TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns the field of processing grapes and the like, i.e. for fruit with grapes or berries.

In particular, the invention concerns a crushing device.

PRIOR ART

Crushing devices used in order to allow the opening of the grapes or berry are known.

Such crushing devices generally comprise a support frame delimiting a crushing cavity at which the berries or grapes to be opened are poured.

At the crushing cavity there is arranged a crushing assembly comprising at least a first cylindrical roller, formed by a plurality of cylindrical modules arranged in succession to each other, and at least a second cylindrical roller, also formed by a plurality of cylindrical modules arranged in succession to each other, which are adapted to cooperate for crushing the berries or the grapes and for the consequent opening thereof.

The first roller and the second roller are arranged at a non-zero distance from each other so as to define an interspace, and each roller is mounted on a drive shaft that moves the rollers in rotation.

In particular, as is known, the first roller and the second roller can be driven in rotation in reciprocally opposite directions.

The grapes or berries poured into the crushing cavity are then compressed between the first roller and the second roller as they pass in the interspace defined between them and open up.

A known problem in the industry, however, is that such known crushing devices are sometimes ineffective.

In fact, in use, the cylindrical surfaces of the rollers define a bridge effect for the berry or grape that continues to bounce between the rollers and fails to enter inside the interspace defined between the rollers themselves so as to be compressed and opened.

An object of the present invention is therefore to solve such a drawback of the prior art.

A further object is to achieve such objectives in the context of a rational, effective and affordable solution.

These objects are achieved by the features of the invention set forth in the independent claim. The dependent claims outline preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In particular, the invention makes available a crushing device, particularly for opening the grapes or berries of grape and the like, comprising:

- a support frame delimiting a crushing cavity,

- a crushing assembly associated with the crushing cavity, comprising:

- a plurality of drive shafts, reciprocally parallel and flanked at a non-zero distance from each other along a flanking direction, each of which is arranged in the crushing cavity and movably associated in rotation with the support frame about a respective axis of rotation,

- a plurality of rollers, each of which is associated with a respective drive shaft and integral in rotation therewith, the adjacent rollers (with respect to said flanking direction of the drive shafts) being reciprocally facing at a non-zero distance from each other so that an interspace remains defined between them, wherein each roller has along its longitudinal development (i.e. its development in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft to which it is associated):

- a cylindrical first section,

- a conical second section which is derived from the cylindrical first section,

- a cylindrical third section which is derived from the conical second section.

Thanks to this solution, the invention makes available a particularly effective and reliable crushing device.

In particular, thanks to this variable geometry along the respective development (with respect to a direction parallel to the axes of rotation of the drive shafts) of each roller, the crushing device makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of the "bridge" effect described above, i.e. it is particularly effective and reliable in trapping the grapes or berries inside the interspace and therefore in crushing and consequent opening of the same.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the first (cylindrical) section and the third section can have an equal length (i.e. development along the longitudinal development of the roller).

Furthermore, the invention provides that the first (cylindrical) section and the third (cylindrical) section can each have a length comprised between 0.2 times and 0.7 times the length of the second (conical) section, for example preferably comprised between 0.25 and 0.6 times the length of the second section, for example a length substantially equal to 0.3 times the length of the second (conical) section.

Another aspect of the invention provides that said interspace defined between (the outer surfaces of) two adjacent rollers (i.e. two flanked and consecutive rollers, with respect to said flanking direction) can have a constant size (with respect to said flanking direction) along (a direction parallel to) the longitudinal development of the rollers (i.e. along a direction parallel to the axes of rotation of the drive shafts).

Thanks to this solution, the crushing device is configured to ensure that in each section of the interspace the grapes or berries are actually crushed and opened, avoiding that larger sections of the interspace which can allow the berries to cross the interspace without being crushed between the adjacent rollers may be present.

A further aspect of the invention provides that each roller may comprise a plurality of first sections, a plurality of second sections (each of which is derived, seamlessly, from a respective first section) and a plurality of third sections (each of which is derived, seamlessly, from a respective second section).

In particular, each roller can comprise a plurality of modules, for example homologous to each other, each of which has a tubular body that makes available along its longitudinal development (i.e. its development parallel to said axis of rotation of the drive shaft) one of said cylindrical first sections, one of said conical second sections, and one of said cylindrical third sections (i.e. a respective cylindrical first section, a respective conical second section that is derived from said respective first cylindrical section, and a respective cylindrical third section that is derived from said respective second conical section).

Thanks to this solution, the roller is modular, i.e. it can be composed as required by combining a variable number of modules, quickly and easily.

Moreover, thanks to this solution, each roller has an overall repetitive and variable architecture along its longitudinal development, and two adjacent rollers are even more effective in drawing the berries or grapes inside the interspace, obviating the aforesaid bridge effect.

Still another aspect of the invention provides that each roller, for example each module of the roller, can have an outer surface (by means of which it is adapted to contact the berries or grapes, made available overall by the outer surfaces of the modules that compose it) that is fluted or knurled or provided with grooves. Thanks to this solution, each roller has a surface capable of exerting a particularly effective grip on the berries or grapes, and the crushing device is therefore even more effective and reliable in the operations of crushing and opening the berries or grapes.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the outer surface of each roller, for example the outer surface of each module of the roller, may have a plurality of first grooves and a plurality of second grooves different from the first grooves.

Thanks to this solution, the outer surface of each roller, for example each module of the roller, is shaped in such a way that it is particularly effective in the gripping effect of the berries or grapes.

Another aspect of the invention provides that each first groove can have a variable size from the (i.e. from a respective) cylindrical first section to the (i.e. to a respective) cylindrical third section.

Thanks to this solution, the effect of drawing the berries or grapes within the interspace defined between the adjacent rollers is even more effective.

The rollers make each available a variable and shaped surface that allows to prevent the berry or grape from slipping into contact with the roller without being intercepted by the same and drawn within the interspace where it is crushed and opened.

A further aspect of the invention provides that each second groove may have a larger cross-section than the cross-section of a first groove.

Thanks to this solution, the outer surface of the roller has grooves of variable sizes that allow to intensify, i.e. make even more effective, the grasping effect on the berries or grapes and make even more effective and repeatable the crushing operations of the crushing device.

Still, a further aspect of the invention provides that consecutive adjacent modules of each roller can be arranged reciprocally symmetrically (with respect to an imaginary axis of symmetry orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft to which the roller is associated, i.e. parallel to the flanking direction).

Thanks to this solution, the adjacent rollers are able to define an interspace provided, along a direction parallel to the axes of rotation of the first drive shaft and of the second drive shaft, with successive reciprocally transverse sections that allow the crushing device to be overall further particularly effective in its action on the berries or grapes.

Another aspect of the invention provides that each module of a roller can be facing onto a respective module of the adjacent roller and aligned thereto (with respect to said flanking direction), and further arranged symmetrically to the other with respect to an (imaginary) axis of symmetry parallel to the flanking direction of the drive shafts (i.e. orthogonal to the axes of rotation thereof).

In other words, said modules of two adjacent rollers that are respectively facing and aligned, are oriented in the space rotated by 180° with respect to each other with respect to an imaginary axis parallel to the flanking direction of the drive shafts (i.e. an imaginary axis orthogonal to the axes of rotation thereof).

Still, another aspect of the invention provides that the crushing device may comprise a drive mechanism configured to drive in rotation each drive shaft about its own axis of rotation, the drive mechanism being further configured to rotate adjacent drive shafts (with respect to flanking direction) at different rotation speeds (i.e., to rotate adjacent rollers at different rotation speeds, for example the one at half the speed of the other).

Thanks to this solution, the crushing device is even more effective in avoiding this undesired bridge effect.

In particular, the crushing device thanks to this feature is particularly effective in drawing the berries or grapes through the interspace defined between two adjacent rollers.

This differentiated rotation speed between the adjacent rollers makes it possible to obtain, in addition to the crushing of the berry or grape, the complete opening of the skin, i.e. a greater exposure of the inner surface of the skin to the outside, allowing to obtain a greater separation of the pulp and of the juice from the skin.

This particular effective action of the crushing device also allows to obtain multiple advantages in the subsequent processing phases, especially in the case of white grapes the juice contained in the berry (must) is extracted more quickly, making the subsequent crushing process more efficient with less oxidation, while in the case of red grapes a better extraction of the colour from the skins can be achieved in the subsequent fermentation phase for the production of red wines.

The invention also makes available a method for crushing berries or grapes, e.g. of grapes and the like, which provides for:

- having a crushing device comprising:

- a support frame delimiting a crushing cavity,

- a crushing assembly associated with the crushing cavity, comprising: - a plurality of drive shafts, reciprocally parallel and flanked at a non-zero distance from each other, each of which is arranged in the crushing cavity and movably associated in rotation with the support frame about a respective axis of rotation,

- a plurality of rollers each of which is associated with a respective drive shaft and integral in rotation thereto, wherein the adjacent rollers are reciprocally facing at a non-zero distance from each other so that an interspace remains defined between them,

- driving two adjacent drive shafts around the respective axes of rotation at two different rotation speeds (for example preferably so that the rotation speed of one is twice the rotation speed of the other).

In particular, each roller can have along its longitudinal development a cylindrical first section, a conical second section which is derived from the cylindrical first section and a cylindrical third section which is derived from the second conical section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent after reading the following description provided by way of a non-limiting example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a partially schematic front view from above of an embodiment of a crushing device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a partially schematic perspective view from above of another embodiment of a crushing device according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a front view from above of the crushing device of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a front side view of a module of the crushing device according to the invention. Figure 5 is a front view of the module of Figure 4 and an enlargement in which a first groove and a second groove are better visible.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the portion VI of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a sectional view along the trace VII-VII of Figure 1 .

BEST MODE TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

With particular reference to these figures, it has been indicated globally with reference 10 a crushing device, particularly for grape berries or fruits with berries or grapes similar to grapes, configured to operate the crushing of the berry or grape in such a way as to open it so as to expose the pulp contained therein to the outside.

More in detail, such a crushing device is configured to act a crushing action on the berries or seeds such as to open them, i.e. to break their skin and open it, for example substantially like a shell.

Thanks to this, the crushing device allows the pulp and the juice enclosed in the skin of the berry or grape to be extracted.

The crushing device 10 comprises, first of all, a rigid support frame 15 (i.e., non- deformable by traction and/or compression and/or twisting and/or bending when subjected to the usual loads for which it is intended), for example of substantially box-like shape and preferably metallic.

The support frame 15 delimits at least one crushing cavity 20 within which the berries or grapes are adapted to be poured and below which a collection tank may possibly be arranged which is adapted to receive the berries or grapes following crushing.

For example, as visible in Figure 1 , the support frame 15 may delimit a single crushing cavity 20 or, alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the support frame 15 may delimit a plurality of crushing cavities 20, for example a pair of crushing cavities 20 which are, for example, separate and adjacent to each other.

Each crushing cavity 20 is delimited on the perimeter by the support frame 15, open at the top, and can be further open at the bottom.

In practice, each crushing cavity 20 can be substantially defined by a through channel made in the support frame 15 running from an upper opening to a lower opening.

For example, the upper opening may have a size (e.g. length and/or width and thus crosssection) larger than the size (e.g., length and/or width, and thus cross-section) of the lower opening.

In other words, each crushing cavity 20 is defined by a through channel that can have a decreasing cross-section, i.e. a progressively smaller cross-section, starting from the upper opening towards the lower opening.

In particular, the upper opening substantially defines a supply mouth of the crushing cavity 20 through which the crushing cavity 20 is adapted to receive the berries or grapes, i.e. through which the berries or grapes can enter inside the crushing cavity 20.

For example, superiorly to the crushing cavity 20, that is superiorly to the supply mouth defined by the upper opening, a loading hopper can be provided that defines a temporary reservoir for the berries or grapes to be crushed and opened, so as to expose the pulp contained therein, which feeds them inside the crushing cavity 20. In practice, the loading hopper may have an outlet opening through which the berries or grapes exit the same that is superimposed in plan on the crushing cavity 20, e.g. simultaneously superimposed on each crushing cavity 20 delimited by the support frame 15, i.e. on the supply mouth defined by the upper opening (e.g. on each supply mouth).

In addition, inferiorly to the crushing cavity 20, i.e. below the lower opening, a collection tank may possibly be arranged inside which the open grapes accumulate.

The crushing device 10 then comprises a crushing assembly associated with (i.e. arranged at) the crushing cavity 20 (for example a plurality of crushing assemblies each of which is associated with, i.e. arranged at, a respective crushing cavity 20) and configured to operate the crushing of the berries or grapes for opening the same.

The crushing assembly comprises a plurality of drive shafts W, each of which is arranged within the crushing cavity 20 and movably associated in rotation about itself to the support frame 15 about a respective axis of rotation A, e.g. substantially horizontal.

In particular, the drive shafts W of the plurality are arranged inside the crushing cavity 20 (so as to be, that is to be) reciprocally parallel and likewise so as to rotate around respective axes of rotation A reciprocally parallel, and flanked along a flanking direction F orthogonal to the axes of rotation A thereof.

In addition, the drive shafts W are arranged at a non-zero distance from each other with respect to said flanking direction F orthogonal to the respective axes of rotation A.

In particular, two adjacent drive shafts W (i.e. flanked and consecutive with respect to said flanking direction F orthogonal to the axes of rotation thereof) can be arranged at a reciprocal adjustable non-zero distance.

For example, at least one of said adjacent drive shafts W may be slidingly associated with the support frame 15 with respect to said flanking direction of the drive shafts W (orthogonal to the axes of rotation A of the drive shafts W themselves), and selectively positionable in one of a plurality of different positions along said flanking direction F, each position of which corresponds to a different distance defined between said adjacent drive shafts W with respect to said flanking direction F.

In this way, it is possible to adjust the reciprocal distance between said adjacent drive shafts W.

For example, one of said drive shafts W may be rotatably associated with the support frame by means of fixed bearings, while the drive shaft W may be rotatably associated with the support frame by means of selectively movable bearings along the flanking direction F, e.g. by means of a screw mechanism that can be driven by means of a handwheel or otherwise.

The crushing assembly also comprises a plurality of rollers S, each of which is associated with a respective drive shaft W and integral in rotation to the same around said axis of rotation A.

Each roller S is substantially defined by a tubular body elongated along its own longitudinal axis (parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft to which it is associated).

These rollers S are adapted to cooperate in order to press down on the berries or grapes, so as to allow their opening, i.e. the rupture of the skin and the opening thereof, in order to allow the extraction of the juice and of the pulp enclosed therein.

Each roller S has along its longitudinal development (i.e. along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A of the drive shaft W) at least a first cylindrical section 30, at least a second conical (i.e. of conical shape, for example of a truncated cone as illustrated in figures 4 and 6) section 35 which is derived (for example seamlessly) from the first cylindrical section, and at least a third cylindrical section 40 which is derived (for example seamlessly) from the second conical section 35.

For example, each roller S can have along its longitudinal development a plurality of first cylindrical sections 30, a plurality of second conical sections 35 (for example truncated- conical as illustrated in figures 4 and 6) each of which is derived (for example seamlessly, and away) from a respective first cylindrical section 30, and a plurality of third cylindrical sections 40 each of which is derived (for example seamlessly and away) from a respective second conical section 35.

In particular, said plurality of first (cylindrical) sections 30, second (conical) sections 35 and third (cylindrical) sections 40 may be arranged according to a certain sequence along the longitudinal development of the roller S.

More in detail, as best seen in Figure 3, along the longitudinal development of the roller S the first sections 30, the second sections 35, and the third sections 40 can be arranged so that the roller S has at least two first consecutive (cylindrical) sections 30 (and in direct contact with each other), and/or at least two third consecutive (cylindrical) sections 40 (and in direct contact with each other).

Preferably, each first section 30 can be made as a single body with a respective second section 35 and with a respective third section 40.

In particular, each roller S may comprise a plurality of crushing modules 25, e.g. preferably homologous to each other (i.e. identical in shape and sizes), which are arranged in succession and joined to each other (along the longitudinal development of the roller S and without interspaces between one module and the other) to define overall said roller S, and each of which makes available one of said cylindrical sections 30 of the roller S, one of said second conical sections 35 (for example truncated-conical as illustrated in figures 4 and 6) of the roller S, and one of said third cylindrical sections 40 of the roller S.

However, it is not excluded that, in alternative embodiments not illustrated, the modules 25 of a roller S can have a different shape from each other, and that they can be arranged in succession based on the shape in such a way as to define said roller S having a first cylindrical section 30, said at least a second conical section 35 which is derived (for example seamlessly) from the first cylindrical section 30, and said at least a third cylindrical section 40 which is derived (for example seamlessly) from the second conical section.

For example, each roller S can preferably be composed of two modules 25, or four modules 25 or six modules 25.

Each module 25 has a tubular body developing along a longitudinal axis L, as best seen in Figure 4.

The longitudinal development of the roller S is therefore defined by the union of the developments of the modules 25 that compose it along the respective longitudinal axes L.

In particular, as can be seen in said Figure 4, each module 25 makes available along its longitudinal development, i.e. its development along said longitudinal axis L, said first cylindrical section 30 (i.e. of cylindrical shape), said second conical section 35 (i.e. of conical shape, for example of a truncated cone) which is derived (for example and preferably seamlessly, and in a direction away) from the first cylindrical section 30, and said third cylindrical section 40 (i.e. of cylindrical shape) which is derived (for example and preferably seamlessly, and in a direction away) from the second conical section 35.

For example, as best seen in Figure 4, each module 25 may comprise along its longitudinal development a single first cylindrical section 30, a single second conical (for example truncated-conical) section 35 which is derived from said first cylindrical section 30, and a single third cylindrical section 40 which is derived from said second conical section. In practice, the first section 30 and the third section 40 define the longitudinal ends of the module 25 and the second section 35 is axially interposed between them.

Furthermore, the first cylindrical section 30 and the third cylindrical section 40 each make available a respective end face of the module 25 lying on a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body of the module 25.

The third cylindrical section 40 therefore has a diameter greater than the diameter of the first cylindrical section 30.

Each module 25 may therefore have, in the light of the above, a first section 30 with a constant diameter, a second section 35 with a variable diameter (increasing from the first section 30 towards the third section 40) along the longitudinal development, and a third section 40 with a constant diameter (and greater than the diameter of the first section 30). For example, the first section 30 may preferably have a maximum (outer) diameter comprised between 10 cm and 20 cm, e.g. a diameter substantially equal to 13 cm.

Furthermore, the first section 30 can preferably have a length, understood as an extension along the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body, preferably comprised between 1 cm and 5 cm, for example substantially equal to 2 cm.

The second (conical, for example truncated-conical) section 35 may have a length, understood as an extension along the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body, comprised between 5 cm and 10 cm, for example substantially equal to 7 cm.

Furthermore, the third (cylindrical) section 40 may preferably have a maximum (outer) diameter comprised between 15 cm and 25 cm, for example a diameter substantially equal to 19 cm.

Furthermore, the third section 40 can preferably have a length, understood as an extension along the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body, preferably comprised between 1 cm and 5 cm, for example substantially equal to 2 cm.

In practice, the first section 30 and the third section 40 may have an identical length along the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body.

Preferably, the first (cylindrical) section 30 and the third (cylindrical) section 40 can each have a length comprised between 0.2 times and 0.7 times the length of the second (conical) section 35, for example preferably comprised between 0.25 and 0.6 times the length of the second section 35, for example a length substantially equal to 0.3 times the length of the second (conical) section 35.

Each roller S also has an outer surface (or jacket) adapted to contact the berries or grapes that can be shaped.

In particular, each roller S has an outer surface, for example made available overall by the outer surfaces of the modules 25 that compose it, which can be fluted or knurled, i.e. provided with grooves.

In particular, the outer surface of each roller S can have a plurality of first grooves 45, homologous to each other (i.e. equal in shape and size).

In particular, the outer surface of each module 25 of the roller S may have a plurality of said first grooves 45, each first groove of which (for example obtained precisely by a fluting or knurling operation) has a variable size (transverse, i.e. cross-section) from the first cylindrical section 30 to the third cylindrical section 40 of the module 25.

In particular, each first groove 45 extends seamlessly from a respective first cylindrical section 30 to a respective third cylindrical section 40 passing through the second conical section 35 interposed between them, for example from the first cylindrical section 30 to the third cylindrical section 40 of the respective module, i.e. it has a first portion at the first cylindrical section 30, a second portion at the second conical section 35 and a third portion at the third cylindrical section 40.

The first portion of each first groove 45 may have a maximum constant transverse size (i.e. cross-section, i.e. width, i.e. size with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body) along the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body of the module 25.

For example, the first portion of each first groove 45 may have a maximum width comprised between 1 and 5 mm, for example substantially equal to 2 mm.

The second portion of each first groove 45 may have a maximum variable transverse size (i.e. cross-section, i.e. width, i.e. size with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body) along the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body of the module 25 (particularly increasing from the first section 30 towards the third section 40).

The third portion of each first groove 45 has a maximum constant transverse size (i.e. cross-section, i.e. width, i.e. size with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body) along the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body of the module 25. For example, the third portion of each first groove 45 may have a maximum width comprised between 3 and 10 mm, for example substantially equal to 5.3 mm.

Again, each first groove 45 may have a (maximum) depth, i.e. height, i.e. a distance between a bottom of the first groove 45 and an upper mouthpiece thereof along a direction radial to the longitudinal axis L, preferably constant along the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body, and for example comprised between 1 mm and 3 mm.

The outer surface of each roller S may then have a plurality of second grooves 50, homologous to each other (i.e. equal in shape and sizes), different (e.g. in shape and/or sizes) from the first grooves 45.

That is, each second groove 50 has at least one different size with respect to each first groove 45, for example it may have a maximum transverse size (i.e. cross-section, i.e. size with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body) greater than the maximum transverse size (i.e. cross-section, i.e. width, i.e. size with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body) of each first groove 45.

For example, said second grooves 50 are made on the outer surface of each module 25 that composes the roller S.

For example, the grooves 50 of the second plurality, for example four in number for each module 25, are radially equally-spaced from each other along the circumferential development of the roller S, that is, of the respective module 25.

In particular, each second groove 45 of the plurality can extend seamlessly from a respective first cylindrical section 30 to a respective third cylindrical section 40 through the second conical section 35 interposed between them, for example from the first cylindrical section 30 to the third cylindrical section 40 of the respective module 25, i.e. it has a first portion at the first cylindrical section 30, a second portion at the second conical section 35 (which is derived from said respective first cylindrical section 30) and a third portion at the third cylindrical section 40 (which is derived from said respective second conical section 35).

Each second groove 45 of the second plurality may have a constant transverse size (i.e., cross-sectional, i.e., width) along its development from the first cylindrical section 30 to the third cylindrical section 40.

For example, each second groove 45 of the second plurality may have a width comprised between 5 and 15 mm, for example substantially equal to 1 1 mm.

Again, each second groove 50 may have a (maximum) depth, i.e. height, i.e. a distance between a bottom of the second groove 50 and an upper mouthpiece thereof along a direction radial to the longitudinal axis L, preferably constant along the longitudinal axis L of the tubular body.

In particular, each second groove 50 may have a depth greater than the depth of each first groove 45.

For example, each second groove 50 may have a depth comprised between 5 mm and 10 mm, for example substantially equal to 8 mm.

Each module 25 may be at least partially (or entirely) made of a polymer material, e.g., food-grade rubber (i.e., gum arabic or acacia gum).

For example, each module 25 may have a core made of a metal material and coated with a layer of polymer material, e.g. a layer of food-grade rubber (i.e. gum arabic or acacia rubber).

The modules 25 of each roller S are associated with the respective drive shaft W and also integral in rotation therewith.

In particular, the tubular body of each module 25 of a roller S can be fitted on the drive shaft W with friction so that it is integral in movement therewith (i.e. integral in rotation with the same with respect to the axis of rotation A).

Furthermore, adjacent (and consecutive) modules 25 of a roller S are placed in (direct) contact with each other.

The adjacent (and consecutive) modules 25 of each roller S are arranged reciprocally symmetrically (with respect to an imaginary axis of symmetry parallel to the flanking direction F), i.e. arranged so that a respective section of the one is in contact with the corresponding respective section of the other.

In other words, adjacent (and consecutive) modules 25 of each roller S are arranged so as to be arranged in reciprocal contact with the respective first conical sections or with the respective third conical sections, i.e. so that the end faces made available by the respective first cylindrical sections 30 are in reciprocal (preferably direct) contact or so that the end faces made available by the respective third cylindrical sections 40 are in (preferably direct) reciprocal contact.

Again, adjacent (and consecutive) modules 25 of each roller S are arranged with respect to each other with an orientation in the space rotated by 180° around an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axes L thereof.

The outer surfaces of the modules 25 of the same roller S therefore make available overall a continuous crushing surface, adapted to come into contact with the berries or grapes.

Two adjacent rollers S (i.e. flanked and consecutive along said flanking direction F) are facing at a non-zero distance from each other so that an interspace 60 remains defined between them.

For example, it is possible to provide that the first sections 30, the second sections 35 and the third sections 40 of a roller S may have an outer diameter (i.e. maximum diameter) that is different respectively from the first sections 30, second sections 35 and third sections 40 of the adjacent roller S.

For example, the modules 25 of two adjacent rollers S (i.e., flanked and consecutive), i.e., the modules 25 associated with two adjacent drive shafts W (with respect to said flanking direction F), are reciprocally facing at a non-zero distance from each other so that said interspace 60 remains defined between them.

For example, the size (width) of the interspace 60 between two adjacent rollers S may be adjustable by varying the distance between said adjacent drive shafts W to which said rollers S are associated.

Preferably such an interspace 60 may have a constant size (intended along the flanking direction F of the drive shafts W) along the longitudinal development of the adjacent rollers S, e.g. a size comprised between 2 mm and 15 mm, preferably comprised between 2 mm and 3 mm.

In any case, the size of the interspace 60 (intended along a direction orthogonal to the axes of rotation A of the drive shafts W) is smaller than the (minimum) size of the grapes or berries being processed.

In other words, the interspace 60 has a size (width) such that each berry or grape can only pass through the interspace 60 following the crushing carried out by the modules 25 of two adjacent rollers S and which results in a deformation of each berry or grape such that it reduces its size.

As best seen in the enlargement of Figure 6, the rollers S are arranged so that each first cylindrical section 30 of a roller S is facing and aligned (with respect to said flanking direction F, preferably completely aligned) to a respective third section 40 of the adjacent roller S, so that each second conical section 35 is facing and aligned (with respect to said flanking direction F, preferably completely aligned) to a respective second conical section 35 of the adjacent roller S, and so that each third cylindrical section 40 is facing and aligned (with respect to said flanking direction F, preferably completely aligned) to a respective first section 30 of the adjacent roller S.

Furthermore, as best seen in Figure 6, each second section 35 of a roller S arranged symmetrically with respect to the second section 35 of the adjacent roller S onto which it is facing, with respect to an (imaginary) axis of symmetry orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the drive shafts W (i.e. parallel to the flanking direction F).

For example, as best seen in Figures 1 and 3, each module 25 of a roller S is facing onto a respective module 25 of the adjacent roller S and aligned therewith (with respect to said flanking direction F).

In other words, the projection along said flanking direction F of the drive shafts W, of the encumbrance of a module 25 of a roller S with respect to said direction parallel to the axes of rotation A of the drive shafts W coincides with the encumbrance along the same direction of a module 25 of the adjacent roller S.

Furthermore, each module 25 of a roller S is arranged symmetrically to the module 25 of the adjacent roller S to which it is aligned with respect to an (imaginary) axis of symmetry parallel to the flanking direction F.

That is, said reciprocally aligned modules 25 of two adjacent rollers S are arranged with respect to each other with an orientation in the space rotated by 180° around an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axes L thereof.

In other words, the first cylindrical section 30 of each module 25 of a roller S is facing onto (i.e. arranged at) the third cylindrical section 40 of a module 25 of an adjacent roller, the second conical section 35 of each module 25 of a roller S is facing onto the second conical section 35 of a respective module 25 of the adjacent roller S, and the third cylindrical section 40 of each module 25 of a roller S is facing onto (i.e. arranged at) the first cylindrical section 30 of a module 25 of the adjacent roller S.

The rollers S of the crushing device 10, i.e. modules 25 that compose them, have an overall encumbrance such that it takes up the crushing cavity 20 in such a way that the only passage gap for the berries or grape from the upper opening towards the lower opening of the crushing cavity 20 is defined by each interspace 60 defined between the adjacent rollers S.

The crushing assembly still comprises a drive mechanism configured to drive each drive shaft W in rotation about the respective axis of rotation A.

For example, the drive mechanism may be configured to rotate two adjacent drive shafts W such that one of said drive shafts W rotates in one direction about its axis of rotation A, for example in a clockwise direction, while the other drive shaft W rotates in one direction about its axis of rotation A opposite to the rotation direction of the other, for example in a counterclockwise direction.

For example, the drive mechanism may comprise a plurality of motors 55, particularly of the electric type, each of which is associated with a respective drive shaft W so as to drive the same in rotation, or, alternatively, it may comprise a single motor 55 connected to each drive shaft W, for example by means of a rotary motion transmission mechanism (for example such a rotary motion transmission mechanism being configured to transmit a different, in terms of speed and possibly direction of rotation, rotary motion to adjacent drive shafts W).

In addition, the drive mechanism can be configured to drive two adjacent drive shafts W, so that they rotate around their respective axes of rotation A at two mutually different rotation speed values.

Preferably, the drive mechanism may be configured to drive two adjacent drive shafts W in such a way that a ratio comprised between 0.5 and 0.9 is defined between the rotation speeds of the two, e.g. in such a way that the rotation speed of one is twice the rotation speed of the other.

More in detail, such a drive mechanism may comprise an electronic control unit U, provided with a memory unit, which is operatively connected to each motor 55 and configured to drive the same (e.g., by means of an inverter) so as to rotate each drive shaft W at a respective rotation speed value (e.g., predetermined and preset or settable in the memory unit of the electronic control unit).

In particular, the electronic control unit U is configured to drive (e.g. by means of the respective drive motors) two adjacent drive shafts W (with respect to said flanking direction F thereof, and hence the rollers S associated with them) at two different speed values, e.g. in such a way that a certain speed ratio (predetermined and preset or settable in the memory unit of the electronic control unit U) is defined between the two. The electronic control unit U can be operatively connected to an interface device, either via wireless technology (e.g. wi-fi or Bluetooth or LTE or other wireless communication technology) or via cables.

Said interface device may be, for example, a remote device such as a PC or a tablet or smartphone, or a device (e.g. a PC monitor or tablet or other) fixed to the support frame 15 of the crushing device 10.

The electronic control unit U can be configured to send (via cable or Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, e- mail, text message or other mode) information on the operation of the crushing device to this interface device.

For example, via the interface device, the electronic control unit U can be configured to receive as input a respective value of speed of rotation around the respective axis of rotation A for each drive shaft W, or said value of the speed ratio between the rotation speeds of two adjacent drive shafts W.

Again, the electronic control unit U may be configured to receive as input the rotation speed value of a drive shaft W and configured to calculate the rotation speed value of the adjacent drive shaft W as a function of said rotation value received as input, for example by multiplying or dividing said rotation speed value received as input by the value of said speed ratio (predetermined and preset or settable in the memory unit of the electronic control unit U).

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

Moreover, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and sizes, can be whatever according to the requirements without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.