Method of predicting cut-time of milk coagulum in cheese-making process
US5172193A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 1990 |
| Grant date | Dec 15, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/084
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for predicting milk coagulum cut-time in a cheese making process includes a light source, a sensor or detector for sensing diffuse reflectance of light from said milk and a controller for analyzing the diffuse reflectance and accurately predicting the cut-time to significantly enhance overall yield. More specifically, the apparatus includes an optical probe which may be suspended over the milk or attached to a wall of a fermentation vessel in which the milk is contained. A method for predicting milk coagulum cut-time includes the steps of (a) directing light from a light source toward milk undergoing enzymatic hydrolysis; (b) sensing diffuse reflectance of that light from the milk; (c) analyzing the sensed diffuse reflectance profile and (d) signaling the cut-time. The sensing occurs at between 400 to 6000 nm. Specific mathematical formulae for the analyzing steps are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.