U.S. patent application number 15/740529 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-28 for filter-bag for infusion products and method for making filter-bag.
The applicant listed for this patent is I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.p.A.. Invention is credited to Sauro RIVOLA, Andrea SERMENGHI.
Application Number | 20190359419 15/740529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54347763 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190359419 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
RIVOLA; Sauro ; et
al. |
November 28, 2019 |
FILTER-BAG FOR INFUSION PRODUCTS AND METHOD FOR MAKING
FILTER-BAG
Abstract
A filter-bag for liquid infusion products including a
thermoformed body with filtration properties having an inner volume
defined by a bottom, a mouth delimited on the perimeter by an upper
flat edge, and a connecting wall between the bottom and the upper
edge; the wall being provided with at least one rib extending from
the bottom towards the upper edge in such a way as to define at
least two chambers for containing corresponding infusion products
separate from each other and included in the internal volume of the
thermoformed body; a flat piece of non-thermoformable filter
material, having transparency characteristics, and associated with
the upper edge of the body for covering the opening and separating
the chambers obtained in this way.
Inventors: |
RIVOLA; Sauro; (Riolo Terme
(Ravenna), IT) ; SERMENGHI; Andrea; (Toscanella di
Dozza (Bologna), IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.p.A. |
Ozzano Dell'Emilia (Bologna) |
|
IT |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180194547 A1 |
July 12, 2018 |
|
|
Family ID: |
54347763 |
Appl. No.: |
15/740529 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
July 19, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2016/054280 PCKC 00 |
371 Date: |
December 28, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/16 20130101;
B65D 85/808 20130101; B65D 85/812 20130101; B65D 85/8046 20130101;
B65D 85/8043 20130101; B65D 85/8085 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/804 20060101
B65D085/804; B65D 85/808 20060101 B65D085/808 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 5, 2015 |
IT |
102015000040687 |
Claims
1. A filter-bag for infusion products, wherein it comprises: a
thermoformed body with filtration properties having an inner volume
defined by a bottom, an opening delimited on the perimeter by an
upper flat edge, and at least one connecting wall between the
bottom and the upper edge; the at least one wall being provided
with at least one rib extending from the bottom towards the upper
edge in such a way as to define at least two chambers (6, 7) for
containing corresponding infusion products (P1, P2) separate from
each other and included in the internal volume of the thermoformed
body; a flat piece of non-thermoformable filter material, having
transparency characteristics, preferably of the fabric type, and
associated with the upper edge of the thermoformed body for
covering the opening and separating the chambers (6, 7) obtained in
this way.
2. The filter-bag according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
rib extends towards the upper edge to form at least one further
inner wall in such a way as to interrupt the continuity of the
bottom.
3. The filter-bag according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
rib has an upper end and has an extension, calculated starting from
the bottom, such that the upper end comes into contact with the
flat piece of non-thermoformable filter material.
4. The filter-bag according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge has
a circular shape and the at least one rib is configured to obtain a
diametric separation diameter of the thermoformed body in such a
way as to define two chambers (6, 7) of volume substantially
identical through the formation of a twin lobed bottom.
5. The filter-bag according to claim 4, wherein the upper end of
the at least one rib has a rectilinear extension in such a way as
to define two separate further inner walls, mutually parallel,
starting from the bottom and projecting towards the upper edge.
6. The filter-bag according to claim 4, wherein the upper end of
the at least one rib has an undulating extension in such a way as
to define two separate walls with an undulating extension and
parallel with each other, starting from the bottom and projecting
towards the upper edge.
7. The filter-bag according to claim 4, wherein the upper end of
the at least one rib is coplanar with the upper edge and connected
at the edge in at least two points which are opposite each other to
define an upper auxiliary edge.
8. The filter-bag according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge has
a circular shape and the at least one rib is configured with an
annular extension inside the perimeter of the upper edge to obtain
a circular separation of the inner volume of the thermoformed body
and in such a way as to define two separate chambers of different
volumes.
9. The filter-bag according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
rib is ring-shaped and concentric relative to the upper edge in
such a way as to define two chambers with annular extension.
10. The filter-bag according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
rib is ring-shaped and concentric relative to the upper edge in
such a way as to define two chambers with annular extension one
inside the other and concentric with each other.
11. The filter-bag according to claim 1, wherein the flat piece is
made of non-thermoformable filter material with air permeability
greater than 1000 cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s, preferably between 1000 and
10000 cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s, more preferably between 3000 and 7000
cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s.
12. A method for forming a filter-bag for infusion products,
wherein it comprises the steps of: preparing a continuous strip of
thermoformable filter material; preparing a die comprising a head
provided with a cavity forming an inner volume for a thermoformed
body of the filter-bag to be formed; the cavity having a bottom, a
mouth delimited on the perimeter by an upper flat edge and at least
one connecting wall between the bottom and the upper edge; the head
of the die being equipped with at least one rib extending from the
bottom towards the upper edge in such a way as to define at least
two chambers which are separate from each other and included in the
inner volume of the head; preparing a punch comprising a head
shaped to match the cavity of the head of the die; positioning a
portion of the continuous strip of thermoformable filter material
between the die and the punch; hot plastic deforming of the portion
of strip of thermoformable filter material by moving towards each
other the corresponding heads of the die and of the punch so as to
obtain a thermoformed body having an inner volume defined by a
bottom, a mouth delimited on the perimeter by an upper flat edge,
at least one connecting wall between the bottom and the upper edge;
the at least one wall being provided with at least one rib
extending from the bottom towards the upper edge in such a way as
to define at least two chambers for containing corresponding
infusion products separate from each other and included in the
internal volume of the thermoformed body; dosing a first infusion
product in a first chamber of the at least two chambers; dosing a
second infusion product in a second chamber of the at least two
chambers; preparing a flat piece of non-thermoformable filter
material with transparency characteristics; joining the piece of
non-thermoformable material on the upper edge of the thermoformed
body to close the opening, in such a way as to form a
filter-bag.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of preparing
a flat piece of of non-thermoformable filter material with
transparency characteristics comprises preparing a flat piece of
non-thermoformable filter material with air permeability greater
than 1000 cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s, preferably between 1000 and 10000
cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s, more preferably between 3000 and 7000
cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a filter-bag for infusion products
and a method for making the filter-bag.
[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a filter-bag for
liquid infusion products, in particular hot liquids (such as, for
example tea or chamomile), in powder, granules or leaves.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] There are currently two different types of filter-bag on the
market: the so-called "traditional" filter-bag, which, in effect,
has a substantially flat final configuration, and the filter-bags
with different three-dimensional shapes, such as, for example,
tetrahedral or spherical (when the filter-bag is obtained by
thermoforming process).
[0004] The first type of filter-bags is obtained starting from one
or more pieces of filter material which are suitably folded and
joined to make one or more chambers, each containing a dose of
product intended for infusion in liquid (water).
[0005] The filter-bag thus formed may be combined with a string
which is joined at one end to the filter-bag and at the other end
to a tag, used to handle the filter-bag during infusion.
[0006] This type of filter-bag is, advantageously, extremely
practical because it is relatively easy to make in current machines
and it also quick and easy to package.
[0007] On the contrary, their shape (substantially flat) makes
filter-bags of this kind unsuitable for containing infusion
products of different, coarse-sized kinds, such as granules and
leaves, which need a different containment chamber, that is to say,
a larger chamber with more space for infusion to allow the passage
of a larger amount of liquid and thus to obtain a better quality
infusion.
[0008] The three-dimensional configuration makes these filter-bags
not only attractive but also functional because they are easy to
handle for infusion and have a large chamber where the product can
come into contact with the liquid.
[0009] However, neither of the types of filter-bags described can,
currently, satisfy all the needs which the current market lines and
the specifications of the end user require.
[0010] More specifically, for many international markets one of the
requirements is that of being able to use a base product (for
example, tea or camomile) combined, preferably only during
infusion, with a flavoured product.
[0011] The current filter-bags are not designed and/or structured
in such a way as to combine two separate products in a single
filter-bag (except by means of a mixture of products prepared
before packaging).
[0012] In addition, the filter-bags obtained by the thermoforming
process do not allow a clear vision of the product contained
therein (due to the intrinsic features of the structure of the
material subjected to the thermoforming which make it, at the end
of its process, substantially opaque) thereby possibly lowering the
appearance quality of the filter-bag.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The aim of this invention is to provide a filter-bag for
infusion products which is able to overcome the drawbacks
described.
[0014] A further aim of this invention is to provide a filter-bag
which is able to give a direct vision of the product(s) contained
and with a very attractive appearance.
[0015] A further aim of this invention is to provide a filter-bag
which is able to contain several infusion products in a reduced
space whilst maintaining the qualitative integrity of each
individual product until the infusion.
[0016] A further aim is to provide a method for making the
filter-bag for liquid infusion products.
[0017] These aims are fully achieved by the filter-bag for infusion
products and by the method for forming the filter-bag according to
this invention and as characterised in the appended claims.
[0018] More specifically, the filter-bag for liquid infusion
products according to the invention comprises a thermoformed body
with filtration properties having an inner volume defined by a
bottom, a mouth, or opening, delimited on the perimeter by an upper
flat edge and a connecting wall between the bottom and the upper
edge.
[0019] Also according to the invention, the wall is provided with
at least one rib extending from the bottom towards the upper edge
in such a way as to define at least two chambers for containing
corresponding infusion products separate from each other and
included in the internal volume of the thermoformed body.
[0020] Also according to the invention, the filter-bag comprises a
flat piece of non-thermoformable filter material, having
transparency characteristics, and associated with the upper edge of
the thermoformed body for covering the opening and separating the
chambers obtained in this way.
[0021] Advantageously, the non-thermoformable filter material, for
providing transparency characteristics, is of the "woven" or
"non-woven" type.
[0022] Also, advantageously, the non-thermoformable filter
material, for providing transparency characteristics, has air
permeability values (UNI EN ISO 9237) greater than 1000
cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s.
[0023] Preferably, the non-thermoformable filter material has air
permeability values between 1000 and 10000 cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s, more
preferably between 3000 and 7000 cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s.
[0024] Thanks to a filter-bag structured in this way, it is
possible to achieve particularly satisfactory results both for
infusing the product (thanks to the three-dimensional volume of the
thermoformed body) and with regards to the attractive
appearance.
[0025] The structure of the filter-bag according to this invention
makes it possible to obtain, advantageously, in a single component,
the presence of two different infusion products (for example a main
product and a flavouring product) separate from each other until
the liquid infusion of the filter-bag.
[0026] The presence of the non-thermoformable transparent piece for
closing the thermoformed body allows a clear and immediate vision
of the type of products contained.
[0027] Preferably, the separating rib extends towards the upper
edge to form at least one further inner wall in such a way as to
interrupt the continuity of the bottom.
[0028] In light of this, the rib has an extension, calculated
starting from the bottom, such as to allow at its upper end to come
into contact with the piece of transparent filter material for
closing the opening.
[0029] This characteristic ensures a complete separation of the
inner chambers as well as an increase in the mechanical shape seal
of the filter-bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] These and other features of the invention will become more
apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred,
non-limiting embodiment of it, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0031] FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate a first embodiment of a filter-bag
for infusion products according to this invention, in,
respectively, a perspective view from above, a side view, a front
view, a plan view from below, a perspective view from above without
products and a perspective view from below;
[0032] FIGS. 7 to 12 illustrate a second embodiment of a filter-bag
for infusion products according to this invention, in,
respectively, a perspective view from above, a side view, a side
view from the side opposite the previous one, a plan view from
above, a perspective view from above without products and a
perspective view from below;
[0033] FIGS. 13 to 17 illustrate a third embodiment of a filter-bag
for infusion products according to this invention, in,
respectively, a perspective view from above, a plan view from
below, a side view, a perspective view from above without products
and a perspective view from below;
[0034] FIGS. from 18 to 24 illustrate corresponding steps for
making a filter-bag for infusion products according to this
invention, in particular the forming of the filter-bag of FIGS. 1
to 6, all being schematic front views with some parts in cross
section in order to better illustrate certain details.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0035] With reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular
FIGS. 1 to 17, the filter-bag according to the invention (denoted
in its entirety by the numeral 100) is used for containing liquid
infusion products.
[0036] More specifically, the filter-bag 100 is used for liquid
infusion products, in particular hot liquids, such as tea or
chamomile (in powder, granules or leaves).
[0037] According to the invention, the filter-bag 100 for liquid
infusion products comprises a thermoformed body 1 with filtration
properties having an inner volume defined by a bottom 2, a mouth
delimited on the perimeter by an upper flat edge 3 (with a closed
extension as described below) and at least one connecting wall 4
between the bottom 2 and the upper edge 3.
[0038] Also according to the invention, the wall 4 is provided with
at least one rib 5 extending from the bottom 2 towards the upper
edge 3 in such a way as to define at least two chambers 6, 7 for
containing corresponding infusion products P1, P2 separate from
each other and included in the internal volume of the thermoformed
body 1.
[0039] Also according to the invention, the filter-bag 100
comprises a flat piece 8 of non-thermoformable filter material,
having transparency characteristics, and associated with the upper
edge 3 of the body 1 for covering the opening and separating the
chambers 6, 7 obtained in this way. Advantageously, the filter
material is of the "woven" type.
[0040] Alternatively, the filter material is of the "non-woven"
type.
[0041] The non-thermoformable filter material having transparency
characteristics makes it possible to see the product contained
inside the bag.
[0042] It should be noted that, preferably, the above-mentioned two
infusion products P1 and P2 may be, respectively, a so-called basic
product (tea or chamomile) and a flavouring product (for example,
fruit and/or plant-based flavours).
[0043] Preferably, the rib 5 extends towards the upper edge 3 to
form at least one further inner wall 5a in such a way as to
interrupt the continuity of the bottom 2 (see FIGS. 1 to 17).
[0044] In other words, the rib 5 extends from the base 2 and
modifies the extension of the wall 4 generating one or more walls
inside the original volume of the body 1, thus separating both the
bottom 2 and the wall 4.
[0045] Preferably, the rib 5 has an extension, calculated starting
from the bottom 2, such as to allow its upper end 9 to come into
contact with the piece 8 of transparent filter material for closing
the opening.
[0046] In light of this, the rib 5 has its upper end 9
substantially coplanar with the upper edge 3 of the body 1.
[0047] In a first embodiment of the filter-bag 100 (FIGS. 1 to 6),
the upper edge 3 is circular in shape and the rib 5 is configured
to obtain a diametric separation of the body 1 in such a way as to
define two chambers 6 and 7 of similar volume through the formation
of a bottom 2 with a twin lobed shape.
[0048] In light of this, the rib 5 has a rectilinear extension of
its upper end 9 in such a way as to form two separate parallel
inner walls starting from the bottom 2 and projecting towards the
upper edge 3.
[0049] It should be noted that to obtain this shape, the rib 5
consists of two walls spaced from each other by a distance D (see
FIG. 3) which is then the width of the upper end 9 of the rib
5.
[0050] In a second solution of the filter-bag 100, illustrated in
FIGS. 7 to 12, the upper edge 3 is circular in shape and the rib 5
has an undulating extension of its upper end 9 in such a way as to
define two separate walls with an undulating extension parallel to
each other starting from the bottom 2 and projecting towards the
upper edge 3.
[0051] It should be noted that the extension of the rib 5 is in the
shape of an "S" and allows the two chambers 6 and 7 to have a
substantially identical volume.
[0052] In light of this, the bottom 2 and the wall 4 are
interrupted by the two walls with an undulating extension which
define an S-shaped channel along the bottom 2 and up to the upper
edge 3 thus defining a corresponding inner wall of each chamber 6
and 7.
[0053] It should be noted that the rib 5 comprises the two
undulating walls spaced from each other by a constant mutual
distance which is the width of the upper end 9 of the rib 5.
[0054] Preferably, the rib 5 has its upper end 9 coplanar with the
upper edge 3 and connected at the edge 3 in at least two points
which are opposite each other on the circumference formed by the
edge 3 to define a further upper auxiliary edge.
[0055] This configuration makes it possible to increase both the
seal between the two chambers 6 and 7, and the mechanical seal of
the thermoformed body 1.
[0056] In a third solution of the filter-bag 100 (FIGS. 13 to 17),
the upper edge 3 has a circular shape and the rib 5 is configured
with an annular extension inside the perimeter of the upper edge 3
to obtain a circular separation of the inner volume of the body 1
and in such a way as to define two separate chambers 6, 7 of
different volumes.
[0057] In light of this, the rib 5 is ring-shaped and concentric
relative to the upper edge in such a way as to define two chambers
6, 7 with annular extension.
[0058] Preferably, the two chambers 6, 7 are obtained with one
inside the other and concentric with each other.
[0059] It should be noted that the rib 5 is formed around the
centre of the bottom 2 and in such a way as to create a chamber 7
with a reduced volume surrounded by the other chamber 6 with a
volume greater than the chamber 7.
[0060] In this case, the rib 5 has a upper end 9 coplanar with the
upper edge 3 but independent and without points of contact with the
upper edge 3.
[0061] This invention also provides a method for making a
filter-bag 100 for liquid infusion products of the type described
above.
[0062] The method comprises the following steps:
[0063] preparing a continuous strip S1 of thermoformable filter
material (FIG. 18);
[0064] preparing a die 10 comprising a head 11 provided with a
cavity 12 forming a volume for a body 1 of the filter-bag to be
formed; the cavity 12 has a bottom 13, a mouth delimited on the
perimeter by an upper flat edge 14 and at least one connecting wall
15 between the bottom 13 and the upper edge 14; the head 11 of the
die 10 is equipped with at least one rib 16 extending from the
bottom 13 towards the upper edge 14 in such a way as to define at
least two chambers 17 and 18 which are separate from each other and
included in the inner volume of the head 11 (FIG. 18);
[0065] preparing a punch 19 comprising a head 20 shaped to match
the cavity 12 of the head 11 of the die 10 (FIG. 18);
[0066] positioning a portion of the continuous strip S1 of filter
material between the die 10 and the punch 19 (FIG. 18);
[0067] hot plastic deforming of the portion of strip S1 of filter
material by moving towards each other the corresponding heads 11
and 20 of the die 10 and of the punch 19 so as to obtain a body 1
having an inner volume defined by a bottom 2, a mouth delimited on
the perimeter by an upper flat edge 3, at least one connecting wall
4 between the bottom 2 and the upper edge 3; the wall 4 being
provided with at least one rib 5 extending from the bottom 2
towards the upper edge 3 in such a way as to define at least two
chambers 6 and 7 for containing corresponding infusion products P1,
P2 separate from each other and included in the internal volume of
the body 1 (FIGS. 19 to 22);
[0068] dosing a first infusion product P1 in a first chamber (6 or
7) of the at least two chambers formed (FIG. 23);
[0069] dosing a second infusion product in a second chamber (7, 6)
still empty of the at least two chambers formed (FIG. 23);
[0070] preparing a flat piece 8 of non-thermoformable material
(FIG. 24);
[0071] joining the piece of non-thermoformable material 8 on the
edge 3 of the thermoformed body 1 to close the opening, in such a
way as to form a filter-bag 100 (FIG. 24).
[0072] Preferably, the flat piece 8 of non-thermoformable material
has transparency characteristics (that is, it allows to an observer
to look through the piece).
[0073] Advantageously, method according to the previous claim,
wherein the step of preparing a flat piece of 8 of
non-thermoformable filter material with transparency
characteristics comprises preparing a flat piece 8 of
non-thermoformable filter material with air permeability greater
than 1000 cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s, preferably between 1000 and 10000
cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s, more preferably between 3000 and 7000
cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2s.
[0074] The above-described formation methods, although illustrated
for forming a filter-bag 100 of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 6
(first embodiment illustrated), are applicable for the other types
of filter-bag 100.
[0075] The only variant of a structural type relates to the die and
the punch which will be configured according to the shape of the
corresponding filter-bag 100.
[0076] Preferably, the step of hot plastic deforming the portion of
strip S1 of filter material is carried out by (that is, it
comprises a step of) heating the head 20 of the punch 19.
[0077] Alternatively, the step of hot plastic deforming the portion
of strip S1 of filter material is carried out by preheating the
strip S1 of filter material and using the head 20 of the punch 19
not heated.
[0078] Preferably, after the step of hot deforming the portion of
strip S1, there is a step of cutting of the thermoformed body
1.
[0079] This cutting step is achieved, preferably, by moving cutting
means positioned between the die 10 and the punch 19 (not
illustrated).
[0080] Preferably, the step of dosing the individual infusion
products P1 and P2 may be performed simultaneously with independent
dosers 21 and 22 (a doser for each product).
[0081] Alternatively, the dosing step is carried out in separate
and successive phases, again with independent dosers 21 and 22 (a
doser for each product).
[0082] Preferably, the piece 8 of filter material is associated,
hot, on the upper edge 3 of the body 1.
[0083] Preferably, the piece 8 of filter material is unwound from a
reel 23 of strip S2 of filter material and positioned on the edge 3
of the body 1.
[0084] In light of this, a head 24 having a heated edge 25 and
cutting means 26 carry out the association on the edge 3 of the
body 1 and a relative cut of the strip S2 to define the closing
strip 8.
* * * * *