METHOD AND PLANT FOR PROCESSING STRETCHED-CURD CHEESES

Abstract

Method for processing stretched-curd cheeses, including the following sequence of steps, stretching the melted cheese to obtain stretched curd; forming said stretched curd to obtain portions of stretched curd with predefined shape and weight; packaging said portions of stretched curd to obtain packaged portions; and hardening said packaged portions in a bath with a controlled temperature to obtain already packaged stretched-curd cheeses.

Claims

1. A method (100) for processing stretched-curd cheeses, wherein it comprises the following sequence of steps: a step of stretching (101) the melted cheese to obtain stretched curd (F); a step of forming (102) said stretched curd (F) to obtain portions (P) of stretched curd with predefined shape and weight; a step of packaging (103) said portions (P) of stretched curd to obtain packaged portions (E); a step of hardening (104) said packaged portions (E) in a bath with a controlled temperature to obtain already packaged stretched-curd cheeses (M).

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein said packaging step provides the direct release of said portions (P) of stretched curd in a series of packages (B) located downstream of said forming step (102) which provides at least a forming roll (4) to form said portions (P) of stretched curd.

3. The method as in claim 2, wherein, in said release step of the portions (P) of stretched curd, said packages (B) are aligned in an alignment direction (X) in proximity to said forming roll (4).

4. The method as in claim 3, wherein said alignment direction (X) of the packages (B) is substantially horizontal, therefore the packaging step (103) takes place substantially with packages (B) disposed horizontally.

5. The method as in claim 3, wherein said alignment direction (X) of the packages (B) is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of rotation (A) of said forming roll (4).

6. The method as in claim 1, wherein said hardening step (104) comprises one or more cooling steps at a controlled temperature.

7. The method as in claim 2, wherein said packaging step (103) provides to introduce protective liquid inside the packages (B).

8. A plant for processing stretched-curd cheeses, suitable to actuate a method as in claim 1, said plant comprising a stretching station to obtain stretched-curd cheese, a forming station of said stretched curd to obtain portions (P) of stretched curd unloaded directly at entrance to a packaging station (Z) downstream of which a hardening station (W) is provided, to obtain already packaged stretched-curd cheeses.

9. The plant as in claim 8, wherein said forming station comprises a forming machine (1) provided with at least one forming roll (4).

10. The plant as in claim 9, wherein said forming roll (4) comprises a series of cavities (5) in which the portions (P) of stretched curd are positioned, said cavities (5) being associated with feed means (27) to feed compressed air able to promote the passage of said portions (P) of stretched curd from said cavities (5) to said packages (B) located in proximity to the forming roll (4).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0044] FIG. 1 is a flow chart that shows the steps of a method to process stretched-curd cheeses according to the invention;

[0045] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of a forming machine to process stretched-curd cheeses according to the invention;

[0046] FIG. 3 is a view of the machine in FIG. 2, but with the forming roll uncovered;

[0047] FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional view of the machine in FIG. 2 of the forming roll of the forming machine according to the invention;

[0048] FIG. 5 is an exploded three-dimensional view from in front of the upper portion of the machine in FIG. 2;

[0049] FIG. 6 is an exploded three-dimensional view from behind of the upper portion of the machine in FIG. 2;

[0050] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section view of the upper portion of the machine in FIG. 2;

[0051] FIG. 8 is a view on an enlarged scale of a portion of FIG. 7;

[0052] FIG. 9 is a section view according to the section plane IX-IX of FIG. 7, in which, schematically, a plurality of product packages are shown.

[0053] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0054] We shall now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

[0055] Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

[0056] With particular reference to FIG. 1, a method for processing stretched-curd cheeses is denoted in its entirety by the reference number 100.

[0057] The method 100 provides the following sequence of steps: [0058] a step of stretching 101 the melted cheese to obtain stretched curd; [0059] a step of forming 102 the stretched curd F to obtain portions P of stretched curd with predefined shape and weight; [0060] a step of packaging 103 the portions P to obtain packaged portions C; and finally, [0061] a step of hardening 104 the packaged portions C in a bath with a controlled temperature to obtain already packaged cheeses M of stretched curd, such as mozzarellas or suchlike.

[0062] We must point out that advantageously the packaging step is provided directly downstream of the forming step, while the hardening step follows the latter.

[0063] According to the method 100, the possibilities of contaminating the cheeses during the processing step with the cooling liquid are substantially zero, thus optimizing the quality level and increasing the duration of the cheeses before consumption.

[0064] Furthermore, in this way the hardening step can be carried out in a bath of liquid (water) at a controlled temperature, but without needing to provide mixing members, since the cheeses being processed are protected inside the package which also contains a certain volume of protective liquid. No less importantly, the cooling liquid does not need particular treatments and/or controls from a microbiological point of view, since it does not enter into direct contact with the product.

[0065] The method 100 can be actuated in a plant, not shown here, consisting of a conventional stretching station for obtaining stretched curd F of cheese, a forming station fed with the stretched curd F to obtain portions P of the curd, unloaded directly at entrance to a packaging station Z downstream of which a hardening station W is provided, to obtain already packaged cheeses M, see FIG. 9 for example.

[0066] The stretching and packaging stations Z are not described in detail here, since they can use conventional stretching machines and packaging machines of a known type.

[0067] The hardening station W can consist of at least a bath of cooling liquid (water) at a controlled temperature.

[0068] On the contrary, the forming station can provide a forming machine of the type described hereafter.

[0069] With particular reference to FIGS. 2-9, a forming machine for processing stretched-curd cheeses, usable in a plant and in a method according to the invention, is denoted in its entirety by the reference number 1.

[0070] The machine 1 comprises a frame 2 to support feed means 3 to feed stretched curd F toward a forming roll 4, essentially cylindrical in shape, having a plurality of cavities 5 on its lateral surface, which are able to house respective portions P of stretched curd F.

[0071] The cavities 5 have a shape and size substantially corresponding to that of the portions P of stretched curd F to be obtained.

[0072] In the embodiment shown, the frame 2 rests on wheels so that it can be moved in the processing plant, but alternative embodiments are not excluded.

[0073] The cavities 5 are distributed on the lateral surface of the forming roll 4 along a plurality of rows 6 disposed in correspondence with respective generator lines G of the roll 4, distributed with a constant angular pitch ().

[0074] Moreover, the cavities 5 are distributed on a plurality of circumferential lines C of the forming roll 4 so that each row 6 has one cavity 5 in correspondence with each of the circumferential lines C.

[0075] In this way the portions P are unloaded in an orderly manner in substantially vertical exit directions D, distributed like the circumferential lines C, and can be sent directly to subsequent processing, for example packaging.

[0076] The forming roll 4 is supported by the frame 2 rotating around its longitudinal axis A, and is associated with motor means to drive it in rotation.

[0077] During the rotation of the forming roll 4, each row 6 of cavities 5 is able to transit through at least an angular loading position 8 and an angular unloading position 9.

[0078] Advantageously, the motor means 7 are the intermittent type, to drive the rotation of the forming roll 4 discontinuously for a circumferential arc equal to the angular pitch () with which the rows 6 of cavities 5 are distributed.

[0079] The machine 1 also provides separation means 10, interposed between the feed means 3 and the forming roll 4, which provide a partition 11, preferably made of plastic material, equipped with a plurality of apertures 12 for the passage of the stretched curd F from the feed means 3 to the cavities 5 of the forming roll 4, each of which is disposed in correspondence with a respective circumferential line C of the roll 4.

[0080] The partition 11 has its surface facing toward the forming roll 4 which is concave with a cylindrical shape, so as to partly surround the roll 4.

[0081] The feed means 3 provide a hopper 13 to load the stretched curd F in communication with the entrance ends of a plurality of feed screws 14, disposed parallel to each other, each of which has the corresponding exit end facing a corresponding aperture 12 of the partition 11.

[0082] Advantageously the feed screws 14 are associated with intermittent drive means 15, not described in detail as they are the conventional type. In this way the feed screws 14 are driven when the forming roll 4 is stationary for filling the row 6 of cavities 5 positioned in correspondence with the angular loading position 8 with respective portions P of stretched curd F, and are deactivated during the rotation of the roll 4 to avoid pressing the stretched curd F against its lateral surface.

[0083] The machine 1 comprises an appendix 16 associated with the partition 11 to cover the forming roll 4 between the angular loading position 8 as far as near to the angular unloading position 9 in the direction of rotation R of the roll 4.

[0084] In the embodiment shown here, the appendix 16 consists of a sort of lid coupled resting on the partition 11, which has its surface facing the forming roll 4 concave with a cylindrical shape, so as to partly wind on the roll 4.

[0085] In the rotation of the forming roll 4, at least three angular transfer positions 17 are provided between the loading position 8 and the unloading position 9 in the direction of rotation R of the roll 4, through which the forming roll 4 transits, being enclosed inside the partition 11 and the appendix 16 to prevent contaminations of the portions P of stretched curd F enclosed in the cavities 5.

[0086] Furthermore, an intermediate angular position 18 is provided between the angular loading position 8 and the angular unloading position 9 in the direction of rotation R of the forming roll 4, in correspondence with which a covering flap 19 of the roll 4 is provided, associated with the partition 11. In the embodiment shown here, the flap 19 is defined integral with the partition 11 in a single body, but alternative embodiments are not excluded.

[0087] In correspondence with the flap 19, washing means 20 are provided to wash the cavities 5 in transit through the intermediate angular position 18 downstream of the unloading of the portions P of stretched curd F, so as to sanitize and cool the cavities 5 before they are filled again.

[0088] The washing means 20 consist of a pipe 21 made inside the flap 19, communicating with a plurality of orifices 22 facing toward the cavities 5 in transit, which is fed with a washing liquid (water, to which a suitable disinfectant has possibly been added) and a longitudinal chamber 23 facing toward the cavities 5 in transit to collect the washing liquid, which is made on the surface of the flap 19 facing the cavities 5 and in communication with an outlet (not shown).

[0089] In the embodiment shown here, the forming roll 4 includes six rows 6 comprising six cavities 5 each, which are distributed with an angular pitch () of 60. In this case, in the direction of rotation R of the forming roll 4 an angular loading position 8 is provided in correspondence with the apertures 12 of the partition 11, three angular transfer positions 17 in which the forming roll 4 is covered by the partition 11 and the appendix 16, an angular unloading position 9 facing downward and in which the roll 4 is open toward the outside so as to release the portions P of stretched curd F, and an intermediate angular position 18 in correspondence with the flap 19 with the corresponding washing means 20.

[0090] Naturally, the number of rows 6 of cavities 5 and the number of cavities 5 for each row 6 can vary depending on the sizes of the portion P to be obtained and on production requirements. Consequently, the number of angular positions in the rotation of the forming roll 4 can also vary, being equal to the number of rows 6.

[0091] To promote the release of the portions P in correspondence with the angular unloading position 9, the forming roll 4 can be equipped internally with a longitudinal channel 24 in correspondence with each row 6 of cavities 5, which is in communication with a plurality of branches leading into the cavities 5 of the corresponding row 6. The channels 24 are open in correspondence with a first side of the forming roll 4, while they are closed by corresponding caps 26 on the opposite side of the roll 4.

[0092] The machine 1 provides suitably filtered compressed air feed means 27, not described in detail as they are the conventional type, which are supported by the frame 2 in correspondence with the first side of the forming roll 4, so as to be alternately in communication with the channel 24 of the row 6 of cavities 5 in transit through the angular unloading position 9.

[0093] Every time the forming roll 4 stops moving, the feed means 27 are driven to promote the expulsion of the portions P of stretched curd F contained in the cavities 5 that are in correspondence with the angular unloading position 9.

[0094] With reference to one row 6 of cavities 5, the functioning of the present invention is as follows: the stretched curd F introduced into the hopper 13 is transferred by the feed screws 14 toward the forming roll 4.

[0095] With the forming roll 4 stationary, from the exit ends of the feed screws 14, through the apertures 12 of the partition 11, the stretched curd F is pressed inside the row 6 of cavities 5 positioned in correspondence with the angular loading position 8. When the forming roll 4 starts rotating again, the stretched curd F collected in the cavities 5 is cut from the remaining mass, rubbing against the upper edge of the apertures 12, so that in each cavity 5 a portion P of stretched curd F remains, with the shape and volume corresponding to that of the cavity 5.

[0096] In the intermittent rotation of the forming roll 4, the cavities 5 transit through the angular transfer positions 17 until they are positioned in correspondence with the angular unloading position 9 where, due to gravity and with the aid of jets of compressed air exiting from the branches 25, the portions P of stretched curd F are expelled in the respective exit directions D, leaving the cavities 5 free.

[0097] With the next step, the cavities 5 find themselves stationary in correspondence with the intermediate angular position 18. The activation of the washing means 20 allows to disinfect and cool the cavities 5 before they are refilled. When the cavities 5 are positioned in correspondence with the angular loading position 8, the cycle described above begins again.

[0098] With reference for example to FIG. 9, the portions P of stretched curd exiting from the cavities 5 are put in packages B, for example envelopes, which are situated in correspondence with the forming roll 4.

[0099] The packages B are shown schematically inside the packaging station Z.

[0100] The packages B can be, for example, already closed at the bottom and at the sides and arrive in direction X under the forming roll 4, so as to be positioned under a row 6 of cavities 5.

[0101] The direction X along which the packages B move and along which the packaging is carried out is substantially horizontal.

[0102] The direction X along which the packages B are aligned is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the forming roll 4.

[0103] It can therefore be provided that the portions P of stretched curd are introduced through gravity into the packages B below, possibly with the aid of compressed air or suchlike, by the compressed air feed means 27.

[0104] It can be provided, for example, that the packages B arrive in proximity to the forming roll 4 with the upper edges brought reciprocally close together, therefore, by means of suitable spreading means, the edges are widened to allow to introduce the portions P of stretched curd.

[0105] Suitable means will be provided in the plant that signal the arrival of the packages B under the forming roll 4 and their correct position and alignment, so as to accommodate the portions P of stretched curd.

[0106] It is provided to introduce into the packages B a suitable quantity of protective liquid. The protective liquid can be introduced before and/or when the portions P of stretched curd are introduced.

[0107] Once the portions P of stretched curd have been introduced into the corresponding packages B, with the relative protective liquid, the packaging is completed, for example by closing and welding the upper edges, between which the portions P of stretched curd have been introduced.

[0108] Therefore, at exit from the packaging station Z, the packaged portions E indicated in FIG. 1 are substantially obtained.

[0109] The edges can be closed for example by welding, heat welding or suchlike.

[0110] Subsequently, the packaged portions E, comprising the packages B and containing the portions P of stretched curd and the protective liquid, are transferred as we said to the hardening and cooling station W.

[0111] Therefore, as mentioned before, the packaging step advantageously precedes the cooling and hardening step.

[0112] The station W can comprise one or more cooling tanks located in sequence, if it is desired to perform a cooling step in several phases, with increasing temperatures, so as to obtain an optimum hardening.

[0113] For example, it is possible to provide a first cooling step at a few degrees above zero, for example at about 1-5 C., for about 15-30 minutes, and then a second less extreme cooling step, at higher temperatures.

[0114] Alternatively, it would also be possible to provide two or more forming rolls 4, able to allow the release of portions P of stretched curd in two or more rows 6, in correspondence with which suitably aligned packages B will be positioned, as shown schematically in FIG. 9.

[0115] In practice, we have seen how the invention described obtains the proposed purposes, and in particular we emphasize that the process and plant according to the present invention prevent bacterial contamination of the cheeses being processed before packaging takes place, thus increasing their quality and duration before consumption.

[0116] Moreover, the invention allows to preserve the integrity and esthetic attractiveness of the product.

[0117] Furthermore, the invention allows to simplify the machinery used, in particular with regard to the hardening step.

[0118] Not least, the invention makes it possible to not penalize the production capacity of the process.

[0119] The invention thus conceived can be subjected to numerous modifications and variants, all coming within the field of the inventive concept.

[0120] Moreover, all the details can be replaced by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0121] In practice the materials used, and the contingent shapes and sizes, can be any whatsoever, depending on requirements, without departing from the field of protection of the following claims.

[0122] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the method and plant for processing stretched-curd cheeses as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

[0123] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of method and plant for processing stretched-curd cheeses, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0124] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.