Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.

Lipton, Division of Conopco, Inc.

Jan J Kuipers

Geoffrey W Vernon

Simon Charles Martin

Petrus W Van Der Zon

Craig S McLean

Robert H Haak

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.

Infusion packets

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 said one edge by heat seal means. Apparatus is also described for producing the packets in a continuous or semi-continuous manner.

Packets and their manufacture

A package containing a flowable infusible material which has a drawstring that passes out of the interior of the package via a first exit point and a second exit point and means which constrains said drawstring adjacent at least two sides. The arrangement is such that pulling the ends of the drawstring in substantially opposite directions causes the drawstring to move relative to the sides it engages thus allowing the package to collapse. Preferred embodiments of the package are rectangular, square or circular in shape.

Infusion package

A package for containing a flowable infusible material comprising a closed bag made from a porous material. The bag has a first side, a second side that opposes the first side and two other sides. The package also has a drawstring that passes out of the interior of the package via a first exit point located adjacent one end of the first side and a second exit point located adjacent the other end of the first side. Means are provided to constrain the drawstring against adjacent the ends of the second side and at some intermediate point along each of said other sides (preferably near the midpoint). The arrangement being such that pulling the ends of the drawstring in substantially opposite directions causes the drawstring to move relative to the sides it engages and thus enable the package to collapse.

Growing community of inventors

Goudswaard, Netherlands

Jan J Kuipers