EP1002742B1 - Infusion bag with one compartment, especially for tea and process for its manufacture - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an infusion bag, in particular for making tea with a chamber containing a substance quantum from a pair of each other oppositely arranged walls by folding one in the middle rectangular filter paper with a V-shaped or accordion-shaped, extending into the chamber, the Enlargement of the chamber volume and by closing their three initially open pages were created including the substance quantum, a thread is attached to the head end with a label.

Infusion bags of the type described above are known from US-A-2 186 087 known. They are made from a filter paper blank with a rectangular shape Cross section produced, which is folded in the middle and including one Quantum of substance is closed on the initially open sides. The The folding side is regularly the bottom side or the foot end of the bag. The the labeled thread is attached laterally to the head side, which like the the other three sides are closed with a thread.

Such an infusion bag can only be made individually from rectangular filter paper blanks produce. A continuous producibility from a material web can not. To counter this disadvantage, according to German Utility model 91 04 897 a tea bag has already been proposed tubular material is made, at its lower end by folding or welding is closed and over the upper, initially open end is filled with tea, after which a special closure part is used to the seal the top of the bag. With such a tubular bag although the chamber volume increases compared to known tea bags, on the other hand, however, an elaborate production with several operations required that hinder continuous production. But most of all is disadvantageous that the known tubular bag dimensions much larger than has the usual single-chamber infusion bags and approximately in length Corresponds to the inside height of a glass or jug in which the bag is inserted becomes.

The invention has for its object to improve single-chamber infusion bags of the known type in such a way that they can be produced continuously from a heat-sealable material web, the surface available for the passage of the leaching liquid into the chamber being increased and the chamber volume to improve the leaching capacity while maintaining the usual External dimensions is increased.

The solution to this problem by the invention is characterized in that the folded side is produced by folding a filter paper strip in the longitudinal direction and the long side of the bag forms that the remaining three sides are formed by heat sealing the other long side and the head end and the foot end and that the thread provided with the label is fastened to the heat-sealed longitudinal side, accommodated in the form of a loop within the chamber and can be pulled out for use by means of the label.

By combining these features, a technically simple, continuous manufacturability achieved, the infusion bag even larger Entry surfaces for the infusion liquid into the chamber thereby Provides that only one long side and the two shorter transverse sides of the Bag to be heat sealed and moreover to the heat seal free Longitudinal V-shaped or bellows-like folding is provided, which Chamber volume and the passage surface increased. The thread is on heat-sealed long side attached. It is housed inside the chamber and extractable for use by means of the label.

From WO-A-93/19997 the placement of the was with a label provided thread known in the interior of the chamber. Fastening the thread However, was done at the foot of the bag, which was only made to order could be made.

To further increase the chamber volume without the Enlarging the outer dimensions of the bag continues with the invention proposed that the accordion or bellows-like folding of Has at least five, preferably seven fold lines on the long side. So that is in addition to the flexibility in the design of the bag thickness, the additional advantage connected that with a smaller depth of folding into the interior of the Bag can be worked into it and thus the effective filling volume for the Substance can be enlarged.

In order to facilitate folding, the two can be used according to the invention opposite chamber walls of the single-chamber infusion bag line-shaped congruent knockouts parallel to the longitudinal fold be provided, expediently a plurality of mutually parallel, with Corresponding spacings of congruent knockouts arranged accordingly the number of intended folding operations is arranged side by side.

For the continuous production, filling and sealing of single-chamber infusion bags of the type described above is a method according to the invention proposed, which is characterized in that from a flat heat-sealable material web, in particular filter paper web, one Width that is slightly larger than twice the bag width, that a label thread on the flat material web by means of a thread layer the web half is placed on the next process step portioned substance quanta of the leached substance in uniform Spacing in a row, with the label thread from the Area of the chamber formed later on the one intended for heat sealing Is led out along the length of the material web and forms a Loop back into the chamber area of the web at one point is introduced at which a cross in a further process stage ongoing heat sealing is carried out that subsequently to the Positioning the substance quanta around the other half of the material web Longitudinal central axis is folded and congruent over the label thread substance quantum half the material web is laid, after which by a Outer edge longitudinal heat seal is a continuous tube that is formed during tube formation or after tube formation long side folded without a heat seal with an inwardly extending side Folding is provided that then the hose in regular, each a substance quantum-spacing in the transverse direction heat sealed and that the cross heat seals are cut in the middle and such Tubing parts are formed, each a quantum of substance contain containing chamber. This is due to the longitudinal sealing ensures that the thread is fixed at the foot end and at the head end is pulled out through the longitudinal seal, with the outside on the outside Label to be attached to the thread in a known manner by heat sealing can.

The line-shaped knockouts are advantageously made in accordance with the Number of folding operations next to each other and at a distance to each other on the flat material web in the not for positioning the Substantial quantum provided half made.

By doubling the number of single-chamber infusion bags that can be manufactured at the same time According to a further embodiment, the Invention proposed a duplex process control, thereby is characterized by a flat heat-sealable material web a larger fourfold bag width is assumed that on each half a label thread is placed on the material web by means of a thread layer, that in the next process step portioned substance quanta of leached substance in two rows parallel to each other in uniform Spaces on the material web adjacent to the longitudinal center symmetrically are placed side by side, with the label threads from each half of the web the area of the chamber to be formed later on for heat sealing provided longitudinal side of the material web are led out and under Form a loop back into the chamber area of the material web at one Are introduced at a later stage in a process ongoing heat sealing is carried out that subsequently to the Positioning the substance quantum rows the two outer quarters of the Material web are folded inwards to the folding axis and there on impact, however positioned leaving a gap and by means of a medium length heat seal be connected to the underlying material web, after which the material web is centered in the longitudinal direction within the gap is cut and thus two tubes arranged side by side are produced on the long side, which is folded without a heat seal, i.e. in each case outside, with an inward-extending fold, that then both tubes in regular, each a quantum of substance Detecting distances are heat sealed in the transverse direction and that the Cross heat seals are cut in the middle and such tube parts are formed, each a chamber containing a substance quantum exhibit.

The label threads that are led out of the material web are preferred already with labels when threading, after the folding process in an intermediate step before the formation of the central longitudinal section be folded back so as not to disturb the cutting process or when Cutting process not to be damaged.

Fig. 1

einen Einkammer-Aufgußbeutel im Abpackzustand in einer Draufsicht und einer darunter angeordneten Querschnittsansicht;

Fig. 2

einen Teil einer kontinuierlichen einbahnigen Herstellung von Einkammer-Aufgußbeuteln gemäß Fig. 1, schematisch in einer Draufsicht;

Fig. 3

einen Teil einer kontinuierlichen zweibahnigen Herstellung von Einkammer-Aufgußbeuteln, schematisch in einer Draufsicht, wobei Fig. 3 I ein früheres Herstellungsstadium als Fig. 3 II verdeutlicht und

Fig. 4

zwei Einkammer-Aufgußbeutel in Duplex-Anordnung.

Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention result from the following description of the associated drawing, in which the single-chamber infusion bag for tea and the method according to the invention are shown schematically. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a single-chamber infusion bag in the pack state in a plan view and a cross-sectional view arranged underneath;

Fig. 2

part of a continuous single-lane production of single-chamber infusion bags according to Figure 1, schematically in a plan view.

Fig. 3

a part of a continuous two-lane production of single-chamber infusion bags, schematically in a plan view, Fig. 3 I illustrates an earlier stage of manufacture than Fig. 3 II and

Fig. 4

two single-chamber infusion bags in a duplex arrangement.

The one-chamber infusion bag 1 shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing made of heat sealable filter paper material and has two each other oppositely arranged chamber walls 2, 3 through folding in the middle of a basically rectangular filter paper strip result, the folding taking place about a longitudinal side 4 of the bag 1. The opposite long side 5 is closed by a heat seal 6, as well as the head end 7 by a cross heat seal 8 and the foot end 9 through a cross heat seal 10. In this way, an enclosed one Space formed to form a chamber 11, which is a substance quantum 12, namely a portioned amount of tea. The single chamber infusion bag 1 is therefore at its one, on the left in the drawing Long side 4 heat seal-free, while the longitudinal heat seal 6 and the transverse heat seals 8 and 10 the closure at the head end 7 and Foot end 9 is done.

Breite:

B = ca. 4 cm bis 7 cm

Höhe:

H = ca. 6 cm bis 8 cm

vorzugsweise:

B = 4 cm x H = 6 cm

The heat-seal-free folded longitudinal side 4 of the single-chamber infusion bag is provided with a fold-in 13 to increase the receiving volume of the chamber 11, which is V-shaped to accordion-shaped in cross-section and extends approximately in the middle plane of the chamber 11 of the bag into the inside. The folding 13 is carried out in such a way that the usual external dimensions of such single-chamber infusion bags are maintained and, despite the increase in the chamber volume, there is no increase in its length or width in the packaging state. The usual dimensions are as follows:

Width:

W = approx. 4 cm to 7 cm

Height:

H = approx. 6 cm to 8 cm

preferably:

W = 4 cm x H = 6 cm

By enlarging the chamber on the one hand by means of the folding 13 and the shorter length of heat seals on the bag ensures that the Substance quantum tea in chamber 11 excellent through the Infusion liquid is to be digested and the substances contained in it solve optimally.

In a manner known per se, the single-chamber infusion bag 1 with a attached thread 14 may be provided with label 15, which the Hang the bag in a cup, jug or similar container enable.

It follows from the manufacturing process described below that the thread 14 with its lower end close to the longitudinal heat seal 6 the foot end 9 is secured by sealing, then loop-shaped through the Interior of the chamber 11 is guided and out of the chamber 11 near the head end 7 is led out through the longitudinal heat seal 6, which is why the heat seal is interrupted at this point in order to pull it out to enable the thread 14 from the chamber 11. The thread 14 is outside then placed in the manner of an eyelet and welded to the label 15. This is temporarily next to the bag during the manufacturing process forming material web adjacent to the longitudinal heat seal 6 and becomes Packaging folded inwards to the bag dimensions according to FIG. 1 to be able to keep the drawing.

The manufacture of such a single-chamber infusion bag 1 is as follows based on the description of Fig. 2 of the drawing. Starting point the manufacture is a flat heat-sealable material web 16 in shape a filter paper web that has a width that is slightly larger than that double the width of the bag is also used to fold the material To have available. The flat material web 16 is not by means of a illustrated thread layer of the label thread 14 on the right in the drawing Half of the web deposited on which portioned in the next process step Substance quanta 12 of the leached substance in uniform Intervals can be arranged in series. As already described above the thread 14 from the area of the chamber to be formed later on Heat seal provided longitudinal side 5 of the material web 16 out and forming an eyelet in the chamber area of the Material web introduced at one point, in a later Process stage the cross heat seal 8 (at the head end of the bag) is carried out.

Subsequent to the positioning of the substance quanta 12, the other Half of web 18 folded over the longitudinal central axis 19 and congruent placed over the label thread substance quantum half 17 of the material web 16, after which by the longitudinal heat seal 6 made on the outer edge continuous hose 20 is formed. During tube forming or after the tube is formed, the heat seal-free fold is made Long side 4 with the one extending inwards into the tube Fold 13 provided.

In the next process move, the hose 20 becomes regular, one at a time Substantially quantum-12 distances heat-sealed in the transverse direction and the transverse heat seals 8 and 10 are cut in the middle, so that Tubular parts 21 are formed, each having a substance quantum 12 contain containing chamber 11. It is described by the above Longitudinal heat seal 6 ensures that the thread 14 is fixed at the foot end 9 and is pulled out at the head end 7 through the longitudinal heat seal is, laterally outside the label 15 on the eyelet of the thread in known Is attached by heat sealing. The packaging then finds that Fold the label inside instead so that it is in the packaging condition rests on the wall 2 of the chamber 11.

In order to facilitate the production of the fold 13, are linear Knockouts 22, 23 (V-shape) according to the number of intended Folding processes side by side and at a distance from each other on the material web 16 in the not intended for the positioning of the substance quanta 12 Half of 18 made.

By doubling the number of single-chamber infusion bags that can be manufactured at the same time 3, 4 of the drawing Duplex procedure proposed in the case of a flat heat-sealable material web 24 is assumed a width that the four times the width of the bag plus the material required for the Production of folds is needed. On each half 25, 26 the Material web 24 is made up of one label thread 27, 28 each by means of a thread layer looped in such a way that an introduction of outside of the thread into the chamber to be formed later and a lead-out for the purpose of attaching labels near the head end.

In the next process step, portioned substance quanta are 12 in two rows 29, 30 parallel to each other at equal intervals on both Halves 25, 26 of the material web 24 symmetrically adjacent to the longitudinal center L. placed side by side. After positioning the Substance quantum rows 29, 30 become the two outer quarters of the Material web 24 folded inwards about the respective folding axis 19 and in the longitudinal center L butt, but leaving a gap 31, the Fig. 3 II of the drawing can be removed, positioned and optionally pre-fixed. This is followed by the process step of creating a medium-length heat seal 32 with which the folded edges with the underlying parts of the material web are connected. Without Damage to the laid label threads 27 and 28 is then the Material web 24 centrally in the longitudinal direction in the central-longitudinal heat seal 32 cut within the gap 31 and are thus two side by side Arranged hoses 33, 34 made that are heat-seal-free folded long side, which is outside here, with an inside extending fold 35, 36 is provided according to FIG. 3 II of the drawing. To facilitate the formation of the folds 35 and 36 again at the beginning of the method, knockouts 37 on the material web 24 trained.

Finally, both tubes 33, 34 are then in regular, each heat-sealing distances in the transverse direction, the transverse heat seals 38 are cut in the middle and such Tube parts are formed, each containing a substance quantum 12 Have chamber 11. The labels 15 are in an intermediate step after the folding process and before the formation of the central longitudinal section has been folded back so as not to interfere with the cutting process or when Cutting process not to be damaged.

Fig. 4 of the drawing shows a perspective view in the duplex method manufactured single-chamber tea bags in the arrangement in which they Manufacturing machine at the end of the process to leave one Packaging to be fed.

Reference list

1

Single chamber tea bags

2nd

wall

3rd

wall

4th

Long side (folded without heat seal)

5

Long side (heat seal)

6

Heat seal, longitudinal heat seal (outer edge heat seal)

7

Cross side = head end

8th

Cross heat seal

9

Cross side = foot end

10th

Cross heat seal

11

chamber

12th

Substance quantum

13

Folding

14

thread

15

label

16

Material web / filter paper web

17th

Half of the web

18th

other half of the web

19th

Folding axis

20th

tube

21

Hose parts

22

Knockouts

23

Knockouts

24th

Material web

25th

half

26

half

27

Label thread

28

Label thread

29

Substance quantum series

30th

Substance quantum row outer quarter

31

gap

32

Medium-length heat seal

33

tube

34

tube

35

Folding

36

Folding

37

Knockouts

38

Cross heat seal tube parts labels

B

width

H

height

L

Longitudinal center

Claims (7)

1. Infusion bag, especially for preparing tea, with a compartment (11) which contains a substance quantity, consists of a pair of walls (2, 3) disposed opposite one another and is produced by folding at the centre a rectangular filter paper with a fold (13) having a V-shaped or concertina-shaped cross section, extending into the compartment (11) and enlarging the compartment volume, and by closing its three sides which are initially open, while enclosing the substance quantity (12), wherein a string (14) with a tag (15) is fastened to the top end,
   characterised in that the side provided with the fold (13) is produced by folding a filter paper strip (16, 24) in the longitudinal direction and forms one longitudinal side of the bag, that the remaining three sides are produced by heat-sealing the other longitudinal side (5) and the top end (7) of the bottom end (9), and that the string provided with the tag (15) is fastened to the heat-sealed longitudinal side (5), is accommodated inside the compartment (11) in the form of a loop and can be removed by means of the tag (15) to be used.
2. Infusion bag according to Claim 1, characterised in that the concertina- or bellows-like fold (13) of the longitudinal side (4) comprises at least five, preferably seven fold lines.
3. Infusion bag according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the two mutually opposite compartment walls (2, 3) of the one-compartment infusion bag are provided with linear, congruent pre-stampings (22, 23) parallel to the longitudinal fold, wherein a plurality of congruent pre-stampings (22, 23), which are disposed parallel to one another at a spacing, are expediently disposed side by side according to the number of intended folding actions.
4. Process for continuously manufacturing, filling and closing one-compartment infusion bags according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the starting point is a plane, heat-sealable material web (16), especially a filter paper web, of a width which is slightly greater than twice the bag width, that a tag string (14) is laid on the plane material web (16) by means of a string laying device on the web half on which portioned substance quantities (12) of the substance which is to be extracted are deposited in a row at uniform spacings in the next process step, wherein the tag string (14) is passed out of the region of the subsequently formed compartment (11) on the longitudinal side (5) of the material web intended for heat-sealing and, while forming a loop, re-introduced into the compartment region of the material web (16) at a point at which transverse heat-sealing is carried out in a further process stage, that, after the substance quantities (12) have been positioned, the other half (18) of the material web (16) is folded about the longitudinal centre axis (19) and laid congruently over the half (17) of the material web (16) with the tag string and substance quantities, after which a continuous tube (20) is formed by longitudinal heat-sealing of the outer edges, that the longitudinal side (4) folded without heat-sealing is provided during or subsequent to the tube shaping operation with an inward extending fold (13), that the tube (20) is then heat-sealed in the transverse direction at regular spacings, each of which comprises a substance quantity (12), and that the transverse heat seals (8, 10) are cut centrally to form tube parts (21) which each have a compartment containing a substance quantity.
5. Process according to Claim 4, characterised in that the linear pre-stampings (22, 23) are made side by side and at a spacing from one another on the plane material web (16) in the half (17) not intended for positioning the substance quantities according to the number of intended folding actions.
6. Process for continuously manufacturing, filling and closing one-compartment infusion bags according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the starting point is a plane, heat-sealable material web (24) of a greater quadruple bag width, that a respective tag string (27, 28) is laid on each half (25, 26) of the material web (24) by means of a string laying device, that in the next process step portioned substance quantities (12) of the substance which is to be extracted are deposited in two rows (29, 30) parallel to one another at uniform spacings on the material web (24) symmetrically side by side adjacent to the longitudinal centre (L), wherein the tag strings (27, 28) of each web half (25, 26) are passed out of the region of the subsequently formed compartment on the longitudinal side of the material web intended for heat-sealing and, while forming a loop, re-introduced into the compartment region of the material web at a point at which transverse heat-sealing is carried out in a further process stage, that, after the substance quantity rows (29, 30) have been positioned, the two outer quarters of the material web are folded over inwards to the longitudinal centre (L), where they are positioned in abutment, although leaving a gap (31), and joined to the underlying material web by a centre-line heat seal (32), after which the material web (24) is cut centrally in the longitudinal direction inside the gap (31) to produce two tubes (33, 34) which are disposed side by side and are provided at the longitudinal side folded without heat-sealing, i.e. in each case on the outside, with an inward extending fold (35, 36), that both tubes (33, 34) are then heat-sealed in the transverse direction at regular spacings, each of which comprises a substance quantity (12), and that the transverse heat seals (38) are cut centrally to form tube parts which each have a compartment containing a substance quantity.
7. Process according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the tag strings (27, 28) which are passed out of the material web are provided with tags (15) when they are laid, these being turned back in an intermediate step following the folding-over action prior to forming the central longitudinal cut.

Images