Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01J—MANUFACTURE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS
  • A01J25/00—Cheese-making
  • A01J25/12—Forming the cheese
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01J—MANUFACTURE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS
  • A01J25/00—Cheese-making
  • A01J25/12—Forming the cheese
  • A01J25/13—Moulds therefor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23P—SHAPING OR WORKING OF FOODSTUFFS, NOT FULLY COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS
  • A23P30/00—Shaping or working of foodstuffs characterised by the process or apparatus
  • A23P30/10—Moulding

Definitions

• the invention relates to the technical field of molding cheese or other equivalent product.
• the present invention relates more particularly to a curd molding device for the manufacture of cheese, particularly soft cheese.
• pasteurization aimed at ridding the milk of certain undesirable micro-organisms by heating it, the milk intended for the manufacture of the cheese being able to pass through this stage, which is however not obligatory, according to whether a cheese is made from raw milk or pasteurized milk;
• ripening a step during which lactic ferments selected according to the desired cheese are added to the milk to give the texture and taste of the forming;
• curdling this step of letting the milk coagulate through the action of a rennet, the milk solidifying to become curdled;
• the curd is drained so as to separate it from the serum, also called "whey" which is a liquid resulting from the coagulation of milk, this allowing to prolong the preservation of the cheese; and
• This step of molding the curd / serum mixture is delicate and important in the cheese process.
• Such an installation generally consists of a feeding means for collecting and distributing a volume of curd and serum to be molded, the feeding means being composed of a hopper converging towards a lower distribution base provided with openings spillage and distribution through which the curd mixture and serum flows by gravity.
• the installation also includes molds within which the curd / serum mixture is intended to be poured.
• a distribution plate also traditionally called a molding plate, pierced with orifices at the base of which the molds are placed during molding, this distribution plate making it possible to ensure a distribution of the curd mixture. serum in the various molds provided for this purpose.
• the curd mixture / serum to be cast flows by gravity out of the hopper through the dispensing openings and to the openings of the distribution plate, which allow the distribution of said curd / serum mixture in the molds. .
• the hopper is moved relative to the distribution plate by means of displacement. More specifically, the hopper can be driven horizontally by the means of displacement back and forth between two extreme positions so as to pass successively vertically above all the holes of the distribution plate. Alternatively, it is known to move the assembly formed by the distribution plate and the molds relative to the hopper.
• the distribution plate In practice, in this type of state-of-the-art installation, the distribution plate consists of a sheet metal part requiring the use of a different plate by desired cheese format. This requires in particular time and a place of adequate storage of these parts.
• the escape of the air contained in the molds during filling by the curd / serum is generally effected, in addition to being discharged partly through holes provided in the molds for the dewatering of the mixture. curd / serum, between the distribution plate and the hopper.
• the hopper is generally provided at its base, horizontally around the dispensing orifices, a connecting plate, for retaining any lateral discharge or overflow of the curd / serum out of the orifices of the plate. distribution, on its upper surface. Even if this connecting plate is very close to the distribution plate, there is a vertical clearance substantially less than one millimeter, for example of the order of 0.5 mm.
• this game is configured to be large enough to allow enough air to escape through it, but small enough to limit the amount of fines produced and to limit the amount of curd that could circulate. between the distribution plate and the exhaust plate.
• the accuracy of the distribution plate is low compared to its sheet metal design, the game being difficult to control, resulting in a loss of material (curd, fine), and therefore impact the yield.
• the object of the present invention is to propose a solution making it possible to solve all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular of propose a solution allowing the molding of the curd / serum mixture homogeneously by the automatic installation, which results in a low standard deviation, especially by weight, between the various cheeses thus obtained.
• the invention relates to a molding installation of a curd / serum mixture, the installation comprising:
• a feeding device for collecting and distributing a volume of curd and serum to be molded, the feeding device comprising a hopper converging towards a lower dispensing base provided with dispensing openings,
• the cassette and the frame comprising removable cooperation means so that the cassette and the frame are detachably secured.
• Such an exhaust system specially designed to evacuate the air molds during molding also limits strongly or completely any creation of bubbles likely to rise in the hopper.
• the exhaust system comprises exhaust grooves extending from the bottom distribution base of the hopper to said connecting plate.
• Such exhaust grooves allow to direct easily the flow of exhaust air.
• the risk that curd engages in the grooves and close tightly is very low which limits the risk of local creation of a hydrostatic seal.
• At least one exhaust groove is located downstream of each of the dispensing openings, said grooves extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement.
• the connecting plate surrounds, at least upstream and downstream, preferably over its entire periphery, the bottom base of the hopper, so as to be in contact with the distribution plate while surrounding its entire periphery. the lower base of the hopper.
• exhaust grooves are located downstream and upstream of each of the dispensing openings, said grooves extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement.
• other groove configurations may be provided, not only parallel, these grooves opening in any event in the downstream mold depending on the direction of operation of the hopper.
• the connecting plate is an insert relative to the hopper and in that a sealing means, such as a seal, is interposed between the lower hopper distribution base and the hopper plate. link.
• a sealing means such as a seal
• the feeding means is configured so that the connecting plate has a degree of vertical mobility relative to the lower base of the hopper allowing relative movement of these two parts. This allows in particular never to have a clearance between the distribution plate 8 and the connecting plate 10.
• the lower base of the hopper and the connecting plate each have a lower surface, said lower faces being flush.
• the distribution plate is formed by at least: a cassette pierced with orifices at the base of which are placed the molds during molding, and
• the cassette and the frame comprising removable cooperation means so that the cassette and the frame are detachably secured.
• Such a feature is particularly advantageous because it offers the possibility of changing the cassette formats easily and quickly, without adjustment, the distribution plate since the frame worn by the installation remains the same.
• the cassette and the frame each have a substantially flat upper surface, said upper faces being flush in the assembled position.
• the invention also relates to a molding installation of a curd / serum mixture, the installation comprising:
• a feeding device for collecting and distributing a volume of curd and serum to be molded, the feeding device comprising a hopper converging towards a lower dispensing base provided with dispensing openings,
• the distribution plate is formed by at least:
• the cassette and the frame comprising removable cooperation means so that the cassette and the frame are detachably secured.
• a characteristic is particularly advantageous because even if such a distribution plate is more complex to manufacture than a distribution plate formed or consisting of a piece of sheet metal in one piece, it results in easy and fast format changes without adjustment, the cassette (s) adapted to the desired molds. This speed of implementation during a manufacturing process represents a substantial saving in manufacturing cost.
• the installation according to the invention comprises all or part of the aforementioned characteristics, taken alone or in combination with each other.
• Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a molding installation of a curd / serum mixture
• Figure 2 is a perspective diagram of a hopper and a distribution plate of the installation of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 a view of a molding installation of a curd / serum mixture according to one embodiment
• FIG 4 is a detailed view of the molding installation according to Figure 3;
• FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, detailed views of an exhaust system for guiding an air flow expelled by a mold during its filling of an installation according to the embodiment of FIG. 3,
• Figure 8 is a bottom view of the supply means and a connecting plate.
• curd will be used to designate indifferently the curd or curd / serum mixture.
• Figures 1 and 2 illustrate simplified diagrams of a molding installation 1 of a curd / serum mixture 3.
• the molding installation 1 comprises a feeding device 2 for collecting and distributing a volume of curd and serum 3 to be molded.
• the feed means 2 thus contains, at the beginning of a molding cycle, a predetermined quantity of curd / serum mixture 3 to be molded.
• the latter is, in one embodiment of the invention. of the process, filled just before the initiation of a molding cycle, but it can also be fed and filled continuously during molding.
• the feed means 2 comprises a hopper 4 converging to a lower base 5 distribution of said hopper.
• This lower dispensing base is provided with dispensing openings 6 through which the curd / serum mixture is poured through the hopper 4.
• the molding installation 1 further comprises a distribution plate 8 pierced with orifices 9 at the base of which are placed molds 7 during molding in which the curd / serum mixture 3 is intended to be poured.
• the installation 1 is configured so that the curd mixture / serum 3 to be cast flows by gravity, outside the hopper 4, through the distribution openings 6 and then through the orifices 9 of the distribution plate. 8, in particular a cassette 81.
• the shape of these orifices 9 may vary, for example, these orifices may be substantially tubular and have a constant section, as illustrated with reference to the embodiment of Figures 3 to 8.
• the hopper 4 is movable relative to the distribution plate 8 in a horizontal plane relative to it, by means of displacement 20.
• the end 4 carries out a rectilinear trajectory between two extreme positions, such as a position left lateral extremity and right lateral extreme position.
• the hopper 4 In the extreme left lateral position, as seen in FIG. 1, or in the right direction, the hopper 4 is placed above extreme lateral zones of the distribution plate 8, these extreme lateral zones being devoid of orifices 9.
• the hopper 4 is driven by the displacement means 20, back and forth, between these two extreme positions, so as to pass in line with the orifices 9 in a direction of movement X.
• the distribution plate 8 has the shape of a relatively thick plate substantially parallelepipedic pierced holes 9, vertical axes A substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the upper wall 8 ' of the distribution plate 8.
• lines of orifices 9 may be provided, substantially parallel to each other in the direction X of displacement of the hopper 2 on the plate of distribution 8, by performing a movement back and forth rectilinear, that is to say, back and forth above the distribution plate 8.
• this direction X corresponds to the largest dimension or length L of the distribution plate 8.
• the width G of the hopper 4 is, in the embodiment, substantially equal to the width I of the distribution plate 8, in particular to the width of the upper surface or wall 8 'of the distribution plate 8.
• substantially vertical side walls 8 "form a peripheral rim projecting upwardly from the upper wall 8 '.
• the feed device 2 comprises a connecting plate 10 arranged around the base 5 of the hopper 4 and arranged to be in contact with the distribution plate 8 during the molding of the curd / serum mixture 3 in the molds 7.
• This connecting plate 10 makes it possible in particular to retain any lateral discharge or overflow of the curd / serum mixture 3 from the orifices 9 of the distribution plate 8, on its upper surface 8 '.
• the connecting plate 10 surrounds the lower base of the hopper 4 over its entire periphery so that it contacts the distribution plate 8 on a surface delimiting a closed contour. In this way, the connecting plate 10 seals with the distribution plate 8 avoiding the lateral discharge of curd 3.
• connecting plate 10 is an insert relative to the hopper 4, this to facilitate cleaning and maintenance.
• the feed means 2 is configured so that the connecting plate 10 has a degree of vertical mobility with respect to the base 5 of the hopper 4. This allows in particular never to have a clearance between the distribution plate 8 and
• the installation comprises support means for holding the spring plate 10 in contact and in abutment against the distribution plate 8, or vice versa.
• the connecting plate 10 is configured so that, under the effect of its weight, it remains resting against the distribution plate, that is to say so that the connecting plate can come and press the distribution plate continuously during molding.
• elastic recall means may be provided for this purpose.
• the molds 7 are supplied from below the supply means 2 and the distribution plate 8 by a lifting system also called “up and down”. down. Several molds 7 are secured together so as to form a block of molds or "mold block” easily manipulated.
• the lifting system that is configured to maintain contact and permanent support during molding of the mold block with a lower face of the distribution plate 8.
• the molding installation 1 comprises position sensors making it possible to know the position of the molds 7 with the distribution plate 8, and in particular their height relative to the supply means 2.
• a sealing means 13, such as a seal 14, is interposed between the hopper 4,
• This seal is a seal which, thanks to its elasticity, conforms to the shape of the substantially rectangular contour of the hopper 4 which it surrounds.
• seal 14 So that the seal 14 remains stationary, it is housed in a circumferential groove 15 machined laterally around the hopper 4, at its lower distribution base 5.
• the lower distribution base comprises in particular a base 50 in which is formed the openings 6 of distribution, which is positioned in a box, between the lower walls of the hopper 4 forming a mouth having a substantially rectangular section.
• the base 50 is free between these lower walls of the hopper 4 at the lower base. Indeed, the presence of a game allows including disassembly and cleaning.
• This base 50 rests, under the effect of its own weight, on the distribution plate. In this way, the connecting plate 10 and the base 50 of the base 5 both rest on the distribution plate 8 during molding, as a result of their own weight.
• the dispensing orifice 6 has a substantially funnel shape, that is to say that they are convergent downwards, so to the connecting plate.
• these dispensing orifices 6 have a frustoconical shape, their upper opening being of larger section than their lower opening.
• the connecting plate 10 and the base 50 also have a predetermined degree of vertical mobility so that this contact between the base 50 and the distribution plate 8 on the one hand and the connecting plate 10 and the distribution plate 8 on the other hand, be preserved. In this way, the exhaust system 11 remains effective at all times during molding.
• the peripheral groove 15 inside which the seal 13 is housed is here formed more precisely by a cavity in the bottom wall of the hopper 4.
• the installation 1 comprises an exhaust system 11 for guiding an air flow expelled by a mold 7 during its filling to at least one downstream mold 7.
• downstream is understood here in relation to the direction of movement X of the hopper 4 with respect to the distribution plate 8.
• the exhaust system 11 comprises exhaust grooves 12 extending from the lower base 5 for dispensing the hopper 4, in particular the base 50, to said connecting plate 10. These grooves extend in particular under the base 5 and the connecting plate 10.
• the base 5, and in particular the base 50, is in contact during molding with the distribution plate 8 in the same way that the connecting plate 10 is in contact with the distribution plate 8 during this operation. In this way, the only possible path for the air evacuated from the mold 7 during the molding is delimited by the exhaust groove (s) 12.
• the distribution plate 8 has in particular a succession of rows of orifices 9, each spaced apart by a certain pitch p (see FIG. 3), the connecting plate 10 extending longitudinally at least downstream, but preferably also upstream, over a distance d (see Figure 8) preferably at least equal to the value of this step p.
• Symmetry of the connecting plate 10 and the exhaust system 11 upstream of the base 5 with the connecting plate 10 and the exhaust system 11 downstream ensures optimal operation of the exhaust system when the hopper performs back and forth over the distribution plate in the direction of travel, in one direction and the other. This makes it possible to optimize the production time of the cheeses.
• the exhaust system thus makes it possible to guide a flow of air driven by a mold 7 during its filling to at least one downstream mold 7, in one direction or the other in the movement of the hopper 4 with respect to the plate of distribution 8.
• an exhaust groove 12 is situated downstream, and upstream by symmetry, of each of the distribution openings 6, said grooves 12 extending in a substantially direction parallel to the direction of movement X.
• the bottom base 5 of the hopper 4 and the connecting plate 10 each have a bottom surface 5 ', 10', said bottom faces 5 ', 10' being flush.
• the bottom wall of the hopper 4 surrounding the base of the base 5 has an end disposed substantially above these lower surfaces 5 ', 10' so as not to create an obstacle in the grooves 12 exhaust. Note that this bottom wall of the hopper 4 surrounding the base could have such a flush end with the lower surfaces 5 ', 10' but in this case, portions of grooves must be machined in this wall to ensure the continuity of the grooves 12 exhaust between the base 5, in particular the base 50 and the connecting plate 10.
• the distribution plate 8 is formed by one or more cassette (s) 81 pierced (s) orifices 9 at whose base are placed the molds 7 during molding, and a frame 80 arranged to border on all its periphery cassette 81 when alone, or all cassette 81 when they are multiple.
• the cassette 81 and the frame 80 comprise removable cooperation means 82 so that the cassette 81 and the frame 80 are detachably secured.
• the adjustments of the installation relative to the distribution plate are made on the frame 80 which does not change, and it is possible to easily change cassettes 81 depending on the cheese to be manufactured. In other words, it offers the possibility of changing the formats of the cassettes easily and quickly, without adjustment, the distribution plate since the frame worn by the installation remains the same.
• the cassette 81 and the frame 80 each have an upper surface 80 ', 8 substantially flat, said upper faces 80', 8 substantially being flush in the assembled position.
• the curd 3 arrives in the hopper 4 where it is kept at a constant level.
• the frame 80 of the distribution plate that supports the two cassettes 81 or more, is fixed.
• the base 5 of the hopper 4 which distributes the curd 3 is movable and moves by a horizontal movement above the cassettes 81 and the frame 80.
• the connecting plate 10, which moves with the base 5 of the feed means 2 is placed on the distribution plate 8.
• a curd seal 3 is formed between the hopper 4, the connecting plate 10, and the plate of distribution 8, in particular between the frame 80 and the cassettes 81.
• the association of the cassette 81 with the connecting plate 10 allows the evacuation of the air which is inside the mold 7 via the exhaust grooves 12 located below the connecting plate 10 thus allowing the air to to escape to the mold 7 downstream depending on the direction of movement.
• This leak management allows the curd 3 that escapes (fines) to remain in the mold 7 and thus improves the efficiency of the installation by limiting or even eliminating product losses.
• the contact maintained between the connecting plate 10 and the upper surface 8 'of the distribution plate 8, in particular the upper surface 81' of the cassette 81, allows a refined dosage of the curd volume 3 in the molds 7. while minimizing product losses as much as possible.
• the tightness between these elements 8, 10 in particular is well controlled.
• the contact between the base 5, in particular the base 50, and the distribution plate 8 is at least applied on a closed periphery of each of the distribution openings 6. More generally, the base 50 of the absegment 5 is arranged so that contact is ensured with the distribution plate 8, in particular its upper surface 8 ', 80', 81 ', at this closed periphery delimiting the dispensing opening 6 during molding. Of course, the contact is not assured on this closed periphery when at least part of this periphery is above a hole 9 of the distribution plate 8. During the displacement of the hopper 4.
• the arrow F1 represents the curd 3 which falls into the mold 7
• the arrows F2, F3 and F4 illustrate the air escaping through the exhaust groove 12 located under the connecting plate 10.
• the hopper 4 moves from right to left in a substantially rectilinear direction of travel X.
• a weighing device is provided on the plant, this device making it possible to weigh the molds during filling.
• the weighing device is preferably integrated in the lifting system called “up and down” so that it is possible to know the weight of a mold block when the molds are filled during the descent of all the molds to and on an evacuation conveyor.
• the present invention therefore makes it possible to improve the standard deviations during the molding of cheese curd in molds by reducing the product losses and by improving the adequacy of the volume of curd dosed and the volume of the mold.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
• Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
• Beans For Foods Or Fodder (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=63209496

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications Before (1)

Country Status (5)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2018
  • 2018-04-19 FR FR1853449A patent/FR3080261B1/fr active Active
  • 2018-08-10 FR FR1857454A patent/FR3080260B1/fr active Active
• 2019
  • 2019-04-19 CA CA3095578A patent/CA3095578A1/fr active Pending
  • 2019-04-19 EP EP19726056.5A patent/EP3780949B1/de active Active
  • 2019-04-19 CA CA3095581A patent/CA3095581A1/fr active Pending
  • 2019-04-19 EP EP19726055.7A patent/EP3780948A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2019-04-19 WO PCT/FR2019/050956 patent/WO2019202283A1/fr unknown
  • 2019-04-19 WO PCT/FR2019/050955 patent/WO2019202282A1/fr unknown
• 2020
  • 2020-10-19 US US17/074,069 patent/US20210029958A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2020-10-19 US US17/074,101 patent/US20210029959A1/en not_active Abandoned

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