Deposit for fermenting, aging or storing wine

Abstract

A deposit with similar functions to those of a cask for fermenting, aging or storing wine includes a metal structure preferably of stainless steel and a generally polyhedral configuration, forming at least the edges and vertices of the deposit, wooden side walls invariably joined to thr structure, a metal bottom welded with an inclination towards the front, where it has an emptying tap and/or decanting tap, and a metal or wooden, fixed or removable upper cover, including a wide opening provided with a sealed closure.

1 . A deposit for fermenting, aging or storing wine, comprising: 
 a) a metal structure ( 1 ) having a generally polyhedral shape, forming at least the edges and vertices of the deposit;    b) wooden side walls ( 2 ) joined to the metal structure ( 1 ) and forming sides of the deposit;    c) a metal bottom ( 3 ) attached to a bottom of the metal structure and the wooden side walls, with an inclination towards a front of the deposit; and    d) an upper cover located on a top of the deposit, including a wide opening ( 5 ) with a sealed closure.    
   
   
       2 . The deposit of  claim 1  further comprising a metal frame ( 11 ) fixed on the metal structure; 
 wherein the wooden side walls ( 2 ) are removable and comprise a plurality of wooden boards ( 10 ); and    wherein the metal frame ( 11 ) laterally supports the wooden boards.    
   
   
       3 . The deposit of  claim 2 , wherein the metal frame ( 11 ) is L-shaped such that a first extension of the L is externally located above an outermost wooden board ( 10 ), and a second extension of the L is located on an outer edge of the outermost board and butts against the metal structure ( 1 ); 
 wherein the deposit further comprises a stop ( 15 ) retaining the frame ( 11 ) to prevent its outward movement.    
   
   
       4 . The deposit of  claim 3 , wherein the metal structure ( 1 ) has an angular profile selected from the group consisting of a straight ( 1   b ) angular profile and an obtuse ( 1   c ) angular profile and the wooden boards ( 10 ) are fixed on outer sides of the metal structure.  
   
   
       5 . The deposit of  claim 4 , wherein the metal structure ( 1 ) further comprises a plurality of external stops ( 15   b ) having a plurality of slots ( 22 ) suitable for immobilizing the metal frame ( 11 ); and 
 a square bar ( 21 ) on an end of the first extension and second extension of the L externally defining slots suitable for holding a leak-tight joint ( 13 );    such that the deposit is air-tight.    
   
   
       6 . The deposit of  claim 5 , wherein the obtuse angular profile ( 1   c ) and the elements welded therein have a plan or frontal closed polygonal configuration, and the joint ( 13 ) forms a peripherally closed element.  
   
   
       7 . The deposit of  claim 2  wherein the frame ( 11 ) comprises a plurality of tension devices for tightening the tongue and groove joints of the wooden boards.  
   
   
       8 . The deposit of  claim 7 , wherein the tension devices comprise screws acting directly on the tongue and groove joints.  
   
   
       9 . The deposit of  claim 7 , wherein the tension devices comprise screws and an intermediate spring.  
   
   
       10 . The deposit of  claim 7 , wherein the tension devices comprise screws and an intermediate resilient element.  
   
   
       11 . The deposit of  claim 2 , wherein the metal structure ( 1 ) has a tubular profile ( 1   a ) and the wooden boards are fixed on an outer edge of the metal structure.  
   
   
       12 . The deposit of  claim 11 , wherein the tubular profile has a quadrangular section.  
   
   
       13 . The deposit of  claim 2 , wherein the wooden boards ( 10 ) at an end of the deposit include, opposite the metal structure, a leak-tight joint ( 13 ) which is trapped when the metal frame ( 11 ) screwed ( 14 ) on the structure ( 1 ) is externally fixed.  
   
   
       14 . The deposit of  claim 1 , wherein the metal structure ( 1 ) comprises a plurality of corner supporting legs ( 6 ) attached to a bottom of the metal structure and a seating base on a top of the metal structure, wherein the legs and the seating base are in a same location relative to each other on the metal structure, such that the deposit is stackable.  
   
   
       15 . The deposit of  claim 1 , wherein the metal structure ( 1 ) comprises a plurality of cavities ( 7 ) on a bottom of the metal structure that form engagement areas for engaging a fixing means, wherein the fixing means is selected from the group consisting of forks; hooks; and a combination of forks and hooks.  
   
   
       16 . The deposit of  claim 1 , wherein the metal structure ( 1 ) comprises a fixing means on a top of the metal structure ( 1 ) for lifting the deposit, wherein the fixing means is selected from the group consisting of hooks; cables; and a combination of hooks and cables.  
   
   
       17 . The deposit of  claim 1 , wherein the metal structure is formed of stainless steel.  
   
   
       18 . The deposit of  claim 1 , wherein the metal bottom includes a tap selected from the group consisting of an emptying tap; a decanting tap; and an emptying tap and a decanting tap, located at the front of the metal bottom.  
   
   
       19 . The deposit of  claim 1 , wherein the upper cover is made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal and wood.  
   
   
       20 . The deposit of  claim 1 , wherein the upper cover is selected from the group consisting of a fixed upper cover and a removable upper cover.