Automatic pigeur

Abstract

The present invention is intended for use in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, and more particularly during the winemaking phases. It allows automatic punching down operations in barrels or vats to be carried out in a homogeneous manner in order to crumble the cap of marc and prevent it from drying out, among other things. Figure for the abstract: [Fig 14]

Description

Title of the invention: Automatic pigeur

[0001] The present invention is intended for use in the context of the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, and more particularly during the winemaking phases.

[0002] Upon entering the cellar, the grapes are crushed or pressed (more specifically for white wines), then placed in vats or barrels for vinification, including maceration and alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the purpose of which is to confer the specific organoleptic and physicochemical properties to the wines. Complete vinification techniques are becoming increasingly popular. They consist of sending the freshly crushed grapes directly into barrels, and allowing the maceration, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation phases to take place directly in the same barrel. Contact from the start of the barrel with the juice released from the berries and solid parts of the grape (skins, pulp, seeds, etc.) allows the wood to be integrated very early on in the context of complete vinification.

[0003] Fermentation induces the release of CO2 from the must, rising to the surface, carrying solid parts with it. These solid parts then form what is called a "pomace cap".

[0004] During this phase and in order to improve the vinification, it is preferable to avoid drying out this cap of marc by mechanical stress.

[0005] To avoid these defects, punching down operations are generally carried out. These operations are conventionally carried out using a hand tool by moving back and forth in the vat or barrel, in order to break up the cap of marc. Punching down must be as homogeneous as possible, regular and carried out sufficiently often to avoid densification of the marc, and the formation of preferential channels. This manual operation is restrictive due to the need to carry it out relatively often (several times a day for example), and painful because the efforts to be generated can be significant.

[0006] Several systems have already been studied in order to automate the operation; some complexes are rather intended for punching down in vats (EP0916723A1 for example); others with an articulated system allowing oscillating movements of the punching down member (FR2614314A1, FR2778411A1, FR2952647A1, for example); others with a simple punching down member (FR2979916A1, WO2016001906A1) not allowing uniformity in the crumbling.

[0007] The present invention is a system for carrying out automated punching down in barrels or vats (hereinafter referred to as containers). The unitary element (hereinafter referred to as punching down unit) makes it possible to treat a container. The system presented can be made up of one or more punching units, assembled or not in a modular manner. It consists of: • A supporting frame 100 which can be arranged on casters or in the form of a structure which allows the punching element(s) to be positioned in a suitable manner (articulated jib, gantry on wheels or rails, fixed structure moved by a lifting element or other) - an alternative version of the invention consists of having a fixed frame under which the winemaking containers are brought for the punching operations, • A 200 punching unit consisting of: • An electric or pneumatic actuator 300, among other things, enabling the lifting and lowering of the peg device, • A deployable peg device 400, • An automatic rotation system 500, allowing the punching device to rotate at each ascent - The said system can be actuated mechanically, pneumatically or electrically, among other things, • A 600 control interface dedicated to the operator or a system allowing remote operation of the unit.

[0008] For use, the operator positions the assembly opposite the container to be treated, or brings the containers opposite the system. He then deploys the tapping member(s) and locks them open. This manual step corresponds to the version of the invention described here. A variant may integrate a deployment actuator, or a gravity deployment.

[0009] The tapping corresponds to a succession of movement times and rest times (a continuous movement and a zero rest time are not excluded). During the movement times, the tapping member descends into the container along the vertical axis, the amplitude of movement can be made random, or on the contrary correspond to one or more predefined amplitudes. On approaching the high position (but not exclusively: the invention can include a continuous or non-continuous rotation of the tapping member during the rise-fall cycle), the tapping member is automatically rotated in order to reach a position (predefined or any). It descends again to a new position, then rises again by performing a new rotation. The movement is thus repeated for the entire duration of the movement time.

[0010] Both the oscillation speed along the vertical axis and the rotation speed can be adjusted. When the movement time has elapsed, the movements are potentially stopped during a rest time. At the end of this rest time, the movement cycle is restarted.

[0011] The chassis is a custom-made supporting structure, allowing the mechanical, pneumatic, electrical and other components to be supported. The structure rests on casters, for example, allowing the operator to manipulate it in order to place the system on different containers. This supporting frame can also be fixed, and possibly handled using systems such as an articulated jib, a gantry on wheels or rails, or other lifting and handling element. The punching-down unit can also be attached to a fixed structure, under which the winemaking containers are brought for punching-down operations.

[0012] The punching unit is mechanically fixed to the supporting frame using a mechanical interface 01 for example. The use of a pneumatic cylinder 02 (for example) is preferred to hydraulics because it avoids any risk of pollution of the wine in the event of a leak in particular. This actuator ensures the vertical movements of raising and lowering of the punching member. An alternative to pneumatic actuation can be considered in the form of an electromechanical actuator, ball or trapezoidal screw, crank rod, belt or other.

[0013] The end of the cylinder rod may comprise an automated rotation system 03, with a set of rollers 04 arranged in a star shape. When the cylinder rises, and more precisely when reaching the high position, a striker 05 fixed between the end of the cylinder rod and the automated rotation system comes into contact with a connecting bar 06 of an articulated arm 07 in pivot connection with the mechanical interface. This arm pivots under the action of the contact, and drives the star of rollers 04 in rotation. This system allows automatic rotation of the pinning member, without an additional actuator, while bringing the pinning member to a random angular position. This rotation could also be achieved via an independent actuator (rotary cylinder, belt, geared motor, gear set, this list is not exhaustive).

[0014] In the lower part of the automated rotation system is arranged a fitting 08 allowing the rod of the tapping member to be positioned, and immobilized using a pin 09. An alternative to the configuration would be a coupling by screw-nut, splined shaft, bayonet, clamping ring or other mechanical coupling means.

[0015] The pneumatic cylinder is controlled by a distributor system connected to a logic controller. The established program and the times set by the operator allow tapping up to predefined or random heights. The amplitude of movement of the cylinder is therefore variable. The same effect could be obtained by using a microcontroller (or any other control equipment: computer, PLC, this list is not exhaustive) generating random or variable amplitudes of movement (as much for oscillations along the main vertical axis as well as for rotations of the peg member) within the framework of the actuators cited above.

[0016] The variation in the amplitudes of movement and the random angular position of the punching member fully contribute to the homogenization of the punching.

[0017] The punching-down member is in the form of a deployable assembly (partially or completely) with several arms 10 distributed over at least one level. The version illustrated here has arms distributed over two levels. An alternative would consist of a helical distribution around the axis of the punching-down member. Its compactness in the folded position allows it to pass through a bung of a relatively small diameter at the top of the container. This is an advantage because reducing the bung diameter limits exchanges with the ambient air, and therefore limits oxidation of the wine.

[0018] A device for isolating the contents of the container from the ambient air can be implemented, as can a device for inerting the container to inject a gas such as CO2 for example.

[0019] Once inserted into the container, it can be unfolded. To do this, the operator slides the outer tube 11 downwards. The translational movement of the outer tube on the inner tube 12 induces the operation of the connecting rods 13 causing the arms to pivot at the base of the inner tube. With the arms thus deployed, the punching down is even better distributed over almost the entire surface of the marc cap. The folded and unfolded positions are to be locked by the operator using a pin 14 or other.

[0020] The configuration described is not limiting, deployment by a cam system, a screw-nut system, or a pantograph with deformable diamonds (this list is not limiting) can be envisaged, whether the actuation is manual or assisted (electro-pneumatically, electro-mechanically or other).

[0021] This configuration of the punching member can be provided with flexible complementary elements 20 making it possible to connect the arms together, which makes it possible to obtain greater mechanical stress on the marc, and therefore to improve the quality of the punching while retaining the ability to fold the punching member.

[0022] The arms of this peg member can be either rigid or made of flexible material. Likewise, they could be articulated relative to the hub via springs.

[0023] A human-machine interface can complement the device. Another solution consists of remote operation (via wired or radio frequency control, among others) from a control unit controlling one or more tapping modules.

[0024] With the aim of completing the description which is made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings of illustrative and non-limiting manner is accompanied as an integral part of this description. What they represent is as follows:

[0025] [Fig. 1] is a presentation of the system in 1 unit version - It allows the treatment of a single container. The supporting frame is placed on the container, and supports the pneumatic assembly in the upper part.

[0026] [Fig.2] is a presentation of the system in 4-unit version - It allows the processing of 4 containers. The carrier frame is positioned on a batch of 4 containers. It is in the form of a straddle carrier, which allows it to be moved later in order to process a new batch of containers.

[0027] [Fig.3] is a presentation of the measuring unit shown with the rod retracted (position high), and folded punching organ.

[0028] [Fig.4] is a presentation of the measuring unit shown with the rod retracted (position high), and unfolded punching organ.

[0029] [Fig.5] is a presentation of the measuring unit shown with the rod extended (position low), and unfolded punching organ.

[0030] [Fig.6] is a view of the fitting between the rotation system and the cane of the punching organ

[0031] [Fig.7] is an isometric view of the tapping unit, rod retracted (high position), and unfolded measuring device.

[0032] [Fig.8] is an isometric view of the unit, with the rod retracted (high position), and the tapping member folded.

[0033] [Fig.9] is a top view of the tapping member in the unfolded position.

[0034] [Fig. 10] is a view of the roller star and the striker 05 mounted between the end of the jack rod and the pinning member.

[0035] [Fig. 11] is a view of the roller star allowing automatic rotation before the rotation phase (approaching the high position). The striker is in contact with the connecting bar 06. The articulated arm 07 has not yet tilted.

[0036] [Fig. 12] is a view of the roller star allowing automatic rotation at the end of the rotation phase (high position reached). The striker is in contact with the connecting bar. The articulated arm has driven the roller star 04 into rotation.

[0037] [Fig. 13] is an illustration of an alternative to the tapping member with flexible complementary elements 20 making it possible to connect the arms together.

[0038] [Fig. 14] is an isometric view of the machine with the container shown in section.

[0039] This invention is intended to carry out automated punching operations in containers during the production of alcoholic beverages.

Claims

Claims

1. A punching down system for crumbling the marc in a container such as a vat or barrel, comprising: a. A fixed or mobile supporting frame (100), b. A punching down unit (200) containing: i. An electric or pneumatic actuator (300) among others allowing the punching down member to be raised and lowered. ii. A deployable punching down member (400) composed of several arms (10), the folded position of the arms provides a compactness allowing the member to pass through a relatively small diameter bung, thus limiting exchanges with the ambient air, and therefore limiting oxidation of the wine. iii. A rotation actuator (500), allowing the punching down member (400) to be rotated. a. A control interface dedicated to the operator or a system allowing remote operation of the unit.Characterized in that the punching system integrates a rotation of said punching member (400), making it possible to mechanically and automatically vary the position of the punching member, and thus process the cap of marcs, the rotation being ensured by a system (03) comprising rollers (04) arranged in a star shape driven in rotation by an articulated arm (07).

2. A tapping system according to claim 1, characterized in that the tapping system is composed of one or more tapping units (200) and an associated structure for supporting these tapping units (200).

3. Tapping system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tapping member is in the form of a deployable tapping member (400), making it possible to distribute the tapping forces, the manual opening, or opening driven by an actuator of this deployable tapping member (400) being carried out by sliding the tubes (11 and 12).

4. A pegged system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pegged system is configured so that the pegged movements take place up to random heights, thus making it possible to vary the movements of the deployable pegged member (400) over the amplitude of the stroke of the actuator (500).

5. Tapping system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deployable tapping member (400) incorporates flexible complementary elements (20) making it possible to connect the arms (10) together.

6. A tapping system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that arms of the deployable tapping member (400) are arranged helically around the axis.

7. A tapping system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that arms of the deployable tapping member (400) are made of flexible material.

8. Tapping system, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device making it possible to inert the container by injecting gas for example.