MODULAR PRESS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a modular press for pressing liquid-containing material, in particular grapes, according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method for pressing liquid-containing material using such an arrangement according to the preamble of claim 13.

[0002] Presses for extracting liquids are known, for example, from EP 0 145 948 B1 and are used to extract grape juice, used as a raw material for winemaking, from grapes placed in the press. The press described in EP 0 145 948 B1 has a closed container that can be rotated about its horizontal longitudinal axis. The container has a filling and emptying opening in its shell, opposite a juice outlet on the opposite side of the container, which can be closed by a lid. Drainage elements in the form of liquid-permeable pipes are provided along the diameter of the container. These pipes are located in a pressing chamber, which is defined by a pressure-tight pressing membrane attached inside the container. This membrane divides the interior of the container into a pressure chamber and the pressing chamber.

[0003] WO 03 / 035381 A1 describes a press comprising a closed container that can be rotated about its horizontal longitudinal axis. The interior of the container is divided into a pressure medium chamber and a pressing medium chamber by at least one press membrane. A filling and emptying opening, closable by a lid, is arranged in the container shell. Opposite the filling and emptying opening is a juice drain located in the pressing chamber. Liquid-permeable drainage elements are also arranged in the pressing chamber, extending from one end of the container to the other, and spanning the diameter and substantially perpendicular to the container axis. The drainage elements have a flexible support element around which a juice-permeable fabric tube is arranged.In the juicing position, the drainage elements extend in a substantially vertical direction to direct the juice into a juice collection spout located below, from where it is conveyed via a collection line to a collection container. CH 412 577 A discloses a known arrangement for pressing liquid-containing material.

[0004] The pneumatic fruit and grape presses currently on the market are generally designed as a permanently mounted assembly and essentially consist of a machine frame to which the following functional sub-assemblies are permanently mounted: A press vessel, wholly or partially lined with one or more airtight press membranes, which divide the vessel into a pressure medium chamber and a product chamber, and equipped with a manually or automatically operated filling and emptying opening for filling and emptying the press residue remaining after pressing. The press vessel is always mounted on the machine frame so that it can rotate around its horizontal axis. A rotary union, which is expensive to manufacture and generally prone to failure, is essential due to the rotation of the press vessel required for pressing and emptying, in order to supply the necessary media for operation, such as compressed air, electricity, and, if applicable, control signals. A permanently mounted drive motor, which, via suitable gears and machine elements, can set the press vessel in rotation.A unit (so-called pre-pressure and vacuum blower) for generating a negative and positive pressure of approximately + / - 100 mbar to flip the press diaphragm. A unit for generating a positive pressure of approximately +100 mbar to approximately +1600 mbar, and in special cases even up to 3 bar, which is optionally mounted on the machine frame or, as an external compressor including a storage tank, part of the overall installation. Pneumatic and electrical connections between the individual units, valves, and pipes, etc., as well as a machine control system, in particular a PLC with a user interface, which handles the control and visualization of the units necessary for the operating process.

[0005] The presses described above are available in various sizes with press bowl volumes ranging from approximately 50 liters to approximately 50,000 liters, and can be installed and operated as individual machines or, in larger systems, in groups. The feeding of the press with material and the removal of the press residue (pomace) play a crucial role. In addition to the option of installing multiple presses in a fixed location, they can also be mounted on casters, resulting in a variety of spatial configurations. Of these, a linear, fixed installation has proven to be the most economical in terms of feeding and pomace removal.

[0006] Another problem with the previously described presses is that they typically have a horizontal press chamber. This is because, due to the necessary rotation, the need for maximum space utilization, and the simplest possible manufacturing process, the press chambers of all currently known pneumatic presses are essentially designed as horizontal cylinders, with a rolled outer sheet metal casing sandwiched between two ends. This inevitably results in the press diaphragm being designed as a half-shell, with one or more diaphragms being used depending on the press system. However, the design of presses with cylindrical press chambers presents the following problems: Cone formation of the material to be pressed occurs when filling the press container via the lids. Due to the elongated shape of the cylindrical press container and the limited number and size of the filling and emptying openings and lids, cones of material form when the press is filled with non-liquid material. These cones prevent the product chamber in the press container from being completely filled and can only be avoided by rotating the press container. Problems arise when emptying the press residue. As with filling, nearly complete emptying of the press residue can only be achieved by continuously rotating the press container for a reasonable amount of time (typically 10-40 minutes). To improve emptying, some manufacturers use additional spiral discharge elements, which operate on the principle of kneading hooks or similar devices.Spiral plates of a concrete mixer are used, which, in addition to disrupting the press diaphragm (if mounted on the pressure medium side), require a continuous and uniform rotation of the press container.

[0007] A further disadvantage of the known presses is that the press chamber is designed as a pressure vessel according to the Pressure Equipment Directive. The majority of existing pneumatic presses use atmospheric overpressure (1.2 to 2 bar, in special cases up to 3 bar) to generate the pressure gradient necessary for pressing, which is applied to the pressure chamber via rotary unions, etc. Therefore, all pressurized parts of the press chamber fall under the Pressure Equipment Directive 2014 / 68 / EU; and the press as an assembly is considered "pressure equipment" within the meaning of this directive. In addition to the increased manufacturing costs of the press chamber, this also results in one-time and recurring inspection costs from the notified bodies, which, along with the installation-related safety measures, must be factored into the overall cost-benefit analysis.

[0008] The most cost-intensive aspect of using high pressures is the production of the pressure medium in the required quantity.

[0009] Furthermore, due to the nature of the process, the press container must be rotated during the pressing process to loosen the material being pressed and to empty the press residues, and the necessary media must be supplied and removed.

[0010] The supply and discharge of the operating media is usually carried out via rotary feedthroughs, which typically include the following: Pressure medium: mostly compressed air (low pressure / high pressure), control air for the movement of the automatic closures of the filling and emptying openings, electrical current for the movement of the automatic closures of the filling and emptying openings, signals for sensors on or in the press container.

[0011] These aforementioned media are supplied to and discharged from the press vessel via rotary unions for compressed air, suction air, and liquids, or, in the case of electrical media / signals, via slip rings. Due to the large volumes of pressurized media that must be moved in the shortest possible time, the diameters of the required rotary unions are relatively large, ranging from 50 to 150 mm (DN50 to DN150), resulting in correspondingly high manufacturing and service costs.

[0012] Another problem that significantly impairs the quality of the produced grape juice, or the pressed product in general, is that the juice generated during pressing is collected in a stationary trough located below the rotating press container. Depending on the press design, the juice is first drawn together from several outlets in or on the press container and then, during rotation or when the container is stationary, is drawn by gravity into the stationary trough at its lowest point. It is essential that the juice travels the distance between the press container, any guide plates, and the trough in free fall, as the necessary rotation of the press container does not allow for a closed pipe connection.

[0013] A disadvantage of this gravitational emptying of the juice into the juice vat is the lack of process control, which leads, for example, to splashing and sloshing, as well as the uncontrolled influence of the ambient air (oxidation, temperature, etc.), or the possible contamination by dust and especially insects, which are attracted in greater numbers by the high sugar content of the grape juice produced and often die in the juice vat.

[0014] To counteract this, it is known to use coupling mechanisms that, in the case of central juice collection at or in the press container, direct the juice to a collection tray at the lowest point of the press container by means of a mechanical coupling, e.g., an inert gas coupling used in grape pressing under inert gas, while largely excluding ambient air. However, this method is very costly, requires extensive cleaning, and is prone to malfunctions.

[0015] Another drawback resulting from the previously described gravitational drainage of the pressed grape juice from the press container is that it significantly increases the overall height of the press. Due to the design described above, the gravitational drainage and central collection of the product within a collection trough increases the overall height of the press by approximately 300 to 1000 mm, which necessitates a greater building height for installation and can therefore often cause problems in existing buildings.

[0016] In addition to their increased height, the presses described above also require more space due to their design. This is because the press bowl, which occupies approximately 75-85% of the installation space, is permanently connected to the frame and the components mounted on it. When multiple presses are used, the space required for the supply units necessary for each individual press is added to this.

[0017] Furthermore, the problem arises that, in addition to the very low annual usage of the presses, the utilization of the installed components during pressing is also relatively low due to the non-continuous pressing process. This results in the drive motor for container rotation only operating for approximately 2 minutes every 3-5 minutes. With certain pressing programs, this interval sometimes even increases to every 15-30 minutes, corresponding to a utilization of only about 10-40%. Moreover, the unit for flipping the membrane is also typically only operated for about 2 minutes every 3-5 minutes, corresponding to a utilization of approximately 30-40%. In addition, the control system (PLC) and the HMI for process automation and visualization are also only partially utilized (approximately 30%).

[0018] As the applicant further noted, a further deficiency arises from the fact that the press is used as a machine within the production process and is operated in a discontinuous processing operation. In this context, all pneumatic presses with press hoppers have in common that the system-related processing operation comprises the following steps: 1. Filling (Duration: between 2 minutes and 2 hours) 2. Pressing process (Duration: between 60 minutes and 4 hours) 3. Emptying of the press residue (Duration: between 10 and 30 minutes) 4. Cleaning of the press container (Duration: between 15 and 30 minutes in the case of quick cleaning)

[0019] After a press has been filled, it cannot be filled again for approximately 2-6 hours. Therefore, in the case of a continuous supply of material for pressing, a single press cannot operate continuously. In practice, continuous processing requires a number of presses adapted to the filling capacity and a correspondingly variable filling and transport system. The applicant found that, for example, 6-7 presses are needed to achieve continuous filling and ensure that the first press can be refilled after approximately 4 hours.

[0020] Another disadvantage of the presses known to date is their temporary, monofunctional use. Within the entire production process of processing the pressed material, these presses are used solely for pressing, i.e., separating the liquid components from the solid components of the material (in the food sector: grapes, herbs, fruits, etc.). This process occurs 1 to 4 times a day during grape processing in the harvest season (approximately 4-6 weeks per year). Occasionally, the press is also used for maceration (temporary storage / exposure of the grape must before pressing for approximately 3-20 hours). For the remainder of the harvest season or the year, the presses, including their hoppers, remain unused. Further applications within the production process are limited or even impossible due to the closed design of the complete assembly.

[0021] Finally, one problem with conventional presses is that their processing capacity is primarily determined by the size of the press bowl, which generally precludes any adjustments to the processing capacity of an existing press. However, when dimensioning a processing plant, the choice of press size and the number of presses used are crucial components of the economic analysis. Therefore, the processing capacity of a press should be matched as closely as possible to the quantity of material to be processed. This requires precisely coordinating the interplay of processing method, delivery quantity, duration and type of pressing cycles, pomace removal, cleaning, and space requirements with the current and future needs of the operation.For example, using presses that are too large and can only be partially filled leads to increased acquisition costs as well as increased time and energy consumption. At the same time, consistency in the processing of the material cannot be guaranteed if the press is not sufficiently filled. Furthermore, the utilization of existing presses fluctuates due to variations in the amount of material received, for example, due to weather conditions. Therefore, small quantities are best processed with smaller presses, which necessitates the use of different press sizes.

[0022] Furthermore, expansions of press capacities are usually only possible through the use of additional presses, which leads to sometimes significant structural changes and associated costs.

[0023] The disadvantage that several press sizes are necessary for different processing quantities / sortings continues to lead to lower utilization or even processing bottlenecks, since the process of reading the pressed material cannot be controlled precisely enough due to its nature.

[0024] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to create an arrangement which avoids the previously described shortcomings of the prior art.

[0025] This problem is solved according to the invention by an arrangement having the features of claim 1.

[0026] Another object of the invention is to provide a method for pressing liquid-containing substances, in particular grapes and fruits, using such an arrangement.

[0027] This problem is solved by a method having the features of claim 13.

[0028] Yet another task is to specify a novel use for a mobile press container used in the arrangement.

[0029] This problem is solved by using the device with the features of claim 14.

[0030] The arrangement includes, among other things, the following components: A few mobile unit press containers, preferably in short cylindrical, cubic or approximately spherical form, which are easily movable and have the least possible basic equipment, preferably comprising only the membrane, a drainage element, and the filling and emptying opening, a turning device for carrying out the required rotational movement of the press containers during the pressing process, the emptying process and the cleaning process, preferably a central media supply for the supply of compressed air, vacuum, and control air.

[0031] The use of multiple modules, i.e., multiple turning devices in conjunction with a large number of mobile press containers that can be used in them, results in increased performance.

[0032] In the following, the term "module" refers to the unit for grape processing (filling, pressing, emptying, cleaning) with the following components: one or more rotary fixtures, each with a media coupling, with a variable number of mobile pressing, storage, and transport containers, hereinafter also referred to as turning devices, one or more drive units for driving the turning devices, a central control unit for controlling the units and valves in the respective processing phases, one or more juice supply points per pressing container at a fixed point (juice collection container or pipe outlet), one or more units for providing the necessary pressure differential (overpressure / underpressure).

[0033] The following advantages result from the use of the arrangement according to the invention: Fastest possible start of a pressing program; fastest possible emptying; quality improvement through optimal fill quantity; better utilization of the drive and supply unit; lower electrical power consumption; higher operational reliability through the use of standardized components; continuous work with a sufficient number of pressing bodies is possible; maceration and tempering are also possible in smaller quantities and at different locations within a processing plant; mobility and use of the mobile press container: o as a collection container in the vineyard, which is filled directly during the harvest and then loaded onto a transport trailer, e.g., using a tractor with a front loader; ∘ as a container for storing wine, preferably after pressing and before bottling; o as a fermentation tank; o as a container for directly bottling fermented red wine must; o as a pressure vessel that can be used to provide compressed gas.

[0034] As the applicant recognized, smaller, uniformly designed mobile presses, which can have a capacity of, for example, between 400 and 4000 liters, allow for immediate and, if necessary, continuous utilization of the pressing capacity without harvest planning or knowledge of the expected daily volume, since the grapes can be processed immediately after delivery according to a fixed schedule. A further advantage is that the delivery process does not need to be interrupted due to the possibility of continuous operation.

[0035] According to the invention, a key concept of the arrangement according to the invention is to break down the system underlying the known grape presses, which is an inseparable unit of frame, press container and energy supply, into individual systems.

[0036] This results in an arrangement according to the invention for pressing out liquid-containing material, comprising a component according to claim 1.

[0037] The mobile press containers can also be used, if desired, for storing and transporting the grapes, liquid juice or wine after the pressing process.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, where forward and backward rotation can be performed without the use of an expensive and difficult-to-clean rotary union, the arrangement comprises a flexible hose that is permanently fluidically connected to the mobile press container and the juice collection container during pivoting of the press container. This allows the mobile press container to be rotated within the previously described limited angular ranges in the turning device, while the flexible hose is connected to the juice outlet on the container and establishes a flow connection to the juice collection container via the hose, which is isolated from the ambient air. This includes the flexible hose being connected at its downstream end to a connection block or, more generally, to a central coupling element, which, for example,which can be mounted on the turning device and is itself connected to a central juice collection container into which the liquid juice is introduced.

[0039] Preferably, in addition to the flexible hose, the compressed air and / or vacuum supply lines, as well as the data and electrical supply lines for any sensors and actuators arranged on the press container, are connected to the turning device via the central coupling element and are permanently fixed to the rotating press container during pressing. The central coupling elements, or connection blocks, also allow the connection to the container to be quickly disconnected when the mobile press containers are used for transport or storage. Overall, the use of the aforementioned central coupling element thus advantageously eliminates the need for rotary feedthroughs for the operating media (compressed air, electricity, signal to the container) and the product discharge (juice).

[0040] By limiting the rotation of the mobile press containers, or of the mounts for them in the turning device, preferably to 180° + approx. 45° in one direction of rotation and 180° - 45° in the opposite direction of rotation during the pressing process, it is further advantageous to achieve, on the one hand, highly efficient loosening of the material to be pressed between two pressing processes and, on the other hand, a sufficiently low load on the flexible hose during the forward and backward rotation of the mobile press containers in the turning device, thereby advantageously increasing the service life of the flexible hoses, which can be made, for example, of a rubber-like, preferably fabric-reinforced, food-grade material, as well as the other supply lines.The rotation angle is preferably limited by stops, which ensures a well-defined rotation angle when using electric motors or other electric actuators or pneumatic actuators.

[0041] In the same way as the removal of the juice via the flexible hose, the energy and media supply necessary for each container is also carried out according to the invention via the turning device, in particular the connection block mounted on it.

[0042] After coupling to the turning unit, the mobile press container(s) remain connected to the juice collection container, or to a compressed air or, if applicable, vacuum source, via a flexible hose throughout the entire filling, pressing, emptying, and cleaning process. This connection is made via an easily detachable link, in particular a connection adapter that can be attached to the connection block like a quick-release coupling. The positive pressure and, if applicable, negative pressure sources for supplying multiple turning units can be centrally located and stationary, or alternatively, each turning unit can have its own positive / negative pressure source, which is particularly advantageous when the turning units are designed as mobile units. It can be especially advantageous if the pressure reservoirs of several mobile press containers, which, for example,These mobile press containers are used side-by-side in individual turning units or in a shared turning unit for the simultaneous handling of several mobile press containers and can be connected to each other via connecting lines and interposed valves. This allows the compressed air in the pressure chamber of a first mobile press container to be directly introduced into the pressure chamber of an adjacent second press container after an initial pressing operation. This press can then pressurize the diaphragm of the second container with compressed gas for the next pressing operation, eliminating the need for energy-intensive compressor or blower generation. This results in significant energy savings for the supply of compressed gas.

[0043] The pressurized gas in the pressure medium chamber of the second mobile press container can, after the subsequent pressing process, in which additional pressurized gas / air is usually blown into the second pressure medium chamber at increased pressure, be returned to the pressure medium chamber of the first mobile press container via the connecting line by alternately opening and closing the valves, after the first mobile press container has been set in rotation to loosen the material being pressed and is ready for the next pressing process.

[0044] Furthermore, the drive devices for rotating the mobile press containers in the turning devices can be designed in such a way that one or more containers within a turning device can be set in rotation with one or more drive units, preferably independently of each other, so that each mobile press container inserted into the turning device can be individually rotated in one direction or the other according to the predetermined sequence of rotation and pressing processes, or the final emptying process.

[0045] According to the invention, a central control unit is provided for controlling the drive devices, the compressed gas / vacuum cylinders, and other actuators and sensors. Preferably, the sensors that detect the rotation angles of the mobile press containers during the pressing process, as well as the pressure in the pressure medium chamber, the temperature, and other process parameters, are also connected to this control unit. The control unit is advantageously designed as a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the mobile press containers can be inserted into a separate mobile turning device, in which they are individually rotated to perform the specified process steps during pressing. The mobile press containers can be inserted, for example, using a forklift or front loader, the lifting tines of which are inserted into two receiving openings located on the bottom of the mobile press containers. After loading with material to be pressed, the containers are preferably slid laterally into a corresponding receiving frame of the turning device, where they are secured by appropriate mechanical locking devices, such as a crossbar that is hooked into corresponding receptacles in the frame of the turning device.

[0047] This embodiment is characterized in that, after the mobile press container filled with material has been inserted into the locally movable turning mechanism and after the media lines, in particular the flexible hose, have been connected to the juice collection container, the turning device is moved from the filling position to the pressing position, from there to the emptying position, and then to the cleaning position. All mobile press containers can be filled at a fixed position, and after filling, the container(s) move linearly-horizontally, linearly-inclined, or horizontally circularly to the next position together with a turning device. Optionally, the containers can also be removed from the turning device and moved to the next position using a forklift or similar equipment.

[0048] After a pressing operation has been carried out, the mobile press containers (together with or without a turning device) are moved to a fixed emptying position and emptied there, e.g., onto a conveyor belt running below the containers, by opening the lid to close the filling and emptying opening and rotating the container in the turning device so that the filling and emptying opening, which was on top during the filling operation, is now on the underside.

[0049] After emptying, the mobile press containers, with or without a turning device, are moved to a cleaning position, and the interior of each container is cleaned using a spray device or similar. Following cleaning, the containers, with or without the turning device, are moved back to the filling position, where they are rotated into the upright filling position with the filling and emptying opening at the top and filled with fresh material from above.

[0050] The preferred embodiment of the mobile press container, which can be used in particular as a storage and transport container or as a pressure storage container, is preferably spherical. It can have a short cylindrical shape, or alternatively a cubic or a pure spherical shape. Another alternative embodiment of the mobile press container, which has an oval cross-section in plan view with convexly flared side walls, has the advantage that it can be manufactured in a particularly simple manner from only four individual, shaped wall components. The edges of these components converge towards the centers of the convexly flared side walls in the manner of convex rhombuses and are welded along the adjacent edges to create the curved, rhombic structure.As the applicant recognized, these embodiments described above have the advantage of improving the three-dimensional application of the pressure force to the respective components of the material being pressed. According to a further concept underlying the invention, the material being pressed can be compressed by a combination of a negative pressure acting on the pressing chamber (product chamber) and a reduced positive pressure of less than 0.5 bar supplied to the pressure chamber.

[0051] The advantage of this design is that the pressure vessel directives only apply from an overpressure of at least 0.5 bar, whereas in most countries there are no regulations for the application of negative pressure to pressure vessels, so that the vessels no longer have to be officially tested at regular intervals with regard to the required pressure resistance.

[0052] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention, it may also be provided that the press container is subjected to a combination of negative and positive pressure for pressing the material to be pressed.

[0053] One such preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the mobile press containers of the arrangement are lined with a liquid-tight membrane, which divides the respective container into a pressure medium chamber and a pressing medium chamber, within which one or more drainage elements are located. Unlike the membrane presses mentioned at the outset according to WO 03 / 035381 A1, the pressure difference necessary for pressing the material between the pressure medium chamber and the outlet side of the drainage element is achieved by a combination of overpressure in the pressure medium chamber and underpressure at the outlet side, or inside the drainage element. Advantageously, the pressure medium chamber is pressurized to a typical maximum pressure (relative to atmosphere) of less than 0.5 bar; and the interior of the drainage element(s) is also pressurized to a lower pressure.the juice outlet(s), with a typical negative pressure of -0.5 bar to -0.9 bar, resulting in a typical maximum pressure difference of approximately 1.2 bar to 1.4 bar, which is located at the press membrane.

[0054] This combination of an overpressure of less than 0.5 bar in the pressure medium chamber and a negative pressure of up to -0.9 bar in the pressing medium chamber, or within the drainage element, opens up the possibility of manufacturing the mobile press containers of the arrangement according to the invention, which can also be used as transport or storage containers, from plastic or another non-metallic material, or a combination of such materials. This significantly reduces manufacturing costs and avoids the considerable periodic costs of pressure tests, which are required, for example, in Germany for pressure vessels that must withstand pressures of more than 0.5 bar.

[0055] One possible embodiment of such a plastic press container, which is mounted in a metal frame for transport, is the so-called IBC ("intermediate bulk container"). These comparatively inexpensive containers typically have a volume between 500 liters and 3000 liters and, as the applicant has recognized, are suitable for use as the pressure vessel described above.

[0056] A further advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that the actual press container is not subjected to negative pressure by the press membrane that closes off the press chamber, i.e., the space in which the material to be pressed is contained. As a result, in the arrangement according to the invention, the pressure vessels, or mobile press containers if made of metal, can advantageously be designed with thinner walls, which further reduces manufacturing costs.

[0057] Another embodiment of such a preferred arrangement according to the invention, with a press container made of simple plastic material, such as that used for plastic drums, comprises a barrel-shaped mobile press container made of plastic, which, similar to the previously described plastic press container, is mounted in a support frame with indicated circumferential reinforcing or support rings made of metal. This ensures sufficient pressure resistance of the barrel-shaped press container, which can withstand an overpressure of a maximum of 0.5 bar. The barrel-shaped or cylindrical container, which can be used not only as a mobile press container but also, for example,The press container, which can also serve as a storage container for the pressed material or juice, is supported via reinforcing rings or end-face support flanges on four or more rollers of a support frame of a turning device. Preferably, one of these rollers is made of a rubber-elastic material and is driven by a motor to rotate the press container in one direction or the other during a pressing cycle after it has been filled with pressed material. The reinforcing rings can also be connected via coaxial rods to form a basket-like support frame.

[0058] In this embodiment, the preferably used flexible hose for draining the liquid juice is connected at its upstream end to the juice outlet, for example, via a known flange connection. The flexible hose also simultaneously contains the compressed air supply line, the vacuum supply line, and, if necessary, sensor and electrical lines, which are automatically connected when the flange connection is closed. The other, downstream end of the flexible hose, which is wound circumferentially along a hose winding track arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical press container during the forward and reverse rotation of the container (and which is advantageously formed on one of the end-face support flanges), is connected to a connection block or, more generally, to a central coupling element. This coupling element—as previously described—can, for example, be fixed to the frame of the turning device.The central coupling element can itself be connected to a central juice collection container into which the liquid juice is fed. Preferably, in addition to the flexible hose, the compressed air and / or vacuum supply lines, as well as the data lines and electrical supply lines for sensors and actuators that may be arranged on the press container, are connected to the turning device via the central coupling element and are permanently fixed to the rotating press container during pressing.

[0059] The support or reinforcing rings of the mobile press container, which can alternatively be made of a flexible material, in particular a fabric-reinforced, pressure- and tear-resistant plastic film or tarpaulin, can, in addition to their support and stabilization function, simultaneously or alternatively serve as a running surface on which the rollers on which the container rotates run. This opens up the possibility of supporting the container with additional rollers in the middle, which also enables the use of larger mobile press containers with a length of, for example, 5 m, which are placed in the turning device.

[0060] Furthermore, according to another embodiment, the press container with reduced pressure resistance has a cylindrical shape with two diametrically opposed flattened circumferential sections in which the filling and emptying openings as well as the juice outlet are located. This design of the pressure vessel, which is only made possible by the previously described simultaneous combination of a vacuum of up to -900 mbar in the pressing chamber and a positive pressure of less than 0.5 bar in the pressure medium chamber, offers the advantage that the volume of the container usable as the product medium is increased for a given diameter of the cylindrical container with reduced pressure resistance.This is because, unlike pressure vessels, which must always be circular in cross-section (except for the juice outlet and the filling / emptying opening) to withstand high pressure forces, the additional height required for the juice outlet and the flange of the filling / emptying opening can be saved by integrating them advantageously into the circumference of the vessel. It is particularly advantageous if the juice outlet is formed directly below the flattened circumferential section. Towards the outside, a juice drainage channel can be defined by an attached cylindrical circumferential segment extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. When several drainage elements are arranged inside the press vessel, this channel ensures juice drainage to the centrally located juice outlet.

[0061] One possible embodiment for receiving and locking a mobile (pressure-resistant) press container of the inventive arrangement, as described above, in a turning device provides that the mobile press container has suitable retaining elements, which can be designed, for example, as tabs or retaining lugs, enabling it to be inserted into the turning device with a suitable lifting device and subsequently locked in place. It is also possible to provide two parallel guide rails on the turning device, on which the mobile press container can be laterally pushed into its position in the turning device via corresponding lateral tabs or complementary sliding elements, e.g., using the lifting tines of a forklift truck, which can be inserted into an opening in the bottom section of the mobile press container.

[0062] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention, the filling and emptying opening can be closed by a pivoting lid, the end of which of a central drainage element arranged below the opening is fixed to the pivot axis of the lid. This embodiment is characterized by the fact that the rotatable fixing of the central drainage element to the pivot axis of the hinged lid allows the hinged lid to be opened without first removing the drainage element.

[0063] To seal the pivoting lid, which moves into the filling and emptying opening on one side of the pivot axis and out of it on the opposite side, a seal can be provided. This seal consists of a simple ring made of elastic material, which is fitted onto a circular element (U-profile) and presses against the wall of the lid opening on the container when the lid is closed. By providing a slight eccentricity to the pivot axis, the lid is advantageously pressed against the seal, or against a stop formed on the press container, in a self-reinforcing manner when overpressure is applied in the product chamber. This ensures a reliable seal of the press container without the need for additional, complex locking and pressure devices.The pivot axis may, if necessary, be slightly offset from an imaginary axis of symmetry of the lid, which extends parallel to the pivot axis when the lid is closed, so that the area of ​​the lid which is pivoted into the interior of the container is larger than the area of ​​the lid which is moved out of the interior of the container when the lid is opened.

[0064] In other words, the preferred arrangement is characterized in that a lid for closing the filling and emptying opening is pivotably mounted on the press container about a pivot axis extending parallel to the surface of the lid, and that the end of the drainage element opposite the juice outlet is rotatably attached to the axis, such that when the lid is pivoted about the pivot axis, the end of the drainage element attached to the axis essentially remains in its spatial position inside the press container.

[0065] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, a vacuum-free juice collection container can be used. For this purpose, after insertion into the turning device and coupling of the central coupling element to the flexible hose, the rotatable mobile press container is connected to a juice collection container arranged above the mobile press container. The juice exiting the juice outlet is pumped into this container by means of a pump, preferably a peristaltic pump or hose pump. The use of such a hose pump has the advantage that it itself is not contaminated by the sugary juice, and the hose section on which the pump, which is known per se, acts mechanically, can be easily cleaned. In addition, such hose pumps are advantageously self-priming, have a sufficient suction lift of up to 9.5 m, and can generate a vacuum of -950 mbar relative to the atmosphere.

[0066] In this last described embodiment, the pressure medium chamber is pressurized with a maximum overpressure of 500 mbar, which forces the material being pressed against the drainage elements. The liquid juice is additionally drawn out of the interior of the drainage element by the negative pressure generated by the pump and conveyed by the appropriately controlled pump into the vacuum-free juice collection container, from which the juice can then be extracted by gravity or by another pump.

[0067] Further pumping can then generate a vacuum to further extract the juice contained in the pressing medium after loosening and rearranging the remaining product in the pressing medium chamber during a subsequent pressing process. This is achieved through a combination of the vacuum generated by the pump and the overpressure of less than 0.5 bar in the pressure medium chamber.

[0068] In other words, this embodiment of the arrangement is characterized by the fact that, due to the permanent coupling between the mobile press container and the stationary juice collection container, as described above, the product removal can be carried out by means of a pump, which simultaneously generates the necessary vacuum to achieve the overall required pressure differential, with the necessary separation of product and vacuum flow occurring within the pump. The use of a peristaltic pump offers the additional advantage that, due to the preferably employed combined pressing with vacuum and overpressure, the required pump flow rate is relatively low.

[0069] As an alternative to a peristaltic pump, a double diaphragm pump can be used. Its suction side, located above the liquid level, applies a vacuum to the (in this case, vacuum-resistant) juice collection container. This vacuum is then fed to the juice outlet of the press container via a juice inlet, preferably also located above the liquid level, and a flexible hose, preferably with one or more shut-off and branch valves. In this embodiment, the pressure side of the double diaphragm pump is particularly advantageously connected to the pressure medium chamber via appropriate valves and branch lines. This allows the pressure side of the pump to pressurize the pressure medium chamber with compressed air, which can optionally be temporarily stored in a compressed air collection tank for later use in applying the press membrane.

[0070] Overall, the mobile press containers and the pump can be advantageously used for other tasks necessary in the processing plant after pressing.

[0071] As the applicant further recognized, mobile press containers, when designed as metal pressure vessels, can be used particularly advantageously as intermediate storage for the compressed air to be introduced into the pressure medium chamber during the pressing process. For this purpose, the respective pressure medium chambers of the mobile press containers are continuously supplied with compressed air outside of the actual pressing cycles by an air compressor or a blower. This compressed air has a significantly reduced output compared to known central compressed air supply systems, for example, only 1 / 10 of the usual drive power. The mobile press containers can be filled, for example, via a compressed air network through a central compressor, which can be temporarily connected to the containers via appropriate quick-release couplings and electrically operated valves.By using blowers or compressors with significantly reduced power, not only can the costs for the blowers be reduced, but the compressed air required for the pressing processes can also be obtained with a higher efficiency, since the adiabatic losses are lower.

[0072] Another advantage of the embodiment described above is that the mobile press containers, which can be filled with compressed air overnight, for example, can be transported to the vineyard to press a container already filled with grapes with compressed air. This makes it possible to press a portion of the grape juice on-site beforehand, if desired, thus saving time transporting the grapes and avoiding stress on them during transport. This can be particularly desirable for very high-quality wines to further enhance their quality.

[0073] The invention is described below with reference to the Figures 1 to 9 described using preferred embodiments. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the arrangement according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of an arrangement according to the invention comprising four press containers, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the press container, Figs. 4a-c schematic drawings of a further embodiment of the press container, Fig. 5 a sectional view of the press container made of Fig. 4, Fig. 6a-a schematic representation of further possible geometries of the press container according to the invention, Fig. 7a,b-a perspective view of a further embodiment of the press container according to the invention, Fig. 8-a schematic representation of a mobile press container made of plastic, and Fig. 9-a flowchart of the method according to the invention for pressing liquid-containing material using an arrangement according to the invention.

[0074] As in Figure 1As indicated, an exemplary arrangement according to the invention comprises a mobile press container 2, the interior of which is divided by a press membrane 4 into a pressure medium chamber 6 and a pressing medium chamber 8. The press container 2 is closed by a pressure-tight sealable filling and emptying opening 10, through which liquid-containing material can be filled into the pressing medium chamber 8. At least one drainage element 12 is arranged in the pressing medium chamber 8, the interior of which communicates with a juice outlet 14 of the press container 2, through which liquid juice can be fed to a juice collection container 16 during a pressing process. For the rotation required for a pressing process, the press container 2 is held in a turning device 20.By means of the turning device 20, the press container 2 can be rotated from a filling position during a pressing process by an angle of less than 360°, in particular less than 270°, in opposite directions of rotation about a rotary axis 22.

[0075] The turning device 20 comprises, as in Figure 1Also shown is a drive 21 for rotating the mobile press container 2. This can be an electric motor, a pneumatic cylinder, or a water cylinder. Furthermore, the rotating device 20 includes a compressed gas source 24, in particular a compressed air source, and a control device 26 for controlling the drive 21 and / or the compressed gas source 24, or a valve 28 connected to the compressed gas source, through which the supply of compressed gas to the pressure medium chamber 6 can be varied. The pressure medium chamber 6 is preferably designed to be pressurized to a pressure of less than 0.5 bar for pressing the material. This eliminates the need for costly inspections of the press container, since pressure vessels for pressures greater than 0.5 bar must undergo regular inspections in accordance with the Pressure Equipment Directive.Furthermore, in this case, it is provided that the arrangement 1 includes a vacuum source 70 with which the interior of the drainage element 12 can be subjected to a vacuum between 0 bar and -950 mbar for pressing out the material to be pressed.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment, the turning device 20 has two or more receiving positions 30 for the simultaneous temporary receiving of at least two mobile press containers 2, wherein each receiving position 30 is configured to rotate a mobile press container 2 temporarily received at it in each of the two directions of rotation. Figure 2Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement 1 according to the invention with four receiving positions 30 for the mobile press containers 2. The mobile press containers 2 are shown in different orientations, into which they are moved by the turning devices 20 during a pressing process. The container 2 on the left side of the illustration is in the filling position, in which the material to be pressed is filled into the press container 2 via the filling and emptying opening 10. The second press container 2 from the left is horizontally oriented and has its filling and emptying opening 10 facing sideways. This position is used during the pressing process to loosen and mix the material inside, thereby increasing the juice yield after re-pressing.

[0077] The third press container 2 from the left is in the emptying position, in which the fully pressed material is emptied from the press container 2 via the filling and emptying opening 10. In this position, the juice outlet 14 on the underside of the press container 2 is also visible, through which the juice flows during the pressing process and is collected in a juice collection container 16. According to a preferred embodiment, the arrangement includes a flexible hose 40, through which the respective juice outlet 14 is continuously connected to the juice collection container 16, preferably throughout the entire pressing process, during the pivoting of the press container 2 in the turning device 20. The juice collection container 16 is preferably arranged above the juice outlet 14, in particular on the base frame 32 of the turning device 20.The arrangement 1 further comprises a juice pump 50 to convey the liquid juice and air located in the pressing chamber 8 from the juice outlet 14 into the juice collection container 16 during a pressing process. In a preferred embodiment, the juice pump 50 is a diaphragm pump or a peristaltic pump, which preferably acts mechanically on the outside of the flexible hose 40 or a further flexible hose 41 connected to it, which connects the flexible hose 40 to the juice collection container 16.

[0078] The fourth press container 2 from the left in the illustration of Figure 2 Finally, it is located, as an example, in a cleaning position in which the interior of the press container 2 can be cleaned after or before a pressing process.

[0079] Furthermore, it can be provided that the flexible hose 40 and a pressure medium hose connected to the pressurized gas source 24, and preferably an electrical power and data line connected to the control device 26, are connected via a Figures 4b and 4c The indicated central coupling element 29 can be coupled to the mobile press container 2. In this way, after being inserted into the turning device 20, the mobile press container 2 is fluidically coupled as a unit to the juice collection container 16 and the pressurized gas source 24, and preferably sensors and / or electric actuators provided in the press container 2 are electrically connected to the control device 26.

[0080] In a further embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the pressure medium chambers 6 of the first and second mobile press containers 2, which are housed in the turning device 20, are flow-connected to each other via a pressure line and valves. This connection has the advantage that pressurized compressed gas can be introduced from the pressure medium chamber 6 of the first mobile press container into the pressure medium chamber 6 of the second mobile press container 2 after a pressing operation to generate a pre-pressure.

[0081] Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a mobile press container 2. The container is rotatable about the axis of rotation 22 in a base frame 32 by means of the turning device 20. Figures 4a and 4b further illustrations of the mobile press container 2 are shown. Figure 3This is preferably designed as a metal pressure vessel having a substantially spherical, short cylindrical, or cubic shape. The filling and emptying opening 10 and the juice outlet 14 are arranged on opposite sides of the vessel 2. The drainage element 12 extends from the juice outlet 14 along a vertical axis 3 of the vessel towards the filling and emptying opening 10, and the axis of rotation 22, about which the mobile press vessel 2 can be rotated after being inserted into the turning device 20, runs substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis 3 of the vessel.

[0082] In Figure 5Figure 1 shows a sectional view of another preferred embodiment of a mobile press container 2 with a pivotable lid 60 and a drainage element 12 rotatably fixed to its pivot axis 62. The lid 60, also shown in the previous figures, for closing the filling and emptying opening 10, is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis 62 extending parallel to the surface of the lid 60. Furthermore, the end of the drainage element 12 opposite the juice outlet 14 is rotatably attached to the pivot axis 62 such that, when the lid 60 is pivoted about the pivot axis, the end of the drainage element 12 attached to the pivot axis 62 remains essentially in its spatial position inside the press container 2.

[0083] In the Figures 6a to 6dSeveral preferred geometries of mobile press containers 2 are shown. The press container 2 can, for example, have a cylindrical shape, or be spherical or cuboid. Furthermore, a shape of the press container 2 that has an oval cross-section in plan view with convexly flared side walls, as shown in Figure 6b This press container 2 can be assembled from four individual, curved wall components, the side edges of which converge towards the centers of the convexly flared side walls in the manner of convex rhombuses and are welded along the adjacent side edges to create the curved, rhombus-like structure.

[0084] The Figures 7a and 7bFigure 1 shows a perspective view of a press container 2 according to the invention. The cylindrical press container 2 is rotatable about the axis of rotation 22 on the base frame 32 by means of the turning device 20. In the sectional view of Figure 7b The drainage element 12, which extends along the vertical axis 3 of the container and towards the filling and emptying opening, is shown. During the pressing process, the juice from the material being pressed in the pressing chamber 8 passes through the drainage element 12, which preferably consists of a flexible sieve fabric with a spiral arranged therein, and finally reaches the juice outlet 14, where it is conveyed via the flexible hose 40 to the juice collection container 16.

[0085] Figure 8Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a mobile press container 2. This container is made of a material with reduced compressive strength, in particular plastic or thin-walled sheet metal. The press container 2 has a wall thickness such that it can withstand an internal pressure of up to 0.5 bar. IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) are advantageously suited as mobile press containers because they are inexpensive to purchase and, due to their design, easy to transport, for example, with a forklift. Thus, the mobile press containers 2 can be filled with the material to be pressed directly at the harvesting site, eliminating the need to transfer the material and therefore an additional production step.

[0086] Figure 9 Figure 1 shows a flowchart of the inventive method for pressing liquid-containing material using a previously described arrangement. The process steps are: 301 Collecting the press material in the mobile press container 2 locally at the point of collection, and / or 302 Transporting the press material in the mobile press container 2 from the point of collection to a press material processing plant, and / or 303 Collecting or weighing the press material in the mobile press container 2 at the press material processing plant and / or performing a quality determination, preferably 304 Storing the press material in the mobile press container 2 for maceration and / or cooling the press material to reduce the temperature in the press container, 305 Transporting the press material in the mobile press container 2 to the turning device 20 of the arrangement 1 and pressing it while rotating the press container 3 in it, and / or optionally 306 Transporting the pomace contained in the mobile press container 2 after the pressing process in the mobile press container 2 to a pomace composting plant or pomace processing plant.as well as optionally collecting the juice obtained from the produce during a pressing process and storing it in a further mobile press container 2 and / or transporting the mobile press container with the juice it contains to a juice processing plant. List of reference symbols

[0087] 1 Arrangement 2 Mobile press container 3 Container vertical axis 4 Press membrane 6 Pressure medium chamber 8 Press medium chamber 10 Filling and emptying opening 12 Drainage element 14 Juice drain 16 Juice collection container 20 Turning device 21 Drive of the turning device for rotating the container 22 Rotation axis 24 Compressed gas source 26 Control device 28 Valve 29 Coupling element 30 Mounting point 32 Base frame of the turning device 40 Flexible hose 50 Juice pump 60 Lid 62 Swivel axis of the lid 70 Vacuum source

Claims

1. An assembly (1) for pressing liquid-containing pressed product, comprising a plurality of mobile transportable press vessels (2), the vessel interior of which is subdivided by a press membrane (4) into a pressurized medium space (6) and a pressing means space (8), wherein a filling and discharging opening (10) which is able to be closed in a pressure-tight manner and by way of which liquid-containing pressed product is able to be filled into the pressing means space (8) is disposed in a respective press vessel (2), wherein at least one drainage element (12) is disposed in the pressing means space (8), the interior of said drainage element (12) communicating with a juice outlet (14) of the transportable press vessel (2) by way of which liquid juice is able to be supplied to a juice collection vessel (16) during a pressing procedure, wherein the assembly (1) comprises a turning installation (20) in which the mobile transportable press vessels (2) are temporarily insertable and receivable and, during a pressing procedure, can be rotated about a rotation axis (22) from a filling position by an angle of in each case less than 360°, in particular by less than 270°, in mutually opposite rotation directions.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the assembly comprises a flexible hose (40) by way of which the juice outlet (14) during the pivoting of the respective mobile transportable vessel (2) in the turning installation (20) is able to be fluidically connected to the juice collection vessel (16).

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the turning installation (20) comprises a drive (21), in particular a compressed air cylinder or water cylinder, for rotating the respective mobile press vessel (2), and / or a compressed gas source (24), in particular compressed air source, and a control installation (26) for controlling the drive (21) and / or the compressed gas source (24) or a valve (28) which is connected to the compressed gas source and by way of which the supply of compressed gas into the pressurized medium space (6) is variable.

4. The assembly as claimed in either of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the flexible hose (40) and a pressurized medium hose connected to the compressed gas source (24), and preferably an electric power and data line connected to the control installation (26), is / are able to be coupled to the respective mobile transportable press vessel (2) by way of a central coupling element (29) so as to fluidically couple the latter, upon insertion into the turning installation (20), as a unit to the juice collection vessel (16) and the compressed gas source (24), and preferably to electrically connect sensors and / or electric actuators provided in the press vessel (2) to the control installation (26).

5. The assembly as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turning installation (20) has two or more receptacle spaces (30) for temporarily receiving simultaneously at least two mobile transportable press vessels (2), wherein each receptacle space (30) is configured to rotate a mobile transportable press vessel (2) temporarily received thereon in each of the two rotation directions.

6. The assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the pressurized medium spaces (6) of the first and second mobile transportable press vessel (2) received in the turning installation (20) are able to be fluidically connected to each other by way of a pressure line and valves, so as to after a pressing procedure introduce compressed gas at a positive pressure from the pressurized medium space (6) of the first mobile transportable press vessel (2) into the pressurized medium space (6) of the second mobile transportable press vessel (2) for generating a primary pressure.

7. The assembly as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective mobile transportable press vessel (2) is a pressure vessel which has a substantially spherical or short-cylindrical or cuboid shape, wherein the filling and discharging opening (10) and the juice outlet (14) are disposed on mutually opposite sides of the vessel (2), and the drainage element (12) extends from the juice outlet (14) along a vessel vertical axis (3) to the filling and discharging opening (10), and wherein the rotation axis (22), about which the respective mobile transportable press vessel (2) is rotatable after insertion into the turning installation (20), runs so as to be substantially orthogonal to the vessel vertical axis (3).

8. The assembly as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the juice collection vessel (16) is disposed above the juice outlet (14), in particular on the main frame (32) of the turning installation (20), and in that the assembly (1) furthermore comprises a juice pump (50) for conveying the liquid juice and air located in the pressing means space (8) from the juice outlet (14) into the juice collection vessel (16) during a pressing procedure.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the juice pump (50) is a diaphragm pump or a hose pump which preferably acts mechanically on the external side of the flexible hose (40) or of a further flexible hose (41) which is connected to the latter and connects the flexible hose (40) to the juice collection vessel (16).

10. The assembly as claimed in one of the preceding claims or in particular as claimed therein, characterized in that a cover (60) for closing the filling and discharging opening (10) is received on the respective mobile transportable press vessel (2) so as to be pivotable about a swivel axle (62) extending parallel to the face of the cover (60), and in that the end of the drainage element (12) that lies opposite the juice outlet (14) is rotatably fastened to the swivel axle (62) in such a manner that the end of the drainage element (12) that is fastened to the swivel axle (62), when pivoting the cover (60) about the swivel axle (62), remains substantially in the spatial position thereof in the interior of the respective transportable press vessel (2).

11. The assembly as claimed in one of the preceding claims or in particular as claimed therein, characterized in that the pressurized medium space (6) for pressing the pressed product is configured to be impinged with a positive pressure of less than 0.5 bar, and in that the assembly (1) comprises a vacuum source (70) by way of which the interior of the drainage element (12) for pressing the pressed product is able to be impinged with a negative pressure between 0 bar and -950 mbar.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the mobile transportable press vessels (2) are composed of a material with reduced pressure resistance, in particular of plastics material or thin sheet metal, and the vessel (2) has such a wall thickness that said vessel (2) is able to be impinged with an internal pressure of at most 0.5 bar.

13. A method for pressing liquid-containing pressed product using an assembly (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the pressed product in the respective mobile transportable press vessel (2) is collected locally at the site of harvesting of the pressed product, and / or - the pressed product in the respective mobile transportable press vessel (2) is transported from the site of harvesting of the pressed product to a pressed product processing establishment, and / or - in that the pressed product in the pressed product processing establishment is collected and or weighed and / or subjected to a quality assessment in the respective mobile transportable press vessel (2), and / or - in that the pressed product in the respective mobile transportable press vessel (2) is stored for maceration and / or cooled in order to lower the temperature in the press vessel, and / or - in that the pressed product in the respective mobile transportable press vessel (2) is transported to the turning installation (20) of the assembly (1) and pressed in the respective transportable press vessel (2) while rotating the latter, and / or - in that the pomace contained in the respective mobile transportable press vessel (2) after the pressing procedure is transported in the mobile transportable press vessel (2) to a pomace composting plant or pomace further processing plant, and / or - in that the juice obtained from the pressed product during a pressing procedure is collected and / or stored and / or transported in a further mobile transportable press vessel (2) to a juice further processing plant.

14. The use of a mobile transportable press vessel (2) of an assembly (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12 as a pressurized storage vessel, and / or as a transport vessel for pressed product and / or as a transport vessel for juice pressed from pressed product.