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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing individual coffee filters.

BACKGROUND

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In a further aspect of the dispenser, the walls of the container are preferably generally square.

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

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.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a coffee filter of a type contemplated for use with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a stack of interleaved coffee filters.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.