Abstract: A beverage filter cartridge includes an outer container with a bottom, and front, back and side walls extending upwardly from the bottom to a peripheral rim surrounding an upper opening. The side wall is contoured to define interior ledges located above the bottom and extending between the front and back walls. A planar filter element having front, back and side edge regions is configured, dimensioned and positioned to subdivide the interior of the container into first and second chambers, with the front and back edge regions of the filter element secured respectively to the front and back walls of the container, and with side edge regions of the filter element secured to respective interior ledges of the container side walls. A beverage medium is stored in the first chamber. A cover is joined to the container rim to close the upper opening. The cover is yieldably piercable to accommodate an inflow of liquid into the first chamber for combination with the beverage medium to produce a beverage.

Abstract: A beverage filter cartridge comprises an outer container with an access opening. A filter element is received in and configured and arranged to subdivide the interior of the container into first and second chambers. A beverage medium is stored in the first chamber. A lid closes the access opening. The lid has a first section overlying the first chamber and a second section overlying the second chamber. The first section of the lid is yieldably piercable to accommodate an inflow of liquid into the first chamber for infusion with the beverage medium to produce a beverage. The filter element is permeable to accommodate a flow of the beverage from the first chamber into the second chamber, and the second section of the lid is yieldably piercable to accommodate an outflow of the beverage from the second chamber to the exterior of the cartridge.

Abstract: A beverage infusion device comprises a handle and a support member extending from the handle having a pair of flat legs spaced apart by a predetermined width. Attached to each side of the flat legs is a flexible porous member, for example, a pouch of filter material having an unfolded width greater than the width of the support legs. Each porous member contains an infusible beverage preparation and is supported by the support legs in a folded position wherein, upon immersion of the porous members in a liquid, the porous members expand an become spaced to facilitate infusion of a beverage preparation therein into the liquid. In the folded position, the porous members may have a plurality of folds across its width, for example, folds adjacent the first and second ends and an unfolded portion therebetween. The first and second ends of the porous member are preferably heat bonded to the support legs.

Abstract: A method of brewing a fluid extract using a filter pouch containing flavor extractable particles. One step is supporting a fully compliant, fluid-permeable filter pouch partially filled with flavor extractable particles such that the pouch is inclined at an angle to horizontal ranging from about 30° to about 90° so that the particles accumulate at a bottom end of the filter pouch. Another step is directing brew water to near an upper end of the filter pouch above the particles. The brew water enters the filter pouch without the need for an opening in the pouch, and drops to infiltrate the particles. The particles are partially fluidized by and suspended in the brew water and they rise with the brew water into an empty portion of the filter pouch without a need for opposing sides of the filter pouch to separate to generate internal space. A further step includes brewing a fluid extract from the particles in the filter pouch and discharging the fluid extract from the filter pouch.

Abstract: A beverage infusion device comprises a handle and a support member extending from the handle having a pair of flat legs spaced apart by a predetermined width. Attached to each side of the flat legs is a flexible porous member, for example, a pouch of filter material having an unfolded width greater than the width of the support legs. Each porous member contains an infusible beverage preparation and is supported by the support legs in a folded position wherein, upon immersion of the porous members in a liquid, the porous members expand and become spaced to facilitate infusion of a beverage preparation therein into the liquid. In the folded position, the porous members may have a plurality of folds across its width, for example, folds adjacent the first and second ends and an unfolded portion therebetween. The first and second ends of the porous member are preferably heat bonded to the support legs.

Abstract: An infusion bag is provided and has a drawstring that is doubled through an opening in an upper portion of a bag to form a loop. One portion of the drawstring extends from the loop and around the bag and back through the loop, with another portion of the drawstring proceeding from such loop. These two portions form pull members for squeezing the bag. The drawstring can also extend around the bag in a doubled state. In addition to extending through the bag opening, the doubled drawstring can also extend through a looped end thereof.

Abstract: A method of brewing a fluid extract using a filter pouch containing flavor extractable particles. One step is supporting a fully compliant, fluid-permeable filter pouch partially filled with flavor extractable particles such that the pouch is inclined at an angle to horizontal ranging from about 30° to about 90° so that the particles accumulate at a bottom end of the filter pouch. Another step is directing brew water to near an upper end of the filter pouch above the particles. The brew water enters the filter pouch without the need for an opening in the pouch, and drops to infiltrate the particles. The particles are partially fluidized by and suspended in the brew water and they rise with the brew water into an empty portion of the filter pouch without a need for opposing sides of the filter pouch to separate to generate internal space. A further step includes brewing a fluid extract from the particles in the filter pouch and discharging the fluid extract from the filter pouch.

Abstract: A tea bag for ice tea beverages. The tea bag contains a tea mixture made up of about 30% to about 95% by weight of tea leaves, and about 5% to about 70% by weight of dried soluble tea solids. The tea bag may be immersed in cold water to provide a tea beverage of acceptable color and flavor in less than about 10 minutes.

Abstract: The method for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption such as coffee comprises the following steps:

Abstract: A beverage bag having a porous holder for receiving a beverage making component and a tab secured to the porous holder is disclosed. The tab comprises a first and a second layer. While the first layer is impervious to liquids, the second layer, secured to the first layer is formed of a moisture absorbent material. The first and second layers form a butler for receiving the porous holder after the beverage has been made. Initially, the tab is folded to the size and shape of a standard tab, and is thereafter unfold-able to form the butler which is sized to receive the porous holder.

Abstract: A beverage infuser includes a cap that is attachable to a drinking cup and that includes a drinking port, and a strainer basket attachable to the cap. The strainer basket is configured to hold loose tea leaves, or coffee grounds etc. and includes a position in which it is suspended into the cup when the cap and strainer basket are attached to one another.

Abstract: A filter for the adsorption of ingredients from and/or the dispersion of ingredients into a fluid includes a matrix which has a plurality of particles having an inherently active surface or an active surface made of a fluid treating material. The particles are held in place by a moderately viscous binder which is impervious to the flow of the fluid. The particles, however, are made of a fluid pervious material. An insufficient amount of binder is incorporated in the matrix to otherwise completely cover the particles. Thus portions of the active surface of the particles remains exposed to the flow of fluid thereby resulting in tortuous paths of flow through the matrix, thereby assuring contact with the treating particles.

Abstract: A fibrous, porous web material of the non-heat seal tissue having a basis weight of 9-18 gm-2 and comprises a first layer and a second layer juxtaposed thereto wherein the second layer. The first layer comprising vegetable fibers and a second layer comprising hardwood fibers, the second layer has a smaller pore size than the first layer. The paper is useful for producing beverage infusion bags (e.g. teabags) from which there is minimal passage of fine particles from the bags into their packaging.

Abstract: A beverage brewing machine, a method for brewing a beverage preparation material and a beverage brewing envelope are provided. The beverage brewing machine has an upper brewing chamber adapted to receive hot water and a beverage preparation material and having an open lower end. A cylinder with an upper end normally in registration with the open lower end of the upper brewing chamber is further provided. An envelope enclosing a packet is provided wherein the packet encloses the beverage preparation material. The customer may remove the packet from the envelope and place it on a carrier plate which automatically moves into brewing position and then is discarded by the customer, or, in a different execution, the carrier plate receives the envelope and extracts the packet including the beverage preparation material from the envelope and places the packet over the cylinder.

Abstract: A collapsible fluid filter is disclosed. The filter comprises, in part, a filter medium for filtering impurities from a fluid and a lower rim sealably disposed around the filter medium. The filter further includes an upper rim and a fluid impervious collapsible wall connected between the upper and lower rims. The filter medium, the lower rim, the collapsible wall and the upper rim define a fluid containing reservoir. The collapsible wall of the filter can be collapsed between the upper and lower rims so as to minimize the volume occupied by the fluid containing reservoir and by the filter for storage purposes and can be expanded between the upper and lower rims so as to maximize the volume occupied by the fluid containing reservoir and by the filter generally during use.

Abstract: A powdered substance, which is suitable for preparation of a beverage with an extraction fluid, is extracted for preparation of a beverage. The substance which is compacted in a form of a cake, is contained within a sachet between two sachet sheets which, prior to extraction of the substance, protect the substance against oxygen and water vapor and which extend to sealed edges for containing the substance within the sheets prior to and during extraction. In effecting extraction, one sheet is perforated to provide at least one opening for injection of extraction fluid, and extraction fluid is injected under pressure into the sachet for contacting and deforming the compacted substance cake and for extracting the substance in the sachet, and the other sheet is deformed against a surface having portions forming, upon deformation of the second sheet, local breakages in that sheet for opening that sheet for flow of extracted beverage substance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bonded nonwoven fiber fabric and packaging films strengthened with such a fabric, especially sausage casings based on celluloses. The nonwoven fiber fabric itself can be used as teabag paper. Bonding is achieved through treatment of a solution comprising cellulose, N-methylmorpholime-N-oxide and water. Bonding can be strengthened by a polyamine polyamide epichlorohydrin resin added to the fibrous pulp.

Abstract: A powdered substance, which is suitable for preparation of a beverage with an extraction fluid and which is compacted in a form of a cake, is extracted for preparation of a beverage. The compacted substance cake is contained within a sachet between two sachet sheets which, prior to extraction of the substance, protect the substance against oxygen and water vapor and which extend to sealed edges for containing the substance within the sheets prior to and during extraction. In effecting extraction, one sheet is perforated first to provide at least one opening for injection of extraction fluid, and extraction fluid is injected under pressure into the sachet for contacting the substance and for extracting the substance in the sachet, and the other sheet advantageously is deformed against a surface having portions forming, upon deformation of the second sheet, local breakages in that sheet for opening that sheet for flow of extracted beverage substance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a disposable system for making portions of a hot beverage such as coffee or tea, comprising a porous filter designed to extend within a beverage container and having an upper region which is detachably coupled to the edge of the beverage container, whereby a predetermined quantity of solid beverage material can be placed within the filter, a predetermined quantity of liquid can be poured onto the beverage material, and the resulting liquid in the beverage container can steep with the solid beverage material within the filter, so that a desired portion of a beverage of a desired strength may be produced.

Abstract: A filtration device for the preparation of foods from food concentrates and liquids includes a composite formed from a plurality of layers having a food preparation applicator secured to the composite at the fluid contact region of the composite. The food preparation applicator includes food concentrate so as to result in a dispensing structure having the food concentrate therein which applies the food concentrate to liquid flowing through the applicator so as to mix the food concentrate with the liquid in the food preparation. The device may also include pockets containing treating material for removing contaminants.

Abstract: This invention relates to a disposable system for making portions of a hot beverage such as coffee or tea, comprising a porous filter designed to extend within a beverage container and having an upper region which is detachably coupled to the edge of the beverage container, whereby a predetermined quantity of solid beverage material can be placed within the filter, a predetermined quantity of liquid can be poured onto the beverage material, and the resulting liquid in the beverage container can steep with the solid beverage material within the filter, so that a desired portion of a beverage of a desired strength may be produced.

Abstract: A cartridge which contains a substance for preparation of a beverage and for use for preparation of the beverage. The cartridge has a base, a wall, a rim and a cover. The wall extends from the base to form a cup shape which is substantially a frustum shape, the rim extends from the wall and has a diameter greater than the base and the cover is welded to the rim to contain the substance in the cartridge. The base further has sheared areas thinned, with respect to a base remainder, which extend to define arrangements which are spiral, substantially sinusoidal portions, radial segments and concentric arcs of a circle and which, along a line of each sheared area to define thickness, have a thickness which varies along the line, the sheared areas providing, upon extraction of the substance in the cartridge under pressure, openings through the base for filtering and obtaining the beverage.

Abstract: A conventional coffee filter is replaced by a package containing a flavoring and in which a paper filter forms a wall. The filter-formed wall is the upstream wall of the package. When used in a conventional filter drip or automatic filter drip brewer, the result is a brewing system wherein the producing of a filtered filtrate of the coffee brew and the flavoring of the filtrate are performed as two separate and sequential steps.

Abstract: Methods and devices for flavoring liquids are disclosed. Flavoring solids such as particulate coffee solids are packed into an impermeable container, preferably occupying most or all of the available volume. Absorbed in the solids is a quantity of extractant liquid, preferably alcoholic liquor but others are possible. The amount of extractant is no more than can be taken up by the solids; there is no free liquid. The extractant pre-extracts flavoring components from the solids. One or more seals are removable to expose openings of the container. The openings may be closed by an integral filter, or a filter may be provided by an auxiliary device which holds the container. With the seals removed, the solids charge can be rinsed with liquid to be flavored, washing out the pre-extracted flavoring components.

Abstract: A coffee maker has container (3, 5), which can be closed pressure-tight, for holding powdered coffee (12). Container (3) is equipped on the inside with screen (10) on the bottom and side wall. Flat, preferably round filter pouch (11) is inserted into container (3) such that the bottom and side wall of container (3) are completely covered. Filter pouch (11) is held by screen (10) at a distance to the inside wall of the container so that the coffee can flow out easily on all sides. The hot water is injected with nozzle head (6) at a 45.degree. angle to the center axis of the container.

Abstract: A sealed cartridge, which need have no marks for weakening and inside which, no filter is needed, contains a substance, such as roasted and ground coffee, for being extracted under pressure. The cartridge has a cup having a base and a lateral wall extending from the base to a lip which extends laterally away from the wall about a cup opening, and the cartridge has a cover sealed to the lip to cover the opening. Either the cover or the base provides a tear face which is torn under stress during extraction of the substance under pressure for preparation of a beverage.

Abstract: A filter is formed from a laminate of two sheets having a layer of adsorbent material and a layer of flavor enhancing material in the form of a flavor or supplement layer sandwiched between the sheets. Preferably, the adsorbent layer and the flavor or supplement layer are applied by a printing process.

Abstract: A tagged packet carries a tag which is attached to the main body of the packet by a thread. The thread comprises polypropylene so as to be attachable by heat sealing to the body. The body is made up of layers of sheet material also comprising thermoplastic material to allow the body to be closed by heat seals. The thread is secured to the f ace of the body at one edge at the same time as that edge is heat sealed and the heating for the thread seal is applied from the opposite face of the body whereas the adjacent regions of edge seal spaced from the thread has the heating applied through the first face. This arrangement gives closer control of the different conditions required for securing the thread and for sealing together only the sheet material of the body.

Abstract: A machine and process for making complete tea bags comprising a filter bag and thread for holding the filter bag. The machine comprises a continuously turning wheel, whose lateral surface has pins which can move from a rest position, where they are retracted into the lateral surface, to a working position where they protrude from the wheel; the wheel assembles a strip of porous material with the thread, with a pickup tag and with the infusable product in such a way as to form tea bags where the thread is arranged in a closed loop inside the filter bag, together with the infusable product, and is attached to the edges of the filter bag to form a particularly resistant fastening during infusion.

Abstract: A dispensing device for a soluble or dispersible material which comprises a tube formed of a liquid impermeable material and of unitary construction, the tube being closed at both ends and having perforations along a portion of its length or close to one end, and containing a soluble granular material. The device is coated with a material such as sugar or "NUTRA SWEET", the material being rigid in the dry state and soluble when immersed in a liquid. The device is immersed in a liquid which results in a dissolving of material coating permitting the material within device to also disperse into the liquid.

Abstract: Packets containing a flowable material are provided with a draw-string or thread to squeeze the packet contents. The packet envelope is formed from a doubled-over web which gives the packet a folded-over edge and which encloses an intermediate portion of the thread close to the folded-over edge. The end portions of the web extend from the intermediate portion of the thread to extend through the opposite edge of the packet. The external ends of the thread are secured to a tag which is attached to the outer face of the envelope. The thread intermediate portion is retained close to the folded-over edge by heat sealing. Apparatus is also described for producing the packets in a continuous or semi-continuous manner.

Abstract: A water permeable disposable filter, the filter including a side wall having an open top region and a sealed bottom region with indicia means is provided. The filter is provided with interior and exterior surfaces, the indicia means located on the interior surface of the side wall of the filter for indicating the amount of ground coffee to be filled into said filter in order to produce a desired quantity of the brewed coffee beverage. The indicia means may include both numbering and level graduations.

Abstract: Infusion packets have envelopes of heat-sealable material with a looped thread within the packets to wring moisture from the packet in use. A central part of the thread loop is held in a widened region of one edge seal while the ends of the loop project through the opposite edge seal in which they are movable when the loop is to be contracted. The packets are produced by forming a continuous series of thread loops on one elongate web and placing doses of infusion material on a second elongate web before bringing the webs together with the thread loops and infusion material between them. The two webs are then welded together and the individual packets are separated from the joined webs.

Abstract: A hand held device for preparation of beverages of desired composition and strength has a source stuff (11) of the beverage packaged in a porous pouch (14) supported on a cage framework (12), emanating downwards from a pedestal (16), and the pouch (14) is encased within the device in cavity of a concave cap (13). A plurality of capsules (22,32), each containing an adjunct (21,31) of the beverage respectively, are mounted above the pedestal (16) to form a portable pencil of capsules. The framework (12) and the pouch (14) containing the stuff (11) cooperate as a commingling infuser stirrer, when shuffled in the liquid medium of the beverage, thereby enhancing combination of the stuff (11) and the medium. Fork (44) and knife (43) projections protrude on exterior of the cap (13). A fluid is injectible through the stuff (11) and the prepared beverage.

Abstract: A beverage filter cartridge includes an impermeable yieldably pierceable base having a predetermined shape and an access opening at one end. A self-supporting wettable filter element is disposed in the base and is permanently sealed to an interior surface of the base. The filter element subdivides the base into first and second chambers, a first chamber for storing an extract of the beverage to be made, and a second empty chamber for accessing the beverage after the beverage outflow from the filter has been made by combining a liquid with the extract. An impermeable, yieldably pierceable, imperforate cover is sealingly engaged with the top of the base to form an impermeable cartridge.

Abstract: Packaging of ground coffee in the form of pastille, "dosette" or predosed bag (1) usable in espresso coffee machines, the pastille, the "dosette" or the predosed bag (1) being formed of filter-paper (3) which encloses the ground coffee (4). The ground coffee content (4) placed in the pastille or the like is partially or totally circumscribed at its periphery, by at least one piece (6) of a sufficiently rigid material acting as a frame, so that the pastille or the like (1) has a good mechanical behaviour. Application to the production of coffees.

Abstract: A beverage filter formed of porous paper, or other paper-like filter material for placement in the ground beverage container of a beverage brewing apparatus, such as a percolating coffee pot, in which the filter is graduated by being provided with indicia in the form of one or more of lines, colored lines, numerals and words, such indicia being affixed on the interior of such filter for readily viewing by the user. In the preferred embodiment, such indicia are affixed in at least two arrangements, one for a mild brew and one for a strong brew. Each arrangement includes markings or indicia for ground beverage level according to the volume of brew desired, such as by cups of coffee, for example. A user, utilizing any dispensing means including the ground beverage container itself, need simply fill the filter to the line corresponding to the desired volume at the desired strength.

Abstract: Primarily a pair of substantially fan-shaped filter sheets are laid one upon another and bonded to each other at least in the proximity of their side edges to obtain a basic filter 4 adapted to form a bag having a circular opening as arc-shaped outer edges 24A, 24B of these filter sheets, wherein a pair of substantially crescent-shaped flap sheets 6 are bonded along their arc-shaped edges to said basic filter 4 along their arc-shaped outer edges 24A, 24B to obtain a filter 1 provided with a pair of pockets 8 openable downwardly of the filter 1.

Abstract: A filter for the filtration of extraction beverages includes a disk having a plurality of apertures through which the beverage extracted from the material to be extracted passes form the afflux side to the efflux side. Each aperture is formed by cut edges in the disk and by bending a cut edge away from the surface of the disk to form a roof-shaped dome. The filter is formed by a single punching, bending and embossing operation without scrap slug being produced.

Abstract: The invention provides an infusion package comprising a closed bag (1) containing an infusible substance for infusion in a liquid, the bag being formed from panels (2,3) of porous material sealed together at their peripheral margins (4); and a pair of drawstrings (11, 12), each of which extends into the interior of the bag through a seal between the panels at a first location (13,14) on the peripheral margins, and extends across the interior of the bag to an anchoring point at a generally opposed location on the peripheral margins without any intermediate interengagement with the said panels of the bag; and wherein each drawstring is anchored by being held between two sealed together portions of the panels, the arrangement being such that pulling the drawstrings in generally opposite directions causes the bag to collapse, thereby to express liquid absorbed by the infusible substance during infusion. The infusion package is preferably a tea bag or coffee bag.

Abstract: A beverage bag containing a substance from which essences can be extracted by steeping is arranged so that steeping liquid does not drip from the bag during its transport from the steeping liquid to a place of disposal. The beverage bag is arranged as a generally planar envelope having at least one substantially straight side and an apex formed by the intersection of two envelope sides. A first handle, suitably string, is attached to the bag at a location that will cause the bag to hang with the apex at the lowermost point, thus facilitating rapid drainage of the steeping liquid from the bag contents. A second handle is attached to the bag at a location that will cause the bag to hang with its substantially straight side in a generally horizontal plane. Residual steeping liquid will be reabsorbed by the bag contents and the bag will then not drip during its transport to another location.

Abstract: A container cover having chamber for retaining a porous filter bag, such as a tea bag. The cover has an upwardly extending protrusion forming the retaining chamber. The protrusion has an aperture enabling passage of the drawstring of the tea bag. An opening closed by a removable lift tab is formed in the container cover for access to liquid contents of the container. The protrusion and opening are located opposite one another on the container cover. The user withdraws the tea bag from the liquid contents of the container into the retaining chamber by pulling the drawstring of the tea bag through the aperture. The aperture resiliently grasps the drawstring. The container cover and porous filter bag are used and discarded without causing direct handling of the porous filter bag.

Abstract: Fluid comestibles are prepared from substances, particularly roast and ground coffee, contained in cartridges by supporting a peripheral portion of a first surface of a sealed cartridge with a holder which has a base which includes a grille and relief surface element so that the remainder portion of the first surface is positioned adjacent the relief surface element. An opposing cartridge surface is pierced for injection of water into the cartridge while maintaining the base in the position adjacent the first surface, and while maintaining the base in a fixed position, water is injected under a pressure of greater than atmospheric pressure into the cartridge to deform the first surface remainder portion against the relief surface element first to press the first surface against the relief surface element and to wet and compact the substance and then to tear and open the remainder portion of the first surface for flow of fluid comestible from the cartridge and through the grille in a plurality of streams.

Abstract: A cartridge which contains a substance for preparation of a beverage has a cover membrane member which covers an opening of a container body for containing the substance within the container interior. The body has a base and a sidewall which extends from the base to define a container interior, and the sidewall defines the opening at a position opposing the base. The membrane is affixed to a rim which extends from the sidewall in a direction away from the sidewall. An interior container surface of either the base or the cover membrane member contains a plurality of perforations which define openings which provide localized absence of a plurality of portions in the base or cover membrane member to provide a plurality of localized portions of reduced thickness so that when a fluid pressure for extraction of the substance for preparation of a beverage is applied, the localized portions of reduced thickness tear and open for beverage passage.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises means for driving plates along an advancing path, each of which is provided, on a top face thereof, with a plurality of recesses. Along the advancing path is arranged a first delivery station for delivering a first permeable film strip, having a width adapted to substantially cover all of the recesses of each plate and cutting means for cutting into strips said film in a longitudinal direction thereof, as well as means for cross-cutting the cut strips. Moreover, in the first station, a coffee dose is delivered at each recess, on the top of the film previously deposited on the plates. Downstream of the first station is provided a second pressing station for pressing the coffee doses supplied on the plates and a third delivery station for delivery a second permeable film web on the top of the pressed coffee doses. In the third station are provided cutting means for cutting the second film web into longitudinal strips as well as means for cutting in a cross direction the cut strips.

Abstract: A capsule package which contains roast and ground coffee for preparation of a coffee beverage has body and membrane components. The body has a base portion capable of allowing flow of a coffee beverage therethrough, an annular sidewall portion which extends transversely from the base about a package body interior space and defines an opening which opposes the base portion, and a rim portion which extends about the opening and transversely from the sidewall portion in a direction away from the opening.

Abstract: A conformable, self-aligning, high extraction efficiency tea filter pack capable of flavor extraction efficiencies comparable to those obtained using an identical quantity of bulk tea leaves and a paper filter under identical brewing conditions, but which exhibits substantially consistent pot-to-pot brew strength for any given automatic drip coffee maker. The preferred filter pack is formed from two layers of flexible material which are secured to one another about their outermost periphery with a predetermined quantity of tea leaves housed within a brew chamber formed between the two layers. The brew chamber exhibits a maximum volume between about 100 percent and about 400 percent greater than the volume of the dry tea leaves contained therein. The discharge flow rate from the brew chamber is slower than the inlet flow rate into the brew chamber to permit a buildup of water and flooding of the brew chamber.

Abstract: An infusion bag of liquid-pervious filter material has a bottom edge and opposite side edges and is formed of face-to-face arranged first and second panels secured to one another along the bottom edge and the side edges. The first and second panels together define an opening spaced from the bottom edge. The first and second panels have a length dimension viewed in a direction away from the bottom edge. The length dimension of the first panel is greater than the length dimension of the second panel, whereby the first panel includes a flap extending beyond the opening in a direction away from the bottom edge.

Abstract: An infuser (1) comprising an elongated member (2) having at one end (4), a gripping portion (64) and, at the other end (3), a perforated or porous wall portion (5) forming the infuser charge holding chamber. A sleeve (9) slides along the elongated member (2) to cover or expose the perforations (8) or the porous material (40). To use the infuser (1), the infuser (1) is gripped by the gripping portion (64) and the sleeve (9) slid towards the gripping end (64), exposing the hygienically covered perforations (8) or porous material (40), which is stirred into boiling water to extract the required flavour or substances from the infuser charge. Upon completion the infuser is removed above the water and the sleeve (9) is slid down sealing the perforations (8) or porous material to lessen leakage from the infuser (1).

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides a way to engage a used concentrate packet such as a tea bag in a drink container in which a liquid product was made from the concentrate without removing the packet from the container and without having to directly contact the packet. Thus, one need not wet his or her fingers or anything in the area of the container, and the used packet when engaged will not interfere with drinking of the liquid product. The packet is also isolated from the interior of the drink container to inhibit further infusion or dissolving of any concentrate remaining in the packet, thereby to control the strength or concentration of the liquid product without having to remove the packet from the container. In the preferred embodiment the holder defines a compartment into which the used packet may be moved to isolate the packet from the interior of the drink container so as to inhibit further concentrating the liquid product from any concentrate in the packet.