Patent ID: 7437991
Filing Date: 2008-10-21
Classification: A01J

Abstract:
1. A pressing and vacuum treatment system for cheese solids comprising: a carousel member rotatable about a vertical central axis; a plurality of horizontal carrier tray members secured to the carousel member, each carrier tray member adapted for accepting at least one cheese solids perforated container with cheese solids therein, the container having a top opening with an associated container cover fitting therein; a plurality of vacuum plenum members, each plenum member associated with a carrier tray member and movably positioned there above, each vacuum plenum member having an open bottom adapted for forming a fluid tight seal with the associated carrier tray member and a closed volume there between; a first ram member attached to an exterior surface of each plenum member opposite the associated carrier tray member, each first ram member operable to raise the attached plenum member and lower the attached plenum member into contact with the associated carrier tray member; at least one second ram member positioned atop each plenum member, the at least one second ram member including a movable rod portion sealingly movable within an aperture in the plenum member, the rod portion having an end portion adapted for applying pressure to a container cover fitted into the top opening of a cheese solids perforated container to compress cheese solids therein; a vacuum source for selectively applying a vacuum to the closed volume formed by each plenum member sealingly positioned on an associated carrier tray member secured to the carousel member; and a third ram member for rotating the carousel member, whereby a cheese solids perforated container containing cheese solids, with an associated container cover member fitted into the top opening thereof, is positioned on a carrier tray member at a carousel member entrance station, the carousel member rotating in a selected direction while an associated vacuum plenum member descends to form a fluid tight seal and a closed volume with each carrier tray member, the at least one second ram member's rod portion moves to apply pressure to the container cover member fitted into the top opening of the cheese solids perforated container to compress cheese solids therein and expel whey liquid therefrom via the perforations therein, the vacuum source selectively applying a vacuum to the closed volume formed by each plenum member sealingly positioned on an associated carrier tray member to further expel whey liquid from the cheese solids, the vacuum plenum member ascending from contact with the carrier try member, and the cheese solids container with compacted cheese solids therein, with the container cover member thereon, is removed from the carrier tray member at a carousel member exit station adjacent the entrance station thereof.