FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an infusion product for making a beverage, more specifically to a plant-based composition for making a beverage, and to a herbal and/or vegetable composition or bouquet garni, for food, medicinal or aromatic applications. The plants (raw materials) are fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, tea, vegetables and/or spices. The invention further relates to a method for producing said compositions or infusion product, its use for making a (tea) beverage, and a (tea) beverage so obtained. Further, the present invention relates to a fiber-web, preferably a tea bag, made from said fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, tea, vegetable and/or spices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A quick cup of tea, either from herbs, medicinal plants or tea plants (Camellia sinensis), also called “infusion” or “tisane” may be produced by putting conventional tea bags filled with parts of said fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, or tea (such as, for example, in the form of leaves or powder) in a cup of hot or boiling water. For some teas, such as fruit teas or teas made from herbs or medicinal plants, the steep time is rather long, whereas for various kinds of tea plants, maintaining a certain steep time is required for producing the best flavour. In some cases, there is either an incomplete extraction from the bag, resulting in a highly variable and generally weak flavored beverage, or an excessive extraction, resulting in a highly variable and generally strong or even bitter taste. The flavour and taste also greatly depends on water quality and temperature.

Similarly, herbs and spices are used for cooking, for example in a loose form or as a bouquet garni, or in the form of powders or bouillon cubes. However, broth made from rehydrated cubes is different in taste from fresh broth because of its higher salt content and flavours changed by the boiling process. Bouillon cubes are convenient and inexpensive but have little nutritive value.

There is still a need to improve infusion products for making a tea beverage, in particular to allow for fast infusion that is more independent from external factors and temperature and suitable to provide a more standardized beverage or herb-infused broth while avoiding variable infusion results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a composition for making a beverage is provided, the composition comprising a layer of fibrous plant product and a plant extract applied thereto. In another embodiment of the present invention, a herbal and/or vegetable composition or bouquet garni is provided, also referred to as herbal infusion or herb-infused broth products, wherein the herbal and/or vegetable composition comprises a layer of fibrous plant product and a plant extract applied thereto.

In the products of the invention, the plant is for example selected from the group consisting of fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, tea, vegetables and spices, including mixtures thereof, such as, for example, mixtures of herbs, vegetables and/or spices.

A further embodiment of the invention relates to a method for producing the composition of the present invention. For example, the method comprises the steps of:a) extracting components of at least one plant with a solvent;b) separating the soluble portion (plant extract) from the non-soluble portion (solid plant particles);c) optionally refining the non-soluble portion;d) preparing a sheet-like product from the non-soluble portion;e) optionally concentrating the soluble portion;f) applying the soluble portion of step b) or concentrated soluble portion of step e) to the sheet of step d); andg) drying the product of step f) to obtain the composition of the invention.

In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a fiber-web comprising from about 5% to about 100% (w/w), preferably at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or 100%, fibers of fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, tea, vegetables and/or spices. In one embodiment, the fiber-web further comprises (i) fibers of fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, tea, vegetables and/or spices, and (ii) cellulosic and/or synthetic fibers in a ratio of for example: 40/60 (w/w), 60/40 (w/w) or 20/80 (w/w). In another embodiment of the invention, the fiber-web of the present invention is obtainable by the method disclosed herein, namely as an intermediate product in step d) of the said method.

According to a further embodiment, the fiber-web of the invention further comprises a coating or an impregnation with the soluble portion (plant extract) of said fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, or tea. In another embodiment of the invention, the fiber-web of the present invention is obtainable by the method disclosed herein, namely as the end product in step g) of said method.

In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a tea bag comprising the fiber-web referred to herein, which is either impregnated with the soluble portion (plant extract) of said fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, or tea, or which is not impregnated. The tea bag may be empty or filled i.e. the tea bag may further comprise inside a sample or portion of fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, or tea.

Various different products can be made in accordance with the present disclosure for producing a beverage or broth. For instance, in one embodiment, the product comprises a dispenser defining an opening. An infusion product comprising a strip made from a layer of fibrous plant material is contained within the dispenser and dispensed through the opening. The infusion product is configured to produce a beverage or broth when contacted with a liquid. For instance, the fibrous plant material may comprise a tea that has been treated with a plant extract. The plant extract can also comprise a tea. In this manner, the strip made from the layer of fibrous plant material can be used to produce a tea product.

In one embodiment, the infusion product comprises a single continuous strip contained within the dispenser. For instance, the infusion product can be spirally wound within the dispenser. The infusion product can include periodic perforation lines that extend across the width of the strip. In this manner, a user can tear the strip along the perforation lines when the product is being dispensed. Alternatively, the dispenser can include a cutting device, such as a serrated edge, for dispensing the product.

In an alternative embodiment, the infusion product comprises a plurality of individual strips contained within the dispenser. The individual strips can be connected together or can be contained in the dispenser as separate and discrete strips. In one embodiment, each individual strip can include a tab portion for holding the strip during use. The tab portion can comprise a coating applied to the strip made from the layer of fibrous plant material or can comprise a different material that is laminated to the strip or otherwise attached to the strip. In one embodiment, the tab portion can comprise an adhesive portion that contains an adhesive material. The adhesive portion is for adhering the infusion product to an adjacent surface, such as the edge of a cup or mug. In one embodiment, the adhesive portion can further include a release liner that covers the adhesive material prior to use.

In an alternative embodiment, the infusion product comprises a cylindrical member comprising a reconstituted material. The reconstituted material comprises a fibrous plant product that has been treated with a plant extract. The fibrous plant product, for instance, may contain a plant material comprising a fruit, an herb, a medicinal plant, a tea, a vegetable, a spice, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the reconstituted material comprises 70% by weight of a tea.

In one embodiment, the cylindrical member may comprise a straw that includes a top and a bottom and that defines a hollow passageway that extends from the top to the bottom. The straw can be constructed by spirally winding together a sheet of the reconstituted material. When contacted with a liquid, the cylindrical member or straw can be used to produce a broth or beverage. The cylindrical member or straw can also be used to stir the beverage.

In still another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a product for producing a broth or beverage and comprises a sealed capsule having a top. The sealed capsule defines a single chamber. The single chamber contains a reconstituted material in accordance with the present disclosure. The reconstituted material comprises a fibrous plant product that has been treated with a plant extract. The fibrous plant product comprises a tea.

In still another embodiment, the infusion product of the present disclosure comprises a shaft member connected to or integral with a plurality of infusion filaments. A sliding member is present on the shaft member that can slide over the infusion filaments and protect them prior to use. During use, the sliding member can be slid over the shaft member exposing the infusion filaments for contact with a liquid, such as water. In one embodiment, the shaft member and the infusion filaments can all be made from a reconstituted material. Alternatively, the infusion filaments may comprise strips, ribbons, fibers, rods, or the like that are attached to the shaft member. In this embodiment, the shaft member can be made from any suitable material, such as a paper product, a plastic product, or the like. The shaft member and sliding member can be used to hold the infusion product and assist in stirring the product when the infusion filaments are contacted with water in order to produce a broth or beverage.

In still another embodiment, the infusion product comprises a layer of fibrous plant product that has been treated with a plant extract. In one embodiment, for instance, the fibrous plant product and plant extract comprise tea. The layer of fibrous plant product can be in the form of a rectangular or square strip and can include a reinforced area. The reinforced area can be produced by laminating to the layer of fibrous plant product one or more layers of a reinforcing material. The reinforced area can define an opening for receiving a rod member. The opening, for instance, can be an aperature, a slot, a channel, or the like. During use, a rod member is inserted through the opening such that the layer of fibrous plant product hangs from the rod member. The rod member can then be placed over the opening of a container, such as a cup or mug for holding the infusion product while the product is being contacted with a liquid in producing a beverage or broth. In one embodiment, the rod member can also be made from a reconstituted material. In this manner, the rod member can be used not only to stir the beverage but also to further add flavor. When made from a reconstituted material, the rod member can include a handle portion. The rod member can have a straight linear shape or can have a curved shape. In one embodiment, the rod member is in the shape of a ring. The ring can define an opening for fitting over the edge of a cup.

In still another embodiment, the infusion product of the present disclosure comprises a lining. The lining can have a shape configured to fit any suitable container. In one embodiment, for instance, the lining can be configured to fit into a cup. The lining can be made from the reconstituted material comprising a layer of fibrous plant product that has been treated with a plant extract.

In one embodiment, the lining can be a separate article placed into a cup or other container. Alternatively, the lining can be made so as to be integral with the cup or container. For instance, the cup itself can be made from the reconstituted material or the layer of fibrous plant product can be connected to or otherwise laminated to the material used to form the cup.

In still another embodiment, the infusion product of the present disclosure comprises an infusion member attached to a cap member. The infusion member can be made from the reconstituted material of the present disclosure. For instance, the infusion member can be made from a fibrous plant product that has been treated with a plant extract. In one embodiment, the fibrous plant product comprises a tea for producing a tea beverage.

The infusion member can have any suitable shape. For instance, the infusion member may comprise a rod, a tube, a column, a pillar, a plurality of filaments or the like.

As described above, the infusion member is connected to a cap member. The cap member can include threads for engaging the threads on a bottle. In one embodiment, for instance, the cap member is designed to form a liquid tight fit on a water bottle. In this embodiment, when producing a beverage, the infusion member can be placed into the water bottle so as to contact the liquid therein. The cap member can then be screwed onto the water bottle or otherwise attached. The water bottle can then be shaken so that a beverage is produced through contact between the water and the infusion member.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the infusion product comprises a cup or tumbler having a top that forms a liquid tight fit with the cup or tumbler. An infusion member can be placed within the cup or tumbler. In one embodiment, for instance, the infusion member has a disk-like shape that matches and is smaller than the inside diameter of the cup or tumbler. In this manner, the infusion member can be placed at the bottom of the cup or tumbler.

The infusion product can also include a baffle. The baffle can have a diameter or dimensions that substantially match the inside diameter or dimensions of the cup or tumbler. The baffle can be placed inside the cup or tumbler and used to cover the infusion member. In one embodiment, the baffle comprises a perforated base.

In order to produce a beverage, the infusion member is placed inside the cup or tumbler, the baffle is then placed over the infusion member within the cup or tumbler. The cup or tumbler is then filled with a liquid, such as water, and the top is placed on the cup or tumbler. Once a top is placed on the cup or tumbler, the entire product can be shaken in order to produce a beverage.

In all of the embodiments described above, the reconstituted material can be used to produce a tea or herbal tea product. Each of the reconstituted materials described above, for instance, may comprise tea or herbal tea plants in an amount of at least 70% by weight. In addition, the extract applied to the fibrous material can also contain tea plant or herbal plant materials in an amount of at least 70% by weight.

