Abstract:
A sprinkling device, particularly for processes for making wine from red grapes, which can be associated with a fermentation and/or storage tank in order to recirculate the wine must that is being fermented from the base region to the top region of the fermentation tank and to sprinkle the recirculated wine must in a stream into the top region of the fermentation tank, comprises: an auxiliary tank which can be fitted in a hatch or similar top opening of a main tank and which is provided with means for fixing to the hatch, first discharge means for the discharge of the wine must supplied to the auxiliary tank from the main tank, which means comprise a base opening of the auxiliary tank and a closure member which is movable between a closure position and an open position in order to produce a first sprinkling stream of the recirculated wine must, and second discharge means for the discharge of the wine must, which means are associated with the closure member and can discharge the wine must by means of a second sprinkling stream when the level of recirculated wine must in the aux-iliary tank reaches a predetermined level.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a recirculation and sprinkling device to be associated with a fermentation tank or vat, particularly for carrying out processes for making wine from black grapes. 
   In wine-making, it is widely known to use fermentation tanks or vats which are provided with means for recirculating the wine must that is being fermented from the lower region of the vat to the upper region, with sprinkling of the recirculated wine must onto the layer of marc (known as the head) which is floating on the must contained in the vat. 
   Apparatus of this type is described, for example, in IT 1 293 978 and U.S. Pat. No. 0,042,443 in the name of the present Applicant, and comprises a tank provided with a separator which defines in the tank a main vat and an upper, secondary vat having associated valve means that are arranged to discharge the wine must periodically from the secondary vat to the main vat in order to sprinkle the layer of marc; a recirculation duct periodically supplies the wine must that is being fermented from the bottom of the main vat to the top of the secondary vat. 
   Variation of the outlet opening of the valve means associated with the bottom separator or variation of the rules governing the opening and closure movement of the valve means enables the sprinkling stream and the wetting of the marc head to be modulated, improving the extraction of polyphenolic, aromatic, and/or valuable substances contained therein, with substantial benefits to the wine-making product. 
   Generally, the fermentation apparatus described above is dedicated to wine-making and has considerable dimensions which lead to a fairly high investment cost. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide an accessory device which enables a conventional storage tank or fermentation vat to be converted into wine-making apparatus that is provided with means for recirculating and sprinkling the recirculated wine must in a stream, thus enabling a wine-making process with recirculation similar to that performed by the above-described apparatus to be performed in a conventional tank—which is generally available in the wine-making industry. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a recirculation and sprinkling device which is inexpensive whilst still having a capability for modulation of the sprinkling stream of recirculated wine must. 
   A further object of the invention is to provide a recirculation and sprinkling device with also permits effective oxygenation of the recirculated wine must. 
   The above-mentioned objects, and others which will become clear from the following detailed description, are achieved by means of a recirculation and sprinkling device which can be associated with a fermentation tank in order to recirculate the wine must that is being fermented from the base region to the top region of the fermentation tank and to sprinkle the recirculated wine must in a stream into the top region of the tank, and which has the characteristics defined in the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further advantages and characteristics of the device according to the invention will become clear from the following detailed description that is given with reference to the appended drawings which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a partially-sectioned, schematic, front elevational view of a fermentation tank with an associated recirculation and sprinkling device according to the invention, 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a device according to the invention, in section, 
       FIG. 3  is a view showing a detail of the device according to the invention, in section, 
       FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  are schematic views showing, in section, a detail of the device of the invention, according to embodiments which are intended particularly for use with fermentation tanks or vats having an out-of-centre upper opening or hatch, 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are schematic views, respectively a front cross-section and a view from the top of a structural detail according to another embodiment of the device, and 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  are schematic front elevational views of fermentation tanks or vats with which a device according to the invention, particularly according to the embodiments of  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8  is associated. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the appended drawings, a recirculation and sprinkling de-vice according to the invention is generally indicated  2 ; the device comprises a tank  4  (auxiliary tank) which is typically made of stainless steel and the cross-sectional dimensions of which are such that it can be fitted in a hatch or similar top opening  6  of a main fermentation tank, indicated  8 . 
   The tank  4  is fitted in the hatch  6  and fixed therein by fixing elements (not shown) which, naturally, may be arranged and defined according to the specific characteristics of the top opening of the tank with which the device is to be associated. 
   The tank  4  has a base  10  with an opening  12  (first discharge means) with which valve means are associated; the valve means comprise a closure member  14 , typically in the form of a plate, and an operating rod  16 . The rod  16  is actuated by an actuator  19 , which is preferably electrically operated. 
   The closure member  14 , actuated by the actuator  19 , is thus movable between a position of closure of the base opening  12 , and an open position, shown in broken outline in  FIG. 2 , in which it causes a first sprinkling stream of recirculated wine must to be delivered into the main tank  8 . 
   The use of an electric actuator enables the opening position of the valve means to be determined precisely and also permits adjustment of the degree of movement of the closure member  14  between predetermined opening positions or between the fully-open position and the closure position so that the flow-rate and the shape, particularly the width, of the stream sprinkled onto the marc head can be varied. 
   According to another characteristic of the invention, the device  2  comprises second discharge means for the wine must contained in the auxiliary tank  4 ; the second discharge means are associated with the valve means hereinbefore de-scribed and, in particular, with the closure member  14 . The second discharge means comprise an opening  18  (second discharge means) in the plate-like closure member  14 , communicating with a tubular over-flow duct  20  which, in the embodiment illustrated, surrounds the rod  16 . When the wine must inside the tank  4  reaches the level of the mouth  22  at the top of the tubular duct  20 , the wine must flows through the duct  20  and is discharged into the tank  8  in a second sprinkling stream through the opening  18 . 
   A diffuser member  24  is preferably connected to the closure member  14 , beneath the opening  18 , and has a surface, preferably a conical surface, which is struck by the stream of wine must emerging from the opening  18 , so that the stream is spread out like an umbrella. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the diffuser member  24  is frusto-conical at the top with an aperture  24   a , which by way of a non-limiting example, may be central, so as to be permeable to allow a local flow. 
   The distance between the diffuser member  24  and the opening  18  may also be adjustable so that the radial aperture of the stream can consequently be varied. 
   In another embodiment shown schematically in  FIG. 3 , there is provision for the use of a tubular rod  16   a  connected to the plate  14  and having the same function as the overflow duct  20 ; for this purpose, the rod therefore has radial openings in its wall, at a predetermined distance from the plate  14 ; these openings permit a flow of the wine must in side the rod and the delivery of a stream through the opening  18 . In this case, the tubular rod  16   a  is connected directly to the actuator member  19 . 
   The rod  16   a  and the overflow duct  20  may have associated vortex-breaking and centring members  26  adjacent the closure member  14 , for example, in a crossed arrangement and constituted, for example, by rods and/or sheet-metal walls. 
   In the simplest embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1 , the recirculation and sprinkling device  2  according to the invention is associated with the upper hatch of a tank  8 ; the end portion of a recirculation duct  28  is fixed inside the device  2 ; the duct  28  optionally has flexible portions and comprises an intake portion  28   a  which draws off the wine must in the vicinity of the base of the main tank  8  and a delivery portion  28   b , between which a pump  30  is interposed. 
   When, in the course of the fermentation process, it is desirable to perform must-recirculation stages, the operator arranges for the pump  30  to be operated in order to supply the wine must into the tank  4  of the device  2 . 
   When the wine must inside the tank  4  reaches the overflow level, it is delivered in a stream through the opening  18 . Another sprinkling stream can be obtained by moving the closure member  14  to the open position; the width of this second sprinkling stream can also be varied by movement of the actuator  19  between predetermined positions of opening of the closure member  14  or between the closure position and the fully-open position, in accordance with predetermined rules governing the variation of its movement. 
   To enable two distinct sprinkling streams to be emitted, the pump  30  is thus preferably able to deliver a flow of wine must such that it is possible to maintain a level of wine must in the tank  4  such as to permit a separate flow through the overflow duct  20 , even when the closure member  14  is in an open position. 
   The device according to the invention thus enables a high degree of operational flexibility to be achieved in the overall variation of the sprinkling stream. 
   In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a duct  32 , which is the outlet of a recirculation duct  28  feeding the tank  4 , is associated with the tank  4  of the device  2 . Said duct  32  may have a connector  34  which can be connected to a recirculation duct of the type  28 . The duct  32  and the connector  34  are preferably connected by a three-way valve  36  to which a further, outlet duct  38  is connected. 
   The three-way valve  36  enables the recirculated wine must to be supplied selectively to the duct  32  or to the duct  38  which enables the recirculated wine must to be delivered directly into the tank  8 , bypassing the device  2 , by means of an optional auxiliary duct connected to the duct. 
   Oxygenation means  40 , for example, of the injector type as described in IT 1 293 978, may be associated with the duct  32  in order to admit a flow of oxygenating air into the recirculated wine must. Similar oxygenation means  42  may be associated with the outlet duct  38  for the oxygenation of the wine must that is readmitted directly to the main tank  8 . 
   The duct  32  preferably extends inside the tank  4  to the vicinity of the base  10  and in any case is inserted in the tank in a manner such that its delivery opening is arranged at a distance from the base which is less than the distance of the inlet opening  22  of the overflow duct  20  from the base. When the tank  4  contains a head of wine must which is delivered by the overflow duct  20 , the admission of a stream of recirculated wine must, aerated by the oxygenation means  40 , thus gives rise to a region of turbulence or bubbling of the oxygenating air in the head of wine must and improves the efficiency of the oxygenation process. 
   As indicated above, the device according to the invention can be associated with a conventional fermentation tank or vat, provided that it has an upper hatch or opening in which the device can be fitted. 
   A further advantage of the device according to the invention is that it also enables tanks or vats having hatches or similar openings that are arranged in out-of-centre positions such as, for example, those shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , to be converted into fermentation apparatus with recirculation and sprinkling. 
     FIG. 9  relates to a cylindrical tank with a side hatch  6   a  and  FIG. 10  relates to a vat, for example, made of concrete, with a rectangular cross-section in plan and provided with a side hatch  6   b.    
   In this case, effective sprinkling of the recirculated wine must over the entire surface of the wine must and in particular onto the floating head can be achieved with the use of a device  2  as described above, but provided with a closure member of the type shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  or  8 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , a wedge-shaped body  46  is associated with the plate-like closure member  14 , on the side facing towards the interior of the tank  4 , and has an upper inclined surface  48  and a side wall  46  which extends parallel to a wall  10   a  that delimits the base opening  12  of the tank  4 . 
   In this embodiment, movement of the closure member  14  to the open or partially open position gives rise to an asymmetric flow with preferential orientation of the sprinkling stream in a lateral position. Naturally, the shape and/or inclination of the surface  48  can be varied in order to give rise to a directional sprinkling flow, according to the position of the device  2  inside the tank for which it is intended. 
   Other solutions suitable for producing an asymmetric and oriented sprinkling stream provide for the use of a plate-like closure member which is articulated laterally to the base  10  of the tank, or a plate connected to an operating rod and having a peripheral profile which projects asymmetrically relative to the peripheral profile of the base opening  12 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the aperture run of the plate closure member  14  is limited by means of a stopping device of the type  52  or of type  50 , jointly connected respectively to said plate  14  or to the base of the tank  4 . Said stopping device is located at a site diametrically opposite to the direction of the prevailing flow, which is desired during the discharge of the tank  4 . The stopping devices  52  or  50  may be provided with adjusting means, so as to allow to modify the extent of the aperture run in the area of the lower aperture of the plate  14 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , a lateral sprinkling stream is obtained by means of a base opening  12  having a mouth profile  12   a  lying in plane which is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The plate closure member  14  is connected to a rod  16   b , which is tilting with respect to the vertical direction and stopping means  54  are optionally provided to limit the aperture of the closure member. 
   The stopping means  54  may be provided with adjusting means, so as to allow to modify the extent of the run in the area of the lower aperture of the plate  14 . 
   According to another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a further possibility to obtain a directional sprinkling stream contemplates the use of supply duct  32   a , which may be connected to a duct for recirculation of the wine must, for instance to the recirculation duct  28  or to the three way valve means  36 , provided with one or more end nozzles  60 ,  62 , the outlet of which is adjacent to the base opening  12  of the tank. Said nozzles are adapted to supply one or more streams of recirculated wine must with a jet oriented according to pre-determined directions through the base opening  12  of the tank when the closing member is open. Thus, directional streams of the recirculated wine must are obtained with an additional entraining effect on the discharge flow of the wine must accumulated in the tank. 
   In all the above-described cases, a diffuser member  44  ( FIG. 4 ), for example, with an inclined surface, may be fitted beneath the closure member  14  in order also to give rise to a lateral, directional delivery flow for the sprinkling stream emitted from the opening  18 . 
   Similarly to the case relating to diffuser member  24  of  FIG. 3 , in a preferred embodiment, said diffuser member  44  may have an aperture  44   a , which by way of non-limiting example, may be central, so as to be permeable to allow a localised stream of the wine must. 
   Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of construction and forms of embodiment may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated by way of non-limiting example. 
   Again by way of non-limiting example, the apparatus may also be controlled and monitored by means of automatic control and programming systems, rather than manually by an operator.