# US 10,865,369 B2 · Fermentation methods

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- Number: US 10,865,369 B2
- Document ID: US10865369B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/659,411
- Filed: 2017-07-25
- Published: 2017-11-09
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2007-01-23
- Assignees: Kilr-Chilr, LLC
- Applicants: David D. Rule
- Inventors: David D. Rule
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865369B2

## CPC

- C12G 1/02: Preparation of must from grapes; Must treatment and fermentation
- B65D 88/34: having floating covers, e.g. floating roofs or blankets
- C12G 1/0203: {by microbiological or enzymatic treatment}
- B65D 88/42: with sealing means between cover rim and receptacle
- C12G: WINE; PREPARATION THEREOF; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES (beer C12C); PREPARATION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES NOT PROVIDED FOR IN SUBCLASSES C12C OR C12H
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

A fermentation method and system which includes providing juice to be fermented into a container. The juice having a cap that is a collection of solid components of grapes. The cap has a permeable consistency and floats in the juice. The method includes moving a portion of the juice from below the cap upward into contact with the cap.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fermentation method comprising:
providing a container having grape juice to be fermented, the grape juice comprising a cap, the cap comprising a permeable collection of solid components of grapes;
providing a screen over the cap;
moving a portion of the grape juice from below the cap upward into contact with the lowermost portion of the cap, upward through the cap, out the container, and into a bottom portion of the container; and
wherein the screen is floating elevationally above the cap.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing at least one parameter from the portion of the grape juice.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing at least one parameter from the portion of the grape juice, and wherein the sensing comprises sensing at least one of temperature, flow rate, gas concentration and chemistry composition.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing at least one parameter from the cap.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing at least one parameter from the cap, and wherein the sensing comprises sensing at least one of temperature, flow rate, gas concentration and chemistry composition.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising pumping gases from the container.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising maintaining the cap submerged in the grape juice during at least a majority of the time allotted for the fermentation process.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a temperature probe directly into the cap.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising permeating the cap with the grape juice.

### Claim 10

A fermentation method comprising:
providing a container having grape juice to be fermented, the grape juice comprising a cap, the cap comprising a collection of grape components having a permeable consistency and floating in the grape juice;
providing a housing assembly floating over the cap; and
creating a vacuum in the cap to move a volume of the grape juice through at least a portion of the cap.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the creating comprises moving the volume of the grape juice through an entirety of the cap.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a permeable substrate adjacent the cap, and wherein the creating comprises creating the vacuum through the permeable substrate.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the volume of the grape juice is moved from elevationally below the cap.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the creating of the vacuum comprises permeating the cap with the grape juice.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 further comprising maintaining the vacuum during at least a majority of the time allotted for the fermentation process.