EA025154B1 - Infusion packet and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an infusion packet comprising a single sealed compartment (16), the compartment having a top (8) and a bottom (9) defined by two transverse seals (7) that are separated by a distance D, the distance D being in the range of 40 to 70 mm, wherein the compartment comprises at least one side gusset (15), the side gusset (15) consisting of two gusset panels (12) and three gusset creases (13, 14).

Description

(57) The present invention relates to an infusion bag comprising a single sealed compartment (16), said compartment having an upper part (8) and a bottom (9) formed by two transverse fastening points (7) separated by a distance ϋ, wherein the specified distance ϋ is from 40 to 70 mm, while the specified compartment contains at least one corner fold (15), while the specified corner fold (15) consists of two corner panels (12) and three corner folds (13, 14) .

025154 Β1

Technical field

The present invention relates to infusion bags, in particular to infusion bags containing infusion material such as tea, and to an apparatus and methods for producing such infusion bags.

State of the art

Previously, traditional infusion bags (eg, tea bags) were usually flat, containing one compartment filled with infusion material (eg, leaf tea, herbal mixtures). Later, infusion bags with two compartments became widespread, such as described in I8 2593608 (L.O.R. Kat'oM). In such infusion bags, said infusion material is contained in two compartments, with each compartment attached to the other at the base and apex. This type of infusion bag is considered to provide faster infusion by providing an increased flow of water around the infusion material. However, the drawback of infusion bags with two compartments is that they require significantly more packaging material than their single compartment compartments.

Thus, there is a need for an infusion bag that has a similar infusion action with a two-compartment infusion package, but which requires less packaging material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been found that infusion packaging material in an infusion package with one compartment containing one or more side folds provides more space for said infusion material to move and / or enhances the flow of water around said infusion material compared to a traditional infusion package with one compartment. This provides faster infusion and / or provides infusion with more flavor. Additionally or alternatively, it is provided that the infusion bag with one crease compartment may contain less infusion material per package and, in addition, achieve the same infusion action as the traditional infusion package with one compartment.

The size of the infusion bag is such that it has external dimensions similar to those of a traditional infusion bag. This means that consumers can conveniently use the specified package for insisting in the usual way. Therefore, the distance Ό dividing the transverse fastening points is 40-70 mm, more preferably 45-65 mm, most preferably 50-60 mm.

It is desirable to provide an infusion bag with one compartment from one or more folds that can be formed and filled at a high production rate.

Thus, the first object of the invention relates to a device for producing infusion bags, said device comprising a longitudinal sealing device for converting a web of packaging material into a tube and means for conducting a tubular web through an outlet of the channel, wherein said outlet of the channel has an external cross section containing at least two peaks, while the specified device contains at least one forming element for cutting the specified tube This web between two vertices and additionally contains sealing elements for separating the specified tubular web at intervals along its length, while these sealing elements form transverse fastening places along the width of the provided tubular web and are made so that the distance последовательн between successive transverse fastening places is from 40 up to 70 mm.

The second object of the invention relates to a method for producing a bag for insisting of packaging material from a web, comprising the steps of:

(a) sealing the web of packaging material to produce tubular material;

(b) conducting said tubular web through a channel and through an outlet, wherein said channel outlet has a cross section containing two vertices;

(c) cutting the surface of said tubular web between the peaks to perform folds in the packaging material, wherein said folds form at least one fold;

(ά) the formation of a first transverse bonding point across said tubular web;

(e) delivering a portion of the infusion material to said tubular web through a channel;

(ί) forming a second transverse bonding point through said tubular web;

wherein said first and second transverse bonding points form a separate compartment containing a portion of infusion material, and wherein said first and second transverse bonding places are formed so that they are separated by a distance Ό, wherein said distance Ό is from 40 to 70 mm.

Methods and Definitions

As used here, the term comprising includes the terms consisting essentially of and consisting of. It should be noted that when refining any series of values or quantities, any particular upper value or quantity may be associated with any particular lower value or quantity. The description of the invention, as provided herein, should be deemed to cover all the alternatives indicated in the claims as being dependent on each other in their own way, regardless of how the claims are provided, depending on other dependent points or on redundancy.

Material for infusion.

As used herein, the term “infusion material” refers to any infusion material or soluble material that may be immersed in an infusion preparation liquid. This process is designated as brewing.

The specified material for infusion preferably contains plant material. For example, the infusion material may contain plant material obtained from Cathera 8ehei818, L8ra1a1yi8 Ppeapz. MetNa p1regia, MaOtsapa hesia and / or mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, said infusion material comprises tea solids.

Tea solids.

As used here, the term tea solids refers to the dry material obtained from the leaves of the plant SateSha 8shei818 var. 8shei818 and / or SatheSha 8shei818 var. a88atua. These leaves can be subjected to the so-called fermentation step when certain endogenous enzymes released during the early stages of black tea production oxidize them. This oxidation can even be supplemented by the action of external enzymes such as oxidases, laccases, peroxidases. Alternatively, said leaves may be partially fermented (Oolong tea) or may be left substantially unfermented (green tea).

Permeability to liquids.

As used here, the terms liquid permeable and liquid permeable are used interchangeably to describe a water-insoluble, porous packaging material that has openings that allow liquids, especially aqueous liquids, to pass through them. Suitable packaging materials include non-woven, non-woven, non-woven, and woven made with polymers or cellulose-polymer blends (e.g., blends of cellulose or cellulose and polypropylene) or perforated films. Said packaging material may be heat sealable or non heat sealable. In certain embodiments, heat sealable packaging material is preferred to simplify the high-speed production of infusion bags. In other embodiments, non-heat sealable packaging material is preferred due to its biodegradability.

Determination of the properties of infusion.

Consumer research has shown that consumers use a wide range of methods for preparing infusions from infusion bags. For example, it has been found that consumers use dynamic infusion methods, including mixing, dipping and compressing said infusion package in hot water. It was found that, as an alternative to these methods, consumers use a static method of insisting, i.e. allow insisting on a given period of time without mixing. In fact, many consumers use a combination of static and dynamic techniques, for example, they leave the infusion to brew and mix just before removing the infusion package or immerse the specified infusion package for a couple of seconds before leaving the infusion to brew.

Mechanical dynamic and static actions are developed to enable the determination of infusion properties in a repeating manner. These methods allow you to control certain external factors known as affecting the effect of the infusion (for example, package orientation, amplitude and speed of immersion, vessel size, stirring speed, etc.) and, thus, provide repeatable methods for comparing different package systems for insisting.

Dynamic way.

The specified dynamic action (continuous immersion) is a laboratory analogue of consumer preparation of infusion, including stirring the specified package for infusion.

Equipment:

a device for immersing the infusion bag with an immersion lever (stroke length: 130 mm, speed: 60 dives per minute);

a spectrophotometer with a light cell continuously recording the light flux (flux length 5 mm);

adapted flask with a drainage tube at the bottom (capacity 400 ml); peristaltic pump (flow rate 60 ml / min);

a tube with a narrow bore (approximately 1-3 mm of bore).

Procedure.

1. The specified adapted flask was connected to a spectrophotometer using a tube with a narrow passage, so that the liquid leaves the flask through the drain tube, passes through the specified peristaltic pump into the light cell, and then returns to the flask. The end of the tube with a narrow bore, providing return flow from the spectrophotometer, touches the side of the bulb above the surface of the liquid.

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2. A spectrophotometer was installed to measure the absorbance at 445 nm and to clarify the total infusion time and sampling frequency (for example, the total infusion time of 240 s with a sampling frequency of 1 measurement in 5 s). As a zero (reference point), hot distilled water is pumped through the cell.

3. The indicated infusion bag was attached to the immersion device with the immersion lever at the highest point (it should be noted that when the specified immersion lever is in the highest position, the bottom of the infusion package should be higher than the liquid level and, when it is at the lower point, the indicated package for insisting should be completely immersed).

4. Added 235 ml of boiling water to the indicated flask and started pumping.

5. For a short time, the system was allowed to stabilize, then the submersible device and the pump were started.

6. At the end of the infusion time, the spectrophotometer, immersion device and pump were stopped.

7. Fill the device with hot distilled water.

8. Repeated the procedure as necessary to obtain a duplicate data set. Each time you need to use a new package for insisting. Preferably, the procedure is repeated at least twice (obtaining the result a third time).

The static way.

It is also possible to measure static infusion, where the specified infusion package is not immersed, with the exception of the initial immersion of the specified infusion package in the liquid at the starting point. For convenience, the same procedure and device as described above can be used without an immersion device in motion. Alternatively, a clamping device attached to the retort can be used to suspend said infusion bag. Preferably, the procedure is repeated at least five times (obtaining the result for the sixth time). Each time you need to use a new package for insisting.

Detailed description

Specific embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of a web of packaging material according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2a is a rear perspective view of a partially completed package according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2b is a front perspective view of a partially completed bag of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 2c is a cross-sectional view of a partially completed packaging of FIG. 2a in a plan view;

FIG. 3a-3e are several perspective front views illustrating the steps of forming an infusion bag according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view of an apparatus for producing infusion bags according to an embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 5a and 5b are cross-sectional views of two possible embodiments of the channel outlet of the device of FIG. 4, when viewed from above.

In FIG. 1 shows a view of a web of packaging material according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the continuous web 1 of liquid-permeable packaging material extends in the Ζ direction. Said web of packaging material has a width. The length b associated with one bag is shown by borders 2, but the web can have an indefinite length. The only infusion bag contains a stretched web section with side stocks 3 along the edges and end stocks 4, 5 on each side of the borders 2.

The only infusion bag consists of packaging material that covers area A. Specified area A is a convenient measurement of the amount of packaging material required to form each infusion package. To minimize the environmental impact, it is desirable to limit the amount of packaging material used to form such an infusion bag. However, it is undesirable to limit the amount of packaging material to reduce the effect of infusion from the infusion bag. Therefore, to balance the environmental impact and the infusion action, the only infusion package according to the present invention preferably consists of packaging material that covers area A from 5,000 to 10,500 sq. Mm, more preferably from 5,500 to 9,000 sq. Mm, most preferably from 6000 to 7500 sq. mm.

In a preferred embodiment, each infusion bag contains a substantially rectangular portion of the extended web, wherein said region A is equivalent to the length b of the bag multiplied by the width of the web (i.e., A = bx ^). From the point of view of convenience, it is preferable that the infusion bag is placed in a cup and / or mug. Therefore, it is desirable that the length b is not too large. However, said infusion bag also needs to be large enough to hold enough infusion material to produce a tasteful beverage. Therefore, the length b of the bag is preferably from 44 to 80 mm, more preferably from 48 to 75 mm, most preferably from 52 to 70 mm. Preferably, the web width is from 90 to 160 mm, more preferably from 95 to 145 mm, most preferably from

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100 to 125 mm.

The longitudinal seam 6 contains a lateral margin 3 in a completed bag according to a preferred embodiment of the invention (see Fig. 2c). In particularly preferred embodiments, said longitudinal seam 6 may be a butt joint or a lap joint.

The transverse places 7 fasteners form the upper part 8 and the bottom 9 of the finished package (see Fig. 36). These transverse bonding points contain end stocks 4, 5 of the web of packaging material. In a preferred embodiment, said transverse fastening points 7 are made so that they are parallel to each other and perpendicular to said longitudinal fastening place 6.

The specified package has a front surface and a rear surface. In a preferred embodiment, said front surface comprises a single front wall 10, and said rear surface comprises two rear walls 11.

At least one fold is made comprising fold walls 12 limited by fold folds formed along lines 13, 14. Preferably, said fold (folds) extends substantially longitudinally between said transverse fastening points 7, which form the upper part 8 and the bottom 9 completed package.

The completed bag contains at least one fold 15 and preferably has two side folds 15. The specified side fold 15 consists of two fold walls 12 and three folds of the fold (two outer folds 13 and one central fold 14). In a preferred embodiment, each side fold 15 separates the front and rear walls. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the width of each fold wall 12 is not more than 15 mm, and the total width of each side fold 15 (i.e., the distance between the two outer folds 14 when the fold is fully open) is not more than 30 mm. Preferably, each fold wall 12 has a width of 3 to 10 mm, more preferably 4 to 8 mm. Preferably, the total width of each side fold 15 is from 6 to 20 mm, more preferably from 8 to 16 mm.

In FIG. 2a-2c show three different views of a partially completed bag after forming a longitudinal joint 6 and two side folds 15, as in one preferred embodiment. In FIG. 2a shows a perspective view of the bag in a rear view with a longitudinal fastening point 6 extending down the rear surface between the two rear walls 11. In FIG. 2b shows a perspective view of the same package in front view. In FIG. 2c is a cross-sectional view of a partially completed package in a plan view showing a compartment 16 formed by a front surface comprising a front wall 10, a rear surface having two rear walls 11 connected by a longitudinal fastening point 6, and two side folds 15, each side fold 15 contains two fold walls 12. The specified side stocks 3 (Fig. 1) are located in the specified longitudinal seam 6, which in this embodiment is a butt joint. Each lateral fold 15 is M-shaped and consists of two fold walls 12, two outer folds 13 and one central fold 14. The outer fold 13 forms the boundary between the fold wall 12 and the front wall 10 or the back wall 11, while the central fold 14 forms the boundary between the two walls 12 of the fold.

In FIG. 3a-3e are a series of perspective views showing a sequence of process steps that can be performed to form an infusion bag, while the continuous web 1 of liquid-permeable packaging material moves through successive jobs. At the first workplace, these lateral stocks 3 of the canvas are sealed together with the longitudinal place of fastening 6 to give the fabric a tubular shape (Fig. 3 a). At the second workstation, grooves are provided on said tubular web for introducing folds forming one or more folds. For example, in FIG. 3b shows a preferred embodiment in which two M-shaped lateral folds 15 are inserted into said tubular web. Said web extends vertically (downward) into the sealing zone, where transverse fastening places 7 are made, forming separate packets. The transverse seam is made so that it forms the bottom 9 of the present package above the place of fastening and the upper part 8 of the previous package below the place of fastening (Fig. 3C). The insertion device delivers a portion of the infusion material 17 to said tubular web, and additionally, the transverse seam 7 is formed so that it forms the upper part 8 of the present packet and the bottom 9 of the next packet, as shown in FIG. 36. Thus, said tubular web is filled with portions of infusion material 17, while it is transformed into a chain of bags formed by transverse fastening places 7. Said chain of packets is sequentially divided into separate packets by dividing the web in transverse fastening places 7 along borders 2, as shown in FIG. 3rd. In an alternative embodiment, it is possible to seal and cut in one operation, as opposed to sequentially performing these operations.

The infusion bags according to the invention comprise a compartment 16 having an upper portion 8 and a bottom 9 formed by two transverse fastening places 7 separated by a distance Ό, said fastening places being made at opposite ends of the indicated compartment 16. From the point of view of ease of use, the infusion bag according the present invention is similar in size to a traditional infusion bag. Preferably, said infusion bag is placed in a cup and / or mug. Therefore, the distance Ό is from 40 to 70 mm, more preferably from 45 to 65 mm, most preferably from 50 to 60 mm. Preferably, said infusion bag may contain enough infusion material to produce a full-bodied beverage. In certain preferred embodiments, said infusion bag contains from 1.0 to 3.8 g of infusion material, more preferably from 1.3 to 3.4 g, and most preferably from 1.6 to 3.0 g.

In FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the infusion bag production apparatus of the invention. This device has a single production path into which a brewing material 17 is supplied by a metering device (not shown). The web of packaging material 1 is fed over the molding guide element near the inlet 20 of the channel 21. Preferably, said inlet 20 of the channel has a circular cross section. Here, the web takes a tubular shape on the outer surface of the channel and is guided down the tube by one or more guide elements 22, while the opposing side stocks are sealed together by a longitudinal longitudinal seal 23 (longitudinal sealing device). In a preferred embodiment, said longitudinal seal 23 is adjacent to the channel, and in a particularly preferred embodiment, said longitudinal seal 23 comprises a pair of heating and pressure rolls that weld said side stocks together to form a longitudinal butt joint. The specified tubular web is carried through the channel 21 through the outlet of the specified channel 24, preferably by means of one or more guide elements 22.

The specified channel outlet 24 has an internal cross section and an external cross section, which may have the same shape (see Fig. 5a) or different shapes (see Fig. 5b). In particular, it is preferable that said channel outlet 24 has an outer cross section containing at least two vertices 25. In a preferred embodiment, the channel passes from having a circular cross section (both external and internal) in the inlet to an external cross a cross section in the outlet that contains at least two vertices 25. More preferably, the outer cross section of the outlet of the channel contains at least two vertices 25, limiting the rhnost, and in a particularly preferred embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 5a and 5b, said channel outlet has a rectangular outer cross section. To increase the flow of infusion material through the channel, it is preferable that the inner cross section of the outlet of the channel has the same shape as the outer cross section, for example, as shown in FIG. 5a. It may be desirable to prevent the buildup of material for infusion at the vertices of the inner cross section of the channel outlet. Therefore, in certain other embodiments, said cross section of the channel outlet may contain fewer vertices than the outer cross section, for example, as shown in FIG. 5b.

In said tubular web, recesses are made between the peaks 25 by means of at least one forming element 26. Preferably, said forming element (s) 26 are adjacent to the channel outlet 24. For example, in FIG. 4, 5a and 5b show preferred embodiments in which depressions are made in said tubular web by means of two forming elements 26, wherein each forming element introduces an M-shaped side crease 15 (Fig. 2 shows a partially completed bag made using the device shown in Fig. 4, after the formation of folds, but before separation into branches of the specified tubular web).

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the web with recesses extends vertically (down) to the sealing zone, where the specified device contains transverse sealing elements for dividing the specified tubular web into compartments along its length at intervals. Said transverse sealing elements form consecutive transverse fastening points 7 along the width of the tubular web with recesses. The advancement of said tubular web 1, preferably progressing at substantially the same speed, and the timing of the sealing elements are such that the indicated distance Ό between successive transverse fastening points is from 40 to 70 mm, more preferably from 45 to 65 mm, most preferably from 50 to 60 mm.

The specified tubular web with recesses is filled with portions of material for infusion and form from it a chain of packages formed by transverse fastening places 7. In a preferred embodiment, the insertion device delivers the infusion material through the channel, so that each sealed compartment contains a single portion of infusion material. The tubular web divided into compartments is sequentially divided into separate bags by cutting the web along the transverse locations of the fastener 7. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the cutting elements are held on a pair of rotors 27, while these rotors contain recesses 28 that accommodate filled bags for insisting as they move along the production path.

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In a particularly preferred embodiment, said sealing elements are located on the first pair of rotors, and the cutting elements are located on the second pair of rotors, while the first and second pair of rotors contain recesses 28 that hold filled bags for insisting as they move along the production path.

In an alternative embodiment, it is possible to seal and cut in one operation, in contrast to the sequential execution of these operations. In such an embodiment, the sealing and cutting elements may preferably be located on a single pair of rotors.

Example

The infusion properties of a traditional infusion package with two compartments (ES package) and the infusion package of the present invention (package C) were investigated using both dynamic (continuous dipping) and static procedures described above. The total infusion time was 240 s, and the sampling rate was 1 measurement in 5 s. The results are shown in the table. The insist action for static insist is the value of the third data set, while the dynamic insist is the value of the second data set.

The OS package and package C had a similar visible size (i.e. both had a size of approximately 40 mm by 60 mm when viewed from the front). The OS package is made of filter material having a region A of approximately 14270 square mm. Package C had two lateral folds and is made of filter material having a region A of approximately 7680 square mm, Ό approximately 52 mm. All packages contained approximately 2 grams of Lubloy Ve11o \ y Labe1 Tea tea.

Claims (11)

1. Device for producing infusion bags, comprising a longitudinal seal (23) for converting the web of packaging material into a tube, means for drawing said tubular web through an outlet (24) of a channel (21) having an outer cross section containing at least two peaks (25), at least one forming element (26) for making recesses in the tubular web between the peaks (25) and sealing elements for dividing the specified tubular web into compartments at intervals of Lyne, said sealing elements form transverse seats (7) bonding across the width of said tubular web with recesses and are arranged so that the distance between successive transverse Ό bonding sites is from 40 to 70 mm. 2. The device according to claim 1, in which the infusion bag is made of liquid-permeable packaging material covering an area of 5000 to 10500 sq. Mm. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least two vertices (25) define a surface. 4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is arranged to extend said web of packaging material along the outer surface of the channel by means of a guide element (22). 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, containing a longitudinal seal (23) adjacent to the specified channel for converting the specified web of packaging material into a closed tube around the channel. 6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the specified channel has an inlet (20) and an outlet (24), while the specified inlet (20) has a circular cross-section both outside and inside, while said channel passes from a circular cross section in the inlet (20) to an external cross section containing at least two vertices (25) in the outlet (24). - 7 025154 7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, containing transverse sealing elements and cutting elements, preferably said sealing and / or cutting elements being at least on a pair of rotors (27). 8. A method of manufacturing a bag for insisting from a web of liquid-permeable packaging material on the device according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: (a) sealing said web of packaging material to form a tubular web; (b) pulling said tubular web along a channel (21) and through an outlet (24) of said channel, wherein said channel outlet has a cross section containing at least two vertices (25); (c) making recesses in the surface of said tubular web between the peaks (25) for introducing folds (13, 14) in the packaging material, wherein said folds form at least one fold (15); (i) the formation of the first transverse place (7) fastening across the specified tubular web; (e) delivering a portion of the infusion material (17) to the tubular web through a channel; (1) the formation of a second transverse place (7) fastening across the tubular web; (e) dividing said compartments formed by transverse fastening places into separate bags for insisting by cutting said web into fastening places, wherein said first and second transverse fastening places are formed so that they are separated by distance B, wherein said distance B is from 40 to 70 mm. 9. The method of claim 8, in which the sealing and cutting of the canvas are performed at individual workplaces. 10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein said tubular web extends along the channel at substantially the same speed. 11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said infusion bag is made of liquid-permeable packaging material covering an area of 5,000 to 10,500 square mm.