NL2010690C2

NL2010690C2 - Solid-liquid extraction package.

Info

Publication number: NL2010690C2
Application number: NL2010690A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Rene Aloyisius Leonard Maria Frencken
Original assignee: Rene Aloyisius Leonard Maria Frencken; Gijsbers Diederik Theodoor Gerard
Priority date: 2013-04-23
Filing date: 2013-04-23
Publication date: 2014-10-27

Description

Title: Solid-liquid extraction package

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of solid liquid extraction, such as of coffee, tea, herbal drinks, and spice drinks. Thereto an improved package is provided, comprising an amount of the solid to be extracted product, typically a single use package. Typically hot water is used for extraction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the present field especially tea bags are well known, Similar applications relate to herbal drinks, spice drinks, and relatively recent also coffee, often in the form of pads .

In many instances tea and the like are extracted by using hot water and a tea bag in a cup or pot. Tea bags are typically packed as single units. After usage the package becomes useless and is typically considered waste. When tea has become strong enough a tea bag is removed from a cup or pot.

Various patent documents and scientific documents recite tea bags and the like. Some relate to tea bag assemblies comprising further elements, such as arms for opening. Many relate to specific type of teas and the like. Many relate to typical compositions of tea bags, e.g. non-woven en woven products .

A problem with embodiments recited in prior art documents is that after making tea or the like the bag contains a significant amount of water. It is not practical to remove a tea bag from the liquid (water) as the water will run out of the tea bag. One may get rid of the tea bag at once all together, or make use of a saucer, etc. In many instances however a saucer is not provided, a waste bin is not at hand etc. As a consequence a certain amount of liquid is spilled e.g. at a site of consumption.

The present invention therefore relates to an improved extraction package, which overcomes one or more of the above disadvantages, without jeopardizing functionality and advantages .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a package according to claim 1. In a way the present package may be considered as forming one single product.

In principle the present package can be used for any solid-liquid extraction. In case of a consumable typically water is used as the liquid. In view of results the water is heated, typically to a temperature close to 100 °C. For some application, e.g. for green tea, herbal tea, etc. lower temperatures may be used, such as 65 °C. A steep time for tea varies from 1-6 minutes. Tisanes may have longer steep times, as up to 7 minutes.

In order to provide sufficient extraction the solid is comprised in a water or liquid permeable bag, such as a tea bag. As a consequence water may easily penetrate the bag and leave the bag later, e.g. when tea has been extracted.

In order to lower the present bag into (hot) water an insertion means, such as a cord is provided. The insertion means can be used, after extraction, to remove the bag from the water. Often the cord comprises a label, typically indicating a brand and a type of consumable, such as a type of tea. As a consequence the present satchel will be provided with a relatively small opening, in order to allow movement of the insertion means, preferably an opening as small as possible, in order to prevent leakage.

In order to prevent spillage of water/extract the present package comprises a satchel. The satchel is preferably provided enclosing the liquid permeable bag, e.g. to improve shelf life. As such it may be opened before use, and then the bag may be removed from the satchel, and put into hot water. The satchel can encloses the present bag fully when the bag is removed from the consumable. The satchel is made from one or more water or liquid impermeable materials. The satchel is preferably made from a thermal insulating material as well. As such the satchel can be handled with ease, no liquid is spilled and the satchel is safe to use. The satchel may be transparent (to light) or not. It may contain further brand names and trade names.

In order to ensure that spillage is prevented, after enclosing the bag by the satchel, the satchel can be closed, using a closing means. The closing means preferably provides a liquid tight sealing.

The present package is best suited for not too large quantities of extractable consumption article, in view of ease of handling a relatively hot extracted article.

In principle the present extraction product may be provided with one or more additives, such as milk, sugar, honey, salt, butter, alcohol, lemon (juice), etc. Likewise also flavorings may be added, such as bergamot oil.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to a box comprising one or more of the present packages, and in a third aspect to a method of extraction.

Thereby the present invention provides a solution to one or more of the above mentioned problems.

Advantages of the present description are detailed throughout the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a package according to claim 1.

In an example of the present package the water permeable bag is one or more of a filter, a non-woven material, a woven material, paper, cotton, and linen.

In an example of the present package the solid extractable consumption article is selected from one or more of coffee, tea, herbal drinks, fruit drinks, and spice drinks, wherein the package is for single use. The package may comprise a consumable for varying size, such as for one cup, one pot, etc .

Tisane or "herbal tea" relates to a catch-all term for any non-caffeinated beverage made from extraction of herbs, spices, or other plant material in water. These drinks are distinguished from caffeinated beverages like coffee, maté, kud-ing, and true teas (black, green, white, yellow, oolong, post-fermented, etc.), or from a decaffeinated tea, in which the caffeine has been removed. In addition to serving as a beverage, many tisanes are also consumed due to a perceived medicinal benefit.

Like beverages made from the tea bush (Camellia sinensis), tisanes can be served hot or cold.

Tisanes can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots, generally by pouring boiling water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Seeds and roots can also be boiled on a stove. The tisane is then strained, sweetened if so desired, and served.

In an example of the present package the insertion means is a cord, and/or wherein the satchel comprises a layer of one or more of a plastic, such as poly lactic acid, PE, and PP, preferably a biodegradable polymer, a laminated paper, and a laminated metal foil, such as aluminum foil. The satchel' comprises preferably a biodegradable material. The satchel and its contents may for instance be used for composting. Preferably the package is 10-200 pm thick, more preferably 20-100 pm thick, such as 30-50 pm thick, in order to allow a user to safely handle the satchel.

In an example the satchel comprises a foldable element, for securely closing the satchel and providing a sealing. The foldable element may be attached to a remainder of the satchel by the present adhesive. The sealing essentially prevents water from leaking through.

In an example of the present package the means for closing the package is one or more of a strip, an adhesive, preferably a temperature sensitive adhesive, such as one or more adhesive points. Preferably an adhesive is used which is temperature sensitive. At lower temperature, typically applicable when releasing the bag, the adhesive provides not much tackiness, whereas at higher temperature, such as above 50 °C, or above 70 °C, the adhesive becomes more tacky and the satchel can be closed with ease and providing a good sealing. More preferably the adhesive is provided as one or more adhesive points, preferably having a diameter of 1-10 mm, such as 2-5 mm. As such with a relative small amount of adhesive a secure sealing is provided.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to a box according to claim 6. The box may contain 2-100 of the present packages, such as depending on an intended use or user. Typically the package comprises 10-50 packages, such as 20 packages. The box is preferably sealed with e.g. a plastic material in order to improve storage time and maintain quality.

In a third aspect the present invention relates to a method according to claim 7. Details of the present method are provided throughout the description.

In an example of the present method the solid extractable consumption article is selected from one or more of coffee, tea, herbal drinks, fruit drinks, and spice drinks.

In an example of the present method the satchel is closed by one or more of a strip, an adhesive, preferably a temperature sensitive adhesive, such as one or more adhesive points .

The invention is further detailed by the accompanying figures and examples, which are exemplary and explanatory of nature and are not limiting the scope of the invention. To the person skilled in the art it may be clear that many variants, being obvious or not, may be conceivable falling within the scope of protection, defined by the present claims.

SUMMARY OF FIGURES

Figs. 1-6 show details of the present package in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

In figure 1 a transparent package is shown with a tea bag provided therein. A size of the present satchel is slightly larger than that of the tea bag. Also a cord and label can be seen.

In figure 2 the package of figure 1 is shown from another (back) side.

In figure 3 the bag is lowered from the present satchel in order to extract tea with a hot liquid, typically water.

After extraction, in figure 4, the tea bag is removed from the hot liquid and pulled into the satchel. Due to the relive high temperature of the bag the temperature sensitive adhesive will provide its adhesive function. The adhesive is preferably provided as small dots of about 5 mm diameter. A bottom side of the satchel can be folded or the like, in order to provide a good sealing.

In figure 5 the tea bag is fully enclosed by the satchel. Also the satchel is closed by pressing the adhesive against the material of the satchel at a bottom end thereof.

In figure 6 the package of figure 5 is shown from another (back) side.

It should be appreciated that for commercial application it may be preferable to use one or more variations of the present system, which would similar be to the ones disclosed in the present application and are within the spirit of the invention.

Claims

A solid-liquid extraction package (10) comprising a) a water-permeable bag (11), the water-permeable bag comprising a solid extractable consumer article, b) an insertion means (12) attached to the water-permeable bag for inserting the first bag in a liquid, characterized in that c) a water-impermeable bag (13) is provided which completely encloses the bag, the bag having a first opening for displacement of the insertion means and a second opening for passage through the bag and d) means (14) for closing the bag.

The package of claim 1, wherein the water-permeable bag is one or more of a filter, a non-woven material, a woven material, paper, cotton, and linen.

A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solid extractable consumption article is selected from one or more of coffee, tea, herbal teas, fruit drinks and spice drinks, the package being for single use.

4. Packaging as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the insertion member is a cord, and / or wherein the bag is provided with a layer of one or more of a plastic, such as polylactic acid, PE and PP, preferably a biodegradable polymer, a laminated paper, and a laminated metal foil, such as aluminum foil.

5. Packaging as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the means for sealing the packaging is one or more of a strip, an adhesive, preferably a temperature sensitive adhesive, such as one or more glue points.

A box comprising one or more packages according to one or more of the preceding claims.

7. Extraction method comprises the steps of a) providing a package according to one or more of claims 1-6, b) providing hot water, c) extracting the solid extractable consumer article into the hot water, d) removing the bag from the hot water, and e) enclosing the bag in the bag.

The method of claim 7, wherein the solid extractable consumption article is selected from one or more of coffee, tea, herbal tea, fruit drinks, beverages and spices.

Method according to one or more of claims 7-8, wherein the bag is closed by one or more of a strip, an adhesive, preferably a temperature sensitive adhesive, such as one or more glue points.