DE29613448U1 - Tea bags, in particular for making tea - Google Patents

Description

Düsseldorfer Strasse 73, 40667 Meerbusch

DiPL.-ING. ULRICH CHRISTOPHERSEN

DIPL.-ING. WOLFGANG BRINGMANN

Date

2 August 1996

Tea bags, especially for making tea

The present invention relates to an infusion bag, preferably a double-chamber infusion bag, in particular for preparing tea, with at least one chamber consisting of a filter material and containing a quantity of substance, the head end of which is closed by a fold to which a thread with a label serving for handling and/or information is attached by a connection.

Tea bags are available in various designs. In particular, the use of double-chamber tea bags has become popular. These have two chambers arranged next to each other, side by side, each containing a quantity of tea in the form of dried and chopped tea leaves. The two chambers are connected to each other at the bottom by a cross fold, also known as a bottom fold, and are closed together at the top by a connection to which a thread with a label is attached. As a rule, a top closure fold is created in two steps, into which the corners of the tea bag are folded in a first step and the trapezoidal part remaining at the top is folded over in a second step. The folded parts are then attached to each other by a connection while simultaneously attaching one end of the thread. Such a double-chamber infusion bag is known, for example, from the applicant's German patent specification 1 001 944 and consists of a slightly permeable material, which enables the infusion liquid to absorb the substance to be leached out,

especially tea, and to dissolve the substances contained therein. Filter paper materials are used in particular for this purpose.

To attach the thread to the infusion bag or to the label and to connect, for example, the head ends of a double-chamber infusion bag, it is known to use metal closure clips - so-called staples - which are arranged in the area of the fold of the head end of the infusion bag or on the label. Furthermore, it is common to glue the thread between the head end of the infusion bag and the label, for example using heat-sealable materials and the like.

None of the known connection and/or fastening options guarantees a secure connection or fastening of the tea bag to the thread or label. In particular, when using a closure clip, the thread cannot be securely clamped between the closure clip, so that the thread can slip out of the clip relatively easily and thus detach from the label or tea bag. When using adhesive connections, there is a problem with the precise portioning and positioning of the adhesives and the thread. In particular, when using tea bags, where the tea liquid is generally used in a heated or boiled state, an adhesive connection can dissolve due to the relatively high temperatures and thus become unreliable.

Another major problem is that the connecting media, i.e. the closure clips, adhesives and the like, have a taste-changing or taste-influencing effect and are disturbing for the consumer.

Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of improving a generic infusion bag, preferably a double-chamber infusion bag, in such a way that a connection between the infusion bag and the thread is provided which is easy to manufacture, safe, reliable and, moreover, neutral with regard to taste-changing or influencing effects.

To solve this problem, a generic infusion bag is proposed, which is characterized in that the connection of the head end of the infusion bag to the thread is made solely by a fastening thread.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, an infusion bag is proposed which is characterized in that it is designed as a double-chamber infusion bag which has two chambers made of filter paper material, lying side by side, each containing a quantity of substance, which are connected to one another by a transverse fold at the bottom and whose head ends are jointly closed by the fold and fastened to one another by the connection.

The use of a fastening thread to provide the connection between the infusion bag, preferably a double-chamber infusion bag, and the thread has the significant advantage that no other media and/or materials that alter or influence the taste come into direct or indirect contact with the quantity of substance contained in the chamber and could potentially have a disruptive effect.

Preferably, the label and the thread are also connected to one another by a fastening thread without any additional connecting means. This avoids in particular the use of additional materials and the associated manufacturing processes.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connection is sewn. This provides a connection that is easy to manufacture and secure, and is also extremely reliable. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connection is a double chain stitch seam. This means that the use of a bobbin thread is not necessary, and an extremely elastic thread connection is also obtained, so that the connection can easily absorb larger loads without destroying it.

Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the fastening thread is secured by at least one knot. In the sense of the invention, secured means a safeguard against pulling out or slipping out of the head end of the tea bag or the label. Such a connection can be created easily, for example by shooting the fastening thread through the label or the head end of the tea bag and then or beforehand tying the fastening thread. The advantage here is that the connection secures itself by simply tightening the knot.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the fastening thread for the connection is fixed by at least one loop. The loop can, for example, be guided similarly to a weft thread through at least two openings in the area of the fold of the head end of the infusion bag or in the label and thus fix the respective connection.

According to a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the thread between the label and the head end of the infusion bag is the fastening thread. This avoids accidental and undesirable separation of the thread from the connection, as is particularly the case with the previously known metal closure clips, since the thread and fastening thread are one piece. On the other hand, assembly is simplified in terms of the work steps, since, for example, the necessary work steps relating to cutting, positioning and aligning the thread or fastening thread are eliminated or can be carried out in parallel.

Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the following description based on the figures. They show:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a double chamber infusion bag

with a design for a connection between thread and double-chamber infusion bag or thread and label;

-R-

^U 11 III«

Fig. 2 shows another embodiment for a connection according to

Fig.1;

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment according to Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of an inventive

Connection;

Fig. 5 shows a variant of an embodiment according to Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of an inventive

Connection;

Fig. 7 shows a variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 7 and

Fig. 9 shows a part of the embodiment according to Fig. 2

and 3 resulting advantageous operations.

The double-chamber infusion bag 1 shown in Fig. 1 has two side-by-side chambers 2 and 3, which are connected to one another at the bottom 4 by a W-shaped transverse fold 5 and each contain a predetermined quantity of substance, in particular tea, to be leached out by an infusion liquid. The head ends of the two chambers 2 and 3 are jointly closed by a transversely running closure fold 6 and are fastened to one another by a connection 7. At the same time, a thread 8 is fastened to the connection 7 in the area of the closure fold 6 of the head end of the double-chamber infusion bag 1. The thread 8 is connected at its other end by means of a connection 10 to a label 9 used for handling and/or information. The connection 7 or 10 is made by a fastening thread 11 or 12, which in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is sewn in the area of the closure fold 6 of the head end of the double-chamber infusion bag 1 or with the label 9. The ends of the thread 8 in the area of the

* ₁₉ ·*

The two parts are sewn onto the closure fold 6 of the head end of the double-chamber tea bag 1 or onto the label 9. In particular, by using a fastening thread 11 to connect the thread 8 to the double-chamber tea bag 1, a change in or influence on the taste of a tea in particular by the connection or its connecting media is excluded, in particular if the same materials, such as cotton and the like, are used for the thread 8 and the fastening thread 11. In addition, the sewn fastening thread 11 or 12 provides a simple and quick connection 7 or 12.

Fig. 2 shows an identical double-chamber infusion bag 1 according to Fig. 1. Here too, the connection between the thread 8 and the double-chamber infusion bag 1 or the thread 8 and the label 9 is formed by a sewn connection 7 or 10 according to Fig. 1. The fastening thread 11 or 12 is advantageously formed by the thread 8 arranged between the label 9 and the head end of the double-chamber infusion bag 1. In addition to a secure connection between them due to the one-piece design of the thread 8 with the fastening thread 11 or 12, this embodiment results in particular in advantages with regard to the individual production steps, which are explained in more detail below in connection with Fig. 9.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 3 corresponds to that shown in Fig. 2. The sewn connection 7 or 10 is formed here by a double chain stitch seam. This provides a very elastic connection between the thread 8 and the double-chamber infusion bag 1 as well as the thread 8 and the label 9. As indicated in Fig. 3, the thread 8 also takes on a weave or a corresponding fabric structure corresponding to the double chain stitch seam and is therefore also elastic within the framework of the stitches 18 thus formed.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a connection 7 or 10 according to the invention by means of a fastening thread 11 or 12, which is also formed here by the thread 8. The connection in the area of the

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the closure fold 6 is formed by a loop 14 extending essentially over the fold. To form the loop 14, the thread 8 is guided through an opening 19 and an opening 20. The end of the thread 8, which is not visible in Fig. 4 and is located behind the opening 20, has a knot that secures the thread against slipping out or being pulled out of the opening 20. By simply pulling on the thread 8, for example by the weight of the double-chamber infusion bag 1, the loop 14 is fixed between the openings 19 and 20 in the area of the closure fold 6 of the head end of the double-chamber infusion bag 1 and thus the head ends of the two chambers 2 and 3 of the double-chamber infusion bag 1, which are jointly closed by the closure fold 6, are attached to one another. The knot, which is not visible here and is located behind an opening 20, secures the thread 8 against slipping out of the opening 20. To connect the thread 8 to the label 9, the latter has an opening 21 through which the thread 8 is pushed and is also secured against slipping out by a knot 13.

The variant of the embodiment of the connection of the thread 8 in the area of the closure seam 6 of the double-chamber infusion bag 1 shown in Fig. 5 differs from the connection shown in Fig. 4 in that the fastening thread for the connection is fixed by three loops 14, of which only two are visible here, similar to a weft thread.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the thread 8 is guided through the openings 19 and 20 formed in the area of the closure fold 6, forming a loop 14, and in the same way through corresponding openings 21 and 22 formed in the label 9, forming a loop 16. The two ends of the thread 8 are knotted together so that the thread 8 forms a ring. By simply pulling on the thread, for example when lifting the double-chamber infusion bag by the label, and by the weight of the double-chamber infusion bag, the loops 14 and 16 are fixed to the double-chamber infusion bag 1 and to the label 9, respectively. The head ends of the two chambers 2 and 3 of the double-chamber infusion bag 1, which are jointly closed by the closure fold 6, are stapled together.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment according to Fig. 6, in which the ring formed by the thread 8 is provided with a knot 15 or 17 delimiting the ring in the area of the double-chamber infusion bag 1 or the label 9. The loop 14 or 16 forms a loop with the knot 15 or 17, which limits the possible freedom of movement of the double-chamber infusion bag 1 or the label 9 on the thread 8. This in particular prevents the head closure 6 from coming loose in the area of the head ends of the double-chamber infusion bag 1, for example by unfolding itself, and thus opening the chambers 2 and 3 of the double-chamber infusion bag 1.

Fig. 8 shows a corresponding variant of the connection of the thread 8 with the double-chamber infusion bag 1, whereby the fastening thread for the connection is fixed in accordance with Fig. 5 with several loops 14.

Of course, all variants of the different embodiments for connecting the thread 8 with the double-chamber infusion bag 1 or the thread 8 with the label 9 can be combined. In particular, for the connection 10 between the thread 8 and the label 9, the previously common connection options with a closure clip, the so-called staple, or the use of heat-sealable materials or other adhesives can also be used. The only important thing is that the connection 7 between the thread 8 and the double-chamber infusion bag 1 does not trigger or cause any effects that alter or influence the taste. This also includes effects that are only perceived as disturbing by the consumer.

The advantages resulting from the production of a sewn connection between thread 8 and double-chamber infusion bag 1 or label 9 are briefly explained below using Fig. 9. For production, a double-chamber infusion bag 1 and a label 9 are arranged next to each other, with the head ends of chambers 2 and 3 connected by the closure fold &dgr; and a corresponding edge of the label 9 being arranged or positioned together at the same height.

the thread 8, which according to the advantageous embodiments of Fig. 2 and 3 also serves as a fastening thread 11 or 12, is placed in the area of the closure fold 6 and sewn parallel to it in the direction of the label 9 with the double-chamber infusion bag 1 and the label 9. After sewing a double-chamber infusion bag 1 and a label 9, the thread 8 is pulled to the required or desired length. This is followed by a next unit, consisting of the double-chamber infusion bag 1 and label 9, which is also sewn in the manner explained. This creates an endlessly sewn chain of double-chamber infusion bag 1, label 9 and thread 8. In order to finally obtain the design variants shown in the figures, the endlessly sewn chain of double-chamber infusion bag 1, label 9 and thread 8 is separated in a next process step using the cutting lines shown in Fig. 9, so that a usual unit of label 9, thread 8 and double-chamber infusion bag 1 is created.

List of reference symbols

1 tea bag

2 chamber

3 chamber

4 Floor

5 Cross folding

6 Closure fold

7 Connection

8 threads

9 Label

10 Connection

11 Fastening thread

12 fastening thread

13 knots

14 Loop

15 knots

16 Loop

17 node 18 mesh 19 opening 20 opening 21 opening 22 opening

Claims (9)

Expectations 1. Infusion bag (1), in particular for preparing tea, with at least one chamber (2, 3) consisting of a filter material and containing a quantity of substance, the head end of which is closed by a fold (6) to which a thread (8) with a label (9) serving for handling and/or information is attached by a connection (7), characterized, that the connection (7) of the head end of the infusion bag (1) to the thread (8) is made solely by a fastening thread (11). 2. Infusion bag (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is designed as a double-chamber infusion bag (1) which has two chambers (2, 3) made of filter paper material, lying side by side, each containing a quantity of substance, which are connected to one another by a transverse fold (5) at the bottom (4) and whose head ends are jointly closed by the fold (6) and fastened to one another by the connection (7). 3. Infusion bag (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the label (9) and the thread (8) are connected by a fastening thread (12) without additional connecting means! 4. Infusion bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connection (7, 10) is sewn. 5. Infusion bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connection (7, 10) is a double chain stitch seam. 6. Infusion bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fastening thread (11, 12) is secured by at least one knot (13, 15, 17). 7. Infusion bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fastening thread (11, 12) for the connection (7, 10) is fixed by at least one loop (14, 16). 8. Infusion bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the thread (8) and the fastening thread (11, 12) are made of cotton. 9. Infusion bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the thread (8) between the label (9) and the head end of the infusion bag (1) is the fastening thread (11, 12). R/WT/Ii