Methods, apparatuses and systems of fermentation

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.

1 . 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 solid components of grapes and having a permeable consistency, the cap floating in the grape juice; and   moving a portion of the grape juice from below the cap upward into contact with the cap.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cap comprises a thickness, and wherein the moving comprises penetrating a segment of the thickness of the cap with the portion of the grape juice. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cap comprises a thickness, and wherein the moving comprises penetrating an entirety of the thickness of the cap with the portion of the grape juice. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the moving comprises modifying a temperature of the portion of the grape juice. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising sensing at least one parameter from the portion of the grape juice. 
     
     
         6 . 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. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising sensing at least one parameter from the cap. 
     
     
         8 . 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. 
     
     
         9 . 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; and   creating a vacuum in the cap to move a volume of the grape juice through at least a portion of the cap.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the creating comprises moving the volume of the grape juice through an entirety of the cap. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising providing a permeable substrate adjacent the cap, and wherein the creating comprises creating the vacuum through the permeable substrate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the volume of the grape juice is moved from elevationally below the cap. 
     
     
         13 . 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;   determining a temperature of the cap; and   if the temperature of the cap passes a threshold value, adjusting the temperature of the cap.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the adjusting comprises moving a volume of the grape juice into the cap, the volume comprising a temperature different from the temperature of the cap. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the adjusting comprises:
 modifying a temperature of a volume of the grape juice; and   moving the volume of the grape juice into the cap.   
     
     
         16 . A fermentation system comprising:
 a container defining a volume to receive material to be fermented; and   a pump in fluid communication with a fluid region inside the container above the material and configured to establish a vacuum above the material which produces a fluid pressure differential throughout the container.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising a permeable membrane configured to remain over an upper surface of the material. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising a reservoir in fluid communication with the pump. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising a sensor extending into the volume of the container and configured to detect at least one of temperature, flow rate, gas concentration and chemistry composition. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising:
 a permeable membrane configured to remain over an upper surface of the material; and   a sensor extending through the permeable membrane and electrically coupled to the pump to provide information.