AU2010224339A1 - Disposable whole bean coffee filter - Google Patents

Description

S&F Ref: 967615 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Conair Corporation, of One Cummings Point Road, of Applicant : Stamford, Connecticut, 06902, United States of America Actual Inventor(s): Barbara L Schnabel Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Disposable whole bean coffee filter The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(2988172_1) 1 DISPOSABLE WHOLE BEAN COFFEE FILTER Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application relates to and claims priority from United States Provisional Application 61/244304. 5 Background of the Invention The present invention relates to electric appliances and, more particularly, to electric coffee makers. Description of Related Art Various design exist for electric coffee makers. Drip-style coffee makers utilize a 10 brew basket that holds coffee grounds and a filter, and heated water is delivered into the basket and, under the force of gravity, brewed coffee drips out of the brew basket. Certain known coffee makers include a grinding feature in which hole coffee beans are placed into a grinding chamber and a grinding operation is carried out. After grinding, the grounds are transferred to a brew basket and the drip-style operation is carried out. is It is desirable to clean grinding chambers and blades of debris and oils from the coffee beans. It is desirable to clean the brew basket also. Both can be inconvenient or difficult to clean. Object of the Present Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or ameliorate 20 one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art. Description of the Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention The present invention provides a disposable, pre-packaged, whole-bean coffee filter packet, said packet comprising: a sealed container enclosing whole coffee beans. 25 In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises use of a pre packaged, sealed container enclosing whole coffee beans. The quantity of beans and the size of the container may correspond to a single serving of coffee, or multiple servings. The container is designed to be used with a machine that selectively introduces a grinding blade into the container for grinding the whole beans. The blade may be lowered into the 2 container, the container may be raised into engagement with the blade, or a combination of both may occur. The freshly made grounds remain in the same container and heated water is introduced into the container. Freshly brewed coffee is produced and drips out of one or more openings in the bottom of the container after passing through the filter. The 5 container is sealed for storage and shipping with an airtight membrane or cover such as plastic, foil etc. The seal is removed by the user before grinding and brewing. Grinding operations may be automatically or manually timed to ensure adequate grinding. Water portions can be dependent upon user's manual input or managed by automatic controls and valves. 1o After use, the container is removed and discarded, eliminating the need for cleanup associated with known grinding and brewing machines. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed herein, it is understood that various modification can be made without departing from the scope of the presently claimed invention.

Claims (6)

1. A disposable, pre-packaged, whole-bean coffee filter packet, said packet comprising: a sealed container enclosing whole coffee beans. 5

2. The packet according to Claim 1, wherein: said container size and the quantity of coffee beans contained therein corresponds to a single serving of coffee. 10

3. The packet according to Claim 1, wherein: said container size and the quantity of coffee beans contained therein corresponds to a plurality of servings of coffee.

4. The packet according to Claim 1, wherein: Is said container has a top surface that is adapted to be penetrated by a coffee grinding blade for grinding the coffee beans contained therein.

5. The packet according to Claim 1, wherein: said container is provided with at least one opening on its bottom to enable 20 brewed coffee to drip therefrom after heated water is introduced into said container.

6. The packet according to Claim 1, wherein: said container is pre-sealed in an airtight membrane. 25 Dated 20 September, 2010 Conair Corporation Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON