Micro-porous enclosure for delivering and stirring infusible and water-soluble potable matter into a liquid

Abstract

A sealed enclosure (10, 32) affords the infusion and dissolution of the essences of infusible and water-soluble potable matter (15) into liquids. The enclosure is provided with micro-porous openings or interstices (26), e.g., spacings (28) between fibers or holes or perforations (30) in a film whose opening sizes and density per unit area substantially eliminates the effect of surface tension. For infusible matter, the micro-porous openings form a screen which is smaller than the nominal size of the contents to permit infusion, without passage of the matter per se, of their taste or essence into the liquid. A pleated enclosure (30) permits a limited expansion a more efficient diffusion of the taste or essence of the ingredients into the liquid without preventing the contents from brewing or soaking too long in the liquid and possibly to change the taste before, for example, a bitter taste is imparted to the liquid. The sealed inclosure is preferably formed from a relatively rigid material to enable it, per se, to act as a stirring rod or swizzle stick.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.