Abstract:
An apparatus and method for producing colloidal silver. A large-volume container, such as a fifteen gallon container, includes a hinged lid on which a rotational impeller is mounted along with several sets of electrodes that are electrically connected to a power transformer. The container is partially filled with water, and when the lid is closed, the sets of electrodes are disposed in communication with the water in a predetermined arrangement, and the impeller resides submerged in the water. Certain of the electrodes constitute silver wire. The power transformers convey current to the electrodes, preferably alternating current, at voltages sufficient to cause silver particles to separate from the silver wire and enter the solution in a stable, suspended state. The impeller is rotated, preferably continuously, to prevent the suspended silver from remaining in upper levels of the water, thereby dispersing the silver particles more uniformly throughout the volume of water.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. The Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to colloidal silver, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a device and method for producing a more stable solution of suspended silver, and in greater batch quantities and at higher rates of production per batch than are presently available. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     It is well known that silver has germicidal properties. In fact, silver was employed as a germicide and antibiotic before modern antibiotics were developed. In previous centuries, users would shave silver particles into their drinking water, or submerge whole silver pieces in the drinking water, for the purpose of ingesting the silver by drinking the water. 
     Of current interest are apparatus and methods for providing a more effective and stable solution of silver. It is desired to provide colloidal silver to be taken orally for medicinal purposes, as well as to be applied topically and otherwise, for the purpose of enhancing the health of the individual. 
     There may be many reasons why administering silver suspended in solution would enhance an individual&#39;s health. It is possible that such a solution operates to inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, and other unwanted organisms, as well as eradicating such existing bacteria, viruses, and other organisms. It is also possible that a solution of silver can have an anti-inflammatory effect, sufficient to reduce symptoms of asthma. Silver in solution might also act in a similar fashion to a homeopathic remedy. These are just a few of the possible reasons why silver in solution, such as colloidal silver, is effective at enhancing health. 
     Attempts have been made in the prior art to produce silver-based solutions, including colloidal silver, some of which have been more successful than others. Many of the presently available silver-based products, however, are unstable and lose the silver to precipitation. A true colloid operates to maintain the colloidal particles in suspension over a period of several years, and perhaps indefinitely. Many of the silver products fail to maintain the silver particles in suspension, either because the silver solution is not a true colloid or because it is otherwise unstable. When the suspension of the silver particles fails, the particles fall to the bottom of the solution, thereby reducing the solution&#39;s concentration of silver and rendering it less effective. 
     Several U.S. patents describe various ways of making a silver-based solution, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,653,893 (granted Sep. 29, 1953 to Romans), 5,342,528 (granted Aug. 30, 1994 to Adachi et al., 4,043,932 (granted Aug. 23, 1977 to Fresenius et al.), 5,078,902 (granted Jan. 7, 1992 to Antelman), 5,266,534 (granted Nov. 30, 1993 to Atsumi et al.), 5,516,519 (granted May 14, 1996 to Oka et al.), 3,655,412 (granted Apr. 11, 1972 to Kumai et al.), 3,615,789 (granted Oct. 26, 1971 to Schaller), 5,785,972 (granted Jul. 28, 1998 to Tyler). Other literature includes “Instructions For Making Premium ‘AC’ Colloidal Silver,” published by CS PRO Systems, Route 7, Box 510GG, San Antonio, Tex. 78264 (date of first publication unknown). These references fail to teach or suggest a process by which stable, colloidal silver may be produced in larger batch quantities and at increased rates of production. Even so, the patents and publications listed above in this paragraph, because of their background relevance, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     The prior art is thus characterized by several disadvantages that are addressed by the present invention. The present invention minimizes, and in some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features described herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for producing a silver-based solution. 
     It is another object of the present invention, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide such a method and apparatus for producing colloidal silver. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide such a method and apparatus that is capable of increasing the quantity of silver-based solution produced per batch. 
     It is a further object of the present invention, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide such a method and apparatus that is capable of producing a silver-based solution at a significantly increased rate. 
     The above objects and others not specifically recited are realized in a specific illustrative embodiment of an apparatus and method for producing colloidal silver. A large-volume container, such as a fifteen gallon container, includes a hinged lid on which a rotational impeller is mounted along with several sets of electrodes that are electrically connected to a power transformer. The container is partially filled with water, and when the lid is closed, the sets of electrodes are disposed in communication with the water in a predetermined arrangement, and the impeller resides submerged in the water. Certain of the electrodes constitute silver wire. The power transformers convey current to the electrodes, preferably alternating current, at voltages sufficient to cause silver particles to separate from the silver wire and enter the solution in a stable, suspended state. The impeller is rotated, preferably continuously, to prevent the suspended silver from remaining in upper levels of the water, thereby dispersing the silver particles more uniformly throughout the volume of water. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention without undue experimentation. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of an apparatus for producing colloidal silver, made in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective, break-away schematic view of one of the sets of the electrodes of the apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
     Applicants have discovered that the production of a silver-based solution, such as colloidal silver, is greatly enhanced by taking certain measures, such as agitating the solution at a constant, continuous rate during production, and adjusting the height of the silver electrodes during production, as well other steps that are discussed below in more detail. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, there is shown a apparatus for producing a silver-based solution, the apparatus being designated generally at  10 . The apparatus  10  includes a cylindrical, water-tight container  12 , for containing a quantity of fluid therein, preferably water  14 , said water  14  having an upper surface  16 . A lid  18  is provided, preferably connected to the container  12  by a suitable hinge  20 . 
     The apparatus  10  includes several sets  22  of electrodes, eight sets being shown in the embodiment of FIG.  1 . Each set  22  preferably includes a pair of upper electrodes  24  connected to each other in parallel, and a lower, center electrode  26 . The reference numerals  22 ,  24  and  26  include lead lines pointing to only one of the eight sets  22  of electrodes for simplicity, but it is to be understood that there are eight sets  22  of electrodes  24  and  26  in FIG.  1 . 
     Each set  22  of electrodes is electrically connected to a power transformer, and each set of electrodes most preferably has its own separate transformer  30 . The set of power transformers  30  is referred to as a transformer bank  32 . Each transformer  30  produces alternating electrical current at a suitable voltage, presently 10,500 volts, and conveys the current to each pair of upper electrodes  24  in alternating tandem with the center electrode  26 , such that the upper electrodes reach a level of +10,500 volts at the same time the center electrode  26  reaches a level of −10,500 volts, and vice versa. 
     Each set  22  of electrodes is preferably spaced apart from all of the other sets  22  of electrodes by a distance of at least five inches, such that an electrode  24  of one set  22  of electrodes would reside at least five inches away from an electrode  24  of all other sets  22  of electrodes. 
     The container  12  includes an upper lip  12   a  upon which the lid  18  rests. The lid  18  is preferably configured and dimensioned to be larger in all lateral directions than the upper lip  12   a,  such that the lid  18  includes a perimetric overhang  18   a  extending around the entirety of the upper lip  12   a  of the container  12 . The lid  18  further includes a plurality of air inlet openings  28  formed therein. An air outlet opening  34  is also formed in the lid  18 , and an air fan  36  is positioned adjacent to the air outlet opening  34  in a manner such that operation of the fan  36  draws relatively humid air from the container  12  out through the air outlet opening  34  and into atmosphere, thereby causing the surrounding, relatively dryer air to be drawn from atmosphere into the container  12  through the air inlet openings  28 . An optional air outlet channel  38  is provided and is attached to the lid  18  to surround the air outlet opening  34 , and the air fan  36  is mounted on top of the air outlet channel  38 . 
     An impeller  40  is rotatably attached to the lid by impeller rod  42 . The impeller  40  preferably resides in a lower half of the container  12  when the lid  18  is closed upon the upper lip  12   a  of the container  12 . A suitable motor  43  operates the impeller  40  as known to those skilled in the relevant art. 
     The container  12  and lid  18  are preferably formed from transparent material, such as a plastic having suitable strength. The apparatus  10  further includes a non-conductive housing  50  disposed on top of the lid  18  for covering any live conductive components that feed current to the electrodes  24  and  26 , to thereby prevent unsafe human contact with any such conductive components. The non-conductive housing  50  is preferably made from a transparent plastic. 
     Referring now more particularly to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective, break-away schematic view of one of the sets  22  of electrodes shown in FIG.  1 . The pair of upper electrodes  24 , and the lower, center electrode  26 , are each held in place with a conductive electrode holder  56 . The electrode holders  56  are preferably male threaded conductive rods. Conductive, female-threaded mounts  58  are fixedly attached to the lid  18 , for mating with the male-threaded holders  56  in threaded engagement. The mounts  58  are electrically connected to the transformer  30  as shown by electrical leads  66 . The two outer mounts  58  that correspond to the upper electrodes  24  are electrically connected in parallel by a parallel connector  68 . The electrode holders  56  include transverse throughbores  60  formed in distal ends thereof as shown, through which upper ends of the upper electrodes  24  are placed, and through which a conductive connector  62  is placed for connecting the lower, center electrode  26 , respectively. 
     The electrode holders  56  are positioned and arranged such that each holder  56  operates to hold only one electrode  24  or  26 . Each set of electrodes corresponds to a set of holders  56 , such that each set of holders  56  is spaced apart from all of the other sets of holders  56  by a distance of at least five inches. 
     The workings of the invention are brought about by forming an electrical circuit with the components described above, in which the circuit would not be closed except for the provision of fluid  14 , preferably water having some degree of conductivity to it. The conductivity of the fluid  14  is of course relatively low, making the resistance relatively high at the points where the upper electrodes  24  interface with the fluid  14 . The upper electrodes  24  are preferably silver wires, in which case the resistance produced by using the conductive fluid  14  to close the circuit operates to disrupt the silver electrodes  24  and cause particles of silver to separate from the electrodes  24  and enter the fluid  14  in suspension, preferably colloidal suspension. In this manner, as the silver particles are gradually separated from the upper electrodes, the fluid  14  gradually becomes a solution of suspended silver to be taken orally or topically as needed to enhance the personal health of the user. The silver solution fluid  14  may of course be taken or administered in any manner desired. 
     The positioning of the electrodes  24  and  26  has significance. The inventors have found that production is probably optimized by positioning the upper electrodes  24  such that their distal ends  24   b  reside above the surface  16  of the fluid  14 , and with the lower, center electrode  26  being at least partially submerged within the fluid  14 , if not fully submerged. The lower, center electrode  26  is preferably a planar conductive member, thereby providing a large amount of surface area to reduce the concentration of electrical resistance produced by it. The three electrode holders  56  are preferably disposed in a row along a relatively straight line  70 , and it is preferable to position the lower, center electrode in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the line  70 . 
     Non-conductive handles  72  are securely attached to upper end of the electrode holders  56  to enable users to turn the electrode holders  56 . The handles  72  preferably extend through the housing  50  such that all exposed portions of the electrode holders  56  residing above the lid  18  are contained within the housing  50  to thereby prevent unsafe human contact with such exposed, electrically live portions of the electrode holders  56 . 
     The distal ends  24   b  of the upper electrodes  24  are preferably maintained above the surface  16  of the fluid  14  at a distance within a range of 0 inches to 1 inch, and more preferably within a range of 0 inches to {fraction (3/16)} inch. It will be appreciated that the length of the silver-wire upper electrodes  24  becomes gradually reduces as silver particles are disrupted and separated from the distal ends  24   b,  thereby increasing the distance by which the distal ends  24   b  reside above the surface  16 . When the distal ends  24   b  are too high above the surface  18 , “arcing” occurs, which is accompanied by an electrical arc that is produced between the distal end  24   b  and the surface  16  of the fluid  14 . 
     Applicants have discovered the colloidal silver produced while arcing occurs for significant periods is at least aesthetically contaminated, and may by contaminated in other ways as well. Suspended silver solution produced by the methods described herein, when utilizing a clear, clean water as the fluid  14 , retains a clear, sparkling and desirable appearance when produced without significant periods of arcing. In contrast, when arcing is permitted to occur for significant periods during production of the suspended silver solution, the resulting solution takes on an unpalatable, translucent appearance exhibiting a gray or dark green color. 
     Applicants have solved the problem of arcing by providing the male-threaded electrode holders  56  disposed in threaded engagement with the female-threaded mounts  58 . Users of the apparatus  10  may simply observe the position of the silver-wire upper electrodes  24 , and a particular electrode  24  becomes too short, the user can simply twist the corresponding handle  72  in the appropriate rotational direction to cause the electrode holder  56 , and hence the corresponding electrode  24 , to move closer to the surface  16  of the fluid  14 . In this manner, an appropriate distance  74  can be maintained between the distal ends  24   b  and the surface  16  of the fluid  14 , sufficient to prevent arcing from occurring. 
     It will be appreciated that the apparatus  10  may be operated as described herein to produce colloidal silver. Further, since opinions may differ as to what constitutes a true colloid and what does not, applicants note that the silver-based solution produced by the apparatus  10  has been found to possess all of the several known benefits of silver, including bactericidal benefits and anti-inflammatory benefits. Accordingly, the phrases “silver-based solution,” “solution of suspended silver,” “silver suspended in solution,” and equivalent phrases, as used herein, shall be construed broadly to refer to colloidal silver as well as suspended silver that may not constitute a colloid by some definitions. 
     It will be appreciated that the container  12  may be referred to as a containing means for containing a quantity of fluid  14  therein such that said fluid  14  includes a free upper surface  16 . The upper electrodes  24  may be described as an upper, silver electrode made of silver element and having a first end and a second end. 
     The electrode holders  56  and the female-threaded mounts  58  may be described collectively as a holding means for (i) holding the first end  24   a  of the silver upper electrode  24 , and (ii) holding the second, distal end  24   b  of the silver electrode  24  within 0.5 inches of the free upper surface  16  of the fluid  14  when said fluid  14  is contained within the container  12 . 
     The power transformers  30  are controlled by one or more timers  31  as shown in FIG. 2, said timers  31  being electrically connectable to a standard “AC” outlet shown schematically at  33 . Each power transformer  30  may be described as a power means electrically connected to the holding means (mounts  58  and electrode holders  56 ) and to the lower electrode  26  for (i) conveying electrical current through said holding means to the upper, silver electrodes  24  and to said lower electrode  26  in a manner sufficient to produce a voltage difference between said upper and lower electrodes  24  and  26 , and (ii) thereby causing particles of silver to separate from the silver electrodes  24  and enter the fluid  14 . 
     The impeller  40  may be referred to as a dispersing means for dispersing the silver particles more evenly throughout the fluid  14  such that a higher quantity of suspended silver particles in solution can be produced per batch. As shown most clearly in FIG. 1, rotational movement of the impeller  40  causes the fluid  14  to flow in internal currents  41  that swirl around the container  12  and cause the dispersing of the silver particles. The impeller  40  may further be described as a means for agitating the fluid  14  at a substantially continuous and substantially constant rate. 
     Without the agitating, dispersing effect of the impeller  40 , the suspended silver particles would tend to remain in an upper layer of the fluid  14 . As the silver particles become more concentrated within that upper layer, the conductivity of the fluid in contact with the upper electrodes  24  increases substantially, thereby reducing the electrical resistance, which reduces the rate of production of suspended silver particles. The agitation of the fluid  14  prevents the suspended silver particles from aggregating in the upper level of the fluid  14 , and disperses them generally uniformly through the fluid  14 , with the result that more suspended silver can be produced per batch, and at a faster rate. 
     It will be appreciated that any method of agitating the water could be utilized in lieu of the impeller  40  as desired. For example, a circulation pump (not shown) could be utilized in an appropriate manner known to those skilled in the relevant field to cause the fluid  14  to be pumped in a circulating flow, along a flowpath that could either be confined to the container  12  or might alternatively extend beyond the container  12 . A further alternative would be to place an air hose into the fluid  14  to dispense air bubbles throughout the fluid  14 , thereby agitating the fluid for the benefits described above. 
     The impeller  40  is preferably disposed in a central location of a horizontal dimension of the container  12 . The motor  43  is selected, based upon the viscosity of the fluid  14  and the size of the container  12 , to be capable of rotating the impeller  40  at a rotational velocity sufficient to agitate substantially all of any fluid residing in the container  12 . 
     It will be appreciated that the electrode holders  56 , with their throughbores  60 , constitute a means for holding the first end  24   a  of the upper, silver electrode  24  in a substantially fixed position in a vertical dimension with respect to said electrode holders  56 . 
     The air fan  36  may be replaced with an air blower, or any other suitable device capable of causing the airflow described herein by operation of the fan  36 . The fan  36  may be described as a humidity-reducing means for reducing humidity of air residing within the container  12  above the fluid  14 . 
     In accordance with the features and combinations described above, a preferred method for producing a solution containing silver comprises the steps of: 
     (a) placing a silver electrode in close proximity to a body of water; 
     (b) conveying electrical current through the silver electrode to thereby separate particles of silver from said silver electrode in a manner sufficient to cause production of suspended silver particles in solution within the water; and 
     (c) agitating the water during said production of suspended silver particles in solution to thereby disperse the silver particles into a more uniform concentration within said water such that a higher quantity of suspended silver particles in solution can be produced per batch. 
     An additional and alternative, preferred method for producing a solution containing silver comprises the steps of: 
     (a) establishing an electrical circuit comprising a current source, and a first conductor electrically connected to said current source and a second conductor electrically connected to said current source, wherein said first conductor resides spaced apart from said second conductor, wherein the first conductor is made of silver element; 
     (b) closing the circuit by placing the first conductor and the second conductor in communication with a fluidic resistor; 
     (c) operating the current source to supply alternating current simultaneously to the first conductor and the second conductor such that voltage is increasing and decreasing within the first and second conductors in alternating tandem to thereby cause silver particles to separate from the first electrode and enter the fluidic resistor and become disposed in suspension within said fluidic resistor; and 
     (d) selectively adjusting the first electrode by moving it toward the fluidic resistor as said first electrode decreases in length due to gradual separation of silver particles therefrom to thereby prevent arcing from occurring between said first electrode and said fluidic resistor. 
     It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in the processes, size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.