Oscillating Cheese Rind Carving Blade for Low-Waste Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for carving the rind of hard cheeses generate significant waste, are unsuitable for food contact due to construction materials, and risk damage from product caking and metal fragments, with manual corrections potentially damaging the milling cutter.

Innovation Solution

A device with a support body, carving head, and actuation group using an oscillating carving blade at high frequency, converting rotary motion into oscillatory motion to carve the cheese rind, minimizing waste and reducing the risk of damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a circular milling cutter is used to carve the rind of hard cheeses, then the carving operation can be performed, but significant product waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarving operation capabilityVSAvoidproduct waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration by oscillating the carving blade at high frequency (ultrasonic range) to carve the cheese rind. This vibratory motion allows the blade to remove material with minimal waste while maintaining efficient carving operation, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and product waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Extent of automation

If a milling cutter is used for carving, then the operation can be automated, but the machine construction materials are unsuitable for food contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarving operation automationVSAvoidunsuitable construction materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional rotating milling cutter with an ultrasonic oscillating blade system. This substitution enables the use of food-safe materials for the blade while maintaining full automation of the carving operation, as the ultrasonic oscillation mechanism can be fully automated without requiring traditional milling machine construction materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If a rotating milling cutter is used, then continuous carving can be performed, but product caking on the cutter compromises efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous carving capabilityVSAvoidmachine efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic oscillation of the carving blade creates a cleaning effect that prevents product caking on the blade surface during continuous operation. The high-frequency vibrations keep the blade surface clear of accumulated cheese material, maintaining both continuous carving capability and machine efficiency without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

4Ease of manufacture

If a milling cutter is used, then standard machining can be applied, but manual removals on the wheel can damage the cutter and contaminate the product with metal fragments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandard machining applicabilityVSAvoidmetal fragment contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic oscillating blade is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component with low cost. This allows the blade to be replaced frequently without risk of metal fragment contamination, as any potential damage or wear results in blade replacement rather than contamination of the cheese product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

5Speed

If a high-speed rotating blade is used, then carving speed can be maintained, but heat generation may alter the product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarving speedVSAvoidproduct temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic oscillation operates at extremely high frequency with minimal amplitude, creating a periodic cutting action that removes material efficiently without sustained contact and heat generation. The blade oscillates back and forth rapidly, touching the cheese only during the cutting stroke, thereby maintaining carving speed while preventing product temperature alteration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 oscillating blade reduces waste, minimizes blade breakage, prevents product alteration, and ensures safer operation by minimizing heat and metal fragments in the cheese.

Implementation Method 1

movement conversion means 20 cooperating with the carving head 12 and configured to convert the rotatory movement of the drive shaft 16' into an oscillatory movement of the carving blade 18 in the blade plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4042863B1A device and method for carving the rind of hard cheeses

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 FABER SRL

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AI summary

A device for carving the rind of hard cheeses comprises a support body (10), a carving head (12) mounted on a distal end of the support body (10), and an actuation group (14) comprising an electric motor (16). The carving head (12) comprises a carving blade (18) extending mainly on a blade plane. The actuation group comprises movement conversion means (20) cooperating with the carving head and configured to convert the rotatory movement of the drive shaft into an oscillatory movement of the carving blade in the blade plane.