Mfg. cheeses by mechanical expulsion of whey from curds - which are settled by gravity then cut into blocks for moulding

摘要

A mixt of curds and whey is fed into a shallow, horizontal vessel. On top of this mixt a perforated cover is brought down to squeeze surplus whey upwards through the perforations. This leaves curds between vessel and cover, isolated from the atmos. The curds is consolidated and cut into blocks of uniform size to be put into moulds. Pref the cover and vessel come together to form a set of parallel horizontal cylinders contg curds while the whey is expressed into parallel drainage channels between adjacent cylinders. Before final drainage of whey from each cylinder, the cylinders are pref. swung to an upright position so that curds settle and consolidate under their own weight. The cylinders are then pref swung through approx 180 degrees to bring them to the vertical on their other ends. Used for industrial mfr of cheeses. Manual handling and processing is almost entirely eliminated so that cheeses of consistent quality are produced more economically. Curds compacted under their own wt always have a similar consistency.