Filter-bag for infusion products and method for making filter-bag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filter-bags for infusion products are inadequate for containing coarse-sized items like granules and leaves, and they fail to combine multiple products in a single bag while maintaining product integrity and visibility, with thermoformed bags being opaque and lacking an attractive appearance.
Innovation Solution
A filter-bag with a thermoformed body and a transparent, non-thermoformable filter material that allows for separate chambers and clear visibility, enabling the containment of multiple infusion products, such as a main product and a flavoring product, within a reduced space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a thermoforming process is used to create three-dimensional filter-bags, then the chamber volume and product containment capability are improved, but the material becomes substantially opaque and loses visual appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The filter-bag is divided into two distinct parts: a thermoformed body (chamber) and a separate flat piece of transparent filter material. The thermoformed body provides the three-dimensional chamber volume for product containment, while the transparent flat piece restores visual appeal by allowing light transmission and product visibility, thus resolving the contradiction between volume and transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter-bag combines two different materials with complementary properties: thermoformed material that provides structural integrity and chamber volume, and transparent filter material that allows visual inspection. This composite structure integrates the advantages of both materials to satisfy both volume requirements and transparency requirements simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If a flat configuration is used for filter-bags, then ease of manufacture and packaging are improved, but the chamber volume is insufficient for coarse-sized products like granules and leaves
Solution Approach 1:
The filter-bag is segmented into a pre-formed three-dimensional thermoformed body and a separate flat closing piece. The thermoformed body can be manufactured in advance with adequate chamber volume for coarse products, while the flat piece is simple to manufacture and attach, thus combining the volume advantages of 3D structures with the manufacturing simplicity of flat components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple infusion products are combined in a single filter-bag, then product variety and flavor combination are improved, but maintaining separate product integrity and quality becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The interior of the thermoformed body is divided into multiple separate compartments using internal partitions or walls. Each compartment can contain a different infusion product (e.g., tea leaves, herbs, spices) while maintaining physical separation. This allows multiple products to be combined in one filter-bag for simultaneous infusion while preserving the integrity and quality of each individual product until brewing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for effective infusion while providing an attractive appearance and maintaining the quality of individual products, ensuring clear visibility and enhanced mechanical sealing.
Implementation Method 1
a flat piece of non-thermoformable filter material, having transparency characteristics, that is which allows an observer to look through the piece
Implementation Method 2
the wall is provided with at least one rib extending from the bottom towards the upper edge in such a way as to define at least two chambers for containing corresponding infusion products separate from each other
Implementation Method 3
the piece of non-thermoformable filter material associated with the upper edge of the thermoformed body for covering the opening and separating the chambers
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
Described is a filter-bag for liquid infusion products comprising a thermoformed body (1) with filtration properties having an inner volume defined by a bottom (2), a mouth delimited on the perimeter by an upper flat edge (3), and a connecting wall (4) between the bottom (2) and the upper edge (3); the wall (4) being provided with at least one rib (5) extending from the bottom (2) towards the upper edge (3) in such a way as to define at least two chambers (6, 7) for containing corresponding infusion products (P1, P2) separate from each other and included in the internal volume of the thermoformed body (1); a flat piece (8) of non- thermoformable filter material, having transparency characteristics, and associated with the upper edge (3) of the body (1) for covering the opening and separating the chambers (6, 7) obtained in this way.