Treatment device for the physical treatment of beverages

Abstract

Treatment device (1) for the physical treatment of beverages, comprising: a treatment channel (3) for conveying the beverage to be treated through it; and a treatment unit (2) arranged around the treatment channel (3), which has a permanent magnet arrangement (14) with two permanent magnet structures (22, 23) diametrically opposed to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis (4) of the treatment channel (3); each permanent magnet structure (22, 23) has an inner magnetic pole surface (27) on its inner surface (24) facing the treatment channel (3), which is polarized oppositely to the inner magnetic pole surface (27) of the diametrically opposed permanent magnet structure (23, 22), such that at least one magnetic field (15) is formed through the treatment channel (3) transversely to the longitudinal axis (4) of the channel from one permanent magnet structure (22, 23) to the other; the permanent magnet structures (22,23) have a structure segmented in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis (4) and each have several permanent magnet segments (55, 56) arranged in a row in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis (4),- wherein the treatment device (2) has a sleeve-shaped shielding device (33) made of a magnetizable material peripherally enclosing the permanent magnet arrangement (14), which is composed of two separate, hemispherical shielding structures (48, 49) each enclosing one of the two permanent magnet structures (22, 23), which have a structure segmented in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis (4) and each have several hemispherical shielding segments (46, 47) arranged in a row in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis (4),- wherein shielding segments (46, 47) of the two are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the longitudinal channel axis (4) Shielding structures (48,49) each pair to form a shielding sleeve (43) of the sleeve-shaped shielding device (33), characterized in that the treatment device (2) has a paramagnetic sheet structure (35) arranged on the inner magnetic pole surface (27) of each permanent magnet structure (22, 23), which is adapted to the surface profile of the inner magnetic pole surface (27) and whose thickness measured radially with respect to the longitudinal axis (4) of the channel is less than the thickness of the associated permanent magnet structure (22, 23) measured in the same direction, wherein it is expediently made of aluminum material.

Description

The invention relates to a treatment device for the physical treatment of beverages, comprising a treatment channel for passing the beverage to be treated through it and a treatment unit arranged around the treatment channel, which has a permanent magnet arrangement with two permanent magnet structures diametrically opposed to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis of the treatment channel, wherein each permanent magnet structure has an inner magnetic pole surface on its inner side facing the treatment channel, which is polarized oppositely to the inner magnetic pole surface of the diametrically opposed permanent magnet structure, such that at least one magnetic field is formed passing through the treatment channel transversely to the longitudinal axis of the channel from one permanent magnet structure to the other.wherein the permanent magnet structures have a structure segmented in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis and each have several permanent magnet segments arranged in series in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis, wherein the treatment device has a sleeve-shaped shielding device made of a magnetizable material peripherally enclosing the permanent magnet arrangement, which is composed of two separate, hemispherical shielding structures, each enclosing one of the two permanent magnet structures, which have a structure segmented in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis and each have several hemispherical shielding segments arranged in series in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis, wherein shielding segments of the two shielding structures that are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the longitudinal channel axis are paired to form a shielding sleeve of the sleeve-shaped shielding device. A treatment device of this type, known from DE 202 08 666 U1, is intended for use in the purification of alcohol, juice, or other beverages. It contains several permanent magnets arranged around a tube, the magnetic fields of which are intended to impart a more mature taste to a liquid passing through the tube. The permanent magnets have opposite poles that align themselves with each other. DE 44 36 435 A1 describes a limescale converter with diametrically opposed permanent magnets, each glued into a housing half-shell made of iron, which thus acts as a shielding device. Two or more permanent magnets can be arranged in series. The magnets are radially polarized, so that an approximately isotropic magnetic field is formed in the cross-section. German patent DE 38 06 708 A1 deals with a lime conversion plant in which a permanent magnet is glued into each of two hemispheres made of soft magnetic material. The generated magnetic field has, among other effects, the effect of the two hemispheres attracting each other and thus fixing them in their relative position. DE 603 ​​09 355 T2 discloses a device for the magnetic conditioning of fluids or gases, particularly for the conditioning of fuel or domestic water. Several axially aligned modules are arranged around a pipeline, each module having a permanent magnet embedded in a non-magnetic outer housing. An insulating shield is arranged around each magnet, covering its exposed outer surfaces. The modules are connected to each other by a coupling. DE 297 18 300 U1 describes a device for preventing mineral deposits in a water pipe, wherein several opposing magnets are provided and a metal plate can be attached to the inner surface of each magnet. A treatment device known from DE 38 26 744 A1 is used in a process for treating alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and aims to improve the taste and, if applicable, the digestibility of a beverage. The effect is primarily based on exposing the beverage to a magnetic field. According to the explanations in DE 38 26 744 A1, the action of the magnetic field causes a structural change in the water and / or ethanol contained in the beverage. The magnetic field responsible for the successful treatment is generated by permanent magnets, which are designed as ring magnets or cylindrical magnets with poles located at their end faces and which are arranged coaxially around a plastic tube that defines a treatment channel through which the beverage to be treated is passed.The axially polarized permanent magnets consequently generate magnetic fields whose field lines extend axially in the treatment channel and thus run mainly parallel to the flow direction of the beverage being treated. WO 95 / 04397 A2 discloses a magnetic liquid treatment device in which elongated cup-shaped elements are arranged to form a tube around a liquid line. Several magnets are inserted between the line and the elongated cup-shaped element, arranged in diametrically opposed pairs within the tube. According to one embodiment of the invention, the cup-shaped elements are fastened around the liquid line by longitudinally extending flanges. According to another embodiment of the invention, the elongated cup-shaped elements are housed in a casing having end caps that seal the ends around the liquid line. Each end of the line is provided with an adapter or a corresponding connector for insertion into a line that carries the liquid to be treated. The invention is based on the objective of proposing measures for the physical treatment of beverages, in particular alcoholic beverages, with which an effective improvement in taste can be achieved even with relatively short treatment periods. To solve this problem, in a treatment device in conjunction with the features mentioned above, the invention provides that the treatment device has a paramagnetic sheet structure arranged on the inner magnetic pole surface of each permanent magnet structure, which is adapted to the surface profile of the inner magnetic pole surface and whose thickness measured radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel is less than the thickness of the associated permanent magnet structure measured in the same direction, and which is expediently made of aluminum material. The treatment device according to the invention has a permanent magnet arrangement arranged around a treatment channel, which can generate at least one magnetic field that penetrates the enclosed treatment channel transversely to the axial direction of the channel's longitudinal axis, hereinafter referred to as the channel longitudinal direction. In other words, the permanently magnet-generated magnetic field traverses the treatment channel and is able to "fill" the entire channel cross-section. When a beverage passes through the treatment channel during its treatment, it crosses the magnetic field lines, which are present in an extremely homogeneous distribution, perpendicular to their direction of travel, so that one can practically speak of passing through a magnetic field curtain. The result is an extremely intensive interaction of the generated at least one magnetic field with substances contained in the beverage, such as minerals.The sensory, i.e., perceptible, quality of the beverage is significantly improved, even with only a short exposure time to the magnetic field(s). This offers, for example, the advantageous possibility of treating a beverage directly during bottling in a single pass. Even pre-packaged beverages can be treated subsequently by moving them, including their magnetically permeable packaging, through the treatment channel. If the beverage flows through the treatment channel during treatment, the flow can occur directly within the channel itself or in a hose or pipe running through it. Variable manufacturing of the treatment device is possible because the permanent magnet structures each have a segmented structure along the longitudinal axis of the canal, i.e., in the canal's longitudinal direction, and each has several permanent magnet segments arranged in a row along the canal's longitudinal direction. In other words, the permanent magnet structures are segmented in the canal's longitudinal direction. The effective magnetic field length can be easily determined by using a corresponding number of permanent magnet segments, each of which generates its own magnetic field. It is advantageous that the treatment device has a sleeve-shaped shielding device made of a magnetizable material that peripherally surrounds the permanent magnet arrangement.The shielding device provides magnetic shielding of the magnetic fields from the immediate vicinity of the treatment device, thus preventing any interference with components located near the device that might be caused by escaping magnetic fields. Field lines emanating radially from the two permanent magnet arrangements are concentrated within the sleeve-shaped shielding device, extending particularly between the oppositely polarized outer magnetic pole surfaces of the two permanent magnet structures. The sleeve-shaped shielding device consists of two separate, hemispherical shielding structures, each enclosing one of the two permanent magnet structures, which together form a complete sleeve-shaped structure. This results, among other things, in simple and cost-effective assembly of the treatment device.The semi-shell-shaped shielding structures are segmented along the longitudinal direction of the treatment canal and each has several semi-shell-shaped shielding segments arranged directly adjacent to one another or at close intervals along the longitudinal direction of the canal. The shielding segments are advantageously of the same length along the longitudinal direction of the canal. The desired length for the sleeve-shaped shielding structure can be determined by using a corresponding number of shielding segments. Shielding segments of the two semi-shell-shaped shielding structures that are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the canal preferably complement each other to form a multi-part, sleeve-shaped component of the sleeve-shaped shielding device, which is hereinafter also referred to as a shielding sleeve. Although the treatment device and its operating procedure are generally suitable for treating all types of beverages, the improvements in taste are particularly pronounced in alcoholic beverages and especially in wines, making this a preferred application. Advantageous further developments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims. The treatment channel is advantageously formed within a pipe body surrounded by the treatment device. This pipe body, at least in the area of ​​the permanent magnet arrangement, has a wall made of a magnetically permeable material, forming the channel wall of the treatment channel. Preferably, the pipe body is made of stainless steel, although a plastic material is also suitable. It is advantageous if the entire pipe body is made of a magnetically permeable material. While the pipe body can, in principle, have a non-circular cross-sectional contour, the use of a hollow cylindrical pipe body is recommended. The interior of such a pipe body is particularly easy to clean and, when used for direct flow guidance, contributes to a uniform and turbulence-free fluid flow. It has proven particularly advantageous if both permanent magnet structures exhibit radial magnetization with respect to the longitudinal axis of the treatment channel. Compared to a diametrically opposed magnetization, which is also possible in principle, radially magnetized permanent magnet arrangements can be manufactured relatively inexpensively and generally produce a particularly homogeneous magnetic field. Preferably, the two diametrically opposed permanent magnet structures each have an arc-shaped form, with a concave inner magnetic pole surface on their inner surface facing the treatment channel and a convex outer magnetic pole surface on their outer surface facing away from the treatment channel. The inner and outer magnetic pole surfaces have opposite polarizations, thus defining a north pole in one case and a south pole in the other. The permanent magnet segments preferably each have an arc-shaped, bowl-shaped form with a concave inner magnetic pole surface and a convex outer magnetic pole surface opposite in this respect, wherein the two magnetic pole surfaces have magnetic poles of opposite polarity relative to each other. The two permanent magnet structures can, in principle, be manufactured as a single piece, for example, as diametrically magnetized integral components of a ring-shaped magnet structure. However, a design with separately formed permanent magnet structures is preferred, as this allows for more cost-effective and simpler manufacturing and assembly. For example, each permanent magnet structure can have a radially magnetized, arc-shaped form. In the case of separately or independently formed permanent magnet structures, each permanent magnet structure expediently extends a certain distance around the treatment channel in a circumferential direction and has two opposing end surfaces in this circumferential direction, wherein the circumferential extension of each permanent structure is less than 180 degrees, so that the end surfaces of the two permanent magnet structures facing each other in the circumferential direction are each separated from each other by a gap. In the longitudinally segmented structure of the permanent magnets, the permanent magnet segments belonging to the same permanent magnet structure are preferably arranged in a line without any angular offset in the circumferential direction of the treatment channel. This ensures that the field lines of all magnetic fields generated by any two opposing permanent magnet segments are parallel to each other. Preferably, the magnetizations of the permanent magnet segments belonging to the same permanent magnet structure are also identical, so that the direction of the magnetic field lines passing through the treatment channel is the same. The permanent magnet segments belonging to the same permanent magnet structure can be in contact with each other in the longitudinal direction of the channel or, preferably, be spaced apart from each other only slightly. A ferromagnetic material, especially soft iron, is particularly recommended as the material for the shielding device. Preferably, the permanent magnet arrangement is attached to an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve-shaped shielding device. In principle, certain mechanical retaining structures can be provided for this purpose, for example, snap-in mechanisms; however, fixing by means of an adhesive bond is particularly advantageous. Preferably, each of the two hemispherical shielding structures has two end surfaces opposite each other in the circumferential direction of the treatment channel, wherein the hemispherical shielding structures with their end surfaces facing each other in the circumferential direction abut each other and are held together by a magnetic force which is caused by the associated permanent magnet structures and in particular results from the formation of opposite magnetic poles on the end surfaces facing each other, which attract each other. As with permanent magnet structures, it is also possible to provide a single-piece assembly for the half-shell shielding structures and to achieve the desired overall length of the sleeve-shaped shielding device in the longitudinal direction of the canal by using two half-shell shielding structures of corresponding lengths. Preferably, however, the half-shell shielding structures are segmented in the longitudinal direction of the treatment canal and each has several half-shell shielding segments arranged directly adjacent to one another or at close intervals in the longitudinal direction of the canal. The shielding segments are expediently of the same length in the longitudinal direction of the canal. The desired length of the sleeve-shaped shielding structure can be determined by using a corresponding number of shielding segments.Shielding segments of the two hemispherical shielding structures, which are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel, preferably complement each other to form a multi-part, sleeve-shaped component of the sleeve-shaped shielding device, which is also referred to below as a shielding sleeve. According to the invention, in order to further improve the beverage properties, a paramagnetic sheet structure is applied to the inner magnetic pole surface of each permanent magnet structure. This sheet structure is adapted to the surface profile of the inner magnetic pole surface and its thickness, measured radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel, is less than the thickness of the associated permanent magnet structure measured in the same direction. The paramagnetic sheet structure is advantageously made of aluminum. In the circumferential direction of the treatment channel, the paramagnetic sheet structure expediently has a smaller extent than the associated permanent magnet structure, being positioned so that it is overtopped by the two opposite end sections of the permanent magnet structure in the circumferential direction of the treatment channel. It is advantageous if the paramagnetic sheet structure consists of several paramagnetic sheet elements spaced apart from each other at specific points along the longitudinal direction of the treatment channel. These sheet elements preferably each have a rectangular outline with two side edges that are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the treatment channel. Preferably, the components of the treatment device are designed such that at least one sleeve-shaped treatment unit is present, which is composed of two separate, diametrically opposed, half-shell treatment unit segments, each having a half-shell shielding segment and at least one permanent magnet segment arranged on the inner surface of the shielding segment facing the opposite shielding segment. When joined, the half-shell treatment unit segments are held together by their mutually magnetically attracting half-shell shielding segments. In its simplest form, the treatment facility contains only a single treatment unit. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the treatment device, which especially allows for a modular design, the treatment unit comprises several of the sleeve-shaped treatment units arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the treatment canal. Each of these sleeve-shaped treatment units consists of two separate, hemispherical treatment unit segments, which are diametrically opposed to each other with their concave inner surfaces facing forward along the longitudinal direction of the canal. Each treatment unit segment has one of the hemispherical shielding segments mentioned above and at least one of the permanent magnet segments also mentioned above, which is attached to an inner surface of the shielding element facing the other treatment unit segment. To form a treatment unit, any number of treatment units can be arranged axially in a coaxial orientation. Axially adjacent treatment units can be directly adjacent to each other or arranged with a small gap between them. Preferably, exactly two permanent magnet segments are arranged side by side on the inner surface of each shielding segment, aligned with the longitudinal axis of the channel, and preferably in abutting each other. Since these two permanent magnet segments are rigidly attached to the associated shielding segment, the axial repulsive forces acting between the adjacent permanent magnet segments do not have an outward effect. Preferably, the permanent magnet segments attached to the inner surface of one and the same shielding segment have at least substantially the same length in the longitudinal direction of the channel as the associated sleeve-shaped shielding segment, so that each treatment unit segment preferably has at least substantially a flush finish on both sides axially. To realize a treatment unit segment, a single permanent magnet segment can be arranged on the inner surface of the associated hemispherical shielding segment. This single permanent magnet segment then expediently has the same length in the longitudinal direction of the canal as the associated shielding segment, so that, again, each treatment unit segment preferably has an at least substantially flush finish on both sides axially. If the treatment device has a paramagnetic sheet metal structure of the type mentioned above, it is advantageous if each treatment unit segment is provided with a paramagnetic sheet metal element on the inner side of its at least one permanent magnet segment facing the treatment channel. The paramagnetic sheet metal element has dimensions such that it is axially extended by the associated at least one permanent magnet segment at both of its side edges oriented in the longitudinal direction of the channel. If the treatment unit segment has two adjacent permanent magnet segments, it is advantageous if the paramagnetic sheet metal element is positioned so that it extends over part of both permanent magnet segments. Preferably, each treatment unit is arranged coaxially on a tube body that defines the treatment channel. Each treatment unit has an axial through-opening through which the tube body extends. The axial through-opening is bounded radially and peripherally by the two treatment unit segments. For fixation to the tube body, the treatment units can be bonded to the outer circumferential surface of the tube body in the area of ​​their permanent magnet segments and, optionally, in the area of ​​their paramagnetic sheet metal elements.Another suitable method of fixation provides that the several treatment unit segments are integrated on the pipe body between two end walls of an outer housing of the treatment device fixed to the pipe body, wherein the two axially outer treatment units are supported on their respective end walls and the treatment units arranged between them are fixed with axial preload relative to each other due to magnetic repulsion forces of the permanent magnet segments of the individual treatment units acting in the longitudinal direction of the channel. Preferably, the treatment device includes anti-rotation devices for immutably defining the angular position of the individual treatment units mounted on the pipe body relative to the pipe body. The anti-rotation devices are particularly designed such that an angular relative position is fixed between the existing treatment units, in which the magnetic fields generated by the permanent magnet segments of the individual treatment units, which traverse the treatment channel, are aligned parallel to each other. The treatment device expediently includes an outer housing, as previously mentioned, which encloses the permanent magnet assembly and, if multiple treatment units are present, encloses all of them together. In this way, the functional components of the treatment device are shielded from the environment and cannot become contaminated. Furthermore, this design makes the treatment device very easy to clean and allows for simple food-grade sterilization if required. The outer housing is expediently gas-tight and preferably attached to the pipe body defining the treatment channel via a gas-tight connection, for example, a welded joint. The outer housing preferably has two axially spaced, and preferably annular, end walls, as well as a preferably hollow cylindrical outer wall extending between the two end walls. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing: In this drawing: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the treatment device according to the invention, which has a treatment unit with five treatment units enclosed by an outer housing; Fig. 2 shows an enlarged section of the treatment device of Fig. 1 with only partially indicated end sections of a tube body enclosed by the treatment unit, wherein a peripheral cladding wall of the outer housing in the area of ​​three treatment units adjoining a right-hand end wall of the outer housing is indicated only by a dashed line; and wherein of these three treatment units, the one furthest to the right is shown in an uncut side view, the middle one with a shielding sleeve indicated only by a dashed line, and the left one in a longitudinal section according to section plane II from Fig. 3.3 a cross-section of the treatment device according to section plane III-III from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 , and Fig. 4 one of the treatment units of the treatment device illustrated in Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 in the separated state of its two treatment unit segments in a perspective view. The treatment device designated in its entirety by reference numeral 1 is a beverage treatment device with which beverages can be physically treated, in particular to optimize their taste and / or digestibility. Treatment device 1 is especially advantageous for the treatment of alcoholic beverages, and in particular wines, although it is also effective with non-alcoholic beverages. When using the treatment device 1, the beverage to be treated is passed through the treatment device 1, where it is under the physical influence of a treatment element 2 of the treatment device 1, which has an advantageous design as explained below. The beverage does not undergo any chemical treatment during its treatment in the treatment device 1. The treatment device 1 has a treatment channel 3 extending longitudinally and a central longitudinal channel axis 4 indicated by a dashed line. The axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis 4 is hereinafter also referred to as the longitudinal channel direction 4a. The treatment channel 3 preferably extends in a straight line. Peripherally, around the longitudinal axis 4 of the channel, the treatment channel 3 is surrounded by a channel wall 5, which is expediently closed and without perforations. The treatment channel 3 preferably has a round, and in particular a circular, cross-section, wherein the channel wall 5 defining the channel cross-section is preferably hollow cylindrical with a particularly circular cross-section. By way of example, the channel wall 5 is formed by the pipe wall of a pipe body 6, which has two opposing pipe ends that define an inlet opening 7 and an outlet opening 8 of the treatment channel 3. The beverage to be treated is fed into the treatment channel 3 through the inlet opening 7 according to arrow 12a and exits again at the outlet opening 8 according to arrow 12b, after having passed through the treatment channel 3 in the longitudinal direction 4a according to arrow 13. When using the treatment device 1, the beverage can be passed directly through the treatment channel 3 so that it comes into contact with the channel wall 5. It then flows directly through the treatment channel 3. Another possibility, indicated in the drawing, is to lay a separate hose or pipe 20 through the treatment channel 3 and to pass the beverage through this hose or pipe 20. In this particularly hygienic application of the treatment device 1, the beverage to be treated does not come into contact with the treatment device 1. The beverage can be transported continuously or in portions through treatment channel 3 during its treatment. Portion transport is possible, for example, by moving the beverage, including its packaging such as a bottle or can, through treatment channel 3, which has a sufficiently large cross-section. The treatment device 2 is arranged around the treatment channel 3 and, by way of example, around the pipe body 6. Preferably, the treatment channel 3 is peripherally enclosed by the treatment device 2 in a circumferential direction 11, indicated by a double arrow. The circumferential direction 11 is a direction around the longitudinal axis 4 of the channel. Advantageously, the treatment device 2 has a sleeve-shaped structure and is aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis 4 of the channel. The treatment device 2 contains a permanent magnet arrangement 14, which is primarily responsible for the physical treatment of the beverage. The permanent magnet arrangement 14 generates at least one permanent magnetic field 15, indicated by arrows, which penetrates the treatment channel 3 transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 4 of the channel. The magnetic field 15 has such an extent that it fills or penetrates the entire cross-section of the treatment channel 3, thereby exposing all components of the beverage to the magnetic field 15. The channel wall 5, formed by the pipe wall of the pipe body 6, consists, at least in the area of ​​the permanent magnet arrangement 14, of a magnetically permeable material, so that the unimpeded passage of the at least one magnetic field 15 through the treatment channel 3 is possible. By way of example, the entire pipe body 6 consists of a magnetically permeable material, in particular stainless steel. The treatment device 2 preferably has an enclosed design. For example, it has an outer housing 16 extending around the channel wall 5, which together with the channel wall 5 defines a receiving space 17 having an annular cross-section, in which the functional components of the treatment device 2 are contained in a manner tightly separated from the environment. For example, the outer housing 16 is made of stainless steel. The outer casing 16 is preferably fixedly attached to the pipe body 6, in particular by welding. By way of example, the outer casing 16 has two end walls 18 spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel and coaxially mounted on the pipe body 6, and a sleeve-shaped outer wall 19 extending radially between the two end walls 18 and the channel wall 5. The end walls 18 are preferably fluid-tightly attached to the channel wall 5 in the region of their inner circumference by means of a welded connection. The permanent magnet arrangement 14 placed as an example in the recording space 17 has two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis 4 of the channel, which are referred to below as the first permanent magnet structure 22 and the second permanent magnet structure 23 for better differentiation. Each of the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 advantageously has an arcuate curved shape, which is very well illustrated by Figs. 3 and 4. Each permanent magnet structure 22, 23 has an inner surface 24 facing the treatment channel 3 and an outer surface 25 facing away from the treatment channel 3. The inner surface 24 of each permanent magnet structure 22, 23 is concavely curved, while the outer surface 25 advantageously has a convex curvature. At least if the channel wall 5 has a circular cylindrical channel wall outer surface 26 according to the illustrated embodiment, the permanent magnet structures 22, 23 are curved in a circular arc shape on their inner side 24 and especially also on their outer side 25. The two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 are magnetized such that the magnetic surface on the inner side 24 forms an inner magnetic pole surface 27 and the magnetic surface on the outer side 25 forms an outer magnetic pole surface 28. Each magnetic pole surface 27, 28 has the same magnetic polarization throughout. The polarization at the inner magnetic pole surface 27 is opposite to the polarization at the outer magnetic pole surface 28 for each permanent magnet structure 22, 23. However, the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 are polarized in opposite directions relative to each other, so that the inner magnetic pole surface 27 of the first permanent magnet structure 22 has a polarization opposite to that of the inner magnetic pole surface 27 of the second permanent magnet structure 23. Thus, opposite magnetic poles are located perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel.For example, the inner magnetic pole surface 27 of the first permanent magnet structure 22 forms a north pole, while the inner magnetic pole surface 27 of the second permanent magnet structure 23 forms a south pole. Due to the opposing polarization of the inner magnetic pole surfaces 27, at least one magnetic field 15 is formed, passing through the treatment channel 3 transversely to the channel's longitudinal axis 4 from the first permanent magnet structure 22 to the second permanent magnet structure 23. Depending on the specific design of the permanent magnet arrangement 14, there may be only a single magnetic field 15 or there may be several independent magnetic fields 15, successive in the channel's longitudinal direction 4a, which expediently merge directly into one another without any spacing between them. As can be seen in Fig. 3, the field lines of the at least one magnetic field 15 run parallel to each other over the entire channel cross-section through the treatment channel 3, the direction of the field lines being preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 4 of the channel or to an imaginary radial plane containing the longitudinal axis 4 of the channel. The described polarizations of the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 result, by way of example, from the fact that each of the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 is radially magnetized. Preferably, the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 are formed separately from each other, which applies to the illustrated embodiment. Each of the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 extends only a short distance in the circumferential direction 11 around the treatment channel 3 or around the channel wall 5. Preferably, the circumferential extent of each permanent magnet structure 22, 23 measured in the circumferential direction 11 is less than an arc length of 180 degrees, such that a permanent magnet-free space 29 exists between the end surfaces 32 of the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 facing each other in the circumferential direction 11. Advantageously, the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 are arranged symmetrically on both sides of an imaginary plane of symmetry 31 containing the longitudinal axis 4 of the canal, which extends in the longitudinal direction 4a of the canal and in a direction perpendicular to it. The at least one magnetic field 15, in particular, passes through the treatment canal 3 with an orientation perpendicular to the plane of symmetry 31. A sleeve-shaped shielding device 33 of the treatment device 2, preferably coaxially aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis 4 of the channel, extends around the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23. This shielding device 33 provides magnetic shielding to the environment of the treatment device 1 by preventing any significant escape of magnetic fields generated by the permanent magnet structures 22, 23. The shielding device 33 consists of a magnetizable material, in particular a ferromagnetic material, for example soft iron. The sleeve-shaped shielding device 33 prevents the scattering of the field lines emerging from the outer magnetic pole surfaces 28 of the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 and, among other things, causes a field line pattern to occur in the material of the shielding device 33 between the two outer magnetic pole surfaces 28, as illustrated by example in Fig. 3. Preferably, the radius of curvature on the inner circumferential surface 34 of the sleeve-shaped shielding device 33 corresponds at least substantially to the radius of curvature of the outer magnetic pole surfaces 28, so that the permanent magnet structures 22, 23 bear against the inner circumferential surface 34 of the sleeve-shaped shielding device 33 over a large area and at least approximately across their entire circumference. Advantageously, the permanent magnet structures 22, 23 are bonded to said inner circumferential surface 34, although of course any other suitable fastening method is also possible. For the desired treatment of the beverage, it has proven advantageous to attach a paramagnetic sheet structure 35 to the inner magnetic pole surface 27 of each permanent magnet structure 22, 23. This optional feature is implemented in the illustrated embodiment. Each permanent magnet structure 22, 23 is assigned its own paramagnetic sheet structure 35, the thickness of which, measured radially with respect to the longitudinal axis 4 of the channel, is smaller, and in particular significantly smaller, than the corresponding thickness of the respective assigned permanent magnet structure 22, 23. While the permanent magnet structures 22, 23 have, for example, a thickness between 5 mm and 10 mm, the thickness of the paramagnetic sheet structure 35 is preferably in the range between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. The paramagnetic sheet structures 35 are adapted to the surface profile of the associated inner magnetic pole surface 27 and thus have the same curvature in this respect. Preferably, the paramagnetic sheet structure 35 consists of aluminum material, which is very cost-effective and easy to form. The paramagnetic sheet metal structures 35 are expediently attached to the associated inner magnetic pole surface 27 by gluing. The paramagnetic sheet structure 35 advantageously has a smaller extent in the circumferential direction 11 than the associated permanent magnet structure 22, 23. The paramagnetic sheet structure 35, dimensioned in this way, is in particular arranged on the associated inner magnetic pole surface 27 such that it is overshadowed in the circumferential direction 11 by the end sections 36 of the associated permanent magnet structure 22, 23, which are opposite each other in the circumferential direction 11 and each terminate with one of the end surfaces 32. Advantageously, the paramagnetic sheet structures 35 are subdivided in the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel. For example, each paramagnetic sheet structure 35 comprises several paramagnetic sheet elements 37 arranged at intervals from one another in the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel. These sheet elements 37 advantageously have a rectangular outer contour and are oriented such that two of their side edges 38 are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis 4 of the channel. The magnetic field 15 generated by the permanent magnet arrangement 14 can pass through the paramagnetic sheet metal structures 35, since the magnetization of the sheet metal structure 35 follows the externally applied magnetic field 15. Nevertheless, a noticeably more intense change in taste can be achieved when the paramagnetic sheet metal structure 35 is present. Even though the treatment device 1 is equipped with a paramagnetic sheet metal structure 35, the taste-enhancing effect is mainly due to the at least one permanently magnetic generated magnetic field 15 through which the beverage liquid moves during its treatment. As the beverage passes through at least one magnetic field 15, it experiences intermolecular vibrations. This reduces the minerals' tendency to form carbonal harmonic crystallization compounds with acids and disrupts the intramolecular cohesion patterns. This leads to altered isobaric osmotic properties. When passing through the magnetic field lines, which are consistently perpendicular to the direction of movement 13 of the beverage, electron transfer processes within the beverage are influenced such that the redox potential, electrical conductivity, and pH value change from the original electron potential to a ratio perceived as harmonious within milliseconds. This occurs directly and purely physically.The application time is therefore extremely short, allowing the beverage to be treated, for example, during a bottling process with only a single pass through the generated magnetic field(s) 15. Due to an immediate effect on the electron transfer process in the beverage, the neutralization capacity against free radicals such as polyphenols, phyrazine compounds, acids, salts, and polysaccharide-tannin compounds is significantly increased. These ingredients, which are perceived sensorially as rather disharmonious, bitter, and "unripe," undergo better "maturation" through treatment in the device 1 and are thus integrated more harmoniously into the overall taste. The treatment duration to which the beverage is exposed as it passes through the treatment channel 3 can be influenced, for example, by the selected extent of the at least one magnetic field 15 in the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel, which can be described as the treatment length of the permanent magnet arrangement 14. Depending on the beverage, treatment devices 1 with different magnetic field extents in the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel can be provided for use. Within the treatment channel 3, the total realized magnetic field 15 or the arrangement of magnetic fields 15 has a length in the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel that corresponds at least substantially to the length of the permanent magnet arrangement 14. The magnetic field lines of each magnetic field 15 pass through the treatment channel 3 perpendicular to its longitudinal direction 4a over the entire length of the permanent magnet structures 22, 23 measured in the longitudinal direction 4a. In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the treatment device 1, the treatment unit 2 has a modular design in the longitudinal canal direction 4a with respect to its functionally relevant components. This not only makes it very easy to implement different treatment lengths, but also results in considerable cost savings, since the components used can be installed with relatively small dimensions, which has a particularly positive effect on the manufacturing costs in the construction of the permanent magnet structures 22, 23. The modular design is exemplified in particular by the fact that the treatment device 2, apart from its outer housing 16, is subdivided into several sleeve-shaped treatment units 42 arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel. An example shown is a configuration with five treatment units 42 arranged in a row, coaxially around the treatment channel 3 and preferably mounted axially on the pipe body 6. These multiple treatment units 42 are positioned axially between the two end walls 18, against which the two outer treatment units 42 are advantageously supported axially. The treatment units 42 are preferably identical in design, as is the case in the illustrated embodiment. Therefore, wherever reference is made below to a treatment unit 42, the corresponding statements apply to all existing treatment units 42. Each of the sleeve-shaped treatment units 42 expediently comprises two separate hemispherical treatment unit segments 44, 45, which are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis 4 of the canal and are attached to one another. The two treatment unit segments 44, 45 are held firmly together by the magnetic field 15 of the component of the permanent magnet arrangement 14 belonging to the treatment unit 42. Each treatment unit 42 contains a shielding sleeve 43. Each shielding sleeve 43 represents a length section of the sleeve-shaped shielding device 33. The shielding sleeves 43 of the treatment units 42 arranged in series thus together form the sleeve-shaped shielding device 33. Due to the circumferential segmentation of the treatment units 42 into two treatment unit segments 44, 45, each shielding sleeve 43 is also segmented accordingly. Each shielding sleeve 43 consists of two first and second hemispherical shielding segments 46, 47, joined together with their convex inner sides facing each other. Overall, the sleeve-shaped shielding device 33 consists of two separate first and second hemispherical shielding structures 48 and 49, each enclosing one of the two permanent magnet structures 22 and 23. These shielding structures have a segmented structure in the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel. The first hemispherical shielding structure 48 comprises a plurality of axially aligned first shielding segments 46, and the second hemispherical shielding structure 49 comprises a plurality of axially aligned second shielding segments 47. The number of first and second shielding segments 46 and 47 is the same, as are their axial dimensions. The first and second hemispherical shielding segments 46, 47 each have two end surface sections 52a, 52b opposite each other in the circumferential direction 11. In the assembled state of a treatment unit 42, the end surface sections 52a, 52b of the two shielding segments 46, 47 lie against each other in pairs and are held firmly together by a magnetic force generated by the permanent magnet arrangement 14, fixing the resulting shielding sleeve 43. The end surface sections 52a and 52b of the adjoining hemispherical shielding segments 46, 47 each form one of two end surfaces 53, 54 of the two hemispherical shielding structures 48, 49 oriented in opposite directions in the circumferential direction 11, which are joined together to form the sleeve-shaped shielding device 33. To realize the treatment units 42, the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 also have a segmented structure in the longitudinal direction 4a of the canal and are each subdivided into several permanent magnet segments 55, 56 arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction 4a of the canal, such that the first permanent magnet structure 22 has a series of first permanent magnet segments 55 and the second permanent magnet structure 23 has a series of second permanent magnet segments 56. Corresponding to the exemplary arc-shaped form of the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23, each first and second permanent magnet segment 55, 56 consequently has an arc-shaped, and in particular circular arc-shaped, shell-like form with a concave inner magnetic pole surface 27 and a correspondingly convex outer magnetic pole surface 28.The inner magnetic pole surface 27 of the two permanent magnet structures 22, 23 is thus each composed of smaller inner magnetic pole surfaces 27 of the individual permanent magnet segments 55, 56. The same applies to the outer magnetic pole surfaces 28. The permanent magnet segments 55, 56 are attached to and secured with their outer magnetic pole surface 28 to a concavely curved inner surface 57 of the associated first or second shielding segment 46, 47. In the assembled state of a treatment unit 42, the inner surfaces 57 combine to form the inner circumferential surface 34. According to an embodiment not illustrated, each shielding segment 46, 47 is equipped with only a single permanent magnet segment 55, 56. The drawing illustrates a more advantageous embodiment in which two identical permanent magnet segments 55, 56 are arranged side by side on the inner surface 57 of each shielding segment 46, 47 in the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel. These two permanent magnet segments 55 and 56 preferably lie directly against each other. If the treatment device 2 has the paramagnetic sheet metal structures 35 already described, at least one of the paramagnetic sheet metal elements 37 is advantageously attached to the inner side 24 of the permanent magnet segments 55, 56 facing the treatment channel 3. As shown in Fig. 4, it is advantageous if it is axially projected at its two end faces 58, oriented in the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel, by each of the two permanent magnet segments 55, 56. The sheet metal element 37 preferably extends over a joint area 62 in which the two permanent magnet segments 55, 56 of a respective treatment unit segment 44, 45 abut each other or are slightly spaced apart from each other. As the above explanations illustrate, each treatment unit 42 has at least one pair of diametrically opposed first and second permanent magnet segments 55, 56, each constructed as described above without reference to a segmented structure of the permanent magnet structures 22, 23. The first and second permanent magnet segments 55, 56 thus have mutually facing inner magnetic pole surfaces 27 with opposite polarities relative to each other, such that a magnetic field 15 is formed between each pair of diametrically opposed first and second permanent magnet segments 55, 56.Depending on the number of treatment units 42 and the pairs of first and second permanent magnet segments 55, 56 integrated therein, the treatment device 2 can thus have a plurality of magnetic fields 15, which, however, expediently connect directly to one another in the longitudinal direction of the channel 4a in such a way that the several magnetic fields 15 act like a uniform homogeneous magnetic field 15. The orientation between the multiple treatment units 42 with respect to the circumferential direction 11 is selected such that the field lines of all magnetic fields 15 within the treatment channel 3 run parallel to each other and also have the same direction. Anti-rotation devices and / or positioning devices may be present which ensure the desired angular alignment between the treatment units 42 even during the assembly of the treatment device 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve-shaped treatment units 42 are bonded to the outer surface 26 of the channel wall in the area of ​​their inner contour. In this case, the adhesive bond prevents rotation. The axially adjacent treatment units 42 can directly support each other mechanically. In the illustrated embodiment, however, there is a narrow gap between each of the adjacent treatment units 42. This gap results from the fact that the overall length of the treatment units 42 is slightly less than the clear distance between the two end walls 18, and the treatment units 42 are repelled by the magnetic fields 15 generated by their permanent magnet segments 55, 56 in the longitudinal direction 4a of the channel. Preferably, all treatment units 42 are enclosed together by the outer housing 16. They are encapsulated from the environment in the receiving chamber 17. The number of treatment units 42 required to implement the treatment device 2 can be selected according to the application during the manufacture of the treatment device 1. This allows for highly flexible yet cost-effective production. The treatment device 1 can even be implemented in a configuration where the treatment device 2 comprises only a single treatment unit 42.

Claims

Treatment device (1) for the physical treatment of beverages, comprising: a treatment channel (3) for conveying the beverage to be treated through it; and a treatment unit (2) arranged around the treatment channel (3), which has a permanent magnet arrangement (14) with two permanent magnet structures (22, 23) diametrically opposed to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis (4) of the treatment channel (3); each permanent magnet structure (22, 23) has an inner magnetic pole surface (27) on its inner surface (24) facing the treatment channel (3), which is polarized oppositely to the inner magnetic pole surface (27) of the diametrically opposed permanent magnet structure (23, 22), such that at least one magnetic field (15) is formed through the treatment channel (3) transversely to the longitudinal axis (4) of the channel from one permanent magnet structure (22, 23) to the other; the permanent magnet structures (22,23) have a structure segmented in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis (4) and each have several permanent magnet segments (55, 56) arranged in a row in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis (4),- wherein the treatment device (2) has a sleeve-shaped shielding device (33) made of a magnetizable material peripherally enclosing the permanent magnet arrangement (14), which is composed of two separate, hemispherical shielding structures (48, 49) each enclosing one of the two permanent magnet structures (22, 23), which have a structure segmented in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis (4) and each have several hemispherical shielding segments (46, 47) arranged in a row in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis (4),- wherein shielding segments (46, 47) of the two are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the longitudinal channel axis (4) Shielding structures (48,49) each pair to form a shielding sleeve (43) of the sleeve-shaped shielding device (33), characterized in that the treatment device (2) has a paramagnetic sheet structure (35) arranged on the inner magnetic pole surface (27) of each permanent magnet structure (22, 23), which is adapted to the surface profile of the inner magnetic pole surface (27) and whose thickness measured radially with respect to the longitudinal axis (4) of the channel is less than the thickness of the associated permanent magnet structure (22, 23) measured in the same direction, wherein it is expediently made of aluminum material. Treatment device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the treatment channel (3) is formed in a preferably hollow cylindrical tube body (6) radially surrounded on the outside by the treatment device (2), which at least in the area of ​​the permanent magnet arrangement (14) has a tube wall forming a channel wall (5) of the treatment channel (3) and consisting of a magnetically permeable material, which preferably consists of stainless steel. Treatment device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two permanent magnet structures (22, 23) are each radially magnetized with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel (4). Treatment device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two permanent magnet structures (22, 23) each have an arc-shaped curved form, wherein they have a concave inner magnetic pole surface (27) and on their outer side (25) facing away from the treatment channel (3) a convex outer magnetic pole surface (28) polarized oppositely to the inner magnetic pole surface (27). Treatment device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the permanent magnet segments (55, 56) each have an arc-shaped curved shell-shaped form with a concave inner magnetic pole surface (27) and a convex outer magnetic pole surface (28) opposite in this respect. Treatment device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the two permanent magnet structures (22, 23) are formed separately from each other. Treatment device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the two permanent magnet structures (22, 23) extends only a portion of the treatment channel (3) in a circumferential direction (11) and has two end surfaces (32) opposite each other in the circumferential direction (11), wherein the circumferential extension of each permanent magnet structure (22, 23) in the circumferential direction (11) is less than 180 degrees, so that end surfaces (32) of the two permanent magnet structures (22, 23) facing each other in the circumferential direction (11) are each spaced apart from each other by an intermediate space (29). Treatment device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sleeve-shaped shielding device (33) is made of a ferromagnetic material. Treatment device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the permanent magnet arrangement (14) is attached to an inner circumferential surface (34) of the sleeve-shaped shielding device (33) and is expediently glued in place. Treatment device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each of the two hemispherical shielding structures (48, 49) has two end surfaces (53, 54) opposite each other in the circumferential direction (11) of the treatment channel (3), wherein the hemispherical shielding structures (48, 49) with their end surfaces (53, 54) facing each other in the circumferential direction (11) abut each other and are held together by a magnetic force caused by the permanent structures (22, 23). Treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paramagnetic sheet structure (35) has a smaller extent in the circumferential direction (11) of the treatment channel (3) than the associated permanent magnet structure (22, 23) and is overtopped by the opposite end sections (36) of the permanent magnet structure (22, 23) in the circumferential direction (11) of the treatment channel (3). Treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paramagnetic sheet structure (35) has several paramagnetic sheet elements (37) arranged spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis (4). Treatment device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12 in conjunction with claims 7 and 10, characterized in that the treatment device (2) has at least one sleeve-shaped treatment unit (42) which is composed of two separate and diametrically opposed semi-shell-shaped treatment unit segments (44, 45) with respect to the longitudinal axis (4) of the channel, each of which has a semi-shell-shaped shielding segment (46, 47) and at least one permanent magnet segment (55, 56) arranged on the inner surface (57) of the shielding segment (46, 47) facing the respective opposite shielding segment (46, 47). Treatment device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the treatment device (2) has several sleeve-shaped treatment units (42) arranged in a row in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis (4) of the treatment channel (3). Treatment device (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that two permanent magnet segments (55, 56) are arranged side by side on the inner surface (57) of each hemispherical shielding segment (46, 47) in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis (4). Treatment device (1) according to one of claims 13 to 15 in conjunction with claim 12, characterized in that a paramagnetic sheet metal element (37) is arranged on the inside (24) of at least one permanent magnet segment (55, 56) of each treatment unit segment (44, 45) facing the treatment channel (3), which is expediently projected axially beyond the associated at least one permanent magnet segment (55, 56) at its two end-face side edges (58) oriented in the axial direction of the longitudinal channel axis (4). Treatment device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the treatment device (2) has an outer housing (16) enclosing the permanent magnet arrangement (14), which is expediently made of stainless steel. Treatment device (1) according to claim 17 in conjunction with one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that all treatment units (42) are jointly enclosed by the outer housing (16).

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