EP1706333B1 - Infusion unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A tea bag is used for the preparation and serving of mug-sized portions from mobile vending stations. The tea bag incorporates a cardboard or paper form that holds the bag in wide presentation. The two edges (22) are folded to form a T as seen in plan form.

Description

The invention relates to a brewing unit with a brewing part containing a filling material, preferably tea leaves, and a handle connected to the bag part.

Such infusion units are e.g. known in the form of conventional teabags. In the case of conventional tea bags, micronized tea material is contained in a bag part. The bag part is completely closed, and on a top thereof is attached via a drawstring a paper or Papierfähnchen as a handle. Such tea bags are often used for the portionwise as well as the wise preparation of tea. Usually, such tea bags are loaded in a capacity of 3.5 to 5.0 g, this amount is designed to prepare a cup of tea with this tea bag. However, if such a teabag is used to prepare, for example, a cup of tea (compared to a cup containing about 150 ml, a cup of 200 to 300 ml), the amount of tea contained in the tea bag is no longer sufficient.

document US 2,192,605 A discloses an infusion unit according to the preamble of claim 1.

Furthermore, the tea contained in conventional teabags is a fine fraction and generally of high quality Tea leaves clearly underlaid composite leaf tea.

In particular, in the "street sale" a quick preparation of a tea is required, so that here is always used for the preparation of teas bag tea or tea bags.

However, because of the drawbacks described above, the tea prepared with such teabags is not always adequate to the consumer's quality requirements, so that only small amounts of tea beverages can be sold in street vending.

Here it is an aim of the applicants to create a way to be able to offer high-quality tea beverages in street sales, which come close to the home or in good tea rooms prepared teas or qualitatively. The preparation of the tea should be done quickly, as it is important for street vendors.

In particular, it should be possible to use a brewing unit to be specified with the invention in connection with disposable drinking cups provided with lids, but also for the preparation of brewing beverages in conventional drinking vessels.

The indicated objectives and the object to be seen therein is achieved by an infusion unit according to the invention. Advantageous developments of this Aufgusseinheit are given in the dependent claims 2 to 9.

The brewing unit according to the invention has as a handle a plate-shaped element, preferably made of paper, cardboard or plastic, which is attached directly to the bag part. The bag part is attached to the handle so that it is arranged in a direction of the longest extent of the handle between opposite ends of the handle so that at 90 ° to each other tilted handle and bag part, the handle extends on both sides beyond a connection point of the handle with the bag part addition. In the latter position, the bag part and the handle therefore together form a "T" shape, wherein the two sections of the crossbar of the "T" need not necessarily be the same length.

The fact that according to the invention a fold extends in the direction of the longest extent of the handle approximately centrally over the latter over the entire length, the essential advantage that the infusion unit according to the invention, for example, for brewing an infusion beverage except for use with a specially designed cup lid can be used in a conventional cup, without that threatens to completely slip into this during the pouring of the brewing unit arranged in the cup. For this purpose, the handle of the Aufgusseinheit is slightly compressed along the fold, so that they deviating from the flat, planar shape receives a cross-sectionally approximately triangular shape. Then the handle is hung with its longer section over the edge of the cup. Due to the angled shape, the handle adapts better to the round outside of the cup and can not slip so easily.

The infusion unit according to the invention is particularly suitable for picking up loose, whole tea leaves and thus creating the conditions for the preparation of a high-quality tea. However, the infusion unit according to the invention is not limited to tea as infusion material, it can be used in principle other infusion materials, such as. Fruit chips or the like. The arrangement according to the invention of the bag part on the handle makes it possible to reliably use the handle as a "stopper" when the bag part is hung in a container for preparation of the infusion beverage, for example by placing the two protruding parts of the handle on an opening edge of the container or in a manner to be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiment in one specially designed for the interaction with the Aufgusseinheit invention designed lid can be used.

The bag part may be made of a cellulosic material or any other porous material suitable for the preparation of infusion beverages, in particular nylon.

According to an advantageous embodiment (claim 2), the bag part is seen on the handle in its longest extension defined off-center between the opposite ends. In a further variant (claim 3), such an arrangement is preferred, which divides the handle in its longest extent in a ratio of about 1 to 3. This type of arrangement of the bag part on the handle is in particular with the preferred provided connection of the infusion unit in connection with a specially designed lid for a disposable cup of advantage.

Another advantageous embodiment in this context is specified in claim 4. Thereafter, the handle has a substantially rectangular basic shape, wherein the more remote from the junction of the handle with the bag part end of the handle is rounded. This rounding of the end of the handle facilitates insertion of the same into a receiving slot or allows a storage of this end on a correspondingly contoured storage surface for fixing the Aufgusseinheit in a "brewing position".

A brewing unit as defined in claim 5, wherein the bag portion of a handle is defined by crimping one end of the handle and adhering one end of the bag portion between two surfaces of the handle lying on each other by crimping, resulting in a particularly simple and stable construction of the brewing unit according to the invention , in particular the connection point between the handle and the bag part. Instead of sticking can The end of the bag part in the fold of the handle can also be determined in another way, for example by sewing.

In a further development (claim 6), it is provided that the folded-over section of the handle forms a grip section for detecting the infusion unit. By crimping this end is doubled and additionally stabilized so that it forms a more stable grip portion than the other end of the handle.

Preferably, the handle is wider in a width measured transversely to the direction of the longest extension than the bag part attached to it and protrudes in this direction on both sides over the bag part. This specified in claim 7 advantageous development allows a support of the handle on a support or a guide surface in the area in which the bag part is located. Advantageously, the bag unit is a flat bag (claim 8). This flat bag is preferably arranged in its longer extension transversely to the longest extent of the handle and fixed in this orientation on the handle.

Preferred dimensions of the infusion unit are specified in claim 9. Thereafter, the bag unit has a length of about 100 mm - 130 mm and a width of about 50 mm. The handle has a length of about 80 mm and a width of about 54 mm, the first about the junction of the bag part with the handle part projecting end about 20 mm and the second protruding end is about 60 mm long.

Fig. 1

eine Aufgusseinheit in einer Ansicht von einer ersten Seite (ohne die erfindungsgemäße Falz),

Fig. 2

die Aufgusseinheit aus Fig. 1 in einer Ansicht von der der ersten Seite gegenüber liegende Seite,

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht eines Beutelteils einer erfindungsgemäßen Aufgusseinheit,

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht eines Zuschnittes für die Handhabe der in den Figuren 1 und 2 gezeigten Aufgusseinheit,

Fig. 5a

bis 5c eine bevorzugte Verwendung einer erfindungsgemäßen Aufgusseinheit im Zusammenhang mit einem besonders konzipierten Deckel für einen Einweg-Trinkbecher,

Fig. 6

eine der Fig 1 vergleichbare Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Aufgusseinheit,

Fig. 7

eine der Fig. 2 vergleichbare Darstellung der in Fig. 6 gezeigten Aufgusseinheit und

Fig. 8

eine der Fig. 4 vergleichbare Ansicht eines Zuschnittes für die Handhabe nach dem Ausführungsbeispiel.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures show:

Fig. 1

an infusion unit in a view from a first side (without the fold according to the invention),

Fig. 2

1 in a view from the side opposite the first side,

Fig. 3

a view of a bag part of a brewing unit according to the invention,

Fig. 4

4 is a view of a blank for the handle of the infusion unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5a

5c shows a preferred use of an infusion unit according to the invention in connection with a specially designed lid for a disposable drinking cup,

Fig. 6

1 is a representation comparable to an embodiment of an infusion unit according to the invention,

Fig. 7

one of the Fig. 2 comparable representation of the Aufgusseinheit shown in Fig. 6 and

Fig. 8

one of FIG. 4 comparable view of a blank for the handle according to the embodiment.

In the figures, which illustrate the described Aufgusseinheit each schematically, the same elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The illustrations in the figures are for the invention as limiting as the following description of the embodiment, the limits of the invention are exclusively drawn by the claims. The following description of the embodiments is merely illustrative and improved in understanding of the invention.

In the figures, an infusion unit is generally designated 20 and 120, respectively. The infusion unit is generally composed of a handle 22 or 122 and a bag part 21 fastened directly to the handle in the form of a flat bag. The bag part 21 is filled with an infusion material, preferably with loose tea leaves. The bag part 21 is made of a nylon material. The bag part 21 is by cutting a section of a tubular endless belt and closing one side of the bag part 21 with a closing seam 28, filling with the infusion material and closing the opposite end of the bag part 21 with another closing seam 29. With the dots in the central portion of the bag part 21, it is indicated that the nylon material is porous to allow it to permeate with an infusion liquid, for example, hot water. In this way it is ensured that the infusion material in contact with the infusion liquid and can act on these for the preparation of an infusion beverage.

The handle 22 or 122 is made of a flat material, in particular of a thin cardboard.

FIG. 4 shows a blank for a handle 22 without the longitudinal fold according to the invention. There it can be seen that a fold designated by 25 extends transversely to the handle 22, the fold 25 being provided on both sides with grooves 26 and 27, respectively. To connect the handle 22 to the bag part 21, adhesive is applied to an upper side of the blank for the handle 22 in the areas between the fold 25 and the grooves 26 and 27. Then, the bag part 21 is applied with a transverse edge at one of its ends to the fold 25 and the blank folded over along the fold 25 and transferred to the bag part 21. In this way, the bag part 21 is glued to the handle 22.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a handle 122 according to the invention. This also has a transverse to the handle 122 extending fold 125. In this embodiment, the grooves 26 and 27 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 are not provided with corresponding grooves. Instead, here is the invention essentially constituting, in the longitudinal direction of the handle 122 (ie, in the direction of their longer extension) extending fold 128 available. This fold 128 runs perpendicular to the first fold 125 and lies across the width of the handle 122 seen in in the middle of it. The fold 128 can also be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which an exemplary embodiment (infusion unit 120) provided with the handle 122 shown in FIG. 8 is shown. The fold 128 serves to provide improved retention of the infusion unit of the invention when used to brew an infusion beverage in a conventional cup or similar container. The handle 122 can then be folded along the fold 128 and thus "angled". In this position, it adapts better to the outer shape of a cup or similar container and, when hung to hold the bag part 21 over the cup rim, does not tend to slip into the cup or other brewing container when the contents of the bag part 21 interfere a brewing liquid is poured over.

The connection of the booting part 21 to the handle 122 works analogously as previously described in connection with the example of an infusion unit 20 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 without the longitudinal fold 128 according to the invention. Again, by folding one end of the handle 122 along the fold 125, an overlapping area is created, in which the bag part 21 is glued to one end.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2 or 6 and 7, the handle 22 or 122 is wider than the bag part 21, wherein the bag part 21 is arranged centrally in the handle 22 or 122, so that on both sides of the bag part 21 an approximately equally wide edge of the handle 22 and 122 protrudes. As a result of this arrangement, when the bag part 21 is connected to the handle 22 or 122 at least in the projecting region of the handle 22 or 122, a direct bonding of the two surfaces of the handle 22 or 122 is achieved, which means an additional strength of this fastening ,

After connecting as described above between bag part 21 and handle 22 and 122, the handle 22 or 122 forms for two beyond the junction between the Handle 22 and 122 and the bag part 21 lying, protruding portions, a shorter handle portion 23 and 123, where the cardboard material of the handle 22 and 122 by folding along the fold 25 and 125 is double, and a support portion 24 and 124. The support section 24 or 124 has a rounded end, wherein the background of this rounding will be discussed below.

The bag part 21 is not centered in the handle 22 or 122, i. the section 23 or 123 and the support section 24 or 124 are unequal in length. In the examples shown, the grip portion 23 or 123 measured to the junction with the bag part 21 has a length of about 20 mm and the support portion 24 and 124 has a corresponding measured length of about 60 mm. Thus, the joint between the bag part 21 and the handle 22 or 122 divides the latter in a ratio of about 1 to 3. The bag part 21 in the embodiment shown has a width of about 50 mm, the handle 22 has a width of about 54 mm. In this case, the projection of the handle 22 seen in the transverse direction to the right and left of the bag part in each case about 2 mm. The bag part has a length of about 110 mm.

FIGS. 5a to 5c show a preferred use of the infusion unit 120 according to the invention (as well as the infusion unit 20 not covered by the invention) in connection with a lid 1 for a disposable drinking cup.

The cover 1 has a bottom plate 2 facing the drinking cup in the application case and a cover 3 arranged above the bottom plate 2. Between this bottom plate 2 and the cover 3 and a peripheral side wall 4, a receiving space 5 is formed. In the bottom plate 2, a substantially rectangular opening 6 is provided approximately in the middle, in the cover 3 or between the cover 3 and the edge of the lid 1, a slot-shaped opening 7 is provided in the region near the edge. This slot-shaped opening 7 is covered by a tab 13 of the cover 3. By doing the slit-shaped opening 7 opposite region, the bottom plate 2 forms a support 10th

The infusion unit 20 or 120 is in particular suitable for being used together with this lid 1 in order to enable the preparation of a relatively high-quality infusion beverage, in particular a tea, in the fast street sale. For this purpose, the infusion unit 20 or 120 is first threaded into the lid 1. This is shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b. With the handle portion 23 or 123 in front of the Aufgusseinheit 20, 120 is guided through the opening 6 in the bottom plate 2 of the lid 1, so that the handle portion 3 passes through the slot-shaped opening 7 therethrough. Now, the handle portion 23 and 123 and thus the handle 22 and 122 so far pulled through the slot-shaped opening 7 until the support portion 24 and 124 can be obtained through the opening 6 in the receiving space 5 of the lid 1. Then, the handle 22 and 122 is tilted and pushed back as far into the receiving space, until the support portion 24 and 124 of the handle 22 and 122 rests on the support 10. Since the lid 1 is designed to be circular overall and thus the support 10 also has a part-circular outer contour, the support section 24 or 124 is provided with a rounded outer edge as described above.

In the position shown in FIG. 5b, when the lid 1 or the unit formed from lid 1 and infusion unit 20 or 120 is placed on the infusion unit 20 or 120, the infusion unit 20 or 120 may project into the infusion liquid onto a drinking cup filled with an infusion liquid and for the preparation of an infusion beverage Act.

After a defined contact time, the bag part 21 of the infusion unit 20 or 120 must be removed from the infusion liquid. This can be done in the combination of the Aufgusseinheit 20 and 120 with the lid 1 as shown in Fig. 5c. After the end of the contact time of the handle portion 23 and 123 of the handle 22 and 122 is taken and pulled in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 5c.

As a result, the bag part 21 is drawn out of the infusion liquid and through the opening 6 into the receiving space 5. In this case, the bag part 21 is compressed by pressure between the base plate 2 and the support portion 24 and 124 of the handle 22 and 122 and "wrung out". If the handle portion 23 or 123 or the handle 22 or 122 pulled out of the slot-shaped opening 7 maximum, the bag part 21 of the Aufgusseinheit 20 and 120 is almost completely received in the receiving space 5, at least to the extent that it with the infusion liquid in the drinking cup is no longer in contact. Thus, a further action of the bag part or the infusion material located in the bag part is avoided on the infusion liquid. In the case of tea located in the bag part 21, it is thus avoided that the tea beverage prepared in the drinking cup becomes excessively bitter due to too long pulling.

The infusion unit according to the invention is not restricted in its application to the interaction with the lid 1 described in FIGS. 5 a to 5 c; in particular, it can also be used without such a special lid for the preparation of infusion beverages in drinking vessels.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cover

2

baseplate

3

cover

4

Side wall

5

accommodation space

6

opening

7

opening

10

edition

13

flap

20; 120

infusion unit

21

bag part

22; 122

handle

23; 123

handle portion

24; 124

support section

25; 125

fold

26

groove

27

groove

28

closing seam

29

closing seam

128

fold

Claims (9)

1. Infusion unit with a bag part (21) containing an infusion material, preferably tea leaves, and a handle (22; 122) connected to the bag part (21), in which the handle (22; 122) is a plate-like element, preferably made from paper, cardboard or plastic, to which is directly fixed the bag part (21) in such a way that, considered in a direction of the longest extension of the handle (22; 122), it is so positioned between facing ends (23, 24; 123, 124) of the handle (22; 122) that when the bag part (21) and handle (22; 122) are tilted against one another by 90° the handle (22; 122) on either side extends beyond a connection point of the handle (22; 122) to the bag part (21), characterized in that a fold (128) extends roughly centrally over the entire length of the handle (122) along the direction of its longest extension.
2. Infusion unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the bag part (21) is fixed to the handle (22; 122), considered in the longest extension thereof, eccentrically between the facing ends (23, 24; 123, 124).
3. Infusion unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the connection point of handle (22; 122) to bag part (21) divides the handle (22; 122) in the direction of its longest extension in a ratio of approximately 1:3.
4. Infusion unit according to one of the claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the handle (22; 122) has a substantially rectangular basic shape, in which the end (24; 124) of handle (22; 122) further removed from the connection point of handle (22; 122) to bag part (21) is rounded.
5. Infusion unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag part (21) is fixed to handle (22; 122) by folding down one end (23; 123) of handle (22; 122) and bonding one end of bag part (21) between two surfaces of handle (22; 122) which rest on one another due to the folding down operation.
6. Infusion unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the folded down portion of handle (22; 122) forms a grip section (23; 123) for gripping the infusion unit (20; 120).
7. Infusion unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of the handle (22; 122) in a direction at right angles to the longest extension is wider than the bag part (21) fixed to it and in this direction projects on either side over the bag part (21).
8. Infusion unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that bag part (21) is a flat bag.
9. Infusion unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag part (21) has a length of approximately 100 to 130 mm and a width of approximately 50 mm and that the handle (22; 122) has a length of approximately 80 mm and a width of approximately 54 mm, in which the first end projecting over the connection point of bag part (21) to handle (22; 122) is approximately 20 mm long and the second projecting end approximately 60 mm long.

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