DEVICE AND METHOD OF HEATING/BENDING/FORMING AND HEATING/TOASTING BARRELS, CASKS, VATS AND THE LIKE FOR REFINING, CONDITIONING AND AGEING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND OTHER FOODS

Abstract

A heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like comprising: heating/toasting means (brazier) suitable to generate heat to produce the heating/toasting of an inner side wall of a wooden container for ageing food substances, such as a barrel, cask, vat or the like, said container comprising a plurality of staves arranged side by side along the perimeter with each other to form a polyline closed at a first longitudinal end thereof, bending/forming means of said staves wherein the device comprises centering means operatively connected to the heating/toasting means and suitable to be operatively connected to the staves on the side of the free ends of the staves opposite, along a longitudinal extension axis, the first longitudinal ends, said centering means moving the heating/toasting means to said central axis of symmetry of the barrel, cask, vat or the like.

Claims

1. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats and the like comprising: heating/toasting means suitable to generate heat to produce the heating and/or toasting of an inner side wall of a wooden container for ageing food substances, such as a barrel, cask, vat or the like, said container comprising a plurality of staves arranged side by side along the perimeter with each other to form a polyline closed at a first longitudinal end thereof, bending/forming means of said staves suitable to grasp free ends of said staves opposite said first longitudinal ends, said bending/forming means pulling the staves towards a central axis of symmetry of the barrel, cask, vat or the like, wherein the device comprises centering means operatively connected to the heating/toasting means and suitable to be operatively connected to the staves of the barrel, cask, vat or the like, on the side of the free ends of the staves opposite, along a longitudinal extension axis, the first longitudinal ends, wherein said centering means move the heating/toasting means to said central axis of symmetry of the barrel, cask, vat or the like.

2. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 1, wherein the centering means comprise spacers that guarantee the same distance between an inner side wall of the staves, facing the heating/toasting means and the heating/toasting means themselves.

3. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 2, wherein said spacers are adjustable so as to follow the deformations of the staves during bending thereof, continually bringing the heating/toasting means to said central axis of symmetry of the barrel, cask, vat or the like.

4. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 2, wherein said spacers comprise elastic portions suitable to adapt to the bending/deformation of the staves so as to modify the distance between the staves and the heating/toasting means, ensuring the positioning of the heating/toasting means at said central axis of symmetry of the barrel, cask, vat or the like.

5. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 2, wherein the spacers are configured to be placed between the heating/toasting means and an inner side wall of the staves facing the heating/toasting means.

6. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 2, wherein the spacers are placed on the side of an outer side wall of the staves, opposite the heating/toasting means, and are operatively connected to the heating/toasting means.

7. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 2, wherein a connection between the spacers and the staves is made through the use of brackets hooked to a lower edge of the staves on the side of the free ends of the staves, wherein said brackets hook to said lower edge so as to realize an undercut in both directions, away from and towards the central axis of symmetry of the barrel, cask, vat or the like, so to follow every movement of the staves, both in expansion and contraction, under the effect of the bending/forming means.

8. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 2, wherein a connection between the spacers and the staves is made through the use of brackets hooked/attached at an outer side wall to the upper edge of the staves, so to follow every movement of the staves, both in expansion and contraction, under the effect of the bending/forming means.

9. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 1, wherein the heating/toasting means are mobile so as to adapt to the deformation of the staves.

10. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 9, wherein the heating/toasting means are provided with support wheels on a support plane, so that they can be dragged under the thrust of the centring means.

11. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 2, wherein said spacers comprise springs and/or adjustable pistons suitable to ensure the positioning of the heating/toasting means at said central axis of symmetry of the barrel, cask, vat or the like.

12. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 2, wherein the centering means comprise at least three spacers placed equidistant at angles of 120 to each other.

13. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 1, comprising at least one temperature sensor, integral with the heating/toasting means, said temperature sensor being directed towards a side wall of the associated staves in order to measure the surface temperature of the inner side wall of the staves at a distance.

14. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 13, wherein said temperature sensor is an infrared temperature sensor.

15. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 13, wherein said heating/toasting means comprise a base above which the heat source for heating/toasting the barrel, cask, vat or the like propagates, wherein the temperature sensor is placed below the base and integral therewith.

16. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 15, wherein said base is provided with at least one window at least partially aligned with said temperature sensor to allow the crossing of the base by a beam of infrared rays emitted by the inner side wall of the staves, said beam being able to strike the temperature sensor.

17. Heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 13, wherein the temperature sensor is associated with the heating/toasting means by adjustable support means, so as to be able to vary the inclination of the temperature sensor to strike appropriate portions of the staves.

18. Method of heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting barrels, casks, vats or the like comprising the steps of: providing a wooden container for the refining, conditioning and ageing of food substances, such as a barrel, cask, vat or the like, said container comprising a plurality of staves arranged side by side along the perimeter with each other to form a polyline closed at a first longitudinal end thereof, providing heating/toasting means suitable to generate a source of heat to produce a heating and/or toasting of an inner side wall of said staves, placing the container above the heating/toasting means so as to have the closed polyline on the opposite side to the heating/toasting means and free ends of the staves in the vicinity of the heating toasting means, providing bending/forming means of said staves, which interface with the free ends of said staves opposite said first longitudinal ends, said bending/forming means pulling the staves towards) a central axis of symmetry of the barrel, cask, vat or the like, providing centering means operatively connected to the heating/toasting means and to the staves of the barrel, cask, vat or the like, on the side of the free ends of the staves opposite, along a longitudinal extension axis, the first longitudinal ends, said centering means comprising spacers that guarantee the same distance between an inner side wall of the staves and the heating/toasting means, arranging said spacers so as to follow the deformations of the staves during the bending thereof, continually bringing the heating/toasting means to said central axis of symmetry of the barrel, cask, vat and the like.

19. Method of heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 18, comprising the steps of: providing at least one temperature sensor, integral with the heating/toasting means, movable with these, during the bending step of the staves, directing said temperature sensor towards a side wall of the associated staves in order to measure the surface temperature of the inner side wall of the staves at a distance.

20. Method of heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting barrels, casks, vats or the like according to claim 19, comprising the steps of: associating the temperature sensor with the heating/toasting means by adjustable support means, so as to be able to vary the inclination of the temperature sensor to strike appropriate portions of the staves.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly comprehensible from the description given below of a preferred and non-limiting example of embodiment, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats and the like according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a side view, in partial cross-section of the heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats and the like in FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3-4 are side views, in partial cross-section of a heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats and the like according to further embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] With reference to the aforementioned figures, reference numeral 4 globally denotes a heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of wooden containers 8 for the refining, conditioning and ageing of foodstuffs, such as alcohol. Typically, but not exclusively, the invention applies to the heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting of barrels, casks, vats and the like 10 for ageing wine. Obviously the invention applies to the refining, conditioning and ageing of foods in general, not necessarily liquids, such as solid foods, and not necessarily alcoholic beverages, such as vinegar and the like.

[0032] Said heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device of barrels, casks, vats and the like 10 comprises heating/toasting means 12, typically a brazier, suitable to generate heat to produce heating and/or toasting of an inner side wall 16 of a barrel, cask, vat or the like 10, said barrel, cask, vat or the like 10 comprising a plurality of staves 20 arranged side by side along the perimeter with each other to form a polyline closed at a first longitudinal end thereof 24. Typically said polyline is a circle. The heating/toasting means 12 typically comprise a brazier which can be fed with wood, pellets and the like, gas or other sources of heat.

[0033] Preferably, the brazier has an axial symmetric shape so as to provide even and symmetrical heating and therefore toasting on said inner side wall 16.

[0034] The heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting device 4 further comprises bending/forming means 28 of said staves 20 suitable to grasp free ends 36 of said staves 20 opposite said first longitudinal ends 24, and to pull the staves 20 towards a central axis of symmetry S-S of the barrel, cask, vat or the like 10. The free ends 36 are opposite the first longitudinal end 24 along a main axis of longitudinal extension of the staves 20.

[0035] For example, said bending/forming means 28 comprise ropes, preferably metal, which circumferentially enclose the staves 20 from the side of the free ends 36 so as to close them towards the inside of the barrel, cask, vat or the like 10, i.e. towards the central axis of symmetry S-S. The bending/forming means 28 comprise appropriate motor means for tensioning for example the ropes, so as to bend the staves 20 as required.

[0036] Of course, for the purpose of the present invention other bending/forming means 28 may be used.

[0037] Advantageously, the heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting means 4 comprise centering means 40 operatively connected to the heating/toasting means 12 and suitable to be operatively connected to the staves of the barrel, cask or the like 10, on the side of the free ends 36 of the staves 20 opposite the first longitudinal ends 24.

[0038] Advantageously, said centering means 40 move the heating/toasting means 12 to said central axis of symmetry S-S of the barrel, cask, vat and the like 10.

[0039] In particular, this means that thanks to the centering means the central axis of symmetry S-S of the barrel, cask, vat or the like 10 tends to coincide with an axis of symmetry of the heating/toasting means 12, i.e. of the brazier.

[0040] According to a possible embodiment, the centering means 40 comprise spacers 44 that guarantee the same distance D between an inner side wall 16 of the staves 20 facing the heating/toasting means 12 and the heating/toasting means 12 themselves. The term same distance D means that thanks to the spacers 44 the heating/toasting means 12 are placed equidistant from the inner side wall 16 of all the staves 20 so as to heat and toast the staves evenly and continuously. In other words, thanks to the spacers 44, the heating/toasting means 12 are always placed in the theoretical centre, i.e. along the central axis of symmetry S-S of the barrel, cask, vat and the like 10.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the spacers 44 are adjustable so as to follow the deformations of the staves 20 during the bending thereof, continually bringing the heating/toasting means 12 to said central axis of symmetry S-S of the barrel, cask, vat or the like 10.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the spacers 44 comprise elastic portions 48 suitable to adapt to the bending/deformation of the staves 20 so as to modify the distance between the staves 20 and the heating/toasting means 12, ensuring the positioning of the heating/toasting means 12 at said central axis of symmetry S-S of the barrel, cask, vat or the like 10.

[0043] For example, the elastic portions 48 may comprise springs and/or retractable portions comprising a sheath worn on a corresponding stem, so as to lengthen or shorten during the deformation of the staves 20.

[0044] According to one possible embodiment, the spacers 44 are configured to be placed between the heating/toasting means 12 and the inner side wall 16 of the staves 20 facing the heating/toasting means 12.

[0045] According to a further embodiment the spacers 44 are placed on the side of an outer side wall 52 of the staves 20, opposite the heating/toasting means 12, and are operatively connected to the heating/toasting means 12.

[0046] The connection between the spacers 44 and the staves 20 may be made, for example, through the use of brackets 56 hooked to a lower edge 60 of the staves on the side of the free ends 36.

[0047] Preferably the brackets 56 hook to said lower edge 60 so as to realize an undercut in both directions, away from and towards the central axis of symmetry S-S, so to follow every movement of the staves 20, both in expansion and contraction, under the effect of the bending/forming means 28.

[0048] According to a further embodiment, said brackets 56 are fixed/hooked to the outer side wall 52 of the staves 20.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the heating/toasting means 12 are mobile so as to adapt to the deformation of the staves 20. For example (FIG. 4), it is possible to provide for hooking the brackets 56 also to the first longitudinal ends 24, by means of a rope attached in turn to the heating/toasting means 12.

[0050] For example, the heating/toasting means 12 are provided with support wheels on a support plane, so that they can be dragged under the thrust of the centring means 40.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the spacers 44 comprise springs and/or adjustable pistons suitable to ensure the positioning of the heating/toasting means 12 at said central axis of symmetry S-S of the barrel, cask, vat or the like 10.

[0052] According to one possible embodiment, the centering means 40 comprise at least three spacers 44 placed equidistant at angles of 120 to each other.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the device 4 of the present invention comprises at least one temperature sensor 64, integral with the heating/toasting means 12, said temperature sensor 64 being directed towards an inner side wall 16 of the associable staves 20 so as to measure the surface temperature of said inner side wall 16 of the staves 20 at a distance.

[0054] Preferably, said temperature sensor 64 is an infrared temperature sensor, so as to be able to measure the temperature of the staves 20 remotely.

[0055] For example, the heating/toasting means 12 comprise a base 68 above which the heat source for heating/toasting the barrel, cask, vat or the like propagates, for example extending a flame; the temperature sensor 64 is placed below the base 68 and integral therewith.

[0056] Preferably said base 68 is provided with at least one window 72 at least partially aligned with said temperature sensor 64 to allow the crossing of the base 68 by a beam of infrared rays emitted from the inner side wall 16 of the staves 20 remotely striking the temperature sensor 64.

[0057] Preferably, the temperature sensor 64 is associated with the heating/toasting means 12 by adjustable support means 76, so as to be able to vary the inclination of the temperature sensor 64 to strike appropriate portions of the staves 20.

[0058] The heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting method of barrels, casks, vats or the like according to the present invention will now be described.

[0059] In particular said method of heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting barrels, casks, vats or the like comprises the steps of: [0060] providing a wooden container for ageing alcoholic drinks, such as a barrel, cask, vat or the like 10, said container comprising a plurality of staves 20 arranged side by side along the perimeter with each other to form a polyline closed at a first longitudinal end thereof 24, [0061] providing heating/toasting means 12 (brazier) suitable to generate a source of heat to produce a heating of an inner side wall 16 of said staves 20, [0062] placing the container 10 above the heating/toasting means 12 so as to have the closed polyline on the opposite side to the heating/toasting means 12 and free ends 36 of the staves 20 in the vicinity of the heating toasting means 12, [0063] providing bending/forming means 28 of said staves 20, which interface with the free ends 36 of said staves 20 opposite said first longitudinal ends 24, said bending/forming means 28 pulling the staves 20 towards a central axis of symmetry S-S of the barrel, cask, vat or the like 10, [0064] providing centering means 40 operatively connected to the heating/toasting means 12 and to the staves 20 of the barrel, cask, vat or the like 10, on the side of the second longitudinal or free ends 36 of the staves 20 opposite, along a longitudinal extension axis, the first longitudinal ends 24, [0065] said centering means 40 comprise spacers 44 that guarantee the same distance between an inner side wall 16 of the staves 20 and the heating/toasting means 12, [0066] arranging said spacers 44 so as to follow the deformations of the staves 20 during the bending thereof, continually bringing the heating/toasting means 12 to said central axis of symmetry S-S of the barrel, cask, vat or the like 10.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: [0068] providing at least one temperature sensor 64, integral with the heating/toasting means 12, movable with these, during the bending and heating/toasting step of the staves 20. Said temperature sensor 64 is connected to the heating control and process control systems. [0069] directing said temperature sensor 64 towards a side wall 16 of the associated staves 20 in order to measure the surface temperature of the inner side wall 16 of the staves 20 at a distance.

[0070] Preferably, the method of heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting barrels, casks, vats or the like according to the invention also comprises the step of associating the temperature sensor 64 with the heating/toasting means 12 by adjustable support means 76, so as to be able to vary the inclination of the temperature sensor 64 to strike appropriate portions of the staves 20.

[0071] In particular, an example of variation of the inclination of the temperature sensor 64, thanks to the adjustable support means 76, depending on the different dimensions of the barrel, cask, vat and the like is shown schematically in FIG. 3.

[0072] FIGS. 1 and 2 instead show the change of curvature of the staves 20 as shown by the radial stroke R between the initial bending step and the final bending step.

[0073] Moreover, FIG. 1 shows the magnitude of the migration of the central axis of symmetry S-S from the initial bending step, highlighted by the reference letter S, to the final bending step, highlighted by the reference letter S. This migration is very evident and represents very clearly the geometric variation of the barrel, cask, vat or the like 10, on the side of the free ends 36 of the staves 20, at the initial step, when the barrel, cask, vat and the like 10 presents the maximum diameter and at the final bending step, when the barrel, cask, vat or the like 10 presents the minimum diameter.

[0074] As may be appreciated from the description, the device and method of the present invention make it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0075] In particular, the solution permits the heating/bending/forming and heating/toasting steps of the barrels, casks, vats or the like to be performed at the same time, so as not to increase the production cost and time of the barrels, casks, vats or the like.

[0076] Advantageously, the device is provided with a self-centering system in bending/forming/toasting, which makes it possible to continually centre the brazier always placing it in the geometric centre of the barrel, cask, vat or the like during the contingent bending step.

[0077] Any alteration of the geometry of the barrel, cask, vat or the like in bending/forming is detected by the centring system which continuously aligns the brazier in the geometric centre of the barrel, cask, vat or the like gradually being formed. The brazier is advantageously movable under the guidance/thrust of the centering system.

[0078] In addition, the device advantageously provides for control of the temperature reached on the inner side wall of the barrel, cask, vat or the like by means of an appropriate temperature sensor that provides a signal which can modify the process parameters.

[0079] In particular, the positioning of the temperature sensor under the brazier, and integrally therewith determines a number of advantages.

[0080] For example, it avoids the constant centering of the temperature detection system depending on the size of the barrel, cask, vat or the like in the heating/bending/toasting step thanks to the fact that the detector is placed under the plane of the brazier with an inclination such as to permit a reading which is not affected by the naked flame and at the same time is correct for different sizes of barrels, casks, vats or the like.

[0081] Moreover, thanks to the fact that the temperature sensor is integral with the brazier, the movements of the brazier do not change the reading conditions.

[0082] In addition it makes for a greater ease of movement of the barrels, casks, vats and the like in production since there are no external obstructions due to the positioning of sensors in the area above the work surface, as occurs in the solutions of the prior art. Said obstructions are especially critical for barrels, casks, vats and the like of medium-large size and difficult to handle.

[0083] Furthermore, the provision of a single inclination of the temperature sensor, and in any case adjustable, provides extreme versatility for making format changes on the same heating-bending-toasting workstation.

[0084] Overall, the present invention enables the migration of the brazier fire point and therefore the conservation of equidistance of the brazier with respect to the inner surface of the barrel, cask, vat or the like. Such equidistance ensures a uniform heating and thus toasting of the entire inner side surface of the barrel, cask, vat or the like.

[0085] Therefore, the heating/toasting means, such as the burner, are fitted with wheels and integrated with the infrared temperature sensor/measuring device capable of reading an area representative of the temperature inside the barrel, cask, vat or the like, and with a dragging system of the brazier, achieved by centering means, in order to maintain the centering of the same in relation to the migration of the centre of the barrel, cask, vat or the like by tensioning of the cables used for bending the staves.

[0086] With the present invention it is possible to obtain an extreme versatility with respect to the size of the barrel, cask, vat or the like which can be highly variable according to the demands of users: ranging from an approximately 225-litre barrel to over 100 hectolitres.

[0087] Furthermore the creation of an integrated monobloc is achieved comprising the heating system, monitoring and management of temperatures and migration of the heating point utilisable for barrels, casks, vats or the like of different formats without changing the settings, alignments or other features: this way an extreme versatility is achieved for use on wood containers of different shapes and sizes.

[0088] A person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variations to the devices and methods of bending/forming and heating/toasting described above so as to satisfy contingent and specific requirements while remaining within the sphere of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.