FR2884750A1 - Cork stopper decontamination device, has vacuum tank in which stoppers are placed and maintained under vacuum using vacuum pumps that are suitable to obtain high pumping speed, where stoppers are put in rotation inside tank - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a vacuum tank (1) in which cork stoppers (2) are placed and maintained under vacuum using vacuum pumps (3, 4) that are suitable to obtain high pumping speed. The bottom of one of the tanks (5) forms a door for introducing the stoppers and then removing the stoppers after maintaining the stoppers in the tank, where the stoppers are put in rotation inside the tank. The vacuum pumps are assisted by a cold panel to provide pumping with considerable vapors, and a heater is provided for heating the stoppers. An independent claim is also included for a method for decontaminating a cork stopper by removing an odorant molecule e.g. trichloroanisole.

Description

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

  The present invention relates to a method with associated equipment ensuring the decontamination of corks to eliminate a number of hydrocarbons including trichloreanisole (TCA-2-46) responsible for the taste of cork.

  In known devices of this kind, steam washing is generally used or by means of an ad-hoc solvent such as alcohol or supercritical CO2. In some cases, the steam is created in situ by microwave or high frequency heating, plugs previously moistened.

  These methods have the disadvantage of deforming the plugs and of being a very expensive implementation. They also have the disadvantage of not allowing online monitoring of the level of contamination.

  The device according to the invention avoids these disadvantages.

  The invention relates to a device for the decontamination of corks by removal of odorous molecules and in particular TCA-2-4-6 comprising: a) a vacuum chamber (1) in which plugs are placed under vacuum thanks to a vacuum pump (3) or a set of pumps (3), (4) ... etc, suitable for obtaining a high pumping speed.

  b) a door (5) for inserting the caps and then removing them when the treatment is finished.

  According to another feature, the vacuum pump or pumps are assisted by a cold panel (6) for pumping condensable vapors.

  According to another characteristic, the plugs are stirred continuously, either by rotation of the tank (1), or by a suitable stirrer (9) placed in the tank 25 (1).

  According to another characteristic, a mass spectrograph (7) continuously or periodically analyzes the atmosphere of the vacuum chamber in order to measure the partial pressure of TCA.

  According to another characteristic, the system comprises a means for heating plugs (8) which can be a high frequency field, an infra-red ramp, microwaves, etc.

  The invention will in any case be better understood from the description which follows, referenced to the drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a longitudinal magnification of an embodiment with a fixed bowl with an internal rotary stirrer.

  Figure 2 shows in longitudinal section a rotating tank system. Figure 3 shows in cross section a device with rotating bowl.

  According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of indication and of course in no way limiting, the vacuum tank (1), made of steel, stainless steel or aluminum, is fixed and rests on feet. Its diameter can reach a few meters and its length can advantageously be 5 to 10 times the diameter. On one of the bottoms, one sees: - A secondary vacuum pump which can be of the turbomolecular type, roots with diffusion but the process can also work with a simple primary pump with vane for example.

  - A cantilevered rotary shaft (14) driven by a geared motor (10) passing through a rotary joint (13) and snap into a square sleeve (15) integral with the basket (9) containing the plugs.

  - A mass spectrograph (7) advantageously quadrupole type. The other bottom (5) is removable and door shape allowing the introduction of the basket (9) which can contain tens of thousands of plugs. This bottom comprises the following organs: - A cooled panel (6) at a temperature between -5 C and -30 C by means of a freon compressor (11), the cold being by direct expansion in a coil welded on the panel (6).

  - A bowl (16) for condensate recovery with its discharge valve (17). The treatment operation is carried out as follows: a) The basket (9) filled with plugs, optionally heated beforehand at 40 or 50 ° C., is introduced by means of a special charger. The basket is pushed until the sleeve (15) snaps onto the shaft (14).

  b) Closes the door (5) which for example slides on rails.

  c) The vacuum is made in the tank (1). d) The freon compressor-condenser unit (11) is started.

  e) The basket (9) is rotated by activating the motor (10).

  f) As soon as the vacuum is established, the mass spectrograph is started and a few lines are analyzed which are the signature of TCA-2-4-6 or other poorly odorous molecules.

  Processing is continued until the partial pressure of the TCA has dropped to a sufficiently low level. It must be calibrated because it depends essentially on the characteristics of the machine (pumping speed, temperature of the plugs, dimensions and temperature of the cold panel, quantity of plugs, etc ... It is done by comparison with a conventional measurement (chromatography) performed on a sample of corks.

  According to a second preferred embodiment of the given invention, again, by way of indication and of course in no way limiting, in this embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vessel (1) is rotated to stir the plugs. turns on rollers (18) of which at least one is driven by the motor (10). The vacuum pumps (3) and (4) are fixed which requires to connect to the tank a lip seal and / or differential pump. It is the same for the refrigerant supply of the panel (6). The compressor (1 1) is stationary and a lip seal (20) transmits to the panel. We find the condensate collector (16) and its drain valve (17) described above. Loading and unloading is done manually or pneumatically.

  Note the presence of the heating ramp (8) which allows to heat the plugs and therefore accelerate the evaporation of the TCA.

  The invention can be used for the treatment of all types of corks and for a large number of pollutions as they relate to a volatile pollutant.

2884750 5

Claims (5)

  1 - Device for the decontamination of corks by removal of odorous molecules and in particular TCA-2-4-6 characterized in that it comprises: a vacuum chamber (1) in which the plugs (2) maintained under vacuum using a vacuum pump (3) or a set of pumps (3), (4), suitable for obtaining a high pumping speed, a door (5) for introducing the plugs and then removing them when the treatment is completed and in that the plugs are rotated inside the enclosure.   2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vacuum pump or pumps are assisted by a cold panel (6) for pumping condensable vapors.   3 - Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plugs are stirred continuously, either by rotation of the vessel (1), or by a suitable stirrer (9) placed inside the vessel (1) .   4 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the agitator (9) is a basket inserted into the enclosure (1) by the door (5) and rotated by a cantilevered rotary axis (14) driven by a gear motor (10) passing through a rotary joint (13) and snapping into a square sleeve (15) integral with the basket (9).   - Device according to claims 1,2,3 or 4, characterized in that a mass spectrograph (7) continuously or periodically analyzes the atmosphere of the vacuum chamber to measure the partial pressure of TCA.   6 - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a plug heating means (8) which may be a high frequency field, an infra-red ramp, microswitches. waves.   Process for the decontamination of cork stoppers by removal of odorous molecules, in particular TCA-2-4-6, using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: introduction of a basket (9) filled with plugs (2) optionally heated before 40 to 50 C by means of a special charger, the basket being pushed inside the enclosure (1) until a sleeve (15) on one of its ends snaps onto an axis of rotation (14) connected to a motor (10). b) Closing the door (5).   c) Realization of the vacuum in the enclosure (1).   d) Starting a freon compressor-condenser unit (11) for cooling a panel (6) to a temperature between -5 and 30 C, the cooled panel (6) for pumping condensable vapors.   e) rotation of the basket (9) by activation of the motor (10).   f) After establishing a vacuum in the enclosure (1) start of a mass spectrograph and analysis of some lines that have the signature of TCA-2-4-6 or other poorly odorous molecules.