U.S. patent application number 11/847455 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for method and device for treating beverages using negative ions.
Invention is credited to John Shih.
Application Number | 20080156672 11/847455 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39582342 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080156672 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shih; John |
July 3, 2008 |
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TREATING BEVERAGES USING NEGATIVE IONS
Abstract
This invention is a method and device for treating beverages,
particularly wine, with negative ions and thereby enhancing the
flavor of the beverages. The invention is preferably a container
designed to enclose the beverage where the inside of the container
is coated with a substance (such as a powder) that emits or
generates negative ions. The treatment process will take place over
several hours to several days depending on the desired strength of
the treatment.
Inventors: |
Shih; John; (Flushing,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mr. Walter J.Tencza Jr.
Suite 3, 10 Station Place
Metuchen
NJ
08840
US
|
Family ID: |
39582342 |
Appl. No.: |
11/847455 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60883014 |
Dec 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/217 ;
206/524.3; 426/124; 426/396 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23L 3/26 20130101; C12H
1/16 20130101; B65D 23/08 20130101; C12H 1/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/217 ;
206/524.3; 426/124; 426/396 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00; B65D 75/00 20060101 B65D075/00; B65D 77/20 20060101
B65D077/20; B65D 79/00 20060101 B65D079/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising a lining that emits negative ions; and a
beverage container.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lining is comprised of a
first negative ion generating material and a second negative ion
generating material.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a first fabric layer
located between the first negative ion generating material and the
second negative ion generating material.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first fabric layer is
comprised of cotton.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first fabric layer is
comprised of polyester.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first fabric layer is
comprised of rubber.
7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first fabric layer is
comprised of plastic.
8. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a second fabric
layer which is not located between the first negative ion
generating material and the second negative ion generating
material, and which is located closer to the first negative ion
generating material than the second negative ion generating
material.
9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first negative ion
generating material is comprised of ceramic negative ion-generating
powder.
10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first negative ion
generating material is comprised of tourmaline negative
ion-generating powder.
11. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first negative ion
generating material is comprised of silicon negative ion-generating
powder.
12. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second negative ion
generating material is comprised of powdered bamboo charcoal.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lining is part of a pouch
and the beverage container is placed in the pouch so that an inner
surface of the lining is in close contact with an outer surface of
the beverage container.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the beverage container is a
wine bottle which contains wine.
15. A method comprising placing a beverage container near a lining
that emits negative ions.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the lining is comprised of a
first negative ion generating material and a second negative ion
generating material.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein lining is comprised of a first
fabric layer located between the first negative ion generating
material and the second negative ion generating material.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first fabric layer is
comprised of cotton.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the first fabric layer is
comprised of polyester.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein the first fabric layer is
comprised of rubber.
21. The method of claim 17 wherein the first fabric layer is
comprised of plastic.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein the lining is comprised of a
second fabric layer which is not located between the first negative
ion generating material and the second negative ion generating
material, and which is located closer to the first negative ion
generating material than the second negative ion generating
material.
23. The method of claim 16 wherein the first negative ion
generating material is comprised of ceramic negative ion-generating
powder.
24. The method of claim 16 wherein the first negative ion
generating material is comprised of tourmaline negative
ion-generating powder.
25. The method of claim 16 wherein the first negative ion
generating material is comprised of silicon negative ion-generating
powder.
26. The method of claim 16 wherein the second negative ion
generating material is comprised of powdered bamboo charcoal.
27. The method of claim 16 wherein the lining is part of a pouch;
and further comprising placing the beverage container in the pouch
so that an inner surface of the lining is in close contact with an
outer surface of the beverage container.
28. The method of claim 16 wherein the lining is part of a flexible
wrap; and further comprising wrapping the beverage container with
the flexible wrap so that an inner surface of the lining is in
close contact with an outer surface of the beverage container.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein the beverage container is a wine
bottle which contains wine.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application claims the priority of U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/883,014, filed on Dec.
31, 2006, inventor(s) John Shih and Timothy Shih, titled "Method
and device for Treating Beverages Using Negative Ions."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of treating a
beverage with an additive or additives.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known that the distinctive flavor of wine can be
enhanced in a number of ways. The flavor can be affected by the
type and selection of the grapes, the amount of additives, the
fermenting process, the method of storing, and the method of aging
the wine. Additionally, aging certain wines in a bottle has also
been known to have an effect on its flavor.
[0004] The prior art suggests methods of enhancing the flavor both
in the pre-bottling aging process in wood casks as well as
post-bottling. Pre-bottling aging methods include sealing the wine
in an airtight wooden cask with or without inserted wood rods as
well as the addition and/or removal of fermenting agents and other
additives. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,378,419; 5,102,675;
1,204,669; 433,131; 2,080,138; 4,998,643; and 3,942,423.
Additionally, aging wine in a bottle has also become popular among
consumers leading to the development of climate and temperature
controlled wine cellars designed for home consumer use.
[0005] While some wines are not meant to be aged, it is commonly
accepted that aging certain wines in a bottle can lead to a more
pleasing flavor such as the reduction of bitterness from the
tannins or the reduction of sourness from the acidity. However,
aging wine in a bottle can take several years or more in order to
achieve this effect. As a result, some attempts have been made to
achieve the same or similar effects in a fraction of that time.
Such attempts primarily focus on using neodymium and other rare
earth magnets to break down macromolecules in the wine, such as
tannins, and thus reducing its bitter flavor. These methods are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,107,894 and associated references.
Such methods have been embodied in the form of a clip that attaches
to the neck of the bottle, various holders for the wine, and
specialized corks designed for use with the wine. All such methods
focus on using a magnetic field to alter the flavor of the
wine.
[0006] Negative ions, on the other hand, have been primarily
focused on the purification of air and have also been suggested to
have some positive effects on human depression and energy levels.
"The Action of Air Ions on Bacteria", Journal of General Physiology
(1957), Kreuger, A. P., and "The Biological Mechanisms of Air Ion
Action", Journal of General Physiology (1957), Kreuger, A. P.
suggest that negatively ionized air can remove airborne bacteria
and other microorganisms Kornbleuh, Igho, M. D., Polarized Air as
an Adjunct in the Treatment of Burns, American Journal of Physical
Medicine, Vol. 39, No. 3 (June, 1960) suggests that negatively
ionized air can help speed up the healing process of burn and other
wound victims. Soyka, F. The Ion Effect, Bantum, (1991); Stark, W.,
Vitaionen-ein potentieller Gesundheitsfaktor, Lugano, Switzerland:
Tipografia (1971) suggest that negatively ionized air can mitigate
the effects of smoking. Finley, M., The PC Blahs: Do You Have
Ion-Poor Blood?, Future Shoes (1996) available at
http://www.skypoint.com; Kreuger, A. P., The Biological Mechanisms
of Air Ion Action, Journal of General Physiology (1957) suggest
that negatively ionized air can help treat depression. To date,
there is no prior art on the use of negative ions as a way to treat
wine or other beverages.
[0007] Magnetic treatment of wine in the bottle and associated
devices are subject to various shortcomings including being
difficult to use, expensive and difficult to make, overly complex,
unattractive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a
device to treat a beverage using negative ions. Such ions may be
generated through negative ion powder emitting anions of at least
two hundred parts per cubic centimeter. The powder is typically
bound to an ion generating material which is used as the inner
lining of the device. The inner lining of the device may include
any number of layers of such ion-generating cloth to increase or
decrease the strength of the treatment. The device is designed to
hold a beverage container, such as a beverage bottle or a wine
bottle, and enclose the beverage container so that negative ions
are emitted towards the beverage container. The device is
preferably designed to fit the shape of the beverage container so
that the beverage container is flush against an ion generating
material. The device may include a fastener or strap, such as
Velcro (.TM.) for holding tapered beverage containers such as a
tapered wine bottle. The outer lining of the device may be
constructed of any suitable material.
[0009] A preferred embodiment of the present invention may use one
or two layers of ion-generating material. The innermost layer may
be comprised of tourmaline or ceramic negative ion powder emitting
anions of at least one thousand parts per cubic centimeter, which
is bound to an inner lining of the device, which may be made of
cotton, polyester, or any combination thereof. The outermost layer
may be comprised of bamboo charcoal powder bound to an outer lining
of the device, which may be made of cotton, polyester, or any
combination thereof. However, an embodiment of the present
invention may be constructed of any suitable materials using any
suitable ion generating source. For example, an embodiment of the
present invention could be constructed using another ion-generating
source bound to metal, plastic, or wood.
[0010] Thus it is an objective of at least one embodiment of the
present invention to provide a device comprising layers of
negative-ion generating material and a container to hold a beverage
in order to treat and condition a beverage with negative ions. Such
treatment is meant to take place over several hours or a few
days.
[0011] Another objective of at least one embodiment of the present
invention is to provide a device to treat and condition a beverage
as it is being stored. An embodiment of the present invention is
designed to be flush against the beverage container and thin enough
so that it does not make the beverage container unwieldy for
storage purposes.
[0012] Another objective of at least one embodiment the present
invention is to provide a device that is easy to use. At least one
embodiment of the present invention is designed to fasten around
the neck or body of a wine bottle so that it does not come off
inadvertently and requires no user action other than to fasten the
device onto the beverage and unfasten it when it is ready to be
consumed.
[0013] Another objective of at least one embodiment of the present
invention is to provide a device that is attractive and
aesthetically pleasing to the consumer. In at least one embodiment,
a device is provided which is not heavy, bulky, or difficult to
use. It is designed to be thin, lightweight, and can come in a
variety of colors, patterns and materials.
[0014] Another objective of at least one embodiment of the present
invention is to alter the flavor of the beverage without adding to
or detracting from the actual chemical make-up of the beverage
itself. A device is provided, in at least one embodiment, which
typically treats a beverage in its sealed container and therefore
only facilitates reactions within the beverage itself.
[0015] Another objective of at least one embodiment of the present
invention is to allow for the gradual treatment of a beverage to a
user's tastes. A treatment process, in one embodiment, is designed
to take place over a period of a few hours to multiple days.
Depending on the tastes of a user and a type of wine used, the
treatment can be applied for longer or shorter periods of times to
achieve a desired result.
[0016] While not being bound by theory, it is believed that
treatment of wine using negative ions reduces acidity and
facilitates chemical reactions within the wine and thereby
improving the taste of the wine.
[0017] In addition to the novel features and advantages mentioned
above, other objects and advantages of the present invention will
be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings
and exemplary embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a device enclosing
a wine bottle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the material
used to construct the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention a device 10,
shown in FIG. 1, is provided to treat a beverage, such as wine,
using negative ions. The device 10 has a lining 12 which includes a
material that emits or generates negative ions. The device 10 is
fastened around a beverage container 1, as shown in FIG. 1. The
device 10 may be comprised of a pouch that holds the beverage
container 1 snugly so that an ion-generating material is flush
against an outside surface of the beverage container 1. The
beverage container 1 may be a wine bottle, which may have wine
contained therein. The device 10 may be held in place by a fastener
30 that tightens around a neck 2 of the beverage container 1. In
one embodiment, the fastener 30 is a drawstring, which fastens the
device 10 to the beverage container 1, but any method of fastening
is sufficient.
[0021] The beverage container 1 is placed into the device 10 so
that the bottom of the beverage container 1 is flush against a base
32 of the device 1. The sides of the beverage container 1 should be
flush against an inner surface 12a of the lining 12 of the device
10. The device 10 is held in place by the fastener 30 that tightens
around the neck 2 of the beverage container 1.
[0022] The material for the lining, which is used to treat the
beverage in the beverage container 1, using negative ions, is shown
in FIG. 2. In one embodiment two layers of negative ion generating
material are used, however, any number of layers may be used with
any concentration of ion-generating substance to achieve the
desired effect. In one embodiment the lining 12 is comprised of two
layers of ion-generating material. The surface 12a of the lining 12
is designed to be flush against the outer surface of the beverage
container 1. The lining 12 is constructed of an inner layer 14,
which is typically comprised of a fabric made of cotton, polyester,
or any combination thereof and is coated and bound by adhesive 16
with ceramic or tourmaline negative ion-generating powder 18. The
lining 12 also includes an outer layer 20 which is designed to
supplement the ion treatment effects of the inner layer 14. The
outer layer 20 may be comprised of a fabric made of cotton,
polyester, or any combination thereof that is coated and bound by
an adhesive 22 with a powdered bamboo charcoal 24, which is a
negative ion-generating material. The binding of the powdered
bamboo charcoal 24 to the outer layer 20 can be accomplished using
standard techniques for binding substances to cloth fibers, such as
through adhesive 22.
[0023] The exemplary embodiments disclosed are not intended to be
exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention.
The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to
explain the principles of the present invention so that others
skilled in the art may practice the invention. As will be apparent
to one skilled in the art, various modifications can be made within
the scope of the aforesaid description. Such modifications being
within the ability of one skilled in the art form a part of the
present invention and are embraced by the appended claims.
* * * * *
References