U.S. patent application number 13/080990 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-11 for coffee filter dispensing device.
Invention is credited to Gene P. Percudani.
Application Number | 20120255966 13/080990 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46965302 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120255966 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Percudani; Gene P. |
October 11, 2012 |
COFFEE FILTER DISPENSING DEVICE
Abstract
A coffee filter dispenser is provided for distributing
individual coffee filters. The coffee filter dispenser includes a
container and a stack of interleaved coffee filters. The container
has two sets of opposing walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall with
an opening for dispensing coffee filters. Each coffee filter in the
stack is folded to form a folded edge, a top section and a bottom
section. The coffee filters are interleaved to form a stack in the
container so that the top section of a first filter is positioned
in the container opening, and top and bottom sections of opposing
filters overlap so that removal of the first filter from the
container causes the top section of a second filter to be
positioned in the container opening.
Inventors: |
Percudani; Gene P.;
(Stroudsburg, PA) |
Family ID: |
46965302 |
Appl. No.: |
13/080990 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0894
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/45 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/08 20060101
B65D083/08 |
Claims
1. A coffee filter dispenser comprising: a container having two
sets of opposing walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall forming an
interior volume, wherein the top wall has an opening for dispensing
coffee filters; and a plurality of coffee filters forming a stack
positioned within the interior volume of the container, wherein
each coffee filter is folded forming a folded edge, a top section
having an interior surface and a bottom section having an interior
surface; and the coffee filters are interleaved to form a stack in
the container so that the top section of a first filter is
positioned in the container opening, the interior surface of the
top section of each filter is in contact with the interior surface
of the bottom section of an opposing filter, and the top sections
and bottom sections of opposing filters overlap so that removal of
the first filter from the container causes the top section of a
second filter to be positioned in the container opening.
2. The coffee filter dispenser of claim 1, wherein the coffee
filters comprise basket-shaped filters having a generally circular
central portion and a side portion, wherein the side portion is
pleated with a generally accordion-like construction.
3. The coffee filter dispenser of claim 2, wherein the bottom
sections of the interleaved filters are generally parallel to each
other.
4. The coffee filter dispenser of claim 1, wherein the coffee
filters comprise paper or cloth.
5. The coffee filter dispenser of claim 1, wherein a thickness of
each coffee filter ranges from about 150 micrometers to about 190
micrometers.
6. The coffee filter dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container
comprises a removable bottom wall.
7. The coffee filter dispenser of claim 1, wherein the walls are
generally rectangular.
8. The coffee filter dispenser of claim 1, wherein the opening is
generally oval.
9. The coffee filter dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container
comprises paper, cardboard, plastic, or metal.
10. The coffee filter dispenser of claim 9, wherein the container
comprises cardboard.
11. A coffee filter dispenser comprising: a container having two
sets of opposing walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall forming an
interior volume, wherein the top wall has an opening for dispensing
coffee filters; and a plurality of coffee filters forming a stack
positioned within the interior volume of the container, wherein
each coffee filter is folded forming a folded edge, a top section
having an interior surface and a bottom section having an interior
surface; the coffee filters are interleaved to form a stack in the
container so that the top section of a first filter is positioned
in the container opening, the interior surface of the top section
of each filter is in contact with the interior surface of the
bottom section of an opposing filter, the top sections and bottom
sections of opposing filters overlap so that removal of the first
filter from the container causes the top section of a second filter
to be positioned in the container opening; and the stack is folded
along a line generally perpendicular to the folded edges of the
coffee filters.
12. The coffee filter dispenser of claim 11, wherein the coffee
filters comprise basket-shaped filters having a generally circular
central portion and a side portion, wherein the side portion is
pleated with a generally accordion-like construction.
13. The coffee filter dispenser of claim 11, wherein the walls of
the container are generally square.
14. A coffee filter dispenser comprising: a plurality of coffee
filters positioned within a stack; a container defining an outer
wall and an interior volume, the interior volume retaining the
stack of filters, and a dispensing opening for dispensing the
filters from the interior volume; wherein each filter in the stack
is folded to form at least one side edge, a top section and a
bottom section, wherein each of the filters overlap and are
interleaved in the stack, such that the bottom section of one
filter is positioned below the top section of another filter, and
wherein the top section of a filter positioned on top of the stack
and adjacent the dispensing opening in the container and removal of
the top filter is accomplished by pulling the exposed top section
of the filter from the container, and the frictional engagement of
the bottom section of the top filter with the top section of second
filter in the stack filter caused the second filter to move into
position for discharge from the container opening.
15. A coffee filter dispenser as in claim 14, wherein each of the
filters have a basket shape, with a generally circular central
portion and a pleated side portion surrounding the central
portion.
16. A coffee filter dispenser as in claim 14, wherein the container
includes a removable bottom wall, to permit access to the interior
volume and to permit loading filters in the stack.
17. A coffee filter dispenser as in claim 14, wherein the walls of
the container are generally rectangular, and the container opening
is oval.
18. A coffee filter dispenser as in claim 14, wherein the stack is
folded along a line generally perpendicular to the folded side
edges of the filters in the stack.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing device for
dispensing individual coffee filters.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Coffee filters are typically sold in compact, nested stacks.
Removal of a single filter from the stack may be difficult, because
the filters often stick together resulting in removal of multiple
filters that must be separate and returned to the stack.
[0003] It has previously been proposed to modify the coffee filters
to facilitate removal of individual filters. U.S. Pat. No.
5,120,439 to McFarlin shows coffee filters having tabs for
accessing individual filters. U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,840 to Brooks
shows coffee filters that are interconnected along their side edges
in series. The side connection includes perforations for separation
of adjacent filters. The interconnected filters are folded over one
another and placed in a stack within a dispensing box. The top
filter can be accessed by pulling through an opening in the box and
the connection with the adjoining filter separated along the
perforations.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,697 to Sarris shows a coffee filter
dispenser with an ejection assembly and a telescoping shaft. A
nested stack of filters is inverted and positioned on the
telescoping shaft. The shaft raises the inverted stack so that the
ejection assembly may move an individual filter through an opening
in the dispenser.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,188 to Fay shows a filter dispenser
having a filter holder and a bulb-shaped filter extractor. A filter
stack is positioned in the holder and the bulb-shaped filter
extractor is positioned in an opposing relationship with the stack.
The extractor is coated with a tacky material. The filter extractor
is pushed downward to contact, temporarily adhere to and remove the
top filter of the stack.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,764 to Norman shows a container for
dispensing individual coffee filters. A nested stack of filters is
folded, with the ends of the filters in the stack being fanned out.
The folded stack is positioned in a container to maintain the
folded orientation. Individual filters may be accessed by opening a
hinge plate on the container, exposing the stack.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A coffee filter dispenser is provided for storing a
plurality of coffee filters positioned within an interior volume of
a container. The container may have any number of forms, such as
being defined by two sets of opposing walls, a bottom wall, and a
top wall. The container defines an interior volume for storing the
filters in a stack. The container includes a dispensing opening for
dispensing the coffee filters. Each filter in the stack is folded
to form at least one side edge, a top section and a bottom section.
The filters are interleaved in the stack, such that the bottom
section of one filter is positioned below the top section of
another filter. The top section of the (another) filter is
positioned on top of the stack and adjacent the dispensing opening
in the container. The top and bottom sections of the remaining
filters in the stack overlap one another. Removal of the removal of
the top filter is accomplished by pulling the exposed top section
of the filter from the container. As the bottom section of the one
filter frictional engages the bottom section of the top filter as
it is removed, causing the top section of filter to move into
position for discharge from the container opening.
[0008] In one aspect of the dispenser, the filters have a basket
shape, with a generally circular central portion and a pleated side
portion surrounding the central portion.
[0009] In a further aspect of the dispenser, the coffee filters may
be made from paper, cloth or a similar material. The filter
thickness preferably ranges from about 150 micrometers to about 190
micrometers.
[0010] In a further aspect of the invention, the container includes
a removable bottom wall, to permit access to the interior volume
and to permit loading filters in the stack. The walls of the
container are preferably generally rectangular, and the container
opening is preferably oval. The container may be constructed of
paper, paperboard, cardboard, plastic, metal or the like.
[0011] In a further aspect of the dispenser, a container is
provided with a folded stack of coffee filters positioned therein.
The container is defined by two sets of opposing walls, a bottom
wall, and a top wall forming an interior volume. The top wall of
the container has an opening for dispensing coffee filters. The
plurality of filters forms a stack within the interior volume of
the container. Each filter in the stack is folded to form an edge,
a top section, and a bottom section. The folded filters are
interleaved to form a stack so that the top section of the first
filter is positioned in the opening of the container and the top
and bottom sections of the remaining filters overlap so that
removal of the first filter from the container causes the top
section of a second filter to be positioned in the container
opening.
[0012] In a further aspect of the dispenser, the stack of filters
is folded along a line generally perpendicular to the folded edges
of the individual filters in the stack.
[0013] In a further aspect of the dispenser, the walls of the
container are preferably generally square.
[0014] Further features and aspects of the contemplated invention
are defined by the drawings and description below. Moreover, the
foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of
various embodiments of the invention, will be better understood
when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It
should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to
the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a coffee filter of a type
contemplated for use with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a stack of interleaved
coffee filters.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a container having
the stack of interleaved coffee filters of FIG. 2 positioned within
the interior volume of the container.
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an alternate stack
arrangement for coffee filters positioned within a dispensing
container, with a portion of the container cut away to illustrate
the stack arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In the drawings where like numerals identify like elements,
there is shown a plurality of coffee filters, generally designated
by the numeral 10. In FIG. 1, there is illustrated a basket-shaped
coffee filter 10 of the type that is presently preferred. The
basket-shaped coffee filters 10 as illustrated have a generally
circular central portion 12 with a pleated side wall 14. Other
types and shapes of coffee filters may also be used in conjunction
with the present invention, including conical, pyramidal, or
cubical filters. The filters 10 may be made of any suitable
filtering material including but not limited to paper, cloth or
similar materials. The filters 10 may be of any suitable size
including, but not limited to, filters sized for use in 4 cup or 8
to 12 cup coffee drip-style brewing machines. The thickness of the
filters preferably ranges from 150 micrometers to 190 micrometers,
but may be any suitable thickness may be provided.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a stack 16 of coffee filters in a first
stacking format. Eight folded filters are shown in FIG. 2. However,
the number of filters in a stack may vary and is generally limited
only by the size of the dispenser (discussed below). The coffee
filters 10 are folded in half along a diameter 18 to form a top
section 20, a bottom section 22 and a folded edge 24. The top
section 20 and bottom section 22 of each folded filter have
interior surfaces 26, 28, respectively. Each of the filters 10 are
interleaved in the stack 16, with the interior surface 28 of the
bottom section 22 of each filter in contact with the interior
surface 26 of the top section 20 of the next filter in the stack
16. In addition, as shown each successive filter 10 in the stack 16
is positioned in an opposing relationship. As shown in FIG. 2 the
top-most filter 30 in the stack 16 is partially unfolded for
viewing purposes. The remaining filters in the stack 16 are
interleaved with one another.
[0022] It is contemplated that the position of the fold 18 and the
amount of overlap of the filter portions 20, 22 may vary. In the
stack 16 of FIG. 2, each filter 10 is folded in half. A different
position for the fold 18 may be possible and multiple folds may be
provided. It is preferred that the bottom section 22 and top
section 20 of opposing filters overlap sufficiently to create
significant frictional contact between the interior surface 28 of
the bottom section 22 and the interior surface 26 of the top
section 20.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a folded stack 16 of filters 10 positioned
within an embodiment of a dispensing container 32. The container 32
as shown is generally rectangular, having two sets of opposing side
walls 36, a bottom wall 38 and a top wall 40. The container 32
defines an interior volume 34 for storing the filters 10 in the
defined stack 16. An opening 42 is provided in the top wall 40 for
dispensing the filters 10 from the interior volume 34. The opening
42 is bridged by a sheet 43 that includes a slot 45, through which
individual coffee filters 10 can be dispensed. The sheet 43 is
fastened to the top wall 40 by any suitable method including, but
not limited to, the application of an adhesive. The bottom wall 38
may be removable to facilitate the addition of filters 10 to the
stack 16 within the interior 34.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the walls are rectangular and define a
generally rectangular container shape. Other shapes for the
container are possible, including square, round, oval, etc. The
container may be constructed of any suitable material including,
but not limited to, paper, paperboard, cardboard, plastic, metal,
etc. Preferably the container is constructed of paperboard. The
dispensing opening may alternately be located on any of the walls.
The opening is preferably oval, but may be any shape suitable for
accessing the filters within the interior of the container. The
sheet is preferably formed of flexible plastic, but may be
constructed of any suitable material including, but not limited to,
paper, cardboard, paperboard, etc.
[0025] The filters 10 in the container 32 are interleaved in the
stack 16 in the manner discussed with respect to FIG. 2. The
interleaving arrangement creates friction between adjacent surfaces
of the folded filters in the stack. The top section 26a of the
first filter 20 in the stack 16 is pulled through the slot 45
positioned in the opening 42 by its leading edge 44. As the first
filter 20 is removed from the interior volume 34, friction between
the first filter 20 and the second filter 22 in the stack causes
the top section 26b of the second filter 22 to be pulled into the
slot 45. Thus, the second filter is positioned in the slot for easy
removal, when desired. Further, the frictional relationship is
restricted by the slot 45, such that removal of multiple filters is
suppressed. The sheet 43 is optional. The sheet 43 serves to cover
the filters 10 within the stack 16. Further, the flexibility or
movement of the sheet 43 assists in controlling the top section 26b
of the second filter 22 as the first filter 20 is removed. If the
top filter 20 in the stack returns back into the dispenser 32, its
leading section 26a can be accessed through the slot 45.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a second dispenser embodiment. The filters 110
are contemplated to be generally the same as in FIG. 3. The stack
116 in FIG. 4 is folded along a line 112 that is generally
perpendicular to the folded edges 118 of the filters 110. This
alternate stacking arrangement allows for the filter stack 116 to
be positioned within a relatively smaller container 132. Removal of
the top filter 120 is accomplished by pulling on the leading edge
144. The interleaving and opposing filters 110 in the stack 116
creates a frictional relationship that pulls the top section of the
second filter 122 into the slot 145 positioned in the opening 142
as the top filter 120 is removed from the container 134. The
flexing or movement of the sheet 143 and the restricted opening of
the slot 145 assist in positioning the second filter 122 in the
dispensing position after removal of the first or top filter in the
stack.
[0027] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes could be made to the embodiments described above without
departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is
understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover
modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *