GB2388361A

GB2388361A - Infusion package

Info

Publication number: GB2388361A
Application number: GB0309244A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Finan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-25
Filing date: 2003-04-24
Publication date: 2003-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-24
Also published as: GB2388361B; GB0309244D0

Abstract

The infusion package is provided from at least two pieces 2, 4 of joined sheet material and provided in a form such that when the same is moved to an erected form such as, for example, by the immersion of the package in liquid, the package takes a three dimensional form of for example a sphere or cube. The ability to take this form means that the tea or coffee or other material 20 held within the package can diffuse through the perforated sheet material more effectively into the liquid as there is a greater area of sheet material through which the beverage can flow. In order to make a cube-shaped package instead of a sphere as shown, each piece 2, 4 is rectangular (Figures 8 to 11). To make either shape, the pieces 2, 4 are folded into C-shape as shown and sealed together at 6, 8. One of the pieces 2 may be slightly narrower than the other 4.

Description

1 238836 1

Infusion Package The invention which is the subject of this applieatic.n relates to an infusion package of the type used to contain a leaf fir granular material and which, when a liquid, such as water, is added to the same allows the liquid to pass through the walls of the package, mix with the granular or leaf material and then leave the package carrying flavour and eolour imparted by the material. 'this type of infusion package is most typically used to enclose tea leaves or coffee granules and are commonly known as tea bags or coffee bags.

The use of infusion packages is well known and many millions of the same are sold each year. l'hc sales c:' f this type of package represents a significant commercial business and, as such, the marketing of the same is aggressive by the manufacturers. As a result, development of variations of infusion packages is also well known in recent times.

Traditionally, the infusion package has been fr>rmled frog-- two square or rectangular pieces of partially perforated and/or permeable paper material which are welded together around their respective peripheries to form an enclosed pouch in which the tea leaves are stored. This form of package is still sold in significant numbers. The next development has been to form the infusion pack-cly,e ifs one same traditional manner with the exception that two circular pieces of the sheet material are used thus forming an infusion package which in front and rear views has a circular shape.

The most recent significant development has been the formation of what is known as a "pyramid" shaped infusion package which is again formed from two pieces of rectangular sheet material which are twisted when their peripheries are joined together so as to form a pyramid shaped effect.

These developments have been driven by producers, sometimes for perceived technical benefit in the tea or coffee drink produced but most commonly by marketing strategy in an attempt to differentiate one product from another to the customer.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an infusion package which is of a form to provide technical benefit in the drink of tea or coffee produced as a result of use of the package and also to provide a method and apparatus for formation of the package of the invention which is both practical and efficient.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an infusion package, said package formed from at least two pieces of sheet material shaped such that when joined together the infusion package formed is substantially spherical in shape and a material to be infused with liquid is held within the same.

In one embodiment, the infusion package takes a spherical form when liquid is added to the same or the package is immersed in liquid. ., typically the sheet material used is conventional material normally used in the formation of infusion packages.

l'he infusion package is preferably formed from two pieces of the sheet material, referred to as flats, each of substantially the same shape and joined together. An example of the mathematical formula preferred to be used in the formation of the flats and the infusion package is defined in the website with the address htt.p://www.matIsoft.com/a. solve/baseball/baseball.html. I ypieally the outline dimension of each of the sheet material pieces is calculated in accordance with the mathematical equation and then either one or both of the pieces has additional portions of material defined which

serve to define the portions used to join the pieces of the sheet material together to form the package.

typically one of the pieces of sheet material is slightly narrower in dimension than the other In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the formation of an infusion package having a substantially spherical shape, said method comprising the step of forming from sheet material at least two pieces or flats of substantially the same shape, with joining portions formed thereon, taking a first of said pieces of material and forming the same into a substantially C shape having a base, side and top portion defining a gap opposing the side portion, taking the second of said pieces and forming the same into a substantially C: shape having a base side and top portion, supplying a quantity of tea or coffee material to kc on the first piece and moving the second piece of material, which is reversed and rotated 90 degrees with respect to the first piece of material, to bring the side portion of the second piece to lie in the gap defined by the first piece to allow the respective joining portions of the first and second pieces to be joined and sealed to seal the tea or coffee material in the package having a substantially spherical shaF'c.

Typically the first and second pieces of material are held in respective holders in the ( shape by vacuum acting on the sheet material. Typically the holder of the first piece of sheet material includes a hollowed section at the base portion so as to define the area into which the coffee or tea material is added.

In one embodiment the holder of the first piece of sheet material can be tilted to aid the addition of the lea or coffee material from supply means.

In a further embodiment one or both of the holders is sectioned along its length, with the section edges substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the holder. Typically the holder is moved to the (shape by relative angular displacement of the sections. In one embodiment, vacuum means are provided to act on at least some of the sections to retain the flat or piece of infusion package material in position.

Preferably each holder includes flanges around the periphery, said flanges attached or provided as integral parts <'f respective sections of the holder. Yet further it is preferred that the flanges are angled with respect to the sections and have overlying portions which overlie an adjacent flange.

I'referably the infusion package section on the holder and the holder itself are dimensioned such that the infusion package material periphery is at <'r extends beyon<1 the periphery of the holder flanges. Preferably the portions <'f the infusion package material which lie on the flanges of the respective holders are brought together during the formation of the infusion package and sealed together to form the paekagc.

The joining together of the respective joining portions of the first and second pieces of sheet material can typically be achieved using conventional joining techniques for the material used.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an infusion package, said package comprising material held therein for the application of liquid to the same to form a beverage, said infusion package formed Of at least two portions of sheet material, said portions of sheet material joined together along common edges

brought together, and wherein the edges of the first portion of material which are brought into contact with the edges of the second portion number 5 or more.

In one embodimcot, the infusion package, when formed, is substantially cubic in shape.

Preferably, each of the portions of sheet material has a series of flanges provided along the edges thereof, each provided for mutual engagement with a flange of the other portion of material.

In one embodiment, twit portions Of material are used and are substantially of the same shape and, to form the infusion package, the tw' pc:,rti'ns arc brought together with one reversed and provided at a 90" <orientation with respect to the other.

Typically, prior to joining together, each portion of material is moved to a substantially C-shapcd section shape such that each portion has two end parts connected by an inermccliaie part with the flanges of same connected t' flanges provided on the , corresponding part of said second portion.

. Typically, the flanges provided along the edges of the said portion arc provided with slots at spaced locations, said slots defining the part of the flanges at which a fold is required. In addition, angled slots can be provided at the corners of the portion so as to ensure that when the portion is folded, the flanges at each of the corners lie in respective planes at substantially 45" with respect to the adjacent end parts of the sheet material.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming an infusion package to allow the same to take a substantially cubic shape when formed, said method comprising

forming two portions of sheet material, each portion substantially rectangular in form and having flange portions provided along the peripheral edges of the same, folding each of the sheet portions around two spaced fold lines to form each portion into three parts, two end parts spaced by an intermediate part, orientating one of the folded sheet material portions with respect to the other such that the same lies in the reverse configuration to the first and at 90" with respect to the first, manipulating the two sheet portions to bring the same together and joining together the common flange edges to form the infusion package.

It should be noted that mention to cubic and spherical infusion packages should be interpreted to include variations in the shape of the same where the same principals of assembly and production have been adapted.

l'he formation of an infusion package in accordance with this invention allows an infusion package to be provided which has an increased volume with respect to conventional packages without any additional material being used. 'this therefore provides the .. manufacturer with two advantageous features. 'l'he first is that they .. can utilise the same material as previously to provide a package with improved volume and hence, it is believed, improved flavour and colour pick up from the tea or coffee material in the bag by the liquid passing therethrough, thus leading to an improved cup of tea or coffee to the user. In addition or alternatively, the manufacturer has the option to save costs by reducing the amount of material they use to form the package of the invention in comparison to the conventional package, yet still have a volume comparable with conventional packages and therefore maintain the quality of the drink produced while saving costs.

A yet further advantage is that the package of the invention is visually different and as such represents a significant marketing opportunity. Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Iigure I illustrates the first and second pieces of sheet material used to form the infusion package of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates the relative orientation of the pieces of sheet material of Figure I when used to form the package; Figure 3 illustrates the infusion package formed in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 illustrates in schematic fashion the steps followed in a method for forming the infusion package in accordance with one ernbodimlent of the invention.

, I-igure 5 illustrates a first holder in accordance with a second f embodiment for forming the package; Figure 6 illustrates the second embodiment of the method for forming the infusion package; leisure 7 illustrates a detailed view of the sealing arrangement between infusion package portions; Figure 8 illustrates one of the portions of sheet material in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

( t Figure 9 illustrates one of the portions of sheet material of Figure 8 folded, Figure 10 illustrates two of the portions of sheet material of Ligure 8 orientated prior to joining together; and Figure 11 illustrates an infusion package formed in accordance with the invention in the embodiment of Figures 8-10.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated two pieces of sheet material 2,4, each formed from material conventionally used for infusion packages. Each of the pieces is of substantially the same shape although typically the piece 2 is slightly narrower than the piece 4 in accordance with the mathematical calculations undertaken to ensure that the two pieces, when joined together, form a substantially spherical shape. leach of the portions is also provided with joining portions of material 6, 8 respectively to allow the same to be joined together.

Figure 2 illustrates the manner in which the two pieces of sheet material 2,4 arc oriented to allow the same to be joined together to ., form the package. It will be seen that both pieces are C shaped when joined together with each defining a gap 10,12 respectively.

the pieces are oriented such that the gaps 10,12 face each other and one piece, in this case piece 4, oriented 90 degrees with respect to the c'thcr. The pieces can then be brought together as indicated by arrows 14, 16 to form the spherical shape as shown in Figure 3 which also illustrates a portion of tea 20 enclosed within the package formed by joining the joining portions 6,8.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is illustrated in schematic fashion a method for forming the infusion package. The method comprises the following steps:

stamp out 20 two pieces of sheet material, 2,4 to the required dimension and shape.

HI eke the first piece 4 and retain in a holder 22, said holder having a hollowed portion 24, Take the second piece and retain in a holder 26 in the reversed and 90 degree orientation to the first holder 22, Supply a quantity 26 of the material to be held in the package onto the first piece of material in the area of the hollowed portion 24 of the holder; Move the holder 27 towards the first holder to bring the first and second pieces into engagement ripply sealing means 28 to join the joining portions 6,8 and form the package ir1 the spherical shape.

, <, Release vacuum and remove holders, package progresses \, packaging. It should be appreciated that with mechanization this method can be accomplished in a matter of seconds or less.

Figures 5 and G illustrate a second embolimeut of the method of forming an infusion package in accordance with the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 5' there is illustrated an embodiment of one of the holders 30 used in the method. the holder' which can typically be manufactured from metal or other suitable material, is of a similar shape to the portion of the infusion package to be

placed thereon. The holder, which is shown in a flattened form, comprises a series of sections 32 with the elongate edges of the same running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 34 of the holder. fiche number of sections provided can be selected to allow sufficient angular displacement of the sections to allow the same to be formed into a substantially (-shape in cross section. Mach section is provided with a flange portion 34 and each flange portion is provided with an overlying portion 36 which overlaps the adjacent flange 34 as illustrated along the periphery of the holder.

In this case, each section is provided with a vacuum port 38 to which vacuum creating means can be attached and which allow the infusion package portion, when applied to the holder, to be held on the holder by vacuum. Furthermore, actuating means 38 are shown in Figure 6 which act on the holder to move the same to the C position. Also shown in Figure 6, the flange portions 34 are angled with respect to the sections such that when the infusion package portions 40 lie in the same, the periphery of the portions lie outwardly as illustrated and typically overhang the edge of the flanges 34. With respect to Figure 6 there is shown the two holders 30, 30' which are angularly oriented 90 and each has held thereon an infusion package portion 40. The holder 30 is therefore moved by actuating means 38 to a C position as shown by arrows 42 and the holder 30' is moved to a C position but angularly disposed 90t'.

With the first and second holders 30, 30' in the (I positions, the same are moved together as indicated by arrows 44 and the flanges engage, as shown in detail in Figure 7, which illustrates part of the interface between the holder 30 and 30' flanges and infusion package portions 40. The same can then be heat sealed and hence the infusion package in accordance with the invention is formed.

Figures 8-11 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 illustrates a first portion of sheet material 102 which comprises three parts 104, 1()6 and 108. Each part has a series of flanges 110 along the external edges of the same and a fold line 112 along the edge adjacent to a further part as shown. The flanges 110 are provided with overlapping portions 114 as shown and slotted portions 116 at the corners. 'lithe angle of the slotted portions 116 are such that when the flanges are angled, as shown in Figure 9, and with respect to the parts 118 of each part, the same lie at 45" to the body part and effectively the slots 116 are closed as illustrated in Figure 9. Thus, the portion as shown in l;igure 8 is moved about the fold lines 112 to a (--shape as illustrated in Figure 9 with the flanges 110 folded to depend outwardly from the edges of respective parts and should be available for joining to flanges formed on a further portion 120 of sheet material lithe first and second portions of sheet material 102, 1 2O, are both formed the same with, as shown in Figure 10, one of the portions, 120, orientated so as to be reversed once rotated 90" with rcsE'ccr TC) portion 102 as illustrated in Figure 10. This therefore allows the two portions of sheet material to be moved together as indicated by arrow 122 and, when they are moved together the flanges 110, 110' of the respective portions 102, 120 are welded together to join the two portions together and hence form the cubic infusion package 126 as shown in Figure 11.

Prior to the joining together of portions 102, 120, the leaf or granular material which is to be held in the infusion package can be introducecl to lie in one of the portions as illustrated in Figure 10 with the material indicated by reference numeral 124. Thus, when the portions 102, 120 are joined together as shown in L'igurc 11, the material 124 is trapped within the infusion package.

The machinery and method used tr' join together the portions can lie that described previously with respect to the previous embodiments lcscribcd, or may be any other suitable form of machinery and the sheet material used for the portions can be any suitable material such as that currently use to form infusion packages. As the sheet material is relatively thin and flexible, it is envisaged that when forming the packages, although not shown, farmers will be used to support and form the sheet material into the required C-c<nfigurations and cricntations for joining together.

During packaging the infusion packages will not be in the cubic form but when the walls are spaced apart and/or the package is placed in a liquid, the package is free to take the cubic shape which is possible due to the way in which the portions are jcincd together.

The specific cmlodiments therefore provide examples calf practical methods for manufacturing the infusion package of the invention.

The present invention therefore provides an infusion package which has significant advantages over the conventional packages and as such represents both commercial and usage advantages to the manufacturer and consumer alike.

Claims

1 An infusion packayc, said package formed from at least two pieces of sheet material shaped such that when joined together the infusion package can be moved to a substantially erected form upon contact with liquid and wherein the erected form is substantially spherical or cuboid in shape and a material to be infused with liquid is held within the same.

2 An infusion package according to claim I wherein the infusion package takes the substantially spherical or culoid form when liquid is added to the same fir the package is immersed in liquid.

3 An infusion package according to claim 1 wherein perforated sheet material is used to form the walls of the package.

4 An infusion package according to claim 1 wherein the package is formed from two pieces of sheet material, rcfcrred tr' as flats, each of subctantia!!y the same strap an d joined together.

5 An infusion package according to claim 1 wherein at least one elf the pieces used to form the infusion package includes additional material which serve to define the portions used to join the pieces of the sheet material together to form the package.

6 An infusion package according to claim 1 wherein when the shape is spherical one of the E,ieccs calf sheet material is slightly narrower in dimension than the other.

l !

7 An infusion package, said package comprising material held therein for the application of liquid to the same to form a beverage, said infusion package formed of at least two portions of sheet material, said portions of sheet material joined together along

common edges brought together, and wherein the edges of the first portion of material which are brought into contact with the edges of the second portion number 5 or more.

8 An infusion package according to claim 7 wherein the infusion package, when formed, is substantially cubic in shape.

9 An infusion package according to claim 7 wherein each of the portions of sheet material has a series of flanges provided along the edges thereof, each provided for mutual engagement with a flange of the other Portion of material.

10 An infusion package according to claim 8 wherein two portions of material are used and are substantially of the same shape and, to form the infusion package, the two portions are brought together with one reversed and provided at a 90t' orientation with respect to the other.

I I An infusion package according to claim 10 wherein prior to joining together, each portion of material is moved to a substantially (-shaped section shape such that each portion has two end parts connected by an intermediate part.

12 An infusion package according to claim 8 wherein the flanges provided along the edges of the said portion are provided with slots at spaced locations' said slots located at the part of the flanges at which a fold is required.

13 An infusion package according to claim 12 wherein angled slots are provided at the corners of the portion so as to ensure that when the portion is folded, the flanges at each of the corners lie in respective planes at substantially 45f} with respect to the adjacent end parts of the sheet material.

14 A method for the formation of an infusion package having a substantially spherical shape, said method comprising the step of forming from sheet material at least two pieces or flats calf substantially the same shape, with joining portions formed thereon, taking a first of said pieces of material and forming the same into a substantially C shape having a base, side and top portion defining a gap opposing the side portion' taking the second of said pieces and forming the same into a substantially C shape having a base side and top portion, supplying a quantity of tea or coffee material to lie on the first piece and moving the second piece of material, which is reversed and rotated 90 degrees with respect to the first piece of material, to bring the side portion of the second piece to lie in the gap defiecd by the first piece to allow the respective joining portions of the first and second pieces to be joined and sealed to seal the tea or coffee material in the package having a substantially spherical shape.

15 A method according to claim 14 wherein the first and second pieces of material are held in respective holders in the C: shape by vacuum acting on the sheet material.

16 A method according to claim 14 wherein the holder of the first piece of sheet material includes a hollowed section at the base portion so as to define the area into which the coffee or tea material is added.

17 method according to claim 14 wherein the holder of the first piece of sheet material is tilted to aid the abolition of the tea or coffee material from supply means.

18 A method according to claim 14 wherein one or both of the holders is sectioned along its length, with the section edges substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the holder.

19 A method according to claim 14 wherein each holder includes flanges around the periphery, said flanges attached or provided as integral parts of respective sections of the holder.

20 method according to claim 19 wherein the peripheral edges of the sheet material overlie the flange sections of the holders.

21 A method according to claim 20 wherein the portions of the sheet material which overlie the flanges are brought together by the holders and sealed.

22 A method of forming an infusion package to allow the same to take a substantially cubic shape when formed, said method comprising forming two portions of sheet material, each portion substantially rectangular in form and having flange portions provided along the peripheral edges of the same, folding each of the sheet portions around two spaced fold line s to form each portion into three parts, two end parts spaced by an intermediate part, orientating one calf the folded sheet material portions with respect to the other such that the same lies in the reverse configuration to the first and at 90" with respect to the first, manipulating the two sheet portions to Luring the same together and joining together the common flange edges try form the infusion package.