JPS60158061A - Packaging for lixiviation - Google Patents

Abstract

An infusion bag (10) for particulate food products (P) such as tea or coffee, constructed of a tube of perforated thermoplastic film (10) or other porous material having a central product-containing portion and flattened end portions (16, 17) on each end thereof, the perforated thermoplastic film (11) or other porous material having a multiplicity of minute holes or openings which are sufficiently small in size to prevent the migration of the particulate product therethrough but which are sufficiently large in size and number to permit adequate fluid flow therethrough. Joining together of the flattened end portions (16, 17) forms a flow-through or dual container type infusion bag and a handle for extending over the side of a cup or pot. The film is substantially odorless and tasteless.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates particularly to infusion packaging such as tea bags;
In particular, it relates to infusion packaging constructed from non-woven, fiber-free perforated thermoplastic films and other porous materials.

The present invention particularly relates to infusion packaging constructed from a coextruded, multilayer, perforated thermoplastic film having a plurality of uniform micropores or apertures, which can be easily formed into a relatively flat shape for packaging. It can be converted into a double chamber type or distribution type bag.

Currently, most tea bags on the market are "Makura"
It can be pack type, double bag or distribution type. The bag is made of paper, with strings and tabs attached to the paper with clasps or glue.

Although these two types of bags achieve some success, their wet strength is poor. Single-chamber pillow-shaped tea bags are flat bags made of liquid-permeable material.
It contains a sufficient amount of tea for personal use and for multiple people when packaged in large packages used in restaurants. The tea spreads inside the bag to accommodate the internal volume. When the tea becomes wet, it becomes a swollen, dense mass that fills the bag. The swollen tea pushes outward against the inner walls of the bag. Squeezing or other external pressure applied to the bag may cause it to burst or tear, resulting in undesirable release of its contents. In order to overcome this swelling, the bag is constructed with pleats on the inside. Although reasonably effective, they suffer from wet strength deficiencies and create other problems.

The use of infusion packages containing two or more filling compartments satisfies that need. The compartment junctions allow liquid flow between the compartments and provide a large bag surface area for passing extraction liquid. Although such bags improve infusion preparation, they suffer from the wet strength defects customary in "pillow" style bags and create other problems such as assembly and packaging.

Infusion-type tea packaging is generally a rectangular package made of single or multiple pieces of paper that is folded or sealed around its periphery. Another bottle is formed by folding and bending a single piece of paper twice in the longitudinal direction and joining the two meeting edges in a double fold at the center of the interior. For a flowable tea bag, fold the folded paper piece horizontally t-3 times to create two pockets, fold the open ends of the paper over each other, and attach a thread with a tab to the -i. , partially filling its pocket with tea.

Over the years, there has been extensive development of whole tea infusion packages or bags that are commonly served in beverages. Typically, the packaging is comprised of filter paper or other type of porous material.

Infusion packaging is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,290.521, which is in an expanded or uneven state during use, but folds into a flat configuration during processing and packaging. A puller strip having a tab at one end is adhesively attached to the top of the package and, when pulled, expands the package from its flattened configuration.

Dosage pack or infusion having two permeable bags joined together along a common seam and placed in face-to-face relationship folded together along a fold extending into the common seam. The packaging is described in US Pat. No. 4,055,668. The gripping string is located between the two bags, with one end attached to one of the bags and the other end attached to the two bags.
It is attached to a knob located on the outside of each bag.

US Pat. No. 3,899.599 describes single-chamber or double-chamber tea packaging. The package has a flexible piece attached to the outside of the chamber that can be partially removed to provide a barrier to hold the package in place within the container.

An infusion package having two oppositely located rigid discrete tea pockets with two tapered end portions joined together to form a narrow triangular porous cup is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 597.222.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,653,913 is made of rectangular pieces of porous fibrous material whose longitudinal edges are folded together to form a longitudinal joint consisting of three layers that are carved together. Describe the leaching bag that was designed to do so. The formed tubular body is laterally folded in half to form a pair of chambers for containing the infusion material, and the ends of the tube are joined together to close the package.

An early type of tea bag or tea ball in which the bag was filled with a triangular pocket made from a rectangular piece of perforated aluminum foil is described in US Pat. No. 1,581,578.

Other star filter paper tea bags with various modifications are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2.328.017 and U.S. Patent No. 2.359,292.
No. 3,566.573, No. 4.153.15
No. 3 and British Patent No. 2,087,350. British Patent @ 2,053,6 (S 8) describes a tea bag with accordion pleats.

Infusion bags having positioning means and flotation means are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,642 and U.S. Pat.
215, respectively. The tea bag itself can be made of a variety of materials including paper, plastic materials such as nylon, perforated Silasnac films such as polyester, or woven or non-woven fabrics of natural or synthetic nature.

Leakable porous bags constructed from blends of unique fabrics or cellulosic fibers with small amounts of thermoplastic fibers are described in Canadian Patent No. 802,720.

At present, the above-mentioned leaching bags or packaging with paper or fibrous bags are on the market with varying degrees of success. One of the problems with paper bags is their lack of wet strength. Paper packaging must be strong enough to withstand squeezing and other pressures commonly applied by consumers and other users.

Infusion bags for drinking tea, coffee and other food products must have a number of features.

It is necessary not to impart taste factors to the infused liquid.

As a result, it must be virtually tasteless and odorless.

Also, sufficient strength is required to place the beverage sample in boiling water, for example in steeping tea, coffee or similar beverage substances.

The pores or openings are porous enough to allow liquid to diffuse through it, but the pores or openings are
The size shall be such that the leakage of the beverage sample is inhibited even when immersed in liquid.

It is also important that leaching is started within seconds and completed within minutes. It is desirable that the packaging, bag or sachet, such as, for example, a tea scent bag, be able to be squeezed after infusion and retain integrity and some strength without destruction of the container.

Thermoplastic films such as polyethylene and polypropylene are common packaging materials. Various multilayer films are also quite common packaging materials.

These films are generally non-porous and impervious to water and other liquids. At least one of the layers of this film has strong adhesive properties. Examples of such multilayer films are U.S. Pat.
, No. 826, No. 4.233.367, No. 3,90
No. 8,070, No. 3.423.231, No. 2.8
No. 17.124 and No. 2.817.123.

Perforated thermoplastic films are used for food packaging such as cheese, for horticultural and agricultural purposes, to prevent weed growth while moisture is transferred through the film to the underlying soil, and for applications such as disposable diapers. It has many useful uses, including in the manufacture of absorbent structures (U.S. Pat. No. 3,8
14.101).

Perforation of thermoplastic films is commonly accomplished by vacuum perforation of thin plastic films, such as those obtained by extruding a molten polymeric material such as polyethylene through a fine-hole die. The hot melt web of film leaving the die is applied to a mold and a vacuum is applied through the mold to the film web to be perforated to form holes therein. Depending on the format used, the film can have as few as 950 holes per square inch to as many as several dozen holes per square inch. An early method for vacuum perforation of plastic films is described in US Pat. No. 3,054,148.

The present invention provides an infusion package or bag that meets the requirements for brewing tea and also overcomes the wet strength deficiencies and packaging problems associated with the prior art.

The infusion bag of the present invention is of a non-woven, non-fibrous structure encased in a multilayer coextruded perforated thermoplastic film or other porous material having a large number of micropores or openings. The thermoplastic film is a multilayer coextruded film having one outer layer that is heat resistant and another outer layer that is less heat resistant and heat sealable. The apertures in the perforated thermoplastic film or porous material are of sufficient size to retain the granular article, such as tea, coffee, etc., within the package and to inhibit or prevent leakage of the particles through the pores, whether the particles are dry or wet. It is the level of detail. The pores or apertures in the perforated thermoplastic film or porous material are also of sufficient size and number to provide the desired degree of leaching.

One outer layer of the apertured thermoplastic film is polyester or zoropyrene or other high temperature thermoplastic. What about the other outer layers? It is a thermoplastic with slightly lower heat resistance such as riethelene. The perforated thermoplastic film or porous material is substantially odorless and tasteless.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The infusion package or bag of the present invention is shown generally at 10 in the accompanying drawings. The bag or packaging device 0 consists of a rectangular piece of perforated plastic film 11, the details of which will be described below. Holes in the film are not shown for ease of illustration.

The film piece 11 is sealed at intermediate positions 13 and 14 and folded longitudinally at 12 filled with granular sample P. P is visible through the film 11 between the sealing points. After the sample P is inserted into the bag 10, the edge 15 is sealed, so that the sample y#+p is wrapped into the packaging device 0.

Intermediate sealing portions 13 and 14 provide tabs 16 and 17 on either side of sample P. Conveniently, each of the knobs 16 and 17 is provided with an elongated cut or longitudinal groove 18 and 1.
form 9.

The infusion packaging of the invention has been described in its simplest form. Such packaging can be easily manufactured using current filling and packaging machines with minor modifications.

The bags are relatively flat and are easy to wrap and pack in the same manner as cigarette boxes.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate two means by which the packaging device 0 can be easily converted into flow-through or double-container infusion packaging. In FIG. 6, the knob 16 is the elongated cut 19 of the knob 17.
is inserted inside.

Knobs 16 and 17 are of sufficient length to provide a handle that can easily be passed over the side wall of a pot or drinking pot.

In FIG. 7, the tabs are assembled as a half-knot or a full-knot as desired, without using an elongated cutting blade. Knobs 16 and 17 are long enough to easily provide the desired handle.

The leaching bag or package is a coextruded multilayer film 11 consisting of an outer layer of a high temperature resistant thermoplastic such as polyester or polyolefin (polyester is preferred) and an inner sealant layer of a slightly less heat resistant thermoplastic such as polyethylene. Preferably configured. The film 11 has a large number of micropores or capillaries and is somewhat tapered in structure and more or less truncated when the pores are circular or oval.

Holes or apertures in the film are not shown for ease of illustration. The aperture may be of any desired shape, such as circular, oval, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or other geometric shape. Each pore is uniform, of sufficient size and number to provide adequate leaching, and of a sufficiently small size to prevent particles, such as particulate sample P, from leaking through.

In the packaging of substances such as tea, the preferred pore size is 2 to 10 mils (0.00508 to 0.0254 cm).
It is preferred that the opening diameter be between 3 and 4 mils, and most preferably between 3 and 4 mils. The film has a skin thickness of 25 to 2 mils (0,000635 to 0.00
508(2)) and 9500 holes per square inch (77.5 holes per square inch) or more. A number of holes of 51,800 to 4,200 holes per square inch (279 to 651 holes per square inch) is preferred, and a number of holes of about 2,900 holes per square inch (5,449.5 holes per square inch) is most preferred. The porosity of the film is preferably 50~
500ft3/min (cvu) (23,597~23
5,973.7 cm3/sec).

The outer layer of the bag's co-a or co-extruded apertured thermoplastic film is between 425° and 600°F' (218,83-31
Heat resistant polyesters having a melting point of 5.56°C (5.56°C) are preferred, with 525°F' (273.89°C) being most preferred. The inner sealant layer of the bag's coextruded perforated thermoplastic film is 180° to 250°F' (82,22
It is a slightly less heat resistant polyethylene film with a melting point of ~121.11°C)! 1.220'F' (10
Most preferred are those with a melting point of 4.44°C).

Approximately 150 OF' (65,
A seal temperature/melting point temperature difference of 56° C.) can be obtained. The film is % bond (133.9g) per inch of width.
/an).

Melting of polyethylene film for sealing requires approx.
A temperature of 0° FI (115, s+s° C.) is required. To prevent the outer layer of the thermoplastic film from sticking to the sealing equipment or the steel parts of the heat-sealing machine, the melting point of the polyethylene should be adjusted to about 260OF' (126,67℃).
) It is important to keep it below.

Although certain polyolefins and other film-forming resins may have higher or lower melting points, it is important to provide a differential melting temperature between each layer to achieve the desired seal without film degrading effects. .

Bag edges and intermediate sealing areas can be easily heat sealed using standard sealing and automatic bag sealing machines. Additionally, the edges and intermediate sealing areas can be effectively sealed using impact or band type sealing devices, hot wire, hot air, or other suitable devices or means.

The longitudinal edges of the film are heat sealed to complete the packaging. The melt flow of the outer layer must be high enough to prevent sticking of the film to the seal parts. The melting temperature of the inner sealant layer must be lower than the melting temperature of the outer layer, but high enough to melt the inner layer to obtain the desired seal.

For typical beverage commercial tea packaging, a suitable perforated thermoplastic film for the construction of the infusion bag is a coextruded polypropylene/polyethylene perforated thermoplastic film formed from high density polyethylene resin and polypropylene resin. . These resins are odorless and tasteless and are recommended for use in food packaging.

The color of the film is preferably transparent, but can be manufactured in natural colors or in a variety of colors as desired or permitted by government regulations.

The film has a dry surface and does not stick, stick or clump.

Perforated thermoplastic films suitable for use in the present invention have a male side and a female side. In the construction of the infusion bag, the male side of the film is inside the bag. This relationship effectively seals the wrappers on either side of the box or area containing the article.

The invention is described in its simplest form as a small infusion nog typical of packaging for individual beverage tea. However, larger packages such as those customarily used in food service establishments can also be constructed. Such a large bag is similarly constructed, and is constructed by sealing all four sides of two rectangular film pieces.

Although the bags or packages of the present invention can be constructed in other geometric shapes if desired, rectangular packages are suitable for boxing and other collective packaging, and are usually easy to manufacture.

The sample is filled into the center of the tube and the ends are heat sealed to form the tab. Other sealing methods can be used if desired, but heat sealing power! preferable. The flat tab also provides an attractive surface for engraving, advertising, explanatory markings, or other printing.

The cross-sectional shape of the filled bag may be somewhat circular or oval, but may also be of any desired geometry, such as a star shape to promote flow and increase waste surface area.

In another form of the invention, two strips or ribs of thermoplastic film are aligned male side to male side. A thin layer of the brown-like sample is deposited on the upper (male) surface of the lower gun.

The top ribbon is then placed over the sample and sealed with oil to the can rim, with intermittent dot seals in a regular or irregular pattern between the can rims. This point seal closes the two sheets of resin together and prevents collection of samples. The male surface of the film is used to effectively prevent aggregation of tea or other samples, thereby providing maximum surface area for the tea to be exposed to infusion.

In addition to the above-mentioned advantages, the invention also provides improved distribution of the sample, offers the possibility of rapid filling, and does not require threads, clasps or other external materials. A unique means of squeezing the bag is by simultaneously pulling and crushing the ends of the tube or package.

Although coextruded multilayer apertured silicone films are preferred, other types of apertured thermoplastic films can also be used. Of course, such films must provide adequate leaching and sufficient strength for the intended purpose.

Some examples of film-forming resins suitable for manufacturing the perforated thermoplastic films that make up the infusion packaging of the present invention include polyethylene<pw)sf? Lipropylene (pp) sCrystalline polyester (CPE), amorphous polyester (Ap
g), polycarbonate (PC) and nylon (N
).

In addition to CPg/PE, examples of suitable multilayer films for use in constructing the infusion packaging of the present invention include:

PP/PE PC/Pg N/PP CPE/PP PC/PP N/PP CPE/PE 'PC/APEN/APE In addition to double-layer thermoplastic films, triple-layer films or thermoplastic films with as many layers as desired are also available. ilm can be used. Of course, such films must be of the perforated type and meet the desired infusion rate and packaging requirements.

Although the present invention is particularly directed to infusion packages or bags constructed of perforated thermoplastic film, porous materials are suitably used. These porous materials also provide adequate leaching and sufficient strength for the intended purpose.

Although the invention is particularly suitable for packaging tea, it can be used for packaging other types of finely ground or granular food samples such as coffee, groats, etc. This bag can be used to package any material for which a leachate is desired.

The infusion bags of the present invention have excellent wet strength and do not degrade in boiling water. The bag itself is odorless and tasteless and does not impart any other taste to the packaged item.

In fact, it is essentially inert.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is an end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1, and FIG. The figures are an embodiment of FIG. 1 showing one method of assembling the ends of the package together, and an embodiment of FIG. 1 showing another method of wrapping. Attorney: Akira Asamura Procedural Amendment (1 February 1985 - 1985) Dear Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office 1, Indication of the case, Patent Application No. 264371 filed in 1982, 2, Name of the invention: Packaging for leaching 3, Person making the amendment Relationship to the case: Patent applicant 4, agent 1939, month, day, 8, content of amendment: Part 11 of the specification as attached (no change in content)

Claims (9)

[Claims] (1) Consisting essentially of a tube of perforated thermoplastic film having a central sample-containing portion and flattened end portions at each end, said thermoplastic film having a plurality of fine uniform perforations or openings; leaching for granular or pulverized samples, each hole being sufficiently narrow to restrict leakage of the granular sample contained in the container portion and large enough to permit passage of liquid flow; packaging. (2) The packaging according to item (1) above, wherein the perforated thermoplastic film is an ester film. (3) the perforated thermoplastic film is a coextruded multilayer perforated thermoplastic film having an outer layer of heat-resistant polyolefin or polyester and an outer sealant layer of slightly less heat-resistant polyolefin; Above (1)
Packaging as described in section. (4) The package according to item (3) above, wherein the outer layer of the film is made of polyester or polypropylene, and the outer sealant layer of the film is polyethylene. (5) said film has at least 5 p per square inch;
The package according to item (1) above, having 00 holes. (6) The package according to item (1) above, wherein the film has 1800 to 4200 holes per square inch (279 to 651 holes per square centimeter). (7) Item (1) above, wherein the holes in the film are circular, oval, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or any other desired geometric shape.
Packaging as described in section. (8) The package according to item (1) above, wherein the pores of the film are tapered capillaries with larger capillary openings in the outer layer and smaller capillary openings in the inner layer. (9) The apertures or holes in the film are between 2 and 10 mils (0.00508 - 0.0254
The packaging according to item (1) above, which is (cm). (IQ The packaging according to item (1) above, wherein the perforated thermoplastic film is a polyester film, polypropylene film, polyethylene film, nylon film, or a combination of these films. αυ The perforated thermoplastic film is a heat-resistant polycarbonate film. and an inner sealant layer of slightly less heat resistant polyethylene, polypropylene or polyester.
Packaging as described in section 1). Q-1 above, wherein the perforated thermoplastic film is a coextruded multilayer perforated thermoplastic film having an outer layer of heat-resistant nylon and an inner sealant layer of slightly less heat-resistant polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyester. ) Packaging as described in section. 03 The perforated thermoplastic film described above is a coextruded multilayer perforated thermoplastic film having an outer layer of heat-resistant crystalline polyester and an inner sealant layer of slightly less heat-resistant amorphous polyester. ) Packaging as described in section. αa Consists of a tube of porous material having a central sample-containing portion and flattened portions at both ends, the porous material having a plurality of microscopic apertures or pores, each pore contained in the container portion. A leaching package for a granular or finely divided sample consisting of being sufficiently fine in size to inhibit leakage of the granular sample and large enough to permit passage of a liquid stream. Q9 Each of said flattened end portions has an elongated hole or opening such that one flattened end portion can be inserted into the other flattened end portion, thereby forming a flow-through type bag in a joining operation. The packaging according to any one of the above paragraphs (1) or 04). No. 041 where the porous material is made of paper, cloth, etc.
Packaging as described in section.