Wine Press Ferret Guide Duct for Cleaning Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wine press systems face challenges in ensuring complete cleaning of wort collection chambers, particularly those that are wide and extend into long tanks, due to difficulties in controlling the movement of the cleaning ferret, which results in imperfect cleaning and potential contamination.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a wine press with a slender, perforated ferret guide duct and aligned studs in the wort collection chamber to stabilize the ferret's movement, combined with a system for rotating the tank to align cleaning strains with the ferret introduction device, ensuring thorough cleaning and efficient drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the wort collection chamber is made wider to increase drainage surface, then the drainage surface is improved, but the ferret's movement control deteriorates resulting in incomplete cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage surfaceVSAvoidcleaning completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide duct is introduced as an intermediary structure between the ferret and the wide wort collection chamber. The guide duct constrains the ferret's movement path, ensuring it travels in a straight line along the entire length of the chamber, thereby maintaining cleaning reliability despite the increased chamber width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wort collection chamber is functionally segmented into a navigation zone (guide duct) and a cleaning zone (chamber interior). The guide duct handles the ferret's movement control, while the chamber focuses on drainage and cleaning functions, allowing both wide drainage surface and reliable cleaning to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the ferret's water supply pipe is made more flexible to facilitate entry into stumps, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ferret's straight-line movement deteriorates causing incomplete cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveferret entry into stumpsVSAvoidcleaning completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide duct serves as a mediator that decouples the ferret's water supply pipe flexibility from the ferret's movement stability. The rigid guide duct structure ensures straight-line movement, while the flexible water supply pipe can still adapt to the ferret's positioning needs within the constrained path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The problem is solved by adding a spatial dimension - the guide duct provides a three-dimensional constrained path that guides the ferret's movement, separating the degree of freedom for movement control from the flexibility needed for stump entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the ferret's water supply pipe is made stiffer to maintain straight-line movement, then the cleaning completeness is improved, but the ease of entry into stumps deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoidferret entry into stumps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into two functional components: the guide duct (providing structural rigidity for straight-line movement) and the water supply pipe (maintaining flexibility for stump entry). This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Volume of moving object

If the wort collection chamber is made longer to increase capacity, then the volume is improved, but the ferret movement control deteriorates resulting in incomplete cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechamber capacityVSAvoidcleaning completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide duct acts as a mediator that enables the ferret to traverse the extended length of the wort collection chamber in a controlled straight line. The guide duct's length matches the chamber's length, ensuring complete coverage regardless of the chamber's extended dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By introducing the guide duct structure, the problem of controlling ferret movement in a long chamber is solved by adding a spatial constraint dimension, transforming an uncontrolled three-dimensional movement problem into a controlled one-dimensional path following task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for optimal cleaning of wort collection chambers, preventing incomplete cleaning and contamination, while enabling larger drainage surfaces and easier maintenance, ensuring effective and automated cleaning processes.

Implementation Method 1

at least one ferret guide duct, slender and perforated, associated with the cleaning stump, the ferret guide duct extending into the must collection chamber and being more cramped than the wort collection chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint:

Implementation Method 2

the ferret guide duct extending into the must collection chamber and being more cramped than the wort collection chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through perforations:

Implementation Method 3

The studs support the grate and delineate the ferret guide conduit into the wort collection chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical support:

Implementation Method 4

The cleaning of the wort collection chambers is greatly facilitated by the use of a cleaning pig, and can be fully or partially automated thanks to the pig

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure washing:

Data Source

PatentEP3471900B1Wine press and method for cleaning the vat of such a press
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 PERA PELLENC SA
  • EP3471900B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3471900B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3471900B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wine press (10) comprising - a vat (12) with a grape pressing chamber (26), - at least one must collection chamber (22a, 22b) in communication with the pressing chamber via at least one grating (24a, 24b), - at least one must discharge pipe stub (30), in communication with the must collection chamber, and - at least one cleaning pipe stub (30), configured to insert a cleaning snake into the must collection chamber. A snake guide conduit (48) is associated with the cleaning pipe stub (30). The conduit comprises a plurality of aligned studs (42) arranged in the must collection chamber (22a, 22b) between the wall of the vat and the grating, the studs delimiting the snake guide conduit.