Patent GB-605425-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to cheese curd testing apparatus
IPC: G01N33/04
Filed: 1945-12-21
Abstract: 605,425. Testing rheological properties of cheese &c. PACKMAN, P. J., and MORRISON, P. H. Dec. 21, 1945, No. 34817. [Class 106 (ii)] Apparatus for testing the rheological properties of free flowing materials, such as cheese curd, comprises in combination means to measure both the weight and the height of a sample, and a device to co-relate the readings of the weight and height measuring means to give a graphic or visual indication of the magnitude of these readings in their relation one to the other. The apparatus facilitates the rapid ascertainment as to whether or not the " pitching point " of cheese curd has been reached. As shown, an open main frame 11 pivotally supports at 12 a balance beam 10 having arms for a balance weight 13 and pendulum weight 14 at one side, and an arm at the other side which freely supports an L- shaped frame 16 in a gimbal bearing. The frame 16 carries a platform 17 for the sample to be tested and pivoted arm 19 having an aperture 20 therein, a cursor device, or a pen. A lug 30 on the frame 16 has pivoted at 32 in bosses therein a height-measuring beam 18 comprising a casting bifurcated at one end to receive a height gauge 40. A thin flat framework 43, secured to the beam 18, carries or has engraved thereon a graph or chart 44 over which the arm 19 moves. The arm 19 is secured to a counterbalanced yoke pivotally mounted on the end of the horizontal arm of the frame 16, and carries an extension 21 adapted.to engage a pin 39 on a lug 37 integral with the frame 16. A roller 45 carried by the extension 21 normally rides on an abutment lever 22 due to the slight out of balance of the beam 18. The lever 22 is pivotally mounted on the main frame 11 and to the frame 16. Lugs 46 on the frame 16 pivotally support a gimbal 48 which is pivotally supported in a yoke integral with the lever 22, the yoke being pivotally mounted in the main frame 11. The frame 16 is thus free to move up and down and transfer this movement to the lever 22 which gives a magnified movement to the cursor arm 19. A control knob 53 (not shown), mounted in the main frame 11 carries a lever adapted to engage a pin &c. 55 on the beam 18 to tilt the latter to give maximum clearance between platform 17 and gauge 40 ; the beam, on tilting, engages a stop 56 on frame 16 to depress the latter until extension 21 engages pin 39, whereby all the moving parts are locked. In use, to obtain a continuous reading of variations in the ratio of the weight to the height of the specimen, the latter is placed on a per, forated plate on the platform 17, the gauge 40 lowered, by turning the knob 53, until it contacts the specimen. The position of the chart 44 depends on the position of the gauge 40, and the position of the cursor 20 on arm 19 depends on the weight of the specimen, so that at any given moment the ratio of the weight to height can be read on the chart. The apparatus is enclosed in a transparent casing having a hinged door giving access to the platform 17. A drip pan and drip deflector are provided. In a modification, both the height measuring beam and balance beam may actuate cursor devices to move over a stationary chart; or the chart may be moved by the balance beam and a cursor may be arranged on the height measuring beam. In a further form, one or more mirrors can be tilted by the beams to deflect a spot of light on to a scale.