PUNCH DOWN APPARATUS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a punch down apparatus and rotating sprayer that is axially movable along its shaft through the supporting vat, also provided with an element for breaking the solid upper cover referred to as “cap” in the art.

Claims

1. A punch down apparatus for re-mixing a content of a vat (4) comprising: a vertical telescopic rod (1, 7) terminated in a lower mass (14), connected to a pump-over device (2) in the lower part of the vat by a hose (3) and having perforations (8) communicating with the interior of a hollow rotating station (5) coupled in an airtight manner and with freedom of rotation to the telescopic rod (1, 7) above the lower mass (14), the rotating station (5) having pressurized outlet nozzles (10) for the pumped fluid a system (27) for forward and backward movement of the assembly in the vertical direction.

2. The punch down apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outlet nozzles (10) are connected with respective hollow, radial, pivoting arms (12) which have boreholes (13) oriented downwards and inclined such that the propelling of fluid through the boreholes (13) causes the assembly of the rotating station (5) to rotate.

3. The punch down apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic rod (1, 7) is formed by an upper main rod (1) and a central rod (7) connected to the rotating station (5) and to the lower mass (14).

4. The punch down apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the system (27) for forward and backward movement is formed by a support structure (15) of an upper combo drive roller (18), connected to a geared motor (16), and comprising: a notch (19) corresponding to the outer section of the main rod (1) and with an opposing pulley (17) to ensure contact with the main rod (1) and circumferential grooves (20) for taking up one or more cables (21) connected to the central rod (7) and passing through cable stops (6) attached to the main rod (1); such that the perimeter developments of the grooves (20) and of the notch (19) allow the forward or backward movement of the main rod (1) coordinated with the forward or backward movement of the cable (21).

5. The punch down apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower mass (14) is a pendulum.

6. The punch down apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower mass (14) is pointed.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] For this purpose and to complement the description being made, to aid in better understanding the features of the invention a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, wherein the following has been depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a general view of the assembly mounted in a vat.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the punch down apparatus and automatic rotating sprayer.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a detail view of the rotating station and the coupling of the radial arms.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a detail view of the element for linear forward and backward movement of the system.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a view of the lowering of the radial arms for extracting or introducing the apparatus through the mouth of the vats.

[0054] In said drawings, various parts or components are referenced as follows: [0055] 1.—Main rod. [0056] 2.—Pump-over device (for fluids and viscous substances). [0057] 3.—Hose. [0058] 4.—Vat. [0059] 5.—Rotating station. [0060] 6.—Cable stops. [0061] 7.—Central rod. [0062] 8.—Perforations (in the central rod). [0063] 9.—Ring. [0064] 10.—Outlet nozzles. [0065] 11.—Couplings. [0066] 12.—Arms. [0067] 13.—Boreholes (in arms). [0068] 14.—Lower mass. [0069] 15.—Support structure. [0070] 16.—Element for forward or backward movement. [0071] 17.—Pulley. [0072] 18.—Combo drive roller. [0073] 19.—Notch. [0074] 20.—Grooves. [0075] 21.—Cables. [0076] 22.—End stops. [0077] 23.—Stops (rotating station). [0078] 24.—Rolling and airtightness systems. [0079] 25.—Locking elements. [0080] 26.—Pivoting articulation. [0081] 27.—Element for forward or backward movement.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0082] In view of the mentioned figures, it can be seen how the proposed invention, a punch down apparatus-automatic rotating sprayer, (FIG. 2), is preferably made up of a main rod or tube (1) receiving from the pump-over device (2) for fluids and viscous substances the must from the lower part of the vat (4) through a conduit or hose (3), which is generally flexible in some or all sections thereof.

[0083] The main rod (1) has coupling elements for coupling the hose (3) at one end. At the other end, the main rod (1) has coupling elements for coupling a central rod (7) supporting at its free end a rotating station (5) with freedom of rotation. The central rod (7) is vertically mobile, such that it can be extended from inside the main rod (1) outwards and downwards, or be drawn into the interior thereof, forming an airtight telescopic rod (1, 7). The main rod (1) may also comprise respective removable end stops (22) which, upon contact, detains or reverses the forward or backward movement direction of the system.

[0084] The central rod (7) has perforations (8) in the portion farthest away from the main rod (1), inside the rotating station (5), such that the must or fluid can exit the interior of same into the rotating station (5). The connection between the central rod (7) and the rotating station (5) is performed by rolling and airtightness systems (24) so that must or fluid does not leak out. The perforations (8) of the central rod (7) allow the fluid to exit under pressure or pumped must and the filling and pressurizing of the rotating station (5).

[0085] The main rod (1) has one or more integral cable stops (6) for one or more cables (21) which allow hoisting the assembly of the main rod and the central rod (7) from an upper combo drive roller (18).

[0086] The central rod (7) is limited to its axial movements from the main rod (1) by respective stops (23). The lower stop (23) is terminated in a coupling in the form of a ring (9) or anchoring.

[0087] The rotating station (5) has couplings (11) on its periphery which support several outlet nozzles (10), three in the figures. These couplings (11) have hollow, radial arms (12), the number of same being equal to the outlet nozzles (10), and anchored by pivoting articulations (26) to the couplings (11). The arms (12) have boreholes (13) that are oriented downwards and inclined, such that the propulsion of the must or fluid jets causes the assembly of the rotating station (5) to rotate. It is also possible to place boreholes (13) in other positions, for example at the ends of the arms (12), oriented towards the inner wall of the vat (4) for cleaning.

[0088] The arms (12) can be locked in the couplings (11) of the rotating station (5) by locking elements (25) in the deployed position (FIG. 2) and therefore rotate with same. They can also be placed in the position of FIG. 5, approximately parallel to the central rod (7), to facilitate storage and the entry in and exit from the vat (4).

[0089] The ring (9) allows receiving a lower mass (14), in this case a pendulum terminated in a pointed manner, the dropping of which can break up the cap. This lower mass (14) can be attached to the central rod (7) by another method. For example, it may be integral with the central rod (7) below the rotating station (5).

[0090] The invention comprises a support structure (15) as a bearing element supporting a pulley (17) to hold the hose (3) and the system (27) for forward or backward movement of the central rod (7).

[0091] The element (27) for forward or backward movement of the system in the axial or vertical direction is equipped with a geared motor (16) or the like which operates the combo drive roller (18). The combo drive roller (18) can rotate in either direction depending on the operation of the geared motor (16). In addition to taking up the cable (21), this combo drive roller (18) drives the main rod (1) in an upward movement. To that end, a freely rotating roller or pulley (17) ensures that the main rod (1) is clamped against the combo drive roller (18) and can be moved by same.

[0092] The central part of the drive roller (18) is configured with a notch (19) which defines the “negative” or outer section of the main rod (1) such that it generates a surface which drives the main rod (1) upon rotation. It also has respective circumferential grooves (20) on both sides for winding the cables (21). The perimeter development of the grooves (20) and of the notch (19) allows the forward or backward movement of the main rod (1) coordinated with the forward or backward movement of the cable (21).

[0093] The associated cables (21) go through cable stops (6) arranged in the main rod or tube (1), to terminate or end up being rigidly fixed to the cable stops (6) arranged and integral with the central rod (7), which provides a bearing for the entire system of the pumping over, automatically rotating, punch down apparatus.

[0094] The punch down apparatus can be supported by a gantry or any other type of crane for being placed above the different vats (4) of a winery.