Silicone-based preparation for the non-toxic bleaching of corks

Description

[0001] This invention covers a bleaching treatment for corks. Currently, bleaching treatments for corks are already being employed and they are all based on chemical oxidation or reduction processes.

[0002] In the oxidation processes, chlorinated watery solutions or hydrogen peroxide are used followed by neutralization with diluted organic acids. Whereas, in the reduction processes, sulfur derivatives, like sulfites, hydrosulfites or sulfuric acid are being used, followed again by final neutralization.

[0003] These known treatments have several drawbacks. A first drawback is due to the fact that once the bleaching is completed, the corks must be dried to resume their normal 6-7% humidity rate, before they can be lubricated. A second drawback is due to the fact that bleaching operations are generally very time-consuming and, as an indication 200,000 corks require a full processing cycle of about 2 works days of eight hours each.

[0004] Another drawback is due to the fact that, during the oxidation processes with chlorine derivatives, a whole series of anomalous compounds may develop in spite of final neutralization. Trichlorophenol is the most remarkable.

[0005] Through its direct contact with alimentary liquids, like wine, it can be methylated into trichloranisole which is a strongly aromatic substance with a peculiar cork smell and taste.

[0006] Even with reduction processes based on sulfur compounds, aromatic mercaptans are likely to develop. With the general formulation AR-SH, they are obtained from hydrogen sulfide and have a peculiar rotten egg smell.

[0007] If, in addition to what stated here above, health problems in work environment and ecologic problems of industrial wastes are taken into account, it is clear that these conventional treatments are by now technologically obsolete. This invention has the aim to eliminate the above mentioned drawbacks of known bleaching treatments for corks. This objective is achieved by means of a series of silicone base non-toxic preparations without any type of solvents which, through one single operation lasting about thirty minutes, the bleaching of about 10,000 corks is made possible.

[0008] Consequently, up to 160,000 corks can be processed in one single work day.

[0009] According to this invention, the praparation includes the following compounds:

a) Low, medium or high viscosity silicone fluids,

b) Compounds for the reduction of silicon surface tension, without altering its lubricating properties thus ensuring its regular surface distribution, like metal stearates, kaolins, talcums, bentonites and similar,

c) Liposoluble dyes or white pigments like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or similar to give the cork surface the desired colour,

d) A mixture stabilizer with suspending properties, like atomized silica gel.

[0010] These components are thoroughly mixed together by means of a particular turbo-mixing plant with alternatively axial movement and provided with recycling equipment micronization of solid constituents.

[0011] By acting on the viscosity of the silicone fluid and on the percentage of all the other components, the preparation may either be liquid, creamy or pasty, depending on the specific need of the user.

[0012] The advantages deriving from the use of the preparation subject matter of this invention can be summarized as follows:
- Possibility of cold treatment by common bolting, if possible fitted with adequate spray,
- No variation of the chemical-physical characteristics of cork due to substances with oxidative or deoxidant properties,
- No possibility of seepage of product components, both under cold and hot conditions, even after direct protracted contact with bottled liquids,
- Remarkable streamlining of the processing cycle with abolition of expensive, complicated and dangerous procedures,
- Integral solution to waste problems, connected with the complexity and costs of managing industrial purification plants as provided by Law,
- Subsequent drastic reduction of production costs thus meeting the aims of this invention.

Claims

1) Preparation for the bleaching of corks, characterized by the fact that it is consisting of a close mixture of the following components:

a) Low, medium or high viscosity silicone fluids,

b) Compounds for the reduction of silicon surface tension, without altering its lubricating properties thus ensuring its regular surface distribution, like metal stearates, kaolins, talcums, bentonites and similar,

c) Liposoluble dyes or white pigments like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or similar to give the cork surface the desired colour,

d) A mixture stabilizer with suspending properties, like atomized silica gel.

2) Preparation as described in claim n. 1, characterized by the fact that it may either be liquid, creamy or pasty, depending on the viscosity of the silicone fluid and on the percentage chosen for the other components.

3) Equipment for preparing the product as described in claim 1, characterized by the fact that it requires a particular turbo-mixing plant with alternatively axial movement and provided with recycling equipment for micronization of solid constituents.