GB2537358A

GB2537358A - Infusion device

Info

Publication number: GB2537358A
Application number: GB1506098.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nash James
Original assignee: IPOUCH Ltd
Current assignee: IPOUCH Ltd
Priority date: 2015-04-10
Filing date: 2015-04-10
Publication date: 2016-10-19
Also published as: GB201506098D0; WO2016162656A1

Abstract

An infusion device 1, 2 comprises a combined teabag and stirrer 3, disposable after use. The teabag has a first longitudinal edge 4, and the stirrer extends along or adjacent the first longitudinal edge 4. In an alternative aspect of this disclosure, an infusion device for preparation of a beverage by infusion in a liquid comprises a liquid penetrable bag or net with an infusible filling there within. The bag or net has a first longitudinal edge 4 and incorporates an elongate stirring element along or adjacent said first longitudinal edge 4. The elongate stirring clement has a first end 10 and a second end 11 and defines a manually graspable portion adjacent the first end 10. The infusion device may comprise an outer sheath 12. A tear off portion 14 connect to the stirrer. The elongate stirring implement is disposable with said infusion device when its filling is spent.

Description

INFUSION DEVICE

This disclosure relates to infusion devices for preparation of beverages.

Such devices are extremely well known in the form of the conventional teahag. This disclosure is applicable both to the brewing of tea, to the making of coffee using freeze-dried, powdered or granulated coffee extracts, or to the making of any other beverage, whether hot or cold, including, but not limited to, cocoa, chocolate drinks, tisanes. fruit or herbal based drinks, vitamin and/or mineral preparations, beef or malt extracts, and medical preparations such cold or influenza remedies.

Hot or cold infusions are conventionally made in a cup, mug or pot by immersing one or more conventional infusion devices in hot or cold water and leaving the device(s) for a sufficient period to form the desired beverage by infusion. The infusion device may take one of various shapes, including a round, square or rectangular hag sealed around its periphery and a tetrahedral shape. When prepared in a cup or mug, as for example when making a one-person cup or mug of tea or coffee, the device may be provided on the end of a string or thread, so that it may be lifted out. when spent, or it may be free within the hot or cold water and require to be lifted out by a spoon when spent for disposal. Often milk, cream or sugar may be added to the mug or cup and stirred using a spoon to disperse or dissolve the addition in the infused liquid.

The present disclosure adopts an entirely different approach.

In accordance with a first aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an infusion device comprising a combined teabag and stirrer, disposable after use, the tcahag having a first longitudinal edge, and the stirrer extending along or adjacent the first longitudinal edge.

Preferred embodiments of infusion device have one or more of the following features: The device is provided within an outer sheath. The outer sheath is sealed and is provided with a line of weakness enabling it to be torn open. As a result of tearing the outer sheath open, a tear-off portion of the sheath remains fixed to one end of the stirrer leaving a remainder of the sheath. The tear-off portion serves as an extended handle for the stirrer and as a hook adapted to fit over the rim of a cup or mug. The outer sheath is waterproof enabling the wet combination of stirrer and spent tcabag to be replaced within the said remainder of the sheath for disposal.

In a second and alternative aspect of this disclosure, an infusion device for preparation of a beverage by infusion in a liquid, comprises: a liquid penetrable bag or net with an infusible filling therewithin, the bag or net having a first longitudinal eke and incorporating an elongate stirring element along or adjacent said first longitudinal edge, the elongate stirring element having a first end and a second end and defining a manually graspable portion adjacent. said first end, said elongate stirring implement being disposable with said infusion device when its filling is spent.

Preferred embodiments of infusion device in accordance with this second aspect of the disclosure have one or more of the following features: The infusion device is provided sealed within an outer sheath from which it may be removed when required for use, the outer sheath having a line of weakness along which it may be manually torn to divide the outer sheath into a first portion and a second portion, the first end of the elongate stirring element being joined internally to the first portion of the outer sheath, whereby the first portion of the outer sheath enables the infusion device to be withdrawn from the second portion of the outer sheath using the first portion of the outer sheath as an extended handle for the stirring element. The first end of the stirring element extends beyond the bag or net to be joined internally to the first portion of the outer sheath, whereby the first portion of the outer sheath is enabled to act as a hook to hook the first end of the stirring element over a rim of a cup or mug in which the beverage is being prepared. The infusion device has a bottom edge extending perpendicularly to the first longitudinal edge adjacent the second end of the stirring element, and a second longitudinal edge parallel to and opposite the first longitudinal edge, the second longitudinal edge terminating short of the bottom edge and being coupled thereto by an angled edge formed at an angle both to the second longitudinal edge and to the bottom edge, whereby the width of the infusion device along the bottom edge is less than the width of the infusion device from the first longitudinal eke to the second longitudinal edge, which reduced width facilitates insertion of the used infusion device back into the second portion of the outer sheath for disposal. The outer sheath is formed of a material at least an innermost layer of which is waterproof.

Preferred embodiments of infusion device in accordance with our teachings are described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a bag or net for an infusion device prior to filling; Fig. 2 is a similar view of an alternative bag or net; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the filled and sealed bag or net with an integral stirring element; Fig. 4 is an elevational view of an outer sheath for the infusion device prior to insertion of the Infusion device therein and sealing along its top edge; Fig. 5 is an elevational view illustrating withdrawal of an infusion device from within the outer sheath; and Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of infusion device in use preparing an infusion within a cup.

Referring first to Fig. 3, the illustrated infusion device 1 comprises a single cup combined teabag 2 and stirrer 3, and is disposable after use, as explained below. The teabag 2 has a first longitudinal edge 4, and the stirrer 3 extends along or adjacent the first longitudinal edge 4. The stirrer 3 enables a user to stir a cup of tea both uniformly to disperse the tea brewed from dried tea leaves within the teabag as well as to disperse added milk or lemon juice within the tea and to dissolve added sugar or other sweetener.

The teabag 2, best shown in Fig. 1, may be formed in conventional fashion from standard filter bag material and using any suitable machine used to make conventional teabags but modified to form a more elongate bag of lesser width instead of the more conventional round or square profile teabag. Alternatively, a silk or cotton net or a net formed of food grade plastics may be employed in place of the conventional paper bag. The conventional practice may be followed in which the bag is formed by folding a blank in half lengthwise and then sealing all peripheral edges 4, 5, 6 and 7 with the exception of a top edge 8 to allow for filling. Alternatively, the bag may be formed from two superposed identical blanks which are then sealed along all of the edges 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the blank apart from top edge 8. In either event, the result is an open-mouthed pouch 9.

A stirring element 3, suitably formed of wood or of plastics, and having a first end 10 and a second end 11, is inserted second end first into pouch 9 to extend along or adjacent the first longitudinal edge 4, to which it may be joined. The requisite filling of dried tea leaves or other infusible filling for preparing the intended beverage is inserted into the open mouth of pouch 9 which is then heat sealed along its remaining edge 8.

In the embodiment of Figs 1 and 3, the bag 2 has a bottom edge 5 extending perpendicularly to the first longitudinal edge 4 adjacent second end 11 of the stirring element, and a second longitudinal edge 7 parallel to and opposite the first longitudinal edge 4, the second longitudinal edge 7 terminating short of the bottom edge 5 and being coupled thereto by an angled edge 6 formed at an angle both to the second longitudinal edge 7 and to the bottom edge 5, whereby the width W1 of the infusion device along the bottom edge 5 is less than the width W, of the infusion device from the first longitudinal edge 4 to the second longitudinal edge 7 for a reason to be explained.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of pouch 91 shown in Fig. 2, the pouch has a uniform width W3 at all positions between its bottom edge 51 and its open mouth 81.

The teabag 2 with its integral stirrer 3 is preferably provided within an outer sheath 12. The outer sheath 12 is sealed and is provided with a line of weakness 13 enabling it to be torn open as explained in more detail below. As a result of tearing the outer sheath open, a tear-off portion 14 of the sheath remains fixed to the first end 10 of the stirrer 3 leaving a remainder 15 of the sheath. The tear-off portion 14 serves as an extended handle for the stirrer and as a hook adapted to fit over a rim 16 of a cup 17 or mug, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

In more detail, the outer sheath 12 is generally rectangular having two parallel longitudinal edges 18 and 19, a bottom edge 20 and a top edge 21. The sheath is suitably formed about the infusion device 2 with its integral stirring element 3 by folding a blank lengthwise to form top edge 21 and then sealing along the remaining edges 18, 19 and 20.

Conventional sachets for single serving teabags are cold sealed, and this technology may be employed in the present case, as well. However, we prefer to employ a laminate structure of paper and metallised oriented polypropylene film to form the outer sheath as this is both waterproof on the inner mctallised oriented polypropylene film surface for a reason to be explained, and provides a complete light and odour bather which is preferred for applications such as fruit and herbal teas. This laminated structure requires heat sealing.

In any event, the material of the outer sheath 12 is formed with a line of weakness 13, which allows it to be manually torn to divide the outer sheath 12 into a first portion 14 and a second portion 15, the first end of the elongate stining element being heat sealed internally of the first portion 14 as the sheath is formed about the infusion device 2. Accordingly, the first portion 14 of the outer sheath 12 can be used as a handle 22 attached to first end 10 of the stirring element 3 to withdraw the infusion device 2 from the second portion 15 of the outer sheath 12, as shown in Fig. 5.

The first end 10 of the stirring element 3 may extends beyond the bag or net with its filling of tea or other infusible filling. This both facilitates the heat seal of first end 10 internally of the first portion 14 of the outer sheath, and enables handle 22 to be hooked over rim 16 of cup 17 as shown in Fig. 6.

When the beverage has been prepared, and stirred as required using the integral stirring element, there is a problem of disposal. The rigidity provided to the teabag or other infusion device by the integral stirrer, and the extended handle provided by the first portion 14 of the outer sheath enables the spent infusion device to be removed from the cup or mug and re-inserted into the second portion 15 of the outer sheath, bottom edge first. The reduced width W1 of the infusion device along the bottom edge 5 in the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 5, makes it easier to re-insert the device into the outer sheath. When a rectangular pouch 9 (Fig. 2) is used to form the infusion device, we have found that, even with the integral stirring element, the sheath needs to be of greater width so that users can get the spent infusion device back in the outer sheath. For this reason, embodiments with the angled edge 6 and a reduced width along the bottom edge are preferred. By forming the outer sheath from a material in which at least the inner surface is waterproof, means that the used infusion device can be disposed of with the minimum of mess. Fonning the outer sheath from a laminated material with a paper outer layer enables the outer layer to be printed to include branding, instructions for use, and whatever other legally required wording is called for in a particular jurisdiction.

The detailed description above of embodiments of infusion device in accordance with our teachings has been expressed primarily in relation to teabags. However, a person skilled in this field will readily appreciate that the same technology may be used in the preparation of any other infused beverage, including but not limited to coffee using freeze-dried, powdered or granulated coffee extracts, cocoa, chocolate drinks, tisanes, fruit or herbal based drinks, vitamin and/or mineral preparations, beef or malt extracts, and over the counter medical preparations such cold or influenza remedies. It is our intention to include all such infusion prepared beverages, whether hot or cold, within the scope of this disclosure.

S

Claims

Claims 1. An infusion device, the infusion device comprising a combined tcabag and stirrer, disposable after use, the teabag having a first longitudinal edge, and the stirrer extending along or adjacent the first longitudinal edge.
2. An infusion device according to Claim 1, wherein the device is provided within an outer sheath.
3. An infusion device according to Claim 2, wherein the outer sheath is sealed and is provided with a line of weakness enabling it to be torn open.
4. An infusion device according to Claim 3, wherein as a result of tearing the outer sheath open, a tear-off portion of the sheath remains fixed to one end of the stirrer leaving a remainder of the sheath.
5. An infusion device according to Claim 4, wherein the tear-off portion serves as an extended handle for the stirrer and as a hook adapted to fit over the rim of a cup or mug.
6. An infusion device according to any of Claims 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the outer CD 15 sheath is waterproof enabling the wet combination of stirrer and spent tcabag to be replaced within the said remainder of the sheath for disposal.
7. An infusion device for preparation of a beverage by infusion in a liquid, the infusion device comprising: a liquid penetrable bag or net with an infusible filling therewithin, the bag or net having a first longitudinal edge and incorporating an elongate stirring clement along or adjacent said first longitudinal edge, the elongate stirring element having a first end and a second end and defining a manually graspable portion adjacent said first end, said elongate stirring implement being disposable with said infusion device when its filling is spent.
8. An infusion device according to Claim 7, wherein the infusion device is provided sealed within an outer sheath from which it may be removed when required for use, the outer sheath having a line of weakness along which it may be manually torn to divide the outer sheath into a first portion and a second portion, the first end of the elongate stirring element being joined internally to the first portion of the outer sheath, whereby the first portion of the outer sheath enables the infusion device to be withdrawn from the second portion of the outer sheath using the first portion of the outer sheath as an extended handle for the stirring element.
9. An infusion device according to Claim 8, wherein the first end of the stirring element extends beyond the bag or net to be joined internally to the first portion of the outer sheath, whereby the first portion of the outer sheath is enabled to act as a hook to hook the first end of the stirring element over a rim of a cup or mug in which the beverage is being prepared.
10. An infusion device according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the infusion device has a bottom edge extending perpendicularly to the first longitudinal eke adjacent the second end of the stirring element, and a second longitudinal edge parallel to and opposite the first longitudinal edge, the second longitudinal edge terminating short of the bottom edge and being coupled thereto by an angled edge formed at an angle both to the second longitudinal edge and to the bottom edge, whereby the width of the infusion device along the bottom edge is less than the width of the infusion device from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge, which reduced width facilitates insertion of the used infusion device back into the second portion of the outer sheath for disposal.CD
11. An infusion device according to any of Claims 8, 9, or 10, wherein the outer sheath is formed of a material at least an innermost layer of which is waterproof
12. An infusion device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.