Materials handling apparatus and method
OwnerAndrew James Hickinbothaminventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A container apparatus and method for handling fruit must (M). The apparatus (1) includes a rigid support structure (2) and, a flexible container (7) for holding a quantity of fruit must (M). The holding container (7) supported by the support structure (2) when holding the must (M). The holding container (7) has at least one opening (12) through which at least juice of the must (M), or wine, is removed. During fruit must (M) the holding container (7) is positioned in the support structure (2) and a quantity of fruit must (M) poured into the container (7). At least juice of the must (M), or wine, is removed through the opening (12). A flexible bag container (7) for use in the apparatus and method is also disclosed.
Claims50
A container apparatus for handling fruit must, including:
- a rigid support structure;
- and, a flexible container for holding a quantity of fruit must, the holding container being supported by the support structure when holding the must, and the holding container having at least one opening through which at least juice of the must, or wine, is removed therefrom
A container apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the holding container is a holding bag.
A container apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the holding container is comprised of gas permeable sheet material to permit micro oxygenation of the must.
A container apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the holding container is composed of gas permeable sheet material to permit escape of ferment gas from the holding container
A container apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one opening is at or adjacent the top of the holding container.
A container apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, and further including means for controlling the temperature of the fruit must in the holding container.
A container apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rigid support structure includes a support base and at least one support wall upstanding from the base and together defining a storage space in which the holding container is located.
A container apparatus for handling fruit must, including a holding container composed of flexible sheet material for holding a quantity of fruit must, the holding container having at least one opening for removing at least juice of the must or wine, therefrom.
A flexible bag container for handling fruit must, the container including:
- a holding compartment for holding a quantity of fruit must;
- at least one opening from the holding compartment through which must is removed therefrom:
- a control compartment adjacent the holding compartment;
- and, at least one opening into the control compartment for introducing a pressing fluid so as to expand the control compartment and apply a force to the adjacent holding compartment causing at least juice of the must, or wine, to flow out through the or at least one opening from the holding compartment.
A flexible bag container for handling fruit must, the container including:
- a holding compartment for holding a quantity of fruit must:
- at least one opening from the holding compartment through which must is removed therefrom;
- a control compartment adjacent the holding compartment:
- and, at least one opening into the control compartment for introducing a heat exchange fluid so as to cause convected transfer of heat between the heat exchange fluid and the must in the holding compartment
A flexible bag container for grape must fermentation, the container including:
- an inner bag for holding a quantity of grape must during fermentation;
- at least one opening from the inner bag through which ferment is removed therefrom;
- an outer bag containing the inner bag, the inner and outer bags being composed of sheet material having predetermined gas permeability characteristics for controlling gas flow between the grape must and the container exterior.
A method for handling fruit must, including:
- positioning a flexible holding container in a rigid support structure;
- pouring a quantity of fruit must into the holding container, the holding container being supported by the support structure;
- and, removing at least juice of the must, or wine, through an opening from the holding container.
A container apparatus for handling fruit must, substantially as hereinbefore described in any one of the embodiments with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings.
A flexible bag container for fruit must, substantially as hereinbefore described in any one of the embodiments with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings.
A method for handling fruit must, substantially as hereinbefore described in any one of the embodiments with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.