AU662099B2

AU662099B2 - Improved infusion bag

Info

Publication number: AU662099B2
Application number: AU74898/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Robert Raffaele
Original assignee: SHOMARLA Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-03-14
Filing date: 1991-03-13
Publication date: 1995-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-13
Also published as: AU7489891A

Description

WO 91/13580 PCT/AU910093 -1- IMPROVED INFUSION BAG FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to infusion bags and the like; more particularly, this invention concerns an improvement intended to overcome some of the drawbacks presently associated with such bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The infusion bags relevant to this invention are those of the type which contain a measured quantity of substance enclosed in a membrane. Such bags are intended for infusion, for example in a hot liquid, and may incorporate a handle to facilitate both the suspension of the bag in the infusion liquid and the removal of the bag from the liquid. In some forms, the handle constitutes a short length of string stapled or glued to the bag. The free end of the string may have a tag attached for easy handling.

The bag itself may take any number of configurations. The most common form of bag represents a simple envelope or pouch, with walls of a thin porous paper-type material sealed on all edges (the "single chamber" bag). Another form of bag comprises a short length of tube or similar material.

The free ends of the tube are fixed together so that the tube forms a loop which may be folded to any desired configuration (the "double chamber" or "flow-through" bag).

In yet another form, the bag may be spherical or drop-shaped. It is to be understood that the present WO 91/13580 PC/AU91/00093 invention is applicable to all types of infusion bags, whatever their precise shape.

It is well recognised that infusion bags have gained immense popularity in recent years. In particular, infusion bags containing tea or herbs are in common use in many parts of the world and billions of such bags are sold every year.

While an infusion bag has many advantages and is generally convenient to use, it does suffer from two major drawbacks.

The first arises after the bag has been immersed in the infusion liquid for the required period of time and it is desired to remoye the bag from the liquid. It is invariably the case that residual liquid drips from the bag as it is withdrawn and care must be taken to ensure that the dripping liquid does not wet or stain surrounding surfaces or material.

The second drawback relates to the extraction of maximum flavour from the infusion bag. Simple infusion is not always sufficient for this purpose. Where the infusion bag is provided with a handle, the bag may be stirred through the infusion liquid by using the handle to oscillate (or "jiggle") the bag through the liquid and this can aid extraction. However, this method falls short of effecting maximum extraction.

Both drawbacks have been recognised and there have been attempts to overcome the drawbacks. For example, where the WO 91/13580 PCr/AhU91/00093 -3infusion bag is intended to be used to produce a cup of tea, some users employ a teaspoon or similar implement to squash the teabag between the teaspoon and the internal surface of the cup. while this method can assist in extracting extra tea flavour from the bag, the method has very little success in preventing drips unless the bag can be held clear of the infusing liquid (hot water) during the operation. Normally, there is a maximum of two centimetres between the surface of the water in the cup and the lip of the cup. As a result, there is inadequate dry cup surface and the squashing method is not very effective. There is also the substantial danger that pressure on the inside surface of the cup, adjacent the lip, will cause the cup to tip and spill its contents.

In another prior art attempt to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks, a pair of tongs has been provided for squeezing infusion liquid and flavour from the bag. This method is somewhat more successful than the f 4 rst method described above. However, one of the main advantages of infusion bags is their convenience in terms of storage and transportation, as well as their low manufacturing cost. It is not always convenient to have access to a pair of tongs for use with infusion bags; the provision of one of more pairs of tongs in cartons of infusion bags would add substantially to costs.

More sophisticated attempts to overcome these problems are disclosed in US Patent No. 2,878,927 (Haley), in US Patent No. 3,327,550 (Christopher) and in US Patent No. 3,396,032

SHOMARLA\KR\

(McCrae et al). However, each of these attempts involves a combination of an external harness on the infusion bag coupled with complicated means for tightening the harness and squeezing the bag.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improvement which overcomes or substantially alleviates the drawbacks referred to above and whicih moreover is inexpensive to implement.

Accordingly, this invention provides an improved infusion bag having an apex, a base and a flexible handle, the bag including a chamber for containing infusable material and at least a portion of the flexible handle, the flexible handle entering the chamber at an entry point remote from the base and adapted to be slidable therethrough, the flexible handle being secured to the bag at a location remote from the apex, without penetration by the flexible handle of the exterior of the bag intermediate the entry point and the securement location, the flexible handle extending.movably within a substantial portion of the bag and being capable of compressing the bag by drawing the apex and the base towards one another.

The invention also provides a method of manufacturing an improved infusion bag, comprising the steps of forming a bag and incorporating in the bag at least a portion of the compression means.

In a preferred embodiment of the infusion bag of the invention, the flexible handle is a string, forming a loop secured to the bag in at least one location in addition to the base.

In use, the free end of the string (which may or may not have a tag attached) may be used to suspend the bag in the infusing liquid until it is desired to remove the bag from the liquid.

SHOMARLA\KR\

At that time, as the bag is lifted clear of the infusing liquid by means of the string, the bag is compressed by sliding the bag along the string towards the base of the bag.

This compression action removes a substantial portion of infusing liquid from the bag and may also have the effect of maximising extraction of flavour from the bag. It is found that once the compressive force on the bag is released, provided the bag is still above the surface of the infusing liquid, there is insufficient infusing liquid remaining in the bag to cause dripping.

The invention may be adapted to any configuration of infusion bag and may comprise systems other than that described above.

Some of those other systems are described below.

oo The flexible handle, which may be a string or the like, may consist of a multi-stranded string, with different strands being attached to various parts of the bag. The purpose of this configuration may be to enhance compression of the bag, or to facilitate manufacture, or both.

In another form of the invention, the string may form a loop which is fixed to the bag in one or more locations.

In yet another form of the invention, two or more strings may o' be provided in order to enhance compression of the bag and/or a al to facilitate manufacture.

The manner of fixing the string to the bag (or each string, if more than one) includes any method which is effective and convenient, including the use of knots, staples, glue, threading and the like. Depending on the effect desired, the method of fixing the string to the bag may permit the string to slide through the bag, or else the string may be anchored to

SHOMARLA\KR\

the bag at one or more sites so that the string cannot slide through the bag at those sites. The choice of manner of fixing the string to the bag in any given configuration will be determined by the objectives in each situation and the range of choices will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

If desired, the improved infusion bag according to the invention may include external means to facilitate compression of the bag. For example, where the handle is a short length of string it may be provided with a tag, button or similar device, slidably mounted on the string between the bag and the free end of the string, so that the device may be used to assist the compression by the user's fingers and to prevent scalding by e contact with hot infusing liquid. In this embodiment, the tag may be releasably fixed to the free end of the string so that the bag resembles a conventional bag, with the tag carrying the usual manufacturer's trade mark, for example. However, when the bag is to be compressed, the tag is released from the end of the string and is able to slide towards the bag as already described.

e•o Where the string is multi-stranded or more than one string is provided, it is preferred that the external means for see* facilitating compression of the bag, if used, are slidably mounted on all strands of the string or on all strings.

If desired, the bag may be manufactured so that the external means for facilitating compression of the bag (such as a tag) are an integral part of the bag. For example, the tag may comprise a part of the bag as described in Australian Patent No. 118,215 (Salisberg), with the zone where the tag joins the bag being weakened by perforations or the like, so that the tag, with string attached, may be detached from the remainder of the bag bf"ore infusion.

SHOMARLA\KR\ -7- The invention is applicable to both single and double chambered infusion bags, inter alia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Certain embodiments of the infusion bag of the invention are described below in connection with the Drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of an improved infusion bag according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of a second form of improved infusion bag in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a third embodiment of infusion bag;

S

atic view of a fourth embodiment; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a fourth embodiment; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of a fifth embodiment; and Figure 6 represents a schematic view of an embodiment of the infusion bag of the invention, especially suitable for containing coffee.

In the Drawings, like parts carry the same numbers for eas- of reference.

Referring first to Figure 1, bag 10 is of conventional envelope type ("single chamber") and contains tealeaves or other infusable material (not shown). Suspension string 12 passes through bag 10 (as shown in dotted outline) and is retained at a point on base 14 of bag 10 by a knot 16. String 12 also passes through apex 17 and tag 18 and is secured thereto by a weak staple or loop

SHOMARLA\KR\

To compress bag 10, tag 18 is urged towards bag 10 until loop releases the tag, which is then able to travel down s\ 'ig 12 to apex 17. Continued pressure on tag 18 towards base 14 while string 12 is held taut results in compression of bag with the resultant expulsion of liquid and flavour therefrom.

The infusion bag in Figure 2 is drop or tear-shaped. String 12 is secured inside bag 10 near base 14 by means of a staple or loop 22. Disc 24 on string 12 can be employed to assist compression of bag 10 in the same manner as tag 18 in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 3, bag 10 is of conventional envelope type ("single chamber") and contains tealeaves or other infusable ed. material (not shown). Suspension string 12 is double-stranded and enters bag 10 at aperture 30. Thereafter, the two strands of string 12 are separated into scrand 12a and strand 12b which are fixed to bag 10 at points 32 and 34. Strands 12a and 12b may be stapled or knotted to the bag at points 32 and 34. The use of knots at points 32 and 34 will obviously prevent strands 12a and 12b from sliding through the bag 10. On the other hand, the use of suitable staples will permit sliding of strands 12a and 12b.

06"- The choice of manner of fixing will determine the effect when bag 10 is compressed.

In Figure 4, string 12 forms a loop entering bag 10 at aperture 30 and is fixed to bag 10 at points 32, 34 and 36. The manner of fixing may be any of those described in connection with Figure 3.

In Figure 5, the configuration is similar to that in Figure 3, except that there are two strings 12c and 12d which enter bag at aperture 30. String 12c is fixed to bag 10 at point 32, while string 12d is fixed to bag 10 at point 34. In this case, SHOMARLA\KR\ -9the manner of fixing does not permit strings 12c and 12d to slide through bag 10, except via aperture 30. Strings 12c and 12d are linked together at 38 by knotting together or similar means.

In Figure 6, bag 10 has a base 14 with cutaway corners 44 and 46. String 12 is secured to base 14 by looped stitching 48, or by a staple (not shown).

As indicated, the present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the improved infusion bag of the invention, by o* forming the bag and incorporating in the bag at least a portion of the flexible handle.

S It will be apparent to one skilled to the art that other embodiments of the infusion bag of the invention may be manufactured in a similar or different manner. The invention is not to be limited by the specific examples referred to herein, but only by the attached claims.

o*

Claims

1. An improved infusion bag having an apex, a base, and a flexible handle, the bag including a chamber for containing infusable material and at least a portion of the flexible handle, the flexible handle entering the chamber at an entry point remote from the base and adapted to be slidable therethrough, the flexible handle being secured to the bag at a location remote from the apex, without penetration by the flexible handle of the exterior of the bag intermediate the entry point and the securement location, the flexible handle extending movably within a substantial portion of the bag and being capable of compressing the bag by drawing the apex and the base towards one another.

2. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claimi 1, wherein the flexible handle forms a loop having two ends, one end entering the chamber at the entry point and the other end entering the chamber at a second entry point remote from the base.

3. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible handle forms a loop having two ends, both of which enter the chamber at the entry point.

4. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the loop lies within the bag.

An improved infusion bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the infusable material is tea or coffee.

6. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 4, wherein the loop of the flexible handle is secured to the bag in at least one additional location.

7. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 6, wherein 9T there is a single additional location and it is at a second r \'\location remote from the apex. -11-

8. An improved infusion bag as claiimed in claim 6, wherein there are two or more additional locations, none of which is at the base.

9. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 1, which has a plurality of flexible handles.

An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 9, which has a total of two flexible handles, the second flexible handle entering the chamber at a nd entry point remote from the base and adapted to be slidable therethrough, the second flexible handle extending slidably through a substantial portion of the bag and being secured to the bag at a second S location remote from the apex.

11. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 9, which has a total of two flexible handles, the second flexible handle entering the chamber at the entry point and adapted to be slidable therethrough, the second flexible handle extending slidably through a substantial portion of the bag and being secured to the bag at a second location remote from the apex.

12. An improved infusion bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the or each entry point is at the apex.

13. An improved infusion bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the or each securement location is at the base.

14. An improved infusion bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the or each securement location is inside the bag.

An improved infusion bag a claimed in claim 13, wherein the or each securement location is outside the bag.

16. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 13, wherein the flexible handle penetrates the exterior of the bag at the -or each securement location. -12-

17. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein one of the securement location is inside the bag while the other is outside the bag.

18. An improved infusion bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the flexible handle is secured to the bag in the or each securement location by the use of a knot, stitching, a staple, a loop or glue, or any combination thereof.

19. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the flexible handle is secured to the bag by threading the handle through the bag.

20. An improved infusion bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the flexible handle is slidably secured to the bag at the or each securement location.

21. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the flexible handle is not slidable at each securement location.

22. An improved infusion bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the bag has a single chamber. do

23. An improved infusion bag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, which further includes means external of the bag to facilitate compression of the bag.

24. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 23, wherein the external means comprise a tag, button or the like slidably mounted on the or all handles outside the bag.

An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 24, wherein the external means form an integral part of the bag during manufacture and are adapted to be separated from the bag for use. -13-

26. An improved infur 1 bag as claimed in claim 23 as dependent on any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the external means comprise a tag, button or the like, one of which is slidably mounted on each handle outside the bag.

27. An improved infusion bag as c'-imed in claim 1, wherein the flexible handle is divisible into a plurality of strands.

28. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 27, wherein the flexible handle divides into the plurality of strands after entering the chamber at the entry point, at least one of the strands being secured to the bag at the point remote from the apex. *0

29. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 28, wherein the remaining strands are secured to the bag. S'

30. A method of manufacturing an improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of forming the bag and incorporating in the bag at least a portion of the flexible handle.

31. An improved infusion bag as claimed in claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. 3* o Dated this twentysecond day of June, 1995 SHOMARLA PTY LIMITED By its Patent Attorney KERRY MOORE CHRYSILIOU