FR2611741A1 - Overflow prevention device for a fermentation vat - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is an overflow prevention device for fermentation vats, characterised in that it comprises a surge tank 1, connected to the upper part 3 of a fermentation vat 2, provided with a grid and a means for evacuating fermentation gas 5a.

Description

TITLE IN DESCRIPTION
The subject of the present invention is an anti-overflow device for fermentation tanks allowing filling of fresh harvests with a view to fermentation more important than usual.

 Experience shows that during the fermentation phase, the increase in the volume of the wine under the effect of carbon dioxide frequently leads to overflowing of the vats.

 To avoid these untimely phenomena, the practice consists in preserving a dead volume which is empirically determined inside the tank, and on the other hand to ensure constant monitoring of the level thereof.

 It was also noted that the combination of partial filling and gas mixing resulted in the Marc being kept on the surface of the harvest.

 However, for red wines in particular, the color of which is transmitted by the Marc, it is desirable that the latter be immersed.

 By the patented system, the Marc is kept fully submerged.

The merit of adapting the overflow vessel to any wine tank
1 ") Increase in the volume available in the tank.

 2 ") Elimination of the risk of overflows during fermentation.

30) Complete immersion of the Marc
4) Aeration of the wine during pumping-over or racking operations.

 The present invention is therefore made up of an expansion vessel connected to disgorging pipes of different types.

 Figures 2, 3,4,6 show an embodiment with the means for discharging gas internal to the fermentation tank.

 Figures 1, 5, 7 show another embodiment of the invention with means for discharging gases external to the fermentation tank.

1 ") THE EXPANSION VESSEL: (1)
It is made of stainless steel and may be fixed or independent.

 It is provided, near the upper edge of a connector (12) allowing several tanks to be placed in a battery in the event that the volume of wine in fermentation becomes too large.

 The excess volume is then distributed over the other tanks or any other receptacle.

 The expansion tank can be welded to the existing chimney of the tank or fixed with a gasket and tightening bolts.

The accessories of the expansion tank including
-Tight lid of the tank for storage of fine wine,
-Removable grids (4 b) or (4 a)
- Grid support with or without sheath (13 a) (13b), are subject to the fixing system in place around the perimeter of the manhole.

 To allow the evacuation of gases, while maintaining the Marc's immersion, the vase is provided at its base with a grid.

 In order to avoid, by the clogging effect of this grid, an increase in pressure internal to the tank, a device for disgorging pipes is associated with this system.

2 ") THE DISCHARGE PIPES (5a) or (5b)
a) external pipe: (5a) I1 is connected to the level plug (3-way system) and rises in the tank through a translucent pipe.

If the upper grille becomes blocked, gases can escape through this pipe. The wine entrained by the gases is then discharged onto the top of the tank in the expansion tank (1)
This tubular and translucent type of evacuation makes it possible to check whether the filter corresponding to the level measurement is not accidentally blocked.

b) Inner pipe: (5b)
This one is in PVC type material, size in whistle at its base, and pierced with holes allowing the recovery of gases.

It must be placed before filling the tank. I1 is held at the bottom by a pin fixed on a lug secured to the bottom of the tank. At the top, it is fixed by the grid support (13b) provided with a sheath (14)
3 ") THE GRIDS: (4a) or (4b)
These are two removable half-grids fixed to the ceiling of the tank on pivoting axes.

 Once the tank is filled, they are raised in a horizontal position, by means of two tie rods (17) fixed to the support of the grid (13a) or (13b).

 The grids must be put in place at the start of the harvest before the first filling of the tank and be removed after the last run.

 In the embodiment for which the means for evacuating the fermentation gas are disposed inside the tank, the grids are provided with two recesses (15) and (16) allowing the passage of the tube (5b).

4) GRID SUPPORTS: (13a - 13B)
They are fixed on the periphery of the Manhole which serve to close the cap of the tank when it is used as a storage tank.

In the case of the external pipe, the support is formed by three branches
For the inner pipe, the three branches join a sheath (14) which keeps the disgorging pipe in the axis of the manhole.

Claims (5)

 1) Anti-overflow device for fermentation tank characterized in that it comprises in combination an expansion tank (1) in fluid communication with the upper part (3) of a fermentation tank (2) provided with grids (4a, 4b) and a means for evacuating fermentation gas (5a, 5b). cooperating with the expansion tank (1)  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the grids (4a, 4b) consist of two removable half grids and movable in rotation and brought into horizontal position after filling of the tank 2.  3) Anti overflow device according to claim 1 characterized in that the fermentation gas discharge means (5a) connecting the lower level intake of tank 6 or expansion vessel 1, is arranged externally to the fermentation tank 1 .  4) Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the means for discharging the fermentation gas (5a) is tubular and consists of a translucent material.  5) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the fermentation gas discharge means (5b) is disposed before filling inside the tank 2 and is fixed at its lower distal end 9 by a holding member 7 integral with the tank bottom 10 and its upper part by a grid support (13b) provided with a sheath 14  60) Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the distal end 9 has a whistle section 11 and in that its lateral walls are provided with fermentation gas discharge orifices 8.