| Tea bag cozy -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Tea bag cozyRelated Patent Categories: Food Or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, And Products, Foraminous Material Infusion Type, Or Foraminous Container Per SeTea bag cozy description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070087083, Tea bag cozy. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/728,153, filed Oct. 18, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable REFERENCE TO A "SEQUENCE LISTING," A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK. [0003] Not applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention generally relates to infusion systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to tea bag packaging systems, and to methods for using and constructing such systems. [0005] Since the advent of the tea bag, many tea drinkers have enjoyed the convenience and pleasant ritual of brewing their own cup. Certain tea packaging and distribution companies are known to sell tea bags in individually wrapped airtight packets to insure freshness and prevent contamination. However, after steeping the brewing material in hot water, the tea drinker is often left with a messy and soggy used tea bag. [0006] What is needed are tea bag packaging systems and method that allow tea drinkers to enjoy a cup of brewed tea without the encumbrance of an awkward and unsightly used tea bag. The instant invention addresses this unfulfilled need by improved tea bag packaging systems and methods. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention provides infusion devices for processing a brewing material that are well suited for ensuring a clean and efficient tea drinking experience. Advantageously, the present infusion systems allow a tea drinker to pull a used tea bag back into a packet after the brewing process is completed. Thus, the unsightly used tea bag can be put out of sight. The present systems therefore provide a tea drinker with an additional level of control over the tea brewing process, and also provide the drinker with a pleasant ritual to the brewing process. Marketing logos and other brand promotions can be placed on the packet, and thus the present invention can provide a fresh marketing focus. A tea bag manufacturer or distributor using the present invention will enjoy competitive advantages over other tea companies. Moreover, the present invention can be implemented in conjunction with existing, high-speed manufacturing machines, and thus is particularly useful for minimizing any cost and complexity associated with manufacture. [0008] In some embodiments, the present invention provides tea bags that can be packaged or distributed in individually wrapped in airtight water-proof packets, which are ideal for restaurants, hotels, and home. Such packets insure freshness and reduce the chance for contamination, and allow a used tea bag to be attractively hidden. These packets also provide a beautiful surface upon which to convey image and brand identity via colorful logos and the like. [0009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an infusion system for processing a brewing material. The system can include a pouch containing a brewing material, a packet releasably housing the pouch, and an attachment member coupled with the pouch and a detachable portion of the packet. [0010] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of using an infusion system. The method can include opening a packet of the infusion system along a first tear line, removing a pouch from inside of the packet, placing the pouch into an infusion medium, tearing a tab from the packet along a second tear line, and pulling the tab to return the pouch inside of the packet. [0011] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of constructing an infusion system. The method can include coupling a first section of an attachment member with a pouch, coupling a second section of the attachment member with an interior portion of a packet, and sealing the pouch within the packet. [0012] In still another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a system for processing a brewing material. The system can include, for example, a pouch containing a brewing material, a packet housing the pouch, and an attachment member coupled with the pouch and with the packet. The packet can include a detachable portion, and the attachment member can be coupled with the packet via the detachable portion. In some cases, the packet includes a seal line, and the attachment member is coupled with the packet at the seal line. The attachment member can be removably coupled with the packet at the seal line. In some cases, the packet includes a packet chamber, and the attachment member includes an attachment member extension that is disposed exterior to the packet chamber. In some aspects, the packet includes a seal line, and the attachment member is coupled with the packet at the seal line. Relatedly, the attachment member can be removably coupled with the packet at the seal line. In some aspects, the packet includes a packet insertion point, and the attachment member is coupled with the packet at the packet insertion point. Relatedly, the attachment member can be slidably coupled with the packet at the packet insertion point. In some cases, the attachment member is detachably coupled with the packet at the packet insertion point. In related aspects, the packet includes a seal line, and the packet insertion point is disposed at the seal line. In certain embodiments, the packet includes a first packet insertion point and a second packet insertion point, and the attachment member is coupled with the packet at the first and second packet insertion points so as to form a loop. Relatedly, the packet may include a packet chamber, and the loop may be disposed exterior to the packet chamber. In some aspects, the packet includes a seal line, and the first and second packet insertion points are disposed at the seal line. The attachment member can be detachably coupled with the packet. The packet can include an interior portion, and the attachment member can be coupled with the packet at the interior portion. The attachment member may be detachably coupled with the packet at the interior portion. Similarly, the attachment member may be slidably coupled with the packet at the interior portion. [0013] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the several drawings to refer to similar components. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, illustratively depict embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a previously known tea bag system. [0015] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an infusion system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an infusion system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an infusion system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an infusion system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading about Tea bag cozy... Full patent description for Tea bag cozy Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Tea bag cozy patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Tea bag cozy or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method for producing fermented milk containing angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory peptide and method for producing whey Next Patent Application: Low-calorie food bar Industry Class: Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Tea bag cozy patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.13948 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
