US20150140179A1 - Infusion packet and its manufacture - Google Patents

Infusion packet and its manufacture Download PDF

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Publication number
US20150140179A1
US20150140179A1 US14/401,544 US201314401544A US2015140179A1 US 20150140179 A1 US20150140179 A1 US 20150140179A1 US 201314401544 A US201314401544 A US 201314401544A US 2015140179 A1 US2015140179 A1 US 2015140179A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
packet
infusion
gusset
web
seals
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Abandoned
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US14/401,544
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English (en)
Inventor
Sarah Elizabeth Askew
Suzanne Emma Axe
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Conopco Inc
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Conopco Inc
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Assigned to CONOPCO INC., D/B/A UNILEVER reassignment CONOPCO INC., D/B/A UNILEVER ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AXE, SUZANNE EMMA, ASKEW, Sarah Elizabeth
Publication of US20150140179A1 publication Critical patent/US20150140179A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • 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
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/04—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/40—Packages formed by enclosing successive articles, or increments of material, in webs, e.g. folded or tubular webs, or by subdividing tubes filled with liquid, semi-liquid, or plastic materials
    • B65D75/44—Individual packages cut from webs or tubes
    • B65D75/46—Individual packages cut from webs or tubes containing articles

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns infusion packets, and also methods for producing such packets.
  • the present invention relates to infusion packets containing infusible material such as tea.
  • infusion packets e.g. tea bags
  • infusible material e.g. leaf tea, herbal mixtures
  • This type of packet often comprises infusible material sandwiched between square or round sheets of porous material.
  • Such packets restrict the movement of the infusible material within the packet to substantially two dimensions. As a result, the infusion performance of such packets is limited.
  • Double-chamber infusion packets such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,593,608 (A.G.F. Rambold) are also known.
  • the infusible material is contained in two chambers, with each chamber being attached to the other at the base and apex.
  • This type of infusion packet is thought to enable faster infusion by allowing an increased flow of water around the infusible material.
  • a drawback of double-chamber infusion packets is that they require significantly more porous packet material than their single-chamber counterparts.
  • GB 2 053 668 (H. C. Fornari) describes the use of disposable sachets in the preparation of infusions of tea, coffee and other similar infusible substances.
  • the shape of the sachets is generally that of an elongated double wedge.
  • the sachets are elongate because they are designed to be gripped at their upper end, while their bottom end is dipped into a vessel which contains water.
  • the elongate nature of these sachets means that they require a considerable amount of packaging material.
  • the invention in a first aspect relates to an infusion packet comprising a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side; wherein the bottom of the packet is defined by a gusset and each side of the packet is defined by a seal that extends between the top and bottom of the packet; wherein the seals defining the sides of the packet are arranged such that the packet has a compartment with a substantially trapezoidal cross-section.
  • Such a packet is substantially flat prior to use and hence convenient to pack and handle.
  • the packet can nonetheless swell upon immersion in an infusion liquid such that it adopts a more three-dimensional shape. This swelling is thought to permit an increased flow of the infusion liquid around the infusible material and hence facilitate faster infusion.
  • the packet comprises two gussets (i.e. a first gusset defining the bottom of the packet and a second gusset defining the top of the packet).
  • the packet of the present invention has a compartment which preferably contains a substance, more preferably a particulate substance (e.g. an infusible material such as tea leaves and/or stem).
  • a substance more preferably a particulate substance (e.g. an infusible material such as tea leaves and/or stem).
  • the combination of the shape of the compartment together with the presence of the gusset(s) is thought to encourage the substance to collect towards the bottom of the packet.
  • the filled packet can maintain an upright position, particularly when in use (i.e. when immersed in an infusion liquid).
  • we believe that this is due to the filled packet having a low centre of gravity. This may help to keep the substance (e.g. tea leaves and/or stem) submerged in the infusion liquid.
  • the low centre of gravity together with the presence of the bottom gusset enables the packet to stand upright for display purposes (e.g. during presentation and selection).
  • the invention in a second aspect relates to a method of manufacturing an infusion packet from a web of packaging material, the method comprising the steps of:
  • the method permits the manufacture of infusion packets according to the first aspect of the invention whilst incurring substantially no wastage of packaging material.
  • the method comprises the additional step of:
  • the packets are perceived to be premium quality due to their exciting shape.
  • the method permits the manufacture of a premium product at a competitive cost.
  • trapezium refers to a convex quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides and one pair of non-parallel sides.
  • a “trapezoidal cross-section” refers to a cross-section that has the shape of a trapezium.
  • a trapezium in which the two non-parallel sides are of equal length is referred to as an “isosceles trapezium”.
  • an infusion packet according to the present invention has a compartment with a substantially trapezoidal cross-section when viewed from the front or the rear of the packet.
  • the packet of the present invention is an infusion packet, it is preferred that the packet is formed from porous packaging material.
  • porous packaging material is used to describe a water-insoluble, liquid-permeable packaging material which has openings that permit liquids, especially aqueous liquids, to pass through.
  • suitable packaging materials include non-wovens, wet laid non-wovens and wovens made with polymers of cellulosic/polymer blends (e.g. cellulose or cellulose PP blends) or perforated films.
  • the packaging material may be heat-sealable or non-heat sealable. In order to facilitate a high rate of infusion packet manufacture, in a preferred embodiment the packaging material is heat-sealable.
  • beverage refers to a substantially aqueous drinkable composition suitable for human consumption.
  • the packet of the present invention preferably contains infusible material.
  • infusible material refers to a food-grade substance that when steeped or soaked in an aqueous liquid releases certain soluble substances into the liquid, e.g. flavour and/or aroma molecules.
  • the infusible material can be contacted with an aqueous liquid such as water to provide a beverage.
  • This process is referred to as brewing.
  • Brewing may be carried out at any temperature but is preferably carried out at least 40° C., more preferably at least 55° C., more preferably still at least 70° C. and preferably less than 120° C., more preferably less than 100° C., more preferably still less than 90° C., most preferably less than 80° C.
  • the infusible material is at least partially insoluble (i.e. does not dissolve completely when steeped or soaked in water).
  • the infusible material preferably comprises plant material.
  • the infusible material may comprise plant material derived from Camellia sinensis, Aspalathus linearis, Mentha piperita, Matricaria recutita and/or mixtures thereof.
  • the infusible material comprises tea material.
  • tea material refers to material derived from the plant Camellia sinensis var. sinensis and/or Camellia sinensis var. assamica.
  • the tea material may have been subjected to a “fermentation” step wherein the tea material is oxidised by certain endogenous enzymes that are released during the early stages of “black tea” manufacture. This oxidation may even be supplemented by the action of exogenous enzymes such as oxidases, laccases and peroxidises. Alternatively the material may have been partially fermented (“oolong tea”) or may have remained substantially unfermented (“green tea”).
  • the infusible material comprises tea leaves and/or stem.
  • tea leaves and/or stem refers to tea material that is derived from the leaves and/or stem of the tea plant and that has not been subjected to an extraction step.
  • the packet of the invention is preferably a porous infusion packet which contains infusible material.
  • the infusible material comprises tea material, more preferably tea leaves and/or stem.
  • Such a packet can be used to prepare a tea-based beverage, e.g. by contacting the infusion packet and its contents with an aqueous liquid (i.e. brewing).
  • aqueous liquid i.e. brewing
  • tea-based beverage refers to a beverage comprising at least 0.01% by weight dissolved tea solids.
  • tea solids refers to dry material that is extractable from tea leaves and/or stem, and which is soluble in boiling water.
  • FIG. 1 a is a front view of an infusion packet according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 b is a rear view of the packet of FIG. 1 a;
  • FIG. 1 c is a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of the packet shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b;
  • FIG. 2 is a view of a web of packaging material for making the packet of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIGS. 3 a to 3 d are a series of perspective front views showing steps in the formation of a packet according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are perspective front views showing packets being made according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 a is a front view of a packet according to an alternative embodiment the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 b is a rear view of the packet of FIG. 5 a;
  • FIG. 6 a is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the packet of FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 6 b is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the packet of FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 7 a shows an apparatus which is suitable for producing packets according to the present invention.
  • FIGS. 7 b and 7 c show cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of the conduit outlet of the apparatus of FIG. 7 a viewed from above.
  • FIGS. 1 a to 1 c show three different views of an infusion packet as per a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 a shows an infusion packet 1 viewed from the front, wherein the packet 1 has a top 2 , a bottom 3 , a first side 4 and a second side 5 .
  • the packet 1 has a front face which consists of a trapezium-shaped front panel 6 .
  • the sides of the packet 4 , 5 are arranged such that the front panel 6 has the shape of an isosceles trapezium.
  • Each side 4 , 5 is defined by a seal that extends between the top 2 and bottom 3 of the packet.
  • each seal has a substantially uniform breadth. However in certain other embodiments one or both of the seals may have a variable breadth (see, for example, FIG. 5 ).
  • the top 2 and the bottom 3 of the packet are substantially parallel to one another and are separated by a distance D.
  • the magnitude of the distance D will depend on the intended use of the packet. For example, in a particularly preferred embodiment where the packet is an infusion packet, it is desirable that the packet will fit in a cup, a mug and/or a teapot.
  • the distance D is preferably no more than 85 mm, more preferably no more than 70 mm, still more preferably no more than 65 mm and most preferably no more than 60 mm.
  • the infusion packet is able accommodate sufficient infusible material to produce a flavourful beverage, for example preferably from 1 to 5 g of infusible material, more preferably from 1.3 to 4 g and most preferably from 1.6 to 3 g.
  • the distance D is at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 35 mm, still more preferably at least 40 mm and most preferably at least 45 mm.
  • FIG. 1 b shows a view of the infusion packet of FIG. 1 a viewed from the rear, wherein the packet 1 has a rear face which consists of two back panels 7 , 8 .
  • a longitudinal seal 9 runs across the rear face of the packet defining a boundary between the two back panels 7 , 8 .
  • the seals defining the sides of the packet are arranged such that they co-planar (i.e. both of the seals are in the same plane). This facilitates efficient manufacture of the infusion packet. Furthermore, the seals are not parallel to each other. Therefore, the distance between the seals is not constant.
  • the seals are separated by a width W1 at the bottom of the packet and by a width W2 at the top of the packet. W1 is wider than W2 (i.e. W1>W2). The contents of a packet will tend to collect towards the bottom of the packet, hence a packet wherein W1>W2 has a low centre of gravity and/or will tend to maintain an upright position.
  • W1 and W2 will depend on the intended use of the packet. For example, it may be desirable that the infusion packet will fit in a cup, a mug and/or a teapot and/or that the packet is able accommodate sufficient infusible material to produce a flavourful beverage.
  • W1 is preferably from 30 to 80 mm, more preferably from 35 to 75 mm, most preferably from 40 to 70 mm.
  • W2 is preferably from 20 to 70 mm, more preferably from 25 to 65 mm, most preferably from 30 to 60 mm.
  • W1 and W2 may be selected independently of one another.
  • an infusion packet wherein W1 is 80 mm and W2 is 20 mm is envisaged, as is an infusion packet wherein W1 is 80 mm and W2 is 60 mm.
  • FIG. 1 c shows a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of the infusion packet of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b .
  • the infusion packet 1 has a compartment 10 , wherein the compartment is defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall and a second side wall.
  • the first side wall consists of the front panel 6 and the second side wall consists of the two back panels 7 , 8 which are joined together by the longitudinal seal 9 .
  • the bottom wall of the packet consists of a first gusset 11 and the top wall of the packet consists of a second gusset 12 .
  • the first gusset 11 defines the bottom 3 of the packet and the second gusset 12 defines the top 2 of the packet.
  • each gusset 11 , 12 is “M”-shaped, and consists of two gusset panels 13 .
  • An outer crease 14 defines a boundary between a gusset panel 13 and a front panel 6 or a back panel 7 , 8 .
  • An inner crease 15 defines a boundary between two gusset panels 13 .
  • a gusset defining the top 2 or bottom 3 of the packet consists of:
  • the size of the gussets 11 , 12 is not fixed, and will depend on several factors such as the magnitude of the distance D, and the amount of infusible material contained within the packet.
  • each gusset panel 13 has a width (i.e. distance between the outer crease 14 and the inner crease 15 ) of no more than 20 mm.
  • each gusset panel 13 has a width of from 3 to 20 mm, more preferably from 4 to 12 mm and most preferably from 5 to 8 mm.
  • each gusset 11 , 12 i.e. the distance between the two outer creases 14 when the gusset is fully extended
  • each “M”-shaped gusset 11 , 12 preferably has a total width of from 6 to 40 mm, more preferably from 8 to 24 mm and most preferably from 10 to 16 mm.
  • the infusion packet can swell upon immersion in an infusion liquid so as to adopt a more three-dimensional shape. This swelling is thought to permit an increased flow of the infusion liquid around the infusible material and hence facilitate faster infusion.
  • infusion packets which adopt a three-dimensional shape are already known (e.g. tetrahedral-shaped packets such as those described in WO 95/01907), the inherent three-dimensional nature of such packets means that they are somewhat inconvenient to pack and handle.
  • the infusion packets of the present invention are substantially flat prior to use and thus can be packaged more conveniently and/or efficiently.
  • the boundary between the two back panels 7 , 8 is preferably defined by the longitudinal seal 9 .
  • the longitudinal seal 9 is a fin seal formed by sealing together edge margins 16 , 17 of a web of packaging material.
  • the longitudinal seal 9 is a lap seal.
  • FIG. 2 shows a web 21 of packaging material suitable for making infusion packets such as those illustrated in FIGS. 1 a to 1 c.
  • the web 21 of packaging material has edges 22 , 23 separated by a width B.
  • Each packet comprises a portion of the web 21 , although the web itself can be of indefinite length.
  • the portion of the web 21 from which a single packet is ultimately formed is delimited from adjacent portions of the web 21 by side boundaries 24 .
  • the side boundaries 24 extend across the full width B of the web in the embodiment shown.
  • side margins 25 flank each side boundary 24 .
  • These side margins 25 are incorporated in the seals when packets according to this embodiment are formed, wherein the seals ultimately define the sides 4 , 5 of the finished packets (see, for example, FIG. 1 a ).
  • the formed packets are eventually separated from each other by severing the web 21 of packaging material along the side boundaries 24 .
  • Edge margins 16 , 17 extend along the edges 22 , 23 of the web 21 of packaging material. When packets are formed, the edge margins 16 , 17 are incorporated in the longitudinal seal 9 .
  • the longitudinal seal defines the boundary between the two back panels 7 , 8 (see, for example, FIG. 1 b ).
  • the web 21 of packaging material shown in FIG. 2 is suitable for making infusion packets comprising a first gusset 11 and a second gusset 12 (see, for example, FIG. 1 c ).
  • Each gusset 11 , 12 extends between the seals and consists of two gusset panels 13 , two outer creases 14 and one inner crease 15 .
  • a single infusion packet comprises packaging material that covers an area A.
  • the area A is a convenient measure of the amount of packaging material required to form each packet.
  • the amount of packaging material used to form a packet should ideally not be restricted to such an extent that undue force is exerted on the seals since this could cause the seals to split resulting in unwanted release of the package contents. Additionally or alternatively it is undesirable to restrict the amount of packaging material to such an extent that the infusion performance of the packet is compromised.
  • a single infusion packet according to the present invention preferably consists of packaging material that covers an area A of less than 12000 mm 2 .
  • A is from 5000 to 11000 mm 2 , more preferably from 5500 to 9500 mm 2 and most preferably from 6000 to 8000 mm 2 .
  • FIGS. 3 a to 3 d are a series of perspective views which illustrate a sequence of process steps that can be carried out to form an infusion packet from a continuous web of packaging material.
  • FIG. 3 a shows a preferred embodiment in which two “M”-shaped gussets 11 , 12 have been introduced into the tubular web.
  • the web travels vertically (downwards) to a sealing zone where seals 31 that define the individual packets are formed.
  • a seal 31 is formed comprising the side margins 25 of the web of packaging material such that the seal 31 defines a first side wall 32 of the present packet and a second side wall 33 of the preceding packet ( FIG. 3 b ), and an input device delivers a dose of a substance, in this case infusible material 34 , into the tubular web.
  • a further seal 31 is then formed.
  • This further seal 31 defines a second side wall 33 of the present packet and the first side wall 32 of the succeeding packet.
  • the tubular web is filled with doses of infusible material 34 as it is formed into a chain of packets defined by the seals 31 .
  • the chain of packets is subsequently separated into individual packets by severing the web at the seals 31 along the side boundaries 24 as shown in FIG. 3 d.
  • FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show a preferred means of producing infusion packets according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 a is a perspective view which illustrates a chain of infusion packets.
  • Each packet comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall 32 and a second side wall 33 .
  • FIG. 4 b is a perspective view illustrating the formation of individual packets from the chain of infusion packets shown in FIG. 4 a , wherein the chain of packets has been severed at the seals 31 .
  • the non-parallel nature of the seals means that where the first gusset 11 forms the bottom wall for a given packet, this first gusset 11 will form the top wall of the preceding and succeeding packets.
  • the second gusset 12 forms the bottom wall of a given packet, this second gusset 12 will form the top wall of the preceding and succeeding packets. Forming the packets in this way results in minimal wastage of packaging material and/or facilitates rapid production of filled packets.
  • FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show two different views of an infusion packet according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 a shows an infusion packet 51 viewed from the front, wherein the packet 51 has a top 52 , a bottom 53 , a first side 54 and a second side 55 .
  • Each side 54 , 55 is defined by a seal that extends between the top 52 and bottom 53 of the packet.
  • the packet 51 has a front face which consists of a substantially rectangular front panel 56 . Nevertheless, the arrangement of the seals ensures that the packet has a compartment which is substantially trapezoidal in cross-section when viewed from the front or back. As such, in this embodiment the seals have a variable breadth, wherein the breadth of the seal is wider at the top 52 of the packet than it is at the bottom 53 .
  • the top 52 and the bottom 53 of the packet are substantially parallel to one another and are separated by a distance D. As described above, the magnitude of the distance D will depend on the intended use of the packet.
  • FIG. 5 b shows a view of the packet of FIG. 5 a viewed from the rear, wherein the packet 51 has a rear face which consists of two back panels 57 , 58 .
  • a longitudinal seal 59 runs across the rear face of the packet defining a boundary between the two back panels 57 , 58 .
  • the seals defining the sides of the packet are arranged such that the packet comprises a compartment with a substantially trapezoid cross section when viewed either from the front ( FIG. 5 a ) or from the rear ( FIG. 5 b ).
  • the substantially trapezoid cross-section is achieved by the non-uniform nature of both the breadth of the seals and the distance between the seals.
  • the seals are separated by a width W1 at the bottom of the packet and be a width W2 at the top of the packet wherein W1 is wider than W2 (i.e. W1>W2).
  • FIGS. 6 a and 6 b are cross-sectional side views of two alternative embodiments of infusion packets.
  • FIG. 6 a shows a cross-sectional side view of an infusion packet, such as the infusion packet of FIGS. 5 a and 5 b .
  • the packet 51 has a compartment 60 defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall and a second side wall.
  • the first side wall consists of the front panel 56 and the second side wall consists of the two back panels 57 , 58 which are joined together by the longitudinal seal 59 .
  • the bottom wall of the compartment consists of a first gusset 61 while the top wall of the compartment is defined by a crease 68 .
  • the gusset 61 is “M”-shaped, and consists of two gusset panels 63 , two outer creases 64 and one inner crease 65 .
  • each outer crease 64 defines the boundary between a gusset panel 63 and the front panel 56 or the back panel 57 , 58 ; while the inner crease 65 defines the boundary between the two gusset panels 63 .
  • the process of FIG. 3 can be adapted such that only one gusset is introduced into the tubular web.
  • FIGS. 1 a and 1 b preferably has the cross-sectional side view shown in FIG. 1 c
  • this packet can have a cross-sectional side view as per FIG. 6 a.
  • FIG. 6 b shows a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of an infusion packet (e.g. the packet of FIG. 5 ).
  • the packet 51 is essentially the same as the one depicted in FIG. 6 a , except that in this embodiment the packet comprises two gussets.
  • the top wall of the compartment consists of a second gusset 62 (as opposed to being defined by a crease 68 as per the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 a ). It is particularly preferred that both the first 61 and second 62 gussets are “M”-shaped.
  • FIG. 7 a illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing packets according to the present invention, for example the apparatus can implement the process shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the apparatus has a single production path being supplied with a substance 70 (such as infusible material) by a doser (not shown).
  • a web of packaging material 71 is fed over a shaping guide near an inlet 72 of a conduit 73 .
  • the conduit inlet 72 has a circular cross-section.
  • the web takes up the tubular form of the conduit exterior and is drawn down the tube by one or more guide elements 74 while its opposite edge margins are sealed together longitudinally by a longitudinal sealer 75 .
  • the longitudinal sealer 75 is adjacent to the conduit and in a particularly preferred embodiment the longitudinal sealer 75 comprises a pair of heating and pressing rollers that weld the side margins together to form a longitudinal fin seal 79 .
  • the tubular web is drawn along the conduit 73 and past an outlet 76 of the conduit, preferably by the guide elements 74 .
  • the conduit outlet 76 has an external cross-section comprising at least two vertices 77 (see FIGS. 7 b and 7 c ).
  • the tubular web is indented between the vertices 77 by at least one forming member 78 .
  • the forming member(s) 78 are situated adjacent to the conduit outlet 76 .
  • FIGS. 7 a to 7 c show preferred embodiments in which the tubular web is indented by two forming members 78 , with each forming member introducing an “M”-shaped gusset.
  • the apparatus of FIG. 7 a can implement the process shown in FIG. 3 .
  • FIGS. 7 b and 7 c show cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of the conduit outlet of the apparatus of FIG. 7 a viewed from above.
  • the conduit outlet 76 has an internal cross-section and an external cross-section which can be the same shape (see FIG. 7 b ) or different shapes (see FIG. 7 c ). In particular, it is preferred that the conduit outlet 76 has an external cross-section comprising at least two vertices 77 .
  • the conduit preferably transitions from having a circular cross-section (both externally and internally) at its inlet 72 to having an external cross-section at its outlet 76 that comprises at least two vertices 77 . More preferably the external cross-section of the conduit outlet 76 comprises at least two vertices 77 that delimit a face, and in especially preferred embodiment, such as the ones illustrated in FIGS. 7 b and 7 c , the external cross-section of the conduit outlet 76 is substantially rectangular.
  • the internal cross-section of the conduit outlet is the same shape as the external cross-section, for example as illustrated in FIG. 7 b.
  • the internal cross-section of the conduit outlet 76 may comprise fewer vertices than the external cross-section, for example as illustrated in FIG. 7 c.
  • the indented web is drawn vertically (downwards) in a direction Z to sealing elements (not shown).
  • the sealing elements form successive seals 31 across the width of the indented tubular web.
  • the sealing elements are arranged such that packets manufactured using the apparatus have a compartment with a substantially trapezoidal cross-section.
  • the progress of the tubular web which preferably moves at a substantially uniform speed, and the timing of the sealing elements are adapted such that the widths W1 and W2 between successive seals are of appropriate sizes.
  • the indented tubular web is filled with doses of infusible material as it is formed into a chain of packets defined by the seals 31 .
  • an input device delivers the infusible material via the conduit such that each sealed compartment comprises a single dose of infusible material.
  • the compartmented tubular web is subsequently separated into individual packets by severing the web at the seals 31 .
  • the web of packaging material 71 may be heat-sealable or non-heat sealable.
  • the packaging material is heat-sealable.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
US14/401,544 2012-05-22 2013-05-16 Infusion packet and its manufacture Abandoned US20150140179A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12168881 2012-05-22
EP12168881 2012-05-22
PCT/EP2013/060136 WO2013174710A1 (en) 2012-05-22 2013-05-16 Infusion packet and its manufacture

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20150140179A1 true US20150140179A1 (en) 2015-05-21

Family

ID=48446361

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US14/401,544 Abandoned US20150140179A1 (en) 2012-05-22 2013-05-16 Infusion packet and its manufacture

Country Status (8)

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US (1) US20150140179A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EP (1) EP2852537B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JP6537965B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CN (1) CN104334466B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EA (1) EA031046B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IN (1) IN2014MN02289A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
PL (1) PL2852537T3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
WO (1) WO2013174710A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

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US20180208343A1 (en) * 2015-10-16 2018-07-26 Avent, Inc. Method and System for Wrapping and Preparing Facemasks for Packaging in a Manufacturing Line
US10889398B2 (en) * 2016-05-11 2021-01-12 I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A. Device and machine for making filter bags of tetrahedral shape
AU2018322021B2 (en) * 2017-08-23 2022-08-25 Steeped, Inc. Coffee beverage and methods
US20240359903A1 (en) * 2020-09-29 2024-10-31 Byeong Yeol AHN Tea bag

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DE102014115977A1 (de) * 2014-11-03 2016-05-04 Melitta Europa Gmbh & Co. Kg Verfahren zur Herstellung eines beutelförmigen Filters und Filterbeutel
WO2017137399A1 (en) 2016-02-11 2017-08-17 Unilever Plc Infusion packets
EA038770B1 (ru) 2017-08-16 2021-10-18 ЮНИЛЕВЕР АйПи ХОЛДИНГС Б.В. Пакетики для настаивания

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US10889398B2 (en) * 2016-05-11 2021-01-12 I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A. Device and machine for making filter bags of tetrahedral shape
AU2018322021B2 (en) * 2017-08-23 2022-08-25 Steeped, Inc. Coffee beverage and methods
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US20240359903A1 (en) * 2020-09-29 2024-10-31 Byeong Yeol AHN Tea bag

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2852537B1 (en) 2017-02-22
CN104334466B (zh) 2017-09-05
EA201491843A1 (ru) 2015-05-29
EA031046B1 (ru) 2018-11-30
JP2015522485A (ja) 2015-08-06
WO2013174710A1 (en) 2013-11-28
EP2852537A1 (en) 2015-04-01
IN2014MN02289A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 2015-08-07
JP6537965B2 (ja) 2019-07-03
PL2852537T3 (pl) 2017-08-31
CN104334466A (zh) 2015-02-04

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