Device for draining and / or pressing a harvest

Abstract

Draining and / or pressing device, comprising: - a peripheral tube (2; 42), having an upstream end and a downstream end, each of said ends being provided with means (12; 52) for connection to a grape transfer pipe or to a pump, - a first perforated wall (1; 41) extending longitudinally inside the peripheral tube (2; 42), - a first flow pipe (21; 61) for collecting a liquid located on one side of the first perforated wall (1; 41). Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for draining and / or pressing a grape harvest

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for draining and / or pressing a harvest. It also relates to a winemaking system incorporating such a device as well as a winemaking process implementing such a system. Technical field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of winemaking. Prior art

[0003] It has been known for a long time to make wine from grapes. Traditionally, grapes are harvested, then transported to a winery where the wine is made. The operations to obtain wine differ depending on whether the wine produced is a white (or rosé) wine or a red wine. The grapes can be destemmed (if the harvest is manual). There is also a pressing operation to obtain a juice to ferment. This pressing operation is preceded by a maceration phase for red wine vinification. The fermentation phase comprises several stages. The wine thus obtained at the end of the fermentation phase(s) is then stored before being packaged and shipped.

[0004] Due to the evolution of consumer tastes, producers are giving an increasingly important place to rosé wines and white wines. To make these wines, it is necessary to extract the juice from the grapes as quickly as possible to limit, on the one hand, oxidation and, on the other hand, the maceration of the juices with the grape skins.

[0005] Furthermore, even for red winemaking, to adapt to new consumer tastes, juices are increasingly being extracted beforehand to clarify them before being brought back into contact with the skins to extract the color during fermentation. This new red winemaking process makes it possible to obtain aromatic red wines while limiting their astringency.

[0006] For each type of vinification, it is therefore preferable to carry out a rapid extraction of the juices before a maceration operation, avoiding oxidation of the material to be vinified and limiting, at least at the start of the process, prolonged contact of the skins with the pulp and / or juice of the grapes.

[0007] The present disclosure originates from a first original observation which is to consider that in a “classic” press cage, the contact between the pulp and the grape juice, on the one hand, and the skins, on the other hand, is relatively long and should be reduced.

[0008] Another observation at the origin of the present disclosure is that due to global warming, the ripening of grapes is accelerating and that the harvest periods are not only earlier but also shorter. As a result, the flow of arrivals (for example in tonnes per day) of the harvest in the pressing workshops is increasing significantly. In certain cases, this flow has doubled in recent years. To cope with the influx of fresh harvests, it is then necessary to provide a larger pressing capacity if we do not want to make the harvest wait after crushing and before pressing.

[0009] The present disclosure therefore aims to provide a device making it possible, on the one hand, to limit the contact of the skin with the pulp and the juice of the grape and, on the other hand, to increase the pressing flow rate without having to invest in one or more new presses in order to limit the investments and also the size of the machines necessary to carry out winemaking. Summary

[0010] The present disclosure improves the situation.

[0011] A device for draining and / or pressing a harvest is proposed which comprises: - a peripheral tube, having an upstream end and a downstream end, each of said ends being provided with means of connection to a grape transfer pipe or to a pump, - a first perforated wall extending longitudinally inside the peripheral tube, - a first flow conduit for collecting a liquid located on one side of the first perforated wall.

[0012] In this device, of simple construction, having no moving parts, it is thus possible to carry out a draining and possibly a partial pressing of a harvest by placing an openwork wall in a transfer tube and by planning to collect the liquid (juice) coming from the draining. The harvest (or similar) sent into the transfer tube, will come to bear on the openwork surface due to the pressure necessary for the transfer of the harvest and the collected juice is then a juice which has had little contact with the grape skins. The draining thus carried out is then very early in the winemaking process.

[0013] The features set out in the following paragraphs may, optionally, be implemented, independently of one another or in combination with one another:

[0014] - the first flow conduit is connected to a suction pump; and / or

[0015] - the first perforated wall is a tubular wall substantially coaxial with the tube peripheral, said first openwork wall having for example a flattened shape (such as elliptical or oval or similar).

[0016] According to a first embodiment variant, the device may here further comprise a second tubular perforated wall extending longitudinally on the side of the first perforated wall opposite the first flow conduit, and a second flow conduit for collecting a liquid located on the side of the second tubular perforated wall opposite the first tubular perforated wall; in this variant, it may also be provided more particularly that the second perforated wall extends longitudinally on the side of the upstream end of the peripheral tube, over only part of the length of the peripheral tube and / or that the first flow conduit and the second flow conduit join, and that a suction pump is arranged downstream of the junction between the first flow conduit and the second flow conduit.

[0017] According to a second embodiment variant, the device for draining and / or pressing a grape harvest may further comprise an inflatable bladder arranged on the side of the first perforated wall opposite the first flow conduit. This inflatable bladder advantageously extends longitudinally on the side of the downstream end of the peripheral tube, over only part of the length of the peripheral tube.

[0018] According to a third variant embodiment, the device for draining and / or pressing a grape harvest may comprise, on the one hand, a second tubular perforated wall extending longitudinally on the side of the first perforated wall opposite the first flow conduit and, on the other hand, in the extension of said second tubular perforated wall, an inflatable bladder.

[0019] In all these variant embodiments, the device advantageously further comprises a pneumatic valve making it possible to create a pressure drop and / or to close the peripheral tube near the downstream end of the peripheral tube.

[0020] According to an alternative embodiment, when a suction pump and a pneumatic valve are provided, the device may further comprise at least one pressure gauge for measuring a depression in the flow conduit intended to collect juice, at least one pressure gauge for measuring a pressure in a space intended to receive the grapes, as well as a control system for regulating the suction pump and the pneumatic valve.

[0021] According to another aspect, there is provided a system for transferring a harvest to a press or a vat, characterized in that it comprises a pump and a draining and / or pressing device as described above, in that the pump makes it possible to supply grape grains, for example grains having undergone a crushing operation, to a space inside the peripheral tube delimited at least partially by the first perforated wall to push the harvest from the upstream end to the downstream end of the peripheral tube.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment, such a transfer system may comprise at least two draining and / or pressing devices arranged in parallel.

[0023] According to another aspect, a winemaking system is provided comprising a press, a fermentation tank, a pump for supplying the press or the fermentation tank with grapes, as well as a draining and / or pressing device as described above.

[0024] According to another aspect, a method of treating a harvest is provided.

[0025] According to another variant (vinification to make white or rosé wine in particular), said method comprises the following steps: - pouring a harvest into a collection bin, - pumping the harvest to a press, - pressing the harvest, and furthermore, between the collection tank and the press, the harvest is pushed by the pump into a transfer pipe equipped with draining means, and a juice resulting from the draining is collected, then settled and fermented in the liquid phase.

[0026] According to a first variant (vinification to make red wine in particular), said process comprises the following steps: - dumping a harvest into a collection bin, - pumping the harvest by a pump to a fermentation tank, and in addition, between the collection tank and the tank, the harvest is pushed by the pump into a transfer pipe equipped with draining means, a juice resulting from the draining is collected, and the collected juice is settled then put back into contact with the skins in a tank.

[0027] In these two methods, it can be provided that the harvest is put under pressure, on the one hand, by the pump for its transfer to the press or the fermentation tank and, on the other hand, is subjected to a vacuum by suction of the juice resulting from the draining. It can also be provided here that a measurement of the pressure of the harvest in the transfer pipe is carried out, that a measurement of the vacuum exerted in a suction pipe is measured, and that the results of the pressure measurement carried out are transmitted to a control device acting, on the one hand, on the pump, on the vacuum created and, on the other hand, on means making it possible to regulate the pressure of the harvest in the transfer pipe.

[0028] As a variant of a harvest treatment method which precedes: - at least two transfer pipes, each equipped with drainage means, are provided; and - the pumping of the harvest through the transfer pipes is carried out alternately so that the harvest circulates in at least one transfer pipe while the harvest is stationary in the other transfer pipe(s). Brief description of the figures

[0029] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig.l

[0030] [Fig.l] shows a draining and / or pressing device according to the present disclosure in a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 2

[0031] [Fig.2] shows the draining and / or pressing device of [Fig.l] with a view to below. Fig. 3

[0032] [Fig.3] shows an alternative embodiment of a draining device and / or pressing according to the present disclosure in a schematic side view. Fig. 4

[0033] [Fig.4] shows a top view of the draining and / or pressing device properly speaking of [Fig.3]. Fig. 5

[0034] [Fig.5] shows a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of a transfer section for a draining and / or pressing device. Fig. 6

[0035] [Fig.6] shows a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of a transfer section for a draining and / or pressing device. Fig. 7

[0036] [Fig.7] shows a schematic sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a transfer system using two draining and / or pressing devices, Fig. 8

[0037] [Fig.8] shows an installation of a draining and / or pressing device according to the present disclosure in winemaking system for a white or red winemaking process. Description of the embodiments

[0038] Reference is now made to [Fig.l]. This figure shows in longitudinal section a draining and / or pressing device according to the present disclosure comprising a peripheral tube 2, inside which are a first draining tube 1 and a second draining tube 3. This peripheral tube 2 forms a tubular outer casing for the device and is provided at each of its ends with a connecting flange 12.

[0039] The peripheral tube 2 is for example a cylindrical tube made of stainless steel, preferably with a mirror-polished finish. The peripheral tube 2 thus defines a longitudinal axis. Its section, in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, is a circular section, but any other section can be envisaged. Preferably, the peripheral tube 2 is rectilinear, but a curved shape, for example with a constant radius of curvature, can also be envisaged.

[0040] The peripheral tube 2 may be a transfer tube used to transfer fresh grapes into a cellar. For example, it is such a transfer tube allowing a relatively high flow rate, that is to say a transfer tube with a relatively large outside diameter. If the peripheral tube 2 is a circular tube, it is possible, for example, to provide a tube diameter of the order of 200 to 250 mm (non-limiting values, purely illustrative). For other cross-sectional shapes, it is possible to choose a tube with a passage cross-section of substantially the same surface area, that is to say between 30,000 and 50,000 mm2.

[0041] The idea behind the present disclosure is to carry out a (partial) draining and / or pressing of the harvest when it is transferred into the peripheral tube, in particular during a transfer to a press (vinification of white or rosé wines) or to a fermentation tank (vinification of red wines). It is then proposed to place inside the peripheral transfer tube 2 an openwork wall which guides the harvest but which also allows at least its draining.

[0042] The perforated wall inside the peripheral tube 2 is a wall which extends longitudinally so as to separate the interior volume of the peripheral tube 2 into two distinct sub-spaces, a first sub-space 40 for receiving the harvest and a second sub-space 4 for collecting the juice which drips from the harvest when it is carried from one end of the peripheral tube 2 to its other end. Whereas in a “conventional transfer” the interior wall of the transfer tube (peripheral tube 2) ensures the guidance of the harvest, here the guidance of the harvest is ensured by the perforated wall and / or the interior wall of the peripheral tube 2.

[0043] In one embodiment, the perforated wall may be a substantially flat perforated wall extending parallel to the axis of the peripheral tube, forming, in cross-section, a chord of an arc of a circle corresponding to the inner wall of the peripheral tube 2.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment (preferred but non-limiting embodiment), a first perforated wall is formed by the first drip tube 1. This first drip tube 1 extends coaxially inside the peripheral tube 2. Here too, the perforated wall formed by the first drip tube 1 separates the volume inside the peripheral tube 2 into a first sub-space 40 corresponding to the interior space of the first drip tube 1 intended to receive and guide the harvest and a second sub-space 4 corresponding to the annular space left between the first drip tube 1 and the interior wall of the peripheral tube 2, the first drip tube 1 having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the peripheral tube 2. In this embodiment, the harvest is entirely guided inside the first drip tube 1.

[0045] The perforated wall, for example for the first draining tube 1, may be for example a substantially flat wall having regularly (or not) spaced holes or a grid whose mesh is adapted to draining a harvest. The first draining tube 1 may have a section of the same shape as that of the peripheral tube 2 but may also have a different section, for example a first draining tube with a square section in a peripheral tube with a circular section - or vice versa.

[0046] The illustrated embodiment advantageously has a second perforated wall in the form of a second drip tube 3. This second perforated wall here forms a drain at the heart of the harvest. The first drip tube 1 is provided to keep the harvest at a distance from the inner wall of the peripheral tube 2 and guide it and the second drip tube 3 is arranged substantially in the center of the first drip tube 1 (and of the peripheral tube 2). The second drip tube 3 extends over the entire length of the first drip tube 1 or as illustrated in the drawing over a part, preferably a major part, that is to say at least half, of the length of the first drip tube 1.

[0047] The second drip tube 3 is advantageously made of the same material as the first drip tube 1 (openwork wall or grid) but may also have another structure. Here too, we note that the second drip tube 3 is an openwork wall which separates the space inside the peripheral tube into two sub-spaces, the first sub-space 40 mentioned above and which receives and participates in guiding the harvest from one end to the other of the peripheral tube 2 and a third sub-space 30 intended, on the one hand, to be put under depression and, on the other hand, to conduct juice extracted from the harvest.

[0048] The embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 is more particularly suited to an environment in which the harvest must be carried from a low point to a high point. The peripheral tube 2 is then arranged vertically or is at least inclined.

[0049] In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the harvest is therefore intended to circulate from the lower end of the peripheral tube to the upper end of the peripheral tube 2, in the first sub-space 40 between the first drip tube 1 and the second drip tube 3. During this transfer of the harvest, grape juice will drip through the first drip tube 1 to the second sub-space 4 and through the second drip tube 3 to the third sub-space 30. This juice received and conducted into the second sub-space 4, on the one hand, and into the third sub-space, on the other hand, is then collected respectively by a first discharge pipe 21 and a second discharge pipe 23. These two discharge pipes are connected in the lower position of the peripheral tube 2. By gravity, the juice passing through the first drip tube 1 will be guided between the inner wall of the peripheral tube 2 and the harvest retained by the first drip tube 1 to the first discharge pipe 21 while the juice passing through the second drip tube 3 will be guided inside the second drip tube 3, in the third sub-space 30, to the second pipe evacuation 23.The extracted juice is thus guided and flows, on the one hand, into the second sub-space 4 and the first discharge line which then form a first flow line for the juice and, on the other hand, into the third sub-space and into the second discharge line which then form a second flow line. A first isolation valve 7 is provided on the first discharge line 21 and a second isolation valve 6 is provided on the second discharge line 23. Downstream of these two valves, the first discharge line 21 joins the second discharge line 23 and a suction pump 5 is provided downstream of the junction of the first discharge line 21 with the second discharge line 23.

[0050] A pump, not illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, is provided to push the harvest through the peripheral tube 2, more precisely into the first drip tube 1, from bottom to top. Such a pump is most often already existing in a winery for transferring the harvest. To carry out this transfer, the harvest must be put under pressure. It is provided to control this pressure. A first pressure gauge 10 is provided near the lower flange 12 to measure the pressure of the harvest as it enters the illustrated device. It is provided to act on this pressure of the harvest using a pneumatic valve 11 arranged at the outlet of the device, near the upper connecting flange 12. This pneumatic valve 11 makes it possible to regulate the flow in the device by creating, if necessary, a counterpressure at the outlet of the device.In certain embodiments, it can be provided that the pneumatic valve 11 can completely close the passage at the outlet of the peripheral tube 2. By acting in this way on the pressure of the harvest, it is possible to act on the drainage rate within the device, or even to carry out partial pressing of the harvest.

[0051] As mentioned, a suction pump 5 is provided to suck up the juice that drips from the harvest. Depending on the setting of this suction pump 5, it is possible to create a depression in the first discharge pipe 21 and in the second discharge pipe 23, this depression also propagating near the harvest respectively, on the one hand, between the first drip tube 1 and the peripheral tube 2 outside the harvest in the second sub-space 4 and, on the other hand, within the second drip tube 3 inside the harvest in the third sub-space 30. It is clear that this depression also makes it possible to act on the drainage rate or even on the partial pressing carried out. Here too, a control of the suction pressure (depression) is provided which is negative (if expressed as a difference from atmospheric pressure) or lower than atmospheric pressure (if the absolute value of the pressure is considered).A second pressure gauge 8 is provided to measure the depression, for example between the peripheral tube 2 and the first drip tube 1, in the second sub-space 4 and the third sub-space 30. It is also possible to provide a depression valve 9 to avoid excessive depression in the second sub-space 4 located between the peripheral tube 2 and the first drip tube 1. Indeed, too great a depression at this level could damage the device.

[0052] [Fig.3] and [Fig.4] illustrate an embodiment more suitable for a substantially horizontal transfer of harvest.

[0053] In this variant we find a peripheral tube 42 with an openwork wall inside, which here takes the form of a drip tube 41.

[0054] A particularity of the illustrated device (visible in [Fig. 3] only) is that a short-circuit pipe 70 is provided allowing the grapes to bypass the draining and / or pressing device. An isolation valve 55 is provided at the inlet and another isolation valve 55 is provided at the outlet of the short-circuit pipe 70. The presence of this short-circuit pipe 70 (with or without isolation valves) is of course optional. Conversely, it can also be provided for any device according to the present disclosure, for example on the device described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and also that of [Fig. 7].

[0055] Concerning the draining and / or pressing device of figures 3 and 4, there is from left to right in these figures a supply pipe 56 with its connecting flange, an isolation valve 55, a connecting flange 52, an inlet cone 57 integrating the connecting flange 52, the peripheral tube 42 with the draining tube 41, a collector system 61, an outlet cone 58 having a connecting flange 52, a pneumatic valve 51 flanged to an outlet pipe 59. There is also a first pressure gauge 50 for measuring the pressure in the harvest at the inlet of the draining and / or pressing device, a second pressure gauge 48 for measuring a depression in the flow circuit of the extracted juice and a depression valve 49 to avoid creating a back pressure in the extraction of the grape juice.

[0056] The system is close to that described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Mention is made below of the differences between the system of Figures 3 and 4 compared to that of Figures 1 and 2. As already mentioned, it is intended that this system be arranged horizontally: the supply pipe 56 and the outlet pipe 59 are then substantially at the same height. To adapt to this situation, a second drip tube is not provided at the heart of the harvest because the horizontal orientation complicates the flow of the juice which would be recovered at the heart of the device. The peripheral tube 42 is here configured such that its lower edge is inclined relative to the horizontal to promote the flow of the draining and / or pressing juice while the upper edge of the peripheral tube 42 can remain horizontal.The collecting system 61 collects the drained and / or pressed juice along the entire lower edge of the peripheral tube 42, in the lower part thereof (whereas in the case of a vertical peripheral tube, the juice is collected at a lower end) and allows it to be evacuated. [Fig. 3] illustrates three points for collecting the juice along the peripheral tube 42. The collected juice joins a discharge pipe, preferably inclined to evacuate the juice (arrow 60). The juice can advantageously be sucked up by a pump which is not illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

[0057] As can be seen, the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 provides that the peripheral tube 42 and the drip tube 41 do not have a circular section. The shape proposed here for the section of the peripheral tube 42 and for the drip tube 41 corresponds to two similar circular arcs, arranged opposite each other in such a way that their concavities face each other and the ends of the circular arcs are connected by substantially rectilinear segments. The shape of this section is reminiscent of an ellipse, or a biconvex lens. In this embodiment also the drip tube 41 divides the interior of the peripheral tube 42 into two sub-spaces. Inside the drip tube 41 a first sub-space forms a conduit for the grapes 43 while outside this tube a second sub-space forms a conduit for the juice 44 of annular shape.

[0058] The inlet cone 57 makes it possible to adapt the circular shape of the supply pipe 56 (and of the isolation valve 55) to the flattened shape of the drip tube 41 which leads and guides the harvest inside the peripheral tube 42. Similarly at the outlet, the outlet cone 58 makes it possible to adapt the flattened shape of the drip tube 41 to the circular shape of the outlet pipe 59 (and of the pneumatic valve 51).

[0059] The shape proposed here for the drip tube 41 in particular makes it possible to limit the path taken by the juice to exit the harvest. For a given cross-sectional area, the juice which is in the center of the harvest has less distance to travel to reach the outer surface of the harvest in the shape described here. than for a circular shape. For example, a cross-section with a height between half and three-quarters of the width of the said section can be provided. The shape illustrated is close to an elliptical, or oval, shape. Of course, such a (non-circular) section can be used horizontally, vertically or in an intermediate inclined position. The presence of a central drain can also be considered, but rather for a vertical or inclined orientation.

[0060] [Fig. 5] shows a cross-section along the section line VV of [Fig. 1]. It shows the peripheral tube 2, the first drip tube 1 and the second drip tube 3. For purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, it is possible, for example, to provide a peripheral tube 2 having a diameter of between 200 and 250 mm with a wall thickness of between 1 and 3 mm. The first drip tube 1 may, for example, have a diameter of between 120 and 200 mm with a wall thickness of between 1 and 3 mm. The second drip tube 3 (central) may have a diameter of between 40 and 80 mm with a wall thickness of 1 to 3 mm.

[0061] [Fig. 6] illustrates a variant of section along the section line VV of [Fig. 1]. Here we find sections with shapes similar to those of Figures 3 and 4. For the peripheral tube 42, it is possible to provide, for example, a distance between the two substantially rectilinear segments of between 200 and 300 mm while the height of the section, measured transversely with respect to this first measurement, is for example between 150 and 200 mm. The space forming the conduit for the juice 44 between the first drip tube 41 and the peripheral tube 42 is for example between 20 and 30 mm.

[0062] [Fig. 8] illustrates the installation of a draining and / or pressing device 100 according to the present disclosure in a winemaking system. The device used here may be used horizontally, vertically, be inclined, may or may not be provided with a short-circuit pipe, may have a circular or other section, etc.

[0063] For white winemaking, the harvested grapes may, for example, be poured from a bin 102 into a receiving tub 104. The harvest may optionally be destemmed in a destemmer (not shown) which separates the grape berries from the stalks. The grape berries then advantageously pass into a crusher 110 which allows the berries to be split to release the grape pulp. A must is obtained at the crusher outlet which is conventionally sent to a press 112. The juice obtained at the press outlet must be clarified and then passes into a settling tank 114. [Fig. 7] does not illustrate the following vinification steps which are known to those skilled in the art: the clarified juice is then sent to a fermentation tank (or barrel), then the wine obtained is optionally aged before being clarified and / or filtered and then most often bottled.

[0064] The draining and / or pressing device 100 is preferably placed here downstream of the crusher 110 and upstream of the press 112. The must from the crusher 110 enters the draining and / or pressing device 100 using, for example, a pump 116 which is conventionally used in a winery to transfer must (or a similar mixture of liquid phase -juice- and solid phase -skins-) or fresh harvest from one treatment station to another. Passage through the pump 116 puts the must under pressure in the draining and / or pressing device 100. In this device, the must comes to bear on at least one perforated wall. Due to the pressure exerted on the must, at least one draining of the must takes place and possibly a partial pressing. The juice thus extracted from the must is recovered and collected.Preferably, a pump such as pump 5 is used to suck up the juice but also to create a vacuum outside the must and thus also promote the extraction of the juice from the must. By pump 116 the juice from the must is pushed out of the must by pressing the must on at least one perforated surface and by pump 5 the juice is sucked out of the must.

[0065] The must leaving the draining and / or pressing device 100 is then sent to the press 112 while the recovered and collected juices can be sent (using the pump 5 for example) to the settling tank 114.

[0066] In the case of red wine vinification, at the beginning of the process we find steps similar to those of white (or rosé) wine vinification. From a bucket 102, a fresh harvest is poured into the receiving tub 104, a destemmer (optional) can remove the stalks from the harvest and a crusher 110 comes to burst the grapes. Conventionally, for red wine vinification, the fermentation of the must is carried out before a pressing operation. As indicated in the preamble, to adapt to the new tastes of consumers, it is known to extract juice from the must, to clarify it before putting it back in contact with the grape skins for a fermentation operation called alcoholic fermentation. Pressing is then carried out after this alcoholic fermentation.The skins are then removed from the fermented must and a second fermentation operation, called malolactic fermentation, is carried out before an aging operation then filtration and / or clarification and finally, most often, bottling.

[0067] In the red winemaking process proposed here, it is provided that after crushing and before alcoholic fermentation, the must passes into a draining and / or pressing device 100 as described above. Here too, any type of draining and / or pressing device according to the present disclosure may be suitable. The present disclosure proposes that during the transfer after crushing, to the press for white winemaking and to an alcoholic fermentation operation for red winemaking, the must is drained and possibly partially pressed by simply adapting the transfer pipe.

[0068] Thus, for red winemaking, the pump 116 ensures the transfer of the must from the crusher 110 to a fermentation tank 118 (alcoholic fermentation). This pump 116 here sends the must from the crusher into the draining and / or pressing device 100. As already described, this device produces, on the one hand, must and, on the other hand, juice pumped for example by the pump 5. The must leaving the draining and / or pressing device 100 is then, for example, directly sent to a fermentation tank 118 while the juice can be sent to the settling tank 114. The juice is then refrigerated (to prevent it from fermenting) and when it is clarified by racking for example, the lees then remaining in the settling tank 114, it joins the must in the fermentation tank 118 (or another tank). The press 112 is used later, after the alcoholic fermentation.

[0069] In either of the methods described (variants of these methods can of course be envisaged since there are many methods for making wine), the draining and / or pressing device 100 makes it possible to define the percentage of draining juices extracted during a transfer. It is in fact possible to act on this device by varying: - the pumping flow rate (action for example on the pump 116) which then modifies the speed of passage in the device and increases or decreases the draining time; - the pressure in the draining and / or pressing device, by acting for example on the pneumatic valve 11 or 51 (the presence of which is advantageous but still not essential in the present disclosure) to create a counter pressure, then making it possible to crush the harvest more or less against the at least one perforated wall, thus releasing more or less juice; - the depression outside the must, that is to say by acting on the pump 5 (the presence of which is also advantageous but still not essential in the present disclosure) to act on the efficiency of the drainage of the juice; - by acting on the isolation valves: for example in the case of the device in figures 1 and 2, it is possible to promote the extraction of juice at the heart of the must or at its periphery; - by adjusting the vacuum valve 9 when it is present; - by providing a control and command device acting on the pumps based on the information provided by the pressure gauges.

[0070] It is advantageous to combine pressure (on the must) and depression (by sucking up the juice) simultaneously and / or alternately because this allows the juice to be extracted dynamically without exerting significant pressure on the material since the extraction is aided by the depression created.

[0071] A servo-control system is advantageously provided. As illustrated in [Fig.l], pressure gauges are provided. They advantageously equip any type of draining and / or pressing device according to the present disclosure. It is thus possible to have a first pressure gauge 10 (or 50) to measure the pressure of the harvest when it enters the draining and / or pressing device. A second pressure gauge 8 (or 48) makes it possible to know the depression created by the suction pump 5 around the harvest. From the pressure measurements which are thus carried out, the servo-control system (not shown) can act on the pumps and / or on the pneumatic valve (11 or 51) to optimize the passage time of the harvest in the draining and / or pressing device 100.

[0072] Advantageously, the grape grains in the draining and / or pressing device 100 are subjected to several successive pressurization and depression cycles. For example, it is possible to provide that the system is controlled to introduce at each cycle only half of the harvest capacity of the first draining tube (1 or 41). Once the first draining tube is filled with harvest, a valve (for example isolation valve 55 at the inlet) is closed and the isolation valves (for example isolation valves 6 and 7 of [Fig. 2]) are opened to put the harvest in the first draining tube under depression by connecting it to the suction pump 5.After a period of draining under vacuum, the inlet isolation valve 55 is opened to allow fresh harvest to enter the first drain tube and is then closed again when the predetermined quantity of harvest, for example half the capacity of the first drain tube, has entered the first drain tube. After introduction of this new quantity of harvest, the harvest is then again subjected only to the vacuum created by the suction pump 5.

[0073] For the implementation of such a method, it is advantageous to provide an alternative embodiment, in which two (or more) draining and / or pressing devices 100 are mounted in parallel. It is then possible to provide either to have a harvest feed pump associated with each draining and / or pressing device 100 or, preferably, to use the same fresh harvest feed pump (the pump 116) for all the devices mounted in parallel and operating alternately, each device being provided at its inlet with a controllable valve. It is then possible to provide the pump 116 to continuously supply fresh harvest but this is distributed successively to each draining and / or pressing device 100 by acting on the controllable inlet valves. The same system can be provided to apply the depression created by the suction pump 5 successively to each of the draining and / or pressing devices 100.Depending on the number of devices, it is possible to have one, two, or more draining and / or pressing devices 100 permanently under vacuum on the juice suction side. preferably, an isolation valve (such as valves 6 and 7 of [Fig.l]) is provided on each juice collection pipe. These valves are preferably controllable but it is also possible to provide manual valves and to provide that the depression created by the pump 5 is permanently applied to the draining and / or pressing devices 100 (or on the contrary is never used for certain winemaking processes).

[0074] An embodiment with two draining and / or pressing devices mounted in parallel is illustrated in [Fig. 7]. If several devices are mounted in parallel, they are advantageously all similar. There may be two draining and / or pressing devices in parallel or more than two: these parallel devices may then be arranged next to each other in the same plane or be arranged as generators of a circular cylinder (barrel shape).

[0075] When there are several draining and / or pressing devices mounted in parallel, each is preferably equipped with its own pressure gauges and / or the valves used are piloted valves and / or the servo system manages the introduction of the harvest, the pressures (and depressions) in each of the devices in parallel and the passage times in each device, the residence time having an influence on the quantity of juice removed from the harvest during transfer.

[0076] [Fig.7] further presents another variant of draining and / or pressing device 100 making it possible to improve the pressing of a harvest during transfer.

[0077] The embodiment proposed here is made from the embodiment of [Fig.l] and the same references are therefore repeated here. In this embodiment, the second drip tube 3 extends only over approximately half the height of the peripheral tube 2. It is extended by an inflatable bladder shown inflated in the draining and / or pressing device 100 on the left and deflated on the right. In each of the devices, the inflatable bladder comes in the extension, downstream in the direction of circulation of the harvest, of the second drip tube 3. Each inflatable bladder 130 here extends longitudinally in the draining and / or pressing device 100 substantially over half the length (illustrative and non-limiting data) of the peripheral tube 2 on the downstream side of this tube.

[0078] Each inflatable bladder 130 is supplied with compressed air (there is almost always a source of compressed air available in a cellar) from a supply pipe 132. The supply of each inflatable bladder 130 is controlled by a pneumatic valve not shown here.

[0079] With a device according to [Fig.7], the operation can be for example as follows.

[0080] Pump 116 is still running and alternately, the isolation valve 55 on the left in [Fig.7] opens while the one on the right is closed then the left isolation valve 55 closes at the same time as the one on the right opens.

[0081] It is assumed that the system is in continuous operation. Between an opening of the isolation valve 55 and its following closing, a quantity of harvest corresponding substantially to half the capacity of the first sub-space 40 receiving the harvest passes through the isolation valve 55 in question and enters the corresponding draining and / or pressing device 100.

[0082] Consider for example the draining and / or pressurization device 100 on the left.

[0083] The isolation valve 55 opens. A quantity of harvest enters the first sub-space. It pushes the harvest which is at the level of the second drip tube 3 towards the inflatable bladder 130 while the harvest which was around the inflatable bladder 130 is evacuated from the device towards a tank or a press. It is therefore noted that the pneumatic valve 11 opens at the same frequency as the isolation valve 55, possibly with a phase shift in time. The harvest is then subjected to the pressure of the pump 116 and natural draining occurs through the perforated walls.

[0084] When the quantity of harvest has been introduced, the valves close. The newly entered harvest is then subjected to a depression created by pump 5 (which also operates continuously) and the harvest around the inflatable bladder is pressed by inflating the bladder using compressed air.

[0085] Meanwhile, fresh harvest is introduced into the right-hand device. When the right-hand valves close, then the left-hand valves can open again and the cycle described begins again.

[0086] Thus the harvest during its transfer into the system of [Fig.7] is introduced by undergoing a first draining under the action of the pump 116. The first draining is continued by a second draining by suction under the action of the pump 5. Finally this harvest is retransferred to the inflatable bladder allowing the harvest to be mixed. Then a fourth time corresponds to a pressing by the inflatable bladder before a fifth time of evacuation from the draining and / or pressing device. Here we have five successive times having substantially the same duration. They are carried out in the two devices mounted in parallel but with shifts in the cycles from one device to the other as explained above.

[0087] Different embodiments are possible. In one branch of the circuit, a first peripheral tube 2 could be provided with only one perforated wall inside this peripheral tube, or a first perforated wall and a second perforated wall in the heart of the harvest, this first tube being connected in series with a second peripheral tube arranged downstream of the first and in which an inflatable bladder would be mounted, preferably arranged over substantially the entire length of the perforated wall located in this second peripheral tube. We would then have, for example, at least two branches mounted in parallel, each branch itself comprising two devices in series. Between two devices mounted in series, an intermediate pump can possibly be provided if necessary.

[0088] It is thus noted that the system proposed by the present disclosure can be adapted to the quantity of harvest to be treated, to the desired draining and possibly carry out pressing, for example complete pressing, of the harvest. Industrial application

[0089] The device proposed here is placed in a conventional circuit for processing a harvest to make wine. It is advantageously placed on the route or at the end of a transfer pipeline by pumping a fresh harvest or must. In this way, dynamic draining and possibly (partial) pressing of the harvest is achieved thanks to the presence of at least one draining surface (perforated wall, extraction grid, or similar). Inside the device itself, no mobile mechanical means are provided. The juice extraction pump is optional since the extraction can be done by gravity but its presence is of course advantageous as is clear from the preceding description thanks in particular to the possibility of creating a depression promoting extraction.

[0090] The proposed device can be adapted to many configurations and therefore to many cellars. Its length, orientation, and diameter can be modified to meet requirements in terms of space requirements, relative position of the elements, necessary flow rate, etc. The proposed device has the particular advantage of being able to be fitted to an existing cellar. As indicated, in versions with “options,” many adjustments can be made to adapt to the requirements of winemaking.

[0091] The proposed device allows for draining a fresh harvest or must just after it leaves the crusher. This draining is rapid and limits the contact of the juice with the skins. In this way, oxidation of the juice can be limited. For white winemaking, the contact between the juice and the skins is significantly reduced.

[0092] In addition, with the proposed device, juice is extracted before pressing (particularly for white and rosé winemaking). All the juice extracted before pressing makes it possible to limit the pressing time. The same press can process a larger quantity of harvest. Indeed, if juice is already extracted from the harvest when it arrives at the press, the pressing time will be significantly reduced. The proposed device therefore makes it possible to increase the pressing capacity (considering the quantity of fresh harvest arriving at the cellar) of pressing equipment. It is much cheaper to equip a cellar with a device proposed by this disclosure than to buy a new press to increase the quantity (or flow rate) of pressing. As in recent years, due to global warming, there is a tendency to accelerate maturities and to shorten by half the harvest time at good maturity, the device proposed here provides a real solution making it possible to avoid the purchase of additional expensive equipment (and used few days in the year). The proposed device makes it possible to extract quality juices representing more than 80% and up to 95% of the total juices by a completely new and original means and this immediately after pumping into a harvest reception bay (or after crushing).

[0093] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment examples and methods described above, only as examples, but it encompasses all the variants that a person skilled in the art may envisage within the framework of the protection sought.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for draining and / or pressing a harvest, characterized in that it comprises: - an external peripheral tube (2; 42), having an upstream end and a downstream end, each of said ends being provided with means of connection (12; 52) to a harvest transfer pipe or to a pump, - a first perforated wall (1; 41) extending longitudinally inside the peripheral tube (2; 42), - a first flow conduit (4, 21; 44, 61) for collecting a liquid located on one side of the first perforated wall (1; 41).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first flow conduit (4, 21; 44, 61) is connected to a suction pump (5).

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first perforated wall (1; 41) is a tubular wall substantially coaxial with the peripheral tube (2; 42).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first perforated wall (41) has a flattened shape, for example oval, elliptical or similar.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device further comprises: - a second tubular perforated wall (3), extending longitudinally on the side of the first perforated wall (1) opposite the first flow conduit, and - a second flow conduit (30, 23) for collecting a liquid located on the side of the second tubular perforated wall (3) opposite the first tubular perforated wall (1).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the second perforated wall (3) extends longitudinally on the side of the upstream end of the peripheral tube, over only part of the length of the peripheral tube (2; 42).

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the first flow conduit (21) and the second flow conduit (23) join, and in that a suction pump (5) is arranged downstream of the junction between the first flow conduit (21) and the second flow conduit (23).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises an inflatable bladder (130) arranged on the side of the first perforated wall (1; 41) opposite the first flow conduit.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the inflatable bladder extends longitudinally on the side of the downstream end of the peripheral tube, over only part of the length of the perforated wall.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, a second tubular perforated wall extending longitudinally on the side of the first perforated wall (1) opposite the first flow conduit and, on the other hand, in the extension of said second tubular perforated wall, an inflatable bladder (130).

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises a pneumatic valve (11; 51) making it possible to create a variable pressure drop near the downstream end of the peripheral tube (2; 42).

12. Device according to claims 2 and 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one pressure gauge (8) for measuring a depression in the flow conduit (4, 21) intended to collect juice, at least one pressure gauge (10) for measuring a pressure in a space (40) intended to receive the grapes, as well as a servo system for regulating the suction pump (5) and the pneumatic valve (11; 51).

13. System for transferring a harvest to a press (112) or a fermentation tank (118), characterized in that it comprises a pump (116) and a draining and / or pressing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, in that the pump (116) makes it possible to supply grape grains, for example grains having undergone a crushing operation, to a space (40; 43) inside the peripheral tube (2) delimited at least partially by the first perforated wall (1; 41) to push the harvest from the upstream end to the downstream end of the peripheral tube (2; 42).

14. System for transferring a harvest to a press (112) or a fermentation tank (118) according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises at least two draining and / or pressing devices (100) arranged in parallel.

15. Winemaking system, characterized in that it comprises a press (112), a fermentation tank (118), a pump (116) for supplying the press (112) or the fermentation tank (118) with grapes, as well as a draining and / or pressing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

16. Method for processing a harvest comprising the following steps: - pouring a harvest into a collection tank (104), - pumping the harvest by a pump (116) to a press (112), - pressing the harvest, characterized in that between the collection tank (104) and the press (112), the harvest is pushed by the pump (116) into a draining and / or pressing device according to claim 1, and in that a juice resulting from the draining is collected, then settled and fermented in the liquid phase.

17. Method for processing a harvest comprising the following steps: - pouring a harvest into a collection tank (104), - pumping by a pump (116) of the harvest towards a tank (118), characterized in that between the collection tank (104) and the tank (118), the harvest is pushed by the pump (116) into a draining and / or pressing device according to claim 1, in that a juice resulting from the draining is collected, and in that the collected juice is settled then brought back into contact with the skins in a tank (118).

18. Method for treating a harvest according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that the harvest is put under pressure, on the one hand, by the pump (116) for its transfer to the press (112) or the tank (118) and, on the other hand, is subjected to a depression by suction of the juice resulting from the draining.

19. Method for treating a harvest according to claim 18, characterized in that a measurement of the pressure of the harvest in the draining and / or pressing device is carried out, in that a measurement of the depression exerted in a suction duct (4, 21;

20. 44, 61) is measured, and in that the results of the pressure measurements carried out are transmitted to a control device acting, on the one hand, on the pump (116), on the depression created and, on the other hand, on means (11; 51) making it possible to regulate the pressure of the harvest in the transfer pipe. Method for treating a harvest according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that: - at least two draining and / or pressing devices according to claim 1, each provided with draining means are provided; And - the pumping of the harvest through the transfer pipes is carried out alternately so that the harvest circulates in at least one draining and / or pressing device while the harvest is stationary in the other draining and / or pressing device(s).

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