WO2014030175A1

WO2014030175A1 - Air-venting filter bag with hooked handle, for the preparation of beverages obtained by infusion, also of coffee

Info

Publication number: WO2014030175A1
Application number: PCT/IT2012/000257
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mateo MEALLI
Original assignee: Mealli Mateo
Priority date: 2012-08-21
Filing date: 2012-08-21
Publication date: 2014-02-27
Also published as: WO2014030175A8

Abstract

A filter bag (B) is provided with means (14, 16) for venting the air, with supporting and gripping elements (M) for anchoring it in a verti- cal position to the rim of the container (for example, a teacup, a cof- fee cup, a teapot with lid, a drinking glass, or the like) that contains the hot water, and with means to facilitate contact of the water with the product contained in the bag. Said features, by guaranteeing ex- it of air and engagement to the container and increasing the effective- ness of exchange of the active principle, make it possible to use of a smaller amount of product as compared to current use and to obtain a better quality of the infusion.

Description

AIR-VENTING FILTER BAG WITH HOOKED HANDLE, FOR THE PREPARATION OF BEVERAGES OBTAINED BY INFUSION, ALSO OF COFFEE

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DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the sector of infusions and more in particular to a filter bag, which is anchored to supports that may be aromatized or not, is made of compatible material, is innovative, is provided with means for venting the air, and is constrained by means of said supports in a vertical position to the rim of the container (e.g., a teacup, a coffee cup, a teapot with lid, a drinking glass, or the like) that contains the hot water. Said features, which can be applied to any type of bag so as to guarantee the exchange of air. and engagement to the container, increasing the effectiveness of the exchange of the active principle, make it possible to use a smaller amount of product as compared to the current use and to facilitate the contact of the water or other liquid with the product contained in the bag.

So-called tea bags commercially available today are the result of a long process of research that started from the original silk sachet of 1904, to gauze sachets during the first world war, finally arriving in the 1950s at the normally double-chamber filter-paper sachets, folded in such a way as not to require adhesive materials, to guarantee a fast infusion of acceptable quality.

However, current paper filter bags present a serious drawback that has not so far been solved, namely, that of the air that spontaneously forms within the filter when it is set in contact with the boiling water for infusion.

It is well known in fact that filters for infusion present the defect of swelling up with air precisely because they are subjected to the high temperature of the water. The physical principle that characterizes swelling of the filter is that water at a temperature just below boiling point, coming into contact with the filter, heats up the air present inside the filter itself suddenly, causing a considerable increase in volume thereof. At this point, the moistened filter, having the microholes obstructed by the presence of the particles of water, does not enable the air present in the filter to come out. Said swelling prevents the substance contained in the filter from exchanging its active principles in a complete way with the infusion water, thus causing an infusion of lower quality than expected.

The task of the present invention is to overcome said drawback by providing a filter bag, characterized in that it is provided with:

- fixing and supporting means of its own that will enable engagement thereof, in a vertical position, to the rim of the container that contains the liquid in which the bag itself is to be immersed; and

- one or more venting ducts facing upwards, designed to enable outlet of the air that spontaneously forms within the filter bag when it is immersed in the boiling water for infusion.

The passage of the air through the purposely provided vents enables the substance in the filter to exchange the active principles in a complete way even from the bottom of the filter bag, enabling the expected result to be obtained, namely, an infusion of excellent quality.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing detailed description with reference to the attached plates of drawings, which show purely by way of non- limiting example some preferred embodiments of the invention. In the plates of drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the filter bag according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows the element, made of semi-rigid material, which functions as grip or handle and as element for anchorage of the filter-paper sachet to the cup or container of the hot water, according to the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows the filter bag of Figure 1 partially open . in order to illustrate the bellows- like element that joins the two handles of the gripping element of Figure 1 at the bottom;

Figure 4 shows an envelope, designed to contain said filter bag, in the open condition;

Figure 5 shows a filter bag inserted in said envelope before this is closed;

Figures 6 and 7 show the envelope when it is perfectly closed and after the closing tab has been taken out;

Figure 8 shows the filter bag of Figure 1 when it is immersed in the container or in the cup of hot water for infusion;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of the gripping element, where the bellows that functions as spring to keep the two chambers of the filter bag set apart during infusion is vertical; and

Figure 10 shows the development in plan view of the handle for support and anchorage of the filter bag, according to the embodiment of Figure 9, where the bellows join the two halves of the handle vertically .

With reference to the figures, the dimensions of the filter bag are comparable to those of classic bags for infusions currently commercially available, except for the length, since they are shorter, thus enabling a considerable saving of material.

In a preferred embodiment, the filter bag, designated as a whole by B, is basically constituted by a tubular sachet F of filter paper similar to the one that constitutes current tea/camomile bags. According to a peculiar characteristic of the present invention, said sachet is provided with two openings 14,16, for venting the air, at its two shorter ends, which are fixed to an element M made of stiffer material that serves both for handling the sachet by replacing the traditional string, and for anchoring the sachet itself to the rim of the container containing the water for infusion, keeping it completely immersed in the water itself, folded back in such a way as to enable use of a lid with which to close the cup or other container.

The sachet F of filter paper according to the invention is folded in half lengthwise with a concertina-like fold 6 facing inwards or with a single fold so as to form two substantially parallel chambers 8,10, aimed at receiving the powdered product for infusion, in each of which the respective opening 14,16 for venting the air faces upwards.

In a preferred 'embodiment, the gripping and anchoring element M is made of a material having a semi-rigid consistency, such as for example a light cardboard or the like and has the shape of a pair of tweezers with two handles with vertical development Ml, M2, which can be easily engaged to the rim of cups, teapots with lids, or containers in general. The two handles Ml, M2,. are joined together, at the bottom or laterally, by a concertina-like fold 18, which tends to keep them set apart whilst at the top end the handles themselves extend like a square to form two horizontal arms 15, from each of which there extends downwards a pair of plane appendages, or strips, 19, set linearly apart from one another, each pair being fixed to one of the top edges of the tubular sachet F provided with vents for the air.

Fixing of the tubular sachet F to the strips 19 is obtained in a way such that the two openings for venting the air 14,16 come to correspond to a free gap L obtained between one strip and the other, ensuring free venting of the air during infusion.

Advantageously, the ducts for venting the air, the filter bag, and the supporting and engagement handle are all made of biodegradable material, for proper disposal thereof after use.

To prevent accidental exit of the material contained in the filter bag B, according to a further characteristic of the invention, there is purposely provided an envelope 20, thanks to which, once a filter bag B has been introduced therein, the air vents 14,16 are occluded during packaging until the bag is taken out for use.

For this purpose, in fact, the closing flap 22 of this envelope 20 is provided with a folded tab 24 designed to be inserted in a slit 26 made on the walls of the envelope itself. At packaging, the filter bag B is inserted within said envelope 20 in such a way that said folded tab 24 passes through the free gap L, between the two pairs of anchoring strips 19, occluding both- air vents 14, 16 of the filter bag B itself, without damaging the latter.

Figure 3 shows in detail how the tubular sachet F is divided by the bellows-like fold 6 into the two chambers 8 and 10 containing the powdered product for infusion, and how the air vent 14, 16 of each of said chambers opens at the port L comprised between the pairs of strips 19 of each portion Ml, M2 of the handle M.

In the example illustrated in Figure 3, along the entire longitudinal axis of the sachet F a tubular duct 12 for venting the air is provided, which communicates externally with the openings 14 and 16 of the two chambers 8 and 10.

To ensure that the bag stays in a vertical position during infusion, the support M is made of semi-rigid material, for example light cardboard or the like, that is fixed in a known way to the free ends of the sachet.

From what has been said so far it is evident that the passage of air through the vents made in the filter bag enables the substance contained therein to transfer its active principles to the water in a complete way and also from the bottom of the filter bag, thus achieving the desired result, an infusion of excellent quality.

At this point, the advantageous functions performed by the supporting/engagement handle, as described, are to be noted.

The first function of the supporting/engagement handle is to keep the bag in the vertical position, which is the one that provides the maximum immersion of the bag in the water for infusion.

The second function of the supporting/engagement handle is to enable, thanks to the presence of the bellows-like or concertina-like element 18, the two halves of the filter bag to be kept appropriately set apart from one another in order to maximize the efficiency of infusion and exchange between the substance in the bag and the water in which it is immersed .

In the first embodiment illustrated (Figure 1), the bellows-like element joins the two halves of the supporting/engagement handle at their bottom ends. Alternatively, as may be seen in Figure 10, the bellows-like element joins the two handles vertically throughout their length.

Moreover envisaged, according to one variant of the invention, is the fact that the handle is aromatized in an environment containing the desired essence so as to release, during infusion, said aroma to the beverage obtained.

The invention has been described with reference to some preferred embodiments provided merely by way of example. It is evident, however, that numerous variations and modifications may be made by persons skilled in the branch, without thereby departing from the sphere of protection of the present invention, as defined by the ensuing claims.

Claims

1. A filter bag for the preparation of beverages obtained by infusion, such as for example tea, coffee, camomile, tisanes, etc., characterized in that it is provided with:

- gripping, fixing, and supporting means of its own that enable engagement thereof, in a vertical position, to the rim of the container, teacup, or coffee cup containing the liquid in which the bag itself is to be immersed; and

one or more venting ducts facing upwards, designed to enable exclusively outlet of the air that spontaneously forms within the filter bag when it is immersed in boiling water for infusion;

wherein passage of the air through the purposely provided vents enables the substance present in the filter, without the possibility of exiting therefrom, to infuse its active principles in the water or in another liquid in a complete way, also from the bottom of the filter bag, to obtain an infusion of excellent quality.

2. The filter bag according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is basically constituted by a tubular filter-paper sachet similar to the one that constitutes current tea/camomile bags, in which said sachet is provided with two openings for venting the air, which are set at the two shorter ends fixed to the supporting/engagement handle, as well as by said gripping means that are constituted by an element made of stiffer material that serves both for handling the sachet, replacing the traditional string, and for anchoring the sachet itself to the rim of the container containing the water for infusion, keeping it completely immersed in the water itself.

3. The filter bag according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the filter-paper sachet is folded in half lengthwise with a concertina-like fold facing the inside thereof so as to form two substantially parallel chambers that are to receive the powdered product for infusion, in each of which the opening for venting the air faces upwards.

4. The filter bag according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized in that the gripping and anchoring element is made of a material having a semi-rigid consistency, such as for example a light cardboard or compatible biodegradable plastic and has the shape of a pair of tweezers with two handles with vertical development that can be easily engaged to the rim of a cup or container; the two handles being joined together at their bottom ends or laterally, by concertina-like folds, whilst at the top ends they extend like a square to form two horizontal arms, from each of which there extends downwards a pair of plane appendages or strips set linearly apart from one another, which are fixed to the top edges of the tubular sachet without hindering venting of the air.

5. The filter bag according to the preceding claim, characterized in that fixing of the tubular sachet to the strips is such that the two openings for venting the air come to correspond to a free gap between one strip and the other, ensuring free venting of the air during infusion.

6. The filter bag according to the preceding claim, characterized in that to prevent accidental exit of the material contained in the filter bag, an envelope is purposely provided thanks to which the air vents are occluded during packaging; for said purpose, the flap for closing said envelope being provided with a folded tab designed to be inserted in a slit made on the walls of the envelope itself or alternatively with adhesive or the like.

7. The filter bag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is constituted by a tubular sachet (F), which is divided by a bellows-like fold (6) into two chambers (8 and 10) containing the powdered substance for infusion, each of which is provided with an opening (14, 16) for venting the air.

8. The filter bag according to the preceding claim, characterized in that along the entire longitudinal axis of the tubular sachet (F) a tubular duct (12) for venting the air is obtained, which communicates externally with said openings (14 and 16) of the two chambers (8 and 10) .

9. The filter bag according to Claim 7, characterized in that the concertina-like or bellows- like part (18) that joins the two halves (Ml, M2 ) of the handle (M) at their bottom ends or laterally keeps the two halves (8,10) of the tubular sachet (F) appropriately set apart in order to maximize the efficiency of infusion and exchange between the substance in the bag and the water in which it is immersed .

10. The filter bag according to Claim 1, characterized in that the ducts for venting the air, the filter bag, and the supporting and engagement means are all made of biodegradable material, for proper disposal thereof after use.

11. The filter b¾g according to Claim 5, characterized in that fixing of the tubular sachet to the strips is obtained by means of mechanical anchoring systems, without the use of glues or adhesives .

For the Applicant,

The Representative