FR2886099A1 - Large cheese turning out device e.g. fixed cheese turning out terminal, for cheese diary installation, has cage mounted tilting around horizontal axis, and feed and delivery tables to provide free space for removal of mold follower and mold - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an assembly comprising a parallelepiped cage (2) that is closed on upper and lower sides and delimited by a pair of roller plates. The cage is mounted tilting around a horizontal axis (10). A feed table and a delivery table are arranged for providing a free space above them for the removal of a cheese mold follower and for the removal of a mold containing cheese. The cage is tilted for rotating the mold containing the cheese, to 180 degrees, after the removal of the mold follower. An independent claim is also included for a method for turning out a pressed cheese implementing a large cheese turning out device.

Description

1 2886099

  The present invention is in the field of cheese making techniques, particularly the manufacture of cheeses called "pressed dough" a fairly large format, so quite heavy, such as Gruyère, Comté, emmenthal, raclette etc .., and she more specifically, a device for turning such cheeses into a demolding station, following the pressing operation.

  It should be remembered that in many cheesemaking facilities, the cheeses are removed from the presses by means of a device consisting essentially of a roller plate operated vertically along the rows of presses on which the cheeses are drawn in their mold, then brought to human height in a place where it successively removed the "fillet", or lid, and other upper spinning elements, and then turned the cheese for removal of the lower wiper element .

  It will be recalled that molds known as semi-permanent interlining and suspended bottom, such as those described in publication FR2308307, are known to be structured, both for the mold and for the funcet, with gripping members in peripheral flanges, for example (see FIG. further an example of such a structure) and recall such molds comprise a bag of textile material temporarily fixed to the upper part of the mold said pocket enclosing at its base a bottom disk called "bottom and a windshield of the same material encircling the funcet ie the piece sinking into the mold to perform the pressing under the force of the "press".

  During demolding, the mold, after removal of the funcet with its "windscreen", is returned and is removed upwards in the same operation at the same time as the pocket lining the walls and the bottom, the cheese, stripped of the elements. spin, pocket and windscreen, remaining naked on a tray or other means of evacuation.

  However regardless of the type of mold used, whether type, said "Swiss" mold with metal grilles and circumferential belt openable, or type called "microperforated", we must always proceed to turn over the cheese since this- it is pressed between two spinning surfaces which must be separated. 30

  2 2886099 The turning operation, usually manual, requires the operator a considerable effort, since large cheeses can weigh, with their mold up to sixty or seventy pounds, which otherwise prohibited, because of provisions of the Labor Code, the manual labor operation.

  It is precisely one of the objects of the device of the invention to eliminate manual stress, while registering optimally in the demolding process.

  According to the present invention, a turning device included in a demolding station, in particular intended for the demolding of large-format cheeses contained in a mold, incorporates, in its generality, at least two conveyor plates, preferably of the genus of the roller type, , said platens being arranged for shape, or being able to form, r two opposite sides of a substantially parallelepipedic cage, said cage being pivotally mounted, or tilting, about a horizontal axis, the tilting can be performed by rotations, successive or alternatives, 1800; the function of this pivoting cage is to turn 180, or upside down, a mold with the cheese it contains, after removal of the funct. In the following description the word tray (x) without further specification will designate a plate (x) roller or similar device It is understood that such a tilting, even if it is not motorized, requires only a few 'effort in comparison with a completely manual turnaround.

  Two configurations of implementation of the above general provisions will be distinguished: a first so-called fixed demolding station configuration, for medium-sized cheese factories, the other so-called mobile demolding station slightly better adapted to complete automation for large cheese factories.

  According to the first configuration, fixed station, the parallelepiped cage is closed on two of its large faces by the roller trays, while two of its side faces "side" support in their middle means of pivoting, or tilting around a horizontal common axis, that its side face called "downstream" is closed and that its fourth face, called "upstream" remains open.

  3 2886099 Advantageously the cage is pivotally supported by longitudinal members of a frame between which it can tilt in a so-called tilting space, by means of pivot supports secured to the longitudinal members, the fixed station according to this first configuration further comprises two other trays disposed upstream and downstream of the tilting space, the upstream tray is said presentation of the funct since it presents the mold and its funcet with above a free space allowing the withdrawal of the funcet, the downstream tray is said presenting the mold since it similarly presents a space for the withdrawal of the mold These presentation trays can be extended each upstream or downstream by other roller trays serving as a buffer space before and after the different withdrawal operations; these other trays are advantageously supported by extensions of said longitudinal members A fixed reversal and demolding station as just described can be operated manually, namely: manual removal, or assisted, funcet; manual insertion into the cage, manual tilting of the cage, manual removal, or even assisted, of the mold and the dewatering elements.

  However, such a station can also be completely automated, in the case of molds and fonts semi-permanent interlining with gripping members, the advance on the trays resulting for example from the sequential motorization thereof under the control of probes , other probes controlling the rotation of the cage.

  The second configuration, called mobile demolding station, aims to use the unloading time of the presses, which is equivalent to a transport time, to perform, at the same time, the withdrawal of the funcet, the turning of the mold with its cheese, and removing the mold and the dewatering elements. In this mode of application, the box is constituted, according to the general definition, of two roller trays; each tray is articulated on a "bottom" of the body to rotate 90 in the vertical plane, while the bottom cash is secured in the middle of a horizontal pivot 4 2886099 to rotate in one direction and the other 1800 ; the rollers are parallel to the axis of the pivot.

  This second configuration can have three variants: according to the first variant, the axes of the rollers of the trays are parallel to the axis of tilting of the body; according to the second variant, the axes of the rollers of the plates are perpendicular to the axis of tilting; following the third, the axes of the rollers of one tray are perpendicular to the axes of the rolls of the other tray. The preference given to a variant will depend on the organization of the workshop.

  It appears that such devices meet the above general rule for a device of the invention, namely: the device incorporates a cage defined by a pair of roller trays and tilting mounted around a horizontal axis, the tray The inlet and the output tray are arranged such that they have a free space above them allowing the removal of the feature for the first and removal of the mold. for the second, with their spinning elements where appropriate.

  The rule of the patent can also be stated in the form of a process: a method of demolding pressed cheese comprises the following successive steps: 1) placing the mold with its fillet and the cheese they contain on the first plate, said removal of the funct, having a free space above him; 2) the mold being on said tray, remove the funcet through said free space, then, 3) move the mold by transfer on the rollers from the freeness removal tray to a tray said reception, the mold being located between the receiving plate and a second said discharge plate, said platens then forming a cage, 4) tilting said cage 180 around a horizontal axis, then 5) move by transfer on the rollers the mold returned and the cheese it contains up to a tray called withdrawal of the mold having a free space above him 2886099 6) remove the mold and its dewatering elements, 7) evacuate the only cheese from the withdrawal tray Although the roller tray is a simple transfer means well known in cheese, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this transfer means, and that this means could be a roller tray, a carpet loop conveyor, a combination of e these last two, or even an air cushion tray. Moreover, at least one of the roller trays, said plateau downstream or unloading, may advantageously comprise a rubber mat stretched in a loop between the two end rollers of the tray.

  The present invention will be better understood and details, or secondary features, pertaining to the description which will be made in connection with the schematic drawings of the attached plates in which: fig.la, lb, 1c and Id illustrate four steps usual demoulding of a pressed cheese; FIGS. 2, 2a, 3, 4, 5 illustrate the implementation of the demoulding in a fixed demoulding station according to the invention; fig. 6 schematically illustrates in exploded perspective the fixed demolding station of the preceding figures, according to the first configuration mentioned above; fig. 8 (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e) illustrates a structured mold, according to another aspect of the invention, for receiving a semi-permanent interlining and lend itself to the automation of the demolding operations in a substation according to the invention. 'invention; FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12 schematically illustrate, at various stages of its operation, a so-called mobile demolding station, according to the second configuration mentioned above, and FIGS. 13 (13a, 13b, 13c) illustrate in detail the stages of operation referred to above.

  In fig. the cheese 1 which has just been pressed is contained in a mold 2 below a funcet 3; the operation of 6 2886099 demolding will consist (Figure lb) to remove the funcet 3 by "taking off" from an edge, then to flip or tilt the mold (Figure 1c); this tilting normally entails the takeoff of the cheese, in fig.ld it appears that the takeoff of the cheese 1 from a semi permanent stabilized mold separates from the pocket and the suspended bottom 4 in the manner of a stripping.

  In FIGS. 2, 2a, 3, 4 and 5, it appears that the demolding device consists mainly of an assembly 1 comprising a parallelepiped cage 2 closed on two of its large faces, upper 3 and lower 4 by rollers 5 and 6, respectively said receiving and evacuation, while two of its side faces "side" such as 7 support in their middle pivoting means 9 about a horizontal common axis 10, that its lateral face It said "downstream" is closed, whereby the mold 19 containing a cheese can not fall during rotation, and that its fourth face 12, called "upstream" remains open.

  It still appears in these figures that the cage 2 is pivotally supported by longitudinal members 14 of a frame via pivot supports 15 secured to the longitudinal members, and that said frame is extended, upstream and downstream of a space 16 between said longitudinal members allowing the tilting of the cage, by fixed plates with rollers respectively of inlet 17, said withdrawal of the funcet, and exit 18 said withdrawal of the mold, each of these trays having a free space above him.

  Advantageously, the axes of the rollers are parallel to the tilting axis, or perpendicular to the upstream-downstream direction of propagation of the molds containing their cheese, and parallel to each other.

  From a functional point of view, it is found in FIG. 2 the first stage during which the fillet 19 is removed from the mold 17 containing the cheese, through the free space above the roller plate 17.

  After removal of the funct the mold is engaged (fig.) In the cage 2; then the cage 2 is tilted vertically about the axis 10 (FIG 3), which can be done manually without great effort since the pivot axis passes roughly by the center of gravity of the assembly formed by the cage , the mold and the cheese content; after which (fig.4) the returned mold and its cheese can be brought on the plate 18 (fig.5) where the mold is then removed; in fig.5. it appears that the mold 19 forms with semi-permanent interfacing 20 an assembly manipulable mechanically through gripping means not shown in the figure but visible in FIG. 8d.

  In fig. 6, we find the structural elements of said fixed release device described above, but it appears better how the cage 3 is advantageously constituted by a plate 61 folded bow-shaped, the two side portions 62 each support a pivot 63 and each receive along their edges the longitudinal members such as 64 of two roller trays 65 and 66, to form the cage open on one side 12 and closed on two others by the trays and on the third by the median par 67 of the plate 61.

  In the lower part of the figure two longitudinal members such as 614 support at their end part two roller trays 617 and 618 separated by a tipping space 616; pivot supports 615 are integral with the longitudinal members in the middle of the tilting space and are intended to receive the pivots 63; ; the axis 10 (fig.2) of tilting of the cage 3 is recognized.

  In order to simplify the mechanization of the operation of this demolding device, it is advantageous to raise the plate 617 relative to the plate 618 and to give a suitable abutment a slight inclination to the cage in its unloading position, in such a way that the mold is returned has a tendency to spontaneously exit the cage after reversal.

  In Fig.7, a roller tray 71 is made of large rollers such as 72 and smaller diameter rolls such as 73; furthermore, a flexible belt 74 tightly surrounds the rollers; this disposition makes it possible to better withstand the softness of certain cheeses.

  In Fig. 8, a mold which is particularly suitable for the demolding devices described above comprises a cylindrical mold body (8d), a funct (Fig. 8a, 8b, 8c) and, to be suitable, a semi-permanent interlining to suspended bottom, a bottom (Fig. 8e).

  The mold body (cylindrical portion 80) differs from an art known to the Applicant having a reinforcement such as 81, by a second reinforcement 82 located at the base; this reinforcement, of a thickness between ten and thirty millimeters, is advantageously drawn from the manufacture of the bottom cut out of a plastic plate for example, its function is to reinforce the strength of the wall obtained by welding a sheet of the same material along a cylinder generator, but also to protect the base of the cylinder against shocks.

  The bottom is distinguished from the known art by the presence of a rebate 83 able to avoid excessive pressure on the canvas and on a kiss (elastic member also called tensioner surrounding the pocket).

  The feature, seen in elevation (8a), in diametral section (8b) and in cut (semicircular) plane (8c) is distinguished from the known art by the conformation of the portion 86, said riser which overcomes the disk 84. enhancement comprises a "spider" 85 with at least three branches, or four branches (case of the figure) or more, attached to the upper face of the disk 84, each branch having at its outer end a rabbet, or recess, 83, the outer ends of the branches being connected by a ring 87. The height h of the cross determines the height of the riser; The recessed annular space 83 of height h 'formed under the ring and in the rabbet is intended to allow the passage of a fork-shaped gripping means not shown in the figure.

  The height h "of the ring is equal to hh ', and depends on the height h of the extension, height itself dictated by conditions of use, for example and to fix the ideas: h = 6 cm, h = 2 cm, h = 4 cm, the depth of the rabbet p = 2 cm, and the thickness of the ring p = 2 to 3 cm, as well as the thickness of the braces.

  The free space formed under the circumference of the ring is useful for the manipulation of the funcet during its transport, while a strap 89 fixed near the end of a spider branch can be used during manual removal. from funct to demoulding.

  9 2886099 The demolding station described above is said to be fixed, it must be understood by this term that does not have to change the place during a demolding operation cheeses of the same manufacture; however, the frame can be mounted on casters and stored in place of the manufacturing facility when not in use.

  In FIGS. 9 to 12, a so-called mobile demolding station according to a second configuration, consists of a carriage 90 able to circulate along a rail for example (the wheels 91 symbolize this mobility); a mast 93 which can possibly turn on itself about a vertical axis, supports, vertically movable, a pair of trays.

  In fig.9, the carriage is in position in front of a pressing shelf in which there is a mold 94 with its cheese; the mold is then pulled, or otherwise moved, on the plate 95 which has been brought in front of it; a second plate 96 is in a vertical position to release the space above the first; the feature 941 is then removed; after which the tray 96 is folded down (Fig. 13). This last operation can be carried out at the same time as the trays descend along the mast (Fig. 10); the trays 95 and 96 then form a cage 90 containing the mold and its cheese (fig.14).

  Arrived in the low position (fig.11) the plate 95 which has moved to the upper position relative to the plate 96, can then be raised (fig.15) to release the space above the plate 95 and allow the vertical withdrawal of the mold 94; after which the cheese 942 left alone on the tray can then be pushed onto a conveyor 98 (Fig.12). It appears on fig. 13 to 15 how the plates 95 and 96 are hinged on a "bottom fund 97 solidaird'un shaft, or axis, tilt 99 can journal on a slide movable in translation along the mat (not shown) and be rotated .

  It also appears that the trays 95 and 96 fulfill the same functions as trays 17 (so-called removal of the funcet) and 5 (so-called receiving) on the one hand, and 6 (so-called evacuation) and 18 (called withdrawal of the mold) on the other hand, the reversing and demolding device of Fig.2 to 5, so that each performs two functions thanks to the fact that each of them can be raised and folded over the other.

Claims (2)

claims   1 Device for demolding large-size cheeses contained in a mold, characterized in that it incorporates a cage (2, 90) delimited by a pair of roller trays (5, 6, 95, 96) and pivotally mounted around a horizontal axis (10, 99), the input tray (17, 95) and the output tray (18, 96) being arranged such that they have a free space above them allowing them removing the feature (3, 941) for the former and for removing the mold (19, 94). for the second; Fig. 2-6, 9-16); 2 Device according to claim 1, said stationary, characterized in that it incorporates a parallelepiped cage (2) closed on two of its large faces (4, 5), upper and lower, by roller trays (5). , 6), while two of its "side" side faces (7) support in their middle means (15, 615) for pivoting about a horizontal common axis (10), that its side face called "downstream" is closed and that its fourth face, called "upstream" remains open, (fig.2 to 5) from which it follows that the cheese in its mold, after removal of the funct, can be introduced by horizontal translation in the cage since the upstream face thereof, then the cage being tilted about 180 degrees about the axis, its open face describing the upper arc during tilting, can be removed by translation from the same open face, and lend itself removing the mold and other spinning elements; (Fig. 2-6); 3 Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said cage (2) is pivotally supported by longitudinal members (614) of a frame via pivot supports (615) integral with the longitudinal members, and in that said frame extends, upstream and downstream of a space between said longitudinal members allowing the tilting of the cage, by roller trays (617, 618) respectively inlet and outlet cage; fig.6) 11 2886099 4 Device according to claim 1, said mobile station, characterized in that it consists of a movable carriage (90) able to circulate along a rail, a mast (93). ) supported by the carriage, and a pair of plates (95, 96) hinged to a "bottom" (97) integral with a tilt shaft (99) which can journal on a slide movable in translation along the matte and be rotated. (FIGS. 9 to 15) Process for demolding pressed cheese made using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps: 1) placing the mold with its funcet and the cheese they contain on the first tray, said withdrawal of the funcet, having a free space above him; 2) remove the funcet, the mold being on said tray, through said free space, then, 3) move the mold by transfer on the rollers from the freeness removal tray to a tray said receiving, the mold being located between the receiving plate and a second plate called evacuation, said plates then forming a cage, 4) tilt said cage 180 around a horizontal axis, then 5) move by transfer on the rollers mold returned and the cheese it contains up to a plate said withdrawal of the mold having a free space above him 6) remove the mold and its elements of spin, 30 and 7) evacuate the only cheese from the tray withdrawal of the mold. 20