Moving system for stretching cheese ropes and related machine for producing stretched cheese rods

Abstract

The invention discloses a movement system (3) of stretched cheese cords, comprising at least one conveying plane (4) for conveying stretched cheese cords (F) in at least one forward movement direction (A), the conveying plane in turn comprising a plurality of receiving channels (5), each of the plurality of receiving channels being adapted to receive a respective said cheese cords (F), wherein the conveying plane (4) comprises a plurality of separating elements (6), each of which is positioned between two of the adjacent receiving channels (5) and is adapted to prevent the cheese ropes (F) from coming into contact with each other during movement in the forward movement direction (A).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a moving system for stretching cheese strings and related machines for producing stretched cheese sticks. Background Art

[0002] As is well known, the production of stretched cheese sticks (commonly known as "string cheese") is carried out by using special machines, which are usually placed downstream of one or more kneading and stretching machines specifically designed to extrude stretched cheese into long strings and cut the long strings into cylindrical sticks of predefined length.

[0003] More specifically, such machines are typically provided with:

[0004] - a loading area where an extruder is placed to form the above-mentioned cheese strings;

[0005] - a cutting area where the cheese strings are cut into cheese sticks; and

[0006] - an unloading area arranged below the cutting area and configured to convey the cheese sticks outside the machine.

[0007] In addition, known types of machines are also provided with a special cheese string moving system, the function of which is to convey the cheese strings from the loading area to the cutting area.

[0008] Specifically, the moving system includes a plurality of channels, each channel being adapted to accommodate a respective cheese string and being manufactured such that the cheese string can slide towards the cutting area to obtain cheese sticks.

[0009] At this time, the cheese sticks thus produced are tipped back into the unloading area by falling from the cutting area and are thus conveyed to the machine outlet so that the cheese sticks can be recovered for subsequent processing stages.

[0010] In summary, it is important to note that the known machines described so far have many drawbacks, which make various substantial improvements to these machines possible.

[0011] First of all, the special construction of the moving system often causes two or more cheese strings carried in their respective channels to come into contact with each other and stick together when sliding towards the cutting area.

[0012] This drawback is common even when the thickness of the cheese string is small and occurs at an unacceptably high frequency when the cheese string specification is large, and its direct consequence is that the produced cheese sticks do not meet the strict quality standards of the industry and are therefore not suitable for sale.

[0013] In this regard, it is easy to understand that this situation will seriously affect the efficiency of the known machines, resulting in significant commercial and economic losses.

[0014] This main problem particularly involves the actual risk that the stuck cheese strings will affect the normal operation of the machine. For example, it may even partially block the machine, resulting in possible damage to the machine itself and a further decrease in production output due to the need for more frequent maintenance.

[0015] Given the above situation, the already high rate of inferior finished products becomes even more serious when considering the way the cheese sticks are dumped into the removal area in the known machine.

[0016] In fact, it is worth considering that due to the extrusion process, the temperature of the stretched cheese is quite high. Therefore, if not properly handled inside the machine, the stretched cheese may undergo significant and undesirable deformation.

[0017] In this sense, it is easy to understand how the cheese sticks falling into the removal area often cause them to be damaged. These cheese sticks lose their original cylindrical shape and must be discarded, which further exacerbates the previously much-criticized serious problem. Summary of the Invention

[0018] The main object of the present invention is to design a moving system for cheese strings that is practical, efficient, and can significantly reduce the risk of two or more cheese strings coming into contact with each other and sticking together.

[0019] An object of the present invention is to design a moving system for cheese strings that has higher versatility and adaptability than known systems.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to design a machine for producing stretched cheese sticks that can accurately and repeatedly achieve its goals over time and can minimize the risk of accidental damage to the cheese sticks during production.

[0021] A further object of the present invention is to design a machine for producing stretched cheese sticks in which the length of the produced cheese sticks can be easily and intuitively changed.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to design a moving system for stretched cheese strings and a related machine for producing stretched cheese sticks that can overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art within the framework of a simple, reasonable, easy-to-use, and cost-effective solution.

[0023] The above object is achieved by such a moving system for stretched cheese having the features described in claim 1.

[0024] The above object is achieved by such a machine for producing stretched cheese sticks having the features described in claim 8. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of a system for moving a string of stretched cheese and related machines for producing stretched cheese sticks, which are illustrated by way of schematic and non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is an overall isometric view of the machine according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is an isometric sectional view of the machine according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 is an isometric detailed view of the machine according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a detailed side view of the machine according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 and Figure 7 show how some components of the machine according to the present invention are connected. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] With particular reference to these drawings, the reference numeral 1 generally denotes a machine for producing stretched cheese sticks.

[0032] First of all, a machine 1 for producing stretched cheese sticks comprises at least one base frame 2 for placement on the ground and at least one moving system 3 for a string of stretched cheese F associated with the base frame 2.

[0033] In this regard, it should be noted that the term "string" used when referring to stretched cheese denotes the substantially cylindrical form of the stretched cheese, and in particular, the longitudinal extension of the stretched cheese is significantly greater than its diameter.

[0034] More specifically, the "string" is intended to denote a substantially cylindrical form with a length-to-diameter ratio greater than 100.

[0035] However, it should be noted that the term "stick" when referring to stretched cheese also denotes a substantially cylindrical shape, but in this case, the length-to-diameter ratio is less than in the previous case and is preferably between 5 and 50.

[0036] Having clarified this, the moving system 3 for a string of stretched cheese comprises at least one conveying plane 4 for conveying a string of stretched cheese F in at least one forward movement direction A.

[0037] In particular, the conveying plane 4 is arranged substantially horizontally, although it cannot be excluded that the conveying plane may be inclined and the forward movement direction A may be towards the ground (negative inclination).

[0038] Furthermore, the conveying plane 4 includes:

[0039] - a plurality of receiving channels 5, each of the plurality of receiving channels being adapted to receive a respective cheese string F; and

[0040] - a plurality of separating elements 6, each separating element being positioned between two adjacent receiving channels 5 and being adapted to prevent the cheese strings F from contacting each other during movement along the forward movement direction A.

[0041] In this regard, it is worth noting that the technical solution of arranging the separating elements 6 between the receiving channels 5 itself constitutes a quite advantageous technical means, which can make up for the defects of the prior art described above.

[0042] In fact, in this way, it can be ensured that the cheese strings F are conveyed along the conveying plane 4 in an absolutely effective and safe manner, that is, there is no risk of the cheese strings contacting and sticking to each other.

[0043] Therefore, this fact can not only reduce the possibility of producing cheese sticks B with a shape different from the desired one, but also avoid the malfunction of the machine 1 that may be caused by the mutual adhesion of the cheese strings F.

[0044] In this way, compared with the machines belonging to the prior art, it is obvious that the reliability, production output and efficiency of the machine 1 can be greatly improved.

[0045] As for the receiving channels 5, they basically extend parallel to each other.

[0046] In this regard, according to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, each receiving channel 5 and the corresponding separating element 6 located therebetween define a surface having a substantially curved shape (see Figure 3 ).

[0047] More specifically, the profile is substantially in a "U" shape.

[0048] According to a second embodiment not shown in the drawings, each receiving channel 5 and the corresponding separating element 6 located therebetween define a surface having a substantially polygonal shape.

[0049] In all cases, the forward movement direction A is preferably substantially straight.

[0050] In this way, the cheese strings F can be conveyed along the conveying plane 4 efficiently and safely, that is, any deviation from the straight path is prevented from causing an undesired depression in the cheese strings themselves.

[0051] Advantageously, the conveying plane 4 includes a plurality of modular elements 7.

[0052] In particular, the modular element 7 has a basic polyhedral shape.

[0053] More specifically, the modular element 7 has a basic parallelepiped shape.

[0054] Conveniently, the mobile system 3 includes at least one of the following:

[0055] - a first connecting device 8 of the modular element 7 along a first connecting direction C1 transverse to the forward movement direction A; and

[0056] - a second connecting device 9 of the modular element 7 along a second connecting direction C2 parallel to the forward movement direction A.

[0057] Specifically, the modular element 7 enables the number and / or length of the accommodation channels 5 to be changed by connecting / disconnecting the modular element along the connecting directions C1, C2.

[0058] Specifically, the first connecting direction C1 and the second connecting direction C2 are orthogonal to each other.

[0059] This means that the first connecting direction C1 is orthogonal to the forward movement direction A ( Figure 2 ).

[0060] Preferably, the mobile system 3 includes both the first connecting device 8 and the second connecting device 9.

[0061] Therefore, both the length and the number of the accommodation channels 5 can be changed as needed.

[0062] It is readily understood that providing the connecting devices 8, 9 of the modular element 7 can greatly improve the versatility and adaptability of the machine 1, so that the machine can be effectively utilized in various different operating situations.

[0063] In detail, the first connecting device 8 is of the interlocking type.

[0064] In this sense, as Figure 6 shown, the first connecting device 8 includes a convex first interlocking part 8a and a concave second interlocking part 8b that can be removably coupled together by complementary shapes.

[0065] In this regard, the modular element 7 is provided with a first face 7a and a second face 7b that are substantially parallel to each other and are arranged to be parallel to the first connecting direction C1 in use, the first interlocking part 8a is associated with the first face 7a, and the second interlocking part 8b is associated with the second face 7b.

[0066] Therefore, due to its special shape, the first interlocking part 8a can be inserted into or removed from the second interlocking part 8b in a completely smooth, rapid and intuitive manner, so as to couple or decouple the modular elements 7 with each other along the first connection direction C1.

[0067] By doing so, it is thus possible to change the number of accommodation channels 5 while keeping the length of the accommodation channels unchanged.

[0068] As Figure 7 shown, the second connection means 9 preferably comprises:

[0069] - a plurality of cavities 9a, which are formed in the modular element 7 and can be laterally aligned with each other in the second connection direction C2; and

[0070] - at least one connecting element 9b, which is adapted to be inserted into the cavity 9a.

[0071] In particular, the cavities 9a are formed in a special annular projection 10 which is associated with the modular element 7 and projects laterally therefrom.

[0072] More specifically, the modular element 7 has a third face 7c and a fourth face 7d, which are defined by the first face 7a and the second face 7b and are arranged to be parallel to the second connection direction C2 in use, and the annular projection 10 is associated with the third face 7c and the fourth face 7d.

[0073] As regards the connecting element 9b, the connecting element has an elongated shape.

[0074] More specifically, the connecting element 9b has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0075] Even more specifically, the connecting element 9b is of the type of a pin or a mechanically similar member.

[0076] In order to connect two modular elements 7 along the second connection direction C2, it is thus only necessary to align the cavities 9a formed in the annular projection 10 of any one of the modular elements 7 and insert the connecting element 9b into the cavities.

[0077] By doing so, it is thus possible to increase the length of the accommodation channels 5 while keeping the number of accommodation channels unchanged.

[0078] In summary, it can be inferred that the coupling along the first connection direction C1 and the coupling along the second connection direction C2 can be carried out extremely simply and directly, which is conducive to conveniently and quickly changing the length and number of the accommodation channels 5.

[0079] The machine 1 further comprises:

[0080] - A cutting device 11, which is associated with the base frame 2 and is adapted to cut the cheese string F to obtain cheese bars B;

[0081] - At least one displacement line 12 of the cheese bar B, which is offset in height relative to the moving system 3 ( Figures 1 to 5 ); and

[0082] - At least one connecting component 13, which is positioned to connect between the moving system 3 and the displacement line 12, and includes at least one connecting portion 14, which is arranged transversely to the conveying plane 4 and the displacement line 12, and is provided with a plurality of connecting channels 15, which are adjacent to the receiving channel 5 to define a substantially uninterrupted predefined path ( Figure 3 ).

[0083] In particular, the cutting device 11 is preferably located between the connecting component 13 and the displacement line 12.

[0084] However, it cannot be excluded that the cutting device 11 can be arranged at different positions (for example along the displacement line 12 or between the moving system 3 and the connecting component 13).

[0085] Similarly, the cutting device 11 includes a plurality of blades 11a, which are positioned side by side with each other, transversely to the displacement direction S, and are activated in the manner to be described hereinafter to cut the cheese string F into various cheese bars B.

[0086] On the other hand, as for the displacement line 12, it is substantially composed of one or more conveyor belts of the cheese bar B.

[0087] Specifically, the displacement line 12 defines the displacement direction S of the cheese bar B.

[0088] Specifically, the displacement direction S is a curve.

[0089] Nevertheless, it cannot be excluded that the displacement direction S may be substantially straight, and thus the displacement line itself may be completely located within the corresponding placement plane.

[0090] As described above, the displacement line 12 is offset in height from the moving system 3 (that is, it is arranged at a different height from the moving system); in particular, the displacement line 12 is arranged at a lower height than the moving system 3.

[0091] However, different from the prior art, the presence of the connecting component 13 ensures the safe and efficient transportation of the cheese string F, because they are not affected by indentations during movement, and thus can be cut by the cutting device 11 to obtain cheese bars B with the desired morphology.

[0092] Precisely in this regard, the connecting assembly 13 includes guiding means 16, 17 for the string of cheese F located between the connecting channel 15 and the displacement line 12.

[0093] Specifically, the guiding means 16, 17 include at least a pair of guiding shafts 16, 17 which are arranged substantially parallel to each other ( Figures 2 to 5 ), where:

[0094] - At least one first guiding shaft 16 is provided with a plurality of discs 16a, each disc facing a corresponding connecting channel 15; and

[0095] - At least one second guiding shaft 17 defines a plurality of recesses 17a, each recess facing a corresponding disc 16a.

[0096] Specifically, the string of cheese F moves from the moving system 3 to the displacement line 12 by sliding contact with the discs 16a and the recesses 17a.

[0097] Conveniently, the guiding shafts 16, 17 are arranged transversely to the forward movement direction A.

[0098] More precisely, the guiding shafts 16, 17 are arranged orthogonally to the forward movement direction A, that is, parallel to the first connection direction C1.

[0099] Specifically, the guiding shafts 16, 17 are operatively connected to at least one motor-driven unit which is configured to cause these guiding shafts to rotate axially.

[0100] From Figure 4 and Figure 5 it can be seen that the axial rotation of the guiding shafts 16, 17 drags the strings of cheese F, which pass between the discs 16a and their corresponding recesses 17a and are carried towards the displacement line 12 in an accurate and controllable manner.

[0101] Doing so can avoid possible damage to the strings of cheese F, thus arranging cheese bars B with a desired configuration on the displacement line 12.

[0102] In this sense, it is easy to understand how the connecting assembly 13 works in cooperation with the separating element 6 described above, thus improving the reliability of the machine 1 and enabling the machine to operate absolutely on time and accurately.

[0103] Conveniently, the machine 1 includes spacing means 19, 21 which are associated with the displacement line 12 and are adapted to distribute the cheese bars B on the displacement line 12 with the cheese bars spaced apart from each other.

[0104] Specifically, the spacing means 19, 21 include at least one spacing part 19 which in turn includes a plurality of spacing channels 20 ( Figure 2 ).

[0105] Specifically, the spacing channels 20 are substantially curved in shape.

[0106] In the present case, the spacing channels 20 face the respective recesses 17a of the second guide shaft 17 and are adapted to receive the respective cheese bars B.

[0107] In this regard, each blade 11a faces a respective spacing channel 20 so that the cheese string F carried therein can be cut to obtain the cheese bar B.

[0108] Similarly, the spacing device 18 includes a plurality of side guards 21, each side guard being positioned between a pair of adjacent spacing channels 20 and being adapted to prevent any contact of the cheese bar B during its movement along the displacement direction S.

[0109] In detail, the side guards 21 are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

[0110] Similarly, the side guards 21 are arranged downstream of the spacing channels 20 with respect to the displacement direction S.

[0111] Therefore, the combination of the spacing channels 20 and the side guards 21 makes it possible to ensure that the cheese bars B are properly spaced on the displacement line 12, thus avoiding any risk of the cheese bars coming into contact with each other and sticking together.

[0112] Conveniently, the machine 1 includes sensor means 22 which are operatively connected to the cutting means 11 and are arranged downstream of the cutting means at at least one reference position defining the length of the cheese bar B with respect to the forward movement direction A.

[0113] More specifically, the sensor means 22 are configured to sense the arrival of the cheese string F at the reference position and to generate an activation signal for the cutting means 11 based on its sensing result ( Figure 5 ).

[0114] In fact, due to the presence of the sensor means 22, the cutting means 11 can be operated intermittently and a plurality of cheese bars B of predefined length can be obtained.

[0115] Specifically, the sensor means 22 are placed along the displacement line 12.

[0116] Conveniently, the sensor means 22 include a plurality of sensors, preferably of the contact sensor type.

[0117] In the present case, each sensor is operatively connected to a respective blade 11a.

[0118] In this way, the blades can be controlled asynchronously and independently by operating only the blades 11a corresponding to the sensors activated when the cheese string F passes by from time to time.

[0119] In order to be able to change the length of the cheese stick B, the machine 1 includes an adjusting device 23 for adjusting the position of the sensor device 22 in the displacement direction S( Figure 2 ).

[0120] Specifically, the adjusting device 23 includes:

[0121] - at least one slide rail 23a extending parallel to the displacement direction S; and

[0122] - at least one slider 23b locked to the sensor device 22 and slidably mounted on the slide rail 23a.

[0123] Therefore, by simply moving the slider 23b along the slide rail 23a, the reference position can be changed, and thus the length of the cheese stick B produced by the machine 1 can be changed.

[0124] Therefore, this method helps to advantageously improve the versatility of the machine 1, enabling it to not only produce the cheese stick B precisely and efficiently, but also change the length of the cheese stick as needed to obtain cheese sticks of various specifications.

[0125] Practice has proved that the described invention has achieved the intended purpose.

[0126] It should be particularly emphasized that a special method of arranging a separating element between one receiving channel and another receiving channel makes it possible to avoid undesired adhesion of the stretched cheese string during its movement in the forward movement direction, thereby reducing the number of cheese sticks having a shape different from the desired shape, and improving the reliability and production output of the machine according to the present invention.

[0127] In addition, it should be emphasized that arranging a plurality of modular elements that can be removably coupled in the connection direction makes it possible to arbitrarily change the number and length of the receiving channels, greatly improving the adaptability and versatility of the machine according to the present invention.

[0128] Similarly, a special method of arranging a connection assembly between the moving system and the displacement line makes it possible to convey the stretched cheese from the moving system to the displacement line in an absolutely safe, precise and effective manner, thereby minimizing the possibility of accidental damage to the cylindrical shape of the cheese stick.

Claims

1. A moving system (3) for a stretched cheese string, the moving system comprising at least one conveying plane (4) for conveying the stretched cheese string (F) along at least one forward moving direction (A), the conveying plane further comprising a plurality of receiving channels (5), each of the receiving channels being adapted to receive a respective one of the cheese strings (F), characterized in that, The conveying plane (4) includes a plurality of separating elements (6), each separating element being positioned between two of the adjacent receiving channels (5) and being adapted to prevent the cheese strings (F) from contacting each other during movement along the forward movement direction (A).

2. The system (3) according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the receiving channels (5) and the corresponding separating element (6) therebetween define a surface of substantially curved configuration.

3. The system (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the receiving channels (5) and the corresponding separating element (6) therebetween define a surface of substantially polygonal configuration.

4. The system (3) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The receiving channels (5) extend substantially parallel to each other, and the forward movement direction (A) is substantially linear.

5. The system (3) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The conveying plane (4) includes a plurality of modular elements (7), and the system (3) includes at least one of the following: - first connecting means (8) of the modular element (7) in a first connecting direction (C1) transverse to the forward movement direction (A); and - second connecting means (9) of the modular element (7) in a second connecting direction (C2) parallel to the forward movement direction (A); The modular element (7) enables the number and / or length of the receiving channels (5) to be changed by connecting / disconnecting the modular elements in the connecting directions (C1, C2).

6. The system (3) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first connecting means (8) is of the interlocking type.

7. The system (3) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The second connecting means (9) includes: - a plurality of cavities (9a) formed in the modular element (7) and capable of being laterally aligned with each other in the second connecting direction (C2); and - at least one connecting element (9b) adapted to be inserted into the cavities (9a).

8. A machine (1) for producing stretched cheese sticks, characterized in that, The machine includes: - at least one base frame (2) for placement on the ground; - at least one moving system (3) according to one or more of the preceding claims, the at least one moving system being associated with the base frame (2); - a cutting device (11) associated with the base frame (2) and adapted to cut the cheese strings (F) to obtain stretched cheese bars (B); - at least one displacement line (12) of the cheese bar (B), the at least one displacement line being offset in height relative to the moving system (3); and - at least one connecting assembly (13) positioned to connect between the moving system (3) and the displacement line (12) and including at least one connecting portion (14) arranged transverse to the conveying plane (4) and the displacement line (12) and provided with a plurality of connecting channels (15) adjacent to the receiving channels (5) so as to define a substantially uninterrupted predefined path.

9. The machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cutting device (11) is located between the connecting assembly (13) and the displacement line (12).

10. The machine (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The connecting assembly (13) includes guiding means (16, 17) for the string of cheese (F) located between the connecting channel (15) and the displacement line (12).

11. The machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The guiding means (16, 17) includes at least a pair of guiding shafts (16, 17) arranged substantially parallel to each other, wherein: - at least one first guiding shaft (16), the at least one first guiding shaft being provided with a plurality of discs (16a), each disc facing a respective one of the connecting channels (15); and - at least one second guiding shaft (17), the at least one second guiding shaft defining a plurality of recesses (17a), each recess facing a respective one of the discs (16a); The string of cheese (F) moves from the moving system (3) to the displacement line (12) by sliding contact with the discs (16a) and the recesses (17a).

12. The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The machine includes sensor means (22) which is operatively connected to the cutting means (11) and is arranged downstream of the cutting means at at least one reference position defining the length of the cheese bar (B) with respect to the forward movement direction (A), the sensor means (22) being configured to sense the arrival of the string of cheese (F) at the reference position and to generate an activation signal for the cutting means (11) as a result of the sensing.

13. The machine (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The sensor means (22) is positioned along the displacement line (12).

14. The machine (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The displacement line (12) defines the displacement direction (S) of the cheese bar (B), and the machine (1) includes adjusting means (23) for adjusting the position of the sensor means (22) along the displacement direction (S) in order to vary the length of the cheese bar (B).

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