Abstract: A coffee filter holder includes a funnel wall, a substantially flat bottom wall having an outer edge and a coffee brew outlet, a drip-stop valve assembly that can be brought in an opened and a closed condition. The drip-stop valve assembly includes a valve member mounted on a blade spring connected to the bottom wall, and an actuator lever slideably connected to the bottom wall. The actuator lever includes an integral piece of sheet material with a first end that extends beyond the outer edge of the bottom wall so as to be engageable by hand and having a second end positioned under the substantially flat bottom wall to engage the valve member carrier to bring valve member from the opened position to the closed position and vice versa.

Abstract: A multi-purpose beverage pod holder for a beverage brewing apparatus is disclosed comprising a flange adapted to be received in a slot in the brewing apparatus, a screen disposed orthogonal with the flange for allowing fluid to pass therein through, a first cylindrical wall encircling the screen on a first surface of the pod holder, the first cylindrical wall having a first diameter and defining a first packet retainer, and a second cylindrical wall encircling the screen on an opposite surface of the pod holder, the second cylindrical wall having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter and defining a second packet retainer. The pod holder can be used to brew both espresso and coffee in the same machine depending upon the orientation of the pod holder.

Abstract: A liquid infusion and/or brewing process is described. The process includes the steps of placing a desired amount of an infusion material into a chamber at atmospheric pressure, placing a desired amount of liquid into said chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, and applying at least one reduced pressure cycle within said chamber, wherein said at least one cycle includes reducing pressure within said chamber to form at least a partial vacuum within said chamber and subsequently returning said chamber to about atmospheric pressure. Methods for separating the brewing media from the liquid after completion of the brewing process are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for brewing a beverage in a brewing apparatus, wherein a cartridge containing infusible material is connected to a brew chamber and will form the bottom of the brew chamber. By the introduction of air through the filter of the cartridge, water and infusible material are mixed, and an effective brewing process is conducted. After brewing the beverage is discharged into a receptacle through the filter of the cartridge, leaving infusible material behind in the cartridge. The invention also provides a cartridge for use in the method.

Abstract: An hourglass shaped apparatus for cold brewing coffee, comprising a brew chamber, an extract chamber and a center piece connecting the brew and extract chambers. The extract and brew chambers comprise two ends of the hourglass shaped apparatus and the center piece comprises middle portion. The brew chamber houses a free standing self-contained filter assembly containing coffee grounds inside a micro-fine wire mesh. Water is poured into the brew chamber to generate coffee extract through cold water infusion. After the brewing process, the apparatus is inverted, and the coffee travels into the extract chamber through the center piece for dispensing. Coffee brewed in this manner is less acidic and more flavorful than the conventionally hot-brewed beverage. All the components of the apparatus, the filter assembly, the brew chamber, the extract chamber, and the center tie piece, are detachable.

Abstract: A filtering device for filtering water and liquids in general comprises a first reservoir for collecting the water to be filtered, a second reservoir for collecting the filtered water, which reservoir is supplied by falling from the first reservoir, a conduit which extends from the first reservoir into the second reservoir, a cartridge type filtering element which is removably received in the conduit, a discharge hole for the filtered water that is positioned between the conduit and the second reservoir, and at least one opening for access to the cartridge provided at an end of the conduit that is distal from the first reservoir in order to promote the removal thereof. The device comprises an at least partial closure which can be removably fitted to the conduit in the region of the opening for access to the cartridge and comprises a flow adjuster which is associated with the conduit in order to adjust the flow of water flowing from the first reservoir to the second reservoir through the discharge hole.

Abstract: A liquid shield and a funnel in combination with the liquid shield is disclosed. The funnel includes at least one side wall defining a cavity within the funnel and it has a drain opening generally on the bottom surface of the funnel. A rim along the upper edge of the side wall defines a mouth of the funnel. A handle is provided on the funnel. Spaced apart receptacles are positioned on the side wall in relation to the handle. The liquid shield includes a body portion which extends over at least a portion of the cavity of the funnel and is positioned adjacent the handle. The shield includes attachment portions extending from the body which are engageable with the receptacles for removably retaining the shield on the funnel. A flange extends from a portion of the shield and abuts an inside surface of the side wall of the funnel generally blocking passage of material between the shield and the funnel.

Abstract: A funnel having at least one channel or groove formed by projected ribs in the sidewalls of the funnel. The projections space the sides of a filter membrane placed inside the funnel, thereby preventing the sides of the filter insert from adhering to the sidewalls of the funnel and allowing the fluid to flow through the sides of the filter insert and into the grooves or channels that conduct the fluid to the discharge orifice of the funnel. The projected ribs are preferably a plurality of raised ribs arranged at approximately 45 degree intervals about the funnel interior surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an espresso brewing-head unit comprising locking member for detachable attachment to a brewing unit of an espresso machine. A filter for an espresso machine is meant to be improved in a general manner. To this end, the espresso brewing-head unit comprises a pot-shaped coffee receiving container consisting of a plastic material, whose bottom is provided with a filter plate having coffee exit openings and whose upper edge portion in the side wall has firmly embedded therein a substantially surrounding reinforcement ring of a stable material, preferably metal, the reinforcement ring comprising attachment portions which are part of the locking member.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a water filter designed to be inserted into a drinking water circuit. The water filter has a support designed to house removably one or more different filters each having a different filtering property and adapted to be mounted either independently of each other or associated in a particular combination so as to effect a filtration of the drinking water according to its composition.

Abstract: A funnel for filtering particulate from a liquid with improved filtration flow rate using flow paths through a filtering interface defined by a filter element and orifices predominantly on the wall of a conical inner funnel member. Particulate accumulates at the vertex of the inner funnel member. Filtered liquid passes through a collecting chamber between the inner funnel member and an outer funnel member and discharges through a spout. Filtration through the funnel may be assisted by application of a vacuum suction on the filtered liquid side of the filter element or application of a positive pressure on the unfiltered liquid side of the filter element. The inner and outer funnel members can be easily disassembled for cleaning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pot-shaped permanent filter insert for use in an espresso machine, the insert comprising a filter base plate which substantially forms the bottom of the pot and is penetrated by a plurality of filter openings substantially in the flow direction of the medium to be filtered and comprises a frame surrounding the filter base plate, and a pot wall which is substantially arranged on the edge of the filter base plate and transversely extends away from the filter base plate to form a coffee receiving portion, the permanent filter insert being made of a plurality of parts in that the lower edge portion of the pot wall is substantially secured to the outer edge of the filter base plate. Furthermore, the lower edge portion of the pot wall and the filter base plate are interconnected by an injection-molded plastic connection, a frame being injection-molded substantially around the outer edge of the filter base plate, interconnecting the frame and the filter base plate and the pot wall.

Abstract: An electric kettle having a housing, a heating element, and a filter system. The filter system has a connecting frame and a filter member. The connecting frame is stationarily connected to the housing and forms a vent conduit with the housing. The filter member is removably received in the connecting frame and has a top located at an exterior of the housing. A user can remove the filter member by moving the top of the filter member without having to move other components of the kettle.

Abstract: A single cup disposable coffee brewing device foldable from a generally flat position to an unfolded position. The device has a coffee filter on the interior and a cardboard main body portion on the exterior and can be placed on top of a cup or mug. Coffee grounds are disposed in the filter and hot or cold water is poured into the unfolded device. The main body portion has a hole at bottom normally closed by a sealing element which dissolves after a predetermined period of time and allows brewed coffee to drip out into the mug or cup.

Abstract: A disposable filter bag for preparation of hot brewed beverages, particularly for the preparation of American coffee, comprises a double layer of water permeable paper material in which a chamber is delimited by weak weldings with a batch of ground coffee contained therein. The filter bag features wings foldable inwards over the chamber for reduction of the package size. To use the filter bag the wings are opened and the upper edges are separated so as to allow the weak weldings to be peeled off for complete opening of the filter bag inside a basket.

Abstract: A filter holder for coffee cartridges, comprising a cartridge-receiving portion (4) with a closed bottom and a lateral extract passage (9), a by-pass (5) which has its inlet (6) spaced above the cartridge-receiving portion (4) and terminates adjacent the extract passage (9), as well as an upper supporting rim (7) which is so inclined relative to the axis of the closed bottom, that when the filter pan is arranged by the supporting rim (7) thereof on the upper edge of a receptacle for brewed coffee, the outlets of the by-pass (5) and the extract passage (9) are disposed substantially at the lowest point.

Abstract: Bubble size of a froth created during the preparation and dispensing of an instant coffee beverage is controlled by passing the coffee beverage through at least two adjacent screens coaxially and adjacently positioned at a distance from one another, one inside another.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to an improved method for connecting a two-part brewing funnel generally used to make cold, freshly brewed beverages. The funnel consists of an inner part and an outer part. The outer part has a plurality of notches and tabs disposed about its upper flange. The notches are disposed with one side being in abutment with a tab. The inner part has a plurality of tangs disposed about its upper portion, with their disposition coordinated with the disposition of the notches of the outer part so that the tangs are insertable into the notches. One end of each tang is elongated to form a tang tab and a tang notch disposed between the tang and the tang tab. When the inner and outer parts are joined, the tabs of the outer part move over and behind the tang tabs of the inner part and lock in a rest position in the tang notches. Meanwhile, the tang tabs move under and behind the tabs of the outer part and lock in a rest position behind the tabs.

Abstract: A beverage brewing funnel including a filter retaining basket and a handle which are securely yet removably attached to a funnel shell. A compressible fork and a prong attached to an upper portion of the filter retaining basket engage a slot and an aperture, respectively, and a compressible annular bead engages a corresponding groove to retain the filter retaining basket inside of the funnel shell. A two member fastener attaches the handle to an outside surface of the funnel shell. A first member of the fastener is attached to the outside surface of the funnel shell and a second member of the fastener attaches the handle to the first member of the fastener. The filter retaining basket employs no loose hardware and the two member fastener used to attach the handle to the funnel shell is attached in on the outside of the funnel shell.

Abstract: A filter for making filtered drinks, such as coffee, includes a filter bag and supporting members connected to the filter bag for supporting the filter on the rim of a vessel, such as a cup. The supporting members are adapted to be moved from a flat folded configuration to a position in which the supporting members are substantially horizontally oriented for being positioned on the rim of the cup.

Abstract: A coffee filter for a coffee making apparatus, comprising a funnel or holder (1) for receiving a filter element containing ground coffee, said funnel having at least at its lower end an inclined wall section (2), an outflow opening (4) in said wall (2) for draining coffee brew into a container positioned under said funnel (1), a disc valve (18) for selectively closing said outflow opening (4), said valve (18) being controlled by control means comprising a slide (6) guided in a slit (5) provided in a vertical wall section (3) arranged opposite to said inclined wall section (2), said slide (6) having a grip (6') at the outer side and a cam (7) with an undulated surface (8), at the inner side of said vertical wall section (3), said disc valve (18) being connected to one end (17) of a lever (14), the other lever end (16) being designed as a cam follower cooperating with said undulating cam surface (8), a leaf spring (10) extending transversely across the space between the inclined wall section (2) and the vertica

Abstract: The invention relates to A filter for making portions of coffee or tea, comprising a substantially cup-shaped supporting vessel having a pouring-in opening at the top, a chamber for filling with liquid and having an outlet opening at the bottom, and a filter insert disposed in the supporting vessel above the outlet opening, wherein the filter insert (5) comprises a filter mat and extends approximately parallel to the inner wall of the supporting vessel and its periphery is connected to the supporting vessel (1) in the edge region of the pouring-in opening (2).

Abstract: A filter device adapted to separate immiscible liquids in beverages such as coffee or tea and other consumable material such as soups and gravies is so designed whereby the beverage or other consumable material passes through a special prewetted filter cloth member and the oils or other immiscible organic liquids contained in the consumable material are coalesced and retained upon the surface of the filter cloth member. The special filter cloth member is formed of synthetic fibers having a low moisture regain, provided with a multiplicity of fine interstitial openings and is napped on the upper surface.

Abstract: Beverage brewing funnel combination for supporting scrunchable disposable filters in either their non-scrunched full or normal capacity condition or in a scrunched reduced-capacity condition. The combination is formed by a funnel and a removable skeleton-like insert. The interior bottom surface of the funnel is inclined or dished toward a drain aperture and has a plurality of upstanding ribs which maintain a wet disposable filter out of adhering contact with the bottom surface when the funnel is used without the removable insert to support a disposable filter in its non-scrunched condition. When the insert is nested within the funnel it supports the disposable filters in their scrunched condition and preferably out of contact with the bottom surface of the funnel as well as the sidewall surface thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to an infusion filter, in particular for use in coffee percolators, which includes a first rigid disc having an open space therein and a second rigid disc having an open space therein. The infusion filter includes a filter element having an inclined edge and a circular part having an open space therein. The filter element and the circular part are disposed between the first and second discs. The inclined edge of the filter element abuts the inclined edge of the circular part. The first and second rigid disc are molded such that the inclined edge of the filter element and the inclined edge of the circular part extend beyond the discs.

Abstract: The holder for a filter which contains a supply of comminuted coffee beans in an espresso coffee brewing apparatus is separably connectable to the housing of the apparatus by a bayonet lock connection and is separably connected with the filter by a coupling or detent of the type having cooperating male and female elements with the male elements provided on the holder and the female elements provided on the filter or vice versa. The filter is provided with arms for retaining the remnants of the supply of comminuted coffee beans therein.

Abstract: A beverage brewing funnel of the type used with disposable paper filters. The interior bottom surface of the funnel is provided with ribs which prevent the disposable filters when wet from engaging the interior bottom surface. The bottom of the funnel has a radially extending drainage sump with a drainage or discharge port. A three-part removable screen filter assembly is mounted in the drainage port. One part of the filter is a bushing which seats in the drainage port and has exteriorly threaded nipples projecting above and below the drainage port. The bottom end of a enclosed, generally cylindrical and finger-like rigid filter is secured to a nut which is screwed onto the upwardly projecting nipple of the bushing. A separate nut is screwed onto the downwardly projecting nipple and secures the bushing in place in the discharge port.

Abstract: Described is a water purifier comprising a collecting container (1) with pouring spout (2) and handle (3), a funnel and a cover (5) which can close the funnel, wherein provided at the bottom of the funnel is an opening for receiving a filter cartridge containing a purifying agent.

Abstract: A paper extractor including a support member in the form of a collar of a small wall-thickness having at its lower end two support legs facing each other, a filter attached to an inner surface of the support member, and coffee packs each including coffee powder sealed in a bag of filter cloth or filter paper. The support legs of the support member are each formed with folds in the form of a letter V to allow the support legs to be deformed and project outwardly when they are bent at the folds. By replacing the coffee pack by a new one, the paper extractor can be used several times before it is discarded, and the deformable support legs enable the paper extractor to be stably supported on the upper edge of a coffee cup.

Abstract: The percolator supporting structure comprises a coffee powder containing body (1) effective to be coupled to the water dispensing unit and provided, at the bottom thereof, with coffee metering spouts, and including a coffee powder holding grille (5) movable therein and effective to be located at a plurality of different levels, in such a way as to vary the coffee powder containing capacity of the body (1) and facilitate the removing of the spent coffee powder.

Abstract: A permanent, reuseable liquid filter comprised of a thin flexible filter material and a support skeleton secured to the outside surface thereof. The skeleton includes a centrally disposed support rim and a plurality of support rib sets spaced around and extending outwardly from the support rim. Each rib set comprises a plurality of separate elongated ribs extending from adjacent the support rim toward the filter material outer edge with the ribs of each set being connected together by a first connecting web. A second connecting web may be advantageously used to connect each support rib set to the support rim. The filter is normally in a generally flat condition and automatically assumes the general shape of a filter basket or other support structure upon installation thereinto. The support rim then generally defines a filter bottom area with the ribs urging the remainder of the filter material toward engagement with the filter basket or support structure side wall area.

Abstract: A coffee filter which may be used repeatedly is described. It comprises a funnel-shaped housing having an outlet port at the lower end. A filter of similar shape is fitted into the housing and is so dimensioned as to provide a clearance of between 0.2 to 1.5 mm. The filtering element is so dimensioned that the upper rim thereof forms a seal with the inner wall of the housing. The outlet port of the housing has a restriction in order to assume a continuous flow of the filtrate between the funnel-shaped housing and the filtering element.

Abstract: A drip coffeemaker basket and filter assembly is provided comprising a cup-shaped basket supporting a matching water permeable filter and the basket is generally funnel-shaped with a substantially flat bottom wall of spaced supporting means defining a fixed opening water passage where the supporting means may be spaced radiating ribs. A second adjacent and larger cross-section supporting shelf is spaced above the bottom wall and supports the filter thereon. A convex curved surface connects the shelf and the supporting means whereby the filter seals on the convex surface inversely to the coffee quantity in the filter and automatically varies the effect of filtering area directly with the coffee quantity in the filter providing a single molded unit with non-movable or replaceable parts that automatically adjusts itself for larger and smaller quantities for the correct brew.

Abstract: A filter for liquids and particularly coffee comprises a container having a planar horizontal base formed with at least one filtrate drainage opening, and on its inner face formed with a plurality of radial ribs and a central support member which together support a generally planar filter element of thin sheet material in spaced parallel relationship to the base. In use the arrangement produces a toroidal circulation of liquid which prevents compaction of the filter cake and reduces clogging of the filter element.

Abstract: A funnel-shaped receptacle is temporarily positioned on the top of a coffee-making machine with its bottom outlet positioned to discharge into the heater tank of the machine. The interior of the receptacle is spanned by a disposable activated carbon filter and below the filter is a container of screen material filled with soluble phosphate granules. Replenishing water poured through the receptacle is first purified by the filter and is then treated with the dissolved phosphate to prevent calcium formation and corrosion in the heater tank.

Abstract: A filter, mainly for coffee-making devices, comprises a cup-shaped cylindrical member and a circular member partially closing the top aperture of the cup-shaped cylindrical member so as to leave a filter-forming circular gap therebetween. This gap increases in width from the inner edge of the cup-shaped member inwards; the top face of the circular member may constitute the bottom of the filtration chamber. Means may be provided for adjusting the relative spacing of these members and therefore the width of the filter-forming gap. Ribs or shims may be provided on either of the two members for maintaining a permanent gap width.

Abstract: A coffee filter for coffee pots comprising a container, and a filtering element is disclosed. The container comprises a bottom surface having a plurality of openings and a lateral surface extending from the bottom surface around the periphery of the bottom surface. A plurality of axial ribs are connected to the inside of the lateral surface. The axial ribs are spaced equidistantly about the inside of the lateral surface. Each of these ribs has an inclined edge surface such that the surface defined by the inclined edges of the axial ribs is in the shape of an inverted truncated cone. The bottom edges of the axial ribs terminate in a supporting ramp which is a radial projection extending from the inclined edge of each axial rib. The filtering element is supported, and rests upon, the supporting ramp.