Cheese Turning Device with Segmented Receptacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cheese loaf turning and lubricating devices are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly when handling multiple cheese loaves, as they require complex height-adjustable movements and interrupt tacking and brushing processes, leading to suboptimal ripening and potential damage to young cheeses.
Innovation Solution
A turning device with at least three receptacles arranged along an axis, where each receptacle is movable about a transverse turning axis, allowing for simultaneous rotation and positional change of cheese loaves, enabling even ripening by exposing them to varying climatic conditions and optimizing storage height usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If individual cheese loaves are turned using forklift-based devices, then the cheese loaves can be turned, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming, accommodating only one wheel at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the turning process into multiple independent receptacles that can simultaneously hold and turn multiple cheese loaves. Each receptacle is an independent unit that can be rotated about its own axis, allowing parallel processing of multiple cheese loaves rather than sequential individual turning.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple turning operations are merged into a single device that handles several cheese loaves simultaneously. The receptacles are arranged in parallel and can be rotated together or independently, combining the functionality of multiple individual turning devices into one integrated system.
2Ease of manufacture
If cheese loaves are turned on edge for brushing the rim, then the rim can be brushed, but the cheeses can be damaged because they are not yet sufficiently stable
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the orientation of cheese loaves from horizontal (on edge) to vertical positioning within the receptacles. The receptacles are designed to hold cheese loaves in a stable, upright position during turning and brushing operations, eliminating the need to turn cheeses on their edges and preventing damage to unstable young cheeses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a self-propelled device moves through storage aisles to treat cheese loaves, then treatment can be performed, but the device requires complex height-adjustable movements and electrical fluid supplies
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts the turning function from the self-propelled mobile device and separates it into independent receptacles that can be rotated locally. This eliminates the need for complex height-adjustable movements and centralized control systems, as each receptacle operates independently with its own rotation mechanism.
4Productivity
If combined turning and lubricating device is used, then both operations can be performed, but the combination causes treatments to interrupt each other and reduce quality
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the turning and lubricating operations into separate, independent processes. Turning is performed in the receptacles, and lubrication is applied afterward in a separate step, allowing both operations to complete fully without interrupting each other and ensuring high treatment quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The turning device (7) according to the invention for turning cheese wheels (2) comprises at least three turning fixtures (9) arranged side by side along an arrangement axis (8) before and after turning, in which the cheese wheels (2) can be turned so that the upper sides (2a) and the lower sides (2b) of the cheese wheels (2) change their respective relative positions. Each turning fixture (9) comprises a receiving area (10) for holding a cheese wheel (2). Each turning fixture (9) is movable about a turning axis (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E) which runs transversely, preferably orthogonally, to the arrangement axis (8). At least two turning axes (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E) of the turning fixtures (9) are arranged at intervals from each other in the direction of the arrangement axis (8). With the solution according to the invention, the positions of the cheese loaves along the arrangement axis (8) can be changed with each turning process without additional effort.