Infusion packets

Abstract

The present invention relates to an expandable infusion packet (1, 5), wherein the infusion packet is in a permanently compressed state in the absence of water and converts to an expanded state in the presence of water.

1 . Expandable infusion packet, wherein the infusion packet is in a permanently compressed state in the absence of water and converts to an expanded state in the presence of water, and wherein the infusion packet has a substantially rigid structure in the permanently compressed state. 
     
     
         2 . Expandable infusion packet as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the infusion packet has a volume Vein the permanently compressed state and a volume V E  in the expanded state and wherein V E  is from 2V C  to 10V C . 
     
     
         3 . Expandable infusion packet as claimed  claim 1  wherein the infusion packet has a first geometric shape in its permanently compressed state and a second geometric shape in its expanded state, wherein the first and second geometric shapes are distinct. 
     
     
         4 . Expandable infusion packet as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the first geometric shape is a cylinder. 
     
     
         5 . Expandable infusion packet at claimed in  claim 3  wherein first geometric shape is a prism. 
     
     
         6 . Expandable infusion packet as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the second geometric shape is a sphere, a hemisphere, a tetrahedron or a pyramid. 
     
     
         7 . Expandable infusion packet as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the infusion packet is made from a non-woven material. 
     
     
         8 . A package comprising a plurality of expandable infusion packets as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A package as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the package is a tube or a carton. 
     
     
         10 . A package as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the package is a tube and the first geometric shape is a cylinder. 
     
     
         11 . A package as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the package is a carton and the first geometric shape is a square or rectangular prism. 
     
     
         12 . A package as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the package is a carton and the first geometric shape is a cylinder. 
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing an expandable infusion packet as claimed in  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 (a) providing an infusion packet in an expanded state;   (b) inserting the infusion packet in a die;   (c) applying pressure so as to convert the infusion packet to a permanently compressed state, wherein the infusion packet has a substantially rigid structure in the permanently compressed state.   
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the pressure applied in step (c) is from 3000 to 4200 kPa. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled)