Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-30
2001-04-24
Gorgos, Kathryn (Department: 1741)
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
C204S282000, C204S290110, C204S291000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06221220
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device which can be easily transported, manually held and operated and which is used to decompose or remove ions such as sulfites present in a liquid, such as wine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ionic substances, such as sulfites, are added to various beverages such as wine and can be found in other beverages such as fruit juices and beer. Sulfites provide an antioxidant function which helps to preserve the freshness of the beverages to which it is added. However, sulfites can and do cause moderate to severe allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening, in a non-trivial percentage of the human population. Therefore, while it is desirable that sulfites be used to preserve the freshness of beverages, it is also desirable to be able to decompose sulfites present in a beverage just prior to consumption of the beverage by a person who is or may be allergic to sulfites.
Accordingly, the present invention was developed to allow a person to carry a small device with them, for example as one would carry a pen, which the person can use to decompose or remove ions, such as sulfites, present in a beverage which might contain sulfites immediately before drinking the beverage.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-contained, portable device for decomposing (i.e., reducing or oxidizing) ions present in a liquid.
The device includes a housing shaped to be held within a human hand; a source of electric current; an anode that is comprised of an inert material, attached to the housing and in electrical communication with the source of electric current; a cathode that is comprised of an inert material, attached to the housing and in electrical communication with the source of electric current; and a switch for electrically connecting the anode, the cathode and the source of electric current.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-contained, portable device for removing ions from a liquid including a housing shaped to be held within a human hand; a source of electric current; an anode that is comprised of an inert material, attached to the housing and in electrical communication with the source of electric current, the anode having a surface on which a layer of a material that is reactive with an anion is disposed; a cathode that is comprised of an inert material, attached to the housing and in electrical communication with the source of electric current, the cathode having a surface on which a layer of a material that is reactive with a cation is disposed; and a switch for electrically connecting the anode, the cathode and the source of electric current.
In accordance with an additional aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of decomposing ions present in a liquid. The method includes the steps of contacting a container containing the liquid with a device including a housing shaped to be held within a human hand, a source of electric current, an anode that is comprised of an inert material, attached to the housing and in electrical communication with the source of electric current, a cathode that is comprised of an inert material, attached to the housing and in electrical communication with the source of electric current, and a switch for electrically connecting the anode, the cathode and the source of electric current; activating the anode and cathode by activating the switch; and contacting ions present in the liquid with at least one of the anode and the cathode for a time sufficient to decompose at least a portion of the ions.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of removing ions present in a liquid. The method includes the steps of contacting a container containing the liquid with a device including a housing shaped to be held within a human hand, a source of electric current, an anode that is comprised of an inert material, attached to the housing and in electrical communication with the source of electric current, the anode having a surface on which a layer of a material that is reactive with an anion is disposed, a cathode that is comprised of an inert material, attached to the housing and in electrical communication with the source of electric current, the cathode having a surface on which a layer of a material that is reactive with a cation is disposed, and a switch for electrically connecting the anode, the cathode and the source of electric current; activating the anode and cathode by activating the switch; contacting ions present in the liquid with at least one of the anode and the cathode for a time sufficient to cause at least a portion of the ions to react with and bind to at least one of the reactive materials disposed on the anode and the cathode; and removing the anode and cathode of the device from contact with the liquid.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.
REFERENCES:
patent: 512970 (1894-01-01), Johanson
patent: 1217643 (1917-02-01), Schneider
patent: 1446029 (1923-02-01), Beidler
patent: 2042534 (1936-06-01), Krause
patent: 4769119 (1988-09-01), Grundler
patent: 5584981 (1996-12-01), Turner et al.
Astor Sanford
Gorgos Kathryn
Parsons Thomas H
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