Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
PAIR OF WOODEN WINE BARRELS EACH WITH INDEPENDENTLY REGULATED TEMPERATURE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2008/007155
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
A pair of wooden wine barrels (01), each incorporating a stainless container (02), suitable for food products, as shown in Drawings 1 and 2 attached herewith. An insulating material (16) is provided in between the barrel (01) and the stainless container (02) for the reduction of heat losses. A glass pipe (04) incorporating a pointer indicating the level of the content in each stainless container (02) is provided onto, the frontal surface of the barrel (01). A suitable wooden basement (07) is provided for supporting the barrels (01), onto which are being mounted the cooling unit and the digital instruments (36) employed for the regulation and monitoring of wine temperature independently for each one of the barrels (01).

Inventors:
CHALKOUSIS NIKOLAOS (GR)
DIAKATOS KYRIAKOS (GR)
Application Number:
PCT/GR2007/000036
Publication Date:
January 17, 2008
Filing Date:
July 11, 2007
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
AXON MICHANOLOGIKI S A (GR)
CHALKOUSIS NIKOLAOS (GR)
DIAKATOS KYRIAKOS (GR)
International Classes:
B65D81/00; C12G1/08; F25D31/00; B65D6/00
Foreign References:
EP0892232A21999-01-20
EP1245914A22002-10-02
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
PERRAKI, Marina (18 Omirou Str, Athens, GR)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the other within a range from 2°C up to the ambient temperature, characterized in that it comprises two wooden barrels (01) that contain two stainless containers suitable for food products (02) and are mounted onto a wooden box (07) within which is provided a common cooling unit that is adapted to provide cooling of the content of containers (02). At the upper part thereof, each barrel is provided with a funnel from stainless steel (31), that serves the purpose of completion (filling) of the interior stainless container (02) and provides protection in between wooden barrel (01) and container (02) whereupon is adapted the sealing cover plug means (33) that comprises a stainless handle means (21). the rotational movement of which creates or not a sealing condition of the interior of stainless container (02) from the environment so that the danger of alteration of wine through contact with air is eliminated. An expanded polystyrene layer (16) is provided in between each barrel and the container mounted therein for the reduction of heat losses. The stainless containers are provided with a Vi inch end pipe union (06) onto the frontal surface thereof that ends at a Vi inch T-connection member (05) at the bottom part of the frontal surface of the barrel, the evacuation tap means (03) being mounted at one outlet of the T-connection member and a stainless pipe (30) with a suitable vertical slot being mounted at the other outlet of the T-connection member, a glass pipe (04) being provided within the stainless pipe (30) that serves the purpose of liquid indicator means of monitoring the level of wine within the container (02). The cooling unit includes an ON/OFF switch (25), a metal frame (38) onto which are being mounted all elements, a compressor (39), a valve (40, 41), an indicating lamp (45) that is activated as soon as a fall in the pressure of cooling liquid is detected, a filter of the circuit (42), a fan of the cooling unit (43) and a refrigerator (44) for the refrigeration of the cooling liquid that is ecologically acceptable. 2. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the other within a range from 2°C up to the ambient temperature, comprising two stainless

containers (02) according to claim 1 , characterized in that each one contains piping (29) from stainless steel that is located at the bottom of container (02) and is adapted top provide the means for the circulation of the cooling medium.

3. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the other within a range from 2°C up to the ambient temperature, comprising two stainless containers (02) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a temperature sensor (34) is provided at the bottom of container (02) and near the cooling piping (29), the sensor being fixedly mounted onto a shaft (26) that ends at a digital thermometer (36) for the monitoring and regulation of temperature of wine from 2 0 C up to ambient temperature.

4. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the other within a range from 2 0 C up to the ambient temperature, according to claims 1, 2 and 3 that is characterized in that all metal elements employed are from stainless steel suitable for food products.

5. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the other within a range from 2°C up to the ambient temperature, according to claim 1 , that is characterized in that the barrels have been subjected in heat treatment.

6. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the other within a range from 2°C up to the ambient temperature, comprising a cooling unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a valve for the initiation or interruption of operation of the cooling circuit (independently for each one of the barrels) because of the differentiation of temperature set during regulation, but also for the interruption of operation of the device because of a detected fall in pressure (loss of cooling liquid) resulting in the immediate notifying the user for the damage with the turning on of a red coloured indicating lamp (45) that is located onto the facade of the wooden basement (07). switching off simultaneously the operation of the motor (39) and thereby the circulation of cooling liquid in the circuit.

7. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the other within a range from 2 0 C up to the ambient temperature, comprising two stainless containers according to claim 1 , within which is poured the desired kind of wine and characterized in that upon initiation of operation of the cooling unit that is connected to the electric power supply, the desired temperature of each barrel is being regulated separately with the help of a standardized digital thermometer (36) that is located onto the facade of the wooden box (07) whereupon the barrels are being supported.

8. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the other within a range from 2°C up to the ambient temperature, according to claim 1, characterized in that when the temperature of the content of each barrel reaches the temperature set through regulation, cooling operation is automatically interrupted for the particular barrel, the heat sensor (34) informs the digital instrument (36) that provides a command to the cooling unit for the interruption of operation thereof.

9. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the other within a range from 2 0 C up to the ambient temperature, according to claim 1, characterized in that during operation and when the temperature of wine exceeds the desired temperature due by way of example to the completion of the allocated quantity, the cooling system is automatically set in operation for that particular barrel.

10. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the other within a range from 2°C up to the ambient temperature, according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge of the content of barrels is being effected through rotation of the evacuation tap means (03) that is located at the frontal surface of each barrel onto the stainless 1 A inch T-connection member (05), wherein the T-connection member (05) is being fixed onto a λ A inch end pipe union (06) that leads to the container (02). 11. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the

other within a range from 2 0 C up to the ambient temperature, according to claim 1, characterized in that each barrel is provided with a sealing cover plug means that comprises a stainless cover plug handle means (21), the upper part of which is from wood, the bottom part from stainless steel and the intermediate part from sealing non toxic material suitable for food products.

12. A pair of wooden wine barrels with a common cooling unit for the maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of each one of the barrels independently from the other within a range from 2 0 C up to the ambient temperature, according to claims 1 and 10, characterized in that a glass pipe (04) is mounted onto the T-connection member (05) that serves the purpose of monitoring the level of wine within the container (02).

Description:

PAIR OF WOODEN WINE BARRELS EACH WITH INDEPENDENTLY REGULATED TEMPERATURE

The invention relates to a pair of wooden wine barrels which are supported onto a wooden basement incorporating a cooling unit for the maintenance of the temperature of the content thereof, of each one independently of the other, within a range from 2° C up to the ambient temperature.

The type of triple barrel with a cooling installation is known from the document WO- 02/34066 A2. This type of barrel relates to the maintenance, the disposal and mixing of frozen fizzy drinks, non fizzy drinks and partially frozen products, with a capacity of regulation of temperature, which is the same for all products. There consequently exists a need for a machine that will provide the possibility of maintenance and disposal of a plurality of products, each at a different temperature according to the desire and regulation effected thereupon by the user, and more specifically of alcoholic drinks. The present invention relates to the maintenance and disposal of alcoholic drinks and more specifically of two kinds of wine, each at a different temperature, according to the desire and regulation made by the user.

Besides its advantages, the herein above mentioned type of triple barrel with a cooling installation also presents disadvantages. By way of example, the supply of the product for consumption is being made under pressure, depending on the inherent pressure of the fizzy or other kind of gaseous drink (in liquid form) that is being employed. In the case of change of use, from the mixing mode to the maintenance mode, the device has to be suitably modified, such modification leading in a decrease in the volume of products contained therein. The cooling of products is being realized through mounting of cooling pipes at the exterior of the containers that contain the materials to be mixed, thereby necessitating a substantial time for the initial refrigeration of the materials and as a consequence a larger consumption of electric energy. Also in case that the containers are not full, there is a danger of deliquescence taking place within the container, with the result of a partial alteration of the content thereof. The object of the present invention is to create a device according to which the disposal of products takes place with the help of gravity. The regulated temperature is independent

for each barrel, so that it provides products in two different temperatures. Cooling of the products is implemented through mounting cooling pipes within the containers that contain the wine and at the bottom thereof, with the result of a direct cooling of wine and elimination of the danger of deliquescence inside the container. A glass tube (liquid indicator) is provided onto the frontal surface of the barrels, such glass tube providing a monitoring means of the level of wine content.

The exterior appearance of the device (a pair of wooden barrels being disposed at a parallel connecting arrangement to each other, mounted onto a wooden basement, the barrels having been subjected to heat treatment) also informs the interested consumer as to the use and as to its content (wine), much more so when observing the cock (tap) of discharge of the content.

We also know the type of wooden barrel with a cooling unit for the maintenance of wine from the document EP 0 892 232 A2.

Besides its advantages the above type of wooden barrel with a cooling unit for the maintenance of wine also presents disadvantages. Concretely, although it is possible to maintain more different kinds of wine within the barrel, it still is not possible to maintain them at different temperatures one from the other.

The present invention provides the user with the possibility of keeping the same type of wine at two different temperatures or keeping at two different temperatures two different kinds of wine, according to his desire. He may in this way satisfy different requirements of his customers as to the temperature of the wine having one single device. He may also store and safely maintain within the same single device two different kinds of wine that require different conditions of maintenance. The regulation of desired temperature on each quantity separately is possible from 2° C up to the ambient temperature. Further, wooden barrels with a cooling installation for the maintenance of wine that are either being provided with partitions or containers to keep more different types of wine cannot guarantee the non-admixture of the contents thereof. The object of the present invention is to create according to what was mentioned herein above a cooling device of different kinds of wine that eliminates the danger of admixture of the contents thereof. According to the invention, this is achieved with the employment of two independent wooden barrels which are being connected to the same cooling mechanism.

The invention is described herein below, by reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a frontal cross sectional view taken along the axis of symmetry, presenting the two barrels and the exterior of the cooling installation. Figure 2 shows another cross sectional side view of the barrels and cooling installation. Figure 3 shows a frontal cross sectional view of the cooling installation.

Each wooden barrel contains a stainless container with a capacity from 201t up to 251t (02) suitable for food products. An expanded polystyrene layer (16) is provided in between the stainless container and the wooden barrel for the reduction of heat losses. Externally, each wooden barrel is provided with metal hoops that withhold the boards thereof, such hoops being fixed by means of metal riveting means (17). A funnel is provided at the upper part of each barrel, such funnel being made from stainless steel (31) and serves the purpose of filling the interior stainless container (02) and provides protection between the wooden barrel (01) and the container (02) whereupon a sealing cover plug means (33) is being adapted. The sealing cover plug means is constituted by a stainless cover plug handle means (21). The upper part thereof is from wood, the bottom part from stainless steel and the part intermediately there between is a sealing non toxic material suitable for food products. Through the rotating movement of handle means (21), a sealing condition is created or not of the interior stainless container (02) in relation to the environment, so that there may not exist any danger of alteration of the wine due to the contact with air. Each stainless container contains stainless cooling pipes (29) that are located at the bottom part of the stainless container (02) and are being connected to the cooling unit. These pipes are fixedly mounted by means of safety air tight pipe connection means (28) from stainless steel suitable for food products and hexagonal galvanised nuts M14X1.5 (14) and pass through the container (02), the expanded polystyrene (16) and the wooden barrel (01) and end up to the positions (40) and (41) to connection and safety valves of the cooling unit. The connection is being effected with the assistance of the copper pipe extension (35). The wooden barrels (01) are fixedly mounted onto the basement (07) with hexagonal screws [M10X60 DIN 933] (10), a welded metal plate (1 1), a washer grover MlO (08) and a safety nut MlO (13). The barrels are also fixedly connected one to the other (at the location wherein they touch

each other) by means of hexagonal screws [M10X40 DIN 933] (09), the metal plate (12), the washer grover MlO (08) and the safety nut MlO (13).

Within a wooden basement (07) is being mounted the cooling unit for the regulation and maintenance of a constant temperature of the content of barrels, within a range from 2 0 C up to the ambient temperature, depending on the desire and the regulation made by the user. When the temperature of the content of any one of the barrels or of both barrels exceeds the temperature set at regulation, the cooling unit is automatically activated and initiates circulation of the cooling liquid within the particular container or within both containers through the pipe network means (29). The cooling liquid that will be employed will be ecologically acceptable. This operation is maintained until the temperature of the content becomes equal with the temperature of regulation, whereby the heat sensor (34), that is located within the shaft (26) and is appropriately mounted together with the cover plug of the sensor shaft (27) and the nut (14) onto the bottom part of the container (02), informs the digital thermometer that interrupts the circulation of cooling liquid through the valves (40) and (41). When the temperature of the content in each barrel reaches the temperature of regulation, cooling operation is automatically interrupted for the particular barrel. During operation and when the temperature of wine exceeds the desired temperature, e.g. due to the completion of the allocated quantity, operation of the cooling system is automatically activated for that particular barrel. Standardised digital thermometers (36) with directions of use thereof as appropriate for the regulation and indication of wine temperature are being provided onto the frontal surface of the wooden basement box (07) that is being fixed onto the frame of the wooden basement by means of bronze screws 6X35 (18). Mesh foil (20) means are being provided onto the side surface (07) that are provided with rivets (22) and are being fixed by means of bronze screws 6X24 (19).

The cooling installation comprises an ON/OFF switch means (25), a metal frame (38) whereupon are being mounted all elements, a compressor (39), the power of which is 0,2 PH, a valve (40, 41), an indicating lamp (45) that is being activated with the fall of pressure of the cooling liquid, a filter of the circuit (42), a fan of the cooling unit (43) and a refrigerator (44) for the refrigeration of the cooling liquid. When the cooling unit functions regularly, the lamp (45) remains permanently turned on. If a leakage occurs in the cooling medium or other damage in the cooling circuit, then operation is

automatically interrupted and operation indicating lamp (45) is switched off. The valve (40, 41) is useful for the initiation or interruption of operation of the cooling circuit (independently for each one of the barrels) because of the differentiation of temperature through regulation, but is also useful for the automatic interruption in case of a fall in pressure (loss of cooling liquid).

A stainless pipe (30) with a suitable slot is being mounted at the bottom of the frontal surface of each barrel with a rivet connection means (15) and at the upper part with a wooden support (32) and with bronze screws 4X37 for wood processed in a milling machine (37). A glass tube (liquid indicator) (04) is provided within the stainless pipe (30) that is being connected with the pipe (30) at the connection means (15) and indicates the level of the content of each barrel.

The discharge of the content of barrels is being effected with the rotation of evacuation tap means (03) that is located at the frontal surface of each barrel onto the stainless 1 A inch T-connection member (05). The T-connection member (05) is being fixed onto a 1 A inch end pipe union (06) that leads to the container (02). The glass tube (04) that serves the purpose of monitoring the level of wine within the container (02) is also located onto the T-connection member (05).