Apparatus and method for obtaining shavings of cheese

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual scraping of cheese shavings is inefficient, time-consuming, and poses safety risks due to repetitive gestures with sharp blades.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a rotatable cheese wheel and a tool with a cutting edge that moves synchronously with the wheel's rotation, allowing for automated shaving production, reducing operator intervention and enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual scraping is used, then product quality can be maintained, but operation time is long and production efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical scraping operation with an automated mechanical system consisting of a rotatable wheel supporting the cheese and a scraping tool with a cutting edge. The wheel rotates automatically while the tool scrapes the cheese surface, eliminating manual labor and significantly increasing production speed and efficiency while maintaining consistent product quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual scraping with sharp blades is used, then shavings can be obtained, but safety risks increase due to repetitive gestures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation safetyVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the scraping operation automatically through the rotating wheel and scraping tool mechanism, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle sharp blades. The apparatus serves itself by automating the dangerous repetitive gestures, thereby removing operators from exposure to safety risks while maintaining continuous production capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated scraping is implemented, then production efficiency increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidapparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: a rotatable wheel mechanism for supporting and rotating the cheese wheel, a scraping tool with cutting edge for shaving the cheese, and a collection system for the shavings. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while making the overall system easier to understand, maintain, and operate despite the automation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Significantly reduces operation time, increases production efficiency, and ensures safer operation while maintaining product quality and minimizing cheese waste through continuous scraping and optimal shaving conveyance.

Implementation Method 1

supporting means 2 suitable for supporting the wheel 100 and rotatable about an axis of rotation X

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

a tool 3 provided with a cutting edge 4 to scrape the wheel 100, thus generating shavings of cheese

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical scraping:

Implementation Method 3

moving means 6 for moving the tool 3 closer to/farther from the supporting means 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear motion:

Data Source

PatentEP3858205B1Apparatus and method for obtaining shavings of cheese
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 CORTE PARMA ALIMENTARE
  • EP3858205B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3858205B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus (1) for obtaining shavings of cheese, comprising: - supporting means (2) suitable for supporting a wheel (100) and rotatable about an axis of rotation (X); - a tool (3) provided with a cutting edge (4) to scrape the wheel (100), generating shavings of cheese; - a collecting element (5) for collecting shavings arranged near the supporting means (2); moving means (6) for moving the tool (3) closer to/farther from the supporting means (2).