FR2554460A1 - Continuous vinifier - Google Patents

Abstract

Continuous vinifier in which the crushed grapes are introduced in the lower part, the marc being extracted from the upper part. According to the invention the filtration chambers 8 are arranged in the upper part of the vessel 1 and at the periphery of the latter, the marc being removed in the lower part of the vessel 1, with the aid of an axial pipework 11, 10, 17. Applications: continuous vinification and use as a storage vessel outside the vinification season.

Description

CONTINUOUS WINEMAKER
The present invention relates to a winemaker of the type known under the designation of continuous winemaker in which the crushed harvest is introduced continuously into the bottom of the winemaker, the fermented and dry marc being extracted mechanically from the upper level of the winemaker , as the wine comes out from the sides.

As is known, various winemakers are currently used in the wine industry for the production of wine for everyday consumption or certain appellations. They offer the advantage of producing a suitable quality of wine with the most attractive investments and operating costs.

However, known winemakers; although they function correctly, have certain drawbacks stemming from the fact that the transfer of wine from the solid phase to the liquid phase is generally done through grids, from the periphery to the center of the apparatus.

This provision requires expensive manufacturing. The use is not practical since the access to the wine for control is done from the dome towards the center of the device; it follows that it is necessary to stop the marc extraction mechanism, descend into an environment saturated with carbon dioxide and walk on the marc suspended in the liquid which represents a certain danger for the user. In addition, the quality of the wine suffers from a stagnation of this one in full heart of the apparatus where the temperatures are the highest. On the other hand, the presence of an imposing central tower does not allow to place a refrigeration system by exchanger in the upper part of the device where the existing temperatures would require it. Finally, this arrangement imposes a significant opening on the dome which makes it impossible to transform the device into a storage tank out of season.

The present invention overcomes these various drawbacks better respect for the finished product by its arrangement and more judicious refrigeration, improved monitoring and accessibility, lower manufacturing price, possibility of transforming the whole into a storage tank outside use in winemaking.

The winemaker according to the invention is essentially characterized in that the wine circulates from the solid phase to the liquid phase through grids placed at the periphery of the device. These grids are mounted either on a single box which has the shape of a crown and is placed concentrically inside the boiler, or on one or more autonomous boxes placed as described above but connected together by pipes allowing transfers of liquid, taking the finished wine in a single box.

It follows from this arrangement specific to the invention that the central tower is simplified and is limited only to a function of collection and disposal of the grounds. It is surmounted by a known system of marc removal by rake or rotary screw extractor. This set is supported by two transverse ears and a foot of very small section.

In a preferred embodiment, the ears also serve as a connection between the boxes for the transfer of liquid. The finished wine is extracted from a box by an overflow system adjustable in height and working by overflow.

In this preferred arrangement of the invention, access to the marc and to the wine is made respectively by two hatches, one of which is open towards the inside of the tank, and the other towards the collecting box. These doors are accessible by a walkway located against the wall in the upper part of the device. This walkway can be accessed by stairs, crinoline ladder, other walkway or access system.

The lower part of the apparatus may comprise, for the evacuation of the grounds in total emptying of the apparatus, either a slope leading to a door, or a tight screw arranged on the bottom, or a horizontal plane with a screw in the central part. passing along an axis of the device. This screw, locked outwards by a valve in normal operation, feeds either a grounds pump or a transfer screw or other marc release system placed outside.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge during the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings which show, schematically and simply by way of example, an embodiment and some selected characteristics of a winemaker improved with external concentric filtration.

In these drawings - Fig. 1 is a diametrical section view of a winemaker
according to the invention; - Fig.2 is a schematic view with section under the dome
at the connection of the caissons - Fig.3 is a sectional view of the circular exchanger
for refrigeration fixed on the central leg - Figs. 4,5 and 6 represent various arrangements
from the bottom of the appliance with various drainage systems.

In Fig.1, the winemaker according to the invention is located on a base 19 of concrete or the like resting on the ground 20.

The winemaker has an external cylindrical wall 1 forming a tank with either a conical or round dome, equipped with a chimney 2. This external form of winemaker allows, by closing the watertight doors 3, 4 and 15, to transform the apparatus into storage tank outside the vinification period.

Inside the tank 1 and in the upper part, one or more wine filtration boxes are placed. The grids of this or these boxes can be concave 8 or convex 23 (Fig. 2). This box can be of concave and concentric annular shape inside on the periphery of the boiler. In a preferred embodiment of multiple boxes, these are interconnected by a spike 7 allowing the transfer of liquid. The finished wine is extracted from one or more places located in a box by an overflow system 13 adjustable in height which allows a precise positioning of the level of the liquid 22 in the boxes and of the thickness of the marc cap to the inside the appliance. As a result, the wine extracted by overflow 13 comes from its box or another thanks to the transfer systems 7. Any box can be equipped with a level 12 which allows the outside of the assembly to control the height of the liquid. A sealed inspection hatch 4 allows visual control, the taking of wine for analysis, or intervention on the overflow 13. Grain drain taps can be provided at the bottom of each box.

In the upper part. an extractor 9, produced according to a known principle, returns the spent marc which arrives at level 21 to a central cone 11. This assembly 9 is easily removable to transform the invention into a storage tank.

This cone discharges the marc through a tube 10 (Figs 1 and 2) to the outside of the device. This tube has a sufficient inclination to be able to convey this marc by simple gravity. The assembly is supported by a tube 6 through which the spike 7 passes. Therefore, the forces imposed by the rise of the marc on the cone 11 and which can be unbalanced with respect to the central axis are canceled by l resistant balancing effect of the ear 7.

The assembly thus coupled, box 8 and 23, spike 7, tube 6, cone 11 and tube 10, is connected to the ground along the axis of the assembly by a tube 17 of very small section (Fig.l) . This tube 17 is responsible only for resisting the absolute vertical thrust of the marc on the coupled assembly defined above without buckling forces which are taken up by the pendulum effect of the spike 7. This support tube 17 is anchored in lower part either in the concrete base (Fig. 4 and 5) or on a bridge 27 spanning the screw 16.

Access to the marc 21, to the extractor 9 and to the cone 11 is made visually or physically by the door 3.

Due to the very small section of the foot 17, it is possible to mount concentrically with the latter and according to a relatively large diameter, a double-sided circular exchanger 14 (Figs. Let 3). This exchanger is held at the post 17 by ribs 24. This original arrangement makes it possible to double the exchange surface which improves refrigeration.

On the other hand, this exchanger 14 installed in a semi-liquid medium, taking advantage of the upward current resulting from the drop in density of the wine during fermentation, makes it possible to obtain a pulling effect which improves the speed of passage of the liquid to be refrigerated and its renewal on contact with the cooling surface. The original design of the device makes it possible to raise the cooling surface 14 under the spike 7 and therefore to make the cooling more efficient since the hot medium is located in the upper part of the device.

At the end of the wine-making season, the grounds must be completely emptied after the liquid in the winemaker has been poured.

Several types of device bottom can be constructed (Figs 4,5 and 6).

Fig.4 shows an inclined bottom placed on a block 25 and 19 in which the tube 17 is anchored. The total emptying is done by the door 15.

Fig.5 shows an inclined bottom like Fig.4, but which feeds a screw 16 which ensures the transfer of the grounds to the outside of the device. The door 15 of Fig.5 only serves as access.

Fig.6 shows a double slope bottom which feeds a screw 16 located in the central part of the base 19. The support foot 17 is fixed on a bridge 27 locally spanning the screw 16.

It goes without saying that the winemaker has been described and represented for purely explanatory purposes, in no way limiting, and that various modifications of details could be made to the embodiment indicated without departing from the scope of the 'invention.

Claims (8)

10) Continuous winemaker of the type comprising means  extraction of marc at the top of the appliance,  filtration means and a receptacle for wine  connected to drawing means, characterized in that the  wine filtration boxes (8, 23) are arranged at  the periphery of the tank (1) and at the top  from it and concentrically to its wall. 20) Winemaker according to claim 1, characterized in  what the filter boxes (8,23) are connected  between them by a spike (7) of liquid transfer  communicating with a single planned draft duct  in one of the boxes. 30) Winemaker according to one of claims 1 or 2,  characterized in that a grounds extractor (9) is  arranged at the top of the tank (1), the extrac  teur (9) communicating with a cone (11) itself connected  to a central vertical tube (10) opening out, to the part  bottom of the tank (1), on an extraction screw (16). 40) Winemaker according to claims 2 and 3, characterized  in that the tube (10) is integral with the ear (7). 50) Winemaker according to any one of the claims  previous, characterized in that the tube (10) is  extended at its lower part by a tube (17) of  reduced section, on which is mounted, below the  tube (10) a double-sided heat exchanger (14)  working from the inside. 60) Winemaker according to any one of claims  previous, characterized in that the tank (1) has  an inclined bottom. 70) Winemaker according to claims 3 and 6, characterized  in that the inclined bottom (26) is oriented in the direction  a groove inside which turns a  extraction screw (16). 80) Winemaker according to any one of claims  previous, characterized in that the extractor (9) is  removable, the tank having parts (3, 4, 15)  waterproof.