TIME MEASUREMENT APPARATUS, TIME MEASUREMENT METHOD AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A TIME MEASUREMENT APPARATUS

Abstract

Provided is a time measurement apparatus having a transport device for a liquid, at least one sensor and at least one display which is at least communicatively connected to the sensor, is optically freely accessible and is intended to display a contact duration of the time measurement apparatus with the liquid or an item of meta information derived from the contact duration. The transport device includes at least one reservoir region for receiving liquid from an environment of the time measurement apparatus through an entrance area, at least one detection region for detecting the liquid and at least one time region having a number of channels for transporting the liquid from the reservoir region to the detection region in a defined transport duration. The sensor is designed to detect the liquid in the detection region at an end of the time region which is remote from the reservoir region.

Claims

1. A time measurement apparatus with a transport device for a liquid, in the form of a strip, at least one sensor and at least one display connected at least communicatively with the sensor to display a contact duration of the time measurement apparatus with the liquid or an item of meta information derived from the contact duration, wherein the transport device comprises: a) at least one reservoir region for taking liquid from an environment of the time measurement apparatus through an entry surface arranged at a lower edge of the transport device; b) at least one detection region for detection of the liquid; and c) at least one time region with a number of channels to transport the liquid in a defined transport duration from the reservoir region to the detection region, and wherein the sensor is designed for detection of the liquid in the detection region at an end of the time region remote from the reservoir region; wherein d) the transport device comprises a combined system with an inner region to transport the liquid and a moisture-repellent outer region; e) wherein the outer region encloses the inner region at a front surface of the transport device, at a rear surface of the transport device opposite the front surface, at a right-hand side edge of the transport device and at a left-hand side edge opposite the right-hand side edge, in each case at least in a section adjoining a lower edge for immersion in the liquid; and g) wherein the inner region is freely accessible, at least in sections, at the lower edge (135) and at an upper edge of the transport device opposite the lower edge.

2. The time measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one resistance element for limiting a flow of liquid from the reservoir region into the time region, wherein the resistance element relative to at least one of the reservoir region and the time region, a) comprises a reduced cross-sectional area for passage of the liquid; b) comprises at least one of a material with a reduced conductivity for the liquid; and c) has an increased material density.

3. The time measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner region of the transport device a) forms the sensor and the display; b) has a translucency variable by contact with the liquid, opaque in a dry state and translucent in a wet state; and c) includes at least one of absorbent material for the liquid, paper and a non-woven fabric.

4. The time measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer region a) comprises at least one of a moisture-repellent support, a cardboard coated with a thermoplastic synthetic material, for stiffening of the transport device; and b) comprises at least a moisture-repellent film, transparent at least in sections, made from a thermoplastic synthetic material.

5. The time measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one closure device for temporary closure of the entry surface against a penetration of moisture into the reservoir region, wherein the closure device is soluble in the liquid, only above a minimum temperature.

6. The time measurement apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a) the rear surface of the transport device is formed by the support; b) the front surface of the transport device is formed by the film; and c) the inner region of the transport device is arranged between the support and the film; d) wherein the support and the film in each case form an overhang over the inner region at the side edges of the transport device; e) wherein at least the support and the film are connected to form a material bond with each other, at least at the side edges; and f) wherein, the inner region and the support are connected with each other to form a material bond, at least in sections.

7. The time measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a) the display comprises a marking, a colored marking; b) whereby the marking is applied to the inner region on at least one of a side of the inner region facing the rear surface and to the outer region; c) so that the marking is visible through the inner region from the front surface in a wet state of the inner region; and d) wherein the marking is separated from the inner region, by a moisture-repellent material, by at least one of a moisture-repellent film and by a moisture-repellent coating of a support.

8. A filter paper web for volume production of pyramidal, teabags, wherein a) a time measurement apparatus according to claim 1 is fastened on the filter paper web for each teabag; and b) wherein the rear surface of the transport device of the time measurement apparatus is fastened to the filter paper web at least by at least one lower fastening near to the lower edge of the transport device.

9. The filter paper web according to claim 8, wherein a) the rear surface of the transport device of the time measurement apparatus is fastened to the filter paper web by at least one upper fastening near the upper edge of the transport device and/or b) the filter paper web for producing the teabag can be folded about a longitudinal axis of the filter paper web in a central folding region of the filter paper web, wherein the transport device of the time measurement apparatus is arranged traversely to the filter paper web and is fastened to the filter paper web by a central fastening between the lower edge of the transport device and the central folding region.

10. The time measurement system with a pyramidal teabag, wherein a time measurement apparatus according to claim 1 is fastened to the teabag, wherein the rear surface of the transport device of the time measurement apparatus is fastened to the teabag, at least by a lower fastening near to the lower edge of the transport device.

11. The time measurement method with a time measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a) bringing the entry surface of the reservoir region of the transport medium of the time measurement apparatus into contact with a liquid at a contact start time; b) transporting the liquid through the time region of the transport medium within a transport duration into the detection region of the transport medium, c) detecting the liquid in the detection region at a detection time, which is correlated with the contact start timer, and d) displaying the contact duration or an item of meta information derived from the contact time.

12. The time measurement method according to claim 11, wherein the detection comprises an optical, visual, detection of a change of the translucency of the inner region of the transport device of the time measurement apparatus caused by the liquid.

13. The time measurement according to claim 11, wherein the bringing into contact comprises an opening of a closing device for temporary closure of the entry surface against a penetration of moisture into the reservoir region by the liquid.

14. A production method for a time measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a) provision of a blank for an inner region to transport the liquid; b) application of one section each of a moisture-repellent outer region at least on a front surface and on a rear surface opposite the front surface of the blank; c) wherein the sections form an overhang over the blank at a right-hand side edge of the blank and a left-hand side edge of the blank opposite the right-hand side edge in each case; and d) compression at least of the overhangs for moisture-repellent connection of the sections with one another.

15. The production method according to claim 14, wherein the compression comprises a) a weld, an ultrasound weld; and/or b) a lamination, a hot lamination, of the sections with one another and of at least one section with the blank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0131] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0132] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a time measurement system according to embodiments of the invention;

[0133] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a further time measurement system according to embodiments of the invention;

[0134] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a time measurement apparatus according to embodiments of the invention;

[0135] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a further time measurement system according to embodiments of the invention;

[0136] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a production method according to embodiments of the invention;

[0137] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a further production method according to embodiments of the invention; and

[0138] FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a filter paper web according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0139] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a time measurement system 400 according to embodiments of the invention. The time measurement system 400 illustrated comprises a teabag 420 and a time measurement apparatus 100 according to embodiments of the invention fastened to it, for example welded to it. The time measurement apparatus 100 comprises a transport means 120 for a liquid, which comprises a reservoir region 121 with at least one entry surface 124 for the liquid, a time region 123 and a detection region 122. The transport means 120 comprises an inner region 126, for example a strip of absorbent paper or non-woven fabric, to transport the liquid and a moisture-repellent outer region (not illustrated), for example a film or a moisture-repellent non-woven fabric. The outer region can comprise at the entry surface 124 at least one opening for the liquid. On the inner region 126, for example, a dye 181 is applied, which forms a sensor and a display means.

[0140] If the time measurement system 400 is immersed with the entry surface 124 in a liquid, for example hot water for brewing the tea, the liquid can penetrate into the inner region 126 through the entry surface 124 and is transported by capillary forces within the inner region 126 from the reservoir region 121 through the time region 123 into the detection region 122. At the same time, the dye 181 can be carried along by the liquid. The detection region 122 comprises a number of, for example three, markings 300 (MILD, BALANCED, STRONG). If the liquid with the dye 181 reaches the markings 300, a user can detect from this that a contact time with the liquid which, for example, corresponds to a degree of infusion of the tea represented by the relevant marking 300, has elapsed.

[0141] In the path of the liquid from the reservoir region 121 into the time region 123, a resistance element 160, for example a reduced flow cross-section, can be arranged to limit the flow.

[0142] A section of the outer region of the transport means 120 can comprise a support 143, made for example from a cardboard, in particular resistant to liquid, and, in particular, be connected via this with the tea container 420. The time measurement system 400 can comprise, formed in particular as a folding flap of the support 143, a squeezing device 421 for the teabag 420.

[0143] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a further time measurement system 400 according to embodiments of the invention. In this case, a time measurement apparatus 100 according to embodiments of the invention is applied to a lateral wall of a vessel 410, in particular of a tea mug. In addition, the vessel 410 can contain a tea bag 420.

[0144] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a time measurement apparatus 100 according to embodiments of the invention which, for use, is immersed together with a number of, for example two, teabags 420 in a liquid (not illustrated), for example hot infusion water, in a vessel 410, for example a teapot.

[0145] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a further time measurement system 400 according to embodiments of the invention with a teabag 420, in particular open at its upper side, and a time measurement apparatus according to embodiments of the invention applied to it (not illustrated). The teabag 420 comprises a number of, for example two, holding devices 422, for example folding cardboard flaps, for fastening the teabag 420, for example to a teacup (not illustrated).

[0146] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a production method 600 according to embodiments of the invention for a time measurement apparatus 100 according to embodiments of the invention. The production method 600 comprises a provision 610 of a blank 127, for example an absorbent non-woven fabric in the form of a plane, for an inner region to transport the liquid.

[0147] After the provision 610, an application 620 takes place of a section 142 of a moisture-repellent outer region 140, for example a moisture-repellent non-woven fabric, at least on a front surface 130 and a rear surface 131 opposite the front surface 130 of the blank 127.

[0148] After the application 620, a compression 630 takes place (represented by arrows), for example an ultrasound weld, of the sections 142 at a right-hand side edge 132 of the inner region 126 between the front surface 130 and the rear surface 131 and at a left-hand side edge 133 of the inner region 126 opposite the right-hand side edge 132.

[0149] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a further production method 600 according to embodiments of the invention for a time measurement apparatus 100 according to embodiments of the invention. The production method 600 comprises a printing 601 on a support 143, for example a cardboard web coated with a thermoplastic material, in particular with polylactides, in particular with a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm, of a number of markings 300, for example timescales, wherein a multiplicity of markings are printed on the support 143 parallel to one another.

[0150] After the printing 601, an application 620 takes place of a blank 127 for an inner region 126 of the transport means 100, for example a strip of absorbent paper, in particular with a thickness of 25 m to 50 m, on each of the markings 300. In addition, an application 620 of a moisture-repellent film 144, at least transparent in sections, for example made from polylactides, in particular with a thickness of 50 m to 100 m, is made on the blanks 127.

[0151] The application 620 of the blanks 127 and the film 144 is made so that the film 144 and the support 143 form an overhang 145 over the blanks 127, at least at the right-hand side edge 132 and the left-hand side edge 133 of the blanks 127 respectively.

[0152] After the application 620, the method 600 comprises a compression 630, at least of the overhangs 145 for moisture-repellent connection of the support 143 with the film 144. The compression 630 can, for example, comprise an ultrasound weld.

[0153] After the compression 630 a separation 640 of the combined system of support 143, inner regions 126 and film 144, takes place, for example by a cutting of the combined system, into individual transport means 120, which in particular can form a complete time measurement apparatus 100 in each case.

[0154] In particular, the separation 640 can take place in such a way that the inner regions 126 are freely accessible, at least at a lower edge 135 and, in particular, also at an upper edge 134 of the relevant transport means 120, at least in sections.

[0155] FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a filter paper web 419 according to embodiments of the invention, for example made from polylactides, for volume production of teabags 420. On the filter paper web 419 is fastened a time measurement apparatus 100 for each teabag 420, wherein the rear surface of the transport means 120 of the time measurement apparatus 100, which can be coated, for example, with a thermoplastic material, is fastened to the filter paper web 419, at least by at least one lower fastening 418, for example an ultrasound weld, near the lower edge 135 of the transport means 120.

[0156] The rear face 131 of the transport means 120 of the time measurement apparatus 100 is fastened at least by at least one upper fastening 417, for example an ultrasound weld, near the upper edge 134 of the transport means 120 on the filter paper web 419.

[0157] The filter paper web 419 for production of the teabag 420 can be foldable about a longitudinal axis of the filter paper web 419 in a central folding region 415 of the filter paper web 419, wherein the transport means 120 of the time measurement apparatus 100 is arranged transversally to the longitudinal axis on the filter paper web 419 and fastened to the filter paper web by a central fastening 416, for example an ultrasound weld, between the lower edge 135 of the transport means 120 and the central folding region 415.

[0158] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in greater detail with reference to the preferred exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited to the examples disclosed, and further variations can be inferred by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0159] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of a or an throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and comprising does not exclude other steps or elements.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0160] 100 Time measurement apparatus

[0161] 120 Transport means

[0162] 121 Reservoir region

[0163] 122 Detection region

[0164] 123 Time region

[0165] 124 Entry surface

[0166] 126 Inner region

[0167] 127 Blank

[0168] 130 Front surface

[0169] 131 Rear surface

[0170] 132 Right-hand side edge

[0171] 133 Left-hand side edge

[0172] 134 Upper edge

[0173] 135 Lower edge

[0174] 140 Outer region

[0175] 142 Section

[0176] 143 Support

[0177] 144 Film

[0178] 145 Overhang

[0179] 160 Resistance element

[0180] 181 Dye

[0181] 300 Marking

[0182] 400 Time measurement system

[0183] 410 Vessel

[0184] 415 Folding region

[0185] 416 Central fastening

[0186] 417 Upper fastening

[0187] 418 Lower fastening

[0188] 419 Filter paper web

[0189] 420 Teabag

[0190] 421 Squeezing device

[0191] 422 Holding device

[0192] 600 Production method

[0193] 601 Printing

[0194] 610 Provision

[0195] 620 Application

[0196] 630 Compression

[0197] 640 Separation