Packaging for a tea pouch

Abstract

A packaging for a tea pouch, a method of making the packaging, and a tea pouch made from the packaging are disclosed. The packaging includes a paper substrate and a coextrusion including an ethylene vinyl alcohol layer. The ethylene vinyl alcohol layer is directly attached to the paper substrate. Packaging of this type exhibits excellent barrier properties, may be heat sealed under pressure to form a tea pouch without substantial amounts of squeeze out, and does not present the cost or disposal issues associated with some other types of packaging.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 296,321 titled “Packaging Materials” and filed on Jan. 19, 2010. The full contents of that application is incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]Not applicable.TECHNICAL FIELD[0003]This disclosure relates to packaging and, in particular, to packaging for use in a tea pouch.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Packaging, particularly for perishable items such as tea, is subject to many demands. For example, the packaging for tea pouches must be capable of providing an oxygen and aroma barrier to prevent the tea contained within the pouch from spoiling and losing flavor before the pouch is open. At the same time, however, the packaging should be workable in such a way that the packaging can be quickly placed around the tea bag using machinery.[0005]The packaging must run well ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a packaging for tea pouches that includes an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) layer directly attached to a paper substrate. The EVOH layer can be produced using a coextrusion process with a two resin coextruder, making the packaging cost-effective. The paper substrate and / or the polymeric barrier layer may have a treated surface to promote adhesion between them and the EVOH layer. The packaging is also heat sealable to another packaging without excessive squeeze out, making it suitable for high-speed packaging with minimal downtime for cleaning. Additionally, the patent suggests attaching a polymeric layer to the paper substrate to improve its barrier to moisture that could damage the EVOH layer.

Problems solved by technology

As will be described in more detail below, EVOH has conventionally been considered unsuitable for this type of packaging because in order to prevent degradation of the EVOH, the EVOH needed to be sandwiched between layers including moisture barriers such as LDPE (low density poly ethylene).

This premature melting of the inner polymeric layers makes the structure prone to excessive amounts of squeeze-out.

This collected material would need to be cleaned from the jaws and require frequent downtime.

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