Reconditioned or infused fluid containers and related methods

Abstract

The invention features a method of reconditioning a fluid container including heating for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select temperature for a select time duration; sealing for at least one cycle the fluid container; cooling for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select vacuum for a select time duration in an interior of the fluid container; wherein the select vacuum and the select time duration of the cooling step are selected to draw substantially a fluid from at least one of a pore, a cell and a fiber of the fluid container to a surface of the fluid container. The invention also features methods of infusing an infusion agent into a reconditioned fluid container, and methods for preparing construction materials, devices adapted for the construction material preparation methods, and construction materials including wood reconditioned and prepared in accordance with the methods of the invention.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A container adapted for containing a fluid comprising:
 a substantially sanitized interior surface;   wherein the interior surface includes an infusion agent infused into at least one of a pore, a cell and a fiber of the container.   
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the infusion agent comprises at least one of an alcohol component, a fruit component, a fruit concentrate component, a coffee component, a tea component, an herb component, a synthetic flavoring component, a natural flavoring component, and a combination of at least two of the aforementioned components. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 18  further comprising a stopper adapted for substantially sealing a fluid container comprising a second end adapted for reversibly connecting to at least one of a pressure gauge, a temperature gauge, a device adapted for supplying at least one of a working fluid and an infusion agent, a sealing device, and a screen adapted for containing a product capable of burning. 
     
     
         21 . A jig for holding and guiding a piece of work comprising:
 a cutting device disposed to slide along a track of a selected length, the track being mounted at a height adapted to permit the plunging of the cutting device into the piece of work thereby cutting the piece of work;   a clamping device adapted to clamp thereby holding steady the piece of work during the cutting thereof;   wherein an edge of the piece of work cat be cut to a selected depth; and   wherein the piece of work includes a stave having at least a partial concavity.   
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A container adapted for containing a liquid fluid comprising:
 a substantially sanitized interior surface and an exterior surface;   wherein the container comprises a wooden material;   wherein the wooden material comprises at least one of a pore, a cell, and a fiber; and   wherein the interior surface but not the exterior surface of the container includes an infusion agent infused into at least one of the pore, the cell and the fibers on the interior surface but not the exterior surface of the container in an amount sufficient for respectively introducing or inducing at least one of a flavor, an aroma and a chemical reaction to the liquid fluid added to the fluid container.   
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein the infusion agent comprises at least one of an alcohol component, a fruit component, a fruit concentrate component, a coffee component, a tea component, an herb component, a synthetic flavoring component, a natural flavoring component, and a combination of at least two of the aforementioned components. 
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein the infusion agent includes at least one of a synthetic flavoring component, a natural flavoring component, and a combination of the aforementioned components. 
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein the infusion agent includes at least one of an alcohol component, a fruit component, a fruit concentrate component, a coffee component, a tea component, an herb component, and a combination of at least two of the aforementioned components. 
     
     
         27 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein the infusion agent introduces an aroma to the liquid fluid which is added into the container. 
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein the infusion agent induces a chemical reaction in the liquid fluid which is added into the container. 
     
     
         29 . The container of  claim 23  further comprising a specialized stopper having a first end inserted into an opening of the fluid container thereby sealing the container. 
     
     
         30 . The container of  claim 29 , wherein the specialized stopper having the first end inserted in the opening of the fluid container creates a pressure seal of the container. 
     
     
         31 . The container of  claim 29 , wherein the specialized stopper has a second end adapted for reversibly connecting to a pressure gauge. 
     
     
         32 . The container of  claim 29 , wherein the specialized stopper has a second end adapted for reversibly connecting to a temperature gauge. 
     
     
         33 . The container of  claim 29 , wherein the specialized stopper has a second end adapted for reversibly connecting to a device adapted for passing at least one of a working fluid and the infusion agent. 
     
     
         34 . The container of  claim 29 , wherein the specialized stopper has a second end adapted for reversibly connecting to a sealing device. 
     
     
         35 . The container of  claim 29 , wherein the specialized stopper has a second end adapted for reversibly receiving a screen or mesh. 
     
     
         36 . The container of  claim 35 , wherein
 the first end of the specialized stopper has a hole therein;   the second end has an opening shaped in a bowl like configuration, the screen or mesh being sized for being placed in the opening; and   the specialized stopper further comprises a hollow tube in fluidic communication with the hole of the first end and the opening of the second end.   
     
     
         37 . The container of  claim 36 , wherein a product capable of burning is disposed onto the screen or mesh. 
     
     
         38 . The container of  claim 36 , wherein the specialized stopper comprises silicone. 
     
     
         39 . the container of  claim 23 , wherein the infusion agent is infused in the fluid container in a ratio of 0.375 L to 1.5 L per 200 L fluid container