Pressing device and assembly of a plurality of such pressing devices forming a pressing column

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressing device (100) for pressing foodstuffs in the manufacture of cheeses, the pressing device comprising: a plurality of cylinders (10) each comprising a piston (11) for sliding in an associated cylinder (12) between a retracted and an extended position; a fluidic network (20) for controlling the cylinders; a first set (10A) of cylinders being oriented so as to extend in a first direction; a second set (10B) of cylinders being oriented so as to extend in a second direction; a first plate (31) connected to the pistons of the first set; a second plate (32) connected to the pistons of the second set; a first connecting platform (41), the cylinders of the cylinders being fixed to the first connecting platform and within which at least a portion of the fluidic network is housed. (Fig. 2)

Description

Title of the invention: Pressing device and set of a plurality of such pressing devices forming a pressing column Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the technical field of the food industry, in particular to the manufacture of cheeses, in particular to the pressing of cheeses or equivalent products.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to a pressing device, in particular for pressing foodstuffs, in particular for the manufacture of cheeses such as cooked pressed cheeses.

[0003] The invention can also be used more generally throughout the food industry, not just for cheese production. State of the prior art

[0004] In the field of cooked pressed cheeses, several of these cheeses benefit from a controlled designation of origin (AOC) such as Comté, Beaufort, or Gruyère, and their production must meet very strict specifications.

[0005] Such cheeses are made in existing buildings, which generally have limited ceiling height and cramped rooms. This is often the case with older buildings, often initially designed for the production of smaller quantities. Even in the case of new buildings, cheese producers are keen to design buildings as small as possible to save energy and water consumption. Thus, and often with a view to saving money and also being eco-responsible, cheesemakers choose to keep the same building while increasing production.

[0006] One of the problems encountered in the manufacture of cooked pressed cheeses concerns the size of these cheeses, which can, for example, have diameters of 650 mm to 800 mm and heights varying between 100 mm and 200 mm, each cheese can have a weight generally varying from 45 kg to 100 kg. The internal dimensions of the building intended for the manufacture of such cheeses then quickly represent a major obstacle in the maximum capacity of cheese production within it.

[0007] The manufacture of such cooked pressed cheeses follows a certain number of predefined steps, among which the following can be cited: • pasteurization, aimed at ridding milk of certain undesirable microorganisms by heating it, milk intended for cheese production can go through this step, which is not however obligatory, depending on whether the cheese is made from raw milk or pasteurized milk; • maturation of the milk, a stage during which lactic ferments selected according to the desired cheese are added to the milk to give the cheese its texture and taste; • curdling, this step consisting of letting the milk coagulate thanks to the action of rennet, the milk solidifying to become curdled; • slicing or cutting the curd, also called “decaillage”: the curd is sliced ​​into small, regular cubes with a curd cutter until a grain of curd the size of a grain of wheat is obtained. This step allows the extraction of the whey called “lactoserum” in order to obtain the future texture of the cheese. • mixing and heating; • molding: once the curd is obtained, this mixture of curd and whey or serum is distributed and introduced into molds of varying shapes and sizes depending on the desired cheese; • pressing; and • refining.

[0008] Thus, to manufacture these cheeses it is necessary to implement a pressing stage. Today, to meet a demand for higher production in buildings of reduced or unchanged dimensions, it is necessary to design pressing systems that are as compact as possible.

[0009] It is very common among cheese makers to use pressing systems of the bellows cylinder or pneuride bellows type. Such a solution forms a fluid pressure device of the type comprising a hollow flexible member that is fluid-tight, the two ends of which are associated respectively with two end portions that are movable relative to each other. The bellows has lobes or beads integral with each other, aligned axially and of identical dimensions, the bellows being interposed between a support plate and a support plate. The lobes or beads of the pneuride bellows are formed by a belt, or a ring, placed around the bellows and separating said lobes or beads. US Patent No. US 4,832,317 describes an example of a bellows cylinder or pneuride bellows.

[0010] Pneuride bellows are often used in cooked pressed cheese presses for various advantageous reasons, including: • uniform pressing: the pneuride bellows are designed to provide uniform pressure across the entire surface of the cheese curd in the molds, resulting in a consistent texture in the cheese. • proven durability: the pneuride bellows are manufactured with Robust and durable materials, making them capable of withstanding high pressures during repetitive pressing cycles. This is especially important for hard cheese presses, which often require extended pressing cycles to achieve the desired texture. • ease of use: pneumatic bellows are often integrated into automated cheese presses, which makes them easier to use and optimizes the manufacturing process.

[0011] In summary, pneuride bellows are major components commonly used for pressing cooked pressed cheeses, and which allow the production of quality cheese with a homogeneous texture and high efficiency.

[0012] This solution certainly meets the demand in terms of compactness, but also has several weak points which are becoming a barrier for many cheese makers today. Indeed, the bellows includes a membrane which is not compatible with food standards: such a membrane would be particularly complex to manufacture because the cleaning products used are likely to cause premature wear of said membrane.

[0013] Furthermore, the system of lobes or beads of the bellows is very complicated to clean and poses several problems. On the one hand, this involves a lot of time and cleaning products as well as washing water used and, on the other hand, these cleanings are generally less well carried out due to the small nature of the area concerned in a fold and consequently lead to more frequent cheese contamination.

[0014] Protected designations of origin (PDO) and controlled designations of origin (AOC) are also produced with strict specifications. In the latter, for example, a pressing force to be respected per type of cheese is stipulated with a predefined duration. For example, for Comté this pressing force is 150 g / cm2 (i.e. 1500 kg / m2). Today, a pneuride bellows pressing system does not allow for such pressing precision because the force curve of a pneuride bellows is linked to its stroke, and the shape of the sausage means that there are many inaccuracies. When a control body intervenes to check the pressing, if it is not compliant, the cheeses are downgraded and can no longer benefit from the "Comté" designation. The search for better precision in the pressing system is therefore a constant problem.

[0015] Finally, cheeses must also respect precise geometric tolerances. The pneumatic bellows alone does not allow these geometric tolerances to be maintained. In order to respect them, it is known to use connecting rods distributed around the bellows and connecting the support and bearing plates, which are each connected to one and the other respec tively end portions of the bellows. One of the problems encountered is that it is mandatory to ensure a perfect adjustment of these connecting rods so that the support and bearing plates have as little play as possible. It therefore happens that the pressing system gets stuck and the cheeses are not pressed. In addition, the connecting rods can sometimes not be sufficiently adjusted, which means that the support plate forming the pressing plate is at an angle and causes "cap" effects on the cheese thus pressed, which means that the top of the cheese is not parallel to the bottom of the cheese, the latter being in this case downgraded.

[0016] Another disadvantage of using a pneumatic bellows is that it requires a vacuum to be assembled, requiring the use of venturis which cause high air consumption and excessive noise for cheese makers (close to 90 db). Statement of the invention

[0017] The invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing in particular a solution which is simple to implement, easy to maintain, and which makes it possible to ensure sufficiently powerful, uniform and reproducible pressing for minimum bulk.

[0018] To this end, according to a first aspect of the invention, a pressing device is proposed, in particular for pressing foodstuffs, in particular for the manufacture of cheeses such as cooked and / or uncooked pressed cheeses, the pressing device defining a reference pressing axis and being characterized in that it comprises: • a plurality of cylinders each comprising a piston configured to slide in an associated cylinder of complementary shape along a sliding axis parallel to the reference pressing axis, between a retracted position and a deployed position, • a fluid network to control the cylinders, • a first set of one or more cylinders among the cylinders being oriented axially so as to deploy from the retracted position to the deployed position in a first direction, • a second set of one or more cylinders among the cylinders being axially oriented so as to deploy from the retracted position to the deployed position in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, • a first plate, each piston of the first set of one or more cylinders being connected, by an associated rod, to the first plate, • a second plate, each piston of the second set of one or more cylinders being connected, by an associated rod, to the second plate, at least one among the first and second plates forming a pressing plate or being attached to a pressing plate, • at least one first connecting platform, the cylinders of the jacks being secured to the first connecting platform and inside which at least part of the fluid network is housed.

[0019] Thanks to such a combination of characteristics, a pressing device is obtained which combines compactness, power and ease of use and maintenance.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the first connecting platform is located between the first plate and the second plate.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the pressing device comprises at least one second connecting platform, the cylinders of the jacks being secured to the second connecting platform and inside which is housed at least part of the fluid network, the second connecting platform being preferably located between the first plate and the second plate.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the jacks are arranged between the first connecting platform and the second connecting platform.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the first and second connecting platforms are connected together, preferably rigidly fixed, by spacer columns, preferably extending axially parallel to the reference pressing axis.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the spacer columns are configured to provide a fluid connection between a portion of the fluid network housed in the first connection platform with a portion of the fluid network housed in the second connection platform. In this way, the fluid network is located in the platforms, namely the first and second connection platforms and in the spacer columns holding the platforms.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the pressing device comprises a number of spacer columns equal to the number of jacks.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first set of one or more cylinders and the second set of one or more cylinders each comprise at least one cylinder, preferably at least two cylinders, more preferably the first set of cylinders and the second set of cylinders comprise an equal number of cylinders. A plurality of cylinders per set of cylinders makes it possible in particular to reduce the vertical size of the pressing device at equivalent power.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the first and second plates each extend respectively along a first reference plane and a second reference plane, the first and second reference planes being parallel, preferably perpendicular to the reference pressing axis.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the first and second connecting platforms each extend respectively along a third reference plane and a fourth reference plane, the third and fourth reference planes being parallel, preferably perpendicular to the reference pressing axis.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the cylinders of all the jacks are sandwiched between the first and second connecting platforms, sealing means preferably being interposed between each associated cylinder-connecting platform interface.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the pressing device is made up of materials configured to come into contact with foodstuffs. Such materials are called "food-safe", the food-safety designating the ability of a product to be put into contact with foodstuffs while complying with a certain number of regulatory or normative requirements guaranteeing that there is no risk of induced toxicity. In general, food materials will be designated as materials that are inert with respect to food; avoiding any migration of products and having no catalytic effect likely to modify the taste or quality of the food. Among these materials, we can cite for example aluminum, stainless steel or stainless steel, food-grade plastics, etc.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a set of a plurality of pressing devices as described above.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the pressing devices are aligned so that their associated reference pressing axes are coaxial, preferably vertical, and connected together by connecting uprights to form a column of pressing devices.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the pressing assembly comprises suspension means configured to suspend the column of pressing devices. Brief description of the figures

[0034] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate: • [Fig.l]: a simplified view in isometric perspective and in section of the pressing device according to another embodiment along a vertical section plane in which a fluid network such as a pneumatic network is visible; • [Fig.2]: a simplified view in isometric perspective and in section of the pressing device of [Fig.l] along another vertical section plane; • [Fig.3]: a view of a first upper connecting platform following a embodiment of [Fig.l]; • [Fig.4]: a sectional view of the pressing device of [Fig.l] following another vertical section plane, in the deployed position of the jacks; • [Fig.5]: a view of a detail of a section of the pressing device of the [Fig.4] following a sectional plane similar to [Fig.4], and in the retracted position of the jacks; • [Fig.6]: a view of a detail of [Fig.5]; • [Fig.7]: an isometric perspective view of a set of a plurality of pressing devices according to one embodiment.

[0035] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

[0036] In the description and claims, to clarify the description and claims, the terminology longitudinal, transverse and vertical will be adopted without limitation with reference to the trihedron X, Y, Z indicated in the figures, DETAILED description of an embodiment

[0037] Figures 1 to 7 illustrate a pressing device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The pressing device 100 is intended to implement a step of pressing foodstuffs, in particular for the manufacture of cheeses such as cooked and / or uncooked pressed cheeses. This pressing operation can take place at different stages of cheese manufacture. In this case, the pressed foodstuffs are cheeses, for example curd, the pressing then participating in the draining of the curd and allowing a tome to be obtained. The pressing operation can also be subsequent to the draining operation.

[0038] Indeed, during the manufacture of a cheese, numerous manufacturing steps are implemented. In the case of pressing, such a step can be implemented several times. For example, a first pressing can take place just after molding, and a second pressing can be implemented after acidification of the cheese.

[0039] The pressing device 100 according to the invention comprises a plurality of jacks 10 each comprising a piston 11 configured to slide in an associated cylinder 12 of complementary shape along a sliding axis A' parallel to a reference pressing axis A. The jacks 10 are thus all axially movable in the same direction between a retracted position and a deployed position.

[0040] In this example, the pressing device 100 is intended to perform pressing vertically so that the sliding axes A' and the reference pressing axis A are parallel to a vertical reference axis Z. Alternatively, other orientations could be envisaged.

[0041] In this illustrated embodiment, the pressing device 100 comprises four cylinders 10. Of course, the number of cylinders 10 can vary depending on the desired application.

[0042] In particular, the pressing device 100 comprises a central part, which includes in particular the cylinders 12 of the jacks 10 and from which the pistons 11 slide to move a first plate 31 and a second plate 32, in the same direction and in opposite directions, between a retracted position and a deployed position.

[0043] Among the set of cylinders of the pressing device 100, we distinguish: • a first set 10A of two cylinders 10 among the cylinders 10, each of these two cylinders 10 of the first set 10A being oriented axially so as to deploy from the retracted position to the deployed position in a first direction A1; and • a second set 10B of two cylinders 10 among the cylinders 10, each of these two cylinders 10 of the second set 10B being oriented axially so as to deploy from the retracted position to the deployed position in a second direction A2, opposite to the first direction.

[0044] In such a configuration, the first set 10A of cylinders 10 and the second set 10B of cylinders 10 comprise an equal number of cylinders 10, namely two cylinders 10 each.

[0045] The pressing device 100 comprises in its central part all of the cylinders 12 of the jacks 10. The jacks 10 are arranged side by side, and oriented axially with respect to the reference pressing axis A, between the first connecting platform 41 and the second connecting platform 42. In other words, the cylinders 12 of the jacks 10 are secured to the first connecting platform 41 on one axial side of the jacks 10 and the cylinders 12 of the jacks 10 are secured to the second connecting platform 42, on the other axial side of the jacks 10. In this configuration, the cylinders 12 of the jacks 10 are arranged axially with respect to the reference pressing axis A, between the first connecting platform 41 and the second connecting platform 42.

[0046] All the jacks 10 are arranged substantially at the same axial level between these first and second connecting platforms 41, 42, the jacks 10 of the first set 10A of jacks being oriented axially in the first direction, namely with a rod 13 oriented axially or vertically from the corresponding cylinder 12 upwards, and the jacks 10 of the second set 10B of jacks being oriented axially in the second direction, namely with a rod 13 oriented axially or vertically from the corresponding cylinder 12 towards the bottom of the pressing device 100.

[0047] Each cylinder 10 of the first set 10A of cylinders 10 is connected, by an associated rod 13, to the first plate 31. Similarly, each cylinder 10 of the second set 10B of cylinders 10 is connected, by an associated rod 13, to the second plate 32. At least one of the first and second plates 31, 32 forms a pressing plate or is fixed to a pressing plate. Thus each rod 13 of cylinder 10 is connected to a distal end, to the associated plate and a proximal end fixed to the piston 11 of the associated cylinder 10, said piston 11 being located in an interior space of the associated cylinder 12.

[0048] Each piston 11 separates the volume or interior space of the associated cylinder 12 into two chambers isolated from each other. One or more orifices 14 make it possible to introduce or evacuate a fluid into one or other of the chambers and thus move the corresponding piston 11. A rigid rod 13 is attached to each piston 11 and makes it possible to transmit force and movement. The sealing between the chambers of the cylinder 10 and the piston 11 and / or between the body of the cylinder 10 and the rod 13 for a given cylinder 10 is achieved by seals. The cylinder 10 will be particularly protected from the risks of pollution being introduced through the rod 13 by installing a seal such as a scraper seal.

[0049] The cylinders 10 are all double-acting cylinders 10 with two working directions along the axial direction A. Each cylinder 10 thus comprises two supply orifices 14 each supplying one of the chambers of the cylinder 10 with fluid and the pressure is applied alternately on each side of the piston 11 which causes it to move in one direction then in the other.

[0050] The cylinders 10 are controlled by a fluid network 20, hydraulic or pneumatic. This fluid network 20 ensures the supply and evacuation of fluid from the cylinders 10, in particular because the fluid network 20 is configured to introduce or evacuate a fluid into one or other of the chambers of each cylinder 12 of the pistons, in particular through the supply orifices 14. The fluid may be a liquid or a gas. A pneumatic fluid network 20 will be preferred in which the fluid is air. A source of fluid (not shown), for example gas, is provided and remote from the cylinders. The fluid network 20 of each of the cylinders 10 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). Preferably, all of the cylinders 10 of the pressing device 100 are controlled by a single control unit, and are configured to control the cylinders 10 of the same set among the first set 10A and the second set 10B synchronously.Preferably, all of the jacks of the first set 10A and of the second set 10B are controlled synchronously.

[0051] In a particular configuration (not illustrated), the cylinders 10 are servo-controlled. In this case, each cylinder 10 can be equipped with either a proportional control distributor or a servovalve and one or more sensors. This servo-control can be configured at each cylinder 10, or centrally, at the fluid inlet and outlet of a fluid inlet 21 and a fluid outlet 22 of the pressing device 100, in particular at least one of the connecting platforms 41, 42.

[0052] The fluid network 20 comprises a set of pipes, some of which are housed inside the first connecting platform 41 and the second connecting platform 42.

[0053] Each cylinder 12 of jack 10 extends axially between a front end portion provided with an orifice crossed by the associated rod 13, and a rear end portion, axially opposite the front end portion.

[0054] The front end portions of the cylinders 12 of each jack 10 of the first set 10A and the rear end portions of the cylinders 12 of each jack 10 of the second set 10B are oriented axially towards a first side SI, on the side of the first plate 31.

[0055] The front end portions of the cylinders 12 of each jack 10 of the second set 10B and the rear end portions of the cylinders 12 of each jack 10 of the first set 10A are oriented axially towards a second side S2, on the side of the second plate 32.

[0056] The first connecting platform 41 has a connection interface with each of the front and respectively rear end portions of the jacks 10 of the first assembly 10A and respectively of the second assembly 10B which are oriented towards the first side SI, namely here upwards.

[0057] The second connecting platform 42 has a connection interface with each of the front and respectively rear end portions of the jacks 10 of the first assembly 10A and respectively of the second assembly 10B which are oriented towards the second side S2, namely here downwards.

[0058] Each of the first and second platforms 41, 42 comprises connection interfaces with each of the front or rear end portions of the cylinders 12 of the associated jacks 10.

[0059] These connection interfaces comprise in particular mechanical fixing interfaces, configured to ensure the mechanical fixing of each cylinder to the corresponding platform 41, 42. These connection interfaces are configured for example to allow the use of fixing means, preferably removable, such as screws penetrating into orifices of the associated platform and coming to be secured in a complementary screw thread provided in the end portion of the corresponding cylinder.

[0060] These connection interfaces also comprise fluidic connection interfaces configured to provide a fluidic connection between the fluidic network 20 and each of the orifices in communication with chambers of each of the cylinders located on the same side. In other words, the first platform 41 comprises fluidic connection interfaces with each of the through orifices communicating with a chamber of a given cylinder 12 located on the side of the first side SI. Similarly, the second platform 42 comprises fluid connection interfaces with each of the through-orifices communicating with a chamber of a given cylinder 12 located on the side of the second side S2. Thus, each of the cylinders is connected to a part of the fluid network 20 housed in the first connecting platform 41 and to a part of the fluid network 20 housed in the second connecting platform 42.

[0061] Thus, the mechanical fixing of the first connecting platform 41 and the second connecting platform 42 on each axial side of the cylinders 10 must also guarantee a local interconnection between two portions of the corresponding fluid network 20, in particular here of the pneumatic network 20.

[0062] The fact that the pneumatic network 20 is integrated into the first and second connecting platforms 41, 42 makes it possible to gain in compactness, simplicity of assembly and maintenance.

[0063] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first plate 31 of the pressing device 100 comprises an interface for attachment to a fixed structure such as a frame of a pressing column (see for example [Fig.7]) and the second plate 32 of the pressing device 100 forms a pressing plate, configured to come into contact with the tome to press it.

[0064] The first and second connecting platforms 41, 42 are further connected together, preferably rigidly fixed, by spacer columns 43 extending axially parallel to the reference pressing axis A.

[0065] The spacer columns 43 are rigid and tubular. The tubular nature of each of the spacer columns 43 makes it possible to define a conduit for the circulation of the fluid. Indeed, the spacer columns 43 connect the part of the fluid network 20 housed in the first connecting platform 41 and to the part of the fluid network 20 housed in the second connecting platform 42. Thanks to such a characteristic, only one of the two platforms among the first and second connecting platforms 41, 42 requires a fluid inlet 21 and a fluid outlet 22, in particular to connect the fluid network 20 of the pressing device to an external fluid network connected to the control unit. Similarly, by controlling a single fluid inlet and a single fluid outlet, synchronous operation of all the cylinders of the first assembly 10A and of the second assembly 10B is ensured in a simple manner.

[0066] In the examples illustrated, the pressing device 100 comprises a number of spacer columns 43 equal to the number of jacks 10. This ensures good rigidity of the pressing device 100 while guaranteeing a homogeneous distribution of the fluid distribution with a minimum of pressure losses.

[0067] The spacer columns 43 are fixed to each of the first and second connecting platforms 41, 42 by removable fixing means to facilitate the repairability and maintenance of the pressing device 100. In practice, each column spacer 43 has axial end portions externally threaded (on an associated outer tubular casing). One of the threads of one end portion has a pitch oriented in a direct, or right-hand direction, and the other of the threads of the other end portion has a pitch oriented in an indirect, or left-hand direction. Each spacer column 43 is connected at each of its ends to a threaded ring which is shouldered so as to sandwich the associated platform to hold it in position.

[0068] The pressing device 100 thus comprises a rigid central part, which comprises the cylinders 12 of the jacks 10 arranged between the first and second connecting platforms 41, 42 and each secured to the first and second connecting platforms 41, 42. The second connecting platform 42 is located between the first plate 31 and the second plate 32 and the first connecting platform 41 is located between the first plate 31 and the second plate 32.

[0069] The cylinders 10 of the first assembly 10A are movable between the retracted position in which the first plate 31 is at a minimum distance close to the first connecting platform 41 and the deployed position in which the first plate 31 is at a maximum distance far from the first connecting platform 41. Similarly, and even synchronously with the first plate 31, the cylinders 10 of the second assembly 10B are movable between the retracted position in which the second plate 32 is at a minimum distance close to the second connecting platform 42 and the deployed position in which the second plate 32 is at a maximum distance far from the second connecting platform 42. It is thus possible to vary the axial distance between the two plates 31, 32 making it possible to ensure the pressing function.

[0070] It will also be noted that (see [Fig.4] in particular): • the first and second plates 31, 32 each extend respectively along a first reference plane PI and a second reference plane P2, the first and second reference planes PI, P2 being parallel; and that • the first and second connecting platforms 41, 42 each extend respectively along a third reference plane P3 and a fourth reference plane P4, the third and fourth reference planes P3, P4 being parallel.

[0071] The first, second, third and fourth reference planes, P1, P2, P3 and P4 are each perpendicular to the reference pressing axis A.

[0072] The first plate 31 has on all or part of its periphery fixing fins 310, formed by a folded portion of a main wall. These fins 310 are axially raised from the main wall of the first plate extending along the first reference plane PI and oriented inwards, i.e. towards the central part where the cylinders 12 are located. These fins 310 are configured to ensure the attachment of the pressing device 100 to a support structure, such as a rigid support frame, using dedicated attachment means.

[0073] Such a configuration of the first plate 31 makes it possible to facilitate both the assembly and disassembly of the pressing device 100, even in areas which would make access to the pressing device 100 difficult. In practice, hook / pin systems may be used to fix the pressing device 100 to the support frame. Such a configuration also facilitates assembly on existing support structures.

[0074] Once the first plate 31 is secured to the support frame, the first plate is fixed relative to it and the fluidic, here pneumatic, synchronous control of the jacks 10 makes it possible to alternately control the moving away and the moving towards of the second plate 32 relative to the first plate 31, said second plate 32 forming the pressing plate or being fixed to a pressing plate intended to press against the cheese to be pressed.

[0075] The jacks 10 are distributed side by side in an oblique or staggered distribution or arrangement. Such an arrangement may vary. In another embodiment not shown, the jacks 10 may be positioned side by side in a straight distribution or arrangement, namely the jacks 10 are arranged so as to follow horizontal rows and columns, for example two rows of two columns, or three rows of two columns.

[0076] Of course, whatever the embodiment, the materials constituting the pressing device 100 are said to be “food-grade” and compatible with use with foodstuffs, to come into contact with foodstuffs. Food-grade is obtained in particular by the use of stainless steel, food-grade plastic, and food-grade seals.

[0077] [Fig.7] illustrates an isometric perspective view of a set 1 of a plurality of pressing devices 100 according to one embodiment. More specifically, this figure illustrates a set 1 of vertical cheese presses.

[0078] The cheese press assembly 1 comprises a plurality of pressing devices 100, here four, superimposed two by two so that the reference pressing axes A of each of the pressing devices 100 are coaxial two by two along a main pressing axis A parallel to a vertical axis Z.

[0079] The press assembly 1 comprises a support frame or rigid support comprising vertical connecting uprights 2 to form a column of pressing devices 100. Each pressing device 100 is held to the support frame by attachments to these vertical connecting uprights 2, thus making it possible to place each pressing device 100 in the correct vertical position.

[0080] In this configuration, each pressing device 100 is fixed to the uprights 2 by fixing means to secure the first plate 31 fixedly relative to the support frame, in particular at the level of the peripheral fins 310. The first plate 31 of a pressing device 100 therefore has a fixing function but also a function of a support plate for a cheese intended to be pressed by an upper pressing device 100 located vertically above it and makes it possible to control the movement of the second plate 32 forming the pressing plate or being fixed to a pressing plate intended for its part to press the cheese carried by a lower pressing device 100 located vertically below it

[0081] The support frame is connected to an upper end portion, to suspension means 3 configured to suspend the column of pressing devices 100.Such suspension means 3 allow the press assembly 1 to be mounted in a suspended or hanging manner from a carousel provided for this purpose. The suspension system 3 comprises, for example, wheel sets configured to roll on a track of the carousel, and hangers connected on one upper side to one of the wheel sets and on the other lower side to the support frame of the column of pressing devices.

[0082] Of course, such a set of a plurality of pressing devices 100 is not limiting and other sets can be designed without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0083] The pressing device 100 according to the invention therefore makes it possible to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art and in particular to be compatible with food contact, to respect pressing precision, to respect geometric tolerances, to be energy-efficient since it is easier to control a pneumatic circuit than a vacuum, to be low-noise, all while guaranteeing great compactness.

[0084] It is also possible to limit costs and limit the environmental impact thanks to the invention since the pressing device 100 can be mounted in place of existing equipment. There is therefore no need to redo the pressing structure and throw away the old one. The vertical dimension of the pressing device 100, namely in height and the stroke can be retained compared to the existing systems to facilitate replacement.

[0085] In particular, the pressing is precise because the pressure at the outlet of the cylinders is directly proportional to the supply at the inlet.

[0086] The geometric tolerance is respected by the use in particular of the spacer columns 43 integrated into the central part parallel to the jacks, this making it possible to improve the rigidity of the assembly.

[0087] The design of the assembly is carried out in such a way as to have very little retention zone and limited impact zones. Furthermore, the rise or fall of the second plate 32 forming the pressing plate or being fixed to a pressing plate is made in a closed, sealed and very small circuit which requires a small quantity of air. Finally, such a pressing device 100 has no leaks or venturis so the air passes inside silently, thus limiting noise pollution.

[0088] Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0089] For example, in one use of the press assembly 1, [Fig.7] illustrates an embodiment in which the main pressing axis is parallel to a vertical axis. According to another variant, a different pressing axis may be considered, for example a horizontal pressing axis.

[0090] It is emphasized that all features, as they emerge for a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings and the attached claims, even if they have been specifically described only in relation to other determined features, both individually and in any combinations, may be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided that this has not been expressly excluded or that technical circumstances make such combinations impossible or devoid of sense.

Claims

Claims

1. Pressing device (100), in particular for pressing foodstuffs, in particular for the manufacture of cheeses such as cooked and / or uncooked pressed cheeses, the pressing device (100) defining a reference pressing axis (A) and being characterized in that it comprises: - a plurality of cylinders (10) each comprising a piston (11) configured to slide in an associated cylinder (12) of complementary shape along a sliding axis (A') parallel to the reference pressing axis (A), between a retracted position and a deployed position, - a fluid network (20) for controlling the cylinders (10), - a first set (10A) of one or more cylinders (10) among the cylinders (10) being oriented axially so as to deploy from the retracted position to the deployed position in a first direction,- a second set (10B) of one or more cylinders (10) among the cylinders (10) being axially oriented so as to deploy from the retracted position to the deployed position in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, - a first plate (31), each piston (10) of the first set (10A) of one or more cylinders (10) being connected, by an associated rod (13), to the first plate (31), - a second plate (32), each piston (10) of the second set (10B) of one or more cylinders (10) being connected, by an associated rod (13), to the second plate (32), at least one of the first and second plates (31, 32) forming a pressing plate or being fixed to a pressing plate, - at least one first connecting platform (41), the cylinders (12) of the cylinders (10) being secured to the first connecting platform (41) and inside which is housed at least part of the fluid network (20).,

2. Pressing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first connecting platform (41) is located between the first plate (31) and the second plate (32).

3. Pressing device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one second connecting platform (42), the cylinders (12) of the jacks (10) being secured to the second connecting platform (42) and inside which is housed at least part of the fluid network (20), the second connecting platform (42) being preferably located between the first plate (31) and the second plate (32).

4. Pressing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jacks (10) are arranged between the first connecting platform (41) and the second connecting platform (42).

5. Pressing device (100) according to claim 3 or 4 dependent at least on claim 3, characterized in that the first and second connecting platforms (41, 42) are connected together, preferably rigidly fixed, by spacer columns (43), preferably extending axially parallel to the reference pressing axis (A).

6. Pressing device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the spacer columns (43) are configured to provide a fluid connection between a part of the fluid network (20) housed in the first connection platform (41) with a part of the fluid network (20) housed in the second connection platform (42).

7. Pressing device (100) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises a number of spacer columns (43) equal to the number of jacks (10).

8. Pressing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first set (10A) of one or more cylinders (10) and the second set (10B) of one or more cylinders (10) each comprise at least two cylinders (10), preferably the first set (10A) of cylinders (10) and the second set (10B) of cylinders (10) comprise an equal number of cylinders (10).

9. Pressing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second plates (31, 32) each extend respectively along a first reference plane (PI) and a second reference plane (P2), the first and second reference planes (PI, P2) being parallel, preferably per-

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15. pendicular to the reference pressing axis (A). Pressing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims dependent at least on claim 3, characterized in that the first and second connecting platforms (41, 42) each extend respectively along a third reference plane (P3) and a fourth reference plane (P4), the third and fourth reference planes (P3, P4) being parallel, preferably perpendicular to the reference pressing axis (A). Pressing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cylinders (12) of the set of jacks (10) are clamped between the first and second connecting platforms (41, 42), sealing means (14) preferably being interposed between each cylinder (12) interface and the associated connecting platform (41, 42). Pressing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is constituted by materials configured to come into contact with foodstuffs. Set (1) of a plurality of pressing devices (100) according to any one of the preceding claims. Set (1) of a plurality of pressing devices (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pressing devices (100) are aligned so that their associated reference pressing axes (A) are coaxial, preferably vertical, and connected together by connecting uprights (2) to form a column of pressing devices (100). Set of a plurality of pressing devices (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises suspension means (3) configured to suspend the column of pressing devices (100).

Images