Cheese Molding Installation with Parallel Lines and Lateral Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cheese molding installations face issues of large footprint, ergonomic challenges due to operator movement, and long cycle times, with bulky designs and inefficient space use in traditional workshops.
Innovation Solution
A cheese molding installation with cylinders arranged in two parallel lines, featuring an automatic conveying system that allows molds to move laterally between lines, reducing operator movement and optimizing space usage, with a compact design and efficient mold handling through longitudinal and lateral transfer systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cylinders are arranged in a line with molds sliding along the line, then mold filling and removal operations can be consolidated at one end, but the installation requires a relatively large footprint and operators must move from one end to the other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single linear arrangement of cylinders to a two-dimensional configuration with two parallel lines of cylinders. This dimensional change allows molds to be conveyed along one line, transferred laterally to the other line, and conveyed back, creating a compact U-shaped layout that reduces footprint while maintaining operational efficiency
2Productivity
If molds are introduced at one end of a line and must occupy all available spaces before filling, then the line is completely utilized, but cycle times are relatively long due to the need to fill the entire line before removal can begin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous mold circulation by having molds conveyed along the first line, transferred to the second line, and conveyed back to the starting point. This continuous loop allows molds to be constantly in use without waiting for the entire line to be filled, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares molds in advance by having them continuously circulate and be readied at the deposit station before they reach the filling position. This preliminary preparation ensures that molds are always ready for immediate filling, eliminating waiting time and maintaining continuous production flow
3Ease of operation
If a rotating structure with cylinders distributed around a vertical axis is used, then mold placement and retrieval stations are static eliminating operator movement, but the installation is quite bulky due to space wasted inside the circle formed by the cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the circular radial arrangement with a linear parallel arrangement, transitioning from a radial geometry to a linear geometry. This allows molds to be conveyed in a straight line and transferred laterally, creating a compact footprint that eliminates the wasted space inherent in circular arrangements while maintaining static station positions
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 solution enables ergonomic and efficient mold handling with reduced operator movement, a compact footprint, and faster cycle times, improving productivity while optimizing space usage in cheese-making workshops.
Implementation Method 1
an automatic conveying device including means for carrying out, from a front end of a first line, a conveying of the molds towards the rear along this first line, a lateral transfer on the second line of the mold at the rear of the first line, and a conveying towards the front along this second line
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an installation for molding pressed cheeses, comprising cylinders (6) for receiving a curd and whey mixture arranged in lines (2, 4), each intended to receive at its base a mold (10), characterized in that the cylinders (6) are arranged in two parallel lines (2, 4) having a longitudinal direction, and in that it comprises an automatic conveying device comprising means carrying out from a front end of a first line (2), a conveying of the molds (10) towards the rear along this first line (2), a lateral transfer on the second line (4) of the mold at the rear of the first line (2), and a conveying towards the front along this second line (4).