Patent Publication Number: US-2002005367-A1

Title: Coffee filter holder

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The prior art provides numerous embodiments of holders/dispensers for paper coffee filters of the non-cone variety, e.g. pleated basket type. In those constructions the paper filters nest within one another, like the skin of an onion. Each time one is used or dispensed the next one presents itself.  
       [0002] Cone-type paper coffee filters as opposed to basket type filters, however, do not nest within one another prior to use. FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a typical construction of a cone-type (e.g., Melitta type) filter described above. The filter itself has a cone shape when unexpanded. They are widely commercially available from a variety of manufacturers, one of which is Melitta USA, Inc. Cone-type filters may be formed by folding a filter paper, eg., a triangle shaped filter paper, upon itself along edge  3  (FIG. 1), cutting said paper and crimping edge  2  (FIG. 1) from point A to arc edge  1  (FIG. 1), leaving edge  1  (FIG. 1) uncrimped in order to enable to expansion along arc edge  1  (FIG. 1) into a cone-shaped filter. FIG. 3 shows two cone filters of different sizes superimposed upon one another. FIG. 2 shows the filter paper as expanded and in a configuration for into which coffee grounds are placed after said filter is placed within a filter support structure, which could itself be located inside of a drip-type coffee machine or directly upon a coffee urn or pot or cup.  
       [0003] Before being placed on a support structure within a coffee making machine or placed directly above a coffee cup or pot while supported within a filter support structure (or brewing cone) they are expanded to reveal the cone shape within which the coffee grounds are placed.  
       [0004] The cone-type paper coffee filters are typically pressed or folded flat and placed next to one another or on top of one another within a paper box. The dimensions of the box roughly correspond to the depth being based on the number of filters present in the box (collective thickness of filters present); the height of the box being the straight line distance from one point on the circumference of the flat pressed filter to a point directly opposite it (often one side of the flat filter is the one which has been bounded together so as to form the cone shaped filter itself when expanded) and the width of the box actually corresponding to the straight line distance on the flat pressed filter from the bottom of the filter to the top of the filter. The box typically open from the top by way of a paper flap whereby the filters can be retrieved. FIG. 4 illustrates the configuration of the filter and box described above. This box is typically where most people leave their filters when not in use.  
       [0005] The prior art provides numerous examples of holders for “basket” type filter holders coffee filters (not cone-type). For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,097,984 and 5,197,630. The prior art embodiments for cone-type (eg., Melifta-type) coffee filter holders, however, are not sealable and are open to the surrounding environment as, for example, the Melitta disposable paper filter holder made and sold directly by Melitta USA, Inc. The disadvantages of an open holder is that the filters are open to the environment and may become dirty and possibly unusable from contamination in the local, typically kitchen, environment (eg., via dust, dirt, insects, liquids or other means). In addition, these filter holders are not designed to be capable of holding cone filters of different sizes, particularly smaller filters, at different times or simultaneously. These prior art filter holders are also not optimally designed to stand in an upright position on their own. The Melitta filter holder is provided with an adhesive tape which permits the filter holder to be stably affixed to an object or wall and thereby not fall down if placed in an upright position when filled with filters. Similarly, the open to the environment cone-type filter holder marketed by Emsa GMBH is designed to be hung from a supporting rack or bar. This filter is not designed to stand in an upright position on its own. In addition, it is designed with an upper surface which curves to correspond only to the curve or arc edge  1  (FIG. 1) on a certain size filter which fits exactly within it.  
       [0006] At present, apart from the paper boxes in which the filters are sold, there are no resealable storage holders for cone-type paper coffee filters or holder or which are stable enough to stand upright on their own. The paper boxes in which the cone type filters are sold are not fully or securely re-sealable as they are also subject to water damage or damage from other liquid spills with resultant possible damage to the filters themselves and the boxes once opened. Furthermore, the paper box which the filters are originally purchased in the store typically comes in very limited colors or color patterns chosen by and trademarked by the manufacturer. In addition, cone-type paper coffee filters are available in a variety of sizes and no sealable and/or stable stand-alone filter holder exists which can accommodate all sizes of filters simultaneously in an organized way and which allows easy access to the filters.  
       [0007] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a sealable and more durable, cone-type filter holder-dispenser.  
       [0008] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a cone-type (e.g., Melitta type) coffee filter holder-dispenser which is stable in the upright position.  
       [0009] It is a further object of this invention to provide a coffee filter holder-dispenser which is capable of holding cone-type coffee filters of different sizes (e.g., size nos. 2, 4 or 6 or the approximate equivalent size  102 ,  104 ,  106 ) at the same time.  
       [0010] It is an additional object of this invention to provide a cone-type coffee filter holder-dispenser which presents cone type coffee filters in a manner which facilitates retrieving one filter at a time.  
       [0011] It is an additional object of this invention to provide a cone-type coffee filter holder-dispenser which is available in a wide variety of colors and color patterns.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012] This invention comprises a non-expanded, cone-type paper coffee filter container comprised of a body having sides and a bottom, with the sides and bottom being comprised of a durable material and a cover for engaging the open end of the body and sealing the interior of said body from environmental contaminants such as moisture and dust. The cover is preferably removably attached to the body and has substantially the outline of the shape of a non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter. The bottom of the body also has substantially the shape of a non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter. The sides are essentially perpendicular to the horizontal axis of said bottom and follow the outline of the edge of said bottom. The container body is of sufficient size as to accommodate a plurality of non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
     [0013]FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a typical cone type (Melitta) filter in an unexpanded form;  
     [0014]FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a cone-type coffee filter in the expanded configuration.  
     [0015]FIG. 3 shows a plan view of two typical cone filters of different sizes superimposed upon one another.  
     [0016]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a cone-type coffee filter in the paper box inwhich it is typically sold.  
     [0017]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a cone-type coffee filter holder in the short vertical position and having a pressure fit top.  
     [0018]FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a cone-type coffee filter holder body of FIG. 5 with the cover separated from the container body.  
     [0019]FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of a cone-type coffee filter holder-dispenser in the short vertical position, having a cover resting on said container body said cover also bearing filter size indicia on its surface.  
     [0020]FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of the cone-type coffee filter holder-dispenser of FIG. 7A with the cover separated from the container body.  
     [0021]FIG. 8A shows a side plan view of another embodiment of a cone-type coffee filter holder wherein said cover rests on said container body, said filters are disposed in the vertical orientation and the cover is shaped to substantially correspond to the curved arc edge  1  (FIG. 1) of said filter.  
     [0022]FIG. 8B shows a side plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 8A with the cover attached by hinge means  4  to said container body.  
     [0023]FIG. 9A shows a top plan view of cone-type coffee filter holder of FIG. 8 from above;  
     [0024]FIG. 9B shows a side plan view of a cone-type coffee filter holder of FIG. 8 from a corner side view;  
     [0025]FIG. 9C shows an end side perspective view of a cone-type coffee filter holder of FIG. 8.  
     [0026]FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of a cone-type coffee filter holder-dispenser in a slide out drawer configuration;  
     [0027]FIG. 10B shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee filter holder-dispenser of  10 A along axis X from the front to the back of said drawer;  
     [0028]FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of a cone-type coffee filter holder-dispenser in a hinged drawer configuration;  
     [0029]FIG. 11B shows a cross-sectional view of the coffee filter holder-dispenser of  11 A along axis Y from the front to the back of said drawer;  
     [0030]FIG. 12 shows a side plan view of a cone-type coffee filter holder-dispenser in a flexible envelope configuration (showing a filter disposed within). 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0031] Coffee is one of the world&#39;s most popular beverages. There are numerous ways to serve it and prepare it. One of the most popular ways to prepare at present is via the drip method. In this method, coffee grounds (coffee beans ground up into small fragments) are placed into a cone shaped filter (e.g., such as that manufactured by Melitta USA Inc.) or pleated cup shaped filter, typically made of paper or metal, after which hot water is then poured over said coffee grounds. A liquid which comprises an even finer suspension of coffee particulates and other soluble and insoluble substances from the ground coffee beans passes through the filter into a holding receptacle such as a coffee urn, pot or cup.  
     [0032] Depending on the amount of coffee grounds to be used, the volume of the coffee drink intended to be brewed and/or the size of the receptacle and depending if the coffee to be made manually (with a person pouring the hot water over the grounds) or by a coffee machine (with the machine pouring the hot water over the grounds) a different size filter may be used. Such filters are typically given number designations such as 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 [or their substantial equivalent size designations  101 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106  or  108 ; 1×1, 1×2, 1×4, 1×6 or 1×8], with the smaller numbers indicating respectively smaller sized filters (having a smaller radius or distance from point A, FIG. 1).  
     [0033] The primary difference in size of a filter is primarily the length of the radius from point A at the bottom of said filter (see FIG. 1, e.g., the location on the filter where the sides come closest together with the bottom of said filter being in a horizontal/parallel disposition relative to the horizontal/flat surface of a filter support surface) to the top arc edge  1  of said filter (e.g. the portion of said filter which expands to yield the cone shape and from which side said coffee grounds are added to the filter. The angle of the sides of said pressed flat filter can be seen in FIG. 1 wherein angles C and D are both about 50 degrees from the horizontal although the exact angle can be modified as required. The coffee filter holder invention herein can be designed to accommodate any filter angle. The bottom of said filter, as noted above, is typically flat or horizontal as on surface E, however, it may also have rounded corners, point F, or both sides could progress to a central point of said cone.  
     [0034] Most filters manufactured for drip use today utilize the flat or horizontal configuration for the bottom as seen in FIG. 1. The top edge of said filter has an arc edge shape which, when said filter is fully opened, is capable of taking on a circular or semi-circular configuration (around the upper surface of said filter holder in said coffee maker or holder. The standardization of the angles of said sides of the cone filter allows for standardization of both the filters and the coffee machines which use them. The angles of said filter sides and bottom typically correspond to the angles and bottom configuration on the filter support structures found within said machines and in single-use coffee filter makers.  
     [0035] It a most preferred embodiment the invention herein comprises a holder for non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters comprising a container having substantially the shape of a non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter said container being closed on all sides except one and a cover removably attachable to the one open side of said container.  
     [0036] In an example of this preferred embodiment, the coffee filter holder of this invention is constructed in the same manner as are other Rubbermaid or Tupperware (plastic) containers as shown in FIGS. 5, 6,  7 A and  7 B. In this embodiment the cone filter holder  10  has a snap-on or pressure fit cover or lid  11 . This cover and/or container body optionally includes size indicia  12  (eg., No. 2 or 4 size). The filter holder container or body itself  13  is preferably shaped and sized in the form of and so as to retain a cone filter of a particular size. In one embodiment, the cover would be disposed on the container and would be aligned on the side of the filters if they were lying on their side, parallel to the plane of the ground. In another embodiment the cover would be aligned with either the curved arc edge  1  or one of the other sides of the filter if the filters were standing with their edges  2  and  3  perpendicular to the horizontal plain of the ground.  
     [0037] Alternatively, said filter container body may include permanent or temporary inserts which would allow a substantially square or rectangular container body to have inner dimensions which substantially match a desired filter outline.  
     [0038] The filter container body and/or cover may be opaque or transparent or have any desired color, combination of colors or design pattern. The filter container body width or depth could be sufficient to hold an entire box of filters or more or less.  
     [0039] The cover for engaging the open end of said container body and sealing it against moisture and dust could optionally simply rest on a lip edge  14  on the container body as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, pressure fit on the body as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, attach by hinge means (and/or optionally include a latch typically opposite said hinge) or be screwed on. Preferably said cover includes a circumferential rib member  15  for engaging said body to releasably secure said cover to said body which fits into a slot  16  formed onto lid  11 .  
     [0040] The filter holder container body and/or cover can be constructed of any durable material such as plastic, rubber, metal, wood, glass, ceramic, textile, mineral, carbon fiber, glass fiber or any combination of the above. Any one of many commercially available types of these materials would be suitable such as, but not limited to, with plastics (polymers): polyethylene, thermoplastics, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyvinyl and polyvinyl chloride. The metals which are contemplated for construction of the holder of this invention include but are not limited to, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper and various alloys thereof. It is also preferable if the material used for the filter holder be able to withstand high temperatures such as those found adjacent to coffee makers. It is envisioned that the filter holder of this invention can be formed by various common process such as molding (eg., blow molding, injection molding), shaping the material into the desired form (eg., press molding) or by assembly of individual pieces formed in the same or different ways.  
     [0041] In another embodiment the invention  20  herein as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B,  9 A,  9 B and  9 C comprises a holder for non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters said holder comprising: a first and second substantially square or rectangular flat side pieces  22  and  23  joined to each other by at least two preferably flat support members  25  and  26 ; said support members each being joined at one of their ends to said first flat side piece and at the other of their ends to said second flat side piece; said locations at which said support members are joined being such that said first support would intersect with at least one location on one of the two angled sides of any of said non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters disposed vertically within said holder with said second support intersecting with at least one location on the other of the two angled sides of said non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter; and wherein said first and second substantially square or rectangular flat side pieces  22  and  23  extend to the side and below where said support members  25  and  26  are joined to said side pieces. More preferably, the embodiment herein comprises a holder for non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters said holder comprising a first and second substantially square or rectangular flat side piece joined to each other by two support members  25  and  26  having four edges and two sides, said support member being joined at one edge to said first flat side piece  22  and at the other, opposite edge to said second flat side piece  23  said position at which said support members are joined to such side pieces being such that they would intersect with the angled side of any of said non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters disposed vertically within said holder and wherein said first and second substantially flat side pieces extending beyond where said support members are joined to said first and second substantially flat side pieces.  
     [0042] Specifically in this embodiment the support members  25  and  26  also would intersect with the bottom of any of said non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters disposed vertically within said holder. In addition, the bottom edge of said first and second substantially square or rectangular flat side piece provide the support for said holder to stand vertically on the surface upon which it rests or wherein the bottom edge of said support member provides the support for said holder to stand vertically on the surface upon which it rests. In this embodiment the sides  22  and  23  are sufficiently high enough to provide the means for supporting said paper filters in a relatively vertical orientation once they have been placed within said holder.  
     [0043] In the preferred aspect of this embodiment the bottom  27  of said filter holder  20  is perpendicular to the top to bottom orientation of cone type filters disposed within said holder. It is also contemplated that the bottom surface  27  of said holder is less than a right angle in relation to said first substantially square or rectangular flat side pieces  22  and  23  of said holder  20  and greater than a right angle in relation to said second substantially square or rectangular flat side pieces side of said holder whereby non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters disposed vertically within said holder are disposed at an angle at the top of said holder so as to enable dispensing one filter at a time.  
     [0044] This embodiment also includes a top cover,  28 , as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8 B,  9 A,  9 B, and  9 C. This top covers the filters disposed within and protects them from environmental contaminants. The top cover may optionally include a handle,  29 , to assist in lifting it from the container body. The top cover may also be attached to the container body by a hinge means,  24 , enabling the top cover to pivot open allowing access to filters disposed within the container body.  
     [0045] In this embodiment the container also preferably comprises and walls,  21 , as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C. The end walls  21  and  24  essentially create a rectangular box as shown in FIGS. 9A. Hinge means  24  may optionally be attached to side walls  22  and  23  or end walls  21  or  24 .  
     [0046] Generally, any of the above embodiments of the invention herein may include the following characteristics:  
     [0047] 1) Each filter holder can hold at least one size cone filter and preferably more than one size. This is possible because the relative angles are the same for different size filters.  
     [0048] 2) Each filter holder which holds the filters in a vertical orientation can have a tilted or angled bottom surface so the cone filters are presented in an angled, easy to grasp one at a time configuration.  
     [0049] 3) Each filter holder container body and/or cover can be opaque or transparent or have any desired color or design pattern.  
     [0050] 4) Each filter holder container body and/or cover can be constructed of any durable material such as plastic, rubber, metal, wood, glass, ceramic, textile, mineral, carbon fiber, glass fiber or any combination of the above.  
     [0051] Any one of many commercially available types of these materials would be suitable such as, but not limited to, with plastics (polymers): polyethylene, thermoplastics, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyvinyl and polyvinyl chloride. More specifically, plastics which may be used include: Thermoplastics including alloys and blends thereof (e.g., Nylon/ABS; PPO/Nylon; ABS/PC; PC/PBT), Ketone-based resins, Nylon, Polycarbonate, Polybutylene terephthalate (aka, PBT); Polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (aka, PCT); Polyethylene terephthalate (aka, PET); Polyethylene; Polymethylpentene; Polypropylene (aka, PP), including PP homopolymer, PP impact copolymers and PP randomcopolymers; Styrenic resins such as ABS (made up of three monomeric building blocks: acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene), ACS (made up of three monomeric building blocks: acrylonitrile, chlorinated polyethylene and styrene); polystyrene (aka PS) including impact PS; Styrene-acrylonitrile (aka, SAN); Vinyl-based resins such as polyvinyl chloride; Theromosets such as Allylic resins and Polyester resins; and is also intended to include composite raw materials such as Bulk molding compounds (aka, BMC) which is prepared by blending resin (e.g., unsaturated polyesters), catalyst, powdered mineral filler, reinforcing fiber [chopped strand], pigment, lubricants and other additives.  
     [0052] The metals which are contemplated for construction of this invention include, but are not limited to, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper and various alloys. It is also preferable if the material used herein to be able to withstand high temperatures such as those found near coffee makers.  
     [0053] It is envisioned that the coffee filter holder of this invention can be formed by various common process such as molding (e.g., blow molding, injection molding), shaping the material into the desired form (e.g., press molding) or by assembly of individual pieces formed in these same or different ways.  
     [0054] 5) Each filter holder and/or lid can be labeled with indicia such as numbers (eg., which numbers corresponds to filter size or sizes) and/or brand names.  
     [0055] 6) Each filter holder may be optionally constructed with an insert or inserts conforming to filter edges thereby providing additional support for said cone filters disposed within said holder.  
     [0056] 7) Each filter holder cover can be affixed to the body of the filter holder container by a variety of means including, but not limited to, resting on said container body, pressure fit means (eg., tongue and groove), hinge means (with or without a latch) or screw-on.  
     [0057] 8) Each filter holder box dimensions can correspond to a “short” height configuration [from bottom edge E to top point of arc edge  1  on filter]×width [from one point on circumference of flat folded cone filter to the other]×number of filters to be held or a “tall” height configuration with the filters placed on their side and the arc edge  1  to one side and filter “bottom” edge E to other side.  
     [0058] 9) Each filter holder is capable of standing alone without other external support or can be affixed to the side of a coffee machine, or wall or other structure by other commonly known means for affixing things such as adhesives, screws, wire, clips or hooks.  
     [0059] 10) Each filter holder bottom for the embodiments which hold the filters in a vertical orientation may be squared off or tapered to match general shape of filter bottom thereby providing support for standing alone.  
     [0060] In another embodiment, the filter holder comprises a drawer or compartment  35  within a frame or assembly  37  as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The filter holding drawer  35  and frame or assembly  37  could preferably fit under a coffee machine and support the machine. The frame or assembly  37  within which said drawer  35  is disposed when closed may also optionally include insulating type material, for example on the top  39  of the drawer or frame or assembly, or allow for insulating space between the coffee machine and the filters within said drawer. The drawer and or frame or assembly could optionally include indicia  34  such as the label “coffee filters” or the appropriate filter number or numbers, preferably on the face of said drawer. The drawer could be opened in the typical fashion by pulling it directly our from the frame or assembly for example using knob  38 . Alternatively, the drawer could be opened by a pivoting action via a hinge means  36  connected at one of the front sides of the drawer  35  to said frame or assembly  37 . As with the embodiments described above, each filter holder can hold at least one size cone filter and preferably more than one size; each filter holder can be opaque or transparent or have any desired color or design pattern. The drawer, frame or assembly may be constructed of any durable material such as plastic, rubber, metal, ceramic, wood, or glass. Each drawer can hold at least one size cone filter and preferably more than one size. Optionally, each drawer can also be shaped in two dimensions to approximate the outline shape of a designated coffee filter. Alternatively, said drawer may include permanent or temporary inserts such as  32  or  33  which would allow a substantially square or rectangular drawer to have inner dimensions which substantially match or fit a desired filter outline (as for example a cutlery drawer insert often includes places to insert and properly fit spoons or forks). In another embodiment, the upper surface  39  of said drawer (between the drawer and a coffee machine placed upon it) could also comprise insulating means such as selected from the group consisting of cork, wood, plastic, rubber, glass, metal, air space, vacuum, textiles, mineral fibers, carbon fiber, glass fiber, ceramic or a combination of two or more of these materials.  
     [0061] In another embodiment the filter holder can be constructed in an envelope or pouch configuration,  40 , as in FIG. 12. The envelope may be constructed of any durable material such as plastic, rubber, metal, wood, ceramic or glass and also may be made of cloth or other textile natural or synthetic fabric or flexible, thin gauge plastic. In this embodiment it is preferable if the envelope is generally in the shape of the cone filter and include a flap  41  (flexibly attached to the envelope body or by a hinge means) which opens at the side or top of the filter to allow filters to be removed or added to the envelope. If the flap  41  is at the top of the envelope, it is preferable that it be folded along a straight line as it is less preferred to fold the flap along the arc shape of the filter top. In this embodiment, it is also preferred that the flap and envelope include a means for securing the flap to the envelope once it is closed. Such flap securing means can include Velcro, magnetic latches, conventional snaps, clips and other such means for securing the flap (as on any other container having a flap such as found on a pocketbook or briefcase). As with the embodiments described above, each filter holder can hold at least one size cone filter and preferably more than one size; each filter holder envelope can be opaque or transparent or have any desired color or design pattern; each filter holder envelope can be labeled with indicia such as numbers (eg., which numbers corresponds to filter size or sizes) or brand names.  
     [0062] In another embodiment, the invention herein comprises a kitchen cabinet drawer divider for non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters, said drawer divider comprising at least four side pieces of a durable material formed approximately in the two-dimensional shape and having the approximate dimensions of the non-expanded cone-type coffee filter which it will accommodate whereby said coffee filters disposed within said divider will remain separated from any other material placed within said kitchen cabinet drawer. The kitchen cabinet drawer divider of is preferably constructed of durable material, wherein said durable material comprises plastic, rubber, wood, glass, metal, ceramic or a combination of two or more of these materials. The kitchen cabinet drawer divider embodiment, further may comprise additional partitions for kitchen utensils adjacent to and integral with said divider for non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters. The depth of said divider is sufficient to accommodate a plurality of non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters.  
     [0063] It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustration purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and the scope of the appended claims.