Cheese Cutting Device with Braking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing cast white cheeses in retail containers are inefficient and prone to contamination due to the lengthy processing time and exposure to ambient dairy atmosphere, which increases the risk of yeast and mold contamination.
Innovation Solution
A cutting device with a rotatable shaft and braking elements is used to horizontally cut a block of cheese into vertically spaced sections within a cylindrical container, allowing for single filling and subsequent cutting into multiple sections after coagulation, thereby reducing processing time and contamination risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple layers of cheese are filled sequentially with coagulation delays between layers, then the cheese can be properly formed and structured, but the total processing time increases significantly (1.5 hour for 4 layers)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by filling all cheese layers into the container simultaneously in a single operation, rather than sequentially. The cheese curd is deposited in multiple layers at once, and coagulation begins immediately for the entire mass. This eliminates the need for repeated coagulation delays between layer fillings, reducing total processing time from 1.5 hours to approximately 20-30 minutes while maintaining proper cheese formation through the use of coagulating agents added to the curd before filling.
2Productivity
If cans are left open during processing for filling and cutting operations, then cheese can be loaded and cut efficiently, but contamination risk from yeast and mould increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the cutting operation immediately after filling, before the cheese has fully coagulated and before contamination risk increases. The cutting device is introduced and operations are completed while the container remains in a controlled state. Additionally, the container is covered after filling to prevent contamination during the brief processing window, thus maintaining both productivity and preventing harmful contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the skipping principle by rapidly completing the filling and cutting operations in quick succession, minimizing the time the container remains open and exposed to ambient contamination. The entire sequence from filling to cutting is executed in a condensed time frame before contamination becomes a significant risk, thus maintaining productivity while reducing exposure to harmful factors.
3Ease of operation
If cheese blocks are cut vertically into multiple sections after coagulation, then extraction from cans is facilitated, but additional processing time and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the vertical sectioning cutting operation with the horizontal slicing operation in a single integrated cutting device. The device simultaneously performs both cutting directions through coordinated knife movements, eliminating the need for separate cutting steps and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ease of cheese extraction benefit.
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
This method significantly speeds up the cheese production process, reduces contamination risk, and allows for uniform, attractive cheese pieces to be formed directly in the container, improving manufacturing efficiency and product quality.
Implementation Method 1
The first braking member extends from the rotatable shaft in a first vertical plane defined by the rotatable shaft, the first braking member having a shape corresponding to at least a part of the intersection of the first vertical plane and a top-most cheese section. The braking element is arranged above the first knife and configured for being maintained in a non-rotatable position, relatively to the rotation of the shaft, while the rotatable shaft with said first knife is being rotated a full revolution.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention concerns a cutting device for cutting a block of cheese in a retail container in a horizontal plane so as to produce at least two vertically spaced cheese sections. The cutting device comprises a rotatable shaft (2) having a first knife for cutting the block of cheese in the horizontal plane, the first knife extends out from the shaft (2). The device further comprising a braking element (3) comprising a first braking member. The first braking member extends from the rotatable shaft in a first vertical plane defined by the rotatable shaft, the first braking member having a shape corresponding to at least a part of the intersection of the first vertical plane and a top-most cheese section. Finally, the braking element (3) is arranged above the first knife and configured for being maintained in a non-rotatable position, relatively to the rotation of the shaft (2), while the rotatable shaft (2) is being rotated. The invention further concerns a method of producing cheese in a retail container.