FERMENTATION SYSTEM FOR VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES, IN PARTICULAR FOR GRAPES

Abstract: A fermentation system for vegetable substances (3) is described, in particular for grapes, comprising at least a container (2) containing said vegetable substances (3), first means (5, 6) for transferring said vegetable substances (3) from a lower section to an upper section of said container (2), a device (4) for spraying and mixing said vegetable substances (3) transferred by said first means (5, 6) with the vegetable substances (3) contained in said container (2). The invention is featured in that said spraying-mixing device (4) is provided with second means being apt to perform a first angular movement and third means being apt to perform a second angular movement for distributing an even jet of said vegetable substances (3) on the surface (S) of the vegetable substances (3) contained in said container (2).

Description: FERMENTATION SYSTEM FOR VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES, IN PARTICULAR FOR GRAPES DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a fermentation system for vegetable substances, in particular for pressed grapes or must fermentation. As known, during fermentation some portions of pressed grapes are subject to sedimentation while other portions remain floating; this drawback leads to the undesired result of very thick hard layers or crusts forming on the surface; this surface stratification is commonly causing a fast mildew production, which may damage the whole product. In order to avoid such drawbacks, devices are commonly known being apt to perform circulation of the product subject to maceration or fermentation, which utilize a pump to suck a portion of said product from the lower section of the container and transfer it to an upper tank located inside the container itself, which are intercommunicating by means of a large drain or recirculation valve; according to this system, the product or must will be sucked by a pump from the lower container and transferred into the upper tank; during this stage the above drain valve remains closed. After filling the upper tank and a given time preset by a control device or timer, the shutter of the above drain valve opens and the product contained in the upper tank will fall violently on the product contained in the lower section of the container; thus, the whole product is put into motion to avoid crusts and mildews production, ensuring extraction of colour, polyphenols, antocyans and all elements contained inside the grape berry. However, this system has some drawbacks; for instance, must downfall from the upper tank to the lower section is not always efficient enough over the whole must surface on which it is falling, so that the product will not be mixed evenly. Additionally, must downfall has not enough force to deeply enter the must contained in the lower section, so that a reduced mixing of both musts will result. These drawbacks involve a longer fermentation time for extracting colour, polyphenols, antocyans and all elements contained inside the grape berry, whereby a higher performance of the container is required before being used for stocking the product after fermentation. Another drawback of the above system is due to the upper tank with its relevant drain or recirculation valve located in the container, which reduces the capacity of the latter both when being used for fermentation purposes and for stocking the product after fermentation. Other systems are also known, wherein the container has no upper tank and must downfall is obtained through a pump withdrawing the must from the lower section and transferring it to the upper section of the container for its vertical spraying against a diffuser, i.e. causing a must rainfall on the product in the container. Also this system has the same drawbacks mentioned above, i.e. must downfall from the diffuser on the product surface in the container is never efficient enough over the whole surface of the must whereon it falls down and has not enough force to enter it deeply, so that a reduced mixing of both musts and a longer fermentation stage will result. Moreover, when a container used for fermentation is used for containing the product after fermentation, a careful washing of the container will be required to prevent the product to be stocked from coming in contact with the fermentation rests that have deposited on both its side walls and bottom, and avoid that such rests may alter the product. This cleaning is very troublesome, since an individual should enter the container and perform cleaning with suitable means, e.g. a lance; now, this involves labour costs and loss of time. It is the object of the present invention to solve the above drawbacks of the known technique in a simple, cost effective, reliable way. In this frame, a first object of the present invention is to provide a system being apt to improve must distribution and mixing during the fermentation process. A second object of the present invention is to provide a system, which has a device being apt to perform even distribution of the must arriving from the lower section of a container on the surface of the must contained in said container. A third object of the present invention is to provide a system, which has a device being apt to reach a deep distribution of the must arriving from the lower section of a container into the must contained in said container. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system, which has a device being apt to reduce fermentation times. Another object of the present invention is to provide a container without an upper tank for the downfall of the must contained in it on the surface of the must contained in said container, wherein a larger quantity of fermenting must and/or post-fermentation product can be stocked, at parity of size of the container. A further object of the present invention is to provide a system, which has a device being apt to be used for washing the inner part of a container suitable for must fermentation and for stocking the fermented product. In order to achieve one or more of such aims, it is the object of the present invention to provide a system being apt to improve fermentation or maceration process of vegetable substances, incorporating the features of the annexed claims, which form an integral part of the description herein. Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings, which are supplied by way of non limiting example, wherein: - Fig. 1 shows a partial lengthwise section of a system according to the present invention; - Fig. 2 shows schematically a first side view of a distribution device for the must of the system according to the present invention; - Fig. 3 shows schematically a second side view of a distribution device for the must of the system according to the present invention, rotated by 90° with reference to Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows schematically a first prospective view of the distribution device for the must of the system according to the present invention; - Fig. 5 shows schematically a second prospective view of the distribution device for the must of the system according to the present invention; - Fig. 6 shows schematically a distribution diagram of the must, according to the present invention. With reference to Fig. 1, reference 1 indicates as a whole a fermentation system for vegetable substances, in particular for grapes; reference 2 indicates a container for containing the fermenting must, reference 3 indicates the must in the container 2 and reference 4 indicates a device for distributing a must jet on the surface S of the must 3 present in the container 2. Reference 5 indicates a suction duct for the must, communicating at one end with a pump 6 connected to the inner lower section of the container 2 and at the other end with the device 4. The pump 6 is provided for sucking the must from the lower section of the container 2 and transfer it to the device 4 through the duct 5. A filter, not shown, is provided between the must sucking duct of the pump 6 and the container 2 to prevent solid particles being transferred to the device 4 and cause clogging problems of the ducts. With T is indicated a compressed air source, e.g. a turbine, whose function is to introduce forced air in the must flowing through the duct 5 for its oxygenation. Must oxygenation during the fermentation process is useful for yeasts metabolism, since it facilitates fermentation start, favouring bacterial flora expansion and preventing premature fermentation stops, and to permit the condensation reactions between the tannins and antocyans with consequent formation of more complex molecules ensuring colour stability. With C is indicated a container in communication with the duct 5 for containing suitable vinification additives, such as yeasts, which can be introduced in the must 3 through the must flowing in the duct 5, whenever considered useful ' for its fermentation. The device 4 is fastened to a frame 7, which is commonly fastened to the upper opening of the container 2. The frame 7, which is not described being manufactured with common components, such as profiles and/or steel tubes and/or other suitable material, has an appropriate size for its fastening to the top of the container 2, either when the latter presents a pipe-union as illustrated in Fig. 1 or the upper section of the container is completely open. The distance of the device 4 from the surface S of the must in the container is detected by a level sensor, which is a common sensor not represented here, during the filling of the container 2; upon reaching the preset must level in the container 2, the sensor stops the filling operation of the container. In Figures 2-5 illustrating several views of a device for distributing a must jet, reference 4 indicates the device formed by two actuators 8 and 9, respectively, which are spaced from each other and located perpendicular to each other at different height. Both actuators 8 and 9, made each one from a boxed element, are indicated with 10 and 1 1, respectively; reference -12 indicates a tubular connector 12, bent at 90°, which connects both actuators 8 and 9 between them and determines the position of one with respect to the other. One end of the connector 12 is solidly fastened to the boxed element 10, whereas the other end is so connected to the boxed element 11 to allow alternate angular movements M (see Fig. 2) around its own horizontal axis. The boxed element 11 of the actuator 9 is solidly fastened to the frame 7. Reference 13 indicates a tubular spout substantially bent at 90°, one end of which is fastened to the boxed element 10 of the actuator 8, on the same axis but on the opposite side where the connector 12, to which is solidly fastened and hydraulically connected. The other end of the spout 13 is free and is directed downwards. Hydraulic sealing between the connector 12 and the spout 13 is obtained by means of common means, such as o-ring gaskets. The end of the spout 13 is fastened to the boxed element 10 so as to perform alternate angular movements M' (see Fig. 3) around its horizontal axis. Reference 14 indicates a second tubular connector substantially bent at 90°, one end of which is solidly fastened to the boxed element 11 of the actuator 9, on the same axis, but on the opposite side to which the connector 12 to which is fastened and hydraulically connected. Also in this case, the connection between the connector 12 and the second connector 14 is hydraulically sealed with common means. The other end of the second connector 14 is directed upwards and hydraulically connected to the duct 5. Therefore, when the pump 6 is activated, the must 3 is sucked from the lower section of the container 2 and transferred to the device 4; by means of the connector 14 connected to the duct 5, the must 3 is transferred to the spout 13 through the connector 12, wherefrom it will be expelled and fall down on the surface S of the must 3. The procedures for must flow distribution from the spout 13 on the surface S are further described in the following. References 15 and 16 indicate two electric motors, one of which is connected to the actuator 8 and the other to the actuator 9, respectively. The motor 15, by means of a gear reducer, ensures a continuous alternate angular movement M' of the spout 13 around its own horizontal axis. The motor 16, by means of a gear reducer, causes the tubular connector 12 to perform an alternate angular movement M around its horizontal axis. This angular movement is transmitted to the actuator 8 solidly connected to the connector 12. The alternate angular movement M' imparted by the motor 15 to the spout 13, causes the must flow arriving from the lower section of the container 2 and exiting the spout 13 to be distributed on the surface S along a straight line, whose ends are the walls of the container 2. The alternate angular movement M imparted by the motor 16 to the actuator 8 by means of the connector 12 causes the spout 13 to move along a substantially perpendicular line to the line resulting from the alternate angular movement M' imparted by the motor 15 to the spout 13. A diagram of the spout displacement 13 is represented in Fig. 6, where M indicates the axis of the alternate angular movement of the spout 13 imparted by the motor 15, whereas M' indicates the axis of the angular movement of the spout 13 imparted by the motor 16 to the actuator 8. As it can be noticed from the figure, the two movements performed simultaneously will cause a displacement of the spout 13 all over the surface S of the must present in the container, with the result of spraying the whole surface S evenly with its jet. In fact, while the spout 13 is subject to the angular movement M', the actuator 8 is simultaneously subject to the angular movement M imparted by the connector 12, which will let the spout 13 cause a substantially perpendicular translation to its angular movement; the result will be a set of distribution lines LI, L2, L3 ... L3', L2', LI ' of the must 3 on the surface S. As it can be seen in Fig. 6, the length of the lines LI, L2, L3, etc., will gradually increase as the spout 13 moves to the centre of the container 2 and then decrease after overpassing the centre up to a line L 1 ' corresponding to the cycle start line L 1. Upon reaching the opposite end of the container 2, i.e. the line LI', the movement of the actuator 8 is inverted and the spout 13 will move in the opposite direction until it reaches the starting point, i.e. the line LI, wherefrom it will start again to reach the opposite end of the container, and so on for a preset number of cycles depending on the must type inside the container and the results to be obtained. A higher or lower number of cycles is usually performed according to the wine to be obtained, i.e. higher for long ageing wines and lower for the so called table wines. In order to obtain a deeper or lighter penetration of the must jet from the spout 13 into the must 3 it will be enough to either reduce or increase the speed of the angular movement M'. In order to ensure an homogeneous distribution of the same amount of must from the spout 13 all over the surface S, the speed of the angular movement M' of the spout 13 will change in relation to its position on the must surface S as imparted by the angular movement M of the connector 12. In other words, the speed of the angular movement M' of the spout 13 will gradually increase with the must jet exiting the spout 13 moving from the front wall to the container centre following the angular movement M of the connector 12, and decrease when moving from the centre to the opposite wall of the container 2, and vice-versa. The speed will be so adjusted to have the same time taken by the spout 13 for spraying the must surface S along each line L of its angular movement M' for each line L, independently from their length. Speed adjustment of the angular movement M' of the spout 13 will be adjusted by means of an electronic control system. This spraying procedure causes the must exiting from the spout 13 to wet the whole surface S evenly and sink into the must 3, thus obtaining an homogeneous mixing of both musts and avoid possible formation of bacterial colonies. A deeper penetration into the must 3 is also obtained by the pressure of the must exiting the spout 13, with a further improvement of their mixture. Additionally, this spraying procedure for the must contained in the container 2, no longer constrained by the downfall of a consistent quantity of must from an upper tank, but obtained by means of a jet inserted all over the surface of the fermenting must with a deeper penetration, will ensure shorter fermentation times; this reduction of fermentation times is obtained by means of the larger quantity of must involved by the spraying of an even jet from the device 4 and by the improved mixture between the latter and the must in the container. Reduction of fermentation time ensures treatment of larger quantities of must at the same time and a smaller number of containers employed for such an operation. Therefore, the container for stocking the fermented product can also be available in shorter times; moreover, the container without the upper tank can stock a greater quantity of fermented product. The system 1 is electrically and hydraulically connected to a programmable and/or pre-settable control system or electronic timer through commonly known procedures not represented, controlling all operations for the fermenting cycle. Operation of the system 1 according to the present invention is as follows. Assuming to have the system 1 with the tank 2 filled with the must 3, the following parameters are entered in the electronic control system: - shape and inner dimensions of the container 2 for the electronic control system to determine the movement amplitude and time of the spout 13 along the axis M' and axis M, and invert their movement when the jet will reach the container wall both along the axis M' and axis M; - the data related to the quantity of must 3 in the container 2 to adjust the moving speed of the spout 13, so that the quantity of must exiting the spout will be enough to ensure a good mixing of the latter with the must in the container; - the organoleptic data of the must 3 to adjust the time and number of passing cycles of the spout over the surface S of the must 3 and/or oxygenation and/or addition of ferments, the mixing stage is then activated, i.e.: - the actuator 8 is so positioned through the electronic control system to have the must jet from the spout 13 directed against the must surface adjacent to the container wall in front of the spout 13, - the pump 6 is activated to suck the must from the container side 2 and transfer it to the device 4, so as to form a must jet exiting the spout 13, - the motors 15 and 16 are activated to obtain both the angular movement M' of the spout 13 and angular movement M of the actuator 8 for spraying the surface S of the must 3 evenly. After a certain operation time, the electronic control system inverts operation of the pump 6 from suction pump to delivery pump for a period of time non exceeding the time required to discharge a portion of the contents of the duct 5 in the container 2, in order to release the filter from likely deposits of solid particles that may jeopardize the being sucked from the container; both motors 15 and 16 are disabled during the inversion of pump operation 6. The operation of the device 4 is not continuous for all the fermentation time of the must 3, but alternated to intervals predetermined by the electronic control system based on the type of the must in the container 2 and/or type of wine to be obtained. Moreover, if entered during the data programming stage, the electronic control system will provide for must oxygenation activating the turbine T and/or for introducing a certain amount of additives in the must activating their release from the container C. An implementation of the present invention may be the use of the device 4 for washing the container 2, when, after having emptied it of the fermenting must should be used for stocking fermented product. In order to obtain this implementation it will be enough to feed the device 4 with pressured water through the duct 5, and flood the container walls. This operation can be programmed through the electronic control system, which will provide for appropriate actuation of the device 4 according to the washing procedure of the container. As it can be noticed from the previous description, spraying the must 3 with the jet exiting the spout 13 has quite surely a more homogeneous result than possibly obtainable with a must downfall from an upper tank. Also the energy of the jet from the spout 13 hitting the must 3 is decidedly higher than possibly obtainable with a must downfall from an upper tank. Thus, an improved mixing of the must 3 with the must exiting the spout 13 is further obtained. The number of spraying cycles and relevant actuation times, oxygenation and addition of fermenting media, as mentioned above, are associated to the type of must in the container 2, its organoleptic features, its fermentation state and final features to be obtained. The above description and the drawings refer to a tank with a circular section; however, this does not prevent the use of a tank with either a rectangular, square or similar section, since it will be enough to input the shape and dimensions, diameter, side and/or sides of the container in the electronic control system to enable it to determine the amplitude of the angular movements M and M'. Therefore, according to the above description, it is clear how the system according to the invention ensures an improved manufacturing process; in particular product fermentation will be improved. From the above description the features of the fermentation system for vegetable substances, in particular for pressed grapes or must, object of the present invention, are clear, and also its advantages are clear. In particular, according to the invention, the system: comprises at least a device being apt for to perform an even continuous spraying of the must surface during the fermentation process; comprises at least a device being apt to ensure a continuous consistent spraying all over the surface of the must in the container; comprises at least a device being apt to obtain a continuous consistent mixing of the must in the container with the must from said device; - comprises at least a device being apt to obtain fermentation within shorter times; comprises at least a device being apt to perform washing of a container for stocking the fermented product; - comprises a container whose capacity for containing the fermenting must is not restricted by additional tanks; - provides the use of any tank, shape and size for utilization as a vinification machine. From the above it is clear how the system according to the invention is simple to manufacture, has a high performance and reliability in all employment conditions and a low industrial cost. It is obvious that many changes are possible for the fermentation system of vegetable substances, in particular for grapes, according to the present invention, without departing from the novelty spirit of the innovative idea. For instance, must oxygenation can be obtained using oxygen in replacement of and/or in addition to forced air. Another embodiment may be obtained with the addition of an air diffuser at the output of the spout 13 to increase the jet pattern; this would allow a lighter spraying for delicate grapes or grapes with a pale colour or weak maturation. It is obvious that many other changes are possible for the fermentation system of vegetable substances, in particular for grapes, according to the present invention, without departing from the novelty spirit of the innovative idea, and it is also clear that in practical actuation of the invention the various elements described above may be replaced by technical equivalent elements.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A fermentation system (1) for vegetable substances (3), in particular for grapes, comprising at least: - a container (2) for containing said vegetable substances (3), - first means (5,6) for transferring said vegetable substances (3) from a lower section to an upper section of said container (2), - a spraying device (4) of said vegetable substance (3), characterized in that said device (4) has: - actuating means (8,9), - said actuating means (8,9) comprising second means (13) being apt for a first angular movement and third means (12) being apt for a second angular movement, for distributing an even jet of said vegetable substances (3) on a surface (S) of said vegetable substances (3) contained in said container (2). 2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said second means (13) are apt for a first angular movement along a first axis (M') of said container (2). 3. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said third means (12) are apt for a second angular movement for moving said second means (13) along a second axis (M) of said container (2). 4. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said first (M') and said second (M) angular movements are performed simultaneously. 5. A system according to claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the speed of said first angular movement (M') of said second means (13) changes depending on said second angular movement (M). 6. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said second means (13) comprise a spout (13) being apt for spraying said vegetable substances (3), said spout (13) being movably connected to said actuating means (8,9). 7. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that spraying of said vegetable substances (3) is obtained by means of a jet of said vegetable substances (3) along straight lines (L1,L2,L3, ... L3',L2',Lr), in particular the ends of said straight lines (L1,L2,L3, ... L3',L2',L1 ') being represented by the wall and/or walls of said container (2). 8. A system according to claim 7, characterized in that spraying time is the same for each one of said straight lines (L1,L2,L3, ... L3',L2',Lr), independently from their length. 9. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuating means (8,9) comprise an electric actuator (15,16). 10. A system according to the previous claim, characterized in that said electric actuator ( 15 , 16) is an electric motor. 11. A system according to claim 10, characterized in that said electric motor (15,16) is apt to generate said angular movement of said spout (13) along said first axis (M') of said container (2), in particular by means of a gear reducer. 12. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said third means (12) comprise a first tubular connector (12) being apt to transmit said angular movement to said second means (13) along said second axis (M) of said container (2). 13. A system according to claim 10, characterized in that said electric motor (15,16) is apt to generate said angular movement of said spout (13), in particular by means of a gear reducer. 14. A system according to claim 12, characterized in that said first tubular connector (12) is solidly fastened with one end to said actuator (8,9), axially to said spout (13). 15. A system according to the previous claim, characterized in that said spout (13) and said first tubular connector (12) are hydraulically connected to each other. 16. A system according to claim 12, characterized in that said first tubular connector (12) is movably fastened with one end to said actuator (8,9). 17. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuator (8,9) comprises a second connector (14), said second connector (14) being solidly fastened with one end to said actuator (8,9), axially to said first connector (12). 18. A system according to the previous claim, characterized in that said first connector (12) and said second connector (14) are hydraulically connected to each other. 19. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said first means (5,6) comprise a duct (5) being apt to transfer the must from the lower section of said container (2) to said device (4). 20. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said first means (5,6) comprise an hydraulic pump (6) being apt to suck the must (3) from the lower section of said container (2) and transfer it to said device (4) through said duct (5). 21. A system according to claim 17, characterized in that one end of said second connector (14) is hydraulically connected to an end of said duct (5). 22. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides fourth means (T) for oxygenating said vegetable substances (3). 23. A system according to claim 22, characterized in that said fourth means (T) comprise a compressed air source. 24. A system according to the previous claim, characterized in that said compressed air source (T) is a turbine (T). 25. A system according to the previous claim, characterized in that said turbine (T) is associated to said transfer duct (5) of the must from the lower section of said container (2) to said device (4). 26. A system according to claim 20, characterized in that said pump (6) has a filter on the suction duct of the must (3) from the container (2) to prevent solid must particles (3) being transferred to said device (4). 27. A system according to claim 20, characterized in that said pump (6) is a suction pump and/or a delivery pump. 28. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (2) is manufactured with a circular and/or rectangular and/or square and/or similar section. 29. A system according to one or more previous claims, characterized in that said spout (13) is fitted with a diffuser, in particular for increasing the jet pattern for a lighter spraying. 30. A system according to one or more previous claims, characterized in that said device (4) is apt for washing said container (3). 31. A fermentation method for vegetable substances (3), in particular for grapes, according to one or more of the previous claims. 32. A method according to the previous claim, characterized in that it comprises a first data input stage in the electronic control system and a second spraying and mixing stage. 33. A method according to the previous claim, characterized in that the following data are entered in the electronic control system during said first stage: - shape and inner dimensions of the container (2), - quantity of vegetable substances (3) contained in the container (2), - organoleptic data of the vegetable substances (3). 34. A method according to claim 32, characterized in that said second spraying and mixing stage comprises: - positioning and orientation of the spraying spout (13) for stage start, - pump activation (6), - motors activation (15,16), - spraying of the surface of the vegetable substances (3), - oxygenation of the vegetable substances (3), 35. A method according to the previous claim, characterized in that the function of said pump (6) is changed from sucking to delivering for a preset time. 36. A method according to the previous claim, characterized in that modification of the pump function (6) is apt to remove possible solid rests laying on the pump filter.

Inventors: FRANCIA STEFANO, FRANCIA, STEFANO
Applicants: FRANCIA STEFANO, SELF S A S DI SCAGLIOTTI LUISA, FRANCIA, STEFANO, SELF S.A.S. DI SCAGLIOTTI LUISA & C.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: C12G1
IPC codes: C12G1