EP2740676A1 - Method and machine for making filter bags for infusion or extraction products, and filter bag obtained thereby - Google Patents
Method and machine for making filter bags for infusion or extraction products, and filter bag obtained thereby Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2740676A1 EP2740676A1 EP13195500.7A EP13195500A EP2740676A1 EP 2740676 A1 EP2740676 A1 EP 2740676A1 EP 13195500 A EP13195500 A EP 13195500A EP 2740676 A1 EP2740676 A1 EP 2740676A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- filter material
- filter
- infusion
- continuous
- continuous fibers
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000001802 infusion Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 43
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 40
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 80
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 69
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 51
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 50
- 230000008021 deposition Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 238000001523 electrospinning Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000006193 liquid solution Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002318 adhesion promoter Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000004034 viscosity adjusting agent Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 15
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 15
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 14
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 13
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 8
- 235000013616 tea Nutrition 0.000 description 7
- 244000269722 Thea sinensis Species 0.000 description 6
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 4
- -1 extrusions Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 235000007866 Chamaemelum nobile Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 240000007154 Coffea arabica Species 0.000 description 2
- 244000042664 Matricaria chamomilla Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000007232 Matricaria chamomilla Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000016213 coffee Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000013353 coffee beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000889 atomisation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000020335 flavoured tea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
- B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
- B65D85/808—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package for immersion in the liquid to release part or all of their contents, e.g. tea bags
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
- B65B29/02—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package
- B65B29/028—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package packaging infusion material into filter bags
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- External Artificial Organs (AREA)
- Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
- Spinning Methods And Devices For Manufacturing Artificial Fibers (AREA)
- Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
- Filtering Materials (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a method and a machine for making filter bags for infusion or extraction products, such as tea, coffee, chamomile, etc. including one or more flavoring substances.
- The invention further relates to a filter bag obtained by such method and such machine.
- It is known to add flavoring substances to infusion or extraction products packaged in filter bags, to differentiate/enhancing the organoleptic properties of the beverages obtained by infusion or extraction of such products.
- For example, for filter bags containing tea blends, it is known to add flavoring substances directly to the tea blend in form of particles, such as granules, extrusions, or powders obtained by atomization. The blends with the particles are used to package filter bags in known forms: single lobe, or double lobe filter bags, with or without string and tag, etc. Nevertheless, such method of adding flavoring substances to the tea blends presents drawbacks, from an esthetical, functional and productive point of view.
- Indeed, the flavoring substances in form of granules, extrusions, or powders have relatively large dimensions and are therefore easily visible within the filter bag: such a filter bag looks not particularly pleasant to the consumer.
- The above described flavoring method presents further disadvantages:
- it obliges to stock many different tea blends, in fact different from one another in the flavoring substances only, not in the single teas that form the blends, with an increase in encumbrances and costs; and
- low infusion yields of the flavored tea blends are obtained, because the particles containing the flavoring substances present relatively large dimensions, i.e. a relatively low surface to volume ratio, which is disadvantageous for the process of extraction of the flavoring substances from the particles.
- It is an object of the invention to provide a method for making filter bags for infusion or extraction products that overcomes the drawbacks of the above mentioned prior art.
- In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a method and a machine to make filter bags for infusion or extraction products including one or more flavoring substances that are simple and flexible.
- It is a further object of the invention to provide a machine for making filter bags for infusion or extraction products including one or more flavoring substances, that allows, during production, to quickly and flexibly change the flavoring substances that are used, maintaining high standards of quality and productivity.
- It is a further object of the invention to provide a filter bag for infusion or extraction products including one or more flavoring substances that presents high yield of infusion or extraction and that, therefore, provides for enhanced organoleptic properties with the same quantities of flavoring substances used in the known filter bags.
- Said objects are achieved by a method and a machine for making filter bags for infusion or extraction products according to
claim claim 12. - In particular, the method for making filter bags for infusion or extraction products according to the invention includes a step of feeding at least one continuous strip of filter material along an advancement direction, a step of dosing doses of infusion or extraction product on to the advancing strip of filter material, and a step of forming the filter bag.
- According to the invention, the method further includes a step of depositing on to the strip of filter material one or more continuous fibers, or filaments, including one or more flavoring substances.
- The continuous fibers have a diameter comprised between one thousandth and one millionth of a millimeter.
- Advantageously, the continuous fibers are achieved by an electrospinning process. Advantageously, the step of depositing one or more continuous fibers including one or more flavoring substances is carried out upstream, or downstream of the step of dosing.
- The presence of flavoring substances directly on the filter material, independently from the infusion or extraction product that is used, allows to produce filter bags with high flexibility and reduced costs, because it allows to stock and use the same blend of infusion or extraction products, changing the flavoring substances only.
- Furthermore, the continuous fibers including the flavoring substances, having micro or nanodimensions, are hard to be visible to human eye, so that the filter bag results visually "clean" and, therefore, acceptable for the consumer.
- Furthermore, the continuous fibers with micro or nanodimensions have a relatively high surface to volume ratio, such to obtain an infused or extracted beverage of high quality. In other words, the flavoring substances being equal to those used in the known filter bags, in which the flavoring substances are present in the product in form of granules, extrusions or powders, the filter bags of the present invention guarantee better infusion or extraction, i.e. the filter bags of the present invention guarantee that larger quantities of flavoring substance dissolve in the beverage. It goes without saying that, on the contrary, it is possible to obtain beverages of equal quality than the beverages obtained with known filter bags by utilizing less quantities of flavoring substance.
- Preferably, the method includes a step of free advancement of the strip of filter material, subsequently the step of depositing the continuous fibers including one or more flavoring substances, to allow, if necessary, a residual evaporation of solvents utilized in the step of depositing.
- The invention will be described in detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, given by way of illustrative and not limiting examples, in which:
-
figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a part of a machine according to a first embodiment of the invention, with some parts omitted to better illustrate others; -
figure 2 is a schematic side view of a further part of the machine offigure 1 ; -
figure 3 is a schematic side view of a machine according to a second embodiment of the invention; -
figure 4 is a perspective view of an example of filter bag for infusion products obtained by a method according to the invention and the machine offigure 3 . - With particular reference to
figures 1 and3 , a method according to the invention is utilized to make filter bags 1 (of which a non limiting example is visible infigure 4 ) for infusion or extraction products, such as tea, coffee, chamomile, etc., and blends thereof. - In
figure 4 there is illustrated, as an example, afilter bag 1 of the double-lobe type for infusion products with string and tag, but there is understood that the method and machine according to the invention can be utilized to make filter bags of different type and shape, such as single chamber or single lobe filter bags, with or without string and tag, etc, for infusion or extraction products. - The method for making
filter bags 1 for infusion or extraction products according to the invention includes the step of: - feeding at least one continuous strip S of filter material through an advancement path along an advancement direction A;
-
dosing doses 2 of infusion or extraction product onto the continuous strip S of filter material advancing along the advancement direction A; - forming the
filter bags 1. - Advantageously, the
doses 2 of infusion or extraction product are dosed at prefixed distances from one another. - The step of forming the
filter bags 1 may comprise, depending on the type and shape of filter bag that is intended to be made, different sub-steps, such sealing free edges of the continuous strip S of filter material, cutting stretches of filter material from the continuous strip S, folding the continuous strip S or the stretches, joining the string and the tag to the continuous strip or to the stretches, addition of overwrapping envelopes, etc. - According to the invention, the method includes a step of depositing on to the strip S of filter material one or more continuous fibers, or filaments, 4 including one or more flavoring substances.
- Preferably, the step of depositing is carried out before, or upstream of, the step of forming the
filter bags 1. More preferably, the step of depositing is carried out before, or upstream of, the step of dosing thedoses 2 of product. - Advantageously, the continuous fibers have diameter comprised between one thousandth and one millionth of a millimeter.
- In alternative, not illustrated embodiments, the step of depositing is carried out subsequently, or downstream of, the step of dosing, or subsequently, or downstream of, the step of forming. In a further alternative, not illustrated embodiment, the step of depositing may be carried out in a sub-step of the step of forming.
- The step of depositing allows to add the flavoring substances directly on to the filter material that will be used to form the
filter bag 1, in particular on to the continuous strip S advancing along the advancement direction A. - Depositing the flavoring substances directly on to the filter material, thus flavoring the filter material, allows to use a reduced number of blends of infusion or extraction products, certainly lower than the number of flavored blends that are intended to be packaged in filter bags. In other words, rather than stocking a high number of already flavored blends, it suffices to stock a limited number of not flavored blends and to add the flavoring substances during the production of the filter bag.
- Furthermore, it allows to aesthetically enhance the filter bag of the invention with respect to the filter bags of the prior art comprising the flavoring substances in form of particles such as granules and powders, because the single continuous fibers, thanks to the diameter of micro or nanodimension, are hard to be distinguished from the filter material to which adhere.
- Furthermore, it is to be noted that the micro or nanodimensions of the continuous fibers considerably enhance the yield of flavoring during infusion or extraction of the product, because the surface to volume ratio is particularly high and therefore favorable for the flavoring substances to pass in to the infusion or extracted beverage, so that the flavoring of the beverage results particularly effective.
- Preferably, the method includes a step of advancing for freely advancing the strip S of filter material at a prefixed advancement speed, subsequently the step of depositing the
continuous fibers 4, to allow drying of thecontinuous fibers 4, if necessary. - If needed, the step of advancing for freely advancing the strip S of filter material may comprise, in a drying/evaporation tract L of the advancement path, a step of heating the strip S of filter material, or a step of suction to favor evaporation of solvents, if used in the step of depositing and still present in such tract L.
- It is to be noted that the drying/evaporation tract L of the strip S of filter material has length depending on the characteristics of the filter material and of the
continuous fibers 4, and on the advancement speed of the same strip S, in order to obtain a suitable degree of drying of thecontinuous fibers 4 before the subsequent steps of dosing and forming. Preferably, the step of depositing thecontinuous fibers 4 is carried out through an extrusion process of a liquid solution, including one or more flavoring substances, one or more solvents, and suitable additives, such as, for example, carriers, adhesion promoters, viscosity modifiers, etc. Preferably, the extrusion process is obtained by means of an electrical field. - Preferably, the step of depositing the
continuous fibers 4 is carried out along a deposition tract T of the continuous strip S of filter material. - Preferably, the step of depositing the
continuous fibers 4 foresees to deposit one or morecontinuous fibers 4 along the deposition tract T of the continuous strip S of filter material. Preferably, the step of depositing thecontinuous fibers 4 foresees to deposit thecontinuous fibers 4 on to anupper surface 30 of the strip S of filter material advancing along the advancement direction A. - Preferably, the step of depositing the
continuous fibers 4 foresees to deposit thecontinuous fibers 4 on to theupper surface 30 of the strip S of filter material advancing along the advancement direction A on an horizontal plane. - In an alternative, not illustrated embodiment, the step of depositing the
continuous fibers 4 foresees to deposit thecontinuous fibers 4 on a surface of the strip S of filter material advancing along the advancement direction A on a vertical plane. - Advantageously, the step of depositing the
continuous fibers 4 includes a process of electrospinning, by means of which, by virtue of an electrical field of suitable force, continuous fibers, or filaments, 4 of diameter comprised between one thousandth and one millionth of a millimetre are generated starting from a liquid solution containing one or more flavouring substances, one or more solvents, and suitable additives, such as carriers, adhesion promoters, viscosity modifiers, etc. - The process of electrospinning includes providing an electric field between at least one supplying
nozzle 12s through which the liquid solution passes and acollection screen 13, positioned opposite to the supplyingnozzle 12s with respect to the strip S of filter material. In substance, the supplyingnozzle 12s and thecollection screen 13 are electrostatically charged at different potentials, so that the liquid solution exiting the supplyingnozzle 12s is stretched incontinuous fibers 4 of diameter of micro or nanodimensions, that deposit on to the strip S of filter material in the deposition tract T. In other words, the strip S of filter material runs along the advancement path between the at least one supplyingnozzle 12s and thecollection screen 13. - It is to be noted that, depending on the type of filter bag that is intended to be made, the step of forming the filter bags may vary.
- For example, a filter bag in form of a filter bag with a single chamber, as visible in
figure 2 , may include two continuous strips of filter material, one lower strip S on to which thedose 2 of product is dosed and one upper strip S1. - The step of depositing may include depositing
continuous fibers 4 including one or more flavoring substances on to the lower continuous strip S only, or on to the upper continuous strip S1 only, or on to both. - Subsequently, the second strip S1 is superimposed on the first strip S on to which the
doses 2 of product are dosed. - The two strips S and S1 are then mutually joined (for example by means of thermosealing) in correspondence of joining zones to form a closed chamber G adapted to contain the
dose 2 of product and are cut to obtain single filter bags in form of pods (herein not illustrated). Advantageously, in the step of depositing, nocontinuous fibers 4 are deposited on the joining zones. - In the embodiment of
figure 3 , the continuous strip S of filter material is fed along the advancement direction A to formfilter bags 1 of the double lobe type, withstring 16,tag 17 and outer overwrapping envelope. - In such embodiment, the continuous strip S of filter material, subsequently, or downstream of, the step of depositing and the step of dosing, is subjected to a step of forming that includes the sub-steps of:
- folding and closing the continuous strip S of filter material to achieve a closed chamber around the
dose 2 of product; - cutting
single stretches 15 of filter material containing thedose 2 of product; - folding the
stretches 15 of filter material to achieve a double lobe shape; and - applying a
string 16 and atag 17 to each stretches 15. - The step of forming may advantageously include a sub-step of packaging the
filter bags 1 within outer overwrapping envelopes. - In a further not illustrated embodiment, the continuous strip S of filter material is fed along the advancement direction A to form filter bags of the single lobe type. In such further embodiment, the continuous strip S of filter material, subsequently or prior to the step of depositing, is subjected to a step of forming that includes the sub-steps of folding and longitudinally closing (e.g. sealing) the continuous strip S of filter material to achieve a continuous tube of filter material, transversally closing (e.g. sealing) the continuous tube of filter material to achieve a bottom of a filter bag; transversally closing (e.g. sealing) the continuous tube of filter material to achieve a top of the filter bag; cutting the continuous tube of filter material to achieve single filter bags. In such further embodiment, the step of dosing is carried out during the step of forming, in particular subsequently the sub-step of transversally closing the continuous tube of filter material to achieve a bottom of the filter bag and prior to the sub-step of transversally closing the continuous tube of filter material to achieve a top of the filter bag.
- In other words, depending on the type of filter bag that is intended to be made, the step of forming the filter bags may include different sub-steps, the step of dosing may be carried out upstream the step of forming or in between different sub-steps of forming, and the step of depositing the
continuous fibers 4 may be carried out upstream or downstream any one of the step of dosing and the step of forming. - The present invention further provides a machine for making
filter bags 1 for infusion or extraction products. - The
machine 18 includes (seefigure 1 and3 ): - a feeding
station 6 for feeding at least one continuous strip S of filter material through an advancement path along an advancement direction A; - a
dosing station 7 fordosing doses 2 of infusion or extraction product on to the continuous strip S of filter material advancing along the advancement direction A and arranged downstream of the feedingstation 6 with respect to the advancement direction A; - a forming
station 31 for forming thefilter bag 1. - According to the invention, the
machine 18 further includes adeposition station 8 adapted to deposit one or more continuous fibers, or filaments, 4 including one or more flavouring substances on to the continuous strip S of filter material. - The
deposition station 8 is configured to deposit at least one continuous fiber , or filament, 4 with diameter comprised between one thousandth and one millionth of a millimeter on to the continuous strip S of filter material. - Advantageously, as in the embodiments illustrated in
figures 1 and3 , thedeposition station 8 is positioned between the feedingstation 6 and thedosing station 7. Alternatively, in not illustrated embodiments, thedeposition station 8 may be positioned downstream of thedosing station 7, for example integrated into the formingstation 31, or downstream of the formingstation 31. - Advantageously, the
deposition station 8 is arranged upstream of the formingstation 31, so that complicated adaptations or displacements of other stations on existing machines are avoided. - The
deposition station 8 includes anelectrospinning device 10 adapted to achieve thecontinuous fibers 4. - The
electrospinning device 10 includes at least one supplyingnozzle 12s, with capillary dimensions, connected to areservoir 11 by means of aconduit 11a. Thereservoir 11 is adapted to contain a liquid solution containing one or more flavoring substances, one or more solvents, and suitable additives, such as carriers, adhesion promoters, viscosity modifiers, etc. - Preferably, the
electrospinning device 10 includes a plurality of supplyingnozzles 12s, orderly arranged and connected to theconduit 11a by means of acollector unit 12a, adapted to supply a predetermined flow of liquid solution. - The
electrospinning device 10 includes acollection screen 13, positioned opposite to thenozzle 12s with respect to the continuous strip S of filter material at a prefixed distance. - The
collection screen 13 includes a plane metal plate of suitable length and width to face all the supplyingnozzles 12s. In the embodiment offigure 1 , thecollection screen 13 is arranged below the continuous strip S advancing along the advancement direction A, so that thecontinuous fibers 4 are deposited on a surface of the continuous strip S of filter material that will be an inner surface of the formedfilter bag 1. - In alternative not illustrated embodiments, supplying
nozzles 12s andcollection screen 13 may be inverted in position, or mutually arranged so that thecontinuous fibers 4 be deposited on a surface of the continuous strip S of filter material that will be an outer surface of the formedfilter bag 1. - In further alternative embodiments, supplying
nozzles 12s (and associated collection screens 13) may be arranged on both sides of the continuous strip S, so thatcontinuous fibers 4 be deposited on both surfaces of the continuous strip S. - The
electrospinning device 10 further includes a chargingunit 14 for electrostatically charging the supplyingnozzles 12s and thecollection screen 13 at different electric potentials. Between the supplyingnozzles 12s and thecollection screen 13 there is generated an electric field that attracts the liquid solution exiting the supplyingnozzles 12s towards thecollection screen 13. In substance, the liquid solution exiting the supplyingnozzles 12s is stretched intocontinuous fibers 4, or filaments, with diameter comprised between one thousandth and one millionth of a millimeter, attracted towards thecollection screen 13, and intercepted by the continuous strip S of filter material, on to which thecontinuous fibers 4 deposit. - The liquid solution may exit the supplying
nozzles 12s under pressure by means of suitable pumping devices. - The solvents used in the liquid solution evaporate yet in the
deposition station 8 when thecontinuous fibers 4 pass from the supplyingnozzle 12s to the continuous strip S of filter material, by virtue of a high surface to volume ratio of the samecontinuous fibers 4. - If necessary, to complete the evaporation of the solvent, it is possible to provide, downstream of the
deposition station 8, an evaporation/dryingstation 9 adapted to favor the evaporation of the solvent and to dry thecontinuous fibers 4. Such evaporation/dryingstation 9 may advantageously include heating elements, or suction elements, adapted to favor the drying of thecontinuous fibers 4. In the embodiments illustrated infigures 1 and3 , the evaporation/dryingstation 9 is achieved by a drying/evaporation zone wherein the continuous strip S of filter material, on to which thecontinuous fibers 4 are deposited, freely advances. - The drying/evaporation zone extends from the
deposition station 8 to thedosing station 7 for a drying/evaporation tract L sufficient to obtain a complete evaporation of the solvent(s) from thecontinuous fibers 4. - Advantageously, in the illustrated embodiments, the drying/evaporation tract L is horizontal. Alternatively, the drying/evaporation tract L may be vertical, or may include horizontal, vertical and/or inclined tracts.
- It is to be noted that the machine according to the invention may be suitable controlled in many process parameters by means of a control unit (not illustrated) depending on the type of filter material, the flavoring substance(s) to be deposited, and the productivity of the machine to be achieved. In particular, the parameter may be the electric field generated by the
charge unit 14, the flow of liquid solution exiting the supplyingnozzles 12s, the number of supplyingnozzles 12s, the distance between the supplyingnozzles 12s and thecollection screen 13, so as to adjust the quantity and the diameter of thecontinuous fibers 4 deposited on thecontinuous strip 4 of filter material per length unit thereof. Advantageously, thedeposition station 8 is arranged upstream of the formingstation 31, as visible infigures 1 and3 , which allows to adapt machines already in operation, without substantially modifying the structure and arrangement of the formingstation 31. - In particular, in
figure 3 there is illustrated a machine including: - a feeding
station 6 with abobbin holder 19 that carries the continuous strip S of filter material; - a
deposition station 8 adapted to deposit thecontinuous fibers 4 including one or more flavoring substances; - a
dosing station 7 with adosing group 20 adapted to dosedoses 2 of infusion or extraction product on to the continuous strip S; and - a forming
station 31 that includes: - a
folding group 21 for folding the continuous strip S to form a plurality of chambers for containing the product; - a
closing group 21 for closing the chambers (for example by means of thermosealing); - a
cutting group 23 for cutting stretches 15 of filter material containing thedoses 2 of product; - a
movement carousel 24 adapted to move thestretches 15 towards further operative groups, such as: - a
group 25 for applying astring 16; - a group 26 for applying a
tag 17; - a
packaging group 40 for packaging thefilter bag 1 in an outer envelope ofoverwrapping material 41. - The present invention further provides a
filter bag 1 for infusion or extraction products including at least one closed containment chamber G made of filter material and adose 2 of infusion or extraction product contained in the containment chamber G. - According to the invention, the
filter bag 1 includes continuous fibers, or filaments, 4 including one or more flavoring substances deposited onto the filter material. - Advantageously, the
continuous fibers 4 are achieved by means of an electrospinning process starting from a liquid solution including one or more flavoring substances, one or more solvents, and suitable additives, such as carriers, adhesion promoters, viscosity modifiers, etc. - Advantageously, such
continuous fibers 4 have diameters comprised between one thousandth and one millionth of a millimeter. - The
continuous fibers 4 adhere to the filter material that achieves the closed containment chamber G. Advantageously, thecontinuous fibers 4 adhere to an inner surface of the containment chamber G. - Alternatively, or in addition, the
continuous fibers 4 adhere to an outer surface of the containment chamber G. - Advantageously, the filter bag may further comprise a
string 16 and atag 17, and be of the single, double, or multi-chamber type. - The method and machine for making filter bags for infusion or extraction products according to the invention attain the advantages set forth above by adding to the filter material of the filter bag continuous fibers containing one or more flavoring substances that adhere to the filter material.
- Several advantages are obtained:
- the continuous fibers that adhere to the filter material are hard to be seen and the flavoring substances are not distinguishable in the filter bag, that aesthetically appears as a common filter bag;
- the distribution of the continuous fibers on the whole filter material that makes up the bag and the dimensions of the same continuous fibers allow to obtain an extremely high surface to volume ratio (during infusion or extraction) and thus beverages of higher quality with the same quantity of flavoring substances used in the known bags.
- In addition, there is possible to make filter bags with the desired flavoring substances in an extremely flexible manner, because the addition of flavoring substances may be decided at any time, maintaining unchanged the utilized blend of infusion or extraction product; the latter aspect allows to cut down storage costs of the producer.
Claims (15)
- Method for making filter bags (1) for infusion or extraction products including the steps of:- feeding at least one continuous strip (S) of filter material along an advancing direction (A);- dosing doses (2) of infusion or extraction product onto the continuous strip (S) of filter material advancing along the advancing direction (A); and- forming the filter bags (1)
characterized by comprising a step of depositing onto the continuous strip (S) of filter material one or more continuous fibers (4) including one or more flavoring substances. - Method according to claim 1, wherein said step of depositing is achieved by means of a process of electrospinning.
- Method according to claim 2, wherein said process of electrospinning comprises producing an electric field between at least one supply nozzle (12s), through which a liquid solution including one or more flavoring substances, one or more solvents, carriers, adhesion promoters, viscosity modifiers passes, and a collecting screen (13), arranged opposite to the supply nozzle (12s) with respect to the continuous strip (S) of filter material.
- Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more continuous fibers (4) have diameter comprised between one thousandth and one millionth of millimeter.
- Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step of depositing is carried out upstream of said step of forming the filter bags (1), preferably upstream of said step of dosing doses (2) of infusion or extraction product.
- Method according to any one of the preceding claims, including a step of advancing for freely advancing the continuous strip (S) of filter material, subsequently the step of depositing, to allow the continuous fibers (4) to dry.
- Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of depositing is carried out onto the continuous strip (S) of filter material in advancement.
- Machine for making filter bags (1) for infusion or extraction products, including:- a feeding station (6) for feeding a continuous strip (S) of filter material along an advancing direction (A);- a dosing station (7) for dosing doses (2) of infusion or extraction product onto the continuous strip (S) of filter material in advancement and arranged downstream of the feeding station (6) with respect to the advancing direction (A); and- a forming station (31) for forming the filter bags (1),
characterized by including a deposition station (8) adapted to deposit one or more continuous fibers (4) including one or more flavoring substances onto the continuous strip (S) of filter material. - Machine according to claim 8, wherein said deposition station (8) includes an electrospinning device (10) adapted to achieve said continuous fibers (4).
- Machine according to claim 9, wherein said electrospinning device (10) includes at least one supply nozzle (12s), a collecting screen (13) arranged opposite to said at least one supply nozzle (12s) with respect to the continuous strip (S) of filter material, and a charge unit for electrostatically charging said at least one supply nozzle (12s) and said collecting screen (13) at different electric potentials.
- Machine according to claim 10, wherein said at least one supply nozzle (12s) has capillary dimension and is adapted, in cooperation with said collecting screen (13), to deposit said one or more continuous fibers (4) with diameters comprised between one thousandth and one millionth of a millimeter.
- Filter bag for infusion or extraction products including:- a closed, containment chamber (G) made of filter material;- a dose (2) of infusion or extraction product contained in the closed, containment chamber (G);
characterized in that the filter bag (1) includes one or more continuous fibers (4) including one or more flavoring substances deposited onto the filter material. - Filter bag according to claim 12, wherein said one or more continuous fibers (4) are achieved by means of a process of electrospinning and feature diameter comprised between one thousandth and one millionth of a millimeter.
- Filter bag according to any one of claims 12 and 13, wherein said one or more continuous fibers (4) are deposited onto an inner surface of the closed, containing chamber (G).
- Filter bag according to any one of claims 12 and 13, wherein said one or more continuous fibers (4) are deposited onto an outer surface of the closed, containing chamber (G).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL13195500T PL2740676T3 (en) | 2012-12-04 | 2013-12-03 | Method and machine for making filter bags for infusion or extraction products, and filter bag obtained thereby |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000657A ITBO20120657A1 (en) | 2012-12-04 | 2012-12-04 | PROCEDURE AND MACHINE FOR REALIZING FILTER BAGS FOR INFUSION PRODUCTS AND RELATED FILTER BAG |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2740676A1 true EP2740676A1 (en) | 2014-06-11 |
EP2740676B1 EP2740676B1 (en) | 2015-09-16 |
Family
ID=47631551
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP13195500.7A Active EP2740676B1 (en) | 2012-12-04 | 2013-12-03 | Method and machine for making filter bags for infusion or extraction products, and filter bag obtained thereby |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2740676B1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2555657T3 (en) |
IT (1) | ITBO20120657A1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2740676T3 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITUB20161017A1 (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2017-08-24 | Ima Spa | MACHINE FOR FORMING BAGS-FILTERS FOR INFUSION PRODUCTS. |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2012004169A2 (en) * | 2010-07-07 | 2012-01-12 | Unilever Plc | Process and apparatus for producing packets |
US20120189741A1 (en) * | 2011-01-24 | 2012-07-26 | Lightfoot Vernon Francis | Weighted fluid infusion device |
-
2012
- 2012-12-04 IT IT000657A patent/ITBO20120657A1/en unknown
-
2013
- 2013-12-03 EP EP13195500.7A patent/EP2740676B1/en active Active
- 2013-12-03 ES ES13195500.7T patent/ES2555657T3/en active Active
- 2013-12-03 PL PL13195500T patent/PL2740676T3/en unknown
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2012004169A2 (en) * | 2010-07-07 | 2012-01-12 | Unilever Plc | Process and apparatus for producing packets |
US20120189741A1 (en) * | 2011-01-24 | 2012-07-26 | Lightfoot Vernon Francis | Weighted fluid infusion device |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITUB20161017A1 (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2017-08-24 | Ima Spa | MACHINE FOR FORMING BAGS-FILTERS FOR INFUSION PRODUCTS. |
WO2017145044A1 (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2017-08-31 | I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A. | Machine for forming filter bags for infusion products. |
JP2019509945A (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2019-04-11 | イ.エンメ.ア.インドゥストリア マッキーネ アウトマティケ ソチエタ ペル アツィオニ | Machine forming filter bag for extraction products |
US10793347B2 (en) | 2016-02-24 | 2020-10-06 | I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A. | Machine for forming filter bags for infusion products |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITBO20120657A1 (en) | 2014-06-05 |
ES2555657T3 (en) | 2016-01-07 |
PL2740676T3 (en) | 2016-03-31 |
EP2740676B1 (en) | 2015-09-16 |
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