Patent ID: 6818237
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: A23L,B65D,C02F

Abstract:
A method of packaging an aqueous liquid, the method including the steps of:charging a charge of the liquid through a closable opening into a container therefor; inserting, through the opening into the container and into contact with the liquid, a rock fragment forming a source of inorganic ions which are soluble in the liquid, the source comprising a carrier for said ions which is of solid material which is insoluble in the liquid and has said ions sorbed thereto; closing the opening to retain the liquid and rock fragment in the container; and prior to inserting the rock fragment into the container, enclosing the rock fragment in a receptacle which is in the form of a resilient cage, in which resilient cage the rock fragment is held captive, the method including inserting the cage, with the rock fragment held captive therein, into the container by resiliently deforming the cage to reduce the size of the cage from a size which prevents the cage from passing through the container opening, to a reduced size which permits the cage to pass through the container opening, and allowing the cage resiliently to re-assume its unreduced size, so that the cage is held captive in the container.