Embossing Roller for Motif Application on Cheese Slices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing cheese slices do not allow for the application of customizable motifs on the cheese slices during the production process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of processed cheese on a roller system, followed by rolling, smoothing, embossing of motifs using an adjustable speed-controlled embossing roller, simultaneous cooling, cutting into parallel lanes, stacking, and precise cutting into individual slices with the motif intact, utilizing a conveyor belt and cutting devices for accurate positioning and length adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If processed cheese is rolled and cooled on a roller system, then the cheese is smoothed and cooled efficiently, but motifs cannot be applied to the cheese slices
Solution Approach 1:
The motif is embossed into the processed cheese while it is still soft and pliable, before the cheese is cut into slices. This preliminary embossing action allows the motif to be imprinted on the cheese surface during the rolling phase, and the motif is then preserved through subsequent cutting and packaging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller system is divided into separate functional zones: a rolling/smoothing zone and an embossing zone. The embossing roller is positioned after the rolling roller, allowing the cheese to be first smoothed and then embossed with the desired motif in sequential operations.
2Productivity
If the cheese ribbon is cut into strips and stacked, then productivity is improved, but the motif positioning precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The motif is embossed into the cheese ribbon before it is cut into strips and stacked. This ensures that the motif is already in place on each individual strip, and when the strips are stacked and cut into final slices, the motif positioning is preserved and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors are used to detect the position of the motif on the cheese ribbon and provide feedback to the cutting device. This feedback mechanism allows the cutting device to adjust its positioning to ensure precise cutting relative to the embossed motif, maintaining accuracy even during high-speed production.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an embossing roller is introduced to apply motifs, then customization capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The embossing roller is designed to accommodate different motif designs and can be adjusted to emboss various patterns, logos, or text on the cheese. This single component provides versatile customization capability, allowing the same basic device structure to produce different motif variations without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The embossing roller is equipped with adjustable parameters including embossing depth, roller speed, and motif position, allowing dynamic adaptation to different cheese types and motif requirements. This adjustability enables the system to handle various production scenarios without increasing permanent structural complexity.
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
Enables the production of cheese slices with customizable motifs, ensuring high productivity and precise cutting, allowing for varied designs and maintaining the desired shape and weight specifications.
Implementation Method 1
cooling of the processed cheese, by means of which the processed cheese is rolled, smoothed and cooled
Implementation Method 2
embossing of motifs in the still soft, doughy processed cheese
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The method involves applying a soft cheese on a roller (24), and rolling and flattening the applied soft cheese. Themes are stamped into the soft cheese. Cheese strips are continuous and simultaneously cooled over a roller system (12). The cheese strips are sliced into multiple parallel lengths. The cheese lengths are deposited one above the other on a conveyor as stacked cheese lengths. The stacked cheese lengths are supplied to a cutting device. The stacked cheese lengths are cross-cut into individual stack in a length-accurate manner. An independent claim is also included for a device comprising a roller system.