attacks educated. The drivable pressing surfaces act in between the two press stacks and press these apart in opposite directions against the respective ones static pressing surfaces. Thus lets the number of pressable by a pressing means at the same time Increase molds further. Furthermore, the attachment of the drivable pressing surfaces on Frame can be simplified because the pressing forces mainly in opposite Directions on the fixed pressing surfaces act and thus largely cancel each other in the attachment area. To drive the pressing surfaces can one or more common pressing means for both pressing stacks or also separate pressing means for be provided every press stack. Thus on the two press stacks no different pressing pressure is applied, are common pressing means preferably stored floating to force differences arising during pressing to balance between the press stacks.

In the case mentioned above, it is further preferred if at least one of the threaded pressing surfaces is provided with a threaded spindle provided with two counter-rotating threads, wherein in particular the opposing pressing surfaces are designed as immovable stops. In particular, when providing such threaded spindles is preferred for the above reasons, a floating storage.

The Threaded spindle can by a stepper motor or a servomotor are driven. By doing so leaves the pressing force is regulated in fine steps.

advantageously, is a tilting device for tilting a mold and / or a vertical stack of several molds around a horizontal Axis provided, wherein the tilt angle is in particular 90 °. With Help this device can be the molds, the first for filling upright standing in the lead needed the pressing process move horizontal position.

at a preferred embodiment The invention is a gripper for insertion and / or removal at least a mold, in particular a part of a press stack, in provided from the frame. Advantageously, the gripper for Tilting at least one mold formed around a horizontal axis. Thus takes over the gripper additionally the function of the tilting device.

Farther the gripper can at least one lateral stop for supporting the Press molds, so that these or individual components thereof while of the transport are held in the gripper.

Of the Gripper can continue to be displaced on a linear in all directions Lifting be arranged. Thus, several shelves of the cheese press operate with a single gripper.

Prefers this lifting is arranged on the frame of the cheese press, which In particular, the above-mentioned shelves can wear. As a result, a simplified structure is possible because no additional Licher carrier for the Lifting or ceiling mounting is required.

alternative the gripper is arranged on a articulated robot. Also through Such a robot can be the necessary range of motion for the gripper guaranteed become.

Prefers the gripper is rotatable about a vertical axis. This will the greatest possible flexibility of loading the cheese press achieved, especially when the molds before insertion in the cheese press still have to be rotated about a vertical axis. Especially in this In context, it makes sense if two racks face each other be arranged, with both racks a common gripper associated with the insertion and / or removal of dies. That way the common gripper works in an economic way, since he can equip the second frame with press molds, for example, while in the first frame, the pressing process already takes place. Thus can be for larger pressing arrangements the number of needed Keep gripper low.

Prefers is the mold as a container with a displaceably guided in the mold pressure lid to allow the pressing of cheese curd educated. The lid provides a pressing element for the cheese while preventing them from tilting horizontally the mold expires.

• – Einfüllen von Käsebruch in die Pressformen,
• – Anordnen mehrerer Pressformen in Pressrichtung zu einem horizontalen Pressstapel und
• – Pressen des Pressstapels in horizontaler Richtung.

The solution of the above-mentioned object is also achieved by a method for pressing cheese-filled press molds with the steps:

• - filling cheese curd into the molds,
• - Arranging several press molds in the pressing direction to a horizontal press stack and
• - Pressing the press stack in the horizontal direction.

hereby can be the already mentioned advantages achieve.

• – Anordnen mehrerer Pressformen zu einem Kleinstapel und
• – sukzessives Zusammensetzen des Pressstapels aus wenigstens einem Kleinstapel, bevorzugt aus mehreren Kleinstapeln.

The method preferably comprises the steps:

• Arranging a plurality of press molds into a small pile and
• - Successive assembling of the press stack from at least one small stack, preferably from several small stacks.

On that way accelerate the assembly of the press stack, as not every Be conveyed individually to their intended place got to.

advantageously, can in the context of a method according to the invention each mold to be tilted about a horizontal axis, in which case the tilted Press molds are arranged to a horizontal small stack.

alternative and preferably, however, it is also possible to use several press molds to arrange a vertical stack of small and this small pile then to tilt about a horizontal axis. Making the small pile and let it tilt in particular by one and the same gripper accomplish.

In a further variant of the method, empty press molds are arranged in the press stack for filling the press stack to a predetermined width. As in a cheese according to the invention Press of the press stack must have a certain length at the beginning of the pressing, when reaching the end of the batch, that is, when no longer enough filled molds to reach the predetermined stack width, are prepared by the empty molds a balance. Alternatively, a shorter shelf may be provided for receiving a smaller number of dies.

at an advantageous variant of the method are several compression molding taken simultaneously from the press stack. This shortens the period for unloading the molds and the cheese press stands faster for a reassembly to disposal.

Farther can two mutually opposed in a pressing direction press stack by at least a simultaneously acting on both press stack simultaneously pressing be pressed.

Further preferred embodiments and process variants of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the Description as well as the drawings. The invention will be described below based on an embodiment explained with reference to the drawings; in these show:

1 a schematic side view of a cheese press according to the invention, and

2 another side view of the cheese press after 1 from a 90 ° offset direction.

According to 1 has a cheese press 10 a shelf rack 12 which is abbreviated according to the dashed line in the drawing. It comprises two shelves arranged one above the other 14 resting on vertical supports 16 are arranged.

According to 2 , which is a frontal view of the cheese press behind 1 represents, stand the shelves 14 one-sided to the right of the columns 16 of the shelf rack 12 from. Opposite the shelf frame 12 is another shelf frame 12 ' arranged where the shelves 14 are mounted in a mirror image manner, so that between the opposite shelves 14 a gap or a walk-in corridor remains. For capacity expansion can be on the shelves 14 facing away from the shelves 12 . 12 more shelves 14 are arranged, whose representation has been omitted here for reasons of clarity.

As in 1 It can be seen on the shelves 14 several molds filled with a mixture of curd and whey 24 arranged adjacent to each other. The molds 24 each consist of a container 26 and a press cover slidably disposed therein 28 together.

On the lower shelf 14 are several molds 24 arranged in an unpressed condition, the shelf 14 not yet completely filled.

In the upper shelf 14 is one of several molds 24 composite press stack 30 , in which the pressing process in the illustrated state is almost completed. Compared to those on the bottom shelf 14 arranged press molds 24 it can be seen that the press cover 28 due to the leaked by the pressing whey now continue into the containers 26 pushed into it.

Every shelf 14 are each two threaded spindles 18 assigned to the shelf rack 12 respectively. 12 ' are attached and each of a Ser vomotor 20 rotatably driven. The two, each with a shelf 14 associated threaded spindles 18 are with a diagonal brace 22 connected, which with corresponding internal threads for receiving the threaded spindles 18 is provided and upon actuation of the threaded spindles 18 in the pressing direction A is driven.

Especially at the top shelf 14 is also very good to realize that the pressing of the press stack 30 between a fixed, on the rack frame 12 arranged stop 32 and a movable, on the diagonal strut 22 arranged press punches 34 he follows. The diagonal strut 22 is located in the illustrated pressing position approximately at the end of the length of the threaded spindle 18 predetermined pressing path.

The aforementioned pressing means 18 . 20 . 22 . 32 . 34 are available in all shelves in an identical way and for reasons of clarity, only for the upper shelf 14 of the left shelf 12 provided with reference numerals.

In 2 is good to see that through the diagonal strut 22 which the with respect to the press stack 30 diametrically opposed threaded spindles 18 connects, an even force on the punch 34 is given, so that on the threaded spindles 18 exerted bending moment and thus the risk of jamming of the pressing mechanism is negligible.

As in the 1 and 2 shown is for loading and unloading the shelves 12 . 12 ' a gripper 36 provided on a lifting carriage 38 slidably arranged in three orthogonal directions is net. In addition, the gripper is rotatable about a vertical axis to both shelves 12 . 12 ' to operate and delivered outside the frame area press molds 24 to be able to record.

For storage of the lifting carriage 38 are at the upper ends of the columns 16 each running parallel to the pressing direction A running rails 40 arranged, with the rails 40 , the shelves 12 . 12 ' overhang at the end. The lifting carriage 38 includes one on the rails 40 mounted, in the pressing direction A movable bridge 41 at the trolley 42 is stored, the one perpendicular to the pressing direction A horizontal displacement of the gripper 36 allowed. The gripper 36 is vertically along one at the trolley 42 about a vertical axis rotatably mounted lifting column 44 displaceable.

The gripper 36 itself has several gripping elements 46 or prongs for receiving one of several molds 24 formed small pile 50 on, with each gripping element 46 a mold 24 supported. It should be noted that such a small pile 50 usually more than in 2 illustrated two press molds 24 In particular, four or five molds may be included 24 at the same time by a correspondingly sized gripper 36 be recorded.

To the fall out of the outer press cover 28 of the small pile 50 to prevent or the dies 24 laterally support is on one or both sides of the gripper 36 a side stop 48 intended. Below the gripping elements 46 is also a drip pan 52 provided from the small pile 50 leaking whey fields.

To the molds 24 It should also be noted that here preferred molds 24 can be used for the production of cuboid Normkäseiegeln with a size of 30 cm × 50 cm, but is the inventive use of the cheese press 10 not limited to this form.

The following describes a process for pressing cheese curd which is fed with a cheese press according to the 1 and 2 is feasible: First, by means of a portioning machine, not shown, a mixture of cheese curd and whey in an upright and thus open-topped container 26 filled. Subsequently, a press cover 28 from above into the container 26 used, the container 26 and the press cover 28 are made to fit. Now, the thus composed mold 24 tilted by 90 ° about a horizontal axis by means of a tilting device, not shown.

Other filled and tilted molds 24 become a horizontal small pile 50 the desired size juxtaposed, with each of the press cover 28 a mold 24 to the bottom of another mold 24 borders.

The small pile 50 is then from the gripper 36 picked up and placed on a free shelf 14 hung up. The press stamp 34 is initially in its left end position as it is for the lower shelf 1 is shown. Meanwhile, other molds 24 filled, tilted and to another small pile 50 compiled.

This further small pile 50 Now go to the previous small pile 50 then on the shelf 14 In order to put the press stack in this way 30 to build. It is irrelevant to the process whether with the formation of the press stack 30 at the stop 32 or on the punch 34 is started.

There are more small stacks 50 or optionally also empty molds 24 in the shelf 14 used until the press stack its by the distance between press punches 34 and stop 32 has reached the specified length.

Now the press stamp 34 moved by driving the threaded spindles in the pressing direction A. Due to the pressing action, excess whey escapes from the molds 24 from, until the end of the pressing process essentially only cheese in the molds 24 remains. This condition is for the upper shelf 14 of the 1 shown. By choosing the drive speed of the servomotors 20 or by intermittent control, press pressure and speed can be controlled.

The pressing process is completed after about 1 to 2 hours. During this time can be more shelves 14 and / or racks 12 . 12 ' be fitted.

By oppositely driving the threaded spindles 18 becomes the press stamp 34 from the press stack 30 solved and moved back to its original position. Subsequently, the molds 24 again by means of the gripper 36 successively in small stacks 50 from the shelf rack 12 taken.

10

cheese press

12 12 '

shelf frame

14

shelf

16

support

18

screw

20

servomotor

22

diagonal strut

24

mold

26

container

28

press cover

30

Press stack

32

attack

34

press die

36

grab

38

lifting

40

runner

41

bridge

42

trolley

44

Lifting column

46

gripping element

48

side stop

50

small stacks

52

drip tray

A

pressing direction

Claims (30)

Cheese press ( 10 ) with on a frame ( 12 . 12 ' ) arranged pressing means for pressing filled with cheese curd molds ( 24 ), characterized in that the pressing means for exerting a horizontally directed pressing force on a horizontal, from a plurality of juxtaposed in the pressing direction compression molds ( 24 ) formed press stack ( 30 ) are formed. Cheese press according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the molds ( 24 ) of a press stack ( 30 ) are arranged adjacent to each other. Cheese press according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press stack ( 30 ) between two pressing surfaces formed by the pressing means ( 32 . 34 ) is arranged, of which at least one is drivable in the horizontal direction. Cheese press according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one pressing surface by one on the frame ( 12 . 12 ' ), in particular relative to the frame ( 12 . 12 ' ) immovable stop ( 32 ) is formed. Cheese press according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of pressing means and / or pressing stacks ( 30 ) are arranged one above the other. Cheese press according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a shelf frame ( 12 . 12 ' ) with stacked shelves ( 14 ) for receiving at least one press stack ( 30 ) is provided, in particular each shelf ( 14 ) own pressing means are assigned. Cheese press according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing means substantially within a press path of the press stack ( 30 ) comprehensive area of the frame ( 12 . 12 ' ) are arranged. Cheese press according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing means at least one on the press stack ( 30 ) acting punch ( 34 ) and at least one on the frame ( 12 . 12 ' ) arranged along the pressing direction cylinder, in particular a pneumatic cylinder for driving the press ram ( 34 ). Cheese press according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing means at least one on the press stack ( 30 ) acting punch ( 34 ) and at least one on the frame ( 12 . 12 ' ) arranged longitudinally to the pressing direction, rotatably driven threaded spindle ( 18 ) for driving the punch ( 34 ). Cheese press according to claim 9, characterized in that the press ram ( 34 ) by means of two juxtaposed, spaced apart in the radial direction threaded spindles ( 18 ) is drivable, wherein the punch ( 34 ) between both threaded spindles ( 18 ). Cheese press according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the drivable pressing surfaces between two pressing stacks facing each other in the pressing direction ( 30 ) are arranged and for simultaneous pressing of both press stack ( 30 ) against opposing, in particular static pressing surfaces ( 32 ) are formed. Cheese press according to claim 11, characterized in that the pressing means comprise at least one threaded spindle (2) provided with two counter-rotating threads ( 18 ), wherein in particular the opposing pressing surfaces as immovable attacks ( 32 ) are formed. Cheese press according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the threaded spindle ( 18 ) by a stepper motor or a servomotor ( 20 ) is drivable. Cheese press according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a tilting device for tilting a mold ( 24 ) and / or a vertical stack of multiple dies ( 24 ) is provided about a horizontal axis, wherein the tilt angle is in particular 90 °. Cheese press according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gripper ( 36 ) for inserting and / or removing at least one mold ( 24 ), in particular a part of a press stack ( 30 ), into / out of the frame ( 12 . 12 ' ) is provided. Cheese press according to claim 15, characterized in that the gripper ( 36 ) for tilting at least one mold ( 24 ) is formed about a horizontal axis. Cheese press according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the gripper ( 36 ) at least one lateral stop ( 48 ) for supporting the molds ( 24 ) having. Cheese press according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the gripper ( 36 ) is rotatable about a vertical axis. Cheese press according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the gripper ( 36 ) on a linearly displaceable in all directions Hubschlitten ( 38 ) is arranged. Cheese press according to claim 19, characterized in that the lifting carriage ( 38 ) on the frame ( 12 . 12 ' ) is arranged. Cheese press according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the gripper ( 36 ) is arranged on a articulated robot. Cheese press according to one of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that two racks ( 12 . 12 ' ) are arranged opposite one another, wherein both racks ( 12 . 12 ' ) a common gripper ( 36 ) for inserting and / or removing molds ( 24 ) assigned. Cheese press according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mold ( 24 ) as a container ( 26 ) with one in the mold ( 24 ) displaceably guided press cover ( 28 ) is formed to enable the pressing of cheese curd. Process for pressing cheese-filled molds ( 24 ), with the steps: filling curd into the molds ( 24 ), Arranging several molds ( 24 ) in the pressing direction to a horizontal press stack ( 30 ) and pressing the press stack ( 30 ) in the horizontal direction. Method according to claim 24, characterized by the steps of: arranging a plurality of molds ( 24 ) to a small stack ( 50 ), and successive assembly of the press stack ( 30 ) from at least one small stack ( 50 ). Method according to claim 25, characterized by the steps: tilting of the molds ( 24 ) about a horizontal axis and arranging the tilted molds ( 24 ) to a horizontal small stack ( 50 ). A method according to claim 25, characterized by the steps of: arranging the molds ( 24 ) to a vertical small stack ( 50 ) and tilting the small pile ( 50 ) about a horizontal axis. Method according to one of claims 24 to 27, characterized by the step: arranging empty molds ( 24 ) in the press stack for filling the press stack ( 30 ) to a predetermined width. Method according to one of claims 24 to 28, characterized by the step: simultaneous removal of several molds ( 24 ) from the press stack ( 30 ). Method according to one of claims 24 to 29, characterized by the step: simultaneous pressing of two pressing stacks facing each other in a pressing direction (US Pat. 30 ) by at least one on both press stack ( 30 ) simultaneously acting pressing agent.