WO1996001773A1

WO1996001773A1 - Tea bag squeezer and holder

Info

Publication number: WO1996001773A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/008231
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henry S. Milone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-07-12
Filing date: 1995-07-12
Publication date: 1996-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1997-01-12
Also published as: AU3000095A; TW277044B; CA2117548A1

Abstract

A tea bag package (10) and method for storing a tea bag (46), brewing tea, and squeezing excess liquid from the tea bag after infusion. The package includes an envelope (14) having a sealed bottom (30) and a removable tab (54) connected by a string (48) to the tea bag housed in the envelope. The bottom can be opened to allow the tea bag to fall out of the envelope for infusion. After infusion, the tab is removed from the envelope and the tea bag is drawn back into the envelope by pulling the tab upward, so that the unsightly used tea bag is hidden from view and excess liquid can be squeezed from the tea bag by pressing the sides (16, 18) of the envelope together.

Description

TEA BAG SQUEEZER AND HOLDER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to tea bag packages. More specifically, the invention relates to a tea bag package for (1) storing a tea bag and (2) squeezing excess liquid from the tea bag after infusion.

2. Related Art

U.S. Patent No. 3,057,729 to Grant discloses a tea bag package including a string attaching a tea bag to a tab, and a pair of front and rear panels hingedly connected along their top edges and moveable along the string. After infusion, the flap can be pushed down the string so that the two flaps engage the tea bag for squeezing excess liquid from the bag.

U.S. Patent No. 3,550,528 to O'Neill discloses a tea bag squeezer and holder including a pair of front and rear panels hingedly connected along their top edges, connected along their side edges by triangular bellows-folded gussets, and an inner liner secured to the inner faces of the panels. the bottom of the holder is open. U.S. Patent No. 4,726,956 to Christie discloses a tea bag cover comprising a pair of front and rear panels hingedly connected along their top edges, one of the panels being stapled to a tea bag. During use, the tea bag can be suspended on the side of a mug by one panel and excess liquid can be squeezed out of the tea bag by pressing the tea bag against the side of the mug with the other panel.

U.S. Patent No. 3,092,242 to Irmscher discloses a tea bag squeezer including a pair of panels hingedly connected at their top edges and moveable along a string connecting the tea bag to a tab. The panels can be moved along the string to engage the tea bag and squeeze excess water therefrom.

U.S. Patent No. 2,986,269 to Goldberg discloses a tea bag package comprising a flexible, hollow cone moveable along a string that connects a tea bag to a tab. Prior to use, the tea bag can be stored in the cone and the tab can be tucked into a pocket in the cone. After infusion, the cone can be moved to engage the tea bag and squeeze excess liquid therefrom. U.S. Patent No. 2,308,241 to Hogaboom discloses a pair of panels hingedly connected at their top edge, a perforated removable tab formed at the top edge of the panels, and a string connecting a tea bag to the removable tab. After infusion, the tab is removed from the panels and the panels are moved along the string to engage the tea bag and squeeze excess liquid therefrom.

In the above prior art tea bag packages, the brewmaster must struggle with three separate components during infusion: a tea bag, a tab, and an envelope/squeezer. The brewmaster must maneuver these three components during infusion whether or not he wishes to employ the envelope to squeeze excess liquid from the tea bag. Also, the prior art packages are not completely sealed during storage of the tea bag and are not adequately sealed during squeezing to prevent leakage and dripping of .liquid from the sides of the tea bag and package. Rather, the prior art tea bag packages are incompletely sealed during storage of the tea bag, thereby preventing sanitary storage of the tea bag prior to use. Further, the prior art packages are only connected along their top edges during squeezing and do not extend beyond the outer periphery of the tea bag, thereby allowing liquid to leak or drip from the sides of the package during squeezing of the tea bag.

It is therefore desirable to provide a tea bag package where the brewmaster only has maneuver two components during infusion, the tea bag and the envelope, and if the brewmaster wishes to employ the squeezer element, a third component, a tab, is introduced after infusion by removing the tab from the envelope. It is also desirable to provide a tea bag package that is completely sealed prior to use to provide sanitary storage of the tea bag. Further, it is desirable to provide a tea bag package having sealed sides or sides that protrude outwardly from the outer periphery of the tea bag so that the package envelops the tea bag during squeezing to prevent liquid from leaking or dripping from the sides of the package and to hide the unsightly tea bag from view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The inventive tea bag package provides a package that is completely sealed prior to use for housing and storing a tea bag in a sanitary manner. The sides of the inventive package either remain sealed or extend outwardly from the tea bag's outer periphery, so that after infusion the package can be used to envelop the tea bag and squeeze excess liquid therefrom while preventing liquid from leaking or dripping from the sides of the package.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the inventive tea bag package comprises an envelope having a top sealed by a top flap, a sealed bottom, and opening means, such as a string, for opening the bottom of the envelope to allow the tea bag housed therein to fall from the envelope. The top of the envelope includes a removable tab connected to the tea bag by connecting means. When the tab is removed from the envelope and pulled upward, the tea bag can be drawn back into the envelope after infusion to completely envelop the tea bag and squeeze excess liquid therefrom, if desired.

According to a first alternate embodiment, the opening means comprises an adhesive tear strip. According to a second alternate embodiment, the sides and bottom of the envelope are sealed by a tear strip. The envelope sides are unsealed during squeezing and extend outwardly from the outer periphery of the tea bag to adequately cover the tea bag during squeezing and prevent leakage or dripping from the envelope.

According to a third alternate embodiment, the sides of the envelope are pleated to provide more room to draw the tea bag back into the envelope after infusion.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the top flap of the envelope serves as the removable tab.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, the package comprises a conical envelope having a sealed bottom and a removable top connected to the tea bag connecting means.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, the package includes an envelope having overlapping top and bottom flaps. The bottom flap is removed to open the bottom of the envelope and allow the tea bag to fall therefrom, and the top flap can be removed after infusion to allow the brewmaster to draw the tea bag back into the envelope and squeeze excess liquid therefrom, if desired. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is better understood by reading the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of the first embodiment of the invention and opening the envelope bottom according to the first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the first embodiment of the invention with the envelope bottom open;

Fig. 3 illustrates opening the top flap of the envelope according to the first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 illustrates removing the tab from the envelope according to the first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 illustrates squeezing excess liquid from the tea bag according to the first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6a illustrates a first alternate embodiment of the invention with the envelope bottom closed; Fig. 6b illustrates opening the package bottom according to the first alternate embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6c illustrates a second alternate embodiment of the invention with the envelope bottom and sides closed;

Fig. 6d illustrates the second alternate embodiment of the invention with the envelope bottom and sides open; Fig. 7a illustrates a third alternate embodiment of the invention with the envelope bottom closed;

Fig. 7b illustrates a third alternate embodiment of* the invention with the envelope bottom open; Fig. 8 illustrates a front view of the second embodiment of the invention with the envelope bottom open;

Fig. 9 illustrates removal of the top flap from the envelope according to the second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 10 illustrates squeezing excess liquid from the tea bag according to the second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 11 illustrates opening the envelope bottom according to the third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 12 illustrates a front view of the third embodiment of the invention with the envelope bottom opened; Fig. 13 illustrates removing the tab from the envelope according to the third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 14 illustrates squeezing excess liquid from the tea bag according to the third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 15 illustrates a front view of the fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 16 illustrates a front view of the envelope with the bottom flap open according to the fourth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 17 illustrates a front view of the envelope with the bottom flap torn off and the bottom of the envelope open according to the fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 18 illustrates a front view of the envelope with the top flap open according to the fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 19 illustrates removal of the top flap from the envelope according to the fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 20 illustrates squeezing excess liquid from the tea bag according to the fourth embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 21 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

According to the first embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5, the inventive tea bag package 10 is an envelope 14 formed from front and rear panels 16, 18. Envelope 14 has a sealed top 22, a sealed bottom 30, and sealed left and right sides 32, 34.

A tea bag 46 is completely housed within envelope 14 prior to use. Sealed top 22, bottom 30, and left and right sides 16, 18 of envelope 14 provide a completely sealed, sanitary storage package 10 for tea bag 46.

Preferably, left and right sides 32, 34 are sealed by crimping 38, or alternatively, by an adhesive, such as glue.

Bottom 30 is preferably provided with opening means, such as a string 48, connected at one end to the inside of envelope 14 at one side of envelope 14, running along the length of bottom 30 inside envelope 14, and protruding outwardly from the other side of envelope 14. To open bottom 30, a brewmaster merely pulls string 48 downward and along the length of bottom 30, thereby tearing open bottom 30 to allow tea bag 46 to drop from bottom 30.

Top 22 includes a top flap 24 sealing top 22. front panel 16 of envelope 14 includes a removable tab 54 formed in front panel 16, for example by perforations 56. Connecting means 60, such as a string, connects tab 54 to tea bag 46. Preferably, a first fastener 62, such as a staple, is provided to attach connecting means 60 to tea bag 46, and a second fastener 64, such as a staple, is provided to attach connecting means 60 to tab 54. To disengage tab 54 and tea bag 46 from envelope 14, the brewmaster lifts top flap 24 to open top 22 of envelope 14 and removes tab 54 from envelope 14 by tearing along perforations 56. Envelope 14 is then moveable along the length of connecting means 60.

During the entire infusion process, the brewmaster is only required to maneuver two components: tea bag 46 and envelope 14, incorporating tab 54. Tab 54 can be removed from envelope 14 after infusion if the brewmaster wishes to employ the squeezing feature of the invention discussed below.

After infusion, the squeezing feature of the invention can be employed by pulling tab 54 upward to draw tea bag 46 into envelope 14. The brewmaster can then easily remove excess liquid from tea bag 46 by squeezing front and rear panels 16, 18 of envelope 14 together. The seal along left and right sides 32, 34 of envelope 14 prevent liquid from leaking or dripping from envelope 14 during squeezing.

Preferably, interior surface 17 of front and rear panels

16, 18 is coated with a water-resistant coating, such as a plastic coating or liner, to prevent leakage of liquid through envelope 14 and protect the brewmaster^,s fingers from being burned by hot liquid squeezed from tea bag 46.

According to the first alternate embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figs. 6a and 6b, bottom 30 is provided with an adhesive tear strip 50 sealing bottom 30. To open bottom 30, the brewmaster peels strip 50 from bottom 30, thereby releasing the adhesive seal and opening bottom 30 of envelope 14.

According to the second alternate embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figs. 6c and 6d, left and right sides 32, 34 are sealed by tear strip 50', which runs around left and right sides 32, 34 and bottom 30 of envelope 14 so that when tear strip 50' is removed, front and rear panels 16, 18 are connected only at top 22. Preferably, left and right sides 32, 34, extend outwardly from the outer periphery of tea bag 46 so that left and right sides 32, 34 adequately cover tea bag 46 during squeezing to prevent leakage or dripping.

According to the third alternate embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figs. 7a and 7b, left and right sides 132, 134 are pleated. During storage of the tea bag prior to use, left and right sides 132, 134 are folded inwardly and bottom 30 is sealed, as shown in Fig. 7a and described above. When bottom 30 is opened by a strip or tear strip as described above, pleated left and right sides 132, 134 expand to allow tea bag 46 to drop from envelope 114 and be drawn back into envelope 114 more easily, as shown in Fig. 7b.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, there is further provided a method of storing and brewing tea by providing a tea bag package as described above housing a tea bag for sanitary storage thereof. To brew a cup of tea, the brewmaster opens bottom 30 of the package to allow tea bag 46 to fall therefrom and infuses tea bag 46. After infusion, the brewmaster may lift flap 24, remove tab 54 from envelope 14, and draw tea bag 46 back into envelope 14 by pulling tab 46 upward. Thus, the brewmaster only has to maneuver two components, tea bag 46 and envelope 14 incorporating tab 54, during the infusion process. If the brewmaster wishes to employ the squeezing feature of the invention, he can remove tab 54 from envelope 14 and draw tea bag 46 into envelope 14 after infusion.

Once tea bag 46 is drawn back into envelope 14, excess liquid is squeezed therefrom by squeezing front and rear panels 16, 18 together. The unsightly used tea bag is hidden from view by envelope 14. Sealed sides 32, 34 prevent excess liquid from leaking or dripping from envelope 14, thereby providing a quick, clean method of removing excess liquid from tea bag 46.

Referring now to Figs. 8 through 10, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention which is generally similar to the first embodiment except for the configuration of the removable tab.

In accordance with the second embodiment of the invention as shown in Figs. 8 through 10, tea bag package 210 includes removable top flap 224 that seals top 22 of envelope 214. Envelope 214 serves as a tab for brewing tea. If desired, flap 224 can be removed from envelope 214 after infusion to draw tea bag 46 back into envelope 214. Preferably, flap 224 is attached to top 22 of envelope 214 by perforations 226, so flap 224 can be removed from envelope 214 by tearing along perforations 226. Flap 224 is connected to tea bag 46 by connecting means, such as a string 60 and fasteners 62, 64. Thus, flap 224 seals top 22 of envelope 214 and serves as a removable tab for drawing tea bag 46 into envelope 214 after infusion. Preferably, notch 228 is provided in front panel 16 and has left and right sides 228a, 228b glued to rear panel 18. Connecting means 60 is moveable through notch 228 between glued left and right sides 228a, 228b. Glued left and right sides 228a, 228b prevent tea bag 46 from being pulled through top 22 of envelope 214.

It is to be understood that the second embodiment of the invention can be modified according to the first, second, or third alternate embodiments of the first embodiment of the invention, described above. The second embodiment of the invention further provides a method for brewing tea similar to that described above in relation to the first embodiment of the invention, except flap 224 is torn from envelope 214, and tea bag 46 is drawn back into envelope 214 by pulling flap 224 upward. Referring now to Figs. 11 through 14, there is shown a third embodiment of the invention which is generally similar to the first embodiment except for the configuration of the tea bag package. According to the third embodiment of the invention as shown in Figs. 11 through 14, tea bag package 310 includes a conical envelope 314 having a sealed bottom 30 and a removable triangular top 322 defined by perforations 326. Conical envelope 314 is preferably formed from a single panel. Alternatively, conical envelope 314 can be formed from front and rear triangular panels sealed together along their sides (not shown) .

Top 322 is connected to tea bag 46 by connecting means 60 and staples 62, 64. Bottom 30 is opened as described above in relation to the first embodiment of the invention to allow tea bag 46 to fall from envelope 314. Top 322 can be removed from envelope 314 after infusion by tearing along perforations 326, so that tea bag 46 can be drawn back into envelope 314 after infusion by pulling top 322 upward. Excess liquid can then be squeezed from tea bag 46 by pressing front and rear panels 316, 318 of envelope 314 together.

The conical shape of envelope 314 performs a centering function in that, as tea bag 46 is drawn into conical envelope 314, left and right sides 332, 334 of conical envelope 314 engage tea bag 46 and push tea bag 46 into a centered position within conical envelope 314. Thus, when envelope 314 is squeezed to remove excess liquid from tea bag 46, tea bag 46 is centered within envelope 314 to prevent dripping and leaking from left and right sides 332, 334 of envelope 314. Preferably, notch 328 is provided in front panel 16 and has left and right sides 328a, 328b glued to rear panel 18 to allow connecting means 60 to move through notch 228 and prevent tea bag 46 from being pulled through envelope 314, as described above in relation to the second embodiment of the invention.

It is to be understood that the third embodiment of the invention can be modified according to the first, second, or third alternate embodiments of the first embodiment of the invention, described above. The third embodiment of the invention further provides a method for brewing tea which is generally similar to that described above in relation to the first embodiment, except that top 322 is removed from envelope 314 by tearing along perforations 326, and tea bag 46 is drawn into envelope 314 after infusion by pulling top 322 upward.

Referring now to Figs. 15 through 18, there is shown a fourth embodiment of the invention which is generally similar to the first embodiment except it includes a bottom flap 424a.

In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention as shown in Figs. 15 through 18, tea bag package 410 includes envelope 414 having top and bottom flaps 424a, 424b, respectively. Preferably, bottom flap 424b overlaps top flap 424a, as shown, and top and bottom flaps 424a, 424b are attached to envelope 414 by perforations 426 so top and bottom flaps 424a, 424b can be removed from envelope 414 by tearing along perforations 426. To open bottom 30 of envelope 414 and allow tea bag 46 to fall therefrom, the brewmaster merely tears bottom flap 424b from envelope 414.

Top flap 424a is attached to connecting means 60 by fastener 64. After infusion, top flap 424a can be removed from envelope 414 by tearing along perforations 426 and pulled upward to draw tea bag 46 into envelope 414 and squeeze excess liquid therefrom, if desired.

Alternatively, top flap 424a may overlap bottom flap 424b, as shown in Fig. 21, so that top flap 424a is removed from envelope 414 to open envelope top 22. Envelope 414 is then inverted to allow tea bag 46 to fall therefrom. According to this alternative, bottom flap 424b is attached to connecting means 60 by fastener 64 so that after infusion bottom flap 424b can be removed from envelope 414 and pulled upward to draw tea bag 46 into envelope 414 and squeeze excess liquid therefrom, if desired.

It is to be understood that the fourth embodiment of the invention can be modified according to the first, second, or third alternate embodiments of the first embodiment of the invention, described above.

The fourth embodiment of the invention further provides a method for brewing which is generally similar to that described above in relation to the first embodiment, except that bottom flap 424b is removed from envelope 414 to open envelope bottom 30.

Modifications and variations of the above-described embodiments of the present invention are possible, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. For example, the envelope may be square, rectangular, trapezoidal, circular, or oval, and bottom 30 may be opened by any other suitable means, such as by pinching the bottom corners of the envelope together to cause bottom 30 to break open. Also, the inventive tea bag package can be used to store and brew other beverages, such as coffee.

It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A package for storing a tea bag and squeezing excess liquid therefrom after infusion, said package comprising: an envelope housing the tea bag, the envelope having a sealed bottom; a removable tab formed in the envelope; opening means for opening the bottom of the envelope; and connecting means for connecting the tab to the tea bag, the envelope being moveable along the connecting means when the tab is removed from the envelope; whereby the tea bag can be drawn back into the envelope after infusion to envelop the tea bag and squeeze excess liquid therefrom.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the envelope has .a top and further comprising a flap at the top of the envelope for sealing the top of the envelope.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the opening means comprises a string running along the length of the bottom of the envelope, one end of the string being attached inside the envelope at the envelope bottom at one side of the envelope and the other end of the string extending outwardly from the envelope bottom at the opposite side of the envelope.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein the opening means comprises an adhesive, removable strip located along the envelope bottom and sealing the envelope bottom.

5. The package of claim 1, wherein the envelope has sealed first and second sides extending outwardly from the tea bag and the opening means comprises an adhesive, removable strip located along the first and second sides and the bottom of the envelope and sealing the first and second sides and bottom of the envelope.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the envelope has pleated sides.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein the envelope has a top and further comprising a notch having peripheral sides formed in the envelope top, the peripheral sides of the notch being sealed, thereby preventing the tea bag from being pulled through the envelope top.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein the opening means comprises a removable flap at the bottom of the envelope.

9. The package of claim 1, wherein the envelope has an interior surface coated with a water-resistant coating.

10. A package for storing a tea bag and squeezing excess liquid therefrom after infusion, said package comprising: a conical envelope housing the tea bag, the envelope having a sealed bottom; a removable tab formed in the envelope; opening means for opening the bottom of the envelope; and connecting means for connecting the tab to the tea bag, the envelope being moveable along the connecting means when the tab is removed from the envelope; whereby the tea bag can be drawn back into the envelope after infusion to envelop the tea bag and squeeze excess liquid therefrom.

11. The package of claim 10, wherein the opening means comprises a string running along the length of the bottom of the envelope, one end of the string being attached inside the envelope at the envelope bottom at one side of the envelope and the other end of the string extending outwardly from the envelope bottom at the opposite side of the envelope.

12. The package of claim 10, wherein the opening means comprises an adhesive, removable strip located along the bottom of the envelope and sealing the envelope bottom.

13. The package of claim 10, further comprising a notch having peripheral sides formed in the envelope, the peripheral sides of the notch being sealed, thereby preventing the tea bag from being pulled through the envelope.

14. The package of claim 10, wherein the envelope has an interior surface coated with a water-resistant coating.

15. A method for squeezing excess liquid from a tea bag after infusion, comprising: providing an envelope housing the tea bag, the envelope having a sealed bottom, a removable tab formed in the envelope, opening means for opening the bottom of the envelope, and connecting means for connecting the tab to the tea bag, the envelope being moveable along the connecting means when the tab is removed from the envelope; opening the bottom of the envelope, thereby allowing the tea bag to fall out of the envelope for infusing; infusing the tea bag; removing the tab from the envelope; drawing the tea bag back into the envelope to envelop the tea bag by pulling the tab upward; and squeezing excess liquid from the tea bag by pressing the sides of the envelope.