U.S. patent application number 09/299039 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-17 for coffee filter holder.
Invention is credited to ZELSON, STEVE TERRY.
Application Number | 20020005367 09/299039 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26807485 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020005367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ZELSON, STEVE TERRY |
January 17, 2002 |
COFFEE FILTER HOLDER
Abstract
This invention relates to a holder for paper cone-type coffee
filters used with drip-type coffee makers.
Inventors: |
ZELSON, STEVE TERRY;
(LARCHMONT, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEVE T ZELSON
7 HIDDEN GREEN LANE
LARCHMONT
NY
10538
|
Family ID: |
26807485 |
Appl. No.: |
09/299039 |
Filed: |
April 23, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/449 ;
206/459.5; 206/499; 220/780; 220/796 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00555
20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D
43/0218 20130101; A47J 31/08 20130101; A47J 47/16 20130101; B65D
2543/00509 20130101; B65D 2543/00166 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/449 ;
206/499; 206/459.5; 220/780; 220/796 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/62; B65D
041/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 25, 1998 |
US |
60/109897 |
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter container
comprising: a body having sides and a bottom, with said sides and
bottom being comprised of a durable material; said body being of
sufficient shape and size as to accommodate a plurality of
non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters, said bottom of said
body having substantially the shape of a non-expanded cone-type
paper coffee filter with said sides being essentially perpendicular
to the horizontal axis of said bottom and following the outline of
the edge of said bottom; a cover for engaging the open end of said
body and sealing the interior of said body from moisture and dust
wherein said cover is releasably attached to said body said cover
having substantially the outline of the shape of a non-expanded
cone-type paper coffee filter.
2. The cone-type paper coffee filter container of claim 1, wherein
said cover is removably attached to said container by hinge
means.
3. The cone-type paper coffee filter container of claim 1, wherein
said cover is removably attached to said container by pressure
fitting means.
4. The cone-type paper coffee filter container of claim 3, wherein
said pressure fitting means uses a tongue and grove means.
5. The cone-type paper coffee filter container of claim 1, wherein
said covers rests upon said container body.
6. The cone-type paper coffee filter container of claim 1, wherein
at least one of said sides of said container body or cover is
labeled with at least one numerical indica corresponding to the
filter number size which could fit inside of said body.
7. The cone-type paper coffee filter container of claim 1, wherein
said bottom of said container is labeled with at least one
numerical indica corresponding to the filter number size which
could fit inside of said body.
8. The cone-type paper coffee filter container of claim 6, wherein
said side and bottom of said body are formed as an integrated
piece.
9. The cone-type paper coffee filter container of claim 1, wherein
said container is large enough to hold non-expanded cone-type paper
coffee filters of more than one size.
10. The cone-type paper coffee filter container of claim 1, wherein
said durable material is plastic, rubber, wood, glass, metal,
ceramic or a combination of two or more of these materials.
11. The holder for cone-type paper coffee filters of claim 1,
wherein said container is comprised of a durable material.
12. The cone-type paper coffee filter holder of claim 11, wherein
said durable material is plastic, rubber, wood, glass, metal,
ceramic or a combination of two or more of these materials.
13. The cone-type paper coffee filter holder of claim 12, wherein
said durable material is substantially opaque.
14. The cone-type paper coffee filter holder of claim 12, wherein
said durable material is substantially transparent.
15. The cone-type paper coffee filter holder of claim 1, wherein
said cone-type paper coffee filter holder is capable of holding
cone-type paper coffee filters of different sizes.
16. The cone-type paper coffee filter holder of claim 1, wherein
the bottom surface of said holder is approximately perpendicular to
the sides of said container body.
17. A non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit
comprising a drawer body having four sides and a bottom, being
comprised of a durable material and shaped so as to accommodate a
non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter and a cabinet having
dimensions sufficient to encompass said drawer and comprising a
top, and at least two sides, said drawer being removable from at
least one open side of said cabinet.
18. The non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit of
claim 17, wherein said cabinet further comprises a bottom to which
said sides are affixed.
19. The non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit of
claim 17, wherein said cabinet further comprises a third side.
20. The non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit of
claim 17, wherein said sides of said drawer body is formed
essentially in the two-dimensional shape of the non-expanded
cone-type coffee filter which it will accommodate.
21. The non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit of
claim 17, wherein said drawer body can accommodate non-expanded
cone-type paper coffee filters of more than one size.
22. The non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit of
claim 17, wherein said drawer unit is of sufficient strength and
size to support a drip-type coffee maker placed upon the top
surface of said cabinet.
23. The non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit of
claim 17, wherein the top surface of said cabinet further comprises
and insulating means.
24. The non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit of
claim 23, wherein said insulating means is 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.
25. The non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit of
claim 17, wherein said durable material of drawer unit comprises
plastic, wood, glass, metal, ceramic or a combination of two or
more of these materials.
26. The non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit of
claim 17, wherein said drawer unit cabinet or drawer is labeled
with at least one numerical indica corresponding to the filter
number size which fit inside of it.
27. The non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit of
claim 17, wherein said drawer body is slidably removable from said
cabinet.
28. The non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filter drawer unit of
claim 17, wherein said drawer body is attached to said cabinet by
hinge means and is removable by a pivoting motion of said
drawer.
29. A kitchen cabinet drawer divider for non-expanded cone-type
paper coffee filters, said drawer divider comprising a durable
material formed approximately in the two-dimensional shape and
having essentially the dimensions of the non-expanded cone-type
coffee filter which it will accommodate and having at least four
sides of whereby said coffee filters disposed within said divider
will remain separated from any other material placed within said
kitchen cabinet drawer.
30. The kitchen cabinet drawer divider of claim 29, wherein said
durable material comprises plastic, rubber, wood, glass, metal,
ceramic or a combination of two or more of these materials.
31. The kitchen cabinet drawer divider of claim 29, further
comprising additional partitions for kitchen utensils adjacent to
and integral with said divider for non-expanded cone-type paper
coffee filters.
32. The kitchen cabinet drawer divider of claim 29, wherein the
depth of said divider is sufficient to accommodate a plurality of
non-expanded cone-type paper coffee filters.
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 10A 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 11A 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'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.times.1, 1.times.2, 1.times.4, 1.times.6 or 1.times.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, 7A and 7B. 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, 9A, 9B and 9C 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, 9A, 9B, and 9C. 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].times.width [from one point on circumference
of flat folded cone filter to the other].times.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.
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