Patent Publication Number: US-2018029789-A1

Title: Tea Bag with Accessible Opening

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to tea bags which can be used in brewable beverage making machines or the like of the type which includes a tube which serves to puncture a container having a brewable substance therein and then supply pressurized water to the container. 
     Conventionally, tea bags are made of a porous material containing loose tea leaves or other brewable substances, which are intended to be sold with an overwrap packaging which is torn and discarded, to remove the tea bag. The tea bag is then supplied to a body of water for steeping purposes, and then discarded. However, such tea bags are not susceptible to being used in a brewing machine. 
     It is also known to provide a single serve coffee brewing machine sold under the registered trademark KEURIG, which has become very popular. This machine uses a single portion cartridge or packet sold under the registered trademark K-CUP. Each packet includes a cup packed with a brewing material, such as coffee, and sealed air tight at its upper open end with a foil lid. A similar machine is sold under the trademark NESPRESSO. 
     When the packet is placed in one of its brewing machines, the brewer punctures the foil lid with a spray nozzle and the bottom wall of the packet with a discharge nozzle. Coffee grounds or tea are held in the packet. Hot water under pressure is supplied through the spray nozzle, mixes with the coffee grounds or tea, and then exits through the discharge nozzle to a mug positioned by the user below the discharge nozzle. 
     The applicant herein filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/140,189 on Dec. 24, 2013 for a BREWABLE BEVERAGE MAKING CUP ADAPTOR FOR CARTRIDGE TYPE COFFEE MAKING MACHINES AND CARTRIDGE TYPE COFFEE MAKING MACHINE. In this invention, a tube in the adapter supplies pressurized water that is forced into the tea leaves to better extract the flavor from the tea leaves by creating agitation and turbulence of the hot water entering the adapter. 
     However, this arrangement requires a special cup adapter to brew the tea leaves. 
     However, such K-CUPs or cup adapters are not susceptible to being used as a conventional tea bag because the outer walls are not porous. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a tea bag that can be used as a conventional tea bag as well as being used in a brewing machine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tea bag with an accessible opening that overcomes the aforementioned problems. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a tea bag with an accessible opening that can be used as a conventional tea bag. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tea bag with an accessible opening in which the opening can be punctured or otherwise made accessible to receive a tube that supplies pressurized water to the tea bag. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tea bag with an accessible opening in which the accessible opening is reinforced to prevent tearing of the tea bag surrounding the opening. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tea bag with an accessible opening in which the accessible opening includes tabs which hold the tube after accessing the opening and prevent the tube from piercing the opposite side of the tea bag. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a tea bag with an accessible opening that is easy and economical to make and use. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a porous bag for brewing a brewable substance held therein, includes an enclosure bag including walls made from a porous material, with the brewable substance held in the enclosure bag; and an accessible opening in one wall of the enclosure bag for receiving a liquid supply tube therein for supplying liquid to the enclosure bag, the accessible opening preventing the brewable substance from escaping so that the porous bag can be used as a steeping bag in a liquid, while also permitting access to the opening to permit supply of the liquid therein from the liquid supply tube inserted therethrough. 
     Preferably, the accessible opening includes at least one score line in the one wall. In such case, a reinforcing arrangement is provided around the accessible opening for preventing tearing of the one wall in an area surrounding the accessible opening when the score lines are torn. 
     The at least one score line divides the accessible opening into a plurality of tabs which are connected at a periphery of the accessible opening, and which are connected to each other by a plurality of score lines. The tabs preferably each have a triangular configuration. 
     In one modification, the at least one score line includes a circumferential score line adapted to be torn to remove the material of the one wall within the circumferential score line to expose the accessible opening. 
     In another modification, the at least one score line includes at least one set of parallel score lines adapted to be torn to remove the material of the one wall between each set of parallel score lines, to expose the accessible opening. 
     Further, the at least one score line is adapted to be torn by piercing. 
     In another embodiment, the accessible opening is formed of a material that is more rigid than the porous material of the walls of the bag. For example, the enclosure bag includes a top wall of a material that is more rigid than the porous material of the walls of the bag, and the accessible opening is formed in the top wall. 
     A string having one end is preferably attached to at least one wall. 
     In another embodiment, a covering is secured to the one wall in covering relation to the accessible opening which prevents the brewable substance from escaping so that the porous bag can be used as a steeping bag in a liquid, while also permitting access to the accessible opening to permit supply of the liquid therein from the liquid supply tube inserted therethrough. 
     The covering preferably includes at least one score line in the one wall. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one score line divides the covering into a plurality of tabs which are connected at a periphery of the covering, and which are connected to each other by a plurality of score lines. The tabs preferably each have a triangular configuration. 
     In another modification, the at least one score line includes a circumferential score line adapted to be torn to remove material of the covering within the circumferential score line to expose the accessible opening. 
     In a further modification, the at least one score line includes at least one set of parallel score lines adapted to be torn to remove material of the covering between each set of parallel score lines, to expose the accessible opening. 
     Preferably, the covering is formed of a material that is more rigid than the porous material of the walls of the bag. 
     In accordance with another aspect the invention, a covering is removably secured to the one wall in covering relation to the accessible opening. 
     In a further embodiment, the tea bag includes a frusto-conical side wall for fitting within a frusto-conical cup adapter of similar dimensions for brewing. 
     The above and other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tea bag according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the tea bag; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the tea bag being penetrated by a water supply tube; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the tea bag and water supply tube of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of a tea bag according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of a tea bag of  FIG. 5 , with the opening pierced by the piercing tube; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a tea bag according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the tea bag of  FIG. 7 , with the opening initially pierced by the piercing tube; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the tea bag of  FIG. 7 , with the opening fully pierced by the piercing tube; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of  FIG. 9 , showing the tea bag pierced by the piercing tube; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of  FIG. 10 , showing the tea bag pierced by the piercing tube; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a tea bag according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the tea bag according to a modification of the third first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a tea bag according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in a collapsed state; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the tea bag of  FIG. 14  in an expanded cylindrical shape; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing the tea bag of  FIG. 15  being inserted in a brewable beverage making cup adaptor for a cartridge type coffee making machine; and 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view showing the tea bag of  FIG. 15  fully inserted in the brewable beverage making cup adaptor for the cartridge type coffee making machine. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to  FIGS. 1-4 , a tea bag  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Tea bag  10  is constructed as a conventional tea bag, with a front wall  12 , rear wall  14 , interconnecting triangular side walls  16  and a bottom wall  18 . Thus, the upper edges of front wall  12  and rear wall  14  are connected together, the side edges of front wall  12  and rear wall  14  are connected to respective side edges of triangular side walls  16 , and bottom wall  18  is connected to the lower edges of front wall  12 , rear wall  14  and side walls  16 . Stitching  20  is provided around various edges of the walls to provide such connections and to strengthen the integrity of tea bag  10 . However, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to this particular shape. 
     As a result, tea bag  10  is formed as a small, porous, sealed bag containing tea leaves, herbal teas and/or spices, in which all of the walls are porous and completely surround the contents. The walls of tea bag  10 , as is conventional, are preferably made of filter paper, which is porous to permit entry and exit of water therethrough, while preventing escape of the tea leaves therefrom. A piece of string  22  has one end attached to the top of the tea bag  10  by any suitable means, which is conventional, and a paper label  24  is attached to the opposite free end of string  22 , to assist in removing tea bag  10  from hot water, while also displaying the brand or variety of tea on paper label  24 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, a circular portion  26  at the upper end of front wall  12  has reinforced stitching  28  surrounding circular portion  26 , and within circular portion  26 , score lines  30  are provided. For example, score lines  30  can include a vertical diametrical score line  30   a  and a horizontal diametrical score line  30   b . The reason for reinforced stitching  28  is to prevent tearing of the material of tea bag  10  in surrounding relation to circular portion  26  when score lines  30  are torn, as will now be discussed. 
     Tea bag  10  is intended to be used with an apparatus  32  having a piercing tube  34  which is intended to pierce circular portion  26  in order to supply pressurized water to tea bag  10 . Apparatus  32  includes a tube holder  36  which is controlled to move up and down by a moving assembly  38 . For example, in a Keurig machine, there is an upper lid section that pivots and has a piercing tube secured to the upper lid section. When the upper lid section is raised, the piercing tube moves upwardly and when it is lowered, the piercing tube moves downwardly. Conventionally, in a Keurig machine, this single portion packet is placed in the machine and the upper lid section along with the piercing tube is moved downwardly into piercing engagement with the foil lid of the single portion packet. Alternatively, moving assembly  38  can be eliminated so that the upper lid section is moved manually. 
     Piercing tube  34  includes an upper opening which is in fluid communication with an opening  40  in tube holder  36  and through which pressurized water is supplied from a pressurized water supply  42  to piercing tube  34 , and at least one, and preferably two, small lower openings  44  at the lower end of piercing tube  34  from which the pressurized water exits piercing tube  34 . Piercing tube  34  also includes a lower piercing end  46 . Piercing end  46  can be a tapered sharp end, or even a tapered blunt end, which is capable of piercing tea bag  10 . 
     However, because tea bag  10  does not have a rigid structure, as with a single portion packet for a Keurig machine, the upper end of piercing tube  34  includes a plurality of pegs  48  extending radially outward from the outer surface of piercing tube  34  and around which string  22  can be wound so as to effectively secure tea bag  10  to piercing tube  34 . This also prevents tube  34  from piercing the opposite wall of tea bag  10 . 
     With this arrangement, and with piercing tube  34  exposed, for example, when the upper lid is in a raised position, circular portion  26  of tea bag  10  is brought to the position of the lower piercing end  46  and tea bag  10  is pushed onto piercing tube  34  such that piercing tube  34  pierces circular portion  26 , thereby tearing score lines  30 . Thereafter, string  22  is wrapped about pegs  48  in order to hold tea bag  10  in the position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     Thereafter, the upper lid with piercing tube  34  is lowered, and pressurized water from pressurized water supply  42  is supplied to tube  34 . The pressurized water exits small lower openings  44 , which provides agitation and turbulence of the hot water entering tea bag  10 , providing an improved mixing of the water with the material therein, to better extract the flavor from the tea leaves. In effect, the pressurized hot water causes a swirling movement of the water and tea leaves, which results in this turbulence and agitation. Because of the porous material of the walls of tea bag  10 , the water stays a time sufficient to better extract the flavor from the tea leaves before leaving through the porous material of the walls of the tea bag  10 . 
     Because of the reinforced stitching  28  around circular portion  26 , the material of front wall  12  surrounding circular portion  26  remains intact and does not tear. 
     It will be appreciated that, unlike conventional usage of a tea bag, the water is supplied to the inside of tea bag  10 , rather than being supplied first from outside of the tea bag. As a result, the input water functions to inflate tea bag  10 , which is very different from conventional use of a tea bag where the outside water tends to collapse the tea bag, preventing the tea leaves from expanding and opening, and in fact, compressing and twisting the tea leaves, thereby restricting the steeping effect. With the present invention, the incoming water first hydrates the tea leaves and then opens up and expands the tea leaves for better steeping action. 
     Alternatively, piercing tube  34  and tube holder  36  can be formed as a removable unit, onto which tea bag  10  can be placed, as discussed above. Therefore, this removable unit can be inserted within a brewing machine. 
     It will be appreciated that, while tea bag  10  can be used with piercing tube  34 , it can also be used as a conventional tea bag since the tea leaves therein will not escape through circular portion  26  while score lines  30  remain intact. 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , instead of providing score lines  30  in front wall  12  of tea bag  10 , tea bag  10  can be provided with a circular opening  50  and a circular covering  52  can be adhered to tea bag  10  in covering relation to circular opening  50 , with circular covering  52  having score lines  54  which can include a vertical diametrical score line  54   a  and a horizontal diametrical score line  54   b . This prevents tearing of the material of tea bag  10  when score lines  54  are torn. 
     In such case, when piercing tube  34  is inserted through circular opening  50 , it tears score lines  54 , thereby creating triangular tabs  56  which are connected to a periphery of the circular opening  50  and which are bent down, as shown in  FIG. 6 , around piercing tube  34  to further hold tea bag  10  onto piercing tube  34 . In such case, covering  52  can be formed of a more rigid material than the material of tea bag  10  so that tabs  56  serve as a locking mechanism which are designed to fold and engage on piercing tube  34 , thereby preventing tea bag  10  from sliding or collapsing down. In such case, string  22  can be removed and need not be used in securing tea bag  10  to piercing tube  34 . 
     Alternatively, score lines  54  in covering  52  can be eliminated, with covering  52  merely being pealed off or otherwise removed prior to use of tea bag  10  with piercing tube  34 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-11 , a tea bag  110  according to another embodiment of the present invention will now be described. 
     Tea bag  110  includes a front wall  112  and rear wall  114  connected together at side edges and bottom edges thereof, and a generally oval shaped, planar top wall  117  connected to top edges of front wall  112  and rear wall  114 . Stitching  120  is provided around various edges of the walls to provide such connections and to strengthen the integrity of tea bag  110 . 
     As a result, tea bag  110  is formed as a small, porous, sealed bag containing tea leaves, herbal teas and/or spices. The walls of tea bag  110 , as is conventional, are preferably made of filter paper, which is porous to permit entry and exit of water therethrough, while preventing escape of the tea leaves therefrom. A piece of string  122  has one end attached to the top of the tea bag  110  by any suitable means, which is conventional, and a paper label  124  is attached to the opposite free end of string  122 , to assist in removing tea bag  110  from hot water, while also displaying the brand or variety of tea on paper label  124 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, a circular portion  126  is formed in top wall  117 . Within circular portion  126 , score lines  130  are provided. For example, score lines  130  can include three diametrical score lines  130  equiangularly spaced within circular portion  126 , and intersecting at the center of circular portion  126 , thereby forming six triangular tabs  156  within circular portion  126 . As will be discussed hereinafter, lines  130  are torn and triangular tabs  156  are bent down. In this regard, the material of top wall  117 , or at least in circular portion  126 , is made of a more rigid material than the porous material of the remainder of bag  110 , for example, a light cardboard material or the like. Tea bag  110  is intended to be used with the apparatus  32  of  FIG. 2  including tube holder  36 , moving assembly  38 , pressurized water supply  42  and a slightly modified piercing tube  134 . As with the first embodiment, piercing tube  134  is intended to pierce circular portion  126  in order to supply pressurized water to tea bag  110 . 
     Piercing tube  134  differs from piercing tube  34  by the elimination of pegs  48  and the addition of a flared out lip  147  spaced downwardly from the upper end of piercing tube  134 , thereby creating an outer annular shoulder  149 . Of course, piercing tube  134  also includes small lower openings  144  and a lower piercing end  146 . 
     With this arrangement, and with piercing tube  134  exposed, for example, when the upper lid is in a raised position, circular portion  126  of tea bag  110  is brought to the position of the lower piercing end  146  and tea bag  110  is pushed onto piercing tube  134  such that piercing tube  134  pierces circular portion  126 , thereby tearing score lines  130 . Because of the rigid material of top wall  117 , or at least circular portion  126  therein, the material of top wall  117  surrounding circular portion  126  remains intact and does not tear. 
     String  122  can remain attached to tea bag  110  or removed therefrom. 
     In such case, when piercing tube  134  is inserted through circular opening  126 , it tears score lines  130 , thereby creating triangular tabs  156  which are bent, as shown in  FIG. 10 , around piercing tube  134  to further hold tea bag  110  onto piercing tube  134 . However, the lower free ends of tabs  156  engage flared out lip  147  to prevent further travel of tea bag  110  down piercing tube  134 . Thereafter, the upper lid with piercing tube  134  is lowered, and pressurized water from pressurized water supply  42  is supplied to piercing tube  134 . The pressurized water exits small lower openings  144 , which provides agitation and turbulence of the hot water entering tea bag  110 , providing an improved mixing of the water with the material therein, to better extract the flavor from the tea leaves. In effect, the pressurized hot water causes a swirling movement of the water and tea leaves, which results in this turbulence and agitation, while also functioning to expand the tea bag and open up the tea leaves. Because of the porous material of the walls of tea bag  110 , the water stays a time sufficient to better extract the flavor from the tea leaves before leaving through the porous material of the walls of the tea bag  110 . 
     It will be appreciated that, while tea bag  110  can be used with piercing tube  134 , it can also be used as a conventional tea bag since the tea leaves therein will not escape through circular portion  126  while score lines  130  remain intact. 
     Alternatively, the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  can be used with tea bag  110 , instead of providing score lines  130 , with covering  52  placed over circular opening  126 . 
     Alternatively, score lines  130  in the covering can be eliminated, with the covering merely being pealed off or otherwise removed prior to use of tea bag  10  with piercing tube  34 . 
     It will be appreciated that, while circular portions  26 ,  50  and  126  have been discussed regard to perforations or score lines that enable circular portions  26 ,  50  and  126  to be pierced, other ways of gaining access to the interior of tea bag through circular portions  26 ,  50  and  126  can be provided. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , score lines  30   a  and  30   b , are replaced by sets of two parallel score lines  230   a   1 ,  230   a   2 ; and  230   b   1 ,  230   b   2 , each provided with a pull tab  231   a  and  231   b , respectively, which enables the material between parallel score lines  230   a   1  and  230   a   2 ; and material between parallel score lines  230   b   1  and  230   b   2 , to be torn away and removed, thereby permitting access through the circular portion  26 . As such, circular portion  26  is not piercable, but rather, then becomes accessible to tube  34 . 
     As another alternative, as shown in  FIG. 13 , an outer circular score line  330  can be provided at the outer periphery of circular portion  26 , and has a pull tab  331  by which circular school line  330  can be torn so that the area within can be removed, thereby making circular portion  26  accessible to tube  34 . 
     It will be appreciated that the same score lines shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  can also be provided with a covering, such as covering  50  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14-17 , there is shown a tea bag  410  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention for use with a brewable beverage making cup adaptor for a cartridge type coffee making machine according to applicant&#39;s earlier filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/140,189 filed on Dec. 24, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Specifically, tea bag  410  includes a frusto-conical side wall  413  that is closed at its upper edge by a circular top wall  417  and is closed at its bottom edge by a circular bottom wall  418  of a smaller diameter than top wall  417 . Stitching  420  is provided around various edges of the walls to provide such connections and to strengthen the integrity of tea bag  410 . 
     As a result, tea bag  410  is formed as a small, porous, sealed bag containing tea leaves, herbal teas and/or spices. At least side walls  413  and bottom wall  418 , as is conventional, are preferably made of filter paper, which is porous to permit entry and exit of water therethrough, while preventing escape of the tea leaves therefrom. 
     A piece of string  422  has one end attached to the top of the tea bag  410  by any suitable means, which is conventional, and a paper label  424  is attached to the opposite free end of string  422 , to assist in removing tea bag  410  from hot water, while also displaying the brand or variety of tea on paper label  424 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, a circular portion  426  is formed in top wall  417 . Within circular portion  426 , score lines  430  are provided. For example, score lines  430  can include three diametrical score lines  430  equiangularly spaced within circular portion  426 , and intersecting at the center of circular portion  426 , thereby forming six triangular tabs  456  within circular portion  426 . In the manner as discussed above, lines  430  are torn and triangular tabs  456  are bent down. In this regard, the material of top wall  417 , or at least in circular portion  426 , is made of a more rigid material than the porous material of the remainder of bag  410 , for example, a light cardboard material or the like. 
     Tea bag  410  is intended to be used with a brewable beverage making cup adaptor  460  for a cartridge type coffee making machine according to applicant&#39;s earlier filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/140,189 filed on Dec. 24, 2013. Preferably, cup adapter  460  has the same shape and dimensions as tea bag  410  is expanded state shown in  FIG. 15 . Thus, piercing tube  434  is inserted through circular portion  336  in the manner previously described in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , with string  422  secured around pegs  448 . Then, tube holder  436  can be secured to the top of cup adapter  460  with piercing tube  334  piercing circular portion  426 . As a result, tea bag  410  is positioned within cup adapter  460  and assumes the shape of cup adapter  460 . Thereafter, pressurized water is supplied to tea bag  410 . The pressurized water tends to expand tea bag  410  and causes agitation and turbulence of the water and tea leaves within tea bag  410 , resulting in a swirling action under pressure. This functions to moisten and open up the tea leaves for better steeping action. After a certain time period, an opening (not shown) in the bottom of cup adapter  460  is opened so that the brewed tea exits through porous bottom wall  418  and the opening in the bottom of cup adapter  460 . 
     It will be appreciated that, with this arrangement, tea bag  410  is pushed onto piercing tube  434  such that piercing tube  434  pierces circular portion  426 , thereby tearing score lines  430 . Because of the rigid material of top wall  417 , or at least circular portion  426  therein, the material of top wall  417  surrounding circular portion  426  remains intact and does not tear. 
     It will be appreciated that, while tea bag  410  can be used with piercing tube  434 , it can also be used as a conventional tea bag since the tea leaves therein will not escape through circular portion  426  while score lines  430  remain intact. 
     Alternatively, the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  can be used with tea bag  410 , instead of providing score lines  430 , with a covering having the score lines placed over circular opening  426 . 
     Alternatively, the score lines in the covering can be eliminated, with the covering merely being pealed off or otherwise removed prior to use of tea bag  410  with piercing tube  434 . 
     Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.