Apparatus for producing cheese sticks

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing cheese sticks, comprising an extruder arrangement having a plurality of extruder nozzles arranged next to one another for discharging a cheese mass strand, the cheese mass in particular being a pasta filata; a transport channel arrangement having a plurality of separate transport channels arranged next to one another, each extruder nozzle being assigned exactly one transport channel for receiving one of the discharged cheese mass strands in a conveying direction; a portioning device by means of which individual portions can be separated from the cheese mass strands conveyed therein in each case in the transport channels; and a dispensing unit downstream of the portioning device in the conveying direction for dispensing the individual portions in a two-dimensional arrangement, the transport channels extending at least between the extruder arrangement and an end section of the dispensing unit and separately from one another in the end section.

Description

[0001] Device for making cheese sticks

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for producing cheese sticks, also known in English as "cheese sticks" or "string cheese".

[0003] These types of cheese sticks are particularly popular in the USA. They are often made from a cheese mass that includes pasta filata.

[0004] Known devices for producing such sticks have extruder nozzles through which the cheese mass is forced at an elevated temperature, approximately 60°C. The extruded strands of cheese mass are then cooled (e.g., with cold water or, preferably, with cold brine) and cut into individual portions of a defined length. At the time of cutting, the cheese mass strand must be cold enough to be cut without significant plastic deformation (squeezing), which would be visually undesirable. It is possible to continue cooling after cutting until the sticks have reached the desired target temperature (generally below 10°C, preferably between 4 and 6°C) and the cheese mass has also absorbed enough salt from the brine to achieve the desired flavor of the sticks. Alternatively, it is possible to cool the strands whole until they reach the target temperature and only then separate the individual portions (= sticks) from them.

[0005] Typically, multiple strands are extruded in parallel (parallel tracks) to increase the throughput of the machine. A known problem is that the discharge rate of the individual extruder nozzles is not exactly the same and sometimes even varies over time. Some nozzles discharge more mass per unit of time than others, resulting in the extruded strands moving at different speeds. This, in turn, means that cutting the strands at a fixed interval or simultaneously leads to variations in the length and weight of the resulting cheese sticks, which is disadvantageous because the goal is to produce sticks with the lowest possible standard deviation from a predetermined norm. The problem described above can be avoided by cutting the strands individually for each track.

[0006] In known devices of the type mentioned above, the separated sticks are then discharged together – either already at the target temperature or still cooling – into a common rinsing channel and fed to a packaging machine. There, grippers pick up the sticks and place them into packaging units, such as deep-drawn packaging trays formed from a film. When the packaging machine stops, for example, during a film change, the sticks must also be removed from the rinsing channel to prevent them from absorbing too much salt from the brine used as a coolant and becoming too salty for the average consumer.

[0007] Removing the sticks from the settling channel, where they are washed in a disorderly fashion, generally requires a sorting process to arrange them so they can be picked up by the grippers with reasonable effort. This sorting process is complex and prone to errors. Furthermore, such grippers are relatively expensive and require maintenance, which also incurs costs.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for the production of cheese sticks that is more efficient while having the simplest possible design. This object is achieved with a device having the features of claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, the device for producing cheese sticks comprises an extruder assembly with a plurality of extruder nozzles arranged side by side for extruding a strand of cheese mass. In particular, the cheese mass is a type from the pasta filata group, for example, mozzarella. Other types of cheese mass can also be processed with the device according to the invention, for example, processed cheeses that are sufficiently dimensionally stable after extrusion.

[0010] Furthermore, a transport channel arrangement with a plurality of adjacent, separate transport channels is provided, wherein each extruder nozzle is assigned exactly one transport channel for receiving one of the extruded cheese curd strands in a conveying direction. The device also includes a portioning device by means of which individual portions can be separated from the respective cheese curd strands conveyed in the transport channels, and a dispensing unit downstream of the portioning device in the conveying direction for dispensing the individual portions in a two-dimensional arrangement. The transport channels run separately from each other at least between the extruder arrangement and an end section of the dispensing unit, and within the end section itself.

[0011] For cooling and / or conveying the strands and / or individual portions, the transport channels are preferably supplied with a coolant flowing in the conveying direction. The coolant is, in particular, chilled brine.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, the term "dispensing of individual portions" means that the individual portions are permanently extracted from the coolant. The continuous, separate transport channels from the nozzles to the dispensing unit, and within the unit itself, maintain the two-dimensional arrangement of the cheese mass created during extrusion of the strands, so that the individual portions (= sticks) are automatically also arranged two-dimensionally in the dispensing unit. The separation of the individual portions occurs without the strands or individual portions leaving their transport channel, regardless of whether pre-cooled strands or strands already cooled to the target temperature are being cut.

[0013] A consistently separate path for the transport channels does not necessarily mean that they must be completely free of interruptions (e.g., gaps running perpendicular to the conveying direction). It only needs to be ensured that, under normal operating conditions, the cheese mass (strand or individual portion) cannot leave the respective transport channel from the extruder nozzle to the dispensing unit due to feeding or flushing. Active removal processes (e.g., manual or machine removal) are exempt.

[0014] The concept according to the invention therefore does not provide for a common rinsing channel, which, although it enables good cooling and efficient transport of the individual portions, simplifies the transfer of the portions, since the individual portions are automatically presented in a 2-dimensional arrangement with which handling devices, e.g. grippers, can operate efficiently.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the transport channels in the area of ​​the end section of the dispensing unit are formed, at least partially, by an arrangement of separate channel sections designed to receive the arrangement of individual portions on at least one tray removable from the dispensing unit. The channel sections thus ultimately continue the transport channels in the area of ​​the tray, so that the individual portions can be dispensed onto the tray.

[0017] Such a removable tray can be cleaned separately from the rest of the device. A further advantage is that the two-dimensional arrangement of individual portions on the tray can be removed without disrupting their order and thus prepared for further use / processing. For example, the tray is removed by a removal device, such as a lifting and / or translation device and / or a gripper, and positioned so that grippers can easily grasp the individual portions and place them into packaging.

[0018] To accelerate the drying of individual portions on the tray, the channel sections in each respective bottom area can each have at least one drainage opening, for example several slots.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the end section of the dispensing unit has at least one closing element that seals the channel sections and prevents the individual portions from moving in the conveying direction of the transport channels. The closing element ensures, for example, that any individual portions that have washed up are stopped and thus come to rest on the tray. The closing element can be selectively inserted into the channel sections. Preferably, however, it is fixed in place.

[0020] The closing element can, for example, be a wall running transversely to the conveying direction, which closes off the device. For instance, it could be a side wall of a section or shaft that receives the tray. However, it is also conceivable that the closing element is formed on the tray itself. Preferably, a liquid-permeable closing element is provided so that a build-up of the conveying medium is prevented. It could, for example, be a rod, a wire, or a projection that closes off the respective channel sections but allows the conveying medium to pass through.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the output unit includes a tray storage unit for receiving a stack of trays. This storage unit can, for example, be designed such that when a tray is removed, a subsequent tray automatically moves into the position of the removed tray to receive a new batch of individual portions.

[0022] A collecting device with at least one collecting element can be provided, positioned upstream of the dispensing unit in the conveying direction. This collecting element can be selectively inserted into at least one of the transport channels to prevent the individual portions from moving in the conveying direction of the transport channel. The collecting device gathers the individual portions transported to the dispensing unit via the collecting element. This element is preferably a collecting wall that retains the individual portions as they are carried along. Once the dispensing unit is ready—for example, when a full tray has been removed and an empty tray has moved into a receiving position—and / or once a suitable number of individual portions have accumulated, the collecting wall can be removed, allowing the individual portions to be carried onto the tray and fill it. After this has occurred, the collecting wall can be reinserted into the transport channels.Such a collection device thus enables a timed feeding of the trays and can ensure that the trays are always completely filled.

[0023] Preferably, a liquid-permeable collecting element is provided to prevent the fluid from accumulating. This can be, for example, a wall with holes or a grid that seals off the respective channel sections but allows the fluid to pass through. According to a further embodiment, a buffer device downstream of the dispensing unit is provided for holding at least two trays, particularly in a stacked arrangement. Trays can be temporarily stored there, for example, if delays occur during further processing and / or handling of the individual portions, which would otherwise lead to a product buildup. The buffer can also be used for the controlled drying of the individual portions.

[0024] A transfer device for transferring individual portions to packaging units can be located downstream of the dispensing unit. The transfer device includes, for example, at least one gripper for picking up individual portions from the tray. Additionally or alternatively, the transfer device can include at least one conveyor belt for placing the individual portions into or onto the packaging units. In particular, the gripper is designed and configured to place picked-up individual portions into or onto the packaging units and / or onto the conveyor belt.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the device, a control section is provided downstream of the portioning device in the conveying direction and upstream of the dispensing unit. This control section comprises at least one manipulation device by means of which at least, and in particular exactly, one single portion can be received and removed from at least one of the transport channels. The manipulation device can be designed and configured to dispense a single portion removed from one transport channel into that channel and / or into another transport channel, for example, to balance or at least equalize the filling levels of the individual transport channels.

[0026] The manipulation device may include at least one sensor device which is designed and configured to determine at least one characteristic parameter of the single portion taken, in particular wherein the characteristic parameter is a weight of the single portion.

[0027] For example, the manipulation device includes a receiving tray for receiving the individual portion. The receiving tray can have an outlet-side closing element, in particular a liquid-permeable element such as a flap with openings or a grid, which releases an outlet-side end of the receiving tray for dispensing the individual portion.

[0028] In particular, the receiving tray can be inserted into the transport channels so that at least a single portion can enter the receiving tray by means of a translational movement in the respective transport channel, especially wherein a bottom section of the receiving tray can be brought into contact with a bottom section of the respective transport channel, at least partially. The tray can be assigned a positioning device that enables lowering into and lifting out of the transport channels as well as at least a lateral translational movement of the tray.

[0029] The control section can include a sloping section where the transport channels have a steeper incline relative to the horizontal than in a section upstream in the conveying direction, so that the individual portions are accelerated by the influence of gravity. This accelerated movement, for example, facilitates the entry of the individual portion into the receiving hopper.

[0030] In particular, a sensor unit is provided to determine the number of individual portions in each transport channel, especially in an area upstream and / or downstream of the control section in the conveying direction, in order to monitor the utilization of the transport channels. Optionally, the portioning device includes multiple separating units for separating individual portions, which can be controlled independently of one another, with one separating unit assigned to each transport channel. This enables lane-specific separation of the individual portions.

[0031] A control device may be provided with which the extruder arrangement, the portioning device and / or the manipulation device can be controlled and / or with which data determined or specific by the sensor device and / or the sensor unit can be recorded.

[0032] According to a method for controlling the device according to the invention, the portioning device and / or the extruder arrangement are controlled based on a characteristic parameter of at least one individual portion. The characteristic parameter can be determined using the manipulation device. However, it is also conceivable – additionally or alternatively – to take into account a parameter determined with another measuring device in the control process.

[0033] In a device with a portioning unit comprising a plurality of separation units for separating individual portions, which can be controlled independently of each other, with each transport channel being assigned a separation unit, a lane-specific control of the separation units can be adapted based on the determined characteristic parameter.

[0034] One embodiment of the method provides that the manipulation device and / or the extruder arrangement are controlled based on the number of individual portions in the individual transport channels in order to operate the device as efficiently as possible. The number of individual portions in the individual transport channels can be determined based on data from the portioning device and / or at least one separate sensor unit. Such a sensor unit can include an optical sensor. According to a further embodiment, individual portions are transferred between transport channels by means of the manipulation device in order to equalize the number of individual portions located downstream of the control section in the individual transport channels.It is also conceivable that individual portions could be removed from the device by means of the manipulation device if they do not meet predetermined quality criteria, in particular because a characteristic parameter of an individual portion falls below or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0035] The present invention is explained below by way of example with reference to an advantageous embodiment and the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a device for producing cheese sticks according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0037] Fig. 2 shows an inlet-side section of the device with several extruder nozzles,

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a portioning device with a downstream control section,

[0039] Fig. 4 Sensor units for controlling separation units,

[0040] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the control section with a manipulation device.

[0041] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the manipulation device, Fig. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of a tray for holding individual portions,

[0042] Fig. 8 shows a sectional view through another embodiment of a tray,

[0043] Fig. 9 shows a partial view of a cross-section of an embodiment of a tray.

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a device 10 for producing cheese sticks. It comprises extruder nozzles 12 through which a cheese mass, in particular but not exclusively from the pasta filata group, is pressed to form cheese strands 14.

[0045] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary arrangement of three adjacent extruder nozzles 12, which are fed with cheese curd from a common distributor 16. The distributor 16 contains, for example, a screw conveyor (not shown) which, when the device 10 is in operation, forces cheese curd through the extruder nozzles 12. The strands of cheese curd 14 emerge from the extruder nozzles 12 and are each received by a transport channel 18 (hereinafter referred to as "channel"). Each nozzle 12 has its own channel 18. The channels 18 are arranged separately from one another and run parallel to each other. The channels 18 are supplied with cooled brine (-3 °C to +10 °C, preferably 0 °C to 4 °C), which serves to cool the strands 14 exiting the nozzles 12 at a temperature of at most 55 °C to 68 °C, in particular 60 °C to 62 °C.

[0046] The strands 14 are cut into individual portions 22 (= cheese sticks) in a portioning device 20 (see again Fig.1).

[0047] The individual portions 22 are separated from the strands 14 only when the cheese mass is stable and can be cut without excessive squeezing. A period of 1 to 2 minutes may elapse between the discharge of the cheese mass and the cutting, during which the strands 14 are cooled by the brine (pre-cooling).

[0048] The cooling of the individual portions 22 continues after the portioning device 20. This is achieved by the brine, which also flows through the channels 18 downstream of the portioning device 20. The channels 18 remain separate from each other.

[0049] Upstream of the portioning device 20, the strands 14 are pushed in the conveying direction F by the material emerging from the nozzles 12. Downstream of the portioning device 20, the flow of the brine in the conveying direction F contributes significantly to the transport of the individual portions 22. It thus acts as a cooling slurry medium. The channels 18 can also be (slightly) inclined relative to the horizontal.

[0050] Downstream of the portioning device 20 is a control section 24, in which the channels 18 remain separate from one another. A manipulation device 44 is also provided in the area of ​​the control section 24, with which individual portions 22 can be extracted from the channels 18.

[0051] The operation of the portioning device 20 and the control section 24 as well as the manipulation device 26 is explained below with reference to Figs. 3 to 6.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a cutting unit 28 of the portioning device 20. Each channel 18 is assigned its own cutting unit 28, which can also be controlled separately. As mentioned earlier, the discharge of the strands 14 from the nozzles 12 is generally not perfectly uniform. It is a known problem that the discharge is uneven and can even vary over time. Often, the discharge (and thus the velocity of the corresponding strands 14) from nozzles 12 located at the edge is lower than that of nozzles 12 more centrally located. Therefore, the strands 14 cannot be cut simultaneously. In this case, individual portions 22 of significantly different lengths would be produced. Individual portions 22 in channels 18 in a central area would be considerably longer than individual portions 22 in peripheral channels 18.

[0053] Individual separation of the individual portions 22 is made possible by also individually detecting the length of the individual portions 22 for each lane. For this purpose, a sensor unit 30 is provided for each channel 18 (= lane), to which a stop angle 32 is assigned (see also Fig. 4). As the strands 14 are fed, their free ends abut a stop leg 34 of the corresponding angle 32 and deflect it. This causes a transmission leg 36 of the stop angle 32 to pivot upwards. The pivoting of the transmission leg 36 is detected by the sensor unit 30 and transmitted to a control unit 38 of the device 10. As soon as a certain threshold value of the pivoting of the angle 32 is detected, the control unit 38 outputs a signal to activate the corresponding separation unit 28 and separate an individual portion 22 from the corresponding strand 14. The threshold ultimately defines the length of the single portion 22.

[0054] Contrary to what is shown and described above, a direct connection between the control unit 38 and the separation unit 28 can also be provided.

[0055] The separated individual portions 22 are washed away from the portioning device 20 by the brine flowing in the channels 18. The conveyance of the individual portions 22 in the conveying direction F can be supported by a slight incline of the channels 18.

[0056] As already indicated above, the device 10 has the control section 24, which is also shown in Fig. 5. The control section 24 has a chute section 40, and the channels 18, which still run separately from one another and side by side, have a significantly greater inclination to the horizontal than in upstream sections of the channels 18. The individual portions 22 entering the control section 24 therefore accelerate in the chute section 40. This acceleration facilitates the entry of the individual portions 22 into a receiving trough 42 of a manipulation device 44 (see also Fig. 6) when the trough 42 is positioned in one of the channels 18. It is understood that a bottom section 43 of the receiving trough 42 is preferably designed to be complemented to, or at least partially adapted to, a cross-section of the channels 18 in order to offer as little resistance as possible to the entry of the individual portions 22.The tub 42 is arranged inclined according to the inclination of the channels 18 in the slide section 40, so that individual portions 22 can slide into the tub 42 when it is lowered into the corresponding channel 18.

[0057] Vertical mobility VB of the trough 42 is provided by appropriate mechanisms and motors. Optionally, the trough 42 can also be made movable in the conveying direction F. The manipulation device 44 also enables lateral movement SB of the receiving trough 42, so that it can be lowered into each of the channels 18 as required.

[0058] On the outlet side, the tray 42 is closed by a closing element (not shown), for example, a liquid-permeable flap, a grid, or a rod, when a single portion 22 is to be received. To release the single portion 22, the closing element is removed, for example, the flap opens. Due to the inclined arrangement of the receiving tray 42, the single portion then slides out of the tray 42 and into the channel 18 in which the tray 42 is currently located. With the aid of the manipulation device 44, single portions 22 can be transferred between the channels 18 in order to achieve the most uniform possible filling of the channels 18 with single portions 22 downstream of the control section 24.Due to the aforementioned differences in the speeds of the strands 14, and thus sooner or later a different number of individual portions 22 in the channels 18, product build-up can occur in channels 18 located in the central region if the operation of the device 10 is aligned with the speed of the strands 14 in the channels 18 at the edge of the arrangement of channels 18. If the operation of the device 10 is aligned with the speed of the strands 14 in the channels 18 in a central region, the channels 18 at the edge are not fully utilized. The manipulation device 44 can equalize the utilization of the channels 18 and thus improve the utilization of the device 10.

[0059] The manipulation device 44 is connected to the control unit 38, which, based on the information obtained by the sensor units 30, can determine how many individual portions 22 are located in the individual channels 18 upstream of the control section 24, since this information formed the basis for the individual separation processes. Alternatively or additionally, further sensor units, for example optical sensors, can be provided to detect the "occupancy" of the channels 18. Based on the data regarding the utilization or "occupancy" of the channels 18, the control unit 38 instructs the manipulation device 44 to extract individual portions 22 from specific channels 18 and dispense them into other channels 18 in order to balance or at least equalize the "occupancy" of the channels.

[0060] The manipulation device 44 can – in addition to or as an alternative to the transfer functionality – include a measuring device (not shown) for determining a characteristic parameter of the received individual portion 22. For example, this characteristic parameter is the weight of the individual portion 22, which is determined by means of a scale (not shown) integrated into the manipulation device 44. This information can also be taken into account when controlling the device 10 by the control unit 38. Specifically, if it turns out that the received individual portions 22 in certain channels 18 deviate from a certain target weight, the control unit 38 can adjust a threshold value that triggers the separation of the individual portions 22 in order to correct this problem.In principle, it is also conceivable that the data could be taken into account during the operation of the distributor 16, which is optionally also controlled by the control unit 38, for example to reduce or increase the speed of all strands 14.

[0061] The characteristic parameter can also be used to remove individual portions 22 that do not meet a certain quality criterion (e.g., "underweight" portions).

[0062] In the conveying direction F downstream of the control section 24, a collecting device 46 is provided (see again Fig. 1). It has a collecting wall 48 that can be inserted into the transport channels 18, which continue to run parallel and separately from one another, to collect individual portions 22 conveyed in the channels 18. As soon as a desired quantity of individual portions 22 in the individual channels 18 and / or a desired residence time of the individual portions 22 in the brine is reached, the collecting wall 48 is removed. The device 10 is generally operated in such a way that a build-up of individual portions 22 forms in front of the collecting wall 48. The wall 48 can have openings so that the brine does not build up and overflow the wall 48. Ultimately, any element can be used that stops the individual portions 22 but allows the brine medium to flow through. A horizontal (thin) rod, a grid, or similar can accomplish this.

[0063] By removing wall 48, a batch of the collected individual portions 22 can enter a dispensing unit 50 until the leading individual portions 22 strike a stop wall or end wall 53. Like wall 48, wall 53 can also be designed to prevent disruptive accumulation of the flushing medium.

[0064] In the transport unit, the transport channels 18 continue as channel sections arranged on a tray 52. ​​The tray 52 can be removed from the output unit 50.

[0065] An example of such a tray 52 is shown in Fig. 7. The tray 52 has four parallel channel sections 18A. The number of channel sections 18A corresponds to the number of transport channels 18. Although there is a gap between the inlet end of the channel sections 18A and an outlet end of the transport channels 18, since the tray 52 is removable, the channel sections 18A can functionally be considered part of the transport channels 18. The channel sections 18A continue the concept of separate conveyance of the individual portions 22. This ultimately means that the cheese mass introduced into a channel 18 ultimately ends up in the corresponding channel section 18A, unless it has been actively removed from the corresponding channel 18, for example, to be transferred to another channel 18, or because a characteristic parameter of one of its properties suggests that it does not meet certain quality criteria.

[0066] In the tray 52 shown, the leading individual portions 22 strike against channel stops 53' formed in the channel sections 18A. The stops 53' are preferably designed such that – like the walls 48, 53 – they retain the individual portions 22, but allow the floating medium to flow through them (e.g., ribs, grids, etc.).

[0067] As soon as the manifold 48 is removed, a batch of individual portions 22 is dispensed onto the corresponding tray 52. ​​The aim is for the tray 52 to be completely filled, meaning that all channel sections 18A would then be fully occupied with individual portions 22. Afterwards, the manifold 48 is closed again. In this context, it is advantageous if the length of the trays 52 or the channel sections 18A is approximately a multiple of the desired (average) length of the individual portions 22, in order to avoid, as far as possible, the last individual portions 22 only being partially dispensed onto the tray 52.

[0068] Tray 52 now contains a well-defined number of individual portions 22 in a two-dimensional arrangement (matrix arrangement). The filled tray 52 can now be removed. After the filled tray 52 has been removed, a tray 52 arranged in a tray storage unit 54 moves up to fill it (see again Fig. 1). The tray storage unit 54 preferably contains a stack of trays 52, with the uppermost one being filled and then removed each time.

[0069] The tray 52 can now be fed to a gripper 56 with at least one gripper 56, which places the individual portions 22 onto a conveyor belt or directly into or onto a packaging unit. Due to the well-defined arrangement of the individual portions 22 on the tray 52, the gripper 56 can operate quickly and efficiently.

[0070] Functionally, an optional buffer 58 is provided between the output unit 50 of the gripper assembly, in which filled trays 52 can be temporarily stored, for example, if problems arise during the transfer of individual portions 22 to the corresponding packaging. This can occur, for instance, when a film change is required in a thermoforming packaging device that forms packaging units from a film. The operation of the gripper 56 must then be paused, even though individual portions 22 continue to be produced and delivered.

[0071] The individual portions 22 can also be dried in a well-defined manner in the buffer 58. To facilitate this process, the trays 52 (a cross-section of a tray 52 with 24 channel sections 18A is shown in Fig. 8) can have draining openings 60 (for example, slots) (see Fig. 9).

[0072] The buffer 58 can, for example, be a type of cabinet into which the trays 52 can be inserted. Directly stacking the trays 52 on top of each other is also conceivable. In such an embodiment, vertical spacers (e.g., projections or similar) can be provided on the trays 52 to ensure a constant distance between them. Positioning elements (e.g., stops or similar) can also be provided to ensure that the trays 52 can be stacked precisely and reproducibly.

[0073] The exemplary embodiment of a device for producing cheese sticks described above enables the efficient production and dispensing of individual portions. It should be noted here that the concept of a control circuit for equalizing the utilization of the individual channels and / or for determining characteristic properties of the individual portions 22, on the one hand, and the concept of providing continuous transport channels in order to dispense the well-defined, two-dimensional arrangement of individual portions 22, on the other hand, can be advantageously combined as described above. However, it is also quite conceivable to use these two individual concepts separately. (List of reference symbols)

[0074] 10 Device for making cheese sticks 12 Extruder nozzle

[0075] 14 strand

[0076] 16 distributors

[0077] 18-channel

[0078] 18A Canal section

[0079] 20 portioning device

[0080] 22 single servings

[0081] 24 Control section

[0082] 28 separation unit

[0083] 30 sensor units

[0084] 32 angle stops

[0085] 34 Stop legs

[0086] 36 transmission legs

[0087] 38 Control unit

[0088] 40 slide sections

[0089] 42 Receiving tray

[0090] 43 Floor section

[0091] 44 Manipulation device

[0092] 46 Collection facility

[0093] 48 Collection wall

[0094] 50 output units

[0095] 52 trays

[0096] 53 Notice board

[0097] 53' Channel stop

[0098] 54 tablet storage

[0099] 56 Gripper device

[0100] 58 buffers

[0101] 60 Drainage opening

[0102] F Conveyor direction

[0103] VB vertical mobility

[0104] SB lateral mobility

Claims

Claims 1. Device for producing cheese sticks comprising: - an extruder arrangement with a plurality of extruder nozzles (12) arranged side by side for extruding a strand of cheese mass (14), in particular wherein the cheese mass is pasta filata, - a transport channel arrangement with a plurality of adjacent, separate transport channels (18, 18A), wherein each extruder nozzle is assigned exactly one transport channel for receiving one of the discharged cheese mass strands in a conveying direction (F), - a portioning device (20) by means of which individual portions (22) can be separated from the respective cheese mass strands conveyed in the transport channels, - a dispensing unit (50) downstream of the portioning device in the conveying direction for dispensing the individual portions in a 2-dimensional arrangement, wherein the transport channels run separately from each other at least between the extruder assembly and an end section of the output unit and within the end section.

2. Device according to claim 1 , the transport channels (18) in the area of ​​the end section of the output unit (50) are formed at least section by an arrangement of separate channel sections (18A) which are designed to accommodate the arrangement of Individual portions (22) are formed on at least one tray (52) that can be removed from the dispensing unit.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the channel sections (18A) each have at least one drip opening (60) in a respective floor area (43).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end section of the dispensing unit (50) has at least one closing element (53) closing the channel sections (18A), in particular a liquid-permeable closing element, which prevents the individual portions from moving in the conveying direction of the transport channels.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the termination element (53) can be selectively inserted into the channel sections (18A).

6. Device according to claim 4, wherein the end element (53') is formed on the tray (52).

7. Device according to at least one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the output unit (50) includes a tablet storage (54) for receiving a stack of tablets.

8. Device according to at least one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a collecting device (46) with at least one collecting element (48), in particular a liquid-permeable collecting element, is provided which is located upstream of the output unit (50) in the conveying direction (F) and which can be selectively inserted into at least one of the transport channels (18), to prevent the individual portions (F) from moving in the conveying direction of the transport channel.

9. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a buffer device (58) downstream of the output unit (50) is provided for receiving at least two trays (52), in particular in a stacked arrangement of the trays.

10. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a transfer device (56) downstream of the dispensing unit (50) is provided for transferring the individual portions to packaging units.

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the transfer device includes at least one gripper (56) with which individual portions can be picked up from the tray.

12. Device according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the transfer device (56) includes at least a belt device with which the individual portions can be placed in or on the packaging units.

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the gripper (56) is set up and designed to place picked-up individual portions (22) into or onto the packaging units and / or onto the conveyor system.

14. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a control section (24) is provided downstream of the portioning device (20) in the conveying direction and upstream of the dispensing unit (50). is, which comprises at least one manipulation device (44) by means of which at least, in particular exactly, one single portion (22) can be received and removed from at least one of the transport channels (18).

15. Device according to claim 14, wherein the manipulation device (44) is designed and equipped to dispense a single portion (22) taken from a transport channel (18) into this and / or into another transport channel.

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