Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Infusion Unit
The invention relates to an infusion unit comprising a bag part that
contains an infusion material, preferably tea leaves, and a handle that
is connected to the bag part.
Infusion units of this type are known, for example, in the form of
traditional tea bags. With traditional tea bags, finely shredded tea
material is contained in a bag part. The bag part is sealed around its
entire periphery, and on the upper side of the bag part, a small
cardboard or paper tab is attached via a pull string as a handle piece.
Tea bags of this type are widely used to prepare tea in individual
portions and in pots. Usually, such tea bags are loaded with a fill
quantity of 3.5 to 5.0 g, this fill quantity being suitable for
preparing one cup of tea using said tea bag. If, however, such a tea
bag is used to prepare, for example, a mug of tea (compared with an
approximately 150 ml cup, a mug holds approximately 200 to 300 ml), the
quantity of tea contained in the tea bag is insufficient.
Furthermore, the tea contained in traditional tea bags is finely
crushed, and its quality is usually far below that of a loose tea made
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from high-quality tea leaves.
Especially for "street vending", it is necessary to prepare tea
rapidly, so that bagged tea or tea bags are always used in
these cases to prepare tea.
Due to the disadvantages described above, however, the tea
prepared using tea bags of this type does not always satisfy
the demands of consumers in terms of quality, so that street
vendors are able to sell only small numbers of tea beverages.
It is a goal of the applicant to make it possible for street
vendors to also offer high-quality tea beverages, which
approach or are equal to the quality of teas prepared at home
or in good teahouses. In addition, it should be possible to
prepare the tea rapidly, as is critical in street vending.
Especially, it should be possible to use an infusion unit
specified in the invention in combination with disposable
drinking cups equipped with lids.
The listed goals or the objects to be understood therein are
achieved according to the infusion unit of the present
invention and advantageous further improvements described for
this infusion unit.
Certain exemplary embodiments provide an infusion unit
comprising: a bag part containing an infusion material; a
handle attached to the bag part, wherein the handle is a plate-
type element, to which the bag part is directly fastened in
such a way that, viewed in a direction of the longest extension
of the handle, it is positioned between opposite ends of the
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handle such that when the handle and the bag part are tilted
about 900 from one another, the handle extends to both sides
over a point at which the handle is connected to the bag part;
and a fold extending centrally over the entire length of the
handle along the direction of the longest extension of the
handle.
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In the latter position, the bag part and the handle consequently
together form a "T" shape, wherein it is not imperative that the two
sections of the cross member of the "T" be of equal lengths.
The infusion unit according to the invention is especially suited for
holding loose, whole tea leaves, thereby creating the prerequisite for
preparing a high-quality tea. However, the infusion unit of the
invention is not limited to tea as the infusion material; in principle
other infusion materials, such as bits of fruit, for example, or
similar materials, can also be used. The arrangement of the bag part
on the handle, according to the invention, makes it possible to
reliably use the handle as a "stopper" when the bag part is hung inside
a container for the purpose of preparing the infusion beverage, in
that, for example, the two projecting parts of the handle are placed on
a rim of the container opening, or are inserted into a lid constructed
specifically for use in conjunction with the infusion unit of the
invention, in a manner to be described in greater detail with reference
to the exemplary embodiment.
The bag part can be made of a cellulose material or any other porous
material suitable for the preparation of infusion beverages, especially
nylon.
According to an advantageous further improvement (claim 2), the bag
part is fastened to the handle eccentrically between the opposite ends,
viewed along the elongate extension of said handle. In a further
variant (claim 3), an arrangement is preferred that divides the handle
in its elongate extension in a ratio of approximately 1 to 3. This
type of arrangement of the bag part on the handle is of particular
advantage especially with the preferred, provided combination of the
infusion unit with a lid for a disposable drinking cup specifically
designed for this purpose.
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A further embodiment that is advantageous in this connection is
specified in claim 4. In this embodiment, the handle is essentially
rectangular in its basic shape, wherein the end of the handle that lies
most distant from the point at which the handle is connected to the bag
part is rounded. This rounding of the end of the handle facilitates
insertion of the same into a receptacle slit, or makes it possible to
place this end on a correspondingly shaped support surface for
fastening the infusion unit in a "brewing position".
An infusion unit configured as described in claim 5, in which a handle
for the bag part is created by folding over one end of the handle and
gluing one end of the bag part between two surfaces of the handle,
which are situated one on top of another as a result of the folding,
provides a particularly simple and stable construction of the infusion
unit of the invention, especially the point at which the handle and the
bag part are connected. Rather than gluing, the end of the bag part
can also be fastened in the fold of the handle in some other way, for
example via stitching.
Another further improvement (claim 6) provides that the folded section
of the handle forms a gripping section for grasping the infusion unit.
This end is doubled as a result of folding, which also serves to
stabilize it, forming a more stable gripping section than at the other
end of the handle.
Preferably, the handle is wider in a lateral dimension, measured
crosswise to the direction of the elongate extension, than the bag
section fastened to it, and in this direction projects beyond the bag
part on both sides. This advantageous further improvement specified in
claim 7 makes it possible to position the handle on a support or guide
surface in the area in which the bag part lies. The bag unit is
advantageously a flat bag (claim 8). This flat bag is preferably
arranged with its elongate extension crosswise to the elongate
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extension of the handle, and is fastened to the handle in this
orientation.
Preferred dimensions of the infusion unit are specified in claim 9.
According to this claim, the bag unit is approximately 100 mm - 130 mm
long, and approximately 50 mm wide. The handle is approximately 80 mm
long and approximately 54 mm wide, with the first end that extends
beyond the point at which the bag part is connected to the handle part
being approximately 20 mm long and the second extending end being
approximately 60 mm long.
Finally, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention (claim 10)
provides that a fold extends in the direction of the elongate extension
of the handle, approximately centered over the entire length of the
latter. The advantage of this fold is that the infusion unit of the
invention can be used, for example, to brew an infusion beverage in a
mug, without the risk that the infusion unit placed in the mug will
slip completely into the mug when liquid is poured over it. To
accomplish this, the handle of the infusion unit is pressed together
slightly along the fold, so that, rather than the flat, planar shape,
it is approximately triangular in cross section. The longer section of
the handle then hangs over the rim of the mug. The angled shape allows
the handle to better fit the round outer edge of the mug, making it
harder for it to slip in.
Further advantages and characterizing features of the invention are
revealed in the following description of an exemplary embodiment, with
reference to the attached set of figures. The figures show:
Fig. 1 a first exemplary embodiment of an infusion unit of the
invention, in a view from a first side,
Fig. 2 the infusion unit of the invention from Fig. 1, in a view
from the side that is opposite the first side,
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Fig. 3 a view of a bag part of an infusion unit of the invention,
Fig. 4 a view of a blank for the handle according to the first
exemplary embodiment of the infusion unit of the invention,
Fig. 5a through Sc a preferred use of the infusion unit of the
invention, in combination with a specially designed lid for
a disposable drinking cup,
Fig. 6 a representation of a second exemplary embodiment of an
infusion unit according to the invention, comparable to that
of Fig. 1,
Fig. 7 a representation of the infusion unit shown in Fig. 6,
comparable to that of Fig. 2, and
Fig. 8 a view of a blank for the handle according to the second
exemplary embodiment, comparable to that of Fig. 4.
In the figures, each of which schematically illustrates the described
exemplary embodiment, equivalent elements are designated by the same
reference symbols. The representations in the figures do not serve to
limit the scope of the invention, nor does the following description of
the exemplary embodiment; the scope of the invention is defined solely
by the patent claims. The following description of the exemplary
embodiments is intended solely for purposes of explanation and to
improve understanding of the invention.
In the figures, an infusion unit of the invention is generally
designated by the numbers 20 or 120. The infusion unit is generally
comprised of a handle 22 or 122 and a bag part 21 in the form of a flat
bag fastened directly to said handle. The bag part 21 is filled with
an infusion material, preferably loose tea leaves. The bag part 21 is
made of a nylon material. The bag part 21 is produced by cutting off a
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section of a tubular continuous band, closing one side of the bag part
21 with a row of stitching 28, filling it with the infusion material
and closing the opposite end of the bag part 21 with another row of
stitching 29. The dots at the center section of the bag part 21 are
used to indicate that the nylon material is porous, to enable
penetration of the same by an infusion liquid, for example hot water.
In this manner it is ensured that the infusion material will come in
contact with the infusion liquid, allowing it to act on said material
to create an infusion beverage.
The handle 22 or 122 is made of a flat material, especially thin
cardboard.
In Fig. 4, a blank for a first exemplary embodiment of the handle 22 is
shown. There it is apparent that a fold designated by the number 25
extends crosswise to the handle 22, with grooves 26 and 27 being
provided to each side of the fold 25. To attach the handle 22 to the
bag part 21, in the areas between the fold 25 and the grooves 26 and
27, adhesive is applied to an upper side of the blank for the handle
22. A crosswise edge of one end of the bag part 21 is then placed on
the fold 25, and the blank is folded along the fold 25 and bent around
the bag part 21. In this manner, the bag part 21 is glued to the
handle 22.
In Fig. 8, an alternative embodiment of a handle 122 is shown. This
also has a fold 125 that extends crosswise to the handle 122. This
exemplary embodiment lacks grooves that would correspond to the grooves
26 and 27 represented in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 4. Instead,
this embodiment has a fold 128 that extends in the lengthwise direction
of the handle 122 (i.e. in the direction of its elongate extension).
This fold extends perpendicular to the first fold 125 and lies
approximately at the center of the handle 122, viewed across its width.
The fold 128 is also indicated in Fig. 6 and 7, in which an exemplary
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embodiment that is equipped with the handle 122 shown in Fig. 8
(infusion unit 120) is illustrated. The fold 128 provides a more
secure positioning of the infusion unit of the invention when it is
used for brewing an infusion beverage in a mug or a similar container.
In such cases the handle 122 can be bent along the fold 128, and
thereby "angled". In this position, it can be better adjusted to fit
the outer shape of a mug or similar container, and, when hung over the
rim of the mug to hold the bag part 21, will tend not to slip into the
mug or the other brewing container when a brewing liquid is poured over
the contents of the bag part 21.
The manner in which the bag part 21 is connected to the handle 122 is
similar to what was described above in reference to the exemplary
embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 4. Here again, by folding one end of
the handle 122 along the fold 125, an overlapping area is created, in
which one end of the bag part 21 is glued.
As is apparent, especially, from Fig. 1 and 2 or 6 and 7, respectively,
the handle 22 or 122 is wider than the bag part 21, wherein the bag
part 21 is arranged centered on the handle 22 or 122, so that an edge
of the handle 22 or 122 of approximately equal width projects on each
side of the bag part 21. With this arrangement, in connecting the bag
part 21 to the handle 22 or 122, the two surfaces of the handle 22 or
122, at least in the extended area of the handle 22 or 122, are glued
directly to one another, which adds to the sturdiness of this
attachment.
With the above-described connection between the bag part 21 and the
handle 22 or 122, the handle 22 or 122 forms a supporting section 24 or
124 and a shorter gripping section 23 or 123, for two extending
sections that extend beyond the point at which the handle 22 or 122 is
connected to the bag part 21, the cardboard material of the handle 22
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or 122 being doubled in said gripping section due to the folding along
the fold 25 or 125. The supporting section 24 or 124 has a rounded
end, the background of which will be described in greater detail in
what follows.
The bag part 21 is not centered on the handle 22 or 122, i.e. the
section 23 or 123 and the supporting section 24 or 124 are of unequal
lengths. In the exemplary embodiments, the gripping section 23 or 123,
measured up to the point of connection with the bag section 21, is
approximately 20 mm long, and the supporting section 24 or 124 has a
correspondingly measured length of approximately 60 mm. The point of
connection between the bag part 21 and the handle 22 or 122 therefore
divides the latter in a ratio of approximately 1 to 3. In the
exemplary embodiment shown, the bag part 21 is approximately 50 mm
wide, and the handle is approximately 54 mm wide. With this, the
overhang of the handle 22, viewed in a crosswise direction, is
approximately 2 mm to both the right and the left of the bag part. The
bag part is approximately 110 mm long.
In Fig. 5a through 5c, a preferred use of the infusion unit of the
invention is illustrated in conjunction with a lid 1 for a disposable
drinking cup.
The lid 1 has a base plate 2, which during use is turned toward the
drinking cup, and a cover 3 arranged above the base plate 2. Between
this base plate 2 and the cover 3, and within a peripheral side panel
4, a receptacle space 5 is formed. Approximately at the center of the
base plate 2, an essentially rectangular opening 6 is provided, and in
the cover 3 or between the cover 3 and the rim of the lid 1, a slit-
type opening 7 is provided in the area near the rim. This slit-type
opening 7 is covered by a tab 13 that is part of the cover 3. In the
area opposite the slit-type opening 7, the base plate 2 forms a support
surface 10.
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The infusion unit 20 or 120 of the invention is especially well suited
for use in combination with this lid 1, to enable preparation of a
relatively high-quality infusion beverage, especially tea, for fast-
food street vending. To accomplish this, first the infusion unit 20 or
120 of the invention is threaded into the lid 1. This is shown in Fig.
5a and 5b. With the gripping section 23 or 123, the infusion unit of
the invention is guided through the opening 6 in the base plate 2 of
the lid 1, so that the gripping section 3 [sic] passes through the
slit-type opening 7. The gripping section 23 or 123, and thereby the
handle 22 or 122, is then drawn far enough through the slit-type
opening 7 that the supporting section 24 or 124 can be pulled through
the opening 6 into the receptacle space 5 of the lid 1. The handle 22
or 122 is then tilted and pushed back into the receptacle space until
the supporting section 24 or 124 of the handle 22 or 122 rests on the
support surface 10. Because the entire lid 1 is circular in shape, and
therefore the support surface 10 also has a partially circular outer
contour, the supporting section 24 or 124 has a rounded outer edge, as
described above.
In the position shown in Fig. 5b, when the lid 1 or the unit formed by
the lid 1 and the infusion unit 20 or 120 is placed on a drinking cup
filled with an infusion liquid, the infusion unit 20 or 120 of the
invention can reach into the infusion liquid, thereby acting to prepare
an infusion beverage.
After a predetermined period of infusion time, the bag part 21 of the
infusion unit 20 or 120 must be removed from the infusion liquid. This
can be accomplished in the combination of the infusion unit 20 or 120
of the invention represented in Fig. 5c. When the infusion period has
ended, the gripping section 23 or 123 of the handle 22 or 122 is
grasped and pulled in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 5c. The
bag part 21 is thereby removed from the infusion liquid, and is
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pulled through the opening 6 into the receptacle space 5. With this,
the bag part 21 is compressed and "wrung out" as a result of pressure
between the base plate 2 and the supporting section 24 or 124 of the
handle 22 or 122. If the gripping section 23 or 123 or the handle 22
or 122 is pulled as far as it will go out of the slit-type opening 7,
the bag part 21 of the infusion unit 20 or 120 of the invention is
almost completely held in the receptacle space 5, in any case enough
that it is no longer in contact with the infusion liquid in the
drinking cup. In this manner, further influence of the bag part or the
infusion material in the bag part on the infusion liquid is prevented.
If the bag part 21 contains tea, the tea beverage prepared in the
drinking cup is thereby prevented from becoming excessively bitter from
brewing too long.
The infusion unit of the invention is not limited in its use to the
interaction with the lid 1 described in Fig. 5a to 5c, and can also be
used without such a special lid to prepare infusion beverages in
beverage containers. The variants shown in Figures 6 through 8 are
especially suited for this.
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List of Reference Symbols
1 Lid
2 Base plate
3 Cover
4 Side panel
Receptacle space
6 Opening
7 Opening
Support surface
13 Tab
20; 120 Infusion unit
21 Bag part
22; 122 Handle
23; 123 Gripping section
24; 124 Supporting section
25; 125 Fold
26 Groove
27 Groove
28 Closure stitching
29 Closure stitching
128 Fold
