The invention relates to a cheese production and slicing method and an apparatus to be used in this method.

The invention specifically relates to an apparatus designed to be used in the methods of producing and slicing multi-layered cheese within its package, particularly feta cheese. PRIOR ART

The presentation of the cheese to the end user is an important parameter. Consumers generally tend to prefer cheese products that are offered in smaller pieces because of their ease of consumption and broad spectrum of use. Due to the aforementioned reasons, cube- cut cheese pieces are among the top selling products on the market. For the production of such a product, the cheese being cut up outside of the package then placed in the package is not only the known process but it is also costly as well as it carries an extremely high risk of contamination as it occurs outside the packaging.

European Patent Office (EPO) document number EP1010500 was discovered following patent research. The invention disclosed in the aforementioned document relates to an apparatus and method for cutting cheese. In the invention, an apparatus for cutting the cheese blocks into pieces carries the cheese along a linear processing path and the use of consecutive blades cuts the cheese into even smaller pieces each time. The cheese passing through an adequate number of consecutive cuts takes the form of a small cube and the cheese can be packaged together or singularly depending on preference. Another result of the research is the document GB2340726 of United Intellectual Property Office (IPO). The invention relates to a multi-layered cheese with easily removable pieces and the method for producing this cheese. The structure of the cheese product according to this invention, having a defined shape, allows for the easy removal of cheese layers from one another. The aforementioned cheese product contains a line of layered garnered cheese containing at least an area reaching from the bottom layer to the top layer of the cheese product. As a result, all the above-mentioned problems have made it necessary to innovate in the relevant field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus designed to be used in the methods of producing and cutting multi-layered cheese within its package. In order for the layered product to be formed, the milk prepared for the formation of cheese up to the maturing process is placed within a packing and the forming of the first layer of cheese in the incubation line is anticipated. Afterwards, the milk prepared for the formation of one portion of cheese is added onto the first layer of cheese and is once again inserted into the incubation line, and the formation of the second layer of cheese on top of the first layer of cheese is anticipated. The steps of this process may be repeated until the desired amount of cheese layers within the package is reached. The cheese is subsequently cut in the desired form. Meanwhile the apparatus which allows for the implementation of the production method contains an incubation line for the effectuation of the aforementioned incubation and apparatus to add the milk product to this line at the right moment for the formation of cheese up to the maturing process and finally blade sets to provide the cutting of the multi-layered cheese that is formed.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to eliminate the above mentioned problems and to achieve technical innovation in the related field.

The main purpose of the invention is to introduce an apparatus designed to be used in the methods of producing and cutting multi-layered packaged cheese.

Another object of the invention is to enable production of multi-layer cheese. Another purpose of the invention is to prevent the risk of contamination that arises during the production of multi-layered cheese.

Another purpose of the invention is to avoid the problem of sticking between the cheese layers and between the blades.

The present invention mentioned above whose purpose is to accomplish all objectives that will arise from the detailed description below is a cheese production method. The following steps, a) the maturing of the semi-finished product within the package,

b) the addition of the semi-finished product onto the first formed layer of cheese, c) the maturing of the added semi-finished product on the first layer of cheese are therefore included. Thus, the production of multi-layered cheese is made possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the semi-finished product is repeatedly added onto the formed cheese layers and after each semi-finished product addition, the semi-finished product is matured and this process may be repeated desired number of times. Thus, the production of a cheese with any desired number of layers is made possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the multi-layered cheese formed is cut at least once. Thus, it is possible to obtain multi-layered cheese. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, for the second time, the formed multi-layered cheese is cut on an axis that is different from the axis of the first cut. Thus, the means to obtain smaller pieces of cheese is provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the multi-layered cheese formed is cut for a second time at an axis that has a 90° difference in angle from the first cutting axis. Thus, the means to obtain cube shaped cheese is provided.

The present invention mentioned above whose purpose is to accomplish all objectives that will arise from the detailed description below is a cheese production and cutting apparatus. According to this, it comprises a first blade for the cutting of the cheese, a motion member providing movement for the first blade, a carrier member for the cheese to be carried into the package, a semi-finished product insert member and an incubation line. Thus, the production of multi-layered cheese is made possible.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a sensor which detects the cheese approaching the first blade. Thereby the lowering of the first blade at the right moment to cut the cheese within the package is provided. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a second blade which allows for the cheese to be cut a second time and a motion member capable of moving this second blade. Thus, the means to obtain smaller pieces of cheese is provided.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a sensor which detects the cheese approaching the second blade. Thereby the lowering of the second blade at the right moment to cut the cheese within the package is provided.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a second blade which does not extend along the same axis as the first blade. Thereby partial cheese cutting is provided. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a second blade which extends along the same axis as the first blade but at a 90°angle difference. Thereby cube shaped cheese cutting is provided.

A preferred embodiment of the invention the said incubation line comprises a primary incubation area and a secondary incubation area. The separate incubation for each layer of cheese is provided by establishing of two part maturing process.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a semi-finished product insert member located between the primary incubation are and the secondary incubation area. Therefore after the first layer of cheese is taken from the primary incubation area, the semifinished product's addition in order to form the second layer of cheese is made possible.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the said carrier member contains a primary line leading towards the first blade and a secondary line leading towards the entrance of the incubation line. The saving of space along the incubation line is thereby provided.

SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 provides a schematic view of the invention.

Figure 2 provides a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the incubation line. Figure 3 provides a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the incubation line and the carrier member.

SUMMARY OF REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE FIGURES

1 Apparatus

2. Package

10. First blade

20. Second blade

30. Motion member

40. Sensor 50. Carrier member 51. Primary line

52. Secondary line

60. Incubation line mary incubation

62. Secondary incubation area

70. Semi-finished product insert member

80. Packaging feed member

90. Package sealing member

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the invention's subject cheese production apparatus (1) and method are disclosed with examples that contain no limiting effects in order for the subject to be understood more clearly. The subject of the invention relates to an apparatus (1) designed to be used in the methods of producing and cutting multi-layered dcheese within its package (2), particularly feta cheese.

The invention is a method for the production of multi-layered cheese and the following steps: a) the maturing of the semi-finished product within the package (2),

b) the addition of the semi-finished product onto the first formed layer of cheese, c) the maturing of the added semi-finished product on the first layer of cheese are distinctively included. Aside from being non-limiting, the term package (2) mentioned in the shown process steps represents a casing in which any cheese product may be placed. This casing may be solid plastic or appropriately produced thermoform packages (2). The aforementioned semi-finished product term on the other hand, may represent any milk product whose processes are complete up to the maturing process whose aim is to obtain cheese. Along with displaying differences in regards to different types of cheese, a milk product which has reached the maturing process typically goes through process steps such as filtration, separation, ultra-filtration, homogenization, the addition of starter culture and salting. In the method of the invention's subject, firstly the semi-finished product, any milk product which has completed all processes up to the maturing process for obtaining cheese, is sent to the package (2) in a suitable amount, in which the package (2) can display changes according to capacity and shape, is sent to any environment, preferably an incubation line (60) that provides suitable conditions for maturing. After the required amount of time has passed for maturing, between 40-50 minutes for feta cheese, the semi-finished product transforms into cheese, forming the first layer in the package (2). After the aforementioned first layer is formed, semi-finished product is once again added onto the first layer. The package (2) which includes the first layer and the semi-finished product on it is sent to any environment capable of providing maturing conditions, preferably an incubation line (60), for the second layer semifinished product to mature. After the required amount of time has passed, between 40-50 minutes for feta cheese, the second layer semi-finished product forms the second cheese layer by maturing. Thus, a two layer cheese structure is formed within the package (2). As a result of semi-finished product being added onto formed cheese layers and the semi-finished product maturing after the addition of each semi-finished product, the structure with the desired amount of cheese layers is formed within the package (2).

In another alternate embodiment of the invention, cheese inside the package (2) is cut at least once following the formation of the desired amount of cheese layers within the package (2). The aforementioned cutting is preferably carried out by blades controlled by an automation system. Cheese can be obtained in smaller pieces with the cutting of the layered structure. After the aforementioned first cut, preferably, a second cutting is provided with blades which do not extend along the same axis as the first and the proportions of the cheese obtained may be reduced even more. Preferably, the blades used for the second cutting are chosen with 90° angle difference from the first blades in order to obtain suitable pieces of cube shaped cheese.

An apparatus (1) that can carry out the aforementioned method is required.

Figure 1 provides a schematic view of the invention. The apparatus of the invention's subject contains a carrier member (50) for the movement of the package (2) containing the aforementioned cheese for the duration of the process. Preferably, the aforementioned carrier member (50) is a conveyor. Since this carrier member (50) may be the only element which continues throughout the whole process, it can consist of parts split between the process steps. There exists an incubation line (60) at the start of the apparatus (1) which provides the suitable temperature and ambient levels in order to provide the maturing of the cheese. The incubation line (60) contains a semi-finished product insert member (70) in order to provide the layered cheese structure. The aforementioned semi-finished product term on the other hand, may represent any milk product whose processes are complete up to the maturing process whose aim is to obtain cheese. Finally, it contains a first blade (10) to provide the cutting of cheese within the package (2) which has reached layered form and a motion member (30) to provide for this first blade's (10) movement towards cheese within the package (2). The aforementioned motion member (30) may be selected from among any piston or similar construct. Along with the aforementioned first blade's (10) shape being non- limiting, it preferably consists of multiple blades extending parallel to each other. The subject of the invention is a multi-layer cheese production and cutting apparatus (1), distinctively containing; a first blade (1) for the cutting of the cheese, a motion member (30) providing movement for the first blade (10), a carrier member (50) for the cheese to be transported into the package (2), a semi-finished product insert member (70) and an incubation line (60). Another alternate embodiment of the invention's subject apparatus (1) contains a sensor (40) which detects the cheese approaching the first blade (10). The aforementioned sensor (40) may be any sensor (40), preferably a proximity sensor (40) which can detect that the package (2) is close to being cut. This sensor (40) can either transmit the information through an intermediary system or directly to the motion member (30), the motion member (30) then initiates the movement of the first blade (10) towards the cheese within the package (2).

Another alternate embodiment of the invention's subject apparatus (1) contains a second blade (20) which provides the cheese to be cut for a second time and a motion member (30) for moving this second blade (20). Along with providing for the layered cheese within the package (2) to be cut into even smaller pieces, the aforementioned second blade (20) is chosen on the platform that it does not modally extend along the same axis as the first blade (10), preferably having a 90° angle difference between the aforementioned blades (10, 20). Along with the aforementioned second blade's (20) shape being non-limiting, it preferably consists of multiple blades extending parallel to each other. The aforementioned motion member (30) may be selected from among any piston or similar construct. Another preferred embodiment of the invention's subject apparatus (1) contains a sensor (40) which detects the cheese approaching the second blade (20).The aforementioned sensor (40) may be any sensor (40), preferably a proximity sensor (40), which can detect that the package (2) is close to being cut. This sensor (40) transmits necessary information either through an intermediary system or directly to the motion member (30), the motion member (30) then initiates the movement of the second blade (20) towards the cheese within the package (2). Figure 2 provides a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the incubation line (60). As can be seen in Figure 2, the aforementioned incubation line (60) contains a primary incubation area (61) and a secondary incubation area (62) and the semi-finished product insert member (70) is located between these two areas (61, 62). The maturing processes are thereby separated from one another. The number of aforementioned incubation areas (61, 62) and semi-finished product insert member (70) located between these areas (61, 62) may be increased according to the desired number of cheese layers formed within the package (2). Furthermore, the previously mentioned carrier member (50) passes through these incubation areas (61, 62). The aforementioned incubation areas (61, 62) formulate the environment levels appropriate for the semi-finished product to transform into cheese.

Figure 3 provides a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the incubation line (60) and the carrier member (50). In this embodiment, the aforementioned carrier member (50) contains a primary line (51) leading towards the first blade (10) and a secondary line (52) leading towards the entrance of the incubation line (60). A semi-finished product insert member (70) is present at the entrance of the incubation line (60) and the package (2) that enters the incubation line (60) is filled with semi-finished product. Thanks to the embodiment in Figure 3, the production of any desired amount of cheese within the package (2) is made possible with one incubation line (60) and substantial savings are made in the production field.

In the embodiment in Figure 3, the package (2) is moved towards the incubation line (60) by the carrier member (50) and before entrance is provided into the aforementioned line (60) semi-finished product is added to the package (2) by the semi-finished product insert member (70), the aforementioned package (2) enters the incubation line (60), and until the required amount of time necessary has passed for the first layer of cheese to form it moves along the line (60). After the aforementioned package (2) leaves the incubation line (60), it is moved once again to the entrance of the incubation line (60) by the secondary line (52). Herein, anti- adhesive is added onto the first layer matured by the anti-adhesive insert member following which the second layer of semi-finished product is added to the package (2) by the semi- finished product insert member (70) and the package (2) is reintroduced into the incubation line (60). After the aforementioned processes have been repeated in the desired amount, the package (2) at the exit of the incubation line (60) is routed towards the first blade (10) by the primary line. The protection scope of the invention is indicated in the attached claims and in no way is it limited to the examples of this detailed description. It is then clear that a person skilled in the art could, without straying from the main theme of the invention, could introduce similar embodiments in light of those mentioned above.