Magnetic treatment device for beverages including a rack and associated methods

Abstract

A beverage treatment device may include a rack defining a beverage container holding positions for holding beverage containers in a generally horizontal orientation, and a plurality of permanent magnets carried by the rack for causing a magnetic field in the beverage container holding positions. The rack may define the beverage container holding positions in vertically stacked courses, such as having a decreasing number of beverage container holding positions from lower to higher courses. Adjacent ones of the vertically stacked courses may be nested. The rack may include a pair of spaced apart first and second frames, and a plurality of struts interconnecting the first and second frames. The first and second frames may each include a plurality of rings joined together at adjacent peripheral portions thereof. The first and second frames and the interconnecting struts may be formed from integrally molded plastic.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of magnetic treatment and, more particularly, to the field of magnetically treating beverages to change properties thereof and associated methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is recognized that the flavor of some beverages may be enhanced by exposure to a magnetic field, which alters the molecular properties. U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,614 to Peiffer, for example, describes reducing the sensory perception of acids and tannins in alcoholic beverages by treating the beverage with a magnetic field. This treatment is asserted to give the alcoholic beverage a more aged flavor.

Accordingly, a number of products have been developed to expose beverages to magnetic fields to enhance flavor. Some of these products also attempt to enhance user convenience when magnetically treating beverages. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,401 to Lee discloses a container including surrounding sidewalls that have a plurality of magnets mounted on the inner side of the surrounding sidewalls to improve the flavor of fermented substances, such as wine, sauce, and tobacco. Another example is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,319 to Yu which discloses a beverage magnetizing container that exposes a beverage within the container to a magnetic field to promote preservation. The magnetic field is created by permanent magnets in the sidewalls, base, or cap of the container.

Other products magnetically treat beverages during initial processing. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,942 to Freije, III discloses a liquid treatment unit that includes a pipe having a plurality of magnets coupled thereto. The magnets treat liquid as it passes through the pipes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,353 to Ceccarani discloses an apparatus for accelerating the aging of alcoholic beverages. The apparatus exposes beverages to low-frequency polarized pulsating magnetic fields.

U.S. Published Application No. 2003/0228399 to Flick, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a user-friendly and effective device for treating a single beverage container, for example. The device includes a base and a plurality of posts extending upwardly from the base. Each post may carry one or more neodymium permanent magnets. In some embodiments, the posts may be slidable with respect to the base to accommodate different sized containers. The magnetic treatment may enhance the flavor of beverages, particularly spirits, such as wine or liquor, by imparting an aged flavor.

Despite the continuing developments relating to magnetic treatment of beverages, there may still exist a need for an easier to use treatment device that can treat more than a single beverage container at a time, if desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a beverage treatment device that may effectively magnetically treat beverage containers, such as containing wine or other spirits, and provide an associated method for making such a device.

These and other objects, features and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a beverage treatment device comprising a rack defining a plurality of beverage container holding positions for holding beverage containers in a generally horizontal orientation, and a plurality of permanent magnets associated with the rack for causing a magnetic field in the beverage container holding positions. The rack may define the plurality of beverage container holding positions in vertically stacked courses. For example, the vertically stacked courses may have a decreasing number of beverage container holding positions from lower to higher courses. In addition, adjacent ones of the vertically stacked courses may be nested for additional compactness.

The rack may comprise a pair of spaced apart first and second frames, and a plurality of struts interconnecting the first and second frames. In these embodiments, the plurality of permanent magnets may include a first set of permanent magnets carried by the first frame, and a second set of permanent magnets carried by the second frame. Additionally or alternatively, the permanent magnets may be carried by the interconnecting struts. Each of the plurality of permanent magnets may comprise a neodymium magnet.

The first and second frames may each comprise a plurality of rings joined together at adjacent peripheral portions thereof. For example, the first and second frames and the interconnecting struts may comprise integrally molded plastic. The rack may further comprise a plurality of feet depending from lowermost portions of the first and second frames.

A method aspect of the invention is for making a beverage treatment device. The method may include forming a rack defining a plurality of beverage container holding positions for holding beverage containers in a generally horizontal orientation, and associating a plurality of permanent magnets with the rack for causing a magnetic field in the beverage container holding positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the beverage treatment device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a frame of the beverage treatment device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a frame of another embodiment of the beverage treatment device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a strut of still another embodiment of the beverage treatment device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a strut of yet another embodiment of the beverage treatment device in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime and multiple prime notations are used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a beverage treatment device 10 in accordance with the invention is now described. The beverage treatment device illustratively includes a rack 15 defining a plurality of beverage container holding positions 16 for holding beverage containers in a generally horizontal orientation, one such beverage container 12 being illustrated for clarity of explanation. The treatment device 10 also includes a plurality of permanent magnets 17 carried by the rack 15 for causing a magnetic field in the beverage container holding positions 16.

The rack 15 illustratively defines the plurality of beverage container holding positions 16 in lower and upper vertically stacked courses. For enhanced stability, the vertically stacked courses have a decreasing number of beverage container holding positions from lower to higher courses. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower course has three side-by-side container holding positions, and the upper course has two side-by-side holding positions. As also shown in the illustrated embodiment, adjacent ones of the vertically stacked courses may be nested for additional compactness and stability. This configuration of decreasing holding positions 16 and/or nesting can be extended to greater than the two illustrated courses as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The rack 15 includes a pair of spaced apart first and second frames 20, 21 and a plurality of struts 23 interconnecting the first and second frames. The first and second frames 20, 21 each comprises a plurality of rings joined together at adjacent peripheral portions thereof. For ease and efficiency of manufacturing, the first and second frames 20, 21 and the interconnecting struts 23 may comprise integrally molded plastic. The rack 15 also includes a plurality of feet 25 depending from lowermost portions of the first and second frames 20, 21.

The plurality of permanent magnets 17 illustratively includes a first set of permanent magnets carried by the first frame 20, and a second set of permanent magnets carried by the second frame 21. Of course in other embodiments, the magnets 17 may not be needed in association with both of the frames.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the device 10′ is explained. In this embodiment, the magnets 17′ are illustratively in the form of a split sleeve that is carried by the outside of the frame 21. This is in contrast to the device 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the magnets 17 were carried internally to the frames 20, 21.

Turning now additionally to FIGS. 4 and 5, other embodiments of the magnetic treatment device 10″, 10′″ are now described. In the internal embodiment of FIG. 4, the permanent magnet 17″ is carried internal to the strut 23″. Similarly, in the external embodiment of FIG. 5, the permanent magnet 17′″ is carried external to the strut 23′″. These magnets 17″, 17′″ carried by the struts 23″, 23′″ may be used independently or in combination with the magnets 17, 17′ described above as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Of course, those of skill in the art will appreciate other mounting arrangements for the magnets 17-17′″ as contemplated by the present invention. In addition, each of the plurality of permanent magnets 17-17′″ may comprise a neodymium magnet which provides a strong magnetic field from a small physical volume as will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Returning again to FIGS. 1 and 2 for simplicity of explanation, a method aspect of the invention is for making a beverage treatment device 10. The method may include forming a rack 15 defining a plurality of beverage container holding positions 16 for holding beverage containers 12 in a generally horizontal orientation, and associating a plurality of permanent magnets 17 with the rack for causing a magnetic field in the beverage container holding positions. Forming the rack 15 may comprise forming the rack so that the beverage container holding positions are in vertically stacked courses. In some embodiments, the vertically stacked courses may have a decreasing number of beverage container holding positions from lower to higher courses. Additionally, adjacent ones of the vertically stacked courses may be nested.

Forming the rack 15 may comprise forming a pair of spaced apart first and second frames 20, 21, and forming a plurality of struts 23 interconnecting the first and second frames. Associating the permanent magnets 17 with the rack 15 may comprise positioning a first set of permanent magnets to be carried by the first frame, and positioning a second set of permanent magnets to be carried by the second frame.

Additionally or alternatively, associating the permanent magnets 17″, 17′″ with the rack may comprise positioning the permanent magnets to be carried by the interconnecting struts 23″, 23′″ (FIGS. 4 and 5). Each of the first and second frames 20, 21 may comprise a plurality of rings joined together at adjacent peripheral portions thereof. Forming the first and second frames 20, 21 and forming the interconnecting struts 23 may advantageously comprise integrally molding same from plastic. Each of the plurality of permanent magnets 17 may comprise a neodymium magnet.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A beverage treatment device comprising:

a rack defining a plurality of beverage container holding positions for holding beverage containers in a generally horizontal orientation; and

a plurality of permanent magnets associated with said rack for causing a magnetic field in the beverage container holding positions.

2. The beverage treatment device according to claim 1 wherein said rack defines the plurality of beverage container holding positions in vertically stacked courses.

3. The beverage treatment device according to claim 2 wherein the vertically stacked courses have a decreasing number of beverage container holding positions from lower to higher courses.

4. The beverage treatment device according to claim 2 wherein adjacent ones of the vertically stacked courses are nested.

5. The beverage treatment device according to claim 1 wherein said rack comprises:

a pair of spaced apart first and second frames; and

a plurality of struts interconnecting said first and second frames.

6. The beverage treatment device according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of permanent magnets comprises:

a first set of permanent magnets carried by said first frame; and

a second set of permanent magnets carried by said second frame.

7. The beverage treatment device according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of permanent magnets are carried by said interconnecting struts.

8. The beverage treatment device according to claim 5 wherein each of said first and second frames comprises a plurality of rings joined together at adjacent peripheral portions thereof.

9. The beverage treatment device according to claim 5 wherein said first and second frames and said interconnecting struts comprise integrally molded plastic.

10. The beverage treatment device according to claim 5 wherein said rack further comprises a plurality of feet depending from lowermost portions of said first and second frames.

11. The beverage treatment device according to claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of permanent magnets comprises a neodymium magnet.

12. A beverage treatment device comprising:

a rack defining a plurality of beverage container holding positions in vertically stacked courses having a decreasing number of beverage container holding positions from lower to higher courses and with adjacent ones of the vertically stacked courses being nested; and

a plurality of permanent magnets associated with said rack for causing a magnetic field in the beverage container holding positions.

13. The beverage treatment device according to claim 12 wherein said rack comprises:

a pair of spaced apart first and second frames; and

a plurality of struts interconnecting said first and second frames.

14. The beverage treatment device according to claim 13 wherein said plurality of permanent magnets comprises:

a first set of permanent magnets carried by said first frame; and

a second set of permanent magnets carried by said second frame.

15. The beverage treatment device according to claim 13 wherein said plurality of permanent magnets are carried by said interconnecting struts.

16. The beverage treatment device according to claim 13 wherein each of said first and second frames comprises a plurality of rings joined together at adjacent peripheral portions thereof.

17. The beverage treatment device according to claim 13 wherein said first and second frames and said interconnecting struts comprise integrally molded plastic.

18. The beverage treatment device according to claim 12 wherein each of said plurality of permanent magnets comprises a neodymium magnet.

19. A beverage treatment device comprising:

a rack defining a plurality of beverage container holding positions and comprising a pair of spaced apart first and second frames each comprising a plurality of rings joined together at adjacent peripheral portions thereof, and a plurality of struts interconnecting said first and second frames; and

a plurality of permanent magnets associated with said rack for causing a magnetic field in the beverage container holding positions.

20. The beverage treatment device according to claim 19 wherein said rack defines the plurality of beverage container holding positions in vertically stacked courses.

21. The beverage treatment device according to claim 20 wherein the vertically stacked courses have a decreasing number of beverage container holding positions from lower to higher courses.

22. The beverage treatment device according to claim 20 wherein adjacent ones of the vertically stacked courses are nested.

23. The beverage treatment device according to claim 19 wherein said plurality of permanent magnets comprises:

a first set of permanent magnets carried by said first frame; and

a second set of permanent magnets carried by said second frame.

24. The beverage treatment device according to claim 19 wherein said plurality of permanent magnets are carried by said interconnecting struts.

25. The beverage treatment device according to claim 19 wherein said first and second frames and said interconnecting struts comprise integrally molded plastic.

26. The beverage treatment device according to claim 19 wherein each of said plurality of permanent magnets comprises a neodymium magnet.

27. A method for making a beverage treatment device comprising:

forming a rack defining a plurality of beverage container holding positions for holding beverage containers in a generally horizontal orientation; and

associating a plurality of permanent magnets with the rack for causing a magnetic field in the beverage container holding positions.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein forming the rack comprises forming the rack so that the beverage container holding positions are in vertically stacked courses.

29. The method according to claim 28 wherein the vertically stacked courses have a decreasing number of beverage container holding positions from lower to higher courses.

30. The method according to claim 28 wherein adjacent ones of the vertically stacked courses are nested.

31. The method according to claim 27 wherein forming the rack comprises:

forming a pair of spaced apart first and second frames; and

forming a plurality of struts interconnecting the first and second frames.

32. The method according to claim 31 wherein associating the permanent magnets with the rack comprises:

positioning a first set of permanent magnets to be carried by the first frame; and

positioning a second set of permanent magnets to be carried by the second frame.

33. The method according to claim 31 wherein associating the permanent magnets with the rack comprises positioning the permanent magnets to be carried by the interconnecting struts.

34. The method according to claim 31 wherein each of the first and second frames comprises a plurality of rings joined together at adjacent peripheral portions thereof.

35. The method according to claim 31 wherein forming the first and second frames and forming the interconnecting struts comprises integrally molding same from plastic.

36. The method according to claim 27 wherein each of the plurality of permanent magnets comprises a neodymium magnet.