WITH VORTEX CIRCULATION

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/644,674 filed on March 19, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This application is also related to co-filed PCT Patent Application entitled“DEVICE FOR CIRCULATING STORED DRINKING WATER WITH VORTEX CIRCULATION” (Attorney Docket No. 76833), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a device for aerating a beverage with vortex circulation and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a device for enhancing drinking water contained in a carafe or a jug.

There are various household products available for enhancing drinking water. Some products are known to enhance drinking water by purifying the water with carbon filters, reverse osmosis or ion exchange filters. Some known products mineralize water after purification to reinstate minerals removed during a purification process and to improve taste. It is also known to enhance drinking water by promoting vortex circulation.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/070991 entitled“Apparatus for recirculating vortex water fountain” describes an apparatus for treating water through a magnetic field. The apparatus comprises an ampul capable of holding water, the ampul having an upper wide body and a lower narrow neck. The ampul has the surface structure and configuration to promote the water flow in a vortex. A water inlet located inside the ampul at its upper wide body portion is used to introduce water into the ampul. The water inlet is capable of dispensing water delivered to the ampul along the sides of the vortexing ampul thereby facilitating the flow of water in a vortex pattern.

U.S. Patent No. 3,785,492 entitled “Method and apparatus for the preparation of beverages,” describes an automatic machine, also for household use, which is adapted to the automatic preparation of imitation mineral waters. The machine essentially comprises a desalting device, a mineralizing unit which introduces in the desalted (also distilled) water a dosage unit of selected mineral salts, a carbonation device for saturating the remineralized water with carbon dioxide and a programming unit for selecting both the quantity and the quality of mineral water. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0300868 entitled“Device for producing drinking water,” describes a device for producing drinking water. The device includes a supply means that provides a quantity of inlet water; a distillation system that distills the quantity of inlet water, a salt supply system in the form of a concentrated aqueous solution that supplies salts necessary for obtaining water which may be defined as drinking water and a mixing system that receives at least a part of the salt reserve and mixes it in a controlled manner with the quantity of distilled water, at the same time aerating the latter, so as to provide drinking water and a dispensing tap able to dispense this quantity of drinking water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a portable device for aerating a beverage, e.g. drinking water, with vortex flow. According to embodiments of the present invention, the device is in the form of a stand on which a vessel containing water may be placed to actuate the vortex circulation. The stand is configured to create a rotating magnetic field that spins a magnet placed in the vessel. Spinning of the magnet in the vessel containing water creates the vortex flow. The actuating may be initiated based on sensing placement of the vessel on the stand. In some example embodiments, velocity of vortex flow is adapted to volume contained in the vessel and optionally dimensions of the vessel. In some example embodiments, the stand may include an indicating light that may indicate when the water in the vessel has reached a defined vitalization level and is recommended for drinking. The vessel may be a carafe, jug, pitcher or cup. In some example embodiments, the vessel is a dedicated vessel for use with the device.

According to an aspect of some example embodiments, there is provided a device for actuating vortex circulation of a beverage in a carafe, jug or pitcher comprising: a housing that houses: a circuit configured to actuate and control a rotating magnetic field; a cover configured to cover the housing and support a vessel configured to contain a beverage, wherein the vessel is a carafe, jug or pitcher; and a sensor configured to sense weight on the cover, wherein sensors are electrically connected to the circuit and wherein the circuit is configured to actuate the magnetic field and control a speed of a rotation of the magnetic field based on output from the sensor.

Optionally, the circuit is configured to actuate the magnetic field based on the sensor sensing a weight above a first pre-defined threshold and to terminate actuation of the magnetic field based on the sensor sensing a weight below a second pre-defined threshold.

Optionally, the first pre-defined threshold is the same as the second pre-defined threshold. Optionally, the device comprises at least four electromagnets and wherein the circuit is configured actuate a rotating magnetic field based on selectively inducing current in each of the electromagnets.

Optionally, the device includes a motor; and at least two permanent magnets, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the at least two permanent magnets and thereby actuate the rotating magnetic field.

Optionally, the circuit is configured to gradually increase a velocity of the rotating field to a defined level based on the weight sensed by the sensor.

Optionally, the sensor is a load cell.

Optionally, the device comprises a plurality of sensors, wherein the circuit is configured to detect a weight distribution based on output from the plurality of sensors.

Optionally, the circuit is configured to identify one of a plurality of vessels positioned on the device based on the detected weight distribution.

Optionally, the device comprises an indicator configured to alert a user when the beverage in the vessel is ready for drinking, wherein the circuit is configured to control timing of the indicator based on the weight sensed.

Optionally, the indicator is a light emitting diode that is illuminated when the beverage is determined to be ready for drinking.

Optionally, the device comprises a capacitive touch sensor, wherein the circuit is configured to switch the device ON/OFF based on input from the capacitive touch sensor.

Optionally, the cover includes a recess configured to receive a base of the vessel.

Optionally, the device comprises a plate on which the cover is supported, wherein the sensor is positioned between the plate and the housing.

Optionally, the cover is formed from ceramic, glass or a polymer ceramic composite.

Optionally, the circuit is configured to calibrate the sensor based on sensing the weight below the pre-defined threshold.

According to some example embodiments there is provided a system for aerating a beverage in a carafe, jug or pitcher comprising: the device described herein; a vessel, wherein the vessel is a carafe, jug or pitcher; and a magnet comprising an elongated shape.

Optionally, the magnet is rotatably fixed to the vessel.

Optionally, the vessel includes an axle fixed in a base of the vessel through a blind hole and wherein the magnet is rotatably fixed to the axle.

According to some example embodiments, there is provided a method of aerating a beverage in a carafe, jug or pitcher, the method comprising: monitoring weight on a stand, wherein the stand is configured to support a vessel and to actuate vortex circulation of a beverage in a vessel, wherein the vessel is a carafe, jug or pitcher; defining at least one parameter of the vortex circulation based on the weight sensed; and actuating the vortex circulation in the vessel based on the at least one parameter.

Optionally, the method includes initiating actuation of the vortex circulation of the beverage based on sensing a weight above a first pre-defined threshold; and terminating actuation of the vortex circulation based sensing a weight below a second pre-defined threshold.

Optionally, the first pre-defined threshold is the same as the second pre-defined threshold.

Optionally, the method includes accelerating rotational speed of the vortex circulation at a defined rate from standstill to a pre-defined speed based on the weight.

Optionally, wherein a rotating field is configured to actuate the vortex circulation and the at least one parameter is a velocity of the rotating magnetic field.

Optionally, wherein a rotating field is configured to actuate the vortex circulation and the at least one parameter is amplitude of the rotating magnetic field.

Optionally, the method comprises providing an indication to the user after a defined duration of the vortex circulation.

Optionally, the defined duration is based on the weight of the vessel including the beverage.

Optionally, the beverage is water and wherein the at least one parameter of the vortex circulation is defined for water.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a simplified drawing of an example water enhancing system in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIGS. 2A and 2B is a front and cross-section view of an example a water enhancing system in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example stand for a water enhancing system in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a device for actuating vortex circulation in a vessel in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example water vessel for a water enhancing system in accordance with some example embodiments; and

FIG. 6 is a simplified flow chart of an example method for enhancing water in a vessel.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a device for aerating a beverage with vortex circulation and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a device for enhancing drinking water contained in a carafe or a jug.

According to some example embodiments, the device includes a set of electromagnets that is configured to create a rotating magnetic field for spinning a magnet contained in a vessel. Spinning of the magnet in the vessel induces vortex circulation of the water in the vessel. The vortex circulation may have a plurality of enhancing effects on the water. Some example enhancing effects include aerating the water with atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide (C0 ₂ ), boosting evaporation of free chlorine in the water and biologically inactivate toxins in the water. Aeration of water may improve both water quality and taste. For example, the water may taste sweeter and may feel softened. Vortex circulation of the water additionally has an aesthetic affect or calming effect on a user observing the circulation.

According to some example embodiments, the device additionally includes a sensor to monitor weight of a vessel positioned on the device. In some example embodiments, a controller of the device is configured to actuate the rotating magnetic field based on the one or more weight sensors, e.g. load cells or a mechanical spring with measuring element, detecting a weight on the device that may indicate that a user has placed a vessel including water on the device. In some example embodiments, the device may be maintained in a sleep mode and input from the weight sensor may be used to wake-up the device. Optionally, the controller is configured to adapt parameters of the generated magnetic field based on weight sensed with the one or more load cells. Optionally, the controller adapts speed of rotation of the magnetic field based on weight so that the device provides ample circulation without creating excess turbulence in the vessel. Turbulence may create undesired audible noise and may also displace the magnet. The controller may also define the parameters based on a known size and shape of the vessel and the magnet in the vessel.

Optionally, once the controller senses positioning of the vessel on the device, the controller is configured to initiate the rotating magnetic field and increase its velocity in a linear fashion until a desired level has been reached. In some example embodiments, the controller is also configured to detect when the vessel is lifted from the device based on input from the one or more load cells and terminate actuation of the magnetic field while the vessel is not on the device. Optionally, the controller may periodically stop the vortex circulation for a defined duration and then restart the circulation.

According to some example embodiments, the controller is also configured to alert the user once the water in the vessel has been circulated for a pre-defined duration. The pre-defined duration may be defined to provide a desired aeration level. Indication may be light emitting diode (LED) positioned on the device that illuminates, blinks, changes color or turns off once the enhanced water is determined to be ready. In some example embodiments, the device continues to circulate the water with the vortex circulation past the pre-defined duration.

In some example embodiments, the device includes an ON/OFF button with which a user may manually activate to terminate the vortex circulation in the vessel. Optionally, the ON/OFF button is a capacitive touch button. In other example, the ON/OFF button may a spring based button.

According to some example embodiments, there is provided a water vessel including a magnet rotatably fixed to a base of the vessel. Optionally, the magnet is coated with a biologically inert material, e.g. gold, silver, stainless steel ceramic or Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Optionally, the water vessel is a glass water vessel, e.g. a carafe or a jug. Optionally, the vessel is configured to hold between 0.25-2.5 liters of water.

According to some example embodiments, there is provided a water enhancing system including the stand and the water vessel. According to some example embodiments, the stand is a housing that includes a set of electromagnets and a controller configured to actuate a rotating magnetic field with the set. According to some example embodiments, the water vessel includes an axle embedded in a base of the vessel (with a blind hole in the vessel) and a magnet rotatably connected to the axle from within the volume of the vessel. In alternate embodiments, the rotating magnetic field may be actuated based on rotating at least a pair of permanent magnets with a motor configured to spin the permanent magnets. Optionally, a motor is direct current (DC) motor. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Reference is now made to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a simplified drawing of an example portable water enhancing system in accordance with some example embodiments. Water enhancing system 300 includes a vessel 100 with water 120, a magnet 150 that may freely spin in vessel 100 and a stand 200 including electromagnets that actuate spinning of magnet 150 in vessel 100 without any physical contact between magnet 150 and stand 200. Spinning of magnet 150 is configured to create a vortex circulation 110 in vessel 100. Vessel 100 may be removably positioned on stand 200 and stand 200 may be a portable device. According to some example embodiments, the electromagnet may be actuated based on sensing that vessel 100 has been placed on stand 200. In some example embodiments, stand 200 includes an LED indicator 220, an ON/OFF button 210 and at least one connector 280 configured to provide electrical connection with a power cord or USB cable.

In some example embodiments, LED indicator 220 is configured to provide indication to a user as to when the water in vessel 100 has been sufficiently aerated and is ready for drinking. Optionally, water 120 may be sufficiently aerated and ready for drinking after 5-10 minutes, e.g. 7 minutes of circulation in vessel 100. Optionally, a user may select to turn OFF operation of stand 200 by pressing or touching button or capacitive sensor 210 and thereby stop the circulation in vessel 100.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B showing a front and cross-section view of an example a water enhancing system and to FIG. 3 showing an exploded view of an example stand for a water enhancing system, all in accordance with some example embodiments. According to some example embodiments, stand 200 is configured to generate a rotating magnetic field that is configured to spin a magnet 150 in vessel 100 at a rate that will generate a desired vortex flow. Actuation of magnet 150 is performed without any physical contact between stand 200 and water 120. Magnet 150 is also not physically connected to stand 200.

In some example embodiments, stand 200 is formed with a recess 209 in which vessel 100 may be removably placed. Optionally, a depth of recess 209 is defined to hold the bottle 100 at the right position, and to give stability and visibly conceal magnet 150 so that substantially only the vortex circulation is observed by a user. In some example embodiments, stand 200 may actuate spinning of magnet 150 without locking or clasping vessel 100 to stand 200. In this manner, vessel 100 may be easily placed and removed from stand 200. One or more legs 270 may support stand 200 on a desk or tabletop.

According to some example embodiments, the rotating magnetic field is generated with a plurality of coils 250, e.g. four coils 250 connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) 260 including a circuit with which current is selectively induced on coil 250. The electromagnet may be formed with coils 250, a corresponding set of electrodes 252 and metal cores 255 inserted through electrodes 252 and coils 250. Metal cores 255 may be in the form of a screw. In alternate embodiments, the rotating magnetic field may be actuated by spinning a permanent magnet, e.g. at least two permanent magnets with a motor, e.g. a DC motor. The motor and the permanent magnets may be housed within stand 200.

Stand 200 may be powered with one or more batteries 285 and may also be powered with a power cord connected to a dock 280 with matching cover 282. In some example embodiments, dock 280 is a USB (micro USB or USB type-C) connector and batteries 285 may be recharged via USB (micro USB or USB type-C) connection to a device with a power source. Optionally, a housing 207 may house the PCB 260, batteries 285 and the coils. Housing 207 may be formed with a non-conductive material, e.g. plastic and may include a bottom surface and a surrounding wall. A cover 201 may be positioned over housing 207. Optionally cover 201 is formed from ceramic material, glass or a polymer ceramic material, e.g. Corian® manufactured by DuPont™. In some example embodiments, a capacitive based touch sensor 215 electrically connected to PCB 260 provides ON/OFF control based on a user touching cover 201.

According to some example embodiments, stand 200 is weight sensitive and includes one or more load cells 230 that monitor weight (and weight distribution) on cover 201. Optionally, load cells 230 are supported on a bottom plate 205 and weight of vessel 100 on cover 201 may press housing 207 on load cells 230 so that the weight may be detected. Bottom plate 205 may be formed from metal, e.g. stainless steel or aluminum.

In some example embodiments, a distribution of weight may be detected based on output from a plurality of load cells 230. Optionally based on the detected distribution, vessels with different sized bases are differentiated from one another. Optionally, parameters of the magnetic field may be selected based on this differentiation. LED 220 is not shown in FIG. 3 for simplification purposes.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 showing a simplified block diagram of a device for actuating vortex circulation in a vessel in accordance with some example embodiments. According to some example embodiments, circuit on PCB 260 includes a controller 400 that is configured to control operation of stand 200. ON/OFF power control may be based on input received by controller 400 from capacitive touch button 210 and may turn off swirling of the water on demand. Controller 400 may monitor weight on stand 200 based on input from load cells 230. While the weight detected indicates that a vessel 100 with water 120 has been placed on the stand, controller 400 may induce current on selected pairs of coils 250 in a cyclic fashion to create a rotating magnetic field.

In some example embodiments, controller 400 may control a rate of the cyclic induction as well as a gain of the induction based on the weight (or dimension of vessel) detected so that a desired vortex circulation is achieved. For example, while vessel 100 is only partially filled with water 120, controller 400 may control induction in coil 250 to actuate a relative slower spinning of magnet 150, e.g. 50 - 200 RPM and while vessel 100 is fully filled controller 400 may control induction in coil 250 to actuate a relative faster spinning of magnet 150, e.g. 1000 - 1500 RMP. By adapting the magnetic field to the volume of water 120 in vessel 100, desired aeration of water 120 may be achieved while avoiding turbulence in vessel 100 and noise that may accompany turbulence. Turbulence may occur when magnet 150 is spinning too fast for the volume of water 120 contained in vessel 100 and insufficient aeration may occur while magnet 150 is spinning too slow for the volume of water 120 contained in vessel 100.

Controller 400 may also control LED 220 to provide indication to a user based on inputs received. Indication may be provided to the user based on controller 400 determining that water 120 is sufficiently aerated. The controller 400 may determine when water 120 is sufficiently aerated based on input from load cells 230 providing information regarding volume of water 120 present and based on duration that the water is circulated with the vortex circulation. LED 220 may also provide indication to the user to recharge batteries in stand 200 based on input from power source 285.

According to some example embodiments, controller 400 continues to monitor weight while actuating the magnetic field and terminates the actuation based on detecting a change in weight that indicates that the vessel has been removed from the stand. In some example embodiments, controller 400 may also periodically calibrate load cells 230. Optionally, controller 400 initiates calibration based on detecting that the vessel has been lifted off the stand. Controller 400 and its functionality may be embedded in PCB 260 (FIG. 3).

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 showing a cross-sectional view of an example water vessel for a portable water enhancing system in accordance with some example embodiments. According to some example embodiments, vessel 100 may be a carafe, pitcher or jug. Optionally, vessel 100 is formed from glass or other transparent material, e.g. plastic so that the vortex circulation may be observed. Alternatively, vessel 100 may be formed from a translucent material that is not conductive, e.g. ceramic material so that the magnetic field may be used to stir magnet 150 in vessel

100.

In some example embodiments, magnet 150 may be rotatably fixed to a base 102 of vessel 100 with an axle 160. Axle 160 may be formed from stainless steel, tungsten, silver, ceramics via a glass-metal-seal or glass-ceramic-to-metal seals and may be embedded in base 102 of vessel 100 through a blind hole formed at base 102 or by inserting the axle during a glass fabrication process. Optionally, magnet 150 may be positioned on axle 160 with bearings 165. Magnet 150 may be shaped as an elongated element, e.g. shaped as a capsule. Magnet 150 may be coated with a noble metal, ceramic material, glass or PTFE so that contact between magnet 150 and water does not contaminate or interact with the water.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 showing a simplified flow chart of an example method for enhancing water in a vessel. According to some example embodiments, weight on stand 200 is detected (block 505). Optionally, a volume of water 120 in vessel 100 placed on stand 200 is estimated based on the detected weight. Electromagnets in the stand may be activated as long as the weight on stand 200 exceeds a defined threshold (block 510). Optionally, parameters of the actuated magnetic field is defined based on the estimated volume or directly from the detected weight (block 515). Optionally, one or more thresholds on the detected weight are pre-defined and magnetic field parameters may be defined based on thresholding. The pre-defined threshold may be defined based on a known weight of one or more empty vessels with a defined minimum volume of water with which it may be desired to initiate vortex circulation. At startup of the spinning, the magnet induced to rotate slowly at first and then to accelerate to a set point calculated by the controller based on the weight of the body of water above. Optionally, rotation is defined to increase in a linear manner. In this manner, the spinning may be controlled.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, parameters of the magnetic field are defined based on the weight detected. A stronger magnetic field may be actuated for larger volumes of water or for a larger vessel and a weaker magnetic field may be actuated for smaller volumes of water or for a smaller vessel. Optionally, a rate of rotation of the magnetic field may be adjusted to the volume of water and size of vessel detected. Optionally, a slower rate may be adapted for smaller volumes and sizes and a higher rate may be adapted for larger volumes and vessel sizes. Optionally, both size of vessel and volume of water may be estimated based on input from the load cells.

According to some example embodiments, the device is configured to provide indication, e.g. an alert after a pre-defined period (block 520) so that a user knows when the water is determined to be ready for drinking, e.g. when the water is sufficiently aerated. The alert may be based on duration of the vortex circulation as well as based on determined volume of water 120 in vessel 100 as well as based on the determined size of vessel 100.

According to some example embodiments, while the device (stand 200) is actuating vortex circulation, the weight on vessel 100 is monitored. In some example embodiments, the device may sense when vessel 100 is lifted off the stand 200 (block 525), e.g. for example to pour water 120 out of vessel 200 for serving. According to some example embodiments, the electromagnets are deactivated based on detecting that the vessel has been lifted off the device.

It is noted that although embodiments of the present invention have been described for aerating and vitalizing water, the device and system described herein is also suitable for aerating other beverages and for dissolving minerals and other material in water or other beverage. For example, the vortex flow may accelerate mixing of concentrated solutions in water. It is also noted that different sized and shaped vessels may be operated together with stand 100 to actuate the vortex circulation.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

In addition, any priority document(s) of this application is/are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its/their entirety.