U.S. patent application number 10/171370 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-15 for infusion bag.
Invention is credited to Klar, Paul Gerhard.
Application Number | 20040071830 10/171370 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8177970 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040071830 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klar, Paul Gerhard |
April 15, 2004 |
Infusion bag
Abstract
In an infusion bag (1) with a draw string (11) threaded through
an opening provided in the top part (2) of the bag (1), surrounding
the infusion bag (1) in the longitudinal direction and by means of
which the bag (1) can be squeezed, two openings (4 and 5) are
produced in the top part (2) at a lateral distance from one
another. The draw string (11) is threaded doubled through each of
the openings (4, 5) thereby forming two loops (12, 13) which are
connected together by an intermediate piece running along the top
part (2). Furthermore, the sections (15, 16) of the draw string
(11) which are in contact with the infusion bag (1) are threaded
back through the loops (12, 13) and form the tension elements (17,
18). The effect of this embodiment is that the draw string (11) can
be attached to the infusion bag (1) without the need for metal
staples and that the infusion bag (1) can be almost completely
squeezed out using the draw string (11). Furthermore, tearing of
the top part (2) of the infusion bag (1) is excluded even when
considerable force is applied via the tension elements (17,
18).
Inventors: |
Klar, Paul Gerhard;
(Wasserburg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Pandiscio & Pandiscio
470 Totten Pond Road
Waltham
MA
02451-1914
US
|
Family ID: |
8177970 |
Appl. No.: |
10/171370 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/77 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/812
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/077 |
International
Class: |
B65B 029/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 6, 2001 |
EP |
01116492.8 |
Claims
1. Infusion bag (1) with a draw string (11) threaded through an
opening provided in the top part (2) of the bag (1), surrounding
the infusion bag (1) in the longitudinal direction and by means of
which the bag (1) can be squeezed, with the draw string (11) being
threaded doubled through the opening in the top part (2) and formed
into a loop on one side of the infusion bag (1), with a section of
the draw string (11) leading away from the loop surrounding the
infusion bag (1) and passing back through the loop, and with
additional sections of the draw string (11) leading away from the
loop and passing back through the loop each forming tensioning
elements for squeezing the infusion bag (1), characterised in that,
two openings (4, 5) are produced in the top part (2) of the
infusion bag (1) at a lateral distance from one another and, in a
preferred embodiment, at the same height, that the draw string (11)
is threaded doubled through each of the openings (4, 5) thereby
forming two loops (12, 13) which are connected together by an
intermediate piece (14) running along the top part (2) of the
infusion bag (1), and that the sections (15, 16) of the draw string
(11) which are in contact with the infusion bag (11) are threaded
back through the loops (12, 13) and form the tension elements (17,
18).
2. The infusion bag in accordance with claim 1, characterised in
that, the lateral distance from the two openings (4, 5) to the
longitudinal edges of the infusion bag (1) is selected such that,
with the sections (15, 16) of the draw string (11) running parallel
to the longitudinal edges of the infusion bag (1), the infusion bag
(1) will be divided into three approximately equally sized segments
when it is squeezed together.
3. The infusion bag in accordance with claim 1, characterised in
that, the draw string (11) is threaded through the two loops (12,
13) and through the area of the base (3') of the infusion bag (1')
in such a way that the sections (15, 16) of the draw string (11)
are crossed over on one side of the infusion bag (1) and run in
parallel to its longitudinal axis on the other side.
4. The infusion bag in accordance with claim 1, characterised in
that, the draw string (11) is threaded through the two loops (12,
13) and through the area of the base (3') of the infusion bag (1')
in such a way that the draw string (11) is crossed over on both
sides of the infusion bag (1').
5. The infusion bag in accordance with claim 1, characterised in
that, the draw string (11) is threaded through the two loops (12,
13) and through the area of the base (3') of the infusion bag (1')
in such a way that the sections (15, 16) of the draw string (11)
are arranged in the form of a triangle on both sides of the
infusion bag (1').
6. The infusion bag in accordance with one or more of claims 1 to
5, characterised in that, in order to guide the draw string (11) in
the area of the base (3') of the infusion bag (1), it is possible
to provide two penetrations (6, 7), which are preferably located at
about the same distance from the edges as the openings (4, 5) which
form the loops (12, 13), or in the case where the segments (15, 16)
of the draw string (11) form a triangle, to have one opening (8)
arranged in the middle.
7. The infusion bag in accordance with one or more of claims 1 to
6, characterised in that, the two tension elements (17, 18) of the
draw string (11) are jointly connected to a tag (21), terminated
with individual tags (21', 21") or knotted together.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an infusion bag with a draw
string threaded through an opening provided in the top part of the
bag, surrounding the infusion bag in the longitudinal direction and
by means of which the bag can be squeezed, with the draw string
being threaded doubled through the opening in the top part and
formed into a loop on one side of the infusion bag, with a section
of the draw string leading away from the loop surrounding the
infusion bag and passing back through the loop, and with additional
sections of the draw string leading away from the loop and passing
back through the loop each forming tensioning elements for
squeezing the infusion bag.
[0002] An infusion bag of this type is described in DE 100 01 003
A1. In that embodiment, only a centrally arranged loop is provided
in the top part of the infusion bag through which the draw string
is passed once or, if necessary, also doubled, and is looped around
the bag. Although the infusion bag can be squeezed out by pulling
apart the tension elements of the draw string leading away from the
infusion bag, the bag is merely divided into two rectangular
chambers, or in the case of a double loop three triangular
chambers, so that, amongst other aspects, no optimum squeezing out
of the infusion bag can be achieved. The principal disadvantage of
both embodiments is that considerable tension forces have to be
exerted on the top part in the area of the opening used to create
the loop, leading to the possibility of tearing and spillage of the
contents of the infusion bag into the drink which is being
prepared, so in such cases the drink needs additional
treatment.
[0003] The purpose of the present invention is consequently to
develop an infusion bag of the aforementioned type in such a way
that not only can the draw string be attached to it without the
need for metal staples and the possibility be provided of
completely squeezing out the infusion bag using the draw string,
but also that the infusion bag is to be divided into several
equally size holding chambers. However, the principle purpose is to
ensure that the possibility of tearing the top part of the infusion
bag will be practically excluded even when considerable force is
applied to the tension elements. As a result, handling is to be
further facilitated for the purposes of infusing an infusion using
the infusion bag while the infused tea should not be impaired by
foreign objects as is the case with the embodiment according to
prior art.
[0004] In accordance with the present invention, this is achieved
in an infusion bag of the aforementioned type in that two openings
are produced in the top part of the infusion bag at a lateral
distance from one another and, in a preferred embodiment, at the
same height, that the draw string is threaded doubled through each
of the openings thereby forming two loops which are connected
together by an intermediate piece running along the top part of the
infusion bag, and that the sections of the draw string which are in
contact with the infusion bag are threaded back through the loops
and form the tension elements.
[0005] It is advantageous in this case for the lateral distance
from the two openings to the longitudinal edges of the infusion bag
to be selected such that, with the sections of the draw string
running parallel to the longitudinal edges of the infusion bag, the
infusion bag will be divided into three approximately equally sized
segments when it is squeezed together.
[0006] In a different arrangement of the draw string, it can be
threaded through the two loops and through the area of the base of
the infusion bag in such a way that the sections of the draw string
are crossed over on one side of the infusion bag and run in
parallel to the longitudinal edges of the bag on the other side, or
that the sections of the draw string are crossed over on both sides
of the infusion bag. However, it is also possible for the draw
strings to be threaded through the two loops and the area of the
base of the infusion bag in such a way that the sections of the
draw string form a triangle on both sides of the infusion bag.
[0007] In order to guide the draw string in the area of the base of
the infusion bag, it is possible to provide two penetrations, which
are preferably located at about the same distance from the edges as
the openings which form the loops, or in the case where the
segments of the draw string form a triangle, to have one opening
arranged in the middle.
[0008] The two tension elements of the draw string can be jointly
connected to a tag, terminated with individual tags or knotted
together.
[0009] If a draw string is attached to one of the infusion bags in
accordance with the present invention, then it becomes a simple
matter to squeeze out the infusion bag without requiring any
additional means and therefore to force almost all of the residual
liquid out of the bag. To achieve this, it is merely necessary to
pull apart the tension elements of the draw string leading away
from the top part. Because the drawstring is looped twice around
the infusion bag in a longitudinal direction and with a lateral
distance between its sections, thereby dividing the bag into three
segments, the infusion bag is therefore squeezed tightly in a
double arrangement and its volume is reduced without the need to
use any other equipment.
[0010] Each drawstring is held onto the infusion bag without
needing any additional equipment, therefore the flavour of the tea
is not impaired and adulterated by any metal objects whilst the tea
is being infused. Furthermore, the infusion bag is not damaged when
it is squeezed together since no lateral forces are exerted on the
bag when the two tension elements of the draw string are pulled
apart; instead, these forces are absorbed by the loops through
which the tension elements are threaded. The principal advantage of
this embodiment lies in the fact that the arrangement of two loops
means that the tension forces to be absorbed are halved in a
certain respect. Consequently, damage to the top part of the
infusion bag when it is squeezed out can be reliably avoided even
when considerable forces are exerted. Accordingly, the manufacture
of an infusion bag and its handling when infusing drinks is
significantly simplified at very little complexity in production.
Also, the draw string can easily be attached to any type of
infusion bag.
[0011] The drawing shows several sample embodiments of an infusion
bag configured in accordance with the present invention, the
details of which are explained below. In the drawing,
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an infusion bag with two loops provided in its
top part and a draw string looped twice around the bag,
[0013] FIG. 2 shows the infusion bag in accordance with FIG. 1
after being squeezed together,
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an infusion bag in which the draw string looped
around it is threaded in the area of the base and
[0015] FIGS. 4 to 6 show the infusion bag in accordance with FIG.
3, with different arrangements of drawstrings.
[0016] The infusion bags shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and identified by 1
or 1' are configured in different ways, with each possessing a top
part 2 or 2' to which a draw string 11 is attached. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a tag 21 is attached to the ends
of the draw string 11, whereas in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3
both ends of the draw string 11 have their own tag 21', 21".
[0017] In order to attach the draw string 11, two openings 4 and 5
in the form of holes are produced in the top part 2 or 2' of the
infusion bag 1 or 1', and the draw string 11 is threaded twice
through these openings 4 and 5 to form loops 12 or 13. The two
sections 15 and 16 of the draw string 11 which are connected
together by a section 14 in contact with the top part 2 or 2' of
the infusion bag 1 or 1' are looped around the infusion bag 1 or
1', indeed around the base 3 of the bag, starting from and
returning to the loops 12 or 13 before continuing some distance
from the infusion bag 1 or 1' and being attached to the tag 21 or
to two halves of a perforated or cut tag 21' or 21" which can
easily be divided into two. As a result, the sections 15 and 16
leading away from the infusion bag 1 or 1' form the tension
elements 17 and 18.
[0018] When, following infusion of the infusion bag 1 or 1', the
two tension elements 17 and 18 of the draw string 11 leading away
from the bag are pulled apart as shown in FIG. 2, the sections 15
and 16 of the draw string looped around the infusion bag 1 or 1'
are reduced in length. The infusion bag 1 or 1' is therefore
squeezed together so that the liquid remaining in the bag is forced
out without the need for additional equipment. Since this procedure
can easily be accomplished over a container, not only is almost
complete benefit obtained from the flavourings in the tea contained
in the infusion bag 1 or 1', but also the inconvenience of having
the infusion bag 1 or 1" dripping liquid onto surfaces during its
disposal can be avoided.
[0019] In order to prevent the draw string 11 slipping out of its
lateral position on the infusion bag 1', in particular during
transport and/or storage of the bag, two penetrations 6 and 7 are
produced in the area of the base 3' of the infusion bag 1', as
shown in FIG. 3, and the sections 15 and 16 are threaded through
these penetrations 6 and 7. In this embodiment, the penetrations 6
and 7 are arranged at approximately the same distance from the
longitudinal edges of the infusion bag 1' as are the two openings 4
and 5, with the distances being chosen so that when the infusion
bag 1' is squeezed together it forms three approximately evenly
sized chambers. Sections 15 and 16 therefore run approximately
parallel to the longitudinal edges of the infusion bag 1 and
slippage of the draw string 11 is prevented even given incorrect
handling.
[0020] As a result, the draw string 11 can be used for squeezing
out different embodiments of infusion bags 1 or 1' without the need
for exerting considerable forces on the bag in the area of openings
4 and 5. Instead, the tension forces are fully vectored into the
draw string 11 by means of the loops 12 and 13 without placing any
strain on the infusion bag seal, thereby ensuring that the infusion
bag 1 is almost completely squeezed out when tension elements 17
and 18 are pulled apart.
[0021] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the sections 15 and 16 of
the draw string 11 are threaded through the loops 12 and 13 and
through the penetrations 6 and 7 produced in the area of the base
3' of the infusion bag 1' in such a way that the sections 15 and 16
are arranged in parallel to the longitudinal edges of the infusion
bag 1' on one side of the bag and are crossed over on the other
side. However, as shown in FIG. 5, a crossed-over arrangement of
the sections 15 and 16 on both sides of the infusion bag 1' is also
possible.
[0022] In the infusion bag 1' shown in FIG. 6, only one penetration
8 is provided in the middle of the base 3' of the bag, and both
sections 15 and 16 of the draw string 11 are threaded and looped
back through this penetration 8. Consequently, the draw string 11
forms a loop around the infusion bag 1' on both sides in the form
of a triangle.
* * * * *