WO2012060693A1

WO2012060693A1 - Device and method for removing a foil

Info

Publication number: WO2012060693A1
Application number: PCT/NL2011/050706
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacob Gijsbertus Bol; Stevin Steunenberg
Original assignee: Hendriks Groep B.V.
Priority date: 2010-10-22
Filing date: 2011-10-17
Publication date: 2012-05-10
Also published as: EP2630044A1; NL2005564C2; EP2630044B1

Abstract

Method for removing a foil around a foil -ripened block of cheese, having a substantially rectangular shape with an upper surface and a lower surface parallel to each other, and transverse thereto all around at right angles a front surface, a left side surface, a rear surface and a right side surface, wherein a foil cutting blade traverses a cutting path fixed with respect to the block of cheese for making a first incision against the left side surface, a second incision against the rear surface and a third incision against the right side surface, wherein the first, the second and the third incision are substantially situated in a notional straight plane that is obliquely oriented to the lower or upper surface and parallel to the transition edge between the upper and the rear surface, wherein a gripper traverses a removal path fixed with respect to the block for removing the foil, wherein the gripper engages a part of the foil extending over the transition edge between the upper and the rear surface and subsequently moves the engaged part with respect the block of cheese according to a removal path away from the upper surface.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOVING A FOIL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and a device for removing a foil around a rectangular foil-ripened block of cheese. An example thereof is a foil-ripened block of mozzarella cheese. After the ripening process the foil is firmly adhered to the block of cheese and therefore hard to remove from it. A known device for removing the foil makes an incision halfway the horizontal block of cheese in its side surfaces which incision runs parallel to bottom surface of the block of cheese. A gripper then engages the foil at the location of a transition edge between the upper surface and a side surface in order to pull the foil away. The shear stress in the side surfaces occurring then, provides sufficient tensile forces between the foil and the cheese to let the foil get ripped or the edge portions to crumble from the block of cheese. The tears in the foil or the cheese depend on the foil used and the type of cheese. Shreds of foil left behind as well as damage to the block of cheese as a ready product are undesirable .

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device with which a foil can be removed from a rectangular foil-ripened block of cheese with limited shear stress. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect the invention provides a method for removing a foil around a foil- ripened block of cheese, wherein the block of cheese has a substantially rectangular shape with an upper surface and a lower surface that are parallel to each other, and transverse thereto all around at right angles a front surface, a left side surface, a rear surface and a right side surface, wherein a foil cutting blade traverses a cutting path that is fixed with respect to the block of cheese for making a first incision through the foil against the left side surface, a second incision through the foil against the rear surface and a third incision through the foil against the right side surface, wherein the first incision extends between a first point within a short distance from the first corner of the front surface, the lower surface and the left side surface and a second point within a short distance from the second corner of the rear surface, the upper surface and the left side surface, wherein the second incision extends between a third point within a short distance from the second corner and a fourth point within a short distance from the third corner of the rear surface, the upper surface and the right side surface, wherein the third incision extends between a fifth point within a short distance from the third corner and a sixth point within a short distance from the fourth corner between the front surface, the lower surface and the right side surface, wherein a gripper traverses a removal path that is fixed with respect to the block of cheese for removing the foil, wherein the gripper engages the foil extending over the transition edge between the upper surface and the rear surface and subsequently moves the engaged part with respect to the block of cheese according to a removal path away from the upper surface . In the method according to the invention the second incision is made within a short distance from the transition edge and the first and third incision run downwardly inclined away therefrom. In that way it is achieved that the engaged part of the foil peels away from the rear surface and the beginning of the left side surface and the right side surface without or with negligible shearing stress only. Not until after this first release will shearing stress be built up in the side surfaces, which stress remains local and therefore little. As a result the tensile forces in the foil remain limited. As a consequence the cut foil and/or the block of cheese remains whole.

In one embodiment the foil against the left side surface and the right side surface extending between the upper surface and the first incision and third incision, respectively, by moving the engaged part away from the upper surface, folds down to the outside away from the left side surface and right side surface, respectively. The foil peels away only locally over a moving area of release. Peaks in shearing stress and as a result tensile forces on the foil in the further course of removing the foil are thus counteracted.

In one embodiment the gripper moves the engaged part of the foil with respect to the block of cheese according to a removal path away from the upper surface and forward in the direction of the front surface. The combined upward and forward movement can ensure that the foil against the left side surface and the right side surface extending between the upper surface and the first incision and third incision, respectively, folds down to the outside away from the left side surface and right side surface, respectively.

In one embodiment the gripper engages the foil on both sides of the transition edge, at a short distance from or at the end corners, when considered in the longitudinal direction of the transition edge, so that it is stimulated that the foil against the left side surface and the right side surface extending between the upper surface and the first incision and third incision, respectively, folds down to the outside and the transition edge itself remains straight in order to remove the foil evenly from the upper surface.

In one embodiment thereof the foil against the left side surface and the right side surface peels away from the block of cheese in a substantially straight line, wherein the line gradually increases in length due to the increasing distance between the upper surface and the first incision and third incision, respectively .

In one embodiment the first incision, the second incision and the third incision connect to each other contiguously, wherein, preferably, the second point and the third point coincide and the fourth point and the fifth point coincide. The incisions can then be made in a continuous, preferably fluent motion of the foil cutting blade.

In one embodiment the first incision, the second incision and the third incision extend according to straight lines.

In one embodiment the first incision, the second incision and the third incision are substantially situated in a notional straight plane that is obliquely oriented with respect to the lower surface or upper surface and parallel to the transition edge, wherein the notional straight plane preferably symmetrically divides the block of cheese into two equal parts. The process taking place on the first half can then be repeated on the second half with the same interplay of forces and the same advantageous result.

In other words, the block of cheese is divided into two equal halves by a notional straight plane extending parallel to the lower surface or upper surface, wherein the first point and the sixth point are situated below the notional plane and the second point, the third point, the fourth point and the fifth point are situated at the opposite upper side of the notional plane.

In one embodiment the upper surface and the lower surface form the largest surfaces or main surfaces of the block of cheese. The shearing forces exerted by the foil on the left side surface and the right side surface, that may cause chunks crumbling from the cheese, thus remain relatively limited.

Formulated in quantities, the main size of the block of cheese comprises several decimetres and the first point, the second point, the third point, the fourth point, the fifth point and the sixth point are situated a few millimetres at the most from the corner in question.

In one embodiment use is made of a device for removing a foil around a foil-ripened block of cheese, wherein the device is provided with the foil cutting blade and a first manipulator for moving the foil cutting blade with respect to the block of cheese according to the fixed cutting path, wherein the device is furthermore provided with the gripper and a second manipulator for moving the gripper with respect to the block of cheese according to the fixed removal path.

In one embodiment thereof the device comprises a conveyor or a series of successive conveyors for conveying the block of cheese in a transport direction past the first manipulator and the second manipulator, wherein the front surface of the block of cheese is leading. By means of the conveyor or conveyors the device is able to process several blocks of cheese in series .

In one embodiment thereof the gripper engages the foil when the conveyor stands still and moves the engaged part of the foil according to the removal path away from the upper surface and forward in the transport direction. In one embodiment the device comprises a cutting station having a first conveyor, the first manipulator and the foil cutting blade, and in the transport direction consecutive thereto a removal station having the second manipulator and the gripper.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a device for removing a foil around a foil-ripened bock of cheese, wherein the block of cheese has a substantially rectangular shape with an upper surface and a lower surface that are parallel to each other, and transverse thereto all around at right angles a front surface, a left side surface, a rear surface and a right side surface, wherein the device is provided with a foil cutting blade and a first manipulator for moving the foil cutting blade with respect to the block of cheese according to a fixed cutting path for making a first incision through the foil against the left side surface, a second incision through the foil against the rear surface and a third incision through the foil against the right side surface, wherein the first incision extends between a first point within a short distance from the first corner of the front surface, the lower surface and the left side surface and a second point within a short distance from the second corner of the rear surface, the upper surface and the left side surface, wherein the second incision extends between a third point within a short distance from the second corner and a fourth point within a short distance from the third corner of the rear surface, the upper surface and the right side surface, wherein the third incision extends between a fifth point within a short distance from the third corner and a sixth point within a short distance from the fourth corner between the front surface, the lower surface and the right side surface, wherein the device is furthermore provided with a gripper and a second manipulator for moving the gripper with respect to the block of cheese according to a fixed removal path for removing the foil, wherein the second manipulator and the gripper are adapted for engaging a part of the foil extending over the transition edge between the upper surface and the rear surface and after engaging moving the engaged part of the foil with respect to the block of cheese according to a removal path away from the upper surface.

By means of said device the advantage as already described in the method can be achieved.

It will be clear that upper surface, lower surface, front surface, left side surface, rear surface and right side surface are relative notions to indicate the positions of the surfaces with respect to each other and the incisions made along them in the foil.

The aspects and measures described in this description and the claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of this application may where possible also be used individually. Said individual aspects may be the subject of divisional patent applications relating thereto. This particularly applies to the measures and aspects that are described per se in the sub claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows an isometric view of a foil- removal machine for foil-ripened blocks of cheese according to the invention;

figures 2A and 2B show the foil-removal machine according to figure 1 and a detail thereof, wherein some parts have been taken out in order to show the consecutive foil-removal steps within the machine; and

figures 3A-3P show consecutive foil-removal steps in detail on the basis of only one block of cheese and the relevant operative parts of the foil- removal machine according to figures 2A and 2B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 and 2A show a foil-removal machine 1 for foil-ripened blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 according to an embodiment of the invention. The cheese itself is for instance mozzarella cheese or Maasdam cheese. As shown in figure 2A the blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 have a rectangular shape, in the horizontal orientation shown comprising a horizontal upper surface 110 and lower surface 111, which in this example are square, a vertical front surface 113 and rear surface 114, and a vertical left side surface 114 and right side surface 115. The blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 are wrapped all around in, depending on the type of cheese, an airtight or breathing synthetic foil 120 having a thickness of a few dozen micrometers. After the ripening process the foil 120 adheres tightly against the blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 and therefore is hard to remove from them. The blocks of cheese shown 101, 102, 103 have a square upper surface of a few decimetres, namely 40x40 cm, and a height of approximately 10 cm. The blocks of cheese may for instance also be elongated rectangular or entirely square .

As shown in figures 1 and 2A the foil-removal machine 1 comprises a frame 2 within which consecutively a release station 10, a cutting station 30, a removal station 50 and an output station 75 are provided. The consecutive stations will be discussed in detail below.

As shown in figure 2A the release station 10 comprises a first driven belt conveyor 11 for transport of the blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 in straight horizontal transport direction A. At the entry side the first belt conveyor 11 protrudes from the frame 2 so that at the outside of the frame 2, the blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 can be placed on the first belt conveyor 11, for instance from a supply conveyor that is not further shown. The first belt conveyor 11 has a horizontal transport surface 12 formed by rigid slats 13 that are supported by a straight plate 14.

Above the end portion of the first belt conveyor 11, the release station 10 comprises a stamp 17 having a straight, rectangular stamp surface 18 that extends parallel to the transport surface 12. At its circumference the stamp surface 18 is smaller than the upper surface 110 of the blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103. At the lower side the stamp 17 is provided with prick pen 19 that is only shown in figures 3A-3D and that protrudes from the stamp surface 18. The prick pen 19 is provided with an air outlet that is connected to a compressed air source that is not further shown. The stamp 17 is connected to two pillar guides 20 that are bearing mounted in a support 22 so as to translate, which support is fixedly positioned above the first belt conveyor 11. The stamp 17 can be moved up and down in direction B transverse to the transport surface 12 by means of a pneumatic cylinder 21 that is positioned between the pillar guides 20.

The cutting station 30 comprises a second driven belt conveyor 31 that succeeds the first belt conveyor 31 for transport of the blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 in the straight, horizontal transport direction A. The second belt conveyor 31 has a horizontal transport surface 32 and a horizontal driving shaft 33 that is bearing mounted in a fixed support 34. By means of a drive in direction E that is not further shown, the opposite outer end can be moved up and down between the shown straight position in which the transport surface 32 is positioned in the extension of the transport surface 12 of the first belt conveyor 11, and a lower, inclined position in which the transport surface 12 runs upwardly inclined when considered in transport direction.

Above the second belt conveyor 31 a fixed support 35 is positioned. The cutting station 30 is provided with a first swivelling arm 37 which by means of rotary bearing 36 and a drive that is not further shown can be swung in direction C about a shaft that is oriented transverse to the transport surface 32, and a holder 38 which by means of two pillar guides 39 is bearing mounted in the first swivelling arm 37 so as to translate. The holder 38 can be moved up and down in direction D parallel to the transport surface 32 by means of a drive 40. The holder 38 bears a tube 41 with a cutting head 42 thereon in which a foil cutting blade is accommodated that is not further shown.

As shown in figures 2A and 2B the removal station 50 comprises a third driven belt conveyor 51 that succeeds the second belt conveyor 31 for transport of the blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 in the straight, horizontal transport direction A. The third belt conveyor 51 comprises straight transport surfaces 52 that are formed by two parallel conveyor belts 53 that are driven synchronously. Considered in transport direction A the conveyor belts 53 are positioned at the rear around their own end pulley 54. At said rear the removal station 50 is furthermore provided with a discharge conveyor 60 that is built up with two discharge belts 61 that are driven synchronised in an opposite manner and that abut each other. The discharge belts 61 are situated around end pulleys 62, 63 wherein the end pulley 62 at the front has the same diameter and rotates about the same notional horizontal axis as the end pulleys 54 of the third belt conveyor 51. The parts of the discharge belts 61 that abut each other are oriented so as to be downwardly inclined for a discharge in downward direction F, smoothly starting from the downward ends of the third conveyor 52. Above the third belt conveyor 51, the removal station 50 comprises two fixed supports 65 in which two second swivelling arms 66 are bearing mounted. By means of a synchronised drive 68 the two second swivelling arms 66 can be swung in a synchronised manner in direction G with respect to the fixed supports 65. At the free outer end of the two second swivelling arms 66 swivel axes 67 are provided that are oriented towards each other and which because of the synchronised drive 68 of the second swivelling arms 66 are permanently in each other's extension. At the outer end the swivel axes 67 each bear a gripper 70. By means of a synchronised drive 69 accommodated in the swivelling arms, the swivel axes 67 and thus the grippers 70 can be swung in direction H. The grippers 70 are provided with two jaws 71 that can be moved with respect to each other by means of a drive that is not shown, which jaws are capable of engaging a foil at the gripper ends 72.

The output station 75 comprises a fourth driven belt conveyor 76 that succeeds the third belt conveyor 51 for transport of the blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103, in the straight, horizontal transport direction A, into a position at the outside of the frame 2 to be transported onwards from there.

The operation of the foil-removal machine 1 will be elucidated below on the basis of figures 2A and 2B. The blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 are consecutively entered at an intermediate distance into the foil-removal machine 1, such that inside each station 10, 30, 50, 75 only one block of cheese 101, 102, 103 is present. The treatments of the blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 and the foil 120 are shown in detail in figures 3A-3P in which the blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 are numbered in accordance with their presence in the stations 10, 30, 50 75 as shown in figures 2A-2B.

In the release station 10 the first belt conveyor 11 is actuated for transport of the first block of cheese 101 in direction A until it is straight below the stamp 17, such that the stamp 17 is centred above the upper surface 110. Said situation is shown in figure 3A. Subsequently by actuating the pneumatic cylinder 21 the stamp 17 is pushed in direction B onto the upper surface 110 so that the prick pen 19 punctures the foil at that location. This is shown in figure 3B. The pneumatic cylinder 21 keeps exerting a downward pressure force on the stamp 17. Figure 3C shows that via the prick pen 19 air is introduced between the foil 120 and the first block of cheese 101, as a result of which a confined air bubble 23 arises below the stamp 17 which pushes the stamp 17 upwards counter the pushing force of the pneumatic cylinder 21. Alternatively the air is introduced via the front surface 113, the rear surface 114 or one of the side surfaces 113, 114, 115. The counter pressure of the stamp 17 ensures that the air bubble 23 spreads over the entire upper surface 110 so that the foil 120 is temporarily released from the first block of cheese 101. Subsequently, as shown in figure 3D, the pneumatic cylinder 21 exerts an increased downward pressure force in direction B as a result of which the confined air bubble is moved to the area around the front surface 112, the left side surface 114, the right side surface 115 and the rear surface 113 in order to temporarily release the foil 120 from the first block of cheese 101 at those locations as well. This pre-release is carried out to facilitate the removal of the foil 120 discussed below. Depending on the type of cheese and the foil the pre-release is carried out or skipped. After full retraction of the stamp 17 the first conveyor 11 is actuated again to transfer the block of cheese 101 smoothly onto the second belt conveyor 31 that is also actuated.

In the cutting station 30 the second belt conveyor 31 is actuated for transport of the second block of cheese 102 in direction A until it is straight below the fixed support 35. Subsequently the second belt conveyor 31 is tilted downwards about its driving shaft 33 in direction E as shown in figure 3E. Subsequently the cutting head 40 is placed in the initial position as shown in figure 2 and the blade in the cutting head 42 is actuated. Due to the prior movement in direction E and an adjusted movement in directions C and D the blade is moved onwards according to a continuous fluent path with respect to the block of cheese 102. A first diagonal incision 121 is made through the foil 120 against the left side surface 114. The first incision 121 runs from the leading lower corner of the left side surface 114 or a short distance therefrom in a straight upwardly inclined line, and thus passes the notional horizontal middle plane of the second block of cheese 102 in order to end at a short distance from the trailing upper corner of the left side surface 114. The first incision 121 is smoothly continuously continued in a straight second incision 122 through the foil 120 against the rear surface 113, at a short distance from its upper edge 116. The second incision 122 is smoothly continuously continued in a diagonal third incision 123 through the foil 120 against the right side surface 115. The third incision 113 ends near the leading lower corner or at a short distance therefrom. After retraction of the cutting head 42 the second belt conveyor 31 is moved upwards again in direction E. The first incision 121, the second incision 122 and the third incision 123 together span a notional straight plane that is inclined to the transport direction A or the upper surface 110 or lower surface 111. This is also shown in figure 3F. The second conveyor 31 is actuated again to transfer the second cheese 102 smoothly to the third belt conveyor 31 that is also actuated.

In the removal station 50 the third belt conveyor 51 is actuated for transport of the third block of cheese 103 in direction A until the third block of cheese 103 is within the reach of the grippers 70 at the two second swivelling arms 66. Due to an adjusted motion of the second swivelling arms 66 and the swivel axes 67 in the directions G, H the gripper ends 72 of the grippers 70 are brought above the trailing upper corner edge 116, at a short distance from the upper outermost vertices of the foil 120. By closing the grippers 70 the foil 120 is engaged in the area above the second incision 122 and the trailing upper corner edge 116. After engaging the removal process starts. As shown in figure 3F the gripper ends 72 first pull the foil 120 loose from the upper corner edge 116 of the third block of cheese 103 by moving straight upwards in direction J. This is easy as due to the diagonal incisions 121, 123 in the foil 120 the left side surface 114 and the right side surface 115 are hardly able to exert shearing forces on the foil 120.

Subsequently, as successively shown in figures 3H, 31 and 3J, the gripper ends 72 are moved in direction K according to an upward and forwardly starting arched path in direction K. At the left side surface 114 and the right side surface 115 the foil 120 folds down to the outside from the top beginning of the diagonal incisions 121, 123, away from the third block of cheese 103, for from the diagonal incisions 121, 123 peeling away from the side surfaces 114, 115 under stress. The foil 120 then locally peels away from the cheese over a substantially straight release line that moves onwards. The foil 120 at the upper surface 110 follows and peels away from the third block of cheese 103 starting at the upper corner edge 116 over the full width, also locally over a straight release line that moves onwards.

In figure 3J the situation is shown in which the gripper ends 72 according to the arched path K have moved downwards through the extension of the transport surfaces 52 of the third conveyor 51. As a result the gripper ends 72 have taken the engaged edge of the foil 12 between the rotating conveyor belts 61 of the discharge conveyor 60. Synchronously with engaging by the discharge conveyor 60 the third conveyor 51 is started again. The grippers 70 can now release the foil 120. On the left hand side and the right hand side the third block of cheese 103 protrudes several centimetres from the outer edges of the transport surface 52 of the third conveyor 51. The conveyor belts 61 of the discharge conveyor 60 have the same discharge speed as the conveyance speed of the third conveyor 51 in direction A.

Figure 3L shows that the foil 120 is discharged and the third block of cheese 103 is transported at the same speed in transport direction A. The successive figures 3L and 3M show that the foil 120 is pulled loose from top to bottom from the front surface 112, also over a continuously moving straight release line. The successive figures 3L, 3M and 3N show that the foil 120 is pulled loose from the lower surface 111, wherein the remaining diagonal foil half against the left side surface 114 and the right side surface 115 from the leading front edge 117 folds down to the outside and is pulled loose under stress in the same manner as was the case with the upper half as described above. The third block of cheese 103 during removing the foil 120 from the lower surface 111 in transport direction A is transferred to the fourth belt conveyor 76 of the output station 75. As shown in figure 3P finally the foil 120 against the rear surface 113 is removed, also according to a straight release line, after which the foil 120 is discharged by the discharge conveyor 60.

In this example the blocks of cheese 101, 102, 103 have a square upper surface 110. If blocks of cheese are processed which in the transport direction A have a very elongated rectangular upper surface, then the second belt conveyor 31 and the fourth belt conveyor 76 can be deployed as synchronously driven, direct continuations of the third belt conveyor 51. At the start of removing the foil from the upper surface, the block of cheese can then also partially rest on the fourth belt conveyor 76. During the movement of the gripper ends 72 according to path K the transport direction can temporarily be reversed to pass the block of cheese back over a short stroke, until partially sitting horizontally on the second conveyor 31 as well. In that way the reach of the grippers 70 can be increased so that the foil can also be removed from an elongated block of cheese at the desired stress along the diagonal incisions 121, 123.

The above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.

Claims

1. Method for removing a foil around a foil- ripened block of cheese, wherein the block of cheese has a substantially rectangular shape with an upper surface and a lower surface that are parallel to each other, and transverse thereto all around at right angles a front surface, a left side surface, a rear surface and a right side surface, wherein a foil cutting blade traverses a cutting path that is fixed with respect to the block of cheese for making a first incision through the foil against the left side surface, a second incision through the foil against the rear surface and a third incision through the foil against the right side surface, wherein the first incision extends between a first point within a short distance from the first corner of the front surface, the lower surface and the left side surface and a second point within a short distance from the second corner of the rear surface, the upper surface and the left side surface, wherein the second incision extends between a third point within a short distance from the second corner and a fourth point within a short distance from the third corner of the rear surface, the upper surface and the right side surface, wherein the third incision extends between a fifth point within a short distance from the third corner and a sixth point within a short distance from the fourth corner between the front surface, the lower surface and the right side surface, wherein a gripper traverses a removal path that is fixed with respect to the block of cheese for removing the foil, wherein the gripper engages a part of the foil extending over the transition edge between the upper surface and the rear surface and subsequently moves the engaged part with respect to the block of cheese according to a removal path away from the upper surface .

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the foil against the left side surface and the right side surface extending between the upper surface and the first incision and third incision, respectively, by moving the engaged part away from the upper surface, folds down to the outside away from the left side surface and right side surface, respectively.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gripper moves the engaged part of the foil with respect to the block of cheese according to a removal path away from the upper surface and forward in the direction of the front surface.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper engages the foil on both sides of the transition edge, at a short distance from or at the end corners, when considered in the longitudinal direction of the transition edge.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the foil against the left side surface and the right side surface peels away from the block of cheese in a substantially straight line, wherein the line gradually increases in length due to the increasing distance between the upper surface en the first incision and third incision, respectively.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first incision, the second incision and the third incision connect to each other contiguously, wherein, preferably, the second point and the third point coincide and the fourth point and the fifth point coincide.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first incision, the second incision and the third incision extend according to straight lines.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first incision, the second incision and the third incision are substantially situated in a notional straight plane that is obliquely oriented with respect to the lower surface or upper surface and parallel to the transition edge, wherein the notional straight plane preferably symmetrically divides the block of cheese into two equal parts.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the block of cheese is divided into two equal halves by a notional straight plane extending parallel to the lower surface or upper surface, wherein the first point and the sixth point are situated below the notional plane and the second point, the third point, the fourth point and the fifth point at the opposite upper side of the notional plane.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface and the lower surface form the largest surfaces or main surfaces of the block of cheese.

11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main size of the block of cheese comprises several decimetres and the first point, the second point, the third point, the fourth point, the fifth point and the sixth point are situated a few millimetres at the most from the corner in question .

12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein use is made of a device for removing a foil around a foil-ripened block of cheese, wherein the device is provided with the foil cutting blade and a first manipulator for moving the foil cutting blade with respect to the block of cheese according to the fixed cutting path, wherein the device is furthermore provided with the gripper and a second manipulator for moving the gripper with respect to the block of cheese according to the fixed removal path.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the device comprises a conveyor or a series of successive conveyors for conveying the block of cheese in a transport direction past the first manipulator and the second manipulator, wherein the front surface of the block of cheese is leading.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the gripper engages the foil when the conveyor stands still and moves the engaged part of the foil according to the removal path away from the upper surface and forward in the transport direction.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the device comprises a cutting station having a first conveyor, the first manipulator and the foil cutting blade, and in the transport direction consecutive thereto a removal station having the second manipulator and the gripper.

16. Device for removing a foil around a foil- ripened bock of cheese, wherein the block of cheese has a substantially rectangular shape with an upper surface and a lower surface that are parallel to each other, and transverse thereto all around at right angles a front surface, a left side surface, a rear surface and a right side surface, wherein the device is provided with a foil cutting blade and a first manipulator for moving the foil cutting blade with respect to the block of cheese according to a fixed cutting path for making a first incision through the foil against the left side surface, a second incision through the foil against the rear surface and a third incision through the foil against the right side surface, wherein the first incision extends between a first point within a short distance from the first corner of the front surface, the lower surface and the left side surface and a second point within a short distance from the second corner of the rear surface, the upper surface and the left side surface, wherein the second incision extends between a third point within a short distance from the second corner and a fourth point within a short distance from the third corner of the rear surface, the upper surface and the right side surface, wherein the third incision extends between a fifth point within a short distance from the third corner and a sixth point within a short distance from the fourth corner between the front surface, the lower surface and the right side surface, wherein the device is furthermore provided with a gripper and a second manipulator for moving the gripper with respect to the block of cheese according to a fixed removal path for removing the foil, wherein the second manipulator and the gripper are adapted for engaging a part of the foil extending over the transition edge between the upper surface and the rear surface and after engaging moving the engaged part of the foil with respect to the block of cheese according to a removal path away from the upper surface.