AU2005100389A4 - Tea stick - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT

TEASTICK

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: In TEA STICK c-~This invention relates to improvements in devices for infusing tea leaves.

SFor many people the amount of liquid that drips from a conventional tea bag causes N- mess from spillage of tea. There have been many modifications to the conventional tea bag such as the addition of a drawstring to squeeze out liquid from the bag, but a- such modifications are cumbersome additions and time consuming for the drinker.

00 SThese problems are overcome by the present invention, which replaces round and 2 square tea bags with a bag of long thin rectangular shape doubled over with tapered C) edges. The shape and tapered edges assist with the elimination of dripping. Inside one of the doubled halves is a stick that gives the bag strength. The tea stick has a two fold purpose of both infusing the tea and being used in place of a spoon therefore eliminating washing up even further. Drinkers can control the strength of their tea by pulling one of the bag halves outwards as they stir. This gives the hot water maxinmmr contact with all the tea in the bag.

In one form of the invention the stick that provides strength to the bag is tapered to fit the bag. In another form of the invention the stick in rectangular in shape.

The stick may be made of either wood or plastic. The bag may be made of any suitable thin tea bag infusing material. The product label should be made of biodegradable paper that is stapled to the top of the bag. The same amount of tea and tea bag materials are used however the bag in configured in a different shape.

To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show one example of the invention.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 shows one example of a tea stick device according to this invention.

FIG. 2 shows the application of such a tea stick device in a cup of hot water.

Referring to FIG. I it can be seen thiat the tea stick according to this invention comprises of a sealed rectangle of tea infusion material folded over into two halves 1 and 2. The material is sealed along the edge 3 to stop the tea or the stick from escaping.

A flat piece of wood 4, tapered at bother edges is inserted into half 1 to give the tea stick device strengt and the ability to utilised in place of a spoon. It will be realised that the flat piece of wood 4 is not restricted to the material wood but also may be 0 replaced by plastic. It will also be realised that the tapered edges of wood 4 may also replaced by a strip of wood or plastic with straight ends.

The bottom edges 5 of halves 1 and 2 have been cut into a tapered shape and sealed 0> to assist in the elimination of dripping. The tea leaves 6 are inside the tea infusion material 3 in both halves 1 and 2.

So At the top end of the tea stick is a piece of paper 7 folded over the top of both halves c of the stick to display the company logo. The paper is held in place by a staple 8.

t The three layers, bottom, top and empty space in between are labelled by 9. The halves 1 and 2 may be pulled outwards when stirred in hot water to maximise the c flow of hot water through the tea leaves and control the strength of the tea.

FIG. 2 shows the tea stick device in operation. The stick has been swirled in circular motion in the hot water 11. The hot water is able to infuse through tea infusing material 13 to access the tea leaves 12. The wooden stick 14 placed inside the tea infusing material gives the device strength and replaces the need for a spoon.

The paper 15 stapled 14 gives the tea drinker a non heated surface to grip the tea stick.

Claims (2)

1. 3. A flat strip of wood or plastic is placed inside one of the doubled halves of the rectangle.
2. 4. The tea stick can then be stirred in a cup of hot water to diffuse tea without the need of a spoon. A tea stick device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. AN APPLICANT 28 APRIL 2005 DF_-6 SQE CP2 E~