Auger-Driven Whey Draining Column for Faster Curd Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current block formers are inefficient in providing sufficient draining and compaction of curd, particularly for semi-hard cheeses like gouda, and there is a need for more efficient block forming processes.
Innovation Solution
A whey draining apparatus with an auger that rotates and moves linearly to compact curd within an upright drainage column, utilizing multiple perforated sections for efficient whey drainage and a plunger to push compacted curd through an outlet, without the need for a dosing plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional block formers rely primarily on gravity for curd descent, then the structure is simpler, but the compaction speed and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing an auger that rotates and moves linearly to actively compact and push curd downward, transforming the static gravity-based system into a dynamic mechanically-driven system. This enables faster compaction and whey drainage while maintaining structural feasibility through the integrated auger mechanism within the drainage column.
2Productivity
If conventional block formers use single drainage configuration, then the structure is simpler, but the whey drainage efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the drainage column into multiple perforated sections at different heights and orientations. This allows whey to be drained at multiple stages during the compaction process, significantly improving drainage efficiency while the modular segmented structure keeps the overall design manageable and maintainable.
3Ease of operation
If conventional block formers require dosing plates for cheese release, then the structure is simpler, but the device complexity and cleaning requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the dosing plate component entirely. The auger system is designed to directly push compacted curd out of the drainage column and form cheese blocks without requiring a separate dosing plate for release, thereby simplifying the overall structure and reducing cleaning requirements while maintaining ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus achieves faster compaction and efficient whey drainage, producing uniformly compacted cheese blocks suitable for various types, including semi-hard cheeses, with improved efficiency and reduced block formation time.
Implementation Method 1
The auger is rotated and moved linearly to provide compaction of curd below the auger
Implementation Method 2
The whey draining apparatus may include a plurality of different perforated draining sections to enable sufficient draining of whey from the mixture of curd and whey during compaction of the curd
Implementation Method 3
The auger is moved upwardly and downwardly to push the cheese downwardly in the upright drainage column toward the outlet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A whey draining apparatus (1) for the production of blocks of cheese mass includes a feed inlet (3) for a mixture of curd and whey (51) and an upright drainage column (2) configured to receive the mixture of curd and whey (51). The upright drainage column (2) has an outlet (4) and a perforated section (5) for draining whey from the mixture of curd and whey (51). An auger (6) is arranged along a longitudinal axis (L) of the upright drainage column (2). The auger (6) is configured for rotation about the longitudinal axis (L) to compact the mixture of curd and whey (51) in the upright drainage column (2). The auger (6) is configured for movement along the longitudinal axis (L) to push compacted curd (52) that is drained of whey through the outlet (4) and out of the upright drainage column (2).