FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a sediment removal device, and in particular, but not exclusively to a sediment removal device for use with alcoholic brewing apparatus.

BACKGROUND

During the fermentation process when brewing alcoholic beverages such as beers, sediment is formed. When the alcoholic beverage is subsequently bottled or consumed it is usually desirable to remove the sediment from the beverage. Most beer drinkers for example prefer to drink a clear beer that is sediment free.

The stronger the alcoholic beverage, or the higher the final alcohol content, the greater the sediment production and therefore the greater the sediment volume.

While industrial scale brewing operations include filtration systems to remove sediment, many small scale brewers, and especially micro-breweries, do not have such equipment available. Also, it is sometimes desirable to remove sediment directly from a brewing vessel, to minimise handling of the alcoholic beverage and therefore minimise any risk of contamination, for example oxygen contamination.

Various forms of apparatus have been produced to assist in the removal of sediment from brewing vessels, for example a sediment container can be connected to the bottom of a brewing vessel, and a valve situated between the inside of the brewing vessel and the sediment container can be used to control movement of sediment and liquid between the brewing vessel and the sediment container. Once the fermentation process has finished, or if the sediment container has become full, the valve can be closed and the contents of the sediment container can be drained out.

However, this system of sediment removal has a number of disadvantages. 1. A full sediment container volume of sediment and/or beverage is lost every time the sediment container is removed. And in situations where the sediment container is only partly full of sediment, considerable beverage can be lost. It is not possible to mitigate this problem by simply sizing the sediment container to an optimum size, since the amount of sediment that is produced in a brewing vessel will vary depending on the strength of the beverage being produced.

2. The process of removing the sediment container and refitting it will lead to the introduction of oxygen and possibly other contaminants to the brewing vessel when the valve is re-opened.

3. The problem of contamination makes it less desirable to remove sediment, for example to remove dead yeast, as soon as it is produced during the early stage of the fermentation process, even though it can be advantageous to do so.

4. The process of container removal and refitting can be cumbersome and time consuming.

As an alternative to the use of a sediment container that is coupled to a brewing vessel, sediment can be simply drained off using a valve that allows fluid including sediment to be drained off from time to time. However, such a system can be a problem also. As sediment is drained off through such a valve, an opening can form in the sediment directly above the valve, and clear beverage can escape out of the brewing vessel before all of the sediment has been removed. This leads to wastage of the beverage as well as poor or incomplete sediment removal.

What is needed is a method and apparatus that allows just the sediment to be removed, and at any time, and which can cope with any amount of sediment, and which allows all of the sediment to be removed, all with minimal beverage wastage during sediment removal.

In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. OBJECT

It is therefore an obj ect of the present invention to provide a sediment removal device which will at least go some way towards overcoming one or more of the above mentioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a sediment removal device, the sediment removal device having a sediment collection reservoir with a reservoir outlet controlled by an outlet valve, wherein the sediment removal device further includes a sediment agitation device that is situated within the sediment collection reservoir and which can be activated by an activation device that is external to the sediment collection reservoir.

Preferably the sediment removal device is a part of a brewing apparatus.

Preferably the sediment removal device is removable from a brewing apparatus. Preferably the sediment collection reservoir is contained within a sediment collection chamber of the sediment removal device.

Preferably the sediment collection chamber is isolatable from a brewing apparatus using an isolation valve.

Preferably the reservoir outlet of the sediment collection reservoir is situated at a lowest part of the sediment collection reservoir when in use.

Preferably the sediment agitation device is situated adjacent the reservoir outlet and in the lowest part of the sediment collection reservoir.

Preferably the outlet valve is opened by rotating a valve operating member that is coupled to a movable valve member of the outlet valve. Preferably the valve operating member is in the form of a rotatable control knob, lever or handle.

Preferably the movable valve member is configured to mate with a valve seat of the sediment removal device. Preferably the valve seat is a part of the sediment collection chamber.

Preferably the sediment collection chamber is substantially capsule or spherocylinder shaped.

Preferably the valve operating member and the sediment agitation device are connected via a sliding mechanical joint. Preferably the valve operating member is mechanically connected to the sediment collection chamber using a first threaded joint.

Optionally the valve operating member is connected to the sediment agitation device using a fastening system, for example a machine screw that passes through the valve operating member and which engages with a thread in the sediment agitation device. Optionally the sediment agitation device is weighted, that is, the sediment agitation device includes metal weights configured to keep the sediment agitation device low within the sediment collection reservoir and in engagement with the valve operating member.

Preferably the valve operating member includes a drive member configured to mate with, and to drive, the sediment agitation device when in use. Preferably the sediment agitation device includes a complementary connection feature configured to mate with the drive member.

Preferably the drive member is a non-round drive member, for example a drive member having a square, triangular or splined cross section.

Preferably the sediment agitation device is shaped such that a lower surface of the sediment agitation device matches, or is complementary to, an upper surface of a lower portion of the sediment collection reservoir. Preferably the lower portion of the sediment collection reservoir is made of a transparent material.

Preferably the sediment agitation device includes a plurality of vanes.

Preferably the vanes of the sediment agitation device are curved to match a curved lower portion of the sediment collection reservoir.

Preferably each of the vanes are aligned radially with respect to an axis of rotation of the sediment agitation device.

Preferably the sediment agitation device includes one or more flow passages configured to facilitate a flow of sediment between a lower part of the sediment agitation device and the upper surface of the lower portion of the sediment collection chamber.

Preferably the sediment agitation device includes flow passages between a root of each vane, the flow passages providing a flow path that allows sediment to flow from the sediment collection reservoir, and passed the sediment agitation device, and to the reservoir outlet. Preferably the valve operating member includes an internal passageway configured to contain, and to provide a flow path for, fluid that exits the reservoir outlet when in use.

Preferably the internal passageway terminates at a discharge connection feature of the valve operating member.

Preferably the discharge connection feature is configured to allow a tube or pipe to be connected to the valve operating member.

In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a brewing apparatus incorporating at least one sediment removal device substantially as specified herein.

Preferably the brewing apparatus includes an isolation valve that is situated between a main brewing volume of the brewing apparatus and the sediment removal device. In a third aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a method of removing sediment from a brewed beverage held within a brewing apparatus, the method including the steps of;

Rotating a valve operating member to open an outlet valve situated within a reservoir outlet of a sediment collection reservoir of the brewing apparatus,

• Simultaneously rotating a sediment agitation device that is situated within the sediment collection reservoir,

• Visually monitoring a flow of sediment that flows out of the sediment collection reservoir while the outlet valve is open, and · Rotating the valve operating member to close the outlet valve when the flow of sediment is predominantly or completely replaced by a flow of the brewed beverage.

Preferably the method further includes a step of rotating the valve operating member in alternating directions while the outlet valve is open to provide additional movement of the sediment agitation device. The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individually set forth.

DESCRIPTION

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a sediment removal device according to the present invention, FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of a brewing apparatus incorporating the first example of a sediment removal device, and in which a detail section A is defined,

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the detail section A defined in

Figure 2, showing the sediment removal device,

FIGURE 4 is an upper perspective view of a sediment agitation device of the first example of a sediment removal device,

FIGURE 5 is a second perspective view showing an underside of the sediment agitation device, FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a valve operating member of the first example of a sediment removal device, and

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view of a second example of a sediment removal device according to the present invention.

First Example With reference to Figures 1 to 6, a first example of a sediment removal device (11) according to the present invention will now be described. The sediment removal device (11) has been designed for use as a part of, or with, a brewing apparatus (13). The brewing apparatus (13) would typically incorporate at least one sediment removal device (11) for the purpose of allowing sediment to accumulate during brewing, and to allow the sediment to be drained off during the brewing process while a brewed beverage such as a beer situated within the brewing apparatus (13) is naturally carbonated and pressurised.

In this example, the brewing apparatus (13) also includes an isolation valve (15) that is situated between a main brewing volume (17) of the brewing apparatus (13) and the sediment removal device (11). The isolation valve (15) is a butterfly valve controlled manually by a handle (19). The sediment removal device (11) is also removable from the brewing apparatus (13) for cleaning purposes. The sediment removal device (11) has a sediment collection reservoir (21) and a reservoir outlet (23) that is controlled by an outlet valve (25). Importantly, the sediment removal device (11) also includes a sediment agitation device (27). The sediment agitation device (27) is situated within the sediment collection reservoir (21) and can be activated or moved by an activation device (29) that is external to the sediment collection reservoir (21).

In this example, the sediment collection reservoir (21) is contained within a sediment collection chamber or bowl (31) of the sediment removal device (11). The sediment collection chamber (31) is a pressure vessel and is substantially capsule or‘spherocylinder’ shaped to help contain the carbonation pressures created during the fermentation of beers for example. The isolation valve (15) allows the sediment collection chamber (31) to be isolated from the brewing apparatus (13) if required.

The reservoir outlet (23) is situated at a lowest part of the sediment collection reservoir (21) when the sediment removal device (11) is being used. In this way, the sediment which tends to be heavier than the liquid in the brewing apparatus (13) tends to collect about the reservoir outlet (23), and from there it can be drained out of the brewing apparatus (13).

Those familiar with draining sediment out of a liquid, via an outlet situated below the sediment, will know that it is not uncommon for a hole to form in the sediment above the outlet, and for clear liquid to pass through this hole in the sediment and out through the outlet instead of the sediment. This is the reason for the sediment agitation device (27). The sediment agitation device (27) is situated adjacent the reservoir outlet (23), and in the lowest part of the sediment collection reservoir (21) immediately above the reservoir outlet (23). From this position, the sediment agitation device (27) can be used to gently agitate the sediment and to prevent the formation of a clear hole, or funnelling, in the sediment. In this way, the sediment agitation device (27) can be used to keep sediment flowing out through the reservoir outlet (23) when draining off the sediment.

The outlet valve (25) is opened by rotating a valve operating member (33) that is coupled to a movable valve member (35) of the outlet valve (25). In this example the valve operating member (33) is in the form of a rotatable control knob having a textured or scalloped outer rim (34) allowing the knob to be gripped and rotated, as shown in Figure 6. The movable valve member (35) is a frusto-conical shaped feature of an upwardly extending post (37) situated in the centre of the valve operating member (33). The frusto- conical shaped movable valve member (35) is configured to mate with a chamfered valve seat (39) of the sediment removal device (11). The valve seat (39) is a part of the sediment collection chamber (31) and is situated directly below, and encompasses a lower end of, the reservoir outlet (23).

The valve operating member (33) is mechanically connected to the sediment collection chamber (31) using a first threaded joint (41). The first threaded joint (41) includes a double start thread so that the outlet valve (25) is opened appreciably even when the valve operating member (33) is only moved through a quarter to half a turn. The valve operating member (33) and the sediment agitation device (27) are connected via a sliding mechanical joint (43). The valve operating member (33) includes a drive member (45) which is situated at an upper end of the post (37) and above the movable valve member (35). The drive member (45) is configured to mate with, and to drive, the sediment agitation device (27) when used to drain sediment out of the sediment collection reservoir (21).

The sediment agitation device (27) includes a complementary connection feature (47) that is configured to mate with the drive member (45). In this example, both the drive member (45) and the complementary connection feature (47) have a square cross section, and both are slightly tapered along their length, both being larger at a bottom end and narrower at a top end.

The sediment agitation device (27) is shaped such that a lower surface (49) of the sediment agitation device (27) matches, or is complementary to, an upper surface (51) of a lower portion (53) of the sediment collection chamber (31). In this example the sediment collection reservoir (21) or chamber (31) is made in two halves, the lower portion (53) and an upper portion (55) of the sediment collection reservoir (21). The lower portion (53) is ideally made of a clear or transparent material. It is advantageous to be able to see through the lower portion (53) to allow the accumulation of sediment to be observed.

The lower portion (53) is connected to the upper portion (55) by a second threaded joint (57). The second threaded joint (57) includes a seal (61) in the form of an O-ring that is sandwiched between the upper portion (55) and the lower portion (53) when the sediment collection chamber (31) is assembled.

The sediment agitation device (27) includes a plurality of vanes (63), and it is the lower edges or surfaces (49) of these vanes (63) that are shaped or curved to match the upper surface (51) of the curved lower portion (53) of the sediment collection reservoir (21). Each of the vanes (63) are aligned radially with respect to an axis of rotation (65) of the sediment agitation device (27). The vanes (63) are configured to wipe the upper surface (51) of the lower part of the sediment collection reservoir (21) and to lightly agitate any sediment, or at least to keep the sediment in motion, and help the sediment to migrate toward the outlet valve (25) when the outlet valve (25) is opened.

The vanes (63) extend from a central hub (64) which has a diameter that is in the region of twenty five to forty percent of the diameter of the sediment agitation device (27), and ideally about thirty percent. This central hub (64) is situated directly above the outlet valve (25) reduces the possibility of a passage for clear liquid forming in the sediment directly above the outlet valve (25) when the sediment is being drained.

The sediment agitation device (27) includes a number of flow passages (67) that are each configured to facilitate a flow of sediment between a lower part (69) of the sediment agitation device (27) and the upper surface (51) of the lower portion (53) of the sediment collection reservoir (21). The flow passages are situated between a root (71) of each vane

(63), and the flow passages (67) provide a flow path that allows sediment to flow from the sediment collection reservoir (21), and into a central recessed cavity (72) that is situated at a lowest part of the sediment agitation device (27) and on an underside of the central hub

(64). The central recessed cavity (72) provides an unobstructed path for the sediment to flow below the sediment agitation device (27), and to the reservoir outlet (23).

At the root (71) of each vane (63), the lower surfaces (49) of the vanes (63) extend below an upper surface of the central recessed cavity (72). In this way, the vanes (63) are able to keep the sediment moving, and entrained in a flow of fluid out through the reservoir outlet (23) as the sediment enters the central recessed cavity (72). Once inside the central recessed cavity (72), the concentrated flow of fluid in that region keeps the sediment in suspension and ensures that it exits through the reservoir outlet (23). The valve operating member (33) includes an outlet passageway (73) that is configured to contain, and to provide a flow path for, fluid that exits through the reservoir outlet (23) when sediment is being drained from the brewing apparatus (13) using the sediment removal device (11). The outlet passageway (73) terminates at a discharge connection feature (75) of the valve operating member (33). In this example the discharge connection feature (75) is a male pipe fitting that is configured to allow a tube or pipe to be connected to the valve operating member (33). This design allows sediment to be drained away through a tube to help avoid spillage.

Method of Operation The sediment removal device (11) allows for the adoption of the following method of removing sediment from a brewed beverage held within a brewing apparatus (13). The method includes the steps of;

• rotating the valve operating member (33) to open the outlet valve (25) situated within the reservoir outlet (23) of a sediment collection reservoir (21) of the brewing apparatus (13),

• simultaneously rotating the sediment agitation device (27) that is situated within the sediment collection reservoir (21), rotating the valve operating member (33) in alternating directions while the outlet valve (25) is open to provide additional movement of the sediment agitation device (27),

• visually monitoring a flow of sediment that flows out of the sediment collection reservoir (21) while the outlet valve (25) is open, and

• rotating the valve operating member (33) to close the outlet valve (25) when the flow of sediment is predominantly or completely replaced by a flow of the brewed beverage.

During this sediment draining process, it is helpful to be able to view and monitor the agitation and draining process through the clear lower portion (53) of the sediment collection chamber (31). Too much agitation can mean that more of the brewed liquid is lost during the draining process, just as too little agitation can have the same result.

During the sediment draining process, the colour of the fluid that is draining out of the outlet passageway (73) can also be observed. When the fluid is predominantly sediment it is often thicker and darker, and when the fluid is thinner and contains foam it is an indication that more of the brewed liquid or beer is coming out. In this way the amount of agitation can be manually regulated to obtain the strongest flow of sediment from the collection chamber (31) and to minimise the loss of brewed liquid.

Second Example With reference to Figure 7 a second example of a sediment removal device (81) according to the present invention will now be described. The second example of a sediment removal device (81) is similar to the first example of a sediment removal device (11), and accordingly the second example of a sediment removal device (81) has also been designed for use as a part of, or with, a brewing apparatus. The second example of a sediment removal device (81) has been designed for use with a larger brewing apparatus, in this case a one hundred and fifty litre brewing vessel, compared to a twenty five litre brewing vessel in the first example.

As can be seen in Figure 7, the brewing apparatus includes an isolation valve (83) that is situated at the lowest point of a main brewing vessel (85). The isolation valve (83) allows the volume of the main brewing vessel to be separated from the volume of the sediment removal device (81) when required, and is a butterfly valve that is controlled manually by a handle (87). As with the first example, the sediment removal device (81) is removable from the brewing apparatus for cleaning purposes.

Importantly, the sediment removal device (81) has a sediment collection reservoir (89) and a reservoir outlet (91) that is controlled by an outlet valve (93), and the sediment removal device (81) also includes a sediment agitation device (95). As with the first example, the sediment agitation device (95) is situated low within the sediment collection reservoir (89) and can be activated or moved by an external activation device (97). As with the earlier example, the sediment collection reservoir (89) is contained within a sediment collection chamber (99) which is sphero-cylindrical in shape.

There are two main differences between the first example of a sediment removal device (11) and the second example of a sediment removal device (81). The first difference is the relative size of the two parts of the sediment collection chamber (99), and the second is the direction in which fluid and sediment is discharged from the sediment collection chamber (99).

In this example a lower portion (101) of the sediment collection chamber (99) accounts for approximately three quarters of the volume of the sediment collection reservoir (89), and an upper portion (103) accounts for the remaining quarter. This feature is helpful in that only the lower portion (101) needs to be made of a transparent or clear material, and it is possible to visually observe the accumulation of sediment in the reservoir (89) up to about 75% of the height of the reservoir (89).

As with the first example, sediment is removed from the reservoir (89) by first rotating the circular handle or knob of the external activation device (97). The external activation device (97) is connected to the lower portion (101) of the sediment collection chamber (99) by a threaded joint and rotation of the circular handle in one direction causes the external activation device (97) to move downwards, and rotation in the opposite direction causes the external activation device (97) to move upwards. In this manner, flow through the outlet valve (93) is controlled, the outlet valve (93) comprising a valve seat (105) on a low point of the sediment collection chamber (99) which is contacted by a valve member (107) which is a part of a central post of the external activation device (97). In this example, when the outlet valve (93) is opened, sediment and other fluid passes through the outlet valve (93) and down a vertical outlet passage to outlet ports (109) at the bottom of the external activation device (97). This allows the sediment to be discharged straight down and directly into a sump or drain that is situated below the brewing vessel (85).

In other respects, the second example of a sediment removal device (81) is configured and operates in a similar fashion to the first example of a sediment removal device (11). VARIATIONS

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof. The example of a sediment agitation device described herein has been described with reference to making beers, however it should be appreciated that the same device could be used in the manufacture of any fermented beverage, for example in the manufacture of mead or cider.

In the example described herein, the sediment collection reservoir (21) is situated within a dedicated vessel that is separated from the main brewing volume (17) by the isolation valve

(15), the dedicated vessel being the capsule shaped sediment collection chamber (31). It is envisaged that in an alternative embodiment, the sediment collection reservoir (21) could be situated within the main brewing volume (17) with the sediment agitation device (27) also situated within the main brewing volume (17). In the example described herein, the sediment agitation device is held onto the valve operating member by gravity. However, it is envisaged that in an alternative embodiment, the valve operating member could be connected to the sediment agitation device using a fastening system, for example a machine screw that passes through the valve operating member and which engages with a thread in the sediment agitation device. Optionally the sediment agitation device could be weighted, that is, the sediment agitation device could include metal weights that are configured to keep the sediment agitation device low within the sediment collection reservoir and in engagement with the valve operating member.

In the example described herein, the drive member on the valve operating member has a square cross sectional shape. It is envisaged that the drive member could have a range of cross sectional shapes, for example the drive member could be a keyed shaft or have a range of non-round cross sectional shapes, for example the drive member could have a triangular or splined cross section. Similarly, the valve operating member described herein could be in the form of a lever or handle instead of the control knob shown and described. It is also envisaged that the outlet valve (25) and/or the isolation valve (15) could be controlled by actuators, for example when the sediment removal device (11) is used in an automated brewing process. The shape of the sediment collection chamber (31) is described as being substantially capsule or‘ spherocylinder’ shaped in the example contained herein. However, it is envisaged that the sediment collection chamber (31) could be more‘silo’ shaped, having a conical base portion. In such an embodiment, the sediment agitation device (27) would have a complementary conical shape.

DEFINITIONS

Throughout this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

ADVANTAGES

Thus it can be seen that at least the preferred form of the invention provides a sediment removal device which provides advantages in one or more of the following areas;

• Sediment can be drained at any stage during fermentation,

• The user can see if they are draining beer or sediment,

• The user can see if they are producing too little or too much agitation during the sediment draining process,

• It suits users who prefer to make stronger beer which makes a lot more sediment,

• This method eliminates the introduction of oxygen which can happen when closing the butterfly valve, removing the sediment bottle, dumping the contents and re- installing the sediment bottle, • It is faster and cleaner than having to dump a sediment collection bottle,

• The volume of sediment removed can be adjusted which minimises the wastage of beer when compared to the use of a removable sediment collection bottle,

• Dead yeast can be removed in the early stages of the fermentation process,

• This method can be used to propagate yeast for future use in other ferments,

• Design of the components are suited to high volume low cost repeatable manufacturing,

• Simple design saves time dumping yeast and reduces risk of infection,

• Reduces the overall height of the brewing device by not having to use a sediment collection that is large enough to allow production of strong beers,

• Draining the yeast efficiently gives the user the option of warm clarifying the beer, this is achieved by removing active yeast after the ferment has finished. Typically the beer would be chilled before the clarifying agent is introduced so that there is less chance of the active yeast gaining access to any remaining sugar which can start the ferment again and in turn make the beer cloudy again,

• Removing the yeast and warm clarifying speeds up the brewing process which increases the return on investment for the customer,

• Warm clarifying eliminates the need for making the brewing vessel mobile as it will not need to be moved to a chilled area for clarifying or located in a room capable of being heated or cooled,

• If the beer is warm clarified the beer can be transferred from the brewing vessel (when clear) to a bottle or storage keg so that it can be chilled ready to be dispensed, the transfer can be done at a higher pressure than normal to allow for the decrease in pressure when the beer (beverage) beverage is subsequently chilled,

• Warm clarifying reduces the upfront capital cost for the customer when setting up a brewery because unless they intend to dispatch chilled kegs and bottles there is no need for a fridge, chiller or other cooling device to chill the brewing vessel, • Warm clarifying would also be an improvement to a smaller brewing appliance as it would only require heating for the beer fermentation/clarifying process and the beer could be transferred into bottles or smaller kegs that could be cooled and dispensed from a household fridge, or · Warm clarifying would significantly reduce the cost and size of a household brewing appliance because there would be no need for refrigeration so wouldn’t require a compressor, condenser and evaporator.