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(11) | EP 0 029 016 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Membrane press improved machine for grapes and grape-husk |
| (57) The invention relates to an improved diaphragm press for grapes and grape husks,
constituted by a cylindrical, horizontal, rigid container (4), rotatable around its
own longitudinal axis (7), that is provided with one or more apertures (5) for the
charging of the grape husks, extending longitudinally over almost the full advancement
of a generatrix of the container, with which a charging hopper (17), placed there
above, can be used forthe prior draining of the grape husks and for distributing them
better in the inside of the press. Internally in the said container (4) are provided two chambers (26) for the charging of the grape husks, in communication with the said apertures (5), each chamber (26) having a flexible diaphragm (24) and the task of pressing the grape husks against a drilled wall (23) forming a hollowforthe discharge of the must. |
[0001] The pressing of grape husks or of grapes serves to separate the wine or must from the solid parts. With known diaphragm presses, shown diagrammatically in cross section form in Fig. 1, this is achieved through the use of compressed air that presses, with the aid of a flexible diaphragm (1), the grape husks (2) against a wall (3) from the holes in which the liquid obtained passes into the cavity between this and an inner wall of the container (4), and is then sent outside.
[0002] The container (4) is provided with an aperture (5) complete with a corresponding cover (6), for charging the grape husks. The container (4) can be placed in rotation around the longitudinal axis (7) (Fig. 2). After a certain pressing time has elapsed, it can be seen that solid substances carried forward block the streams in which the must flows. By removing the pressure, sucking the diaphragm towards the container and causing the whole unit to rotate around the longitudinal axis (crushing stage), the said streams are set in motion again.
[0003] It is obvious that the use of grape husks rich in must requires a greater pressing time; moreover, the pumping and distribution of the grape husks requires them to have a considerable must content. A notable amount of time is taken in clearing this must, with a consequential loss in productivity, and to this contributes also the time needed to charge the grape husks into the inside of the container. Since the vessel in question is pressurized, the container (4) has to comply with certain standards of strength and thus the aperture (5) is normally of limited dimensions, also because it is easy, in this way, to seal it by means of the cover (6) which slides axially with respect to the container (Fig. 2).
[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a diaphragm press that has one or more apertures for the charging of the grape husks, placed longitudinally almost along the. full generatrix of the container in such a way as to offer overall more ample entry to the inside of the press. The said greater entry possibility permits a more immediate and uniform distribution of the grape husks in the inside of the press and allows the use therewith of a charging hopper, placed in the region of the said apertures and so shaped as to let the grape husks drain satisfactorily under natural pressure prior to their being inserted.
[0005] A further object of the invention is to provide the inside of the container with two separate chambers for the charging of the grape husks, each provided with a flexible diaphragm on one side, and with a drilled wall on the other, so as to break down the mass of grape husks to be pressed under the action of the diaphragm.
[0006] These and other objects too are attained with the improved diaphragm press forming the subject of the invention which, from a general point of view, is characterized by the fact that the said press is provided longitudinally with one or more apertures, fitted with corresponding doors, that extend over almost the full length of a generatrix of the said container and communicate internally therein with a chamber; provision being made for a charging hopper placed above the said apertures, the lateral and back walls of which are connected internally to drilled sheet metal elements and form a hollow communicating with a draining channel for the discharge of the naturally pressed must, that can be removed in order to open the said back walls downwards; the inside of the said hopper being provided with panels placed vertically, connected to the said back walls in such a way as to accompany them, at the time they are being opened, without obstructing the grape husk discharge port.
[0007] Advantageously and in accordance with a further characteristic of the press in question, the said container has internally two flexible diaphragms placed almost centrally, each of which faces, on opposite sides, a drilled sheet metal plate that is placed in close contact with the inner walls of the container and forms therewith a cavity for the discharge of the must, each diaphragm and each corresponding sheet metal plate defining a chamber for the charging of the grape husks; between the said diaphragms there being a baffle, placed along the diameter thereof, fastened to the said container and corresponding centrally to the said apertures, constituted by two drilled walls that internally create a hollow that communicates with the means for supplying the compressed air.
[0008] A further characteristic, according to another preferred form of embodiment for the press in question, is that two diaphragms are placed, on opposite sides, almost in close contact with the inner surfaces of the said container, and that a pair of opposite, drilled, sheet metal plates placed along the diameter of the said container, corresponding centrally to the said apertures, form between them a hollow for the discharge of the must; means being provided to send compressed air in between the said diaphragms and the walls of the container opposite thereto.
[0009] Obvious advantages are obtained and in addition to a more uniform and faster insertion of the grape husks into the container via an aperture that extends over almost the full length thereof, effected by means of a hopper with which prior partial draining is possible, the fact that the grape husks are shared in two chambers in the press, each of which is provided with a flexible diaphragm and a drilled wall opposite thereto for the evacuation of the must, enables better pressing of the grape husks to be achieved, the path followed by the must in order to reach the discharge channels to be shorter, a consequential higher processing speed and thus the productivity of the press to be greater.
[0010] Further characteristics and advantages will become more obvious from the detailed description of one preferred, though not sole, form of embodiment for the diaphragm press in question, given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically, in cross section form, a press of a known type;
- Fig. 2 shows diagrammatioally, in a plan view, a press of a known type;
- Fig. 3 shows, in a view seen from above, the improved press in question with the grape husk charging apertures in the open stage;
- Fig. 4 shows, in particular, one section of the apertures and of the corresponding covers;
- Fig. 5 shows, in cross section form, one possible, diagrammatic variant for the construction of a container constituted by two shells that can be set apart;
- Fig. 6 shows, in cross section form, the charging hopper utilizable with the said apertures;
- Fig. 7 shows a first preferred form of embodiment for the press as per Fig. 3, provided internally with two chambers for the pressing of the grape husks;
- Fig. 8 shows a second preferred form of embodiment for the press as per Fig. 3, with a different constitution of the two chambers for the pressing of the grape husks. In Fig. 5 are depicted a number of apertures (5) made longitudinally all along the generatrix of the container (4), the conditions of resistance of this being compensated by means of minimum gauge transverse braces (8), the said apertures being provided with an identical number of covers that constitute the doors (9) which move forward tangentially encouraged also by the rotation of the container around the longitudinal axis (7). Between the door (9) and the container (4) an elastic element (10) (Fig. 4), which serves as a gasket, is kept under pressure. In order to arrive as close as possible at the conditions of total longitudinal opening, the transverse braces (8) must necessarily be of minimum gauge which, however, gives rise to considerable problems that have been overcome with the solution illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein the elastic element (10), that acts as a seal, is fastened tightly to the door (9) by means of screws and frames (11), while the cover is connected to the container (4) through a T iron that forms the guides (12) so that the door (9) can slide tangentially , that also serves as a reinforcement for the said transverse braces (8).
[0011] Another solution for achieving the total longitudinal opening is that shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5, consisting in dividing the container into two, almost identical, shells (13) and (14) connected one to the other at the corresponding lower extremities (15), which are provided, all along the contact extremities thereof, with a sealing gasket (16).
[0012] Because of the length of the aperture and thus because it is easy to charge the drained must and to immediately accommodate it inside the container, it is possible to use with the press a charging hopper (17), shown in Fig. 6, whose task is to drain the grape husks. In this, all the walls (18), including the back walls (19), constitute with an internal drilled sheet metal plate (20), a hollow cavity. A draining channel (21) for discharging the must obtained from the natural pressure draining of the grape husks, is made in a way in which it can be removed in order to allow the back walls (19) to be rotated downwards and the hopper to be opened. Two panels, made of drilled sheet metal, are placed longitudinally in the hopper, secured to the said back walls (19) so as to accompany them during the opening stage without obstructing the discharge port of the grape bucks, their purpose being to improve the draining, and these are removable in the event of non-crushed grapes being used.
[0013] Another improvement results from the shortening of the path towards the outside followed by the must when leaving the mass of grape husks. Since the pressing speed is somewhat limited, time is, in fact, saved by reducing the path followed by the must. The solution is depicted diagrammatically in Fig. 7 wherein the container (4), again rotatable as in all diaphragm presses for grapes, carries inside a drilled sheet metal plate (23) close up against the walls thereof. Two flexible diaphragms (24), depicted in the vacuum stage, are placed in a central position at the time of charging via the aperture (5) that can be closed by the door (9), or during the crushing stage,and when compressed air is sent between them, through a baffle (25) constituted by two drilled walls positioned along the diameter of the container, in the region of the said aperture (5), between the said diaphragms, they expand and go and compress the grap husks present in the chamber (26) up against the drilled sheet metal plate (23).
[0014] Another possible form of embodiment is depicted diagrammatically in Fig. 8 wherein the container (4) is provided internally with two diaphragms (27) and a pair of opposite, drilled, sheet metal plates (28) that form between them a cavity for the flow of must, these being placed along the diameter of the container, in the region of the said aperture (5). The air under pressure is sent between the inner walls of the container (4) and the diaphragms (27) opposite thereto, in order to compress against the drilled sheet metal plates (28), the grape husks charged in the two chambers (29).
[0015] The charging naturally takes place through the longitudinal aperture (5) that can be closed by the door (9) again provided with elastic sealing elements (10).
[0016] The crushing of the grape husks achieved with the said two solutions is improved because of the fact that there is no internal rolling of the grape husks, and thus the quantity of solid substances carried forward is less. The first compression occurs, in fact, with the central baffle in a horizontal position, and thus the distribution of grape husks attached to the baffle is bettered. Furthermore, the use of a vacuum in addition to the compression causes the air interposed in the vacant spaces in the crushed grape husks,when sucked up, to reopen the must flow channels. A vacuum can be obtained by closing the discharge of the must and placing the chamber in communication with the diaphragm vacuum apparatus. This can also be achieved with continuity by discharging the must ooaxially with the axis of rotation and by applying a constant vacuum throughout the grape husk compression stages.
1. Diaphragm press of the type constituted by a rigid container (4), cylindrical and
rotatable around its longitudinal axis (7), mounted horizontally on supports belonging
to a frame that sustains the press and is equipped with means designed to give it
a rotatory motion, the said container having in the inside thereof a chamber, destined
for the charging of the grape husks, defined on one side by a flexible diaphragm and,
on the other, by a drilled sheet metal plate facing the said diaphragm, the said press
being characterized by the fact that it is provided longitudinally with one or more
apertures (5), fitted with corresponding doors (9), that extend over almost the full
length of a generatrix of the said container (4) and communicate internally therein
with the said chamber; provision being made for a charging hopper (17) placed above
the said apertures (5), the lateral and back walls, (18) and (19), respectively, of
which are connected internally to drilled sheet metal elements (20) and form a hollow
communicating with a draining channel (21) for the discharge of the naturally pressed
must, that can be removed in order to open the said back walls (19); the inside of
the said hopper being provided with panels (22) placed vertically, connected to the
said back walls in such a way as to accompany them, at the time they are being opened,
without obstructing the grape husk discharge port.
2. Diaphragm press according to Claim 1, wherein the said aperture that extends over
the full generatrix of the container (4) is achieved by realizing the said container
in two almost identical shells (13) and (14) connected one to the other at one of
the corresponding extremities thereof and provided with sealing and blocking means
in proximity of the regaining extremities; the said extremities being provided with
a sealing gasket (16).
3. Diaphragm press according to Claim 1, wherein each of the covers of the apertures
(5) is constituted by a door (9) that slides transversely to each of the said apertures
(5) and tangentially to the outer surface of the container (4) by means of suitable
guides (12); the said door having peripherally an elastic element (10) with which
to seal it and means for blocking it on the said apertures.
4. Diaphragm press according.to Claims 1 and 2, of the type constituted by a rigid
container (4), cylindrical and rotatable around its longitudinal axis (7), mounted
horizontally on supports belonging to a frame that sustains the press and is equipped
with means designed to give it a rotatory motion, the said container having in the
inside thereof a chamber, destined for the charging of the grape husks, defined on
one side by a flexible diaphragm and, on the other, by a drilled sheet metal plate
facing the said diaphragm, the said press being provided with one or more apertures
(5) that extend longitudinally along a generatrix of the said container (4), and being
characterized by the fact that it comprises two flexible diaphragms (24) placed almost
centrally and each of which facing, on opposite sides, a drilled sheet metal plate
(23) placed in close contact with the inner walls of the container and forming therewith
a hollow for the discharge of the must, each diaphragm and each drilled sheet metal
plate opposite thereto defining a Qhamber (26) for the grape husks; there being present in between the said diaphragms,
a baffle (25), placed along the diameter of the said container and connected centrally
thereto in the region of the said apertures (5), constituted by two drilled walls
that form internally a cavity communicating with the means for supplying compressed
air.
5. Diaphragm press according to Claims 1 and 2, of the type constituted by a rigid
container (4), cylindrical and rotatable around its longitudinal axis (7), mounted
horizontally on supports belonging to a frame that sustains the press and is equipped
with means designed to give it a rotatory motion, the said container having in the
inside thereof a chamber, destined for the charging of the grape husks, defined on
one side by a flexible diaphragm and, on the other, by a drilled sheet metal plate
facing the said diaphragm, the said press being provided with one or more apertures
(5) that extend longitudinally along a generatrix of the said container (4), and being
characterized by the fact that it comprises two flexible diaphragms (27) placed almost
in close contact, on opposite sides, with the inner surfaces of the container (4)
and a pair of opposite, drilled, sheet metal plates (28) placed along the diameter
of the said container, corresponding centrally to the said apertures (5) that form
between them a hollow for the discharge of the must; means being provided to send
compressed air in between the said diaphragms and the walls of the container opposite
thereto.