Abstract:
A container for magnetically activating water comprises a container having recesses as a part of the structure of the container, each of the recesses containing a magnet. The recesses and the magnets can be arranged in a set array in the structure of the container or can be in a random array. The recesses and the magnets preferably are in the sidewall of the container, but can additionally be in the bottom surface of the container. The magnets can be maintained within the recesses by a band that surrounds the recesses and the magnets, or by the magnets and the recesses having structures whereby the magnets are held within the recesses. A band also can be used to secure the magnets in the recesses. The recesses and magnets can be of essentially any compatible shape. Preferably the container is generally round and may have a gripping region.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/206,311 filed Aug. 17, 2005, which claims priority from U.S. Application No. 60/602,019 filed Aug. 17, 2004, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
       [0002]    This invention relates to a device and method to treat aqueous liquids. More particularly this invention relates to a device and method to magnetically treat aqueous liquids. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is known to treat water and other liquids with magnets to purify the water, reduce hardness, reduce scaling, and improve the taste of water based beverages. Water is a polymer in an (—H—O—H—O—H—O—) of an n-dimensional structure. There is a continuous hydrogen bonding to form this structure. This hydrogen bonding produces a sufficient chain length to create a liquid from this string of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Since water has a polar structure due to the hydrogen bonding it will be susceptible to be affected by an applied magnetism. The positive/negative structure of the water molecules will be affected by the north/south fields of magnets. 
         [0004]    Water is paramagnetic. Paramagnetism occurs primarily in substances in which some or all of the individual atoms, ions, or molecules possess a permanent magnetic dipole moment. The magnetization of such matter depends on the ratio of the magnetic energy of the individual dipoles to the thermal energy. Water has a dipole moment. 
         [0005]    Ground water contains thousands of particles and microelements whose impurities give rise to the surrounding electron shells: cations (+), anions (−). “Pure” water is a polar liquid, i.e. part of the water molecule has a positive and part of it has a negative, electrical charge, but overall the net electrical charge is negative. Thus, the water molecule being a small magnet (dipole), one may effect its magnetic (or electric) field by causing the molecule to turn or rotate in one direction or the other, taking on a positive or negative higher potential, depending, whether the S (South, positive) or N (negative) outside magnetic field had been applied. 
         [0006]    Water, being dipolar, can be partly aligned by an electric field and this may be easily shown by the movement of a stream of water by an electrostatic source. Even partial alignment of the water molecules with the electric field will cause pre-existing hydrogen bonding to become bent or broken. The balance between hydrogen bonding and van der Waals attractions is thus biased towards van der Waals attractions giving rise to less cyclic hydrogen bonded clustering. 
         [0007]    Magnets affect the bonding angle between the hydrogen and the oxygen atom in the water molecule. Magnetized water causes the hydrogen-oxygen bond angle within the water molecule to be reduced from 104 to 103 degrees. This in turn causes the water molecule to cluster together in groups of 6-7 rather than 10-12. The smaller cluster leads to better absorption of water across cell walls. 
         [0008]    In U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,113 there is described a device that can be clamped onto a pipe for the treatment of water passing through the pipes. An objective is to reduce the amount of scaling of the pipes by the minerals dissolved in the water. U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,664 disposes magnets in a shower head to treat the shower water. The water can be treated to enhance the cleaning and treatment of the skin. U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,751 involves the treatment of coffee beverage water. The treated water and/or coffee enhances the flavor of the coffee. These are some of the uses of magnetism to enhance the use of water. It makes the water more useful and more palatable. It further makes the water more bio-available in that it can be absorbed faster by body tissue. 
         [0009]    The present invention is directed to the treatment of water containers with magnets to enhance the utility of the water. The water will be more bio-available when directly ingested and will enhance the flavor of a beverage when used to produce a beverage. The water will be more effectively used by a person&#39;s body. The advantage of the present magnetic units is that they can be fitted to a wide range of container shapes and sizes. In addition the magnets can be arranged in various arrays around a container. In this way there is a maximum of versatility. The treatment of the water can be customized to the shape and size of the container and the needs of an individual. As used herein the term container includes any structure for holding static water. This can be a tank, jug, bottle, carafe, pitcher, pipe, filter unit and any other structure for containing static water. Further as used herein the term water includes viscous substances which contain water such as gels, lotions, mixtures, suspensions and other liquid/solid and liquid/liquid combinations. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]    The invention comprises a container that has a plurality of recesses, with a magnet inserted into each recess. The container can be of any shape and of essentially any non-magnet material. Preferably, it will be round or oval in cross-section to enhance gripping the container. The recesses and the magnets preferably are in the sidewalls of the container. However, there can be a recess and a magnet in the bottom surface of the bottle. The magnets can be in a friction fit into the recesses of the container, or the recesses can lock the magnets into the recesses by means of a projection on the slot. In addition the magnets can have a structure to lock the magnets into the recesses. The magnets can be of essentially any shape. The size and shape of the magnets must be in alignment with the size and shape of the recesses. 
         [0011]    The container and magnet structure may also include a band around the container in the region of the magnets to further secure the magnets in place. These containers with magnets are particularly useful for people that are involved in an exercise routine or activity. It provides an activated water which in turn can provide an added benefit to the individual. 
         [0012]    The container usually will be constructed of a plastic but can be of essentially any substantially non-magnet material. The plastic materials include the polymers and co-polymers of ethylene or propylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. These plastics are non-magnetic materials. The container also can be of aluminum or an aluminum alloy or a non-magnet stainless steel. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the closure of the container of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the container and closure with the recesses and magnets in a set array. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the container of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the container in cross-section. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a view of the container of  FIG. 4  along line  5 - 5 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cylindrical magnet. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the band holder for the container. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the container with the plurality of magnets and recesses in a random array in the container sidewall. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a view of  FIG. 8  in a vertical cross-section. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a view of the container of  FIG. 8  along line  10 - 10 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a cutaway view of a magnet with a quadrangular cross-sectional shape in the sidewall of the container. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a segment of the sidewall showing a circular magnet secured in the sidewall. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the magnet of  FIG. 12  along line  13 - 13 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a cutaway view of the magnet of  FIG. 13  in the container sidewall. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  a segment of the sidewall showing a quadrangular magnet secured in the container sidewall. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the magnet of  FIG. 12  along line  16 - 16 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  a segment of the container sidewall showing a quadrangular magnet secured in the sidewall. 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is an alternative embodiment of the bottle and magnet of  FIGS. 12 to 14 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is an alternate embodiment of the bottle and magnet of  FIGS. 15 to 17 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    The invention will be set out in the preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. However, the invention can be modified but will still be within the present concept. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the container  10  of  FIG. 2 . The container  10  has closure  12 . The closure has an upper part  22  and a lower part  20 . The lower part  20  is threaded on an inner surface and attaches to a mating threaded upper part of the container  10 . A spout  14  projects from the top surface  15  of closure  12 . A lid strap  18  attaches lid  18  to spout  14 . The top surface has a vent  13  to allow air to enter the container  10  after a portion of liquid has been removed. This equalizes the pressure within the container to the exterior pressure. The container  10  has an upper portion  24 , mid-portion  26  and a lower portion  28 . There is a bottom surface  30 . On the lower portion there is shown magnets  34   a,    34   b,  and  34   c.  There also is shown a band  32  which secures the magnets within recesses in the container sidewall  28 , the band  32  and the magnets  34   a,    34   b,    34   c , and  34   d.  Magnets also can be within the upper part. 
         [0034]    In  FIGS. 2 and 4  the magnets are in a set array around the container.  FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the container  10  of  FIG. 1 . This view shows the bottom surface  30 , the lower sidewall  28 , the bottle mid-sidewall  26  and the bottle upper sidewall  24 . There also is shown the top opening  31  in a spout  36  with threads  37 . There is shown in this view magnets  34   a ,  34   b , and  34   c.  These magnets are in recesses  38   a ,  38   b  and  38   c . The recesses are pockets within the sidewall formed during the forming of the container.  FIG. 5  is s cross-sectional view of the container along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . This view shows the recesses and the magnets in more detail. The recesses can be produced during the molding of the container through the use of mold pins through the mold wall with the mold pins removed to release the container from the mold.  FIG. 6  shows the magnet  34   a.  This is a cylinder with a circular cross-section.  FIG. 7  shows a band  32  that can be used to secure the magnets in the recesses. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 8  the magnets are quadrangular in shape, in a random array, and there also is a magnet in the container bottom surface. The container parts remain as the upper sidewall  24 , mid-sidewall  26  and the lower sidewall  28 . The magnet  42  is in the bottom surface  30  of the container. Here there are six sidewall magnets and a bottom surface magnet. There are magnets  44   a  and  44   b  in recesses  48   a  and  48   b  respectfully at about the sides of the front surface of sidewall  28 . The front surface contains magnets  44   c  and  44   d  which are in recesses  48   c  and  48   d , respectively. In dashed lines the magnets  44   e  and  44   f  in the rear surface can be seen. These are in recesses  48   e  and  48   f  respectfully.  FIG. 9  shows the container in an elevational cross-section. This view shows more clearly the location of the magnets  44   a ,  44   b ,  48   e  and  48   f  on the rear surface of the container. The bottom surface magnet  42  in the recess  40  is shown in more detail in this view.  FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG. 8  along line  13 - 13 . Magnets  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  and  44   f  are shown in recesses  48   a , 48   b , 48   c , 48   d ,  48   e  and  48   f  respectively. Magnet  42  in recess  40  in the bottom surface  30  remains in a circular shape.  FIG. 11  shows magnet  44   c  being held in the recess  48   c  of sidewall  28  by means of the projection  42 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 12  shows magnet  54  with a circular cross-section secured in recess  58  of the sidewall  28 . As is better seen  FIG. 13  in the cross-section of  FIG. 12  the magnet  54  has a ridge  56  which secures the magnet  54  in recess  58 . The recess  58  can have a slot into which the ridge  56  can be more securely held. However, it can be held solely by friction.  FIG. 14  shows the wall  28  in a cutaway view with the magnet  54  secured in recess  58 .  FIG. 15  shows magnet  64  with a quadrangular cross-section secured in recess  68  of the sidewall  28 . As is better seen in the cross-section of  FIG. 16  the magnet has a ridge  66  which secures the magnet  64  in recess  68 . The recess  68  can have a slot into which the ridge  66  can be more securely held. However, it can be held solely by friction.  FIG. 17  shows the wall  28  in a cutaway view with the magnet  64  secured in recess  68  by ridge  66 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 18  shows an alternate embodiment to that if  FIGS. 12 to 14  where the magnet front and rear surfaces have a curvature that is similar to that of the container surface  28  and the inner surface of the recess  78 . The curvature of the front surface of the magnet  74  is R 1  and the curvature of the rear surface of the magnet is R 2 . The magnet has a ridge  76  which fits into slot  77  of the recess  78  to better secure the magnet  74  in the recess  78 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 19  shows an alternate embodiment to that if  FIGS. 15 to 17  where the magnet front and rear surfaces have a curvature that is similar to that of the container surface  28  and the inner surface of the recess  88 . The curvature of the front surface of the magnet  84  is R 1  and the curvature of the rear surface of the magnet is R 2 . The magnet has a ridge  86  which fits into slot  87  of the recess  88  to better secure the magnet  84  in the recess  88 . 
         [0039]    The embodiments if  FIGS. 18 and 19  will better maintain the magnets within the recesses. As the container is flexed the magnets will not be easily dislodged from the recesses. This is very useful when the container is a plastic. Plastic containers tend to be flexible. When the container is a metal with a low level of attraction to magnets a ridge on the magnets can be eliminated since the low level of magnetic attraction will assist in maintaining the magnets in the recesses. In such instances a friction and optionally the use of a band will secure the magnets within the recesses. 
         [0040]    The magnets can be used in various arrays around a container. These include a (-N-S-N-S-N-S-), (-S-S-N-N-S-S-), (-S-N-N-S-N-N-), (-N-S-S-N-S-S-), (-N-N-N-N-N-N-) or (-S-S-S-S-S-S-) array. This will be determined by how the magnets are mounted in the recesses and how the recesses are arranged on a container. It also will be determined with regard to the size of the container, the beverage contents of the container, the mineral content of the beverage and other factors such as the desired effect to be produced. The number of magnets used also will depend on these many factors. These can range from 1 to 20 magnets or more, and usually will be 3 to 10 magnets. The strength of the magnets will range from about 500 gauss to about 20,000 gauss or more and usually about 1000 gauss to about 10,000 gauss. The magnets will be mounted at an angle of about 150 degrees to about 210 degrees to the axis of the container, and usually at about 180 degrees. 
         [0041]    The container can be constructed of essentially any substantially non-magnet material. The preferred materials are plastics and metals that are substantially non-magnet. By non-magnetic it is meant that a magnet has a minimal attraction to the material of the container. The preferred plastics are the polymers and copolymers of a polyene such as polyethylene and polypropylene, a polyvinylchloride polymer and a polyester polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate. Metals include the metals and alloys of aluminum, titanium and substantially non-magnet stainless steels. The volume of the containers will range from 250 ml to 1500 ml containers. However, there is no restriction on the volume of the containers. 
         [0042]    The liquids that are to be dispensed from the container are aqueous liquids such as water, flavored waters and vitamin and other enhanced waters. However, the usual liquid will be a filtered water. AQUASPACE filtered water is a preferred liquid to be contained and dispensed from the containers. 
       Example  
       [0043]    The following example shows the effect of magnetized water on the growth of an organism, in this case being Mung bean plants. 
         [0044]    Various orientations of magnetic fields were used to treat both filtered and non-filtered tap water to determine what effect the magnet orientation itself had in the germination and growth patterns of the Mung bean plants. The magnet orientations were duplicated on both water bottles containing filtered and also non filtered city tap water. Non-magnetically treated filtered and unfiltered city tap water bottles were also as a control. A duplicate container of Mung beans was used to validate that the results were consistent and valid. 
         [0045]    The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions where variables pertaining to germination rate e.g. light, temperature, humidity, soil condition, etc were constant. Ten Mung beans were placed in the same orientation in the containers with soil that was the same for all containers. Containers were all filled with the same soil to the same depth and 10 Mung beans were placed in the same orientation in each cup. Two cups were then selected randomly for each water sample. 
         [0046]    The study was conducted to observe and compare the difference in the germination and growth patterns of the Mung beans when subjected to four basic types of water samples: 
         [0047]    1. City tap water which measured a 1.0 ppm of chlorine residual throughout the experiment. 
         [0048]    2. Filtered city tap water 
         [0049]    3. Magnetized Filtered city tap water subjected to 6 various magnet orientations. 
         [0050]    4. Magnetized city tap water subjected to 6 various magnet orientations 
         [0051]    The results were interesting in that the containers of Mung beans responded differently with the following results: 
         [0052]    1. The city tap water fed containers averaged a 15% germination success rate and demonstrated a poor growth pattern and averaged a height of 9.36 cm. 
         [0053]    2. The filtered water fed containers averaged an 85% germination success rate and demonstrated a healthy growth pattern and averaged a height of 14.00 cm. 
         [0054]    3. The magnetized filtered water fed containers averaged a 100% germination success rate which was also demonstrated a faster growth rate as compared to both the filtered and non-filtered water. However, even though the growth pattern was clearly much healthier that of the City tap water there was observable differences in the growth patterns of the different types of magnetic oriented water.
       A. The seeds that were fed the south pole only treated water -S-S-S-S- germinated faster and grew at a faster rate. It was noticed however that the stalks did not grow strong enough to support the upper plant structure and averaged a height of 13.85 cm.   B. The seeds that were fed the north pole only water -N-N-N-N- germinated slowest but were able to stand more erect and averaged a height of 11.16 cm.   C. The seeds that were fed the -N-N-S-S- pole water germinated at a rate in between the A and B and were also as tall and stood erect and averaged a height of 13.015 cm.   D. The seeds that were fed the -N-S-N-S- pole water germinated at a rate in between the A and B and were also as tall and stood erect and averaged a height of 10.675 cm.   E. The seeds that were fed the water from a bottle that had both an -S-S-S-S- and N-N-N-N pole germinated at a rate in between the A and B and were also as tall and stood erect and averaged a height of 10.25 cm.   F. The seeds that were fed with water mixed 50-50 with the A and B water germinated at a rate in between the A and B and also were as tall and stood erect and averaged a height of 11.025 cm.       
 
         [0061]    4. The magnetized city tap (unfiltered) water fed containers averaged a 100% germination success rate which also demonstrated a faster growth rate as compared to non-magnetized water (both the filtered and non filtered). Remarkably, the germination rates and growth patterns were identical to the magnetized filtered water containers:
       A. The Mung bean seeds that were fed the south pole only treated water -S-S-S-S- germinated faster and grew at a faster rate. It was noticed however that the stalks did not grow strong enough to support the upper plant structure and averaged a height of 14.43 cm.   B. The seeds that were fed the north pole only water -N-N-N-N-) germinated slowest but were able to stand more erect and averaged a height of 14.75 cm.   C. The seeds that were fed the -N-N-S-S- pole water germinated at a rate in between the A and B and were also as tall and stood erect and averaged a height of 14.23 cm.   D. The seeds that were fed the -N-S-N-S- pole water germinated at a rate in between the A and B and were also as tall and stood erect and averaged a height of 13.90 cm.   E. The seeds that were fed the water from a container that had both a -S-S-S-S- and -N-N-N-N- pole germinated at a rate in between the A and B and were also as tall and stood erect and averaged a height of 14.325 cm.   F. The seeds that were fed with water mixed 50-50 with the A and B water germinated at a rate in between the A and B and were also as tall and stood erect and averaged a height of 12.95 cm.       
 
       Conclusions: 
       [0068]    There were notable results of the seeds fed with magnetic treated and non-magnetic treated water. The magnet treated water was more available to the plant and promoted plant growth. It is more bio-available. Surprisingly, the seeds fed with non-filtered magnetic water responded almost identically to those fed with the filtered magnetic treated water (both had a 100%) germination rate. Yet the non-filtered (non-magnetic) water fed seeds responded poorly (15% germination rate). The filtered (non-magnet) fed seeds had an 85% germination rate. What was interesting is the effect that the magnets had on the non-filtered water compared to the non magnet non filtered water 100% germination rate vs. 15%. 
         [0069]    However there were further results that proved interesting. In every case the magnet treated water whether filtered or not had a high germination rate. However, the configuration of the magnets had a noticeable and measurable effect on the over all health of the plant. 
         [0070]    It was observed that the -S-S-S-S- configured promoted the fastest growth and averaged 14.13 cm but the stalks were not strong enough to support the leaves. 
         [0071]    It was observed that the -N-N-N-N- configured promoted the slower growth and averaged 11.95 cm. The stalks were strong enough to support the leaves. 
         [0072]    It was observed that when the -N-N-N-N- configured water was mixed equally with the S-S-S-S configured water promoted an average growth rate averaged 11.98 cm. The stalks were strong enough to support the leaves. 
         [0073]    It was observed that when water from a bottle with both an -N-N-N-N- configured and -S-S-S-S- configured promoted an average growth rate and averaged 12.28 cm. The stalks were strong enough to support the leaves. 
         [0074]    It was observed that the -N-S-N-S- configured promoted an average growth and averaged 12.28 cm. The stalks were strong enough to support the leaves. 
         [0075]    It was observed that the -N-N-S-S- configured promoted an average growth and averaged 13.62 cm. The stalks were strong enough to support the leaves.