AU2004283762A1 - An improved active wine barrel - Google Patents

Description

WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 An improved active wine barrel BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is to be understood that although the present invention refers specifically to the treatment of wine inside a barrel and the cleaning of the barrel itself, any 5 operation involving the use of ultrasonics within the barrel is achievable and the present invention is therefore not intended to be limited to only these operations. Insofar as contamination of the wine is concerned, the wine itself and the interior surface of wine barrels harbour various types of yeast and bacteria that are known to contaminate wine. Such contamination costs the wine industry vast 10 amounts of money each year in that the appearance of the wine is adversely affected and perhaps more importantly, wine stability is not achieved. Stability allows wine to age gracefully within a bottle without developing the problems caused by excess amounts of yeast or bacteria. The range of bacteria that is capable of operating in the pH range of wine include: 15 Acetobacter - an unwanted bacteria which turns wine into vinegar; Brettanomyces - when present in large concentrations is an unwanted yeast which can only be filtered out prior to it becoming active; Lactobacillus - another unwanted bacteria which ferments glucose sugar into lactose thereby causing undesirable aromas; and 20 Pediococcus - a further undesirable bacteria which produces lactic acid from metabolising malic acid. In order to overcome the problems presented by the abovementioned bacteria and other associated contaminants, various solutions have been proposed. It is well known that cooling the grape juices subsequent to pressing inhibits 25 oxidation, yeast and enzyme activity. A further known solution is the fining and filtration of the wine. Fining involves the addition of a fining agent such as gelatin or egg whites to the wine which serves to clarify and stabilise it. Stabilisation occurs as the tiny yeast cell and bacteria particles cling to the agent and settle to the bottom of the tank. Filtration which is normally carried out prior to fermentation and as a final 30 step in ageing, involves pumping wine through a filter medium under pressure, a WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 2 process which removes suspended particles such as tartrates which build up on the interior surface of the barrel, and residual yeast and bacteria. Decontamination of wine is also improved by other methods such as extensive barrel ageing and inoculation of cultures. 5 Known methods of cleaning the interior surface of wine barrels, and particularly tartrates from barrel walls include shaving the inner surface of the barrel which severely limits the lifespan of the barrel, and also the use of high-pressure water or steam. In the latter remedy, a high-pressure water or steam lance is typically inserted through the bunghole and is manually manipulated or rotated to spray jets of 10 water or steam over the internal surface of the barrel. This loosens the wine residue, tartrates and the like which can then be removed. Although somewhat effective, the abovementioned procedures either involve the introduction of foreign compounds into the wine or methods that involve manipulation of the wine barrel in order for the interior of the barrel to be accessed. 15 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wine barrel that overcomes at least some of the aforementioned problems or provides the public with a useful alternative. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an active wine barrel capable of performing various operations on wine stored therein as well as barrel 20 self-maintenance operations. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an active wine barrel for the decontamination of wine and cleaning of the interior surface of the wine barrel using ultrasonic cavitation. The present invention therefore relates to a wine barrel having associated 25 therewith at least one ultrasonic transducer for performing various operations within the barrel including decontamination of wine and barrel cleaning. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a wine barrel having an internal surface partially defined by at least one ultrasonic transducer, wherein the 30 ultrasonic transducer is an integral part of said wine barrel.

WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 3 Preferably, said ultrasonic transducer adapted to produce an acoustic field within said barrel. The barrel contains wine or other liquid such as a cleaning liquid and upon producing an acoustic field, ultrasonic cavitation occurs within the liquid. This has a 5 number of effects and may be used in a number of circumstances, but is primarily used for the treatment of wine stored within the barrel and for cleaning of the internal surface of the barrel. Other operations associated with the use of ultrasonics may well be achieved. Preferably, the intensity of said acoustic field can be adjusted. 10 Preferably, said barrel is filled with a wine whereby said acoustic field causes ultrasonic cavitation throughout said wine to thereby treat and decontaminate said wine. In preference, said barrel is filled with a cleaning liquid whereby said acoustic field causes ultrasonic cavitation throughout said cleaning liquid to thereby clean an 15 interior surface of said barrel. Preferably, said cleaning liquid is water. Preferably, said ultrasonic transducer is constructed of stainless steel. Preferably, said barrel includes at least a portion of oak in contact with a liquid stored therein. The oak is adapted to impart an oak flavour into wine. 20 Preferably, said barrel is fully constructed of stainless steel. In a further form of the invention there is proposed an improved active wine barrel whereby said barrel is substantially cylindrical and includes a plurality of longitudinally and horizontally extending staves, each stave radially disposed about two opposed and spaced apart vertical ends, said barrel having associated therewith 25 at least one ultrasonic transducer. Preferably, said ultrasonic transducer is located at an internal surface of at least one end of said barrel. Preferably, said ultrasonic transducer is located and housed within at least a portion of at least one end of said barrel.

WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 4 Preferably, at least one of said ends is an ultrasonic transducer. Preferably, at least one longitudinal stave of said barrel is an ultrasonic transducer. Preferably, at least one of said ends has associated therewith a plurality of 5 end staves. Preferably, at least one end stave of said ends is an ultrasonic transducer. Preferably said ultrasonic transducer is powered via an electrical wire connection. Preferably, said ultrasonic transducer includes a microwave receiver adapted 10 to receive microwaves from a microwave transmitter to thereby provide power to said ultrasonic transducer. Preferably, said barrel further has associated therewith at least one ultrasonic activity sensor adapted to indicate an amount of ultrasonic activity occurring within said barrel. 15 Preferably, said ultrasonic activity sensor is a MEMS sensor or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. 20 In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wine barrel including a stainless steel ultrasonic transducer at its end in accordance with a first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a wine barrel including a stainless steel 25 ultrasonic transducer in replacement of a longitudinal stave of the barrel in accordance with a second aspect of the invention; WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 5 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a wine barrel including opposing ends having a stainless steel stave each being ultrasonic transducers in accordance with a third aspect of the invention; Figure 4a is a perspective view of a wine barrel including an ultrasonic 5 transducer located on the internal surface of opposing ends of the barrel in accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention; Figure 4b is a cross-sectional view of the wine barrel of Figure 4a; Figure 5a is a perspective view of a wine barrel including an ultrasonic transducer integrally formed with opposing ends of the barrel in 10 accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention whereby each transducer is powered via an external power source; Figure 5b is a cross-sectional view of the wine barrel of Figure 5b; and Figure 6 is a front plan view of four rows of vertically stacked barrels of the type illustrated in Figure 1 whereby each barrel is in serial connection with 15 an external ultrasonic generator in accordance with a final aspect of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other 20 embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. The present invention relates to an active wine barrel 10 capable of its well 25 known purpose of simply storing wine but also having associated with it at least one ultrasonic transducer for performing various other operations in-situ. These operations may include the decontamination of the wine stored therein or the ultrasonic cleaning of the internal surface of the barrel after each use. Therefore, multiple operations which are required to be performed on wine and wine barrels, 30 most of which are typically performed manually, can each be performed using the barrel itself without any manual input.

WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 6 As per the title of the present invention, the barrel is 'active' in being capable of performing operations throughout various stages of the wine making process and also in its own maintenance. The present invention therefore provides the potential for wineries to become fully automated in the operations carried out on wine and 5 wine barrels to thereby make considerable savings on labour and other costs. Furthermore, the barrel of the present invention in its preferable form includes traditional oak staves which impart an oak flavour in the wine which is a highly desirable characteristic of wine. Further still, it is envisaged that the lifespan of the barrel will outlast that of traditional barrels. 10 As previously mentioned, the barrel operations should not be limited to treatment of wine or cleaning of the barrel after each use but should include any other operations involving the use of ultrasonics. The treatment of wine and the cleaning of wine barrels using the phenomenon known as ultrasonic cavitation involves the use of very intense sound at 15 high frequency which is transmitted through a liquid, therein creating strong chemical and physical reactions through the formation of millions of microscopic cavities. Surrounding liquid then fills these cavities with such force, that they collapse and release shock waves. When applied to a wine barrel, it is these shock waves that provide the necessary decontamination and cleaning actions. 20 Illustrated in Figure 1 is a first aspect of the present invention. A wine barrel 10 is illustrated including a plurality of longitudinal oak staves 12 which are radially disposed about circular and spaced apart barrel ends 14 and 16. The longitudinal staves 12 are fixed in position by annular metal rings 18. Barrel end 14 also comprises a number of oak staves (not shown) while end 16 is a circular-shaped 25 ultrasonic transducer which receives ultrasonic signals through wire 20. Preferably the transducer 16 is constructed of stainless steel. A generator (not shown) produces an ultrasonic signal that is sent to the transducer 16 through wire 20 and emitted by the transducer 16 into the barrel 10 for performing a number of different operations. It is to be understood that both of the opposing ends 14 and 16 may well be ultrasonic 30 transducers, should this be the requirement. As the reader will appreciate the internal surface of the wine barrel 10 is partially defined by ultrasonic transducer 16, wherein the ultrasonic transducer 16 is an integral part of the wine barrel 10.

WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 7 It is to be further understood that any or all of the barrels 10 mentioned herein may be fully constructed of stainless steel and the oak staves are used solely to impart an oak flavour in the wine. For example, many stainless steel wine barrels exist that include means to house oak staves within the barrel itself and the present 5 invention is not intended to be limited to any one of these configurations. Two of the many operations which are capable of being achieved through the use of ultrasonics are decontamination of wine stored within the barrel 10 and internal barrel surface cleaning upon emptying of the barrel 10. The cleaning of the barrels 10 is typically carried out using other liquid, such as water, once the wine has 10 matured. In this way the barrel 10 can be cleaned between uses thereby preventing cross contamination of the wine stored in the barrel 10. The phenomenon known as ultrasonic cavitation has already been described. During the decontamination process, the action of microscopic cavities collapsing and releasing shock waves destroys the yeast and bacteria cells which cause unfavourable effects in wine. The 15 barrel cleaning process is slightly different in that after the wine has been emptied from the barrel, it is filled with a cleaning liquid such as water and the resultant shockwaves caused by ultrasonic cavitation loosen the wine residue, tartrates and the like which have built up as a result of the vinification process on the internal surface of the barrel and particularly in the recesses between each stave. 20 Since ultrasonic cavitation is a process which occurs on a microscopic level, it is known to be a far more effective wine treatment and cleaning tool in comparison to known methods such as the addition of fining agents to wine and the spraying of internal surfaces with high pressure steam. Figure 2 illustrates a second aspect of the invention, that is, a wine barrel 10 25 once again including a plurality of longitudinal oak staves 12 whereby one of the longitudinal staves is replaced with a correspondingly shaped ultrasonic transducer 22 receiving ultrasonic signals through a wire 24. It is once again preferable that transducer stave 22 be constructed of stainless steel and an ultrasonic signal is provided by a generator (not shown). An ultrasonic signal is therefore emitted into the 30 barrel 10 to perform the same range of operations as mentioned above. The use of ultrasonic activity sensors 26 located along the internal surface of one of the staves 12 and barrel end 28 is also illustrated. These sensors 26 are capable of providing an output as to the ultrasonic activity within the barrel 10, WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 8 measuring parameters such as pressure change, temperature and the like. Commonly used sensors in the field of ultrasonics are well known MEMS sensors. Although the sensors 26 are illustrated in Figure 2 as part of the second aspect of the invention, it is to be understood that any or all of the active wine barrels 5 10 mentioned herein may well involve the use of such sensors 26. It is envisaged that feedback from the sensors may well be used in controlling the transducer signal input so that the ultrasonic effect within the barrels may be fine-tuned to correspond with the specific requirements of the operation. Referring now to Figure 3 and a third aspect of the invention whereby staves 10 30 and 32 located at opposing ends 34 and 36 of the barrel 10 are each ultrasonic transducers. Transducer staves 30 and 32 are each in connection with a generator (not shown) through wires 38 and 40 respectively and each are adapted to emit an ultrasonic signal within the barrel 10 to thereby perform the various operations required in such barrels such as decontamination and cleaning. 15 A fourth aspect of the invention is illustrated in Figures 4a-4b. In this case, ultrasonic transducers 42 and 44 do not form part of the barrel body itself but are rather located at opposing internal surfaces 46 and 48 of barrel ends 50 and 52 respectively. Wires 54 and 56 are once again used to transmit ultrasonic signals from a generator to their respective transducers 42 and 44. This is achieved using a 20 washer 58 and 60 which is firstly adapted to prevent the electric wires 54 and 56 from contacting the liquid (not shown) contained within the barrel 10, and secondly, to provide an air-tight seal so that liquid from within the barrel cannot escape. The ultrasonic transducers 42 and 44 may be held in place within the barrel 10 by any suitable liquid-proof fastening means or other mechanical fastening means which 25 does not affect the quality of the wine. Alternatively, ultrasonic transducers 62 and 64 may be housed within the ends 66 and 68 of the barrel 10 itself and this is shown in Figures 5a-5b. The staves of barrel ends 66 and 68 are cut into a shape that allows in this case square-shaped ultrasonic transducers 62 and 64 to be respectively housed therein. As can be more 30 clearly seen in Figure 5b, the transducers 62 and 64 may well include a keyed section 70 and 72 at their edges to form an adequate seal within the wooden staves to do away with the need for a washer.

WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 9 This aspect of the invention further includes an alternate source for powering the ultrasonic transducers 62 and 64. This alternate power source is in the form of a microwave transmitter (not shown) which transmits microwaves 74 toward the barrel 10 whereby microwave receivers 76 and 78 extending outwardly from the barrel ends 5 66 and 68 respectively, receives the microwaves 74 to thereby power an ultrasonic signal generator (not shown) in connection with the transducers 62 and 64. This aspect of the invention allows for the various operations within a wine barrel to be undertaken without the use of wires. This is especially advantageous in modern wineries where efficiency and safety are of prime importance. Furthermore, barrels 10 are commonly stacked in rows of 4-5. One can imagine the benefits of having a central microwave transmitter powering all barrel transducers in a stack or a plurality of stacks without the need for persons to climb to sometimes dangerous heights to access individual barrels. It is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the use 15 of a microwave transmitter/receivers as a source of power but any other external power sources which will adequately power the transducer in a similar manner. Furthermore, all barrels disclosed in the present invention may well include such a power source. Figure 6 illustrates a final aspect of the invention, more specifically, four 20 vertical rows of barrel-stacking racks 80 housing two barrels 10 each. The illustrated barrels each have ultrasonic transducer ends 82 with attached signal generators (not shown) adapted to send an ultrasonic signal to the transducers 82. The generator of each barrel is powered via a wire 84 which extends to an opening 86 located at approximately midpoint of a hollow leg of the racks 80. The wire 84 is split at the 25 opening 86 and travels both up and down the hollow leg of the rack 80 until it ends at an upper and lower electrical socket 88 and 90. The upper sockets 88 are male sockets while the lower sockets 90 are female sockets such that when the racks engage, power is supplied to the wire 84 associated with each engaged rack 80 and therefore to each barrel 10. The lowermost rack includes a lower opening through 30 which the wire passes in order to be connected at a primary socket 92 to an adequate power source (not shown). Each barrel 10 may well include an identification chip (not shown) such that one may selectively control which barrel is operated at any one time. For example, if WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 10 one barrel contains wine which requires treatment and a barrel located directly beneath contains a cleaning liquid and requires cleaning, these two operations may well be achieved simultaneously from a central control terminal. As earlier mentioned, the use of sensors within the barrels may also aid this process in that 5 there is a source of quality feedback. It is to be understood that any barrel disclosed herein may well be used in this manner. Those skilled in the art would now realise the benefits in using the barrel 10 of the present invention. It is foreseeable that should a winery replace their conventional wine barrels with any of those disclosed in the present invention, a much more cost 10 effective and streamlined system of wine production and barrel maintenance will eventuate. The operations of wine treatment and barrel cleaning described herein are but a few operations which may be achieved through the use of ultrasonics. Furthermore, in the case of staves being replaced by ultrasonic transducers, it is apparent the ease at which the apparatus associated with the present invention can 15 be introduced into existing wine barrels and wine barrel systems. Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the 20 scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. In the summary of the invention and in the claims, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word 25 "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (26)

1. A wine barrel having an internal surface partially defined by at least one ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is an integral part of said wine barrel. 5

2. A wine barrel as in claim 1 wherein said ultrasonic transducer adapted to produce an acoustic field within said barrel.

3. A wine barrel as in claim 1 wherein the intensity of said acoustic field can be adjusted.

4. A wine barrel as in claim 1 wherein said barrel is filled with a wine, 10 whereby said acoustic field causes ultrasonic cavitation throughout said wine to thereby treat and decontaminate said wine.

5. A wine barrel as in claim I wherein said barrel is filled with a cleaning liquid whereby said acoustic field causes ultrasonic cavitation throughout said cleaning liquid to thereby clean an interior surface of said barrel. 15

6. A wine barrel as in claim 5 wherein said cleaning liquid is water.

7. A wine barrel as in claim 1 wherein said ultrasonic transducer is constructed of stainless steel.

8. A wine barrel as in claim 1 wherein said barrel includes at least a portion of oak in contact with a liquid stored therein. 20

9. A wine barrel as in claim 1 wherein said barrel is fully constructed of stainless steel.

10. A wine barrel whereby said barrel is substantially cylindrical and includes a plurality of longitudinally and horizontally extending staves, each stave radially disposed about two opposed and spaced apart vertical ends, said 25 barrel having associated therewith at least one ultrasonic transducer.

11. A wine barrel as in claim 10 wherein said ultrasonic transducer is located at an internal surface of at least one end of said barrel. WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 12

12. A wine barrel as in claim 10 wherein said ultrasonic transducer is located and housed within at least a portion of at least one end of said barrel.

13. A wine barrel as in claim 10 wherein at least one of said ends is an ultrasonic transducer. 5

14. A wine barrel as in claim 10 wherein at least one longitudinal stave of said barrel is an ultrasonic transducer.

15. A wine barrel as in claim 10 wherein at least one of said ends has associated therewith a plurality of end staves.

16. A wine barrel as in claim 10 wherein at least one end stave of said ends is 10 an ultrasonic transducer.

17. A wine barrel as in any one of the above claims wherein said ultrasonic transducer is powered via an electrical wire connection.

18. A wine barrel as in any one of the above claims wherein said ultrasonic transducer includes a microwave receiver adapted to receive microwaves 15 from a microwave transmitter to thereby provide power to said ultrasonic transducer.

19. A wine barrel as in any one of the above claims wherein said barrel further has associated therewith at least one ultrasonic activity sensor adapted to indicate an amount of ultrasonic activity occurring within said barrel.

20 20. A wine barrel as in claim 19 wherein said ultrasonic activity sensor is a MEMS sensor or the like.

21. A wine barrel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 1.

22. A wine barrel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to 25 figure 2.

23. A wine barrel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 3. WO 2005/039789 PCT/AU2004/001449 13

24. A wine barrel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 4a and 4b.

25. A wine barrel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 5a and 5b. 5

26. A wine barrel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 6.