CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/184149, filed June 24, 2015, entitled "Tea Bag Tag Adhesive", the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to tea bags (and / or other beverage bags) with tags; and more particularly to an adhesive for tea bag tags that facilitates attachment of a tea bag tag to a container and prevents the tag from falling into the container.

2. Description Of The Prior Art

Tea bags are typically constructed as small, porous sealed bags containing tea leaves that are used with water for brewing tea beverages, or with herbs or spices for brewing herbal teas. Conventionally, such tea bags are composed of filter paper, silk or food grade plastic. The bag contains the tea leaves while the tea is steeped, making it easier to dispose of the leaves, and performing the same function as a tea infuser. Some tea bags have an attached piece of string with a paper label or tag at the top that assists in removing the bag while also displaying the brand and/or variety of tea. Oftentimes, tea bags are individually located inside a small envelope, usually square or rectangular, with the brand name, flavor and decorative pattern printed on them. At other times, tea bags are located as a group in a larger bag or tin.

When a tea bag is immersed in water / liquid, it frequently sinks within the cup / container causing the string to pull in a downward force in the direction of the tea bag. As a result, the paper label or tag slips into the cup / container becoming submerged in the water. In these circumstances, the paper label or tag then must be retrieved from the liquid with a utensil. Submersion of the paper label or tag in the liquid is not only an annoying event, but it can cause fibers, debris or contamination from the paper label or tag to fall into the beverage.

Currently, tea bag tags are designed to give the user something to hold while using a tea bag. The design and function of the tea bag tag or paper label are limited and do not operate to keep the tag from falling into the container they are being used in. To alleviate this problem, the string attached to the tea bag tag is frequently wrapped around the handle of the mug being used. The wrapping is continued and, at times, readjusted, throughout the use of the tea bag in order to keep the tag out of the container. This represents a common limitation of the current tea bag tag function.

Various tea bag and tea tag constructs have been heretofore disclosed and utilized in attempts to improve the tea bag. U.S. Patent No. 2793954 to Nelson et al. discloses a tea bag construction relating to an improved tea bag having securing means for detachably securing a tea bag to a receptacle. The adhesive is not an edible adhesive, and therefore if the tea bag tag slips into the receptacle it may adversely affect the flavor of the beverage or tea.

U.S. Patent No. 4153153 to Herzog discloses a tea bag used for brewing a cup of tea in a cup. The tea bag is attached by a string to a tag that is gummed on one side so to be easily attachable to an outer side of the tea cup. This obviates the need for fishing out the bag from a brewed tea water afterwards. In a modified design of the invention, means are provided whereby the tag additionally serves as a tea bag squeezer. The adhesive is not an edible adhesive. Consequently, the flavor of the beverage or tea may be adversely affected if the tea bag tag slips into the receptacle. Moreover, the tag is substantially entirely coated on one side. As a result, it may be difficult to remove from the outside wall of the receptacle to which is it attached when it is time to discard the tea bag.

U.S. Patent No. 4220079 to Sims discloses a method and apparatus for retaining the tags of food and beverage preparation bags, such as tea bags, by positioning each tag on the outside of a container in which the bag is needed. The string connecting each bag with its associated tag is retained by an outer projection on the container, so that the tag is restrained from inadvertently falling into the container. The tea bag tag does not include an adhesive. Instead, securement is achieved by way of an outer projection, which is located on the outside of the container.

U.S. Patent No. 7779753 to Yu discloses a tied tea ball equipped with a serving string by which the tea ball can be lowered into and removed from a vessel of water. The tea bag tag does not include an adhesive. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20050126402 to Oguri discloses a teacup for drinking tea, such as black tea and green tea, created therein by means of a tea bag. A teacup comprises a cut formed in an upper edge of the teacup. A tag of a tea bag is fastened to the cut by inserting a string of the tea bag into the cut. When a tea bag and hot water are placed in the teacup, the tag of the tea bag is positioned outside the teacup and the string of the tea bag is inserted into the cut in an upper edge of the teacup. Then, even if the string of the tea bag is pulled toward the inside of the teacup when tea leaves within the bag of the tea bag are being soaked in the hot water, the tag of the tea bag is caught by the cut so as not to be dropped into the hot water within the teacup. Before the tea in the teacup is consumed, the tea bag can be easily taken out of the teacup by picking up the tag. The tea bag tag does not include an adhesive; securement is achieved by way of placing the tea bag string with tag into the cut in the upper edge of the teacup. The tag is fastened to the cut by inserting a string of the tea bag into the cut in the teacup.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20060045935 to McLaughlin discloses an improved tea bag having a pouch that contains tea and a string connected to the pouch. A securing element is connected to the string. The securing element is releaseably attachable to an object such as a tea cup or tea pot. The securing element may be a glue or an organic plastic, such as Saran Wrap™. It is not an edible securing element, and therefore if the glue is utilized and the tea bag tag slips into the receptacle it may adversely affect the flavor of the beverage or tea. Inasmuch as organic plastic is used, it too would adversely affect the tea beverage as organic plastic as well as the tea bag tag itself would have to be retrieved from the tea beverage. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20060073238 to Casey et al. discloses a tea bag including a sealed pouch. An internal tag is disposed inside the sealed pouch or nestled between the lobes of a multi-lobed pouch. The internal tag contains text, or other message comprised of letters, words, images, symbols or other indicia imprinted thereon or created using a cut-out technique. When the sealed pouch becomes wet and translucent, the text, or other message, is revealed to a user. The tea bag tag does not include an adhesive or other means of securement onto the exterior of the receptacle.

Foreign Publication No. JP2006230646 to Hanazawa discloses a tea bag stopper and a tea bag with a double-sided tape, capable of preventing a string and tag of the tea bag from falling into hot water in a container while the tea bag is used. The tea bag stopper comprises an attaching part with an adhesive part to be attached to the container in which hot water or the like is stored, and a locking part disposed in the attaching part for locking the string or tag of the tea bag. The adhesive is not an edible adhesive, and therefore if the tea bag tag slips into the receptacle it may adversely affect the flavor of the beverage or tea. Moreover, the tag is substantially entirely coated on one side, making it difficult to remove from the outside wall of the receptacle to which is it attached when it is time to discard the tea bag.

Foreign Publication No. DEI 0336204 to Erfinder discloses a tag having a paper connected with a tea bag by using a thin thread. The tag is coated with an adhesive so that the tag can be fixed at an outer side of the bag. The tag can be either unfolded on one or on both sides of the entire surface or folded symmetrically or asymmetrically on the entire inner surface. The adhesive is not an edible adhesive; consequently, the flavor of the beverage or tea may be adversely affected if the tea bag tag slips into the receptacle. Moreover, the tag is entirely coated on one side, making it. difficult to remove from the outside wall of the receptacle to which is it attached when it is time to discard the tea bag.

Non patent literature entitled "Teabag Concept Sticks Tag to the Outside of Cup When Wef found at http://www.psfk.com/2014/10/london-studio-tea-tag-design.htm l discloses a special tag coated by an adhesive similar to postage stamps. When moistened the tag affixes to the outside of the cup to hold the tea bag in place while pouring water into the cup. The adhesive is not an edible adhesive. If the tea bag tag slips into the receptacle it may adversely affect the flavor of the beverage or tea. Moreover, the tag is entirely coated on one side, making it difficult to remove from the outside wall of the receptacle to which is it attached when it is time to discard the tea bag.

There remains a need in the art for a tea bag tag that includes an adhesive surface adapted to temporarily adhere to the exterior of a container, such as a mug or cup, preventing the tag from falling into the container, and which is readily removed from the cup without difficulty. There further remains a need in the art for a tag adhesive that is edible with or without flavoring, so that it will not adversely affect the flavor of the tea beverage if the tag accidently falls within the beverage. Still further, there exists a need in the art for a tea bag having an adhesive on a portion comprising approximately a moiety of the tag so that the tag can be easily grasped and removed from the cup. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved tea bag tag that includes an edible adhesive surface adapted to temporarily adhere to the exterior of a container, such as a mug or cup, preventing the tag from falling into the container. The subject tea bag tag includes an adhesive surface adapted to temporarily adhere to the exterior of a container, such as a mug or cup, to prevent the tag from falling into the container, while also facilitating removal of the tag from the cup without difficulty when it is time to discard the tea bag and consequently the tea bag tag. Advantageously, the tea bag tag adhesive is edible so that it will not adversely affect the flavor of the tea beverage if the tag accidently falls within the beverage. Flavorings, such as sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate, vanilla, or other spices and confections may be combined with the edible adhesive to provide a pleasant, fragrant aroma while the user is drinking the hot tea beverage. The edible adhesive readily dissolves in water and / or water and mild soap. Even though the tea bag tag is secured temporarily during use, it is easily peeled or pulled from the cup without tearing and without leaving a non-soluble residue on the cup that would require scrubbing to remove. Preferably, the tea bag adhesive is located on a portion that comprises approximately a moiety of the tag surface, and does not coat substantially the entire surface of the tag. With this construction, the tag is provided with a clean perimeter that can be easily grasped and removed from the cup.

In a first embodiment the tea bag tag has an adhesive surface, and is constructed so that the tea bag is attached to a proximal end of a string. The tea bag is housed within an envelope comprising a front and back closed by a seam to form a cavity housing the tea bag. A tag is attached to a distal end of the string, opposite the proximal end, and the tea bag is attached thereto. The tag has a main body with a top wall, bottom wall, side walls, top face and bottom face. The top wall, side walls and bottom wall are attached by a perforated slit to the front face of the envelope so that the tag can be readily torn or removed from the front face of the envelope to release the tag from the envelope and remove the tea bag from the envelope. The top face of the tag faces the cavity of the envelope. An adhesive is located on at least a portion of the top face of the tag. The adhesive is a food grade adhesive and is therefore edible.

In another embodiment a tea bag tag having an adhesive surface is attached to a proximal end of a string. A tag is attached to a distal end of the string, opposite the proximal end and the tea bag is attached thereto. The tag has a main body with a top wall, bottom wall, side walls, top face and bottom face. The top face of the tag comprises an adhesive portion with an adhesive thereon and a grip portion that does not contain any adhesive. With this arrangement, a user can readily grasp the grip portion and remove the tag from a container when the tag and tea bag are to be discarded. Preferably, the grip portion has a larger surface area than the adhesive portion, which constitutes somewhat less than a moiety of the tag's surface area. The adhesive is a food grade adhesive. A peel-tab located on the tag is readily peeled and removed to expose the edible adhesive for use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure la illustrates a top plan view of an embodiment of the subject tea bag tag with adhesive prior to use wherein the tag is integrated within an envelope construct;

Figure lb illustrates a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure la wherein the tea bag and the subject tea bag tag with adhesive is removed from the envelope and the envelope is discarded;

Figure lc is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure la wherein the subject tea bag tag with adhesive is temporarily adhered to the side of a cup;

Figure Id is a cross-sectional side view taken along line y— y of Figure lb.

Figure 2a illustrates a top plan view of an embodiment of the subject tea bag tag with adhesive prior to use wherein the tag's adhesive is covered by a peel tab;

Figure 2b illustrates a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 2a wherein the peel tab is removed from the adhesive;

Figure 2c is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 2a wherein the subject tea bag tag with adhesive is temporarily adhered to the side of a cup; and

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view taken along line x— of Figure 2a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Currently, tea bag tags are designed to give the user something to hold while using a tea bag. The design and function of the tea bag tag are limited and do not operate to prevent the tag from falling into the container they are being used with. This long standing problem occasions a common behavior wherein the string attached to the tea bag tag is wrapped around the handle of the mug being used. This wrapping is needed to be continued throughout the use of the tea bag in order for the tag to stay out of the container. This common limitation of the current tea bag tag function has been eliminated by the tea bag tag adhesive.

The "tea bag tag adhesive" provides a new utility for the tea bag tag. It is designed to solve the problem of the tea bag tag falling into a container. Whereas a conventional tea bag currently does not have anything in its design that stops the tea bag from falling into the liquid, the "tea bag tag adhesive" efficiently and economically solves the problem of falling tea bags. Conventional usage, wherein the tea bag string is wrapped around a mug handle is virtually eliminated. The adhesive allows the user to apply the tea bag tag to any location on the container surface so that the height of the string is adjusted to fit varying container sizes in accordance with user preference. Additionally, the adhesive facilitates usage with any containers without handles or where conventional tea bag tags are not able to be attached. Advantageously, the adhesive can be used with a wide variety of containers and will hold tea bag tags out of containers without a handle, thereby addressing the problem of falling tea bags and commending usage in virtually all container types. The tea bag tag adhesive comprises a thin layer of food grade adhesive that is attached to tea bag tags. This adhesive is present on one side of the tea bag tag. The food grade adhesive is used to attach the tea bag tag to the outside of a container in order to prevent the tea bag tag from falling in the container. Additionally, the adhesive allows users to pour liquid into a container without encountering a long standing problem, wherein the tea bag is pulled into the liquid. The food grade adhesive serves to keep the tea bag tag attached to the container during tea bag use.

The food grade adhesive is applied in the manufacturing of the tea bags and will be a new use for current tea bag tags. The adhesive is not a standalone product; but rather is applied during the manufacture of tea bag tags. This constitutes a new function of the tea bag tag beyond its current use.

The "tea bag tag adhesive" is comprised of 2 components: a thin layer of food grade adhesive that is applied to tea bag tags during the packaging of the tea bag. This adhesive can be made of any material that is food safe and can be applied by the manufacturer in any way that fits their current manufacturing process. For some styles of tea bag tags a backing will be applied to the adhesive. For tea bag tag styles, the backing can be part of the tea bag pouch. The pouch and backing can be sourced from any manufacturer and will only need to serve the purpose of maintaining the stickiness of the adhesive after packaging of the tea bag until time of use.

The food grade adhesive is applied to the tea bag tags during manufacturing. The tea bag tag is prepared with a substrate if needed, and then the adhesive is applied on top. The backing is applied in order to keep the adhesive sticky pending consumer use. As many different food safe adhesives and backings are available in the current marketplace, with their own approved composition and manufacturing process, this application will not serve to improve upon those. The manufacturing materials and process used in other food safe consumer goods packaging can be utilized in manufacturing the tea bag tag adhesive. The process of applying the adhesive to the tea bag tag can be accomplished in many ways and using many of the available food safe adhesives on the market.

Inasmuch as many different tea bag tag manufacturers exist, the sizes and shapes of the tea bag tags are continuously evolving. This "Tea bag tag adhesive" can be constructed from many different types of adhesives that would be appropriate for different containers and different sizes and shapes of tea bag tags. The materials used in the adhesive can be sourced from many current food safe adhesive manufacturers and applied in virtually any design and location on the tea bag tag.

The "tea bag tag adhesive" can be applied to any tag that is used to lower an item into a food or beverage and remain in that food or beverage. The tag adhesive can be used on any coffee type bag that has a tag. It is applicable to a wide variety of food substances that are prone to fall into beverages, and which can be equipped with a tag adhesive during the manufacturing process.

The tea bag tag adhesive of our invention seeks to address issues, limitations and disadvantageous presented by a tea bag's paper label or tag structure. The tea bag tag adhesive provides a new utility for a tea bag tag or paper label or label. It is designed to solve the problem of the tea bag tag falling into a container. The tea bag currently does not have anything in its design that stops the tea bag from falling into the liquid. The subject tea bag tag adhesive solves the problem of falling tea bags. It virtually eliminates an age-old practice ~ having to continually hold or wrap the tea bag string around a mug handle. The adhesive allows the user to apply the tea bag tag to any location on the container surface so that the height of the string is readily adjusted to a position that accords with user preferences. It also can be used in any container where conventional tea bag tags are not able to be attached at all. Since the subject tea bag tag adhesive can be used with all types of containers and will hold tea bag tags out of containers without a handle, it will solve a long-standing problem and be universally usable in all container types.

The subject tea bag tag adhesive is edible and, as such, will not adversely affect the flavor of the tea beverage if the tag accidently falls into the beverage. As used herein, the term "edible" means fit to be eaten, or consumed as food. Flavorings, such as sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate, vanilla, or other spices and confections may be blended or otherwise admixed with the edible adhesive to provide a pleasant fragrant aroma while the user is drinking a hot tea beverage. Additionally, the edible adhesive is readily dissolved in water and / or a mixture of water and mild soap. Advantageously, the adhesive secures the tea bag tag temporarily during use; but is easily peeled or pulled from the cup after usage without tearing or leaving a non-soluble reside on the cup that would require scrubbing to remove. Preferably, the tea bag's adhesive is located on only a portion of the tag, more preferably somewhat less than a moiety of the tag surface, and does not coat substantially the entire surface of the tag. With this construction, the tag has a clean perimeter that can be easily grasped and removed from the cup. An edible adhesive surface is provided on a portion of the tea bag tag for temporarily adhering to the exterior of a container, such as a mug or cup, preventing the tag from falling into the container. The tea bag tag with food grade adhesive surface is preferably comprised of: 1) a thin layer of food grade adhesive that is applied to tea bag tags during the packaging of the tea bag, the adhesive being composed of any material that is food safe and can be applied by the manufacturer in a manner that fits their current manufacturing process; and 2) for some styles of tea bag tags, a backing applied to the adhesive, while for others the backing comprising a part of the tea bag pouch. The pouch and backing can be sourced from any manufacturer and will only need to serve the purpose of maintaining the stickiness of the adhesive after packaging of the tea bag until time of use.

The adhesive is applied to the tea bag tags during manufacturing. The tea bag tag is prepared with a substrate if needed and then the adhesive is applied on top. The backing is applied in order to keep the adhesive sticky before consumer use. The manufacturing materials and processes used in other food safe consumer goods packaging can be utilized when manufacturing the tea bag tag adhesive. The process of applying the adhesive to the tea bag tag can be accomplished in many ways and using many of the available food safe adhesives on the market. A user / consumer will stick the tea bag tag to a container using the tea bag tag adhesive; this will prevent the tea bag tag from falling into their container. The food grade adhesive surface of the subject tea bag tag is used by consumers to safely, efficiently and economically avoid the frustration presented when tea bag tags fall into their beverages. Inasmuch as many different tea bag tag manufacturers exist, the sizes and shapes of the tea bag tags are continuously evolving. This tea bag tag adhesive can be constructed from many different types of adhesives that would be appropriate for different containers and different sizes and shapes of tea bag tags. The materials used in the adhesive can be sourced from many current food safe adhesive manufacturers and applied in a wide variety of designs and locations on the tea bag tag. The tea bag tag adhesive can be applied to any tag that is used to lower an item into a food or beverage and remain in that food or beverage during consumption. The tag adhesive can be used on practically any coffee-type bag that has a tag. Conceptually, the subject tea bag tag with adhesive surface is also applicable to prevent virtually any food substance from falling into a beverage, and which is susceptible of being attached to the side of a beverage-containing vessel by an adhesively coated tag prior to or during consumption of the beverage.

The subject tea bag tag adhesive is composed as a thin layer of food grade adhesive that is attached to tea bag tags. This adhesive is located on one side of the tea bag tag and is used to attach the tea bag tag to the outside of a container in order to prevent the tea bag tag from falling into the container. The adhesive allows users to pour liquid into a container without encountering a troublesome problem, wherein the tea bag tag is pulled into the liquid; it serves to keep the tea bag tag attached to the container during tea bag use. The adhesive is preferably applied during the manufacture of the tea bags, and provides a new use and functional advantages heretofore not afforded by conventional tea bag tags. The subject tea bag tag adhesive is preferably comprised of: 1) a thin layer of food grade adhesive that is applied to tea bag tags during the packaging of the tea bag. This adhesive can be made of any material that is food safe and can be applied by the manufacturer in any way that fits their current manufacturing process. 2) For some styles of tea bag tags, a backing may be applied to the adhesive; while for others, the backing can be part of the tea bag pouch. The pouch and backing can be sourced from any manufacturer and will only need to serve the purpose of maintaining the stickiness of the adhesive after packaging of the tea bag until time of use.

The adhesive is appointed to be applied to the tea bag tags during manufacturing. The tea bag tag is prepared with a substrate if needed and the adhesive is thereafter applied on top. The backing is applied in order to keep the adhesive sticky before consumer use. Most manufacturing materials and processes used in other food safe consumer goods packaging can be utilized when manufacturing the tea bag tag adhesive. The process of applying the adhesive to the tea bag tag can be accomplished in many ways and using many of the available food safe adhesives on the market. A user / consumer will stick the tea bag tag to a container using the tea bag tag adhesive and thereby prevent the tea bag tag from falling into their container. This process can be used by any consumer who currently is frustrated by tea bag tags falling into their beverages.

As many different tea bag tag manufacturers exist, the sizes and shapes of the tea bag tags are constantly evolving. The subject tea bag tag adhesive can be constructed from many different types of adhesives that would be appropriate for different containers and different sizes and shapes of tea bag tags. The materials used in the food grade adhesive can be sourced from any current food safe adhesive manufacturer and applied in any design and location on the tea bag tag. The tea bag tag adhesive can be applied to any tag that is used to lower an item into a food or beverage and retain the item within that food or beverage for a preselected time period. The tag adhesive can be used on virtually any coffee-type bag that has a tag. Conceptually, the tag adhesive is applicable to any substance that falls into a beverage and which can be attached to a beverage-containing container by an adhesive prior to or during consumption of the beverage.

Figures la-3 illustrates embodiments of the subject tea bag tag adhesive. Figure 1 a illustrates a top plan view of an embodiment of the subject tea bag tag adhesive prior to use wherein the tag is integrated within an envelope construct. Figure lb illustrates a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1 a wherein the tea bag and the subject tea bag tag adhesive is removed from the envelope and the envelope is discarded. Figure lc is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure la wherein the subject tea bag tag adhesive is temporarily adhered to the side of a cup. Figure 2a illustrates a top plan view of an embodiment of the subject tea bag tag adhesive prior to use wherein the tag's adhesive is covered by a peel tab. Figure 2b illustrates a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 2a wherein the peel tab is removed from the adhesive. Figure 2c is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 2a wherein the subject tea bag tag adhesive is temporarily adhered to the side of a cup. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view taken along line x— x of Figure 2a.

Referring to Figures la - Id, the subject tea bag tag with adhesive is shown integrated within an envelope construct, shown generally at 10. Envelope construct 11 is constructed generally as a rectangle or square including a front 12 and back 13 with closed seem 14. A tea bag 15 is housed within envelope 11, and contains tea leaves, herbs, and the like. Tea bag 15 is attached to a proximal end 17 of a string 16, preferably by a small staple, or other attachment means. String 16 includes a distal end 18 opposite from proximal end 17. Distal end 18 is attached to a paper label or tag 20; preferably by way of a small staple, or other attachment means. Tag 20 is constructed having a main body with a top wall 21, a bottom wall 22, side walls 23, top face 24 and bottom face 25. Top wall 21, side walls 23 and bottom wall 22 are slit and / or perforated, yet attached to front face 12 of envelope 11 so that the tag 20 can be readily torn or removed from front face 12 of envelope 11 to release tag 20 from envelope 11 and remove tea bag 15 from envelope 11. Top face 24 of tag 20 faces the interior of envelope 11 while bottom face 25 faces the exterior or outside environment.

An adhesive 26 is located on at least a portion of top face 24. Preferably, adhesive 26 covers a large central portion of top face 24, as shown. Adhesive 26 may substantially cover or coat the surface of top face 24 of tag 20 so that only perimeter / edges 36 are left without adhesive 26. In this manner, as adhesive 26 temporarily adheres to a cup 40 wall, edges 36 can be grasped to remove the tag from the cup 40 when tea brewing is complete / when desired. Upon removal of tag 20 from envelope 11, tea bag 15 is removed, the envelope 11 is discarded, and adhesive 26 is exposed. Tea bag 15 is appointed to be placed within cup 40 with liquid (hot water) 41 therein so that the tea bag 15 can steep. Adhesive 26 of top face 24 temporarily adheres to the exterior surface of the cup 40 or container so that the tag 20 does not fall into liquid 41 of cup 40. Figure Id illustrates a cross-sectional side view taken along line y— y of Figure lb. Tag 20 is constructed having a main body with a top wall 21, a bottom wall 22, side walls 23, top face 24 with adhesive 26 and bottom face 25. A small amount of adhesive 26 is located on the top face 24 for releasably attached to the cup or vessel. Preferably, the tea bag's adhesive 26 is located on only a portion of the tag, as centrally shown, and does not entirely coat the surface of the tag top face 24. With this arrangement, the tag has a clean perimeter 36 that can be easily grasped and removed from the cup. In the embodiment shown, the adhesive 26 only covers a small amount of the surface of the top face 24 leaving perimeter 36 surrounding adhesive 26 providing a good amount of surface space for gripping and removing tag 20 from the wall of the cup. Conversely, if the entire surface of top face 24 were to be covered with, or substantially covered or coated with the adhesive, tag 20 would be difficult to grasp and remove from the cup.

The subject tea bag tag adhesive is edible so that it will not adversely affect the flavor of the tea beverage if the tag accidently falls within the beverage. Flavorings, such as sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate, vanilla, or other spices and confections may be integrated in the edible adhesive to provide a pleasant fragrant aroma while the user is drinking the hot tea beverage. The edible adhesive readily dissolves in water and / or water and mild soap. While it secures the tea bag tag temporarily during use, the tea bag tag is easily peeled or pulled from the cup without tearing and without leaving a non- soluble reside on the cup that would require scrubbing to remove.

Referring to Figures 2a - 2c and Figure 3, Figure 2a illustrates a top plan view of an embodiment of the subject tea bag tag with adhesive prior to use wherein the tag's adhesive is covered by a peel tab, shown generally at 110. Figure 2b illustrates a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 2a wherein the peel tab is removed from the adhesive. Figure 2c is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 2a wherein the subject tea bag tag with adhesive is temporarily adhered to the side of a cup. A tea bag 115 is shown containing tea leaves, herbs, and the like. Tea bag 115 is attached to a proximal end 117 of a string 116, preferably by a small staple 118, or other attachment means. String 116 includes a distal end 118 opposite from proximal end 117. Distal end 118 is attached to a paper label or tag 120; preferably by way of a small staple as shown at 121, or other attachment means. Tag 120 is constructed having a main body with a top wall 121, a bottom wall 122, side walls 123, top face 124 and bottom face 125. Bottom face 125 includes a small amount of adhesive so that the bottom face 125 is releasably attached to the cup / vessel. Upon pulling tag 120 away from tea bag 115 the tag 120 and bag 115 are ready for use. Top face 124 of tag 120 faces the exterior or outside environment and includes a peel tab 130 with pull portion 131 releasably attached thereto.

An adhesive 126 is located on at least a portion of top face 124. Preferably, adhesive 126 covers a large central portion of top face 124, as shown. Adhesive 126 may substantially cover or coat the surface of top face 124 of tag 210 so that only edges 136 are left without adhesive 126. In this manner, as adhesive 126 temporarily adheres to a cup 140 wall, edges 136 can be grasped to remove the tag from the cup 140 when tea brewing is complete / when desired. Upon removal of peel tab 130 adhesive 126 is exposed [removal as shown in Figure 2b]. Tea bag 115 is appointed to be placed within cup 140 with liquid (hot water) 141 therein so that the tea bag 115 can steep. Adhesive 126 of top face 124 temporarily adheres to the exterior surface of the cup 140 or container so that the tag 120 does not fall in liquid 141 of cup 140.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view taken along line x— x of Figure 2a, showing the adhesive coating. Adhesive 126 is preferably comprised of a thin layer or coating of food grade adhesive applied to top face 124 of tag 120. The food grade adhesive utilized is similar to those adhesives frequently applied to tea bag tags during packaging. This adhesive can be made of any material that is food safe and can be applied by the manufacturer in any way that fits their current manufacturing process. For some styles of tea bag tags, a backing may be applied to the adhesive [see Figures 2a-2c], for others the backing can be part of the tea bag pouch [see Figures 1 a- 1 d] .

Alternatively, the adhesive may be composed of glycerine, softly beaten egg whites, icing sugar (powdered sugar), and optionally lemon or lime juice. Proportions may be glycerine (1 tsp), egg whites (2 egg), lemon juice (ltsp), and ~1 pound of sugar. In other words, 1 part glycerine: 2 parts egg whites: 1-part lemon juice: 96 parts sugar 1 :2:1 :96. Flavorings, such as sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate, vanilla, cayenne pepper, peppermint, wintergreen, mint, holiday spices, apple, peach, raspberry, or other spices and confections may be integrated in the edible adhesive to provide a pleasant fragrant aroma while the user is drinking the hot tea beverage. Wherein flavorings are added, the following proportions are preferred: 1 part glycerine: 2 parts egg whites: 0.5- part lemon juice: 0.5 parts flavoring:96 parts sugar 1 :2:1 :96. Flavoring may be from essential oils, juices, powders, and the like. Alternatively, the adhesive may be composed of natural gums / polysaccharides, capable of causing a large increase in a solution's viscosity, even at small concentrations. In the food industry they may be used as thickening agents, gelling agents, emulsifying agents, stabilizers, and / or adhesives. Other edible adhesives include tylose powder in water; sugar edible adhesives; edible adhesives made from cross-linking a sugar with a polyftinctional acid, for example see U.S. Pat. No. 6613378 to Erhan et al.; to name a few. The edible adhesive readily dissolves in water and / or water and mild soap so that while it secures the tea bag tag temporarily during use, the tea bag tag is easily peeled or pulled from the cup without tearing and without leaving a non-soluble reside on the cup that would require scrubbing to remove.

The subject tea bag tag with adhesive of the subject invention can include a plethora of designs and colors. It can be constructed of different sizes, small, medium, large, extra-large, and the like. These and other modifications may be contemplated without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Adhesive attachment of the subject tea bag tag with adhesive to the side of the cup stabilizes the tea bag during brewing and drinking a cup of tea. Preferably the adhesive composition is edible, i.e. food safe, and has a neutral taste. In an alternative embodiment, sweeteners or spices may be added to cause an aromatic flavor scent during brewing and drinking.

Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.