Bousinage method and device for its implementation

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of a heating material for the heating of wooden barrels intended to contain beverages, said heating material comprising at least 93% by mass of carbon. Figure for abstract: figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Bousinage method, and device for its implementation

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of preparing wooden barrels, in particular intended for winemaking. In this context, the present invention proposes a device allowing improved barrel-making and which avoids the impregnation of the wood with toxic substances.

[0002] The aging or maturing of wines, whether sparkling or not, generally takes place in oak barrels. Oaks are used for the staves intended for the manufacture of barrel staves. These staves are air-dried; during this period, under the effect of atmospheric conditions (rain, sun), changes occur in the physical (density, shrinkage) and mechanical (compression, bending) properties, as well as biochemical changes in the constituents of the wood. These staves are shaped to give the staves used in the construction of the barrel.

[0003] Although other techniques exist, particularly in the United States, in Europe, the bending of staves is carried out using wood fires. After the bending phase, allowing the staves to take the shape of the future barrel or bank, the coopers proceed with the heating or boiling operations. Three different heatings can be applied to the barrels: light, medium and strong heating. Strong heating is stopped as soon as the exothermic reactions begin, i.e. around 270°-280°C because beyond this the barrels ignite.

[0004] During thermal treatments, hydrothermolysis and pyrolysis reactions lead to a degradation of the polysaccharide (cellulose, hemicelluloses) and polyphenolic (lignin, hydrolyzable tannins) constituents which can lead to the appearance of new classes of odoriferous volatile substances absent in unburned wood (furans, pyrazines, phenols) or an additional contribution of pre-existing substances.

[0005] It is the combination formed by the size of the brazier, the height and intensity of the flame, the duration of heating time and the quantity of water vaporized on the outer part of the barrel which will determine the aromatic and structural profile of the boiling.

[0006] A difficulty inherent in the treatment of wood with heat is that the effect of the heat is very difficult to control if one wishes not to give the wine an artificial color and aroma but, on the contrary, to give it organoleptic qualities that are in every way identical to those obtained when it is stored in conventional barrels, particularly oak.

[0007] It is particularly damaging, when burning barrels, that the fumes produced by combustion are present and generate soot which can affect the taste of the wine.

[0008] Alternatives to barrel boiling, based on hydraulic heating systems, are already known in the state of the art, in particular from document FR3087696. However, such devices, even if they do not produce fumes, do not allow for boiling as efficiently as with a brazier.

[0009] The invention aims in particular to overcome these drawbacks described in the prior art.

[0010] One of the aims of the invention is to provide a means of burning a wooden barrel without having the disadvantages of unwanted smoke.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a method of boiling which is as effective as conventional boiling over a wood fire.

[0012] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for carrying out the aforementioned boiling.

[0013] The invention also relates to the use of a heating material for the heating of wooden barrels intended to contain beverages, said heating material comprising at least 93% by mass of carbon.

[0014] The invention is based on the surprising observation made by the inventor that the use of a material, in particular a solid material, makes it possible to achieve heating similar to fire in the context of burning wooden barrels, without producing smoke.

[0015] There will therefore be carbonization of the wood inside the barrel without the wood being impregnated by the compounds contained in the combustion fumes, which would undesirably modify the organoleptic qualities of the beverage which will be placed in the barrel.

[0016] The heating material is obtained from a carbon-based material. The heating material used comprises from 93% to 100% by mass of carbon relative to the mass of said material. This means that the said heating material comprises 93%, 93.1%, 93.2%, 93.3%, 93.4%, 93.5%, 93.6%, 93.7%, 93.8%, 93.9%, 94%, 94.1%, 94.2%, 94.3%, 94.4%, 94.5%, 94.6%, 94.7%, 94.8%, 94.9%, 95%, 95.1%, 95.2%, 95.3%, 95.4%, 95.5%, 95.6%, 95.7%, 95.8%, 95.9%, 96%, 96.1%, 96.2%, 96.3%, 96.4%, 96.5%, 96.6%, 96.7%, 96.8%, 96.9%, 97%, 97.1%, 97.2%, 97.3%, 97.4%, 97.5%, 97.6%, 97.7%, 97.8%, 97.9%, 98%, 98.1%, 98.2%, 98.3%, 98.4%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9% or 100% by mass of carbon relative to the total mass of the composition. This is due in particular to the dehydrogenation or deoxygenation of the material from a starting carbonaceous material, which after treatment comprises predominantly carbon atoms so as to represent the aforementioned proportion.

[0017] The heating material is advantageously in a solid form so that petroleum derivatives, which are essentially liquid, are not taken into consideration. It will be preferred to use organic matter derivatives which will be treated so as to respect the aforementioned carbon proportion conditions.

[0018] Advantageously, the invention relates to the aforementioned use, where said heating material has a partially crystalline, or semi-crystalline, structure.

[0019] Unlike highly organized structures that are very rich in carbon, such as graphite, graphene, or diamond, the heating material according to the invention has a structure that is not completely in crystalline form. On the contrary, even if some parts of the material are crystalline, no long-range ordered structure such as a graphitic onion structure or no ordered graphite plane is observed in the heating material. However, the molecular structure of the heating material is not completely disorganized so that the heating material cannot be considered amorphous.

[0020] Even more advantageously, the invention relates to the aforementioned use, where said heating material is charcoal.

[0021] Charcoal is a fuel obtained by carbonizing wood in a controlled atmosphere by pyrolysis, that is to say in the absence of oxygen. This pyrolysis results in an increase in the overall proportion of carbon compared to the other atoms constituting the wood (hydrogen and oxygen in particular), so that the proportion by mass of carbon respects the aforementioned values.

[0022] Even more advantageously, the invention relates to the aforementioned use, where said heating material is a charcoal called binchôtan charcoal, or white charcoal.

[0023] Advantageously, binchôtan is a particularly interesting heating material for boiling.

[0024] Binchôtan charcoal or white charcoal is a specific charcoal mainly made in Japan, particularly notable for its efficiency and the heat it produces, and in particular can burn for about 4 to 6 hours, and once extinguished, is reusable for 3 hours.

[0025] Binchôtan is a type of charcoal with an extremely high percentage of carbon, making it an almost pure composition. It is made in the traditional way, in stone and clay ovens. First, the collected wood is carefully placed in the oven and heated to about 200 °C for about ten days with a minimum supply of oxygen. This minimal supply of oxygen means that the wood does not burn but decomposes. Since the oxygen supply is very low, An almost entirely pure carbon composition is formed. When the smoke escaping from the kiln is the right color, the wood has decomposed and the oxygen supply is increased. The kiln reaches a temperature not lower than 1000 °C. This stops when the charcoal takes on a red tint. The final step is to roll the charcoal in ash and sand, which gives it its characteristic gray glow.

[0026] The carbon percentage of binchotan is at least 95.9% by mass, depending on the type of wood used.

[0027] As desired, the binchôtan does not produce smoke, heats at a constant temperature and does not splash when heated.

[0028] There are several types of binchotan charcoal:

[0029] - Eucalyptus binchôtan characterized by a carbon percentage of 95.9%. The bed Charcoal can reach a temperature of 870 to 1000 °C. The total burning time is 4 hours on average. No chemicals are added during the traditional production process. Therefore, there will be no smoke or flavor. The amount of ash is approximately 1.8%.

[0030] - Maitew binchôtan has a carbon percentage of 96 to 98%. The bed of Charcoal can reach temperatures of 1000 to 1200°C. The total burning time is on average 6 hours. No chemicals are added during the traditional production process. As a result, it produces neither smoke nor taste. The amount of ash is approximately 1.5%.

[0031] - Konia binchôtan has a carbon percentage of 96 to 98%. The charcoal bed of Wood can reach a temperature of 1000 to 1100°C. The total burning time is on average 5 hours. No chemicals are added during the traditional production process. Therefore, there is no smoke or taste. The ash content is approximately 1.5%.

[0032] - Lychee binchotan has a carbon percentage of 95.9%. The charcoal bed can reach a temperature of 870 to 1000°C. The total burning time is 4.5 hours on average. During the traditional production process, no chemicals are added. Therefore, it produces neither smoke nor flavor. The amount of ash is approximately 1.8%.

[0033] Within the framework of the invention, any of the aforementioned binchôtans can be used in the context of bousinage.

[0034] The invention also relates to a method of boiling a wooden barrel intended to contain beverages, said method comprising:

[0035] - the preparation in a heating body of a brazier or brazier comprising a heating material, said heating material comprising at least 93% by mass of carbon, and

[0036] - the positioning around said brazier of a wooden barrel intended to contain drinks, in order to heat the interior of said barrel, to burn it.

[0037] In order to burn a wooden barrel, within the framework of the invention, it is possible to implement the following method:

[0038] - a brazier is prepared in a heating body which comprises a material of heating as defined above, and

[0039] - the barrel to be burnt is positioned around the wooden barrel to be burnt.

[0040] The aforementioned heating body can take several forms: it can be a simple flat support on which the heating material is deposited; this allows for heat radiation in a multidirectional manner. The heating body can also be a container consisting of a side wall, in particular circular, and possibly a bottom, in which the heating material is placed. In this embodiment, it is preferable to fill the heating body with heating material as defined above over the entire height of the side wall.

[0041] In the context of the aforementioned method, the step of positioning the barrel around the brazier can be carried out either by placing the heating body on the ground or on a support and then by positioning the barrel, one of the ends of which is open, over the heating body, so that the heating body is inside the barrel to be burnt. Another way consists of placing the barrel to be burnt on the ground or on a support and placing the heating body inside to obtain the same effect: the burning of the inside of the barrel.

[0042] Advantageously, the invention relates to the aforementioned method, or said heating material has a partially crystalline, or semi-crystalline, structure.

[0043] Advantageously, the heating material is a charcoal having the aforementioned properties, namely a high carbon content and a semi-crystalline structure.

[0044] Even more advantageously, in the context of the method according to the invention, said heating material is a charcoal called binchôtan charcoal, or white charcoal.

[0045] The advantage of using binchotan will be its homogeneous heating at high temperature and the absence of smoke or odor, which could contaminate the internal part of the barrel which is being smoked.

[0046] Even more advantageously, and in particular when the heating body is in the form of a container as described above, the invention relates to the aforementioned, where said heating body has in the vicinity of its base an orifice equipped with a shutter capable of taking several shutter positions.

[0047] Even more advantageously, the invention relates to the aforementioned method, where a chimney is mounted axially on the heating body.

[0048] The advantage of using a chimney mounted axially on the heating body is to channel the heat produced by the brazier in a single axial direction. Thus, the heat produced from the heating body by the heating material will be diffused uniformly inside the barrel to be burned.

[0049] Depending on the material used by the chimney, if it is particularly emissive, it will be able to diffuse the heat inside the wood barrel.

[0050] In another aspect, the invention relates to a device for the boiling of a wooden barrel comprising a longitudinal wall terminated by two opposite circular edges delimiting a lower opening and an upper opening, said device comprising:

[0051] - a heating body comprising a base allowing the heating body to rest on the bottom of the barrel at the lower opening,

[0052] the heating body having in the vicinity of its base an orifice equipped with a shutter capable of taking several shutter positions,

[0053] - a chimney extending axially from the heating body, the chimney extending inside the wooden barrel, and

[0054] - a cover secured to the chimney, sized and positioned on said chimney so as to at least partially block the upper opening when the base rests on the bottom of the barrel at the level of the lower opening,

[0055] said device being characterized in that the heating body contains a heating material comprising at least 93% by mass of carbon.

[0056] The above-mentioned device solves the problem of smoke emitted during combustion related to the boiling. But beyond eliminating the smoke, the chimney shown on the brazier will heat up and can thus indirectly heat the staves by radiation. The boiling can then take place, without contaminating the wood.

[0057] The orifice provided in the heating body, with its means of closure, makes it possible to improve the draft of the chimney and thus to produce controllable heating, therefore controlled heat, and consequently controlled boiling heat.

[0058] Advantageously, the chimney is sized to allow, when mounted on the heating body, to conduct the heat along the entire height of the barrel. This allows the heat to be diffused along the entire length of the staves forming the barrel from the lower opening to the upper opening. There is therefore a homogeneous boiling, from the bottom to the top of the staves, unlike the boiling carried out using a brazier which will heat the bottom of the staves more strongly than the top of them.

[0059] Advantageously, the above-mentioned device is such that the heating body and the chimney are mounted axially.

[0060] In order to propagate the heat in the barrel which is being subjected to the boiling, the chimney and the heating body which contains the hearth where the heating material heats are mounted axially, in particular substantially vertically. It is preferable that the device is on the one hand centered inside the barrel and as vertical as possible, in order to distribute the heat evenly, and to uniformly heat the inside of the barrel.

[0061] The above-mentioned device is such that the heating body and the chimney are assembled in a single piece.

[0062] In this embodiment, the device is in a single piece, that is to say that the heating body and the chimney are two separate parts of the same device in a single piece.

[0063] Alternatively, the aforementioned device is such that the heating body and the chimney are two separate parts, the chimney being able to be connected to the heating body to extend it longitudinally.

[0064] In another embodiment, the device according to the invention is made up of two separate parts: the heating body and the chimney. The base of the chimney is advantageously arranged so as to be able to be arranged on the top of the heating body, to reconstitute a device in one piece using the two separate parts.

[0065] Advantageously, the aforementioned device is such that the chimney is made of a material allowing heat radiation, in particular stainless steel or ceramic.

[0066] In the invention, we will speak uniformly of “heat radiation” or “thermal radiation”.

[0067] It is particularly advantageous in the invention that the material from which the device according to the invention is manufactured, and in particular the heating body of the chimney, is a material allowing good thermal radiation, that is to say having a high emissivity.

[0068] The emissivity of a material corresponds to its ability to absorb and then re-emit energy, in particular heat energy, by radiation. Emissivity is a unitless value,

[0069] between 0 and 1. The more a material is capable of producing radiation, the closer its emissivity is to the value 1.

[0070] In the context of the device according to the invention, materials having an emissivity at least equal to 0.3, preferably at least equal to 0.5, even more preferably at least equal to 0.8 will be favored.

[0071] For example, but without being limiting, stainless steel or stainless steel, of the oxidized type at 800°C (emissivity = 0.85), of the sandblasted type (emissivity of 0.38 to 0.44) or of the 301 (nominal composition of 17% chromium and 7% nickel - emissivity of 0.54 to 0.63) is particularly suitable for the purpose sought by the invention.

[0072] Likewise, ceramic (emissivity of 0.95) is particularly advantageous.

[0073] Advantageously, the aforementioned device is such that the shutter comprises means for actuating said shutter.

[0074] The aforementioned means, or shutter means, may in particular be an arm fixed in a rotatable manner around the vertical axis of the heating body, in which one end of the arm cooperates with the shutter, the other end of the arm being free for manipulation.

[0075] Advantageously, the aforementioned device is such that the heating body has at least two orifices in the vicinity of its base.

[0076] The orifices present in the heating body serve to increase the draft and increase the supply of oxidant to the fuel, that is to add oxygen.

[0077] The more orifices there are, the more finely it will be possible to adjust the oxidant supply.

[0078] In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of a device according to the above definition, for the burning of a wooden barrel.

[0079] According to the invention, the device as described above is suitable and intended for carrying out the boiling of a wooden barrel.

[0080] In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method of burning a wooden barrel, comprising:

[0081] - preparing a brazier,

[0082] - the positioning of the barrel around the brazier,

[0083] - the positioning of the device as defined as defined above, so that the brazier is fully included in the base of said device.

[0084] In general, when boiling, a brazier is first prepared on the ground or on a suitable support. This brazier allows the creation of an incandescence using the heating material.

[0085] Once the brazier is prepared, the barrel is positioned around the brazier so that the brazier is preferably positioned in the center of the barrel at the level of the lower opening thereof. To carry out the brazing according to the invention, the brazier is then covered with the device according to the invention by positioning the heating body described above around the brazier.

[0086] In one embodiment, where the heating body is a separate element from the chimney, it is possible to position the heating body around the brazier before positioning the barrel around the brazier / heating body assembly.

[0087] The chimney is then mounted axially and extends from the heating body through the barrel, and may in particular extend through the upper opening of the barrel.

[0088] The heat produced by the brazier will thus be absorbed by the material constituting the heating body and the chimney, and re-emitted into the barrel, in particular by radiation. Bousinage will thus take place. Any fumes generated by the brazier will be eliminated through the chimney, and expelled outside the barrel, thus avoiding contamination of the inside of the barrel.

[0089] It is obviously possible to position the heating body on the bottom of the barrel and to create a brazier directly inside, within the framework of an embodiment of the invention where the heating body and the chimney are separate.

[0090] Advantageously, the invention relates to the aforementioned device where said heating material is a charcoal called binchôtan charcoal, or white charcoal.

[0091] The invention also relates to a wooden barrel comprising:

[0092] - a substantially cylindrical open rigid frame consisting of a plurality of wooden staves joined together by means of at least one circle which serves edge to edge the staves; said frame defining an upper opening and a lower opening, and

[0093] - a top end closing piece, and a top end closing piece the lower end, positioned respectively at the level of the upper opening and the lower opening

[0094] the upper end closure piece and the lower end closure piece, having an internal surface exposed towards the inside of said container

[0095] the internal volume of the container is formed by the internal part of the plurality of staves and the closing pieces of the upper end and the lower end,

[0096] characterized in that the internal surface of the plurality of staves is burnished, the burning being capable of being obtained according to the method described above, that is to say using a heating material comprising at least 93% carbon, and in particular using binchôtan. Brief description of the figures

[0097] The invention will be better understood upon reading the description given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0098] [Fig-1] is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device according to the invention, where the barrel in which said device is inserted is also shown (shown in dotted lines).

[0099] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a device according to the invention, where the barrel in which said device is inserted is also shown (shown in dotted lines).

[0100] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a body of heater according to the invention.

[0101] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a body heating according to the invention.

[0102] [Fig.5] is a top view of a barrel according to the invention without its element of high closure.

[0103] [Fig.6] is a photograph of binchôtan sticks. Detailed description

[0104] Reference is now made to the figures whose legend has been detailed above.

[0105] Referring to [Fig.l], a device 1 for heating a wooden barrel 6 is described. The wooden barrel 6 comprises a substantially cylindrical open rigid frame consisting of a plurality of wooden staves joined together by means of at least one circle which serves edge to edge the staves; said frame defining an upper opening 62 and a lower opening 61, and the internal volume of the container is formed by the internal part of the plurality of staves and the closing pieces of the upper end and the lower end, the internal surface of the plurality of staves being intended to be treated by a heat source, i.e. charred.

[0106] In the context of [Fig.l], the barrel 6, also called cask 6, does not include the closing parts of the upper end, and of the lower end, which will be positioned respectively at the level of the upper opening 62 and of the lower opening.

[0107] Within the barrel is inserted the device 1. On the bottom of the barrel 6, at the level of the lower opening 61, the heating body 2 is positioned so as to cover a support comprising the heating material to produce heat. This may be for example a brazier, or any support capable of receiving a heating material having at least 93% carbon, and in particular binchôtan. The support comprising the heating material is completely covered by the heating body 2. In order not to stifle the combustion, the heating body 2 comprises at its base an orifice 21 which allows air to pass through in order to supply the incandescent heating material located within the support with comburant. To control the combustion, a means 22 for closing the orifice 21 is provided in the heating body.It is then possible, depending on the opening or closing of the orifice 22 with the closing means 22, to regulate the entry of air inside the heating body 2 and thus to control the force of the combustion.

[0108] The heating body 2 is open at least at its upper end, the lower end being able to be uniformly opened or obstructed by an obstruction means. The heating body 2 is advantageously of cylindrical shape.

[0109] The device 1 further comprises a chimney 3 which extends axially from the heating body 2 and extends inside the barrel 6. According to [Fig.l], which is a particular embodiment, the chimney 3 extends through the barrel beyond the upper opening 62, so that the upper end of the chimney 3 is outside the barrel 6.

[0110] On the chimney 3, the cover 4 is positioned securely.

[0111] When the device 1 is actuated, in the embodiment according to [Fig.l], the chimney 3 and the heating body 2 cooperate axially so that the lower part of the chimney 3 and the upper part of the heating body 2 cooperate to form only one channel through which the heat produced by the heating material at the level of the heating body 2 will be conveyed through the chimney and outside the barrel 6, by the upper end of the chimney 3.

[0112] The cover 4 is positioned such that it at least partially covers the opening 62 when the chimney 3 comes into contact with the heating body 2.

[0113] If the cover 4 is intended to completely close the barrel 6, the diameter of the cover will be greater than that of the barrel 6, and in particular of its upper opening 62. The cover then rests on the edge of the upper end 62.

[0114] Advantageously, the cover 4 is made of a material whose emissivity is close to 0, in order to be able to handle the device 1 without burning yourself.

[0115] For example, for a 300L drum whose dimensions are: height approximately 100 cm, head diameter (diameter of the upper and lower openings) approximately 64 cm, and diameter of the drum approximately 77 cm, it is appropriate to use a device 1, or the cover 4 will have a diameter at least equal to approximately 64 cm if it is desired to completely cover the upper opening part 62. A person skilled in the art, depending on the drum in question, will be able to determine the appropriate dimensions of the cover 4. Still for the same example of a 300L drum, the length of the entire device 1, i.e. the assembly of the heating body 2 and the chimney 3, will advantageously be greater than 100 cm, the cover 4 being positioned on the chimney 4 so that it turns over at a distance from the bottom of the drum of approximately 100 cm.

[0116] It is also possible to plug the orifice of the chimney 3 using an additional plugging means in order to maintain the heat produced by the heating material in the chimney.

[0117] Referring now to [Fig.2], a device 1 is described consisting of a heating body 2 and a chimney 3, on which the cover 4 is positioned, but made in a single piece.

[0118] In this embodiment, the heating material is positioned inside the barrel to be burnt, the latter (the heating material) being covered by the device 1, via the heating body 2. The description of the embodiment presented in [Fig.l] applies mutatis mutandis to the embodiment of [Fig.2].

[0119] With reference to [Fig. 3], the heating body 2 is now presented, where the orifice 21 and the means 22 for closing said orifice are distinguished. In this embodiment, the closing means is controlled by a means 221 controlling the closing means 22. In [Fig. 3], the means 221 is a rod rotatably mounted by means of a movable circle positioned on the heating body 2, and at the base of said heating body 2. The closing means 22 is connected from the inside of the heating body 2 to the movable circle so that when the rod 221 is rotated, in order to pivot the circle, the closing means 22 is rotated in the same direction as the rod. Depending on the direction of rotation imposed on the rod 221, the closing means 22 will close or open the orifice 21.

[0120] Advantageously, in the context of the embodiment presented in [Fig.l], the rod 221 has a length greater than the radius of the barrel 6. The rod will therefore protrude from the barrel 6 when the latter is positioned around the device 1. The manipulator will thus be able, at leisure, without removing the device from the barrel 6, to open or close the orifice 21 of the heating body 2, and thus control the draft and the quantity of heat produced for the boiling.

[0121] In the configuration described above, it is preferable to first position the heating body 2 on the brazier, then to place the barrel 6, before adding the chimney 3.

[0122] With reference to [Fig.4], another embodiment of the heating body 2 is presented, in which there are present a first and a second orifice 21 and 21', the closure of which is controlled respectively by a first and a second closure means 22; 22'. The closure means 22 and 22' can both be connected, from the inside of the heating body 2 to the pivotally mounted circle controlled by the rod 221. The manipulation of the rod 221, in this embodiment, will simultaneously actuate the first and the second closure means 22 and 22'.

[0123] Other embodiments may propose means 221 for controlling several orifices 21 and 21' autonomously and independently.

[0124] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented above, and those skilled in the art have the necessary information to propose embodiments not explicitly described above.

[0125] With reference to figure 5, there is shown a container 6 according to the invention which is not yet finalized. The rigid frame is formed by the plurality of staves 5, these being united by circles 7. Here, we contrast that the upper part 8 of each stave 5 of the container 6 is not yet machined so as to create the chamfer which will allow the axial insertion of the closing part which is not shown in the figure.

[0126] Due to the representation of the container 6 without the closing element, it is possible to visualize the internal surface 31 defined by the staves. It is this surface which will be burnished. Examples

[0127] Example - manufacturing a 228L wooden container according to the invention

[0128] The manufacture of a barrel according to [Fig.5] is described here.

[0129] Two important parts make up the 228L barrel 6:

[0130] - The 5 staves (on average 28 to 32 pieces) form the body, that is to say the barrel shell 6;

[0131] - The background pieces.

[0132] The galvanized circles 7 make it possible to hold the staves 5 together.

[0133] To move from the stave to the hull stave, here are the operations to follow:

[0134] 1- Shortening:

[0135] The staves are given the chosen length. They must, naturally, all be the same length.

[0136] 2- Shaping:

[0137] Which includes four operations: the dolage, the digging, the arrowing, and the jointing

[0138] - the dolage consists of giving the external rounding which corresponds to the circumference of the was

[0139] - digging: it is the interior of the stave which will be dug

[0140] - arrowing is a delicate operation which gives the stave the arrow or the pointed. From the center, a progressive thickness of wood is removed from the sides of the stave, reaching one to two centimeters at the ends, depending on the amount of wood that will be given to the shaft. The stave thus appears as two spindles end to end. During this operation, all defects, knots, and the presence of sapwood will be eliminated.

[0141] - the jointing: this delicate work will consist of passing each stave over the dove to regularize the design of each joint, while respecting the movement, the template and the slope.

[0142] 3- Characteristics of the staves and first assembly operation: the dress (or the pink)

[0143] - On top, the bung stave will be quite wide (10 to 11 cm). Taking into account of his role, the cooper's choice will go towards a wood of high mechanical quality in particular.

[0144] - Then the first staves, which take place on each side, will be narrow with a good thickness.

[0145] - The cooper takes the precaution of measuring the wood before assembly, taking into account account for loss during tightening in the fire.

[0146] 4- Bending and heating

[0147] Another important phase because it involves the dry heat of the wood fire. Barrel 6 is presented "in dress"

[0148] Inside we will place a heater. The diameter of the heater must be 20 to 35 cm smaller than the diameter of the end of the barrel. The heater contains binchotan as a heating material.

[0149] At the start of the heating, the cooper places the barrel 6 in its casing on a winch, which closes its jaws as the wood heats up and rises in temperature. To carry out this operation, the cooper maintains humidity outside the barrel. When the tightening is finished, a holding ring is placed at the bottom of the barrel, the barrel is then turned over and new mold rings are placed while the wood is hot, then tightened in order to properly align the joints.

[0150] The second part of the cooking constitutes the decisive heating for the barrel, called bousinage. This penetrates the wood by 5 to 10 mm and develops all the aromas of the barrel 6. The gentle and slow cooking allows the heating to be impregnated into the thickness of the wood. The internal face 31 of the staves 5, that is to say inside the barrel 6.

[0151] 5-Trimming

[0152] This operation will allow the ends of the staves 5 to be prepared to place the bottoms there. The cooper will simultaneously carry out:

[0153] - the trimming which will remove the internal part of the heads 8 of staves 5. It will then do the chamfer, inclined part depending on the type of barrels. The internal part will be leveled just below the chamfer to achieve the trim.

[0154] - the jable constitutes the groove which will receive the bottom, it measures 6 mm to 15 mm thick

[0155] The bottom pieces are then assembled.

[0156] The parts are assembled after stainless steel studs have been placed. A strand of reed is placed between each joint to ensure a perfect seal.

[0157] The circle is then traced on the bottom which is sawn along this line. But in the width direction we will put 2 mm more. In fact, when tightening the whole can settle on the width but never on the length.

[0158] Then we practice the interior and exterior cutting which will give the necessary bevel around the bottom to fit into the jable. In the context of our project, the perimeter of the bottom will be straight.

[0159] 7- Sinking

[0160] The end circles are removed to free the staves 5. A paste prepared from “organic” quality buckwheat flour, therefore gluten-free, and water are placed in the bottom of the jable; this will provide a perfect seal.

[0161] The main bottom piece is placed in the jamb directly opposite the bung stave. The barrel is tilted and from the inside the bottom is pushed into the location of the jamb. Then for the second bottom, not being able to act from the inside, the cooper uses the lag screw to place the bottom in its housing.

[0162] 8- The strapping

[0163] The first hoops used for preparing the barrels are wide and thick. They are called "mold hoops". The hoops placed thereafter are made of galvanized strip. They are placed on the barrel and driven in using the chase. The number of hoops varies depending on the region.

[0164] Today it is recommended to use galvanized iron circles which are better protected against the effects of rust. These final circles are installed after the finishing operations.

[0165] 9- The finish

[0166] The barrel is tested with water to ensure the absence of defects. For this we 20 to 30 liters of water are poured in and the barrel is shaken over its entire surface. This also removes any solid particles retained against the walls. The barrel is then inflated with air. Under the action of pressure and water, any defects reveal small leaks that can be repaired by the cooper.

[0167] Following these operations, the barrel is only uncircled at the collar and moved in order to facilitate the sanding of the hull, then recircled with the definitive galvanized circles. Finally the head circles are fitted.

Claims

Claims

1. Use of a heating material for heating wooden barrels intended to contain beverages, said heating material comprising at least 93% by mass of carbon.

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein said heating material has a partially crystalline, or semi-crystalline, structure.

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said heating material is charcoal.

4. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said heating material is a charcoal called binchotan charcoal, or white charcoal.

5. Method of heating a wooden barrel intended to contain beverages, said method comprising: - preparing in a heating body (2) a brazier or brazier comprising a heating material, said heating material comprising at least 93% by mass of carbon, and - positioning around said brazier a wooden barrel intended to contain beverages, in order to heat the interior of said barrel.

6. A method of boiling according to claim 5, wherein said heating material is a charcoal called binchotan charcoal, or white charcoal.

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said heating body has in the vicinity of its base an orifice (21) equipped with a shutter (22) capable of taking several shutter positions.

8. A method according to any one of claims 5 or 7, wherein a chimney (3) is axially mounted on the heating body (2).

9. Device (1) intended for the boiling of a wooden barrel (6) comprising a longitudinal wall terminated by two opposite circular edges delimiting a lower opening (61) and an upper opening (62), said device comprising: - a heating body (2) comprising a base allowing the heating body (2) to rest on the bottom of the barrel (6) at the level of the lower opening (61), the heating body (2) having in the vicinity of its base an orifice (21) equipped with a shutter (22) capable of taking several shutter positions,

10. - a chimney (3) extending axially from the heating body (2), the chimney (3) extending inside the wooden barrel (6), and - a cover (4) secured to the chimney (3), sized and positioned on said chimney (3) so as to at least partially close the upper opening (62) when the base rests on the bottom of the barrel at the level of the lower opening (61), said device being characterized in that the heating body (2) contains a heating material comprising at least 93% by mass of carbon. Device according to claim 9, wherein said heating material is a charcoal called binchotan charcoal, or white charcoal.

Images