EQUIPMENT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF STUFFED CHEESE, PARTICULARLY BURRATA CHEESE

The equipment (1) for the production of stuffed cheese, particularly burrata cheese, comprises:          one base frame (2);     supporting means (3) for a cheese (C) of the fresh “pasta filata” type associated with the base frame (2);     gripping means (6) for the cheese (C) associated with the base frame (2) and adapted to retain at least one portion (P) of the cheese (C);     filling means (7) of the cheese (C) associated with the base frame (2) and adapted to inject a filling into the cheese (C) through the portion (P) to obtain a stuffed cheese (S);     at least one mutual movement assembly (21) between the supporting means (3) and the gripping means (6); and     at least one mutual movement unit (20) between the gripping means (6) and the filling means (7).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a piece of equipment for the production of stuffed cheese, particularly burrata cheese.

BACKGROUND ART

Burrata cheese is a fresh pasta filata cheese, usually in the shape of a bag, containing a stuffing made up of fragments of fresh cheese and cream, also known as stracciatella.

The production process of the burrata cheese is manual and involves the initial hot processing of the pasta filata cheese in order to obtain a substantially spheroidal fresh cheese, known as mozzarella.

The mozzarella cheese is then retained, through a small portion, by an operator who inserts an injector for the delivery of the stuffing inside the mozzarella itself.

During delivery, the mozzarella cheese deforms to make room for the stuffing and acquires the characteristic bag shape.

After this operation has been completed, the operator seals the portion by applying a pressure force thereto; through this operation, the portion can be eventually removed from the burrata cheese depending on the shape to be given thereto.

Finally, the burrata cheese thus obtained is cooled and packaged.

It is easy to understand that this process is particularly labor-intensive and requires the use of skilled labor, since the operations must be carried out precisely and accurately to prevent the “bag” from spoiling, thus affecting the processing.

This inevitably leads to high production costs and consequently high prices for the final consumer.

In addition, the process involves rather long processing times which can affect the quality of fresh cheeses which, in order to maintain their quality almost unchanged, need to be placed on the market within a short time from their production.

Furthermore, the risk of contamination associated with the manual processing of these fresh cheeses should not be underestimated, which may, in turn, affect the quality of the finished product.

It is important to point out that changes in the quality of these fresh cheeses affect significantly customer's satisfaction, who may be discouraged to repeat the purchase of the product.

It is clear, therefore, that the production process of this stuffed cheese is open to improvement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment for the production of stuffed cheese, particularly burrata cheese, that allows reducing the processing time and costs related thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment for the production of stuffed cheese, particularly burrata cheese, that allows freeing from the use of skilled labor.

A further object of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment for the production of stuffed cheese, particularly burrata cheese, that allows minimizing the risk of bacterial contamination.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment for the production of stuffed cheese, particularly burrata cheese, that allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and affordable solution.

The objects set out above are achieved by the present equipment for the production of stuffed cheese, particularly burrata cheese, having the characteristics of claim1.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral1globally indicates a piece of equipment for the production of stuffed cheese, particularly burrata cheese.

The equipment1according to the invention comprises at least one base frame2and supporting means3for a cheese C of the “pasta filata” type, which are associated with the base frame2.

In particular, the cheese C is of the mozzarella type.

The possibility of using a different type of “pasta filata” cheese, e.g. scamorza, cannot however be ruled out.

The cheese C undergoes hot processing to allow the introduction of a stuffing to obtain a stuffed cheese S, in this case a burrata cheese.

In particular, the stuffing comprises one or more fresh dairy products, specifically, fragments of mozzarella and cream.

The use of different types of dairy products (e.g. cottage cheese, butter, etc.) and/or with added non-dairy ingredients cannot however be ruled out for the production of different types of stuffed cheese S.

The supporting means3conveniently comprise a supporting plane4movable on the base frame2along a direction of forward movement D.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the supporting plane4is of the type of a conveyor belt and the direction of forward movement D is substantially linear. It cannot however be ruled out that the supporting plane4may be of the type of a rotary carousel with a substantially circular direction of forward movement D. Other embodiments wherein the supporting plane4is stationary cannot be ruled out.

The supporting means3comprise at least one container element5of the cheese C associated with the supporting plane4and adapted to accommodate the cheese C.

In this case, the container element5is of the type of a cup and is provided with a housing5aof the cheese C and with a stem5bwhich helps to move the housing itself away from the supporting plane4.

The container element5, e.g., can be made of a thermally insulating material so that the temperature of the cheese C can be maintained, which cheese requires to be hot processed.

Alternatively, the container element5can be made of a metal material with minimal heat resistance and capable of rapidly reaching the temperature of the cheese C.

The movement of the supporting plane4is of the discrete type and allows the positioning of the container element5between a loading station of the cheese C, a filling station of the cheese C, and an unloading station of the stuffed cheese S.

In particular, in the loading station, the cheese C is placed inside the housing5aof the container element5.

At the filling station, the equipment1is provided with gripping means6for gripping the cheese C which are associated with the base frame2and adapted to retain at least one portion P of the cheese C, and with filling means7of the cheese C associated with the base frame2and adapted to inject a filling into the cheese C through the portion P to obtain the stuffed cheese S.

Conveniently, the supporting means3comprises a plurality of container elements5associated with the supporting plane4and adapted to house a plurality of cheeses C.

The container elements5are arranged in a sequence along the direction of forward movement D.

In more detail, the container elements5are arranged on the supporting plane4at defined distances, in such a way that when a container element5is in the unloading station, there is a subsequent one arranged at the filling station.

This embodiment allows producing stuffed cheese S in a continuous cycle and without the need for the container element5to unload the stuffed cheese S before starting a new cycle.

The filling means7will be described in detail later on in this discussion.

The gripping means6comprise at least one gripping frame8associated with the base frame2and at least one diaphragm device9, associated with the gripping frame8and closable around the cheese C to retain the portion P and openable to release the stuffed cheese S.

In particular, the diaphragm device9defines a passage hole10through which the cheese C can pass.

The closure of the diaphragm device9causes a gradual closure of the passage hole10until the cheese C is intercepted.

Advantageously, the diaphragm device9comprises a plurality of gripping elements11associated with the gripping frame8, arranged along a circumference.

Specifically, the gripping elements11are arranged to surround the passage hole10and are mutually movable in rotation around their respective axes of rotation R between at least one working position, wherein they are approached to the centre of the circumference to intercept the cheese C and retain the portion P, and at least one home position, wherein they are moved away from the centre to release the cheese C.

In other words, the gripping elements11move at the same time in a concentric manner to intercept the portion P and keep the cheese C stationary.

In addition, the diaphragm device9is provided with rotational means12of the gripping elements11between at least the working position and the home position, comprising at least one connecting element13associated with the gripping elements11.

The connecting element13has a substantially circular shape, is arranged on top of the gripping elements11and comprises a plurality of slots13a, arranged along the circumference, each associated with a corresponding pin Ila defined on a respective gripping element11.

In more detail, the pin11ais accommodated in a sliding manner inside the slot13a, the shape of which determines the movement trajectory of the pin Ila and thus the amplitude of rotation of the gripping element11around the respective axis of rotation R.

The rotational means12comprises at least one actuating body14operationally connected to the connecting element13by means of a gear wheel14aadapted to mesh on a respective toothed portion13bdefined on the connecting element itself.

The rotation of the gear wheel14ain the two directions of rotation determines the movement of the gripping elements11between the working position and the home position.

Specifically, the rotation of the connecting element13determines the displacement of the slots13awhich in turn drive the respective pins Ila and transfer the movement to the gripping elements11.

In addition, the gripping elements11can be conveniently moved towards a sealing position wherein the passage hole10is further closed and wherein the gripping elements11apply a pressure force on the portion P in order to firmly close the stuffed cheese S.

The gripping elements11can also be moved further towards a cutting position wherein the passage hole10is completely closed; in the cutting position, the gripping elements11determine the detachment of the portion P from the stuffed cheese S.

The equipment1allows, in actual facts, the production of stuffed cheese S provided with the characteristic “bag” shape and/or stuffed cheese S having a spheroidal shape, wherein the portion P is removed from the stuffed cheese S. After detachment, the portion P remains on the diaphragm device9until the next movement of the gripping elements11towards the home position, wherein it is deposited on the supporting plane4by gravity.

Conveniently, the equipment1may comprise a plurality of diaphragm devices9, arranged in a concentric manner and independently operable depending on the type of stuffed cheese S to be obtained.

For example, on the basis of the size of the stuffed cheese S to be obtained, two identical diaphragm devices9arranged on top of each other may be used; in the case of the production of a small stuffed cheese S, only one diaphragm device9is operated in order to retain a reduced portion P; whereas, for the production of a larger stuffed cheese S, it will be necessary to retain a larger portion P and both the diaphragm devices9will be operated at the same time.

Alternatively or in combination therewith, one of the diaphragm devices9may comprise gripping elements11provided with a sharp portion adapted to easily remove the portion P after filling the cheese C; in such a case, the equipment1comprises at least one diaphragm device9adapted to seal the portion P and at least one diaphragm device9adapted to remove it.

Alternatively or in combination with the diaphragm device9, the gripping means6may comprise a gripper device associated with the gripping frame8and movable to retain and/or seal the cheese C and/or to remove the portion P from the stuffed cheese S.

As mentioned above, the equipment1comprises filling means7adapted to inject the stuffing into the cheese C.

The filling means7comprise at least one filling frame15associated with the base frame2and at least one injector device16associated with the filling frame15and adapted to inject the stuffing into the cheese C.

Conveniently, the equipment1also comprises at least one tank17adapted to contain the stuffing, which is connected in a fluid-operated manner to the injector device16and at least one pumping device18adapted to transfer the stuffing from the tank17to the injector device16.

In more detail, the injector device16is partly inserted into the cheese C through the portion P, suitably retained by the gripping means6, and delivers the stuffing, contained in the tank17, into the cheese C.

As a result of filling, the injector device16is pulled out of the portion P to obtain the stuffed cheese S and the gripping means seal and possibly remove the portion P.

The stuffed cheese S obtained this way is released from the gripping means6and transferred towards the unloading position; in particular, the gripping elements11are moved towards the home position to free the passage hole10. During this operation, any removed portion P is released on the supporting plane4to allow it to be moved away, together with the stuffed cheese S, from the stuffing station towards the unloading station.

The equipment1comprises at least one cooling tub19a,19b, located at the unloading station, inside which the stuffed cheese S is transferred.

In particular, as shown in the figures, at the unloading station, the supporting plane4causes the container element5to overturn, thus causing the stuffed cheese S to fall into the cooling tub19a,19b.

The cooling tub19a,19bcomprises a first tub19aadapted to contain the portions P and a second tub19badapted to contain the stuffed cheese S.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1to7, the first tub19aand the second tub19bare aligned along the direction of forward movement D so that the first tub19ais placed in the immediate vicinity of the supporting plane4.

The special solution of providing a container element5provided with the stem5ballows, as a result of the movement of the supporting plane4at the unloading station, the portion P to fall into the first tub19aand the stuffed cheese S to fall into the second tub19b.

It cannot however be ruled out that the equipment1comprises an individual cooling tub and that the separation of the stuffed cheese S and the portions P is carried out at a later date.

Advantageously, the equipment1comprises movement means20,21adapted to move at least one of either the supporting means3, the gripping means6or the filling means7.

In particular, the movement means20,21comprise at least one mutual movement unit20between the gripping means6and the filling means7, and at least one mutual movement assembly21between the supporting means3and the gripping means6.

The mutual movement unit20is adapted to move at least one of either the supporting means3or the gripping means6with respect to the other along an axis of travel A1substantially perpendicular to the supporting plane4.

In essence, the mutual movement unit20has the function of approaching or moving away the supporting means3to/from the gripping means6in order to allow retaining the cheese C by the diaphragm device9.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the mutual movement unit is adapted to move the gripping means6with respect to the supporting means3.

The mutual movement unit20also has the function of moving the diaphragm device9away from the container element5during filling by the filling means7.

During this phase, in fact, the cheese C tends to deform to make room for the stuffing, thus increasing in volume.

The mutual movement unit20comprises a driving unit22operationally connected to the gripping frame8and a guidance unit23associated with the base frame2and extending along the axis of travel A1.

The gripping frame8is associated with the guidance unit23in a sliding manner.

The driving unit22comprises a rack-and-pinion element22a, associated with the gripping frame8, substantially parallel to the guidance unit23, and an actuating device22b, of the type of an electric motor, connected to the rack-and-pinion element itself and adapted to move the gripping frame8on the guidance unit23.

The mutual movement assembly21is adapted to move at least one of either the gripping means6or the filling means7with respect to the other along an axis of sliding A2substantially perpendicular to the supporting plane4.

In other words, the mutual movement assembly21has the function of bringing the filling means7and the gripping means6close to or further away from each other to allow the injector device16to be inserted into and removed from the portion P.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the mutual movement assembly21is adapted to move the filling means7with respect to the gripping means6.

The mutual movement assembly21also has the function of moving the injector device16from the container element5during filling, substantially at the same time as the gripping means6, in order to facilitate the deformation of the cheese C.

The mutual movement assembly21comprises a motor assembly24operationally connected to the filling frame15and a guidance assembly25associated with the base frame2and extending along the axis of sliding A2.

The filling frame15is associated with the guidance assembly25in a sliding manner.

The motor assembly24comprises at least one rack-and-pinion body24a, associated with the filling frame15, which is substantially parallel to the guidance assembly25, and an actuating element24b, of the type of an electric motor, connected to the rack-and-pinion body itself and adapted to move the filling frame15on the guidance assembly25.

Conveniently, the guidance assembly25coincides with the guidance unit23and the axis of sliding A2coincides with the axis of travel A1.

In other words, the filling frame15and the gripping frame8are arranged one on top of the other, mounted on the same rails and movable along the same axis as the supporting means3.

The equipment1also comprises an electronic control system26provided with at least one electronic unit26aconfigured to operate at least one of either the supporting means3, the gripping means6, the filling means7, the mutual movement unit20or the mutual movement assembly21.

The electronic control system26also comprises at least one position sensor26boperationally connected to the electronic unit26aand configured to determine at least one position of at least one of either the connecting element13, the gripping frame8or the filling frame15.

The operation of the equipment1according to the invention is as follows. Initially, the container element5is positioned in the loading station where the cheese C is loaded into the housing5a.

The container element5is then transferred by means of the supporting plane4, along the direction of forward movement D, towards the filling station.

At this point, the mutual movement unit20moves the gripping means6towards the supporting means3.

In particular, the driving unit22brings the diaphragm device9closer to the cheese C so that the latter can transit through the passage hole10.

The actuating body14of the rotational means12is operated by determining the rotation of the gripping elements11towards the working position, partly closing the passage hole10and retaining the portion P.

The mutual movement assembly21moves the filling means7towards the gripping means6.

In particular, the motor assembly24brings the injector device16closer to the diaphragm device9so as to allow the injector device itself to be inserted into the cheese C through the portion P.

The pumping device18is operated to allow the stuffing to be delivered.

During this phase, the mutual movement unit20and the mutual movement assembly21move the gripping means6and the filling means7away at the same time from the supporting means3, respectively, in order to facilitate the deformation of the cheese C.

At the end of the delivery, the mutual movement assembly21moves the filling means7away from the gripping means6to allow the injector device16to be pulled out of the portion P.

At this point, the gripping elements11are moved towards the sealing position to apply pressure on the portion P and close the stuffed cheese S.

If necessary, the gripping elements11are further rotated towards the cutting position to remove the portion P from the stuffed cheese S.

Then, the gripping elements11are brought to the home position to release the stuffed cheese S, and, if necessary, the removed portion P, onto the supporting means3.

The supporting plane4displaces the stuffed cheese S, and, if necessary, the removed portion P, towards the unloading station where they are transferred to the respective tubs19aand19b.

According to a second embodiment, shown inFIGS.8to12, the gripping means6comprise a plurality of diaphragm devices9associated with the gripping frame8and arranged side by side along at least one working direction W transverse to the direction of forward movement D.

Preferably, the working direction W is substantially orthogonal to the direction of forward movement D.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the working direction is substantially oblique to the direction of forward movement and/or wherein the diaphragm devices9are arranged along several working directions W in a staggered manner.

Each of the diaphragm devices9is adapted to retain a respective cheese C.

This embodiment provides, appropriately, that the supporting means3comprise a plurality of container elements5at least partly arranged side by side along at least one positioning direction B parallel to the working direction W.

Specifically, the container elements5are arranged on the supporting plane4in several sequences that extend along the direction of forward movement D and are positioned side by side along their respective positioning directions B. Conveniently, each diaphragm device9comprises a respective actuating body14.

The diaphragm devices9can, therefore, be operated independently of each other to retain/release the cheese C.

This way, only the diaphragm devices9actually required can be operated.

In addition, it is possible to provide that in some diaphragm devices9the gripping elements11are moved between the home position and the sealing position, while in other diaphragm devices9the gripping elements11are moved between the home position and the cutting position, in order to obtain stuffed cheese S provided with the portion P and without the portion P, respectively.

Again with reference to this second embodiment, the filling means7comprise a plurality of injector devices16connected in a fluid-operated manner to the tank17, which filling means are associated with the filling frame15and arranged side by side along at least one operating direction F transverse to the direction of forward movement D.

Preferably, the operating direction F is substantially orthogonal to the direction of forward movement D.

Advantageously, the operating direction F is substantially parallel to the working direction W.

Even more preferably, the operating direction F and the working direction W extend substantially horizontally and rest one on top of the other on the same substantially vertical plane.

Appropriately, each diaphragm device9corresponds to an injector device16.

Each of the injector devices16is adapted to inject the stuffing into a respective cheese C.

Each injector device16is conveniently connected to a respective pumping device18.

The injector devices16can therefore be operated independently of each other to deliver the stuffing.

This way, each injector device16delivers the stuffing only if actually needed, i.e. if the corresponding diaphragm device9has closed to retain the cheese C.

In addition, it is possible to provide for the injector devices16to deliver different quantities of stuffing in order to obtain stuffed cheese S of different types.

The equipment1according to the second embodiment allows, therefore, the processing of several cheeses C at the same time and the production of stuffed cheese S of different types.

In particular, the solution of providing the diaphragm devices9associated with an individual gripping frame8and the injector devices16associated with an individual filling frame15allows them to be moved simultaneously by means of the driving unit22and the motor assembly24, respectively.

This solution allows reducing the number of components and movable parts, making the equipment1extremely compact and provided with an agile operation.

As shown inFIGS.8to12, the equipment1also comprises at least one presence sensor27configured to detect the presence of the cheese C inside the container element5.

In more detail, the presence sensor27is configured to detect the presence of the cheese C with the container element5positioned in a detection station, between the loading station and the filling station.

The presence sensor27is of the type, e.g., of a diffuse reflection photocell.

The injector device16is interlocked to the presence sensor27to deliver the stuffing only in the presence of the cheese C in the container element5.

In particular, the equipment1comprises a presence sensor27for each injector device16.

The presence sensors27are operationally connected to the electronic unit26a.

If the presence sensor27detects the presence of the cheese C in its respective housing5a, the electronic unit26ais programmed to operate the pumping device18of the corresponding injector device16.

If, on the other hand, the presence sensor27does not detect the presence of the cheese C, the pumping device18of the corresponding injector device16is not operated so as not to deliver the stuffing.

It cannot be ruled out that the presence sensor27can also be applied to the equipment1in accordance with the first embodiment shown inFIGS.1to7.

Always with reference toFIGS.8to12, the equipment1comprises cleaning means28associated with the base frame2and adapted to deliver at least one cleaning fluid to at least the gripping means6.

The cleaning fluid is of the type, e.g., of hot water and/or a sanitizing product. More specifically, the cleaning means28comprise at least one delivering element29configured to direct a jet of cleaning fluid towards the diaphragm device9.

The delivering element29has the function of removing any residual cheese C and/or stuffing that remains on the diaphragm device9as a result of the preparation of the stuffed cheese S.

The cleaning means28comprise at least one delivering element29for each diaphragm device9.

The cleaning means28also comprise a dispensing element30configured to direct the jet of cleaning fluid towards the container element5.

In more detail, the dispensing element30delivers the cleaning fluid towards the housing5a.

The dispensing element30has the function of cleaning the housing5aafter unloading the stuffed cheese S and before positioning a new cheese C thereon.

In detail, the movement of the supporting plane4allows positioning the container element5in a cleaning station wherein it is cleaned before starting a new processing cycle.

The dispensing element30is associated with the base frame2below the supporting plane4.

Specifically, in the cleaning station, the container element5is provided with the housing5afacing downwards and the dispensing element30delivers the cleaning fluid upwards.

This way, after that the housing5ahas been cleaned, the cleaning fluid flows downwards by gravity.

The operation, therefore, does not require for an additional phase of emptying the container element5from the detergent fluid to start a new processing cycle. The cleaning means28comprise a dispensing element30for each container element5arranged along the positioning direction B.

The cleaning means28, therefore, allow the cleaning of the diaphragm devices9and of the container elements5at each processing cycle.

It cannot be ruled out that the cleaning means28may also be applied to the equipment1according to the first embodiment shown inFIGS.1to7.

For the collection and recovery of the cleaning fluid delivered by the cleaning means28, the equipment1comprises a collection tank32located below the supporting plane4, conveniently below the cleaning station.

Clearly, any stuffing that has not been correctly injected into the cheeses C by the injector devices16is also collected in the collection tank32.

All products collected in the collection tank32can be drained therefrom (e.g. by suction through a union33) to be possibly recovered and/or to be definitively discarded.

In the second embodiment, moreover, the separation of the stuffed cheese S and of the portions P is carried out using an alternative method to that described above.

In more detail, as shown in the figures, the second tub19b, intended to contain the stuffed cheese S is arranged along the direction of forward movement D at the supporting plane4and receives the stuffed cheese S when the supporting plane itself moves forward.

The first tub19a, intended to contain the portions P, on the other hand, is placed laterally to the supporting plane4, at the base of the equipment1. By means of a slide31, placed below the supporting plane4, the portions P are conveyed by gravity from the supporting plane4to the first tub19aas the supporting plane4moves forward. To facilitate the descent of the portions P along the slide31, a nozzle can be conveniently provided which is adapted to deliver a jet of water along the slide31.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects and in particular it is underlined that the equipment for the production of stuffed cheese, particularly burrata cheese, allows reducing the processing time and costs related thereto.

The presence of a plurality of diaphragm devices and injector devices makes it possible to further reduce processing times and at the same time to produce stuffed cheese of different types.

Moreover, the equipment according to the invention allows the production of stuffed cheese, particularly burrata cheese, in a totally automated manner in order to avoid the use of skilled labor.

It follows, furthermore, that the equipment according to the invention allows producing stuffed cheese quickly and minimizing the risk of bacterial contamination.