WO2016116953A1

WO2016116953A1 - An improved device for eliminating fermentation residue in an alcoholic beverage in general

Info

Publication number: WO2016116953A1
Application number: PCT/IT2015/000053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lorenzo GINI; Marco CARLI
Original assignee: Gins S.R.L
Priority date: 2015-01-20
Filing date: 2015-02-26
Publication date: 2016-07-28
Also published as: EP3247650A1; WO2016116952A1; JP2018510815A

Abstract

The present invention concerns a device (10, 20, 30) for the elimination of residues (2) of fermentation/re-fermentation in an alcoholic liquid, the device resulting to be applicable to a container (1) suitable for containing said alcoholic liquid and foreseeing a channel (13, 23, 33) for the collection of the residues. In an embodiment of the invention a shutter element (14, 24, 34) is foreseen, which is mobile between an open position, in which it allows the passage at least in part of the liquid contained in the container into said channel, and a close position, in which it is arranged in the channel isolating a containment chamber (13', 23', 33') for said residues. Alternatively, the device foresees a base (41) applicable to a container (1) and a pipe that emerges from the base (41), the pipe being realized at least in part in a folding material in such a way that said part can be folded on itself.

Description

TITLE

AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR ELIMINATING THE FERMENTATION RESIDUE IN AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE IN GENERAL

Technical field

The present invention refers to the technical field relative to the production of beverages, in particular alcoholic beverages.

The invention refers specifically to an innovative device for eliminating the residues that are formed during the fermentation/re-fermentation of an alcoholic beverage, thus allowing to obtain a bottled fermented beverage free of residues without the need to open the bottle for the elimination of such residues.

Background art

The production processes of alcoholic beverages, with reference to sparkling wines in general, for example champagne, foresee a productive process known as "methode champenoise" that consists in inducing the re-fermentation of the wines in the bottle through the introduction of selected sugars and yeasts (liqueur de tirage) . In this way, the wine acquires the traditional pressure (visible under the form of bubbles) guaranteed by the carbon dioxide produced by the second fermentation (froth) that takes place in the bottle. After a rest period the " remuage" phase takes place, which consists in putting the bottles on specific easels that keep the neck lower with respect to the bottom of the bottle. The continuous rotation of the bottle makes the lees of the exhausted yeasts deposit (which have been produced by the fermentation in bottle) on the stopper (or the sediments or residues) . The last phase consists in the elimination of such resides that have fallen on the stopper.

To this aim, a refrigerating system is foreseen that freezes locally the wine contained in the bottle neck, thus imprisoning said residues. The removal of the stopper allows to the frozen part to be expelled under pressure, while the rest of the content, now free from the residues, is topped up.

It is clear that such a system is rather complex since it requires a particular type of device that allows to freeze the product "locally", rendering such a cleaning process long and expensive.

Moreover, it is necessary to foresee a top up operation of the product.

Disclosure of invention

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a device that is alternative to the preceding one and that solves said technical inconveniences.

In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a device that allows to clean in a simple and economical manner the alcoholic beverage from heavy residues which have been formed, without the need for complex refrigerating apparatus and without the need for top ups.

It is also the aim of the present invention to provide a device that impedes the inverse reflux of the residues in an efficient way.

These and other aims are reached with the present device (10, 20, 30) for the elimination of residues (2) of fermentation/re-fermentation of an alcoholic liquid, preferably an alcoholic beverage such as a sparkling wine or champagne, in accordance with claim 1.

Such a device (10, 20, 30) results to be applicable to a container (1) that contains the liquid to be purified and foresees a channel (13, 23, 33) for the collection of such residues.

In accordance with the invention, a shutter element (14, 24, 34) is foreseen which is mobile between an open position, in which it allows the passage at least in part of the liquid contained in the container into said channel, and a close position, in which it is arranged in the channel, isolating a containment chamber (13', 23', 33') for said residues.

In such a manner, when such a mobile element does not obstruct the channel, it is then possible to proceed with the precipitation of the residues formed that will accumulate at the bottom of the channel, for example overturning the container if such a device is applied to the top of the container itself.

When the residues are precipitated, it is possible to move said mobile element in the position of obstruction of the channel, therefore trapping the residues in the chamber isolated and delimited by it.

In this way, all said technical inconveniences are solved.

The device, in a simple and efficient way, allows the perfect removal of all the residues and also impedes an accidental inverse reflux thereof.

In addition, unlike the traditional system described in the known art, it is not necessary to make a top up of the liquid, therefore to unstop the bottle or the container, to purify it of the residues.

In accordance with such a solution, the device described can remain applied to the container exactly as a stopper and can be placed as it is on the market.

In that sense, the final consumer will be the first to unstop the container after the fermentation and/or re- fermentation and therefore after the "froth" or effervescing, finding a perfectly clean content.

Advantageously, said channel is blind.

Advantageously, said shutter element (14) has the shape of a stem (14') arranged in axis along the channel, preferably coaxial with the channel, and configured in such a way that in correspondence of a translation thereof in a direction it obstructs said channel, isolating said chamber ( 13 ' ) .

Advantageously, said stem (14') terminates with a widened head (14'') whose size is such as to obstruct the mouth of the channel (13) .

Advantageously, the device (10) comprises an inferior part (11), connectable to the container in a removable manner, and a superior part (12) which is mobile with respect to the inferior part, said stem (14') being connected by the end opposite to the widened head (14'') to said superior part (12) in such a way that a departure of said superior part (12) with respect to the inferior part (11) causes a translation of the shutter element that obstructs said channel (13).

Advantageously, the stem (14') comprises a threaded part that engages in an equivalent thread obtained in the inferior part (11) in such a way that a rotation of the superior part (12) in a direction causes a departure of the superior part from the inferior one and a rotation in the opposite direction causes a close up between said two parts .

Alternatively, advantageously, the shutter element has the shape of a sheet (24) insertable in a seat obtained in the device (20) in such a way as to isolate said chamber (23' ) when inserted.

Advantageously, alternatively, the shutter element has the shape of a tap arrangeable in a close position in which it isolates said chamber (23' ) . It is also described here the combination of a container (1) and a device (10, 20, 30) as described above, in which said container (1) is configured in such a way that such a device is applicable in correspondence of the base of the container.

It is also here described a device (40) for the elimination of residues (2) of fermentation/re- fermentation of an alcoholic liquid, the device foreseeing a base (41), applicable to a container (1), and a pipe that emerges from the base (41), the pipe being realized at least in part in a folding material in such a way that said part can be folded on itself.

Advantageously, the pipe is rectilinear, preferably for its entire length.

Advantageously, the pipe is emerging in a perpendicular way from the base (41) .

Advantageously, the pipe is realized in a folding material for its entire length.

Advantageously, a stopper (45) and/or a filiform element (44) is/are foreseen to keep the pipe folded on itself.

Last, it is described here the combination of a device (40) as described and of a container (1) and wherein said container is configured in such a way that said device (40) results to be applicable to the base of the container.

Brief description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the present device, according to the invention, will result clearer with the description that follows of some embodiments, made to illustrate but not to limit, with reference with the annexed drawings, wherein:

- Figures from 1 to 3 show a container to which a device 10 results to be applied, suitable for the elimination of residues in accordance with a first possible embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 4 shows the same solution applied to the bottom of the container;

- Figures 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the invention, while figure 7 represents the same solution of figure 5 and 6 but applied to the base of the container;

- Figure 8 shows a further variant of the invention and figure 9 represents the solution of figure 8 with the device applied to the base of the container;

- Figures from 10 to 12 show a last variant of the invention.

Description of some preferred embodiments

Figure 1 shows a first possible solution.

In particular, in a non-limiting manner, a container

1 for the alcoholic beverage is represented, for example a bottle made of glass or other material.

The figure represents also the liquid contained in the bottle and schematizes, with number 2, the eventual residues of the re-fermentation that are formed and that have to be eliminated.

Such a number for the container and the residues will be repeated for all the embodiments described.

In order to eliminate such residues, the application of a device 10 is foreseen in accordance with figure 1.

The device 10 is applicable to the bottle neck in a removable manner, for example through a thread that allows to screw/unscrew it to/from the bottle neck.

Nevertheless, it is clear that the device 10 can be configured in such a way as to connect to the bottle in multiple different ways, such as by mechanical interference . As better clarified below, the device 10 functions contextually as a stopper and as a device for the elimination of residues.

It may be left on the bottle and unstopped every time by the final consumer or, alternatively, it may be removed in the production phase and substituted with a normal stopper once the residues have been eliminated.

As said, always with reference to figure 1, there could also be a bottle free of thread and with the same device 10 that is applied by mechanical interference externally or internally to the bottle neck.

Having said all this, we will now describe more in technical detail the present device 10.

It is constituted of an inferior part 11 and of a superior part 12 which is mobile with respect to the inferior part.

The inferior part 11, in the non-limiting example of figure 1, forms a body that is screwable to the bottle neck.

In figure 1, in an obviously non-limiting manner, it is represented the solution in which such inferior part 11 is screwed to the classical thread foreseen in the bottle neck but, as said, the same solution could exist with application by mechanical interference.

It therefore functions, basically, as a normal stopper for a bottle.

Figure 1, as also figures 2 and 3, show a section of the device 10 to highlight the components thereof.

The inferior part 11, that is the one that is connected to the bottle neck, forms inside it a blind channel 13 for the containment of residues of re- fermentation that will be directed there through the overturning of the bottle during the process of cleaning of the residues, as will be described in detail below.

Such a channel 13 forms a sort of containment chamber, as better clarified below.

To that aim, a shutter element 14 is foreseen that is formed by a stem 14', in part threaded, and by a widened head 14'' whose size is such as to obstruct such a channel 13. The part of threaded stem, indicated with number 17 in figure 2, couples with a thread obtained, obviously, in the body of the inferior part 11 in such a way as to obstruct the channel 13 (see figure 2) .

The shutter element 14, in particular the stem 14'', terminates and is fixed to the superior part through a final end 18.

As shown in figure 1 and in figure 2 a gasket 16 is foreseen whose function is described below.

As shown in figure 3, the superior part 12 is rotatable with respect to the inferior part thanks to the fact that it is connected integrally to the stem 14', in turn bound through the thread to the inferior part 11.

In this way, by rotating in a direction the superior part 12 with respect to the inferior part 11, as shown in the sequence of figure 2 and 3, the superior part is lifted, dragging in a roto-translation the shutter element 14, in particular the widened head 14'', to close the channel 13.

The part of channel that is comprised between seal 16 and head 14'' is numbered with number 13' and indicates the chamber of collection of the residues.

An opposite rotation takes the shutter element back in the embodiment of figure 2.

At this point, the functioning of the device results to be clear.

Initially, it results to be applied to the bottle in the embodiment of figure 1, that is with the channel 13 free and not obstructed by the shutter element.

When it is necessary to operate the removal of the residues, it is enough to turn the bottle upside down and eventually make it oscillate (also with specific machinery) in such a way that all the residues that have been formed precipitate in the channel 13 by gravity.

The seal 16 renders the channel 13 totally tight

(blind) and impedes that the residues and liquids infiltrate into the thread of the part of stem 17.

The seal 16 is arranged by tight until six bar pressure and impedes always, no matter the position the piece 12 has with respect to the piece 11, the exit of liquids, residues or gas also during the roto-translation .

At this point, having lapsed a pre-determined period of time enough for the collection of the residues in the channel 13, residues that have precipitated on the seal 16, it is enough to rotate the superior part 12 in such a way that the shutter element translates, making the widened head obstruct the channel 13 (as per figure 3) . In such a manner, a collection volume 13' is delimited between the seal 16 and the widened head 14' ' into which said residues remain trapped.

Figure.3 schematizes the trapped residues 2.

In this manner, not only has the liquid been cleaned from the residues but, above all, the residues are impeded to flow back accidentally inside the bottle. At this point, the product is ready to be placed on the market with such a device that remains applied and that can be removed as a normal screwed stopper. Alternatively, it can be removed and substituted with a normal stopper.

In addition, further, it can be removed and the bottle can be topped up with sugars or other to characterize the taste of the product thereof already cleaned from the residues to then re-stop it with the same device 10 or with another stopper.

Naturally, the spearhead-shaped widened head 14'' is not to be intended in a limiting sense but can assume any other shape.

The same solution could be applied in an identical way on any container (not necessarily a bottle) .

Figure 4 shows an alternative solution applied to a container (not necessarily a bottle) configured in such a way that such a device can be applied to the bottom.

Such a solution of figure 4 is therefore identical to the preceding one except for the fact that the device is applied to the bottom of the container adequately configured and provided with a support 19 to allow the rest thereof on the ground. The superior part of the container, if present, can be closed by a normal stopper.

The obvious advantage of such a solution is that in the process of elimination of the residues the overturning is not necessary since, precisely, the device is arranged on the bottom, therefore in the normal position of the container the residues fall by gravity into said channel 13.

A second embodiment of the invention is described with reference to figures 5, 6 and 7.

Also in this case, the device 20 in accordance with such a second embodiment, is applicable in a removable manner to the bottle neck. Also in this case, a bottle is represented having in correspondence of the neck 3 a thread 4 to which it is screwed, as if it were a stopper, the device 20, as for the preceding case. In accordance with such a solution, the device 20 is formed by a superior part 26 and an inferior part 22.

The superior part 26 is connectable in a removable manner to the inferior part 22, for example through an extension of the inferior part provided with thread. As said, the inferior part 22 is that which is connected in a removable manner to the bottle.

Having said that, the entire device 20 forms a blind channel which in fact, as in the preceding case, forms a collection tank for the residues.

To that aim, as shown in the section of figure 5, a sheet (of any material) is foreseen, which is arranged in a sliding manner in a transversal way with respect to said device 20, in such a way that it can physically isolate the superior part of the channel 23 from the inferior one. In such a manner, when the sheet is totally inserted into its appropriate seat 25, it creates and isolates a containment chamber 23' into which the residues are collected once the bottle has been overturned for a certain period of time.

Preferably, the seat of the sheet has to be coated, along all its edges, with rubber or a plastic material in general of specific tight, preferably up to 6 bar pressure, in such a way as never to allow the exit of liquid, not even during the movement of the sheet. Preferably, the device 20 is such that, when applied, the channel 23 results to be at the same level of the bottle neck, or with the internal surface of the bottle neck, in such a way as to avoid the formation of steps that could trap residues, impeding the correct fall thereof in the tank 23' .

To that aim, preferably, seals 28 are foreseen that are a filo with the internal surface of the bottle neck.

Figure 6 shows, for greater clarity, a top view.

The top view shows with a dotted line the elements that obviously do not result visible.

In the top view it is clearly seen the sheet 24 which results to be inserted in the transversal seat 25 of the device 20 in such a way as to obstruct the channel 23 and therefore in such a way as to divide the channel into two parts, isolating the chamber 23' where the residues are collected. The sheet, to be maneuvered in entry and exit to/from the seat, has an exceeding length. Figure 6 shows such a sheet in which with a continued line the exceeding part is highlighted and with a dotted line the part of sheet inserted in the seat covering the channel 23 is highlighted.

Always the figure, in a top view, highlights with a dotted line the circumference of the channel 23.

The size of the seat into which the sheet is inserted, and therefore also the size of the sheet 24, is such that the channel 23 is totally obstructed, creating a separation of the collected residues.

In use, therefore, the functioning is similar to the preceding one described, since it consists always in the precipitation of the residues through the overturning of the container and the isolation of these ones through the insertion of the sheet that separates the channel into two parts, therefore isolating the collected residues.

In this case, it is enough to push the sheet inside until the stop, in such a way that it can obstruct the channel 23' .

Exactly as for the preceding case, at this point it will be possible to place the product on the market with such a device applied or proceed with the top up with another beverage to characterize the taste thereof (that is the removal of such a device and top up) .

In that case, the device 20 can be removed, topping up other ingredients and re-inserting the device 20 as a normal stopper. Alternatively, it can be totally removed and it can be substituted by any other type of screwable stopper, cork, etc.

In a further alternative, the piece 26 can be removed at the head, unscrewing it from the device 20, removing the residues and rinsing the cavity 23' . At this point, by removing the sheet as well, it is possible to re-insert the top up to then close everything through the reinstatement at the head of the piece 26. The sheet 24 can be taken back to its initial position of partial obstruction of the channel.

The device 20 could also present itself as a single block, that is without the need to result subdivided into the superior part 26 and the inferior part 22.

Figure 7 shows a variant in which the same device described in figures 5 and 6 is applied on a container having an attachment arrangement on the bottom.

In such a manner, exactly as for the first embodiment described, the advantage consists in the fact that the overturning of the bottle is not necessary, since in its natural position the residues will fall towards such a device 20 by gravity.

The container, also in this case, will have a support base that will allow to keep it straight on the ground despite the presence of the device.

In this case, as in the first embodiment, the container could be similar in shape to a bottle eventually furnished with a normal closing stopper on top for the pouring of the liquid contained.

Figure 8 shows a further variant of the invention through a device 30.

This is basically identical to the one described with reference to figures from 5 to 7.

Such a device, exactly as the other ones, can be arranged to the bottle neck in a removable manner, for example through a thread that allows to screw it.

Unlike the device 20, in this case a simple tap 34 is foreseen in the place of the sheet, for example operable through a knob 31.

The tap can, for example, be of the sphere-like type 32. In this case, a sphere 32 is foreseen placed to obstruct the channel 33 in such a way as to isolate the chamber 33' where the residues are collected.

As it is well known, the sphere-like valve foresees a spherical body holed axially in such a way that the hole creates a passage 32' . In that sense, when the sphere is rotated through the knob 31 so that the passage is in axis with the channel 33, then in this case the overturning of the bottle allows the fall of the residues in the space 33' . A subsequent rotation of the sphere moves the passage out of the axis of the channel 33, isolating the chamber 33' .

In that sense, a rotation in a direction of the knob opens the tap, therefore allowing the residues to fall to the bottom of the blind channel 33' , and then the subsequent closure of the tap isolates such residues since it isolates the chamber 33' .

The separation process is obviously identical to the preceding ones and requires, according to such a solution, an overturning of the bottle eventually with a specific machinery.

Also in this case the device 30 can be realized in a single piece or in two halves and of which the overlying part 36 is screwable with respect to the underlying part 32.

Also in this case it will be possible to place the product on the market in the following ways.

With the device 30, for example but not necessarily after removing the superior part 36 and removing the residues, so as to avoid that accidentally the final user opens the tap making the previously collected residues fall.

Alternatively, the entire device can be removed and substituted with a normal stopper.

Such a device allows, thanks to the easy removal thereof, to top up other substances directly in the cleaned container and modify the product at will.

Figure 9 shows the same solution also in this case applied to the base of a specific container appropriately arranged.

Exactly as for the preceding cases described, the advantage of such a solution is that, by gravity, the residues fall directly in the device without the need for overturnings .

The succession of figures from 10 to 12 show a further solution. Also in this case it is a device 40 always applicable to the bottle neck in a removable manner, for example through the thread present in the bottle neck or by applying it by interference, exactly as for the preceding cases.

The device 40 is composed of a single block of the piece 41, that, in the non-limiting example of figure 10, connects to the bottle through screwing.

From the piece 41 a small pipe 42 in a folding material emerges vertically towards the top, for example made of rubber or silicone, which forms a blind channel 43.

The blind channel 43 constitutes itself a collection tank where the residues of fermentation/re-fermentation will be directed and trapped, exactly as for the preceding cases .

Initially, therefore, the small pipe 42 is normally stretched as in figure 10. After the re-fermentation has taken place and the residues have been formed and are free, the bottle will be inclined, if necessary overturned and submitted to vibrations also with possible specific machines in such a way as to make the residues precipitate first in the part 41 and then in the folding small pipe 42.

At this point, there is no mobile element that separates the channel into two parts, therefore isolating the residues as in the other solutions, but instead it will be enough to fold and close on itself the small pipe 42 in such a way as to block the residues inside it in the folded terminal part 43' .

The small pipe can therefore be folded and blocked with an appropriate wire, for example of folding metal or plastic band 44, and/or applying to it a blocking stopper 45.

Figure 11 shows, for example, the case of the small pipe folded on itself and kept in such a position thanks to a closing wire and a stopper.

When folded, therefore, the terminal end 43' will contain the residues that will be impeded to flow back thanks to such a loop that throttles the small pipe.

An alternative solution, in order to keep the small pipe in folded position, is the application of the single blocking stopper 45 specifically dimensioned in such a way as to keep the small pipe folded.

At this point, it will be possible to place the product on the market or proceed with the top up with another beverage to characterize the taste thereof, removing the device 40, topping up and re-inserting the device 40 as if it were a stopper or substituting it with any other type of screwable tap, cork, etc.

The same device 40, as explained in the preceding embodiments, could be applicable to the bottom of the container if such a container is projected and foresees a connection point in correspondence of its bottom.

Figure 12 shows such a further solution similar to the previously described ones, the same advantages mentioned above being therefore valid.

Claims

A device (10, 20, 30) for the elimination of residues (2) of fermentation/re-fermentation in an alcoholic liquid, the device resulting applicable to a container (1) suitable to contain said alcoholic liquid and foreseeing a channel (13, 23, 33) for the collection of the residues and characterized in that a shutter element (14, 24, 34) is foreseen which is mobile between an open position, in which it allows the passage at least in part of the liquid contained in the container into said channel, and a close position in which it is arranged in the channel isolating a containment chamber (13', 23', 33') for said residues.

A device (10, 20, 30), as per claim 1, wherein said channel is blind.

A device (10, 20, 30), as per claim 1 or 2, wherein said shutter element (14) is in the shape of a stem

(14') arranged along the channel, preferably coaxial with the channel, and configured in such a way that in correspondence of a translation thereof in a direction it obstructs said channel, isolating said chamber

(13' ) .

A device (10, 20, 30), as per claim 3, wherein said stem (14') terminates with a widened head (14'') whose size is such as to obstruct the mouth of the channel (13) .

A device (10, 20, 30), as per claim 3 and 4, wherein the device (10) comprises an inferior part (11), connectable to the container in a removable manner, and a superior part (12) which is mobile with respect to the inferior part, said stem (14' ) being connected by the end opposite to the widened head (14'') to said superior part (12) in such a way that a departure of said superior part (12) with respect to the inferior part (11) causes a translation of the shutter element that obstructs said channel (13).

A device (10, 20, 30), as per claim 5, wherein the stem (14') comprises a threaded part that engages in an equivalent thread obtained in the inferior part (11) in such a way that a rotation of the superior part (12) in a direction causes a departure of the superior part from the inferior one and a rotation in the opposite direction causes a close up between said two parts.

A device (10, 20, 30) , as per one or more of the preceding claims from 1 to 2, wherein the shutter element is in the shape of a sheet (24) insertable in a seat obtained in the device (20) in such a way as to isolate said chamber (23' ) when inserted.

A device (10, 20, 30), as per one or more of the preceding claims from 1 to 2, wherein the shutter element is in the shape of a tap arrangeable in a close position in which it isolates said chamber (23' ) .

The combination of a container (1) and of a device (10, 20, 30), as per one or more of the preceding claims from 1 to 8, and characterized in that said container (1) is configured in such a way that such a device is applicable in correspondence of the base of the container.

10. A device (40) for the elimination of residues (2) of fermentation/re-fermentation of an alcoholic liquid, the device foreseeing a base (41), applicable to a container (1), and a pipe that emerges from the base (41), the pipe being realized at least in part in a folding material in such a way that said part can be folded on itself.

11. A device (40), as per claim 10, wherein the pipe is rectilinear .

12. A device (40), as per claim 11, wherein the pipe is rectilinear for its entire length.

13. A device (40), as per one or more of the preceding claims from 10 to 12, wherein the pipe is emerging in a perpendicular way from the base (41) .

14. A device (40), as per one or more of the preceding claims from 10 to 13, wherein the pipe is realized in a folding material for its entire length.

15. A device (40), as per one or more of the preceding claims from 10 to 14, wherein a stopper (45) and/or a filiform element (44) is/are foreseen to keep the pipe folded on itself.

16. The combination of a device (40), as per one or more of the preceding claims from 10 to 15, and of a container (1) and characterized in that said container is configured in such a way that said device (40) results to be applicable to the base of the container.