Ribbed Auger Barrel for Pasta Filata Cheese Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cheese processing methods face challenges in achieving desired performance characteristics and nutritional qualities, particularly in pasta filata cheeses, due to difficulties in ingredient concentration, activation of functional properties, and significant losses during processing, such as in the pasta filata process where heating in water leads to ingredient removal.
Innovation Solution
A ribbed barrel for an auger made from angular sections of stainless steel, which forms ribs within the interior to prevent cutting, withstand high pressures, and eliminate crevices that can cause contamination, allowing for efficient cheese processing and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional smooth barrel design is used, then cheese can flow easily, but the cheese loses fat and moisture and suffers structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel interior is equipped with ribs that create localized zones of increased friction and mechanical support. These ribs are strategically positioned to provide specific functions: preventing cheese wall adhesion, reducing mechanical cutting, and controlling cheese flow patterns. The local quality change from smooth to ribbed surface allows the cheese to maintain structural integrity while still flowing through the barrel.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs are designed with curved, rounded edges rather than sharp angles. This curvature prevents the ribs from acting as cutting edges that would damage the cheese structure. The rounded geometry allows the cheese to flow over and around the ribs smoothly, reducing mechanical stress and preventing fat and moisture loss while maintaining ease of operation.
2Strength
If angular sections are welded to form the barrel, then the structure can withstand high pressures, but crevices and joints may cause contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The angular sections are designed with curved outer surfaces that form the barrel circumference, while the ribs inside have rounded edges. This curvature eliminates sharp crevices and dead spaces where contamination could occur, making the structure easier to clean while maintaining the strength provided by the angular section construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs are integrally formed with the angular barrel sections rather than being separate components. This merging of structures eliminates additional joints and crevices that would increase contamination risk, while the angular sections themselves provide the necessary structural strength to withstand high pressures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ribbed structure is added to prevent cutting, then cheese integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel structure is segmented into angular sections that are assembled together to form the complete barrel. The ribs are formed as integral parts of these segments. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and assembly while the ribbed structure within each segment provides the necessary protection against cheese cutting and maintains cheese integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for the production of cheese. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for making pasta filata cheese. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a barrel for a single auger extrude having angular sections of material.