Patent ID: 9629494
Date: 2017-04-25
CPC Classifications: A47J,B01D,B65D,Y02W,Y10T

Claim:
1. A permeable filter basket for containing beverage grounds during the brewing of a beverage by introduction of pressurized water therethrough, including: (a) a frame made of a recyclable or compostable synthetic, natural or bio-based polymer material, comprising: a continuous, circular top rim that defines a top opening of the frame; a circular closed bottom having a peripheral edge; and a plurality of spaced apart ribs that extend from the top rim to the peripheral edge of the circular bottom, wherein the circular bottom peripheral edge, the plurality of ribs, and the top rim define a frame, the frame having a generally cylindrical profile with a tapered shape and having a plurality of side openings, the frame dimensioned for use within a single serve beverage brewing machine; and (b) a liquid-permeable non-woven filter medium insert that has a same cylindrical and tapered profile as that of the frame, the filter medium insert made of a recyclable or compostable synthetic, natural or bio-based material inherently formed of random, interconnected fibers, the fibers collectively forming inherently disordered inlet and outlet fluid passageways therethrough, the non-woven filter medium insert being separately formed from the same material as the frame, wherein the non-woven filter medium insert is sized such that the material of the frame, including the circular bottom peripheral edge, the plurality of ribs, and the top rim, is insert injection molded into and around the fibers of the non-woven filter medium insert along locations where the non-woven filter medium insert contacts the frame, whereby the non-woven filter medium insert is integrally formed into the frame and covers the plurality of side openings so as to define a beverage grounds receptacle area that is in communication with the top opening; wherein the circular closed bottom prevents passage of water therethrough during brewing and is adapted to redirect pressurized water contacting the bottom toward the top opening so as to facilitate intermixing with beverage grounds prior to exiting the filter basket through the plurality of side openings; wherein the disordered inlet and outlet fluid passageways of the non-woven filter medium insert restrict water flow through the non-woven filter medium insert, thereby increasing a residence time of the water within the beverage grounds receptacle area so as to influence the strength and taste profile of a beverage brewed within the filter basket.