Curd Cutting Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for cutting cheese curd mass in a curd vat. The apparatus comprises a first cutting frame that cuts the cheese curd in a first direction along one plane of the curd vat. The first cutting frame comprising one or more cutting wires extending in one or more directions. The apparatus further comprises a second cutting frame comprising one or more cutting wires extending in one or more directions. The second cutting frame operates in a second direction, wherein the second cutting operation removes the apparatus from the curd vat

1 . An apparatus for cutting a cheese curd mass within a vat, the apparatus comprising:
 a first knife disposed within the apparatus and rotatable about an axis;   a second knife disposed at a base of the apparatus and perpendicular to the first knife; and   a drive shaft disposed on the apparatus to rotate the first knife about the axis and to remove the apparatus from the vat along the axis.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , that fits within the vat, the first knife comprising a rectangular surface, the second knife comprising a circular surface conforming to a bottom surface of the vat, the vat comprising a cylindrical container with a flat bottom surface. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first knife includes at least a wire disposed within the first knife, the wire oriented perpendicular to a rotational axis, the wire disposed to cut the cheese curd mass when the first knife is rotated along the rotational axis. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second knife includes a grid of wires oriented perpendicular to each other and disposed within the second knife, the wires disposed to cut the cheese curd mass responsive to removal of the apparatus from the vat. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the grid of wires forms at least one square. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a vertical frame for housing and supporting the first knife, the vertical frame including at least one hinge to permit the frame to collapse to a flat surface; and   a cutting frame housing the second knife, the cutting frame detachable from the vertical frame.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for cutting a cheese curd mass within a vat, the apparatus comprising:
 a first knife disposed within the apparatus along a horizontal surface within the vat;   a second knife disposed at a base of the apparatus and perpendicular to the first knife; and   a drive shaft disposed on the apparatus to move the first knife along the horizontal surface and to remove the apparatus from the vat along a vertical surface.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , that fits within the vat, the first knife comprising a rectangular surface conforming to a height and a depth of the vat, the second knife comprising a rectangular surface conforming to a length and the depth of the vat, the vat comprising a cuboid container with an opening along a surface. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first knife includes at least a wire disposed within the first knife and oriented parallel to a surface of the vat, the wire disposed to cut the cheese curd mass responsive to an operation of the first knife. 
     
     
         10 . The curd cutting apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second knife includes a grid of wires oriented perpendicular to each other and disposed within the second knife, the wires disposed to cut the cheese curd mass responsive to removal of the apparatus from the vat. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the grid of wires forms at least one square. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a vertical frame for housing and supporting the first knife, the vertical frame including at least one hinge to permit the frame to collapse to a flat surface; and   a cutting frame housing the second knife, the cutting frame detachable from the vertical frame.