Patent Application
20120227590
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to coffee filter technology, and more particularly to a coffee filter comprising gradations for measuring coffee grounds.
Brewing coffee typically requires a measuring an amount of coffee grounds to correspond with a particular measurement of water. Depending on the type of coffee, the granularity of the coffee grinds, or the personal preference of the consumer, different ratios of coffee to water may be desired.
Various approaches to measuring coffee have been employed. In one example, a coffee measuring “scoop” is sold together with the coffee. The exterior of the coffee container or packaging may include a measuring table or set of written instructions providing a recommended measure of scoops for varying measures of water. This approach is convenient, but may be problematic in the event the consumer miscounts (or forgets) the number of scoops of coffee added to the filter. Also, the measurement provided on the coffee container may not be appropriate for other coffee grinds or types, such as self-ground coffee.
In another example, a consumer uses traditional measuring devices, e.g. table spoons, measuring cups, etc., to measure an amount of coffee. This approach is common for consumers that grind their own coffee prior to brewing. The disadvantage of this approach is that measuring utensils are often dirtied in the process, requiring washing.
In yet another example, coffee grinds may be packaged in a self-contained permeable filter pouch in various pre-measured amounts. The packaging may include instructions defining the amount of water that is recommended for each pre-measured filter pack. While this approach has the advantage of easy measure and cleanliness, it confines the consumer to a particular brew size corresponding to the amount of grinds in the filter pouch. In addition, this approach is not well-suited for consumers that grind their own coffee prior to brewing.
One embodiment of the present invention includes a coffee filter comprising one or more side walls and a bottom surface for retaining coffee grounds. The one or more of the side walls may have one or more gradations for measuring coffee grounds retained with the coffee filter. In an alternative embodiment, the coffee filter comprises one or more side walls joined to define a bottom for retaining coffee grounds.
The side walls and the bottom surface may be continuous surfaces formed of a common material, such as a paper filter. Alternatively, the filter may comprise a basket frame having one or more of the side walls or bottom surface. The side walls or bottom surface may comprise a mesh or screen material for retaining coffee grounds.
Gradations for the coffee filter may be molded into the basket frame, embossed into one or more of the side walls, or printed on one or more of the side walls. The gradations are labeled with a value such as a volume of coffee grounds retained within the coffee filter.
These are non-limiting examples of various embodiments of the present invention. These and other features and embodiments of the present invention are described in greater detail in the Figures and the following written description and claims.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
Coffee filter 17 includes one or more coffee measurement gradations 21 disposed generally vertically between bottom surface 13 and top edge 11. Gradations 21 may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Gradations 21 may be imprinted in the filter paper with non-toxic ink having a visually-observable contrast with respect to the color of the filter paper. Alternatively, the gradations 21 may be embossed into the paper creating a visually-observable coffee measuring mark.
Although not required, gradations 21 may be labeled with suitable measurement values 30. Imprinted measurement values may include numerals (e.g. 1-5 as shown). Alternatively the values may include a variety of volumetric measurements, such as tablespoons, ¼ cup, ½ cup, 1 cup, etc. In some embodiments, the gradations may be labeled with graphical representations of the volumetric measurements (e.g., and without limitation, a graphic of one coffee cup represents one cup, two coffee cups represents two cups, and so forth. Of course, the use of whole numbers is for illustration. Accordingly, fractional amounts may also be represented). The imprinted measurement corresponds to an approximate volume of dry coffee grounds retained by filter 17. The location of the gradations will vary depending on the style and size of coffee filter utilized. Alternatively, gradations 21 may be labeled with values representing a recommended amount of water to be added for the volume of coffee added at gradations 21.
While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.
