Cooling mold unit and cooling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling unit for cooling cheese molds using a cooling liquid, in particular water. It comprises at least one cooling mold, in particular a tubular cooling mold, which can be filled with cheese mass and has – in its operating position – an upper opening at one end and a lower opening at the other end; at least one tray with at least one opening for receiving the cooling mold; and a base element, in particular a base plate, connected to a lower end of the cooling mold and having at least one recess associated with the lower opening, through which the lower opening is accessible. The cooling mold is arranged in the opening, the opening being dimensioned such that a gap, at least partially circumferential, is formed between an edge of the opening and an outer wall of the cooling mold. The present invention further relates to a cooling device for cooling cheese molds using a cooling liquid.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling mold unit, with at least one cooling mold, and a cooling device for cooling cheese moldings by means of a cooling liquid.

[0002] Various state-of-the-art systems for mechanical cheese production are known. Depending on the type of cheese, raw materials are processed in multi-stage processes, from intermediate products to finished cheese products.

[0003] The production of pasta filata cheeses, such as mozzarella (including low-moisture mozzarella), provolone, or kashkaval / kashar, is particularly demanding. These cheeses typically have a dry matter content of 45% to 60%, preferably 47% to 56%, but especially 51% to 55%, and a fat content of 30% to 55%, preferably 40% to 48%, based on dry matter.

[0004] In the production of pasta filata cheese, cheese curds are melted, plasticized, stretched, and kneaded in a process step known as filleting. This creates a fiber-like structure that ultimately gives the finished cheese its characteristic elasticity and texture. The plasticized cheese mass obtained during filleting is then shaped into the desired form and cooled in a further process step.

[0005] For this, the still-moldable cheese mass is placed in a cooling mold, usually at a temperature of 55°C to 65°C, but usually 58°C to 63°C, and then cooled. The molded cheese mass is called a cheese blank. Cooling causes the cheese blank to harden sufficiently so that further processing can begin. The hardened cheese blank is then removed from the mold during what is known as demolding.

[0006] Until now, cheese molds were cooled using baths in which cooling molds were immersed in water or salt water, using nozzles through which water was sprayed directly onto the molds, or using hollow cooling mold blocks through which cooling water flowed, which had recesses for cheese molds. Cooling with nozzles and cooling mold blocks with so-called cooling mold carousels is also known.

[0007] The disadvantage of these conventional cooling mold units is that they are not very flexible in use and are difficult to clean. Furthermore, significant amounts of cooling fluid are required to achieve the desired cooling. In many cases, contact between the cooling fluid and the product cannot be avoided. For food hygiene reasons, the cooling fluid must then be frequently replaced or cleaned.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide an improved cooling mold unit which avoids the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0009] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0010] A cooling mold unit according to the invention comprises at least one cooling mold that can be filled with cheese mass, having a front-side upper opening - i.e. an opening that is arranged at an upper end of the cooling mold in the position of use - and having a front-side lower opening - i.e. an opening that is arranged at a lower end of the cooling mold in the position of use -, at least one trough with at least one passage for receiving the cooling mold and a base element connected to the lower end of the cooling mold with at least one recess that is assigned to the lower opening and through which the lower opening is accessible. The cooling mold is arranged in the passage and the passage is dimensioned such that a gap that is at least partially circumferential is formed between an edge of the passage and an outer wall of the cooling mold. In particular, the gap is essentially (i.e.The contact points or contact sections may, for example, make up less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, of the circumference of the cooling mold.

[0011] To cool the cooling mold unit, it is exposed to cooling liquid – usually water – so that at least some of the cooling liquid, in particular all of the cooling liquid, reaches the trough of the cooling mold unit. The cooling liquid collected in the trough flows under gravity through the at least one gap between the feedthrough and the cooling mold and flatly down the outer wall of the cooling mold, whereby the cooling mold and thus the cheese product contained therein are cooled without contact with the cooling liquid (trickle film cooling). For efficient cooling and for reasons of food hygiene, the cooling mold – like the other components of the unit – can be made of a material that is a good heat conductor and at the same time corrosion-resistant and easy to clean, preferably stainless steel.

[0012] If the gap is largely continuous in the circumferential direction, it can be easily ensured that a liquid film forms practically over the entire surface of the cooling mold, which ensures good cooling with comparatively little coolant consumption (trickle film cooling).

[0013] The coolant supply can be designed so that a certain coolant level is always maintained in the tray. This ensures that sufficient coolant reaches all gaps and that all cooling molds are cooled essentially evenly. The tray can have a rim, in particular a continuous one, that has a suitable height so that the desired fill level can be achieved. The tray can be a one-piece component, for example, formed from a sheet metal part.

[0014] The inventive design of the cooling mold unit is structurally simple and easy to clean. The surface wetting of the cooling molds achieves efficient cooling, which ultimately reduces the energy consumption of the corresponding cooling device in which the cooling mold unit is used.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are also given in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0016] In some embodiments of the cooling mold unit according to the invention, at least one spacer defining a gap width is provided in the gap between the cooling mold and the tub. This spacer is detachably and / or permanently attached to the cooling mold and / or the tub. In particular, the spacer can be formed integrally with the cooling mold and / or the tub. It can also be a separate component. For example, the spacer is designed as a rib or projection. The spacer stabilizes the cooling mold in the passage and simultaneously ensures the desired dimensioning of the gap.

[0017] The spacer can be firmly connected to either the tray or the cooling mold. However, it is preferably firmly connected to only one of the two components mentioned above, so that thermal effects can be absorbed. For example, the cooling molds are usually significantly warmer than the rest of the unit after they have been filled, so they thermally "shrink" more than the other components during cooling of the unit. This also prevents "warping" of the cooling mold, which could otherwise occur if heat is introduced during the manufacturing of the cooling mold (e.g., during the welding process).

[0018] According to one embodiment of the cooling mold unit, a plurality of spacers are provided, which are distributed along the circumferential direction of the gap. In particular, the spacers are evenly distributed to ensure cooling along the entire circumference of the cooling mold.

[0019] In some embodiments of the cooling mold unit, the gap has a gap width of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm. Preferably, the gap width is 0.5 mm to 1 mm, in particular 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm.

[0020] In particular, the width of the gap is essentially constant (except for point contacts or short contact sections between the cooling mold and the tray). As a result, the amount of coolant passing through the gap is essentially the same throughout, thus achieving uniform cooling performance.

[0021] The cooling mold may have a polygonal, circular, square or rectangular cross-section, at least in sections.

[0022] The cooling mold may comprise a head portion having the upper opening and widening in a funnel shape toward the upper opening. The funnel-shaped widening may serve as an insertion aid for a punch to be inserted into the cooling mold.

[0023] The interior of the cooling mold can be coated, at least in sections, or even completely. The coating serves to reduce adhesion between the cheese mass and the cooling mold. This is advantageous both during filling ("laminar molding") and during demolding. Lower static friction allows for a reduction in the force required for demolding. Furthermore, the risk of the cheese surface cracking during demolding is reduced. The coating also facilitates cleaning of the cooling mold. A material such as PTFE, for example, can be used for the coating.

[0024] In some embodiments of the cooling mold unit, a lower edge of the head portion is arranged at a height between a bottom of the tub and an upper edge of the tub. Alternatively or additionally, an upper edge of the head portion may protrude beyond the upper edge of the tub to prevent cooling liquid from flowing into the cooling mold from above when the tub is completely filled.

[0025] The cooling mold unit can comprise a plurality of passages and cooling molds, which are preferably arranged regularly, in particular in the form of a matrix. For example, a cooling mold unit can have 24 cooling molds arranged in a 3 by 8 matrix.

[0026] In some embodiments of the cooling mold unit, a storage unit equipped with rollers or runners is provided, in particular a plate on which the base element can be detachably arranged. The cooling mold unit can be moved as needed using rollers or runners. The storage unit is made, in particular, of plastic or can be coated with it to reduce sliding friction when the storage unit is pulled out from under the cooling mold unit or when the cooling mold unit is pushed up onto the storage unit.

[0027] In order to increase the stability of the unit and simplify its handling, the tray and the base element can be firmly connected to each other by means of at least one frame element.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the cooling mold unit, the base element has drain openings through which the cooling liquid can drain over an edge of the base element. The drain openings allow the controlled drainage of the cooling liquid, for example, to collect and reuse it.

[0029] The present invention further relates to a cooling device for cooling cheese molds using a cooling liquid, in particular water. The cooling device according to the invention comprises at least one cooling mold unit, in particular a cooling mold unit according to at least one of the embodiments described above, which can be filled with a cheese mass, and at least one linear cooling section along which the at least one cooling mold unit can be moved, wherein the cooling mold unit can be supplied with cooling liquid at least in sections along the cooling section.

[0030] Cooling lines along which the cooling mold units can be moved in a straight line and cooled with coolant enable continuous and efficient operation of the cooling system with optimal space utilization. Such cooling systems are also easily scalable. For example, two or more cooling lines can be arranged side by side if necessary.

[0031] In some embodiments of the cooling device, at least one pipe is provided for supplying the cooling mold unit with the cooling liquid, which pipe extends at least in sections along the cooling section, in particular offset parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cooling section.

[0032] The tube can be arranged above an upper edge of the tub of the cooling mold unit, in particular above the upper opening of the cooling mold unit.

[0033] It is conceivable that at least one pipe is provided on both sides of the cooling section in order to be able to supply the cooling mold unit with coolant even more evenly.

[0034] The tube for supplying the cooling mold unit with cooling liquid may have a plurality of holes, in particular wherein the holes are regularly arranged.

[0035] In some embodiments of the cooling device, a first group and a second group of holes are provided, which have different dimensions and / or are arranged at different angular positions with respect to a circumferential direction of the tube. In cooling mold units of the type described above with a matrix arrangement of the cooling molds, the first group of holes can be provided for introducing coolant between the cooling molds. The second group of holes can serve to spray coolant onto the trough in the region of the cooling molds and / or to directly act on the cooling molds. By using different angular positions, the trough can be acted upon with coolant at different distances from the tube.

[0036] In some embodiments of the cooling device, at least two cooling sections are provided, arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the cooling section, in which the cooling mold unit can be cooled to different degrees, in particular with cooling fluids of different temperatures. The different cooling levels in the sections make it possible to adapt the cooling process as needed and to implement suitable cooling profiles. For example, more intensive cooling can be achieved in one section if the cheese mold already has a largely stable structure.

[0037] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a cooling mold unit according to the invention in perspective view (a) from above and (b) from below, Fig. 2 the head section of a cooling mold protruding from the top of a passage in the tub in a perspective view, Fig. 3 schematically shows a plan view of a cooling mold with (a) rectangular cross-section and (b) circular cross-section, Fig. 4a an embodiment of a cooling mold unit according to the invention with a storage unit in perspective view, Fig. 4b the storage unit of the Fig. 4a, Fig. 5 schematically shows a section of a cooling device according to the invention (a) in a side view and (b) in a plan view, Fig. 6 schematically shows a plan view of (a) one and (b) three cooling sections of a cooling device according to the invention, Fig. 7 schematically shows an embodiment of a cooling system with a cooling device according to the invention in a plan view and Fig. 8 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment of a molding device with a cooling mold unit according to the invention.

[0038] Fig. Figure 1a shows a perspective view of a cooling mold unit 1. The cooling mold unit 1 comprises a trough 5 with matrix-like arranged passages 6, in which tubular cooling molds 2 are arranged. The cooling molds 2 each have - in the upper position of use - an upper front opening 3 and - in the lower position of use - a lower front opening 4, which in Fig. 1b. At a lower end 7 of the cooling molds 2, these are welded to a base element 8, here embodied as a base plate. The base element 8 has recesses 9 arranged in a matrix-like manner corresponding to the feedthroughs 6, the shape of which corresponds to the lower opening 4 of the cooling molds, so that the cooling molds 2 are accessible through the recesses 9.

[0039] An upper end of each of the cooling molds 2 protrudes from the tub 5. The upper end includes a head portion 16, which is described in more detail below.

[0040] The tub 5 and the base plate 8 are rigidly connected to each other by frame elements 23 (e.g., screwed and / or welded). The frame elements 23 are coupled (e.g., screwed and / or welded) to cross members 23a, which are attached (e.g., screwed and / or welded) to the base element 8 or are formed integrally therewith.

[0041] To cool the matrix-like molds 2, the tank 5 is filled with water (or another cooling liquid). The aim is to achieve a certain water level. The water flows out of the tank 5 (shown in Fig. 2 only a part of a bottom 18 of the tub) by a Fig. 2 through the gap 12 between an outer wall 11 of the cooling mold 2 and an edge 10 of the feedthrough 6 and runs flat against the outer wall 11 of the cooling mold 2 downwards until it meets the base element 8. From there, the water drains over edges of the base element 8, inter alia through drainage openings 24 provided in the cross members 23a.

[0042] Typically, a cooling mold unit 1 comprises twenty-four cooling molds 2 and has a length of more than 1 m (e.g., approximately 1.3 m) and a width of 0.5 m to 1 m (e.g., approximately 0.6 m). A cooling mold typically has a height between 0.05 m and 1.2 m, preferably 0.3 m to 0.5 m. It is understood that the dimensions can be selected as required.

[0043] In Fig. 2 are the Fig. 1a and the gap 12 not visible there. The head section 16 of the cooling mold 2 protrudes through the passage 6 of the bottom 18 of the tub 5. An area of ​​the bottom 18 around the passage 6 is indicated here by the dashed line. Spacers 14 designed as projections of the tub 5 extend into the passage 6 and have a gap width 13 (see Fig. 3). The spacers / protrusions 14 thus define the gap 12, whose width 13 is essentially constant in the circumferential direction. The tub 5 and the cooling molds 2 only touch at the spacers 14. The protrusions 14 are not rigidly connected to the cooling mold 11 in order to allow for (minor) relative movements that may occur, for example, due to thermal effects. For example, this avoids distortion, which could otherwise occur due to the high heat input during a welding process during the manufacture of the cooling mold unit 1.

[0044] The gap 12 is particularly visible at the lower left corner of the bushing 6.

[0045] The head section 16 has a lower edge 17 and an upper edge 20, between which it widens in a funnel shape.

[0046] Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show schematic plan views of a section of a cooling mold unit 1 with the bottom 18 of the tub 5 and a cooling mold 2 projecting through the passage 6 of the tub 5, wherein the bottom 18 is indicated by the dashed line. The cooling mold 2 of the Fig. 3a has a rectangular cross-section 15 and the cooling mold 2 of the Fig. 3b has a circular cross-section 15. Other cross-sectional shapes are conceivable.

[0047] The gap 12 is formed, as already described, between the outer wall 11 of the cooling mold 2 and the edge 10 of the passage 6 of the tub 5. The spacers 14 are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the gap 12 and are formed as projections of the tub bottom 18.

[0048] The gap width 13 of the gap 12 is essentially constant over the circumference of the cooling mold 2. The spacers 14 can also be designed as a rib and / or a separate component.

[0049] In Fig. 4a shows a cooling mold unit 1 with a storage unit 22 on which the base element 8 rests. The storage unit 22 is designed as a plate and provided with rollers 21 so that the unit 1 can be moved. The rollers 21 are arranged on a chassis 21a (usually made essentially of stainless steel), which is detachably connected to the plate 22 to enable separate cleaning.

[0050] The storage unit 22 is in Fig. 4b is shown separately. The cooling molds 2 are filled from below and then pushed onto the storage unit 22, so that any cheese mass protruding from the lower openings 4 of the cooling molds 2 is sheared off.

[0051] The storage unit 22 is, for example, a plastic plate with a low coefficient of sliding friction to facilitate the lateral sliding of the cooling molds 2. However, it can also comprise a coated stainless steel plate, wherein the coating is applied in such a way as to prevent stainless steel-to-stainless steel contact with the chassis 21a, which could lead to scratches or the like that are difficult to clean and / or that form a gateway for corrosion.

[0052] In Fig. Figure 5a schematically shows a side view of a section of a cooling device according to the invention. Above the upper edge 20 of the head section 16 of the cooling molds 2 of a cooling mold unit 1 is a pipe 27 for supplying the cooling mold unit 1 with water. The pipe 27 has a first group of holes 29 and a second group of holes 29a, which are of different dimensions and arranged at different angular positions with respect to a circumferential direction of the pipe 27. Furthermore, the groups of holes 29, 29a are regularly arranged. The horizontal positioning of the second group of holes 29a corresponds to the horizontal positioning of the cooling molds 2 of the cooling mold unit 1 when the latter is in a discrete cooling position. The first group of holes 29 are positioned such that water emerging from them reaches spaces between the cooling molds 2.

[0053] As already described, the cooling molds 2 have a head region 16 that protrudes above the bottom 18 of the tub. The lower edge 17 of the head region 16 is located between the bottom 18 and an upper edge 19 of the tub 5. The upper edge 20 of the head region 16 is located at a height between the upper edge 19 of the tub 5 and the tube 27.

[0054] The loading of the tub 5 of the cooling mold unit 1 with water takes place as in Fig. 5b. The water jets emerging from the holes 29, 29a are schematically indicated as cones. The water emerges through the holes 29, 29a in such a way that the holes 29 of the first group act on the bottom 18 of the tank 5 in the longitudinal direction between the cooling molds 2, and the holes 29a of the second group act on the bottom 18 in an area to the side of the cooling molds 2. Through the holes 29, not only is an edge area of ​​the bottom 18 exposed to cooling liquid, but cooling water is also supplied to a central area, so that a sufficient amount of water can be supplied to all gaps 12.

[0055] However, the groups of holes 29, 29a can also have more or fewer holes than shown and can also be positioned at different angular positions. For example, the first group of holes 29 has a diameter of 6 mm, and the second group of holes 29a has a diameter of 3.5 mm. The arrangement of the holes 29, 29a ensures that no cooling water enters the cooling molds 2 through the opening 3. To ensure this even when the unit 1 is moved from one discrete position to the next, the supply of cooling water can be interrupted or throttled during this movement.

[0056] In Fig. Figure 6a schematically shows a plan view of a cooling section 26 of a cooling device according to the invention. The cooling section 26 has cooling sections 281, 282, and 283 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction R. The number of cooling sections depends on the specific requirements. The units 1 to be cooled are moved to the next cooling section after a predetermined time interval. Thus, a cyclic cooling process was carried out, during which the units 1 each assume several discrete cooling positions.

[0057] Each cooling section 281, 282, 283 comprises two parallel pipes 27 for supplying water to the cooling mold unit 1. The pipes 27 are arranged on both sides of the cooling units 1 so that they can also be supplied with water from both sides. The water has a different temperature in each section (T1, T2, and T3). The cooling mold unit 1 can be supplied with a different temperature in each area, so that the temporal temperature profile of a cheese mold in a cooling mold 2 can be specifically influenced by selecting the temperature of the cooling water.

[0058] In Fig. 6b schematically shows three parallel cooling sections 26 of a cooling device 30 according to the invention. The parallel cooling sections 26 each have three cooling sections. This purely exemplary configuration makes it clear that the cooling device can be easily scaled by adjusting the number of cooling sections 26 in order to generate a desired throughput. Deviating from the Fig. 6a, each cooling section 26 is assigned only one pipe 27. However, it is understood that in the cooling device 30 of the Fig. 6b a double-sided water supply according to Fig. 6a can be provided, ie each cooling section 26 has cooling pipes 27 on both sides of the cooling units 1. Water supply on both sides can also be achieved if adjacent cooling sections 26 are each assigned common cooling pipes 27, which supply cooling units 1 arranged next to one another with water.

[0059] In Fig. 7 shows a cooling system with a cooling device 30 according to the invention and cooling mold units 1. The cooling system comprises a plurality of buffer storage areas 31 for storing the cooling mold units 1, a molding device 33 for molding cheese mass into the cooling molds 2 of the cooling mold units 1, a cooling device 30 for cooling molded cheese pieces, a heating device 34 for briefly subjecting the cooling molds 2 to hot liquid, in particular water, or steam, in particular steam, in order to melt an outermost layer of the cheese pieces and facilitate subsequent demolding, a demolding device 35 for demolding the cheese pieces, a cleaning device 36 for cleaning empty cooling mold units 1, and a storage device 37 for storing the storage units 22. Transport devices 32 serve to transport the cooling mold units 1 between the individual stations of the system.

[0060] An empty cooling mold unit 1 is transported from one of the storage devices 31 by the transport device 32 to the molding device 33, where cheese mass is introduced into the cooling molds 2 of the cooling mold unit 1. The filled cooling mold unit 1 is then transported to the cooling device 30 and fed there to one of possibly several cooling lines 26. The cooling line 26 can consist of one or more cooling sections 28. The filled cooling mold unit 1 can be supplied with cooling water in the manner described above.

[0061] The typically desired core temperature of the cheese molds after cooling is approximately 35 °C to 55 °C. The cooling time depends, among other things, on the size of the cheese molds and is typically between 20 min and 90 min, in particular 25 min to 40 min, preferably 25 min to 40 min.

[0062] After the cooling process, the cooling mold unit 1 is fed by means of a transport device 32 to the optional heating device 34, where the cooling mold unit 1 is briefly exposed to hot liquid and / or hot gas and / or hot steam. This melts the radially outermost layer of the cheese moldings, making them easier to remove from the mold. The brief heating of the moldings also gives them a smooth surface (a property that is positively received by customers). The hot fluids typically have temperatures of 55 °C to 95 °C, preferably 65 °C to 75 °C. The exposure typically lasts only 2 s to 20 s, preferably 5 s to 15 s, since too long a heating time risks the cheese moldings becoming too soft or sticky again.

[0063] In the subsequent molding device 35, the storage unit 22 is removed from under the cooling mold unit 1. By means of punches (not shown) inserted into the cooling molds 2 from above, the cheese molds are pushed out of the cooling molds 2 and fed to a conveyor device (not shown here). The conveyor device can be, for example, a conveyor belt or a slurry channel.

[0064] After molding, the cheeses can be cooled again, for example, especially in salt baths. It may also be planned to smoke or otherwise treat the cheeses before packaging.

[0065] The empty cooling mold unit 1 and the storage unit 22 are cleaned in the cleaning device 36. For this purpose, the cooling mold unit 1 is tilted from the operating position, for example, rotated by 170 to 180 degrees, in order to quickly empty its tray 5 and prevent the carryover of cleaning agent. The cleaned cooling mold unit 1 can then be transported to the storage device 31 via the transport device 32 or refilled immediately.

[0066] The cooling mold unit 1 is thus fed into a continuous cycle in which molding, cooling, and demolding take place. The cleaning of the empty cooling mold units 1 is also part of this continuous cycle. The cooling device and / or transport lines for the cooling mold units 1 of the cycle are preferably designed such that all cooling mold units can be transported or moved out for cleaning. The multiple storage devices 31 can be used for cooling mold units 1 with different cooling molds 2 ("formats"). For a format change, a different set of cooling mold units 1, which are kept in the devices 31, is simply used. Only minor modifications to the molding device 33 may be required (see below).If the external dimensions of the cooling mold units 1 remain the same, no modifications are required during a format change if the holes 29, 29a are arranged appropriately. It is also possible to provide different groups of holes 29, 29a that are closed, opened, and / or throttled depending on the format. It is also possible to provide format-specific tubes 27 with suitable holes 29, 29a that are used during a format change.

[0067] Cooling mold units 1, each with different cooling molds 2, can also be cooled simultaneously in the cooling system 30.

[0068] In Fig. Figure 8 schematically shows a section of the molding device 33 in a side view. The molding device 33 comprises a conveyor device 38, in particular a screw conveyor, for introducing cheese mass into the cooling molds 2 of the cooling mold unit 1, which are arranged in a matrix. The mass is pressed "column by column" from below into the cooling molds 2, in which horizontally and vertically movable punches 40 are arranged. During the introduction of the cheese mass, the punches 40 exert a suitable counterforce, which contributes to a uniform molding of the cheese mass and largely suppresses the formation of air inclusions. The cheese mass is typically molded at a temperature between 55°C and 65°C.

[0069] An empty cooling mold unit 1 is pushed from the left over a row of nozzles 39 arranged one behind the other perpendicular to the image plane, which are arranged on discharge sections 39a of one or more conveyor devices 38, so that openings in the nozzles 39 are aligned with a row of recesses 9 in the base element 8. A row of punches 40 arranged one behind the other perpendicular to the image plane is inserted from above into the row of cooling molds 2 to be filled up to their lower end 7. The conveyor device 38 then presses cheese mass from below into the cooling molds 2, while the punches 40 exert a counterforce on the cheese mass from above. The conveyor device 38 conveys the cheese mass until the punches 40 strike a stop (not shown). This strike is detected, and a signal is then sent to the conveyor device 38, stopping the conveying of the cheese mass.With the punch 40 at the just mentioned stop, the cooling mold unit 1 is then moved further to the right until the next row of cooling molds 2 rests against the nozzles 39 of the conveyor device 38 (in . Fig. 8). Only then are the punches 40 withdrawn from the just-filled cooling molds 2 and retracted into the next row of cooling molds 2 via the nozzle 39 in order to fill this same row of cooling molds 2. This means that during the lateral displacement of the cooling mold unit 1, the punches 40 remain in the cooling molds 2. This measure ensures that the molded articles are stabilized during the advance.

[0070] By pushing the cooling mold unit 1 onto the storage unit 22, any cheese mass protruding downward from the cooling mold 2 is sheared off. As soon as the last row of cooling molds 2 of a cooling mold unit 1 has been filled and pushed onto the storage unit 22, the cooling mold unit 1 together with the storage unit 22 is fed to the cooling device 30 by the conveyor device 32. An adjacent cooling mold unit 1 can optionally be used to push a cooling mold unit 1 to be filled or already filled.

[0071] When changing the format, only the nozzles 39 need to be replaced. Panel-like replacement parts can also be provided, which adapt the cross-section of an output end of the discharge sections 39a of the conveyor device 38 to the cross-section of the cooling molds 2 currently being used.

[0072] In summary, the cooling mold unit according to the invention enables uniform and efficient cooling, thus reducing the cooling water and thus also the energy consumption of a corresponding system. The unit and the cooling device according to the invention enable continuous operation, which also prevents contamination of the cheese molds with cooling water. The cooling mold units can also be easily cleaned after each cooling cycle.

[0073] The cooling mold unit and the cooling device according to the invention also enable comparatively simple and quick format changes. Furthermore, it is possible to adapt the cooling times to the respective requirements and to "run" suitable cooling profiles.

[0074] It is understood that the cooling mold unit according to the invention can also be used in cooling systems that do not have linear, translational cooling sections. In principle, they can also be used in carousel-type cooling systems. List of reference symbols 1 cooling mold unit 2 cooling mold 3 frontal, upper opening of the cooling mold 4 frontal, lower opening of the cooling mold 5 tub 6 Implementation 7 lower end of the cooling mold 8 Base element, plate 9 Recess 10 Edge of the implementation 11 Exterior wall 12 gap 13 gap width 14 spacer / projection 15 Cross section of the cooling mold 16 Head section of the cooling mold 17 lower edge of the head section 18 Bottom of the tub 19 upper edge of the tub 20 upper edge of the head section 21 rolls 21a chassis 22 storage unit 23 Frame element 23a Cross member 24 drain holes 25 Edge of the base element 26 Cooling section 27 pipe 28 Cooling section 29, 29a first and second group of holes 30 Cooling device 31 Storage facility for cooling mold units 32 Transport device 33 Forming device 34 Heating device 35 Forming device 36 Cleaning device 37 Storage facility for filing units 38 Conveyor device for cheese mass 39 nozzles 39a discharge section 40 stamps

Claims

[1] Cooling mold unit (1) for cooling cheese molds by means of a cooling liquid, in particular water, comprising: at least one cooling mold (2) which can be filled with cheese mass, in particular a tubular cooling mold, with - in the position of use - an upper opening (3) on the front side and with a lower opening (4) on the front side, at least one trough (5) with at least one passage (6) for receiving the cooling mold (2) and a base element (8), in particular a base plate, connected to a lower end (7) of the cooling mold (2), with at least one recess (9) which is assigned to the lower opening (4) and through which the lower opening (4) is accessible, wherein the cooling mold (2) is arranged in the passage (6) and wherein the lead-through (6) is dimensioned such that an at least partially circumferential gap (12) is formed between an edge (10) of the lead-through (6) and an outer wall (11) of the cooling mold (2). [2] Cooling mold unit according to claim 1, wherein in the gap (12) between the cooling mold (2) and the trough (5) at least one spacer (14) defining a gap width (13) is provided, which is arranged detachably and / or fixedly on the cooling mold (2) and / or the trough (5), in particular wherein the spacer (14) is designed as a rib, projection and / or separate component. [3] Cooling mold unit according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of spacers (14) are provided, which are arranged distributed in the circumferential direction of the gap (12), in particular distributed regularly. [4] Cooling mold unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gap (12) has a gap width (13) of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, in particular a gap width of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably a gap width of 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm. [5] Cooling mold unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a width of the gap (12) is substantially constant. [6] Cooling mold unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling mold (2) has at least in sections a polygonal, circular, square or rectangular cross-section (15). [7] Cooling mold unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling mold (2) has a head portion (16) which surrounds the upper opening (3) and which is widened in a funnel shape towards the upper opening (3). [8] Cooling mold unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower edge (17) of the head portion (16) is arranged at a height between a bottom (18) of the tub (5) and an upper edge (19) of the tub (5) and / or wherein an upper edge (20) of the head portion (16) projects beyond the upper edge (19) of the tub (5). [9] Cooling mold unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling mold unit (1) has a plurality of passages (6) and cooling molds (2), which are preferably arranged regularly, in particular in the form of a matrix. [10] Cooling mold unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a storage unit (22) provided with rollers (21) or runners is provided, in particular a plate on which the base element (8) can be detachably arranged. [11] Cooling mold unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the trough (5) and the base element (6) are firmly connected to one another by means of at least one frame element (23). [12] Cooling mold unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element (6) has drain openings (24) through which the cooling liquid can drain over an edge (25) of the base element (6). [13] Cooling mold unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an inner side of the cooling mold (2) is provided with a coating at least in sections, in particular completely. [14] Cooling device for cooling cheese moldings by means of a cooling liquid, in particular water, comprising: at least one cooling mold unit which can be filled with a cheese mass, in particular a cooling mold unit according to one of the preceding claims, at least one rectilinear cooling section (26) along which the at least one cooling mold unit can be moved, wherein the cooling mold unit can be supplied with cooling liquid at least in sections along the cooling section (26). [15] Cooling device (30) according to claim 14, wherein at least one pipe (27) is provided for supplying the cooling mold unit with the cooling liquid, which pipe extends at least in sections along the cooling section (26), in particular offset parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cooling section (26). [16] Cooling device according to claim 15, wherein the tube (27) is arranged above an upper edge (19) of the tub (5), in particular above the upper opening (3). [17] Cooling device according to one of claims 15 or 16, wherein at least one pipe (27) is provided on both sides of the cooling section (26). [18] Cooling device according to one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the tube (27) for supplying the cooling mold unit with cooling liquid has a plurality of holes (29), in particular wherein the holes (29) are regularly arranged. [19] Cooling device according to claim 18, wherein a first group (29) and a second group (29a) of holes are provided which are differently dimensioned and / or arranged in different angular positions with respect to a circumferential direction of the tube (27). [20] Cooling device according to one of claims 14 to 19, wherein at least two cooling sections (281, 282, 283) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (R) of the cooling section (26) are provided, in which the cooling mold unit can be cooled to different degrees, in particular with cooling liquid of different temperatures (T1, T2, T3).

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