Abstract: A tank lid has a membrane of sufficient dimension to overlap the peripheral lip of a tank neck, an aperture in the membrane which opens to a space beneath an imperforate membrane support supporting the periphery of the membrane, and brackets arranged to be secured to the tank neck to be outstanding therefrom, and in use, to carry the membrane support when the lid is in a (normal) closed position.

Abstract: The valve control means includes valves arranged in a bank for controlling the flow of fluids in a winery, oil refinery or the like. The valves have operating arms located in one x-y plane. In a plane parallel to but spaced from the x-y plane there is provided an x-y plotter which has a projecting pin that can be moved adjacent to a valve arm and rotated by computer control to cause rotation of the valve arm between "on" and "off" positions. Where the valve is of the type which requires a linear withdrawal of the arm from its stem after rotation can be effected, the valve arm is provided with an abutment plate and one end is withdrawn by operation of the x-y plotter pin. A very close control of temperature, time or other requirement can be achieved automatically without requiring the attention of an operator.

Abstract: In the production of wine it is desireable that yeast propagation should remain substantially constant during fermentation and the wine to yeast propagation is normally cyclic. A computer controls functions between limits which are set both for Baume and cell count in a continuous fermenting tank. A Baume sensing means (for example a specific gravity sensing means) and a turbidity sensing means (for example a nephelometer sensor) sense the contents of the continuous fermenting tank. A pump pumps yeast from a yeast propagating tank in response to the requirements of the continuous fermenting tank. A second pump pumps partly fermented wine from the continuous fermenting tank into a buffer tank.

Abstract: A wooden wine barrel has one end removed, and is supported by and rotated by power driven support wheels. A router type cutter head extends into the barrel on an inner end of an arm which is pivoted at its outer end so that the cutter head can follow the contour of the barrel, and means to move the barrel longitudinally with respect to the arm (or vice versa) to effect relative longitudinal movement between the arm and barrel.

Abstract: A method of spraying grapes, comprising traversing harvested grapes from a harvester into a bin, and spraying a series of pulses of preservative liquid over the harvested grapes before they enter the bin, and adjusting either the "OFF" time or the "ON" time of the pulses so that the spray quantity is matched to the harvesting rate.

Abstract: Injection means for injecting a liquified gas such as sulphur dioxide into a container such as a wine storage tank and avoiding "icing up" the valve mechanism, wherein a three limbed "T" piece of conduit receives the liquified gas, each having a separately controlled valve, one of the limbs being connected to a source of gas which is not liquified, such as nitrogen, the nitrogen blowing the liquified sulphur dioxide gas out of the three limbed "T" piece when two of the valves are opened. The volume of the "T" piece accurately determined the dosage of sulphur dioxide.

Abstract: A tank lid having flexible polymeric material forming an annular torus surrounding a discoid portion, pins retaining the torus seated on the upper edge of the tank. A proximity sensor which senses bulging of the discoid portion, the proximity sensor actuating a valve which will stop entry of gas such as nitrogen upon the disclosed portion bulging upwardly but allow entry of the gas when it deflects downwardly.