The present invention comprises an impurities or materials trapping apparatus for separating or trapping a selected or unwanted materials such as sediment in a pourable material having sediment therein. The apparatus comprises a body having side walls between a first end and second end defining at least a recessed inner space 42, 104, 204, 286 there between for a pourable material. The apparatus includes at least one raised portion 50, 51, 55, 56, 206, 208 having a highest point, angled walls 26 connected to the side walls 7, 40 202, 220, 282 and at least one drainage aperture 16, 110, 210 located within the side walls 7, 40, 202, 220 282 or angled walls 26, 103, 203, 284. The raised portion is located at one end of the inner space and the angled walls 26 are located at a spaced distance from the raised portion. In one orientation of the apparatus, the side walls or angled walls drain at least a portion of the pourable material towards and though the drainage aperture and down to the raised portion and in another orientation of the apparatus, the drainage aperture is blocked thereby retaining any sediment. The apparatus of the present invention can be formed as part of a container or bottle and/or be part of a cap assembly. Methods of operation are also included.

The present invention comprises an impurities or materials trapping apparatus for separating or trapping a selected or unwanted materials such as sediment in a pourable material having sediment therein. The apparatus comprises a body having side walls between a first end and second end defining at least a recessed inner space 42, 104, 204, 286 there between for a pourable material. The apparatus includes at least one raised portion 50, 51, 55, 56, 206, 208 having a highest point, angled walls 26 connected to the side walls 7, 40 202, 220, 282 and at least one drainage aperture 16, 110, 210 located within the side walls 7, 40, 202, 220 282 or angled walls 26, 103, 203, 284. The raised portion is located at one end of the inner space and the angled walls 26 are located at a spaced distance from the raised portion. In one orientation of the apparatus, the side walls or angled walls drain at least a portion of the pourable material towards and though the drainage aperture and down to the raised portion and in another orientation of the apparatus, the drainage aperture is blocked thereby retaining any sediment. The apparatus of the present invention can be formed as part of a container or bottle and/or be part of a cap assembly. Methods of operation are also included.

A fluid sterilization apparatus includes: a flow passage for causing a fluid to flow; and a light source that irradiates the fluid flowing in the flow passage with ultraviolet light of a wavelength of 290310 nm. The fluid contains a cutting fluid for a cutting work or Japanese sake in the process of manufacturing.

A method and a system for producing a change in a medium. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the energy modulation agent.

A method and a system for producing a change in a medium. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the energy modulation agent.

An alcoholic beverage enhancing device includes a transfer liquid tank for holding a transfer liquid and an alcoholic beverage container. The alcoholic beverage container is positioned at least partially in the transfer liquid tank and is configured for holding an alcoholic beverage to be enhanced. The enhancing device additionally includes an ultrasonic energy device positioned for transmitting ultrasonic energy to the alcoholic beverage in the alcoholic beverage container through the transfer liquid in the transfer liquid tank during operation of the alcohol beverage enhancing device.

An alcoholic beverage enhancing device includes a transfer liquid tank for holding a transfer liquid and an alcoholic beverage container. The alcoholic beverage container is positioned at least partially in the transfer liquid tank and is configured for holding an alcoholic beverage to be enhanced. The enhancing device additionally includes an ultrasonic energy device positioned for transmitting ultrasonic energy to the alcoholic beverage in the alcoholic beverage container through the transfer liquid in the transfer liquid tank during operation of the alcohol beverage enhancing device.

A method and a system for producing a change in a medium. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the energy modulation agent.

An apparatus for modifying a responsive liquid held in a barrel or other liquid container includes a transducer for producing vibration energy within the audio frequency range in response to an audio signal input and a coupler affixed to the transducer such that vibration energy produced in the transducer is transferred to the coupling device. The coupling device has a pusher end that extends beyond the front plane of the transducer and that contacts and pushes against the barrel wall when the apparatus is tied to the barrel wall. By determining the resonances of the liquid-filled barrel, audio input signals having sufficiently high levels at determined resonant frequencies can be chosen to achieve a maximum response in the liquid contained in the barrel. The apparatus is particularly suited for the sonic aging of whisky.

An apparatus for modifying a responsive liquid held in a barrel or other liquid container includes a transducer for producing vibration energy within the audio frequency range in response to an audio signal input and a coupler affixed to the transducer such that vibration energy produced in the transducer is transferred to the coupling device. The coupling device has a pusher end that extends beyond the front plane of the transducer and that contacts and pushes against the barrel wall when the apparatus is tied to the barrel wall. By determining the resonances of the liquid-filled barrel, audio input signals having sufficiently high levels at determined resonant frequencies can be chosen to achieve a maximum response in the liquid contained in the barrel. The apparatus is particularly suited for the sonic aging of whisky.