WO2009135961A1

WO2009135961A1 - Cheese-turning method and cheese-turning machine

Info

Publication number: WO2009135961A1
Application number: PCT/ES2008/000326
Authority: WO
Inventors: Naiara Altuna Iraola; Unai Bautista Altuna
Original assignee: Ulma Manutencion, S. Coop.
Priority date: 2008-05-08
Filing date: 2008-05-08
Publication date: 2009-11-12
Also published as: ES2379611B1; ES2379611A1; CL2009001100A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cheese-turning method which can be used to obtain the correct homogenization of the process comprising the drying of all cheese disposed on a pallet, forming a stack of cheese boxes. The invention also relates to a cheese-turning machine including suitable means for homogeneously aerating all of the cheese located in the stack.

Description

CHEESE FLIPPING PROCESS AND CHEESE FLYING MACHINE

DESCRIPTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a process of cheese turning, to obtain a better aeration of the cheeses, thus achieving optimum and efficient ripening of the cheeses.

The invention also relates to a cheese turning machine that has the appropriate means to allow the cheeses that are housed in stacked boxes to be aerated homogeneously.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The cheese making process follows the stages of molding, pressing, immersion in brine and finally the stages of drying and ripening. These last two stages are carried out by storing the cheeses in the corresponding ripening and tuning chambers, combined with periodic flipping.

The cheese maturation process includes a series of changes in their physical and chemical properties, where the cheese acquires the appearance, texture and consistency, as well as the desired aroma and flavor

The turn has two purposes: • In the first place, the turning keeps the cylindrical shape of the cheese, since being at rest in the ripening chambers, otherwise it would acquire a trunk-conical shape.

• Secondly, the change of position of the faces of the cheeses allows a better aeration of all their faces and especially, allows a homogenization in this aeration. Thus, specific enzymes modify the structure of proteins and fat more homogeneously.

There are different methods to perform the cheese turning, such as the GB 689 111 patent, in which the cheese turning is done by turning the shelves where the cheeses are housed.

Other systems, such as the one described in the FR2 711 890 patent, refer to a method for moving and flipping cheeses, which consists of placing the cheeses between two mats and turning them around.

Obviously, these systems only allow a fairly small number of cheeses to be flipped per unit of time, so they are not suitable for use in current processes.

Nowadays, most of the national industries of the cheese sector work on conventional ripening and refining chambers, that is, storing the cheeses on the floor on pallets and handling the pallets with forklifts. In some cases, storage has been automated with stacker robots. However, also in these cases, the flipping of the cheeses is carried out with flippers that flip the complete pallets where the cheeses are supported. These cheeses are located in boxes, forming a stack of boxes, so that the cheeses form discontinuous columns. European Patent 1 329 400, describes a cheese flipping station in which the complete palette is turned, in this way, the cheeses that were in the highest part of the palette, become, after turning, the lowest position of the paddle. This type of system does not allow the cheeses located inside the palette to air properly.

This lack of homogenization of the aeration of the cheeses, results in a lower quality of the cheeses, since the cheeses located in the interior do not ripen properly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a suitable turning procedure to achieve a correct homogenization of the drying process of all cheeses, even those found inside the palette.

The process object of the invention, allows to turn cheeses, which are located in boxes, forming a stack of boxes, so that the cheeses form discontinuous columns. The procedure comprises the following phases:

A first phase of the procedure consists in arranging a first stack of cheese boxes and a second stack of cheese boxes, on the same palette. The stacks of boxes are attached by a first face that is inside the said stack.

This first phase can be carried out during the storage phase of the cheeses in the air conditioning chamber, that is, the cheese boxes can be stored in a pallet forming two stacks of boxes. However, another solution could be that the cheese boxes are extracted from the air conditioning chamber and placed on a pallet forming two stacks of boxes. The next phase consists in immobilizing at a certain point the pallet that supports the first and the second stack.

The next phase consists in separating the first battery from the second battery. This operation can be performed by moving the first stack with respect to

The second battery, or the second battery with respect to the first, or moving both batteries.

Separate the stacks of boxes, the first battery is turned 180 ° and the second battery is turned 180 °. Once turned, the batteries are assembled and deposited on said pallet. The new stack formed by these turned batteries, is a different stack from the initial one, since now, the first face of each pile that was initially inside, is outside this new stack. That is, in addition to achieving a turn of the upper boxes and infer, that is, that the boxes that were in the highest position of the batteries, go to occupy the lowest position of the batteries, has been achieved with a single movement, that the cheeses that were inside pass to the outside.

On the other hand, using the same palette during the procedure allows to minimize the risk of a possible loss of the association of the content to the continent that is drastic, since the traceability of the product can be lost. Taking into account the importance of carrying the traceability of the product in a sector such as food, immobilizing the pallet is essential, since this risk is avoided, since the same pallet is maintained throughout the process.

The phases of separation and turning of the batteries can be carried out simultaneously, so that the duty cycle is reduced, or It is simply possible to carry out simultaneously the phase of turning the batteries.

Before carrying out the separation phase, it may be necessary to hold the stacks of boxes, both in height and in width. On the other hand, it may also be convenient to make a small elevation of the batteries with respect to the pallet so that said batteries can be freely separated.

The invention also aims at a cheese turning machine, which are located in boxes forming a stack.

The machine, object of the invention comprises:

means for holding a pallet, on which a first stack of boxes and a second stack of boxes can be arranged, so that the first stack and the second stack are attached by a first face that is inside the said stack . These means for securing the pallet can comprise retractable clamps actuated by pneumatic cylinders. These tweezers are provided to allow during the cheese turning procedure, the blade remains immobilized at a certain point.

separating means configured to separate the first stack with respect to the second stack. These separating means can comprise a pair of tilting arms, articulated to a chassis of said turning machine and driven by hydraulic cylinders.

dump means configured to turn 180 ° the first stack and the second stack, to form a stacked stack of cheese boxes, in which the first stack and the second stack are attached so that the first face is on the outside of the said stacked upside down.

The machine can comprise first vertical clamping means that are configured to hold the box that is in the highest position and second vertical clamping means, configured to hold the box that is in the lowest position, of each of the batteries. These means can be, for example, articulated arms and actuated by pneumatic cylinders for the tilting of said arms, producing the advance of some ends of the arm, for their introduction into housings that present the boxes. These fastening means are vertically movable by actuating a hydraulic cylinder, in correspondence with the housings of the first and last battery boxes. In this way, the cheese boxes are prevented from falling during the turn.

The machine can comprise first and a few second means of lateral support. The first means are configured to hold the first battery by two opposite faces and the second means are configured to hold the second battery by two opposite faces. Each of these means can be constituted by a support plate driven by pneumatic cylinders. It is convenient that the support plate has a dimension substantially similar to the height of the batteries.

The machine can also have lifting means configured to move vertically the first and second lateral support means and the first and second vertical support means. These lifting means, will allow to raise the stacks of boxes with respect to the pallet and allow separation and turning. These lifting means can be a hydraulic cylinder. All these means, that is the lifting means, the first and second lateral clamping means and the first and second vertical clamping means, are integrated in a support, in this way, all this set of means can move simultaneously for the turning and elevation. Said support can be found jointly and severally connected to a rotation axis that receives the movement of a drive motor for turning.

This support is attached to the separating means, that is to the arms, so that, once the batteries are fastened, both laterally and vertically, by means of the lateral clamping means and the vertical clamping means respectively, the arms swing allowing this way, that the batteries separate from one another.

The turning means can be constituted by a drive motor that transmits the movement to the axis of rotation that is attached to the support, in this way when the motor is driven, the axis of rotation rotates the lateral clamping means, the means Vertical clamping and lifting means, and by tato to the batteries.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complete the description and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of the realization of the same, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. Illustrative and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure 1.- Shows a first phase of the cheese turning procedure. Figure 2.- Shows the batteries once held by the lateral clamping means and the vertical clamping means.

Figure 3.- Shows the phase of separation of the batteries.

Figure 4.- Shows the phase of battery turning.

Figure 5.- Shows a last phase of the procedure where the second stack of boxes has been deposited in the pallet.

Figure 6.- Represents a front view of the turning machine, object of the invention.

Figure 7.- Represents a side view of the machine, of Figure 6.

Figure 8.- Shows a detailed view of the first vertical fastening means. The second vertical clamping means have not been represented because they are identical to the first ones.

Figure 9.- Shows a detail of the vertical clamping means, the first and second lateral clamping means and the lifting means, integrated in the support.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In Figures 1 and 2, the first phases that are part of the cheese flipping process, object of the invention, can be observed. In Figure 1, a pallet (3) is seen on which a first stack (11) of boxes and a second stack (12) of cheese boxes are located, forming a stack (1). As seen in this figure, the pallet (3) is transported by means of a roller belt, for its positioning in the turning machine.

The batteries (11, 12) are attached on one side (21), which is inside the stack (1). With the method and machine, object of the invention, it is intended that this face (21) that is inside the stack (1) pass outside the said stack (1).

Figure 2 depicts phases of vertical clamping and lateral clamping of the batteries (11, 12). First vertical clamping means (6.6 ') and second vertical clamping means (7.7'), allow to hold the first and last case of each of the batteries (11,12), while means of lateral support, they comprise a support plate (14, 14 ') to hold two opposite faces of each of the batteries (11, 12). Retractable clamps (41, 41 '), immobilize the vane (3) and are actuated by means of pneumatic cylinders (42.42'), allowing the vane (3) to remain retained throughout the turning procedure.

When the batteries (11, 12) are held by means of vertical clamping means (6.6 ', 7.7') and lateral clamping means (14.14 '), they must be separated to be able to turn each one of the batteries (11, 12) independently. In Figure 3, the separation phase is seen, in which it is observed, as the batteries (11, 12) have been separated a sufficient distance to be able to carry out the next phase, re-pressed in Figure 4.

However, before the batteries (11, 12) can be separated, it is necessary that they be lifted a few millimeters from the pallet (3) by means of the lifting means (8.8 ').

In Figure 4, the 180 ° turning phase of each of the batteries is observed

(11, 12). When performing this turn, the face (21) that was in the inside the stack (1), passes to the outside of said stack (1). Once the batteries (11, 12) have been turned over, they are deposited again on the pallet (3), as seen in Figure 5. With the turning of the batteries (11,12), it has been achieved also, that the boxes that were in the highest position of the batteries (11, 12), come to occupy the lowest position of the batteries (11, 12).

Figures 6-9 represent an embodiment of the machine object of the invention.

The machine represented comprises two identical turning stations, each of which comprises the means necessary to turn the first battery (11) and the second battery (12). As seen in Figure 6, each of these stations, comprises a gantry (16), on which an electric motor (10) is placed that will transmit its movement to two transmission axes

(13, 13 ') by means of transmissions (17,17') and timing belts (18,18 ').

Attached to each transmission shaft (13,13 '), a coupling element (19, 19') is arranged, on which a support (9,9 ') is mounted with the possibility of vertical sliding, in which they integrate the first vertical clamping means (6.6 '), the second vertical clamping means (7.7'), the support plate (14,14 ') that allows the batteries (11, 12) to be held laterally and, lifting means (8.8 '). When the engine (10) is driven, the drive shafts (13.13 ') transmit a rotation movement to the coupling element (19.19') and this to the support (9.9 '), which through the clamping of the vertical clamping means (6.6 ', 7.7') and support plate (14.14 '), allows the batteries to turn (11, 12).

The support plate (14,14 '), can move vertically with respect to the coupling element (19,19'), through guides (22,22 ') by the actuation of a hydraulic cylinder (8,8'), to produce the elevation vertical of the batteries (11, 12). This lifting movement allows the batteries (11, 12) to be lifted a few millimeters with respect to the pallet in order to free them from the pallet (3).

Each of the batteries (11, 12) is held vertically by the first vertical clamping means (6.6 ') and the second vertical clamping means (7.7. These vertical clamping means (6.6', 7 , 7 '), are provided to hold each battery (11, 12) by two opposite faces and, specifically, the first means (6.6') hold the box that is in the highest position of each battery (11 , 12) and, the second means (7.7 '), hold the box that is in the lowest position of each stack (11, 12).

The first vertical clamping means (6.6 '), comprise arms (61, 61') driven by pneumatic cylinders (62.62 ') and the second vertical clamping means (7.7') comprise arms ( 72, 72 ') articulated and operated by pneumatic cylinders (72.72'). These cylinders (62.62 '72.72'), produce the tilting of said arms (61, 61 ", 71, 71 '), thus producing the advance of the ends of the arms (61, 61', 71 , 71 '), for insertion into housings of the boxes (2), in correspondence with the opposite faces of each stack (11, 12), specifically, the arms (61, 61') are introduced into housings of The last case of the batteries (11, 12) and the arms (71, 71 '), are introduced into the housings of the first box, thus leaving the batteries (11, 12) subject vertically for their turn.

The arms (61, 61 ', 71, 71'), are also vertically movable by means of the actuation of hydraulic cylinders (63.63 ', 73.73'), mounted on the support (9.9 ') so that their Forward or reverse produces the vertical displacement of the vertical clamping means (6.6 ', 7.7') with respect to the support (9.9 '), so that the arms (61, 61', 71, 71 ') can adjust, at the height of each stack (11, 12). In this way, the means of Vertical fastening (6.6 ', 7.7') are located in the upper and lower part of each of the batteries (11, 12), in correspondence with the first and last case of each of the batteries. As mentioned, vertical clamping means (6.6 ', 7.7') are provided for each of the opposite faces of each of the batteries (11, 12).

The support plate (14,14 ') can move horizontally with respect to the support (9,9'), driven by pneumatic cylinders (15,15 '), so that said support plate (14,14') is coupled on the opposite faces of each of the batteries (11, 12). The support plate (14,14 ') will have dimensions similar to the height of the batteries (11, 12), as seen in Figure 6.

When the batteries (11, 12) have been held laterally and vertically by the vertical clamping means (6.6 ', 7.7') and by the support plates (14.14 ') and, the batteries (11, 12 ) have been lifted from the pallet (3) by means of lifting means (8.8 '), the separation of said batteries (11, 12) is carried out by means of the separating means (5.5').

The separating means (5.5 ') comprise tilting arms (51, 51') that are attached to the coupling element (19, 19 ') through the transmission shaft (13,13') and that are actuated by means of hydraulic cylinders (52.52 '). The arms (51, 51 ') are articulated in an axis (53.53') to a frame of the machine (54.54 '), so that when the cylinders (52.52') are actuated, the rod of the cylinder pushes arms up (51, 51 '), making them swing. These arms (51, 51 ') are jointly and severally connected to the coupling element (19,19'), so that when the movement of said arms (51, 51 ') occurs, the batteries (11 and 12) are separated .

Once the batteries (11, 12) are separated, they are turned 180 ° around the axes (13,13 ') by the motor action (10). After flipped, the batteries

(11, 12) are deposited, again, on the palette (3) and the means of Vertical clamping (6.6 ', 7.7') and the lateral clamping means (14.14 ') are deactivated to release the batteries (11, 12)

The pallet (3) that has remained immobilized throughout the process, is released by releasing the retractable clamps (41), so that it can be transported through the roller belt, back to the air conditioning chamber.

The operation of the turning machine would be as follows:

The batteries (11, 12) deposited on the pallet (3) arrive at the turning machine, the retractable clamps (41, 41 ') hold the pallet, the arms (61, 61', 71, 71 ') are positioned to the height of the first and last box of each stack (11, 12) and enter into housings that present the boxes,

The support plate (14,14 ') moves horizontally and holds the batteries (11, 12) on the two opposite faces, the cylinder (8) slides vertically, lifting the batteries (11, 12) with respect to the vane (3 ), the arms (51) swing and separate the batteries (11, 12), the motor (10) is activated and the batteries (11, 12) are turned 180 °, the batteries (11, 12) turned together, over The palette held initially.

Claims

1. Cheese flipping procedure, located in boxes (2) that form a stack (1) of boxes, so that the cheeses form discontinuous columns, characterized in that it comprises the phases of:

a) arrange a first stack (11) of boxes (2) and a second stack (12) of boxes (2), on the same pallet (3), so that the first stack (11) and the second stack (12 ) are attached by a first face (21) that is inside the said stack (1)

b) immobilize the pallet (3) that supports the first stack (11) and the second stack (12)

c) separating the first battery (11) from the second battery (12),

d) turn the first battery 180 ° (11).

e) turn the second battery (12) 180 °,

f) join the first stack (11) and the second stack (12), turned in phases d) and e), leaving them on said paddle (3), to form a turned stack (1 ') of cheese boxes, in which the first stack (11) and the second stack (12) are attached, so that the first face (21) is outside the said stack turned (1 ').

2. Cheese flipping process, according to claim 1, characterized in that before the separation phase of the first stack (11) with respect to the second stack (12), there is a lateral clamping phase of the first stack (11) and The second stack (12), a vertical clamping phase of the said first and second stack and a lifting phase of the first stack (11) and the second stack (12) with respect to the pallet (3).

3. Cheese flipping process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the turned stack

(1 ¹ ) formed in phase f), the case (2) that were in the highest position of the batteries (11 and 12) happens to occupy the lowest position of the batteries (11 and 12).

4. Cheese flipping process according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the phases c), d) and e) are carried out simultaneously.

5. Cheese flipping process according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the phases d) and e) can be carried out simultaneously.

6. Cheese turning machine, where said cheeses are located in boxes (2) forming a stack (1) of boxes, so that the cheeses form discontinuous columns, characterized in that it comprises

fastening means (4, 4 ') of a pallet (3), on which a first stack (11) of boxes and a second stack (12) of boxes can be arranged, so that the first stack (11) and the second stack (12) are attached by a first face (21) that is inside the said stack (1),

separating means (5, 5 '), configured to separate the first stack (11) with respect to the second stack (12), dump means configured to turn 180 ° the first stack (11) and the second stack (12), to form a turned stack (1 ') of cheese boxes, in which the first stack (11) and the second stack (12) are attached so that the first face (21) is outside the aforementioned turned stack (1 ').

7. Cheese turning machine according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises

- First vertical clamping means (6, 6 '), configured to hold the box that is in the highest position of the batteries (11, 12) and second clamping means (7.7'), configured to hold the box that is in the lowest position of the batteries (11 and 12),

- first lateral clamping means configured to hold

The first battery (11) by two opposite faces and a second lateral fastening means, configured to hold the second battery (12) by two opposite faces,

- lifting means (8.8 ') configured to move vertically the first and second lateral support means and the first and second vertical support means,

8. Cheese turning machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the first vertical clamping means (6.6 '), the second vertical clamping means {7 T), the first and second lateral clamping means and the lifting means ( 8.8 "), are integrated in a support (9, 9 ') that is jointly and severally connected to an axis of rotation (13, 13') that receives the movement of a motor (10).

9. Cheese turning machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamping means (4.4 ') of the pallet (3) comprise retractable clamps (41, 41') actuated by pneumatic cylinders (42.42 ').

10. Cheese turning machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first vertical clamping means (6.6 '), comprise arms (61, 61') articulated and operated by pneumatic cylinders (62.62 '), for the advance of some ends of said arms (61, 61 '), the ends being configured, to be housed in housings of the box (2) and because, the arms (61, 61') comprise vertical sliding means (63, 63 '), so that they are facing the box that is in the highest position of the batteries (11, 12).

11. Cheese turning machine according to claim 7, 8 or 10, characterized in that the second vertical clamping means (7.7 ') comprise arms (71, 71') articulated and operated by pneumatic cylinders (72.72 '), for advancing the ends of said arms (71, 71 '), the ends being configured, to be housed in housings of the box (2) and because, the arms (71, 71') comprise vertical sliding means ( 73.73 '), so that they are facing the box that is in the lowest position of the batteries (11,12).

12. Cheese turning machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first and second lateral clamping means are constituted by a support plate (14,14 ') driven by pneumatic cylinders (15,15'), said plate having said plate (14,14 ') a dimension substantially similar to the height of the batteries (11 and 12).

13. Cheese turning machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the separating means (5.5 ') comprise a pair of swinging arms (51, 51 '), articulated to a chassis of said turning machine and operated by hydraulic cylinders (52.52'), said separating means being configured to swing the support (9.9 ').

14. Cheese turning machine according to claim 6 or 13, characterized in that the separating means (5.5 ') are connected to the support (9.9') that integrates (8.8 '), the first and second vertical clamping means and the first and second lateral clamping means, through the axis of rotation (13,13 ').

15. Cheese turning machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the turning means comprise the drive motor (10), configured to turn the support (9) 180 °.