EP0456543B1 - Composite container for the aging of wine - Google Patents

Composite container for the aging of wine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0456543B1
EP0456543B1 EP91401089A EP91401089A EP0456543B1 EP 0456543 B1 EP0456543 B1 EP 0456543B1 EP 91401089 A EP91401089 A EP 91401089A EP 91401089 A EP91401089 A EP 91401089A EP 0456543 B1 EP0456543 B1 EP 0456543B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wine
composite container
annular
container according
flange
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EP91401089A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0456543A3 (en
EP0456543A2 (en
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Bernard J. Pradel
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D45/00—Clamping or other pressure-applying devices for securing or retaining closure members
    • B65D45/32—Clamping or other pressure-applying devices for securing or retaining closure members for applying radial or radial and axial pressure, e.g. contractible bands encircling closure member

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a durable storage container or container used for aging wine.
  • This invention relates more particularly to a composite wine container made from a metal drum and provided with wooden end covers and in which the aging of the wine is effective and capable of being controlled.
  • US-A-4,813,565 (GB-A-2,183,593).
  • This patent describes a wine barrel comprising a circular metallic base part and a circular metallic lid, as well as a plurality of wooden staves extending in the axial direction between the latter. Clamping bands retain the staves in a circumferential configuration and tension pinching bands extending longitudinally along the outside of the wine barrel place the staves in compression and hold in place the metal base part and the lids 'end. Because only the base and end covers are made of relatively inexpensive material, the overall cost of the wine container according to this patent is not significantly reduced due to the excessive use of wooden staves.
  • One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a durable wine container or container for aging wine, in which the desirable sensory properties of quality wines can be controlled and reproduced.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a container for aging wine which can be sealed and which does not allow the entry of contaminants such as bacteria or excessive humidity, over long periods of use.
  • the aim is to propose a wine storage container which is made from inexpensive components which are easy to use, assemble and disassemble and economical to maintain and which can be designed in a practical way according to the properties required for the aging of the wine.
  • the present invention provides a composite container for aging wine comprising a metal drum provided with circular wooden end covers.
  • the metal drum provided with two heads completely open at its two ends has an annular flange at each end which receives a seal and a wooden cover for closing the drum.
  • a locking ring provided with an adjustment mechanism comes into contact with the outer periphery of the cover and the flange to ensure a removable fluid-tight seal.
  • the sealed container according to the present invention avoids any undesirable oxidation harmful to the color, taste, composition and quality of the wine.
  • the composite wine container according to the present invention resides in the fact that it is essentially made of thin metal and relatively inexpensive, so as to significantly reduce costs and save supplies always more reduced wood available.
  • the wooden end covers of the containers according to the invention are also sufficient to assign controlled quantities of bouquet to the wine with a controllable oxidation rate.
  • the composite wine container or container according to the present invention indicated generally by the reference 10 in FIG. 1, is shown comprising a metal drum completely open at its two ends 12 and provided with two annular flanges 14 at its two ends to receive seals 16, and circular wooden end covers 18 (the assembled end not being shown), as well as two locking rings 20, each being provided with an adjustable mechanism. While the container 10 has been shown in a vertical position, it is normally placed on the side during the aging of the wine.
  • the metal drum 12 can be made of a resistant and stainless metal of small thickness such as stainless steel and can have the same size as the barrels, barrels or oak barrels standard industrial for wine, of about 205 liters capacity .
  • the drum 12 has a cylindrical configuration provided with a rim or an annular flange 14 which projects outwards from the cylindrical drum at its two ends.
  • a central filling opening 13 is provided on the side of the drum 12 and can receive a plug or a bung-type cover (not shown) in order to allow periodic additions of wine to compensate for the losses in volume of the wine as a result of the concentration. , sampling and the like that occurs during the aging process.
  • the stopper or the cover can be inserted into the filling opening 13 in order to ensure removable sealing and also for sampling aged wine and to allow the evacuation of the oxidation gases.
  • the seal or the lining 16, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is disposed between the annular flange 14 and the inner edge of the wooden end cover 18.
  • the seal 16 has a general L-shaped configuration, in cross section, consisting of a part annular 32 and in an extension jacket 33.
  • the annular part or ring 32 of the lining 16 is dimensioned to correspond substantially to the width and the circumference of the flange 14.
  • the extension jacket 33 extends substantially at right angles from of the ring 32 to come into peripheral contact with the inner wall surface of the drum 12, on a limited part thereof.
  • the ring 32 and the jacket 33 which depend thereon each have a substantially uniform thickness to achieve a sealing zone as will be described in more detail below.
  • the lining 16 may comprise only a ring 32 to form a continuous annular lining ending on the flange 14 in order to produce a fluid-tight seal.
  • the lining 16 can be made of a flexible extensible material which is not liable to be attacked by solvents, such as for example polyurethane or silicone elastomers.
  • a suitable elastomer consists of silicone rubber, the formula of which is approved by the supervisory authorities, in particular by the American FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for use in the manufacture of wine, such as methylvinylpolysiloxane. Adequate elastomers must be stable over a wide temperature range, resistant to oxidation and easy to mold to make a continuous ring.
  • each circular wooden end cover 18 has a lip or a shoulder portion 36 and a hub portion or central portion 39 which has shapes complementary to each open end of the drum 12 and which ensures, in combination with the lining 16, a sealed contact with the drum 12.
  • the end covers 18 are preferably made of oak, so that their inner surface is continuously exposed to wine 15 content inside to give the desired bouquet to quality wines. In order to prevent the lids 18 from drying out in the areas where they have lost contact with the wine 15, it is common practice to periodically add a little more wine to completely fill the container during aging some wine.
  • the parameters of the oxidation reaction are producing during aging of the wine are easier to control. It is known that the parameters of the oxidation reaction are determined as a function of the surface of the wood: it is a relation between the interior volume of the wine containers and their interior surface. Because the size and characteristics of the wooden end covers 18 can be kept relatively constant, reproducibility from batch to batch can more easily be obtained. In order to reduce the time necessary for the aging of the wine and to accelerate the oxidation reaction times, it is possible to use with the container of the present invention a pre-assembled wooden insert of any size and configuration suitable for man art. A typical example of such a wooden insert for increasing the interior surface of a wine container is described in US-A-4,558,639.
  • each cover 18 extends over the top of the lining 16 which is disposed on each flange 14 of the drum 12.
  • the hub or central part 39 of the cover is received in each end opening of the drum 12 and comes into contact with the sleeve 33 of the lining 16.
  • a metal locking ring 20 is provided for firmly securing the cover 18 and its seal 16 on the open end of the drum 12.
  • This ring 20 comprises an adjustable mechanism comprising a bolt 40 passing through lateral projections 42 and 44 for tightening the locking ring 20 and compressing it on the cover 18.
  • the lateral projections 42 and 44 can be suitably fixed to the locking ring 20 by solder or the like.
  • the locking ring 20 has an additional inner annular strip 54 secured to an inclined flange or lip 50 and an inner lip 52 provided with an annular extension flange 56 which extends towards the bottom of the drawing from the lower annular locking lip 52.
  • the annular band 54 generally perpendicular to the flange 14, connects the inclined outer edge 50 and the inner lip 52 in a single open elastic ring generally formed by cold stamping.
  • the inclined edge 50 comes into contact with a complementary inclined outer edge 38 of the cover 18 and the annular locking lip 52 comes into contact with the flange 14 of the drum 12.
  • the annular extension flange 56 comes into contact with the outer wall surface of the drum to produce a sealed annular zone.
  • FIG. 3 represents another embodiment of the closing of the open bottom of the drum 12, the elements identical or similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 bearing the same reference indices.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 3 differs mainly from that of Figure 2 in that the cover 18 is mounted so that it can be turned over after a certain time of use with one side in contact with the wine, the other side previously located at the the exterior then in turn comes into contact with the wine while the side "tanned" by the wine is placed on the exterior.
  • the annular strip 54 placed inside the ring 20 has, according to the embodiment of Figure 3, a section substantially symmetrical with respect to a median axis 61.
  • the cover 18 which may include internal projections (not shown in the figure) such that the hub 39 of Figure 2, in order to increase the surface in contact with the wine, is provided at its periphery 36 with two bevelled faces 38 and 57, in principle substantially symmetrical with respect to the median transverse plane 58 of the cover.
  • the face 38 comes into contact with the inner face of the inclined rim 50 of the strip 54 while the face 57 is in contact with a first compressible seal in strip 59.
  • the strip 54 has a second inclined rim 60 substantially symmetrical by relative to the axis or median plane 61 of the annular band 54 and the locking ring 20.
  • the inclined flanges 50 and 60 are provided at their inner end with a raised extension flange 50a and 60a fulfilling only a function of stiffening, unlike the flange 56 which also performs a radial tightening function.
  • the annular flange 14 of the metal drum 12 has a flared shape which is easier to obtain in a noble metal which is difficult to use such as stainless steel or titanium.
  • the flange 14 is surrounded, on its two faces, by a strip seal 62 folded in sandwich on the outer edge of the flange 14.
  • the flange 14 thus equipped with the seal 62 on its two faces is received between the seal in compressible strip 59 and the second inclined rim 60.
  • the radial tightening of the ring 20 maintains the cover 18 in position while crushing in the direction of the thickness the two sandwich layers of the strip seal 62 and the seal compressible in strip 59.
  • This latter seal 59 highly compressible in thickness can be eliminated when the periphery 36 of the cover 18 has a very constant shape from one cover to the other and which varies little over time after prolonged exposure in contact with wine, on one side of the cover.
  • the wine aging container according to the present invention can be easily assembled and disassembled, so that the wooden end covers can be quickly removed, to bring fresh oak into contact with the wine in order to continue to give the wine the desired bouquet and allow faster aging of the wine.
  • the composite container according to the present invention is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture, which results in a significant saving in time and in costs of manufacturing and preparing wine.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Distillation Of Fermentation Liquor, Processing Of Alcohols, Vinegar And Beer (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
  • Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
  • Cookers (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)

Abstract

Container for ageing wines comprises a cylindrical metal drum (12) with flanged open heads at ends which are sealed by circular oak end covers (18), ring gaskets (16) and adjustable clamping rings (20). The ring gaskets can be made of polyurethane or silicone elastomers.

Description

La présente invention se rapporte d'une façon générale à un conteneur ou récipient de stockage durable utilisé pour le vieillissement du vin. Cette invention se rapporte plus particulièrement à un conteneur composite à vin réalisé à partir d'un tambour métallique et muni de couvercles d'extrémité en bois et dans lequel le vieillissement du vin est effectif et susceptible d'être contrôlé.The present invention relates generally to a durable storage container or container used for aging wine. This invention relates more particularly to a composite wine container made from a metal drum and provided with wooden end covers and in which the aging of the wine is effective and capable of being controlled.

La plupart des vins de qualité sont vieillis dans des tonneaux ou fûts en chêne, dans lesquels les caractéristiques de saveur souhaitables du vin telles que le bouquet, la couleur et le parfum, sont largement obtenues à partir de l'oxydation et des réactions d'extraction qui se produisent pendant le vieillissement du vin. Pour obtenir des résultats reproductibles en utilisant des tonneaux à vin traditionnels, il est essentiel de contrôler les paramètres de l'oxydation et des réactions d'extraction qui se produisent au cours de la période de vieillissement. Une oxydation intempestive est nocive à la qualité du vin et il est bien connu de rendre minimal le taux de cette oxydation pendant la préparation et le vieillissement des vins de qualité en protégeant ces vins d'une exposition excessive à l'air. Cependant, du fait de la pénétration de l'air dans le bois par diffusion et de la perte périodique de vin par suite de fuites, de l'échantillonnage et similaires, tous les efforts précédents pour contrôler le taux d'oxydation dans des récipients en bois perméables se sont rêvélés être commercialement inefficaces et onéreux.Most quality wines are aged in barrels or oak barrels, in which the desirable flavor characteristics of the wine such as bouquet, color and fragrance, are largely obtained from oxidation and extraction that occur during aging of the wine. To obtain reproducible results using traditional wine barrels, it is essential to control the parameters of the oxidation and extraction reactions that occur during the aging period. An untimely oxidation is harmful to the quality of the wine and it is well known to minimize the rate of this oxidation during the preparation and aging of quality wines by protecting these wines from excessive exposure to air. However, due to the penetration of air into the wood by diffusion and the periodic loss of wine due to leaks, sampling and the like, all previous efforts to control the rate of oxidation in Permeable woods have been shown to be commercially ineffective and expensive.

La plupart des vins rouges de prix et certains vins blancs de grande qualité doivent être vieillis lentement, généralement sur une période de 1 à 2 ans, en fonction des quantités acceptables du parfum et du bouquet de tanin qui est apporté au vin à traiter par les phénoliques du bois. Cependant, par suite de l'usage continu de fûts de vin en bois sur de longues périodes, les surfaces intérieures sont contaminées par des résidus de vin et ce qui est le plus recherché dans la saveur du bois devient de moins en moins disponible. De plus, les tonneaux de vin en chêne, qui sont réutilisés de trois à six fois chacun, donnent un bouquet de vieillissement variable au vin, en fonction de l'âge du tonneau, en rendant difficile la reproductibilité d'un lot à un autre. De toute façon, les tonneaux en chêne perdent habituellement leur goût et leur bouquet après environ cinq ans et la plupart des installations de vinification mettent au rebut ces tonneaux peu de temps après cette période d'utilisation.Most expensive red wines and some high-quality white wines should be aged slowly, usually over a period of 1 to 2 years, depending on acceptable quantities of the perfume and the bouquet of tannin which is brought to the wine to be treated by the phenolics of the wood. However, as a result of the continuous use of wooden wine barrels over long periods, the interior surfaces are contaminated with wine residues and what is most sought after in the flavor of the wood becomes less and less available. In addition, oak wine barrels, which are reused three to six times each, give a variable aging bouquet to the wine, depending on the age of the barrel, making it difficult to reproduce from one batch to another. . Either way, oak barrels usually lose their flavor and bouquet after about five years, and most winemaking facilities discard these barrels soon after this period of use.

Les tonneaux à vin classiques, lorsqu'ils ne sont pas utilisés sont également sujets à l'attaque de certains types de bactéries ou de champignons et doivent être traités fréquemment avec des produits chimiques adéquats pour éviter toute contamination sérieuse. Bien que ces traitements chimiques augmentent la vie des tonneaux en bois, il sont fastidieux et constituent une opération onéreuse et il peuvent même dégrader le goût du vin si tous les résidus chimiques ne sont pas soigneusement enlevés. En conséquence, il devient parfois nécessaire de mettre au rebut, non seulement les tonneaux utilisés, mais également les tonneaux à vin en bois qui sont contaminés. Cependant, dans une grande installation de vinification où il existe un grand nombre de tonneaux réalisés par des procédés classiques de tonnellerie, le coût de remplacement concerné devient économiquement prohibitif.Classic wine barrels, when not in use are also prone to attack by certain types of bacteria or fungi and should be treated frequently with adequate chemicals to avoid serious contamination. Although these chemical treatments increase the life of wooden barrels, they are tedious and expensive, and can even degrade the taste of wine if all the chemical residues are not carefully removed. As a result, it sometimes becomes necessary to discard not only used barrels, but also contaminated wooden wine barrels. However, in a large winemaking facility where there are a large number of barrels produced by conventional cooperage processes, the replacement cost concerned becomes economically prohibitive.

On trouve aujourd'hui sur le marché, divers types de récipients pour le vieillissement du vin, réalisés essentiellement à partir de matière plastique non poreuse ou de verre. Cependant, ces récipients imperméables sont particulièrement destinés à être utilisés dans les ensembles de vinification domestique et ne conviennent pas pour la fabrication de vins de qualité en grandes quantités. De plus, le goût le plus préférable qui est attribué par les récipients en bois est perdu dans ces récipients habituellement à jeter et la reproductibilité des autres propriétés sensorielles du vin est presque impossible à obtenir.Today there are various types of wine aging containers on the market, made essentially from non-porous plastic or glass. However, these waterproof containers are particularly intended for use in domestic wine-making systems and are not suitable for the production of quality wines in large quantities. In addition, the most preferable taste that is assigned by the wooden containers is usually lost in these disposable containers and the reproducibility of the other sensory properties of wine is almost impossible to obtain.

Un type particulier de fût ou tonneau à vin convenant pour contenir du vin que l'on souhaite faire vieillir dans du bois est décrit dans US-A-4 813 565 (GB-A-2 183 593). Ce brevet décrit un fût à vin comportant une partie de base métallique circulaire et un couvercle métallique circulaire, ainsi qu'une pluralité de douves en bois s'étendant dans la direction axiale entre ces derniers. Des bandes de serrage retiennent les douves selon une configuration circonférentielle et des bandes de pincement en traction s'étendant longitudinalement le long de l'extérieur du fût à vin placent les douves en compression et retiennent en place la partie de base métallique et les couvercles d'extrémité. Du fait que seuls la base et les couvercles d'extrémités sont réalisés en matériau relativement bon marché, le coût global du conteneur à vin selon ce brevet n'est pas sensiblement réduit par suite de l'emploi excessif de douves en bois. De plus, il est évident que les bandes de pincement doivent être continuellement réglées pour s'adapter à la contraction et à l'expansion normales des douves. Le fait de ne pas réaliser ces réglages, qui demandent du temps, provoque des fuites qui peuvent causer une oxydation nocive et gâter le lot de vin. Un tel fût à vin n'élimine pas les inconvénients mentionnés ci-dessus inhérents aux récipients à vin réalisés, pour la plus grande partie, en bois.A particular type of barrel or wine barrel suitable for containing wine which it is desired to age in wood is described in US-A-4,813,565 (GB-A-2,183,593). This patent describes a wine barrel comprising a circular metallic base part and a circular metallic lid, as well as a plurality of wooden staves extending in the axial direction between the latter. Clamping bands retain the staves in a circumferential configuration and tension pinching bands extending longitudinally along the outside of the wine barrel place the staves in compression and hold in place the metal base part and the lids 'end. Because only the base and end covers are made of relatively inexpensive material, the overall cost of the wine container according to this patent is not significantly reduced due to the excessive use of wooden staves. In addition, it is obvious that the pinch strips must be continuously adjusted to adapt to the normal contraction and expansion of the staves. Failure to make these time-consuming adjustments causes leaks which can cause harmful oxidation and spoil the wine batch. Such a wine barrel does not eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above inherent in wine containers made, for the most part, of wood.

L'un des buts de la présente invention est de proposer un conteneur ou récipient à vin durable pour le vieillissement du vin, dans lequel les propriétés sensorielles souhaitables des vins de qualité puissent être contrôlées et reproduites.One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a durable wine container or container for aging wine, in which the desirable sensory properties of quality wines can be controlled and reproduced.

Un autre objet de la présente invention consiste à proposer un récipient pour le vieillissement du vin qui puisse être scellé et qui ne permette pas l'entrée des contaminants tels que les bactéries ou une humidité excessive, sur de longues périodes d'usage.Another object of the present invention is to provide a container for aging wine which can be sealed and which does not allow the entry of contaminants such as bacteria or excessive humidity, over long periods of use.

Parmi d'autres objets de l'invention, on vise à proposer un récipient de stockage de vin qui soit fabriqué à partir de composants peu onéreux, aisés à utiliser, à assembler et à désassembler et économiques à entretenir et qui puisse être conçu de façon pratique selon les propriétés requises pour le vieillissement du vin.Among other objects of the invention, the aim is to propose a wine storage container which is made from inexpensive components which are easy to use, assemble and disassemble and economical to maintain and which can be designed in a practical way according to the properties required for the aging of the wine.

En conséquence, la présente invention propose un récipient composite pour le vieillissement du vin comprenant un tambour métallique muni de couvercles d'extrémité circulaires en bois. Le tambour métallique muni de deux têtes complètement ouvertes à ses deux extrémités comporte un flasque annulaire à chaque extrémité qui reçoit une garniture d'étanchéité et un couvercle en bois pour effectuer la fermeture du tambour. Un anneau de verrouillage muni d'un mécanisme de réglage vient en contact avec la périphérie extérieure du couvercle et le flasque pour assurer un joint amovible étanche aux fluides. Le récipient étanche, selon la présente invention, évite toute oxydation indésirable nocive pour la couleur, le goût, la composition et la qualité du vin.Consequently, the present invention provides a composite container for aging wine comprising a metal drum provided with circular wooden end covers. The metal drum provided with two heads completely open at its two ends has an annular flange at each end which receives a seal and a wooden cover for closing the drum. A locking ring provided with an adjustment mechanism comes into contact with the outer periphery of the cover and the flange to ensure a removable fluid-tight seal. The sealed container according to the present invention avoids any undesirable oxidation harmful to the color, taste, composition and quality of the wine.

Une caractéristique importante du récipient composite à vin selon la présente invention réside dans le fait qu'il est, pour l'essentiel, réalisé en métal de faible épaisseur et relativement peu onéreux, de façon à réduire sensiblement les coûts et à économiser les fournitures toujours plus réduites en bois disponible. Les couvercles d'extrémité en bois des récipients selon l'invention sont également suffisants pour attribuer des quantités contrôlées de bouquet au vin avec un taux d'oxydation contrôlable.An important characteristic of the composite wine container according to the present invention resides in the fact that it is essentially made of thin metal and relatively inexpensive, so as to significantly reduce costs and save supplies always more reduced wood available. The wooden end covers of the containers according to the invention are also sufficient to assign controlled quantities of bouquet to the wine with a controllable oxidation rate.

D'autres buts, avantages et caractéristiques apparaîtront à la lecture de la description d'un mode de réalisation de l'invention, faite à titre non limitatif et en regard du dessin annexé, dans lequel:

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un récipient ou conteneur composite à vin selon la présente invention, représentant en vue éclatée l'une de ses extrémités ouvertes alors que l'autre extrémité est assemblée;
  • les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues de détail en coupe, selon deux modes de réalisation, de la fermeture du tambour utilisée dans le récipient composite à vin représenté à la figure 1.
Other objects, advantages and characteristics will appear on reading the description of an embodiment of the invention, given without limitation and with reference to the appended drawing, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container or composite wine container according to the present invention, showing in exploded view one of its open ends while the other end is assembled;
  • Figures 2 and 3 are detailed sectional views, according to two embodiments, of the closure of the drum used in the composite wine container shown in Figure 1.

En se référant maintenant plus particulièrement au dessin, le récipient ou conteneur composite à vin selon la présente invention, indiqué d'une façon générale par la référence 10 à la figure 1, est représenté comprenant un tambour métallique complètement ouvert à ses deux extrémités 12 et muni de deux flasques annulaires 14 à ses deux extrémités pour recevoir des garnitures d'étanchéité 16, et des couvercles circulaires d'extrémité en bois 18 (l'extrémité assemblée n'étant pas représentée), ainsi que deux anneaux de blocage 20, chacun étant muni d'un mécanisme réglable. Alors que l'on a représenté le récipient 10 en position verticale, il est normalement posé sur le côté au cours du vieillissement du vin.Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the composite wine container or container according to the present invention, indicated generally by the reference 10 in FIG. 1, is shown comprising a metal drum completely open at its two ends 12 and provided with two annular flanges 14 at its two ends to receive seals 16, and circular wooden end covers 18 (the assembled end not being shown), as well as two locking rings 20, each being provided with an adjustable mechanism. While the container 10 has been shown in a vertical position, it is normally placed on the side during the aging of the wine.

Le tambour métallique 12 peut être réalisé en un métal résistant et inoxydable de faible épaisseur tel que l'acier inoxydable et peut présenter la même taille que les barriques, tonneaux ou fûts en chêne industriels standards pour le vin, d'environ 205 litres de capacité. De préférence, le tambour 12 présente une configuration cylindrique munie d'un rebord ou d'un flasque annulaire 14 qui fait saillie vers l'extérieur à partir du tambour cylindrique à ses deux extrémités. Une ouverture centrale de remplissage 13 est prévue sur le côté du tambour 12 et peut recevoir un bouchon ou un couvercle du type bonde (non représenté) afin de permettre des additions périodiques de vin pour compenser les pertes en volume du vin par suite de la concentration, de l'échantillonnage et similaire qui se produit au cours du processus de vieillissement. Le bouchon ou le couvercle (non représenté) est susceptible d'être inséré dans l'ouverture de remplissage 13 afin d'assurer un scellement amovible et également pour l'échantillonnage du vin vieilli et pour permettre l'évacuation des gaz d'oxydation.The metal drum 12 can be made of a resistant and stainless metal of small thickness such as stainless steel and can have the same size as the barrels, barrels or oak barrels standard industrial for wine, of about 205 liters capacity . Preferably, the drum 12 has a cylindrical configuration provided with a rim or an annular flange 14 which projects outwards from the cylindrical drum at its two ends. A central filling opening 13 is provided on the side of the drum 12 and can receive a plug or a bung-type cover (not shown) in order to allow periodic additions of wine to compensate for the losses in volume of the wine as a result of the concentration. , sampling and the like that occurs during the aging process. The stopper or the cover (not shown) can be inserted into the filling opening 13 in order to ensure removable sealing and also for sampling aged wine and to allow the evacuation of the oxidation gases.

Le joint ou la garniture 16, représenté sur les figures 1 et 2, est disposé entre le flasque annulaire 14 et le bord intérieur du couvercle d'extrémité en bois 18. De préférence, le joint 16 présente une configuration générale en forme de L, en section transversale, consistant en une partie annulaire 32 et en une chemise de prolongement 33. La partie annulaire ou anneau 32 de la garniture 16 est dimensionnée pour correspondre sensiblement à la largeur et à la circonférence du flasque 14. La chemise de prolongement 33 s'étend sensiblement à angle droit à partir de l'anneau 32 pour venir en contact périphérique avec la surface de paroi intérieure du tambour 12, sur une partie limitée de celui-ci. L'anneau 32 et la chemise 33 qui en dépend présentent chacun une épaisseur sensiblement uniforme pour réaliser une zone d'étanchéité comme on le décrira plus en détail ci-après. En variante, la garniture 16 peut comporter uniquement un anneau 32 pour former une garniture annulaire continue se terminant sur le flasque 14 afin de réaliser un joint étanche aux fluides.The seal or the lining 16, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is disposed between the annular flange 14 and the inner edge of the wooden end cover 18. Preferably, the seal 16 has a general L-shaped configuration, in cross section, consisting of a part annular 32 and in an extension jacket 33. The annular part or ring 32 of the lining 16 is dimensioned to correspond substantially to the width and the circumference of the flange 14. The extension jacket 33 extends substantially at right angles from of the ring 32 to come into peripheral contact with the inner wall surface of the drum 12, on a limited part thereof. The ring 32 and the jacket 33 which depend thereon each have a substantially uniform thickness to achieve a sealing zone as will be described in more detail below. As a variant, the lining 16 may comprise only a ring 32 to form a continuous annular lining ending on the flange 14 in order to produce a fluid-tight seal.

La garniture 16 peut être réalisée en un matériau extensible souple qui n'est pas susceptible d'être attaqué par des solvants, tel que par exemple des élastomères de polyuréthane ou de silicone. Un élastomère adéquat est constitué par le caoutchouc de silicone dont la formule est approuvée par les autorités de surveillance, notamment par la FDA américaine (Food and Drug Administration) pour être utilisé dans la fabrication du vin, tel que la méthylvinylpolysiloxane. Les élastomères adéquats doivent être stables sur une large gamme de température, résistants à l'oxydation et faciles à mouler pour réaliser un anneau continu.The lining 16 can be made of a flexible extensible material which is not liable to be attacked by solvents, such as for example polyurethane or silicone elastomers. A suitable elastomer consists of silicone rubber, the formula of which is approved by the supervisory authorities, in particular by the American FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for use in the manufacture of wine, such as methylvinylpolysiloxane. Adequate elastomers must be stable over a wide temperature range, resistant to oxidation and easy to mold to make a continuous ring.

Comme on le voit mieux dans la vue en coupe transversale de la figure 2, chaque couvercle d'extrémité circulaire en bois 18 comporte une lèvre ou une partie d'épaulement 36 et une partie de moyeu ou partie centrale 39 qui présente des formes complémentaires à chaque extrémité ouverte du tambour 12 et qui assure, en combinaison avec la garniture 16, un contact étanche avec le tambour 12. Les couvercles d'extrémité 18 sont réalisés de préférence en chêne, de telle façon que leur surface intérieure soit continuellement exposée au vin 15 contenu à l'intérieur pour donner le bouquet souhaité aux vins de qualité. Afin d'éviter que les couvercles 18 ne sèchent dans les zones où ils ont perdu le contact avec le vin 15, il est de pratique courante d'ajouter périodiquement un peu plus de vin pour remplir complètement le récipient au cours du vieillissement du vin. En outre, alors que la quantité de bouquet de tanin qui est attribuée au vin vieilli dans les récipients composites selon la présente invention n'est pas comparativement inférieure à celle obtenue dans des tonneaux traditionnels en chêne, les paramètres de la réaction d'oxydation se produisant au cours du vieillissement du vin sont plus faciles à contrôler. On sait que les paramètres de la réaction d'oxydation sont déterminés en fonction de la surface du bois: il s'agit d'une relation entre le volume intérieur des récipients à vin et leur surface intérieure. Du fait que la taille et les caractéristiques des couvercles d'extrémité en bois 18 peuvent être maintenues relativement constantes, on peut plus facilement obtenir la reproductibilité d'un lot à l'autre. Afin de réduire le temps nécessaire pour le vieillissement du vin et d'accélérer les durées de réaction d'oxydation, on peut utiliser avec le récipient de la présente invention un insert pré-assemblé en bois de toute taille et configuration appropriées pour l'homme de l'art. Un exemple typique d'un tel insert en bois pour augmenter la surface intérieure d'un récipient à vin est décrit dans US-A-4 558 639.As best seen in the cross-sectional view of Figure 2, each circular wooden end cover 18 has a lip or a shoulder portion 36 and a hub portion or central portion 39 which has shapes complementary to each open end of the drum 12 and which ensures, in combination with the lining 16, a sealed contact with the drum 12. The end covers 18 are preferably made of oak, so that their inner surface is continuously exposed to wine 15 content inside to give the desired bouquet to quality wines. In order to prevent the lids 18 from drying out in the areas where they have lost contact with the wine 15, it is common practice to periodically add a little more wine to completely fill the container during aging some wine. Furthermore, while the quantity of tannin bouquet which is attributed to the aged wine in the composite containers according to the present invention is not comparatively less than that obtained in traditional oak barrels, the parameters of the oxidation reaction are producing during aging of the wine are easier to control. It is known that the parameters of the oxidation reaction are determined as a function of the surface of the wood: it is a relation between the interior volume of the wine containers and their interior surface. Because the size and characteristics of the wooden end covers 18 can be kept relatively constant, reproducibility from batch to batch can more easily be obtained. In order to reduce the time necessary for the aging of the wine and to accelerate the oxidation reaction times, it is possible to use with the container of the present invention a pre-assembled wooden insert of any size and configuration suitable for man art. A typical example of such a wooden insert for increasing the interior surface of a wine container is described in US-A-4,558,639.

La lèvre ou l'épaulement 36 de chaque couvercle 18 s'étend sur le sommet de la garniture 16 qui est disposée sur chaque flasque 14 du tambour 12. Le moyeu ou partie centrale 39 du couvercle est reçu dans chaque ouverture d'extrémité du tambour 12 et vient en contact avec la chemise de prolongement 33 de la garniture 16. Un anneau métallique de blocage 20 est prévu pour assujettir fermement le couvercle 18 et sa garniture d'étanchéité 16 sur l'extrémité ouverte du tambour 12. Cet anneau 20 comporte un mécanisme réglable comprenant un boulon 40 traversant des saillies latérales 42 et 44 pour resserrer l'anneau de blocage 20 et le comprimer sur le couvercle 18. Les saillies latérales 42 et 44 peuvent être fixées de façon adéquate à l'anneau de blocage 20 par soudure ou similaire. De préférence, l'anneau de blocage 20 comporte une bande annulaire supplémentaire intérieure 54 solidaire d'un rebord ou lèvre incliné 50 et une lèvre intérieure 52 munie d'un flasque annulaire de prolongement 56 qui s'étend vers le bas du dessin à partir de la lèvre annulaire inférieure de verrouillage 52. La bande annulaire 54, généralement perpendiculaire au flasque 14, relie le rebord extérieur incliné 50 et la lèvre intérieure 52 en un seul anneau élastique ouvert formé généralement par matriçage à froid. Le bord incliné 50 vient en contact avec un bord extérieur incliné complémentaire 38 du couvercle 18 et la lèvre annulaire de blocage 52 vient en contact avec le flasque 14 du tambour 12. Le flasque annulaire de prolongement 56 vient en contact avec la surface de paroi extérieure du tambour pour réaliser une zone annulaire étanche.The lip or shoulder 36 of each cover 18 extends over the top of the lining 16 which is disposed on each flange 14 of the drum 12. The hub or central part 39 of the cover is received in each end opening of the drum 12 and comes into contact with the sleeve 33 of the lining 16. A metal locking ring 20 is provided for firmly securing the cover 18 and its seal 16 on the open end of the drum 12. This ring 20 comprises an adjustable mechanism comprising a bolt 40 passing through lateral projections 42 and 44 for tightening the locking ring 20 and compressing it on the cover 18. The lateral projections 42 and 44 can be suitably fixed to the locking ring 20 by solder or the like. Preferably, the locking ring 20 has an additional inner annular strip 54 secured to an inclined flange or lip 50 and an inner lip 52 provided with an annular extension flange 56 which extends towards the bottom of the drawing from the lower annular locking lip 52. The annular band 54, generally perpendicular to the flange 14, connects the inclined outer edge 50 and the inner lip 52 in a single open elastic ring generally formed by cold stamping. The inclined edge 50 comes into contact with a complementary inclined outer edge 38 of the cover 18 and the annular locking lip 52 comes into contact with the flange 14 of the drum 12. The annular extension flange 56 comes into contact with the outer wall surface of the drum to produce a sealed annular zone.

Lorsque l'on serre le boulon 40 pour serrer l'anneau de blocage 20 et la bande annulaire 54, le bord annulaire de blocage 50 vient en contact avec la périphérie extérieure de l'épaulement 36 du couvercle 18 et la lèvre annulaire de blocage intérieure 52 vient en contact avec la face inférieure (selon le dessin) du flasque 14, de telle manière que l'anneau de garniture 32 soit comprimé entre eux pour réaliser un joint entre l'épaulement de couvercle 36 et le flasque 14. En même temps, le flasque annulaire de prolongement 56 de la lèvre annulaire de blocage 52 vient en contact avec la surface de paroi extérieure du tambour 12 pour presser cette paroi sur le moyeu de couvercle 39, de telle manière que la chemise de prolongement 33 de la garniture 16 soit comprimée pour réaliser une étanchéité entre le moyeu de couvercle 39 et la surface intérieure de paroi du tambour 12. On réalise ainsi un double joint efficace, empêchant toute possibilité d'écoulement de fluide vers l'intérieur dans le tambour ou à partir de celui-ci vers l'extérieur. On doit également comprendre que l'on peut utiliser divers types de moyens de réglage sur l'anneau de blocage avec les récipients selon la présente invention. Des anneaux de blocage à levier et boulons sont, par exemple, applicables pour étancher des récipients selon la présente invention.When the bolt 40 is tightened to tighten the locking ring 20 and the annular band 54, the annular locking edge 50 comes into contact with the outer periphery of the shoulder 36 of the cover 18 and the annular inner locking lip 52 comes into contact with the underside (according to the drawing) of the flange 14, so that the packing ring 32 is compressed between them to form a seal between the cover shoulder 36 and the flange 14. At the same time , the annular extension flange 56 of the annular locking lip 52 comes into contact with the exterior wall surface of the drum 12 to press this wall on the cover hub 39, so that the extension liner 33 of the lining 16 is compressed to provide a seal between the cover hub 39 and the inner wall surface of the drum 12. An effective double seal is thus produced, preventing any possibility of fluid flow inward or outward from the drum. It should also be understood that various types of adjustment means can be used on the locking ring with the containers according to the present invention. Lever locking rings and bolts are, for example, applicable for sealing containers according to the present invention.

La figure 3 représente un autre mode de réalisation de la fermeture du fond ouvert du tambour 12, les éléments identiques ou similaires à ceux des figures 1 et 2 portant les mêmes indices de référence. Le mode de réalisation représenté sur la figure 3 se distingue principalement de celui de la figure 2 du fait que le couvercle 18 est monté de façon à pouvoir être retourné après un certain temps d'usage avec une face au contact du vin, l'autre face située auparavant à l'extérieur venant alors à son tour en contact avec le vin alors que la face "tannée" par le vin est placée à l'extérieur.FIG. 3 represents another embodiment of the closing of the open bottom of the drum 12, the elements identical or similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 bearing the same reference indices. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 differs mainly from that of Figure 2 in that the cover 18 is mounted so that it can be turned over after a certain time of use with one side in contact with the wine, the other side previously located at the the exterior then in turn comes into contact with the wine while the side "tanned" by the wine is placed on the exterior.

La bande annulaire 54 placée à l'intérieur de l'anneau 20 présente, selon le mode de réalisation de la figure 3, une section sensiblement symétrique par rapport à un axe médian 61. Le couvercle 18 qui peut comporter des saillies intérieures (non représentées sur la figure) telles que le moyeu 39 de la figure 2, afin d'augmenter la surface en contact avec le vin, est muni à sa périphérie 36 de deux faces biseautées 38 et 57, en principe sensiblement symétriques par rapport au plan transversal médian 58 du couvercle. La face 38 vient en contact avec la face intérieure du rebord incliné 50 de la bande 54 tandis que la face 57 est en contact avec un premier joint d'étanchéité compressible en bande 59. La bande 54 présente un deuxième rebord incliné 60 sensiblement symétrique par rapport à l'axe ou plan médian 61 de la bande annulaire 54 et de l'anneau de blocage 20. Les rebords inclinés 50 et 60 sont munis à leur extrémité intérieure d'un rebord de prolongement relevé 50a et 60a remplissant uniquement une fonction de raidissement, à la différence du flasque 56 qui remplit en plus une fonction de serrage radial.The annular strip 54 placed inside the ring 20 has, according to the embodiment of Figure 3, a section substantially symmetrical with respect to a median axis 61. The cover 18 which may include internal projections (not shown in the figure) such that the hub 39 of Figure 2, in order to increase the surface in contact with the wine, is provided at its periphery 36 with two bevelled faces 38 and 57, in principle substantially symmetrical with respect to the median transverse plane 58 of the cover. The face 38 comes into contact with the inner face of the inclined rim 50 of the strip 54 while the face 57 is in contact with a first compressible seal in strip 59. The strip 54 has a second inclined rim 60 substantially symmetrical by relative to the axis or median plane 61 of the annular band 54 and the locking ring 20. The inclined flanges 50 and 60 are provided at their inner end with a raised extension flange 50a and 60a fulfilling only a function of stiffening, unlike the flange 56 which also performs a radial tightening function.

Le flasque annulaire 14 du tambour métallique 12 présente une forme évasée plus aisée à obtenir dans un métal noble et difficile à mettre en oeuvre tel que l'acier inoxydable ou le titane. Le flasque 14 est entouré, sur ses deux faces, d'un joint d'étanchéité en bande 62 replié en sandwich sur le bord extérieur du flasque 14. Le flasque 14 ainsi équipé du joint 62 sur ses deux faces vient se loger entre le joint en bande compressible 59 et le deuxième rebord incliné 60. Le serrage radial de l'anneau 20 assure le maintien en position du couvercle 18 tout en écrasant dans le sens de l'épaisseur les deux couches en sandwich du joint en bande 62 et du joint compressible en bande 59. Ce dernier joint 59 fortement compressible en épaisseur peut être supprimé lorsque la périphérie 36 du couvercle 18 présente une forme bien constante d'un couvercle à l'autre et qui varie peu dans le temps après une exposition prolongée au contact du vin, sur une face du couvercle.The annular flange 14 of the metal drum 12 has a flared shape which is easier to obtain in a noble metal which is difficult to use such as stainless steel or titanium. The flange 14 is surrounded, on its two faces, by a strip seal 62 folded in sandwich on the outer edge of the flange 14. The flange 14 thus equipped with the seal 62 on its two faces is received between the seal in compressible strip 59 and the second inclined rim 60. The radial tightening of the ring 20 maintains the cover 18 in position while crushing in the direction of the thickness the two sandwich layers of the strip seal 62 and the seal compressible in strip 59. This latter seal 59 highly compressible in thickness can be eliminated when the periphery 36 of the cover 18 has a very constant shape from one cover to the other and which varies little over time after prolonged exposure in contact with wine, on one side of the cover.

Le récipient pour le vieillissement du vin selon la présente invention peut être facilement assemblé et désassemblé, de telle façon que l'on puisse enlever rapidement les couvercles d'extrémité en bois, pour mettre en contact du chêne frais avec le vin afin de continuer à donner au vin le bouquet souhaité et de permettre un vieillissement plus rapide du vin. En outre, il permet aux vinificateurs de prévoir et de contrôler le développement du processus de vieillissement du vin en protégeant ce dernier d'une exposition excessive à l'air et à l'humidité. Le récipient composite selon la présente invention est relativement bon marché et facile à fabriquer, d'où il en résulte une économie significative de temps et de coûts de fabrication et de préparation du vin.The wine aging container according to the present invention can be easily assembled and disassembled, so that the wooden end covers can be quickly removed, to bring fresh oak into contact with the wine in order to continue to give the wine the desired bouquet and allow faster aging of the wine. In addition, it allows winemakers to predict and control the development of the wine's aging process by protecting it from excessive exposure to air and moisture. The composite container according to the present invention is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture, which results in a significant saving in time and in costs of manufacturing and preparing wine.

Claims (6)

  1. A composite container or vessel for the ageing of wine needing to age in wood characterized in that it comprises: a cylindrical metallic drum (12) provided at one of the two ends thereof with two matching open heads comprising an annular flange (14) projecting outwardly from the metallic drum at each end, and a central filling opening (13) on one side of said cylindrical metallic drum; two wooden circular end covers (18) designed to close off said cylindrical metallic drum to provide the wine with controllable bouquet and tanin properties; two annular seals (16) arranged in sealing contact between said annular flange (14) and each one of said circular wooden end covers (18); two locking rings (20) provided with an adjustable mechanism (40) fixed on said rings, each locking ring being arranged on the outer periphery of each circular wooden end cover (18) and of said annular flange (14) in order to provide a releasable fluid-tight seal.
  2. Composite container according to claim 1, characterized in that each one of said annular seals (16) has a generally L-shaped cross-section.
  3. Composite container according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that each one of said annular seals (16) has a band-shape folded over the two faces of said annular flange (14) thus enveloping the outer edge of said flange.
  4. Composite container according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each one of said annular seals (16) is provided in a polyurethane or silicone elastomer.
  5. Composite container according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each one of said circular wooden end covers (18) includes a lip portion (36) and a hub or central portion (39) having shapes that match each one of said open heads at each end of said metallic drum (12).
  6. Composite container according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said circular wooden end covers (18) are of oak.
EP91401089A 1990-05-08 1991-04-24 Composite container for the aging of wine Expired - Lifetime EP0456543B1 (en)

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US520560 1990-05-08
US07/520,560 US4998643A (en) 1990-05-08 1990-05-08 Composite wine aging container

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DE69106039T2 (en) 1995-05-04
AU633423B2 (en) 1993-01-28
US4998643A (en) 1991-03-12
ATE115932T1 (en) 1995-01-15
EP0456543A3 (en) 1992-11-25
AU7538791A (en) 1991-11-14
DE69106039T4 (en) 1996-04-04
FR2661890A1 (en) 1991-11-15
ES2067172T3 (en) 1995-03-16
FR2661890B1 (en) 1993-10-29
EP0456543A2 (en) 1991-11-13
DE69106039D1 (en) 1995-02-02

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