WO2007003009A1

WO2007003009A1 - Tea infusion assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2007003009A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/000942
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steve Segaram
Original assignee: Steve Segaram
Priority date: 2005-07-04
Filing date: 2006-07-04
Publication date: 2007-01-11

Abstract

An infusion assembly (30, 100) comprises a holder which in one form incorporates a plurality of arms (92, 93) and an infusion bag (80, 86) mounted to the holder. The infusion bag is arranged to contain a substance to be infused or dissolved in a liquid and the arms are arranged to adopt an open condition where the arms are spaced part and a close condition where the arms are in contact with the infusion bag (80, 86) to squeeze the bag. In a particular form, the assembly further comprises an actuator (26) which is arranged to move the holder to adopt the closed condition. The infusion assembly has a particular application as a single use product.

Description

TEA INFUSION ASSEMBLY

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an assembly for infusing a substance into a liquid, such as infusing tea into hot water. The invention has particular application as a single use, disposable assembly and is herein described in that context. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that use.

Background of the Invention

Tea bags are convenient for infusing tea into hot water, but however come with a number of disadvantages. The tea bag has to be jiggled up and down in order to infuse the hot water with tea effectively. Also, a separate stirrer is required in order to distribute the flavour evenly into the hot water or add other flavours such as sugar and milk. Further, the tea bags usually retain an amount of water ⁽therein which drips when the bag is removed from a cup.

To overcome some of the above disadvantages, numerous alternative methods of serving tea have been provided. One such method is a "Stick Tea™" (www. sticktea. com) , which is a disposable tea infuser comprising an elongated tea housing made from thin aluminium sheet. The elongated aluminium housing includes a number of infusion holes along its length with the tea leaves housed within the housing. The stick tea is dipped into hot water to infuse the hot water with tea and the housing itself can be used for stirring. Whilst the Stick Tea infuser combines the operations of the infusion assembly and stirrer, it is expensive to manufacture and the foil housing inhibits the diffusion rate of the tea as compared to conventional tea bags.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an infusion assembly comprising: a holder incorporating a plurality of arms; and an infusion bag mounted to the holder, the infusion bag being disposed between the arms and containing a substance to be infused or dissolved in a liquid; wherein the arms are arranged to adopt an open condition where the arms are spaced apart and a closed condition where the arms are arranged to squeeze the infusion bag.

An infusion assembly according to this aspect of the invention has a separate holder which is able to adopt various conditions relative to the infusion bag. This in turn improves the functionality of the device. For example, when the holder is in its fully open condition, the holder can have minimal influence on the infusion rate of the substance through the bag. When moved to its closed condition, the holder can be used to squeeze the bag.

In a particular embodiment the arms are arranged to pivot relative to one another and to the infusion bag about an upper end of the arms so as to move between the open and closed conditions. In one typical, but not exclusive form, the arms are elongate and can be sufficiently rigid to allow the assembly to be self supporting so that it can stand on the lower ends of the arms and/or may be used as a stirrer. In a particular form of that embodiment, the infusion bag and a lower region of the arms are arranged to be immersed below the surface of the liquid.

In one embodiment, the arms are made from sheet material so as to incorporate a generally planar side wall that extends between upper and lower ends of the arms . In a further embodiment, at least two of the arms are integrally formed together. The arms may be provided with a plurality of openings formed in the side wall of the arms. In an arrangement where the arms include a plurality of openings, these openings are located in a lower region of each arm. In another form, the arms may be made from material having substantially smaller surface area, such as wire of the like, which are sufficiently spaced apart to obviate the need for infusion openings.

In one form the infusion bag is connected directly to the holder. In a particular arrangement, the infusion bag is mounted to an inner side of at least one of the arms.

In another form, the infusion bag is mounted to the holder through a connector so as to space the infusion bag from the holder. This arrangement has the advantage that it allows better circulation around the substance thereby enhancing the efficacy of the assembly to infuse the substance. The connector may be formed from any suitable material. For example, the connector may be formed of string or may be an extension of the porous material used to form the infusion bag.

In one form, the connector extends from an upper end of the arms so as to be disposed between the arms in the open and closed condition.

In a particular embodiment, the infusion bag is elongate. With this arrangement, the assembly can adopt a generally elongate configuration when the arms are similarly formed in an elongate fashion and when disposed in their closed orientation. This elongate shape facilitates use of the assembly as a stirrer, its location in a broad range of vessels (e.g. tea cups and the like) and also is ideally suited for packaging as it is relatively compact.

The assembly may incorporate a single infusion bag or multiple bags if desired. An advantage of using multiple bags is that it can further improve the efficacy of the assembly to infuse by increasing the effective surface area of the bags. Also the multiple bags may incorporate different substances which in turn can be infused at different rates or for differing length of times.

In one form of this latter arrangement, at least two of the plurality of infusion bags are interconnected by the connector.

In one form, at least one of the arms incorporate a cavity which is able to contain a substance and which is arranged to be released into the liquid under predetermined conditions. Whilst this substance may be the same as the substance in the infusion bag, in one form, it is a separate substance. For example where the substance in the infusion bag is a tea, the substance contained in the cavity may include milk, sugar, whitener, etc. In a particular embodiment of this arrangement, the predetermined conditions is selected from a threshold temperature and/or a threshold pressure being applied to the arms. This arrangement has the advantage that the release of the substance from the cavity can be controlled and/or delayed until after the primary infusion has taken place.

In a particular embodiment, the infusion assembly further comprises an actuator operative to move the arms together to adopt the closed condition. In this way the actuator may be used to squeeze the bag after use, and/or may be used to reduce or stop the infusion process by moving the holder to it closed condition. The use of an actuator is particularly suited in arrangements where at least part of the holder is immersed in the liquid.

In a particular embodiment the actuator is in the form of a sleeve which is disposed about the holder and slideable towards a lower end of the holder. In one form, actuator can be imprinted with advertising.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides an infusion assembly comprising: a holder having an upper end and a lower end and at least one side wall disposed between the ends, a cavity associated with the holder, the cavity containing a substance to be infused or dissolved in a liquid, wherein the holder is arranged to adopt an open condition where the cavity is open and a closed condition where the cavity is caused to collapse, and an actuator operative to cause the holder to adopt the closed condition so as to squeeze the substance in the cavity.

In this aspect, the holder may take other forms in addition to the arrangement of holder with the plurality of arms as disclosed above. For example the holder may be arranged as a substantially cylindrical housing that entirely encases an infusion bag or defines the cavity.

In one form, the cavity is disposed within the holder. In another form the cavity is formed in an infusion bag connected to the holder.

In one embodiment of the assembly in any form described above, the assembly is disposable and arranged for single use. Furthermore, in another embodiment the assembly is encased a hygienic wrapper.

In one typical, but not exclusive form, the substance contained by the infusion bag comprises tea leaves, herbs, dried fruit or like material .

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a holder for use with an infusion assembly. In one form of this latter arrangement, the holder may be for multiple use and the infusion bag is connected to the holder immediately prior to use. After use, the infusion bag can discarded.

The holder can be made from recyclable material, such as plastics or corrugated paper. All of the components of the assembly can be made from recyclable or biodegradable material .

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within its scope, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows an elongated infusion bag for an assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows (a) front view and (b) end view of an embodiment of a holder; Fig. 3 shows (a) front view and (b) end view of an embodiment of an actuator;

Fig. 4 shows an infusion assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows the infusion assembly of Fig. 4 sealed with a plastics wrapping;

Fig. 6 shows one use of the infusion assembly of Fig. 4 according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 shows (a) front view and (b) end view of a further embodiment of the holder in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 8 shows a side view of an infusion assembly with an actuator according to a further embodiment of the present invention with the holder of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 shows (a) front view and (b) side view of an embodiment of an elongated infusion bag, with Fig. 9 (c) shows a side view of an embodiment of elongated infusion bags with an integral connector in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 10 shows (a) pre-folded view and (b) folded view of an embodiment of an elongated infusion bags with an integral connector in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 11 shows (a) a front view of an embodiment of the arms of the holder integrally joined and (b) a folded view in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 12 shows steps of a sequence of operation of an embodiment of the infusion assembly in accordance with the invention with (a) a pre-use closed condition, (b) pre-use open condition, (c) in-use open condition, (d) post-use closed condition;

Fig. 13 shows (a) an outer side view and (b) an inner side view of a further embodiment of the infusion assembly, with Fig. 13 (c) showing a side view of the assembly in a fully assembled configuration;

Fig. 14 shows an outer side view; and (b) an inner side view of a holder of an embodiment of the infusion assembly, whereas Fig. (c) shows an infusion bag for use with the holder and Fig. 14 (d) shows the infusion assembly in its ready for use configuration; and

Fig. 15 shows a side view of a further embodiment of infusion assembly. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 to 3 show the components of an infusion assembly in the form of an elongate disposable infuser 30 (see Fig. 4) .

Fig. 1 shows an infusion bag 10 which is made from porous material. The bag 10 contains a substance 14 such as tea leaves to be infused or dissolved in a liquid. The bag 10 is of a generally elongate shape and is also defined by a join 11 along its length. The bag 10 is made from porous paper and includes seals 13 which define the limits of the bag. However one of the seals is formed intermediate the paper length to form a tail region 32 that forms a connector as will be discussed below. Figs. 2 (a) and 2 (b) show an elongate housing in the form of a tubular casing 20 having a side wall 21 that increases in diameter from the upper end 22 to the lower end 23. The casing is typically made from a food grade paper and the side wall 21 of the casing 20 has a plurality of openings in the form of perforations 24 that appear on the lower region 25 of the casing 20 to past the mid portion of the casing 20. The casing 20 is rigid to be self supporting, and is shown adopting an open position where the side wall 21 defines a cavity to allow the infusion bag 10 to be disposed therein in spaced relationship to the wall 21.

Figs. 3 (a) and 3 (b) shows an actuator in the form of a resilient sleeve 26. The sleeve 26 is generally ring- shaped and is dimensioned to extend around the upper end 22 and move down the side wall 21 from the upper end 22 of the casing 20. As shown in Fig. 3 (b) it is possible to display the tea product trade mark by imprinted the trade mark onto the sleeve 26. - S -

Fig. 4 shows the assembled infuser 30 with the infusion bag 10 disposed within the casing 20 and the casing fitted with the sleeve 26. The infusion bag 10 is mounted to the casing 20 through the connector 32. The casing 20 is shown adopting an open position where the side wall 24 is spaced from the infusion bag 10. The infusion bag 10 hangs freely from the casing 20. The sleeve 26 is capable of moving the side wall 24 to adopt a closed position whereby the side wall collapses onto the bag so as to squeeze the infusion bag.

Fig. 5 shows the infuser 30 of Fig. 4, encased in a clear plastic wrapper 32, for example cellophane, to hygienically seal the infuser 30.

Referring to Fig. 6, the infuser 30 is shown in use in a mug 50 filled with a liquid such as hot water 52.

The infuser 30 is inserted into the mug 50 such that the infusion bag 10 and at least the lower region of the infuser 30 is immersed below the surface of the hot water 52. The infuser 30 is self-supporting in the mug 50, with the lower end 23 resting on the base of the mug 50. As the upper end 22 of the infuser 30 is above the hot water 52, the sleeve can provide an attractive advertisement of the tea product being consumed by the user.

Referring to Figs. 7 (a) and 7 (b) , a holder is shown having a tubular casing 60 with corrugated side walls 61 extending from the upper end 62 to the lower end 63. Corrugated paper is one of the preferred materials to use as it is easily recyclable. The side wall 61 of the casing 60 has a plurality of openings in the form of perforations 64 that appear on the lower region 65 of the casing 60 to past the mid portion of the casing 60. Like the earlier embodiment described, the casing 60 is rigid to be self supporting, and is shown adopting an open position where the side wall 61 is spaced from the infusion bag 10 (not shown) .

Fig. 8 shows an infusion assembly as a self contained infuser 70 with an infusion bag 10 disposed within the casing 60 of Figs. 7 (a) and (b) . Like the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the casing 60 is fitted with a sleeve 26. The infusion bag 10 is mounted to the casing 60 through a connector (not shown) . The casing 60 is shown adopting an open position where the side wall 61 is spaced from the infusion bag 10. The infusion bag 10 hangs freely from the casing 60. The sleeve 26 is capable of moving the side wall 61 to adopt a closed position so as to squeeze the infusion bag.

Figs. 9 to 10 show embodiments of an infusion bag 80. The bag 80 of Fig. 9 is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, except the side portions 82 of the bag 80 include inwardly directed folds 84, which allows for easy infusion of the liquid with the contents of the bag in use. Fig. 9 (c) shows a strip 85 of bags with two separate elongated bags 86. The strip 85 shown in Fig. 10 is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig . 9 , except between each of the elongate bags 86 an integral connector 88, shown in the form of an extension of the porous material used to form the bag 86, is positioned between the elongated bags 86. Each bag 86 is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and holds a similar amount of contents, except that each bag 86 is slimmer than the bag 10 of Fig. 1. The bags 86 can be formed continuously as a string, cut into individual bags 86, or in discrete multiples, to be used be used with the infusers .

Figs. 11 to 12 illustrate a further form of infusion assembly in the form of infuser 100 (see Fig. 12) . The main distinction between the infuser 100 and the earlier embodiments is in the construction of the infusion cover 90 which is of much more open construction than in the casings of the earlier embodiments and forms a holder for the infuser 100. The cover 90 incorporates a plurality of arms, shown as two panels (92, 93) . The panels (92, 93) in the illustrated form are made from sheet material so that the panels form a generally planar wall extending from a lower end 95 to an upper end 96 and are tapered, with the lower end 95 being the wider end. The panels (92, 93) are integrally formed together and have a fold line 94 at the junction. The cover 90 is then folded at the fold line 94 as shown in Fig. 11 (b) with the lower ends 95 being separated (see Figs. 12) such that the panels (92,93) can pivot relative to each other. The panels 92, 93 incorporate infusion apertures 97 in the lower region of the respective panels.

As in the earlier embodiments, the cover 90 of the infuser 100 is arranged to move between an open and a closed condition as will be described in more detail below. Again in a similar arrangement as the earlier embodiments, the infuser incorporates the sleeve 26 which encircle the panels 92, 93 to move the arms together to adopt the closed position (as best seen in Figs. 12 (a) , (d)).

Figs. 12 shows the assembled infuser 100 with two of the infusion bags 86 of Fig. 10 disposed within the cover 90, and sleeve 26 positioned about the cover panels 92 and 93. The infusion bags 86 are mounted to the cover 90 through the connector 88 which is formed as an extension of the paper covering of the bags 80 so as to hang freely from the cover 90.

As best shown in the sequence of Figs. 12 (a) to 12 (d) , the infusion assembly is able to be provided to a user in a hygienic wrapper 34 where the panels are in a closed condition. At the desired time of use the infuser 100 can be removed from the wrapper 34. The cover 90 is able to move between the closed condition and the open condition of Fig. 12 (b) where the panels are spaced from the infusion bags 86 to provide a stable configuration. The cover 90 in the open condition allows the infuser 100 to stand in a cup 102 as shown in Fig 12 (c) where good circulation is promoted around the infusion bag 86 for effective infusion. When the desired strength or infusion time has been reached the cover 90 can be moved to the closed condition as shown in Fig 12 (d) where the panels are able to squeeze the infusion bags 86. This movement of the panels is achieved by hinging of the panels about their upper ends 96 and this action is able to be effected by sliding of the sleeve 26 down the panels (92, 93) . Alternatively, the panels can be moved simply by hand by squeezing the panels. The operating mode of the various infusion assemblies will now be described.

Referring to Fig. 6, natural convection allows the hot water 52 to be infused with tea in the infusion bag 10. Additionally or alternatively, the user can hold the casing upper end 22 to stir the infuser around the water 52 to distribute the tea flavour evenly.

When the infusion bag 10 is in the hot water, the tea leaves 14 naturally expand and move within the infusion bag 10. The elongated infusion bag 10 allows sufficient space for the tea leaves 14 to expand and move therein to allow natural and efficient infusion of the tea into the hot water 52. The casing 20 also allows for this infusion to occur efficiently, as the portion of the casing 20 which has the perforations 24 extend for a greater length than height of the tea leaves stack in the bag 10.

With reference to the embodiment of Fig. 12, the infuser 100 is positioned in a cup with the panels in the open condition where they are spaced apart to allow the infuser to stand in the cup and to allow for good circulation around the one or more infusion bags. Similar to the earlier embodiment, the cover 90 can be used to stir the infuser around the water. In either form, once the desired tea strength is reached, the user can grab the upper end 22, 96 with two fingers from one hand and use two fingers, or the sleeve 26, to slide down the casing 20 or cover 90 towards the lower end 23 95 with a squeezing force to move the casing 20, or the panels (92, 93), to adopt a closed position where the casing 20 (or panels 92,93) is in contact with the infusion bag 10 to remove excess liquid from the bag. This prevents dripping from the infusion bag 10 when removing the infuser 30 from the mug 50. The infusion bag, of any of the embodiments previously described, can permit easy infusion of the liquid with the substance contained in the bag.

Further variations of the infuser 100 are shown in Figs. 13 to 15 so that for ease of reference, like features have been given like reference numerals.

Returning firstly to Figs. 13 (a) to 13 (c) , the infuser includes two (2) infusion bags 86 but rather than have those infusion bags connected to the cover 90 through a separate connecter, in this arrangement, the bags are bonded directly to an inner side of the respective panels

92 and 93.

In the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 14 (a) to 14 (d) , the cover 90 of the infuser 120 is modified to incorporate internal cavities 121 and 122 within the respective panels 92 and 93. These cavities are able to contain either dried powders/granules or liquids such as sugar, milk, whitener etc.. In the particular form as illustrated, the cavities are fully sealed but incorporate a film cover 123 which forms an inner side of the pouch which defines the cavities 121 and 122. This film is incorporated with laser cuts 124 which are arranged to open under predetermined conditions such as when the film reaches a threshold temperature and/or under particular pressures .

The infuser 120 of this embodiment is ideally suited when multiple substances are to be incorporated into the liquid. As an example the primary infusion bags 86 may be arranged to contain tea whereas the cavity 121 in one panel is arranged to contain milk whereas the cavity 122 of the other panel is arranged to contain sugar. Both the milk and the sugar is dosed at a particular level with the infuser being sold as a "3 in 1" package. In use, when the infuser 120 is immersed in the heated liquid, the tea will infuse in the liquid first and subsequently, the milk and/or sugar will be released when the threshold conditions are met.

Finally, in respect of Fig. 15, the infuser 130 is further modified to incorporate a temperature indicator 131 on the cover 90 which is arranged to change colour when an appropriate set temperature is reached. For example, the temperature indicator 121 may be arranged to change colour when the temperature drops below a preset temperature so as to indicate to a consumer that the beverage is at a safe temperature to drink.

It is to be understood that the preceding description of mode for carrying out the invention are provided for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the infusion assembly.

For example, instead of containing tea, the desired substance which can be infused or dissolved when placed in a container of water, milk or other liquid including liquor. Also, instead of having large particle tea or spice leaves in the bag, the bag can have a substance in granular or powder form which will dissolve in the liquid. The bag can be a micro filter paper bag that retains fine granules or powder in the bag 10 and release same into the liquid, allowing the flavours or concentrate to dissolve evenly throughout the liquid.

An advantage of the infusion assembly is that it allows a quick, easily brewed/infused flavour evenly distributed into liquid. The actuator can be used to squeeze excess liquid from the infusion assembly to avoid undesired dripping.

All of the components of the assembly can be made from recycled or biodegradable material such as plastics, paper or foil. Thus, the entire assembly can be disposed of into a compost bin.

The holder is substantially rigid by its material and/or construction such that it can be used as a stirrer if sugar, milk or another flavour is added to the liquid. A reference herein to a prior art document is not an admission that the document forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An infusion assembly comprising: a holder incorporating a plurality of arms,- and an infusion bag mounted to the holder, the infusion bag being disposed between the arms and containing a substance to be infused or dissolved in a liquid; wherein the arms are arranged to adopt an open condition where the arms are spaced apart and a closed condition where the arms are arranged to squeeze the infusion bag.

2. An infusion assembly according to claim 1, wherein the arms are arranged to pivot relative to one another and to the infusion bag about an upper end of the arms so as to move between the open and closed conditions.

3. An infusion assembly according to either claims 1 or 2, wherein the arms are sufficiently rigid to allow the assembly to be self supporting.

4. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the arms are made from sheet material so as to incorporate a generally planar side wall that extends between upper and lower ends of the arms .

5. An infusion assembly according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of openings are formed in the side wall of the arms .

6. An infusion assembly according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of openings are located in a lower region of each arm.

7. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least two of the arms are integrally formed together.

8. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the infusion bag is mounted to the holder through a connector so as to space the infusion bag from the holder.

9. An infusion assembly according to claim 8, wherein the connector extends from an upper end of the arms so as to be disposed between the arms in the open and closed condition.

10. An infusion assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, where the infusion bag is disposed on an inner side of one of the arms .

11. An infusion assembly according to claim 10, when a said infusion bag is disposed on the inner side of two of the arms .

12. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein in use, the infusion bag and a lower region of the arms are arranged to be immersed below the surface of the liquid.

13. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the arms are elongate.

14. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the infusion bag is elongate.

15. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of said infusion bags disposed between the arms.

16. An infusion assembly according to claim 15 when dependent on claim 9, wherein the plurality of infusion bags are interconnected by the connector.

17. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the arms incorporate a cavity containing a substance arranged to be released into the liquid under predetermined conditions.

18. An infusion assembly according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined conditions is a threshold temperature and/or a threshold pressure applied to said arms.

19. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising an actuator operative to move the arms together to adopt the closed condition.

20. An infusion assembly comprising: a holder having an upper end and a lower end and at least side wall disposed between the ends, a cavity associated with the holder, the cavity containing a substance to be infused or dissolved in a liquid, wherein the holder is arranged to adopt an open condition where the cavity is open and a closed condition where the cavity is caused to collapse, and an actuator operative to cause the holder to adopt the closed condition so as to squeeze the substance contained in the cavity.

21. An infusion assembly according to claim 20, wherein the cavity is disposed within the holder.

22. An infusion assembly according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the cavity is disposed in an infusion bag connected to the holder.

23. An infusion assembly according to any one of claims

19 to 22, wherein the actuator is in the form of a sleeve which is disposed about the holder and slideable towards a lower end of the holder.

24. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly is disposable and arranged for single use.

25. An infusion assembly according to any preceding , further comprising a temperature indicator.

26. An infusion assembly according to claim 25 wherein the temperature indicator is provided on the assembly holder.

27. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly is encased a hygienic wrapper.

28. An infusion assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the substance comprises tea leaves, herbs, dried fruit or like material .

29. A holder for use with an infusion assembly as defined in any preceding claim.

30. An infusion assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

31. A holder substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .