EP1561707B1 - Floating tag for tea bag - Google Patents

Abstract

The label (100) for a drink brewing sachet, in particular, a tea bag is constituted as a floating element (10) with front and rear sections which are joined to one another.

Description

The invention relates to a label for infusion bags, in particular tea bags, in particular a buoyant label for attaching to infusion bags, in particular teabags.

Labels for attachment to infusion bags, especially teabags, are known and are usually made of paper, cardboard or similar materials, and are provided with appropriate imprints from which to see which tea is being brewed. These are connected with a thread with the infusion bag. Such labels are generally square or rectangular and are connected to a string, which is connected to the infusion bag, in particular a tea bag.

The disadvantage of these labels is that they often fall into the beverage to be brewed and then have to be cumbersome taken out of the sometimes very hot drink. In addition, this is not very appetizing, so often the entire infusion bag, especially tea bags, must be taken from the drink to be brewed.

From the DE 200 02 220 U1 is a tea bag with adhesive dot on the label known, which is located in the middle of the hinged label with which the label sticks to the pot or cup. Another disadvantage here is that the adhesive can quickly lose its effect, which then the label can fall off and the teabag also falls into the cup or in the pot and then has to be taken out again consuming, after the brewing process is completed.

From the GB 2 316 387 is a tea bag with integrated swimming device known.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a label that floats on the aufzubrühenden drink, especially tea, so that this easily and quickly touched after the end of Aufbrühvorganges and so the infusion bag can be removed quickly and cleanly.

This object is achieved by a label having the features of claim 1.

For this purpose, the invention provides that the label consists of a float, which is formed in two parts. The float consists of a front and a rear side, which are firmly connected. The front and back each consist of a writable film, z. B. a polystyrene film. The front side is firmly connected by means of a sealed seam with the rear side, so that they form a cushion, which can be filled with air, for example in the manufacturing process or after removal of the infusion bag, especially the tea bag, from the packaging, before its actual use.

The floating body of the label may have a variety of forms, such that this is either a reference to the goods, the country of origin, the place of consumption, the occupation of the consumer, or the buyer or consumer of the product in question or produced such that z. B. the float has the shape of a tiger duck, if it is preparation bag for drinks, which are suitable for children. Should it be z. B. act fruit tea, so the float of the label z. B. the shape of a fruit, such as. z. B. apple, pear or the like or should it be Ostfriesentee, then the floating body of the label could have the shape of a lighthouse in miniature form. Should it be z. For example, be a tea blend of Ceylon, the floating body of the label could have a corresponding shape in the form of a prominent sign made of Ceylon, such as the shape of a temple or a Buddha statue. The float of the label may also have the form of a sailboat or other objects, if necessary, and exists also made of polystyrene film, which then floats on the surface of the corresponding beverage. In addition, the buoyant label may also be related to the potential buyer of the corresponding product, or it may also be related to the point of sale where the corresponding product is sold. This is achieved by the buoyant label then taking on a form that can be related to adults, children, seniors, teens and other segments of the population, or the buoyant label can take the form of a typical building, of persons or the like.

Furthermore, the label may be marked so that on or on the top of the float, which is formed from a front and back, an extension is arranged, which is a quick and easy gripping the label formed as a floating body together with attached infusion bag, in particular Teabags made possible by the consumer to be able to remove this quickly and cleanly from the ready-made drink.

Instead of air, the pillow-like buoyant label may also be filled with helium or other gas lighter than air. Furthermore, the front of the floating body of the buoyant label for receiving the actual label can be formed like a bag, the label is made of paper and can be inserted into the pocket. As a result, this label can be reused several times and the actual label can be replaced, whereby the float is reusable.

On the underside of the floating body of the buoyant label, a thread is arranged, which is connected to the infusion bag, in particular tea bags, and can be attached either to this by binding or by brackets. The buoyant label can also be arranged centrally in the thread, wherein the two thread ends are connected to the label. Alternatively, the label may also include a frame comprising the polystyrene sheets or plastic films, which form the front or back of the floating body of the buoyant label surrounds, and in which the float is arranged, which may be made of plastic or cardboard, and in which then at the bottom and top openings are arranged, for receiving the thread ends. In a continuous thread of this thread is then pulled through the openings, so that the buoyant label is then threaded onto the thread and is slidably disposed there. The central arrangement of the label is then carried out by means of a stopper in which the thread is then knotted at the appropriate locations. In any case, several buoyant labels or even writable labels or floatable labels can be arranged alternately in this way.

Further, the buoyant label may be formed to have pockets on its front or back or on both sides provided with a number of holes on its underside for receiving portion-wise and flavor-providing additives there be filled in gel, powder or tablet form. These substances then unfold their taste-changing effect during swimming of the buoyant label on the top of the beverage. Alternatively, this extra pocket may not be disposed on the buoyant label, but may be separately disposed by means of an additional thread on the connecting thread between the buoyant label and infusion bag. Also, this bag can be designed so that it is floatable, in which it consists of a buoyant body on which one or more pockets are arranged. In this embodiment, the bag is attached to either the buoyant label or the connecting thread between the buoyant label and the infusion bag with an extra draw. The attachment to the connecting thread between buoyant label and infusion bag is designed so that it is longitudinally displaceable, so that the bag can be pushed as needed in the required position. The bag can also consist of polystyrene film or transparent film. Are more additives in several pockets provided, the contents may be different, both in terms of quantity and in the nature of the additive, such. As sugar, sugar substitute or dried milk. Alternatively, other types of flavoring agents may be used.

In a second embodiment, the buoyant label is designed to be self-standing so that it can be easily removed from the prepared beverage without scalding the fingers on the hot beverage surface, especially tea or other hot drinks. The buoyant label is rectangular in this case, but may also be round, elliptical, hexagonal, octagonal, pentagonal, triangular, square or other polygonal design. Other geometric shapes are conceivable. The buoyant label has an inner and outer perforation, forming a buoyant body. The buoyant body consists of three floating chambers, each of which is designed as a separate float. Furthermore, the buoyant label has a centrally arranged recess, which is triangular, V-shaped, nail-shaped or T-shaped. This can also have any other shape. In this recess, a tab is arranged, which is also triangular, nail-shaped or T-shaped. Instead of the tab there may also be provided a nipple. The recess in the buoyant label is formed by perforations, which have the same shape as the recess. The perforation seam, which is generally V-shaped, divides the lower portion of the floatable label into two floating chambers, namely a lower right float chamber and a lower left float chamber, thus forming separate floats. The tab disposed in the recess has at its upper end a connecting seam, with which it is movably connected to the upper floating chamber, so that the tab is movable in the recess back and forth. The connecting seam for connecting the tab to the upper floating chamber at the same time represents a perforation, so that the upper swimming chamber also represents a separate float.

Thus, the buoyant label in this embodiment has three separate floating chambers.

The buoyant label is made of plastic, as well as the arranged in the recess tab, which may also be round, as well as the recess. The tab disposed in the recess causes the label to automatically deploy upon contact with a hot surface, particularly tea or similar hot drinks. The installation is done by the occurring in the plastic tension, which correspond to those in bimetallic. This effect is generated by voltage changes due to different thermal expansions in the plastic used, so that when temperature changes a curvature occurs. In this case, the thermal properties of the plastic used are thus used. If the buoyant label now comes into contact with a hot beverage surface, so in particular in the tab, which is also made of plastic, tensions, so that this bends backwards or forwards, causing the label straightens, so this quickly, clean and can be removed from the drink without pain. As a plastic, on the one hand a polyester, in particular a polyester film can be used. These are high molecular weight esterification products of dibasic acids, especially terephthalic acid, with dihydric alcohols, especially glycol and butylene glycol. Alternatively, these can also be prepared by polycondensation of hydroxycarboxylic acids or of diols and dicarboxylic acid (-Deriv). Branched and crosslinked polyesters are obtained in the polycondensation of trihydric or polyhydric alcohols with polyfunctional carboxylic acids. In addition, it is also possible to prepare unsaturated polyesters from unsaturated dicarboxylic acids. These are uncoloured, milky white plastics, which are almost crystal clear only in very thin films, but which is coverable dyeable and which is odorless, tasteless and physiologically indifferent.

Alternatively, the plastic used may also be polyethylenes obtained by polymerizing ethylene according to two fundamentally different ones Methods, the high-pressure and the low-pressure method can be produced. Thus, high pressure polyethylenes and low pressure polyethylenes are distinguished from each other. These differ mainly in their degree of branching and, consequently, in their degree of crystallinity and their density. The high-pressure polyethylene is usually branched low-density polyethylenes and low-pressure polyethylene is usually largely linear macromolecules, which are unbranched.

In addition, the plastic used may also be polypropylene, in particular a polypropylene film which may be either highly crystalline as so-called isotactic polypropylenes, less crystalline, so-called syndiotactic polypropylene or amorphous, so-called atactic polypropylenes. Polypropylenes are usually uncoloured or slightly transparent to opaque, but can be dyed covered in many colors and then have a high surface gloss. Thus, the use of polypropylene films can also produce colored buoyant labels so that consumers can also be signaled by the color of the label as to what kind of product it is. Furthermore, polypropylenes are odorless, tasteless and well tolerated by the skin and mucous membranes, making them ideal for recesses in the food sector.

In addition, so-called Polyethylenthylan films (PET films) can be used, which may also be polyethylene glycol Tereftalat films (PETP) or polyethylene tetrafluoroethylene (PETFE) films. These are subspecies of polyesters, which thus have similar properties as polyester.

Alternatively, there is the possibility that the pivotable tab, which is arranged in the recess of the buoyant label, can be used to clamp the label to the container in which the beverage to be prepared is contained. Alternatively, this can also be done by hooking the Label on the container, such. As a pot, a cup, a cup or the like. This creates the possibility that the buoyant label can be attached to any container that serves for the preparation of aufzubühühenden drinks.

In a third embodiment, the buoyant label is formed as a float, which consists of foam, Styrofoam or other buoyant material. The floating body consists of two halves, which can be designed either as slices, hemispheres, squares, pyramids, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, octagons, hexagons, dodecahedra or other polygonal. These bodies can also be elliptical, cylindrical, prismatic, rhombic or otherwise designed. The two bodies, from which the float can be formed, are either glued or welded, so that they then form the actual float. When gluing or welding the halves of the connecting thread is clamped between the halves of the infusion bag and thus firmly connected to the float. At the top of the floating body, a figure can be arranged, which is firmly connected to the floating body and then makes reference to the product, the consumer or the country of origin or other conceivable associations. This may be z. For example, they may be characters from Ernie or Bert from Sesame Street to evoke associations with children, or they may be replicas of locations in a particular city from which the product originates or to which association the product is intended to evoke.

The float may for example consist of styrofoam. This is a range of propellant-containing styrene polymers or copolymers in bead or rod form, which may be colorless or colored, which are used for the production of EPS foams. Furthermore, the floating body may consist of foamed plastics, which are porous, very light substances consisting of different plastics, eg. B. from Epoxidhard, urea resins, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. These are inflated and in this condition solidified products, which usually have a low specific gravity.

Alternatively, the floating body can also be made of foam which distributes over its entire mass, open or closed cells and those of a density which is lower than that of the skeletal substance. The framework substance can be both organic polymers and inorganic materials. If inorganic materials are used as framework substance, then it is foam concrete or foam glass. Here, rigid foams, semi-rigid foams and flexible foams, elastic foams and soft elastic foams are differentiated depending on their resistance to deformation under pressure load. Further divisions of the foams are made, inter alia, after the builder in polyurethane foams, Polysterolschaumstoffe, Polyvinylchloridschaumstoffe and others, the material class of builders such. Example, elastomeric foam, elastic foams, plastic foams and others, the nature, size and shape of the foam cells in open-cell foams, closed cell foams, mixed cellular foams, coarse and fine cellular foams, spherical foams, honeycomb foams, double-layer or real foams and monolayer or spurious Foams and multi-layer foams and density in light and heavy foams or after the density distribution in structural or integral foams.

The float may also be made of sponge rubber consisting of a non-propellant vulcanized latex foam based on natural or synthetic rubber which has great softness, elasticity, low weight and good heat capacity due to its cellular structure. Besides, foam rubber which is made of rubber using blowing agents and which is a porous rubber product whose pores communicate with each other may also be used. Foam rubber may also be used instead of foam rubber, which is a foam with closed microcells based on natural or synthetic rubber. Alternatively, too Sponge rubber, a porous rubber product made of rubber using blowing agents whose pores communicate with each other.

Alternatively, there is the possibility that the floating body consists of foam, which is a structure of gas-filled, spherical or polyhedron-shaped cells, which are bounded by liquid, semi-liquid, highly viscous or solid cell webs. If the volume concentration of the gas at homodisperse distribution is less than 74%, the gas bubbles are spherical due to the surface-reducing effect of the interfacial tension. Above the boundary of the densest sphere packing, the bubbles are deformed into polyhedral lamellae bounded by approximately 600 nm thin pellicles. The cell barriers, connected by so-called nodal points, form a coherent framework. The foam lamellae stretch between the cell webs, creating a closed-cell foam. If the foam lamellae are destroyed or flow back into the cell ridges at the end of foaming, an open-celled foam is obtained.

In a fourth embodiment of the buoyant label, the label consists of a float which is either a balloon and is inflatable by air blown in the manufacturing process, or pillow-like or bag-like, and which is filled with polystyrene balls or foam balls, thus also a buoyancy is generated. Here, the float is integrated in the molding, whereby the molding receives the necessary buoyancy. For this purpose, a cavity or a recess is provided in the molded body, which has the same shape as the float, in which the float is arranged and fixed.

In a fifth embodiment, the buoyant label consists of a float incorporated into a frame connected to a handle, which in turn is connected to the infusion bag. This is a buoyant label that works in conjunction with a lengthwise infusion bag of filter material, such as nonwoven filter paper or nonwoven fabric, can be used. At the top of a handle made of a rigid, reforming properties having material is arranged, in turn articulated the buoyant label is connected, which consists on its front and back of polystyrene film, which are connected to each other with a sealed seam and then in a frame Cardboard or similar materials are arranged, which is connected to the handle. The handle may in this case have the same diameter as the buoyant label or may be formed like a swallow, and made of cardboard or similar materials. On the strip can then be additionally provided another label with imprints. This label arranged there can have any conceivable shape, so this z. B. round, elliptical, rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal or otherwise polygonal, this may also be diamond-shaped, trapezoidal or otherwise formed. On this label, which may also be designed buoyant, more information on the drink to be dispensed can be reproduced. Also, the handle including floatable label may be formed so that there is a corresponding timing device is arranged. This consists of a liquid-promoting propellant, which in particular uses the capillary action and consists of a moisture activatable signal, which is located at the end of a certain, be covered by the liquid in the transport route. In a simplest embodiment blotting paper can be used as transport and the signal means can be a color point applied to the back of the buoyant label. The signal means can be activated in such a way that the color dot shimmers through the transparent blotting paper as soon as it has become wet. The signal liquid can also be integrated into the infusion bag, whereby it can be arranged in different colors. On the frame of the buoyant label and the handle then corresponding information about the timing device are shown. In addition, the handle with the buoyant label can also be designed such that the diameter is greater than that of the infusion bag arranged thereon, so that the label together with the handle protrudes uniformly over the infusion bag, thereby creating a handle becomes. The frame, in which the buoyant label is embedded in polystyrene film, is designed accordingly and thus gives more space for arranging prints of all kinds. The frame in which the buoyant label is embedded and which is provided with a handle, can also with appropriate Printed motifs that creates a first association with the potential consumer, the product or other associations. At the top of the frame, corresponding figures or forms can be arranged for this purpose.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

Fig. 1

in Vorderansicht das erfindungsgemäße schwimmfähige Etikett,

Fig. 2

die Seitenansicht eines Querschnitt des erfindungsgemäßen schwimmfähigen Etiketts,

Fig. 3

in einer Vorderansicht ein erfindungsgemäßes schwimmfähiges Etikett, das als Figur ausgebildet,

Fig. 4

die Vorderansicht eines schwimmfähigen Etiketts, das mit einer Handhabe verbunden ist zur Verwendung an langgestreckten, kastenförmigen Aufgussbeuteln, und.

Fig. 5

die Vorderansicht eines schwimmfähigen Etiketts, das sich automatisch aufrichtet.

Hereinafter, particularly preferred embodiments of the label according to the invention are explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

in front view the buoyant label according to the invention,

Fig. 2

the side view of a cross section of the floating label according to the invention,

Fig. 3

in a front view, a floating label according to the invention, designed as a figure,

Fig. 4

the front view of a buoyant label, which is connected to a handle for use on elongated, box-shaped infusion bags, and.

Fig. 5

The front view of a buoyant label that automatically straightens.

FIG. 1 shows a view of the buoyant label 100, which consists of a float 10, which may optionally consist of foam, foam rubber or two welded together polystyrene films. At the Bottom of the floating body 10 is by means of a connection point 11, a twine 12 or the like arranged, which is passed at its lower end through an opening 14 which is disposed in the upper region of the infusion bag 15, and knotted into a loop 13, so that the label 100, which is floatable, can be attached by means of the twine 12 on the infusion bag 15.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the buoyant label 100, which consists of the float 10, which consists of a front 16 and back 17, each consisting of a polystyrene film and which are interconnected by means of a sealed seam 18. The twine 12, with which the buoyant label is connected to the infusion bag, not shown, is taken during sealing with and thus serves as a rescue rope for the infusion bag.

In the manufacture of the buoyant label 100, the front and back sides 16, 17, which are made of polystyrene film, are joined together with a sealed seam, and the air entrapment creates a float or buoy, which then floats on the prepared beverage. The buoyant label 100 may be of any diameter, meaning that it can be made in different dimensions and sizes or widths and lengths.

FIG. 3 shows a buoyant label whose floating body 10 is formed as a shaped body 19, and in the present case has the shape of a boat. The floating body 10, which is formed in the present case as a shaped body 19, also consists of polystyrene film and can be stamped from molds. The twine 12 is sealed to the molded body 19 at the lower end. The molded body 19, which forms the floating body 10 of the buoyant label 100, can be provided with various shapes and contours, related to the product or its consumer or other types of references. Thus, the molded body 19 z. B. have the shape of a lemon when in the tea bag 15 lemon tea is. Should There are Ostfriesentee in it, then the shaped body would have the form of a miniature lighthouse. The twine 12 is connected in the present case by means of a clamp 20, which is a simple staple with the infusion bag 15.

FIG. 4 shows the formation of a buoyant label 100 for use in elongated, box-shaped infusion bags 15, wherein at the top of the infusion bag 15, a handle 21 is arranged made of cardboard, which is arranged rectangular and the diameter is greater than the diameter of the infusion bag 15, so that their Survive pages on the edge. At the top of the handle 21, a hinge 22 is arranged, via which the handle 21 is connected to a frame 23, which also consists of cardboard and in which the floating body 10 of the buoyant label is embedded, which also consists of polystyrene film. The float may in this case be formed continuously or may be formed in a chamber shape, so that the frame 23 may have at least one or more cells in which then individual floats of polystyrene film, consisting of front and back, are arranged. The frame 23 can also be designed so that it can accommodate any imprints of any kind.

FIG. 5 shows the formation of a buoyant label 100 that automatically straightens. The buoyant label 100 has a rectangular shape and consists of an outer perforation 24 and an inner perforation 25, through which a buoyant body 10 is formed. In the float 10, a recess 32 is arranged, which is V-shaped and may alternatively also be T-shaped or nail-shaped. In the recess 32, a tab 27 is arranged, which is connected to its upper side by means of a connecting seam 30, which also represents a perforation, with an upper floating chamber 28. Furthermore, the recess 32, which is arranged centrally, at its lower edge on a further perforation 26, which is also V-shaped, T-shaped or nail-shaped. By this V-shaped perforation 26 creates a lower right Floating chamber 28 and a lower left floating chamber 30, so that the floating body 10 is divided into three separate floating chambers 28, 29 and 30. The tab 27 is pivotally connected via the connecting seam 31 with the lower edge of the upper floating chamber 28, so that the tab 27 is pivotable, so that this, due to the thermal properties of the plastics used, can make contact with a hot surface. The label 100 in the present case is made of plastic and is connected to an infusion bag 15 by means of a twine 12. The one end of the twine 12 is connected by means of a connection 11 with the label 100 and the other end of the twine 12 is pulled through an opening 14 and forms a loop 13 which is arranged in the frame of the infusion bag 15, so that the label 100 with the infusion bag 15 is connected. The twine 12 may have a different length.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

float

11

junction

12

twine

13

loop

14

perforation

15

teabag

16

front

17

back

18

seal

19

moldings

20

parentheses

21

handle

22

joint

23

frame

24

outer perforation

25

inner perforation

26

perforation seam

27

flap

28

upper swimming chamber

29

lower right swimming chamber

30

lower left swimming chamber

31

seam

32

recess

100

label

Claims (13)

1. A label (100) for infusion bags (15), particularly tea bags, characterised in that the label (100) is in the form of a float (10) consisting of a front (16) and a back (17), which are rigidly connected to one another.
2. The label (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the front and back (16, 17) are made from polystyrene film and that the front (16) is connected to the back (17) by a sealed seam (18).
3. The label (100) according to one of the claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the front and back (16, 17) of the float (10) are each made from foam or polystyrene.
4. The label (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the front and back (16, 17) of the float (10) are disc-shaped.
5. The label (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the front (16) and the back (17) are semi-spherical.
6. The label (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the float (10) is designed as a mould (19) and the float (10) is incorporated in the mould (19).
7. The label (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the float (10) is disposed in a frame (23), which is connected by means of a hinge (22) to a handle (21), which is in turn connected to the infusion bag (15).
8. The label (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the float (10) is a balloon.
9. The label (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the float (10) is bag-shaped and that balls made from foam or polystyrene are disposed therein.
10. The label (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a pocket is disposed on the front (16) of the float (10) to hold a further product label.
11. The label (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that holes are disposed on the bottom and top of the float (10), through which the string (12) can be fed, so that the label (100) is movably disposed on the string (12).
12. The label (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that an opening (32) is disposed in the float (10), in which a movable clip (27) is disposed, and that the float (10) has at least three separate float chambers (28), (29) and (30).
13. The label (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the label (100) and the float (10) are each made from plastic and that the plastic is either polyester film or polyethylene film, polypropylene film or polyethylene-methylane film (PET film).

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