Apparatus for piercing cheese

Abstract

apparatus for piercing a cylindrical cheese 10 such as Stilton (RTM) with a plurality of parallel rollers for supporting the cheese with an axis of the cheese parallel to the axes of rotation of the r

Description

FIELD 5 This invention is concerned with an apparatus for piercing cheese which is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical. The present invention is especially useful in the manufacture of cheese such as Stilton ® cheese ("Stilton" ® is a certification trademark). 10 BACKGROUND Stilton ® cheese is historically pierced when it is in an upright position such that the axis of the cylindrical cheese is vertical. The cheese is pierced by one or more needles which enter through the circular periphery of the cheese and are inserted to a substantial 15 depth about a pre-arranged pattern where the holes formed by piercing extend approximately radially. CM In piercing Stilton ® cheese using this traditional method, the cheese is placed on a flat table with a flat end face resting on the table and with its longitudinal axis coaxial with 20 the axis of rotation of the table on which it is placed. The cheese is then pierced by appropriately positioned needles to a desired depth and the needles are then retracted. The table mounting the cheese is then indexed through a selected angle of rotation to present the next region of the cylindrical periphery of the cheese for piercing. The table is indexed to rotate the cheese progressively through 360° so that the whole of the 25 periphery of the cheese is pierced in a desired pattern. This existing method of piercing cheeses is reasonably satisfactory in operation but it is fairly slow and labour intensive in that only a single cheese can be pierced at a time and that each cheese has to be carefully loaded onto the table, properly centred, for 30 piercing. Alternative methods are typically mechanically limited with respect to the size of cheese that may be pierced or the configuration of piercing patterns and / or dimensions. 35 The present invention has been devised with the foregoing in mind. SUMMARY In an apparatus for piercing cheeses which are cylindrical or substantially cylindrical 5 in accordance with the invention, instead of being supported on a flat table with its axis of rotation oriented vertically, a cheese is supported on a plurality of rollers with its cylindrical periphery resting on the rollers, so that the cheese is supported by the rollers. Preferably the cheese is supported with its axis of rotation oriented horizontally. 10 According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for piercing a cheese which is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of parallel rollers positioned such that a cheese can rest on the rollers and be supported by them with an axis of the cheese parallel with the axes of rotation of the rollers. The apparatus may also comprise a first set of spaced parallel needles and a second set of 15 spaced parallel needles. The first and second sets of needles may each be mounted for reciprocation in a direction extending lengthwise of the needles towards and away from the cheese supported by the rollers. The apparatus may further comprise a control system. The control system may be configured to index the rollers to rotate the cheese supported by the rollers through a selected angle for each indexing step. The control 20 system may also be configured to control reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles to operate in timed relation to the indexing of the rollers, such that whilst the cheese is stationary following each indexing step, the needles move towards the cheese to pierce the cheese and then move away from the cheese to withdraw from the cheese, the next indexing step of the rollers being made after the needles have been withdrawn 25 from the cheese. The control system may additionally be configured to control reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles independently from one another. An advantage of the control system being configured to independently control reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles is to provide greater flexibility and 30 quick, easy modification of the apparatus to enable different cheese to be processed. For example, smaller cheeses (such as those with a smaller diameter) will have a central axis closer to the axes of the rollers. The first and second sets of needles may therefore need to be moved or displaced to a different spatial position in order to correctly pierce the cheese. Additionally or alternatively, if a different core diameter of a cheese is to 35 be left unpierced, displacement of the first and second sets of needles may need to be adjusted accordingly. Independent control of movement of the first and second sets of needles allows greater ease and flexibility to achieve such adjustments without any modification to the underlying components (for example, compared to systems which rely on mechanical linkages to control reciprocation of both the first and second sets of 5 needles together). The control system may comprise a first control mechanism configured to control reciprocation of the first set of needles. The first control mechanism may comprise at least one servo motor. The control system may also comprise a second control 10 mechanism configured to control reciprocation of the second set of needles. The second control mechanism may comprise at least one servo motor. The term servo motor may be used herein throughout to describe a drive system comprising a servo motor. The term servo motor may be used interchangeably with the 15 term servo actuator. A servo motor with servo drive may describe a system that converts electricity into precisely controlled motion. A servo motor may be used to describe a motor that drives a load and comprises a position detection component, such as an encoder. A servo drive may describe a controller that receives a command signal from a control system, amplifies the signal, and transmits electric current to the connected 20 servo motor. For conciseness, the term servo motor may be used herein throughout to define a suitable drive system comprising a servo motor and any suitable components such as a servo drive. Using a servo motor to control reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles may 25 provide reliable, highly accurate positional control. That may be important for control of cheese piercing to the desired depth. A servo motor may also provide quiet operation. The at least one servo motor of each of the first and second control mechanisms may comprise a linear servo motor (also known as an electric cylinder) configured to directly 30 drive reciprocation of the first set of needles and the second set of needles respectively. Utilising direct linear actuation from a linear servo motor or electric cylinder to drive reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles may allow mechanical linkages between a control mechanism and the first and second sets of needles to be removed. 35 That may provide a more compact system with much simpler construction. That may reduce weight and volume (which may be easier to manufacture, transport, position etc.), and may also improve reliability and ease of maintenance of the apparatus. Linear servo motors or electric cylinders provide precise and reliable linear movement. 5 Linear servo motors are also typically more compact and have reduced energy and equipment requirements compared to other common systems for providing linear movement such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. That may make linear servo motors easier to integrate into an apparatus and also more straightforward to repair or replace if necessary. 10 The control system may comprise a third control mechanism to configured to index the rollers to rotate the cheese through the selected angle. Providing a third, separate control mechanism to index the rollers separately or 15 independently from controlling reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles may provide a simpler, more modular apparatus. That may reduce or remove the need for C\j complex mechanical linkages reliant on a single control mechanism to index the rollers and control reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles. That may also improve ease of maintenance and repair, by enabling components or control mechanisms to be 20 easily removed and replaced independently of other components or control mechanisms. I- The third control mechanism may be or comprise a servo motor such as a rotational servo actuator or rotational servo motor. 25 Using a servo motor to index the rollers may provide reliable, highly accurate positional control when rotating the cheese through the selected angle. A servo motor may also provide quiet operation. The apparatus may comprise a first mount configured to support or hold the first set of 30 needles. The apparatus may comprise a second mount configured to support or hold the second set of needles. Opposing ends of both the first mount and the second mount may each be slidably connected to a pair of parallel shafts for reciprocation. 16 07 24 That may provide improved stability for the first and second sets of needles during operation. In turn, that may provide increased accuracy and repeatability of needle piercing. 5 The first control mechanism may comprise first and second servo motors at opposing ends of the first mount. The second control mechanism may comprise first and second servo motors at opposing ends of the second mount. That may provide balanced loads when driving reciprocation of the first and second sets 10 of needles. In turn, that may provide improved stability for the first and second sets of needles, which may allow improved accuracy and repeatability of needle piercing. The first and second sets of needles may be positioned substantially opposite one another. The first and second sets of needles may be positioned on substantially opposite 15 sides of the cheese in use. The first set of needles may comprise a different number of needles from the second set of needles. 20 That may result in a more natural, less artificial look to the cheese for consumers when cutting the cheese after production. At least one mount may comprise a plurality of recesses. Each recess may be configured to receive part of a needle to removably secure the needle to the mount. 25 That may allow easy and simple removal and / or replacement of individual needles, whilst securing the needles to the mount during operation. Each recess may be or comprise a substantially elongate recess generally extending 30 along a substantially straight line. Each recess may be configured to receive a substantially elongate needle shape. Each recess may comprise a substantially elongate recess generally extending along a curve. The curve of the recess may be dimensioned to contact the sides of a needle when inserted. Advantageously, by providing a curved recess a needle may be held more securely without the need for any additional fixing means. Each needle may comprise an angled portion extending from and angled relative to a 5 main body of the needle (for example, a longitudinal axis of the needle). Each recess may comprise a first portion configured to receive a part of the main body of the needle. Each recess may also comprise a second portion configured to receive the angled portion of the needle. 10 The second portion may be angled relative to the first portion. The recess may be substantially L-shaped to receive a substantially L-shaped needle. The second portion may enable each needle to be securely retained in the mount (for example by preventing or inhibiting movement of the needle relative to the mount, 15 particularly in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the needle), whilst allowing the needle to be easily detachable from the mount (for example, manually by a user without C\J tools). The mount may comprise a hollow or internal space in which the angled extension of a 20 needle may be located once the needle is received within the recess, such that the angled extension is not aligned with an opening of the recess when located in the hollow or internal space of the mount. The angled extension of the needle may be configured to be located within the hollow or internal space by rotation of the needle around its longitudinal axis once received within the recess. 25 The second portion and internal space may be configured such that a distal end of the angled portion of a needle may be initially received into the second portion. The needle may then be rotated such that the angled portion of a needle may be rotated through at least a portion of the second portion and into the hollow portion, until the angled portion 30 is substantially received within the hollow portion. When the angled portion of the needle is received into the hollow portion, the main body of the needle may be angled substantially perpendicular relative to the first portion. The needle may then be rotated generally about the axis of the angled portion such that the main body of the needle moves towards and is then received by the first portion. 16 07 24 The mount may comprise a removable cover portion configured to cover the recesses. That may prevent removal (accidental or deliberate) of the needles from the mount during operation of the apparatus. 5 The mount may comprise a main body. The mount may also comprise a support portion removably connectable to the main body. The support portion may comprise the plurality of recesses. 10 That may allow easy and simple removal and / or replacement of a full set of needles if necessary (for example, by removing or replacing the support portion as a whole), whilst maintaining the ability remove and / or replace individual needles. The needles may be angled between 10° and 20° relative to an imaginary vertical axis. 15 The needles may be angled between 12° and 18° relative to an imaginary vertical axis. The needles may be angled between 14° and 16° relative to an imaginary vertical axis. The needles may be angled at approximately 15.5° relative to an imaginary vertical axis. According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus for piercing a cheese which 20 is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of parallel rollers positioned such that a cheese can rest on the rollers and be supported by them with an axis of the cheese parallel with the axes of rotation of the rollers. The apparatus may also comprise a set of spaced parallel needles mounted for reciprocation in a direction extending lengthwise of the needles towards and away from the cheese 25 supported by the rollers. The apparatus may further comprise a control system. The control system may comprise a servo motor configured to index the rollers to rotate the cheese supported by the rollers through a selected angle for each indexing step. Additionally or alternatively, the control system may also comprise a servo motor configured to control reciprocation of the set of needles to operate in timed relation to 30 the indexing of the rollers, such that whilst the cheese is stationary following each indexing step, the needles move towards the cheese to pierce the cheese and then move away from the cheese to withdraw from the cheese, the next indexing step of the rollers being made after the needles have been withdrawn from the cheese. Using a servo motor to index the rollers and / or a servo motor to control reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles may provide reliable, highly accurate positional control of the components of the apparatus. That may be important for control of cheese piercing to the desired depth and at desired angular intervals. That may also allow 5 mechanical linkages between a control mechanism and the components of the apparatus to be removed, which may result in a more compact system having a simpler construction. That may reduce weight and volume of the apparatus, and may also improve reliability and ease of maintenance of the apparatus. 10 The apparatus of the second aspect may comprise one or more features described with respect to the apparatus of the first aspect. According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus for piercing a cheese which is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of 15 parallel rollers positioned such that a cheese can rest on the rollers and be supported by them with an axis of the cheese parallel with the axes of rotation of the rollers. The apparatus may also comprise a set of spaced parallel needles disposed on a mount having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends may each be slidably connected to a respective pair of parallel shafts for reciprocation in a direction extending 20 lengthwise of the needles towards and away from the cheese supported by the rollers. The apparatus may further comprise a control system. The control system may be configured to index the rollers to rotate the cheese supported by the rollers through a selected angle for each indexing step. The control system may also be configured to control reciprocation of the set of needles to operate in timed relation to the indexing 25 of the rollers, such that whilst the cheese is stationary following each indexing step, the needles move towards the cheese to pierce the cheese and then move away from the cheese to withdraw from the cheese, the next indexing step of the rollers being made after the needles have been withdrawn from the cheese. 30 Connecting each end of the mount on which the set of needles is disposed to a pair of parallel shafts may provide improved stability for the set of needles during operation. In turn, that may provide increased accuracy and repeatability of needle piercing. The apparatus of the third aspect may comprise one or more features described with 35 respect to the apparatus of the first aspect and / or the apparatus of the second aspect. According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a needle support for use in an apparatus for piercing cheese. The apparatus may be or comprise the apparatus of any of the first, second or third aspects. The needle support may comprise a plurality of recesses. Each recess may be configured to receive part of a needle to removably secure the needle to the support, such that at least part of the needle extends from the support. 10 That may allow easy and simple removal and / or replacement of individual needles from the support, whilst securing the needles to the support. Each recess may be or comprise a substantially elongate recess generally extending along a substantially straight line. Each recess may be configured to receive a 15 substantially elongate needle shape. C\j Each recess may comprise a first portion configured to receive a part of a main body of a needle (for example, a part of the needle extending along a longitudinal axis of the needle). The first portion may be or comprise a substantially elongate recess generally 20 extending along a substantially straight line. I- Each recess may also comprise a second portion configured to receive an angled portion or extension of the needle. The angled portion or extension may extend from and be angled relative to the main body of the needle (for example, angled relative to a 25 longitudinal axis of the needle). The second portion may be angled relative to the first portion. The recess may be substantially L-shaped to receive a substantially L-shaped needle. 30 The second portion of the recess may enable each needle to be securely retained in the support (for example by preventing or inhibiting movement of the needle relative to the support, particularly in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the needle), whilst allowing the needle to be easily detachable from the support (for example, manually by 35 a user without tools). The support may comprise a hollow or internal space in which the angled extension of a needle may be located once the needle is received within the recess, such that the angled extension is not aligned with an opening of the recess when located in the hollow 5 or internal space of the support. The angled extension of the needle may be configured to be located within the hollow or internal space by rotation of the needle around its longitudinal axis once received within the recess. That may inhibit or prevent removal (accidental or deliberate) of the needles from the 10 support, for example during operation of the apparatus. The support may comprise a removable cover portion configured to substantially cover the recesses when the needles are secured in the recesses. 15 That may prevent removal (accidental or deliberate) of the needles from the support, for example during operation of the apparatus. The support may be removably connectable to the apparatus. 20 That may allow easy and simple removal and / or replacement of a full set of needles if necessary (for example, by removing or replacing the support as a whole), whilst maintaining the ability remove and / or replace individual needles. Features which are described in the context of separate aspects and embodiments of the 25 invention may be used together and / or be interchangeable wherever possible. Similarly, where features are described in the context of a single embodiment for brevity, those features may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 30 Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a cheese piercing apparatus in 35 accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the cheese piercing apparatus along the section A-A shown in FIG. 1; 5 FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cheese piercing apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIGs. 4A and 4B show views of sets of needles of the cheese piercing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in both a withdrawn position or configuration (FIG. 4B) and a piercing 10 position or configuration (FIG. 4B); FIG. 5, 6A and 6B show an embodiment of needle support for use in the cheese piercing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention; and 15 FIGs. 6A and 6B show another embodiment of a needle support for use in the cheese piercing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. in accordance with the present invention. Like reference numerals in different Figures may represent like elements. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of an apparatus 100 for piercing a cheese 10 which is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical, for example Stilton ® cheese, in accordance with the present invention. 25 The apparatus 100 comprises a frame 102 on which other components of the apparatus 100 are mounted. The frame 102 may support and be covered by one or more panels (not shown) to enclose the frame 102 and the other components of the apparatus 100, although that is not essential. In the embodiment shown, the apparatus is configured to 30 pierce multiple cheeses 10 simultaneously, although that is not essential. It will also be appreciated dimensions (for example, a length, width and / or a depth) of the apparatus 100 may differ depending on the number of cheeses 10 to be pierced simultaneously. The apparatus 100 comprises a pair of parallel rollers 104 configured to support the 35 cheese 10. The rollers 104 are positioned such that the cheese 10 can rest on the rollers 104 and be supported by them with a longitudinal axis of the cheese 10 substantially parallel with the longitudinal rotational axes of the rollers 104. It will also be appreciated the apparatus 100 may alternatively comprise any suitable number of rollers 104 (for example, three, four or more rollers). In the embodiment shown, the rollers 104 5 are substantially horizontal in use and configured to support the cheese 10 such that a longitudinal axis of the cheese 10 is substantially horizontal, although that is not essential. The apparatus 100 also comprises a control system. The control system is configured to 10 index the rollers 104 to rotate the cheese 10 supported by the rollers 104 through a selected angle of revolution for each indexing step. In the preferred embodiment shown, the control system comprises a servo motor 106 for each respective roller 104, configured to control rotation of the rollers 104. The servo motors 106 are each controlled or driven by servo drives (not shown) which receive instructions from a 15 controller (not shown), in a conventional manner. The servo motors 106 provide a high level of accuracy for indexing the rollers 104 to allow fine control of rotation of the C\j rollers 104. The control system is configured to index the rollers 104 through any suitable angle. For example, the angle may be 11.25 which will allow for 32 index steps for complete 360° rotation of the cheese 10. 20 Alternatively, the control system may comprise an electric motor configured to drive the rollers 104, for example through a chain connected to both a sprocket on an output shaft of the electric motor and to sprockets on drive shafts driving rotation of the rollers. A controller may be configured to control the electric motor to rotate the rollers through 25 the selected angle of revolution at each indexing step. The apparatus 100 also comprises a first set of spaced parallel needles 108A and a second set of spaced parallel needles 108B. In the embodiment shown, each of the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B comprises a substantially linear array of needles 30 (for example, all the needles lying in substantially the same plane), although that is not essential. The first set of needles 108A is secured to and / or supported by a first mount or mounting bar 110A, and the second set of needles 108B is secured to and / or supported by a second mount or mounting bar HOB. In the embodiment shown, each mounting bar I10A, HOB comprises a substantially straight elongate structure, although that is not 35 essential, and the form of the mount or mounting bar 1 10A, HOB may depend on the spatial arrangement of the needles. Each mounting bar 110A, 110B has a first end and a second end. A first end of each of the mounting bars 110A, HOB is slidably connected to a pair of parallel shafts 112, and a second end of the mounting bars 110A, HOB is slidably connected to a pair of parallel shafts 114. In the embodiment shown, the 5 respective first ends and second ends of the mounting bars 110A, 110B are slidably connected to the same pair of parallel shafts 112, 114, although that is not essential. In the embodiment shown, the ends of the mounting bars 110A, 11 OB are slidably connected to the pairs of parallel shafts 112, 114 via a plate arrangement or structure 116 disposed at either end of each of the mounting bars 110A, HOB which is connected 10 to the pairs of parallel shafts 112, 114 via bearings 118. However, that is not essential and any suitable structure may be used to slidably connect the mounting bars 110A, 110B to the pairs of parallel shafts. For example, the mounting bars 110A, HOB may be directly connected to the bearings 118 (for example, the bearings 118 may be disposed on the mounting bars 110A, 11 OB). 15 20 25 The mounting bars 110A, 11 OB being slidably connected to the pairs of parallel shafts 112, 114 allows the sets of needles 108A, 108B to move reciprocally in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the parallel shafts 112, 114 in order to pierce and be withdrawn from the cheese 10. In the embodiment shown, the mounting bars 110A, 11 OB are arranged substantially parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axis of the cheese 10 and the longitudinal rotational axis of the rollers 104. The pairs of parallel shafts 112, 114 are arranged at an oblique angle relative to the mounting bars 110A, HOB. In the embodiment shown, the shafts 112, 114 are arranged at an angle of approximately 15.5° relative to an imaginary vertical axis. The sets of needles 108A, 108B are secured to the mounting bars 110A, 110B at the same oblique angle relative to the mounting bars 110A, 110B, such that the needles extend substantially parallel to the pairs of parallel shafts 112, 114. However, it will be appreciated the shafts 112, 114 and the sets of needles 108A, 108B may be arranged at any suitable angle relative to the mounting bars 110A, HOB, including perpendicular. 30 Each set of needles 108A, 108B lies in a plane. In the embodiment shown, the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B lies in substantially the same plane, although that is not essential and the respective planes of the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B may be substantially parallel but offset from one another such that the sets of 35 needles 108A, 108B are not directly opposite one another. The first of needles 108A is arranged substantially vertically above the cheese 10. The second set of needles 108B is arranged substantially vertically below the cheese 10 and substantially diametrically opposite the first set of needles 108A (with respect to the 5 cheese 10). The needles of the second set of needles 108B are arranged to pass between the rollers 104 from beneath the rollers 104 in order to pierce the cheese 10. However, that is not essential, and it will be appreciated the first and second sets of needles 108A. 108B may be arranged at any suitable position or location relative to the cheese 10. For example, both the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B may be arranged above 10 the rollers 104. The first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B may be arranged substantially horizontally relative to the cheese to pierce the cheese 10 from the sides rather than from above and below. It will also be appreciated the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B need not be arranged substantially diametrically opposite one another, but may be arranged at an angle relative to one another. It will also be 15 appreciated that a different number of sets of needles may be provided (for example, one, three, four or more etc.). The structural and / or spatial arrangement and / or number C\j of pairs of parallel shafts 112, 114 may be modified to accommodate a desired position and / or orientation and / or different number of sets of needles. 20 The needles of the first set of needles 108A may be staggered or offset with respect to the needles of the second set of needles 108B, for example along the longitudinal axis of the cheese 10. That may prevent the needles of each set 108A, 108B from colliding during piercing. However, that is not essential, as the sets of needles 108A, 108B may not be brought close enough together to collide during piercing. Additionally or 25 alternatively, the second set of needles 108B may comprise more needles than the first set of needles 108A. The control system of the apparatus 100 comprises a first control mechanism 120 configured to control reciprocation of the first of needles 108A and a second control 30 mechanism 122 configured to control reciprocation of the second set of needles 108B. In the embodiment shown, the first control mechanism 120 and the second control mechanism 122 are configured to control reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B independently from one another. That may provide the apparatus 100 to be controlled with greater flexibility to process different cheeses 10 (for example, 35 having different diameters) or to processes cheeses 10 different (for example, by piercing the cheese 10 to a different desired depth). The first and second control mechanisms 120, 122 may also enable reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B to be controlled separately or independently from the indexing of the rollers 104. However, it will be appreciated that is not essential, and the first and 5 second control mechanisms 120, 122 may not be configured to control reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B independently from one another. In the embodiment shown, the first control mechanism 120 comprises a pair of servo motors 120A, the servo motors 120A located adjacent opposing ends of the mounting 10 bar 110A. The servo motors 106 are each controlled or driven by servo drives (not shown) which receive instructions from a controller (not shown), in a conventional manner. The controller may be a central or common controller used to control both the servo motors 120A for controlling reciprocation of the set of needles 108A and the servo motor 106 for controlling rotation of the rollers 104, although that is not essential. The 15 servo motors 120A are fixedly connected to a respective pair of parallel shafts 112, 114, although that is not essential. The second control mechanism 122 similarly comprises a C\j pair of servo motors 122A, the servo motors 122A located adjacent opposing ends of the mounting bar HOB. However, it will be appreciated a single servo motor 120A, 122A may be provided. It will also be appreciated the first and second control 20 mechanisms 120, 122 may alternatively comprise other suitable drive mechanisms to control reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B. With reference to the first control mechanism 120, the servo motors 120A are each configured to control reciprocation of the first set of needles 108A by driving movement 25 of the respective plate structures 116 via which the mounting bar 110A is slidably connected to the pair of parallel shafts 112. By driving reciprocal movement of the plate structures 116 along the parallel shafts 112, the mounting bar 110A and the set of needles 108A are also moved reciprocally in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the parallel shafts 112. A substantially similar set up is provided in respect of the 30 second control mechanism 122. Alternatively, the servo motors 120A may be configured to drive movement of the mounting bar 110A directly, for example by being directly connected to the mounting bar 110A. It will be appreciated the servo motors 120A (or a single servo motor 120A) may be provided in any suitable location to directly drive movement of the mounting bar 110A. In the embodiment shown, the servo motors 120A are linear servo motors configured to provide linear translational movement directly (a direct drive arrangement). The linear servo motors 120A each comprise a shaft or rod 120B configured to output linear movement (also known as an electric cylinder). In the embodiment shown, the shaft or 5 rod 120B which is directly connected to the respective plate structure 116. A substantially similar arrangement is provided in respect of the servo motors 122A of the second control mechanism 122. That may allow the output movement of the linear servo motors 120A, 120B to directly drive reciprocal movement of the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B, without any intermediate mechanical linkages which are 10 typically required to convert the rotary motion of a motor to a linear translational movement (for example, via belts, chains or similar structures). In some embodiments, the shaft or rod 120B of the linear servo motors 120A may be or comprise a threaded cylinder which can be linearly translated in a reciprocal motion by 15 rotating the threaded cylinder clockwise or counterclockwise. That may also enable the linear servo motors 120A to be self-locking if necessary (for example, if electric power C\j to the apparatus 100 is lost). The control system is configured to control reciprocation of the first and second sets of 20 needles 108 A, 108B to operate in timed relation to the indexing of the rollers 104, such that while the cheese 10 is stationary following each indexing step, the needles of the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B move towards the cheese 10 to pierce the cheese 10 and then move away from the cheese 10 to withdraw from the cheese 10. The next indexing step of the rollers 104 is made after the needles have been withdrawn 25 from the cheese 10. The apparatus 100 also comprises guide bars 124. The guide bars 124 are positioned between each of the respective sets of needles I08A, 108B and the cheese 10. The needles of the sets of needles 108A, 108B are slidingly received in apertures in the 30 guide bars 124 to allow the needles to pass through the guide bars 124. The guide bars 124 may therefore provide structural support to the needles during operation, which may prevent undue flexion of the needles and prolong the mechanical lifetime of the needles. The guide bars 124 may be mounted to the frame in any suitable manner, for example by one or more fasteners, clips or brackets. The guide bars 124 are configured 35 to remain stationary as the needles reciprocate through the apertures in the guide bars 124. However, that is not essential, and it will be appreciated the apparatus may be provided without guide bars. In the embodiment shown, the apparatus 100 also comprises support tables 126 5 positioned either side of the rollers 104. The support tables 126 each have a concave upper surface (for example, a dished surface) which extends parallel with the longitudinal rotational axis of the rollers 104. Thus, cheese 10 can be positioned on the concave surface 128 of a first of the support tables 126 so that the cheeses 10 assembled on the table 126 can readily be rolled onto the rollers 104 (for example, automatically 10 or manually by a single operator or multiple operators), and the already pierced cheeses 10 removed from the rollers 104 onto the opposite, second one of the tables 126 as soon as the piercing operation on that set of cheeses has ceased. Figures 4A and 4B show views of the first and second sets of needles 108A, 108B in a 15 withdrawn position (Figure 4A) and in a piercing position, piercing the cheese 10 (Figure 4B). Figures 4A and 4B illustrate how reciprocation of the sets of needles 108A, C\j 108B occurs by sliding of the mounting bars 110A, HOB along the pairs of parallel shafts 112, 114 driven by the control system, as described above. 20 Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a needle support 200 for use in an apparatus for piercing cheese, in accordance with the present invention. The needle support 200 may be used with, and is described with respect to, the apparatus 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4. 25 The needle support 200 comprises a plurality of recesses or apertures 202. The recesses 202 are each configured to receive part of a needle to removably secure the needle to the support 200, with a remainder of the needle extending from the support 200 once secured in the support 200. 30 Each recess or aperture 202 comprises a first portion 202a and a second portion 202b. The first portion 202a is configured to receive a part of the main body of the needle (for example, extending along the longitudinal axis of the needle). The second portion 202b is configured to receive a part of the needle which extends from and is angled relative to the main body of the needle. In the embodiment shown, the first portion 202a 35 comprises a substantially elongate recess extending along a generally curved line. The second portion 202b also comprises a recess extending along a substantially straight line, extending at an angle relative to the first portion 202a. The first portion 202a and the second portion 202b together form a substantially L-shaped recess configured to receive an L-shaped portion of a needle (the needle having an angled portion extending 5 from an end of the main body at approximately 90° relative to a longitudinal axis of the main body). However, that is not essential, and the first portion 202a and the second portion 202b may have any suitable shape and / or configuration configured to enable a needle including an angled extension to be received with the recess 202. It will be appreciated the needle may have an angled extension at any suitable position along the 10 main body and / or disposed at any suitable angle relative to the main body, and need not have a substantially perpendicular angled extension at an end of the main body. The generally curved configuration of the second portion 202b allows for the main body of the needle to be held securely. 15 A needle may be received within each recess 202 by aligning the main body of the needle with the first portion 202a of the recess 202 and the angled extension of the needle with the second portion 202b of the recess. That may allow the needle to align with and pass through an opening of the recess 202 to be received within the support 200. 20 That may allow the needle to align with and pass through an opening of the recess 202 to be received within the support 200. The support 200 comprises a hollow or internal space 202c below the opening of the 25 recess 202. Once a needle is received within a recess 202, the needle may be rotated about its longitudinal axis. That may enable the angled extension of the needle to be repositioned within the hollow or internal space 202c of the support 200 such that the angled extension is no longer aligned with the second portion 202b of the recess 202. That may prevent removal of the needle from the recess 202. The hollow or internal 30 space 202c of the support 200 may also comprise a stop or surface against which the angled extension of the needle is configured to rest when not aligned with the opening of the recess 202. That may prevent movement of the needle relative to the support 200 (for example, in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the needle) when the needle is received within the recess 202. 16 07 24 Alternatively, the needle may be received within each recess 202 by aligning the main body of the needle substantially perpendicular with the first portion 202a of the recess 202 and substantially parallel to the second portion 202b, such that the main body of the needle lies in a parallel plane to the support 200, and the angled extension of the 5 needle extends into the second portion 202b of the recess. The needle may then be rotated such that the main body of the needle extends away from the support 200 and the angled extension of the needle is received within the hollow or internal space 202c of the recess, until the main body is substantially perpendicular with the support 200. The needle may then be rotated generally about the angled extension such that the main 10 body of the needle is received into the first portion 202a of the recess 202. That may allow the needle to align with and pass through an opening of the recess 202 to be received within the support 200. 15 In the embodiment shown, the support 200 comprises a substantially straight elongate structure. The support 200 is configured to be removably connectable to one of the mounting bars 110A, HOB of the apparatus 100 described above. That may enable an entire set of needles (for example, first set of needles 108A) to be easily removed or replaced if necessary, rather than requiring each needle to be removed individually. The 20 support 200 comprises engagement features configured to engage with complementary engagement features of the mounting bar 110A to secure the support 200 to the mounting bar 1 10A. In the embodiment shown, the support 200 comprises apertures 204 each configured to receive a complementary protrusion (not shown) located on the mounting bar 110A m order to secure the support 200 to the mounting bar 110A. However, it will 25 be appreciated any suitable complementary engagement features may be provided, for example, complementary male and female structures such as a tongue and groove (for example, a dovetail tongue and groove). Additionally or alternatively, the support 200 may be removably secured to the mounting bar 110A in any suitable manner, for example using fasteners (such as screws, bolts), clamps etc. 30 In the embodiment shown, the recesses 202 and the apertures 204 are primarily provided in a lateral or side surface of the support 200 (with the bottom surface of the support 200 defined as the surface from which the needles extend). Alternatively, the recesses 202 and the apertures 204 may be provided in a different surface of the support 200. 16 07 24 For example, the apertures 204 may be provided in a top surface of the support 200 (such as in the needle support 300 shown in Figure 6A, described further below). Similarly, the recesses 202 configured to receive the needles may be provided in a top 5 surface or a bottom surface of the support 200. In such embodiments, rather than moving the needle through an opening of the recess in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the needle to receive the needle within the recess 202, the needle may be moved through an opening of the recess 202 in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the needle. The first portion 202a and the second portion 202b 10 of the recess 202 may therefore be arranged or shaped to correspond to a cross-sectional shape of the needle (including the angled extension) looking along the longitudinal axis of the needle. Depending on the cross-sectional shape of the needle along the longitudinal axis, the first portion 202a and the second portion 202b of the recess 202 may not be angled relative to one another. For example, for a substantially L-shaped 15 needle, the first portion 202a and the second portion 202b may together form a recess 202 having an opening extending in a substantially straight line. The needles may be securely retained in the support 200 by rotating the needles around their longitudinal axes to reposition the angled extension within a hollow or internal space of the support 200, such that the angled extension is no longer aligned with an opening of the second 20 portion 202b of the recess 202. The support 200 also comprises a cover portion (not shown) configured to substantially cover the recesses 202 once the needles are received within the recesses 202, to prevent inadvertent removal of the needles from the support 200 during operation. However, the 25 cover portion being removable means the needles may still be quickly and easily removed from the support 200 when desired, by simply removing the cover portion. The cover portion may be or comprise a substantially planar structure. The cover portion may be removably connectable to the support 200 via any suitable mechanism, for example using complementary engagement feature, resilient clips, fasteners (such as 30 screws or bolts), clamps etc. Figures 6A and 6B show another embodiment of a needle support 300 for use in an apparatus for piercing cheese, 16 07 24 Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a needle support 300 for use in an apparatus for piercing cheese, in accordance with the present invention. The needle support 300 is substantially similar to the needle support 200 described with respect to Figure 5. The needle support 300 may be used with, and is described with respect to, the apparatus 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4. Figure 6A shows the support 300 connected to the mounting bar 110A of the apparatus 100, substantially as described above with respect to the needle support 200 shown in Figure 5. Figure 6B shows a view of the bottom surface of the support 300. The recesses 302 configured to receive the needles are provided in both lateral surfaces of the support 300, increasing the number of needles which the support 300 can hold. The recesses 302 on either side of the support 300 are substantially identical to one another. The first portion 302a of the recesses shown in Figure 6A comprise an upper portion 310 and a lower portion 312. The upper portion 310 comprises a generally curved region configured to abut the main body of an inserted needle such that the needle is held securely in place without additional fixing means. The lower portion 312 comprising a substantially straight region configured to ensure a correctly aligned needle and to also provide additional stability to the needles. In some examples, the lower portion 312 may be provided on a separate support. The needle supports 200, 300 may be formed from a polymeric or plastic material, for example polycarbonate, polypropylene. That may also enable the supports 200, 300 to be easily manufactured, for example using a moulding process, rather than requiring the recesses 202 to be machined. From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art of cheese piercing apparatus, in particular cheese piercing apparatus for cylindrical cheeses, and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features already described herein. Although the appended claims are directed to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the 5 same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention. Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which 10 are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and / or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom. 15 For the sake of completeness, it is also stated that the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, the term “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality, and any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for piercing a cheese which is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical, comprising:5 a plurality of parallel rollers positioned such that a cheese can rest on the rollersand be supported by them with an axis of the cheese parallel with the axes of rotation of the rollers;a first set of spaced parallel needles and a second set of spaced parallel needles; wherein the first and second sets of needles are each mounted for10 reciprocation in a direction extending lengthwise of the needles towards andaway from the cheese supported by the rollers; anda control system configured to:index the rollers to rotate the cheese supported by the rollers through a selected angle for each indexing step; and15 control reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles to operate intimed relation to the indexing of the rollers, such that whilst the cheese is stationary following each indexing step, the needles move towards the cheese to pierce the cheese and then move away from the cheese to withdraw from the cheese, the next indexing step of the rollers being made after the needles have been withdrawn from the cheese;20 andwherein the control system is configured to control reciprocation of the first and second sets of needles independently from one another, wherein the controlsystem comprises:a first control mechanism configured to control reciprocation of25 the first set of needles; anda second control mechanism configured to control reciprocation of the second set of needles.

2. The apparatus of claim I, wherein the first control mechanism comprises at least 30 one servo motor and the second control mechanism comprises at least one servo motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one servo motor of each of the first and second control mechanisms comprises a linear servo motor configured to directly drive reciprocation of the first set of needles and the second set of needles 35 respectively.16 07 244. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the control system comprises a servo motor configured to index the rollers to rotate the cheese through the selected angle.

55. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises: a first mount configured to support or hold the first set of needles; and a second mount configured to support or hold the second set of needles.10 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein opposing ends of both the first mount and thesecond mount are each slidably connected to a pair of parallel shafts for reciprocation.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 or of claim 6 dependent from claim 2, wherein:the first control mechanism comprises first and second servo motors at opposing 15 ends of the first mount; andthe second control mechanism comprises first and second servo motors at opposing ends of the second mount.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second sets of 20 needles are positioned substantially opposite one another, optionally such that the first and second sets of needles are positioned substantially opposite sides of the cheese in use.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first set of needles comprises 25 a different number of needles from the second set of needles.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 or any claim dependent from claim 5, wherein each mount comprises a plurality of recesses each configured to receive part of a needle to removably secure the needle to the mount.3011. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:each needle comprises an angled portion angled relative to a main body of the needle; andeach recess comprises:CMa first portion configured to receive a part of the main body of the needle; anda second portion configured to receive the angled portion of the needle.5 12. The apparatus of claim 10 or of claim 11, wherein the mount comprises aremovable cover portion configured to cover the apertures.

13. The apparatus of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the mount comprises:a main body; and10 a support portion removably connectable to the main body, wherein the supportcomprises the plurality of recesses.

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