Patent Publication Number: US-2017369825-A1

Title: Container assembly with a breathable membrane oxygenator

Description:
RELATED INVENTIONS 
     This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/095,555 filed on Dec. 22, 2014 and entitled “OXYGENATOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINING A BREATHABLE MEMBRANE SYSTEM”. As far as permitted, the contents of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/095,555 are incorporated herein by reference. 
     As far as permitted, the contents of PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US10/52721 entitled “CONTAINER ASSEMBLY FOR AGING A LIQUID”, filed on Oct. 14, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference. As far as permitted, the contents of PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US12/51012 entitled “CONTAINER ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED RETAINER ASSEMBLY AND FLAVOR INSERTS FOR AGING A LIQUID”, filed on Aug. 15, 2012, is incorporate herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     There is a continual effort to improve the performance and ease of use of containers used to age liquids. A popular container for aging a liquid is a 55 gallon wooden barrel. Wood is a porous material that allows oxygen from the outside to pass into the liquid being aged through the pores in the wood. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to a container assembly for aging a liquid, the container assembly comprising: a container that retains the liquid being aged, the container including a container aperture; and an oxygenator that is positioned adjacent to the container aperture, the oxygenator including a porous oxygenator membrane that allows for the flow of air into the container through the oxygenator membrane and the container aperture. 
     In one embodiment, the container is made of a material that prevents the flow of oxygen through the container. For example, the container can be made of stainless steel. 
     In alternative non-exclusive examples, the oxygenator membrane can have a porosity of approximately five percent, approximately six percent, or approximately ten percent. 
     Further, in alternative, non-exclusive examples, the oxygenator membrane can have a porosity that allows for the oxygen transfer of (i) at least 0.5 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month through the oxygenator membrane; (ii) at least 0.8 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month through the oxygenator membrane; or (iii) at least 1 milliliter of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month through the oxygenator membrane. Stated in another fashion, in alternative, non-exclusive examples, the breathable membrane can be designed to allow an oxygen transfer rate of between approximately (i) 0.5 to 1.5 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (ii) 0.6 to 1.4 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (iii) 0.7 to 1.3 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid per month therethrough; (iv) 0.8 to 1.2 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month threrethrough; or (v) 0.9 to 1.1 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month threrthrough. 
     Moreover, in alternative, non-exclusive examples, the oxygenator membrane can have a porosity that allows for the air transfer of (i) at least 0.5 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month through the oxygenator membrane; (ii) at least 0.8 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month through the oxygenator membrane; or (iii) at least 1 milliliter of air per liter of liquid, per month through the oxygenator membrane. Stated in yet another fashion, in alternative, non-exclusive examples, the breathable membrane can be designed to allow an air transfer rate of between approximately (i) 0.5 to 1.5 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (ii) 0.6 to 1.4 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (iii) 0.7 to 1.3 milliliters of air per liter of liquid per month therethrough; (iv) 0.8 to 1.2 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month threrethrough; or (v) 0.9 to 1.1 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month threrthrough. 
     In one embodiment, the container includes a container top, a container bottom, and a container side wall that extends between the container top and the container bottom. For example, the container aperture can extends through the container side wall. 
     Additionally, the oxygenator can include a flow control device for controlling the flow of oxygen through the oxygenator membrane. For example, the flow control device can include a cap that covers the oxygenator membrane. 
     In certain embodiments, the container is positioned so that the oxygenator membrane remains dry during the aging process. 
     Further, the oxygenator membrane can be interchangeable to adjust the air flow rate into the container through the oxygenator membrane and the container aperture. 
     The present invention is also directed to a method for aging a liquid that includes (i) putting the liquid in a container that retains the liquid being aged, the container including a container aperture; and (ii) positioning an oxygenator adjacent to the container aperture, the oxygenator including a porous oxygenator membrane that allows for the flow of air into the container through the oxygenator membrane and the container aperture. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to an oxygenator assembly including a breathable membrane system. The oxygenator assembly is adjustable to allow the optimal amount of oxygen to pass from the outside air into a liquid being aged. In one embodiment, the breathable membrane system includes a breathable material that allows oxygen to pass into a liquid being aged but does not allow the liquid being aged to pass through the breathable membrane. In certain embodiments, the oxygenator assembly is designed to be attached to a container in which a liquid is being aged. The oxygenator assembly is designed to be easily adjustable so that for a liquid being aged, it is easy to adjust the oxygen transfer rate to the optimal oxygen transfer rate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective, partly exploded view of a container assembly that includes an oxygenator; 
         FIG. 2  is a cutaway view of the container assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view taken from  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an assembly including a couple of container assemblies; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a plurality of alternative membranes; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of another embodiment of a container assembly; and 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the oxygenator of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a partly exploded perspective view of a non-exclusive embodiment of a container assembly  10 . In this embodiment, the container assembly  10  includes a container  12  that retains a liquid  14  (illustrated with a few small circles in  FIG. 2 ) during the aging process, an insert assembly  15  (only a portion is illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) that imparts a flavor on the liquid  14 , and one or more oxygenators  16  (also referred to as “breathing device”). The container  12  is non-porous and can be made of stainless steel or other suitable material. Further, the oxygenator  16  is uniquely designed to allow for the gradual aeration of the liquid  14  over a prolonged period. With this design, a container  12  made of stainless steel can be used during aging of the liquid  14  while still exhibiting the natural properties of a wood barrel. 
     Stated in another fashion, the container assembly  10  is uniquely designed to mimic the same effect that a traditional wood barrel (not shown) has when aging of the liquid  14 . One inherent quality of a wooden barrel is the material it is manufactured from, typically oak wood, which is porous. Wood has a specific porosity, which allows air or oxygen to pass through it. When wood is used to construct the barrel, there is a measurable amount of oxygen that passes through the wood from the outside of the barrel to the liquid on the inside of the barrel. While the wood barrel has an inherent quality of allowing a desirable amount of oxygen to affect the aging liquid inside, it also has many undesirable qualities and limitations. The present oxygenator  16  provides the ability to control the amount of oxygen transfer either by allowing more oxygen transfer into the liquid  14 , by allowing less oxygen transfer into the liquid  14 , or by completely preventing oxygen transfer into the liquid  14  into the container  12 . 
     As a result thereof, the container assembly  10  allows for the total control of the aging of the liquid  14 , including optimum processing and aging opportunities for the liquid  14 . Stated another way, the container assembly  10  can be used to precisely create the perfect environment for aging the liquid  14  so that the highest quality beverage can be achieved. Further, the container assembly  10  can be easily adjusted to be used for different types of liquids  14 , and the container assembly  10  can be adjusted during the aging process, if necessary, to alter the aging process. 
     The container  12  forms a chamber  17  that retains the liquid  14  during the aging process. The design, size and shape of the container  12  can be varied. In  FIG. 1 , the container  12  is shaped somewhat similar to a traditional, cylindrical shaped wine barrel that is sized to retain 55 gallons of liquid  14 . Alternatively, the container  12  can have a different shape or size. As alternative, non-exclusive examples, the container  12  is sized and shaped to retain approximately 5, 10, 25, 55, 100, 500, 1000, 2500 or 5000 gallons of liquid  14 . However, the container  12  can be larger or smaller. 
     In one, non-exclusive embodiment, the container  12  is made from materials that impart substantially no flavor on the liquid  14  and that are substantially liquid impervious and do not absorb any liquid  14 . In certain embodiments, the container  12  is non-porous, air tight at atmospheric pressure (and up to ten PSI above atmospheric pressure). As provided above, the container  12  can be made of stainless steel, aluminum or another suitable, food grade material. 
     In certain embodiments, the container  12  is non-porous to the liquid  14  and the oxygen. With this design, the chamber  17  is fully sealed except of the air that passes through the oxygenator  16 . Stated in another fashion, air or oxygen can only enter the chamber  17  via the oxygenator  16 . 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the container  12  includes a tubular shaped container side wall  18 , a disk shaped container top  20 , and a disk shaped container bottom  22  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). For example, in one embodiment, the side wall  18 , the bottom  22  and the top  24  can be made of stainless steel or aluminum. Moreover, the container  12  can include a container longitudinal axis  23 . 
     Additionally, in this embodiment, the container  12  includes a container aperture  24  for the oxygenator  16 . In this embodiment, the container aperture  24  is an opening that extends through the side wall  18  transverse (and radial) to the container longitudinal axis  23 . In this embodiment, container aperture  24  is positioned similar to a traditional bunghole of a wine barrel that extends through the side wall  18 . With this design, when the container  12  can be positioned on its side, the oxygenator  16  can be removed, and the liquid  14  can be added to or removed from the container  12  via the container aperture  24 . Subsequently, the oxygenator  16  can be attached to the container  12  so that the container assembly  10  is ready for aging the liquid  14 . 
     Alternatively, the container aperture  24  can be positioned in another location, e.g. extend through the container top  20 . 
     In one embodiment, the container aperture  24  is a circular shaped opening having a diameter of approximately 2 inches. As alternative, non-exclusive examples, the container aperture  24  can have a diameter of approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, of 5 inches, and/or the container aperture  24  can have a different shape. The container aperture  24  is designed to be small enough to not significantly influence the structural integrity (significantly reduce the strength) of the container side wall  18 , while large enough to allow for aeration, filling and/or emptying the container  12 . 
     Additionally, in certain embodiments, the container top  20  can include a top aperture  26  for easily adding or removing one or more flavor inserts  28  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) into the container  12 , and a container door  30  that is used to selectively open the top aperture  26  to allow for access to the flavor inserts  28 , and is closed to seal the chamber  17 . In one non-exclusive embodiment, the top aperture  26  has a truncated pie shape, and the container door  30  has a truncated pie shape. Further, in this embodiment, container assembly  10  includes a door latch  32  that selectively secures the container door  30  to the container top  20 . In one embodiment, the door latch  32  includes a latch beam  32 A and a latch fastener  32 B that are selective controlled to lock and unlock the container door  30 . 
     With the present design, the container  12  can be easily cleaned and reused with many different liquids  14 . Moreover, having the ability to quickly and easily change the flavor inserts  28  through the top aperture  26  allows the user to easily convert this container  12  from one type of wood flavoring component to another, without having to purchase entirely new containers. Thus, the present invention provides many economic, environmental and manufacturing advantages over the older more traditional aging equipment. For example, once the initial investment in the container  12  is made, the cost to achieve the highest barrel quality is only a function of the cost of the flavor inserts  28 . 
     The type of liquid  14  aged in the container assembly  10  can vary. For example, the liquid  14  can be a red wine, white wine, port, whiskey, brandy, or other beverages. 
     The insert assembly  15  can be used to impart a flavor on the liquid  14  during an aging process. The insert assembly  15  is discussed in more detail below in the discussion of  FIG. 2 . 
     The oxygenator  16  allow for the gradual aeration of the liquid  14  over a prolonged period through the container aperture  24 .  FIG. 1  illustrates the oxygenator  16  in the exploded position and  FIG. 2  illustrates the oxygenator  16  in the assembled position. Exposure to oxygen during the aging process can improve the liquid  14 . Too much oxygen can lead to oxidation, while too little oxygen can inhibit the aging process. The present invention provides a unique way to precisely control the flow rate of the oxygen to the liquid  14  during the aging process. 
     The present oxygenator  16  provides the ability to precisely control the amount of oxygen transfer either by allowing more oxygen transfer into the liquid  14 , by allowing less oxygen transfer into the liquid  14 , or by completely preventing oxygen transfer into the liquid  14 . Further, in certain embodiments, the oxygenator  16  is passive. 
     As provided herein, the size, shape, and oxygen flow characteristics of the oxygenator  16  can be varied to suit the size of the container  12 , the type of liquid  14  being aged, and the desired rate of oxygen transfer to the liquid  14 . For example, the oxygenator  16  for a 55 gallon container  12  can be designed to simulate and approximate the flow rate of oxygen through a typical 55-gallon wood barrel. In one non-exclusive example, a typical 55-gallon wood barrel allows approximately one (1) milliliter per liter per month of oxygen transfer. This breathable characteristic of traditional wood barrel containers has long been a desirable feature in the wine, spirits, beer and food industries. 
     In one non-exclusive embodiment, the oxygenator  16  is designed to allow approximately one (1) milliliter per liter per month of oxygen transfer from outside the container  12  to inside the container  12 . Alternatively, the oxygenator  16  can be designed to allow an oxygen transfer of approximately 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, or 5 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month from outside the container  12  to inside the container  12 . However, other rates can be achieved by changing the design of the oxygenator  16 . 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the components of one, non-exclusive example, of the oxygenator  16 . In this non-exclusive embodiment, the oxygenator  16  includes an oxygenator base  36  that is fixedly attached to the container  12  (e.g. by welding) around the container aperture  24  and sealed to the container  12 . In the non-exclusive embodiment illustrated, oxygenator base  36  can be made of stainless steel, the diameter of the oxygenator base  36  can be approximately two inches and the shape of the oxygenator base  36  can be substantially cylindrical shaped. Alternatively, the diameter of the oxygenator base  36  could be more than two inches or less than two inches and the shape of the oxygenator base  36  could be another shape. 
     Sitting on top of the oxygenator base  36  and attached to the oxygenator base  36  is an oxygenator filter  38  (also referred to as “membrane” or “membrane material”)  56 . In this embodiment, the oxygenator filter  38  contains a support ring  38 A and a breathable oxygenator membrane  38 B. The breathable oxygenator membrane  38 B allows oxygen from the outside air to pass through the container aperture  24  and into the liquid  14  being aged in the container  12 . The breathable membrane  38 B also inhibits the liquid  14  being aged in the container  12  from passing through the breathable membrane  38 B. The oxygenator filter  38  containing the breathable membrane  38 B is sized and shaped so that the oxygenator filter  38  snugly fits on top of the oxygenator base  36 . In the non-exclusive embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the oxygenator filter  38  is disk shaped, the support ring  38 A is flat ring shaped, and the breathable membrane  38 B is disk shaped. Alternatively, the shapes of the oxygenator filter  38 , the support ring  38 A, and the breathable membrane  38 B could be another shape. Further, in this embodiment, the oxygenator filter  38  is not inside the chamber  17 , but cooperates with the container  12  to form the chamber  17 . 
     The breathable membrane  38 B can be manufactured from a material of known porosity in a desired size, shape, and thickness to give the breathable membrane  38 B the desired amount of breathability thus allowing the desired amount of oxygen transfer into the liquid being aged. The breathable membrane  38 B can be fabricated in different ways. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the material of the breathable membrane  38 B can be fabricated by molding. An advantage of molding is that a reinforcing material such as stainless steel wire mesh screen can be incorporated into the breathable membrane  38 B. The stainless steel wire mesh screen adds strength to the breathable membrane  38 B. A strong breathable membrane  38 B is desirable if the container  12  is stored in a location where it could be contacted by an object that could damage the oxygenator  16  by puncturing or tearing the breathable membrane  38 B. In alternative, non-exclusive examples, the breathable membrane  38 B has a diameter of approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4 inches. Stated in another fashion, in alternative, non-exclusive examples, the breathable membrane  38 B has an area of approximately 0.78, 1.77, 3.14, 4.9, 7.1, 9.6, or 12.57 inches squared. 
     The porosity of the breathable membrane  38 B can be varied to achieve the desired oxygen transfer rate. As alternative, non-exclusive examples, the breathable membrane  38 B can have a porosity of approximately 0.01%, 5%, 6%, 10%, 35%, 50%, 99% or 100%. Further, the breathable membrane  38 B can have a porosity that is at least 99% greater than the porosity of the container  12 . 
     Stated in another fashion, in alternative, non-exclusive examples, the breathable membrane  38 B can allow oxygen transfer of approximately 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, or 2 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid per month therethrough. However, other rates are possible. In certain embodiments, approximately shall mean within plus or minus 0.2 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid per month. Thus, the design of the breathable membrane  38 B will depend on the size of the container  12  (or the amount of liquid  14  to be aged). Thus, the container  12  can be designed to retain a predetermined amount of liquid  14  during the aging process and the breathable membrane  38 B can be designed based on that predetermined amount. As a non-exclusive example, if the container  12  is a fifty-five gallon (208.2 liter) container, and it is desired by the winemaker to have an oxygen transfer rate of 1 milliliter of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month, then the breathable membrane  38 B is designed to allow an oxygen transfer of 208.2 milliliters of oxygen per month to the chamber  17 . As an alternative example, if the container  12  is a one thousand liter container, and it is desired by the winemaker to have an oxygen transfer rate of 1 milliliter of oxygen per liter of liquid per month, then the breathable membrane  38 B is designed to allow 1000 milliliters of oxygen per month to the chamber  17 . 
     In another embodiment, in alternative, non-exclusive examples, the breathable membrane  38 B can allow air transfer of approximately 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, or 2 milliliters of air per liter of liquid per month therethrough. 
     In still another embodiment, in alternative, non-exclusive examples, the breathable membrane  38 B can be designed to allow an oxygen transfer rate of between approximately (i) 0.5 to 1.5 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (ii) 0.6 to 1.4 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (iii) 0.7 to 1.3 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid per month therethrough; (iv) 0.8 to 1.2 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month threrethrough; or (v) 0.9 to 1.1 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month threrthrough. 
     In yet another embodiment, in alternative, non-exclusive examples, the breathable membrane  38 B can be designed to allow an air transfer rate of between approximately (i) 0.5 to 1.5 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (ii) 0.6 to 1.4 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (iii) 0.7 to 1.3 milliliters of air per liter of liquid per month therethrough; (iv) 0.8 to 1.2 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month threrethrough; or (v) 0.9 to 1.1 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month threrthrough. 
     It should be noted that the porosity of the breathable membrane  38 B can be (i) increased for smaller diameter membranes  38 B and/or larger containers  12 , and (ii) decreased for larger diameter membranes  38 B and/or small containers  12 . 
     As provided above, the container  12  is air tight and all of the oxygen that flows into the chamber  17  must pass through the oxygenator  16 . In this embodiment, the container  12  can allow approximately zero milliliters per liter per month of oxygen transfer therethrough. This allows for the ability to precisely engineer and control the amount of oxygen transfer into the liquid  14  through the design of the oxygenator  16 . In one non-exclusive embodiment, after the container  12  is closed with the oxygenator  16  and during the aging process, at least 99 percent of the oxygen transferred into the chamber  17  occurs through oxygenator  16 . Stated in another fashion, in one embodiment, after the container  12  is closed with the oxygenator  16  and during the aging process, approximately 100 percent of the oxygen transferred into the chamber  17  occurs through oxygenator  16 . 
     It should be noted that typically, the container  12  is typically positioned at approximately atmospheric pressure during the aging process. However, the porosity of the oxygenator membrane  38 B could be selected based on the approximate pressure of the air outside the container  12  during the aging process. 
     If the container  10  is stored on its side, the breathable membrane  38 B can be changed during the aging process with the container  10  full of liquid  14 , if desired, to adjust and fine tune the aging process of the liquid  14 . Stated in another fashion, multiple breathable membranes  38 B can be interchanged as necessary to achieve the desired oxygen transfer rate. 
     Additionally, in this example, if the container  10  is stored on its side, the liquid  14  is not in direct contact with the breathable membrane  38 B during the aging process. Alternatively, the oxygenator  16  can be alternatively located to be in contact with the liquid  14  during the aging process. 
     It should be noted that in certain embodiments, the oxygenator  16  provided herein is a passive system that does not require the pumping and/or storage of oxygen during the oxygen transfer. This greatly simplifies the system design. 
     Positioned on top of the oxygenator filter  38  is an oxygenator receiver flange  40 . The material from which the oxygenator receiving flange  40  is made is typically a material that is impermeable to air, such as stainless steel. Thus when the oxygenator receiver flange  40  of the oxygenator  16  is sealed, no air reaches the breathable membrane  38 B. Conversely when the oxygenator receiver flange  40  of the oxygenator  16  is unsealed, air can reach the breathable membrane  38 B. In the non-exclusive embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the diameter of the oxygenator receiver flange  40  is approximately two inches and the shape of the oxygenator receiver flange  40  is substantially round. Alternatively, the diameter of the oxygenator receiver flange  40  could be greater than two inches or less than two inches and the shape of the oxygenator receiver flange  40  could be another shape. 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an oxygenator clamp  42  securely holds the oxygenator receiver flange  40  on top of the oxygenator base  36  with the support ring  38 A of the oxygenator filter  38  therebetween. With this design, the oxygenator clamp  42  can be locked to secure the oxygenator filter  38  to the oxygenator base  36  so that oxygen must flows through the oxygenator filter  38  to reach the chamber  17 . Further, the oxygenator clamp  42  can be unlocked to remove and/or replace the oxygenator filter  38 . 
     In the non-exclusive embodiment illustrated, the oxygenator clamp  42  is substantially round, tri clover clamp. Alternatively, the oxygenator clamp  42  could be another shape, or another type of clamp can be used. 
     Additionally, the oxygenator  16  includes an additional flow control device (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) that controls the flow of the fluid through the breathable membrane  38 B. For example, the flow control device can be a cap that snugly and selectively fits on the oxygenator receiver flange  40 . 
     With this present design, the breathability characteristics are easily controlled by selectively changing the membrane  38 B. The membrane  38 B allows oxygen to travel through it in one direction and in the other direction it retains the liquid  14  in the container  12 . When this membrane  38 B is manufactured to certain specifications and attached to a container  12 , it will allow a controlled amount of oxygen to pass into the liquid  14  inside the container  12  and have a positive outcome. 
     Further, a closure cap would basically be an “on/off switch” allowing the invention to be used when needed and shut off when not needed. The ability for a container  12  to retain a liquid and have a controlled breathing membrane  38 B attached in a way that it can be used on demand and in the specific amount needed is new and novel. 
     It should be noted that a pressurized vessel (not shown, e.g. an oxygen bottle) containing oxygen or another gas (not shown) could be connected in fluid communication with the oxygenator receiver flange  40 . In this embodiment, the porosity of the oxygenator membrane  38 B could be selected (based on the pressure inside the pressurized vessel) to still achieve the desired transfer rate of gas to the liquid  14  during the aging process. 
       FIG. 2  is a cut-away view of the container assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the liquid  14  in the chamber  17  and the insert assembly  15  positioned in the chamber  17  of the container  12 . As provided above, the insert assembly  15  is used to impart a flavor on the liquid  14 . In one non-exclusive embodiment, the insert assembly  15  includes a retainer rack  46 , a plurality of flavor inserts  28  that are selectively retained by the retainer rack  46 , and a rack rotator  48 . 
     The design of the retainer rack  46  can be varied. In one embodiment, retainer rack  46  retains the flavor inserts  28  spaced apart from each other so that almost the entirety of each flavor insert  28  is exposed to the liquid  14  in the chamber  17 . Further, in one embodiment, the retainer rack  46  retains the flavor inserts  28  in a fashion that allows the flavor inserts  28  to expand and contract. In one embodiment, the retainer rack  46  include (i) a central hub  50  that is pivotable connect (e.g. with bearings) to the container top  20  and the container bottom  22 ; (ii) a plurality of spaced apart, upper retainer arms  52  that extend radially from the central hub  50 ; (iii) a plurality of spaced apart, lower retainer arms  54  that extend radially from the central hub  50 ; (iv) a retainer base  56 ; and (v) a plurality of spaced apart retainer clips  58  that are secured to and extend away from the retainer base  56 . 
     In this embodiment, each retainer arm  52 ,  54  includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures (e.g. five apertures) for receiving the flavor inserts  28 . With this design, each flavor insert  28  extends through an aperture in one of the upper retainer arms  52  and a corresponding aperture in one of the lower retainer arms  54  and is retained by one of the retainer clips  58 . 
     In one non-exclusive embodiment, the retainer rack  46  can retain up to thirty flavor inserts  28 . In this embodiment, the retainer rack  46  includes six retainer arms  52 , six lower retainer arms  54 , and retains the flavor inserts  28  in six rows of five flavor inserts  28 . Alternatively, the retainer rack  46  can be designed to retain more than or fewer than thirty flavor inserts  28 . 
     With the present design, when the flavor inserts  28  are positioned within the retainer rack  46 , the flavor inserts  28  are inhibited from moving (e.g., floating) upward relative to the container  12  along the container longitudinal axis. Moreover, this design enables the flavor inserts  28  to be maintained spaced apart from the top  20 . 
     Further, with the present design, each individual flavor insert  28  can be added to or removed from the retainer rack  46  through the top aperture  26  when the door  30  is removed. 
     In one embodiment, the components of the retainer rack  46  can be made of stainless steel or another suitable material. 
     The flavor inserts  28  are used to impart a desired flavor on the liquid  14  during the aging process. The number of flavor inserts  28  utilized and the type of flavor inserts  28  utilized can be adjusted to precisely adjust the desired outcome of the liquid  14 . With this design, the perfect material and the perfect amount of material for the liquid  14  for extracting flavor during the aging process can be utilized. With the ability to change the number and types of flavor inserts  28  utilized during the aging process, the present invention provides great flexibility in the timing and the flavor development of the liquid  14  during the aging process. As non-exclusive examples, one or more of the flavor inserts  28  can be made of different species of wood, such as white oak, red oak, redwood, douglas fir, maple, birch, hickory, and/or any combination thereof. 
     In one embodiment, each flavor insert  28  is generally thin beam shaped and has a generally rectangular shaped cross-section. Alternatively, for example, one or more of the flavor inserts  28  can have another cross-sectional shape, such as a circular, oval, triangle, or an octagon. 
     The rack rotator  48  can be used to selectively rotate the retainer rack  46  and the flavor inserts  28 . In one embodiment, the rack rotator  48  is a handle attached to the retainer rack  46 . Alternatively, for example, the rack rotator  48  can be a motor. 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged cut-away view taken from  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the container aperture  24  that extends through the container side wall  18 . Also,  FIG. 4  illustrates the oxygenator base  36 , the oxygenator filter  38 , the oxygenator receiver flange  40 , and the oxygenator clamp  42  in the assembled position. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of two container assemblies  10  positioned on a storage rack  60  during the aging process. In this embodiment, the oxygenator  16  of each container assembly  10  is positioned the highest point. With this design, the liquid  14  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) is not in contact with the membrane  38 B (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) during aging and the membrane  38 B can be selectively switched during the aging process. 
       FIG. 5  is a simplified top view of a set  500  of four, alternative oxygenator filters  538 . Alternatively, the set  500  can include more than four or fewer than four oxygenator filters  538 . In this embodiment, the set  500  can include (i) a first oxygenator filter  562  having a first porosity; (ii) a second oxygenator filter  564  having a second porosity that is different from the first porosity; (iii) a third oxygenator filter  566  having a third porosity that is different from the first porosity and the second porosity; and (iv) a fourth oxygenator filter  568  having a fourth porosity that is different from the first porosity, the second porosity and the third porosity. With this design, the winemaker can selected the oxygenator filter  562 - 568  to use to achieve the desired flow rate and/or interchange the oxygenator filter  562 - 568  during the aging process as necessary or desired. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of another embodiment of a container assembly  610 . In this embodiment, only the upper portion of the container  612  is illustrated. Further, in the embodiment, the container assembly  610  includes four separate, spaced apart oxygenators  616  that are secured to the container top  620  of the container  612 . In this embodiment, the oxygenators  616  can be labeled a first oxygenator  670 , a second oxygenator  672 , a third oxygenator  674 , and a four oxygenator  676  that are similar to the oxygenator  16  described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     In this embodiment, the open oxygenators  616  cooperate to achieve the desired oxygen transfer rate. As alternative, non-exclusive examples, the combined open oxygenators  616  can cooperate to allow an oxygen transfer rate of approximately 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, or 2 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month therethrough. Stated in another fashion, in alternative, non-exclusive examples, the combined open oxygenators  616  can be designed to allow an oxygen transfer rate of between approximately (i) 0.5 to 1.5 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (ii) 0.6 to 1.4 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (iii) 0.7 to 1.3 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid per month therethrough; (iv) 0.8 to 1.2 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; or (v) 0.9 to 1.1 milliliters of oxygen per liter of liquid, per month therethrough. 
     In yet another embodiment, as alternative, non-exclusive examples, the combined open oxygenators  616  can cooperate to allow an air transfer rate of approximately 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, or 2 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month therethrough. Stated in another fashion, in alternative, non-exclusive examples, the combined open oxygenators  616  can be designed to allow an air transfer rate of between approximately (i) 0.5 to 1.5 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (ii) 0.6 to 1.4 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; (iii) 0.7 to 1.3 milliliters of air per liter of liquid per month therethrough; (iv) 0.8 to 1.2 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month therethrough; or (v) 0.9 to 1.1 milliliters of air per liter of liquid, per month therethrough. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the first oxygenator  670  is exploded and includes (i) an oxygenator base  636  that is fixedly attached to the container  612  (e.g. by welding) around the container aperture  624  and sealed to the container  612 ; (ii) an oxygenator filter  638 ; (iii) an oxygenator receiver flange  640 ; and (iv) an oxygenator clamp  642  that are similar to the corresponding components described above. 
     However, in  FIG. 6 , the oxygenator  670  includes a cap  680  that selectively seals the oxygenator receive flange  640  to function as an “on/off switch” allowing the invention to be used when needed and shut off when not needed. In this embodiment, cap  680  acts as a flow control device that controls the flow of the fluid through the breathable membrane  638 . In this embodiment, the cap  680  snugly and selectively fits on the oxygenator receiver flange  640 . The cap  680  can be of stainless steel or another non-porous material. 
     With this design, breathability characteristics are easily controlled and measurable by selectively removing or adding the cap  680  to one or more of the oxygenators  616 . Thus, the invention is easily attachable and can be turned on and off when needed. When enough oxygen transfers into the liquid one or more of the oxygenators  616  can be closed off and the natural oxygen transfer will stop. If more oxygen is needed one or more of the oxygenators  616  can be opened up and additional oxygen transfer will take place. The number of oxygenators  616  in the open position or closed position also affects the amount of oxygen transfer. 
     In summary, the container assembly  610  will allow someone in the wine, beer, spirits or liquid aging industry the ability to control the exact amount of oxygen transfer into the container  612  holding the liquid. When more oxygen is needed one can simply open additional breathing devices  616  to increase the flow of oxygen transfer. When the desired result of oxygen transfer has taken place in the liquid the breathing device  616  can be simply closed. One or more breathing devices  616  of varying size or thickness can be mounted to the container  612  allowing for specific oxygen transfer depending on the intended use of the container  612 . For example, one in the beer or spirits industry might want a different amount of oxygen transfer than someone in the wine industry. Thus, for the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the user can open, zero, one, two, three and/or four of the breathing devices  616  to precisely adjust the oxygen flow into the otherwise sealed container  612 . 
     It is also natural that the size of the container  612  would affect the amount of oxygen transfer required. Thus a larger container  612  would require larger membranes and possibly more of them located strategically around the container  612 . 
     In this embodiment, the container  612  includes a container aperture  624  for each oxygenator  616 . 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded, perspective view illustrating the components of the first oxygenator  670  including (i) the oxygenator base  636 ; (ii) the oxygenator filter  638  including the support ring  638 A and the membrane  638 B; (iii) the oxygenator receiver flange  640 ; (iv) the oxygenator clamp  642 ; and (v) the cap  680 . 
     While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments of an oxygenator  16  have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.