This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/AU2014/000108, filed 11 Feb. 2014, which claims benefit of Serial No. 2013100144, filed 11 Feb. 2013 in Australia and which applications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications.
The present disclosure relates to an infusion package and assembly for infusing an infusible material into a liquid, such as infusing tea into hot water. The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing an infusion package.
Known tea bags are typically made up of a sealed porous bag that holds tea leaves. At the top of the tea bag a thread is stapled. The thread is attached to a tag to allow a user to hold the tag while the tea bag is able to drop into the hot water to infuse the tea away from the user's hand. Traditional tea bags are square or rectangular in shape. More recently, circular or pyramidal shaped tea bags have been sold. Similarly, known coffee infusion bags comprise a square or circular sealed porous bag designed to hold coffee for deposit into hot water to allow the coffee to infuse into the water for consumption.
Whilst the known tea and coffee bags are convenient for infusing the material into a liquid and for making it easy to dispose of the tea leaves and coffee grinds, they are burdened by a number of disadvantages.
For instance, a separate stirrer is required to distribute the infused material evenly throughout the hot water, to increase the infusion rate of the material into the surrounding water, and to dissolve and distribute any separate additives evenly, such as milk, cream, sugar, honey, sweetener or other flavour. In addition, the tea bags usually retain an amount of water which drips creating a mess when the bag is removed from the water.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.
In a first aspect, an infusion package is disclosed comprising a permeable membrane defining an elongate cavity to hold an infusible material; and at least one rigid member extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the cavity such that the rigid member is retained by at least a portion of the permeable membrane.
In a second aspect, a method of manufacturing an infusion package is disclosed, the method comprising:
In a third aspect, a cover for a cup is disclosed comprising a body having an aperture and a retainer, the aperture and the retainer being configured such that an infusion package extending through the aperture may be retained by the retainer in a proximal position in relation to the body.
In a fourth aspect, a cup assembly is disclosed comprising a cup defining an interior container for holding liquid; a cover comprising a retainer for retaining an infusion package above the surface of the liquid.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.
Disclosed in some embodiments is an infusion package comprising a permeable membrane defining an elongate cavity to hold an infusible material; and at least one rigid member extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the cavity such that the rigid member is retained by at least a portion of the permeable membrane.
In some embodiments, the at least one rigid member is attached to the membrane.
In some embodiments, the at least one rigid member is located internal the permeable membrane.
In some embodiments, the at least one rigid member is a hollow member.
In some embodiments, the at least one rigid member includes perforations.
In some embodiments, when at least a portion of the infusion package is submerged in a liquid to allow the infusible material to infuse therein, the infusible material expands enhancing the rigidity of the infusion package.
In some embodiments, the at least one rigid member is able to retain at least one additive such that upon submersion in a liquid the additive is released into the liquid.
In some embodiments, the at least one rigid member is impregnated with the at least one additive such that the infusible material and the at least one additive are separated until at least a portion of the infusion package is submerged in the liquid.
In some embodiments, the at least one rigid member comprises a perforated wall defining a cavity to hold the at least one additive such that the infusible material and the at least one additive are separated until at least a portion of the infusion package is submerged in the liquid.
In some embodiments, the infusion package further comprises an actuator arranged to be moveable in relation to the permeable membrane to squeeze the infusion package.
In some embodiments, the actuator may be modified to add branding information.
Disclosed in some embodiments is a method of manufacturing an infusion package, the method comprising:
Disclosed in some embodiments is a cover for a cup comprising a body having an aperture and a retainer, the aperture and the retainer being configured such that an infusion package extending through the aperture may be retained by the retainer in a proximal position in relation to the body.
In some embodiments, the at least one infusion package is the infusion package according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
In some embodiments, when the infusion package is in the proximal position, the aperture is of a smaller cross section than a portion of the infusion package positioned below the cover.
In some embodiments, the retainer is mounted to the cover via a pivot such that the retainer is arranged to pivot to an engaged position to retain the infusion package in the proximal position.
In some embodiments, in the engaged position, the retainer is in resilient engagement with the cover.
In some embodiments, the cover comprises a recess configured to receive the retainer in the engaged position, and at least one protrusion to resiliently engage the retainer in the engaged position.
Disclosed in some embodiments is a cup assembly comprising a cup defining an interior container for holding liquid; a cover comprising a retainer for retaining an infusion package above the surface of the liquid.
Referring to
The permeable membrane 12 defines an elongate cavity 18 to hold the infusible material 14. In the illustrated form the permeable membrane is folded and sealed at top and bottom ends and along a join of the permeable material to define an interior cavity that is generally rectangular in shape, however the cavity may be of any elongate shape. The elongate shape of the elongate cavity 18 and therefore the infusion package 10 is conducive to being used as a tea bag or coffee bag. In use as a tea or coffee bag, the infusion package 10 is placed in a liquid (e.g., hot water) so that infusion of the infusible material 14 (e.g., tea leaves) occurs in the hot water to produce the desired outcome, that is, for example, a cup of tea. The elongate shape of the package 10 made up by the permeable membrane 12 allows the infusible material 14 to fall to the lower end of the package 10 in use. This allows a user to hold onto one end of the infusion package 10 while submerging the infusible material 14 into the hot water.
The permeable membrane 12 may be formed of any material that allows the infusible material 14 to infuse in use, such as filter paper.
The at least one rigid member 16 extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the elongate cavity 18 such that the at least one rigid member 16 is retained by at least a portion of the permeable membrane 12. In the embodiment illustrated in
The rigid member 16 enhances the rigidity of the infusion package 10 to repurpose the infusion package 10 to also be used as a stirrer, thus increasing the functionality of the infusion package 10. Further, when at least a portion of the infusion package 10 is submerged in the liquid to allow the infusible material 14 to infuse therein, the infusible material expands enhancing the rigidity of the infusion package.
The rigid member 16 may take various forms as illustrated in
In the form illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
In at least one embodiment disclosed in
In the embodiments of the rigid member illustrated in
In the embodiment of the rigid member illustrated in
In alternative embodiments, the hollow perforated rigid member 16 may be impregnated with an additive, such as a caramel flavour, and a further additive may be placed within the hollow of the rigid member, such as cocoa to create a unique flavour combination, such as caramel mocha flavoured rigid member.
In use, the insertion of the rigid member into the hot water acts to infuse the additive into the beverage through hot water permeating the rigid member either through perforations or by permeating permeable material such as card, paper or wood.
Disclosed in
Disclosed in
Some advantages of embodiments of the infusion package according to the present disclosure are as follows:
Referring now to
Embodiments of the method of manufacturing of the infusion package 10 according to the present disclosure generally comprise the following steps, which need not necessarily be performed in the listed order.
Disclosed in
Referring to
Disclosed in
As shown in
In addition, illustrated in
In non-illustrated embodiments, once manufactured, the infusion package 10 may be individually flow wrapped or bulk packaged for eventual sale to the consumer to ensure that freshness is maintained.
Referring to
Disclosed in
Referring to
Referring now to
Referring to
The aperture is positioned and shaped to allow an infusion package such as that previously described to extend through the aperture. The retainer 108 is configured such that an infusion package 10 extending through the aperture 106 may be retained by the retainer 108 in relation to the body 104. Numerous suitable infusion packages may be used in combination with the illustrated cup assembly, and it should be understood the cover and cup assembly are not limited to use with the embodiments of the infusion package discussed herein. The retainer 108 may act to clip the infusion package in a particular orientation with respect to the cover.
In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture 106 is located generally in the centre of the cover 104, and as shown best in
Also disclosed in
In the engaged position, which will be discussed in more detail below, the retainer 108 is pivoted from the unengaged position to a position located opposite the unengaged position. In the illustrated embodiment, there is approximately 180° between the unengaged and engaged positions about the circumference of the cover 102 and the retainer 108 does not cover the sip hole 112. Although in this embodiment the retainer is mounted to the cover via a pivot, any suitable joint between the retainer and cover may be used. For instance, a ball joint may also be used to enable the retainer to move from an unengaged to an engaged position. In these circumstances, the unengaged and the engaged position may be located at any angle from one another, such as 90°.
Now referring to
Once the desired strength is reached, the squeezer/tag 40 is pulled up until the infusion package 10 reaches a proximal position. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal position is where the infusion package 10 is positioned below the cover 102 and above a surface 118 of the liquid 116. The proximal position may be any position where the infusion package 10 is pulled up so it is located proximal the cover 102. Depending on the level of the liquid 116 and how close the infusion package 10 is in relation to the cover 102, the infusion package 10 may or may not be above the surface of the liquid 116.
In at least one embodiment, it is advantageous for the infusion package 10 to be above the surface of the liquid 116 in the proximal position so that the strength of the beverage is maintained. Where the infusion package 10 remains below the surface of the liquid 16 in the proximal position, the strength of the beverage will continue to increase until the level of the liquid is reduced through consumption.
Further, when the infusion package is in the proximal position, the aperture 106 is of a smaller cross section than a portion of the infusion package 10 positioned below the cover 102. The portion of the infusion package which is generally of larger cross section than the aperture is the portion which contains the infusible material 14 by gravity. This portion will stop the infusion package 10 from being totally withdrawn from the cover 102 without removal of the cover 102 from the cup 114.
Referring to
Disclosed in
Also in the engaged position, the retainer 108 is in resilient engagement with the cover 102. In this regard, the cover 102 includes a recess 120 configured to receive the retainer 108, and at least one protrusion 122 to resiliently engage the retainer. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 120 includes two protrusions 122 that are configured such that the retainer 108 is in a snap fit arrangement with the protrusions 122. The retainer may be in any suitable fit arrangement where the retainer is able to be secured in the engaged position, and releasable to be free to move to the unengaged position. For example, interference fit between the retainer and the cover may also be appropriate.
Once both the infusion package 10 is located in the proximal position and the retainer is in the engaged position, the cup assembly 100 containing the choice beverage is ready to consume with both the cover 102 and the infusion package 10 still attached. Accordingly, with the cover and infusion package still attached no mess has been made by disposing of a dripping infusion package or through spilling the contents of the cup 102. If disposable, the whole cup assembly 100 may be disposed of after the beverage has been consumed. This is beneficial for travellers and airlines and avoids mess.
In at least one embodiment, the cover 102 disclosed according to the present is disclosure is advantageous as it is suitable for the take away market. First, the cover 102 may be disposable. Second, the cover 102 and infusion package 10 arrangement allow the user to mix the infusible material to the desired strength, and then lift the infusion material 14 above the surface of the liquid 116. When infusible material is tea, this feature minimises unwanted increased tea strength or the tea from going bitter if the infusible material were left in the water. Third, whilst being lifted the infusible material 14 may be pressed up against the cover 102 to act as a squeezer.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the present disclosure.
Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2013100144 | Feb 2013 | AU | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU2014/000108 | 2/11/2014 | WO |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2014/121347 | 8/14/2014 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1677397 | Mock | Jul 1928 | A |
4828850 | Davis | May 1989 | A |
4983410 | Dinos | Jan 1991 | A |
5478581 | Christie | Dec 1995 | A |
5809868 | Milone | Sep 1998 | A |
5866185 | Burkett | Feb 1999 | A |
20010035417 | Kantor | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20030113411 | Rose | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20040131729 | Helprin | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040261370 | Rea et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050263006 | Saha | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20080063754 | Kuo | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080165008 | Mercier | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080171110 | Stuart | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20090301903 | Andersson | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20110272302 | Pagan | Nov 2011 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
7-227357 | Aug 1995 | JP |
WO-2007003009 | Jan 2007 | WO |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report for corresponding International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2014/000108 dated Apr. 23, 2014. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20150368034 A1 | Dec 2015 | US |