WO2008154520A1 - Distributeur de substance infusable - Google Patents

Distributeur de substance infusable Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008154520A1
WO2008154520A1 PCT/US2008/066370 US2008066370W WO2008154520A1 WO 2008154520 A1 WO2008154520 A1 WO 2008154520A1 US 2008066370 W US2008066370 W US 2008066370W WO 2008154520 A1 WO2008154520 A1 WO 2008154520A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bag
pouch
cord
infusible substance
dispensing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/066370
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert Small
Original Assignee
Robert Small
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robert Small filed Critical Robert Small
Publication of WO2008154520A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008154520A1/fr

Links

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
    • B65D85/8085—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 characterised by an outer package, e.g. wrappers or boxes for enclosing tea-bags

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates generally to dispenser devices and methods, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to devices and methods for dispensing infusible substances, such as tea, in a clean manner.
  • Dispensers for infusible substances have been made publicly available.
  • Such dispensers commonly include a permeable bag containing the infusible substance.
  • the bag is commonly placed in a fluid, such as hot water, to soak the infusible substance in the fluid and to extract soluble elements and flavor from the substance into the fluid.
  • a fluid such as hot water
  • the bag may be removed from the fluid with a string attached to the bag. This process often leaves excess fluid in the bag that often drips and creates a mess as the bag is withdrawn from the fluid, such as a cup of hot water.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic side perspective view of a device for dispensing an infusible substance, including a pouch and a bag;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic side perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 as upper and lower portions of the pouch are being removed;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic side perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, with the upper and lower portions of the pouch removed and the bag extending beneath the pouch;
  • FIG. 3A is a schematic side perspective view of one embodiment of a device for dispensing an infusible substance, including a pouch and a bag, with upper and lower portions of the pouch removed and the bag extending beneath the pouch;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic side perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1 in a cup and the pouch extending outside of the cup;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic side perspective view of one embodiment of a device for dispensing an infusible substance, including a pouch and a bag, with upper and lower portions of the pouch removed and the bag extending beneath the pouch;
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic side perspective view of one embodiment of a device for dispensing an infusible substance, including a pouch and a bag, with upper and lower portions of the pouch removed and the bag extending beneath the pouch;
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic side perspective view of one embodiment of a device for dispensing an infusible substance, including a pouch and a bag, with upper and lower portions of the pouch removed and the bag extending beneath the pouch;
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic side perspective view of one embodiment of a device for dispensing an infusible substance
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic side perspective view of one embodiment of a device for dispensing an infusible substance, including a pouch and a bag, with upper and lower portions of the pouch removed and the bag extending beneath the pouch;
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic side perspective view of one embodiment of a device for dispensing an infusible substance, including a pouch and a bag, with upper and lower portions of the pouch removed and the bag extending beneath the pouch; and
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic side perspective view of one embodiment of a device for dispensing an infusible substance, including a pouch and a bag, with upper and lower portions of the pouch removed and the bag extending beneath the pouch.
  • FIG. 1 a schematic side perspective view is shown of an embodiment of a dispensing device, indicated generally at 5, for dispensing an infusible substance.
  • the infusible substance may be any known material or composition, such as tea, for infusing into another material or composition, such as water. It will be appreciated that the principles of the disclosure may be used with any suitable material known in the art.
  • the dispensing device 5 may include a bag 10 for containing the infusible substance.
  • the bag 10 may be permeable to water similar to tea bags known to those skilled in the art.
  • the bag 10 may be formed in any suitable size, shape and configuration and material known to those skilled in the art .
  • the device 5 may also include a pouch 12 for containing the bag 10.
  • the pouch 12 may be sealed in a substantially air tight manner to maintain the freshness of the infusible substance.
  • the pouch 12 may be substantially opaque such that the bag 10 may not be visible through the pouch 12.
  • the bag 10 may not be visible through the pouch 12 as shown. However, it will be understood that some embodiments of the pouch 12 may be transparent such that the bag 10 may be visible through the pouch 12 as shown in FIG. 1.
  • a cord 14 may be attached to the bag 10 in a manner known to those skilled in the art to facilitate manipulating the bag 10.
  • the cord 14 may be used to place the bag in a fluid and to remove the bag 10 from the fluid.
  • the cord 14 may be formed of a flexible member of any suitable material and configuration known in the art.
  • one embodiment of the cord 14 may be formed as a string.
  • One embodiment of the cord may not be attached to the pouch 12, and may have a length that may be up to several times the length of the bag 10.
  • a tab 15 may be provided on an end of the cord 14 opposite the bag 10.
  • the tab 15 may facilitate grasping the cord 14.
  • the tab may be folded to form a hook to keep the tab
  • accessing the bag 10, the cord 14 and the tab 15, in one embodiment of the disclosure, may involve opening the pouch 12 by removing or tearing an upper portion 18 and a lower portion 20 of the pouch 12. Accordingly, side portions 22 of the pouch 12 may remain substantially sealed. Alternative embodiments may involve opening only either the upper portion 18 or the lower portion 20, or opening one or both the side portions 22.
  • One embodiment of the pouch 12 may include perforations to facilitate removing the upper portion 18 and the lower portion 20, or any other desired portion.
  • the pouch 12 may form a sleeve for receiving the cord 14 and bag 10 therethrough.
  • the bag 10 may be released to extend below the pouch 12 and the cord 14 may extend through the top of the pouch 12. Accordingly, one embodiment of the disclosure may allow the cord 14 to be accessible without threading the cord 14 through a small opening in the pouch 12 during the manufacturing process or afterwards.
  • the bag 10 may be placed in a container 16 of liquid, such as a cup of water, in a manner known in the art to allow the infusible substance to contact the liquid and disperse in the liquid.
  • the cord 14 may extend on the outside of the container 16 to allow the bag 10 to be withdrawn from the container 16 when desired.
  • the pouch 12 and cord 14 may drape over the outside edge of the container 16 and remain dry.
  • the tab 15 may be folded to hook on the pouch 12 to prevent the pouch 12 from separating from the cord 14, or to prevent the cord 14 from being pulled into the pouch 12.
  • the tab 15 or cord 14 may be grasped to lift the bag 10 out of the liquid.
  • the bag 10 may be lifted into the pouch 12 and the pouch 12 may be pressed or squeezed with the bag 10 inside the pouch 12 to press excess fluid out of the bag 10.
  • a user may draw the bag 10 up inside the pouch 12 by holding the pouch 12 in one hand and pulling up on the cord 14 with the other hand.
  • the user may hold the bag 10 and pouch 12 over the container 16 and press on an exterior of the pouch 12 with the bag 10 pulled inside the pouch 12 to compress the bag 10 and force excess fluid out of the bag 10 and the bottom of the pouch 12 back into the container 16.
  • the pouch 12 may be formed of a substantially impermeable material, the pouch 12 may prevent the user from contacting the liquid. Moreover, dripping of excess fluid from the bag 10 may be prevented, and additional flavor or material from the bag 10 may be deposited in the container 16. The pouch 12 may be discarded with the bag 10 still inside to further allow for a clean procedure.
  • the pouch 12 may comprise an insulation coating or material 13.
  • the pouch 12 may comprise an inner surface 11 and an outer surface 11a.
  • the inner surface 11 of the pouch 12 may comprise the insulation coating or material 13.
  • the insulation coating or material 13 may operate as a thermal barrier between the pouch 12 and a user's hand to protect a user's fingers from hot fluid, such as hot water, that may be present when the bag 10 is lifted into the pouch 12 and the pouch 12 is pressed or squeezed with the bag 10 inside the pouch 12 to press excess fluid out of the bag 10.
  • hot fluid such as hot water
  • any insulating material with insulating properties can be used such as plastics, polymers, ceramics, glass, silicon, paper, cardboard in addition to a thermal multi-layer insulation (MLI) .
  • the MLI may be made of a plurality of very thin layers of a material such as Mylar or Kapton.
  • the insulation coating or material 13 of the pouch 12 may be made from a heat insulation material that is relatively inexpensive such that the end product is relatively inexpensive to make and produce.
  • the pouch may be the end product that can be used in conjunction with any third party manufacturer of an infusible substance, such as a tea product sold in a bag, or the end product may be the pouch being used as part of the infusible substance.
  • the pouch 12 itself may be manufactured from an insulation material.
  • the insulation material may operate as a thermal barrier between the pouch 12 and a user's hand to protect a user's fingers from hot fluid, such as hot water, that may be present when the bag is lifted into the pouch and the pouch is pressed or squeezed with the bag inside the pouch to press excess fluid out of the bag.
  • hot fluid such as hot water
  • Various insulative materials may be used as the insulation material without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.
  • any insulating material with insulating properties can be used such as plastics, polymers, ceramics, glass, silicon, paper, cardboard in addition to a thermal multi-layer insulation (MLI) .
  • MMI thermal multi-layer insulation
  • the MLI may be made of a plurality of very thin layers of a material such as Mylar or Kapton.
  • the pouch 12 may be made from a heat insulation material that is relatively inexpensive such that the end product is relatively inexpensive to make and produce.
  • the pouch may be the end product that can be used in conjunction with any third party manufacturer of an infusible substance, such as a tea product sold in a bag, or the end product may be the pouch being used as part of the infusible substance .
  • One aspect of the disclosure may include the cord 14 joined to the bag 10 in a plurality of locations. Accordingly, as the bag 10 is drawn into the pouch 12, the cord 14 may contact the pouch 12 in a plurality of locations, which may cause the bag 10 to align with a bottom opening 24 of the pouch 12, to thereby facilitate drawing the bag 10 into the pouch 12. It will be understood that where the cord 14 has a single strand in contact with the pouch 12, the bag 10 may be allowed to rotate freely with respect to the pouch 12. However, one embodiment of the cord 14 may have a bifurcation 26 such that different portions of the cord 14 become separated at an increasing distance toward the bag 10 to form a tapered or triangular shape.
  • This tapered configuration of the cord 14 may facilitate drawing the bag 10 into the pouch 12 as an upper portion of the bifurcation 26 may easily enter the pouch 12, and as the bifurcation 26 is drawn into the pouch 12, the bag 10 may automatically become aligned with the opening 24 due to contact of cord 14 at the bifurcation 26 with the pouch 12.
  • the bifurcation 26 in the cord 14 may be formed of two or more strands of equal or different sizes, as compared to the remainder of the cord 14. Accordingly, the principles of the disclosure may be used to facilitate drawing the bag 10 into the pouch 12 without requiring the side portions 22 of the pouch 12 to be opened. It will be understood that the bifurcation 26 in the cord 14 may start at any suitable location along the length of the cord 14.
  • the cord 14 may be attached to the bag 10 at any suitable location to create a desired configuration of the cord 14 to guide the bag 10 into the pouch 12.
  • an alternative embodiment dispensing device is shown, indicated generally at 5a.
  • the presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure illustrated herein are merely exemplary of the possible embodiments of the disclosure, including that illustrated in FIG. 5.
  • FIGS. 5-11 may contain many of the same structures represented in FIGS. 1-4. New or different structures will be explained to most succinctly describe the additional advantages that come with the embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in FIGS. 5-11.
  • FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a device 5a having a cover 28 positioned over a cord 14a.
  • the cover 28 may be formed of paper or plastic or any other suitable material.
  • the cover 28 may be fixed or moveable with respect to the cord 14a. It will be understood that the cover 28 may have a tapered configuration to guide the bag 10a into the pouch 12a in a manner similar to the bifurcation 26 in the cord 14 as previously discussed. Accordingly, the cord 14a may have a single strand attached to the bag 10a at a single location.
  • FIG. 6 depicts a dispenser device 5b, a cord 14b that may be formed of a flat strip having a tapered shape to facilitate drawing the bag 10b into the pouch 12b in proper alignment. It will be understood that the cord 14b may be formed of any suitable material, such as paper or plastic, in any suitable configuration within the scope of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 7 an embodiment of the dispensing device is shown, indicated generally at 5c.
  • the device 5c may include a pouch 12c having a seal shape 30.
  • the alternative seal shape 30 may be configured to direct the flow of liquid out the bottom 24c.
  • the alternative seal shape 30 may be configured to prevent the tab 15c or bag 10c from passing through the pouch 12c. It will be understood that various other different seal configurations may be used within the principles of the disclosure.
  • the device 5d may include a pouch 12d having flaps 32 that may be pulled to open the seal in the pouch 12d.
  • the flaps 32 may be formed in any suitable configuration to allow a portion of the pouch 12d to be grasped to open the pouch 12d. It will be understood that an embodiment may have the flaps 32 located on different sides or locations of the pouch 12d, and other embodiments may have different quantities of flaps 32, or the flaps 32 may be used in combination with portions that may be torn to be removed from the pouch.
  • FIG. 9 one embodiment of a dispensing device 5e is shown.
  • the device 5e may have a cord 14e comprising a plurality of strands 34, such as four strands 34.
  • the strands 34 may be attached to the bag 1Oe in any suitable configuration. It will be understood that any quantity of strands 34 may be used within the principles of the disclosure.
  • the pouch 12f and bag 1Of may be formed in any suitable size, shape, or configuration.
  • the pouch 12f may include a tapered configuration, increasing in width from top to bottom such that the bottom 24f may be larger than the top. This may facilitate drawing the bag 1Of into the pouch 12f .
  • the bag 1Of may have a corresponding tapered shape, or alternatively, the bag may have a different shape, for example, a cone or a disk, within the scope of the disclosure.
  • the pouch 12g may have a substantial pyramid shape and the bag 1Og may have a corresponding shape.
  • One embodiment of the pouch 12g may have a flap 32g that may be peeled off to open the pouch 12g. It will be understood that the device 5g may be formed in various other configurations within the scope of the disclosure.
  • the components of the disclosure may be formed of any suitable material using any known manufacturing technique within the scope of the disclosure.
  • the device 5 may be manufactured using a form fill and seal technique known in the art.
  • a useful method of making an infusible substance includes: placing the infusible substance in a bag; joining a cord with the bag; sealing the bag and the cord in a pouch, such that the pouch is used insert the bag therein and to squeeze said bag after said bag is removed from a liquid to force the liquid out of said bag.
  • a useful method of for dispensing an infusible substance includes : providing an infusible substance in a bag, wherein a cord is joined to the bag such that the bag and cord are sealed in a pouch; opening an upper portion and a lower portion of the pouch to access the cord and allow the bag to pass through the pouch; passing the cord through the pouch such that the bag is located beneath the pouch and the cord extends out the upper portion of the pouch; placing the bag in a liquid; withdrawing the bag from the liquid and pulling the bag into the pouch with the cord; squeezing the pouch with the bag inside to force liquid out of the bag.
  • a feature of the disclosure to provide a device for dispensing an infusible substance that is simple in design, manufacture, and operation. Another feature of the disclosure is to provide such a dispensing device that is relatively inexpensive to make and manufacture. Another feature of the disclosure is to provide such a dispensing device that can be used to improve cleanliness of the dispensing procedure. It is a further feature of the disclosure, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide a dispensing device that allows excess fluid to be removed from the device. Another feature of the disclosure is to provide a dispensing device that is insulated.
  • the disclosure may be directed to an apparatus and method for dispensing an infusible substance (such as tea) in a liquid from a porous bag and then discharging excess liquid from the bag.
  • the bag may be drawn up and contained inside a pouch and liquid may be squeezed out of the bag.
  • the pouch can then be handled without touching any wet portion of the bag.
  • the pouch can also be placed on a surface, substantially protecting the surface from exposure to any residual liquid still contained in the bag.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de distribution d'une substance infusable, et un procédé d'utilisation du dispositif. Le dispositif peut comporter un sachet destiné à maintenir la substance infusable. Une ficelle peut être fixée au sachet pour manipuler le sachet. Le sachet et la ficelle peuvent être contenus hermétiquement dans une pochette pour conserver la fraîcheur de la substance infusable. Le dispositif peut être utilisé en ouvrant une partie supérieure et une partie inférieure de la pochette de sorte que la ficelle s'étende à l'extérieur de la partie supérieure et que le sachet s'étende au-dessous de la pochette. Le sachet peut être placé dans un liquide pour distribuer la substance infusable. Le sachet peut alors être tiré à l'intérieur de la pochette à l'aide de la ficelle et la pochette peut être pressée pour comprimer l'excès de fluide à l'extérieur du sachet. Le sachet peut être jeté à l'intérieur de la pochette pour continuer d'améliorer la propreté de la procédure de distribution.
PCT/US2008/066370 2007-06-08 2008-06-09 Distributeur de substance infusable WO2008154520A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US93381107P 2007-06-08 2007-06-08
US60/933,811 2007-06-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008154520A1 true WO2008154520A1 (fr) 2008-12-18

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ID=40130184

Family Applications (1)

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PCT/US2008/066370 WO2008154520A1 (fr) 2007-06-08 2008-06-09 Distributeur de substance infusable

Country Status (1)

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WO (1) WO2008154520A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102012001900B4 (de) * 2011-02-01 2014-03-27 Teepack Spezialmaschinen Gmbh & Co. Kg Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Verpackungseinheit für nicht rechteckige Aufgussgetränkebeutel
WO2014170653A1 (fr) * 2013-04-18 2014-10-23 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Récipient
GB2583955A (en) * 2019-05-15 2020-11-18 Milne Downie Donald Tea bag assembly

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4735810A (en) * 1986-11-07 1988-04-05 Dacal Manuel G Coffee infusion bag
US5620724A (en) * 1993-07-26 1997-04-15 Adler; Richard S. Drink container with holder for used concentrate packet
US20070087083A1 (en) * 2005-10-18 2007-04-19 Riley William T Tea bag cozy

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4735810A (en) * 1986-11-07 1988-04-05 Dacal Manuel G Coffee infusion bag
US5620724A (en) * 1993-07-26 1997-04-15 Adler; Richard S. Drink container with holder for used concentrate packet
US20070087083A1 (en) * 2005-10-18 2007-04-19 Riley William T Tea bag cozy

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102012001900B4 (de) * 2011-02-01 2014-03-27 Teepack Spezialmaschinen Gmbh & Co. Kg Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Verpackungseinheit für nicht rechteckige Aufgussgetränkebeutel
WO2014170653A1 (fr) * 2013-04-18 2014-10-23 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Récipient
US10463071B2 (en) 2013-04-18 2019-11-05 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Container
GB2583955A (en) * 2019-05-15 2020-11-18 Milne Downie Donald Tea bag assembly

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