Abstract: They consist in the arrangement, as bottom of the cask (1), of a pluri-grooved sheet (7) which defines a plurality of cylindrical grooves, laterally adjacent and with coplanar mouths, the width of said grooves (7), being at a level with its mouth, corresponding with the spacing between the beams (3) which constitute the supporting structure for the false grated bottom (2), permitting that said supporting structure (3) be outside the receptacle (1), abutting in the first place, on the upper edge of the beams (3) which constitute the same, flat facets (8) of the pluri-grooved sheet (7) which separate the different grooves (7-7') of the same, and immediately on said facets, the marginal zones of the grated modules (2) .

Abstract: Such improvements consist in using as arm (2) of the machine for loading and unloading the vat, a hollow and hermetically sealed element to which compressed air from a generator (10) has access. The air is channelled through a series of vertical uprights (6) to heads (11) connected in their turn to the said uprights, elongated, in such a way as to extend radially outwardly in a direction from the central column of the machine and adjacent the base (3) of the vat. The heads (11) are provided with lateral air-exit slots. The heads (11) are connected to arm (2) via the vertical uprights (6) for rotation therewith.In this way a radial air-curtain is formed which, on rotating the arm (2) of the loading/unloading machine, circumferentially sweeps the whole bottom of the vat and consequently stirs, oxygenates, cools and, if relevant, displaces the CO.sub.2 from the whole mass of grain, in a uniform way.

Abstract: A tower-type malthouse is disclosed having floorage areas for steeping, gemination and/or roasting of product. A plurality of separate vertical columns is disposed about the axis of the malthouse and collectively defines therebetween a central space extending vertically through the various floorage areas for passage of product therethrough. Passageways extend radially from the central space to provide communication between the space and the various floorage areas. A movable plug is disposed for axial movement along the columns to selectively open or close the passageways and dispense product to the desired floorage area.

Abstract: A tower-type malthouse is disclosed having a central column about which an arm rotates for performing selected operations. A sleeve is coupled to the arm for rotation therewith. The sleeve has a plurality of grooves, each of which fixedly receives one end of a separate duct or cable for carrying electrical current or fluids to the arm for performing the selected operations. The duct or cable is wound up in the groove and unwound therefrom depending on the directional rotation of the arm. Each duct or cable is engageable with a set of pulleys, and a counterweight is connected to one of the pulleys in the set to maintain the duct or cable under tension. The counterweight takes up the differences of lengths of the duct or cable as it is wound or unwound in the groove of the sleeve dependent upon the directional rotation of the arm.