Specialty beverage infusion package

Abstract

The present invention provides an infusion beverage package having a good balance of properties including, being biodegradable, good tensile strength and a short infusion times, while being transparent enough so as to enable a user of the package to see the contained infusion beverage precursor within the package before infusing the package into water. The infusion beverage package of the present invention is prepared from a porous web derived from a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, wherein the package has a transparency of at least about 30%, a tensile strength of at least about 2N / 15 mm, and an infusion time of less than about 20 seconds. In addition, the seal strength of the package is at least 2N / 15 mm.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a porous infusion beverage package, which holds an infusion beverage precursor material. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Infusion beverage packages are known in the art and typically contain a beverage precursor material, such as tea or coffee. To produce a beverage, the package containing the beverage precursor is typically infused into hot water, by placing the package into hot water, pouring hot water onto or through the package, or heating water to desired temperature while the package is immersed in the water. Alternatively, the beverage infusion package may be placed in cold water to form the beverage. [0003] These packages are generally in the form of a pouch, a bag or a sachet and are generally prepared from a very thin and light weight paper product. Typically, these packages are translucent when wet, and the contents of the package can only be seen after the package has been infused or while the package is i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention provides an infusion beverage package having a good balance of properties including, being biodegradable, good tensile strength and a short sink times, while being transparent enough so as to enable a user of the package to see the contained infusion beverage precursor within the package before infusing the package into water. The infusion beverage package of the present invention is prepared from a porous web derived from a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, wherein the package has a transparency of at least about 30%, a tensile strength of at least about 2N / 15 mm, and an infusion time of less than about 20 seconds. In addition, the seal strength of the package is at least 2N / 15 mm.

[0008] The infusion beverage package of the present invention may be made hydrophilic by treating the package material with a hydrophilic treatment. Rendering the infusion beverage package hydrophilic reduces the sink time of the package and contents in water. Examples of hydrophilic treatments which can be used in this invention include, a corona treatment, coating with package material with a durable hydrophilic polymeric coating and treating the package material with a plant-based extract.

Problems solved by technology

However, with the current infusion beverage packages, the customer is unable to see the specialty beverage precursor due to the translucent nature of the current packages available and is unable to appreciate the nature and quality of the product.

The customer is often unsure whether or not they are receiving a premium product.

However, this method runs the risk that the beverage precursor will be ingested by the user.

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