GB2285620A - Metal foil infusion device - Google Patents

Abstract

An infusion device for use with tea-leaves, herbs or the like comprises a disposable shell 2 of metal foil, for example aluminium foil, having apertures 4 therein of a size to retain the tea-leaves but allow the ingress of water. Preferably the shell is folded (6, Figure 1) to form a sphere. The shell, which may comprise two or more shell portions, is formed from initially flat foil and abutting edge portions of the foil may be folded or crimped to form a seam or flange 8. Conveniently a thread or wire 10 is engaged in the flange to provide means to grasp the container or to attach a string or label. <IMAGE>

Description

INFUSION DEVICE The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to infusion devices, particularly, but not exclusively, for use with tea, herbs and the like to extract soluble constituents thereof by steeping in nearboiling water.

It is known to enclose tea leaves or the like in particulate form in a measured, usually single, dose in a sealed pouch or bag of material of a gauge fine enough to retain the particulate material but pervious to water.

Such material may comprise a synthetic fabric, usually of a non-woven construction, the pouch being disposable after a single use. These individual pouches are conveniently referred to as "tea-bags". A major disadvantage however is the presence of tea leaf dust in the pouch, either produced during transit or storage by abrasion against the fabric of the pouch, or initially present and retained by the small size of the apertures of the fabric.

The invention therefore sets out to provide a disposable infusion device which minimises the above disadvantages.

The invention provides a container for tea-leaves, herbs and the like comprising a disposable shell of metal foil provided with apertures therein sized to retain said leaves, herbs and the like contained therein and to allow the ingress of liquid, and wherein said shell is formed from initially flat sheet metal foil, abutting edge portions of the shell being joined, after the contents are added, to form a semi-rigid enclosure.

Preferably, the shell may be comprised of at least two shell members abutting edge portions of adjacent shell members being joined to form said semi-rigid enclosure.

Advantageously, said abutting edge portions may be crimped or folded over to form said enclosure and may for example form a projecting flange.

Conveniently, an elongate filament for example of thread or wire may be engaged in the crimped or folded edge portion so as to provide for grasping the container or for attaching a string or label.

Advantageously, the metal foil may be aluminium foil.

Preferably the container may be spherical or substantially so.

There will now be described an infusion device according to the invention. It will be understood that the description which is to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 illustrates a shell portion of an infusion device; and Figure 2 shows the completed device.

A circular portion of aluminium foil 2, provided with apertures 4 of a size suitable to retain leaf portions of tea or other herbs, is formed about a part-spherical shaping means (not shown) to provide a hemi-spherical shell portion as shown in Figure 1. The shaping technique may conveniently involve pleating or folding the foil as shown at 6 in the Figures. A flange 8 formed from edge portions of the foil is arranged to project laterally of the shell.

When the shell portion 2 is filled with a quantity of tea leaves, a second shell portion is inverted over the first shell portion and the flanges 8 crimped or folded over each other to combine the two shell portions into a spherical configuration as shown in Figure 2. If desired, a thread or wire 10 may be engaged in the inturned flanges 8 so as to encircle the device, end portions of the thread or wire forming means to grasp the device or to attach a string or label (not shown).

The infusion device is now ready for use, after which it may be disposed of in the manner of a conventional teabag.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:

1. A container for container for tea-leaves, herbs and the like comprising a disposable shell of metal foil provided with apertures therein sized to retain said leaves, herbs and the like contained therein and to allow the ingress of liquid, and wherein said shell is formed from initially flat sheet metal foil, abutting edge portions of the shell being joined, after the contents are added, to form a semi-rigid enclosure.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foil is aluminium foil.

3. A container as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the shell is comprised of at least two shell members, abutting edge portions of adjacent shell members being joined to form said semi-rigid enclosure.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the abutting edge portions are crimped or folded over to form said enclosure.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the crimped or folded edge portions form a flange projecting from the enclosure.

6. A container as claimed in either one of claims 3 or 4, wherein an elongate filament is engaged in the crimped or folded edge portions, end portions of said filament forming means to grasp said container or to attach a cord or label.

7. A container as claimed in claim 6, wherein said filament is a thread or a wire.

8. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is at least substantially spherical.

9. A container for tea-leaves, herbs and the like constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.