DEVICE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FERMENTED DAIRY PRODUCTS
The device addresses inefficient filtration in fermented dairy product manufacturing by using a raised and rotatable filter basket with a scraper, ensuring effective whey drainage and maintaining product integrity.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2025000412
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-01-15
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing devices for manufacturing fermented dairy products, such as yogurt and kefir, face issues with inefficient filtration of the fermented product from whey, often leading to clogging and requiring manual compaction, which alters the product's texture and necessitates thorough cleaning.
A device comprising a thermally insulated outer container, an inner container, and a filter basket with coupling configurations that allow the filter basket to be raised and rotated, featuring a scraper to prevent clogging, ensuring efficient and rapid filtration without altering the product's texture.
Facilitates complete drainage of whey while maintaining the product's texture, allowing for easy cleaning and preventing clogging, thus enhancing production efficiency and product quality.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FERMENTED DAIRY PRODUCTS
[0001] Technical field
[0002] The present utility model relates to a device intended for the manufacture of fermented dairy products such as yogurt or kefir.
[0003] The proposed device adapted for the manufacture of yogurt and kefir comprises a thermally insulated outer container with a lid; an inner container insertable inside the outer container; a filter basket insertable inside the inner container; scraper spatulas that can be attached to the filter basket; wherein the filter basket comprises coupling configurations, which allow its attachment to the inner container in a raised position. State of the art
[0004] Devices for the manufacture of fermented dairy products are widely known. For example, patent application KR20160102624Al describes a device for the manufacture of yogurt which includes an insulated outer container with a lid and an inner container with a lid, as well as an intermediate container for separating the hot water introduced into the outer container from the inner container.
[0005] However, the device described in this document does not allow the fermented product obtained from the fermentation process of the whey generated during this process to be filtered.
[0006] Other devices are also known, similar to that described in the aforementioned patent, which further incorporate, inside the inner container, a filter basket allowing the fermented product to be extracted by separating it from the whey.
[0007] However, in this type of known device, the fermented product tends to clog the openings of the filter basket, making complete drainage of the whey difficult, slowing down or even preventing.
[0008] Due to its traditional nature, the following process is also known: inserting a cloth into the inner container as a filter, allowing the extraction and draining of the fermented product by separating it from the whey. This is achieved by wrapping the cloth around the fermented product, pressing it, and compacting it by expelling the whey through the cloth. However, this method requires compressing and compacting the fermented product, altering its texture, and also necessitates thorough cleaning of the cloth between each use.
[0009] The present invention solves the above problems and other problems existing in devices of the known prior art, by providing a device that allows for efficient, rapid, comfortable and simple filtration of the fermented product, separating it from the whey, without producing compaction of the fermented product.
[0010] Brief description of the invention
[0011] The present invention relates to a device for the manufacture of fermented dairy products, in particular yogurt or kefir, as described in claim 1.
[0012] According to the information contained in the existing prior art, the proposed device comprises: an external container, thermally insulated with an external lid; an inner container that can be inserted inside the outer container; and a filter basket that can be inserted inside the inner container.
[0013] Thus, the filter basket and the inner container are nested one inside the other, and both are nested within the outer container. The filter basket will occupy most of the inner volume, for example more than 80% and preferably more than 90%, of the inner container when it is inserted inside.
[0014] By filling the inner container with warm milk mixed with dairy ferments, the outer container and its lid will keep this mixture warm long enough to obtain an accelerated fermentation of the mixture, which produces a milk fermentation which, for the most part, will be contained in the filter basket.
[0015] Therefore, the extraction of the filter basket will allow the majority of the fermented milk to be extracted from inside the inner container in a simple manner, allowing the whey to exit from inside the filter basket through its filtering openings, falling into the inner container as long as the filter basket remains vertical to the inner container.
[0016] The proposed device is characterized in that: the inner container includes the initial coupling configurations; The filter basket includes second coupling configurations complementary to the first, provided for fixing the filter basket to the inner container in a raised position, leaving at least one upper third of the filter basket above the mouth of the inner container; and in that The device also includes a scraper configured to be inserted into the filter basket, allowing it to rotate against the inner surface of the filter basket.
[0017] Thus, the first and second coupling configurations allow mutual coupling, by keeping the filter basket vertical, leaving it partially extracted from the inner container and therefore with its bottom separated from the bottom of the inner container, and leaving a space inside the inner container, under the filter basket, in which the serum drawn from the filter basket accumulates.
[0018] The scraper, by rotating inside the filter basket, moves the fermented milk away from the filter openings of the filter basket, preventing their clogging and thus facilitating the complete filtration of the whey.
[0019] The first coupling configurations mentioned above may protrude from an internal lateral surface of the inner container and may be located in an upper third of the inner container, and the second coupling configurations may protrude from an external lateral surface of the filter basket, on a lower third of the filter basket.
[0020] Furthermore, these first and second coupling configurations can be arranged with an angular spacing equidistant with respect to a central axis of the inner container and a central axis of the filter basket.
[0021] For its part, the filter basket is configured to be insertable inside the inner container in at least a first position, in which the first and second coupling configurations are not aligned in the insertion direction, being separated and allowing complete insertion of the filter basket inside the inner container, and a second position, in which the first and second coupling configurations are aligned in the insertion direction, being coupled and holding the filter basket in the raised position, preventing complete insertion of the filter basket inside the inner container.
[0022] In this way, by lifting the filter basket and turning it at the right time, these coupling configurations can be arranged opposite each other and in a chain, which promotes secure support when the bottom of the filter basket is suspended above the bottom of the inner container.
[0023] The scraper mentioned above preferably comprises several spatulas, distributed radially around a center concentric with the center of the filter basket into which it will be inserted, and connected to a protruding handle towards the mouth of the filter basket for manual manipulation of the rotation of the scraper.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the handle is eccentric with respect to the center of the spatulas.
[0025] The inner container may have, in its mouth, first handles, while the filter basket has second handles at its mouth, these first and second handles overlapping when the filter basket is inserted into the inner container in the first position mentioned.
[0026] In addition, the inner container may include a first lid that can be fixed to its mouth, configured to produce the closure of the inner container with or without the filter basket inserted in the first position.
[0027] The outer lid of the outer container can be configured to produce closure of the outer container with or without the inner container inserted into the outer container, or with or without the inner container and filter basket inserted into the outer container.
[0028] The proposed device allows the production of yogurt, without the use of the scraper and while retaining the rest of the components.
[0029] For the manufacture of kefir, the aforementioned coupling configurations allow the filter basket to be placed in an exceptional position, high relative to the inner container, which facilitates the insertion and rotational manipulation of the scraper, the special configuration of which is detailed below, preventing the fermentation granules from clogging the filter during the rotation of the scraper.
[0030] The coupling configurations also allow the production of Greek yogurt, which is denser and creamier, by maintaining a fine-mesh filter basket in a raised position. The scraper filters out the most liquid fraction of the yogurt, preventing clogging of the filter basket, thus thickening and concentrating it to obtain a denser and creamier yogurt.
[0031] Further on, other features relating to the covers and means of thermal insulation of the proposed device will be described in detail, in accordance with the attached drawings.
[0032] Brief description of the diagrams
[0033] The aforementioned advantages and features, among others, will be easier to understand from the following detailed description of an example embodiment, in accordance with the accompanying diagrams, which are provided by way of illustration and are not exhaustive, and in which:
[0034] [Fig.1] is an exploded view showing all the components of the proposed device, including the aligned arrangement of the outer and inner containers and the filter basket, as well as the configuration of the scraper mentioned.
[0035] [Fig.2] is a perspective view which shows the thermal insulation elements associated with the outer container.
[0036] [Fig.3] is a perspective view which shows the filter basket with its lid and the inner container also equipped with its lid, both closed.
[0037] [Fig.4] illustrates the fixing of the filter basket to the inner container in a raised position, revealing a large part of the filter basket above the mouth of the inner container and inside the scraper, of which only a handle can be seen.
[0038] Finally, [Fig.5] shows the configuration of the lid associated with the filter basket and the inner container.
[0039] Detailed description of the invention and examples of implementation
[0040] The attached diagrams show non-exhaustive examples of embodiments of the present invention.
[0041] Diagram 1 shows the composition of the proposed device, in which the following components are represented: an external container (10) thermally insulated with an external lid (11); an inner container (20) insertable inside the outer container (10); and a filter basket (30) insertable into the inner container (20);
[0042] As shown in this diagram 1, the inner container (20) has first coupling configurations (21) and the filter basket (30) has second coupling configurations (31) complementary to the first (21), provided for fixing the filter basket (30) to the inner container (20) in a raised position (see diagram 4), leaving at least one upper third of the filter basket (30) above the mouth of the inner container (20).
[0043] In this diagram 1, we can also see a scraper (40) configured to be inserted into the filter basket (30), which allows its rotation against an inner surface of the filter basket (30) when the scraper (40) is inserted into the filter basket (30) as can be seen in diagram 4.
[0044] The scraper (40) comprises several spatulas (41), distributed radially around a center concentric with the center of the filter basket (30), and connected to a handle (42) protruding towards the mouth of the filter basket (30) for manual manipulation of the rotation of the scraper (40).
[0045] As illustrated in diagrams 1 and 4, the handle (42) is eccentric with respect to the center of the spatulas (41).
[0046] The scraper in a preferred embodiment shall be made of polypropylene (resistant to chemical attack due to its low porosity) and shall also include PBT to increase its rigidity and strength.
[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the filter basket (30) is circular and includes filter openings in at least its lower third.
[0048] The first coupling configurations (21) protrude from an internal lateral surface of the inner container (20) into an upper third of the inner container (20), and the second coupling configurations (31) protrude from an external lateral surface of the filter basket (30) into a lower third of the filter basket (30).
[0049] As shown in diagrams 1 and 4, the first and second coupling configurations (21, 31) are arranged with an angular spacing equidistant with respect to a central axis of the inner container (20) and a central axis of the filter basket (30).
[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, two coupling configurations (21, 31) have been provided opposite each other, in opposition both in the inner container (20) and in the filter basket (30).
[0051] The filter basket (30) is configured to be insertable inside the inner container (20) in at least one first position, in which the first and second coupling configurations (21, 31) are not aligned in the direction of insertion, being separated and allowing complete insertion of the filter basket (30) inside the inner container (20), and a second position, illustrated in detail in diagram 4, in which the first and second coupling configurations (21, 31) are aligned in the direction of insertion, being coupled by retaining the filter basket (30) in the raised position.
[0052] This high position of the filter basket (30) illustrated in diagram 4 is intended to allow the scraper (40) to be inserted into the filter basket, which can be rotated by manipulating the handle (42), thus preventing the fermentation granules from clogging the filter when the scraper is rotated.
[0053] As can be seen in diagram 1, the inner container (20) has first handles (22) at its opening, and the filter basket (30) also has second handles (32) next to its opening. In diagram 3, it can be seen that the first and second handles (22, 32) overlap when the filter basket (30) is fully inserted into the inner container (20) in the first position.
[0054] Diagram 1 also shows that the inner container (20) has a first removable lid (23) at its mouth, configured to produce the closure of the inner container (20) with or without the filter basket (30) inserted in the first position.
[0055] As shown in diagram 5, the first lid (23) includes two crimping configurations (24), at different heights in the direction of insertion, the two complementary to the mouth of the inner container (20), which allows the coupling of the first lid (23) to the mouth of the inner container (20) at two different heights depending on whether or not the filter basket (30) is present inside the inner container (20).
[0056] For its part, the outer container (10) includes third handles (12) in its mouth (see diagram 1), where the first, second and third handles (12, 22, 32) are superimposed when the filter basket (30) is inserted into the inner container (20) in the first position, and the inner container (20) is inserted into the outer container (10), as can be seen from the exploded view of diagram 1. Thus, the set of superimposed handles (12, 22, 32) provides a single body when grasping the entire device for handling.
[0057] On the other hand, the outer cover (11) is configured to produce the closure of the outer container (10) with or without the inner container (20) inserted inside the outer container (10), or with or without the inner container (20) and the filter basket (30) inserted inside the outer container (10).
[0058] As illustrated in diagram 2, the outer container (10) has, inside, a layer of insulating foam (13) on its walls and bottom or on its walls, bottom and outer lid (11).
[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the insulating foam layer (13) is made of polyethylene foam.
[0060] Similarly, diagram 3 above shows that the outer container (10) has a retaining ring (14) fixed to its mouth, producing a narrowing of the mouth, the insulating foam layer (13) of the walls of the outer container (10) being retained by this retaining ring (14).
[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the outer (10) and inner (20) containers, as well as the filter basket (30), can be made of propylene and the aforementioned lids (11 and 23) of silicone.
[0062] As an insulating material, it is proposed to use polyethylene foam which, in the case of the insulation of layer (13), may include a waterproof coating formed using a protective layer of aluminum plasticized with polyethylene.
Claims
Demands
1. Device for the manufacture of fermented dairy products comprising: a thermally insulated outer container (10) with an outer lid (11); an inner container (20) insertable inside the outer container (10); a filter basket (30) insertable into the inner container (20); characterized in that the inner container (20) comprises first coupling configurations (21); the filter basket (30) comprises second coupling configurations (31) complementary to the first coupling configurations (21), provided for fixing the filter basket (30) to the inner container (20) in a raised position, with at least one upper third of the filter basket (30) remaining above the mouth of the inner container (20); and in that the device also comprises a scraper (40) configured to be inserted into the filter basket (30), which allows its rotation against an inner surface of the filter basket (30).
2. The device referred to in claim 1, wherein the first coupling configurations (21) protrude from an internal lateral surface of the inner container (20), in an upper third of the inner container (20), and the second coupling configurations (31) protrude from an external lateral surface of the filter basket (30), in a lower third of the filter basket (30).
3. The device referred to in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second coupling configurations (21, (31) are arranged with an angular spacing equidistant from a central axis of the inner container (20) and a central axis of the filter basket (30).
4. The device referred to in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the filter basket (30) is configured to be insertable into the inner container (20) in at least one first position, wherein the first and second coupling configurations (21, 31) are not aligned in the direction of insertion, being separated and allowing complete insertion of the filter basket (30) into the inner container (20), and a second position, wherein the first and second coupling configurations (21, 31) are aligned in the insertion direction, being coupled by maintaining the filter basket (30) in the raised position.
5. The device referred to in claim 4, wherein the inner container (20) comprises, in its mouth, first handles (22), the filter basket (30), in its mouth, second handles (32), and wherein the first and second handles (22, 32) overlap when the filter basket (30) is inserted into the inner container (20) in the first position.
6. The device referred to in claim 5, wherein the inner container (20) has a first lid (23) removable at its mouth, configured to produce the closure of the inner container (20) with or without the filter basket (30) inserted in the first position.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first lid (23) has two crimping configurations (24), at different heights in the direction of insertion, both complementary to the mouth of the inner container (20), which allows the coupling of the first lid (23) to the mouth of the inner container (20) at two different heights depending on whether or not the filter basket (30) is present.
8. The device referred to in claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the outer container (10) has third handles (12) in its mouth and wherein the first, second and third handles (12, 22, 32) are superimposed when the filter basket (30) is inserted into the inner container (20) in the first position, and the inner container (20) into the outer container (10).
9. The device referred to in claim 8, wherein the outer cover (11) is configured to produce closure of the outer container (10) with or without the inner container (20) inserted into the outer container (10), or with or without the inner container (20) and the filter basket (30) inserted into the outer container (10).
10. The device referred to in any of the preceding claims, wherein the filter basket (30) is circular and has filter openings in at least its lower third.
11. The device referred to in claim 10, wherein the scraper (40) comprises several spatulas (41), distributed radially around a center concentric with the center of the filter basket (30), and connected to
12.
13.
14.
15. a handle (42) protruding towards the mouth of the filter basket (30) for manual manipulation of the rotation of the scraper (40). The device according to claim 11, wherein the handle (42) is eccentric with respect to the center of the spatulas (41). The device referred to in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer container (10) has, inside, a layer of insulating foam (13) on its walls and bottom or on its walls, bottom and outer lid (11). The device referred to in claim 13, wherein the insulating foam layer (13) is made of polyethylene foam. The device referred to in claim 13 or 14, wherein the outer container (10) has a retaining ring (14) fixed to its mouth, which produces a narrowing of the mouth, the insulating foam layer (13) of the walls of the outer container (10) being retained by this retaining ring (14).