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 assembly 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, especially to the pressing of cheeses or equivalent products.

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

[0003] The invention can also be used more generally throughout the agri-food sector, not just for the manufacture of cheeses. Prior art

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

[0005] Such cheeses are made in existing buildings, which generally have limited ceiling height and small rooms. This is often the case with older buildings, frequently designed initially for smaller production. Even with new buildings, cheese producers are keen to design the smallest possible buildings to save energy and water. Thus, often for reasons of economy and also environmental responsibility, 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, with each cheese typically weighing from 45 kg to 100 kg. The internal dimensions of the building intended for the manufacture of such cheeses quickly become a major obstacle to the maximum cheese production capacity within it.

[0007] The manufacture of such cooked pressed cheeses follows a number of predefined steps, among which the following may be mentioned: • Pasteurization, which aims to rid milk of certain undesirable microorganisms by heating it; milk intended for cheesemaking can to go through this step, which is not mandatory, depending on whether you are making cheese from raw milk or pasteurized milk; • milk maturation, 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 allowing the milk to coagulate through the action of rennet, the milk solidifying to become curd; • the slicing or cutting of the curd, also called "curd cutting": 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 allowing the extraction of the whey called "lactoserum" in order to obtain the future texture of the cheese; • stirring and heating; • molding: once the curd is obtained, this mixture of curd and whey 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, a pressing step must be implemented. Today, to meet higher production demands in smaller or unchanged buildings, it is necessary to design the most compact pressing systems possible.

[0009] It is very common among cheesemakers to use bellows-type or pneumatic bellows pressing systems. Such a solution forms a fluid pressure device of the type comprising a flexible, hollow, fluid-tight element, the two ends of which are respectively associated with two end portions movable relative to each other. The bellows has lobes or ridges that are fixed to one another, axially aligned, and of identical dimensions, the bellows being interposed between a support plate and a bearing plate. The lobes or ridges of the pneumatic bellows are formed by a band, or ring, placed around the bellows and separating said lobes or ridges. US patent no. 4,832,317 describes an example of a bellows-type or pneumatic bellows.

[0010] Pneumatic bellows are often used in pressed cooked cheese presses for various advantageous reasons, including: • Uniform pressing: pneumatic bellows are designed to provide uniform pressure across the entire surface of the cheese curd in the molds, resulting in a homogeneous texture in the cheese. • Proven durability: Pneumatic bellows are made with robust and durable materials, enabling them to withstand high pressures during repeated pressing cycles. This is particularly important for pressed cooked 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 facilitates their use and optimizes the manufacturing process.

[0011] In summary, pneumatic 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] While this solution does meet the demand for compactness, it also has several weaknesses that are becoming a major obstacle for many cheesemakers today. Specifically, the bellows includes a membrane that does not meet food safety standards: such a membrane would be particularly complex to manufacture because the cleaning products used are likely to cause premature wear of the membrane.

[0013] Furthermore, the bellows' lobe or ridge system is very complicated to clean and poses several problems. On the one hand, it involves a lot of time and cleaning products as well as wash water used, and on the other hand, these cleanings are generally less thorough due to the small size of the area concerned in a fold, consequently leading to more frequent cheese contamination.

[0014] Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) are also governed by strict specifications. These specifications stipulate, for example, a pressing force to be respected for each type of cheese, with a predefined duration. For example, for Comté cheese, this pressing force is 150 g / cm² (i.e., 1500 kg / m²). Currently, a pneumatic bellows pressing system does not allow for such pressing precision because the force curve of a pneumatic bellows is linked to its stroke, and the shape of the bellows results in numerous inaccuracies. When an inspection body intervenes to verify the pressing process, if it is not compliant, the cheeses are downgraded and can no longer bear the "Comté" designation. Therefore, the search for greater precision in the pressing system is an ongoing challenge.

[0015] Finally, cheeses must also meet precise geometric tolerances. The pneumatic bellows alone cannot maintain these geometric tolerances. In order to To ensure proper operation, connecting rods are used around the bellows, linking the support and bearing plates, which are each connected to one of the bellows' end sections. One problem encountered is the need for perfect alignment of these connecting rods to minimize play in the support and bearing plates. Consequently, the pressing system can jam, preventing the cheeses from being pressed. Furthermore, the connecting rods may sometimes be insufficiently adjusted, resulting in the support plate forming the pressing tray being angled. This causes the pressed cheese to "cap" or "cap" effect, meaning the top of the cheese is not parallel to the bottom, resulting in the cheese being downgraded.

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

[0017] The invention aims to remedy all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing in particular a solution that is simple to implement, easy to maintain, and that ensures sufficiently powerful, uniform and reproducible pressing for a minimum footprint.

[0018] To this end, according to a first aspect of the invention, a pressing device is proposed, in particular for pressing foodstuffs, especially 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 an extended position, • a fluidic network to control the cylinders, • a first 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 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 of the first and second plates forming a pressing plate or being fixed 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 is housed at least part of the fluidic network.

[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 a second connecting platform, the cylinders of the jacks being secured to the second connecting platform and within which is housed at least part of the fluidic 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 linked 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 fluidic connection between a portion of the fluidic network housed in the first connecting platform and a portion of the fluidic network housed in the second connecting platform. In this way, the fluidic network is located within the platforms, namely the first and second connecting platforms, and within the spacer columns that support the platforms.

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

[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, and even more preferably the first and second sets 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 footprint of the pressing device for 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. reference, 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 the entire set of jacks are clamped between the first and second connecting platforms, sealing means preferably being interposed between each cylinder-connecting platform interface.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the pressing device is made of materials configured to come into contact with foodstuffs. Such materials are referred to as "food-grade," food-grade suitability designating a product's ability to come into contact with foodstuffs while complying with a number of regulatory or normative requirements guaranteeing that there is no risk of induced toxicity. Generally speaking, food-grade materials are defined as materials that are inert with respect to food; preventing any migration of products and having no catalytic effect likely to alter the taste or quality of the food. Examples of such materials include aluminum, stainless steel, food-grade plastics, etc.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to an assembly 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 includes suspension means configured for suspending the column of pressing devices. Brief description of the figures

[0034] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate: • [Fig.l]: a simplified isometric perspective and cross-sectional view of the pressing device according to another embodiment along a vertical cross-sectional plane in which a fluidic network such as a pneumatic network is visible; • [Fig.2]: a simplified isometric perspective and cross-sectional view of the pressing device of [Fig.1] along another vertical cutting plane; • [Fig. 3]: a view of a first upper connecting platform following a method of implementation of [Fig.1]; • [Fig. 4]: a cross-sectional view of the pressing device of [Fig. 1] following a another vertical cutting plane, in the deployed position of the cylinders; • [Fig. 5]: A detailed view of a cross-section of the pressing device the [Fig.4] following a cutting plane similar to the [Fig.4], and in the retracted position of the cylinders; • [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 an 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 shall be adopted without limitation with reference to the X, Y, Z trihedron indicated in the figures, DETAILED description of an embodiment

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

[0038] Indeed, during cheese production, numerous manufacturing steps are implemented. In the case of pressing, this step can be carried out several times. For example, a first pressing can take place immediately after molding, and a second pressing can be carried out after the cheese has acidified.

[0039] The pressing device 100 according to the invention 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 a reference pressing axis A. The cylinders 10 are thus all axially mobile in the same direction between a retracted position and a deployed position.

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

[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 includes 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 all the cylinders of the pressing device 100, we distinguish: • a first set 10A of two cylinders 10 from among the cylinders 10, each of these two cylinders 10 of the first set 10A being axially oriented so as to extend from the retracted position to the extended position in a first direction Al; and • a second set 10B of two cylinders 10 from among the cylinders 10, each of these two cylinders 10 of the second set 10B being axially oriented 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 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 fixed to the first connecting platform 41 on one axial side of the jacks 10, and the cylinders 12 of the jacks 10 are fixed 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 cylinders 10 are arranged substantially at the same axial level between these first and second connecting platforms 41, 42, the cylinders 10 of the first set 10A of cylinders being oriented axially in the first direction, namely with a rod 13 oriented axially or vertically from the corresponding cylinder 12 upwards, and the cylinders 10 of the second set 10B of cylinders being oriented axially in the second direction, namely with a rod 13 oriented axially or vertically from the corresponding cylinder 12 downwards from the pressing device 100.

[0047] Each cylinder 10 of the first assembly 10A of cylinders 10 is connected, by an associated rod 13, to the first plate 31. Similarly, each cylinder 10 of the second assembly 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 attached to a pressing plate. Thus, each rod 13 of cylinder 10 is connected at a distal end to the associated plate and at a proximal end attached to the piston 11 of the associated cylinder 10, said piston 11 being located in an internal space of the associated cylinder 12.

[0048] Each piston 11 separates the internal volume or space of the associated cylinder 12 into two chambers isolated from each other. One or more orifices allow a fluid to be introduced or expelled into one or the other of the chambers, thus moving the corresponding piston 11. A rigid rod 13 is attached to each piston 11 and transmits force and displacement. 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 means of seals. The cylinder 10 will be particularly protected from the risk of contamination being introduced through the rod 13 by the installation of a seal such as a scraper seal.

[0049] The cylinders 10 are all double-acting cylinders with two directions of work along the axial direction A. Each cylinder 10 thus has two supply ports, 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, causing it to move in one direction and then in the other.

[0050] The cylinders 10 are controlled by a fluid network 20, either hydraulic or pneumatic. This fluid network 20 ensures the supply and discharge of fluid to the cylinders 10, in particular because the fluid network 20 is configured to introduce or discharge a fluid into one or the other of the chambers of each cylinder 12 of the pistons, specifically through the supply ports. The fluid can be a liquid or a gas. A pneumatic fluid network 20 in which the fluid is air is preferred. A fluid source (not shown), for example, a gas source, is provided and located away from the cylinders. The fluid network 20 of each of the cylinders 10 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). Preferably, all 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 from the first set 10A and the second set 10B synchronously.Preferably, all the cylinders of the first set 10A and 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 control valve proportional to either a servovalve and one or more sensors. This control can be configured at the level of each cylinder 10, or centrally, at the level of the fluid inlet and outlet of a fluid inlet 21 and a fluid outlet 22 of the pressing device 100, in particular of at least one of the connecting platforms 41, 42.

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

[0053] Each cylinder 1 2 of jack 10 extends axially between a front end portion provided with an orifice through which the associated rod 13 passes, and a rear end portion, axially opposed to the front end portion.

[0054] The front end portions of the cylinders 1 2 of each cylinder 10 of the first assembly 10A and the rear end portions of the cylinders 1 2 of each cylinder 10 of the second assembly 10B are axially oriented towards a first side SI, on the side of the first plate 31.

[0055] The front end portions of the cylinders 1 2 of each cylinder 10 of the second assembly 10 B and the rear end portions of the cylinders 1 2 of each cylinder 10 of the first assembly 10 A are oriented axially towards a second side S 2, on the side of the second plate 32.

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

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

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

[0059] These connection interfaces include, in particular, mechanical fastening interfaces configured to ensure the mechanical fastening of each cylinder to the corresponding platform 41, 42. These connection interfaces are configured, for example, to allow the use of fastening means, preferably removable, such as screws penetrating holes in the associated platform and engaging in a complementary screw thread provided in the end portion of the corresponding cylinder.

[0060] These connection interfaces also include fluidic connection interfaces configured to ensure a fluidic connection between the fluidic network 20 and each of the ports communicating with chambers of each of the cylinders located on the same side. In other words, the first platform 41 includes fluidic connection interfaces with each of the through ports communicating with a chamber of a given cylinder 12 located on the first side S1. Similarly, the second platform 42 includes fluidic connection interfaces with each of the through ports communicating with a chamber of a given cylinder 12 located on the second side S2. Thus, each of the cylinders is connected to a portion of the fluidic network 20 housed in the first connecting platform 41 and to a portion of the fluidic 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 ensure a local interconnection between two portions of the corresponding fluidic 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 link platforms 41, 42 allows for gains in compactness, simplicity of assembly and maintenance.

[0063] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first plate 31 of the pressing device 100 includes an interface for fixing 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 volume 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 spacer column 43 defines a conduit for fluid circulation. Indeed, the spacer columns 43 connect the portion of the fluid network 20 housed in the first connecting platform 41 to the portion of the fluid network 20 housed in the second connecting platform 42. Thanks to this feature, only one of the two connecting platforms, the first and second connecting platforms 41, 42, requires a fluid inlet 21 and a fluid outlet 22, specifically 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 the second assembly 10B is easily ensured.

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

[0067] The spacer columns 43 are attached to each of the first and second connecting platforms 41, 42 by removable fastening means to facilitate the repairability and maintenance of the pressing device 100. In practice, each spacer column 43 has externally threaded axial end portions (on an associated outer tubular casing). One of the threads on one end portion has a right-hand thread, and the other thread on the other end portion has a left-hand thread. Each spacer column 43 is connected at each end 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 includes the cylinders 12 of the jacks 10 arranged between the first and second connecting platforms 41, 42 and each integral with 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 extended 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 extended 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 and 32, thereby ensuring the pressing function.

[0070] It should also be noted that (see in particular [Fig. 4]): • 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 P4 reference plane, the third and fourth reference planes P3, P4 being parallel.

[0071] The first, second, third and fourth reference planes, PI, P 2, P 3 and P 4, 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 oriented from the main wall of the first plate extending along the first reference plane PI and directed 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, by means of dedicated fixing means.

[0073] Such a configuration of the first plate 31 facilitates both the assembly and disassembly of the pressing device 100, even in areas where access to the pressing device 100 would otherwise be difficult. In practice, hook / pin systems can be used to attach the pressing device 100 to the support frame. This configuration also facilitates mounting on existing support structures.

[0074] Once the first plate 31 is attached to the support frame, the first plate is fixed relative to it and the fluidic control, here pneumatic, synchronous of the cylinders 10 allows to alternately control the distance and approach 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 cylinders 10 are distributed side by side in an oblique or staggered arrangement. Such an arrangement may vary. In another embodiment not shown, the cylinders 10 may be positioned side by side in a straight arrangement, namely that the cylinders 10 are arranged to follow horizontal rows and columns, for example two rows of two columns, or three rows of two columns.

[0076] Of course, regardless of the embodiment, the materials constituting the pressing device 100 are said to be "food-grade" and compatible with use with foodstuffs, for contact with foodstuffs. Food-grade quality is achieved in particular through the use of stainless steel, food-grade plastic, and food-grade seals.

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

[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 including vertical connecting uprights 2 to form a column of pressing devices 100. Each pressing device 100 is held to the support frame by fixings to these vertical connecting uprights 2, thus allowing each pressing device 100 to be placed in the correct vertical position.

[0080] In this configuration, each pressing device 100 is fixed to the uprights 2 by fastening means to secure the first plate 31 permanently to the support frame, particularly at the level of the peripheral fins 310. The first plate 31 of a pressing device 100 thus has a fastening function but also a support plate for a cheese intended to be pressed by an upper pressing device 100 located vertically above it, and allows the movement of the second plate 32, which forms the pressing plate or is fixed to a pressing plate intended to press the cheese carried by a lower pressing device 100 located vertically below it.

[0081] The support frame is connected at 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 on a carousel provided for this purpose. The suspension system 3 comprises, for example, wheel assemblies configured to run on a carousel track, and suspension lines connected at one end to one of the wheel assemblies and at the other end to the support frame of the column of pressing devices.

[0082] Of course, such an assembly of a plurality of pressing devices 100 is not limiting and other assemblies can be designed without going out of 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 disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to be compatible with food contact, to respect the pressing precision, to respect the geometric tolerances, to be energy economical since it is easier to control a pneumatic circuit than a vacuum, to be quiet, all while guaranteeing a high compactness.

[0084] It is also possible to limit costs and environmental impact thanks to the invention since the pressing device 100 can be mounted in place of existing equipment. Therefore, there is no need to rebuild the pressing structure and discard the old one. The vertical dimension of the pressing device 100, namely in Height and stroke can be retained compared to 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 input supply.

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

[0087] The overall design is such that it has very few retention areas and limited impact zones. Furthermore, the raising or lowering of the second plate 32, which forms the pressing plate or is attached to a pressing plate, is carried out in a closed, sealed, and very small circuit, thus requiring a small amount of air. Finally, such a pressing device 100 has no leaks or venturis, so the air passes silently through it, thereby minimizing noise.

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

[0089] For example, in an application of 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 are apparent to a person skilled in the art from the present description, drawings and attached claims, even if in practice they have only been described in relation to other specific features, both individually and in any combinations, can 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 meaningless.

Claims

1.

2. Demands Pressing device (100) for pressing foodstuffs, particularly 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) arranged side by side and 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 fluidic network (20) to control the cylinders (10), - a first assembly (10A) 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 first direction, - a second assembly (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 (11) of the first assembly (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 (11) of the second assembly (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 jacks (10) being secured to the first connecting platform (41) and within which is housed at least part of the fluidic network (20). 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 within which is housed at least part of the fluidic 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 claim 3, characterized in that the cylinders (12) of the jacks (10) are arranged between, preferably clamped between, the first connecting platform (41) and the second connecting platform (42), sealing means being preferably interposed between each cylinder (12) interface and the associated connecting platform (41, 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 ensure a fluidic link between a part of the fluidic network (20) housed in the first linking platform (41) with a part of the fluidic network (20) housed in the second linking 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 cylinders (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 plane (P2) of reference, the first and second reference planes (PI, P2) being parallel, preferably perpendicular to the reference pressing axis (A).

10. 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 (P4) reference plane, the third and fourth reference planes (P3, P4) being parallel, preferably perpendicular to the reference pressing axis (A).

11. Pressing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of materials configured to come into contact with foodstuffs.

12. Assembly (1) of a plurality of pressing devices (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Assembly (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).

14. An assembly 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).

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