Method Of Producing A Canned Hydrogen Infused Beverage

Abstract

A method of producing a canned hydrogen infused beverage having the steps of: providing a can; introducing a solid that includes metal into the can; filling the can with a carbonated liquid having water; generating molecular hydrogen from the reaction of the solid and the water; and sealing the can. A can formed through such a process is likewise disclosed. An alternative process is further disclosed that provides the mixing of Magnesium into a mixture prior to the filling on a larger scale and, for example, within the reservoir or bowl of the filler. Both carbonated and non-carbonated configurations are contemplated.

Claims

1. A method of producing a canned hydrogen infused carbonated beverage comprising the steps of: providing a can; introducing a solid that includes metal into the can; filling the can with a carbonated liquid having water; generating molecular hydrogen from the reaction of the solid and the water; and sealing the can.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the metal of the solid that is introduced into the can during the step of introducing comprises magnesium.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the solid comprises magnesium particles.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the magnesium particles include a coating.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of generating molecular hydrogen continues until any magnesium introduced into the can is in solution.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the carbonated liquid comprises any one or more of: carbonated water, beer, soft drinks, carbonated energy drinks, flavored carbonated water.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the can comprises any one or more of: a metal container, a rigid plastic container, a flexible plastic container, a rigid glass container, a paperboard container, as well as combinations of the same

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the can comprises a metal can for beverages.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: introducing at least one of a catalyst, a flavoring, a vitamin, caffeine, an electrolyte, sodium, a mineral, sugar and a preservative into the can.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of introducing occurs after the step of filling.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of generating occurs at least partially after the step of sealing.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating occurs at least partially after the step of sealing.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating molecular hydrogen occurs both prior to and after the step of sealing.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of introducing occurs prior to the step of filling.

15. A beverage can comprising: a body with an inner cavity that is sealed; a carbonated beverage within the can; and a solid that includes a metal introduced into the can, prior to sealing, which reacts with the water to form molecular hydrogen.

16. The beverage can of claim 15 wherein the solid comprises magnesium particles.

17. The beverage can of claim 16 wherein the magnesium particles include a coating.

18. A method of producing a canned hydrogen infused beverage comprising the steps of: providing a can; providing a filler; preparing a mixture that includes magnesium particles and water; filling the can with the mixture having magnesium particles; sealing the can; and generating molecular hydrogen from the reaction of the magnesium particles with the water, at least some of which molecular hydrogen is generated after sealing the can.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the magnesium particles are coated.

20. The method of claim 18 further including the step of: filling the can with nitrogen gas after the step of filling the can with the mixture having magnesium particles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0038] FIG. 1a of the drawings is a flow chart of a process of producing a canned hydrogen infused carbonated beverage;

[0039] FIG. 1b of the drawings is another flow chart of a process of producing a canned hydrogen infused carbonated beverage;

[0040] FIG. 2a of the drawings is a schematic representation of a can undergoing the process of having a hydrogen infused carbonated beverage following the flow chart of FIG. 1a;

[0041] FIG. 2b of the drawings is a schematic representation of a can undergoing the process of having a hydrogen infused carbonated beverage following the flow chart of FIG. 2b; and

[0042] FIG. 3 of the drawings is a flow chart of another process of producing a hydrogen infused carbonated or non-carbonated beverage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0043] While this disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment(s) with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the embodiment(s) illustrated.

[0044] It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

[0045] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1a and/or 1b, the method of producing a canned hydrogen infused carbonated beverage is shown generally at 10. It will be understood that while the method shows the production of a single sealed can having a carbonated beverage infused with hydrogen, it is envisioned that a single piece of equipment (namely, a filler such as filler 410 (FIG. 2a and/or 2b)) can produce between dozens and tens of thousands of such cans per hour. Indeed, there is no limitation on the serialization of the production of such equipment.

[0046] The process starts with the providing of both the can at step 20 and the filling equipment at step 30. With reference to FIG. 2a or 2b, the can comprises a base container blank 100 and lid 102. The base container blank 100 defines inner cavity 106. The lid 102 includes a frangible portion that allows opening and ingress into the cavity 106 when the blank and the lid are joined together with what is known as a double seam can seal 104. Typically, such blanks and lids are formed from aluminum, however, other materials are used such as steel and tinplate. It will be understood that the disclosure is not directed to or limited to any particular type of can. Alternatively, bottles can be utilized as well (for example, plastic or glass), or pouches, however the disclosure will be described in a configuration utilizing cans. Additionally, the term can as read herein can refer to any of these different types of containers (i.e., a metal container, a rigid plastic container, like a bottle, a flexible plastic container such as a pouch, a rigid glass container, a paperboard container, as well as combinations of the same), and the disclosure is not limited to cans (and/or cans for beverage that are generally cylindrical and generally between 5 and 18 ounces).

[0047] The filling equipment is generally known in the art, and is available from any number of different filling equipment manufacturers. Such filling equipment can be fully automated or may be manual. In some configurations, the user fills and seals cans one at a time. In other configurations, fully automated equipment can fill and seal upwards of 4000 to 25000 cans per hour. Such equipment is known to those of skill in the art.

[0048] With both the can and the filler provided, the can is next introduced into the filler at step 40. Generally, the can is fully cleaned and sterilized prior to or at the beginning of the process in the filling equipment. A number of different methods and systems are known for providing a clean and sterilized base container blank to a filler.

[0049] With reference to FIGS. 1a and 2a, once the can is introduced into the filler, the a solid (i.e., particles, or the like) or tablet form of Magnesium is introduced into the can (while it will be understood that another metal that degrades into molecular hydrogen is likewise contemplated, including, but not limited to Zinc, among others). It will be understood that this step can occur prior to the introduction into the filler by a completely separate step. It will also be understood that this step can occur after the step 60 of filling the can with carbonated liquid (as in the configuration of FIGS. 1b and 2b). It will be understood that for the reaction to occur, the proper conditions (i.e., pH and the like) are present.

[0050] In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1a and 2a, the solid comprises a tablet that includes magnesium in a form that when combined with water will yield, among other things molecular hydrogen (H.sub.2), such as, for example, magnesium metal in small particles, such as, for example, granular magnesium. One such tablet is disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2016/0113865, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Another such product is a tablet that is sold under the name rejuvenation by HRW Natural Health Products Inc. of New Westminster, BC, Canada. In addition to Magnesium other materials may be added such as catalysts, flavorings, vitamins, caffeine, electrolytes, (sodium, minerals and/or sugar), preservatives and the like. It will also be understood that at this step, other solids may be added, such as flavorings, sweeteners or the like. It will also be understood that the liquid may be infused with Nitrogen gas (N.sub.2) as well as being carbonated (i.e., inclusive of CO.sub.2). The figure also discloses a magnesium powder, such as granulated magnesium.

[0051] Next, at step 60, the base container blank 100 is filled with a carbonated liquid, such as carbonated water 300. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2a, the filling is accomplished through fill valve 402, wherein the carbonated liquid is directed through the outlet 402. In other configurations, the product can be other than carbonated water, such as, for example, a carbonated beverage (i.e., cola, beer, among others), beer, soft drinks, carbonated energy drinks, flavored carbonated water, as well as, spiked (alcohol) seltzers, and other, pre-mixed ready to drink alcoholic cocktails, as well as non-carbonated, juices, teas, coffees, and premixed ready to drink alcoholic cocktails.

[0052] As the container is filled and thereafter, the magnesium in the presence of water undergoes a reaction producing, among other things, molecular hydrogen, H.sub.2. This process continues as the can proceeds to the step of sealing the inner cavity 106 through coupling of the lid 102 in a double seam can seal 104. Eventually, and preferably (although not required), any magnesium is in solution in the carbonated water, and no solids remain in the inner cavity 106. In other configurations, some solids (which may be in the form of Magnesium Oxide) remain. It has been found that the resulting can, in many instances, does not exhibit over pressurization through the addition of the magnesium 200. In some configurations, it is advantageous to allow the can to sit or to agitate the can to achieve the dissolution of the Magnesium and the formation of the molecular hydrogen.

[0053] Some cans were prepared in accordance with the above-described method. After allowing the cans to sit (and in some cases, be cooled through refrigeration), testing was completed to determine the amount of molecular hydrogen that is in the can. When tested with carbonated water, readings of 2.1 ppm were observed. It is known that positive and beneficial results are achieved with 1.5 ppm or more of molecular hydrogen. Thus, even with the carbonation, which competes with the hydrogen in solution, the ending result is that therapeutic levels of molecular hydrogen were observed through the method as disclosed.

[0054] In another aspect of the disclosure, it is contemplated that the process can be modified to preclude step 50 and to make the process suitable for use on conventional filling equipment without modification (preferably, while modification is not precluded or limited). It is likewise contemplated that the process can be applied to non-carbonated liquids as well, while the disclosure above discusses carbonated liquids, with appropriate conditions for the reaction to occur.

[0055] In particular, such a process is disclosed in FIG. 3. In such a process, as with the first process, the steps 20 and 30 are the same. In the process disclosed in FIG. 3, it is contemplated that a mixture is prepared in the tank at step 33. The mixture in the tank, as with the previous mixture, may include any number of different ingredients, flavorings, and the like. Additionally, the base material may comprise water, a juice, coffee, tea or other drinks known to those of skill in the art, without limitation.

[0056] However, in the configuration contemplated, magnesium particles are added. The particles may have a number of different shapes and sizes. It will be understood that the shapes and sizes are preferably optimized for a slow reaction in cold water with a faster reaction in warm water. That is, the reaction of the Magnesium in the water increases with temperature. It is preferred that the mixture is maintained at a relatively low temperature (i.e., <5 C., for example), to limit the reaction between the Magnesium and the water while in the relatively larger mixing tank (or the bowl of the filler, for example). It is likewise contemplated that the Magnesium particle size has a specific gravity close to 1.0 so as to help make a homogenous mixture. Of course, other particle sizes are likewise contemplated.

[0057] In certain configurations, for any of the above different processes, it may be desirable to coat the Magnesium particles to retard the reaction time. One encapsulation technology can encapsulate the Magnesium in a dextrose coating (while other coatings are contemplated), and such coating is available from Spray-Tek of Middlesex N.J. Other coating technologies are likewise contemplated, such as the formation of an oxidation layer in a controlled fashion over the Magnesium to limit degradation or to retard degradation upon exposure to water. It is further contemplated that acids or other accelerators or catalysts can be added to the mixture to either increase or decrease the reaction time of the Magnesium and the water. It has been observed that Carbonic Acid found within Carbonated Water, seems to act as a catalyst.

[0058] The steps 40 and 60 remain as described above, with the addition of carbonation in step 59 in certain beverage configurations. It will be understood that in certain configurations, it may be desirable to produce a non-carbonated beverage while in other configurations, it may be desirable to produce a carbonated beverage. It will be understood that typically, the carbonation is added just prior to filling by mixing the same with the mixture, again just prior to filling. While other variations are contemplated, it is desirable to have the present process be acceptable for use with convention filling equipment, minimizing variation and modification. It will further be understood that generally, the introduction of carbonation (as a result of the carbonic acid created during the carbonation lowers the pH of the water) increases the reaction rate of Magnesium and water, increasing the generation of Hydrogen gas.

[0059] In certain configurations, it is desirable to add a dosing of Nitrogen gas to the unoccupied space within the container (that is, to displace any oxygen that may remain in the can when sealed). In some configurations, such a nitrogen dosing, represented by the step 66, may be omitted.

[0060] At step 70, the can is sealed, as in the prior process. Once sealed, at step 73, the temperature of the can, and its contents, is raised. In some configurations, the temperature may only be raised to room temperature for example (i.e., 20 C., for example). In other configurations, the temperature may be raised to a higher or lower temperature, such as, for example, temperatures between 6 C. and 45 C. Of course, such ranges are exemplary, and not to be deemed limiting.

[0061] In still other configurations, at step 73, the can may be introduced into a pasteurization process wherein the temperature is raised to in excess of 60 C. for a predetermined period of time. In either case, the increase in temperature increases the rate of reaction between the Magnesium and water (as well as generally, any coating placed over the Magnesium), thereby increasing the rate at which Hydrogen gas is produced.

[0062] Advantageously, with the addition of Magnesium (to form Hydrogen gas), it is generally necessary to reduce the level of carbonation. The Magnesium particles can be designed or tuned in such a manner that the generation of Hydrogen gas occurs after the pasteurization process. As a result, cans can be subjected to the pasteurization process (through a number of processes, including but not limited to tunnel pasteurizing) at a lower pressure within the can (due to the Magnesium particles to water reaction not being completed), wherein the pressure increases after the pasteurizing process through the Magnesium and water reaction. Thus, the pressure at the time of consumption may be greater than would have been possible prior to pasteurization due to pressure limits in the pasteurization process. For example, the Magnesium particles can be formed such that the reaction occurs over a period of time at the various given temperatures. In one configuration, the process may require 24 hours at ambient temperature. In another configuration, the process may require 18 hours at ambient temperature after pasteurization. The different configurations are not to be deemed limiting, but to be exemplary of the different methods and processes that can be tailored for different beverages and different environments of use and consumption.

[0063] The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the disclosure and the disclosure is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the disclosure.